Reloading: Kids Next Door mission...
Operation: R.O.O.K.I.E., Chapter Five
Rookie Obtains Opportunities - Kooky Introductory Escapades
Writing Operative: Vtbots
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The others were not kidding about how large their bedrooms are. Numbuh Three's room is pretty big indeed, cluttered with many things that would definitely be most boys' worst nightmare. Various toys (mostly "girl" toys) and stuffed animals are in every corner in a variety of colors (every one of them having the number 3 on it), with a couple wooden and plastic round tables and some pretend tea party stuff at one section and a TV at another section. At the upper-middle section of the room is her bed, which looks like a big fluffy smiling animal of some sort, also having a large number 3 on it.
Kenny spots his giggling blithe friend jumping up and down on her bed, jumping out of the bed when she spots him in incredible velocity.
"Hiya!" she squeals merrily. "Glad y'could make it. For a minute there I thought you'd run away."
Strangely, running away was the very first idea in his mind. But a promise is a promise. He lost to their game so he is at her mercy. He tries to convince himself that it won't be so bad, that he'd actually enjoy it. But the many, many cutesy and girly accessories all around him don't help much.
"I already have the tea party stuff ready, so we can start now-- Oh, wait!" she slaps her forehead and giggles. "I forgot my party dress! I'll be right back; don't go anywhere!" And with that she skips into another room.
Sighing, Kenny stuffs his hands into his pockets and leans on a "wall" of fluffy stuffed animals. The instant his back feels on them, though, he smiles and jumps right on top of the pile, lying on his back and smiling pleasurably. "I gotta admit. Her room might be too girlish but it sure is warm and very cozy! Even more than my bed. I could lay here all day!"
Snuggling against the large pile of fluff, he lets out another sigh. He's almost glad Numbuh Three is gone for the moment. It would give him time to think. To think about his chances of becoming a Kid Next Door. To think about the challenges ahead. To think about... Charlene.
Charlene... 'Why,' Kenny thinks, 'am I going so gaga over her? Is it her bow? Her hair? Her voice? Or something else?' Whatever it could be, the fact remains: he has a big and unusual crush on her.
This wouldn't be a problem at all if she weren't one of the Delightful Children From Down The Lane. His friends said they are enemies with each other and that the Delightfuls are pretty dangerous. He does not know what kind of bad stuff they may have done but if they are really as bad as the others said they are, then this could mean trouble for his shot at becoming an official Kids Next Door operative. If Numbuh One especially were to find out about his crush...
'He'd kick me off the team before I even got on it...'
As long as he stays silent he might be able to get away with it. But it is so difficult sealing it up inside. He wants... He needs someone to talk to. Someone who could ease his mind. Someone who would understand his situation.
He could try calling his mother. But wait, what if part of the training is to not seek help from an adult? The Kids Next Door are against almost every adult, after all. His mother may not be an 'evil' grown-up but she's a grown-up nonetheless. So that option is out.
As he tries to come up with more options, the voice of his female friend rings into the room.
"I'm back!"
At that instant Kenny's mind clicks. Numbuh Three! She's the next best person to talk to. Cheerful, happy-go-lucky, and kind by nature. But would she understand his dilemma? What if despite her gleeful personality she doesn't like the idea of someone falling for an enemy? She could tell Numbuh One and...
No. This is Numbuh Three, she wouldn't do that to any friend of hers. Would she?
"Hey, come off of there, you can nap later!" she calls.
Kenny does as told, jumping from the pile and landing on his feet. He looks over Numbuh Three's party dress and smiles (it's the same dress from the eps I-SCREAM and THE-FLY). He mentally admits it looks good on her.
"Well, come on, let's start!"
The sugar-rushy little girl snatches her poor friend by the arm, dragging him all the way to the wooden table with all the tea party things. He breathes a long sigh; it's going to be another long day.
* * * * *
Minutes into the pretend tea party and already he wants out. Not only is Three speaking in that "proper" voice stereotypical of a girl playing tea party, they have two other guests as well: A Rainbow Monkey plush and some random teddy bear in a small light-blue dress. Kenny is relieved that at least the other agents aren't here to watch.
"More tea, Mr. Rangsey?" asks Three, ever so formally.
"Huh? Uh... yeah, sure..." he says in a low voice as Three pours some "tea" into his plastic mug. She then proceeds to pour pretend tea for the other two guests.
Kenny sighs, telling himself to pretend it's part of training and maybe his embarrassment would be toned down a little... Yes, enduring Three's tea parties is a training exercise. With that in mind he decides to sit there and get through this as long as humanly possible.
"Where was I? Oh, yes... I am so glad you decided to visit me on such a fine day, Mr. Rangsey," says the girl. "You're not like most boys. Normally Numbuh... I mean Number Two would fall asleep by now. Number One would look at his watch a lot. And Number Four would run away screaming. So, Kenny Rangsey, I thank you for staying awake and for not looking at something else so much and for not escaping." She bows her head gratefully.
