The Future of Fabulous Killjoys - Danger Days Present Day AU

by kodieparx

Summary:

The story starts in 2023—about four years since the ultimate wipeout of BLI vs The Fabulous Four. Or what would have been? The Fabulous Four were moments away from being exterminated by BLI. The last moment before, was as if the sky opened up, and all hope was restored for our tough fabulous killjoys. And they won. You would think this brought them a true future of fabulous lives. No Draculoids to be revised in the city, No C/R/O/W units to circle the zones in security. But how are the Fabulous Killjoys gonna save Battery City if there are no enemies to save the utopia from? How could the Fabulous Killjoys, continue to be Killjoys?

- angst and comfort
- Party Poison x Fun Ghoul
- Kobra Kid x Jet-Star
- Canon Non Binary Party Poison
- Autistic, Transgender FTM Kobra Kid (I feel a lot of comfort in him and I tend to self-project myself onto headcanons for him. But also the autism headcanon is popular because of the canon notice of him being semi-vocal and misunderstood)
- Party Poison goes by Party by friends and Poison by enemies.
- The Girl is called Girlie
- Show Pony's kinda a jerk
- Mental Stability? Where??
- They're all neurodivergent

Chapter 1: Introduction

Third-Person Perspective

Battery City and its zones were everything but your standard capital. The shiny utopia was established with the guarantee of being decision-free and emotion-free. The utopia was run by a cooperate known as BetterLiving Industries. Korse, the industry's top killjoy-exterminator vowed with great charges to swarm Killjoys out of BLI's utopia, zones, and all, with the help of his security called Draculoids. Draculoids were civilians who were put into a hypnosis of sorts known as Drculoidzation, created by the industry, to possess the wearer of the Draculoid mask, to help exterminate. Alongside was also the S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W, Battery City SWAT. Every killjoy in the zones knew how good C/R/O/W was at their job as well.

Killjoys, as old as the definition went, were children born of chaos, violence, and rock n roll. Most killjoys started as motorbabies. Motorbabies were orphaned kids born in or near the Battery City zones, heavily influenced by killjoys. The famous modern-day Killjoys of the Batter City zones were known as The Fabulous Killjoys. Killjoys sworn to protect, and weren't hesitant to kill as they felt they were born to. You might wonder, what do they protect other than the city and its zones? A little motorbaby who hid in the city with what Korse and the Draculoids believed to have been a terrible secret. She seemed to be the pinpoint of Korse's killjoy extermination. The Fabulous Killjoys had no idea why, But they felt inclined to protect her.

If Korse had exterminated the Fabulous Killjoys, he would have captured The Girl, resulting in Battery City being under no "alarm". Unfortunately for him, the Killjoys fought with bulletproof hearts. With an absolute blowout of chaotic fights, multiple weapons, explosions uncountable, and the classic killjoy fashion of battle, the Fabulous Killjoys just barely got away with destroying Korse and Draculoids. With Korse and Draculoids gone, the cooperation fell deep. And the killjoys didn't stop there. They made sure every draculoid and exterminator who ever tried to reach them, got ghosted the same way they wanted them exterminated. Just like that, BLI was free of exterminators. Ever since then, the new Battery City was run just as any other utopia. Finally letting the Killjoys settle in peace, quiet, and humbleness. Of course letting them still be their adrenaline junkie, chaotic selves. They finally get to live a paradise. Battery City's future was finally looking safe.

Four years later

It was 2023. The Fabulous Killjoys and The Girl were very alive and well. Active as killjoys, sadly not. It seemed all action and world-saving was... extinct. After months of renovation on the old zone diner, they finally made it home. As mellowed down and less of killjoys as they had seemed, the Fabulous Four and The Girl still need their introduction.

Party Poison is the leader of the Fabulous Killjoys. They had fiery hot red hair, a blue jacket - sponsored merchandise of the Dead Pegasus petroleum brand, and their signature yellow ray gun. They would sometimes disguise themselves under the mask of Mousecat, a cartoon mascot of Battery City. Like the Mickey Mouse of the Zones. When not wearing that, they were wearing their shades for car rides, or their yellow bedazzled dominoed masks when battling. Party always had a plan, and they were such a perfect coordinator.

Their little brother, Kobra Kid, was unlike Party Poison. He wasn't as introverted as people thought, just misunderstood. Around people he doesn't know, he's usually characterized as hot-headed. Or a jerk said to have judgemental looks, scoffs and was always seen as unresponsive or not talkative. However, that interpretation of Kobra was nothing but a first glance.
In reality, he is a sweet, kind, and appreciative killjoy. To really get him to talk, it only takes mentioning something that intrigues him. When he's eager he tends to smile sharply. His fang-like teeth showed in their "shimmery" smile. Jet-Star rendered to them once as "As shimmery as serpent fangs" Which stuck with Kobra and made him find that he wanted to be called the Kobra Kid. It made him feel tough. His hair was bleached blonde and slicked back from the front, but in the back, it would fluff out a bit in every direction. He wore a racer red jacket and red gun in opposition to his sibling's. He never took off his shades or bandana in public, and when going to fight, wore the helmet to his motorbike with an embroidered "GOOD LUCK" on the front. His knowledge of martial arts made up for his lack of aim when shooting a gun, but he's improved.

Fun Ghoul was next. He was a prankster and such a pleasure to be around, but he wasn't always acting immaturely. He's quick to understand a plan and always does just as informed. His harlequin and comedic behavior are used as iconic distractions and peak entertainment. He is best friends with Party Poison and seems to grow jealous of anyone who tells him to have a bigger bond with them. He's always been willing to do the unthinkable during battle if it saves others, always wanting to put himself first. He sported jet-black hair, a T&T vest, a striped shirt, a green gun, and a Frankenstein mask on occasion.

Last of the Fabulous Killjoys, was Jet-Star. He got a really bad eye injury in one of his first fights as a killjoy ever, which has given him worse aim, but he does seem to have improved from then.
He seems to be the closest with The Girl, as he's the one who comes up with all her nicknames, made a handshake with her, and nicknamed them the Fro Power duo. Jet sports a dark unsaturated denim greyish jacket, eye patch, and lightning bolt helmet, with his long curly hair.

And last of them all but not least, The Girl.
The orphan who started this whole story. Who the Killjoys have given the name of Girlie, with many nicknames. She finds herself in a much better state with them, basically seeing them as her forever found-family

That's the present life of the killjoys.
The future is bulletproof. The aftermath is secondary.

Chapter 2: 1

Summary:

All this chapter depicts is the characteristics and personalities of the killjoys and their everyday life in what is Modern Day Battery City. Still stuck in the past in some ways, however.

Party Poison's POV

"Got any sevens?" I asked Ghoul. "Go take a zone-hike, Par." he chuckled his response as a way to say, 'Go fish.' "Ugh," I asked. The living room was awfully quiet. Fun Ghoul and I had been playing card games at the dining room table, Jet-Star and Girlie had been playing some sort of dress-up or something, and Kobra was just staring at the floor on the couch...

Ghoul noticed me getting distracted and turned over to see what I was looking concerned for. He looked at Kobra who I was looking at and got confused. "What's up with him?" he asked. "Ugh! I hear you!" Kobra grumbled from across the room. "Angry, much...?" Ghoul nagged. "Damn Phoenixfucker, I told you to" Kobra raised as I shut him down. "Kobra! Language! Ghoul, don't nag!" I demand.

"Hey, Ko? Please try not to curse in front of Girlie..." Jet asked kindly. "And Fun Ghoul, leave Kobra alone..." Jet added. "Sorry, Girlie.." Kobra uttered. "It's okay, Koki. I think... I've heard worse," the motorbaby admits, causing a laugh out of Jet and a smile from Kobra. We both knew what was wrong with them. Jet more so than me in a way, but I figured I'd refresh Ghoul's memory. "Fun Ghoul, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked. "Of fucking course, Party! Why, what's up?" he questioned as the two of us walked to my room. "Ghoulie, it's been 4 years as of today since Jet and Kobra almost got...ghosted out by Korse's Draculoids. The Route Guano incident? It was a very traumatic time for both of them. You know Kobra gets uneasy every yearly 'anniversary' of it. Poor baby blames himself for it." I fret. "Ohh, Sorry Par. I didn't realize that was today..." Ghoul said with a change of tune. "No, it's okay," I reassure him.

"It's just, that Kobra gets very sensitive about it. That day was hard for us all, especially him and Jet-Star though. Except, Jet's easier to get his mind off of it. Baby bro, not as much." "Mhm. I've realized that. It's been four years already too. It doesn't even feel like it!" "Yeah, tell me about it. So much happened four years ago. But on the subject, Kobra never wanted me to tell anyone but, he's had night terrors of it. How he almost got dusted out. He could've harmed the lives of both him and Jet, but I plead with him every year to stop getting on himself. He said in his dreams, he had seen it from my perspective too. If I lost my little brother. He was only 15 when this happened." I explain. "I know," Ghoul said, rubbing my shoulder. "The good thing is that it was all four years in the past and the fabulous killjoys Jet-Star and Kobra Kid are healed, better than ever, and happy, I nodded and we walked out of the room.

I walk to the couch and sit next to Kobra who is just on his tokyo-flashphone. "Kobra?" I look over at him. "Are you okay, baby bro?" I ask him. "Hm? Oh, yeah.. I think I'll be alright." Kobra smiled, weakly. He looked back down at his flash-phone before I hugged him with reassurance. He sighed and just rested his head on me in the hug. "Anything you wanna do today? Take your mind off of that?" I ask.

"I don't wanna ask for much, Party." He mumbled. I knew Kobra and I was willing to do anything for my brother. "Well, who wants to go shopping?" I asked loud for the whole living room. "Oh, I do!" Girlie beamed. "I know you do, kiddo!" I smiled. "Anyone else down for a group shopping trip to the zone outlets?" I asked. They all approved and not much longer we got in the Trans-Am to go to the Zone 04 outlets.

Once we got to the outlets, Girlie immediately saw a store she liked. "Party! Can we please go to this store?" she begged, pointing to the store.
"Okay. We can do groups of two." I tell. "I guess I'm going to the bookstore with the kiddo." I laugh as the girl pulls my arm. "I'll go with Kobra," Jet said. I nodded. "Ghoul, is it okay if you go with Jet and Kobra?" I ask him so that he can keep a watch on both of them who might get a bit sad if they reminisce enough on today. "Yeah, sure!" "Okay. Call on the Tokyo-Flashphones if anything, we can meet back in 40'." I tell. Girlie started to pull my hand. "Slow down, Motorbaby." I chuckled.

I let her run loose and look around the store, being a kid like she deserves to roam freely, while I just stayed around. That was before I caught up with her looking at a book that a little boy around her age was also looking at. "Girls can't read that!" he laughed. "Excuse me?" I asked. "Party...why can't girls read this?" she asked me. "They can buddy, he doesn't know what he's talking about," I say. "Uh, I'm sorry, why would you tell me my son doesn't know what he's talking about?" says the Karen mom of the boy. "Your son told my little sister that girls can't read a superhero novel," I tell the mom.

"Well, Sir-" she says while Girlie corrects her. "Mx., you mean. They would rather, Mx. Please and thank you." she stares up at the lady while holding her hand on my sleeve. I smile at her. "What?" the lady asks, her tone, nasty, and horrid. "I can't stand this. Let's go, tumbleweed." I sigh just walking away from the "Karen". I'm glad Girlie's learned a thing or two after me dealing with people like that. It's people like that who make me wish Battery City's utopia wasn't changed to the way it was. And as someone who blasted the whole BetterLiving industry authority in an isolated battle, that's not something to say often. At least it wasn't 80's killjoytopia. I've heard bad things about that. But who's to say j can't miss what I grew up with Battery City as?

Chapter 3: 2

Summary:

This chapter sets us up with Kobra Kid for the first time, letting us understand his frustrating emotions and struggle to come to terms and forever let go of the memory of a traumatic event from his past, with the semi-vocal communication he gives from his solitude guilt and remorse

Notes:

Kobra's POV's tend to be relatable and descriptive to himself, to make up for what he feels, but doesn't vocally wants to state, hence "semi-vocal" at times.

Kobra Kid's POV

I don't think we knew where we were going. Just walking around the outlet as a pastime. It was awkward between us three. We weren't usually like this, but it hadn't been our day. I for one never liked the anniversary of this day. However, seeing that it has been four years since the actual, event, I'm hoping this can be the last year it has had a tremendous effect on me.

Even though I said that last year. Listen, it's not the easiest thing to clear off your mind. Especially after you get notifications on your Toyko-flash phone of photos you have of that day, before the incident. Honestly, I'm not quite sure how Jet-Star got over it all. He was with me and the one driving. Dr. Death's Radio and Website News report of that day was titled "Jet-Star and The Kobra Kid / Traffic Report" I reread the article on his site after the hospital stay.

By the first anniversary, I still couldn't process it. Not only had I forgotten that it had been a year since that, but it didn't even feel as such. Then by the second year, I slept through the whole day. I concerned Party in the process. They thought I was suffering or something. Mentally, I was and still am, but I couldn't let them know. The third anniversary was like this year but we were on vacation, so it was easier to rest my mind.

I then started hearing muffled calling. "Kobra? Kobra are you there, you okay?" Ghoul asked, as it faintly got clearer. I looked over and just nodded. "Hey, look, I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't know it was your-" I just sighed. "Don't apologize. It's been four years. Thats plenty of time for me to get over it. I don't know why I haven't." I sigh.
The three of us took a seat on an outdoor bench outside a restaurant in the outlets and just sat there in sighs.

"Don't beat yourself up for feeling a bit traumatized by it." Jet said rubbing my shoulder, which soothed me in a way.."I was there, Ko. I saw it all. I was as scared as you. Not only was I the one who distracted us on the drive, but I put the risk of one of my... best friends' life." Jet explains "That and you as my other best friend's brother. I should've known better than to take a drive on Route Guano during Draculoid week. he continues. "Not to make it about me, but what I was getting at is, We're very lucky to have made it out alive, because boy, was Party shaking when he saw us at the hospital." Jet explains.

Hearing the words of my near-death experience setting in other people's words and perspectives, was my breaking point. I started to break down. Tears I didn't even know I had coming, fell down and just kept falling. I kept gasping and crying. "Oh, Ko...Ko no, I'm sorry..." Jet gasped as he hugged me tightly, shushing me and keeping a tight grip on me. I clutched onto him as Ghoul hugged me from the other side of me. "Let it out buddy," Ghoul whispered as I just sobbed endlessly.

"I-I didn't mean to make you swerve the Trans-Am, Jet. I regret that every day of every year. If I had known Korse was that close to us. Damn, my risky plans. I was just a stupid teenage idiot. I could have died from that dust-out! I'll never forget the scarred looks on all of you. Jet-Star, Jet, I'm so sorry." I cried out. "Kobra, it was years ago. Look at you, look at me. We're okay..." he added. We probably looked so pathetic to people in the outlet who didn't know us. Suddenly I looked up and saw Party and Girlie. They were smiling before realizing that my face was red and covered in moisture from the tears. "Ko-Ki!" Girlie let go of Party's hand and ran up to me. What a cute nickname that could easily warm my heart. I couldn't cry when I heard that.

"Ko-Ki? Why's Ko upset, you guys?" She asked worriedly. "It's nothing, Girlie. I'll be okay." I sniffled. She hugged me and my heart shattered. "Thanks, Lil sis," I told her. She always got happy when I called her that. Jet picked her up and placed her on his lap after the hug, as I wiped my tears. "But what's wrong, really?" she asked. Ghoul sighed. "Girlie, do you remember that day a few years ago when we had to rush to the hospital for Jet and KK?" he asked. She nodded. "Oh yeah I do, it was scary."

