Author's Ranting: Man, I got essays coming out the kazoo. I didn't think I'd ever get a chance to work on this project. And when I do I keep letting the chapter get longer and longer. Had to split it in two. Second half in the next few days.

Ah hell, now my bulbs blown. Now I'm sitting in the dark. Sitting by myself, typing to myself. That's not good.

Ok, I've been looking forward to this chapter for a long time. I first dreamt of this event when still in the planning stages of Smartymart Incident. Hopefully this works.

Warning: A little more violent than usual (at least in part B). Not T so far as I understand it, but I always felt I was cutting it close.

One last thing…

To our glorious dead

ANZAC day, April 25th 2008. (Australia, New Zealand Army Corps).

The finest fighting soldiers of The Great War & World War II. From the far reaches of the Empire they came to serve. Sadly, not all of them returned.

They shall grow not old,
As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning
We will remember them. Lest we Forget.

For the Fallenby Laurence Binyon

Disclaimer: I do not own Kim Possible™ or any character, location or event from that said show. I do have a new flat security system. It's about a metre and a half long with a club at the end!

Ch 9A: Tempus

'Oww. Oww that really hurt,' Zorpox whined face down in the pavement. He began pushing himself to his feet when Frederick landed on top.

'Ouff...'

Frederick recovered quickly. He screeched as he bit and clawed Zorpox.

'Ah…,' Zorpox climbed to his feet. 'Ah…, what? Oww…, stop…; get off!' he commanded, trying to rip the monkey off his back.

'Hey!' a gruff voice called. Only then did Zorpox and Frederick take note of their surroundings.

They were in the middle of a street. Only there wasn't any traffic; just a huge crowd of people lining the sidewalk. Every one of them was wearing a piece of red clothing; every one of them staring at the scuffling figures in shock.

'I think we should get off the street,' Zorpox quietly mentioned to Frederick. The monkey screeched an agreement.

With hundreds of eyes following and Frederick clinging to his back, Zorpox jumped over the concrete barriers lining the sidewalk and entered the crowd.

'Ok, let's recap. What happened and how…?'

'YOU DESTROYED REALITY!'

'No I didn't,' Zorpox shot back. 'Clearly reality still exits. We're just in a different part.'

'WHICH PART?'

'I'm trying to figure that out.'

Zorpox studied the immediate area. He had landed on a four lane street, surrounded by towers. Every building up and down the street seemed to follow the same strange architectural design, very square and industrial, with very few windows. Most were painted red. Red mixed with black, light red with pink, velvet red with dull yellow, etc. The grandest looking building in his sight line was red with white lightning stripes

And all the people were wearing red. And… all the people are avoiding me?

Even though the street was tightly packed, people did there best to give him room. They're faces seemed to convey both dread and pity.

'Do I still smell?'

'MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE BLUE.'

'Maybe it's because I have a talking monkey on my shoulder.'

Frederick began typing a response when two sets of burly arms shot out of an alley and dragged them in.

'Hey kid, just what do you think your doing?'

'If the guards see you with that blue make-up on they'll freak.'

'You want see the light of day again?'

'You know Stoppable's gonna be here any minute.'

'Of course he does. He's trying to be a hero, make a statement.'

'Gutsy kid. Gutsy, but not bright. Go home. We'll take care of Stoppable.'

Zorpox grabbed the closer of the two identical men and yanked him down to eye level.

'Don't call me kid!' he snarled in the mans face. 'I've crushed more enemies than you've had birthdays!'

The men were startled. 'Hica bica boo?' the first one staggered.

His friend scratched his head. 'Hoo…'

'Shut it!' Zorpox demanded. Hica bica boo? Where have I heard that before?

He studied the two men for a second. They looked almost identical in facial features and appearance; mid twenties, physically conditioned and wearing combat gear. The only way to tell them apart was the colour of their gear; the one he had grabbed wore purple, the other blue.

Zorpox let go flashed them both a false smile.

'I'm so sorry; I'm just under a lot of pressure lately. I'm not exactly from around here,' he explained. 'Neither is the monkey.'

Frederick followed his lead, smiling and nodding.

Zorpox inclined in head toward the street. 'Could you please tell us why there's a crowd?'

