[A sequel from before the epilogue of the seperate Balloon City fic, now featuring Lego City Undercover]

[Co-written by GorgingGeorge]

We all know of what happened in Lego City during Fleck's reelection, how he passed the Adriano act in memory of his deceased friend and helped the Balloonmen gain equal rights. The news soon spread across the country, gaining the title of Balloon City to anyone hoping to immigrate there. Unfortunately, not everyone took the news so well. Just by the coastline was their larger, more hectic sister city that was also populated by Balloonmen, however the population was dwindling and fast. 

"I can't believe those freaks think they deserve their own city; all they deserve is being shoved to Albatross Island and popped by a dart!" Police chief Dunby snapped. He was in his office, snapping at interns as usual. 

Detective Chase McCain just slowly nodded as he heard his boss ranting about Balloonmen. "Uh, are they really all that dangerous? I mean, we still know so little about them." 

All he got in response was a stink eye. "Right... I better go do my usual patrols. You coming, Frank?" 

"You know I am, Chase! I was just checking up our sister city on my compuper. The mayor is the first autistic man to ever take office! Isn't that cool?" 

"Ugh. They'll let anyone be in charge nowadays." Dunby groaned. "Now get out of my sight, I have very important paperwork to do!" 

The two men were off, although they had to make a pit stop at Frank's apartment before they could head out, as he forgot to pack his walkie talkie. As Chase was waiting, he heard a loud hissing sound coming from the room, like air was rushing in from somewhere.

"What the? What could that be?" He thought looking around he felt his clothes becoming a bit tighter. Looking down, the detective saw that his belly was swelling. Despite this happening, he decided to stay calm about this. "Panicking isn't going to help in this situation, just breath and calm down." He thought to himself, causing his belly to deflate.  

"Wait, my belly just inflated... Am I... no, that can't be." Chase thought before Frank returned to him. "Okay I found my walkie talkie- Um, Chase, are you feeling okay? You're looking a bit pale." The auburn-haired man asked.  

"Huh, oh, yeah, I'm fine. Random question, what are the signs of being a Balloonman, other than the inflation?"  

"Oh, well, uh, you get a cloud-shaped marking on your wrist, or so I'm told. Why?" 

"Uh... No particular reason." Chase said before going on patrols. He wasn't going to check, not now at least, but anxiety of having it was still there. "Thank god I'm wearing a long sleeve shirt right now, or else I'd probably be shot where I stand from what Dunby said..." He thought.

While Frank wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, he could tell that his partner was feeling tense. "The chief is paranoid a lot, he once told me that he was attacked by a swarm of inflated men about to crush him until I told him it was just a Thanksgiving parade balloon that fell on him with that hole it got." He remarked. "Probably more dangerous than a real Balloonman if you ask me." 

"Heh, yeah. He's got to be exaggerating, it's not like we'll be ambushed. And if we did I think we'd be able to tell the difference between a person and a large bit of plastic." Chase added, although he was still nervous. What would happen if he was discovered? "At best I'll be imprisoned on Albatross Island, probably for life and isolated from everyone." He thought. 

As he drove around the city, the constant worry of being stabbed with a sharp dart and popped was still fresh in Chase's mind. So much so that his cheeks were puffing up without him realizing it. "Uh Chase? Did you eat peanut butter before going out?" Frank asked. 

"Huh? Eep!! Uh, it's not what it looks like!" Chase was panicking even further, resulting in his belly puffing up once again. Frank had to take the wheel before the two crashed into a dumpster. "I Uh... I don't know what's going on. I can't be one of them, I can't risk losing my job again right after getting back!" 

"Chase? Uh, try taking a deep breath, it's going to be alright." The auburn-haired officer assured him. He placed a hand on Chase's rounding shoulder, rubbing it until he finally stopped swelling. "Looks like you're one too. Hey I won't tell, I promise." 

"You.. you won't?"

"Of course, I won't. You're my partner, and even if you weren't my partner, I wouldn't want you to be killed for just existing." Frank said. "Wait, why don't you go the sister city?" 

