*Archie*

We stood in the Ghoulies lair ready to make the deal. Sage had to go pick up her brother and Toni, but we were going to update her once the deal was done.

"Me and my boy," Jughead spoke as I stood next to him, Tall Boy sitting nearby. "Want to challenge you to a race."

The Ghoulies leader, Malacai, looked at us, seeming interested.

"If we win, Serpents remain autonomous, and you quit dealing at Southside High," Jughead said. 

Malacai had a thinking look on his face. "And if we win?"

"We fold," Jughead said. "And you will continue polluting the Southside with your little straws of death."

"So, the mighty Serpent Prince has some stones," Malacai chuckled. 

  "But not much else. So unless Your Highness wants to put some of Daddy's territory out on the table, I got no reason to agree to this race," he said.

I sighed when suddenly a door opened.

"They were following me," a Ghoulie said. "Tried to get into the garage."

"That's when I saw behind him...

"Veronica?" I asked.

"Betty?" Jughead asked at the same time.

"Archie?" Veroica asked.

"Jughead?" Betty asked also at the same time as Veronica.

"What are you doing here?" The four of us asked at once.

We stared at each other in surprise when suddenly Malacai spoke up.

"Wait, so these are your bitches?" He snapped.

"I beg your misogynistic pardon?" Veronica snapped back, crossing her arms.

Malacai scoffed. "Why don't you take your skanks and get the hell out of here," he said. "Until you make me a better offer, there'll be no race."

Suddenly, Jughead spoke up.

"If you win," he said, hesitating a little before continuing. "We'll give you the Whyte Wyrm... You can expand your drug dealing horizons, and upgrade out of this literal hellhole."

Malacai thought about it before speaking.

"We'll take the Wyrm..." He said. "... And Sunnyside Trailer Park."

My eyes widen, Veronica and Betty looking at each other.

Jughead was quiet before he suddenly nodded.

The stakes are a lot higher than FP could even imagine...

*Sage*

I paced around the front of the sherrif's station, waiting anxiously.

How the hell am i going to tell them about this? Sweet Pea is probably going to skin Jughead alive for this.

I then hear the door open and turned, seeing Sweet Pea and Toni emerge. Sweet Pea saw me and smiled.

I smiled and ran over, Sweet Pea catching me and hugging me tightly.

"Thank goodness," I said. "I'm sorry, I tried to come back for you, but I couldn't..."

"Its alright, its alright," He said, placing his hands on the sides of my face. "Better me than you, sis."

I took a deep breath before hugging him again, and then pulling back from  him to hug Toni.

"Is Jughead safe?" she asked.

"He is. So is Fangs. We managed to escape when the cops got there. We tried getting to you two, but it was too late," I said.

"Its fine, Sage," Toni said. "So long as everyone is safe."

I nodded as then my brother spoke.

"Do you have any idea what's going to happen now?" he asked. "Did Jughead think of something?"

"Well... FP thought of something," I said.

They seemed surprised but confused.

"I'll explain on the way home," I said, then motion them to follow. "Let's go."

They followed me to where Fangs was parked, and we climbed in, heading home as I started to tell them everything.

>> The Next Day<<

"ALRIGHT!! LET'S DO THIS!!" Tall Boy shouted as we all stood at the road.

I told Sweet Pea and Toni what's been going on and about Tall Boy deciding to get on a high horse. Sweet Pea was on high alert and told me to be careful, considering we were both going to be at Jughead's side with Toni and Fangs.

Toni said we also should be weary around Tall Boy.

The guys from the Ghoulies stood on their side and Southside on theirs, with the exception of a few Northsiders (Friends of Kevin and Jughead) with us. Veronica was also there, along with Betty, and a red haired girl and a tall guy who according to Jughead was the owner of the car they were going to use for the race.

That's when I noticed Archie was there. I knew he was riding with Jughead.

I turned to see Jughead was talking with Betty, and sighed.

What the hell could be going on with those two?

I adjusted my jacket a bit walked over to where Archie spoke with Veronica.

"Sage, hi," she greeted kindly when she saw me. "Cute outfit."

(Picture: What Sage wore)

"Hey, Veronica, thanks," I said with a smile. "Mind if I talk with Carrot Top here for a moment?"

Archie gave me a stern look for using that name.

"Um, sure," she shrugged, and headed to where Kevin stood.

I turn to face Archie, who looked somewhat calm.

"You sure you're up for this?" I asked him.

"We'll be fine," he said with a nod.

I sighed. "Look, umm.. Thanks, I guess, for saving me and Jughead from the raid," I said.

