I've been waiting to release this action packed chapter. It went through multiple rewrites before I was satisfied with it, so I hope you enjoy it.
Once again, here are the songs that inspired/influenced me while writing. Play them on the background if you feel like it:
-Numbuh 4 vs Ernest: "Red Sun" and "The Only Thing I know for Real" by Jamie Christopherson
-Numbuh 5 vs Cree: "K1llwaill" by Hiroyuki Sawano
Transmission 58: Mask Washed Away
Wally, Kuki and Bradley, controlling Chuck's Absolutely Completely Destructive Machine, battle Ernest in the confines of the Delightful Mansion's massive underground assembly area. Despite having the numbers on their side, Ernest's four-armed machine is still formidable, and he has managed to keep the trio at bay. "What's wrong Beetles?! I thought ya were gonna break my robot into pieces?!" Ernest taunts as he rains laser fire on Wally while also holding back Bradley with two of his machine's arms.
"We're just getting warmed up!" Wally shouts back as he flies through the barrage and tries to shoot the ACD Machine's upper right arm off with the Accelerator Rifle, but Ernest doesn't give him the chance to take aim, swatting the mech's lower right arm at Wally, who is forced to evade once more. Then Kuki lifts pieces of the third ACD Machine with telekinesis and flings them at Ernest, who pushes Bradley's stolen machine aside and blocks the debris.
"Ya gotta do better than that, hah-hah-hah!" he shouts and begins firing lasers wildly with all four arms, forcing Wally, Kuki and Bradley to pull back.
"Gah crud, this thing is annoying! How is he countering everything we do?! He ain't that smart!" Wally yells angrily as he and Kuki hide behind their energy shields.
"I don't know…Bradley! Can you analyze that robot?!" Kuki gestures towards the skunk, who squeaks back and scans Ernest's ACD Machine with his laser eye. Moving the stolen ACD Machine closer to Wally and Kuki, Bradley gives Kuki the details of his scan. "Uhm…Bradley says that machine has an AI that supports the pilot or something…I think it means that the AI is predicting our moves."
"Hah, figures. Then we just gotta take out the AI!" Wally smirks under his helmet and looks around the assembly area, noticing the elevator shaft. Intrigued, he brings up the Mansion's layout to his HUD and locates the area they are in. "This is it!" He thinks and turns to face Kuki. "Numbuh 3, I'm gonna get up close and personal with Ernie while you guys take out that machine's arms. Once I've fried that AI with EMP, you and Stink…*cough*Bradley push that hunk of junk into the elevator shaft." Wally explains to Kuki, nods back without hesitation.
"Okidoki!" she replies while Bradley gives Wally a thumbs up.
"Alright, let's do this!" Wally activates his B.R.A.'s V-shaped wings and flies head-on towards Ernest, successfully drawing his attention. "You're going down, Ernie!"
"It's Ernest, you damn cockroach! Now hold still so I can hit ya!" Then, Kuki flies low towards Ernest's machine and generates a blade-like telekinetic blast that rips off the machine's upper left arm easily. "Gargh! What the…where's my arm?!" Ernest shouts as Wally climbs and then dives down towards the machine, managing to land on top of it's heavily armored upper torso. "No, you don't, Beetles! Huh?!" Ernest tries to swipe Wally off, but Kuki appears in-front of him and grabs the machine's upper right arm, holding him at bay. "Let go you…damn…pest!"
"Bradley!" Kuki shouts as Bradley comes roaring towards the formidable ACD Machine and manages to grab hold of the lower left arm.
"Whatever yer trying to do, it ain't gonna work! I can read your moves!"
"We'll see about that, Ernie!" Wally shouts and drives his sword through a small welding joint on the machine's upper torso which exposes its inner layers, including wiring and circuitry. "Say goodbye to your cheating AI!" Wally presses both hands against the exposed section and sends a surge of EMP into the machine.
"Hey, what's going on?!" Ernest yells as his instrumentation goes haywire, displays flicker and arcs of electricity surge through the machine before it grinds to a halt. "No! Move dammit! Argh! There's no way I'm losing to a bunch of…" Ernest rants as he tries to reboot the fried system before he notices that something else is moving his stricken ACD Machine. "Huh?! Beetles!"
"Go cool down in the elevator shaft, ya big-jawed idiot!" Wally taunts Ernest as Kuki and Bradley push the machine towards the looming shaft. Then, Ernest looks around frantically for the emergency switch right as the machine is pushed to the edge.
"This ain't gonna stop me, Beetles! I'll get you!" Driven by sheer rage, Ernest activates his custom B.R.A. and breaks out of the cockpit just as the machine is about to fall, his eyes set on Wally. "YOU'RE MINE!"
"Huh?! Uargh!" Wally grunts as Ernest tackles him and begins pushing him up the shaft, towards the surface.
"Wally!" Kuki shouts as she flies after them, followed by Bradley who activates his ACD Machine's booster back and follows Kuki up the shaft.
"Gah…Ernie…!" Wally grits his teeth as they approach the end of the shaft. Suddenly, the doors open and the boys fly out to the Delightful Mansion's front yard. Ernest lets go of Wally, who regains his bearings and lands on the wet grass while Ernest does the same. Standing face to face in the howling wind and piercing rain, the two archenemies stare down at one another. As thunder roars in the sky, Wally can finally get a good look at Ernest and he notices something familiar in his gray, heavily built Battle Ready Armor: the yellow horns on his Ninja helmet. He's seen them somewhere before. Then, he remembers and clenches his fists. "Those horns…it was you!"
"Hmm? Oh, ya remembered? Took long ya enough."
"You attacked Kuki's house with Lee and Sonia back in March!" Anger starts building inside Wally as Ernest smirks.
"Yeah, I did. And if wasn't for you, I'd still have those slaves. Father was kind enough to give 'em to me, after I punished them in the dungeon." Ernest's words only fuel Wally's anger even further as he glares furiously at the Bully.
"…you tortured them…"
"Not just them. I don't even remember how many of those brats I beat up. Father got bored of doin' it himself, so I gladly obliged! Kids make the best punching bags."
"They're not…slaves…or punching bags…they're people!"
