Syke, lol! No, Chapter 48 was not the end of this story. There are still a few knots that need to be untangled first. No worries, there are only a few chapters left. I'll give you a hint; how many weeks are there in a year?

So, I felt I had to release this chapter a bit early because based on the comments, I think some of you thought Chapter 48 was the final one. I thought that by putting a question mark at the end of 'The End...?' would have been enough for people to see that it was not the ending. Plus, I did also say 'I think' it was the end. It was intended to be as a surprise. If I completely misled anyone, I apologize for that. Enjoy!

Responses to reviews:

Kryten: Lol, not it's not the end. Surprised, or just annoyed?

Cre8ivelybankrupt87: Good to hear from you again. I thought I lost your interest or something for a second there. Glad to hear that chapters have been giving you a run for your mind, lol. Yes, I also felt that scene is a breakthrough.

Sid and Carmen being a thing was a thing earlier in my other story, 'A New Life'. Has it been that long that you don't remember? Lol.

Rhonda still has a part to play in Rodrigo's life. We will have to wait and see.

Yes, your suspicion was right on target; it was a little too convenient...

Veganmama: Thank you! Yes, I felt that Eugene should have sang his sang in the movie, even though it was funny that Gerald cut him off mid-way. That's why I felt to give him some justice and have him finally finish it. I mean also the poor guy was run over by a car earlier.

Rhonda is not yet done in Rodrigo's life. Just wait and see.

Hehehe, after all the crap they endured with each other, I thought it was best to let all that finally slide.

Nope! The story is still not over.

Esmeralda: Sorry to break it to you, but the story is not yet over.

Thanks. I was trying really hard to incorporate Rodrigo not only in the story, but also within the Hey Arnold! Universe.

Yes, I completely agree with that notion.

Thanks. If you haven't yet already, you can take a read at my other story that I wrote some time ago; HA! Season 6: Helga vs Rodrigo. It's a new series with Rodrigo coming to PS 118 just after the events of TJM.

Aglila12: Muchas gracias por tu comento! Lo aprecio tanto.

Si, en mi cuento intente a ilustra las desventajas de Arnold y demonstrar que el es solamente un nino como todos. Ni el mismo podía evitar la influencia de envidad y de su ego.

Ah, pero el cuento todavia no termino ;)


*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*

*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*

*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*

"Will you stop banging that stupid metal cup on the bar, Sid?!" Helga, utterly annoyed, yelled at him. "Crimeny, you've been playing with that thing since we got here! Now stop it, or else I'll come over there do it for you!"

"You know what, Helga," Sid with a smirk, responded to her, "I would love to see you try and can get to me." He challenged her. And just to entice her more,

*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*

*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*

Helga, not in any mood as she already lost her patience after being cooped up, then suddenly got up and furiously tried to get through the bar to reach Sid.

"Come here, you little pipsqueak!" She growled as she tried to reach him, but it was no use.

Sid was unfazed by this whole spectacle and just remained in his sit while laughing.

"Helga, just be quiet and go back to your seat." Rhonda, annoyed by the spectacle, said to her. "I mean honestly, you're just making a fool out of yourself. You can't reach him! And do you want to make things worse for you by giving them a reason to put you in solitary confinement?"

"This isn't any of your business, princess!" Helga snapped at her. "So zip it!"

"Why don't you come over here and try and make me?!" Rhonda then angrily shouted back at her.

"Oooh, you were so close that time, Helga." Sid then suddenly taunted her, prompting him to get her attention and anger back at him.

"Sid, stop it." Arnold then intervened with a frown. "Helga's right. You've been clanging on the bar for the past two days and it has gotten really annoying. So, please." He said.

"Fine." Sid said with a sigh, as he then turned around, lied n his back and stared at the ceiling.

"Thank you." Arnold said. "Rhonda, Helga, please?" He then directed his attention toward the two females as well.

Helga, despite being highly irritated, nevertheless also gave in and moved back towards her seat while pouting.

Rhonda, even while still frowning at Helga, also backed down, leaned back against the bar and began to glance elsewhere.

Rodrigo meanwhile, who was almost right next to where Arnold and Sid were, watched the entire scenario in silence and watched Helga's anger unfold before him once again.

At least I don't have to deal with that anymore. He tried to think optimistically.

"How much longer do we need to be here?" Sid asked.

No sooner was Eugene done with his singing when the police, finally understanding what had transpired at the headquarters of Future Tech Industries, approached Arnold, Rodrigo, Helga, Gerald, Rhonda, Sid, Stinky and Peapod Kid and informed them they were being arrested. To not make things worse for the teens, the police told them that if they went quietly, they would not need to handcuff them. Despite the shock, all agreed to it and quietly make their way into the police patrol cars and headed to the police station in downtown.

All the parents and friends that were still there were shocked and began to frantically protest, but given the circumstances, no one was in a position to oppose the police and just watched in dismay as Arnold and everyone who broke into the building went inside the police cars and were then driven to the police station.

Phoebe, after watching the police take her boyfriend, best friend and friends, immediately headed back to rendezvous with Curly and everyone else in order to provide proof that Arnold and everyone else had the justification as to why they broke into the same building a third time. She knew this was the only thing that can save them from being tried and imprisoned.

Upon arrival to the police station, the police took all of their pictures and fingerprints and then led them into two separate jails. One contained all the males, while the other contained the females, which were only Helga and Rhonda.

That was two days ago. Other than getting the right to make that one phone call, they haven't heard anything about their case and if or when they would either be let go or be tried.

"I'm not sure." Arnold sighed, responding to Sid's question.

"I just hope it's soon." Gerald casually said. "My back is killing me! It hurts sleeping here." He groaned.

With nothing else to say, the group went quiet again and continued to just anxiously wait for any news from either their lawyers or the police. The waiting itself had become increasingly uneasy, if not profoundly irritating. With nothing to do, the gang had been trying for two days to stave off the boredom that had been growing with every hour. Since their incarceration and with all the time in the world, the group talked to each other in order to pass the time, save for Rodrigo who remained virtually quiet. However, that soon grew tiresome, as well as they eventually ran out of topics to discuss.

As they continued to sit within their 'comfy' cells and remained quiet, Helga turned to face Rodrigo who had rarely moved or said anything since their arrival. Needless to say, Helga found his utter silence and lack of movement to be very unsettling. She had no idea what was going on in his mind, how he really felt about her kissing Arnold and essentially getting back together with him on the FTI balcony. Was he sad, angry, feeling betrayed, jealous, or perhaps, a bit happy for her? Helga didn't even know if, after all of this, Rodrigo even wanted to be friends again.

Can we even go back to that same road? Helga thought. Arnold and I tried to, but it just wasn't possible. But then again, I'm not in love with Rodrigo like I am with Arnold...

The thought of them possibly not being to even patch things up, let alone remain as friends, caused Helga to feel more guilty and sad. As happy as she was to finally have Arnold in her arms again, this was a bittersweet victory.

