DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN CODENAME: KIDS NEXT DOOR
If you haven't read this before: This story is actually a spinoff of my series. As with the original version, its purpose is to introduce new characters and foreshadow like no tomorrow. It precedes Storms, Solace, and Sleepovers, taking place sometime during Season 3 of the show (whereas SS&S happens late Season 5). It takes place in my own AU, dubbed the Trent Universe. In the interest of not drawing this out too much, info about the TU is at the bottom of the chapter, and on my profile. Please read that before deciding it's not for you.
Let's get on with it.
THE SACCHARINE EXPOSURE (REDUX)
CHAPTER 1: GRADUATION
"My fellow operatives and comrades in kiddom, as Supreme Leader of the Kids Next Door, I, Numbuh 362, am honored to welcome you to the Cadets Next Door graduation!"
The girl barely finished her sentence before being overpowered by an uproar of deafening applause. Every Kids Next Door operative in the world had gathered in the Moonbase auditorium for the occasion, and there was no shortage of enthusiasm. Behind the Supreme Leader onstage, the dozen graduating cadets were lined up in no apparent order. Each cadet was positively beaming, and none were capable of standing still. And who could blame them? This ceremony was for them, after all.
Every graduation played out very similarly, being mostly the same up until the cadets chose their codenames and got their assignments. Nevertheless, it never failed to raise everyone's spirits. It breathed new life into the organization, introducing a new generation of pioneers, the latest champions of the ever-growing number of kids around the globe keen to join the fight against adult tyranny. The pluckiness of the young inspired the still-but-not-quite-as-young-anymore, reinvigorating them for their cause. No one missed a graduation if they could help it.
Numbuh 362 observed the many faces of her audience until the clamor subsided, at which time she continued her speech. "Inducting each new group of cadets into the Kids Next Door is..."
Indeed, it was awesome, and everyone in the room listened intently to their leader. Well, except for one cadet: a certain Trent Edison. The boy was trying to pay attention-really, he was-but the stimulation was overwhelming his attention span. He was finally becoming a KND operative! Sure, all the cadets were pumped for it, but Trent was a special case. He'd been waiting for this day for years.
Trent didn't think he was anything special. The pale boy was of average height for his age. His dark brown hair was sort of long and unkempt at all times, though he kept it combed off his face. He wore a navy blue zip-up hoodie with sleeves reaching just short of his fingertips, blue jeans, and black & white shoes. A pretty average appearance, if you asked him.
The thing is, Trent's specialness wasn't skin-deep: not only was he older than his fellow trainees-he was 10, older than the other cadets by a long shot-he had worked with the KND for years before even becoming a cadet. Since he's not paying attention to the Supreme Leader's speech here anyway, let's take a moment to learn a little of his background.
In preschool, before having ever even heard of the Kids Next Door, Trent had taken it upon himself to help kids in need, particularly with bullies. His actions quickly drew the attention of members of the nearby Sector NC, who mentioned him to their superiors. Naturally, they wanted to recruit him. Unfortunately, Numbuh 274, who was Supreme Leader at the time, wouldn't allow it, for reasons unclear to Trent. Sector NC did propose a deal, though: if Trent would forward potential recruits to the KND, they'd allow him access to certain 2x4 technology. Was Numbuh 274 aware of this? Trent had no idea. He didn't question it.
For the next few years, his interactions with the KND were minimal, even in light of their agreement. On occasion, Trent would be contacted for intel, or cross paths with an operative, but little else. Whole weeks would go by without any contact with the KND. Still, he was always on good terms with Sector NC, and even managed to befriend a handful of outsiders, including a certain blonde spy.
Of course, the KND wasn't Trent's only hope for support. Not too long after his first scuffle at recess, he learned his first big lesson about human nature: just because no one else started a fight, doesn't mean no one will help fight it. This lesson first presented itself to him in the form of Lily, a spirited little girl who followed him into trouble and positively harassed him with her friendship. The two became fast friends, and, before long, other kids came trickling in to support the cause. Eventually, their group became known as the Defenders of the Playground. Trent felt the name was melodramatic, but Lily insisted it was a good idea.
