Chapter 9: Subzero pt 2 Shattered Ice
"I'm just the messenger this time, Batman," Gordon said, stepping aside to reveal a nervous Shego behind him.
Batman simply narrowed his eyes as the green-and-black-clad villainess approached them. "Shego?"
"I didn't know who else to go to," Shego said in an uncharacteristically timid voice. Batman said nothing but continued to stare at the woman. "You have to help; you just have to…" Shego sniffled, "you have to help him…"
"Help who?" Batman's eyes were near slits.
"Drew," Shego said as a tear ran down her cheek. "Something terrible happened to him. You're the only one I can think of who can help… please…"
"And why should we trust you?" Robin asked as he took a fighting stance, despite Batman's level, relaxed appearance.
Shego stopped and looked at her feet for a moment before reaching up to grab a handful of her long, dark locks and giving a gentle tug. This time, both Batman and Robin's eyes widened as the wig slid off, revealing a near bald head with a few strands of dark hair here and there.
"You're… you've got cancer?" Batman asked in surprise.
"Had," Shego gave a sad smile. "One hundred percent cancer-free… thanks to Dr. D…"
"I think you should start at the beginning," Gordon offered as Shego replaced her wig.
"Good place to start, huh?" Shego shrugged. "It all started a few months ago, close to a year, now, I guess…" she began. "We were planning our wedding when I started feeling sick a lot. Actually thought I was pregnant…"
"You and Drakken… are… getting married?" Robin blinked.
"When a man and a woman work and live together a lot, they either come close to killing each other or they fall in love. Don't believe it, look up Possible and her rich-boy-toy." Shego gave a smirk but lacked some of the sarcastic fire that once burned in her eyes and expressions.
Robin smirked at Batman for a moment but he was staring at the villainess and nodded for her to continue.
"Anyway, I thought I just got knocked up. No big deal, really. We were just going to have some villain friends over for an unofficial wedding. Not like we could go to a courthouse and elope or do something public like that. Besides, since when do we do things the legal way? Back on track… one day, I started to get sick again, and Dr. D was right there at my side, as always, holding my hair out of the way while I puked all over the toilet… but… but when I looked down and saw blood was all over the bowl… I got scared… real scared, and Dr. D panicked…"
"Dr. D went sane scientist on me," Shego smiled fondly. "He cradled me up and ran to his lab. He took some blood samples and used some machines to run scans on me… good news was I wasn't pregnant like I thought… bad news: the radiation that gave me my Go Glow powers was finally starting to tear at my body, creating cancers."
"He promised me everything would be alright," Shego said, and to Batman's mild surprise, she started to tear up. "He searched and researched for a way… then, he found it. He found a… I don't even remember what he called the gizmo, but it was a Global Justice device that drained energy out of living, empowered creatures… I remember him mentioning it was part of something he was forced to work on several years ago , some from when he was doing time… Project Oracle, I think…
"It was a type of therapy tank, but the energy running through it put off a lot of heat, so it required a dangerous type of coolant," Shego explained. "Just when things started going well…"
(-V-)
"Didn't I promise everything was going to be ok, Shego?" Drakken said as he helped her into the large, tube-like chamber.
"I trust you, Dr. D," Shego gave a small smile, "Your crazy inventions, not so much…"
"Then, what are you worried about?" he asked as he leaned in to gently kiss her. "This little machine was jointly designed by James Timothy and Anne Possible, with a little help from Kim Possible's rich buffoon… Don, I think was his name. Cost too much for the medical fields to accept, but it was ripped off by Global Justice for who knows what." Drakken then took a far away look. "I do wonder what this Project Oracle is…"
"Focus," Shego snapped lightly, gripping his shoulder lightly.
"Right, right," Drakken nodded as he began to gently strap her in. "Cure you; then, be nosy."
"Glad you got your priorities, Dr. D…" Shego smiled sarcastically before it melted into a real smile. "Drew… if this doesn't work… it's ok. I'm just glad we finally figured it out…"
"I've got big plans, Shego," Drakken smiled softly as he touched her cheek. "We're going to take over the world, defeat Kim Possible and the Batman, and then, we'll grow old together in our new world order."
"Sounds great," Shego beamed to her fiancé as he finished setting her up.
"This probably won't feel good," Drakken said seriously. "This procedure I mean, but it won't last long."
"It's ok," Shego nodded as Drakken placed a hand on the opened hatch of the tube.
"Love you, Sidekick," He said, moving in for one more kiss before pulling back.
