The Bad Guys season 1: Our Own Story (chapter 26) - The Story Of The 6th Bad Guys part 1
Hey guys! Prepare yourselves, because this is the chapter about the story of Mr. Hornet becoming the sixth member of the Bad Guys. Have fun reading!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bad Guys: Yeah!
We're the Bad Guys!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For 7 days straight, Hornet kept flying around the city of Los Angeles, looking for a new home, and carrying his new stuffed swan. He was asking for help after his experience as a test subject at Sunnyside Laboratory. He even tried to explain how he was tortured as a test subject. But whenever he tried to come close to civilians, they all screamed and ran away from him. Most of the screams he heard were "Murder Hornet", "He's gonna sting me!" "Run for your lives!" and worst of all, "Kill him!"
Hornet tried to find someone who could help him and he could trust, but no one wanted to help him at all. The sight of him made the people just scream and run away from him, no matter how many times he told them that he won't harm anyone. No one listened to him. No one even believed in him about the life gem that was stuck on his metal vest around his thorax. He almost got captured by authorities, but he kept flying away. He couldn't find anywhere else to hide. He was on the news… well, not technically him, but his species was on the news, and they were described as "Murder Hornets". That was the reason he was called that way when he approached other people. When Hornet felt weak from flying, the strong wind that was made by speeding cars in roads and hallways carried him somewhere that he didn't expect to be. His life gem was slowly blinking and almost lost its glow.
One day, when Hornet escaped from the road, he didn't care where his wings could take him. It didn't matter to him anymore. He felt so weak and near his end. He suddenly flew to a strange tunnel at the aqueduct. He flew deep into the tunnels as the inside became darker. Hornet's vision blurred until his eyelids were heavy, and couldn't stay open any longer. Now that he felt his death come nearer, Hornet's wings weakened, lowering himself down to the ground as his body was too weak and heavy for his wings to carry him. He slowly landed on the ground near the elevator doors, and his eyes closed while still wrapping an arm around his toy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The elevator in front of him led to the hideout of the famous criminal group, the Bad Guys. Wolf was watching TV, Snake was drinking his coffee, Shark and Piranha were arm wrestling, and Tarantula was practicing more of her hacking skills while they were not doing crimes, they would rather stay in their home, and relax.
When Tarantula decided to get a snack, she climbed up the fridge, and noticed on the schedule board that it was trash day today.
"Hey guys, I think it's time to take out the trash," she reported to her friends.
The boys stopped what they were doing and glanced at each other.
"Who's turn to take out the trash?" Wolf asked.
After a short pause, Wolf quickly put a finger on his nose. Snake did the same with his tail on his nose, and the rest too with their fingerless mitten hands.
But they noticed that Piranha was the last one to respond when he put his hand on his nose. Like the rule said, whoever responded "dibs not" last would take the responsibility.
"Dang it, why do I always lose in this game?" Piranha growled as he jumped off the chair, and walked towards the elevator, mumbling angrily in Spanish while grabbing a heavy trash bag.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the elevator doors opened down in the tunnels, Piranha was still mumbling angrily about taking down the trash and losing the game earlier. When he threw the bag into the trash bin, he noticed something moving nearby. He even heard a short buzzing sound. When he turned his head, he saw a hornet lying on the ground with a small white tiny stuffed bird in his arm. Piranha quickly hid behind the trash bin to hide. He knew it was a hornet because of its size. It was no bee. Bees are really small, and hornets are bigger, and much for painful, unfriendly, and dangerous than bees. Piranha climbed up the trash bin to see a broken fly swatter. It might be broken, but it's still of good use to kill a pest. When he landed back on the ground, Piranha took a peak slowly to check on the hornet. it was still there. It didn't move a bit, except for the wings. They were still flapping rapidly every 2-3 seconds. Piranha slowly tiptoed into the hornet with the fly swatter. When he was closer, he raised his fly swatter, ready to bring it down to kill it. But then, when he looked at the poor little "seemingly flying" hornet, Piranha couldn't help but notice the hornet wasn't attacking at all. He looked dead, but his wings were still moving. He wasn't moving since Piranha found him… or maybe before that.
Piranha then put the swatter down, and slowly and carefully picked the little insect with his tiny toy into his fins, "Aaww, poor little chico," he cooed.
He was expecting the hornet to be startled and attack him, but the insect didn't move at all. He was unresponsive. It barely showed a sign of life at all. Afraid to leave it here, and probably had a chance to live, Piranha kept the little bug into his fin, and headed to the elevator, which was still open since he took out the trash.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back at the hideout, the rest of the Bad Guys continued their boring but relaxing activities when Piranha came out of the elevator.
"Hey, amigos! Look what I've found," Piranha opened both his fins, revealing a weak hornet to his friends.
Instead of an amazed reaction, Wolf, Snake, and Shark were frightened and screamed in horror as they backed away until their backs hit the wall and closed windows.
"Piranha! WHY DID YOU BRING THAT… THING HERE?!" Snake shouted with his tail pointed at the hornet.
"Ooh, good, you brought me a snack," Tarantula licked her lips and rubbed her hands together
"What? No, this isn't a snack!" Piranha closed his fins, and yanked the little bug protectively from the arachnid, "I just brought the little fella here because he was so weak and nearly dying. I can't leave him out there."
"Piranha, do you have any idea what that thing is?" Wolf inquired.
"A helpless little fella. I have a conscience, okay?" Piranha said, feeling ashamed of his deed.
Snake slithered closer, and yelled, "That thing is a hornet! A hornet, Piranha! The largest species of hornets in the world. This hornet is a deadly one! Especially a whole army of hornets. When they sting you multiple times, you'll end up dead."
"That's awful!" Shark squeaked.
"I heard, in Japan, that there were at least 42 people killed by those kinds of hornet in 2013," Wolf stated.
"And that hornet was one of them!" Snake pointed at Hornet on Piranha's fins, "So, we have to get rid of it before a whole army finds our hideout and kills us all."
"Look, this is just one little guy. And he's weak. I don't think he's gonna hurt us," Piranha said while stroking Hornet's back.
"Not yet, but when he wakes, he'll signal his fellow hornets to track them here and kill us!" Snake pointed.
"I am not gonna leave this fella to die. We are not like that. I'm into violence, but not leaving a helpless little insect to die like this," Piranha argued while looking down at the hornet. His wings were still buzzing, "We need to recover him."
"Are you out of your mind?" Snake inquired. Then, he looked at Wolf, gesturing to help him out.
Wolf was unsure of any of Snake and Piranha's decisions of what to do to the hornet, but when he saw the insect himself, Wolf saw how weak he was, and close to dying. Something inside of his chest told him to do the right thing to this little hornet. Wolf couldn't let the little one die like that. It might be risky, but it is for the best.
"Come on, guys. Let's get some medical equipment from the storage closet that we stole, and have him on the bed," Wolf instructed the team as Shark quickly went to the storage closet to take out hospital equipment like a hospital bed,
While Tarantula helped Shark set the equipment up, Snake slithered to Wolf, and whispered, "Wolf? Seriously? Are you going to help a murder insect?"
Wolf turned to Snake, and answered, "Snake, come on. We're better than this. We're the Bad Guys, we steal, we rob, but we are not heartless. We can't let this poor little guy waste his life like that. We have to help him."
Snake wanted to argue back, but when he turned to the rest of the guys where Piranha placed Hornet on the bed while putting the swan toy aside, Tarantula clothed him with an insect-sized hospital gown, and slowly stabbed his arm with a needle that connected to the IV system, and Shark turned on the heart monitor to monitor Hornet's heartbeat, the serpentine rolled his eyes, and said to Wolf, "Fine. But if we wake up, we'll get rid of him."
When Wolf and Snake approached the hospital bed to check on the others and Hornet, Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula made sure that their patient was comfortable on his bed.
"You know, if you're not worried for this little guy, I would've eaten him," Tarantula used the stethoscope of her size to check Hornet's heartbeat, "Pulse is a little bit strong…," When she moved the stethoscope to Hornet's side of his abdomen, the guys cringed of believing where Hornet's heart is, Tarantula explained, "That's where his heart is. Believe me, I have mine too," she pointed the spot of her heart at the side of her abdomen before continuing, "He's just weak because he hasn't been sleeping for, like, 6-7 days in a row while he was flying."
"How can you tell?" Shark asked.
Tarantula slowly pulled out Hornet's bigger left wing which it showed to be wrinkled and almost broken, "The wings, they were a little wrinkly. Means he kept flying for 6-7 days… with no rest."
"Well, that is a poor little guy," Wolf said pitifully.
But Snake didn't feel bad for Hornet as he replied, "Yeah, pity. Just cure him, and wait for him to wake so we can get rid of him."
"We can't force someone to wake up from his unconsciousness. We'll just give him everything we can so he can heal fast," Tarantula suggested while holding his arm.
Piranha then sat on the bed beside Hornet, "I have to stay with this little guy, just in case you won't eat him," he said to the tarantula, much to her annoyance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next day, Piranha was beside Hornet the whole time while Tarantula woke up early to check on the patient. She was checking the monitors and the flatline was still beeping before using the stethoscope to check his heart again.