Continuing on, Trent went outside for recess one day to find Numbuh 362 waiting for him by the monkey bars, wearing a spiffy new orange sweatshirt. She explained that she was the new Supreme Leader, and gave a personal invitation to come work for her. The very next day, Trent was off to the KND Arctic Base.
"...and they'll be cadets no longer!"
The roar from the crowd snapped Trent back to reality. His smile broadened. The moment was drawing near.
"I'd like to begin with a boy who's been standing up for kids since preschool, who I'm proud to finally have up here with us today!" Numbuh 362 spun around to face the cadets, and her eyes met with Trent's. If his smile could possibly widen, it did. "Trent Edison."
Trent could feel a whole bunch of butterflies in his stomach. A flock, maybe? Was that the right word? What else could it be? A swarm? A rabble? A dictatorship? Probably not that last one. What about-oh, right, the ceremony! He needed to walk up to the podium. That's all he needed to it. Darnit, how did these stupid legs work?!
Somehow, Trent managed to find his way to the wooden stand in the center of the stage. As soon as he met Numbuh 362's gaze, she continued. "Trent, do you swear to battle adult tyranny, without pause, without fail, and without rest, except for cookie breaks?"
His mouth hung open for a moment before the first word made its way out. "Cross my heart... and hope to die!"
"Good!" The Supreme Leader motioned at the device between them. "You may now insert your genetic material into the code module, and register with the Super-Incredibly-Big-Computermabob."
Trent almost squealed with anticipation. Almost.
This was it. He straightened his posture as much as he could, raised his left hand to eye level, and then plunged his pointer finger into his nose. He didn't have to fish for long before removing it, revealing the finest booger he had ever picked. Sure, I could describe it in more detail, but, you get it.
Now, it was time for his acceptance speech. Each new member was encouraged, though not required, to give one. Trent wasn't one for public speaking, but this was a very special occasion, so he figured he should. He stepped forward, looking over the crowd. Over the next few years, he hoped to meet every single kid there.
He raised his booger finger high into the air. "With this booger," he announced, surprising himself with the firmness of his own voice, "I proudly join the super awesome treehouse of the Kids Next Door! I will gladly risk all I have, and all I am, to defend my fellow kid from adult tyranny, and anything else that may threaten our freedom! If I fail in my promise, may I be removed from the honorable position I hold, and replaced by a kid who will keep us all free of brussel sprouts and bedtimes without desert!"
He took a step back. "And now, I accept these responsibilities, and choose the codename..." He jammed his finger into the module. "Numbuh 81!"
"Genetic material accepted," said a computerized female voice. A large, colorful beam burst from the module, shooting straight up into the Super-Incredibly-Big-Computermabob. "Commencing upload into Super-Incredibly-Big-Computermabob."
As everyone in the room gaped at the lightshow, Trent and Numbuh 362 smiled at each other. She gave him a slight nod of approval, to which he replied with a nod of appreciation.
A computerize male voice boomed throughout the room. "Welcome to the Kids Next Door, Operative Numbuh 81!" The codename was by the female computer voice. "You shall serve kids everywhere, from your treehouse headquarters on..."
Trent tensed, holding his breath. The anticipation almost made him feel sick. He wasn't really sure why, though, since he already knew where he was going to be.
"Kids Next Door Moonbase."
He exhaled as the air filled with applause. Numbuh 362 saluted him. "Welcome to the Kids Next Door, Numbuh 81!"
Numbuh 81 enthusiastically returned her salute, his stomach feeling as if it was about to burst from being so full of those darn butterflies. This was the happiest moment of his life. He was finally a KND operative. To think that he had given up hope of this day ever happening...
