Transmission 31: Face Myself
For the remainder of Saturday, a silent buzz fills the TND base, as all the Sections continue to prepare for the mission ahead. Wally trains hard with the Combat Force while Hoagie is buried neck deep in blueprints as he tries to figure out how to build the T.S.-W.R.A.S.L.E.R.'s tandem cockpit. Nigel and Rachel meanwhile go through simulations for the mission and try to decide what's the best way to execute it. As afternoon arrives, Kuki gets up from her bed and stretches her arms.
"Yosh! Enough lying in-bed, I've got work to do!" she hits her cheeks but then, she realizes that her cellphone, which had been on her nightstand the whole time, has been filling with missed calls and unread messages, all from her parents. "Oh no…" she remembers the curfew her parents had placed on her and becomes alarmed. "I…gotta find the others!" Kuki shouts and runs out of her room, rushes through the infirmary's corridor and past the waiting room but as she rounds a corner, she runs head-on into someone and falls.
"Ow…what the heck?"
"Owowow…. OHMIGOSH! I'm so sorry! I was in a hurry so I did see you, I'm sorry…eh?" Her rambling apology ends as she realizes who she bumped into. "Kid?"
"Heh, you should watch where you're going."
"I'm super sorry! Oh no, I almost forgot!" she stands up and runs past The Kid but he grabs her hand before she can get away. "Huh? Hey, what are you…?"
"Slow down, will ya? This ain't how ya normally act, right? Why don't ya tell me what's wrong." Kuki sighs and explains her curfew briefly.
"Curfew? Seriously? Man, that's a bummer."
"They're really worried about me and I have to somehow make them understand…it's because of my curfew that I ended up like that in the first place." Kuki stares at the floor dejectedly.
"Hmm…I've got an idea. Why don't we…" He starts to whisper into Kuki's ear but then, someone notices them. It's none other than Wally, who was about to go the leisure room to rest. His eyes widen at the sight of The Kid being so close to Kuki.
"What the crud?!" He slowly approaches then, trying to keep out of sight until he can hear what they're saying.
"…if we go now, we can make it before…"
"…oh, that's a good idea…let's…" While he can only make out a portion of what their talking about, it's more than enough to spark his fury.
"Hey, what the heck are ya planning?!" he shouts.
"Wally?!" Kuki is startled by his sudden appearance but Wally goes for The Kid and grabs him by his collar.
"You better explain yourself right now or…"
"Wow, wow, hey, chill out! I've got no idea why your mad but I ain't done nothing wrong."
"Stop it, Wally! He's just trying to help me!" Kuki pleads, persuading Wally to let go The Kid.
"What do ya mean?" he glares at The Kid, who nudges Kuki.
"I…I need to go visit my parents…"
"Huh? Are ya crazy?"
"She's got no choice. Her parents are going nuts right now." Wally takes a step back and is reminded of how strict Kuki's parents are.
"If you go, are ya sure your parents aren't just gonna ground you or something?"
"I'm gonna take that risk! This curfew is making my life harder than it already is…" Wally takes a deep breath and nods.
"Okay, but whatever your plan is, I want in on it too."
"Hey, it's hard enough trying to sneak out of the base with two people, we don't need extra baggage. Or are ya saying I can't keep her safe?" The Kid glares at Wally, who walks up to him and glares back.
"Hah, I KNOW you can't keep her safe but also, I just don't trust you."
"What did you say?!"
"Hey, don't start fighting again! I can always teleport there and come back."
"There's no way I'm letting you go out there by yourself!"
"I hate to say it but this blockhead's right."
"Blockhead?!"
"You heard me. Anyway, my "Valkyrie" can only fit two people, so you're not getting a ride."
"Hah, who'd wanna fly in that hunk of junk?! I can fly fine by myself." Wally's comment angers The Kid but he tries to remain calm.
"Fine, do what you want, just don't fall behind. Come on Kuki, let's go." The Kid takes Kuki's hand and takes her into the hangar, infuriating Wally, while Kuki is conflicted about going to see her parents without telling the others.
"You cruddy…" Wally mutters and runs after them, just as The Kid opens his fighter's cockpit, which does fit two people, like he said.
"Okay, get in the back seat and lower your head. I'm a freelancer, so they can't stop me from leaving." Kuki nods hesitantly and hops onto the rear seat, strapping herself in and hunching forward, keeping herself out of sight. The Kid jumps on the pilot's seat and closes the canopy just as Wally about to reach them.
"Dammit!" he shouts as the fighter hovers, rotates 180 degrees and flies out of the hangar.
"No way am I letting you do this alone!" Wally turns invisible with his stealth cloak and activates his B.R.A. in High-Altitude-Mode. He then blasts out of the hangar and pursues the "Valkyrie" but unknown to neither him or Kuki and The Kid, someone saw the entire argument.
"Aw man, why do guys gotta do this now?!" Hoagie, who was visiting the hangar, happened to stumble upon them as he was leaving and hid behind a corner. "What do I do?! If they get into trouble again…dammit…I gotta do something." He looks around and turns on his heels, returning to the hangar and heads towards the W.A.S.P. He runs up the ramp goes to the bridge but as he activates the ships systems, the Signal Receiver connected to the coms console crackles to life.
"This is Switchboard Flight Control Center. Numbuh 2, you have not been authorized to take-off."
"I know, but this is an emergency! The Kid just took off and he had Numbuh 3 with him! Numbuh 4 also went after them!"
"What? Hold on, we're going to contact Numbuh Iota-3" After a few seconds of silence, Herbie speaks to Hoagie
"Explain yourself, Numbuh 2."
"What's there to explain?! They just left and I've got no idea where they're headed!"
