Shadow woke up groggily in his bed, rubbing his head and looking to his side and seeing Rouge staring at him. "Fuck... what happened?"

"You got very drunk and I drove you here to the freelancer headquarters," Rouge said simply.

Shadow gulped. "You stayed?"

Rouge nodded. "I did. You were pretty fun and didn't cry... much." She reached in her pocket. "Aspirin for the hangover. I think Knuckles is preparing an extra greasy burger too."

"One hell of a breakfast," Shadow said, taking the aspirin. "Is everyone else here?"

"Yeah, it's pretty early," Rouge said. "Oh, and don't worry about Anti-Light. Sally already told Calvin that you were too smashed to even make it, and since this place was closer, I offered to drive you here. Even remembered to pack up your hover-board."

"Thank you," Shadow said.

"Ah, it's anything a friend would do for another friend," Rouge said.

"No, for last night," Shadow said. "It felt good to loosen up a little bit."

"Yeah, until you tightened up after leaving the bathroom following that guy who was all covered up," Rouge said. "Who was that, anyway?"

"I suppose that I can tell you since you know that it's someone who works for Jem," Shadow said. "It was Manuel. He delivered another message."

"Huh. And he did it without civilian casualties."

Shadow sighed. "It was at gun point. But he didn't want to kill me... I don't think. If he did, I'd be dead."

"Well, how about you go shower and I'll let the other guys know before I leave," Rouge said. "I need to get to my fake job."

"Thanks again for bringing me back," Shadow said. "If I ever get that drunk again, please be my designated driver."

Rouge shook her head but smiled, kissing Shadow's cheek before getting up to leave. She walked by the others and let them know about Manuel before getting on her way, leaving the building and driving herself up to Anti-Light. In the meantime, Shadow had a shower, brushed his teeth, and got dressed as he met the other three in the living room.

"Hey, buddy, how are you feeling?" asked Tails.

"No longer drunk and with a lessening headache," Shadow said. "I still feel like shit, though. Not for the being drunk thing."

"Yeah, Rouge told us that you had a meeting with Manuel," said Sonic. "What did Jem say?"

"Uh... fuck... let's see if I can remember..." Shadow snapped his fingers as Knuckles walked over, giving him the burger. He took a bite and nodded at Knuckles. "Mmm... thanks..." he said with his mouth full. He chewed it a few times before swallowing. "He said the typical stuff about that we shouldn't keep delaying, saying he'll elevate things if we don't deliver. But the one that stuck out was that he said that he's not limiting himself to Green Hill. If we have allies anywhere in any other city..."

"He's going to hit them too," Knuckles said, finishing the black and red hedgehog's sentence.

"Places like Midnight Oil aren't safe any more now that Manuel knows," Shadow said. "If he knows, Jem and anyone else with that son of a bitch knows too."

"Well, they attacked us at Jade Mountain too," Sonic noted. "That place is basically a second home to us all."

"And it's not just people associated with Jem," said Tails. "Remember Keegan and those other pricks holding up Dingo at Star Light Police Department?"

"Still weird that Anti-Light's got him now," said Shadow. "Him and Beau would get on like a house on fire, and then they'd use that fire to spark a joint of some presumably top notch shit."

"Your sense of humour is still intact, I see," Knuckles said. "Hurry it up, though. We need to get moving."

"I'm off anyway," Tails said, finishing his own breakfast quick. "I'm visiting Cosmo again."

"Need someone to go with you?" Shadow asked.

"Nah, I'll be fine on my own," Tails said.

"And Espio, Vector, and Charmy are going to be receiving us today too, so keep that in mind," Sonic added.

"It's the first thing we're going to do after Tails gets back," said Knuckles. "But until then, what do we do?"

"We could maybe workshop a new name?" Sonic shrugged. "I don't mind being a freelancer but we need something more condensed."

"Last Freedom?" Shadow suggested.

"Not bad, but a bit preachy," said Sonic.

"Liberation?" Tails suggested. "No, that's not good. Too political. I've got to go anyways."

"If you think of something on the way there, let us know," Sonic said.

"I'll try. After all, what's in a name?" Tails chuckled, waving as he left.

"It's got to be more personal sounding," Shadow said. "But at the same time it has to give hope to people."

"I like the idea of having Hope in the name," Sonic said. "Maybe that's what we can give people. Especially these days."