Perhaps it was meant to be after all.
Trent twisted around and stumbled off to the side of the stage, passing the spotlight off to the next graduate. While Numbuh 362 proceeded with the next cadet, he scanned the crowd, his mind racing. Where was he supposed to go after the ceremony? Uh oh...
"Welcome, Numbuh 747, to the Kids Next Door!"
The ovation following the final inductee was the loudest yet, complimented by a rain of confetti. By this point, Trent had given up trying to figure things out, and was finally able to enjoy the ceremony. He clapped for his fellow inductee with great enthusiasm. Numbuh 747 had exhibited an aptitude for flying during their training, and Trent sincerely hoped to work with him in the future. Their eyes met, and Trent shot him a thumbs up.
The cheers went on for just a bit longer than necessary. That was fine. No one was in a rush. The Supreme Leader waited patiently until she could be heard again.
"Well, that's all of the cadets! I think we've all sat through enough speeches, so I'll just remind you all that the lobby is full of snacks and drinks in honor of the occasion! Good luck out there, everyone. Kids Next Door rules!"
Every kid in the room threw a fist up in the air. "KIDS NEXT DOOR RULES!"
The humming of a hundred individual conversations grew faint and distant as the crowd filtered oiy, save for those who climbed up to the stage to meet their new teammates. Trent was eyeing the door when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to discover the hand belonged to the Supreme Leader herself. He popped to attention and rendered a crisp salute. "What can I do for you, Miss Supreme Leader, sir, ma'am... sir?"
She giggled, placing her hands on her hips. "Oh, hush. I have enough smartypants under my command already."
"Alright... Rachel." Trent smirked. "Sooo... I'm not totally sure what I'm supposed to do from here. No one told me what to do after the ceremony."
Rachel's smile faded slightly. "Normally, my Chief of Security would have already been up here. Unfortunately, Numbuh 921 recently turned 13, and I haven't found a replacement yet. But, as far as your orders go, I have your first assignment: until further notice, you are assigned to Sector V. They've been seeing a lot of action recently, so I'm hoping you can help keep them from getting worn out. They're my finest Sector, Trent. You'll be learning from some of the best in the business. The leader is a close friend of mine as well.
"But you'll have to wait to meet them. They were called away a few minutes ago to investigate a suspicious transmission."
Trent's smile began to wane, but Rachel's returned. "It's nothing to be worried about. Still, I'd hate to make them to come all the way back here, so I've arranged for Numbuh 522 to take you to their treehouse." She motioned toward a boy off to the side, who waved pleasantly. "You'll wait for them there."
Relieved of his anxiety, at least temporarily, Trent nodded. "Thank you, Rachel." He wanted to say something more, but couldn't seem to find the words.
She extended her hand. "I have full faith in you, Trent. I know they'll be happy to have you on the team, just like I am."
He accepted her hand, and they shook with a single up and down motion, pausing for a moment before letting go.
"And try not to be too nervous. You're here for a reason. You've earned this... Numbuh 81."
Trent chuckled. "I just wonder if it's for a good reason."
A/N: Right, so, that info about my AU. Since I'm lazy, here's a copy&paste from the opening A/N of Storms, Solace, and Sleepovers:
If you're not familiar with me, here's what you need to know: this is the first in a series taking place in my alternate timeline, the Trent Universe. Now, before that scares you off, I ask you to just peek at the appropriate section on my profile; it explains the premise. Basically, most known KND canon holds true. The TU concentrates more on unexplained and unresolved things from the show. With that said, the series centers around an all-new plotline and features some new OCs, and some admitted deviations from canon... it's a fanfic, what do you expect? You don't need to know anything about it beforehand-everything is explained in due time.
Aaand that's all I've got for now. If you don't mind leaving a review, I'd love to hear what you think. But if that's not your thing, I still appreciate your taking the time to read my story. Hope you enjoyed it!
Cheers,
- Marty