"Regardless, I can't allow you to go after them. The situation outside is perilous as it is."
"Then what do you suggest we do?!"
"I'll inform Numbuh Alpha and we'll go from there. I understand how you feel but we can't take any risks right now. Who's to say that C.L.A.M.M.A.H.-Array won't target you the moment you take off?"
"Ngh…dammit…" Hoagie hits the ships control console and shakes from frustration. Then, he has an idea.
"Okay, I won't take off, but I'll at least track them. This ship's sensors can track their communicators, even if they're using the cloak. Is that okay with you?"
"Fine, do it. Stay in touch with CIC and keep them updated. We have no idea if the enemy has noticed them."
"Got it!" Hoagie salutes his old colleague and runs over to the radar console, trying to trace where his friends flew off. Meanwhile, Nigel is taking a nap in the sleeping room, lying on a pile of beanbags when his communicator goes off.
"Huh…Numbuh 1 speaking."
"This is Numbuh Iota-3 from the Switchboard. We have a small problem and you're needed here ASAP. We'll contact Numbuh 5 separately."
"Oh, okay, roger that. What about the rest of my team?"
"Just come to the Switchboard." Herbie ends the call, leaving Nigel perplexed.
"I see…" He stands up and heads down to the 31st floor, where along the way he meets Abby.
"So, what the heck is it about this time?"
"I have no idea. What worries me that Numbuh Iota-3 didn't mention the others at all…"
"Numbuh 5 was just told to come to the Switchboard…" As they enter, they are greeted by Eliza, who is standing behind Herbie.
"Sorry I had to call you here but it's important that you know what happened."
"What do ya mean?"
"Show it to them, Numbuh Iota-3."
"Yes, Ma'am." Herbie types on his armrest keyboard and one of the large screens shows footage from one of the base's internal CCTV cameras. In it, they see The Kid and Kuki talking before Wally intervenes and then all three leave, Hoagie is also visible in the top left corner of the screen, hiding behind a corner.
"What is this about, Numbuh Alpha?"
"After this footage, Agent Halcón took off with Numbuh 3 and soon after, Numbuh 4 flew after them."
"HUH?! You ain't serious, right?!"
"I am. It was Numbuh 2 who made us aware of this. Numbuh Iota-3 had to persuade him not to go after them." Eliza replies sternly.
"I can't believe it…This doesn't make any sense. Are they not aware of the situation we're in?"
"I betcha it had somethin' to do with that argument they had. Wait till I get my hands on those two…" Abby clenches her fists.
"We need to get them back!"
"No, I can't let you do that, Numbuh 1."
"But they're in MY team! I'm responsible for them so…"
"I said no, and that's final!" Eliza shouts, startling his cousin. "If we send any more people out, it'll draw attention."
"Then what do ya suggest we do?! Numbuh 3's still recoverin' for fricks sake! What if somethin' happens to them?!"
"Numbuh 2 is tracking them as we speak. We've also contacted one of our recon teams to establish contact with them and have them return. We can't send any ships, because almost our entire decoy drone contingent is being overhauled in the Science Section's lab."
"I see…" Nigel crosses his arms and looks at the screen as Abby turns around.
"Where's Numbuh 2?"
"Aboard your team's ship." Herbie replies over his shoulder.
"Then Numbuh 5's goin' there too. Beats just watching the whole thing like you guys." She glares at Eliza and marches out of the Switchboard's observation deck while Nigel stays behind.
"I understand how she feels but…all of our resources are being poured into the Treehouse mission so we can't exactly do a search and rescue right now."
"I understand. What I want to know is WHY they left in the worst place. If it was either Numbuh 4's or Agent Halcón's idea, it would make sense but somehow, I've got a feeling they weren't the ones who came up with this…"
"Are you saying Numbuh 3 roped them to help her?"
"It's a possibility. Regardless, like you said, we can only watch at this moment…" Nigel replies but his stern expression hides his true feelings.
"Just what were you guys thinking? Especially you, Kuki."
…
In the skies above Cleve, The Kid's "Valkyrie" soars effortlessly through the afternoon sky. In the cockpit, his Signal Receiver has been going off since he left, but he has ignored all the calls.
"They're probably worried about us right now…"
"Don't worry, all I'm gonna do is take ya to your home and bring you back, that's all."
"Yeah, but…" Kuki stares at her feet as The Kid takes a deep breath.
"Hey, can I say something?"
"Hmm?"
"I…I really wanna say I'm sorry."
"Wha…why? You didn't do anything wrong."
"I DID!" The Kid's agitated reaction surprises Kuki.
"What happened on Thursday, was kinda my fault too."
"Eh? No, that's not true! I was the one who went crazy."
"No, what I mean is, I was supposed to keep ya company while your team talked with that blond girl. I didn't make it in time to stop you from hearing what those two girls talked about. And I couldn't help ya when you snapped. So that's why, I'm sorry." Kuki is taken aback by the apology but shakes her head.
"No, don't feel that way. It was all me!"
"Then why do I feel so damn guilty about it?!"
"Then don't feel that way! It wouldn't have made a difference if you'd closed that door or something…I was so totally out of it, because of all the things that happened to my friends and how useless I felt…so please, don't blame yourself for that." Kuki's sincere response makes The Kid blush a bit but he quickly regains his composure.
"Well…okay, at least I got that out of my head…it's been bugging me for a while." Kuki smiles faintly but then, her smile fades as another call from the Signal Receiver is ignored.
"I'm sorry, Kid…I didn't want to drag you both into this…"
"What are ya talkin' about? I'm just givin' you a hand. And why did you say "you both"? Your teammate didn't follow us."
