Wow this took a long time to write. But what do you expect for the longest
chapter in the story. Hope you like it. I'm expecting a lot of reviews for
this one and I'd better get them! Ah, what am I saying, you'd give me
reviews even if I didn't demand them. Which is why I love each and every
one of you!
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He was greeted to the waking world with a sore body and splitting headache. The horrible throbbing in his skull slowly subsided as a soft hand caressed his bare cranium.
"Nigel---" A melodious feminine voice cooed, "Nigel, wake up---"
He groaned, attempting to open his eyes against dizziness and the urge to sleep just a little while longer. His vision was blurry at first. The form standing over him was only a few fuzzy blotches of pink and yellow, and the lights behind her weren't helping. He blinked a few times trying to get his tired eyes to focus. The figure above him started to become more recognizable. The feature that caught his attention first was her huge, flirtatious eyes.
"Hi handsome." She smiled seeing the look of recognition on his face.
"L, Lizzie?" He groaned. "What's going on? The last thing I remember is nearly being crushed, by a giant chocolate bunny."
She leaned in closer and resumed stroking his smooth head.
"It's alright Nigie," She said sweetly, "Everything's ok now."
"But what about the factory? My friends?" He tried to sit up.
"Shhh---." She hushed him, holding him down gently. "I took care of everything."
He stopped resisting, laying his head back down in the soft cushion he had woken up on. His body still ached and his head was still swimming. Her words seemed soothing but it didn't stop the nervousness from jittering around in his stomach or the questions bubbling in his brain.
"But how? Where---?" he tried to look around but Lizzie blocked his view and whatever he was laying in had walls around it further obscuring his vision.
"You don't have to worry your pretty little head about it Nigie." She assured him. "You don't have to worry about anything anymore."
Dread filled his heart at those words.
"What do you mean?" He insisted.
She answered him with a satisfied smirk that only succeeded in frightening him further.
"Lizzie, what do you mean? Where are the others?"
She only stared at him dreamily. As his eyes darted around, he managed to catch glimpses of his surroundings. He was still in the factory, but now all the lights where on.
"Why aren't you answering me? Lizzie, what is going on?"
He was starting to get angry, his heart already racing with fear. He tried to sit up again but found that even without Lizzie's intervention he could not budge his arms or legs.
"Huh? I can't move. Lizzie, why can't I move?!"
His fear was now turning into extreme panic. Frantically he tried to get up but to no avail, his body remained immobile. He whimpered, making noises somewhere between crying and hyperventilating. Lizzie just stood over his reclined body smiling happily. But there was something else behind that smile, something evil.
"What's going on? Please tell me!"
Had he been paralyzed in the accident? No, he could feel his limbs, he just couldn't move them. Turning his head as much as his position would allow he could now see that his arms and legs were tied down with bright red ribbon and he was apparently being restrained inside an open, giant, heart-shaped box.
"Lizzie, what is the meaning of this?!"
She batted her eyes at him and silently wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him, her embrace getting slowly tighter. She whispered in his ear, softly, sweetly.
"I'm making things better."
"And just how is tying me up making things better?" He raised an eyebrow. She released him from her arms and smiled. Thoughts began to click in his brain, thoughts that filled him with greater fear. "Is this about our break up?"
"Don't sound so scared Nigie," she pouted. "I know how sad you were when you said that we couldn't see each other anymore. So I decided to fix everything. I have something to show you."
She turned the box around to face the machines on the other side of the building. His eyes widened huge with disbelief and fear.
His teammates, his friends, tied up, unconscious, helpless. Gagged and bound to various factory equipment. Their weapons in a small pile off to the side of the room. Numbuh 3 was laid on a conveyer belt meant for large blocks of fudge to be sliced up into travel- sized pieces. Numbuhs 2 and 4 were chained to a dangling hook over a large vat of melted chocolate, thick and bubbling slightly. Between the larger machines sat a tub of nougat, hooked up under a blade attachment fastened to it. Standing inside the vat, tied to a long wooden spoon to remain upright was Numbuh 5. Her head down, brim of her hat blocking her features, chest-high in fluffy candy-bar filling.
"Dear lord---" his breath was thin as it escaped his lips. "Lizzie, what have you done?"
She smiled at her morbid accomplishment.
"You said that you were always so busy with your stupid friends, so I decided to make sure you'd never be too busy for me again."
Numbuh 4 knew something was wrong the moment he regained consciousness. Something cold and uncomfortable was tied tightly around him, restricting the movement of his arms. Balling his fists he wiggled about violently, kicking his legs and grunting through his cloth muzzle. Although valiant his efforts only managed to cause the chain he was hanging from to swing mildly and wake up Numbuh 2 to whom he was bound.
"Lizzie, don't you think you're taking this a bit to the extremes?"
Numbuh 1 asked the stout girl as she made her way to a power switch on the wall.
"Of course not silly." She chuckled, "I'm just getting rid of a few distractions." Folding her hand of over the long lever she grinned and gave it a firm yank.
The machines started up with a loud whirr. The crash and clang of gears rattled and echoed throughout the vacant building. Numbuhs 2 and 4 struggled in their chains as they were slowly lowered into the warm gooey vat. The sound of spinning blades roused Numbuh 5 from her dulled mind. Looking up she saw the rotating mixer descending towards her. Dread-filled by her situation she frantically tried to free herself from her sticky restraints, but the nougat was too thick and chains too tight to struggle from. Numbuh 3 on the other hand was enjoying her ride on the fudge mover; blissfully unaware of the impending danger headed her way in the form of many sharp blades.
Numbuh 1 stared on helplessly as his friends fell to their mechanical doom. His throat dry, a tight knot in his gut, sweat dripped down his face as it changed from grayish pink to pure white. Lizzie looked over her work happily and turned to her captive mate, swooning.
"Soon, it'll just be you and me." She whispered caressing her hand down his horror stricken face.
"Don't you realize what you're doing?" He questioned wide-eyed as she ran her hand over his chest, feeling his confused breathing and rapid heartbeat.
"I'm doing this for us Nigie. Nothing can get in our way now."
"But you're going to kill them!" He shouted, his fear becoming anger. "Doesn't that concern you?"
"All I care about is you. And once your stupid friends are out of the way you'll be all mine." She smiled cutely, excited by the notion of having Nigel Uno all to herself.
"If you do care about me Lizzie, you'll stop this madness and untie me."
"Yeah! Let us go ya psycho!" Numbuh 4 demanded, having been able to loosen his gag from his mouth. He snarled at the lovesick red head, waist high in cocoa flavored muck and still sinking.
Lizzie ignored the blonde's ramblings, completely absorbed in the study of her desire's features. His eyes were narrowed, teeth clenched, hands balled into tight fists.
"Have you lost your mind?!" He screamed, voice squeaking.
She pouted, scrunching her lips frowning, letting her eyes get big and moist. Why those eyes? Lord, why did she have to have those will melting eyes? Outside his anger started to fade, but inside the very depths of his heart he still felt a burning hate for what she was doing.
"I'm giving you a gift." She whined.
"You're sending my friends to their death!" He shouted.
