Second most dangerous woman in the world?
Damn. Shego couldn’t believe it. Even when neither of them tried to, she still lost to Kim Possible…
“Subjects all died roughly within 15 minutes of each other, approximately two weeks and 1 day ag-”
“2 days.”
“Pardon?”
“The subjects died approximately two weeks and 2 days ago.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s not what my autopsy confirmed.”
THUMP.
“That’s what your assistant said.”
CLICK. CLICK.
“Subjects all died roughly within 15 minutes of each other, approximately two weeks and 2 day ago…”
“Due to the recent developments, the media blackout over the case of the murder of Professor Dementor has been partially lifted, and some new evidence has been released to the public. The autopsies of the bodies revealed that Dementor and his henchmen all died within a span of 15 minutes - not the day the bodies were found, but the day before. Specifically, the coroner’s report stated that the deaths occurred at around 11:30 pm - Middleton time – approximately two weeks and two days ago. This puts the murders directly in line with the time the pilot of the plane carrying Ms. Possible back from a mission in Japan - where she failed to stop criminal mechanic Motor Ed from stealing many cars from the Tokyo Motor Show – told police he had to make an emergency refueling stop at a tiny, remote airport in the Bavarian Alps, 5 miles from the scene of the murders. In further questioning the pilot, due to the limitations of the airport’s remoteness, the refueling process took an hour. Ms. Possible reportedly disappeared for about half an hour during that time, according to the pilot and the two other men who worked at the airport. Coupled with all the evidence gathered so far, this appears to be a very, very dark day for Miss Possible’s legacy as one of the most honourable, trusting, and reliable heroes of the world… In other news, rising local star Shennen G. O’Reilly gave Middleton High another win last ni-”
Shego clicked off the TV and Ron sheepishly grinned as she glared at him. “You did plan to mention that tiny little fact that YOU MADE A PIT STOP IN THE BAVARIAN ALPS sometime soon?” she asked. She shut the blinds. The sun had come up. People could see in the huge window. Couldn’t now…
“I – I thought she already told you and the family when we got back at like 1 am!” Ron stuttered.
“Ugh – this doesn’t make sense,” said Shego, slapping her forehead in frustration. “How can people not see the set-up here? You guys were coming back from Japan. Why in the hell didn’t the pilot just fly back across the Pacific, instead of flying back across China, the Middle East, Europe, and the Atlantic?”
“You know, now that I look back at it, that did seem odd to me…” Ron noted.
“Oh, yeah – lot of good that does us now,” Shego grumbled, plopping herself down on the couch.
“Hey, lay off, Shego – Kim’s been my friend longer than you’ve known her. You think I don’t got a part in this, you’re wrong. You’re already ready to fight for her after only 3 weeks. I was ready to fight for her after only 13 years ago.”
Shego snorted. “You? Fight? The best I’ve seen you fight was when you went up against “Eric” – and even then, it took your little naked mole rat to do the job.”
Ron cringed. He pretty much wanted to avoid anyone named Eric for the rest of his life.
Shego saw him cringe, and gulped. “Er, sorry – sarcasm and biting comments are my forte. Habit.”
“No big - I’m kinda used to people attacking me for no reason. However-” Shego had winced, snapping her head back a bit as if she was pained. “Uh, okay – now, are you okay, Shego?” Ron asked. The look in her eyes had startled him – for a second he could’ve sworn he saw tears starting to form in her eyes.
Shego regained herself quickly. “Oh, uh, I’m fine – bad memories. Now, hold on,” she said, desperately wanting to redirect the conversation, “However - ?”
“Right, yeah – however… I know Tai Shing PekWar.”
“Come again?”
Ron grinned. “I know Monkey Kung Fu.”
“Waitwaitwaitwait – that ridiculous style that Monkey Fist uses?”
“Yep,” Ron nodded.
Shego’s competitive grin made her look exactly like her old evil self. “Show me.”