The rest of the Bad Guys were also checking on Hornet.
"How's our little patient doing?" Wolf asked.
Tarantula looked up to Wolf, and responded while holding Hornet's arm, "He's very stable. He looks healthy now. I guess what he needed was just rest and sleep. That would regain his energy."
"Great, so you know when he'll wake up?" Snake asked impatiently.
"Snake, I told you, we can't force an unconscious guy to wake up. Let's wait until he wakes up on his own," Tarantula answered.
Just then, Hornet's head began to move as Tarantula released her hold on his arm, and backed away. Piranha scooted away a little from Hornet, just in case he might squirm.
Hornet moaned when he woke up, and shook his head. He was able to move an arm to hold his aching head, "Ow. W-where am I?" He murmured before opening his eyes, and saw something surprising. There were 4 different animals staring down at him.
"Hey little guy!" Shark exclaimed with a large grin, showing his big sharp teeth.
"Aah! What's going on?! Who are you?!" Hornet screamed as he tried to crawl backward before turning to his left to see Tarantula staring at him. Hornet scooted a little away from her, "Aah! Please, don't hurt me!"
"Whoa, whoa, we're not gonna hurt you little chico!" Piranha said, trying to calm the insect down.
"Not yet," Snake mumbled.
"Snake!" Wolf elbowed him.
Though Hornet heard what Snake said as he whimpered in fear while sinking into the blanket.
"It's okay, it's okay, we're just taking care of you," Tarantula cooed while patting his head.
When Hornet looked around, and felt he was on the bed with an IV on his arm, and wore a greenish-blue hospital gown, he couldn't remember how he ended up here, "H-how did I get here?"
"Our amigo here found you in the tunnel and he took you in," Shark pointed at Piranha, giving him the credit.
"Which I told him to get rid of you," Snake added, but Wolf elbowed him again.
Hornet then asked, "Where am I?"
"Let's just say… you're in our secret hideout," Wolf answered without revealing the name of the place.
"I was known to be called, Mr. Wolf."
"I'm Mr. Shark," Shark waved his fin at him smilingly.
"Mr. Piranha," Piranha extended a fin for a handshake, which Hornet accepted, nearly hesitantly.
"Ms. Tarantula, but I was called Webs," Tarantula said while extending her arm to Hornet. Though he was scared of her, Hornet accepted the greeting.
It was Snake's turn, but he hesitated to say his name to the newcomer, "You may know who I am."
"Mr. Snake, I can guess," Hornet guessed.
"What about you, little guy? What's your name?" Shark asked excitingly.
"I'm…" Hornet was about to say his real name, but his name reminded him of his past. Now he couldn't bring it up anymore. He has to make a different name, "It doesn't matter. It's not important. And since you guys were called by your animal species, I guess I'll be called Mr. Hornet."
"Eh, easy as pie," Tarantula smirked.
"So, Mr. Hornet, that is. How did you find the tunnels of our hideout?" Wolf asked.
"Hmm, the last thing I remember was I just flew uncontrollably, and found this place," Hornet answered when he tried to recall the moment he found himself in the tunnel.
"6-7 days without sleeping made sleepflying, and ended up here. Glad Piranha brought you here or you'll die from exhaustion and insomnia," Tarantula explained.
Hornet turned back to Piranha, and smiled, "Thanks," he thought he would've died back there. He thought it was the end of him, but he was surprised that he was saved by a fish.
Getting impatient, Snake rolled his eyes, and groaned, "Alright, now you woke up and you're cured, so would you please just leave?!"
"Snake, don't let him leave here. He needs more time to recover!" Wolf scolded.
"And what? Letting him lead his colony here! To-to kill us? If that happened, I don't know who to blame," Snake argued back at Wolf.
But Hornet's scoff interrupted them as he confessed, "Save your breath, my colony won't be here."
"Why? What do you mean?" Wolf asked.
"Are you lost from your colony?" Shark questioned pitifully.
"You can say that… but that's not important anymore," Hornet was so mad at his fellow hornet colony for leaving him, but he couldn't tell the 5 about his story since it wasn't so important anymore. Then, Hornet remembered that he had a life gem on his metallic thorax. And since he was still wearing his old clothes under the hospital bed, this meant that these five animals hadn't found out about the life gem yet. He wasn't sure if that was important to discuss right now.
"So, you're saying… you don't have an army?" Snake guessed to clarify what Hornet meant.
"Eh, if I have, I would've communicated with my colony with my antennae," Hornet gestured his antennae. The left one was chipped, and the right one was normal, "But I can't because one of them is broken."
"Where's your broken one?" Tarantula asked.
"Eh, lost it. It doesn't matter anymore," Hornet didn't care about his missing antenna anymore. The last time he had it was when he was still in the forest where his hive was. Then, he looked around the place, seeing a ton of loot, statues, paintings, and gold bars, "So, you guys are like rich or something."
The five animals cringed as they couldn't answer what they are, not to someone they just met.
"Yeah… lot of loot and riches. Here and there," Wolf answered nervously
"That's good on you guys. No wonder. Being different from each other, still stayed together," Hornet smiled calmly, feeling a little jealous for the fivesome.
"Yeah, we're best friends," Wolf brought Snake and Shark into an embrace. Shark accepted the gesture, but Snake felt annoyed
"Do you have to tell him everything?" Snake muttered.
"That's really nice," Hornet commented.
"Look, why don't you keep resting, alright? And don't worry, we're not gonna eat you…" Wolf recommended, then pointing at Tarantula, "Not even her."
Hornet glanced at Tarantula, who grinned at him. He just hoped she wouldn't eat him while he was sleeping.
"Wolf, can I talk to you for a moment?" Snake asked as he grabbed Wolf's paw, and pulled them far away from Hornet and the others so they wouldn't listen. When they were a bit far enough, Snake began to question Wolf's intentions, "What are you doing?"
"Look, that hornet is just one little guy. He's harmless," Wolf replied.
"Not if you get stung by him or his entire colony."
"You heard what he said, he was lost from his colony. I don't think he's gonna lead them here."
"And you believe him?" Snake clenched his jaw at Wolf.
Wolf then argued back, "He looks innocent, Snake. Come on, you distrusted any of us when we all first met you, and it took you time to warm up to us and accept us."
"Yeah, but I don't trust him," Snake whispered while pointing his tail at Hornet.
"Look, give him a chance, buddy, as you did for us," Wolf recalled those days when Snake first met Wolf and the rest of the Bad Guys, "I think he's one of us, you know. A hornet. Everyone sees him as a monster."
"For a small little guy."
"Hey, you saw him as a monster, and you want to get rid of him. Few of us are scared, you know. Now I think we know how it feels to be scared because of who we are, and people out there felt the same with Hornet. So, come on."
Snake still distrusted Hornet. He thought that a hornet like him should not be trusted for the sake of his team, but when Wolf made a good argument to convince him to let the insect stay, Snake sighed defeatedly, "Fine. But just keep that insect from coming near me, okay?"
Wolf nodded in agreement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning, after Hornet woke up from his slumber as part of his recovery, Shark and Piranha had been giving him a good breakfast like pancakes and orange juice. Piranha also served him bacon, but Hornet declined the offer, confessing about his vegetarian diet. Now that's new for their new patient.
Tarantula then climbed up the bed to check on the patient while holding a clipboard, "Hey, Hornet, how are you feeling?"
"I'm a little okay. Thanks for letting me stay here," Hornet replied.
"Of course. It's the least we can do," Shark smiled.
Wolf then approached the bed, and said, "Hey, Hornet, we'll be going out for a while. Do you want anything?"
"Nah. I think I'm comfortable here," the insect hesitated to ask anything.
"Alright. We'll be back soon. We got… a thing to do."
The Bad Guys were silent. Hornet probably hasn't heard of them yet. They couldn't tell him who they are yet, or he'll sell them out.
"You know what? It's nothing. We'll be in a few hours," Wolf answered, trying not to give many details.
"And here's a remote in case you'll get bored. That's the TV," Piranha put the TV remote beside Hornet.
When everything was set, the Bad Guys went to the elevator, and the doors closed. Hornet was now alone in the hideout. Now that he was alone, there was nothing else to do but rest. Hornet was unsure of trusting these five animals, but they just took him in and took care of him. Those were two reasons that they can be trusted. But that Snake guy didn't trust him one bit. Hornet thought he wasn't safe here, but it looked like he was in good hands. He had nothing to worry about. They were so lucky to have each other, but Hornet, he had no one since his colony left him. He just hoped he could find a family that was meant for him and loved him for who he is.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After an hour of napping, Hornet got bored, so he pushed the on button of the remote to switch the TV on. The first thing Hornet saw on the TV was a news reporter.
"What up? This is Tiffany Fluffit Channel 6 Action News! The Bad Guys robbed another bank today…"
While listening to the news, Hornet shook his head disappointedly, "What are these awful people these days?" He murmured to himself as he took a sip from a straw to drink some water.
