One year...wow, it's been a year since I started releasing this story. Feels incredible.
Songs featured:
-P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.: "Mobile Armor" by Hiroyuki Sawano
-Nigel vs Father: "Collective Consciousness" by Jamie Christopherson
-Mind overtaken by revenge: "9 (King of No.9 Edition)" by Frequency and Kota Hoshino
Transmission 61: Uno
Up in Earth's orbit, inside the Orbital Shipyards, the infiltration team has split up, with Patton, Fanny and Keith heading to the ship assembly area while Numbuh Gamma has gone ahead alone and entered a room belonging to Numbuh 1000. Remaining intangible, goes through the files on Numbuh 1000's computer, but he soon figures out that everything has been deleted. "Trying to hide your tracks? Clever…" Numbuh Gamma thinks as he closes the computer but then, his attention is drawn to the odd looking holo-projector in the ceiling. Taking a closer look, Numbuh Gamma realizes it's not Earth's 2x4 technology. "A GKND S.C.O.P.E.-J.E.C.T.O.R. Hmm…" Gamma presses his hand against the device and the lens starts glowing before generating a hologram of Numbuh 74.239 and Numbuh 1000. "I guess even you didn't know how this works. You might've deleted your transmissions from the Shipyards mainframe, but the S.C.O.P.E.-J.E.C.T.O.R. has a secondary storage for all transmissions. I'll be taking all of them." Using his 2x4 wristwatch, Numbuh Gamma extracts everything from the projector and floats down from the ceiling. Then, he hears footsteps coming from the hallway and turns invisible. However, the footsteps don't stop at the door, but he can hear a familiar voice.
"Has everyone gathered inside the assembly area?"
"Yes, Sir. As you requested. But can I ask why?"
"Because I want you all to see the fruit of our labor, Numbuh 50. So that you can witness as I head to Earth with the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.S. and complete Project: Never Grow."
"Oh, I see. We'll give you a proper sendoff then."
"Indeed. You go on ahead, I'll join you shortly."
"Yes, Sir!" Numbuh 50 salutes 1000 and runs off while the Splinter Cell leader is left standing alone in the hallway.
"This is it. Nothing will stop me now."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that."'
"Huh?! Uargh!" Suddenly, white tentacles wrap around Numbuh 1000's legs and arms as Numbuh Gamma phases through the door and materializes before him. "Ghh…what the?! Who are…wait…you're not human! You're from the GKND!"
"A good observation. I will not allow you to proceed with your plan."
"Grrr…did Numbuh 74.239 send you here?!"
"That doesn't matter. You're going back behind bars, Numbuh 1000."
"NO! You won't get in my way!" Numbuh 1000 tries to move his hand towards his wrist but Numbuh Gamma creates another tentacle and removes the Splinter Cell leader's 2x4 wristwatch.
"No more tricks. Now, answer this question." Numbuh Gamma lifts Numbuh 1000 up to his level and stares at him fiercely. "How many of you know about the GKND? You're not the only one, Numbuh 20.000 also knew about them."
"Argh, that damn teenager…he spilled everything."
"No, he didn't do it of his own will. I probed his mind and I'll do the same to you as well." Numbuh Gamma moves his hand towards Numbuh 1000's head, but suddenly, 1000's wristwatch releases a blinding light and Numbuh Gamma is ensnared by an energy net. "Uargh…a G.R.I.D.S.N.A.R.E.!" Numbuh Gamma groans as he falls onto the floor while Numbuh 1000 is freed from his grip.
"Fool! That wristwatch was a gift from the GKND and it's rigged to trap anyone but me! Now, I'll be asking the questions! Who sent you?" Numbuh 1000 takes an Erasure pistol from his back pocket and points it at Numbuh Gamma.
"You should be worrying about your plan instead of me. I'm didn't come here alone."
"What?! No! You…now I remember, you're with the Teens Next Door! I should've known!" But before Numbuh 1000 can fire his pistol, Numbuh Gamma fires a light beam through his goggles, destroying the weapon. "Guargh!"
"You might've trapped me, but we know about your P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s and they'll never reach Earth. You've done enough damage to this planet already!"
"Damage?! I'm trying to save it from adulthood! Otherwise, this planet is doomed!"
"Your actions have only made people suffer."
"Bah, like I care about what you think. The world I desire has only room for those who share my vision."
"The GKND will Decommission this planet because of what you've done, and I won't let that happen!" Numbuh Gamma begins transforming into a ball of light, but Numbuh 1000 turns tail and disappears into the corridor before Gamma destroys the G.R.I.D.S.N.A.R.E. and reformats back to his human form. "Dammit, I got careless. Numbuh Zeta, do you copy?!"
"Loud and clear."
"What's your status?"
"We're inside the ship assembly area and you were right, they've gathered all the operatives there. All 40 of 'em."
"*sigh*…I'm sorry…"
"What do ya mean?"
"I was caught and Numbuh 1000 knows we're here. You need to stop them from launching the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s, whatever it takes. Numbuh 1000 will be piloting the command unit and he's no doubt coming there right now! I'll join you as fast as I can!"
"Alright, don't worry about it. We'll figure out something. Zeta out." As Patton hangs up, Numbuh Gamma's face contorts and he fires a frustrated light beam against Numbuh 1000's room's door as his calm, taciturn exterior shatters.
"Argh…this is all my fault. Our mission is in jeopardy now. I must fix this." Regaining his composure, Numbuh Gamma adjusts his goggles and flies through the corridor wall, his mind set on ending the Splinter Cell.
Inside the ship assembly area, Patton, Fanny and Keith have hunkered down behind a large generator near a Subway Shuttle Pod launch port. As they peak around the corner, they can clearly see 10 P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.S. lining the walls while the twice as big command unit stands in the center. "So, how do you want us to do this, mon?"
"A direct assault is too risky. We need to get as close as possible first. Numbuh Beta, scan the area. See if you can find something we can use to the stop the launch."
"On it." Fanny nods and sends out a 2x4 Tennis Ball Probe from her B.R.A.'s backpack. The Probe flies up to the ceiling and begins thoroughly scanning the assembly area.
"Find anything?"
"Hmm…yeah, there's a control booth near the command unit, but it's surrounded by guards."
"A control booth? That could work. Anything else?"