He looked at me before he sighed. "Jughead, he... He told me about your family..." he said.

My eyes widen before I frowned. "That wasn't his place..."

"I know, but... I'm sorry... I've been a jerk, especially to you..." he said. "I wouldn't blame you for not trusting the Northside, let alone me."

I sighed as I looked up at him. "Tell you what... Get Jughead through this race in one piece, and I'll consider forgiving you."

He sighed and nodded. "Sounds fair," he said.

He was about to walked out when I stopped him, placiing my hand on his chest.

Jesus, what does this guy lift?

"Also, you should know, you're a crappy liar," I said. 

"Huh?" he asked.

"When you gave Betty's message to Jughead that day, I knew something was up," I said. "And I want a straightforward answer."

He sighed in frusteration.

"Jughead is hurting from that... And I may not know Betty so well, but girls like her don't exactly just drop things without a notice like that, and for her to just somehow show up in Ghoulies territory with Veronica looking for them? Something's fishy with Riverdale's Girl Next Door, and you know what it is," I said.

He looked over at me. "Trust me, Sage, I shouldn't tell you, only for your safety and Jughead's.

I looked at him weirdly. "Safety? Wait, since when is my safety any of your concern?"

He looked up at me when suddenly...

"Archie!" Jughead called.

I sighed and combed my hair back. "That's your cue," I said.

"Listen... Meet me at Pop's tonight... I'll tell you everything, but you can't say anything to Jughead," he said.

I looked at him weirdly, then sighed. "You're a whole kind of mystery, Archie Andrews..... But fine... You're paying, though."

He sighed and nodded before looking at the cars. 

"Look, just stay calm, trust Jughead, and don't chicken out," I said. "Remember that the Serpents are counting on you two. You gotta be level headed and calm as Jughead's second here. Whatever he says, you gotta do it. No matter what."

He nodded. "Got it... Thanks and walked over to Jughead and I headed to where Sweet Pea stood by the bies with Toni and Fangs.

"LET'S DO IT!!" Tall Boy shouted, meaning it was time.

We all cheered out as Jughead and Archie stood by their cars

"Get these cars up on the road!!" Tall Boy ordered.

Jughead and Archie climbed on and I watched them head to the finish line.

"I don't want you talking with Andrews," Sweet Pea said sternly.

"I was just warning him," I said. "And.... Thanking him....."

"Thanking him?" he asked, confused.

I sighed. "He saved me and Jughead from getting caught during the raid.... I don't know why he saved me, though..." I said.

Sweet Pea sighed and looked up in frustration.

"He may have saved you, but that doesn't mean I'm excusing everything he did," He said. "Be careful around him. I rather trust Alice Cooper instead of him."

I sighed and nodded as we headed towards the starting line.

Once they were parked, Jughead and Malacai got out of the cars and met to shake hands.

"Race over Herk Harvey bridge, to Dead Man's curve, first one back here wins," Jughead said.

Malacai nodded as they let go of each other's hand and headed to their cars.

That's when I noticed the red haired Northside girl walk over to teh front, past Toni, holding the red scarf.

"I usually do the honors," Toni told her, looking her up.

"Not today, Cha-Cha," the red haired girl sassed. "I was born for this moment."

She walked up to the front between both cars, leaving Toni with a wondering look as she then stood. I couldn't help but laugh quietly as Jughead and Malacai climb into their cars.

"Engines warm and ready, gentleman?" The girl asked.

The cars revved up in response to her, signalling that they were ready as Toni stood next to me.

"You guys know who that red head is?" Toni asked curiously.

I shook my head as I looked at Sweet Pea, who shrugged.

"I think she's the daughter of the guy who killed his kid a while back," Fangs frowned. "The guy who got FP locked up."

"She's a Blossom?" I asked, shocked.

"Sshhh," someone said. "Its starting."

The Blossom girl then pulls on her sunglasses and the crowd goes quiet.

  She then raises her arms up, red scarf waving with the wind as she stood straight, and swings them down, the cars immediately speeding off past her.  

We all cheered as we ran up and watched them go.

*Archie*

I held on tightly as Jughead sped down the street, looking excited.

I looked and saw we were neck in neck with the Ghoulies.

All of a sudden...

BANG!

"Whoa!" I shouted as I looked and see the Ghoulies's car ramming into us.

BANG!

I looked over at Jughead and see him try to steady the wheel and keep us on the ground, flooring it to gain speed.

I look and see Malacai laughing at us as he sped up.

Jughead glared and floored it, making us go faster.

