Transmission 12: Sound and Fury
October goes by slowly for everyone, as Wally remains suspended while Nigel and the Stu. Co. still have to deal with the aftermath of the Sports Festival. Kuki meanwhile has returned to school, and has received a lot of support, especially from the Tennis Club, who kept in contact with her throughout her hospital stay.
The Kids Next Door and the Teens Next Door on the other hand have been busy dealing with the ever-rising number of Adult Super Villains, some of whom had been Erased by the Splinter Cell. The existence of the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers, Numbuh Vine and 9L have been kept a secret as the TND try to decipher Numbuh Gamma's disc. Chad has also kept a low profile but the fact only a select few know of his connection to the GKND, he has much more freedom.
It's now Friday, second to last week of October and at TND's Cleve Sector base, a stoic Rachel has gone to the Switchboard to observe it's operation. Chad's return has left her deeply conflicted, and she can't find it in herself to forgive him, despite knowing the reason behind his actions. "Attention!" the Switchboard's personnel salute her as she joins Angeline on the observation deck.
"At ease! Numbuh Psi, status report." Rachel says as she sits on the commander's chair that used to belong to Eliza.
"Apart from the super villains, it's pretty quiet, especially here in Cleve. No Ninjas, anywhere. It's like they vanished after we beat them two weeks ago."
"The other Sectors are saying the same thing…but S.I.N. is still popping up." Rachel crosses her arms and looks up at the large screen, which shows a map of the Earth. "Somehow they're still making that and spreading it around the world…"
"We'll keep our eyes open for anything suspicious. Oh yeah, Commander, we received a message from Global Command about reinforcements."
"About time. I thought they forgot about us."
"You can't blame them, Global Command has their hands full already. Anyway, we're getting new agents today."
"Do you have their files?" Rachel asks and Angeline sends a computer file to the small screen built-in to Rachel's chair's left armrest. "…Agent Hermit? Why is he coming here?"
"I don't know, Global Command didn't mention any reasons, either." Rachel rolls her eyes but then, they widen as she reads another file.
"…what? What the heck?!" she shouts while jumping up from her chair. "They can't be serious…" she clenches her fists as Angeline frowns.
"I'm not really thrilled about that either...oh, we also reacieved new orders for an operation from the Moonbase." Angeline then sends another file to the visibly angered Rachel.
"Are they insane?! This plan is...suicide!" but before Angeline can say anything to her, the base's intercom springs to life.
"Attention, Numbuh Epsilon, please report to the Portal Hub at once. I repeat…"
"*sigh* Right, I'm leaving then. I guess it's the reinforcements…" Rachel mutters and salutes the Switchboard's personnel before leaving. Down in the Portal Hub, she is met by Ted, Kimberley and 10 other agents, most of them belonging to the Sector's Armory Section. "What are you two doing here?"
"Well Commander, we're waiting for a shipment of junk from another Sector and the new agents for the Armory Section and the Combat Force. Numbuh Tau-6 is still injured, remember?" Kimberley explains as Rachel nods.
"Yeah, of course." she replies but Ted and Kimberley can tell she's not pleased.
"Gates 1 and 2 are now active." the Hub operator says as two blue portals appear inside two of the empty arches and then four agents arrive from the number 2 gate, bringing with them a large container.
"Here's the first shipment of the junk you ordered, Numbuh Pi-2. We'll bring the rest in a moment." a member of the Global Armory Section says as they let go of the container and head back into the portal.
"Okay, get to work! We gotta move these supplies to the storage area ASAP!" Kimberley shouts as the 10 agents under her command start moving the container out of the way while more are being brought through.
Then, the from the second portal, Keith arrives by himself. "Hey guys." he says lazily and notices the agents moving the containers away. "Wow, mon, looks like you guys got resupplied real good."
"We still haven't recovered from that battle with RRID Machine so we needed these. Are you joining our Sector too?"
"You bet, Numbuh Pi-2. Thought it was high time I do something else then sneak around." Keith replies and salutes Rachel. "Agent Hermit reporting to the Cleve Sector. Just tell me where ya need me."
"Yeah, I'll find some use for you..." Rachel replies before another person arrives through the portal and it's none other than Chad, followed by Patton. The appearance of the former Ninja shocks everyone but Keith and Rachel, who frowns.
"Tha…that's Chad Dickson!" A startled Ted shouts as some of the agents prepare to grab their weapons.
"Stand down!" Rachel shouts, silencing the hub completely while Patton whistles silently. "He's on our side. Lower you weapons." Rachel says with an annoyed tone, prompting the agents to comply.
"Looks like I'm not very welcome here." a stone-faced Chad says but Patton slaps him on the back.
"Hey, don't worry about it, they'll change their minds eventually." however, Chad is not amused by his laidback attitude. "Here's your new agents, Numbuh Epsilon." Patton says as Rachel nods coldly.
"So I figured." she replies and glares at Chad. "Welcome to the TND's Cleve Sector, Numbuh Delta." Rachel says forcefully as Chad senses she is not onboard with this.
"Thanks for letting me join. I'll do whatever I can to help." he says stoically and both teenagers eye each other with suspicion.
"We'll see. Numbuh Zeta, can you show them around? I'll stay behind and greet the other reinforcements." Rachel turns her attention away from Chad, who sighs silently.
"…ookay, you got it, Numbuh Epsilon. Alright guys, I'll give you the tour." but as Patton leads Chad and Keith out of the Portal Hub, they are followed by someone who trailed them through the portal.
"Alright Teens Next Door, convince me."