"Yeah, well Kobra was just remembering it." he went on. I nodded and just tried to smile, even though it came out weakly. "I'm okay, now," I said, reassuringly. Party smiled as they looked at the restaurant behind us. "Hey, what do you say we treat ourselves?" they ask looking at the restaurant and then back to us. "I'd like that," Jet smiles and helps me up as I smile as well. "Yeah, yeah let's," I say happy that we could even do this now. I love it. I love hanging with them. I'm so glad that experience was years ago. Jet was right. We're still alive and well. So I'll look at that.

Chapter 4: 3

Summary:

The showing of Party Poison and Fun Ghoul's dynamic together. And how Party won't let the past depict the future, but rather improve it.

Party Poison's POV

We walked into the restaurant and waited to be seated. It still amazed me how much Battery City has changed over the years. If we Fab Four, walked into here, three-four years ago, we'd probably get all of BL/ind called on us just for living.
Never would I have thought I'd want to live in Battery City. None of us. But, we were given a good deal by the new management of the utopia. This is home.

Sadly, that came with a loss of fame. I never wanted to be a killjoy just to be famous. I just wanted to change the world. And that we did. But now it's over and we're just normal citizens like everyone else. I snap out of my realization when our waitress came to ask what we'd like to drink. Upon orderings, The waitress stared at us for a second after an order with an awakening realization. "Hey, Wait, are you guys the Fabulous Killjoys?" she gasped.

I snickered a smile and she asks for a picture. She gets back to getting our drinks and we just sit there minding our own business, as the five of us do. Girlie was coloring a restaurant activity sheet as the other three were on their phones. "Aren't I a bit old for you to still be getting me activity sheets?" she sighed at me. "You're never too old for creativity," I say.

"When can I get a phone?" She asked. "Erm..." I muttered taking out her book from the bookstore, and just handed it to her, imminently grabbing her attention. I looked around at the table. Kobra, Ghoul, and Jet just scrolled on their phones. I felt incompetent with everything. As if I've failed to be capable of solving everyone's problems. I put my head down on the table where I had space.

I must've caught Fun Ghoul's attention, cause he brushed his hand on my hair, which was a gentle move from him. "You okay Poison?" he asked. "I think." I sighed. "Wanna take a walk?" He asked. "Sure." I shrugged. We told the others our orders so we'd have them by the time we got back.

We walked outside the outlets just talking about nonsense like we always did. It could be the most absurd conversation, but Ghoul would pick up on my tone, expressions, and mannerisms and work from there. "Party, are you alright? Actually?" he asks again. I just give a nod of reassurance. "Was it the waitress knowing who we are? If that's bothering you, I can talk to her about it," he told. I just shook my head.

"Is it Kobra?" he asked. "Not exactly. It's never Kobra's fault for feeling this way on the anniversary of a very traumatic experience." I responded. "So, what is it? You know you can tell me anything."
"Ghoul, I miss being a killjoy." I sigh. It wasn't the easiest thing to let out and I know he'd get confused. "What? But we are, Pois! Are you feeling okay? We are the Fabulous Killjoys-"

"No, Ghoul. We were the Fabulous Killjoys. Now we're just some norms who live in what used to be a restaurant. Don't you ever miss old Battery City? The desertedness? Or the adrenaline rushes? You miss none of that?" I asked. "You mean being poor and eating one canned meal a day? No! Par, our lives have gotten better since we stopped BL/ind! Think about it this way, we're finally living in a paradise!" he went on about. "A paradise? I guess that's reasonable." I huffed.

"I guess I just miss what we all had back then." I stammered. "I think I get that." he smiled. "Let's head back. We can figure this out with the others if you want," he told. "Thanks, FG."

When we headed back to the restaurant where our food had been served and saw the other three already eating. "All good?" Jet-Star asked. "Yeah." Ghoul nodded. After a little more chatting I thought it was only fair to treat us well with some dessert. Once it came, I let something out to them.

"Boys. And you, lil motor baby," I smiled at Girlie. "I think it's time we established something. From now on, this day is just like any other. Kobra, Jet, we are not gonna let this day affect us. If it's the anniversary of your Route Guano dusting or not, let's not think about it. It's healthier not to. But, I'm proud of you guys for staying strong about it. Cheers to Jet-Star and Kobra Kid." I raised my glass to them. "Cheers!" we all clicked.

Chapter 5: 3.5

Summary:

Menacing Mystery character who has a confident grudge against the killjoys, believing in Old
Battery City, and how Draculoiss used to do things. Wanting to revise the Draculoid name and set the killjoys up into their very first trap-scenario of the story.

???'s POV

Today was the day. Four fledged years since the Drac-Out. The Killjoys will pay. Killing all and every Draculoid was like children's play. You don't have to be a killjoy to be able to shoot a ray gun at a group of Dracs. Not back in 2019 anyway.

Their existence was still out there. I know that Battery City is letting them roam free still. More importantly. The Mysterious orphan girl. Our business is not done with her. They're all still wanted. Not by Korse, but by the ones left to do the job. The only ones left. The Banned Draculoids.

I stormed into Battery City hall, security looked at me in confusion, but I just hit the pessimists with looks. The security looked weak. If BL/ind was still in control of all of Battery City, security wouldn't look a thing like it did now. Korse knew what he was doing with S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W.

"Can I help you?" this lady at the front desk of the city hall building asked me. "Yes, may I speak to the mayor?" I asked. "Do you have a scheduled conference?" she asked. "No." I sizzled. "I'm sorry, who are you?" She asked.

"Just a Draculoid of revision." I chuckled, pulling my ray gun out.

Chapter 6: 4

Jet-Star's POV

Waking up to Ghoul dragging me out of bed is never fun. "The hell are you doing?" I ask him while he drags me by the legs out of my room. "Jet, can you keep quiet? The motor baby is still sleeping." He whisper-yells.

He brings me to Party Poison's room where I see Kobra sitting criss-cross on Party's bed as they stood in front of KK and the bed, pointing to what seemed to be a slideshow presentation on their laptop.

"I'm gonna need more of an explanation than this," I say. "Intervention," Kobra responds. I realize and take a seat next to him on the bed, as well as Fun Ghoul. "Boys, this intervention is on Girlie," they say. "Oh no, is she okay?" I ask. "Yes. There's just this thought that's been crossing my mind."

I sit there concerned. "She just turned twelve. She's a preteen now, and I'm scared it'll get harder to look after her, the closer she gets to teen." Party explains. "All children are like that Party. Did something happen?" I asked. They sighed. "..Yeah, we had a bit of an argument, and I'm afraid that she might not wanna talk to me for a while." they explained.

"Not to be hypocritical, but-" Ghoul chuckled nervously. "Yes, I know. We were all like this too. Kinda explains why we became killjoys." Party laughed. "But, I have a proposition. If all three of you spend a solo day alone with Girlie, one day at a time, maybe she can learn a thing or two from you guys, and forgive me." Party says.
"After all, this can save her from becoming a teenager that could care less about anything."

We agreed to the terms and had our plan.
I had this day with Girlie, then Ghoul has tomorrow, Kobra has Friday, and then Party on Saturday. The other three 'Joys left as I stayed home alone waiting for Girlie to wake up.

"Hey, Jet," she said groggily walking into the living room right before noon hit. "Hi, motor baby." I greeted her sweetly. "Where are the others?" she asked sitting on the couch next to me. "They're gonna be out today, it's a 'you and my day'!" I told her. "Ooh!" she exclaimed. "What do you want to eat, Sunshine?" I asked her. "Pancakes?" she asked. I nodded and took out the pancake mix and other ingredients.

I know the point of us each taking out own day with her is to teach her some morals and eventually at the end of it, refresh her mind with Party, but I can't help but wanna ask her what happened. When the pancakes seemed ready, I served her at the table, and we just sat there in silence for a little before the got curious. "Jet-Star, why is it a 'you and my day'?" she asked.

"I told you they're out." I chopped on my pancakes answering.
"Out where I mean?"
I just sighed. "I dunno, sometimes they all just need a day outta the house at the same time," I told her. I saw her look down and emotions faded from her face. "What's wrong, lil one?" I frowned. "Nothing." she sighed. "Are you sure?" I questioned.
"Of course." she nodded.

"You know you can tell me anything. You don't need to keep anything bottled up and hidden inside." I reassure her. She squirms her face. "I can't find the words." she pouts.
"You know, if you want, we can play 21 questions. It's a good way of releasing honest answers and questions."

She agreed to it and so I started.
"Why are you down today?" I asked. "I woke up like this," she answered.
"Okay, now you ask me," I said.
"Is Party mad at me?" she asked. "Not that I know of," I answer. That's when I realized how much whatever happened between them meant to her. "Your turn," she said nervously.

"Girlie, did something happen between you and Party?" I asked. "We got into a bit of an argument before I went to bed last night."
"Can you tell me about it?" I ask concerned.
"Jet! You can't ask two questions in a row, you lose!" she laughs. I don't want to be hard on her, so throughout the day, I avoid it with her, but am still curious. Maybe Kobra or Ghoul can find out tomorrow or Friday.

Chapter 7: 5

Fun Ghoul's POV

It was my day with Girlie, and I had nothing planned whatsoever. As well as has no clue how this teaches her anything. "And she hasn't told you what happened yet, has she?" I asked Jet since he spent the day with Girlie yesterday. "No, and don't force her to," he said grabbing the car keys. Party honked in the car with KK, so I just sighed and watched TV.

"Ghoul?" she said walking over from her room. "G'morning, kid." I smiled. "Are you the only one home?" she asked. "Yup."
She wore a skeptical look but shrugged it off. "It's only 6 AM. Why don't you go head back to bed?" I told.

A few hours passed and she came back. "Why are you watching cartoons?" she asked. "I like them," I responded. "But aren't they a little childish?" she asked.
"You're never too old for your interests," I say.

"Oh,"
"You wanna go get something to eat?" I asked. "Yeah!" she smiled. I waited for her to get ready before heading out. The others didn't take the car thankfully, so it was up for grabs today. We pulled into a fast food drive-through and got some hotcakes and milkshakes. "Wow, thanks again, Ghoul! Party never lets me have this! They say it's too junky." she tells.

I start laughing at that because it sounds just like Party. "They have no idea what they're talking about." We both stay in the car eating for a bit before I feel like it's time I asked her about the argument that happened with Party.

"Girlie. I know I'm the one you look up to as the fun one, and I'm not trying to ruin your day with me..." she understood just by that. "I wanna know, what happened between you and Party,"

She looked down and an iconic face of regret was written over her face. "Just. Not right now." she sighed. I grew impatient, but I wasn't mad. "Okay," I sighed. I at least tried. After we are I decided to drive her to the playground and show her something. "Why are we here?" she asked.

"I thought you'd wanna come and swing with me.." I told her.
"Ghoul, I'm not nine." she snapped. "So? I'm still going." I said petty. She sighed and followed me to them. I knew she would give in.

"Girlie, you don't need to pretend you don't like these things anymore," I told her as I swung her on the swing. "What twelve-year-old is allowed to like child things?" she muttered. "You spent a lot of your childhood running away and fighting evil with us. You need a chance to take in what you've missed. And I don't want you to rush that. I genuinely wanna give you the best childhood you can have. We all do." I told.

"Thanks, Ghoul," she said as her voice started to break. "Girlie..." I frowned. Hearing her cry just shattered me. She let off the swing and turned to hug me. I hugged her back. "I think I'll tell you what happened now." We started to take a walk, and she explained to me the gist of it.

"The day after we went to the outlets on Kobra's sad day I mean, Party took me to get ice cream, and there was this kid on the line who kept nagging me. I could easily have stuck up for myself, but Party didn't believe me. When we got home I stormed to my room and Party followed me asking me why I was upset. I told them I could stick up for myself, but they said they wanna always protect me. I got mad and confronted them about how there are no Draculoids or S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W out to get me anymore. They then argued that since they were my legal guardian, they still need to look out for me... That's when I got mad, and told them, that they aren't my real parents, and they'll
never be." she said choking on words and her tears.

"I messed up bad, Ghoul." She cried. "It's okay. It's okay. I won't tell anybody I promise. Let's just enjoy the rest of our day, alright? And hey. Tomorrow you get to hang out with Kobra! But just know that Party loves you. They always are trying to do the best for you. All of us. They might not always do it perfectly, but they're really special and so are you. You should cherish what Party tries to do for you because they're one of the most loving people in the world." I tell.

"You should tell Party that they mean all that to you." she smiles. I blushed embarrassed. "Yeah, no. They'll think I'm weird." "Ghoul, you don't need to pretend you don't like them anymore." She told.
"Alright. A. I don't like them. B. I don't need you giving me my advice, silly."

She laughed causing me to laugh as we walked to the car heading home.

Chapter 8: 6

Kobra Kid's POV

6:59 AM felt like 10 whole minutes. The others had left the house half an hour ago. When my clock reached 6:59:57, I walked to Girlie's room. It was three seconds from hitting 7 AM and I had a whole day planned for us. "Girlie..." I shook her gently. "It's time to get up."

"Five more minutes?" she whined. "I gave you an hour more than I should've," I said grumpily. She looked at the clock on her nightstand and looked back at me unamused. "Ko-Ki... it's seven! That's early!"
"You don't understand that I have a whole day planned for us?" I questioned.

"Go take a shower while I make breakfast. Then, I'll share the plans for today."
She grumbled and went to do such as I started making breakfast. She came back a bit later fully dressed comfortably, as she sat down at the table.

"What is this?" she asked looking at the food. "Well, we got here a protein shake and balanced breakfast. It's a training meal!" I told her. "Training meal...? Wait for what? Are we training today?"
"Yes Girlie, we are!" I beamed. "Do I have to?" she groaned. "Come on, you don't wanna be a part of my interests?" I pouted.
She sighed. "Fiiiiine," she whined. "Yippee! You're the best!" I happily stimmed my hands around.

After we finished our meals I took her to the backyard and brought my speakers with me so I could teach her some stances and martial arts combat. "Why are we training anyway? We have nobody to fight and nothing to fight for," she said.

"Well, I love combat training overall. But also, it's always good to be prepared for anything. I'd rather expect the unexpected, than not and come face to face with unexpectations." I tell.
I set up my speaker and played some motivating music, and started teaching Girlie some basics.

"So a while back, I used this tactic endlessly. So of course you don't have a ray gun or killjoy mask, but this is still a good strike. Just plant your feet one directly and one behind it to the left face. Now look straight and chest out. Then pretend like the gun is in your pocket, and you'll swiftly take it out and this swerve will have enough force to both, have your hand fist it instantly, and have your mask fall." I teach her the move and she tries to copy

It takes a couple of retakes but she eventually gets a better hang of it. "Oh wow! That one was good, Girlie!" I compliment her. "Thanks." She sighs. "Do I get a reward now?" she says bubbly. "Hah! Like what?" I ask. "I dunno... A short break?" she asks.
"Fine. But only because you practiced so well." I smiled. We sat in the shade in the hammocks we had beside each other and rested for a few minutes.

"That's adrenaline-rushing training isn't it?" I say. "Yup." she agrees. "Hey, Kobra?" She asks. "Hm?" I peep. "I never questioned it back when you guys wore them as 'Joys, but...why do you guys have masks?" she asked. "Well, when fighting, our masks are like our killjoy souls. They are like the symbol of us. They're what matters in combat. And if we die in combat, The Phoenix Witch collects them." I explain to her.

"Huh...And same with our names?" She asks. "Well, our names are not what we were born with. They are our created names. Our born names are like our dead names. If exterminators like Korse are trying to capture us and kill us, they won't have any information on us since we use these names. Plus, these names are cooler and better anyway. It's the same reason why we never invaded you to know your real name. We didn't want you telling us in case they had trackers out for us." I explain to her.

