Chapter Summary: Escaping the TND Base through a secret underground tunnel, the four discover refugees hiding down there. Amongst them is a familiar face who brings up uncomfortable memories for Hoagie.

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Code: [RESTRICTED]

Operation: G.R.O.U.N.D.E.D.

Group

Roves

Overt

Underground

Nook

Daringly

Evading

Discovery

Written by OfficiallyWrong with properties owned by

Tom Warburton and Cartoon Network

Episode 5

April 1st, 2015

When the base had shut down all activity, securely closing off all of its doors and windows with the highest-grade security measures, the newly formed Sector V made their getaway. Abby knew that being outside the building during lockdown would confirm her suspicious intentions. They would never allow her to be out of their sight. However, this was the digital age and their generation had one major hamartia. Abigail and her team were able to slip by security, relatively unnoticed, for it was assumed that the technology of the base was far too superior to allow for an escape. Truthfully, if they were trying to get out, this would have probably been the case. But Abby knew that where there are teenagers, there were slackers. Slackers were amazingly smarter than everyone else on the base.

Close to the flight deck, there was a bathroom which hardly anyone ever used. It was the smallest of any on the floor and most didn't even know it existed. This bathroom was the home of an escape route devised by bored TND agents who were put on duty at slow times to travel to the arcade or sneak illegal substances such as alcohol into the base. Abby knew that part of the rules of the TND included no substances that would hinder their judgement. She also knew that teenagers hardly ever followed the rules. Sure enough, after years of existence, this secret still remained unknown by the base's leaders. And today, that secret would be their sanctuary.

The group didn't ask many questions until they actually got through into the metal tunnel, which opened up into a dirt tunnel. When they were finally out of ear shot, Hoagie shone his flashlight around, checking to be sure there were no cave ins.

"Another Kids Next Door thing?" Wally asked.

"There used'ta be a secret labor camp in this area. Adults would trick kids into workin' for the amusement park for free rides, kids who wanted to run away to the circus but didn't have talent or skill," Abby explained. "The kids created an underground escape tunnel called where they would go to slack off. When the new Rainbow Monkey Funland park opened, this park closed n' the camp was forgotten. The tunnel's still here, though."

"That's terrible," Kuki gasped.

"The Kids Next Door really had their work cut out for them," Hoagie agreed. "I didn't realize how involved all of this was."

"There's stuff like this all over," she said, simply. "You just don't hear it in the news."

They continued to walk, stopping for short breaks. Abby had kept a few weapons that she stashed in a pack before the ambush, which she got back from Maurice after they had been confiscated. She passed them out to her teammates, vaguely explaining how they worked. Having them on her made her nostalgic as they were much smaller than she had remembered. A few miles into the walk, however, her team was becoming less composed. Hoagie hung back, carrying the flashlight. Wally was particularly confused about his G.U.M.Z.O.O.K.A., refusing to believe that shooting candy at a target was sufficient protection.

KIDS NEXT DOOR: G.U.M.Z.O.O.K.A.

Gumball

Utilizing

Mechanism

Zings

Overabundance

Of

Kandy

Around

"Ugh..." Kuki complained. "We've been walking for hours!"

Wally leaned over the side of the cave, his stomach aching. "Maybe if we stopped and got some food..." He looked at his gun, shooting off a ball onto the ground. He picked up the gum ball, dusting it off, his lips smacking.

"We can't stop," Abby reminded him. "If the TND find us, that's it. We're done." She peered back. "And don't eat the ammo!"

Wally frowned, the ball in his mouth. "But I'm hungry!" he whined, extending the word 'hungry' to prove his point.

"We're going to have to stop eventually," Hoagie said. "We'll need to replenish our energy."

"Yeah," Wally agreed. "I need real food."

"We'll stop when we need to," Abby stated. She threw him a bottle of water she had packed. "This'll tide you over till then. Hopefully we'll get where we're goin' before we have to stop." There was a long pause before the conversation started again.

"So, Abby." Kuki leaned over with a grin. "Is that cute boy we met at the base your boyfriend?"

Abby halted. She didn't say anything as she heard Hoagie chuckling behind her. "No," came her direct response.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" she asked. "Girlfriend?"

"Nope," Abby said again. She looked at the girl flushing behind her. "Why? You interested?" she asked with a cocky smile.

Kuki turned to Wally, her face glowing with excitement. "Yes!"

Wally didn't look up at her. "No," he said simply. Kuki sunk down in slight disappointment.

"No..." she repeated, reluctantly.

Abby sighed, shaking her head. "Things're too complicated right now as it is. The last thing Abby needs to deal with is Maurice." She said his name with annoyance and reverence, something that the others picked up on quite quickly.

Wally smirked. "He sure likes you, though."

Abby scoffed. "Yeah, well, that ain't my problem."

"At least you're aware of it," Hoagie added.

Abby heard a squeal behind her and stiffened like a board. Her jaw clenched as Kuki began to hop excitedly. "So you do like him!"

The girl with the red hat scowled. "Not particularly at the moment," she grumbled.

"Maurice and Abigail have a strained history," Hoagie piped up. "He's a- How did you describe it? Oh yeah." He cocked an eyebrow, putting his pointer finger on his cheek. "A bad subplot?"

Abby started walking again. The others followed.

"I love subplots!" Kuki insisted. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she went off in a daze. "Especially romantic ones! Two lovers meet and at first they hate each other but they soon realize that their hate is actually love!"

"It ain't that kind of subplot!" Abby snapped. "Maurice is..." She shook her head. "Ugh. Never mind."

"No!" Kuki pleaded. "Tell me!"

"Yeah, Abigail," Hoagie joined in. "We need some evidence that you're actually human."