Run.
That was the only thing on Kim’s mind. She’d seen GJ agents in the woods, posing as police. They had to still be out there. She’d been too loud in accosting Will Du when he’d come out of the woods to warn her. Someone had taken Will out. Someone was still out there. She had to run. She had to keep going. The actual police were gonna bring the 109th Airborne in to search for her anytime. She’d just broken out of a Federal Maximum Security Prison like it was a piece of tissue paper. She had to keep moving forward. No turning around. No looking back. There were people watching her, moving with her - she knew there was. She had to keep running. She had to keep going. It’s what Shego would’ve done. Shego wouldn’t stop. Shego would barrel ahead, not caring how dangerous the terrain. She’d hop, skip, and jump over the roots of the trees in the ground. She wouldn’t give up. She’d stay strong. She’d-
Kim blinked. Why was everything suddenly so quiet? Where was the wind? The wind was whipping by her ears at about 70mph. How could it have gone away that fast? And why was suddenly everything not a blur anymore? That’s all she’d seen since she sprang out of the jail. Now everything was in focus. Why? What had she done? She was innocent. Shennen was innocent. No, Shego was innocent. But so was Shennen. Bonnie was innocent. Why’d she have to die? Why did Drakken kill her in front of everyone at her school? Why couldn’t the public see through his deception? His arrogance? Why can’t people see it was him who’d murdered Professor Dementor? Betty, you fucking bitch! I’m gonna kill y-
Wait – Kim strained her ear. The birds were chirping. Why couldn’t she have heard them before? What was so different about this part of the woods? Were the police already here? Were the birds warning her? This wasn’t happening. She was a hero. But now she was the most dangerous woman in the world. She was a terrorist. But why? Why would somebody do this? Why would somebody go along with this ruse? What would make people do this? She was innocent. Couldn’t people see that? Weren’t people smart? It made no sense. Why did they choose her? What would cause someone to do this? Why was she the target? The police were smart. They should’ve been able to tell she didn’t do it. She’d been in school when Dementor was murdered. She’d been nowhere near the Bavarian Alps. She was innocent. Why was this happening to her? She was innocent. Ron was innocent. Her family was innocent. But she’d made them all victims. She’d broken out of the prison. But she did it for a good reason. Didn’t she? Yes. She did. She had to warn them. She had to warn her family. She had to warn Shego. But Shego already knew. But she had to stay Shennen. Kim wracked her brain. Why did they attack her for no reason? “WHY?” she broke down sobbing, pounding her fist on the ground. “WHY ME? WHAT DID I D-”
She’d stopped. She wasn’t running. Her feet were not moving. No wonder there was no wind. Of course she could hear the birds chirping! But why were the birds chirping at night? The moon was out. But she’d just seen the sun come up not 5 minutes ago. Kim sprang to her feet, alarmed. What part of the forest was this? It could be a trick. A fake forest. A simulated forest, designed specifically for trapping her within. She couldn’t trust anyone. She was an international terrorist now. Everyone was hunting her. They wouldn’t stop. She wouldn’t stop. She had to keep running. Had to keep going. Shego. Think of Shego. Shego wouldn’t have stopped. They wanted to break her. Kim screamed at herself. She had to move. But her legs refused to run. What the hell did she do? Why had Betty betrayed her? Why hadn’t Shego betrayed her? She could take Shego betraying her. Why, Betty? What was in it for you? They all wanted her to snap. They all wanted to squeeze every bit of life, every bit of sanity, humanity from her-
BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANK!
Kim’s eyes flew open as she sat up in terror. Where the hell was she no-
BRANK! BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANK!
Instantly, she grabbed the steering wheel and swerved away from the oncoming semi, taking herself back into her side of traffic. Thank god she’d just come off the exit ramp, or that would’ve looked suspicious. It was morning. The place was just up ahead. No sirens. Low profile, and she’d be fine. She prayed it was one of those random days they’d told her they left it at home and just took the car instead…
Waitaminute –
“WHY AM I IN A CAR?”
