"I still can't believe you were able to keep up with Monkey Fist, Icky," Shego chuckled, shaking her head in a bemused manner, "I guess what they say about the master fearing the amateur isn't bunk after all."
'Hey!" Icarus protested, pouting slightly.
"Are you being mean to Icky, Shego?" Fuzen asked innocently, earning a chuckle from most of those clustered around the Possible's kitchen table, most eating some small snack or sandwich or another. Kim, Ron, Shego, Rufus Kit, Kgs, Neo, and Icarus all glanced over at her, some of them marveling as the petite Malaysian packed away yet another sandwich.
"I'd like to know where you hide all that! You eat like him," Amers huffed, pointing at Kgs, "And you're still so skinny!"
"Hey, you're gettin' there, babe," Kgs muttered, slapping the paunch on his own front, "At least you don't have as much to lose as me!" He then tickled his fiancée in an attempt to distract her from going on a further rant, barely avoiding an unintentional reverse headbutt from the sometimes jumpy blonde woman.
"But she still complains about her weight!" Icarus snickered, earning a brief, scathing glare from Fuzen. "Um, well, you do!"
"I could say the same about her," Shego muttered, pointing at Kim, who stuck her tongue out at the older woman. She considered teasing Kim some more, but finally decided against it despite the opening Kim had left. Turning back to Icarus with another chuckle, she continued "Anyway, look at it from this perspective, Sport: Monkey Fist's every bit as flexible as Princess or I am, and he's a true martial arts master even without the mystical mumbo-jumbo that the Doofus has."
"Hey!" Kim cried, tossing a grape at Shego, who deftly caught it between two fingers and popped it in her mouth.
"Hey nothing!" Kit laughed, his tone good humored, "He is a doofus. A charming one, but still a doofus!"
"I am what I is!" Ron agreed, following Kgs' lead and tickling Kim in one of her few and thankfully less embarrassing ticklish spots.
"Gah, stop that!" Kim giggled, slapping lightly at Ron's hand before he dug in and made the sensation much worse, "You'll make me have to pee!"
"Okay, okay," Ron relented, hugging his girlfriend close. Kim, despite her blush or the petulant expression she now wore, sighed and snuggled back into his arms, a content smile slowly spreading as she relaxed into Ron's arms. "Your point, though, Shego?"
"My point," Shego continued, "Was about why Icky was able to keep up with Monkey Fist so effectively." She paused to point at Icky, smirking slightly, "I'd have to say he wasn't expecting the leg strength the Canadian there has on his frame. That or he was expecting you, and got Icky instead which threw him off his game. And probably something to do with being so recently freed from a statue, maybe he wasn't thinking as fast as normal? I dunno, but I don't think he was completely on his game, he did push Princess and I a li'l bit..."
"Prolly all that and being more used to stand up fighting," Kgs agreed, "I'd say Icky grappling with him helped the goofball out."
"Not a goofball." Icarus griped good naturedly, "I wrestled with Monkey Fist and wo-…" He glanced around and blushed slightly at the various raised eyebrows directed at him, "I broke even with him? But he had his monkey ninja chase me!"
"Yeah…" Kgs chuckled amiably, "That one packed quite a kick, too… Haven't been tagged like that since I was doin' some shivering punch continuous point sparing in TKD classes when I was nineteen…"
"Kgs story!" Icarus and Kit cried, leaning in slightly to listen closer to the older man.
"Gooballs," The older man continued with a grinning roll of his eyes, "Anyway, my instructor and I were sparing, right? I go in for a punch, he brings up a kick, nails me as I'm coming in. Knocked me for a loop, scared some of the kids that were there..."
"That's it?" Shego asked with a snigger.
"Yeah," Kgs smiled innocently, "I'd tell ya about having to dig around the edge of my eye to find the contact the kick knocked loose, but I don't want to delay ya since Oster's waving us out for the next segment."
"I was afraid of that…" Shego sighed, earning a brief round of laughter from everyone at the table.
