Before beginning this chapter I just have a couple things to say. First off, my apologizes for delaying so long. The last few months have been very time consuming with work and classes taking up most of my schedule and the drives in getting there. Also worth noting, I've moved to a new house. I do work my hardest on these chapters but also have to devote my life on other important things. For those of you who are still around thank you so much, it means a lot.
Second, please leave reviews, don't message me. I only use messaging if I want to contact someone or if they need to contact me. Also, I can't stress this enough, don't force your own ideas or OC's that don't belong to you onto me. If the ideas can be used for future chapters that's fine.
Chapter 21: The Nexus Strike Back
Inside a dark room, a tall male figure stands perfectly still. Another tall male figure approaches him from behind kneeling down.
"Judite. What is the status?"
The man referred to as Judite responds, "The two earthbenders I've tasked have been compromised."
"By who?"
"The boy and his allies. They've succeeded in defeating them ...and rescuing the prisoner we've captured."
"Hmph... No matter. They were merely pawns to us."
"That leaves us with another problem." Judite informs. "The people of the Earth Kingdom have forged an alliance with the resistance."
"I see..." The man answers in a low voice. "What of the boy?"
"He and his companions are returning back to their base."
"Is that so?" The man said stroking his chin. "Very well then. Judite. Report back to HOLY. Inform them the whereabouts to the Resistance."
Judite nods, "Yes Darigan." He stands up and leaves the room.
"So this is the new rider you have chosen, Arokh?" A smirk appears on his face. "I look forward to meeting him very soon..."
David and party exited out of a teleportation device from inside the CN's HQ. "Whoa..." Mordecai and Rigby gaped in awe of the base.
"The guys at home won't believe this." Mordecai commented.
"So this is the base of the resistance?" Dipper said looking dumbfounded.
David responds, "Pretty neat, huh?"
"This is so amazing" Twilight said in marvel. "I've never seen such a facility so organized."
"Even thou it does look a little... shabby." Rarity commented.
"It's not the greatest base ever." 'Not compared to the Nicktoon Freedom Fighters.' David mutters shyly. "But at least it's full of friendly faces."
"You must really trust the resistance huh, David?" Twilight mentioned.
"Of course. I've known these guys for a very long time. Even thou I'm still just a newbie." He adds sheepishly.
"Look at all the cool cartoon characters!" Bubbled Mabel as she excitedly runs around the base.
A fearsome-looking imaginary friend that was a purple muscular minotaur like beast passes by.
"Hello!" Mabel jumps out startling him. "I'm Mabel. What's your name?"
"Es Eduardo. Where little girl come?"
"From that portal thing." She pointed and asks. "Are you supposed to be some scary monster?"
"WAH! Me no monstro! Me imaginary amigo."
"Whoa..." Mabel gasps in awe, "Do like, all imaginary friends exist?"
"Sí, me from Foster's."
A palm tree head, crooked beak, aeroplane body and long legged imaginary friend walks up to Mordecai and Rigby, "Coco!" It says.
Rigby responds, "Sure, I would like some coco."
"Coco?" The imaginary friend blinks confused and shakes its head. "Co co co co co. Co co co co."
"Yes... I want coco." Rigby says again a little annoyed.
The imaginary friend gets angry. "Coco coco coco coco coco coco co!"
"Yes! I want coco!" Rigby angrily yells.
Wilt comes in and translates, "She didn't ask if you wanted coco. She asked who you were."
The two groundskeepers turn their gaze to Wilt and gasp. "Whoa...!"
"Hi there. I'm Wilt."
"Dude... you're like, so tall!" Mordecai let out dumbfounded.
"Yeah, I get that a lot."
"Well look who decided to show up." Numbuh 5 calls outs. She and the rest of the KND enter.
"What took you guys so long?" Numbuh 4 demanded.
"Sorry to keep you guys waiting." David said rubbing the back of his head, "Me and the others were just saying goodbye to everyone in Ba Sing Se."
"Ed's sad Elsa isn't coming." Ed let out rather upset. "Why David not want Elsa to come?"
"Don't feel bad, Ed." Double D comforts him. "David was only trying to make sure Elsa was safe."
"And we already have a big enough party as it is." Eddy adds.
"Now that you're all here, Dexter would like to have a word." Numbuh 1 informs.
