Chapter 9:

(Ok, it's time for the gala. Ok, so I'm thinking I'll go with Melissa Hutchison who voices Arval from Fire Emblem: Three Hopes, as the voice for Zeke. If you need preference, you should look up his character)

The Bad Guys were ready for the Gala for Goodness. All suited in blue tuxes, while Zeke wore a simple white & blue button up shirt. Wolf took the time to go over the plan for the heist. Zeke rolled his eyes. After all that with talk, his dad is still trying to be bad. "Hopefully, Shermy can at least join the group." He muttered, loving hanging out with the kitty. The limo pulled over to the entrance. "Well, Good Guys, this is it. Good luck out there. Remember, all eyes will be on you tonight, not me." The Professor said before they got out of the car. The crowd saw them

"Friends, meet the Good Guys!" Marmalade said cheerfully. Wolf and the others smiled nervously, not expecting the reaction to be a good one. Instead, the crowd cheered for them. This shocked them, "Uh, this is different." Snake said.

"Is this a prank? What's that sound?" Shark asked, "It's cheering. Huh…didn't think stardom would be confusing." Zeke said, bluntly. "Dude, it's like screaming, but not terrified." Shark said.

"All right, guys. Let's, uh…Let's mingle. Zekey, stay with me, okay?" Wolf told them. "Okay, Dad." Zeke followed his father into the gala. He heard Fly Me to The Moon being sung on stage. "Huh…Weird, this sounds like a Christmas song." He said. Wolf chuckled, "Yeah, I guess it does." He said, as he was getting a snack, a bunch of people greeted him and were asking for pictures. Wolf and his son noticed the governor up ahead. She waved at them, but Wolf looked worried or scared…Wolf told the crowd to give him a minute and walked away. Diane was left, bewildered.

"So, you're avoiding her?" Zeke asked, wondering why, but sorta annoyed. "J-Just trying to stay on task, sport." Wolf said, pushing it off. Zeke pouted as his ears started drooping, thinking back to the talk they had last night. He looked over and saw his Uncle Hubert being handled by Chief Luggins, as if he was her glass cup. "How does she not know glass from scales?!" He muttered, how she didn't realized it was Snake was beyond the kid. They ran toward the officer, pretending that everything was normal. "Sup?" Wolf asked, trying to keep casual. "That's right, be intimidated." She said, "Haha…Yeah, I'm intimidated." He said, shaking by being so close to her. Everything was getting anxious as Chief Luggins tried to sip what she thought was her tonic water. The Bad Guys started freaking out, but Zeke noticed his Tìo Pepe was going to the stage.

"LOOOOOOOOOOOOOK AT ME!~" Piranha sang nervously, hoping it would work for a distraction, garnering the full undivided attention of the guests. Zeke nodded his head, loving when his Tío would sing. Chief tried to drink again,

"TELL ME WHAAAAAAAAT…YOU SEE!~" He sang again, lowering the microphone to his height. Suddenly, Shark started playing the drums and Webs using the DJ equipment.

"AM I GOOOOOOOD OR BAAD?~" He sang, deciding to work with the distraction.

"DON'T YOU JUUUDGE…SO FAST. HEY! HEY! HEY!" The crowd really liked Mr. Piranha's song, Zeke looked over and saw that Chief let go of Snake in that moment, suspicious of the activity.

"Mr. Wolf." Diane snuck on him, greeting him. "Diane! Yeah, what a surprise!" Wolf said, nervously. Diane had a sly look on her face as she spoke to him.

"You know, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were avoiding me." She accused. Zeke chuckled at her, "Astute as always, Governess." Zeke said, watching their conversation.

"Avoiding you? Why would I do that?" He asked, nervously, hoping she wasn't onto him.

"But I have to say, I'm a LITTLE disappointed." She said, starting to walk off. "I was hoping you were going to ask me to dance." Piranha kept singing for the cover. A child was going around, trying to raise money from the charity, some were putting dollar bills and others put gold bars. Wonder how that got into their pockets, the rabbit thought.