The two men glanced at each other. Surely everybody knew what day it was?

'It's Z-Day. Stoppable throws a celebration every year,' the purple one said.

'Parades, fireworks, theatre,' the blue one added.

'Everyone attends.'

'Everyone wears red.'

'Or they get locked up.'

'Or re-educated.'

'Or much, much worse,' the one in purple concluded, his tone very grim.

Zorpox noted that these two weren't wearing red; though he doubted they intended to spend any time in a cell.

'Alright, I get the picture. I picked a bad day to visit.'

The men were on the verge of asking a few questions of their own when a very deep voice boomed through there wristwatches.

'Jim, Tim. I know you're not just standing around down there enjoying the festivities,' the voice full of sarcasm. 'Get in position or I will feed Bonnie your hides!'

'Acknowledged, we're coming.'

The men gave Zorpox one last funny look, then took off down the alley.

Zorpox waited until they were gone, than threw his hands up in triumph.

'Ha ha, I did it! I actually did it!'

'DID WHAT?'

'Don't you see?'

Frederick shook his head.

'Those were the Possible twins!' Zorpox exclaimed. 'They're all grown up. We're in the future. I control the future. I conquered the world! Boo-yah-hahahahahahah…; …. Ahhh…!'

He quit his maniacal laugh as sharp teeth dug into his shoulder.

Stoppable watched over the crowds from atop his armoured transport; a powerful, transparent shield the only barrier between him and his people. How they cheered as he came into view. How they looked on him with an odd mixture of love, respect and a healthy dose of fear.

Stoppable loathed them all. Yet he spent as much time with them as he could. It was his duty as their ruler to be a man of the people. Most emperors try to distance themselves from the people. Hide in towering fortresses of stone. Not Stoppable. He travelled. He threw celebrations, gave the people pomp and grandeur; laughed and cried with them. He publicly listened to their grievances while privately stripping them of their rights.

Of all the celebrations he arranged for his people today was his favourite. Z-Day. The day Zorpox the Conqueror was launched into the cold void.

'Sit down brother. You're arm's going to fall off,' a cold feminine voice commanded. It belonged to the young women next to him, wearing an elegant red dress and lying comfortably on a sleeping couch.

Shawn winked at his her. 'A small price to pay for the love of the people.'

'Love?' Seated opposite them, Electronique spat out the word. 'What do you care for their love? Why should you work so hard for it? The world is ours my boy. They should give you what you demand.'

'Today they cheer,' his sister added popping a cherry into her mouth. 'They're compelled to by your presence and the majesty of the event. Tomorrow they'll curse your name.'

Shawn grinned. 'Wrong little sister. Tomorrow they'll curse the resistance.'

'Perhaps,' she conceded with a knowing smirk.

Electronique anxiously scanned the streets rooftops and windows. 'Fukushima warned us they might try something while we're all together. Get the whole royal family in a single strike. It was foolish for you to dismiss his concerns.'

'Shawn knows the resistance may target us here mother. In fact, he's counting on it.'

Electronique face darkened with understanding. 'You two are using me as bait?'

Brother and sister smirked. 'You've spent too long sitting in you're castle my Queen,' Shawn warned, 'you've forgotten how to get you're hands dirty.'

Electronique sneered, but stayed quiet. She had learned to trust Shawn's cunning over the years.

'The plan is simple really,' Shawn explained. 'As long as the public remains sympathetic to the resistance they will look the other way. Allow them to recruit new members, sell them equipment; …sleep. So it's time to start breaking down some of that sympathy.'

'Rockwaller will attack us here today,' his sister added, 'putting all these innocent lives at risk.' She waved a hand over the crowd. They cheered louder in response.

'Fukushima will naturally launch his counter trap and the resistance will be forced to flee,' Shawn continued. 'During the chaos Agent Leon, in the guise of Rockwaller, will take a small child hostage. In order to spare an innocent life I shall offer my own. A selfless exchange for the child's….'

'You rescue the child, escape and follow up the whole performance with a few terrorist bombings, etc, etc,' Electronique finished. 'I get the picture. Should make for an interesting Z-Day.'

Electronique thought she saw the briefest flash of horror cross her 'daughter's' face. But she judged it to be mere annoyance.

