Disclaimer: Nigel's mother's name, Margaret was coined by fallen-gabrielle and credit for it belongs to her. This disclaimer applies to everything moving forward.
Also, I made a new cover art to the fanfic which you can find from my deviantart or tumblr
Transmission 25: Gazing to the Past
Across the Solar System, in the orbit of Pluto, the Galactic Subjugation Force's Treehouse floats silently around the dwarf planet. However, the atmosphere inside one of the Treehouse's many meeting rooms is tense. Having heard of Numbuh 74.239 sending Numbuh Shrike to Earth without informing him nor the other officers, Numbuh Exa has gone to speak with the scientist, accompanied by Vice-Commander Numbuh Lyrical and Numbuh Tera, despite the latter being a Junior GKND Officer. "I know that you're here under the Galactic Supreme Leader's personally orders, but using one of the GSF's spies without telling me isn't something I appreciate." the stone-faced Pantherian says coldly to 74.239, who is acting equally sternly.
"It was necessary, Numbuh Exa. I was going to explain it to you after the operation was over but now, the situation has changed."
"How exactly? Why did you send Numbuh Shrike to Earth in the first place?" Lyrical asks but Numbuh 74.239 hesitates to give her answer.
"…it's a complicated matter…"
"Your face already gave it away, Numbuh 74.239." Exa takes a step closer and eyes the scientist through his gray, green-lensed mask. "We are only 40 Solar Cycles away from starting the main assault and it'll make things much easier if you'd start cooperating with us, instead of acting behind out backs."
"It's pretty hard to work with someone who keeps secrets." Numbuh Lyrical glares at Numbuh 74.239, who crosses his branch-like arms.
"…it was a neutralization operation."
"Neutralization? And who exactly you wanted to neutralize?"
"A former colleague of mine from my time as an Observer. He has knowledge about our spy operations on Earth and was involved in the…'experiment' I authorized before I left Earth. He was supposed to be permanently decommissioned or if all else failed...eliminated."
"Hmph, I thought only the Galactic Decommissioning Squad did those kinds of things." Lyrical shrugs as Exa crosses his arms and walks away from the others.
"And by the sound of it, the operation failed?"
"Yes. He could be spilling our secrets to those teenagers as we speak. I couldn't risk sending any more puppet operatives because it would expose the Core members."
"I see…but at this point, it's unavoidable. The best way to deal with this would be to cut all the loose ends and order our spies to remain hidden. They don't need to expose themselves until we begin Operation: R.E.M.O.V.A.L., wouldn't you agree?" Numbuh Exa's calm and rational reply surprises not just Numbuh 74.239 but also Lyrical, who was expecting the GSF Commander to scold the scientist for over-stepping his authority.
"Y…yes, you're absolutely correct! I'll get to it right away!" Numbuh 74.239 stutters and hops on his 2x4 hover seat but before he can leave, Exa grabs him by the shoulder.
"One more thing, don't forget our agreement. Once Numbuh S-26 and A64 arrive, you'll come clean and explain everything, right?" despite his calm tone, Numbuh 74.239 can feel slight, but intimidating pressure coming from Exa's clawed hand and he nods back frantically.
"Of course! I will keep my word, Numbuh Exa. Now, if you'll excuse me!" he flies out of the room, while Lyrical shakes her head.
"That plantiform is getting shiftier every Cycle." she mutters and walks away, leaving Exa alone with the silent Numbuh Tera.
"What do you think of this?" Exa says over his shoulder to the bear-like Tera, who tilts his head.
"I don't like that he didn't elaborate on this 'experiment'. Even during Numbuh 274 trial, he was pretty vague about it and wasn't allowed to say much before the Supreme Leader told him to leave or so I read from 274's guard reports."
"I see…then my hunch was right. Galactic Command doesn't want anyone to know what really happened a Stellar Cycle ago. Good thing I brought you here, old friend."
"I was just a observer."
"And that's why I asked you to join us. You've always had an uncanny ability to read others."
"Is this all?" Tera asks silently, prompting Numbuh Exa to sigh.
"Yes, you can go back to the armory. Just remember, don't tell anyone about what you heard here."
"I won't, Sir." Tera replies as he walks out of the meeting room, passing Numbuh Geo-4 who is going the opposite way.
"Commander Numbuh Exa!"
"What it is, Geo-4?"
"We just received a transmission from Galactic Command. I was going to pass it to you but since I was on this floor I thought I'd'..."
"Get to the point." Exa say bluntly, startling Geo-4.
"Uh, sorry! Yes, here you go." Numbuh Geo-4 hands Exa a holotablet. "They were for you specifically."
"Understood. Thank you, you're dismissed." Exa gestures with his left hand and Numbuh Geo-4 leaves after saluting his commanding officer. Now left alone, Exa opens the holotablet and reads the orders in silence. "…I thought so…the only one who could've let Numbuh 274 escape was him…I would've wanted to have this info earlier. Maybe it's because of him too that Aleph Zero and 74.239 kept dodging my questions… but I guess you can still repay us by personally eliminating that teen organization once we begin Operation: R.E.M.O.V.A.L., Numbuh S-26."
…
As Friday evening arrives, up in the Moonbase, Patton, now recovered from his concussion has taken Numbuh 20.000 into questioning once more, but this time he is accompanied by Chad and Corvus. Wearing a gray prisoner's outfit and cuffed to his chair, Numbuh 20.000 has so far, kept quiet. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Patton hisses at the former SKWID Squad leader stares at the floor, his head hunched forward.
"We can do this all day, Numbuh 20.000." Chad says as 20.000 lifts his head and looks up at his captors.
"You saw what happened. The GKND are everywhere, and you can't beat them."
"That's all you've been saying since we Recommissioned you, 20.000."
"Because it's the truth!"
"Oh believe me, we know how powerful they are. Aren't you forgetting that I was a member too?" Chad leans against the table between them and glares at 20.000, who chuckles.
"How could I forget? You were basically a god to the Splinter Cell."
"What?!"
"That's right. They all looked up to you and wanted to be like you. We all were told the GKND can stop people from aging since they let you join as a teenager. But I guess that was a lie." shocked by what he has just heard, Chad instinctively puts his right hand over the square-shaped scar in the back of his neck, where his Dilation Chip used to be and frowns.
"…they can't stop aging. It's impossible." he mutters as Patton remembers how Chad reacted when he asked about the said scar. "Some members just age slower than others…" Realizing that Chad isn't able to think straight, Corvus rolls his eyes and pulls 20.000's chair around violently.
"Corvus!"
"Don't!" Patton and Chad shout as Corvus grabs 20.000 by his collar and stares menacingly into his eyes.
"Listen here, bub. You're just trying to scare us by going on and on how powerful the GKND are. I was a member too and I know FIRST-HAND what they can do, you hear me? They Decommissioned my planet, Avialus Proxima because it was 'ruled by adults'."
