During my first couple of weeks as a Kids Next Door operative, I was introduced to the Tree house and the other operatives of Sector V! Of course I already knew Cree, Abby and Maurice, but there was another kid here too: two little kids by the names of Numbah 8a and 8b, and a short, chubby little boy by the name of Hoagie Gilligan, and he was by far one of the sweetest kids I've ever met. We would spend quite some time discussing each of our interests: mine being animals, and his being 2x4 technology/mechanics. He'd teach me about building and all the equipment he uses, and I'd teach him fun facts about all types of animals.

Later I was shown to my room in the tree-house and given permission to decorate it any way I'd like, so over time I put glowing blue and green lights around my bed and posters/photos of animals on the walls. I also got a bunch of stuffed animals and placed them all around my room, and finally with a little help, I hung vines around the ceiling and painted the walls to look like a jungle!

We went on several missions through the year, but I'll simply tell the story of the ones I found the most exciting. It was around mid-August of 1998 when my team mates and I decided to watch the KND nightly news channel together. It was about 15 minutes in when suddenly:

"Breaking news! Captain Stickybeard and his crew have gone on yet another candy pillage! They were seen robbing candy stores, stealing stashes of Halloween candy, and even a few kids said they were mugged by the pirates just for carrying candy on their person! Any operatives living in or near this location is urged to take action immediately, as Stickybeard most recently stated that he wishes to probate candy for anyone under 13!"

Cree took that as a challenge with a championing glint in her eye, "Well guys, looks like we're settin' out on a sugar high! Numbah Two, can you pinpoint the coordinates on the Sweet Revenge's whereabouts?"

"Already on it!" Hoagie typed away on Sector V's supercomputermabob. Turns out that the Sweet Revenge was an enormous pirate ship, and it was just about to sail off on a big river leading out to sea.

As we rushed there, Abby had the idea to hide in empty barrels and crates to sneak aboard the ship before they set sail. Abby and Hoagie each slipped into a barrel while Cree opted to hide in a crate. I was too nervous to hide in one alone, so Cree figured out a way for the both of us to fit. It was just big enough for the two of us to hide in without it being too uncomfortable. It almost felt like we were cuddling, except for the fact that we were on a mission and also trying not to get caught. But I couldn't help but blush a little as my heart pounded a little faster.. it was just the way she hugged me close that made me feel warm and safe, though I had no idea what it meant at the time, since I was only 10 and it was a feeling completely new to me.

Cree whispered, "Whatever happens, don't make a sound." Her low-volume words were so gentle, even with the tone of urgency. My chest fluttered. Without even thinking, I leaned into her chest. She held me tighter. Maybe she thought I was scared? I wasn't sure. My thoughts were cut short as I heard the sound of foot steps coming closer, and I hugged Cree tighter out of nervousness, trying to keep my breathing under control..

Suddenly, the crate was lifted, and that was obviously the cue for us all to spring into action. We all pulled out our weapons as the pirates attacked us. Mustard, hot sauce, gumballs, candy cane swords and fists were flying so much that Cree, Maurice and I didn't even notice that Abby and Hoagie had snuck into the hold of the ship and found a massive hoard of candy and this substance they said was called "red sugar", and the sweetest substance on the planet.

"Yer gettin' rusty, Sugar Daddy!" Cree taunts as she lashed a hijacked candy sword at Stickybeard.

The captain only laughed, "You don't know the HALF of what me crew and I just hauled from the farthest reaches of-- Oop! Can't tell ye!"

"Why you..!" Their banter sounded more playful than threatening. It was hard to tell, to be honest. I guess Captain Stickybeard was more like an adversary than a villain. As that thought finished, I then pulled out my gumzooka, swinging from a rope like a monkey as I shot several gumballs at the top of the captain's head. I then sprinted towards the hold of the ship where Hoagie and Abby were, and my eyes widen with pure awe.. I've never seen so much candy and sugary goodness in my whole life!

Numbah Five stared at the glistening supply of red in awe, "This is..."

Numbah Two tilted his head, "What is all this stuff?"

"Red sugar..!" Numbah Five dipped the end of her pinkie into a mound and placed it on her tongue. She reeled with a muffled yelp, "Hoo-WHEE! It's just like how I've heard it; sweeter than any other kind o' sugar or honey in the world! No wonder why Stickybeard's itchin' to get outta dodge."

Hoagie tasted some in the same manner, "WHOA! I think my tongue just got a cavity." then the two noticed me walking into the hold, ".. are yall thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?~" I smirked, holding up two big, empty jugs. The two looked at each other as they realized what I meant, and then nodded happily.

Once we'd defeated Stickybeard and his crew, we returned the stolen candy to its rightful owners, as well as smuggling home some of that red sugar to our families, each of us carrying one jug of the stuff. My mouth watered at all the sweet opportunities that had just opened in front of me..

Later that week, Cree and Abby brought over two Tupperware containers filled with their Dad's homemade chocolate-chip cookies, made with red sugar! They were so sweet and had a moist sort of crumble to their texture. They were absolutely perfect! And in return, mom and I baked them cupcakes with red sugar, and they ate them all up.. needless to say, victory never tasted so sweet!