This chapter was supposed to be longer, but my computer issues delayed it to the point that I'm just happy I didn't end up losing what I had. :| Anyway, next chapter will be more exciting, promise.
Review replies;
SOLmaster: Glad you liked it! Hugely sorry for the delay, I promise you won't wait as long for the next one. :D Thanks for reading!
Zim'sMostLoyalServant: He's not the devil, but you might not be far off. ;) Thanks for reviewing!
TweenisodeOrange: Yeah, that's a little bit narcissistic, mate. =P Thanks for the review!
Chapter One: Apprehension
"Three hours until broadcast, Mr. Masters."
"Thank you, Damon – I'll see you at Town Hall."
The Man in the White Suit leant against the wall as Vlad shut the door to his study. The Mayor immediately strode over to his desk and sat down, looking irritated.
"Is there a problem, Mr. Masters?" asked the Man in the White Suit, "Are you having second thought?"
"What if this fails?" demanded Vlad, "This isn't like my plans against Daniel – if this fails, my public life would be in ruins."
"Indeed," agreed the Man in the White Suit, serenely, "You'd be hunted. No nation – no civilization would accept you. You would never find peace."
"Then why am I risking myself for this?" growled Vlad.
"Because you know I won't fail," replied the Man in the White Suit.
He walked over to Vlad, a grin crossing his face.
"You want Mr. Fenton," he noted, "You want Mr. Fenton's mother. And you know, very well…I am your best bet."
"Okay guys, here's what we know."
Jimmy had gathered the other Nicktoons in his lab, having somehow set up a conference table in the main room. He himself was standing, pacing across the lab in his anxiety.
"We know the Man in the White Suit is evil," he said, "We know he's up to something, and whatever it is, it can't be good."
"Thanks, Captain Obvious," interrupted Timmy, "Anything else."
"He can erase himself from people's memories," added Jimmy, passing Timmy a glare, "He has dark powers of some sort, and he's planning something today. Danny checked, and Plasmius is making a speech at ten this morning. I think that's when he'll strike."
"Great," nodded Danny, "What about the robot?"
"It's…complicated," admitted Jimmy, "I've been working on repairing it, but it's badly damaged. The design's sophisticated – the creator must be a genius. Whatever it is, we need it fixed."
He stopped at the head of the table.
"Here's our plan," he said, "Tucker and Sandy will stay back here and work on fixing the robot. Danny, you and Sam will cover our backs, make sure the Syndicate or Amity Park's ghosts don't try anything. Jazz will be back here – I've got a satellite view of Amity Park and she'll warn us if anyone else comes. The rest of us will head straight in and attack the Man in the White Suit. Any questions?"
Spongebob raised his hand.
"Can we get ice cream when we're done?" he asked.
Jimmy facepalmed.
"Just get ready to go," he sighed.
"Mr. Crocker? Do you have the list?" asked the Man in the White Suit.
Crocker, Calamitous and Plankton had joined him and Vlad in the latter's limo, headed for the Town Hall. Shaking in fear, Crocker handed him a list.
"Looks about right," he nodded, "Just enough to keep them with false confidence, but just enough to leave them isolated."
He put the list down.
"A perfect balance."
"Wouldn't you want to just finish them off now?" asked Plankton, "Why not just cut this master plan crud and just destroy them?"
"Because if your enemy has hope, he's vulnerable," replied the Man in the White Suit, "He'll limit his power to save it for the next fight. He'll plan for tomorrow. He'll fight, certainly, but he'll be holding back."
His expression darkened.
"But he thinks he's doomed," he continued, "He won't hold back. He'll use everything at his disposal in one last rage against fate. He will fight until he burns out."
He looked Plankton straight in the eye. Plankton looked away, shuddering.
"An enemy with nothing to lose," the Man in the White Suit snarled, "Has everything to gain."
"So…" mused Crocker, confused, "We want them to have a chance to win…so we can beat them? That's oddly complex."
"Nobody ever won with simple plans," said Vlad, gazing out the window.
"Feeling more confident, Mr. Masters?" quizzed the Man in the White Suit.
Vlad didn't reply.
