Hello, my daring readers, and welcome back! First, I just want to say that I'm really grateful for the reviews so far. It means a lot that you're all still enjoying and reading this story, so thank-you!

Are you all ready for another twist in Boy's adventure? Where will he go? What new challenges await for him? Let's see who needs his help in this next exciting chapter!

Enjoy!


Chapter 17:

The morning sun streamed through the car windows as Diane drove, her grip relaxed on the steering wheel, yet her expression firm. Boy sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, staring out at the city streets as they blurred past.

Boy put his hands up in a pleading manner. "Please don't make me go"

Diane exhaled sharply, keeping her eyes on the road. "Alec, we've already been over this"

Boy huffed, sinking deeper into his seat. "We could go over it again—maybe with a different outcome"

Diane smirked. "Nice try"

Boy ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling. "I just don't get why I have to do this!"

"Because you're lucky the Chief wasn't gonna slap cuffs on a kid," Diane replied, casually. "Consider this your alternative punishment"

Boy groaned, dragging his hands down his face. "You make it sound like community service"

"It's worse than that," Diane teased, flicking her tail. "It's self-improvement"

Boy sat up, alarmed. "That sounds horrific!"

Diane chuckled. "Well, too late now. We're almost there"

Boy squinted out the window, trying to piece together where they were going—but Diane had taken a route he didn't recognize. "At least tell me who I'm working with," he pressed.

Diane's smirk widened. "You'll find out when we get there"

Boy groaned again, slumping dramatically. "This is the worst day of my life"

Diane let out a small laugh. "Kid, you just got arrested last night. I think that takes the crown"

Boy huffed, crossing his arms as he sunk deeper into the passenger seat. "Yeah, well," he muttered, "Maybe I was trying to forget that part"

Diane smirked, keeping her eyes on the road. "Memory loss isn't gonna get you out of this, kiddo"

Boy rolled his eyes. "Can't blame me for trying"

"Oh, I absolutely can," Diane countered. "But we both know you're too smart for that"

Boy sighed through his nose, kicking at the floorboard lightly. "So, this job…is it supposed to make me a better person or something?"

Diane chuckled. "Now you're getting it"

Boy tilted his head toward her, squinting. "So you're saying I need to change?"

Diane glanced at him briefly. "I'm saying you need to grow"

Boy turned back to the window, watching the city blur past. "And if I don't want to?"

Diane smirked again. "Then you get a grilled cheese sandwich—but no answers"

Boy let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "You're impossible"

"And yet," Diane chuckled, "Here we are"

Boy sighed dramatically before muttering, "This is gonna be a long day"

Diane smiled, knowing full well he was about to step into something much bigger than he realized. And she wasn't about to let him run from it.

The fox governor turned onto a quiet street, finally slowing the car.

"Alright," Diane said, pulling over to the side of the road. "We're here"

Boy sat up, staring out the window—trying to figure out what exactly he was about to walk into.

And when he saw it—his stomach dropped.

He knew this place.

The tall iron gates, the perfectly trimmed hedges, the massive mansion looming beyond the driveway—it was Professor Marmalade's estate.

"Oh, no," Boy muttered, immediately shaking his head. "Absolutely not!"

Diane, still gripping the steering wheel, glanced at him with a smirk. "You recognize it, huh?"

Boy snapped his head toward her, eyes wide with disbelief. "You brought me here?!"

Diane shut off the engine, leaning back casually. "Looks like it"

Boy stared at her for a long second. Then—he reached for the car door handle. "Nope. I'm out!"

Diane locked the doors instantly, her tail flicking in amusement. "Not this time, kiddo"

Boy groaned, running a hand down his face. "You're telling me my fresh start involves working with Marmalade?!"

Diane finally turned to him completely, her eyes were calm but firm. "I'm afraid you don't have a choice"

Boy exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of his hoodie, staring at the towering mansion before him.

His fate was sealed.

Slowly, the kid turned his head toward the fourth-wall, his expression flat, exhausted, yet dripping with pure resignation. "Yep," he muttered. "This is happening"

He let his hands fall to his sides dramatically.