Even more so, as confident as Helga was that this was finally the right decision for her, it was immensely frustrating that even with this change in the relationships, nothing had changed. She was now with Arnold, but she still harboured feelings for Rodrigo and as such, still felt a bit emotionally conflicted. Although she knew that eventually things will inevitable cool down between her and Rodrigo, she had no idea how long that would take and she definitely wasn't sure how long it will take for Rodrigo to move on and that alone presented another problem.

What if I still like him and he finds something else? Helga worryingly thought.

She knew that was inevitable, but her fear was that it would happen at a time when she still wasn't completely over him, which will only serve to arouse her anger and jealousy, probably causing whatever relationship they will have to be further strained.

While still sitting inside her cell, Helga just pulled her hair and let out a very faint growl. Frustrated and angry over so many uncertainties, she wanted nothing more than to talk to Rodrigo to settle things, but she knew that Rodrigo was nowhere near ready to just put all of this aside and move on. Rodrigo probably didn't really have an answer to most of her worries, anyways. Heck, Arnold couldn't even do it, so she found it very doubtful that Rodrigo could. As anxious as she was to get some answers, she knew that right now, Rodrigo needed some time and space in order to gather his thoughts and feelings before they can talk, or even focus on their friendship.

The only thing she knew for certain was that she didn't want him out of her life. Despite having only met about a year ago, she felt Rodrigo had been a big part of her for years. She valued their friendship, their time together and their want to help each other out. Apart from Phoebe and Arnold, Rodrigo was one of the few people who understood her. This was something you did not want to let go so easily without a fight.

But, it's not my call. She admitted to herself. It's his...

Helga let out a faint sigh and then moved such thoughts aside. It was no use thinking about it now. Right now, she needed to focus on how she was going to get out of prison. After all, trying to patch things up with Rodrigo would mean nothing if everyone was sent to prison.

"Oh well." Rhonda then suddenly spoke with a sigh, breaking the silence. "I suppose I will have the 'honour' and 'privilege' of being the first Lloyd to be sent to prison. I guess that may be some sort of an achievement?"

"I wonder if certain inmates get provided with certain higher levels of comfort and privileges than the rest of the general population?" Rhonda wondered.

"Oh yeah, they definitely do." Helga then said.

"You think so?" She asked.

"Sure!" Helga sarcastically replied with a smile. "Certain inmates get to have a TV within their cells, magazines and other books, even a computer with access to the internet. Some get to even wear special, fashionable clothing rather than the standard prison attires."

"Really?!" Rhonda exclaimed, a bit relieved, if not excited that perhaps going to prison may not be so bad after all. She apparently didn't pick up on Helga's sarcasm.

"Oh yea, and you know why the prison allows some inmates to have those things?" Helga said to her, to which Rhonda just shook her head.

"So they can keep the prison population under control by making those who are weak, not cut for prison life, a target for the rest of inmates, many of whom have been serving time for years, deprived of their freedom and thirsty for such luxuries. Keep in mind that many of them are serving time for theft, murder and other violent crimes, including crimes committed while in prison."

"What?!" Rhonda shockingly exclaimed when she heard that.

"Oh yeah, so when you are given your cell and all of those valuable, luxuries commodities, don't be surprised if one night, footsteps are heard as some inmates creep into your cell, lean in over as you are quietly, comfortably asleep and with prison made knives, they..."

Helga then proceeded to physically and audio-ally mak stabbing sounds repeatedly, causing Rhonda to cringe in horror and disgust with each jab and thrust that Helga made. Completely horrified and utterly scared, Rhonda became pale and was just about to lose it and let out a hysterical scream when suddenly,

"Hahahahahahaha!" Helga began to laugh out loud hard. "Oh Rhondaloid, you should have seen your face, hahahahaha! You became so pale, I swear your skin almost became transpare...hahahahaha!"

"Helga, that's not funny!" Rhonda angrily shouted at her.

"It is for me, hahahaha!" Helga just continued to laugh.

The boys meanwhile looked on as Helga continued to laugh at her own joke, unamused by it. Rodrigo, also not amused, but admiring Helga's dark humour, simply rolled his eyes.

Still the same as always, as she will always be. He thought.

"Oh lighten up, Princess, hahahaha!" Helga said as she continued to laugh.

"Uggh!" Rhonda just angrily groaned, kicking herself in the head for ever believing her.

"Helga!" Arnold finally intervened.

"Alright, alright." She retorted, calming down. But then,

"Hahahahahaha! Your face! The look on her face!" Helga burst out laughing again.

"That's it!" Rhonda roared, losing her patience and then suddenly jumped on Helga, finally getting to her to stop laughing, but causing both of them to fall right into the ground as the two females teens struggled with each other.

"Trying to make a fool out of me, will you?!" Rhonda angrily shouted at her as she tried to reach for Helga's neck.

"You did that all by yourself, Princess!" Helga yelled back at her. "Now back off! You don't have a shot against me!"

"Why don't you try me?!" Rhonda challenged her as she continued to wrestle with the blonde female teen.

The boys jump out from the seats and moved closer. But due to being in a separate cell, there was little they could do than yell at them to get them to stop.

"Rhonda, stop! What are you guys doing?" Arnold shouted at her.

"Who do you think is going to win?" Stinky asked.

"I got bets on Helga." Sid remarked, ecstatic that there was finally some form of entertainment.

"Nah, I think Rhonda might win this one." Peapod Kid said.

"Guys, you're not helping!" Gerald scoffed at them. "And besides, I got bids on Helga winning."

"Gerald!" Arnold then scoffed at his best friend.

"What? I'm vouching for your girlfriend." Gerald said with a shrug.

"I said get off of me!" Helga yelled at Rhonda and tried to push her away, but Rhonda kept on trying with all of her might to grab her.

"Let me use you as a first trial basis! Before I face the real deal." Rhonda angrily said to her.

Rodrigo, unmoved by the drama in front of him, simply remained at his seat and continued to occupy himself with his own thoughts.

The boys meanwhile just looked on either with amused or worried faces as Helga and Rhonda continued to wrestle with each other on the ground. Suddenly, a loud whistle was heard, prompting everyone, including the two females teens to stop fighting and turn their heads towards where the whistle came from.

"What's going on here?!" An officer exclaimed, looking at both female teens who was accompanied by two very high officials.

"She started it!" Both Helga and Rhonda simultaneously replied and pointed at each other.

"That is quite enough from you two! Stop this at once!" Mayor Dixie said to them, which both teens reluctantly complied, got up and dusted their clothes off, while still glaring at each other.

"Mayor Dixie." Arnold addressed her.

"Arnold." The mayor said to him, while giving him a disappointed look. "This was something I never wanted to see; to see you and your friends behind bars. You and your friends were pardoned last time, with the understanding that something like this would never happen again and this is the thanks that I get? You do realize now what must be done?"

"Yes Ma'am." Arnold softly said.

"Do you or any of your friends have anything to say for yourselves?" She asked him.

