Post by CCACorn26 on Feb 23, 2009 9:57:21 GMT -5
All right. This is it. I've had several weeks to ponder this fanfiction idea, as well as the shifting background of events within my mind that led up to this development, and now, I will opine that the time has come to reveal my newest major thought. It may be big in a way that my other thoughts in the past haven't been, including my fanfiction ideas. As some of you may already know, there's been a strange absence of new fanfiction ideas in my mind of late, and at the moment, the fanfiction ideas I currently have are the same ones that have brewing within my mind for the past several weeks. Some may think I'm suffering from writer's block, but it may be more than that. After all the stories I have compiled, the political scenarios I have portrayed, integrating my favorite Codename: Kids Next Door couples in the process, I realize that the fanfiction experiment that began in early September 2007 is almost complete. I was of the assumption that it would take me 21 total fanfictions to estimate what certain villains in the realm of 21st century international politics might look like through the eyes of the Kids Next Door, perhaps given certain "Kids Next Doorified" attributes, and after giving Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Iran, the House of Saud, the Muslim Brotherhood, and North Korea one chance to be the main villain for the Kids Next Door to confront or at least consider, I have one group left, namely Hizb Ut-Tahrir. Once my 21st and final story idea takes hold within my mind -- and my laptop -- the overarching purpose behind them will be full, and consequently, the fanfiction writing break I end up taking may very well be more permanent than the last one. My interests have begun shifting away from Codename: Kids Next Door, and perhaps ironically enough, the force beginning to propel those interests away from this show is the exact same force that led me to the Codename: Kids Next Door fandom through the Courting Commanders movement for the first time. I'm a Courting Commander, a Panda Warrior, a Samurai, a Sweet Yo-Yo Soldier, a Yelling Trooper, a Soda Junkie, and a Popcorn Protector, but above those things, I am... a political junkie. The individuals whom I respect and admire most are in the business of making sense of what all too often seems like an utterly, thoroughly, and I dare say hopelessly senseless world. I figure that if the Kids Next Door can survive the crises portrayed within my fanfictions, then they can survive virtually anything. I will endeavor to complete my remaining story ideas to best of my abilities, and if my fanfictions can give all of you some inspiration toward the idea that freedom can create a world of sincere love and peace, then my purpose will be served. For now, enjoy these special reflections of mine about Valentine's Day, with the mood behind Smile.dk’s “Dragonfly” bolstering my basic optimism.:
“Like a Valentine Flying High in the Sky”
“So, Rachel, almost ready to go?”
“That’s right, Nigel. Just some documents to review.”
Rachel McKenzie sat calmly at her desk in her office at the Kids Next Door Moonbase as Nigel Uno stood directly in front of that desk, her hands clasped together in front of her, his hands tucked behind his back, their eyes locked between both of them with something between friendship, professionalism… and sincere love. That last attribute may have been quite striking to anyone who happened to take note of it, given Nigel and Rachel’s positions within their organization. A curious eyebrow arched upward on Nigel’s face as he studied Rachel within his mind, perhaps wondering about a special item either Kids Next Door leader had retrieved on some specially classified mission. In case of this day, however, Nigel and Rachel’s outfits would have sufficed for their thoughts, whether between themselves -- or their fellow Kids Next Door. While Nigel had swapped his standard red sweater for a similarly colored t-shirt while retaining his khaki shorts, Rachel had switched into an orange t-shirt and a turquoise skirt, and to add to the sense of informality in the office, Rachel had her command helmet perched atop the right side of her chair rather than her shoulder-length blonde hair, a contrast to Nigel’s bald head that neither of them minded much.
In fact, Nigel and Rachel found themselves chuckling in their minds at the genuine -- and genuinely innocent -- happiness they’d been sensing about the Moonbase for the past week, especially given how some female operatives had been pairing up with some male operatives they happened to like, and vice-versa, if to a lesser extent. The red, pink, white, and blue streamers hanging both along the walls to the left and the right of the doorway and outside in the corridor adjacent to the office and the similarly colored hearts dispersed below the streamers may have given a casual observer hints that love and happiness were aplenty aboard the Kids Next Door’s lunar headquarters, but a solid blue banner displaying the words “Happy Valentine’s Day” -- “Happy” in red, “Valentine’s” in pink, and “Day” in white -- and hanging outside the office gave away this day’s real significance. Today was Valentine’s Day, and under Rachel’s authorization -- with Nigel’s quiet approval -- the Moonbase was holding a special party in the cafeteria at this very moment, no doubt with the appropriate treats to keep everyone happy, even if not every Kid Next Door at that party would be paired up with somebody he or she liked. As for Nigel and Rachel themselves, since he happened to be the leader of the Kids Next Door’s top sector and she happened to be the Supreme Commander of the entire organization, both of them were content simply to head off to a spot where they could be alone together while letting other pairs of Kids Next Door get more speculation about being a couple -- especially a certain pair of kids within Sector V with whom Nigel and Rachel were quite familiar already. As Rachel looked up from an open folder that contained the aforementioned documents at Nigel, both of them couldn’t help being struck by the circumstances surrounding this upcoming commemoration.
“Being a workaholic again, are you?” Nigel asked playfully. “Of course, I don’t blame you. Supreme Leadership of the Kids Next Door must be hard work, but maybe that’s what makes it fun for you.”
Rachel chuckled playfully while closing the folder, tilting her head at his strangely confident smile. “Fun? Maybe you should try switching with me or getting a position at Global Command for a day. You didn’t become the commander of Sector V and my top operative for just doing paperwork.”
“Eh, thank you, but I’ll let Numbuhs 86 and 60 keep handling the Kids Next Door around the world,” Nigel said. “Of course, my team will be certain to continue defending kids and fighting adult tyranny -- no matter how nasty it might become.”
“Good,” Rachel responded authoritatively, opening the folder once more to eye the top document within it. “Strangely enough, it looks like our new enemies are either trying to stay quiet or fighting each other.”
Nigel made something like a deliberative yet indignant grunt as he furrowed his eyebrows. “The Sacred Strugglers? I thought Grandfather was nasty, but they’ve managed to exceed him.” He folded his arms while rotating his eyes toward the ceiling. “I can never seem to figure out those adult villains.”
“Neither can I,” Rachel replied as she closed the folder back up, then gently placed it back onto her desk. “If they’re not fighting us, then they’re fighting each other. At least we… persuaded” -- a playful yet triumphant twinkle flashed between her and Nigel’s eyes at the tone in that word -- “them to allow Valentine’s Day to happen all over the Middle East a month ago, and now, kids from Egypt to Pakistan can learn what love really is, without any intervention from teens or adults.”
