Archie drove his car to the precinct that Hermione was jailed at. Veronica was in the passenger seat and Oscar was in the back seat. A tear streamed down Archie's cheek as he remembered that Fred was the one who gave him this car, this jalopy. Archie pushed the thought away. Archie knew that Fred wouldn't want Archie to feel upset for too long. Archie also knew that he had to concentrate. Archie knew that Veronica would want Hermione to be released. Hermione was far from innocent, but she didn't deserve this. It was similar to how Archie was framed for the murder of Cassidy Bullock one year earlier.

Archie's car reached the gates of the precinct. A security guard that was stationed at that precinct gave him a hard look.

"Names?", the guard asked. His tone was anything but friendly.

"I'm Archie Andrews", Archie said. He then said, "This is my girlfriend, Veronica Lodge, and my paternal uncle, Oscar Andrews."

The guard didn't seem to recognize Oscar's name. He motioned to let them proceed.

Archie drove his car into the parking lot. Archie parked his car in one of the many empty spaces. Archie, Veronica, and Oscar exited the car. After Archie locked the car, the three headed inside.

When Archie, Veronica, and Oscar walked all the way down the main hallway, a guard that was there glared at them as he asked, "What are you three doing here?"

Before Archie could answer, Veronica said, "I'm here to see my mother, Hermione Lodge."

The guard hesitated, then said, "Fine. Follow me."

The guard led the three of them to a waiting room. Then another guard led Hermione Lodge out of her cell in handcuffs. Hermione was brought to a desk with a window separating that desk with another desk that was outside that window.

Veronica and Archie sat down at the outside desk. Veronica picked up the phone and started talking to her mother.

"Mom? Are you okay? What happened to you in here?"

Hermione took a deep breath before answering.

"It's far from easy. The guards are very strict here. Some of the prisoners treated me a little badly at first, but nothing too serious."

Archie then said, "We're going to see if we can get you out of here, Mrs. Lodge. My mom or Sierra could be your lawyer at your trial. When is it?"

Hermione gasped before replying. "Three weeks from now."

Hermione then asked, "So what's happened in town? Anything I should know about?"

Archie took a deep breath before replying. "My dad died."

Hermione appeared to be shocked. She said, "Oh, I'm sorry for your loss Archie. How did that happen?"

Archie shook his head as he explained the story. "My dad was on a business trip, and he was in a taxi cab when he was returning home. There was a drunk driver on the road whose car collided with the car my dad was in. Everyone in both cars were killed."

Hermione looked to the ground. Then she said, "Your father had a lot of heart. A great man."

Veronica then said, "This might be a bad time to bring this up, but you and Fred would have made an excellent couple now. Clearly better than with Daddy."

Hermione then admitted, "Well, that's true."

"You're going to be surprised to find out who I met just recently", Archie said as he motioned for Oscar to come forward, who had been waiting in the background.

"Hello, Hermione", Oscar said.

Hermione's eyes widened with disbelief. She then said, "Is it really you, Oscar? Fred's younger brother?"

"Yes", Oscar said, smiling.

"But I thought you died when your car burned at Sweetwater River! We all did."

Oscar then held up a hand. "I know you have a lot of questions. And believe me, I will answer them, but when the time is right. But let's reminisce."

Oscar then said, "Even though I was one year younger than Fred, I still remember we shared the same recess schedule in Riverdale Elementary School. Remember when you, me, and Fred played tag in recess?"

"Yes", Hermione said.

"Remember when Fred and I pranked you by dumping cereal on your hair?", Oscar asked, grinning.

"Yes", Hermione said, laughing. The closest security guard on Hermione's side of the window appeared to be shocked.

"I remember you and Fred were both given time outs for that prank", Hermione said, smiling.

"Good times", Oscar said. Then his facial expression changed.

"Listen, Hermione. We're going to get you out of here. You're going to be able to return home. And we will stop Hiram, no matter what happens", Oscar said.

"Fine", Hermione said as she flashed Oscar a smile.

Archie, Veronica, and Oscar then headed out of the precinct and back to the car. Archie drove them all back home, intending to speak to his mom and Sierra McCoy about representing Hermione in her trial.

Meanwhile…

Reggie Mantle was pretty surprised by the death of Fred Andrews. Even though Reggie wasn't that close to Fred, Reggie knew that Fred had a lot of morals. Fred was the best father in Riverdale, without question. Reggie wasn't stupid. It wasn't that Marty Mantle was a terrible father. Marty loved Reggie, but Marty sometimes couldn't control his temper. On a few random occasions, Marty hit Reggie for doing something stupid or saying something he shouldn't have. Reggie remembered the last time Marty had hit him. Reggie had asked Marty about the Griffins and Gargoyles game that Marty and the other members of the midnight club had played back when they were in high school. Marty was enraged at Reggie just for asking that question. In fact, he was so pissed, he punched Reggie, giving him a black eye. Of course, Marty Mantle wasn't the worst father in Riverdale either. Reggie only needed to look to Hiram Lodge, Clifford Blossom, and Hal Cooper for example.