"No, he will…" Kuki looks outside while The Kid chuckles.
"He doesn't even have ship, how do ya think he can…" Suddenly, a loud bang interrupts the Kid, startling him and Kuki.
"What the heck?!"
"Attention, foreign object identified on craft's surface." The fighter's control computer warns him.
"Huh? Did that dummy actually hang onto my plane or something?!" He looks around but can't see anyone.
"No, he…" Kuki looks over her shoulder just as Wally decloaks behind her. He is using the magnetic touch to hold on to the fighter with his hands, while still using his flight mode.
"No way!
Kuki doesn't reply but, in her heart, she feels equally relieved that Wally came too but also guilty that her selfishness has gotten them into trouble.
"Geh, of course he'd do that…" The Kid scoffs as he lowers the fighter's nose. "Well anyway, were closing on your parent's place. Hold on tight." He goes into a slightly steep dive, causing Wally to feel the g-forces.
"You son of a…" He mutters but his magnetic touch keeps him firmly in place. Then, The Kid lands the fighter in the middle of some trees, not far from Kuki's house. Before he opens the cockpit, he takes a heat-laser rifle from a compartment under his seat.
"Just in-case we run into any trouble out there." As the canopy slides away, he helps Kuki out of her seat and they jump down from the transforming fighter. Wally meanwhile let's go of the "Valkyrie" and disengages his armor. As he also jumps down, The Kid rolls his eyes.
"Ya really are crazy…" he mutters.
"Takes one to know one." Wally returns the insult but The Kid ignores him and turns his attention to Kuki, who is looking around.
"So, how do you wanna go through with this?"
"I…I'll go and talk to them. Wait for me, okay?" Kuki replies quickly and runs from the boys, startling them.
"Hey, don't just run off like that!" she ignores Wally's shouting and disappears into the woods.
"Aw great…" Wally throws his arms in the air and leans against a tree with his arms crossed.
"Looks like we just have to wait then…" The Kid stares into the direction where she ran off. He then sighs and faces Wally. "Since we're alone, I can finally get some answers."
"What do ya mean?" Wally glares at The Kid who stares back as takes off his aviators.
"Just answer me: What is she to you?" Wally is visibly surprised by his question and looks away.
"Why the crud do you wanna know that?"
"I told you already, I'm serious about her and I'm not giving up. So, I wanna know what she means to you. Because if you're not serious, you'll lose."
"Wha…Are ya treating her as a cruddy trophy?!"
"No." The Kid answers quickly, his serious expression drilling into Wally, who then stares at his feet and clenches his fists.
"I've known her since we joined the KND. She's the best teammate and a…friend a guy could ask for…I just…I made a promise that I'd protect her no matter what. That's all."
"Why? Why promise something like that? You're her teammate, that comes naturally."
"Because…she went through the worst kind of shit and I wasn't there when she needed me! Why do ya think she always smiles, huh?!" Now The Kid is taken aback by Wally's furious expression. "She smiles because that's the only way she can hide the pain! And that's why, I'm going to protect her, with everything I've got!"
"Hmph, good. That's the kinda answer I was hopin' for. Now I can take you seriously."
"Huh?! You saying I wasn't worth your time before?!"
"Hahaha, I'll let you figure that out yourself. Now, why don't we stop wasting time and go keep an eye on her? This ain't exactly the safest place to be, right?"
"You're cruddy right!" Wally shouts and runs towards the direction that Kuki ran, followed by The Kid, who presses a button on his 2x4 wristwatch, which remotely activates a small decoy drone from the fighter's fuselage, that hides the "Valkyrie" completely.
Meanwhile, Kuki runs to her house and opens the door with her key. Immediately, her father rushes to meet her. "Kuki! Where have you been?!"
"Dad I…"
"Why haven't you answered your phone?! You've been away for three days! Do you have any idea how worried we've been?!" Her father shouts and Kuki is unable to talk back, the guilt is weighing heavily on her head.
"Kani, please, don't shout at her like that. I'm sure she has a reason why she's broken the curfew." Genki Sanban walks over to her daughter's side and puts her hand on Kuki's right shoulder. "Why don't we sit down and discuss this, instead you yelling at her like a madman?" Genki gives her husband a sharp look, which makes him calm down slightly.
"…very well." he says begrudgingly and marches into the kitchen first. Genki then turns to face Kuki and looks into her eyes.
"Don't take him the wrong way, he's been climbing on the walls since you left on Thursday."
"Mom…I'm sorry I…" Then, Genki gives her daughter a gentle hug.
"All that matters is that you're safe. Just, please don't disappear like that, okay?"
"I won't…" Even though she'd like to, Kuki refuses to cry and stays strong as her mother let's go and leads her into the kitchen and both parents and daughter sit down.
Outside, the boys have crossed the road and stop in-front of Kuki's house.
"*whistle* Damn, that's one fancy house."
"It's pretty big on the inside to…" Wally replies and crouches next to the door. As The Kid does the same, he readies his heat-laser rifle and looks around the quiet neighborhood.
"I don't like this silence…it's givin' me bad vibes…" Wally also notices the unusual silence when suddenly, his communicator begins to vibrate.
"Aw crud!" He mutters and puts it against his ear.
"Uhm, Numbuh 4 here…"
"WHAT THE HECK DO YA THINK YOU'RE DOIN', NUMBUH 4?!" Abby's scream nearly breaks Wally's eardrum and he has to cover the speaker with his hand.
"Stop shoutin' will ya?! I can hear you just fine."
"Oh really, then explain what went through your mind ya decided to sneak outta the base?! Do ya have any idea how screwed you guys are?"
"Huh? What do ya mean screwed?!"