Zeke watched as his dad danced with the governor. "Huh…" He said, "So, they clearly have a thing going on." He said, acting as those two were a couple.

"We're gonna be good tonight! Wanna get ya feelin' right! We're gonna be good tonight! We're the Good, Good Guys!" Piranha sang, Zeke joined the rest of his family on stage, he saw Snake go and play the bass. Wolf and Diane had center stage during the whole performance, with their dancing attracting the whole crowd. "I see. You lost the sheep's clothing." Diane said, Wolf gave his charming look, "Yeah, figured it was time I got comfortable in my own fur." These two were practically in their own world the whole time they danced.

"I think I like the new you." She said, flirtatiously. Wolf straightened his jacket, "Well, that makes two of us."

Zeke started clapping his hands, stomping his feet to the rhythm, starting to dance on his own.

"Heh, not bad moves, buddy." Webs said, glad he was having fun. Zeke giggled, not realizing how high he was jumping. Chief Luggins, started to tap her foot, but quickly resisted to stay on alert.

News reporter Tiffany Fluffit was on the scene: "Break out the umbrellas, because it's raining money! All because of—I can't even believe I'm saying this—All because of the Bad Guys!"

She said, showing the others off the stage, still performing. Chief Luggins joined in on the dancing. Zeke as he danced, he still saw his dad and the governor dancing, looking like they were having fun.

"So, how does it feel not to have everyone not fear you for a change?" Diane asked, Wolf stopped and looked at all the guests, he then looked at his tail wagging. "It feels…good." Wolf smiled, and then gave Diane something. "Diane…" he gave her back her ring. "It belongs to you." He said, smiling. Diane smiled, glad he did the right thing.

Time for a finisher, Wolf and Diane ran to the stage as the others sung. "WE'RE THE GOOD, GOOD GUYS! WE'RE GONNA BE GOOD TONIGHT!

WANNA GET YA FEELIN' RIGHT! WE'RE GONNA BE GOOD TONIGHT!

WE'RE THE GOOD, GOOD GUYS! YEAAAAAAAAHAAHHH~!" Piranha finished up his the crowd cheered, the charity money raised 999,999,992.

"Tío Pepe, that was AWESOME!" Zeke shouted, Piranha chuckles and gave him a thumbs up.

"Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Wolf." Professor Marmalade showed up.

Huh…Weird, I didn't see him during Tío's song, Zeke thought. He squinted his eyes in confusion, feeling like something wasn't adding up and remembering how odd things were to him yesterday.

"As you know, the money raised tonight will be delivered tomorrow to schools, hospitals and other worthy causes across the city!" the professor went on, the crowd applauding. Wolf walked up to ask the professor for the microphone. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"I just wanna take a moment to recognize the one responsible for our new outlook. Our brilliant mentor…" Hidden from sight, he had the device that shuts the power off for a minute, at the ready.

The others had smirks on their face, "The one and only, Professor…" Wolf stopped when he looked at Diane, he looked anxious. His hand was shaking, he stuttered in the moment, and looked at his son.

Zeke had a fading smile on, thinking his dad would just double down again.

Wolf's hand trembled and he lifted his thumb off the device.

"Professor Marmalade!" He said, cheerfully. Zeke and the others were shocked, though not for the same reasons.

Snake and the others thought he was going rogue.

Zeke smiled, glad his dad changed his mind, but the fading smile returned when he saw his uncles and aunt.

Chief prepared the award. "Chief, may I do the honors?" Wolf asked, kindly.

"Oh, uh…Okay." She said, surprised, but in that moment, she believed that Wolf DID change. "Uh…Sooo…A pardon is nice, right?" Zeke asked his aunt and uncles, hoping he could mediate somehow.