"Slaves, tools, lunch donators, it doesn't matter to me, Beetles! I'm a teenager and most of all, I'm a Bully! I can do whatever the heck I want, to anyone!" Ernest declares proudly but, in an instant, receives a furious punch to the jaw as Wally snaps.
"That's it! I'm gonna beat the crud out of you!" Wally roars as Ernest regains his footing and holds his chin.
"Not before I rip you to pieces! You've had this coming for years Beetles!"
"RAAARGH!" Wally activates his shield knuckles and begins brawling with Ernest, who also has similar, metal knuckles over his hands. They trade blows but their armors absorb most of the impacts as an enraged Wally attacks Ernest from every direction possible. However, Ernest smirks and hits Wally with a three fingered sub-arm hidden in his back armor.
"Guah!"
"Weren't expecting that, weren't you?!" Ernest reveals another sub-arm and tries to grab the staggering Wally's head, but Wally booster jumps out of his reach. "You know Beetles, we could've been great partners ya know? You've got everything it takes to be a Bully, but ya didn't have the guts to go through with it!"
"Guts? You're the one who doesn't have guts, Ernie! All you bullies do is hurt the weak."
"We're at the top of the food chain, Beetles! The cream of the crop! We take what we want, and we do what we want, it's that simple."
"No, you're all scum, especially you!" Wally shouts furiously and points at Ernest, who only chuckles.
"You're the one to talk. Aren't you forgetting all the fun ya had at the ring? For two years ya ruled my Bully Fighting Ring like ya owned the place. We ran out of coffee cuz ya kept beating all the dads bloody in there." Ernest's words hit home as Wally stares blankly at the rain-soaked ground. Memories flood through his mind as he vividly sees the faces of the kids, caffeine drugged dads and teenagers he brutally beat up for two years. They begged him to stop but he didn't and if they didn't fight back, he'd come at them even more ruthlessly. Fueled by his hatred against the world, Wally had subjected people to immense violence without feeling any remorse. He only lived one day at a time, not thinking about his future, which was stolen from him by the Splinter Cell. The memories begin gnawing at Wally's will as Ernest laughs mockingly.
"Ya think yer so high and mighty now that you're tryin' to save the world?! Don't make me laugh! Deep down, you're a Bully just like me! It's who you are!"
"You're wrong!" Kuki screams as lightning and thunder roar overhead. She is standing on the hand of Bradley's ACD Machine and as Wally slowly lifts his head, he sees Kuki's stern, brown eyes staring at him. "He doesn't know the real you, but I do, we all do!"
"Hah, ain't that cute. Trying to stand up for your runt of a boyfriend?! You ain't seen the real Wallabee Beetles!"
"Yes, I have! He might be a big dummy who doesn't always think with his head, but deep down, he's the kindest, bravest and strongest boy I know! Do you hear me, Wally?! Don't let him get to your head!" Kuki screams from the bottom of her lungs and at first, Wally doesn't react but then, he starts chuckling silently.
"…heh-heh…why do ya always hafta embarrass me like that, Kuki…but you're right." As he lifts his head, Ernest doesn't see a hint of the hesitation that filled Wally's eyes just a moment ago. "I know what I did back there, Ernie. All the people I beat up. There's no way I can forget 'em but I can make things right. I'll never be like you, Ernie. You're just a coward who only hurts people weaker than you and run away when ya can't win. That's why I won't lose to you. I'll let down my friends if I lose to a bully like you and now, I can beat the crud outta you without any doubts." Wally declares and draws his sword while Ernest's face contorts from rage but then, he regains his composure and laughs wildly.
"Hah-hah-hah, since when did ya make speeches?! You know, I was gonna just tear ya apart here and send what's left for Father, but now, I'm gonna beat ya just enough to make you watch as I rip apart that girlfriend of yours. I'm the leader of the Bullies and everyone else is below me, especially you, Beetles. I'll make ya ya see it firsthand!" Ernest shouts and draws the two metal bats holstered on his belt. Then, he hits them against the ground, creating a huge shockwave that Wally easily jumps over.
"You're gonna pay for everything you did to me and everyone else, right here, right now!"
"Rarrgh!" The teenagers restart their duel as Delightful Ninjas land around the yard. However, before they can get close, Kuki steps in their way and pulls her Kitsune visor over her face.
"This is Numbuh 4's fight. You stay out of it!" she shouts and takes on the twenty or so Ninjas by herself while Bradley keeps an eye for any other threats.
Behind them, Wally's sword clashes with Ernest's bats, creating a vertical shockwave between them. Gritting their teeth, neither teenager refuses to yield but Ernest brings up his sub-arms and tries to grab Wally, but he jumps backwards and immediately charges at Ernest, who slams his bats together, creating a shockwave that Wally takes head on. However, it does not stop him as he gets behind Ernest and tries to attack the sub-arms. "Not gonna work, Beetles!" Wally notices red lights on each sub-arm and realizes that they are laser guns.
"Ghh…" Wally summersaults backwards as Ernest fires a short burst from both sub-arms and turns around to face Wally. Seeing the manic grin on his archenemy's face, Wally lowers his sword and dashes forward, evading the lasers but the upward vertical slash is countered by Ernest's bats and the two are once again stuck in a deadlock.
"Hah-hah-hah, having fun, Beetles?! Cuz I sure am!" Ernest tries to hit Wally with his sub-arms and Wally sees through the attack, sells Ernest a dummy and slashes his helmet off completely, revealing Ernest's signature slouch hat underneath it. "Damn pest!" Ernest shouts and responds in kind: Using his sub-arms, he manages to pry Wally's helmet off as well before he can get out of Ernest's reach but as Wally's face appears from under the helmet, Ernest sees a person completely devoid of any fear or doubt. Here is a teenager who has cast his weaknesses aside and he stands before the Leader of the Bullies, driven by only one purpose: defeating Ernest. As the rain soaks Wally's hair, his emerald-green eyes stare furiously at Ernest, who grits his teeth and is about fire his sub-arm-mounted laser guns, but Wally fires his Stupefier Cannon at point-blank range. "Guargh! Grr…almost forgot ya had that thing." Ernest snarls as his right arm and right sub-arm are encased in crystal. However, before Wally can fire another shot, Ernest frees himself using his left bat and charges at Wally, who brings up his left-hand energy shield to block any lasers, but Ernest rolls to the right in mid-flight and manages to tackle Wally to the ground.
