"It's alright, Blaze and AJ," Officer Anna assured her colleagues. "We'll find Sparkle and find the kidnapper,"

"Thanks, Officer Anna," Blaze offered a smile, though it was lightly forced. "AJ and I'll join the search as soon as we take Mom and Dad home,"

"Alright, see you back here," Anna nodded and drove off to tell the chief.

Blaze and AJ turned the other direction to drive out and rejoin their parents. Phoenix was sobbing into Flame's tires when they came out.

"The police are gonna do a search, and we'll join them later," the red truck told them. "Let's head home first,"

"I can't believe someone would kidnap Sparkle like that," Phoenix sniffled as they drove through the streets.

"Don't worry, Phoenix, we'll find her, and bring that kidnapper to justice," Flame consoled his wife.

"For now, I think it's safer if you guys stayed at home," AJ suggested. "Blaze and I have to join the search,"

"But… what if the kidnapper gets you two?!" Phoenix turned to them in distress.

"Don't worry, Mom, we won't let that happen," Blaze assured her.

"But—"

"Mom, we need to search with the police because we're also police officers," AJ insisted. "It's our duty, especially since it's Sparkle involved in all this,"

"Alright," Flame sighed in defeat. "but be back before midnight. We want to make sure that you two are alright,"

"We will, Dad, don't worry," Blaze offered them a smile as they all headed back home.

X

It was late night when Pickle snuck into where his client had marked out his location. He glanced down at his tablet and sighed as he approached a huge mansion.

'Well, these politicians are becoming more lying asses by the minute," he snarled as he landed in the back garden and hid behind the bush, as instructed.

A butler soon appeared from inside and drove over to him. He looked a little shaken up as he fearfully approached the assassin.

"Th-This is from my master," he spoke, handing out a letter.

"Where is your so-called master?" Pickle asked, voice going deep to not be recognized that easily.

"He… He refuses to come out until the deal is fully sealed," the butler stammered but managed to hand out a sack. "H-Here is the first payment,"

Pickle nodded and grabbed the bag before taking off into the night. He soon reached Axle City and snuck back into the house through a window without the officers noticing him. He quickly shut the window and headed to his room, turning on a lamp as he set down the letter and the sack on the bed. He opened up the sack and counted it, but what caught him off-guard is the double amount of the coins than they had earlier agreed on.

"What in…?"

He grabbed the letter and opened it to read.

['To Assassin P,

Here is the amount of money, as promised for kidnapping my sweet Sparkle. I doubled it for the effort you most likely used and to pay you for not saying a word to the police. Sparkle MAY look young, but she just is really a teen, trust me. Once you had killed Blaze's Mom, I will give you the next sack.

From: SPK69']

"Trust me, my ass…" Pickle growled and threw the letter off the bed.

He sighed and took the sack of money before heading to his phone. He grabbed it and quickly called one of his sisters.

"Hey, Lily? Yeah, I got the sack of coins, but listen, I'm going to need your help with something…"

X

"Breakfast!" Crusher called out as he set the plate of Chicken Teriyaki down on the table.

"YIPPEE!" Gherkin zoomed over to the table, followed by Sparkle. "ME HUNGRY!"

"Yeah, I know that you are," Crusher chuckled and lifted Gherkin up to the baby chair. "There you go!"

"Hooray!" Gherkin licked her lips and grabbed a teriyaki to start munching.

"Hey, where's Pickle?" Sparkle asked as she hopped onto a chair to start eating.

"Must be tired from last night," Crusher gave a shrug. "He did just come from facing his client,"

"Not really 'face', per se," Pickle growled as he drove out of his room. "He sent his butler out to face me instead. That coward,"

"Really?" Crusher's eyes widened. "But he gave you the money, right?"

"Yeah, and a letter," Pickle gave a dark chuckle. "This client of mine thinks me of a fool. 'Trust me', he said. 'She's really a teen', he said,"

"Hey! I'm 7!" Sparkle defended.

"Yes, I know you are," Pickle sighed and patted her head. "And now, he wants me to kill Ms. Phoenix,"

"HE WANTS MOM DEAD?!" Sparkle shrieked.

"Don't worry, Sparkle," Crusher assured her. "Knowing Pickle, he knows a way to cheat his way through,"

"This is the only good reason to cheat your way through a deal," Pickle giggled. "And it's not just me. Lily's gonna help me out,"

"Yay! Big sista coming?!" Gherkin excitedly flipped.

"Of course she is," Crusher rolled his eyes with a grin. "What's her idea for a discreet kidnapping?"

