TIME-TRAVEL

Today or
In time
Many
Erupt

Time
Rocks
Aviators
Very crazily
Even
Loony

By Ahhelga

Author's Note: Okay, it's been a while, yes, but then again, I've been swamped even more with school just beginning (yes, beginning; I go to year-round at school, which is known as the track system). However, I finally found time to actually update. Aren't you proud of me? I know I am! Also, because the plot was going rather slow, I decided to cram my next few chapters all convenient in this one chapter. Don't worry; it won't be extra-super-duper long! Well, enough of chit-chat, let's get started!

Disclaimer: Kids Next Door is not mine, nor is the idea of time-traveling, since I'm sure someone else has thought of the idea before. (Hell, there are published crud out there about time-traveling—look at Back to the Future…which I do not own.)

Chapter 11- It's All Revealed

"I'm sorry, Mr. Beetles," said the FBI agent. "We weren't able to locate them on the database."

Wally's face grew hot and he wanted to slap the man, though he knew he shouldn't act so rash—he was an adult after all, and that wasn't all that respectful towards someone who was at least pretending to try and help. Although, he had a nagging feeling that the agents didn't care about his wife, they just needed all the people rounded up for order and peace in the nation.

Psh, order and peace? He thought. Look at them! Kids go missing, along with a wife! What about Fanny, eh? What about me

He shuddered at the thought. But he knew better than to go on an emotional splurge in front of an official. They all didn't really know how to react to things like that. He glanced at the accompanying agent, and realized they both looked alike.

Hmph, clones—they're everywhere! He thought once more. It's not as if this world isn't overpopulated as it is. Now they need clones for official business. He thought longer now. Oh yeah…no one wants to be part of the government anymore. Not because of the darn Faber Wigglestein.

He stopped in his thoughts, hoping that these clones weren't the ones that read minds. But he knew that was impossible because only generically-altered humans had that ability. …Like Faber.

Wally looked up at the official, who just was glancing around the house. It was an odd house; yes, even Wally had to admit, especially in today's world. He would've even admitted that their society was almost exactly like The Community in that one book he read long ago, The Giver. Books like that were banned in most areas because the communities were so alike that that they had to block peoples' negative ideas on the community. Wally was just glad he was in no society like that. However, it felt like that community here, because of all the restrictions.

"Mr. Beetles, I have been asking you countless times: do you mind me asking a few questions?" the agent said once more.

"Oh, um, sure, Mr.…Florence, right?" Wally questioned.

"Flemmings," corrected the agent, annoyed.

"Oh, oh right," Wally said, as if he were in some distant land.

"Mm-kay, business," said Flemmings. "Do you know what your children or your wife have been doing for the last couple hours?"

He shrugged. "Everything normal. Eat, talk, and meet up with some friends while the kids brought some of their friends. Usual things."

The agent's expression hadn't moved at all. "Ah, I see. Anything particular? New, unknown friends perhaps? Maybe the kids brought in someone in they never brought before?"

"Oh, I'm sure that my children had brought well-known friends. Besides, I met up with the friends, fine kids they are." Wally lied. "And my friends? Nobody new came over, just my old pals from my high school that I meet regularly."

Wally was sure to leave out the fact that he wasn't so sure about his kids' friends or about Fanny. If they found Fanny…they'd be sure to take her back to… him. Another shudder escaped him, and this time, the agent noticed.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

Wally turned to him, "Oh no…just…cold." And that lie was to affect him greatly.

"Oh, so now I'm a show to you guys now?"

Angelo turned to the cell. The voice hadn't shut up. And since it was so raspy, one probably knew very well that he probably hadn't spoken much. That's what came to Kuki's mind. The raspy voice made it frightening. And even as she hung onto Wally, who made her feel much safer, she still felt scared. It sounded like a very irritable teenager.

Angelo looked inside the cell through the bars and almost seemed to taunt the prisoner of freedom. They could hear a scoff that came from the other side. Angelo spoke once more, "I'm making you a deal, 281. Would you liked to get out? I bet you do, so I'm going to let you out so my friends could talk to you. Just as long as you don't touch anything other than the beanbag you're sitting in, you'll be able to stay out here until tomorrow morning. If you mess up just once, I'm sending you back into the cell."

Angelo didn't seem to wait for a response. He took out the access card and inserted it into one of the slots by the door. His hand hovered over the handle, which could be easily opened from the outside now. And then, he pulled on it with a sweaty palm. The heavy door seemed to open slowly and the whole scene of it all seemed overly dramatic. At least, it did to Abby. The others stared, amazed at the-seemingly-wondrous-moment. Although, in the end it turned out disappointing.

