Author's Note: The title is a bit of a spoiler, don't you think so? But then again, most of you have expected it already. :) Well, that's enough from me. Read em' and have fun.
Legal junk: I don't own Hey Arnold, but Nickelodeon does and Mr. Craig Bartlett created it. But this fic belongs to me. Clear? Good.
Chapter 27: Victorious.
Even without weapons to protect himself and the weariness taking toll on his body, Michael pressed on, vowing himself not to get captured by the agents, the cops or anybody else. The elevator ascended without stopping. It slowed down, and finally stopped on the rooftop. Michael hid behind the elevator buttons as the rusty elevator opened by itself, making creaking metal noises. And then, there was nothing. Absolute silence, with the exception of sounds of the wind blowing through and steam rose up from the vent making a slight hissing sound. Michael slowly peer his head around to look out of the elevator. The only thing he could see was the rooftop illuminated by the shining moonlight and stacks of vents dispensing steam out. He carefully ventured out as he scanned around to make sure nobody was up there with him.
He looked left. Nothing. He looked right. Nothing. He looked behind him, and still nothing. But, he could vaguely hear footsteps moving rapidly as if they were in haste. That must be party that someone down there sent to capture him. The only way to escape from them was to jump to the nearest building, which was a warehouse. Bold, if to say that he actually considering on jumping a gap that was as wide as two-lane road. But he was desperate, and anything was not impossible for him.
"There!" Bridget pointed to Michael when she opened the door to the roof. He was desperate to escape, that he'd do anything as long as he would be safe. After building some nerve and energy, he dashed speedily to the edge of the building he was on and jumped.
A cigarette butt was thrown to the ground and someone stomped on it to put it out. "Police business my ass." Sid said bitterly with plume of smoke coming out from his mouth, "They're treating us like babies." He, Gerald and Stinky were asked to stay at the squad car for safety reasons.
"Pudney is just concerned about us. Who knows, we might catch some bullets flying by if we go with 'em." Gerald replied back, as he sat on the hood of the police car.
Stinky shook his head and replied, "That's bull—"
BANG!
"WHAT THE SHIT?" Sid shouted out loud upon hearing the loud bang. The sound came from above them and they quickly looked upwards. Michael was struggling to climb up to the roof after he barely managed to jump to the other side.
"You can't run forever Mikey!" the indistinct voice of Olga shouting at him was heard.
"Holy shit, it's Michael!" Gerald said in shock.
Stinky was lost on words, but his instincts told him to help the agents out. He looked around, and found nothing. There's got a way to help them out, Stinky thought to himself. He then left Gerald and Sid and did a scouting of his own. He ran into one of the alleys next to the warehouse building and found set of stairs leading to the roof. But unfortunately it was barricaded by empty oil barrels and a locked steel door. Still, it was all a minor setback to him. "FELLAS!"
Michael managed to climbed back on the roof and continued to run away. He only needed to go through another gap, which had a wooden plank bridge connecting the warehouse building he was on and the other together. And after he got through it, he'd kick the plank away so to delay the agents momentarily while he made his escape. And while they were at it, he'd quickly jump down to the dumpster below, got out from it and ran to his car to flee from this wretched place. It was a perfect plan to escape, but unfortunately he left the Gerald, Sid and Stinky factor out. After they stacked the oil barrels, Sid, Gerald, and Stinky quickly climbed up and jumped on the metal stairs.
"C'mon Helga, throw the grappling hook already!" Phoebe shouted at her. And Helga did but she couldn't get it to grab the vent she was aiming for. But they could hear some metal clanging coming from the left side of the building. It was Gerald, Sid and Stinky.
"Guys!" Helga shouted to them, "Help us tie the grapping hook up to the vent!"
"We'll go after Michael and you go help the girls!" Gerald hastily said to Stinky as Sid nodded in agreement. Stinky agreed with the plan and he quickly went after the hook and grabbed it. He then brought it to the nearest vent and tied the hook around it.