Arnold looked at his friends to see if they wanted to say something, but no one gave any indication that they wanted to. Instead, everyone, except for Rodrigo, just sadly looked down, ready to accept whatever punishment awaited them. But before they were to be charged, Arnold wanted to say something.

"Mayor Dixie," Arnold began, "we never had any intention to take your pardon for granted. We were grateful for it. And even though we all knew that this whole arrangement with FTI, despite the reasons, was very suspicious, even believing that corruption may have been involved, believe me when I say that we tried to work within the system. I even ended up having a major disagreement with my friends in order to convince them to continue trying to resolve this issue through peaceful, legitimate means."

As Arnold spoke, it soon became clear to his friends, especially Rodrigo, that Arnold was subtly admitting to them that his approach, while having good intentions, was ultimately not the one they should have used.

"But when it became clear that the system that was suppose to help us was working against us and despite our attempts to make our voices heard," Arnold continued, "it was still not enough. So under those circumstances, we didn't have any other choice but to do what we did in order to save our homes from what we saw was an illegal attempt of a man to use the mechanism of our political institution for his own personal benefit, at the expense of others. I could not do the same thing while knowing that the system had been hijacked and corrupted to serve the interest of the few, but powerful against the needs of the many. Something had to be done Mayor Dixie and regrettably, this was the only way to not only expose Von Scheck's corrupt dealings, but also to save our homes. And for those reasons, you'll have to forgive me, but we will not apologize."

"But at the same time," Arnold continued, "we are aware that what we did was also a breach of the law and all forms of agreed-upon procedures and we are prepared to accept responsibility."

The mayor said nothing and just continued to look at Arnold, both with a disappointed look, but also with a sense of admiration.

"So be it, Arnold." Mayor Dixie sighed. "Chief, release them."

"Huh?" Arnold said, confused. Indeed everyone else was also surprised as the police officer began to unlock their cells and opened the door, allowing them to get out.

Slowly, everyone got out from their cells.

"Mayor Dixie, thank you but, I don't understand." Arnold said to her.

"It would seem Arnold," The Chief of police said to him, "that what you and your friends uncovered at that building was an epidemic series of corruption and illicit business activities that Von Scheck had been conducting for years. "This went far deeper than your neighbourhood being illegally torn down."

More than two days earlier...

"Alright guys, we got what we need, so let's pack everything up and get out of here!" Curly said to everyone as soon as he informed Rodrigo and Rhonda about their mission having been successfully completed.

Everyone complied and quickly began to close their laptops and unplug everything.

"Where do we go from here?" Park asked. "We need someplace to go to in order to organize all of this data into something coherent."

"Uhhh..." Curly stuttered. "No clue. Frankly, I didn't think we would make this far, so I didn't plan any further."

"We'll just go my house." Phoebe suggested.

"Won't they be looking for us there?" Lorenzo asked.

"It doesn't matter at this point." Phoebe said as she continued to pack her laptop. "We got what we need and if we need to, we'll send all of the data to the authorities the way it is. Besides, our friends don't have much time. Once the police arrives, they will surely arrest them. We need to publicize our findings before they are charged."

With no other option, the four hastily packed everything and burst out from the yellow van that was their hiding spot. Quickly making it out of the property, they went to the nearest bus stop to head back to the neighbourhood. Because they were not far from the scene, they could see people making their way towards their friends, but all four remained quiet and tried not to draw attention to themselves, for fear of being identified or discovered by one of Von Scheck's spies.

As they continued to look at those who were heading towards the FTI building, Phoebe grew increasingly uneasy. Feeling that she needed to head there as well, at least to see if Gerald and Helga were okay, she had to restrain herself from doing that, as she knew she would be far more helpful if she went with Curly and everyone else.

Upon making to the bus stop, it soon arrived and everyone hopped on. While on the bus, they could hear people talking about the sudden manifestation that was unfolding at the FTI building, which didn't make things any easier for Phoebe, becoming ever more worried and anxious about her friends.

Eventually, they made it back to the neighbourhood to find it relatively...

"It feels deserted." Park commented as they eerily and quietly walked down the sidewalk.

Indeed, there was virtually no one outside, not even to continue packing. The streets were practically deserted. There was no sight or sound of any activity going on. Not even cars or other vehicles roamed through the pot hold infested road.

"I guess everyone went to the FTI building." Lorenzo said.

Despite the eerie quietness of their neighbourhood, the team strove forward to Phoebe's house without hesitation. Eventually reaching Phoebe's house, the Asian teen unlocked the door and went inside.

"Mom? Dad?" She called out, only to be met with silence.

I assume they must have also gone to the protest. She thought, which only served to increase her guilt for not also going.

"Where can we unpack, Phoebe?" Curly asked, but Phoebe didn't answer. "Pheebs!" He called out again.

"Huh?" Phoebe said, finally getting her attention.

"I asked you where can we unpack and get to work." Curly said.

"Oh right. My room." She said as she lead them upstairs and into her room.

The team went inside and quickly began to unpack and set everything up again. Phoebe however, remained at the entrance, now completely consumed with worry, anxiety and guilt that she was in the safety of her room while her boyfriend and friends were still in danger. She couldn't live with herself if something happened to them and all she did was remain there.

"I need to go." She finally said to them.

"What? Where?" Park asked.

"To the FTI building." She responded. "I need to go and make sure Gerald and everyone else are alright. I can't stay here while they are in danger."

"Phoebe," Lorenzo said to her, "I know you're worried about them. We all are. But, we need you here to - "

"No." She firmly said. "I'm no good to anyone here while I am too distracted with worry about them. I...I need to go over there and make sure they are okay."

"Then you should go." Curly said to her with a serious tone, surprising the teen. "We can start without you until you get back. Let us know how they are."

"Thank you Curly." Phoebe said to her with a smile and then left the room to head to her friends.

"Alright my little minions," Curly then said to Park and Lorenzo with a grin, "let's get to work and put this scumbag away for good.

Although not liking on being called minions, Park and Lorenzo complied and after setting everything up, got to work.

Several hours later...

"They arrested them!" Phoebe frantically shouted as she burst through the door that led to her room. "The police took everyone!"

"What? Really?" Lorenzo exclaimed, shocked at the news. "What about Von Scheck?"

"He's been taken to the hospital for the moment." Phoebe explained. "Helga's father got into a vicious fight with him and he beat him badly, but they haven't arrested him yet."

"We don't have much time." Phoebe continued. "How far have we gone?" She asked.

"Are you kidding? We only just started." Curly said. "It's a lot of data to cover, way more than I originally thought we would retrieve. I'm estimating it may take us a few days to scan through it all."

"We don't have a few days." Phoebe anxiously exclaimed. "We need to get this out by tomorrow!"

"Pfft ya right, you're dreaming Phoebe." Curly laughed at her. "There's no way we can get this out by tomorrow, even with all four of us."

"How about all 11 of us?" Phoebe said with a confident grin.

"What?" Curly asked, confused.

