Chapter Six: Babysitter Protection Squad
"Oh Zelda, you are just in time." Mr. Beetles said, greeting her at the door. "I hope you weren't busy at the Pizza Ritz."
"Oh no sir, my father was okay with me babysitting. I also brought my schoolwork with me while I am here." Zelda said, smiling. She was wearing black tights with a red long sleeve shirt.
"Oh what a responsible girl you are." Mrs. Beetles said, carrying a cute baby with blonde hair. "My mom got a cold so we are going to pay a visit. I hope you can manage watching Joey for a couple of hours."
"I can Mrs. Beetles." She said.
"That's good. You have my number if things go sour." Mrs. Beetles said, giving her Joey. Joey was happy to see her. "Goodbye my little dingo, mama loves you." She kissed her son on the forehead.
"Oh, my son Wallabee might come by." Mr. Beetles said.
"Oh, I will make sure he is also taken care of." Zelda said. "Have a safe trip…"
"We will…" They said, walking out the house. It was just her and the baby.
"Okay Joey, how about we give you a bath and then we can get something to eat?" Zelda asked. Joey replied happily and she kissed him on the forehead. "Oh you are just too cute. Let's have some bubbles." Then her phone started to ring. She pulled it out from her bag. "Hello."
"Z, it's me Chad. I was wondering if you need help with babysitting."
"Oh no, I got it covered." She said. "Joey is such a sweetheart" Joey was giggling when she was planting kisses on his cheeks. "I am fine doing it by myself. I am waiting for his older brother to come home."
"Oh I see… Are you sure you can handle it?" Chad asked.
"Of course I can, thanks for your concern but I am capable of watching over two boys." She said. "But I have to go. I have to give Joey a shower. Thanks for calling…"
"Yeah…" He said. She hung up on him and he let out a sigh. I guess I have no choice but to call him.
In the KND treehouse of sector V, everyone was in the living room watching the KND news and apparently most of them were falling asleep except for their leader. "Is it good to watch the news for once?" Nigel asked.
"Number Five thinks she is going to die." Abby said.
"Come on Number Five, the news is not all that bad." Hoagie said. "Hey Number 1, are you supposed to be at Zelda's house for dinner?"
"Yeah but she called saying that she is going to be babysitting a kid." Nigel said, letting out a sigh. "I was looking for her cooking. She is a very good cook."
"Oh crud, I forgot I have to be home today. My parents are going to visit my grandma so they hired a babysitter to take care of Joey and me." Wally said. "I don't trust babysitters."
"Oh come on, babysitters are not so bad. I had one a few days ago and we watched Rainbow Monkeys all night." Kuki said.
"You probably killed their brain cells." Wally said. Then Nigel's phone started to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket and answers it.
"Hello…"
"Nigel…"
"CHAD, HOW DID YOU GET MY NUMBER?!"
"Look, Z is in danger. She got into trouble with one of the leaders in the Teenagers Next Door and he is on to her. She is babysitting one of your operative's little brother."
"Joey…" Wally said.
"How do I know you are not planning some kind of scheme?" Nigel said.
"Because you know I won't joke around when it comes to Zelda…" Then there was a pause between them. Nigel turned to the rope woven bracelet that he got from Zelda.
I don't fully trust Chad but I don't want Zelda to be hurt. Nigel thought. She needs me.
"I am sorry I didn't bring something cool from American Samoa." Zelda said.
"It is alright. I am just happy that you are back here." I said. Then her bracelet caught my eye. "I didn't know you like wearing jewelry."
"It is not jewelry. I mean it is very plain." She said, taking it off and putting it on my wrist. "But it is manly enough for you." She giggled.
"Zelda, I like it very much." I said, smiling.
"I have one as well. This bracelet is a symbol of our bond. It may be plain but it is sturdy and strong." She said.
She is my cousin… I need to protect her no matter what.
"So what is the plan?" Nigel asked.
"I can't get in the house because Zelda is persistent that she can handle things but I need an inside man and the only person that is up for the job is the one that lives in that house." Chad explained. "I just need someone to watch her back while we handle the mess outside. It is a whole sector heading her way."
