Hello everyone and Merry Christmas. I hope you guys are all able to enjoy the holidays. Here is another story on which I worked recently. For those reading my Paw Patrol stories, promise I didn't forget about them. I just saw the Bad Guys recently and loved the movie. I even ordered it for Christmas. One of the things I loved is the relationship/romance between Mr. Wolf and Diane. It's pure gold and must be developped further if a sequel is ever made. I also loved the bonds between the Bad Guys.

I just couldn't resist writting something about it. This story is part of a series that will show the characters at differents moments in time while staying around some key plots elements.

I hope you will like it. Let's read.

Diane was pacing around as she finished reviewing in her head everything that she had prepared for the third time. Saying she wasn't nervous would be a lie. An obvious one. Still, she forced herself to calm down.

"Okay, okay," she exhaled softly as she stopped pacing. "I got this."

"Of course, you do," Wolf said from behind her leaning casually against the wall next to the opening leading to a stage. "You have been preparing for this for months and you did a good job as governor. There is no reason people won't re-elect you. I know five person who certainly will."

Diane looked at her boyfriend who was wearing his usual cream-colored blazer and dress pants with a white dress shirt. Herself wore her usual working clothes: a grey suit with a white shirt, black tie and thin framed glasses. They were currently backstage, on the left side of the stage, and waiting for the Debate of the Candidates to begin. The elections were set for next week and this event was the last chance for the two remaining candidates to speak to the population and answer questions.

"I appreciate it Wolf, but statically speaking five votes doesn't make a difference in a big city like Los Angeles."

The lupine smirked, showing his charming and suave persona which always sent shivers down Diane's spine even though she wouldn't admit it out loud, not in public at least. And it's not like she didn't know how to have the same effect on him.

"Then we'll just have to steal all the voting boxes and replace enough votes to make you win without anyone noticing. Oh, I can picture it already. Imagine how legendary that would be," he said standing up. "If we were still bad guys that is."

Diane smirked back with her eyebrow raised and arms crossed. "I doubt the Bad Guys could have pulled off something like that. It seems to be a job for a criminal of high status like say the Crimson Paw."

Wolf pretended to be hurt by the vixen words. "Madame Governor, your words deeply wound me. Is there a medic around here? My heart is bleeding."

Some humans walking around briefly stopped before resuming their work, ignoring them. The couple chuckled. Only them and very few others could understand the true meaning behind that jab about the Crimson Paw.

The vixen shook her head smiling before walking toward Wolf and straightening his collar. Something she had taken the habit of doing even before they started dating almost three years ago.

"Hey babe, I wanted to say…thank you. I know I have been working a lot recently and was sometimes a bit stressed."

"A bit?"

"Okay, fine. A lot stressed. Still, you didn't complain and even helped by forcing me to take breaks."

"You didn't seem to mind when in bed." Wolf winked earning him a friendly slap on the shoulder. "Seriously though, you don't have to thank me. I know how important this is for you."

A man with a headset walked up to them. "Excuse me Governor Foxington, we're about to start," he said. Diane nodded and he left.

"Now go get them, hon. Or else Piranha would have cooked a congratulations cake for nothing."

"Uh, can't let Piranha's cooking go to waste now, can we?"

Diane kissed Wolf on the lips and he happily returned the gesture. He then smiled as she walked toward the stage.

On it, three pulpits were set in the middle. On the left one, there was a nameplate with Diane Foxington written on it while the right one had another one where it was written Jacob Tellrin. At the back of the stage stood closed curtains. A man in his fifties with grey short hair and wearing a black suit, named Kyle Orzan, was standing behind the middle pulpit. He was talking to the large crowd of citizens composed of humans and a few anthropomorphic animals alongside the numerous reporters, cameramen and photograph. He then welcomed on stage Diane who walked in under the crowd applauses. She saluted them and thanked the moderator. He then called Diane's opponent who did the same thing as he too was applauded. The competition was obviously tight. Jacob was a young man in his mid-twenties, with black mid-long hair and a suit not unlike Kyle's. While both candidates each gave a speech with Diane (being the current governor) going first, Wolf was watching from backstage. His eyes then turned toward the reader.

"Hey you. Yes, you. Come closer. That's it and on the first try. Guess you aren't scared of me anymore, huh? To think it's already been four years since me and the gang reformed. Damn, time flies by fast. Our group is still called the Bad Guys, too much history behind that name to throw it out, but don't fool yourself. We truly turned good, though we are still ourselves if you see what I mean. A lot of people didn't believe us at first, some still don't. Who cares? I have a not too boring job, awesome friends, an amazing girlfriend and even a cat. It took time and efforts to build us a new life, but in the end it was worth it."

"Hey Wolfie."

Wolf turned around to see Shark walking toward him with Webs on his left shoulder.

"Hey guys. Glad you could make it."

