AN: Boy, oh boy. This is my longest chapter ever. But worth it!
There is another trigger warning in this chapter. For those who have anxiety or intrusive thoughts may not have a pleasant experience reading through this.
Recommended Songs
[1] The Sad Guys (from The Bad Guys) - Daniel Pemberton
[2] Tricky Fox (from The Bad Guys) - Daniel Pemberton
[3] I Understand Now - Arcane Original Soundtrack
[4] Secret Hideout (from The Bad Guys) - Daniel Pemberton
[5] Finish Them (from The Bad Guys) - Daniel Pemberton
[6] One Last Push Pop (from the Bad Guys) - Daniel Pemberton (0:00 to 1:08)
Chapter 8 - Breaking Ties Would Never Fade Away
Diane let the Bad Guys think for a while. There is little word exchanged between any of them. It seems that the situation suddenly feels awkward as nearly all eyes are diverted away from Wolf. At first, Diane thinks that they are just trying to understand how they got into this mess, but she then remembers hearing Wolf shouting, so…something really happened. By the time they got to shore, she finally breaks the silence.
"We need to stop Marmalade from using the meteorite for anything," she said. "We can start planning what to do, but the first place we can search is his compound. You know his place better than me."
"You can count on us," reassured Wolf with a grin before turning to his friends. "Right, guys?"
None of the Bad Guys takes a step further to their leader.
"Guys?"
Snake scowls. "What do you mean by US? There is NO us. We're through, Wolf. Done. Finito!"
"Because of that little tiff back there?" asked Wolf, trying to change the tune. "C'mon, that's what we do. You serve, I volley. That's our little dance."
"Not this time," spat Snake. [1]
Diane frowns, remembering back to what Hornet told her and his reaction when Wolf paused initiating the heist on the Golden Dolphin. She doesn't know the full argument at the prison, but seeing this, it is clear that Snake, Tarantula, Piranha and Shark feel that Wolf doesn't trust them anymore with his choice of being good. Wolf REALLY did show them what he is, as a traitor to his own team.
To prove it, Snake starts to slither off.
"Piranha?" asked Wolf, sounding desperate.
Piranha only shoots a hurt glare at him before following Snake.
"Webs?"
Tarantula is understandably bitter, but she finds it hard to turn her back. "Sorry, Wolfie."
She turns around as well.
"Shark?"
Shark glances at Wolf for a while. He doesn't want to leave, but what he said and did with Snake hurt. He shakes his head and turns away.
"Hey…guys! Guys?"
Snake flinches and turns around, pointing his tail at Wolf. "You wanna know why I hate birthdays, Wolf? Do ya? When you grow up a snake, NOBODY shows up to your party." He goes quiet for a few seconds, trying to hold back yelling. "Birthdays are a constant reminder that out there, I'm just a scary, good-for-nothing MONSTER."
Wolf is flabbergasted.
If Diane didn't see the journal, then she would be clueless about what they are talking about.
"Yeah…" continued Snake, obviously trying to hold back tears. "But nothing compares to having the one guy…the ONE GUY I thought I could trust…stabbed me in the back."
This is what cements the idea that Wolf seemingly betrayed his friends. Knowing that he didn't tell them about his change of heart at the gala, Diane can only watch as Snake, Piranha, Shark and Tarantula walk away slowly. Unable to even look back at their leader who stands there in desolation. Wolf reaches out a hand as they slowly become tiny in the distance, but he is unable to reinforce words to reach back to them.
He turns to Diane, having no idea where he is supposed to go or what he wants to do. The two of them can tell that they won't be able to focus on Marmalade for a while. He glances back at his friends before drooping his head. Now, he can't make a decision on which side to choose.
Wolf silently walks towards her, his ears twitches in irritation, and she follows. The two of them make their way to her yellow car and Diane drives it away from the shore, avoiding anyone who can catch them.
Diane lets Wolf take in the silence for a while. Even when she tries to speak, Wolf gives her a quiet, tired and distressed glare, not wanting to talk. They remain like this for a while as Wolf tries to maintain his feelings. At one point, he swears and lashes out on the console before placing his face in his hands, sulking.
Once they reach Diane's house, pulling up on the driveway, Diane turns to Wolf. [1s]
"Hey," she asked. "You OK?"
Wolf grimaced. "No. I'm NOT OK. I'm very, VERY un-OK!" He took a second to regain his composure. "I've just left the only friends I've ever had…what am I doing?"
Diane sighs, nodding. The gentleman thief Wolf used to be slowly reduced to the quiet, nervous and gloomy Oliver he was before. She sees that it is difficult for him. She wonders if she can help in any way to make him better because this is still a new thing for him to be going to have a good life.
"I know this can't be easy," she finally said, deciding to tell the truth. "To leave everything behind. Though, you're…lucky to have friends, it's always hard with deciding who you want to be."