"I brought some reinforcements." Phoebe said as she then moved away from the door to allow, Nadine, Brainy, Lila, Sheena, Harold, Patty and Eugene to come in.

"Oh." Curly said, surprised.

"Will this do?" Phoebe asked.

"Yeah, that'll do." He admitted.

"Good." Phoebe said as then began to address everyone. "Because in 12 hours time, we will need to have everything ready to be sent out to every news media in Hillwood and to both the police and the FBI in order to show the world who Von Scheck really is. The fighting that took place at the FTI building was only half the battle. We still have our part to finish and we will see to it that this all ends now, for good this time. By tomorrow morning I want to have confirmation that Von Scheck's little empire had seen it's last sunrise."

Everyone smiled and nodded in agreement, determined to dismantle his entire influence and power structure and put him away fro good.

"Uh, you do know I'm still in charge of this operation, right?" Curly said to her with a suspicious look.

"Sure. We'll go with that, Curly." Phoebe sarcastically replied as she rolled her eyes.

"Yes!" Curly excitedly exclaimed, not recognizing her sarcasm. "But, just to respond to your statement, sera mon plaisir." (it will be my pleasure.) He continued with a grin.

"Uh Curly, doesn't that phrase in French have a direct sexual connot -" Eugene was about to ask them,

"What's your point?" Before Curly interjected him with a rhetorical question.

"Nothing." Eugene then backed off when he realized the answer. "I didn't have a point."

"Alright. Did you all bring your laptops?" Curly then asked the new arrivals.

"Yup, sure did." Patty said.

"Great. Get yourselves set up and we'll get you started." He said. "And, we're going to need some coffee. It's going to be a long night."

The new arrivals spread out throughout the room and got to work on setting themselves up, ready to help out. Phoebe went downstairs to make some coffee, knowing everyone will be up all night working. It took her a while to find the coffee machine, as her parents had already packed everything in the kitchen, but once she got it up and ready, she immediately raced back to her room to get started.

Curly wasn't exaggerating when he said the three of them had only just began to scan through all of the data they gathered. To make things easier, they first had to organize and categorize everything from financial information to miscellaneous emails, phone calls records and financial transactions.

Once their reinforcements were set up and ready, Curly quickly transferred to them a portion of the data and gave them specific instructions on what they were looking for in order to be able to scrutinize between information or phone calls that were irrelevant to those that were obvious and were connected to Von Scheck.

To read every single email, interpret every single phone call record, analyzing the telephone numbers, if they could, scan every financial transaction became a very difficult an arduous process. Of them, fearing that they might have missed something, had to re-look at some of the data that they had just scanned a few minutes prior when it became obvious to them that their minds were becoming automatic. Yet, everyone worked hard and well into the night, only taking a few minute breaks in order to clear their heads.

Phoebe later distributed some coffee for everyone, even though the majority of them were not yet at the stage in their lives to consume caffeine as an adult would do. Nevertheless, everyone drank some in order to keep themselves awake and alert. It worked.

The data they retrieved from Von Scheck's office computer at FTI headquarters revealed very little, if at all. Almost all of the information was simply too vague or lacked any suspicious activity for the gang to even consider it. The data retrieved from Von Scheck's personal laptop and cellular phone though, was an entirely different story all together. There, much of the incriminating evidence they were seeking was there. Actually, the information was so useful, that they even tied a lot of the data that they retrieved from Von Scheck's office computer.

Lila initially found out a few business dealings between Von Scheck and some contractors and/or authorized personnel from other municipalities or private corporations that she initially did not find anything suspicious. However, upon investigating some of the emails that came from the CEO's personal laptop, she found out that some of the names of those contractors or personnel kept on popping up. Intrigued, she investigated and soon realized that those same business dealings were fraught with bribery and other 'under the table' dealings that she suspected were illicit.

Lorenzo too found out a similar connection. He was also scanning through some of the video footage recorded by the building's security system. After scanning through hundreds of hours of recorded footage, he saw two particular individuals that came to the FTI headquarters to see Von Scheck. At first, Lorenzo didn't think much of it and continued. However, he soon realized that those two same individuals, particular one of them, kept on constantly been seen. Suspicious, he investigated it and soon identified one of them; Robert Dole. Lorenzo recognized him at the meeting that took place at their school weeks ago. He was sitting at the back when Mayor Dixie spoke. Getting even more suspicious, he found out more and more video footage of him and that other person coming to see Von Scheck. He then looked at the various emails and phone call records that were retrieved from Von Scheck's laptop. It took a long while, but he managed to find some emails that he knew were a connection between Von Scheck and Dole, even if his name was never used. As with the phone records, even though he could not trace the identity of the person who had that burner cell, he did have the coordinates of where the same burner cell either made a call or received one; City Hall. Using those same coordinates, he was able to also discover other calls that were made between Robert and someone else, including one that was inside the building on that same day. Lorenzo was able to successfully gather all emails and phone call records that tied Von Scheck, Robert Dole and this other mysterious person. Lorenzo assumed that this other mysterious person maybe the same one that kept on appearing on the security footage with Robert Dole as they visited Von Scheck.

Slowly but surely, they began to compile everything into one coherent report, listing and organizing all the items in such a way that the authorities would be able to easily read and scan through the report. Every piece of proof was meticulously organized, with arguments written on the report to make the reader see and understand where that particular piece of proof originated from, how it was relevant and why this particular phone call or email was proof that the person had been illicitly associated with Von Scheck. Any piece of information that was deemed to be suspicious, but were uncertain if whether or not it can considered as proof was, instead of being thrown away, categorized elsewhere in the report, so that the authorities, who had greater resources, can see it and investigate them further.

There was also something else. It became clear with everyone as they continued to scan through that the level of corruption was much higher and more profound than anyone anticipated. Slowly and with every information scanned, everyone engaged in this work grew more and more surprised, if not also shocked at the scale of the corruption Von Scheck was involved it. On the one hand, it was frightening to see just how far his influence reached, but on the other hand, it was great news, as it gave everyone the assurance that once all of this becomes public, there was no way Von Scheck and those who associate with him would be able to get out of it.

Curly and Phoebe were the ones that complied everything while the rest of their friends organized into one final report copy. Working diligently without rest well into the night, they typed, edited each other's work and provided feedback. Nothing was left to chance to give either the authorities, or the legal representatives any room to question the validity of their report.

Finally, with the time now being almost 6 a.m., they had achieved their goal. They managed to complete their report by next morning.

"Done." Phoebe sighed with relief as she saved the last changes to the report.

"Great." Park said as he yawned. "So now what?" He asked as he rubbed his eyes.

"Now we split up and deliver this to all of Hillwood's media outlets, the police department, including the Chief of HLPD and Mayor Dixie herself." Phoebe replied.

Despite being utterly exhausted, the group wasted no time and once the report was finalized, it was printed out several times. This process took quite a while, but eventually, it was done. The team soon split up into a team of twos and went to their various destinations to publicize their findings.