"Does anyone know your old name?" Girlie asked curiously. "Just Jet, Ghoul, and Party. But that's because Party's my big sib, and I grew up with the others. We all know our old names. That doesn't mean we should use them though. They aren't ours anymore."

She nods understanding, but it hits me that, if we are to ever escape Battery City, we would have to revert to not being killjoys again. The thought of that is painful. "Let's get back to training for a bit, kid. Then I'll make some noodles for lunch."
"Yes!" she cheered.

Chapter 9: 6.5

???'s POV

Battery City could not be any stupider. A bunch of idiots lives in this utopia. This desert used to be, well...Deserted. As it should be. It's a desert utopia in California. Over the last four years, the population sparked here because Bl/IND isn't the averment of this place.

That's changed Battery City. The government let The Fabulous Killjoys live here without any harm. And it's been like that for a while. Well, that's no more. Not with the work of us Banned Draculoids. We're revised and we're able to get back to Battery City after years of recruiting and plans.

First, we take out all of the halls that will rat us out, then we get back in business. We kill them and their little pet who got us into this trouble in the first place. She's hiding something, and I know it.

Chapter 10: 7

Party Poison's POV

I barely spoke to Girlie at all the past few days she been out with the others the whole day. Mostly because she already almost be going to bed by the time I got home those days, but I still have today with her. I sighed looking at the time. It was 10. I expected that to be a fine time to wake her up.

"Girlie..." I whispered near the door. "I'm already up." She groaned. "Oh. Umm..okay. That's great! There are cereals if you want. Or oatmeal. And maybe later we can go to the arcade or something?" I said uneasily.
She just scoffed and I felt weak. "I'll be in my room kiddo, just tell me when you're ready. And don't take more than two hours, please." I sighed.

I couldn't believe she was so upset with me. I'm a horrible guardian for the way I snapped and lost my temper that night. I'm also not upset that she said I'll never be her real parent. That's true. I could never be.
But I've been trying my best for the past almost four years.

I just stayed in my room with my thoughts for another half hour or so, before Girlie just walks in. "I'm ready," she says mellowly. "Awh that's great." I smile. "So where do you wanna go?" I ask. "It doesn't matter to me." she yawns. "Arcade?" I ask. She nods and we go get into the car.

We get to the arcade and I watch her as she plays some games. She wasn't as happy as she usually was here, but she was satisfied. The whole time I felt every feeling over my shoulders and spine. I felt it was sensing something. I felt spied on.

It rubbed me uneasy, but I shrugged it off. Or tried to at least. When Girlie decided she wanted to leave, we did so and I started to drive us home after. That was before I noticed a car behind me. It seemed normal before it kept staying behind me the whole time. "Ugh, get off my ass-" I muttered.

I ignored it before Girlie got concerned. "Uh, Party..." she stuttered. "What's wrong kiddy?" I ask. "Does that sticker on the license plate of that car look familiar?" She said worriedly looking at the car behind us.
"Wh-..."

"Shit," I said under my breath. She gasped. "There's no way, right?" she panicked. "Draculoids." I let out. "How did they get here?" She shouted.

I picked up speed but they were quicker. "Shit! I don't have my ray gun on me, I haven't needed it in forever!" I panicked. "What do we do?" she asked seriously. "Stay in the car," I said swerving and parking it on a deserted sideline. "What?" she yelled.

I stepped out of the car and put my hands up once they were stopping. "Don't hurt her!" I demanded. "You really think that's supposed to work Par-" she raved. "Get down and keep quiet Girlie!" I scolded.
A draculoid hopped out of the car and I got really scared. I haven't done this in years, what if I can't remember how to fight like a killjoy?

"Don't hurt her, or else what? Are you gonna call S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W? The authorities? Battery City representatives? All gone." My eyes flashed. Obviously, S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W was gone for years, we blew them out. But... "You took out the authority?" I hollered. "I'm not here for chit-chat, you red-haired hellfire. Just give up the girl," they demanded.

"She's not yours!" I yelled.
"And quite frankly, she isn't yours either," they smirked. That enraged me. "Take us in." I huffed. "What?" Girlie screeched from the car. "Take us both in. Together." I pleaded. "Are you crazy?" she wailed.
"You heard the kid. Take 'em in." The draculoid said as a group of them fled out of the car and locked me and Girlie up together in handcuffs behind our backs.

Chapter 11: 8

Party Poison's POV

Girlie started spitting out swears and I couldn't even function. "Language." I hissed. "That's the most of your worries right now?" she groaned. "They took everything too, how are you gonna call the others?" she asked. "Fuck." I tsked. They proceeded to put a blindfold on our eyes until it felt like we had been thrown into the room of what l couldn't imagine the building even was since we were blindfolded.

Since Girlie and I were locked together, I knew she was still there of course. "Look what you've done, Party Poison." she grieved. "I'm sorry." I sighed. It was silent for a bit until I heard trembling breaths and little sniffles. "No, no. Girlie." I hushed her. "You did this to try and save me, again!" she cried. "Now we're stuck together, locked in a cellar for all I know, and I can't even see anything." she sobbed. "This isn't your fault, it's mine," I assured her.

"What? No, it's mine. I'm the problem. I've always been. You should just get rid of me." she cried. "Girlie, don't say that." I gasped." "I'm sorry." she burst into tears. "It's okay, it's okay. The boys will find us I'm sure of it."
I trembled. "I'm sorry for saying you aren't my real parent. Actually. I'm just sorry for all of that argument." Girlie let out.

"You're right, though. But I don't love you any less than I would if I was your real parent." I told her. "But I love you more as a big sibling than a parent," she told me. "I'll keep that noted."
She squirmed a little but managed to get her head to lean on my shoulder.

"Hey, let's get your mind off of it. Why don't you tell me something the boys taught you in the last few days?" I asked. "Oh, we can play 21 questions. It's a good way of releasing honest answers and questions. Jet taught me that." Girlie explains.

We played for a bit but the whole time I just was internally scared for us. Eventually, we will starve and turn a bit feral again. Nobody knows when or if we'll be able to be rescued, and on top of that, we don't even know what they're going to do to us. "Party?" Girlie called to snap me out of my thoughts. "Party, are you still there? Did you fall asleep?" she panicked.

"I'm still here, motorbaby, sorry." I relieved her. "It's your turn for a question," she said.
"Oh, okay. Uh, favorite superhero?" I asked.
"Oh for Destroya's sake..." she sighed. "Woah. That isn't how you use that phrase." I say. "Yeah, it is. That's how I always hear you refer to it," she responds. "What? Like when?" I ask. "Like when you're fixing your car and it breaks mid-fix," she answers. This causes me to crack up and she does as well. Hearing her laughter after days of not talking to her made me happy.

"That's it." I hissed. "I'm finding a way to get this stupid blindfold off so I can see your little smile again." I ranted. "Party, you can't." She sighed. "How are you so calm about this?" I asked her. "I believe in the boys. They'll come when it's time. Plus, we've kicked drac-butt before! It's only been a few minutes." She says.

"I used to kinda miss being a killjoy and saving the world. But, I never realized how painful it gets. I guess because I was younger then. But I promise you Girlie, After we beat up these Dracs, it's no more Fabulous Killjoys for good." I tell her.

"No, Party you can't promise that. I know you missed this. You don't need to pretend you didn't like being a killjoy. You don't have to hide or grow out from your interests." She advises me. "Fun Ghoul taught you that didn't he?" I asked. "Yeah." she yawned. "If you're getting tired love, you can rest," I say.
She reaches to find my hand and holds it as she stays leaning on my shoulder.

I was still scared. Was I ready to become a killjoy again? I don't want them hurting Girlie. She's my little sister figure, and they're what got her into this position all that time ago. I hope the boys come soon.

Chapter 12: 9

Jet-Star's POV

"But in general, this was a really good day out, if I do say so myself." Fun Ghoul remarked. KK and I agreed with him in unison. We walk up to the house to notice that the car wasn't pulled up in its spot.

"Uh guys, where's the car?" I asked. "Oh, what?" Kobra muttered confused. "That's...weird are Party and Girlie even home?" I question. "We should check," KK says. "It is late, after all." Ghoul grabs his keys and opens up for us and we walk in to find nobody there. "I'm so confused." Kobra blurts. "I should call Party." Ghoul stutters.

We let his phone dial them but they don't pick up, it just goes straight to their iconic voicemail. "That's right, It's Party Poison! Leave a message, Sunshine." Ghoul sighed concerned and recorded a message. "Hey, Party. Where are you? We just got home and the car and you two aren't here. Are you and Girlie alright? Please get back to me when you can." he recorded.

Another fifteen minutes went by and it only got later and darker. "This isn't like Party. We should go look for them." Ghoul worried. "You're right, but how? They took the car." I worried. "Motorbikes!" Kobra reacted. "You little genius!" I gasped. He beamed as we ran to the garage to get them. "These two haven't been used in forever but they're the only working ones, so they needed some time to start up again," I tell. "We don't have time!" Ghoul snaps. "FG, breathe. We're all a little scared and confused but, I'm sure they're fine." I calm him.

"They should be all warmed up," Kobra tells. "Good, let's go. Ghoul, you can take your own, KK, can I hitch a ride on yours?" I ask. "Sure thing!" He reddens. I hold onto Kobra as the three of us dash off to find Girlie and Party Poison. "Where do you think, Par and Girlie would be?" I ask. "Given they weren't in the best terms, probably somewhere comforting, to clear both their minds," Ghoul claims. "Yeah, you're right. Where do you think that would be?" I think.

"Try the arcade, on the edge of Route Erriyn," Ghoul remarked. Kobra picked up speed and by the time we got to the arcade, it was closed. "Damn." Ghoul fiddled with the lock. "It's locked for sure."
"Fuck. Hop back on, boys. We're not done here." I speak. We drive halfway done the route before a familiar car, is dusted out on the side of it. "The car!" Kobra yells. "What the," I say as he hits the brakes and skids to the side.

"I have keys," I tell. "Put the motorbikes in the trunk." I look to the side of the car and see truck marks in the opposite direction of his the car was parked. "We'll follow these."
I say getting in the driver's seat. The drive was a bit, but the tracks finally stopped at a building. A wide lab-looking building. "Who in Destroya's name does this place being to?" Ghoul questioned. "I dunno," I mumbled. "You two stay out here, in case the security of this place shows up. How will you get in?" Kobra asks.

"Ko, I dress in all black and navy. I'm a stealth master." I brag. "Except I do need you guys to be a distraction," I tell them. The boys look at each other and sound the car alarm. A swarm of security rushes out and I'm sure they'll get themselves out of that.
I make my way to the open door of the building and sneak toward what looks like rooms.

Each room is labeled something else. I take note as I skittishly pass each one. I eventually come across one labeled, "Redhead hellfire and little orphan." There's no way to get in without a raygun blast, so I fire at the door and get in.

The stomps of security rushed down the hallway. "Was that..a ray-gun blast? Who's there?" Party yelled startled. "Guys, it's Jet," I said rushing to get them out of their blindfolds and chains. "Jet!" Girlie hugged me. "Hi, honey. Jeez, You've been in there for how long?" I asked. "Too long man, my circulation is gone as fuck, and my vision is more than blurry." Party sighed. "We gotta go," I say as security reaches closer.
"Too late." a Draculoid says behind the blasted door.

Chapter 13: 10

Girlie's POV

"Oh destroya," Jet muttered under his breath. "Girlie, I know KK taught you to be prepared for anything. So go. Go make a run for it." Party muttered, quiet enough for the Dracs not to hear. I ran forward towards the Dracs kicking them off their feet as I swiftly dodged each of them tryna get me. I ran for the exit as I heard blasts of ray guns coming from inside.

"Exit... Where is the exit...?" I panicked. That's when I heard Ghoul's familiar laugh. "Hehe." I chuckled, as I ran for the exit I could see clear as day, Kobra Kid and Fun Ghoul both fighting off Drac security. "Guys!" I ran to them. "Girlie!" they shouted in unison. They group-hugged me as we fought off the Dracs from the outside. Once that was done.

Ghoul shook me like crazy, "Where is Party, where is Party?" he screeched. "They're fine. They're fighting the Draculoids from the inside. "And Jet?" KoKi asked. "Yeah." I sighed out of breath. "Wait in the car please, sunshine. It's safer there." Ghoul sighed. I couldn't argue with that. I just gave him a thumbs-up and made my way to the car. It was all emptied except for the motorbikes that somewhat fit in the trunk.
They took everything from us.

Suddenly I heard a big crash and it felt as if the world paused. Before a third of the building exploded. "Holy shit!" Kobra screeched. Jet ran out with Party, who seemed to be limping.

"Party!" Ghoul ran up to them. "Ghoul..." they let out. Party stood watching as Ghoul ran to them, Party limped before being picked off the ground and tightly in Ghoul's embrace. Party gasped in shock as they hugged Ghoul back. "You okay?" he asked. "Well... A bit better now." Party smiled. "Ooh. they got you good." Ghoul said looking down at a wound on Party that was not there when I saw them. "We got them better." Party declared.

"That's right!" I yelled. "Motorbaby!" Party smiled as they came to hug me. "I'm sorry again, for getting you into this." they sighed. "It's okay, I promise," I assure them. "How can I make this up to you then?" they asked. "How bout getting us home so I can eat and get water? And so you can heal that injury." I tell them. "Okay, love." they ruffle my hair.
The four of them got in the car. As Party started the car and we got home.

"So who strung the place on fire?" Kobra asked. "Who do you think?" Jet asked. "I saw a bomb, I lit it," he told. "As you should!" Ghoul adds. "The wound though?" Ghoul asks Party. "People don't like me." They shrugged. "Does this make us killjoys again?" I asked. Everyone looked at me and then at Party. Party was silent for a bit and so was everyone else.

"Once a killjoy, always a killjoy!" They exclaimed. I gasped. "Really?" I beamed. "Yes. Yes, I want to be a killjoy again. And boys I know you guys do too right?" they asked. "Fuckin' yes!" Kobra yelled. "Are you serious?" Jet smiled. "Party, does this mean?" Ghoul asked. "Yes. We return to our roots. We don't need Dracs to save the world at any given moment. We can just be killjoys by name. Not by the act. What do you guys say?" Party asks. "I say heck yeah!" I smile.

"We're not gonna be Fab Four anymore though..." they say. "What?" I ask, frowning. "We're now Fab Five!" they tell. "What?" I scream. "I, Party Poison, declare you, Girlie, officially a killjoy now!" they yell. The others clapped and wooed as I cried there. "Thank you, guys. I love you all. I'm so glad to have you guys as my family." I teared up. "We're happy to have you more Girlie." Jet smiled.

"The Girl," I say. "That's my killjoy name." I smile. "Alright, then The Girl. I like the sound of that." Party smiled. "Well, you guys can still call me Girlie." I smile. "Got it." they smiled. "Welcome to the Fabulous Five, Killjoys make some noise!" Party rallied us up again. I couldn't be happier to be a Killjoy.

Chapter 14: 11

Party Poison's POV

"Party, wake up." Girlie gently shook me by my arm awake. "Girlie, what's up?" I asked. "You said today we can see Dr. Death-Defying today," she said excitedly. "I did?" I groaned. "Yes!" she burst. I sighed and rolled out of bed. "Boys!" I yelled from my room.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dr. Death's whole place was covered in CAUTION tape and surrounded by officers and off-limits. "Stay in the car," I told the others as I hopped out. "Officer?" I asked walking up to one. "Party Poison, the killjoy!" she said with a surprised tone. "What's happened here?" I asked. "Same as city hall, and everywhere else. Unexpected Drac invasion. They hurt a lot of government officials and their places." she explained. "Dr. Death evacuated right?" I asked.