"Do you?" questioned Wolf. [2]
"I was the best thief in the world," said Diane, chuckling to herself. "Fast, fearless, inventive. I just had one thing left to steal…"
She managed to deactivate all the lights and the protective systems were going down for at least a few minutes. She managed to subdue all the security guards. This was her chance to storm backstage. The Crimson Paw, perched from a high balcony, watched the chaos rising from the frightened guests as they accidentally kept tripping over each other.
"The Golden Dolphin," said Wolf, remembering back to the criminals who tried to steal the trophy. "So you were after it."
"I didn't just go after it," explained Diane. "I HAD it. And a clear escape route."
The red lasers surrounding the award turned off one by one as she expected. The Golden Dolphin was right there. The golden shine reflected from the soft light in the room. It was everything she could have got. If she could get it out and escape, then she would be on the map. She grabbed it and grinned to herself.
It was hers now!
It was hers now!
Now, she could…
She could…
It didn't come to her what would happen after stealing the Golden Dolphin. Sure it would make her the best criminal American had ever seen. Possibly more police cops on her tail.
And then…would that enhance the stereotype of tricky foxes in the world?
Diane's ears lowered, remembering how long she gave into the 'tricky fox' stereotype for so long. How that impacted her. How that impacted other foxes. How that said of a lot of what she was.
"All I saw, in the end, was the tricky fox they always told me I was," said Diane sadly. "That night…changed everything…"
"WHY DO YOU BLAME ME FOR EVERYTHING?!" cried the fox girl's voice.
"Because you're a FOX!" snarled the dog's voice. "You hear me?! A no-good, two-face FOX! My dad was right about them taking things from you! And now, you think you can try to get away with it all?!"
Diane could hear the fox girl already breaking down and letting out gibberish denial, unable to respond to this statement. It was then Diane realized what she was doing.
"If I didn't leave the Golden Dolphin, then…" Diane bit her lip, trying not to cry. "...that would validate the prejudice against my species. Not only that, but it would also have cost the other fox girl's life who was there on that night in the crowd."
She slowly turned to a wall that showed her reflection. She slowly took off her hood and mask in the mirror with a trembling hand.
A fox.
Like the fox girl being assaulted in front of the guests.
This wasn't exactly her.
Not the Crimson Paw as well.
All she saw was the tricky fox everyone told her she was.
Like all the other foxes.
"So…you didn't actually steal the Golden Dolphin?" asked Wolf, shocked. This wasn't the legendary criminal he thought he knew.
"Yeah," said Diane. "So now, instead of hurting people, I'm helping them."
She smiles, remembering back fondly to the last time she saw the fox girl. Ever since that night, they hadn't talked in a while.
However, she did find her with her brother, walking across the streets. The two of them bumped into a couple and the fox girl cowered, thinking she might get hurt. Instead, the couple laughed it off and instead were generous towards them. Seeing that they were chatting with each other like…normal people, it made her proud to be a governor.
"I'm still me, just…me on the RIGHT side." She places a hand on Wolf's shoulder. "You made the right choice, Wolf. And someday your friends…if they're REAL friends, they'll understand."
Wolf is still uncertain, flinching. "Diane, please. They ARE my real friends. You want to know what really happened? These guys agreed with me when we decided to pretend to be good. However, I…I…I got so tired of being seen as a bad guy by others, but…I can't lose my friends for something else."
Seeing how close the team is and their reaction to Wolf's seemingly betrayal, it doesn't take long for Diane to see where this is going. And since Wolf is too late in being honest with them, the damage done to the team is beyond repair.
Snake's words - 'the one guy I thought I could trust stabbed me in the back' - echoed in Diane's head. This brings another question since she remembers Hornet telling her that the Bad Guys are all honest with each other.
"What…would really happen if you DID tell your friends before the gala?" asked Diane.
Wolf winces. "I-I don't know. I…I fear they would never want to talk to me again."
"Was there…anything else?"
"Snake d-did say that if there was a change in plan, I had to tell them." Tears are already forming, which Wolf easily wipes them away. "And when I asked if the world would not be afraid of us, he said that it would never happen. That is what I…"
Both of their ears lowered.
It clicks in Diane's head. "If he didn't ask you to tell him if there is anything going on, then he wouldn't be too mad if you did tell him the truth."
Wolf can only stare at her as if wanting to confirm that is the truth. He can't argue against that as she has a good point. What Snake may say to Wolf can be changed if he didn't lie to him. He rubs his eyes, resting against the window.
"How come I got into this mess?" muttered Wolf. "Starting off being a criminal because it was the only thing I was good in, the only way I could make friends and the only way I could protect myself from reality itself." [2s]
"Any path can have its consequences," said Diane. "Life is tough with deciding who you want to be. If you didn't move to Los Angeles, who knows what else would happen to you with the discrimination going on there."
If there is music playing in the background, it would already fade out.
Wolf's eyes widened, slowly turning to Diane.
"What…did you say?" he asked.
Uh oh.
Journals are meant to be closed when their covers are closed as well, but it seems that Diane's mouth found one way to get through the closed lips.
"I mean…discrimination going on in this city," said Diane.