"Even if they don't always believe us?" Knuckles asked. "We're still not super popular, remember?"

"Hey, I thought you were the optimistic one?" Shadow said.

"That's usually Tails, but I sometimes take that position up," Knuckles said. "I agree with the Hope part, but it's got to sound like a name that doesn't make us seem like we have our heads up our own asses."

Outside of the building, Tails was on his hover-board and making his way over to Green Hill Hospital, getting there in a fairly short time. He parked his board outside and spoke with the receptionist, getting permission to go and see his girlfriend. He opened the door to her room, seeing Dr. Aston there as well and smiling over at him as Cosmo was sat up.

"What's the word?" Tails asked.

"She's good to go, actually," Dr. Aston said. "No more pain from the bullet, the medicine's fully healed her, she's all yours."

"Thanks for your help with her," Tails said, shaking the doctor's hand before turning to Cosmo.

"You're welcome," Dr. Aston smiled. "I've another patient to check on, but I hope you have a safe trip back home. Lord knows that things are crazy enough already out there."

"I'll keep us safe," Tails said, opening the door so that the doctor could leave before looking over at Cosmo. "So... straight back to work?"

"Not until tomorrow," Cosmo said. "I was recommended a day of rest at home, and... I've really missed being close to you."

Tails blushed and helped her up. "Then you're about to be very disappointed in me..."

"Oh, I could never be disappointed in you," Cosmo said. "You don't even leave the toilet seat up any more."

"You trained me well," Tails said, walking out of the room with his girlfriend.

"So, what are your plans for today?" Cosmo asked.

"We're going to get our nanosuits tested, we've got to head to two different cities to get some drugs, and then we're coming back here so that I can continue my plan on tricking Jem."

"You have a plan?"

Tails nodded. "I do. Basically... I'm going to mix a placebo version of Fokus with the implants. We're gathering the drugs so that we can make something up as straight up Fokus didn't work like I'd hoped it would."

"How far along are you with the plan?" Cosmo asked.

"We went to Aqua Lake yesterday and got ourselves some Devil's Breath, so that's a good start," said Tails.

"And you'll be too busy to sit around and snuggle with me today?" Cosmo asked as they got closer to the exit.

"Sadly, yes..." Tails sighed. He signed a release form and Cosmo did as well before leaving the hospital with her. "But I can give you a ride back to our place on this hover-board?"

"I rarely get to go on it," Cosmo gasped. "Let's go... wait, did you call it our place?"

"Was that too much?" asked Tails.

Cosmo shook her head and kissed his cheek. "Not at all. I like the ring that has... our place... maybe when you're done saving the world, we can move in and make it official?"

"I'd like that," Tails smiled. "Ready?"

The green girl nodded and Tails started up his board, powering it up as Cosmo held him from behind. He made a stop to drop her off at her place, hugging and kissing her gently before leaving her again, pulling his phone out to text the other freelancers about what had happened and getting a text back that they were at Green Hill Police Department, so he decided to head straight there.

He saw their boards parked up already so he went inside to see them at reception. "Hey."

"Hey, dude," Sonic said. "I'm glad that Cosmo's all good now."

"Me too," said Tails, looking over to Mina and Nicole. "I trust you heard the news?"

"Sonic showed us the text," Mina said. "I'm so relieved that she's okay."

"Yeah, because you have to do less work at the desk now," Nicole joked. "Anyway, the armoury triplets are waiting for you."

"That gives me an idea," Knuckles said. "Hope Quadruplets for the name?"

"Heck no," Sonic said. "I don't like."

"Yeah, that's a no from me," Shadow said.

"Wait, what?" Mina asked.

"Oh, we're workshopping a new name so that we're not just called freelancers all the time," Sonic said.

"Ah," Nicole said. "Yeah, Knuckles, that one's not good."

"It's only workshopping. It's not concrete..." Knuckles said. "Let's go see the armoury triplets."

Sonic walked in, followed by the other three. "We're home."

"Oh, look, it's the Hope Quadruplets," Vector said.

"Shut it, handbag," Knuckles said lightly.

"So you guys just want a routine check?" Espio asked.

"And we want to find out whatever the hell it is that these do," Sonic said, showing his whip to the purple chameleon.

Espio took it and walked over to a scanning machine. "Hmm... apparently, these are legit. Who gave them to you again?"

