Stories: Bandit's Betrayal

Bandit's Betrayal is a story written by BF10.

Synopsis[]

After Smugly gets into a heap with Rocko, he ends up breaking bonds with his once-called master. But without anyone to support him, and not being helped with his previous actions, Smugly tries to seek for someone who will support him. However, who would even be willing to give the sidekick of a bandit mastermind a second chance? And just when he can get the second chance, he realizes something about his past...

Plot[]

It all starts off in the innocent gulch city Vanilla Vale. Filled with normal citizens of various species, although majority of them are Waddle Dees. This valley will soon become the vale of tears as a Shadow Star dropping off two of the most infamous Jambastion bandits.

Waddle Dee: [dropping cards from a card game, revealing four Aces] It's Rocko Vanthrilla and Smugly Leasurelead!

The two bandits are smashing everything in their path, with Rocko using his sharpened staff and Smugly now newly armed with a scythe, although Smugly is cutting some wheat on the way, indirectly helping the people out, but Rocko's damage outweights the deed. People are running for cover or back in their houses.

Waddle Dee #2: Hey, thanks for harvesting!
Waddle Dee #3: Yeah, but they smashed your ceramic.
Rocko: Woah!

Eventually, the two manages to find a nearby bank.

Rocko: Park it!
Smugly: Aye.

The two heads in, but the view remains outside as the voices are heard.

Rocko: Alright, all of you! Keep your arms raising to the heavens above our old Termina. I'll just have bygones be bygones if you give us what we want... no no, not those paper money! Shiny pennies will be enough! [the two heads out while also placing the staffpoints at the front] Don't move, or you'll get it right in the vulture neck!
Smugly: We sure did well, Rocko. With this fat stash, we can buy out the poor Kawasaki resturant, disband the police force, demolish the chemistry lab, and bribe that white-cloaked so-called master!

Someone pops out of the bank and shrugs of confusion on why the two wants pennies over big bucks. However, as the two are running out, they realize that their vehicle has been towed out.

Smugly: J'oh, Rocky-
Rocko: Don't call me that!
Smugly: Our vehicle's apprehended!
Police Dee: How about you two put your hands up or you'll have your jam-apenos cooked!
Smugly: I'll show you who's goose is [spanks the police Waddle Dee with the money bag, but also ripping a small hole in the bag] jamcooked!

Rocko and Smugly both make a run for it, although Smugly is unaware of the hole in the money bag and pennies is pouring out of it.

Waddle Dee #4: Ooh, free money!
Waddle Doo: Maybe if we follow the money, we'll find the end of a rainbow with gold dabloons!
Waddle Dee #4: Uh, those are pennies.
Waddle Doo: Darn, we would've been out of poverty.
Rocko: I think we lost those pesky people. Man, it was smart of me to think that instead of gold digging, we penny pinch!

However, the two finds a riot of citizens wanting their precious money, with them wielding rakes, shovels, torches, and for some reason, the Waddle Doo is holding out some leprechaun cereal.

Waddle Doo: Here's your lucky charms, you'll never get away without them!
Smugly: ...how could that even happen?
Rocko: [notices the tatered hole] You're the main reason why!

Rocko manages to find a small hole to escape in, allowing him to hide himself from the riot. However, Smugly, being the dimwit he is, eventually gets cornered onto a cliff edge and slips but nearly grasps onto it. As the riot closes up on them, Rocko suddenly pops out of the hole with a taser.

Rocko: Hey, all of you! Who wants to try my little leprechaun trap? It's surely enough to trap the leprechaun hanging on for his dear life. Just place your finger on this little light!
Smugly: ...help...
Waddle Doo: I wanna try! [touches the taser, and gets shocked by it]
Rocko: Useful, isn't it?

The Waddle Doo is scared by the harm such innocent "light" can do and runs off. The citizens of the gulch also runs out.

Rocko: [laughs] Cowards.
Smugly: Rocko!
Rocko: [walks off to the edge of the cliff where Smugly is hanging on, and he also grabs the money bag Smugly left behind] Look, on the bright side, we still have the loot!
Smugly: Yes, our loot! Now just help me out, and-
Rocko: Our?! What do you mean, "our"?
Smugly: But boss, sir, gentleman? Isn't it that we worked together to get the moolah? It's the only thing we need to just afford our housing hideaways.
Rocko: Yeah, but what little you contribute. All you do is just become the bystander that is just the second banana to any scheme that I normally set up.
Smugly: I did more than just nothing with you. I, uh- help you find the gold bar when we were caught attempting to blow Jambastion into rubble.
Rocko: I think there's better people I can search out here who's actually useful!
Smugly: Can't I get my pennies though?
Rocko: You seriously want a paycheck for all you have done with me?
Smugly: ...yeah?
Rocko: Alright, here's your paycheck! [drops a penny close to Smugly]
Smugly: Ooh! [catches the penny with both hands, but realizes he lost his grip. He sadly decends to the ground below and crash lands upside down into the stream]'

The heartbroken Smugly decides the end of such relationship and puts it up with Rocko.