"I can't just up and leave. Other than the fact I have a life set up here, if I left now, it would seem suspicious and it would be obvious why I would be leaving." Chase sighed as he looked at his fellow officer. "Oh, right." 

This was definitely a difficult situation. "Maybe if wait for the hype of the sister city's status as the 'Balloonman sanctuary' to die down I could try and transfer." The detective sighed as he thought about it. "I mean, if I stay calm, I'll be able to avoid being known right?" 

"Yeah, but that's not a permit solution. We could just go there, and-" 

"But what if they changed their minds?" 

"Hmm... Do you know Harl Hubbs?" Frank asked. "Uh, yeah, I heard of him, he's the handyman that stopped our sister city from being blown up with a rocket." The detective responded, unsure what this had to do with the current situation. "If it weren't a real sancuary then why would he stay in a city like that?" 

"...I guess you have a point."

"Great! We can take the train there and maybe I can even get his autograph. You think he might be a Balloonman too?" The auburn-haired man exclaimed. "I'll just tell Ellie that we're at Bluebell Woods, uh. Just so the chief doesn't get suspicious." 

So, it was settled, Chase huddled close to his friend as they bought their tickets. He just hoped Dunby wasn't eavesdropping on them from their new communication tablets, he would do something worse than deport him off to the other side of the world. He didn't want to leave so soon after returning, but it was no longer safe for him to remain here. "I got the tickets, the train should come at any minute." 

"That's a relief, I can't believe I'm... Uh." Chase took a deep breath, entering a private booth once the train arrived. "Why are you being so nice to me? I mean I know you're friends with everyone but after finding out who I am I thought you'd want nothing to do with me." 

Frank took a seat beside him, rolling up his sleeve to reveal a cloud birthmark. "Clouds are like big fluffy balloons, right? I got it two months ago when I awoke all round and stuff." He explained. "The mark doesn't hurt or itch or anything, but it sticks with you forever." 

Once the city was miles away, Chase unrolled his sleeves to find the birthmark on his own hand. "Well now I know. Do you think the mayor of Balloon City can try to convince Mayor Gleeson to at least makes the hunts illegal in our city?" 

"It's worth a shot. You wanna get some snacks from the booth there? It's a four hour ride, would have taken an entire day if we went by car."

"Yeah." Was all Chase responded with before getting the two of them snacks.   

After the four-hour train ride, the officers arrived in Balloon City. When they got off the train, it was odd since it just looked like a regular city. However, that viewpoint changed when they saw a ball of a man roll up and then deflate. 

It was Harl Hubbs, the man who was the saving grace of Chase's trust. "Oh, uh-" 

"Hello there! I sensed there were new balloonmen here so I came as soon as I could to greet you." Harl smiled. His bright smile was assuring to the detective. "Wait you can sense people with the gene?" Frank asked, curious about the concept.  

"Yep, you can too if you focus hard enough. Anyway, welcome to Balloon city." The handyman said. "Do you know how to control your inflation or would you like to take a class on it." He asked as the three men walked away from the train station. "I mean, it's simple right? Like, it's based on anxiety levels, right? I mean, I stopped the inflation before I took full form." Chase asked.

"Anxiety and anger levels will affect how much you'll swell, but the classes will help you if you want to inflate by will." Harl explained. "We'll have lots of space in my junkyard, or you could ask Lt. Duke. He's recently discovered to have the gene as well, that is if he's not busy with his boyfriend at the moment." 

"Well Chase and I are policemen too! Coming here was my idea, Chase was uneasy at first but hearing a celebrity was staying here made him at ease. So people can be openly inflated here?" 

The handyman nodded, puffing up his belly some more. "We've been able to research the gene now that Balloonmen have equal rights to humans without the gene, Dr Wexler dubbed it the Pila Cellula. It's dormant until a supposed coming of age to certain humans. It was once dominant until the medieval times when it was considered a witch's curse." 

As the three men walked down the street, Chase watched as other men were either fully or partially inflated in public. Two being a police chief and a sort of skateboard stunt man. "That's chief Wheeler and his boyfriend, Ollie. Unfortunately, he was experimented on which resulted in him permanently stuck in his inflated state, but he doesn't mind." Harl explained. 

