Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

COLONEL Casey entered the control room looking concerned. "Any news?" she asked one of the controllers.

"Negative, ma'am," the male controller replied grimly. "Not a peep."

"What about personal radios?" asked Colonel Casey. "Has anyone been able to contact Captains Rigby or Madison?"

A mumble of negative responses came from the other controllers in the room.

"Keep trying," said Colonel Casey. "It's imperative that we-"

"Excuse me, Colonel?"

Colonel Casey turned to the female controller who had spoken. "What is it, Smith?"

"It's not just our people that have vanished from our radars, ma'am," said the controller. "The whole island has vanished as well."

Colonel Casey came over and stared at the monitor screen on the controller's desk. She frowned. "That's impossible," she said. "Islands don't just disappear without a trace!" She turned to another controller. "Get me International Rescue," she ordered. "Tell them we have a situation!"

5!

4!

3!

2!

1!

"Thunderbirds Are Go!"

"THE MYSTERY OF ENIGMA ISLAND"

THE Sun was just setting over Tracy Island. All was quiet. Virgil and Gordon were out on a mission with Thunderbird 2 trying to prevent a suspension bridge in New York from collapsing after a helicopter had crashed into it and Alan was out in space in Thunderbird 3 on the trail of an astronaut who had become separated from his shuttle during a space-walk. This left only Scott, Kayo, Brains, Jeff and Grandma as the only ones on the island.

The inside of the villa was looking festive though with a large tree and several decorations placed in all the rooms. It was Christmas Eve after all and everyone was hoping for a well-earned rest for a couple of days.

"Phew!" gasped Kayo as she collapsed onto one of the sofas. "I'm beat."

"Yeah, me too," agreed Scott as he sat on another.

"Awh, I thought you were going to join me?" Kayo moaned.

Scott smirked. "So you can use me as a leg-rest again?" he teased.

Jeff laughed. "Kayo, we do have actual footrests, you know? They fold out from under the couches?"

"Yeah, I know, Mr Tracy," sighed Kayo. "But laying across them like this is much more comfortable."

"I hope your shoes are clean then?" Grandma asked as she entered with a tray of mugs.

Kayo swiftly removed her shoes and placed them on the floor. Scott waved his hand across his face which caused Kayo to throw a cushion at him.

"Hot chocolate, Grandma?" asked Scott after he'd caught the cushion.

"You bet," Grandma replied. "I had hoped the others would be back by now, but they'll get theirs when they do."

"I sure hope they get back before midnight," said Scott. "Otherwise Santa Clause won't bring them their presents."

Jeff gave a chuckle. He knew that the boys were all grown up enough to realise it had always been him who had played Santa on Christmas. They'd only come to realise the truth when he'd gone missing and Alan had caught Grandma putting the presents outside their rooms the first Christmas after the Zero-X incident. "Indeed he won't," he said mysteriously.

Just then a beeping sound startled them all. The eyes on John's portrait were flashing.

"This better not be another mission," Kayo said.

"Go ahead, John?" said Jeff.

John's hologram appeared. He looked rather concerned. "Sorry to break this to you, guys, but we have a situation."

Scott and Kayo groaned loudly.

Jeff sighed. "What's the problem, son?"

"A concerning one," John answered. "Colonel Casey just called. The humanitarian mission that the GDF sent to Ecuador Island has disappeared - along with the island itself."

"Islands don't just vanish, John," said Jeff.

"I know that, Dad," said John. "I've run a thorough scan of the area and have managed to locate it, yet the GDF's own scanners aren't registering it."

"Do you really have to get involved here?' asked Scott. "Why can't you just send the GDF the location and let them handle it?"

"I did consider that, Scott," said John. "However, if we don't do something then Virgil's going to want to know why."

The others were puzzled. "How's that?" asked Jeff.

"Hayley is one of the missing," said John.

"Hayley?!" repeated Kayo. "I thought she was coming here for Christmas?"

"She was," said John. "But she won't if we don't find out what's happened to her and the others."

Scott got to his feet. "Okay, I'll take Thunderbird 1 out there and see what's going on."

"I'm coming with you," said Kayo, also getting up. "If there are hostiles on the island, you won't be equipped to deal with them."

Scott nodded. "F-A-B," he said as he hurried over to the revolving wall panel.

"Good luck," said Jeff. "And be careful."

Whilst Scott turned on the revolving wall panel and headed down in the express elevator towards the hangar where Thunderbird 1 was located, Kayo headed to the changing rooms to change into her uniform. Once that was done, she took the elevated platform out to join Scott in Thunderbird 1 who himself was gaining access via the extendable walkway. With them both aboard and the hatches sealed, the trolley that Thunderbird 1 was mounted on moved up the diagonal tunnel to the launching bay located underneath the swimming pool which was moving to reveal the opening. Once it was fully open and the trolley was in position, they were ready.

5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

The peacefulness of Tracy Island was shattered by the roar of Thunderbird 1's engines as they ignited. The sleek, silver bullet gracefully rose up out from the launch bay and climbed high into the dusk sky above Tracy Island before starting to level out.

"Thunderbird 1 is GO!" said Scott. "Changing to horizontal flight."

Once levelled out and on course, Scott called up Thunderbird 5. "John, we're on our way. Have you any more info for us?"

"Not a lot, but what I do have is important," John answered. "I've made an initial scan of Ecuador Island. Seems all the locals have been forced to abandon the island. There's only about thirty contacts on the island and twenty of those are the Humanitarian team. They're all inside the church in the middle of the island along with four others who aren't registering as friendly contacts."

"A hostile takeover?" asked Kayo. "But who'd want to take over that island? From what I've heard its one of the poorest places on the entire planet?"

"It's exactly that," said John. "Which is why the GDF sent a team of GDF troops, doctors and two field commanders out to deliver them a Christmas gift in food and other vital necessities."

Scott turned in his seat and looked back at Kayo. "Looks like your stealth suit is gonna come in handy," he remarked.

Kayo nodded.

With its immense speed, it took Thunderbird 1 next to no time at all to cross the Pacific Ocean to a location between the Galapagos Islands and the mainland of Ecuador. Located roughly halfway between the two was Isla Ecuador, or Ecuador Island as it was known. It was roughly the same size as Tracy Island, with only a small village located in the middle. Its main feature was a church, and it was here where the GDF team was meant to be.

Flying in high from above, Scott looked down towards the island. It was pitch black. Only a few yellow lights could be made out far below. The main light visible belonged to the Lighthouse at the very Western end of the island.

"If there's a hostile force on the island, it might be best that I stay out of sight for the time being," Scott decided. "You're going to have to HALO-Jump down to the island, Kayo."

"F-A-B," replied Kayo. She pressed a button on her vest which activated the nanotech suit which covered her regular one. This included her nano-tech battle-helmet as well. "Get a good angle and I'll do the rest," she said.

Scott nodded and turned Thunderbird 1 to head over the island and over 8,000 feet. He then opened the large hatch in the underside of the ship. "Drop when ready," he said.

"Commencing jump in three…two…one!" said Kayo and she leapt out of the rocket-plane.

Scott closed the hatch and allowed Thunderbird 1 to continue on a straight path. That way if anyone on the island saw or heard anything then they wouldn't get suspicious. At least that's what he hoped.

Kayo dropped down to 2,000 feet before deploying her air-brake. She could now glide effortlessly around over the island to where she wanted to be before touching down on the flat roof of a long concrete building near the church. "I'm down," she said. "Thunderbird 5, any update?"

"No change, Kayo," answered John. "Still registering the GDF team inside the church along with the ten unidentified life-signs."

"Where are they?" asked Kayo.

"Four are inside the church," said John. "Three are on guard outside the front doors. The rest are at the other end of the village. You won't have to worry about those other three for the moment but I'll keep my eye on them."

"F-A-B," said Kayo. "I'll take out the ones at the front of the church then head inside."

"Be careful," said John. "We don't know who these people are or what their intentions could be."

"Understood. Kayo out."

Kayo moved slowly and quietly across the roof of the building before peering over the edge towards a cobbled courtyard in front of the church. She could see three men standing guard near the front doors. They had strange outfits, Kayo observed. Like suits with a mixture of black and green. Every other one's suit was opposite the one next to him. They all had bowler hats on as well. Kayo used the scanner in her helmet to check to see if they were armed. They were, but not with guns to her relief. One had a wooden baseball bat attached to his belt whilst the other two had knives in their pockets. Even though she knew these wouldn't be able to hurt her thanks to her suit, she wanted to make sure the men didn't get the chance to use them.

The three men were clearly unhappy with what they were doing and one of them made no attempt to hide his misery. "Why the hell are we stuck out here?" he complained. "It's Christmas Eve! Why is it so hot?"

"Because we're in the Southern Hemisphere, you dumb-dumb!" retorted the man opposite him. "They have Summer at Christmas."

"Well that sucks!" grumbled the first man.

"Cut it out!" snapped the third man who was clearly the one in charge of the small group. "You two are giving me a headache with your yapping."

"Get stuffed, will ya, bro?" said the first man. "We got the whole place to ourselves. Who's gonna hear us? Huh?"

There came a sudden whoosh from above as Kayo made her entrance. She dived down from the building and slammed into the first man, grabbing him by the shoulders, flipping up and over him before landing on her feet and pulling him up over her own head before tossing him effortlessly like a ragdoll into an abandoned shop opposite.

"What the?!" exclaimed the two remaining men, both completely caught out.

The second man tried to grab his knife but Kayo moved like lightning, jumping over and punching him so hard that he flew across the courtyard into the chairs and tables of the abandoned café which had been underneath where Kayo had been.

The tall man then tried to grab his baseball bat but Kayo snatched it out of his hand before hitting him over the head with it and then kicking him back into the wall of the church. She then snapped the bat in two before dashing forwards and pinning the dazed man up against the wall.

"Time to talk," Kayo said in a menacingly distorted voice due to the modulator in her helmet. "Who are you?"

The man was still dazed and seemed to be slipping out of consciousness due to the hit over hit head. He did manage to speak a little though. "You…don't ask…questions…" he said wearily. "Only…the boss…can…" And then he passed out.

"Damn…" Kayo said, angry at herself for using the man's weapon against him. Now she was no nearer to finding out the truth. She then scanned the doors of the church to see what was inside. Behind the front doors was a small inner entrance that then led into the main congregation hall. It was in the main part where she could see where the others were. She saw the four unknown contacts were between the GDF force and the door, all of the latter seemed to be lying flat on the floor, and the four nearest the door were armed with what could only be assault-rifles. Kayo gritted her teeth. "International Rescue, this is Kayo. This is more than a situation. We have a hostage situation!"

Chapter Text

HAYLEY, Rigby and the rest of the Humanitarian group lay either face-down or on their sides on the floor of the church. All had their hands bound behind their backs whilst the four gunmen, also dressed in the strange green and black suits that the ones Kayo had taken down outside had been wearing, kept a close eye on them.

"How long do we keep them here for?" asked one of the gunmen.

"Until the boss says otherwise," said another.

Just then, there was a knocking sound at the door. All eyes turned to look at them.

"What was that?" asked the third gunmen.

"The door, stupid!" said the second. He looked at the first one. "Go see who it is."

"Surely it's one of our own?" said the first gunmen.

Just then the door slowly creaked open, but only ajar. Hayley turned her head to watch, hoping that whoever it was out there was there to help them.

The four gunmen were suspicious and trained their weapons on the doors.

"WHO'S THERE?!" the lead gunman called out. "IDENTIFY YOURSELF!"

Nobody said anything. Nobody was seen either. But then the door flew right open as a handful of strange little silver pellets came flying into the church. They burst and produced a great cloud of white smoke, concealing the doors from view.

"What the?!" exclaimed the gunmen in surprise. They then began shooting blindly into the smoke, hoping to hit whoever was there. They then stopped and waited for the smoke to clear. There was nothing there. Not even a body.

The men were scared as they began to look around, trying to figure out who might have entered the church without them seeing.

"SPREAD OUT!" ordered the leader. "COVER THE HOSTAGES!" He then shouted up towards the ceiling. "WHOEVER IS THERE? COME NEAR US AND THESE PEOPLE DIE!"

One of the gunmen grabbed Rigby and dragged him off to the right side of the church. Another grabbed one of the captive doctors and dragged him off to the left.

Kayo meanwhile had gotten herself a perfect vantage point on a gargoyle up near the ceiling. She was in stealth-mode hence why the gunmen couldn't see her. They don't know where I am, she thought to herself. Good. Let's keep it that way. She activated the thermal imaging scanner in her helmet to check on where the gunmen were. Four thugs - all armed, two hostages. This is going to be easy, she thought before using her grapple to move from where she was to another gargoyle on the right side of the church that overlooked Hayley and the rest of the captives. The remaining two gunmen were still clearly visible, watching over the hostages whilst also looking around on the ground. She decided it would probably be easiest to deal with them last. They wouldn't shoot unless she was spotted. She therefore focused her attention on the gunman who'd snatched up one of the doctors. She was somewhat amused as to his choice of hiding place. Hiding in the Confessional? Dumb, she thought. He's just made it easier for me to get right behind him. She grappled across to another gargoyle opposite the one she was on and then dropped down behind the Confessional booths. She then scanned again to make sure she was going to attack the right one. She composed herself and then struck, punching through the wooden door and grabbing the startled gunman who had no time to react. She pulled him back, slammed him to the ground and then knocked him out with a punch to the face. The doctor was equally startled and gazed around for he couldn't see who'd attacked. Kayo quickly deactivated the stealth so she could show herself to him. "Shhh. You're safe," she whispered, having also disabled the voice modulator. She cut the zip-tie around his wrists to free him. "Keep quiet."

