Chapter 11 and conclusion to The Anarchist two parter. Awesome.
I come to this magnificent house of worship tonight…
Because my conscience leaves me no other choice…
A true revolution of values will lay hand on the world order and say of war.
'This way of settling differences is not just'.
This business of burning human beings with napalm,
Of filling our nations homes with orphans and widows,
Of injecting poisonous drugs of hate into the veins of people normally humane,
Of sending men home from dark and bloody battlefields
Physically handicapped and psychologically deranged…
Cannot be reconciled with Wisdom, Justice and Love.
-Martin Luther King Jr.
Quahog, Rhode Island
The fires swept through the streets of Quahog as citizens cried out in horror. An exposed fuel line erupted, claiming an orphanage. Citizens shook in fear as their worst nightmares were made real through the toxin in their blood. Medical crews loaded wounded into ambulances as explosions erupted around them. In the wake of this mayhem, Rachel T. McKenzie could only focus on the bald fourteen year-old floating in the sky.
"Nigel." Rachel spoke softly as she looked up to the descending bald brit.
Nigel landed in the middle of the street. He looked over to see Sand tending to Wiccan. Nigel walked past Rachel and kneeled beside Sand as she looked over Wiccan. "How is she?" He asked concerned.
"It's Nightmare toxin. Horrible stuff." Sand shook her head as Wiccan shook. "Either we get her back to base and take care of this or she'll have to fight it out until it's no longer in her system."
"Call in Azrael, tell him to open up a portal and retrieve Wiccan. I've felt the effects of Legion's toxin; I can't imagine how horrible the new stuff is." Nigel narrowed his eyes as he placed a hand on Wiccan's shoulder. "Wiccan, if you can hear me right now, remain calm, what you're seeing right now isn't real. You're going back to base; Soulless will take care of you."
Wiccan merely mumbled. "I-I l-let him die…"
Sand frowned behind her gas mask. The new envoy of Morpheus looked over her shoulder to see Rachel staring at them. "I think she knows you." Sand spoke to Nigel before pointing her thumb at Rachel.
Nigel sighed. He stood up and turned to face Rachel. "Hello Ma'am. Long time no see."
"Where have you been solider?" Rachel asked softly her, left eye beginning to water.
"Places you could only dream of." Nigel stated simply. "It's…it's good to see you again ma'am."
A portal opened nearby the group. Numbuh 8/92 stepped out and looked over to Sand who was helping Wiccan up. "I'll take it from here." Numbuh 8.92 spoke softly as he assisted Wiccan to the portal.
The bus commandeered by the Prospectors arrived shortly, breaking down in the process. "Piece of junk." Thomas muttered before he and his brother exited the bus. Rack and Ruin hopped down along with Roady.
"So, what now?" Josh asked aloud before noticing Rachel and Wiccan's absence. "Uh….hey there Rachel."
"Numbuh 832?" Rachel raised a brow before taking notice of the other present Prospectors. "I see you brought the team back together, the only ones missing here are Corey and Nolan."
"We'd rather you not speak of the dearly departed." Josh narrowed his eyes.
William leapt off the roof of the bus and took a look around. "What happened here?"
"The Anarchist happened." Sand spoke up. "He's on the move, Wiccan's back at base for treatment; we'd better get going before he starts killing again."
"Mind if I tag along solider? It'll give me a chance to find out what you've been up to since you disappeared those years ago." Rachel asked.
Nigel remained silent. "I'd rather you not get involved."
"I'm with the Teens Next Door now…it's my mission to get involved." Rachel stated.
"Well arguing about it is giving this creep a larger lead and more time to kill, literally." Josh hopped down off the bus. "We could also use the extra hand seeing Wiccan isn't here." Josh turned to see the portal vanish.
"Alright then, let's go." Sand drew her grappling hook and shot the cord, latching onto a lamp post. She double-clicked the trigger, retracting the cord and propelling her into the air.