Boy then tells the audience, "In case you were wondering—no, I did not sign up for this. No, I do not think this is a good idea. And no, I am not mentally prepared for whatever twisted experiment she's about to throw me into!"

The kid huffed, rolling his eyes—and continues to talk to the audience.

"DF, in her infinite wisdom, has decided that instead of letting me go free, I now have to play along with whatever disaster awaits inside that mansion"

He gestured lazily at the estate. "Oh, and let's not forget—this is Marmalade's place. Yeah, you heard me. Professor Marmalade. If you're confused, trust me—I am too!"

Boy shoved his hands into his pockets, scowling slightly. "So. We're doing this now"

He sighed, looking at the sky briefly as if searching for some divine intervention. It did not come.

Instead—Diane opened her car door.

"Come on, kiddo" the fox called, smirking slightly. "Time to get to work"

Boy groaned before muttering to the fourth-wall one last time:

"Someone save me"

And with that—he reluctantly stepped out of the car.


Professor Marmalade's mansion was the very definition of opulence and excess.

The towering iron gates stood imposingly at the entrance, their intricate gold detailing twisting into elegant designs—a warning that only the invited elite were permitted beyond their borders. Beyond them, the perfectly manicured hedges stretched for acres, each trimmed with obsessive precision, forming labyrinthine patterns that guided visitors toward the estate.

The mansion itself? It was a spectacle.

Built from pristine white marble, its exterior gleamed under the morning sun, making it look almost untouchable. The columns along the entrance stood tall like sentinels, guarding the secrets within, while the massive golden double doors shimmered, reflecting light in blinding flashes as if flaunting its wealth with every passing second.

Wide, glistening windows, framed with silver accents, stretched across the entire façade, offering glimpses of lavish interiors. On the second floor, elegant balconies adorned with silk-draped canopies overlooked the gardens, suggesting that even leisure had to be grand and meticulously curated.

At the very top of the estate, a massive golden weathervane shaped like a dolphin spun lazily in the breeze—a symbol of Marmalade's wealth, power, and ego all packed into one unnecessary decoration.

And yet, despite its beauty, despite its obvious grandeur, the entire property had an air of coldness, a sense that everything inside was not just designed for luxury, but for control.

Because in this mansion?

Nothing was ever accidental.

Wolf's secret lair was great and all, but this compound was a whole new level of elegance—it was the complete opposite of Marmalade's mansion—his place was built for function, secrecy, and survival, rather than luxury or ego.

Tucked away in the industrial heart of the city, it hides beneath layers of graffiti-stained alleyways, abandoned warehouses, and forgotten roads. From the outside, it's unassuming, blending into its surroundings like any other neglected building, but beneath its rough exterior lies something deliberate and well-planned.

Inside, the lair is a mix of makeshift ingenuity and organized chaos. The walls are lined with exposed pipes, some rusted, some repurposed for hidden compartments. The lighting is dim, coming mostly from scattered lamps and flickering neon signs salvaged from old storefronts. The furniture is mismatched, gathered from whatever could be stolen, bought cheap, or built from scraps—but despite its haphazard appearance, there's a distinct sense of comfort.

It's gritty, cluttered, but undeniably his—a place built for schemes, strategy, and second chances. Where Marmalade's home screams "power," Wolf's lair whispers "freedom."

The compound was eerily grand, filled with an air of self-importance that clung to every surface.

Soft piano music floated through the space, elegant yet unsettling—like the kind played at high-society galas meant to distract from something far worse lurking beneath. The hum of guinea pigs resonated throughout the halls, their rhythmic sounds oddly synchronized, forming an almost ritualistic undertone against the melody.

Then—the statue came into view.

Towering over the room was Professor Marmalade himself—or rather, a marble tribute to his supposed greatness. He stood in all his glorified arrogance, sculpted completely nude, save for a three-leaf clover strategically placed over his most delicate area.

