LPS: CFFs - Crime-Fighting Friends

Chapter 13: Sudden Trouble Or...?

It was 9:00 AM on a sunny Friday morning, and Allie was spending quality relaxation time with Xavier and Bristol, when Roxie burst into the house. She seemed to be in a huge hurry, as she didn't even knock before coming in.

"Allie! We've got a problem!"

"What is it, Roxie?" Allie asked her best friend.

"Gear's back! He just appeared in town, and he has a new plan this time!"

Allie and Bristol exchanged looks. "We'll be right there!"

"Actually, Allie, I think you should go alone. We can't leave Xavier all by himself." Bristol suggested.

"You're right. Okay, I'll be back soon." Allie agreed, kissing Bristol before she left.

In town, Gear was standing in front of a group of children when Allie and Roxie arrived on the scene. 

"Gear! What are you up to now?" Allie barked at him.

"Oh? Well, well, well...if it isn't the little detective that ruined my last plan..." Gear smirked. "If you really want to know what I'm doing, meet me at my lair. I'll tell you everything there."

Allie looked at Roxie with a determined face, then followed Gear as he walked back to his lair. She wasn't sure what Gear was looking to accomplish, but she knew she would find out soon.

At Gear's lair, Gear had Allie sit with him in his office while he explained everything to her.

"Do you want to know why I started doing evil things, Allie?" Gear asked her. "Well, it's because of one thing--my parents."

"Your...parents?" Allie repeated confusedly.

"They never loved me. When I was 5, they dropped me off at an orphanage with a really mean owner. She treated us like slaves..." Gear mumbled. "Because of everything that happened between my parents, the orphanage owner, and the countless bullies I faced in school, I never knew what love felt like. Nobody ever liked me and they always treated me badly, so...I turned evil to get revenge on them. But, of course...that didn't work."

Allie was silent. She didn't really know how to react. Gear continued before she got a chance to say anything.

"And now I want to try to do better. Ever since you broke my Brainwash XLM, my organization has fallen apart, and it's too late to rebuild it." Gear continued. He looked straight at Allie with his piercing teal eyes. "Allie, I need your help. Please, teach me how to be a good guy for once!"

"I don't know...can I really trust you?" Allie asked Gear. She was rightfully suspicious of him, given all he had done in the past.

"Please, Allie! I need your help!"

Allie sighed. "Fine. I'll teach you how to be good."

"Thank you, Allie! I promise, I won't let you down!"

Now Allie had a new goal: teaching Gear how to be a good guy.