"Please!" Kuki begged further. "Please please please please please-"

"It'll make ya feel better to get it off your chest," Wally coaxed.

Abby grit her teeth trying to breathe. She supposed they would just keep pestering her until she told them. "He's..." she groaned. "My sista's ex."

Kuki gasped. "What?!"

"Didn't see that comin'," Wally added.

Hoagie raised his brow higher. "Older sister?"

Abby stared at him incredulously for as long as she could without tripping. "...Cree." She asked. The boy's face remained blank. "You don't remember Cree?"

"Uh, no?" Hoagie both said and asked.

She leaned back, a small smile appearing on her face. "Huh. Maybe there's a benefit to decommissioning after all," she whispered to herself.

"In love with your sistah's ex-boyfriend," Wally sucked in as much air as he could through his teeth. "Now that's awkward."

"And so dramatic!" Kuki squealed. "Both of you harboring feelings for the same man! Flesh and blood torn apart by love!"

"Love ain't got nothin' to do with it," Abby said.

But Kuki only kept upping the drama. "But he's the only one you've ever had eyes for, right?! The only one who makes your spirit soar!" Tears started to tickle her eyes as she got caught up in her own story. "And when you think about him, he's the only one you can see in your dreams! The only one you can see spending the rest of your life with!"

Abby swallowed, her voice dropping to its lowest register. A gentle heat came out of her cheeks. "No. Not exactly," she confessed. There was a long, silent pause before tunnel started to burst with a cacophony of excitement.

"No way! You like someone else?!" Kuki grinned.

Abby's nostrils flared. "N-no! Abby didn't say that!" The heat was now reaching for her ears.

"You implied it," Hoagie remarked, trying to hide his own growing interest. "And it's all over your face."

"Shut up!" Abby screamed at him. "It's because all y'all are houndin' Abby! It don't mean she's in love!"

"Who is it?" Even Wally was curious now. "At least give us a hint!"

"No!" the embarrassed teen shouted. "I mean, it's nobody! Abby ain't in love with nobody!"

"Oh, come on! We won't tell anyone!" Kuki assured her. "Everyone in the world has been brainwashed! So your secret's totally safe!"

Abby snarled. "This is ridiculous. Father has made children illegal and all you nut-jobs care about is Abby's love life!"

It quiet for a moment.

"Well, duh," Kuki finally broke the silence.

"We're Teenagers," Wally said.

"What else are we gonna talk about?" Hoagie added.

Abby walked briskly ahead.

Maurice sprinted down the hall, narrowly avoiding the troves of TND agents who were filing onto the massive ship they had prepared for their expedition. He knew this would happen. He knew there was nothing he could do to stop her. But even still, when he awoke that morning to find that Abigail Lincoln had left, part of him still couldn't believe it. Was her team really so loyal that they would abandon their families on a chance? Maurice shook his head as he turned the corner. No. She must have bribed them somehow. That or convinced them not to trust the TND. But Abby wouldn't do that, he insisted to himself. She may have been headstrong, but underhanded? Never. At least, that's what he wanted to believe.

He burst through the doors of the conference room, his commander, Vicki, looking over some documents before their takeoff.

"Sir!" He said, out of breath. "Abigail is-"

"Yes." She kept her eyes down at the page. "I know."

"What do we do? If we don't go after her, she'll-"

"She'll what?" Vicki dropped the papers, her eyes staring sharply at Maurice. "What can she do? I checked the inventory, she has little weaponry and hasn't commandeered a ship. The odds of Abigail actually breaking the atmosphere without our assistance is little."

Maurice sighed. "We should still send a team to go after her."

Vicki thought about this. "Has Abby told her new teammates who they really are?" she asked, simply. "As former members of the Kids Next Door?"

Maurice hunched his shoulders. "I don't believe so."

"I see," she picked up the paper again. "According to the TND regulatory procedure, so long as she does not reveal their identities, she is not in violation of contract. Therefore, we cannot act with force."

"But what if she reaches Nigel?"

Vicki laughed. "Reaches Nigel? She'll be lucky if she makes it ten miles away from the base."

But Maurice was still uncertain. "With all due respect, Sir," he started. "Abby is no ordinary Kids Next Door agent. She managed to save three teenagers with no fighting experience, lead them to Sector V, and help them escape our base. She is an expert in command and on the field. If anyone can break through the Galactic Kids Next Door's protective barriers, it's her."

"Are you concerned?"

Maurice paused, his words caught in his throat. "Aren't you?" He was frightened. At this rate, Abby was following the same path as her sister, Cree, something that Maurice had gone through extra lengths to make sure wouldn't happen.

She sighed. "I refuse to stress about something before it becomes a problem. If your suspicions are correct and Abigail does break through the barrier, then we will take care of it. Until then, there is no point in making more enemies when we're already on the losing team." She looked at Maurice again, who still looked worried. "I will keep an eye on her. I want you to focus on your work here. Okay, Soldier?"

Maurice gulped. He was happy that Abby was being given a chance at redemption, but still something ate away at him. This wasn't over. He knew it from the look in Vicki's eyes. As soon as Abby stepped one more toe out of line, she would be waiting.

"Yes Sir!" he saluted before walking out of the room.

Abby, he thought. What the hell are you doing?

Hoagie halted, his big ears extending to catch a sound in the tunnel. "Abigail-"

"Abby ain't listenin' to you no more," came a harsh reply, nearly five feet ahead of the others.

"No. Stop for a sec. I think I hear something." The footsteps slowed to a stop. Sure enough, there was a soft patter coming from the opposite direction.

"I hear it too," Kuki said.