With the criminal life behind them, the Bad Guys had to find honest jobs. It wasn't difficult for Piranha and Shark. The former always had an amazing voice and was great at cooking (when he didn't ruin the food by farting). The latter was good with disguises and acting. Together, they had opened a cabaret restaurant in town, and it was working well. Webs managed to be hired by a high-tech software company. She already knew how to hack most of their software, so her first task had been to reinforce the security programs. It was quite funny according to her. As for Wolf, he had ended up working as a consultant for Chief Luggins. Not funny. He suspected the chief of police just wanted to keep an eye on him and his friends. Eventually, she warmed up a bit to them and he had to admit using his skills to capture other thieves wasn't that bad. Snake was the only one without a permanent job. Every week, he went where there was work. When asked about it, he said it preferred it that way, something about not looking too much like a good guy. As long as he paid his part of the bills, no one minded. The group still lived together. Diane had helped them find an appartement big enough for the five of them (six with Kitty). It wasn't as big as their old hideout, but it was a nice place they had come to call home.

"Yeah, too bad Snake and Piranha couldn't make it," said Shark.

"It's okay. Diane is going to be happy to see you here."

"Has the debate already started," asked Webs.

"No, but it shouldn't be long. They're currently doing their speeches. Politic, ugh. It gives me the hives."

"Don't you think you exaggerate a little," Webs countered, smiling.

Wolf was about to respond when Shar interrupted them.

"Shh shh, the debate is starting right now. Glad we have front seats."

On stage, Kyle was speaking once again. "Congratulations to both our candidates for their presentation. Now comes the part everyone is waiting for. The debate. As usual, I will choose one by one people among the crowd. That person will be allowed to ask one question to one or both our candidates. In the latter case, I will choose who answer first. And it begins…now."

There as a good number of people with questions for either Diane, Jacob or both. They touched a variety of subjects from the increase in common produces prices to ecology or the integration of anthropomorphic animals in the high spheres of society. Even if they represented only a minority of the population, that last subject had became more frequent recently as more and more tried to make their place in a human centered world.

The next person to speak was a reporter Diane and the Bad Guys know all too well.

"Tiffany Fluffit from Channel 6 ActionNews. After the events surrounding the Bad Guys a few years ago, many people seem more open to idea of rehabilitating criminals into society. Is this what inspired Governor Foxington's rehabilitation program and which kind of criminals does it target? Also, what is Mr. Tellrin opinion on the subject?"

Both candidates looked at Kyle who told Diane to answer first.

"The Bad Guys saga, as yourself called it back then Ms. Fluffit, indeed played a role as they are a good example of the benefits such program can entail. I strongly believe in second chances which is why my rehabilitation program doesn't target a kind of criminal. However, I am aware not everyone wishes to become good and some crimes are harder to forgive than others. The context of said crimes mustn't be put aside too. Rest assured, it was all considered in the conception of the program as you will see when it will be officially presented."

Kyle then gaves Jacob the floor.

"On the paper, that sound all good, but I can't help but wonder about the true motives behind that program."

This answer takes everyone by surprise. Murmurs are heard in the crowd while Diane gave Jacob a puzzling look.

"My doubts come from two points. First, we're all aware of the accusations made by Professor Marmelade stating Governor Foxington was the notorious criminal called the Crimson Paw. Wouldn't be surprising for a fox. While the FBI investigation cleared both his and her name on that matter, we can't simply forget about it. After all, it isn't impossible for the federal agents to have been throw off. Do we really want to take the risk to keep a criminal at the head of the state? It may seems harsh, but I feel obligated to ask this when the safety and well-being of the entire state population is at stake."

Diane frowned, ears flattened. While it wasn't the first time someone attempted to publicly discredit her, as a politician and a fox it was sadly inevitable, she hadn't expected this attack from him. He never appeared as the type of person to use this kind of strategy. Obviously, she had misjudged this newcomer. While it was true she was the Crimson Paw, she had left this life behind her a long time ago. Minus one exception or two in the past years, but it was always to help someone. That guy didn't know half the truth about what he was talking. If he thought he was going to defeat her so easily, he was greatly mistaken. She already knew how to counter those accusations. She just had to wait for her turn to speak.

"Secondly, I'm afraid this program doesn't come from the governor herself, but rather her more than questionable acquaintances. It's not without reason we don't often see respectable and powerful people associate with quote-unquote supposedly ex-criminals. Her personal involvement couldn't be clearer through her personal relationship with Mr. Wolf. What a beautiful opportunity for the Bad Guys to help some old friends in prison. We could wonder which one between the program and the wolf came first. And in exchange of what? Uh."

The whispering among the crowd had now doubled in volume with the cameras directed at Jacob. Backstage, Wolf, Shark and Webs are left with their mouths wide open, shocked. Kyle seemed unsure as he tried to calm down the crowd, debating whether he should pass to another question or give a chance to the governor to defend herself. Speaking of Diane, for once she was at lost of words. Many harsh words were thrown at her in her life, but this…Her expression was a mix of shock and anger. She gripped the pulpit so hard her claws left marks on it. Despite everything, she managed to keep her emotions under control, knowing full well lashing out was exactly what her opponent wanted and what it would cost her. Her mind was already working fast to find a solution, thinking about what she could say. Kyle had managed to calm down the crowd a bit and all eyes were now on her. Awaiting her response. She was about to speak when…

Zt

Out of nowhere, something hit Jacob in the head, moving so fast it couldn't be seen. The impact was strong enough to send the man backwards.

