Lydia's spaceship was fast approaching Earth and where Hattie's ship was parked in the stratosphere.

"Okay… and… I'm here." She said as she parked the ship next door to Hattie's. "I should be getting an invite or a message from her anytime now…" as she said this, her screen had popped up with an invite for permission to be friends by… "TimeOverlord 54?" Lydia raised a brow at Hattie's choice of names and icon pics. It was her and several of her new friends… "Dabbing? That's… interesting…"

The picture itself was amusing, but the residents looked even more strange than she could've imagined. "Oh well." She clicked "Accept" and as soon as she did, she kept on getting message after message firing on her screen. "Ah geez… she's spamming me again."

She then sent a message to come aboard. And that immediately put a stop to the messages and was accepted. Lydia rolled her eyes and laughed.

She then hopped in the transporter and "zipped" onto Hattie's ship. When she came on board, she saw how Hattie refurbished the entire place that made it look like a space themed Alice's Wonderland playground. "Yep. Definitely Hattie's ship." She walked around till she finally managed to find the main hatch. 

"Hattie!!! I'm here! Where are ya?!" She didn't receive an immediate answer, which had her worried. She then noticed Hattie's pet Rumba was bumping her ankle. "Hey Rumbi! Been a while huh?" Rumbi chirped and whirled with delight. "You know where the troublemaker is?" She laughed as the little bot showed her the way to the kitchen.

There she saw Hattie and a talking cat(?) organizing what appears to be an array of a gigantic platter of ham, cheese, and various vegetables with dip.

“Ok can you place that over on the table, I’ll take the veggie tray.” Cookie told Hattie while she grabbed said veggie tray. As they turned though, the last thing they were expecting was for there to be a certain red head in the doorway.

“LYDIA! You're Here!” Hattie made a move to give Lydia a hug, but…

“Could you put down the tray first so your friend doesn’t end up WEARING it?”

Hattie laughed. “Right..” She scurried over to the table to put down the tray before launching herself at Lydia.

"OOOOFFFF!!!!! Jeez kid. You might be small but you launch yourself like a torpedo. And hello to you too." Lydia smirked as she hugged the excited child.

“Hiiiiiii!!! I’m so freaking glad you’re here now, there’s so much to show you, you’ll love everyone! Oh, this is Cooking Cat by the way, but everyone calls her Cookie!”

Cookie gave a friendly wave after setting the plate down. “Nice to meet you.”

Lydia nodded her head. "It's good to meet you too. I'm going to be picking up after my old job of taking care of this Rugrat again until further notice. But I'm also her friend too. So if I take my eyes off her for a second, please let me know if she's getting into trouble. She's notorious for that."

“Oh everyone on the planet is well aware of that after the time piece incident.” Cookie replied with an amused smile. 

“Awwwwww, it was only ONE TIME!!!” Hattie replied.

“And so was getting in trouble with the mafia?”

“Yep.”

“And getting your soul taken by Snatcher?”

“Snatcher and I are cool now, no more soul stealing.”

“And the Nyakuza-”

“I am cool with them too, I swear!”

Lydia pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. "I see that I have a lot of work ahead of me…" she sighed as she chuckled. She picked Hattie up and swung her around.

“Mmmmmm, maybe just a little, WHEEEEEE!!!!” Hattie replied as Cookie shook her head and went back to the kitchen.

Hattie showed her what was on the platters. They chatted, laughed, and debated over what's been going on at home while they ate the snacks. With Cookie adding in her two cents in an outsider's perspective. 

"So…" Lydia said in a stern voice. "Who do I have to beat sense into in order for your friends NOT to try and attack a little girl on the spot?" Lydia was a little pissed on having heard about this from Hattie's father, but hearing from Hattie herself was more than enough to add gasoline to the flames of how ticked she was. Especially this "Snatcher" guy.

 'I mean… what the heck?! Who even names themselves that in the first place?! Sounds like something a pedo or a pervert might call himself…' she ranted in her thoughts.

