DECEMBER 22ND
“Three days,” Kim said softly, resting her head against Shego's. They were sitting in her bedroom on the bed facing the window watching the sun rise. Shego had drifted in and out of sleep a few times during the night so Kim wrapped her arms around her to keep her close. Kim herself hadn't slept at all. She just didn't feel sleepy and every time she closed her eyes she thought of it, that dark place that all her nightmares paled in comparison to. The place Allucinere put her in. The place that drove Senior Senior Senior to madness.
The place her brothers and friends could be in right now.
Kim shivered and pulled Shego against her tighter. Shego stirred slightly and opened her sparkling emerald eyes to look up at Kim's dull green ones. “Hey princess,” she said softly. “You cold?” She glowed slightly to warm the air around her.
Kim shook her head. “Nah, I'm just thinking about old nightmares.”
Shego frowned. “Have you slept?”
Kim sat silently.
“You need to sleep,” Shego admonished, rubbing her eyes. “You're not going to be at your best if you don’t get at least some sleep. If this girl is as bad as you say--”
“She's worse,” Kim said suddenly.
Shego bit her lip. “I'll keep an eye on things in the house if you're worried.”
Kim looked away. “I just don't feel tired.”
Shego sighed and sat up. She moved to sit directly in front of Kim. “You're being really difficult, you know that? I have half a mind to beat you into unconsciousness.”
Kim shot a sharp look at her. “Give it up, I'm not afraid of you.”
Shego's eyes narrowed and she snarled, “You should be.” Raising her arm she created five small green flames at her fingertips and had them dance about her hand. “I'm twice as strong as I was when we last fought, and you're three times as tired.”
“I'm not tired,” snapped Kim. “And I'll give you a run for your money if you wanna go at it.” She raised a finger and pointed it at Shego. “Don't think just because I love you I won't put you in your place.”
“My place?” asked Shego, incredulously. The fires in her palm extinguished in a puff of smoke when she made a tight fist. “Insinuating that your place is above mine?”
Kim smiled evilly. “You know it is. After all, I've never been captured by some teen hero and sent to jail. In fact, I've never been defeated!”
Shego stood tall to look down at Kim. “Seems I let you win too many times.”
Kim stood and went nose to nose against her. “Seems being beaten so many times has ruined your memory. You never 'let' me win once.”
“Wanna bet?” sneered Shego.
“You're on,” spat Kim.
Shego stepped back once, putting a slight bit of distance between them.
“Already retreating?” smiled Kim. “That certainly wasn't--OOUUF!” Shego lunged at her and caught her in her stomach as she was posturing.
Kim was surprised but had already begun twisting her body to launch off the bed and out of Shego's grip. Landing on her feet, Kim switched her stance and came at Shego with her fists ready. The ex-thief pushed herself off the bed to avoid Kim's swing and came about with a swing kick to land herself on the side of the bed.
Kim rolled to keep the bed between them, then after a moment lunged at Shego herself, catching her prey in the torso and slamming her to the ground, causing the dresser and the trinkets on top to rattle.
On the floor, the two struggled for dominance. Kim's hand held Shego's glowing fist to the ground while she pushed on the opposite shoulder to keep the other glowing arm from burning her. Shego was stronger though, and her arm kept inching closer to Kim's face, causing her to sweat from the heat and the struggle. Quickly realizing she wasn't in a winning position, Kim bent her knee and launched off the floor to get away.
Except as she let go of Shego's arm, the latter wrapped an arm around her shoulder and they both soared through the air momentarily, then landed again, this time on Kim's back. The hero coughed as some of the wind got knocked out of her but she kept her wits about her long enough to press her free knee against Shego's chest, again to keep the flailing glowing fists from reaching her.
As if realizing the flaw in her approach, Shego suddenly stopped going for Kim's chest and neck and slashed at Kim's knee, tearing her jeans and leaving a red welt on the flesh. Kim grit her teeth through the pain and punched Shego in her soft stomach, throwing her off and onto the bed.
For a moment, both combatants breathed and Kim tried to push away the throbbing pain in her leg. She stood again, favoring her good leg, and held her hands like claws, entering a judo stance. Shego sucked in cool morning air and pushed herself back onto her feet, holding her fists at ready. Both stared at each other.
Kim tensed her muscles, feeling her heart racing as sweat dripped from her brow and poured around her body. Finding energy in her limbs she'd hadn't known in three days Kim realized what she needed to do next and changed her position slightly, going from a defensive to an offensive stance. Shego's brow furrowed as if she read Kim's movements, trying to decipher them before the attack. Kim wasn't planning on giving her the opportunity.
In a blur, Kim feinted to the side then crossed the distance between them in a hearbeat, suddenly directly in front of Shego. Her hands grabbed Shego's shoulders and used her momentum to throw them down onto the bed, her grip tense against Shego's skin. Her mouth was hung open as she breathed heavily looking down with angry eyes at Shego who looked up in awe. Her arms that had been struggling to find hold against the bed loosened and lie flat.
