I apologise to those who are not fond of OC's, as I introduce one in this chapter. But hey, it takes all kinds to fill the Pokemon world... Gym Leaders and Rangers and Breeders, oh my! ... Or something like that. And I probably won't be able to update as quickly as I have been as I return to studies tomorrow (joy) and have exams in a month (double joy). But I'll try. Thanks again to all who have read, reviewed, placed on alert, etc.
CHAPTER 3
"The Champion of All Surprises"
The Grand Champion of the Latro region Pokemon League inspected herself in the mirror, and was greeted by the look of disdain upon her own face. Not disdain at her own reflection, as she was confident that she was a fine looking specimen of human female, but rather at the reason she was up so early, already fully dressed, and critiquing her chosen attire in the first place.
Damn paparazzi! Won't even let me sleep in…She narrowed her eyes in annoyance, all too aware that the rest of her family were either still blissfully asleep or lazily milling around in their pyjamas.
Guess it's the price I pay for being the best. A satisfied smile grew upon the Grand Champion's face as she remembered the fact that she was, indeed, the greatest trainer in the region. Better than her family, who were all elite trainers themselves. Oh, she wouldn't swap her status as the best for anything, despite her dislike for the publicity aspect that was unfortunately tied to the daily life of one that held such a prestigious title.
But it's not just a title, being the Grand Champion is a full time job… She repeated the words her own mother bombarded her with on a regular basis in her own mind, adding a childish mocking tone that her mother certainly did not use. Blah, blah, blah…
Although satisfied with the image the mirror projected, the Grand Champion procrastinated still, not eager to attend the magazine interview that had been arranged this morning. She was dressed sharply but retained an air of casualness in her black dress pants, figure-hugging emerald green shirt, and navy leather jacket. Her cascading hair flowed freely, despite her mother's wishes that she tie it up for such occasions regarding the press, but the Grand Champion seldom wore her hair up, and seldom listened to her mother for that matter.
Glancing at the clock, the Grand Champion let out a sigh of defeat as she noticed how very quickly it was approaching nine in the morning. Oh well, time to get this over with. They just better not ask me any damn questions about my love life this time…
Somehow, Kim had managed to change positions during her light sleep so that she was now curled up on her side, resting upon the forest floor. As the sunlight's warmth greeted her face, Kim found her leaf green eyes slowly blinking open, and she nearly gasped in surprise when she immediately noticed a pair of large blue eyes staring back at her.
The waking hero scrambled to an upright position, her back once again supported by the thick tree trunk, as memories of the evening previous flooded to her mind.
She quickly reconciled the fact that the curious eyes that had been gazing at her upon her waking belonged to the little lizard-creature she had befriended, who was now letting out an impressive yawn.
"How long have you been waiting for me to wake up, huh?" Kim asked as she drowsily rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. The fire lizard responded to her voice by trotting over on its hind legs, a toothy grin plastered on its face. The redhead smiled back. "You're a cute little thing… Hmmm, never thought I'd say that about a lizard."
Her eyes focused now, Kim inspected her surroundings in the revealing light of day. The forest was magnificent, seeming to be untouched by human interference. Trees towered over, reaching far into the sky, their leaves broad, and vibrant shades of green. Flowers bloomed in abundance, some familiar to Kim, others completely foreign, their mixed aromas wafting on the slight morning breeze. Life filled these woods, even if Kim could not see, she could hear the chirps, calls, and growls of an array of fauna that this forest was home to.
She could also hear, to her sudden alarm, an approaching rustling. Encountering creatures the night before that Kim could never have fathomed, she was anxious about what to expect. Some nearby shrubbery shook, and the fire lizard braced itself by hiding behind the human girl. Expecting another giant bug or another human-sized sentient plant being, Kim could only laugh in relief when the newcomer was revealed.
Darting out of the bushes nearby was a creature that appeared to be feline, quite small, and undeniably cute. It wore a wide, playful grin, its pink and yellow fur shimmering in the sunlight.
It halted when it spotted Kim, and seemed to position itself as if pointing toward her, much like the hunting hounds did in the cartoons Kim had watched during her childhood.
About to address the adorable cat, Kim was startled to hear another voice speak before hers.
"Skitz! What have I told you about running off like that?!"
