Partners in Crime
By Weirdbard
Chapter 36
Harley stared at the back of Ivy as she sat in the village's garden awaiting sunrise, she ached to join her lover but Harley wasn't quite sure she would be welcomed.
When Ivy had risen from their bed, Harley had given her a weak smile but Ivy had given her the cold shoulder and marched out without speaking to her.
Harley being very hurt by this brusque behavior had followed her lover to the garden but couldn't bring herself to approach any closer.
Glancing out of the corner of her eye Harley gave a slight start as she noticed that she wasn't alone. Ron was standing right beside her and Harley had no idea how long he had been there.
"Darn it Ronnie! You nearly gave me a heart attack. I didn't even sense you coming up beside me!" Harley whispered.
Ron didn't reply but continued to watch Ivy.
Harley turned her own attention back to the redhead in the garden. "She won't forgive me." Harley said her voice breaking. "It was just a few damn tears."
"You cried all night long Harley. We all heard you." Ron finally spoke.
Harley looked horrified. "You did? Its not what you think Ron! I wasn't crying about Mr. J. dying. Really I wasn't!"
"He didn't die Harley. He was killed. Abruptly and in a manner some would say was vicious and callous and he was killed by my orders."
Harley turned and started to put her hand on Ron's shoulder but finally just let her hand drop without touching him. "I know what you are saying Ron and no I don't hate you for what was done. And damn it I am not crying over Mr. J.!"
"Then why are you crying?"
"I'm not..." Harley reached up and touched just under her eye and found moisture there. She was crying. "I'm crying cause I'm scared I'm losing Ivy, you, Bonnie and even Shego."
Ron turned to look at Harley but his eyes were hard and cold. "You are lying Harley and you know it."
Harley hugged herself. "I am not in love with the Joker. Not any more! You just don't understand. You can't. He wasn't always the monster you met. At one time he was a fun guy. When I first joined him, me and him had fun. We painted the town red. Literally. With red latex paint and everything. We painted mustaches on all the faces on billboards. We threw explosives in the Gotham's Center fountain and watched it blow up water on all the rich people coming out of a fancy concert. Nobody got hurt but boy did they look funny all wet and dripping like that. It was innocent good fun."
Ron continued to stare at Harley and after a moment she couldn't meet his eyes and looked away. "Okay, maybe not innocent fun and the part where nobody got hurt didn't last that long but it was exciting and new." She sighed sadly. "You just don't understand."
"Don't I?" Ron stated. "I met Kim in preschool. I was alone and for some reason no one seemed to like me. Even as a little boy with all the 'girls are icky' stupidity I knew Kim was a goddess in human form. Red flaming hair, independent to a point most adults never get to be and with a thirst for adventure no matter what the form. When she told me that I was weird but she liked weird I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. Years and years of sitting close watching tv together. Being dragged to the mall so she could shop. Being led by the nose on 'save the world' missions when we got older..." Ron paused and sighed himself.
"You still love her." Harley breathed.
"No. Not any more. I love the time we had together but she changed. She changed so slowly I didn't even realize it until it was too late. We are now too different to ever reclaim what we once had and I'm all right with that. People change, they evolve and move on. I understand that but..."
"You mourn the loss of what once was." Harley finished.
Ron gave a nod.
Harley bit the edge of her lip with one pearly white tooth. "You do understand." She finally said. She looked back at Ivy. "She doesn't."
Ron finally softened the look on his face and raised the arm closest to Harley. Harley almost instinctively moved to his side and Ron wrapped his arm around her waist. "Ivy never allowed anyone to get close to her before. I really believe you are the first human she opened her heart to. So you crying over the loss of you and the Joker's past has hit her like the worse betrayal. She is probably asking herself if you ever loved her like she loves you or if something were to happen to her would you cry as much over her as you are the Joker."
Harley looked up horrified again at Ron's profile. "If something were to happen to Ivy I would die Ron. She means everything to me. The Joker maybe my past but Ivy and the rest of you are my present and hopefully always my future."
"Then I think we need to make sure she knows that. Don't you?" Ron said starting to move towards where Ivy was sitting and pulling Harley along with him. He stopped when he felt Harley resisting his movement.
"What if she rejects me Ronnie? What if she decides she is tired of dealing with all my baggage and she would rather stay with her plants? I can't do this Ronnie. I can't face her right now."
Ron tightened his grip around Harley's waist and wouldn't let her run. "Harley." He said firmly. "You are smarter than that. You know that letting this grow between you two will only result in things getting worse.
Harley put a little more effort into getting away from Ron before giving up and allowing him to practically drag her towards Ivy. "But I'm scared Ronnie." She whined barely above a whisper.
"You? Harley Quinn? I thought you were never scared of anything." Ron said in a slight teasing manner.
"I'm afraid of a lot more than you know Ronnie. I just cover it up by playing the ditz and joking."
They both grew quite as they neared the seated Ivy. She was sitting amongst the plants with her legs folded and her eyes closed as she waited the first light of dawn. Ron and Harley couldn't resist looking towards the west as the sun peaked over the hills and light filled the valley. Neither of them had the same affinity to plants as Ivy did but they both felt the sensation of the world taking a breath as the day began. A moment after the sun shined into the valley it was followed by a light breeze as the warm air rushed down into the valley dispelling the slight chill of night.
Dawn and twilight were truly magical times and it was hard not to be swept up by the moment.
But like all moments, it had to end.
Ivy opened her eyes and glanced over at Ron. "Made her come out to see me did you?"
"Hi Red." Harley said with an attempt at a smile.
Ivy didn't return the smile and Harley seemed to wilt. "I wanted to talk to you this morning but you left."
Ivy continued to sit cross legged in the field and stare up at her. "I figured you would probably want to visit the Joker's body this morning."
Harley flinched. "No. I couldn't even if I wanted to. The Bebes won't tell me where they put it."
Ivy's face grew even harsher. "So you asked."
