Hello one and all to yet another chapter. We have…a lot to cover in this chapter I must admit so let's get this started shall we?
Oh yes, I almost forgot. Yes, yes a thousand times yes I am late let me explain. I basically post maybe every two to three days but two things happened. Firstly, this chapter was freaking hard to write.
I mean the first draft I had for this chapter was 'okayish' and I could settle for okay because how do you make a political race interesting in a book? And then I looked at it all, proofread and realized it was 10,000 words. That couldn't happen so I scrapped it. I basically rewrote chapter 10, no joke, about 15 times and even now I'm not extremely happy with this chapter so bear with me.
Also, I've been toying with more ideas for other fanfics. I may bring back Grojband. May is the most powerful word but yes I am very much considering revamping the entire original Love with a Price story line because I took some time to reread it with this writer's block I got and man the euphoria hit me hard. So obviously, I may bring back a romance series for Grojband. Other ideas include a romance based fanfic on the Star Wars Rebels series because…I absolutely hate the show and think I could write better screen writing in my sleep. Another one maybe an Adventure Time fanfic that's sort of Game of Thrones based if you know what the series is.
But yes, this all consideration but if this is something you guys want to see then let me know in the review down below. Let's say if I get a new follower, a favorite and three reviews this month I'll release…trailers? I don't know I'll figure it out. Anyway, let's get this chapter out of the way.
Chapter 10 – Hollow
Tick…Tock…Tick…Tock…Tick…Tock…Tick…Tock…
"How…are you feeling Number one?" Number 42 asked. The sound of the metronome on its autonomist march prevalent in the background was ongoing, never stopping. Tick…Tock…
"Purposeless…" Nigel whispered.
"Why do you have no purpose Number one?"
"Because…it's…" Tick…Tock…Tick…Tock… "We're…all gonna get older…we're all going to be adults…we're all going to die…"
"Did Lizzie tell you that?"
"No! No, no, she…" Tick…Tock…Tick…Tock… "She…she didn't."
The sound, the beat of the metronome, was it…getting louder?
"Why are you worrying about dying? You are young…you have survived the war so far. Why do you worry now?"
"I-I…" Tick… "I don't…I don't…" Tock… "I just…I just need to-" Tick…
"Number one?"
"I-I…why- I don't-"
TOCK
Nigel screamed, jumped out of the therapy chair and kicked the metronome off the table. He stomped on it multiple times, picked it up, tore it apart with his bare hands and threw it back down to the ground. He was panting, not from the physicality but from his mental torture of that metronome.
He quickly snapped his neck to look back at Number 42 who probably thought Number one was insane at this point but 42 had the same smile on, jotting notes on his little note pad.
"I'm…I'm sorry about the metronome."
42 shrugged. "I have a drawer filled with them."
"To torture yourself?"
"Not quite." Number 42 got up and walked out of his office. In the hallway he met with Number 362, Number two and Number five. Number 42 removed his glasses and tucked them away in his pocket observing his notes in front of them.
"Nigel…is broken." Number 42 said in a long sigh.
"Number one doesn't break. He's a war veteran. He's lost battles and won countless more! Number one-"
"He couldn't withstand the ticking of a metronome for more than a few seconds Rachel. This is not Number one, this is what's left of Nigel. Number one can't be broken, however, Nigel can. Lizzie didn't break the soldier, she broke the person within."
"What do we do?" Rachel spoke softly. Hands crossed and a determined look on her face, she wanted Number one back and was ready to hand a blank check to 42 to bring him back.
"I…do not know."
"What?! You have to- You're a therapist! It's your job to know how to fix him! You fixed Number two, what's the difference?!"
"I'm sorry Number 362 but Nigel's case is specific to him. It is hard to remove childhood ideals. Before the metronome test, I quizzed Number one on any childhood trauma he could've been exposed too. I came up with nothing." Number 42 continued to flip through his notes.
"However, Number one spoke of a conversation he had with his father. Number one is suffering from a sever cause of monophobia. The reason why Number one reacted the way he did was because he's afraid he'd be alone after he was decommissioned. That if Lizzie left him, he'd have nothing when the KND finally got rid of their most powerful asset. He describes himself as 'purposeless'. It's not that he doesn't have a life. He feels he won't have a life after the KND. That's why I don't have a definite answer at the moment. How does one give purpose to a purposeless individual? I need more time."
