Hello one and all. I submit to you Chapter 1 of Cut Above the Rest. Read it, review it, tell me what you think so that I may improve. Always room for improvement.
Driven-to-excel Kim Possible is no stranger to rising to a challenge. But what happens when the challenger rises to do the same?
"Kim Possible, we're nearing the jump. Siberia awaits below." a burly Russian pilot alerted from the cockpit of his carrier plane.
"Thanks for the lift, Nikolai." Kim thanked from the cabin as she geared up and prepared to jump opening the plane's hatch.
"It's the least I can do after you helped save my home in Moscow." the Russian pilot assured with a hearty smile.
"No big. Having a tank in your garage certainly made things easier." Kim reasoned in all modesty.
"Your target is just up ahead. I would fly you in further, but I don't get paid enough to crash my plane. Good luck, and watch out for bears!" and with that, Kim gave a wave before she spread her arms and dove from the plane's hatch.
The cold, whipping Siberian air blew loudly at her face as she pulled down her goggles, looking ahead for her target. The blizzard made visibility poor, but the super-heroine could make out make out the silhouette of a mountain just up ahead, and following the coordinates on her Kimmunicator, that was where she needed to be. Pulling her parachute, Kim made her decent. The blizzard winds blew Kim right towards the cliff-side, and so detaching her chute, Kim tucked and rolled to a stop as she landed atop the edge of the cliff.
Having arrived, Kim pulled out her Kimmunicator. "Alright Wade, I'm on the mountain. Just up ahead, right?" the red head asked.
"Yup. The blizzard blew you in close, so you're not far. But might wanna hurry; who knows what Dementor will do with a secret weapons stockpile?" the brown brainiac informed.
"Thanks, Wade." Kim said before putting her Kimmunicator back in her pocket. Taking a deep breath, she began climbing the face of the mountain.
A brief, but tedious climb later, Kim made it to the top, and she could see lights up ahead. "Bingo." she said as she made her way in.
Upon arrival, rather than a wrecked armory, Kim saw an armory in one piece, accompanied by dozens of members of the local armed forces. They appeared to have come to make arrests, what with all the armored vehicles that seemed to have recently drove up. Dementor's henchmen were being arrested left and right, and Dementor himself was among them.
"You impudent little hench-people with your gadgets and blue suits! I am Professor Demento-" the cuffed villain's ranting was cut off as he was hurled into the back of an armored truck, the door slammed and sealed tightly.
"Blue suits?" Kim thought aloud as she walked past some of the solders, some of them giving a friendly wave and greeting. As she neared the outer gate of the armory, she noticed a familiar face as well as a new one. "Doctor Director? And... other?"
Looking up, the unfamiliar agent merely gave Kim a nod while the one-eyed woman looked to Kim with a smile. "Kim Possible. A pleasure to see you again. Where's Ronald?" Global Justice's leader asked, looking about for the sidekick.
"Oh, he had some family matters to deal with." Kim said, waving it off. "He doesn't really interact with them as much as he should, so I offered to come alone." Kim explained.
"I see. Well formalities aside, I've been expecting you." Dr. Director said, getting straight to the point.
Kim raised a brow. "You've been expecting me? Isn't the job already done?" she asked, motioning to the leaving convoy of armored cars and trucks.
"Quite. But that's not why I wanted to see you." the director explained before she stepped aside, fully revealing the other agent. "Kim Possible, this is Adrian McKnight; our newest agent and my personal student." she introduced. He was a bit taller than Will Du with a similar frame, but was more built, pale in complexion, and had jet black hair styled just like the director's. Kim also took note of his more heavily equipped suit, including an armored vest and wrist-comm. At being introduced, the silent agent gave Kim a respectful bow.
"Uh... hi." Kim said nervously with a small wave, flattered at his gesture before turning back to the director. "So what's the sitch?" Kim asked, figuring the director had more planned than a simple introduction.
"Glad you asked. I'll explain on the way back to Middleton." Dr. Director said as she pushed a button on her wrist, proven to be a remote control module as a GJ jet hovered down to where they were.
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"So the reason I've introduced you to Adrian is because I was hoping he could learn from you." Dr. Director began as they were in the sky.
"To learn? From me? I'm flattered, but... why?" Kim asked curiously after waving off her flattery.
"Adrian is among the smartest, brightest, and strongest we have, but what he has in knowledge and ability, he lacks woefully in experience." the one-eyed woman explained.
"Is that necessarily a bad thing? He seems capable enough from how you described him. I mean he did help finish the mission, right?" Kim reasoned.
"He is smart, bright, and strong, incredibly so, but you could say he's been... sheltered for most of his life. I'd elaborate, but it's... less awkward if he tells you on his own."