After an hour of showing Chad and Keith around the base, they arrive at the main hangar, filled to the brim with 2x4 ships and Battle-Ready Cycles. "And here's the hangar. Though most of the Sector's ships got wrecked by that RRID Machine two weeks ago, we've still got plenty of firepower here."
"Those guys were total lagga heads trying to attack Cleve with just that big ting and a buncha' ships."
"You're telling me. They didn't have nearly enough forces to take this Sector…oh yeah, Numbuh Delta, you were a Ninja. What do ya think?" Patton asks Chad, who crosses his arms while they leave the hangar.
"Yeah, but that was The Steve's Ninjas. They were way more laid back and not as organized. When you showed me the report at the Moonbase, I could tell these guys are different."
"Huh, that so? I'm guessing that means we've got tough times ahead then." Patton replies while Keith adjusts his bandana.
"So mon, you're from around here, right?"
"Yeah…Cleve is my hometown…or it used to be. Now, I'm not really sure where I belong." Chad says as he looks down the hallway with a distant expression.
"Ah, don't worry about it, mon. If nothing else, you've got the TND."
"Hmph, that's only if the others accept me…" Chad's voice fades and neither Patton or Keith can say anything back when suddenly, Angeline's voice is heard through the intercom.
"Attention Agent Hermit and Numbuh Delta, report to the Commander's quarters right now, I repeat…"
"Looks like Numbuh Epsilon wants you guys topside. Her room's two up from here. You won't miss it. I'm gonna go to the hangar. We've got that big mission to prepare for." Patton salutes Keith and Chad before marching away while the two recruits head to the closest elevator and go to Rachel's quarters, where she is waiting behind her desk.
"Agent Hermit and Numbuh Delta, reporting." Keith says as the boys salute Rachel, who nods silently.
"…Did Numbuh Zeta show you around?"
"Sure did. So, why'd ya call us here?"
"I've decided on your assignments. Agent Hermit, I'm putting you into the Intelligence Section. I need someone with experience to help Numbuh Nu-5. You'll be her field advisor. Here, take this special keycard, it'll let you enter the Deciphering Room."
"Eh, fine by me, mon." Keith nods as he takes the keycard before Rachel's cold eyes turn towards Chad.
"Numbuh Delta, you'll be a field agent."
"Understood." Chad replies sternly and Keith can sense the heavy atmosphere.
"…uh, well, I'm gonna swing by the Deciphering Room now…" he salutes and leaves swiftly while Rachel and Chad continue to stare at each other.
"If you've got something to say, say it." he says, prompting Rachel to pick up a print of the mission plan she received before walking up to him and glare.
"Fine. I'll be blunt, I don't trust you and I'm not onboard with this mission you proposed to the Global Command. Do have any idea how risky this mission is?"
"Because it's the only way we can figure out how they move S.I.N. around without us noticing. I know how the Ninjas operate better than anyone else." Chad replies coldly, angering Rachel further.
"Numbuh Alpha and the others might trust you with this, but I don't. Not after everything you did."
"You read my confession, right?"
"Yes, I did, but it doesn't change a thing. You betrayed the KND, tried to kill countless operatives, joined the Ninjas and tried it again, multiple times and then it turns out you were in cahoots with the GKND the whole time. Did they instruct you to throw the Moonbase into the sun too?"
"…yeah… but I also did it to stop Cree from doing it. She was planning to do the same thing. Everything after that was just a bunch of tests."
"Tests?! What kind of tests?!" Rachel grimaces angrily at Chad, who stands his ground and glares back.
"For Numbuh 1." upon hearing Chad utter the old codename of her comrade, she nearly snaps but manages to keep herself from assaulting Chad. "S-26 told you, didn't he? Numbuh 1 was the GKND's candidate for the Earth Representative job and I was told to test him. That's what I was doing the whole time!" Chad shouts angrily as Rachel remains silent. "I worked my ass off, hoping they'd choose me but no! They wanted Numbuh 1."
"…but he refused."
"Exactly! But you know what he did? When he turned down Numbuh 74.239's offer to join the GKND, he recommended me!"
"Bullshit!" Rachel shouts furiously but Chad does not back down.
"Yes, he did! Numbuh S-26 didn't tell that to you because he was protecting my identity but it's true. Numbuh 1 said I was more fit to the job. After everything I had done to him, he still respected me enough to make me the Earth Representative!" Rachel takes a step back as Chad looks at his hands. "I had been working towards that goal for so long but then…I realized the GKND was rotten and twisted. They don't want to live with adults and teenagers, they see growing up as a disease and the only cure they know for it is to destroy planets! Put yourself in my shoes for a second!"
Rachel refuses to say anything, but Chad's words remind her of the fanatic Splinter Cell, who sought to wipe out the minds of Earth adult and teenager population one year ago. They were the reason Sector V were framed and turned into Teen Villains, why Rachel and Patton became Teen Hunters who unknowingly sent kids, teenagers and adult villains to be Erased by the Splinter Cell and why the war that left countless kids and teenagers with permanent memory loss started. "…"
"I thought I was doing the right thing but then it turned out I was just being used. Now all I have left is this scar in my neck and my home being threatened with Decommissioning. I don't care if you believe what I just said, but I intend to right my wrongs by protecting Earth, even if it kills me. That you can be damn sure of!" Chad shouts angrily and marches out of Rachel's quarters while the silent Sector Commander lowers her head and clenches her fists.
"…but just letting go isn't…so easy…" she mutters and slumps back down to her chair, her mind filling with thoughts while a third, invisible person floats above her before vanishing into the ceiling light.
…
The girl has a dream: she is being dragged towards a room but no matter how hard she struggles, she can't free herself. Then, she is blinded a light before black silhouettes surround her, their wicked eyes staring down at her. The girl begins to scream as one of them points a device at her while the others turn her around before everything goes black.