Smugly: Fine! If that's the thanks of all I did to you with mugging and all I get is the treatment of asking for money in my mug, then [sniffs] I'll be best if I went my own separate way!
Rocko: Yeah, good riddance, jam for brains.

Transition. Smugly is seen kicking an empty can while walking in Jambastion, depressed about being unaffiliated with the bandit mastermind himself.

Smugly: Old bandit Rocko was a peachy bold soul, and a unwary mold soul was I... how could I mess up such chance with my old timer?
Elvis Jambeliever: Hey, you still want to have your gold?
Smugly: [sadly] Nah... what's the deal?
Elvis Jambeliever: No seriously, it's actually real! [shows up the same gold-painted chili beans]
Smugly: I don't think I'll ever be appreciated by shiny things anymore...

As Smugly walks off, Elvis does a cuckoo sign, thinking that such bandit must be out of his mind to not accept such a thing. Smugly tries to head to a neighborhood where he finds a shovel.

Smugly: Hey, what's that doing here? [he digs up to find the gold that he could've found earlier] It's gold. Actual gold! I did it! And all this time I didn't need my master, comrade, sire, bodyguard, friend-

The view changes to show he isn't digging actual gold - he's actually digging in someone's sandbox and finding some shells in there. The people who sees Smugly just shakes their head.

Transition. Smugly decides to take his penny and see if he could get some penny candy. He finds a concession stand.

Smugly: Ah, can I get one chocolate roll?
Cashier: Sur- [looks at Smugly and realizes a wanted sign posted outside] Actually, get out of my store, you criminal!
Smugly: But I really have a penny to spare! [shows the penny] See?
Cashier: We don't accept business of your kind here. [shuts the window on Smugly's hand]
Smugly: YEE-OW! [pulls out his flattened hands]

Transition, Smugly heads to the Jambrewtion Company, the same one where he managed to syphon some disulfide earlier.

Smugly: [sees the company] You! You're the reason why we messed up last time! Your timely employees might be under our tails, but I'm not going to be through until this excuse of a "filter management" is gone for!
Jammerjab Worker #1: Yeah, except this business isn't going anywhere.
Jammerjab Worker #2: Let's take our business somewhere else, Jansen.
Smugly: Well, like I need any business around here... [realizes that he indeed needs help though] ...actually, maybe I can find an acquaintanceship around here.

Transition to Rocko, who is up to his gang meeting and reporting his results.

Nick: Hello, Rocko!
Rocko: Hey, gangsta Nick. I see you bought the rest in here too- Mikey, Crimey, Butch, and Crippel! You won't believe it, but I learned that you'll be more likely to get away with anything using [shows the money bags] pennies over paper!
Crimey: Ah, that's sweet, but eh, what happened to your smug buddy?
Rocko: Oh, him? Well, I also learned today about incompetence. And incompetence of just one person is what it takes for a plan to go in the wrong direction. So I let him off with his final paycheck.
Nick: You work solo now?
Rocko: I was going to, but I realize that all of you have more brains than that dumbeliever. So I'm going to choose a candidate between you all. If you want to work with the mastermind himself, you all have a lot of chances to do so tomorrow morning.
Crippel: You got that right! [accidentally fires his cripple rifle] ...I think someone else should go first.

Transition. Smugly enters the Jambrewtion Company carefully, hoping that no one will notice him and throw him out.

Smugly: [in his head] Just as smug as you still are. Just keep it slow and steady, and no one will-

However, he is spotted by the purple-headed, purple-blooded, and purple-minded key man of the company, the mightiest alchemist in all Jambastion. The alchemist points out his acidic lance at the former bandit.

Lance: Aha! Thought you could go asking for more disulfide to infiltrate the pipelines, huh?
Smugly: It's not what you think, man, enemy, rival, anti-hero.
Lance: Call me Lance. I know what you're up to and no one in this company will fall for it again. I do realize though, what happened to the smart goon?
Smugly: [sniffs] He... no longer needed me anymore. And threw me out with nothing. Now here I am, running for nothing, considered irredeemable... and hated by nearly everyone...
Lance: To be fair though, you did commit a lot of crimes-
Smugly: It's like people think no one could ever change. No matter how hard they try. You probably just want me out there, in the cold, where nature forces want to bite me, you can't think with everyone on your vision. Then eventually- "Look! It's the cops! They're following me!". You really want me to suffer, right?
Lance: [a bit saddened by the sad tale but has some regret too] ...as much I would like to think you might've changed, you just can't make up many years of in-and-out of the birdhouse.
Smugly: Why, don't just leave me out there! It's not safe! I just want someone to, uh, follow around with me. Support me until I can find a new leaf.
Lance: No deal. You think I'm going to trust you that easily?
Smugly: You could.
Lance: Of course not.
Smugly: You seriously can.
Lance: Look, if I said "no" the first two times, what is going to make me say "yes" the third time?
Smugly: I can make you say it after the 283th time. [grabs a scientist gear and a different hat to ensure no other person can realize it's him] I can keep up with this word game forever. It's partially the reason why Rocko used to held on with me.
Lance: Oh yeah? Try me...