"Then why…urgh…are you trying to…"
"Because I hate the GKND. And I owe it to my family, my friends and every other Orninyxian who vanished. We are an endangered species and so will you if you don't do anything about it! Since you clearly don't want to fight for your planet, save us the trouble and spill it!" Corvus snarls at Numbuh 20.000 before letting him go and disappearing into the ceiling light.
"Couldn't have said it any better myself…" Patton thinks and moves 20.000's chair back towards the table. "Well, what's it gonna be?"
"…extract them."
"Huh?"
"It's gonna take too long if I explain everything. Take those memories out of my head instead." Numbuh 20.000 replies silently and lifts his head. "But…don't Decommission me. I'm not going back into that bubble again." Despite his bottomless hate for the traitor, Patton can tell that for the first time in a long while, Numbuh 20.000 is being honest, not just with him and Chad, but also with himself.
"Alright, you've got yourself a deal. We'll have Numbuh Omicron extract them right away." Patton replies while Chad remains quiet. Then, Patton presses a button on his 2x4 wristwatch. "This is Numbuh Zeta to Science Section. Prep the Decommissioning Chamber for memory extraction immediately. We'll escort Numbuh 20.000 there."
"Roger that, Numbuh Zeta." pulling his sleeve back down, Patton walks over to Numbuh 20.000 and removes the cuffs binding him to the chair before pulling him.
"Even though I still hate your guts for everything you did, Numbuh 20.000, thank you. This'll help us a lot."
"Let's hope so." 20.000 mutters as Patton gestures to Chad.
"Come on, we need to take him to the lab. Your buddy too."
"Right…let's go, Corvus." Chad replies while a grumpy Corvus reappears from the ceiling light and the trio escort Numbuh 20.000 away from the interrogation room. However, the idea that the Splinter Cell worshiped him is making Chad feel horrible, which Corvus quickly notices but remains silent.
…
A few hours later, the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers have gathered together on an observation deck located on the same floor as the TND'S Memory Vault. "So why did ya calls us all here, Corvus?"
"There's something I wanted to discuss." Corvus replies with his arms crossed. "Has any of you experienced resonance yet?" surprised by his question, the other O.M.E.G.A. Numbers exchange looks before Libra answers.
"As a matter of fact, yes. However, it was very faint."
"What the heck is resonance?" Leo asks, causing Virgo to roll he eyes.
"Don't tell me you don't know…"
"Huh? You got a problem with that?" Leo snarls at Virgo, who is not intimidated by his angry scowl.
"No. Just thought you'd at least know what it means. You ARE an O.M.E.G.A. Number after all, but I guess I was expecting too much from a Pantherian." her condescending comment angers Leo but Cygnus comes between them before the argument escalates.
"Enough you two! Let's be civil." her commanding tone silences the Pantherian and the Cyrenian, who both huff and look away while Corvus sighs.
"Will you two focus? This is important!"
"If it's so important, why don't ya explain what the heck your talkin' about?!" Leo replies angrily, prompting Scorpius to put up his left pincer.
"Resonance is how we determine our partners. Corvus resonated with Numbuh Delta because they are compatible."
"Still doesn't make sense one bit…" Corvus thinks as Libra joins in.
"Ah, we understand what you mean, Corvus. You are suggesting we find partners for ourselves as well."
"Yeah. That's why I asked. If all of you have resonated while on Earth, that means your partners are here on this planet or on this Moon. It'll make fighting the GKND much easier if all of can use Overlay." Corvus says as Libra crosses their arms as well, looking very puzzled.
"Hmm…has anyone else but us resonated?" they ask and Cygnus immediately gestures with her wings.
"I did! It happened when Leo and I were exploring Numbuh Delta's hometown before the big battle." she explains excitedly as Leo also puts his clawed hand up.
"Uh, I think it I did too back then, but I dunno…"
"Right…Libra, where did you resonate?" Corvus eyes Libra, who scratches the crest on top of their head.
"That is what is puzzling us. It happened inside the vault after that GKND spy ejected themselves."
"I recall having the same reaction in there as well."
"…me too." Scorpius and Virgo respond, further confusing Libra.
"But that does not make sense. The only human in that vault with us was Numbuh Omicron..."
"Negative, it was not Omicron." Scorpius replies while Virgo shakes her head in agreement.
"Then who could it be if not him?"
"What's inside that vault anyway, Libra?" Corvus asks.
"Items belonging to the human's comrades who were 'Erased'. Omicron mentioned that they had been instructed to keep them safe by Numbuh S-26 before he left."
"Then why don't we visit the vault and see if it happens again?"
"Cygnus has a point. I too am intrigued why we resonated inside the vault." Scorpius gestures to the others, who excluding Virgo nod back.
"Corvus, could you ask Numbuh Delta to let us in? We doubt they will let us enter the vault unsupervised."
"Whatever you say, Libra."
However, when Corvus contacts Chad through the O.L. Ring, he passes the task to Kieran since he does not have clearance to enter vault either and soon, the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers have gathered in-front of the Memory Vault's massive armored door.
"Oi, looks like yer all here." Kieran greets the aliens. "So why exactly do ye want to go there?"
"We need to confirm something." Libra explains what they had discussed to Kieran, which catches his interest.
"Hmm, you're saying you resonated with the items? Now that's quite something. Aye, I'll let you in. Let's see if that happens again." Kieran uses his personal keycard to open the door and they enter the vault's observation room, which is now staffed.
"Chief Numbuh Omicron!" the agents salute Kieran, who salutes back.
"As you were, folks. Don't mind us." he says while leading the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers to the reinforced window, which gives them the full view of the Memory Vault.
"Gosh…do these all belong to operatives?"
"Aye. We lost over 200 TND agents and KND operatives to that Splinter Cell P.U.R.I.F.I.N.A.T.O.R. alone…" Kieran frowns as he gazes at the vault, which is emitting a faint blue glow. "Anyway, do you feel anything?" he asks the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers, who except for Corvus, move closer to the window and almost immediately, their Omega symbols start blinking.
"Guh, what the heck's happening?!" Leo shouts and points the symbol on his chest.
"No doubt, this is the same phenomenon that happened to us after that GKND spy fled but why? We are supposed to resonate with living beings."
"Indeed we are, Libra. Yet, we are instead resonating with objects…" Scorpius replies as his eye zooms into the vault to try and find the source. "It is impossible to tell from here. We would need to go inside."
"Well, you can, if you're immune to Erasure radiation." Kieran says and puts his hands behind his back. "There's still so much we don't know about the technology the Splinter Cell used…One thing is certain: Erasure is not connected to Decommissioning. It's origins are with the GKND."
"So what should we do now?" Cygnus gestures to the others, prompting Libra to cross their telescopic arms.
"Numbuh Omicron, may we present a hypothesis?"
"Go on."
"Perhaps the reason we are resonating here in the vault is because these objects actually contain the removed memories of their owners, meaning they are connected."
"Bu…but that's impossible! Those items are just irradiated. We've studied them and they…wait a minute…" Kieran presses his right hand against his forehead as he suddenly recalls a conversation, he had with Nigel a year ago: "…we performed some tests on the earring and it's making our instruments go haywire. We don't know what's causing it but every time we analyze it, the monitors begin showing distorted pictures and we have no idea why." the gears in his head start spinning and Kieran hits his hands together. "EXCELCIOR! That's it!" he shouts, startling everyone.
