Author's note: Somewhere in this section there is a line which was taken from an e-mail from one of my fellow SH fanfic writers, MacgyverMagic. In my opinion, it was so witty I could not help but include it in this part. MGM, I thank you :o)
The Case of the Gold Thief: Part Thirteen
by HA
Shirley found what she was looking for. "Ah, here we go."
Before Teddy could make another claw swipe, it found itself at the receiving end of a flash from Shirley's camera. Its optic sensors going crazy, the robot staggered back.
"Hey, ugly!"
Teddy turned to the source of the shout. Its optic sensors made out C.D. through the flashes of colors.
Bo willed his arms to lift him up. "Is that guy crazy?"
Blake blinked as he watched C.D. "Huh?"
Shirley was wondering the same thing. Then she noticed C.D.'s hand. *Wait, is his hand...vibrating?*
Its vision getting better, Teddy roared at the blond Stranger. C.D. placed one hand behind his back and waved over the robot with his other. "Yeah, that's right. I've got something for you."
Hiroshi watched as Teddy marched towards C.D. "Here we go again," he said as he kept trying to open the net covering Bart and Susan.
"Hmm. Should've known," Bart remarked.
C.D.'s mouth formed a grin. "Take this!" His hand shot out from behind his back and unleashed a powerful shockwave upon the killer robot. Everyone watched as Teddy exploded into pieces. Its head landed at C.D.'s feet. Glaring at it, he smashed it with his foot.
"Whoa," Bo said after a moment of silence. He and Blake picked themselves up and walked towards Shirley.
C.D. walked up to Rika and placed his hand on the net trapping her. He sent a shockwave through it, snapping it apart.
"Domo arigato," Rika said.
"No prob," C.D. said, pulling Rika to her feet.
Shirley bent down next to Hiroshi and took out her Swiss army knife. She cut the threads of the net enough so Bart and Susan can free themselves.
"You guys okay?" Blake asked.
"We're okay," Susan answered as Bart helped her up.
Now on his feet, Bart faced C.D. "I should've known you were the one who destroyed those robots," he said with a smile.
"Well, someone had to watch over you," C.D. said. "Besides, I was the only one who could make those malfunctions look accidental."
"Okay, now I've seen everything," Bo remarked as he studied C.D.
"I told you I was a weapon," C.D. said, grinning and flexing his fist.
"The reference to California was a good hint," Shirley acknowledged as she got to her feet. "A subtle connection between you and the state's occasional earthquakes."
"So," Blake began to ask, "how did you get this ability?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure." C.D. faced where Teddy came from. "Hey, we got a big fungus to save, right? So why are we standing around here talking?"
"An excellent point," Shirley said in agreement. "We should get moving."
"I'll go ahead and take care of any more surprises these guys may have." C.D. looked skyward. "Better stand back."
"I'd do as he says," Rika said, backing away from C.D. Her fellow Strangers, including Bart, did the same.
Bo gave Shirley a puzzled look. Shirley just shrugged and joined the other Strangers along with Blake. Sighing, Bo followed them.
Taking a deep breath, C.D. rose his hands and willed them to vibrate. He quickly aimed them towards the ground.
"Hmmmmmm..." Shirley said as she looked on.
The ground began to shake. "Hey, are you trying to...!" Bo started to shout.
"You're coming back, right?" Bart asked.
"Definitely!" C.D. shouted back over the vibrations.
"Gee, I wonder why?" Hiroshi said.
"You'd better!" Susan shouted. "She'll be mad if you don't!"
C.D. smiled, and a mild blush on his face did not escape Shirley's eyes. "I'll save you some bad guys." Concentrating, he fired a powerful shockwave that lifted him off the ground. Everyone watched as the blond Stranger took off into the sky.
"Whoa," Bo said, his eyes wide open.
"Hey, you heard the man!" Bart said loudly. "We have a big fungus to save!"
"Let's go!" Susan joined in.
Nodding silently, Shirley led the charge into the forest. "I've never seen Bart so gung-ho before," Bo said to her.
"Apparently the thrill of adventure has gotten to him," Shirley conjectured.
"Come on, people! Let's nail those Nines!" Hiroshi chimed in, waving everyone forward. Everyone paused briefly to stare at the spiky-haired Stranger before groaning in unison. Shirley raised an eyebrow and gave Hiroshi the look she usually reserved for Bo. "What?" he said.
* * * * *
As he took a pill to stop the incoming pain in his body, Number Nine-Nine watched his uncle shake his fist in the air. "What's wrong?" he asked after swallowing the capsule.
"Teddy has suddenly gone offline," Number Nine answered angrily. He tuned his built-in communicator into a frequency used by the ENIGMA agents sent into the forest. "Attention all units! Primary unit has fallen! I repeat, primary unit has fallen! Take care of the detective and her friends as soon as you see them!"
One agent answered. "Yes, s...Aaaagh!"
Number Nine paused briefly. "Agent, what is going on out there? Respond!"
Another agent spoke. "Sir, we're under attack!" Before he could give more information, he was cut off immediately by a sound Number Nine recognized as a punch.
"All units, report!" Number Nine bellowed. Only static answered him. "Check your line," he ordered Number Nine-Nine.
The young ENIGMA agent checked the communication device in the robot bird. Static crackled through the speakers. "What the...?" he wondered.