"Great." Eddy smirked. "Let's go shove the news in his face."
Dexter patiently waits at his desk. "Ah David, it's great to see you again." He hops off his chair and eagerly shakes the young man's hand. "Numbuh 1 informs me of your success in Ba Sing Se. Excellent work."
"Um, thanks I guess." David simply replied. "You can thank our recruits for the help." He refers to Mordecai, Rigby, the Pines twins, and mane six.
Twilight stares at Dexter surprised and points her hoof out, "This is the leader of your resistance?"
David nods, "Yep. This is Dexter."
The rest of the recruits gawked, "What~!"
"You mean to tell us a kid is leading this whole operation!" Dipper exclaimed in disbelief.
"He's not a kid. He's a boy genius." Numbuh 1 remarked.
Rainbow Dash snorted trying to hold back her laugh. "He's just so tiny..."
"Yeah. He makes Rigby look taller." Mordecai quietly joked getting a chuckle out of Rigby.
Mabel coos, "Aww~ and he's so adorable..."
The boy genius rolls his eyes, "I heard you gained some new recruits on the way? I take it these are them?" Dexter mentions.
"That's right." David nods and introduces them, "This is Mordecai and Rigby. They're cool dudes."
"Sup'~!" Rigby let out trying to act cool.
"How's it going little dude." Mordecai casually follows along. "You ever want anything done? Give us call..."
"The twins here are Dipper and Mabel Pines. These two are paranormal experts and have a mysterious journal to prove it."
Dipper is overcome with excitement and shakes Dexter's hand, "It's an honor to meet you, Dexter, sir."
"The pleasure is mine." Dexter returns the favor.
"So you're running this whole operation?"
Dexter laughs, "I Dexter, boy genius, am the inventor of this facility."
"You mean... you made all this!?" Dipper gawked.
Dexter nods boldly.
Dipper shrieks with delight.
"Talk about major nerd alert." Mabel jokes leaning over to Pinkie Pie who giggles.
"And finally Twilight Sparkle and her friends: Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. Their friendship is very powerful."
"Howdy." Applejack greeted.
"Nice to meetcha!" Pinkie Pie let out cheerfully.
Rarity whips her mane back, "The pleasure is ours."
"How's it hangin'?" Rainbow Dash said.
"Hi..." Fluttershy spoke softly.
"We also had a run in with the Powerpuff Girls and Samurai Jack." Double D informed.
"Even Spike Spiegel tagged along." Ed added.
"And we met some new friends. Finn and Jake. Elsa. Rex and Raptor. And team Avatar." David also mentions.
"Numbuh 3 is so jealous of you guys." Numbuh 3 whines, "You got to meet an ice queen."
"Not to mention rescue the Nicktoon's missing leader." Numbuh 2 added sounding disappointed.
"Looks like we're more reliable than you thought." Rigby smirks, "Hmph..."
"The important thing is we've accomplished the mission and gained new allies." Numbuh 1 spoke positively.
"Speaking of new allies," Dexter mentions, "There's been new intel from Rex for our next mission. He has sources willing to assist."
"If everything goes well, this could be our last mission." Numbuh 2 said realizing.
Numbuh 4 gets pumped up, "And we'll finally take down HOLY once and for all."
"Hey~ Maybe we'll meet more princesses on the way." Eddy beamed with excitement. "Possible good lookin' and single..." He snickers at the last part.
"Ed want's to be a Disney Princess!" Ed shouts out.
"I think that's more for girls, Ed." David stated with a sweat drop.
"Yuk!" Numbuh 4 responds in disgust, "You can count me out on that."
"So when does the next mission begin?" Twilight asks.
The KND hesitated, unsure of what to say. Numbuh 1 went on ahead first, "Actually Twilight. We won't be going on this mission together."
"What do you mean?" Twilight questioned tilting her head confused.
"This is where we go our separate paths."
Twilight, her friends, Mordecai, Rigby, and Pines twins let out, "WHAT!" in shock.
"Numbuh 1…! What are you saying?" David questioned in surprise with the Ed's reacting the same way.
"Ed does not like this bad news." Ed let out.
"Dude! What gives?" Mordecai retorted.
Rigby chimes in, "Yeah!"
"There has to be a logical reason?" Twilight said concerned.
"There is." Numbuh 1 said, "Once the mission was fulfilled you'd return back to your ordinary lives leaving us to carry out the rest."