"Urgh…you cruddy…" Wally quickly rolls to the left and gets up before Ernest can hit him with his bats and the two teenagers begin a standoff, as they try to recover their stamina. Then, Wally can see the horizon behind Ernest glow in a dim red light as the first rays of the morning sun try to pierce through the dark thunder clouds. The almost tranquil scene is broken as the Delightful Mansion's anti-air weapons release an immense barrage into the clouds, through which the TND Gihugeacarrier, Wild Child flies out, it's shields withstanding the worst of the fire while C.L.A.M.M.A.H. shells pierce the sky. Through the deafening thunder and C.L.A.M.M.A.H. shockwaves, Wally can hear Ernest cackling gleefully. "Ya see?! This is what I live for!"
"So, your happy just being Father's cruddy puppet?"
"Hah, he lets me do what I want with punks like you, so why should I complain? That's what we bullies do! I got nothin' against his rule, cuz he appreciates us bullies!" Ernest proclaims as Wally lowers his head and frowns, utterly disgusted by Ernest's disregard for others. "You still gonna deny who ya really are, Beetles? You're enjoying this as much as I am! People like you and me, we only know how to fight! That's all we're good for!" Ernest points his bat at Wally, who takes a stance, his eyes glued towards him. Then, Wally notices his reflection on the wet surface of his sword. It slowly changes to that of the 14-year-old Matador, Wally's old identity. For a split second, the reflection smirks and then nods at him, as if to say goodbye before changing back to Wally's normal reflection, causing him to smile faintly.
"*chuckle* Yeah, you're right about one thing, I'm having a blast, but that's all! Half a year ago I would've agreed with ya, about knowing just how to fight but that was the old me! I've changed and Matador is never coming back! I'm gonna you take you down, Ernie. That's all that matters to me right now!"
"Gah, you ain't never gonna beat me! Cuz unlike, I'm in touch with my true self! I'm invincible, do ya hear me?! Invincible!" Ernest angrily dismisses Wally's words and charges at him, bats and sub-arms ready but instead of trying to evade, Wally counters with his sword as they begin a brutal exchange of blows. Sparks fly as Wally's sword and Ernest's bats strike each other and neither refuses to yield. Then, Wally backs away, duping Ernest in to lowering his guard for a second and then quickly dashes forward, activating his armor's full High-Altitude Mode. Flying over Ernest, Wally gets behind him and subjects him to repeated, high speed slashing attacks.
"Argh, you think this is gonna…uargh…ow…grr…yargh!" Ernest groans as he tries to counter Wally's attacks, but every time Wally makes a pass, he quickly changes direction and attacks Ernest from another direction, confusing him. The damage begins to accumulate, and Wally successfully slices off both of Ernest's sub-arms along with his left hand's heat laser cannon and one of his bats. But the Bully refuses to yield and runs towards Wally as he is about to make another pass. "Gotcha!" Ernest ducks and hits Wally in the stomach, knocking him to the ground while his sword is knocked out his hands, striking the ground near Kuki, who is making short work of the Ninjas.
"Urgh…dammit…" Wally mutters as he turns off his flight mode and stands up but before he can get his footing, Ernest booster jumps into the air, metal bat held over his head, ready to pummel Wally to the ground.
"You're dead, Beetles!" Ernest roars as both teenagers are enveloped by a shockwave and a cloud of dirt. Close by, Kuki, who has managed to defeat the Ninjas, is immediately alarmed.
"Wally!" she shouts but then, the cloud fades, revealing both teenagers in a deadlock, with Wally standing on one knee and holding back Ernest's bat with his left gauntlet's shield.
"*pant* *gasp* …not yet…"
"Why do ya gotta be so damn tenacious?! Just die already!" Ernest hits Wally's shield repeatedly, but he refuses to give up. "You ruined my Bully Fighting Ring twice and took down my Hideout! There's…no…way…I'll…lose…to…you!"
Clenching his free right hand, Wally looks up at Ernest, who notices that they are still filled with mad determination. Wally's mind goes blank as instinct takes over and, in an instant, flips backwards using his jetboots, kicking Ernest in the chest in the process, which staggers him and before the Bully can react, Wally charges at him, reels back his right shield knuckle and takes aim at Ernest. "RAAAAAAAH!" roaring like a wild animal, Wally punches Ernest in the abdomen with everything he's got.
"GUARGH!" Ernest screams as an immense surge of EMP is released from Wally's fist. The impact itself is strong enough to leave a fist shaped imprint in the armor but then, the EMP does its work and shuts down Ernest's B.R.A. Then, his signature hat falls off his head and Ernest slowly collapses towards Wally, who watches as the leader of the Bullies falls face first into the damp grass. With the last of his strength, Ernest tries to get up, but he has nothing left. The infamous leader of the Bullies had lost and the only thing he could do was glare murderously at Wally. "…damn you…Wallabee Beetles…" as his hand grasps up at Wally, Ernest sees the Australian staring down on him.
"*pant* *pant*…it's over Ernie…you're through…"
"Ghh…never…I'll get you…" However, the damage has been done and the last thing Ernest sees before he loses consciousness is Wally's steely expression. As Ernest's head slumps against the ground, everything seems to stop for Wally. He had finally managed to exorcise the demons that had haunted him for two years. The Matador was once and for all, gone and Wally had gotten his revenge on Ernest, the Bully who tempted him to the path of violence two years ago and took advantage of him, but it wasn't just for himself. He had also avenged every other kid, teenager and adult that had suffered at Ernest's hands. But most of all, Wally had finally gotten closure to everything and could finally move on. As the weight of his sins slowly lifts away from his shoulders, Wally's legs buckle and he falls backwards but before he hits the ground, Kuki stops him and grabs Wally from behind before taking them both, along with Wally's sword and helmet, back down the elevator shaft and to the assembly are to hide from the Ninjas, followed by Bradley in the ACD Machine. As they land, Kuki gently lowers Wally to the floor and places his head on her lap. She then generates a telekinetic shield around them as protection while Wally takes a relieved, deep breath.