His stance was grandiose, exaggerated in its pose, one arm hoisted high, gripping the legendary Love Crater meteorite, its polished surface gleaming under the compound's artificial lighting. The meteorite's glow reflected onto the stellar marble of the statue, making Marmalade appear almost divine—if one ignored the overwhelming absurdity of it all.

The sheer self-indulgence was suffocating. Every detail—every curve of his carefully sculpted fur, every highlight against the cold stone—was designed to idolize him. To worship him.

And as the guinea pigs hummed in harmony, the piano notes swelled, carrying with them a feeling of both awe and discomfort—as if the world inside these walls operated under rules far removed from sanity.

The room was lavish, drenched in warm golden light reflecting off the expensive wallpaper. The floor, polished to perfection, glowed with an unnatural shine—so pristine, so untouched, it might as well have been made for show rather than function.

Standing near a massive, gold-trimmed mirror, Professor Marmalade basked in the attention of his silent attendant.

The man was tall, his bald head gleaming beneath the chandelier's soft light, with wisps of brown hair stubbornly sticking out at the sides. His face, unreadable behind dark sunglasses, carried an air of absolute detachment—as though he had done this routine a thousand times before.

He wore a crisp red turtleneck, snug beneath a white suit jacket, each piece tailored for precision. Atop his head sat a small, almost comical red doorman's hat, neatly positioned as if it had some ceremonial importance.

Without speaking, he worked methodically, fluffing Marmalade's fur, ensuring every strand was in its perfect, arrogant place.

He slipped a ring onto the professor's delicate paw—a shiny band, crowned with a deep green emerald that shimmered under the chandelier's glow.

Then, with swift, practiced movements, he brushed down Marmalade's sleeves, ensuring not a single speck of dust remained.

Marmalade studied himself in the mirror, adjusting his collar slightly, his expression self-satisfied, yet demanding.

"Flawless," he murmured, running a paw through his polished fur. "As expected"

Then the silent attendant's fingers worked over Marmalade's shoulders in slow, practiced motions, the guinea pig sighed in satisfaction, savoring the moment. His fur was already immaculate, his posture perfect, and now, with the delicate pressure easing the tension in his tiny frame, he was fully prepared for the grand performance ahead.

Then—the doorbell rang.

A chime that echoed through the extravagant compound, bouncing off pristine walls lined with golden trim and silk-draped windows.

Marmalade's eyes sparkled, his grin widening instantly.

"Oh, goody," he chirped, his voice laced with pure delight.

With an effortless hop, he descended from his custom-built stand, landing with calculated elegance—because, of course, he had practiced this many times before.

His attendant, ever composed, straightened his red turtleneck, adjusted his hat, and silently followed without question.

Marmalade strode forward, his steps light but deliberate, smiling in anticipation.

After all, his "students" had arrived.

And it was time to begin.


Outside, the Bad Guys ascended the grand marble steps, their footsteps echoing through the eerily pristine entryway—marveling over how fancy the place was.

"Wow," Wolf commented

"Big and Fancy," Webs added, in awe

"Rodent's got taste! Okay," Shark commented, excitedly

"Huh. Almost makes me want to be cute" Snake grumbled

As the Bad Guys stepped through the grand entrance, the weight of Marmalade's voice surrounded them, cascading through hidden speakers embedded in the walls.

"They say experience is the best teacher. And they are wrong"

The words hung in the air, echoing with dramatic emphasis, dripping with self-importance.

"I am"

The mansion's lavish interior stretched before them, ornate columns, gold-trimmed floors, and the ever-present lacework framing the space like a delicate prison.

At the center of the room, Professor Marmalade along with his devoted manservant—Cuddles—were seen standing by the statue. The towering human stood next to Marmalade with precision—his unwavering posture radiating with obedience. Marmalade stretched his paws, his fur perfectly groomed, his eyes sparkling with self-satisfaction as he beamed at his so-called guests.

"Good morning, students of goodness," he chirped, his voice syrupy sweet, nearly suffocating in forced enthusiasm.

He gestured grandly, as if presenting a utopia, as if welcoming them into a new existence—one where only he held the key.