The side of Shego's mouth turned up every so slightly. “That wasn't a judo throw,” she said between breathes.
Kim ignored her words and pressed her mouth down against Shego's, feeling her burning lips and trying to suck the life out of her lover. Her arms released Shego's shoulders and instead ran down her sides, feeling the curves of her chest as they slid down to her hips. In return, Shego's arms reached up and wrapped around Kim's back and clawed at her shirt madly.
The two franticly assaulted each other with strong arms and hot lips, leaving faint trails of glistening saliva on their necks and shoulders as their heartbeats raced in unison. Eventually Shego's fingers gripped Kim's shirt enough to tear it away and Kim repaid the favor by pulling Shego's collar until her dark green tank top lay torn in two.
In a sober moment, the two girls separated and looked at each other. Kim straddling atop of Shego wearing only her jeans and Shego sprawled out on the bed in an equal state of undress. Kim's eyes salaciously ran across every inch of Shego's sweaty flesh and could feel the heat of Shego's green orbs racing across her own. Kim's mind whirred with newfound energy and struggled to move even faster. She could feel a vibration inside her chest and with surprise realized it was her own heart. The tense feeling traveled across her body, from her tingling fingertips, to the center of hips. There was no stop for her. There could be no stop until she'd won. The battle hadn't ended yet. The objective had just changed.
Running her tongue over her lips, Kim descended again.
( KP )
Eventually her heart calmed again, and Kim lay naked on her bed, her eyes half-lidded in the arms of her equally naked lover who was gently playing with her hair. A sheet had been hastily arranged on them but covered very little and seemed to be more symbolic than functional.
Shego's dark lips kissed Kim's forehead and the latter sighed contently, nestling against the older girl's ample bosom. Shego shivered slightly as Kim's breath traveled slowly across her skin, leaving cool, desperate reminders of what had happened just minutes before.
Kim looked up at Shego's face and saw her looking aimlessly off to the side. Pouting slightly, Kim sucked Shego's breast into her mouth and ran her slick tongue along the pale flesh. Releasing her sudden hostage, Kim looked up and saw Shego looking down at her with a surprised expression. Mission accomplished.
“Hey,” Shego said. “I thought you were falling asleep.”
“You looked … troubled,” said Kim. “What are you thinking about?”
“I think we should spar,” said Shego.
Kim giggled. “Didn't we just do that?”
“We did,” nodded Shego. “We should do it more often. Every day.”
Kim blinked in astonishment.
“Not necessarily ending the same way.” Shego admitted, looking to the side. “I just think… we're sort of built that way. We shouldn't neglect our abilities just because we don't fight epic battles anymore.” She looked back. “It might be useful given we can't seem to avoid attracting trouble.”
Kim grimaced but nodded. “You're probably right. Besides it was… you know…” she blushed. “Fun.”
Shego smiled warmly.
Kim yawned. “What time is it?”
“Just after eight,” said Shego. “My brothers said they'd show up around ten.”
“Okay,” said Kim sleepily. She closed her eyes and rested her head against Shego again. “Wake me up before they get here.”
Within moments she was asleep.
Minutes later Shego looked down. “Um, what am I supposed to do until then?”
( KP )
By eleven, the two cars in the driveway and the one in the street had been joined by three more: a large SUV, a well kept foreign sedan, and a domestic sports wagon. A passer-by might think that a big party was brewing for Christmas, but the truth was much less festive.
Kim was sitting at the dining room table spreading some cream cheese on a bagel and looked in awe at the crowd that had gathered at the Possible home. Heroes, villains, an ex-marine, world renowned scientists, and her old sidekick, they all ate at the same table and, largely, amiably. Under any other circumstances, Kim would think that she was still in stuck in that cable box connected to the Pan Dimensional Vortex Inducer and living in an off-beat sitcom. But the truth was that life was always stranger than fiction.
A knock on the door prompted Dr. Possible, to answer and a few minutes later he returned to the dining room with FBI Special Agent Gideon in tow. He blinked at the assembled cabal.
“A few more people here this morning than yesterday,” Gibson pointed out.
“Strange how we tend to multiply in situations like these,” commented Shego.
“Sorry, Elliot,” said Nana, standing then motioning to the opposite side of the table. A large muscular man, a tall thin man, both with dark hair, and two shorter twins with athletic builds and brown hair sat there, dressed in relatively plain clothes. “These are Lily's brothers.”
“Lily?” asked the agent.
“Me.” Shego raised her hand. “I guess we were never formally introduced.”
“Your reputation preceded you, but evidently your name did not.”
“I don't use it much,” shrugged Shego.
