Author's Note: Hello again. Wow, this chapter took forever! I was going to wait until I had gotten a little ahead, but I wanted to post. I've read through it a few times to revise and edit, but I didn't want to over-analyze anything. Let me know if you see anything that needs fixing. And of course let me know what you think. I'm open to suggestions.

Enjoy!

James had been back home for about a week and he wasn't having much luck with the cells. No matter what he did, he couldn't come up with a solution. His original plan to create mutant cells now seemed far-fetched. How would mutant cells help him rule the world? All they would do would create zombie like minions, but that wouldn't give James the satisfaction. If he was going to rule the world, he wanted the people to fear him, not just bow down to his every command because of mind control. He wouldn't mind a few minions, but what was the point of world domination if no one feared you?

James headed into work. Maybe taking his mind off of things for a while would help him come up with a plan. He was just unlocking his office when his boss came up to him.

"Dr. Neutron, may I have a word with you?"

James nodded, following the man down the hall.

As they reached the office, Dr. Nystrom closed the door behind James. "Please, sit down," he gestured toward the office chairs. "There is no easy way to say this, Dr. Neutron. Your work on the Hulton Space Craft is being suspended."

"Excuse me?" James gawked.

"Our government funding is at an all-time low. I am truly sorry. If it were up to me I would continue your project. We simply do not have the funds to support it at this time."

"So you're firing me? The main reason I was hired was for this project."

"It's more like leave without pay. We will bring you back onto our team once we receive funding for the project. In the meantime though, I am going to have to ask you to turn in your keys and badge."

James sighed. He couldn't believe what was happening. "I'll have to go get you my keys. They are in my office." He stood and walked out of his boss's office.

Back in his own office, James shuffled through his work bag to find his keys and access card. James was furious, but refused to show his emotions in the office. Not only was he losing the job he had worked his entire life for, but he was losing access to one of the most prestigious laboratories in the nation. He had to think of something. Quickly, James pulled out a digital scanner he had been tinkering with for a few weeks. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do.

James scanned each of his keys, creating a digital copy that could be used on a 3D printer later. It was a long shot, but he scanned his access card as well hoping that things would copy properly when sent through a 3D printer. He just hoped his work account wouldn't be suspended.

James set the digital scanner back in his bag and walked back to Dr. Nystrom's office to turn in the keys.

"Thank you, Dr. Neutron. Again, I am truly sorry. Your final paycheck should be deposited within the next few days. I am unsure of when the project will be up and running again, but I will keep you posted. We look forward to working with you again."

James nodded, shook Dr. Nystrom's hand and turned around to exit, rolling his eyes in the process. He headed to his office to gather his things.

When James got out to his car he sat in the driver's seat and banged his head on the steering wheel. "Lousy, mother fucking government job," James muttered. "As if my life hasn't already been going to shit."

James drove home and sat on his couch. He didn't know what to do. No matter how it was said, James had been fired. And with the amount of flights James had been on the last several weeks, he barely had enough money to cover his rent for the next month, let alone buying food. He had no money and nowhere to turn to.

James phone began to vibrate. Sheen was calling. James sighed and hit answer. "Hello this is James Neutron."

"Jimmy? Oh, sorry man. I meant to call someone else. What's up though?" Sheen said.

James sighed, "Well, due to some awesome budget cuts, I just got fired this morning. I don't know what I'm going to do."

"Fuck man, that blows," Sheen replied.

"You could say that again. At least it's just temporary."

"So when do you get to go back?"

"Undetermined. It all depends on the budget. The problem is, I can't afford to keep living here, and the job market sucks right now."

"You could always come back to Retroville. At least for a little while, until you get back on your feet. Hell, if I had a roommate, I could afford a nicer place." Sheen suggested.

"Thanks, Sheen. I just don't think I could live in Retroville again. I burned a lot of bridges with a lot of people."

"What's that supposed to mean? Jimmy, there is nothing wrong with Retroville. I get that it's not NASA or Boston, but it's a good town with good people. And honestly if you are going to let the people from high school affect your happiness now, than I feel sorry for you. Get over yourself. My poor choices drastically affected my life, but I moved on. Am I where I thought I would be when I was seventeen? Fuck no, but if I continued to let high school shit rule my life, I would be way worse off." Sheen practically yelled through the phone.

James was stunned. He sat quiet for a moment trying to figure out what to say. "You're right, Sheen. Sorry. I don't know that I'm ready to go back to Retroville. But I will keep it in mind if necessary."