Kenny looks at her, blinking. He's willing to bet at least Numbuh Five stuck through, but apparently Numbuh Three never got a full, enjoyable time of tea party with any of the boy members. Poor girl; must be pretty boring for her having her parties with no real-life friends (other than Five, of course) to enjoy it with. Now he has new motivation. If he can make it out of this without retreating or falling asleep, not only would the others be impressed, it would make his friend happy as well. And Numbuh Three just wouldn't look right when she is not happy.
"Um... no problem," he finally says, smiling a bit as he begins to sip his imaginary tea while sticking out his finger.
"No, no, you're doing it all wrong," Three suddenly blurts out.
Kenny blinks and looks at the hand holding his cup. Kenny tries to think what is wrong. He assumes he was sipping too fast. So he shrugs and sips more slowly.
"No, Kenny, you hold your pinky finger up when you're sipping your tea!" the girl huffs. "Like this!" She demonstrates as, sipping her "tea," she sticks up her pinky finger before gently setting the cup back down, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "There, now your turn."
Kenny shakes his head, grumbling. No way he's going to do a silly thing like that, even if is part of personal training. "Kill me."
At that, Three frowns. "That's not a very polite thing to say at a party."
"Okay. Shoot me."
"No, no, no, you keep forgetting the magic word! It should be please shoot me!"
"All right. Please shoot me or kill me or knock me out or something, 'cause doing that pinky thing would be so... so silly-looking!"
"Okay," she smiles unusually as she produces a pillow from out of nowhere. "You want one lump or two?"
The boy gulps. A girl like her would definitely know how to handle that thing. Why take the risk? So, sighing defeatedly, he gives in to her wishes.
"All right, all right. I'll stick the stupid pinky up." And he reluctantly does just that.
"Good!" Three replies, abruptly returning to her proper voice. "Now drink before your tea gets cold."
"Um... isn't this iced tea?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Never mind."
A minute or so passes by as the two remain silent, which fills Kenny with a little discomfort, until Three thankfully breaks it, speaking this time in her normal tone:
"Oh, I almost forgot to ask you something! They're important for your becomin' a Kid Next Door."
Kenny raises an eyebrow in interest. "Yeah? What is it?"
"What's your favorite color?"
"Huh? Well, uh, if you look at my shirt," he points to his tie-dye shirt, "you can see I like a lot of 'em. But I love blue. Um, what's this got to do with the Kids Next Door?"
"Oh, it's very important! If we don' know your favorite color, how will we know what color to make the balloons 'n' stuff at your initiation party?"
"That's assuming I pass and become an official member..."
"Oh, you will."
"Really? How do ya know?"
"The Kids Next Door lets lotsa kids in, silly," she giggles. "So I bet you get in easy."
"Even kids like me?" asks the shy boy.
"Sure, even kids like you who wear funny-lookin' shirts."
Kenny thinks about that for a moment. If Numbuh Three truly believes he will achieve his goal, could it mean she won't rat on him for doing something so unacceptable to the KND? Such as... having a major crush on the enemy? Maybe... It's worth a shot. 'I wanted to tell her anyway so might as well,' he thinks.
"Um, Numbuh Three, can I ask you a question?"
"You just did."
Kenny nearly falls out of his chair backwards.
"All right, then I'll ask another question. But... it's something pretty big. I've been keeping it to myself 'cause I thought if I tell anyone it would be disasterous... I mean... I..."
"Hey, you can tell me," she says, smiling. "Bestest friends keep each other's secrets, right? And we're bestest friends... right?"
Kenny looks at her almost blankly. 'She really does think of me as a best friend. Wow...' Last night she sorta said it but Kenny previously thought it was just a confidence booster for his first mission. But now it's a true declaration of their close friendship. He is certainly glad he came to her first. If he were to tell any of the others, especially Numbuh Four, they would blab to Numbuh One the second his secret escapes his lips.
So, with a nod, he agrees with her.
"Good." Three scoots her chair over to Kenny and leans in very close to him. She whispers with a smile, "So what's your big bad secret?"
"Um. Well, uh... how should I say this... uhhhh..." In his nervousness he unconsciously sips his pretend tea, even pouring spoonfuls of 'sugar' into it. "Okay.... Um.... What would you say if... someone... has a big huge crush...."
"Someone has a crush on me!? Who is it!?" Three suddenly exclaims excitedly.
"Hey, lemme finish!"
"Oh, right, sorry, go on," she says calmly though now thoroughly intrigued.
"Ahem. But there's something... not right... about this crush...."
"Uh-huuuh?"
"See... this boy... happens to have a crush... on someone his friends... don't like."
"Oh?"
"Mmhm. In fact, this girl he has a crush on... happens to be... his friends'... worst... enemy...?"