"They once again succeeded in another heist, and the police tried to capture them, but we lost sight of them so fast. The Bad Guys were known to be a vicious group of criminal animals who happened to be known as Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Shark, Mr. Piranha, and Ms. Tarantula…" Tiffany reported as the screen showed the wanted pictures of the Bad Guys.
Hornet spat water from his mouth in surprise, "What the–!" he couldn't believe what he just heard in the news. He increased the volume to hear more.
"They had been wanted for years, and we would never know when they would finally get captured."
"I can't believe this," Hornet said in his mind. Everything made sense now. Five different dangerous animals, their home full of loot, and their names were titled by their animal names; The fivesome who took care of him were criminals, "I was taken care of and lived in the hideout of a group of criminals?"
But now Hornet thought of it. If they were criminals all along, why were they being so nice to him… except for Snake? Why did they take him into their secret home? Why didn't they leave him to die? They didn't look like evil criminals to him at all.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hours later, the Bad Guys made it back to their hideout, laughing while holding some bags of money as they got out of the elevator when the doors opened.
Once they got in, they heard the TV open as they stopped their laughter to see their little patient watching the TV.
"If there's any information about the Bad Guys, call immediately."
After sensing his "caretakers" arriving home, Hornet turned the TV off, and looked at them, "So…, Bad Guys, huh?"
Realizing he finally found out, there was no taking it back now.
"Ah! He's ranting us out!" Shark screamed in distress.
"Save your breath. I'm not gonna tell anyone," Hornet said.
"So, you're not gonna report us to the police?" Snake repeated.
"Should I even care? It's not like someone who felt pity for me anyway," Hornet sighed, "So, you guys were known to be a famous group of criminals, huh?"
The Bad Guys then later dropped the bags of money into the rest of the loot.
"Well, we're not always like that," Wolf said as he sat on the bed.
"I think we are," Snake corrected quietly.
"It's started because we're… us," Tarantula stated.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Hornet asked.
"You're telling me. We're different kinds of animals, but have you noticed what we have in common?" Snake gestured all 5 of them here together
Hornet took a good look at all five of them, and pointed at each of them, "Hmm, a wolf, a shark, a tarantula, a piranha, and a snake… all dangerous kinds of animals?"
"Exactly. We were feared by the whole world because of what we are. They all think we're scary villains. Dangerous. Vicious. Ugly. So, we decided to play the villain cards," Snake said.
"And taking it as an advantage to become criminals," Wolf added.
"Huh. That explains it. So, you guys have done this in years?" Hornet inquired, but he didn't need answers from them since he could guess the Bad Guys had done this for a while, "So, you're an expert on this?"
"We've been studying the city, making a lot of heists, and getting into a police pursuit…" Tarantula answered.
"And we got tons of loot!" Shark exclaimed.
"Yep. It's like you stole A LOT!" Hornet chuckled while looking at the loot the Bad Guys stole before he arrived, "But are there other crimes you committed, like... Murder?"
"Oh no! We don't do murder," Wolf scoffed.
"That is way out of our league," Tarantula gagged.
"I mean, I punch people, but I didn't kill anyone," Piranha admitted.
"I hate bloody violence. I wanted to live with people who have a peaceful life," Shark explained.
"Tell me about it," Hornet knew exactly how that felt. He had been living in a colony of murder hornets, and witnessing murder amongst his peers was horrible.
"Hey, why don't we get ourselves some pizza?" Wolf suggested.
The rest of the Bad Guys cheered in agreement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later at night, when Wolf ordered pizza, and the pizza delivery guy brought it to the aqueduct, he has no idea why he would deliver 6 boxes of pizza here. According to the delivery request, the pizza boxes should be left in the tunnel, so the pizza guy shrugged, and put the pizza at the opening of the tunnel. The pizza guy hopped onto his motorcycle, and drove away. Though, the pizza guy was a little scared when he was alone in front of a dark tunnel. He wondered why the customer wanted him to leave the pizza there.
In the Bad Guys' hideout, the pizza boxes were still sitting at the opening of the tunnel as was shown on the surveillance camera.
"The coast is clear," Tarantula declared, "Piranha, you're up!"
Piranha saluted as he ran to the elevator to take him down the tunnel. Piranha then ran towards the opening of the tunnel as fast as he could. When he reached for the pizza boxes stacked together, he rubbed his fins together, and carried all of them before rushing back to the elevator. When he arrived at their hideout, Wolf, Snake, and Shark helped him out, getting the pizza they ordered. When Wolf got Hornet's, he opened it, and the toppings were full of vegetable ingredients.
"Seriously, Hornet? Yours is vegetarian?" Wolf chuckled as he put the box in front of Hornet
"Sorry. I don't eat meat. I like plant-based food. Eating other insects like my kind did was sooooo disgusting," Hornet gagged before lifting the lid of the box open. Glad his arms were strong again. He started at the pointy part of the pizza slice to eat.
"I thought you guys like honey," Shark said, eating his pizza slice.
"Uh, those are bees. I'm a hornet," Hornet corrected.
When Shark took the remote to turn the TV on, the screen showed the news, but it was on a different channel.
"Back down with what's called 'Murder Hornets' reported in the US for the first time," a male news reporter reported on his desk while holding the papers, and a screen showed a photo of a non-anthropomorphic hornet beside the reporter.
"Wait, what?" Tarantula exclaimed as the rest of the Bad Guys and Hornet eyed on the TV with Shark turned up the volume.
An off-screen female reporter declared, "Tonight, Killer Hornets invading the US and Canada. Asian Giant Hornets, also known as 'Murder Hornets' spotted in Washington State."
"Hey, that looks just like our Hornet!" Shark commented as he compared Hornet with the non-anthropomorphic hornets on TV.
"These hornets grow up to two inches long, roughly five times the size of a bee. And in Japan where they originate, they reportedly kill up to 50 people each year. Their giant stingers are capable of piercing a beekeeper's suit."
While they were watching, the Bad Guys continued eating their pizza while Piranha and Tarantula looked back at Hornet, who was also watching silently.
"These hornets shouldn't be messed with, because if we come closer, even a single step closer, they haunt and kill you with no mercy, just like how they killed thousands of honeybees. That is why they were called Murder Hornets."
Now that title triggered Hornet from his zone. He got angry when he heard that title. He grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl, and threw it hard toward the TV, tilting it a bit before tripping it facedown, and breaking it in the process. That's when the Bad Guys just stared at the apple rolling that Hornet threw that rolled back to the couch in front of Piranha.
"We need a new TV," Piranha mumbled.
"I can't believe they called me like that!" Hornet yelled angrily.
"At least someone's feeling better," Snake rolled his eyes before eating the last piece of his pizza.
Hornet then said, "I encountered humans a few days ago before I met you guys, and you know how they react?"
Hornet flew all over the city to ask for help, but when he encountered a guy, he got a reply.
Then, he tried to ask for help from another guy, and got the same reply.
"Get that thing away from me! He's gonna sting me," a child cried when Hornet fluttered near the child's face.
"He's gonna kill us all," Another man yelled as a crowd of passersby scattered to run for their lives on the street.
"Wait, wait, I'm not gonna kill anyone! I'm not a murder hornet!" Hornet tried to calm the people around him down, but no one listened to him as they continued to run away from him
Hornet was squeezing his hands together after recalling that terrible moment when he first encountered human civilians.
"I didn't even want them to think I wanted to kill them. I was asking them for help!" He explained.
"Why do you ask for help?" Tarantula asked.
"I need a new home! I also need medical treatment! I felt weak for crying out loud!" Hornet cried, "I don't murder! I never do murder in my life! I'm no blood-thirsty insect. I'm a vegetarian. Why else did I order vegetarian pizza?" He took another bite of his 5th slice, but he made a vicious bite this time, "I tried my best to prove to people I encounter that I am not a murderer. But everytime they brought up about me, about my species, all I heard was…"
One male civilian commented with a microphone in front of him, "A hornet? Ugh, they are murderers."
"They are murderers," A beekeeper answered.
"Totally murderers," A woman scoffed.
"Serial killers are what they are!" Another female civilian yelled.
"Murder hornets are murderers," a male cop muttered.
"They are murderers," a female cop agreed.
A mother embraced her 5 children while he commented, "I can't let them near my children. They are murderers,"
"Of course they are murderers, it's in their name," Chief Luggins said in her report.
"Murder hornets deserved to be murdered too," an elderly woman scowled.
"I encountered one earlier, and it almost stung me. He's a murderer," the guy explained as he was the same guy Hornet first encountered.
Hornet threw both his fists on both sides of the bed, and roared, "I AM NOT A MURDERER!"
This made the Bad Guys yanked backward in fear from Hornet as they were listening to him with their faces closer to him. They were startled when Hornet snapped from hearing comments from people who described him as a murderer.
"Mm-hmm. Yeah, okay, yeah, my thoughts exactly," Wolf stammered nervously.
