World of Paws: Balance of Heroes

Field Trip to Grapevine Villa

Back in the Accreton Forest, Vakatarus was waiting impatiently.
Vakatarus: "Where are those four? My patience is wearing very thin."
Salvador: "I'm sure they'll be back at some point, Lord Vakatarus."
Vakatarus: "Oh look who decided to show up. Is Jackson Tontione dead yet?"
Demetrio, Santo, Solomon, and Kavinozo return with their crews full of pride and excitement.
Solomon speaks up first.
Solomon: "We have good news my Lord. We got rid of Jackson Tontione."
Vakatarus: "What evidence do you have to prove it? After all he's foiled every one of my plans so far. Especially, since he's been going around as the Shadow Dhole for all these years. But now we know that he can be killed given the right opportunity. All in all, I must say... I am impressed by this accomplishment."
His entire army bows in his presence.
Vakatarus: "Santo. Rise. I sense you want to tell me something."
Santo: "I am the one shot who Jackson. I mean no could survive an injury like that."
Vakatarus: "Really? Did he beg for mercy?"
Santo: "Nah! I shot him twice. Once in the stomach and once in the leg."
Vakatarus: "If this is true. Then we should have no problem staging an ambush at the Grapevine Villa."
Demetrio: "That podunk town right outside of Coastal City?"
Vakatarus: "One of my scouts reported that they're holding a contest for the most creative artist."
Kavinozo: "Hmm... I smell a plan coming on."
Solomon: "Hahaha! Yeah tell us the plan, Vakatarus!"
Vakatarus growls and hisses in retort.
Solomon: "Lord Vakatarus."
Vakatarus: "Much better. Now as for the plan... you will move in fast and use these plasma grenades to spark a fire that will incinerate that area and all of the residents with it. Once you get in close enough to plant them."
Santo: "Wait! Where did we get these, boss?"
Vakatarus: "You'll see. Come on out Kilgore."
A red fox with a burn across his jaw walks out from behind the trees.
Kilgore Reeves: "Salutations, brothers. I heard you all are itching to take the Grapevine Villa and I want in."
Demetrio: "Hmm... should we even let this guy join our cause?"
Kilgore tosses a plasma grenade remotely detonates it in midair.
Kilgore: "Satisfied?"
Demetrio: "Well... Hehe... welcome to the syndicate."
They shake paws and listen as Vakatarus explains the remaining details of the plan.
......Scene change to six hours later......
Jackson slowly wakes up in medical room.
Jackson: "Ugh! Where... where am I? Ahh! Doggone it!"
He attempts to move but feels a pinch of pain.
Task Force Doctor: "Take it easy, Jackson."
Jackson: "What? How did... oh crap. You removed my mask didn't you?"
Task Force Doctor: "Sorry, the whole department kept pushing around to see after I lifted your mask."
Jackson: "Great, so now the whole world knows my other identity?"
Task Force Doctor: "No... no of course not. Only the ACTF and CCTF know who you are. I swear, the public doesn't know."
Jackson: "At least that's good news. Who are you anyway. Seeing as how ya know me."
Task Force Doctor: "My name is Dr. Lance Ferdu. I specialize in aiding the task force with medical and scientific endeavors."
Jackson: "Removing bullets trapped under my skin counts? Agh! Ugh!"
Dr. Ferdu: "Relax, I've been doing this for fifteen years. Your lucky, these Tungsten bullets didn't hit anything important."
Jackson: "Either way Doc, I can heal myself quickly. My powers are proof of that."
Dr. Ferdu: "Yes, I've heard the rumors sir, but please let me help you."
Jackson's reluctance wavered and as the doctor performed the surgical procedure.
......Twenty four minutes later......
The bullets are extricated and placed on a scrap pan with traces of Jackson's blood.
Dr. Ferdu: "Okay, I got them out. Be a hero all you want, but make sure you take care of yourself while your out there saving everyone. Right?"
Jackson places his paw over the open wounds on his upper arm and his torso. The wounds fade away due to the effects from his healing ability.
Jackson: "Yeah, thanks doc. I think I'm good to go."
Dr. Ferdu: "Okay, good luck out there."
Jackson: "You too."
Dr. Ferdu: "I will catch you on the news next time. Correct?"
Jackson: "Haha... maybe."
He leaves the ACTF HQ and returns home to Coastal City.
......At the Tontione mansion......
As most of the children were asleep, Taciana cradles, Eliza and Jaronte in her arms. The tiny rabbit twins yawn and look at up at their mother with blissful innocence.
Taciana: "Hey sweeties... you sleeping well?"
Eliza: (coos)
Jaronte: "Ahma."
Taciana: "Hehe, yes... Momma is still here. Yeah, I'm still here. If only your father was here to help right now."
