Chereads / Phoenix Gang: Separate Ways / Chapter 4 - The News Never Rest

Chapter 4 - The News Never Rest

*AUTHOR'S NOTE: THIS CHAPTER WILL FEATURE 4 OCS BELONGING TO A FORMER FRIEND ON X/TWITTER!

Featured Character: James Dalmatian

Vancouver, British Columbia

GENERAL CHAPTER

James, a Dalmatian dog with a keen nose for news and a past that occasionally nipped at his heels, found himself amidst the frenetic energy of Butters & Jam. It was a bustling hub of broadcast journalism nestled in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia. As a former member of the Phoenix Gang, James had traded in his life of fantasy escapades for the adrenaline rush of chasing headlines.

Today, however, the newsroom crackled with a different kind of energy. The recent cyberattack had plunged the city into digital darkness, leaving its denizens disconnected and disoriented. Butters & Jam, known for its timely reporting and commitment to truth, had a reputation to uphold. James knew that delivering the news about the cyberattack was crucial, but making it credible was paramount.

"James, we need you on this," barked Mr. Campbell, the grizzled editor-in-chief whose bark was worse than his bite. "We can't just report on the cyberattack without knowing its source. We need boots on the ground, noses to the grindstone, and all that jazz. You catch my drift?"

James nodded, his ears perked with determination. "I'm on it, boss. Consider it a top priority."

With a nod of approval, James set off, his crew in tow. Leading the pack was Sasha, a sleek Siamese cat with a knack for sniffing out leads. Then there was Winston, a wise old owl who served as the voice of reason amidst the chaos of breaking news.

Their first stop was the bustling streets of Vancouver, where they aimed to gauge the pulse of the people. James approached a group of frazzled pedestrians, his notepad at the ready.

"Excuse me, folks," he began, his voice steady despite the urgency of the situation. "Mind if I ask you a few questions about the cyberattack?"

The group exchanged wary glances before reluctantly nodding their consent.

"What are your thoughts on not having Internet for a whole week?" James inquired, his pen poised to capture their candid responses.

"It's been a nightmare," exclaimed a harried businessman, his tie askew and his briefcase clenched in a white-knuckled grip. "I rely on the Internet for everything from emails to online banking. This outage has thrown a wrench in my entire routine."

A young mother chimed in, her voice tinged with frustration. "I work from home, so not having Internet access has been a major inconvenience. I've had to scramble to find alternative ways to meet deadlines and communicate with clients."

As James scribbled furiously in his notepad, Sasha leaned in, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Any leads on who might be behind the cyberattack?" she whispered, her tail twitching with anticipation.

James shook his head, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Not yet, but we're just getting started. Let's keep digging."

Their next interviewee was an elderly gentleman seated on a bench, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. James approached with caution, mindful of the man's solemn demeanor.

"Excuse me, sir," he began, his tone gentle yet probing. "How has the cyberattack affected you personally?"

The old man sighed, his weathered face creased with sorrow. "I lost touch with my grandchildren," he admitted, his voice heavy with regret. "We used to video chat every Sunday, but now... I fear they think I've forgotten about them."

James felt a pang of sympathy, his heart heavy with the weight of the man's loneliness. "I'm sure they understand, sir," he reassured, his voice soft with compassion. "And I promise, we'll do everything in our power to get the Internet back up and running."

As they bid the old man farewell, Winston cleared his throat, his wise old eyes twinkling with insight. "I couldn't help but notice a common thread in our interviews," he mused, his feathers ruffling with excitement. "Each person mentioned the disruption to their daily lives, but none could pinpoint the source of the cyberattack."

James nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "Which means the key to solving this mystery lies not in what was taken, but in what was left behind."

With renewed determination, James led his crew down a winding alleyway, their senses heightened and their resolve unshakeable. For in the heart of Vancouver, amidst the chaos of a city unplugged, they knew that the truth was waiting to be uncovered. And they would stop at nothing to bring it to light.

