Chapter One: The Best Stress Reliever

"I'll be with you. Even if I'm a million-trillion miles away... old friend..."

These words spoken by Nigel Uno echoed loudly in the depressed mind of Hoagie P. Gilligan Jr. A.K.A Numbuh 2. It had been over two months since Nigel left the legendary Sector V to join the Galactic Kids Next Door. They say time heals all wounds, but with all the time that had gone by, Hoagie wasn't so sure that that was even true. Over time, Kuki, Wally, and even Abby were slowly getting back to their old selves. Sure, they missed Nigel every bit as much as Hoagie did, but they seemed to be finally moving on. Hoagie on the other hand, had barely said a word since that eventful night. Every evening he would go out on a balcony high in the treehouse and just stare at the sky and the countless stars, missing his old friend, while Abby grew increasingly concerned.

"Man, this ain't like him. He just doesn't seem to be snapping out of it. Maybe Numbuh 5 better go check on the poor guy." Abby said to herself as she slowly walked toward her sulking friend.

"Hey... whacha doin' out here?"

No answer.

"Why don't you come inside and watch some TV with us or something?"

Still no answer.

"Come on Numbuh 2, say something! Numbuh 5's worried about you! You haven't even cracked a single lame joke in weeks!"

"What do you care? You'd just get mad and hit me anyway." Hoagie finally replied.

"Well I'd take that over this quiet business!"

"Really?" Hoagie said as he perked up slightly.

"Uh... that's beside the point! Numbuh 5's just happy to hear you speak again. She was beginning to think you lost your voice or something."

Upon hearing Abby's words, Hoagie smiled ever-so-slightly.

"I'm sorry if I've been worrying you... it's just that... oh never mind." Hoagie said as his frown returned.

"No no, keep going!" Abby begged, not wanting Hoagie to go silent again.

"Oh... alright. It's just that... well... I still can't believe Nigel just went and left us! I thought we meant more to him than anything! And then he just decides to run off to outer space without even telling us!! We're darn lucky I overheard the science nerds talking about it, otherwise we wouldn't have had a chance to say goodbye! Heck, we wouldn't even know where he is right now! He was my best friend since kindergarten; we were always like brothers! And now he's gone, and I'll never see him again!"

"Look Hoagie, I know it's painful, but you're not the only one who's upset about this. You know, I never wanted to lead this sector again after the incident with Numbuh 1 and the Delightful Children, which was all my fault! But here I am anyway, doing what I've always avoided. And I've been worried sick about possibly making another damaging mistake that one of you would have to live with. I just don't want another burden like that on my conscience."

Feeling bad, Hoagie put his hand on Abby's shoulder. "It's ok Abby, don't feel bad, Nigel never blamed you for that. Sometimes things just happen that you have no control over. Pffft, who am I to say that when I've been moping like this for the last two months!"

Not knowing what else to say, the two just stood there in a long pause before Abby finally broke the silence.

"Maybe we could do something fun that would take our minds off of all this."

Hoagie thought about it for a moment, then got an idea.

"I know, how about flying? That's a lot of fun! It might be just what we need!"

"Not exactly what Numbuh 5 had in mind; she was thinking we could have some milkshakes and maybe shoot some pool, but what the heck. Whatever will make you happy."

"Awesome! Stay there, I'll be right back!"

Hoagie excitedly ran into his room and grabbed two flying contraptions he had built; one made of a lawnmower motor with tennis rackets as wings for himself, and the other made of a backpack with jet-propelled aerosol cans at the ends of the wings for Abby. He then returned and handed her the contraption.

"So Numbuh 2, where exactly are we going anyway?"

"We don't need a destination. When you're flying, you're free! There are no boundaries! In fact, why don't we see who can make it up to the clouds first?!"

"Ha ha, you're on baby!"

And the two of them were off to the skies. The city below them got smaller and smaller as they continued their little race.

"WHOO!! I win!" Hoagie shouted as he shot through a cloud. "Numbuh 5? Where'd ya go?"

"Ha ha! You too slow sucka!" Abby shouted from a distance. Before long, they were playing their own little game which was a sort of aerial tag mixed with hide-and-seek, weaving around, between, and even through the clouds as they playfully chased each other. After a while, they finally slowed down and noticed how much closer to the stars they were.

"Isn't it beautiful up here Numbuh 5? You know, there's just nothing in this world like flying. When I'm up here in the sky, it just feels so open... so infinite, like anything's possible! Being high above the world below makes everything else seem so small and insignificant in comparison. It's definitely the best stress reliever in existence. And the stars are so huge and bright up here since we're so far above all the lights down on the ground. And see that star over there that's bigger and brighter than all the others? According to my star map, that's Jupiter. Maybe Numbuh 1 is there fighting evil alien adults right now! And they're probably all big, purple and slimy with squiggly antennas and 27 eyes!" Hoagie said playfully as Abby giggled slightly.

"Oh my gosh, did you... you did didn't you?! You laughed! I knew it! You think I'm funny!"

"Uh... just a little."

"Really? Just a little?"

"Ah whatever. Just don't let it go to your head."

After a brief and somewhat awkward pause, Hoagie spoke up again.

"Hey, thanks for everything tonight. Because of you, I'm finally starting to feel like myself again."

"No problem. Numbuh 5's feeling a little better herself. It's still not the same without Numbuh 1, but I think we'll be just fine. And you know, this actually was a lot of fun. I'm beginning to see why you love flying so much. Well, it's getting pretty late, think we should head back?"

"Yeah, it's been fun, but I'm ready to crash. Not literally though, haha."

The two then headed back to the treehouse. They exchanged good-nights, and went off to their rooms to prepare for a cozy night's sleep. But meanwhile over in the Delightful Mansion, something not so cozy was taking place. Father was still furious about the recent disappearance of his Delightful Children, and of course Nigel as well.

"I suppose you understand why you are here, my apprentice?" Father said to a figure in the shadows which was soon revealed to be none other than Abby's evil teen sister Cree Lincoln.

"Not exactly. It is short notice" Cree replied.

"You've been my apprentice for quite some time now, and I believe the time has finally come. You are now ready to help me with some very important matters. Make me proud." Father said as he handed a mysterious box to Cree. The two laughed evilly about their dark plans.

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