Chapter 7: If You Want Something Done Right...
Prisoner Containment Cell
10 Hours After Galla Assault
After his capture at the Galla, Falke Wulf had been tied to a chair and beaten all night. His former colleagues witnessed him push Lieutenant Tullen off a 64th floor balcony in order to save Manic the Hedgehog's life. He's been considered a traitor to The Wulf House.
Falke was woken with a bucket of ice water thrown in his face, then he watched the metal gate to his cell open and high ranking Wulf House officers enter one by one. He wasn't intimidated by them in the least, and spit blood in their direction.
"You think you're a hero to them?" an officer asked in a gruff, smokers voice.
"I think I did the right thing." Falke responded.
"Your uncle Willard dedicates his life fighting these monsters, and you aid them? That's the right thing?"
"You know he wasn't the good guy here! Don't get it twisted!"
Willard Wulf limped into the cell. "...you speak of me as if I were dead, nephew."
Falke gasps "Will, I - I heard you were killed in combat."
The Leader chuckled. "So did everyone in this building. But I'm not so easy to kill. Manic lacks true killer instinct... but you don't. You had no problem murdering my lieutenant to save that green asshole's life. And you say you did the right thing? Yeah?"
Falke gulped before speaking. "...you and I both know we're not here to do good. You're not this big war hero, you're a killer who murders for money-"
"Are you not my family, my blood? This is what we do! We clean the garbage out of society and make this world a better place! ...what, did ya think Manic and his friends were gonna come here to rescue you? They don't give a fuck, Falke! I do!... at least I did before you betrayed us..."
"Someone had to stand up to you, Willard."
"...and for that, you will never see day light again. I promised your mother I would look after you, and if that means locking you down here for the rest of your life, well- I'd say you'd better be glad I let you live."
Willard quickly whispered into a guard's ear and turned to the exit.
Falke had one last thing to say before his uncle left. "You'll lose, Will. These guys can do things I've never seen before, things you can't handle. Quit before Manic finishes the job on you!"
Willard stopped in the doorway to say, "It's your little girlfriend who you should've told to quit. She's gonna get it the worst of any of them, Falke. That's on you."
The Wulf House leader limped out of Falke's cell and his officers followed him to the door. A guard slammed the cell door and put the key in to lock it once more. Falke was going to sit out the rest of the occupation.
Manic spent the last six hours down in an underground tunnel system connected to the sewers. His mentor and father figure, Farrell, had been hiding out here ever since The Wulf House began their occupation of Metropolis. Manic made sure to bring a few cases of White Ox beer on his way over. They'd been drinking all night down here. Even though he'd been slamming drinks back nonstop, Manic's jade medallion helped metabolize the alcohol and kept him from getting too drunk.
"Y'know, Pops.." Manic said, waiting until Farrell faced him to continue, "I don't get why they - they don't like me, or us. Those high society suit-dummies, or the 'concerned parents'. I do nothing but save their stuck up asses and I kick the crap outta the bad guys! It's like-"
Farrell interrupted with, "Those snobs won't ever like us, Manny! They hate it that a kid from the Underground has abilities like yours, they'd rather have a clean-cut pretty boy as their great hero. Fuck these clowns, don't worry 'bout what they think or if they like you, son. Just do what you do."
Manic smiled. You're right, Pops! To hell with these ungrateful assholes, I don't need 'em to like me! ...Dad, you always know the right thing to say, you just - make it so clear to me, y'know."
"You're my boy, Manic. Maybe not by blood, but I raised you up to be a good man. I did my best for you, Manic...I want ya to know that. I love you, my son."
Farrell reached over and hugged the Green Hedgehog, while he finishes his last can. Manic thought about what to do today, then noticed Farrell's eyes were closed.
"Pops? You good?"
He carefully picked Farrell up and guided him to the ground. He fell asleep on Manic's shoulder after that last conversation, due to how many beers he's had.
God damn, Pops. You're getting rusty at this, old man Manic thought to himself.
The Green Hedgehog plugged his headphones into his phone and turned on a playlist. He got halfway through the first song when he sensed someone approaching.
His left hand illuminated green and he aimed it at the nearest platform. "Who's that stumbling around in the dark?"
B.B put his hands up defensively. "It's me, Iron Man, chill!"
Manic lowered his hand and took out his headphones. "What is it, Beans? I'm a very busy man."
B.B noticed all the empty beer cans scattered around the platform and scoffed. "...yeah, clearly. Look, Mayor Tinsel has been trying to get ahold of you all morning! He left the phone number to his office downtown."
"What? Why does he wanna talk to me? Fuckin' asshole hired a whole army to come kill me!" Manic responded.