"*pant*…thanks…" Wally mutters as his entire body aches from the fatigue.
"Just take it easy, okay? I'll heal you in no time." Kuki smiles warmly and uses her healing magic to cure Wally's battered and bruised body, as he stares up at the cold ceiling. Suddenly, a faint smile appears on his face and Kuki can tell that for the first time in years, Wally was proud of himself and so was Kuki.
…
As the battle around Cleve becomes more desperate by the minute, up in the Earth's geostationary orbit, Patton, Fanny, Keith and Numbuh Gamma are slowly sneaking through the empty confines of the Splinter Cell's Orbital Shipyards. They've already reached the halfway point of the facility, yet they haven't met a single guard or an operative so far. Numbuh Gamma, who had taken point earlier, notices the large doors up ahead and gestures his teammates to stop.
"What's up?" Patton asks as Gamma kneels down and presses his hand against the floor.
"If my hunch is right, the ship repair facilities are behind that door. We can't go there until we've secured the control room."
"And why's that?" Fanny asks as Gamma stands up and shows them his glowing palm.
"Because I just scanned that area and there are multiple operatives inside. If we barge in there without a plan, they'll overpower even us."
"Argh come on, that didn't stop us before!" Fanny says boisterously, but Patton shakes his head.
"Numbuh Gamma's got a point. We gotta use every advantage we've got, otherwise they'll get us first. So, where's the control room?"
Numbuh Gamma points towards a side corridor right before the doors. "On top of a stairway at the end of that corridor. It overlooks the ship repair facilities and there are operatives there, so we'll need to approach silently."
"Hey, why don't we figure out another way in instead? There's gotta be some airducts here or somethin'." Keith says to the others, causing Patton to cross his arms and eye Numbuh Gamma.
"Well? I mean I'm all for takin' them head on, but if we can secure it without a fight, it'll make this easier."
"I say we bust in and knock 'em out." Fanny says sternly as Numbuh Gamma weighs his options.
"Hmm…then perhaps we'll do both. If two of us sneak in first and then the other two attack, we'll secure the room without much trouble."
"I like that plan, mon."
"Same here. So how are we gonna split up?"
"You and Numbuh Beta will take the direct route while Agent Hermit and I will sneak in. There is indeed an airduct that goes over the control room, so it should give us a path inside. Once we're in position, on my signal, we'll attack the room at the same time."
"Then let's go already! We're wasting time by sitting around here."
"Right, we'll meet inside the control room. Try not to get spotted."
"Same to you mon." Keith and Patton nod at each other before Numbuh Gamma leads the Deep Cover Operative to another side corridor while Patton and Fanny head towards the stairway. As they slowly approach the stairs, Fanny nudges Patton.
"Hey, how do ya think the others are holding up?"
"I'm sure they're doing just fine. I don't like selling myself short but sending Rachel and The Kid along with Sector V in there was the right choice."
"Hmph, we'll aren't you humble."
"I'm always humble. I'll leave the boasting to Numbuh 4 and Numbuh 2." Patton chuckles faintly but then, his expression becomes serious. "We just gotta do our part. I'd be lying if wasn't worried about them too." his solemn tone startles Fanny, who looks away.
"Ah…I never said I was worried about them…I just…"
"Yeah, yeah, you just wanted to hear what I think." Patton replies with a mischievious smirk, which causes Fanny to glare at him.
"Argh shut up. Why do ya hafta act like that with me…"
"Because you're so easy to read."
"Am not!" Fanny's face glows red under her helmet visor as she snarls at Patton.
"Sure, whatever you say." Patton rolls his eyes as they stop at the foot of the stairs. "I'll take point. Get ready for anything."
"…"
"Did you hear me?"
"Of course, I did, ya idiot."
"*sigh* Then at least answer will ya?" Patton mutters as they climb up the stairs and huddle in-front of the door, weapons ready.
Behind them, at the other side corridor, Numbuh Gamma points his index finger at the ceiling where the duct is and fires a thin light beam at the vent cover, cutting it off cleanly. Then he enlarges his left hand to catch the vent cover before it hits the ground. "*whistle* Man, you've got some handy skills there."
"It's called Lightkinesis. Since we Luminosians are made of light, this ability comes naturally. I'll go in first." Then, to Keith's surprise, Numbuh Gamma turns himself into a glowing sphere of light and floats into the airduct. "What's wrong? Did we get spotted?" Gamma asks as Keith regains his composure and shakes his head.
"Ah, no, it's fine, mon. I'll be right behind ya." Keith flies into the vent and crawls behind the transformed Numbuh Gamma. "So uh…what's your home planet like?" Keith's attempt at small talk is only greeted by silence but then, Gamma replies with a cold tone.
"Beautiful…or at least it used to be…it was destroyed 3 Earth years ago."
"Ah, sorry mon, I didn't know…"
"It's fine, how could you have? Anyway, I don't like talking about it, so let's focus on saving your planet, okay?" Gamma shrugs off Keith's apology, but neither of them says a word until they reach another vent located right above the control room. Inside they can see 6 Splinter Cell operatives manning the stations. "Cut the vent off, but don't go in. I'll give the signal to attack once you're done." Keith does as he's told and silently cuts off the vent using a 2x4 laser cutter and gently pulls it inside the airduct while Numbuh Gamma positions himself over the opening. "Follow me and cover your eyes." the sphere-shaped Numbuh Gamma drops down into the control room and immediately releases an immensely bright flash of light, blinding the operatives. On the other side, Patton sees the light rays shining between the door and the doorframe and in an instant, he and Fanny break the reinforced door down and attack the blinded operatives. In a matter of seconds all six are knocked unconscious and the teens secure the control room. Then Numbuh Gamma transforms to his human form behind Fanny and Patton.
"Wow, I didn't know you could transform."
"It's nothing special, Numbuh Zeta." Numbuh Gamma replies stoically as Fanny lifts her combined staff-mace over her shoulder and eyes the knocked out operatives.