"She in charge?" Rachel asked.
"No, technically I am." Nigel muttered before tapping his heels against one another, engaging the rockets in his boots. Nigel stuck his hand out for Rachel to take. "Come on." Rachel took his hand. Nigel rocket into the sky with Rachel in hand.
"William, I believe that's your cue." Josh spoke aloud.
William drew his propeller weapons and activated them. William ascended into the air and gave chase.
"What're we going to do, we can't fly." Thomas spoke up.
"No, but we can drive." Josh motioned to a crashed police cruiser.
"…Shotgun…" Roady muttered.
The Society: Medical Ward
Soulless examined the burnt remains of RAMON-4, taking note of the odd wiring. "Memory card seems intact. I should notify Gabe."
The doors to the Medical Ward burst open. Numbuh 8.92 ran in with Wiccan slung over his shoulder. "Soulless, emergency!"
"Good god, what happened?" Soulless' eyes widened behind his metal helmet.
"Something called Nightmare toxin, you ever hear of it?" The GKND operative set Wiccan on a medical bed.
"I vaguely remember that being covered in a memo, the same one with the 'veto'." Soulless recalled. "I do believe we may have something for it in cold storage." Soulless rushed to a door, labeled 'Storage'.
Soulless flung the door open and ran inside the below zero temperature storage room. Soulless opened a door within, only to find the body of Dillon. "No." Soulless closed the door and opened another. "Ah." Soulless pulled out a vial of clear liquid.
Soulless exited the storage room and attached Wiccan up to a heart monitor. "Hold still dear." Soulless spoke calmly as he prepared a syringe. "This'll help ease your mind."
Wiccan slowly calmed after being injected with the antidote. Her heart beat began to keep a steady pace. "We'd better leave her here for some rest." Soulless spoke to Numbuh 8/92, who nodded. The two Society members exited the room, switching the lights off as they exited.
Wiccan opened her eyes slowly. The effects of the antidote began to become apparent. Wiccan turned to her side to see a hallucination of herself and Sandman.
"Well Wiccan…I'm proud of you."
"How's that?" The hallucination raised a brow behind her hood.
"For not killing Gwen. You didn't turn out to be another Affright after all." The hallucination of Sandman said before yawning.
"I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted." Wiccan smirked.
"Take whichever way you wish. Just keep in mind I intended it to be a compliment." Sandman yawned once more. "Well I guess that's it for the night…I'll see you later."
"Tired are we?" Wiccan questioned.
"You try getting only four hours total of sleep in a week." Sandman yawned once more before walking away. Leaving Wiccan shaking her head.
"Pleasant dreams Mr. Sandman." Wiccan smirked.
A single tear streaked Wiccan's cheek.
Quahog, Rhode Island: Ruined Streets
A teen wearing a costume resembling a puritan preacher with a long black wig, a skeleton mask, and hangman's noose around his neck, walked through the chaos caused by The Anarchist.
The teen stopped as he found a group of adults, teens and kids alike, crying out in fear. He watched as they convulsed, as they tore their hair out, as they pray to god to be saved from the nightmare they perceived. An adult stumbled forward towards the teen. He shook as he peed his pants. He stopped as he took in the teen's appearance. The adult's eyes widened and collapsed dead.
"Someone's been using my toxin…" the teen muttered before continuing onward, following the trail of destruction. "I'd like to give this person a piece of my mind…"
Quahog, Rhode Island
"I think I see him!" William shouted as he flew beside Nigel and Rachel. "No…that's a mail box…"
"So…any chance on you shedding any light on your disappearance?" Rachel asked.
Nigel sighed. "I was hoping I'd keep you all out of this. Only a few knew of my whereabouts…my Sector, Numbuh Infinity, Chad, and The Society…that's all."
"Remind me to talk to Abby about this later." Rachel muttered as she recalled all the times the former Numbuh 5 had assisted her in trying to locate Nigel.
