I wonder how Nolan and his gang are doing?

Chapter 19: Battle in the Skies

Morgan awoke and found herself in a realm of darkness. "Where am I?"

"Relax, my dear. You are in no danger."

"Huh?" She turned around to see a pitch-black bald child, giving an evil smile.

"It is I… Negatar Gnaa. I have been dying to speak with you, Morgie."

"You… you're the Dark Master."

"Yes." Gnaa approached. "But not the real one. This is merely a vision you are having due to the Darkness Cannon."

"Darkness Cannon?"

"An invention of my own creation. I forged them with the help of Dr. Eggman. He designed the cannon, and I infused them with my own darkness. When someone is hit by a Darkness Cannon, they are shown a vision of their inner darkness, slowly manipulating them to come to the Dark Side. But you, Morgie… I designed this one specifically so we could talk."

"Talk?"

"I won't deny that I am a master of pure evil. But I would prefer you see me, not as a monster… but as a friend."

"Friend?"

"I have been watching you for a long time, my dear. Having no friends, growing up as a child. I was just the same way… until I discovered the true potential my powers could have. I have met with my inner darkness and became friends with it, and it helped me become the powerful being you see today. I was able to take my revenge on all those fools who opposed me… and you can, too."

"Me?"

"Yes…" He began drifting around her. "I sense great power in you, Morgie. No doubt the power of Malladus Uno, my favorite deity. You have been tormented your whole life because of your power, but you can become so much more! Just stand by my side…"

She looked away. "I…I don't know. I mean… what about my family? And the Kids Next Door?"

"All those wretched fools will meet their ends. Ordinary humans like them don't deserve a fair place in a world with beings like us. But I see you need time to gather your thoughts. I have other matters to attend to. I'll see you again, Morgie." And with that, the vision faded.

"MORGAN!"

The girl immediately gasped awake, on a bed in a white room with her siblings. "Buddy? Guys, where are we?"

"We're on Facilier's boat." Athena said.

"We escaped from the military police and now we're going to New Island." Sophie followed.

"We had to carry you, too, so you better be grateful. It'll take forever to clean these cooties off." Buddy said, wittingly.

"UGGH!" Morgan shot up, and Buddy immediately ran as she chased.

They ran outside to the deck where everyone else was, and the gang watched as Morgan tackled her brother, the two starting to battle each other. Abby walked over, split them up, and said, "Ahhh, break it up, you two."

"Fighting resolves nothing." Blaze stated.

"He started it." Morgan pointed.

"Prove it." Buddy smirked.

"Uugh. I'm just going to hang out with my cousins." With that, she walked beside Nigel and Eva, standing at the railing.

"Hm hm." Nigel chuckled. "You two fight a lot?"

"Hehe, yes. It's become pretty typical in our family. We fight each other, we leave bruises, cause property damage… just the days in the life of a family of freaks."

"Well, what can you do. You should see the fights me and Eva have."

"Assuming he doesn't want to risk humiliation for when I beat him." Eva remarked.

"Grrrr." Nigel growled.

"Hey, guys!" Noah suddenly ran out, holding a strange ball. "I found this ball in Jagar's sleeping bag! He must've left it."

"What is it?" Morgan asked.

"Jagar said something about Spirit Balls before he left." Nigel said. "You think this might be one of them?"

"Hm, looks pretty." Eva said, taking and holding it. "This'd make a nice earring…"

"Hey, Morg, wanna check the rest of the ship out?" Noah asked.

"Sure!" The two ran off.

"Now that she mentions it, we never got breakfast." Eva remembered. "Wanna get some grub? Facilier's is actually pretty tasty."

"Sounds fine by me!" Nigel perked. The two walked to the kitchen, and Nigel asked, "You think Rachel will be okay?"

"Sure she will! Heck, she's got her own spirit helper! Even Lehcar doesn't have that!"

"Heh heh, yeah, she doesn't!"

