Trudy, Winona and Raven were greeted by a totally bizarre sight when they entered the lobby. Mina and her arch nemesis prosecutor, Ashley Ryan were holding hands.

  "Whoa?!" Trudy gasped, her normally deep voice hitting higher octaves. "What's going on? Mina...and Ashley? Are your hands malfunctioning?"

  Winona smiled blissfully with her black lip stick smeared mouth. "It is truly the end of times. The defense lawyer has laid down with the lioness!"

  Suddenly, Mina and Ashley let go of their hands upon hearing that innuendo ladden line. "Er...uh that's kinda jumping to conclusions!" Ashley said, her face as ripe and red as a cherry.

  Mina chuckled. "The relationship status is: It's complicated!"

  Raven placed his hands in his belt loops and snickered. "I think you landed on a trampoline, kiddo. Because that's helluva rebound!"

  Mina frowned. Not because she didn't agree. But because they were unaware about what happened to her previous boyfriend. "Speaking of that," she said softly. "I have bad news. Very bad news. It's about the Dark Persecutor. I finally know who it is. It's William!"

  Raven, Trudy and Winona all looked shocked. And when the latter, a proud fan of living dead movies was shocked, she knew that it was not a good sign at all.

  Raven didn't joke either. "Kid. I'm sorry they're using your sweethearts likeness for their own dubious purposes. I'm well aware of what it's like to be a puppet for the Aura."

  Everyone gathered around the grieving Mina and gave her yet another life affirming hug. The once plucky lawyer truly loved how kind her friends were. She wished the hug would last forever because she'd soon have to face an untimely fate.

  When they finally released her, Mina sighed. "Thanks guys. I just dunno what I'm gonna do. Against Willy and D. Vito. Like he said, if he doesn't get his way, he's gonna end the world."

  Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

  Trudy's round face formed a big dimpled smile. Mina was wondering why her normally timid friend was smiling in such a dire time.

  "Isn't it obvious, Mina. What we're gonna do is stop him from ending the world. He can't win a court case if he doesn't have a way to do that!"

  "But we don't know how he can do that?" Mina sighed. "The only thing we know is a French word for death."

  The birdlike Raven walked up to Mina and put her hand on his shoulder. He squawked with his nasally voice. "Let's think about this critically kid. Being a master defense attorney, I have a few pieces of evidence from your last several cases that can help you."

  "Like what?" Mina whined. Her brain was so flustered she couldn't even imagine what they were."

  "Remember the Gamefather case? Raven asked. "With that golden cartridge?"

  Mina's lips pursed. Her eyes widened. "Whatever happened to that? Winona's ex lost it on the day he got it back!"

  Raven chuckled. "Well, when I was into my right mind and was helping the Aura to get my child back. I might have pocketed it for them."

  Mina's hands dropped and her mouth followed in the same trajectory. "What the huh? It was you!"

  "Yep!" Raven said. "And before I handed it over. I checked out what was on it. It was a secret cheat code!"

  Mina did not speak. She listened to Raven intently. "Bring On the Baguettes," Raven answered. "Another very French phrase!"

  Mina continued to ponder with her hand to her smooth chin. "Hmm a French code. For something called Le Mort."

  Raven continued to chuckle as he leaned on her shoulder. "And remember Maxine Electra? Her little trip to France was when she met with that French politician related to that DeFunkt guy who she killed. Well, my ex-wife Devillia received something from Maxine one day. Even in my hypnotized state I still remember it as clear as day. It was a schematic for a long range nuclear missile called The Baguette-08!"

  It was at that moment that all the wires connected in Mina's brain and her eyes lit up like lightbulbs. "Son of a witch," she exclaimed. "D. Vito is going to nuke the world with a blasted baguette! How on earth are we gonna stop him?"

  But Raven, Winona, Ashley and Trudy all smiled at her knowingly. The answer was right in front of her face. It may have been cheesier than a plate of foamy fromage. But they were going to stop him with teamwork and the power of friendship.

  Mina stuck her hand out. Her friends and trusted allies all followed. She grinned boldly. "Today. Justice will be served with a side of escargot!"