The doctor nodded nervously to show he'd understood. "O-Okay," he whispered back.

With one hostage safe, Kayo went back into stealth-mode and grappled back up to the gargoyle above. She then turned her attention to the other hostage taker on the opposite side of the church. The one who'd got a hold of Rigby was standing under some scaffolding. Rigby will keep his attention focused, she thought. I just need to get to the scaffolding and take him down from there. She grappled over to the gargoyle opposite and then dropped down around the corner and onto the top of the scaffolding. As predicted, the gunman holding Rigby didn't have a clue she was there, until a pair of invisible boots dropped down from above and grabbed him around the head. Startled, he let go of Rigby and dropped his assault rifle. He tried calling out, but Kayo's grip prevented him from doing so. He then passed out and she let him drop to the floor.

Unlike the doctor, Rigby wasn't spooked. He had a pretty good idea who had just saved him. His face broke into a broad grin as Kayo deactivated her stealth and dropped down in front of him. "Knew Colonel Casey would get you to come," he whispered.

"You'll be fine, Rigs," Kayo whispered back as she cut his cuff free. "Stay here whilst I take out the remaining two. Then help the others."

Rigby nodded in agreement of the plan. He concealed himself behind some wooden boards whilst Kayo went back into stealth-mode and grappled up to the gargoyle again. She could now focus her attention on the remaining two gunmen. To her surprise and delight, they were standing near the altar side-by-side near the back of the church, their weapons trained towards Hayley and the others. This meant she could take them both down at the exact same time. She grappled across to another gargoyle which was located above the huge organ and then silently dropped down to the floor before sneaking up behind the two gunmen.

"Do you see anything?" the one on the left asked.

"No. Nothing!" growled the other one. "HEY! SHOW YOURSELF! OR I'LL START KILLING THE HOSTAGES!"

"No. You won't."

The two men jumped at the sound of the distorted voice in their ears. But before either of them could turn, Kayo grabbed a hold of their heads and banged them hard into one another.

"AARGH!" the two men cried out as the impact of their heads colliding instantly knocked them both out cold. They slumped to the floor.

Kayo then deactivated her stealth suit once more to reveal herself to the remaining captives. "The room is secure!" she called out. "You're safe now!"

"Thank God," said Hayley as Rigby came out to help free her and the others.

The doctor that Kayo had rescued also came out from behind the Confessional.

Having received word from Kayo that she'd taken out the hostiles, Scott was able to land Thunderbird 1 outside the church and come inside. "How is everyone?" he asked.

"Shaken, but no injuries," Kayo replied.

"What happened?" Scott asked Hayley and Rigby.

"Uh, it all happened so fast," Rigby replied. "Madison and I were outside doing a perimeter check. The next thing we knew, these eight thugs came out of nowhere and captured us. They forced us back inside and made us tell the others to surrender as well."

"Weren't you guys armed at all?" asked Scott.

"Yes, but one weapon against their eight?" asked Hayley. "Neither of us would have had a chance, Scott."

Scott felt kind of silly for even making the observation. "Yeah, I guess so," he said. He turned to look at the seven unconscious thugs lying handcuffed to one another at the side of the church. "You said eight, right?" he asked. "I only count seven."

"One left about ten minutes before Kayo made her entrance," said Hayley. "Where he went I didn't hear him say."

"Strange choice of clothing as well," Scott remarked. "Green and black suits? Kind of odd for a criminal gang. If that is what it is?"

"The whole thing makes no sense," said Rigby. "The island's deserted apart from us and them. None of the villagers we were told to expect and help out are here."

"You don't suppose these men have done something to the villagers, do you?" asked Kayo. "I mean this does bear some similarity to what The Luddites did with that village in Wales?"

"Maybe, but these aren't Luddites, that's for sure," said Hayley. "I honestly haven't a clue who they are."

Rigby cracked his knuckles. "When they wake up, they'll tell us," he said. "Then we'll take them into GDF custody once the Flyer comes back for us."

"I guess there's nothing else for us to do here?" Scott said to Kayo.

"Actually, Scott, I think maybe we should stick around," Kayo replied. "There are more of those thugs about the island and we don't want them to return in force."

Scott nodded, knowing Kayo was right. "Fair enough," he said. "I'll radio base and tell Dad that-" He was cut off when the logo on his sash lit up as it started to beep. "Speak of the devil, maybe?" he wondered out loud as he pressed the sash. "Thunderbird 1?"

It wasn't Jeff as Scott had hoped. It was John. "Scott, we have another situation," he said. "I've picked up an emergency SOS beacon from a Fishing Trawler in the area. It's about five miles West of Isla Ecuador and is heading on a direct collision course for the rocks near the Lighthouse. I've tried making contact but I'm not getting any response."

"Okay, John. I'll go and check it out," said Scott. He turned to the others. "I'll be back in a bit," he said.

"Don't worry about us, Scott," said Hayley. "We're not going anywhere."

"Hurry, Scott," finished Kayo. "Those fishermen may not have long."

"F-A-B," Scott said as he hurried from the church to Thunderbird 1.

Thunderbird 1 took off from in front of the church and headed out Westward over the island, past the Lighthouse and out over the sea. It was pitch black so Scott had to use the night-vision mode on Thunderbird 1's cameras in order to locate the Fishing Trawler. He found it rather quickly as it was the only vessel on the water in the whole area. He brought Thunderbird 1 down in low and circled the boat which seemed to be travelling at full-speed and in a perfect straight line.

"This is International Rescue!" Scott's voice hollered over the tannoy. "Is anyone aboard?"

Nobody came out of the wheelhouse onto the deck. Scott also did a thermal scan of the vessel, but the only heat it was showing was that coming from the engine.

John's hologram then appeared in front of him. "Scott, you have to either stop that boat or at the very least divert it," he said. "If it continues on its present course-"

"It'll crash into the rocks around the Lighthouse," Scott finished his sentence for him. "Doesn't appear to be anyone aboard." He put Thunderbird 1 into autopilot and put his helmet on. "I'm going down there," he said.

"F-A-B," said John. "And be careful. Given what Kayo had to deal with, this could also be something dangerous."

Scott nodded and opened the hatch underneath his seat. The seat lowered and he unfastened his safety-belt so he could jetpack down to the boat. He landed on the deck with a thud and looked around. He could make out the bright light of the Lighthouse only a few miles away. He knew he had to act fast if he was to prevent a potential disaster. He hurried into the wheelhouse and immediately froze. The body of a man lay flat out on the floor of the wheelhouse. He'd been badly beaten up. Scott rolled him over, but quickly realised he did not need to check for a pulse. He felt his stomach churn. "Damn it!" he cursed before turning his attention to the controls. He did a double-take at the realisation that someone had wedged a crowbar amongst the spokes of the wheel, preventing anyone from moving it. "Er, Thunderbird 5. You were right about something strange, John."

"How so?" John asked.

"Someone's put a crowbar in the wheel. I can't turn it. Oh, and there's a deceased crewman aboard."

"Deceased?!" John repeated. "My God…"

Scott took out his laser cutter. "This should take care of the crowbar," he said as he sliced through it. The bar broke into two pieces which fell out of the spokes of the wheel and landed with a pair of loud clatters on the floor. Scott grabbed the wheel and turned the boat away from the rocks and the lighthouse. He stayed put until he'd gotten it past the dangerous area before turning it back towards the island and then running it aground on the beach where it could do no harm. He then shut down the engine and turned his attention back to the deceased sailor. "I'm sorry, buddy," he said sadly. "Wish I knew who did this to you." It was at that moment that something caught his eye. There was something green poking out from inside the man's jacket. Intrigued, Scott reached it and pulled the object out. It was an envelope - green all over, and with a black question mar printed on the front. Scott frowned, very confused. "What the hell is this?" he asked himself as he opened it up. Inside was a piece of paper. But it was what was written on it that made Scott's body go cold.

"You failed to save him. Yourself you will hate. Now get back to the church - before it's too late!"

Scott stared at the message, unsure what to make of it at first. But then as he read it again, the word 'church' suddenly made him realise something. This sounded like a warning. He activated the radio in his helmet. "Scott to Kayo. What's your situation?"

There was no response.

"Thunderbird 5, can you get hold of Kayo?" Scott asked. "I fear she and the others may be in danger."

It was a few seconds before John responded. He sounded confused when he did. "Yeah…I think you might be right, Scott," he said. "I've just done a scan of the island. I can't find Kayo's locator beacon. In fact, I can't seem to locate anybody. It's like the island's disappeared from view."

Scott ran onto the deck of the boat and jet-packed back up to Thunderbird 1. Once inside he raced back to the island and the church. "Please, please, please, be okay," he said, fear flowing through his body.

Chapter Text

SCOTT landed Thunderbird 1 in the courtyard outside the church again and practically jumped to the ground before the seat had finished extending. He started to run towards the church but skidded to a stop after just a few steps. Straight away he could tell something was wrong. Both the doors had been sprayed with graffiti. Each now bore a large green question mark, similar to the one on the front of the envelope. He glanced around and saw there were other graffiti images sprayed over the other buildings. Most of which were also question marks. Something very strange was going on.

"Thunderbird 5, any luck with finding Kayo?" Scott asked. But all he got in response was interference. "John? Thunderbird 5, come in? Grrr!" he growled and hurried in through the front doors of the church. He then burst through the inner doors before skidding to a stop yet again, letting out a gasp of horror as he did so. The church was completely empty. There was no sign of Kayo, Hayley, Rigby, the other GDF soldiers or any of the medics who'd been there when he'd visited barely twenty minutes beforehand. It was possible they could have left but Scott felt sure he'd instructed them to stay put until he returned. "Oh, no no no no no," Scott said as he hurried around the church, looking for any clues he could find. But apart from some more of the strange question mark graffiti there was nothing.

"Oh, no! Where have they gone?"

Scott stopped dead, having jumped at the sound of the mystery voice that had come from behind him. It sounded like it was coming through some speakers. He turned around to face the front of the church then gasped again for he now found himself looking at the hologram image of a man projected out from the walls. The man was dressed rather oddly. He wore a green suit and a bowler hat, similar to the strange gunmen that Kayo had dealt with earlier, only his suit was completely green as was the hat. On the front of the hat and on the left side of the suit's jacket were two identical black question marks, exactly like the one on the envelope.

"Could it be whilst you were out trying to save an innocent life, I, The Riddler, snuck in and took all of those poor imbecilic fools?"

Scott stared at the man. "Who the hell are you?" he demanded. "What have you done with them?"

"Questions, questions, International Rescue," said the man. "It isn't you who needs answers here, it's me! Although I will gladly answer yours seeing as your primitive mind didn't seem to pick up who I am when I first poke. I am The Riddler, your intellectual superior. I have purchased this island from the poor suffering and useless folk who used to reside on this island and have made some vast modifications to the insides of several buildings for my own pleasure. I had hoped to have had more time to get things sorted, but the sudden arrival of the GDF forced my hand. Now as for your second question, I have all of the people in this room, including your colleague and in order to get them back, you will need to play my game."

"Game?!" repeated Scott. "I don't have time for games, Mr, er, Riddler, was it? I don't even want to be here! Just tell me where they are and I promise we'll leave this island so you can be left in peace."

The Riddler laughed. "Ahhh, Scott Tracy. Always one to try and find a solution so I've been told."

Scott's eyes narrowed. "How do you know my name?" he asked.

"I know a LOT of things, Mr Tracy," smirked The Riddler. "And I have friends in high, and some in low places." He laughed. "But enough talk! Hey-diddle-diddle, time for a riddle! I am an instrument whose music always comes from the heart. What am I?" Then the hologram cut out.

Scott didn't know what to think or even do right now. He'd come across some strange people in the past. Some downright deadly like The Cabal. But this guy was something totally different. He'd never known anyone to take hostages and then get someone to save them by simply answering riddles. He knew he needed to get help and fast. "John? Thunderbird 5? Please come in!" he begged. "I need assistance, badly!"

The Riddler's hologram reappeared. "Uh-uh-uh, Scott Tracy," he said with a malicious grin. "You are the one who must play this game. The jamming bubble that I have activated covers the entire island. No communications can get in or out. The rest of your family cannot help you."

"They aren't stupid, Riddler!" snapped Scott. "They'll realise something's wrong and send back-up."

The Riddler cackled again. "And if they do, then the hostages' fates will be sealed. Now answer my riddle and I'll tell you where they are. Clock's ticking. Tick-tock-tick-tock." And the hologram disappeared again.

Scott roared in frustration. "For the absolute LOVE OF GOD!" he shouted even though nobody was there to hear him. "WHAT KIND OF A SICK GAME IS THIS?! An instrument that always comes from the heart? That's ridiculous! The only instrument in here is that dusty old organ up at the back there." And then it hit him. "Wait a moment. Organ? ORGAN! THAT'S IT! An organ is an instrument, and the heart itself is an organ!"

The Riddler's hologram reappeared again. Despite not being there in person, he was somehow able to hear Scott's voice. "Well done, you did it!" he said. "Like a child learning to walk for the first time!"

Scott gave him a very dirty look indeed. "Okay fine, I've answered your riddle," he said. "Now tell me where the hostages are?"

"Of course," said The Riddler. "Go to the Courthouse. It's about three streets away. But I suggest that you hurry. They may have been SENTENCED already." He burst out laughing at his own wit and then the hologram cut out again.

Scott seethed with anger as he headed towards the doors of the church. He wasn't sure why, but he had a feeling that he was going to be in for a very long night.