"Oooohhhhh. (gasp) OMIGOSHYOUHAVEACRUSHONADELIGHTFULCHILDFROMDOWNTHELANE!!!!" she yells very excitedly, Kenny falling out of his chair from the force of her outburst.
"Kenny's in luuuuuuv! Kenny's in luuuuuuv! Kenny's in luuuuuuuv!"
"Okay, Numbuh Three, you got it, you got it. Now calm down," says the recovering Kenny. Three does calm down and stops when it hits her.
"But... but... you... an'... Delightful... you... Delightful... But it's not delightful at all!"
"Starting to see the problem now?"
"Numbuh One might not let you be a Kid Next Door for that!"
"See!?" Kenny shouts, slamming his fist on the table frustratedly, causing the plastic tea cups and plates to tremble a bit. "Man, I just had to have a crush on an enemy! Now I'm in big trouble!"
Kenny looks at her, expecting her to throw a fit or tattle on Numbuh One. But, just as he thought, she doesn't. Instead she just looks at him, concern and worriness mixed into her eyes.
"Aren't you mad at me?"
"I dunno. This is weird. I mean, it's neat you have a crush, but a Delightful? Even I know that can't be good!"
"Oh no," Kenny groans, "if YOU don't think it's good, then... Shucks, I'm in deep poop! Three, you hafta help me. What should I do?"
"I think this's outta my league. Hey, maybe you should ask Numbuh Five about this. She knows more 'bout this lovey-dovey stuff and she can keep a secret, too."
"Numbuh Five? You sure? Well, okay."
Kenny stands and makes his way toward the room exit. "Sorry to have to cut this party short but this's an emergency!"
Three curtsies and, returning to her proper voice, says, "It is okay, Mr. Rangsey. I have to visit the toy store for something that is on sale, anyway. I will simply take a rain check."
The trainee blinks confusedly, scratching his head. "But it's not gonna rain," he says.
"... I mean we will have the tea party another time."
"Oh, right. See ya!"
After Kenny leaves she drops her proper voice again and cocks her head to one side looking after him.
"He sure can be clueless sometimes..."
* * * * *
Meanwhile at the home of the Delightful Children From Down The Lane...
"Brother, when will you cease your pacing around?" demand the blonde boy's siblings. The four of them are sitting together on a couch gazing at the remaining Delightful walking up and down, left and right in front of them contemplatively, his hand scratching his chin.
"When I come up with a plan to prove that we are superior to those Brats Next Door," he answers quickly to return to his thoughts.
"Why should we?" asks Jason (the football-helmeted kid) frustratedly. "Didn't I tell you to relax, Brandon? Sure, it's cool to be better than them and all that, but we won't have to worry about that for a while. We aren't being forced to, remember?"
"Yes, but they are bound to notice our slacking off by now. It is best to get them before they catch us on our weakest moment."
"Such as you singing in the shower?" grins Nathan (the tall, hair boy), prompting snickers from the others.
"Shut up!" growls Brandon, his cheeks glowing shades of pink. "I told you never to talk about that! It was just that one time, got it!?"
"Surrrrrre."
Brandon paces around some more. Then suddenly, something clicks and he snaps his fingers. "I know! How about we push them out in public and pants them all? They would be utterly humiliated and embarrassed and would not dare show their faces ever again! Ha ha... ha ha ha ha haaaaa!"
"One problem. Everyone would forget over the course of half an hour or so, if not less than that," explains Naomi. "Remember the Really Really Incredibly Destructive Machine? We practically leveled the entire neighborhood, yet not a single person came out to investigate."
"Must have gotten used to our messing around..." Jason begins.
"Or they are quite unintelligent," Charlene finishes.
"Whatever," shrugs the blonde boy. "Got to think, got to think, got... to... think."
And so he thinks. And thinks. And thinks. And thinks. And thinks. And thinks. And thinks....
"A-HA!!" he bursts, snapping his siblings from their slumber. Jason nearly leaps to the ceiling. "I got it, I got the plan to make us better than they are!"
"What, what, what?" the four pry.
The blonde leans in and whispers his plan. Although his grin cannot be seen, Jason's eyes seem to light up in, well, delight.
"Sounds way better than your pantsing thing. Let's do it."
"Agreed," nods Nathan. "Just one question: Why were we whispering when we are the only ones here?"
Brandon shrugs. "I felt it would be more dramatic that way. Or something."
"Oh..."
The blonde Delightful's face twists into a grin. "So it is settled. Next stop: the toy store!"
The Delightfuls share a round of evil laughter, with all that thunder and lightning and all sorts of cartoony bad guy dramatic stuff. Then the children stop for a moment.
"Strange weather we're having."