"He's right." Double D noted, "I should've known this would be the last time working together."
"Wait! Are you serious?" Eddy uttered.
"It has to be this way I'm afraid." Numbuh 1 said.
"I thought we were a team!" Rainbow Dash complained throwing her hooves out then crossing her arms. "This is so not cool..."
"Please try to understand." Numbuh 3 said in a worried tone. "We like you guys very much! But we don't want anything bad to happen."
"I think I understand." Fluttershy spoke up softly. "You're doing this to keep us safe."
"Well I don't think it's fair!" Rainbow Dash expressed.
"Rainbow Dash is right." Twilight agreed. "We want to continue. All of us do. Can't you think this over?"
Dipper instantly turns to David, "David! You're our leader. Can't you convince them?"
"Yeah David, think of all the great times we had together." Mabel persuaded innocently.
David stood silent. He looks to his new team and to the KND before taking a deep breath, "...We have been through a lot, huh?"
"Yeah...!" Rigby called out, "We've been on cool adventures, fought bad guys, save the day..."
"And we helped a lot of people." Applejack added positively.
David smiles, "Yeah we did. When I started this mission I was looking forward to it. Hoping to meet new friends and explore new worlds together. All of that was a lot of fun." His smile slowly fades away. "I wish this could go on forever... But I think we have to say our goodbyes."
"What! You too!" Rigby snapped.
"Dude, calm down." Mordecai tries to hold his friend back. "You think he wants this?"
"I thought we were friends, David!"
"We are friends Rigby! All of you." David cries.
Dexter intervenes. "You should've known by now this little adventure of yours wasn't meant to last. We are a top secret organization and David here is one of us. Tagging along would only slow him down from achieving this goal.
"You should have a little more respect for us." Rarity scowled. "After everything we've been through..."
"I'm so with Rarity." Mabel chimes in. "We've faced plenty of danger and kicked butt way before you guys showed up."
Twilight restrains the two, "Settle down girls." She then looks to David, "If you think this is the best decision, we fully accept."
"Are you sure about this Twilight?" Applejack questioned.
"David's our friend. We don't want to jeopardize his mission."
"Thank you for understanding, Twilight." David replied softly.
"Man this sucks," Rigby muttered.
Mordecai sighs, "We just have to accept it." He said.
"Now then, if we're done here you should return back to your normal lives so we may continue our next mission." Dexter finished as he turns to Numbuh 2. "Numbuh 2, ready the machine."
Numbuh 2 acknowledges with a salute, "Follow me. I'll set up the teleportation device to send everyone home."
Without any more objections, the time then came for Mordecai, Rigby, the Pines twins, and Mane six to go back home. They head back to the teleportation device with David, the Ed's, KND, and Dexter.
Ed whimpers as Double D tries to comfort him. "It's alright Ed. We're only doing what's best for everyone."
"Yeah, except everything's going be boring again." Eddy mutters.
"It won't be the same you guys. Ed doesn't want to say goodbye to his new friends." Ed claimed.
Numbuh 2 readies the machine. "Let's start with the park first."
Mordecai looks to his friend, "You ready to go home, dude?"
Rigby mutters with his arms crossed. "Yeah whatever. We're just gonna go back to work anyway."
Mordecai faces David, "Well dude, it's been one crazy adventure. But we got to do some awesome things." He then looks to his friend and nudges him. "C'mon dude. You gotta say something."
Rigby let out a long groan and stomps up to David, "You better come still see us..."
David responds, "Of course, Rigby. The three of us gotta hangout."
"Hmph..." Rigby nods in agreement.
David lifts out his fist to pound with Mordecai and Rigby's. The two then throw their hands up in the air shouting, "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!" Afterwards, they enter the teleportation device and get transported.
"Next up is Gravity Falls." Numbuh 2 announced.
Mabel clings onto Dipper pleading, "I don't wanna go back! Not yet!"
Dipper comforts her before looking to David. "We really have to say goodbye?"
David kneels down to the twins, "I wish we could've done more together Dipper and Mabel. You guys really showed how brave you are."
Mabel tearfully shows a light smile, "No bad guys or monsters can hold us back."
"That's right. As long as I have my sister nothing can scare us. Mabel and I are a team. We always stick together." Dipper says boldly.
