Me: Thanks to Death Angel's Shadow for giving me a review! If you hadn't, I might never have updated. Anyway, if you thought there was a lot of 3/4 in the second chapter, just wait and see what else is in store.

3

Father was having a nightmare.

He was in that small Australian village again. Plundering and pillaging just for fun. That teenage girl, Rallda, and her friend were dead. He had given Rallda what he thought she deserved for ruining his fun, her friend had perished with her.

Then as he turned around, it happened.

A girl in a black cloak appeared. Under it she was garbed in a long purple tunic with white sleeves. She had long, dark brown hair and eyes that glared at Father with blazing contempt.

For the first time in his life, Father ran away. He knew he could not scare her. He ran faster, past scenes of death and destruction he had caused. The cloaked figure grew bigger. Father couldn't go any faster, in fact, he was slowing down. He didn't want that. He was stuck in the mire of a swamp. The girl was now a giant!

But more frightening than that was the sword she held. It was ancient but strong and beautifully deadly.

She swung it and a million lights reflected off of it as it struck

Father woke up sweating and panting. This girl, she seemed familiar and he was actually scared of her? No. He feared no creature living or dead. He would meet his neighbors and show them who was in charge.

Numbuh 4 was rudely awakened from slumber by loud knocking. He rubbed at his eyes and sluggishly slid off the couch. He looked out the window to see who was out there.

But when he looked he couldn't believe what he saw.

It was he.

That same silhouetted man. That same pipe and those exact cold jaundiced eyes. The same man who had destroyed his home that long time ago.

Numbuh 5 yawned, "Who is it, Numbuh 4?"

But Numbuh 4 was lost for words.

Numbuh 5 got up to take a look for herself. Her eyes shot open at the sight. "Wake up, everyone! It's Father!"

The other three operatives leaped up and ran to where Numbuh 5 was, Numbuh 3 still carrying Joey.

Numbuh 4 regained his composure. "Who goes there?" He yelled.

Five figures stepped forth at the same time and spoke as one, "Before you stands the mighty Father. We are the Delightful Children form Down the Lane. We speak for him."

"Then speak and leave!" Numbuh 5 barked harshly at them.

Father held a whispered conference with his Delightful Children.

"Father says he will only speak to your leader,"

Numbuh 1 had heard this, "I'll see what he wants. Let them in."

Numbuh 4 returned to the window, "Agreed. Leave any o' yer weapons daown."

Father sneered. Having no weapons, he approached the door.

Numbuh 4 and 5 led Father through the treehouse, while Numbuh 2 brought up the rear with the Delightful Children. They reached their destination quickly. Numbuh 1 sat calmly in his chair. He beckoned Father to sit on a different chair. Father did so and the Delightful Children found another close by.

Numbuh 1 stared levelly at Father, "Now then, what do you want?"

Father held the stare, "I'll tell you what I want, you snotty little punk. I want this treehouse, every last corner and stairway. Got it?"

Numbuh 4 leapt up furiously, "Listen 'ere, ya snake, ya dun scare meh. Oi'll tell you wot ya get nothin'! Nothin'! Got that!"

Bristling with rage, he sat back down next to Kuki, who was feeding Joey.

"You must forgive Numbuh 4, he's impulsive. Now, I can't give you our treehouse, that's out of the question. Now i…"

Father interrupted, "I don't care! You'll give me this place weather you like it or not! Tell them my articles, my Delightful Children!"

The Delightful Children began to eerily state his articles.

"Surrender is total and immediate

Anyone who apposes Father will be slain

Anything and everything of the con…"

Crack! Fwack! Bang!

Numbuh 4 had given them a good strike with his S.P.L.A.N.K.E.R. Father snarled at Numbuh 4 and launched himself at him.

Numbuh 5 tripped him neatly in midair. She growled at him.

Father turned to Numbuh 1, "You have until tomorrow to give me you answer."

Numbuh 1 stood up, "I won't need until tomorrow, scourge. This is my answer: How dare you come here with your prissy, snooty little brats and recite your filthy articles to me? I swear that you, your kids, nor anyone else of yours will set foot in this treehouse while my friends and I have breathe in our bodies to fight you!"

Father sneered. His kids followed him as he turned to leave. His sinister voice echoed as he said, "Then die, all of you: every male, female, and all of your kind. You've chosen to appose me, so you have chosen death!"

Numbuh 5 then did something incredible.

Using all of her blazing strength, she gripped the couch and lifted it above her head. It was a large piece of furniture that had taken all five of them to move into the treehouse. She roared with the anger of a true warrior, "Get out now! Leave our home! I'm sick and tired of hearing your wicked voices! Scram before I decide to flatten you like pancakes!"

All six of them walked quickly away. The Delightful Children ran slapbang into Father who stood stock still, staring at the tapestry.

"Who is she?" he gasped.

"'er?" Numbuh 4 asked, pointing at a certain spot.

Father nodded.

Still pointing, Numbuh 4 declared heroically, "This is Matthoia the Warrior. S'e founded the Kids Next Door. An' anothah thing, that gul was the bravest kid that evuh lived. If s'e wos 'ere naow, you'd be 'avin' a good taste o' sword!"

Surprisingly, Father allowed Numbuh 4 to show him out.

Matthia the Warrior. The girl who had chased him in his nightmare. What did it mean?