"Gah!" Fanny Fulbright jolts up from her desk and immediately realizes the whole class is staring at her, along with a very displeased Mr. Burton, McClintock's history teacher.
"Fulbright?! Were you sleeping in class?"
"Uh…no, no of course not…I uh…just stubbed my foot that's all…" Fanny says frantically as her classmate's snicker.
"Quiet! Focus on the lecture!" Mr. Burton shouts, silencing the classroom. Fanny meanwhile hides her reddened face behind her book but the dream she saw is the only thing in her mind.
"What the flipping heck was that? It's the same dream again…" she thinks and for remainder of the lesson, she is unable to focus at all. Soon, the bell rings and Fanny wanders out of class, bumping into Nigel, who had just left the opposite classroom.
"Ah, Fanny, great timing."
"Uh? Oh, hi Nigel."
"Rachel and Patton called in sick, so it'll be just the two of us today. Since they're not here, I was planning on doing my homework there."
"Huh? Why didn't they tell us earlier?"
"I just got a message as I was packing my books." Nigel gestures with his phone, prompting Fanny look at hers and just like Nigel, she's got two new messages.
"Oh great, he's not coming when it's his turn to clean the council room." Fanny grumbles as Nigel adjusts his glasses.
"Don't worry about that. I'll handle it today."
"No! I'll do it. Ya said ya had homework, right?"
"Well yes but…"
"Then you do your homework and I'll do the cleanin'." Fanny says bluntly and walks away, leaving a surprised Nigel behind.
"Ah…well, alright then…"
Outside, across town, Hoagie is driving home from school in heavy rain. "Man, why did it have to rain today?" he mutters as the water hits his windshield. However, he does not turn towards the suburbs like he normally does and instead, he drives to the city's outskirts, where Wally lives. As Hoagie approaches the industrial complex, the houses around him become increasingly shabby and sparse, the city's powerlines loom over the area and the large scrapyard behind Wally's house is nearly invisible due to the rain. Finally, Hoagie rounds the scrapyard and arrives at his destination, noticing the distinct shape of a swimming pool's diving board in Beetles' backyard. After his parks his car in front of the driveway, Hoagie calls Wally
"Hello?" Wally answers lazily.
"Hey man, what's up?"
"Nothin'…Still stuck at home."
"Wanna come over to my place? I was thinking we could have a jamming session in my garage."
"Huh? I haven't played my guitar since elementary. I don't even have any music notes."
"Don't worry about that, just come over wiil ya. Beats staying at home, especially in this weather."
"…Okay, are ya comin' to pick me up?"
"Haha, check your window."
"Why do I gotta…the crud? Were you there this whole time?"
"Yup. So, come on. I wanna get some practice in before the girls come to work on their group assignment."
"Why are they comin' to your place?"
"Because Abby really likes my basement…man that sounded so wrong, hah-hah!" Hoagie lets out hearty laugh, making Wally also chuckle.
"Alright mate, I'll just get my stuff and hop on."
"Got it." Hoagie hangs up and leans against his backrest. After a few minutes, the front door opens and Wally runs out the house, carrying the Stratocaster in its case. He's also wearing a bright orange water and wind proof jacket. Hoagie then presses a button on his dashboard and the rear doors open, allowing Wally to put his guitar in the back. He then rounds the car and jumps on the front seat.
"Stupid rain…" he mutters as Hoagie starts up the van and the boys leave the outskirts.
"Man, where did ya get that jacket?"
"My mom bought it from a thrift shop."
"Hehe, she's got taste."
"Yeah right. She still buys me stuff like I'm a little kid…I look like a cruddy traffic cone."
"I wish my mom would do that…I'm always messing up my clothes when I work on my van…"
"Why don't ya wear those fancy work clothes?" Wally asks and Haogei immediatly pats his van's dashboard.
"I'm not gonna waste my money on those! Everything I earn goes into Betsy 3."
"Betsy 3? You gave this van a name?"
"Yup. My dad had an innertube he called Betsy so I wanna carry on the name."
"But if he had one and yours is 3 then where's 2?"
"Well…I dunno. I just know that name's already used so I'm calling her Betsy 3."
"Maybe that's got somethin' to do with the amnesia…" Wally crosses his arms but then, he's reminded by what he and Kuki discovered 2 weeks ago. "Uhm…I don't know if Kuki told you guys this but, I found something right before the Sports Festival."
"Again?"
"I was gonna tell you guys but then you know…that happened."
"Well, what was it?"
"They were birthday gifts I got on my 15th birthday, right after we moved to Australia and one of them was from Kuki."
"Huhwhat?!" Hoagie nearly loses control but manages to keep the car on the road.
"Hey, are ya tryin' to get us killed?!"
"Then don't drop a bombshell like that!" Hoagie yells back and takes a deep breath. "So, what's the catch?"
"I don't remember receiving them. My birthday is in early June, but I only clearly remember being in the plane to Australia."
"Woah…then that means, we all lost our memories before your birthday, at the end of 8th grade…Man, we gotta let Nigel and Abby know."
"Yeah…" Wally looks out of the window into the dull, wet Friday afternoon sky.
"Alright, we're here." Hoagie drives into his house's driveway and remotely opens the garage door, driving inside. The boys then hop out of the van and Wally picks up his guitar while Hoagie walks over to his drumkit, which has been neatly polished. "Now, let's get down to business, buddy." Hoagie rubs his hand together before he sits down and does a quick drum roll, starling Wally.
"Gah, give me a warnin' before you do that!"
"Sorry, I'm just excited to have someone to play with." Hoagie smiles sheepishly.