All that sat there in the empty cell was a teenage boy. After a moment of realization to both the KND team and him, he scrambled up to his feet and got out of there as quickly as he could, while stumbling. When he stopped right in front of them, all but Angelo took a step back. The teenager fumbled with thick-rimmed glasses and then pushed back his black hair. After touching his hair he looked at his hands and then down to Angelo.

"I need a bath," he said.

Angelo gave him a hopeless look and said, "Not now, 281."

Brian, this Numbuh 281, was blinking his eyes repeatedly as he tried to get used to the brightness contrast compared to the enclosed cell he had been kept in for years. It was only just a few feet away, and he already felt overwhelm that he was out—no restrictions of chains, locks, or anything else! Slightly, he smiled to himself and observed his surroundings.

There was the familiar face of Angelo, who was looking at him intently. And then immediately, he found himself locked on the accompanying seven kids with him. There were two he hadn't known, but that didn't matter, because his mind wasn't on them for long. He stared at the other five. There was a sense of recognition and yet confusion. But at the same time, he felt understanding as he regained his senses and memory of what was his main focus in the KND.

He started to breathe heavily. From glancing to Angelo to the kids, he had his eyes widened even larger. Now just being out was out of his mind, he was only locked on the kids in front of him—Sector V. Numbuh 281 struggled to keep on his feet and keep balanced.

"N—Numbuh 1," he managed to get out. "And Numbuh 2! Even Numbuh 3 and Numbuh 4! Numbuh 5, she's here too! Angelo, what were you keeping from me? How long had they been here? You should've brought them to me earlier!" He now sounded as if he was angry and worried. "What if…what if—"

"No," said Angelo, holding up his hand, which silenced Brian. "No one knows of them. I'm sure of it. And besides, they were brought to me not very long ago, not even a whole day ago. Although I'm not sure about how long these current operatives right here had them…" He added the last part with a nudge towards Calli and Willy, who blushed.

Brian looked towards them, but not much longer, his attention was brought back again towards Angelo.

"Sector V," he said breathlessly. "They're right in front of me."

The five stared, amazed at their…fan. They all noticed he was stumbling and couldn't think straight every time he glanced at every one of them. Wally felt Kuki clutch onto him tighter. Instinctively, he patted his remaining hand on hers. After that, the tightening relaxed a bit.

As if Brian had been hit with reality, he seemed to panic. He looked around frantically, as if there was something stalking them. He fell over in his worry.

"Numbuh 78!" Brian cried. "They…they traveled through time, like they should have, right? Well…if that's the case, then they're…they're…"

"They're…?" Calli spit out, impatient.

"They're… early," he said.

All of them stared at him, befuddled at what he said. It was like they were on a schedule or something, and if that ever was the case, it had not occurred to them at all. Brian stared at them. He seemed to be frozen. After a moment, he was looking around frantically as he was before.

"Early? What do you mean by early?" asked Willy.

"Willy!" exclaimed Brian, who ran up to grab him by the upper-arms. Willy seemed taken aback, especially because he knew his first name. "Y-you don't know, do you?"

Willy, shaken up, was still, but he managed to shake his head slightly. Brian sighed out of exasperation, tightening his grip on the oriental boy. His sister, noticing Willy's fear, rushed up to both of them and pried Brian's fingers off of Willy's arms. After a moment's shaking, Brian slowly and gently let go, revealing that he was extremely tense still. Calli started to comfort her little brother, who was still very shaky from Brian's actions.

Brian then whispered, "We got to do something. Now."

His head turned swiftly to Angelo's way. And then he turned to Hoagie.

"Hoagie! I want you to tell me what time it says on your watch!" Brian's eyes were lit with fire.

Quite nervously, Hoagie had checked his watch to reveal that it was almost midnight. He was amazed by how quick time went…and how much he ached to go back to his own time—before all this happened. He said aloud the time, and Brian looked down as he rubbed his chin, which was spotted slightly with a few zits. It hadn't fazed him much, until now. He hadn't thought of himself of a teenager, until now. He never thought Sector V would ever be late. Until now.

There was much to do.

"Look," he started, "We don't have much time, despite what you may think, but I need you guys to help me out…"

Fanny hated waiting. She hated hiding, too. But it just seemed to be that she had to do both. Wally told her to, and she even understood the situation, but the clones would never know who she was or why she was there. It was a stupid reason to hide. But then again…one of them could be a general, and generals are usually who was sent to search for people like her.