"Good. Look me up if you find yourself back here. See ya, Jim," Sheen replied.

"Bye, Sheen."

James hit end call. That was definitely a wakeup call. It seemed that everyone was telling James to move on from his past. Maybe they were right. In his dream back in Boston, Cindy had called his scheme to take over the world "clichéd and overdone." Even though it was just a dream, he knew she was right (not to mention the fact that she would tell him that exact thing anyway). Maybe James needed a bigger reason to take over the world other than revenge.

James picked up his cell phone and looked up a number on the web. He hit call and waited as the phone rang.

"Strych Enterprise. How may I direct your call?"

"Eustace Strych's office please."

"I'm sorry, he's in a meeting. Can I leave him a message or maybe schedule an appointment?"

"Just have him call me back at this number please."

"Okay. May I ask who is calling?"

"Tell him it's from Neutron."

"Thank you, sir. I will relay the message. Goodbye."

This was either going to be a brilliant plan, or the worst thing James had ever done.

Several hours later, James received a call back from Eustace's office. James took a deep breath and answered the phone. "Hello, Eustace," James said in his usual manner.

"I'm sorry, this is Mr. Strych's assistant. We spoke earlier, Mr. Neutron."

"Yes, hello."

"Mr. Strych wanted me to phone you back to tell you, and I quote, 'I'm not going to talk to Neutron over the phone. If it's so damn important he can man up and tell me face-to-face.' End quote."

James sighed in frustration. "Of course he said that. Your office is in New York, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"Could you please transfer me through to his office right now?"

"Sir, I'm not sure if that's a good—,"

"Miss, please. I only need a minute."

"Yes, sir. I'll transfer your call. One moment please."

James waited for just a minute before he heard the click as the line was picked up.

"What in bloody hell is so god-damned important that you have to call me at my place of business, Neutron? I told my secretary to tell you to meet me in person," Eustace screamed into the phone.

"Well hello to you to, Strych. Don't get mad at your assistant. I made her transfer me through. I just need a minute on the phone with you, and if you still want to meet face-to-face later, than I am happy to do that," James replied calmly.

"What the fuck do you want?" Eustace sighed.

"I've got a business deal for you, and could use your evil little mind."

Eustace perked up. "I'm intrigued. What is it?"

"It really is something that should be discussed in person," James smirked.

"Fine! Set up an appointment with my secretary."

"Oh, it's not that simple. You see, I knew this would peak your interest. And I know that you won't let it go, at least until you hear my plan. You're sending your private jet to pick me up," James replied nonchalantly.

"And what gives you the right to tell me what to do?"

"Nothing. But if you want to hear what I have to offer, you'll send the jet."

Eustace thought for a minute before sighing. "Fine! Where are you?"

"Outside of Baltimore."

"You lazy son of a bitch," Eustace mumbled. "Alright. I'll let the captain know. He will be in contact with you to tell you when he arrives."

"Wonderful talking with you, Strych. See you soon." James ended the call with a satisfied grin.

James packed a small bag with the necessary things. He was grateful that he didn't have a lot of worldly possessions. He figured he wouldn't be back here, since he couldn't afford the rent anyway.

James's phone alerted him that his ride was here to take him to the airport. He sighed as he locked the apartment door and left the key under the mat. There was nothing in there that he needed. This place was not a home for James. He hadn't felt at home anywhere in a very long time.

The windows on the front of the huge office building reflected James's expression of disgust. Eustace was so flashy, even his building seemed to have an air of self-righteousness. He walked inside up to the information desk.

"Hi, I'm here to see Eust—"

James was interrupted by a silencing finger in his face and a disgusted look by the receptionist. He rolled his eyes and waited for the woman to finish her phone call.

The receptionist clicked a button on her headset and scowled at James. "What can I help you with, sir?"

"I have an appointment with Strych Enterprise," James responded through gritted teeth.

"What's your name and appointment time?"

"It's Neutron, and I wasn't scheduled a time. Eustace sent for me."

The lady rolled her eyes, "Look, Mr. Strych is a very busy man. If you don't have an appointment time, I can't let you go up."

"But I just spoke with him on the phone a few hours ago. If you could just call up to his assistant she knows that I'm coming."

"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Don't make me call security."

James turned in a huff. He pulled his phone out and called Eustace's office.

"Problem, Neutron?" Eustace answered the phone.

James was thrown off guard. He was expecting to get the assistant. "I, uh, your lovely receptionist won't let me upstairs because I don't have an appointment time."

