Chapter 36: Anchors Aweigh Team Possible
Disclaimer: all characters of the TV show Kim Possible belong to Disney.
The next day, October 28th, at 7:00 am, the alarm clock on Kim's nightstand went off.
Kim and Ron both woke up in perfect unison before the former shut the alarm off.
"Well, KP, it's time to get up," Ron groaned. "I'll go get breakfast made."
Ron was about to climb out of bed when his wife stopped him, "Actually, I feel like going out to eat breakfast at Spacebucks coffee this time; you could use a break from cooking."
Ron nodded, "Okay."
He and Kim then climbed out of bed.
Suddenly, a thought crossed Ron's mind before he asked, "What time will Master and Professor Seki arrive to watch, Han and Ike?"
"They'll be here in a few," Kim replied. "In the meantime, I'll go wake up, Anna, while you go take a shower."
Ron nodded, "I'll get to showering."
After that was said, Kim walked out of the bedroom while Ron headed for the shower.
Kim soon made it to Anna's bedroom and noticed the door closed. She then walked up to the door and knocked on it.
"Come in," Anna's voice announced.
Kim opened the door to see Anna dressed up in a light pink 3/4 sleeve shirt layered underneath a maroon T-shirt with words on the front that read, "I Never Leave Without My" along with a picture of black & white tap shoes; tan pants; her gold locket; a maroon headband, and white sneakers. She was also carrying a black duffle bag with the Hudson River University logo on it over her right shoulder.
"Hey, Mom," Anna said with a smile and wave.
"You're ready to go already?" Kim asked in disbelief.
Anna nodded, "Uh huh. I got up at 5:30, got an hour of tap dancing in, and spent the remaining time getting ready for the trip to Annapolis."
Kim noticed Ike's bed empty, "Where's Ike?"
"He must be downstairs," Anna speculated. "I'm gonna go feed him."
"I'll meet you downstairs," Kim waved.
Soon, Kim walked out of Anna's bedroom and back to her own while Anna ventured downstairs to feed her dog.
At 7:30 am, Kim, Ron, and Anna pulled into the parking lot of Spacebucks Coffee, which was located near the highway, and noticed the restaurant surrounded in yellow tape.
Ron noticed a sign on the front door and read it aloud, "Closed for repairs."
"So, where are we gonna get breakfast now?" Anna asked.
Kim noticed a restaurant on the other side of the highway with a sign that read, "Waffle Palace."
"Let's go stop and eat at, Waffle Palace, instead," Kim suggested.
"Great idea, KP," Ron commented.
"I heard they have the best waffles around, Mom," Anna added.
Rufus popped out of Ron's cargo pants pocket and rubbed his stomach, "Mmm...waffles!"
Soon, Kim drove the Sloth out of the Spacebucks Coffee parking lot and across the bridge over the highway and parked in the Waffle Palace parking lot.
As soon as they walked into the restaurant, they noticed the interior looked like that of a diner. There was a bar with stools that had round red cushions on them and there were booths and tables with red cushioned seats. There was also a red and white checkboard floor and a jukebox.
"Hello, welcome to, Waffle Palace," The host greeted the Stoppables. "Table or booth for three?"
"Booth please," Kim said to the host.
The host then led the Stoppables to a booth located near the restaurant entrance.
As soon as the Stoppables were seated, the host handed them each a menu.
"The waiter will be here in a few," The host said before walking away.
Later, at 8:00 am, the Stoppables were eating breakfast.
"These waffles are delicious," Anna, who sat across from her parents, commented after swallowing another bite. She then leaned in and whispered. "But even though they're considered the best around, I think Dad's are better."
Anna pulled back before Kim, who sat to Ron's right side, nodded, "I think so too, Anna."
"Anna Stoppable?" A young female voice appeared.
Anna looked to her right to see a girl who looked like she was five years old with strawberry-blonde hair tied back into a bun, brown eyes, fair skin, and wearing a black leotard with white tights and black boots. She was also holding a pair of black lace-up tap shoes in her hands.