"Hmph, that was easy."
"Perhaps a bit too easy." The Intelligence Chief says as he inspects the operatives, noticing immediately that all of them are chipped. "I knew it."
"So what do we do with them?" Patton asks as Numbuh Gamma starts removing the chips.
"Leave this to me. You three cloak and hide." he says sternly and the others disappear under their cloaks. As the operatives wake up, Numbuh Gamma turns invisible and creates a light imitation of Angeline.
"Urgh…what happened…huh? Supreme Leader?!" the operatives jump up as Numbuh Gamma uses a voice changer to mimic Angeline's voice.
"How could you fall asleep on the job?! The Moonbase is under attack, and we need every operative available to defend it!"
"So…sorry Ma'am!"
"Quit squirming and go already! Everyone else has already left to fight Father's forces! Board a ship and get a move on!"
"Yes, of course, Ma'am! We'll leave immediately!" the panicked operatives rush out of the control room while Patton, Keith and Fanny de-cloak.
"You know, that was the worst imitation of Numbuh 78 I've ever seen."
"Hmph, it worked at least, Numbuh Zeta." Numbuh Gamma says as he sits down and begins typing on the biggest control panel's keyboard. "Anyway, let's see what the final phase of Project: Never Grow is all about…" Gamma says over his shoulder as the others gather around him.
"Find anything?" Patton puts his hand on Numbuh Gamma's shoulder and looks sternly at the large monitor.
"Hmm…it's all very vague…maybe they're keeping all the important information on separate server…wait…this is it." A picture of highly detailed schematics appears on the screen, depicting an egg-shaped machine with multiple telescopic limbs and a large lens-like device at its center.
"So what the heck is that supposed to be? Looks like a giant egg to me." Fanny is not impressed by what she sees while Keith eyes the writing in the schematic.
"I can't even understand what those letters mean. Not even the KND use that kind of code." Upon hearing this, Numbuh Gamma becomes alarmed and he starts reading the text in the schematics .
"No…they can't be serious…"
"Hmm?" Patton can feel Gamma's body stiffen as he realizes what the writing means.
"This…this the alphabet code used by the Galactic Kids Next Door. That means these schematics weren't made on Earth." The others realize what Gamma is talking about and cold chills run down their backs.
"No way…you don't mean…"
"It's exactly what you think. This machine was designed by the GKND's Galactic Science Division."
"Then how the heck did these fanatics get their hands on it?"
"Most likely, Numbuh Zeta, they got it from Numbuh 74.239. He must've brought these schematics with him when he and the other observers arrived on Earth."
"Argh, of course that stupid carrothead was behind this!" Fanny shakes her fist as Keith leans over Numbuh Gamma's left shoulder and inspects the schematics.
"What kinda machine is it then?" His question causes Numbuh Gamma's face to turn pale as he shows them another picture that shows all of the machine's features.
"They call it the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R. It's based on an older model GKND cleansing machine."
"'Cleansing'? I don't think its got anything to do with house cleaning." Patton asks, causing Numbuh Gamma to chuckle weakly.
"In a way, yes it does. Cleansing machines are used by the GKND to 'cleanse' a planet before it's Decommissioned." Patton becomes alarmed and slams his hand against the console as he looks Numbuh Gamma in the eye.
"And what does that mean?!"
"…they eliminate anyone over the age of 13 and recover anyone under that age. Then, the planet is destroyed…it is what they call Planetary Decommissioning…it's what awaits your planet too if we don't defeat Father." Numbuh Gamma's revelation silences the others and for a few seconds, they simply stare at the Intelligence Chief, eyes wide open. Then, Fanny becomes furious.
"You gotta be kidding!" she grabs Numbuh Gamma's collar and drags him off his chair. "What do you mean by that "Earth's next" shite?!" Fanny shakes Numbuh Gamma, who remains unflappable while Keith and Patton intervene.
"Let him go, Fanny!"
"Yeah, yelling at him ain't gonna fix things." the boys manage to get Fanny let go of Numbuh Gamma, who adjusts his aviator goggles.
"Believe me, I'm as shocked as you are. I was contacted by the GKND yesterday and that's how I learned about it. They've sent the Galactic Subjugation Force to Earth to Decommission it."
"Is there any way we can stop them?"
"Yes, if we defeat Father. He's a Galactic-Level threat after all. Without him, they have no reason to Decommission Earth." Numbuh Gamma says sternly as Fanny kicks a chair to vent her frustration.
"You could've told us about this before, goggleface."
"Quit it, Fanny! He must've had a reason why he didn't tell us." Patton gestures angrily to Fanny and then turns his gaze towards Numbuh Gamma, who nods.
"It would've only caused unwanted pressure to us all if I'd told you. Please understand." The other teenagers look sternly at Numbuh Gamma, but then, Patton smirks and slaps the Intelligence Chief in the back.
"Hah-hah, you just love keeping things to yourself, don'tcha?" his laid back reaction surprises Numbuh Gamma but he then smiles faintly under his trench coat's collar as Keith points at the schematics.
"Mon, ya said this thing is based on the GKND's machine. Is it different or something?"
"Yes it is. While the basic design is the same as the older Cleansers, this machine does not…eliminate it's victims…it erases them. That is the final phase of Project: Nevergrow."
"Gah! Of course, that creep would build something like this!" Fanny's anger begins boiling over as Patton crosses his arms.
"Figures. Numbuh 1000 plans to drop these down to Earth and erase everyone over thirteen, right?"
"And all those who he considers enemies. I'll need perform a quick light scan. Wait a moment." Numbuh Gamma kneels and releases a pulse of light from his palm that travels the length of the Shipyards. "This isn't good. They've assembled 11 P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s and they're preparing to launch them."
"11? Yeesh."
"How the heck is he gonna erase all adults and teenagers on Earth with just 11 of those things?"
"Well, Numbuh Beta, normally the GKND only need 5 or 6 to cleanse a planet. They're autonomous and impervious to ballistics and beam attacks and can survive even reactive weapons."
"Oh, that's not good mon…" a faint air of defeat hangs over the others, but Numbuh Gamma is not deterred and sits back down.