"There are airlock hatches below the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s. I'm guessin' they'll drop 'em to Earth through those."
"Hey, we could just jam those things somehow. Then we don't have to deal with the guards, mon."
"Good point, Agent Hermit."
"Wait, I see somethin'! Gah, it's Numbuh 1000. He got here already." Fanny grimaces as the Splinter Cell leader appears on a walkway near the control booth.
"Then we just gotta wing it. Numbuh Beta and I'll go topside and attack the control booth. You go down and see what you can do with those hatches, Agent Hermit."
"Okay, leave it to me mon. Sabotage is my kind of work." Keith nods and starts running towards a service ladder that goes down to the area's sub level while Fanny recalls the probe.
"Let's sneak there first. If we're caught in the open, we're screwed."
"Then ya better stick with me." Fanny smirks and under the guise of her stealth cloak, flies up to a walkway, followed by Patton, who readies his shoulder-mounted Stupefier Cannon and Laser-Gatling. From there, they can see all the way to the other end of the assembly area, where Numbuh 1000 has just arrived and is speaking with Numbuh 50.
"Sir, what's wrong?"
"*pant* The TND…they're here. We need to begin now!"
"What?! But we're not finished with the preparations yet."
"It doesn't matter! They've got a GKND operative on their side and I barely got away! Start the launch procedure! I'll address the others!" A furious Numbuh 1000 shouts at Numbuh 50, who stutters and then nods.
"Of course, Sir. We'll begin the Phase 3 launch procedure immediately!" The Shipyard commander replies and runs over to the control booth while Numbuh 1000 walks over to the bridge that leads to the command P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s cockpit.
"Fellow members of the Kids Next Door. We come a long way, but now, we can finally begin the last phase of Project: Never Grow. I want you all to burn this image to your mind. How we, the last remnants of the Kids Next Door finally saved the Earth from the disease of adulthood! Now, watch as I will cleanse this planet of that disease and create a utopia, a world where we kids can be free. KIDS NEXT DOOR FOREVER!"
"KIDS NEXT DOOR FOREVER!" The other operatives replies but then, a blue beam flies across the facility and almost hits Numbuh 1000.
"Gah, No!" he shouts as Patton and Fanny decloak and fly along the walkway. "The intruders! Stop them! Hold them off at all costs!" 1000 points at the teenagers while he runs rushes towards the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s cockpit.
"No more stupid speeches, ya monster! You're mine!" Fanny shouts as she and Patton decloak on the walkway.
"I'll get the control booth!" Patton yells but Fanny's attention is totally focused on Numbuh 1000. Her anger towards him has only increased, because of what happened to Virginia, and she is not about to let Numbuh 1000 escape.
"You're not getting away this time!" Fanny fires multiple concussion missiles that land in the general area of the command unit, knocking Numbuh 1000 off his feet.
"Ghh…damn you 86!" he jumps up and points his spare P.O.W.U.H.-G.L.O.V.E. at Fanny who lands on the bridge and draws her electro maces.
"That's my line, runt! You'll pay for everything you've done, right here, right now!" Fanny stares murderously at Numbuh 1000 and attacks him with her maces, forcing the Splinter Cell Leader to try and block the attack with his glove's energy shield while Patton lands near Fanny and turns his attention on the control booth.
"Those machines aren't going anywhere." he says coldly and charges at the chipped guards, knocking them out with a blast of EMP from his palms but Numbuh 50, standing inside the booth, jams the door and starts frantically typing on the keyboard.
"What are you doing, shoot her already!" Numbuh 1000 yells as Fanny pummels her maces against his energy shield, prompting the operatives standing below the walkway to open fire at Fanny, but their aim is poor, and Fanny is too focused on 1000 to even notice.
"Graargh! Quit hidin' behind yer shield!" Fanny roars and slams her maces against the shield with enough force to send Numbuh 1000 flying against the railing near the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s cockpit hatch. However, before Fanny can attack him again, her progress is halted by the operatives covering fire. "Gah, don't interfere!" Fanny responds with more concussion missiles, but this gives Numbuh 1000 the chance to reach for the cockpit hatch. He presses his hand against the KND-NA panel and the hatch opens with a faint hiss. "No ya don't!"
"Hmph." Numbuh 1000 smirks and hops inside, closing the hatch right in-front of Fanny's face. "Hah-hah-hah, I win, teenagers! Your maces can't break through the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s armor!" With a wicked smile on his face, Numbuh 1000 climbs a small ladder and crawls into the machine's cockpit. "Now, time to get rid of all the obstacles."
"You coward!" Fanny hits the hatch repeatedly, but it does not budge and she reaches a boiling point. "RAAAARGH!" Her eyes filling with rage, Fanny fires all concussion missiles she has at the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R., causing the ship assembly area to shake violently. Patton, realizing they're running out of time, destroys the control booth's door just as Numbuh 50 finishes typing the hits enter.
"No!" Patton shouts as a general alarm goes off in the Shipyards.
"Ship launch imminent, please evacuate the Assembly Area before airlocks open."
"Too late, teenager! We've won!" Numbuh 50 shouts victoriously as Patton knocks him to the floor. Then, the command P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s large blue eye lights up and rotates towards the control booth.
"Let's test the weapons." Numbuh 1000 says calmly and locks on to the control booth. However, before he can fire, a light beam hits the machine's eye, disabling the Erasure beam emitter housed within. "Guah! No, not him!"
"Took yer damn time!" Fanny shouts as Numbuh Gamma appears on the other side of the assembly area, a light sphere in his hand.
"Get down!" Numbuh Gamma creates another light beam from his left hand and puts them together. Then, he fires an intense light ray cleanly through the left line of P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s, destroying them in an instant.
"Yeah! Take that!" Patton cheers as the 5 drone machines explode but the attack has left Numbuh Gamma fatigued and he is forced to land on the walkway.
"*pant* 5 down." he mutters while Numbuh 1000 becomes enraged by the drone's destruction.
"GRARGH! No! You damn Galactic operative! This isn't over yet!" grabbing the control sticks, Numbuh 1000 activates the command unit's massive torso-mounted Erasure beam cannon and begins charging it.
"He's trying to fire that here?! Numbuh Zeta, Numbuh Beta, get out of there!" Gamma shouts as Patton blasts his way out of the control booth and grabs Fanny, who has kept attacking the hatch.