"Quit yelling human! What's up with him?"
"Shhh, Leo." Cygnus hisses as Leo while Kieran presses his hands against the window.
"You clever kid! So that's why you wanted us to collect all these items! To keep them safe until a cure could be found! And that cure is inside the disc! Gamma you madlad, you had it all planned out!" Kieran laughs excitedly and his behavior surprises even the agents staffing the vault. "Do you understand what this means?!" he turns to face the others while waving his arms maniacally. "We can bring back everyone who possessed an irradiated item! All isn't lost! Our friends can still be saved, hah-haa! And since you five resonated here, that also means your partners are all either TND or KND members! This is a massive breakthrough! Thank you Libra, thank you so much!" Kieran shakes the dumbfounded Libra's left arm wildly before he starts jumping around joyously.
"Humans don't make any sense." a callous Virgo mutters while Corvus shakes his head.
"He's lost it."
"Totally." Leo nods while Cygnus finds Kieran's ecstatic behavior amusing.
"Hah-hah-hah, my, what vigor."
"But it was merely a hypothesis." Libra says to Scorpius, who nods.
"Yes, but logically, they can be proven right and that is what we must do." he replies as Kieran calls the lab.
"Numbuh Pi-34, get a team and full set of anti-radiation gear to the vault right now! I want to run some tests!"
"Uh, Chief what are you…"
"No time to explain! We are on the edge of a massive discovery! Get over here now!"
"Ye…yes Sir!" his deputy barely manages to reply before Kieran hangs up and starts issuing more orders to the vault staff.
"I think our questions were pretty much answered, right?" Cygnus says to the other O.M.E.G.A. Numbers.
"Maybe…we will stay here and observe. We wish to the see this through." Libra says while Leo lets out a loud yawn.
"I'm gonna head back down and snooze. All this nerd talk is making my head hurt."
"I shall stay here as well. This is really interesting." Cygnus says as Scorpius begins to leave.
"I will go back to the lab. We are very close to deciphering the disc and the sooner we do it, the better." Then, Corvus and Virgo leave with Scorpius but without saying a word. In the hallway, as Scorpius oscillates himself through the floor and goes to the lab, Virgo and Corvus are left alone in the hallway.
"You were pretty silent in there, weren't you? Must be easy to have a partner already." Virgo says coldly to Corvus, who huffs. "What, no snarky comments?"
"No, but I know why you were silent." Corvus replies as he glares Virgo.
"Oh did you? Well, do tell."
"Don't think I didn't notice what's inside the vault. The other half of the Nebula Crystal's in there." Corvus' reply silences Virgo completely and she clenches her fists. "You were eyeing that thing the whole time. Now, I've got no idea how the humans have that, but I can't help but feel you're gonna try and get your hands on it somehow." Corvus moves closer to Virgo who glares back.
"As a Cyrenian, it's normal for me to be interested in it. It's my race's ancient artifact."
"Hah, you're as much a Cyrenian as I'm an Orninyxian." Corvus says sarcastically and floats past Virgo. "Just remember this, if you try to double-cross or turn on us by using that crystal, I'll kill you myself. You're an ex-Teen Villain unlike us and I know your past."
"Such harsh words. I thought we were comrades?"
"The rest of us are, but you're an exception. I bet you've been trying to think of all kinds of ways to ditch this planet ever since we came here." then, Virgo turns her right arm into a sharp blade and points it's at Corvus' neck.
"You're way too nosy for your own good."
"And your attempts at being sneaky are way too obvious." Corvus replies while pointing his electrified talons back at Virgo. "We both know how this ends, so let's drop it." he lowers his hand while Virgo turns her hand back to normal. "Just remember that in the wrong hands, that crystal is dangerous. Don't forget what happened to Numbuh Lyrical."
"Don't preach me about how dangerous the Nebula Crystal is!" Virgo snaps at Corvus and turns her back on him. "I'd have the scars to show it if I still had my body."
"Then you also know Lyrical's coming for that other half. The best thing to do would be to destroy it."
"…" Virgo does not answer and starts floating away as Corvus calls to her one more time.
"Just remember, don't try anything shifty or I'll know. I'd rather have you as an ally than an enemy."
Virgo goes off by herself and heads towards an observation deck two floor below the vault but as she gazes silently into space, her eyes turn wicked. "Too bad for you and everyone else, Corvus, I just happened to resonate with the medallion that holds the crystal. It doesn't matter who it belonged to, I will subjugate them and get my revenge, that's for certain."
…
Night falls as Patton and two guards escort Numbuh 20.000 to the portal hub. The Science Section had used a modified Decommissioning chamber to extract and copy all the relevant memories from Numbuh 20.000, who's hands are again cuffed. "You know, we could still Decommission you."
"No thanks. Living in ignorance isn't my thing and besides, now if the GKND come after me they'll just waste their time." 20.000 replies as a portal opens behind him.
"That'll take you home. Release him." Patton sternly orders the guards to uncuff Numbuh 20.000 who makes eye-contact with Patton.
"You know, I was wondering when you were gonna beat me up. You hate me, don't ya?"
"You have no idea…" Patton mutters and refuses to look back at his former comrade. "The things you did…the lives you and the Splinter Cell ruined…everything…there's no way I can forgive you." he clenches his fists as Numbuh 20.000 is reminded how he joined the Splinter Cell a year before Rachel's 13th birthday, how he manipulated Fanny to betray Patton and Rachel and how he personally oversaw the Erasure and chipping of countless teenager prisoners only a year ago. "Believe me, every part of me wants to beat the crap out of you…but I'm above it. I'm not like you, Numbuh 20.000."
As Patton starts walking away, 20.000 shrugs and turns around to face the portal. "Well, I guess I'll head home then and enjoy what little time we have left. This mud ball's doomed anyway." he replies and enters the portal while Patton glances over his shoulder at the vanishing silhouette of the teenager he once called a friend.
"Not as a long we're still here."
…
The following week, another E.N.R.O.A.C.H.E.R. raid strikes Earth but like before, they are repelled. However, this time, it takes the TND and the KND more effort than before to dispatch them, with Chad and the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers bearing the lion's share of the fighting and their situation is not helped by the continuous and ever-increasing evil adult activity, but the Teen Ninjas are nowhere to be found.
It's now Thursday evening and Nigel is sitting in-front of his desk in his room. He is writing something into a notebook titled "Past", in which he has meticulously written down everything he and his friends have figured out about their shared amnesia. Dreams, reactions to different words and fuzzy memories. Unlike his school notes, which are neatly structured, these notes are jumbled together with lines connecting words and phrases. He's even drawn small sketches of pictures that seem to have something unusual in them, like the group photo of him and his friends in a tree and a picture of Hoagie working on a machine made of junk. However, written in bold at the very top of the page are the letters KND and below them, the Teen Ninjas.