KPFA KPFA KPFA KPFA
The HSCC stage area was shrouded in darkness as the cameras began rolling again. There was the barest hint of a shadow within the device, a sight caught on the edge of the periphery of the vision, but disappearing when focused upon. Then a spotlight shot out, illuminating the form of none other than Shego who was now wearing a form fitting, stylish dress patterned after her own catsuit. "Welcome back to the Fifth Annual Fannie Awards!"
A smattering of applause greeted her. With the barest flick of a wrist, she produced an envelope seemingly out of thin air. With a gloved hand, she slit open the top of the envelope and pulled the sheet of paper out, glancing down at it, "For our first award, we have the Best Writing Team, which goes to: Star-Eva01 and JAKT!"
A swirl of images flew around and about Shego as the former supervillainess seemed to face even in such glaring light. The images were from past winning team fictions, one with Ron feeding Kim breakfast in bed, another of Kim's mother standing next to the Possible's kitchen table, holding herself tightly as she stared fearfully towards her daughter. Then, in a fashion similar to Shego'd disappearance, Star-Eva01 and JAKT appeared from behind another. They stood beaming out at the crowd, who applauded loudly, before Star-Eva01 stepped forward and nodded.
"Thank you. Again." A brief flutter of amusement followed his comment, and Star-Eva01 continued, "I would just like to say to JAKT thank you for allowing me to join you on this journey inside Kim's mind for 22 Minutes.
"I would also like to say that to be in the company of Whitem and Captain K along with Ja and Kt is a honor for me." He nodded to his two writing compatriots, and out at the cameras, "And to everyone… Thank you again. And thank you to Cpneb for encouraging me to keep writing."
A brief silence followed his final declaration, but was soon broken as three pairs of hands clapped as one, quickly followed as everyone in the physical audience and crew stood, clapping. With the flick of a button, Kgs brought up several other windows, showing all the other nominees who were standing and clapping as well. After several long seconds, the clapping slowed, and finally stopped, and both JA and KT stepped forward to stand by Star-Eva01.
With a huge smile, KT spoke first, "The facts of the jakt/Star-Eva01 Writing Team are these: Couple an aging Engineer with a precocious 15 year old and a Southern Gentleman; add a dash of writing ability; throw in some versatility and technical sophistication with a whole lot of imagery, stir in some history and mix thoroughly and you have three people who can paint a canvas of words that very few can copy.
A smattering of applause arose at her simple declaration, and she waited patiently for it to end before going on, "Most of the stories we've worked together on are built upon a series of adventures of a certain red headed cheerleader and a blond sidekick who have captured the hearts of a great many people. That is what makes the jakt/Star-Eva01 writing team work. The only thing now missing is the spice from a certain Cpneb who is dearly missed."
A murmur of agreement spread through the crowd, when JA spoke up, "The fact is that 22 Minutes has some of the most dramatic lines that KT, Star and I have ever written, all because cpenb believed in us; that we could do it and write that powerfully. He had us go beyond our natural abilities and we did."
KT giggled in agreement, "And we'd never written this dialogue if he hadn't and because we brainstormed on the idea of what happens, more or less, when your basic average girl gets her mind accidentally wiped like in Clean Slate. So, now, you the readers have this story!"
"You're right KT. You even came up with the concept/question, 'Does Kim Possible, the girl who can do anything, really love Ron?' Hopefully this surprised a few of the readers with a conversation that really tugs at the heartstrings," replied Star in his southern gentleman's accent.
"For that flattery I'll take you out for a cold Mountain Dew," KT grinned, "Of course Dad posed a few underlying questions to the audience and fellow writers as well. Dad you are so devious."
"Oh, and why is that dear darling daughter?" he asked with an air of surprise followed by a wicked grin.
"Yeah, I want to know too, adopted God-daughter?"
"Questions like, do KP Fan Fiction Writers create a story for creation's sake, and self-satisfaction? Or do they create to communicate and share with others?"
JA put his hands behind his head with a look of satisfaction of a man who knew well the value of a smile. "Let's leave that up to the readers, writers and reviewers to answer for themselves."