"No, you were referring to something else," said Wolf, placing a hand on the console. [3]
Eventually, he accidentally presses the button of the console's storage compartment. It opens up and a book comes flying out. A journal covered in leather covering fell between his feet. Wolf's heart skips a beat. He slowly picks it up and checks the last journal log. It was the note he made to remind himself to celebrate Snake's birthday. With the journal now back in his hands, he turns back to Diane.
Her persona as the Crimson Paw allows her to show more of her fighting skills. She is aggressive, acrobatic and crafty. Fully in black. With the mask and hood off, he can see her ears sticking upwards. And then, he looks back at her green eyes.
Wolf narrows his eyes. "You…were the ninja who broke into my home, weren't you?"
Diane's heart is already beating rapidly. She now knows that she is in huge trouble since Wolf is gonna find his lost-long journal here in the end. And how similar she fought during that night leaves her no other way to place the blame on another person.
"I…was hired by…Professor Marmalade to investigate," said Diane, grinning sheepishly.
Wolf is shocked. "You…you were involved with this?"
"Well…well, this is before any of us met here!" said Diane, trying to make her point.
"So were you spying on us? Deceiving us?!"
"I didn't know Marmalade was actually gonna trick us for him to steal the meteorite in the first place! He gave me the task of finding any notes from you to find a weakness. But I didn't expect him to use them as proof that you were guilty."
"Oh, I'm surprised," growled Wolf, his eyes turning glassy. "Coming from you; the next governor who is going to be assassinated right here."
He whips his head around, suddenly barking at something.
"SHUT UP!" he roared. "I'm not gonna talk with you."
Diane is hyperventilating. "I-I didn't say…anything."
"I wasn't talking to you just then," snarled Wolf, turning back to her.
Diane feels her hand already racing to grip the handle on the door, wanting to run away. However, she is too frozen to even move. Wolf's sharp teeth clenched on sight isn't helping. Looking at his eyes, he doesn't look as feral as when he nearly mauled Marmalade. He is angry, but there is also sadness, regret and betrayal.
"Well, you know how I was before we really met!" said Diane. "I agreed on helping Marmalade out so that we would be able to figure out your team's motives and defences when we knew that you guys were dangerous!"
"Oh please," said Wolf, throwing his hands in the air. "Everyone keeps fearing us and that isn't an excuse anymore to me. You can't just use that reason to be judgemental."
Once again, his eyes turn glassy. He whips around and seemingly tries to bite something, though he is just snapping his jaw in the air.
"Go away!" he yells. "We are talking!"
Diane can't believe what she is seeing. From that journal, Wolf wrote down a LOT of disturbing journal logs that seem to be voices or random words not from him. What is going on?
"But with that journal, Marmalade didn't tell me to use it anyway," said Diane, glancing back at the journal in Wolf's hands. "I don't know. I-I." She growled in frustration. "I was being curious! I don't know how to approach you well!"
"I know that I was a liar, but I can't really show everyone everything in my life," pointed out Wolf. "Maybe you can ask, but this…this…!"
When his eyes turn back to being glassy, he shakes his head and rips out the first page from the journal. Diane immediately grabs his hand and pulled the journal away. Even though she has no reason or excuse to keep it intact, it pains her seeing how Wolf is now willing to try to bury all his horrible experiences to the ground when it is clear he can't run away from them.
"Oliver!" she said. "Please-!"
"STOP calling me that!" shouted Wolf, his voice cracking. "It's MR. WOLF now. Oliver was shot in the head."
"God, why is the world so cruel to us?" said Diane sadly. "You know that you don't have to change your name for-!"
"STOP TALKING TO ME LIKE I'M A CHILD!" barked Wolf, pointing a finger at Diane's face. "Is this why you accepted Marmalade's stupid deal? All just to try to change our lives?"
Diane stutters. "I-I wasn't exactly looking out for change as if I'm controlling."
Wolf just laughs mockingly. "No wonder why it is always rumored that the Crimson Paw never acquainted herself with other criminals. Lonely you are, huh? Well, I guess that makes you the one who is the lone wolf."
Before she can respond back, Wolf suddenly ducks his head and covers his ears.
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" he hissed, but he isn't saying this to Diane. "I need to think…"
He remains this way, trying to recollect his thoughts. All the memories of his childhood he thought he buried behind are coming back to him to haunt him. Diane doesn't know what to do, but she tries to reach out to him. She places her hand on his back, but while Wolf flinches, he doesn't retaliate. The two of them are in this position for a few minutes until Wolf can calm down from his meltdown. It is a really shaking movement. It is an awkward moment. A moment where nearly everyone is out of touch.
After a while, the imaginary voices in Wolf's head seem to have go away as he sits back up, frowning. [3s]
"But seriously, how come Marmalade turn to you?" he asked to Diane. "Did he know you're the Crimson Paw as well?"
Diane places a hand on her forehead, feeling she might explode. "Yeah. But that's not the main reason. I…actually started to become a mercenary-for-hire in secret."
"You?! A mercenary?!"