Number Nine cupped his chin. "Clever little kids." He turned to the agents at the console. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes, sir," one agent acknowledged.
"Then begin the process," Number Nine ordered. "I'm changing the timetable." He ignored the cries of protest from his captives.
"Well, Uncle, we never said we'd be starting early," Number Nine-Nine pointed out.
"Exactly," Number Nine said. "Activate the device now!"
"I don't think so!" someone said from above.
Suddenly, the console exploded, throwing the agents in charge of it to the forest floor. "Huh?" Number Nine-Nine exclaimed.
Number Nine's eyes darted to the sky. There, C.D. was descending quickly to the ground, his hands ready to fire more shockwaves. "Heads up!" he shouted as he got closer to his target.
* * * * *
"Okay, someone's been having fun," Bo remarked as he and the others passed another group of ENIGMA agents. Like their colleagues in crime before them, the masked criminals were laid out on the ground along with their rifles. Some had cracked goggles, and all were out cold.
Shirley bent down and studied one of the agents. "He's alive," she reported, hearing faint breathing. "They all are."
"Your friend C.D. really loves his work," Blake said.
"Uh, yeah," Bart said, glancing at Rika, who nodded silently.
Something close to the agent got Shirley's attention. Just as she was about to pick it up, Rika came up behind her. "We'd better keep going," the Stranger recommended urgently.
After taking in the object mentally, Shirley nodded and got up. Glancing sideways, she saw Rika whispering something to Bart and the other Strangers, who nodded quietly after she was done. "Let's go," the young detective said.
As the kids ran deeper into the forest, they encountered more unconscious ENIGMA agents. Soon they heard loud explosions in the distance. "Sounds like C.D.'s found our robot-loving friends," Susan said.
Shirley listened closely just as the explosions faded away. "This way," she said, pointing towards the correct direction.
Shirley's group arrived at Number Nine's location, ready for action. Just when they were about to move forward, C.D. landed in front of them. Dirt and tears covered some of his clothing.
"Hey, guys," C.D. said with a small smile as he lifted himself off the ground slowly. "I told you I'd leave some bad guys for ya."
Shirley saw Number Nine with Mojo on his shoulder and two armed ENIGMA agents standing in front of what was left of the console. The Elite Eight member had his retracting pointer out, and the clothes of all three men were torn in various degrees. Her eyes swept the area further, and she saw some wreckage on the side. Further examination told her it was the robot bird she encountered back at Sussex.
"Just as I calculated," Number Nine said, seeing Shirley. "Your friend here caused quite a mess," he added, looking at C.D. Beeping loudly, Mojo agreed with its creator.
"Hey, I aim to please," C.D. quipped, standing up.
Number Nine's gaze shifted from the destroyed console to the wreckage of the robot bird. "Well, since I can't accomplish my official assignment, I might as well carry out the Red Zone Directive." Finished speaking, he and his men aimed their weapons at Shirley.
Rika dashed in front of the group and activated her energy shield, and the enemy's shots pinged against it. As Number Nine and his henchmen fired in frustration, Shirley spotted Mr. Goldman and Mr. Millstone. "We need to get them out of here," she told the others.
"Get going!" Rika shouted. "C.D. and I can handle these jokers."
While Rika and C.D. stayed to face the ENIGMA agents, Shirley and the others rushed over to the hostages. "Hey, I remember you!" Mr. Millstone exclaimed when he saw Shirley and Bo.
Shirley took out her Swiss army knife. "Hold still. I'll have you free in a moment."
Number Nine saw the would-be rescuers. "Get them!" he ordered his men.
The two ENIGMA agents rushed at Shirley and the others. "Blake, interception!" Bo yelled upon seeing them. Blake nodded and kicked one in the abdomen while Bo shoulder-tackled the other. Both agents went down hard.
"Yeah!" Bo shouted. He and Blake exchanged a high-five.
"Getting a little cocky, aren't we?" Bo and Blake watched as Number Nine-Nine appeared before them. "Well, let's see if you can survive Round Two with me," he continued. Seeing Bart, he grinned. "Don't worry, Bart. After I'm through with your friends, I'll come for you."
Looking at each other, then at Number Nine-Nine, Bo and Blake charged him, hoping to get the first hit. His grin widening, Number Nine-Nine ran at them.
"Got it," Shirley said as she finally cut and pulled the ropes off Mr. Millstone and Mr. Goldman.
"Hiroshi, get them out of here," Susan said as the two men got up and flexed their hands.
"Er, why me?" Hiroshi asked.
"Because I really don't want to hear you say 'We're gonna die!' repeatedly," Bart said half-jokingly.
"Right." Hiroshi waved his hand at the ex-hostages. "Okay, everyone who wants to live, please follow me."
Mr. Goldman blinked. "No offense, young man, but..."
"You'd rather stay here?" Hiroshi said, pointing to the fighting going on around them. Having dropped her shield, Rika was engaged in a fight with Number Nine. C.D. fired shockwaves at the Elite Eight member, who avoided them with ease. Nearby, Number Nine-Nine was overwhelming Bo and Blake. After a missed punch by Bo, the young ENIGMA agent grabbed his arm and threw him into Blake, who was about to attack from behind.
"Kid's got a good point. Come on!" Mr. Millstone said.
"But will you be all right?" Mr. Goldman asked.
"Just get going!" Bart yelled as he watched Number Nine-Nine kick Blake in the chest. "Call the police when you get out, Hiroshi!"