Suddenly, time seemed to slow down inside the building as Jacob's body felt on the ground. Inert. Dead. It took a second for people to react. Someone screamed.

"SNIPER!".

Sadly, it was a second too much. As the building alarm ringed and the panicked crowd began to disperse, another bullet stroke.

Zt

This time, it hit Diane. She fell on the stage just like the previous victim.

From the backstage, the three Bad Guys witnessed everything. Fear and horror filled their eyes and, in Wolf's case, his heart.

"DIANE!"

Shark tried to stop him, but Wolf effortlessly dodged him and ran toward her as fast as he could without answering his friends calls. Was it a stupid idea? Most certainly, but it wasn't the first time he did something stupid to save someone important to him. He couldn't just stand back and do nothing. If there was the slightest chance she was still alive, he had to help her. With this thought in mind, he came across Kyle who was running in the opposite direction.

Zt

A third bullet hit the man straight in the head. It took all of Wolf's willpower to not stop and puke as the man fell on the ground. He knew he couldn't afford it, so he kept running. Outside of the stage, the security guards and the few police officers present were trying to keep the situation under control while leading people to safety. Wolf finally reached Diane after what felt like an eternity when it took only a few seconds. He didn't know if a fourth bullet was coming, and he didn't want to find out. He quickly passed his arms under her shoulders and dragged her behind the curtains. Once back backstage, out of view and in security, he gently put down Diane on her back. It's only then he noticed the trail of blood that had followed them. Diane's blood. It had already tainted her suit and it seemed like the bullet had struck her just under the chest. He heard her cough and looked at her face to see she was still conscious.

"Wolf," Webs called from Shark's shoulder as he came running toward the canines. "Are you cra…O…Oh no."

Wolf pulled out his blazer and pressed it against Diane's wound to try and stop the bleeding.

"She needs help, come on," he ordered.

Webs was already on the other side, using four of her eight tiny paws to help Wolf keep the pressure on the wound. Shark, however, didn't move. One look at the blood was enough to petrify him on the spot. He couldn't speak. He couldn't think. He couldn't come closer. Wolf looked at him, pleading once again for his help. Shark wanted to, truly, but he just couldn't.

"A…Sorry. I'm…gonna call an ambulance and…make sure the medics come straight here…Yeah, I can do that."

Shark turned around and ran away to do what he just said. Wolf and Webs knew full well why he had reacted like that, but they didn't have the time to do anything about it. Diane couched again and this time, a droop of blood came out of her mouth. The pain, oh the pain was unbearable. They could see it in her eyes. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't completely stop the bleeding. Wolf cursed himself for not knowing what to do as he frantically looked around for something useful. Anything. He then spotted two security guards in black tuxedos running toward them.

"Is everyone alright here," one asked before they stopped in front of the trio.

"Of course we're not alright," Wolf shots back angrily. "Can't you see she's dying."

"Oh [beep]. It's the governor," the second security guard said. "We'll be back with a first aid kit. Help is already on the way."

The two men left. Sadly, at this point, they couldn't do anything more than what Wolf and Webs were already doing. The arachnid murmured something about them sucking at their job and that it was all their fault. Diane coughed again. She never felt so scared before. It was becoming harder to breathe and the pain wasn't decreasing at all. Wolf gently caressed Diane's cheek in an attempt to make her focus on something else than her wound.

"It's going to be okay. Just…Just hold on. Help is coming."

"I don't like this. I think she already lost too much blood," Webs said as she was starting to panic.

Diane then grabbed Wolf's shoulder with her hand and tried to speak, but her words were muffled as more blood came out of her mouth.

"Shh, don't speak. Keep your strength," Wolf shushed her as he continued to caress her head. Tears were forming in his eyes. It was becoming difficult for him to articulate words. He felt as if he too had received a bullet, straight in the heart. He forced himself to stray strong because someone had to. Otherwise…He didn't even want to think about it.

Diane could feel her consciousness slowly beginning to fade away. She felt tired. And cold. So cold. She tried to fight it, but it was useless. Her vision was becoming blurry. Alongside the pain and fear of death, only one thought remained present at the back of her mind. She looked at Webs and back at Wolf, a single tear rolled down as her eyes began to close.

Wolf noticed this and the remaining control he had on his emotions shattered.

"No. No no no no no. Stay awake. Stay with us," he said, his voice breaking down as he gave her small slaps on the cheeks. Webs could only watch helplessly as Wolf cried while Diane's body became limp and her hand fell on the ground. "Please! Stay with me. DIANE."

Well, what do you guys think? Was it a bit too dark? Not enough? Why do you think this attack happened? Who did it? Don't hesitate to click the follow and favorite buttons if you like this chapter or to check out my other stories.

Don't worry, Diane isn't going to die, but this day certainly won't be without consequences. I would have put the character death tag otherwise. I don't know when the next chapter will be ready, but it will be but it will be in the following months.

Until then, take care and happy holidays.