"Yes." [4]
"You are so confusing, Governor Foxington," said Wolf frostily. "You are sometimes hot, but you are cold at times. You broke into our home to invade our lives! You agreed to someone who played you like a fiddle!"
"Yes, I already know that!"
"Are you trying to be the judge of everyone or being the Grim Reaper who has no idea what they are doing? You…you didn't even question why Marmalade asked a mercenary like you to help him when you know he might have ulterior motives than a normal philanthropist!"
"I WANTED TO STOP CRIME IN THE CITY!" snapped Diane. "And for the past few days, the very thing I kept denying to myself, I want to solve problems every criminal in the city is facing because I know that you aren't all 'monsters' like what other humans say! So, I began my mercenary career to find answers for solutions to fix our society, our city…" She trailed off, trying to control herself from breaking down. "...during that time, I felt as if I can't trust any criminals…since…I never…invested with anyone before. Not even on my own missions. Even when stealing the Zumpango Diamond, I didn't and couldn't…trust anyone."
Wolf became sombre, less tense and less jaded. "You can't be serious. You…don't have like some kind of crew? Or family as well?"
Diane shook her head. "My parents were killed a long time ago by hunters. That was my reason for becoming a thief. To survive for myself. To be able to LIVE in this world. And when everyone saw foxes as foul, I…decided to take that stereotype to protect myself. It remained that way and I can't change that in me. And ironically, it saved my life because there were a lot of people I don't even know who to trust."
To her embarrassment, she is already tearing up. Angry tears are dripping from her eyes. She tries to wipe them away, but new ones take their place. Even Wolf, seeing her this ashamed, couldn't be mad at her. He finally sees that Diane isn't as perfect as she tried to make herself to be. After all they went through, it brought them here. At this point. And Diane has her support for the Bad Guys, even after she figured out more truths behind their backs. Nearly all of them are in the wrong.
"For the record," deadpanned Wolf. "This is the dumbest thing you ever did. You COULD just go up to us to ask."
"Trusting people is much harder for me I guess," said Diane, looking down. "Thanks for showing me the ropes."
Wolf can tell that she isn't able to muster up enough to form an apology due to how shameful she feels right now. However, he can tell that she wants to say sorry for everything that occurred. At first, he hesitates since he has met many other foxes who stabbed him in the back before. But despite the voices whispering in his head, he decides that Diane is in the same limbo as he is in.
"You owe me," he said. "But…look, I don't really want to lose another friend and I trust you. Don't break that trust next time, alright?"
Diane sniffs. "I guess…alright then."
"No more lies as well." He lifts up his hand.
Diane stares at it for a while before shaking it. "I'll try to."
"Maybe…maybe when all of this is over, you can…come along with me and my crew. If we are still on the run, you can come along if you want to."
Diane blinks. "I'm…I have my hands tied."
"Well, you need a helping hand for growing. And if it was up to me, I would make it as the 'punishment'. Like you said, we…really need to be a bit more honest with others." [2s]
Diane nods. This is probably the best thing she can do for now. She can feel the anger still buzzing around Wolf, but after all of this, he knows that they still have a lot of problems to clear and he can help her if needed. Diane wonders back if what she was told before has led her to this recklessness and nearly got Wolf to attack her, however, she can't help but be astonished by what all of this places them in. And in a way, it is somewhat helping her get closer to Wolf.
Her watch buzzes again. It is from Hornet.
Sorry for taking too long. I decided to try to cause an electrical outrage and carry the meteorite out of the compound, but Marmalade always has an ace up his sleeve. However, I am lucky that he didn't start earlier, though he is already putting everything in plan for the 'greatest heist the world will see'. Strangely, I saw this coyote named Nathan being ordered to make his way to the Bad Guys' HQ to explode it. I don't know why, but Marmalade said something about 'use the coordinates last seen from the camera device the Crimson Paw placed there'. I don't like the sound of this. I tried alerting the others, but they haven't replied back to me. - Mr. Hornet
A new wave of faint hits Diane. Not because of being emotionally down, but the realization of why Marmalade ordered her to place the camera device at the Bad Guys' hideout at the start.
"Wolf?" she said.
"What?" asked Wolf.
"Do you…remember that black rubber thing I…placed in your hideout when I broke into there?"
"...well, Webs already took it down and dismantled it, disconnecting its connection to outside servers. We couldn't confirm what it was. Why?"
Upon seeing Diane clenching her teeth in worry, Wolf realizes that she did another mistake.
He rests his head against the console, exasperated.
"Are you kidding me?" said Doom, him and Kitty understandably shocked by the task they were given. "You want US to do it?" [4]
Diane wishes that it hasn't come to this, but if they need someone to stop Nathan while stopping whatever Marmalade is doing. They are currently in the garage of her Crimson Paw hideout (in which Diane lies to her two friends that it is built for her mercenary business) and upon arrival, they are blown away by how much she has stored over the past years. They are also surprised to be meeting Wolf, never once have they met a criminal AND a celebrity.