"Then we will make sure to give them a good lesson." Nigel said.
"I can't be seen because it will blow my cover." Chad said. "I am sorry I have to put you through this."
"No, Zelda is my cousin and already vow to protect her." Nigel said. He hung up and let out a sigh. "Well team, we have a babysitter to protect."
"It is going to be cold so let's put a shirt on you." Zelda said, looking through the drawers. She couldn't find a sweater but she found a red T-shirt with a picture of a koala. "Perfect…" She turned and he wasn't in his crib. "Where are you Joey?" She heard giggling and he let out a smile. "I wonder where he is." She walked around the room following the cute voice. "If I find him, I am going to gobble him up…" She bends down under the crib and found him. "There you are…" She pulled him while he was trying to escape. "Oh no you don't, you are my dinner." She tickled him and kissed him all over his face. Joey giggled loudly with what she was doing. She then put the shirt on him and lifted him up in the air. "So my little hero, do you want to watch your favorite show or eat your dinner?" He replied happily. "I see so both then…" She carried him downstairs and put him on his chair. She then heard someone coming in the house. She turned and found the same exact boy that attacked him earlier. "You must be Wallabee."
"You can call me Wally." He replied. Why do I have to be the inside man? I am going to miss all the action staying in here. Also I am stuck with a cruddy teenager. He then turned to his little brother. "Whoa, how did you put a shirt on him? It is cruddy impossible."
"Oh, I was playing with him earlier and he let me put it on." Zelda said. "My name is Zelda by the way."
"I know who you are." Wally said, crossing his arms. "So where is our dinner?"
"Oh, I am making homemade pizza. I brought some toppings from my pizza place. Do you want to decorate a pizza?"
"Wait, I get to decorate my own pizza." Wally said, drooling.
"Of course, I did it with Joey on the last time I babysit him. Wait… I know you." Zelda said, staring at him intensively.
Oh crud, I forgot that I attack her during the time we were trying to save Mushi. Wally said, shivering.
"You hang out with my little cousin, Nigel and Cree's little sister Abby right?" Zelda said.
"Oh yeah, they are my best friends." Wally replied, letting out a sigh. And she doesn't remember a thing… Phew…
"So what kind a pizza do you want Wally?" She said. Then Joey started to cheer. "Oh Joey, I didn't forget about you."
She is too nice… creepy… Wally thought. "Can I have a cheesy pizza with pepperoni?"
"Of course…" She said.
"Man, Number 4 is lucky. He got Zelda as a babysitter." Hoagie said.
"Can it Number 2, we have a job to do." Nigel said, holding his drool. I missed dinner with Z because of Number 4… Just staring at her preparing the dough makes me hungry.
"Are you sure it was a good idea to trust Chad?" Abby asked. "What happen if this is all a trap?"
"I don't trust him but I want to make sure Zelda is safe." Nigel said.
"But why does she need protection? Isn't she Infinite?" Kuki asked.
"Yes but it doesn't mean she can still fight. She gave up Kendo and fighting after her mother died. She doesn't want to do anything violent anymore so it is up to us to make sure she is safe." Nigel said, letting out a sigh. "I know she is a teenager but…"
"It is okay Number 1, it is understandable. I will probably do the same thing if I knew that Cree was in grave danger." Abby said.
"So where is Chad anyways?" Hoagie asked.
"I am right here." A voice said. They turned and found Chad in his Battle Ready Armor. "So is the Inside Man inside the house?"
"Of course, he is decorating his pizza." Kuki said. "I hope he save him some. The pizzas from Pizza Ritz are the best."
"Good." Chad said.
"So what is the plan?" Nigel asked.
"Maurice will contact me if Johnny and his sector make a move. I suggest we just keep an eye on things and prepare ourselves before they strike." Chad said. He turned to the window and found her lifting Joey in the air and twirling him around. He blushed with the sight.
"Alright, the pizza is almost ready so boys what do you two want to do?" She asked.
"Bunny…" Joey cheered.
"What are you cruddy talking about?" Wally said. "Bunnies are for cruddy girls."