Of course, the verbal battle between the two begins, with Smugly asking that he could gain some support and Lance saying that he seriously won't consider. This carries on for most of the day, and eventually, Lance gets too tired to respond back that he decides to whip out a pair of headphones with the purple Jambastion emblems on the side decals so he doesn't have to worry about the bandit.

Eventually, Lance is in his lab room, and Smugly still hasn't stopped. However, Lance hears knocking and he opens up to reveal some rather angry workers.

Lance: [puzzled] Can I help you?
Jammerjab Worker #1: Yeah, can you tell your walking jukebox to stop being on loop and max volume? Sheesh, that guy ruins rest time, quiet time, and meditation.
Smugly: Can I get some help from you?
Lance: [defeated and sighs] Alright, sure. I've had enough anyways. Also should get you to shut up. And for the rest of you, get back to work!

Transition, Lance is showcasing Smugly some of the new experiments in the lab.

Lance: Thanks to the advancements of philosopher's stone, we have now been able to create a new chemical that can turn anything into a solid piece of gold! It's quite the advancement, as if even a little drenches onto a certain object, it'll freeze it solid. Imagine if that lightning mage could get a taste of this - she'd be the most prettiest girl and relic in all Jambastion-
Smugly: [in his head after Lance says "solid piece of gold"] Solid piece of gold, eh? Onto anything? [gets an idea] If I splatter this onto him, then he'd help me out a lot once I show this to Rocko! [normally, interrupting Lance and picking up the vial the chemical is in] Uh, how about I uh, store this in the fridge? It's apparently meant for colder temperatures, I guess...
Lance: Actually, this one just needs to be kept at room temperature. No need to freeze the chemical.
Smugly: Oh right, I really should put this back then- [drenches Lance with the chemical] Whoops.
Lance: What in jamblazes do you think you're doing?! [as Lance is talking, the chemical is actually working, and is slowly turning Lance into a solid piece of gold] People with butterfingers like you are the main reason why no one else in Popstar wants to sample from us much.
Smugly: Uh, Lancey? It looks like King Midas touched you.
Lance: Juh? [realizes that his body is encrypted in gold] Oh Hyness! Can't you spare the time to add a new legion for Jambastion-

Not long before Lance can finish, he is already fully turned into a golden statue.

Smugly: Oh boy! I can finally give something that will surely impress my old master! Hopefully Dionyssus doesn't find me... heh heh. [tries to carry Lance] Ugh... it's way heavier than I thought.
Lance: [in his head, unable to talk in the statue form] I weigh a lot more than those pesky mage sisters and Hyness combined, alright? Okay, I might be exaggerating, but I'm heavy enough to smash Zan after stomping on her.

As Smugly takes the elevator back to the first floor, down in such floor also resides good ol' Leera Leasurelead. Perhaps one of the more smarter of sophisticated of the company, she enjoys reading to no end. The elevator door opens and Smugly runs out with Lance.

Smugly: I'm bringing home the bacon, master!
Lance: [in his head] Help! Tess! Hyness! Heck even Zan!
Leera: [reading "Tales of a Locked Gang"] "It was at that point the changelings were attacking back, imitating each member of the gang in one way or another. But hence, these changelings are nothing compared to-" [sees Smugly and realizes something] Hey, where are you going with all of that gold?
Smugly: [also realizes something] ...Leera?
Leera: Smugly?

Such connection they realize causes Smugly to drop the statue, breaking the gold and freeing Lance inside of it as he is gasping for breath. Transition to Lance's house, and Smugly is extremely angry for what he has found.

Smugly: ...did you seriously had to hire... her?
Lance: Well, it's not my fault that she had the desire to choose this business. There's an open ended world out there for her but she has only one choice. Besides, what's your grudge against her?
Smugly: ...grudge... why do I have such a grudge on her?
Lance: Exactly! Why are you even mad in the first place?
Smugly: I don't know! But the instant I saw her, envy instantly filled up inside of me!
Tess Trishula: [popping out of a room] What is going on, you two?
Smugly: ...hold on, are you some kind of roommate with him?
Tess Trishula: More than that. I'm Tesla Trishula of Jambastion, and you're talking to Lance Rebbul-
Lance: That is not my last name!
Tess Trishula: Whoops, I mean Lebbel.
Lance: That is not it either! Ah, forget the last name. We're brother and sisters to each other.

The words "brother and sisters of each other" captures a trance for Smugly.

Smugly: Brother... sister...

Eventually, he recalls a flashback about the last time they were together. No, not the time he planned to blow up Jambastion, it was when he was particularly young.

It was a distinct past in Jambastion. It was more simpler, before Hyness snapped and Kirby had to knock his senses. Leera and Smugly was raised by a caring mother and father, alongside a matriarch. The last time they were together as family was a time when they were attempting to play catch.

Leera: Alright, comrade. Go out for the long bomb!
Smugly: Is this far enough? [apparently across four houses from Leera]
Leera: ...good enough. [throws the ball hard enough, but Smugly misses and bounces away] Whoops, my bad...
Smugly: Don't worry, I'll get it anyways!

Smugly starts chasing after the ball until it is stopped under the foot of a Jambeliever.