Turning he threw a wink to his daughter and then to Star. KT was indeed wise beyond her years. Something that Star-Eva01 knew all too well too.
"Thanks to everyone who voted for us. YOU ROCK!" replied KT.
"Ditto for me!" Star-Eva01 agreed.
JA continued smiling before saying, "Until the next adventure."
Then, as they had appeared, they vanished, fading a mysterious, thought provoking tune faded in, then out, with them.
"And that was JAKT and Star-Eva01, ladies and gentlemen!" Shego announced, spearing once again from the slightest of shadows as if a ghost. "Next up, we have the award for Best Young Author, which is:" she glanced down at the paper in her hands, "Akinyi!"
A round of applause greeted the announcement, and Shego continued with a understanding tone of voice, "Unfortunately, Akinyi was unable to appear with us today, due to complications with college life." Shego chuckled and smiled broadly, taking out any sting that could have been in her words, "And speaking from personal experience, I can understand completely, believe me! So how about another round of applause for Akinyi?"
Laughter and understanding chuckles greeted her proclamation, followed by enthusiastic applause. When it finally died down, she continued while glancing down at the paper in her hand, "And now, for Best New Writer, we have Sentinel103!"
Shego stood back as the form of Ron speaking with Master Sensei from Sentinel103's fanfiction 'Winter Adventure' took over the stage. As Ron and Master Sensei finished speaking, the scene faded abruptly into the form of a jovial seeming, balding, ogre of a man wearing a blue and green kilt, with matching hose. Behind him in their holographic forms stood a slight blonde woman in an elegant light blue gown and to her left was an immense man-mountain in a black tux with tails.
Once the applause died down, the kilted man reached into his jacket and retrieved a sheet of paper from within.
"Kimberly, Ronald, members of the Kimmunity and guests, thank you for this honor." He intoned, his voice cool and calm, "A couple of years ago I woke up with a hangover and with it, an idea that also came with one severely hung-over plot bunny. After a while the besotted plot bunny and I thought about the idea, made a quick outline and list of characters, then began typing. It was tough to keep a line of thought running then because I had to keep dragging that bunny out of my beer fridge so I could keep typing up my tale!" Laughter flowed over him as he smirked, then he continued, "Once I 'splained to my little friend that kt makes housecalls with her blaster, he cooled it with my fridge and liquor cabinet so I could get back to work.
"But I digress." He smirked as a few of those that had spoken with him over the internet chuckled, as if it was a regular occurrence, "The story that came from that one bleary morning was one of an individual returning home after a self-imposed exile of several years, hoping against all self-inflicted doubt for the chance to find a love lost all those years before. This tale set up an ARC which is still unfolding to this day.
"Mrs. Sentinel, a very patient woman in her own right, left me to my own devices as I worked on this ARC in my man cave. Three days after beginning this tale, I was in online chat with CajunBear73 and Spectre666." He nodded out at the cameras, as if he could see his two friends smiling back at him, "CB asked me what I was working on, so I sent the two chapters that I had done up to that point.
"Then he asked to edit it. Kind of surprised at the offer I laughed and replied, 'Sure buddy go ahead.' An hour later he sent it back to me and again surprised the heck out of me when he asked when I was going to post it."
Sentinel103 chuckled, shaking his head in bemusement, "To make a long story short that little tale was titled 'Once Again'. Until I was urged to post it I was just about to round file the thing because I thought that it didn't hold water compared to the other things that I had written to that point. Looking back I am glad I listened to those who suggested I get into posting and writing for the Kim Possible site."
He gestured behind him with a grateful smile, "So as Justine and Big Mike here can tell you this has been a pretty nice ride; and there's more to come, I can assure you. Now I want to thank the Committee for all the work that they've done under very trying and difficult emotional circumstances, CajunBear73 for sticking with me and making everything legible. Spectre666 for chiding me when I asked him when he was going to get something done with his, 'If you think you can do better (before I began my original work which is not out yet)… Go ahead.'"