Aziza: "Mommy?"
Taciana: "Yes, sweetie?"
Aziza: "Is Daddy coming home yet?"
Taciana: "He will home soon, Aziza. Daddy is coming back. It's very late kiddo. Aren't you sleepy?"
Aziza: "I miss Daddy and I want him to come home now. Can we pway for him, Mommy?"
Taciana: "Of course we can honey."
The two bow their heads and pray his safe return.
Taciana: "Great Vitaea above, please make sure my husband is alive and protected."
Aziza: "I pway my Daddy comes home and that Mommy will forgive him."
Aziza starts to hug Taciana, while she sheds some tears.
Taciana: "It's okay. He'll be here."
Aziza waits the windows as she watches the large driveway.
......At 12:00am......
Jackson arrives home in his all terrain vehicle and parks in the driveway.
Jackson: "Finally, things are calm."
He walks through the front doors and calls out to his wife and kids.
Jackson: "Taciana? Kids?"
Aziza: "Daddy! Daddy, you're back!"
She runs to him and hugs him.
Jackson: "Hey... Princess. How was your day?"
Aziza: "It was fun. I learned how to climb up the tree in the park today."
Jackson: "You did it under adult supervision, right?"
Aziza: "Ya Mrs. Collaire was there."
Jackson: "Okay, Aziza. Wait... what are doing up so late? It's past your bedtime."
Aziza: "Me and Mommy waited until you came home."
Jackson: "Aww, it's okay. Where is Mommy at, huh?"
Jackson's little rabbit daughter leads him to the nursery room where Taciana was tucking Eliza and Jaronte into their cribs.
Aziza: "Mommy?"
Taciana: "Yes, sweetie? What's..."
She gasps, seeing her husband appear next to her.
Taciana: "Jackson!"
Taciana: "Oh, thank the Vitaea! Mmmwwah!"
She hugs him so tight and plants a deep smooch on his lips.
Jackson: "It's great to see you too, Taciana."
Taciana: "Goodness! What happened to you?"
Jackson: "It's nothing, hon. It's only a stitch."
Taciana: "I thought you said you handle this."
Jackson: "The other guy got a lucky shot off. I swear the only I feel is a little pain on my side. I swear my love, it's okay."
Taciana: "Baby..."
Jackson: "I healed myself without bandages. I'll be fine."
He tries to remove the Flexi-Stitches and make his wound disappear, but Taciana stops him.
Taciana: "Jacky, stop... you need rest. You are home now. Come on."
She takes his paw as Aziza follows behind them.
Aziza: "Mommy, can I sleep with you and Daddy? I had a scary dream."
Taciana: "Of course you can, sweetie pie."
Aziza: "Yay! I want to make sure Daddy heals too."
Jackson: "I'll be all right, kiddo. It's just a minor scar."
Aziza: "Uppy, up?"
Jackson: "Okay, up we go."
Aziza: "Hahaha!"
He carefully lifts his four year old daughter, giving her a piggy back ride upstairs. The trio reach the master bedroom.
Aziza: "Goodnight, Mommy. Goodnight Daddy."
Taciana: "Goodnight, Precious."
Jackson: "Yeah, sleep well."
Jackson and Taciana let Aziza snuggle in between them as they slept throughout the night.
......At 5:30 am......
In the morning, the whole family wakes up and
starts the day with their normal routines. Jackson turns on the kitchen's plasma screen tv.
Jimmy Findello: "This is Jimmy Findello reporting live in the streets of Coastal City, where local businesses are under threat from Vakatarus's followers. In other news, rumors of the vigilante, Shadow Dhole, being unmasked are spreading like wildfire."
Jackson: "Doggone it. Someone in the ACTF must have blabbed everything to him. Crap!"
Taciana: "Honey..."
Jackson: "I'm sorry, it's just... I can't believe one of those uniforms spilled the beans about my identity."
Taciana: "Jacky... you don't know that. Keep listening to the news report."
He unmutes it and listens.
Jimmy Findello: "Although the task force in Arkson City has seen his face. Their commissioner has refused to provide any further information regarding the Shadow Dhole's identity."
Taciana: "There. See? You're secret is still safe. Mmmwwah. Now come on, what would you like to have?"
Jackson: "A pepper and cheese omelette."
Taciana: "Coming up."
Sherman walks down into the kitchen.
Taciana: "Good morning, Sherman!"
Sherman: "Good morning, Mom." (yawns)
Taciana: "Breakfast is almost ready."
Sherman: "I need to ask you something."
Taciana: "Sure honey, good ahead."
Sherman: "Can I go on the field trip to the Museum of Rare Antiquities today, please? Everyone is going."
Taciana: "Of course honey. Make sure you pack an extra lunch just in case."
