The first chapter! Finally! I won't rant on here and get straight to the point. As with the Prologue, the Chapters will be just as long, or maybe longer and so I'll split them up into smaller sections because 1. It's easier to read and take in and 2. I still haven't finished writing this chapter! For all new chapters I will post the name of the main chapter and the name of the sub-chapter after like so:

Chapter 2 - A New Era

Chapter 2-1 – Final Thoughts

Three months after the battle of Father. Two years and three months after the events of Operation I.N.T.E.R.V.I.E.W.S.

It had been about two years since Numbuh 1 left for the GKND. A lot of things have changed since then. Some for the better, some for the worse. And things were still changing now. They were now 12 years old, approaching 13. It was still a while away but the thought of it was in the back of their minds.

Summer went by too fast for Sector V. The summer since the horrendous battle that took place at the Delightful Mansion. It was something everyone wanted to forget. Rarely did they go on missions during that summer; it was summer vacation after all. For those few moments they could forget the Kids Next Door, forget their responsibilities, forget the traumatic events that have burned into their memories. They could act and play like normal kids.

Gradually they matured, both physically and mentally. Numbuh 4 grew rapidly thanks to puberty and was as tall as Numbuh 5. Numbuh 2 was slowly healing. Without the stress of missions and more free time, he was able to go out more and hang out with his friends and in his spare time he went out to run. Numbuh 3 kept holding sleepovers almost every night. It was a great summer.

The next thing they knew their summer was finished. While they refused to admit the dreaded day was coming, it was something they all had to face. Supreme Leaders were almost always picked from sectors which had little team affiliation so it was surprising when 362 chose Numbuh 5 to be the next Supreme Leader.

This of course meant they would be separated even more, something neither of them could bear. As the day fast approached Sector V became just a little more disheartened with each passing day. They wouldn't be able to hang out together. Numbuh 5 would be busy on the Moon Base. It was too far and too soon for them.

"Don't forget us Numbuh 5." Numbuh 2 said. There was a lot of sadness in his voice.

"I won't Numbuh 2. I won't." She went over and hugged him as tightly as she could without hurting him. He was still suffering from his injuries.

Abby looked at Kuki and they smiled before giving each other a friendly hug.

"Thanks Kuki…" Abby whispered. The tears rolling down her cheeks. Kuki responded by hugging her tighter.

Numbuh 4 and 5's eyes met and they shared a knowing glance. Shee put her hand on his shoulder and he simply nodded.

"Don't let us down Numbuh 5."

The Moon Base conference hall was filled with operatives as they came to watch the decommissioning of their Supreme Leader. Other operatives who were still affected by their injuries from the battle with Father three months ago still watched from their treehouses; the recent memories still in the minds of many. It was also the last time the KND have been called for a formal meeting so the mood was undoubtedly somber.

There were only a few minutes left before 362 would have to face centre stage and give her last speech as a KND operative. Numbuh 5 stood next to her.

They were too nervous to say anything to each other. To be honest, there was nothing to be said. It was an emotional moment for the both of them as a million thoughts raced through their heads.

It seemed like forever before an operative called her on stage.

"362, errm…Rachel, you're up."

Rachel took a deep breath before emerging onto stage where it felt like the whole world was watching.

It was a rule in the GKND that when the leader which the operative came from was to be decommissioned, they could take time off missions to watch it. Numbuh 1 was sitting in his quarters in his treehouse watching on the digital hologram screen as he saw Rachel take step to the stage. The entire audience burst in applause as the camera panned over to them. Numbuh 1 continued to observe in silence.

The applause quickly stopped when the Rachel tapped on the microphone.

He looked hard at her, thinking of what might be going through her head.

"Well everyone, it's my birthday, and now that I'm a teenager, you know what's going to happen. There's nothing more that needs to be said about that." Numbuh 1 could see Rachel was nervous. It wasn't a surprise.

"The last time you were all here, was because of the fight against Father. One that showed the bravery and courage of the Kids Next Door and for that I cannot be happier knowing I have been a part of that.

"But also, we cannot forget…" she paused for a moment, "those who…who lost their lives. And facing the decommissioning chamber, I don't know if I should feel relieved I shall forget such a tragic moment, or angry because I will forget those who laid down their own lives for us."

Numbuh 1 remembered the day when he got the file. It was on the floor on the front door of his room. The battle against Father; he read the mission report and just reading it gave him a heavy feeling. He read the injury list. He read the costs it would have. He read the cause of his rampage, which was classified 'for Sector V eyes only'. He read what happened to his teammates. He read the casualty report, when five operatives from the renowned Sector BFTT were killed in action. He never knew Sector BFTT that well, but their reputation exceeded them. He spent five days shutting himself off from everyone else from that day. He felt numb.