Thunderbird 5 was orbiting high above South America. John was trying to make contact with his eldest brother. "Thunderbird 1, come in? Scott, do you read me?" He then sighed. "EOS, what's going on down there?"

"I wish I could answer your question, John, but I can't," EOS replied. "Since Thunderbird 1 crossed onto the island all homing signals for both it and Scott have ceased. It's like there's some kind of jamming bubble that's covering the whole island."

"Just like how The Luddites were able to cut that entire village off in Wales," Scott said. "This has to be another group hiding out. Although they're a very long way from the UK where they originate from."

"Maybe it's a different group?" said EOS. "Kayo did say the people were dressed peculiarly."

John thought for a moment. "You could well be right," he said. "But whatever it is, Scott and Kayo are in some kind of trouble. We need to act fast. Where's Thunderbird 2?"

"On approach to Tracy Island," EOS said.

Thunderbird 2 was returning from its mission. Virgil landed his craft down on the runway and taxied into the hangar. Once it had turned and was back in place, he and Gordon left it to get refuelled whilst they headed back up to the lounge. They were surprised to see Jeff still up. Brains was there too, busy working on something and John's hologram was projected from his portrait.

"You pulling another all-nighter, Dad?" asked Gordon.

"If we have to, Gordon," replied Jeff sternly.

The brothers exchanged looks. "We, Dad?" asked Virgil.

"Yes, son," said Jeff. "I'm afraid we have a big problem. Scott and Kayo are missing."

"What?!" the brothers exclaimed.

"I thought they were here?" asked Gordon.

"That's what I thought as well?" said Alan who'd just come down from his room.

"Where did they go, Dad?" asked Virgil.

"To Isla Ecuador," said John. "A GDF Humanitarian mission lost contact with command so Colonel Casey asked us to investigate. Kayo managed to save them from a group of armed mercenaries and then Scott went to help a fisherman in trouble." He paused.

"And I'm guessing something bad has happened?" Gordon asked.

"Well Scott found the poor fisherman was deceased," said John. "Then he said he found some strange message warning him to get back to the church. That was the last I heard from him. Now I cannot locate or contact him or Kayo."

Virgil then gulped. "Wait a minute, Hayley said something about Isla Ecuador. Does that mean-?"

"Yes, Virgil," said Jeff grimly. "She's amongst the missing."

Virgil started running towards the rocket painting. "Alan, Gordon, get to Thunderbird 2!" He ordered. "We need to get out there and help them!"

"V-Virgil, wait!" Brains called over. "We d-don't even know what is happening on that island. Give me a few m-minutes. I m-might be able to rig up something to b-bypass whatever this jamming signal is and then we could potentially communicate with Scott that way."

"If Scott is safe and can talk, that'll give us a better picture of what's going on," added Jeff. "Then you three won't be flying into whatever danger they're in."

"Yes, but-" Virgil began.

Jeff got up from his seat and went to comfort his son. "I know what you mean, son," he said. "You're scared for Hayley. I totally get it. But the best way to help her is to let us get a clearer picture from Scott. Provided that we can of course."

Virgil didn't like it, but he reluctantly agreed.

Due to the short distance between the church and the Courthouse, Scott left Thunderbird 1 where it was, but he double-checked to make sure it was on lockdown so that nobody could tamper with it. He reached the building of the old courthouse and decided to sneak in the back door. It wasn't locked to his surprise which only made him proceed with even more caution. He found a flight of stairs leading to the upper level where he could get a good view of the courtroom below. He heard voices as he snuck in. It sounded like The Riddler's men talking to one another.

"So why are we here again?" asked one of them.

"I told you, the boss wants us to look after this guy," said another.

"You punks won't stand a chance once International Rescue and the GDF send back-up for us."

Scott knew that voice. "Rigby…" he said quietly to himself. He then peered over the railing and down into the room below. To his dismay, all he could see was Rigby tied to a chair with four of the men in black and green suits standing guard around him. "Where the hell are the others then?" He decided to take the problem one step at a time. Right now it was Rigby who needed his help and he couldn't abandon him to look for the others. But how was he going to do it? He wasn't the trained, skilled fighter that Kayo was. He wondered if even taking them on was a good idea. "Think I might need some other gadgets if this is going to become a thing," he said to himself. But for now, I'll need to make do with what I've got." He took out his grapple launcher and took aim at the henchman nearest to him. He fired the grapple which attached itself to the henchman's leg.

"What the?!" exclaimed the henchman. But before he or any of the others had a chance to react, Scott reversed the winch in the launcher, reeling it in rapidly and dragging the startled henchman up with it. "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGHHHHHHHH!" the henchman squealed in alarm. He was pulled up and over the railing before landing on the floor. He then saw Scott but had no time to defend himself before Scott punched him hard and knocked him out.

"WHO'S THERE?!" shouted one of the other henchmen. "SHOW YOURSELF!"

Scott realised he had a new problem. He'd taken one of the men out by taking them by surprise, but now he had three rather angry henchmen who knew someone was there and wouldn't be so easy to take down. However he then had an idea. He peered through a tiny hole in the wooden barrier on the upper level to prevent onlookers from falling down. He could see that the three men had moved away from Rigby. They were looking in his direction but couldn't see him.

"I SAID, SHOW YOURSELF!" bellowed the henchman again.

Scott exhaled as he readied his device for a new attack. "I sure hope the basement isn't deep," he said to himself. He then activated his jetpack and zoomed upwards into view, much to the astonishment of the three remaining henchmen. Scott then pointed his device down towards the floor and fired the laser. He turned himself around, cutting a big circle in the old marble tiles around the men.

"What's he doing?!" exclaimed one of the henchmen.

Scott stopped the laser once he'd completed the circle. "Happy landings, boys!" he called down.

Before the men had a chance to react, the floor suddenly gave way under their feet. "ARRGGGH!" they screamed before a loud CRASH was heard as they landed hard in the basement below.

"YOU'RE CRAZY!" one of them was heard to shout. "YOU'RE FREAKING' CRAZY!"

Scott ignored the shouts and landed in front of Rigby. "Are you okay, Captain?" he asked as he untied him from the chair.

"I am now that you're here," replied Rigby. "Damn, what a Christmas Eve this is."

"What happened?" Scott asked. "Where are Kayo are the others?"

Rigby shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't know," he answered, rubbing the back of his head. "They came out of nowhere. Took Kayo out with a tranq dart first then fired sleeping gas grenades into the church. We all must have passed out. When I came to, I was here with this guy in a suit standing over me. Odd guy he was. Had a cane with a question mark on the top."

"The Riddler," Scott said.

"You met him too?" asked Rigby.

"Not in person," said Scott. "Just his hologram. He made me solve a riddle before telling me to come here. Although," he added, looking around. "I'm sure he said everyone was here?"

"No, it's just me, I'm afraid, buddy," said Rigby. "I'm afraid I don't know where he's taken the others. I can only presume they're in the other buildings and we have to find them?"

"I need to find them, Captain," Scott said. "The Riddler was very adamant that only I am the one who needs to play this sick, twisted game of his. I don't suppose he gave you any clues, did he?"

Rigby thought for a moment. "Now that you mention it, he did," he said. "He told me to tell you something. He was very specific. It's just some numbers. Two-Seven-Five, Three-Two-Five. I have no idea what they mean though?"

"They sound like a radio frequency," Scott said. He raised his left arm and began to fiddle with his wrist-controller as he tried to cross the numbers together. It took a moment, but then he began to receive the signal and then The Riddler's hologram appeared from it.

"At last!" The Riddler said. "About time you got around to saving someone. Time for the next-"

"Stop right there, Riddler!" barked Scott. "You said all the hostages were here!"

"Did I?" The Riddler asked. "Whoops. My bad."

Scott went red in the face. "You absolute BAS-"

"Woah, woah, woah, such language, young man!" exclaimed The Riddler, cutting Scott off. "But in all honesty, did you really expect it to be that simple? No. All the hostages are scattered around the island. All you need to do is answer a riddle and I will reveal the location of the next one. Then it'll be up to you if you can save them or not."

Scott seethed with anger once more. "Fine. What is it?" he snapped.

The Riddler cleared his throat. "Ah, yes. Through the frequency you've just patched into, I will send you the next riddle. It will also be sent to the Enigma Box I left with Captain Rigby. All you need to do is answer it correctly and the next location will be revealed. Good luck." He then signed off.

Rigby came back over having taken a few moments to regain himself. "Did you figure out what the numbers are?" he asked.

"Yes, it's just another part of his stupid game," replied Scott. "He gave you something?"

"Ah, yes," Rigby said. He reached down by the side of the chair he'd been tied to and produced a small green box. It had a flip up screen on the top.

Scott turned it on and tuned it to the same frequency as the numbers given to him by Rigby. Then they heard The Riddler's voice again. "Riddle me this! If you look at the numbers upon my face, you won't find thirteen any place. What am I?"

Scott let out a sigh. "Guess I'm going to have to start thinking," he said.

"Can I help?" asked Rigby.

"With the clues, I wish," Scott answered. "But I can't risk the safety of the others by doing that. Get back to the church. Barricade yourself in there and don't let anyone in unless its anyone else I've rescued. I'll take you back myself."

The two men left the courtroom, unaware that The Riddler was watching them via a CCTV camera. The villainous man rubbed his hands with glee. "And so it begins," he chuckled delightedly to himself.

Chapter Text

SCOTT and Rigby reached the church without encountering any of The Riddler's henchmen.

"Are you certain about this?" Rigby asked.

"It's the only way," Scott replied. "Stay inside and make sure nobody can harm you or anyone else that I find."

Rigby nodded glumly. "Please find Kayo," he said.

Scott's eyes narrowed. "I'm not leaving this island until everyone is found," he said darkly.

Rigby backed off a bit, then went inside the church without another word.

Scott returned to Thunderbird 1. "Sorry, old girl. But unless the next hostage is on the opposite side of the island, I'm not going to have much use for you." He then opened up the tablet to read the riddle again. "If you look at the numbers on my face, you won't find thirteen anyplace. What am I?" He thought, and he thought, but nothing came to mind. "Damn it," he cursed. Just then the church bells sounded. He looked up at the tower and noticed by the clock that it was half-past ten. "Gee, that's the time already?" he asked out loud. And then it hit him. "Damn it, of course!" he said. He then typed 'Clock' into the tablet to answer the question.

"Well done, International Rescue! Child's play, isn't it?" The Riddler said mockingly through the tablet. "If you press 'continue', the location of the poor soon-to-be-dead-doctor who's currently crying out for help."

Scott felt sick at The Riddler's choice of words, but he pressed the button anyway. The location turned out to be a set of buildings in the opposite direction to the Courthouse. "Right, let's go save again," Scott said and he hurried off.

He soon found the building where the doctor was meant to be, but he couldn't seem to find a door anywhere. "It has to be around here somewhere," he grumbled. Then round the side he found a graffiti green question mark on the wall. Straight away he noticed that whilst the rest of the building was concrete, this looked like a brick wall, and it wasn't until he touched it that he realised they weren't actually bricks. It was wooden. "A false wall?" he said. "I'd be impressed if I wasn't so mad right now." He tapped the false wall to seek out the weakest point. Then when he'd located it, he threw his body against it to weaken it then demolished it with a kick. The wall fell away to reveal a large steel door behind. It wasn't locked so Scott walked inside. Straight away he was met with another door as a hologram of The Riddler appeared in front of it.

"Decided to actually turn up, did you?" The Riddler asked.

"Let them go, creep," Scott demanded. "They're innocent people."

"Don't be stupid, International Rescue," snorted The Riddler. "They wouldn't have gotten themselves into this mess if they'd just thought a few steps ahead of themselves, would they? Now, if you solve the room ahead and four equally challenging ones, you save them! If you don't, then they die. And then we'll see if the world crumbles at their passing."

Scott felt sicker every time he heard The Riddler speak. "You're insane!" he said.

"NO!" The Riddler snapped. "That would apply to mental illness or derangement. I suffer from neither! Oh, and I can see you, Scott Tracy, and I look forward to watching you fail." The hologram then cut out.

Scott walked forwards to the door in front. He tried to open it, but it was locked.

"What's wrong? Can't you even figure out how to open the door?" The Riddler's voice cackled over the speakers.

Scott swore under his breath and looked around. Then he noticed a glowing light of a question mark above the door he'd originally passed through. He noticed there appeared to be some kind of green glowing wire that went from the dot underneath to the lock of the door he'd tried to open. "I wonder?" he said to himself. He took out his grapple and fired it at the dot. The glass shattered and the light went out. So did the light in the wire and also the lock on the door beside him. He then tried again, and this time the door opened. He now found himself in a very large room. The floor was divided into squares, and every one bar he stood on was crackling with electricity.

"Well done, International Rescue," said The Riddler mockingly. "You figured out how to open the door!" He then hollered with laughter.

"HEY, INTERNATIONAL RESCUE! YOU GOTTA HELP ME!"

Scott looked up and finally caught sight of the hostage. It was indeed one of the doctors, one with glasses and a woolly hat. It was Dr Adam Wazanski, the same one that Kayo had saved from the confessional in the church. He was sitting on a chair on a platform suspended from the ceiling.

"STAY CALM!" Scott called up. "I'LL GET YOU OUT!" Although he wasn't quite sure how at first. He looked around the room and saw some more glowing question marks on the walls like the one outside. He fired his grapple at the one on the opposite wall. This turned off the electricity on a number of the squares marking out a safe path. Then he noticed on his wrist controller that he had only eighteen seconds to cross before it came back on.

"Oh, very good, Scott Tracy!" said The Riddler's voice. "I see you're beginning to understand how this works."