"Alec," said Tails. "Said it was a gift from Dingo. But we haven't been able to figure out how they work."

"You know, thinking about it, we really should have asked Dingo when we were saving him," Shadow said.

"Wait, what do you mean saving him?" Vector asked. "Is he okay?"

"He got held up in his own station by Keegan and some other random ass-holes," Knuckles said. "Everyone's fine, though. Keegan's locked up."

"It's been hell lately since Jem launched that first attack, hasn't it?" Espio said. "I was swinging by Jade Mountain for a quick breakfast this morning and I saw them putting new windows up."

"And I got a threat from Jem last night," Shadow added. "I really don't want to dampen anyone's day, but he sounded pretty serious. He made it clear that none of us are safe and we don't have much longer."

"Then we'd best get to work," said Charmy. "Let's start with the suits. What do you want to test?"

"Ballistics and recovery," said Sonic. "The standard stuff."

"Who's going to be the guinea hog? Or fox? Or echidna?" asked Vector.

"I'll be the guinea fox," Tails volunteered.

Vector nodded, setting up the platform in the middle of the room. Tails put his nano-suit on as he stepped into the middle of the platform, and a dummy appeared from underneath the floor, holding a pistol aimed at Tails. It fired a few shots which easily bounced off of the suit, not even grazing Tails before Espio typed on the computer, commanding the dummy to fire at a specific area. The dummy did so, shooting a few times at Tails' right shoulder before stopping, and Tails looked as the nano-machines patched up the hole there easily.

"Everything's shipshape, it looks like," Shadow said. "Now, to figure out how these damn whips work."

"Do you have any programs that can help with this?" Knuckles asked Charmy.

"Well, I have an idea," the bee said. "Is there any buttons on them?"

"No," Sonic said, checking his over. "But... maybe we could mix our nano-tech with it?"

"Well, you suggested it, so you give it a shot," Vector said. "I'll whip up another dummy for you. Hehe... whip up."

"Hilarious," Sonic said. "Let's see if this works, though. It could be like those weapons you had Knuckles test not that long ago."

"Ooh, that'd be cool," Knuckles said.

Sonic nodded, going to the centre of the room and activating his nano-suit, looking down at his gauntlet. He let out a breath and put the gauntlet on his left wrist, his right hand still hovering over it before it started to glow light blue. His eyes perked up at that, and he looked as a dummy rose from the floor. Sonic pulled his left arm back at the elbow and threw it forward, and a long, light blue line shot out of the gauntlet. He smiled as the whip wrapped around the dummy, and he pulled and squeezed as his nano-bots gathered a bit more around the wrist-mounted device. The whip started to crackle with electricity, letting out shocks to the dummy that would leave burn marks before Sonic mentally commanded the bots to stop, the whip pulling back and disappearing back into the gauntlet.

"Okay, that was dope as shit," Sonic said.

"This is definitely worth testing," said Tails.

"And we didn't even have to break out the fire extinguisher," Espio noted.

"And we can all do that?" Knuckles asked, looking at his gauntlet and putting it on. "I'm not going to test it right now but this is pretty handy."

"It only comes in whip form, though," Sonic said. "What are you planning to use it for?"

"Reaching for the salt across the dinner table," Knuckles said.

Sonic shook his head before turning to Vector. "How's the work coming on those biometric weapons?"

"It's getting there," said the green crocodile. "It's not a resource or money issue, but we're really trying to crunch down on the testing."

"Hey, however long it takes," the blue hedgehog replied.

"So what's your plan now?" Espio asked.

"Now we've got to go get some drugs," said Tails. "We're off to Scrap Metal and Spring Yard to get what we need to screw over Jem."

"Hey, if it's to screw that ass-hole over, I wish you all the best of luck," said Vector.

"I've put the calls in to the commanders, so we'd better get moving," Sonic said. "Thanks for your help with the gauntlets, guys."

"Any time," Espio said. "You're going to pay us in lunch, right?"

"If we're back by then, which I doubt," Shadow said.

"You can just make it up to use with breakfast tomorrow," said Vector.

"We'll see what we can do," Sonic smiled. "We'd best get going."

"You take care, Hope Quadruplets," said Vector. "And good luck."