Mumbo Madness

Lehcar, Harvey, Scarlet, and Yllaw arrived outside of a large amusement park. At this time, Harvey was unconscious, so Lehcar was forced to carry him. "Huuuu… we made it." Lehcar panted.

"Ehhh, not for long. Your bratty opposite's still probably on our tail." Yllaw panted.

"Where are we taking this brat, anyway?" Scarlet asked.

"Ganondorf has ordered we bring Harvey to the Rocky Mountains, where they'll pick us up. We're supposed to cut through this amusement park so Mumbo can keep them distracted."

"Nothing more distracting than a park. But what was that sword Rachel had?"

"It was the Master Sword. And if Rachel has it, my father will be in trouble. We must find the one who holds the Triforce of Wisdom, so that when all three pieces are together, Father will be able to use the Triforce and regain his powers."

"Well, what are we worried about Rachel for?" Yllaw asked. "I mean, you've got that Devil Sword or whatever. Isn't that supposed to be the Master Sword's opposite?"

"Hm… you're right." Lehcar drew out her sword and stared at it. "But still… what good is it when even I'm not sure of its powers. What the-" All of a sudden, the sword erupted in a dark red light, unleashing a red energy ball that flew around before landing before Lehcar. (Cue Ghirahim's Theme from Zelda: Skyward Sword!)

A strange figure emerged from the ball: a slim man with pure white skin, white hair, purple lips, and a red cape. The being stood straight up, turning around to face the three surprised kids, taking a huge whiff through his nose. "Sniiiiiff. Ah, the sweet smell of freedom. Oh, how I longed to be free of that cursed sword. Oh, how I LONGED… to taste the feeling of hate and anger."

"Who…Who are you?" Lehcar asked.

The strange man bowed. "I am the great Spirit of the Devil's Sword, the Demon Lord. You may call me… Ghirahim."

"Ghirahim?"

The demon stood up. "And YOU… you are the new holder of the Devil's Sword. A pleasure to meet you… my master."

"Master?" Scar asked.

"I can feel it. The power of rage, hate, and anger dwells within you. Your lust for power is unparalleled. Truly, you are the master I awaited all these years."

"Hehehe." Lehcar grinned. "Well, I am pretty great, aren't I?"

"Most certainly. But the fact I have been awakened… means the Master Sword has been found."

"Oh, it has." Lehcar replied, snarkily. "My worthless opposite found it somehow. With it, she can be even stronger."

"Heh heh ha ha ha ha heh heh. Ah, yes, but you can be JUST as strong… if not stronger, with my help. As you know, the Devil's Sword is the Master Sword's opposite. But all the Master Sword's spirit has is knowledge. I come fully trained and thirsty for blood. On your command, Master, I will gladly kill. My anger has been FUELING me during that long time in that sword! It is ready to be unleashed."

The three villains smirked wickedly. "With our own spirit servant… our chances increase. Father will be most pleased at this."

"I'd hate to be on the bad side of you right now." Yllaw said, frightfully. The four's evil laughter echoed across the heavens. (Stop the music.)

Africa; the Pride Lands

It was currently high noon over the African savannah, which it was safe to assume those were the Pride Lands. Nolan and his two partners were finally awake and yawning, the shade from the tree blocking them from the sun. "Boy, I haven't slept that well in ages." Danika yawned.

"We need to get stranded in these kinds of place more often." April agreed.

Nolan scratched the back of his neck as Dani stood up and slipped on her jacket. "Dani… I'm sorry about last night."

"Hm?" Dani looked at her partner sitting on the ground, giving a small smile. "Don't worry about it." She said, helping him back into his chair. "You're still my best friend, right?"

"Hehe… right." He smiled.

"…Hey, you have a little something…" She began, noticing the goo on his face.

Nolan felt it and remembered, "Oh, uh… the monkey… kinda woke up and… I dunno."

Danika scooped the goo on her fingers and stuck her fingers in her mouth, licking it off. "Mmm… tasty."

Nolan only gave a wide blush.