Nigel didn’t try suppressing a smile of victory at what Rachel was referring to. Forty days ago, the Israeli Kids Next Door, led by one Abraham Rabinowitz, whom one Deborah Merivni had developed feelings for in the past several months, intercepted a set of documents that revolved around a secret meeting to discuss a ban on Valentine’s Day across the Middle East. Muslim Brothers’ Society global leader -- and recently-elected Egyptian President -- Mahdi Nazif, Saudi Arabian King Abdul-Wahhab bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, and Iranian Supreme Jurist Hussein Khojaziri were the first ones to propose this plan, and they were in the process of implementing it within their respective countries. However, Organization of the Islamic Conference Secretary-General Hakan Ekrenoglu and a handful of his top advisors were urging greater caution in favor of deceiving the Great Enemy and its allies enough to submit to Allah… in the future. As for the Kids Next Door, as soon as they realized what that ban meant, they were understandably, perhaps appropriately, outraged. Kuki Sanban began sobbing almost uncontrollably about all the kids in the Middle East who would not get any Rainbow Monkeys, toys, or candies as a result, leaving Wally Beetles to try to calm her down, even if he didn’t think too much of this holiday. It was left to Global Command to authorize a special mission to defeat Nazif, Abdul-Wahhab, Khojaziri, and Ekrenoglu before that ban could take effect, and sure enough, the Kids Next Door were able to shock and freeze those four men into changing their minds. Nigel and Rachel happened to notice that Wally and Kuki were defending each other during the whole battle, and when all of them returned to the Moonbase after the mission, Deborah seemed to be quite happy for Abraham that they had worked together to alert their comrades to this grave new form of adult tyranny, such that she offered him a hug of gratitude, no doubt to his embarrassment. As Nigel and Rachel’s thoughts shifted once again to that party, a certain reminder between both of them to keep a close eye on any couples they were starting to sense filtered through their eyes into their minds.
“Including Numbuhs 1948 and 1956?” Nigel asked, recollections of certain moments between Abraham and Deborah whenever he saw them churning in his and Rachel’s minds. “They remind me quite a bit of Numbuh Four and Numbuh Three. It’s a bit fascinating to think about, to tell you the truth.”
Rachel nodded. “Speaking of Numbuhs Three and Four, how are they doing today?”
Nigel held his chin between his thumb and pointing finger thoughtfully. “That might be the really fascinating part. Numbuh Three told me last week that she was preparing a special present for Numbuh Four, but she didn’t want him to know about it until today’s party.”
It was Rachel’s turn to raise an eyebrow of curiosity, given everything she’d heard of that couple beyond that mission to the OIC’s headquarters. “May I assume that Numbuh Four still doesn’t know anything about this present from Numbuh Three yet?”
Nigel smiled smoothly. “No, he doesn’t, and for all intents and purposes, neither do we, and I don’t just mean you and me, but Numbuhs Two and Five, as well.”
Rachel leaned back in her chair, perhaps to relax. “You know, I have to give your teammates credit. They certainly don’t mind seeing you pair them up with each other to accomplish the mission more quickly.”
While a grin of gratitude crossed Nigel’s face, a thought of comprehensiveness crossed his mind. “Oh? Well, Numbuhs 23 and 35 have been pretty good, too. In fact, I caught Numbuh 23 talking with Numbuhs 101 and 74.239 this morning about some kind of present she’s making. Must be for Numbuh 35.”
Rachel rolled her eyes expectantly. “I might have guessed. They’re on the bridge with me or Numbuhs 60 and 86 most of the time, but now that Valentine’s Day has arrived, all[/b] of them are in the Moonbase cafeteria” -- she paused alertly -- “along with every other operative who wants to attend.”
This time, both of Nigel’s eyebrows inched upward in deliberation… before he smiled as something in his practical girlfriend’s eyes caught his attention. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Rachel mentally digested her practical boyfriend’s question, and seven seconds later, she pushed the folder toward the center of her desk, got up from her chair, and walked around her desk toward him, then paused with an aura of authoritative openness that he could easily admire. “Let’s check up on them. They must be eager to see us get this show on the road.”
Nigel took Rachel’s hand in his, smiling diplomatically at this party’s possibilities. “After you, Rachel.”
A chuckle no less warm, if not more so, escaped Rachel as she faced Nigel directly, the sparkle in her clear eyes harmonizing with his sunglass-cloaked eyes strikingly. “No need to worry, Nigel. You can drop the formalities once we arrive at the cafeteria.”
Their hands locked together as their minds were, if more separately, Nigel and Rachel turned toward her desk, focusing on that folder of documents, and looked around her office once more. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, the two Kids Next Door commanders nodded at each other to starting walking toward the doorway, then out into the corridor leading toward the Moonbase cafeteria, where no doubt many, if not necessarily all, of the couples mentioned in Nigel and Rachel’s conversation were waiting energetically to commence the special Kids Next Door Valentine’s Day Celebration at those prepubescent secret agents’ most critical base of operations. The Kids Next Door had applauded Nigel and Rachel’s leadership in organizing this party, but to Nigel and Rachel, their comrades had done the real work, from retrieving the appropriate food and drinks to mustering some presentations and presents during the course of the party, with Kuki’s special present for Wally especially prominent in Nigel and Rachel’s minds, despite its slot within that party. Thus did Sector V leader Nigel Uno and Kids Next Door Supreme Commander Rachel McKenzie proceed steadily down the hallway toward the cafeteria of the Kids Next Door Moonbase, hand in hand, their confidence about not just this party, but also its significance, both as commandingly solid as steel and as complementary as diamonds and pearls, perhaps appropriate for their combined demeanor.
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“Man, these Valentine’s Day cookies are good[/b][/u]. You want some, Numbuh Five?”
“Nah, you can go ahead and eat ‘em, Numbuh Two. I’m just gonna sit here and relax.”
“Well, soldiers, I’ll tell you what: I’d say we did a good job of puttin’ this party together.”
“Really, ya stupid boy? Yesterday, I could hear yer yelling all the way across the bridge!!”
Hoagie Gilligan and Abby Lincoln looked at each other slyly as Patton Drilovsky gulped nervously at Fanny Fulbright in the cafeteria of the Kids Next Door Moonbase, with Herbie Harding and Lizzie Devine also sitting at their long table, perhaps noticeably enough, given almost everyone else scattered across the cafeteria. A massive plate of red, pink, white, and blue heart-shaped cookies sat next to another massive plate of chicken strips and a third massive plate of French fries at the center of that table, and in front of Hoagie, Abby, Patton, Fanny, Herbie, and Lizzie, respectively, sat smaller plates that each contained a few of all three food items for each kid’s consumption. However, while Hoagie took another bite out of his cookie and Abby found herself eyeing him with sincere bemusement, Herbie and Lizzie looked around the cafeteria, marveling at the streamers, hearts, and flowers taped along the walls, bringing an aura of love into the cafeteria, normally a gathering spot for Kids Next Door operatives whenever they were planning to eat or drink something or simply talk about their most recent experiences. Perhaps those activities were even more observable today, and Patton, Fanny, Hoagie, and Abby could only marvel at what the Kids Next Door had just accomplished with this party. Almost every table in the cafeteria had at least one kid sitting at it, most Kids Next Door, and while many had kids sitting in pairs, others simply had groups of three kids, chatting happily with one another. Still more kids walked about the cafeteria, including Bartie Stork and Virginia Sims, who were now each holding trays of slices of cheese pizza with soda, walking with the energy and sincerity of a couple. As Bartie and Virginia walked in the direction of Hoagie, Abby, Patton, Fanny, Herbie, and Lizzie’s table, crossing an empty area at the center of the cafeteria reserved for special performances, and Patton and Fanny looked at each other with authoritative satisfaction, Herbie and Lizzie found themselves struck by some… special arrangements Herbie had made to transport Lizzie up to the Moonbase so that they could spend their Valentine’s Day up here rather than down on Earth.