"Back at ya, Boss," Shego smiled as he closed the hatched and watched him walk back to the platform over the coolant chamber where the control panel was located.
"Here we go…" Drakken said and her eyes went wide as fiery pain flew through her whole being. She vaguely noticed him closing his eyes and glancing away before her vision when white and then dark.
"Shego… Shego? Shelia, wake up, it's over," she heard Drakken's voice as she slowly regained consciousness.
"Dr. D…" Shego moaned as she opened her eyes.
"Guess who's cancer-free?" Drakken grinned.
"It worked?" Shego asked hopefully.
"All cancerous growths are gone, and while I couldn't remove the meteor radiation, I was able to successfully add to your DNA formula to allow it to sustain your body's systems." Drakken said, "In other words… you're ok, now."
Shego answered by throwing herself at her fiancé and kissing him. "EVERYONE, FREEZE!" Betty Director screamed as she kicked open the door to the lab, as the skylights shattered and GJ Agents repelled in.
Drakken pulled Shego out of the devise and glanced around. "We gotta get out!" He cried as Dr. Director ran up the steps to the platform.
"You're going nowhere!" She snapped as she approached the duo and laser sights appeared on their bodies.
"You're going to let us go, My Dear Doctor, or I'll make sure the entire world knows about your Project Oracle," Drakken smirked, glancing back at his partner, standing back to back with him. "I would think your former ally, and my former enemy, Kim Possible would definitely like to know more about that, wouldn't she?"
Dr Director narrowed her eye before she struck out, gripping Drakken by the neck, and before Shego could jump to his defense, threw him over the railing into the coolant. "DREW!!" Shego screamed as his cries were silenced by a splash. "NO!!"
She wanted to jump in after him but the sudden sting of tranquilizer darts stopped her, and the last thing she heard before she passed out was Dr Director's emotionless "Oops… I slipped…"
(-V-)
"I was held by GJ for a few weeks before I had a chance to escape," Shego explained to the Dark Knight before biting her lip. "I tried to find him… had to find out if he was… I was hoping I'd find him alive… after I found him… I'm not sure if I'd have preferred he'd have been put out of his misery…
"I found him at our old lair, but he had turned it into a freezer…" Shego sucked in a breath, "He was wearing a silly invention of his, an environment suit. It keeps the inside temperature the same no matter what environment he's in.
"He turned toward me, and his eyes… they looked at me surprised then… he acted like he was in pain. He doubled over screaming 'no'; the closer, I got the more he seemed to hurt…" Shego closed her eyes in a vain attempt to block the tears. "'I'll make them all suffer…' he said before he ran away from me…
"You're the only one who can take him down, so we can find someone to… Batman?" Shego looked up to find both Caped Crusaders gone. "Batman?"
"Don't worry, he does that," Gordon said apologetically. "So… going to hold up your end of the deal?"
Shego sighed softly before holding up her wrists to let him cuff her.
(-V-)
"Where are we going, Batman?" Robin asked from the passenger seat of the Tumbler as it roared down the street toward Stoppable Tower.
"I know what he plans to do," Batman growled as he turned to go around a slower-moving car.
"He wants to 'make us all suffer'. He wants to freeze the city, and he's done it once before," Batman explained, taking a hard left.
"Huh?" Robin asked gripping his seat belt.
"Back when it was me and KP," Batman nodded. "One of the few close calls we had was he used that freeze gun of his, amplified through a super telescope. The problem is he's upgraded his freeze gun, and he's wanting more than the Mouse-ears Network to show Snowman Hank again," Batman growled as he turned the Tumbler up a high-rise parking garage.
Once it reached the top, the Tumbler turned to face Stoppable Tower, where the city's largest astronomy telescope sat, now aimed toward the city it served.
"Seat belt tight?" Batman asked, not glancing to his partner.
"Um… yeah," Robin said, bracing himself by pushing his feet to the floor and pressing his back into the leather seat.
"Hang on," Batman growled as the Tumbler shot forward, tearing through concrete railing and on through the wall of the tower to the observatory.
Freeze spun around as the Tumbler came to a stop. "The Batman…" Freeze growled as the hatch popped, and Batman and Robin leaped out.
"Give it up, Drakken," Robin growled as he landed in a crouch.
"Drakken?" Freeze said with a sneer. "That name means nothing to me, anymore. He died with any chance of being with his beloved. All that's left is this frozen corpse."
"Oh, cry me a river," Robin smirked as he saw Batman easing to the shadows. "How about a crown for this drama queen? We know what you're planning, Lipsky," Robin said with confidence. "Fire that freeze gun of yours through this telescope, freezing the city. Not that bad of a plan for a psychopath."