"But think about how nice everything will be once they're gone." She insisted. "You won't have anymore Kids Next Door to worry about. No more dangerous missions fighting stinky grown-ups. No more dumb teammates you have to yell at. You can be a normal kid Nigel. You can spend your days playing instead of planning. You can have toys instead of weapons. And a girlfriend to love you forever. What did they ever do for you but take orders? I'm giving you something wonderful Nigie, just the two of us, it'll be bliss. You'll never have to worry about those silly responsibilities ever again. All you'll ever have to worry about is me. Don't you want that Nigie? Don't you want to be happy?"
He stared at her blank-faced, going over her offer in his mind. A look of revelation overtook his features as he gazed into her large puppy-dog eyes.
"You know--- You're right."
His four endangered crewmates gasped, cold shock gripping their hearts. How could their leader so easily succumb to the promising song of that heinous siren? Lizzie squealed happily, staring lovingly at Nigel who smiled back soft and charming.
"I never thought of it that way before." He said smoothed voiced. "I want to be happy, Lizzie. I want you to make me happy."
"What are you talking about Numbuh 1?!" Numbuh 4 yelled at his lovesick leader. "Have you lost ya cruddy mind?!!" He struggled, chest deep in melted fudgey goodness, anger rising.
"We can make each other happy Nigie." Lizzie cooed gleefully. She was bubbling with joy, gazing into his dark jewel eyes.
"I never realized until now how much you really cared about me." His British accent was alluringly mellow.
"Of course I care about you." Lizzie smiled, embracing his restrained body. "I love you so much."
He smiled a wide gentle grin, his breath was slow and calm.
"I just wish I could show you how much I care about you."
She released him, startled, excited, beaming with cheer.
"Oh, Nigie. Do you know how long I've waited for you to say that?"
Eagerly she pulled at the ribbons holding him down. Now free of his silken bonds he let her help him to his feet. He rubbed his wrists, examining for ligatures and fortunately found none.
"That's much better." He said, smiling closed mouthed at Lizzie. Taking her in his arms he spun her around romantically. She laughed giddily as he dipped her, pseudo dancing. It was just like in those romantic movies and books she surrounded herself with, only this time it was real, and it was him; her man, her Nigel.
"Ooh, Nigel, you've never acted like this before." She swooned, lightheaded with happiness, "I like it."
"You've opened my eyes Lizzie. I understand now." He stroked her cheek lovingly. He was her prince charming. She blushed and giggled.
"Numbuh 1! What are you doing!?" Numbuh 4 demanded at the top of his lungs with all his fear and anger. "I can't believe ya choosin' 'er ova' us! Are you off ya nut?!" Numbuh 1 didn't answer, his back turned to the machines. All he could see was Lizzie and her beautiful eyes. "Numbuh 1! Hey! Are you listenin' ta me?! Numbuh 1!!" The Aussie sounded desperate as the chocolate reached his neck. He lifted his head as high as he could, savoring the last few moments of air he had left.
"Well, look at the bright side Numbuh 4," Consoled Numbuh 2 who had gotten free of his gag. "If we're gonna go, this is the way to do it!" With that the chubby pilot opened his mouth wide and slurped up all the chocolate that he could get into his oral cavity. Numbuh 4 rolled his eyes with a groan as his ears slipped under the melted confection.
By now Numbuh 3 was becoming aware of the danger she was in. The giant metal knives now only a few yards away was a big hint. She whimpered as she curled up as tight as her bonds would let her. Making herself as little a target as possible. The sound of spinning blades was loud in Numbuh 5's ears as she sunk down in the nougat as deep as she could get. Oscillating bars getting closer to her head.
Numbuh 1 appeared wonderfully ignorant of his teammates' suffering. Lost in Lizzie's eyes, mesmerized. Un-phased by the muffled cries for help. Lizzie wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes locked to his own.
"What are you going to do now?" She asked. He grinned, intelligence gleaming in his bespectacled eyes. He spoke softly, leaning forward.
"I'm going to do something I should have done a long time ago."
Heavenly euphoria overtook her senses as he touched his lips to hers. He was so gentle, soft and warm. His breath nonchalantly intermingling with her own. His embrace was comforting, their bodies a single entity of love in her mind.
The quartet of imperiled agents shared a unified disbelief. The last image they would ever see would be their beloved leader betraying them. Choosing love over duty, a seductress over his friends. Numbuh 3 held her knees to her chest, squeezing her eyes shut, hoping this was all a dream. Taking a deep breath, Numbuh 4 was plunged under the dark fluid, still struggling. He wouldn't give up, he had to live, he had to kill that Lizzie. The anger boiled inside him, adrenaline pumped heavy through his veins, but despite his efforts the chain still held tight. A painful sadness shadowed his fury. He had trusted Numbuh 1, the commander he secretly idolized, the boy who had given him a chance to use his fighting skill for a cause greater then anything he had ever known. He thought his hero's will could withstand the temptations of a girl. But Lizzie was no girl, she was a monster, a possessive beast that needed to be stopped. Four's struggles began to slow, his muscles burning, lungs ready to burst, mind floating from one random thought to the other.
Numbuh 2 could feel Numbuh 4's thrashing amid the wet darkness, but the kicking of his companion did not disturb the joy he was getting from the ocean of chocolate filling his mouth.
Dark eyes widened with sorrow. How could he? Numbuh 1 was their leader, would he really give it all away, let it die, for a girl? Numbuh 5 knew Lizzie would only string him along like a dog on a leash. It just wasn't like him to turn his back on his friends like this. But then again, he'd done it once before. Abandoning his teammates for his girlfriend. Numbuh 5 lowered her head, no longer caring about the mixing blades less then a foot away from decapitating her. She was already feeling a different kind of pain in the core of her heart.
The moment was perfect, Lizzie wouldn't have it any other way. She loved the taste of Nigel on her lips. She wanted to stay like this forever. He was finally hers, a dream come true. Lost in his kiss she barely noticed his arm leave her shoulder, or the sound of the factory machines powering down.
/./././././././././././././././././././././././././././
The whirring mechanics slowed to a climatic halt; the fudge chopper's blades stopped only harmlessly tapping the tips of Numbuh 3's sneakers before resetting in their upright positions. The dipping chain recoiled on its spool, lifting a pair of sweet, soggy boys into the air. The dark chocolate dripped from their bodies as they coughed and gasped, refilling their lungs with precious oxygen. Rotating bars decreased their speed until they came to a full stop only millimeters from the top of Numbuh 5's hat.
The mixing arm lifted back into its safety setting with a click to indicate it was securely out of harms way. The capped girl looked up to see Numbuh 1 withdraw from Lizzie's lips, his hand slowly sliding from the power switch on the wall.
"Goodbye Lizzie." He whispered.
She felt suddenly cold. Snapping her eyes open the red head saw that Nigel was no longer holding her. His face no longer smiling, his eyes no longer shining like beautiful gems.
"What do you mean Nigel?" She questioned.
He sighed shaking his head then glared at her, his face intense and serious, not a hint of remorse in his voice.
"It's over Lizzie. We're through--- completely. You've crossed the line this time. I can't let you do this."
Lizzie quickly scanned the room, realizing the power switch in its off position and her rivals relatively safe and sound.
"You tricked me?" She pouted, heart-broken. "Nigie why? They can't really be more important then me?"
He pushed up his sunglasses, completely concealing his eyes.
"Yes, they are."
Her wide eyes brimmed with tears, but his expression failed to falter.