Lizzie peered intently across the cafeteria before facing Herbie. “Isn’t this amazing?”
Herbie blinked a few times, then successfully perceived Lizzie. “Uh… yeah, I guess it is. What is it?”
“Why, Herbie, the party, of course,” Lizzie replied. “The food’s all set up here, and all you guys” -- she pointed first at Patton and Fanny and next at Hoagie and Abby -- “look like you’re enjoying yourselves.”
“Uh, no problem, Lizzie,” Herbie said shyly. “I’m just happy you’re here.” He pointed toward the plate of cookies. “Do you want some more cookies?”
Meanwhile, Abby shook her head with slightly greater bemusement at Herbie and Lizzie’s conversation. “Look at you two guys, just sittin’ there and talkin’ to each other like a couple of lovebirds.”
“Tell me about it. It’s an exchange from the heart,” Hoagie replied confidently, chortling at his emphasis on the last word.
“You know, ‘from the heart’ is right,” Virginia’s voice penetrated through the air near the table, if a bit imperceptibly. “I’d say Numbuh 65.3’s been thinking of Lizzie quite a lot in the past few days.”
“I’m just glad we’re able to take a break from our work on the bridge,” Bartie’s voice followed up. “It can get pretty hectic up there.”
Hoagie was the first to speak as Bartie and Virginia neared their table. “Oh, hey, Numbuhs 23 and 35.” His tone took on an air of mischief. “Did you give each other your Valentine’s Day gifts yet?”
Abby couldn’t resist rolling her eyes. “Hey, yeah. Hopefully, neither of you get into any trouble today…”
Bartie happened to blush nervously and look around furtively before responding, “Uh, actually, I was just thinking of doing that later. For now, Virginia wanted to get some food here, so I accepted.”
“Oh, don’t be modest, Bartie,” Virginia said mischievously. “It’s Valentine’s Day, so we’re supposed to look like a couple… aren’t we?”
Patton stared blankly before clearing his throat. “All right, soldiers. Unless you’d like to head back to the bridge and skip this party, you may proceed to your seats A-S-A-now!! Any questions?”
“Sir, no, sir!!!” Bartie and Virginia responded together while standing militarily straight, taking care not to drop their trays of food.
“Good,” Fanny spoke up. “In that case, ye can take a seat. Now, then, all we need are Numbuhs One, 362, Three, Four, 83, and 84, and we’ll be set to go.”
Hoagie looked at the cafeteria’s large center area. “Hey, yeah, you’re right. We haven’t seen Numbuh Three at all since this morning, and Numbuh Four said he’d be here soon.”
Abby looked around the cafeteria once more, and then, a few people at a certain distant end of the cafeteria caught her eye. “Well, we won’t need to wait much longer. Look who just arrived.”
Hoagie followed Abby’s direction, as did Patton, Fanny, Herbie, Lizzie, Bartie, and Virginia… only to smile expectantly at the six kids now walking into the cafeteria through the main doorway, cueing Bartie and Virginia to sit down to Hoagie and Abby’s left. Sure enough, at the front of that group walked the two kids who’d led the preparations behind this special Valentine’s Day celebration for the Kids Next Door, appearing to look around at the Moonbase cafeteria with genuine optimism and satisfaction but generally proceeding toward that long table of seven Kids Next Door plus one non-KND girl -- who already knew quite a bit about the Kids Next Door herself. The two kids visible to those two commanding kids’ left were notable by themselves, but the two kids visible to their right were striking enough. While the short mushroom-blond-haired boy maintained his usual orange sweater and blue jeans, the taller flowing-black-haired girl not only had switched into an all-green sleeveless shirt with a matching skirt, but also was wearing a thin gold string from which dangled a pink heart around her neck, no doubt to match the mood around this cafeteria. The outfit changes for the two kids perceived to be the most prominent leadership couple in the Kids Next Door were just as noticeable in their own way, leaving Sector V’s other main couple and the other Kids Next Door’s other most prominent leadership couple to maintain their own confidence and resolve. As Nigel Uno, Rachel McKenzie, Wally Beetles, Kuki Sanban, Lee Curtis, and Sonia Mason proceeded calmly toward the long table holding their best friends here, for all intents and purposes, some of the kids closest to their general path stood up and saluted in acknowledgement of the first two kids’ authority, sitting back down as they passed. Finally, with enthusiasm mounting between each and all of them about this party, Nigel, Rachel, Wally, Kuki, Lee, and Sonia reached that long table, the last four kids pausing loyally behind the first two. Hoagie, Abby, Patton, Fanny, Bartie, and Virginia got up and saluted no less dutifully, and Herbie and Lizzie took up that spirit themselves moments later.
“At ease, guys,” Nigel said instructively, holding up an open hand to emphasize his point, then lowering it when Hoagie and Abby sat back down. “Well, Numbuh 362, it looks like all fourteen of us are here.”
“I totally agree, Numbuh One,” Rachel said a bit playfully, perhaps perceivably enough. “Good work so far, everyone. Keep it up. Numbuhs 60 and 86, anything new to report?”
Having stopped his salute already, Patton shook his head negatively. “No, ma’am. We were just waitin’ for you guys to show up. These chicken strips and French fries taste pretty good, too.”
Fanny emitted a short chuckle of grim bemusement. “Well, other than seeing Numbuh 65.3 and Lizzie and then Numbuhs 35 and 23 flirting with each other, we’re okay.”
Nigel and Rachel looked at each other with something close to amusement before Nigel asked with sincere curiosity, “Et tu, Herbie and Lizzie?”
“It seems you’re getting along as well as we thought,” Rachel said in follow-up, folding her arms with fascination as Herbie and Lizzie glanced at each other secretively.
Strangely yet aptly enough, Kuki’s giggle seemed to be even more cheerful than it usually was. “I know!!! Isn’t this soooooo romantic?!?!”
Wally was unable to fight down his groan of disgust. “Speak for yourself. What kinda cruddy, dumb, stupid holiday is this, anyway?! Yecch!!!”