Rachel he'll her head, her back to the wall she slid down and cuffed her face with her knees in the fetal position.
"Rachel, there's still the election. We need to focus." Number five reminded.
"I can't leave him like this! He needs m- us!"
"You heard 42. Nigel thinks he has nothing left other than the KND. If that's how Nigel reacted to losing Lizzie imagine if he loses the KND now. We need to win this election to give Nigel more time." Number five debated.
"Number five is right," Number two coined in. "I'll stay and watch over Number one. You two and everyone else focus on winning this race. Call me if you need me."
Rachel sighed but she nodded in reply. Her facial expression turned from sadness to complete determination. She jumped up and patted Abby on the shoulder to follow her leaving Number two and 42 alone with Nigel.
Number three hasn't left the room with Number four since we last saw them. She refuses to leave Number four's arms. Why would she? She feels safe and protected, as if the world is a whole more simple within his arms.
She awoke within his grasp. Number four was already wide awake swiping away on a device of some sort.
"What…you looking at?" Kuki asked with curiosity laced in her voice. She nuzzled her face in his chest and hummed silently, arms wrapped around his body. This was the best sleep she has ever had.
"We're missing a lot Kuki. I mean geez. We can't leave for a minute before the world starts falling part huh? I mean, 362 and 86 was almost assassinated. Hoagie got elected head of the Air forces," Wally chuckled a bit. "Proud of the bugger."
"He deserves it." Kuki hummed keeping her eyes closed. She was trying to pretend the world outside of this room did not exist.
"Whoa," Wally expressed as he read the title of the article. "Lizzie curses at Nigel Uno and Rachel curses back, what does this mean for the presidential race?" Wally sighed. "We should get back out there. I could walk this off."
"What? N-no! I mean. They've been doing fine without us so far. They don't need us right now and I mean, come on its politics! It'd bore you."
Wally sighed. He started petting Kuki's hair unknowingly. It soothed them both. Kuki loved his affection and Wally all of a sudden loved showing it. Kuki wanted to question why all of a sudden Wally was so affectionate. Before, Wally was terrible at this stuff.
Number five always made jokes in her head about Wally's feelings for Kuki and vice versa. How two people could like each other for such a long time and be oblivious of it was beyond Abby's understanding.
Number four wondered why his very old and prominent yet 'newly discovered' emotions for Number three was all of a sudden popping up. Better yet, why was he dealing with them so well?
Before, he'd simply push Number three away when he wanted her close by and now they're in the same bed together just lying there innocently exploring their new emotions like some 'lovey dovey' teenagers. But Wally just dropped the thought and presumed he hit his head in the right way on that mission.
Kuki made her way up to Wally's face. She placed her forehead on Wally's cheek and hummed to him.
"I don't want this to end Wally." She looked him in the eyes and he looked back and the gaze commenced, her soft eyes instantly capturing Wally's attention.
He held her cheek and smiled. He whispered back, "It doesn't have too."
They were so close yet the distance between them felt miles apart. Kuki started closing the distance and Wally followed close behind. Her eyes closed, she inched closer and closer. They both weren't sure how this alluring feeling took over, they weren't sure they cared.
Their noses rubbed together and a little closer their lips brushed together. Just a brush, skin touching skin, nothing more but then Kuki cocked her head and finally went in. They kissed and an explosion of emotions erupted.
It lasted five seconds and Kuki drew back almost seeming as if she panicked. Her face was hot and red with a sheepish smile on. She timidly chuckled.
"That was…that was nice."
Wally frowned. "You-You didn't like it?"
"What? No! Of course I-"
A knock on the door shook the two out of their love induced trance. Kuki almost screamed for whomever to leave but she annoyingly went to answer the door anyway. She almost shouted for the people to leave when she realized it was 362 and Number five at the last second.
"Kuki, we need you." Rachel claimed.
Kuki raised a brow and Wally sat up in the background while Abby saw their red cheeks and began connecting dots. She'd have to mentally prepare herself for the conversation between her and Kuki when this election was over.
"Need me? For what?"
"Kuki, I want you to be my VP."
"Excuse me?"