"Hey, guys!" April exclaimed, jumping and waving her arms outside the tree.

Dani rolled Nolan out as they looked up at the sky to see a ship was landing. "There you guys are! How'd you wind up out here?" Gary the Stormtrooper called.

"Gary! Dan! You made it!" Nolan called back.

The ship landed on the ground and allowed the three to step in. "Where are the poisonbenders?" Danika asked as they took off.

"They landed someplace else." Gary said. "Ganondorf already found them."

"Good." Danika sighed, relieved her brother was okay.

"Let's get back to the base as soon as-" Nolan was about to say.

"Uh-oh! We have a problem." Dan said, spotting several red dots on their radar. "KND operatives. They must've found the base and planned an invasion. They got this whole place surrounded."

"The villains are fighting back at least." Gary reported.

They looked outside and saw the KND Armada ahead, in a deadly, midair brawl against Brotherhood villains. "Come on, BOYYS! Send these Brotherhood wimps straight to Sanzu!" Numbuh 20,000 exclaimed.

"Gah. Help me up there." Nolan said, opening the side door. Danika and April helping him onto the ship's left wing. "Time to have us a little vengeance! Let's get 'em!" (Play the "Levitated Ruin" Theme from Sonic and the Secret Rings!)

Stage 15: Sahara Skies

Mission: Break through the KND Armada!

Gary and Dan drove the ship forward as Nolan took aim at the 2x4 ships. "We got another one, boys! Take 'em down!" 20,000 ordered from his flagship.

"Ha. In your dreams." Nolan taunted as some kids on jetpacks flew over, shooting S.C.A.M.P.P.s at them. Nolan locked onto the ops and fired missiles, easily taking them out of the sky. More kids came by, rapidly shooting G.U.M.Z.O.O.K.A.s, but Nolan fired his own built-in gun and took them out.

A S.C.A.M.P.E.R. flew by and launched several missiles, but Nolan countered with his own missiles before shooting the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. down. Three S.P.R.A.Y.S.H.I.P.s were headed their way, but Nolan locked on all three and took them out. When some kids on hang gliders flew by, they were suddenly shot down by Gizmo, flying with his mechanical wings. "You kids are such losers!" the brat taunted.

"Let's go!" Nolan exclaimed, the girls grabbing on as he launched a grappling hook from his chair, latching onto a C.O.O.L.-B.U.S. and hauling them on its roof. Some soldiers climbed on top and tried to shoot them, but Danika used Shadow Veil and slid over to them to kick them off. Cheshire slithered into the pilot's seat, grabbed the pilot, and sent him screaming and falling.

The three of them hopped over atop a S.C.A.M.P.E.R. before the C.O.O.L.-B.U.S. crashed as more operatives on jetpacks flew over and shot at them, but April used her psionic blasts to knock them away. Ahead of them, they saw Mad Mod, inside a flying Britbot, fighting off more ops. Nolan aimed his missiles and shot the kids down. The British madman twirled his cane and sent other Britbots to make bridges from atop their S.C.A.M.P.E.R. over to other ones. The three villains went over the Britbot bridges over a series of S.C.A.M.P.E.R.s, shooting down other KND ops.

The last S.C.A.M.P.E.R. barrel-rolled them off, but they landed safely on Control Freak's flying remote. Danika then grabbed hold of them and used Shadow Glide to fly and take out more operatives with jetpacks. They finally landed on a flagship (which was designed like the ship where they had the treaty signing). The three ran over the massive ship as Teen Ninjas were fighting off operatives, taking some kids out.

They reached the control room of the flagship, where several operatives, led by Numbuh 48-Flavors, were fighting The Steve and Punk Rocket, who both launched sonic waves from guitars. Danika slid over and sliced the brats' weapons before kicking them out. April dodged as 48-Flavors shot at her, but she used her powers to give him a headache and cease, allowing Nolan to catch him in a net and stun him.

Punk Rocket grabbed the netted boy and said, "Oi, finally! Le's blow this joint, Steve!"

