Chapter 21

Rachel's POV

I looked in horror at Patton's wounded body lying on the floor. I could tell Fanny was shocked too but she grabbed my arm and pulled me towards her.

"Lets go!" She hissed in my ear. Right now I didn't want to be anywhere near her but this wasn't the place or time to be arguing so I reluctantly agreed and let her lead me out of the room. I looked back at the fight scene and operatives were surrounding Patton while some others were fighting off the furniture and Father.

"I can't just leave them!" I said in a high-pitched tone.

"You're our leader!" She shouted back. "We can't risk you getting hurt."

She tried to keep a straight, stern face but I could tell from her eyes she meant more than what she said. I could feel my expression softening and I almost burst into tears if Fanny hadn't shouted.

"Lets go!"

She grabbed my hand and dragged me a few feet farther but I stopped in my tracks and flicked my wrist free from her grip. She looked at me, her expression a mix of confusion and concern.

"I have to fight." I said. "It's my fault."

Fanny scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"This is what I hate about you Rachel." She said. "You always blame yourself for anything that goes wrong." Her expression softened and she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Look Rachel, we're not helping you because you are our leader. We always thought more of you than that. You're our friend… you're special to us."

My eyes went wide and I could feel my own voice being choked at the back of my throat. Tears welled up in the corner of my eyes and trickled slowly down my cheek. I wiped them away instantly. I couldn't show any signs of weakness. Not in front of her.

She put her hand on my shoulder.

"So lets go." She said in a whisper. I shook my head slightly.

"No." I said. "Lets stay and fight."

She looked at me in that Fanny-esque way that makes you feel about 2 inches tall but I kept a determined face and her expression swapped for a smirk.

"Very well." She said. She passed me a weapon and we both made our way back to the fight, running side by side each other, just like old times. A small smile formed on my face.

As we drew closer, the screams, groans, grunts and bangs got louder and louder. Fanny kicked open the door and we both stood there in battle stance holding our weapons in front of us. My eyes went wide at the scene. Patton was being leant up against the wall with Numbuh 345 and other medics attending to him, beaten down operatives were trying their hardest to protect them and there were many wounded bodies lying on the floor.

"Father!" I grunted. "Where are you?"

I heard him chuckle and he appeared from the shadows.

"Well, came back for more hey?" He said slyly. "I knew you couldn't resist me."

That ticked me off so set my weapon to 'ouch' and made to charge but Fanny stuck her arm out in front of me.

"Let me handle him sir." She said.

"Numbuh 86-T…" I whispered.

She charged towards Father and fired her MUSKET. Father shot a fireball to counter it but it didn't stop Fanny from firing a dozen more mustard shots towards him. It was pointless because he kept blocking them with his fireballs.

He shot one at Fanny and it blew her back. She landed hard on the floor and couldn't get up.

"Numbuh 86-T!" I shouted. "Now you've done it Father. It's just down to you and me."

"Looks like I'm going to destroy your stupid Kids and Teens Next Door quicker than I thought." He said.

We both jumped towards each other so we were facing each other cowboy showdown style. He exploded into flames and I held my weapon out in front of me. There was a moment of silence until I made the first move - or should I say mistake – and fired my weapon at him. A giant gumball shot towards him, but as he did to Fanny's mustard, burnt it with a fireball.

"I should expect better from you. After all you are the Supreme Commander." He said snidely.

I gave him a small smirk and back flipped a few feet back onto one of the alive tables. It tried to shake me off but I managed to keep on it. I leaped from furniture to furniture, while Father tried to shoot his fireballs at me until I was out of his sight.

"Come out come out wherever you are…" He muttered.

When he had his back turned onto him I pounced, causing him to fall to the ground. It was déjà vu, except without the broccoli.

"Hey calm down. Your boyfriend is just over there." He said. "Or should I say toy boy."

I frowned furiously and punched him in the face. I held my weapon against his forehead.

"Goodbye Father." I merely said. Just as I was about to pull the trigger his whole body burst to flames, throwing me back across the room. I looked up and he was coming over to me. I looked around the room at all the wounded operatives. I knew that there was only one thing left to do.

"Kids and Teens Next Door RETREAT!" I called out and like that we smashed down the walls, climbed into ships, released climbing claws and one by one we all left the mansion.

Father scoffed. "You're a coward, Rachel."

"Just saving this for another time." I said and with that I shot out a claw to the roof and swung out the window.