One team instantly went to Hillwood's MJZZ radio station, got inside and left the package that contained the report to the radio broadcaster with the title on the package that said, 'Corruption in Hillwood: The Story of the Century" and quickly left. Shortly after the team left, the radio broadcaster stepped inside the radio room and as soon as he sat down, saw the package that had been left for him.

"What's this?" He said to himself.

He got up and looked around to see if there was anyone there. But once he realized that the person had already left, he sat back down and since he had some time, opened the package and curiously scanned through it.

Another team went straight to the Hillwood Bugle newspaper building. Upon making their way discreetly into the building, they placed their package on the desk of one of the journalists who was responsible for investigating events or issues within the city.

Another team went straight to the Hillwood Police Department building, the same building where Arnold, Rodrigo and their friends were currently staying. This one proved to be a tough nut to crack. Apart from the fact that they not only had to deliver two packages, they also had to do it without drawing suspicion. The team went inside the police station and without much option, were simply going to go to the front desk and ask them to see a detective. However, as soon as they went in, a police officer who was just passing by, dropped a mail. The team initially didn't think much of it as they picked it up and were about to call the police officer who had dropped it when they scanned the mail and saw that it contained the word 'confidential' and was specifically directed to the Chief of police. Getting a brainstorm, the team quickly left the police station with the mail package and headed back. Using the same format, font and bold words, the team, by gathering supplies, were able to reconstruct the same urgent mail package for their report as the one the police officer dropped. They also used that time to scan online and find out a detective they can also deliver the package to. Once they identified someone and the mail package was complete, they headed back to the police station and using the department's own mail courier, dropped both packages there, with the names of the detective and the Chief of police.

Finally, another team headed to City Hall to deliver their own package to Mayor Dixie herself. The government building was no longer under lock down, so it wasn't hard for the team to get inside from the main entrance. However, they couldn't trust with just anyone to deliver the package to the mayor and after seeing just how much corruption there was at City Hall, they didn't want to take the chance. Hence, using the blueprint to the building that Curly 'obtained', the team was able to get inside into the ventilation system via the public bathroom once again. It took them awhile, but they eventually made it inside Mayor Dixie's office, which was empty. After opening the shaft door, they simply dropped their report onto her desk, closed the lid and headed back, all without being detected.

Brainy meanwhile was not being idle. With the help of Curly and Phoebe, they were able to set up an anonymous account for him, making it less likely to be easily tracked, which he used to upload the report online, including the infamous website, Wikileaks. In the event if neither Mayor Dixie, nor the Chief of police, or even the radio broadcaster at MJZZ radio station read it, they at least had the assurance that someone online will.

One by one, the teams made it back to Phoebe's house. By the time it was noon, the last team made it back.

"Okay, so now what?" Harold asked.

"Now, we wait," Phoebe said. "and hope they read it."

"In the meantime," Lila said as she yawned, "can we take a bit of a nap? We didn't sleep at all last night."

Everyone nodded and mumbled in agreement.

"Yeah, that's," Phoebe began to say, but also yawned, "probably a good idea. You guys can stay here if you want to."

With neither having the strength to go home, everyone took on Phoebe's invitation and lied down on the floor. Once getting comfortable, everyone soon drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile...

The radio broadcaster at MJZZ radio station was sipping his coffee and reading that report that had been mysteriously left inside his radio broadcast room. Although intrigued with the title of the report, he initially didn't take it seriously. But as he continued to read and scan through the report, and after seeing the email transactions, security footage photos and phone call records, he began to realize the severity of the report and what it represented.

"Holy ****!" He exclaimed in utter shock.

He immediately took out his laptop and began to search for this report online in order to verify if it was also posted online. It was! Already he could see people commenting on it, as well as it been sent to everyone online. He then went to Wikileaks and saw that it was also posted there, after it had been approved.

Realizing what he had, he immediately contacted his supervisor.

"Pete!" The radio broadcaster said on his phone. "Did you see what's been circulating online? Yes, I have a copy of it! Someone dropped it off. No, I didn't see who it was. But listen, we need to broadcast this. Y-Yes I know we already made a schedule today, but this is serious. This is front page news! We can be one of the first media outlets to get the word out. Okay, thanks."

After getting his supervisor's approval, the radio broadcaster quickly got to work on writing a script in order to get it across his listeners later in the day.

Meanwhile, at the Hillwood police department, the package that the team delivered made its way to one of the detectives. Although he saw the package, he paid no attention to it and just put it aside as he began to work on finishing his report from a previous case he had just concluded.

By the time the detective completed his report, as well as other tasks, it was already late into the evening and most of the staff had already gone home, but given that he still had some work to do, he opted to work late that day. After taking a small break, he went back to his desk and was about to do something else when he saw the package that was still on his desk. Curious, he grabbed it and becoming intrigued with the title, opened it and half-attentively read through it.

"You gotta be kidding me?!" The detective exclaimed in utter shock at the level of evidence and accusation that the report was demonstrating to him.

Now getting his full attention, he meticulously read through it all, scanning and verifing the validity of the evidence that were attached to it. After reading through it all, the detective was left utterly speechless and shocked. Realizing that his was way out of his pay grade, he immediately grabbed his office phone and called his supervisor.

After listening to the detective's explanation of the report, the supervisor grudgingly drove back to the department.

"Alright, let me see this 'report'." The supervisor said with an annoyed tone and began to read through it.

Eventually, like the detective, he became shocked at the level of evidence that the mysterious person or people obtained that pinpointed serious cases of corruption at City Hall.

"Do you think we should call the Chief?" The detective yes.

"Yes!" The supervisor exclaimed and immediately went to his office, grabbed his phone and called him.

By the time the Chief made it back to the police department, it was well late into the night.

"Oh my god." The Chief softly exclaimed once he read the report.

"What are your orders, sir?" The supervisor asked.

"Call and get as many men as you need on this case." The Chief said to him.

"Right now, sir?" The detective asked.

"Yes, right now." The Chief replied. "I don't care how late it is. Call and wake up as many people you need on board with this. Make sure this report is entirely valid and keep me informed of this before you proceed to make any arrests, got it?"

"Yes, sir." Both the detective and the supervisor acknowledged and then headed back to their desks to get to work.

Once the two left his office, the Chief then grabbed his phone and began to call someone.

"Mayor Dixie? Chief Olbrect here. We have a very serious situation ma'am."

"I'm assuming you are referring to this report that exposes the amount of corruption that was taking place in my own office." Mayor Dixie commented with an extremely angry and irritated tone in her voice as she kept on reading one particular name that kept showing up; Robert Dole.

"Yes Mayor." The Chief said. "How did you know?"

"The same people that gave you the report, they somehow managed to give me a copy of it, here." The mayor explained. "I've also been informed that this information has already been leaked to the public. The MJZZ radio station is already broadcasting it and this is already online."

"I was not aware of that, ma'am." The Chief admitted.

"Have your men yet checked the validity of all of this evidence?" The Mayor asked.