'Crude mother. Very Crude,' she chided.

Shawn turned his attention back to the crowd. 'Just try to act surprised. Maybe throw in a touch of concern for the child, if you can mange it. Not too much, any tears and you'd probably melt.'

Electronique frowned at the comment. 'And if Rockwaller does manage to get the jump on you?'

Shawn's hand traced an old scar down his left side of his neck. An old reflex, brought on by the thought of Bonnie. But he just smiled and waved a hand at his sister. 'That's what our Weapon's for.'

Hana picked up a strawberry and sucked on it. 'Delicious, isn't it?'

'Stop…, oww! Alright, time out. Truce!'

Frederick quit biting Zorpox. He leapt onto a nearby fire escape out of Zorpox reach.

'Would you stop doing that?' Zorpox barked. 'You're as ill-tempered as Rockwaller; without the looks! This whole rabid monkey thing is getting a little old!

Frederick lifted his gaze, refusing to look at Zorpox.

'Do you hear me monkey!'

Frederick turned his back.

'Are you ignoring me?'

Frederick didn't respond, but Zorpox was sure he could hear the occasional sniffle.

'Oh, you gotta be…,' he muttered, raising his arms and gritting his teeth. He balled his fists and took a deep breath. 'Hey! Hey now, come on. Don't be like that. I didn't mean it like that.'

'Hmph.'

'Come on. We're both just a little stressed ok. Stuck in space, sucked through a time vortex and people gawking at us. I didn't mean to take over the world; honest. Come on.'

'YOU CALLED ME UGLY!'

Zorpox was thrown by that. 'I didn't…, what?'

'YOU CALLED ME UGLY' Frederick repeated.

'No I didn't. I just…, I said…,' Zorpox stammered.

'YOU THINK BONNIE LOOKS PRETTIER THAN ME.'

'What are you, a woman?'

Silence.

'Bonnie's got nothing on you. She's an old hag. No way that's a natural tan.'

Fredericks tailed flicked. He turned his head to stare at Zorpox from the corner of his eye.

'DO YOU THINK KIM IS GOOD LOOKING?'

'Kim?' Zorpox was startled by the question. 'I mean, I don't…. She's…. I'm not going to dignify that with a response.' He crossed his arms and turned his back on the monkey.

Frederick began to hoot and jump up and down. It sounded suspiciously like laughter to Zorpox's ears.

'YOU DO.'

'No I don't,' Zorpox snapped. 'It was strictly a professional relationship. She thwarts my schemes and I try to kill her.'

Frederick jumped down from the fire escape and climbed onto Zorpox's shoulder.

'I AM SORRY. THOUGHT I WAS WRONG.'

'About?'

'YOU BEING EVIL.'

'Well of course I'm evil,' he stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. 'I'm Zorpox the…, wait a minute.'

'Stoppable's almost here and the Twins are in position,' a deep voice boomed. 'After today Stoppable's gonna freak.'

Bonnie nodded, looking over her ripped giant of a computer hacker. 'You rock Wade.'

You think you're so smart Shawn, baiting the trap with your own family. But you're no match for Wade.

Fukushima and his guards would be swarming all over the parade route, waiting to catch the resistance and leaving the rest of the city vulnerable. Rufus 3000 and his Naked Mole Rat army would use the distraction to cause havoc. Rescuing captured resistance members, stealing supplies from the numerous guard houses, robbing government banks, painting government buildings the hated blue and purple; it was going to be a busy day.

But she couldn't let all of Shawn's hard work go down the drain. Not when he had been generous enough to pull most of the city guards off their assigned duties. So Bonnie would oblige Shawn by personally leading a diversion; an attack on the Parade.

She would have preferred a more direct attack. It tore at Bonnie that she would be so close to Shawn without being able to touch him. Every day they left him in power was another day for the Shawn juggernaut to grow that little bit more unstoppable. And she ached for some payback. It had been far too long since she'd last beaten him to a pulp.

But today would not be the day. Her revenge would have to wait. Today he had his family with him. Today he had the Weapon with him. Today he was untouchable.

No one tries to tackle the Weapon. Not head on. Not since Kim.