"Numbuh 4, I'm tracking multiple unknown targets approaching the house!" A frantic Hoagie joins the call.
"Numbuh 2?"
"Sorry, but I saw the whole thing…I couldn't just watch. Anyway, you guys need to come back right now!"
"Aw crud, we can't do that! Numbuh 3 is talking with her folks right now!"
"She's what?!" Abby shouts, forcing Wally to cover the speaker again.
"Why do ya have to shout?! She wants to get rid of the curfew, that's all."
"Oh for the love…wait till you guys come back, I'm gonna skin you two alive for lettin' her talk ya into this!" A cold chill runs down Wally's spine but he keeps his cool.
"We'll bring her back! But we can't just rush into her house, can we?"
"I don't care what you guys do, just come back! Those unknowns are comin' in fast!"
"Right. We'll figure out something, Numbuh 4 out." Wally hangs up and looks at The Kid, who heard the whole conversation.
"So, how screwed are we?"
"Pretty bad…"
"Okay, then we just have to pull through. Don't worry hombre, this ain't my first gunfight." The Kid removes the safety on his rifle and peers through its sights, but the neighborhood remains silent.
Inside the Sanban residence, the conversation has heated up as Kani stands and hits hands against the table.
"NO, I will not let you run around town like that!"
"But I need to be with my friends! We just got together after three years!"
"I don't care if it was 5 years, you are not going anywhere, young lady!"
"Yes, I am! This is my last chance to be with them before…" Kuki lowers her head slightly and bites her lip.
"Before what, Kuki? Didn't you say before that you'd all go to the same high school?" Genki inquires calmly, while her husband stares down at her.
"I did but…not anymore…My…best friend is leaving the country…and we promised to be together until then…" she tries her best not to break into to tears and steels her nerves. "Please, I don't want to have that curfew! Let me be with my friends!" She stands up and pleads to her parents but Kani shakes his head.
"Right now, the only thing you should be worrying about should be your studies! You can't waste your time running around who knows where!"
"You don't understand anything, Dad!"
"Oh, I'm the one who doesn't understand?! I'm your father! I know what is best for you!"
"NO, YOU DON'T!" Kuki shouts from the bottom of her lungs, startling her parents, who have never seen her with such a determined look.
"What did you just say? You do not talk back to me like that!"
"…fine, think what you want, I'm going and you can't stop me!" Kuki turns around and prepares to leave, but Kani immediately tries to grab her. Then, Genki stands up and stops him from going any further.
"Kani, that's enough. Your daughter has made her choice, so we should respect it." Both daughter and father stare at Genki in disbelief.
"Wha…are you serious?! It's not safe out there! What if something happens to her? I'm just trying to protect our daughter!"
"What you're doing, is not protecting but restraining. You're not letting her live her own life, like she should."
"I…" Kani takes a step back as Genki turns around and puts her hand on Kuki's shoulder again.
"Kuki, you've really grown into a strong young lady."
"Eh?" Kuki is unable to answer as Genki puts her other on Kuki's left wrist.
"When you tried to…hurt yourself, we thought we'd lost you forever, but you pulled through and changed. I think this was the first time you've ever talked back like that to us. And the way you've been smiling for the past two months, it's like a piece that was missing from you came back. You're not a little girl anymore, you're free to make your own choices."
"Mom, I'm not…going away or anything…I just…want to hold up my promise to my friends…"
"I know Kuki, and I'm proud that you're so loyal to them. The fact that you have friends again is a gift and you should cherish it. It was wrong of us to force such a harsh curfew on you. Just, please, where ever you go, stay in touch. It'll make everything easier if we at least know where you are, you understand?"
"O…of course! I'll answer every time you call!" Kuki replies and gives her mother a salute, which makes Genki laugh.
"Hah-hah, well alright then." She hugs Kuki once again and now, Kuki hugs her back while Kani is still standing, stiff as a board. Then, Kuki's communicator rings and she answers.
"Uhm, yes?"
"Numbuh 3, are ya done?! We've gotta get outta here!"
"Ah, okay, sorry Wally! I'll be right there!" Kuki hangs up and looks at her mother one last time.
"I…I'm going now!"
"Stay safe, Kuki."
"I will!" Kuki replies as she rushes out of the kitchen. Then, Kani collapses on his knees and breaks down.
"WAAAAAHH! MY LITTLE GIRL!"
"She's going to be alright, Kani. She's not a little girl anymore, after all." Genki kneels next to her husband and pats him in the back as he bawls.
…
Outside, the boys have stood guard in-front of the door, but they haven't located the approaching enemy. Then, Kuki opens the door and see Wally and The Kid standing on the front yard. "There you are! Did they, you know…"
"Yeah, no more curfew…" Kuki nods.
"Great, then let's make a beeline for my "Valkyrie". I don't know who we're up against, but I don't wanna hang around to meet 'em."
"Okay!" The three teens run across the street and into the thicket where the fighter is but then, The Kid notices a red dot aimed at Kuki's neck.
"GET DOWN!" He shouts and tackles her into a bush just as a silver object flies over them, hitting a tree.
"Ugh…are you okay?"
"I'm fine…thanks." Wally, having seen the whole thing, feel slightly jealous but keeps his cool and runs over to them.
"What the crud was that?" He asks as The Kid pulls Kuki up.
"Dunno, but that means, we're not alone." The Kid readies his rifle while Kuki notice the silver object lodged into the tree bark.
"Hey, isn't this a…Silhouette Brace?" she shows it to the boys, but then, they hear rustling from the trees and look up. To their shock, 10 Teen Ninja's ambush them and surround them.
"Look like we've hit the jackpot. These rats are gonna regret ruining our Hideout!" The leader of the group proclaims.
