Chapter Eight
Numbuh Two and Numbuh Four were walking to the bus stop.

"I hope we find Iron Storm at this comic fair," said Numbuh Four.

"Yeah, I'm just hoping I can get Ray Cassidy's autograph. He's the guy
who
did the Ray Man comics," replied Numbuh Two.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a gigantic squid-like robot lumbered into
view,
glass dome glistening atop its metal head and the Delightful Children
from
Down the Lane inside.

"Well, if it isn't Hoagie Gilligan and Wallaby Beetles. Or should we
say,
Numbuh Two and Numbuh Four of the Kids Next Door," said the Delightful
Children in monophonic tones.

"What do you want, Delightful Children?" shouted Numbuh Four.

"We knew you would be going to the comic fair, and we decided to ruin
your
fun," they responded, smirking wickedly. The squid robot launched one
of it
many arms at Numbuhs Two and Four.

"Run for it!" shouted Numbuh Two.

"I'm not scared of some big squid…thing," Numbuh Four declared.

"Oh, I think you'll soon learn to fear squid-bot," said the Delightful
Children as one of the arms wrapped around Number Two and another held
Numbuh Four up by his leg.

"Now, that was not so hard, was it, Kids Next Door? We hope you make
it to
your stupid comic fair. Be careful; someday we are going to teach you a
lesson you will never forget."

"Oh yeah, Delightful brats? When Numbuh One hears of this, you'll be
the
ones to learn a hard lesson in getting your butts kicked!" said Numbuh
Two.

"Oh, we'll see,"sneered the Delightful Children. The arm tossed Numbuh
Two
on the floor and began hitting him, "and what about you, Numbuh Four?
Fancy
a ride?"

"You even dare touch him, Delightful Children, and you'll be in
trouble,"
said Numbuh One, making his dramatic entrance and flying near them.

"So you came to join in the fun. Well, let's see how you enjoy this!"
Another arm came straight toward at him.

"You missed, Delightful brats," Numbuh One snapped as he dodged the
arm,
"and did I say I was the only one here?"

"What do you mean?" asked the Delightful Children.

"Numbuh Five, now!" shouted Numbuh One.

"Ok, boss!" Numbuh Five fired her Weapon and hundreds of snooker balls
hit
squid bot.

Numbuhs Four and Two managed to get free from squid-bots arms and run
to
Numbuh One. Numbuh One handed them weaponry to fight the squid bot and
they
started shooting at it as well.

The Delightful Children where beaten, and they knew it. They launched
the
escape pod at the last second, just as squid bot exploded.

"Well, that deals with those Delightful suckers," said Numbuh Five.

"Yeah, see you around, Delightful dorks!" shouted Numbuh Four.

"Was Edward with them? Numbuh One asked.

"Who?" asked Numbuh Four.

"We need to get back to the tree house so I can debrief you on our new
enemy," replied Numbuh One.

Back at the Delightful Mansion, the Delightful Children walked into
they
mansion, sulking in defeat and expecting Father to be most unpleased.

They were about to walk into Father's throne room when Jeeves came up
to
them and told them that Father was going to be away for a few days, but
would be back by Monday.

They breathed a collective sigh of relief and walked into they study,
only
to find their older brother waiting for them.

"I told you your plan would fail, did I not? I told you, attacking
Numbuh
Two and Numbuh Four would result in the others come to their rescue,"
said
Edward.
"We felt it was worth the risk, brother," said the Delightful Children.

"But now, because of your failure and your disobedience, the Kids Next
Door
will be on high alert," said Edward.

"Our plan might have worked if you had joined us, brother."

"Hmmm…is there anything to report from your battle with the Kids Next
Door?"
Edward asked, raising his voice.

"No, nothing to report," the Delightful Children said, out-of-synch.
"Apart
from Number Three not being there," said Lenny.

"Yes, that does sound interesting… Something we need to learn about,"
said
Edward softly.

"And to exploit," said the Delightful Children, once again in a
monophonic
tone.

"You're dismissed. I'll keep quiet about your defeat, but if you fail
me
again…" Edward trailed off threateningly.

Edward made his way into Father's throne room and set down on Father
throne.
He picked up Father's phone and dialed a number.

"Is everything in place?" he asked bluntly. "…Good, you did well,
Numbuh
125, and while we're on the subject, I need you to do one more job for
me.

"I need you to send Number One and his team on a mission. If you don't,
I
will make sure your friends in the Kids Next Door know you were the one
who
deleted that file in the archive.

"…Yes, so how is agent Kyoto? …Good."

He put the phone down. Soon, the fun would begin, but first he needed
to
know why Numbuh Three had not been at the battle. He switched on one of
the
Blue Bell flies he had left at the Uno household and ordered it to go
to
Numbuh Four's room. He seemed to recall that Numbuh Four had a crush on
Numbuh Three. Not that he would follow Numbuh Four's course of action,
but
he was young, and who knew? In a few years, maybe…

An hour had passed and he was beginning to lose heart when he got
lucky:
Numbuh Four came stumping into his room, followed by Numbuh One a while
later.

Their conversion was not at all useful, but before Numbuh One left, he
asked
if Numbuh Four was going to visit Numbuh Three, explaining that he
hoped
Numbuh Four wouldn't catch her flu.

So that was why she was not with them at the battle. Now how could he
take
advantage of Number Three's illness.

Yes, that was it: have Numbuh Three kidnapped and use her as a hostage.

Yes, Venn thought, with Number Three as his prisoner, the Kids Next
Door
would never dare attack him, and if they tried, he had a little
surprise
waiting for them.

Jeeves entered the room. "Master Venn, your guest has arrived."

"Good. Send him to me at once," said Edward, turning Father's throne
around.

"Very well, Master Venn," Jeeves said as he left.

A while later, a cloaked figure entered Father's throne and walked to
the
centre.

"I see you are well, Agent Kyoto."

"I am well, and willing to serve you once again, Master Venn."

"I have work for you," said Edward. He turned Father's throne around
again
and passed Agent Kyoto Numbuh Three's file.

"What do you want me to do?" asked Agent Kyoto.

"Bring her here, and if anyone tries to stop you, disable them,"
ordered
Edward.

"Your order is as good as done," said Agent Kyoto as he turn around and
left
the room.

Now to deal with Numbuh One, thought Edward.