Hi everybody and Happy New Year. I wish you all beautiful things for the upcoming year and a night full of celebrations. I just noticed ever since I started writting fanfiction five years ago, I always post a new chapter on Christmas and for the New Year. It like a new tradition for me. One I might keep.

I wanted to publish a new chapter of Back to the den because I'm very excited for this story. I didn't expect it to receive that much attention already. I don't know how far my plans for this Bad Guys fanfic series will go, but at least four stories are planned. However, the next chapter I'll publish will be in my Paw Patrol sotry: pups and the video. So the third chapter of Back to the den will have to wait a little.

Now, to respond to the guests who's review I can't answer by private messaging:

WOLFINGTON: Thank you. I appreciate it. Don't worry, no character death are planned here.

Elizabeth: Thanks :)

I hope you will all like this new chapter. Without further ado, let's read.

Edit: I changed the title of the chapter because I think the new one fit better, but nothing inside the chapter has changed.

Snake slithered as fast as he could inside the main hall of the General Academic Hospital's emergency section. The place was quite crowded, both outside and inside. He arrived at the reception desk, but the receptionist was already busy. Thankfully, Snake noticed an available nurse, a female shark, who was scribbling something in a file. He asked her for directions, and she answered him nicely. He moved forward, ignoring the odd looks a few people gave him. At last, he arrived in the waiting room number 1 next to the operation block where Shark had told him they were when he spoke with him on the phone.

It was a large square room with blue and red chairs set in the middle and against the walls. You could easily sit thirty people here. Windows gave a clear view on the corridor which led to the operation block. On the left side of the room, Snake saw his friends. Shark was standing up, nervously chewing on his hand. Webs was laying down on a chair, looking dejected. Wolf was sitting on a chair next to hers, his face hidden in his hands and his foot tapping on the ground. Snake slithered up to them and noticed the blood on the wolf and tarantula clothes. From what he knew, it probably wasn't their, but it meant the situation was as severe as Shark had said.

"Hey guys," he said with his raspy voice to attract their attention.

They looked at him, except Wolf.

"Snake, oh thank goodness. It was horrible. The screams, the panic, the blood…oh the blood." Shark seemed ready to cry as he fell on his knees.

"Calm down, calm down, it's going to be alright," Snake patted him on the shoulder to try and console him, knowing how sensible and scared of blood the guy was.

"For once, Shark isn't exaggerating," Webs confessed. "It…truly was horrible. As for things being alright, we don't know. The nurses refuse to tell us anything about Diane's condition because were not family and let's not talk about those stupid policemen."

Snake looked through the windows at the double doors of the operation block which were guarded by two armed guys in SWAT uniforms. It wasn't a sight often seen, but Snake guessed it wasn't surprising after the earlier attack. According to the reporters, seven persons were killed and only one was sent at the hospital. All political or mediatic figures.

Snake looked back at Wolf, worried about his best friend. He knew how much Wolf cared about Diane. In the twenty years they had known each other, Snake had never expected to see his lupine companion fall in love and settle down. If the current situation wasn't so grim, he would have smiled at the memory of their carefree years, when it was just the two of them. To be honest, Wolf and Diane's relationship had bugged him at first. Not that he was jealous or had anything against her, but it was another change in their lives that he hadn't wanted. Another one that could cost him his best bud. However, it had proven to be a good one in the end, just like turning good. When he saw how happy Wolf was with her, Snake couldn't help but be glad to have been wrong. Though he would deny it if asked.

"Hey buddy, you're holding up right there?" Being sweet and comforting never was the reptile strong point, but his question was still sincere.

Wolf moved his head to look at him. "Depend on what you mean by holding up." His voice sounded very different from usual and it was obvious he had cried.

Snake wasn't sure what to say or do next. Footsteps were then heard just before Piranha came running inside the waiting room. He skidded to a halt in front of the group with a crazy look in his eyes which wasn't unusual at all for him.

"I heard someone shot Diane. Who did this? Let me at them," he said showing his fists and jumping on place.

This attracted the attention of the other people in the room. Normally, Wolf or Webs would be the first ones to calm down the fish, but none were in the right state to do so.