"Dr. Death-Defying has been on vacation, Party Poison," she tells me. "I would've expected him to tell you guys."
"No, he hasn't said a thing," I murmur confusedly. I rang up Dr. D and he answered almost immediately. "Well if it isn't my favorite Killjoy!" he chuckled.

"Dr. D, we're the only 'joys in the Battery City zones. Of course, we're your favorite." I laugh. "Oh, sassy today, are we? Well, I can always Show Pony, my favorite killjoy..." he said. "Hey- No!" I screech. Despite the fact, I haven't been in much contact with Show Pony recently, We still are rivals.

"Where have you been?" I ask. "Seems to be right behind you. He says as his car accelerated speed to behind me. "Woah!" I screech. "Well, then. How was your vacay?"
"Good until I got the call to my house was Drac fevered," he told. "Dr. D!" the boys and Girlie shouted from the car. "Hey, crash kings!" he says.

After he talks to the officers we go with him over to our house. "So Dr. Death, I wanted to do some filing with you," I asked. "Why?" he asked. "I wanna file for a new killjoy document," I tell. "What?" he says jaw dropped. "Girlie," I say. Girlie beamed an innocent shiny smile at him. "Awh, the baby?" He asked. "I'm twelve now!" she bragged.

"Woah, twelve? I missed a birthday or two." he laughed. "Dr. D, I know she's two years younger than legal Killjoy age. At least in the states. But, she's proved herself capable for years." I explain. "She is something special." Dr. D remarks. Dr. Death-Defying was the one who found Girlie all those years ago. Her parents were both killjoys, who escaped to the zones but had to leave her behind. Since a bit after that, she lived with us.

"I've always considered her a killjoy assistant, but I think she is one herself now. And she deserves the title." Party says. Dr. D nods. "As her legal guardians, there's a lot of paperwork you four have to fill out together," he told. "It's honestly just a bunch of questions I can ask and you just have to give me answers. But it's not all said and done."

I sighed. "Let's just get this over with."
"Party Poison, Jet-Star, Kobra Kid, Fun Ghoul, You are all the legal guardians of Girlie. Now, an important question. None of you are in or plan on a future affair with another right?" he asked as I almost choked on my spit. I flushed red and let out a squeaky, "Uh- What no why?" I panicked.

"Because if you do, the dating two are officially the ones with all the ownership over Girlie. It's some old Killjoy law," he explains. This sucked. I liked Ghoul, but this just set everything cut for me. We four all own the same amount of ownership over Girlie. "You are all bright red right now." Girlie stammered. "All?" I muttered. What were the others doing blushed red. Embarrassed I guess.

"Well, if not then you're fine. You still have to realize that, any injury and wounds that come to Girlie you are all heavily responsible for. You also have to get her the right equipment. Mask, a Helmet or Headsuit whichever she prefers, and a ray gun. She also has a curfew by law." he tells.
"This is a lot of work just for me to be a killjoy." Girlie groans. "Tell me about it kid." I roll my eyes.

Chapter 15: 12

Kobra Kid's POV

Party Poison thought it would be nice to have a little barbeque get-together in the backyard. You know, in celebration of Girlie being an official killjoy now. Dr. Death stayed around for a while and insisted on inviting Show Pony.

Party Poison didn't like the idea but they called up Show anyway. She of course turned it down and said she was too busy to come to the zones for this. That was fair, to be honest, we aren't the most fun and she was pretty far from the zones.

Jet and Party were working the grill, as Fun Ghoul, Dr. D, and Girlie played football or something together. I just sat by myself under a tree reading a new issue of a comic I liked. It was intriguing for a while until the interest slowly started to fade. My eyes got heavy, and suddenly I couldn't hold them awake anymore.

-----------------------------------------------

I'm not sure what happened but, I started hearing muffled voices. I slowly opened my eyes and everything was blurry.
That was until I noticed. This was a dream.
But this dream was an exact reliving of the Route Guano incident. Why was I reliving this through a dream? "Kobra? Kobra?" Kobra Kid!" A younger Jet from that moment ran up to me, shaking me awake.

-----------------------------------------------

"Kobra. Kobra?" I snapped awake to the present day as present reality Jet-Star was shaking me awake. "Wha-" I looked around in fear. "Are you okay? What happened?" he asked concerned. "I was just reading. And then I fell asleep I guess." I muttered to him. "That isn't all though is it?" he asked.

I scoffed. "It's not even important." I rolled my eyes. He proceeded to shuffle to sit next to me under the tree. "Talk to me about it anyways. It's good to get this stuff off your chest," he said anyways. I opened my mouth to give an argument back, but I just didn't and gave in. As hot-headed as I can get at the others, I can't seem to stay mad at Jet.

"I saw the Route Guano incident again. Through the same eyes, I did when it happened years ago. I don't know why I'm reliving it, but I hate that. I fuckin hate it so much. Except you were waking me up in reality. Maybe that's why it happened."
Jet grew concerned.

"Maybe. I'm sorry you're dealing with this again." he sighed. "It's okay." I huffed. "Honestly, I won't lie. Every time I have to wake you up and it takes you a while, I immediately flashback to that moment," he tells. That makes me unreasonably upset.
"I'm sorry." I burrow my head down in pent-up anger at myself.

"This isn't your fault. It's anyone's trauma if they lived it. If it makes you feel any better, I'm glad you told me. Honestly, I'm just glad that you feel comfortable talking to me. I notice you usually give the others an attitude or the silent treatment, but you seem at home talking to me." Jet remarks. "Thanks, but you don't have to lie," I say with wit. "I'm not!" Jet exclaims. "Yeah." I scoffed sarcastically.

"Why won't you believe me?" Jet asks. "Because you're trying to make me feel like I'm not a total jerk! I know I am and I know that the only reason I get flashbacks to Route Guano is that it tries to haunt me for my actions and stupidness!" I snap. "Stop beating yourself up!" Jet worries. I stop and almost break down, but hold myself up.
Jet proceeds to hug me and I just stiffly stay unreactive until it renders to me what he's doing.

I redden and hug back in the embrace and wanna lash out. "What-" I murmur. "Kobra, Who was at Route Guano with you?" he asked. "You." I sighed. "And who got you into that mess and saved you from it?" he kept going. "You, Jet." I sighed once again.

"Exactly." we stayed in the embrace. "Forget about the incident for the love of god, Ko. I know it's hard but you gotta let go. It's anyone's mistake and you've grown a lot from then." he encourages me. "For crying out loud, you are The Kobra Kid! You are a martial arts killjoy master. You were only a kid back then who couldn't hold a gun right? Now, you're an icon!" He rants.

My eyes water and I cry, grabbing onto his hair in the embrace. "Thank you, Jet." I sniff.
"Of course, you big softie." he chuckles. "...Your hair's really nice," I say as I couldn't help to play with it in the embrace. "Awh." he laughed.

Jet's the one that understands me most, I won't lie, I can be a punk but it's only because I'm misunderstood. Jet's the only one who makes me feel understood.

Chapter 16: 13

Fun Ghoul's POV

It had been a couple of weeks since Girlie became a killjoy. With that, Dracs have been invading little by little again and again. Dr. Death said he has no idea why but he's doing all he can to find out. Show Pony's back in Battery City. But it was storming hard tonight so the four of us stayed in.

Party, Girlie, and I were relaxing on the couch watching some movie before Jet and Kobra came walking to the door in raincoats. "Woah woah," Party and stopped them.

"What's going on here?" they ask, munching on some party mix. "Jet and I are going out," Kobra explained. Party's eyes widened as they choked on their mix. As Girlie and I also turned their heads over, jaws dropped.

"No, not like that, motherfucker!" Kobra yelled at me embarrassed. "You sure? Because you did say you guys are going out..." I joked. "I'll fuckin knock you out.." Kobra hissed.

"KK, let's just go." Jet said pulling Kobra aback from his about-to-be-argument with me. "The storms gonna get way worse you guys," Party said concerned. "We'll be fine." Kobra scoffed. "Bye!" Jet said as they headed out the door.

"Well, guess it's a Party and Ghoul put down tonight, Motorbaby," I said to Girlie. "Yes!" she cheered. To me, a lot was able to go wrong here. There's a storm that could possibly knock the power out at any given moment.

Also, Girlie at this point knows about my crush on Party, and she's always trying to talk to me about it. I tell her there is nothing to discuss but she's not a little toddler, she knows well.

I suddenly snapped out of my thought when the lights started to flicker, and the noise of
the wind and rain rattling outside seemed to hit a wire. "Shit. There go our cord lines." Party tsked. Suddenly the power entirely went out. TV stopped and all the lights in unison blacked out.

Girlie flinched and shuffled closer to me on the couch as I wrapped my hand around her to assure her she was safe. "It's dark..." she told scared.
"I'll go get some flashlights and battery lamps from the closet."  I offered.

Party nodded and stayed with Girlie on the couch as I went to the upstairs closet. I grabbed as many flashlights and battery-powered lamps as I could find before getting some fluffy blankets and other big comforters to bring downstairs.
I set the lamps up on the floor and put the blankets on the floor too. "Woah, what's all this?" Party asked.

"One second, I'm not done yet." I chuckled getting an idea. I wanted to surprise them both with a blanket fortress. We had the space for it, and that always made me happy when there was a power outage when I was younger. I was zooming through the dark house. Grabbing stuffies from Girlie's room, snacks from the kitchen, and sleeping bags from stationary bins in the basement.

I came back with all the stuff and placed it all down on the floor. "Ghoul, what is all this?" Party asked. "Let's make a blanket fort." I beamed. "Uh, sure...?" they answered confused. "Yes, a fort!" Girlie jolted up.
We started to make it as the thunder crashed in the background.

Once we finished it, we made ourselves comfortable in the way bigger and roomier inside. The lamps lit it up and as Girlie stayed distracted with her plushies, I exhaled and lay back from the fort with my head to the couch and yawned.

Party lay down next to me in the fort, and their back rested on the couch as mine did. "I'm glad you went through all that for her," they said softly, leaning their head to rest on my shoulder. I blushed but just let it be. "Of course, why wouldn't I?" I look over to Girlie. "Motor baby deserves the best childhood we have to offer her. Which isn't a lot left."
Party nodded in agreement and stayed rested. "It really isn't a lot left." they sighed.

Chapter 17: 14

Party Poison's POV

Girlie started to get tired and so I told her her she could sleep in the blanket fort if she'd like since the thunder and rain would be way louder on the ceiling of her room. She closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep but after a few minutes, she just couldn't. "Party, I can't sleep." she sighed.

Ghoul was knocked out on my shoulder so I set him aside, so I could go lay down on the comforted floor of the blanket fort with Girlie. I tucked her in and gave her some stuffed animals to snuggle with. "Would it help if I told you a story?" I asked. Girlie rolled her eyes as attempted to act like she was too mature for stories but eventually she gave in. "Tell me the Fabulous Four origin story," Girlie said with a yawn. "I've told you it multiple times." I chuckled.

"Yes, but it gets better each time, and it's my favorite." She smiled. I couldn't say no to her smile. "Okay, Motorbaby. The origin story it is." I let out.

"Well, it all started with this perfect family that lived in the northeastern states. A loving mom, dad, and their... son and..daughter... They weren't that wealthy and needed a new job if they wanted to raise the kids in good condition. That's when they were offered a job by Better Living industries. Also known as BL/Ind."

"Wait." Girlie interrupted. "Hm?" I hummed. "Why didn't your parents know BL/inds was trouble?" she asked raising a n actually questionably stumping, fair question.

"Well, the thing about BL/inds is that it's a megacorporation. It's diverse and has multiple industrial buildings around the world, but the main corporate building of BL/inds was located in Battery City. At the time it was just a desert zone in Cali." I explained. She nodded trying to understand.

"Our parents started working for BL/Inds at home since all they had to do was manufacture droids. They got paid well to go into the local BL/inds office, and along the way, they made friends with some coworkers who worked on the engineer side of the manufacturing work. Until one day, my parents invited four of their co-workers, just so happening to be two other couples, over for dinner with their kids, to go over what BL/ind has been up to."

"Were the kids-" I paused her and nodded.

"Their co-worker's kids being none other than Jet and Ghoul, you knew that."
Girlie smiled. "We were just preteens a bit older than you, Girlie. Not even maybe. So of course at said dinner, I strayed away from playing with the others to poke my head into the adult's conversation. That's when I heard them talk about how BL/ind was gonna turn themselves into a government name and start the creation of Battery City."

"..and that's how you found out" Girlie interrupted again. "Shhh... If you keep blurting your mouth, you'll never fall asleep." I hushed her.

"Once dinner was ready that night, the adults said they wanted to talk with us. They explained that BL/inds was gonna need their help and that they might not be home on time every night. After hearing that, our hearts sank and we devoted our full attention to them. They said if they didn't return by morning one night, to not worry." I sighed.

"But we were all worried regardless," Ghoul said groggily. I guess he woke up while I was storytelling.

"And if anything, their friend, Dr. Death Defying, would pick us up and take care of us. We were worried but they told us not to panic. Two nights later my mom and dad were about to leave to go to the local BL/ind office before my mom approached me. She said if she and dad weren't back by morning, they won't be back ever. But that Dr. Death will watch over us and their co-worker's kids."

"Low and behold, none of our parents came back," Ghoul added. "So Dr. Death scooped us all up the next afternoon and took us on a flight to the Zones. We lived under his guidance for the next few years, as he proclaimed us killjoys. We changed our names and all past information on us as and started new here." I told.

"She's asleep," Ghoul whispered. "Ah." I realized. "She really seems to enjoy that story doesn't she?" he asked and I nodded. "But you don't," he added. "Of course not. It's the story of how I- how we lost our parents." I rant. "It's also the story of how we met, changed our lives, and live a new better one here," he explained. I put my head down. "What if I'm not a good guardian? What if one day I have to leave her in the dust too? Then who do I leave her with? Cherri-Cola?" I go on. Ghoul noticed my stress and pulled me onto a hug. "You're doing great, Par. And you aren't alone. We'll keep her safe." Ghoul claimed.

Chapter 18: 15

Notes:

A/N this is the first introduction to my fic's Show Pony. Show will be the same age as the fab four, and have a frienemy rival with Party Poison. (they/she/he) for them. Theyre also kinda a jerk. //

Party Poison's POV

"Mousekat. My old friend." I eyed the fuzzy oversized character head in my closet. He was the logo of Battery City. Little do many know who's under his head. The power was still out and Dr. Death said he would come over today to see if he could fix it. He said he'd come with someone who could fix it.
So I put my trust in him.

Jet-Star and Kobra Kid came back around 4 AM, so they're still tired and sleeping. Understandable because they went out to Zone 06. Girlie and Ghoul were up, reading some comics, as I was about to leave the house in Mousekat for an early morning patrol.

"Mousekat?" Girlie said eyeing me confused before I walked out. "Party- what are you doing?" Ghoul asked confused. "Patrol," I told. "In...Mousekat?" he reckoned. "...Incognito patrol," I said. "It's safer," I explained. "Fair enough." he let out.

"I'll be back soon," I told them as I walked out. The storm stopped eventually last, but the wind was still crazy out. Zone 01 looked way more trashed than usual. And that was saying something. I hopped out of my car and left it locked somewhere as I walked around in Mousekat. The edge of Zone 01 was always isolated because of how close it was to Battery City.

I walked one of the Routes of Zone 01 particularly invested in how such a sunny day can be the aftermath of a lighting thunderstorm. Then I saw it. One of the most beautiful vibrant rainbows I've ever seen in the zones. "Is this real?" I said shocked. I was mesmerized by the beauty until a particular revving sound snapped me out of thought as a standout of a racecar zoomed over to me almost an inch into hitting me.