"And you guys should stick together. Always…" David comments.
Dipper and Mabel then hug David. "We'll miss you." Dipper said.
"A lot..." Mabel adds.
As Numbuh 2 tries to set up the device, the machine acts up. "Why is this thing not working?" He wonders.
"What seems to be the problem, Numbuh 2?" Numbuh 1 said.
"It's the radar system. It's not detecting the town anywhere."
This brings Dipper, Mabel, and David's attention over. "What do you mean it's not detecting?" Dipper questioned.
Numbuh 2 explains, "I can't pinpoint it anywhere on here. It's like there's some kind of interference." He scratches his head in confusion.
"That's strange." David reacts confused.
"I'll figure it out later. For now let's focus on Ponyville."
Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy ready themselves to go back home while Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie remain hesitant.
"Don't know 'bout y'all, but I'm defiantly lookin' forward to seein' Sweet Apple Acres again." Applejack commented.
"You said it, Applejack." Fluttershy acknowledges, "I really miss Ponyville. And I can't wait to see how all my animal friends have been."
"I could use a break from all this traveling." Rarity expresses wearily.
Rainbow Dash however lets out a deep sigh, "Guess Cloudsdale could use my help with weather patrol." She looks at David, "It was fun hanging out with you as a team."
Pinkie Pie goes up to Mabel. "I'm really going to miss you, Mabel. We've made so many friends together. But out of everyone else you're my BHF."
Mabel replies "Let me guess. That stands for Best Human Friend."
"Yep." Pinkie Pie nods, "And I'll always be your BPF. That stands for Best Pony Friend."
"Aww~ Come here, Pinkie Pie." Mabel hugs Pinkie Pie tightly as the two cried out in front of everyone.
Numbuh 3 started to get teary eyed from watching "This is so sad..."
"Oh brother." Numbuh 4 grumbled. "Are we really going to get upset over some cruddy ponies?"
"YES~!" Mabel, Pinkie Pie, and Numbuh 3 snapped at him.
Ready as they could be, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and later Pinkie Pie step onto the platform.
Twilight goes up to David a little embarrassed. "I never had the chance to properly thank you for coming to my rescue."
David chuckles sheepishly, "It was no big deal. Just trying to be heroic." Twilight snickers at his comment. The young man lightly laughs with her.
"There's a lot of research I received during our time together on this mission. Enough to report back to Princess Celestia."
"Wish I could've showed you more Twilight." David said.
"Thanks. But I think I have everything I need. I can't wait to tell Spike about the adventures we had."
"Maybe I can come visit you two. And we can explore Equestria together."
"I'd like that." Twilight replied softly. "Promise me you'll stay safe on your next mission."
"I promise..."
The two then warmly hug each other. "I'm going to miss you." Twilight whispers tearfully in David's ear.
There was a banging noise coming from the main entrance doors.
"Who's at the door now?" Numbuh 5 groaned.
"Probably Bloo again." Numbuh 2 remarked. "Anyone wanna to go let him in."
Numbuh 3 perks up "I'll do it..."
She skips over when the doors break open. A Zoisite soon enters. It looks down to see Numbuh 3 staring at it confused before shrieking. Numbuh 3 tries to run but the brute grabs hold of her.
"Numbuh 3…!" Numbuh 4 cried.
More Zoisites show up after and begin to bombard HQ. Another fires on the party when the latter hits the transportation machine, which explodes blowing everyone back. But not before sending Twilight's friends back first without her.
"My friends...!" Twilight cried.
"Don't worry. I sent them back just in time." Numbuh 2 assured her.
The rest look out in panic as waves of Nexus troops, including Nonames and Koukri, attack the base and abduct some members.
"We're under attack!" Numbuh 1 calls out! "Everyone, get to safety!" He then orders.
"What about you guys?" David asked.
"We'll try holding them off." Numbuh 1 responds.
Dexter activates his robot suit, Dexo-Transformer in front of everyone. He and the KND engage in battling the Nexus. Soon after, more fighters assisted.
Dexter's robotic exoskeleton takes down a few Zoisites in the way. Numbuh 2 and 5 dispatch some Nonames with laser rifles and a B.A.J.O.O.K.A.
"Is that all you guys got?" Numbuh 2 taunted.
