After breakfast was over, Flug and 505 escorted Melanie and Sadie to the basement.
Once Sadie was put back in her cell, Melanie was taken to class until lunchtime.
When lunchtime came around, Flug brought Melanie back to the room where Sadie's cell was.
"Alright, here we are," Flug said, opening the door to the cell. "Okay, guys, now it's time for…what is happening?"
Flug and Melanie looked around the room to see that the furniture and boxes of supplies had been moved against the walls.
"I'm not at all sure what you mean," Sadie said, sitting on her bed not at all convincingly.
"There's no use lying," Flug said with crossed arms. "Tell me what you two have been up to or Melanie doesn't get to have lunch with you."
"Hey!" Melanie protested incredulously.
"It wasn't just me," Sadie admitted. "505 moved this stuff around too."
"Yeah, dad," 505 typed. "We were having dancing lessons."
"Dancing lessons?" Flug asked in exasperation. "505, she's a prisoner."
505 typed, "I like to call her a guest."
"We have already learned a dance," Sadie said. "Do you want to see it?"
"No," Flug said with an eyeroll. "Why would I want to see that?"
"Because it's fuuuuuuuuun!" Melanie protested.
"Yeah, you want her to enjoy becoming a villain, right?" Sadie added.
"And you also want to show your appreciation because Sadie and 505 worked super hard on it and want you to see it," Melanie added before Flug could utter a word.
Flug looked over to see Sadie and especially 505 flashing sad puppy dog eyes.
Flug sighed deeply. He couldn't stand seeing his bear sad.
"Those girls will be the death of me," Flug thought to himself.
"Alright, alright," Flug relented. "I suppose watching one dance wouldn't hurt me."
505 smiled and pressed the button on the side panel that let Sadie out of her cell.
"Yes, okay, 505, just like we practiced," said Sadie, practically dancing out of her cell. "Get to your seats, my lovely audience!"
Melanie excitedly skipped to the couch with her bags still in her arms. Flug followed behind her and sat down next to her.
Sadie turned on the TV, picked the YouTube app, chose the song, paused it, turned around and said, "Lady and mad scientist…"
Flug huffed, rolled his eyes, and said, "Whatever."
"…prepare your eyes and ears for the performance of a lifetime from 505 and yours truly!" cried Sadie. "505 and I will be performing a modified version of the Russian Dervish from the 1995 Riverdance Show."
"Ooooh, it's been a while since you've tried to dance to that one," Melanie said excitedly. "You think you've finally got it down?"
"You'll just have to see," teased Sadie, picking up the remote. "505, me boyo, get in place!"
505 quickly got into place and struck a pose.
Sadie smiled and pressed play on the video.
The music of a balalaika instantly rang through the room while Sadie got into place, posing on the opposite side of the large screen from 505. They stayed in their spaces while the music changed into a mix of a Russian and an Irish jaunty.
With his paws on his hips, 505 skipped into the center before leaping into the air and doing a perfect midair split which made Melanie and Flug's mouths drop immediately.
"What?" Flug whispered to himself.
Sadie did a backward flip and then a back kick in mid-air landing right next to 505.
"Yay! Woohoo!" Melanie cheered, jumping to her feet.
505 then put his paws on his hips, did a tapdancing jig on his feet, and stopped at intervals to twirl in a circle until he reached the other side of the room.
Sadie repeated 505's dance move dancing to the opposite side of the room from 505.
Melanie sat back down, excitedly watching.
Flug tried not to be impressed, but he saw that 505 was having fun. He smiled, hoping that no one could see that he was through the paper bag on his head.
505 twirled back across the room doing pirouettes as he did so while Sadie did front flips without her arms having to touch the ground.
Sadie posed and enjoyed the applause that Melanie gave her, but then to everyone's surprise, 505 started crossing the room making backflips of his own.
505's form was perfect. He moved like a skilled acrobat as he flew backward into the air. Not flinching one way or the other until he landed in perfect form right beside Sadie.
Melanie started wildly cheering, but Flug's jaw was practically in his lap. 505 was clumsy on a good day. There was no way he could be dancing like this. It wasn't possible!
Sadie and 505 then took each other's hands and began some more intricate Irish step-dancing. They moved from side to side back and forth on the stage while their feet tapped in rhythm.
"I've never seen 505 move like that," Flug said in absolute wonder.
"Sadie says people are different once they're performing," Melanie explained.
Sadie and 505 let go of one of their hands and used their other hands to hold each other together while they danced in a circle.
After that, the duo put their arms together and began dancing side to side in the room as a couple. Once they reached one side of the room or the other, they would both kick in opposite directions.
The duo danced forwards and backwards, twirled around while holding one hand, and even added in swing moves with 505 swinging Sadie between his legs, around in his arms, and above his head.
The only time either one of them took a break was when one of them stopped to clap while the other performed a step-dancing solo.
Melanie was now jumping up and down on the couch in excitement.
Flug was too stunned for words. He had never seen his bear this agile…or this happy.
Sadie and 505 moved on to step-dancing in each other's arms again. Their feet moved in a flash that was almost too quick for Melanie or Flug to follow.