"Yeah, but uh…I don't have an amp with me. How am I gonna play an electric guitar without an amp?"
"Already got it covered. Here." Hoagie throws a mini amp and its wires from the shelf behind his drumkit to Wally. "I picked it up at a garage sale last week. You can pay me back later."
"Wow…thanks" Wally is genuinely surprised and plugs the amp into an outlet and into his guitar. As he starts strumming, to his surprise, he easily remembers exactly how to play.
"Hey, that sounds pretty good. Not bad from someone who hasn't played since elementary school."
"But I got no idea how I remember…"
"Muscle memory, man. Okay, let's start jammin'!" Hoagie starts drumming while Wally plays his guitar. Soon enough, the two decide on a song to play and they start practicing.
…
Meanwhile, back at McClintock Highschool, Abby meets Kuki in the lockers. She's carrying her gym bag with all her tennis gear in it, while Abby has her karate clothes in a small shoulder bag. "Hi Abby!" Kuki greets her cheerfully.
"Hiya. How did your practice go?"
"It was so fun! Even though they've told me to take it easy."
"That's good. You ready to go to Hoagie's? We've gotta finish the assignment today you know? There's no way Abby's wastin' the weekend doin' that."
"Of course. I got all my notes ready." Kuki giggles as she opens her repaired locker.
"You know Kuki, I'm glad you're feelin' better. Abby was kinda worried comin' back to school after what happened was gonna be hard for ya."
"That's because I'm not alone. The others in the tennis club have been really nice to me AND I've got you guys. But I really want Wally to come back. it's not the same without him here…" Abby smiles cheekily and nudges Kuki.
"Oh, do ya really miss him that much?"
"Wha…he's my friend so of course I do!" Kuki replies while flipping her hair off her shoulders.
"Just a friend huh? You sure it's not something…else?"
"EHH? No no nononononono! It's not like…that…" Kuki hides her reddened face inside her locker while Abby lets out a hearty laugh as they close their lockers.
"Man, Kuki, why don't ya just tell him already?"
"Tell him what? I…I don't know what you're talking about!" Kuki feigns ignorance but then, someone approaches them from the staircase.
"Oi!" it's none other than the Student Council's secretary, Fanny Fulbright, who is wearing a large green raincoat.
"What up, girl? Abby thought ya left already."
"Argh, I had to stay and clean the council room since that stupid musclehead got sick." Fanny huffs while Abby smirks.
"Ah, you wanted to cover for Patton. Ain't that sweet."
"Shu…shut up! I'm in the Student Council so of course I'd do that." Fanny snaps but both Abby and Kuki giggle at her reaction. "Ah…are you going home?"
"Nah, we're going to Hoagie's. He let us use his basement to work on our group assignment for next week."
"Uhm…can I come too? I really don't wanna call my dad to give me a ride…" Fanny asks cautiously to which Abby and Kuki nod immediately.
"Sure thing. Let's just hope yo dad's not gonna come drag ya from Hoagie's house."
"If he does, I'll handle him." Fanny replies confidently and joins them as they walk out of the main building, out into the rain.
"Aw man, I forgot about this stupid rain." Abby laments as she and Fanny pull up their hoods while Kuki opens her green Rainbow Monkey umbrella. As they walk across the parking lot, the trio notice Nigel, about to get in his Mini. "Yo, Nigel!" Abby gets her friend's attention, and Nigel, wearing a light gray raincoat over his normal school clothes, waves back.
"Good afternoon." he greets the girls and notices Fanny. "Oh, you were quick. You know I would've given you a hand back there."
"Nah, it's fine. Ya can blame Patton for getting sick." Fanny replies nonchalantly, prompting Nigel to nod before turning his attention to Kuki and Abby.
"You two finished with your club activities?"
"Yup, we were gonna go to Hoagie's to work on our assignment."
"Abby just wants to go and lounge in his basement again!" Kuki nudges Abby, who starts shaking her head.
"Hey, that ain't true!" Abby byells as Nigel, Fanny and Kuki chuckle. "Anyway, you headin' home?"
"Yes, I managed to finish my homework in the Student Council room, so I've got nothing planned for the evening."
"Then you wanna come with us? You can keep Hoagie company while we study."
"Hmm, sure." Nigel nods as Fanny starts gesturing with her left hand.
"I'm gonna do my homework with ya!"
"Yeah, no problem. Abby figured ya didn't wanna hang out with the guys anyway."
"Then let's invite Wally too! We can't leave him out if we all go to Hoagie's house!"
"He can't come by himself, Kuki. Aren't ya forgettin' he's got a broken rib?"
"But…can't we pick him up?"
"Fine, we'll call him and ask him to come over to Hoagie's." Abby rolls her eyes, having been won over once again by Kuki's patented puppy stare. "Let's meet there, Nigel."
"You've got it." Nigel nods and jumps on the driver's seat of his red and black Mini while the girls hop in Abby's sportscar, it's roof fully pulled up. As they drive out of the parking lot, Kuki tries to call Wally, but she doesn't get a response.
"Aw, he's not answering…"
"Just try again. If he doesn't answer, we'll go to Hoagie's house and ask him to get him or something." Abby replies but the longer they drive, the weather becomes worse to the point that her car's wipers are struggling to keep the windshield clear. "Gah, Abby can't see a damn thing. Forget it, I ain't gonna drive to the outskirts in this downpour."
"But you said you would!" Kuki snaps at Abby, who sighs.
"Calm down, girl. Hoagie's got a better car for this kinda weather anyway. And we've got an assignment to finish." Abby says with a sharp glare, causing Kuki lean back on her seat while Fanny observes from the back seat.