"Now, that would be worrying if these where GKND Cleansers, but they're not. The P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s are smaller and less advanced, though they have high defenses. Also, that lens in the middle, which acts as the Erasure ray emitter, is also completely exposed. The Splinter Cell clearly weren't able to replicate the Cleanser despite it's appearance. However, it would still be for the best if we stopped them while they're still within the Shipyards."
"I agree, Numbuh Gamma. We'll go where those machines are docked and destroy them."
"We ain't gonna let them send those things to Earth."
"Yer damn right!" Keith and Fanny nod to Patton, who again places his hand on Gamma's shoulder.
"So what do you think? Should we just storm the place?"
"Hmm…no yet. I found another room inside this facility that intrigues me…there's also the fact that all the operatives are gathered in one place. So, I suggest we split up once more. You three will head inside the ship assembly area and figure out what they're doing in there and then sabotage the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s. Make sure you can also escape from the facility if something goes wrong."
"What about you?"
"I'm going to investigate a little more. I have a hunch the Splinter Cell have hidden all of their GKND technology somewhere and if I can find solid evidence, it'll answer my questions. I'll join you once I'm done."
"Alright. Just make sure to take care of yourself out there. Remember what Numbuh Epsilon said."
"Of course. The same goes for you as well." Then, Patton unexpectantly shakes Numbuh Gamma's hand while Keith pats him in the back, but Fanny keeps her distance. However, as they are about to go their separate ways, she reaches out towards Numbuh Gamma.
"Oi, wait!"
"Hmm?"
"…sorry I yelled at ya…"
"Don't worry, I know exactly how you felt there. You've still got a chance to save your planet." Numbuh Gamma smiles weakly and phases through a wall, leaving his teammates behind.
"What did he mean by that?" Fanny asks the boys, causing Keith to frown slightly.
"He doesn't have a home planet anymore or that's what he told me at least." Patton and Fanny are taken aback by Keith's words but then, Patton clenches his fist.
"Then we gotta make sure his efforts aren't wasted. I don't even wanna think what kinda pressure he's feeling right now."
"Your right mon. He's one of us now, so let's give it all we got."
"Now yer talkin'. Let's go!" Fanny shouts as the trio leave the control room. At the same time, Numbuh Gamma floats silently though an empty hallway, but his thoughts are conflicted.
"Being on Earth for 2 Stellar cycles has really changed me. If I had never come here, I wouldn't be this…emotional. Maybe it's because of human influence. They're truly unique. They possess no innate powers or abilities, yet they try to live life to it's fullest. That's why I can't allow this planet to be destroyed…let alone ruled by Father. I just hope we'll succeed before they arrive." he thinks as he approaches a door with Numbuh 1000's codename written on it.
…
"Man, these guys just don't know when to quit!" A frustrated Hoagie shouts as he, Abby and Agent Raven try to reach the Delightful Mansion's vital generator room. However, their progress has been hampered by the waves of Delightful Ninjas that stand in their way.
"Tell me about it. Numbuh 5's getting' tired of these Ninjas." Abby replies while knocking out three Ninjas with an EMP blast from her palms while Agent Raven duels with another Ninjas using his energy tonfas. Despite their enhanced physical abilities granted to them by the Delightfulization, the Ninjas are slowly being pushed aside.
"We're almost at the generator room's entrance! Just a little more!" Raven shouts as they see a closed blast door ahead of them.
"And how the heck are we gonna get past…that…door!" Abby is double teamed by two Ninjas armed with the chipping gauntlets, but she uses her brand new wrist-mounted vibration blades and slices the weapons apart before blasting the Ninjas with her M.A.R.B.L.E. launchers, knocking them out. Then, Agent Raven jumps to her side and the teenagers stand back-to-back.
"You can leave the door to me but I need cover."
"Cover?!" Hoagie's Exo-suit booster jumps next to his friends and fires a quadruple EMP blast at the Ninjas. "I'll hold 'em off!"
"Thanks, Numbuh 2!" Raven gives Hoagie a thumbs up and leaps over the Ninjas that stand between him and the door while Abby gets on the Exo-suit's back, M.A.R.B.L.E. launchers armed and ready.
"Numbuh 5's gonna send 'em flyin' and you knock 'em out, Numbuh 2!"
Inside his suit, Hoagie starts grinning and firmly grips the Exo-suit's joysticks. "Heh-hee, now that sounds like a plan! These guys are in for a shock now! Let's do this!"
"Come and get it, ya punks!" Abby roars as she unleashes a rain of M.A.R.B.L.E.'s at the Ninja's feet, knocking them into the air while Hoagie fires EMP blasts at them, thinning their numbers. While they hold back the Ninjas, Agent Raven makes his way to the blast door and pulls out a Ninja hacking tool from his utility belt, which he then drives into the breaker box near the door.
"Alright, this shouldn't take long…huh? What the…" The Deep Cover Operative is startled as the huge door opens by itself.
"Hey, that was fast! Time to blow this joint, Numbuh 5!" Hoagie activates the Exo-suit's leg-mounted thrusters and flies towards the opening door.
"Wait! Don't go in yet!" However, Raven's words go unheard as Hoagie and Abby fly inside, prompting Raven to follow. His caution is immediately warranted as the blast door slams shut behind the trio. "Dammit…"
"Alright, that should hold them off." Hoagie's Exo-suit lands and Abby hops off before looking around the room, that has multiple, huge doors leading to different directions.
"So where the heck is the generator?" she asks Raven, who walks past her and readies his heat-laser cannons.
"It's further ahead…but I don't like this at all…they let us in…"
"Wait, you didn't open the door?"
"No, Numbuh 2. It opened by itself."
"Hoo boy, that ain't good. Numbuh 2, ya pickin' up anythin'?"
Hoagie types frantically on the keyboard between the joysticks, but the Exo-suit's scanners aren't detecting anything. "Nope."
"Thought so. Well, we better keep moving. Follow me." Agent Raven takes point as they head through the central door, with Abby and Hoagie close behind him, their weapons ready.
"Uhm guys, shouldn't they have guards here or something? This IS the Generator room."
"Numbuh 5 agrees. Ya sure we're in the right place?"