"Welcome to the first day of the rest of your best life"

The Bad Guys stood motionless, their expressions shifting from skepticism to discomfort, each of them absorbing the sheer absurdity of what they'd walked into.

And just like that—their lesson had begun.

However, the moment Piranha's eyes landed on the towering statue, his face lit up with pure excitement, his movements erratic with discovery.

Jumping up and down, the tiny brawler pointed wildly at the massive marble sculpture, his voice bursting with enthusiasm.

"A giant butt!" Piranha exclaimed, unable to contain his glee

The rest of the Bad Guys snapped their heads upward, their expressions shifting from curiosity to sheer disbelief as they took in the bizarre monument.

There, standing tall and unnecessarily dramatic, was the statue of Professor Marmalade, one arm proudly hoisting the Love Crater meteorite—but from this angle, the shape of the celestial rock had an unfortunate resemblance.

Wolf blinked. "Huh"

Snake squinted. "Well…yeah, I kinda see it"

Shark let out a deep laugh. "That's unfortunate placement, buddy"

Webs crossed her arms, smirking. "Oof. Someone didn't check the angles before building that"

Marmalade followed their gaze—his eyes landing on his own statue with a flicker of confusion. Then—his expression tightened ever so slightly, but he quickly forced out a smooth chuckle, waving a paw dismissively.

"Uh, it's—it's not a butt," Marmalade corrected, "It's a lamp"

Marmalade, standing proudly beside his marble masterpiece, clapped twice, and instantly, the embedded lights inside the sculpted meteorite flickered on. Beams of light spilled through the decorative openings, illuminating the space in a soft, golden hue, reflecting off the polished floors and the ever-present lace-covered furnishings.

"In the shape of the Love Crater Meteorite, my greatest—" Marmalade began, voice soaked in self-satisfaction.

But before he could finish his grand statement, a voice cut through the air.

Piranha, scratching the back of his head, blinked up at the glowing statue with pure wonder, then tilted his head thoughtfully. "I wonder whose butt it is," he mused aloud.

The words hung in the air.

Shark let out a sharp gasp, his eyes widening.

Wolf, standing rigid, felt a wave of secondhand embarrassment crawl up his spine.

"Piranha," Wolf said slowly, stepping forward, trying desperately to salvage the moment before it spiraled out of control. "It's not a butt. It's a—"

But Piranha, still staring up, was fully committed to the idea now. "I mean, LOOK at it! You guys see it, right? It's huge!"

Marmalade's eye twitched slightly, but he forced out a tight smile, waving a paw dismissively. "I assure you," he said, his voice straining, "That's not what it is"

Piranha squinted harder, still unconvinced. "Mmmm…I dunno"

The room was tense, yet hilariously absurd, as Marmalade tried to maintain his poise amidst the chaos.

"Once again, it's not a butt, thank you," Marmalade said, his voice calm but slightly strained. He clapped his hands twice, and the lamp flickered off, leaving the room bathed in its usual golden glow. "It's a heart. Now, as I was saying—"

Before he could finish, Piranha's voice cut through the air.

"Then why does it have cheeks?" he exclaimed, his tone genuinely curious, his finger pointing dramatically at the statue.

Wolf, Snake, Shark, and Webs snapped into action, shushing him in a flurry of panicked whispers.

(SHUSHING)

"Shut it!" Shark whispered, leaning closer to Piranha, his eyes wide with urgency.

But Piranha, still scratching the back of his head, remained adorably clueless. "What? I've never seen a heart with cheeks!"

Marmalade's eye twitched, his smile faltering as he tried to keep his composure. "It's not a—"

"BOOTY!" Piranha interrupted again, his voice loud and cheerful, completely unaware of the tension he was causing.

That was the breaking point.

Marmalade's calm demeanor shattered as he began jumping up and down, his tiny frame bouncing with frustration. "It's not a butt! Not a butt!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the grand hall.

The Bad Guys froze, their eyes wide in surprise as they watched the usually composed Marmalade lose control.

Piranha leaned closer to the group, whispering with genuine curiosity, "Does he know what a butt is?"