"Wow…" she things, surprised by how forceful Kuki sounded.
"Okay, fine…" Kuki says dejectedly and calls him again, but to no avail.
Soon, they arrive at Hoagie's house and park in the driveway, side-by-side. Nigel and the girls then go the porch and gather around the front door but when Abby rings the doorbell, nobody answers. "What the heck? I told him we're comin'. Where is he?" Abby tries to call Hoagie, but he doesn't answer either. "Oh, I can't believe this!" Abby shouts as the rain soaks them.
"Calm down, Abby. Try ringing it again. If he's not alone in there, someone will open it." Nigel says calmly.
"Yeah yeah…" Abby rings the doorbell again as the chilly winds blows from behind them, causing Fanny to grumble to herself. After a few more tries, someone does open it.
"Hello?" A short, 14-year-old boy with short auburn hair opens the door. He is wearing the same set of goggles as Hoagie, a dark blue trench coat with a light blue t-shirt underneath, light brown jeans, black and white socks and a dark blue fedora on his head. "Oh, it's you guys. What brings you to the layer of…THE TOMMY!" The boy says dramatically.
"Yeah, yeah, just let us in will ya, Tommy? Your idiot big brother didn't bother to open the door, even though we told him we were comin' over." Abby snaps at Hoagie's younger brother, Tommy Gilligan.
"Of course! The Tommy always allows guests into the house." Tommy remains in character as he lets the teens in but as they take off their jackets and shoes, Kuki hears faint noise.
"Uhm…what is that sound?"
"Oh, that's just Hoagie. He's gone nuts over his drumkit."
"Drumkit?! Since when did he start playin' instruments?" Abby raises an eyebrow as Tommy nods back.
"Beginning of October. He's been practicing daily in the garage." Tommy replies nonchalantly to Abby as he goes back upstairs.
"So, that's what he's been doin'. Come on, let's go pay Mister Musician a visit. I can't believe he forgot that we were comin' over…" Abby mutters as both Nigel and Kuki exchange looks.
"Don't be angry at him, Abby. We got inside okay, right?"
"Abby ain't mad. She's just gonna give him a piece of her mind." Abby says over her shoulder but as they leave for the laundry room, Tommy peeks from the top of the stairs and taps on his wristwatch.
"Agent Vigilante reporting. Sector V and Numbuh Beta are all at my house so inform the Commander I can't join the mission now. Roger, sorry Chief, Agent Vigilante out."
Meanwhile, Nigel and the girls enter the laundry room, where the garage side entrance is located. "Gah, that's not music. Sounds more like noise to me." Fanny says while Nigel chuckles slightly.
"Well, it certainly is unique…" But when the reach the door, they can clearly hear a second instrument. "Hmm…that's an electric guitar…Oh, I know that song, it's "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple."
"Ooh, is he playing with someone in there? I wanna see!" Kuki enthusiastically opens the door, but the moment she does, the four teenagers is blasted by the combined might of slightly off-beat drumming and an off-tuned electric guitar. They cover their ears, and to their surprise, see not only Hoagie there, but Wally as well, strumming his black and orange Fender Stratocaster.
"WALLY!" Kuki shouts but neither boy can hear them, as they're wearing earmuffs, that Hoagie incidentally bought as well.
"Oh, for the love of…HEY, ARE YOU TWO DEAF?!" Abby shouts but again, neither reacts until Hoagie's eyes are drawn away from his notes.
"Wha…oh, hi guys!" he stops drumming and takes off his earmuffs, causing Wally to stop as well.
"Huh, what are you guys doin' here?"
"Abby was about to ask the same about you two. Hoagie, did ya forget that we were comin'?"
"Oh, no I didn't forget! We just got so caught in our awesome jamming session, that's all." Hoagie says apologetically while Abby crosses her arms.
"Is that so…"
"Yeah, 100% honestly."
"Right..." Abby squints as Kuki walks over to Wally.
"How did you get here Wally?" she says happily and leans forward, her hands behind her back.
"Hoagie picked me up. This whole thing was his idea." Wally replies and sits down on a small bench in front of Hoagie's van as Nigel and Fanny inspect their instruments.
"Where did you get his drumkit, Hoagie?"
"I bought it off from the junkyard."
"Hah, I knew ya would. You love finding all kinds of weird stuff from that place." Fanny chuckles as Hoagie puffs his chest and readies his drumsticks.
"I just got a knack for finding treasures. I spent weeks restoring this, you know? It's good as new, and the sound is phenomenal. Check it!" Hoagie does a drum roll, causing the others to cover their ears.
"Wow, that's loud." Kuki yells excitedly while Abby rolls her eyes.
"It's music to my ears!" Hoagie winks, causing Kuki to giggle but Abby is not amused.
"Yeah, yeah, it's nice you've got a new hobby and all but if ya don't mind, we've got an assignment to finish. Come on girls, let's go." Abby says coldly and leaves the garage quickly.
"Huh? Oh, wait for me!" Kuki runs after her and so does Fanny, leaving the boys alone in the garage.
"She wasn't impressed, was she?" Hoagie looks at his friends who shrug.
"I don't think so." Nigel replies and leans against the wall next to the laundry room door.
"So uhm…what brings you here?" Hoagie asks as he gets up and stretches his arms.
"The girls dragged me along. Not that I mind."
"Heh, I thought so. Hey, I'm gonna get some soda, you guys want any?"
"If you have cherry soda, I'll have one."
"Coke for me."
"Gotcha, I'll see what's in the fridge." Hoagie gets up and walks out of the garage as Wally puts down his guitar and looks at Nigel.