It appeared to be coming from the same direction the cat creature had entered from, and as a louder rustling than before could be heard, it indicated that perhaps the newest arrival was a human…
Kim felt her heart swell with hope. Since arriving in this unknown locale, the hero had only found strange beasts for company. Standing up and stretching to her full height before straightening out her clothes, Kim beamed when it was in fact a human that stumbled out of the bushes.
"OK Skitz, what's the big deal?" She was looking down, speaking to the pink and yellow cat in a slightly annoyed tone. Eventually her gaze lifted and she managed a confused "Oh… huh?"
Kim waved cheerily, unable to hide her enthusiasm for human company. "Hi!"
The young woman that Kim was greeting appeared only several years older than Kim herself, in her early-to-mid twenties. She was a redhead too, her tresses a shade darker than Kim's, closer to a brownish-auburn. Said hair was tied in a low ponytail, and bangs hung down both sides of her face, her fringe parted in the middle. She was wearing what Kim could only determine as some sort of uniform; red jacket, red shorts and a matching red cap, all emblazoned with a stylised yellow 'R'.
"I'm Kim Possible," the relieved hero continued, "And I am, well, kinda lost. Can you tell me if Middleton is near here?"
"Uh…" The young woman blinked once, her murky blue eyes seeming to process the information just delivered to her. She then straightened her posture before finally managing a friendly smile. "I'm Ranger Riff Carter, and if you need a lift I'd be happy to… wait, where did you want to go?"
"Middleton," Kim repeated, growing a little concerned at the look of confusion that shot through Ranger Riff's features.
"Middle… ton? Are you sure you don't mean Middletown?"
"Um, no," Kim frowned. "Not 'town'. There's no 'w'."
"Hmmm…" Riff seemed to ponder this, placing a hand to her chin. "That's weird. The thing is, Middletown's not too far from here, about twenty miles west."
Kim's eyes widened in surprise. But… that's about the distance it would be from the lair where I met Drakken and Shego last night… Odd…
"Well, I'd be happy to give you a lift there anyway, extra 'w' or not," Riff's voice broke through Kim's thoughts, and the younger redhead noticed the Ranger was smiling again. She was well spoken, with no discernible accent, and there was a warm kindness in her eyes that made Kim feel at ease.
Not really having any other option, Kim decided to take Riff up on her offer. "OK, if it's no big." Besides, once I'm there I should be able to contact someone…
Riff glanced down, unable to stifle a chuckle. "Ummm, I take it that Charmander is coming with you?"
Kim raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"
"Y'know, the thing clutching onto your leg?" The Ranger laughed again, pointing to the creature behind Kim for added clarification.
Perplexed, Kim looked down at the little fire lizard. "Oh, is that what it's called? A Charmander?"
Riff nodded once, still grinning, wondering who this clueless girl was. The Ranger's eyes then widened considerably, as her gaze became fixed on something over Kim's shoulder. As the teen hero noticed the alarming change of expression upon the older female's face, she also became aware of a growing buzzing sound…
Ranger Riff only managed to yell "ACK!" before spinning around and sprinting away in the direction from where she had came, Skitz following close behind.
Kim knew that whatever was behind her that had caused the Ranger to flip out wasn't going to be friendly or cuddly. Still, she could not resist the urge to turn around and investigate the situation herself.
The redhead became vaguely aware of the sensation of the Charmander's claws digging further into her leg as it became frightened of the incoming invasion that Kim was now staring at.
Flying towards the pair was a swarm of bees. Not just ordinary bees, but humungous bees with what appeared to be drills at the ends of their forelegs.
"Oh great. More giant bugs."
With that, Kim plucked the Charmander off of the ground and ran, as fast as she could, in the same direction the Ranger had exited. Assuming the Ranger knew her way out of the forest, Kim's spirit lifted when she caught sight of the retreating older woman, who was comically flailing her arms and yelling something about hating bugs.
Riff, Kim idly noticed as she sprinted, was a little taller than herself and quite thin too, and not a bad athlete, either. Still, Kim managed to close the distance between them with relative ease, and caught up just in time to see Riff hop into a Jeep, parked just beyond the forest boundary. A moment later the younger redhead leapt into the passenger seat, still clutching the Charmander, and Riff did not even wait for her companion to buckle her seatbelt before she floored the acceleration pedal, leaving the trailing swarm of super bees to compete with a cloud of dust.
Once the ominous buzzing could no longer be heard, Kim let out a sigh of relief. "Wow, that was… sudden."