Knuckles rolled his eyes but left with the others as Sonic led them out of the door, the four hopping onto their hover-boards outside of the building before Sonic turned to look at the others. "We should get it out of the way now, but who's going where?"

"I want to head to Scrap Metal," said Tails.

"I'll take Spring Yard," Knuckles replied.

"I'm with the big red guy," Shadow said. "I want to go there too."

"So me and Tails at Scrap Metal and Shadow and Knuckles at Spring Yard," Sonic said. "Any objections?" The others shook their head. "Good. Then let's get moving."

At Westopolis...

Manuel woke up in an unfamiliar room, opening his eyes groggily and looking to his left. He saw the nude back of a woman, and he groggily saw the back of Lara before blinking his eyes and seeing that it wasn't her, making out some light yellow feathers instead. He sat up slowly and turned to see some pills and water next to the bed, so he took the pills and swallowed them down with the help of the water before gasping out.

He turned to the girl next to him as he stood up from the bed, but then the girl started to shift, looking up at him. "Hey, big man," she said, looking down at his crotch.

"Hey," Manuel smiled. "Not to sound rude, but do you have any idea how I wound up in bed with a beautiful girl like you?"

"Your friend dropped you off," said the girl. "The human. Ginger beard."

"Oh." Manuel nodded. "What did he say?"

"Just told me to give you a good time. We had a lot of drinks, and they were all paid for by your friend. And we had some incredible sex as well." She crawled over to him while still on the bed. "You're worth every penny, stud."

"I appreciate that," said Manuel. "What's the time?"

"About 9:45," the girl said. "Are you late for anything?"

Manuel was about to answer but then his phone rang, and he answered it. "Hello? Yeah, Gerren... hey. Yeah, thanks for paying... uh-huh... yeah, I'll... I'll be there. All right. Later." He turned to the girl on the bed. "I've got to go. Thanks for last night. I wish that I could remember more of it."

"Don't worry, stud," the girl said. "Those are memories that'll stay with me for a while."

Manuel smile at that and got himself dressed, helping the prostitute find her clothes as well and being walked to the front door by her. She planted a kiss on his cheek before he walked out to see a car pulling up, and he saw the driver's seat door open and Martin stepping out to greet him and holding a bag in his hands.

"Huh," Manuel said. "I was expecting Gerren."

"He's going over a plan with Jem at the prison," said Martin. He threw the bag to Manuel. "Breakfast. Eat up on the way there."

The bull got into the car, and Martin started driving while Manuel ate his food, which was a burger and a shake. He shook his head but he got through it quickly as Martin drove them over to the headquarters, pulling up and parking. He shut off the engine and exited the car with Manuel following behind him, and they both went inside and made their way to Jem's office.

"Ah, good to see you both here," Jem said as they walked in. "I trust that you had fun last night, Manuel?"

"I did," Manuel said. "I need to thank Gerren when I see him next. Where is he, anyway?"

"He's out on a mission," said Jem. "He took the fake four with him."

"Wait... Martin, you told me that Gerren was still here wen you came to pick me up," Manuel noted, turning to face the dirty cop.

"He must have left," Martin shrugged.

Jem took the chance to pull out his handgun and aim it at Manuel's back. "You really did a dumb thing last night. Gerren told me that you delivered the message."

"I'm sorry, boss," Manuel said, turning around and sighing as he saw the gun. "I thought that was what you wanted me to do. And I did it with pretty much no bloodshed."

"True, but you also had one of the freelancers right there where you wanted him."

"And he was the only one there," said Manuel. "He was with friends but they don't roll with the freelancers, I don't think. I don't even know who they are or what they do."

"What did they look like?" Jem asked.

"Uh... they were both women. Mobians too. One's a white bat and the other is a brown squirrel."

Jem lowered his gun. "And it's Shadow who got the message, yes? Presumably he has delivered it?"

"Presumably," Manuel nodded. "Fuck, I don't know. I didn't stick around to find out. I held him up in the bar bathroom, played your message, then got to the getaway car to get back here. Now Shadow knows that we can get to him and any of his friends... in any city."

"Hmm... well, even though I sent Gerren out with the other four, I still want you to do a mission for me."

"What is it?" Manuel asked.

"Pick up a supply drop. Any will do, but I'm hoping for something with weapons." Jem smiled. "No message needs to be delivered this time."

"What about the fox kid's parents?" Manuel asked. "Doesn't he deserve an update?"

