Author's Note: To quote Mulan from the original animated film, "I'm here!" I've been taking a breather from writing & working on DIY projects. Plus, I had an interview for a freelance artist position.

Thank you to Melissa Richards1 for the favorite & follow, glad you're catching on.

Anyways, thank you to the following who reviewed:

Boris Yeltsin: Glad you enjoyed it. Maybe we can discuss a better storyline for Dark Betty through private messaging.

GiJoefan985: Thanks. Don't worry, I'll update Scooby Doo & Ghostbusters 2 after posting this chapter.

So, happy reading and enjoy the new chapter (that I've been looking forward to writing)!

I don't own Riverdale.

Chapter 65

Meanwhile, the Taste of Riverdale commenced at Town Hall.

"Welcome, all, to the first annual Taste of Riverdale." Sierra McCoy announced, clinking her glass. "As a lead-up to our 75th anniversary jubilee…this event proves that Riverdale truly is a town that…when tragedy knocks us down, we get right back up."

Clifford and Penelope were in attendance together, Hermione was serving appetizers and drinks along with Pop Tate. They are both catering the event.

The audience applauds. Sheriff Keller and Detective Smith were on stage, with Sierra.

"Bon appetite. Heh," Sierra said, raising her glass.

Somewhere, Alice is drinking her beverage. Sierra leaves the stage.

"Well, well, well. Hermione Lodge." Fred remarks, walking up to Hermione.

"Fred Andrews," Hermione greeted.

"You look like you could use a this," Fred suggests, handing Veronica's mother a drink.

"Thank you," Hermione accepts and takes a swig.

"You're welcome," said Fred.

Sierra approaches the Blossoms. Tom and Charles are behind her.

"Penelope? Clifford?" The mayor addressed them, smiling. Penelope and Clifford turned to look at Sierra unsmiling. For a brief minute, Clifford just looked at her and turned away.

Sierra's smile falters.

"Ahem. How are you holding up?" She asks Penelope.

"How do you think?" Penelope responds curtly, with a blank expression. "My son is gone, and neither of you have done anything to solve his case…and to think, you had the nerve to harass my daughter." She gave the commissioner a tight smile.

Sierra looks down in shame. Tom doesn't say a word and Charles just pursed his lips.

Alice walks over to the group.

"Penelope Blossom. I thought I might run into you." She said. "Would you like to give me a quote regarding the investi-?"

Alice doesn't finish her sentence, for Penelope slaps Alice across the face, so hard she nearly fell sideways and dropped her drink.

Tom and Sierra looked startled, even Charles looked shocked.

"Whoa, whoa," Tom said as he and Charles held Alice back.

"How dare you, Alice Cooper?" Penelope demanded angrily, struggling to get out of her husband's arms.

"All right, sweetheart." Clifford began to say, stepping in.

Alice looked bewildered. Soon, everyone took notice of the altercation.

"Okay, all right." Hal Cooper also steps in, to prevent any more violent outbursts.

"Printing a scathing article about my family and my son?" Penelope questioned, eyes blazing. "All because of what he did to your oldest daughter?! My son died trying to retrieve my daughter's glove and he ended up drowning in the river!" The scarlet haired mother cried, her face twisted in anguish.

"Hey, hey, hey. Leave it," Clifford insisted.

Josie walks up to the microphone, to divert the crowd's attention from the drama. Alice straightens her blonde hair, composing herself and giving daggers at the Blossom parents.

"Hey, uh, Riverdale." Josie began to say. "We are Josie and the Pussycats. Are you ready to rock?"

"This evening, we'll be performing a song that we co-wrote with none other than Archie Andrews!" Josie announced.

A few people including Fred were caught off guard by that announcement.

The music starts and the Pussycats frontwoman began to sing.

"Paintings on her skin

Colors in her hair

Come around the corner

Make you stop and stare

But she don't pay no mind

Cause she don't really care

What you think about her

Think about her,"

Meanwhile, Archie walks up the stairs, sneaking in the building. Even though Fred forbade him from attending, Archie still came for the Pussycats' performance since they were doing one of his songs.

Jughead spotted the red-haired boy, looking rather confused. He looks at the band as Archie crouched down next to him.

"Are you sure it was worth sneaking out for some locally sourced Muenster?" Jughead asks.

"I helped write that song, man." Archie responded, looking at the girl group, before turning his attention back to Jughead.

"Not bad," Jughead commented after listening to a few lyrics. He even smiles a bit and so does Archie, turning their attention back to the girls.

"I'd love to stay, but I gotta shake down an evil Adventure Scout. See you," said Jughead. He pats Archie on the back and leaves.

Archie continued to watch the performance. He even saw his dad and couldn't tell if he liked it or not.

The Pussycats completed their performance and everyone applauds, including Fred. Archie hoped it will help Fred to come around, regarding his music.

He starts to leave.

"Okay, we're gonna do something a little different." Josie said, the last thing Archie heard, as he's leaving.

"Hermione Lodge," Alice sneers, waltzing over to Hermione. "Park Avenue princess to cater waiter."

"Alice Cooper. No longer lactose intolerant, I see." Hermione retorted, as she watched Alice guzzle down a strawberry-flavored drink concoction.

"How's Veronica?" Alice questioned.

Hermione looked at the blonde mother, puzzled.

"Oh. You don't even know, do you?" Alice asks, playing innocent. "The things that they're saying about your daughter at school."

"What things?" Hermione asks.

"Slut-shaming," Alice responds. "That's what they call it when sluts get shamed."

Hermione frowns and proceeds to call Veronica.

"You know, you really…you have to keep an eye on girls like Veronica." Alice suggests. "They so easily can get out of control."

Hermione walks away, ignoring Alice.

Meanwhile, Jughead is walking down the stairs. He spotted Dilton Doiley leaning against the stair wall.

"Hello, Dilton." Jughead greeted the Scout leader.

"I talked to one of your scouts. I know you fired the gun…which makes you both a liar and a public menace." He shoots a glare at Dilton.

"So, what if I did?" Dilton asks. "I was doing the Adventure Scouts a favor. Somebody has to teach them how to stand their ground, the way this town…"

"Save it for your statement, which you can make to Sheriff Keller or to me." Jughead interrupts sharply.

"I suggest the latter."

Dilton stares at him, considering the choice.

"Blue and Gold offices, tomorrow," said Jughead, walking away. Dilton just stares at him.

A/N: Whew, I hoped you all enjoyed this jam-packed chapter! I had to keep that slap scene between Penelope & Alice for the story. On the show, Penelope smacked Alice because she printed Jason's autopsy in the Register; whereas in Runaway Love Alice prints an article bashing the Blossoms in the paper. Also, I ended up adding the scene between Jughead & Dilton into this chapter, instead of it being a short one on its own.

Anyways, up next is the flashback scene of Jason & Polly's break up at Pop's. I will work on it, but in the meantime, I'll put this story down for a little minute & work on other stories of mine.

Until then, see you next time!