7:


The taxi halted in front of the tall tawny hotel to let its passengers out. "This had better be worth it." Said Monkey Fist, climbing out. "I was at a rally to help save the endangered Bald Uakari."

"Aye, " Agreed Duff Killigan, jumping out behind him. "The Lassie wouldn't even tell us what we be biddin' on."

"Are you sure we're at the right building?" Monkey Fist looked at his invitation. "This hardly looks like the place to…"

Duff tugged on his arm and pointed. "This be the place, all right. See the sign?"

A black board written upon in chalk was propped outside the door. "'Today only: Villain's Auction in the Schooley Suite.'" Read Monkey Fist. "How considerate."


Shego leaned over her podium, twirling her gavel between her fingers. She whistled a tune as the villains assembled and took their seats in the hard folding chairs. "Are we all here?" She called.

"What on Earth did you call us for?" Called Monkey Fist.

"Is it a new genetic modifier? Mine's on the brink!" Said DNAmy.

"Much better!" On the table, next to the podium was a bright green cloth covering a cylindrical object. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the one, the only…" Shego yanked the cloth away. The diamond was underneath a glass jar. "Faith Diamond!"

"Ooh!" Said the crowd.

Monkey Fist stood up. "That's why we're here? To see this bort?"

"Are you daft, Man?" Said Killigan.

"That's the Faith Diamond!" Added Falsetto Jones.

"It's the most flawless jewel in the world!" Said Senor Senior Senior.

"Please!" Monkey Fist crossed his hairy arms. "My goal is to be the Ultimate Monkey Master. What could I possibly want with a diamond?"

"Never mind him!" Falsetto stood up. "I'll pay five million dollars!"

"Pocket change!" Said Senor. "I'll pay twenty million!"

"Twenty-one million!" Called Duff.

"Twenty-one million going once…"

"Twenty-five million!"

"Thirty million!"

"How about nothing!" Called a new voice. The audience turned to see Drakken at the door. He stomped down the aisle and to the podium.

Shego grinned sheepishly, red creeping slowly up on her face. "Oh, hey Doctor D…"

"That's my diamond!" Drakken shouted. "I stole it fair and square! It belongs to me!"

"I stole it for you!" Countered Shego. "Therefore, it belongs to me to do whatever I want with it!"


The dark red sedan drove down the road. Kim leaned forward so she could talk to the driver. "Thanks for the ride, Mrs. Tug!"

"It's the least I can do Kim," Said the shorthaired brunette. "After you help deliver my Skipper's puppies!"

"It's no big," Said Kim. "I'm so glad she won 'Best in Sporting Breed!'"

"And she's competing in another show next month!" Said Mrs. Tug.

As Kim inclined between the two front seats, a flash caught her eye. "That's a pretty ring, Mrs. Tug."

"Here we go again." Muttered Ron. He was curled up by the window with his feet on the seat.

Kim ignored him. "It's a diamond, right?"

Mrs. Tug smiled proudly. "Why, yes it is. My husband gave it to me for our tenth anniversary last month!"

"So it's not your wedding ring?"

"Oh, it is." Said Mrs. Tug. "But when we were first married, we couldn't afford a diamond, so I wore a plain gold band for ten years."

"Aha!" Ron cried triumphantly. "I knew diamonds were expensive!"

"Ron, shush." Said Kim. "That didn't bother you?"

"No," Said Mrs. Tug, slowing down to the curb. "After all, a diamond's just a diamond. It's the love that it represents that makes it special."

There was a deafening silence in the car. "Kim, Ron? Are you two all right?"

"Here we are!" Kim said suddenly. The car stopped in front of the hotel. Ron opened the door and both teens stepped out.

Kim bent down to the open window. "Thanks again, Mrs. Tug. Really, thanks a lot!"