"Just what is this KND about? Is it some sort of a government program or a conspiracy? It's clear it has something to do with kids but what?! I don't understand…" Nigel throws his arms into the air and leans back on his chair. Then he stands up and opens his wardrobe, which reminds him about the titanium-lined section of Cree's closet, prompting him to go on his knees, trying to find something similar but no matter how he looks at it, it's just an old wooden wardrobe.
Nigel grabs the Swiss Army Knife Hoagie gave him and carefully inspects every nook and cranny in the wardrobe with the magnifying glass and flashlight, even the underside but finds nothing. Suddenly, he hears someone knocking on his door.
"Nigel old bean, I was wondering if you…Son, what are you doing?" Monty Uno lifts an eyebrow upon seeing his son lying on his stomach on the floor, his head under the wardrobe.
"Sorry dad, I dropped something under the wardrobe and I'm trying to…reach…it…" Nigel quickly makes up a lie as Monty approaches him.
"Oh is that so! Well, how about I give you a hand, son."
"No Dad really, I don't…" Monty ignores Nigel's protests as he kneels down next to Nigel and pokes his head underneath the wardrobe.
"Now let me see…What are you looking for?"
"Oh just my uhm…a pencil…"
"Then why don't we move this wardrobe? Then you'll find it in a jiffy, ey?"
"Um…sure…" Nigel sighs, unable to turn down Monty's offer and both father and son stand up.
"Alright, on three. One…two…three." but try as they might, they can't move the wardrobe. "Hmm, that's strange. It looks like your wardrobe's been bolted to the wall."
"What? But why would it…" Nigel looks inside but can't see any screws or bolts in the wardrobe's backwall, yet it refuses to budge.
"Well, you've got plenty of pencils already, don't you? I doubt you'll miss one."
"Yeah dad…" Nigel says over his shoulder.
"Anyway Nigel, you mentioned something about old photographs a few months ago and it just so happened that your mother was cleaning the attic yesterday and she found this." Monty walks back to the door and offers Nigel a small, beige-colored cardboard box. In the box's lid are the words "Memories" written in it. "I took the liberty of checking a few of these out and I must say, you were quite the rascal as a child. There's even a few from your middle-school days."
"What?!" Nigel runs across the room and takes the box away from Monty.
"Nigel, what have I told you about manners?!"
"Oh sorry dad…thanks…"
"No problem son. I hope you enjoy those. It's always fun to look at old photos." Monty says as he turns around and leaves the room, humming a jolly tune.
"Hmm…let's see what's in here…" Nigel sits down on his office chair and opens the dusty box. Within, he finds numerous photos, some of which he's already seen in his album. Soon, Nigel finds a picture that strikes his eye: It shows him and his friends standing victoriously on-top of a man who seems to be wearing toilet paper rolls in his arms, legs and even on his head. "Huh? Is that some sort of a bmascot…we must be close to 7 or 8 in that picture…?" He mutters and places the picture on his desk.
Soon, he finds various other pictures that depict similar scenes. One shows them posing in-front of an odd-looking man with a retainer in his mouth, tied to a dentist's chair while another depicts him and his friends drinking soda as Hoagie points some sort of a barrel towards a man wearing a white suit. However, the more pictures he finds, the bigger the mystery becomes.
"Just who are these people? And why does it look like we assaulted them?" Nigel gathers the pictures up and puts them into a neat pile next to his notebook but as he turns his attention back towards the box, his hand hits something solid.
"What?" Nigel's fingers wrap around the object, and he pulls it out, revealing it to a be a photograph inside a red frame. His eyes widen as he looks at the picture: In it, Nigel is standing in line with his friends, all of them smiling proudly. The picture is taken from a slight angle with Nigel near the front, followed by Hoagie, Kuki, Wally and Abby. Then, his eyes are drawn towards another person in the picture: A blond-haired girl wearing an orange sweater over aqua-colored jumpsuit and gray sandals while a colander that looks like a samurai helmet sits on her head. She has a warm smile on her face and seems to be placing some kind of a medal onto Nigel's turtleneck. Even the room they are in looks unusual, as it resembles some sort of a command center, with TV's hanging from the walls.
"Ra…Rachel? What is this…why…Rachel? But that's…that's impossible…she wasn't in the album…gh…" Suddenly, Nigel gripped by a massive headache, that feels even worse than the one he had a week ago at Abby's house. "Argh…no…not again…" he struggles to keep himself steady as the pain grips his body. "Augh…dammit…argh!" he lets out a painful gasp and falls off his chair with a loud bang, alerting his father.
"Nigel?" He shouts from downstairs as Nigel writhes in pain on the floor. "Nigel what's with the all the ra…oh dear lord, NIGEL!" Monty rushes to his son's side, while Nigel grips his head and screams. "D…darling, call an ambulance! Right now!" As his father tries to tend to Nigel, his consciousness begins to fade, and everything goes blank.
…
"The boy has a dream: He is standing in a large room with walls made of ice. In-front of him is a taller boy, but he can't tell who he is. "I like your style kid, you've got potential." The person says in an unrecognizable voice. Then, he is thrown into another room, surrounded by four other people, who somehow feel familiar. "From now on, you're our leader." One of them tells him but again, he doesn't recognize the voice. The others disappear and the boy sees an apparition of a man who seems to be on fire. "I must say, I didn't expect you to enter my home like this…" The man's voice sends chills down the boy's spine and the scenery changes again. Now he is a cell, standing before four people, who are all looking at him with disgust. The boy is horrified as blood begins to drip from one stranger's left eye. Then, everything begins to speed up as more and more scenes appear, but the boy can't understand any of them until everything becomes a blur and he starts screaming as everything fades away."
"…gel…"
"Nigel?"
"Ugh…" Nigel hears a faint voice as his eyes slowly open. As the picture becomes clearer, he sees his mother, Margaret Uno sitting on his bedside while Monty is talking with a paramedic.
"Darling, he's waking up!"
"What?! Thank goodness." Monty comes to his wife's side as the paramedic kneels next to him and inspects Nigel's eyes.
"Hmm…his vitals are normal, apart from a slight increase in blood pressure. It was most likely a fatigue-induced fit, that's all."
"Well, that's a relief. You gave us a real scare, old bean."
"Wha…what happened…?"
"You were screaming and holding your head, don't you remember?"
"Ah…right…sorry…"
"No need to apologize, Nigel. All that matters is that you're all right." Margaret Uno pats Nigel's head as he takes a deep breath.
"Now Nigel, what have I told you about over working yourself, ey? Getting good grades is all well and good but it's not forth putting yourself in danger."
"Sorry Dad, the exams prep must've taken a lot from me than I thought…"
"Do we need to take him to the hospital?"
"There's no need for that. Just make sure he rests and gets a good night's sleep. Of course, if these fits start getting frequent, then you should contact the hospital."
"Right, we'll do just that. Thank you very much." Monty then leaves the room with the paramedics while Margaret remains by her son's side.
"Nigel, has something been bothering you lately?"