Smugly: Hey, that is our ball! Give it back.
???: "Our" ball? Who do you think is "our"?
Smugly: ...why I don't even know what "our" could mean. Is it my ball? Leera's? The family's?
???: Look, let's be straight. Do you have anyone else to play out here?
Smugly: Nope. Just me and my sister.
???: Well, in that case you might as best be described as a friendless husk. [Smugly suddenly becomes saddened] But, what if someone like me could help turn this little rubber ball into a ball of cash.
Smugly: You could really do that?
???: Sure. By the way, I haven't introduced myself well, but you can call me your new friend Rocko! And I can show you a good place where I can get you a ball of cash to impress your sister!
Smugly: Oh, hohoho, you're quite the charmer. [the two heads out in the sunset]
Leera: [in distance] Uh, did you find the ball?

Flashback ends. Smugly's wrath and anger turns into depression and sorrow as he realizes the past mistakes that caused him to be stuck in this loophole.

Lance: Sir, are you okay?
Tess Trishula: [splashing water onto Smugly] How many fingers am I holding up?
Smugly: Two fingers! Two fingers that should've been on separate hands!
Lance: Now what's the matter.
Smugly: Thanks for reciting why I'm still here in the first place.
Tess Trishula: Why, you should be lucky that you're still out here... although maybe on parole.
Smugly: Please just don't ever mention anything about the force or law to me, alright? [grabs out a sandwich from his back and takes a bite out of it as comfort food]
Lance: Okay, look, just because one bad friend turned your whole life into a downhill spiral, that doesn't mean it's- [recieves a phone call] Bonjam?
Leera: Lance? Can you head to my house, right now?
Lance: Sure. Tesla, you watch Smugly just in case his sob story is just another scheme. I've got to head to the main place where it all started.
Smugly: [shocked, drops his sandwich and tries to escape, Tess is holding him back and eventually uses her trident to leave him airborne] No! You can't talk to her! She'll think I'm just the lowlife who made some of the worst decisions!
Lance: Relax, she may be a bit more happy that she found a long lost brother. I don't think she would mind what type of life you're in right now...

Of course though, Leera is enraged as well.

Leera: Lance, my dear, as much as I like working with you, you didn't have to make me know about him! He's a complete disgrace to this family! A criminal! A vermin man, always ready with a trick or sham!
Lance: A better question is how did you even knew it was him and how come you didn't notice when he was tainting the pipeline?
Leera: I was attempting my best to forget about him. That's why I had no focus of him during the time I had to clean the pipes. But eventually, having someone as heartless to turn you into gold and sell it is a sign that only someone corrupted like him is capable of doing so!
Lance: Thing is, thanks to a memory recall that recited the last time he actually saw you, he's now just a sad shell of his former self. Maybe you must realize people change over the years.
Leera: Yeah, I believes it when I sees it. And that will never happen, because I never want to see him again.
Lance: Leera, do you realize that both you and that bandit's last name are "Leasurelead". If you think him being part of your family is a coincidence, I don't think I have anything else helpful to contribute.
Leera: Smugly... Leasurelead? I always thought his last name was Vinstalla.
Lance: I do not recite anyone who has such last name, although it would be funny if Francisca had that as her last name. But if you really don't want to see his face again, so be it. But if I never saw Tessie since my childhood, I would savor the new moments with her.
Leera: I would really like to come out and meet him, but I am uh... busy preparing our Thanksgiving meal! Unfortunately, only the true Leasurelead's can make this feast better than Hyness's. But I invite you and Tess to come for the feast!
Lance: Alright, I'll be there on Thanksgiving, same time as your out-of-place Halloween Feast, right?
Leera: ...yeah. Now, scurry along. I've got a torch turkey to baste, alright?
Lance: Jambuhbye!

Lance marches back to his house to see lots and lots of submarine sandwich paper lying on the floor of the living room and his lab room. Tess is also just sitting down there, heavily stressed and having a bad hairstyle.

Lance: [gasps] Who littered this house! [notices Tess] Can you please explain what is going on here?
Tess Trishula: I tried to stop Smugly from his "unhealthy" habit of eating sandwiches when depressed. And he threatened me with his scythe. I tried to trident fight back, but he peacefully ended it with...
Lance: With what?
Tess Trishula: ...with this cold cut sandwich! And it was good! Way better than anything Kawasaki makes.
Lance: Alright, I'm going to put an end to this. [walks up to the kitchen, where Smugly is just eating another sandwich as usual] Alright, what's with you and your sudden "sandwich addiction"?
Smugly: Sorry about that. But whenever me and Rocko finishes a job, I would reward myself with a sandwich. It became my go-to food whenever I need to cheer myself up or whenever he can't think of somewhere to eat.
Lance: I can see your thoughts on Rocko is what is making you binge eat these sandwiches. Luckilly, no one in Popstar ever gains weight, but I'm still rather concerned for you anyways. How about we go right ahead and meet your lost sister again?
Smugly: [hides in his shirt] I-I rather not...
Tess Trishula: Why so scared? It's not like Leera will bite.
Lance: Aw, just relax. [grabs Smugly and tugs him out of the house] Sure, Leera might not want to see your face, but I can tell you, deep down in her heart, she really wants to know where you are now.