Anna smiled, "Hello."
Soon, a woman came up to the little girl.
"Ellie what are you doing?" The woman asked.
The little girl gave a nod toward Anna, "I couldn't help myself."
The woman looked up and saw Anna, "I'm so sorry, my daughter saw you and I told her to let you spend time with your parents. Apparently, she refused to listen."
Anna looked up at the woman, "It's, as my mother would say, no big."
"I'm Michelle Kelly," The woman introduced herself. She then introduced her daughter. "And this is my daughter, Eleanor."
"You can call me, Ellie," The little girl added.
Anna looked down at Ellie, "It's nice to meet you, Ellie."
"Ellie saw that video of your performance in Buffalo and it inspired her to take up tap," Michelle pointed out. Anna looked up at Michelle as the latter continued. "In fact, I've heard you've inspired countless people to take up tap. I think you've just brought an old form of dance back into the spotlight."
"Wow," Anna commented in amazement. She then looked back down at Ellie. "So, you tap dance?"
Ellie nodded, "I do and I love it! I wanna be a tap dancer when I grow up!"
"And I believe you will become an excellent tap dancer," Anna said.
Ellie then held out her tap shoes, "Will you autograph my tap shoes?"
Anna nodded, "Of course."
Anna then took out a white Sharpe she happened to have been carrying before taking the tap shoes into her hands and signing each one with, 'To Ellie, my new tap dancing friend, signed', along with her signature.
Anna then handed the tap shoes back to Ellie.
"Thank you, Miss Stoppable," Ellie said as she took the tap shoes back into her hands.
"You can call me, Anna."
"I hope to see you again sometime and keep up the tapping."
Anna nodded, "I will, Ellie, and I hope to see you again as well and keep up the tapping."
"I'll contact you when Ellie's next recital comes up," Michelle spoke up.
Anna looked up at Michelle, "Just contact me through the Team Possible website."
Michelle nodded, "I will, Anna."
"It was an honor meeting you, Anna," Ellie commented.
Anna looked back down at Ellie, "It was an honor meeting you too, Ellie."
After that was said, Michelle and Ellie went back to their table on the other side of the restaurant.
Anna turned to her parents and sighed happily.
"Looks like you have a fan, AC," Ron speculated.
Anna nodded, "I do, and it's amazing that I've inspired many people to take up tap."
"Like you inspired your Nana to take up tap?" Kim asked.
"Yeah," Anna replied. She then thought of something and frowned.
"Anna, what's wrong?" Kim asked, noticing her daughter's frown.
"That little girl and her mother didn't acknowledge you and Dad being here," Anna replied. "Much less ask for your autographs."
Kim laughed, "Anna, your father and I don't care. This was about you, not us."
"You deserve to be admired for your achievements," Ron added.
"Now be a good girl, be happy for all that you've accomplished, and eat your breakfast," Kim added.
Anna smiled a little, "Okay, Mom and Dad."
Kim and Ron smiled and said, "That's my girl."
Anna smirked, "Jinx, you two owe me a soda after the game."
Later, at 8:30 am, after finishing breakfast and paying for it, the Stoppables walked out of the restaurant and climbed into the Sloth.
"Now, off to Annapolis," Kim announced before starting the engine.
Beep Beep Beep Beep
"Or not," Ron groaned.
"What's the sitch, Wade?" Anna answered her Annamunicator.
"Anna, I just got a message from Gene Astaire," Wade announced.
Anna brightened up, "The CEO of, Lapezio?"
Wade nodded, "Yup. His company has developed a new tap shoe they say will revolutionize tap dancing. After learning you were rated the greatest tap dancer in the world, inspired many people to take up tap, and for saving him and his family he would like you to be the first to try them out."
"Where does he want to meet?" Anna asked.
"He wants you to meet him at Lapezio's flagship store in New York City whenever you can," Wade replied.