* * * * *
"Numbuh Five, you hafta help me!" Kenny exclaims as he rushes inside Five's quarters. He halts when he sees the inside, however. With a simple "Wow" he marvels his surroundings. Now this is a cool bedroom quarters! It's large, larger than Numbuh Three's room, and it has a pool table, a fireplace, living room-like couches and sofas, a computer, and even a bar at one section of the room. And, just as Numbuh One said before, she has a milkshake machine. Impressive!
But he doesn't see his friend anywhere. Kenny calls her codename a couple times desperately until she finally appears from behind the bar.
"Awright, awright, Numbuh Five is here already. Ever heard of knock before entering? We may be kids but even we think havin' some manners is a good thing."
"Sorry, but there's something I really need to talk to you about, and I think you can help me out a whole lot."
"Izzat so?" she says, interested. "Well then, have a seat and we'll talk about it. And since you did good on your stealth mission, Numbuh Five'll offer you a free 'shake."
"Really? Wow, cool!" With that Kenny streaks to a stool in front of the counter in a flash. "I hope you have banana!"
"Sho', Numbuh Five has plenty a'those."
So she fills a small plastic cup with banana milkshake, grabs a straw, and hands it to Kenny, who takes it graciously.
"Remember, this one's on the house. Next time it'll cost yas ninety-nine cents."
"What? Why would you ask your own friends to pay you money??"
Five raises her cap visor a little and looks at him with a smirk.
"If I offered 'em for free, would I still have the stuff?"
"Good point," nods Kenny as he takes a sip of his 'shake.
"So, what's up?" asks Five as she rests her arms on the counter.
Kenny takes one last sip before he explains. "I'll get straight to the point. I have a big-time crush on the bow girl Delightful Child!"
"... ... ...
"Her...? Man, for a while I thought you were crushin' on Numbuh Three. Or even on me. But her...?"
"Hey, I couldn't help it, it just happened, okay!?" the boy frowns.
"Okay, okay... the shock got t'Numbuh Five fer or a momen'. So y'got a crush on a Delightful Girl?"
"Yeah. I know I'll be in big trouble for it." Then, abruptly, the rookie switches to panic mode, "What should I do!? Help me!" He grabs Five's blue shirt, shaking her, "Help me, help me, please! You're like... you're like the sister I never had or something!"
"Aw, that's sweet. Well, I guess I should do the sisterly thing then...
"Get yer grubby paws offa my shirt!"
Kenny gently lets her go, smiling apologetically.
"So, ya got a crush on this girl and you think it could get ya in trouble. Lemme guess, you think Numbuh One would kick you out?"
"Well, yeah."
The dark girl sighs and hops over the counter, taking a seat next to Kenny sipping his milkshake nervously.
"Listen, he may be dead-serious lots of times and probably would be a bit surprised or be really concerned for you having a crush on a Delightful, but he's not a real insensitive jerk. I doubt he'd just boot you out instantly like that. But he WOULD get mad if you let your feelings for this girl get in the way of your missions; especially when yer feelings end up screwing 'em missions up and endangerin' you and/or the team."
"So... you're saying that as long as I'm careful with my personal feelings in the middle of a mission, everything would be alright?"
"Sho'. That's what I believe, anyway."
Kenny breathes a relieved sigh and smiles, distress lifted from his shoulders feeling lighter (and better) than ever. It feels real nice to have a good friend to confide to. He wonders how it would have been had he told his problems to Numbuh Two or Numbuh Four though. 'Four would probably be disgusted and would tattle right away,' thinks Kenny. 'Two would probably think it's kinda cool but would tell me to do something really naughty with her. Hehehe. Oh well.'
Numbuh Five removes her red cap and places it on the counter, facing Kenny again with a bit of a sly smile.
"Well, got the lecture outta the way. Now for the good stuff."
"Good stuff?"
"Yeah. Does this girl know you like her?"
"No."
"M'kay. I'm gonna tell you some things to get a girl to notice you and maybe even like you back.
"Be yourself. If you've seen a lotta TV shows you should know why bein' someone you aren't usually doesn't work."
Kenny listens intently as he stirs his milkshake a bit with his straw.
"Next rule: Try not to act like a big, fat, obnoxious perverted pig. Most girls don't go fo' that. And the ones that do should usually be avoided.
"Third important thing, say somethin' or give her somethin' nice. Compliment her hair or somethin', give her flowers or even some kinda gift. Most girls like that."
Kenny nods as he sips on his milkshake, tapping his fingers on the counter.
"And lastly, if ya want t'take things to some other level, like kissin' or whateva, if she says 'no' then take no for an answer! This one's pretty 'm'portant."
"How do you know all this stuff?" Kenny inquires as he drinks his milkshake loudly until there is no more. He then tosses it to a nearby wastebasket as Five answers him.
"Numbuh Five watches a lotta romance movies and reads romance novels. Heck, a couple boys even tried to put the moves on her in da past, and bad ones at that. She knows a lotta stuff 'bout love."