“Well, excuse me, Numbuh Four,” Kuki said more seriously while closing her eyes, leaving Wally to stare up at her with enormous skepticism. “Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a day for exchanging valentines for someone you love.” Her usual energy returned here. “It’s my favorite holiday other than Christmas!!! I know this day’s gonna be fun, right?”
Wally could barely prevent himself from cringing even further. “Oh, great. Numbuh Three’s been talking about this day for the past five weeks!!! Those girly-girly Rainbow Monkeys of hers have been getting even more love nowadays!!” He sighed to himself, then muttered under his breath, “Even that Valentine’s Day Rainbow Monkey I’m plannin’ to give her later…”
“Isn’t this amazing, Lee?” Sonia asked no less cheerfully. “Look at how happy everyone is.”
Lee nodded once. “Yeah, Sonia. I figure it’s cool as long as we’re together.”
Sonia gasped innocently, bringing her hands to her face, then smiled and wrapped her arms around Lee. “You really mean that?” At the ensuing nod, her smile widened and she rested her head against his shoulder. “Thank you. Do you think we might become a couple someday?”
Lee couldn’t fight down the blush creeping across his cheeks as he glanced at Sonia for all of several moments -- with almost everyone else at or around that table looking at them with inquisitiveness. “Maybe someday, but, uh, it might be cool if we sit down.”
This time, Kuki gasped as a sudden thought came to her, perhaps involving Wally. “Oh, my gosh, that’s right!! I have a special song I’d like to show all of you.”
Wally’s mind snapped back to its focus toward Kuki, a memory of a certain school play some time ago flashing through his mind. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold it. Are you gonna sing[/b]?”
“Of course, silly!!!” Kuki chirped at Wally. “It’s my Valentine’s Day gift to my special friend!!! I’m looking at him right now.”
Wally stared blankly for about five seconds before realizing what Kuki meant, and he blushed furiously before shaking his head rapidly. “Sure. Thank you, I guess. You can just sing your song already.”
Kuki bent down to plant a small, short kiss of gratitude on Wally’s forehead, then wrapped her arms around him just as Sonia did with Lee just moments ago. As for Sonia and Lee themselves, they stood alongside Nigel and Rachel as they and all their friends watched Kuki and Wally head off toward the empty central area, getting the attention of the kids at that long table of food first, then expanding to include table after table of Kids Next Door across the cafeteria. Next, Nigel and Rachel nodded at each other and proceeded after Wally and Kuki, with Lee and Sonia tagging along behind Nigel and Rachel, followed by Hoagie and Abby as they finished whatever they’d been eating and left their plates alone, with Patton and Fanny, Bartie and Virginia, and even Herbie and Lizzie following the same course of action, doubtlessly curious about how this apparent performance by Kuki for Wally would turn out. The leader of Sector V and the Supreme Commander of the Kids Next Door darted their eyes left and right, taking note of the looks of encouragement scattered across the faces they ended up encountering along the way, smiling to themselves at the happiness within those faces. They could only be proud of their fellow Kids Next Door that they could all spend their time and their talents advancing the defense of kids everywhere, so that they could just have fun being kids -- very much unlike the Sacred Strugglers and any other adult villains out there who would have preferred to destroy themselves than celebrate this holiday of love with the rest of the world. Perhaps the Kids Next Door would confront those villains in the future, thereby defending the freedom to love, and consequently, celebrate days like Valentine’s Day around the world, all under Nigel and Rachel’s combined yet also separate leadership. As Nigel and Rachel approached the cafeteria’s performance area, feeling their hands grasping each other at some point along the way from that long table, they were certain about freedom’s power to build a world of sincere love and truth for humankind, especially kids, given that their mission, their dream[/b][/u], demanded no less.
Kuki Sanban and Wally Beetles stepped toward the center of that performance area together, with Nigel Uno, Rachel McKenzie, Lee Curtis, Sonia Mason, Hoagie Gilligan, Abby Lincoln, Patton Drilovsky, Fanny Fulbright, Bartie Stork, Virginia Sims, Herbie Harding, and Lizzie Devine all taking up positions around that area and the other Kids Next Door across the cafeteria settling for watching enthusiastically from their tables, and finally, on a special cue from the Kids Next Door’s most prominently commanding couple, a special melody, perhaps like a techno-dance rhythm, began to play across the cafeteria, accompanied seconds later by amazingly yet appropriately cheerful words sung by the female half of the Kids Next Door’s most romantically popular couple, perhaps to the embarrassment of that couple’s male half -- and more doubtlessly to the enjoyment of the kids that may have been considered to be the Kids Next Door’s most recognizable couples, from strict to shy, from carefree to diametric:
*Like a warm summer day, like a warm day in May,
Babe, you make me feel so hot.
Like a small butterfly, like a bird in the sky,
Feels like a star that I’m not.
You tell me things that I never knew,
So what am I supposed to do?
Running around like a little kid,
One, two, three, and I’m hit, hit, hit!
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above and beyond you and I.
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above you and I.
(Scene: Kuki dancing and whirling cheerfully, with Wally blushing furiously yet strangely silently and remaining couples standing at sides of almost rectangular central area, Hoagie and Abby laughing with delight while clapping along for a few seconds, others wearing smiles of encouragement while concentrating on Kuki and Wally, except for Nigel and Rachel, who, toward the end of the musical interlude, turn their eyes toward a certain area of the cafeteria, which shifts to become the helicopter formerly known as Marine One flying away from the White House past the Washington Monument at the start of the next stanza)
Like a small paradise, like a scent of a spice,
Yes, I guess I understood.
(Scene: Wally, Kuki, Lee, and Sonia sitting together and looking out at the flowers in Gallagher Park, Kuki leaning slightly against Wally, Sonia against Lee)
Like a flower so sweet, like a lover of me,
Boy, you make me feel so good.
(Scene: Kids Next Door scientists poring over clipboards and charts, one typing at a computer displaying strange calculations)
You tell me things that I never knew,
So what am I supposed to do?
(Scene: Hoagie running after Abby down basketball court, Abby dribbling basketball rapidly, then jumping up to throw basketball, basketball flying through hoop at each “hit”)
Running around like a little kid,
One, two, three, and I’m hit, hit, hit!
(Scene: massive Kids Next Door attack force flying away from the Moonbase, then toward Earth)
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above and beyond you and I.
(Scene: Nigel, Rachel, Patton, and Fanny sitting in Supreme Commander’s personal ROADSTAR, ROADSTAR and Sector V’s personal SCAMPER zooming away while still staying closer together)
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above you and I.