"There were a lot of things I've seen during my time here as Supreme Leader and without a doubt these past few months have been something of a shock for me." Numbuh 1 wondered what she meant by that. Surely it couldn't just be the battle against Father? "I had some regrets. There were times where I wished now I could go back and take a chance at something. There were times where I could've avoided pointless conflicts.

"Many of you right now are given the choice on whether to dwell on your regrets or move past them. I don't have that option and while it may seem as a good thing at first, the regrets we remember are just a way of reminding us we're kids. We can't make the right decisions all the time and that's normal. It's something I wish I will still have…"

Rachel was approaching the end of her speech. She was slowing down and averting her eyes from the audience and Numbuh 1 couldn't help but look more intensely into the screen, into her.

"I can't show how much I'm going to miss all of you. Being here was one of the best things that ever happened to me and even if I forget you guys, even if I forget the missions or the parties and sleepovers, I wish that I would never have to forget this feeling. The feeling of being happy. I don't know if I'll ever have that feeling as a teenager." Tears were starting to form in her eyes, but she kept pushing on

"My friends…you're who I'm going to miss the most. Even when I'm a teenager, I know I will have this feeling inside me, this feeling that I'm missing something. And that will be you. You know who you are." Rachel looked up at where 2, 3 and 4 were sitting and they returned a smile. She looked to her left and saw Numbuh 5, patiently and nervously waiting until she calls her on stage and she gave a nod or recognition. They know. Rachel thought, content with that fact.

"Just keep doing what you're doing. Even if we're growing up, remember where you came from! You're Kids Next Door and that's something you should never forget!" she faced the crowd and they cheered. Not a loud cheer, but one that showed meaning, that they knew who they were. Rachel managed a small smile

A small troop of guards took position on the left and right of the stage with Muskets in hand. The troop leader took charge between them.

"Weapons ready!"

The guards raised their weapons.

"Aim!"

The Muskets pointed upward diagonally toward the ceiling.

"Fire!"

Both sides fired, the mustard flying into the air and hitting the other projectile mustard from the other side, bursting into small mustard fireworks which rained down onto the stage.

"Present arms!"

Muskets soldered, all of them gave a salute. And it was followed by applause from the audience as they marched off stage and Rachel began to speak again.

"I'm sure you're curious as to who the new Supreme Leader is. Many of you already know her either personally or through her reputation. I won't dwell anymore and cut to the chase. Kids Next Door, your new Supreme Leader, Numbuh 5!"

Nigel almost fell of his chair as he saw Numbuh 5 walk up stage and hugged Rachel. He was somewhat surprised, but he knew Abby had the qualities of a good leader. Nigel smiled to himself, feeling proud for his friend.

The camera zoomed in on Sector V showing Numbuhs 2, 3 and 4. They were clapping for their friend. Numbuh 3 was cheering loudly and Numbuh 2 gave a thumbs up and Numbuh 5 waved back.

Under the loud applause, Rachel whispered close to Abigail.

"Abby, I hope you're ready. Because it's time for me to go."

"I guess so…"

"You'll be fine Abby. Don't worry about me." She gave a small smile.

"I'm going to miss you Rachel, we all are."

"I know. And for that I am so thankful." Abby smiled back and nodded.

"Please walk with me."

They walked over to the decommissioning module. A single chamber designed to wipe out all memories being in the Kids Next Door.

"Kids Next Door!" Rachel yelled. "Remember! We're kids! Never stop thinking that. Ever."

Rachel quickly turned to Abby, "I'll miss you."

"Me too Rachel. I'll miss you too."

Nigel watched as the small chamber door opened. There was some hesitancy in Rachel's step, but she stepped in bravely.

The door quickly sealed shut as she was fully inside and Rachel turned around to look outside through the little glass slit.

-Doors sealed. Beginning decommissioning process. Operative for decommissioning: Numbuh 362. Initiating countdown sequence. 10-

You had a good run Rachel. You said everything that needed to be said. I wish I could've stayed for a few more minutes though.

-9…-

I wonder what will happen? I hope I won't be mean to kids after this.

-8…-

I hope the friends I make won't be mean to kids. I really hope not…

-7…-

Abby will do great! I know she will.

-6…-

So why do I feel like I'm still forgetting something?

-5…-

I can't believe how Sector V was willing to make me happy. I wish I didn't have to forget them.

-4…-

Thank you guys for everything. You were such great friends…If we meet again I know I'll feel something!

-3…-

Sector V...

-2…-

Wait! Nigel! Did he see me? Was he watching? I didn't get to see him…I didn't get to tell him! Rachel you can't cry now. You can't think of him again!

-1…-

Nigel!

I know it's not as exciting as you guys hoped but the action will come! I apologize if it seems the story is moving at a snail's pace but that's just how it's going to be and if you don't like that then too bad for you! If you liked it (or didn't) leave a review with your comments and feedback. Keep and eye out for the next chapter and thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: C:KND and its related entities belong to it's rightful creator Mr. Warburton. Don't sue me!