Our story begins at a diner in the heart of Los Angeles, where we see two well known diners enjoying a steaming cup of coffee. It had become a daily routine for the two to go out and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. In the past, residents would avoid them at all costs as they were known for their lawbreaking habits and out-of-control behavior. A year ago, that would've been the case. However, as the newspaper headline proves, that was not the case anymore.
"THE GOOD GUYS DO IT AGAIN!"
As he read the headline, a certain wolf couldn't help but let out a chuckle about the story he was reading. The Good Guys stopped a robbery at a local jewelry store, which earned them a lot of praise from the public.
"Feels good to be on the cover page again. Right, Snake?"
"You got that right, Wolfy. Who would have thought that something as simple as stopping a robbery would earn us the front page story?"
"I mean, you have to remember, we were the Bad Guys only a year ago. The most notorious criminals in all of Los Angeles. It's probably still surprising for some people to witness the change we have experienced."
Mr. Wolf was right. He along with his four comrades experienced a change for the better and are now adored by the entire city. At least, most of the city. There are still people who are wary of the "Good Guys" and their past criminal ways.
"And to think you wanted to stay a bad guy," Wolf jokingly remarked.
"Hey hey hey, that's in the past. If being good can get me a cup of coffee on the house everyday, then so be it! Good over bad any day!"
Mr. Wolf gave his friend a small chuckle before being interrupted by a couple of diners, one of them with a notepad and pen in hand.
"Mr. Wolf, can I get your autograph?"
"Of course! Anything for the good people of Los Angeles," Mr. Wolf said before taking the notepad and writing his signature down.
Meanwhile, the other diner approached Mr. Snake with a camera in her hand and simply asked, "Mr. Snake, can I get a picture with you?"
"Eh, sure! Why not?"
Mr. Snake gave his best fangy smile and took the picture with who he assumed was a fan.
"Thank you!"
The two diners responded at the same time before leaving Mr. Wolf and Mr. Snake by themselves once more. For the two, this had also become a routine thing. Random people coming up to them and requesting autographs, photographs, or anything similar.
"Never gets old, Snake," Mr. Wolf smiled before taking a sip of his coffee.
The two continued to read the newspaper story until they came across a quote from Governor Foxington herself.
"The behavior that these five individuals have displayed is exemplary and I, along with all the law-abiding citizens of this city, are forever grateful for their actions."
"Ironic seeing that from the Crimson Paw, herself," Mr. Wolf remarked.
"Or as you can call her now, your fiancée," Mr. Snake added.
You heard that right. Mr. Wolf and Diane Foxington are engaged. Mr. Wolf decided to pop the question about a week ago on their date at the beautiful and scenic coast. Diane did not hesitate to respond with an excited "yes!" Mr. Wolf placed the beautiful diamond ring (that was not stolen, of course) on her finger, confirming the couple's plan to be wedded together.
"You know I can't forget about my fiancée, Snake. I'm just going by one of her identities. Governor, Crimson Paw, fiancée, it's all the same to me. The beautiful Diane that I know and love.."
"Ugh, not this mushy, gushy stuff again. You're practically oozing it out," Mr. Snake complained before continuing, "Next thing you know, it will be 'ooh, I love Diane so much and I cannot wait to have pups with her and spend the rest of my life with her!'"
"Come on, Snake. You know I love you and the rest of the gang too. Besides, that won't be me for a couple more years. We're not even married yet! Nonetheless, ready to talk about having pups yet."
If Mr. Wolf was being honest, the thought about having kids haunted him. He does not think he's ready to be a father, especially since he experienced the lack of one growing up as a pup. He hoped that if Diane ever brought up the question about starting a family, it would be later into their marriage when he'd be ready.
"Sure, Wolf. Let me remember those words as a before and after the honeymoon."
Mr. Wolf simply rolled his eyes at Snake's remarks, secretly hoping that he would be wrong.
"Alright, let's get out of here. It's one o'clock and we still have to pick up Shark, Piranha, and Webs for our daily crime fighting and good deeds."
"Who's picking up the bill today?" Mr. Snake asked.
"You said it yourself, Snake. Our coffees are on the house from now on. We should still leave a tip, though. Service is always great here," Mr. Wolf stated as he left a crisp $20 bill on the table for the waiter to come and pick up.
"Oh yeah, I guess being good comes with a lot of benefits. Right, Wolfy?"
"Not just a lot of benefits, Snake. All of the benefits. We aren't seen as outsiders anymore and no one is afraid of us. Well, mostly no one. We're slowly growing a good reputation among most people. Now, Snake, ready for another day of crime fighting and good deeds?"
"I'm ready, Wolfy! Go good.."
"..or go home!"
The two gave each other a fist bump, or tail bump in Snake's case, before exiting the diner's doors and heading to Wolf's sleek, black sports car. They were on their way to pick up the rest of their friends at the lair before starting their duties as Los Angeles' most adored crime fighting group, just a year after being renowned as, "The Bad Guys."
Meanwhile, in a house located in the outskirts of Los Angeles...
A young, preteen human boy was humming one of his favorite songs to himself as he was doing his homework on the dirty mattress he's owned for his entire life. He loathed doing homework but it was manageable if he could keep himself interested in humming a tune to himself. In fact, he used music as an escape route from everything in this hell that he calls his young life. All because of them..
"NOLAN BOY! GET DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!"
