Alright back to episodes!...Sort of. So, this DOES take place during Operation: T.R.I.C.K.Y, but it's not gonna focus on Numbuh 4. Rather, it's gonna focus on the rest of Sector V and Cree by extension. And well…let's just say her nickname is going to become a full pop culture shout out now. Anyways, let's begin.
Cree idly toyed with her pencil as she tried to finish her homework. One of her teachers had decided to hand out Halloween themed worksheets even though the holiday wasn't until a week from that day. Cree hadn't really celebrated in years, usually just staying at home to hand out candy and sometimes telling some younger kids some funny stories about how she lost her arm. Still, she did miss trick or treating. Snapping Cree out of her thoughts was the sound of the door opening.
"Hey Abs," Cree called out from where she was working.
"Hey Cree," Abby greeted back as she came into the living room, where Cree had been seated. "Seems like one of your teachers is already ready for Halloween."
"Kinda tacky if you ask me." Cree said as she put her homework aside. "She always acted like we're younger than we actually are. But you got your costume and stuff ready?"
"Numbuh 5's been ready since September," Abby replied with a wave of her hand. "Although, on that topic, I had something I wanted to mention to ya?"
"Ask away," Cree said simply.
"So, Sector V's talking about trick or treating and Numbuh 3 got it in her head that you should come, since you're 'so good at getting candy already'." Numbuh 5 explained.
"Seriously? I made that comment one time as a joke!" Cree exclaimed in disbelief. "It's not the only thing I do."
"Yeah, but that's all she really knows about ya," Numbuh 5 exclaimed as she pulled a piece of candy out of her pocket. "Besides, could be fun."
"..." Cree wasn't sure what to say. Most teens never really went trick or treat anymore and if they did, it's because they were dragged into chaperoning their younger siblings. Cree knew that the other members of Sector V didn't need to be chaperoned, but then again, going out on Halloween could be fun and would be way better than just handing out candy all night long.
"Cree? You good?" Abby asked in a concerned voice. "You spaced out."
"Sorry, was just deep in thought," Cree admitted. "But the Halloween thing sounds fun. Been a while since I was socially allowed to go out."
"Social stuff stinks," Abby said. "Besides, if that Chloe girl tries to bother ya, we'll take care of her for ya!"
"I could handle her, but beating Chloe with you could be a fun sister thing," Cree joked, causing both sisters to laugh. "Anyways, you guys have a theme with your costumes I should match or should I just get whatever I want?"
"Nah, we can never agree on anything related to costumes," Numbuh 5 replied. "Just grab whatever ya want, since it seems like you already have an idea."
"Should be pretty obvious if you think about it," Cree said with a grin as she grabbed her homework. "Now beat it. I have work to do."
Halloween Night
"So Cree's coming with us?" Numbuh 2 asked as he and his friends walked back towards Numbuh 5's have us.
"Yay! Now we have five people again!" Numbuh 3 cheered. "But what's she dressed as?"
"Numbuh 5 has no id-" She began, only for everyone to get cut off by the sound of a couple of teenage thugs running away from someone, screaming their heads off all the while.
"Yeah, you better run!" A hooded figure declared as they pointed what looked like a meathook coming from their arm at the running teens. Once they were far enough away, the figure finally turned around and pulled their hood down, revealing Cree's grinning face under it.
"That was awesome!" Numbuh 2 cheered, eagerly rushing over to inspect all of Cree's fairly impressive costume.
"Please tell me you really didn't pick the Candyman as your costume?" Abby groaned upon realizing what her sister had meant that week prior.
"Hey, it fits the theme, doesn't it?" Cree responded, still cheekily grinning. "Besides, it was pretty much the only costume I could find that was made with a prosthetic."
"Hey, at least now you have an extra, considering what you did to the last one," Numbuh 5 taunted her sister, who just groaned.
"Saying I was going with you is the only reason mom and dad even let me go out," Cree admitted. After her parents discovered the damages to her prosthetic from "messing around with friends" (because she wasn't telling them it was from beating the crud out of Chad), Cree had been harshly scolded and all but outright grounded, only managing to convince her parents to let her go out on Halloween because she was going to be with her sister. Surveying the group she was "chaperoning", Cree took notice that there was one less member than usual. "Hey, where's the stupid blond one?"
"Numbuh 4 decided to go by himself," Numbuh 1 piped up, his and his sector's mischievous grins telling Cree there was more to the story, but she opted not to press. "Now then, shall we head off?"