"UP HERE!" pleaded Dr Wazanski.

Scott ran across the path and made it to where the path ended with still fourteen seconds to spare. He then saw another question mark glowing opposite and presumed he needed to repeat the process. He did so by firing his grapple which opened up a second path directly across the middle of the room, over to the other side and then back on itself to a small elevator at the back of the room. The clock had given him twenty seconds to cross it and he made it with seven to spare.

"I hope you don't think all my puzzles will be this simple?" asked The Riddler, whose hologram had briefly appeared on the back wall as Scott was running.

"PLEASE, HELP!" wailed Dr Wazanski.

"HANG ON! I'M COMING!" Scott shouted. He was trying not to be annoyed when he'd already asked the doctor to remain calm. Firing his grapple at a third question mark symbol, he activated the elevator which took him up the wall to be level with the platform where Dr Wazanski was tied to a chair. He activated his jetpack and zoomed across to the platform.

"Don't be too pleased with yourself, International Rescue," warned The Riddler. "That was an easy one."

Scott didn't respond to The Riddler's warning. "Hold tight," he said to Dr Wazanski after freeing him from the chair. He then jet-packed them both across the room through a large opening above the door that led into the room. He landed them both on the floor and allowed the still terrified doctor to catch his breath.

"Six-Two-Five, Nine-Till-Five!" said Dr Wazanski suddenly. "No, wait, I mean Six-Two-Five, Nine-TWO-Five! I'm sorry, I don't know what it means, but he said he'd kill everyone else if I didn't tell you that! Why can't he just say what he wants?"

"Because he's insane," Scott said simply.

Dr Wazanski gasped and nodded. "You're damn right!" he agreed. Then the emotions got the better of him and he began to cry.

"Come on," said Scott. "I'll take you back to the church. Captain Rigby is already there. You'll be safe with him."

John and Brains had been working hard trying to establish a form of communication with Scott by bypassing the jamming signal that was originating from the island.

"How long before you're ready to try?' Jeff asked.

"A f-few more seconds, Mr Tracy, and then we'll be ready," Brains said.

Virgil had been pacing up and down by the window. He was restless with the waiting. This was starting to get on Gordon and Alan's nerves.

"Virg, for Christ's sake, sit down!" Gordon grumbled. "You're making me dizzy walking back and forth."

"You'd be the one doing this if it was Lady Penelope!" Virgil snapped.

"Hey, don't drag her into this!" Gordon protested.

"Cut it out, both of you!" Jeff ordered.

The two brothers fell silent.

"Okay," Brains said. "We are r-ready. Sending message…now!"

The plan had been to send a typed out text message to the messaging system in Scott's helmet. Brains pushed the button to send. Everyone watched and waited for a few tense moments before a red lettered message flashed on the hologram screen saying. 'Signal blocked - unable to send'.

"B-Bother!" grumbled Brains as the others sighed in frustration, Virgil more than most.

"Keep trying, Brains," Jeff said. "That's all we can do."

"Not all we can do," Virgil said. "Did we can-"

"Virgil, we've already discussed this," Jeff interrupted. "I know you're eager to get out there, but let's try it this way first."

Virgil huffed and walked away towards the piano. He tried playing a tune, but found he was too distracted to do so.

"We'll need to do something soon, Dad," Gordon whispered to Jeff. "Virgil won't rest until something is decided."

"I know, Gordon," Jeff whispered back. "I'm formulating a Plan B in my mind. But for now, let Brains do his job." He then turned to John. "John, leave the contacting Scott to Brains for the moment. There's something else I need you to do for me."

"What's that, Dad?" asked John.

"I need you to find out all you can about the island," said Jeff. "Who lives there. What people of high power could cause problems there. Anything of use that could help solve this mystery."

"I'll see what I can do," said John. "Do you mind if I bring Lady Penelope and Parker into this? They have ways of finding out secretive information like this."

Jeff nodded. "If you think that's the best course of action, go for it, son."

"F-A-B."

Scott knocked three times on the door of the church.

"Who's there?" Rigby's voice demanded from the other side of the door.

"It's me, Captain!" Scott called. "I've got one of the medics! Dr Wazanski!"

There was a click as the door unlocked and Rigby poked his head around. "Come on in, doc," he said.

Dr Wazanski was only too happy to. "T-T-Thank you," he stammered to Scott as he disappeared inside and Rigby shut the door again.

Scott turned his attention back to the Enigma Tablet and began to search for the numbers given to him by Dr Wazanski. "Six-Two-Five, Nine-Two-Five," he said. He soon caught the frequency.

"So you actually managed to complete that room," said The Riddler's voice over the tablet. "Was it hard? I hope so. Because you deserve a reward! And what's more rewarding than a riddle? Riddle me this - I'm always there during the day, although I can't always be seen. What am I?"

Scott watched as the riddle appeared on the tablet. Amazingly, he had a feeling he knew what this one could be. So he typed 'The Sun' into the tablet and prayed it was right before pressing the answer button.

"Wait, you actually got that?!" The Riddler sounded surprised. "Well, that was unexpected. Oh, well. You'll struggle with the rest. The location of the next hostage is available for you. Check your map."

Scott checked the map. This one was in another old building located down by the harbor, a short distance from the Courthouse. Scott said nothing as he headed off. But then he stopped and thought, "These rooms are going to get tougher," he said to himself. "I might need some more gadgets." He therefore returned to Thunderbird 1 and began to check the equipment cupboards. He found his line-launcher that he'd used to rescue the occupants of the D-103 Sonar Truck from The Mechanic's Earthbreaker and mounted it on his back. He also found Mini-MAX which he put into one of his sash pockets. "You might come in handy, little guy," he said. Then he headed back out and towards the building where the next hostage was located.

Scott soon reached the building and just like the previous one, found the main door was concealed behind a false wall. Once inside he found a platform overlooking a gap in the floor and then a wall with three big shutters facing him.

"Roll up! Roll up! It's time for my latest game!" said The Riddler as a projection of him appeared on the side wall.

The three shutters then rolled up revealing one of the GDF soldiers strapped into some kind of mental patient gurney behind the middle shutter. "HELP ME!" the man yelled.

"This is getting worse," Scott muttered to himself.

"All you need to do is keep your eyes on the prize!" said The Riddler.

Three large metal boxes were then lowered from the ceiling, one behind each opening. The middle one covered the guard. The boxes were attached to long metal poles coming from the ceiling, and then they began to shuffle around like someone was moving them from above. Taken aback, Scott quickly lost sight of the one that had covered the guard. He had no idea where he could have been moved to.

"Take your pick, Scott Tracy," said The Riddler.

Scott thought hard to himself. "There's no way that guy could have been moved around under those things," he said quietly to himself. "I wonder…" Keeping his head down so as to make it look like he was thinking to the observing Riddler, he activated the thermal vision in the visor of his helmet just for a few seconds. It allowed him to see exactly where the soldier had been moved to. He then took out his grapple and fired it at the green question mark button under the door on the left.

"Shall we see if you're right?" asked The Riddler smugly. But his smugness was wiped out when the three boxes were lifted and the one Scott had picked revealed to have been the correct one. "What?! How did you do that?!" he asked, stunned.

"HE'S CRAZY, INTERNATIONAL RESCUE!" cried the guard. "YOU'VE GOTTA SAVE ME!"

Scott used his jetpack to fly across the gap to where the guard was trapped. He managed to release him from the gurney and then carried him back across to where the door was. "You're safe now, Officer North," he said, having read the name on the man's uniform.

Officer North was very grateful. "Thank you," he said. "I thought I was gonna die back there."

"Did The Riddler give you a code?" asked Scott.

"Yeah, he did!" said Officer North. "Eight-Six-Zero, One-Two-Zero. He said it would help you?"

"It will," said Scott. "But first, I'd better get you back to the church. Two of the others are already back there and safe."

"Ah, don't worry about me," said Officer North. "I can make my own way back. You just focus on finding where the others are."

"If you're sure?" said Scott. "Rest up here for a bit, then head off. And watch your back."

Officer North nodded as Scott left the room.

No sooner had he gotten towards the outer door when he found himself confronted by The Riddler's projection again. This time he sounded rather bitter. "There's no way you could have solved that one, Scott Tracy! Even I couldn't have! You must have cheated! Consider this a warning. It only gets harder from here!" He then disappeared again.

Scott felt his stomach churn. The Riddler wasn't exactly wrong. He had cheated by using his thermal vision. But it was the only way to ensure that he could have saved Officer North. He could only hope that with the next room he wouldn't have to do any form of cheating.

Chapter Text

SCOTT exited the building and looked around. He heard voices and had to conceal himself behind some old oil drums whilst some of The Riddler's henchmen walked past. They were busy drinking and chatting. None were standing guard over the places where the hostages had been so far, with the exception of Rigby. Scott hoped it would stay that way.

"Okay, time for the next riddle," Scott muttered to himself. He adjusted the settings on the Enigma-Pad to get the frequency given to him by Officer North. "Eight-Six-Zero, One-Two-Zero."

The frequency was correct and soon The Riddler's voice was heard again. Only this time he didn't sound so full of confidence like before. In fact, he sounded irritated. "Well done, International Rescue, well done. I guess it's time for another riddle. Luck's been on your side so far. I'm telling you now, it won't stay that way."

"Try me, Riddler," replied Scott.

"Very well. Riddle me this. I was built in the desert in ancient days, by kings who were buried with their slaves. What am I?"

Scott actually smirked when he heard this and saw it appear on the screen. "Good job I paid attention in History class," he chuckled as he typed in 'Pyramid' and pressed the enter button.

"Three solved?!" exclaimed The Riddler. "It seems I underestimated you. Here's the next location. Oh, and bring a towel."

Scott wasn't sure he liked the sound of that as the location appeared. This one wasn't far away. It was showing an old boathouse further along the harbor. Scott made his way over to it, constantly keeping an eye out for any of the henchmen. He had to detour once when he found a group of them drinking heavily by the water's edge.

When Scott eventually located the building, he once again found the door concealed behind a false wall. After breaking it down and walking through both sets of doors, he found himself inside what was actually now a waterworks. Four large drill-like devices were churning up the water in front of him. There was no gantry across to the other side either.

The Riddler's hologram appeared. "I've done it!" he said proudly. "This is one puzzle that you cannot solve! The hostage will die, and I will be victorious!" The hologram then cut out.

Scott frowned as he looked around. "Where is the hostage?" he asked, not seeing any around where the water was. But it was as he turned to his right, he found an open doorway with some green energy beams across it that would prevent him from passing through. On the other side was a brown-haired female medic sitting on a chair with her arms bound behind her.

"Can you get me out of here? Please!" she begged as she tried to pull herself free.

"I need to find a way to save you," Scott replied. "Stay put." He then pulled the line-launcher off of his back. "Good job I brought this with me," he said. He held it above his head and fired the two grapple lines across. One attached itself to the wall behind him whilst the other shot over the water to the wall on the opposite side. Hauling himself up, the launcher carried him across the water and between the churning drills before reaching a walkway on the opposite side. He dropped down and released the grapples, reeling them back in.

The Riddler's hologram suddenly appeared again with a shocked look on his face. "What?! How did you-?! Where did you-?! This is cheating! Do you hear me? CHEATING!"

Scott ignored him. To his left was a blank wall. To his right was a circular tunnel, but with sharp turning blades attached to the sides. This wasn't something he could walk through. He would need to use the line-launcher again. However the entrance was blocked by the same green energy barrier that prevented him from reaching the hostage. Looking back ahead, he could see two more question mark buttons. However one was hidden behind a mesh-grate with an opening at the bottom and the other was blocked off by falling water. He knew he couldn't get to either at the moment with his grapple. But then he remembered he'd packed Mini-MAX. He took him out of his sash. "Okay, Mini. time for you to get to work," he said. "I need you to go down under that grate and push the button for me, please."

Mini-MAX chirped and headed up. He ducked underneath the grate and up to the button before pushing it. It activated a mechanism on the top level pushing a crate across to the water exit-valve and blocked it off, stopping the water from dropping and meaning Mini-MAX could now get to the other button. After pressing that, the green barrier was deactivated. However it didn't stop the spinning blades.

Scott retrieved Mini-MAX before setting up the line-launcher once again. He fired it to the wall behind and down the tunnel to the wall at the far end.

"PLEASE HELP ME!" the medic was heard to cry out.

Yes, yes, I'm coming, Scott thought to himself as he made his way along the tunnel, being very careful not to drop his legs too low because of the blades. Halfway along, he found the tunnel also ventured off to the right. He stopped the launcher and dropped down, releasing the cables back in. He then turned to the right and used his jetpack to jump through the last bit. Landing in the room, he found his way to the medic was still blocked off by another laser gate. But he couldn't see any buttons to disable it.

"What's wrong, International Rescue?" asked The Riddler. "Too much pressure?"

Scott noticed a pressure pad behind a fence. He climbed over and stepped on it. This deactivated the laser gate. But as soon as he stepped off, it came back on again. But then he noticed another large crate sitting just along from the pressure pad. Getting an idea, he used his grapple to pull it across towards him. Then he went round behind and pushed it onto the pad, forcing the gates to deactivate.

"GET ME OUT OF HERE!" whimpered the medic.

"I'M COMING!" Scott called as he jumped over the fence again and hurried to her aid. He soon untied her and got her out through to where he had started from. "You're safe now," he said. "Riddler give you a set of numbers?"

"Yes, he did," the medic replied. But then she looked worried. "Oh, no. What was it?"

"It's important," urged Scott. "You need to remember the numbers! It's the only way I'll be able to find the others."