"Uhm…I didn't get a chance to say it earlier but…thanks for not getting me expelled. I don't think my mom could've handled me getting kicked outta school again…"
"It was nothing. What you did back then may have been excessive, but…I would've done the very same thing. Ernest deserved it, after what he did." Nigel replies firmly, but Wally lowers his head as he stares at the floor.
"Right…even though I nearly killed him…"
"I admit I was shocked when I saw the full list of injuries he received, but that's in the past now. You should concentrate on catching up with your studies when you come back after next week."
"Aw crud…they're gonna hold me back a year for sure…I hate school…"
"Not necessarily. You see, I talked with the others, and we've decided to give you a hand."
"What do ya mean?"
"Since you have no club activities, each one of us will help you on the courses you need to do. I've prepared the Council room for your use. From November onwards, you'll be staying after school to work on those courses."
"Aw great…just what I wanted, more studying…"
"Or would you rather be held back a year? You do know the mid-term exams will be held on the second to last week of November."
"NO WAY! Aw crud! I'm so screwed…" Wally shouts and buries his face into his hands as Nigel gives him a sharp look.
"Not if you agree to my proposal. The vice-principal has already given her approval, since none of the other teachers want to, and I quote: 'Waste their time on someone with the lowest grade average in the school's history.'"
"Ya don't have to say it like that…stupid teachers…Fine, I'll do it."
"That's good. Don't worry, the seven of us will make sure you'll pass."
"Seven? You don't mean…?"
"Yes. I 'll help of course and Abby, Hoagie, Kuki, Patton, Rachel and Fanny have all agreed, although we had some trouble persuading Fanny."
"Ah…okay." Then, Hoagie returns with a tray what has three bottles of soda.
"Here you go guys, on the house." They boys take their bottles and toast before drinking. "Man, if there's one thing I like about being a teenager, is that I can drink as much soda as I want." Hoagie says victoriously.
"It still doesn't make sense why the legal drinking age for soda is 13." Nigel crosses his arms.
"It's 'cause kids drink this stuff too much or something." Wally says as he takes a sip from his bottle.
"Alright, time to start jamming again. Nigel, you might wanna take these." Hoagie hands Nigel earmuffs, to reduce the noise.
"Thank you."
"Oh yeah, do you play any instruments Nigel? We could always use more people with musical skills if you know what I mean?"
"Well, I can play the sousaphone…"
"Don't ya mean the tuba?"
"No, the sousaphone." Nigel replies to Hoagie swiftly while Wally lifts an eyebrow.
"Ain't they the same thing?"
"Not at all. Trust me Wally, my dad is crazy about the sousaphone. I know the difference, even if I hate the darn thing…"
"Can you play anything else?" Hoagie asks as Nigel crosses his arms.
"A little bit of piano. My dad said my uncle Benedict taught it to me."
"Oh yeah you had an uncle. Didn't he own a mansion here in Cleve?" Hoagie says as he empties his bottle.
"He did but not anymore. He's uhm…in permanent hospital care."
"Wow, no way. Why?" a surprised Wally while Nigel adjusts his glasses and nod sternly.
"Yes, he has complete retrograde amnesia and has no idea who he is or where he's from."
"How did he end up like that?" Hoagie leans back on his chair.
"I'm not sure…my dad said there was an explosion in his mansion at the end of last year's May." Nigel's words stun both Wally and Hoagie and they exchange looks. "What's with you two?"
"Wally, tell him what you told me!"
"What?" Nigel expression changes and Wally explains what he and Kuki figured out when she visited him. This causes Nigel to cross his arms again and he stares at the floor. "So, if what you're saying is true, then we received our amnesia during the last week of 8th grade…wait a minute, Uncle Benedict also lost his memory at that same time…could they be connected somehow…"
"Are ya saying we lost our memories because of that explosion in your uncle's house?" Wally puts his hands into his pockets.
"I don't know…besides, what were we doing there…and what was the cause of the explosion?"
"Did he uhm…do anything shady?" Nigel's expression becomes serious upon hearing Hoagie's question.
"Now that you mention it, he went to court for allegedly kidnapping and torturing children in his basement…"
"WHAT?! Dude, that's messed up." Hoagie stands up from his drumkit as Nigel then takes off his sunglasses and wipes them slightly.
"Yes, but that was months before the end of May. He was never prosecuted but it did break my grandfather's heart, quite literally since he suffered a…lethal heart-attack shortly after that."
"Damn…" Wally mutters as Nigel clears his throat and continues.
"The big question is, were we involved in that whole thing? Did he capture and torture us, but we just can't remember…?"
"Ugh, I'm scared to even think about that…" a chill runs down Hoagie's spine as Nigel puts his glasses back on and shakes his head.
"No, it's too early to jump to conclusions. If he had, my dad would've known about it. But he did mention that I had spent time at his mansion between the ages of 12 and 14…That's why I can play the piano…"
"My dad said I got this scar in March last year…" Wally points at the scar running down the left side of his face. "And the burns too…" he pulls up his left-hand sleeve, showing a burn scar in his elbow."
"This is getting really freaky guys…does that mean you got tortured by him?"
"Don't ask me! I don't remember…" Nigel however has a physical twitch as he sees the scars and starts holding his head.
"Hey, what's wrong, dude?"
"Ugh…I don't know, Hoagie…it's just for some reason, seeing Wally's scar makes me uncomfortable…" Nigel replies while Wally frowns.
"Hey, ya don't have to be that rude!"
"That's not it…it's a really uncomfortable feeling, as if I'd seen those scars before…" Nigel shakes his head as Wally is reminded of something.