Snake groaned. "Nice entrance Piranha, but next time don't say that in a hospital."

"Why?"

The guarded double doors suddenly opened. A doctor came out accompanied by Chief Luggins and an unknown black panther with an afro, hoop hearings and a black tuxedo with a gun on her belt. They briefly talked before the doctor went back into the operation block. Seeing their old enemy/favorite person to torment, Wolf stood up and ran toward her followed by the others.

"Chief," he called. The remaining duo stopped as the Bad Guys stood in front of them. "How is Diane?"

"Wolf, you know I can't answer that," Chief Luggins answered annoyed. "Medical confidentiality and all that. I'm only involved because of the ongoing investigation."

"Oh, come on," Webs exclaimed exasperated. "We're her friends and if you read her file, you'll see she has no family."

"So, I take it you are the infamous Bad Guys," the black panther said making all eyes turn toward her. "Interesting."

"And you are," Snake asked suspiciously.

"Agent Kitty Kat, from the FBI." She showed her badge.

"Since a member of the government was targeted by the attack, the feds are taking over the case," Chief Luggins explained.

"What? You're going to let someone else do your job," Piranha asked shocked. "Seriously?"

"It's the protocol." When she said it, she crossed her arms and gritted her teeth. It was clear the chief of police didn't like giving up her case at all.

"It is, but don't worry. My team and I will catch the ones responsible for the attack. I'm a professional after all. Now step aside." She walked forward, forcing Wolf and Shark to move out of the way so she could pass. She then stopped. "Oh, in the case you would think about doing your own little manhunt, I strongly discourage it for obvious reasons." She left.

"I don't like her," Shark said.

"Not our problem right now," Wolf said. He turned back toward the chief of police. "Chief. Please, tell us."

Chief Luggins was taken aback. It was the first time she ever heard Wolf use the word please. She looked at him and the others. They seemed genuinely worried. For the longest time, the Bad Guys had been the bane of her existence, especially Wolf. Even after they surrendered themselves to the police, she didn't believe they had changed and couldn't fathom why the governor would hang out with them. However, as time went on and after being forced to work with Wolf, she had came to tolerate them. Somehow.

She facepalmed. "Alright, but only because you were right about no family part. Don't you dare make me regret it. Got it?" The Bad Guys nodded, a bit intimidated. "Governor Foxington left surgery an hour ago. According to the doctor, her condition is stabilized and she shouldn't have any sequelae." The Bad Guys sighed in relief. "She still is unconscious. They are keeping her until she wakes up which could take several days. My guys will oversee her protection until the investigation is resolved."

"Can we see her," Wolf asked.

"Not until she wakes up. I'll…I'll see what I can do once she does."

The Bad Guys were surprised by this, but they certainly weren't going to object.

"Thank you Chief. Sincerely," Wolf said.

Once again, Chief Luggins was taken aback. As she left, her mind wandered toward the bottle of scotch she was now going to drink tonight.

Night had fallen when the Bad Guys entered their apartment. It was a duplex situated in a decent enough neighborhood. The front door opened on small vestibule which gave on the living room. A couch, two armchairs, a TV, a dinner table and a cat tree. On the left side stood a normal kitchen surrounded by two closets while on the right there was the bathroom, washroom, another closet, and a small room Webs used as her bedroom, workplace and gaming center. It fitted her size better. On the second floor, there was a small corridor with four bedrooms.

While the group did feel better knowing Diane had survived, the atmosphere was still heavy. Too many questions were left unanswered, and they couldn't help but wonder if it was truly over. When he saw them, Kitty immediately jumped into his owner arms and purred. Wolf wasn't in the mood, however. He caressed a bit the cat on the head before putting him back on the ground.

"Sorry Kitty. Tonight isn't a good time."

The cat meowed, disappointed. He looked for his second owner, the fox who took care of him while his first owner and the others were away (in jail), hoping for more petting, but didn't see her. He knew she didn't come every day, so it didn't worry him.