"Uhm…hasn't dad told you…that I have amnesia?"
"What?! Oh, that Monty! He always forgets these things!" a frustrated Margaret shakes her head as Nigel gestures with his hand.
"Calm down mom. I don't want you guys to worry about it."
"But having amnesia is serious! I'll ask those paramedics to take a look at you again!"
"Mom! Don't!"
"Nigel?"
"It's okay. This is something I can deal with by myself. Don't worry."
"Oh Nigel, you're just like your father, so stubborn. Okay, but if you're having trouble, you can always talk to us."
"Yeah, I know…and mom, thanks for the photos."
"Oh, don't mention it, Nigel." Margaret smiles and walks out of the room, closing the door behind her while Nigel lets out a relieved sigh and stares at the roof.
"So, the picture triggered my fit…hmm…" Nigel rolls to his left side and notices that the framed picture is now sitting on his nightstand. "I'll have to be careful from now on. But at least I know that if the memory is strong, so is the fit." He looks sternly at the picture, but the fact that the blond-haired girl handing him the medal looks exactly like Rachel troubles him.
Friday arrives and the dreaded exams are now only a weekend away. Having recovered from his fit, Nigel prepares to leave for school but as he is about to hop in his Mini that's sitting on the driveway, Monty opens the front door. "Nigel, are you sure it's wise to go to school after yesterday? Why don't you take the day off and…"
"Dad, I'm fine. You're being overbearing again!"
"Ah, well…I'm just worried, that's all…maybe you should just stay at home and…"
"Come on, dad! I have to keep up my attendance and besides, I said I'm fine!"
"But Nigel…agh…ow!" suddenly, a hand grabs Monty's ear.
"Monty!"
"Alright, alright, Darling, I'm closing the door!" Monty is dragged inside by Mrs. Uno and the door slams shut, causing Nigel to chuckle. As he turns his gaze back towards the Mini, his thoughts go back to the photos he found but he shakes his head.
"No, now's not the time. I'll have another fit if I wrack my brain about this." he thinks as he gets in the Mini and drives off.
The atmosphere in McClintock High School is tense due to the upcoming exams, so Nigel does not bring up his fit to the others. Then, after the final period, Nigel and his friends go to the the Student Council room for one final group study session. One hour goes by and Hoagie is feverishly reading through a grammar exercise book next to Wally and throws his arms up in frustration. "ARRGHH! Why is literature so complicated?!"
"Keep it down, will ya? Abby's tryin' to concentrate." Abby says over her shoulder, her face buried in a neat notebook. Kuki meanwhile is sitting opposite to Wally while she writes down math equations.
"Cheer up, Hoagie. It's only one week of exams and then, Thanksgiving and Christmas!"
"I dunno if I'm gonna survive until then, Kuki…" Then, Hoagie is reminded about the band project and the upcoming Christmas Party, regaining his motivation.
"Looks like your words worked, Kuki." Nigel chuckles slightly as he types something on his laptop.
"Eh-he."
"Aw crud, I'm gonna go crazy over this stupid math! I need fresh air!" Wally jumps up and marches out of the room while slamming the door shut, startling Abby.
"Gah, ya don't hafta wreck the door!" Abby yells after him as Hoagie puts down his exercise book.
"Have you guys noticed that Wally's been a bit tense lately?"
"Tell me about it. Abby ain't gonna blame him though. These exams are gonna be tough."
"I hope he hasn't lost sleep over this…"
"I think all of us have lost sleep over this, Kuki. Though, Wally's chances of passing are a bit…slim." Nigel replies, alarming Kuki.
"But we've helped him! They can't hold him back because of…" Kuki jumps up but Abby immediately pulls her back down.
"Calm down, girl. He'll be fine, just let him do his thing."
"Okay…" Kuki looks dejectedly at her notebook and glances at the book Wally was reading. Then, Nigel also gets up and grabs his jacket.
"I think I'll go outside for a bit too."
"Gotcha, chief." Abby replies without making eye contact as Nigel leaves the room and heads down the stairs towards the main entrance. Then, the fit pops into his mind again.
"Dammit, why did I start thinking about yesterday's fit again…"
As he steps through the doors, Nigel sees Wally standing next to the bike racks. Then, Wally looks over his shoulder, surprised that Nigel is approaching him. "Nigel? Did ya get fed up?"
"A little…I needed fresh air too…" Nigel says calmly and stops next to Wally, who has buried his hands into his pockets.
After a few minutes of silence, Wally speaks up. "What the crud happened to us in middle school?"
"I'd love to know that too. I keep asking that same question over and over again, but nothing makes sense." Nigel sighs and stares into the distance while Wally puts his hand over his scar and then looks at Nigel with a pained expression.
"I…I gotta tell ya somethin'. It's about a dream I had…"
Nigel's expression becomes serious, and he looks at his friend sternly. "What dream?"
"It was…kinda like what Hoagie had…"
"I see…"
"I told Kuki already, but we uh…agreed we wouldn't tell you guys about it yet but…I can't hide it anymore. If I don't get it outta my head, it's gonna drive me nuts."
"Okay, Wally, what kind of dream was it?" Nigel puts his hand on Wally's shoulder as he starts describing the dream.
"I had it the night before I came back to school…"
"So that's why you were so down that day."
"Yeah, cuz it was just crazy…I saw…myself in a dungeon…chained to a wall…" Nigel's face turns pale, as he recalls the vivid dream he had in September. "There were…two people in there with me…and…I got…aw crud" Wally clenches his fist as the memory of that dream scares him. "I don't know who they were but the other one…carved my face with a knife…I think that's how I got this…" Wally points at the scar on his face but then, he notices that Nigel has let go of him and has stepped away from him, his horrified eyes glued to the scar.
"I…I…"
"You said ya had a dream where you tortured someone…"
"Yes…yes, I did…but…does that mean I tortured you? And gave you that scar."
"I don't cruddy know, but just thinkin's about it freaks me out. I mean, I've only known ya for 3 months but you're not that kinda…guy…"
"I'd love to think so too, but Hoagie's mom said he was a delinquent. Who's to say I wasn't?" Then, Nigel remembers his uncle. "Wait a minute…my uncle was accused of kidnapping and torture…" Wally immediately recalls the words he heard during the dream.
"I…that other person in the dream…he said something to the guy with the knife…"
"What did he say?" Nigel looks at Wally intensely, who scratches his head and takes a deep breath.
"He uhm…said something about proving yourself…and he said Nephew!" Wally says hesitantly as Nigel crosses his arms and his expression becomes even more serious.
"Nephew…then that must've been Uncle Benedict…that means I was a part of his torturing scheme…" Nigel mutters but Wally starts shaking his head.
"Hey, we don't know that!"
"Indeed, but we have no proof that I didn't do it either…Only Uncle Benedict knows the truth but there's no way I can ask him with the state he is in..." Nigel shakes his head and looks up at the sky. "There are too many unknowns in this…the KND, the Teen Ninjas, my uncle, the scars and the nightmares…what do they all mean?! We couldn't have lost our memories just like that. There has to be a reason and I'll find it!"