A round of laughter followed, and he continued when it died down, "To CaptainKodak1 for helping me to get my feet wet, The Wise Duck and Commander Argus for the tales they wrote that inspired me as well as Charles Gray. To Nutzkie, Daccu65, Waveform, Armydude and Screaming Phoenix for showing me what I could do if I had any talent. And to my son Nix, who got me to work harder with 'Dad I love you and all that, but this is sorta boring.' Which lead me to re-write everything.
"Early on in the selection process I wondered about the quality of the other writers and quite frankly I was impressed and still am. When some of them post I try to make sure that I get to read and review them. Pinky Joe Curly Tail and Mahler Avatar are two of my favorites.
"There are so many more that have helped me than I believe I have the time to thank, unless I stay up here all night to do that," He gave a bright grin as he continued, "But we all know how much you just love looking at my kneecaps and the glare off my head!"
Laughter and applause answered him, and he glanced down at his award, then back out at the audience, "Guys this is award just isn't for me, but it's for all the new writers. I am humbled at being the one chosen in a field of so many talented new writers to receive this award.
"So again, thank you everyone!" Sentinel exclaimed as he waved to the audience with one hand while holding the Golden Rufus statuette aloft in the other. "One good thing about this, I don't have to worry about whipped cream-…" seemingly out of nowhere on his side of the Holostage linkup, several whipped cream pies struck him about the face and chest. He slowly reached up to wipe at his eyes, his mouth working for a moment before he finished lamely, "Pies." Then he and everyone else present laughed, as his holographic form faded out into the ether and Shego could be seen standing right where he had been.
"What?" She asked, sharing a too innocent smile with Kgs, Osterman, and Ron. Before anyone could react, she continued with a light cough, "And now, for the Best Story Overall, we have JA of JAKT with his fic, '1939'!"
Within the bounds of the HSCC, a scene appeared, showing a young Mim Possible, standing before a door. She was speaking to a very paranoid looking man, who had a pistol leveled through the cracked door, trying to relax him before anything untoward happened When the door opened, the display faded and showed JA of JAKT, standing tall in the center of the HSCC stage area..
"'1939', he began without preamble, "Was inspired through a conversation that Cpneb and I had after MrDrP had written his Mim and Jon Valentine's Day Tale. True to his style and fashion MrDrP kept his story in the same time frame and era as 'Rewriting History'. His story was excellent but I always thought there was more to Mim and Jon than what was portrayed there. Cpneb agreed and said 'Why don't you take a crack at it?'
"Well, I did and what you have is a series of stories that seem to capture the heart and imagination of a whole lot of readers. Set during WWII it is easy to see Mim as an Action/Adventure Hero and Jon as her semi-reluctant boyfriend." He smiled at the applause and snickers that ran though the audience, "They just fit so well together!"
More laughter flowed from the audience, and he continued with a happy sigh, "Now it will be back to writing '1945' which is the conclusion of the Saga. All I need is a break from real life and for KT to use the BE-4000 to keep the plot bunnies away for awhile. Of course she has me doing a beta on her own new adventure but you'll all have to wait for that one!"
A disappointed sigh rippled through the audience, and he continued with a good humored smirk, "Again, thank you for your votes and support. We are indeed the 'Kimmunity' and we stand together in all we do!
JA turned and walked towards the back of the HSCC, where a stage door had appeared, and looked back at the audience. As his holographic form slowly dissolved, he raised a hand in a ghostly salute to the audience; then he walked through the stage doors into what appeared to be a dusty street, white in the light of a rising moon. All the while, he appeared to be in thought. And indeed he was, thinking on what was going to happen to Mim and Jon in the next chapter that he was going to write.
Shego nodded appreciatively to the technicians controlling the HSCC, and then to the audience, "And that was JA of JAKT!" she announced, smiling at the still applauding crowd. "Up next, we have two very special guests presenting the awards for Best Short Story, and Best Writer, as well as an official naming and indoctrination of an award given in the past, and please stay with us afterwards as we commemorate those no longer with us…"