Nolan's father yelled out for him as Nolan jumped at the drunken rage exuding from his voice. For Nolan, he knew all too well what was going to happen. He's had to live with this for almost all 13 years of his life. Still, he went downstairs and went to the living room where he found his drunken mess of a father sitting down on a chair.
"Make me something to eat, now!" His father commanded.
"But…"
"I SAID, NOW!"
Nolan backed away in fear as he ran to the kitchen, looking for something to make for his father. Unfortunately for Nolan, this was only part of what he had to experience everyday.
Nolan Connors has lived an unfortunate life. He was born to his father, David, and his mother, whose name he does not know, about 13 years ago. Nolan wished he could know his mother's name to locate her and find out why she would abandon him at the mere age of two years old, but no such luck has turned his way. His mother abandoning him was only the start of Nolan's misfortune.
Ever since that day, Nolan's father has only grown resentful and abusive towards him. Nolan has never been able to escape his father's abusive ways and even if he could, he did not have the strength or courage to turn his father in. He's grown up to be scared of the person who's supposed to take the most care of him. As he approached the tender age of five years old, he thought his luck would change at school. Maybe someone would care for him there. Boy, was he wrong.
All throughout his school years, Nolan has faced intense bullying from his classmates. He couldn't tell a teacher or staff member either because in his teachers' eyes, his bullies were saints. Nolan would face bullying for liking music and being "different" from his peers in the sense that he didn't talk at all during class. It's something that he has grown accustomed to knowing his upbringing. Speaking of which, his home life did not help either. Nolan's bullies caught on to the fact that his parents did not have a significant role in his life. Instead of giving him sympathy, learning this only fueled their bullying even further. This hit Nolan harder than anything else they said. Nolan has faced this all throughout his young life and there are no signs of it stopping.
So, a mother who abandoned him, a father who's abusive towards him, and being the target of bullying ever since he started school. This was Nolan's life. Yet, every day that he wakes up is another day in which he proves everyone wrong. He could not let them win. The day he decides to lose to all the misfortune he's faced is the day his burdens have finally gotten the best of him. He could not let that happen. Even if they are heavy on his heart and mind, he could not let his burdens win. That's why he keeps going.
Going back to the moment, Nolan was barely able to make scrambled eggs out of the three eggs he found in the refrigerator. It was the only thing he could muster, since the refrigerator only contained the three eggs he found and countless bottles of beer. Nothing left for Nolan to eat.
Once he finished, he placed the scrambled eggs on a plate and cautiously walked to the living room where his father was waiting.
"H-Here you go, s-sir…" Nolan stuttered as he handed his father the scrambled eggs.
"Eggs?! What the hell is this, boy?!"
"But sir, I-I…"
"SHUT IT!"
Nolan's father immediately took the glass plate and threw it to the wall, leaving Nolan's efforts in vain. Nolan flinched at the loud noise of the plate shattering to pieces. It didn't get any better for poor Nolan as his father grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up, leaving Nolan fearful of the pain he could inflict this time.
"You're staying outside for the rest of the night, boy! You are a disgrace!"
"No, please sir! I don't want to stay outside again!" Nolan pleaded with his father as he could not overpower the grip his father had on him.
Nolan was carried out from the living room to the backdoor and was, quite literally, thrown out to the backyard by his father. His father didn't even bat an eye once he had thrown his own son out. He locked the backdoor and the window before returning to his chair in the living room. He continued watching the program playing on the television, paying no mind to his son.
Meanwhile, Nolan winced from the force of the throw as he slowly got up from the ground. He did not even make an effort to get his father's attention while he looked through the window towards the direction of the living room. Tears slowly welled up in his eyes but he wiped them off to receive a look at the program currently being shown on the television. It looked to be the evening news with an enthusiastic Tiffany Fluffit reporting.
"It seems as if the Bad- or, excuse me- the Good Guys have committed a good deed once again! This time, helping a family of kittens get down from a tree!"
The report cut to an interview of Mr. Wolf with the rest of the group in which he stated, "We have done a couple of kitten rescues since becoming good but we never lose that great feeling of satisfaction. We're always glad for any opportunity that comes our way to help the community."
Miss Fluffit concluded the interview with, "And we're forever glad to know that the Good Guys truly have changed for the better! Back to you in the studio!"
Nolan did not seem content with the final statement. In fact, he did not buy any of the 'Bad Guys turned Good Guys' business. To him, they would always be the Bad Guys. Why, do you ask? He does not believe in the idea that a bad person could become a good person overnight. If that was the case, wouldn't he have wished for that a long time ago for his father and for his bullies? The idea that they experienced a change in the first place sounded ridiculous to him. If their lives truly altered quickly, wouldn't he have undergone the same change to better his own life? He knew he was part of the minority that did not believe their sudden change. Unless he witnessed first-hand a significant event that proved their conversion from bad to good, his opinion is going to stay the same.
Nolan settled down on the ground, trying his best to ignore the soil and grass surrounding his body. He knew that his father wouldn't come back to unlock anything for him until the next morning as he learned from prior experience. There was no point in defeating the weariness enveloping his frail body, so Nolan slowly drifted off to sleep. Hoping that by some miniscule odds, his day would turn out to be better tomorrow. Just one day. Unfortunately, he knew that would not be the case at all...
Hi, everyone! Thank you so much for reading the first chapter of Defeating Their Doubts! This is the second fanfiction I've ever written and the first for The Bad Guys, so I'm excited to write new content for all of you to enjoy! I do not own The Bad Guys, only my OCs. Until then, peace, love, and stay amazing!