The medic closed her eyes and thought hard. "Oh, yes! It was Six-Zero-Six by One-Six-Zero!"

"Thank you," said Scott. "I'll take you back to the church. I want to check on everyone there."

"Thank you," said the medic gratefully.

As they made their way out of the building, Scott was expecting to hear The Riddler's hologram appear and berate him. But The Riddler didn't show. Scott was kind of pleased, but also worried. He hoped that he'd not done something that had put the others at risk.

Making their way back to the church, Scott began to realise a worrying truth. So far he'd rescued Rigby, three of the doctors and one GDF officer. That meant he'd found just under half of the missing people. There were still five more medics, another four GDF officers, and most importantly, Kayo and Hayley to find. He had a bad feeling that The Riddler was keeping the latter two hidden away and making their rescue the toughest of all. He just hoped that wherever they were, they were as okay as could be.

Upon reaching the church, Scott was glad to see that Officer North had managed to make it back and was resting up along with Rigby and Dr Wazanski. After making sure the latest rescued medic was safe with the others, he headed out once more and got onto the Enigma Tablet again to check out the next frequency. "Six-Zero-Six, One-Six-Zero," he said. "I hope this is right. She didn't seem sure."

Fortunately for them both it turned out to be correct. "Riddle me this!" The Riddler's voice said, "I'll be under your feet in the midday Sun; you cannot lose me, no matter how far you run. What am I?"

Scott stared at the riddle. He did not have a clue about this one. However, before he could begin to think, he was startled when a message suddenly appeared on the heads-up display inside his visor. It read:

"Scott, it's Brains. If you're seeing this, just think 'yes'."

Errrr, yes? Scott thought and the message disappeared.

"YES!" said Brains triumphantly. "It w-works! I have m-made contact with Scott!"

"Can we talk to him?" asked Jeff.

"I'll ask him," replied Brains. "Or at least he m-might be able to tell us what is going on out there."

He typed out a message asking Scott for an update and that all he needed to do was think of his response and it would send through to them.

The message that came through on Tracy Island sent chills down the spines of everyone present.

"So the island has been taken over by a madman who calls himself The Riddler. He took Kayo and the entire GDF task group captive when I went to help the fishing boat, which turned out to be a diversion to keep me out of the way. In order to rescue them, I have to solve a series of riddles and dangerous puzzle rooms which are getting harder each time. So far I have managed to rescue Captain Rigby, three doctors and one GDF officer. However I have yet to locate Kayo or Hayley. I'm also stuck on the latest riddle. I could really use some back-up, that's if you can find a way to get to the island without being seen as The Riddler has made it clear that if he sees any GDF or International Rescue aircraft approaching, he will kill the rest of the hostages."

"Holy…" Gordon remarked.

"Dayum!" added Alan. "That's one hell of a messed-up situation."

"You got that right, Alan!" agreed Jeff.

Virgil was seething. "Wait until I get my hands on this Riddler guy!" he cursed. "If he's laid a finger on Hayley-"

"Calm yourself, Virgil, this guy will get what's coming to him!" said Jeff. "Brains, ask Scott what the riddle is. Maybe we can figure it out?"

"O-Okay," said Brains. He then typed into his computer asking Scott for the riddle.

Scott replied very quickly with:

"I'll be under your feet in the midday Sun; you cannot lose me, no matter how far you run. What am I?"

"Under the feet. M-Midday Sun. Can't lose me," Brains said thoughtfully. He looked down at the floor, and almost at once noticed that he was looking at his shadow caused by the lights. "Y-Yes!" he said triumphantly. "That is it!" He then typed the message to Scott.

Scott's eyes lit up when the message came through. "Of course!" he said with delight and typed 'Shadow' into the Enigma-Pad followed by 'enter'.

For a few seconds there was silence, before The Riddler's voice was then heard through the device. He was sounding more stressed out each time. "No…this is NOT happening! Did you cheat? Of course you did! It's the only way! Well…it ends NOW! Here's the next location. You won't be able to cheat your way through this one! Mark my words!"

The Riddler had no idea that Scott had managed contact beyond the island. Not only had Brains been able to communicate with him via the helmet's heads-up display, but also Scott had adjusted his helmet's sensors to pick-up The Riddler's communications and relay them through to Thunderbird 5 and Tracy Island. Now the rest of the family had heard The Riddler's voice for the first time and were deeply disturbed by what they had heard.

"Right, that does it!" Jeff said. "We're going out there!"

"But, Dad," objected Gordon. "Scott said-"

"To hell with the warnings!" Virgil snapped. "I'm not waiting a second longer. COME ON!" And he was on the rocket painting before anyone could stop him.

"VIRGIL, SELECT MODULE 4!" Jeff shouted just before Virgil disappeared from view. He then turned to Gordon and Alan. "Well, don't just sit there!" he snapped. "Suit up! I'm coming too!"

Upon hearing that, Alan and Gordon were off like a shot.

Once again the peacefulness of Tracy Island was broken by first the hum of a mechanism as the rock concealing Thunderbird 2's hangar was moved down to reveal the entrance. Then the great green goliath itself slowly began to emerge from within. Virgil was at the controls as usual with Jeff in the co-pilot seat. Alan sat behind him and Gordon sat behind Virgil. Locked inside the main body of Thunderbird 2 was Module 4, and inside that was Thunderbird 4. The palm trees folded back to allow the craft to taxi past as it made its way along the runway to the launch ramp. Once in position the ramp rose upwards and the blast shield was lifted into place behind the boosters.

5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

The mighty pair of boosters at the back of Thunderbird 2 roared into life and it lifted up off the ramp, climbing high into the night sky above the island and breaking the sound barrier before turning to head East across the vastness of the Pacific Ocean towards South America.

"Thunderbirds are GO!" said Jeff. He then looked out across the dark ocean that was only partly illuminated by The Moon. "Hang on, Scott. We're coming."

Chapter Text

SCOTT felt a little easier knowing that his family was aware of the predicament he and Kayo were in and was glad that they were now on their way to help, with a plan so they said. However, he knew that he couldn't stop in his quest to find The Riddler's hostages. Four were safe, but Kayo, Hayley and the rest were still missing and he knew he had to find them. As he approached the next location which was located in a run-down house at the far western end of the village, he hoped that at least Kayo or Hayley would be the ones inside. He hoped with them on his side they could eventually defy The Riddler and rescue the rest.

Scott broke down the false wall concealing the door and entered the building. Between the two doors he found himself greeted by The Riddler's hologram once more. "What kept you?" he asked. "Did you get lost? Were you scared? Have you finally accepted that I am better than you are?"

"It'll take more than a pathetic low-life like you to get the better of me, Riddler!" Scott said, sounding more confident than before. "No matter what you try, I will fight to save their lives."

"I'm insulted and impressed at the same time!" The Riddler replied. "Haven't I made my point? No? Well this room will. I can guarantee that." He cackled and then the hologram disappeared.

Scott pushed open the inner door. Please be Kayo. Please be Kayo, he thought in his head. He went inside and the door closed behind him. He looked around. It was another large room, just like the first one had been with a walkway just above him. At the end was a long metal shaft with several vicious spinning blades attached to it.

"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLP!"

Scott's eyes shot upwards. It was the hostage. It was another of the medics. A male one with a big bushy moustache. He was dangling on a cable from the ceiling. Literally dangling at that for he was swinging in terror. Scott was about to reply, but the spinning blades suddenly came rolling across the room on the frame they were on, passing under the hostage and the walkway. Scott backed himself up against the door, his heart racing, but the frame stopped before it got to him, lifted up to above the level of the walkway and then went back across the room, the shaft narrowly missing the medic, passing just under his feet.

"What's wrong?" The Riddler asked. "Not sure what to do? Why not lie down and let the rollers do their job?"

Scott ignored this. He then saw another of the green question mark buttons literally above the door. He used his grapple and managed to turn it off. This stopped the electricity on part of the floor from crackling and he had to run to where it ended before the rolling blades came round again. He reached the end and saw another across the far side of the room. He managed to fire the grapple to turn it off but as it wound back in the cable got caught by one of the blades and was severed. Scott cried out in alarm and had to duck as the shaft came down and rolled over him, two pairs of blades passed either side of him. This was easily the toughest room so far. Once it had passed, he jumped up and ran along to the end of the path before scrambling up part of the wall and onto the walkway. He had to pause momentarily to allow the raised blades to cross in front of him before running along the top of the walkway again. He had to jump a gap in the middle and then reached the far side to find it was a dead end. He knew he needed to get to an opening in the wall at the back and then find a way round to the second that was behind the dangling medic. He used his line-launcher to get across to it. But then found that there was no way through as there were two walls. One he noticed was weaker than the other.

"Are you struggling to figure out how I managed to do all of this?" The Riddler asked. "It was easy!"

Smug, smug, smug, Scott thought to himself. Can't wait to punch his lights out whenever I actually get to face him for real. He changed the end of his device from the grapple pack to the laser cutter. He stood as far back as he could and then used it on the wall. It sliced through the weak concrete and fell away. But there was no floor on the far side, just a drop with a conveyor belt down the bottom covered in sharp spikes.

"Need some advice?" asked The Riddler. "Give up and di-"

"SHUT UP!" Scott shouted. He'd had enough. He fired up his jetpack, shot across the narrow area to the gap in the wall and then turned sharply right before rocketing towards the medic.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" screamed the medic in alarm as Scott grabbed hold of him, causing him to let go of the cable. The pair shot across the room, narrowly missing the raised blades and smashed through the window above the door. They barrel-rolled around before landing with a CRASH on the floor.

Scott got up first and pulled the medic to his feet. The man was panting hard from the terror he'd just been through. "You're safe now," Scott said to him.

The medic simply stared at him, dumbstruck. "H-H-How the hell did you do that?!" he asked.

"That is exactly what I want to know!" said the angry voice of The Riddler. "Did you cheat? Of COURSE you did! How could I expect anything from anyone who is beneath my intellect?" Then he cut off again.

"It's just what I do," Scott replied. "What are the numbers?"

"Numbers?" said the medic. He took a few more breaths. "Oh, yes! One-One-Five. Seven-Eight-Zero."

"Thanks," said Scott. "We're just behind the church. I'll have you back there in no time."

Scott dropped the grateful medic back with the others at the church and then set about checking the Enigma-Pad. Once more. "One-One-Five. Seven-Eight-Zero," he said as he fiddled with the controls.

The riddle that came up once the frequency had been found read: "I work on only one day a year. Who am I?"

Scott stared at it for a second. And then he began to laugh. "Seriously? I thought this was supposed to get harder? It's Christmas Eve. There's only one answer!" And he typed in 'Santa Clause'.

"HOW DID YOU DO THAT?! WHO HELPED YOU?!" The Riddler was really wound up now. But then he calmed himself. "Actually, it doesn't matter. Come and save the final hostage. I'll be as shocked if you don't save her as she'll be if you do!"

"She?!" Scott's heart felt like it had enlarged. Did that mean Kayo or Hayley were in this room? But he then remembered that there'd be at least one female GDF soldier and at least one more female medic so he could have easily been referring to one of them. As he looked at the location, which turned out to be the building right opposite the church behind where Thunderbird 1 was parked, he headed towards it, praying that he was finally on the home straight.

John was watching the progress of Thunderbird 2 as it made its way across the Pacific Ocean. It still had a fair way to go before it would reach the location of Ecuador Island. He hadn't been informed of whatever plan Jeff had come up with, but he hoped that it would be good enough to get them in without The Riddler seeing them and potentially killing the rest of the hostages.

Just then there came a beeping sound. Someone was calling in. "Lady Penelope? Go ahead."

"Hello, John," Penelope answered after her hologram appeared on the projector. "I've just finished making the enquiries you asked me to do. I believe I have some answers."

"Well we could certainly use some of those," said John. "What have you got?"

"Well first of all, I have found the identity of this so-called Riddler person that Scott's having to face all alone," said Penelope. She was in the back of FAB1 which was flying South over the Caribbean. "His name is Eddie Nashton, or as he prefers to call himself, Edward Nygma."

"As in Enigma?" asked John. "I'd be impressed if this man wasn't so dangerous. What's his game?"

"Diagnosed as mentally ill at a young age, he took a liking to puzzle books and over kinds of tricks and challenges," Penelope continued. "Turns out he began to think that only he had the knowledge and the ability to create and solve the most challenging conundrums in the world. He began to use it to target the rich and the famous in several American cities including New York, Miami, San Diego and Las Vegas. Every time he was close to succeeding, he's always been thwarted by someone and yet has never actually been caught or incarcerated anywhere. He's almost as slippery if not more slippery than The Hood."

"Making him a global threat for sure," agreed John. "Hopefully the GDF can provide us enough back-up to catch this moron for good!"

"As for the island, it turns out he actually managed to somehow get enough funds to purchase it from those who lived there," said Penelope. "He managed to handsomely pay everyone who lived there to move to mainland Ecuador and move into better, more luxurious houses."

John frowned. "Hardly the kind of thing a crazed lunatic would do," John said. "You'd think he would have taken them all prisoner like he did with the GDF team. And Kayo," he added with a heavy heart.

"Capturing Kayo is next-to-impossible," agreed Penelope. "This proves more than anything that Mr Nygma needs to be stopped."

"H'A tough one to crack, that's for sure," agreed Parker.

"But yes, the island is now legally registered to Mr Nygma and has been renamed from Ecuador Island to Enigma Island," Penelope finished.

John grimaced. "Meaning he saw the GDF as trespassers and took action against them," he said. "In his sick, deluded mind, he saw them as a threat to whatever mad scheme he had for the island."