"You betcha! This is totally gonna blow them away! LITERALLY!" With that, both villains turned up the volume and strummed their guitars, blowing a massive sonic wave that split the ship in two, making both parts tilt down. Steve and Punk Rocket hopped on their guitars and flew away, carrying 48-Flavors.

Dani, Nolan, and April slid down and fell, but landed back on Gary and Dan's ship, proceeding to fly further. "Sir! They've taken out one of our flagships!"

"Ahhh! Send these villains to their DOOOOM!" 20,000 cried.

More S.P.R.A.Y.S.H.I.P.s flew by and fired missiles, but Nolan still countered with his own, and the S.P.R.A.Y.S.H.I.P.s were shot down by Teen Ninjas' bikes. Gary's ship kept going until it was above Stickybeard's flying ship, the Sweet Victory, the three villains hopping off and landing on the deck. Candy Pirates and Hungry Men were in combat against operatives, so Team Brotherhood helped them out. Robin Food and Stickybeard were clashing against Numbuhs 34 and 42, but Danika slithered by and knocked 34 out. 42 was about to shoot her, but Cheshire emerged and screeched, scaring him. The boy cried and ran away.

They saw Dodgeball Wizard launching a barrage of dodgeballs at Numbuh 78, who was on a jetpack as she swiftly avoided. Nolan launched a grappling hook around her legs, detached his end of the rope, and April tied it around a cannon, shoving it off, the weight forcing Angelie downwards.

They saw a TIE Fighter zoom by, so Nolan latched another hook onto it, the girls holding onto him as they flew off, hanging from the TIE Fighter. The ship dropped them onto a large Yokian ship, where several Yokian soldiers fought against the operatives using electric spears. April used her powers once again and hurt the kids' minds, allowing the Yokians to shock and stun them. They saw King Goobot trying to battle Eggbert, who had an egg gun. Danika just cartwheeled over and sliced the boy's weapon before kicking him off.

Professor Calamitous flew by in his mech suit and grabbed the three in its arms, dropping them off on another KND flagship. They found some KND bikers battling some Girl Troops, pedaling fast on their bikes as the girls failed to shoot them. Danika tossed her daggers and cut the bikes' wheels, allowing the girls to Girlify the boys. The three made it to the control room where Numbuh 10-Speed was fighting Margie. Danika tossed a dagger and stuck him to the wall, and Lance screamed as Margie shot him with a Girlifyer, making him female. Some Girl Troops came in on jetpacks as Margie hit the ship's self-destruct, splitting it in two as the troops carried her and the now-female Lance away.

Dani, Nolan, and April fell out, landing back on Gary's ship. "Great work, you three!" Gary congratulated.

"Let's go for the last one!" Dan suggested.

"S-S-SIR! ! They've taken out another flagship!"

Numbuh 20,000 was struck speechless. "…ALRIGHT! You guys want a fight? ! COME GET SOME!"

"Wh-What? ? Y-You-"

The villains' ship charged for the gargantuan flagship, designed like a conch shell. Some SKWID Squad ships came their way and launched fast missiles, but Nolan locked on and took them out like before, afterward destroying the ships. Soon, their ship landed on a runway on the side of the flagship, the three villains charging forward.

The KND scientists were now in large mechs, but Mammoth, Atlas, and Adonis were fighting them. Danika simply slithered into the robots and sliced them from inside while Nolan blasted them, leaving the muscular villains to throw them off. They were about to head into the flagship, but the entrance was guarded by Numbuh 71.562 inside a bigger mech. Thankfully, Steamroller and INSTIGATOR landed on the ship, easily ripping the robot to shreds, grabbing the squirming boy by the shirt collar and jumping off.

The others proceeded into the ship and fought off many SKWID Squad troops as they made their way through. After fighting their way through, they nearly reached the captain's room, but Numbuhs 58 and 59 dropped from the ceiling, aiming their guns. "Well, lookee here. The boy that caused it all." Doug observed.