The pair noticed the newcomers and rolled over immediately. "Yo Harl, got some new ballooney dudes taking refuge here?" Wheeler asked, bouncing in front of them. 

Chase squeaked, inflating almost instantly. "Eep! Uh, I guess. Are there any hotels here?" He squeaked, then he realized his shirt was tearing up from how round his belly was. "Ack! I'm twice the size I swelled to this morning!"

"Wait, did you fully inflate the first time you did it?" 

"No I was worried-" 

"Oh shoot no your good, don't worry, it just if you stop yourself early dude you're not gonna know you limit y'know." Wheeler explained. "I guess? I mean, how big can I get?" 

"At least to limbless size." The chief stated. "Oh- Wait limbless?" Chase asked. "Well, I mean we can move in our full ball shape, so it's not like we're immobile or anything." 

The group decided to go to the junk yard to see the detective's true size. "Okay, so, uh, what do I do?" 

"Well, just feel it, either that or we can jumpscare you." Wheeler stated, readying an air horn just in case. "I mean, flinching caused me to inflate once so, maybe we should try it?" 

And so Wheeler pressed the air horns. causing Chase to squeak as he was jump scared, making him bloat more. And he inflated to about half the size of Wheeler in his fully blimped state.  

The detective blushed as he heard his clothes rip and tear up in his new ball shape, flapping his hands as he tried to keep himself balanced on his round groin. "I guess this is my limit?" He mumbled, even though his only company was other Balloonmen he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed about how round he got. 

"Wow, you're as big as me!" Frank remarked. He didn't want Chase to be alone with his bloating, so he took a deep breath and fully inflated alongside his friend. "It's a bit of a weird feeling at first, but after my third or fourth time bloating it feels really good. When you get all round and bouncy, then you feel your skin getting all tight and stuff, it's, uh. What's the word?" 

"Invigorating?" 

"Yeah! Like it's a rush, you want to know how far you can stretch your limit." 

Chase had to admit, it did feel nice being completely immobile. Like he didn't have a single care in the world, it was just him and his large, round body. There was just one issue. "Um, how do I deflate? Do I have to be squeezed?"

"Nah broski, just clear your mind. You gotta stay chill and be cool, then focus on getting all the air out." Wheeler explained. He took a step back as Chase focused, deflating enough for his limbs to become mobile again, but his belly was still the size of a basketball. "Heh, reminds me of the time I taught Duke how to control his inflation." 

Chase didn't respond, his focus was entirely on his round belly. He rubbed the sides, then around his navel. He was only snapped out of his trance when Frank elbowed him. "I bet that felt good, right?"

"Yeah, it's like nothing I've ever felt before. It's so... Sensual." Chase uttered. That was the bare minimum he could say without getting odd looks. It felt so pleasurable, he felt tingles go down his spine. as if he was getting his back blown out from anal. That's what it felt like to him. 

Wheeler smiled. "Welp, you seemed to really enjoy it. We'll leave you to that." The chief said as he skated off with Ollie to go on a date. 

However, everything wasn't going as smoothly as this. At the train station in Lego city where Frank and Chase were 4 hours ago was a mysterious man was standing awaiting for a train. That man was Forrest Blackwell, Multi-millionaire and problematic rich person. "Ugh, I hate taking poor people transportation, but I don't have anyone to drive me." He thought before hearing the detective and officer talking.   

"Balloonmen?" He thought, hearing the conversation of the two men before they started to get on the train.   

Flash forward to now, the multimillionaire stood in front of the Balloon City Jail, planning on busting a specific prisoner out.

"A life sentence, a LIFE sentence! I can't believe that captain thinks I'm that old!" Fendrich grumbled as he sat in his lonely prison cell. "So I tainted the water supply with helium just to have those puffy freaks, but I was still squished under Harl because I didn't count on him to only ever drink bottled water." 