"No! We were meant to be together!" She shouted furiously, lunging for him, hoping to have him again in her embrace. He took a few steps back, avoiding her grasp.
"Actually Lizzie, I think this proves we aren't meant to be together. I need to be with the Kids Next Door, it's who I am. Continuing our relationship under these circumstances wouldn't be fair to either of us. You're---just too needy."
She sniffled, holding back tears. Spotting the power box on the wall she rushed to it ready to turn the machines on once again.
"No! They can't do this! They can't take you from me! I won't let them!"
Thinking quickly, Numbuh 1 grabbed a SCAMPP from the piled weapons and zapped the power switch, blasting the leaver off, rendering it useless. Lizzie stood back aghast, she turned to her obsession, pleading with her crying eyes to reconsider.
"You can't just dump me."
He glared as his Machiavellian ex-mate. Laser clutched in hand, expression emotionless.
"You can't just threaten my friends." In his voice there was a stern but non-threatening tone. "I know you don't want this, but this is how it has to be."
His final words spoken he left her to her sadness, turning quickly to the aid of his friends. An iota of shame for having to be so abrupt tugging at his heart. But he steeled himself knowing it was requisite to protect his team above all else. As far as he was concerned now, he had no girlfriend. Setting his weapon up against the tub of nougat his hands were now free to remove the gag from Numbuh 5's mouth.
"Are you alright Numbuh 5?" He asked plunging his arms into fluffy goop to undo the binding chains.
Her eyes sparkled as she smiled at his concerned face. He hadn't betrayed them at all. He was still the same loyal, caring, dedicated leader she had grown to trust in their many years together as partners in anti-adult crime.
"Betta' now baby." She chimed, "Numbuh 5 likes her nougat but not like this."
"I hope I didn't scare anyone." He resigned busily fumbling blindly with the metal links.
"Eh, no big deal, Numbuh 1." Numbuh 4 dismissed from his suspended spot, heart swelling with KND pride. "Man, the way you suckered that Lizzie inta lettin' ya go, it was blinkin' brilliant!"
Numbuh 1 felt the tug of a smile with Four's encouraging praise. Unhooking the chains from the dark girl's body, letting the bonds sink into the vat, as he gently took her by the arms carefully helping her out of the creamy glop.
"As uncouth as it was, I knew something had to be done to keep you guys from being---"
His words came to a sudden halt feeling the cold nozzle press against the back of his neck.
"Hold it right there!" The SCAMPP rattled in Lizzie's inexperienced hands. Numbuh 1 slowly lifted his arms into the air, trying his hardest to keep from panicking. Although terror had a very good grip on his heart.
"What are you doing?" He questioned, moving as little as possible.
Lizzie glared straight into Numbuh 5's eyes. A burning hate fueled by jealous rage blazing in her bespectacled orbs. The dark girl glared back but stayed perfectly still so as not to provoke the laser toting nut ball.
"If I can't have him no one can!" The red head cried, prodding the barrel of the weapon harder into his spine.
Swallowing hard he tried to reach her rational side.
"Lizzie, please. Just think about what you're doing."
"I have thought about it Nigie. And I can't stand the idea of you running around with these ruffians. If we can't go out like Snow White and Prince Charming then we'll just have to go out like Romeo and Juliet."
"I don't recall Juliet shooting Romeo with a laser!" He shouted.
"Oh details" she dismissed with a roll of her eyes, "What matters is that we'll be together forever in heaven."
"Ha! I doubt you'll be goin' there!" Numbuh 4 called down.
"You see Nigie?" she insisted "Why would you want to be friends with such low lives? I'm so much better for you. I love you! They could never care for you like I can. I need you. I'm sure you can do without the stupid Kids Next Door---"
That was the last straw. Being an obsessive girlfriend was one thing. But insulting the honor and defiling the leader of the Kids Next Door was utterly intolerable. Screaming furiously, Numbuh 5 leapt from the nougat tank, successfully flipping over Numbuh 1 and kicking Lizzie right in the face.
"Dat's it! Numbuh 5 had enough of yo bad mouthin' us!"
Lizzie hit the ground with a thud. Gripping the laser in one hand and rubbing her face with the other, she climbed to her feet, sniffling.
"You kicked me." She whined with threatening tears.
"Yeah, and Numbuh 5 gonna give you worse if you don't cut yo crazy talk and leave Numbuh 1 alone!"
Lizzie snarled and focused the weapon on the dark skinned girl.
"You can't take him from me!"
Thinking quickly Numbuh 5 swept her leg into a low kick knocking Lizzie again to the floor. The impact caused the fallen girl to inadvertently pull the trigger of the gun.
The hot beam cut through the chocolate vat splitting the vessel open, spilling its sweet dark contents all over the floor in a cocoa tidal wave. Now ankle deep in chocolate fluid the two girls began their dangerous face off. Numbuh 5 tried to wrestle the SCAMPP from Lizzie's grip to even the playing field but in the process caused the weapon to misfire once again.
Numbuh 1 ducked to avoid the blast allowing the beam to instead sever the chain holding Numbuhs 2 and 4 aloft. The duo dropped quickly to the linoleum. Yelping with pain as they landed on their rears.
Successfully yanking the laser from her opponent's chubby fingers, Numbuh 5 tossed the soup can weapon aside, letting it sink under the sweet, muddy puddle coating the floor.
Disarmed but not disheartened, Lizzie lunged for her enemy. She wasn't going to give up until there was nothing between her and Nigel. Numbuh 5 did a back flip, skillfully avoiding the harpy's attempt to wring her neck. Her landing however was less then graceful as the thick slick fudge on the ground caused her to slip backwards. Swinging her arms in circles she successfully stopped herself from falling on her butt. But this gave Lizzie enough time to ram the capped warrior head on.
Both girls hit the ground, splashing wildly. Numbuh 5 quickly got up in time to knee Lizzie in the chest. Lizzie, in turn pulled Numbuh 5's hat over her eyes. Punching blindly, Five managed a right hook to Lizzie's plump cheek. The red head snarled and retaliated by upper cutting the operative in the stomach. Five grunted, momentarily clutching her gut, then glared at Lizzie's smug satisfied smile with an icy scowl, powered by an inner passion to preserve the sanctity of the Kids Next Door, to protect the freedom of her leader, and to kick Lizzie so hard her grandparents could feel it.
Gripping Lizzie's wrist Five hauled the zealot over her shoulder and performed a pile driver to her ribs. Lizzie reached over and pushed Five's face into the fudge, pressing her weight into the dark girls' back. Thrashing violently Numbuh 5 used every bit of force she could muster to roll out from under the suffocating heft and kick Lizzie in the torso sending her flying across the floor. The two girls shot the evil eye to each other from the distance between them. Crying out awful screams of hate they rushed at one another in a fury of punches, pulls, pinches, kicks, flips, slashes, and smashes.
Numbuh 1 watched the carnage nearly breathless. His heartbeat matching the rhythm of the battle before him, reckless and unsure of calm end. He felt the anxiousness churning inside him, dumbfounded and clueless as to what to do to help the situation. Words failed to come to mind, only the sounds of struggle and anger could penetrate his senses. He wanted so badly to restore the order that has so quickly fallen away. But a strong inner sensation compelled him to let them be. That getting involved would only make things worse. He instead left them to their chocolate covered catfight and ran over to the other machines to untie his remaining friends.