Anna looked up at Kim, "Mom?"
"You have our permission, Anna," Kim said. "Your father and I will fly you there."
Anna looked back down at Wade, "Tell him I'll be there."
"I'll let him know, Wade out," Wade said.
After the screen went black, Kim navigated the Sloth out of the Waffle Palace parking lot, activated the rocket engines, and took flight for New York City.
A few minutes later, Kim parked the Sloth in front of Lapezio's flagship store in New York City.
"We'll, here we are," Kim announced.
"Let's go inside," Anna suggested. "I don't think we wanna keep the CEO waiting any longer."
With that said, the three Stoppables climbed out of the Sloth, made their way to the two front glass doors of the store, and made their way inside.
After entering the store, Kim, Ron, and Anna took a look at their surroundings and were amazed to see a lot of dancewear, shoes, accessories, and a dance floor.
"Anna Stoppable?" A voice called out.
Kim, Ron, and Anna looked to see a man with black hair, blue eyes, fair skin, and wearing a grey business suit walk up with a smile on his face.
Anna waved, "Hello, Gene."
"Hello, Anna," Gene said before he and Anna shook hands. "It's nice to see you again."
"It's nice to see you again too," Anna commented.
As soon as they pulled away, Gene looked up at Kim and Ron and held out his hand, "It's nice to meet the two of you as well."
"You too, Gene," Kim said, shaking Gene's hand.
"Ditto," Ron added as he shook Gene's hand.
After Gene pulled away, Anna asked, "So you wanted to see me about something regarding a new tap shoe?"
Gene turned back to Anna, "I did, please follow me to the dance floor."
Anna nodded before she, Kim, and Ron followed Gene to the dance floor.
Once they reached the dance floor, Anna noticed a shoe box with the Lapezio logo on the side and a picture of a dancer on the lid sitting on a bench. Gene lifted the lid of the shoe box, revealing black lace-up tap shoes that looked like they were made of both leather and suede and had heels that looked like they were made entirely of stainless steel.
"Wow, what are those?" Anna asked in amazement.
Gene looked at Anna, "Anna, allow me to introduce Lapezio's revolutionary new tap shoe, the Anna Stoppable. It's made of black leather and suede, has heels that are hollow stainless steel, optional rubber sole patches, molded triple density foot bed, padded collar and Achilles notch to relieve pressure."
"Wow!" Anna said in amazement. She then asked. "You named the new tap shoe after me?"
"I got word you've been rated the greatest tap dancer in the world and inspired countless people to take up tap," Gene replied. "And what would be the perfect name for the new shoe than your name?"
"Wow, again!" Anna said excitedly. "May I try them out?"
Gene nodded before he picked up the tap shoes and handed them to Anna.
After Anna took the shoes into her hands, she walked over to another bench, sat down, took off the white sneakers she was wearing, put on the new tap shoes, got back up, and walked to the center of the dance floor.
She then proceeded to tap dance in the new shoes.
A couple minutes later, Anna finished her tap dance.
"So, what do you think of the shoes?" Gene asked.
"They are fantastic!" Anna squealed. "The most comfortable shoes I've ever worn and they make a really great sound. When they hit the market, I'll be sure to buy myself and the Empire State Tappers a few pairs of these shoes."
"Or you can keep the ones you're wearing right now for free," Gene said. "I'll also be sure to give the other members in your group free pairs too."
Anna's jaw dropped, "Are you serious?"
Gene nodded, "Yup."
"Thank you, Gene."
Gene soon thought of something and asked, "Anna?"
"Yes, Gene?" Anna answered.
"Lapezio has been looking for people willing to work part-time," The Lapezio CEO said. "If you accept this job you will be testing our products, posing for photographs, and performing in videos and shows to promote our stuff. Your lifetime Lapezio membership will be upgraded so everything you buy will be 75% off. So, what do you say?"
Anna turned to her parents and asked, "Mom, Dad, will you be alright wi…?"