With the city buzzing with uncertainty and the cyberattack casting a shadow over Vancouver, James, Sasha, and Winston knew they needed reinforcements. So, they made their way to James' brother, Dom, a Dalmatian with a knack for sniffing out trouble.

As they entered Dom and James' cozy house, the air thick with the scent of anticipation, they found him poring over maps and old newspaper clippings, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Hey, bro," greeted James, a hint of excitement in his voice. "We could really use your help on this one."

Dom looked up, his eyes brightening at the sight of his brother and their companions. "Anything for you guys," he replied, his tail wagging with enthusiasm. "What's the plan?"

"We need to track down the source of the cyberattack," explained James, his voice grave with determination. "And we think you might be able to help us."

Dom nodded, his ears perked with interest. "I'm all ears. What do you need me to do?"

"We need you to use your incredible sniffing skills to pick up any scent that might lead us to the culprit," Sasha chimed in, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Dom nodded, his nose twitching as he caught wind of their plan. "Consider it done," he declared, rising to his feet with a newfound sense of purpose.

With Dom leading the way, the four set out into the streets of Vancouver, their senses heightened and their spirits buoyed by the prospect of cracking the case. Dom's nose twitched as he caught whiffs of various scents, each one leading them further down the rabbit hole of intrigue.

Suddenly, Dom stopped in his tracks, his nose quivering with excitement. "I smell something," he announced, his voice tinged with anticipation.

"What is it?" asked James, his heart pounding with excitement.

Dom closed his eyes, his senses focused on the scent that hung in the air. "It's familiar," he murmured, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Dalmatian fur, from London, England."

James and Sasha exchanged a glance, their minds racing with possibilities. "Could it be...?" began Sasha, her voice trailing off as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

"The Dalmatian family from Camden Town," finished James, his voice tinged with suspicion. "But why would they target Vancouver?"

Before they could ponder the question further, Winston cleared his throat, his voice laced with wisdom. "There's only one way to find out," he declared, his wings spreading wide with determination. "We need to go to Camden Town and confront them face-to-face."

The idea hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty yet brimming with possibility. James knew that their journey would be fraught with danger, but he also knew that they had no choice but to press forward.

"Then let's not waste any time," he declared, his voice steady with resolve. "We're going to Camden Town."

With their destination set and their resolve unshakeable, James, Sasha, Dom, and Winston made their way to the airport, their hearts heavy with the weight of the unknown. But as they boarded the plane and soared into the sky, they knew that they were on the cusp of uncovering the truth behind the cyberattack that had plunged their world into chaos. And they were determined to see it through to the end, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

As the plane touched down in Camden Town, James, Sasha, Dom, and Winston wasted no time in seeking out the Dalmatian family that held the key to their investigation. With determination burning in their hearts and the weight of the cyberattack pressing down upon them, they made their way through the winding streets until they reached their destination.

The Dalmatian family stood before them, a mixture of confusion and apprehension writ large upon their faces. Dylan, the eldest of the siblings, stepped forward, his brow furrowed in concern.

"What's going on?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

James took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation that lay ahead. "We need to talk," he replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil swirling around them. "It's about the cyberattack that hit Vancouver."

Dolly, ever the impulsive one, scoffed at his words. "Oh, come on, James," she retorted, her voice laced with skepticism. "You can't honestly expect us to believe that we had anything to do with it."

James bristled at her words, his patience wearing thin. "We're not playing games here, Dolly," he shot back, his voice tinged with frustration. "This is serious."

Before the argument could escalate further, Dom stepped forward, his voice calm yet commanding. "Let's not jump to conclusions," he suggested, his eyes scanning the group for any sign of dissent. "Perhaps we should interrogate the Dalmatian family for any clues."

James nodded, grateful for his brother's level-headedness. "Agreed," he replied, his mind already racing with questions. "But let's do it journalist-style. We need facts, not accusations."