“This is Raymond, Jason, Wesley and William Kedar,” said Nana, moving from left to right down the row. “They're also known as --”
“Ahem!” coughed Jason. “Secret identity, much?”
“Oh, I'm sorry,” apologized Nana. “I just assumed…”
“Yeah, just because sis feels there's no segregation between her personal life and her villainous one doesn't me we all feel that way.” Jason shook his head.
“You're all villains?” asked Agent Gibson, surprised.
“Er--No!” stammered Jason.
“No, we're heroes,” announced Raymond.
“Famous, successful ones,” added Jason.
“Give it up, bro,” said Wesley.
“He's FBI, our cover was blown the moment she said we were Shego's brothers,” said William.
“Ah, Team Go,” said Gibson, nodding. “I remember the report now.”
“See?” said Wesley.
Jason buried his head in his hands. “I don't know why I bother with you all, seriously.”
“They've been doing this all morning,” Ron said softly to Gibson.
“I'm sorry,” said Nana. “I didn't know you wanted to keep it a secret.”
“Its fine,” said Wesley with a smile.
“Only Mego gets up in arms about it,” continued William.
Shego leaned on her arm and rolled her eyes. “Can we drop the crap and get to the point?” she announced to nobody in particular.
“Shego,” Kim said wearily.
“Fine, I'll do it.” Shego looked up to Gibson. “We have a lead on Allucinere.”
“Where?” The agent's expression changed immediately from lightly amused to serious.
“She came to us,” said Raymond, taking a bite out of his bagel. “She said that on Christmas day a new form of justice would be borne and that anyone wishing to continue being a hero would have to prove their worth before her or risk being named as villains.” He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a small card. “She gave us an address to go to for 'tryouts.'”
Gibson picked up the card and examined it closely. “Colorado Springs,” he said. “Not very low profile.”
“It probably wasn't her,” said Ron, looking up at the still standing special agent. “More likely a PossiBot with a Luminocodec set to resemble her.”
“Or not,” added Wesley. “Since we don't know what this Allucinere looks like, it could have been anyone.”
“And she never said her name was Allucinere, either,” said William. “Just a 'herald of the new age of justice.'”
“God, does she get all her lines from comic books?” asked Shego, perturbed.
“Wait a minute, this is today,” said Gibson looking at the card. He looked at his watch. “Six o'clock this evening.”
“Which would be why we're still here,” said Kim, raising a brow. “Instead of running down this lead the second we heard about it.”
“Was anyone else approached?” asked Gibson.
“Everyone was approached,” said Jason, rolling his eyes. “The Sewer Viper got a card too, that guy is like, four leagues beneath us.” Jason angrily spread butter on his bagel. “He trolls the sewers of Go city defending us against the dreaded 'sewer lobsters.' What a screwball.”
“At least he doesn’t run across rooftops screaming that he's the big blue bug of--” started Wesley.
“Let's get back on track here,” interrupted Shego. “You can lament your bruised egos later.”
“I need to call this in, get some uniforms down there,” said Gibson, turning.
“Wait,” said Kim. “We can't scare her off if she's really going to show. You've gotta keep the feds off this one.”
“Don't worry, we'll keep it low profile,” nodded Gibson. “You think the FBI doesn't know how to deal with terrorists?” He swiftly left the room.
“Not like this one,” said Kim, softly.
( KP )
Kim stared at her K-link while sitting on the couch in the living room. It displayed the time. It wasn't very fascinating.
“Hey there,” said William as he noticed the heroine sitting alone. “What're you doing?”
“Wade didn't check in this morning,” Kim said with a frown. “I'm worried.”
“Wade?” asked William, sitting on a recliner nearby.
“He's my-- or, rather, he was my tech hookup, back in the day.” Kim sighed. “Now he works for Global Justice.”
“Really?” William's eyes lit up.
“They're really not all that hot,” said Kim. “I know they swooped in to help you and your brothers overcome the symbiote, but generally they're stuck-up and ends-justify-the-means people.”
“Still, they have the James Bond angle, which is an near-instant win in my book,” smiled William. “Haven't heard from them since Shego recovered though, I guess they've been busy.”
“They're on a witch hunt, actually,” said Kim.
“Witches?”
“No, I mean -- er, they're searching for a mole… a spy,” Kim tried to clarify. “With all this holographic disguise-kit stuff happening, they're in a panic and trying to figure out if everyone is who they say they are. As a result they've stopped doing… well, just about anything.”
“But not Wade,” questioned William.
“No, he's been trying to help without GJ knowing.” Kim looked gloomily at her watch. “I'm worried they found out and did something.”
“They're still good guys, right? I'm sure he's fine, just being scolded.”
“Hah,” Kim laughed cynically. “I wish every bad thing I've done only resulted in a scolding.” She looked away.