"Oh he is probably talking about the TV Show I introduced him on my first night babysitting him." Zelda said, pulling out her laptop out of her bag and opening it front of the boys. She clicked on a video file and Joey started clapping. "He got hooked on it the minute I showed him it."
"What is this show?" Wally asked.
"Oh it is called the Ninja Rabbits. It was my favorite show when I was a kid." Zelda explained. "But it got cancel because of Rainbow Monkeys…"
"It looks pretty cool." Wally said, watching the show with his little brother. Zelda giggled when she stared at the boys. They were glued into the show and she was happy. "The leader is so cool. What's his name?"
"Oh it's Sky. He is my favorite." She answered.
I can't believe she is still into that show. Chad thought, letting out a sigh. But that show sure does bring a lot of good memories even bad ones.
"Infinite, please tell me that you are not watching that show again." I complained, walking into our base. She was sitting on the couch watching her show.
"Shhh… I am watching." She replied.
"INFINITE, I CALLED YOU A THOUSAND TIMES! I NEEDED BACKUP!" I screamed.
"I thought the great Chad doesn't need help." She replied. I turned off the TV. "CHAD, MY SHOW IS ON!"
"I DON'T CARE! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE IN A MISSION WITH ME AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN SHOW UP!" I snapped. "YOU RATHER STAY HERE AND WATCH YOUR STUPID NINJA DUMMIES!"
"IT IS NINJA RABBITS!" She snapped back. "YOU TOLD EVERYONE THAT YOU CAN DO THINGS ON YOUR OWN. THAT YOU WERE A LONE WOLF SO I LET YOU GO BY YOURSELF!"Then there was a brief silence between us. She turned away from me with a frown. "I thought that you don't need me anymore. I thought…" She then started to cry. "I thought…" I wanted to hit myself right then and now. I always like Zelda but she was too naïve to see it. So after our previous mission, flock of girls came up to me. I only said those things just to make her jealous but I didn't know I hurt her. I walked up to her and cupped her face.
"Zelda, I need you. I didn't mean those things that I said." I said, wiping her tears. "I just wanted to make you jealous. I am sorry that I hurt you. I didn't mean to." She was still crying and I just let out a smile. "How about I take you to see the Ninja Dummies Movie tonight, my treat?"
"It is Ninja Rabbits…"
"Will you forgive me if I take you?" I asked.
"No, I don't want your money but…" She said, hugging me. "A hug would be nice." I chuckled and hugged her back. "You are the best partner ever."
"You too…" I said.
"But why did you want to make me jealous?" She asked. I blushed every shade of red.
"Ah… "I said, hugging her to the point that her face was smashed to my chest. She pulled back.
"YOU ARE KILLING ME!"
"BUT I JUST WANT TO HUG YOU!"
"IDIOT!"
"Hey Chad, is it true that you and Zelda used to be lovers?" Hoagie asked.
"No, we never got around that." Chad said, blushing in front of him. "Also, mind your own business."
"Gosh, it was just a question. It is so boring." Hoagie said.
"So do you even know why Zelda decommission herself early?" Abby asked.
"I may be her partner but I don't know the reason for her actions." Chad said. "We were close but she kept secrets from me." He turned back to the window and found her eating with the boys. She was laughing and smiling as they ate and watch the show. Secrets that I will never know… They watched them eat and after Zelda cleaned up after them. She then carried Joey upstairs to get ready for bed. Wally didn't listen to her but she didn't mind. She knew that she was pushing her luck.
"Number 4, follow her at once." Nigel said. "Don't leave her alone…"
"Oh crud, why me?" He complained, walking up the stairs.
"Okay Joey… It is time to get into your pajama." Zelda said, putting an orange pajama on the infant. She then sat on the rocking chair with him in her embrace. She grabbed a stuffed animal kangaroo and gave it to him. Joey hugged it tightly. "I know… You want a bedtime story. What do you want to read to you tonight?" He shook his head and walked to her bag. He then pulled out a sketch book. "You want to see that again?" He nodded his head. "Alright, at least I have one fan." He crawled to her with the book and she lifted him up and pulled him into her embrace. He opened the book and it was a drawing of a kid with blonde hair. "You know very well that I draw things that I see in my dreams. This boy is always in it. I don't know why and I don't know his name. I call him the Golden Warrior because of his hair." She rocked the chair back and forth. "In my dream, he was very brave and noble. He was strong and fearless. No one dares to pick a fight with him."