"Having fun with your new freak friends?" Gwen asked smugly.

"Out of the way, you two." Nolan demanded.

"No. We're taking you in for decommissioning." Doug declared.

"Oh yeah? Let's see what my 'freak friends' have to say about that. Get 'em, girls!" With that, Danika slid over and cut Doug's weapon while April ran and kicked Gwen's away. Both girls grabbed the operatives and bashed their heads into one-another, knocking them out. "You two take them away. I'll deal with Mr. Loudmouth." The girls nodded and Danika used Shadow Glide to fly them out through a window with the operatives.

Nolan shot a missile and blasted down the door, rolling into the captain's room where Numbuh 20,000 turned worriedly to him. "So… this is it! The battle to end all battles is finally here! I, Numbuh 20,000, will fight 'til the last man! And I will never stop until you and ALL your lackies are out of this-" Nolan simply shot a tranquilizer dart, making him stop. "Oh-weeee, mommyyyyy." He fainted.

"Well, that was easy." Nolan said, rolling over and grabbing the child. He saw the self-destruct button and proceeded to press it.

"Self-destruct in T-minus 60 seconds. 60. 59. 58…" Nolan immediately rolled them out of there as the place flashed red. He saw SKWID Squad operatives screaming and flying out of there. When he got back to the runway, the remaining scientists and other Brotherhood villains began to retreat as Nolan hurried to the ship.

"Hurry!" Danika called.

"10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5…" Nolan panted as he rolled his wheels faster, their ship already beginning to lift off. "3… 2… 1…" Dani stood in the doorway, reaching her arms down for Nolan to grab with his left hand, holding the wheelchair with his right. "Would the owner of a Black Corolla; oh, never mind. Zero."

The massive conch shell erupted in a huge explosion, and the villains immediately hurried out of there.

"EVERYONE! RETREAT!" An operative yelled, immediately flying away with the others.

"YEEEAAAHHH!" the villains roared, high-fiving and nudging each other.

"Haw, yeah!" Gary and Dan cheered, high-fiving.

"Phew. Let's get back to base." Nolan sighed, and with that, the Brotherhood Base was in sight, the villain armada flying closer with victory. (Stop the music.)

Final Brain; arena chamber

"A most noble effort, Kids Next Door." Darth Genious spoke as he slowly strolled past the captured operatives, who were sitting on a treadmill in an enormous arena-like chamber. Mallah, Madame Rouge, and Immortus watched them as Brain spoke. "But I'm afraid your invasion was all naught." He then turned to the Brotherhood villains, who were bowing their heads downward. "And congratulations to all of you. We won a great battle thanks to you villains."

Nolan slowly looked back up when he felt Brain approach him.

"This makes up for your past failure, Dear Nolan. You have been a fine operative during your time here…"

"It was my pleasure. I wanted to have my revenge."

"And you got it, just as I promised. You may very well be… the apprentice I've been looking for. And you are not even a psychicbender. Yet your strength is incredible."

Doug and Gwen looked at Nolan with hate.

The Brain turned and moved aside, allowing Nolan to see them. "Now… because I am generous, I will let you have a few words with your… former friends." At this, Nolan decided to roll up to them.

"So… this is your new job, huh?" Gwen asked.

"I knew you were no good." Doug said. "We should've arrested you when we had the chance."

"Yeah… but you didn't. Now after all the crud you gave me, I finally have my revenge." Nolan replied.

"Wonderful." Gwen said. "You know, Nolan, you may've hung out with a bunch of freaks, but you were still an operative."

"So?"

"There's a reason we let you go, you know." Gwen continued. "We did it so you could have a second chance. We did it because…because you were an operative. You were one of us."

"Er…" He looked away, unable to say anything.

"Nolan was an operative…" Brain spoke, approaching them. "But I have seen bigger… better for him. He is one of us now. His destiny is chosen… isn't that right, Nolan?"

"Uh..."