"Kuki, I need you. You're an expertise in public relations. You're a doll for the camera and you're not afraid to tell me when I'm doing something wrong. You're perfect and I need you."
"W-well Number four needs me too! I can't just leave him!"
Number five placed a hand on Kuki's shoulder. She revealed her eyes and the only emotion Kuki could see was pain.
"Kuki…have you read the news?" Kuki turned her head to Wally and Wally eyed them all scrolling through the news article he lightly scanned through before and rigorously searching for what they're referring too.
"Number one-"
"Attempted what?!" Number four exclaimed cutting 362 off. Wally immediately threw off his blanket and popped out of the bed cringing but refusing to let pain hold him down. "Tell me who to beat up." He bluntly said.
"Yeah," Kuki agreed. "Who are we tearing apart?" She finished between gritted teeth.
Three Weeks Later
Number two was breathing hard as he ran on the treadmill. With nothing on but an A-shirt, joggers and a towel sling over the back of his neck Number two continued his new hobby of working out with Ace and took the opportunity to invite Number one.
While Ace and Number two were on the treadmills Number one watched them while lifting some small weight. He easily could've lifted it but he wanted to pretend he was doing something at least.
Some passersby quickly scuttled pass Number one shooting him worried glances which only annoyed him. Screw depression and purposelessness, Number one hated sympathy, it made him feel weak when he really wasn't.
In front of them were a few flat screen TVs displaying various programs but soon all cartoons and kid dramas stopped to broadcast the news of the first presidential debate.
"Why a debate so early?" Ace questioned.
"Well, the deal for peace can't wait for a new change in leadership so we have to do this quickly. We're really only having one big debate to call it all. I guess that's why 362 was so worried. A lot of kids may just start going eenie-meenie-miney-mo."
"Boys and girls, may we please put our hands together for our two runners for PKND! Here we have our first runners James Nixon McGarfield and his Vice Presidential candidate Lizzie Devine!"
Ace gave two middle fingers as he watched them walk out onto the stage and to their respective podiums. Number two slapped his hands away as they were blocking the TV screen a bit but mostly due to Number one.
"Ah come on, our boy's tougher than that, eh hermano?" Ace asked Number one but he half-heartedly nodded back. Number one did watch though, a part of him knew that if James won, Lizzie won. And if she won then no one was stopping him from using that airlock.
"And here are our challengers! Number 362 as our previous supreme leader, Rachel McKenzie and running as her VP Number three of the prominent sector V, Kuki Sanban!"
The crowd cheered for both parties which was a worrying sign already. The speaker for that night was a white boy with very shiny white hair wearing a suit, glasses and a tie looking very professional indeed.
The stage was round and black surrounded by a whole slew of kids and KND operatives surrounded it. The speaker sat in the center of the stage with a swivel chair as the two parties stood behind podiums.
"Will the two opposing parties shake hands as a sign of goodwill?" The speaker asked but, while Lizzie's and James' 'sign of goodwill' was shown they had snarky looks on their faces so both Kuki and Rachel pretended as if the two didn't even give the gesture. Many in the crowd booed but many others applauded.
Number two gave Nigel a slight nudge as he stepped off the treadmill ready to lift some weights. He sat next to Number one and patted him on the back.
"You know everything's going to be alright…right?" Number two explained and asked at the same time but Nigel just half nodded again still pretending he was a strong wall when he has crumbled long ago.
"Come on Number one, Lizzie's not the only bird in the air." Ace claimed as he picked up two medium sized weights and started lifting.
"Yeah, there are plenty of girls to chase after. Look at Rachel! She seems pretty into you." Number two grabbed a weight and started lifting not noticing a shocked look on Number one's face.
"Rachel? No, she's my superior she can't-"
"You American's are as blind and deaf as bats with love you know? Where I'm from, if a girl has mild feelings for you, mild as water, you just know and yet we got Number one and four here can't sense a thing man. One of these days, I'm going to drag all of you to Mexico to become men in a boy's body."
The thought turned Nigel's perspective of reality on its head. Love? From Rachel? Was it truly possible?
"She can't possibly…"
"Listen to me mi amigo, Rachel's been more worried about you then you are worried about you. She ran a marathon around this base trying to find you."