"Wow. Well, thanks a lot, Numbuh Five! You sure cheered me up and helped me big time! I dunno what I'd do without you."
"Heh, it was no big--"
Her sentence is intercepted by a sudden embrace from Kenny, overcome with emotion and relief. Five sits there and blinks, not sure what to do except smile a bit and pat him on the back gently. 'Tis not everyday someone just hugs a person out of the blue; at least to Numbuh Five.
A feeling of remembrance clicks inside Kenny and he just as quickly lets go. "Oh, I almost forgot! I gotta do some more training in a few minutes!" he says, checking his watch which conveniently appears on his wrist. "This time I hafta 'fight' Numbuh Four. Oh boy."
Kenny hops out of his seat and runs toward the door, saying, "Thanks for all your help, Numbuh Five! I'll try to keep your advice in mind!"
He leaves the scene for a moment, but then comes back sticking his head out. "Oh, Numbuh Five, that part I said about you being like a sister to me? I meant it!" Then he exits again.
Five sits there and blinks again somewhat confusedly before his words seep in completely. Her cheeks turn pinkish, feeling a little embarrassed from his comment, but she smiles anyway. Something about Kenny's compliment makes her proud.
It feels... pretty darn cool.
* * * * *
Meanwhile at the toy store...
The latest sale: Rainbow Monkey plushes and toys at half-price! Many girls wearing Rainbow Monkey shirts, all obviously fans, tear through the aisles and counters, scanning on Rainbow Monkey-related items they cannot decide on, or just snatching what they feel like wanting for the heck of it.
One of them includes, of course, Numbuh Three of the Kids Next Door. Back in her standard green sweater and all, she files through all toys related to her favorite TV show characters. She is internally proud of being the only fan to see the real Rainbow Monkeys. Though she decided to keep that a secret to other fans, at least for now.
A quintet of children also enter the store. Unfortunately, it is not for the new sale. Oh, no. These children have something far greater in mind. The Delightful Children From Down The Lane step inside the store, together as a group as usual, and stop in front of the male store owner.
"My, isn't it crowded here? Perhaps too crowded," drone the Children.
"Why... yes," he says, shuddering from the monotonish synchorized voices of the five. "But it's business as usual. I have so many toys in stock sometimes I just don't know what to do with 'em!"
"Ah, not to worry; we will solve that little problem of yours."
With that the pigtailed girl Naomi removes her glasses and replaces it with a strange kind. These new glasses look sorta hi-tech, with a swirly symbol as lens. Naomi presses a button on the gizmo and suddenly the swirly symbols begins to twirl round and round and round....
Soon the owner's eyes transform into a cartoonish swirl of their own, mouth gaping dumbly.
"You will not remain at this store," drones Naomi. "Instead, you will leave and... I don't know, run around like an idiot."
The owner of the toy store nods and exits slowly.
Then the Delightful Children cuff their hands to their mouths and shout, "Everyone! There is a sale at the other toy store that cuts the prices of ALL toys by half! Better get them while you can!"
Immediately the kids run screaming and streaming out of the store, with only disappointment awaiting them.
That is, all kids except Numbuh Three, who recognizes those voices. And when she whirls around to confirm her suspicion she gasps and ducks behind a shelf.
"Now then, let us begin shall we?"
The blonde boy Brandon produces a remote and messes with its controls. Small pods streak in having claws clutching onto large wooden boxes.
Numbuh Three pokes her head out just a bit, watching the scene before her. She curiously wonders what they are doing before backing down and reaching her PIPER.
* * * * *
Numbuh One sits there in his room, pondering about the info Kenny gave him about the Delightful Children. Seeing them separate and not as a group? Not talking like zombies? Could Numbuh Two be right in saying that the death of their father has something to do with it? Could Numbuh Five be right that perhaps his control over them is fading? Or perhaps has already faded completely?
The destruction of the Delightful Children's father is sort of a good thing. They will not have to fear him anymore, that's for sure. But what about the Children themselves? With their father gone, would they be softer now? Or, perhaps, would they be tougher than before?
Whichever it may be, the Delightful Children have not attacked as frequently as they used to. In fact, they haven't done anything ever since that incident last week. If they continue this infrequency perhaps he will be able to spend more time with--
"Numbuh One, Numbuh One, come in!" a muffled voice rings into One's ears.
His train of thoughts screeching to a halt, One grumbles as he swipes the PIPER from under his shirt. "Hello?"
"Hi, Numbuh One!" says the cheerful voice of Numbuh Three. "This store is so neato! There's a Rainbow Monkey sale, an' gosh there are SO MANY Rainbow Monkey stuff! It's like totally cool and... and... oh, and the Delightful Children are here, too!"
"... The Delightful Children want to buy toys. Can't see anything wrong with that."
"Well, they sent ev'ryone outta the store an' they're bringing in these big boxes... Kinda weird thing for 'em to do just to buy something."