"Not yet. We are working on it now." the Chief said. "We should have an answer by the morning."

"Good." The Mayor said. "Please keep me informed of your progress and let me know when you will be sending someone here to arrest those who have betrayed me and the public." She instructed him.

"I will ma'am." The Chief said and then hanged up.

Mayor Dixie also hanged up her receiver phone and just stared outside of her window, feeling utterly angry and betrayed. Although she had suspicions that Robert was maybe in league with Von Scheck, she had no idea it was outright corruption, if not also betrayal. Worse, the report also explicitly named other members of the Council, as well as various other administrators and staff members within the municipality. That shocked her, as she had no idea Von Scheck's influence was so deep, all from right under her nose, not to mentioned that some of them were not only good public employees, but some she considered as friends.

However this was going to turn out for her, one thing she knew was that she was not going to let this slide easily. If the report's evidences were indeed valid, then she can rest assured that she will not stop until every single on of them was apprehended.

Early the next morning...Downtown Hillwood...

It was a quiet, early morning at downtown. The streets were still quiet, with every few pedestrians and cars passing by as they made their way home or to work. The sun was still rising, but already it was illuminating the streets and buildings. By the looks of it, it looked like it was going to be a very sunny, normal day. But then suddenly,

*sssssiiirrrreeennssss*

Sirens began to be heard from a distance. It was very soft at first, but it soon grew louder and louder, signalling to everyone that whatever the emergency was, it must be serious as the sirens were not just coming from one police vehicle, but many, many others. The few pedestrians that walked by could then instantly see the police cars rushing past them, one by one, all going in the same direction. The people walking thought, given their speed, the emergency was somewhere far off from where they were, but the police cars then suddenly began to slow down and stop right at City Hall.

Other police vehicles then went around the block, stopping at the very back of the building, while others went around to the other side. Those watching from a distance could then see that the police were quite literally circulating not just the building, but the entire block!

"Let's go, let's go, let's go!" People could then hear a police officer getting out of his vehicle and instructing others where to go.

Those at the front of City Hall use their cars to immediately block the road and a few police officers instructed the pedestrians cars to turn around and find an alternate route.

"Move, move, move!" Another police officer shouted as more and more police out of out their vehicles.

Some started to run around the entire block, reaching every conceivable entrance that lead inside or outside from the various government building doors. Some of them even went across the block and began to also encircle the Court of Justice building.

"You four, go around the building and secure all exits! Make sure no one leaves from that side!" A police officer instructed his men.

"Yes, sir!" One of them exclaimed and quickly made their way around the building.

The commotion soon drew the attention of more and more people, as they began to stop walking in order to see what was going on. Some, upon seeing so many police vehicles and officers right in front of the city municipality governmental buildings, even grew a bit nervous as they began to realize this was something very serious. The police officers themselves arrived carrying not just their sidearms, but also riot gear and shotguns.

In total, up to 40 police vehicles made their way to the downtown area and quickly cut off all sidewalks and roads from the rest of the city. Eventually, even a few SWAT trucks began to arrive into the area. Upon the SWAT teams' arrival they, along with a some police officers, and the lead detective, then began to make their way inside City Hall to make their arrests.

Upon receiving the names of those the police were going to arrest, Mayor Dixie gave the detective their office location in order to ensure their arrest and so as not to not draw any suspicion, behaved as she would normally do on that morning.

Early that same morning...inside City Hall...

Robert Dole slammed the morning newspaper right onto his desk, nearly fainting in utter shock when he read the headlines;

Corruption at Hillwood City Hall

After quickly reading the story, he became utterly sick to his stomach when he read his own name, as well the names of other public officials, including some in the Council that indicted him and his associates as the perpetrators for the illegal arrangement of hiring FTI to tear down the city's historical district. But before he could do or say anything, he then heard the faint sounds of sirens rapidly approaching.

He left his office and made his way towards the big window that was in front of the building. Before long, he could see police car after police car arriving and stopping at the front, or going around the block. Robert watched with growing fear and anxiety as more and more police officers, then the SWAT team arrived, as if the whole city was now coming down on him. Realizing that there was no way out, he just quietly went back to his office.

As he made his way back, he could hear the commotion going on downstairs as the authorities burst inside the building and began to quickly make their way towards the office of those whom they were going to arrest.

"Laura Lambert, police! Put your hands up in the air right now!" One of the police officers shouted at one of the members of the Council who just by pure back luck, happened to walk right in front of them.

The woman, shocked and unable to register what was happening, just stood there frozen. Two police officers quickly approached her, cuffed her, read her her rights and took her out.

Another public official, not a member of the Council, but nevertheless wanted by the authorities, tried to make a run for it. Running towards the back of the building, he looked towards his back to see if they were following him. To his relief, they were not, but he nevertheless continued running. He burst through one of the doors at the back, but only to be immediately tackled down by two police officers who were standing by.

Another official, releasing that the gig was up, approached the police, put his hands up and surrendered himself to him.

One by one, the police began to make their arrest as he continued to make their way deeper inside the building. Robert watched down from below helplessly as the police began to dismantle everything that he had worked so hard to build. He then quietly walked away and went back into his office, locking the door and headed towards his desk.

He sat down and quickly looked through the desk drawers, until he found what he was looking for. He grabbed a gun that he mysteriously was able to smuggle inside a government building, grabbed a few bullets and began to load it.

"Mayor Dixie?" The detective said when he made it to her office. "Any sign of Robert Dole?" He asked.

"I saw him head towards his office." The mayor said as she led the detective and several officers to him.

Going across the hallway, they pretty soon, made it to his office. The Mayor tried to open it, but found that it was locked.

"Robert!" The Mayor called out to him as she angrily banged on his door. "The gig is up! We know about your activities with Von Scheck. Open the door right now!"

"Mayor Dixie, allow me please." The detective said to her and approached the door.

"Robert." The detective said as he gently knocked on the door. "There's nowhere else to go. We have this building surrounded. Just come out, let me take you to the police station so you can tell me your story."

The Mayor said nothing but just rolled her eyes. As far as she was concerned, there was no 'side story', but she knew what the detective was trying to do.

"Robert, just make this easy on yourself." The detective continued. "Unlock the door and come on out."

Robert remained silent and once he finished loading his gun, soon pointed right at the door for a while.

"Robert, if you don't open this door, we will bust it and come and get you." The detective warned, but again no answer.

"Go ahead and break it." The detective then instructed a few officers, which they then began to pound on the door.

Seeing that the police will inevitable get inside, Robert took a deep breath, exhaled, lifted his head up, then pointed the gun below his jaw and then,

*POW*

A loud gunshot was heard. The Mayor and everyone else, realizing what Robert did, then frantically tried to break the door.

After two more hit, they managed to break it and went inside, only to find Robert, facing up, with blooding pouring down from both his jaw, mouth and head, with a big splatter of blood against the wall, dead.

Mayor Dixie went inside, but upon seeing the ghastly scene before her, became sick and quickly left the room.