With Dom's guidance, they began their interrogation, each member of the Dalmatian family subjected to a barrage of questions. Yet, despite their best efforts, the results remained the same: none knew what had happened or who was responsible for the cyberattack that had plunged Vancouver into chaos.

Frustration simmered beneath the surface as James grappled with the realization that their search for answers had hit a dead end. But just as despair threatened to consume them, Dylan spoke up, his voice heavy with uncertainty.

"Have you considered the possibility that it wasn't us?" he suggested, his words hanging in the air like a weighty revelation. "There's another group of Dalmatians in Camden Town. They call themselves the Forbidden Cult."

The mention of the Forbidden Cult sent a chill down James' spine, his mind racing with memories of whispers and rumors that had long haunted the streets of Camden Town. "The Forbidden Cult," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've heard of them."

With determination burning in his heart and a sense of urgency driving him forward, James knew that their next move was clear. "We need to confront the Forbidden Cult," he declared, his voice resolute. "And we need to do it now."

As they made their way through the labyrinthine streets of Camden Town, their footsteps echoing in the silence of the night, James, Sasha, Dom, and Winston knew that they were on the brink of uncovering the truth behind the cyberattack that had thrown their world into turmoil. And with the fate of Vancouver hanging in the balance, they were prepared to face whatever dangers lay ahead in their quest for justice.

As James, Sasha, Dom, and Winston approached the ominous lair of the Forbidden Cult, a sense of foreboding hung heavy in the air. They knew that confronting the cult would not be easy, but they were prepared to face whatever dangers lay ahead in their quest for answers.

Suddenly, without warning, the cult launched a surprise attack, catching them off guard. Microchips embedded with sinister technology were unleashed, ensnaring Winston and Dom in a web of mind control.

Sasha's eyes widened in horror as she watched her companions fall under the cult's spell. "No!" she cried out, her voice filled with anguish.

James gritted his teeth, his mind racing with possibilities. "We need to snap them out of it," he declared, his voice tinged with determination.

But before they could intervene, the cult revealed themselves, admitting to their role in the cyberattack with the help of an anonymous individual possessing great technological prowess. It was a revenge plot, orchestrated as payback for past grievances inflicted upon the cult by Dom and James.

Akie, with his saiyan-like powers, stepped forward, his eyes blazing with fury. "Prepare to meet your doom," he snarled, his voice dripping with malice.

But James and Sasha were not ones to back down from a fight. With agility and skill honed through years of training, for James being the time with the Phoenix Gang, they deftly dodged each attack, their movements a blur of motion.

Diablo, a friend of Akie's, joined the fray, unleashing hellish powers in a bid to weaken the duo. But James and Sasha remained steadfast, their resolve unshakeable in the face of adversity.

With a swift and decisive counterattack, they delivered a powerful blow that sent Akie and Diablo crashing into a nearby brick wall, rendering them unconscious.

But their victory was short-lived, as Coby Fitzgerald, known as FiFi, stepped forward, intent on using his abusive powers against them. However, James and Sasha were not so easily subdued. With quick thinking and cunning strategy, they overpowered FiFi, tying him up and tossing him into a nearby lake.

Their triumph was short-lived, however, as Ikuna, the head of the cult, unleashed Dom and Winston against them, their minds clouded by the cult's sinister influence. James and Sasha found themselves outnumbered and outmatched, their strength waning with each passing moment.

Just as all hope seemed lost, a ray of light pierced through the darkness as a group of four Dalmatians arrived on the scene. Duke, Drip, Dominic, and Jay, James' former family, stood before them, their presence a beacon of hope in their darkest hour.

"James!" called out Duke, his voice filled with urgency as he fought alongside his siblings. "We're here to help!"

James turned to see Duke, Drip, Dominic, and Jay, his former family, standing tall amidst the fray, their faces set with determination.