“Um… I don't mean to pry, but, are you alright?” asked William. “I know your family is in danger, and that's terrifying -- trust me I know -- but is there… you know… something else?”
Kim glanced back at the youngest of Team Go and felt somewhat nostalgic. “How long have you guys been a team?”
“Oh, probably about eight years now,” said William. “Well, that's counting the year or so we split up, so only about 6 years actually fighting evil.”
“Wow,” said Kim, trying not to sound envious. “I didn't last that long.”
“Well, like I said, neither did we. We lost Shego early on, then broke up a couple years later due to… uh, personal issues.” William shrugged. “It's hard work keeping a team together, especially when it's the family business.”
“Do you, um, regret it at all?” asked Kim.
William blinked. “No, not really. I wish we hadn't broken up, 'cause we're a great team when we're together, but I can't say I regret helping others.”
“That’s…that's not what I meant,” said Kim, feeling embarrassed at his enthusiasm.
“Is that what's bothering you? You regret being a hero?” William sounded confused.
“I … regret that I'll probably be nothing else.” Kim sagged. “No matter how much I try to distance myself, it just keeps coming back at me. My enemies track me down or I find myself in a strange series of events leading to me having to get my hands dirty again. It's an endless cycle I only see ending when… they finally win.” Kim looked to be on the verge of tears. “And then who steps in to keep my family safe?”
Kim buried her face in her hands. She didn't want to think this way, she knew it wasn't heroic. She had no idea why she was bearing her soul to this boy, either. When she was his age, she thought she was indestructible. Silently she cursed Maya Tromper for putting her so off-balance.
Suddenly she felt a gentle pat on her shoulder and she looked up to see William looking at her with a kind, almost tender expression. “Hey,” he said. “I don’t know where this thing with you and sis is going, but, we're fellow heroes and maybe we'll be family too. We'll be there if you need us. Don't try to take it all on yourself, okay?”
Kim looked at him in awe. He didn't look awkward at all, he actually looked confident. Of all the fumbling Kim always did to express herself he'd quickly taken in stride. Where did his strength come from?
“I think Shego's a little ashamed of us,” said William whimsically. “So I imagine she doesn't go to any great lengths to connect with us. But that doesn't mean we don't want to be close to both of you. Give us a call now and then. If you don't want to get dirty anymore, that's cool, just call on us.” He smiled again. “We do have a really fast jet.” He looked a little awkward. “Which only Shego can fly well, but Hego gets by.” He shrugged.
Kim closed her eyes and breathed. Maybe… maybe…
“Thanks,” she nodded, opening her eyes. “I'm kinda sorry we never got a chance to talk before.”
“Meh,” grinned William. “We've both been a little busy.”
Kim patted William's hand and nodded.
“Hey!”
Kim looked up to see Shego walk in. She had her hands at her hips. “Hands off, buddy, she's mine,” she announced.
“Oh, come on, sis, I'm not that despicable,” said William. “You're the villain after all.”
Shego crossed her arms. “One can never trust you hero-types.”
“Hey,” this time Kim spoke up.
“Er,” Shego looked to the side. “Except you, of course.”
“We were just talking, Shego,” Kim frowned.
Shego sighed. “I know,” she muttered. “Can't a girl give her brother a hard time?” She looked at Kim out of the corner of her eye. “I know you're a skilled practitioner.”
“Ah… well, that's true,” admitted Kim. She looked at William, who seemed to be enjoying the conversation. “But maybe I should cut back, they might have a wise word to say, every now and then.”
Shego rolled her eyes. “Alright, enough Zen and the Art of Heroism. Will, your brother's run off, can you find him?”
“Which one?” asked William with a smirk. Shego just stared. “Yeah, yeah, I'll track down Wes.” He got up and headed out towards the back of the house.
Shego watched him leave then sat down next to Kim. “He didn't do anything dumb, did he?”
Kim eyed her skeptically. “You really ought to reach out more to your family, they might not disappoint you.”
“I know, I know,” Shego nodded quickly. “First thing on my list when life returns to some semblance of normal, but right now we've got bigger fish to fry.”
Kim nodded. “Gibson says that the FBI is going to monitor the event, and strategically take out whoever identifies themselves as Allucinere. Given she has an army of potential duplicates, I don't exactly agree with their approach.”
“Yeah, they're not exactly used to handling this type of villain,” nodded Shego. “GJ would be better suited but…”
“But we can't count on them for anything right now,” finished Kim. “I'm glad that someone is trying to help, but we're going to have to find Allucinere before the Feds bust in or we might lose her.”
“Assuming she's actually there.”
“Right.” Kim nodded again then looked at her watch. “Still got that jet lying around?”
Shego smiled.
