Danke schön to Eddy13, Bookworm Gal, AlphaSeymour, Sentinel103, CajunBear73, Jimmy1201, readerjunkie, Reader101w, Katsumara, AnimationNut and Tito-Mosquito for reviewing, and everyone else for reading. And remember that if you leave a review, I promise I'll leave a reply. And now for a little mayhem to brighten your day...


Closing In

The green and black clad female somersaulted through the doorway just as explosions began ripping through the interior of the complex. With perfect grace and agility, she landed on both feet and quickly looked back toward the open door.

"Ya still with me, Dr. Drakken?"

The blue-skinned man followed right behind her, dressed in his typical long, dark blue lab coat and sporting his trademark ponytail.

"Yes, Shego. Nice work, by the way. Those evildoers were no match for you, but when they forgot to flip the Emergency Off Switch..."

Shego quickly cut him off. "Later for the convo, please? I'd like to be out of the line of fire once this place goes up in smoke."

They both continued to run, racing around the corner of another building just as the entire facility exploded in a huge fireball.

Shego panted, "Wow, that was a close one!"

"Yes, and to think that an Emergency Off Switch would have completely avoided that conflagration."

Dr. Drakken pointed directly at the camera and warned, "Don't let this happen to you! Take it from me, the Great Blue!"

Shego chimed in, "And from me, your Princess Regent! Don't leave your home or business unprotected: Emergency Off Switches are on sale right now at Smarty Mart, where smart Lorwardians shop smart!"

As both of them mugged for the camera, one of Drakken's carefully smoothed down flowers suddenly sprang out from beneath his collar.

"CUT!" The director was fuming. "Okay, people, this is the twelfth take for crying our loud! Drakken, can you please rein in your floral arrangements long enough for us to finish shooting this commercial?"

Drakken sneered back, "Sorry, but these vines seem to have a mind of their own at times."

His patience at an end, the director shot back, "Well, get them a different mind then! Time is money, people. And if you weren't the high and mighty Great Blue, we'd be done with this shoot and I'd be relaxing by the pool drinking a nice cool Blue Jingo!"

Shego's face darkened. "Hey, that's my husband you're talking about, pal."

The director sarcastically replied, "Oh, yeah? And who are you, the Great Green?"

Shego felt her blood pressure rising as she flashed a dangerous smile back at the clueless director. "As a matter of fact, yes. So I guess you don't know exactly who you're dealing with, do you?"

Fearing that her slow boil might erupt into something a little more deadly, Drakken cautioned, "Now, Shego... temper, temper..."

The director foolishly pressed on. "Okay, Missy, get ready for the next take while we reload the flash pots."

Shego's eyes flared at the slight. "Missy? Who are you callin' Missy?"

Next he stuck a fat forefinger into Dr. D's chest. "And Drak, baby? You screw up again, and we hire Team Possible for the shoot."

The term 'famous last words' is regretfully overdone, but in this case it fit all too well. Her boiling point finally reached, Shego yelled out, "That does it! FIRE IN THE HOLE!"

She instantly fired up her gloves with a loud whoosh and cut loose with a generous burst of bright green plasma. A moment later, a very surprised director stared back at her with a blackened face, tendrils of smoke rising from his now charred clothing.

He gave a small cough as he waved his hands to clear the air. "Hmm, maybe we can just remove that flower petal in post-production..."

Shego flashed him a smug smile. "Good call."

In his wisest decision that day, the director cheerfully announced, "Okay, people, it's a wrap! Blue Jingos for everyone, and the first round's on me!"

As the relieved crew began breaking down their equipment, Drakken gently tsked, "Ah, Shego. What am I going to do with you?"

She snickered back, "I dunno, Dr. D, but I'm sure you'll come up with something."

Just then, one of Shego's underlings breathlessly came running up.

"M'lady, an urgent call from Ambassador Possible."

Without a word, Shego quickly walked back to the vehicle and picked up the relay. "What's up, Kimmie?"

The transmission was voice-only and crackled with static. "Shego, we've got a serious sitch here. Remember that brain-switch machine Dr. Drakken invented a few years ago?"

"Yeah, how could I forget? I got a good chuckle out of you and the Ronster flippin' your brains. But isn't that thing in the hands of Global Justice now?"

"Well, it was, but we've just discovered that an alien shapeshifter has made off with it, with the help of a former enemy of mine under the control of one of Dr. Bortel's neuro-compliance chips. And we suspect that this alien may have also stolen the Pan Dimensional Vortex Inducer."

Shego deadpanned, "What, no missing Moodulator?"

In the meantime, Drakken had walked up, overhearing the exchange. He blanched at the unexpected news, his flower petals drooping in alarm. "Oh, snap..."