"You don't have to tell me twice," Cree responded. "I overheard those teens I scared off saying that the houses near the end of the block all have jumbo sized candy bars!" All four kids eagerly cheered, excited for that prize. However, they weren't about to skip other houses that might have candy, meaning that they continued down the path, eagerly accepting any treats given to them.
"Hey, you guys think Father has candy?" Numbuh 2 asked as they passed the Delightful Manor, not by choice, but because it was the fastest route to one of the richer neighborhoods.
"If he does, it's probably broccoli flavored or something like that," Numbuh 5 pointed out as she made a face. "And if it's not, it's probably because he stole it from some other kids."
"...Is anyone getting the urge to egg the place or is it just me?" Cree suddenly commented. "Doesn't even look like they're home"
"Hmm…it doesn't," Numbuh 1 noted as he began to survey the area. "But Father has a bunch of security. We'd never be able to get close before getting toasted."
"Right. Forgot about that," Cree admitted. "Never really fought this guy. Didn't even know he was a thing until I heard the stories from you guys."
"Apparently, he was fine just letting his henchmen do the dirty work for him," Numbuh 5 said as the group moved on. "He's running Evil Adult Industries and the Tasty Taste Ice Cream Company, so I guess he thought he had enough firepower to stay off the field."
"And the Delightful Children!" Numbuh 3 chimed in.
"Ah right. How could anyone forget about those freaks?" Cree sarcastically asked. "The kids that just showed up one day and hated all other kids." The mystery of just where the Delightful Children came from was one that many of the conspiracy nerds in both the Kids and Teens Next Door loved to obsess over. "Hey, favorite theory you heard about where they came from?"
"They've got to be robots, right?" Numbuh 2 offered up. "Like, they're always in perfect sync with each other! If they aren't robots, then I will actually eat one of my shoes."
"Well, personally, I believe that Father probably did some ritual where he sacrificed a bunch of candy and toys to create the world's worst children," Numbuh 1 confidently declared.
"Numbuh 5's favorite theory was that they're statues he brought to life with some evil device or whatever." Numbuh 5 commented as she dug a piece of candy out of her bag, unwrapping it before tossing it into her mouth while sticking the wrapper in her pocket.
"I wonder if there's a Mother out there somewhere…" Numbuh 3 theorized as she rubbed her chin. "Although how would that work when they all have such different skin colors."
"Yeah, somehow I don't think that's the right one," Cree noted. "Personally? I think he cloned a couple kids and then implanted those zombie-like personalities into 'em."
"All interesting theories," Numbuh 1 couldn't help but note with a nod. "Still, perhaps we should keep moving? I'm not missing my chance to get some candy from the nicer rich people!" Everyone laughed at this and picked up the pace, although Cree couldn't help but look back at the Manor, unable to shake off a weird feeling she had about it. Abby told her he was the reason that the explosion injured her, but the fact no one knew what he was doing still scared her.
Maybe someday, she'd figure that mystery out some day too.
"Hey kid! Give us your candy!" A teenager barked at Sector V. The kids had been finishing up their round when they had been stopped by the teenager and some of his friends.
"How about no?" Numbuh 5 replied before grinning. "Besides, I don't think our friend will like that…"
"What are you talking about?" Another teenager asked. They all got their answer when a shadow suddenly came over them, followed by some creepy moaning. Slowly turning around, they found themselves face to face(?) with a large figure with a massive hook sticking out of their arm.
"...Boo," Was all the figure had to say before the teens went running, dropping whatever loot they'd managed to grab. Sector V burst out laughing, followed by Cree doing the same.
"That never gets old!" She admitted as she gathered up some of the dropped candy. "Might keep the costume for the rest of the year. Could come in handy."
"Yeah! I'll bet you could scare any teenager!" Numbuh 2 gushed. Behind him, Numbuh 5 rolled her eyes.
"Of course," Cree said with a nod. She then noticed they'd made it back to her house. "Dang. Time for me to go, I guess."
"We'll miss you!" Numbuh 3 exclaimed as she gave Cree a big hug before skipping off.
"Yeah, she does that a lot," Numbuh 5 assured her shocked older sister. "Anyways, see ya later Cree. Numbuh 5's got some candy sorting to do!"
Cree just smiled. "Well, I have my own sorting to do, so I'll probably see you tomorrow." With that, the two sisters shared a hug of their own before going their separate ways. Before she went inside, however, Cree noticed what looked like a massive pirate ship about to sail over a nearby hill.
"...I'm more tired than I thought."
No Cree you aren't crazy. Your world is just that crazy.