The jail was empty as Wheeler was on his date and Bennett agreed to do patrolling while Duke was on Snake's ranch. The guards were also on their break, leaving Fendrich all alone. Or at least it would seem that way, as a crowbar was thrown into his cell. "Ack!! You could have knocked my eye out with that!" The bald billionaire snapped. 

"Oh, hush you. Just be thankful someone decided to bust you out." Forrest remarked. "I've heard about your little attempt to flush the city of its inflatable citizens, only to give you ten years in prison." 

"Well how was I supposed to know I would be betrayed by my own henchmen! Just because his dad happened to be friends with the mayor before he died." Fendrich grumbled. "What do you want me out for anyways?" 

Forrest simply smirked. "You'll be happy to know Poppers are still very much legal in the city I'm from. A good price if they can expose an unsuspecting Balloonman." He explained. "But of course, they would require an even larger pay to round up an entire city or two? Hmm?" 

This got the bald man's attention. "You're telling me I can pop one of the freaks in your city and actually be rewarded for it? I don't tell anyone this, but a lot of my riches came from the hunts! That is until Fleck convinced our previous mayor to make it illegal!" 

"Well now, you could triple your money and get the people back on your side if you follow me."

"How exactly am I going to do that?" 

"By faking evidence of course. We take some photos and edit them, that way people will think those inflatables are dangerous like they did twenty years ago." Forrest smirked as he explained. "I see, why didn't I think of that sooner!" The balding man exclaimed. 

"Because you weren't thinking about it through the right means. But oh well, we're going to be wonderful partners. Partners in crime that is." The white-haired man stated as he helped Fendrich get out of his cell. 

Once out, the men thought of a plan. "Hmm... Thinking about it, I'm sure there are still men, and perhaps women, who still have the blood in them, that they can't get out due to the laws against them. How do we draw them out?" 

"Well, we could offer a cash, but I don't know if a small amount would make people 'break the law'." 

"Ah, but if we combined a small amount of our money, say, 30,000,000 dollars, that would be quite the life changing amount for those plebians, they'd probably do anything for that money, even break the law." Forrest suggested.

"Ha, as soon as the hunt is back on those traitorous traitors will be begging to come back and work for me!" Fendrich cackled. "Of course that's mayor is the grand prize, whoever takes him out will get not just a forty five million dollar reward but also one of my many limousines. And then I'll take over from there!" 

It would take forever to just take the train all the way back to the coastal town, so Fendrich chartered a private jet to the Blackwell mansion. Their plan was soon set into action, the hunt of the century they called it. "It's on every billboard across this city! In just a few short seconds it will expand back to that cesspool I can't believe I didn't get to be mayor in despite my family founding it!" 

"Your family founded Balloon City?" 

"Uurgh, don't call it that! I'd rename it Fendrichopolis as soon as the mayor is popped, and I won't even have to lift a finger this time. Oh it's foolproof!" The bald multibillionaire cackled. "What I wanna know is why you're so enthusiastic about the hunt, if it's still legal to be a Popper how come you ain't one of them?" 

"Erm, let's just say it's something private. I do want to look friendly to the public after all." Forrest simply replied. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be."

As his new partner in crime left for the bathroom, Fendrich was planning a way to expose the Balloonmen and leave them helpless for the popping. "Filling them up with helium and latching them in nets wasn't the best idea I'll admit. But what if they were so round and heavy they can't move an inch? Like juice or water weighing them down?" 

It didn't take long for mobs of poppers to be out on the streets, as well as hidden Balloonmen to take cover as soon as possible. Gangs armed with sharp, pointed weapons were patrolling everywhere, on the lookout for anyone who just might start swelling from the stress.

Meanwhile, back in Balloon City, Mayor Fleck sat at his desk, filling out paperwork as he enjoyed doing. That was until is co-mayor/assistant, Carol Yea rushed into his office. "Mayor Fleck there's something you need to see." 

The mayor looked perplexed. "what?" He asked. Carol didn't even read what her tablet said, she just handed it to the mayor. "You have to read it for yourself." 