"Check, Bartman!" Hiroshi led the two men away from the area.
Bo attempted to grab Number Nine-Nine from behind, but got an elbow in the stomach for his troubles. As Bo sank to the ground, Blake attempted a flying kick. The ENIGMA agent grabbed Blake's leg and threw him towards Shirley, Bart, and Susan.
Shirley gasped as Blake landed in front of her. She quickly joined him at his side. "Blake?" she asked with concern as she assessed his injuries.
Blake looked into Shirley's blue eyes and managed a little grin. "Only hurts...when I laugh."
Laughing evilly, Number Nine-Nine kicked Bo in the face. "Not so tough, are you?" he taunted as Bo landed on his back. Grinning widely, the young ENIGMA agent pulled out his sword and stood over Bo. "I think I'll practice what I'm going to do to Bart on you." He moved quickly to stomp his foot on Bo's hand, which was still moving. "Uh uh uh. Just for that, that hand goes first!" Applying more pressure to Bo's hand, Number Nine-Nine raised his sword and aimed for his wrist.
Moving quickly, Bart took aim and blasted the sword into bits. Wincing and holding his hand, Number Nine-Nine glared at Bart.
"Hey, remember me?" Bart asked angrily.
Giggling, Number Nine-Nine removed his foot from Bo's hand. "So you're so anxious to die, huh? Fine with me!" Laughing maniacally, he charged Bart.
Bart ran out and led the young villain away from the others. With Susan's help, Shirley got Blake off the ground and on his feet. The young detective examined her best friend calmly, but her thoughts expressed her fear best. *Please be all right, please be all right...*
Bo groaned. "H-h-h-hey..." he said upon seeing Shirley.
"The blood is flowing back into your hand," Shirley remarked as she examined the appendage. "If he had applied more pressure, you'd be in line for an artificial one."
"Gee, thanks," Bo said dryly.
"You still among the living?" Blake asked with a small smile.
Bo smiled back. "Gonna take more than some nut job in a mask to stop me."
"Can you feel this?" Shirley asked as she ran her hand over Bo's and poking it occasionally.
"Yeah," Bo answered, turning away to hide the redness forming on his cheeks.
Meanwhile, Rika and C.D. continued their fight against Number Nine. Rika tried power punch after power punch while C.D. tried a combination of rushing moves and shockwaves. Rika leapt into the air while C.D. fired a shockwave at Number Nine's feet. The master ENIGMA agent leapt into the air and knocked Rika into C.D. The two Strangers crashed into the ground hard.
"Hmph," Number Nine remarked as he returned to the ground. "Did you children really think you could beat a member of the Elite Eight?" Pointing at the two kids, Mojo joined in with its own electronic chatter.
"That was the idea," C.D. said snidely as Rika tried to get off him.
Sitting up with Shirley's help, Bo saw Number Nine stand over the two Strangers. "Oh great." His focus shifted to Bart and Number Nine-Nine. The young ENIGMA agent was throwing punches as he yelled "Hold still, Bart!" One punch knocked down a nearby tree, forcing Bart to jump away. "I think we'd better help him out," Bo recommended.
"What about them?" Blake asked, looking at Rika and C.D.
"They've got superpowers," Bo reminded Blake. "Bart doesn't." He rose to his feet. "Come on, let's help him."
Susan watched as Bart activated his battle baton, only to have it knocked out of his hand. Bart barely dodged another punch, which took out a tree behind him. As Number Nine-Nine lunged at him, Bart got out of the way in time and recovered his weapon.
"He seems to be doing well," Shirley observed.
"He won't be for long. Come on!" Bo urged, moving towards the combating youngsters.
"Don't," Susan said softly.
Bo stopped. "What? That guy will kill him!"
"Only if he really needs our help," Susan stated, but Shirley could see the poor girl was about to cry.
"We'd better hurry and help the others," Shirley said firmly.
Number Nine-Nine noticed Shirley and the others heading towards Rika and C.D. "Looks like you're all alone, Bart."
"So what's your point?" Bart said coolly as he caught his breath.
Number Nine-Nine took advantage and charged the new Stranger. His arms shot out, and Bart found the ENIGMA agent's hands pressing against the sides of his head. Number Nine-Nine increased the pressure, and Bart dropped his battle baton. "You know what, Bart? Forget scarring you! I'll just crush your little skull instead!" the villain declared, increasing the pressure pushing into Bart's head.
"Ah, so nice of you to join us, Mademoiselle Holmes," Number Nine said as Shirley and the others joined Rika and C.D. His left eye changed from regular to vertigo wave mode. "At least I can carry out the most important part of the Red Zone Directive," he commented as his eye began emitting the vertigo-inducing light. Their surroundings now spinning and swirling around them, Shirley and the others fell to the ground and tried their best to stay up. "Don't worry, ma jeune detective, you won't feel a thing."
Ignoring the increasing pain being pushing into the sides of his head, Bart fished inside his pocket and felt a small ball. Pulling it out slowly, he rubbed against a tiny button and flipped it with his thumb in the air between him and his opponent. Closing his eyes, Bart braced himself.
"What the...?" Number Nine-Nine wondered.
The ball exploded, unleashing a flash that blinded the ENIGMA agent. He lost his grip, and Bart broke free. While Number Nine-Nine staggered back covering his eyes, Bart threw a punch into his stomach. "That was for Daddy Bigfoot!" he yelled. Still catching his breath, Number Nine-Nine received a punch to his cheek. "That was for the rest of the Bigfeet!"