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The last of the chains fell to the ground allowing Numbuh 3 to jump around freely once again. She hopped over Numbuh 4's head as he offered to help her down from the conveyer belt. He yelped as she sprung off, playing leap frog to get a better view of the fight going on behind them. Numbuh 2 stood mesmerized by the battle. Never had he suspected that Lizzie could fight like that. Her actions where random and it was obvious Numbuh 5 had the upper hand with her years of KND training. But the fiery haired devotee was holding her own, matching the operative, powered by her own lust for blood and the possession of her lover.
"He's mine!" Lizzie cried, pulling Numbuh 5's ear.
Five pushed Lizzie's glasses into her face.
"Girl, you don't own him!"
The girls pushed off one another, falling backwards into the dark puddle. They got up and glared at each other down. Breathing deeply, eyeing one another, ready for another go at it.
"I'm not standing by while you steal him away from me!" Lizzie squealed grasping Five's shoulders. Numbuh 5 did the same, pushing hard, both opponents trying to topple the other.
"If you really love him you'll let him do what he wanna do."
"He wants to be with me! He just doesn't know it yet!"
"Man, yo got to get yo'self a reality check."
"Lizzie, Numbuh 5, stop this!" Numbuh 1 called out from the sidelines. The sound of vehement screeching and yelling overshadowed his pleas as the two girls rolled around in the liquid confection before the divergent minded agents.
"Guess they're not listening Numbuh 1." Numbuh 2 always had a knack for stating the obvious. Numbuh 1 stared on despondent.
"Yeah, wallop 'er good Numbuh 5!" Numbuh 4 egged on, eager to join the battle himself. But his fighter's instinct told him that this was Numbuh 5's fight to finish. There was no doubt in his mind that she could take Lizzie out all on her own. He just hoped she would leave a modicum for him to beat up later.
"Yay! Mud pie!" Numbuh 3 giggled watching the splashing around.
The fighters exchanged blows in the center of their edible "ring." Each assault more heated then the last accompanied with an exchange of insults.
"Tomboy!"
"Obsessive freak!"
Lizzie pulled Five's braid with a painful yank.
"Hussy!"
Surprised by Lizzie's use of that particular adjective, Numbuh 5 socked the offender in the nose causing her to release the thick lock giving them some distance.
"What you call me?!" Five questioned, her voice like a slow boil.
"I'm not blind, so don't think I haven't noticed." Lizzie spat viciously. She hurled herself at Numbuh 5, pinning her to the ground. The chubby girl's face contorted into a nasty snarl. She leaned in close and hissed.
"I've seen the way you look at my Nigel."
Five's eyes widened reflexively. Then cocked in a confused manner.
"What are you talkin' 'bout? ---Ak!"
Lizzie pressed on Five harder, her hands steadily wrapping around her victim's neck, body weight to her advantage, eyes practically glowing with madness.
All pity was gone. There was no reasoning with her. The innocent, loving girl he had believed she was, was nothing but another face of a raving lunatic. Slowly it was sinking in as a new anger continued its initiative to rise. Silently he pleaded for Lizzie to stop so he wouldn't have to resort to what his anger was telling him to do.
As the weight bore down on her trachea, Five desperately clasped her attacker's wrists. Leaning her head back, choking slightly, she caught her leaders' inverted solicitude. Sensing his strife, even hidden behind his dark shades, and her own need to survive, she thought fast. Grabbing a handful of gooey melted chocolate, Numbuh 5 threw the dark slop into Lizzie's eyes, inking out her glasses.
"Somebody needs a checkup from the love doctor."
Wiping frantically at her lenses Lizzie was blinded long enough to be thrust aside by the surprising strength of Numbuh 5. Taking this reprieve, Five pulled herself shakily to her feet. Gently rubbing her throat. Looking up, catching Numbuh 1's eye they exchanged relieved smiles. He steadily walked towards the girls, looking to Lizzie with a strange new detachment. Instead of continuing her onslaught, she looked up at him with teary eyes only to be answered by a look of betrayal.
"Please don't be mad at me Nigie." She audibly whispered.
"It's over Lizzie." He said softly. "This time for real."
Lizzie sobbed mutely, gazing into the muddy candy coated floor. Beneath the surface she felt something near her hand. Realizing what it was she smiled wickedly and pulled it from the muck.
Numbuhs 1 and 5 reeled back in surprise as the once discarded SCAMPP was now pointed at them. It's wielder focused on them with a crazed flicker in her eyes.
"It's not over!" She screeched, "It can't be over!"
Pulling the sticky trigger, a sharp beam careened at Numbuh 5. She dodged expertly, allowing the blast to instead hit a chain spool on the far side of the room. The impact caused the spool to unravel, releasing a heavy chain hook that was restrained by it to the ceiling. The large steel hook swung down towards the trio at threatening speed.
Acting solely on reflex, Numbuh 1 gripped her arm and pulled her out of the way with him. Embracing her if only for a second, until they plunged into the chocolate and split apart, landing on their backs. One turned his head and looked at Five lying next to him. Her face stunned, staring upwards.
Suddenly he heard the sickening crack of metal against glass and flesh. He looked ahead to see Lizzie's clumsy form propelled horizontally. Skidding to a halt in the slick sweet against the wall. The chain suspended hook pendulated until it came to a slow rest in the center of the room. Only then did the five warriors deem it safe to examine its victim.
She slouched against the metal slab, head lolling unevenly. She looked up at the lead of the quintet smiling dreamily. Her glasses cracked and knocked askew. Numbuh 1 stepped forward timidly.
"Lizzie?"
She continued to grin, lost in a head trauma haze. Limply handing there, raggedly like a discarded toy. Big eyes dazedly staring at him from behind broken glass. One swollen shut, the other half-closed. Once beautiful. Still beautiful. Her voice was soft and calm, surprising those who had just seen her vengeful wrath only seconds ago. Her words slipped out like a passing breeze.
"I did it all for you Nigel."
Her head drooped; chin nestled to her chest, unconscious.
His eyes softened as his mouth opened slightly. He could have saved her too. Even after all she had done, she still didn't deserve to get this. He felt a hand pat his back.
"Ah, don't let it get ya down Numbuh 1." Numbuh 4 consoled, "She was crazy."
"And besides," Added Numbuh 2. "Look at all this chocolate!"
"Yippee! Candy party!" affixed Numbuh 3.
Both chunky pilot and giddy Asian jumped with joy before scooping spilt fudge into their mouths, not caring that it had first been on the floor.
Numbuh 1 could barely hear their jubilation over the conflicting emotions inside his head. Staring at Lizzie's broken body, feeling an indescribable sadness starting to grow. If she had been any other enemy he wouldn't be having such painful thoughts. But she was different and always would be. She had done such horrible things; tried to steal his will, break up him and his friends, kill his friends, all in the name of love, or rather, her warped view of it. He knew she really didn't love him. It was merely a childhood crush gone too far. But still, guilt weighted heavy in his chest. He had to live with the fact that he had broken her heart. And what a strange, twisted heart she discovered it was.
"Still," He murmured, "I can't help but feel sorry for her."
Numbuh 5 looked to him sympathetically and placed a hand on his slumped shoulder.