"What has Scott been able to tell you?" asked Penelope.

"Not a lot," replied John. "Something about having to solve crazy puzzle rooms in order to rescue one hostage at a time. Last we'd heard he'd saved five in total including Captain Rigby. But Kayo remains missing - as does Hayley."

"Oh, dear," said Penelope. "Virgil can't be in a good state with that."

"He's not great," agreed John. "But Thunderbird 2 is on its way to Ecua-I mean Enigma Island with Dad, Alan, Gordon and Thunderbird 4 aboard. I have also alerted Colonel Casey and she's sending every available GDF Squadron that she can lay her hands on."

"Then that's where we're going as well," said Penelope.

"Actually you might be our best bet at getting in undetected," said John. "The Riddler said he would kill the remaining hostages if he saw any Thunderbird or GDF craft approaching the island."

"'e wouldn't see h'us if we went into stealth-mode," Parker said.

"Quite, Parker," said Penelope. "Set course for Enigma Island. We have people to save."

"Yus, m'lady!"

John relayed Penelope's findings to Thunderbird 2.

"Edward Nygma? E-Nigma? Clever," remarked Jeff. "This guy has one hell of a back-story I'm sure."

"What his ultimate game is is uncertain, Dad," John replied. "Whatever you have planned, I hope it's a safe one. You know that The Riddler threatened to harm the remaining hostages if-"

"I'll hazard a hunch he's only watching the skies around the island, John," said Jeff. "Which is exactly why we brought Thunderbird 4."

"Sneak underwater to the island," said Alan. "Smart one, Dad."

"John, I don't suppose there's any caves on the island where we could sneak into and get extra cover?" asked Jeff.

John ran a scan of the island. "Can't tell at the moment," he said. "That jamming signal that The Riddler's sending out is blocking any attempts at examining the island's geography."

"John, did you say Lady Penelope's on her way to help?" asked Gordon.

"Correct. Why?"

"Maybe we could get her and Parker to sneak in and take it down?" suggested Gordon.

"Not a bad idea, son," agreed Jeff. "Relay to FAB1, would you, John?"

"F-A-B!"

As John's hologram turned off, Jeff turned his head to look over at Virgil who hadn't said a word since they'd taken off from Tracy Island. "Are you okay, Virgil?"

Virgil grunted, not turning his head.

"We'll find them, son," Jeff promised.

Virgil still remained silent, but he gave a slight nod to show he'd heard what his father had said.

Scott had to walk around the side of the building where he found the false wall concealed behind some refuse bins. He moved them out of the way and then found the weak point of the wall before demolishing it. He then opened the door on the opposite side and made his way in. Straight away he saw the hologram of The Riddler again projected on the inner door. Here we go, he thought to himself.

"What's good for me, and potentially fatal for you, International Rescue?" asked The Riddler. "Don't bother trying to figure that out. The answer is obviously my last room. Will you save your ignorant colleague? I will be shocked if you do."

Scott felt his heart pump faster again. Colleague, The Riddler had said. That could only mean one thing. It had to be Kayo being held captive in the room. He eagerly pushed the door open and went inside. Sure enough, there was Kayo standing on a suspended metal platform above a pit of acid. To Scott's surprise she was not restrained in any way like the previous hostages had been. Instead she was just standing around, looking for a way off. Although there was an opening in the wall, there was another of the electronic energy barriers that prevented him from just flying out and getting her with his jetpack.

"KAYO!" Scott shouted.

Kayo gasped and spun around. "SCOTT?!" she shouted back. "HELP ME, PLEASE!" Suddenly, the platform turned electric and Kayo found herself being electrocuted. "GAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!" She then fell to her knees.

"KAYO! NO!"

"As you can see," The Riddler said as his hologram appeared on the nearby wall, "your ignorant colleague is experiencing the shocking sensation of her own mortality. Let's see if you can help her without experiencing yours."

Scott was on the verge of exploding into a rage. "This ends NOW, RIDDLER!" he bellowed. "YOU HAVE GONE TOO FAR!"

The Riddler simply laughed. "Come now, Scott Tracy. Waste time by threatening me or go now and save her. The choice is yours." The hologram then cut out yet again.

Scott turned back to look across at Kayo. She was on her knees still and looking at him desperately. He had never ever known her to look so afraid. "I'll save you," he said. "I promise."

Chapter Text

THUNDERBIRD 2 had reached Isla de San Cristobal - the Eastern-most island in the Galapagos and came in low over the ocean.

"This is far enough, Virgil," Jeff said. "Gordon, get Thunderbird 4 ready. Then you and Alan will go underwater to recon the coastline of the island."

"F-A-B," said Gordon. "Come on, Al."

"Right with you, Gordo!"

Virgil brought Thunderbird 2 into a hover. In the very far distance they could just make out the glowing light from the lighthouse just to the west of Enigma Island.

Jeff looked over at Virgil. He still had the same serious expression he'd had on his face since they'd left Tracy Island. "What's wrong, son?"

"Nothing," came the blunt reply.

Jeff frowned. "No, you're not, Virgil. Come on, out with it."

Virgil lowered his head, and then he began to cry. "I'm scared, Dad," he sniffled. "Hayley's in danger. So are Scott and Kayo. we don't know what we'll find when we get there. This Riddler guy sounds like he means business. I…I'm not sure we have what it-"

"Now stop right there!" Jeff cut him off. "Sure we don't know what to expect, but sitting on our butts isn't gonna solve that problem now, is it?"

Virgil shook his head after some slight hesitation. "No…it won't."

"Right, so we'll let Thunderbird 4 go ahead and scout for us. Lady P and Parker will be here soon to take out The Riddler's jamming signal once they find it. Then we'll go in and save everyone."

Virgil's lip trembled. "If The Riddler has harmed Hayley in any way-"

"Then he'll be punished by being locked away," said Jeff. "No heavy violence against him, Virgil. Am I clear?"

Virgil finally turned his head and looked at his father dead in the eye. "No promises,' he said hoarsely.

"Ready for launch, Virgil," Gordon reported over the radio.

Virgil pulled the level. "Module away."

The docking clamps were released and Module 4 dropped out from the main body of Thunderbird 2 and hit the water with a splash. The door opened and the ramp holding Thunderbird 4 lifted upwards. Gordon fired up the engines and the yellow submersible slipped down into the water.

"Thunderbird 4 is GO!" said Gordon.

"Good luck, boys," said Jeff.

"Thanks, Dad!" Gordon and Alan replied in unison.

Scott dived down and slid underneath a low metal fence. Then he faced his first challenge in rescuing Kayo. A heavy weight with spikes on its base moved up and then came down with heavy force. He waited for it to rise and then sprinted across, only just making it to the other side without getting crushed. Then he had to dodge a second one before making a left turn to face a sealed door. Above it were a series of question-mark switches that were hanging from the ceiling.

"So you managed to squeeze your way past that first puzzle, eh?" The Riddler's voice said. "Let's see if you can make it past this next one."

One of the buttons lit up. Scott held up his laser and shot at it. It turned off. Then the one on the far right came on. He did the same. Then the one at the bottom came on. He did the same again. And then the one at the top came on. After taking out this one, the door opened. Scott hurried through and found his way blocked by some crates and a weakened wall behind them. Scott scrambled over the crates.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!" Kayo was heard to scream as she got electric-shocked again.

Hearing this made Scott almost throw up. Hearing the doctors cry for help had been bad enough, but to hear one of his own doing it was much worse. He examined the wall but realised it was a lot thicker than the one he'd taken out in the last room. He needed to break it with something heavy. Looking back, he realised the crates would probably do the trick. He switched to a new grapple pack and latched onto the top one. He then activated his jetpack and shot up as he reeled the grapple back in. He then spread his legs out just as the crate flew underneath and smashed through the wall, demolishing it in one strike.

"A violent solution to a simple problem, International Rescue," remarked The Riddler. "How very predictable."

Scott passed into the next part of the chamber only to find the way was blocked off again - this time by a set of vicious spinning rollers with spikes on them. They were moving up and down in sync with hardly any room between them. As Scott stared at them, a horrible realisation hit him. There was no way he could get through. Not without getting spiked to death. He used the scanner in his helmet to try and find the route through, or even if there was an alternative one. But there wasn't. There were more spike-rollers beyond these ones. It looked like The Riddler had set this up deliberately so he wouldn't be able to get through.

"What's wrong, Scott Tracy?" asked The Riddler, sounding very smug indeed. "Have you reached a DEAD end?" He then hollered with laughter as Kayo let out another agonising scream from being shocked yet again.

Scott had finally had enough of it all. Looking up, he noticed a gap in the metal bars that surrounded the chamber Kayo was in. He fired up his jetpack, shot upwards and switched back to his laser before cutting through one of the bars just to make it wide enough for him to pass through. Then he shot through into the chamber and grabbed Kayo off the platform. They shot across from the platform and got zapped as they went through the green security gate before crashing hard on the floor and groaning in pain.

"YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO DO THAT!" roared The Riddler. "GOD DAMN YOU! THIS IS NOT OVER, INTERNATIONAL RESCUE!"

Scott groaned as he turned himself over and then crawled forwards on his elbows over to Kayo. "Kayo?" he said hoarsely. "Are you okay?"

Kayo groaned too and held her head which had received a small cut beside her right ear. "I've been through worse," she remarked. She looked at the tiny trickle of blood on the fingers of her gloves. She then turned to Scott and had a look of pure hatred on her face. Scott gulped, fearing her anger was about to be directed at him for letting her get into this mess. "Where…is he?!" Kayo demanded.

"I'll deal with The Riddler," Scott said. "What was the code?"

"Code?" asked Kayo.

"Yes," said Scott. "The numbers for the radio frequency?"

Kayo just looked at him blankly. "He never gave me one," she said.

Scott frowned. "He gave everyone else a code," he said. "Why didn't he give you one?"

Kayo huffed. "I think he expected you to die here. Looks like he was wrong."

Scott got to his feet and helped Kayo onto hers. "Come on, let's get you back to the church. You'll be safe there."

"No, we won't," snapped Kayo. "We won't be safe until that ars-" CRASH! Something crashed through the wall and grabbed hold of Kayo and dragged her through the wall. "SCOTT!"

"KAYO!" Scott ran through the large gap that had appeared in the wall and jumped onto the object that had grabbed Kayo. "LET HER GO!" he bellowed.

The object lurched and spun itself around. It then grabbed Scott with a robotic claw and pulled him off of its back. It then threw him across a large open chamber where he crashed painfully into the wall on the opposite side before dropping down and hitting the floor. He felt his arm twist but luckily it didn't break. Then it threw Kayo across the room. She too hit the wall and dropped down, landing on top of Scott.

"OOOF!" they cried together. They then found themselves face-to-face with Kayo's nose just touching the visor of Scott's helmet.

"Sorry!" Kayo said, scrambling off of Scott.

"Don't…mention…it…" Scott replied breathlessly.

The whirr of mechanics then snapped them to attention. They turned to look across the chamber at the object that had attacked them. It was a large mech-suit, walking on two legs and with two large arms with big grabs. But it wasn't the suit itself that caught their attention. It was the person piloting it that made them tense up.

"YOU!" snarled Kayo.

"Riddler!" growled Scott.

"You CHEATS! You frauds!" The Riddler roared furiously. You chancing bumbling amateurs! Look what you've made me do, Scott Tracy! If you cannot bow down and accept that I am superior to you, then I will stoop to your level and MAKE YOU!"

"Bring it, moron!" Kayo said, clenching her fists.

"Together?" asked Scott.

"Together," agreed Kayo.

The Riddler roared and began to make the suit run towards them. Scott and Kayo were both hurting and slightly injured, but they ignored the pain they were in and ran towards the villain anyway. One way or another, they were determined to bring him down, once and for all.

Thunderbird 4 had now reached the coastline of Enigma Island and began to examine the cliffs.

"So what exactly are we looking for?" asked Alan.

"A cave of some kind," Gordon replied. "One that can get us onto the island itself without exposing ourselves by being out in the open."

"In case this Riddler guy spots us?" said Alan.

"No way could have done all this by himself," said Gordon. "I bet he's got a group of misguided dipsticks to do the dirty work for him whilst he alone sits in a comfy hideout and pulls the strings."

"Thunderbird 4 from FAB1?"

"Go ahead, FAB1?"

"We have the island in sight, Gordon," said Penelope. "Where are you?"

"Currently off the South-West corner," Gordon answered. "No sign of any hidden entrances yet."

"Understood," said Penelope. "We'll fly over the island and see if we can see what's causing the jamming bubble," said Penelope. "We may lose contact until we can disable it."

"Okay, but be careful," said Gordon. "This Riddler clearly got the upper hand against Scott and Kayo. Try not to be next."

"They only fell victim because they never knew about him then, Gordon," John pointed out. "I'm guessing that The Riddler is currently too occupied watching whatever horrendous game he's gotten Scott to do right now to even notice he's being closed in on."

"That reminds me," Alan piped in. "Lady Penelope, did you say this Riddler's never been caught?"

"Not by regular authorities, no," Penelope answered. "Every time he's tried terrorising people or towns, something or someone has always stopped him."

"Some-thing? Some-one?" asked Gordon.

"Yes," said Penelope. "Whenever the Police were called in, all they would find is the henchmen restrained and waiting for them along with several explosive and other vicious devices. Yet Mr Nygma was never arrested, only to show up again several months later in a new place with yet more diabolical schemes."

"What does this guy even want?" asked Alan.

"From what I can gather he's a narcissist," said John. "He wants attention, and to show people that he is more brilliant than anybody else."