"I've been far from home…far from Earth. It's called the Galactic Kids Next Door, where only the best of the best from each planet is granted entry. I was the best of the best, they chose me." Nigel narrowed his eyes.
"Well solider…" Rachel spoke softly. "It's great to have you back."
The Society
Harvey McKenzie stomped out of the recreation room, leaving Angelie, Pierre, and Gabe looking on worriedly. Gabe turned to see their satellite feed on the big screen television. They had heard the entire exchange between Nigel and Rachel.
"I think we just screwed Nigel over…" Gabe trailed off.
"He is…what is it you say? The dead cow?" Pierre spoke up.
Quahog, Rhode Island: Outdoor Mall
The Anarchist laughed maniacally as he unloaded a magazine from an MP-5 into a crowd. "Flee! Run rampant! Cause a panic! Cause mass mayhem! Spread my teachings!" The Anarchist shouted. "Fear! Chaos! Pain!"
"You're starting to sound like a broken record!" The Anarchist looked up to see Nigel, Rachel, Sand and William looking down at him as they stood atop The Q bookstore.
"Repetition, it's how the best speakers swayed others to their cause." The Anarchist dropped his MP-5 and drew his staff.
"I'm sure killing them also worked out for them as well." Nigel drew his S.P.I.C.E.R. "Take him down." Nigel leapt down guns blazing.
"So misguided." The Anarchist shook his head as he used his staff to block the oncoming wads of hot sauce. "You think you can beat me? Do you boy." The Anarchist charged forward as Nigel landed on the ground.
"Back him up." Rachel muttered before leaping off the bookstore.
"Seriously who is she?" Sand asked William.
"Rachel T. McKenzie, former Numbuh 362, she used to be my boss…I recall she let me get sent to the Arctic Prison…" William stroked his chin. "I'm thinking if I should hold that against her…"
"Or we could help them…" Sand blinked behind her mask.
"I think I'm going to hold it against her…" William trailed off. Sand shook her head before pushing William off the roof. "Imma hold this against you!"
The Anarchist spun his staff into the air before striking at Nigel. Nigel leapt in the air, evading the staff and landing behind The Anarchist. Nigel punched at The Anarchist, who spun around and blocked with his staff. Rachel pulled out a collapsible staff and charged The Anarchist. The Anarchist kicked Nigel away and struck at Rachel, hitting her staff in its connecting points, breaking it in two.
Rachel jumped back as Nigel jumped into the air, his hand balled into a fist. The Anarchist sidestepped, causing Nigel to miss. Nigel rolled forward, dodging a swipe from The Anarchist. William deployed his propeller weapons and began a hail of sharp pencils. The Anarchist leapt for cover, hiding behind a support pillar. The Anarchist reached into his duffel bag and pulled out a pistol.
The Anarchist shot wildly, the spinning propellers protecting William as he unloaded on The Anarchist's position. The Anarchist looked at his pistol before tossing it aside and reaching into the duffel bag. The Anarchist pulled out a single shot grenade launcher and took aim. William's eyes widened as The Anarchist pulled the trigger. Sand grabbed the back of William's shirt and pulled him aside, dodging the oncoming grenade. The grenade hit the side of The Q, blowing a hole in the wall.
"Whoa." William and Sand looked at the smoking hole in the wall. "That could've been me…"
The Anarchist reloaded his grenade launcher and took aim. "Say 'hi' to the birdie."
"Yeah, no." The Anarchist turned to see a police cruiser speeding towards the outdoor mall. The roof of the police cruiser was removed. Roady stood up from the front passenger seat, his modified S.C.A.M.P.P. already shooting green lasers.
The Anarchist shot wildly at the Prospector manned police cruiser. The grenade exploded beside the police cruiser, causing it to flip and toss the Prospectors out. The Prospectors landed on bushes. "Are we all alright?" Josh asked aloud, earning nods from everyone. "Okay, we're good."