I recognized that motor anywhere. It was none other than Show Pony.
"Well if it isn't my old friend-foe Party Poison. What are you doing in your furry head?" She risked getting out of her car which Dr. D was a passenger. "Show?" I furrowed. "Dr. D, why's this double-crosser here?" I asked. "Party Poison be nice. You asked for someone who was able to fix your wires, and I delivered." Dr. Death explained.

I took my Mousekat off, and I hopped in the back of their car. "You running out of dye again?" she snickered, making fun of my barely faded red hair that peeked out once I took the dome. "So what?" I rolled my eyes. "Nothing, nothing. You're just, giving Pinkie Pie." she cracked herself up.

They managed to make Dr. D laugh at this as well and as mad as I could get, it really started to feel like old times. Back when we lived in Dr. D's old cabin. It was forever ago but I still missed it. Once we got to our house I took
Girlie out to the backyard to see the rainbow and she was astonished.

Chapter 19: 16

Third Person POV

Fun Ghoul was sat on the couch before realizing who had just walked into the house. He spits his drink out in shock. "Show-?!" He choked. "Oh, hey baby." Show Pony winked. Party overheard this and their blood boiled. They knew the two were close a bit back but he wasn't sure if they ever had an affair or not. But if they never did, there was a high chance they could soon.

Party figured out a while back about Ghoul's past crush on Show, but he wasn't sure if Show's flirtiness back to Ghoul was a genuine feeling or rivalry against Party.
Ghoul hissed at Show's comment anyway.
"Okay. Where are these wires?" Show asked. "Right behind the TV. Here in the corner." Party directed. Party went to the kitchen to go make waffles for Girlie, which left Ghoul and Show in the living room. Ghoul wanted to leave honestly but he didn't want to be rude to Show.

"So, it's been a while." Show said while examining the wires. Ghoul looked around noticing he was the only person they could be talking to. "Yeah." he agreed. The awkward silence became audible in a way.
"So, Ghoul. I don't think we've had a normal conversation since-" Show said. "Since I had the hots for you, Show. I know. I'm aware. But I'm not that teen anymore." Ghoul told. Show flushed and just went back to working on the wires.

The tension was awkward. Why did they both feel the need to bring that up? "...So, do you like someone else?" Show asked. Ghoul snapped. "Listen here, rollerskates." Ghoul pulled Show back to look at him. "Why can't we just be friends?" Ghoul asked. "Why? You were the one who grew a crush on me and broke our friendship. Your big obvious love for me did this." Show growled. "Well, it isn't like that anymore! I don't like you anymore! I've matured! It's been like three years Show Pony!"

"Yeah? Well, what if things changed? What if I-" Show stopped themselves and scoffed. "What if what, Show?" Ghoul interrogated. Show rolled their eyes and put their helmet on to avoid showing their facial expressions, including blushing at the said comment. Ghoul sighed. "Whatever. We are just friends. Okay?" Ghoul asked. Show nodded pulling out some wires and plugging in new ones.

Abruptly Jet and Kobra walked into the living room from Kobra's room and all attention was turned to them. Jet's eyes widened. "Show Pony?" He exclaimed shocked. "Jet-Star, The Kobra Kid." they greeted. "What're you two doing coming sleepily outta the same room?" they smirked at the two. Kobra squeaked and Jet blushed. "We got home pretty late, so we ended up just both knocking out in KK's room," he explained.

"Oh how nice, Where were you guys at? Partying with p-droids?" they asked. "No!" Kobra screamed. "We were watching a race in the big zone's dunes." he sneered. "Lame." Show shrugged. Kobra tempered, but Jet rubbed his back calming him down. Party, Girlie and Dr. D came back from eh kitchen with plates for brunch and Girlie came over to Jet.

"Guess who just made French Toast?" she said proudly of herself.
"Did you all by yourself, kiddo?" Jet inquired. "Well...no..." she pouted. "But Party did say I could try to next time!" she smiled. As soon as Show finished the wiring they all gathered around the dining table to eat some brunch.

There wasn't any conversation started, so Show of course had to make some. Whether it ended well or not.

Chapter 20: 17

Jet-Star's POV

"So, Girlie, how's it feel to be a killjoy now?" Show asked. As Girlie who was sitting right next to me looked around to think about it. "Well, it's a new feeling but it's also kinda that same," she told. "Yeah? That's good. You are pretty good at what you've done already." they respond.

Girlie nods. "However, the first few years of being a killjoy are the toughest. Don't believe me, ask Party." Show laughed. All attention was turned to Party Poison and Girlie noticed Party's face deepen in positivity and she looked curious as to why. "Party?" she asked "What happened your first few years of being a killjoy?"

Party sighed and looked at Girlie with the most reassuring face they could and didn't answer for a few seconds but they had to say something at some point so they just rolled their eyes and responded with, "Girlie, you go outside. I got to talk to Show because they do not know what they are talking about."

This caused me to giggle a little bit but I didn't say anything nor did anybody. I watched as Girlie followed Party's instructions and went to the backyard. Party shot a look back at Show as Show shot a look back at Party. "This is going to be good," Ghoul commented.
"Show, What did you possibly mean by that?" Party asked. "It's obvious Party," they responded. "I was a better killjoy than you could ever be back then, and I'm not just saying me. I'm saying probably any other killjoy," they said.

"You were slow and yet here you are being the leader of the Fabulous-"
"All right Show, That's enough!" Dr. Death said. "Yeah, I agree," I stated. "That is enough. You guys are at each other's throats even when you don't see each other for a bit and still come back at each other's throats." Give it a rest.

Show didn't answer while Party scoffed.
"I just don't get why they have to come by and be such a jerk that's when she slammed the table with her hands. "I am not a jerk! I am just honest!"
"What part of this is honest?" Party asked. Take it easy you guys!" Dr. Death told. It's like 2014 all over again. Aka when we were all just kids who lived with him. I noticed Kobra starting to get irritated with the amount of yelling and at any moment he was about a snap. And then he did.

"Can you guys shut the hell up?!" he yelled. Things were getting heated in here, so I walked to sit next to Kobra and rubbed my hand up and down his back so that he could calm down. "Hey, Hey...take a breather, Ko." I hushed him. He sighed putting his head down on my shoulder, and I blushed, running a hand through his hair.

"Party let it rest," Ghoul said. "Yeah, listen to your playboy." Show mocked. "Show! That is enough!" Dr. Death declared. "I brought you here so that you could fix the wire problem and that only! Not to come over here and be immature! You make fun of Party for not being a good guardian for Girlie yet you are more immature than them. Don't you think I would've given you Girlie if I trusted you with her?"

"Where is Girlie right now?" Ko asked. "Oh, she's right outside," I responded. "I thought so.. but she isn't.." Show said actually revealing some concern and looking outside the backyard door.
"The fuck do you mean?" Ghoul asked.
I went to pick my head outside, Kobra following right behind me and there was no sight of Girlie whatsoever.  "Girlie!" We each called out. No sign.

"What the hell? How did this happen? How did this just happen and none of us noticed? This has never happened in the almost four years we've looked after her! Am I really that bad?" Party crumbled to the floor.

Chapter 21: 18

Fun Ghoul's POV

It hurt to see Party beat themselves up with words like that. "What? No, of course, you aren't that bad, Party. Let's go. We have no time to waste. We gotta get Girlie." I told.
"Show, Dr. D, you take the Trans Am. Kobra, take Jet with you on your motorbike. Party, come with me on the spare motorbike." I advise a plan.

Party nods and sighs. "Good plan." they sigh hoping on the motorbike. "Show, you break my car and I will end you," they add throwing them the keys to the trans am. Us three duos split up and I can feel Party's sadness.
"Par, you okay?" I asked. "No! I lost my kid again! I don't get it! I was arguing with Show for like a minute!" they told. "You had no concept of that time, did you? Party, that was more like twenty minutes." I explain to them.

"What?" Party said slowly confused. "You mean I got so caught up arguing with Show that- oh destroya, I'm horrible." they panicked. "Party, it'll be all" "Ghoul! Wait, look!" Party caught me off guard pointing to a trail of crayons broken in half. Very well-spaced, not seeming to end for a bit. "These are Girlie's! Shit, that kid is smart! Follow them!" they yelled as I followed them.

The trail ended about 20 feet in front of two evenly spaced shacks with at least two or three floors. "You think.. Dracs took her into one of these?" I asked. "That or crow, but. There's only one way to find out which. Let's split, Ghoul." Party told as I nodded. "Right."

As Party kicked the door down theirs, I shot a ray gun at the door of the shack he went too and, and it was empty. Well, at least. Abandoned looking. There seemed to be old loot. Maybe some of a bounty hunter. Just a pile of junk in the corner while the rest of the place rusted, it was dark, but not pitch black.

That was until I opened the door to the upstairs. "What the" I questioned opening a door to a completely pitch-black room. "Hello, Fun Ghoul." an ominous boss-like voice says. I flinched. As there is no trace of a figure to claim the voice too. "Who's there? And what the fuck is all this?" I say as my body jolts.

"Heh, I'll explain in a minute," the voice says as a creepy forced gust of wind knocks me off his feet, knocking into a cuff trap. "W- Woah what??!! How the fuck did you do that? And where are you?!" I questioned shouting into the abyss of the dark room. Echoes in my voice. "Where's my kid?!" I shouted after a moment of silence.

It almost seemed as if the voice from before was gone. Until it wasn't. "Your kid? That isn't yours. And quite frankly it's none of the killjoy's" the voice says out of nowhere. "She is ours. She is not a that or it. Where. Is she?" I ask my voice tone more ferocious. "She's safe with another Scarecrow-"

"You guys are scarecrows?! Why?! Why do you want her?! What did we even do? We have the right to live here! She did nothing wrong!" I grunt, struggling trying to get out of the chained cuffs. "That is where you are incorrect. You exterminated Korse and his scarecrow units, the BetterLiving Draculoids. Nobody but the government of Battery City gave you the right to live here. But is the present-day government of Battery City the legal owner No. Therefore you are still illegal by Scarecrow law."

"Fuck CROW law, and fuck you!" I snarled. The unit's voice tsked. "If I were you I'd keep quiet and wait for your hero to save you like the damsel in distress you are for them. Oh wait, they're trapped too." The Scarecrow unit's voice echoes.
I don't have time to react to what he had called him, before engaging in the last part. "WHAT did you just say?!" he grits his teeth. Enraged like never before "Don't worry the girl is with them." The voice adds.

"Just let them, go."

Chapter 22: 19

Jet-Star's POV

Kobra accelerated his motorbike, no sign of Girlie or Scarecrow unit. This area of battery city land was almost completely vacant.

The noise of Kobra's breathing was piercing enough to echo inside his helmet, to be able to be heard through my own. "Are you alright, Kobes?" I asked, holding closer onto Kobra from behind him on the motorbike. I was concerned for him. Kobra nodded. Suddenly an abandoned shack was seen distantly. It was... odd looking. Shacks were built where two would stand next to each other. But this one stood alone.

"Kobes, Let's check here. Scarecrows usually leave things in odd open bases," I tell Kobra. He skids his motorbike to the side, locks it in place, as we both take off our helmets and leave it with the motorbike. I walk up to the shack door. "I guess I.." I pulls out my ray gun and aim it at the door before Kobra kicks it down. "Oh. That works too." I say stunned. He's really strong..

Him and I head in and we look around before checking upstairs and to their surprise it was a dark, dusty room. Dim and blacked out. "Kobra. Stay close to me, this all seems scarily sketchy-" I paused before Kobra gasped as he tripped on a wire. "Wait no, no it was a sensor trap!" I freaked out, my immediate bodily response was to shield Kobra and keep him from getting hurt. I shield him to the wall to keep him safe. Kobra's eyes widened and I internally felt blood rush to my cheeks. We were so close. "Sorry..." Lasers went off and the door of the upstairs locked as locks on the windows became stuck. "What kind of mad technology...?"

Kobra took out his ray gun and started firing it at the door. Nothing happened. "That sensor. It programmed bulletproof shielding onto things. Whoever owns this shack has us trapped." I asked.
Kobra raged, throwing his ray gun to the floor. Groaning and striking, angrily. Pulling at his hair, stressed, and punching the wall. I couldn't watch him like this. "Kobra, it'll be okay," I rub his back for condolence. "Breathe, Kobes..." I state softly grabbing ahold of him and settling him down next to him on the floor leaning against the wall.

Kobra rolled his eyes. I felt weak at the sight. "Are you mad at me, Kobra? I'm so sorry for getting us int-"
"No!" Kobra responded fragilly catching me off guard. I knew that Kobra was in a non-vocal-like behavior at the moment so to see that he responded made Jet feel more secure. "m Just, stressed...and mad," Kobra grunted.

"I know, Kobes, I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to calm you?" I asked, continuing to rub his back as his breathing synced to slow down. "I- reassurance...?" Kobra sighed. "Kobra Kid, I promise you on my soul, We will make it out of here. Things will get better right now. You'll be okay. You're not in this alone, I'm here. I always will be." I delcare.

He shuffled closer to me and I wrapped my arm around him, letting his head rest on my shoulder. "I'm sorry for squirming. I'm just fucking irritated by this room," Kobra mutters. "Don't apologize Kobes, I get it." I assure him. "I can check in that corner pile of junk for something to rest your head on like a pillow or something comfortable, though, I can't see the stuff well..."

"You don't have to check,"
"Kobra, It's no bother. I think this might be a couch cushion.." I struggle to grab the cushion in the pile.
Kobra smiles at me, as he brings the cushion over. "I know you're tired, Kobes. Lay down on my lap if you need." I mutter, patting down on the cushion as Kobra blushes but does so. He's so cute.

"I'm sick of these ridiculous situations. I love being a 'joy. I love the victory from fighting and that adrenaline rush is just the best, but if I like it so much, why do I get so angry at shit like this? I feel like Scarecrow can so easily beat me up now like I'm not a threat." Kobra rants.

"It's not all that easy to be as good as we were, it's nobody's fault. We'll get out of this situation and improve from here. And if those scarecrow units even think of messing with The Kobra Kid, I'll knock them out." I chuckle to which causes Kobra to have a mesmerized look on his face.

"...And if they even dare to mess with Jet-Star, they're getting a fucking crane kick at full force to the skull!" Kobra smirks looking up from my lap. I smile. "That's the Kobra I know!" I hype him up as he just chuckles. The cutest laugh ever.

"I'll never let them hurt you, I promise, Ko. You know I won't go anywhere without you. You're the other half of me. We're Jet-Star and The Kobra Kid! Always and forever." I smile softly down at him. "Jet, Do you ever get the feeling that, If you don't speak up about something in the best possible place, at such a very right time, then there's no use bringing it up ever again?" Kobra asks me.

"Like being trapped in a room with the sweetest, most comforting, and best person in your life. Not knowing how to commit your feelings to them?" I ask hesitantly.

"Um...exactly. That's exactly what I..." Kobra gulps. "Then yeah. I get it. Especially with being so horrible at wording things and just wanna express how they feel to you already. And have been with them through so much of their life wanting to just confess that-" I trail off as Kobra just grabs ahold of my hand.

"Jet! Jet! Do you-? Am I-? Are you-?" Kobra stutters. "Yes, Kobra! I'm talking about you! This whole time I have been!" I say as Kobra perks up. "You like me?" he blushes. "I've made it so obvious, Kobes.." I laughed.  Kobra hugged me and squealed.