That's when I realized we were coming up to the bridge.

"Jug, we're coming up to the bridge," I said. 

"I know, I got this," He said.

No no no....

"Its too narrow for us, Jughead," I pleaded.

He just ignored me and kept gaining speed.

"Jug, we should abort," I said.

"And let them win?" he snapped as he drove.

"We will both crash on that bridge!" I exclaimed.

"The Serpents are joining the Ghoulies over my dead body, Archie!" Jughead shouted as he was gaining more speed.

We're almost there... I'm sorry, Jughead...

"I'm sorry, man, but I'm not down for those terms," I said, and quickly pull the emergency break.

The tires screech as the car almost spun and came to a stop, the Ghoulies car speeding down the road.

We quickly climbed down and watch them, when suddenly Jughead grabbed my by the jacket.

"WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!" he roared at me, shaking me.

"Trust me, Jug, you're gonna thank me for this!" I shouted as I grabbed him.

Suddenly, police sirens echoed from down the road.

That's when Jughead took off running in direction of the siren.

"Jug, stop! Jug!" I shouted. "Jug! Jug!!"

We turned by the curve and come up to see the Ghoulies car in front of three cop cruisers, Sheriff Keller among other officers, some who were armed.

"Come on, Jug, we gotta go," I said, motioning at him. "Come on."

With that, we both took off running towards the car.

***

*Sage*

"They should have been back by now," I sighed as I sat on the hood of Sweet Pea's car with Toni next to me, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Patience," Sweet Pea assured me. "Probably took a wrong turn somewhere or something."

"God, I hope not," I said.

All of a sudden.....

"Everyone scatter!!" a Ghoulie shouted. "The cops are rounding up Ghoulies!"

I frowned as suddenly everyone was in a panic, getting in their cars or bikes.

That's when Tall Boy came up to us. "What the hell is going on?!"

"I don't know, look!" Toni shouted and we see Jughead and Archie's car pull up.

"Thank God," I sighed as we ran over, Archie and Jughead climbing out.

"Oh my god, oh my god, you're okay," Veronica said as they ran up, too.

"We gotta get out of here," Archie said.

"Come on, come on, we gotta go, right now!" Jughead said urgently as then Tall Boy ran over.

"YOU CALLED THE COPS?!" he shouted as we stood nearby. "You won't throw in with the Ghoulies, but you will with the cops?! Where's the honor in that?!"

"Calm down, Tall Boy!" Jughead snapped. "You think I knew Keller was going to be there?!"

"I called Keller!" Archie suddenly blurted out and we stared at him in shock.

"YOU IDIOT!!" I sneered, shoving him. " HAVE YOU REALIZED WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!" 

"WHAT THE HELL, ARCHIE?! Jughead shouted. "Did my Dad tell you about this, too?!"

"No, this was my idea, to get rid of the Ghoulies!! And it worked!!" he said. "They get arrested for street racing, and now they're off the chessboard."

"For how long?! One month? Three months?" Jughead asked. "You know what they're gonna want on the other side, Archie? You head on a stake!! All of ours!!"

Jughead shoved Archie aside as I looked at him, everyone else getting in the car.

"SAGE, COME ON!!" I heard my brother shout.

I grunt and rushed over to where he was on his motorcycle, climbing on behind him.

"For the record, the guy that saved you is an idiot," he snapped.

"Just drive," I snapped as he then sped us out of there.

***

Sweet Pea had to go with Jughead to figure out a plan in case of retaliation.

I asked Fangs and Toni to cover for me while I headed to Pop's that night.

I parked my bike and walked inside, soon finding Archie at a booth, two milkshakes on the table.

I walked over and he stood up.

"Look, about Keller, I-"

I held my hand up and stopped him.

"I don't want to hear about it. That was really stupid what you did, though," I said, sitting down. "However, better the lights of Malacai and his scummy Ghoulie friend than Jughead and you."

He looked over at me as I looked at the milkshake in front of me. Simple strawberry milkshake, and a plate of fries with a cheeseburger. Same for him, but he had a chocolate shake.

"Didn't know what  you liked, so I guessed," he shrugged.

I took a sip of the milkshake and shrugged. "Vanilla shake... And onion rings with a garden burger... But I'll give you an A for effort since I'm feeling generous."

He chuckled a bit as I bit into a fry.

"Now," I said, looking at him. "Tell me what is going on with Betty?"

He sighed and looked around, making me raise an eyebrow.

"You can't tell anyone, though," he said.

"Okay," I said.