Shego groused, "Well, Kimmie, that's just peachy. Any idea what planet this shapeshifter's from, or what he wants with all this stuff?"

"No, that's why I'm calling, to see if you could check with your sources there for any help they can provide. I'll be leaving shortly for Lorwardia anyway, but I wanted to give you a heads up. This has big trouble written all over it."

Shego nodded. "You can say that again, Kim. I guess Dr. Director and Nerdlinger will be holding down the fort on Earth in the meantime?"

"That's right, along with Ron. He's rejoined my old cheer squad as their mascot for their command performance on Lorwardia next month, so he'll be following me in few weeks."

Shego snorted. "So I guess the Pep Puppies are out of the picture, huh?"

Kim chuckled. "That's right. Would you set the Tweebs loose on Lorwardia if you had a choice?"

Shego shuddered. "After what happened the last time? Point taken, Cupcake. So, no other clues?"

"Nope. We don't know what his plan is, or whether it's going to play out on Earth or Lorwardia. But with the Interstellar Games coming up, my gut feeling is that it'll happen on Lorwardia. So let's keep in close contact until we can figure out what's going on."

"Roger that, Kim. I'll let Warmonga know, and have Drakken alert our security forces here to the possibility of the threat. Anything else?"

"Yeah. If there's any bright side to this, I don't think that the shapeshifter realizes that we're on to him now. He took great pains to cover his tracks, but he made one little slip that tipped us off."

"Well, at least that's something. I'll contact you as soon as I discover anything on this end. See you soon, Kim."

"Thanks, Shego. I'll be in touch. See you in about a week."

As Kim signed off, Shego turned to Drakken. "Well, shades of the past are coming back to haunt us, Drew. I think you better alert your security troops just in case. And I'll break the news to the Empress."

Drakken gave her a smug look. "Well, Shego, you wanted a little more adventure and excitement. You may have just gotten your wish..."


"Come on ladies, snap it up! This isn't going to be just a Sunday stroll in the park!"

It was the Middleton High Cheer Squad's first practice in nearly a year, and Bonnie Rockwaller was laying down the law right away. And for at least some of the squad, a little too thick for their taste.

Tara whined, "Hey, ease up, Bonnie! We're all a little out of practice. We don't want to risk an injury, or drop someone accidentally."

Bonnie shot back, "Yeah? Well, I've got my reputation to think about, Tara. Uh, I mean our reputation, that is, and Earth's too."

Hope chimed in. "I agree with Tara, Bonnie. We need to ease into this a little more. Not even Kim worked us this hard, ever."

Crystal added, "But she did call for extra practices, sometimes."

"Yeah, but that was when her 'Ron Night' got nixed that one time," Marcella huffed.

With arms akimbo, Bonnie declared, "That's because Kim only gave a 120% commitment, ladies. But I'm giving 130%! And I expect the same from every one of you, too!"

Bonnie's command was met with a mutual groan from the team.

Jessica whispered an aside to Liz. "Even without Kim as her competition, it's like the Food Chain all over again. I thought Bonnie would have mellowed out a little since graduation."

Liz giggled back, "Bonnie? Mellow out? Like that's ever gonna happen..."

The ever-cheerful Ron next stepped into the fray and tried to smooth things over. "Hey, lighten up, ladies! Let's just have some fun, it's not like it's a bon-diggety competition like the Regionals or anything. Just a friendly goodwill tour, right, Bon-Bon?"

Bonnie's face instantly reddened at the mention of her mom's despised nickname for her. She angrily replied through gritted teeth, "I warned you never to call me that, Stoppable! Mystical Monkey Power or not, I'll have you squad slapped into the next galaxy if you ever call me that again, you loser!"

As the squad all tittered at Bonnie's outburst, Ron simply gleamed back at her, pleased to have gotten her goat once again. From the start, Bonnie had been dead set against Kim dating him, citing food chain issues. But since graduation, the whole balance of power had shifted into Kim and Ron's favor, especially after Ron had saved Kim's life, and then the world. And then together once again a few months later, but now as each other's fiancée. The cheer squad had begun to think a lot differently about Ron, much to Bonnie's continued chagrin. But that didn't prevent her from snarking back at any opportunity.

"And would you please keep that mouth foam away from me, you little freako?"

Just then, the door to the gym opened. In walked Kim, along with a blond teenaged girl.

"Hi, everyone! I'd like to introduce Leona, who I'm recommending to replace me on the team for the next month while I'm off training the new Lorwardian cheer squad. She's a senior on the Upperton High cheer squad, and she's been following our routines pretty closely through the years, so I can vouch for her completely. I know that a lot of our routines really require eight girls, so I thought it would be easier to add a new member rather than develop completely new routines on such short notice."