Wolf and Webs took a shower and changed their clothes, dumping the bloody ones in the laundry basket. During this time, Piranha walked into the kitchen to prepare dinner. As he did so, he eyes fell on the cake he had prepared for after the debate. However, instead of bringing joy, it just made him feel worse. Snake and Shark sat on the couch, later joined by Wolf then Kitty. The cat could feel something wasn't right, so he simply laid down against Wolf's leg. Webs retreated into her room. Things were quiet for the half an hour, until Piranha arrived with sandwiches filled with various topping to satisfy everyone taste even if no one really was hungry. Webs suddenly came running into the living room carrying her small sized laptop.

"Guys, guys, I got them," she said all excited as she climbed on the table. Everybody looked at her, clearly not understanding what she was talking about, so she explained herself. "I hacked into the police computer system and got all their data on today attack before they handled them to the FBI."

"Oh oh. Impresionante hermana," Piranha said becoming just as much excited. "Muéstranos."

They all gathered begin the arachnid as she casted the data on the TV, so everyone could see better. They red the official report and looked at the numerous picture taken on the crime scene. Seeing them brought back all the emotions Wolf felt when he was there and Shark refused to look at the picture of the corpses and blood tracks. It wasn't fun or easy, but the FBI agent made it clear they weren't welcome in the investigation, so they had to find another way to find answers. So far, nothing.

"Guys, this is real bad," Shark said. "There's not a clue in there and if the FBI finds out Webs hacked the police, again, they're gonna throw us back in jail."

"Relax, it's not like they're going to find out. Right, Webs," Snake replied.

"Yeup. I covered my tracks just like when we brought back the true Maraschino Ruby at the Museum of Fine Arts."

"Good job Webs," Wolf added. "I'm sure there is something useful in there. We just need…" He stopped when something caught his eyes. A picture, or rather a detail on a picture. "Hey, can you zoom on that picture?"

"Euh, sure," Webs answered before doing as asked.

It was the picture of a bullet found on the crime scene. The bullet was damaged, but Wolf could see something on the back. A double stripe, perfectly straight and parallel with the left one was slightly longer than the right one.

"Do…do you guys see that," he asked his friends pointing his finger at the stripes.

"Yeah. I don't know much about bullets, but I don't think this is normal," Piranha said. "Looks like a mark on a gangster shoulder or something."

Webs zoomed on each of the picture of the other six bullets and they all showed the same stripes.

"I think Piranha is right," Shark confessed. "This might be a…Wolf? Are you alright?"

The gang turned to see their leader fall back down on the couch, an expression of pure shock on his face. He looked like he had seen a ghost and, in a way, it was the case.

It means…It can't be, yet it's right there under my eyes. How? Why? It…, he thought.

Wolf was so shocked that he didn't speak for a minute, ears down and eyes clued on the screen. He felt a tornado of emotions raging inside him, and not good ones. No one understood his reaction, except Snake. He understood it when Wolf looked at him. The expression in his eyes, he had already seen it once and he recognized what it was about. His own eyes widened.

"Don't tell me…," he began without completing his sentence.

Wolf stayed silent and looked down. Snake cursed. Shark, Webs and Piranha were still confused. Wolf suddenly stood up, breathing heavily. He looked at the pictures once again before turning around, hiding his face from the rest of the group.

"What else it could be, Snake," he said. "You know it as much as I do."

"Know what," Webs finally asked. "What are you guys talking about?"

Snake looked at the trio, at Wolf and back at the others. He wasn't sure what he should say. "Wolf?"

Wolf didn't turn back. Instead, he brought his hands to his face. He needed time to think.

"Have you guys ever heard of the Moon Mafia," he asked.

Shark, Webs and Piranha eyes widened.

"Hum…a bit," Webs started unsure. "It's one of the biggest criminal organization in the world, right?"

"That's one way of saying it," Snake intervened. "Those bastards are present in numerous countries and involved in every crime existing on the planet. From extortion and theft to kidnapping and murder. You name it, they've done it."

"Wait, wait," Shark interrupted him. "Are you saying the Moon Mafia is behind the attack? That they're the ones who tried to kill Diane?"