"You're gonna end up dead anyway man!" Gerald shouted to Michael, "So stop running!" But Michael still wouldn't give up and persisted. He kept running, so much so like Gerald and Sid. Sid was a good sprinter, and he could run faster than Gerald and Michael. He became closer, and closer to Michael. Michael looked back, shocked and amazed by Sid's speediness. But it didn't matter to him, as soon as he safely made his way through the gap, he'll be in the clear, and he was closing in to the gap.
He ran through the flimsy plank as fast as he could, wobbling and shaking it, and he managed to get to the other side. He then stopped running and kicked the plank away, and it fell to the ground below. The gap was narrow enough to convince Sid to jump over it. He was at full speed, using all of his strength, and he jumped up and landed on Michael. A fight ensued between them as Stinky, Gerald and the rest of the girls could only watch them from the other side. But they quickly sprung into action since Sid needed help. Helga aimed her grappling hook again at a smokestack and managed to catch it. She tugged it to make sure it was strong enough and swung to the other side. Others followed suit.
The group then broke the fight up but the both of them refused to stop fighting. Sid calmed down after his friends told him to relax, while Michael was pinned down by the agents. By now, escape was impossible for him. Bridget quickly tied his hands up with the rope of the grappling hook and finally, he was in custody.
With a sigh a relief, and a lot of watchful glare from everyone to Michael, Bridget said to him, "It's over for you. Finally."
"HA! Bullshit!" Michael said, laughing, "My lawyer's gonna prove me innocent, and I'm coming back, to get rid of you people once and for all!"
Disgusted by the pathetic threat that he just threw to them, Helga turned to Sid and said, "Hey Sid, that asshole nearly killed Nadine a while back."
"What?" he replied in angered fear.
"He put a knife on her throat, said that he'd slice her off if we tried to save her." Helga elaborated further.
Sid was angered, infuriated and enraged. He glared at Michael murderously. "You son of a bitch." He punched his stomach, and Michael shouted in pain. "YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Sid shouted again as he punched him repeatedly on the chest. The pain was too much for Michael to bear, and he slumped down to the floor. But Sid wasn't finished with him yet. He kicked him repeatedly in the chest in rage and anger. Nobody bothered to stop him since they felt Michael deserved it.
"YOU SON OF A BITCH! GO AND MOTHERFU—"
"C'mon, let's go to the base." Helga said smiling, and everybody nodded.
"DIE YOU BASTARD MOTHERFU—"
---
"Walk in single file boys." Pudney said to the trudging thugs in front of her, "I don't want any of you to spread out. And I don't want anybody try to run away either, because we will catch you and beat you up with a nightstick. Again I say this, just follow the line to that warehouse over there. Any ruckus and I will not hesitate to use force." The thugs were trudging to the warehouse where Michael was captured earlier so other cops and the forensic team would concentrate their work there instead at the headquarters so that the secret organization would remain secret.
"Detective Pudney." A police officer called her, "We got a tip-off of an illicit drug trafficking taking place at the Ravenholm Dockyards and a mansion somewhere at the outskirts of the city."
"Yeah? It's not in our zone, why should we bother?" Pudney asked back.
"Yes, but there's evidence of fights on both scenes and… they all pointed to Michael that he's the head honcho, orchestrating the deal. Which can be pointed to…"
"LES." Detective Pudney smiled, and the female police officer smiled too. "Have they sent the DEA to those places?" Pudney asked.
"They're on their way."
Detective Pudney nodded and shot a soft smile at her. She then walked over to Bridget who was helping the cops monitoring the detainees. "Are you the present Chief of LES?" Detective Pudney asked her.
"I'm supposed to retire a few days ago, but things got out of hand all of the sudden and I had to stay for a while. Yeah, I am the Chief."
"I commend you on the job well done on helping us destroy Michael's organization and apprehend all of his gang. HPD, Feds and the DEA couldn't find any leads to connect the puzzle together, until you guys helped us."
"Thank you detective." Bridget nodded.