Wolf facepalmed, Snake let out a low hiss, and Shark tried to stifle a laugh, while Webs shook her head, muttering under her breath. The scene was chaotic, ridiculous, and undeniably unforgettable.

Marmalade exhaled sharply, smoothing his fur with deliberate precision as he collected himself, pushing away the frustration bubbling beneath the surface. With a perfected air of composure, he straightened his posture, cleared his throat, and resumed his speech—his voice silky smooth, calculated, practiced.

"As I was saying," Marmalade began, locking eyes with each of them as if lecturing children, "On the outside, the five of you are villains, predators, remorseless sociopaths"

Shark's eyes widened slightly at the phrase, his fins twitching before he let out a bashful chuckle. "Oh, stop," he said, grinning shyly, his massive frame shifting as he playfully fiddled with his fins. "You're making me blush!"

Snake side-eyed him, muttering under his breath, "He meant that as an insult, genius"

But Shark was too delighted to care as he fanned himself, honored by the compliments. It felt so good to be bad.

Marmalade merely smiled thinly, unfazed, before continuing, his voice dripping with exaggerated warmth.

"But inside," Marmalade purred, "there is a flower… the flower of goodness. And when it blooms, when you feel that tingle of positivity radiating through your body—"

He clasped his paws together gracefully, eyes sparkling in the dim lighting.

"—you're going to want to feel it all the time"

The words hung in the air, smooth, persuasive, coated in a dangerous kind of certainty. As Marmalade spoke, Wolf's ears twitched slightly, his expression shifting—not in skepticism, but in thought. Because for a fleeting second, his mind drifted back to that moment at the museum—when he had grabbed that old lady just in time, stopping her from tumbling down the memory was clear, vivid—the way she had looked at him, not with fear, but with gratitude. And then—the tingle. That strange, unexpected warmth that had spread through his chest, his paws, his entire being. He hadn't understood it then. But now, as he listened, his tail flicked instinctively, responding to the thought before he even realized.

Wolf glanced down, watching his own tail as it gave another small wag. His eyes narrowed slightly. Was it possible? Could he feel it again? Did he even want to? The realization sat uneasily in his chest.

Marmalade, however, was still smiling, still watching them like pieces in his grand puzzle, weaving his influence deeper into their minds.

And Wolf?

For the first time in a long time—he wasn't sure what to think. This guy was too much!


The Bad Guys then stepped into a room, their expressions shifting from skepticism to outright bewilderment.

Instead of a high-tech laboratory filled with bubbling vials or futuristic machinery, they found a quaint setup—a small table, neatly placed atop an expensive woven rug, flanked by two elegant chairs that looked like they belonged in a seaside café rather than a place for scientific discovery.

The most striking feature was the pair of glimmering glass doors, pulled wide open to reveal the pristine sandy beach just outside. The waves rolled gently, their rhythmic motion accompanied by the distant cries of seabirds. The warm ocean breeze drifted into the room, carrying the crisp scent of salt and sunlight.

Wolf crossed his arms, his tail flicking uneasily as he surveyed the scene. "Alright…" he muttered, glancing at Marmalade. "What exactly is all this supposed to be?"

Marmalade, ever composed, gestured dramatically toward the setup, his bright smile unwavering. "Patience, Mr. Wolf," he cooed, folding his paws together. "I'll explain that in just a moment— after you meet another one of my attendants"

Snake hissed quietly, flicking his tongue. "Another assistant?"

Shark frowned, looking around the room. "How many people does this guy have working for him?"

Webs tilted her head, still processing the conversation. "So wait…we're going for a tingle, right?"

Marmalade gave a gleeful nod. "Not just any tingle—the tingle of goodness!"

Piranha narrowed his eyes, arms crossed. "And how exactly do we feel this tingle?"

Marmalade chuckled, stepping toward the table. "Through my state-of-the-art Sharing Laboratory!"

The gang stared at the cozy beachside room again, their confusion intensifying.

Shark leaned toward Wolf, muttering under his breath. "This looks more like a fancy therapy office, man"

Wolf sighed, rubbing his temples.

