As what was mentioned, this is a three-shot sequel to Airplanes (2015).
While this is the case, both are stand alone and could be read without needing to read the other. (◡‿◡)
The story takes place at a later time in the KND series, where Numbuh 362 is still the Supreme Leader and nearing the age of 13.
Inspired by 'Airplanes Part II' by B. O. B. ft. Hayley Williams and Eminem.
"Kids Next Door, battle stations!"
In the midst of the smoldering heat during the peak of summer, all that any operative had probably wanted to do was to get away from all the missions for a well-deserved fun time at the beach. Ironically, what started as a game of volleyball amongst participants of KND's organized Ultra Mega Big Summer Escapade concluded with a battle against the Teen Ninjas who'd happened to be at the same place at the same time. It wasn't as if the young adults weren't filled in prior to arriving with having to have to share the beach with the organization they've loathed for so long. In fact, they were more than aware of such. And instigating a fight to break out against their younger opponents wasn't such a hard task to fulfill; pretend you got hit by their cruddy volleyball and hit them back is all it takes to rile them up. Once things get physical, the flames of war had already been burning brightly then.
Of course, all the effort wasn't just for naught. From the top of a cliff quite a distance away, his rich blue eyes looked on to the scene unfolding on the coast. Chad was then aware that the diversion was flawless, and the 1st phase of the plan to take down Moonbase had gone smoothly as predicted.
"This is Team Alpha's Commander speaking. Delta was successful on Miami. I repeat, Delta was successful on Miami. We will arrive there shortly."
"Alright, Roger that. Beta will proceed to infiltrate Moonbase!" Now he was a good actor apart from being hailed as the best operative in the history of KND up to this day. But exemplary as he may seem, Chad had often had tendencies to be quite impulsive and act on emotion. This is quite highlighted so, by the growing snarl on his boyish features. Even with being aware of his status as an undercover agent, he wasn't going to deny that the thought of anyone harming the organization he'd invested in for so long instantly made his blood sizzle underneath his skin.
In all honesty, he would've preferred to have been part of the 2nd phase of the plan and his battalion sent after given approval by the preceding squadron. At least that would put his mind at ease. If he was present on Moonbase prior, then he'd be able to fluidly accomplish his responsibility of protecting the KND whilst remaining seemingly loyal to the Teen Ninjas.
But his role was quite crucial and should there be any complications with prompting the mission, it was his job to troubleshoot the situation and ensure that the plan would ultimate set in motion.
His eyes briefly closed, halting the look of agitation before his emotions could completely get the best of him. Then again, maybe he was overthinking like always. There was a reason why everyone of these children currently scattered on the shore was completely at ease and trusting with leaving their posts in the first place. Their leader after all—the current guiding force and their nurturer at that moment, was more than capable of running the entire Kids Next Door literally from the moon and back.
This is something that he hadn't needed to reiterate for himself. He wouldn't even be the quality of the spy that he is now if she'd never been around.
Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars?
What pulled him back from his musings was an attack from behind that immediately had him turning around and assuming the defensive position.
His lips then curved into a cocky smirk. "Looks like you kiddies are finally showing signs of being worth my time." Chad's voice oozed with pride masked by insult. Though landing on Moonbase was his priority at the moment, he wouldn't mind sparing a second or 2 to amuse his former children especially when they were evidently beginning to sprout their wings.
A small platoon had impressively located their whereabouts, from which he could vaguely recognize from his reign as Supreme Leader, comprised of talented operatives.
"You teenagers are going down, starting with you, Chad!" Numbuh 35 screamed resolutely, deviating from his usual composed and cordial disposition.
Chad glanced back at his men, all were either growling in anger or annoyance at the sudden confrontation. On the other end to where he was standing, The Steve looked more disinterested than shaken. Idly, he shrugged his shoulders. "Oh well, can't be helped." Those simple words were enough of a go signal to begin the brawl.
All at once, the troupe of operatives charged without hesitation—a clear manifestation of how well they've been taught, which he could've guessed even rooted down to their cadet years.
And fine it was indeed but they'd still yet to match his prowess in battle. With a single move of his shoulder, he'd successfully evaded the projectiles from the 2x4 Technologies being fired right at his direction. Maneuvering as if he was currently in a football game, he'd lunged for a counterattack, yet only enough to tackle down his opponents to subdue them. Unconsciously, he smirked to himself. Chad had always played rough, but even someone as fiery as him still understood the meaning of control. Even then, there was no denying that he quite liked the feeling of adrenaline during fights.
But the KND showed no signs of backing out anytime soon and pressed on with their attacks despite being mowed down by their former Supreme Leader and his army of teens. When the number of operatives that dared approach them dwindled, his ego just couldn't be quieted and he called out to his Commanding Officer.
"Hey Steve, I'm about to be done over here. Better double time your own sweepin' over there. "
The stroke of annoyance on Steve's detached façade amused him greatly, more so, that the great leader of the Teen Ninjas who rarely battled himself was now, currently showcasing his nimble fighting style quite in line with their villain name.
"You spoke too soon, traitor!" The rough tone and thick Australian accent of the voice that addressed him immediately caught his attention and he'd found himself parrying against a smaller opponent.
"Well, well, looks like my most favorite sector of brats just arrived to join the party. But I never expected the stupid one to challenge me head on. Oh well, that's why he is called stupid." From underneath his blonde mop of hair, Numbuh 4's green eyes twitched visibly at the provocation and began to hurl thoughtless attacks at the teen.