"You know…" she chuckled a bit, "I used to want to become the Chief, but I… never did. Nevertheless, I learned a lot of things when I was in the agency, and they help me a lot by helping me getting through my life for the best. And I hope it will help you too."
"Yeah, hopefully they will." Bridget nodded softly, smiling at her.
"So tell me. Why are you retiring? Have you reached the age limit already?"
"Naw, I just want to retire early so I can concentrate on my studies. I'm on my last semester now."
"Aah… What are you taking?"
"Political Science. I… want to become an investigative journalist." she chuckled a bit.
"Well, good luck." Detective Pudney smiled at her. The communicator on her shoulder suddenly made a static noise and police lingo was heard through it. Pudney nodded and said to Bridget, "Well, the rest of us are arriving here soon. I suggest that you round up all of your forces and go inside the training area and hide in there for a while. We don't want the others get suspicious when they see chicks wearing sleek outfit running all over the place."
Bridget laughed softly, "Yeah, I think you're right. And we must let the secret organization remain secret right?"
"Yeah." Detective Pudney smiled, "See ya around, college girl."
Gino walked over to his trudging brother in detest. He glared at him murderously, without any sign of sympathy whatsoever. Michael had hoped he would forgive him.
"Hey, bro." Michael said in a warm, hopeful voice. "You're gonna help me out, aren't you? I mean, that's what brothers are for, right?"
"Go to hell." Gino scoffed angrily, "And I'll make sure our family lawyers won't defend you in court. And I hope you'll stay in jail for a long, long time. I'm in control of the family business now." And with that, he turned around and left with a satisfied smirk across his face. His 'brother' won't be of his problem anymore.
---
The elevator made a rusty screeching noise as they descended to the training area. Bridget had brought along Sid, Gerald and Stinky with her since she felt that they would make great informants and would serve organization well. Also, Sid wanted to see Nadine. When the offer of being informants was proposed to them, they were thrilled, and instantaneously agreed to the offer. To cope with the boring descent, Gerald opened a small talk.
"Man, the last time I been into this building was when I was like, nine. Now look where I'm going – even further into the headquarters where only the few privileged were given the opportunity to see it. Damn."
"You've been here before?" Stinky asked him.
"Yeah, it was back when Arnold and I tried to save our neighborhood and stuff. Fuzzy told me about this place. Yo Bridge," he said to her, "Remember the time when Arnold and I met you for the first time?"
"Ooh, how can I forget?" she said jovially.
"Heh." Gerald chuckled. He then turned to Sid and Stinky to tell them his experience. "We got ourselves trapped in a net and got reeled up from the ground. And then Bridget showed up and asked which—"
"Yes… yes." Bridget said embarrassedly, raising her palm to stop him from saying it. She had always thought that the words that she said on that particular day were not appropriate for children's ears. She also was quite amazed that Gerald still remembered it.
"So Bridge…" Gerald said suavely, "Can I touch your button now?"
Five fingers across the face.
---
The elevator finally arrived to the training area and the doors opened, revealing Bridget cracking her knuckles and a broad smirk across her face. Gerald was rubbing his cheek in an attempt to cool down the mark left by Bridget whilst Sid and Stinky could barely contain their laughter. "Dude, that was very smooth, man!" Sid said to him as he laughed. But the laughter was engulfed by a thunderous applause by Bridget's teammates and friends as soon as she stepped out from the elevator. And she was extremely overwhelmed by the gesture that tears of joy ran down from her eyes. They all knew that had Bridget retired earlier, the agency would've been destroyed for sure. Many agents came to congratulate her as the boys stepped away to give her the limelight. This was her moment, the boys thought as they looked at her with a contented smile.
Inside the cheering crowd, there was Phoebe who just congratulated her Chief. She then stepped away to give others the chance to congratulate their leader. She looked around and saw the boys. "Gerald!" she shouted at him as she waved and jumped repeatedly since people surrounding her obscured her from Gerald's view. After all, she was the most petite girl in the gang. Gerald looked at her and smiled. He too waved back and walked over to her. Sid and Stinky followed suit.