Sighing, she rolled. It was quite uncomfortable under the guest bed. There were only few things in the way, like a shoebox and random tennis balls and paint brushes, but it still had felt as if she was crowded.

There was no way that he would actually go through that much to get her and the others. There was just no way. But Fanny had a nagging reminder in her mind that he always was persistent. It disgusted her the way he always overprotected her, and back then, it just seemed routine and normal. Soon she realized that not every one of them had the same treatment she did. And it was it was just recently that she found him courting her.

Absolutely revolting.

What was it that made her so special? How was she different from the others? The others of the Chosen certainly had more qualities to them, and more powers. While she…she didn't even have any qualities or powers! The memories didn't even count for anything either, because she had them afterwards and her other friends had them too. It was normal.

She rolled again, this time on a pin, which made her slightly jump and hit her head on the bottom of the bed. She quietly cursed and closed her eyes.

Was it her or did she feel all of a sudden…

Falling! She opened her eyes to find herself going through air. What happened to the bed! And the carpet? She looked up and saw the bed way above her, fading away. All she found was four walls that enclosed her, and she was scared. Much too scared to even scream.

As she fell in the enclosed space, she pulled down on her skirt to keep it from showing anything, despite the fact that probably no one was looking at her at the moment. She just wanted out. And before she could finish the thought, she found herself falling onto a cushioned seat perfectly in sitting position.

Rubbing her bum from the somewhat hurtful fall, she stood up and looked at her surroundings. The chair she landed in was in front of a table, long and slender. A TV screen was at the side, which added suspicion. The ground was leveled, but there was a platform by the screen. The walls were steel, so it seemed, and the table was metallic. If she were allergic to aluminum, she'd be dead by then.

Fanny observed some more the somewhat small room. It was quite an odd thing. A room that looked like it should be in a corporate building, right here, underneath a comfy home. Perhaps the government added the room to keep an eye on them for suspicious activity. But that'd mean they'd know that she was there! And she couldn't risk it! No, wait…that was silly. But just what was that room used for? Very curious, very curious indeed.

She walked around. It seemed scary now. It was no longer amazing, it was just frightening. Especially with all the thoughts that occupied her mind. She circled the table twice now, and she wasn't about to stop. The slippers that she was provided with by the Beetles seemed to be overwhelmingly comfortable, so when she stepped on a slight bump, she felt it immediately. Moving her foot to the side, she saw what she stepped on—a single piece of red hard candy.

Fanny bent down to pick it up, and was instantly met with a jolt of light. It seemed to shock her, so she jumped back, letting go of the candy once more. Her breaths were short now, amazed by what had shocked her. It wasn't as if the candy was electric, but she felt a surge, a surge of a strong memory.

She shook her head. There was no way. Memories from a candy? Where had the candy come from? Is this the room that she'd been looking for all this time? One that could give her all the answers she needed? There was no way, she reminded herself, but why…why had she gotten that memory by that one candy there? And why that memory?

"You guys are early for some reason," He continued, "So I want you guys to keep caution at all times, even when you think you're safe, like now. And being early, I dunno what—"

"What do you mean by early, yeh teen?" Wally stepped up, pointing out with his index finger at Brian. The black haired kid made an ignorant face.

"Now, don't call me that, because you're technically an adult now if you hadn't time-traveled." Brian smirked. "And being early? Well…you were supposed to come and meet me at exactly 9:47 AM tomorrow morning."

"And how the crud do you know all this?" Calli pushed her finger in Brian's chest.

He stared at her blankly now. It was obvious that she wasn't going to move on her own will, so he pushed her finger away and she then crossed her arms. His face was calm, a little too calm, so it was kind of obvious that he was holding back steam that would soon blow.

"Well, I—"

"Hold up, there!" Nigel Uno had stepped up from being so quiet and observant. "Are you…the Numbuh 281 in that video?"

Brian took a step back, making the door of the cell close immediately. He turned around desperately in some way. The look on Nigel's face was so demanding.

"I, well, yeah…"

Wally jumped in, "Well then if you know so much tell us what'll happen!"

"Oh, oh!" Kuki jumped. "What about those twins? And the other dude! Do you know where they are?"

"Um…."

Hoagie then started to yell, "Well then why aren't they here?"

And Willy started up, "Why me? Why did you give those instructions to me?"