"I agree, but they're both fine and that's all that he needs to know."

"You know," Martin pointed out, "you've had a lot of opportunities to torture them or try and get information out of them. So far the worst thing you've done is give them very limited food and drinks."

"I did promise Tails that, if he delivers on his promise, his parents would be safe. If he stays true to his word, I will stay true to mine. And besides, they know better than anyone how the implants work."

"Why do you even need them?" Manuel asked. "Why not stick to the street implants?"

"Because they don't work to the same effect as the factory made ones," said Jem. "For what I need to do, I need the implants unblemished. Pure. And the best way to do that is to trust the fox's word at getting them. The street implants are good for a limited affect, but they're unpredictable. Unreliable. You, however... you're reliable. You're predictable. And most importantly, you're useful."

"Then I'd best go and make myself useful," Manuel said. "Where are the Russians?"

"They're actually waiting by the cells," said Martin. "They're your backup for taking the supply drop."

"What about you?" Manuel asked Martin.

"I've got cop shit to deal with," Martin said. "Can't be caught outside of the city."

Manuel scoffed. "I always find it awfully fucking convenient that you almost never leave on missions with us."

"You're being awfully grumpy for a guy who had sex last night," Martin defended.

Manuel shook his head. "I'm off. I don't know where I'll go for supply drops, but if I come across any, I'll let you know."

"See you later," said Jem. "And remember, no message is to be delivered. If you come across any of the freelancers, do not attack them or threaten them. We have the advantage. We need not press further."

"Yeah, yeah," Manuel said. "I'm off." He left the room, followed by the Grigori and Sacha as he got to a car in the garage, getting in and driving off.

After he'd left, Gerren exited a room nearby Jem's office, walking in to see the salamander. "He's gone. What's the next move?"

"I need you to go and follow him," said Jem. "He doesn't know where you are, so he doesn't know you're here."

"Where'd you send the fake freelancers?" Martin asked.

"Wherever they wanted to go as long as it's not Westopolis," Jem said. "They're not the concern right now. Those four I can trust. Manuel is the one who I'm still uncertain about."

"He did everything you asked him yesterday," Gerren said. "But I'll keep an eye on him. What do you want me to do if I bump into the fake ones?"

"I did say that they went with you, so pretend you're with them. Whatever plan you can spin, they have to go with it."

"We're lying to the big guy a lot," Martin said. "He won't take to it too well if he finds out."

"Ah, but that's the key word. If. And he won't find out." Jem looked at Gerren. "You know what to do."

Gerren nodded and left, exiting the building and getting into a car before driving off to try and follow Manuel's tracks. To that end, he pulled his phone out to dial his number, soon hearing Manuel answer. "Hey, Manuel."

"Gerren," Manuel said simply. "Where are you?"

"Oh, I'm just in Marble Stone," said Gerren. "I know it's a far ways from Westopolis, but I did leave early."

"Are the four with you?" Manuel asked.

"Yeah, they're in hiding right now. Can't reach the phone." Gerren shook his head. "Anyway, we're waiting out here for you, so get here quick."

"I'm on it," said Manuel. "Jem sent me out to take a weapons drop anyway, and I've got the Russians with me too. We've got all the backup that we need barring Jem and Martin."

"Like Martin was going to come out and help anyway," Gerren chuckled. "See you when you get here." He then hung up and typed in Jude's number, and it was soon picked up. "Not a lot of time. Marble Stone. Get there quick. I'll explain when I'm there. Tell the other three." He then hung up before Jude could reply, stepping on his gas pedal and getting a fast move on.

An Anti-Light...

Calvin was sat in his office, looking out of his window. He knew that Sally and Rouge had to go to their jobs today, and Shadow was off gathering something. Calvin knew about all of this already, but he felt that he needed his three best agents at his base. His thoughts were interrupted when a voice spoke through a speaker on his desk.

"Sir, the tools are here," said a voice on the other end.

"Ah, fantastic. Tell them to take them over to the cells."

"Will do."

Calvin went over to his security cameras and he saw a table being wheeled into the front lobby by someone. A human, it appeared to be, with tan skin and dark, tired looking eyes. It appeared to be a man as well, and he idly sighed and looked around before pulling a cigarette out, lighting it up and taking a drag as he waited.