( KP )
Ron frowned. Standing in the lobby of Pike's Peak Center, surrounded by maybe a hundred very strangely dressed people from across the country and quite possibly the world, he wanted nothing more than to look like he didn't belong. These people were outright weird, and while much of their looks and habits were once representative of a culture he revered, time had not treated that particular interest well.
“This is embarrassing,” Ron summarized, looking down at the bright blue and yellow 'Zorpox' suit he was wearing. “And a size or two too small.”
Shego slapped Ron's hand as he was pulling at his tunic. “Don't fiddle with it, people will realize you're a fake.”
“Come on, I'm wearing a villain's outfit,” Ron stressed quietly. “You really don't think these people are going to realize?”
“You were a fake villain,” said Shego. “No notable deeds either way. You're worried someone will notice you're not a hero? I doubt anyone will even notice you, period.” Shego turned to face Kim who was dressed as Sheela, in her skin-tight, leopard outfit. “Now the princess on the other hand…”
Kim blushed even more than she had been already. “I used to be… smaller, when I wore this last,” she said in a quiet voice, and then pulled at her top slightly to cover her exposed skin. Shego slapped her too.
“This is fun,” Shego said with a satisfactory nod.
“I don't get why YOU get to dress like you always do,” Kim grumbled.
“Hello? Actual ex-hero here!” Shego said.
“Yeah, what about that 'ex' part?” asked Ron.
“Oh, come on, if there is anything more common than a hero going rogue, it's a villain reforming.” Shego shrugged. “Besides, we're not wearing nametags or anything, we'll just handle this low-key style and make the grab when we get the chance.”
“Assuming anyone shows to grab,” pointed out Ron.
“Right,” nodded Shego.
Kim sighed and pulled on her top again. “Let's look around. We've only got a short while before the Feds and your brothers show up.”
Wordlessly, they waded through the crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of everyone in the center. Eventually, after thirty minutes of looking, they reconvened at the other end of the center and forced their way into a service corridor. The long beige hallways snaked around the public areas as they walked, with numerous corridors leading off in all directions.
Minutes passed.
“You know, something just occurred to me,” said Ron.
“Shhh!” hushed Shego as they snuck around another corner.
“Right,” whispered Ron.
“What is it?” Kim said quietly.
“How many heroes are there really? Seems like there were an awful lot of people out there and I didn't recognize any of them.”
“Not every hero makes the news, Stoppable,” said Shego.
“No, I know,” said Ron. “But you would think there would be at least a few of the more noteworthy ones here. Jade Hammer or Shadownite, or some of the other heavy hitters from Go city aside from Team Go.”
“The more successful heroes probably weren't intimidated by Allucinere's threats,” suggested Kim. “There's no way I would have 'tried out' to be part of her league of justice.”
“No, but you would have come anyway to stop her,” Ron said with a raised finger. Kim frowned and slowed her pace, looking at Ron. He and Shego slowed down as well.
“You're right,” said Kim. “Why aren't they here?”
“They have to know, don’t they?” asked Shego. “Maybe they're just…”
“What?” asked Ron. “Scared?”
Shego looked at Kim suddenly. “It's a trap,” she said, realization dawning. “She's thinning out the herd.” She paused. “Hey wait! She thought Team Go was second rate!”
“We'll deal with your brother's image later,” said Kim. “We need to clear this place out before the trap is sprung.”
The three started running back towards the center's lobby. Shego ran beside Kim.
“You know, someone's got to be here to set the trap,” she said between breaths. “We should be looking for them.”
Kim frowned. “You think they'll set it off early if we start telling people to run?”
“It's possible,” shrugged Shego.
Kim thought about it as they ran.
“You and Ron try to find the person behind all this,” Kim said. “I'll try to discretely get people to leave. Maybe the FBI will be useful after all.”
“What? Me and Stoppable?” squawked Shego.
“You're better off together, safer from Allucinere,” said Kim. “Since the hospital she's hasn't made a single direct attack on me, but she has gone after the people around me. I don't think she wants me yet, she wants to torment me first.”
“That's a pretty heavy assumption,” said Ron.
“Just go. If you run into a PossiBot, it'll probably take two of you to defeat it anyway.” Kim sped up.
“Hey! I could take one!” called Shego, but Kim was already leaving her behind. She didn't want to give them time to argue. There was only one reason why Allucinere would have gone after Kim's brothers who had never done anything against her: she wanted to torment her. It was working, but Kim refused to let it affect her judgment anymore.
Pushing through the double service doors back into the lobby, Kim looked around at the swelling crowd. More people had started to show up, suddenly annoying Kim. These people are self-proclaimed heroes, can't they sense a set-up?
Grumbling, Kim moved into the crowd and started gently grabbing people and telling them to leave. It didn't work out as expected.
“I'm not leaving until I have my words with this woman, how dare she threaten me!”
“Wait, aren't you Kim Possible? I thought you vanished! Wait a minute, you're trying to be the only one on Allucinere's side!”