"I think he wants a truce, bro."
"...no way, I'm not going for it! He set me up, he's gonna deal with the consequences! He can't just start a war, then try to talk his way out! Not happening!"
"Manic, think what this could mean; Wulf House leaves and everyone can go back to the way it was before. This shit's gotta end dude! Seriously!"
Manic took a moment to think this through. "...you sure he's serious about this truce? I won't get shot in the head if I meet him? Cuz I don't play that shit."
"Well, lets call him and find out."
The crow dialled the number to the Mayors' office and asked the secretary to put him through to Tinsel's line. He handed the phone to Manic and crossed his arms.
"Hello, this is Mayor Tinsel."
"...It's Manic. You had something to say to me?"
"Manic, yes, I'm glad you called! ...I want a peaceful resolution to our disagreement. There's no need for further bloodshed. I would like to set up a meeting between us to discusss a possible compromise on this matter."
Manic scoffs "Compromise... it sounds like you want some kinda peace treaty. Those always go well for everyone.."
"Call it what you will but Manic, please-for the sake of the citizens here, lets end this pointless fight! I know you have loved ones who live here, I do too! I don't want them to go through this occupation any more than you do." Tinsel pleaded.
"...I'll call you in an hour to set up a meet. Don't bring that thug Wulf or any of his Cleaners. You want peace? It'll be on my terms."
Manic hung up before The Mayor could respond and he gave B.B his phone back.
The crow looked at him and asked, "So, what're you gonna do?"
"I'm gonna pick up my personal advisor."
Tails sat in Thompson's living room working on his SAGE A.I program. The fox dropped everyone off and hid the war chopper in a nearby landfill late last night. Mickie made breakfast for everyone and B.B left right after to find Manic. An hour later they returned.
Manic hopped a fence into Thompson's backyard and entered through the sliding glass door with B.B. "I'm tired of climbing over that wooden fence and sneaking through the back door, Mick."
"Well, until these Wulf House douchebags leave, get used to it." Mickie replied.
"Funny you say that because I may have a way of getting these assholes out of town and ending this occupation."
Mickie and her boyfriend turned to the green hedgehog."How?"
"He's called a truce, but I have a few demands before we get there. Guess what I'm going to demand."
"You're gonna get equal rights instated into the work force, aren't you!" Mickie exclaimed.
"What? God, no. I don't care about that! Try again."
"A new stadium be built in Westvalley, right?" B.B asked.
"The football team already sucks ass, they don't need a bigger stadium encouraging that suckage."
"You... want Club Rouge to be reopened, don't ya?" Thompson guessed.
"Ooh, I never thought of that.. that'll have to wait. No, seriously, though."
"The Wulf House's disbandment, you idiots!" Tails said.
"Finally! Yes, my friend. But I need a favor from you, T. Come with me to the meet, I'm terrible at negotiations."
"Me? But I don't even live in this city!"
"You're the smartest guy in this room, a bit geeky, but that works in our favor, bro! Please, I need you on this."
Tails put his SAGE program down. "...Okay, I'll do it."
"Great, the rest of you guys- stay ready. This may turn ugly so I'll call you in the event that we're attacked. Speaking of that, Where's Starr and Cassia?"
Mickie looked out the kitchen window. "They went out for a 'girl's day out' but didn't invite me because I don't have superpowers... little bitches..."
"Always great to hear."
Tails looked at himself in a mirror. "Should I wear something fancy to this meet?"
"We're meeting the mayor, YES! Put on a dress shirt and slacks, you gotta look important!" Manic answered.
"Gee, thanks. Hey, does anyone have any business clothes I can borrow?"
"I got a few button up shirts and some slacks still in the package that I never wore. I'm not a fan of business attire so you can have 'em." Thompson offered.
Tails followed the larger hedgehog into the master bedroom and looked through the various outfits. After ten minutes Tails came out wearing a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, matching black business slacks with gold wallet chain, completed with gold bracelets and a gold chain around his neck.
"Wow, lookin' sharp, Prower." Manic said.
"I feel like my mother named me Chad and put me through boarding school all my life. This shit is not me." Tails responded.
Thompson joined the group. "I almost forgot to give you the matching hat."
He puts a black and red fedora on Tails' head, pushing his long hairs over his face. Manic, Thompson and B.B laugh hysterically at the Fox, while Mickie takes a selfie with Tails.
"I don't think it looks bad." She said.
Tails lowered his head "My humiliation...is complete."
"Jesus, that's awesome!"
"Screw you guys, I change my mind. I'm not doing this."