She’d been running. Hadn’t she? There was no way-
Big Daddy Brotherson. She was going to see Big Daddy Brotherson. There was the exit. She signaled, and turned off onto the small road. She was almost there. Just a few couple miles to go, and it was fine.
Oh god…I took this from a parking lot, right? I didn’t jack it.
No. She hadn’t. She didn’t steal. She wouldn’t hijack a flea. Someone she knew had spotted her. They’d been smart. They’d let her take their car so she could get to Big Daddy Brotherson. She hadn’t burst out of the forest right in front of the highway, come up to someone who’d just fixed a flat on the edge of the road, grabbed their tire iron, wrapped it around their necks, and threatened them with their lives to not tell anyone what they’d seen or how their car disappeared and they ended up stranded on the highway-
Kim slammed on the brakes. “Oh god…”
She looked up in time to see the light turn green. She put her foot back on the gas again.
What the hell is going on?
She signaled and turned to the left. The tail came into view. YES! She was going to be ok. She parked the car over by the side of the road. Luckily, they lived alone in the middle of nowhere and had no guards or cameras to protect it. This was going to be a snap. She got out on the passenger side and ducked down – just in case. Orange jumpsuits still stood out. Shego. Think Shego. Shego wore the most noticeable green jumpsuit of all time, yet was quieter, stealthier, and more efficient than most ninjas.
Time. Kim bolted towards the chain link fence. There were a few stacked boxes resting by it. In a flash, she hopped up the boxes and used them to jump over the fence, tucking into a roll as she hit the ground. She laughed when she saw it. Easy pie. She approached the door and punched in the security code. Hadn’t changed since she’d had to borrow it while they were out of town a while back. Stupid fool… She was off the ground in seconds. Everything again became a blur. She could hear the wind rushing by her again. The birds were no longer chirping. She had to keep running. She had to keep going. She-
Why was she in the air?
Oh no…I didn’t…
She didn’t do it. They’d let her take it. It wasn’t her. She didn’t steal. Shego stole. But Shego had been a hero once. And heroes don’t steal. But she was in the air. She had stolen it. NO! She hadn’t! Just like she hadn’t hijacked that car! Just like she was innocent! Just like Shego was innocent! She didn’t kill! She didn’t do this! It wasn’t her! She couldn’t have! Why didn’t they see that? Murdered - no - she-
“I DIDN’T DO IT!” Kim screamed, bolting upright.
“Well, I certainly hope not, or you’re gonna be in really deep shit once they find you.”
“Huh?” Kim looked around, her vision coming into focus. When it finally did, there was a black-haired woman looking over her. “Sh-Shego? SHEGO?” Kim cried.
“Oh, no – I’m just an assistant for Mr. Brotherson. He told me to stay here and watch you for the day.”
“Day? Waitaminute – Big Daddy Brotherson? I made it? He’s okay?”
“Yes,” a voice chuckled. Big Daddy Brotherson stepped in the room, motioning the black-haired woman to leave, watching the woman as she did so. Once the door closed, Big Daddy looked back at Kim. “Please, do relax, Kim Possible. I am doing just fine. I have sent a notification to your young contact, but it shall take a while for him to receive it, and even longer for his response to come back to us, thanks to the extra security measures we’ve had to implement due to your…current status.”
“Current status?”
Big Daddy threw a newspaper onto the bed Kim was in. In massive, all-caps bold text, was the headline KIM POSSIBLE AT LARGE. But it was the beginning of the article that terrified Kim the most. “CONSIDERED THE MOST DANGEROUS WOMAN IN THE WORLD?” she shrieked even louder.