"Hey, that sounds like me." Wally said, standing by the door. Zelda giggled while Joey invited his older brother to join them. "I am not joining you guys. I am not in the mood."
"You don't have to Wally." Zelda said. "Joey just love to look at my drawings." Joey turned the book to his brother and shows a drawing to him.
"Cool… I mean… It is alright.. Wally said. Why does that drawing look like 274? She got decommission. She can't possibly remember. Joey then turned the page to a drawing of a girl in a ninja outfit and with short black hair. "Who is that?"
"I don't know…" She said. "She is also always in my dreams."
"That looks like Infinite." Abby said.
She dreams of me… Chad thought, blushing. Is it possible that her memories are still in her but they are appearing as dreams? He then let out a smile. Then this might be my chance to make those dreams a reality.
"In my dream, those two are teammates and they had all sort of adventures together." Zelda said. Joey then turned the page and it was a drawing of them holding hands. "Also, it has seemed that they are lovers."
"Lovers? What the crud…" Wally said. "I hope they don't kiss each other every single day."
"I am not sure. All I know that they were always together and fought for justice." Zelda said. "Every time the Golden Warrior appears, she appears as well." She then found Joey rubbing his eyes and letting out a yawn. "I guess you need to sleep."
"Well I am not sleepy. I am going to go and play some videogames." Wally said, walking out the room.
"What is he doing? He has to stay with Z." Chad snapped.
"As long we are with her, she will be fine." Nigel said. Zelda placed Joey in his crib and lean against it.
"Alright Joey, it is time for bed." She said, placing the stuffed kangaroo next to him.
Close your eyes until the new day
Let the magic of dreams wish you away
In the stars in the heavens where dreams will come true
Goodnight little Joey, God is watching over you
She repeated the song over and over until Joey was fast asleep. She smiled when she found him resting peacefully. "Goodnight Joey…" She said, kissing him on the cheek. She left the room with her bag and walked back to the kitchen. She started on doing her homework but she can hear Wally screaming as he was playing his game. "I have to go check up on him." She walked back up and followed the screaming. She then appeared in front of the door and knocked on it. "Wally…" He opened it and glared at her. "Wally, your brother is sleeping. You might wake him up with all the screaming."
"I don't care." Wally snapped. "Zelda, leave me alone. I don't want to be around you. Go do something while I play in peace. I don't need a cruddy babysitter."
"What is Number 4 doing?" Abby said. "He is supposed to be with her at all times not push her away."
"He is going to ruin everything." Hoagie said.
"Wally is having problems at home. That is why he was always at the tree house." Kuki said.
"What kind of problems?" Nigel asked.
"Well…"
"I don't care what his problems are. He can't fail his mission." Chad snapped.
"Hey, you should stop being all bossy and be considerate towards other people." Kuki snapped back.
"Hey you two, stop it this instant. They might hear us." Nigel said.
"Well, I am here so you have to put up with me." She said, crossing her arms. Wally rolled his eyes at her. "Why don't you get alone with your brother? He doesn't seem that all bad."
"Of course he doesn't. He is just a cute little baby. Everyone falls for cruddy babies. They are cute and adorable but they can be also loud and smelly." Wally snapped. "I don't care about my brother."
"I know you care. He is your brother and as an older brother, you should protect him." She said.
"I really don't. He always gets the attention ever since he came into my life." Wally snapped. "It is always Joey this and Joey that. How about me, no one cares about me. I get thrown away like trash."
"I see… I know how you feel." She replied.
"No you don't. You are an only child. You don't know anything." Wally said.
"Well, I am the only child but it doesn't mean I can't relate to you. When Nigel was born, I was neglected by my whole family even my parents. Everyone wanted to be with Nigel and I felt forgotten." She said, letting out a frown. "I felt like nothing when he was born."