Harley couldn't meet her or Ron's eyes so she stare at the ground. It felt like knives plunging into her heart as she noticed the tiny plants and vines on the ground were actually leaning away from her as if they were shunning her too. Considering they were picking up on Ivy's emotions, they probably were doing just that.
"Ivy." Ron said firmly. "Harley and the Joker had a past together. You can't condemn her for feeling sorrow that it has ended."
"Can't I?" Ivy replied coldly. "Doesn't it bother you? A woman you have in your bed on a regular basis maybe secretly hates and loathes you cause you killed her precious clown? Aren't you going to wonder if maybe some night she doesn't pull a knife from behind her and slit your throat into a parody of a smile to get revenge for her precious circus freak?"
Yes Ivy was being deliberately cruel and vicious toward Harley and even Ron but she was hurting.
Hurting more deeply than she ever believed she could.
The times when Harley would come to her after the Joker nearly beat her to death and spending time nursing Harley back to health only to see the blond bounce back to her precious Mr. J. as soon as she was able to.
Each time Ivy fell more and more in love with the bubbly blond only to be rejected as she went back to the homicidal clown. The last time when Harley came to her and Ivy thought that that time she wasn't going to be able to pull Harley from death's doorway and actually began to have her plants dig a plot in the garden for Harley's remains and only through a miracle managed to save Harley's life. Through the whole ordeal Ivy tried to steel her heart in preparation for Harley to announce that it wasn't really Mr. J's fault and this time things would be different. Just you wait and see. Ivy was prepared for the routine once again only to have Harley tell her that she was finally done with the Joker and she knew Ivy had feelings for her and returned those feelings. Ivy had finally allowed herself to fall the rest of the way into total devotion to Harley.
But even in that moment of joy there was always that secret fear deep inside her heart that someday Harley might leave her once again for the Joker.
When they had been swept into this world's dimension Ivy had allowed herself to finally relax. The Joker was beyond Harley now.
There was nothing that could separate them.
Then Ron and Shego came into their lives.
For a while Ivy had feared that Ron would become Harley's new Joker but when she realized that Ron wasn't trying to steal Harley from her and neither was Shego, she accepted them both into her world view. Bonnie was a little slower for Ivy to accept and she still felt a trace of annoyance when Harley would snuggle into the woman in the mornings but she managed to keep it from becoming true jealousy and just accepting that Harley was a snuggler and the fact that she knew in the end Bonnie was totally devoted to Ron.
But then the Joker found his way here! And Harley started acting like a rabbit in a wolf's den. At first Ivy had comforted herself with the notion that Harley was just fearful what the Joker would do to their new family if he caught them, but then... At night, she started to wonder if Harley's apprehension wasn't more she was afraid what she might do if faced with him again? Maybe Harley feared that if she saw the Joker again and he opened his arms to her and said, "come here baby." She wouldn't have raced into his arms without a glance backward for Ivy? And then Ron destroyed the killer clown. Something Ivy would never say to him but she never loved more another person besides Harley than she did Ron at that moment.
He took away her greatest fear.
And Harley cried. She didn't cheer. She didn't even tell Ron or the Bebes thank you. She CRIED. Not one tear or two but she cried all night long.
"No Ivy, I don't think Harley will kill me someday in revenge for the Joker." Ron said distracting Ivy from her ever darkening thoughts.
"How do you know Ron? How do you know? Humans are unreliable. They change their minds and hearts all the time. Plants are honest. They never change." Ivy stated and closed her eyes.
"So that is it then?" Ron asked her. "Harley has a moment of weakness and cries for memories of good times she had with someone who is now dead and you reject her, you reject me, you reject Shego and Bonnie? You reject the people of this village who practically worship the ground you walk on for your plants?"
"Its just easier to be a plant." Ivy whispered.
"But you are not a plant Ivy. You are a woman. A woman with a unique talent with plants, yes. You are a woman who can communicate with plants and they with you but in both cases the first thing you are is a woman."
Ivy let out a soft snort. "I know a lot of people who would argue with you on that Ron."
"And no one knows you as well as I do. Or Harley does. Or Shego. Or even Bonnie. So I can't care less what the 'others' out there say about you."
Again Ivy snorted. "What do you know about me? Do you know of the times I've twisted and bent humans into trees to make them pay for what they did against Mother Nature? Do you know of my plans to spread toxic gases through Gotham to force the people out so nature could rule in peace?" Ivy glared up at Ron. "What do you really know about me Ron?"
Ron didn't want to use what he had learned of Ivy against her but he had to reach her. "I know of the little girl with red hair who wanted only to have her parents hold her and tell her that they truly loved her and that she was their precious flower but was rejected and sent out to the garden to keep from annoying them."
If looks could kill, Ron would have been a dead man. The plants near his feet began to twitch and thrash as they picked up the tumultuous emotions coming off their mistress.
"You are our precious flower Ivy. Please don't sprout thorns to keep us away. Not now. Not with all we have been through." Ron said softly as he knelt and brought Harley down with him. They were on their knees a few feet away from Ivy.
"I really love you Red. I just got swept up from emotions from the past last night is all. I'm glad that Mr.. I mean the Joker is dead. Now nothing can separate us." Harley pleaded.
Ivy sighed and looked down at the plants near her legs. The plants continued to sway one way and then the other before firmly leaning towards Ron and Harley.
"Oh all right. I suppose you are forgive..." Ivy barely managed to get out before she was knocked over by Harley diving on top of her. Harley fervently kissed Ivy over and over as her hands fisted in the red head's hair. Ivy realized as her face grew wet that the young blond was crying the entire time.
"Its okay Harl... Its okay. I forgive you."
"Not all that I want to hear Pammy." Harley murmured as she continued to kiss her.
Ivy only had to think a moment before replying. "I love you Harley."
Harley tried to wrap herself around Ivy as if she feared the woman would suddenly leave. Something Ivy had not intention of doing and couldn't even if she wanted to as Ron joined the hug fest going on. A moment later she felt two other people join the party and looking up she saw Bonnie and Shego had joined them in the garden.
After several long moments, the group finally released their group hug.