"Hmm. All right, you just sit tight. We'll be on our way."
Numbuh One 'hangs up' the PIPER and adjusts his glasses. Now he'll get see the 'new' Delightful Children for himself.
* * * * *
At the training room...
"C'mon, rookie, hit me!" taunts Numbuh Four as Kenny frustratedly takes another swing at him with the plastic toy bat. But Four successfully dodges.
"Hey batta batta batta, SWING batta batta batta!"
"Argh!" cries Kenny as he attacks only to miss again.
"I see yer problem, rookie! Yer lettin' yer frustrations get to ya, so you can't focus that good on yer attacks. I should know, I get like that, too. What you should do is calm down 'n' concentrate. Heck, you could even wait for the enemy to be distracted and--"
A plastic-sounding *WHACK* echoes as Numbuh Four is knocked back some feet away. Kenny smiles as he twirls his bat expertly while the other boy looks at him for a moment then smirks.
"Now you're gettin' it!"
Four once again finds himself admitting Kenny is getting better and better. No longer is he a scaredy-cat crybaby. Now he's a good scaredy-cat crybaby.
Just then Numbuh Two enters the training room.
"Guys, we gotta go," he says. "Numbuh One wants us."
"What's up?" Four asks.
"Numbuh Three called him from the toy store. It's the Delightful Children. They seem to be doing some 'weird things' in there. He wants all of us to check it out."
Kenny's nervousness envelopes him at the word 'Delightful Children.' "Um, it's all five of them... right?"
"Yep. The blonde boy, the helmet kid, the gal with glasses, the tall dude, and the girl with the pink bow."
The heart of the trainee races, the legs of the trainee wobbles, and the forehead of the trainee sweats. Charlene... Charlene will be there. His crush will be there. The very thing that could get him in trouble will be there. 'What if... what if Numbuh One finds out that I really like Charlene? I... I don't know what to do. I hope Numbuh Five'd be right about him... Oh man, oh man, oh man....'
"You okay, Ken?" asks a concerned Numbuh Four, noticing Kenny's state.
Kenny doesn't know how to answer. He wouldn't feel too good telling Four what's really bothering him, either. He could lie but Numbuh Four would probably find out eventually, and that'll make things worse...
"Oh, I get it!" Four smiles. "First-battle jitters, eh? We all had that once but we got over it quick. So maybe you would, too." Four pats Kenny on the back as he follows Two.
"...Phew..."
* * * * *
The five dash down to the toy store as quickly as they can (it isn't that far away so there wasn't a need for a vehicle), armed with their 2x4 Technology shooter-type weapons. On their way there they see a man running around like an idiot in the middle of the street, creating quite a scene.
"What's with him?" says Numbuh Four, scratching his head.
The others just shrug.
Meanwhile at the store, Numbuh Three has successfully been elusive to the Delightfuls but she is running out of hiding spots. 'This's kinda like Hide-and-Seek... only I really don't wanna be seeked!' she says in her mind.
"Ah, here's the last of the toys!" chorus the Children. "Time to grab us these Rainbow Monkeys!"
As soon as they completed their second sentence, a loud gasp escapes from Numbuh Three. She didn't get a chance to buy any of the Rainbow Monkey stuff, and now they're going to have it for themselves!
She made her presence known with her gasp, but she doesn't care. She stands and puts her oversleeved hands (or fists?) on her hips disapprovingly.
"Well if it isn't Numbuh Three of the Kids Next Door!" drone the five Children.
"No fair, I didn't get any of the Rainbow Monkey things!"
"Oh boo-hoo," they taunt. "That is just too bad. What are you going to do? Cry like a little baby? Well, you wouldn't dare challenge us. It's the numbers game, and we win."
"We were playing a game?" the ebony-haired girl blinks.
Just then the rest of the Kids Next Door burst into the store with Kenny at the rear. They are surprised to see it almost completely empty, with the exception of some wooden boxes. Numbuh Three smiles and waves at her friends as she joins them.
But the Delightfuls do not seem to be fazed by the Kids' presence. Instead, they just smile their evil smile.
"Greetings, Kids Next Door. We were hoping we would see you again." Then they frown. "Of course, we did not appreciate our tortilla chips being stolen. We were going to watch an exquisite movie with them as our snack!"
"Yeah, isn't that funny?" laughs Numbuh Five.
"Hey, don't talk to us about it, talk to him," says Numbuh Four as he steps back and pushes poor Kenny (who yells "Hey!") to the front.
"You!" the Delightfuls exclaim.
"Yeah... heh.... me... uhhhh..."
Just as he expected, his strange feelings erupt once again at the sight of the bow girl, Charlene. He almost faints right there at that very spot. If only he wasn't in such a tight spot, he would love to daydream about her all day. Yes, daydream... Her, napping in the middle of a field of flowers, the sunlight shining down on her pretty form making her appear like a fairy tale princess. And her, asking him to lie down with her....