"Hornet tried contacting the other Bad Guys," explained Wolf. "He hasn't received any word from them, but he managed to track them down by finding the location of Webs' computer. Knowing her, she prefers going outside with all of us."
"That means they are safe," explained Diane. "But Nathan is on his way to expose and destroy their home."
"Why call us?" said Kitty. "Can't we ask the government?"
"We can't risk it since the Bad Guys are out of prison for now. Thomas is also out since he would grow suspicious about this. You two are the only ones I can trust to get the job done."
"But…the hideout is already clean!" said Doom. "Even all the personal belongings are confiscated until the crew finish their prison sentence. There is no one or any manager looking after that place. Does it matter?"
"Of course it does!" said Wolf. "If we lose that place, that means we lose our home. We won't be able to find another secure place to stay in."
"Why not just hit at Diane's house?" suggested Doom flatly.
Wolf thought about it. "Yeah, but this is too nice of a small house. I don't want to destroy it. I want to destroy things that are not in another person's house."
"But you do sometimes steal things, so that is considered destroying."
"Bigger businesses. Not small ones like restaurants, diners and cafes."
"So you don't count food restaurants for money grabs?"
"This isn't relevant now!" injected Kitty, turning to Wolf and Diane. "I can trust you with what is going on, but how are we gonna stop this Nathan guy?"
"Any way that you can," said Wolf, tossing her a tranquillizing dart gun. "If Nathan made it to the hideout, then we are all screwed for life and Marmalade is made the hero for this."
Kitty holds onto the dart gun, glancing back at Doom perched on her shoulder. The two consider taking this task. On the disadvantages, they might be killed by Nathan; a bodyguard who seems to have experience in combat and stealth, possibly due to how many foes he fends off from harming Marmalade. Not to mention the bombs he may use on them. On the advantages…it can make them heroes.
Time to put their fighting skills from training.
"OK then," said Kitty.
"I don't like the sound of this, so…sure," said Doom reluctantly.
Wolf smiles. "Thank you, you two. I owe you."
"Not to worry," said Kitty, striking a kung-fu pose. "You know that I used to be the best karate, martial arts and kung-fu teacher in the world for 10 years at my college, so I can get Nathan's butt into the right gear!"
"But do you have the EXPERIENCE?" asked Wolf.
Kitty's eyes opened. "...yes?"
Doom slaps a wing over his face. "No."
"Oh god," sighs Wolf.
"Well, technically, Kitty is an expert teacher," said Diane.
"Has she gotten into a fight before?" asked Wolf. "I don't get into a lot of fights, so I taught myself how to defend myself and it improved after every shenanigan I got into."
"I'm sure that I'll be fine!" said Kitty. "Like he said, this will add character."
Diane nodded, now regretting it. However, the plan is already planned, so no turning back. She quickly gives Diane a hug, resting her chin over her shoulder. The black panther is surprised at first before warmly placing her arms around her back.
"Thank you so much," whispers Diane. "Please be safe for me."
"Don't worry," said Kitty. "You be safe as well when taking on Marmalade."
The two let go and nodded. Doom nodded as well, looking at Diane told her that he trusts now.
"We'll let you know when we got Nathan down!" said Kitty as she and Doom start making their way back to the surface.
"Good luck, fellas!" said Wolf, grinning.
"Yeah!" said Doom. "We're gonna rock!"
"We're gonna die!" chuckled Kitty. "Ha ha ha!"
"Hee hee…wait, what?"
With Kitty and Doom given the coordinates of where Nathan is, thanks to Hornet managing to track down his truck, Diane and Wolf got themselves in the car…the one Diane actually took for herself. It was something she couldn't resist. She even wants to try driving in it, though Wolf decides to take the wheel. He does tell her that he is impressed by her deciding to keep the car.
Diane whoops as Wolf drives out of the garage, speeding wildly. She never went on a ride THIS fast! She does sometimes go on motorcycle rides, but nothing beats this. With the laughter from Wolf, the thrill of speeding through the lights and the energy of getting ready to shove it right into Marmalade's face, Diane is loving all of this.
She feels as if she is right where she belongs. [4s]
It didn't take long for them to be able to arrive at Marmalade's compound. With Hornet updating them with the news that Marmalade is already overtaking the trucks with the charity money over to him, they waste no time in getting to their destination. Once they arrive, they go through the gates and make their way up to the roof, ready to sneak in through the gap.
"OK," said Diane, repeating the plan. "Once we steal the meteorite, we take it straight to the police-"
"And all will be forgiven," said Wolf.
Diane raises an eyebrow. "I don't know about 'all', but it's a start."
"Well, you know how that goes. Marmalade recording a video of me rescuing the cat, good for him. That one turning out to be popular and winning hearts? Yeah, that's understandable. Us bringing the meteorite, now that will make the cops trust us that we won't land in jail again."
"That isn't really how it works," said Diane. "I mean, this is AFTER the experiment and the deal I made is broken. And by exposing myself for helping out like this…" She points around her entire Crimson Paw suit. "...all of us are going to end up in prison without anyone of authority to get you out."