Abby squinted her eyes. This wasn't good. "Hoagie turn out the light." He did this. "Nobody move." She pulled out her S.C.A.M.P.P. which was slung around her shoulder. She motioned the others to the corner, a move that they could barely see in the darkness. Sure enough, a light started to flicker in the distance.

KIDS NEXT DOOR: S.C.A.M.P.P.

Soup

Can

And

Magnified

Proton

Plhaser

They held their breath as they watched the light sway back and forth, scanning the walls. Abby held the S.C.A.M.P.P. positioned right at the light. She could get a good shot if she caught them by surprise.

"Alright," she whispered. "We wait till they're in full view, then attack."

"With what?" Wally berated, holding up his G.U.M.Z.O.O.K.A. "Cavities?"

Abby didn't say anything, focused on the mission ahead.

"Stupid gum ball gun," he grumbled to himself. "I thought we were gonna get real weapons." Abby shushed him.

The footsteps grew louder, then faster, the light getting brighter as the figure began racing toward them. Abby gave the signal to attack, the teens running full force at the enemy with no idea what to do or now to even fire their weapons. However, the footsteps soon slowed down again as the flashlight shone on Sector V's muddy faces. Hoagie squinted, the light flashing right in his eyes. Through the light, however, he could also see a girl. She was short with bright red hair, which frizzed all the way out to her shoulders. Her face was peppered with freckles over her rosy cheeks. He scrunched his eyes, praying they were deceiving him. "Fanny?"

Hoagie turned on his flashlight as the mystery girl lowered hers.

She huffed. "Oh great," she said, her Scottish brogue coming through and smacking him in the face. "It's you." Her eyes scanned Hoagie up and down, him returning her gaze with a sigh of relief and irritation.

Hoagie hung his head, still in shock. "Please tell me this is a joke."

"Hey Einstein," Wally peaked from around Hoagie. "You know this crazy person?"

Hoagie scratched his neck. "Unfortunately."

"Crazy person?" Fanny marched right up to Wally, her nose right in her face. "Just who're you calling crazy?! You with your messy blonde hair and your black clothes and your..." A blush tickled Fanny's cheeks as she got a closer look at Wally. "Beautiful...steely grey eyes..."

Hoagie rolled his own eyes. "Okay, God. You can kill me now. Take me. I'm yours."

Kuki stepped up, a large grin on her face, clearly to hide her frustration with the situation. "Hi!" she announced cheerfully. "I'm Kuki! I'm-"

Fanny gasped. "The McClintock Charger!" she squealed.

"I..." Kuki blushed deeper. "Yeah! I mean-" She couldn't hide the big goofy grin on her face. No matter how many times people recognized her, it always felt good to be appreciated. "Yep. That's me."

Abby hung back, watching the exchange. She didn't say anything but rather let Fanny approach. Fanny was on Abby's softball team before she quit to do theatre design work, before she quit that to pursue fencing, and so on. Currently, she was on the debate team, which Abby was surprised they even let her into considering her extreme temper. Still, Abby remembered her best as Numbuh 86 from the Kids Next Door Moon Base.

When she caught Abby's eyes, she recognized her immediately. "And Abigail Lincoln?" Abby went to go say hi but was interrupted by the swift sound of Fanny's foot rocketing into Hoagie's shin.

"Ow!"

"What are you doin' here with her?!" She snapped.

Hoagie scowled. "None of your business!"

"Wait," She turned around, looking at the four, counting them, studying them. "You're all here...together?"

Wally shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."

Fanny was quiet, something Hoagie swore he had never seen before. However, that moment of silence did not last long. "You've been up top, then?"

Kuki shook her head. "Not since yesterday."

"Haven't myself," Fanny explained. "Not since the whole thing started. Barely had a wink'a sleep, which isn't a shock, considerin'. I've heard things."

"What kinda things?" Abby asked.

"Well, they're not great I can tell ya that," was her vague answer.

Suddenly, another shadow started to loom around the corner. Sector V retook their defensive positions but froze when they saw a group of young children following behind, nervously wringing their hands.

"What are ya doin'?" She told them, her voice softer than usual. "I told ya to stay behind till I came back for ya, didn't I?" She approached them, shooing them back. "I'll be down in a moment. We're almost to Sanctuary. Just a few more miles." The kids nodded, a few of them complaining that they were hungry and tired. She leaned against the dirt wall, the bags under her eyes becoming more visible. "Came across em' in a dumpster. Thought it wouldn't be right just to leave em alone."

Hoagie smirked. "Gee, Fanny. That's almost nice of you."

"We have no idea where the bloody hell we're goin'," Wally added snarkily. "Where's this Sanctuary place? That sounds safe."

Abby shook her head. "We ain't lookin' for safe," she reminded him. "We're on a mission."

Hoagie peered at the kids, scanning them through. "Are the boys with you?"

Fanny shook her head. "Patty got Shaunnie to some kinda refuge. I wanted to make the trip in one go, but we gotta go up for supplies soon. They can't hold out much longer."

"Yeah, us too," he admitted.

But Fanny jeered. "You? You don't need food. You're a walkin' phospholipid." She chortled in his face for a while before Hoagie brushed past her. "Where's Tommy?" Hoagie ignored her. "Did you lose him again? Or did you offer him up as a sacrifice t'save yer own arse?"

Hoagie spun around on his heels, his face fuming. "Oh you-" But Abby managed to get between them, pushing him back from her.

"Easy," she whispered. Fanny smirked as she walked by him, enjoying his provocation. "She's just tryin' to provoke you."

"Tch." He cooled down, pushing up his glasses.

"You got any idea where we are?" Abby called back to Fanny, who was meeting up with her kids.

"Bout three miles north'a McClintock," Fanny said. "Not sure what's around. My phone died 'bout an hour ago."