"Come on!"
"Ghh…I was so close…" Fanny laments as Patton lets go of her and they fly away from the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.
"Don't give up, we can still get him." Patton replies as they land behind the generator where Numbuh Gamma has gone as well while the Splinter Cell operatives filling the assembly areas floor begin running towards the generator. However, this puts them right into the cannon's firing line.
"FIRE!" A manic Numbuh 1000 shouts as a huge beam flies out of the cannon and in an instant, the assembly area is filled by a blue light. Hunkering down behind the generator, Patton puts his arms over Fanny and pushes her against the wall while Numbuh Gamma changes to his light sphere form. Then, the light fades away and the only sound the teenagers can hear is the general alarm.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine…thanks…" Fanny mutters as Patton lets go of her while Numbuh Gamma turns back to his human form but upon taking a peek, he is horrified by what he sees.
"No…that monster…" he clenches his fist as Patton and Fanny stand up and come to his side.
"Wait…did he…?"
"He shot his own allies!" Fanny yells as they stare at the unconscious operatives lying on the floor. Even Numbuh 50, who only a moment ago had just jumped down from the walkway, has also fallen victim to the beam and has collapsed.
"That…bastard…" Fanny begins shaking from rage while Patton punches the generator.
"Dammit…"
"You said it, mon." Suddenly, Keith appears behind Patton and Fanny, holding a detonator in his hand.
"Agent Hermit. I'm glad you didn't get hit."
"Tell me about it. I nearly peeked my out just as that nut was gonna fire."
"Did you deal with the hatches?" Gamma asks and Keith responds with a smirk.
"Oh yeah I did, mon. Check it." Keith presses the detonator and 8 distinct but faint explosions are heard from the assembly area's sub-level. "I found some G.O.U.D.A.N.O.W.Y.A.'s down there. Those hatches aren't opening anytime soon."
"Good, that'll buy us some time. But we still need to pry 1000 out of there."
"Not just that. It's clear this place is too dangerous to be left intact."
"You mean you wanna blow up the Shipyards?"
"Exactly, Numbuh Zeta. I managed to take all the data they kept here so there's no reason to let this den of evil exist anymore."
"Fine by me. So how do you wanna do this?"
"Agent Hermit, you lead the operatives out of here. Use the freighter K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R. to escape and send a distress signal to the Moonbase. Even though they're fighting the Delightfulized KND Space Fleet, they should be able to send an escort or two."
"What about you guys?"
"We'll have to activate the self-destruct from the control booth, capture Numbuh 1000 and then we'll escape with that Shuttle Pod over there." Numbuh Gamma points at the launch port to their right and the others nod.
"Okay, let's do it. We'll draw Numbuh 1000's attention while you gather the operatives and run."
"Right, but don't get Erased, okay guys?"
"We won't. That's what we agreed on." Patton and Keith do a quick fist pump before the Deep Cover Agent runs out over to the nearest operative and wakes him up.
"Ugh…wha…where am I?"
"No time to explain, kid. Come on, this place is gonna blow and we need to get everyone out of here."
"Huh? Blo…blow?"
"Yeah! Now help me wake the others up, mon. I'll get you guys out of here." Despite being utterly confused and no memory of what has happened to him, the Erased Splinter Cell operative nods and begins helping Keith.
However, inside the cockpit of the command unit, Numbuh 1000 has been waiting for the airlock hatches to open but so far, nothing has happened. "What's going on? Those airlocks should've sucked all those fools into space by now…" he says coldly and begins typing on the machine's console. "Wait a minute…the alarm is off…No…those teenagers sabotaged the airlocks! Dammit! They just keep getting in the way! Hmm?" From the corner of his eye, 1000 sees the operatives he only a moment ago Erased running away from the facility. "Trying to lead them out? I don't think so!" but before 1000 can begin charging another shot, the command unit is enveloped by thick smoke. "You pests!"
"I'll head to the control booth and activate the self-destruct."
"Why can't ya just phase through that thing and drag that punk out?!"
"Sorry, I overexerted myself with that light ray attack. I can barely fly as it is."
"Gah, then how do ya think we're gonna bring that monster down?!" Fanny shouts as they fly towards the control booth."
"The Erasure cannon. The P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s main generator is right behind it so if you hit it hard enough, it'll shut the whole machine down." Gamma replies to Fanny, but then, a faint shadow appears inside the cloud of smoke.
"Incoming!" Patton shouts as five-fingered, telescopic arm flies out of the smoke, it's fingers glowing blue.
"Raargh!" Numbuh 1000 roars as he fires five Erasure beams from the machine's fingers, but the attack misses its mark as Patton and Fanny fly around the machine and bombard it with M.A.R.B.L.E.'s and whatever missiles Fanny has left. "You teenagers are pathetic! The P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R. is indestructible! Why don't you just give up and say goodbye to your memories?!"
"Come out here and make us, shorty!" Fanny yells back as she dives at the egg-shaped machine, maces at the ready.
"As you wish!" Three more arms appear from the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s torso but Patton immediately fires M.A.R.B.L.E.'s at them, giving Fanny the chance to strike at the Erasure cannon.
"Eat this you piece of junk!" she begins pummeling the emitter with her maces while Patton keeps Numbuh 1000's attention.
On the walkway, Numbuh Gamma helps the two guards who were chipped up and tells them to flee the Shipyards before he goes inside the control booth. "I'll make sure the GKND technology built here will never be used again. It's too dangerous." he mutters as he types on the keyboard but then, Numbuh Gamma hears a painful scream, followed by a small bang.
"Guargh!" Fanny howls in agony as the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R. has managed swat her to the floor and now, Numbuh 1000 is trying to squish her with the machine's arm.
"This is what you deserve, 86!"
"No, Stop it!" Patton shouts and tries to save his friend, but he is forced evade as Numbuh 1000 fires Erasure beams at him.
"Wait for your turn! I'll flatten 86 first!" Numbuh 1000 says coldly as he begins applying more pressure.
"Ghh…you're not…gonna…get…me!" Despite being pressed against the floor, Fanny manages to fire multiple flares from her backpack, which causes the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s optics to go haywire, temporarily stunning the machine.