Big Daddy threw his hands up. “Please, please, Miss Possible…I can assure you, you’re quite safe here – and I can also assure you that everyone you care for has not come under any danger yet. Though, if you keep stealing private jets like that, they may. However, right now I think it would benefit it you-”
“Wait – I DID do that?” Kim asked frantically. “No – I didn’t do that! I don’t steal! Shego steals – I’m the hero! Heroes don’t - oh god – I’m innocent…I didn’t do it…I didn’t do it …I DIDN’T-”
“Miss Possible, please…,” Big Daddy motioned. “I think it would benefit you greatly if you were to play a little game I like to call “Relax and get some rest.” I can assure you, you’re safe. Everyone is safe. Just – get some rest already. We will notify you as soon as we get a response from your young contact.”
“Everyone’s safe? Are you SURE everyone’s safe?” Kim asked.
“Yes,” chuckled Big Daddy. “Please – rest will allow you to think straight.” With that, he left the room, shutting the door behind him.
Kim threw her head against the pillow. Everyone’s safe…She instantly felt happier. Nobody had gotten to her parents. The Tweebs were okay. Ron was fine. Monique was good. Shego’s safe…
With that last reassuring thought, Kim closed her eyes and slept quite soundly.
“Your top agent had to be terminated, no?”
“Yes, but I don’t see-”
A hand flew up. “Enough. That wasn’t the bargain.”
“We were still able to use it to your advantage-”
“ENOUGH!” A vicious grin appeared. “Now – would you like a free puppy?”
“I’m sorry – what?”
“My dog, Commodore Puddles – he recently found a mate, and she just had some puppies a few years ago. Two are getting too big for me to care for. Would you like to see if you’re good for them?”
“Uh…Y-yes, of course!”
“Right.” Someone walked away, deeper into the shadows. “Kara? Fang?” Dr. Drakken turned back and gave a nasty evil gleam as two low growls answered him. “Sic her.”
The dogs had been trained to keep their prey alive for as long as possible while they feasted, providing the most exquisite torture for the victim. The fact these particular screams lasted longer than most of the screams did was a testament to their training getting better. Either that, or this bitch just refused to die… Oh well. Didn’t really matter. Everyone else could hear them. Screams accompanied by ripping, tearing, gurgling, snarling, and barking were pretty much all one needed in order to keep a straight line - most of the time.
“Goodnight, Betty. I’m looking forward to working with your successor.”
“Where is this place?” Shego asked, looking around.
“Right here,” Ron said, stopping.
“An antique phone booth in the middle of a junkyard. Really.” Shego’s voice was drier than the Sahara.
“Actually, it’s the door. Trust me.” He motioned for Shego to come into the phone booth. “Can’t let people see this, y’know.”
“Fine,” Shego grumbled, squeezing in the tight space and shutting the door. “If there’s any cameras in here, Wade’s goin’ down, she growled as she backed every part of her body away from contact with Ron. “Hurry up.”
“Shego,” Ron said.
“What?” she snapped.
“No. Wait.”
A second later, Shego fell onto the ground in an embarrassing heap when the back wall of the phone booth opened up – into an insanely gigantic room. “Wha – what is this place?” she asked, awed.
“It’s Kim’s personal training facility,” said a familiar voice. Wade appeared on the giant screen across the way. “Obstacle courses, weight rooms – it’s got everything.”
“And it looks like a junkyard from outside?”
“Looks, and smells like one.”
“So that was the rancid nacos I smelled earlier.”
“Hah hah, Shego, very funny, ” Ron mumbled.
“And why is my name the password to open it?” Shego asked.
“Uh…you’d have to ask Kim about that. She decided on the password…” Wade shrugged.
“Anyways,” Ron cut in, “You said you wanted to spar, Shego. So let’s get to it already.”
“Hold on, Ron!” said Wade, whirling to the lower computer to his left…
“Aw, man, what is it now?” Ron groaned.
“Looks like you guys are gonna have to postpone your sparring match for now – Kim’s been found!”
END CHAPTER ELEVEN