Kuki peered over, scanning the mass of children. "Um, excuse me," she said, approaching Fanny, her hands folded at her chest almost in prayer. "You didn't happen to find a little Japanese girl with pigtails when you were up there, did you?"

Fanny lifted her brows apologetically. "I'm sorry. I didn't."

Kuki sunk a little before forcing herself back up. "Oh."

Wally put a supportive hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Kuki. That girl's tough as nails. Just like her sister. I'm sure she's fine."

Kuki wiped a single tear from her eye. "Yeah. I guess we just have to keep faith."

"Exactly!"

Though in his head, he was really thinking that he was glad they hadn't found Mushi yet.

After the girls went on ahead to discuss the plan to find food for everyone, an annoyed Hoagie and exhausted Wally returned to the wall where the light was placed. Wally found himself drifting Hoagie's way more and more, despite the fact that their last encounter had not left the best of impressions on him. Perhaps it was just the comfort of having another guy around, but Wally found it strangely calm to be by Hoagie's side. He was different than Kuki, who was a bundle of raw energy and enthusiasm. And while Abby's point-blank and sometimes blunt approach to things was admirable, it could be draining to be around someone who appeared so sure of themselves. Hoagie's doubt actually made him more approachable for that reason.

"I dunno what Kuki's freakin' out about," Wally said, pulling out a cigarette and sticking it between his teeth. "Mushi's a fuckin' ninja."

Hoagie nodded. "No kidding."

Wally chortled. "I feel bad for whoever crossed her path durin' all this." He pulled out his lighter, cindering the ned of the role. "It's hard enough just datin' her sister."

"I can imagine." The right side of his lips curved up. "But hey, she'll never hate anyone as much as she hates me. So you've got that in your favor."

Wally scrunched his nose. "Mushi?"

Hoagie's face twisted into a full-on smile. "Yeah. I mean, it's not that uncommon for people to..." he trailed off before he finished his sentence, picking up with a new one. Wally hated it when people did that. "But Mushi, I swear she has this personal vendetta against me. When we had company picnics and dinner parties, she would always target me for her pranks, never my brother or any other kids. I have no idea why."

Wally shrugged. "She probably had a crush on you."

That made Hoagie laugh out loud, but he responded with a predictable: "Probably."

"So," Wally jumped topics. "What's the deal with you'n Ginger bread?"

Hoagie's face darkened. "A tale told by an idiot. Full of sound and fury signifying nothing," he almost whispered.

Wally blinked. "H-huh?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Wally leaned against the wall. "What? She reject you or somethin'?"

"Ha!" Hoagie's loud outburst caught Wally by surprise, the cigarette almost falling out of his mouth. "Not even close! Fanny practically begged me to go out with her!"

"YOU TWO DATED?" A loud screech came echoing through the tunnel. Kuki's face was flushed, her hands pressing her cheeks together in shock as she squealed with glee.

Hoagie crossed his arms. "Yeah, for like, two seconds in middle school." His nonchalant attitude was suddenly replaced with fear as he saw a red fireball racing towards him. He gulped as it howled in anger. A foot swung, jamming right into his kneecap. Hoagie collapsed in pain. "Fucking..."

"Not even that!" Wham! She kicked him again.

"Eek!" Kuki squeaked in excitement to Abby, who was too shocked to say anything. "Drama!"

"Du farkirtst mir di yorn..." Hoagie grumbled through his teeth.

"I hardly even remember it!" Fanny declared. "So there!"

Hoagie stood to his feet. "I remember. Once you've been through Hell, it's impossible to forget."

Wally nudged Hoagie. "Did you guys, you know, do the deed?"

Hoagie glared at him. "Middle School."

Wally's expression didn't change. "Yeah."

"As far as I'm concerned, it never happened." Fanny crossed her arms as she turned away from Hoagie and began walking.

"Ugh!" Hoagie walked after her. "You're always like this! Why can't you just admit that it did happen and then move on?"

"Because!" Fanny snapped, turning back around. "Then I'd have to say that I kissed the biggest loser in school! And not even on a dare! Do you have any idea what it's like to kiss you?"

"No, but I know what it's like to kiss you and let me tell ya, Toots, it ain't lickin' honey."

"Toots?!"

Hoagie and Fanny were now nose-to-nose, spitting arguments back and forth at each other at rapid speed. Abby tried a couple of times to break them up but had very little success. Wally went back to Kuki, who was enjoying the insult throwing game.

"Wow," Kuki said. "I could totally see them dating."

Wally crossed his arms. "Kuki, they hate each other."

But Kuki just smiled. "Hate...love...Is there really a difference?"

Hoagie finally took a step back. "Why don't you just help us get to a grocery store and then leave me the fuck alone?"

"How do'I know yer not gonna eat everything?" she derided.

Hoagie flushed. "I'm done with you."

"Good!" she snapped. "I'm done with you!"

"Fine."

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

"FINE!"

"Fine."

"So. You n' Fanny?" Abby asked. Steam was still coming out of Hoagie's ears. He could tell that she was just trying to get revenge for his earlier teasing. "That must've been somethin'."

The group had decided to backtrack to the nearest entrance to the street, which was another ten-minute walk in the direction they came, and where Fanny's group was headed. However, Hoagie was more comfortable now that there were more of them. There was power in numbers, and Fanny counted for about ten people when it came to sheer force.

Hoagie pushed up his glasses. "Something I would rather forget."

"Sounds that way." There was a pause, then something he wasn't expecting. "You don't have to tell me about it. Though, I can't say I ain't intrigued."