"S-she was simply doing her duty as the supreme leader at the time. I'm an asset that was-"
"What do you mean asset? You're talking like you're some file inside one of Lizzie's folders." Number two stated pushing Nigel out of that thought. "Dude, Lizzie's not your girlfriend any more. She isn't anything to you any more, especially with what she did? Now that's she's gone, find someone else! You could've done better than Lizzie by staying single if you ask me."
"But…Lizzie said-"
"Who are you going to listen to Number one? Your best friend? Or Lizzie who could go jump out an airlock herself? She treated you like some tool you use and cast aside when you're done."
Nigel held his head, the revelations gushing in.
Ace held his knee and looked him in the eyes. "Look, you don't need a girl to keep yourself alive. You're not dying and Lizzie wasn't the thing keeping you alive. She was dragging you down and trying to kill you. You want yourself a real girl? Start talking to your soon to be president." Ace pointed to the TV screen as the camera conveniently zoomed in onto Rachel.
Nigel had to admit he was staring. For the first time since Lizzie's break up with Number one he'd felt hallow, purposeless. Now, Nigel felt like fighting a war.
Without warning Nigel ran out the gym door way too fast for Hoagie or Ace to hold him back. They quickly put the weights away and sprinted after Number one.
"Alright then," the speaker said adjusting his glasses. "The first part of the debate will be either party stating why they are better than the other. Let's start with James' party first."
"Thank you Mr. Speaker. Now first off I'd like to remind everyone of this war. This is why we're all here, from the common kid who just wants to play in the sand pits and swing on the swing sets, the KND operatives themselves and the 1% of kids with that huge pack of crayons that we just can't find in the supermarket. It affects all of us and none of it is good. My first plan when I am elected is to immediately start negotiations with both teens and adults."
Many operatives booed but a few of the ordinary kids cheered.
"Now, let's be honest with ourselves! Wouldn't it be great if we got along with the adults? Now, believe you me as your president I will fight day in and day out for the rights of every single kid until I am one no more! Now the speaker asked me to say why I'm a better candidate than Rachel over there and I'll say it real simple! This war must be put to an end so we can start being the diplomatic kids we are. This war must end so we can make the KND great again!"
Many more kids cheered for James, some even gave standing ovations for the quick and somewhat charming speech. After the speaker silenced the crowd of kids he motioned for Rachel to speak.
"My fellow operatives, my fellow kids on the right and left side of the playground, please hear me. My opponent is nothing but a thug in kid's clothing. Both Kuki and I are the only ones here with experiences in leading other than James who's only experience is running a grade and threatening kids' snow days."
The crowd booed Rachel for speaking the truth but a few more of the operatives who fought that day stood and clapped shouting for James to do not so pleasant things to himself.
"That is false, absolutely false Mr. Speaker. I was not in charge of that whatsoever."
"Mr. McGarfield, I'm going to need you to stay quiet it is-"
"This is a fabrication of a story nothing but fake news. Fake news everybody."
"Mr. McGarfield, please."
"See? He is now trying to deny it boys and girls! So he plans an attack on the KND and he cannot even own up to it. That attack was repulsed by no one else other than the KND's finest operatives!"
This really got a standing ovation. Almost all of the operatives stood up.
"Believe you me," Kuki spoke into the microphone. "I was a KND operative before I choose to be Rachel's VP. I can promise you that our goal is to end this war but right now the adults think they hold every single card to win this war. If we make peace with the adults and the teens we will enter an era of adults ruling over us kids with an iron fist! If James does win and does go ahead with this foolhardy plan, he will have no other choice to work for kids' rights until he is one no more and that's if…he even wants to fight!"
Kids from all degrees cheered and booed James throwing more and more insults his way.
"Where does James' allegiance lie? He was imprisoned because he fought against the KND! Lizzie Devine is a known adult sympathizer and disregard missions launched by the KND countless times! Do you want two untrustworthy candidates to fight for you at a table with nothing to lose on their part but so much to lose for the KND? Or do you want two hardened operatives who are ready to lose tooth and nail fighting for kids' and teens' rights on the battlefield until Father himself wants to come to the negotiating table?"
The crowd's uproar was deafening. Shouting for Rachel's cause couldn't be subsided by the speaker for a few minutes.
