A/N: Hey, so this story is going to jump around a lot. Sorry, but I thought I should warn you. It's just how I write. Don't worry, I'll try to make it so it's not so confusing.

Also, how many people thought this was a one shot? Because I just realized I forgot to say it wasn't.

FYI: Sector V are 11 in the beginning of this chapter and Numbah 1 is still in space.

I don't own Maximum Ride or the Kids Next Door. I'm not a man, therefore I can't be James Patterson or Mr. Warburton. Honestly.

Onward with the story!


Four Years Previous, POV: Numbah 3 Kuki Sanban

"Numbah Four!" I sang loudly with a smile. I had just gotten another Rainbow Monkey for my collection. "Come play with me!"

"Hey Numbah Three. Numbah Four's going to a baseball game with his dad today, remember? You were the first one he told," Numbah Two told me, looking up from his latest invention. My smile dropped for a second before it was back, quick as lightening.

"Right! I forgot. Do you wanna play with me instead?" I asked, knowing he'd say no.

"Sorry Numbah Three, but I really got work on this. Maybe some other time," he replied, just as I expected. I left the room and sighed. Everyone was too busy to play with me today. Usually Numbah Four would play with me after I pouted a little bit, but even he had something to do today.


Later that day was when it happened. I was waiting by my window, watching for Numbah Four and his dad to drive up. I saw them. But I didn't see the other car. And neither did they.

I went to their funeral. Why wouldn't I? Mrs. Beatles moved back to Australia with Joey after the accident. I never saw them again.

I cried my eyes out that day. I never got to tell him just how much I liked him. Right then and there, I vowed to visit his grave every day, even when I get decommissioned. He didn't deserve to be lonely in the graveyard.

We'll miss you, Numbah Four. No – we'll miss you Wally Beatles.


Present Day, Sector V Tree House, POV: 3rd omniscient

The transmitter in the tree house burst to life, grabbing the attention of the four teens.

"Numbah One? You there?" Numbah Three-Sixty-Two, or Rachel as she was better known, appeared on the screen.

"We're all here. You have a mission for us?" Numbah One, or Nigel, replied.

"Yes, I'm afraid." As a sector of teen operatives, they didn't get very many missions. They usually were only called in when the mission was too dangerous for regular operatives to handle. "The sector we sent to the Delightful Teens From Down The Lane's mansion seem to have been captured. Luckily, they managed to destroy the Delightfulizer, but we need you to rescue them. You'll need to hurry," the Soopreme Leader informed them gravely. They set out once the transmitter went blank.


Present Day, Delightful Manor, POV: 3rd omniscient

"Yo," came an accented greeting when the five ten-year-old kids were thrown in a small cage in the basement. They looked up to see a tall blonde teenage boy in the cage with them, most likely fifteen or older. "You from the KND?"

"What's it to ya, teenager?" one growled, spitting hatred. While he said this, he and the other four kids scooted against the side of the cage, as far away from the teenager as they could.

"Just curious. Never expected you to get caught," the teen responded, still with an accent. If they had to name it, they would have guessed Australian, it was a pretty thick accent.

"How can we be sure you ain't in here to finish us off?" the first kid retorted, most likely the leader.

"It's five against one. Even the Delightful Dorks aren't that dumb," the teen replied with a shrug. He leaned lazily against the side of the cage opposite of them. "And I bet you have back-up coming, right? Think you could let me out with you when they get here? I've been in here for days now."

"Yeah right! Like we'd help a stupid teenager!" a girl shouted angrily.

"Uh, Numbah Ninety-Eight?" another boy added quietly. "Numbah Three-Sixty-Two said our back-up would be teenagers, remember? She said they're a sector from the TND."

"Numbah Three-Sixty-Two is still in charge?" the teen asked with one eyebrow raised. "I thought she would've been decommissioned two years ago. She's fifteen now, like me."

"And just how do you know her if you were decommissioned, eh?" the first one accused. The teen flashed a grin at that.

"I never said I was decommissioned. I was a little busy on the day I was supposed to. You know, being experimented on and all that," he replied. "The cruddy adults had me locked up."

The kids rolled their eyes at that and were about to reply when the door to basement burst open, revealing four figures.


Present Day, Delightful Manor, POV: Numbah Three Kuki Sanban

"Alright, we're here to help. You guys okay?" Numbah One asked the kids. I looked and saw they were locked in a cage with, oddly enough, a teenager.

"Yeah, except we're stuck with him," Numbah Ninety-Eight snapped, pointing at the teen. I smiled at that, she never liked teenagers, not even us members of the Teens Next Door.

"Okay, Numbah Five, Numbah Three, you stand guard. Watch out for the Delightfuls. Me and Numbah Two will get them out," Numbah One ordered and we nodded. I saw the teenager's eyes go wide with shock, but he kept silent. I wondered, who was he? Why was he there?

Numbahs One and Two picked the lock in under a minute and the kids and teen were free. The teenager burst out the door quickly, eager to get out of the cramped cage. Numbah Two just barely dodged the boy-turned-bullet in his haste to get out. The kids followed him at normal speed, glaring at him in annoyance.

"Why so quick to leave? Afraid of us kids?" Numbah Ninety-Nine, the leader, taunted.

"Nah. Just claustrophobic," the teen retorted. When they gave him blank looks, he chuckled. "Fear of small places." Was that an Australian accent?

"Stop chatting and get moving. The Delightfuls could be here any second," Numbah One commanded. He really hated it when we took our time.

"Too late, Nigel. We're already here," the Delightful Teens From Down The Lane stated in that eery, five person voice of theirs. They were in another one of the contraptions and had night-vision goggles on. Why the night-vision goggles? The lights were on.

"Just let us out, Dorks," the Australian snapped. I looked at him in shock. Not that I'm complaining, but what did he have against them?

"Now, now. Is that any way to treat your host?" the Delightfuls scolded him. He rolled his eyes.

"Yeah." I, of course, was not expecting that response, so I snickered. I saw him glance at me with one eyebrow raised. "What's so funny?"

"I don't really know," I giggled. I saw the five kids look at me in disgust. The probably thought I was flirting, Eww... I don't like any one now that Numbah Four's dead.

I wasn't paying attention to what the Delightful Teens said while I was laughing, so I don't know what they said. And then the lights went out.

Oh, so that's why they had the goggles.


Ack, I really wanted to add more to this chapter, but I figured it's long enough as is, so I left it here. I'm already starting on the next chapter. I can't wait, even thought I know what's going to happen... Is that weird?

Although I think it's fairly obvious, please guess who the teenage guy is and why Iggy has an accent. You don't have to, but I'd appreciate it.

Also, this story takes place after Fang but before Angel, because I don't have a copy of Angel and I don't really remember what happened in it. Plus, from what I do remember, I don't like what happened in it. Sorry for any disappointment.

Up is not down,

Numbah 827, signing out!