"Hey, we're all in this, not just you."
"Yes, you're right. We'll need to meet up again and discuss this after the exams are over. So, let's go back and study for now. We can worry about the amnesia later."
"Yeah, sure." Wally nods and follows Nigel back inside, but does not come up the stairs with him. "Bathroom." he says as Nigel nods back and goes back to the Stu. Co room while Wally looks around.
Apart from his friends, who are studying in the Stu. Co. room, the school is almost empty. While there are a few stragglers and students finishing their daily club activities, the halls are empty. He walks through the main hall and turns towards the corridor that leads to the gym before entering the men's bathroom.
Washing his hands, Wally starts thinking back to the sports festival. While he has kept quiet about it, he feels guilty about attacking Ernest, because he lost control never intended to break his jaw, but in the heat of the moment, he snapped. Even now, Wally has no solid memory of what exactly he did after he charged at Ernest with the locker door. His guilt isn't helped by the constant glares he receives, not only from the people who remain loyal to Ernest but also from those who weren't involved.
As he walks out of the bathroom, he is stopped in the main hall by a group of over twenty students, who seem to appear from nowhere. However, he doesn't find it surprising that all of them are wearing the football teams' jackets. The students surround him quickly, stopping him from leaving the main hall. "Going somewhere, Beetles?" A student steps forward and Wally recognizes him as the short bully he hung up on the clothes' stand on the first day.
"I guess not." Wally replies nonchallantly, angering the bullies.
"You must be feeling pretty proud of yourself, huh? Must be fun coming back here and acting like you own the school." The short student glares at him, flanked by two taller students.
"What the crud are ya talkin' about?"
"Don't play dumb! You didn't think we'd let ya get off the hook just like that? No, we're here to get payback for what you did!"
"You're angry cause you can't steal money from other students anymore? Too bad."
"Grr, you bastard…You have no idea what it's like for all of us! We've lost all the respect we earned and nobody wants to join the team anymore! All because you had to play hero!" The short boy's comment infuriates Wally, but he stops himself from getting violent as the mob closes in on him.
Upstairs, Hoagie lets out a loud yawn and closes his exercise book. "No more! If I read this any further, my brain's gonna explode! I'm gonna go home."
"Hmm, well it is getting close to 4 PM…I think I'll go as well." Nigel stretches his arms slightly while Abby closes her notebook.
"Fine by me. Abby can always cram at home." Then, Kuki notices that someone is missing.
"What about Wally?"
"Is he still in the bathroom?" Hoagie asks.
"Well, he ain't here. Kuki, why don't ya pack his backpack and we'll go and get him. Otherwise, he'd hafta walk home."
"Okidoki!" As Kuki places Wally's books into his backpack, someone knocks on the door.
"Who is it?" Nigel asks and the door opens slightly. A brown-haired girl from the 9th grade peaks inside.
"Uhm…sorry, didn't mean to interrupt but…there's a big gang of the Football Team's members in the main hall. I just…thought you'd want to know, Student Council President." Everyone becomes alarmed and Nigel stands up.
"I see, okay, thank you. You can leave that matter to me." The girl nods and quickly runs away while Abby shakes her head.
"What the heck are those creeps up to now?"
"Uhm…you don't think they're trying to come here?" Hoagie asks cautiously as Nigel puts two and two together,
"No…but I've got a feeling they've gathered for something else!" then he immediately rushes out of the room, startling his friends.
"Nigel! Hey, step on it, you two! Abby don't like the way this is going!"
"Ah, wait up!" Hoagie runs after Abby while Kuki picks up Wally's bag and becomes worried.
"Wally!"
Downstairs, the mob has cornered Wally against the wall next to the stairs. "So ya wanna have a big fight right here?"
"Oh no, we're just gonna beat you until you've got no brains left."
"Is that gonna make ya feel better?" Wally remains calm, even though every fiber of his body wants to punch the shorty. Then, suddenly, he hears a familiar voice from the stairs.
"Wally!" Nigel shouts and rushes down, followed by his other friends. "What do you think you're doing?!" Nigel confronts the mob, who tighten their ranks.
"Stay outta this, Uno. This is between us and him."
"If you lay a finger on him, there will be consequences!"
"Hah, don't ya get tired of flaunting your status, Mr. President? We ain't gonna let you get in our way. No, we've been waiting too long for this. We'll avenge the Captain." The short boy replies defiantly.
"You jokers are pathetic, ya know that? Did ya'll forget all the things ya did?" Abby stands next to Nigel and glares venomously.
"We're the Football Team! The #1 team in the State! That's why we can do what we want!"
"No! You…you guys were just a bunch of crooks!"
"Keep talking, Gilligan, and you'll be next!" A taller student shouts at Hoagie, who takes a step back.
"Ah forget about 'em. Let's just get Beetles and go home!"
"Yeah!"
"Don't do it!" Nigel shouts but the mob ignores him and approach Wally again.
"You see this, Beetles? This is also your fault. All because you had to hurt our Captain." Wally clenches his fist and glares at the mob.
"He deserved it…" he mutters.
"What did you just say?!"
"You heard me! He deserved it! After what he did."
"Oh, you're still mad about us roughing up that Sanban girl?" The shorty sneers at him and Wally begins to shake from bent up anger.
"…rough up…" Wally lifts his head and gives the mob the same look he had when he charged at Ernest, which makes them hesitate. "You…bastards…" Even Wally's friends are taken aback by his expression, especially Kuki, who stares in silent shock at her friend. Then, Wally brings his hand up but just as everyone think he's about to explode, he slams his entire right arm against the concrete wall behind him. "YOU HURT KUKI!" he shouts and stares at the shorty murderously with a gaze so intense that some members of the mob step away from him. "You knew what ya did! So, don't you dare say it was nothing! What you…and he did, is something I'll never forgive! NEVER!" Wally roars, his entire body shaking from rage, yet he refuses to raise his fists at the mob.
"Y…you brought it down on yourself! You shoulda just…"
"Do what?! Let you cruddy bullies do whatever the heck you wanted?! No way! I'm not a coward, like you!"
"C…coward! Oh, you're gonna get it now! Come on guys, let's crush this punk!" The shorty shouts but the others begin to hesitate under Wally's intimidating stare.
"If ya really wanna come at me, fine, but I ain't gonna go down. No matter what!"
"YAAAHHH!" The shorty charges at Wally and punches him on his left check, shocking Nigel and the others.
"Stop it!" Kuki screams while Abby pulls back her shirt sleeves.
"Oh, now you've done it! Abby's not gonna stand for this!" But before she can intervene, Nigel pulls her back. "What the heck are ya doin', Nigel?!"
"Wait." Nigel says sternly, despite wanting to intervene as well as Wally is hit a third time, but Nigel notices that Wally still refuses to punch back. His unyielding will and the look in his eyes start to affect the mob, who look at each other, some of them realizing that this whole confrontation is pointless. As the shorty goes for a fifth hit, two taller Football Team members restrain and pull him away from Wally, to his disbelief. He struggles out of their grip, but the others step away from Wally.