"Alright then," The speaker said clearing his throat. "A rebuttal Mr. McGarfield?"
"Yes Mr. Speaker but I'd like my VP to do the talking for me."
"Thank you James," Lizzie had a slick look on her face when she slithered to the microphone. Rachel threw every glare and obscene word she could simply through her eyes.
Lizzie looked back at her and smiled as if she's the bigger candidate when Rachel was thinking of every way to Sunday she could throw her out an airlock legally.
"Mr. Speaker, kids of all creeds. I have only a few things to say about my opponent. She's not fit to lead. Now, she might seem relatable however, she's been losing this war. Look at the famous sector V6. Still besieged by Mr. Fizz…Should we throw more operatives into risk to fight off that siege and rescue those operatives?"
Some booed, some cheered.
"Diplomacy is the best and only way! I implore you my friends! A vote for James is a vote for peace!"
"Wrong!"
A shout rung out quieting the entire room, Number one stood at the entrance of the door for the crowd. Behind him was Number 86 and Number four and five along with Hoagie and Ace, they held in their hands small pistols of the mustard variety but didn't raise them.
"What is the meaning of this?" The speaker asked shocked.
"Mr. Speaker, I have evidence that James McGarfield cannot run for this race and neither can Lizzie Devine." Number one said, he clipped and on cue a few small explosions sounded in the room.
The explosions were flashbangs blinding everyone but hurting none. When everyone's sight was returned to them everyone was shocked to see Number 86's special decommissioning squad were holding James and Lizzie at gun point.
"These two stand accused of conspiring with adult and teen sedition forces!" Number 86 shouted.
"You can't prove anything! This is a fabrication to kick us out of the election!" James shouted not afraid that operatives were holding him at gun point.
Number one, five and 86 stepped down to the stage and Number 86 threw a file into the speaker's lap while Ace and Hoagie also held Lizzie and James at gun point. The speaker opened it, adjusted his glasses and read it aloud.
"My fellow KND operatives and kids, this is important, please listen as I read this document aloud. 'In a joint effort between…the organization known as the Teens Next Door a secretive unit of KND operatives that were not decommissioned and infiltrated the Teens' ranks have found that there is a group known as the Splinters whose goal is to take over both the Teens' and KND's leadership. Two of the Splinters' members are Lizzie Devine and James' Nixon McGarfield.' This is very…troubling but how can we know this is true?"
Number five pulled out a holopad and threw it to the floor. On cue a huge holograph of Maurice turned up. Maurice, in the form of a blue hologram had his hands behind his back.
"My name is Maurice, Number 9 of Sector V. My fellow kids, I am far older than many of you but I believe in your mission and I have continued to fight for each and every one of you under the Teens Next Door. In my time in this organization I have destroyed the chicken pox outbreak, sabotaged many teen plots and have transferred many secret documents to the KND high command. My most recent work…has been uncovering the Splinter terrorist group."
Maurice looked down and saw Lizzie and James being held back. They had glares on their faces.
"Not only are James and Lizzie apart of Splinter, they have recruited innocent kids to assist them in their work. James has recruited a girl named Anna Worthington while Lizzie has been trying to recruit Number one through their relationship. However, through his undying loyalty for the KND, Number one resisted every step of the way."
"Yeah, yeah, we get it douchebag." Lizzie shouted to Maurice's hologram.
Maurice rolled his eyes.
"I implore you KND operatives and kids. Choose the right option. Choose Rachel for president of the KND. She hasn't abused her power before. She isn't going to start now. Rachel has my full endorsement as PKND. And, as always," Maurice puffed out his chest and saluted.
"Kids Next Door rules!"
The entire audience stood up and saluted to Maurice's disappearing hologram. All went quiet, with this information given to them, the crowd wanted James to go back to where he once came, a prison cell.
Lizzie tapped on her microphone. "This still on?"
"Any last words before I shove you into a decommissioning chamber Lizzie?" 86 said, she always wanted to decommission Lizzie.
"Obviously," Lizzie cleared her throat. "You know…I was a kid. I liked it at first…it got boring. I told myself I'd love being an adult…I'd love going to work, getting things done, being a good member of society. You know what? I'm going to do that. I just need to be a little more mature."