Piranha crawled back to Hornet, and patted his head gently, "Relax, chico, we know how you feel. This is what makes us criminals in the first place. Some of us were misinterpreted as murderers too. Mostly just being bad. But we played the cards, and began a life of crime. Though murder isn't in our Bad Guys list."
"Piranha is right, Hornet. If they see you as bad, you have to act like it, but in your own way," Shark added.
"Hmm, I'm not sure I can do that," Hornet felt unsure of playing the card of a villain.
"Well, you'll never know unless you play the cards yourself," Wolf said before feeling a little tired. He even noticed how tired his friends were, even Hornet since he woke up all day to watch TV after his recovery, "Look, we had a long day, so maybe we should all rest for the night."
The other Bad Guys nodded in agreement as they put the pizza boxes away, and readied for calling it the night.
"I'll just stay here on this pillow," Hornet smiled while patting his giant pillow.
Snake rolled his eyes, and groaned while slithering off, "Like anyone has their own bed around here."
"Well, rest more, Hornet. You'll be cured in no time," Wolf said.
"Thanks," Hornet made a slight nod.
When the Bad Guys proceeded to get ready to sleep, Piranha eyed Hornet, who rolled to his side, and fell asleep. The little bug must've worn out from all that stress and anger he released after watching the news.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the middle of the night, while the Bad Guys and Hornet were asleep, Piranha suddenly woke up without a reason. Now he didn't feel like sleeping anymore. Waking up all of a sudden ruined his chance to go back to sleep. Now he was thirsty, so he walked to the fridge to get a glass of water. Piranha got a pitcher of water, and a glass from the dish rack. He poured some water into the glass, and drank it. He then placed the pitcher back in the fridge, and put the glass in the sink. When Piranha was about to head back to his sleeping spot, he stopped and glanced at Hornet, who was still sleeping. The little bug really liked to sleep. Piranha just wanted to check on him, and see if he was really sleeping. It won't hurt to check a little guy.
Piranha approached the hospital bed, and hopped onto it very slowly and gently to avoid waking Hornet up. He sat up beside Hornet, and watched him sleep, "Aww, he's so cute," he said.
Piranha then gently stroke Hornet's back, making him a little comfortable and careful not to damage his wings. He repeatedly stroked the bug's back for a few minutes, and a smile slowly formed on the little bug's face. Piranha thought he woke Hornet, but he didn't seem to open his eyes. Just smiling. Piranha couldn't help but continue, and then… he found Hornet so cute that way. He was so adorable for a dangerous little hornet. Piranha felt like a tiny spark between him and Hornet when he kept stroking his back like that. He couldn't stop staring at him. Piranha continued doing what he was doing until he fell asleep.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning, Hornet opened his eyes, yawned from his sleep, and rubbed his eyes with his hand. He then noticed there was a big hand behind his back. The hand, or fin for that matter, was from Piranha, who sat and slept beside him. Hornet was surprised to see Piranha next to him. He wondered why he was here sleeping, and why he placed his hand on his back.
Though, ignoring those questions, Hornet didn't feel so weak anymore. He carefully moved very slowly without waking Piranha up, and started to flap his wings. His wings were stronger than they used to be. Hornet then started to fly. He finally flew again. He laughed delightfully as he made a loop de loop in the air. His laughter then woke up the Bad Guys, and the first thing they saw was Hornet flying again.
"Hey, look at you now! You're cured, and you feel a lot better!" Wolf exclaimed happily.
Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula chattered happily, and cheered for Hornet, finally back on his feet.
"So that means you can leave now?" Snake asked excitingly, but the other Bad Guys turned their cheers to frown
"Yeah… I-I guess," Now that he realized it, Hornet felt alright now, and there was no reason for him to stay in the Bad Guys' hideout anymore. He was cured, and then he was now free to go, just as planned, "It's just that… I have nowhere else to go. I'm far away from my home, and I don't know what I would do with my life."
Wolf, Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula looked pity for Hornet, but Snake didn't care at all. When the four looked at each other, showing how pity they felt for Hornet if he'll leave, Wolf sighed as if he was going to declare a big decision for his team.
Wolf then gestured to the guys to huddle up to talk privately, much to Hornet's confusion.
Now that they huddled together, Wolf announced to the team, "Guys, I think we should let him stay."
Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula gasped happily, but Snake wasn't satisfied.
"Are you crazy?" Snake hissed.
"Come on, Snake. We can't throw Hornet out to live in the streets. I would feel bad for him," Wolf said.
"Me too. And he hasn't done anything to us since he got here… Well, except for breaking the TV, but I can't blame him," Shark admitted
"He's kinda nice and well-behaved," Tarantula added.
"I don't want him to leave either," Piranha whined.
"Besides, Snake, he's one of us; being mistreated and misunderstood by the world. I think he belongs here… with us," Wolf declared as Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula smiled and nodded in agreement, leaving Snake on his own feeling upset about this. Wolf smirked at him, and chuckled, "Sorry, Snake, you've been outvoted."
Snake growled in defeat, smacking his face with his tail, "Fine! But don't make me say I told you so once he stung us."
Wolf nodded as the Bad Guys separated from their huddle, and turned to Hornet, who was waiting for them
"Hey, Mr. Hornet, good news. You're staying with us," Wolf said.
Hornet gasped in disbelief, "Really?"
"Yeah, we can't leave you out there homeless. This is your new home now," the leader winked.
So happy that he finally has a home, and new friends to stay with, Hornet flew fast towards each of his new friends, hugging them one by one, "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, guys. I promise I will repay when I can."
"You can repay us if you won't be too comfortable." Snake warned while poking Hornet with his tail, "Which means you'll also have a lot of responsibilities here if you want to make yourself at home here."
"I will!" Hornet didn't hesitate, and saluted eagerly.
"Perfect, now these are the list of chores you have to do for us," Snake gave Hornet a piece of paper, containing the chores he was assigned to do.
But Wolf snatched the paper from Hornet, and tore them into shreds, "Whoa, Snake, forget chores! Let's just give him a job here that is easier for him."
"Like what?" Hornet asked, still eagerly,
"Well…, we'll think of that later on. No rush for you, kid," Wolf said.
After a year of misery, with a neglectful colony, experiences of being a test subject, and being labeled as a murderous insect, Hornet finally found a place that he called home, and five other anthropomorphic animals which he called friends. He just hoped he won't mess this up or he'll live back in the street all alone again. He won't live a life like that again.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later at noon, Hornet flew towards the Bad Guys at their table, who were planning to go into another robbery again, but this time, it wasn't money they were after, it was something else.
"What are you guys doing?" The little insect asked.
"We're planning for our next heist," Snake answered while glaring at Hornet, "Thanks to you for breaking our TV last night, we have to steal a new one."
Hornet grinned sheepishly as he didn't mean to break their TV out of tantrum like that. The Bad Guys turned back to their table, and looked at the magazine on TV for them to choose to replace their broken one.
"I think that's the exact size of our old TV, but a bit bigger would be good," Tarantula said while pointing at the TV that was almost the exact model of their old one.
"Must be expensive," Piranha commented.
"It is. So, we can catch up with the news, especially the news about us," Shark grinned.
"Can I come with you?" Hornet pleaded.
"Oh no, you'll be staying to keep you out of trouble!" Snake scolded.
"Snake," Wolf held a hand out, keeping Snake from getting angrier at Hornet before turning to the insect, "What he meant to say is this is the Bad Guys' job. You're not actually one. It's better you should just stay here."
Hornet felt disappointed that he wouldn't come along, but he understood he wasn't part of the team yet. He's new, and he didn't know much about being a criminal, "Alright."
When the Bad Guys decided to leave as soon as possible to get their new TV, Piranha stood behind as he looked up to Hornet, and said, "We'll be right back," he smiled before following the team.
Hornet just watched his friends enter the elevator until the doors closed. Hornet was now alone again in their hideout. There was nothing to do in here but wait. Since he broke their TV last night, he couldn't watch TV with his friends. He'll just do something else while waiting.
Within the hours, Hornet made himself some salad, and found old newspapers containing the news about the Bad Guys' crimes from the past before he stayed with them. Hornet found them interesting in how they caused crime and chaos without getting caught. They looked like they had so much fun together, even if what they were doing was wrong.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later, after a long reading, Hornet heard a "ding" from the elevator, and the doors opened for the Bad Guys to get in with Wolf and Shark carrying the new TV. Wolf carried one side, and Shark carried the other, and Tarantula was standing on top for a ride.
Hornet dropped down the newspaper, and flew over to his friends, "Hey guys. Without the TV, I felt a little bored around here. So, did you get the TV?"
"Got it!" Shark exclaimed as he and Wolf carefully moved the TV where the broken one used to be.
"Time to pin it on!" Piranha shouted.
The Bad Guys worked together to put the TV on the wall while Hornet just watched since he's too small to help out. Finally, they have a new TV. Wolf grabbed a remote to turn the TV on, and caught up with the news about them stealing the TV.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next couple of days, while the Bad Guys were planning another heist while observing the blueprints of another bank, Hornet approached them a little closer, feeling a little nervous to interrupt their planning, but it was important. He had been with the Bad Guys for days, and every time they went out to cause mayhem, he was left behind in their hideout all alone. He felt bored staying in their hideout while the Bad Guys were out there having fun.