'I kidnapped the world's leading scientists and forced them to do my bidding!'

'FOR SHOW. YOU BUILT OWN DEVICES.'

'I put subliminal messages in Harry Potter!'

'CHILDRENS BOOK. BIG MAN.'

'I threatened to disrupt the worlds spin by blasting the moon out of orbit with a gravitronic ray.'

'WANTED TO RUIN VALENTINES DAY. DID NOT HAVE A DATE.'

'How did you…? Never mind.' Zorpox did not want to relive that capper. He thought for a second.

'Ah ha! I allowed Global Justice to capture my ally, Prof Dementor.'

'HELPED GJ CAPUTRE EVIL MASTERMIND.'

'I stole Shawn from his Parents.'

'SENDING HIM TO MILITARY SCHOOL ANYWAY.'

'I psychologically tortured my prisoners!'

'IMITATED JERRY SPRINGER.'

'I've defeated some of the world's greatest heroes in combat!'

'YOU NEVER KILLED ANYONE.'

'Well I tried to kill people,' Zorpox grumbled.

'YOU SAVED KIM POSSIBLE.'

'I was saving Francis,' Zorpox said defensively.

Frederick looked surprised. 'FRANCIS IS CUTER THAN KIM POSSIBLE?'

'Ugh, no!' Zorpox shock his head. 'Just…. That's not why I did it.'

Frederick waited expectantly.

'No I'm not going to explain why I did it!'

'FINE.'

Zorpox couldn't believe this monkey. He was determined to undermine everything Zorpox had accomplished in the past year.

Why doesn't he get it? What do I have to do to convince him I'm evil?

'Let's just get out of here before we destroy the universe or something.'

Zorpox's attention was caught by the sound of cheering on the street. Frederick heard it too.

'DO YOU HEAR DRUMS?'

He heard them. That meant the parade was coming closer. That meant he should leave now.

Curiosity got the better of Zorpox. He knew it was dangerous. That seeing his future self may cause the galaxy to implode, or time to reset, or any number of theoretical disasters. But he needed to see it. Just once. Just to stoke the fires of conquest that burned in his heart; fires that had been dimming these past few weeks.

He had to see his destiny. To watch as his triumphant future self marched down the street.

Which evil plot worked?

How has ruling the world has affected my figure?

What happened on the final season of Lost?

Zorpox emerged from the alley behind the crowd. He couldn't see the road through the throng of people and considered pushing his way to the front. He decided against it, mindful of attracting any more unwanted attention. Instead he studied the towers lining the street.

Why did I paint everything red?

Those around him seemed uncomfortable with his presence, but kept their attention on the road. All, except a few children who couldn't help but snoop. They stared openly at his blue skin and bloodshot eyes until their parents hissed at them to mind their own business. Even then they couldn't help stealing glances.

Zorpox ignored them. The last time children stared at him he had lost his pants in a school recital, been given a wedgie by Big Mike or had milk split all over him by Bonnie. He had grown used to always being out of place. Instead he looked around for a way to see over the crowd.

'Ah ha.' He had found exactly what he needed. A dumpster was sitting half way down the alley; closer inspection revealed that it was on a trolley. Zorpox casually jogged over and tried to push the dumpster to a position behind the crowd.

After minute and a half of exerting himself he had totally failed to move the darn thing. He kicked it in frustration.

A slight giggle caught his attention and he snapped up his head. One of the kids had followed him part way down the alley; a girl, something like 10-13 yrs old in Zorpox's estimation. Dark hair, bright red shirt and skirt and piercing brown eyes. She had watched the whole pathetic performance.

'Oh, you think that's funny do you?' he asked indignantly.

On his shoulder, Frederick scuffed his hair and hooted. The kid laughed some more.

Zorpox frowned at his simian companion as he addressed the kid. 'Didn't your parents ever teach you it's not nice to laugh at strangers?'

The kid just folded her arms and stared back in that superior manner more common to teenagers. She almost seemed amused at the implied threat. Her self-assuredness irked him, until he detected more. Something of what he had said pained her. It was written in her eyes.

'You got a name?'

The kid didn't respond. She just continued to stare inquisitively. Zorpox wondered what she was found so fascinating.