"A deal's a deal." Diane said to Wolf, "By the power vested in me, it is a pleasure to grant the Bad Guys a full par—" In that moment, the power shut down. Zeke was confused, his dad put the device away. "The meteorite is gone!" A man shouted, everyone looked at the stand where the meteorite was displayed, it had disappeared. "Somebody stole it!" Zeke widened his eyes in a sense of realization. But when he looked back at the crowd, they all glared in accusation. Chief immediately went for Wolf…"O-Oh come on. We were just standing around. When would we have time to steal in what? Like, 2 seconds?!" Zeke said, building a defense. "Come on, you can't possibly think that we did this." As Wolf said that, the So Long Suckers gif Webs made was playing on the screen. "RUN!" Snake shouted, getting out of there! He and the others ran out of there. "Governor Foxington, they didn't do this!" Zeke shouted at Diane, hoping to reason with here. "Z-Zekey, come on!" Shark grabbed his nephew, worriedly.

Wolf ran to the bar after grabbing a map, and shook some bottles to shoot out at the cops, he ran back to Diane, with an address written on the paper. "What are you doing?" She asked him,

"I'm giving it all back." He said, running for his life, meeting up with the others.

"What happened back there?!" Snake asked, hopped up on adrenaline and a bit of anger.

"I couldn't do it!" Wolf said, "What do you mean you couldn't do it?!" Snake asked, not understanding.

Wolf stuttered and ran, hoping to get to the hideout to explain.

"No! I do NOT run!" Piranha walked back toward the cops, "That is not how I roll!" Wolf urged Piranha not to do anything crazy.

"Hah! Crazy is what I bring to the party, chico!" He laughed menacingly, shooting the grappling hook at…nothing. And then the hook dropped back to the ground and knocked Shark out. "Was your plan to grapple on to a cloud, Tío?!" Zeke asked, annoyed. "Hey! Watch the attitude, Zeke!" He said.

Wolf and the Bad Guys arrest was being broadcasted, "You're making a mistake! We didn't do it!" Then he remember the times he lied, "I-I know we say that all the time, but this time it's actually true!" Chief wasn't having it, "La-la-la-la-la, can't hear you. Guilty, guilty guilty!" She said, not listening to any excuse. "Talk to Marmalade! We're really good now, he'll tell you! Professor—!" Chief shut the door on him, Zeke was cuffed by someone outside. Diane thankfully gave the boy an alibi, "Dad…" "Today's Headline: Change is Impossible. You should always judge a book by its cover, and all stereotypes have been affirmed." Tiffany said, Diane and Zeke looked at her with annoyance. "Stop, for goodness sake! Let me speak to them! I'm…I'm sure there's been some sort of misunderstanding!" The professor said, Zeke frowned. "Chief, Zeke, should at least say goodbye to his father, too." Diane said, Chief nodded and did what the governor said. She let Professor Marmalade and Zeke into the van.

Wolf sighed in relief. "Professor Marmalade. Zekey!" He said, Zeke hugged his father.

"You both have 5 minutes. No deals this time, Professor." He nodded as Chief shut the door. "You have to help us. Tell them we didn't do it." Wolf said. Zeke glared at the professor.

"Dad—" He was interrupted by Marmalade.

"There, there. Of course, you didn't do it. How could you?" He said, he patted Wolf's hands. "After all, you're such a good boy." In that moment, Wolf looked down, thinking about something. Zeke continued to glare at the professor, "Uh, Zeke, any reason you're giving him cold shoulder?" Snake asked, never seeing his nephew glare with that anger before.

"You…" Wolf muttered, coming into realization. "It was all you…" Wolf said, the others looked at the two now.

"What are you talking about, Wolf?" Webs asked, confused.

"The old lady, the Golden Dolphin, good training. It was all to get us here, so he could steal the meteorite and let us take the fall." Wolf explained.

Snake held his tail up, trying to wrap his head around the details. "Whoa, whoa! What old lady? And why would a guinea pig want with a meteorite, anyway?" Marmalade quietly cackled under his breath. The guinea pig turned to his side and scratched the door.