"Love makes us do crazy thangs."
[To Be Continued] /./././././././././././././././
~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~
He was greeted to the waking world with a sore body and splitting headache. The horrible throbbing in his skull slowly subsided as a soft hand caressed his bare cranium.
"Nigel---" A melodious feminine voice cooed, "Nigel, wake up---"
He groaned, attempting to open his eyes against dizziness and the urge to sleep just a little while longer. His vision was blurry at first. The form standing over him was only a few fuzzy blotches of pink and yellow, and the lights behind her weren't helping. He blinked a few times trying to get his tired eyes to focus. The figure above him started to become more recognizable. The feature that caught his attention first was her huge, flirtatious eyes.
"Hi handsome." She smiled seeing the look of recognition on his face.
"L, Lizzie?" He groaned. "What's going on? The last thing I remember is nearly being crushed, by a giant chocolate bunny."
She leaned in closer and resumed stroking his smooth head.
"It's alright Nigie," She said sweetly, "Everything's ok now."
"But what about the factory? My friends?" He tried to sit up.
"Shhh---." She hushed him, holding him down gently. "I took care of everything."
He stopped resisting, laying his head back down in the soft cushion he had woken up on. His body still ached and his head was still swimming. Her words seemed soothing but it didn't stop the nervousness from jittering around in his stomach or the questions bubbling in his brain.
"But how? Where---?" he tried to look around but Lizzie blocked his view and whatever he was laying in had walls around it further obscuring his vision.
"You don't have to worry your pretty little head about it Nigie." She assured him. "You don't have to worry about anything anymore."
Dread filled his heart at those words.
"What do you mean?" He insisted.
She answered him with a satisfied smirk that only succeeded in frightening him further.
"Lizzie, what do you mean? Where are the others?"
She only stared at him dreamily. As his eyes darted around, he managed to catch glimpses of his surroundings. He was still in the factory, but now all the lights where on.
"Why aren't you answering me? Lizzie, what is going on?"
He was starting to get angry, his heart already racing with fear. He tried to sit up again but found that even without Lizzie's intervention he could not budge his arms or legs.
"Huh? I can't move. Lizzie, why can't I move?!"
His fear was now turning into extreme panic. Frantically he tried to get up but to no avail, his body remained immobile. He whimpered, making noises somewhere between crying and hyperventilating. Lizzie just stood over his reclined body smiling happily. But there was something else behind that smile, something evil.
"What's going on? Please tell me!"
Had he been paralyzed in the accident? No, he could feel his limbs, he just couldn't move them. Turning his head as much as his position would allow he could now see that his arms and legs were tied down with bright red ribbon and he was apparently being restrained inside an open, giant, heart-shaped box.
"Lizzie, what is the meaning of this?!"
She batted her eyes at him and silently wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him, her embrace getting slowly tighter. She whispered in his ear, softly, sweetly.
"I'm making things better."
"And just how is tying me up making things better?" He raised an eyebrow. She released him from her arms and smiled. Thoughts began to click in his brain, thoughts that filled him with greater fear. "Is this about our break up?"
"Don't sound so scared Nigie," she pouted. "I know how sad you were when you said that we couldn't see each other anymore. So I decided to fix everything. I have something to show you."
She turned the box around to face the machines on the other side of the building. His eyes widened huge with disbelief and fear.
His teammates, his friends, tied up, unconscious, helpless. Gagged and bound to various factory equipment. Their weapons in a small pile off to the side of the room. Numbuh 3 was laid on a conveyer belt meant for large blocks of fudge to be sliced up into travel- sized pieces. Numbuhs 2 and 4 were chained to a dangling hook over a large vat of melted chocolate, thick and bubbling slightly. Between the larger machines sat a tub of nougat, hooked up under a blade attachment fastened to it. Standing inside the vat, tied to a long wooden spoon to remain upright was Numbuh 5. Her head down, brim of her hat blocking her features, chest-high in fluffy candy-bar filling.
"Dear lord---" his breath was thin as it escaped his lips. "Lizzie, what have you done?"
She smiled at her morbid accomplishment.
"You said that you were always so busy with your stupid friends, so I decided to make sure you'd never be too busy for me again."
Numbuh 4 knew something was wrong the moment he regained consciousness. Something cold and uncomfortable was tied tightly around him, restricting the movement of his arms. Balling his fists he wiggled about violently, kicking his legs and grunting through his cloth muzzle. Although valiant his efforts only managed to cause the chain he was hanging from to swing mildly and wake up Numbuh 2 to whom he was bound.
"Lizzie, don't you think you're taking this a bit to the extremes?"
Numbuh 1 asked the stout girl as she made her way to a power switch on the wall.
"Of course not silly." She chuckled, "I'm just getting rid of a few distractions." Folding her hand of over the long lever she grinned and gave it a firm yank.
The machines started up with a loud whirr. The crash and clang of gears rattled and echoed throughout the vacant building. Numbuhs 2 and 4 struggled in their chains as they were slowly lowered into the warm gooey vat. The sound of spinning blades roused Numbuh 5 from her dulled mind. Looking up she saw the rotating mixer descending towards her. Dread-filled by her situation she frantically tried to free herself from her sticky restraints, but the nougat was too thick and chains too tight to struggle from. Numbuh 3 on the other hand was enjoying her ride on the fudge mover; blissfully unaware of the impending danger headed her way in the form of many sharp blades.
Numbuh 1 stared on helplessly as his friends fell to their mechanical doom. His throat dry, a tight knot in his gut, sweat dripped down his face as it changed from grayish pink to pure white. Lizzie looked over her work happily and turned to her captive mate, swooning.
"Soon, it'll just be you and me." She whispered caressing her hand down his horror stricken face.
"Don't you realize what you're doing?" He questioned wide-eyed as she ran her hand over his chest, feeling his confused breathing and rapid heartbeat.
"I'm doing this for us Nigie. Nothing can get in our way now."
"But you're going to kill them!" He shouted, his fear becoming anger. "Doesn't that concern you?"
"All I care about is you. And once your stupid friends are out of the way you'll be all mine." She smiled cutely, excited by the notion of having Nigel Uno all to herself.
"If you do care about me Lizzie, you'll stop this madness and untie me."
"Yeah! Let us go ya psycho!" Numbuh 4 demanded, having been able to loosen his gag from his mouth. He snarled at the lovesick red head, waist high in cocoa flavored muck and still sinking.
Lizzie ignored the blonde's ramblings, completely absorbed in the study of her desire's features. His eyes were narrowed, teeth clenched, hands balled into tight fists.
"Have you lost your mind?!" He screamed, voice squeaking.
She pouted, scrunching her lips frowning, letting her eyes get big and moist. Why those eyes? Lord, why did she have to have those will melting eyes? Outside his anger started to fade, but inside the very depths of his heart he still felt a burning hate for what she was doing.
"I'm giving you a gift." She whined.
"You're sending my friends to their death!" He shouted.
"But think about how nice everything will be once they're gone." She insisted. "You won't have anymore Kids Next Door to worry about. No more dangerous missions fighting stinky grown-ups. No more dumb teammates you have to yell at. You can be a normal kid Nigel. You can spend your days playing instead of planning. You can have toys instead of weapons. And a girlfriend to love you forever. What did they ever do for you but take orders? I'm giving you something wonderful Nigie, just the two of us, it'll be bliss. You'll never have to worry about those silly responsibilities ever again. All you'll ever have to worry about is me. Don't you want that Nigie? Don't you want to be happy?"