Harley her hair completely in disarray and tears running down her face said between hiccups. "God I love this group but can we not have any more drama breakthroughs for a while? Its totally draining."
Shego gave out a laugh. "I know what you mean. I've never been this touchy feely in my entire life as I have been around you all."
"I like it." Bonnie stated. "Its like we're a family. A loving family."
"We are Bon Bon." Ron stated solemnly. "And no one will ever break us apart. We've been through the storms and nothing can affect us as a group again. As Harley said, no more emotional dramas, well except for most of the world wants to see us dead but no more personal emotional dramas anyway."
"So...What do we do now that we have had our big emotional breakthrough of this morning?" Shego asked looking around.
"Go shopping?" Bonnie asked.
"I would rather spar with someone." Shego stated.
"You all could help me in the garden?" Ivy asked as she cradled the nearly spent from crying Harley.
"Happy time." Harley pleaded in a whisper.
Ron nodded his head. "I think that is a wonderful idea."
"I'll tell the Bebes to make our excuses for us to the villagers if they come to the house." Shego said and then looked around. "Say, where are our Bebes anyway?"
A sudden zing noise and the group was surrounded by the metal women that were their constant escorts.
"Where did you gals go?" Harley asked.
"It was determined that Ron and his ladies needed some alone time. Was this conclusion in error?" Harley's Bebe answered.
"No, the conclusion was not only correct but very insightful." Ron told her.
Even though no emotion could be shown on the cold metal faces of the Bebes, Shego could almost swear the Bebe glowed a bit brighter for Ron's praise.
Nevada: The underground lair.
Drew Lipsky wandered in to the kitchen from the media room. He had decided to take his 'vacation' while the Bebes and Ron Stoppable decided his fate and do something he had never done before. Take in some online courses that had nothing to do with technology or 'world conquest' plans. He was studying sociology and psychology. Already he was seeing where he made his mistake in his own life by allowing embarrassment and humiliation to detour him onto the wrong path. A path that the Joker had shown him the ultimate end destination and it was one that Drew had no desire to end up at.
A Ultra Bebe was waiting in the kitchen and as soon as he sat down at the table she began to fix him something to eat. Drew watched the robot work and pondered their existence. They had gone from his weapons of vengeance to his guards and now were more like surrogate mothers than anything else.
Drew winced at the thought and made a mental note that when it was later in the day to call his real mother and make a clean confession to her about what her baby boy had been doing for so many years and his resolution to change his ways now. Drew didn't really believe he had his mother fooled all these years. Mama Lipsky was no one's fool and Drew firmly believed she knew her son had been involved in some shady dealings in the past but she never pressed the issue. Drew expected she would forgive him for his 'take over the world plans' as in most cases no one was ever seriously hurt in them but he felt a soreness in the chest when he thought about confessing to her how he stood by while the Joker had viciously murdered people while he did nothing to stop it.
Sensing more than seeing a change in the room, Drew looked to the entrance of the kitchen and spied three darker shadows near the doorway.
"Who the devil are you?" He asked.
One of the shorter shadows stepped away from the rest and a moment later pulled off a dark hood to reveal a young attractive Japanese woman.
"My name is Yori. Where is Stoppable-san?"
Drew blinked a few times and then shrugged. "He's not here. He's in Africa helping some people over there."
Yori scowled for a moment before, with a visible effort, she returned to a serene expression. "It would seem we have missed Stoppable-san again."
"Drew Lipsky here will be joining the Leader soon." The Ultra Bebe supplied.
"I will?" Drew asked in surprise.
"The Pan-Dimensional Vortex Inducer has been located and is being brought to this location. The Leader wishes certain modifications made to the device and as you are more familiar with the device than anyone else, he requests that you make the modifications." The Bebe informed him.
Drew looked thoughtful. "What kind of modifi..." He got as far as saying before another Bebe zipped in carrying a computer pad and placed it before him. Drew's brows drew together as he studied the digital diagram displayed on the device. "Oh I see what he is thinking." He muttered to himself. "But how does he..." The Bebe that had brought in the pad placed a finger on the screen and the diagrams shifted.
"Oh yes. Very clever but what about..." Another touch of a metal finger and the diagram shifted again. "Stoppable came up with this on his own?" He asked in awe.
"The concepts were the Leader's but possible circuit ideas were supplied by the Hive Mind." The Bebe told him.
"How will Mr. Lipsky be transported to where Stoppable-san is?" Yori asked remind everyone she and her two ninja shadows were still in the room.
"A plane is being procured." The Bebe that was cooking Drew's meal replied.
"We shall travel with him." Yori stated. A slight cough was heard behind her from one of the ninja shadows. "If that is permissible?" Yori amended.
The Bebe seemed to consider for a moment. "It is." She finally stated.
Slim Possible's Ranch. Very late at night.
Monique having trouble sleeping had gotten up to get something to drink and made her way into the room that Wade had commandeered for his computer room. Even though it was extremely late at night Monique wasn't all that surprised to see Wade hunched over his keyboard by the dim light of the multiple monitors. She was surprised however to see Kim standing behind his chair and almost on top of the young man as she leaned over him.
"Well?" Kim demanded.
"I'm trying Kim but the video feed is highly secured and classified. Not to mention that its late at night and the man you want is probably asleep and may not even answer the call if he even hears it."
"Those guys are used to late nights. And I'm Kim Possible. They'll answer."
Monique walked over to the desk and leaned her hip on the corner of it. "And who are you trying to reach?" She asked.
Wade glanced over and then did a almost comical double take as he realized that Monique was not wearing normal clothing as she had just gotten out of bed and wasn't expecting to run into anyone this late at night. She was wearing a lacy white camisole and a very short white gauze like skirt thing.
"Ah..." Wade breathed as his mind started to shut down.
Monique flashed him a smile as Wade could only blink.
"We need more light in here." He finally managed to say.
Kim frowned and slapped him on the back of the head. "No we don't. Keep your mind on the prize."
"I am." He muttered.
"Not... That... Prize." Kim growled as she reached out and taking Wade by the top of his head turned his face towards the monitor again.