"Gah, flares?!" With his monitors showing static, Numbuh 1000 loses his focus and the machines hand lifts slightly, giving Fanny the chance to escape but the moment she crawls out, she collapses and she can't use her B.R.A.'s jetboots anymore.
"I've got ya!" Patton grabs her and takes Fanny up near the ceiling. "Man, why do you gotta make me worry like this?"
"Gah shut up…I can still fight…I just…gotta hit that thing one more time and it'll break!" Fanny points at the damaged Erasure cannon, which is visibly cracked.
"I'll take care of it. You're not in any condition to fight!"
"You don't decide that! I'm not gonna…"
"Will you stop being so damn stubborn?! Your armor's busted and you can barely move! I'm not losing you again!" Patton shouts, silencing Fanny, who immediately looks away to hide her reddened face but before she can say anything back to him, Fanny sees Numbuh Gamma fly out of the control booth.
"I activated the self-destruct! We need to get out now!"
"What about Numbuh 1000 and those machines?!"
"The explosion should take care of the drones. We'll capture the command unit's survival cell once the Shipyards are gone."
"But…"
"Do as he says. Ya can't take that thing on by yourself either." Fanny looks Patton in the eye, and he nods back.
"Right, let's get outta here." but as they begin flying towards the Shuttle launch port on the other end of the ship assembly facility, Numbuh 1000's monitor comes back online and he sees the teenagers fleeing.
"You can't escape from me!"
"Attention, Shipyard self-destruct sequence has been initiated. The Orbital Shipyards will self-destruct in 2 minutes. Please evacuate the facility immediately. Repeat…"
"No…NO! You damn teenagers!" Enraged, Numbuh 1000 begins firing Erasure beams and lasers wildly everywhere. "YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO RUIN EVERYTHING! I HATE YOU, ALL OF YOU! YOU DON'T DESERVE TO EXIST!"
"Gah…just little more…" Patton grunts as he carries Fanny towards the launch port, where Numbuh Gamma is waiting.
"Hurry! We're running out of time!"
However, a stray laser grazes Patton's right jetboot, cutting his speed. "Dammit, not now!" Loosing control, they begin falling towards the floor when suddenly a Blue Erasure beam comes hurdling at them. Numbuh Gamma sees this as well and tries to fire a light ray to block the Erasure Beam but he hasn't recovered his strength.
"No…" Gamma's eyes widen as he sees the beam approaching his teammates. Fanny sees it as well and looks at Patton in the eye, causing him to realize what she's about to do.
"Fanny…don't!"
"Thanks for believin' in me, Patton." Fanny smiles and then pushes Patton off of her, causing him to plummet to the floor.
"FANNY!" Patton screams as Fanny free falls while the beam passes overhead. Using whatever strength he has left, Patton manages to catch Fanny before she hits the floor. Realizing she's unconscious, Patton grits his teeth and carries her over to the Subway Shuttle Launch Port and a silent Numbuh Gamma leads him inside the craft. Without saying a word, Patton puts Fanny on the shuttle's emergency stretcher and straps her in while Numbuh Gamma turns the ship's engines on before flying out of the doomed Shipyards.
Inside, Numbuh 1000 is brought back to reality by the computer's timer going down to 60 seconds. "This isn't over yet! I won't let this stop Never Grow!" Using the P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R.'s arms, 1000 rips off the locks holding the machine in place and then deploys its legs. "I'll escape! I will make the Earth a utopia for kids! I'll make all adults and teenagers pay for what they've done to me!" he raves as the machine begins destroying the airlock hatch below it.
Outside, as Numbuh Gamma steers the Subway Shuttle Pod away, Patton has knelt next to Fanny and looks upon her sleeping form. Despite fearing the worst, inside his heart, Patton still holds on to hope that she wasn't hit by the beam, and she simply fell unconscious from fatigue. Then, from the corner of his eye, Patton sees the Shipyard become visible as its optical camouflage fails and the Splinter Cell controlled facility begins breaking apart, followed by a powerful shockwave, which rips the Shipyards into space debris. Rocked by the shockwave, Numbuh Gamma struggles to keep the shuttle stable as Patton holds Fanny in place but as the shockwave dissipates, he hears a faint groan. "Ugh…"
"Fanny?"
"Huh…"
"I thought you were a goner…do you…know who I am?" Patton tries to smile as Fanny looks up at him weakly.
"…should…I?" her voice is like a whisper, and it hits Patton and Numbuh Gamma with the force of a thousand tons. Struggling to control himself, Patton hides his eyes under his black hair and pats Fanny's forehead.
"No…it's fine…just rest…you deserve it." he replies with a shaky voice as Fanny smiles back before slipping out of consciousness again. Then, Patton gently holds Fanny's hand before walking away towards the cockpit but halfway there, he punches the shuttle's hull and collapses on his knees. "Dammit…dammit…DAMMIT! UAAARGH!" he screams as he presses his hands against his face while tears flow down his eyes. "Not like this…it wasn't supposed to go like this…I promised…I'd keep her safe…I failed…I'm sorry…I'm so sorry Fanny…dammit…" as Patton pours his heart out, Numbuh Gamma sits silently in the pilot's seat, gripping the control sticks.
Up to this point, nothing has seemed to rattle the TND Intelligence Chief but now, it's taking everything he has to keep his composure. It's a feeling he hasn't felt in years, a feeling he has tried to push away whenever it showed its head, no matter what Gamma has seen or encountered, he has always kept himself together. But not this time. "It's my fault…if I had stopped Numbuh 1000 right then and there…this…wouldn't have happened…My overconfidence led to this…I'm sorry…I should've done better…" Numbuh Gamma stares intensely out of the shuttle's cockpit as a faint tear of light forms under his eye.
…
Down on Earth, the Delightful Mansion is now become the center of the battle. While the TND is holding it's own against Fathers Delightfulized teenagers and kids, inside the Mansion, a burning, enraged force of destruction is rampaging through the basement. With searing fire and telekinesis, it moves forward, never stopping. No matter what its enemies try, they are no match for it and all across the basement, swaths of knocked out kids and teenagers litter the floors. Along the way, purple flames destroy anything inorganic, from Knightamatons to various facilities, leaving behind nothing but melted and scorched remains. At the center of it all, is Nigel Uno. Father's trap had worked and the sight of his own cousin, Eliza, using the Silhouette Suit that he so despises, has caused something within Nigel to snap. The only thing he hears is the manic cackling of a man long gone as the specter of Grandfather floats behind him, unseen by anyone else. His eyes filled with rage, Nigel tears through armored door after armored door, his sights set on reaching Father's throne room and make him pay for everything he has put Nigel and everyone else through. For the decades of torment, pain, torture and the multiple attempts to bring down the KND.