"Well that ends tonight," said Jeff who had also been listening in. "This guy went too far when he got us involved in his little misguided game. Tonight, we put him away for good."

"Still doesn't answer the question about who stopped him before," said Alan. "Or even what."

"That's the most peculiar thing of all," said Penelope. "All of the arrested henchmen said the same thing. They say they were captured by a giant bat."

There was about thirty seconds of bemused silence before Gordon finally broke it. "A…giant bat?" he said. "Like a man in a costume or an actual bat?"

"They never specified," said Penelope. "But regardless to say, nobody has ever believed them, or found any evidence at the crime scenes of there ever being such a thing."

"Intriguing," said Jeff. "Maybe something to follow up in the future. But for now, let's get The Riddler taken down and our people rescued. It's nearly midnight."

"We're h'about to cross the island's coastline now," said Parker.

"Wish us luck," said Penelope.

"Good luck!" came a chorus of replies.

FAB1 crossed the coastline and passed through the other beam of The Riddler's jamming bubble. They could see the village below and straight away something caught their attention. There was a glowing green orb of light shining on the top of the church's steeple.

"H'It would appear that we 'ave found the source of the problem, m'lady," said Parker.

"Indeed, Parker," agreed Penelope. "In that case, you know what to do?"

"Yus, m'lady." He reached for the dashboard.

"Oh, Parker?"

"Yus, m'lady?"

"Try not to bring the steeple down on top of the church. Those Scott has already rescued are inside." She then glanced down at the square in front of the church and noticed what was sitting there. "Nor would Scott ever forgive us for damaging his Thunderbird."

"Yus, m'lady," said Parker. He therefore moved FAB1 around to the Eastern-side of the church. The front grill of FAB1 opened up to reveal the missiles. He then used the targeting computer to lock onto the green orb. He pressed a button. With a whoosh, a lone missile shot out from the front of FAB1 and slammed into the orb. It exploded, destroying the orb and shaking the entire island which was felt by those inside the church, the lazy henchmen and by Scott, Kayo and The Riddler who were still fighting.

"What was that?!" exclaimed Kayo.

The Riddler saw an alarm sounding on his control panel. "What the devil is going on?!" he demanded.

"Scott? Scott, do you read?"

"Dad?!" exclaimed Scott. "How did you?"

"Where are you, son?" asked Jeff.

"In the building opposite the church," said Scott. "Kayo and I are trying to take Riddler down. But he has a mech-suit!"

Upon hearing this, Virgil fired up Thunderbird 2's thrusters. "Mech-suit? Not a problem," he said. "Hang on, Scott. We're coming!"

"What is going on?" demanded The Riddler. "Who are you talking to?"

"My Dad, Riddler!" Scott replied as he dodged another swing of The Riddler's mech-arms. "Looks like they've disabled your jamming bubble."

"IMPOSSIBLE!" bellowed The Riddler. He turned on a camera-feed to his mech's controls and froze at the sight of the top of the church steeple missing. "No, no, no, no, no, NO! This is NOT HAPPENING!"

"He's distracted!" Kayo called to Scott. "Empire his legs!"

"What?" Scott asked, confused.

Kayo growled in frustration. "EMPIRE STRIKES BACK!" she shouted, making hand gestures towards the mech's legs. "SEND ME THE GRAPPLE!"

Then Scott realised what she meant. "Ahhhh, yes!" He grabbed his grapple and fired it at one of the mech's legs.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" demanded The Riddler.

Scott threw the grapple holder to Kayo who then began to run around the mech's legs, wrapping the cable around them.

"STOP! NO!" bellowed The Riddler. But it was too late. Kayo wound the grapple back in and pulled the legs tightly together. The Riddler yelled as it toppled over onto its side and landed with a heavy crash on the floor.

Scott jumped onto the mech, grabbed Riddler by the scruff of his suit and yanked him out, throwing him across the room where Kayo jumped up, did a forward roll and then drop-kicked him back to the ground. He landed hard on the ground and cried out in pain as Scott and Kayo landed on opposite sides of him.

The two International Rescue team members were out of breath, but satisfied with what they'd done. "We got you," they said triumphantly.

Chapter Text

THE Riddler pulled himself up onto his knees using his cane for support. "Insects!" he snarled. "You think that you have beaten me? I CANNOT BE BEATEN!" He then swung the cane around. It hit Kayo in the chest and let out a blast of green energy. Kayo yelped and flew backwards across the room, crashing into some old wooden crates and disappearing behind them.

"KAYO!" shouted Scott. He then lunged at The Riddler, letting out a bellow as he did so. But The Riddler swung his cane round and knocked Scott back as well. Scott flew up onto the raised area and landed hard. As he groaned in pain, he then gasped as he saw The Riddler jumping right at him with his cane raised above him reading to bring the question-mark end, which Scott suddenly realised was also a sharp blade, crashing down onto him. Scott reached up and managed to block the cane before it could strike a deadly blow upon his chest. He then grabbed the cane and held onto it tightly.

The Riddler struggled hard to release his cane from Scott but Scott's grip was too tight. "Pathetic, Scott Tracy!" The Riddler said. "Fighting like this is beneath me! Try and delay the inevitable, but you and your colleague will not leave this room alive! Any last words?"

Scott looked up and stopped straining. A smirk appeared on his face. "Actually, yes," he said. "I have a riddle for you."

The Riddler frowned. "You do?" he asked.

"Yes," said Scott. "What is the opposite of yes?"

The Riddler's frown increased. "Huh?"

Suddenly, Kayo appeared out of nowhere and kicked The Riddler away from Scott. He crashed straight through the metal railing and fell back down into the arena where they'd been fighting the mech-suit.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The Riddler yelled as he fell down. He landed on his left leg and cried out in agony because it had twisted badly upon impact.

"Is the correct answer," said Scott with satisfaction.

"Well played," said Kayo approvingly.

"Thanks," Scott replied.

The Riddler groaned and cursed as he began to scramble along the floor towards a section of the square-patterned floor. "ENOUGH!" he screeched, slamming the end of the cane against the floor. "This is beneath me! YOU ARE BENEATH ME!" He then pushed a button on the cane, and before Scott or Kayo could stop him, the section of floor began to descend into the ground. "NO-ONE OUTSMARTS THE RIDDLER!"

Scott and Kayo tried to get him, but weren't quick enough before the floor covered itself, sealing him off from them.

"DAMN IT!" cursed Kayo. "WE HAD HIM!"

There then came a clanging sound that made them spin around. Then a door came crashing down to reveal the silhouette of a familiar figure standing behind them with its own mech-suit. "VIRGIL!" they cried together.

Virgil entered. "Scott! Kayo!"

Scott and Kayo were so overjoyed to see him that they ran up and hugged him tightly. "Boy, you have no idea how glad we are to see you!" Scott said, tears forming in his eyes.

"Scott."

Scott looked up and saw Jeff enter followed by Penelope, Gordon, Alan and finally Parker. Soon there were hugs of joy all around.

"So glad you're safe," said Jeff. "I take it you're the last to be found, Kayo?"

"No, I'm afraid not, Mr Tracy," answered Kayo grimly. "The Riddler escaped from us. And he still has half of the GDF team still captive."

"Please tell me Hayley's not among them?" pleaded Virgil. Scott and Kayo's silence answered his question. He screwed up his face and swore under his breath.

"Where did he go?" asked Jeff.

"Down there," said Scott, pointing to the section of floor that The Riddler's elevator had taken him.

"We need to find where that goes," said Penelope.

Jeff nodded and tapped the International Rescue logo on his sash. "Thunderbird 5, do you read, John?"

"Go ahead, Dad?"

"John, I need you to scan the room that we're in," said Jeff. "We have found Kayo and Scott, but The Riddler escaped from them. He went down on a floor elevator. Can you find where it leads?"

"On it!' said John. "How are Scott and Kayo?"

"Shaken," answered Jeff. "But they're alive. That's what matters. However, The Riddler still has some hostages, including Hayley. We cannot leave without them. So find us where that madman has gone, son."

"Already done," said John. He'd started the scan whilst asking about his brother and adoptive sister. "Do you want the good news or the bad?"

An uneasy silence fell across everyone as they readied them for whatever it was John had to say.

"Go on?" said Jeff.

"Well, the good news is I've not only discovered where he went after escaping, but also where he is now," said John. "I've found several heat signatures. One has to be him whilst the others must be Hayley and the remaining hostages."

"That's good, John," said Jeff. "And what's the bad news?"

"They're not under the island," said John. "At least not the main part of it anyway."

"Well where is he then?" asked Virgil impatiently.

"They're in a sub-basement located underneath the Lighthouse off the West of the island," said John.

"Then what are we waiting for?" asked Scott. "Let's go get them!"

"Not you, Scott," said Jeff. "Nor you, Kayo. you've been through hell tonight. You're to play no further part in this." Scott and Kayo opened their mouths to protest, but Jeff silenced them. "Gordon, take Thunderbird 4 out to that Lighthouse and see if you can get underwater access. Take Virgil with you."

"We'll go along too," said Penelope.

Virgil was already heading for the opening he'd made in the wall before Jeff had finished. "Come on!" he urged the others.

"Dad, please!" pleaded Scott. "I've taken on every single one of The Riddler's challenges and beaten them. You can't deny me this!"

"And I just want to punch the living hell out of him for what he's put us through," added Kayo.

Jeff grabbed hold of them by the shoulders. "I totally get that," he said. "But on a scale of one to ten, how tired are you both right now?"

"You should see yourselves," added Alan. "You look like wrecks!"

Now that Jeff had brought it up, Scott and Kayo now realised that the adrenaline that had been going through their bodies was finally ending and they started to feel the exhaustion begin to hit.

"Come on," said Jeff. "Let's get you to Thunderbird 2 for a check-up."

Thunderbird 4 and FAB1 moved cautiously underwater towards the tiny rock island off Enigma Island. It was on top of this where the Lighthouse was located.

"Thunderbird 5, we're approaching the lighthouse," said Gordon. "Any idea on how we can get inside?"

"There's no secret entrance," John answered. "I've already scanned the rock. Looks like there's only one way in and out and that's the lighthouse itself."

"How did The Riddler get there if he went underground?" asked Virgil.

"There is a secret tunnel I found from where you were to the sub-basement under the rock," John said. "But it is not accessible from anywhere other than those two places."

"If we go h'out there, won't 'e see us?" asked Parker.

"It's a risk you'll have to take," said John. "However I cannot see any cameras attached to the outside of the lighthouse."

"He probably doesn't expect to get any visitors," remarked Gordon. "Surfacing now."

Thunderbird 4 broke the surface and moved in close to the rocks, being careful not to crash into them. FAB1 did the same. Soon the occupants were out on the rocks and approaching the door. Virgil still had his mech-suit and was ready to use it whenever necessary.

"I'll have this off in no time," he said, reaching for the door.

"Easy, Virgil!" warned Penelope. "We don't want our presence to be known by breaking in like that."

"Besides," added Parker before Virgil could protest. He gave the door a gentle push. It moved.

"Seriously?" remarked Gordon. "It wasn't even locked?"

They went inside and down a spiral staircase, which was difficult for Virgil with his bulky equipment but he still managed. They soon reached a door and Parker reached to open it.

Penelope was quick to stop him. "Hold it, Parker," she hissed. Then she pointed to the top and sides of the door. There were sticks of dynamite attached to it.

"Jeepers!" said Gordon. "This guy is determined to keep people out somehow."

Virgil activated the heads-up display inside his helmet and scanned through the wall. What he saw made him feel sick to his stomach. Inside the room were the life-signs of five people walking around, holding onto some strange trolley-handle-like devices that appeared to run along the ground along a railway track-like maze. He couldn't tell which one was Hayley, but he also saw there was a sixth figure on an upper level in some kind of control room. "There he is…" he said bitterly. "Let me at him!"

"How, Virg?" hissed Gordon. "We can't go through the door. It'll set the explosives off."

"There has to be a way," Virgil hissed back.

Penelope glanced up. "There is," she said, noticing an open air vent with no grate. "Someone give me a boost, please."

Virgil was only too glad to oblige, allowing her to step onto one of his suit's arms and hoisting her up so she could crawl through the grate. She then crawled forwards, slowly and and as quietly as she could through the vent. She reached a small window in the grate and peered through at the people walking below. It was indeed the remaining two doctors and GDF guards as well as Hayley who was unmistakable in her red suit.

"That's right, worms, keep walking!" The Riddler said to the hostages via tannoy. "Let's see if you are still walking by the time the Sun comes up on Christmas morning."

"Riddler! When I get out of this, I'm gonna hurt you for this!" Hayley shouted.

"Come now, Captain Madison. In order for you to do that, you would somehow need to escape from the current predicament you find yourself in."

"I can walk all night, Riddler," Hayley said. She was trying to sound determined, but Penelope noted that her voice was sounding tired.

"Good," said The Riddler. "Let's see if you still feel the same tomorrow."

It was not easy for Penelope to turn around in the vent and she couldn't reach her compact so she pulled up her sleeve to use the radio in her watch instead. "Boys, it's Penelope. I can confirm the last hostages are here, and Hayley is among them."

Virgil twitched. He was so desperate to get in and save her.

"What's the door like on that side?" asked Gordon.

"It has dynamite on this side too," said Penelope. "I think I can remove it if you can remove the ones on your side?"

"Be careful, m'lady," warned Parker. "This stuff h'is lethal!"