Gasping, Number Nine-Nine glared at his sworn enemy through the many colored flashes dancing in front of his eyes. "Let me guess. The next one's for you."
"Actually..." Bart grabbed Number Nine-Nine's shoulders and pulled him in while raising his knee. The young ENIGMA agent felt something hard connect with his groin, forcing him to bend over while his lips opened to release a faint exclamation of pain. "That was for Susan," Bart clarified as Number Nine-Nine instinctively placed his hands into a protective stance over the injured area. "This one's for me," he said before his fist made an uppercut into the ENIGMA agent's chin. The impact sent him crashing to the ground, and Bart found his battle baton.
Mojo beeped loudly when it saw Number Nine-Nine lying on the forest floor. "Now what?" Number Nine snarled. His focus shifted to his fallen nephew and Bart standing over him with his battle baton pointed at him. "How...?" he began incredulously.
The brief distraction gave Shirley a chance to act. During the vertigo attack, she had been practicing her tai-chi breathing exercises and reaching for a rock besides her. Her hand closed over the object, and seeing her chance to use it, she flung it at Number Nine's eye. The rock hit its target, shattering the glass and sending slivers into the Elite Eight member's left eye.
Number Nine let out a tiny cry of pain as he clutched the left side of his face. Mojo hung onto its master's shoulders tightly. "Damn you, Holmes!" he yelled angrily as he staggered around fighting off the slight pain in his eye.
Recovering quickly, Number Nine-Nine tried to attack Bart, but got a baton strike on the mask which cracked it slightly. Bart took the opportunity to grab the dazed villain's arm and swing him towards his uncle. Unable to stop himself, Number Nine-Nine crashed into his uncle, and both ENIGMA agents fell to the ground.
The vertigo effect gone, Shirley and the others got to their feet. "Okay, the trees aren't spinning anymore," Bo remarked.
"A good thing, indeed," Rika stated.
C.D. blinked upon seeing the two fallen ENIGMA agents. "Bart, did you do this all by yourself?" he asked as Bart joined the group.
"Just Number Nine-Nine," Bart answered. "Someone else got Number Nine."
"That would be me," Shirley said, grateful for paying attention to Gran's lessons. She studied the two defeated villains. "However, it seems you handled Number Nine-Nine well, Bart."
"Whoa," Blake said as he looked at Number Nine-Nine. "Bart, I didn't know you could fight."
"Neither did I," Bart admitted. He winced suddenly. "Oh, my hands."
Susan joined Bart at his side. "You okay?" she asked with concern.
"Except for my hands, just fine," Bart answered with a weak smile.
Susan took one hand and kissed it lightly. "Feel better?"
"A little," Bart replied, blushing.
Everyone stared at the young couple. Even Shirley managed a little grin. Bo was about to say something when he saw movement coming from Number Nine. "Um, guys..." he said, pointing at the Elite Eight member.
All eyes present shifted to the ENIGMA agents. As he glared at Shirley, Number Nine felt the nanobots in his body repair the damage caused by the rock and glass. "Mojo, initiate escape plan!" he ordered the robot monkey.
Mojo beeped and reached into its chest cavity. It pulled out something egg-shaped and tossed it into the air. The object exploded, releasing a dark gas.
"Not again," Bo said as the air around him became darker.
Number Nine laughed as he rose and grabbed his nephew. "Until next time, ma jeune detective!" he declared.
"Somebody do something!" Bo yelled between coughs.
"Not unless you want me to destroy the whole forest!" C.D. shouted before resuming coughing.
Bart and Susan stayed together. Bo and Blake reached for Shirley. A few minutes passed before the gas dispersed. When it did, the Elite Eight member and his secondary were gone.
"Looks like your dad won't be learning more about ENIGMA today," Shirley stated, looking at Blake.
"Yeah," Blake said, sounding a little disappointed.
"At least we stopped them from getting all this," Bo said, pointing at the fungus with his free hand.
"I'd have to agree," Shirley said. She felt two people holding her hands. Looking downward, she found both Bo and Blake at her sides. "I believe you two can let go now," she said matter-of-factly.
Both boys released their hold on the teen detective. "Sorry about that," Bo apologized, fighting the urge to blush.
"Ditto here," Blake added.
Turning away from the others, Shirley glanced at Blake and flashed him a small grin. Blake gulped nervously before smiling back. Seeing this, Bo sighed and shook his head.
"Is there something...?" Susan began to ask Bart in a low voice as she watched the three friends closely.
"Yep," Bart whispered back knowingly.
"That bad?" Susan asked.
"Yep," Bart answered.
Remembering the current situation, Shirley cleared her throat. "We should go."
"Good idea," Bo agreed. "Police will be here any moment."
"Let's get everything ready for them," Rika said.
"I've got this one, guys." Bart reached into his pocket and pulled out something.
An hour later, Inspector Hewitt and Detective Tremain along with a large group of police officers arrived in the woods and found unconscious ENIGMA agents tied up on the ground after meeting up with Mr. Millstone and Mr. Goldman. Further investigation revealed two more agents tied up next to two destroyed pieces of technology in a deeper section of the forest. Examining the men closely, the inspector found a card sticking out of one of their berets. On it he found a black and white picture of a face with nothing but a question mark, a bowler, and a bowtie.