However, this is also personal for Nigel. He can't forgive Father for what he has done. What he forced Nigel to do within this very building. What he did to his friends, his family and what he has done to the world. While only a few weeks ago, he simply wanted to bring Father to justice, now its different. Now, Nigel desires nothing more than to make Father feel the same pain he and everyone else has gone through. That desire has driven him to the brink of insanity as the purple outline of his Silhouette Suit spews out flames, setting anything flammable alight. Reaching a staircase, Nigel begins hovering and flies up, destroying the door along the way and arrives at the Mansion's vast main hall. It seems almost tranquil, as if unaffected by the events happening outside. Everything is squeaky clean, not a speck of dust anywhere and all the tables, chairs and portraits are placed neatly where they belong. But Nigel doesn't care. As he hovers through the hall, he sets everything on fire, causing the fire alarms to go off and the automated sprinkler system to activate, but Nigel's flames are too strong to put out. He flies up another set of stairs and arrives at a door he's very familiar with. Behind this door lies Father's throne room.
It reminds him of that fateful day 3 years ago when he walked through this very door and swore allegiance to Father, despite knowing that Father was almost certainly involved in framing him and his sector. It was here that Nigel learned how to summon and use the Silhouette Suit and where he took on the name of Nephew. Driven by his desire for revenge, Nigel quickly mastered its power and used it to bring terror to the Kids Next Door. They didn't matter to him anymore. After all, they had made him and his friends into traitors, so Nigel didn't feel any remorse whatsoever when he burned down their Treehouses and their bases and tortured operatives for information. But as time went on, his conscience began to gnaw at the Suit. The fog of revenge began to lift, and he felt remorse for what he was doing. Then came Father's Day and it was the last straw. He left and never looked back but now, he had returned, revenge once again burning within him.
"I'll end it…I'll end everything…now." Nigel mutters with a distorted voice as he blows the door apart and flies inside. There, he sees Father, silently sitting on his throne while the screens behind him show footage from the battle raging outside and inside the Mansion. "Father!"
"Ah, welcome, Mr. Uno. I've been waiting for you." Father replies coldly, completely unfazed by Nigel's rage.
"I bet you have. You know why I'm here."
"Hah-hah-hah, oh yes. Looks like you didn't like my little surprise."
"How could you…put her through that…first you Delightfulized her…and then you gave her a Silhouette Suit!"
"Oh, that was a just an experiment really. I was planning to test the process on someone else, but I just couldn't waste the chance to use her instead. After all, she is related to the Uno bloodline."
"SHE IS NOT A GUINEA PIG!" Nigel roars as huge plume of flames erupt from his Suit, but this only amuses Father.
"Hah-hah-hah, you just love throwing your little tantrums, don't you."
"SHUT UP!" Nigel charges towards Father with a flame covered fist, ready to strike him, but Father simply lifts his hand and blocks the attack with telekinesis. "Ghh…you'll pay…I'LL MAKE SURE YOU PAY FOR THIS!"
"Is that so? I'd love to see you try!" Father moves his hand gently forward, sending Nigel flying across the throne room, but he stops in mid-arm and comes at Father again. "I'll admit, you've improved since our last encounter. You are exhibiting the true power of the Silhouette Suit and that pleases me!"
"I'm just getting started!" Nigel fires a heat ray from his sunglasses while Father counters by swiping his left hand, negating the heat ray.
"It'll take a lot more than that to defeat me, Mr. Uno! You still haven't mastered Grandfather's powers, unlike me!"
"I never asked to have this power!"
"You can't escape your destiny, Mr. Uno! You are Grandfather's grandson and that will never change! Don't you see? This power makes us the most powerful beings on the planet! Yet you insist on turning your back on it!"
"Because it's a curse! Nothing more! The things I've done while wearing this Suit will never go away! I'll live with the guilt for the rest of my life!"
"Now why should you feel guilty?! They were just snotnosed brats and if I recall right, they threw you out."
"That was because of you and the Splinter Cell! You framed us! You're the reason I took that path, Father!" Nigel's flames become more intense as he generates two purple flame discs from his hands and launches them at Father, forcing him to stand up and actually make an effort to nullify them with his own, red and yellow flames.
"You think you are the only one in this world who has suffered? You, the son my oh so great brother?" Father stares down Nigel and hovers down from his throne. "You don't know the first thing about suffering, boy. You don't know what it's like to be denied everything! To be ignored and forced to do someone's bidding for nothing in return! You don't know what it's like to be the runt of the litter!" Nigel's words had clearly struck a chord within Father as his flames grow and begin spewing embers around him. "I had to endure being a slave for years! Live in the shadow of your father and then his son comes here claiming to have gone through hard times. Hah-hah, don't make me laugh!"
"Rargh!" Nigel attacks with a fire stream and Father counters with his own. "Is that…how you justify all this?"
"I don't need to justify anything! I am Grandfather's heir and I intend to carry on his work! To have adults rule the world! But unlike him, I've created a world of peace!" Staring into Father's eyes, Nigel sees the faint silhouette of Grandfather within them as the cackling his head grows louder.
"You think this is peace?! This is no different from Grandfather's world."
"That's were you're wrong. In my Delightful world, children obey the rules and don't talk back. They are well behaved, like they should be! They don't have to live in constant fear of punishment. Don't you see, this is an ideal world!"
"Delightfulization…IS NOTHING BUT SLAVERY!" The angrier Nigel gets, the stronger his flames become as he begins pushing Father back, forcing him to use two hands. "NOBODY WANTED THIS WORLD! YOU HAD NO RIGHT TO BRAINWASH EVERYONE!"
"I am the only one with that right! Because I am an Adult and soon…YOU'LL BE TOO!"
"I…I'LL…I'LL NEVER BE AN ADULT LIKE YOU!"