"Yes, this is where the Mansion's main generator should be. Unless Father somehow moved it yesterday." Then, Hoagie notices a red dot on his radar screen.
"Huh? Numbuh 5, look out!" he shouts as long, spike-tipped tendril strikes down from the tunnel's ceiling. Abby manages to dodge just in time as the tendril's spike drives into the floor.
"What the heck is that?!" she draws her vibration blades as three more tendrils hit the ground. All four are connected to a black, sphere-shaped object with a glowing red eye at its center. The machine lets out a mechanical screech while lifting its spherical torso and stares down on the teens with its menacing eye.
"Must be one of Father's new toys." Raven arms his tonfa's as Abby takes a combat stance and stares at the spider-like machine.
"Hmph, like that's gonna scare Numbuh 5!" Abby dashes forward, vibration blades pointing at the machine, but it counters with a tendril. As Abby's blades hit the spike, the spider robot prepares to hit her with another tendril, but Agent Raven takes his chance and jumps over the robot before stabbing his tonfa through its sphere torso, disabling it instantly.
"Wow…" Hoagie is left speechless as Raven lands and stomps on the spider robot's torso to finish it off.
"*whistle* Not bad." Abby smirks as Raven inspects the robot's destroyed torso.
"It's some kind of a drone…but I've never seen Father use this type before…"
"Must be a new model or something…give me the central processor. I wanna take a look at it."
"Uhm, Numbuh 2, ya might wanna look behind ya instead…" Abby points towards the entrance they just came from, where 6 more spider robots arrived. Then, their eyes begin to glow menacingly and they charge towards the teenagers.
"Uh-oh…"
"Run!" Raven shouts and the trio start flying away from spider robots. However, the further in they go, more spider robots appear from the adjacent tunnels.
"Gah, these stupid things keep poppin' up from nowhere! That's it, Numbuh 5's gonna blast 'em to bits!" a frustrated Abby shouts and begins firing M.A.R.B.L.E.'s at any spider robot that gets in their way while Hoagie does the same with his suits finger-mounted Stupefier guns. Then suddenly, as quickly as they arrived, the spiders retreat and disappear into the tunnel. "Hmph, that's right, run, ya pieces of scrap!" Abby taunts as Agent Raven sees their destination.
"And right on time. There's the Generator!" the trio arrive to a massive platform overlooking a deep shaft with a long pillar running the length of it.
"Yeesh, this is just like the Moonbase's central shaft…"
"That's right, Numbuh 2. This shaft goes all the way to the submarine port's level, so it's a long drop."
"Then that pillar's gotta be the generator, right?" Abby points at the pillar, which is connected to the platform by a bridge.
"Yeah, and if we turn it off, the Mansion will lose all power."
"Aren't you getting a bit ahead of yourselves?" a sinister, but familiar voice says, causing Abby's body to freeze as a shadowy person lands in-front of the bridge.
"Cree…" Abby mutters as her sister steps into the light. She is wearing a jet-black and blood red B.R.A. with a very sharp armor design and a visible backpack.
"I was waiting for you to show up…Abigail." she glares at her stunned little-sister and walks slowly towards her. "What's wrong? Aren't you going to say hello?" Cree asks as Abby regains her composure and retracts her helmet.
As their eyes meet, Abby shutters. The eyes that stare back her are empty with no trace of the big sister she had always known. However, she can tell that behind Cree's cold expression is unimaginable fury, that she had no doubt held within her ever since their previous encounter, but Abby is not intimidated by this, as she has prepared to face Cree and her determination to get her sister back to her senses far outweighs any fear she might have had. "So, ya stayed with Father. Even after everythin' he's done to ya?"
"This has nothing to do with Father. I don't give a damn what he does with the world. The only thing I care about…is getting revenge…for everything." Cree stares at Abby with her fury filled eyes and she notices the scar on Cree's left cheek, reminding her of their previous fight inside the Teen Hideout.
"Ya just can't let things go, do ya?" Abby's remark only infuriates Cree further and she draws a customized polearm-type Combat Staff with a pincer-like tip before pointing it at Abby
"Let go? You think I could just forget everything you've done to me? I'll never, ever forget, and I'll never forgive you either!" Cree shouts at her little sister, who lowers her hat and then, tosses it towards Hoagie.
"Numbuh 2, keep my hat safe. Numbuh 5's gonna have to hit some sense into my sistah," Abby says coldly and activates her vibration blades and foot blades, which now run along her leg from the knee to the foot.
"Hoo, looks like you got some new equipment. Well, you're not the only one!" Cree's helmet folds over her head and instead of a vizor, it has a single, red, mechanical eye that covers most of her face. Then, four tendrils, identical to the ones the spider robots had, extend out from Cree's backpack and point towards Abby.
"Bring it on, Cree!"
"Just what I wanted to hear!" Cree replies with a slightly distorted voice thanks to her helmet. The sisters immediately charge at each other and lock blades, while Hoagie and Agent Raven try to intervene.
"Numbuh 5!" However, before the boys can reach them, spider robots jump down from the ceiling and intervene, forming a wall.
"Uh-uh-uh, this is between us! You're not invited!" Cree shouts as the spider robots attack Hoagie and Raven.
"Dammit…"
"Focus Numbuh 2! They're coming!" Raven attacks the robot closest to him while Hoagie clenches his fist and then, immediately destroys two spiders by grabbing and crushing their torsos, but for every spider they destroy, two more appear from nowhere.
Meanwhile, the sisters begin their duel. Abby jumps over Cree, but she jabs her with a tendril, forcing Abby to deflect it and land behind Cree, who instantly turns around and rapidly thrusts her polearm Combat Staff at Abby, who counters with her vibration blades. Then, the sisters once again lock blades and stare intensely at each other. "I hate you Abby…I hate you so much…" Cree snarls at Abby as she presses her polearm against Abby's blades.
"Tell me somethin' that Numbuh 5 doesn't know! That's all you've been sayin' for a month!" Abby applies more pressure at Cree, who aims all four tendrils at her sister, forcing Abby to jump backwards to evade their sharp, spiked tips. "*gasp* *gasp* No matter what happens Cree, Numbuh 5's not gonna lose to ya. She promised to bring ya back and that's what she's gonna do!" Abby declares and points her right-hand blade at Cree, who shudders from rage.