"I am well aware of that, Parker," Penelope replied and moved on. But she hadn't gone far before she reached another window. This one was overlooking the little control room where The Riddler was. She could hear he was talking again. It sounded like he was talking to someone, but not the hostages. His voice also sounded distressed, she thought. She cautiously peered into the room, then froze and let out a gasp as her eyes fixed upon the screen opposite The Riddler's desk and saw a very familiar and unwelcoming face looking back at him. "Oh, my heavens…" Penelope said to herself. "The Hood!"

"I DESERVE to be in The Cabal!" The Riddler was shouting. "I think I have more than earned my spot with what I have achieved tonight!"

"And what exactly have you achieved, Mr Nygma?" The Hood asked. "From where I am sitting, all you have done is buy out an island that is barely known to anyone other than the people who used to live there, turned it into a village of death-trap rooms that are impossible for any normal person to get through and survive, and on top of that, come up with ludicrous riddles to tax your victims even further!"

The Riddler spluttered indignantly. "P-P-Pathetic?! LUDICROUS?!" he screeched. "I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW, MR HOOD, THAT I-"

"Are childish, ignorant and clearly a self-centred narcissist who proclaims themselves to be the most intelligent person on the planet!" The Hood snapped. "Well for YOUR information, Mr Nygma. I happen to be the most brilliant mind on Planet Earth, and if you think for ONE SECOND that I am going to let a C-lister such as yourself think you're greater than me, or that you're going to have a place on my Cabal, then you and totally MISTAKEN! Your audition is a rejection. Goodbye!" And with that he terminated the transmission, leaving both The Riddler and Penelope at a total loss for words.

Chapter Text

THE Riddler was literally shaking with fury. He slammed his fists on the control desk. "The absolute NERVE OF HIM!" he roared. "Claiming to be a more intelligent mind than ME! ME! THE RIDDLER! I'll show him! Oh, I'll show him! I'll show him and those accursed fools from International Rescue that NOBODY is better than me!"

"We'll see about that," Penelope whispered to herself. She carefully continued to crawl through the vent without The Riddler having any idea that she was even there. She reached the end and found that it dropped down into the room below where the remaining hostages were still walking around holding their strange devices. It was as she landed, Penelope noticed something that she hadn't seen before. Hayley and the others had some strange-looking helmets on their heads. To her horror, they too had sticks of dynamite attached to the helmets. There was a thin cable running from the end of the dynamite down to the device that they were pushing. Penelope didn't need to be a genius to realise what this meant. My God, she thought. This has gone far enough. It ends now!

Keeping to the dark areas of the room so that Hayley and the remaining hostages wouldn't see her, she managed to reach the door that had been boody-trapped with more dynamite and cautiously defused and removed it. She then tapped three times on the door. With a creak it opened to reveal Parker, Gordon and Virgil on the other side.

"What kept you?" Gordon asked.

"Sorry, I had to make sure that I wasn't spotted," Penelope said. "Listen, Riddler has attached explosives to them. If they stop moving, they will die. I saw Riddler has the control button. If we can take him out first, we can get the controller and deactivate them."

"Then what are we waiting for?" asked Virgil, who was desperate to get moving.

"Follow me," Penelope said. "But keep to the shadows. Don't let the hostages see us. If they stop, that will be the end for that person and we'll be exposed. Follow me."

As cautiously as they could, Penelope led the way through the room in and out of the pillars and kept in the darkness. They had to stop a few times whenever a hostage got too close. One time it was Hayley and Gordon had to elbow Virgil to keep quiet when he went to call out to her. At last they reached an area with a hole in the concrete construction. It had a wooden plank covering.

"He's up there," Penelope whispered, pointing up.

Virgil activated his heads-up display and sure enough, there was The Riddler standing almost directly above him on the wooden planks. He gritted his teeth and readied himself. "Got you…" he hissed and jumped up, punching the claw of his mech-suit through the wooden planks and grabbing hold of The Riddler's right leg.

"WHAT?!" exclaimed The Riddler. He felt himself getting pulled down so grabbed onto the control desk in front of him, but a hard tug from Virgil caused him to lose his grip and he fell down through the gap in the floor, crashing onto some wooden crates. He tried to scramble free but Virgil placed a foot on his chest. He stared up at Virgil who was giving him a look of pure hate. He then tried to reach for his cane which had fallen down with him but Gordon snatched it away. "GET YOUR HANDS OFF THAT!" The Riddler shouted.

Gordon ignored him and pushed a button. He then glanced at a nearby passing hostage and saw the red light on the helmet, showing that the devices were armed, turned off. "Explosives disabled," he said.

The Riddler stared at him, eyes wide and burning with fury. "You ABSOLUTE-"

POW! Parker had struck, punching him hard in the head and knocked him out cold.

"Light's out, Riddler," Penelope said. "Nice haymaker, Parker.

"Thank you, m'lady."

Hayley then came round the corner. She saw them and stopped dead. "V-Virgil?"

"Hayley!" Virgil said, scrambling out of his suit and heading towards her.

"NO, STAY BACK!" Hayley protested, suddenly going into a panic. "THE HELMET-"

"IS DISABLED, HAYLEY!" Gordon shouted. He held up The Riddler's cane.

Hayley froze and waited for a few seconds. It was then that she realised he was right. "Oh, God…Oh, God!" she cried, dropping the push-device and falling to her knees before starting to cry. Exhaustion had overwhelmed her. Virgil ran forwards and grabbed her. He pulled off his helmet and embraced her. At long last they were reunited.

Colonel Casey and several GDF troops had arrived on Enigma Island in a pair of GDF Flyers to take control of the situation. They had already rounded up the henchmen who had helped The Riddler and were marching them into one of the Flyers. Rigby and the others from the church had also been released and were boarding the other Flyer ready for taking home.

Jeff and Alan watched from beside Thunderbird 2 whilst Scott and Kayo rested against the side of the module, Kayo propped up against Scott. Both were too exhausted to move.

It was then that they realised Thunderbird 4 was surfacing in the harbour followed by FAB1 which drove up the boat ramp onto dry land. They were relieved to see everyone including Hayley and the remaining missing members of the team had been found safe and sound. Jeff and Colonel Casey were also very pleased to see that Virgil had slung over his mech-suit arm a cuffed and struggling Riddler.

"So this is the person behind all of this?" asked Colonel Casey.

"Yes," answered Jeff. "Edward Nygma - The Riddler."

"PUT ME DOWN, YOU CRETIN!" demanded The Riddler. "AND GET THIS DAMN CUFFS OFF OF ME!"

"I'll gladly oblige with the first," remarked Virgil. He lowered his arm causing The Riddler to fall to the floor and groan in agony.

Scott and Kayo, seeing The Riddler again, finally found the strength to get up again. Kayo tried to move towards him, but Alan stopped her in her tracks. "Don't, Kayo. Let the GDF deal with him," he said.

Kayo fixed him with a hard stare. "Get…out…of…my…way…" Kayo said dangerously.

"No, Kayo," Jeff called over. "You stay right where you are!"

Just then, two of the GDF soldiers that had come with Colonel Casey appeared pushing the gurney that Officer North had been strapped to from the nearby chamber. Scott had told them about it and suggested that they put The Riddler in it, which they promptly did.

"RELEASE ME AT ONCE!" The Riddler demanded as he was clamped in. "DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?!"

"Oh, we know exactly who you are, Mr Nygma," said Colonel Casey. "And if you think for a second that we are going to be intimidated by your self-claimed brilliance then you are mistaken."

"Don't mock me!" spat The Riddler. "No prison can hold me!"

"We'll see about that," said Colonel Casey. She turned to the soldiers. "Get him out of my sight!"

The soldiers pushed the gurney away towards the Flyer. As they went, The Riddler caught a glimpse of Scott and Kayo as well as Jeff. "YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, INTERNATIONAL RESCUE!" he bellowed.

Jeff snorted. "Like we haven't heard that before," he remarked. He turned to Hayley, Virgil, Gordon, Penelope and Parker. "Are you all okay?" he asked.

"We are now, Dad," said Gordon. "Although I think Hayley's in a bit of a state though."

Hayley really didn't look good. She looked rougher than Scott and Kayo did. Her legs were shaking and she was leant against Virgil, hardly able to stand.

"We'll take her back to the island," Jeff decided. "The sooner she gets into bed, the better."

"Agreed," said Colonel Casey. "You take care of her. Let us take care of the rest."

Just then, the clock on the church struck midnight.

"Well, I guess I should say 'Merry Christmas'?" Colonel Casey.

"And to you, Martha," replied Jeff. "Try to take a day off if you can. Be with your father and daughter."

Colonel Casey's smile faded. "But our first without Noel," she said sadly.

Jeff sighed. "I'm sorry," he said.

"It's okay," said Colonel Casey. "The net closes on The Cabal. We will learn the truth soon. I just know it." She gave everyone a friendly nod and then headed off to the Flyer where The Riddler had been taken to.

Jeff turned to the others. "Come on. Let's go home," he said.

The GDF Flyers had split. One headed back to GDF headquarters and to deliver the other members of the GDF team that had been sent to the island back home to their families where they could hopefully rest and recover from their night of terror. The other was headed towards Aquatraz where Colonel Casey intended to lock up The Riddler and his henchmen and leave them there without any trial. There didn't seem to be the need for one as The Riddler had not denied anything that had happened that night.

"Do you honestly expect me to be incarcerated, Colonel?" The Riddler growled at Colonel Casey. "No law enforcement has ever been able to catch me! And I don't intend to remain in custody either!"

"I've dealt with psychopaths like you before, Nygma," retorted Colonel Casey. "You're no different."

The Riddler gritted his teeth and was about to speak again when they were all stopped by a sudden THUD that was heard above them. It sounded like something had just landed on the top of the Flyer.

"Colonel, there's something on top of the Flyer," the voice of one of the cockpit crew said into Colonel Casey's earpiece.

"A big bird?" asked Colonel Casey.

"Err, no," replied the crewman. "I think it's a bat of some kind. But it's huge!"

It was then that Colonel Casey had noticed The Riddler had gone suddenly rather pale. But before she could say anything, there was a clunk and all the lights inside the cargo bay area of the Flyer went out.

"What the?!"

"What's happening?!"

"Who turned out the lights?!"

"Cockpit, report!" Colonel Casey ordered. "What's going on?"

But it wasn't the cockpit crew that answered. The next voice that was heard came from somewhere up above. "The Riddler is mine!"

Next thing anyone knew was they heard little objects drop to the floor followed by billows of white smoke filling the cargo bay causing everyone to become disoriented and confused. As the soldiers clamoured around, trying to get their equipment to fend off this mystery intruder, Colonel Casey thought she saw a shadowy figure zip by her out of the corner of her eye. She then heard the sound of a punch being landed followed by a yelp from The Riddler and then the sound of a grapple line launching.

"GET THOSE LIGHTS AND EXTRACTOR FANS ON!" Colonel Casey ordered.

The crew did so. Within thirty seconds the Flyer's extractor fans had sucked out all of the mysterious smoke and power to the lights had been restored. But as everyone regained their senses, Colonel Casey was the first to notice that the gurney had been unclamped and that The Riddler was gone. But as she initially cursed at losing the prisoner, she couldn't help getting a strange feeling that whoever their mystery visitor was, hadn't come to release him.

The Riddler couldn't remember much that had happened within the last ten minutes or so, but by the time he came too, he found himself cuffed and locked inside a dark room inside another aircraft. One that had no windows. "Where…where am I?" he asked.

"You're a smart man, Edward. You'll figure it out."

The Riddler froze. He knew that voice. "No…Oh, no…NO! Not you! I created my island paradise so that I could be rid of you!"

A shadow figure began to emerge from the darkness. The Riddler quivered as he saw a pair of glowing white eyes peering down at him.

"Let me make this clear. So long as I am around. You will never be rid of me!"

The Riddler couldn't take it any longer. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Hayley had no idea how long she'd been out for, but by the time she opened her eyes, several hours had passed since she'd been brought to Tracy Island. She recognised the room she was in immediately. It was the Sick Bay in the Tracy Villa.

"Hey, she's awake!"

Hayley turned her head to the right to see Scott sitting on the bed next to her whilst Kayo lay in it. "Scott. Kayo. You two had a night of it as well?" she asked.

"Hell yeah," said Kayo. "But at least he should never have to deal with that creep again."

"And for good reason," said Scott. "Lady Penelope overheard a conversation between The Riddler and The Hood. turns out he was trying to get into The Cabal. But The Hood wasn't impressed and declined him."

Hayley exhaled. "Thank God for that," she remarked. She then noticed the Christmas decorations and suddenly remembered. "Wait…it's Christmas Day…I was supposed to be with my family this morning." She placed her face over her hands and began to cry.

Scott and Kayo looked at each other, unsure what to do or say.

Just then, the door opened and Virgil walked in. "Hey, what's up?" he asked.

"Hayley's sad, Virgil," replied Scott. "She's just realised she's not going to get to see her parents today."

To his and Kayo's confusion, Virgil didn't go to Hayley to comfort her. Instead, he began to smirk. "You know, I figured that would be the case," he said. "So…" he stood aside and pulled the door open further to reveal a man and a woman who neither Scott or Kayo recognised.

Hayley removed her hands at the sound of Virgil's voice, her eyes were red due to her crying. But then she stopped crying and let out a gasp of surprise as her hands flew over her mouth. "MUM?! DAD?!"

Hayley's parents entered the room and swiftly embraced their daughter. She began to cry again, but with happiness. She then opened her eyes and gazed lovingly at Virgil between her parents' bodies. "Thank you," she said gratefully.

Virgil smiled back. "You're welcome," he said. "Merry Christmas!"

The story continues with Series 5 Episode 23: "HIDDEN DANGER"