Whatever was about to happen—he had a feeling it was going to be even stranger than expected.

Marmalade swept his gaze left—then right. Then left again, his ears twitching as he searched for his assistant, growing increasingly impatient.

That's when he heard it—a smooth, effortless whistling, carrying an air of pure confidence, drifting from behind the sleek Eero Aarnio ball chair, which sat faced backward, its occupant still hidden from view.

The Bad Guys exchanged glances, feeling the unmistakable weight of something dramatic brewing.

Wolf narrowed his eyes. "This already feels staged…"

Marmalade ignored the comment, instead straightening his posture and clearing his throat. "Ah!There you are" he chirped, his tone light and rehearsed. "Would you like to meet our students before we begin?"

The whistling stopped.

A voice—cool, effortless, dripping in a Clooney-esque charisma—responded.

"You can call me…"

A pause.

The gang leaned in slightly, waiting.

"…your worst nightmare"

Snake immediately rolled his eyes. "Yeah, okay—calm down, buddy"

Shark furrowed his brows. "Wait—is that an actual name, or—"

Wolf, ever the smooth talker, stepped forward, flashing his usual persuasive grin. "Alright then, mysterious stranger—who do I have the pleasure of meeting?"

The chair spun slowly, its sleek surface reflecting the dim lighting of the room. The gang watched intently, anticipation building as the chair finally turned to reveal—

BOY

Tilting his sunglasses up with an unmistakable smirk, Boy sat casually, legs crossed, radiating a cocky charm that could rival Wolf's own.

Wolf's entire body stiffened, his pupils shrinking as his ears shot back.

"WHAT?! YOU?!" The canine shouted

The room hung in stunned silence, the weight of Boy's presence sinking in like a brick to the face. Snake, Shark, Piranha, and Webs stood frozen, their expressions stuck somewhere between pure disbelief and mild horror. Jaws were dropped—but no words came out—yet.

Boy, ever theatrical, tossed his sunglasses aside with a casual flick of his wrist, letting them clatter against the floor as he rose from the chair, stretching his arms like a man ready for the spotlight.

The kid grinned, sharp and knowing, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he locked onto Wolf.

"Well, well, well—so we meet again, Wolfie," Boy declared, his voice oozing confidence, his stance firm as if he had been waiting for this moment forever.

Then, with zero hesitation, he turned toward the others and greeted them in the worst possible way.

"Dummies"

Wolf's ears flicked back, his tail stiffened, and his brain short-circuited completely. His gaze snapped between Marmalade and Boy, his mouth opening and closing slightly, searching for any logic in this ridiculous scenario. Finally—he managed to shout out the only thing that made sense.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

Boy's smirk widened, leaning forward slightly, his posture dangerously relaxed.

Wolf's fur bristled with a mix of shock and frustration, his tail stiffening as Boy's smirk lingered in the air like an unanswered challenge.

"Helping," Boy had said, his voice unbothered, soaked in confidence.

Wolf's instincts flared immediately. The canine snapped his head down to Marmalade, expecting an answer—demanding one.

"Alright," Wolf muttered, narrowing his eyes. "What's the meaning of this?"

Marmalade remained perfectly composed, hands delicately folded as if he had been expecting this reaction. His calm smile never wavered, not even slightly.

"Why is the kid here?" Wolf pressed, ears flicking back in clear agitation.

Marmalade tilted his chin up, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, Mr. Wolf," he purred, "Is it really that surprising? The child has proven to be quite the valuable assistant"

Wolf froze, his brain short-circuiting for the second time in mere minutes. "Assistant?! Him?!" he burst out, baffled beyond belief.

Shark, standing rigid behind him, let out a soft, stunned gasp. "WHAT?!"

Snake hissed sharply, his tail flicking. "Okay—absolutely not!"

Webs glanced between Boy and Marmalade. "This is—okay, I need answers. Now!"

Wolf, still reeling, rubbed his temples, trying to process. "This is a joke, right? Tell me this is a joke!"