"Alright, guys, so these are the blueprints for the bank," Wolf discussed.
"Hey guys, can I tell you something?" Hornet interrupted them.
The Bad Guys turned to face him.
"Sure thing, Hornet," Wolf said, but Snake glared at him as the former told the latter, "Robbery can wait," As Snake couldn't argue back, Wolf turned back to Hornet, "So, what's up?"
"So, I was watching you guys on the news, and reading about you in the newspapers, and I was thinking… I want to be a bad guy like you guys!" Hornet declared.
The Bad Guys were surprised by this with their eyes widened.
"Is he joking?" Snake looked at his team, who didn't respond, before turning to Hornet, "Sorry, bug. No offense, but you're too nice to a bad guy. I don't think you got the guts to be one."
But Hornet was saddened by this. Given what Snake just called him, this was why Hornet's own colony never liked him and abandoned him to die because of how sweet and nice he was than any other Murder Hornets.
"Hang on there, Snake, I think this little bug might be onto something," Wolf gestured before moving forward towards Hornet, "So, you wanna be a bad guy, right?"
"Well, what choice do I have in my life? I mean, everybody sees me as a murder hornet, so I should play the cards, as you did," Hornet replied.
"Are you sure you want to be a bad guy? Because if you agree to this, there's no going back," Tarantula warned.
"I think I'm pretty sure," Hornet smirked. He made his decision. Since being good and nice was nothing but making him feel alone and abandoned, might as well be bad like his friends, "Besides, if the world sees me as a scary villainous insect, then I'll give them one."
Wolf chuckled, impressed by Hornet's determination, "Ooh, somebody's aggressive. Well, it won't be easy, Hornet. The first time that we joined the team, we were never sure what we were capable of until we found it ourselves. I do pickpocketing, Snake cracks safes, Shark is the master of disguise, Piranha fights whatever stands in his way, and Webs can do hacking. And you, we don't know what you're capable of other than flying. We still have to find it."
"We're about to find out, but first, you have to start at the very beginning. The first steps of being a Bad Guy is knowing being a bad guy," Shark started.
"Umm, doing crimes, like stealing and robbing?" Hornet guessed, according to how he studied them in TV and newspapers.
"Yeah, that would be it, but there's more than that. We need to be smarter than just stealing stuff," Tarantula responded, "We made plans, heists, and gave assignments for each of us for the perfect heist.
"And to be a Bad Guy, it's not just the looks and the reputation the world knows about you, it's the skills as a bad guy that counts," Piranha added while pulling the insect closer carefully and gently with his fin
"I… still don't get it," Hornet's brain felt like it was scrambled.
Wolf sighed, "Alright, maybe it's time we should teach how to be a Bad Guy… for real!"
At this, Hornet was placed on a small couch, and had him look in front where Wolf placed a white screen, and a projector showed images of how to be Bad Guy.
Wolf: Being a criminal is definitely not an easy job.
But it's so much fun to perform fun heists when we rob.
It takes some planning (Quick thinking) and acting on your feet.
And most importantly, when we get the goods, we run away.
And although, we are a bunch of different creatures
We all have special skills that give us useful features.
So, let's teach you all the ropes and show you all the caper ways.
Whoa oh oh
Come on, grab a pencil and a notepad and listen up.
Cuz you're going to want to follow this cunning wolf pup.
And when we are through with you, you'll be one of us by the end of the day.
You're gonna fit right in
Hornet: This is a new low
Wolf: You're gonna fit right in
Hornet: It's never gonna work
Being a criminal is something I never thought I'd do.
It looks really tricky, intense, and kind of scary too.
Will I be able to someday be as good as you?
What if I mess it up with the wrong thing I do or say?
Piranha: Look, I know we're risking everything for this endeavor
But look at us, we're brave, strong, weird and clever
Closer to the finish line than we've ever, ever been (whoa)
So, we better take a leap and put your faith on us, so true
'Cause you can count on us guys to show you what to do.
'Cause we're running out of options and we're desperate to begin
You're gonna fit right in
Hornet: Ha, if you say so
Wolf and Piranha: You're gonna fit right in
Shark: I know you will, now watch and learn
This is how a Bad Guy stares (stares)
And this is how a Bad Guy scares (scares)
This is how a Bad Guy leaps (leaps)
This is how a Bad Guy…
With no reason, Shark had Hornet hold a basketball, and gave him a try to throw. The ball ended up almost hitting Tarantula before bouncing at Wolf, and hit Piranha in the end.
Tarantula: Eeps!
Wolf: Whoops
Piranha: Geez
Hornet: Sorry!
Shark: This is how a Bad Guy run (run)
Watch us have some Bad Guy fun (fun)
Now you're in the Bad Guy know
Shark: Soon, you'll let your rebel glow
Tarantula: Oh! A Bad Guy persona makes a Bad Guy smile.
It's the image you can take, makes the job worthwhile.
Every Bad Guy has a role on this wonderful team.
So, let's look through our books and find one that suits your dream.
We'll find the right position, help you gain skill acquisition.
It's not the perfect solution, but the world's not big on inclusion
And with those rocks in our pocket, we'll reap the reward
Voices will roar, then we'll march right towards
With you now on board!
Wolf, Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula: Lately, folks all think that we have nothing new.
But once we finish training, we'll get to show them you!
Hornet: If we fail, we'll go to prison
Piranha: But if not, we'll start to grin
So, let's begin
During the song, Shark prepared a new shirt for Hornet. The shirt was black with small yellow-orange spirals and a large white lightning bolt. As fast as he could, like a blur, Hornet took off his old shirt, and wore a new one. Because of how fast he was in a blur, the Bad Guys couldn't see his metallic thorax and a turquoise life gem on the middle of his chest. Once he wore his new shirt, he felt better, and his metal thorax was hidden again.
Wolf, Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula (and Hornet): You're (I'm) gonna fit right in
Wolf, Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula (and Hornet): You're (I'm) gonna fit right in
Wolf, Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula (and Hornet): You're (I'm) gonna fit right in
Wolf, Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula (and Hornet): You're (I'm) gonna fit right in (we're gonna fit right in)
Lastly, Tarantula flipped and threw something in the air. Hornet caught it, and it was an orange helmet with holes for both his broken and better antennae, and a black spiral between them. The helmet also had a red-orange lens, and buttons on the side of the helmet that activated the HUD effect on the lens. This was perfect! Hornet got a chance to wear the helmet, and it fit his whole head, and he liked the lights of the HUD effect. So cool and fututeristic!
Wolf, Shark, Piranha, Tarantula, and Hornet: This is how a Bad Guy stares
This is how a Bad Guy scares
Now you're looking Bad Guy strong
This is how a Bad Guy ends this song
At that last part, the Bad Guys were already in the elevator, and as soon as the song ended, the elevator doors closed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instead of going out to do robbery or other crimes, the Bad Guys and Hornet were in a grocery store. The group took just one grocery cart with Wolf pushing it, and the rest of the Bad Guys followed him to help him pick up groceries. Tarantula was sitting on the handle of the cart while Piranha was sitting on the child-seat.
"What are we even doing here?" Hornet asked.
"We're outta groceries, kid. We're not gods, you know," Snake replied, putting a box of push pops into the cart.
"We're hungry, we need stuff, so we need to buy groceries," Shark added, picking up a jar of mayonnaise.
While they were roaming around the aisle, Hornet asked curiously, "So, how long have you been criminals?"
"And why would a rookie be interested in our backstories?" Wolf questioned.
But Hornet didn't answer as he picked up a small pack of skittles, "Can we get this?"
"You're not gonna try to sell us out, are you?" Piranha asked in a warning tone.
"Look, if there are really some people who want to get me, I figure I'm better off with a group of criminals who are not gonna squish me," Hornet admitted.
"Fine. But if you try to scream, I will eat you," Tarantula warned.
"Yeah, we do not care that you're a kid or a bug," Snake added.
Hornet then quickly snatched another candy bar as Wolf stated, "Hey, I saw that."
While following his mentors, Hornet was still curious about how the Bad Guys ended up to how they were today, "Seriously though, how'd you get to be here? I mean, shopping at fancy stores, you're robbing banks, you have your own crime business," Hornet then flew in front of the cart to make them stop moving forward to get his attention, "How'd you do it? Come on, tell me. Dangerous animal to dangerous animal. Being called a "Murder Hornet" is fine and all, but I got real potential. I mean, how do I be like you? Well, except for some crazy parts if you had one. But other than that."
"Number one, no one is like us," Wolf started, "If you wanted to even come close, you would have to go to school, try to play with other children, get into detention for something you didn't do wrong..."
"Escape the bloodshed facts of your kind, find your talent as an actor, collect disguises like wigs and dresses…," Shark added his part of the story.
"Leave your 'proper and perfect' family, move to America to live on your own…," Piranha explained his story.
"Go to Computer Science school, hack to earn a living…," Tarantula continued with her story.