"Take her away." 86 commanded. The squad eased closer to her, one put his hand on her shoulder to detain her.
"And you know what?" Lizzie said in the microphone. "I'm starting right-"
Number two noticed two marble explosives between Lizzie's fingers she held behind her back. With no other warning, he grabbed Ace and another close by operative and dived down with them in his arms to save who he could. He shouted "Get down!"
"Now." Lizzie said casually as an explosion rocked right behind her. A black puff a smoke accompanied with small fires rocked the room and covered up Lizzie's disappearance. Unarmed operatives and kids ran out of the room knowing this wasn't their war to wage.
The decommissioning squad who weren't able to duck down was seen lying flat on the stage with not much expression on their faces. Burn marks on their armor and faces were seen but not Lizzie, only James who was running back stage.
"After him!" 86 shouted. She along with Number four ran after James while Kuki and 362 were still taking cover from the explosion. Lizzie, after what seems to be ages, finally fell down from her leap with impressive hang time.
She dropped down and scissor kicked two more decommissioning squad members and held another as her hostage. With only Number five and one ready for a fight they stood together watching Lizzie.
"Number one, this might not be the right time to say this but I've always looked forward to kicking Lizzie's butt." Number five said cracking her knuckles.
"Love to see you try sweety." Lizzie quickly kicked her hostage on top of Number one and five and tried to make her escape but Ace, still dazed from the sudden tackle and explosion, shot at her. He missed most of his shots down to his current condition but one hit her on her hand throwing the weapon out of her grasp.
Lizzie took no time to retrieve the weapon but continued her escape opposite of James' escape route running away where the crowd ran. After quickly getting the operative off them they pursued Lizzie out the door.
"Come back here so I can wipe the memory you little turd!" 86 shouted as they chased after James back stage.
James wasn't as they were but he really depended on his environment to slow them down. He threw down chairs and tables to make his escape possible and their pursuit difficult.
He ran back stage where Anna was and quickly grabbed her hand refusing to explain anything to her. Number four fired a few shots at them that missed but 86 quickly lowered his weapon.
"Don't shoot! Civilian!"
"What civilian?! He has Anna!"
"You heard Number 9! Anna is innocent! Doesn't matter if we don't like her, we need her for interrogation! Capture Anna! Do what you will with James!"
"You're the boss!"
Quickening their pace they were catching up with James as Anna was slowing him down even more. She was asking questions left and right wanting to know what was going on and James was giving her no response but panicked gasps for air as he ran.
James got out the back room and into a long hallway barring the door to make more time for them. Looking left and right he ran to the right towards a nearby hangar. It was his only escape at the time and precisely his plan.
"James?! What's happening!? Why are they chasing- Where are you taking me?!"
"Would you just shut up and run?!" James pulled her into another room. It was dark and on the small side but their pursuers hadn't noticed they were inside there yet.
"Tell me what's-"
"Shut it! Just shut up! You ask too much questions for your own good! We're leaving Anna."
"Leaving?! You mean to tell me those things they said were true? Y-You work for Father?!"
"Anna you're asking more fricking questions I said-"
"No, no, I'm not shutting it! I'm tired of this! I'm tired of you!"
"Lower. Your. Voice."
"No, this isn't fair to me James. You're not telling me anything, you make decisions without my input you-"
"I don't-"
"You brought Lizzie onto your team out of the clear blue. You told me you were done with her. You told me we had something special James! You told me-"
James simply shoved Anna out of the room and made a run for it. He ran so fast even his black hat was left behind along with Anna. She just sat there, crying her eyes out as Number 86 and Number four stopped to arrest her.
"He…he left me." She whispered as Number four took a knee next to her.
"You stay with her. I'm going to get this little troll." 86 ran off without much input from Number four on the matter. Number four had trouble doing this but it was his job and this was how he had to treat the situation. Number four called for backup as he started to arrest Anna.
"Anna Worthington, you have the right to remain silent-"
"Oh my God please no." Anna said as she continued to cry. Number four didn't make it any easier as he pulled out a pair of handcuffs.
"If you give up the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a-" Anna crying turned into a hollering cutting Number four's train of thought. He already had trouble remembering to recite the rights of kids.