Calvin decided to head down to greet him, making it to the cells easily and gazing upon the man's face. "You find the place okay?"

"Yeah," the deliverer said. "Who's so bad that they need all this shit to torture them anyway?"

Calvin smiled. "A couple of really nasty people. That's all that you need to know."

"Whatever." The deliverer took another drag, turning to Calvin. "You want a drag?"

"I don't smoke," said Calvin. "Thanks for dropping these off... and for your discretion in what we're using them for."

"Hey, I get paid to deliver this kinda shit from place to place," the man said. "I don't ask questions about what they're used for. I don't want to know."

"In that case, I'll up your payment a bit," Calvin said.

"Thanks," the deliverer said with a slight smile. "Well, your secretary already signed for the things, so as far as I'm concerned, I am no longer concerned. I've got other deliveries to make, so I'd best get back to work."

"Good luck with the more legitimate supply drops," Calvin said. "Lord knows that the people need them."

The man simply nodded before turning to leave. As he did, the black and grey lion pulled his phone out to call Shadow, soon hearing the hedgehog's familiar voice.

"Hey, boss," Shadow said.

"Shadow, good to hear from you," Calvin said. "How are things going with the trying to screw over Jem?"

"First of all, I'm glad that you're all good with the plan," Shadow said. "Secondly, we're about halfway to Spring Yard. I forgot how far away the city was."

"And to think that it's Jem's old home as well," Calvin said. "I wanted to call you to let you know that your toys are here."

"Huh. That's a nice change of pace compared to last night," Shadow said. "Going from my closest friends being threatened to getting a chance for some answers."

"Are you sure that you're going to get any answers?" asked Calvin. "He likely doesn't know a lot, and all the interrogation you've been doing to him for the past year and a half hasn't yielded any results."

"I'm good at interrogation," Shadow said. "I'm great at torture. What have I got?"

Calvin looked at the table and smiled. "Some really good stuff. A blowtorch, knives, pliers, scissors, hammers... and... huh."

"What is it?" Shadow asked.

"There's drugs here," Calvin noted. "I know that I got them called in by someone doing supply drops who isn't fully on the level, but I wasn't expecting drugs."

"The one vice that Beau and Keegan have in common," Shadow said. "Thanks for letting me know. Is there anything else?"

"Yes... should things get bad, just remember that I have backup over there."

"You have backup everywhere," Shadow said. "But again, thank you. I'll let you know when we're coming back."

"Take care."

Calvin then wheeled the cart off to the cells himself, seeing Keegan sat at a table as a couple of Anti-Light agents stayed near him. The drug dealer had a few marks on him, and one of the agents had him by the neck before Keegan spotted Calvin, a smile crossing his face as the Anti-Light leader approached him with the table.

"Ah, so you must be the leader of this fine establishment," said Keegan. "So... what is this place?"

"This is exactly where someone like you deserves to be," Calvin said.

"Well, that narrows it down," said Keegan. "What's with the tray?"

"Oh, I'm glad you asked," Calvin smiled. He lifted the cloth off, showing the tools. "These are instruments of torture to help with our interrogations."

"Wait, you're going to use those to try and pry shit out of me?" asked Keegan.

"Well, not me, no," Calvin said. "In fact, the person that will is currently busy and out of town. He likely won't be back for some time."

"Who is it?"

Calvin smiled. "You're familiar with Shadow the hedgehog, yes?"

"Regrettably," Keegan scoffed. "So, that sad bastard is working for you guys? How does that work when he helped get me arrested as part of the freelancers?"

"He sort of needed work," said Calvin. "But you don't need to concern yourself with him right now." Calvin took a seat across from the drug dealer. "I am here to ask you what you know about The Black Market."

Keegan shrugged. "Not much. I heard some shit about it on the street. Thought it was like a gang or something but I haven't seen anything about them."

"You really are out of the loop, it seems," Calvin said. "They're more than that. They're responsible for the rise in street implants a year and a half ago."

"That I did hear about," Keegan shrugged. "I didn't care. I just deal drugs, man."

"And take over police stations, apparently," Calvin said. "Why were you even out there in the first place?"

"You've seen the streets, yeah?" Keegan smiled. "It's been free reign for people like me ever since the Green Hill Penitentiary breakout mixed with Zayd's death and then the freelance fuckwits getting fired. I felt like I didn't have anything to lose by trying to take over that place, but hey, it proves something."