"Being a Snake, leave the old life behind…," Snake replied, telling his own story.
"Find someone you had in common with…," Wolf said.
"Prove your worth…," Shark stated.
"Begin a life of crime…," Tarantula added
"Name the team…," Piranha continued.
"And all you have is each other from now on." Snake ended the story.
Hornet just stared blankly. He listened to each of the Bad Guys' stories as he put the pieces together, and figured each of them had their own dark past and found each other, forming the Bad Guys to this day.
"Number two... " Tarantula broke the pause as she picked up a bottle of water with a cucumber stick inside, "Six bucks for tap water with a cucumber stick in it? That's crazy."
Hornet snickered in response.
"We're not shopping at this store," Wolf said as he picked up a giant back of cereal with marshmallows, "We're robbing this store. Consider this your first lesson, Mr. Hornet. Paying is for dummies.
When Wolf turned the cart around, he started to run. Shark and Snake caught up as Shark helped Wolf push the cart, and Tarantula and Piranha sat tightly for a fun ride.
One of the staff tried to stop them, but the cart ran him over
"Move it!" Snake laughed as the Bad Guys ran out of the store with the cart without paying and checking out.
The Bad Guys quickly made it to the car with Wolf and Shark dumping their groceries into the trunk and the backseat before leaving the cart behind. They hopped into the car, and Wolf drive the car away before the police came.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bad Guys then parked in front of a bank to start on their first heist with Hornet.
"Alright, now it's time for the real thing," Piranha cackled excitingly.
The bank was already packed full of people. Waiting at the counters to ask for money they need to collect or money they want to keep there. Meanwhile, the Bad Guys already in disguise arrived right at the front door. They made sure that this was the right hour since there would be a specific number of guards and workers watching over the place. This time probably had the least which give them an opening.
"Shark is already in position," said Wolf, going over the plan again. "Webs, think you can get to the security office room?"
"Sure thing, Wolfie," said Tarantula, hopping off.
"Now, Hornet. You know what to do."
He flew right up to the ceiling, adjusting his helmet a little. Tarantula promised that it will be useful for this heist, so he hopes that it doesn't crashes or blinds him. He didn't want to mess this one up. Looking down, he could see Wolf, Snake, and Piranha blending themselves through the crowd. Tarantula was already heading in the other direction, small enough to not be seen by the people walking around.
He looked behind and noticed rolled-up shutters hanging from the ceiling. He blinked, wondering if they were connected to the security system or if they work manually. To his surprise, he spotted buttons nearby which could activate those metal shutters.
Once everybody got into position, Hornet turned on his helmet, gaining access to the cameras. He checked outside, trying to find where Shark was at the moment.
"Wait," he said. "I don't see him. Is he still-?"
Shark made his appearance, wearing a full brown business suit. A brown blazer, a white shirt with a black necktie, brown matching trousers, and black shoes. For some reason, he put on a VERY large mustache that was about three times the usual size he wore his fake mustache.
"I am UPSET!" yelled Shark hammily, stomping towards the bankers at their table. "And you know what I like to do when I'm upset? BLAME?! I got a question right here." He lifted up a cracked shelf compartment that was taken out of its place. It was missing a couple of pieces. "Who had the right idea to take this stair on a trip down the stairs?!"
One banker lifted his hand up dumbly. "I did."
"What?" said Shark in fake disbelief. "What have you been really doing?!"
"Been watching nothing but anime for 3 days."
"He used the shelf as a table to place his computer on it," clarified a nearby worker.
Shark placed a hand over his eyes. No one could tell if he was faking it or genuinely dumbfounded by the dumbness of the banker for his irresponsibility of bank property.
It didn't matter much for the Bad Guys as Wolf, Snake, and Piranha used this distraction to get past the stunned witnesses and hid right into the hallway that would lead to the big vault. Hornet followed along with them, watching out for them in case somebody saw them. Wolf managed to even pickpocket an employee's ID card without alerting them.
"Okay," said Shark, shaking his head. "Let's clear this up. Who wants to help out by restoring the cabinets in Room 21 today?"
None of the workers raised their hands up.
"If anyone does so, then you'll be given a bonus in your paycheck!"
"If nobody does it, then…no one will get a break."
There were still blank looks from the workers.
"If nobody does it, then…I'll destroy you~!" warned Shark.
However, either the workers weren't listening well or were too dumb to acknowledge this.
An idea bulb formed above Shark's head. "If anyone is capable of fixing that shelf, then I can give you a 1% discount card on Chuck N Cheese!"
One worker raised their hand up and said in a simpleton's voice, "I accept the offer."
"But I forgot to bring my special tool."
"My screwdriver. It's not here."
"We already have screwdrivers in the office!"
"I forgot. I can't find it underneath my-"
"Okay, just stop! Stop!" said Shark, waving his hands.
"That must have been a challenge," remarked another worker.
"I tried," said the simpleton worker.
"Shut up," growled Shark.
From the intercom, loud elevator music was beginning to play. Tarantula, who successfully got into place in the security office, overridden the music system to drown out the noise of the awkward conversation going on. Those who were waiting in line took this as the opportunity to just continue their business or go, already losing their interest in Shark chewing the workers out.
"Okay, Shark," grumbled Tarantula's voice through Shark's communication device. "They are already in."
Given the heads-up for that, Shark quickly tossed the broken shelf behind and scrammed, much to the workers' confusion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back with the other guys, Hornet watched as Wolf, Snake, and Piranha got through the door that led to one of the biggest vaults in this bank. He decided to stick it in place in case anybody tried to come near there. As he hit around a corner, he heard a low buzzing before Tarantula' voice took over.
"Alright, boys," said Tarantula. "This is it. Hornet, you and me are now in charge of looking through the security cameras. I'm already hacking into the security system, so that they won't catch us immediately. However, I need you to keep an eye on anything. Move around the bank if you want to, but don't lose focus on the cameras as well."
"Affirmative," answered Hornet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, inside the room, Wolf and Snake looked around at the many shelves on the walls. Piranha was bouncing all over the place, trying to reach up to the highest shelves in hopes of getting cash there. A vault was sitting right there at the end of the hallway. But the main takeaway from this place was the large golden chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It was decorated in diamonds and rubies, and conveniently, there was a vent passageway in the ceiling.
"Now THAT is what we will be taking," said Wolf, licking his lips.
"Wouldn't that be too much?" asked Snake. "We can't fit a chandelier through the door."
"It looks big, but it is small," said Wolf. "It might be collapsible and foldable."
"You think so? If it crashes to the floor, then it would take longer to pick up the pieces."
"Nah!" said Piranha. "Let's just grab the diamonds from the chandelier. They were worth more than what might be just metal painted in gold!"
"I suppose so," said Snake, making his way to the vault.
Placing his head against the door, he started flickering the knob around. He heard light clicks from the chains inside, meaning that this might be just an easy password to get through the door. While waiting, Wolf and Piranha started emptying all the shelves to collect easy money.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside, Hornet waited patiently, tapping his mitten hands. He looked through the many camera footages with his helmet, finding that things seemed to be going along smoothly. At that moment, he spotted Shark scolding two workers for getting into a prank (something to do with attempting to place in fake money), leading them away from the security room where Tarantula was at.
Speaking of which, Tarantula was chatting away as she looked through the security system.
"Not really a great security system," said Tarantula. "Could have gotten access to the emergency doors and shutters, but they are not working properly."
"Are they really broken?" asked Hornet.
"Well, I'm not sure if they can be activated manually, but dang, this bank is in need of technology work."
"Wouldn't that work to your advantage?"
"But this would leave the bank to be too easy. It's not neat."
Before Hornet could ask why Tarantula would want to have a bank neat, he caught someone just turning around the corner from the camera footage. It appeared to be a security officer with a heavy top build. And he was making his way to the vault room where Wolf, Snake, and Piranha were at.
"Oh no, no, no, no," said Hornet. "Guys? Someone is coming."
"I'll take him down!" said Piranha.
"Hold on a minute," said Wolf. "We might need to distract him a little bit. It might be quicker for him to call the cops if he sees the door is opened. We aren't really allowed to access this room."
Hornet looked around wildly, wondering what he could do. Shark wasn't nearby since he was already dealing with a group of workers. The security officer was already here, making his way toward the door. A nearby lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. That gave Hornet an idea.
He flew towards it and headbutted it. So hard that the light bulb actually fell off, crashing on the ground.
This caught the security guard's attention, turning around to see the remains of the light bulb.
He turned around to meet Piranha who held his hands together and lifted one leg up.
"Hola!" said Piranha sweetly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back inside, Snake finally unlocked the door, and he was greeted with the marvelous sight of golden bars and bags of money. Another successful heist and even a big win since they got a lot! He chuckled as he started filling bags with money and gold. Wolf followed as well, finishing up collecting the rest.
"Well, I could say that this is one of the easiest yet most complex heists we've ever done," said Wolf proudly. "Looks like we're earning more than we thought of this place."
Snake looked up at the chandelier. "You know what? How about we earn a little more?"