No one can really be sure what Robert Dole's last thoughts were. But for many, it was comforting to believe that the last thing that went through his head, other than that bullet, was just how the hell were a group of measly, insignificant teenagers, one of them a football head, the other a mere wetback, able to get the best of him and bring down his entire network apparatus, all within a month.

Inside the city's Court of Justice building...

Another detective lead a group of police officers as they ascended the stoop of the justice building and went inside. They were looking for a particular practitioner of the law, along with his associates whom they have evidence had been pocketing bribes and other generous gestures from Von Scheck. This was the man responsible for ensuring Von Scheck got a very light sentence from his previous crimes.

After making through the building's checkpoints, they quickly made their way toward that person's office. Once they arrived, without even bothering to knock, they opened the door.

"Judge McCallon." The detective said as he went inside.

"Yes." The judge responded, surprised and irritated they just burst inside like that. "Can I help you?"

"I am placing you under arrest, Judge." The detective said as he gestured to two officer to cuff him and two others to find his associates.

"For what?" The Judge asked, stunned at what was happening.

"For misrepresenting your seat and abusing your position as upholder of the law," The detective responded. "by accepting bribery and receiving other forms of generous payments. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney. Anything you do say can and will be used against you in the court of law."

"This is ridiculous!" The judge exclaimed as two officers began to cuff and hauled him away. "Do you know who I am?! I'll have your badges for this!" He angrily threatened them as he was being led away.

The other two police officers easily found the Judge's associates and after reading them their rights, also placed them under arrest and led them out.

At the FTI building...again...

Hubert, the company's Head of Security was at his desk with his usual daily task, as well trying to coordinate with his staff on getting the building's security system back online. It was still in the early morning and while only the Board of Directors were inside, very few other employees were in the building. Hubert was so occupied with this work that he failed to notice the ten police patrol vehicles heading straight back to the building. He didn't notice when they arrived, nor when their got out of their vehicles and began to surround the building.

It was only when a bunch of them suddenly entered the building that Hubert finally lifted his head up and realized who was there.

"Hubert Tysick?" The detective asked him when he approached him.

"Yes." Hubert, startled and growing nervous, answered.

"You are under arrest." The detective said and just gestured two police officer to handcuff him.

Hubert, completely stunned and rendered frozen by the sudden turn of events, did nothing as the two officers began to handcuff and took him away.

Meanwhile, the rest of the police officers immediately proceeded to go to the elevators and quickly made their way to the top of the building. Upon arriving, they immediately went to several offices of some of the members of the Board of Directors.

They soon arrived at the office of Treasurer, Sherman Williams.

"Sherman Williams!" A police officer called out as he banged on his office door. "This is the Hillwood Police Department. We have a warrant for your arrest. Open the door."

Again the police officer banged on the door, but was meant by utter silence.

"Sherman! It's no use. We know you are in there." The police officer called out, but again there was only silence.

"Go for it." The officer then direct two other officials who were equipped with the necessary gears for smashing through doors.

After a few bangs, they finally managed to crack open the door and the police officers immediately went inside, but they were soon stopped dead in their tracks at the gruesome spectacle that lay before them.

In that office was Sherman Williams, sitting on his chair, but lying on his desk, face down, with a gun to his side and blood splattered all over his desk and at the back of the wall. He had shot himself the moment he saw the police arrive.

At the Hillwood General Hospital...

Von Scheck was in a private room, lying on his bed and recovering from his ordeal with Bob Pataki. His was face was badly bruised and inflamed. He had a black eye, not to mention that after suffering several serious hits to his head, he also ended up getting a concussion. The hospital was relatively quiet, with only the machines making any kind of noise, allowing Von Scheck, as well as everyone to sleep peacefully and recover.

However, the delicate silence was soon disrupted by a series of footsteps as they crept closer and closer towards Von Scheck's private room. Upon their arrival, the two police officers, along with the doctor who attended Von Scheck when he was admitted to the hospital the day prior, opened the door and quietly went inside.

"Mr. Von Scheck?" The doctor called out to him, but there was no answer. "Mr. Von Scheck, sir." the Doctor tried again, this time, calling his name a bit more loudly.

After grunting a bit, Von Scheck finally awoke and opened his good eye, allowing him to see the doctor and...two police officers.

The doctor then examined him to see if he was conscience and in good enough mental state for him to listen to what the officers had to say.

"He's all yours." The doctor said to the officers and then took a few steps away.

"Alphonse Perrier du Von Scheck." One of the officers addressed him. "You are under arrest for bribery, extortion and attempted murder of the first degree. You will remain at this facility for the time being until you are well enough to be moved to a more 'secure' location. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney. Anything you do say can and will be used against you in the court of law."

Von Scheck said and did nothing other than stare with an angrily, glaring eye at the officers as they read him his rights.

"And don't even bother calling your buddies for help." One of the officers said to him with a frown. "We arrested them this morning. You are alone and we will make sure you are put away for good this time."

And with that, the two officers and the doctor then left the room and closed the door, leaving Von Scheck alone. Despite the pain, he managed to growl in absolute anger as his good eyes revealed the red veins in it, signalling just how furious he was at being bested a second time by a bunch of kids.

Right now, his main concern was trying to recover from his wounds. He's going to need all of his strength when he is sent back to prison. After glaring at the door for some time, he then turned around to look out the window. Taking the moment to admire the beauty of nature, he just stared at the blue sky that was showing in his window, as well as the occasional birds that flew by. Calming down by the peaceful and graceful view of nature, he wanted to savour every moment of it. Where he will be going, it will be last time he would ever get a chance to see it.

Back at the Hillwood Police Department...in the present...

All of the teenagers remained quiet and shocked at the level of arrests that took place because of Phoebe's and Curly's work.

"Wow!" Gerald shockingly exclaimed.

"Cool! He shot himself." Helga excitedly remarked. "Pulled off a Warden Samuel Norton right then and there."

The Mayor had tried to vaguely describe with what happened with Robert Dole, but everyone figured out what she was trying to say.

Rhonda meanwhile began to look increasingly pale. The mere thought of seeing a dead body with blood splattered all over proved too much for her. Inevitable, she began to wretch and quickly ran to the nearest bathroom, went to the toiletries and began to loudly vomit.

*Bbbuuaaaahhh* *Buaaahhhhh* *cough*

"Wuss." Helga remarked with a smirk, fully enjoying Rhonda's misfortune.

"Anyways, so you were right." The Mayor said to Arnold. "You and your friends' hunch about there being corruption at City Hall was proven to be correct."

"Pfft! I could have told you that." Helga remarked.

"So by the looks of things, you and you friends managed save the day, again." The Mayor continued with smile.

Arnold and everyone else, glad to have done something good, smiled.

"Wait a second!" Rhonda then exclaimed as she made her way out of the bathroom and back toward the group. "Did you managed to apprehend the man that shouted at us that he was going to shoot his way inside the building's security room?"