"That is the eventual plan," Freeze said, still staring down the teen. "But I have something else to do first." He said with an unfeeling smile.
"Change the batteries on your walking refrigerator?" Robin asked as Batman, stilled in the shadows, felt surprised by Freeze's demeanor.
"There are things people treasure," Freeze said sadly. "Creations, achievements, wealth, fame, friends, lovers, family, wives, and …children. And it has been said… there is no greater love than that of a father for his son…" he said, lifting his freeze gun to the surprised teen. "Farewell …" He said as he pulled the trigger.
Robin's eyes widened before Batman jumped between them throwing his cape up to take the blast. "BATMAN!" Robin called out in terror.
"Hm, more self-sacrificing than I expected." Freeze noted as he released the blast. "Spared the son, but took the city's savior. Better trade."
Freeze started to turn his back but froze in surprise when the cape shattered and the Dark Knight dove at him like a viper striking.
"HOW?" Freeze asked as Batman pushed him down, knocking the freeze gun out of his hand.
"Didn't expect that, but I was still ready for you," Batman growled.
"I will not be denied!" Freeze screamed as he kicked Batman away and rolled for his gun. "Triton will be destroyed," he said as he climbed back to his feet and ran for the telescope.
"Robin!" Batman growled, but his partner just stood there staring at the shattered remains of the cape. He silently cursed before he shot after the madman.
"It ends tonight," Freeze said as he placed the gun into the lens. Batman readied a batarang and narrowed his eyes to aim before he sent it flying through the air. Freeze cried out in surprise as it cut through the cable pushing cold air into his suit.
"NO!" he cried out as Batman tackled him to the ground, cracking the dome on impact with the metal floor.
"It's over, Drew; we're going to get you help," Batman growled as he held the man down, and to his surprise, he wasn't fighting. Instead, he laid there, face down, crying, tears freezing on his cheeks.
"Shego… why? With all we had done, did we not deserve even a hint of happiness?" he choked out as Batman held him down. "Why…"
(-V-)
"You know, since you surrendered peacefully, you don't have to be here," Gordon said as he escorted Shego down into the lower levels of Arkham.
"I want to be as close as I can," Shego said as they came to a stop before the Dark Knight and his partner.
"It's your powers," Batman said in the softest tone Gordon or Shego had ever heard from him. "Even when you don't use them, you give off an intense radiation frequency." He explained glancing back to the thick plastic cell where Drakken sat among frozen ice. "Even with his thermal suit, the radiation still made it through. That's why your presence physically hurt him."
"Will I hurt him being here?" Shego asked hesitantly.
"No, the walls of his cell are almost a foot thick and insulated," Gordon explained with a sad smile.
"Before you lock me up… can I…" Shego looked down at her feet.
"It's against rules and regulations, but… you can go say hi for a few minutes," Gordon said, motioning toward the wall.
The three watched her as she approached the cell. Drakken rose to his feet and walked to her till only the wall separated them. "I love you," Drakken whispered as he touched the glass with his palm, and Shego placed hers on the outside over his.
"I love you, too," Shego smiled sadly as they just stood at each other's company.
"It's sad," Gordon spoke up as Robin stared intensely at the scene. "Those two… even for criminals… they didn't deserve an ending like this."
"It's not over," Batman growled, "Have the Arkham doctors contact Possible Industries medical division in the morning. With luck, they may be able to help somehow."
"Will do… but now, from one bad situation to another…" Gordon sighed, taking off his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Kim Possible is being released from the hospital today. I've tried every way in the world to bend the rules, but HR isn't giving me any options…"
He didn't notice Batman stiffen. "She's the best I got, and I really don't want to do this…"
"I'll leave this to you, Commissioner," Batman growled before motioning for Robin to follow.
"Batman… about earlier, when I froze up… I'm sorry… I just…" Robin tried to apologize, but Batman lifted his hand.
"Don't let it happen again," Batman growled as they climbed into the Tumbler.
"Right… sorry… won't happen again…" Robin whispered, staring at his lap.
(-V-)
"There you are," Barbara smiled as she walked out of the school to see Dick on his bike. "You missed class," She said scoldingly.
"Had a lot on my mind after last night," Dick frowned as she stopped before him. "Ron's bringing Kim home tonight. He said she's staying at the Manor till she recovers. I was going to get pizza tonight to celebrate. You in?"
"I… I can't, I've sorta got plans," Barbara looked down at the books she held to her chest.