Sherman: "Yes! Thanks, Mom!"
JJ and Zaino walk into the kitchen and to join them at the table, while Mallory and Aziza were in the nursery room playing with the infants.
......At 7:00am......
After everyone ate breakfast, Jackson takes his leave off to work.
Jackson: "See ya, honey rabbit."
Taciana: "Bye baby! I'll see you later tonight!"
Sherman and JJ assist Zaino with packing his textbooks for class. Mallory and Aziza were waiting at the door all packed.
Mallory: "What took you three so long?"
Sherman: "Who are you calling slow? Zaino is the one who's slow."
Jackson Junior: "Yeah, he forgets one of his textbooks."
Zaino: "Not all the time."
He crosses his arms with a pouty face.
Taciana: "Sherman? JJ? A word."
Sherman: "Yes, Mom?"
Jackson Junior: "Yes, Momma?"
Taciana: "What are the two top rules in this house?"
Sherman: "Family looks after one another."
Taciana: "Yes. And?"
Jackson Junior: "And that we shouldn't tease someone cause of a few mistakes."
Taciana: "Exactly. Now go apologize to your brother and catch the bus."
Sherman and JJ: "Yes, Momma."
The two apologize to Zaino and he accepts their apology as they entered the bus.
Taciana: "Be safe on the field trip, kids! I love you!"
Aziza: "We love you too, Mommy!"
She waved goodbye as the bus goes drives to Clearwater Elementary in preparation for the field trip. As the bus rolls in closer to the school, Victoria with her sister and her friends.
Victoria: "Did you overhear your parents talking about the Shadow Dhole last night?"
Radinavia: "Yeah, I know. Things have been crazy. My Daddy told me that he looks like Mr. Tontione."
Cherie Mae and Stella were silent and due to remembering the night in Kingsgeo.
Radinavia: "What do you think, Cherie Mae?"
Cherie Mae: "Oh um... I'm not sure. I wouldn't know."
Stella: "Yeah, we don't anything about that."
Helena: "What if it's true? What if Mr. Tontione is the Shadow Dhole?"
I'm Cherie Mae's Mind: "Darn it! I hope they don't find out about Sherman having powers, too!"
Ruth: "Haha! Okay, I know Mr. Tontione has spirit-like powers, but it doesn't prove that he's   the Shadow Dhole."
Victoria: "We could ask Sherman."
The Calico sisters, Trina, Leya, and Wevani were also questioning who really saved their mother yesterday.
The last bus arrives and they notice Sherman and Aubrey walking off the bus together, his siblings and best friends behind him.
Aubrey: "Are you ready for the field trip this afternoon, Sherman?"
Sherman: "You bet. I've been waiting on this for too long."
Aubrey: "Shermie, Mr. Fickleburn posted the trip on the school app calendar last month ago."
Sherman: "Yes and four to five weeks is way too long."
Aubrey: "Look who's talking. Says the same boy who told me that patience is a virtue."
Sherman: "That was long ago. A lot of us want awesome stuff to happen now, not later."
Aubrey: "Shermie... good things always come to those with great patience."
Sherman: "Who told you that?"
Aubrey: "My Daddy told my Mommy that and they taught it to me."
Sherman: "Ugh! Darn this patience thing."
Aubrey: "Come on wolf boy. It will be worth it."
......After classes ended......
All the students climb in the bus and driven to the Grapevine Villa's Museum of Rare Antiquities.
Jackson Junior: "I hope we don't run into Aunt  Carina."
Mallory: "That's because she's glad to see us, JJ. I mean we haven't visited her in a while."
Jackson Junior: "She is always grabbing my cheeks, Mallory."
Mallory: "You should be excited. Besides, Aunt Carina isn't that bad."
Jackson Junior: "She's annoying."
Mallory: "No she isn't."
Zelene: "Yeah, I'm excited to see the museum again."
Mallory: "See... even Zelene likes taking in the sights near her home."
Jackson Junior: "That's because you haven't lived in the city."
Zelene looks down feeling hurt from Jackson Junior's comment.
Zaino and Aziza look at their big brother and notice his selfish attitude.
Aziza: "Why are you being mean, JJ?"
Jackson Junior: "Because we are going to a boring museum where with rusty old relics. We can't even touch them."
Mallory: "Well you are supposed to learn something on this trip. Not everything revolves around being entertained, JJ."
Jackson Junior scoffs silently.
Zelene: "Grapevine Villa isn't boring, it can be fun if you give it a chance."
Jackson Junior: "Teh, yeah right."
He says with a hint of sarcasm.
The other furry children on the bus conversed as Mr. Fickleburn attempts to quiet them down.

Authors Note: "New chapter incoming! Be prepared, people!"