Bonnie shot her a fierce glare, but before she could object Kim quickly continued. "Not that Bonnie would have any trouble whipping up some spankin' new routines, but considering the time crunch, I'd appreciate if you'd all at least consider it."

As they all scrutinized the newcomer, the perky blond waved back. "Hi, peoples! It's really great to have this yummy opportunity. That is, if you'll have me on the team."

Bonnie folded her arms in annoyance. "Shouldn't that be my decision, Kim? Especially since this is my team now, at least for the next month."

Hope was the first to speak up. "Bonnie, we agree that this is your team to lead, but Kim's right. It really would be easier for all of us, depending on if Leona can cut it."

Tara cautiously jumped in as well. "Yeah, Bonnie, so it wouldn't hurt anything just to try her out, would it?"

Tara turned to her teammates. "So, what do we all think?"

The other cheerleaders quickly talked it over, then nodded in agreement.

Bonnie of course immediately tried to make it sound like it was her decision. "All right, I'll give her a chance and see how she does. Let's start with some basics first, then work our way up to the more complex routines."

As they started to practice, Ron pulled Kim aside. "I don't know about this, Kim. Having Camille along on this sorta kinda mission may be helpful in some ways, but does she really have the necessary skills to be part of THE Middleton Cheer Squad? I kinda agree with Bonnie: Earth's reputation is on the line, and we're on the cutting edge in representing it."

Kim whispered back, "No big, Ron. Camille actually was a cheerleader in both high school and college. She's not as young as the rest of us, but I know she can do it. And I have a feeling she'd really love to nab the creep that set her up, so she definitely has some ferocious motivation. Besides, it's either that, or a one-way trip right back to Cell Block D."

Ron gave in to his wife's logic. "Yeah, you're right Kim. And this at least gets her to Lorwardia without raising any suspicions, since we really don't know who's behind everything yet."

"You've got that right, Ron. And that worries me more than anything else..."


Shego walked into the throne room where Warmonga was just finishing a conference with the High Council. The new hall was finally complete, having been totally rebuilt after Team Possible's cataclysmic battle of the year before, ultimately ending in Zorpox's defeat. It was still grossly ostentatious, befitting the Lorwardian psyche, but at least it was tastefully done in various shades of green.

The nine-foot-tall green-skinned Empress looked down at her and smiled. "Ah! The Princess Regent. Welcome, Shego!"

As the council all filed out, each one bowed obsequiously to Shego as they passed. Her reputation as a fierce warrior was unequaled, having defeated even Warmonga in combat. However, they had both quietly forgotten about that once the Earth/Lorwardian Accords had been signed, designating Warmonga as the official Empress of Lorwardia and Shego as her Princess Regent. Both had proven to be popular leaders, especially now that Lorwardia's chronic food shortages were now a thing of the past. And their own long-standing animosity had cooled a bit, to be replaced by a begrudging respect for the other.

"So what brings you before Warmonga today, Shego? It must be quite important for you not to simply use the televisor."

Shego shrugged, "Well, I'm not here just to shoot the breeze, if that's what you mean."

"That is good. Warmonga finds it unprofitable to fire weapons into the wind. It is a waste of energy, and innocent bystanders could be injured."

Shego grimaced at her comment, forgetting how literal Warmonga still was in interpreting colloquial speech. But she was relieved that Warmonga at least knew what innocent bystanders were now.

"Uh, yeah. Anyway, I wanted to ask you a question about the worlds previously conquered by Lorwardia. Were there any having indigenous intelligent life with shapeshifting abilities?"

Warmonga thought carefully for a moment. "Ooh, good question. Yes, Warmonga believes so. If memory serves, they exist on the moon of Parfa, where we regularly hunt Thorgoggle. The intelligent life there developed shape-changing abilities over time in order to elude the deadly creatures. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I was just contacted by Kim Possible..."

Warmonga smiled. "Ah, yes. The Great Red."

Shego sighed heavily as she thought to herself, "I guess I'll never understand why the Lorwardians have such an obsession with superlatives and their colors..."

"Anyway, a shapeshifting thief back on Earth seems to be collecting some very nasty technology that I'm unfortunately all too familiar with. Why, we don't know yet. But with the Interstellar Games coming up, the timing really bothers me. So tell me, do these Parfans have any spaceflight capability?"

Warmonga shrugged. "Nothing indigenous. But they are certainly intelligent enough to pilot an interstellar craft, if they had one."

"Or if they were provided with one?"

The Empress frowned and declared, "Long have I agreed with our standing orders absolutely forbidding the the use of Lorwardian technology by any of our conquered worlds, including spacecraft."

Shego smiled inwardly as she considered the irony of that rule, since Lorwardia had long made a habit of using captured or stolen technology to maintain an iron grip on their conquests.

"Well, Warmonga, some people break the law just for the fun of it." She chuckled. "And given my past, I should know. But as this probably falls under the heading of a planetary threat, I just wanted to warn you privately right away."