Kim raised a brow at that. "O... kay. I'll take your word for it."
"But the important fact is that he's inexperienced. I figured that it would be best if he learned from the best. You, Kim Possible. And don't tell Will I said that." that made the teen heroine grin.
"So what am I supposed to do? Give him lessons?" the red head asked.
"I was hoping that you could take him with you on your missions. But I leave the choice to you." the director stated.
"Depends on what kind of person he is." Kim explained, giving him a sideways glance. Adrian sat strapped in his seat, not speaking a word. The only thing he seemed capable of is blinking occasionally.
"Different from Will in a number of ways: quiet, kind, no-nonsense, won't speak unless spoken to, and will do what he's told without question." Dr. Director listed. "It's why we're talking about him with him right next to us."
At the sound of those traits, Kim genuinely pondered on letting him join her on her missions. "That does sound like a good change of pace. I suppose a trial run or two will help me reach my final verdict. If he's okay with that." she said before looking to the boy for his opinion. "Are you?"
His answer came in the form of a nod.
The director grew a smile of approval at his reply. "Very good. I'll have him enrolled into Middleton High so you're easily accessible to each other. Perhaps you can teach him some domestic skills along the way." she suggested.
Coming to her final decision the superheroine teen nodded "Alright. I'll bite. Might as well introduce him to Ron and the family while I'm at it." Kim concluded as they were nearing their destination. "He can stay the night if it's okay with the both of you. My family's no strangers when it comes to accepting guests. Just hope mom's not too busy." she offered as an afterthought. Receiving a nod from Adrian and the director, Kim pulled out her Kimmunicator to contact her mother.
XXXXX
Meanwhile, at the Middleton Medical Center, Dr. Ann Possible was busy conducting a brain transplant alongside her colleagues.
She was just getting ready to remove the brain when she received a call. Checking the caller ID, she accepted the call and put her cellphone to her ear, holding it with her shoulder as she reached into the open cranium. "Hey Kim. How was the mission?" Dr. Possible asked in a casual manner, gently pulling the grey matter from the skull.
"Hey Mom. Is it okay if we have company over?" Kim asked in a 'sweet daughter' manner.
"Sure, hon. Ron's allowed over anytime." Ann said reassuringly, severing the brain chord, disconnecting it from the rest of the body. The body itself made an irritable twitch as it was cut.
"Not Ron, Mom!" the teen exclaimed in exasperation. "I just got tasked with tutoring a GJ agent. I was wondering if he could meet the family."
"Ohhh, that Will Du fellow?" Dr. Possible asked excitedly, placing the old brain in a specialized jar on the desk behind her.
Kim groaned. "No Mom, someone new. And frankly, someone a lot less arrogant."
"Oh, Will wasn't arrogant, Honey. I say he was pretty modest." Ann reasoned, fetching the new, fresh brain from the jar next to the old one, chuckling as she heard another exasperated groan on the other end of the call. "But it's fine with me if you have another visitor over. Let's just hope your father approves. You know how James can get around boys." she reminded in memory of James' cautious nature when it comes to Kim's love life. "I gotta go, Hon. I'll see you in time for dinner." Ann said before ending the call, putting her cellphone away before approaching the brainless body again.
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When Kim made it back to the Possible residence, she and her charge, who was carrying a backpack, made their way inside.
Upon closing the door, they were immediately greeted by Kim's parents. Anne had a friendly demeanor while James had crossed arms and a hard expression, presumably an intimidation tactic.
"Hi Kim. Is this your new friend?" Miss Possible asked, motioning to the tall boy.
"Uh-huh. Agent Adrian McKnight." Kim introduced with a smile. Upon being introduced to Kim's elders, Adrian gave a respectful bow.
Anne giggled at the gesture. "Oh, stop it. I'm Miss Possible. But you can just call me Anne, if you like. And this is my husband James." Anne introduced her husband, who offered a handshake. Adrian accepted the older man's handshake, and upon realizing that James was trying the fatherly intimidation tactic of a strong grip, he squeezed back with vice-like strength, swiftly ending the confrontation. Anne and Kim headed into the kitchen to prepare for dinner, but before Adrian could follow, he was blocked off by James' slightly reddened hand.
"Alright Adrian, if you're going to be under the tutelage of my Kimmie-cub, let's get one thing straight. I don't have anything against you, but-" Mr. Possible began, but a calm hand from the boy before him stopped him before he could start.
"Forgive my bluntness, Mister Possible, but I have no intention or interest in courting your daughter." Adrian stated without a hitch.