"Kim remember when a while back when you told me to tell you when you started acting like an ass again?" Wade growled himself. "You are starting to act like an ass again."
"And you are acting like a horny teenager." Kim replied.
"I am a horny teenager." Wade muttered but this time under his breath as his fingers flew across the keys of his keyboard.
Monique shook her head at their antics and looked around the room. She almost gave a jump when she spotted a darker shadow in the room a few feet away. She rolled her eyes when she realized who it could only be. "So Bruce.. Or Batman? I can't tell in this dim light what you are wearing right now. What are these two trying to do now?"
"I'm trying to reach the head of the Security Council of the United Nations." Kim answered instead.
"Whatever for?" Monique asked.
"She believes that she can convince them to designate her as a official U.N. Observer." Batman answered.
"To?" Monique prompted but then answered her self. "The country that Ron is currently at in Africa." "Of course." She added sarcastically.
"See?" Kim said to Wade. "Even Monique realizes how obvious this is. Who else would be allowed access to the village Ron is holding than me? Ron trusts me and would welcome me with open arms. And the U.N. Will listen to my reports. I'm Kim Possible after all. My integrity is beyond question!"
Monique rolled her eyes. "Yeah and Kim is so fair and unbiased. Just listen to her. The village Ron is 'holding'."
Kim shot her a frown. "You know what I meant."
Wade yawned and then blinked. "Hey. The video call is going through."
Kim without another thought shoved Wade, chair and all, to the side and then knelled down so would be visible in the net camera attached to the computer. Wade started to become annoyed by her actions... That is until he realized when Kim shoved his chair it caused him to roll right next to Monique who was still lounging on the desk. His arm on the chair actually touching Monique's bare thigh just below where the skirt thing ended. Slowly his eyes traveled up Monique's thigh to her waist and then froze on her camisole covered chest so near to him.
Monique took one finger and putting under his chin raised his face till he was looking up into her eyes. "Don't even think about it."
"Can't I dream?"
Monique shook her head at him but then couldn't help but smile. "Okay, you can dream but you aren't going to touch."
Kim flashed a look of annoyance at the two before sighing and then facing the net camera again. "Hello Director. I'm Kim Possible and I think I can be of help to you and the U.N."
Slim Ranch: Morning
"Mom you have to understand! I could only convince the U.N. To allow myself and one other observer access to the town Ron is hold..." Out of the corner of her eye Kim could see Monique glaring at her again. "The town where Ron is at."
Kim's mom was starring at her child in annoyance. "So why not take me or even Monique? Why must the other person be him." Ann Possible said gesturing at Bruce. "No offense Bruce. Its just if Kim is hoping to get Ron to leave that town why take you? He doesn't know you and has no reason to trust you."
Bruce shrugged. "No offense taken."
"I told you mom, it is because Ron is surrounded by those other..." Kim sneered. "Women. I can handle Shego and Bonnie but its best if Bruce deals with Harley and Ivy. He knows them and their tricks."
Monique snorted. "And just how are you going to explain Bruce when he shows up wearing his armor? A man dressed like a bat? Yeah the U.N. Is going to love that. And who are you going to get to handle the Bebes? Have you forgotten about them? They will be around Ron as well."
"I don't need to worry about the Bebes. Once I have made Ron see reason he'll order the Bebes to stand down and they will listen to him." Kim said answering Monique second question first. "And as for Bruce being dressed as Batman? I've already discussed it with him. He'll carry his costume in a brief case like thing and be dressed like a normal person. The U.N. Have stated that they will not enter the village or even wait around. They are going to just drop us off and then return six hours later to get us. So as soon as they are out of sight Bruce will change to Batman and we'll go into the village that way."
"Kim I think this is a bad idea and can only end badly. Why don't you just..." Ann paused for a moment and then finally just said it. "Why don't you just leave Ron alone? Accept he is out of your control and let him live his own life?"
Kim looked at her mother in shock. "Leave Ron alone? I'm trying to save Ron! Those foul women have messed with his mind and are causing him to make foolish decisions. They are going to get him killed!"
Monique snorted again. "Yeah. Foolish decisions. Like feeding the hungry. Ordering his Bebes to help accident victims and protecting children from killers like the Joker."
Kim turned on Monique with a snarl. "Don't bring up the Joker! I still can't believe Ron had those Bebe machines kill a man in cold blood like that! Its the proof that Ron is out of control and needs me to help him see the light."
"Needs you to help..." Monique repeated before looking at Kim as if she had spouted another head. "You haven't been talking to your shrink lately have you? You are starting to lose it again."
The look Kim gave her friend caused Wade to step up beside Monique. "Look Kim, say you manage to talk Ron into leaving the other women. Say you even manage to get him to order the Bebes to stand down. What makes you think the African government over there won't just immediately arrest him and try him for war crimes as soon as you bring him out?"
"I'm Kim Possible." Kim stated as if her next statement was obvious. "Once I tell them that Ron wasn't in control and Shego, Bonnie, Ivy and Harley were controlling him, they'll let him leave."
Monique stared at Kim for a moment before shaking her head. "This is going to end so badly." She said repeating what Ann Possible had said a few moments earlier.
One day later. With Drew Lipsky and the ninjas.
Drew looked at the newly purchased plane the Bebes had procured over the internet in trepidation. Oh he wasn't worried about the Bebes piloting the thing. He had complete confidence in their abilities. It was just it felt wrong for him, a one time criminal on the run to board a plane in bright sunlight. Not to mention being accompanied by ninjas.
Of course the ninjas were no longer in their black uniforms and were dressed as normal people and now that Drew's blue skin had faded to a normal healthy human color there wasn't much chance he would be recognized but still it felt highly surreal.
He looked over to a Bebe dressed in a chauffeur's costume with the hat pulled low to hide her metallic appearance. "Are you sure the sale was legitimate and there is nothing shady about this?" A part of himself marveled at him worrying about a sale being on the up and up but he just brushed it aside. Criminal activity was the old Drakken and he was now Lipsky and wanted to stay crime free. Except if Stoppable asked him to do it. He owed that boy too much to deny him anything at this point.