"Duke! I never thought I'd see you again," exclaimed James, a hint of relief coloring his words as he fought off a particularly aggressive attack from Ikuna.

"We couldn't let you face this alone," replied Duke, his voice steady despite the chaos swirling around them. "You're family, James. We stick together, no matter what, even if separated."

Sasha, her eyes alight with determination, joined the conversation, her voice ringing out with conviction. "We appreciate your help," she said, her words a testament to the bond that had formed between them. "Together, we can defeat Ikuna and put an end to this madness."

With renewed determination, James and his former family fought side by side, their combined strength and unity proving to be more than a match for Ikuna and the Forbidden Cult.

With a collective effort, they broke Dom and Winston free from Ikuna's mind control, restoring them to their senses. Together, they faced off against Ikuna and the remaining members of the cult, their determination unyielding in the face of overwhelming odds.

In a fierce and epic battle that raged on into the night, James, Sasha, and their allies fought with courage and conviction, their spirits unbroken despite the odds stacked against them.

And in the end, it was their unwavering determination and the bonds of friendship that emerged victorious, as they defeated Ikuna and the Forbidden Cult, restoring peace to Vancouver and bringing an end to the cyberattack that had threatened to tear their world apart.

As the dust settled and the echoes of battle faded into the night, James stood amidst the wreckage, his heart heavy with a mixture of relief and gratitude. Beside him, his former family, Duke, Drip, Dominic, and Jay, stood tall, their faces illuminated by the faint glow of victory.

"Thank you," James said, his voice filled with emotion as he embraced each of them in turn. "I couldn't have done it without you."

Duke smiled warmly, his eyes shining with pride. "You're always welcome here, James," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "Never forget that."

With a quick farewell, James and his companions made their way back to Vancouver, their hearts light with the knowledge that they had emerged victorious against the forces of darkness.

As they returned to Butters & Jam, they were met with cheers and applause, their bravery and courage celebrated by their colleagues and peers.

"You've done us proud," Mr. Campbell declared, his voice filled with admiration as he clasped James' hand in a firm handshake. "Your actions today were nothing short of heroic."

James smiled, his heart swelling with pride at the praise from his mentor. "Thank you, sir," he replied, his voice tinged with humility. "But how did you know what happened?"

Mr. Campbell chuckled, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "Let's just say we have some very resourceful members of the broadcasting crew," he replied cryptically.

It was then that the truth dawned on James, realization dawning in his eyes. "You mean... someone was recording our battle with the Forbidden Cult?" he asked, his voice filled with surprise.

Mr. Campbell nodded, his expression grave. "Indeed," he confirmed. "And thanks to their quick thinking, we were able to capture the entire event on film."

James was stunned, his mind reeling with the implications of what Mr. Campbell was saying. "So what happens now?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Mr. Campbell smiled, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "I've decided to promote you, James," he announced, his voice ringing out with authority. "Not only for your exceptional reporting skills, but also for your ability to provide entertainment in the TV industry."

James' heart soared at the news, a rush of euphoria coursing through his veins. "Thank you, sir," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude. "I won't let you down."

As James stood amidst the bustling newsroom, his mind filled with visions of a bright future ahead, he couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and optimism for what lay ahead in his broadcast journalism career.

And as he looked out at the city skyline, his heart filled with a sense of purpose and determination, James knew that this was only the beginning of a new chapter in his life. And with his friends and colleagues by his side, he was ready to face whatever challenges and adventures awaited him with courage and conviction.

TIKTOK TIME

TikTok Title: Journalists (Expectation vs. Reality)

[Opening shot: James, wearing his journalist attire, stands in front of a camera with a serious expression.]

James: Hey, TikTok! Today, I'm going to share with you the expectation vs. reality of being a journalist.

[Cut to a split-screen with "Expectation" on one side and "Reality" on the other.]

[Expectation side: James stands in front of a bustling newsroom, surrounded by reporters typing furiously on their keyboards.]