But Reggie had his own problems that had been caused by all the damage and chaos in Riverdale. Reggie needed to find new players for the Riverdale Bulldogs football team roster.

Reggie knew that with all the death and destruction in Riverdale, the football season for the Bulldogs seemed to be a minor issue. On the other hand, it was Reggie's last season as Captain, and he wanted to win that championship. How much things had changed in the last two years. Jason Blossom had been the former co-captain for the football team when he was murdered. Chuck Clayton had been permanently banned from playing on the team after his playbook had been exposed. Chuck had joined Edgar Evernever's stupid farm cult and had ascended with the rest of the farm to Greendale. Several other starting players on the Riverdale football team had also ascended that night to Greendale. Reggie remembered that when Archie Andrews had been arrested, Reggie had to replace Archie with several freshmen who were substitutes on the team. Because of Archie's absence, the Riverdale Bulldogs had lost four of their games. Moose Mason, who was one of the star players on the team, had left Riverdale to stay with his aunt in Glendale. Reggie knew he would be in serious trouble if he couldn't think of a way to find new players that were decent. But he didn't have many options. Even Waldo Weatherbee, the former principal of Riverdale High School, had ascended to Greendale. So there was no guarantee that the new principal, whoever he was, would allow the Bulldogs to play football that year.

Reggie set up a meeting with the other remaining members of the Riverdale football team at Pop's. Archie sat in the same booth as Reggie, as well as two sophomores. The other players were sitting at the surrounding tables.

"So, Reggie, why did you call this meeting?", Archie asked.

Reggie took a deep breath before responding. Then he said, "We need to discuss the football team, Archie. We have three empty positions, and I don't think the substitutes can handle it. We're basically screwed."

"Not necessarily", a voice said. Reggie turned to the person that said that. It was Kevin Keller.

"What makes you say that, Kevin?", Reggie asked.

"Which three positions are open right now?", Kevin asked.

"Well, we still need a defensive tackle, a middle linebacker, and a tight end", Reggie answered.

"I could be the defensive tackle", Kevin said.

"But Kevin, you've never played football before in your life!", Archie exclaimed. "You could get seriously hurt."

"Archie, you tried out for wrestling less than two years ago, even though it was something completely new for you. And you managed to wrestle pretty good. You also boxed and did that successfully as well. If you could do all that, surely nothing can stop me from playing football for the Bulldogs."

"Fine, Kevin. I'll talk to Coach Clayton and we'll see what you can do at tryouts", Reggie said.

"What about the middle linebacker and the tight end?", Archie asked.

"Allow me to introduce you to my friends", Kevin said. He then motioned for two boys that he was sitting with to join them.

Kevin introduced one boy, who had brown hair. "This is Adam Chisholm. He moved here from Centerville. He starts 11th Grade at Riverdale High School in the fall. He used to play football for Centerville High School as their middle linebacker."

Kevin then introduced the other boy. "You probably know Bruiser Bleedum, one of the star players on the Riverdale High School wrestling team."

"I'll happily play tight end", Bruiser said.

Archie remembered seeing Bruiser but didn't remember ever speaking to him.

Reggie felt sighs of relief.

"Thanks, Kevin", Reggie said. "You've solved my problems."

Kevin smiled. "Always happy to help."

Meanwhile…

Hiram Lodge was having a secret meeting with one of his henchmen at his prison. The henchman said, "Our spy in Hermione's precinct informed us that she had visitors today."

"Who?", Hiram asked.

"Your daughter, that Andrews boy, and an older man."

"Who was that man?", Hiram asked.

"Our spy was watching from a far distance. He wasn't able to identify who that man was."

"It won't matter", Hiram said. "Everything must go according to plan."

Hiram then walked over to where a blond man in his mid-20s was lifting weights.

"Hello", Hiram said. "You're Chic, right?"

"Yes", Chic replied in a bland and mundane tone.

Hiram then said, "You did have issues with the Cooper and Jones families, right? And you did try to kill Veronica, Archie, Jughead, and Betty, right?"

"Yes", Chic said. "Too bad I failed."

Hiram then said, "Ok, Chic. Let's start a partnership. Here's what I want you to do…"

Author's Note:

Okay, that was the third chapter! I have this annoying cold, so hopefully when I get better I'll write the fourth and fifth chapters. I'll see if I can write some Choni, Bughead, and Falice scenes, if I can.