Transition to Leera's house. Smugly has hidden out of his shirt.

Smugly: You sure the first thing she will do when I knock the door won't be a book to the head?
Lance: I can tell you easily that Leera will want to see and hear your voi-
Leera: [behind the door] Is that you, Smugly? Get out of my prescence right now! You're nothing than a lowlife loafer that can't be jamdarned to change. And yes, I'll definitely give you an encyclopedia to the head if you knock.
Smugly: Oh yeah? Try me! [knocks]
Lance: No! [pushes Smugly aside as the door opens and Leera instantly smashes Lance in the head with an encyclopedia]
Leera: Take that, you bru- whoa... I'm... so... sorry, Lance...
Lance: [dazed] Mommy, daddy, where art thou? You may be in the heavens above, but I'll be up above the skating rink with you as well...
Smugly: ...I can't believe that you would actually want to slam me in the head for all the time it took for me to actually convince you that I'll certainly change!
Leera: Oh yeah? My own research from reading tells me that 99.99% of lowlives like you don't change.
Smugly: Well, I can still be that 0.01% that actually does. You just have to give me a second chance!
Leera: You had plenty of years to make your second chance. And you wasted all of it on emptying banks and giving everyone the "don't move or you'll get it in the vulture neck" statement. I'm not sure what is up with you, but I highly doubt you'll ever change! So jambuhbye, and I really mean it!

Leera slams the door out on Smugly. Smugly then tries to talk to the still-dazed Lance.

Smugly: Do I have to call the ambulance for you?
Lance: No, I don't need an ambu-lance, you see? I'm perfectly fine, it's not like I have never encountered falling down pits or being zapped.

As Lance clumbsily walks out, Smugly is depressed again and slowly walks back when he hears something from inside the house.

Leera's father: W-w-what happened to all of our food savings this year?
Leera's mother: You see, unfortunately with the master Hyness increasing prices each year, we just don't have enough to get everything we need.
Leera's father: Yeah, but now we have nothing left for the turkey! The annual Leasurelead feast is never complete without the turkey!
Leera: Wouldn't it be fine to just go without turkey?
Leera's mother: We could, my intelligent sweetpea. But then again, the Leasurelead-baked Lick-the-Fork turkey is what attracts everyone to the feast.
Leera: I could work overtime and earn the extra money for the turkey.
Leera's father: Daughter, this is Thanksgiving season. We don't want you to be overworking yourself on holiday.
Leera: I'd rather sacrifice my time to give you the best feast!
Smugly: [in his head] Aha! If I can give Leera a Thanksgiving turkey, maybe she will have a second thought on me and really think I am not a bad criminal anymore! Now, where would I find a-

Before Smugly could think for any longer, Leera suddenly opens the door and inadvertently slams it onto Smugly. Leera looks a bit steamed that her parents wants to hold her back, but she wants to work overtime. Eventually, the door lapses back to reveal the flattened Smugly against the door. He peels himself out, although a bit dizzy, and then eventually uses his fingers to cover his mouth and blow himself back round.

Smugly: So that's what it feels like to be a paper Jambeliever. Surprisingly doesn't hurt as much as I thought.

Transition. Lance is back at home and is closing the front door when the front door suddenly opens back at him and also flattens him like paper against the door.

Smugly: Lance! Lance! Good news!
Lance: [peels himself out then punches himself to make himself round again] What is it this time?
Smugly: I think I found the cure to the "no-love-for-what-you-done-in-the-past-itis".
Lance: Uh, what do you mean?
Smugly: If I can get Leera a turkey for her family's Thanksgiving dinner, maybe she'll finally have some respect on me!
Lance: How is just a mere turkey going to show your heart to her?
Smugly: Well, here's what I heard from inside the house. Apparently, the family ran out of money on food savings, so they couldn't afford the turkey. And now Leera is working overtime just to get enough cash for the turkey. Maybe if I give the opportunity to have Leera relax for the overtime while we get the turkey, she'll finally be impressed at once. And if that doesn't make her happy, nothing will.
Lance: Come to think of it, you've finally thought of something not only considering, but also rather smart for your intelligence level. I think you're on track to redeeming your past qualities.
Smugly: You said that right, uh, new boss? New master? New friend?
Lance: We're not in that type of relation yet, alright... comrade.

Transition, Rocko brings out his first Mikey as his first candidate for a new partnership. The first mission is attempt to mug from a Waddle Dee's house.

Rocko: Okay, newcomer. Here's our first and easiest mission that no one, not even Smugly, should screw up, although he would most certainly find a way to do so.
Mikey: I'm already excited for the first ordeal. Actually, I can probably do this without your help at all!

Mikey runs to the door but the rug is a pitfall trap and he falls into it with the rug.

Rocko: [facepalms] Aye, aye... a smart bandit would realize that almost anything could be a trap. The grass, the rug, heck even the window could be a trap waiting to snap on the stupidity out of us!
Mikey: ...can you help me back up? [Rocko just nods his head at the audience]

The two finally breaks through the door and enters in the house, which is vacant. As Rocko is taking pots and pans from the cabinets, Mikey sees a piggy bank and decides to take it out.