"The sale is completely legal and the plane is in perfect condition. Bebes checked it out." The Bebe replied.
Drew having to accept the word of his once creation glanced over at the Japanese woman Yori. He could see something in her hands as she appeared to work on it and it tugged on his memory but couldn't quite place the object or where he may have seen one like it before. "What are you working on?" He finally asked.
The ninja woman made the object in her hands vanish instantly, almost as if she was a stage magician doing a sleight of hand trick. "Just something in case Kim Possible shows up." She stated.
"Why would she show up where we are going?" Drew asked. "I mean with all that has happened she surely doesn't believe that Stoppable is going back to her now?"
Yori gave a careless shrug. "Where Stoppable-san is concern I don't believe Possible will ever give up on trying to regain control."
"I understand that Kim Possible can be a bit... Headstrong but surely even she realizes that Stoppable has gone too far to just simply go back to being her sidekick?"
Yori smiled a slight smile that should have looked completely harmless but it set off almost as many alarms in Drew's mind as the Joker's permanent grin had done. Drew finally decided that the ninja's plans for Kim were her business and he has his own problems to worry about. Mostly getting the Transdimensional Vortex Inducer modifications that Stoppable wanted done before they arrived so he concentrated on the device while the ninjas sat in the back of the plane and talked among themselves quietly. Not that it matter how loud they were as they were talking in Japanese and Drew couldn't speak a word of it.
Africa. Kim and Batman
Arriving in the Capital city of Ethioswana, Kim was whisked away to see the reigning woman president of the country. A stern silver haired African woman who had ruled her country with an iron grasp for over 20 years since her tribe had come into wealth and power.
The ruler known simply as Serafina.
Kim had met her once before when she and Ron had been sent over to protect food supplies sent to help feed the starving other tribes of the country. After Kim had learned that the food stores were going to be given not to the hungry people but to the already over supplied military of the Tazo she had confronted the woman ruler and had been ordered by her and the American government back home.
Kim was really hoping that the woman president had forgotten that incident.
Seeing the glare the woman was giving her, Kim doubted it.
Looking around at the reception hall where the President of this country dealt with people, a room which looked more like a throne room of a queen than a public reception area, Kim noticed the massive bank of computers, television equipment and monitors. While the rest of her country that was not Tazo might be almost primitive, her tribe was very technically advanced.
Among the buzz and whine of electronic equipment in the background, Kim thought just for a moment she heard the distinctive sound of a Bebe moving at hyper speed and spun around to look. Not seeing anything and be mindful she was in the presence of the President of this country, Kim choked it up to nerves on her part and turned back to look at the ruler.
"So, the American Kim Possible has managed to return to my country?" The President Serafina said from her throne as she glared down at the younger woman. "And I see you are no longer dragging that boy around with you but have upgraded to a real man?" She added looking curiously at Bruce who was standing behind Kim.
"Rrrr, er right." Kim said. She had been about to say that Ron had been her partner not just some boy she had dragged around, but at the last second remembered that Ron was now considered a war criminal in this country. Breathing out a sigh of relief she realized that once again Ron's ability to seemingly be forgotten was working in her favor for a change. The ruler did not connect the Ron that had traveled with Kim in the past with the new Ron who was in her country.
Kim did wonder however if the woman Serafina was getting senile in her old age. Even if she couldn't remember Ron clearly from the past events, didn't the news media constantly mention the connection between Kim and this Ron?
"I am..." Kim paused and then waved a hand towards Bruce. "I mean we are here simply as observers from the U.N. We are going to visit the village that... Has been taken over and then make a report to the U.N. Of our findings."
"Then that useless organization will permit me to bomb it?" President Serafina asked as she leaned forward eagerly.
"Um, I can't make that promise." Kim said grinding her teeth. "Only that they will most probably act on the information I provide them."
"Then let's hope your information is the correct one." Serafina said with a smile that showed perfect white teeth that suddenly reminded Kim of a shark's. Kim had dealt with many 'villains' during her career but most of them resonated with a kind of goofy incompetence so that none of them ever really scared her. But this woman gave off an almost tangible sense of evil so she was relieved when they were ushered out a moment later.
Kim wondered what was going to give out on her first on this journey. Her rear end or her teeth? Her rear end from the bumpy ride in the back of a speeding jeep or her teeth from grinding them in anger over how she was being treated.
Kim was used to being treated like a hero that she was but this trip she was being treated like some kind of political baggage from the U.N. Didn't they know who she was?
After her brief and chilling meeting with the ruler of the country, she and Bruce had been thrown into the back of the jeep and driven at speeds that had left Kim white knuckled before being dumped near a hilly range in the middle of nowhere.
Their driver pointed at a path that lead between the low hills and told them the Otunga village was "that way".
And then the driver turned his jeep around and laughing drove off leaving them. In a matter of moments he was gone leaving nothing behind but a dust cloud.
Kim looking around spotted some stakes driven in the ground and knew from news reports she had seen that this was the 'line in the desert'. The point where if you went past, you would be confronted by the 'mysteries of the wind' that had ripped the Tazo military of its vehicles, stripped its soldiers bare and then dumped them miles from here. To the Tazo they were a mystery but of course Kim knew that meant that the Bebes were somewhere close by watching and guarding the pass into the valley of the Otungas.
Kim turned to ask Bruce on how he thought they should proceed but noticed he was no longer by her side.
Kim was just about to get nervous when she noticed Bruce strolling back from some boulders near the valley entrance and that he was now dressed in his black batman armor.
"So how do you think we should proceed Batman?" Kim asked him.
Batman for his part didn't answer her but just walked up to the edge of the stake line and called out. "We are here as observers from the U.N. Will we be permitted access?"
A high pitch whine and a blink of an eye and there were now three Bebes standing directly in front of him, just on the other side of the stake line.
"Greetings Batman and Kim Possible. We have been waiting for you." The lead Bebe said.