Hoagie relaxed. The others were far ahead of them, almost as though they were racing. Fanny was walking so fast, it was like she was walking a mile to the toilet. "It's a classic story," he said without thinking. "She was in my science class and we had to pick lab partners. Of course we were the only ones left by the end of it. She spent the entire time complaining that she was stuck with a 'boy' because boys were lazy or horny or something. Anyway, we got assigned to do this project together. Sexual tension rose, hormones kicked in, and pretty soon we were all over each other. Simple as that."

Abby smiled. "That all? Shoot. I was expectin' something a little more exciting from Hell."

Hoagie let out a tiny laugh. "Naturally, we thought it was true love, though she'll never admit it. She didn't want to be seen with me in public. She ran me like a dog, walking her to class, cutting the crust off of her sandwiches..."

"Like any loving relationship," she teased.

"If I did something she didn't like, she'd smack me around until I never had the thought to do such an unthinkable thing again. Eventually, I got fed up with it, but didn't really have the guts to break up with her right then." He paused. "I finally had a girl who liked me. I wasn't about to throw it away. I mean, what other girl would want to go out with me?" He gave a half-hearted smile, as if to relish in his own incompetence. "Eventually, I was able to break up with her and she didn't take it well. Dating the biggest loser in school is one thing, being dumped by him..." He shook his head. "I can see why she hates me."

Why was he even telling her this? Maybe he was looking for sympathy? That made Hoagie feel even worse. Self-deprecation to dig for compliments from the popular girl. How despicable could you get?

But Abby didn't compliment him. "That's pretty arrogant."

"Huh?" Hoagie didn't understand. "Arrogant?"

"Callin' yourself the biggest loser in school. It ain't like you met all the losers or knew even half of 'em from the sound of it. Somebody there had to be way worse." Her eyes remained forward.

Hoagie was stunned. He started to say something back, but she kept going.

"Abby never thinks about the biggest this, or the best that. The world don't work that way. You're you, n' they're them. Like you said. It's simple as that."

Hoagie smiled smugly. "I seem to remember you saying something about your team being the best."

Abby grinned. "I'm biased."

"Hey!" A shrill voice came from the front. "Move yer arse, Gilligan! I have to pee."

Hoagie's face softened, a genuine smile returning to it. "She never changes."

"Nope," Abby agreed. Hoagie stiffened, realizing that she had heard him. "You'n Fanny never got along, and it don't look like you ever will."

Hoagie grunted. "How do you know the Bull-Butt anyway?" He stopped himself. "Wait. Don't tell me..."

"Numbuh 86," she whispered.

"Great. That's just perfect."

"She used to work in the Moon Base. Got rejected for the promotion 'cause of her anger management issues. Now she only knows me through the softball team." Abby explained. "It's nothin' on you. She's always been this way." They looked up toward the front, Fanny now leading them up further and further back into the danger zone. She giggled, continuing to flirt with Wally, much to Kuki's frustration.

Hoagie was quiet for a moment. "So we knew each other back then too, huh?" His eyes softened as he looked at the frizzy hair of the girl ahead of him. It was strange to think that he could have met any of the people from his life in the past, before his memories cut out. It had been an entire day, and he still couldn't process all that was happening. Seeing Fanny, at least there was some familiarity in that.

"What?" Wally snapped, his face falling and crashing into the dirt. "I gotta stay here with the crazy lady?!"

Abby swung her S.C.A.M.P.P. over her shoulder, dusting her hands off. They had finally located the entrance to the surface. "We can't take everyone or else we'll draw too much attention. You and Hoagie are the only ones who have had direct contact with the TEENZ, besides me. You need more trainin' before you can fight out in the field alone and I ain't capable of keepin' track of all of you." She turned to Kuki. "That means this'll be a girl's mission."

"Wait!" Wally protested, causing Fanny to blush with anger. "She's a girl, ain't she?"

"You think I wanna stay here with a bunch of stoopid boys?'' Fanny stood. "I'd rather puke!"

Hoagie looked back at Abby. "No. She's right. Take her. Far away."

"Can't," Abby stated. "Fanny's got the kids."

Hoagie slunk down. "Right."

But Wally shot up. "Pfft. We can watch 'em!"

"...You can?" Abby didn't really believe him.

"Sure we can!" His mouth twisted up into a smirk. "Right, Ruben?"

Hoagie ignored Wally's terrible attempt at a nickname. "Uh, I guess so?"

"Ha!" Fanny flung her head back. "Boys? Take care of little kids! You couldn't even take care of yer own kin!"

"Please, Fanny," Hoagie scoffed. "You seriously wanna be stuck down here with us for hours?"

"Not with you..." Her eyes wandered over to Wally, who hid himself in his hoodie.

"No! Wait!" Kuki interrupted. "Wally's right! Uh...you should totally come with us!"

"Excuse me?" Abby exclaimed. She did not want to bring Fanny along. She would most likely drag them down.

"Yeah!" Kuki started to ramble without thinking. "It's, uh, a girl's mission! Yeah. We can't carry all the supplies we need ourselves." She looked at Abby pleadingly, who immediately got why Kuki wanted Fanny to come. "Please, Abby. We could use as much help as we can get right now."

Abby sighed, her attention moving back to the boys. "You sure you can handle them?"

"Fuck yeah!"

"Sure thing!"

"Anything you say!"

"We totally got this!"

The boys anxiously gave their testimony, neither one of them wanting Fanny to stay for their own reasons. Abby agreed, and the three girls headed up through the street to the surface.

"Phew!" Wally said, leaning back. "That was a close one." He sank down, slipping his headphones over his ears.

Hoagie, however, was having second thoughts. "Do you really think it was okay for them to take Fanny?"

"Relax," Wally brushed him off. "It's better than seein' her googly eyes all day."