He stared at her blank-faced, going over her offer in his mind. A look of revelation overtook his features as he gazed into her large puppy-dog eyes.
"You know--- You're right."
His four endangered crewmates gasped, cold shock gripping their hearts. How could their leader so easily succumb to the promising song of that heinous siren? Lizzie squealed happily, staring lovingly at Nigel who smiled back soft and charming.
"I never thought of it that way before." He said smoothed voiced. "I want to be happy, Lizzie. I want you to make me happy."
"What are you talking about Numbuh 1?!" Numbuh 4 yelled at his lovesick leader. "Have you lost ya cruddy mind?!!" He struggled, chest deep in melted fudgey goodness, anger rising.
"We can make each other happy Nigie." Lizzie cooed gleefully. She was bubbling with joy, gazing into his dark jewel eyes.
"I never realized until now how much you really cared about me." His British accent was alluringly mellow.
"Of course I care about you." Lizzie smiled, embracing his restrained body. "I love you so much."
He smiled a wide gentle grin, his breath was slow and calm.
"I just wish I could show you how much I care about you."
She released him, startled, excited, beaming with cheer.
"Oh, Nigie. Do you know how long I've waited for you to say that?"
Eagerly she pulled at the ribbons holding him down. Now free of his silken bonds he let her help him to his feet. He rubbed his wrists, examining for ligatures and fortunately found none.
"That's much better." He said, smiling closed mouthed at Lizzie. Taking her in his arms he spun her around romantically. She laughed giddily as he dipped her, pseudo dancing. It was just like in those romantic movies and books she surrounded herself with, only this time it was real, and it was him; her man, her Nigel.
"Ooh, Nigel, you've never acted like this before." She swooned, lightheaded with happiness, "I like it."
"You've opened my eyes Lizzie. I understand now." He stroked her cheek lovingly. He was her prince charming. She blushed and giggled.
"Numbuh 1! What are you doing!?" Numbuh 4 demanded at the top of his lungs with all his fear and anger. "I can't believe ya choosin' 'er ova' us! Are you off ya nut?!" Numbuh 1 didn't answer, his back turned to the machines. All he could see was Lizzie and her beautiful eyes. "Numbuh 1! Hey! Are you listenin' ta me?! Numbuh 1!!" The Aussie sounded desperate as the chocolate reached his neck. He lifted his head as high as he could, savoring the last few moments of air he had left.
"Well, look at the bright side Numbuh 4," Consoled Numbuh 2 who had gotten free of his gag. "If we're gonna go, this is the way to do it!" With that the chubby pilot opened his mouth wide and slurped up all the chocolate that he could get into his oral cavity. Numbuh 4 rolled his eyes with a groan as his ears slipped under the melted confection.
By now Numbuh 3 was becoming aware of the danger she was in. The giant metal knives now only a few yards away was a big hint. She whimpered as she curled up as tight as her bonds would let her. Making herself as little a target as possible. The sound of spinning blades was loud in Numbuh 5's ears as she sunk down in the nougat as deep as she could get. Oscillating bars getting closer to her head.
Numbuh 1 appeared wonderfully ignorant of his teammates' suffering. Lost in Lizzie's eyes, mesmerized. Un-phased by the muffled cries for help. Lizzie wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes locked to his own.
"What are you going to do now?" She asked. He grinned, intelligence gleaming in his bespectacled eyes. He spoke softly, leaning forward.
"I'm going to do something I should have done a long time ago."
Heavenly euphoria overtook her senses as he touched his lips to hers. He was so gentle, soft and warm. His breath nonchalantly intermingling with her own. His embrace was comforting, their bodies a single entity of love in her mind.
The quartet of imperiled agents shared a unified disbelief. The last image they would ever see would be their beloved leader betraying them. Choosing love over duty, a seductress over his friends. Numbuh 3 held her knees to her chest, squeezing her eyes shut, hoping this was all a dream. Taking a deep breath, Numbuh 4 was plunged under the dark fluid, still struggling. He wouldn't give up, he had to live, he had to kill that Lizzie. The anger boiled inside him, adrenaline pumped heavy through his veins, but despite his efforts the chain still held tight. A painful sadness shadowed his fury. He had trusted Numbuh 1, the commander he secretly idolized, the boy who had given him a chance to use his fighting skill for a cause greater then anything he had ever known. He thought his hero's will could withstand the temptations of a girl. But Lizzie was no girl, she was a monster, a possessive beast that needed to be stopped. Four's struggles began to slow, his muscles burning, lungs ready to burst, mind floating from one random thought to the other.
Numbuh 2 could feel Numbuh 4's thrashing amid the wet darkness, but the kicking of his companion did not disturb the joy he was getting from the ocean of chocolate filling his mouth.
Dark eyes widened with sorrow. How could he? Numbuh 1 was their leader, would he really give it all away, let it die, for a girl? Numbuh 5 knew Lizzie would only string him along like a dog on a leash. It just wasn't like him to turn his back on his friends like this. But then again, he'd done it once before. Abandoning his teammates for his girlfriend. Numbuh 5 lowered her head, no longer caring about the mixing blades less then a foot away from decapitating her. She was already feeling a different kind of pain in the core of her heart.
The moment was perfect, Lizzie wouldn't have it any other way. She loved the taste of Nigel on her lips. She wanted to stay like this forever. He was finally hers, a dream come true. Lost in his kiss she barely noticed his arm leave her shoulder, or the sound of the factory machines powering down.
/./././././././././././././././././././././././././././
The whirring mechanics slowed to a climatic halt; the fudge chopper's blades stopped only harmlessly tapping the tips of Numbuh 3's sneakers before resetting in their upright positions. The dipping chain recoiled on its spool, lifting a pair of sweet, soggy boys into the air. The dark chocolate dripped from their bodies as they coughed and gasped, refilling their lungs with precious oxygen. Rotating bars decreased their speed until they came to a full stop only millimeters from the top of Numbuh 5's hat.
The mixing arm lifted back into its safety setting with a click to indicate it was securely out of harms way. The capped girl looked up to see Numbuh 1 withdraw from Lizzie's lips, his hand slowly sliding from the power switch on the wall.
"Goodbye Lizzie." He whispered.
She felt suddenly cold. Snapping her eyes open the red head saw that Nigel was no longer holding her. His face no longer smiling, his eyes no longer shining like beautiful gems.
"What do you mean Nigel?" She questioned.
He sighed shaking his head then glared at her, his face intense and serious, not a hint of remorse in his voice.
"It's over Lizzie. We're through--- completely. You've crossed the line this time. I can't let you do this."
Lizzie quickly scanned the room, realizing the power switch in its off position and her rivals relatively safe and sound.
"You tricked me?" She pouted, heart-broken. "Nigie why? They can't really be more important then me?"
He pushed up his sunglasses, completely concealing his eyes.
"Yes, they are."
Her wide eyes brimmed with tears, but his expression failed to falter.
"No! We were meant to be together!" She shouted furiously, lunging for him, hoping to have him again in her embrace. He took a few steps back, avoiding her grasp.