END OF PART THIRTEEN
The Case of the Gold Thief: Part Thirteen
by HA
Shirley found what she was looking for. "Ah, here we go."
Before Teddy could make another claw swipe, it found itself at the receiving end of a flash from Shirley's camera. Its optic sensors going crazy, the robot staggered back.
"Hey, ugly!"
Teddy turned to the source of the shout. Its optic sensors made out C.D. through the flashes of colors.
Bo willed his arms to lift him up. "Is that guy crazy?"
Blake blinked as he watched C.D. "Huh?"
Shirley was wondering the same thing. Then she noticed C.D.'s hand. *Wait, is his hand...vibrating?*
Its vision getting better, Teddy roared at the blond Stranger. C.D. placed one hand behind his back and waved over the robot with his other. "Yeah, that's right. I've got something for you."
Hiroshi watched as Teddy marched towards C.D. "Here we go again," he said as he kept trying to open the net covering Bart and Susan.
"Hmm. Should've known," Bart remarked.
C.D.'s mouth formed a grin. "Take this!" His hand shot out from behind his back and unleashed a powerful shockwave upon the killer robot. Everyone watched as Teddy exploded into pieces. Its head landed at C.D.'s feet. Glaring at it, he smashed it with his foot.
"Whoa," Bo said after a moment of silence. He and Blake picked themselves up and walked towards Shirley.
C.D. walked up to Rika and placed his hand on the net trapping her. He sent a shockwave through it, snapping it apart.
"Domo arigato," Rika said.
"No prob," C.D. said, pulling Rika to her feet.
Shirley bent down next to Hiroshi and took out her Swiss army knife. She cut the threads of the net enough so Bart and Susan can free themselves.
"You guys okay?" Blake asked.
"We're okay," Susan answered as Bart helped her up.
Now on his feet, Bart faced C.D. "I should've known you were the one who destroyed those robots," he said with a smile.
"Well, someone had to watch over you," C.D. said. "Besides, I was the only one who could make those malfunctions look accidental."
"Okay, now I've seen everything," Bo remarked as he studied C.D.
"I told you I was a weapon," C.D. said, grinning and flexing his fist.
"The reference to California was a good hint," Shirley acknowledged as she got to her feet. "A subtle connection between you and the state's occasional earthquakes."
"So," Blake began to ask, "how did you get this ability?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure." C.D. faced where Teddy came from. "Hey, we got a big fungus to save, right? So why are we standing around here talking?"
"An excellent point," Shirley said in agreement. "We should get moving."
"I'll go ahead and take care of any more surprises these guys may have." C.D. looked skyward. "Better stand back."
"I'd do as he says," Rika said, backing away from C.D. Her fellow Strangers, including Bart, did the same.
Bo gave Shirley a puzzled look. Shirley just shrugged and joined the other Strangers along with Blake. Sighing, Bo followed them.
Taking a deep breath, C.D. rose his hands and willed them to vibrate. He quickly aimed them towards the ground.
"Hmmmmmm..." Shirley said as she looked on.
The ground began to shake. "Hey, are you trying to...!" Bo started to shout.
"You're coming back, right?" Bart asked.
"Definitely!" C.D. shouted back over the vibrations.
"Gee, I wonder why?" Hiroshi said.
"You'd better!" Susan shouted. "She'll be mad if you don't!"
C.D. smiled, and a mild blush on his face did not escape Shirley's eyes. "I'll save you some bad guys." Concentrating, he fired a powerful shockwave that lifted him off the ground. Everyone watched as the blond Stranger took off into the sky.
"Whoa," Bo said, his eyes wide open.
"Hey, you heard the man!" Bart said loudly. "We have a big fungus to save!"
"Let's go!" Susan joined in.
Nodding silently, Shirley led the charge into the forest. "I've never seen Bart so gung-ho before," Bo said to her.
"Apparently the thrill of adventure has gotten to him," Shirley conjectured.
"Come on, people! Let's nail those Nines!" Hiroshi chimed in, waving everyone forward. Everyone paused briefly to stare at the spiky-haired Stranger before groaning in unison. Shirley raised an eyebrow and gave Hiroshi the look she usually reserved for Bo. "What?" he said.
* * * * *
As he took a pill to stop the incoming pain in his body, Number Nine-Nine watched his uncle shake his fist in the air. "What's wrong?" he asked after swallowing the capsule.
"Teddy has suddenly gone offline," Number Nine answered angrily. He tuned his built-in communicator into a frequency used by the ENIGMA agents sent into the forest. "Attention all units! Primary unit has fallen! I repeat, primary unit has fallen! Take care of the detective and her friends as soon as you see them!"
One agent answered. "Yes, s...Aaaagh!"
Number Nine paused briefly. "Agent, what is going on out there? Respond!"
Another agent spoke. "Sir, we're under attack!" Before he could give more information, he was cut off immediately by a sound Number Nine recognized as a punch.
"All units, report!" Number Nine bellowed. Only static answered him. "Check your line," he ordered Number Nine-Nine.
The young ENIGMA agent checked the communication device in the robot bird. Static crackled through the speakers. "What the...?" he wondered.
Number Nine cupped his chin. "Clever little kids." He turned to the agents at the console. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes, sir," one agent acknowledged.