"Hey, why'd you do that?! I was just getting started!"
"Come on Chuck, let's just get outta here."
"Yeah! I don't wanna get suspended again!"
"He ain't worth it!"
"Shut up! You can't be serious?! He's the guy who mauled the Boss! He's the reason no one respects us anymore!"
"No one respected you from the start. All Ernest did was rule with fear and threats. If you really think that was respect, then you're insane." Nigel says coldly as he and the rest of his friends come to Wally's side, who is leaning against the concrete wall, panting slightly.
"Shut your hole, Uno! Everything was great when Ernest was here, until you freaks had to ruin everything!"
"You had it comin' for a long time! All ya did was threaten everybody. You can only blame yoself for this whole mess!" Abby glares the boy called Chuck, who refuses to back down, unlike his teammates.
"NO! I ain't havin' this shit! Ernest was…"
"All you talk about is "Ernest this and Ernest that" Did you really depend on him that much?!" Hoagie's retort causes Chuck to hesitate but when he tries get the backing of his teammates, he realizes that most of them have already left.
"Hey! Where are ya'll going?!"
"Home! You gotta face the facts, Chuck! What we've been doing till now was wrong. Jackson was right, Ernest just used us. He made us forget why we joined the team in the first place. Let's just get outta here."
"YOU DAMN TRAITORS! WITHOUT ERNEST, YOU'D BE NOBODIES!"
"Being a nobody is better than getting suspended again."
"DAMN YOU!" Chuck roars while Wally's friends walk him out of the main hall, towards the doors.
"Does it hurt?" Kuki asks, her eyes filled with worry.
"I'm fine. Weak punches like that don't hurt."
"I'm impressed you didn't lose control back there." Nigel notes as Wally lowers his head.
"I promised myself I'd stop usin' my fists to fix everything. That's all." Wally mutters, impressing his friends.
"Abby would've still kicked that shrimp's butt. How can ya call a sexual assault 'roughing up'?"
"I guess Ernest meant more to some of them…" Hoagie says silently but before they can walk out, Chuck, who was left by himself, approaches the group from behind.
"BEETLES!" Hh shouts and runs towards Wally, holding something in his right hand.
"Look out!" Before anyone else can react, Kuki steps in-front of Wally and grabs Chuck's arm before throwing him over her shoulder using a Judo throw.
"GAH!" The boy gasps as he lands on his back and the object falls from his hand while the others are surprised by Kuki's quick thinking.
"Ha…How did you do that?!" Hoagie says in awe.
"Did you forget Abby taught me self-defense?" Kuki replies confidently as Abby starts patting her head.
"Heh, that was nicely done, girl." her compliment makes Kuki blush slightly while Nigel the takes the object and realizes that it's a small knife.
"You actually brought a knife to school?! Bringing a weapon to school is a punishable offense!"
"He what?! You were trynna stab Abby's friend?!" Abby stomps towards Chuck who gets up quickly and turns tail.
"Screw you! This ain't over Beetles! One day, I'll make you pay for what you did to the Football Team!" The scrawny boy shouts as he disappears into the dark hallway.
"Unbelievable. First a knuckleduster and now this. Wait here, I'm taking this to the principal's office." Nigel storms off while Kuki opens her bag and takes out a first-aid kit.
"Okay Wally, let me take a look at those bruises."
"Hey, I said I'm okay!" Wally tries to protest but Abby elbows him.
"Are ya seriously gonna talk back after what she did for ya?!"
"I uhm…aw crud…fine…"
"Stand still!" Kuki says cheerfully and starts dabbing Wally's cheek with a cotton puff.
"Man, that boy's skull is way too thick for his own good." Abby shakes her head as Hoagie's face lights up.
"Yeah, she's gonna need a drill to get through that, hah-hah!"
"And you're still hopeless…" unimpressed at his quip, Abby rolls her eyes but Hoagie can't help but laugh at his own joke. Then, after about 10 minutes, Nigel returns and the group head out to the parking lot. "So, what did you tell her?"
"I left the knife there. The CCTV camera's saw the whole thing, so he'll probably get punished."
"He better. Bringin' a knife to school…"
"I think he was so reliant on Ernest that he's basically lost without him. It's kinda sad." Hoagie comments while Wally remains quiet. However, as they arrive to the parking lot, Wally stops in his tracks before the others reach their cars.
"Uhm…guys?"
"Hmm?" Nigel turns around and sees the slightly pained expression on Wally's face.
"I…I'm sorry ya got mixed up in this again…"
"What are ya talkin' about? Of course, we were gonna help ya."
"But…"
"Don't worry about it, none of us got hurt…well you did a bit but that's not the point. Friends stand up for each other, right?" Hoagie says and pats Wally in the back. "The only ones at fault were those thugs, so don't feel guilty about anything, buddy."
"You're our friend, Wally, you don't have to apologize." Kuki gives Wally a bright smile, causing him to avert his gaze.
"Y…yeah…right…"
"So, stop standin' there and get in already. Unless ya wanna walk home?" Abby points at the rear seat of her convertible and Wally nods as he hops on to the back seat while Kuki sits next to Abby in the front.
"See ya guys on Monday!"
"Just make sure yer ready for the exams." Abby winks at Hoagie who laughs nervously. Then, one by one, the three cars leave the parking lot, all going to different directions.
As Abby drives towards the outskirts, Wally sits silently in the back, staring out of the window while Kuki occasionally looks over her shoulder towards him. Soon, they arrive in-front of Wally's house and he opens the door. "Thanks for the lift."
"No problem." But before Wally steps out of the car, he makes eye contact with Kuki.
"Uhm…aw crud…Kuki…thanks. That was a really cool throw." He stutters and slams the door shut before she can respond.
"Eh?! Wally, wait!" But he's already ran across the front lawn and into the house, leaving Kuki hanging.
"Hah-hah, man that boy is so predictable!" Abby chuckles while Kuki's cheeks run red.
"Why did he run away?!" she pouts while Abby finds her expression hilarious. "Hey, it's not funny!"
"Ha-ha-haa, oh yes, it is! He musta been holdin' that in the whole time."
"Abby! You're being mean!" Kuki playfully punches Abby's right shoulder. Then, Kuki looks out of the window towards the setting sun. "Why does he always have to be like that…?"
"That's just how he is, Kuki. Tough on the outside but a big softy in the inside."
"I know…"
"He's still hurtin' over what happened to ya."
"But it wasn't his fault they…"
"But that's how he sees it. You saw how he reacted when they said all that crap, right?"
"I…" Kuki is immediately reminded of the expression Wally showed to the mob when they said the assault wasn't serious. His eyes seemed to be on fire, and they were devoid of all other emotions but anger and rage.
"That's why he let that chump beat him. He was willin' to let 'em all attack him, cuz he thinks he deserves it."
"NO! That's wrong! I don't understand! Why does he want them to hurt him?!"