And so he did, reading the bolded letters on the headline of the news article she found. "Poppers are in the sister city? And Fendrich escaped Jail to lead them... This isn't good..." 

"I know, sir, we need to think of a plan to get the citizens to safety." Carol stated. "... Tell everyone to get to the sewers, they wouldn't think to search there." 

"Yes Fleck, I'll get on that immediately."  

Carol sent out emails to every known balloonmen alerting them to the situation and informing them about what actions they need to take to ensure their safety. And in droves the people flooded the streets and entered the sewers.

"I've never seen a sewer this sparkling clean before, I swear I can see dolphins swimming around here." Frank exclaimed. "I didn't think the two of us leaving could get this bad for our city." 

"Either that, or someone must have caught us fleeing. I feel like a coward for running away..." Chase sighed. "If I just stayed, I could have stood my ground, now I ended up putting you in danger too." 

The detective slumped down, the stress of what just happened had him inflating once again. He didn't stop it this time, he was too down to even realize what was happening to him. "Hey, Chase dude. You didn't know this would have happened." Wheeler tried to assure him. 

"But-" 

"Hey, feeling unsafe and having to leave doesn't make you a coward. You needed somewhere to go, somewhere you could be yourself." 

Harl stepped up, patting his shoulder. "He's right Mr. McCain. If you didn't come here who knows what might have happened? You could have been badly hurt, or worse." He added. "But you've got friends now, and we'll support you any way we can."

"I... uh... thanks." Chase let out a sad smile but didn't deflate just yet. He rocked gently on his rounded back, feeling himself grow calmer the further he remained inflated. "Mm, I can't believe people think of this as a disease. It feels... Oooh." 

Wheeler chuckled; he was definitely having flashbacks to when Duke had his first inflation lesson. But then he stopped, Duke and his new boyfriend, Snake hadn't come down with the others. "Uh... just stay cool Wheelie, he's probably still at Snake's ranch." He thought. 

Footsteps could be heard above, followed by angry yelling. A familiar yelp rocked the sewers, and Wheeler's blood ran cold.

It was Duke, they were doing something to him, and Wheeler had to be held back as to not burst out of the sewer to save him. "You can't go after him; you'll get yourself killed." Harl whispered. "But if I don't, then Duke'll die and then it'll be my fault for staying down here!" The chief whispered back, a little louder, trying to break from the handyman's grasp. 

Back on the surface, the crowd of poppers were on the streets looking for balloonmen to pop and kill. However, they were dragging Snake and Duke by their shirts with hooks. "Did we really need to keep them?" Forrest asked, poking Snake. "Well, you see, this cop guy has a special bond with his chief, something about adoption, I don't really care." 

"My, are you suggesting we use him as bait? How devious and cunning! I like it. But what about the outlaw?"  

"Well, Duke might go ballistic if his boyfriend gets popped Infront of him. So, we're waiting. Now then," Fendrich started before turning on a megaphone. "I don't know where you and the rest of your freaks are hiding, Wheeler, but if you come out, we might let him live." He said through the megaphone, turning it off before. "Are we actually letting his son live?" 

"Of course not, we just need bait-" Fendrich said before he noticed Snake disappeared. "What the?! Where did he go!?"

The outlaw was rolling off as fast as he could. He didn't expect to be ambushed the moment he and Duke returned from his ranch, especially not by a recently released Fendrich. The pair were piled on by Poppers, bruising them enough for the stress to inflate them. Unfortunately, no matter how much Snake tried to focus he was unable to deflate. "Must have hit a nerve... I'll come back for you Duke; I promise." He sighed. 

It pained him to leave his boyfriend, but he knew it would crush Duke if Fendrich decided to pop him right then and there. "I know that rich sleaze isn't dumb, he wouldn't hurt Duke if it meant that chief would come quietly. Weird, I was sure I could sense another Balloonman with us, must have been my nerves messing with me." 

He rolled behind a dumpster, giving Duke a reassuring wink. The couple took some time to look at each other before Snake had to flee. Duke turned back to the two billionaires to not draw attention to his boyfriend. He got a hard slap by Fendrich, hoping enough noise would finally bring Wheeler right to him. "Well I can't wait around here any longer, say goodbye to your precious lieutenant!" The bald man cackled. 