"You were leader of the Prospectors for a reason. A team of 'freaks' can only be led by a 'freak'. The Brotherhood of Evil consists of all outcasts and criminals alike. You were always meant to be… one of us."

"…Y…Yeah. You're right! And THOSE two were always AGAINST them!" Nolan yelled with remembrance. "Who needs them? !" He shot his head to Gwen and Doug. They only felt disappointment.

"Good…good… now, Nolan… I will give you the honor… of executing their fate." The boy looked over at Professor Chang, who stepped aside a control panel, and rolled over. Nolan looked hesitantly at his two former friends, as they patiently awaited his next move.

Nolan took a breath and pressed a button. A glass tube lowered from a machine above the two, encasing them inside. The kids looked frightfully as Nolan held his finger over a big, red, square button, his arm shaking. The boy shut his eyes and pressed the button, and the machine sprayed incredibly cold liquid nitrogen into the tube. When the nitrogen cleared, Nolan's eyes were wide, face stricken with horror. His two former friends were frozen into stunned and scared icicles.

The Brain rolled beside the frozen operatives and turned to his villains. "Behold: the machine that once sealed our fate, will be used to seal their fate: the Freezer 5000. Incredibly cold liquid nitrogen, specifically designed to form our beautiful trophies, from our enemies."

"YAAAAAHH!" the villains roared.

Nolan only closed his eyes and looked down in sadness as Brain approached him. "This… is the fate that's to become of those who lose the game of chess. No matter how good the other team may seem… the Side of Evil is always the strongest… and it will take the crown."

Nolan only spared one last glance before depressedly rolling himself off, followed by Dani and April.

"Now… who will freeze Lance?" Brain asked as the treadmill scrolled down, so that Girl Lance was under the Freezer.

"I wanna ride my rainbow bike!" the girl declared.

"YAAAY!" Margie and the Girl Troops cheered.

The base's entrance

"Ah, FINALLY, we made it back home!" Leo exclaimed as the poisonbenders were walking down a hall.

"Man, am I ready for sleep." Jeremiah said.

"We can sleep later." Matt said. "We have to find a ship and take it to Planet Avalar ASA-"

"Avalar?"

"WAH!" they jumped, startled at Dani, Nolan, and April.

"What are you four up to?" Danika asked.

"WE'RE GOIN' INTO SPACE—OOMP." Leo shouted, but was punched by Elijah.

"Ugh, we're going to Planet Avalar." Matt decided to tell them.

"An important mission?" Nolan asked.

"Yeah… sort of."

"Mind if we come?" Danika asked.

"Not me." April yawned. "I had enough adventuring for a while. I'm going to take a nap." With that, she walked off.

"Okay… see you later." Nolan called.

"I guess you guys can come." Matt said. "Now, let's go, before we're spotted."

The six of them snuck past Stormtrooper guards as they made their way through the halls. Eventually, they reached the hangar and found Bane's ship. They were about to sneak on when-

"Where do you think you're going?" They were startled by Cad Bane, with Aurra by his side.

"Uh… w-we're…" Dani tried to think of something.

"Going to Planet Avalar on an important mission." Matt said. "Er, but it's top secret, so don't tell anyone."

"Do you kids even know how to fly this thing?" Bane asked.

They all thought for a few seconds, then shrugged.

"Sigh… come on, we'll take you." Bane said as he and Aurra got onto the ship.

"You kids'll implode before you even reach the stratosphere." Aurra followed.

The kids boarded the ship as the two bounty hunters pushed buttons, starting it up. "Actually, I might be able to pilot it on my own." Nolan said.

"No, no." Bane replied. "Planet Vaporia's along Avalar's path. You'll need our help navigating around that planet."

"What's on Vaporia?" Matt asked.

"Hopefully, you won't find out. And if you do, hopefully it won't be through experience. Let's go." With that, the ship faced toward the sky and took off for outer space.

SO, the poisonbenders are going into space now. Anyone know what's on Vaporia? It's not good, I'll tell you that much. Next time, we'll get going to New Island.