"Court of law…You have the right to an attorney. If you desire an attorney and cannot afford one, an attorney will be obtained for you before questioning."
Anna didn't say anything as a two operatives came and assisted with the arrest. Number four never enjoyed this aspect of his job but he knew he couldn't cherry pick anyone.
James darted towards the hangar bay. The two guards standing at the ready noticed his pursuer and immediately knew to start firing. They pulled out their gumball pistols but James was quicker on the draw with his bubblegum revolver hitting them directly in their eyes.
He sprinted inside with 86 hot on his tails. She had no time to check on the condition of the operatives so she ran past them and into the hangar as well.
James shoved and pushed past many of the operatives that got in his way and wasn't picky about the craft he jumped in. He didn't care, as long as it flew. He quickly jumped into a Skyclaw and booted up the engines.
Out of harm's way of 86 just grabbing him she pulled out her mustard pistol and shot the craft anyway, spouting orders for the kids in charge of the hangar to close the doors.
The doors eased doors but it was too late, the Skyclaw flew out and the closed doors only made it harder for any other Skyclaws to get out and chase after James. 86 immediately ordered for craft to pursue the now air born James.
Lizzie was heading for Area E, pushing and shoving kids out of her way and karate kicking anyone trying to stop her. Number five and one were hot on her tail not bothering to check on anyone Lizzie had the convenience to place a flying jump kick across their cheeks.
"How did you not know this was your girlfriend?!" Number five shouted as they continued their chase.
"What do you mean?!" Number one shouted firing a few rounds of mustard at Lizzie. She quickly dodged the mustard shots with a few twirls and continued running much faster than they could have ever anticipated.
"I don't know, what you make of that?!"
"What?! She did ballet! I don't know how she turned super ninja in a few seconds!"
Lizzie kept her pace and jumped up with a few fancy moves and ran on the wall. As she did, she twirled and threw a marble explosive at their feet. Abby and Nigel covered their faces from the heat, turned their heads to avoid any fragments and saw Lizzie standing in wait.
"Can't kill us that easily!" Number five shouted.
"Oh really? It only took a conversation with Nigel." Abby growled and sprinted forward with Lizzie waiting in defensive stance.
She jumped and faked a kick throwing a punch to Lizzie's gut instead. Lizzie grabbed her fist at the last second and head butted Abby. She stumbled back holding her forehead and threw another few punches landing only one.
Lizzie took a step back after Number five landed a punch across her right cheek and got back in her defensive stance. She fought a grin on her face which only made her look more deranged than she did already.
"Come on, you could do better than that."
Number five spun and pulled out another mustard pistol firing them both simultaneously. Lizzie dodged each one and grabbed Abby's arm and redirected it to her stomach trying to pull the trigger for her but Number one jumped in and kicked her right in the face.
She stumbled back and threw a marble. Number one jumped up to dodge it but behind him, a staggered Number five wasn't able to move out of the way fast enough.
She did block most of the force with her crossed arms and shear will power but the explosion threw her back leaving a few burn marks and an unconscious Abby.
Number one pulled out his pistol and tried to fire a shot but Lizzie quickly grabbed his arm and kneed him in his stomach and his groin. Number one fell to the ground in the fetal position to hold his aching parts but Lizzie didn't let him doing a kick and a back flip that landed Number one on his back.
"I'm not even an operative," Lizzie got cocky and checked her nails. "I thought you were good at your job baby."
Before Lizzie could realize he was on his feet he was already in her face. He punched her in her stomach and twice in the face. She stepped back in the shock and confusion and clenched her stomach instantly getting jumped kicked in the face.
She slid back, in full defensive posture and checked her nose. A trickle of blood running down to her lip made her chuckle.
"Now…now that's the Nigie I know."
Number one sprinted forward in a flash. Lizzie couldn't block any attacks he threw at her punching and kicking and throwing her back onto the defensive. With one last huge kick he threw her a considerable distance down the hall.
She posed in her defensive stance only noticing her wrist watch beeping a green light but she disregarded it and continued her madden gaze at Nigel.
"Now- now that was impressive. My turn." Lizzie pulled out a single marble between her fingers and held it like it was her trump card. Nigel raised a brow.
"You can't beat me with one marble."
"Who said anything about one?"