"I'm so stupid, Jet-Star. Do you wanna go out with me when this is all over?" Kobra trembles unable to express his feelings at a fast enough pace." "You aren't stupid! And yeah, I'd love to..." I sighed.
"God that felt good to get out," I added.
"Exactly." Kobra sighed as they stayed in the hug together.

Chapter 23: 20

Party Poison's POV

"Listen here, We can do this the easy way or the hard way," I said cracking my knuckles and loading up my guns. "How did you expect me?" The Draculoid asked. Oh boy, he wasn't only stupid, was pathetic. "You simply underestimated me. I know how this works. One abandoned shack means it's loaded with traps and lightspeed contact with CROW, while two shacks mean both are guarded. Don't think you outsmarted me." I said firing my ray-gun which he shot back at.

I dodged immediately and continued firing back hitting him like a dart hitting the bullseye on a target and made a run for it.
I had to get to Ghoul. I ran to his building and realized it was the same as mine. "Hello? Ghoul?! Where are you?!" I ran up to the second floor and heard him. "Party!! Par, I'm here!" he shrieked. "I'm on my way I said as I ran up and noticed the door was ray-gun proof. "Ugh, gotta do this the old hard way," I said getting a running start to slam my body against the door so it could knock down.

I wasted not a second once I got in there. Blasting the Scarecrow unit before he could say anything and I slid to Ghoul untrapping him. "Par?" he asked as took his blindfold and traps off. "Yeah. It's me, Gho-" he wrapped himself around me in a hug and I held back out of immediate relief. "Woah..." I flusteredly chuckled. "Sorry.." he sweats.  "Come on. Let's get back to the motorbike." I say as Ghoul takes my hand immediately, making me turn pink. "Hey, are you alright?" I ask, looking him in the eyes.

He simply nods. "Yeah, I'm okay. Sorry," he says, looking down. "Don't be, it's fine, Ghoul. Did that Scarecrow unit talk shit to you?" I asked and he nodded. What did they possibly say to Ghoul? I swear they'll pay for whatever shit was said to ever hurt him.
"Good thing he's done with, right?" I nudge him and he finally smiles. I love those damn smiles. "Party Poison! Come in!" I hear on my walkie. "Oh shit! I have reception now!" I say picking up the walkie. "Show Pony?! What is it?" I ask. "We found Girlie! Over!" They tell.

"Stay there! I'm gonna find Jet-Star and Kobes. When I come in again, send me your location immediately!!" I tell. I hope on the motorbike as Ghoul wraps himself around me. "Jet! Kobra! Come in! Come in?" Ghoul asks on the walkies. "Ugh, they gotta be trapped somewhere. There's no reception!" he states.

That's when I realize. "Ghoul, I know where they are!" We rev the motorbike and start speeding through the dunes. "What? Where then, Pois?" he asks. "There's only one shack I know in the direction they went that wouldn't have Scarecrow units in it, but sensory traps. It shouldn't be far!" I say as the shack nears sight. "There! Is it that one?" Ghoul asks pointing to a way modernized shack that stood taller and alone. "Yeah, Yeah look that's Kobra's bike and their and Jet's helmets!" I say. We skid over to the building once close enough.

We get to the door that seems broken down. "Only Kobes" I laugh to myself. We run to the top floor and rush to see a ray-gun-proof door. "Damn it!" I say trying to shoot it down. "Par, it's no use," Ghoul says pulling me away from it as I exhale, worked up with stress and anxiety from everything.
"Are you alright, Party?" he asks. "No! No, Ghoul, I'm...  I'm losing it... I can't function away from Girlie and I just feel under pressure." I ramble to him as he gives me that, look. The look that always has me feeling things for him.

"You're Party Poison. And we all love you for that. Nobody can talk you out of who you are and what you are capable of. We all care for you so much. You are doing great. Okay?" he tells me. I smile at him and he smiles back. I feel a rosiness spread across my face, but I can't stop just grinning at his precious face as it stares into mine.

"Thank you, Ghouls." I sigh regaining my focus. "Hey, the door is bulletproof, not soundproof! Help us out here before you start making out, okay?" Jet hollers from the other side of the door. "Before we what?!" Ghoul shrieks, flustered and confused. "On our way, you guys!" I say as I try breaking the door by the side. "I don't think it's any use, Pois," Ghoul tells.

"Check the bottom level!" I say as we rush to the bottom level, searching for low and behold a hidden latch door. It was rusted and hard to unscrew but I don't carry around my sunglasses for nothing. I took them from my jacket pocket and started using the metal stem from the rubber sleeves of them to pick at the rust, before busting it up and claiming the very unstable ladder on it. "Jet! Kobra! Come down!" I told them as I peeked my head in to see them very cutely snuggled in a corner of the darker room.

"Party!" they both yelled coming down. As we got out of the shed entirely, I ran to check up on Kobra and Jet. "Kobra! You okay? Lil bro?" I asked hugging him and making sure he wasn't hurt. He nodded and gave me a little smile. "And you Jet?" I asked him. "All good, Party!" he said.

"Good." I said as them two got on their motorbikes and Ghoul and I got on the other. "Then lets go save Girlie."

Chapter 24: 20.5

Girlie's POV

I knew the killjoys would find me. The units took me immediately from the outside of the dinner, as they used a fake cat meowing in a hush as a way to lure me. Thankfully, I had a comic book in my killjoy baggy. I was able to use the heel of my killjoy boot to scrape the pages and send them flying out the back of the moving vehicle, just under the soft of the units. Once they would land on the desert floor, they'd stay stuck to the dirt and sand. Good thing I had a plan.

"They'll come! Mark my words, they'll be here soon!" I yelled words at the units that had me locked in cuffs in a strangely bright, white room with them."I'm telling you, they're coming!" "Child! Shut your mouth up now or we'll cuff that too!" they snapped. Did they know who they were speaking to? I'm not scared!

"Tell me, Did Fun Ghoul ever shut his mouth when he was lifting killjoys' spirits? Did Party Poison ever shut up when they were being the good leader they are? How bout Kobra Kid? Did Kobra ever shut up when getting a kick out of ranting about their passion for martial arts? No, and neither did Jet-Star ever shut up when he was willing to take a risk for the team's sake! If they don't dare shut up to lowlifes like you, you'll never catch me doing so!" I'm a killjoy now! Deal with it!" I gave a speech.

"Aww, the prissy brat thinks she's a big deal now. How special!" They mocked me. "I am The Girl! I'm much more than special! I'm extraordinary! I've been family to the joys for years! I'm practically their little sister!" I huffed. "I'm not arguing with a baby, just call your tantrum quits and I'll be out of your hair, and you can spend the rest of your days alone until the boss shows up."

"I'm not a baby, I'm soon to be a teenager in like... A year..." I yelled. They all just chucked and laughed at me. I felt helpless as the cuffs jingled around. Wait. Did they say something about a boss? "Whos the boss? And when does this so-called boss show up here, huh? And why do I need to be here for it, huh?" I asked. "You don't need to know that, kid." they spat.

I groaned, miserable and overwhelmed.
But I was able to sense something... I felt less overwhelmed suddenly... My family was close...They saw my sign!

Chapter 25: 21

Party Poison's POV

I followed Show Pony's transmitted location, just as they gave it to me with their crappy-sounding voice on the other side of the walkie. We were in the building territory of the city though. There were way more buildings around, but I was super familiar with the area. There are no secret buildings. They're all just shops and stores... "Trans Am! At your 1'o-clock!" Ghoul yelled from behind me.

"Ko, skid now!" Jet told as both Lil Bro and I skidded our motorbikes toward Show and Dr. D. "We got here as fast as we could." I explained. "That, was your fastest?" Show sneered, followers with Dr. D elbowing them. "How do you know she's here? This is a random Zone 02 Avenue." Jet questioned.
Dr. D grabbed scraps of comic pages. Ripped to shreds. "This is..the book I bought her!" I noticed.

"The scraps, if followed correctly, lead straight to the alleyway between this shop and this Dead Pegasus oil station. There's only one floor inside the Dead Peg mart, and that shop next door is just an abandoned auto-part center..." Show adds. "Recently abandoned too... That's super sketchy. Let's spread out and let's search in there, now! Blast them all immediately, and by immediately I mean it. Before they can spot us!" I tell as the others follow me. Dr. D, Show, stay on the outside."

We head in and without any waste, all four of us blast all the units. I don't like how Scarecrow units have changed. They're not at all horrifying anymore. They're basically like the draculoid were. If anything they were like how the more recent "Draculoids of revision" were. I waited until we ran up the stairs to the second floor of the building, to not charge at the next seen unit. I instead, pulled them by the hem of their jacket and held a gun up to their throat.

"Where is she?" I snapped at them as the others went forward, blasting any other unit in sight until we found the room where they had her. "Girlie!" I cried out when I saw her. "I knew you'd come!" Girlie beamed seeing me! I could've hugged her, but there was no time to waste. I learned that before and not in a way I liked either. "Party, I'm sorry, I can explain everything!" she told with assurance and an incredible amount of bold confidence rather than skittishness.

Bless her and her love and happiness towards seeing me. "Kiddy, I'd love you to, but now's-" "Not the time, I know! Come on, let's blast them and get outta here!" She cuts me off taking my hand and pulling me with her. Gosh, she's turning into a little me.
We ran out as quickly as we could, making sure the units didn't follow without getting their heads blown off.

As soon as we five made it to the bottom level of the building, I heard guns fire left and right. None of which the aim was at any of us but they sounded closer, until one. One hit, and it didn't sound like the blast hit the walls or the floor. No, this hit someone. And I was sure it wasn't Girlie, or me.. I knew exactly who though by the immediate cry out.

"Ghoul!!" I shrieked. He winced and cried out. They got his ankle good. Jet and Kobra finished off every unit dead, as they ran with Girlie to the car. "Phoenix-Fucking-Witch, they got me.." Ghoul groaned in pain. "Oh, Ghouls," I stressed, carrying him to the Trans-Am and proceeded to clean up his wound with the first aid kit. "Jet, Kobra, take the motorbikes, Girlie, ride in the back with Ghoul and I, Show, Dr. D... Can one of you drive us home?" I asked, my voice shaky and my eyes not off of Ghoul for a second.

Ghoul looked at me with eyes of strength and I felt my heart thumping quickly. The look he gave me. He was amazingly strong and brave during this. That look just showed how perfect he is. Wait no that's not what I... why can't I think straight?
"Par?" he asked snapping me out of, wherever in my mind I was. I looked at him and he chuckled and winced. "Sorry, hey. You alright, Ghoul?" I asked. He nods and chuckles. "I'll be alright."

"You promise?" I ask. He chuckles and grabs my hand, causing me to heat up. "Have I ever lied to you, Par?"

"Never!" I blushed..

"Exactly"

Chapter 26: 22

Party Poison's POV

Show and Dr. D get in the front and Show starts to drive as Jet and Kobra follow on each motorbike. "Hey, Party?" Girlie asks me on the left side of the car. "Yeah, motorbaby?" I ask. "I'm sorry," she sighs. "What for?" I ask.

"Getting myself captured. Whatever kind of crow units they were placed this fake animatronic cat in the yard as a diversion trapped me and took me with them. They weren't the sharpest but well, I was also super gullible-"

Oh god, how it hurt to see her beat herself up for a small little mistake... Why is she taking the blame? "Girlie, stop. It's not your fault. You're a great kiddo, and I'm proud of how tough you are." I told her as she smiled and rested her head on mine.

We eventually got home and I wasted no time before resting Ghoul on his bed. "Rest here, Ghoul... That was a good hit. You luckily didn't lose too much blood but, you shouldn't move much, plus, you'll probably feel pretty loopy for a bit." I ensured him. "Oh. Alright.." he sighed. "I'm glad I took that hit though..." he let out. "Wh-What? Why?" I asked him. Maybe he was already getting loopy. "Because, If I didn't, they would've gotten to you. Badly," he says. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "You sacrificed your pain to make sure they didn't get me..?" I asked, heating up.

"Yeah," he yawned. I could tell he was getting that unconscious after-hit feeling so I figured I'd let him be. "Thanks, Ghoul." I chuckled, ruffling his hair, then made my way to the door. "Party?" he says as I am just about to leave the room. "Hm?" I turn immediately, looking over at how peacefully he laid on the bed. "Thank you so much," he chuckled.

"Oh, Ghouls, of course, dude..." I smiled at him and left the room. I could've sworn I heard him mutter something else but when I looked back at the room from the hallway, he was eyes closed, fast asleep. So peacefully too. My stomach was fluttering and passing the hallway mirror I noticed my face was excruciatingly red. I walked to the living room and sighed. "Dr. D and Show left by the way," Girlie told me. "Ah, alright.." I exhaled, got a cup of fresh cold water from the kitchen, and walked to the living room. "You alright, Party?" Jet asked as I crashed on the couch next to him, Kobra and Girlie. "Yeah, I'm alright..." You three? I asked.

Kobra nodded with a surprisingly sharp smile as Jet and Girlie both let out their ways of admitting they were right. Kobra shuffled over to me and whispered in my ear. "Party, guess what?" He whispered. I was glad to hear him speaking so clearly and he sounded ecstatic after a battle like this. "What's up, lil bro? I asked putting an arm around his shoulder. "I told Jet. Well. We told each other.." he chuckled to me. Oh my goodness. I knew my little bro had been crushing on Jet for oh so long but to hear that he told him made me so happy!

"Really?!" I gasped looking back at Jet who nodded. "Oh my gosh! Congrats you two!" I hugged Kobra tightly but signaled for Girlie and Jet to join the hug. We four stayed in it and it made me so happy. They made me so happy. I love my little brother, and who he's become. I love Girlie, my little sister, not by blood, but by choice, Jet was always there for me too. He and Ghoul were my closest friends the whole time. I loved all of them they're my best friends in the world. They're my family.

I'd never want to hurt them or put them through too much... But... I can't help but feel like I do. I can't help but feel like I'm just... immature and indecisive, all the time. Dragging them into nonsense or not looking out for them enough. These thoughts were so heavy the rest of the night. By the time I got to bed, I felt like I couldn't hear myself think. All I could hear were these thoughts telling me I was doing a bad job, and that I shouldn't be a killjoy. That I'm a bad caretaker, bad sibling, bad friend. I even heard some telling me stuff about Ghoul... And it hurt.

I couldn't fight them off though. I sighed getting up from bed. I didn't take my jacket with me, or my walkie, or my ray gun, not even my mask or mousekat. I don't wanna bother anyone and I don't want them to bother me either.

I sighed leaving my room, I walked into Ghouls and... I sighed. I looked at his peaceful sleeping face. I gently brushed some hair out of his face, without waking him up. I planted a small little kiss on his forehead as he continued to be knocked out and unconscious, blushing while I did so, before leaving the room, "I'm sorry, Ghouls.." I whispered. He doesn't deserve this, or Kobra, or Jet, or Girlie but I need the space. I very quietly made my way to the diner door.

I sighed leaving them a note before leaving. Not taking the trans am so that it didn't make any noise. I looked up and into the dark night sky of the zones.

"Well, Party Poison...
It's about time we went missing."

Chapter 27: 23

Summary:

(A/N takes inspo for the Gerard missing report from 2004)
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPRWTowpC/

Fun Ghoul's POV

I woke up around noon. Crazily sore and groaning even trying to get one muscle of my body up. In terms of my ankle and leg in general, it stopped burning and bleeding for good from the stupid blasted shot yesterday. It was cleaned and wrapped in bandage wrap, immediately speaking the medical care it needed, because of Par.

I sighed, thinking about them, and how they didn't hesitate for a second to patch up the pain. They're something else. Wow, look at me thinking about them first thing in the morning... "That's normal," I thought to myself, purely with the intent of sarcasm. I was a little too self-aware of my huge crush on Party. Girlie knew about it, oddly enough she was the only one to. Or so I was aware of.