Flug tried to follow as Melanie snickered at how disoriented his eyes looked in those thick goggles.
Sadie and 505 finally stopped their intricate step-dancing routine to tap dance in place while twirling around the room.
When the pair were done with their twirling, 505 jumped in the air, doing a flying kick as he did so, while Sadie did one-handed backflips.
Then finally with their final splits in the air, the pair landed and kneeled to accept the applause.
Maggie jumped up and down applauding and screaming at the top of her lungs.
"Bravo! Bravo! Fantastique!" cried Melanie. "You two were incredible!"
Sadie smiled and bowed graciously, proud of her great teaching.
505 smiled even more widely and bowed energetically, taking up every bit of applause he could get.
Flug was clapping too. Happy tears fell at the corners of his eyes. He was as proud as any father could be who had seen their child perform at their possible best level. He loved his bear so much and couldn't be happier for him.
"Oh, bravo, mi esponjoso niño! My fluffy boy! I'm so proud of you! You did such a great job!" Flug squealed and ran to his bear, holding him in a big hug. "How did you do it?! How did you learn so fast?!"
505 picked up his phone from the chair on the other side of the room and typed, "Sadie's dance classes were so much fun! She never yelled at me for messing up. I learned so fast! Sadie's the best teacher ever, Daddy!"
Flug would've commented on how that was possible, but with Sadie locked up here, she had nothing but time to teach him.
505's eyes sparkled with a sense of pride he never felt before. He made his father proud.
"You're really proud of me?" the bear asked.
"Mi niño, I've always been proud of you!" Flug answered, opening his arms in a hug.
505 smiled widely and picked up his dad in a tight hug.
Melanie ran to Sadie and gave her a big hug, too.
"That was awesome!" cried Melanie. "How did you teach 505 that dance so fast?"
Sadie flew out of her hold and said, "We have a lot of time together when Flug is teaching you."
"Yeah, but 505 was so perfect," Melanie said. "I've never performed this well when you taught me."
"Awww, you were alright," Sadie said. "You're being far too hard on yourself. You work hard at it and you look good. And as I've told you, dancing can add grace and skill to your fighting prowess."
"You're sure?" Melanie asked. "I always worry about how I look when I dance."
"No need for that, people love it as much as they love your Nunja moves," Sadie said, pulling Melanie into the air with her and prompting her to summon her scythe to sit on. "Besides, if you love doing it, that's all that matters."
"Yeah," Melanie mused. "I did always like our talent show performances. I should get you to help me rehearse a dance for my quinceanera. Wait! I just had the best idea ever! Do you remember the dance from the last talent show we did? The one that involved our whole troupe?"
"Of course, that was only the last show we did before all this started," Sadie reminded her.
"Would you like to reenact it with 505?" asked Melanie.
"That would be amazing!" Sadie squealed before whispering. "It could be a good opportunity, too."
"Opportunity?" Melanie whispered back.
"I'll explain in a minute," Sadie whispered before turning back to 505.
Sadie flew between 505 and Flug and said, "Hey, doctor! What do you think of my dancing?"
Flug crossed his arms and said reluctantly, "I must admit that that was impressive. How did you learn to dance and move like that?"
"Years of dance lessons, recitals, and Nunja ninjutsu, of course," Sadie said. "I could teach you some moves if you want."
"Wh-what?" Flug stammered. "Uh, I'm not uh…"
"He doesn't think he's up to it physically," 505 typed.
"Hey!" protested Flug
"Well, would you guys like to help us with our next dance number?" asked Sadie.
"Yeah, we're going to reenact the performance we put on for our last talent show," Melanie explained. "It's a song from this band no one has heard of. It's called Manic Depresso by the band Sykotik Symphony. It's so weird. It's from this really niche movie. We all dance, I play the keyboard, and Sadie gets to play her electric guitar while dressed as a nun."
Flug paused in bewilderment before he answered, "That certainly sounds interesting."
505 smiled excitedly and typed, "What can I do?"
"I'll figure that out in a bit, bud, but first…" Sadie flew over to Flug and looked at him upside down. "Do you want to be in it?"
"As fun as that sounds," Flug began in a sarcastic tone. "I have work to do. However, if you three want to put on another musical number, I won't stop you. Just don't leave this room or you'll face the usual consequences."
"Did you have to end that with a threat?" asked Melanie.
"You know it's my job," Flug reminded her. "I'm in charge until Black Hat and Lord Reaper get back tonight, remember?"
Melanie sighed sadly, "Do they have to come back?"
Flug looked back at Melanie thoughtfully. He hardly had to glance at her to know she was not looking forward to their return. Her face was downcast, and she was rubbing her arms nervously.
Sadie flew over from behind and wrapped her arms around Melanie as she lowered herself to the ground.
505 came over to hold Melanie's hand.
With a sigh, Flug compassionately put a hand on Melanie's shoulder and said, "How about this? I'll let you two have free reign of the TV down here. And if you two can behave, I'll consider letting you stay up a little bit later tonight. Does that sound good?"
Melanie nodded vigorously.
Flug smiled, feeling glad that no one could see under his bag.