"Heh, sorry about that," Riff shrugged sheepishly, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. "I'm just… a tad scared of bugs."
"Just a tad?" Kim smirked at the understatement.
"Well, Beedrills can be very territorial, so it's to be expected, I guess." Riff slumped her shoulders a little before then muttering mostly to herself: "Geez, what kind of Pokemon Ranger am I, afraid of bugs? So lame…"
"Hey, I saw some super huge bugs last night, too," Kim revealed, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "Normally I'm not too bothered by bugs, but there was this freakishly huge spider…"
"Red and black, with yellow legs?" Riff cut her passenger off, sounding curious yet terrified at the same time.
"Yeah, how did you…"
"Ick," the driver visibly shuddered, tensing her shoulders. "Ariados. My most hated of all hateful bug Pokemon. This one time when I was on night-time patrol, I saw one, and freaked out majorly, running away without looking where I was going… and ended up having a dip in a nearby river."
Kim let escape a small chuckle at the imagery Riff's anecdote created in her mind. She then grew serious, having a mind full of questions, questions that needed answers. "Bug… Pokemon? What's a Pokemon?" Glancing around the surroundings that whizzed by she then added: "And where are we, for that matter?"
"Huh? 'What's a Pokemon?' Are you for real?" Riff glanced sideways at her passenger, unable to believe her ears. "Well they're… hmmm. You know, I've never had to explain it before." The Ranger appeared to think for a few moments, before delivering her answer. "Well, your little friend there is a Pokemon. Those giant bugs you saw are Pokemon. And my friend Skitz is one too."
Skitz, content in sitting in the back seat silently up until this point, mewed slightly upon hearing his name.
Kim listened intently as Riff continued, "They're creatures that inhabit the world with us… they're everywhere, which is why I'm surprised you asked."
The younger redhead tried to sound sincere when she explained: "I'm, uh… not from around here. By a long shot."
Riff nodded once, making it seem that explanation was sufficient for her. "Well, some people keep them solely as pets, others as partners, either in battle or on the job… like Skitz, he's my friend but helps me on duty too." The Ranger then smiled warmly, the fondness for her feline-esque companion obvious.
"O… Kay…" Kim managed, not entirely sure she understood.
"Oh, and in response to your second question, we're in the Latro region. Tri-Town area, in the outskirts of Middletown to be precise. I'm stationed as a Ranger here sometimes."
"Latro… region?" Kim echoed, even more puzzled than before. "But this is still North America, right?"
At this question, Riff giggled heartily. "Of course, where did you think we were, Antarctica?"
Kim couldn't help but flush with embarrassment. "Heh, sorry. Like I said, I was lost in the forest there… and I… I'm a little confused. It's… It's kinda hard to explain."
"No worries, but maybe you should think about seeing a doctor when we arrive in town, hmmm?" Riff suggested, raising a bemused ginger eyebrow.
Still flummoxed, Kim managed to reply with an airy: "So not the drama."
She glanced down, noticed that the Charmander was gazing back up at her, and realised that she had been holding onto it during the entire conversation.
"So… it's OK to just take the… Charmander out of the forest like this?"
Riff spared another brief glance sideways, noting how attached the Charmander already seemed to Kim. "Well if he wants to go with you… I don't see why not." The Ranger then smiled absent-mindedly, becoming lost in thought as she recalled several times in the past when a wild Pokemon had befriended her.
Kim gazed fondly at the little fire lizard sitting upon her lap. "So, you're a boy, huh?" She murmured, mostly to herself. "Hmmm, Charmander… You know, I think I'll call you… Charlie."
Briskly walking down the main street of Middletown, the Grand Champion kept her head lowered. She wished to remain unnoticed, as difficult a task as that was for her to achieve, for several reasons…
The strip was bustling with early morning activity, with children on their way to school, business vendors opening their stores. On her way to a magazine publication establishment, the Grand Champion knew having eager fans accost you in the street was inevitable in her position, but she still tried to delay being recognised for as along as possible.
Which was never really long enough, in her opinion. A block away from her intended destination, the Grand Champion of the Latro Pokemon League winced upon hearing excited school children call out her name, as they came rushing over.
After a flurry of footsteps, she was effectively surrounded, and instantly the elementary school-aged children bombarded the celebrity with questions.
"Can I have your autograph?"
"Will you give some trainer advice?"
"Where's Sal? Is he with you?"