Hoagie sighed. "I guess."

"Trust me. Takin' care'a kids is a piece of cake. I watch my baby brother all the time."

"Wally. That's just one kid. We're talking at least two, four, six..."

"It'll be fine," Wally assured him. "There's two'a us big Adults and they're tiny. It'll be easy."

Suddenly, Hoagie and Wally looked up to see a little girl, no older than seven, staring at them with large, needy eyes. Her clothes were torn, her face covered in dirt. She glared at them, not saying anything.

"Um..." Hoagie started. "H-hello."

There was no answer. The girl continued to stare, as though she were in a trance.

"Hey girly," Wally interjected. "You need somethin'?"

But the girl said nothing. Instead, she held out her hands toward them, reaching out. She began to move towards them.

"Uh..." Wally stiffened.

The girl's lips parted for the first time, her fingers pulsing as she stretched her arms further. "...Phone..." the words fell out of her mouth without any effort. Wally and Hoagie didn't say anything back. "Phone..." she droned again, this time louder.

Hoagie shot up. "I, uh. Sorry. I turned my phone off."

"Phone." Another child, a boy with black spiky hair, was now reaching for the teenagers. Soon there were three, then five. Soon, the entire group of children were surrounding Wally and Hoagie, asking for their cellphones.

"We don't have any bloody phones!" Wally shouted. "Get lost!"

The children didn't stop coming.

"Listen," Hoagie tried to reason with them. "I know you're hungry. It won't be much longer I promise!"

Wally shook his head. "They ain't hungry!" he corrected him. "They're fuckin' bored as shit!" One child reached into his pocket, but Wally swatted him away. "Get off!"

"What do we do?"

"Phone."

"Phone..."

"Phone..."

"Wally..." Hoagie said as the mob started to reach for his pockets. "Wally!" Soon, he disappeared into the wave of tattered cloth, the kids pulling him to the ground. Wally tried to fight back, but it wasn't long before he too was trampled by the children. He let out a wail.

Above ground, Abby, Kuki, and Fanny popped their heads out into the blistering sunlight. Kuki scanned the area. Already, things were starting to deteriorate in the aftermath of yesterday's events. The pavement was cracked, tracks of tires engraved into the chunks of asphalt. It was hot to the touch. There wasn't a soul around for miles. Kuki was expecting a tumbleweed to brush them by in the calming breeze. No such thing happened.

"Come on!" Fanny shouted. "We haven't got all day!"

Abby shushed her and climbed up out of the pothole where they were hiding. Fanny walked like a cowboy toward a cement building. Kuki looked at Abby, who wore a mask of discontent.

"Thank you for bringing her along," she finally said. "I was worried things would get weird if I left her with the guys."

Abby smirked. "Afraid she'll try'n take your man?"

Kuki just shrugged. "No. I trust Wally. I just don't want to put him through any trouble." She put a single finger on her chin. "Wally's no good with girls. He gets flustered and awkward and says really stupid things. He's been that way forever." She grinned. "That's why it's so great that you two get along so well!"

"Makes sense. I was never good at being a girl."

"Hurry up!" An impatient Fanny called back to them.

"Except now we gotta deal with this one," Abby said, nodding toward Fanny. "God love her, but she's a pain in the butt."

Kuki giggled. "Who says women can't get along?" she mocked.

Abby rolled her eyes. "Very funny."

They entered the store, which was also barren. Kuki wondered where all of the people had gone. Surely the Adults would still be around, even if they were brainwashed as Wally claimed. She looked over at Abby and Fanny, who didn't seem too fazed by the situation. Abby grabbed a large bag and stuffed it full of chips. Kuki assumed that they would get non-perishables, but chips? She decided not to think about it too much and focused on getting a change of clothes for her and Wally. There didn't appear to be any underwear at the store, but there were shorts which had been laid out for the summer. Wally wouldn't mind. They would all probably stink by the end of the trip anyway.

She walked around the corner, where she saw Abby. She cheerfully made her way up to her but stopped suddenly. Abby was pressed up against the shelf, staring into the cooling rack. Her S.C.A.M.P.P. twitched in her hand.

"Abby?"

"Don't look directly at it," she whispered. "No sudden movements. Just back away slowly."

"What are you talking about?"

"What's all the commotion-" Fanny came around the corner after her trip to the restroom, but Abby shushed her upon entry.

"Whatever you do, do not get near it." She lifted her weapon. "Abby'll take care of things from here."

Fanny, unwilling to listen to Abby's warning, walked to her side, finally seeing what Abby was glaring at. "Abigail." Her face flattened. "That's just broccoli."

Abby didn't move. "Get back before you're infected!" She scanned the area. "We're surrounded. It's not just broccoli. Carrots. Spinach. Brussels sprouts. Gross. Disgusting. Green. Slimy. They must be eliminated." She turned to Kuki, who was beginning to wonder if Abby really was just a little kid. "Numbuh 3! Get away from here!"

"Abby, it's okay!" Kuki said, walking in front of her. "My parents have me eat vegetables all of the time."

Abby put a hand on Kuki's shoulder. "Abby had no idea your home life was so tragic..." she said. Putting the gun to her heart, she lowered her head. "I am so sorry."

"Oh fer cryin' out..." Fanny crossed her arms. "They're just plants, Abigail."

"They will erode yo' brain..." came Abby's dark response. "Turn it into green gucky goo. Evil. They're pure evil."

Kuki got an idea. "But Abby...uh...look!" She gestured to the cooler. "They're frozen and in plastic bags to, um, neutralize the toxic effects. There's nothing to be afraid of! Really!" She moved behind Abby, trying to pull her away. "Everything is o-"

"Clear!" Abby lifted the S.C.A.M.P.P., firing her lazar into the cooler. The entire isle exploded into a cloud of smoke. Abby grinned, flipping the lazar over her shoulder like an umbrella. "Not to worry," she said, proudly. "The threat has been neutralized." She turned away from the scene. "Yo' welcome."