"Oh, well she's not my receptionist. And did I forget to give you an appointment time? Oh, shoot! I meant to have my secretary do that but I must have forgotten. Silly me." James could practically hear the smirk on Eustace's smug face.

"And what do you propose to do now, Strych?"

"Well I suppose you could schedule an appointment, but I'm pretty much booked solid until next week. You could try to make a run for it, but the elevator is right by the security office, and if I'm remembering correctly you aren't much of a runner. Hmm… whatever shall we do?"

James sighed. He was getting impatient. This plan was turning out to be a lot more complicated than necessary.

Eustace laughed. "Don't worry that ginormous head of yours. I'll call down to the front desk. See you in a few, Jimmy."

James growled and wandered back into the building. As he walked back up to the receptionist's desk, the woman's attitude had completely changed.

"Hello, Dr. Neutron. I am so sorry about early. The elevators are straight ahead. Mr. Strych's office is on the fortieth floor."

James nodded, but rolled his eyes as he wandered passed the desk. James reached the fortieth floor and followed the signs to find a grand office with solid oak doors. There was a small desk to the right of the doors where a young woman was working frantically. She didn't notice James walk up to her desk.

"Excuse me," James whispered.

The woman jolted out of her seat. "I am so sorry to keep you waiting. I've just been swamped with work lately. You must be Mr. Neutron. I'll let Mr. Strych know you are here." She clicked a few buttons on her phone and then gave a very relieving breath.

"Are you okay?" James asked.

"Hmm? Oh, I'm doing great. Just busy. Mr. Strych is a very busy man, and he needs a lot of things done in a short amount of time."

James gave her a look of sympathy. He knew what it felt like to be used like this. "If you don't mind my asking, why do you work for him? He seems to be running you ragged."

"Just trying to get by in this world. He says he's ready for you." The woman stood and opened the door for James. He nodded his thanks and entered the large office.

"James Neutron. How are you my old friend?" Eustace smiled deviously. "You used to say that people don't change, but I must say, seeing Jimmy Neutron on the side of evil is just deliciously refreshing."

"Not everyone changes. You're still a pompous ass," James retaliated.

"Oh Neutron, you mustn't be rude. You came to me remember?" Eustace reminded James. "Now, what in the world would lead you to seek my help?

"I need money, Strych."

"And what makes you think I'll give it to you?"

"Because I can give you what you've always wanted: power."

Eustace laughed. "How hilarious. In case you haven't noticed, I own and run my own business. I'd say I'm pretty powerful."

"Oh this is more than just owning a business. My plan includes power over the world."

"And why would you give me power over the free world for a bit of money? You're smarter than that."

"Well, that's the thing, it'd be my world. You'd help me rule it. See, you're better at the whole 'I'm better than you so I'm in charge' deal. People listen to you because of your money. But I can give you the brain power to be even more successful." James knew how to word this conversation so that it sounded like it would be Eustace's idea.

"Okay, but what do you plan to do with your rule of the world? How do you plan on making it successful? Why is it important to you?"

James thought for a moment. He had to be careful. He didn't want to give away the fact that he had no clue what he was doing. "Let me answer your questions with my own: why would you want to rule the world?"

"Well, in a modern sense, ruling the world would be providing people with something that they think they need in order to survive, and the only way to get it is through said ruler."

That actually makes sense. James thought. "Exactly, and that's why I need your help. I have the brains to create this 'necessity,' and you have the money, business, and," James forced himself to say the next word, "charm to get it out to the public."

"So do you have an idea of something the public would need?" Eustace was starting to get invested.

"I've got to do some more research, but I will come up with something. I'm definitely thinking something medical. People are always looking for cure-alls."

"That is a brilliant idea, Neutron," Eustace was impressed. "I'm liking Evil Jimmy."

James smiled. "Now I think it will be best if I stay in New York, that way we can have easy access for communication. The only problem is I don't have a lab here."

"You work for NASA don't you? Columbia has their Institute for Space Studies. As long as you have your id, I'm sure you have full access to their laboratories. If not, I have my ways…"

"Of course, I didn't even think of that," James prayed that his digital copies would scan properly.

"Wonderful. We'll be in touch, Neutron. Now if you'll excuse me, I really do have things to get done," Eustace gestured to the door.

James rolled his eyes and left the office. He nodded his thanks to the assistant, and left the office building. He headed to his hotel. He had id badges and keys to replicate.

Author's Note: Let me know what you think! We are starting to see the "evil" Jimmy.

P.S. Hulton Space Craft is totally fake. :)