That took the rocket scientist by surprise. "Uh... what?" the older man asked, not believing he had heard the teen correctly.
"Intimate relationships do not interest me." Adrian said before he calmly walked past the older man, who was still dumbstruck from the shortened ordeal.
"What kind of training must he been under?" James muttered under his breath as he followed Kim's company to dinner.
Tonight, Anne cooked a hefty meal to have plenty of food for the family as well as Kim's company. Taking a seat next to Kim, the guest waited patiently for dinner to be served.
"Hey Mom, where are the Twebes?" Kim asked, noticing just how quiet the kitchen was. Such a word made Adrian tilt his head in confusion, pondering the meaning of the term or who Kim was referring to.
"Oh, Jim and Tim blew up the neighbors' car, so we sent them to their rooms." Anne responded over her shoulder as she made final preparations for dinner. Kim shrugged in gleeful acceptance as her mother made her way to the table. It was well-known that Jim and Tim Possible were trouble-makers, albeit brilliant ones, and it would be folly to try and hide the fact. What was served was a nicely cooked chicken on a platter, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn on a cob, and a sweet potato pie.
James whistled in delight. "You've really outdone yourself this time, Honey." he said as he looked at the fresh food on the table.
"First impressions are everything, Hon." Anne said with a smile before taking her seat between James and Kim, giving him an affectionate hiss on the cheek. Once Kim forced away her mild disgust, they all dug in. James undoubtedly had the largest helping, mother and daughter had just about the same, and Adrian had a laughably small amount.
"Adrian dear, you're welcome to as much as you like." Anne assured, raising her head in concern. She didn't want the boy to feel like he wasn't welcome in their home.
"Yeah, my parents won't bite. Well my mom won't, anyway." Kim added, earning a low grumble from the man of the house.
"It is in my interest to make sure that there are sufficient leftovers for your sons." Adrian explained, earning a confused look from Kim and appreciative looks from her parents.
"But Adrian, I made this dinner to show our hospitality towards you. Besides, there's more than enough to go around." Anne assured, gesturing to the still sizable spread.
"I felt welcomed here the moment I greeted you, Miss Possible. You did not need a large spread for that. And I can assume that your sons would not like to miss such a spread." Adrian's answer was absolute and without hesitation.
"True, I don't think Jim and Tim would like to miss out on sweet potato pie. But I'm happy as long as everyone else is." Anne said as she began collecting finished plates. After placing them in the sink, she returned to the table. "So Adrian, you mind if we ask you some questions?"
They boy shook his head.
"Good. Anyone has anything hey'd like to ask first? Kim?" Anne offered, looking to her daughter. It figures that they might as well get to know Adrian a little if he's going to be part of Team Possible.
"I was a little curious as to what you thought of the family." Kim spoke up, her parents looking on in interest.
"As far as I am able to observe, Miss Possible is sweet and considerate. Mister Possible is respectful and justifiably protective, Kim Possible is mindful and responsible, and Jim and Tim Possible lacks discipline." the bluntness of his answer made the Possibles do a double-take, but it was positive, for the most part.
"Good observation, if I do say so myself." Anne muttered under her breath before looking to her husband. "What about you, James?"
"It's been eating at me exactly why you don't want to look for a girlfriend. I don't wanna press, but I just can't get it out of my mind."
"Following orders comes first. And now, I follow the word of Kim Possible."
the elder man asked, making Kim blush in embarrassment.
"Daaad!" Kim groaned in irritation, pouting.
"Kim Possible makes for a fine teacher. But to answer your earlier inquiry, I never individualize." that came as another shock to the Possibles.
"Never? You mean no friends? No time with family? No -no -no opportunity to be yourself?" Anne's stream of questions were laced with concern, a feeling shared by her husband and daughter. It was such an upset for the Possible that she stuttered over her words. Their concern was heightened when Adrian shook his head in reply.
"Then you have a lot to learn." Kim said with certainty. Adrian just nodded.
"And who better to teach him than our very own Kimmie-Kub." James boasted with a air of pride.
Chuckling, Anne looked back to Adrian. "You have a change of clothes, Hon?" she asked, referring to his backpack, receiving another nod in reply. "That's good. Kimmie, can you show our guest to the spare room?"
"Sure, Mom." Kim accepted as she stood up, motioning for Adrian to follow.
Now alone, James looked back to his wife. "It doesn't bother you that Kim has to tutor him?"
"Well, I don't really see the problem, Hon. Kim's a good teacher, can take care of herself, not to mention Adrian doesn't seem like a bad person. I trust him if Kim does, Sweetie." Anne explained.
"Well, I suppose you're right..." James sighed, picking back up his newspaper turning the page.