The Grand Champion threw up her hands, forcing a smile. "Hey, hey, woah there with the questions, niblets." A playful smirk grew as she then folded her arms thoughtfully across her chest. "Hmmm, shouldn't you guys be on your way to school?"
Several children murmured "Yes, ma'am," in unison before the crowd reluctantly departed.
Kids, oy. But it's not so bad I suppose. Some of them are kinda cute I guess… Well I'd still rather deal with them then my pimply teenage male fans. Eew.
Across the street, a pair of disbelieving eyes stared at the scene that had just unfolded. Kim was frozen on the spot, unsure if her mind was playing tricks on her, or if perhaps this was all some ridiculous dream.
Riff had parked her Jeep just outside a coffee house, giving Kim directions to a nearby information centre before entering the shop for an early hot frothy mocha fix. And the grateful hero was about to begin her trek down the main street of Middletown, which was so eerily similar to the Central Business District of Middleton yet so disarmingly different, when the ambushing school kids had caught her attention.
Or rather, the young woman amidst the fawning children had caught Kim's attention.
Shego…?
Without hesitation, Kim raced across the road, deftly avoiding traffic, hoping to catch up with the older woman before she disappeared into the building she seemed to be heading towards.
Charlie followed his newfound master loyally, albeit navigating the morning traffic in a more patient and cautious manner.
Shego? Out in public, dressed normally… getting mobbed by adoring children? The young hero's mind raced as she closed the distance between herself and the raven-haired woman, who had her back to Kim, oblivious that she was being followed. What is the SITCH?!
"Shego!" Kim finally vocalised the name, now that she was in near enough proximity to do so. This caused the older woman to halt and turn around, an expression of distracted annoyance evident upon her attractive face.
"What? Oh, I suppose you want an autograph, hmmm?"
Kim was certain if her jaw could have reached the concrete pavement at that point, it would have. Finally, the redhead managed to stammer: "Uh, no… I, ummm, I…"
Intrigued, Shego took a casual step closer. Hey, the newcomer was pretty cute, after all. "No? What, just stopping to admire the view then?" The pale woman teased.
That smirk. That trademark, arrogant smirk that Kim had seen countless times before… At that moment, Kim's thoughts became clouded as the rational part of the confused hero's mind snapped. Shego had disappointed her by returning to the criminal life… she wanted, hoped, that the thief and mercenary would turn her life around. Perhaps, and it was a considerable long shot, that under the right circumstances, Shego may have even become a hero again. And she and Kim… well, maybe they could have eventually been… friends. But no. Drakken decided to resume his take-over-the-world schemes, dragging Shego down with him. Sure, she had seemed reluctant last night, just wanting to enjoy the opportunity of fighting Kim… but dammit, why couldn't she just have refused to work for Drakken again? Show some initiative, get her life in order? Anger welled up within Kim now, as she blamed the green-hued woman in front of her for her current predicaments, for the empty feeling of dejection gnawing at her gut, and for her disorientating misplacement…
Sure, the rational part of Kim's mind knew that Drakken was to blame for the latter problem… he had fired her with that ray-gun, not Shego. And the henchwoman never seemed to even be interested in what the blue buffoon's plans were, so she wasn't to know what would have happened when Kim had been shot. But the hero wasn't listening to her rational side now, and before the logical portion of her brain could react, her body lashed out and kicked the unsuspecting Shego squarely in the abdomen.
The older woman landed on her backside with a solid thud, before glaring up at Kim with wild eyes. "Geez! What the hell was that for?!"
But the enraged redhead was still stuck on autopilot, and before Shego had a chance to react, Kim swooped down to violently haul her up by the collar of her navy blue leather jacket.
"Where is Drakken? What did he do to me? WHAT is going on?!" The younger woman demanded, her eyes frantic.
Shego was incredulous. "What? Drakken? You mean Doctor Drakken, Gemini's lackey? What's he got to do with this? What the hell are you ranting about?"
Slowly, Kim's bright green eyes widened, her breathing slowed. Something was way off here. She let go of Shego's collar and took a careful step backwards, studying the older woman. Shego was wearing dress pants, a green top and a leather jacket. Not her signature green and black cat-suit. Sure, she still appeared the same otherwise, her skim tone still the exotic tone of milky pale green. But there was something in her forest green eyes, something alarming that caused Kim's heart to pound in her chest. That something being lack of recognition.
Shego didn't know who Kim was.