"Hah, it's you guys who're gonna regret messing with us!" Wally activates his armor while The Kid takes aim with his rifle.
"GET 'EM!" The Ninjas attack from all sides, but Wally uses his shield to repel their initial charge, forcing them back. As they attack again, Kuki realizes she doesn't have her B.R.A. with her.
"Come on Numbuh 3, I can't hold 'em off by myself!"
"I…I forgot my B.R.A.!"
"Oh great!" Wally shouts and kicks a Ninja against a tree as three others approach Kuki. She moves her hands forward and prepares to use her lighting but to her disbelief, it's not working.
"I…it's not working!" she bites her lip and rolls to the right, evading their reach and stands back-to-back with The Kid, who is keeping the attackers at bay with his rifle.
"Hey, aren't ya gonna use that magic?"
"I…I can't…I think my charm isn't working anymore." Kuki shouts as a Ninja lunges at her but she ducks and kicks the Ninja in the stomach.
"Uh-oh, that don't sound good. Hey, we can't waste time on these suckers! If we can reach my "Valkyrie", we'll be home free!"
"Then what the crud are you waiting for?! Get going! I'll cover you!" Wally shouts as he unleashes a barrage of laser fire on the Ninjas, who scatter.
"Right. Let's go!" The Kid grabs Kuki's hand and they run towards the fighter. He presses a button on his 2x4 wristwatch and the fighter's cloak disappears but one of the Ninjas takes aim with a rocket bazooka and fires at it.
"Huh? NO!" The Kid screams as the rocket strikes the "Valkyrie's" left engine. While it does not destroy it, the damage is still measurable. Then, before he can properly react to the rocket attack, another Ninja appears from behind the fighter and fires a Silhouette Brace at Kuki, who can't do anything but look as the silver ring flies at her.
"Gh, look out!" The Kid pushes her aside and the brace clamps around his left arm, knocking him unconscious with a powerful electric shock. "GAAAAHHH!" He screams before he collapses and lands stomach first on the ground, right before Kuki's shocked eyes.
"No…" she mutters as Wally, who also saw what happened, rushes to their side but then, a Ninja with the emblem of the Hendry Hooligans grabs Kuki and wraps his arm around her neck.
"Don't move!" The Ninja shouts and Wally stops, but he immediately takes aim with his lasers and Stupefier Cannon.
"You let her go right now, you bastard!" The other Ninjas surround Wally, who's attention is only aimed at the Ninja holding Kuki.
...
Meanwhile, back at TND Base, Hoagie and Abby are trying to frantically contact their friends, having not been successful since Wally ended the previous call.
"Can't ya get through at all?"
"No, either the airwaves are jammed or he's just not answering anymore…"
"Grr, dammit!" Abby kicks the hull of the ship in frustration.
"Hey, don't vent your anger on my baby!" Abby huffs and walks back and forth while Hoagie tries in-vain to contact Wally and Kuki. Then, Numbuh Theta-9's face appears on the ship's main monitor.
"Hey, Numbuh 1 wants you two at the Switchboard ASAP. The situation has developed again!"
"Gotcha! Come on Goggleboy!" Abby grabs Hoagie's arm and pulls him out of his seat.
"Woah, you don't have to pull!" The run out of the ship and soon arrive at the Switchboard, where Nigel, Rachel, Patton and Eliza have gathered around Numbuh Theta-9's console.
"So, what's happenin' out there, Numbuh 1? Please tell me ya contacted them." Abby and Hoagie join the others but Nigel has a stern look on his face.
"From what we've heard, not good."
"Huh?!"
"We've been unable to send any drones to the area, but one of our new Scout Teams, W, was in the area and have found them."
"Then what are we waiting? Can we get them back?"
"Not from here, Numbuh 2. I'll let the Scout Team's leader explain." Numbuh Theta-9 answers and presses a button on her console. Then, a fuzzy image appears on the screen.
"This is W Team leader. Do you copy, Switchboard?" A familiar boy's voice speaks to them and Numbuh Theta-9 answers.
"Loud and clear."
"Agent Vigilante, what's the situation?" Rachel asks, but Hoagie immediately realizes who they're talking to.
"Tommy?"
"Oh, hi Hoagie! I'm a field agent now! Cool huh?"
"Get to the point!" Abby interrupts, startling Tommy slightly.
"Ah! Oh right! Okay, here's what we can see from our position: Numbuh 4, Numbuh 3 and Agent Halcón are completely surrounded by Teen Ninjas. They've knocked out Halcón and uhm…Numbuh 3 being is held at gunpoint…"
"WHAT?!" Abby shouts while her friends are equally shocked. Nigel leans forward and puts his hand on top of the monitor.
"Agent Vigilante, how many enemies are there?"
"Uhm…I'd say ten, but Numbuh Chi-3 saw a few Battle-Ready Cycles fly over her lookout point. And, Numbuh Chi-4 saw ten more Ninjas in another neighborhood not far from here."
"So, they've managed to isolate them…Is there anything you can do at your end?" Nigel asks coolly.
"There's way too many Ninjas…besides, we're just a Scout Team…"
"I see…keep monitoring the situation, but please, if you see a chance to help them, take it." Nigel then steps away from monitor as Tommy salutes him.
"Roger, we'll keep you guys informed." Tommy ends the call and Nigel turns towards the others.
"Now what? We can't just let them take our friends?!"
"But our hands are tied, Numbuh 2. Our drones are still going through repairs, so we can't send any ships out. And if we did, it would get targeted by that cannon system." Eliza explains, silencing the others. Then, Abby turns around and heads towards the door.
"Numbuh 5, where are you going?"