“Are you kidding? Look at these guys, I'm clearly the one with the most Justice, I'm not leaving.”
Kim boggled at the reactions of the costumed crime fighters. Several listened to reason but so many were so naïve they thought that Allucinere actually was as good as she claimed to be. She wryly wondered if this was some sort of natural selection process for heroes.
Suddenly a sound rang out and a couple of suited women walked out and opened the doors to the amphitheatre, announcing that the event would be starting shortly. The suited women quickly departed as heroes began filing through the doorway. Kim briefly played with the idea of going after the women, but knew that saving the people too prescience. She forced her way through the crowd, reaching the entrance after only a couple dozen people had gotten through.
She wedged herself in the doorway, spreading her arms and legs to block the opening. “Listen up, people!” she yelled as loud as she could. Discretion would have to be abandoned.
General clamor in the lobby quieted to a murmur. Kim looked serious out into the crowd. “Everyone has to leave,” she yelled out. “Allucinere is no agent of justice! The woman who invited you all here is a criminal, a villain! She brought you here to lure you into a trap! Please, turn around and leave as quickly as you can before whatever scheme she has comes about!”
Kim breathed deeply after yelling so hard, but remained firmly in place. To her surprised many people, irritated, turned and started to leave… only to discover they couldn't.
“The doors are jammed!” called someone from the head of the leaving crowd. “All of them are!”
The sudden sound of a forceful impact caused the windows in the atrium to rattle. “Even I can't break it, and I can tear a phonebook in half!” called another voice.
“Give it a rest, Atlas, you don't have super-strength.”
“Yeah, well, I don't have super nearsightedness either, do I, Minelight?”
“I have a stigmatism!”
“Is that another word for 'powerless'?”
“Get away from the doors you clowns, let a real superhero handle this.”
Kim shook her head at the antics going on by the exit and wondered what dimension she'd fallen into.
“You never were the detective, Kim.”
Kim froze, hearing a familiar voice from inside the theatre behind her. She felt her blood run cold as she slowly turned to look in the room she'd put her back to. Down the rows of seats and on the stage stood a single, short, trim woman with long red hair and wearing a silver-white stretch suit that was definitely familiar. In fact, the whole package was familiar. If it wasn't for the woman's more angular face, she'd look exactly like Kim did.
The woman on stage flicked a bit of her red hair behind her. “Yet another trait you came up woefully short in,” she said. “How could I have been so fooled by you?”
Kim opened her mouth but felt it go dry. “Maya,” she said.
Maya smiled. “You see, this was a bait-and-trap attempt, but I could care less about these second-rate carnival attractions.” She motioned to the few 'heroes' still in the audience. “They're nothing more than part of the bait.” She smiled evilly. “You're the catch.”
Kim closed her eyes to steady herself. She wasn't afraid… she wasn't sure what it was she felt, but she was sure it wasn't fear. She consolidated her feelings and locked them away, focusing on the matter before her. There would be time for feelings later.
Finding her center, Kim opened her eyes again and steeled herself. “Come to take me on alone this time?” she asked, irreverently.
“Now why would I do that?” asked Maya, looking to either side of the amphitheatre. “You would win.”
The two doors on either side of the arena suddenly opened. From one, a small army of PossiBots emerged, slowly marching in sequence from the tunnel and looking straight at Kim. From the other side came a puff of black smoke.
Kim frowned at the black smoke, briefly wondering if Maya had created a robotic dragon. Since nothing emerged immediately, Kim directed her attention to the half-dozen PossiBots approaching her. She had trouble fighting just one of these things, how was she going to even the odds against six?
“Anytime any of you 'heroes' want to prove yourself, now would be an excellent time,” Kim called out to the band of misfits trying to break out of the lobby and back into the street. A few looked back, conflicted. The band of PossiBots chose that time to rip through a section of the seating which had been in their path to Kim. The chairs, typically bolted to the floor, were torn up like paper and tossed several meters away like so much trash. Those 'heroes' still conflicted turned and fled.
“This is why they're not worthy of my new world order,” said Maya with a shake of her head.
The first couple of PossiBots got close enough to leap the rest of the way and launched themselves at Kim. With only a split second to think, she rolled away towards the stage, narrowly missing being crushed to a powder. The concrete stairway fractured and shifted under the PossiBots' fists. Kim looked up just in time to see that the remaining four Bots quickly closing the distance towards her.
Swallowing, Kim got to her feet and ran towards them. She had to run this battle on her own terms or the PossiBots' better strength and numbers would easily wipe the floor with her. The Bots in front of her noticed her approach and began to fan out, forcing Kim to choose one of them to attack. Kim picked the Bot to her far right and used a chair as a springboard to leap kick it.