"Wow…I don't think I killed anyone with that." The Anarchist shook his head and tossed the grenade launcher aside. The Anarchist reached into the duffel bag and pulled out an LMG. "Alright, who's first?!"
"Seriously? How many guns does he have in that thing?!" Nigel raised his brows in horror as The Anarchist began to shoot at them with the light machine gun.
"Fun fact, I found the duffel bag on an island called 'Eden', it can hold a lot of stuff." The Anarchist laughed maniacally.
"Well then, mind if I cut in?" Josh asked as he raised his harpoon arm and aimed. The harpoon launched forward at The Anarchist's LMG, cutting it in two.
"Hey! This stuff isn't cheap!" The Anarchist shouted. The Anarchist spun his staff before running out behind cover. The Anarchist charged at Nigel and Rachel, both who ran to opposite sides to avoid The Anarchist. "Oh, divide and conquer…how original."
"Stow it." Nigel ran to punch The Anarchist, as did Rachel. The Anarchist began to spin, swinging his staff, keeping Nigel and Rachel at bay. "Darn it! Sand, grappling hook!"
"On it!" Sand drew her grappling hook, she shot the cord out, latching onto The Anarchist's staff. She double clicked the trigger, snatching the staff out of The Anarchist's hands and hitting William in the face.
"Ow!" William fell over holding his face in pain.
"You all think you can stop me…" The Anarchist laughed. "All that's happened today, all that will happen, is because of today. I have just shown the world what one teen can do, what it can achieve, what the world can be. I've shown them that they can do anything they want!" The Anarchist exclaimed.
"You've only shown the world that you're nothing more than a sick sadistic psychotic." Nigel muttered. "You call yourself 'The Anarchist', as in you are the embodiment of Anarchy. Anarchist don't follow rules, but you're clearly following rules."
"Blasphemy!" The Anarchist exclaimed.
"You follow the rules of 'Fear', the rules of 'Chaos', and the rules of 'Pain'. You are no Anarchist, you're not some teacher or on some crusade to spread the teachings of your religion. You're just a sad, sad teenager who's just trying to be something you're not."
The Anarchist stared at Nigel in silence. "I think you might've gone too far, solider." Rachel whispered.
The Anarchist blinked. "AAAHAHHHHHAHAHAAHHH!" The Anarchist shouted, drawing two guns. The Anarchist shot wildly at everyone and everything. "I am The Anarchist! I will not be undermined by some Bald British twot! I will not stand for this!"
"Everyone take cover!" Nigel shouted as he and Rachel jumped behind a stationary SUV. The Prospectors hid behind The Q as did Sand and William.
Nigel shook his head. "I'm taking him down." Nigel drew his S.P.I.C.E.R. and hopped over the SUV. Nigel let loose with a barrage of hot sauce, knocking The Anarchist's guns out of his hands. Nigel dropped his 2x4 sidearm and rammed into the Anarchist, pushing him back. The Anarchist brought his fists down on Nigel's back. Nigel retaliated by backing up and punching The Anarchist across his face.
Nigel punched The Anarchist in the stomach as he received a punch to the side of his head. Nigel gritted his teeth as punched The Anarchist in the face. The Anarchist spat out a tooth, letting blood begin to flow down his mouth. The Anarchist kicked Nigel in his left knee, expecting Nigel to pull back, only to find Nigel fighting through the pain and deliver twice as many blows.
The Anarchist jumped back, holding his stomach in pain. Nigel scowled at The Anarchist. Nigel balled his hands into fists, cracking his knuckles instantly. "You're finished." Nigel muttered as Rachel, Sand, and the Prospectors walked up behind him, weapons drawn.
"No, I live to fight another day…" The Anarchist smiled as he pulled a detonator out of his pocket. The Anarchist pressed the button on the detonator, causing the duffel bag to explode and smoke to consume everything.
"William, clear this smoke!" Josh shouted as he coughed.