"Ain't it obvious? Numbuh 5 is gonna get them back!"
"Don't be ridiculous! Didn't you hear what Numbuh Alpha just said?"
"Oh, I heard her alright, Numbuh 1. But Numbuh 5 don't need a ship to get there." Abby says over her shoulder but Hoagie and Rachel run up to her and grab her from behind. "Hey, let go!"
"No way! You can't go out there! There's way too many Ninjas!"
"You're not thinking straight!"
"Numbuh 5's mind is clear as day! There is no way Numbuh 5 is gonna let those Ninjas take 'em! Now…let…go!" Abby activates her armor and wrestles free from her friend's grip, knocking Hoagie on to the floor while Rachel falls on her behind. "Don't try an' stop me." Abby mutters and turns around, towards the door. But then, a blue beam flies past her head and hits the wall next to the door, stopping her on her tracks. Stunned, she looks over her shoulder, only to see Nigel pointing his Stupefier at her.
"Take one more step, and the next one will hit." He says sternly as their friends stare in disbelief.
"Numbuh 1…what did you just…" Hoagie stutters as he gets back on his feet.
"Put the gun down Numbuh 1!" Eliza shouts but Nigel ignores her orders and continues to point his Stupefier at Abby, who turns to face him.
"So that's how ya wanna play, huh?" she asks coldly.
"Numbuh 5, you going out there is pure suicide!"
"Huh? Is Numbuh 5 hearin' you right?! You're tellin' me to just sit on my ass and do nothin' while our friends are getting' hurt?!" Abby stands her ground and looks directly into Nigel's eyes, but he also remains firm.
"Come on, this isn't the time to fight amongst ourselves! Nigel, didn't you hear what Numbuh Alpha just said?!" Rachel tries to intervene but Patton pulls her back.
"Hey, what are you…?!"
"Wait…" The Switchboard falls silent as everyone's attention is drawn towards the standoff between the leader and second-in-command of Sector V.
"Numbuh 5, I understand how you feel, we all do. But I can't let you go out there."
"NO YA DON'T!" Abby shouts and clenches her fists.
"Numbuh 5's had enough, of seein' everyone get hurt while I do nothin'! Ya don't know how I feel! I lost Maurice and Cree already! I almost lost you! And now, I'm gonna lose Kuki and Wally! I'm done watchin'!" Abby screams as small tears form around her eyes and turns her back on Nigel again. "I'm goin' and nothin's gonna stop me!" Nigel realizes what Abby is about to do and steadies his aim.
"Abby, don't do it!" He shouts as Abby flies towards the door.
"E…EMERGENCY LOCKDOWN, NOW! DETAIN HER!" Eliza shouts as the doors begins closing, but Abby has already done the distance. However, just as she is about fly through, she is stupefied in mid-arm and falls to the floor with a sickening clang. But, to everyone's surprise and disbelief, it wasn't Nigel who took the shot, but Hoagie. As he lowers his Stupefier Rifle, his arms begin to shake and he lets go off the gun. He then collapses onto his knees as Nigel runs to his side.
"Hoagie…you…" Nigel is unable to say a word as Hoagie throws his goggles to the floor.
"Dammit…why'd you make me do it…I'm sorry…I'm so sorry Abby…" He punches the ground in anguish as Eliza takes control of the situation.
"Numbuh Zeta, get a security team here! And Numbuh Omicron as well. Have her de-stupefied, disarmed, and put her in the brig. Right now, she's only going to hurt herself if we let her out."
"Yes, Ma'am!" Patton salutes and takes out his communicator.
"And the rest of you, get back to work!"
"You heard the Commander, the show's over!" Herbie shouts from the observation deck while Eliza walks over to Theta-9's console.
"Numbuh Theta-9, remain in contact with Scout Team W and keep Numbuh 1 posted on their situation, understood?"
"Roger!"
"Numbuh Epsilon, you're coming with me. We're going to discuss a possible rescue operation with Numbuh Gamma."
"Oh…understood."
"Numbuh 1, take Numbuh 2 somewhere to calm himself down. None of us wanted this outcome, especially him…" she says sullenly, to which Nigel nods silently and helps a weeping Hoagie back on his feet while picking up his goggles.
"Oh, and once you're done, come back here and work together with Numbuh Theta-9 and Scout Team W. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Commander." Nigel replies and begins escorting Hoagie out of the Switchboard as Numbuh Omicron and a squad of guards arrive. As they pick up the Stupefied Abby, Eliza lets out a sad sigh while she and the others watch on.
"I think I'm starting to finally understand why Nigel holds his team in such a high regard…"
"Their bond is the only thing they have left. Without it, I think all five of them would just…break…"
"Indeed…"
…
As the drama unfolds in the base, back in the suburbs, Kuki is still being held at gunpoint by the Ninja while Wally is powerless to do anything.
"You cruddy son of a bitch! Let her go!"
"Fat chance. This is revenge for what you did to the Boss and our Hideout!" The Ninja shouts angrily and retracts his helmet as Wally recognizes his voice.
"Huh? You must be that little rat-faced loser who followed Ernie around!"
"Rat-faced?!" The angered Ninja, Chuck, tightens his grip around Kuki's neck, causing her to struggle further.
"Ugh…"
"Keep talking like that and this bitch is gonna choke!"
"Ghh, you bastard!"
"You can blame yourself! Thanks to you and your TND buddies, we've lost everything!" Chuck shouts while not far from him, The Kid slowly regains his conscience, but everything is blurry and he can't move at all, forcing him to only watch.
"Since you took out the Captain, we Hooligan's have been treated like trash! We were the best! The number 1 Teen Ninja group! But now, we're just a joke to the others! So, we're gonna get our revenge, right here, right now!"