"But you can just ride away without needing to assist us later," said Wolf with a cocky smile. "Bringing the meteorite on our own without a master showing us the right way is enough to show that I'm not really controlled."
"Fair point, but you would still be questioned. Marmalade gets away with a lot."
"And I'm sure that the officers will listen to me when I return the meteorite."
"That is if you pass Chief Luggins. Don't pretend that I don't remember what she LIKES to do with you and your crew."
Wolf's smile flattened. "I don't think I even want to hear what she is going to do to us."
"Let's leave that aside. We got a meteorite to steal!"
With Diane's stealth skills and Wolf's memory of the compound, they have managed to find the room where the meteorite is kept. They are greeted by its raw energy, lighting up the entire room. The holes in it have the same cyan glows Diane saw from the footage back at the awards show. It is already perched on a transmitter running it like a battery.
Even though Diane doesn't enjoy stealing things anymore, she might make this an exception. Besides, wearing her old outfit and the knowledge of getting to rob something…again…is making her feel…crazy. Her instincts kick in as she gets near the meteorite first.
"Oh my gosh!" she said, wiggling her finger. "This is too easy to be true! Like stealing candy from a child!"
"That's strange," said Wolf. "Why would Marmalade just leave the Golden Dolphin here, unprotected?"
He is already a few steps away from the Golden Dolphin, idly standing on a pedestal nearby.
"Maybe it's a trap," said Diane.
"Or maybe…" said Wolf.
"C'mon, Wolf! Now's not the time to worry about one trophy."
"If you ask me, the Golden Dolphin is worth a lot of dollars right there."
"We got more important things here," hissed Diane before embracing the meteorite. "This baby is coming with us…"
"Diane," sighed Wolf, smirking. "You know that the Golden Dolphin is not always kept by the recipients, so we might as well also return it. Marmalade doesn't deserve it."
"But, Olly! The meteorite!" whined Diane like an impatient child, stomping her foot. "The meteorite!"
Wolf raises an eyebrow. "Whoa. Who are you?"
"We need to take this baby out now," said Diane, placing her hands around the meteorite. "C'mon. It needs two people to carry this please."
Wolf nodded. "OK, OK, I will." He raises a foot up…before swinging it around and losing attention. "...OR…!"
"Wolf, DON'T!" cried Diane.
Too late.
The second Diane's hand grabs Wolf's, his hand is also around the Golden Dolphin. An electrical current ran through their bodies and the next thing Diane knows, they are humiliated and trapped together.
Caught, tied by rope and hanging upside down.
Wonderful.
"Yeah…" muttered Wolf. "It was a trap."
Diane rolls her eyes. "Yeah, no s-"
"Well, well…" said a familiar voice, but it is one of bloodthirst and insanity. [5]
Marmalade appears, wearing a full golden jumpsuit with several pockets and devices strapped to him. A huge helmet that contains several switches, tubes and wires sat on his head. Diane can see that he looks less innocent than how the world interprets him to be. She sees it in his tiny pupils.
"If it isn't my prized pupil," he said before turning to Diane. "And you've brought the governor! Or should I say, the Crimson Paw."
As she growls, Marmalade takes out…her diamond ring! He observes it suspiciously. He flicks the diamond of the ring before inspecting its shine.
"I have to commend you," said Marmalade, bewildered. "What an ingenious way to disguise the Zumpango Diamond. Hidden it in plain sight."
Wolf is amused. "You gotta be kidding me."
"What?" insisted Diane. "I'm the sentimental type!"
"You always did have panache," admitted Marmalade. "And yet, you still fell right into my trap. I can't believe a governor like you would fall for a little piggy's plans all for 'goodness'!"
The fox growled. "I agreed to it because you promised me a way to stop crime and help the Bad Guys. Wasn't that part of the deal?"
"Yeah," said Wolf. "Not only you manipulated us, but also her in your plans."
"Yeah, it was. But I guess that the deal is over." Marmalade laughed, nearly insanely. "The great Crimson Paw; smart, but headstrong. You know that this will never really end. Behind every smile, there is a criminal underneath which includes you. No matter how hard you try, you're not going to be able to stop any crisis in the city 'cause it's inevitable."
"There's no such thing as 'inevitable'," spat Diane. "It's either we find a way to slow it down or we just let the evil continue."
"But why wouldn't you want it to continue? Oh, I know! Little Miss Foxington trying to put her life as a thief behind. But you don't even have a single clue about the criminal world. You're so screwed up, don't you know? You're doing much but just stretching the thirst of criminals all over the world."
Diane isn't able to talk back. After what everyone points out, it all mashes together to let her know that she doesn't really know much of what 'bad guys' would think and feel about. No matter how much she protests or tries to attempt to reach out. It would just continue because criminals can be just…merciless. Even with her reputation as the governor, her presence isn't going to solve every single thing.