“Oh… heheh… nobody anymore. I mean, sure we had a rocky start but when Mu tried to take over the planet we all teamed up and showed her that she can be better than a tyrant! So now we are all friends!” Hattie assured Lydia.

That did nothing to quell her raging pissery. So she wordlessly stood up and looked down at Hattie. "Hattie?"

She gulped. “Y-yes Lydia..?”

With a happy but silent fury look on her face, "Invite your friends up here…. It's time they knew… that a new predator has come to the jungle of heathens." She growled.

“... it’s an order… isn’t it..” She posed it as a statement rather than a question. “If it helps, Conductor didn’t try to murder me.”

You can visibly see the irk mark on Lydia's face.

"Honey. Just do it. And when they get here… leave the room." She made it clear that their B.S. shall NOT go unpunished.

“Can… I take Conductor and Cookie with me? Since he DIDN’T try and kill me? And he has grandkids that adore him? And he doesn’t deserve whatever you are going to do to everyone?”

She thought about it. "Fine. Just do it." Hattie nodded and did as told. While Cookie personally had a front row view of what was going to happen and was enjoying it. The mother-like cat personally saw this coming as soon as Hattie told her about Lydia and was immediately looking forward to it. She thought that she would make tea for such an occasion.

As soon as the invite was sent and everyone showed up, they immediately knew something was wrong when they saw an intense redheaded woman was "casually" sipping tea with an uncomfortable looking Hattie and an amused looking Cookie was standing beside her.

"Which one of you is the "Conductor"?" Lydia said cooly.

“Tha’d be me, lass. Wha can I do fer ye?” The Conductor tried to keep professional over the intimidating, and familiar, gaze of a “mama bear”.

"...."

She put her teacup back on the plate. "Take Hattie to her bedroom. And until I say otherwise, she is to be in there till this is over."

He nodded immediately and followed Hattie to her room. “Tha’ th’ lass ye were harpin on ‘bout these last few weeks?” He whispered. Hattie gave a quick nod. 

‘Who is redhead lady? What is going on here?’ MB thought, staring uneasily at Lydia.

‘Who’s this darling, little Hattie’s mom or something?’ Gloves wondered.

‘Don’t tell me this is ANOTHER pest that will be running around causing trouble.’ Empress nearly hissed in annoyance, but held her tongue… for now.

“...” The Elder Goat wasn’t much for conversion, but was also confused and intimidated. 

‘Is this the Lydia lady Hattie wouldn’t shut up about? I’d thought she would have been… friendlier with what Hattie was saying.’ Mu thought wearily. 

Snatcher smiled. Wide. ‘Now THIS looks like someone I can have FUN with..’

"So. I heard that you all had an INTERESTING time with HARRIET." She hissed out the room immediately going chilly to the touch. She then turned her gaze to MB to which he flinched at. "You." She pointed and accusing finger at.

“What you want, scary lady?” He whined. “Me and kid good now..”

"Yes. But this ALL started with you and undisciplined buffoons. Harriet was trying to make it home on time to report on her latest findings and transports. The last thing she needed to do was PASS A STUPID AND UNIMPORTANT TAX TOLL THROUGH THE NONEXISTENT AIR POST THROUGH YOUR BACKWATER PLANET!!! Do you realize at what could've happened to not ONLY your planet but OURS as well?!" She all but boomed her voice. Making it VERY evident that they were in the presence of a BOSS. 

MB didn’t understand and looked extremely confused… and scared.

"It wasn't until before Harriet was born, that our scientists had JUST finished making our PRECIOUS fuel source for our planet NON-RADIOACTIVE! If either one of you IDIOTS were holding one that WASN'T coated and quarantined you would've died in the most EXCRUCIATING way possible! AND! Since this fuel source can ONLY be accessed through our planet, it is highly valuable, so IF you would've survived, then it's highly likely that your planet would've died from radioactive poisoning OR an intergalactic WAR. SINCE ATTACKING A FEDERATIVE OFFICER IS COUNTED AS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THE OTHER. And seeing as how your planet is fully unequipped to handle such a feat, I guarantee you that NONE of you would make it out unscathed!" She barked.