William pulled a switch on his weapons, causing the propellers to spin rapidly. The propellers cleared the smoke within seconds. Nigel glared, finding that The Anarchist had escaped. "Drats!"
"I live to fight another day." The Anarchist limped as he escaped. "After a good night's rest, I'll resume tomorrow, I'll get even with that bald turd, and then the world will fear me as it is consumed in chaos and pain!"
"The only thing to fear around here…" The Anarchist turned to see the tee wearing a costume resembling a puritan preacher with a long black wig, a skeleton mask, and hangmen noose around his neck approach him. "…Is me."
"Take a hike…I'm planning my next villainous scheme." The Anarchist glared at the newcomer. The newcomer drew closer. In a flash, the newcomer drew a syringe and jabbed it into The Anarchist's arm, pressing down and injecting him with the syringe's contents. "Hey!" The Anarchist swatted the syringe away. "Leave, now before I show…before I…before I…oh god…"
Before the Anarchist's eyes, the newcomer's appearance became that of death itself. "I believe you stole certain toxins of mine." The newcomer drew closer, drawing his scythe. "I believe you've given yourself too much credit, you've over stepped yourself."
The Anarchist fell backwards onto the ground. He began to back away from the newcomer, eventually backing into a corner. "P-Please don't hurt me!" The Anarchist's eyes began to bleed as his heart rate sky rocketed.
The newcomer kneeled beside The Anarchist and looked him in the eyes. "Boo." He whispered. The Anarchist fell over, dead.
Nigel and the others turned a corner, their eyes widening at what they found. "Affright…" Sand muttered under her breath.
Affright stood up and faced the group. He tipped his hat and began to walk away. The team only watched as Affright vanished into the burning city.
The Society: Two Hours Later
The team exited the portal opened by Numbuh 8/92. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to hit the hay." Thomas spoke aloud as the portal closed behind them.
"Me…too…" Roady yawned.
"Uno!" The group turned to see Harvey present and walking towards them.
"I'm going to check up on Wiccan." Sand spoke softly.
"Yes?" Nigel raised a brow. Harvey socked Nigel, taking the GKND operative by surprise and knocking him down. Josh and William reached out to hold Harvey back and keep him away from Nigel. Rack and Ruin knelt down beside Nigel to check if he was okay.
"You better stay the hell away from my sister Uno! You already ruined the last three years of her life! You better stay away from her!" Harvey shouted before being dragged away by Josh and William.
"Good thing Numbuh 362 had to head back to TND HQ, right?" Terry asked around.
"You…" Rack began.
"…alright?" Ruin finished.
"No…no I'm not…" Nigel rubbed his bruised cheek. "He was right…I did ruin the last three years of her life…I tend to do that more often then I realize…" Nigel stood and walked to his room, his head hanging low.
Teens Next Door HQ
"The Anarchist is dead, killed by John C. Fright, also known as 'Affright'." Rachel summed up the fate of The Anarchist to Maurice.
"Any idea who he was?" Maurice asked as he sat behind his desk.
"I had a few suspicions; all I can tell was that he was an operative during the Sixth Age of the Kids Next Door." Rachel handed a vanilla folder over to Maurice. "He's dead now, anyways, I don't think we should worry about who he was now."
"Sure, why not." Maurice set the folder aside. "So, Nigel's back from the land of lost children."
"Yep, I think we actually have a chance now to stop Benedict."
"My thoughts exactly." Maurice smiled. "I'd like to speak with him, talk with who he's working with and combine our resources, together we'll stand a greater chance against Benedict."
"I'll get right on it."
"Did you get all of that?" a Teens Next Door operative spoke to a hologram of Benedict Uno.
"Yes, I did." The hologram of Benedict smiled. "I do believe you should throw my favorite nephew a welcome home present Lex, all of you should."
"We will." The teen operative, Lex, placed a helmet over his head as twelve more Teens Next Door operatives readied their weapons for combat. "It'll be the last one he has."
Next time, let's see how corrupt the Teens Next Door really is.