A/N: I do not own FusionFall, nor do I own Cartoon Network.
"So, how exactly did we get roped into this?" Kestrel asked, stepping into the S.C.A.M.P.E.R., a dubious expression on her face.
Kina shrugged and smiled. "There were way too many missions for me to take on my own. And my wounds started hurting, so I had to go back to the hospital tents, where you guys were, and I figured you could use some fusion matter..."
Tal rolled his eyes. "Sure, sure, that's just what you want us to think. Really, you're too lazy to do it all yourself," he said, shooting her a little grin. She frowned and punched him on the shoulder before realizing that he might still be hurt.
"Oh! Sorry," she cried, stepping back.
Tal rubbed his shoulder. "You don't punch that hard," he assured her, hiding a wince.
"I shouldn't have asked you guys to help. You're still wounded," Kina said, looking away.
"Nah, they've cleared us to keep working and fighting, so we can't be all that bad. 'sides, I was getting bored," Kes interjected, poking her head back out of the transport. "Now, you getting on or what?"
The two outside nodded and jumped into the doorway, finding a seat as quickly as possible. Kina wound up squished in next to a very young girl wearing a bright pink top and a yellow skirt. She looked up at the older girl and smiled.
"Hi, I'm Amelia. I'm seven years old. How old are you?"
"Eighteen."
"Wow! That's really old! How many kids do you have?"
"Urk..." was all Kina could manage. The question got Kes's attention and she turned around, staring down at the two girls in amusement.
"Yeah, Kina, how many?" she asked before sticking out her tongue.
"You're not helping," Tal growled, pulling her back into her seat. She grinned and crossed her arms.
"Yes, I am. Just not her."
Kina shook her head and looked out the window at the quickly receding monument below. It was going to be a very long day indeed.
They landed in the Cul-de-Sac without incident, despite the rocky start. Kina had eventually set the young girl straight, along with revealing that she did not have a boyfriend, she was not searching for a prince, she could actually fire a gun, she liked bugs, and no, she was not afraid of the dark. Tal and Kestrel had listened to the entire conversation, the latter laughing throughout the whole thing.
Kina thanked Numbuh 4321, said goodbye to the girl, and turned to her companions. "So," she asked, looking around. "What do we want to do first?"
"Probably go get Eddy's permission to be here. I've heard he's taken the whole 'King of the Cul-de-Sac' thing to heart, especially since..." Tal trailed off, looking away. "Well, he's gone a little crazy, understandably."
"Come on, we've gotta get used to sayin' that stuff. Double D and Ed are dead," Kes said, kicking a piece of rubble out of her way. "That's why we're going back to the past, isn'it?"
"Right," Kina agreed, but she grabbed Kes's shoulder and turned to look at her. "But, really? Don't be so callous about it. We've skipped out on the past two years, but everyone else around here experienced it firsthand. It's not just some game."
She jerked her shoulder out of her grasp and looked at the ground. "Yeah, I know that. Sorry. This is how I deal with stuff like this. Smiles and...callousness, I guess." She looked up, defiant. "I'm not gonna change how I act just to make people feel a little better."
This time, it was Tal who put his hand on her shoulder. She stiffened slightly, looking down at his hand out the corner of her eye.
"Being a little considerate might help you, too, Kes," he said, glancing down at her, a sad, stern look in his eyes. "I know you've got to be hurting, too."
She swallowed and flicked her gaze up into his. Blinking, she looked away, at one of the half-fallen houses around them. "Eh, I'll think about it, I guess," she muttered, frowning. "C'mon, let's get this over with." Turning, she stalked towards the circle.
"Huh," was all Tal could say, before following her.
Kina smiled to herself. She'd have to remember that, for future reference. After a second, she headed after her companions, looking around as she walked. Tall walls, made only of cardboard, it seemed, rose from behind all of the lots. Behind her, at the entrance, stood two huge doors bearing the face of Plank. However, it looked like their defenses had been breached. The pavement was cracked and crumbled, rising and dipping like the aftermath of an earthquake. Houses had been smashed in half, roofs ripped off, garages torn through. Their pristine lawns had become marshy masses of fusion matter, hissing and bubbling in the background.
Kina chanced a look upwards. The green-tinted sky was clearly visible, revealing a view of the disgusting planet above her. She shook her head and focused on the circle, hoping for a better view.
At the very center was a throne, also made out of cardboard. At the top stood King Eddy, a grin plastered across his features. Kina felt her own mouth twist into a little smile. It was good to see that some things never changed, she thought, glancing at the pile of jawbreakers next to him.
"Hey, who're you guys? Whaddaya want in the Castle-de-Sac?" Eddy asked, voice loud and boisterous.
Tal gave him a half-hearted salute. Kes followed suit, but Kina grinned and bowed. "Hail, King Eddy. Dost thou remember me?"
The boy squinted, hopped down to the ground, and stalked over to her. She felt a small rush of joy when she noticed that he was still shorter than her, though it was only a little. After a minute, he smiled and stepped back. "Kina! 'course I remember you. I still owe you..." he muttered darkly.
"Eh, I would have let it slide if you hadn't remembered," she said, grinning once more as he frowned. "But, in all seriousness, we've been sent from Sector V for... a lot different missions, actually."
Eddy peered around her at the other two, squinting. "And who're these two losers?" he asked.
Kes drew herself up to give a sharp reply, but Tal put his hand in front of her. He shot her a small look, shook his head, and saluted Eddy again.
"Tal Lightsworn, at your service. And this is Kestrel Darkflame," he said, ignoring her angry look. "We're friends of Kina's."
"That so?" he replied, a sly look creeping across his features. He turned back to Kina, eyes bright. "So, if I let you guys all operate in here for a few days, no charge, no questions, and all the clearance you need, will that square us?"
"Sure," she said, sticking out a hand. "Want to shake on it?"
He clapped his hand against hers and shook it vigorously, grinning like a fool. "Finally," he muttered. "Finally get out from under that debt..."