"Throw me up there. I'll help get the chandelier down."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few moments later, Piranha came back in, adjusting his jacket. Behind him was the drooling, unconscious security officer.
"What's up, chicas?" he called. "Sorry for being late, but…" He looked up. "Whoa! We're really getting the chandelier?"
"Yep!" said Snake, hanging from the ceiling vent. He could only use his mouth to hold a screwdriver, pulling out the bolts from the chandelier, "I might need your help right here."
"Oooh! Now this is where the fun begins!" said Piranha, already rushing to a wall to bounce up from it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back outside, Hornet could only stare at the unconscious body of the security officer. He nearly thought of trying to hide the body, but that might come across as if he was trying to hide murder evidence. There wasn't that much else to do since Shark did his role in steering the other workers away from the room they aimed for.
Hornet got a random idea. He flew down and took out the wallet from the security officer's pocket. To be safe, he only took out a couple of dollar notes.
"Easy steal!" said Tarantula in glee.
"Wait, what's going on?" asked Wolf.
"I…just swiped a few bucks from the guy who is…dead?" asked Hornet
Wolf teasingly whined like a puppy. "Aww…are you stealing my role?"
"It isn't really counted as pickpocketing when this guy is down."
"Good point. Though, I hope to see you all grow to be like me."
"Don't be so dramatic," chuckled Tarantula.
Hornet couldn't help but laugh as well.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back inside, Snake and Piranha successfully got the chandelier down. Once it was unscrewed, Snake grabbed it while Piranha held onto his tail to slowly lift it down to the floor. The two landed on the floor to help Wolf out collecting the diamonds. Though, they decided that they could only take half of all the diamonds since they couldn't carry that many at the moment.
"Now let's regroup, everyone!" called Wolf. "Let's get the pack right out of here!"
"I'm already coming!" said Tarantula.
"The hallway nearby is clear now," said Hornet. "We should be safe."
Wolf, Snake, and Piranha came out, cheerfully holding onto bags of money. Piranha threw one bag of money for Hornet to carry. It was nearly heavy for him to hold, but he quickly regained his balance. Tarantula popped out from the vents, landing right on Hornet. The added weight nearly sent the poor Hornet crashing to the ground.
"Get off me," said Hornet dryly.
"Wait a minute," said Snake, looking around. "Where's Shark?"
Another door not too far away opened and out came…Chief?
"Chief?" hissed all the Bad Guys quietly.
To their surprise, another cop came from behind her, dragging a man only wearing his undies. The man was pouting all the way, humiliated for being called over for a dispute in his workplace.
"Get that man outside to press charges," ordered Chief. "I don't want him trying to run outside first to escape."
This was bad. If Chief turned around, then all of them were doomed. Breaking into a run might catch her attention. Before any of them could think of finding a way out of this, Shark fortunately arrived.
"Oh!" said the disguised Shark, lifting his arms up. "Chief Luggins! I got to say thank you for getting rid of that hooligan!"
"He's still your hooligan, so I can't get rid of him," said Chief, shrugging. "Though, I have to say that you need some work on this place. This could get easily robbed by the Bad Guys."
Shark nervously looked over her shoulder. Behind them was no one. That was a relief that they quickly ran.
"Oh!" said Shark, deciding to stall Chief for a bit longer. "I heard that there are a couple of cowboys still around in there! Maybe you should check inside."
Chief raised an eyebrow. "This better not be them. Well…sure thing then!"
With her walking right back into the office rooms, Shark quickly ran after to follow his friends.
Chief looked around the offices, trying to find the supposed 'cowboys'. It was empty at the moment, so she suspected that they might be hiding anywhere. But it was too quiet. Too still. She stopped when she saw something shining in the sunlight. It was a coin lying there innocently on the letter shelves.
"Wait a sec," she said. "This…looks like it is more of a British coin. Did they mix up with the currency again?"
The second she grabbed it, the lights turned red and a loud siren echoed through the bank.
Just one grab of a priceless coin inside the office was enough to trigger the alarm.
The Bad Guys all heard this, breaking into a desperate run.
"What the heck?!" said Wolf. "Shark?! What happened?!"
"I don't know!" said Shark. "I didn't trip the alarm!"
"Did anyone did?" asked Tarantula.
"No!" said Hornet. "I didn't!"
"Me neither!" said Snake.
"We got company!" yelled Piranha.
As they ran right into the main room of the bank, they spotted many security officers pouring right in from the doors surrounding them. All wielding batons and more than happy to beat them up. There were too many of them, so they might tackle them to the ground. They might not make it to the exits!
Hornet remembered something, spotting the unrolled shutters. He made a fast beeline towards it and quickly pressed the buttons. In response, he could feel the shutters moving and slowly closing down.
Though, it was nearly too quick.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bad Guys quickly slid underneath the shutter alongside Hornet before it could close, trapping the majority of the officers inside the bank. As they made it to the other side, they could hear the unmistakable sound of the cops bumping right into the shutters.
"Whoo!" said Wolf. "Great move there, Hornet!"
Taking off their disguises, they ran straight towards the car Wolf hid right in the alleyway. They all climbed in, quickly placing the bags of money in the back and the free spaces. Once they all got in and strapped, Wolf turned on the engine.
He didn't hit the gas yet.
"C'mon!" said Snake. "Let's get moving!"
"They might find us!" said Shark.
"Relax," said Wolf. "We still miss out on the best part of a heist."
As if on cue, several police cars rolled up behind them.
"Wolf?!" she screamed, surprised that the gang was this quick in robbing the bank.
The Bad Guys laughed at this as Wolf hit the pedal. The car went zooming right out of the alleyway, jumping upwards upon hitting a bump. With the Bad Guys now the correct suspects, all the nearby cops got into their cars and drove after them.
Hornet found himself to be in for the craziest roller coaster ever. It was a good thing that he was near the windscreen with Tarantula so that he wouldn't go flying around the place, but he was terrified that they were being chased by the cops. And also terrified by Wolf's driving since the turns he was making were quite reckless.
Wolf drove the car to the right, finding heavy traffic just in front of them. While Snake sounded worried, Wolf let his confidence sink in and managed to dodge all the cars that started to move at the green light. Once in the junction, Wolf did a heavy drift to the left, even nearly hitting the cars coming from behind them. Barely a scratch when it got back on track while the cops had a hard time getting through the anarchy.
At one point, two police cars caught up with them. Wolf decided to troll them for as long as he could, turning the car around, and began driving backward at high speed. The cops were shocked by this before Wolf wink at them and moved out of the way…right as a slow bus was about to crash right into the police cars. The two quickly scattered with one, unfortunately, crashing into a water hydrant.
With more police cars on their tail, Wolf decided to go out with a trick to fool them all. There was a bridge in front of them, but there were still some buildings below it. It didn't lead to the main highways. Wolf took the opportunity to ride up the bridge before turning to his left once again. Driving the car through the barrier and crashing right through it.
The cops quickly pulled over by the bridge, hopping out to inspect where the Bad Guys might have landed. Below, the busy traffic resumed, and not a single trace of an upside-down car. Feeling that they might have driven away, the cops went back inside their cars and drove off in hopes to find them.
Unknown to the cops, the second Wolf drove the car off the bridge, it landed safely right in the middle of a narrow alleyway. There wasn't a scratch once again. A smooth escape and camouflage since it was dark here. The Bad Guys waited for the police cars to clear away from the area before sighing in relief.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bad Guys' car drove at the aqueduct as it turned to the dark tunnel. It drove into the elevator, and ascended up to their hideout. The Bad Guys stepped out of the car o stretched their muscles from that heist earlier, and when the elevator doors opened, they, except Snake, hopped out with enthusiasm
"Whoo! That was the best heist we had yet!" Piranha screamed.
"We almost blew it, but it was so much fun!" Shark exclaimed.
Hornet laughed, "Did you see me back there?! I was on fire!"
"I gotta hand it to you, Hornet, you were good out there on your first heist," Wolf complimented.
"Yeah, you were a good look-out," Piranha complimented.
"We knew we could count on you," Tarantula smiled
But Snake wasn't so excited about today's heist. It was a success, but with Hornet interfering in the heist wasn't part of the plan. He interrupted the celebration with a disappointing scowl, "Ugh! Alright, listen up, bug. Today was your tough luck, but you can't do that all the time."
"Huh?" Hornet felt confused.
"Come on, Snake, Hornet didn't do anything wrong," Wolf said.
"Not for now. What would happen if we're going for another heist, and he would mess up?" Snake declared to Wolf before turning to Hornet, "Look, you did well today, but you have to leave to the professionals to do most of the work, while you are still a rookie, so you just have to stay put and watch us. Who knows what would happen if you don't do your job right?" Hornet whimpered, feeling ashamed that he did in the heist disappointed Snake.
Snake turned away from Hornet, and slithered towards the TV, grabbing the remote to turn it on. A little TV would cool his head.
The other Bad Guys were confused why Snake would be disappointed in Hornet, who didn't cause a mistake in the heist but just wanted to join the action. They noticed Hornet was still whimpering sadly.