"Really?" Wally said.
"Yeah, I thought of him as an enemy. I wanted him gone. When he arrived, all I have to offer for him is pure hatred." She said, scratching her head. "But I learned that he got all that attention because he was a baby and a baby needs all that. My parents will always love me just like your parents will always love you."
"You are not the first person that told me this. I don't want to listen to this rubbish." Wally said. He was about to close the door until she stopped it. "What do you want now? Nothing you would say will change my feeling towards my little brother so go away."
"I didn't know that he was going through all this." Hoagie said.
"Why didn't he tell any of us?" Abby asked.
"He didn't want his personal problem to get in the way of our missions." Kuki said. "I have to literally force it out of him."
"He is a fellow operative and our friend. He shouldn't go through this alone." Nigel said. I didn't know that Zelda went through the same thing when I was born.
"Zelda, let go of my door." Wally snapped.
"How about this, if I can beat you in a videogame, you will keep it down?" Zelda said. "Any game of your choosing, one on one…"
"What happen if I win?" Wally asked.
"What do you want?"
"You will leave me alone and never bother me again." Wally said.
"Fine…" She said. He let her in his room and they started playing. It was silent but as they played, they started insulting each other. In no time, there was laughter in the room. It has been half an hour and they were still playing. However, Zelda let out a sigh and turned to Wally. "I guess I lost. I will leave you alone." She stood up from her seat and started to walk to the door.
"Zelda…" Wally said.
"Yes Wally…" She replied.
"Does it get easier? I mean with the whole baby thing and all." Wally asked.
"Yeah, Nigel and I grew up to be close. We play videogames together and do all sort of things. He saved me from loneliness. Nigel even helped me when I was lost and weak. When my mother died, he was there to comfort me. The kid I hated for so long became the person I truly trust. Nigel is like my younger brother and even though I am not strong like him, I will do everything I can to protect him. That is what we older siblings have to do with our little ones."
"Joey can take care of himself…" Wally said.
"Yes but you don't realizes that he looks up to you. He sees you as his strong and fearless hero."
"You really think he sees me as a hero."
"I do…" She said.
"You know Z, you are not so bad for a cruddy teenager." Wally said. Then suddenly, the doorbell started to ring. The doorbell… Who would possibly visit us this time of night?
"I have to get that." Zelda said. She left the room.
"Number 4, follow her at once." Nigel ordered. Wally raced out his room as well but she was already in front of the door.
"She is already at the front door." Wally said. I feel someone bad is out there. I need to think of something. "Number 1, she is about to open the front door."
"Darn, team move out…" Nigel ordered. Chad and the others raced to the front door. They found Richard in a suit and with a rose. "Chad, do you know this fellow?"
"He is one of the leaders in the TND." Chad said. Don't tell me he is in this as well. He is not in Sector B. Why is he here? Zelda opened the door.
"Richard, what are you doing here?" Zelda asked.
"I heard you were babysitting so I thought I will come and lend you a hand." Richard said. He placed the rose in front of her. "This is for you."
"It is lovely but I can handle things from here." Zelda said. "I don't need your help."
"Nonsense, a beautiful woman such as yourself shouldn't waste her time watching over kids." Richard said. "I am here to make it easier for you and make sure those kids don't give you a hard time."
"But the kids are not giving me a hard time. They are very wonderful children." She said. "So I don't need your help Richard."
"We have to do something." Abby said.
"This guy is bad news." Hoagie added.
"He is… He is in charge on recruiting female operatives for TND. He uses his charm to get his prey but since Zelda is the only one that doesn't fall for his trick, he became obsessed of taking her down." Chad said. "She is not safe near him."
"We have to do something." Nigel said. "Where is Number 4?"
"I hope he makes it in time." Kuki said.
"Zelda, I am willing to help you just please give me a chance." Richard asked, moving closer and closer to her but he was blocked by Wally and Joey. "Hey kids, do you know I was in the middle of something?" They were glaring at each other.
"Zelda, Joey woke up because of the doorbell. He was crying so loud." Wally said. Joey started to cry and Zelda lifted him up.