There was but utter silence in the room. Everyone's face had gone utterly white. Even Snatcher had actually looked like your cliche version of a ghost.

Immediate thoughts brought to you by "Oh SHIT!!! that happened…."

‘Wait, wait, wait, those things could’ve been radioactive and I was throwing them around like a dunce?!’ Mu was internally screaming at herself.

‘That child is a Federal OFFICER?!’ Was what Empress was hung up on. 

‘Mafia don’t wanna die today..” MB cowered as far from Lydia as possible.

The Elder Goat was still not much for words, but he was scared if the violent shaking was anything to go by. 

‘I may not make it to my next performance today, I’m sorry my darling audience!’ Grooves thought dramatically.

‘Imagine spending all eternity with these buffoons. Truly terrifying indeed.’ Snatcher shivered.

Lydia narrowed her eyes at them as though she were reading their thoughts. And in a way, she was. She was carefully watching their reactions. And she was none too pleased.

"If you knew that these items could potentially kill someone and if a certain person says, "Hey, I'm from another planet that KNOWS how to handle these, your immediate thoughts would be NOT TO FIGHT THAT PERSON AND THEN LATER DO WHATEVER THE HELL YOU WANT WITH THE ITEM! IT SHOULD BE TO IMMEDIATELY HAND IT OVER TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES TO HANDLE SUCH A ITEMS!!!!" 

She took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "True, that some of this is not entirely your fault. Harriet should've immediately tried to contact us for further instructions instead of handling it on her own since she technically was almost getting her license to travel further to the more "restricted" areas of the galaxy. BUT! She is a child! You! As ADULTS AND respective leaders of your duties should know better than to fight a ten year old just to fill your basic animalistic needs of curiosity to the unknown! I would've expected better from such. Although not all of you are adults to which I will address in a moment. For now… I will address each of you for your stupidity."

"For you, Mob Boss, from now on, you are to consult with me about your recent activities involving Mafia Town. From now on, I am in charge of the citizens' well being and future protection from any and all "disturbances". You from now till it is the appropriate time, are under HOUSE ARREST. Since apparently there are no proper authorities to confront you for your actions. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"

MB was already nodding before she even finished her words. 

She turned her gaze to Empress to which she was trying not to flinch. In all her nine lives, she didn't expect a more terrifying individual to call her out.

"As for you, I'm greatly disappointed by your actions. I would've EXPECTED a more clever and smart minded individual to realize that you should've noticed that you hired a child to do your dirty work. And all for a Timepiece, to which, if under different circumstances, you would've been arrested on the spot! And it wouldn't have mattered how many of your goons went after our authorities since our GUNS and other other weapons would've destroyed your entire gang. Let me put it to you this way, stealing a Timepiece is the equivalent of DEATH itself. So if not for the radiation poisoning, you would've served a life sentence or had a public execution. So for your punishment, you are to CUT DOWN on your shady activities to a minimum and come to me for advice on how to properly manage a business to a degree that it is not… REVOLTING. COMPICHE?"

“... A pleasure doing business with you.” She decided to reply to save SOME dignity at least. 

Then it was Grooves' and Elder Goat's turn.

"And you, the dramatic penguin. You're lucky that hunting your primal species on my planet is ILLEGAL. For I would've made soup and rotisserie out of you for what you did to my charge and dear friend. So for you, you and the Conductor are to go to professional counseling for your petty squabbles. And you, Elder GOAT I do believe? I applaud you and your clan for surviving the harsh evolution of this planet. The last time any otherworldly visitors came here, it was filled with humans at their prime of ruling and the animals of this planet had minimum intelligence. I realize that for you and your clan, taking a Timepiece might've been seen as your security insurance to your survival…. But that DOES NOT excuse your abuse of the power when fighting a TEN YEAR OLD. So for you, you are to later consult me and my planets' reservation environmental specialists that will help you and your clan thrive. Is this understood you two?"