"Then begin the process," Number Nine ordered. "I'm changing the timetable." He ignored the cries of protest from his captives.
"Well, Uncle, we never said we'd be starting early," Number Nine-Nine pointed out.
"Exactly," Number Nine said. "Activate the device now!"
"I don't think so!" someone said from above.
Suddenly, the console exploded, throwing the agents in charge of it to the forest floor. "Huh?" Number Nine-Nine exclaimed.
Number Nine's eyes darted to the sky. There, C.D. was descending quickly to the ground, his hands ready to fire more shockwaves. "Heads up!" he shouted as he got closer to his target.
* * * * *
"Okay, someone's been having fun," Bo remarked as he and the others passed another group of ENIGMA agents. Like their colleagues in crime before them, the masked criminals were laid out on the ground along with their rifles. Some had cracked goggles, and all were out cold.
Shirley bent down and studied one of the agents. "He's alive," she reported, hearing faint breathing. "They all are."
"Your friend C.D. really loves his work," Blake said.
"Uh, yeah," Bart said, glancing at Rika, who nodded silently.
Something close to the agent got Shirley's attention. Just as she was about to pick it up, Rika came up behind her. "We'd better keep going," the Stranger recommended urgently.
After taking in the object mentally, Shirley nodded and got up. Glancing sideways, she saw Rika whispering something to Bart and the other Strangers, who nodded quietly after she was done. "Let's go," the young detective said.
As the kids ran deeper into the forest, they encountered more unconscious ENIGMA agents. Soon they heard loud explosions in the distance. "Sounds like C.D.'s found our robot-loving friends," Susan said.
Shirley listened closely just as the explosions faded away. "This way," she said, pointing towards the correct direction.
Shirley's group arrived at Number Nine's location, ready for action. Just when they were about to move forward, C.D. landed in front of them. Dirt and tears covered some of his clothing.
"Hey, guys," C.D. said with a small smile as he lifted himself off the ground slowly. "I told you I'd leave some bad guys for ya."
Shirley saw Number Nine with Mojo on his shoulder and two armed ENIGMA agents standing in front of what was left of the console. The Elite Eight member had his retracting pointer out, and the clothes of all three men were torn in various degrees. Her eyes swept the area further, and she saw some wreckage on the side. Further examination told her it was the robot bird she encountered back at Sussex.
"Just as I calculated," Number Nine said, seeing Shirley. "Your friend here caused quite a mess," he added, looking at C.D. Beeping loudly, Mojo agreed with its creator.
"Hey, I aim to please," C.D. quipped, standing up.
Number Nine's gaze shifted from the destroyed console to the wreckage of the robot bird. "Well, since I can't accomplish my official assignment, I might as well carry out the Red Zone Directive." Finished speaking, he and his men aimed their weapons at Shirley.
Rika dashed in front of the group and activated her energy shield, and the enemy's shots pinged against it. As Number Nine and his henchmen fired in frustration, Shirley spotted Mr. Goldman and Mr. Millstone. "We need to get them out of here," she told the others.
"Get going!" Rika shouted. "C.D. and I can handle these jokers."
While Rika and C.D. stayed to face the ENIGMA agents, Shirley and the others rushed over to the hostages. "Hey, I remember you!" Mr. Millstone exclaimed when he saw Shirley and Bo.
Shirley took out her Swiss army knife. "Hold still. I'll have you free in a moment."
Number Nine saw the would-be rescuers. "Get them!" he ordered his men.
The two ENIGMA agents rushed at Shirley and the others. "Blake, interception!" Bo yelled upon seeing them. Blake nodded and kicked one in the abdomen while Bo shoulder-tackled the other. Both agents went down hard.
"Yeah!" Bo shouted. He and Blake exchanged a high-five.
"Getting a little cocky, aren't we?" Bo and Blake watched as Number Nine-Nine appeared before them. "Well, let's see if you can survive Round Two with me," he continued. Seeing Bart, he grinned. "Don't worry, Bart. After I'm through with your friends, I'll come for you."
Looking at each other, then at Number Nine-Nine, Bo and Blake charged him, hoping to get the first hit. His grin widening, Number Nine-Nine ran at them.
"Got it," Shirley said as she finally cut and pulled the ropes off Mr. Millstone and Mr. Goldman.
"Hiroshi, get them out of here," Susan said as the two men got up and flexed their hands.
"Er, why me?" Hiroshi asked.
"Because I really don't want to hear you say 'We're gonna die!' repeatedly," Bart said half-jokingly.
"Right." Hiroshi waved his hand at the ex-hostages. "Okay, everyone who wants to live, please follow me."
Mr. Goldman blinked. "No offense, young man, but..."
"You'd rather stay here?" Hiroshi said, pointing to the fighting going on around them. Having dropped her shield, Rika was engaged in a fight with Number Nine. C.D. fired shockwaves at the Elite Eight member, who avoided them with ease. Nearby, Number Nine-Nine was overwhelming Bo and Blake. After a missed punch by Bo, the young ENIGMA agent grabbed his arm and threw him into Blake, who was about to attack from behind.
"Kid's got a good point. Come on!" Mr. Millstone said.
"But will you be all right?" Mr. Goldman asked.
"Just get going!" Bart yelled as he watched Number Nine-Nine kick Blake in the chest. "Call the police when you get out, Hiroshi!"
"Check, Bartman!" Hiroshi led the two men away from the area.