Lizzie threw the marble with an expertise only matched by Number five. She threw it to the wall and it ricocheted to the other parallel wall until it somehow redirected to Nigel's feet.
He dodged the explosive and quickly made his way forward with Lizzie throwing more marbles for Nigel to dodge. He flipped and twirled and parried them all until he made his last move lunging forward.
Lizzie made her last move as well. With her hand filled with marbles, she threw three towards Nigel.
One marble went to the right wall, the next to the left and the last went and hit the ceiling and came back down all converging on Number one. He saw them all and knew he couldn't dodge them all.
He was already moving forward, not much he could do there. If he dodged them all and kept moving forward Lizzie would have a clear shot at him and he didn't know if she had any more marbles to throw.
So, with no other choice, Number one caught all but one of the marbles leaving him posing with the left and right marble in hand but the one coming from the ceiling landing right at his feet throwing him back a tad.
However, not beaten, Number one threw the marbles right back and lunged forward again. Just like a game of dodge ball, Lizzie dodged one marble and caught the other throwing it to her feet. It threw Nigel back as he was so close to tackling her and it threw her back as well.
The last marble however, destroyed the airlock behind Lizzie.
As the structural integrity was ripped away from the airlock doors and space was tearing it away, Lizzie cackled.
"Bye sweety." She said, as if rubbing salt in the wounds Number one had finally mended.
The space doors were ripped away and the vacuum sucked them both towards the grave of space. Lizzie fully accepted it as Number one struggled to latch onto something.
Out in space, Lizzie drifted for a few seconds until James flew by and picked her up. She quickly drifted into the open hatch of the Skyclaw and the hatch closed behind her. They blasted and away and made their escape.
Number one was almost still trying to tackle her before Number five grabbed him from drifting off into space. She threw him to the other side of the destroyed hallway so he could latch onto something as well and she pressed a button on a nearby control panel turning on a shield of energy that stopped the vacuum from pulling them in.
Number five breathed a much needed breath as she peered over to Number one who was visibly still very angry. He basically shouted in his wrist watch "Number two, get in the air and shoot them down."
Number two and Ace were already in separate Skyclaws and, along with their squad of planes flew out to pursue James and Lizzie.
"Father, we're making our escape. We're compromised." Lizzie said in her wrist watch but Father had already known.
"You children really don't know me…I have eyes everywhere. Just make a break for Earth. You'll have support."
"Yes Father." They said in unison and James went full throttle towards Earth.
"Listen to me! I don't care if you guys have morals! Those are two kids that have knowledge of the KND's secrets! You have a blank check from Number 362 herself boys. Shoot to kill!"
James' Skyclaw quickly flew past many of the KND capital ships batteries. Their fire was inaccurate but it forced James to maneuver which slowed him down.
Twisting and twirling to avoid the laser fire, Number two and Ace along with their squadron were in hot pursuit. Suddenly, Number two's worst fears came to fruition.
"The adult fighters! Break! Break formation! I said break!" Ace screamed into his comlink. Their squadron turned tail and ran as the fighters flew at break neck speeds towards them. That allowed Lizzie and James to make their escape.
Number two and Ace were not about to let the fighters get their way however. They flew towards two of the fighters and the fighters flew towards them. Ace and Hoagie were ready to fire but Number 362 popped up on their screens.
"Break off your attack! Get back to the capital ships formation and don't get ambitious!"
"But-"
"I am not losing my best pilots!" Rachel shouted at the thought of back talk from Number two. Ace knocked his control panel with his fist and waved off his attack followed by Number two. They blasted their engines towards the safety of the capital ships of the KND where the rest of their squadron was commanded to stay.
The adult fighters win yet again. The election is over with Rachel and Kuki obviously the victors of the race and the KND pulled out a very hollow victory. And, maybe with Anna, they can get some more answers as well.
But, with the threat of the adult fighters still very much looming, is this really a win?
I don't know…don't ask me.
Anyway guys please let me know down below how you feel about the other fanfic ideas. Should I try it out? Let me know down below. Also, if any of you are wondering. God no I did not write the Grojband: Love with a Price and The Price can't be Paid recently. I have debated taking them down but no. They are a stern reminder of what happens when you don't proofread. Have a good one everybody.