"Sorry about Snake, Hornet," Wolf said softly.
"It's okay. I'm used to it. I know that Mr. Snake hates me," Hornet sighed sadly.
"He doesn't hate you… He just needs time to get used to you," Tarantula reasoned, but when Hornet still hung his head down, she and the Bad Guys knew that won't cheer him up.
The rest of the Bad Guys decided to join Snake to watch TV, but Hornet decided to fly towards the fridge. He dug inside, and got himself a lettuce leaf. He sat on his new tiny chair and took a bite from a league. While staring at his new friends who enjoyed watching TV, Hornet just hoped he'll completely fit right in with the Bad Guys. He just wanted to be accepted, even if one of them didn't like him.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As few days passed by, Hornet was still assigned as the look-out again… and again… and again. He didn't do anything but watch from above, and kept an eye on his friend to keep cautious during the heist. Hornet felt bored that he had to see and do nothing. He couldn't pickpocket, he couldn't do safe-cracking, couldn't do disguises, fighting, and hacking. All of those things were fun, but watching? Too boring. Hornet could wish he could do something like his friends, just to help them. If there would be a chance, he would do it.
Snake to just open the door for us," Shark added.
"Someone ring me," a voice commented as Snake soon appeared, slithering out from the top vent and onto the floor, where he got right to work on trying to crack open the safe door, "Piece of cake. He successfully opened the door, where all the jewels were.
"Ooh," Shark, Piranha, Snake, Tarantula, and Wolf said in unison/awe.
"Alright," Piranha cheered.
"Look at all those jewels," Shark said, his eyes glistening in awe.
"We're gonna be filthy rich after this," Snake mentioned.
Wolf spoke into his comm, "Hornet, we made it into the storage room. We're gonna start grabbing some jewels, how's everything by you?"
Hornet reported back, "All good here, Wolf. No sign of trouble or anyone that might stop us."
"Great job. Keep us up-to-date, we should be out soon," Wolf reported back on the comm, with Hornet listening.
However, Hornet was starting to grow a bit restless; the rest of the team was grabbing a lot of sweet, beautiful valuables, and all he was doing is just keeping watch.
He looked over at the door, "Hmmm, well…if things look good here…I suppose..maybe they might need some help bagging those jewels they're grabbing."
He flew off, heading through the door and through the hallway, and over to the storage room.
Inside, Shark was holding a bag while Wolf, Piranha, and Snake were putting some jewels inside it.
Then, the team heard the sound of wings flapping and looked up, spotting Hornet inside with them.
"Hornet? What are you doing here?" Piranha asked.
"Is everything okay?" Tarantula asked.
"Are there police outside?" Shark asked.
"No, no, everything's still clear, but I thought you guys might need some help. These jewels look really amazing, and I want to help you grab some," Hornet replied, flying over some of the jewels.
"Woah, woah, we appreciate you wanting to help us, Hornet, we do, but we need you to keep an eye out back out there, in case someone does come here," Wolf addressed.
"Yeah, so go back outside and do your job," Snake commented.
"I am, I just want to help you guys out. It's so quiet outside, it's boring, and I thought you might want a bit of assistance. Some of these don't look too heavy for me to carry, like…that one," Hornet answered before pointing to a purple diamond. He flew over to it and picked it up, but immediately felt that it was really heavy, saying, "Okay, maybe this one is heavy."
Wolf then saw that on the back of the diamond, there was a red button, and when he recognized what that button was, Wolf gasped, "Hornet, no!"
But before Wolf could finish, the weight of the diamond was enough to make Hornet stagger and accidentally dropped it, making the jewel land on the button.
Nothing seemed to happen at first…..until the diamond started to flash red and blue and make a loud siren noise, causing everyone to scream while covering their ears.
"That diamond was a trap," Snake shouted.
"A secret alarm," Tarantula added.
"I'm so sorry, you guys," Hornet apologized while covering his ears, feeling bad he accidentally triggered an alarm.
Then, while the alarm rang, the Bad Guys seemed to hear the sound of police sirens, with Piranha saying, "Uh oh! I think we have a visit from the el popo!"
The Bad Guys ran out of the storage room, leaving the bag of jewels they had inside, and peeked their heads out from the back door that led into the hallway, and saw that outside, there was a swarm of police cars, and police officers outside, led by Chief Luggins.
"It's the chief! How did she get here so fast?" Shark asked in a whispered panic.
"That alarm must've had a silent one that emitted and let them know someone tried to rob this place," Wolf answered back.
"What do we do now?" Tarantula asked.
"And what about our jewels?" Snake inquired.
"Just take whatever we had, we gotta get out of here now! Run for it!" Wolf addressed as all 6 Bad Guys ran out of the jewelry expo store through the back exit, sneaked into the alleyway, and got in the car, with Wolf driving off backward so he can get onto the road without anyone spotting him or his team escape.
During the car ride home, Hornet kept quiet, feeling bad that he had messed up their heist. He didn't mean to, he just wanted to help them out a lot more than just being the lookout.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When they made it back home, the Bad Guys took out their black suits, and felt exhausted from the night we have.
Hornet just dropped himself into the blue pillow on the couch.
"YOU!" Snake shouted angrily as he pointed his tail sharply at Hornet, "You could've got us all captured! You almost led us to jail! What do you have to say for yourself?!"
"Take it easy on him, Snake. He's just a kid. He's still a rookie!" Shark exclaimed, trying to calm him down
"Exactly! He's still a rookie! It means he shouldn't jump into things that weren't part of the plan! I should've known letting you into our team would cause nothing but trouble!" Snake said out loud for Hornet, who shrunk down, to hear him, "You almost got us all in trouble! This is the first heist that we failed since… since we succeeded a lot before you came in."
"I'm… I'm so sorry, Snake," Hornet whimpered, "I don't know what came over me. I just… I just want to be part of this heist. I want to do something other than watching you guys, and looking out for you."
"Well, you can't have it all. Being a Bad Guy like us isn't about doing what you want to do, it's about looking out for the team. Clearly, you can't even do that," Hornet then looked up and gasped, making him remember how he did with his colony those months ago. He remembered how he was a coward to fight back another colony of hornets, and rather stayed in the hive than help his fellow hornets. He didn't want that to happen again. He wanted to make it up for his disloyalty towards his fellow hornets. He thought this could help him make things right. Snake might be right that he wasn't good at helping his teammates and letting them down as he did with his colony. But no matter what he did, helping or not, he couldn't do anything right.
"This… would never happen again, 'cause if you do, so help me I'll…" Snake squeezed his tail like he was squeezing his fist, but he couldn't burst all his anger out on Hornet as he exhaled calmly and slithered away from him.
As he watched Snake slithering away, Hornet then looked at Wolf, who was speechless but felt disappointed. Wolf has nothing to say about Hornet's actions today. He wasn't angry like Snake, but he was disappointed. Wolf then walked off from Hornet, following Snake. Hornet then looked at Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula, who were also speechless and disappointed, and they moved away from him without saying a word.
Watching his friends moving away from him, Hornet knew his friends were disappointed in him. He couldn't blame them
They were already professional at this, while he wasn't. He knew he wasn't a criminal, and he knew nothing much about professional crime life. He was doing his best, but expected too much of himself to be part of the Bad Guys, and it almost led them to jail. Hornet was just scared that he would end up alone again like he used to. He didn't want to be all by himself. He only wanted companions, friends, and family. That was all he ever asked. But to get that, he has to fit in, and he tried, but he almost failed, and will be kicked out of the team if he let them down again.
Hornet needed more time to think. He needed a quiet place. Luckily, he found an opening in a vent that wasn't used much, so he can stay here in the meantime.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Craig Robinson - Mr. Shark
Anthony Ramos - Mr. Piranha
Awkwafina - Ms. Tarantula
Rhenzy Feliz - Mr. Hornet
Alex Borstein - Chief Misty Luggins
Lilly Singh - Tiffany Fluffit
Tom Llamas - Himself (archive)
Zohreen Shah - Herself (archive)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Co-Author
TU4QU0I53T4IAN6L3
Masterclass60
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So you're a tough guy
Like it really rough guy
Just can't get enough guy
Chest always so puffed guy
I'm that bad type
Make your mama sad type
Make your girlfriend mad tight
Might seduce your dad type
I'm the bad guy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This chapter is part 1 of Mr. Hornet story of being the 6th member of the Bad Guys. Part 2 is coming soon.
Most of the additional voices in the chapter are uncredited due to too many additional characters.
The news about "Murder Hornets" was an ABC News footage that aired on May 3, 2020, called, 'Murder Hornets' spotted in US at YouTube.
The Bad Guys' Fit Right In was a parody song from the original song "Fit Right In" in My Little Pony: A New Generation by Kimiko Glenn, Vanessa Hudgens & James Marsden.
The grocery scene was a reference by Birds Of Prey (2020).
Special thanks to TU4QU0I53T4IAN6L3 and Masterclass60 for helping me make the heists scenes.
tangentwithtanner
blakekathryn
titsay
kaledo-art
