Dealing with Bullies: Keyes Style

Mao Mao and Badgerclops were sat down on the couch, watching Surfer Trio, binging the entire first season. Normally they would've been out patrolling, or doing something else Sheriff-y, as Tanya had put it.

However, since they had a surplus of heads under the Sheriff's HQ's roof, Badgerclops brought forth the notion of working in shifts. The idea was, that at any given time, at least two people would be on the clock. It was a good plan in theory, Mao Mao, Badgerclops, and Adorabat fought monsters several times a day, and often suffered from restless days and nights of fighting innumerable amounts of monsters, without ever even seeing their beds.

Unfortunately, not everyone was willing to cooperate. Tanya said she'd go along with it, but only if she got paid in turn. Which then caused Minori to question if she was getting paid or not, since she was technically still acting Sheriff.

Mao Mao had assured his sister that she would be compensated for her time and services, quickly followed by Violet making a remark about Minori being greedy for a few coins. Fortunately, they were able to move things along before a fight could erupt between the two Mao siblings.

So as things were currently, Minori and Violet were out on patrol. And Tanya was out picking Adorabat up from school. Though, in all honesty, it was eerily quiet without everyone else in the house.

"So, uh," started Mao Mao awkwardly. "What does the king have you doing exactly?"

"Nothing much at the moment, he and Quinten have been bouncing their ideas off of me and asking for my feedback. Although the possibility of my DJ-ing the event was brought up."

"You? DJ?" Mao Mao asked skeptically.

"Yeah, you don't think I've got good taste in music?" Badgerclops asked quizzically.

"I don't even know your favorite genre of music," stated Mao Mao, leaning on the armrest.

"I listen to a bit of everything really." Badgerclops said as a matter-of-factly.

Mao Mao rolled his eyes, turning his attention back to the tv. If Badgerclops was going to DJ, then maybe the music would be in good taste at least. After a few moments, Mao Mao whipped his head back towards Badgerclops.

"Wait a minute, are you going to DJ just so you won't have to wear a suit?" Mao Mao asked, narrowing his eyes as he watched Badgerclops' face.

"Wha~t?" Badgerclops feigned a offended expression, placing his hand over his chest. "How could you say that? I'm hurt! You wound me!"

Well that's a yes, thought Mao Mao. There's only a week before the party, he should look into getting something to where. He had that white suit from the pet show with the king, as well as his formal hero clothes that he wore when he ordained Benny and Penny's wedding. Maybe he should wear something new.

Tanya waltzed through the kingdom at a steady pace. Absorbing everything the village had to offer. The small, yet adorable Sweetypies as they lived their day-to-day lives, the soft looking clouds as the hovered over head, the unique aroma of food from the diners and stalls.

It was just like any other town, they each had their own unique sights and experiences. Although, when she initially heard about the legend of Pure Heart Valley, it spoke of countless riches and untold fame for whoever could find it. But, as the years went by, people forgot about Pure Heart Valley, dwindling down to the few who knew of it today. In all honesty, Pure Heart didn't live up to its legend; although the giant oversized Ruby at the top of the spire was enticing.

"Tanya?"

The voice caught on Tanya's ears, turning to see Mao Mao's sisters walking up to her.

"Oh, hello," replied Tanya. Giving the two Mao's a look over, it appeared things were as they always were: Violet playing the aloof older sibling, and Minori wearing a look that said she wanted to punch her sister. "Has patrol been eventful?"

"That's one way to put it," replied Minori with an eye roll. "So far all we've done is deal with Chester Nuts, geez that guy's annoying."

Violet gave a slight nod in agreement. "That aside, what's brought you all this way?"

"Badgerclops asked me if I could pick up Adorabat from school today," replied Tanya as a matter of factly. "And besides, it's not like I'm doing anything else."

"Okay then. Are going to the party next week?" Minori asked. Adorabat had told the Tanya about the upcoming Sheriff Appreciation Party, but she had yet to state where she stood on the matter. Of course Minori was going to go; she planned to support her brother for his work, plus, as part-time Sheriff, she had to go as well.

"Of course," Tanya smiled as she responded. "I wouldn't miss it. I was actually going to look for a dress to wear, tomorrow. Would you like to join me?" Tanya extended the invitation in hopes to spend a bit more time with Minori. After spending a little over a week on the road with Violet, the more outgoing Minori would be a nice change of pace. "We can share more stories about Mittens." She added.

"Nah, I was just going to where this." Minori gestured to her gi.

"Your... hero outfit?" Tanya said in befuddlement. In her time with Mao Mao, Tanya had known him to wear his hero outfit on a daily basis, but as stubborn as he was, he wasn't uncouth enough to to attend formal events wearing the outfit he fought monsters and criminals with. It wouldn't surprise her if he was planning on what to wear right now.

"Yeah, something wrong with that?" Minori asked quizzically, looking down at her own attire.

"Well, it's not exactly suited for a black tie event." Violet pointed out.

"And your kimono and hakama are?" Minori returned.