I sighed getting up, and stretching out of bed. Limping quite a lot.  I took my first step out of bed, wobbling and thudding to the floor. "Oww! Fuckin" "What th- Ghoul?" I heard a little voice outside my room in the hallway, "Girlie?" I questioned as she walked in and tried to pick me off the floor. "Good morning! Uh, you okay?" She asked as I got up and limped my way to the living room slowly. "Mhm, I'm good, motorbaby..." I told her as I saw Jet making some brunch with Kobra serving himself.

"Morning, Jet-Star, Kobra!" I greeted them. "Morning, FG!" Jet told. "Have you seen, Party?" Kobra asked. Blurting out, not even saying good morning beforehand. "Are they not here?" I asked confused. "No. Been up for hours, they haven't been home.." Kobra says, his finger tapping rapidly at the table.

My eyes widened, a little nerve-wracked. The most unsettling part was that it wouldn't matter that much if Kobra didn't think anything of it, but he sounded actively worried, and talking fast. "What?" I said as chills ran up my spine. "Yeah, their ray gun, jacket, walkie, and all of their gear is here. Nothing to contact them even..." Jet murmurs.

"That can't be a coincidence. For a bunch of hours?" I scratched my head. "I'm afraid it isn't a coincidence. Kobra found this note from them on the front door." Jet says. I read it and was just trying to process the utter confusion it left me in.

"Guys, I'm worried." I paced back and forth. "Me too," Girlie speaks up worriedly looking at me "I'm not quite sure what to do though..." Jet says. "We gotta go look for them," I tell. "No, you need to get more great and stay in bed. You look feverish still and are limping like a hare," Jet says. "Jet, I gotta go look for them. The more time we waste, the worse things could be." I stress. "We need to do something!" Kobra says forcefully.

"Okay. Fine. I have an idea. We'll call up Dr. Death. Tell him to let me send out an emergency message on his radio show." I say as it comes to me. "We'll let the word spread for another hour or two after the broadcast, and if we don't hear any word back, we split up and search the zones," I tell.

"Ghoul, but you limping and have a fever," Girlie states. "Well, Never mind about the shape I'm in, right now! Knowing Party is okay, is more important to me! It always will be! They're...they're just that meaningful... alright? I know you guys understand." I rambled, addressing how I felt, with a little bit of overwhelm, causing me to start having tears roll down. This had to be some emotional hormone side effect of the meds or... Maybe I was just a big baby. The three came over to comfort me with hugs, making me let the tears roll, as I briefly had some conversation with them about some potentially important topic to get off my chest at brunch, before calling Dr. D.

I rang up Dr. D, my eyes watery still and sniffles still stuffy as I tried to suck up the pain. "Well well, Fun Ghoul!" he picked up. "Hehe...Dr. D! Thank the Phoenix Witch you're hosting the radio today. I have an emergency alert that needs all of your listener's attention. Mind if I make it?" I ask on the other side. He let me, and my call was suddenly live to the public, in less than an instant. I sighed, my voice still shaky and congested sounding.

"Hi, Battery City. This is Fun Ghoul of the Fabulous Killjoys. Uh.. this message is very very important but I'II make it quick, because I am sick. Uhm, there have been new unidentified units in the zones who have recently put us Fab 'Joys back in business but they're dealt with as far as we know, and uh, Party said they were going to get to the bottom of the reasoning behind where they're coming from as quick as possible. But they left strangely in the middle of the night supposedly, last remembered wearing their black short sleeve, yellow two-striped "05" shirt, and uh.. we haven't seen them since. we found a note saying something about being the next Mike Milligram, and something about life being a bag of shit, uh, they're wearing denim Dead Pegasus black jeans, and a black with a yellow and red striped shirt, so if you have any information on their whereabouts, please contact DJ, Dr. Death Defying. Thank you Battery City, Keep on making some noise. Ghoul out."

Where are you, Party...?

Chapter 28: 24

Fun Ghoul's POV

I paced back and forth, getting confused and concerned looks from Jet, Kobra, and Girlie who were huddling over our shared Tokyo-Flashtop, checking Dr. D's website for info or anything. The Flashtop was a gift from Cherry Cola. He was also the killjoy who gave us the Tokyo Flash watches because both the laptop and watches came from the same little heist he went on to get them.

After checking for calls, emails, or messages from anyone and getting nothing for another hour straight, I grew infuriated. "Anything?" I asked walking back over to the couch where the other three had been and checking the Flashtop that was on Jet's lap. Kobra and Girlie had been handled on both sides of him and shook their heads.

"Ugh! Fuck! That's it!" I groaned, yelling frustratedly. "We need to find them, now!" I tell them, impatiently stubborn to know if Party is okay. "Alright, I agree. We've wasted enough time. We'll take the trans-am, everyone gets ready. Bandanas, shades, helmets, masks, all of it. We don't know what situation this can be and I'd rather be ready for whatever it is." Jet tells.

Girlie and Kobra get to their rooms, getting ready, as I smile at Jet. "Thanks, dude. I just dont want to waste any more time at all. I need to know what's bothering Party and why they disappeared. Do you think maybe, I did something wrong? Maybe it's because of me?" I ask. "Of course not Ghoul, I do get where you're coming from. I hope Par is okay too! But I assure you, you did nothing wrong. And we'll find them." Jet guarantees me.

I nod, going to my room to get everything I need. I put on my jacket, wristbands, and bandana, before loading my ray gun, and grabbing my mask. "We all ready?" I ask putting on my shades and heading for the door. They answer and we make our way to the car. "All right, where should we start first...?" Jet asked. "Party walked right? So they could have gotten far." Girlie mutters to which I beg to differ.

"I wouldn't underestimate them, kid. Especially with who knows what time during the night they chose to leave. I doubt they'd be in the big city, but we can at least check the zones." I tell. "That's a good place to start, let's check here and then make our way to the others." Jet adds. "If we want to check all the zones and get the city to check too, our best bet is taking-" I add before Kobra cuts me off. "Don't say it.." he grumbles.

"Kobra, Route Guano is the only route that won't be traffic circulated," I tell him. "I fuckin hate that route." they tisk. "I know but, we can't risk wasting time in traffic." I notify. Jet, who was sitting in the back with Kobra and Girlie, holds Kobra's hand and assures him it'll be okay. They dont take route guano often, so I understand the PTSD the two suffer from it even being brought up.

As we make it through the zones, we check every location Party has an interest in. The Quarry, The Outlets, The Painted Rocks, no sign of them. "If I were Party Poison, where would I be?" Girlie muttered as we left The Painted Rocks and got back in the car, sad and defeated. "I'm not too sure, it feels like we checked everywhere..." I say, gloomy and at a loss of hope.

"Uh..." Kobra mumbles before closing his mouth. "What's up, Ko?" Jet asks the other, giving him a soft glance. "There is this one... Never mind forget it."

"This one what?! Kobra, what?!" I beg him to finish talking. "I doubt we'll have any luck but... There are these cliffs right off the route near The Leaf Woods. Party mentioned this but, it was a long time ago. Like when we first came to the zones I mean, so we were little but... They always said that that place looked interesting to check out." Kobra muttered.

I stepped on the gas, wasting no time at all. When we got to the cliffs, I parked the car at the bottom. Realizing that there were some little cave openings in the upper land of the cliffs. "Stay in the car, I'll go check for them," I say and they listen. It started to rain just then. What timing. And, fuck this is gonna be a bit of a walk with this ankle.

I wandered around the ground area on the cliffs, noticing some cave openings, before seeing a shadow in one as I approached near the opening of the cliff. Then a red blur...It was hard to see with the rain coming down but... Party?! It was Party Poison!!

"Party!" I called out to see the figure flinch and say my name before even turning around. "Ghoul?!" they turned rapidly. "What are you doing, here?!" they said, almost sounding stuck up. "I can ask you the same.." I respond. "I'm not the one with the injury, why are you here? Go home and rest!" they add. "Fine, but you gotta come with. Why'd you even disappear anyway? You worried us sick!" I tell. They scoff and turn away from looking at me.

"You guys are so better off without me being there... Just go home, Ghoulie. So I know you're safe there." they murmur. "Okay, what's this about?" I say getting worked up. "Nothing! I just want to be left alone! I'm not a good leader, I'm not a good killjoy, and I'm never there for you guys! I need time to think about this!"

"Not true! Par, we can all help you figure out what's wrong at home... Come on.." I beg, a bit whiney but concerned.
"Leave me be, Ghoul. It's for you're good. You guys can lead and take better care of Girlie without me..." they said cold.
"Party Poison, get a grip! Do you think this is fair to me? To Ko? To Jet-Star or Girlie-" I was interrupted.

"I dont know!! I just don't!! And it's driving me insane!! I didn't know being the leader of the fabulous killjoys, let alone being a killjoy came with all this problematic stress and problems and getting injured and trapped!! It didn't used to be like this, I'm not prepared!!"

"Par, you know I hate seeing you like this..." I said softly.
"Then, leave me Ghouls..." they said with a stubborn tone.
"What? No! I'm not leaving here without you!"

"Why not?!"
"Why not?! Because I love you, Party Poison!! That's why not!!"

I covered my mouth, and Party turned around, my heart sinking from the detection of them not wanting to come back. I gave in, evidently. If they wanted to stay here, that's up to them.

"But if what you want is for me to leave..." I scoff, my voice quivering a bit, defeated.
"Ghoul, wait no..." they trembled

I walked away from the cliffs and made my way down.

"That's fine, I guess"

Chapter 29: 25

Girlie's POV

"Hey... How long's it been, Starry?" I asked Jet. Fun Ghoul hadn't been gone for too long, but I was just curious. "Uh, maybe like 12 minutes, motorbaby?" he checks his flashwatch. I nod and look out the window, to the cliffs. Party Poison needed an escape, and none of us noticed. How did none of us notice? The radio of the car was on, but low. I could only hear so much of Dr. Death Defying's transmission, while Jet and Kobra were gossiping as well. Well, mostly Jet. Kobra just snickering and agreeing.

I listened to the radio. Something about a new young killjoy group called the Ultra V's or something, almost getting themselves pixelated by Scarecrow units. Now, it wouldn't cross my mind if it was Draculoids of Revision. But crow units? It was intriguing, especially at the thought of them being young joys. Presumably a year or two younger than the age of The Fabulous Killjoys, back in 2019.

DJ Cherri Cola, was giving another important poet note, but at that point, the radio finally died out my ears over Jet and Kobra's shared laughter. Fun Ghoul then joins us, getting back in the Trans Am driver's seat, and slamming the door, which caused total silence. That and the fact Party wasn't with him. "No luck?" Jet asked.
Ghoul turned to look at us three, and we all got a good look at him. We were all shocked at the fact his face was red and puffy and damped with tears galore. The tears were running down both sides of his face, and he had a little trembling sigh. "That's not the case." he sighed.

"What happened, Ghoul? And why's Party not-" "I don't want to talk about it. Not right now. Just know that they asked numerous times for me to leave without them. So I did." he explained as he buckled and we started to drive home. "What? We aren't leaving without them!" Kobra remarked. "It's what they wanted, Kobra Kid," Ghoul choked mid-sentence. "I don't care! We shouldn't just bail on them!" Kobra responded immediately.

"Well, unlike you I do care! If they asked me for something, I'll do that something!" Ghoul argued back. "But they're my sibling, Ghoul we need to go back! I don't trust what they're doing!" Kobra cried out. I just sat there, anxious and not sure how to help. Like always... "You're a good brother, Kobra. You know that? Party loves you, they just aren't themselves right now and-" Jet tries to calm Kobra, but gets cut off by Kobra's hyperventilating. "I'm going to get out of this car and go find them, myself then!" Kobra said, his voice raising more towards the end of his outburst.

"Not while this car is moving you won't!" Ghoul yelled. "Guys stop fighting! And Kobra, please don't do that!" Jet demanded, gripping his sleeve so that he didn't get out.
There was a bunch of yelling and it all went incoherent to me... I couldn't take it anymore.

"Stop!" I yelled, uncontrollably. "Girlie! What is it?" Jet asked, just as loud as his claims before. "I can't take the yelling! Why are you all arguing? Is it because Party's not here? Look at us! We can't function without them!"
I sighed.

Fun Ghoul sighed, calming down and as a result, stopping the car at a road stop nearby. "Girlie's right. We can't. I'm not sure what to do honestly." Ghoul buried his face in his hands. "Well, we shouldn't fret. You're Fun Ghoul, you're tough! Don't let this beat you up too much. Party will come back, I have lots of faith. Kobra, look at me. Try to stay calm. We'll bring Party back if it's the last thing we do." Jet reassures them.

Kobra nods and lays his head back on Jet, who looks over to me. "Hey, it's not easy being a killjoy. But you wanna know something, motorbaby?" he whispers in my ear. "What?" I whisper back. "You're doing great," he says. I smile and hug him tightly. It was a crammed-up hit, being in the car, but what he said not only to me but all of us was well needed for us all to hear. "Come on, we're all overwhelmed. Let's take a break and stretch. Ghoul, you should rest. It wasn't safe to walk up and down those cliffs and drive, with that ankle." Jet suggests.

Ghoul nods and he gets out, limping a bit, so I get out as well to help him out, as Jet and Kobra get out and we all take a seat on some stones on the road. "A lot is going on right now. I think the best way to cope with it all would be to explain myself." Ghoul mutters. We all listen up as he sighs and begins to tell us what happened before.

"I found Party Poison, but they weren't in the mood to talk I guess. Which I totally get with how overwhelming everything has been like the unidentified units and where they're coming from and all that. Anyways, they said we're...better off without them? Now I'm afraid they won't wanna come back." he sniffled, on the verge of tears once again.

I frowned, nervous and scared for if that were the case. "Ghoul, I'm sorry to hear that's how it went." Jet let out, dismally.
"That's not all, really..." Ghoul said, gloomily.
"They asked me why I cared so much about bringing them back, and well...I told them I loved them..." Ghoul muttered.

My eyes widened and I wanted to sit there in surprise but my instinct told me to hug Ghoulie. So I did. And Jet and Kobra followed. Ghoul hugged back and trembled with sighs and sniffles. "I'm proud of you, Ghoulie!" I told him and he chuckled with tears. "Aww, motorbaby..." he sniffled. "I'm proud of you too," Kobra added as Ghoul ruffled his hair. "Fun Ghoul, trust me. Party Poison will come back. Especially with what you said. I just know it." Jet let Ghoul know.
"Thanks, you guys." Ghoul smiled at us each.

After a few more on it's of talking, and stretching we were about to head into the car, but something had grabbed my attention. Far off in the distant road. A heard of... Dracs? No those weren't dracs. That's impossible. Those were... Units.

Chapter 30: 26

Party Poison's POV

Did Ghoul say what I think he did? It's too late to ask, or chase him. He left.
I got up from the dusty, gross caves in these cliffs that I had been hiding out with my thoughts, in. It was still raining and it didn't seem like it was gonna stop anytime soon. I just kept thinking to myself.
How could I improve myself as a killjoy? How can I become the next Mike Milligram?

My only thought was isolation. But did I even want that anymore? I mean I have an amazing brother and sister. Girlie may not be my blood, but she's still my sister. And my two best friends. Or, whatever Ghoul and I are. It's all so confusing. By that I mean everything.

"Oh well, I'll figure it out. I did all these years so what's the worst that being a lone killjoy could do to me?"

And just like that, I'm already talking to myself. I kept thinking how this 'isolation' is doing a number on me. I wondered, should I just let myself die here or something? No that's, blasphemous. Killjoys never die. Plus, this would be a joke of a way to do it. Well, I could go back but, Ghoul sounded done with me. Kobra can just cope with Jet instead. And Girlie, she...
Oh, man. I can't leave Girlie. Hell, what am I thinking? I can't leave Kobra, Ghoul, or Jet either! Think, Party Poison, what are you doing?!