"Yo Kenny!" Numbuh Four snaps him out of his would-be daydream. "Are you sure 'bout what you said? They seem to be the same to me!"
"Huh!? Oh, uh... I know what I saw."
Kenny shakes his head to regain his senses and tries to focus. Meanwhile Numbuh Four stomps over to the enemies and laughs.
"See? Still their zombie selves, never separate from each other! Geez, you'd think they're one being or something. Ha ha ha! See, watch!"
Numbuh Four laughs as he playfully pokes the girl in glasses.
"I could poke this girl all day and--"
"I demand that you quit that, boy!"
She doesn't even finish her demand before Numbuh Four screams in an uncharacterstic high-pitched tone and backs off in fright, dropping on his behind. The other original KND gasp as they, too, take a step back. Numbuh Two is visibly shaking. They keep telling themselves that they didn't hear right... That what they just saw and heard was only their imagination.
"I wouldn't make her angry if I were you, heh heh heh!" 'advises' the football helmeted boy in a taunting tone.
The boy's words confirm it. They are not imagining it. They truly have heard two of the Delightful Children speak individually!
The only one who isn't surprised is, of course, Kenny Rangsey himself. He does find slight amusement in his friends' reactions, though.
"What's the matter, Kids Next Door? You seem surprised," laughs the blonde boy.
Numbuh One is the first to recover from his shock and he tries to answer. "Well... uh... it's just that... we're so used to hearing you talk simultaneously."
"Huh? Oh, that. Father taught us to speak in unity and made it a rule for us to do so. But since he is no longer with us we do not have to anymore."
Numbuh Three is the next to recover. "So, why're you still doing it?"
"Why?" chorus the Delightfuls. "Because seeing how creeped you get when we do is fun!"
All the KND, even Kenny, stand there and blink confusedly.
"Ooookaaaaaay," says Numbuh One. "So, um... what are you doing here?"
"Ah, I was hoping we would get to that!" says the blonde boy Brandon enthusiastically. "We're here to steal all these toys, thus we will have way more toys than you do! Heh heh... ha ha ha ha haaaaaa!"
The original five Kids Next Door stare in disbelief.
"That's it? That's your latest plan?" says Numbuh Two.
"They must be losin' their touch or something," says Numbuh Five.
"Exactly why have you gotten so greedy for toys all of a sudden?" Numbuh One demands.
Kenny turns around and shyly responds, "Well, that boy thinks he and his brothers an' sisters are way better than you guys and wants to prove it so."
"Oh, is THAT right!?" frowns the leader, storming over to the blonde Deligthful boy.
"Yes, I believe it is," smirks Brandon.
"There is NO way you can be better than us!" shouts the KND commander, getting into the other boy's face. "We beat you so many times I lost count!"
"True. But we occassionally had our victories as well. The day that I turned you into an adult with the age-changing device was certainly a glorious one!"
His blood suddenly boiling, Numbuh One grabs the collar of Brandon's suit, almost surprising his friends. "It certainly wasn't glorious to me! How DARE you turn me into an adult! I had the most miserable two weeks of my life and I almost dropped my friends like a bad habit!"
Brandon just snickers and frees himself from Numbuh One's grasp. "My my, it appears I struck a nerve. I bet you are still mad about us destroying your headquarters as well?"
"Our Treehouse isn't just our headquarters, it's our HOME!" shouts Numbuh Five angrily. "And we really didn't like it when you reduced it to a pile of rubble!"
"Oh!? How did you think WE felt when you sliced OUR home in half with a giant butterknife!?" the Delightful Children shoot back, annoyed.
"Uh... guys?" Kenny pipes in a small voice, "I don't know what's been going on with y'all, but aren't we supposed to be stopping each other or something right now?"
"Ah, yes. I believe we were in the middle of taking these toys for ourselves. Um... who are you again, chip-thief? I certainly do not ever remember seeing you with these fools before. Are you a Kid Next Door as well?"
"Well... not really..." says Kenny, folding his arms behind him shyly. "I'm just a trainee. I'm new to this thing."
"Ah!" the Delightfuls chorus in monotone mode. "Well then, Kid Next Door Trainee-- Welcome to the war!"
With that Brandon presses some random buttons on a remote he produces from his pocket, and the small pods that were carrying the wooden boxes suddenly reveal muzzles of a minor laser gun. Numbuhs One, Two, Four and Five immediately arm their weapons while Numbuh Three grabs the nearest weapon she can find-- a doll.
Kenny takes that as his cue to arm his weapon (a vegetable shooter), trying to look as intimidating as possible. Which is not that much.
"Well then, Kids Next Door, it appears it is time for yet another--"
"Rainbow Monkey sale, Rainbow Monkey sale!"
The squeal of a familiar and uninvited voice sends an annoyed chill through all five Kids and all five Children. From the entrance emerges...