"So long as it's inside, looks like it's going to start raining any time," Dick smiled softly as he looked up at the clouds.
"So, how did the Mr. Freeze thing go last night?" Barbara whispered as she stepped a little closer.
"I messed up," Dick gave a tight smile.
"Don't worry, Dick," Barbara smiled brightly, "Do you know how many times daddy lost his pants trying to help mom when they were our age?"
"What got me is… Drakken and Shego," Dick said seriously as he stared at the gas tank of his bike. "They were planning on forever, but the end just came out of nowhere and tore them apart… it's really got me thinking."
"What's wrong, Dick?" Barbara said in concern as she walked up to him and touched his arm.
"Babs, you know you've always been my ray of hope, right?" Dick said, and Barbara tilted her head in confusion. "I still remember clearly when my parents died. Everything was gone. Even with Ron and Kim taking me in, I didn't have any real reason to keep my head up. Then, there came this redhead with a big smile, who wasn't freaked out by me being an acrobat or my choice of pets.
"You've been my best friend as long as I can remember, Babs," Dick smiled as he placed his hand over hers. "And there's been something I've wanted to say for the last year… at least…" Dick took a deep breath and looked into her forest green eyes. "I love you."
"Dick… I…" Barbara breathed, bringing a hand to her mouth. "Wow… I… wow…"
Dick started to smile but faltered when she stepped away and turned her back to him. "Babs?"
"Dick… I… I love you, too," Barbara said, and for a moment Dick's heart soared… but only a moment.
"But… I love you…" Barbara bowed her head, still avoiding his gaze. "I love you like a brother…"
Dick felt like the world dropped out from under him. "Babs, but…"
"I've… I've met someone…" Barbara explained softly with a shaky voice. "We're going out tonight on a date… but… I meant what I said, Dick… I do love you as a brother… you're my best friend. Always have been and always will be…"
"I'm sorry… I'm really, really sorry…" Barbara said, finally looking up at the broken-hearted teen. "I never wanted to hurt you, Dick…"
"It's cool, Babs," Dick said with smile, placing an arm around her shoulders. "As long as you're happy…"
"Are you sure?" Barbara said, unconvinced.
"Sure I'm sure," Dick nodded as the rain started to fall. "Go have fun with this guy of yours… I'll save you some pizza…"
"Ok, I guess I'll see you later, then?" Barbara asked, and Dick nodded with a smile. She smiled and walked away, and as soon as she was out of sight, his smile faltered and his chin dropped to his chest in despair.
(-V-)
"Oh, I can't wait for the feather bed," Kim moaned as she sat in the passenger seat of Ron's Lamborghini.
"I see how it is," Ron smirked, "you just want my money and luxury… the truth hurts…" He said dramatically, placing his hand over his heart for added effect.
"Of course, why else would I go back to someone like you?" Kim smiled.
"I admit I do have some baggage," Ron shrugged.
"Me too, but," Kim placed her hand over his. "You have a big house to store it all in."
"What the?" Kim's eyes widened as she turned to look out the window. "What's going on?" she asked, noticing the teenagers walking home from school and kids playing at the park they were driving past.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention..." Ron smiled, "Me and your ex, we took out the mob." He said, lacing his fingers with hers. "Organized crime's completely gone, and most criminals are either behind bars or on the run."
"Do you know how long it's been since I've seen children outside playing unsupervised?" Kim asked as a smile spread on her face.
"Our younger days?" Ron answered, "I was also figuring… another month or two… no more than a year and… maybe the police force can handle it on their own. Then, that got me to thinking about... well, what do you say we start from scratch… again," Ron said, turning his attention back to the road. "Third time's the charm, right? And… well, I've got more than enough funds for you not to worry about going back to the police unless you wanted to help out from behind the scenes."
"Ron," Kim said with a knowing smile, "you couldn't put away the cape and cowl anymore than I could put away my police work. It's… too much of a part of who we are now."
"Right…" Ron said with a faint twitch of his lips.
The rest of the ride was made in silence before they pulled up to the Manor where Jason and Wade were waiting. "Welcome home, Mom," Jason smiled, and, though it went past Kim and Ron, Wade noticed a hint of sarcasm and something else in the teen's voice.
Ron stiffened when Gordon's car pulled up behind his. "Here we go…" he whispered to himself before turning to give Wade a look.
"Hey, Jay, why don't you come with me to get some groceries?" Wade asked, placing a hand on the teen's shoulder.
"Nothing else to do," Jason shrugged and followed Wade to his car.
"Kim, how are you feeling?" Gordon said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes as he approached the couple.
