After school ended all the Panthers met at the garden.
"Is something wrong?" asked Nina, Bennet's sister.
"It's just kind of a long story. Let's just go to the Phanter's Den."
As the young Panthers entered the den everything became quiet.
"Now can you tell the so important thing Trevor," asked Bonkin.
"Okay, this is gonna come as a shock but I didn't betray the Panthers."
Bonkin gave Trevor a look. " Yeah, and I'm blue. Right at night police arrested the Panthers you moved out!"
"And then the next day they just let you go. Because the only way they could throw the Panthers into jail was If I the leader who ordered the crimes was there. All the evidence they had was about me. If I stayed they could have tied It back to you. I left to save the Panthers"
"Why did you never say anything you idiot," Mesmeralda asked furiously.
"Then you guys could be counted as witnesses."
"You are an absolute idiot" Larry replied.
"Let's take this to a vote. Who thinks Trevor Scott Pantian is innocent?"
The tension in the room was palpable as Trevor stood before the gathered Panthers. For a moment, there was silence as the Panthers exchanged glances, weighing Trevor's words and the gravity of his revelation. Slowly, hands began to rise, one by one.
Nina raised her hand first, her expression determined. "I believe him."
Bennet followed suit, nodding in agreement. "Me too."
Mesmeralda, still looking slightly irritated, raised her hand as well. "It makes sense. He could have stayed and let us all go down, but he didn't."
Larry hesitated for a moment before raising his hand. "It's a risky move, but I believe him."
As more hands went up, the room filled with a sense of collective decision. Bonkin's eyes scanned the group, taking in the majority in favor of Trevor's innocence. Finally, he turned back to Trevor, a grudging respect in his gaze.
"Alright, Trevor," Bonkin said, his voice steady. "The majority of us believe you're innocent. You've been through a lot, and it takes guts to come back and face us after everything."
Trevor exhaled, a wave of relief washing over him.
Bonkin approached Trevor, extending a hand.
"Welcome back, Trevor. We've got a lot to catch up on."
Trevor shook Bonkin's hand, a sense of camaraderie and belonging settling over him. "I'm ready."
Bonkin, seeing the need to lift everyone's spirits, clapped his hands together. "Alright, everyone! Let's get this party started! Trevor's back, and we have every reason to celebrate!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd, and music filled the room as someone cranked up the volume on the old jukebox in the corner. The Panthers began to mingle, their camaraderie strengthened by the night's events. Trevor was at the center of it all, shaking hands, exchanging hugs, and sharing stories with old friends.
Bennet handed Caius a drink, and they raised their glasses together. "To family, loyalty, and new beginnings," Bennet said, his voice filled with emotion.
"To family," Caius echoed, clinking his glass against Bennet's.
As the night wore on, the celebration continued with laughter, dancing, and shared memories. Mesmeralda had brought out a deck of cards, and a lively game of poker ensued at one of the tables. Larry, ever the jokester, was regaling a group with one of his legendary tall tales.
The night was filled with laughter, music, and the warmth of friendship.
"Look Penie Kai has every right to be angry at us. We did kinda gohst him without any explaining."
"We were forced to! He should understand us."
"I agree with Penie. And the fact he became a Panther, a big betrayal!" Grayson voiced his opininon.
"I can't argue about the Panther thing but... I think us suddenly ghosting him made him feel left out so he became friends with the only people who will accept him."
"Bia, you are defending him!" Kial shouted.
"Ki calm down."
"Nope, no calming down. He is a Panther! He no longer has any place beside us!" Kial contunied shouting.
"Ki, shouting won't solve anything," Bianca said, her voice steady but firm. "We need to understand why Caius made the choices he did."
Kial shook his head, his face flushed with anger. "I don't want to understand. He chose them over us. How can you defend that?"
"Because it's not that simple," Bianca replied, her eyes pleading for understanding. "He felt abandoned by us. We left him without any explanation, and he turned to the only people who welcomed him. Can you really blame him for that?"
Penelope crossed her arms, her expression conflicted. "I get that, Bia, but the Panthers are dangerous. We were trying to protect ourselves and him by staying away."
Grayson nodded in agreement, his brow furrowed. "Exactly. And now he's thrown himself into that world. It's a betrayal, and it's dangerous for him and for us."
Bianca sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I know. But we can't just write him off. He's still our friend, and he needs us now more than ever. We need to find a way to help him."
Kial's anger seemed to deflate a little, replaced by a look of frustration. "And how do we do that? He won't listen to us. He's too deep in now."
"Maybe we start by trying to talk to him without judgment," Bianca suggested. "Show him that we still care, even if we don't agree with his choices. We can remind him that he has options."
"Maybe you should go Bianca." Kial answered.
"Wha- what?"
"You heard me" Kial said without hesitation.
Bianca looked at Grayson and Penelope for some kind of help hopping they would support her. Only to be met with her friends avoding her gaze.
"You guys are so unreasanable." Bianca said as she took her bag and left Moonlit Bistro.