"They at least pass for formal wear," Violet stated pointedly.

"Okay, you know what," Tanya cut in, rubbing her temple. "Let's get you both some actual formal wear. Besides, the same clothes you fight in everyday, isn't exactly what you call 'classy'."

"She makes a solid point," agreed Violet, rubbing her chin.

"Fine," Minori threw up her hands in defeat. "Let's get something more suitable."

A loud crash coupled with a thundering roar reverberated from the square. The trio turned to the direction of the sounds, watching as a plume of smoke rose above the rooftops.

"Hell yeah!" Minori pumped both fists, an excited grin dawning on her face. "Finally some action! Last one there is a rotten hero!" She yelled, running in the direction of the commotion.

"I'm not playing this childish game with you!" Violet shouted after her sister, watching her orange cape as it flapped behind her as she ran.

"Your loss!" Minori turned around a corner, and then she out of sight.

Violet turned back towards Tanya, and told her, "we'll convene with you later, tonight." Violet then made her way after her kid sister.

"See you then," Tanya replied, regardless that Violet was already out of ear shot. Moving her feet, Tanya began to think things over as made her way to the school.

This started with Violet asking Tanya to escort her to Pure Heart Valley, and on the way, she was able to glean some information about the nature of the job: Violet wanted to apologize to Mao Mao. But about what, and why hasn't she already? Then there was the fact that another one of Mao Mao's sisters was already here when they arrived. Was there a connection, or is Tanya just overthinking this?

Before Tanya could progress any further with her thoughts, a chorus of high pitched squeals snapped her back to attention. Tanya came into sight of a small cottage with a fenced area to the side, it was filled with stuff you would find at a park: a slide, sandbox, a tire swing.

Children frolicked back and forth in the yard. As far as Tanya saw, there wasn't any adults watching them, unless they were watching from inside. At a second glance, the children weren't running, they were chasing.

Adorabat flew just above the other five children as they reached out to grab her. The first thing that came to mind was that they were playing a game of tag, but Adorabat's face said that she wasn't liking this game.

From what Mittens and Badgerclops had told her, Adorabat ran the place like a mob boss. Perhaps the other children got wise to the fact there was strength in numbers, and decided to rise up.

Heaving a sigh, the bounty hunter pulled out a leaf and threw it to the side, where a double of Tanya poofed into existence. The double gave a quick nod and ran off. Tanya jogged over to the group of kids. Hopping the fence, Tanya snatched Adorabat out of the air in one swift movement, holding the child to her chest.

"Okay now," announced Tanya, holding up her hand to signal for children to halt their advance. "What's going on here?"

"We've had enough of Adorabat bossing us around!" Said a small pudgy frog with hearts on his cheeks.

"Yeah, she's mean!" Shouted another child, this one had pink with curly hair.

"So in turn, your solution is to be mean, and pick on her?" Tanya asked rhetorically.

The children, in silence, cast their gazes to the ground. One of the kids in the back was even kicking up some dust.

"You know," Tanya bent down to get closer to children's eye level. "My mother once told me that if children misbehaved, they would get gobbled up by monsters in the dead of night, and no one would even hear their screams as they got dragged from their homes."

"Th-that's not true," said the pink one, her voice quivering in possible fear.

"Oh it is," Tanya lurched forward, the children stepping back in response. Tanya looked up, noticing a winged creature as it soared to them. "Well, I believe that's viscous monster, it's ahead of schedule."

The beast landed just outside of the fence, covered in mottled brown fur, its eyes darting from one child to another, wondering which one would make the best appetizer. The creature let loose a thundering roar, being as close as they were, it wouldn't have been an exaggeration to say it was almost deafening.

For a brief moment there was nothing but silence. The children began to scream, running about like frightened... well, children. Eventually, they all ran towards the cottage, hoping to find shelter in the school.

Adorabat looked towards Tanya, expecting the vigilante to spring into action and fight the beast, or at least buy time until Mao Mao and the others arrive. But to her surprise, Tanya's demeanor was as it always was, relaxed.

After the creature finished its bellow, its mouth twisted in an almost unnatural way, as if it were trying to smile. The beast hopped into the air, beginning to twist around, its color changing, its form morphing. When the creature touched back down, it had the appearance of none other than Tanya Keyes.

Adorabat's mouth hung open. What just happened? Her attention was pulled by Tanya who began to let loose an amused chuckle.

"Heh heh. Gets them every time." Tanya walked over to her double. Holding out her hand, the double disappeared into a billow of smoke, a green leaf gently swaying into Tanya's open palm.

Suddenly realizing what happened, Adorabat exclaimed at the top of her lungs, "You're so cool! Thank you, Tanya!" Adorabat jumped up and wrapped her wings around Tanya's shoulders.

"Nothing to it kiddo," replied Tanya, reciprocating the child's affection. "You just let me know if they ever do this again."

"Sure," Adorabat replied happily.

Tanya and Adorabat headed off back to Sheriff HQ, where they would get ready for the events to take place later that night.