The PossiBot proved faster than expected, though, and had raised its arms to deflect the blow. Kim simply launched off of the crossed forearms into a dive at another PossiBot who couldn’t react fast enough. Kim took her down to the ground hard and rolled off back into a defensive stance. The PossiBot on the ground lurched once, then quickly picked itself up.
One of the first PossiBots must have predicted her movements because it was suddenly beside her, rushing down side aisle between the chairs and the wall. Kim only had time to block as the Bot's punch came at her head. The impact was substantial and Kim could feel her arms throbbing. She pushed past the pain and returned with a jab to the Bot's stomach, causing it to momentarily double over. Taking every advantage, Kim slipped behind the Bot and kicked it in the back as hard as she could, throwing it forward into another of the PossiBots and the both collapsed to the floor.
Kim's heel and leg throbbed now. Kicking that Bot felt like kicking concrete for some reason and her body ached from the exertion. Kim looked up at the stage to see Maya standing there, smiling roguishly.
“Giving up already?” asked Maya, noticing her stare. “I hope you aren't going to disappoint me further.”
Kim narrowed her eyes, scanning the room in a second. There was too much space here. It was too easy for the PossiBots to surround her, she needed to thin them out, deal with them one at a time. Kim looked behind herself to see the door the PossiBots had originally come in from. It wasn't far away, she could make it easily. She didn't want to look like she was running away, but she had little choice.
Kim turned on her toes and started to sprint.
Then she heard an explosion behind her. Against her better judgment, she looked back to see what it was. A PossiBot in the back of the group was smoking and parts of it's skin was dripping off revealing the gleaming metal beneath. One of its arms had was missing and a few sparking wires and jutting metal were all that was left in its place. Somehow, the Bot was unfazed and turned, in unison with the other PossiBots, to look at the source of the attack.
Across the amphitheatre, standing before the other doorway which had previously been emitting black smoke, stood Shego, leaning heavily on the doorframe, with her hand extended and glowing bright green. She was breathing deeply and coughing, sweat dripping down her face, but her expression was unmistakable. She was pissed off.
Beside her stood Ron looking slightly worse for wear and not nearly as tired. His hands were held before him in a karate stance.
“Man these things take a lot to bring down,” said Shego between breaths.
“Shego!” yelled Kim, never more pleased to see the woman.
“I wondered where the other ones went,” said Maya, playing with her hair thoughtfully. “You're quite a firecracker.”
“I assume you're Allucinere,” said Shego, catching her breath and straightening.
“I am,” nodded Maya with a smile. “You must be Shego.” She darkened suddenly. “The one who won Kim's heart.”
“Just 'Shego' will do,” said Shego grinning slyly. “And you can give up now and save yourself from being vaporized.” She waved her glowing hand around for emphasis.
“I doubt that,” said Maya. “I'm impressed you took on so many of my PossiBots and won, but I don't think you have much more left in you.” She paused and twirled her hair around her finger. “Although… your dedication is noteworthy, especially considering your history, and your strength is clearly superior to any of the fools in the center. Swear off your villainous past and you need not be my enemy. In a way, I can offer you a part in world domination.”
Shego's eyes went wide and she shook for a second. Kim worried that she was struggling with her evil side that Kim knew she only suppressed for her sake.
Then, suddenly, she burst out laughing.
“Ahh, I'm sorry,” she said while laughing. “I couldn't hold it in anymore.” She laughed so hard she doubled over. “Hang on, I'm waiting for the part you reveal that you're actually my father and that I need to turn on those pesky rebels.” Shego continued laughing.
Kim looked to Maya to see her standing stoically, her eyes narrowed.
“Very well then,” said Maya. She looked the PossiBots. “Kill them all.”
The PossiBots turned and separated into two groups, with four -- including the damaged one -- heading towards Shego and Ron and the remaining two closing on Kim. I can't run now, Kim thought. I can't abandon Shego and Ron.
Kim looked up at Maya again and saw her watching Shego and Ron with interest. Maybe there was a way to end this quicker than she thought.
Rushing the PossiBots again, Kim watched as they recognized the repeated strategy and increased their own speed. Kim quickly adapted to their strategy and leaped forward with her arms extended. The lead PossiBot rose its arms to block, just like Kim wanted, and she grabbed the arms to swing up and over it, launching herself into the air. The PossiBot behind the lead one quickly closed the distance allowing Kim to land on its shoulders and leap again, this time towards the stage.
Moments before her feet would hit the ground she saw another PossiBot come flying at her with its shoulder in front. Without anything to change her direction, Kim twisted to soften the impact but still felt her ribs getting brused by the impact against her torso. She flew towards the back of the stage, spinning in the air, until she landed hard on her shoulder, hearing a snap inside her own body.
Kim's body ached. Nerves up and down her spine were crying out in pain and her shoulder felt dead. She suspected it had become dislocated when she couldn't easily move her arm. She didn't have time to waste, though, so she used her good arm to stand up again.