Fanny and Kuki blinked as they watched Abby walk away. Debris fell over their heads in piles of ash.

"She's a fuckin' mad woman," Fanny said.

Kuki didn't really have the grounds to disagree.

"The flying Ace swooped down, narrowly avoiding the attack!" Hoagie ducked down, the child on his shoulders kicking with excitement. The other children sat around, mesmerized. He swerved over to the side, making an engine sound with his lips. "Just then!" He stopped, picking the kid off of his shoulders, setting him on the ground. "The Ace heard a cackling noise coming over his speaker! It was the Red Ravager!" Scanning the sea of children, he watched as all of them raised their hands, wanting to be a part of the story. He picked a little boy, whose hand appeared as though it would break off if he wasn't called on. He held out his hand to the boy and smiled, who shot up and ran to the play area with a wicked laugh. The other children were only disappointed for a few moments before they were wrapped back into the story.

"It looks like I have your right where I want you!' he said." Hoagie put on the most traditionally evil voice he could muster. "'Surrender to me or you will never see the Lady Gwendolyn again! Muahaha!'" Then, he ran back and picked up the boy who was supposedly the hero of his tale. "'Curse you Red Ravager and your evil ways! You will not prevail!'"

Wally watched as Hoagie moved back and forth, telling the story from all angles. He didn't get it. How could he still have energy after everything that happened? Wally was exhausted by that day's events alone, and he knew Hoagie hadn't slept a wink, the bags under his eyes clearly visible. The knock out gas did not count.

"And what do you think the Red Ravager did then?" Hoagie asked a little girl, who was sitting quietly. She was no older than four years.

"He um..." She thought for a moment. "He summoned a big monster!" she shouted, pointing at Hoagie.

The storyteller tilted his head, touching his chest. "Who? Me?"

The entire group giggled. "Yes! Yes! Hoagie's the monster! Hoagie's the monster!"

Wally laughed as Hoagie reluctantly pretended to morph into a snarling beast, saying he was going to eat all the little children. The kids fake screamed, running around and tackling him, saying 'Kill the monster! Kill the monster!" Wally continued to observe the scene. Hoagie's were clothes now covered in even more dirt from all the running around and falling on the floor. Wally never knew what to do with kids. They were always screaming, running around, asking for things. Joey was the same. He didn't understand the concept of time, or that food was necessary for survival. He didn't care if he wore his pants on his head or danced in public. Children were crazy.

"But the Lady Gwendolyn was very resourceful, you see. She had a plan to bring down the Red Ravager and save her beloved," Hoagie told the children, clearly on a new part of the story. Hoagie looked over at Wally, who caught his glance immediately.

"Oh no. I'm good," he said.

"There was a Wizard she knew of that lived in a cave. He was a sour old man and didn't like visitors."

"I can hear you!" Wally snapped defensively.

"But she knew the Wizard was also very compassionate and caring," Hoagie said. "Because he treated his friends and his wife very well." Wally flushed at his words. "So she bravely made the journey all the way to the other side of mountains, where the dragons bore their eggs in nests of spun gold."

"Nothing in this story makes any sense," Wally told him.

Hoagie frowned momentarily before gasping. "Look! There he is! Get him!" He chortled. "He's like a leprechaun. Capture him and he'll give you a wish!"

"Oh, fuck no...no no no no!" The children ran up to him, one larger boy pulling on his arm.

"Come on, Mister! Play with us!" Wally looked at the boy's shining eyes. They were completely different from the eyes he had seen earlier, desperate and longing. These eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Yeah!" Another brown-haired girl tugged on his shirt. "It's fun!"

Wally blushed, ruffling his hair. "Well..." He smiled. "I guess I got nothin' better to do."

Hoagie gave him a smile from across the room, sweat beating down his neck and forehead. He wiped it, adjusting his glasses. His chest rose and fell as though he were running a marathon. He thought he would pass out for sure.

He mouthed the words 'Thank You'.

Wally nodded back at him.

Abby walked out, three large garbage bags full of food over her shoulder. Fanny and Kuki soon followed, trying to keep up with her breakneck pace. Fanny complained about the heat, how she couldn't drag her own bag and be expected to keep up, how she should have stayed behind. Kuki had just about had it.

"Abby..." She moaned. Suddenly, she stopped, noticing Abby had ceased walking. This perplexed her. "Abby. We should get going."

"What do you suppose..." Abby's voice trailed off as the girls approached.

"What is it now?!" Fanny complained.

Kuki looked up at what had stopped Abby in her tracks. It was a massive billboard, white, with images of white houses and a shadowy figure's image. It read:

COMING SOON!

PARADISE RETIREMENT HOMES

NO KIDS

NO WORK

NO WORRIES

RESERVE YOURS TODAY!

Kuki was confused. "Abby? What's the matter?"

Abby was still, the words floating out with no effort, as though she wasn't thinking about them at all. "I don't get it."

"He's a loon, what's there to get?" Fanny growled.

Kuki gasped. "Wait! Is that him? That's Father?" She examined the photo of the smiling shadow. "He's creepy."

"He brainwashes everyone," Abby was still in her head. "Gets rid of Kids, and now he's buildin' houses...why?"

Kuki touched her arm gently. "I don't know but...don't you think we should be getting back?"

Abby shook herself out of her trance. "Yeah. We got everything we need."

"Well, it's about time!" Fanny whined.