"Actually Lizzie, I think this proves we aren't meant to be together. I need to be with the Kids Next Door, it's who I am. Continuing our relationship under these circumstances wouldn't be fair to either of us. You're---just too needy."
She sniffled, holding back tears. Spotting the power box on the wall she rushed to it ready to turn the machines on once again.
"No! They can't do this! They can't take you from me! I won't let them!"
Thinking quickly, Numbuh 1 grabbed a SCAMPP from the piled weapons and zapped the power switch, blasting the leaver off, rendering it useless. Lizzie stood back aghast, she turned to her obsession, pleading with her crying eyes to reconsider.
"You can't just dump me."
He glared as his Machiavellian ex-mate. Laser clutched in hand, expression emotionless.
"You can't just threaten my friends." In his voice there was a stern but non-threatening tone. "I know you don't want this, but this is how it has to be."
His final words spoken he left her to her sadness, turning quickly to the aid of his friends. An iota of shame for having to be so abrupt tugging at his heart. But he steeled himself knowing it was requisite to protect his team above all else. As far as he was concerned now, he had no girlfriend. Setting his weapon up against the tub of nougat his hands were now free to remove the gag from Numbuh 5's mouth.
"Are you alright Numbuh 5?" He asked plunging his arms into fluffy goop to undo the binding chains.
Her eyes sparkled as she smiled at his concerned face. He hadn't betrayed them at all. He was still the same loyal, caring, dedicated leader she had grown to trust in their many years together as partners in anti-adult crime.
"Betta' now baby." She chimed, "Numbuh 5 likes her nougat but not like this."
"I hope I didn't scare anyone." He resigned busily fumbling blindly with the metal links.
"Eh, no big deal, Numbuh 1." Numbuh 4 dismissed from his suspended spot, heart swelling with KND pride. "Man, the way you suckered that Lizzie inta lettin' ya go, it was blinkin' brilliant!"
Numbuh 1 felt the tug of a smile with Four's encouraging praise. Unhooking the chains from the dark girl's body, letting the bonds sink into the vat, as he gently took her by the arms carefully helping her out of the creamy glop.
"As uncouth as it was, I knew something had to be done to keep you guys from being---"
His words came to a sudden halt feeling the cold nozzle press against the back of his neck.
"Hold it right there!" The SCAMPP rattled in Lizzie's inexperienced hands. Numbuh 1 slowly lifted his arms into the air, trying his hardest to keep from panicking. Although terror had a very good grip on his heart.
"What are you doing?" He questioned, moving as little as possible.
Lizzie glared straight into Numbuh 5's eyes. A burning hate fueled by jealous rage blazing in her bespectacled orbs. The dark girl glared back but stayed perfectly still so as not to provoke the laser toting nut ball.
"If I can't have him no one can!" The red head cried, prodding the barrel of the weapon harder into his spine.
Swallowing hard he tried to reach her rational side.
"Lizzie, please. Just think about what you're doing."
"I have thought about it Nigie. And I can't stand the idea of you running around with these ruffians. If we can't go out like Snow White and Prince Charming then we'll just have to go out like Romeo and Juliet."
"I don't recall Juliet shooting Romeo with a laser!" He shouted.
"Oh details" she dismissed with a roll of her eyes, "What matters is that we'll be together forever in heaven."
"Ha! I doubt you'll be goin' there!" Numbuh 4 called down.
"You see Nigie?" she insisted "Why would you want to be friends with such low lives? I'm so much better for you. I love you! They could never care for you like I can. I need you. I'm sure you can do without the stupid Kids Next Door---"
That was the last straw. Being an obsessive girlfriend was one thing. But insulting the honor and defiling the leader of the Kids Next Door was utterly intolerable. Screaming furiously, Numbuh 5 leapt from the nougat tank, successfully flipping over Numbuh 1 and kicking Lizzie right in the face.
"Dat's it! Numbuh 5 had enough of yo bad mouthin' us!"
Lizzie hit the ground with a thud. Gripping the laser in one hand and rubbing her face with the other, she climbed to her feet, sniffling.
"You kicked me." She whined with threatening tears.
"Yeah, and Numbuh 5 gonna give you worse if you don't cut yo crazy talk and leave Numbuh 1 alone!"
Lizzie snarled and focused the weapon on the dark skinned girl.
"You can't take him from me!"
Thinking quickly Numbuh 5 swept her leg into a low kick knocking Lizzie again to the floor. The impact caused the fallen girl to inadvertently pull the trigger of the gun.
The hot beam cut through the chocolate vat splitting the vessel open, spilling its sweet dark contents all over the floor in a cocoa tidal wave. Now ankle deep in chocolate fluid the two girls began their dangerous face off. Numbuh 5 tried to wrestle the SCAMPP from Lizzie's grip to even the playing field but in the process caused the weapon to misfire once again.
Numbuh 1 ducked to avoid the blast allowing the beam to instead sever the chain holding Numbuhs 2 and 4 aloft. The duo dropped quickly to the linoleum. Yelping with pain as they landed on their rears.
Successfully yanking the laser from her opponent's chubby fingers, Numbuh 5 tossed the soup can weapon aside, letting it sink under the sweet, muddy puddle coating the floor.
Disarmed but not disheartened, Lizzie lunged for her enemy. She wasn't going to give up until there was nothing between her and Nigel. Numbuh 5 did a back flip, skillfully avoiding the harpy's attempt to wring her neck. Her landing however was less then graceful as the thick slick fudge on the ground caused her to slip backwards. Swinging her arms in circles she successfully stopped herself from falling on her butt. But this gave Lizzie enough time to ram the capped warrior head on.
Both girls hit the ground, splashing wildly. Numbuh 5 quickly got up in time to knee Lizzie in the chest. Lizzie, in turn pulled Numbuh 5's hat over her eyes. Punching blindly, Five managed a right hook to Lizzie's plump cheek. The red head snarled and retaliated by upper cutting the operative in the stomach. Five grunted, momentarily clutching her gut, then glared at Lizzie's smug satisfied smile with an icy scowl, powered by an inner passion to preserve the sanctity of the Kids Next Door, to protect the freedom of her leader, and to kick Lizzie so hard her grandparents could feel it.
Gripping Lizzie's wrist Five hauled the zealot over her shoulder and performed a pile driver to her ribs. Lizzie reached over and pushed Five's face into the fudge, pressing her weight into the dark girls' back. Thrashing violently Numbuh 5 used every bit of force she could muster to roll out from under the suffocating heft and kick Lizzie in the torso sending her flying across the floor. The two girls shot the evil eye to each other from the distance between them. Crying out awful screams of hate they rushed at one another in a fury of punches, pulls, pinches, kicks, flips, slashes, and smashes.
Numbuh 1 watched the carnage nearly breathless. His heartbeat matching the rhythm of the battle before him, reckless and unsure of calm end. He felt the anxiousness churning inside him, dumbfounded and clueless as to what to do to help the situation. Words failed to come to mind, only the sounds of struggle and anger could penetrate his senses. He wanted so badly to restore the order that has so quickly fallen away. But a strong inner sensation compelled him to let them be. That getting involved would only make things worse. He instead left them to their chocolate covered catfight and ran over to the other machines to untie his remaining friends.