"Wha…UARGH!" Nigel's flames condense into a purple heat ray that overpowers Fathers flames and sends him flying into his throne, destroying it completely.
"I said…I'd make you pay…and that's what…I'M GOING TO DO! RAAAARGH!" Nigel lets out a furious scream so powerful that it's heard across Cleve while the ground shakes. Then, he emits a huge, purple column of fire upwards, blasting a hole through the Mansion's roof, halting the fighting outside for a moment while in the underground levels, his teammates recognize the voice immediately.
"No way…was that…Numbuh 1?" Hoagie asks as they arrive in the second to last floor before the basement, causing Abby to frown grimly.
"No doubt about it, Numbuh 2. And he doesn't sound like himself."
"Then what the crud we waiting for? Let's find him already?"
"Ya don't hafta tell me twice. Step on it, Numbuh 2."
"Aye, aye." Hoagie replies as the four teenagers accelerate along the underground tunnel.
Meanwhile, one floor above them, in the large, wrecked room where Nigel fought Eliza, The Kid sits silently next to a sleeping Eliza, heat laser cannons trained at the closed armored door where they had entered the room. "Man, what the heck is going on up there?" he mutters as Nigel's roar has caused small pieces of concrete to crumble down from the ceiling. "Just gotta hope this place isn't gonna collapse or something…"
"Urgh…"
"Hmm? Miss Commander?" The Kid hears a faint groan and sees Eliza slowly opening her green eyes, but The Kid notices that her left eye is still blue with a widened iris.
"…wha…where…am I?"
"Hey, just relax and don't move."
"…Kid? Is that…you?" as her vision becomes clearer, Eliza sees The Kid sitting next to her but when she tries to move, she winces in paint. "Ow…"
"Are ya deaf or somethin'?"
"…what's going on? Why are…you…here?" Eliza rolls on to her back as The Kid sighs while shaking his head.
"Oh boy…alright, I'll try and explain this somehow…" The Kid then begins telling Eliza everything that's happened so far, from when she was Delightfulized to how they captured V2 and the Moonbase and what Father did to her. "So there ya have it...I tell ya, it's been a heck of a ride, that's for sure. Hmm? Hey, you okay?" The Kid notices the tears forming in Eliza's eyes as she begins to remember everything.
"…that's right…I was…Delightfulized…oh no…what have I…"
"Wait, you remember what happened?"
"Yes…I…I was aware…of what was going but I couldn't do anything…all I could do was watch…while I did all those horrible things…" Eliza covers her eyes with her wrist while The Kid puts her hand over her forehead. Then, Eliza begins to weep silently, distraught by what she was forced to do and go through. Though her memories are blurry, she can remember how she led the Delightfulized Ninjas against the KND and how screamed in pain when Father put her into a silver container and subjected her to the process that gave her the blue Silhouette Suit. "I'm so sorry…I failed everyone…they'll never forgive me for this…"
"Don't be stupid, Miss Commander. You got brainwashed. It wasn't your fault."
"But…"
"Just relax and let it all out. All that matters now is that you're back to yourself again." The Kid says calmly, causing Eliza to grab his hand and cry her heart out. As he sits silently next to her, The Kid leans backwards and also looks up at the ceiling. "Now I get it…you must've felt this way for years, Beetles. Man, I guess I really was an idiot all this time." A faint smirk appears on his face as The Kid moves his hand over to Eliza's eyes and wipes her tears away.
"Hey, can I say somethin'?"
"…hmm?"
"I uhh…I never got the chance to thank ya properly."
"…what do you mean?"
"For pulling me outta the mud and giving me a reason fight two years ago." The Kid replies as he looks into Eliza's eyes through his broken sunglasses.
"…hah…hah-hah-hah!" Suddenly, to The Kid's surprise, Eliza lets out a raspy laugh, as if her break down had never happened.
"Huh? Hey, I wasn't tryin' to be funny."
"Hah-hah-haa…I know…sorry…hah…I just…didn't expect YOU to get serious like that all of a sudden. That's not like you at all."
"Hmph, well sorry to disappoint ya." The Kid huffs as Eliza pulls herself up and sits next to him, leaning her back against the concrete block.
"Don't give me that look. After all that's happened…I'm glad you told me how you felt." Eliza hides her eyes under her orange bangs while The Kid looks away, towards the armored door.
"I just needed to get it off my chest. Now I've paid back my debt to ya."
"Debt? What do you mean?"
"Doesn't matter anymore, it's done."
"…*giggle* Fine, suit yourself." Despite the weight of everything she has gone through in the past month, Eliza manages to smile mischievously at The Kid and then she leans her shoulder against his.
"Hey, hey, this ain't the time to get chummy with me. Don't ya realize we're kinda screwed here?"
"Then I'll put my faith in you. You're the one with weapons, so you better keep me safe." Eliza ignores The Kid's protest and continues to lean against his shoulder, which makes him uncomfortable.
"Damn, this chick is really being a pain…she's makin' me lose my cool real fast…" While the thought does cross his mind, The Kid does not push Eliza away and lets her stay by his side but he refuses to look her way, as his cheeks start turning faintly red. However, their silence is quickly broken when The Kid hears commotion from beyond the armored door. "Oh crap…"
"Is it the Ninjas?" Eliza asks as her eyes also turn towards the door.
"Dunno, but I gotta bad feelin' about this. Father's got our stealth cloak's figured out, so we'll be spotted if it's the Ninjas." As the noise from behind the door becomes louder, The Kid moves his left arm in-front of Eliza. Then suddenly, a white sword and an orange and silver sword pierce through the door and carve it into pieces, filling the entrance with dust.
"Holy crud, what happened here?"
"Don't ask Numbuh 5, but it musta been a heck of a fight." Abby says as she and Wally enter the rubble filled room, followed by Kuki and Hoagie, riding his damaged Exo-Suit.
"Uhm guys, why do I smell something burning?" Hoagie asks as they cautiously investigate the room.
"Wait, you don't think…Numbuh 1 did this?"
"Might as well be him, Numbuh 3."
Seeing their comrades approach them, The Kid turns off his cloak and waves. "Yo, took your damn time."
"Huh?! Guys, it's The Kid!" Hoagie shouts and approaches his old rival, followed by the others.