Manic stopped him. "Tails, I'm joking, bro! Please, I need you to do this. I'll stop-guys, stop laughing! The fate of this city rests in Chad's hands!"
Everyone laughed even harder while Tails pushed past them. "Lets just get this over with so I can take this shit off."
"You're the boss, T." Manic looked back. "I'll see you guys later, got a truce to negotiate."
Manic caught a set of keys and jumped into Thompson's blue 4x4 truck while Tails sat in the passenger seat. They reversed out of the driveway and head toward downtown.
"Hey, you don't look so bad. Head to the clubs downtown dressed like that and shit, you might even pickup a girl. Or a guy, whichever you want, bro."
"Fuck you. This is the last favor you get from me."
"Last one I need."
Manic called Mayor Tinsel to set the meeting place at the downtown Fountain Park. They drove around for twenty minutes, then pull up to a curb about a block away from the park. As Manic and Tails walked down the street, everyone around stopped to get a good look at them. A few girls smiled and waved at Tails specifically, making him smile in return.
"You seeing this? They like me." Tails said.
"I told ya the girls downtown would like that shit. Now straight face, there's the Mayor."
Manic and Tails entered the park and two of Tinsel's guards quickly pat them down for weapons before allowing them to continue.
"Hello Manic." Tinsel greeted.
"Tin man." Manic replied.
"And you brought a friend. Your name is?"
Manic began to speak when Tails cuts in. "Tommy...Trick. Tommy Trick, sir. I'm Manic's personal advisor."
Tails shook Tinsel's hand while Manic raised an eyebrow.
"You're not from Metropolis, are you?"
"No, I was born in Two Gates City, and went school in The Casino Zone."
"Oh, wow. What's your major?"
"...I went in for advanced physics but was always interested in public relations so I-became an advisor."
"So, you'd know how to deal with a PR mess, Mr. Trick? I'm having trouble with those lately."
Manic cut in. "Great, yeah real interesting but can we get back to the truce thing?"
Tinsel cleared his throat and stood up straight. "Alright. What are your demands?"
"I think it's completely fair to ask that you get these redneck assholes out of town because they've fucked up this place more than I ever have."
"Done. I will dismiss Willard Wulf and his team today."
"Do it publicly, so everyone knows he's gone." Manic added.
"...alright, but in return I ask that you and your friends refrain from any destructive activity in Metropolis. We don't need another situation like this gaining worldwide attention. We have enough tourists coming to see this shit show-"
"We'll, you let the wolves loose, so..."
"You've got me there. Is there anything else on your list of demands, Manic?"
"Re-open Club Rouge downtown and you can guarantee my vote for the next election."
"Fair enough. I'm glad we could come to an agreement."
The Mayor is escorted back to city hall while Tails and Manic hopped back in Thompson's 4x4 truck and drove back to his place. Half an hour later, Tinsel came on the news to keep his promise and publicly fire The Wulf House, banishing them from Metropolis. Manic sat back in a reclining chair and drank a can of White Ox while listening to Mayor Tinsel.
"I know he's a corrupt bastard, but that guy Tinsel ain't so bad. Not to me, at least."
Tails put his phone down. "You sure it was a great idea that Tinsel go on TV to announce Wulf's dismissal?"
"Hell yeah, it is! It's like a giant middle finger to Willard Wulf that the whole town can watch and laugh at. What's the worst that can happen?"
20 Minutes Later
B.B walked inside the house with an announcement. "Mayor Tinsel is dead."
"What?!"
"Holy shit!"
"That was fast.."
Manic put his beer down. "Okay, so maybe it wasn't the greatest idea... wait, do you guys hear that?"
Everyone remained silent for a moment, then the sounds of shouting, glass shattering and police sirens grew louder. Mickie opened the front door and saw fires raging in the distance, gunfire between cops and Wulf House soldiers and citizens running for their lives.
"Manic, they're attacking the city!"
"Those sons of bitches! ...alright, I'm calling Cassia and Starr in."
Meanwhile at The Wulf House Downtown HQ, Willard limped through a dark hallway and reached the containment cells. He unlocked Falke Wulf's cell and swung the door open.
"You want out, here's your chance. Go on." Willard ordered.
"What, I can't go out there! The whole damn city's looking to shoot anyone in a Wulf House vest because of you, I won't last 5 minutes!" Falke shouted.
"This is your freedom, kid. Take it or leave it."
The young Wulf wanted to argue with his uncle but he knew this wouldn't change anything. He walked upstairs and grabbed his gear bag, while Willard watched him leave headquarters.
"Nobody disrespects this brotherhood and lives. I'm gonna kill you, Manic... you and this whole city on my out."