Elder Goat nodded while Grooves WANTED to complain. He figured it would be pointless though and held his tongue. “Fine, darling, whatever you say..”

She narrowed her eyes dangerously at Grooves. Seeming as if she read his thoughts. He immediately clammed up and tried to make himself as small as possible.

Her attention then went to Mu to which she flinched. Lydia steadied her breathing and motioned for her to come over to her. The little girl wasn't entirely sure… but did so anyways.

Lydia looked down at her with a hard but gentle gaze. "Now from what Harriet had told me, you've had quite a hard life with both being an orphan and fighting the Mafia?"

Mu nodded slowly and wearily. “Yeah… what of it?”

"Well, it is true that I cannot let your actions for the Timepieces go unpunished… but I will make sure that you and your people will have better living conditions and a stable environment for future generations to grow up in. As for your punishment, you will be helping me do community service for the town. Which means picking up trash, cleaning graffiti off the walls, and helping others with their chores. Do you understand?" She said in a motherly tone.

“... Yes mom.” She sassed.

Lydia smirked and ruffled her hair. "And finally, attending to the elephant in the room… you." She marched straight up to the Spector, grabbed his fluff, and yanked him down to her level with a glare that could kill.

Snatcher frowned and gave her a curious look. “I’m listening~ not that you’re giving me much of a choice.”

She growled an inhumane growl that was fit for a beast than a woman. "You literal piece of SHIT. STEALING A CHILD'S SOUL JUST FOR MERE TRESPASSING ONTO PRIVATE PROPERTY?! You do realize that she might've gotten lost and was trying to figure out where the Hell she was?! HOW dare you even touch a single HAIR on her head! Not to mention that you went back on your word under the poor pityass excuse that it "expired"?! More like a petty excuse to get off on binge eating an innocent soul. Especially with that perverted pedo name! I mean seriously?! If I heard that name from anywhere else I would've put out an Amber alert to my neighbors. The ONLY reason that you're not withering in HELL in this moment is because Hattie actually likes you and sees you as, for the life of me I don't know why, a parental figure and a BEST FRIEND of sorts. If it wasn't for those factors I would've kicked your spectoral ass to next Good Friday! Oh no wait. Hattie already did that." She all but raged in her Erza fiery fury of pissery while her eyes flared gold rage.

At first he looked angry for being insulted in such a way. He’d taken a lot of souls from adults and children alike to earn that nickname, but at the mention of Hattie and his relationship with the child, it quickly dissipated. “... Shall we just move on to the punishment then, if you're done?”

She narrowed her eyes at him, seeming to search his very being for just about anything. She took a step back and using gold magic on her hand, before he could even comprehend at what was happening, was swiftly and blisteringly slapped across his ghostly face. "That was for everyone of those souls you took from friends and family over the years and was never given proper rights to the afterlife. And of course, giving Hattie the runaround and scaring her."

To say he was shocked was an understatement. This type of pain went beyond what he was used to and to what he received from Hat Kid. 

“...” 

He grumbled a bit under his breath. “That’s some powerful magic to make a simple slap hurt this much. I would ask if we are even now, but something tells me we are far from.”

She smirked evilly. "Oh too true. From now on, you are to go on a "diet".”

To that, he grumbled more. “Fine, fine. Only because Hat Kid likes you.” The last bit he said to himself.

"It's Harriet. Harriet Timemark. Do be more careful with how you address her in front of others like her father. She prefers to be called Hattie. And as for your "diet" it will pertain no eating human or sentient animal souls that come through your forest. As of now I will be providing spiritual substance that will help produce cleaner magic. Consider it… A CLEANSE." She crudely joked to which some of the people in the room snickered at.

Yet more grumbling from Snatcher’s side. Especially about the cleansing. 

Lydia nodded in satisfaction and turned her attention towards Hattie's door. "Harriet Elaine Timemark… stop your snooping and get down here already." She motherly commanded.