=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=
The last of the chains fell to the ground allowing Numbuh 3 to jump around freely once again. She hopped over Numbuh 4's head as he offered to help her down from the conveyer belt. He yelped as she sprung off, playing leap frog to get a better view of the fight going on behind them. Numbuh 2 stood mesmerized by the battle. Never had he suspected that Lizzie could fight like that. Her actions where random and it was obvious Numbuh 5 had the upper hand with her years of KND training. But the fiery haired devotee was holding her own, matching the operative, powered by her own lust for blood and the possession of her lover.
"He's mine!" Lizzie cried, pulling Numbuh 5's ear.
Five pushed Lizzie's glasses into her face.
"Girl, you don't own him!"
The girls pushed off one another, falling backwards into the dark puddle. They got up and glared at each other down. Breathing deeply, eyeing one another, ready for another go at it.
"I'm not standing by while you steal him away from me!" Lizzie squealed grasping Five's shoulders. Numbuh 5 did the same, pushing hard, both opponents trying to topple the other.
"If you really love him you'll let him do what he wanna do."
"He wants to be with me! He just doesn't know it yet!"
"Man, yo got to get yo'self a reality check."
"Lizzie, Numbuh 5, stop this!" Numbuh 1 called out from the sidelines. The sound of vehement screeching and yelling overshadowed his pleas as the two girls rolled around in the liquid confection before the divergent minded agents.
"Guess they're not listening Numbuh 1." Numbuh 2 always had a knack for stating the obvious. Numbuh 1 stared on despondent.
"Yeah, wallop 'er good Numbuh 5!" Numbuh 4 egged on, eager to join the battle himself. But his fighter's instinct told him that this was Numbuh 5's fight to finish. There was no doubt in his mind that she could take Lizzie out all on her own. He just hoped she would leave a modicum for him to beat up later.
"Yay! Mud pie!" Numbuh 3 giggled watching the splashing around.
The fighters exchanged blows in the center of their edible "ring." Each assault more heated then the last accompanied with an exchange of insults.
"Tomboy!"
"Obsessive freak!"
Lizzie pulled Five's braid with a painful yank.
"Hussy!"
Surprised by Lizzie's use of that particular adjective, Numbuh 5 socked the offender in the nose causing her to release the thick lock giving them some distance.
"What you call me?!" Five questioned, her voice like a slow boil.
"I'm not blind, so don't think I haven't noticed." Lizzie spat viciously. She hurled herself at Numbuh 5, pinning her to the ground. The chubby girl's face contorted into a nasty snarl. She leaned in close and hissed.
"I've seen the way you look at my Nigel."
Five's eyes widened reflexively. Then cocked in a confused manner.
"What are you talkin' 'bout? ---Ak!"
Lizzie pressed on Five harder, her hands steadily wrapping around her victim's neck, body weight to her advantage, eyes practically glowing with madness.
All pity was gone. There was no reasoning with her. The innocent, loving girl he had believed she was, was nothing but another face of a raving lunatic. Slowly it was sinking in as a new anger continued its initiative to rise. Silently he pleaded for Lizzie to stop so he wouldn't have to resort to what his anger was telling him to do.
As the weight bore down on her trachea, Five desperately clasped her attacker's wrists. Leaning her head back, choking slightly, she caught her leaders' inverted solicitude. Sensing his strife, even hidden behind his dark shades, and her own need to survive, she thought fast. Grabbing a handful of gooey melted chocolate, Numbuh 5 threw the dark slop into Lizzie's eyes, inking out her glasses.
"Somebody needs a checkup from the love doctor."
Wiping frantically at her lenses Lizzie was blinded long enough to be thrust aside by the surprising strength of Numbuh 5. Taking this reprieve, Five pulled herself shakily to her feet. Gently rubbing her throat. Looking up, catching Numbuh 1's eye they exchanged relieved smiles. He steadily walked towards the girls, looking to Lizzie with a strange new detachment. Instead of continuing her onslaught, she looked up at him with teary eyes only to be answered by a look of betrayal.
"Please don't be mad at me Nigie." She audibly whispered.
"It's over Lizzie." He said softly. "This time for real."
Lizzie sobbed mutely, gazing into the muddy candy coated floor. Beneath the surface she felt something near her hand. Realizing what it was she smiled wickedly and pulled it from the muck.
Numbuhs 1 and 5 reeled back in surprise as the once discarded SCAMPP was now pointed at them. It's wielder focused on them with a crazed flicker in her eyes.
"It's not over!" She screeched, "It can't be over!"
Pulling the sticky trigger, a sharp beam careened at Numbuh 5. She dodged expertly, allowing the blast to instead hit a chain spool on the far side of the room. The impact caused the spool to unravel, releasing a heavy chain hook that was restrained by it to the ceiling. The large steel hook swung down towards the trio at threatening speed.
Acting solely on reflex, Numbuh 1 gripped her arm and pulled her out of the way with him. Embracing her if only for a second, until they plunged into the chocolate and split apart, landing on their backs. One turned his head and looked at Five lying next to him. Her face stunned, staring upwards.
Suddenly he heard the sickening crack of metal against glass and flesh. He looked ahead to see Lizzie's clumsy form propelled horizontally. Skidding to a halt in the slick sweet against the wall. The chain suspended hook pendulated until it came to a slow rest in the center of the room. Only then did the five warriors deem it safe to examine its victim.
She slouched against the metal slab, head lolling unevenly. She looked up at the lead of the quintet smiling dreamily. Her glasses cracked and knocked askew. Numbuh 1 stepped forward timidly.
"Lizzie?"
She continued to grin, lost in a head trauma haze. Limply handing there, raggedly like a discarded toy. Big eyes dazedly staring at him from behind broken glass. One swollen shut, the other half-closed. Once beautiful. Still beautiful. Her voice was soft and calm, surprising those who had just seen her vengeful wrath only seconds ago. Her words slipped out like a passing breeze.
"I did it all for you Nigel."
Her head drooped; chin nestled to her chest, unconscious.
His eyes softened as his mouth opened slightly. He could have saved her too. Even after all she had done, she still didn't deserve to get this. He felt a hand pat his back.
"Ah, don't let it get ya down Numbuh 1." Numbuh 4 consoled, "She was crazy."
"And besides," Added Numbuh 2. "Look at all this chocolate!"
"Yippee! Candy party!" affixed Numbuh 3.
Both chunky pilot and giddy Asian jumped with joy before scooping spilt fudge into their mouths, not caring that it had first been on the floor.
Numbuh 1 could barely hear their jubilation over the conflicting emotions inside his head. Staring at Lizzie's broken body, feeling an indescribable sadness starting to grow. If she had been any other enemy he wouldn't be having such painful thoughts. But she was different and always would be. She had done such horrible things; tried to steal his will, break up him and his friends, kill his friends, all in the name of love, or rather, her warped view of it. He knew she really didn't love him. It was merely a childhood crush gone too far. But still, guilt weighted heavy in his chest. He had to live with the fact that he had broken her heart. And what a strange, twisted heart she discovered it was.
"Still," He murmured, "I can't help but feel sorry for her."
Numbuh 5 looked to him sympathetically and placed a hand on his slumped shoulder.
"Love makes us do crazy thangs."
[To Be Continued] /./././././././././././././././