"What," Piranha shouted dumfounded.

"But how do you know it's them," Shark continued before he realized something. "The mark on the bullets! You know it? From where?"

"That's…a long story," Snake explained. He looked once again at Wolf who could feel his gaze on his back.

It was indeed a long story. One Wolf had done everything to forget. One he had hoped to never come across again. One he had successfully avoided until today. Outside of Snake, no one around him knew it and the lupine had hoped it would always stay like this. An image of Diane appeared in his mind, smiling with a tricky glint in her eyes, followed by another one of her in his arms unconscious and bleeding. It was at this moment he made his decision.

"I must go."

He walked toward the stairs leading to the second floor.

"Hey, hey, wait a fricking second," Webs called out as they all followed him. "Where are we going?"

"You, nowhere."

Their eyes widened as they reached the second floor.

"Amigo, crazy really doesn't suit you. That's my thing," Piranha said.

Wolf entered the room on their left. He removed from his pockets his cellphone and other things and took money he kept for himself alongside his passport. "When the Moon Mafia will learn Diane survived, it's possible they'll come back to finish the job." Especially the people using this particular mark. "Someone must put an end to this before it's too late."

Snake, Webs, Shark and Piranha looked at each other for a brief moment, nodded and looked back at Wolf as he exited his bedroom.

"So, I take it you already have a plan," Shark asked as they went back down the stairs.

"More or less. I'll figure out the remaining details on the way." Once back in the living room, Wolf stopped and turned around. "And once again, none of you are coming." His eyes showed how serious he was about that.

"Oh, stop it will you," Piranha shouted. "Diane might be your girlfriend, but she's also our friend. One of us. And if you think we're going to let you face the Moon Mafia alone, then you're definitely an idiot."

"Yeah, we work way better as a team," Shark added, obviously worried about what Wolf was planning.

The words of his friends didn't make Wolf budge, however. He just stared back at them even harder. "I'm going alone because it's the best way for all of us to make it out alive."

"What? That doesn't make any sense," Webs countered.

"It does if you know what I do." Wolf could feel his anger bean to boil, but he didn't want to lash out at them, especially not now. "Look, we don't have time to argue or for me to explain everything. The Moon Mafia is no joke and if things go wrong, they will kill you without hesitation…but not me. It may not sound like it, but I know what I'm doing."

The next seconds were silent until Snake spoke.

"He's right." All eyes turned toward him. "Don't look at me like that," he told Webs, Shark and Piranha. "I hate this even more than you do, but things are what they are."

"You can't be serious," Piranha whined.

"What about the FBI or Chief Luggins," Shark objected.

"If law enforcement agencies could stop the Moon Mafia, they would have already done it. Evidences aren't enough," Wolf said as he headed toward the front door.

He grabbed the door handle, but Snake grabbed his arm with his tail to stop him.

"The fact you're telling the truth doesn't mean you can't be wrong. Are you sure about this?"

Wolf sighed. "Honestly, only halfway, but what else can I…can we do?" Sadly, Snake didn't have an answer nor did the others. "Trust me guys. I don't plan on dying. Snake can explain everything, maybe it will ease your worries."

"Okay, but only at the condition you keep your end of the bargain," Snake said before letting Wolf go.

He nodded. "I should be back in a few days. In the meantime, be careful and keep an eye on Diane for me."

The lupine gave his friends a sad smile before leaving the appartement. No one liked the sight of the door closing behind him. Kitty walked up to the door and meowed, sad. Snake sighed and turned around.

"So, I guess it's time for a sob story."

Oh no, a sob story. As if we didn't have enough of those already. Lol. What is Wolf's link to the Moon Mafia? Why does Snake is the only one to know? What will happens to Diane? I hope you all are excited to find out the answers to those questions.

Out of curiosity, did any of the character felt out of character in this chapter? I must admit I was a bit worried about that when writting it. I'm also happy to have included Kitty in this story. I feel like too much people forget about him even if he's just a minor character. I mean come on, that cat is just too cute even more with sunglasses.

As always, if you like this story, don't hesitate to show it and leave a comment.
Until next time, take care.