"Don't count on it!" Wally tries to move but Chuck presses his right arm's laser gun's barrel against Kuki's head.
"Uh-uh-ah, take one step and your girlfriend's gonna lose her head! But, if ya lower your guns and turn off that armor, I might reconsider."
"What?!" Wally realizes his hands are tied as he looks at Chuck, then at The Kid and finally at Kuki.
"Wally…" she mutters as Chuck's grip tightens even further.
"Grr…fine, you win." Kuki's eyes widen as Wally retracts his weapons and disengages his armor.
"Hah-hah! That's more like it!" Chuck laughs spitefully and let's go of Kuki, who is immediately detained by two other Ninjas. The Kid tries to get up but another Ninja stomps on his back, keep him pinned down. Chuck meanwhile slowly walks over to Wally, who stares murderously at the Ninja.
"Alright, it's time for some payback!" Chuck punches Wally with his right gauntlet, knocking him to the ground.
"Guh!"
"Wally!" Kuki screams as Chuck kicks the Australian in the stomach.
"We're gonna make sure you'll never move a muscle!" Chuck shouts as he steps on Wally's left hand, rending his armored foot against it.
"Argh!" Wally shouts as another Ninja kicks his shoulder, dislocating it.
"No, stop! Please! Stop it!" Kuki starts to struggle but the Ninja holding her right arm grabs her hair and pulls her head back as Wally continues to get mauled. One by one, the Ninja's surround him and repeatedly kick and stomp on him. Then, Chuck has him pulled on his feet, only for him to punch him in the face. As blood gushes down his face, his consciousness begins to fade, but he refuses to break, despite the immense pain.
The horrific sight is relayed back the base by Tommy, but he is unable to do anything, while Nigel punches the wall in anger, causing his Silhouette Suit to appear for a split second.
Kuki tries everything to free herself, but without her B.R.A and her magic, she's is unable to break free form the Ninja's grip. She continues to scream as the Ninjas once again pull Wally up. His face is bloodied and red spots behind to appear on his hoodie. Then, Kuki realizes that this is exactly what Wally had to endure at the dungeon and she realizes why what he meant by not wanting to tell her about it.
"Stupid…how can you be so stupid…he didn't want me to see this…he's…getting hurt, because of me…it's all my fault…why…why am I so stupid! He's…trying to protect me…even if it means…he has to suffer…No…I…I won't let them… I WON'T!"
Suddenly, her pendant begins to glow pink and so do her eyes, startling the Ninjas, who let go of Wally. As he slowly falls to the ground, right as he loses consciousness, he manages to utter a word.
"Ku…ki…"
"KEEP YOUR HAND OFF OF MY FRIENDS!" Kuki shouts and unleashes a massive telekinetic burst, then sends the Ninjas flying in to all directions. Seeing their chance, Tommy, Lee and Sonia jump down from the trees, running past the disoriented Ninjas and come to Wally's side. The Kid also stands up but can only watch in awe as Kuki's telekinetic attack has sent the Ninjas into total panic.
"What was that?!"
"Wha…what is she?!"
"Stop whining! We've still got the numbers! Get 'em!" Chuck rallies the Ninja around him and they charge all at once.
"Oh no! Where do we go?!" Sonia begins to panic while Tommy activates his armor.
"I guess we'll have to fight our way out!"
"Bring it on!" The Kid grabs his rifle and points it at the horde approaching but then, Kuki claps her hands together, generating a pink energy field that envelops not only her friends, but also the damaged "Valkyrie".
"Hah, that's just a light show!" Chuck proclaims but as the Ninjas try to pass through, they are stopped dead in their tracks, unable to break through Kuki's energy field.
"What?! This ain't happening!" The Ninjas try everything but their weapons are useless. Inside the shield, Kuki spreads her arms open and closes her fists, instantly teleporting everyone within in the blink of an eye, leaving Chuck and the Ninjas behind.
"They…they disappeared! How?!"
"Grr…Dammit!"
…
Back at the base, a bright light suddenly envelopes the main hangar and then, Kuki and everyone else with her appear from thin air, even The Kid's fighter.
"Woah…what the heck was that…?" The Kid asks, feeling slightly disoriented while Sonia has a hard time standing up.
"Did we…teleport?"
"…cool…" Lee mutters as they presence is immediately noted. Kuki's eyes stop glowing and from the corner of her right eye, she can see Nigel, Hoagie, Rachel, Patton and Eliza running towards her, along with Numbuh Mu-4 and three other nurses, who are rolling a stretcher.
"Kuki!" Nigel shouts and grabs her shoulders.
"Are you okay?!"
"Uhm…yeah…I think…" A dazed Kuki replies as Rachel takes her right hand.
"That was incredible! You managed to bring everyone back, even that plane!"
"Di…did I do that? I don't really…know…" Then, she notices the nurses running past her and realizes that Wally is lying on the hangar floor, unconscious.
"Wa…Wally!" She shouts as the nurses assess his condition.
"He's barely breathing…and he's bleeding heavily! We can't treat him here! He needs to go to the hospital!"
"What?!" Nigel and the others try to approach but the nurses refuse to let them closer.
"Stand back! Give him room!" Numbuh Mu-4 says frantically as the other nurses try their best to stabilize Wally but then, he coughs out blood.
"His ribs must be broken…at this rate…he won't make it…"
"Wha…no way! He's my best friend! He…can't…"
"You can't be serious?!" Nigel shouts in disbelief while Rachel puts her hands over her mouth.