"Ya know why. Abby don't need to remind ya." Kuki grips her skirt slightly and looks back out into the late autumn sky.
"Then I'll just have to make him stop feeling guilty! I…I'll heal his wounds!"
"Heh, you go, girl!" Abby smiles warmly as Kuki's entire being bursts with confidence and determination.
…
And so, the exams begin. Five days of continuous exams and by the time next Friday and the last exam rolls along, Wally is close to breaking point. "I wanna die…" he thinks as he painstakingly scribbles away at the answer sheet, regardless if the answers are correct or not. Then, finally, the bell rings and the week of pain is at last, over.
"FREEDOM!" Hoagie screams as he runs to the lockers, followed by an equally relieved Wally.
"Stupid exams…stupid cruddy…" he mutters as joins Hoagie in-front of their lockers.
While they wait for the others, Hoagie gleefully unwraps a chilidog he brought to school. "Ow man, I've waited the whole day for this!" he says triumphantly as he chomps on his snack.
"I hate school…" Wally mutters as he leans his heads against his locker door.
"Chin up, buddy, it's over now, so forget about the exams. We've got something waay cooler coming up!"
"Oh yeah…that cruddy party…"
"Damn straight! We've got 3 and a half weeks until showtime!" Hoagie grins
"Yeah…right…"
"Come on, aren't ya exited?"
"Should I? Were just gonna get laughed outta the stage…"
"No way, man, were gonna give them a show they'll never forget! Oh yeah, are you gonna ask anyone out for the party?"
"Whu…what the crud do you mean? You're not sayin it's…that kinda…party?"
"Yup, it's a dance party. Yeah, you can go by yourself but where's the fun in that? Or are you too scared to ask or something?"
"Mmmme? Scared?! No way! I just…I don't…" Wally stutters but then, someone joins in on their conversation.
"What are you guys talking about?" Suddenly, Kuki pops up behind Wally, who jumps in the air screaming.
"YAAAHH! Gah crud…don't sneak up on me like that!"
"Hah-hah-ahaha! Man, your face was priceless!" Hoagie nearly drops his chilidog from laughing while a flustered Wally glares back.
"Shut up!" he shouts but Hoagie continues howling so much he has to lean against his locker.
"Come on, what's so funny?" Kuki asks innocently.
"Oh, hah-hah, we were just talking about the Christmas Party."
"Really?! Yay! I'm soo looking forward to it! There's the band and the music and pretty clothes and the…" Kuki rambles as Nigel and Abby approach from the opposite hallway.
"What the heck was that scream about? Mr. Burton got so scared he nearly flew outta the window."
"Wow, really? You hear that Wally, you scared Mr. Burton."
"Gah shut up…" Wally looks away while Kuki continues to ramble about the party.
"and, and the dancing and…oh I'm so excited!"
"Heh, we can tell." Abby says as she walks over to her locker. Then, seeing his chance, Hoagie nudges Wally.
"So, like I was saying, are you scared that you won't get a date for the party?"
"Raah, why do ya have to bring that up again?!" Immediately, Kuki's expression changes, which is noticed by the others.
"Ooh, is someone getting' cold feet?" Abby grins, angering Wally.
"That's not it! I mean…why would anyone wanna go there with me anyway?!"
"Dummy." Abby shakes her head as Kuki stares at Wally for a second and then swiftly walks over to him.
"No, you're just scared that they'll turn you down!" her reaction surprises the others, especially Wally.
"Wha…what did ya just say?!"
"You heard me! Have you even tried asking anyone?" Kuki stares intensely at Wally, who takes a step back.
"I…no…I haven't had time to think about that!"
"Hah, I knew it, you're afraid!"
"I am not!"
"Yes, you are, silly!"
"No, am not!"
"Prove it!" Kuki corners Wally against his locker while the others watch from a short distance away.
"Clever girl…" Abby whispers to the boys, who nod back as they observe.
"I…I…fine! I'll prove to ya that Wallabee Beetles is not a coward! I can ask anyone! Oh yeah, I'll show you! I'll…I'll even take YOU to that stupid party!" Just as he blurts out the magic words, he realizes what he just said and freezes, while his friends stare at him in stunned silence.
"He…actually said it…"
"Duuude…" They turn their gaze at Kuki to see her reaction and for a split second, she seems to implode but then, she simply smiles.
"Okidoki! Just make sure you wear something fancy!" she says and skips away towards the girl's bathroom, leaving an absolutely stunned Wally standing in the hallway.
"Wha…what the…" He mutters and leans against his locker while Hoagie walks over to him.
"She played you like a fiddle. But hey, congrats on getting a date for the party." Hoagie pats Wally's shoulder as his knees give away and he slides on to his behind, still in total shock.
"I…she…wha…" Wally rambles as he looks back at Hoagie and points at the direction Kuki ran off to.
"She's far more devious than I thought…" Nigel says as he helps Wally back up in his feet.
"But I…I…" Wally continues to stutter, causing Abby to let out a hearty laugh.
"Hah-ahaha! She really got ya there, Romeo!"
"Don't tell me you told her to say that?"
"Wha? No way, Nigel! That was all her. But Abby's gotta keep that in mind from now on." Abby says cheekily as Wally finally realizes what just happened.
"What…no way…WHAT THE CRUD?!" He grips his head and shakes it in disbelief.
"Hah-haa, dude, you should be happy! You get to take Kuki to the party. I'd say you're pretty damn lucky."
"How the crud am I supposed to feel about that? I…I don't know how I…how the crud did that happen?"
"Well, ya got plenty of time to figure that out. Right, see ya'll next week." Abby waves to the boys and heads towards the girl's bathroom. "So, how do ya feel?" she walks over to Kuki, who is staring at her own reflection in the mirror, her face bright red.
"I…Abby I was so scared…but I'm soo happy he said it!" Kuki smiles and covers her face with her hands, feeling both incredibly happy and embarrassed.
"Ya did good Kuki. Now ya don't hafta worry about any other guy trynna ask ya anymore."
"But that's not why I…"
"Abby knows that, ya airhead." Abby jokingly messes Kuki's hair who continues to hide her face.
"I've never felt so happy before…it's…"
"I don't need to tell why ya feel like that, since ya know it yourself. Just make sure ya don't waste this chance."
"…" Kuki doesn't answer but somehow, the mysterious feeling embracing her heart feels oddly nostalgic, like something similar had happened before, but she doesn't mention that to Abby.
…
Later that very same day, a transmission adressed to Rachel, Patton, Keith and Chad is sent to the Cleve Sector:
"Attention Numbuhs Epsilon, Zeta, Delta and Agent Hermit, please report to the Moonbase at once. Numbuh Gamma's disc has been deciphered."
End of Transmission 25
Note: This chapter felt a like jigsaw when I was writing it, because most of the Sector V scenes were originally written in the fall of 2020 when this story was still just a one-off slice of life thingy, so splicing the parts together was a challenge but I'm pretty happy with it nonetheless. I've finally gotten over my burnout (hopefully) so the new releases might become more frequent from here on. (Thank you summer vacation!)