"Oh my little hero, did the mean doorbell wake you up." She asked. Joey nodded his head as she nuzzled him. "How about another bedtime story okay, would that make you feel better?" Joey clapped his hand and smiled at her. "Well, let's get you to bed? I can tell you the story of the Golden Warrior again." She walked upstairs with Joey and left Wally with Richard. Without her knowing, it was Wally's plan to get her away from the door. Wally gave Joey a thumb up and Joey replied with the same gesture. Richard was furious.
"Hey, how about me, aren't you going to let me in?" Richard asked.
"No, she may be my babysitter but this is my house." Wally said, glaring at him. "Leave you cruddy teenager."
"Don't tell me that you have a crush on her too." Richard teased.
"No I don't. I have a girl and I wouldn't trade her for the world." Wally snapped.
"Oh Wally…" Kuki said, blushing. The rest of her team was happy to hear that Wally has open up. He never shares his emotions until now.
"But she is off limits. She is under my protection so deal with it. If you don't like it I will beat the crud out of you." Wally said. "So leave…"
"Do you have any idea who you are messing with?" Richard threatened. "I will break you limb from limb."
"HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO A CHILD?!" a voice screamed. They found Zelda, standing with daggering eyes. "You shouldn't say such horrid things to a child. I just calm one child down and he is fast asleep and now this."
"Zelda, it is not what you think." Richard said.
Wally then smile mischievous with the situation and suck in his pride. Perfect… Just what I need to get him out of here… It is time to act like Joey… Sweet, innocent, and cute… It is time like theses that being a tough guy has to be on hold. He hugged Zelda tightly and pretended to cry. "Zelda, your friend is so mean. I was trying to be nice to him but he just told me that he was going to kill me." Wally cried. "I don't want to die."
"No I didn't…"
"HOW DARE YOU MAKE WALLY CRY?!" She snapped. "You shouldn't say such thing to a child. Wally is a sweet and innocent boy. What did he do to you?"
"HE IS NOT INNOCENT!" Richard replied. "HE IS JUST PRETENDING TO CRY!"
"Wally is a good kid. Why will he pretend to cry?" Zelda snapped. "I told you countless times that I don't want to be with you. I don't want to join your group.."
"You rather hang out with that jock. He is so in love with you and you are naïve to show it." Richard said.
"Chad? In love with me?" Zelda said, tilting her head on the side.
"Come on Zelda, he is constantly with you. You can't tell." Richard snapped. "He is always doing things for you and picks you up every morning on his bike. He even takes you home. Chad Dickson is head over heels over you."
"He was nervous earlier and he wanted to ask me something. " Zelda said, putting some thought in it. Chad was blushing with the situation. If what Richard said was true then it will explain why Chad is always nervous around. Oh no… She then hit her head. "He was trying to confess to me. Why can't I see these things? I am such an idiot."
"Don't beat yourself up." Richard said. "You clearly was too busy with important matters like me."
"Chad…" She said, gripping her chest. She then let out a smile. "I guess I know that the person that matters to me feels the same way."
"She loves me?" Chad whispered, blushing. The boy she loves so damn much is me? I can't believe it.
"Someone is in love…" Hoagie teased.
"We don't have time for that. We have to get rid of this imbecile." Nigel said.
"We can't make a move. Richard is not the target." Abby said. "We need to wait until Sector B attacks her."
"So it is up to Wally to get rid of him." Kuki said. "I know he can do it.."
"Why him? I am way good looking. Why Chad?" Richard snapped. She was about to say something but Wally interrupted.
"Hey you pretty boy, don't go asking stupid questions like that." Wally said. "She said her peace so go away before I call the police on you." He closed the door in front of him and that was that. "What a nosy jerk."
"Yeah, he is pretty nosy with my life." She said. "But thanks Wally, it was getting very weird."
"Yeah, it was…" Wally said. Then her cellphone started to ring. She pulled it out of her pocket and answered it.