But Marmalade's serene expression—the complete lack of hesitation in his response—said otherwise.

Boy leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, his grin widening just enough to make Wolf's stomach twist uncomfortably.

"Oh, it's very real, Wolfie," Boy teased.

Wolf's ears flattened, his breath hitching for half a second. Seeing Boy here, in Marmalade's world, so effortlessly comfortable in it—it made something deep in his gut churn. This wasn't like last time. This was worse!

"Now, Wolf, the child is simply looking for the same thing you're looking for," Marmalade cooed, his voice syrupy smooth. "The tingle of goodness—the exact sensation that will set you free from your misguided ways. That's why he's here"

Wolf's eyes narrowed, his tail stiffening as he absorbed Marmalade's words. He didn't buy it. Not for a second.

"Yeah?" The canine muttered, crossing his arms, his voice edged with suspicion. "Well, excuse me if I don't exactly trust the word of a guinea pig in a sweater vest!"

Marmalade simply smiled, utterly unfazed, as Boy stretched his arms with a dramatic sigh.

"Come on, Wolfie," Boy chimed in, his tone casually amused. "What's with the hostility? I'm just doing what you're doing—figuring out what all this goodness nonsense is about. I'm basically learning like every other kid in this world"

Snake flicked his tongue, eyes burning with skepticism. "Oh yeah? You're suddenly on a self-improvement quest? Give me a break!"

Shark rubbed the back of his neck, glancing between Boy and Marmalade. "This feels wrong, man. Really wrong. I can feel the bumps on my head coming back!"

"Mine are still swelling, chico!" Piranha stated, feeling his head too

Webs narrowed her eyes, tapping one of her legs lightly. "Let's be real. If he's here, that means he's either playing along—or he's stuck just like us!"

Boy smirked, letting out a short chuckle. "Does it even matter? We're here, aren't we? Might as well figure out what happens next"

Wolf gritted his teeth, frustration bubbling in his chest. This was all wrong. Boy wasn't supposed to be here. Marmalade wasn't supposed to have his claws in this mess.

And whatever was coming next—Wolf was sure it wasn't going to be good.

"Oh—and I'm not just the only one here, wise guys" Boy stated

The tension in the room had barely settled when a high-pitched squeak echoed through the space.

Snake's head twitched, his pupils shrinking immediately as he snapped his gaze to the source of the sound—right next to him. And there, nestled right in the middle of the group, staring up with tiny, unblinking eyes, was Boy's guinea pig companion—Barks.

The limbless reptile's entire body locked up as a cold chill of pure terror ran down his spine.

Then, without hesitation—

"AAAAAAAAH!"

Snake shrieked at full volume, launching himself into Shark's grasp, his tail coiling around the big guy's arm like his life depended on it. "WHY IS THAT HERE?!" he bellowed, his voice cracking slightly, his breathing erratic as his eyes remained glued to Barks in sheer horror.

Piranha, already on edge, took one glance at Barks before his own instincts betrayed him. "ACK! NOPE, NOPE!" he yelped, scrambling into Shark's hold right alongside Snake, his tiny hands clutching Shark's shoulder with absurd strength.

Shark barely had time to process before he realized he was now holding both of them, their bodies trembling wildly like startled kittens.

Webs took a slow step back, squinting at the barking guinea pig, tilting her head. "Huh. Was not expecting that"

Boy, ever the picture of nonchalance, simply shrugged.

"Barks gets lonely," he said with casual ease, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

Snake hissed aggressively, still gripping onto Shark. "Lonely?! LONELY?! That thing is a MENACE!"

Piranha nodded wildly. "It barks like a dog, man! What kind of guinea pig does that?!"

Shark sighed, now cradling both of them like children. "Guys, just calm down—"

Barks let out a few tiny barks.

(BARKS BARKING)

Snake let out another scream, his grip tightening. "MAKE IT STOP!"

Piranha kicked wildly, eyes darting around for an escape. "WHERE IS THE EXIT?!"

Wolf pinched the bridge of his nose. "You guys realize it's like two inches tall, right?"