(Scene: back in the Moonbase cafeteria in present day, Kuki still dancing and twirling intermittently, Wally gawking with no response whatsoever, six recognizable couples remaining as they were, with one cloaked figure walking toward seven five-pointed stars arranged heptagonally, pulsing with tranquil energy, fading into view in background, cloaked figure assuming position at the center of those stars, stars lighting up one by one at the start of the latest chorus, the Moonbase cafeteria starting to fade at the beginning of last line, replaced by a four-engine plane formerly known as Air Force One but now known as Special Air Mission 28000)
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above and beyond you and I.
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above you and I.
(Scene: Special Air Mission 28000’s engines starting to whir one by one, the plane taxiing toward the runway at the second half of the musical interlude, pilot pushing the throttle forward, plane taking off during the new chorus, Nigel and Rachel appearing and looking at each other with approval toward the last line before looking straight upward at something again)
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above and beyond you and I.
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above you and I.
(Scene: on map of United States, sky-blue outline of Special Air Mission 28000 from above flying away from Washington, D.C., toward blinking dot near central Texas, Nigel and Rachel appearing as ghosts in their standard animation styles to left of the airplane, Ash and Dawn appearing as ghosts in their standard animation styles to right of the airplane, and flying American flag appearing above the airplane, almost making a triangular gateway during the second line, as Special Air Mission 28000 flies farther and farther into the sunset)
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above and beyond you and I.
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above you and I.*
THE END
“Like a Valentine Flying High in the Sky”
“So, Rachel, almost ready to go?”
“That’s right, Nigel. Just some documents to review.”
Rachel McKenzie sat calmly at her desk in her office at the Kids Next Door Moonbase as Nigel Uno stood directly in front of that desk, her hands clasped together in front of her, his hands tucked behind his back, their eyes locked between both of them with something between friendship, professionalism… and sincere love. That last attribute may have been quite striking to anyone who happened to take note of it, given Nigel and Rachel’s positions within their organization. A curious eyebrow arched upward on Nigel’s face as he studied Rachel within his mind, perhaps wondering about a special item either Kids Next Door leader had retrieved on some specially classified mission. In case of this day, however, Nigel and Rachel’s outfits would have sufficed for their thoughts, whether between themselves -- or their fellow Kids Next Door. While Nigel had swapped his standard red sweater for a similarly colored t-shirt while retaining his khaki shorts, Rachel had switched into an orange t-shirt and a turquoise skirt, and to add to the sense of informality in the office, Rachel had her command helmet perched atop the right side of her chair rather than her shoulder-length blonde hair, a contrast to Nigel’s bald head that neither of them minded much.
In fact, Nigel and Rachel found themselves chuckling in their minds at the genuine -- and genuinely innocent -- happiness they’d been sensing about the Moonbase for the past week, especially given how some female operatives had been pairing up with some male operatives they happened to like, and vice-versa, if to a lesser extent. The red, pink, white, and blue streamers hanging both along the walls to the left and the right of the doorway and outside in the corridor adjacent to the office and the similarly colored hearts dispersed below the streamers may have given a casual observer hints that love and happiness were aplenty aboard the Kids Next Door’s lunar headquarters, but a solid blue banner displaying the words “Happy Valentine’s Day” -- “Happy” in red, “Valentine’s” in pink, and “Day” in white -- and hanging outside the office gave away this day’s real significance. Today was Valentine’s Day, and under Rachel’s authorization -- with Nigel’s quiet approval -- the Moonbase was holding a special party in the cafeteria at this very moment, no doubt with the appropriate treats to keep everyone happy, even if not every Kid Next Door at that party would be paired up with somebody he or she liked. As for Nigel and Rachel themselves, since he happened to be the leader of the Kids Next Door’s top sector and she happened to be the Supreme Commander of the entire organization, both of them were content simply to head off to a spot where they could be alone together while letting other pairs of Kids Next Door get more speculation about being a couple -- especially a certain pair of kids within Sector V with whom Nigel and Rachel were quite familiar already. As Rachel looked up from an open folder that contained the aforementioned documents at Nigel, both of them couldn’t help being struck by the circumstances surrounding this upcoming commemoration.
“Being a workaholic again, are you?” Nigel asked playfully. “Of course, I don’t blame you. Supreme Leadership of the Kids Next Door must be hard work, but maybe that’s what makes it fun for you.”
Rachel chuckled playfully while closing the folder, tilting her head at his strangely confident smile. “Fun? Maybe you should try switching with me or getting a position at Global Command for a day. You didn’t become the commander of Sector V and my top operative for just doing paperwork.”
“Eh, thank you, but I’ll let Numbuhs 86 and 60 keep handling the Kids Next Door around the world,” Nigel said. “Of course, my team will be certain to continue defending kids and fighting adult tyranny -- no matter how nasty it might become.”
“Good,” Rachel responded authoritatively, opening the folder once more to eye the top document within it. “Strangely enough, it looks like our new enemies are either trying to stay quiet or fighting each other.”
Nigel made something like a deliberative yet indignant grunt as he furrowed his eyebrows. “The Sacred Strugglers? I thought Grandfather was nasty, but they’ve managed to exceed him.” He folded his arms while rotating his eyes toward the ceiling. “I can never seem to figure out those adult villains.”
“Neither can I,” Rachel replied as she closed the folder back up, then gently placed it back onto her desk. “If they’re not fighting us, then they’re fighting each other. At least we… persuaded” -- a playful yet triumphant twinkle flashed between her and Nigel’s eyes at the tone in that word -- “them to allow Valentine’s Day to happen all over the Middle East a month ago, and now, kids from Egypt to Pakistan can learn what love really is, without any intervention from teens or adults.”
Nigel didn’t try suppressing a smile of victory at what Rachel was referring to. Forty days ago, the Israeli Kids Next Door, led by one Abraham Rabinowitz, whom one Deborah Merivni had developed feelings for in the past several months, intercepted a set of documents that revolved around a secret meeting to discuss a ban on Valentine’s Day across the Middle East. Muslim Brothers’ Society global leader -- and recently-elected Egyptian President -- Mahdi Nazif, Saudi Arabian King Abdul-Wahhab bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, and Iranian Supreme Jurist Hussein Khojaziri were the first ones to propose this plan, and they were in the process of implementing it within their respective countries. However, Organization of the Islamic Conference Secretary-General Hakan Ekrenoglu and a handful of his top advisors were urging greater caution in favor of deceiving the Great Enemy and its allies enough to submit to Allah… in the future. As for the Kids Next Door, as soon as they realized what that ban meant, they were understandably, perhaps appropriately, outraged. Kuki Sanban began sobbing almost uncontrollably about all the kids in the Middle East who would not get any Rainbow Monkeys, toys, or candies as a result, leaving Wally Beetles to try to calm her down, even if he didn’t think too much of this holiday. It was left to Global Command to authorize a special mission to defeat Nazif, Abdul-Wahhab, Khojaziri, and Ekrenoglu before that ban could take effect, and sure enough, the Kids Next Door were able to shock and freeze those four men into changing their minds. Nigel and Rachel happened to notice that Wally and Kuki were defending each other during the whole battle, and when all of them returned to the Moonbase after the mission, Deborah seemed to be quite happy for Abraham that they had worked together to alert their comrades to this grave new form of adult tyranny, such that she offered him a hug of gratitude, no doubt to his embarrassment. As Nigel and Rachel’s thoughts shifted once again to that party, a certain reminder between both of them to keep a close eye on any couples they were starting to sense filtered through their eyes into their minds.