"What exactly does it prove?"

Keegan kept his smirk. "That even a place with a low rate of crime like Star Light isn't safe these days. Nowhere is. Do you really think that so many bad people out there will show their faces in the open like I did? There could be a psycho, a rapist, a dealer, fucking anything lurking around any corner waiting to steal someone's money, innocence, or life."

"I know that," Calvin said. "And we can't get rid of all of the evil in this world. If we did, we wouldn't have anything worth fighting for." He bowed his head. "But there is one mercy in that future."

"What's that?" Keegan asked with a chuckle.

"It's that with someone like you trapped in a place like this, there is one fewer psycho, rapist, drug dealer or, as you eloquently put it, fucking anything on the streets." Calvin grinned. "I highly doubt that you're going to like it here, but you can keep that smile on your face all that you want. Just know that you're not alone in this place... and when Shadow returns from his mission, you'll be in some familiar company." He then looked at his guards, who injected Keegan to make him go to sleep before taking him over to his cell. "There's a lot of scum that I can't stand, but those who hand out free poison to ruin people's lives who think they're in a position of power over me especially annoy me." He turned to his guards. "Good work. I'll treat you to lunch later."

"Thanks, boss," said one of the guards.

At Little Hill...

"All right," Sally said, "are you ready to learn some mathematics?"

"How are you going to teach us today?" asked one of the kids.

Sally smiled and brought out a guitar, much to the delight of her children. "Through song! But we have to be quiet because of the other classes, okay?"

"Okay!" the kids said.

Sally started playing the guitar and singing. "Two plus two is four, four plus four is eight, eight plus eight is double digits but that comes in pretty late. Now you try. Two plus two is?"

"Four!" the kids replied.

"That's right! Four plus four is?"

"Eight!"

"Eight plus eight is double digits..."

"But that comes in pretty late!"

"Isn't it 18?" asked another kid.

"Close," Sally said. "16. Anyway, again!" She resumed playing, repeating the song a few times as the kids sang along with it, carrying it on a few times before the bell sounded. "Ooh, that's break time! You kids go have fun!" As they got up and left, Sally pulled her phone out and was about to call up Amy only to see the pink hedgehog's name and number appear as her phone vibrated. "Amy! I was just about to call you and ask how things were?"

"That's lucky for us both because I need a favour," Amy said.

"What is it?"

"I'm almost out of my pills and I need someone to pick some up for me. I'd ask Sonic but he's out of town on a mission right now and my sister's going to be at The Midnight Oil all day."

Sally nodded. "I don't mind going."

"I super appreciate it," Amy said. "It's not right now, but I do need them."

"I'll go around lunchtime. But you owe me some food, Rose."

Amy giggled. "I'll order us some Jade Mountain after school's over..." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Unless you have duties at Anti-Light?"

"Not today, no," Sally said. "It might help to have you close, actually."

"How do you mean?" Amy asked.

"I'll... actually explain later. I don't suppose you've been told yet and I don't want to worry you with it now," Sally spoke.

"Fair enough, but it'd better be good gossip," said Amy. "Not knowing is making me more worried now."

"I promise I'll let you know later when you order us food," Sally smirked. "Oh, and I'll need you to tell me what pills you get from the pharmacy too before I go over there."

Amy sighed. "Sally, you're an absolute lifesaver. Thank you."

Sally nodded. "Any time. I'd best watch over the kids and make sure they're not getting in trouble."

"Oh, yeah, I forget that we have different playgrounds since you teach kids a year above. You and your fancier stuff," Amy smiled. "I'll talk to you later. And thanks again."

"You're welcome... again." Sally then hung up, dialling through her phone and seeing Calvin's number and sighing. "I'm... sure Sonic's fine. He doesn't need Anti-Light's help..." Her finger hovered over the number but she shook her head and put her phone away. "I'm sure Calvin's got backup for the freelancers just in case. Focus, Sally Acorn. Do your actual job for once." She took a breath and walked outside to watch over her kids, not losing the niggling feeling in the back of her head.

And that's another chapter done of this. I've forgotten how much I love writing this, but it is sad that the next things I'll be doing are more Join The Fun and Beauties Of Remnant. I'll also get in more requests and Cyber Riders... eventually. We'll see. Until then, take care, and stay tuned.