Disclaimer: I do NOT own KND.

The Heart is Mightier than the Fist

Chapter 1: Moving On

Charleston Cemetery, Rocafort, Illinois

February 8, 2006

7:00 A.M.

The morning in particular was very somber. Especially since a funeral was taking place.

Rachel McKenzie and Ryan Larsen didn't want to be here. Not when two of the most important people in their lives were being put into the ground. Rachel's face looked solemn and stained with dry tears. Ryan's face was also stained with dry tears. He had a sad frown plastered on his face.

After the pastor finished, everyone went inside. Ryan and Rachel, however, wanted to stay outside and keep each other company. Their mothers took notice of this.

"We'd just like to have a moment alone, mom," Rachel assured.

"We'll be inside shortly," Ryan affirmed his mother.

Both women nodded in understanding and walked into the church.

Ryan and Rachel took hold of each other's hand and walked to a big tree to sit under it.

Rachel couldn't control herself and threw her arms around Ryan. The boy tried his best to comfort her.

"I... I can't believe they're actually... g-gone..." Rachel whimpered softly.

Ryan patted her back, and lightly caressed her hair. "I know what you mean. How could this happen?" he whispered softly.

"Grandma... she always baked fresh cookies for us after a long day..." she stated softly. "She would tell me a bedtime story every night."

"Kassandra was always there when I needed some guidance," Ryan said. "She was like a guardian angel, looking after me... no matter what..." Ryan broke into silent tears, and so did Rachel.

"What will we do now... now that they're gone?" Rachel asked silently. Ryan took hold of her shoulders, and he unleashed his beaming smile.

"They're not really gone, Rachel," he said, pointing to her heart. "They'll always be with us, even if their bodies are not." He paused. "They would... not want us to continue mourning them... they would want us to... to move on."

Rachel chuckled sadly. "But it's so hard..."

"I know, Rachel. But... you still have... me..." he smiled.

Rachel smiled back. "And you still have me..." Both children embraced in a comforting hug.

They put their pinkies together. "BFF!" They chuckled softly, knowing the words meant "best friends forever."

KND Moonbase

1:00 P.M.

The "coliseum" of the Kids Next Door Moonbase is filled with nearly 2000 operatives; not everyone was able to come. Rachel stood at the podium in the middle of the room. She looked confident, calm and collected.

"Our usual bad guys," Rachel stated, "have been quiet recently. Our efforts to take them down are only forty-five percent of the cause. Other factors include financial problems, personal problems, and wide list I have no time to go over." Rachel paused for a moment. A small frown formed its way onto her face. "But don't think they've gone away. Our rights and freedoms will still be in jeopardy so long as they are around. And that is why we must continue to fight them, and to be cautious.

"But that is not why I called you here today." Rachel took a moment of silence before continuing. She chuckled lightly. "My job isn't an easy one. I know that some of you know that, but none of you have my personal experiences. For a long time I've had the opportunity to see things through, to keep things from going haywire. A Supreme Leader is cautious and neutral." She looked down at her shoes, wondering how to go on. She finally found the words and looked up. "For a while I was comfortable being cautious and neutral. I am not anymore." She listened as the operatives whispered amongst themselves. She lightly whistled, getting their attention.

"The job of a Supreme Leader is to maintain the status quo. A Supreme Leader is supposed to be a referee. Their goal is to settle fights," she said. Her eyes gleamed with courage. "Well I am ready to fight those fights again! And I can't do that here." Everyone talked amongst themselves, asking 'what does she mean?' Her behavior was regarded as strange. "That is why today I am announcing my resignation from the role of the Supreme Leader."

Everyone was really talking now. Some thought she had gone mad, others were just confused.

Rachel decided to conclude her speech. "I'm ready to be on the battle field again. And that is all." Rachel walked off stage and out of the room.

Endor Estates, Rocafort, Illinois

4:00 P.M.

On one end of the neighborhood was a brown house with yellow windows. This was the residence of Nigel Uno, A.K.A. Number 1. Nigel is known as the leader of Sector V, a KND group based on Rocafort. Nigel has some distinctive attributes: he has a bald head and slightly grayish skin; he wears sunglasses, a red turtleneck, gray shorts and brown shoes.

Today seemed like an ordinary day to the young Uno, but he did not know what was coming up.

A mini-van drove up to his house. Nigel raised his eyebrow. "Now who would be coming to our house at this time of day?" he thought with curiosity.

He got his answer as people exited said vehicle. The first to exit was an older woman with blonde hair and sapphire eyes. Next was an older gentleman with brown hair, yellow eyes and a goatee. A young boy with brown hair and an aggravated exited afterward, and Nigel knew this boy.

"Harvey," Nigel thought glumly to himself. Then his eyes opened wide. If Harvey was here, then that means...

A young girl with blonde hair and blue eyes exited the mini-van. She saw Nigel and smiled widely. "Nigel!" She instantly ran up to him and embraced him in a big hug.

"R-Rachel?" Nigel asked, shock evident in his voice. His shock washed away and he smiled warmly. "What are you doing here?"

Rachel hugged him tighter before answering. "We're going to be living in the same neighborhood from now own!" She exclaimed.

Nigel's eyes widened. "Really?" he asked. He smiled brightly. "That's really great news!"

"Hmph! Maybe for you!" Nigel knew it was Harvey who spoke and regarded him with a grim look.

"Well nobody asked you!" Nigel replied crossly.

"Alrighty, everyone be nice!" Rachel's dad said. "So, Nigel, old boy! It's good to see ya. We're here for dinner with the folks. Would you kindly let us in?"

Nigel nodded. "Absolutely, Mr. McKenzie." With no more said, they entered the Uno residence.

Today started out grim for Rachel. But now everything seemed brighter.

Note: I started this project as far back as I can remember (probably a little after my first story, Vlad Masters: Father, for the Danny Phantom fanfiction). In that time, I have come to realize that this is not an actual story, per se, but rather a "build up." A certain snob once said while watching a movie, "with no build up and all plot, it can feel a little slow…" Well, ladies and gents, this is all build up and no real plot. It's really an examination of the characters and the relationships they have. As I publish this (after all these years, since I've been on FanFiction since 2008), I will adjust it as much as I can, but I fear there is no saving this project. I can't possibly establish any sense of plot (there are hints and suggestions of some plotlines, but they go nowhere in this "collection"). But, I do plan a continuation of the characters here in another project (which has an actual story/plot), and I hope it will be successful.