THE RETURN OF SERPENTOR
Disclaimer: Same as before.
A/N: Here's chapter nine. I have to say that I'm really dissapointed by the lack of feedback I've received. So please review!
Chapter 9: The exchange part 2
"Destro!" The Baroness cried loudly and rushed forward to throw herself into her lover's waiting arms. Bursting into tears, she buried her face in his chest.
At the same time, Flint and Scarlett hurried forward to embrace their own lovers. "Oh Scarlett," Duke murmured, stroking her hair. "I was so worried about you and I missed you so much."
"I missed you too, Duke," she replied, giving him a kiss.
Duke looked to where Lady Jaye and Flint were having their own tearful reunion. "Lady Jaye was just a miserable as I. Aside from the little sleep I got, all my time and hers was spent looking for the two of you and finding a way to get you back," Duke said.
"It was longest two days of my life, but knowing you would come for me made it bearable," Scarlett replied.
"Oh Destro darling, I thought I'd never see you again!" The Baroness's tear-filled voice rang out then, drawing everyone's attention to her and Destro.
Duke shook his head. "That Baroness, she's always so overdramatic," he said in irritation.
"I don't think she knows how to be anything else," Scarlett replied wryly causing Duke to grin.
"All right," Cobra Commander spoke up then. "As happy as I am for the both of you, you're making me nauseous. Let's go everyone!" At his words, all the Cobras started heading out.
"Okay, people, time to go," Duke stated and the Joes turned and left the clearing the way they'd come. As they were leaving, Flint and Scarlett exchange a secret smile. No one noticed.
Upon returning to base, Destro looked at the Baroness. "Come, my dear," he told her as he slipped his arm around her. "There is something that I must show you."
"What is it, darling?" She wanted to know.
Destro smiled. "You will see. But I promise you will love it," he replied.
"I can't wait!" She exclaimed. But as Destro led her underground she began to get a little uneasy. "What could you have to show me down here? The only thing here is the dungeon."
"Exactly," Destro replied, smirking.
"Huh?"
"You'll understand in a few moments," he assured her. The came to the end of the hall they were in and turn left. "It's just down here." After passing several cells, Destro indicated the next one. "Look in that cell and tell me what you see."
The Baroness, still confused, did as she was asked. What she saw made her gasp. "What? How?! We just traded them for me!"
Destro grinned broadly. "Not everything is as it seems, my dear Baroness," he replied slyly. "That wasn't the real Flint and Scarlett we traded."
The Baroness was catching on. "Then who was it?"
"None other than Zartan and Zarana," he replied.
"Oh Destro, that is brilliant! Now we can get all the inside info on the Joes!" She exclaimed, hugging him.
That's the whole point, my dear," Destro told her, giving her a tender kiss. "Now we must get to the throne room and meet the others. There is much to discuss."
As they headed out, the Baroness thought for the umpteenth time about how much of a genius Destro was. But something was nagging at her. Why had he called it 'the throne room' instead of Cobra Commander's Throne Room like it was? She shook her head. It was probably just a mistake, given her return and everything else that he had told her on the way back was going on. Little did she know that she was dead wrong.
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When the group reached Joe headquarters, pandemonium broke out as everyone ran to welcome home Flint and Scarlett right there in the middle of the airfield. The two former captives warmly greeted all their fellow Joes. There was much hugging, exclamations, shaking hands, and high fives.
This went on for over twenty minutes until Duke finally spoke up. "I know we are all excited about our friends' return, but let's calm down and back off a little. I'm sure both of them would like a fresh meal and a hot shower." He looked over at them and got confirming nods from both. "So let's give them time to eat and clean up and we can talk to them in an hour and a half."
He got acknowledgements from everyone except Flint and Scarlett who thanked him. The two proceeded to head inside and to their rooms to prepare for their showers.
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As soon as she shut and locked the door behind her, Zarana silently thanked Stormshadow for getting the layout of this place months ago or this mission would be over before it even got started, and removed her disguise and undressed. But no sooner had she gotten into the robe she found hanging on the bathroom door, then someone knocked.
Zarana hurried to the door. "Who is it?" She called.
"It's me, Flint," was the immediate response.
She quickly unlocked and cracked the door so she could take a peek out. A moment later she relaxed. It was Flint. She opened the door fully and ushered him in, quickly shutting and locking the door once again. "What are you doing?" she hissed. "You want to blow our cover in the first half hour on the job?"
Flint removed his mask and wig before speaking. "I just wanted to make sure you knew exactly what you're supposed to do, sister," Zartan replied.
"Of course I do, you buffoon!" She retorted. "It's not like I'm a moron like those imbeciles you call your Dreadnoks!"
"Will you keep it down, Zarana!" Zartan hissed. "We don't want anyone to hear you using your real voice. That would blow our cover big time! Anyway, you know as well as I do that the Dreadnoks have their uses. But that's beside the point. I know you know the plan. I just want to go over it quickly one more time because we can't afford even the tiniest mistake. So much is riding on this."
"I know that, brother dear. You don't have to worry about me messing things up. I promise to be extra careful," she replied.
"As do I," Zartan responded. "Now let's hurry and go over it once more and get our showers." And they did just that.
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"Welcome back, Baroness!" A voice boomed as they entered the throne room. The Baroness immediately turned to face the speaker and gasped when she saw who it was. Standing at the base of the dais, to the left of the throne was Serpentor!
"Serpentor?! But how is…..? You were…….." She managed to stutter before her voice trailed off.
Serpentor smiled. "Not to worry, Baroness," he replied. "I shall explain everything. The others already know and now I will fill you in." With that, he proceeded to tell her what he had told the others upon his return.
Then Cobra Commander filled her in on everything else that had happened since her capture, including their plans and Stormshadow and Firefly's speech at the assembly and how everyone in Cobra was trying their hardest to end all the backstabbing and fighting amongst themselves and come together as a team.
The plans, she already knew from Destro, but the other stuff was shocking news to her. The implications of all of it were huge. The thought of Cobra Commander and Serpentor actually working together was absolutely amazing! For the first time ever, she seriously believed they could actually take over the world.
She bowed to Serpentor. "This is a shocking surprise, but a welcome one. It really is good to have you back, sire. I promise to do my part for a Cobra united so that we can finally destroy the Joes and take over the world!" Cheers and applause from everyone in the room greeted her words. As Destro put his arm around her, she was more proud to be a part of Cobra and everyone in it than she had ever been before.
A/N: So what did you think? Will the Joes figure out that they have been duped in time? Will Zarana keep her promise and not screw up the mission, or will seeing an old flame bring repressed feelings to the surface and fill her with uncertainty? Stay tuned to find out!
A/N 2: As I said at the top, I'm dissapointed with the lack of feedback. I know the story isn't that bad. It really helps an author to know what people think of his/her work so I'm not going to post another chapter untill I get at least 2 reviews! Remember, constructive critiscm is welcome!