Mikey: Aw, a sweet, innocent little glass pig. I'm pretty sure nothing will go wrong if had a great fall... [knocks the piggy bank off the shelf it was on but onto an unstable piece of hardwood that causes the wood tile that Rocko was on to flip over] Oops... literally.

The flipped wooden panel is indeed another trapdoor, and sends Rocko out to a chute near a cliff. After he flies out of it, Rocko holds up a sign that says "Can't we go one story without any involvement of gravity?", then he falls (birds-eye view) with a new sign saying "Jambuhbye".

Transition for the next morning, Leera is heading to work on Thanksgiving break, even though she is normally off.

Leera: [whisting the Song of Supplication, but sees a note on the door of the company] What even? [reads the note] "Due to an outburst of the gold chemical leading to misuse, most of the stuff has unexpectedly turned into gold. Even though all of the employees got out safe, most belongings and materials were transformed into gold, hindering our experiments. While we find the reversal, we will be closed to ensure no one else become solid shells. Sorry for the inconvienence." Ah, my mother always tell me, don't bother coming to work today, no need to rub it in my face...

A splatter of the gold chemical splashes out of the keyhole and lands onto Leera's clothing, turning it into gold.

Leera: Well, at least I don't have to dress professionally for the Thanksgiving dinnner anymore... [her head also turns into gold, muffled] I take back everything I said...

Realizing that she's the only one who bothered heading to work, there's also no one else to help her escape the golden shell, that is until the trident brethren comes by.

Leera: [muffled] ...and now stumped again. As usual. [a trident hits the golden shell, tilting her onto the ground and breaking her out of the gold; she gasps for breath]
Tess Trishula: Lance told me that I should bring you back home.
Leera: Ah yes, go right ahead and I can also show you how we prepare our Thanksgiving dinner. Trust me, not even Hyness can do better than I can... although to be fair with you, Kawasaki can make one thing better than our family can - the stuffing.
Tess Trishula: Splendid! Maybe I can cook for Lance one day, and he can appreciate that over "experimental food". [more gold chemicals splatters onto Tess's face and her head also turns into gold, muffled] Hopefully this isn't permanent. [falls, cracking the gold and also making her dizzy]
Leera: It isn't, but that feeling is as good as being one of Francisca's ice trophies.

As Leera and Tess heads back for Leera's house, Rocko comes back with his second candidate, Butch.

Butch: [holding a crowbar] Gold chemicals, eh? I think you hit the gold mine, pal.
Rocko: Do not call me pal. Just open the door, alright?
Butch: With pleasure. [busts the door open] Floor's all yours, master!
Rocko: Alright, it's best you just stand here and don't do anything, okay? [walks in]
Butch: [reads more of the note] Uh, doc? I think you should traverse a bit faster?
Rocko: Just why?
Butch: If one blotch gets onto you, you'll be turned into gold- [sees Rocko is encased into gold] like that.
Rocko: [muffled] Well, don't just stand there-
Butch: -help you out. I get it, I get it, alright? [runs to Rocko but also gets splattered by gold chemical and becomes a gold statue, muffled] Why did I choose to work with you?

Transition. Lance and Smugly are trying to find a store, but nearly all are closed for Thanksgiving.

Lance: Why, there's sadly no use for stores. Is there even one store around Jambastion that opens on holidays?
Smugly: Well, we can open one ourselves. [pulls out his scythe]
Lance: That won't be necessary. Besides, you're not going to mug another store. You're going to clear your name from your past actions and show Leera you can start fresh.
Smugly: Aw, but without a turkey, Leera will think I'm someone with no redeeming qualities...
Lance: [thinks] Someone with no redeeming qualities... that lightning mage... [gets an idea] Aha! If you want an open store, there's still one in all Jambastion that's open 24/7!
Smugly: Where could that be?

It's the Jambandra Fortress.

Smugly: Really? How on earth do we get a turkey from here?
Lance: You haven't seen anything.

Lance pulls in a shush pose and then enters a hidden passage that he dug in one of his previous attempts to get in the fortress. This leads to the kitchen, and out in the open is an already prepared turkey. However, there's also James Jammerjab and Jamir Jambeliever chatting as well and if they are spotted, j'oh boy...

Smugly also exits from said passage. He tries to tiptoe to the turkey, and he surprisingly doesn't get caught. However, he doesn't know what to do next without getting caught, causing him to shrug in front of Lance.

Lance points at the turkey, and Smugly grabs the turkey. Smugly then runs back, although Lance braces for impact due to the loud footsteps. However, James and Jamir are still talking. However, the turkey won't fit through the passage back, and the loud clanks in attempt to shove it in finally catches the attention of the two mages. Lance hides, allowing Smugly to take the heat.