They were relieved that the both of them were okay and hugged each other. But Gerald felt something bad. He released himself from the hug and looked at Phoebe. He saw a bandage on the lower part of her body, and he was shocked and horrified.
"Oh my God…" he kneeled down and tried to inspect the injury, "What happened to you?"
"It's okay…" Phoebe replied back to calm him down, "it's my battle scar, nothing to be concerned about."
"Are sure about this?" he asked for her reassurance, "Want me to take you to Doc Steiglitz?"
"I appreciate the concern Gerald." She chuckled a bit, and thought he was cute for being very concerned of her, "But let me guarantee you that in spite of this, I am perfectly fine." She smiled at him.
Stinky and Sid were too relieved to hear that from her. But right now, Sid's utmost concern was Nadine, considering about what Helga just said to him just now. Helga might've just talking bullshit to him so he'd take his anger at Michael, or she could be serious about Nadine's condition. "Hey Pheebs," Sid said, "Where's Nadine? Is she okay?"
Phoebe looked at him back in a somewhat sad and worried look, and replied, "She's over there… with the others." Her voice sounded gravely. Sid's heart began to race. He hoped not for the worst. Quickly he ran through the crowd to the location where Phoebe pointed earlier. When he arrived, he was shocked.
"Hey, you…"
He was shocked to see that Nadine was smiling at him. She looked very healthy, aside from that large bandage applied on her neck. And that somewhat coarse voice that sounded like Sid when he hit puberty. But Sid couldn't care less, as long as she was safe and sound. "Hey…" Sid replied back, also smiling at her. "I'm so relieved that you're all right…"
Sid then walked over to Nadine, gazed at each other deep in the eyes, and they kissed. All of their friends snickered softly and smiled as they looked them. They too shared the happiness with them. And the kiss became more and more fervent and passionate. They caressed, and hugged each other tightly. Some of their friends began to raise their eyebrows in shock. Then the both of them hit the floor and did a lot of fun stuff.
"Oh my… that is ever so not right…" Lila said in a horrified tone as she looked away from them.
Bridget walked over to Olga and said to her, "Thanks. We couldn't have done it without you." She offered her hand to shake. Olga smiled at her, and accepted the hand. Suddenly Bridget pulled her in and hugged her, "You taught me a lot. I'm greatly indebted to you."
Olga smiled back, "Isn't it time for your retirement, isn't it?" she said as they released each other from their grasp.
Bridget nodded, turning away from Olga. "Listen up you guys." Everybody went silent and began listening to her, "These past few days have been hell for every one of us, but I'm glad that every one of you handled the situation professionally." Cheers and applauds was heard. And after it died down, Bridget continued again, "But nobody can stay in this agency forever, and that's including me." A few disappointed hums were heard, "But rest assured, every one of you will continue this fine legacy of helping our beloved city and keeping its streets safe for their people." Cheers and applauds erupted again, but this time it was louder.
Gerald and Stinky nodded. "She'd make a good President." Gerald said to his friend.
"Yeah, yeah." Stinky replied back. Sid then suddenly sprung up next to him, looking very, very, very, very, very happy.
"I have one more thing to say as my last act as Chief: I recommend these three astute gentlemen," she pointed to Gerald, Sid and Stinky, who were smiling broadly, "to become our informants. They have proven worthy in aiding us destroying our enemies." Applauds and cheers were heard as the three guys took a bow to show gratitude. "I think we should spare the formalities because I don't want another jackass to call us all of the sudden and I have to hold back my retirement, again." She said lightheartedly, and the agents laughed softly. "So now, it has finally come to this: I, Bridget the Chief of Ladies of Espionage Sisterhood hereby declare my retirement from this wonderful organization and I hope my successor will do an excellent and better job then me."
And there was a thunderous applause as Bridget were lifted by the crowd and brought her upstairs as they sang "For she's a jolly good lass; for she's a jolly good lass. For she's a jolly good lassssssssss; which nobody can deny. Which nobody can deny!" Very English-ish despite of being an American agency.