Duke shut his eyes, trying not to think about popping. He could only hope someone would come to save him. "Mm, I have a better idea actually. We'll take him to my mansion, and you can pop him in a livestream. Everyone across the globe will see it happen." Forrest suggested. "Unless the mayor gives you the deed to the city."

"Oh? A livestream you say. Why would you want to do that?" Fendrich asked, squinting his eyes a bit.   

"If we just pop this thing here, you wouldn't get anything out of it, but if we make it a time limited thing, he's bound to give in either from his image being ruined for letting a... creature die just to keep his city, or from the chief demanding him to for the safety for his son. Not to mention, you could get paid from stream donations." 

"I see, but why your mansion in specific?"  

"Well do you have a mansion?" Forrest asked. "No, they wouldn't let me build one here, since it would 'destroy housing'." Fendrich sighed. "Though I guess having him in a place he hasn't been before would be beneficial. He wouldn't know where to go." The balding rich bastard laughed.  

"Right, I'll take Duke to my mansion and set the live stream up while you check the city once more for any other Balloonmen, I hope to see you there." Blackwell smirked before taking Duke to his lovely and secret mansion.

It was far from the city on some mountaintops, surrounded by sentinel guards. "What a view, I suppose you wouldn't mind me sticking around a while after I pop this freak." Fendrich joked. "This room oughtta do it, it's round just like Duke here." 

Forrest had a camera set up, ready to broadcast the demise of the famed lieutenant. "Do you want to say anything, we'll be live in ten seconds?" 

Fendrich stood in front of the inflated man, he smirked once the camera was rolling. He could only imagine the look on everyone's faces once they saw his face again. "You couldn't keep me locked away forever, thanks to someone who knows of my struggle as a rich man in a world of nothing but idiots I'm free! Now I have a proposition, I know you're watching this, Fleck!" 

The dastardly billionaire's face was plastered on every billboard, every TV and phone in both cities. Wheeler was absolutely furious by this point, how dare Fendrich capture his son and use him for his own plans. "You have until midnight to hand over the city to me, if I don't get what's rightfully mine, you can watch as Duke is popped! Should I stab him with a pair of scissors, or shall I roll him under a hydraulic press?" 

The chief could hear Duke whimpering as he was held in place by the sentinels, it took him all his willpower to not crush his own phone in his hand. "Oh, he is so gonna die now!" He growled. "I'll go right up to wherever the hell he is and crush every bone in his body under my massive frame!" 

He would have done so too, if it weren't for Harl keeping him down. "He may have Duke, and we only have half a day to save him, but we need to think of a plan. Chase, I overheard Fendrich talking about a mansion. But I don't recognize who was talking to him." 

"A mansion?.. Grr, Forrest Blackwell, so that's how those hunts started back up!" Chase growled.

"Oh, I guess rich people with everything they could want just want to watch people suffer." Harl stated. "I see... So how exactly are we going to get outta here? I mean, those poppers are still out there."  

"Well-" 

Before Harl could say something, the sound of an explosion was heard. "What was that?" the muffled voice of one of the poppers exclaimed before the sound of the group storming toward the sound was heard. Not knowing what was going on, Wheeler got a text from Daisy. 

"Yo, Daisy heard about the situation from Snake, so she's created a diversion! We have about 35 minutes to get to the station and board a train from what she texted me. So who's coming with me?" Wheeler asked before thanking Daisy with a text. 

"We'll go with you." Chase said as he stepped forward with Frank. "Bro you sure?" 

"I mean, I kind of feel responsible for this situation, so I have to help." Chase explained. "And wherever Chase goes, I go. We're partners." Frank said. "Well, alright if you're sure."

"You guys go on ahead. I'll help mayor Fleck and Snake keep everyone sage while Daisy does her thing." Harl added. "I know you'll get Duke back and teach those rich jerks a lesson they'll never forget!" 