Bo attempted to grab Number Nine-Nine from behind, but got an elbow in the stomach for his troubles. As Bo sank to the ground, Blake attempted a flying kick. The ENIGMA agent grabbed Blake's leg and threw him towards Shirley, Bart, and Susan.
Shirley gasped as Blake landed in front of her. She quickly joined him at his side. "Blake?" she asked with concern as she assessed his injuries.
Blake looked into Shirley's blue eyes and managed a little grin. "Only hurts...when I laugh."
Laughing evilly, Number Nine-Nine kicked Bo in the face. "Not so tough, are you?" he taunted as Bo landed on his back. Grinning widely, the young ENIGMA agent pulled out his sword and stood over Bo. "I think I'll practice what I'm going to do to Bart on you." He moved quickly to stomp his foot on Bo's hand, which was still moving. "Uh uh uh. Just for that, that hand goes first!" Applying more pressure to Bo's hand, Number Nine-Nine raised his sword and aimed for his wrist.
Moving quickly, Bart took aim and blasted the sword into bits. Wincing and holding his hand, Number Nine-Nine glared at Bart.
"Hey, remember me?" Bart asked angrily.
Giggling, Number Nine-Nine removed his foot from Bo's hand. "So you're so anxious to die, huh? Fine with me!" Laughing maniacally, he charged Bart.
Bart ran out and led the young villain away from the others. With Susan's help, Shirley got Blake off the ground and on his feet. The young detective examined her best friend calmly, but her thoughts expressed her fear best. *Please be all right, please be all right...*
Bo groaned. "H-h-h-hey..." he said upon seeing Shirley.
"The blood is flowing back into your hand," Shirley remarked as she examined the appendage. "If he had applied more pressure, you'd be in line for an artificial one."
"Gee, thanks," Bo said dryly.
"You still among the living?" Blake asked with a small smile.
Bo smiled back. "Gonna take more than some nut job in a mask to stop me."
"Can you feel this?" Shirley asked as she ran her hand over Bo's and poking it occasionally.
"Yeah," Bo answered, turning away to hide the redness forming on his cheeks.
Meanwhile, Rika and C.D. continued their fight against Number Nine. Rika tried power punch after power punch while C.D. tried a combination of rushing moves and shockwaves. Rika leapt into the air while C.D. fired a shockwave at Number Nine's feet. The master ENIGMA agent leapt into the air and knocked Rika into C.D. The two Strangers crashed into the ground hard.
"Hmph," Number Nine remarked as he returned to the ground. "Did you children really think you could beat a member of the Elite Eight?" Pointing at the two kids, Mojo joined in with its own electronic chatter.
"That was the idea," C.D. said snidely as Rika tried to get off him.
Sitting up with Shirley's help, Bo saw Number Nine stand over the two Strangers. "Oh great." His focus shifted to Bart and Number Nine-Nine. The young ENIGMA agent was throwing punches as he yelled "Hold still, Bart!" One punch knocked down a nearby tree, forcing Bart to jump away. "I think we'd better help him out," Bo recommended.
"What about them?" Blake asked, looking at Rika and C.D.
"They've got superpowers," Bo reminded Blake. "Bart doesn't." He rose to his feet. "Come on, let's help him."
Susan watched as Bart activated his battle baton, only to have it knocked out of his hand. Bart barely dodged another punch, which took out a tree behind him. As Number Nine-Nine lunged at him, Bart got out of the way in time and recovered his weapon.
"He seems to be doing well," Shirley observed.
"He won't be for long. Come on!" Bo urged, moving towards the combating youngsters.
"Don't," Susan said softly.
Bo stopped. "What? That guy will kill him!"
"Only if he really needs our help," Susan stated, but Shirley could see the poor girl was about to cry.
"We'd better hurry and help the others," Shirley said firmly.
Number Nine-Nine noticed Shirley and the others heading towards Rika and C.D. "Looks like you're all alone, Bart."
"So what's your point?" Bart said coolly as he caught his breath.
Number Nine-Nine took advantage and charged the new Stranger. His arms shot out, and Bart found the ENIGMA agent's hands pressing against the sides of his head. Number Nine-Nine increased the pressure, and Bart dropped his battle baton. "You know what, Bart? Forget scarring you! I'll just crush your little skull instead!" the villain declared, increasing the pressure pushing into Bart's head.
"Ah, so nice of you to join us, Mademoiselle Holmes," Number Nine said as Shirley and the others joined Rika and C.D. His left eye changed from regular to vertigo wave mode. "At least I can carry out the most important part of the Red Zone Directive," he commented as his eye began emitting the vertigo-inducing light. Their surroundings now spinning and swirling around them, Shirley and the others fell to the ground and tried their best to stay up. "Don't worry, ma jeune detective, you won't feel a thing."
Ignoring the increasing pain being pushing into the sides of his head, Bart fished inside his pocket and felt a small ball. Pulling it out slowly, he rubbed against a tiny button and flipped it with his thumb in the air between him and his opponent. Closing his eyes, Bart braced himself.
"What the...?" Number Nine-Nine wondered.
The ball exploded, unleashing a flash that blinded the ENIGMA agent. He lost his grip, and Bart broke free. While Number Nine-Nine staggered back covering his eyes, Bart threw a punch into his stomach. "That was for Daddy Bigfoot!" he yelled. Still catching his breath, Number Nine-Nine received a punch to his cheek. "That was for the rest of the Bigfeet!"