Really, after battling for so long with Sector V, Chad was more than aware at what makes each member lose their tempo. And with another missed punch from the younger boy, Chad simply lunged forward and swung his outstretched arm towards Wally's neck, sending him gasping for air at a notable distance.
With that he crossed his arms in front of his chest in a haughty fashion, knowing it would take a while for Numbuh 4 to recover. But his celebratory moment was interrupted by a growing shadow looming over his head, and to Chad's surprise was Numbuh 2 equipped with the F. L. A. P. P. U. H. and pointing a M. U. K. E. T. to his direction.
"Eyes on the stars, Chad!" Not allowing any time for him to defend himself, Numbuh 2 swiftly fired the 2x4 Technology directly to his opponent's eyes which temporarily obscured his vision with mustard.
The next thing that registered to Chad's consciousness after wiping his face, was the sight of the vibrant blue sky in the expanse of his range of sight and the weight of his body pulling him further and further away from it.
To where he was currently, it was clear that he'd unknowingly been on the edge of the cliff from his scuffle with Numbuh 4 and inevitably fell from losing his balance after Numbuh 2's attack. The said duo was in the middle of basking in their success as they bumped fists and roughly smacked each other on the back in congratulations.
In a matter of seconds, the intrusive sound of being forcibly plunged into water surrounded his ears and the light of day began to slowly fade as he sank deeper into the sea. All that filled his mind before succumbing to the loss of air in his lungs, was uncontrollable panic freed from its suppression.
"And that takes care of that!" Numbuh 4 proudly declared and stuck his nose in the air while giving a final inspection at the submerged state of the teenaged boy.
"Did you hear what I said earlier? That was totally cool 'cause Chad's really cocky and all but couldn't literally 'keep his eyes on the stars' where his enemy is.
Wally simply hung his mouth open while narrowing his eyes at Hoagie, this time around not quite understanding his humor.
"Uh, what?"
"You know, ironic?" Numbuh 2 smirked and snapped his fingers prior to forming double pistols directed at Numbuh 4.
The shorter boy's face then lit up and he'd cracked a huge smile. "Oh, now I get it! Yeah it does fit well." Hoagie then hung his arm on Wally's shoulder which the latter reciprocated as they laughed to themselves.
When Hoagie's eyes flitted to the sea however, something in his gut hadn't seemed to add up. "Hold on...don't you think Chad would've floated up by now?"
"Beats me, probably wouldn't to someone like me who can't swim.
"Right, that's true." Silence briefly overtook the atmosphere before their happy mood was shattered by the realization. At the same time, they separated and snapped their heads to each other in utter alarm.
"Wait, can't swim?!" Just then, Numbuh 5's running form was seen visibly hurrying to their direction. Once the raven haired girl had caught her breath after scurrying to them, the first thing that came out of her mouth was a bellow.
"You fools! I was there commanding other Moonbase operatives when I saw Chad flying out of the cliff and into the sea."
Hoagie almost blubbered out his response, guilt washing over him as he had ultimately caused the incident. "U-U-Uhm, c-can't he swim?"
"That I do not know, " Abby had managed to compose herself even just slightly, giving out an exasperated sigh while pinching the bridge of her nose. ", but one thing is for sure; the waters beyond this cliff are eleventy billion times deeper than you could ever imagine, and the sharp rock formations are something to look out for.
"Don't tell me that we just—"
"—killed Chad?" Hoagie nervously finished Wally's assumption and began biting his nails in anxiousness.
If she'd been her normal self, Abby would've smacked Numbuh 2's hand away from his mouth to stop the unhygienic habit, but she herself understood the situation with the severity creating disorder in her mind.
"The KND strictly swore against violence that would cause fatality. This would amount more than just a trip to Arctic Prison if that were the case."
Perhaps she'd allowed herself to become too preoccupied with her thoughts that she hadn't noticed the battle on the other end of the cliff concluding and even to the Teen Ninja's favor. What was startling however, was not just result of the fight. "What's going on over there?" The unusual approach of The Steve's voice had taken her aback and her eyes darted to his from underneath her hat. Nothing but no-nonsense sternness in his attitude could be seen and unwanted apprehension crept on her back.
Abby unconsciously bit the inside of her cheek. A high ranking Teen Ninja missing on the battlefield would surely be a subject of confusion, and she'd inwardly scolded herself for forgetting it wouldn't go unnoticed for long.
To answer his question much to their misfortune, a member from Chad's squadron stepped forward to mumble the aftermath in The Steve's ear and his brown eyes transitioned from authoritative to nearly enraged.
And as if the hiking tension wasn't enough, Cree had appeared to the Teen Ninja's side at that moment in a series of acrobatics, having been summoned prior the confrontation.
The lack of combat on the cliff which welcomed her was of a great mystery, until her eyes traced The Steve's intense gaze at her own tensed little sister. She could only guess that whatever had transpired was enough to bring out the side of her Commanding Leader she'd never even seen before herself.
"What did you and your little Baby's Next Door do now, Crabbigail?" Instinctively, Cree assumed a fighting stance, something which Abby and the rest of Sector V mirrored albeit reluctantly given the situation.
From what little light the salty waters could filter in, Chad had appeared to have found comfort by the peaceful expression on his face, all the while not quite matching the streaming blood from his head, flowing and mixing with the sea. In his state of vulnerability, the only thing that seemed to keep him intact was the memory and warmth of burning ash firewood and the scent of oranges.
Dreaming...of falling...