“Including Numbuhs 1948 and 1956?” Nigel asked, recollections of certain moments between Abraham and Deborah whenever he saw them churning in his and Rachel’s minds. “They remind me quite a bit of Numbuh Four and Numbuh Three. It’s a bit fascinating to think about, to tell you the truth.”
Rachel nodded. “Speaking of Numbuhs Three and Four, how are they doing today?”
Nigel held his chin between his thumb and pointing finger thoughtfully. “That might be the really fascinating part. Numbuh Three told me last week that she was preparing a special present for Numbuh Four, but she didn’t want him to know about it until today’s party.”
It was Rachel’s turn to raise an eyebrow of curiosity, given everything she’d heard of that couple beyond that mission to the OIC’s headquarters. “May I assume that Numbuh Four still doesn’t know anything about this present from Numbuh Three yet?”
Nigel smiled smoothly. “No, he doesn’t, and for all intents and purposes, neither do we, and I don’t just mean you and me, but Numbuhs Two and Five, as well.”
Rachel leaned back in her chair, perhaps to relax. “You know, I have to give your teammates credit. They certainly don’t mind seeing you pair them up with each other to accomplish the mission more quickly.”
While a grin of gratitude crossed Nigel’s face, a thought of comprehensiveness crossed his mind. “Oh? Well, Numbuhs 23 and 35 have been pretty good, too. In fact, I caught Numbuh 23 talking with Numbuhs 101 and 74.239 this morning about some kind of present she’s making. Must be for Numbuh 35.”
Rachel rolled her eyes expectantly. “I might have guessed. They’re on the bridge with me or Numbuhs 60 and 86 most of the time, but now that Valentine’s Day has arrived, all[/b] of them are in the Moonbase cafeteria” -- she paused alertly -- “along with every other operative who wants to attend.”
This time, both of Nigel’s eyebrows inched upward in deliberation… before he smiled as something in his practical girlfriend’s eyes caught his attention. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Rachel mentally digested her practical boyfriend’s question, and seven seconds later, she pushed the folder toward the center of her desk, got up from her chair, and walked around her desk toward him, then paused with an aura of authoritative openness that he could easily admire. “Let’s check up on them. They must be eager to see us get this show on the road.”
Nigel took Rachel’s hand in his, smiling diplomatically at this party’s possibilities. “After you, Rachel.”
A chuckle no less warm, if not more so, escaped Rachel as she faced Nigel directly, the sparkle in her clear eyes harmonizing with his sunglass-cloaked eyes strikingly. “No need to worry, Nigel. You can drop the formalities once we arrive at the cafeteria.”
Their hands locked together as their minds were, if more separately, Nigel and Rachel turned toward her desk, focusing on that folder of documents, and looked around her office once more. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, the two Kids Next Door commanders nodded at each other to starting walking toward the doorway, then out into the corridor leading toward the Moonbase cafeteria, where no doubt many, if not necessarily all, of the couples mentioned in Nigel and Rachel’s conversation were waiting energetically to commence the special Kids Next Door Valentine’s Day Celebration at those prepubescent secret agents’ most critical base of operations. The Kids Next Door had applauded Nigel and Rachel’s leadership in organizing this party, but to Nigel and Rachel, their comrades had done the real work, from retrieving the appropriate food and drinks to mustering some presentations and presents during the course of the party, with Kuki’s special present for Wally especially prominent in Nigel and Rachel’s minds, despite its slot within that party. Thus did Sector V leader Nigel Uno and Kids Next Door Supreme Commander Rachel McKenzie proceed steadily down the hallway toward the cafeteria of the Kids Next Door Moonbase, hand in hand, their confidence about not just this party, but also its significance, both as commandingly solid as steel and as complementary as diamonds and pearls, perhaps appropriate for their combined demeanor.
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“Man, these Valentine’s Day cookies are good[/b][/u]. You want some, Numbuh Five?”
“Nah, you can go ahead and eat ‘em, Numbuh Two. I’m just gonna sit here and relax.”
“Well, soldiers, I’ll tell you what: I’d say we did a good job of puttin’ this party together.”
“Really, ya stupid boy? Yesterday, I could hear yer yelling all the way across the bridge!!”
Hoagie Gilligan and Abby Lincoln looked at each other slyly as Patton Drilovsky gulped nervously at Fanny Fulbright in the cafeteria of the Kids Next Door Moonbase, with Herbie Harding and Lizzie Devine also sitting at their long table, perhaps noticeably enough, given almost everyone else scattered across the cafeteria. A massive plate of red, pink, white, and blue heart-shaped cookies sat next to another massive plate of chicken strips and a third massive plate of French fries at the center of that table, and in front of Hoagie, Abby, Patton, Fanny, Herbie, and Lizzie, respectively, sat smaller plates that each contained a few of all three food items for each kid’s consumption. However, while Hoagie took another bite out of his cookie and Abby found herself eyeing him with sincere bemusement, Herbie and Lizzie looked around the cafeteria, marveling at the streamers, hearts, and flowers taped along the walls, bringing an aura of love into the cafeteria, normally a gathering spot for Kids Next Door operatives whenever they were planning to eat or drink something or simply talk about their most recent experiences. Perhaps those activities were even more observable today, and Patton, Fanny, Hoagie, and Abby could only marvel at what the Kids Next Door had just accomplished with this party. Almost every table in the cafeteria had at least one kid sitting at it, most Kids Next Door, and while many had kids sitting in pairs, others simply had groups of three kids, chatting happily with one another. Still more kids walked about the cafeteria, including Bartie Stork and Virginia Sims, who were now each holding trays of slices of cheese pizza with soda, walking with the energy and sincerity of a couple. As Bartie and Virginia walked in the direction of Hoagie, Abby, Patton, Fanny, Herbie, and Lizzie’s table, crossing an empty area at the center of the cafeteria reserved for special performances, and Patton and Fanny looked at each other with authoritative satisfaction, Herbie and Lizzie found themselves struck by some… special arrangements Herbie had made to transport Lizzie up to the Moonbase so that they could spend their Valentine’s Day up here rather than down on Earth.
Lizzie peered intently across the cafeteria before facing Herbie. “Isn’t this amazing?”
Herbie blinked a few times, then successfully perceived Lizzie. “Uh… yeah, I guess it is. What is it?”
“Why, Herbie, the party, of course,” Lizzie replied. “The food’s all set up here, and all you guys” -- she pointed first at Patton and Fanny and next at Hoagie and Abby -- “look like you’re enjoying yourselves.”