Still, it was the perfect way to celebrate the retirement of one helluva good leader.
---
After the smallish partay, it was time for most of them to hit the road and go home. Helga, Rhonda, Phoebe, Lila and Nadine were walking with Gerald, Sid, and Stinky, leaving the headquarters together. Olga had earlier asked them whether they wanted her to send them home, but given the overwhelming numbers that would never fit into the car, they just decided to walk home together. Sid and Nadine and Gerald and Phoebe were seen holding their hands together. Helga stopped at her tracks, gazed at the full moon and sighed in relief. After she took a deep breath, she said to her friends, "Man, I'm glad this is all over."
"It's still not over Helga." Phoebe replied, "This is just the first chapter of our story. Who knows what are in store for us for our next adventures in this organization."
"Strange, I thought this was the 27th chapter…" Stinky thought to himself. But then he shrugged it off.
"Yeah…" Rhonda concurred. "Despite the inconsistencies and the horrendously gaping plot holes, it's all worth it…" she gave them a smile, but was replied back with a perplexed gaze from her friends. "What?" she asked them with a somewhat frightened tone.
"Girl, you need to stay away from Curly more." Nadine said, and they all laughed. Sid then looked at Nadine admirably and asked her:
"So, you wanna go on a date again sometimes?"
"I'll be glad to." She replied back, smiling. And again, they kissed.
"Oh for crying out loud, not again." Rhonda said good-naturedly while looking at them. Phoebe didn't know why, but she felt challenged by Nadine and Sid's affection for each other. She turned to Gerald and smiled at him. Gerald knew what she wanted from him.
"Well, when in Rome…"
"Oh, just shut up and kiss me." Phoebe ordered him, smiling.
And there was a broad grin carved on Gerald's face as he raised his eyebrows repeatedly, "As you wish…" and they also kissed. Stinky and Lila looked at each other. They couldn't help but to admit they were tempted themselves. They blushed as they gazed deeply to one another. They shrugged their shoulders and thought, what the hell. They also kiss. Love is in the air.
And there was Helga and Rhonda, stood awkwardly next to each other.
"So…" Helga said, "like, you wanna…"
"HELL NO!" Rhonda replied disapprovingly.
"What? Ew, not you! Him!" she pointed to someone behind Rhonda. It was Brainy, emerging out from the trashcan with his trademark wheeze. The trashcan was very clean, strangely.
"AAHHH!" Rhonda screamed in shock, jumping away from him, "How… how did you… but he… why…when… you…" she stuttered as she pointed randomly in confusion, "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?" and she just screamed at Helga.
"Move aside, Princess!" Helga shoved her away. "He's been asking for this ever since kindergarten! C'mere you!" Helga then grabbed him by his shirt collar and kissed him. A little bit rough, but Brainy felt like he was the luckiest man on earth. Rhonda chuckled embarrassedly as she looked at everyone kissing their partners, except her, since she didn't have any. Kind of ironic for one of the most popular girl in school. But then she heard footsteps coming with a vague mumbling.
"Stupid coach, it's not my fault the whole wrestling team lost. And he had the nerve to leave me walking all the way home…"
"Harold!" Rhonda joyfully shouted at him.
"Huh, what? Rhonda? Hey, what are you guys doing here? Hey, Rhonda? Why are you looking at me like that? Whuh? What are you trying to do? Oh…"
IT'S ALMOST OVER! What? You mean there's more? Yes, yes indeed dear respectful readers! This is not the final chapter of this fanfic. There's only one more left to go before I can finally conclude this extremely long fanfic that I've written over a year ago! Argh! Quality assurance here, pal! And... I think I'm gonna receive some heavy flaking from some of the scenes in this chapter ... oh, well. So stay tuned to the exciting, mind numbing, spine-tingling conclusion in Chapter 28! (Insert Title Here!) So, please, as always, leave a review. You guys rock. :)