"Not bad, just feels like I've been shot a few times," Kim smiled trying to joke.
"I was wondering… if I could talk to you about something," Gordon said with a gulp.
"I'll get her things; you take her up to the Master Bedroom," Ron said with a fake smile but frowned sadly when Gordon lead the still-stiffly walking Kim into the Manor.
Ron gave them plenty of time and was mildly pleased that there was no gunfire. He finally picked up Kim's suitcase and made his way into the mansion, meeting Gordon at the stairs to the bedroom.
The two men stopped and faced one another at the base of the stairs when the teary-eyed Gordon placed a hand on Ron's shoulder. "She needs you about now, son." He said before letting himself out of the mansion.
Ron took a deep breath and made his way to the Master Bedroom. He walked in and sat the suitcase at the door and looked up to see Kim sitting on the edge of the bed staring at the wall with tear-filled eyes.
"KP…" Ron whispered as he sat down beside her.
"They're putting me behind a desk," Kim said with a numb, emotionless voice. "Due to the report from the hospital and doctors… said I wasn't… wasn't fit for beat work anymore…"
Ron simply placed his arms around the redhead and held her close. "It's not fair… IT'S NOT FAIR!" Kim yelled before doubling over in coughs.
"Kim, you need to calm down, slow, deep breaths," Ron said, rubbing her back and handing her the inhaler the hospital sent with her. "Maybe some extra time to heal won't be so bad… and if you still can't go back into field work, who cares?" He smiled as he stroked her hair, "We'll get Wade to reopen your website. You can take Dick, Jason, or one of the girls with you and do mission work like you used to. We might even put you in a costume like the rest of us," Ron smiled. "Your doppelganger from that other dimension certainly didn't look too bad in those red and blue tights."
"I can't fly, obviously can't deflect bullets, and…" Kim said as her cheeks colored, "my boobs don't defy gravity like hers did."
"I knew it," Ron grinned, "I knew that bothered you!" Kim gave a teary glare. "Not that your boobs aren't sexy, too."
"Ronald," Kim growled softly.
"Yes?" Ron gave an impish smile.
"Shut up and hold me," Kim sighed as she pressed her cheek to his chest.
"You got it," Ron whispered holding her tightly to him. "And don't worry about what's going to happen, way things are going, we definitely have a bright future ahead."
(-V-)
40 years later … Gotham City
"Open it up."
"Right, Boss." Three thugs went to a sealed metal door in the sewers of old Triton beneath the technological city. The Clock King smiled, eyes glittering behind his specialized, clock-faced glasses as he supervised the thugs' efforts.
With a loud hiss, the doors gave way, and the thugs all pulled out flashlights. "Global Justice Headquarters… oh, how the mighty have fallen…" the man smiled as he followed his minions into the cobweb-infested base.
The group entered the main command center, and the leader made his way to the central console. "Let's see…" he said as he hit a few keystrokes and smiled when the screen flickered to life. "Still got some power, I see…" he pressed several keys before frowning. "All data's been erased… all of it. Damn it. No matter, we'll just have to go back before they erased the information on the Tempus Simia. "
"The only place you're going back to is jail, Clock King," a growling voice spoke from the shadows.
"The Bat!" one of the thugs whimpered as they all turned to see a red bat-symbol and a pair of white eyes glowing in the darkness.
"Batman," Clock King smiled as black-and-red-clad Knight stepped out of the shadows.
"I don't know how you got out, but you're going right back in," The Batman's muffled voice spoke from behind his full mask.
"There's a time and place for everything, Batman," Clock King smiled as he hit a button on his belt, which caused a large, glowing portal to appear behind him. "But the time of our reckoning is not today."
He then followed his terrified minions through the portal, closing it behind him. Batman narrowed his eyes before walking to where they disappeared. "Ron,"
"What happened, Terry?" a growling, aged voice spoke through the earpiece of the Batman's cowl.
"They got away," Batman growled turning to the computer. "Clock King mentioned something about a Tempest Simian."
"Tempus Simia," the old man's voice replied, "I think I know what he's up to."
"So, spit it out and let me go stop him," Batman growled as he studied the blank computer screen.
"You can't," the old man replied, "It's not where he went, but WHEN."
"So, what can we do?" Batman asked, turning away from the monitor and held out his arms as his mechanical red wings spread out.
"Nothing. Just hope someone in the time period can do step up…"
To Be Continued…
Next Chapter: Robin and the Birds of Prey face a villain from their future with heroes from their past in 'A Sitch in Time pt 1'