"So Ron knows I'm here?" Kim asked.
"We Bebes have not yet informed the Leader that the U.N. Observers are you and Batman."
"Why haven't you?" Batman asked curiously.
"The Leader Ron is currently with his ladies and it was decided that for his peace of mind we not inform him of this fact in front of them. Ron knows that there are two officials here to meet with him but not who they are as of yet."
Kim shrugged. She didn't care what kind of fit Shego, Harley or the rest might throw or if it was going to disturb Ron's peace of mind. They were official so they couldn't keep them out without causing even more problems. "So how are we going to get to the village?" She asked.
A moment later the Bebes blurred into action and with their high pitched whine went into hyper speed. Kim didn't even have a moment to prepare before she was plucked off her feet and along with Batman were once again carried like a sack of potatoes by the metal women.
"Oh not again?" Kim thought sourly to herself as she had to close her eyes against the sting of the wind as the Bebes carried her and Batman at high speed to the village.
Ron faced Kim and Batman at the outskirts of the village, at his back he could hear the high pitch whine of arriving Bebes and knew that the Bebes had brought the others out as well. He could almost feel the animosity of Shego and the rest of his ladies as they glared past him at Kim.
"Today is going to be such a fun day." Ron thought sarcastically to himself.
"Hey Screaming Red." Harley called out to Kim.
"So not helping Harley." Ron thought as he saw Kim grit her teeth and then with a visible effort relaxed. On Ron's shoulder Rufus raised a tiny paw and face palmed as if mirroring Ron's thoughts.
"Hello Miss Quinn." Kim replied evenly. "Help Ron to kill any more old boyfriends lately?"
Ron's eyes grew wide in astonishment at Kim. He knew she could be as vindictive as anybody but that was a cheap shot that he wouldn't have thought that Kim would have used. Looking at Batman wearing his armor, he could see that the eyes behind the cowl also widen as Batman glanced down at Kim.
Ron turned to look back over his shoulder at Harley to see how she was taking Kim's comment.
Harley appeared frozen for a moment before she replied as if after deep thought. "Not that I can remember. Have you chased any more of your boyfriends into another woman's arms with your shrill screeching?"
Kim's face flamed red in anger and Ron could see her hands tighten into fists before once again she visibly relaxed herself and replied nearly calmly. "I seem to remember that Ron didn't run from me but was kidnapped by a psycho clown wannabe and a toxic fern."
"The name is Poison Ivy." Ivy growled but then after a moment shrugged. "Nowadays I just go by either Ivy or Pamela."
Batman examined Ivy for a moment before turning his attention back to Ron and Kim.
"Whatever." Kim said dismissively. "Ivy, Fern. Its all plants. Say Ron? Is hugging her like cuddling up with a plate of salad?"
Ron without looking back at the group raised a hand to forestall Harley charging Kim as he could sense that she was about to do just that. "Stop it Kim. You managed to gain U.N. Observer status to get into this village but that does not give you the right to insult any of my ladies. Frankly Kim, I thought you were better than this."
Rufus blew a raspberry in her direction for insulting Ivy.
Kim blew out a breath in anger and pointed at Harley. "She started it."
Harley standing behind Ron stuck her tongue out at Kim, only to pull it back in and adopted an innocent look as Ron turned his head to glace back at her. As soon as Ron turned back to look at Kim, Harley made faces at Kim once again.
"Stop that Harley before your face freezes that way." Ron said without looking back.
Harley gave a slight start and said in a guilty voice. "Yes Ronnie."
Bonnie watching couldn't stifle a giggle, which instantly drew Kim's attention to her. "Don't think I've forgotten about you either Bon Bon. Those two escaped freaks from another dimension may have kidnapped Ron but you started him on his down slide to corruption when you stole him from me first."
Bonnie scowled at her long time rival. "First off Kim, lets get one thing straight right up front. You don't get to call me Bon Bon. Only my master Ron or my family here get that honor. And secondly, I didn't steal Ron from you. You callously threw him away when you went after my boyfriend only to prove you could."
Kim smirked at her. "Was hardly a challenge to get Brick. And your Master? Can you hear yourself Bonnie? You have mental problems."
"So says Miss Perfect that can't let herself become intimate with lower life forms." Ivy stated loudly.
Kim grew pale and looked over at Ron. "You told them?!"
Ron for his part looked uncomfortable but then said. "I don't keep secrets from my ladies. If nothing else I learned that from you. Keeping secrets can kill relationships."
Kim staggered back as if Ron had physically slapped her.
"Have your 'ladies' been as open with you?" Batman said coming to Kim's defense.
"You refer of course to Ivy and Harley?" Ron asked. "If you mean has Ivy told me of the times when she turned rich business people into trees in revenge of the forests they destroyed, or maybe you mean Harley's involvement with bombings of government offices while under the Joker's influence? Yeah, we've talked. That was then but this is now. They have changed."
"I can't believe how naïve you are Ron. They haven't changed." Kim said with a snort. "They are just playing you and as soon as it fits their plans they will stab you in the back. Shego and Bonnie as well. They don't really care about you. They can't."
"Enough!" Ron replied quietly but still with enough authority in his voice that all of them stopped glaring at each other and turned to regard him quietly. "You and Batman are here only as observers so may I suggest you walk through the village, talk to the people and observe."
Kim snorted again. "As if I am going to get any straight honest answers from the people of this village with your Bebe goon squad walking at my shoulders."
"What would you suggest Kim? In case you are forgotten we are almost at war with the government that rules this country. Its not like me or my ladies can just leave the village while you chat with the people here. You accuse me of being manipulated. How do I know you are not being manipulated by the government into investigating at this exact time so they can launch a secret attack against this village while I deal with your distraction?"
"You are being paranoid Ron. That is what comes from hanging out with women like these." Kim said waving her hand at Shego and the rest. "The government would not dare attack while I'm here. I'm Kim Possible!"
Ron breathed out in a slow five count. "Still Kim what would you suggest? I am not leaving this village unprotected so you can talk to the people."