Hattie came out with a sheepish grin and came down with a terrified Conductor. “You’re as good as even in catching me it seems..”

Lydia smirked. "Of course. I taught you how to sneak around. And I must say that you need to work on your slow breathing exercises and concealing your soul's presence. It's practically a blaring alarm." She jested. She looked at her watch on her wrist and sighed. "Hun, I've got to get back to the ship and take care of some paperwork and then head to bed. And so should you. It's late, and don't even think that I won't give you a crash course in some of the new school knowledge that your father has "blessed" me to teaching you with tomorrow morning."

“Awwww, really? Whhhhhyyyyyy?” Hattie groaned.

“What’s school?” Mu asked.

Lydia looked at her horrified. "Dear Lord child! Have you even gone to preschool yet?!"

“... Is it a bad thing if I haven’t..?”

Lydia couldn't tell whether she wanted to hug her or strangle MB or the child's latent lack of parental figures' necks. "Okay… along with community service, you are to attend private schooling from me and our planets' education system with Harriet starting tomorrow. And though you and Harriet are considered in both of higher and lower grade levels, you shall be given an IQ test to see which level of grade you will be put at. As for everyone's current situations you are to report to me via Hattie's social media connections and if you need other needs of communication, I shall be teaching Thing 1 and Thing 2 tomorrow morning at 8:30. Cookie? Will you make sure the girls are taken care of? And yes, I want Mu to stay the night here till I can assess the damage in Mafia Town."

“Can do.” Cookie agreed, finding high amusement in the drama she was watching.

“Snatcher, can you tuck us in? Please?” Hattie asked as Mu gave her a “you gotta be joking” face.

Snatcher seemed a little surprised from the sudden request as he was still rubbing his sore spot. “I mean.. I guess. I don’t see why not. You should go get ready for bed first.” He chided. 

The girls nodded and ran up to the bathroom. Lydia seemed to contemplate but brushed her thoughts to the side and sighed. "I'm sure everyone knows where to go to get back home. And to all of you I bid you a goodnight." She said as she made her way to the docking station and teleported home.

Meanwhile with "chewed out" crew

“Well… that was not what I was expecting.” Empress muttered. “It was both entertaining and terrifying.” She headed to the teleporter with Elder Goat not too far behind.

“Mafia still scared..” MB was NOT looking forward to tomorrow as he joined them at the teleporter.

“I was told I have to get along with you, Conductor.” Grooves sighed. 

“Were ye now? Le’s see how long that goes.” Conductor teased as they, too, headed home.

That left only the sulking purple floof, that was still rubbing his sore spot on his cheek.

“OK SNATCHER! WE’RE READY!!” Hattie called from her room. Snatcher looked to Cookie, who was STILL sipping tea and headed up to tuck the girls in. 

“Sorry Lydia slapped you so hard, I wasn’t expecting that.” Hattie apologized.

“It’s fine, Kid, it’ll heal eventually. Want a bedtime story or something?” Snatcher asked as he “sat” himself at the edge of the bed. Not before pulling up the covers for the girls first.

After Snatcher read them a story, Hattie had an idea. She told Snatcher to reach in her bedside drawer for a circular device. Once he found it, Hattie pressed a few buttons and then a ball of pure light lit up from it.

"Lydia gave this to me when I was having problems sleeping at night when I was younger. I don't need it as much as I used to, but I listen to it just to hear her voice." Snatcher was about to ask about that, till a voice was played through the floating light orb.

Silent Night~

Holy night~

All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.

Holy infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace

~~~~

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight.

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born

 ~~~~

Silent night, holy night!

Son of God love's pure light.

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

Jesus Lord, at Thy….. birth~

Hattie smiled fondly at the device while Mu was at awe with how pretty Lydia's voice was. Snatcher… Snatcher wasn't sure what to think.

“...”

He sighed. “Good night girls, you have school in the morning so I really shouldn’t let you stay up any longer.” ‘My, a she-devil with the voice of an angel, who knew?’