Just then I heard some beeping. I hid, to a corner of the cliffs and peeked over, noticing some crow units. Where are they coming from? They had some communication devices with them. Not a walkie, but not anything made by Toyko-Flash either. I couldn't hear well at all, but I doubt it was my imagination when I heard the word "Fabulous" mentioned.

All I could think of was the Fab Five. I was the fabs five. My friends. My killjoys group. We were the Fabulous Five. I continued to watch as these units scanned the area around the bottom of the cliffs. They better not go in the direction of where Ghoul left. How would I even know which direction that was?

The units eventually left in their vehicle which was surprisingly more intimidating than them. Which was saying something because these units were not as dull-looking as draculoids were. It was speeding through the zones so I wasted no time getting off these cliffs and dashing in the same direction. I need to put all this isolation aside and be the leader people count on me to be.

Who would think a killjoy raised by DJ, Dr. Death Defying, who watched over 4 other killjoys and eventually a little orphan girl, would turn into the leader of one of the most well-known Killjoy groups ever? It stunned me still after all those years that this was who we were. Now who we will continue to be. I didn't care anymore about what it would take to become as good as I once was again. I just needed to be a killjoy.

I kept running, I couldn't believe what it was thinking. I have no ray gun on me. No, way of communication, no mask, jacket. Oh, my Witch, I was unprepared. I've never run faster though. I was out of breath and chasing that vehicle for what felt like forever, until I saw it stop in the distance.
And that's when I saw them. The Fabulous Five.

They were after them and I knew it.
I was about to trip numerous times but I still ran, despite my heart about to pop out of my chest. I couldn't talk despite wanting to scream. But my breath just wasn't there. Once I saw Ghoul, I clutched onto him like never before. "Party-?!" He shrieked. Pulling away. "You're paler than a ghost what the hell?! Where did you come from?! Are you okay?!" he asked rambling. Jet, Kobra, and Girlie were asking things too, but it was so muffled by the ringing in my ears from the way I was panting. That's when everything started rushing back.

I was wheezing and he was probably just trying to look me in the eyes. But that exhausting running had my vertigo rushing in.  "Units. They're... Gonna fire.." I hyperventilated. I watched. My eyes couldn't focus. And I kept feeling them close.

One second later and I felt myself lose my balance. I felt everything go blank and I collapsed.

"..Party!!?"

____________________________

I awoke in my bed. No recollection of what happened until. I noticed Girlie on the edge of my bed. "You're awake!" she gasped, relieved. She ran to my door and called for Ghoul who I could hear rush through the hallway, limping but quick as ever, as Girlie left to let Jet and Kobra know I was up. "Party! Oh my god." Ghoul hugged me tightly and I sat up to hug back. I was hit with an alarming mass of emotions in that sudden grasp, and I just kept crying into his shoulder.

"I'm so so stupid. Why? Why did I- oh god.." I groaned. "You came back for us in the end, Par. I'm just glad to see you doing better."
he nuzzled into my shoulder. "I'm a horrible fucking killjoy. Who the fuck runs away when things get difficult-"

"You saw we were gonna be in danger, and came back. You kept running knowing the consequences of how you'd feel after. That's the most badass thing I've heard a killjoy do. You're anything but a horrible 'joy"

"Ghoul. When you argued for me to come back... You're reasoning was...that you loved me?" I mumbled and he heated up a rose-color across his face as if he knew I was gonna say that. "I wasn't lying, if that's what you're asking. Because I'd never lie to you," he told me with all seriousness.

I couldn't help but feel more tears run down my face as I smiled. "That's my phrase," I scoffed.

He chuckled and I watched as his hand made its way up to my face. I looked at it and then to his eyes, getting lost in them.
I brought my hand up to his as well. I wasn't sure who leaned forward first but by my lack of movement I could only figure it wasn't me. Regardless,

"..."

I kissed Ghoul.

Notes:

FUCKIN FINALLY. SHIT.

Chapter 31: 27

Party Poison's POV

I couldn't wrap my head around the fact of the matter that was... The kiss.
This was reality. What had just happened it was real. It wasn't just some dream of mine.

Ghoul looked pretty stunned about it too... Which didn't help with the fact it all felt so natural. Like it was destined to happen. Like as if all of our engagement at any point led up to this moment. It was short and sweet but what did it mean for anything else? We kind of just looked at each other, Ghoul still on the bed, sitting there looking at me. His eyes were wide, but also lots of red blush on his cheeks. I just looked up into his eyes, noticing the way that they glistened and scrutinized back and forth between me and the bed.

"Did we just do that? Kiss.. I mean...??" he stammers, asking hesitantly with a bit of a chuckle, as I sneered, awkwardly brushing my red-pink hair out of my eyes. "Yeah, I guess we did..kiss" We looked around avoiding eye contact, but I eventually looked up at him again. "Phoenix-Fucking-Witch, Par.. I can't believe I did that" he laments, with a smile and awkward snicker.

"What does this mean for anything?" I ask. Ghoul chuckled and brushed my hair out of my face. "Don't know, but I enjoyed it. Genuinely," he answers, he slips his hand to interlock with mine and gently rubs his thumb over my hand. "Oh I uh put your gloves over there with the rest of your attire," he says pointing to a folded pile of my real killjoy wear.

I grinned, coming off as competent to regain all of the optimistic, sentiment that I hadn't had since way before I was having thoughts that were echoing in my ears, back when I first thought to run away in the first place. It seems like every thought inside my head had just been fixed because of this one, adhesive moment.

I can only ever feel such affection for Ghoul and Ghoul and I knew this was romantical because... well this is the only ever type of affection, care, and love that I've ever felt. Nothing ever before would give me the butterfly-stomach feeling I had now. That and having my palms sweaty. As if being in a bed, resting in pain wasn't enough now I was going mentally spiraled yet again.

I only understood what love was so much until we moved to Battery City. Anything before that was years ago. Too many to properly remember. Back when Battery City was more isolated, I mean especially around the zones if it weren't for the few films that we had owned on our TV, then I wouldn't understand romance at all the way other people do, modern day. I mean living in an isolated desert how many people are you going to see fall in love? "You know, I've loved you for so long, Party Poison..." he mutters.

I feel that stomach fluttering all up again, not really sure what else to say except for a trembling, "Me too," which was humiliating that it was all I could think I say. I don't know why I also was incredibly sore and weak. I couldn't function that well anyway, but despite that, I desperately wanted to lean in for another kiss with Ghoul as he leaned in too, noticing what I was doing however, the moment was interrupted immediately by Girlie running and holding Kobra's hand as Jet followed.

The second we heard the footsteps in the hallway come to the doorway, we parted from getting to each other's faces. Ghoul just sitting on the bed, acting like nothing ever happened. I, just going back to being sore, but without the butterfly feeling in my stomach "Party Poison you're up!" Jet said as Kobra came running to me to hug me.

I tried to sit up to hug him back but I was still very weak and it took a lot out of me to just sit up straightly sitting up straight. More than I was with Ghoul that is. But I made the effort despite the pain just because my little brother was making sure that I was okay. "Are you feeling any better?" he asked and it felt nice to hear his voice for the first time since I ran away. "I'm okay I'm okay baby bro."

Nothing felt better than being in a room with all my loved ones again. But that happiness didn't last long before it all turned into regret and sorrow.

Chapter 32: 28

Party Poison's POV

They all backed up, getting a good scan of me, including Ghoul who stayed on the bed, however shifted more to the other corner a little near where my feet had been. I looked up noticing the look on everyones faces.

Ghoul; looking at me with large eyes full so much wonder and happiness. Girlie was looking at me with this... inspired..? Look? It confused me but she was looking at me as if she saw something in me in that very moment which confused me, given I was injured and in pain and needed to rest. Kobra looked at me with a stern, but stress relieved look and Jet looked at me with a bit of worry.

Everyone had their own way of looking at me made me feel like a leader and made me feel like I was in charge again and it was good to have that feeling, knowing that this is what I ran away from. To face my problems. but there is no problem here. When they all look at me, they all want another command, they all want to follow some kind of plan from me, they all want to hear me talk, they want to see my leadership and they believe in me. They see me as some hero the way that I don't. Nothing could have made this moment feel any better. "You guys are the best.." I sniffled just breaking into a realization.

After a bit of discussion, and words of tenderness and care, Jet called Kobra and Girlie out, telling them to give me some time.  "Wait, why does Ghoul get to stay with Party?" The motorbaby asked, Kobra nodding, also confused. Jet looked at Ghoul, Ghoul and I looking back, then Jet looked at me, telling Ko and Girlie, "I'm sure they have more to tell each other, let's give them time," I blushed and that meant Jet was picking up something that nobody else was. "I'll be in the kitchen if you guys need me. I'm really glad to see you doing better, Party," Jet said, walking out and leaving the door halfway closed.

"What a 'mama-bear' he is.." Ghoul snickered before looked back at me. "I.. wanted to ask you something Par," he said which got my heart beating way more.
A heated thriller feeling came to my face as that butterfly feeling was fluttering in my stomach once more.
Never in my years of being a killjoy have I ever felt such an interesting phenomenon. BetterLiving Industries alsoways let it be said everywhere that, "LOVE IS A PILL"
That's what I knew love as. It's just a pill. A in the zones and battery city, Love was a mental issue. To be cured and medicated for. This was unhuman feelings. That's what I was taught. Only now suddenly, I realized how that's not true.

"Shoot," I said back.
"I want this to be something.. I don't want that kiss to have just been for nothing." That's exactly where I stop him.
I regained focus. Despite the pain, I got up. It did have a backlash, vertigo feeling when got up, however it didn't stop me from talking.

"Ghoul, I would've never done that if it was nothing. Fun Ghoul, you've been the killjoy by my side the entire time. The one who listens to me, the funny guy to my leader. You understand me. I'm more than willing to have this be... you know.."
I couldn't find the words I kept fumbling but as always Fun Ghoul picked up from my mannerisms and understood exactly just like old times.

"I'm going nuts.."
"I know exactly what you mean, Par." he gives me a light kiss on the cheek and I just chuckle afterwords. "Oh, crap.." I say, slipping out as this causes him to crack up.

"I'm gonna go get dinner and bring it here for you... you're probably starved. Just rest, I'll come back soon,"

I resist for a minute but then realize that he's only looking out for my best, into which I cannot argue with.
I'm.. not sure why I was so obsessed with wanting to be the next Mike Milligram....
It's not like he didn't have friends and people like this along his side the whole time he did what was I thinking if anything I'm not even like Milligram, I'm Poison.

Notes:

if you guys like jetkobra I suggest checking out a wattpad account named Rikeytrash64 they post rikey but they have a wattpad one shot that is a jetkobra one. Anyways I just really wanted to give him a shoutout I love his work.

Chapter 33: 29

Girlie's POV

It had been a couple of months since the last unit kidnapping. It was actually March of the next year even. Life's been, like itself again. We've been hunting down units and watching our backs like crazy. Dr. Death Defying and Cherry Cola were still radio hosting. There were a lot of breaking reports of unidentified units. At least twice a week. But, the killjoys were used to it so it wasn’t stressing them. What was stressing them, was pinpointing where they were coming from and who was sending them.

Nowadays, technology isn't the most advanced over here in the zones. Like flashtops are very very slow. For every trip to a website from a search engine, the flashtop will die in ten minutes worth. But those and flash phones are all we have as far as out-of-zone research on where these units may be coming from. Maybe there were cameras watching us again. Jet said it was "Only matters of times," or something like that.
Even though I don't know what that means.

This very moment in time however, everyone was at home and doing their own thing. Kobra was doing nonstop research on locating what could be after us while Jet was putting new batteries in everyone's ray guns and flash-watches. Not to mention that by buying longer lasting batteries we are losing money that we've been saving for these big things. It couldn't be more like old times.

"I just don't get it!" Party told Fun Ghoul who was re-dyeing their hair for them. "Don't get what Pois?" He asked as Party just tapped their finger on the table repetitively. "It's been four and a half years since the drac-out! Don't you think if there were more people who wanted to revamp BLI, they would've... oh I dunno, been a new runner of BLI the year of or hell, after the drac-out?! For CROWS sake...!" Party grumbled.

"Hey now, easy there Party.. you have to take into consideration that, I don't think draculoids would be very prone to what was going on in the world at the time."
Ghoul added.

"Like quarantine!" I added. "The lil sunshine has a point, Party," Ghoul adds. "No offense at all Girlie, but I disagree entirely. Why should a brainwashed industry-powered imbecile like a Draculoid Unit care about the state of the world? If they wanted us exterminated over anything else, nothing would stop them." Party says as they sip some juice.

"Yeah, but did anyone exterminate us in those past years? No, and now they are." I say trying to seem wise and make sense.
"The Girl: One, Party Poison: Zero!" Ghoul says trying to prove Party wrong of their thought process. Party just laughs and gives me a little side hug while trying to stay slightly still so they don't catch Ghoul off guard while he works on re-dyeing their hair.

I then walk over to see what Kobra was up to on the couch and he was just on the flashtop looking up something about facilities. Out of nowhere the slight silence goes interrupted by the sizzling and crackling of an electric spark in the corner. "SHI-!!" Jet screeched before Kobra covered my ears without hesitation.

"Jet-" Kobra mumbled concerned. "Sorry! I'm alright Kobes." Jet groaned as Kobra sighed with relief. None of us really freaked out too much as we knew what those sparks were the moment it came from Jet's direction. If a ray-battery is really old or rusty and taken out of a device only to be met with contact of a new battery, it kind of explodes in a way. Could have been a lot worse, if he wasn't wearing the helmet.

"We're running low on the rest of the dye, Par..." Ghoul muttered. "WHAT?!"
Party panicked. "Please don't tell me it looks totally uneven right now." Party frets.
"It doesn't look totally uneven right now." Ghoul tries to reassure them. "It does," Kobra says without thinking twice. Party snarls, "I can go buy another box, if you want." Ghoul shrugs.

"No, no it's okay." Party sighs trying to collect themselves and relax. "Girlie, come take a walk with me to the gas station." Ghoul says while putting on his boots and the jacket.
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion "Why do I ha-" "Come with and I'll let you get sour gummy worms." Ghoul chuckles.

I can't help but beam at this and put my vest on with my sneakers immediately.
"I'm ready!" I tell him as he opens the door. We were about to leave before he stands at the doorway to ask if there's anything anyone needs. "More ray-batteries please!!" Jet asked putting emphasis on the 'please'. "No, we can't afford anymore. Use the ones you have on the four ray-guns and those only."

"Ghoul, we need everything powered up and charged just incase of any drac-attack!" Jet tells. "Well we can't afford them!!" The two start arguing like cats and dogs for minutes, while I get distracted by a letter on the floor outside the front door.

Huh? It has the diner's adderess but it doesn't say any of the killjoys names. Instead, it reads,
'To: G and M Milligram-Waybright'

I look at it confused and hurry back inside so that Ghoul doesn't leave me, which didn't seem like a problem because him and Jet were still going on about twhrther or not the batteries were necessities.

"Party? There was this letter out front but I think they got the wrong people..." I show them as they gently take it and read what the outside envelope says. Their eyes go wide and they seem to be at a loss for words looking it over. "Party...?"

They were unresponsive. Instead turning their head over to Kobra. "Ko-bro? Can you come here for a minute?" they ask as Kobra gets up, walk's to hover over them once met next to Party. They point to the reading on the envelope and Kobra's eyes go just as Party's were.

 

"What the hell?"