“Uh, no problem, Lizzie,” Herbie said shyly. “I’m just happy you’re here.” He pointed toward the plate of cookies. “Do you want some more cookies?”
Meanwhile, Abby shook her head with slightly greater bemusement at Herbie and Lizzie’s conversation. “Look at you two guys, just sittin’ there and talkin’ to each other like a couple of lovebirds.”
“Tell me about it. It’s an exchange from the heart,” Hoagie replied confidently, chortling at his emphasis on the last word.
“You know, ‘from the heart’ is right,” Virginia’s voice penetrated through the air near the table, if a bit imperceptibly. “I’d say Numbuh 65.3’s been thinking of Lizzie quite a lot in the past few days.”
“I’m just glad we’re able to take a break from our work on the bridge,” Bartie’s voice followed up. “It can get pretty hectic up there.”
Hoagie was the first to speak as Bartie and Virginia neared their table. “Oh, hey, Numbuhs 23 and 35.” His tone took on an air of mischief. “Did you give each other your Valentine’s Day gifts yet?”
Abby couldn’t resist rolling her eyes. “Hey, yeah. Hopefully, neither of you get into any trouble today…”
Bartie happened to blush nervously and look around furtively before responding, “Uh, actually, I was just thinking of doing that later. For now, Virginia wanted to get some food here, so I accepted.”
“Oh, don’t be modest, Bartie,” Virginia said mischievously. “It’s Valentine’s Day, so we’re supposed to look like a couple… aren’t we?”
Patton stared blankly before clearing his throat. “All right, soldiers. Unless you’d like to head back to the bridge and skip this party, you may proceed to your seats A-S-A-now!! Any questions?”
“Sir, no, sir!!!” Bartie and Virginia responded together while standing militarily straight, taking care not to drop their trays of food.
“Good,” Fanny spoke up. “In that case, ye can take a seat. Now, then, all we need are Numbuhs One, 362, Three, Four, 83, and 84, and we’ll be set to go.”
Hoagie looked at the cafeteria’s large center area. “Hey, yeah, you’re right. We haven’t seen Numbuh Three at all since this morning, and Numbuh Four said he’d be here soon.”
Abby looked around the cafeteria once more, and then, a few people at a certain distant end of the cafeteria caught her eye. “Well, we won’t need to wait much longer. Look who just arrived.”
Hoagie followed Abby’s direction, as did Patton, Fanny, Herbie, Lizzie, Bartie, and Virginia… only to smile expectantly at the six kids now walking into the cafeteria through the main doorway, cueing Bartie and Virginia to sit down to Hoagie and Abby’s left. Sure enough, at the front of that group walked the two kids who’d led the preparations behind this special Valentine’s Day celebration for the Kids Next Door, appearing to look around at the Moonbase cafeteria with genuine optimism and satisfaction but generally proceeding toward that long table of seven Kids Next Door plus one non-KND girl -- who already knew quite a bit about the Kids Next Door herself. The two kids visible to those two commanding kids’ left were notable by themselves, but the two kids visible to their right were striking enough. While the short mushroom-blond-haired boy maintained his usual orange sweater and blue jeans, the taller flowing-black-haired girl not only had switched into an all-green sleeveless shirt with a matching skirt, but also was wearing a thin gold string from which dangled a pink heart around her neck, no doubt to match the mood around this cafeteria. The outfit changes for the two kids perceived to be the most prominent leadership couple in the Kids Next Door were just as noticeable in their own way, leaving Sector V’s other main couple and the other Kids Next Door’s other most prominent leadership couple to maintain their own confidence and resolve. As Nigel Uno, Rachel McKenzie, Wally Beetles, Kuki Sanban, Lee Curtis, and Sonia Mason proceeded calmly toward the long table holding their best friends here, for all intents and purposes, some of the kids closest to their general path stood up and saluted in acknowledgement of the first two kids’ authority, sitting back down as they passed. Finally, with enthusiasm mounting between each and all of them about this party, Nigel, Rachel, Wally, Kuki, Lee, and Sonia reached that long table, the last four kids pausing loyally behind the first two. Hoagie, Abby, Patton, Fanny, Bartie, and Virginia got up and saluted no less dutifully, and Herbie and Lizzie took up that spirit themselves moments later.
“At ease, guys,” Nigel said instructively, holding up an open hand to emphasize his point, then lowering it when Hoagie and Abby sat back down. “Well, Numbuh 362, it looks like all fourteen of us are here.”
“I totally agree, Numbuh One,” Rachel said a bit playfully, perhaps perceivably enough. “Good work so far, everyone. Keep it up. Numbuhs 60 and 86, anything new to report?”
Having stopped his salute already, Patton shook his head negatively. “No, ma’am. We were just waitin’ for you guys to show up. These chicken strips and French fries taste pretty good, too.”
Fanny emitted a short chuckle of grim bemusement. “Well, other than seeing Numbuh 65.3 and Lizzie and then Numbuhs 35 and 23 flirting with each other, we’re okay.”
Nigel and Rachel looked at each other with something close to amusement before Nigel asked with sincere curiosity, “Et tu, Herbie and Lizzie?”
“It seems you’re getting along as well as we thought,” Rachel said in follow-up, folding her arms with fascination as Herbie and Lizzie glanced at each other secretively.
Strangely yet aptly enough, Kuki’s giggle seemed to be even more cheerful than it usually was. “I know!!! Isn’t this soooooo romantic?!?!”
Wally was unable to fight down his groan of disgust. “Speak for yourself. What kinda cruddy, dumb, stupid holiday is this, anyway?! Yecch!!!”
“Well, excuse me, Numbuh Four,” Kuki said more seriously while closing her eyes, leaving Wally to stare up at her with enormous skepticism. “Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a day for exchanging valentines for someone you love.” Her usual energy returned here. “It’s my favorite holiday other than Christmas!!! I know this day’s gonna be fun, right?”
Wally could barely prevent himself from cringing even further. “Oh, great. Numbuh Three’s been talking about this day for the past five weeks!!! Those girly-girly Rainbow Monkeys of hers have been getting even more love nowadays!!” He sighed to himself, then muttered under his breath, “Even that Valentine’s Day Rainbow Monkey I’m plannin’ to give her later…”
“Isn’t this amazing, Lee?” Sonia asked no less cheerfully. “Look at how happy everyone is.”
Lee nodded once. “Yeah, Sonia. I figure it’s cool as long as we’re together.”
Sonia gasped innocently, bringing her hands to her face, then smiled and wrapped her arms around Lee. “You really mean that?” At the ensuing nod, her smile widened and she rested her head against his shoulder. “Thank you. Do you think we might become a couple someday?”