"Of course, Anna," Kim replied.
"You were meant for this, AC," Ron added.
Anna turned back to Gene, but before she could say anything, a thought hit her like a ton of bricks.
"What about the rest of the Empire State Tappers?" She asked. "I don't want them to feel left out."
Gene held up his hand, "Don't worry, Anna, I sent out job offers to them too and they all accepted on condition that you accept."
"I accept," Anna said. She then thought of something and said. "But I will have to commute between Broy and New York City constantly."
"Don't worry, Anna, Lapezio will be opening a new flagship store Saturday in Broy and you can work for Lapezio there," Gene assured.
Anna smiled from ear to ear, "Thank you, Gene."
"You wanna cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony?"
"Can the Empire State Tappers join me in cutting the ribbon?"
"Yes."
"Then yes."
It was 3:00 pm when Jake and Charlie finished the pre-game show and began broadcasting the football game.
"Hello, everybody," Jake began. "This is Jake Anderson and Charlie Wheeler, bringing you live broadcast of Wildcats' football. Today the Hudson River Wildcats take on the Navy Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland."
Charlie joined in, "Today is overcast but the temperature is nice and it's not gonna rain."
"In other news," Jake spoke. "Former center player, Alex Walker, was caught and arrested for crimes he committed at Hudson River University. It turned out that he was the one who paid student, Hank Harris, to try and frame Kim and Ron for drug possession by planting steroids in their lockers. However, due to a mistake, Hank planted them in the lockers of Frank and Betty Arnold instead. But, Hank soon confessed and was arrested while Frank and Betty were let off."
Charlie then spoke, "Let's not forget that Alex's father, Jay Walker, was arrested for having a hand in committing the crime his son committed; filming Kim and Ron kissing in Paris and in the park in Broy; have Kim and Ron's apartment bugged; hiring former HRU professor, Doctor Jerry Short, to shoot Ron; trying to assassinate Kim with poison and then a gun; and being affiliated with the Worldwide Evil Empire."
"Let's not forget that one of Jay Walker's associates filmed Kim and Ron kissing at the airport in Broy," Jake pointed out. "And that his son takes the videos his father and his associates film and post them on the internet."
"But now, the Walkers are behind bars and no longer a problem," Charlie said. He then saw the Hudson River cheer squad cartwheel their way onto the field. "Here come the Hudson River cheerleaders."
Jake soon noticed a certain cheerleader absent, "I don't see, Betty."
"That's because she was relieved from the cheer squad as a result of almost getting Kim killed," Charlie pointed out. "Jay Walker, disguised as a waiter at the HRU Faculty Club, tricked Betty into taking a break so he could poison Kim's drink and serve it to her."
Just then, a young blonde female caught Jake's eye, "Charlie is that Anna Stoppable I see performing with the HRU cheerleaders?"
Charlie nodded, "You do. Anna Stoppable, who was recently rated as the greatest tap dancer in the world and inspired many to take up tap, was given the opportunity to try out for the squad for foiling Jay Walker's plot to kill Kim and after Betty was relieved. Anna succeeded and has become the first non-student and youngest person to ever become an official Hudson River cheerleader. She and Kim also have become the first mother and daughter to be on the same squad. Not only that, but one of the new cheerleaders, Yori Seki, who came all the way from Japan, happens to be Anna's godmother and the sister of Ron's adopted baby sister, Hana."
"And let's not forget that Yori's brother, Hirotaka, is one of the new linebackers for the Hudson River football team," Jake added. He then noticed the Hudson River football team run out onto the field. "Speaking of which, here they come."
"Look, Kim and Anna both blew Ron a kiss in perfect unison."
A few minutes later, Ron took his position on the field near the end zone on Hudson River's end of the field. Hudson River won the coin toss and chose to receive.
Soon, the kicker from the opposing team kicked the ball high into the air.