Numbuh 2 almost gets jumped by a Noname but its zapped back by Numbuh 5. "Stay focus, Numbuh 2." She scolds him.
Without noticing, a tendril wraps around Numbuh 5's ankle and yanks her away. She screams as Numbuh 2 tries to save her but was not quick enough.
"Numbuh 5...!"
"Save yourselves...!" Numbuh 5's cries as she is dragged away by a Koukri.
Numbuh 4 charges in, "Let go of my friends...!" A Noname quickly apprehends him.
As the Nexus attacks continue, "We have to help them!" Twilight cried.
"Are you nuts?" Eddy exclaimed. "We can't take these guys on."
"Eddy's right." Double D informs her, "Even if we stood a chance, there's just too many of them."
Twilight suddenly comes up with a solution. "I have an idea. Get behind me." Twilight soon conjures up a large barrier and opens a pathway from the force field to allow everyone in.
Dexter, Numbuh 1 and 2 hold out for as long as possible. David calls out to them, "Guys~ C'mon! You gotta hurry!"
"Don't worry about us! Take everyone and get out of here!" Dexter orders.
"But we can't leave you!"
"There's no time..." Numbuh 1 shouted. "It's up to you now to finish the mission."
Numbuh's 1 and 2 continue firing, taking down more Nonames before several pounce on them. A Zoisite storms towards Dexter and knocks him down to the ground. Then, two Koukri appear and attack the downed Dexo-Transformer.
Twilight immediately closes the barrier as another Zoisite appears and tries to shoot at the force field, but can't get through. It growls at them. More Nexus soon show up trying to break down the barrier.
Twilight tries to concentrate. "Stay close to me!" She calls out. Twilight uses her magic again, this time to teleport the entire barrier.
With a flash of light and explosive sound of magic David's team and those remaining reappear somewhere outside far away from the base. Twilight lets out a deep breath of exhaustion.
"Are you alright, Twilight?" David asked in concern.
"I'm fine." She says. "I've never used my magic to teleport so many."
"Man that was a close call." Eddy sighed with relief. "Good thing we got out just in time, huh?"
"How can you be so calm at a time like this?" Double D whined.
"We got mostly everyone from the resistance out before the Nexus took over." Eddy reassured.
"...Except for Dexter and the Kids Next Door." David replies.
"So we lost some members. No big deal. You heard what Numbuh 1 said, right? It's our turn to finish the mission. Piece of cake."
"Not without Pinkie Pie." Mabel let out frowning.
"Mabel's right." Twilight steps in slowly recovering from using her magic, "We're short on some of our own members, including my friends. I just hope they made it back to Ponyville safely." She says in concern.
David comforts her, "Don't worry Twilight. I'm sure they made it back. And we'll find a way to let your friends know you're alright."
"Thank you David." Twilight smiled at him.
"But now we need a plan." Dipper said.
"Dipper's right." Double D agreed. "Without Numbuh 1, we don't know what to do."
"Not to mention what to do with everyone from the resistance." David refers to the various Cartoon Network characters standing all around. "This is a lot to figure out." The young man says rubbing the back of his head.
"We can't take them all with us. That much is for sure." Twilight stated. "Is there anywhere safe they could stay in the meantime?"
David's team ponders for a moment. Dipper and Mabel look at one another nodding their heads in agreement before looking back to David and the others.
"We have an idea."
Later at the Mystery Shack. Stan Pines is getting ready for close as Soos cleans up the gift shop.
"Closing up early, Soos." He tells him.
"You got it Mr. Pines." Soos acknowledges.
Stan is about to turn in for the night when he hears a noise coming from outside. He opens the front door and to his surprise let's out, "What the…"
Outside the Mystery Shack were all the collected Cartoon Network characters roaming around in their usually antics. Johnny Bravo checking his mirror and flexing his muscles, Courage the cowardly dog overly frightened, Grim being miserable by Billy and Mandy, Coop and Jamie showing off the robot Megas, Frankie trying to handle most of the imaginary friends while Bloo annoys her, Ami and Yumi dishing out lessons of their J-pop music… etc.
Stan screams throwing up his hands, expressing his anger and frustration. "No! No...!"
Everything fades to black.
"Don't look at me. I didn't invite em'." Soos's voice is heard off screen.
Been planning on writing this for a long time now. It's a bitter chapter but still hope everyone enjoyed. Please leave a review.
