Darkness and Double Crosses

"I can't believe we made it!" Althea gasped as they managed to elude the guards inside the hovercraft.

"I can't believe you know how to fly a helicopter," Gabriel said.

"I took lessons from Bree."

"That explains it," Gabriel groaned. They were hiding in a storage compartment.

"Look we have to find Todd and get him out of here!" Althea said.

"Agreed," Gabriel told her. "But first we have to make sure the other Joes can find us. Fortunately I have this," He pulled out a small black object. "It's a tracking device that sends out a signal that only gets put out on the Joe's frequency. However, we have to set it up in the radio room first."

"Well that's going to be fun," Althea said.

"Normally I would tell you to stay here," Gabriel sighed. "But even I need a pair of eyes to help me install it."

"No problem, we just grab a couple guards, take their uniforms, sneak in and install the device and we are out of there," Althea said simply. "Then we can get Todd."

"Not just Todd. Darkshadow has to be taken out once and for all," Gabriel said.

"I thought you always said revenge was petty?"

"This isn't about revenge. Darkshadow knows too many secrets about the Joes as well as causing havoc and dishonor to our clan," Gabriel told her. "If we don't get him now, he will hunt you, Todd, your family, Stormshadow, Jinx, myself and anyone else that's a threat to him. Understand?"

Althea nodded. She thought to herself: Hang on Todd! We're coming to get you!

************************************************************************

"DARKSHADOW!" Cobra Commander screamed in his office at the monitor. "DARKSHADOW COME IN! That miserable no good ninja! DARKSHADOW!"

Darkshadow's face appeared on the monitor. "You wanted something Commander?"

"Yes I'd like to know why you invaded the Pit before my troops were ready to assist you," Cobra Commander said. "I mean I am the ruler of Cobra and I'd like to keep up on things like when and where my armies are attacking or not! Especially if they take one of my newest weapons!"

"You mean the Lattachris Hovercraft?" Darkshadow asked.

"No I was referring to Santa's sleigh, OF COURSE I MEANT THE LATTACHRIS!" Cobra Commander screamed. "I mean you just can't swipe something the size of Rhode Island away from the base and no one would notice!"

"The timing for the attack was imperative," Darkshadow explained. "In order to keep the Joes off guard. We created heavy damage to the base while obtaining our objective."

"Darkshadow, don't misunderstand me," Cobra Commander softened his tone slightly. "I am pleased you accomplished your mission and left the Pit in ruins. And while I am a believer in doing things in a big way, what I don't understand is why did you need such awesome firepower to simply snatch A SINGLE MUTANT?"

"You needed to test the Lattachris's firepower anyway," Darkshadow. "I would say the test was successful. Anything else?"

"Yes well there is one other thing," Cobra Commander said. "You remember those ninjas you sent to help my operatives in Bayville capture those mutants? They're not following orders. In fact, they turned on their own allies! Can you explain this?"

"Oh yes," Darkshadow said casually. "I've decided to take those mutants too."

"WHAT?" Cobra Commander screamed.

"Well they really are to valuable for a bumbling fool like yourself," Darkshadow said. "Besides, I can control them much better."

"And how do you suppose to do that?" Cobra Commander sneered. "By giving them video games?"

"No by using this," Darkshadow clapped his hands. Todd appeared on the monitor. His eyes were glassy and he was wearing a gold metal headband on his head. "I know its last year's fashion accessory for slaves but classics never go out of style."

"I recognize that!" Cobra Commander sputtered. "That was how we used to control the slaves we captured years ago on our old bases!"

"Yes," Darkshadow smiled. "I must thank you for the use of these control headbands. You really shouldn't leave them lying around where anyone can get them you know."

"You…" Cobra Commander sputtered.

"If you are going to tell me I am not going to get away with this and how I am going to suffer save your breath," Darkshadow snarled. "I've heard it before. Too many times to count. I have been waiting nearly sixteen years to tell you off and I must tell you, it's been worth the wait. Cobra Commander you are without a doubt the biggest moron I have ever met. I have seen kindergartners with more military sense than you have. The fact that you are still alive, let alone the leader of an army amazes me beyond belief."

"Why you ingrate!" Cobra Commander fumed. "If it wasn't for me you'd still be the low man in your clan's totem pole!"

"It was Zartan who helped me, not you," Darkshadow pointed out. "I believe I will keep the Lattachris as well."

"When I find you," Cobra Commander hissed. "There will not be enough of you or your clan left to feed a single worm!"

"Oh yes that reminds me," Darkshadow pulled out a medium sized metallic object. "Must destroy this annoying homing device. Toad, be a good boy and destroy this for me will you?"

Todd used his tongue to grab it from Darkshadow's hand and smashed it with his fists.

"Do you really think that a little thing like destroying a homing device is going to stop me from finding you?" Cobra Commander hissed.

"That and the bomb I put under your desk," Darkshadow smirked. "Sayonara Stupid." He signed off.

"WHAT?" Cobra Commander looked under his desk and saw the time on the bomb nearing zero pretty fast. He barely had time to escape the room before it exploded. Still it singed his clothes and was thrown right on his behind.

"Commander!" Destro ran up to him. "What happened?"

"Note to self," Cobra Commander grumbled. "Never hire any ninjas again!"