Ron noticed the ball coming in, took two steps to the right, caught it, and made his run up the field. The Navy players converged on Ron in a way that blocked Ron's path. He knew there was no way through. But, he quickly noticed Frank wide open and holding his hands out. Ron quickly threw the ball high into the air towards him before being brought down.
The ball was soon caught by Frank who then made a mad dash for the end zone on Navy's end of the field and score a touchdown.
Soon after, the extra point was made, bringing the score up 7-0 with Hudson River on top.
Later in the game, the score was 14-7 with Navy on top and the first half of the game coming to a close.
The Hudson River offense team gathered in a huddle before Thomas spoke, "Okay, fake to Frank, hand off to Ron, sweep left on one."
The team broke the huddle and gathered at the 40-yard-line near Hudson River's end of the field.
As soon as the call was made, the center player snapped the ball into Thomas' hands before Thomas faked the ball to Frank and handed it off to Ron. Ron caught the ball and quickly made his run to the end zone on Navy's end of the field. He noticed a nice little hole between a cornerback and outside linebacker and barley managed to squeeze through the two players. But as he cleared said players, a safety came at him at incredible speed. Before Ron could react, he was brought down at the 30-yard-line near Navy's end of the field.
Ron managed to get back up and rejoin his teammates before Thomas spoke, "Okay, Ron sweep left, Frank sweep right, fake to Ron, pass to Frank, on one."
The team broke the huddle and gathered at the 30-yard-line.
Suddenly, Frank moved forward before Thomas made the call.
A whistle was blown and a flag was thrown before a referee spoke to the crowd, "False start, Hudson River, Number 13, Offense. 5-yard-penalty."
The players moved back to the 35-yard-line.
Thomas made the call and the play began. The center player snapped the ball into Thomas' hands. Ron and Frank both ran in the directions they were told to run before Thomas faked the ball to Ron and passed it to Frank. Frank caught the ball and made 10 yards before being brought down.
Frank quickly got back up and rejoined his teammates before Thomas spoke, "Okay, fake to Rico, lateral to Ron, sweep left, on two."
The team broke the huddle and gathered at the 25-yard-line.
Thomas made the call and the play began. The center player snapped the ball into Thomas' hands before Thomas faked the ball to Rico and lateraling it to Ron. Ron caught the ball and made his way up the field as fast as he could. He managed to squeeze through a nice little hole between a cornerback and an outside linebacker. Afterward, he soon noticed the safeties coming at him and needed to act fast. He quickly noticed Frank near the end zone on Navy's end of the field open and with his hands out. Ron threw the ball to Frank with all his might before being nailed by the two safeties.
The ball Ron threw was soon caught by Frank who managed to make his way into the end zone and score a touchdown.
Soon after the touchdown, Hudson River went for the extra point and scored, tying with Navy 14-14 and the first half of the game came to an end.
Later, the score was still 14-14 and the second half of the game was coming to a close.
"Can you believe this, Charlie?" Jake asked.
Charlie shook his head, "I don't believe it, Jake. Ever since the beginning of the second half of the game, no one has scored anything. I have a feeling these two teams are pretty evenly matched."
"Do you think this game will go into overtime?" Jake asked.
"We'll have to wait and see what happens," Was all Charlie said.
The Hudson River offense team gathered in a huddle.
"Let's end this game with a bang," Thomas spoke. "Fake to Ron, pass to Joey, slant right, on one."
The Hudson River players broke the huddle and took their positions at the 10-yard-line near Navy's end of the field.
Thomas made the call and the play began. The center player snapped the ball into Thomas' hands before Thomas faked the ball to Ron and passed it to Joey. But before Joey could catch the ball, it was intercepted by one of the Navy players. The Navy player quickly made his way to the end zone on Hudson River's end of the field. Ron, using his running speed, gave pursuit. Unfortunately, the Navy player proved to be faster and managed to outrun Ron and make it to the end zone and score a touchdown. Ron stopped running and looked up at the score board to notice it show 20-14 with Navy on top and the clock at 00:00.