The blue skin and the monkey for starters. Maybe she recognises me? Maybe I hurt her family?

'You just going to keep standing there?'

Zorpox approached a door on the opposite side of the alley and tried to kick it open. The girl laughed again as he bounced off it.

'Grrr…, Frederick!' Zorpox commended. 'Climb up the fire escape and see if you can find an open window. Open this from the inside.'

The girl shook her head in a disappointed manner, sliding past Zorpox and producing two hair pins. The door was open before Zorpox had the presence of mind to ask what she was doing. She entered and motioned for him to follow.

It was a small café, closed for the parade. In the dining room Zorpox found what he was looking for. A chair he could use to stand on. On the way back out he also raided the fridge. He was still a little famished. Keeping things simple, he made himself a few beef sandwiches. When the girl gave him the infamous puppy dog pout he reluctantly made a few for her to. Finally he tidied up and locked the door behind him.

The cheering on the street was louder than before. It seemed that he had missed part of the parade already. Not wanting to miss himself, Zorpox rushed over with the chair and stood up behind the crowd. He couldn't see round the corner of the alley to see what was coming up next but that didn't bother him. Part of the fun was to see what surprises came next. And what a spectacle it was. Pipe bands, floats, marching soldiers and giant balloons; this parade had it all!

A tug on his jumpsuit got his attention.

'You going to help me up?' the girl asked indignantly.

Zorpox frowned but helped her onto the chair. When she still wasn't quite tall enough he sighed and lifted her onto his back, her hands around his neck. Frederick climbed up a water spout to sit on a windowsill higher up. Unlike Zorpox, he could see what was coming further down the parade.

'You can stay up here. But you have to answer a few questions.' Zorpox told the girl. She didn't answer, just nodded her head.

'What's your name?'

'Kimi.'

Zorpox eyes widened. 'Kimmie?'

'No, Kee-mee!' she pronounced for him.

'Odd name.'

Kimi sighed, like she always had to explain it. 'It's Japanese. My Mom chose it. Said it was in honour of an old friend. It means righteous child. She who is without equal.'

Zorpox cringed. It really did sound like Kimmie to him. 'Sounds about right.'

On the street a float drove by depicting a giant Tesla coil and the world amidst a city. It reminded him a little of his mega static generator, but the scale indicated this thing was far taller than the Empire State building.

Did I build that?

'You often help total strangers break into cafés?'

'My mom taught me a few skills,' Kimi said confidently. 'They come in useful now and then.'

'Skills?'

'Like how stay invisible. How to read people. How take care of myself.'

A cheerleading squad danced by, leading what looked like the local football teams for the Tri-city area. The Upperton Unstoppable's, the Middleton Monkeys and the Lowerton Lightning Rods!

Middleton Monkeys, what the…? Must be some sort of passive resistance movement. Well, I suppose I can let them have their fun.

'Yeah, well did your Mom ever mention you shouldn't trust a man with blue skin?'

Zorpox felt her arms tighten around his neck. 'How's about how to render a man unconscious in 10 seconds?'

'Clever woman your mother,' Zorpox choked out. He was relieved to feel the pressure lesson.

'Where are your parents?'

Kimi breathed in uncertainly, but brightened up quickly. 'I live with my uncle Ned. Not a real uncle but…, he takes care of me. Or at least tries to keep up with me,' Kimi added. 'Sometimes I stay with Aunt Porter in the country when things get rough in the city. Ned's busy at his restaurant so I snuck out.'

Ned and Porter? Bueno Nacho Ned and android expert Porter?

'Not what I asked Kimi.'

A giant helium balloon began floating past. Zorpox was thrilled. It was him, a giant Zorpox the Conqueror. It was all to honour his greatness.

It looks just like me! Well, the claws are twice as long. And I wish I that buff. Are those fangs? My eyes aren't that bloodshot! Actually they are after that space pod thing but…. What am I trying to do, frighten small children?

Kimi sighed. 'They were part of the resistance. They were captured. I don't know what happened to them.'

Zorpox didn't say anything. He'd had a feeling but still. It didn't stop a small twinge of guilt. Not to mention fear.

What if Kimi recognises me? Will she put me in another head lock?