"Back where?! I don't have anything to come back to!" Cree yells and subjects Abby to another flurry of polearm strikes but Abby performs a forward summersault and lands on her sister's polearm.
"Hi-yah!" Abby delivers a swift kick to her sister's chest, knocking her off her balance, which allows Abby to wrestle the polearm away from Cree with her grappling wires. With a loud clang, the weapon lands near the fighting spider robots and Abby aims her heat-lasers at Cree. "Yes, ya do! Aren't ya forgetting about Mamma and Daddy?! They're worried sick about ya!"
Cree begins to shake as she clenches her fists and looks directly at Abby. "I don't care about them…I'm tired of acting like a perfect daughter in-front of them…"
"Ya don't hafta act! Just be who ya are! Please, just come back!"
"SHUT UP!" Cree screams and charges at Abby while slashing her with the tendrils. Abby counters the attack, but then, Cree manages to wrap one tendril around Abby's leg, and she throws her against the wall to her left.
"Uargh!"
"Abby!" Hoagie shouts and tries to reach her, but a spider bot lands on top of his Exo-suit and delivers a powerful electric shock on him. "Gah! Dammit…you think…this is…gonna… stop me?!" Hoagie shouts and punches the spider bot away, only to be attacked by three more spider bots. "Out of my way!"
As Hoagie struggles to get past the spiders, Abby groans as she slowly opens her eyes. She sees Cree slowly approaching her, but before Abby can make a move, Cree lifts her with two tendrils and presses her sister against the wall. "Urgh…Cree…"
"You knew…you knew everything…"
"Wha…what do ya mean?"
"Don't play dumb! You know exactly what I'm talking about!" a cold chill runs down Abby's neck as Cree pulls her closer and retracts her helmet. "Maurice…he was a Kids Next Door spy…all those years…he was a spy." Cree's voice trembles as the realization hits Abby like a ton of bricks. Cree had finally found out the secret she had held all this time. When she learned that Maurice was a spy 5 years ago, she had always kept it as a trump card against Cree, who up to that point had always been superior to her in every way. No matter what Cree tried against the KND, Abby knew that she was just being used by Maurice. However, she never thought of the consequences of what would happen if Cree ever learned the truth but now, she was staring at those consequences in the eye. "He used me…pretended to care for me…just so he could undermine the Ninjas…and YOU! My own…brat of a sister knew everything! You knew that he was on your side this whole time!" Cree's eyes fill with painful tears as Abby lowers her head. "Ever since I fled the KND…I waited…I waited that you and Maurice would join the Ninjas…I wanted my happiness back! But no! I was just a tool…everyone…just used me for their own gain! The KND, Father, Maurice! AND YOU!" Cree once again throws Abby, and she lands near the entrance.
"*gasp* *cough* You're right…Abby did know about him…ever since ya tried pox all those kids…and…I'm sorry…that ya had to learn it like this…"
"Sorry?! You're sorry?! Don't make me laugh! You were enjoying it! You must've been so happy that he was on your side while I was played for a fool!" Cree lips quiver as she screams at Abby, who gets up and looks her sister in the eye.
"You think you're the only one in this world who's gone through hell?! Abby was betrayed, framed and thrown to the dogs along with my team! These last three years have been nothin' but sufferin' for me!"
"I couldn't care less about what you've been through!"
"Abby knows that! But unlike you, Abby's gonna keep movin' forward, just like Maurice wanted me to!"
"Don't you say his name!" Just the mere mentioning of Maurice sends Cree into blind rage, and she attacks Abby with her tendrils but Abby sees them coming and manages to cut one of them with a passing slash, but Cree instead grabs her polearm and swipes Abby off her feet before pinning her against the floor with her remaining tendrils. "You took him from me! He was all I wanted and you...you made me..." Try as she might, Abby can't free herself as Cree points the polearm at her chest. Her body freezes as she looks up at her sister's maddened face. Then, she realizes that Cree isn't just trying to defeat her, she wants her dead. Cree wants to kill Abby, her own sister out of revenge for the pain she has gone through.
"Cree…no…please…" her voice turns into whisper as Cree lifts the polearm.
Realizing what Cree is about to do, Agent Raven manages to break through the horde of spiders and flies directly at the sisters just as Cree prepares to stab Abby with the polearm. "CREE! STOP!" Raven shouts as he manages to cut off two of the tendrils and kick Cree's polearm off her hands. This gives Abby the chance to escape Cree's grasp, but her sister turns her fury at Raven.
"Ragh! Don't interfere!" Before Agent Raven can react properly, Cree's last tendril strikes him in the head, to Abby and Hoagie's horror. A sickening metallic screech echoes throughout the shaft as Agent Raven's helmet is ripped off his head. It flies silently in the air and then lands behind him, but the Deep Cover Operative is still standing. As he straightens his back, Abby sees his face and her eyes widen, as do Cree's. Behind them, Hoagie also sees Raven's face and his jaw drops.
"…no…no way…"
End of Transmission 58
Note: Time for more references. Now first is the obvious elephant in the room, Numbuh 4's duel with Ernest. Back when I came up with the idea of Numbuh 4 having a final showdown with Ernest, I couldn't figure out how it would pan out. Then I just happened to watch someone stream Metal Gear Rising and everything clicked. Sundowner. I started listening to Red Sun repeatedly and it all made sense. Ernest kind of reminded me of Sundowner and I started working on that angle. Fitttingly, Ernest used two baseball bats in Operation: B.R.E.A.K.U.P., so giving him two weapons also made sense but the rest of his equipment I made up. Numbuh 4 mainly using his sword in this fight was inspired by everyone's favorite Brazilian Samurai, Jetstream Sam.
Second of course is the fight between Numbuh 5 and Cree. The spider robots, Cree's tendrils and the polearm were inspired by Mistral, also from MGSR. I also reworked Numbuh 5's foot blades, which are now based on the ZGMF-X19A Infinite Justice Gundam's leg-mounted beam blades to make them more form fitting.