"I had that same reaction, when dad showed me that picture, I gave to ya…"
"I got it! Those reactions must be caused by our amnesia. The scars Wally has, and the picture must be connected to a strong memory…" Hoagie snaps his fingers as Nigel's eyes light up and he hits his hands together.
"You make an excellent point, Hoagie. Thank you for bringing this up, Wally. I'll need to do some more research into this. We may have just found a very valuable piece of the puzzle."
"Uhm…okay…" The garage falls into silence as the boy's process what they've just discussed. This silence continues until the laundry room door opens and Kuki, Abby and Fanny enter.
"Hey Hoagie, ya got any soda in here? Huh?" Abby notices the serious expressions on their faces. "What's with you guys? Are ya havin' a fight or somethin'?"
"No…it's just we've figured out something..." Nigel stops as he remembers that Fanny is present. "Ah…forget it. It's nothing."
"Oi, if ya have something to say, say it! I hate it when people act vague like that." Fanny snaps at Nigel, prompting Abby to nod at him.
"Is okay, we can tell her." she says as the others nod as well, prompting Nigel to straighten his back and look at Fanny sternly.
"Fanny, please don't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you, okay?"
"Hm? Ya mean ya got a secret or something? Fine. I'll keep my mouth shut." Fanny replies nonchalantly as Nigel and the others start explaining their amnesia to her. After listening in total silence for a good 15 minutes, Fanny takes a step back and her face turns pale.
"…No way…" she mutters as Kuki walks up to her and puts her hand on her shoulder.
"Fanny? Are you okay?"
"I can't blame you for being shocked." Nigel says but then, Fanny covers her mouth.
"…you too?" she says with a shaky voice, surprising her friends.
"Wait, what did you just say?!" Hoagie nearly falls of his stool while Nigel stands up and looks Fanny in the eye.
"Fanny, what do you mean?"
"…I…I think I've got amnesia too…" she replies as Abby also comes to her side.
"You're kidding. Ya mean you can't remember your childhood either?"
"No…I know I've lived here and…went to school but nothing else…" a shellshocked Fanny says, prompting Kuki to give her a hug.
"Oh you poor thing! You're just like us!"
"Well…this changes everything…" Nigel crosses his arms while Abby adjusts her hat.
"What's the first clear memory ya got?"
"…last year's summer…I woke up at my house…don't remember anything clearly before that…"
"Then that means you lost your memories at the same time as us." Hoagie snaps his fingers as Nigel nods.
"Most likely. Well, at least now you don't have worry about it yourself."
"Hey, let's show her the album!" Kuki shouts and runs back into the basement.
"The album? What the heck do ya…?" but then, just as quickly as she left, Kuki returns, holding her photo album.
"Girl, do ya seriously carry that thing with ya everywhere?" Abby says with a slight smirk as Kuki nods.
"Yeah, of course!" she replies as she pulls Fanny aside and starts showing her the pictures. But then, Fanny sees herself in one of them.
"Hey, what the heck am I doing there?!" she points at a photo where her 11-year-old self is yelling at a detective hat wearing Hoagie and Wally in-front of a janitor's closet.
"Wow, I never noticed that one…I wonder what's it about." Hoagie says as everyone gathers around the album.
"I think she's pissed at you for playing detective in the janitor's closet, like ya were in that other picture." Wally's comment makes the others laugh but Hoagie doesn't find it funny.
"Aw man, why'd you have to bring that up."
"Wait, he played a detective? HAHAHAHAH!" Fanny laughs even louder as Kuki takes the album and shows her a picture of Hoagie sitting in the janitor's closet, wearing a brown fedora and leaning back on a chair with his legs on-top of a desk, causing her to laugh even louder.
"Hey, I thought we stopped with the 'embarrass each other with pictures' thing already!" Hoagie throws his arms in the air as Fanny has trouble calming herself down, but the solidarity her friends have shown to her has caused the fear and uncertainty she's held inside her for a year to ease.
"Guys, can we please focus?" Nigel says and the girls start listening silently as he explains what they had discussed, shocking the girls.
"No way…so you're sayin' we lost our memories at the same time as your nutjob uncle?" Abby shakes her head in disbelief as Nigel nods.
"Most likely, but we have no solid proof yet."
"Then…what do we do now?" A worried Kuki asks the others.
"For now, let's not worry about it. We've got exams coming up in November and thinking about this is just going to derail our exam preparations."
"I second that. We've also got a month-long tutorin' job ahead of us." Abby looks at Wally, who goes on the defensive.
"Hey, ya don't HAVE to help me if ya don't want, you know?!"
"Who said anythin' about not wantin' to help ya? We're your friends, of course we're gonna help. Just make sure ya don't talk back." Abby says cheekily as Kuki giggles.
"Don't worry Wally, we'll make sure you'll get through this!"
"Right…"
"And make sure ya actually study. Otherwise, this whole thing is a waste of time." Fanny huffs, prompting Wally glare at her but then, Nigel intervenes before they start another argument.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Is it okay if I reserve the Hydro World trip for Halloween?"
"OH, HECK YEAH!" Hoagie springs up immediatly while grinning excitedly.
"I think ya got your answer, Nigel." Abby chuckles at Hoagie's reaction.
"Alright then, if you want, I can do it right now, I brought the reservation paper with me."
"Why didn't you say that earlier?! Come on, do it!" Hoagie says while jumping up and down much to the other's amusement.
"He's really excited, isn't he?" Kuki nudges Wally who nods.
"Okay, just give me a moment." Nigel walks out of the garage, cellphone in hand. Abby then notices the half-empty soda bottle next to Hoagie's drumkit.
"So ya had soda in here."
"Oh, yeah, you want some? We've got Coke, Cherry Soda and Root Beer."