Kuki rolled her eyes. It was worth it for Wally, she told herself. Worth it for Wally...

He owed her big time.

The girls returned shortly, announcing that they brought food. The kids broke away from their game and swarmed the three, clamoring for their meal. Hoagie and Wally were relieved that they finally returned. They went up to greet the girls, fighting through the now dispersing group of children.

Hoagie peered into the bag, his face contorting into a frown. "Huh? It's all junk food."

Abby nodded. "Yeah."

Hoagie couldn't believe this was happening. "You can't just feed kids junk food!"

"Why not?" Abby asked. "It's what they like to eat, ain't it?"

"Yeah, but..." He lifted the bag up. "They're gonna get sick off of this stuff after a while!" He dug through the bag. "I mean, there's no canned food, no vegetables..."

"Abby's gonna pretend you didn't say that." She scowled.

"You had a whole grocery store!" Hoagie snapped. "A whole grocery store and you got chips and soda! What the hell is wrong with you?"

"And donuts, n' cupcakes, n' chocolate logs..." She shook a bag of candy in front of his face with a teasing smile.

"Oh, they had chocolate logs?" He said, taking the bag. "I love these." He shook his head. "But that's not the point! You were supposed to find food for the kids and for us! Actual real food!"

"Listen, Baby. You got your job. Let me do mine," Abby said. And with that, she walked away, sticking a lollypop in her mouth.

"Abigail!" he called after her, but she was already off doing something else. He looked over to Fanny and Kuki, who were white as sheets. "What happened to you guys?"

"Abby's really scary," Kuki said.

"Pssh," Fanny scoffed. "She's just an attention whore. She's all 'look at me. I blew up a grocery store. I'm so cool.' Blech."

Hoagie blinked. "She did what?"

Kuki shook her head. "I'd rather not talk about it."

Abby called the group over to discuss what they had seen on the surface while the children grazed on their processed sugar. She explained about the billboard, how there were similar signs posted on every lot in the neighborhood.

"A retirement home?" Hoagie was confused. "He's building a retirement home?"

Abby nodded. "That's what it looks like."

Wally groaned. "What kinda nut job are we dealin' with here? He's finally got the entire world and he wants to go into real estate?"

"I don't think it's real estate," Hoagie thought aloud. "It must be something to do with the children he captured. But that doesn't make sense either."

"I think the housing is for the Adults," Kuki disagreed.

"But why buy housing for Adults?" Abby interjected.

"To end homelessness?" Kuki suggested.

"Totalitarianism," Wally stated. The others looked at him, surprised. "What? He wants to control the spaces people live in and take complete control of office and commerce. That's some dictator-ass shit."

Hoagie shook his head. "What do you know? Wally pays attention in school."

"Only sometimes!" Wally defended himself. "I'm not a freak."

"In any case," Abby stopped them. "He's movin' fast. If we don't get the G:KND on our side, who knows what kind of disaster he could have planned." Abby looked at Fanny, who was beginning to sweat. "We have to get movin' if we're gonna make it out of here. We've got a long walk before we reach our destination."

Fanny frowned. "You sure you don't wanna come with us? Sanctuary shouldn't be that far now."

Abby smiled at her. "Thanks, but we have somethin' important we gotta do."

Fanny nodded. "I understand." They shook hands.

Hoagie and Wally said their tearful goodbyes to the kids, who did not understand why they had to part ways no matter how they tried to explain.

"Hey, Gilligan." Fanny brushed her red hair behind her ear, her eyes glued to the ground, her face even redder than her hair. "Don't go'n get yerself killed, alright?"

Hoagie lifted an eyebrow. "What's this? Fanny Bullwright actually caring about my safety?"

Fanny blushed harder, her eyes whipping back to him. "Yeah, right! You could be stomped on by a mega super robot for all I care! But..." She looked over at the kids. "I don't wanna have to explain to the kids that yer not comin' back so..." She swallowed. "So you better come back or else I'll find you and send yer ass to the moon! Got it?!"

"At least on the moon I won't hear your screeching."

Whack! Fanny's hand slapped itself against Hoagie's skin, leaving a big red mark on his cheek. No sooner had she done this, when she grabbed the collar of his sweatshirt, pressing her lips to his with vigor. Hoagie's eyes rocked open, his body tensing up. She pulled away, staring at his eyes for a good five seconds.

"What the-"

WHACK! She slapped him again before turning around and walking off, grumbling to herself about what an idiot he was. The others stared at the scene. Abby and Kuki's jaws were on the floor while Wally wore a snide grin that he just couldn't hide. He walked up to Hoagie, giving him a slap on the back.

"Nicely done," he said.

Hoagie still couldn't think straight. "The fuck just happened?" he whispered.

Wally chuckled, dragging Hoagie along with the group as they parted from Fanny's. "Don't worry about it, Mate," he said, waving cheekily at the kids. "Just sit back and enjoy."

Kuki picked up the flashlight and Hoagie's backpack, catching up to them. "So, Abby." She called to their leader, who was hauling her cut of the food in a giant garbage bag over her back. "What's the plan?"

Abby grinned. "We hit 'em where it hurts."

Hoagie frowned. "That's unbelievably vague."

"We need a spaceship, right?" she told them. The teens looked at each other with agreement. "Well. Who says the KND're the only ones who've been to space?" More silence. "What if I told you, we could get where we're goin' and stick it to Father in the process?"

"You mean-" Wally started.

"They don't call him Father cause he's a bachelor," Abby pulled the bag up closer to her shoulders.

Kuki gasped. "You mean he has kids?!"

Abby nodded.

Hoagie looked disturbed. "You're gonna steal from kids?"

Abby shook her head. "Not kids." She said. "Children."

END TRANSMISSION