Just then, a butler bot came in pushing a cart containing lunches for everyone. The lunch was hot dogs with all the condiments and a choice of drinks along with a bagged lunch for Flug.
"Looks like it's time for me to go," Flug said, grabbing his bagged lunch. "You three have fun together. Please don't make me regret this decision."
"We'll try our best," Melanie said with a chuckle.
With a wave, Flug left the room, leaving the girls and 505 behind.
"I thought he'd never leave," Sadie said. "Alright, we're down to business. Time for another musical number!"
Melanie and 505 cheered loudly.
"And for this one, I want to upload it to 505's YouTube channel," Sadie said.
Melanie and 505 ceased cheering.
"What? Come on! It'll be fun!" Sadie pleaded. "The viewers will love it."
"Why does it need to be online?" asked Melanie.
"Why not?" retorted Sadie. "We can upload it to YouTube to show off to everyone. It'll be a big hit on 505's channel."
"Sadie, it's not your YouTube channel," reminded Melanie. "We have to ask 505 first."
"Okay, 505, could we upload this to YouTube?" asked Sadie.
505 stood there fidgeting nervously, obviously unsure of whether this was a good idea.
"Pretty please, boyo," pleaded Sadie. "It'll be cool. I'll love you forever."
Melanie looked at her friend, feeling confused about what she was saying and why.
"Sadie, what are you doing?" she asked.
Sadie took Melanie's hand, turned to 505, and said, "Would you excuse us for a minute, me boyo?"
Without waiting for a response, Sadie pulled Melanie to the other side of the couch and crouched close to her.
"Sadie, what are you doing?" asked Melanie. "Why are you being so pushy about this?"
"It's all part of my plan," whispered Sadie. "He trusts me. We can use that to get him to do stuff for us. If this video gets on YouTube, our sisters and my parents will see it and know we're okay."
"Sadie, please tell me you weren't just doing all those nice things for him so you could use him?" Melanie said. "We can't trick 505 into doing things for us. He's our friend. That isn't right thing to do, Sadie. You should know that."
"I know, but we're in a desperate situation. Aren't we?" Sadie asked.
"Yes, but we're not villains," Melanie argued. "We're Nunjas, warriors for the Lord. That means we have to be above doing things like manipulating people who trust us."
"Isn't that what you did the first night you were here?" asked Sadie with a raised eyebrow. "You got 505 to let you on his livestream and got a message to us that way."
Melanie paused and gripped her arm uncomfortably.
"It was God's idea…" Melanie tried to defend herself.
"He told you to get on the livestream to give us a message, not to manipulate the bear," Sadie reminded her.
Melanie paused and then said, "Okay, you're right. I guess I was wrong before. I didn't know if I could completely trust 505 then, but I should have. He was my friend then. He still is. We don't have to manipulate 505."
"But what about Flug?" pressed Sadie.
"What about him?" Melanie replied. "505 has already gone against him to make us happy. If we just ask, I'm sure he'll be fine with it."
Sadie nodded and remembered, "He didn't tell Flug about my phone. The bear could have, but he didn't. That surprised me."
"See what I mean?" said Melanie. "505 has gone above and beyond to be there for us so many times already. We can trust him. We don't have to lie to him anymore."
"Bauw?"
Both girls looked up to see 505 leaning over the couch to look at them.
"What are you talking about?" typed 505. "I heard you two talking about me. What were you saying?"
Melanie looked at Sadie and back at 505, "505, there's something we need to tell you…"
The girls both took turns explaining to 505 how they had manipulated him. It wasn't an easy conversation, but it was a necessary one.
When it was over, Melanie asked, "I'm sorry, 505. I should never have manipulated you even if I was scared."
"Neither should I have, boyo," Sadie said. "I guess we both let our fear cloud our judgment."
"Can you forgive us?" Melanie asked.
505 paused in thought. He knew what it was like to be scared. Black Hat constantly terrorized him. He was cruel to Flug too. He couldn't count how many times Flug had lied to cover his mistake or one of 505's to protect him. Even if lying to your friends wasn't right, 505 could understand why Melanie and Sadie would be too afraid to tell the truth, especially since they thought they would be hurt if they didn't.
505 nodded his head and typed, "I forgive you. But no more lying please. Friends don't lie to each other."
Both girls nodded.
"Agreed," Melanie said. "Would you still like to perform the dance with us? It was the last performance we did for our Nunja camp talent show before we were brought here. Doing it would let our other sisters know we're doing alright and that you're on our side."
"It would also let my parents know that I'm okay," Sadie added thoughtfully before pausing.
For the first time in their friendship, 505 saw Sadie fidget her hands nervously and shed a few tears.
"Sadie?" Melanie asked in concern, putting her hand on her friend's shoulder.
"I'm okay," Sadie said, wiping her tears away. "I just really want to keep letting my family and our sisters know I'm okay. I know they're worried sick all because of my stupidity. So, would you help us please, 505?"
505 nodded and typed, "I will!"
Both girls smiled widely. 505 smiled back and gave them both a comforting hug. They stayed there in a hug until they were ready to learn their new dance.