"Don't mind if I do. Why don't ya go and get it for me?"
"Why do I gotta do that?"
"Cuz, we're your guests. Now get me a Cherry, okay, baby?"
"Yeah yeah…what about you two?"
"Oh, I'll have some water, thank you."
"Don't ya have anythin' else?" Fanny asks, prompting Hoagie to shake his head. "Gah, then Cherry for me too."
"Got it." Hoagie also leaves the garage as Wally sits down on his bench, picks up his guitar and starts tuning it.
"So, is that one of the birthday gifts Nigel mentioned?" Abby leans against the large tool shelf next to Hoagie's drumkit.
"Yeah, my uncle Lou gave it to me."
"It's really cool looking."
"Thanks…" Wally replies as Fanny sits down on another stool while crossing her legs.
"So what, you two planning to start a band or something?"
"We were just jamming, that's all. I'm rusty as heck anyway." Wally says while Kuki leans over his guitar.
"Can you play anything, Wally?"
"Uhm…not much, I played it when I was a kid, but I just got back to it today."
"I heard your guitar through the door when we came here. Can you play that song?" Kuki asks expectantly, embarrassing Wally slightly. Abby then smirks with Fanny and points at Wally with her hat.
"Heh, ya don't have to be shy Wally." Abby's comment makes Wally even more embarrassed, and he plays the opening riff of "Smoke on the Water".
"Ooh, that sounded so cool, play it again!" Kuki jumps up slightly and keeps staring at him.
"It's just a riff. Why do you wanna hear it again?!"
"Because I like it, come on, please?"
"Aw crud…" Wally plays it again to Kuki's amusement while Hoagie comes back with a glass of water and the soda bottles.
"Here you go…hey, what's going on here?"
"Heh, Kuki's never seen a guitar bein' played up-close so she's beggin' Wally to play for her."
"Yeah, she's got him totally under her thumb." Fanny says while taking her drink from Hoagie, who starts grinning.
"Hey Wally, you gotta learn more songs if you wanna impress the ladies!"
"Sh…SHUT UP! I'm going to the toilet!" Wally puts his guitar down and marches out of the garage.
"Haha, did you see that? His face was bright red!" Hoagie, Abby and Fanny laugh as Nigel returns to the garage.
"Uhm, did something happen? I walked past Wally and he looked quite…angry."
"Heh, don't worry about that Nigel, he just couldn't handle Kuki's puppy dog eye treatment." Fanny says while an unamused Kuki frowns at her friends
"Aw come on, I just wanted to listen to his guitar!"
"Of course, ya did…" Abby rolls her eyes, frustrating Kuki.
"Hey, I was serious!"
"We know that, Kuki. You're just too much of an airhead to realize what you're REALLY doin'."
"I'm not an airhead!"
"Alright let's settle down now. I did the reservation but uhm…I never knew how much power Eliza's father really has."
"What do ya mean?" Abby tilts her head while putting her hat back on.
"Well, the moment I mentioned the surname, the clerk just asked the date, how many people where coming and if we needed room service. That's it."
"Wow, you're saying we got free room service?!"
"Uhm…I was going to decline but they insisted. Just please don't go overboard, I don't feel comfortable if we cause a huge bill for Eliza's father…"
"But didn't that paper say it was all expenses paid? Come on Nigel, this is a once in a lifetime chance to go to a waterpark resort, for free. Think about it."
"You do have a point, Hoagie. But still, exercise restraint."
"Heh, Abby's gonna spend her time in the spa, that's a fact."
"Me too. I've never been in one of those before." Fanny chimes in while Hoagie starts rubbing his hands together.
"I'm gonna go test all the slides in the water park AND check out that all you can eat buffet." The very thought of the buffet makes Hoagie salivate.
"What kind of a room did we get?" Kuki asks as she stretches her arms slightly.
"Well, they reserved the top floor group suite penthouse."
The garage falls silent from disbelief as Nigel's stare at him for moment until Hoagie jumps up while pumping his fists in the air. "PENTHOUSE! Duuuude! Only super rich people get to use the penthouse! We gotta thank your cousin like a million times for this!"
"What did ya say about a penthouse?" Wally returns and stands in the doorway.
"Heh, look who decided to show up. Did ya calm down after getting an eyeful of Kuki?" Abby nudges Kuki, who blushes while Wally stutters.
"Gah…will ya stop saying stupid stuff like that! I just needed to go the bathroom!"
"Ya hear that Kuki?" Fanny says, causing Wally to grimace angrily.
"Wha…HEY, STOP TWISTING MY WORDS!" The others laugh at the flustered Wally, while Kuki hides her embarrassed face under her bangs. Nigel then leans against the wall.
"Okay, okay, so we all agree that the date for the trip will be next Saturday. I'll let Rachel and Patton know about this too. Make sure you get your parents approval."
"Gotcha baby." The others nod in response as Abby gestures to Fanny and Kuki to get back to work on their assignment, while the boys stay in the garage, Nigel being forced to listen and critique their playing, despite having no proper knowledge about how to correctly play either the drums or the guitar.
Two hours later as the rain eases, the 6 teenagers part ways, with Abby taking Fanny and Kuki home while Hoagie does the same for Wally. Lastly, Nigel drives his Mini home, but as he stops at zebra crossing, a blond-haired teenager wearing a white and red college shirt walks past Nigel's car and just like when he saw Wally's scar's, Nigel twitches and is unable to take his eyes off the teenager, who suddenly looks to his left and their eyes meet. For a split second, the blond-haired teenager's face turns pale from shock before he quickly looks away and swiftly crosses the street, while a puzzled Nigel looks on.
End of Transmission 12