"What happened here?! Where's Rachel and…no way…" Abby recognizes the girl sitting next to The Kid, as does Kuki, who tears up immediately.
"Eliza!" she shrieks and sweeps her into a tight hug. "Oh I'm so happy you're safe!" Her genuine worry surprises Eliza but she hugs Kuki back and smiles weakly.
"Yeah, I am…thanks to him."
"Hey, don't try to push it on me. Uno was the one who freed ya."
"But you did keep me safe, like I asked." Eliza smirks as Kuki also gives The Kid a hug, which he accepts reluctantly but then, he lets out a painful gasp.
"Ghh…damn, forgot about that."
"You're hurt! Hold on, I'll heal you."
"Nah, it's fine, don't waste it on me."
"Will ya quit the cool guy act already and let her do her job?" Wally eyes The Kid, who sighs and relents.
"Hmph, I guess I can't argue with that." The Kid mutters as Kuki removes the makeshift splint and heals his leg, though it's only partially successful as Kuki herself is still recovering from saving Hoagie's life.
"Sorry, I'll make a new splint for you."
"Nah, it's fine." The Kid replies as Wally helps him up while Abby does the same to Eliza.
"So what the heck happened here?"
"You wanna make a wild guess?" The Kid gestures towards the singe marks around the room.
"Thought so…"
"Uno totally snapped but I can't blame him. I don't how but Father gave Miss Commander that same Suit thingy Uno's got, and they went at it here."
"He what?!" The Kid's words stun the others while Eliza stares at the floor, hiding her eyes.
"…it's true…"
"No cruddy way…"
"Do ya still…you know…have it?" Abby asks cautiously but Eliza shakes her head.
"No…it must've been destroyed when Nigel removed the Delightfulization chip from me…"
"Oh, you poor thing!" Kuki again gives Eliza a hug while Abby notices her still Delightfulized, left eye.
"Don't worry about it. At least yer not Delightfulized anymore."
"Yeah, and we'll figure a way to get your eye back to normal." Hoagie's comment causes Eliza to stare at him in shock and put her hand over her left eye.
"My what?!" she gasps while Abby hits Hoagie on his good shoulder.
"Ow!"
"Learn to read the mood, ya dummy!"
"Ah…sorry…I thought she knew…" Hoagie says apologetically as Eliza sees her reflection against Kuki's right shoulder pad.
"…my eye…" Eliza mutters as she stares at her Delightfulized left eye but then, she shakes her head and closes her fist. "No, this isn't the time to worry about that. We need to find Nigel and Rachel. Where did they go?"
"Uno went after Father and Numbuh Epsilon went after him. Said she wanted to stop him from goin' nuts."
"That's just like her. Okay, let's stop wastin' time guys. Let's head upstairs and find them."
"I'm going with you."
"Nuh-uh, Numbuh Alpha, you ain't goin' anywhere after what you've been through. Besides, you ain't got a B.R.A. or weapons."
"Please, you must let me join you. I…still have to apologize to Nigel for everything."
"You can do that when this is all over." Abby replies, but she can tell from Eliza's eyes that she is not going to back down.
"No! I'm going and that's final. Or do I have to pull rank on you?" she gives Abby a sharp look, forcing her to relent.
"Gah, you're just like Nigel, stubborn as heck. Fine, but stay behind us, okay? We don't know what's waiting for us up there."
"Just give me a weapon and I'll be fine." Eliza replies confidently as The Kid puts his hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry guys, I'll keep an eye on her. I promised the Commander I'd keep her safe and that's what I'm gonna do."
"You sure? Your leg's busted."
"Didn't stop you when ya were trying to save Kuki from goin' splat a month ago." The Kid smirks at Wally, who chuckles back.
"Heh, ya got me there." Then, Hoagie notices a faint glow near a pile of rubble not far from them and goes to investigate.
"Hey guys, look what I found." Hoagie pulls up a crystallized object from the rubble and it turns out to be Eliza's blue sword. "I think this is yours?" Hoagie says as he breaks the Stupefication and hands the weapon to Eliza.
"Thank you. This'll do nicely." she swings the sword a few times before pointing it towards the door Nigel destroyed. "Are you guys ready?"
"Always, girl. Let's get movin'." Abby smirks as The Kid grabs Eliza and lifts her using his still functioning jetboots.
"Mind if I give you a ride up there?"
"Not at all." Eliza smiles back at The Kid as the teenagers fly up the staircase, towards the Delightful Mansion's basement.
…
Up in the throne room, Nigel stands still, purple flames spewing out of his Suit. He is waiting for Father to emerge from the rubble of his throne, fists covered in fire. "Don't tell me you're giving up, Uncle Benedict. We're not done yet!"
"…do…not…CALL ME BY THAT NAME!" The throne room is enveloped by huge explosion as Father hovers out of the rubble and generates huge fire spheres around him. "You are really trying my patience, boy! I think it's time I gave you a lesson on what happens when you cross me!" Father begins blasting Nigel with heat rays emitted from the spheres, but he creates another pair of flames discs, but this time, Nigel moves them in-front of himself. Using the discs as shields, Nigel hovers and charges towards Father, who takes a step forward, generating a telekinetic pulse to stop Nigel's attack. "Your Silhouette Suit is no match for mine, Mr. Uno! Now…give up!" Father points his hand at Nigel and then closes his fist, grasping Nigel with telekinesis.
"Urgh…I'll…NEVER GIVE UP!" Nigel breaks free from Father's grip and teleports right in-front of him, delivering a devating flame cloaked punch on his uncle's jaw, but Father does not budge at all and simply stares down at his nephew with is yellow eyes.
"You...dare touch me?!" Father swats Nigel aside and throws the other flame sphere at him, but Nigel simply grabs the sphere and destroys it.
"I'm just getting started!" Nigel once again closes the distance between them and unleashes a volley of punches and kicks which Father grabs Nigel's fist and slams him into the floor before stepping on his back. "Guargh!"
"That's it, grovel on the ground like you should! A mere teenager is no match an adult like me, Mr. Uno! And I...will not...let my years of planning be thwarted by a spoiled brat like you!" Father stomps on Nigel's back repeatedly as the rage within him finally boils over.
"It's time, Nephew."