"Hello… Oh hi Mr. Beetles. Yes, Joey is sleeping and I am helping Wally with his homework. He is such a smart kid." She said, giving him a wink. Wally let out a smirk. "Oh, you guys are on your way home now. Okay… Oh no Mr. Beetles, your sons were angels. Okay, Goodbye Mr. Beetles." She hung up and let out a sigh. "Your parents will be home soon. I still have some homework to finish so you can go back to playing videogames." Then the doorbell rang once more. "I hope it is not Richard again."
"Number 4, the Sector is here and they are the one at the front door. Try to lure Zelda away from the door." Nigel ordered.
"Roger that Number 1…" Wally said. "Zelda, why don't you just go finish your homework. I will get the door and if it is that idiot, I will chase him away."
"Oh thanks Wally. I don't know if I can handle him after that weird situation." She said, giggling. She walked to the kitchen to finish her homework. Wally pulled out two guns and prepared himself for the fight he was about to enter. He opened the door and found six teenagers.
"Hey kid, we are looking for Zelda Uno. We would like to talk to her." Johnny said.
"We both know what you are really after, cruddy teenager." Wally said. "Leave my house now…"
"You are all talk small fry. Do you think you can beat all of us by yourself?" Johnny asked.
"Who said I was alone?" Wally asked, walking outside and closing the door behind him. "KIDS NEXT DOOR, BATTLE STATIONS!" All of his friends appeared beside him, ready to fight.
"You are not going to lay a finger on my cousin." Nigel said.
"Cousin, I should have known you were behind this Number 1." Johnny said. "Your cousin is going to pay for humiliating me in front of the whole school. Also my dumb sister likes her best friend, Chad Dickson. As an older brother, I have to make sure she is happy even though she is a pain."
"Well as a cousin, I have to protect Zelda from imbeciles like you." Nigel said. They fought viciously while Zelda was peacefully doing her homework. She was humming away while writing her book report.
"I wonder what is taking Wally so long." Zelda said. "WALLY, WHO IS AT THE DOOR?!" Wally heard her voice when he after he punch one teenager away from the door.
"Oh it is just my…" Wally said, shaking. What to tell her? I need her to stay in the kitchen… Kuki noticed him struggling so she walked up to him and kissed him on the cheek. He blushed badly in front of her. She then walked towards the door. "Number 3, what are you doing?" She gave him a wink.
"Hi Zeddy, I didn't know you were Wally's babysitter." Kuki said, entering the room. "I came to visit him."
"Oh hi Kuki, how is Mushi and your family?" Zelda asked, smiling.
"Oh they are good. They wanted to have dinner with you since you helped get Mushi back home safely." Kuki said. I can buy the others some time. Wally noticed her intension so he smiled and went back to join the others. He wasn't worried about her because she was safe.
"I will love to have dinner with you but I had to watch over Wally and Joey." She replied.
"I know how a handful my boyfriend can be." She teased.
"I see… Wally is lucky to have you." Zelda said, giggling. "Well, you should go on and be with him. I don't want to intervene."
"Ahh…right…" Kuki said.
"Where is Wally anyways?" Zelda said, walking out the kitchen. "I hope he is okay."
"Well, you see… He is…" Kuki mumbled, grabbing her hand. I can't stop her… She is going to find out… Then her cell phone started to ring. Kuki let out a sigh of relief when Zelda walked back to the kitchen to retrieve her phone.
"Hello… Oh hi Chad… Oh yes, I am almost done with my book report." She said, smiling. "The book… Oh, I chose the Last Samurai…"
Phew… Chad called just in time. Now I can go and help the others. Kuki said, skipping outside.
"The Last Samurai… That is a very good book." Chad said, standing by the window. He made sure to be unseen from the TND and from Zelda. She was sitting on a chair in the kitchen, smiling sweetly. I am not afraid anymore because now I know… "Hey Z, I always wanted to tell you this but I was too afraid to tell you… What is it? Well… Zelda Uno, will you go on a date with me?" He found her unfazed by his question. Maybe I was wrong… Oh no
"Chad, remember the guy that I am in love with? Well, I was talking about you. I will love to go on a date with you." She said, smiling. "How about Friday, does that sound good? Great, I will see you soon. Oh, you don't have to pick me up after my job. Well, if you insist. Alright Chad, see you later." She hung up and let out a giggle. "I think I confessed to him. I hope it was wise. But I am happy that he finally made the first move. I can't wait for Friday." She didn't notice that Chad fainted with astonishment and excitement. He was red as a tomato and his nose was gushing out blood.
"LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!" Johnny ordered. "WE WILL GET YOU NEXT TIME KIDS NEXT DOOR!"
"And we will be waiting…" Nigel said. "Mission complete…"
"That was fun." Wally said, smiling. "I should let Zelda babysit more often."
"Number 5, can't believe there are so many TND operatives after her." Abby said, crossing her arms. "I wonder why she did to piss her off."
"I don't know but it is probably something big." Hoagie said. "Hey, where is Chad?"
"That's right… Where is he?" Nigel said.
"Wally? Where are you?" Zelda said. "Wally…"
"Oh no, Z is coming…" They all said. Nigel, Hoagie, Kuki, and Abby hid in the bushes while Wally dusted himself off. Zelda opened the door and found him smiling.
"Wally, there you are." Zelda asked. She then noticed that he was alone. "Oh where is Kuki?"
"Oh she left, she just wanted to say goodnight to me." Wally said.
"Oh, that is pretty sweet." She said. "Well, do you want a snack before you head out to bed? It is getting pretty late."
"Ah sure…" Wally said, walking in the house with her. "Hey Z, can we play another round before bed?"
"Oh sure…" Zelda said."I will the crud out of you."
"You are on you cruddy teenager." Wally said. They both laughed and walked back in the house.
"What happened to him?" Hoagie said, staring at Chad. He was lying on the green grass, smiling.
"I think he got hit by a weapon or something when he was hiding." Kuki said.
"You guys did a great job." Chad said.
"Something is wrong with him. He is too nice." Abby said.
"Forget about him… As long that Zelda is safe, everything else doesn't matter especially him." Nigel said, letting out a sigh. That girl is always getting into trouble… What a pain… He then took a glance of his cousin through the window and found her chatting with Wally. Well, it is what you do for family and I am happy that she is my cousin. In a few minutes, Mr. and Mrs. Beetles arrived and found both their sons sleeping soundly.
"Oh Zelda, you did a great job watching over my two little dingos." Mrs. Beetles praised.
"I didn't do much." She said. "It seems that they were looking after me. They are truly angels."
"Oh Zelda, you are such a good babysitter. My wife and I are planning on going on a date next week. I hope that you can babysit by that time." Mr. Beetles said.
"Let me check my calendar." She said. "Well, I have to go Mr. and Mrs. Beetles."
"Goodbye darling and please come again." Mrs. Beetles said. She walked out the door and found Chad waiting for her outside.
"I told you that you don't need to do this." Zelda said, smiling.
"I wanted to." Chad said. It then started to rain again. "I guess it was a good thing I came." He pulled out his umbrella and opened it. "You need to stay dry." She let out a giggled and walked towards him and under his umbrella."So are you ready to go?"
"Yeah, I am ready." She said, walking beside him. He then grabbed her hand and made her smile more.
"I can't believe we did all the work and he gets the girl." Hoagie said.
"He couldn't do anything. It might blow his cover." Abby said. He then turned to Nigel and found him furious. "Number 1, are you okay?"
"I may give him permission to be with her but not date her." Nigel snapped.
" But I think they will make a cute couple." Kuki said. "I wonder what will be the name for the power couple… Zehad… Chalda… Or maybe Zelcha…
"THAT IS NOT THE POINT!" Nigel screamed.
"Dude just chill… I can't believe I am saying this but maybe it is good for Chad to watch over Zelda."
"WHAT! ARE YOU INSANE!?" Nigel said.
"Number 5 is right. I know Zelda is your cousin and all but you can't be our leader and protect your cousin." Hoagie said.
"So are you saying that I should stop watching over my cousin?" Nigel said.
"No, we are saying that you should have some faith in her. She is a strong girl and she has Chad to watch over her. She will be fine." Kuki said.
"I guess you guys are right. I just worry about her too much." Nigel said.