Wheeler grinned, flipping the manhole cover up into the air before leaping out. "C'mon, Dukester needs us!" The train arrived the moment the three officers got their tickets, now all they had to do was wait until they arrived at the coastal city. "The only problem is Blackwell Mansion requires a chopper to get to just the front gates." Chase mumbled, he tried to stay calm but with time running out he was feeling more tense than usual. 

"There's a helipad on top of the police station, and Dunby never uses it. So we can just hop in and then it's time to face off against Forrest and that bald guy!" Frank assured him. "I got my license for driving helicopters, I call shotgun!" 

Meanwhile back at the mansion, Duke was still as round as ever. He would have to have his injuries treated in order for him to deflate properly. "Now I know how Ollie must have felt when he was experimented on, I guess that nerve he got numbed must have been where I got hit.. At least it should be temporary for me." He thought. 

The sun was setting on the horizon, and Fendrich was growing impatient. "Still nothing from the mayor, I guess he is willing to sacrifice one of his own just so he stays in power, what a greedy guy." He smirked. "I'd pop you right now if I could, but I suppose I'll keep you alive a little longer." 

As Duke was kept in place, he could hear what sounded like helicopter blades growing closer. "What th- those cheats!" Fendrich snapped. "So that chief thinks he can mount a rescue mission? Well, he's got another thing coming!" 

He took what looked like a gas canister out of his pocket. "Leftovers from the whole water tainting plan, I paid good money for that helium!"

"How are they going to get the helium, if you don't mind me asking? Wouldn't it just get everywhere?" Forrest asked. "Actually, I'll have you know I bought this to go directly to thoses freaks mouths." 

"You're not going to through that through my window, are you?" 

And just as Forrest asked that, the helicopter crashed through his window. "Ah, whoops." Frank said. Wheeler assessed the situation and noticed the gas canister. "Oh shit is that helium!" He exclaimed. "Wait, what's wrong with Helium?" Chase asked already out of the vehicle with Frank. 

"Hah, you think this was going to be easy?" Fendrich smirked as he unleashed the homing helium. "Wait dont-" 

But it was too late, the helium was released and was filling out the Balloonmen. But what happened next shocked the balding man. He turned around to see his partner in crime's reaction to this ingenious innovation but saw that the white-haired rich man was blimping up too. "What the- You're one of those freaks too?! You LIED to me!!!" Fendrich snapped, disgusted at the thought of a fellow rich man would be one of them.

"Forrest Blackwell's a Balloonman? Whoa, I did not see that coming." Frank exclaimed, his shirt buttons all popped off as he fully inflated. "But if you're one of us why are you hunting us?" 

Forrest was desperate to deflate, as his shirt tore up his birthmark was exposed for all to see. "Th-this isn't what it looks like!" He squeaked, it was then he realized they were all still on camera, he was exposing his dirty secret for all to see. "Someone turn that off!" 

Chase rolled right up to Forrest, belly bumping him into the camera. "You hypocrite, how could you hurt the group you're a part of?" He hissed, he could feel himself stretch past his limit from how angry he got. "With your wealth you could have funded us getting protection!" 

"Grr, I didn't ask to inherit this gene! I assumed it had skipped a generation, as the Blackswell-I mean BlackWELL! The Blackwell family hadn't been able to inflate since the 1800s!" Forrest snapped. He was flapping his tiny arms in a fit of rage. "It's a blemish on my reputation, for someone of my stature to be a Balloonman." 

Although he wasn't nearly as angry as Fendrich. Just the mere thought of being around a Balloonman and helped by one made him want to puke. "Oh screw Duke, I think I'll pop you instead!" He declared, rushing right towards his former partner with a pair of scissors.

However, the scissors he used were dull, so he didn't pop Blackwell. But he hit a nerve. "Huh? What the hell?! Why didn't you pop?!" Fendrich screamed trying to stab the other rich man again, only to be bumped away from him by an inflated Chase, knocking the scissors out of his hand. "Wha- Chase what are you doing?" The confused Blackwell asked, not thinking he was worthy of being saved.   