James: Expectation: Working in a newsroom is glamorous and fast-paced, with breaking news stories happening every minute.

[Reality side: James sits at his desk, surrounded by piles of paperwork and a lukewarm cup of coffee.]

James: Reality: Most days, it's a lot of paperwork, research, and waiting for the next big story to break. And that coffee? Yeah, it's definitely not as hot as it looks in the movies.

[Cut back to James with a wry smile on his face.]

James: But hey, that's the reality of being a journalist. It's not always glamorous, but it's definitely rewarding. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes peeks into the life of a reporter!

[End shot: James gives a thumbs-up to the camera before signing off.]

Made by @/itzjaedal

SONG COVER REMIX

Jae D - Agora Hills by Doja Cat (Song Cover Remix)

[JAE D]

Yeah, yeah

Kissing, I hope they caught us

Whether they like or not (not)

I wanna show you off (off), I wanna show you off (off)

I wanna brag about it (yeah)

I wanna tie the knot (knot)

I wanna show you off (off), I wanna show you off (off)

I wanna show you (off), yeah, yeah

I wanna show you off (off), I wanna show you off (off)

I wanna show you (yeah), yeah, yeah

I wanna show you off (off), I wanna show you off (off)

I wanna show you

Hold my hand

You can hit while they watch, boy

Somethin' different about you

Love it when he hit and smack too

Baby, lemme lick on your tattoos

That's true that I like PDA

Take it to a seedy place

Suck a little dick in the bathroom

Who that man with the big strong hands

On her ass in the club with the paps? Baby, that's you

Front seat chillin' with the window down

I be ten toes down on the dash getting' fast food

Hope you can handle the heat

Put your name in the streets

Get used to my fans looking at you

Fuck what they heard, I don't fuck with them birds

I'm a mean puppy, don't get stabbed with the rat tooth

Boys be mad that I don't fuck incels

Girls hate too, gun to their pigtail

I love you, I wanna big chill

Boy, don't trip, I'll split a big bill

Take you 'round the world, they don't have to understand

Rub it in their face, put a rock on her hand

Kissing, I hope they caught us

Whether they like or not (not)

I wanna show you off (off), I wanna show you off (off)

I wanna brag about it (yeah)

I wanna tie the knot (knot)

I wanna show you off (off), I wanna show you off (off)

I wanna show you (off), yeah, yeah

I wanna show you off (off), I wanna show you off (off)

I wanna show you (yeah), yeah, yeah

I wanna show you off (off), I wanna show you off (off)

I wanna show you

Hold my hand

You can hit while they watch, boy

'Cause love is pain but I need this shit (yeah)

We fuck too good when the bean kicks in

Like Fortnite, I'ma need your skin (yeah)

Don't give a fuck where the penis been (uh)

Boy, you're the one, you're the only man

Me and you on my OnlyFans (come on)

Holy cow, you're the Holy Trin' (Trin')

Hold me down when a hole need dick

Be my security, it's your therapy

With you I ain't holding shit back

When I need my space, you give that

When he broke my heart, you fixed that

With a long walk on the beach

Love it when they honk-honk on the street

When they see us zoom by in the Jeep

We a whole damn joint, we an energy

Baby, we could just ride on our enemies

They all wanna know how you get to me

Let 'em feel how they feel and be Philistines

'Cause this type of love's the epitome, said

Kissing, I hope they caught us

Whether they like or not (not)

I wanna show you off (off), I wanna show you off (off)

I wanna brag about it (yeah)

I wanna tie the knot (knot)

I wanna show you off (off), I wanna show you off (off)

I wanna show you (off), yeah, yeah

I wanna show you off (off), I wanna show you off (off)

I wanna show you (yeah), yeah, yeah

I wanna show you off (off), I wanna show you off (off)

I wanna show you

Hold my hand

You can hit while they watch, boy

END OF CHAPTER