Kim smiled as if this was exactly what she had been waiting for. "Order your Bebes to leave then."
"Not happening." Ron replied.
"Then order them to stay away from me while I investigate. Make sure they are out of seeing and hearing distance from me at all times I am in the village. That way I can be sure they are not intimidating the people into saying something they don't mean." Kim looked over at Shege, Harley, Ivy and Bonnie. "Keep those skanks away too."
Ron once again raised a hand to keep his women from attacking Kim and then gestured for them to join him in a huddle. Several of the Bebes standing nearby joined as well.
"What do you all think?" Ron asked.
"I think we should mulch her." Ivy replied.
To Ron's surprise a Bebe added. "Termination would be a viable option."
"No." Ron stated flatly. "No one is going to harm Kim or Batman while they are in the village. Remember they are here under a U.N. Banner. To harm them or unduly restrict them will be just the thing the government needs to get the U.N. On their side."
"It doesn't make any difference Ron." Shego said. "No matter if Kim gives a positive review or not, the U.N. Will still in the end justify an attack on you. They'll say Kim is either biased in your favor from your past together or she is being controlled by threats towards the people here. Her being here is basically a waste of time in the first place."
"And that is the point Shego. I want the U.N. To continue to waste time to give us the best chance to come up with a bloodless solution. Every minute I gain is one more minute I can use." Ron then looked at one of the Bebes that had joined the huddle. "What do you gals think?"
"Bebes are not comfortable with the restrictions Kim Possible has proposed on us. There is a 45 percent probability that Possible is only using this observation post as a subterfuge to gain access to you Leader. She may use the proposed restrictions to keep us from aiding you while she stages a kidnapping attempt."
"Not going to happen." Shego stated. "You Bebes maybe restricted in your movements but there is no way in Hell I'm letting Kim even come near Ron while she is in this village."
"No way WE are allowing her to come near him." Harley corrected and Ivy and Bonnie nodded their heads in agreement.
"I really don't think Kim is going to try anything like that." Ron said. "There is no way with all that has passed between me and her that Kim could possibly think we can go back to the way it was. I'm sure she is just here to make sure that I haven't done any of the things the media has accused me of."
Shego snorted. "With Kim's ego I'm surprised she just didn't waltz into town alone and demand you back."
"And if Screeching Red had any faith in you in the first place Ron, she wouldn't believe the media anyway." Harley added.
"I can't help but feel this is all going to end badly." Bonnie offered when Ron looked to her.
Sitting on Ron's shoulder Rufus vigorously nodded his head in agreement.
Batman watched as Ron and his group broke from their huddle. Not even with the enhancements in his cowl could Batman hear what the group had been saying but he noticed the women, the flesh and blood ones that is, didn't seem happy. The Bebes eyes flashed as they looked at Kim and Batman couldn't help but feel that it was somehow an implied threat as well.
"We have decided to agree to your conditions Kim. You and Batman are going to be allowed to wander the village and talk to whomever you wish to. The Bebes will keep their distance from you. As for me and the others? I have some tests I wish to run on a new prototype of Bebe and we will all be on the western edge of town near the fields when you are done." Ron then turned and started to walk to the west leaving Kim and Batman to find their own way through town.
Bonnie glancing over her shoulder watched as Batman and Kim went their own way before speaking to Ron. "Was that wise Master? Why did you tell Kim about the prototype Bebe you have been working on? Won't she just report that back to the U.N.?"
"If I don't miss my guess." Harley stated with a grin. "That is exactly what Ronnie is hoping will happen. He knows either Kim or Batman will sneak out to see what the new Bebe is capable of and when they do and report it back, it will be enough to delay the U.N. And the Tazo government from attacking us."
Ron nodded. "The best defense is one that you never have to use."
Batman and Kim made their way through town. Most of the adults were in the fields bringing in crops and since that was the direction that Ron and his women went, Kim decided for the moment to check out the interior of the town.
The clean and obviously recently repaired buildings were an indication that the Bebes had been very busy. The streets were spotless between the buildings and everything gave off a orderly and organized atmosphere. Which of course was easy to do when you had a slave race of metal women to order about. Kim though to herself.
Passing a street Kim glanced down at it as she prepared to walk past it but then stopped and did a double take. What was obviously a school building could be seen but it was what was outside the building that caused her to pause.
There next to the entrance to the school was a huge mutant looking flower.
Kim blinked but the image remained so she gestured for Batman to join her and she pointed,
As the two watched, a running child from the other direction came to the school building. The young girl paused at the doorway and then bowed to the plant. Kim blinked again as the large tulip shaped flower bobbed its 'head' as if responding. Kim blinked again and then looked towards Batman.
"Its one of Ivy's guardian plants." Batman explained. "They can be quite vicious if Ivy orders it."
"Do you think its there to control the children?" Kim asked nervous for the young girl that was so close to the mutant horror.
Kim's hand shot down to her grappling hook as the plant extended a vine towards the child. She would have shot the grappling hook to pull the vine away if Batman hadn't rested a hand on her shoulder to stop her. They both watched as the child took the vine in her hand with a smile and shook the vine as if shaking hands with a person. The plant creature then released the little girl's hand and the little girl went inside the building as if this was an everyday occurrence. Which as far as Kim or Batman knew, it might just be.
Kim shared a glance with Batman and they turned to walk towards the school building.
The plant creature turned its 'head' and watched them approach.
The thing was massive in size and Kim swallowed nervously as she approached. She noticed out of the corner of her eye that Batman while appearing calm still kept one of his hands near his own utility belt as they approached.
"Um, we are U.N. Observers here to check on the condition of the people of this town." Kim said, feeling foolish for addressing a plant. "We are going to go inside and talk to the children."
The plant creature tilted its 'head' as if considering her statement and then with a shrug of its vines it became still.
"Can that thing understand me?" Kim asked in amazement. Sure Batman had briefed her a little on Harley and Ivy but Kim hadn't put much stock in his statements of Ivy's abilities with plants till this moment.
"It can." Batman assured her.