Jamir Jambeliever: Heh heh heh, thought you could stuff that turkey past the wallhole, huh?
Smugly: No, it's not what you think...
James Jammerjab: You know how much it costs for a turkey around here now?
Smugly: ...50 jambabucks.
Jamir Jambeliever: [facepalms] Doesn't this dumberjab or dumbeliever know anything about pricing of food here? I mean, sheesh, it's 200 jambabucks nowadays and this guy thinks we still live in the early days where economical inflation never happened-
Smugly: [while Jamir is talking, yawns] I'm so bored... [suddenly attacks the two with his scythe nearly lethally and quickly pulls the turkey into the passage and escapes]
James Jammerjab: Yee-ah-ow!
Jamir Jambeliever: J'oh...
Lance: [swipes his hand across his head in a "phew" moment]

However, eventually Jamir's hand is peeking out of the passage in attempt to get the turkey back.

Jamir Jambeliever: You give back what is ours before we tell our leader to purge you!
Smugly: [grabs out a stick of dynamite shaped like a turkey leg and lights up the fuse] Alright, have your turkey back! [hands the dynamite stick to Jamir]
Jamir Jambeliever: See, I knew you both would come to your senses.
James Jammerjab: Did they really give you back the turkey?
Jamir Jambeliever: [his hand reels back to see the stick of dynamite] Oh hynessjammit! [the dynamite explodes and leaves James and Jamir charred]
Flamberge: [comes in to see both of the bodyguards burned and the turkey bowl that was left there having ashes of the dynamite] Alright, which one of you two jamburnt the jamblastin' turkey?
James Jammerjab and Jamir Jambeliever: [both pointing at each other simultaneously] He did it!

Lance and Smugly both run out with the turkey.

Smugly: [chuckles] That actually felt good. The juiciness of this turkey will be as juicy as our newcoming relation!
Lance: ...that is of course if we make it on time.

Transition. It is surprisingly dark outside and the dinner table is being set up at Leera's establishment. However, Leera is wondering where Lance is because he usually never misses invites, and she is depressed.

Leera's mother: Why so down today? It's supposed to be the day you're thankful you're still here.
Leera: Why should I be thankful when there's no turkey, no co-worker, and no vibrancy.
Leera's father: Oh, here we go again. One turkey does not kill you or a feast, okay?
Tess Trishula: I'd be way more concerned about Lance than that turkey. Speaking of which, I hope he's still fine...

Outside, Lance and Smugly are near Leera's house, however Smugly trips on a rock and the turkey is flung near the door.

Smugly: Juh oh.
Lance: J'oh... [grabs out his lance and skewers the turkey before it splats onto the door] Don't worry, I just cleaned my lance.
Smugly: Phew.

Knocking is heard inside the house, and Leera and Tess walks up to the door.

Tess Trishula: Huh?
Leera: [smells the turkey] Did Lance order a turkey for us?

The door suddenly bursts open and smashes Leera and Tess flat against the door.

Smugly: The piece of re-zist-ance has arrived!

The door retracts and the two girls peel out of the door and bops themselves back round again then heads back to the table where Smugly is adding the turkey.

Tess Trishula: Lance! I knew you would come back.
Leera: [sees Smugly with a turkey] ...Smugly? Bringing home a turkey? That's not even possible for someone black hearted as you.
Smugly: Well, I'm more than black hearted - I'm gold hearted for you now.
Leera's matriarch: Leera? Smugly? Can you two head somewhere else for right now? I need a parent only discussion okay?
Leera: Sure...

In another room, Leera, Smugly, Lance, and Tess are shown having their own bowls of dinner. Outside, there's a loud rambling of why Smugly has disappeared for the years, became involved with strangers, and in the end had a large record in Jambastion.

Tess Trishula: [hearing outside] Well, there goes any chance to make this feast "better than Hyness's".
Leera: You thought I was going to be cool with just that turkey?
Smugly: ...yes? Look, I just heard you outside yesterday hearing your parents couldn't afford the turkey. You wanted to work overtime, but I wanted to be considering for you. Relax and have me do some work for you. I thought this would be hearty enough of me to show that I still do care about you, and if this isn't enough for you, maybe you truely aren't my sister.
Leera: ... [sniffs] ...you do have a good point. Why would I disown my own lost brother when he can be generous enough to save our dinner? Come here, comrade!

Leera and Smugly finally manages to hug and reunite again.

Lance: That's cute and all, but your family is still feuding out there.
Smugly: [walks out of the room] I'm going to do what I should've done many years ago!

The parents are still arguing until they see Smugly. They are pretty angry at him for running off and gaining notority under Rocko.

Smugly: Uh, bonjam, family?
Leera's mother: As much as we can finally see you again, that doesn't stop us from determining-
Smugly: Can't you give me a chance to talk?
Leera's father: Go on...
Smugly: You might be asking, where on earth have you been and what have you been doing back then? Well, to sum it up, let's just say a bad friend encouraged me to help him out. It took me long to realize he is a tyrant! An authoritarian! A person more corrupt than a corrupted Hyness! Yesterday was a significant change for me. I dropped using the scythe for harm and started using it for benefit - for the most part. The more important thing though, is that I finally came back to meet you again, meet my more successful sister after years of "chasing the ball" and I want to start a new leaf. So what do you think? Are you just going to assume people like me will never change? Do I not deserve a second chance? Do you really want or even like to see me in the madhouse or the birdhouse?

The parents look at each other and then realizes that he is right - if even someone deep down like Smugly could change, anyone could.