Oh… dear… god. No, no no no! Kim mentally panicked, her own eyes glazing over. That was no teleportation ray… Drakken he… the PDVI… then this is… this world… It can't be! No…
She placed her hands upon her head and groaned. He sent me to another dimension…
Shego's arms were folded as she glared at the troubled redhead. She was about to speak, mostly likely to deride the younger female, when a voice familiar to both women spoke up, its tone disbelief.
"Uh, Kim? Why did you just attack my best friend?"
Kim snapped out of her daze to acknowledge the speaker, Ranger Riff Carter. She had witnessed Kim kicking Shego just as she stepped out of the coffee shop, steaming mocha in hand. Now, she stood just offside to Kim, glancing back and forth between the other two women, a moustache of chocolate froth just barely noticeable upon her top lip.
"Best… friend?" Kim repeated, staring vacantly at the older redhead who had rescued her from the forest.
Shego managed to smirk again, her anger at Kim seeming to dissipate. "Riff, what have I told you about picking up strange girls whilst on patrol?"
Riff moved closer to the woman she had proclaimed to be her best friend, and said in a stage whisper: "Go easy on her… I think she needs a doctor."
At last, Kim managed to snap to attention, vehemently stating: "I am NOT crazy!"
Shego chuckled at the denial, before turning her attention to Riff and pulling the Ranger's cap over her eyes. "And how many times do I have to tell you that redheads shouldn't wear red?"
Riff yanked the cap back up, a scowl that was not all too serious in nature now upon her face. "And how many times have I told you that this is my damn uniform?"
Kim watched the playful exchange, curious, puzzled, and although she would never admit it out loud to a single soul, a mite jealous. She folded her arms across her chest, mimicking Shego's stance, feeling decidedly ignored.
"Don't suppose I could officially bestow you as Grand Champion for the day, so you could attend this stupid interview for me?" Shego cocked her head toward the nearby magazine publishing business, her voice filled with mock disdain.
"OK, sure," Riff smirked. "And I'll tell them about the time when we were still in high school and got wasted on a bottle of absinthe, became convinced there were dancing mushrooms in your living room, before going down the street where you were apparently propositioned by a lamppost…"
Shego narrowed her eyes. "OK. Fine. Don't you have a job to get back to, Ranger Carter?"
"Indeed I do." Riff then lifted up her Styrofoam mocha cup in a pseudo-toast. "Later."
Riff proceeded to walk off, intending to head toward her Jeep still parked across the road, but paused as she passed by Kim to say: "Take care, Kim. I hope you, uh, feel better soon."
Kim was too speechless to respond. She watched the departing fellow redhead for a moment, before turning her attention back to Shego, who was glaring pointedly at her.
"So, uh, about before…" Kim averted her gaze, rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly.
"I'm listening."
"Well, I… I guess I kinda… mistook you for someone else?" It was a lame excuse, but it was all Kim could think of at that particular moment.
"Uh huh," Shego replied, unconvinced. "Despite the fact you clearly called out my name. Oh, and I'm so hard to confuse with other people thanks to this lovely skin tone of mine."
Kim could only chuckle nervously in response.
"Whatever," the older woman shrugged. "If you'll excuse me, I have to get going. If Mommy finds out I was late for an interview, there'll be hell to pay."
Kim blinked once in confusion, before managing to continue her apology. "Shego, look… I really am sorry…" Old habits die hard, indeed…
A lazy smile formed on the older woman's darkly painted lips. The befuddled girl just seemed so sincere… "Eh, it's OK. I've had worse things happen to me." She then glanced down, noticing the creature hiding behind the endearing redhead's legs. "Cute Charmander, by the way."
"Huh?" Kim looked down and slightly behind herself, her eyes finding Charlie. "Oh, uh… thanks." But by the time Kim returned her gaze forward, Shego was already departing.
Before the raven-haired beauty entered the building of her destination however, she cast Kim a final glance and said: "See ya, Pumpkin. Hope you find your sanity soon."
Kim stood staring for an indeterminate amount of time at the door that Shego had just passed through, into the magazine publishing establishment and out of sight. Well that was… awkweird. Letting out a sigh, the redheaded hero then pondered her next course of action. OK, stuck in a strange world, need to find a way home… home…
And just like that, an idea struck her.
Home…
Next chapter: Kim seeks out her family, and... OMG what is wrong with Rufus?!