That's when he told me everything as we ate. About the Black Hood calling Betty and practically playing Puppet Master with her, making her ruin her mother's reputation, nearly end her friendship with Veronica, ending things with Jughead like that, and what would happen to her sister if she didn't comply.

I took a deep breath as I took everything in. "Jesus Christ..."

"So now you know why I'm serious about this," he said in a low voice.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't tell Jughead any of this, though," I said in a low voice. "Hell, he's being threatened! I can just call guys to keep watch over this farm cabin place Betty's sister is staying at, she wouldn't have to worry."

"Because then Veronica, Jughead, Betty's mom, even Betty could get hurt," he said. "You can't tell, I'm begging you."

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Okay, okay, fine," I said. "Fine... But you guys gotta find a way around this. What does he want now?"

"The name of the Sugar Man," he said.

I frowned. "Sugar Man? Nobody knows who that is," I said.

"Betty and Veronica are trying to find out who he is," Archie said.

"That explains why she and Veronica were in Ghoulies turf," I said, understanding it now, then sighed. "Alright, my lips are sealed, but Betty has got to find a way to get the Black Hood off her back."

"Hopefully she does," Archie said, sipping the last of his shake.

I sighed and ate the last bite of my fries, then seeing what time it was.

"Its getting late, the curfew time is almost coming up," I said, getting up.

"Yeah, I should start walking home," he said.

"You walked here?" I asked.

"I don't exactly have a car, just my dad's truck, but I don't live too far," he said.

I sighed. "Pay for our food and meet me outside," I said, walking out.

I head to my bike and unhook the second helmet before I turn and see Archie walk out and towards me.

"Hop on, I'll take you home," I said.

"Wait, are you serious?" he asked.

"Never rode in a motorcycle before?" I asked as I climbed on.

"Honestly, no, and I thought we weren't exactly buddy-buddy," he said.

"Well, you're a thorn on my side, but you're also Jughead's best friend," I admitted. "Despite him currently being livid with you about the race, he cares about you, just like he cares about Veronica and Betty. Plus, there's a serial killer out there who already hurt your dad, and he probably wouldn't hesitate to hurt you next."

He pursed his lips and thought about it. 

"Just take the ride, Red," I said, tossing the helmet at him before pulling on mine.

He sighed and shrugged before pulling it on his head and climbing on behind me.

"Don't get too handsy, by the way," I said as I turned on the engine and revved it a bit.

He hesitantly wrapped his arms around my abdomen.

"Hold on," I said, and sped out of the parking lot towards the street.

Archie nervously clung for dear life as we drove down the road.

"Easy, driver needs oxygen!" I shouted over the engine, and he loosened up a bit.

It didn't take long until we arrived to Archie's house and I cut the engine.

"Alright, Carrot Top, you can let go, we're here," I scoffed.

He slowly let go and climbed down, taking off the helmet.

"See? You're alive," I chuckled.

"That was... Interesting," He said.

"Glad you had fun," I said, strapping the other helmet down. "Have a good night."

"Wait, Sage," he said, and I turned, seeing he was pretty close.

"Whaat?" I asked in a small groan, my eyebrows furrowed.

"Umm... Don't be mad at Jughead," he said. "For... For telling me about your parents."

I pursed my lips and sighed. "I'm not mad at him... If anything, it was probably best he told you. Not all Serpents are bad, but people don't see that. I mean... My father only told the truth... And that got him killed," I said, holding back tears. "And the people who killed him decided it wasn't enough and took my mother, too..."

"I really am sorry," he said, a sad look on his face.

I sighed. "Its fine... Sweet Pea and I pulled through just fine," I said.

He nodded, and I took a deep breath.

"You know, you're not as bad as you seemed after a while, Red," I said.

He looked up, brows furrowed, but with a tiny smile.

"I should go. I doubt seeing a Serpent around here at this hour is gonna sit well with the locals," I sighed.

"Thanks for the ride," he said with a small smile.

I couldn't help but smile back. "Anytime..."

"See ya," he said, and was walking over to his porch.

I smiled as I watched, turning my bike on, then looking up.

"Hey, Archie!" I called out before he walked in and he turned around.

He seemed surprised that I used his name.

"Try and stay out of trouble, will ya?" I smirked.

His mouth kind of twitched with a laughed as I revved the engine and sped away from his house, heading back home.

~~~~~

Always loved the drag race scene. Hope you all love how the story is going so far! Be sure to leave some feedback in the comments! 🌻 

🎹Currently in Sapph's playlist:

Rixton "Me and My Broken Heart"

https://youtu.be/7JJfJgyHYwU

♡~ sapphire.