"Well, Lily's planning it simple," Pickle grinned. "And I trust her when she says that she knows what heartbroken women need to help them,"

X

"Phoenix, where are you going?" Flame asked as he watched her wife made her way to the door.

"I… I need some air, Flame," Phoenix sighed.

"Hon, are you sure?" Flame frowned. "There's a kidnapper put there, and—"

"I know, I know, but… I really need some air," Phoenix hissed and headed out. "I'll be back, don't worry,"

She drove out of the house and through the streets. She headed over to the park and set herself down near the lake. She had closed her eyes to get herself some sleep after one night of crying and sleeplessness when a shrill voice called her out.

"Hello, Ms. Phoenix!!!"

"Hmm?" Phoenix turned to see Lily bounce over to her with a happy smile on her face. "Oh! Nice to meet you… uh…"

"Lily! The name's Lily!" Lily introduced with a wider grin.

"Lily," Phoenix nodded. "How do you…?"

"My little brother Pickle told me all about you and your family," Lily explained. "I've also met your sons Blaze and AJ,"

"Oh! I see," Phoenix smiled. "Nice to meet you then, Lily,"

"I heard the news. About your daughter," Lily's smile softened. "I'm sorry,"

"It's alright," Phoenix sighed. "I'm sure that Blaze and AJ and the rest of the police officers can find her,"

"Yes… but what about you?" Lily questioned. "I know how hard it is to lose a family member. My Dad was kidnapped and killed a few days after my little sister was born,"

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry," Phoenix patted her shoulder gently.

"It's okay, it's been two years," Lily shrugged. "But it looks like you can use some help. How about some shopping to take your mind off the problems?"

"I'm not really in the mood for shopping," Phoenix sighed.

"How about a spa?"

"Still not in the mood, sorry," Phoenix gave a shrug.

"Oh…" Lily frowned. "Hmm… what about a cup of tea? Could help you,"

"I… I think that's an idea I can do," Phoenix smiled and nodded.

Lily beamed and led the woman truck out of the park. They soon approached the nearest tea shop, and Phoenix ordered some jasmine tea while Lily got some… pickle-based tea (how she got it, I have no clue).

Just as they were drinking their tea, there was a buzz, and Phoenix took out her phone and turned to answer a call from her husband. Just as she did, Lily sprinkled something into the other's tea as quickly as she could.

"…alright, love you too, Flame. Bye,"

Lily drank into her own tea just as Phoenix turned back. She kept her phone and sighed before smiling up at her.

"I'm sorry, that was my husband,"

"It's okay," Lily waved it off, trying to calm down her fast-beating heart as she sipped more into her tea.

Phoenix drank her own tea. Lily watched as she sipped on her tea, waiting for the reaction she needed.

Luckily, she didn't need to wait any longer.

In just a few minutes, Phoenix started to feel dizzy as she shakily got up.

"Oh… Oh my," she hissed, trying to keep herself steady. "I suddenly feel so… so dizzy…"

"Oh! Do you need help?" Lily acted surprised as she drove to her side.

"Y-Yes, thank you," Phoenix gave an appreciative smile. "I just… feel so… tired…"

Lily nodded as she helped her drive away from the tea shop. They soon approached an alley way, and Lily waited as the woman collapsed because of the drug.

"Sorry about this, Ms. Phoenix…" she sighed and took out a sack.

She placed the other inside and slipped into her assassin uniform before sneaking off to carry the sack.

X

"Dad, we're home!" Blaze called out as he and AJ entered their house.

"Ah, Blaze, AJ," Flame looked in distress as he turned to them. "Thank goodness you're both back safe!"

"Why? What's wrong?" AJ asked.

"And where's Mom?" Blaze added, looking around in confusion.

"That's the problem," Flame hissed. "She's also gone missing!"

"WHAT?!" the duo gasped.

"She left to get some air," Flame explained. "I called her, and she said that she was having tea with a friend, but that was the last time I talked to her. I tried to reach to her, but I couldn't get any signal. It's like she… she just disappeared,"

"No, no, no…" Blaze hissed and shook his head to shake the tears away. "First Sparkle then Mom? No, I won't let this kidnapper get away with this,"

"Neither of us will, don't worry," AJ assured him. "We'll find Mom and Sparkle, no matter what,"

"Thanks, AJ," Blaze gave his best friend a small smile. "Come on, let's head to the police station to tell Officer Anna. We need to add this to the case,"

"And I'm coming with you," Flame told them. "I don't want to lose either of you this time,"

"We don't want to lose you either," Blaze nodded in understanding. "Alright then. Let's all go. Come on!"