Gasping, Number Nine-Nine glared at his sworn enemy through the many colored flashes dancing in front of his eyes. "Let me guess. The next one's for you."
"Actually..." Bart grabbed Number Nine-Nine's shoulders and pulled him in while raising his knee. The young ENIGMA agent felt something hard connect with his groin, forcing him to bend over while his lips opened to release a faint exclamation of pain. "That was for Susan," Bart clarified as Number Nine-Nine instinctively placed his hands into a protective stance over the injured area. "This one's for me," he said before his fist made an uppercut into the ENIGMA agent's chin. The impact sent him crashing to the ground, and Bart found his battle baton.
Mojo beeped loudly when it saw Number Nine-Nine lying on the forest floor. "Now what?" Number Nine snarled. His focus shifted to his fallen nephew and Bart standing over him with his battle baton pointed at him. "How...?" he began incredulously.
The brief distraction gave Shirley a chance to act. During the vertigo attack, she had been practicing her tai-chi breathing exercises and reaching for a rock besides her. Her hand closed over the object, and seeing her chance to use it, she flung it at Number Nine's eye. The rock hit its target, shattering the glass and sending slivers into the Elite Eight member's left eye.
Number Nine let out a tiny cry of pain as he clutched the left side of his face. Mojo hung onto its master's shoulders tightly. "Damn you, Holmes!" he yelled angrily as he staggered around fighting off the slight pain in his eye.
Recovering quickly, Number Nine-Nine tried to attack Bart, but got a baton strike on the mask which cracked it slightly. Bart took the opportunity to grab the dazed villain's arm and swing him towards his uncle. Unable to stop himself, Number Nine-Nine crashed into his uncle, and both ENIGMA agents fell to the ground.
The vertigo effect gone, Shirley and the others got to their feet. "Okay, the trees aren't spinning anymore," Bo remarked.
"A good thing, indeed," Rika stated.
C.D. blinked upon seeing the two fallen ENIGMA agents. "Bart, did you do this all by yourself?" he asked as Bart joined the group.
"Just Number Nine-Nine," Bart answered. "Someone else got Number Nine."
"That would be me," Shirley said, grateful for paying attention to Gran's lessons. She studied the two defeated villains. "However, it seems you handled Number Nine-Nine well, Bart."
"Whoa," Blake said as he looked at Number Nine-Nine. "Bart, I didn't know you could fight."
"Neither did I," Bart admitted. He winced suddenly. "Oh, my hands."
Susan joined Bart at his side. "You okay?" she asked with concern.
"Except for my hands, just fine," Bart answered with a weak smile.
Susan took one hand and kissed it lightly. "Feel better?"
"A little," Bart replied, blushing.
Everyone stared at the young couple. Even Shirley managed a little grin. Bo was about to say something when he saw movement coming from Number Nine. "Um, guys..." he said, pointing at the Elite Eight member.
All eyes present shifted to the ENIGMA agents. As he glared at Shirley, Number Nine felt the nanobots in his body repair the damage caused by the rock and glass. "Mojo, initiate escape plan!" he ordered the robot monkey.
Mojo beeped and reached into its chest cavity. It pulled out something egg-shaped and tossed it into the air. The object exploded, releasing a dark gas.
"Not again," Bo said as the air around him became darker.
Number Nine laughed as he rose and grabbed his nephew. "Until next time, ma jeune detective!" he declared.
"Somebody do something!" Bo yelled between coughs.
"Not unless you want me to destroy the whole forest!" C.D. shouted before resuming coughing.
Bart and Susan stayed together. Bo and Blake reached for Shirley. A few minutes passed before the gas dispersed. When it did, the Elite Eight member and his secondary were gone.
"Looks like your dad won't be learning more about ENIGMA today," Shirley stated, looking at Blake.
"Yeah," Blake said, sounding a little disappointed.
"At least we stopped them from getting all this," Bo said, pointing at the fungus with his free hand.
"I'd have to agree," Shirley said. She felt two people holding her hands. Looking downward, she found both Bo and Blake at her sides. "I believe you two can let go now," she said matter-of-factly.
Both boys released their hold on the teen detective. "Sorry about that," Bo apologized, fighting the urge to blush.
"Ditto here," Blake added.
Turning away from the others, Shirley glanced at Blake and flashed him a small grin. Blake gulped nervously before smiling back. Seeing this, Bo sighed and shook his head.
"Is there something...?" Susan began to ask Bart in a low voice as she watched the three friends closely.
"Yep," Bart whispered back knowingly.
"That bad?" Susan asked.
"Yep," Bart answered.
Remembering the current situation, Shirley cleared her throat. "We should go."
"Good idea," Bo agreed. "Police will be here any moment."
"Let's get everything ready for them," Rika said.
"I've got this one, guys." Bart reached into his pocket and pulled out something.
An hour later, Inspector Hewitt and Detective Tremain along with a large group of police officers arrived in the woods and found unconscious ENIGMA agents tied up on the ground after meeting up with Mr. Millstone and Mr. Goldman. Further investigation revealed two more agents tied up next to two destroyed pieces of technology in a deeper section of the forest. Examining the men closely, the inspector found a card sticking out of one of their berets. On it he found a black and white picture of a face with nothing but a question mark, a bowler, and a bowtie.
END OF PART THIRTEEN