"Laura Lumpin..." grumbles Numbuh Five.
"Heeeeey!" Laura skips past the five and looks around curiously. "What happened to all the toys 'n' stuff!?"
Not wanting any trouble from this girl Brandon immediately switches the droid pods back into cargo mode. He presses some buttons and the droids begin lifting the boxes out of the store. The Kids Next Door immediately begin firing -- with Numbuh Three throwing the doll, running to get it back, then repeating -- but the wooden boxes being held and the presence of someone who can flatten them like pancake are impairing their aim.
"OOOOoooo, pretty lights!" squeals Laura, watching the display of light rays flying around.
Kenny spots the Delightful Children jumping as high as they can on top of a box. The tall child has no trouble with it. However, the sandy blonde girl slips and falls.
Making her wide open to rayfire. And right in Kenny's field of vision.
"Yo Kenny, nail 'er!" shouts Numbuh Four as he fires on a pod trying to stop it from carrying the stolen toys out of the store.
Charlene watches him as Kenny aims the vegetable shooter directly at her.
But Kenny doesn't pull the trigger.
"What're you standing there for!?" yells Numbuh One. "These little robots are distracting us! You handle the Delightfuls before they get away!"
The index finger holding the trigger trembles. His legs wobble. And swear forms on his forehead. Even when Charlene recovers and stands back up he still is unable to shoot. Or, he still doesn't want to shoot. Those strange feelings that a little boy having a crush feels get to Kenny once again and he loses his focus.
"I... I can't!"
"You can't what!?" yells Numbuh One, jumping away from an incoming droid that would have rammed him with its box.
"I... I CAN'T ATTACK HER!" Kenny cries, collapsing on one knee and dropping his weapon.
"WHAT!?" Numbuhs One, Two, and Four holler wonderously.
Charlene doesn't know what's going on but she takes this opportunity to climb back on top of the container with her siblings assisting her.
"We will be going now," drone the Delightful Children. "Sorry we couldn't stay much longer. Oh, and Mr. Kid Next Door Trainee... thanks a lot! Hehehehe!"
And with that they flee, along with the rest of the robots as none of the KND could stop them with their weapons.
Laura, who was watching the battle the entire time, puts a curious finger on her lips, digging the sole of her shoe on the floor. She then walks away when she has a strange feeling that things will not go well here.
Her feeling is correct, for Numbuhs Four and especially One glare at the rookie Kenny, who bows his head in shame.
"What the heck happened to you, rookie!?" yells the Aussie. "You had that girl in point-blank range and you let 'er get away!"
"Yeah dude, you froze stiffer than an icicle," Numbuh Two comments.
"You better explain yourself right now, Kenny..." the British-accented boy glares, crossing his arms and tapping his foot impatiently.
Kenny opens his mouth to speak but he is so badly nervous and scared his words barely reach past the whisper level.
"Well? I'm waiting."
Numbuh Three looks at the two worriedly. Numbuh Five puts her hand on Numbuh One's shoulder and says softly, "Hey, leader-man, it was his first fight. Maybe he was just really nervous and--"
"I believe I asked KENNY for an explanation, Numbuh Five."
Five backs away obediently, concerned eyes looking towards Kenny's direction.
Kenny stares at the ground, clenching his fists, a tear rolling down his cheek. He thought he was safe, he thought he was homefree. But it appears it is not meant to be. He had a feeling deep inside that this moment would come sooner or later. He just wishes it was later.
So, summoning all his remaining courage and turning his head away from the others' eyes, he mumbles, "I... I... I..."
"You what?" says One, tapping his foot repeatedly.
"I... I... I got a crush on that girl with the pink bow!"
His reluctant confession brings out a disbelieving "What!?" from Numbuh Four, an interested look from Numbuh Two, an even more worrisome expression from Numbuh Three, a concerned face from Numbuh Five who lowers her cap visor...
And an unhappy look from Numbuh One.
"WHAT!? They're gone!"
The others look over to see Laura crying over the missing Rainbow Monkey accessories.
"Those mean rich kids must have taken 'em! And..."
She whirls to Kenny, pointing at him accusingly. "And... YOU let 'em get away with it! You let them get away!"
Suddenly Laura's body appears to make wild-take convulsions as her voice becomes eerily deeper.
"You... let... them... get... AWAY!!"
And with the word "AWAY!!" Laura transforms into her alter ego:
The Big Badolescent! Much to the shock of Kenny, who, being new in town, has never met her before. The rest of the KND can only watch.
"YOU LET MEANIES GET AWAY! NOW I POUND YOU LIKE MASHED POTATOES!"
She raises her fists high in the air, aiming towards Kenny's face. Kenny's jaw drops open in fright as he can only mumble two words:
"Oh... crap..."
And the pounding is unleashed.
* * * * *
TO BE CONTINUED...