'My dad was caught first,' Kimi continued, 'when I was still very young. He needed parts for his special suit. They laid a trap for him.'

Frederick started screeching and pointing at something further down the street. Zorpox couldn't see what from his position.

'Mom raised me with a help from her friends. She was captured when I was eight,' Kimi lowered her voice. 'It was the dark ninja.'

I have dark ninja? Sweet! I mean….

Frederick climbed down from his windowsill and was tugging on Ron's jumpsuit.

'MUST LEAVE. DANGER. MUST LEAVE. DANGER.'

A frustrated Zorpox sighed and tried to shoo him away. He wanted to learn more from Kimi. 'I can take care of myself monkey!'

'DANGER. DANGER RON STOPPABLE.'

'He's right you know,' Kimi agreed, climbing down from his back. 'You're not allowed to wear blue. If guards see you….'

The crowd before him did their best to shuffle away from Zorpox. They had also come to the same conclusion. Unnoticed by Zorpox, one old lady was paying more attention to the conversation behind her than on the parade. Underneath her handbag she rapidly typed up a text message and sent it away. Then she disappeared into the crowd, staying close enough only to admire her handy work. No one noticed her cruel smile.

'What's so bad about the colour blue?'

'Blue and purple are the colours of the resistance!' Kimi exclaimed, amazed he didn't know that.

Zorpox looked at the arms of his blue jumpsuit. 'Oh.'

'Only they wear it, a purple uniform with red goggles and blue face paint.'

Zorpox took a second to digest that. 'Huh?'

Kimi grabbed his hand and pointed at the next float to come into view. It was a scarecrow, dressed in Zorpox tights and a blue bag for a face.

It was sitting on top a lit bonfire.

'Oh snap.'

'They never found the body,' Kimi quietly added, watching the flames rise into the air. 'Only the empty space pod. He's the only one Shawn fears.'

Shawn!

Zorpox was truly stunned. His whole world shattered at the mention of his cousin. Everything he had worked for, his dreams of enslaving the world, it was all gone!

He felt totally lost. Inside his soul a gaping hole reopened. Once before he had lost his faith in the kindness of others, in everything he believed in. He had felt so empty. But with the help of Francis the void had been filled; with his anger, with his ambition, with his drive. He had found meaning again. Now the void was back. Once again he found himself without a purpose.

Kimi looked up into Zorpox's bewildered eyes, her own full of hope.

'That's you isn't it? You've come to stop Shawn! Mom always said you would.'

She wants me to save them?

Shawn's taken so much away from her.

Zorpox jumped down from the chair and took her by the hand.

'Frederick. It seems I'm in the mood for some of Ned's cooking. Hopefully he's still generous with the cheese.'

I created Shawn.

This is my fault.

He got all of three steps before a hiss sounded behind him.

Pushing its way through the crowd was large reptilian figure. It was as tall as two men, mussels of a bodybuilder, a long snout and rows of sharp teeth. Great metal armour adorned its body and it wielded a large battle axe.

'Hold it right there scum!' it deep, gruff voice commanded.

'HUUAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!'

The cry went up around the city three thousand genetically altered Naked Mole Rats launched their attack. Each one was half the size of a man, but with the strength and spirit of three. They were followed by the resistance fighters, brave men and women who refused to knuckle under Shawn's tyranny.

Each was dressed blue and purple body armour, wore red goggles and a pair of clawed gloves; among other weapons. Most had even painted half their face blue in the style of Braveheart.

They pulled up in buses or base jumped off skyscrapers. Out of sewers and office windows they swarmed, assaulting city administration buildings, armouries and dungeons. Bewildered guards were caught completely by surprise, few putting up a fight. Hardly any of them were truly willing to lay down their lives for Shawn. The cloned Iguana guards were a different story. They rushed to engage the hated mole rats in hand to hand combat. Individually stronger, they were overpowered by superior numbers in most areas of the city. Most.

Zorpox had just come face to face with such a brute when valiant cry erupted from the dumpster behind him. He was amazed to see what looked like four, short, hairless men jump out and charge at the Iguana monster.

'What in the heck are they?'

'They're the Naked Mole Rats,' Kimi explained. 'All of them descendents of the famous Rufus. They're part of the resistance!'