"I'm afraid not." The Chief said. "The man whom you are referring to is Nick Vermicelli. He appeared several times in the building's security recordings and we have him there at the scene, ordering the security guards to shoot through the door. But, I'm afraid he fled the scene well before our units arrived."

"Oh." Rhonda said with a disappointed look.

"But, we will find him, Ms. Lloyd." The Chief then said. "He's a wanted man. He was the person whom we suspected blew up that bridge several years ago to stop Arnold, Helga and Gerald from reaching the neighbourhood. He can't hide for long. Sooner or later, we will arrest him. You have my word on that."

"Well, thank you Chief." Rhonda said, feeling a bit comfortable with the Chief's determination to find him.

"So, what's going to happen to the neighbourhood now?" Arnold asked.

"The report that was given to us also revealed massive corruption and bribes and other illegal business activities and contracts being handed out that came from of the upper management of Future Tech Industries, including those who are members of Board of Directors." The Chief spoke. "We send some of our units to arrest those responsible. We have also frozen and seized all of FTI's assets and have come to the decision that after this massive discovery, Future Tech Industries has been deemed as a threat to society and henceforth, will be liquidated. Within a few days, it will cease to exist as a company."

"Oh." Arnold said, shocked at the news.

"FTI 's parent company, Modern Tech Industries, has confirmed that we are to use those seized assets as compensation for everyone in the neighbourhood." Mayor Dixie then began to speak, "MTI has volunteered to help in the reconstruction and revitalization of the city's historical district without having to force any of its residents from moving. You're homes are safe, Arnold." She continued with a smile.

"Really? That's great, Mayor Dixie!" Arnold happily exclaimed. "Thank you."

Everyone else also expressed their happiness and joy at the news. Even Helga managed to crack a smile at the news. Rodrigo just let our a sigh of relief, but in the end also let a small smile to appear on his face.

"No, thank you Arnold." The Mayor said. "You too Rodrigo; as well as all of you. Had it not been for any one of you, we would have never discovered this attempted hijacking of our government's much cherished democratic institutions. All of you saved not only your neighbourhood, but the city as well. You gave this everyone their city back. So, thank you."

The Chief of Police and the police officer present smiled at the group and acknowledge their own thanks as well.

After their release, all 8 teenagers then made their way out of the building, where their parents were awaiting them to take them home. Everyone said their goodbyes and quickly went with their parents where they can go home to eat and rest. Rodrigo was about to make his towards his parents when he suddenly heard his name.

"Rodrigo, wait." Arnold said to him.

Rodrigo stopped walked and turned around to face him.

"Listen Rodrigo," Arnold began to say to him rather shyly, if not also reluctantly, "there's something that I need to know."

"What?" Rodrigo asked.

"Why did you do it?" Arnold vaguely asked him.

"Do what?" He asked.

"Why did you break up with Helga?" Arnold clarified his question. "You two were in a relationship. You could have patched things up. Why didn't you?"

Rodrigo just looked at him with an extremely irritated look.

"Arnold," he began to say to him, "this is one of those times when you should not question how it came to be. Just accept it, be glad it happened and move on."

"Okay." Was all Arnold could say as Rodrigo began to walk away from him.

"Actually, there is something I could tell you." Rodrigo then to him as he swung around again to look at him.

"Okay, what?" Arnold asked.

Rodrigo gestured to him to come a bit closer, to which Arnold took a step forward. Not being close enough, Rodrigo again gestured to him to come closer, to which Arnold reluctantly complied and took another stop forward. As soon as he was within range,

"Hey!" Arnold exclaimed as Rodrigo suddenly grabbed his shirt and pulled him really close to him.

"You have Helga again." Rodrigo angrily, if not also resentfully said to him. "You have another chance at being with her. Don't mess it up again." He warned him before he then forcefully pushed him away and let him go.

Arnold frowned at the being handled like that, but said nothing back and just watched Rodrigo walk away and towards his parents with his own scowling face.

Miles, Stella, Alfonso and Elisa were outside in their vehicles, waiting for them when they suddenly saw Rodrigo suddenly grab Arnold so forcefully, surprising them. They couldn't hear what Rodrigo said to Arnold, but it was clear that the way he was handling him was not at all friendly. Not understanding why, all the four adults could do was just stare at the teens and wait for them get into the car so they can ask them

Once Rodrigo was almost at his car, Arnold then began to walk towards his parents to head home.

The two teens hopped into their vehicles, as well as their parents, turned on the engine and began to head home.

"Arnold, what was that all about?" Stella asked him. "why did Rodrigo grab you like that?"

Arnold just frustratingly sighed.

"It's a long story, mom." Arnold began to explain. "But Rodrigo does have his reasons why he grabbed me like that."

"Did something happen between you two?" Miles asked. "I thought you two were friends."

"There's something I need to talk to you both about." Arnold said.

"Okay. About what?" Miles asked.

"I'll tell you about it when we get home." Arnold said with a disappointed tone. "This is something that grandpa and grandma also need to know, but I prefer to only tell it once."

Both Miles and Stella said nothing and just looked at each other confusingly about what Arnold needed to talk to everyone about. But after what Arnold had gone through, neither wanted to upset him, and so they honoured his wish and didn't dwell more on it until they got home.

"¿Hijo, que fue eso?" (Son, what was that about?) Alfonso said to Rodrigo after they drove off. "¿Por que lo arrestas haci?" (Why did you grab him like that?)

Rodrigo just sadly sighed.

"Papa," Rodrigo began to say as he rubbed his eyes and with a hurtful tone, "creeme cuando te dijo que tenia mis razones" (Believe me when I say that I had my reasons.)

Alfonso could then tell that whatever was bothering his son, it was realy upsetting him.

"Hijo," Alfonso began to say again, "hay algo que nos tienes que decir?" (Son, is there something that you need to tell us?) He asked.

"Si. Te lo explico todo cuando llegamos a la casa. Pero por ahora, prefirió no tocar el asunto." (Yes. I'll explain when we get home. But for now, I prefer not to talk about it) He sadly replied back as he then went quiet and just sadly stared out the window as the car drove by.

Alfonso and Elisa just looked at each other with worried faces, wondering just what was it that Rodrigo needed to tell them that had gotten him so upset. Did it have something to do with Helga? Not wanting to upset him, Alfonso dropped the subject for now and just waited until they got home. Whatever news he had, he just hoped it was something that they can help him with.


So, the scene where almost the entire police force arrived in downtown to initiate their arrest, I got that scence from the 2008 movie, Valkyrie with Tom Cruise. For those of you who don't know, it's about a group of WWII German officers who became disillusioned with Adolf Hilter and began to plot to overthrow him. They came up with using Germany's own military emergency plan, called Valkyrie, to overthrow the Nazi establishment after they succesfully assisnated Hitler. Obviously, they failed and thousands of German military and civilians who were involved in the plot, including the famous General, Erwin Rommel the 'Desert fox', were rounded up, totured and killed. Luckily for our heroes, that didn't happen.