Leera's matriarch: No, we don't want to see you in any of those places. We want you to remain secure, find your will, and realize your own mistakes.
Leera's father: If you don't make such same mistake again, we're even with you.
Leera's mother: We're just so glad to have you back and with a new intention to behave!

Smugly finally feels happy again that his family now finally acknowledges and loves him again.

Smugly: [to Leera, Lance, and Tess] The coast's clear! We can finally have a merry Thanksgiving!
Leera: You mean happy Thanksgiving, right?
Smugly: ...sure.

That night, Smugly and Leera spends the night recovering all of the lost time they had. They end up watching "Crazy Rich Jambastions", play on the Switch, playing a game of catch again, and having a sleepover. Lance and Tess helps out a bit and also enjoys such activities as well, but not as much as they can finally unite with each other like siblings.

The next morning, Smugly is the first to wake up.

Leera's father: Leera! Smugly! Breakfast!
Smugly: Finally, real food as my breakfast. [runs downstairs but then someone knocks at the door] Hold on, this is for me.

He opens the door to see a saddened Rocko.

Rocko: I'm sorry I've been such a pimp with you. I would want you to come back.
Smugly: I made a good promise with-
Rocko: You see, you're the only one just as capable as I am to work with me.
Smugly: Why couldn't you work with your other comrades?
Rocko: Jaugh, they're actually way less compatible with me than you are. Mikey ended up getting caught for smashing a piggy bank and Nick fell down a cliff from a trapdoor. Butch's in the hospital for deprived oxygen due to being stuck in a gold statue for too long. Crimey's in Another Dimension now, and Crippel thought it was okay to aim at my hat and I yelled him out. But no matter how dumb you are, you're still just as competant to know what's a trap.
Leera: [wakes up and heading downstairs] Who's at the door? [sees Smugly talking to Rocko] Smugly! I thought you said you would change!
Rocko: Don't listen to her, you've got a bright future of riches and gold if you head out with me.
Leera: Listen to your heart, Smugly. You know me pretty well, hopefully you'll be smart enough to make the right choice.

Smugly looks at both in concern, and eventually he makes his choice. Transition, Lance and Tess has woke up and is walking downstairs to be ready to depart for home.

Lance: [smells waffles for breakfast] Ah, I don't know how any of you family does it, but you make breakfast smell as good as it tastes.
Tess Trishula: [hears someone weeping outside] ...is someone okay out there? Did Smugly get a cut from falling off a tricycle?
Lance: I'm pretty sure he's too old for tricycles.

The two heads outside to see Leera sobbing and sitting near a tree.

Lance: Leera? What's wrong.
Leera: [sniffs] Smugly... [sniffs] chose crime over me!
Lance: [shocked] He went off with Rocko again?!? [Leera nods, Lance facepalms] J'oh, I knew there's just some people I don't work with.
Tess Trishula: Look!

Smugly and Rocko is walking back with bags again.

Smugly: Haha, what a day, nice to rob Lance's house.
Lance: What were you doing at my house?!?
Tess Trishula: If they messed up my garden, they're going to get a good scramble of brambles on their faces.
Rocko: It's nothing. With all of this, we can use this to buy the old puffball's house and kick him out.
Smugly: ...actually, I should give you my riches to you. I think you're more capable of spending this cash wisely.
Rocko: Well, it's about time you did. [snatches Smugly's bag and he runs off] Oh boy, I can't believe it's easy to get this much money. Now, let's see what the moolah is- [looks in both bags but they explode on him suddenly, and he faints]

It is shown that Smugly knew what Rocko was up to, and isn't falling for his tricks ever again. He didn't stuff money from Lance's house, he stuffed fireworks from his shack, and he has a push button to activate the fireworks on Rocko. Smugly, Lance, Tess, and Leera are now sitting near the tree, Leera has stopped sobbing, and Smugly is now eating a jalapeno cheese melt sandwich.

Smugly: Isn't it amazing what you can do with some wire and a few firework triggers?
Leera: Boy, I didn't knew you were intelligent enough to trick bandits. You got me real good right there.
Smugly: For our new family bondage! [hands Lance, Tess, and Leera sandwiches]

Smugly takes another bite out of his sandwich while Leera relaxes in happiness again.

End quote

Leera: That's the end of this chapter.

Cast[]

♠ - denotes a character's first appearance.
♦ - denotes a cameo, minor appearance, or mention only.
♣ - denotes a character's final appearance.

Rocko Vanthrilla
Smugly Leasurelead
Lance
Leera Leasurelead
Tess Trishula
Rocko's group
- Mikey ♠
- Nick
- Crimey ♠
- Butch ♠
- Crippel ♠
James Jammerjab
Jamir Jambeliever
Flamberge

Trivia[]

This is the first story in season 2 of BF10's story series.
The story's main synopsis was completed at the publish of this page.
This story takes place on Thanksgiving and is a Thanksgiving story, making this the second Thanksgiving story after Thanksgiving but no Thanks.

Stories: Bandit's Betrayal

Contents

Synopsis[]

Plot[]

Cast[]

Trivia[]

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