"Uh, guys? He's creeping me out." Piranha tried to turn himself around since they hung him from the ceiling again. "Wait, what? What's going on? Someone turn me around." He said, Marmalade scratched his claws down against the door.

"Well, well. So, you finally get it." He turned around and showed his malicious side, finally. The Bad Guys shouted "What?"

"How'd your hair get messed up that quickly?" Zeke asked, randomly. Snake scoffed in annoyance, "Zeke, does that matter?" He asked, "You stole the meteorite?" Shark asked, still shocked.

"Oh, it's not just a meteorite." Marmalade said,

"I told you guys it's a butt!" Piranha said, excitedly.

"It's not a butt!" Marmalade got angry, but took a deep breath and composed himself. "It's the ULTIMATE power source." He said, "You see, when it struck, scientists found that it emitted an electromagnetic frequency unlike anything on Earth. I'm going to harness its power to pull off the greatest heist the world has ever seen."

"But why us?" Wolf asked, betrayed. Marmalade bounced back in answer, "Because YOUR the perfect patsies. Come on, when people look up "bad" in the dictionary, do they see a sweet, adorable guinea pig?" He asked, "No. They see you." Zeke frowned, "Or they see the definition?" He asked, sarcastically. "I don't need sarcasm right now. Especially from you, young man." Zeke put on a fake smile, "Oh, am I being sarcastic to the guy who set up my fam? I'm soooo sorry…" He said. Marmalade sighed, "Oh pish-pish. Let's be honest. Evolution set you up, but your father really clenched it." He said, turning to Wolf.

"You fell for every one of my traps, starting with saving a helpless, little old lady." He said, with faux admiration.

"Wolf, what's he talking about?" Snake asked. Everyone stared at Wolf, who looked worried. Snake was shocked. "Whoops. Did I say too much?" Marmalade asked, with his OWN sarcasm, "Anyhoo, looks like the Big, Bad Wolf got outsmarted by a little piggy!" He said, smiling.

Wolf lost his temper in that moment. "YOU LITTLE POUCHY-CHEEKED RAT!" He growled and went for him. Wolf started making death threats and Zeke ran to push his dad off. "Dad, stop!" He said, worriedly.

Marmalade took the opportunity to open the van doors and play victim.

"Help! Help! The Big Bad Wolf is attacking me!" Marmalade said with no true hint of fear in his voice.

"Now you are done forever, Wolf!" Chief Luggins ran toward them. Diane looked at Wolf in disappointment.

"Young man, you're coming with me." Chief Luggins grabbed Zeke, the rabbit tried to protest. "Stop, he didn't do it! They didn't steal the meteorite!" He protested, letting go of his dad's jacket.

"Son!" Wolf shouted, concerned, trying to break free.

"Dad!" Zeke shouted back, crying. "No!"

The van doors shut and the police drove off. Diane looked at the child, upset. But then looked at Tiffany interviewing the professor. Marmalade was shaking and trembling.

"Professor, Professor, any thoughts on how the Bad Guys managed to steal the meteorite in plain sight?" The professor dropped his fearful act and then answered the question.

The governor didn't buy his act and frowned.

"And what about the young rabbit?" Marmalade looked over at the boy, with a evil smirk hidden under an innocent facade. "I'm sure if he's put into foster care, he's more than likely to be rehabilitated somehow." He said.

Zeke ran and hugged the governor tightly, "Please! You have to do something, Governess! They didn't do it! The pig's a liar!" He said, hoping she would understand. Diane patted the child's head and comforted him. "Not here, sweetie. Let's get out of here." Diane looked at the pamphlet that Wolf gave her, Zeke recognized it. "That's the address for home."

(Here we are. So, I didn't know how Marmalade would deal with Zeke when he revealed himself. But I think if Zeke was placed in juvie or the foster-care system, so Marmalade being as cocky as he is, would just think his voice would go unheard. So, remember to stay strong and awesome! And know that He is with you and understands any and all your circumstances)