Maya was staring at her evenly. “Ready for that one-on-- woah!”
Kim didn't feel like banter. She rushed forward and swung her leg around and down for a chop kick. Maya's hand was inexplicably there and deflected the blow to the side as she moved gracefully back. Kim shifted her weight to swing kick around but again Maya's arms blocked it swiftly. Her hands grabbed Kim's ankle and attempted to twist her leg. Without another option, Kim twisted her body to match the direction Maya was twisted and swung her leg around one more time for a kick to Maya's head.
With a dull thump, it finally connected and Maya dropped her to the floor, staggering back. Kim rolled onto her side and pushed herself back to her feet again, taking care to guard her bad arm. She looked back at Maya.
The woman was just standing there, with her head cocked to the side. She slowly moved it back to a normal position and Kim could see the slight scuff mark on her cheek but nothing else. No redness, no bruising, no swelling.
“You're a PossiBot!” Kim yelled, angrily.
“Of course!” said Maya. “You think I would broadcast to the world that I was holding try-outs and then come personally?”
“How… are you…” stammered Kim.
“Remote controls, dear,” said Maya. “I can control any of my PossiBots remotely. You shouldn't be surprised, I did work with one of the greatest remote controlled roboticists in the world while at GJ.” She waved her hand and suddenly all the PossiBots in the theatre shimmered and then appeared identical to Maya without missing a beat.
Kim looked at the raging battle with Ron and Shego then at the two Maya-clones approaching her from behind. Her heart fell as the odds stacked up against her. She looked back to the talking Maya.
“Don't hurt anyone else,” Kim said, softly. “And I'll agree--”
A louder crash suddenly rung through the theatre followed by a booming explosion from above. Chunks of ceiling tile and metal scraps rained down from above. Maya looked sharply up and Kim followed her glance.
Descending rapidly from the hole was Team Go, followed by a score of GJ agents on rappelling lines led by the former Team Impossible: Crash, Dash, and Burn.
Maya suddenly looked back at Kim, with angry eyes. “Say it!” she screamed. “Finish what you were saying!”
Team Go landed nearby and an instant later Hego was raging towards the nearest Maya-PossiBot followed by a rapidly growing Mego and two dozen Wegos.
“It's over, Maya,” Kim said. “You lose this round.”
Maya looked furious then she suddenly softened and sneered. “Oh, did I?” She smiled slightly. “The funny thing is, you can only be in one place, but I can be everywhere.”
She turned and fled behind stage. Kim moved to follow but nearly collapsed from the pain that shot up her spine. “Ugh,” she grunted. Looking back at the army of Team Go and GJ agents, she spotted Will Du among the combatants.
“Will!” Kim yelled. “Go after that one!” She pointed at the retreated Maya-PossiBot. “It's got a direct link to the real Allucinere!”
Will looked up and nodded, then grabbed Crash and the two of them ran after the retreating figure. Several GJ agents disengaged and followed.
Kim watched as the battle raged furiously but briefly as the remaining Maya-PossiBots were easily overwhelmed by the might of Team Go and GJ. Minute later, it was over, and Kim found herself sitting on the floor nursing her aching shoulder.
Hego came up and awkwardly kneeled before her. “Kim,” he said softly. “I--”
“Raymond,” Kim said with relief. “I can't thank you enough. I don't know how you got GJ to come with you but--”
“Kim!” Shego was running over as best she could with her bruises. She collapsed by Kim quickly looked her over. “Are you alright?”
“Just a little beat up,” said Kim. “How about you? You look terrible.”
“I heal quick, remember?” said Shego. She frowned. “It looks like you dislocated your shoulder.”
“Among other things,” Kim said, trying to shrug but only succeeding in sending bolts of pain through her body. “Akkgg.”
“Kim,” Hego said again, more forcefully. “Listen to me.”
“Hey, lay off her, brute,” said Shego. “We had a rough time before you guys finally decided to show up.”
“We were delayed,” said Hego.
“By what? Traffic?” asked Shego, incredulous.
Hego just looked at Kim. “Kim, Allucinere attacked your house.”
Kim felt the world freeze. “My… parents?”
“It happened right after we left,” said Hego. “We got word from Elliot as soon as it started so we turned around to try and help but…”
“What happened to my parents?“ Kim said forcefully.
“Your Nana is in the hospital right now,” said Hego. “She should recover. But… we can't find your mom and dad.”
“What do you mean you can't find them?” yelled Kim.
“Kim,” said Shego softly.
“No!” screamed Kim. “How is she doing this?!” Kim felt tears streaming down her face. “How is she always one step ahead of me?” She looked to the ceiling and out through the hole which showed the black sky. She took a deep breath and hollered. “WILL MY HELL EVER END?!”