"Who is the Charlie guy you contacted us about a long time ago?" Calli looked red.

Then, lastly, Abby asked the most wanted question.

"What's going on?"

All fell silent. Not even their breath was heard at this point. After the commotion died down, it was obvious that they wanted answers to all of them immediately. Angelo knew that Brian couldn't take it. And also, both the teen and messenger knew that there was no time.

"I…I can't answer all your questions." Brian was so soft that even in the silence they could barely hear. "There's much more things to do. But…if you want an explanation, I shall give it to you. For your sake."

Charlie could hardly believe he was doing this. A man, who just so happens to mysteriously appear right in front of him, was basically abducting him, well, not exactly. He chose to do this, but only because the man was so mysterious with his ways and "Kids Next Door". So far, only the child knew about it was that it was an organization. He didn't know anything at all after that—only that it was important in this journey they were taking.

Currently, they were hopping over homes, with the sneaker-boots that the man provided for him. They were auto-adjustable and had so many perks along with it. They gave you the power to jump really, really high, and not to mention balance. He couldn't believe how easy this was with them. Understandably, the man had the ones that could also fly. They were just so cool, and the man said he had more 'toys' along with him too.

Of course, Charlie got freaked out by instinct but found it in his mind, gut, and heart to trust him. So of course he had no choice to be trustworthy towards the man. And as he hopped over roofs, the man had murmured to himself about a few things, which he obviously did a lot, Charlie observed.

"Y'know, sir," he said. "I don't think you mentioned your name yet to me."

The man smiled and then turned to him. "You'll be surprised to find out that I have the same name as you…"

"Really! Your name is Charlie?" Charlie grinned.

The man's grin was larger. "Nope." Charlie's face faltered. "But," the man took a breath and stopped on one random roof to turn to Charlie. "That is my nickname."

"Oh," Charlie looked up at the older Charlie. "Well then…Charlie…what's your name?"

He turned to him. "I have a lot of names."

The young one looked up skeptically. "But…what's the one you were born with? You know the one your parents gave you, right?"

The man's face was far-off. It was obvious the subject was touchy and Charlie pretty much backed down. He kept quiet, especially since the man already hopped off to the next roof. Once he reached the next roof, he turned to the boy.

"It was Chad."

Just as Brian was about to speak, Angelo spoke softly, "You don't have to do this."

All turned to him surprised. Why did he stop him?

"But…but isn't it for the better?" Brian asked. "Don't they have a right to know?"

"Yes but…" Angelo took a pause. "It could kill them."

Brian looked grave as he stared at the 'messenger'. It was all a matter of life and death, this whole situation—and Brian knew; he knew more than all of them.

"I—I know, but at the same time it could protect them," he said, defensively. "Most anything could at this point—you or me, even. Even their darn kids!"

Calli took a step back. She knew instantly that by that, they were talking about her brother and her. She glanced at the others—they looked so confused. Well, not her brother, who just happened to know everything. Honestly. She felt jealousy creep up in her throat, but pushed it back. Now was not the time. They needed to be watchful, for anything. And by what she was hearing, it may be anything. It took her a while to realize that she was drowning out the conversation and she wouldn't know what important things she missed.

Willy was speaking. "…attacks, how would we know? Like…physically?"

Angelo his way, and then glanced towards Sector V. He took a breath. "Well, all of us could be attacked anytime, anywhere, anyhow. It's all a matter of your own mind. It could be that each attack is designed to mess with our minds or attack you through a bomb or anything. And sometimes, it might make you think it's an accident. That's why you guys have to be on your toes the whole time.

"I and my comrades tried our best to prevent that… but all we could've given you were the Watches. Although they are highly useful, I must say it was a bit too extreme for this situation. Even if you don't think so, which I'm sure you feel… Anyway, please bear in mind that the best thing is to keep watch.

"Especially since you don't know what kind of warriors and ninjas and stuff are out to get you."

"Warriors? Ninjas?" came out Hoagie. "Like…fighting kind of warriors and ninjas? You mean…we'll be against a whole bunch of butt-kicking warriors and ninjas?" His voice seemed panicked.

Brian shrugged. "They'll be nothing against you guys, really. You're the best of the best."

"But…aren't there others?" Nigel asked. "Others those are better? Like Ex-274 or 362? Even your guys of your times. I mean, judging from the video, your team is highly capable. I mean, can't we just call on them, and then they could be the best? Why us?" His questions were followed by silence and awkward air. It seemed as if no one was going to answer.