"After all, you're a former criminal," said Marmalade, repeating those words to rub it in. "You don't exactly understand everyone. And look at where you are. You got outsmarted by an evil mastermind like ME - an innocent-looking, precious guinea pig - who TRIED to make it clear that you will be killed if you take another step forward."
Diane is already steaming mad, growling through her teeth. If she can be feral, she would like how Wolf tried to bite him.
"You vile, two-goody shoe piece of butt," she threatened, shaking around to try to break free. "Tear off the ropes now or you won't like what we will eventually do to you when you get arrested. Your double-crossing treachery ends here."
"You want to talk about treachery?" said Marmalade, his smirk disappearing. "Let's start with you going all over again with your ideas of our deal, now in front of your newly, rouge-turned-pushover boyfriend! I would have thought that qualified as treachery on two things: pretending to be sympathetic to who you called 'garbage' and intended prevention of their lives as 'punishment'."
Diane stares at him with cold eyes. "I never said I intended to go behind anyone's back or pause their lives."
"Neither did I. You should be lucky that Wolf is with you or you would have a much looser screw in your head."
"Zip it, you dust bunny!" roared Wolf. "SHE is not lucky to have me. I'M lucky to have her. Do you want to know why I went back to save the cat? It was because I made the decision. Not from you. And Diane gave me the encouragement I needed to allow me to decide. Yes, she is socially stunted from criminals, she DID break into my home and breached our privacy! But at least she isn't as selfish as you are; she is trying to help make a change in how we are treated, more than I realize."
Diane felt a fluttering in her chest when Wolf said that. Not only does he defend her, but he even points out that she is one of the first outside his crew to help him with what he is going through. The rage and frustration he keeps inside. And as from the gala, he found newborn trust in her. She remembers that it isn't all for nothing, even if there are some things she shouldn't change.
Marmalade snorts. "Well, that isn't what I predicted. Change in public opinion is hard to make. But, I predicted that you would come back here."
"But how did you know we would be here?" asked Wolf.
"Oh, I got a little tip…from a friend."
A shadowy silhouette appears from the other side of the door. It slithers in and approaches next to the guinea pig. Both Wolf and Diane gasp when it turns out to be…
"Hey buddy," said Snake with an evil grin. "How's it hanging?"
Wolf could only stare in horror. Then, he narrows his eyes in coldness. He couldn't believe that Snake would decide to turn on him like this. All after being separated from the Bad Guys and now Snake is paying him back for it?
"Snake, but why?" he demanded.
"Because I'm a 'bad guy', remember?" stated Snake bluntly.
"Oh yeah? How's it feel working for your favorite food?"
"You're just jealous to be missing out on the heist of the century," spits Snake. "It's got everything: betrayal, a meteor, mind control…" He chuckles before turning to Marmalade. "Can I try it on?"
Marmalade grins and gives Wolf a sickly sickening smirk. "Of course, partner!"
Snake grins as he places the given helmet on his head. He concentrates a little, the lights on the helmet glowing. "Nice. All the crime with none of the exercise."
"Maybe you're just jealous that I sided with Diane," muttered Wolf.
Snake shoots him the nastiest glare. "Excuse me?!"
"I know that I screwed up and that time wasn't the right time for me to be able to settle things with everyone! But that is just cold to go over onto the one guy who intentionally backstabbed all of us in the back. What makes you think he won't do the same?"
Marmalade shrugs. "I don't know. But knowing the Bad Guys for a long time and checking your motives, Snake is the cynical one." He quickly turns to Snake. "No offence."
"Er…none taken," said Snake hastily. "Just please continue."
"And it is equally cruel for you to back out on your friends."
"You prompted me to do so," pointed out Wolf.
"Maybe, but what's to say? Not everyone agrees."
"You hypocrite," snarled Diane. "If that isn't enough to shove it right into our faces. And just because Wolf has to make a choice about taking the good life or not doesn't mean he has to be separated from his friends. And all your talk of this 'goodness' wouldn't even help a person in real life! You didn't even care about what I or the government have to say about all of this." She turns to Snake, scoffing. "And you…I thought you might be different from him."
Snake lifts his tail in a way of shrugging. "Sorry, governor. I'm just a horrible person."
"Why do all of this?" asked Wolf. "You've got everything! Is this all a lie?!"
Marmalade rolls his eyes. "Pretty much, yeah. You see, no one can turn out to be good. I never cared about what's 'good'. Only what's good for ME. Like…say…a billion dollars!" His body tingles, giggling. "Oooh! I just got a tingle!"
Wolf and Diane could only watch in hopelessness as Marmalade and Snake mock them one last time before leaving them at the mercy of Marmalade's right-hand man, Cuddles. The weird-looking human grins in sadism as he pulls a lever down. The circular shape on the ground beneath the two of them opened up to reveal a large hole of razor-sharp blades, spinning around menacingly.
Diane screams before thrashing around, followed by the equally panicking Wolf. They can't believe they came this far. Just when they tried to break in, they became so predictable and ended up turning into dog meat. If there is one way Diane would want her death to be like, THIS isn't the one for her!
Green gas suddenly pours through the vents.