"No…"
"Our facilities aren't good enough to treat him…his internal organs are most likely damaged too and he's bleeding internally. We…can't…do anything…" A horrible silence falls on the hangar as everyone realizes that Wally might have only seconds left to live. Sonia takes Lee's hand while Tommy pulls down his fedora, hiding his eyes. Eliza looks away while Patton curses to himself. Even The Kid is unable to do anything but bite his lip but neither Nigel nor Hoagie refuses to accept it.
"Come on buddy…you can't just…YOU CAN'T DIE ON ME!" Hoagie tries to approach but is stopped by the nurses, prompting Nigel to do the same.
"NO! This can't be! Dammit! We promised we'd get through all this!" he screams, forcing Rachel to restrain him, tears filling her eyes. But then, Kuki walks past them and comes to Wally's side, despite protests from the nurses.
"I'm sorry... there's nothing we can do…"
"No!" Kuki looks at the nurse with determination and puts Wally's head on her lap.
"I…I can do it." She closes her eyes and cradles his head gently. "I'm not gonna let you die, Wally…" Her pedant glows brightly, it's blinding light enveloping both herself and Wally. Then, to everyone's disbelief, Wally's injuries begin to miraculously heal. Then, the light fades and slowly, Wally opens his eyes.
"Wah…what the crud…?" As his vision returns, he sees Kuki staring down on him. "Huh…hey, what the crud is going on here?!" He springs up and looks around in total confusion as Kuki smiles warmly.
"Welcome back."
"Back? What do ya mean? I didn't go anywhere…wait, why are we in the base hangar?! And what the crud are you all staring?!" Wally shouts as his friends are absolutely stunned by what they've just witnessed.
"Impossible…he was this close to death." The head nurse, Numbuh Mu-4 mutters while Rachel sheds a tear. Nigel meanwhile drops on his knees and so does his jaw but Hoagie breaks in to a stream of big tears.
"YOU'RE NOT DEAD! WAAAH!" He shouts and gives Wally an uncharacteristic hug, embarrassing him.
"Hey, cut it out! You're makin' me look bad! Why the crud are you all crying?!" Wally struggles to break free while Nigel pulls himself up from the floor.
"Of course! Kuki's medallion!"
"What do you mean?"
"She mentioned that it was used by her ancestor to heal people. That's how she saved Numbuh 4's life, Numbuh Alpha." Nigel explains as he lets out a huge sigh of relief.
"Saved my life? What do ya mean?"
"Don't you remember? You were beaten to near death by those Ninjas." Patton asks as Wally finally breaks free from a sobbing Hoagie's grip.
"Oh yeah…I musta a blacked out or something. Gah, wait till I get my hands on them again, I'll pay 'em back tenfold!" Wally clenches his fists as Kuki stands up.
"Uhm…thanks for…doing that…I guess…" Wally stutters while Kuki giggles slightly.
"Eh-he, I'm glad I wasn't totally useless…"
"Useless?! When did you start thinking like that?!"
"Well, Numbuh 1…I…I'm not a fighter like you, Numbuh 5 and 4…or good with machines like Numbuh 2…at some point I just started to feel like I couldn't do anything for the team…"
"Nonsense! You are the Medic and the Diversionary Tactics Specialist of Sector V! Don't you ever think less of yourself like that!" Nigel crosses his arms and looks at Kuki firmly.
"That's right! You're basically the heart of the team! Don't you remember when our Sector was formed? You were the one who wanted to be with everyone, even though we were total strangers." Hoagie nods wildly, having regained his composure.
"And ya always try to…uhm…make us feel better…" Wally mutters while Kuki starts to blush from the compliments.
"Thanks guys…but I just…when we fled the KND, I had a pretty hard time and all the things people said to me so…I must've started to believe them…"
"Well, you can forget about all that! To us, you'll never be anything less than an irreplaceable friend and teammate."
"Numbuh 1's right. You're a lot stronger than you yourself realize. Like how you helped me out of that warehouse, even if don't remember much about it." Rachel puts her hand on Kuki's shoulder and smiles warmly while Eliza also approaches her
"Or how you just brought everyone back from certain death. Not to mention saving Numbuh 4's life just now."
"And how you treated me and Lee back at your treehouse!" Sonia takes hold of Kuki's hand while Kuki becomes even more embarrassed.
"I…I…uh…*sniffle*I'm sorry! I shouldn't have gone out there at all! I…I…" Her eyes start to tear up and she begins to bawl, prompting Rachel to give her a hug. As Kuki pours her bent up pain against Rachel's shoulder, Wally joins Nigel and Hoagie in the sidelines.
"Uhm…was I really gonna…you know…"
"That's what the nurses said. You were coughing blood and they said your intestines where damaged. It's a real miracle Kuki managed to bring you back from the brink like that."
"Damn…" The sudden realization of him so close to death begins to sink in as Wally shifts his gaze towards an uncontrollably crying Kuki. "I guess…I owe her big time…"
"Indeed. But don't worry, you'll get plenty of chances to pay her back."
"Wha…how the crud am I gonna owe up to somethin' like that?!"
"Heh, you'll have to figure that out yourself." Both Nigel and Hoagie snicker slightly but then, the smile fades from Hoagie's face and he starts walking away.
"I…I guess I'll go break the news to her…I think they've de-stupefied her by now…"
"What's he talking about?" Wally asks Nigel as Hoagie leaves the hangar.
"Haah…well, this happened while you were attacked but…" Nigel whispers into Wally's ear, causing him to nearly jump from the shock.
"WHAT THE CRUD?!"
End of Transmission 31
Note: Another chapter where I had trouble figuring out how the story should proceed. I really wanted to give Kuki a highlight chapter, because she deserves the love. If 4's my favorite character over all, 3 is my second favorite, but really, there's no 4 without 3, at least I see it that way.