"...*pant*...Grrr...GRAAARGH!" Nigel blasts Father away with telekinesis and stands up while Father summons the flame spheres once more and launche heat rays from them. Then, suddenly, black tentacles grow out of Nigel's Suit and instantly destroy the flame sphere's orbiting Father and he counters with his own tentacles. However, as he looks at Nigel, Father realizes that Nigel's Silhouette Suit is starting to resemble that of Grandfather. His legs have completely been covered by a black shroud and the hood of his hoodie has grown into a snake-like fifth limb while his sunglasses are now made of purple fire.
"Impossible…you…you're not…you're not worthy of Grandfather's power!" Father roars as he tries to destroy Nigel's tentacles, but he overpowers Father and grabs him with telekinesis, lifting him off the ground.
"Hah-hah-hah-hah, excellent! You have truly proven yourself as my true heir, Nephew. Now, destroy Benedict. Show him what happens to failures!"
Consumed by his Silhouette Suit, Nigel begins torturing Father using telekinesis and his uncle realizes Nigel is using the very same power he had used on him inside the Teen Ninja Hideout to suppress his Silhouette Suit's power. Though it does not revert Father back to his human form, the power is strong enough to stop him from becoming intangible.
"Gah! Pappy…you can't…do this time!"
"Oh yes I can, Benedict! I have no need for an heir who constantly fails me!" Grandfather's specter taunts Father as he is subjected to unimaginable pain.
"GRAAAH!" Father writhes as Nigel starts contorting his body like a doll without saying a word but then, someone enters the wrecked throne room.
"STOP!" Rachel screams and tries to grab Nigel from behind, but his fifth limb swipes her aside. "Urgh…Nigel! Don't do it! He's not worth it!" Rachel pulls herself up and stares intensely at the transformed Nigel, who slowly looks over his shoulder. His purple, burning eyes cause Rachel to twitch, horrified by what he's become but she refuses to let fear take hold. "You fell for Father's trap and now look at yourself! Is this what you want? To kill him?"
"Do not listen to that wench. She's but a mere ant compared to you, Nephew. Now, destroy Benedict like I told you." With Grandfather's eerie voice echoing in his head, Nigel does not react to Rachel's words and continues to torture Father, who can't do anything to free himself.
"NIGEL!" Rachel draws her lance and attacks Nigel from behind, dodging his fifth limb but Nigel slams her against the floor with telekinesis. "Ghh…you can't…let Grandfather control you! This isn't you, Nigel!"
"…I…" Nigel says with a distorted voice as he looks over his shoulder again. His vision, blurred by the immense rage he feels towards Father clears slightly and he sees Rachel standing behind him. Her eyes filled with determination, Rachel takes a step forward and is immediately struck by his fifth limb but she takes it head on and does not stop.
"I won't let you do this, Nigel. If you kill him, you'll be no better than him or Grandfather."
"…" Nigel's grip over Father begins to loosen and he drops his uncle into the rubble of his throne.
"Ignore her! You do not need a weakling like her! All you need to do is follow my commands and become my new vessel! That's why you exist!"
"Nigel! I know you're still there! Please! Come back! What would your team think if they saw you looking like a monster?!"
"…my team…" Nigel turns around and faces Rachel, who has been constantly whipped by the limb but she has refused to give up, no matter how much Nigel's attacks hurt.
"Fool! You are Nephew! You do not need anyone! All of them are below you!"
"You're not Grandfather's slave! You're Numbuh 1, the leader of Sector V of the…Kids Next Door! You're my most important friend!" Rachel screams from the bottom of her lungs but then, Nigel wraps the limb around her neck and lifts off the ground. "Ghhh…Nigel…" Rachel gasps for air as the limbs grip tightens and Nigel shows no signs of turning normal.
"That's it! Cast your connections aside! They're nothing but deadweight! You don't need anyone!"
"NIGEL!" A familiar voice is heard across the room and from the corner of his eye, Nigel sees his team standing in throne room's doorway, along with The Kid and Eliza. "What the heck do ya think yer doin'?!" Abby shouts as Nigel's head turns towards his friends, his appearance shocking them.
"Wha…what happened to him?" Hoagie mutters as Kuki covers her mouth while Eliza steps forward.
"Nigel, can you hear me? Don't you remember us?"
"…E…Eliza…" Behind his burning glasses, Nigel's vision starts to clear up even further as he sees his cousin standing there, safe and sound. Then, he looks at Rachel, who despite being choked, stares intensely at him. "I…what…am I…" Then, Nigel sees the reflection of his transformed Silhouette Suit against a still intact throne room window, along with the Specter of Grandfather floating above. Slowly, he begins to realize what kind of a monster he is turning into. "No…no…" Nigel shakes his head as he drops Rachel, causing the others to come to her side.
"Rachel, you okay?" Abby says as she puts her hand behind the coughing Rachel's back, but her attention is solely focused on Nigel, who looks at his hands and then presses them against his face.
"*pant* *pant* No…NOOOOO! ARRRRGGHHHHH!" he screams as he tries to rip the Silhouette Suit off, but Grandfather's grip over him is immense.
"It's too late for you, Nephew! You belong to me now!"
"I BELONG TO NOBODY! GET OUT OF MY HEAD! RAAAARRRGGHHH!" The more he tries to tear the Suit off, the stronger the pain becomes and the Book of KND, which he has kept in hoodie's pocket, has not effect this time. Seeing their leader writhe in pain, the other members of Sector V feel totally powerless.
"Come on, Numbuh 1…"
"FIGHT IT! Don't let that thing control ya!" Wally shouts as the others also start cheer their leader on.
"Don't give up!"
"You're not alone, Numbuh 1! We've got your back no matter what!"
"Nigel!"
Sure enough, the voices of friends begin to overpower Grandfather's voice in Nigel's head, and his visions clears. "I…I won't be your tool…ANYMORE! RAAAAAARRGHHH!" Despite the immense pain coursing through his body, Nigel rips off his sunglasses, causing his Silhouette Suit to implode, enveloping the throne room in a fiery explosion that blows off all the windows and knocks his friends off their feet, leaving nothing but silence.
End of Transmission 61
Note: I honestly can't believe it's been a bit over a year since I started releasing this fanfic and how far I've gotten in that time. And now, there's maybe 2-3 more chapters before it's finished.