As Batman approached the entrance alongside of Kim, the plant turned to track his movements. One of its vines twitched in their direction.
"We mean no harm to the children inside. We are just going to talk to them." Batman said to it.
The twitching of the vine ceased and being careful to stay as far away from the plant as she could Kim sidled in through the doorway. Batman walked calmly past the plant but never once did he take his hand away from his utility belt till he made it through the doorway.
Kim finally able to take her eyes off the doorway after making it successfully past the plant horror looked around and saw African children of various ages sitting at desks looking slightly confused themselves. The children seemed to be in ages between five and thirteen. The older children being towards the back of the class while the younger ones were near the front. There were no signs of adults or a teacher present however.
"Um, where is your teacher?" Kim asked.
The younger ones looked back at her in a little fear but no understanding while an older girl of around thirteen stood up and turned to address Kim in fairly decent English. "We do not know. The teacher was preparing our class as usual but suddenly stopped and said she had to leave. That she would be back after our 'visitors' had left. Are you the visitors she mentioned?"
Kim looked in confusion at Batman but after a moment he nodded his head to himself. "Is your teacher a Bebe?" He asked the girl.
"Bebe? The teacher is the teacher" The girl replied.
"One of the metal women. Like the others?" Batman clarified.
The girl's confusion was gone in an instant and she smiled brilliantly. "Oh yes. She is a metal woman but not like the others. She looks like Shego."
"Oh god. Ron had a Bebe made that looks like Shego?" Kim sighed in disgust.
"No. The teacher was created by a man named Drakken. She was damaged when the Leader Ron came to our village and when he left the Teacher asked to stay behind to teach us. The teacher has been completely repaired now though."
"Ordered to stay behind to teach them what Ron wants them to think." Kim sadly said to herself.
Batman pointed at the doorway to the school building. "And the plant outside. Why is it there? To keep you inside?"
The girl looked confused again. "You mean Baby? She does not keep us inside. She is there to protect us if anyone attacks our town again."
"Protect you? Is that what they told you?"
The girl continued to look slightly confused. English was not her language but she was taking a class in it and was their best student, hence why she addressed the strangers in the first place. On the surface of things it appeared that the strangers were just asking simple questions but the way they were phrasing it made it seem like they didn't trust the Leader Ron or his friends and that was just silly.
She tried again. "Yes to protect us. The metal women have dug a safe place under this building and if the town is attacked again we are to come here and go there. Baby will stop anyone from getting into the building."
Now it was Kim's turn to be confused. Maybe Ron was helping these people? She looked to Batman. "You did say it was a guardian plant?"
Batman nodded. "Ivy used them to protect her lairs. It is possible that it is here only to see to the safety of the children."
One of the younger boys, who was also fairly good at English class looked at them. "Baby is fun. She plays with us during recess."
Kim knelt down to the seated child's level. "Does she? How does she play with you?"
"We play jump rope with her and she lets us swing in her vines." The older girl explained.
"What are you being taught here?" Batman asked the older girl.
"Many things!" The girl answered brightly. "Math, science, English. Teacher has a set course but we are allowed at the end of the day to study anything we desire."
"And one Bebe teaches all of you?" Kim asked.
"Teacher teaches us." The girl corrected. "But if one of us has problems with something she calls in one of her sisters to help that person."
"Her sisters?" Kim asked Batman.
"The other Bebes. Makes sense in a way. Since the robots communicate over a network and can move at super speeds there is no need for them all to be in here at once. When a student needs individual care their 'teacher' just calls in for extra help."
"So Ron has treated you all right?" Kim asked the older girl as she stood up and moved towards her.
"Of course the Leader Ron has treated us well." The older girl replied in an annoyed voice. "He saved us and brought others who have helped our tribe as well. Dr. Mozenberg and his Mantis that made our crippled walk again and Aunty Ivy who grows the plants that feed us! And he will stop the evil Tazos from trying to destroy us again."
Batman nodded his head towards the doorway and Kim gave a faint nod in return. "We will leave now so that your teacher may return and continue your lessons."
The girl nodded but then paused. "Why do you not like the Leader Ron?" She asked Kim.
"Believe it or not but Ron and I used to be the best of friends. We grew up together. " Kim said wistfully. "But there is a proper way to do things and Ron is not doing it that way. That is why I am... Concerned." Kim finished.
The girl considered Kim's words as Kim and Batman made for the door. "But he saved our lives. Is that not a proper way?" The girl asked.
Kim had no answer for her and rushed through the doorway back to the outside. Kim's emotions were so chaotic she didn't even realize after going through the doorway she paused right next to the mutant plant. Finally Kim looked over to Batman. "I don't know... What to think any more. Is Ron right? Does the end justify the means even if it goes against the law? Am I...Wrong in the way I think?" She asked upset.
Kim couldn't resist a sigh and the closing of her eyes as something gently brushed her hair in a comforting way. It was almost like the way her mother would do when she was a child. Her eyes flew open however when she realized that Batman was standing across from her and it was not he who was comforting her. Looking back she almost screamed when she realized the plant horror was the thing brushing her hair lightly with one of its vines. Regaining control of her nerves Kim resisted the urge to bolt away from the plant and just watched it.
Baby continued to stroke her hair for a moment and then a vine snaked across to her waist and gave her a brief hug before the plant pulled away.
Kim carefully stepped away from the plant till she was next to Batman. "That was different." She finally managed to say.
"I've never seen Ivy's plants act in such a compassionate manner before." Batman had to admit. "Perhaps Ivy and Harley Quinn have changed?"
Kim seemed unsure a moment before firming her resolve. "Maybe but I can't believe that Shego or Bonnie have changed. They are still snakes and Ron is better without them. Come on! There is still more of this village I want to see before I make any decisions." Kim said and stomped away.
Batman continued to watch the guardian plant a moment longer before following Kim. Glancing back he was in time to see a blur race into the school building and realized that the kids' teacher had returned. And he spotted the guardian plant waving goodbye to him. "Yeah, this is different alright." He muttered to himself.