Great, as if their deaths are enough.
Cuddles takes one whiff and immediately bolts away from the room.
"Poison gas!" she warns Wolf. "Don't breathe it in!"
Wolf holds onto his breath, though he takes a sniff. "Wait…that's not poison gas!" [5s]
A miracle occurs as the vents popped open and Piranha, Shark and Tarantula appear, donning black suits similar to Wolf. Piranha lets out a huge 'SURPRISE' while the other two try to regain their composure from staying in the gassed vents for too long. [6]
"Guys?!" cried Wolf out of shock and joy. "I can't believe it's you!"
"You were right, Wolfie!" said Tarantula.
"We felt the wag, man!" agreed Shark.
"And the tingling!" added Piranha.
The trio are actually waggling. Shark's and Piranha's fins are wagging along with Tarantula's abdomen. At the sight of this, Wolf smiles smugly. He is proud and gets to prove Marmalade wrong, but he is really happy that his friends didn't leave him after his fight with them. Diane smiles as well, though she is more focused on what is happening below.
"This is super moving, but can we do this later?!" she shrieked as she and Wolf are drawing close enough to the blades.
"Feels like I got a rhythm section in my fin!" said Shark, dancing around before he and Piranha started beatboxing together.
Wolf is STILL smirking despite about to get his head grinded.
"SPINNING BLADES!" shouts Diane. "TURN IT OFF!"
"OH YEAH, right!" said Shark, quickly snapping back to reality.
Thank God Tarantula is here as she pulls the lever upwards. "I got it!"
The floor closes and both Diane and Wolf safely land on the ground. Immediately, Wolf rushes over to his friends for a huge hug. Diane smiles, merry with this reunion. Hoping that they would support Wolf's thoughts and wants, they do turn out to be good friends to him. For a moment, she feels jealous that they are a family together. The sight of them glomping each other reminds her of what Hornet told her.
"We stick together as a team. We can't really pick sides. Friends…like each other for who they are instead of WHAT they are."
Though, she wonders how Snake would feel about this. All of his friends are technically going against him. What would he think? [6s]
And speaking of Hornet's words, she hears a buzzing from her watch. It's a voice call from the hornet himself.
"Diane!" said Hornet's voice. "You're there?"
"Yeah," said Diane, smiling. "In fact, the whole team is here now."
"¡Estás aquí!" squealed Piranha, trying to jump up to the watch. "Hornet! You're here as well?"
('¡Estás aquí!' means 'You're here!' in Spanish)
"Hi, Pepe!" There is a shy chuckle from Hornet. "However, I'm already outside and checking on the city. You guys better get that meteorite now since the trucks are already making their way out of the city."
"You got it, friend!" said Wolf. "Now let's blow this little piggy's heist down!"
Soon enough without falling into any more traps, the gang manages to steal the meteorite from the machine and reveals this in front of Marmalade's face. The perfect way to get him off guard before booking it on the car with the meteorite placed on the back. Though, they quickly backup a little…since Wolf wants to save a cat from the tree. A bit confusing, but at least they have another member on the team.
The minute they drive right out of the compound, Marmalade is left screaming while Snake can only watch, impressed.
AN: There is a huge fact here in this story. This version of Wolf has something the film or book version never have.
In case his journal doesn't convince you, then this one does. He hears voices in his head. From all the abuse of other people he met and trauma he has to endure, he has these illusions in his head. He keeps it under a calm and collective façade, but when REALLY in a vulnerable mood, he gets riled up.
To be honest, I actually took inspiration from Jinx in Arcane to give Wolf this because the book version of Snake has bad memories and nightmares. So, I thought it might be interesting if the two of them have an impactful trauma that haunts them from their childhood.
Though, I can't really confirm if Wolf will have schizophrenia; it might be, but I would need to do some more research on it to have a more accurate description of it in the future.
In this story, Wolf reminds Diane that his crew are his real friends. Yes, Diane said 'if they are your real friends', but Wolf knows them for a longer time and they trust each other. You could see that the Bad Guys are a family together in the film despite all the snark and fights and bickering. Diane looking through Wolf's journal and Hornet's lesson to Diane validate this statement. The part where Wolf starts hearing voices takes inspiration from Arcane and Diane snapping about why she worked for Marmalade is inspired from a scene in Peacemaker.
Not everything is going to turn out fine if lies or hidden truths are held back for too long.
Diane giddy about stealing the meteor is a mood. :3
As you noticed, I did extend the scene of Wolf and Diane talking to Marmalade. The part about treachery takes inspiration from Bumageddon: The Final Pongflict. I thought it would be important to highlight a bit of the subject since Marmalade did backstabbed the Bad Guys and Diane initially intended to stop them.
Rumors say that if you review about what you think about this chapter, you earn a nuzzle by Wolf. Feedback and criticism are welcome to help with any improvements needed. If you dare to be rude or send any flames, they will be doomed by Piranha's fart gas if deemed to be toxic, and you'll end up looking like a fool.
Until next time, keep on rocking!