"And that is greatly appreciated. This must be investigated immediately, as the Interstellar Games begin only one month from now." She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "And if it pleases the Princess Regent, perhaps we can go on our own mission to the moon of Parfa and make some discrete inquiries into the matter, perhaps under the guise of a Thorgoggle hunt?"

Shego grinned, "I like the way you think, Warmonga. And while we're gone, the Great Blue can keep the home fires burning."

Warmonga gave her a strange look. "But why would you wish to burn down your own house? Is this some kind of human celebration that Warmonga is not familiar with?"

With a roll of her eyes, Shego simply let out a deep sigh. "Uh, I'll explain it on the way to Parfa..."


Dr. Drakken marched into his security meeting, now attired in his Lorwardian military uniform as the Great Blue. Even after several fittings, it was still a size too large, but at least his pants weren't falling down now.

As he cinched up his belt, he mumbled to himself, "Yes, for a while I was afraid that Ron's peculiar curse had begun to affect me as well."

Waiting for him were the top officers of the Lorwardian Imperial Guard: WarRaptor, Battlefox and Wolfenstrike.

He affably began, "Greetings, gentlemen. So, how are the security arrangements coming along for the upcoming Interstellar Games?"

Wearing a smarmy smile, WarRaptor answered cheerfully, "I'm pleased to report that all of our plans have been completed, Great Blue. Our troops have received their assignments and are ready for deployment once the the sport teams of the conquered worlds begin arriving, and..."

Drakken interrupted, "You mean the formerly conquered worlds."

WarRaptor chafed at the correction. "Yes, of course. The sports teams from the formerly conquered worlds will be watched 26/7 within our capital, with Battlefox in command. Any of their sightseeing tours beyond the city limits will likewise be closely monitored by forces under Wolfenstrike's direction. And I will of course coordinate everything from my headquarters here in Lorwardia Prime."

Drakken seemed pleased. "Very good. Oh, there's one other thing that's just come up. It appears that some sort of alien shapeshifter has purloined one of my old inventions back on Earth, plus one or two that I actually wouldn't mind getting my hands on again for, heh-heh, old times sake shall we say?"

All three of the Lorwardians froze at the news, and began exchanging furtive glances as Drakken continued.

"Yes, I sense that you are all as concerned as I am with this development. And if this shapeshifter is from one of your formerly occupied worlds, this could of course pose a serious security risk during the games."

He continued with a chuckle, "It would indeed be very bad form if half of Lorwardia Prime suddenly disappeared into the next dimension." He grumbled under his breath, "Or into whatever passes for cable television shows on this world..."

Drakken shuddered at the memory of the PDVI, and unconsciously rubbed the arm that had been injured by Mr. Sit-Down.

"Anyway, Shego is informing Warmonga of this development right now. I'd like you to come up with a plan to deal with this interloper as soon as he shows up. Since he'll obviously be in some kind of disguise, we'll need to double check everyone's travel documents upon arrival, and possibly do random spot checks later as well. And all shipments of any equipment arriving on Lorwardia will need to be carefully searched. I'll put together a description of what these devices look like for distribution to your men."

He smiled smugly as he tapped his head. "Being a former villain has definitely given me... certain advantages in situations like this. To catch a villain, you have to think like a villain. And I'm sure that your men will be on the alert. We wouldn't want anything to happen to our Empress or the Princess Regent now, would we?"

Everyone nodded their heads in unison.

Drakken looked confused. "Uh, when you nod your heads, you do mean that you agree with me that we don't want anything to happen to Warmonga or Shego, correct?"

Everyone slyly looked at the other and again nodded their heads vigorously.

"That's what I thought, just checking. Very well, then. Keep me informed of any further developments."

Drakken confidently strode out of the room. As soon as the door was closed, Battlefox hissed, "Well, what now, WarRaptor?"

Wolfenstrike likewise looked very worried. "Yes, especially since the Great Blue is apparently familiar with each of these devices. And if Grallx is somehow apprehended, he'll be happy to implicate us all in order to save his own gray hide!"

But WarRaptor merely smiled and held up a confident hand for quiet. "Calm yourselves, my quaking minions, everything is still proceeding according to plan. Grallx has already rendezvoused with one of our military transports under my personal command and will be arriving in one week's time. I guarantee that he'll have no trouble once he arrives, so we can certainly carry out the Great Blue's orders regarding the inspection of any foreign spacecraft without any problem whatsoever. And I've already taken into consideration the fact that these devices are well known to him. That's why we'll be able to directly implicate him once Warmonga, Shego and Kim Possible simply... disappear."

As they all rose to leave, WarRaptor began to laugh, his cackle continuing to echo ominously through the room.

TBC...