Lee couldn’t fight down the blush creeping across his cheeks as he glanced at Sonia for all of several moments -- with almost everyone else at or around that table looking at them with inquisitiveness. “Maybe someday, but, uh, it might be cool if we sit down.”
This time, Kuki gasped as a sudden thought came to her, perhaps involving Wally. “Oh, my gosh, that’s right!! I have a special song I’d like to show all of you.”
Wally’s mind snapped back to its focus toward Kuki, a memory of a certain school play some time ago flashing through his mind. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold it. Are you gonna sing[/b]?”
“Of course, silly!!!” Kuki chirped at Wally. “It’s my Valentine’s Day gift to my special friend!!! I’m looking at him right now.”
Wally stared blankly for about five seconds before realizing what Kuki meant, and he blushed furiously before shaking his head rapidly. “Sure. Thank you, I guess. You can just sing your song already.”
Kuki bent down to plant a small, short kiss of gratitude on Wally’s forehead, then wrapped her arms around him just as Sonia did with Lee just moments ago. As for Sonia and Lee themselves, they stood alongside Nigel and Rachel as they and all their friends watched Kuki and Wally head off toward the empty central area, getting the attention of the kids at that long table of food first, then expanding to include table after table of Kids Next Door across the cafeteria. Next, Nigel and Rachel nodded at each other and proceeded after Wally and Kuki, with Lee and Sonia tagging along behind Nigel and Rachel, followed by Hoagie and Abby as they finished whatever they’d been eating and left their plates alone, with Patton and Fanny, Bartie and Virginia, and even Herbie and Lizzie following the same course of action, doubtlessly curious about how this apparent performance by Kuki for Wally would turn out. The leader of Sector V and the Supreme Commander of the Kids Next Door darted their eyes left and right, taking note of the looks of encouragement scattered across the faces they ended up encountering along the way, smiling to themselves at the happiness within those faces. They could only be proud of their fellow Kids Next Door that they could all spend their time and their talents advancing the defense of kids everywhere, so that they could just have fun being kids -- very much unlike the Sacred Strugglers and any other adult villains out there who would have preferred to destroy themselves than celebrate this holiday of love with the rest of the world. Perhaps the Kids Next Door would confront those villains in the future, thereby defending the freedom to love, and consequently, celebrate days like Valentine’s Day around the world, all under Nigel and Rachel’s combined yet also separate leadership. As Nigel and Rachel approached the cafeteria’s performance area, feeling their hands grasping each other at some point along the way from that long table, they were certain about freedom’s power to build a world of sincere love and truth for humankind, especially kids, given that their mission, their dream[/b][/u], demanded no less.
Kuki Sanban and Wally Beetles stepped toward the center of that performance area together, with Nigel Uno, Rachel McKenzie, Lee Curtis, Sonia Mason, Hoagie Gilligan, Abby Lincoln, Patton Drilovsky, Fanny Fulbright, Bartie Stork, Virginia Sims, Herbie Harding, and Lizzie Devine all taking up positions around that area and the other Kids Next Door across the cafeteria settling for watching enthusiastically from their tables, and finally, on a special cue from the Kids Next Door’s most prominently commanding couple, a special melody, perhaps like a techno-dance rhythm, began to play across the cafeteria, accompanied seconds later by amazingly yet appropriately cheerful words sung by the female half of the Kids Next Door’s most romantically popular couple, perhaps to the embarrassment of that couple’s male half -- and more doubtlessly to the enjoyment of the kids that may have been considered to be the Kids Next Door’s most recognizable couples, from strict to shy, from carefree to diametric:
*Like a warm summer day, like a warm day in May,
Babe, you make me feel so hot.
Like a small butterfly, like a bird in the sky,
Feels like a star that I’m not.
You tell me things that I never knew,
So what am I supposed to do?
Running around like a little kid,
One, two, three, and I’m hit, hit, hit!
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above and beyond you and I.
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above you and I.
(Scene: Kuki dancing and whirling cheerfully, with Wally blushing furiously yet strangely silently and remaining couples standing at sides of almost rectangular central area, Hoagie and Abby laughing with delight while clapping along for a few seconds, others wearing smiles of encouragement while concentrating on Kuki and Wally, except for Nigel and Rachel, who, toward the end of the musical interlude, turn their eyes toward a certain area of the cafeteria, which shifts to become the helicopter formerly known as Marine One flying away from the White House past the Washington Monument at the start of the next stanza)
Like a small paradise, like a scent of a spice,
Yes, I guess I understood.
(Scene: Wally, Kuki, Lee, and Sonia sitting together and looking out at the flowers in Gallagher Park, Kuki leaning slightly against Wally, Sonia against Lee)
Like a flower so sweet, like a lover of me,
Boy, you make me feel so good.
(Scene: Kids Next Door scientists poring over clipboards and charts, one typing at a computer displaying strange calculations)
You tell me things that I never knew,
So what am I supposed to do?
(Scene: Hoagie running after Abby down basketball court, Abby dribbling basketball rapidly, then jumping up to throw basketball, basketball flying through hoop at each “hit”)
Running around like a little kid,
One, two, three, and I’m hit, hit, hit!
(Scene: massive Kids Next Door attack force flying away from the Moonbase, then toward Earth)
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above and beyond you and I.
(Scene: Nigel, Rachel, Patton, and Fanny sitting in Supreme Commander’s personal ROADSTAR, ROADSTAR and Sector V’s personal SCAMPER zooming away while still staying closer together)
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above you and I.
(Scene: back in the Moonbase cafeteria in present day, Kuki still dancing and twirling intermittently, Wally gawking with no response whatsoever, six recognizable couples remaining as they were, with one cloaked figure walking toward seven five-pointed stars arranged heptagonally, pulsing with tranquil energy, fading into view in background, cloaked figure assuming position at the center of those stars, stars lighting up one by one at the start of the latest chorus, the Moonbase cafeteria starting to fade at the beginning of last line, replaced by a four-engine plane formerly known as Air Force One but now known as Special Air Mission 28000)
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above and beyond you and I.
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above you and I.
(Scene: Special Air Mission 28000’s engines starting to whir one by one, the plane taxiing toward the runway at the second half of the musical interlude, pilot pushing the throttle forward, plane taking off during the new chorus, Nigel and Rachel appearing and looking at each other with approval toward the last line before looking straight upward at something again)
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above and beyond you and I.
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above you and I.
(Scene: on map of United States, sky-blue outline of Special Air Mission 28000 from above flying away from Washington, D.C., toward blinking dot near central Texas, Nigel and Rachel appearing as ghosts in their standard animation styles to left of the airplane, Ash and Dawn appearing as ghosts in their standard animation styles to right of the airplane, and flying American flag appearing above the airplane, almost making a triangular gateway during the second line, as Special Air Mission 28000 flies farther and farther into the sunset)
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above and beyond you and I.
Like a dragonfly flying high in the sky,
There is light above you and I.*
THE END