Zorpox noted their tails and large overbearing teeth. 'Rufus?' he asked, remembering his former mole rat buddy. The one he had raised by hand at age thirteen.

He observed them take down the Iguana. One ran distraction while the others would strike where it left itself open. It was like his own battle with Monkey Fist's ninja troops on a larger scale. After tiring the creature a little, the mole rats managed to trip it and tie a rope round its limbs. Then the moved off to find more foes.

'Incredible!'

Jim and Tim Possible kicked open the doors of their chosen hiding places, a gents and ladies port-a-loo respectively. Each had a laser rifle slung over there shoulder.

"Viva la resistance!" yelled Tim and he clotheslined a nearby guard.

Bonnie emerged from the back of an Ice Cream van, wearing her old Team Possible uniform. She tolerated the resistance homage to Zorpox, but only to play mind games with Shawn. There was no way she was going to dress up like the freak. She clung to signature black top, baggy pants and utility belt. She was brandishing what looked like two paintball guns, bringing them to bear on a group of guards trying to level their weapons at her. With two short burst the guards were covered in pellets. The same invented by Zorpox and used against the Wego years previous. Within ten seconds each guard was enveloped in a ball of sticky of goop.

She motioned one of the weapons at Shawn's transport. 'Move!'

Shawn watched the spectacle with silent satisfaction. Mole rats were climbing out of prams while the 'parents' threw smoke grenades. They popped out of kerb side litter cans and out of backpacks. They were all falling right into his trap.

The alert board on his personal communicator went nuts. Shawn was astonished to see that half the city was under attack! Almost every resistance cell in the country had to be present. How Bonnie managed to sneak them all into Tri City under the nose of his intelligence forces was anyone's guess. He made a mental note to have Fukushima sit down with them and discuss their incompetence.

Hana stood up and looked over his shoulder at the reports. 'It seems Rockwaller doesn't want to play your game big brother,' she observed with a smile.

'This is not what you said would happen Shawn!' Electronique bellowed, masking her fear with anger.

'Yes,' Shawn replied scornfully. 'How dare the rebels throw off my carefully laid plans? I swear we went over this three times with them last night too.'

'Bad rebels. Bad!' Hana waved a finger as she lifted a glass of champagne.

The crowd began to look around for cover. Some ran into store fronts while others backed down side streets and alleyways. Those at the front had to just duck behind the concrete barriers that lined the street and wait it out.

Zorpox pushed his way through some of the crowd so that he could some of the action. Thinking that he was another resistance fighter the crowd made way for him. Reaching the barrier he found he had a good view of the carnage. Red robbed guards tried to fend off the rebels, by were too few in number. There assigned task this day was crowd control, not frontline action in a war zone.

He noted that the Possible twins seemed to get a lot of attention from the young ladies as they traded fire with security forces. He even thought he spotted a giant Wade!

To his shock he even saw Bonnie running his way. Ducking behind the barrier, he prayed she hadn't seen him. She was so much older and more mature than last they'd meet, but she was still fit and looking sharp. He didn't want to know how much her fighting skills had improved. Fortunately she ran right past.

She and her forces were advancing on the end float. Some sort of open transport actually. It was a little farther down yet. Squinting against the sunlight, he could only just make out the figures, but he was sure one of them was Shawn.

One figure in particular caught his eye. It was a girl. A girl in an elegant red dress. And she was staring right back at him.

Even from a distance he could tell she was still young, and very beautiful. Long dark hair and tanned skin. What really transfixed him though was a sense of raw energy radiating from her. This girl held immense power. And immense pain.

He could see it, even if she couldn't. An intense pain buried deep down inside, secluded away and forced aside by the conscious mind. Her purpose had been corrupted.

He's thoughts were broken as Kimi grabbed his hand.

'Come on,' she said urgently. 'I have to get you out of here before more Iguanas come.'

Zorpox let her led him back through the crowd, still pondering the mystery of the young girl in the red dress. He barely noticed bumping into an elderly lady.

'Oh, sorry mam I…,'

His apology was cut off as the old lady struck him in the throat.

Second half will be out two-three days. 90 percent complete. Just busy with other things.