GOOD vs. EVIL #9

The Reality Saga pt. 3: The Final Conflict

G.O.O.D Headquarters, 7:00 a.m.

"This is the big one people" Leonardo addressed the gathered group of heroes, his voice strong, although he was, like them, extremely nervous.

"We know what happened at the Venture place yesterday, and you all know why you're here. With a fully functional Reality Gauntlet at his disposal, Vilgax could be virtually unstoppable. And we're the ones who have to stop him. You know this will be a dangerous mission, and I'm not lying when I say that some of you may not come back. So if you want out now, that's your decision. Those of you who are in, gather as many able bodied allies as you can and meet back here in a half-hour. And this might be a good time to say goodbye to any of your loved ones. Meeting adjourned."

As they left, Kim approached Leo on his way out.

"I'm just wondering, what's the strategy for battling Vilgax?" she asked.

"Our top priority is to destroy the Reality Gauntlet" Leo explained "it's been done before and it can be done again."

"But what if that fails, then what?" Kim asked.

"Then we'll have to take Vilgax down" Leo said, "permanently."

"And you have no problem with that?" Kim asked, a touch of anger in her voice.

"That's only a last ditch effort, if all of our other attacks fail" Leo explained.

"But if it comes to that, will you go through with it?" Kim asked.

Leo sighed, "my Master Splinter has taught me and my brothers that life is precious" he explained "and sometimes, the lives of the majority are more important than the lives of one. I don't enjoy killing anyone, but if it comes to destroying Vilgax or seeing hundreds die, then the choice is obvious."

"I see" Kim replied, "you've given me a lot to think about."

-------

Vilgax's spaceship, 7:35 a.m.

"At last, my evil associates, all of your patience will pay off" Vilgax said, as he enjoyed a similar meeting "for today, this world shall finally belong to us."

"Um, question" Jack said, "I thought the Reality Gauntlet didn't work unless you knew the sequence of gems or something."

"It works without the gem sequence, but it is needed to make the Gauntlet work at full power" Vilgax explained "and soon, I shall have the sequence, and the world will bow before us."

"So how come we're wasting time here instead of wreaking chaos and destruction?" Magnacat asked, "perhaps our leader's gauntlet is not as powerful as he claims."

"If I did not need you for the assault, I would demonstrate just how powerful my gauntlet truly is!" Vilgax replied "and the reason we are waiting is because I am still waiting for the aforementioned gem sequence. Once I have that, all reality will bend to my very will!"

-----

Fortunately for the heroes, Vilgax holding off on the attack, gave them time to visit their loved ones.

"Are you sure you gotta do this Jakey?" Trixie asked Jake as they waited in Canal Street Electronics "can't like, one of them other heroes do it?"

"Sorry Trix, but if Vilgax isn't stopped, he'll enslave everyone and everything" Jake explained "and as the Am Drag, I can't let that happen."

Then he sighed sadly "I just wish Rose were still here."

"Me too kid" Fu replied, "me too."

------

In Amity Park, Danny hugged his friends and sister goodbye.

"Be safe Danny" Jazz told him.

"Relax you guys, I beat that stupid gauntlet before right?" Danny said.

"Yeah, but something tells me you won't be able to trick this Vilgax guy into wishing he was a ghost" Sam said.

"Just in case, ya better take the Fenton Thermos" Tucker suggested.

"Take this too" Sam added, before kissing Danny, to the shock of the others. "In case you don't come back" she replied.

"And if I do come back?" Danny wondered.

"Then I got caught up in the moment and did something impulsive" Sam replied "and we never talk about this again."

"Speak for yourselves" Tucker said "I know several people who will pay quite a bit to hear about this."

"You tell anyone about this Tucker, and Vilgax will be the least of your worries" Sam replied.

"Are you prepared what to tell mom and dad in case of 'you know what?'" Danny asked Jazz.

"Yes, but it's not a conversation I'm looking forward to having" Jazz replied.

------

"Well Ben, this is it" Gwen said, as she donned her Lucky Girl outfit "the final battle. Think you're ready?"

"I know I'm ready" Ben replied "I got the Omnitrix, remember?"

"Yeah well you better hope Vilgax doesn't use his new powers to rip it off of you" Gwen said "or you'll be in big trouble."

-----

"You guys ready to go yet?" Raimundo asked his fellow monks.

"Hold yer horses Rai, we just gotta make sure we got enough Wu packed" Clay explained.

"This is so exciting, saving the world from imminent destruction" Omi said happily "it is what we have been training for."

"Actually, we've saved the world a bunch of times" Kimiko added, "so this is nothing new."

"Oh yes" Omi said "In that case, this should be a slice of pie."

"That's 'piece of cake' Omi" Rai said, "and somehow, I doubt it will be that easy."

------

"Mom, you're embarrassing me!" Zick exclaimed as his mother clamped tightly on to him.

"Well what am I supposed to do?" Greta Barrymore asked between sobs "my son is going off to fight some alien that can bend reality and I'm not supposed to worry?"

"Mom, It'll be fine" Zick assured her "all my friends and I can handle it."

"Well don't forget to take your medications" Greta said "you know how allergic you get."

"All right" Zick replied, quite annoyed.

"And wear a coat, you don't know how warm it's going to be out there" she added.

"I think I'd prefer fighting Vilgax to this" Zick said silently.

------

And so it was that each hero wished their loved ones well and set out for their base. All that is, except one.

"Has anybody seen Kim?" Leo asked, "we can't do this without her."

"She was here earlier" Jake said, "I don't know where she is now."

Then Sam entered the room, with the answer to everyone's question.

"Leo, Kim wanted me to give you this" she said, handing him a letter.

Leo opened the envelope and looked at the letter within.

Dear everyone

I regret to inform you that I will not be able to assist you in the fight against Vilgax. The talks with Mr. Samson on our last mission made me realize the dangerous potential of our battles. I fear that I may accidentally do something that I would regret, and can not live with myself were that the case. I have enjoyed working with all of you, and have made some great new friends in this group. But I am sorry, I have made up my mind.

Your friend

Kim Possible

"I don't get it, what's she so worried about?" Danny asked.

"She's afraid of accidentally killing someone during the battle" Leo replied, "I know how she feels. I've felt the same way during every battle my brothers and I have fought. It's a risk I'm sure we've all considered now and again."

"True" Axel said "but why did she have to think about it now?"

"Never mind that" Leo said, "if Kim doesn't wish to join us, I respect her decision. But that means we'll need to be that much more vigilant in the battle. Does everyone remember what we planned."

"I'm ready Leo" Danny said.

"I hope so" Leo replied "you know more about this Gauntlet than any of us. I'm counting on you to help us destroy it."

Next time, the remaining heroes battle Vilgax & E.V.I.L. But with the villains having been enhanced by the Reality Gauntlet, it won't be an easy battle.