Snake snapped his head toward Wolf, eyes filled with betrayal. "Oh, I'm sorry, do you wanna hold it? Be my guest!"

Wolf sighed deeply.

Whatever nonsense was happening before? This was officially worse.

The mood in the room shifted, the tension deepening as Boy leaned forward, his smirk fading into something frustrated, begrudgingly honest.

"Look," Boy muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "You think I had a choice? You think I'm enjoying this?"

The gang stayed silent, watching him closely.

Boy sighed, shaking his head. "Trust me, I don't like this any more than you do"

Wolf's tail flicked slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing. "So what's the deal, then?"

Boy exhaled through his nose, rolling his shoulders. "DF wasn't giving me options—either I took this stupid 'rehabilitation' deal, or I spent my time rotting in a cell"

Snake hissed, arms crossed. "Right, and you thought hanging out with Marmalade was the better option?"

Boy scoffed, shaking his head. "Not exactly my first pick, genius"

Piranha still looked skeptical. "Then why didn't you just run?"

Boy let out a humorless chuckle. "Oh yeah, lemme just escape from the most high-security division in the city—great plan, dummy"

Shark frowned, watching him closely. "Little dude, you really don't seem like the type to just go along with this"

Boy smirked slightly but there was tension behind it. "Yeah, well, I don't have the luxury of making things worse for myself, do I?"

Wolf's jaw tightened, his expression unreadable. He understood that feeling—too well.

Marmalade, still smiling, clasped his paws together. "Ah, see? Alec, much like yourselves, is just like you—the feeling the need to change. That is why he'll be here—helping me teach all of you the ways of goodness before the night of the Gala"

Boy rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, real touching speech, Professor"

Wolf's instincts were screaming. None of this felt right. And something about Boy's situation—felt dangerous.

The moment Boy's presence fully sank in, chaos erupted.

Snake, Shark, Piranha, and Webs—all equally horrified, shocked, and unwilling to process reality—let out a collective scream and bolted for the exit.

(SCREAMING IN FEAR)

"NOPE, NOPE, NOPE!" Piranha yelled, his tiny legs working overtime as he sprinted alongside the others.

"OUT! NOW!" Snake hissed, his tail trailing behind him in pure panic

Shark, despite his size, somehow managed to move the fastest, barreling toward the door with full force with Webs clinging onto one of the large sea predator's shoulders—holding on. Wolf, still rooted to the floor, merely sighed and rubbed his temples.

Marmalade, in contrast to the absolute madness unfolding, remained eerily composed, watching the scene with mild amusement. Then—without saying a word—he simply turned his gaze to Cuddles, giving him a small nod. Cuddles, ever the obedient attendant, silently acknowledged, reached into his jacket, and clicked a button on a sleek remote.

Just as the frantic foursome were about to reach the doors—

SLAM

A massive metal gate crashed down, blocking their escape with an ominous finality.

With zero time to stop, the group collided straight into the barrier, arms, tails, and legs flailing wildly before tumbling onto the floor in a heap.

"ACK!"

"OW—"

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"

Quickly scrambling upright, Snake, Shark, Piranha, and Webs threw themselves against the barrier, banging on it with full force, their voices overlapping in frantic pleas.

"OPEN IT! LET ME OUTTA HERE!" Snake barked, his tail lashing aggressively against the gate.

"PLEEEEASE!" Shark wailed dramatically.

"IT'S NOT WORTH IT! IT'S TOTALLY NOT WORTH IT!" Piranha yelped, clutching the bars like he was trapped in a horror movie.

"DOORS—OPEN—NOW!" Webs hissed, arms fully stretched out, attempting some sort of override that wasn't working.

Meanwhile, Boy stood back, arms crossed, watching the entire ordeal with a smirk that practically radiated amusement.

"Wow," Boy said, smirking. "I didn't think I had that effect on people. That's a first"

Wolf sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose.

This was officially spiraling. Something in Wolf's mind told him—this was going to be a long day!


Stay tuned! The storm is just beginning...And don't forget to leave a review!