"Because you're the chosen ones, darn it!" Angelo was red in the face.

"Ch-chosen ones?" Kuki stammered from the back.

He tried to make heads and tails with this. This memory was so odd. This man…it couldn't be. The man on the roof seemed like some guy from the future or something. How could he have known someone like that?

And what did he mean by "don't expect me battling you sometime"?

Hoagie couldn't take it. He charged for the phone and automatically dialed the number he knew would answer. It didn't take much longer. But during the time the phone on the other side was ringing, he was starting to regret it. What was he going to say? What if the person he didn't want to talk to answer?

"Hello?" A pang of guilt for ever picking up the phone hit him.

"Hi Abby, is Nigel there?" Hoagie's voice trembled underneath. He hoped that she didn't notice. It was bad enough that she was there, but it made him feel worse to let her know that that was the case.

She paused. "Is something wrong, Hoagie?"

Uh oh. He felt worse. He just wanted to hang up, but really felt that if he did that, it'd make matters worse. Taking a sigh of breath, he answered. "Oh… it's just… it's just that I have another m-memory."

It seemed to satisfy her because she said hold on and passed the phone onto Nigel. The most likely case for that was that they were in the same bed. His face flushed, and thanked the heavens that they were on the phone and nobody could see him.

"Hoagie?" Nigel was urgent. "A memory you say?"

He gulped. "Yes."

"Well then…tell me… We'll work it out." Nigel was like a time bomb ticking. Not until he got all details, would he calm down. And now that this was, Hoagie instantly regretted it.

"The memory…the memory…"

She looked around the whole room—well, arena really. It was time. She was bound to a chair, just as she was when she woke up that first time, and the spotlight was on her. It was so loud. And yet she saw no one's mouths moving. She looked out to the bleachers—people, teenagers, and even some kids were sitting there, all looking so sullen. Why were they there in the first place watching her? It was very creepy. But they looked so sad… She almost felt sorry for them. But she felt more sorrow for herself.

It had been very nerve-wracking. It was like being the spotlight… well…actually…that was something to laugh about because it was true. And the worse part was that she didn't know what was going on.

Scared, she tried to let out a scream. But instead, a hoarse whisper came out. And at that whisper, everyone hushed.

"Don't be frightened."

The voice was the most chilling thing she had heard. And soon enough, she had found out where it was coming from. There, in front of her, was a platform that was rising. On the platform was a shadowed man—the same one as before. Finally, she felt her voice come back.

"What do you want?" she spat. There was a deafening silence that followed it as she waited for a reply. After a moment or two, she got her response.

"Kuki, Kuki, Kuki…" the man laughed. "Can't you see? I want you. And so do all these other people."

Kuki gulped, afraid of what he actually meant. With every word, he got closer and closer. She kept glancing over and over towards the crowd. All of them had a different expression—fear, anger, pure giddiness…worry. She stared at the one with worry, ignoring the man's perpetual comments.

The girl… There was a young woman sitting there, worried and what not. Kuki narrowed her eyes at her and found the woman staring straight at her. The girl knew she was being stared at. And for the longest time, they stared. Just the two of them.

Of course, this didn't go unnoticed. The man holding her captive was laughing now.

"Oh, so you think you have a chance?" he cried. "Maybe you could telepathically connect to her? Hah, hah! Come here, girl!" He now turned to the woman Kuki was staring at. "I want you to come here. Yes…you…"

Suddenly, in a split-second, the girl that Kuki was staring at was right in front of her. Her eyes bugged out. That was crazy! How did the girl magically transport from there to here? The man turned to her.

"Watches."

A small twitch surged through her as he said that. Did he read her mind? What was that surge about? What was going on?

"Let me clarify. Maybe you feel so connected to this young woman, don't you?" Scared, Kuki nodded. "Perhaps you two could become acquainted, and then everything will all…reveal itself. And you could go on merrily with your happy lives."

As if on auto-mode, the young woman walked up to stand face-to-face with Kuki who was sitting. The girl had dressed like someone from Harajuku or something. Her black and violet-themed outfit also mad her look like a punk-rocker. She also had her hair up in two down pigtails with yellow ribbons.

"Let me introduce you, Kuki, to your sister, Mushi Sanban…"

(END CHAPTER)

Author's Note: Okay, not as long as I intended, but it is longer than usual. Geez, I've been neglecting this one like crazy. I'm terribly, terribly sorry, guys! Gah. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it. Please review! It'd mean a whole lot to me!

That's me
Ahhelga
AKA Pauline