"As evil as you are, I don't think you should be popped." Chase stated, accidentally bumping Fendrich too hard and bumping him out the window.  

As he fell, all that was heard was screaming for a minute until there was a loud thud. The silence afterwards was deafening. "Bro, did we kill him?" 

"I mean, he deserved it. But how do we deflate? since focusing isn't working." Chase asked. "Oh, helium is different, you need to burp, uh, I don't know if you can do that on command, so I'm going to look for some soda." Wheeler explained. "Do you have any soda?" 

"Ugh, soda? You really think I drink that battery acid? I only drink sparkling water-" 

"Good enough." The chief said getting a few cans of it from the minifridge in the room.

Duke was released from the sentinels by Frank, nudging him over to the rest of the inflated men. "You're last name is really Blackswell?" 

"Urgh, don't remind me. My family name was changed decades ago to not draw attention to how we were once one of those... Things. I had hoped it would have been the end of us being gene carriers, only to awaken fully inflated on my 26th birthday. I had to wear corsets to keep myself slim for the public." 

As Wheeler got their carbonated drinks out, he gave Duke as big a hug he could in their inflated states. "Damn, you were that ashamed huh? I bet not being able to be yourself must have struck a nerve." He remarked. 

"It's not me! I can't face the public like... like... like a round sphere to be bounced around, not when I have a reputation to keep!" Forrest snapped, despite clearly blushing. Being so round for so long was giving him that same sensual feeling Chase felt when he fully inflated, but he felt too proud to admit it. 

"Yeah sure, drink up my dudes." 

Wheeler was relieved his hands didn't sink in the moment the helium hit, or else he'd have to use his teeth to open the cans. Once they had their fill of carbonated water, five bellies rumbled loudly. Finally, five loud burps came from the Balloonmen, but only four deflated. 

Forrest was still as round as ever, flapping his hands as he rocked there. "W-why am I still like this? Is this my punishment for going against my own kind?" He squeaked. 

Duke knew exactly what happened. "When Fendrich was stabbing you, it must have badly numbed a nerve."

"That asshole... Now I'm doomed a life like... This..." Forrest whined. "Well, honestly, that's on you for working with a jerk off like him." Wheeler stated. "Oh shit how are we going to tell Tippy we killed his ass of a stepdad?" 

"He has a stepson?" 

"Yeah, but he was abusive to him, so I mean, I don't think Tippy would be mad." The chief explained. "Ah, I see... I mean maybe just tell him in person? It's not like you have his number or anything." Chase said. 

"Right, right... Now then, more importantly, what should we do with Blackwell over here? I mean, I can't arrest him since we're not in Balloon city and something, something he's out of my district. But, he should face jail time right for like, orchestrating a hate movement."

"Well, I mean, I would arrest him, but I mean he's probably going to be sent to Albatross, since our city doesn't have a reformation program since 'all criminals are criminals.' So... I'm not really sure what to do with him morally. What do you think Frank?" Chase asked his coworker.

"He's rich right? And my parents are rich too, both of their money can go to funding criminals turning good and so people like us can live without any worries!" The cheerful cop chirped. "It might take a while but it's better than nothing, and it'll make up for what Forrest did, I mean a bit anyways." 

The white-haired billionaire sighed. "Alright, I agree to the funding. I suppose it's the least I can do. You did save my life." He mumbled. 

"Wow, you admitted you were wrong? It's a start, but you're gonna have to do a lot more to show you've changed." Chase placed the camera back up, this time for Forrest to call off the hunts. "It looks like our work here is done; we'll have Fendrich buried right away." 

Once that was over, Forrest would be rolled into the city and most of his riches would go towards helping Balloonmen gain equal rights. The four cops were back at the train station, Wheeler and Duke getting their tickets. "I guess we should rename this place Blimp City now." Frank joked. "You sure you don't want to spend at least one day here?" 

"Maybe some other time, but I have to get back and assure Snake I'm alright." Duke answered. "But we'll keep in touch, tell us everything that goes on." 

Chase smiled. "We will." But before the other cops left, the four all inflated to give each other a belly bump. "We'll see ya."