Navy has won.
Run slumped as he walked back to the sidelines where his teammates were.
"This is it, Mom," Anna announced as she, Kim, and the other HRU cheerleaders watched the HRU football players take their positions at the 10-yard-line near Navy's end of the field.
"And I believe, Ronnie, will win us the game," Kim added.
"And we will run out and give him hugs and kisses soon after."
The cheerleaders noticed the play commence. The center player snapped the ball into Thomas' hands. Thomas faked the ball to Ron and passed it to Joey. But the ball was intercepted by one of the Navy players. Everyone on the sidelines developed looks of disbelief as the Navy player took the ball and made his run toward the end zone on Hudson River's end of the field.
They soon noticed Ron give chase.
"Come on, come on," Kim whispered.
But, the Navy player made it to the end zone and scored the touchdown before the clock ran out.
Navy has won.
They soon noticed Ron slump and walk back to the sidelines.
Kim started tearing up and thought, "I'm so sorry, Ronnie."
Noticing her mother's sadness, Anna gave her a hug before Kim returned it.
Right when he made it back to his team, Ron looked up at them and noticed they had looks of sympathy.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Good job, Ron," Thomas said sincerely. "I'm sorry you couldn't catch up to him."
"You did great, Ron," Rico commented.
"You did your best," Davis added.
Ron couldn't believe what he was hearing, "What's with you guys? I cost us the game and you are giving me sympathy? I should be reprimanded, I should be booed at, I should be the most hated…"
"Stoppable!" Davis interrupted. "Don't be so hard on yourself!"
"All of you guys, just leave me alone!" Ron growled.
He then ran into the fieldhouse.
Davis looked at his team, "I'm gonna go talk to Stoppable, the rest of you wait outside the locker room until I've calmed him down."
The HRU football coach soon noticed Kim and Anna walk up.
"Mrs. Stoppable, will you and Anna like to help me out with Mr. Stoppable?" Davis asked.
Kim nodded, "Yes, Coach."
With that said, Kim, Anna, and Davis walked inside. The other football players and cheerleaders followed soon after.
As soon as Kim and Anna broke the hug, Stennis spoke, "Kim?"
Kim and Anna noticed Stennis with a look of sympathy on her face.
"Yes, Coach?" Kim answered.
"Would you and Anna like to go talk to Ron?" Stennis asked.
Kim nodded, "Please and thank you."
She and Anna then walked up to Davis who soon noticed them.
"Mrs. Stoppable, will you and Anna like to help me out with Mr. Stoppable?" Davis asked.
Kim nodded, "Yes, Coach."
With that said, Kim, Anna, and Davis walked inside. The other football players and cheerleaders followed soon after.
"Thank you for your assistance Professor Dementor," Monkey Fist said with a smirk. He and Fukushima were standing inside a room in the former's castle with Professor Dementor and surrounded by giant figures with green eyes standing still.
"Stealing ze palnz to Drakken's syzodrones vasn't easy, but I succeeded in doing so, as vell as build zem!" Dementor said triumphantly.
"With these synthodrones you've created my apprentice and I will be able to breach the security at the museums two of the stone tablets to the Immortalem Simia are at!" Monkey Fist said in excitement.
"And I get to rule a continent of my choice vhen you conquer ze vorld, right?" Dementor asked.
"If we find the last piece of the tablet after this heist, definitely," Monkey Fist replied.
"Yez!" Dementor said triumphantly. He then said. "Vell, I better get going."
"I'll contact you as soon as my apprentice and I find the last tablet piece," Monkey Fist said with a wave.
"So long, farevell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye," Dementor said with a wave before making his way to the castle's front door and exit the castle.
Suddenly, a thought popped into Fukushima's head.
"Uh oh," Fukushima groaned. "I just had a bad thought."
"What is it my apprentice?" Monkey Fist asked.
"It's about Team Possible," Fukushima replied. "Even with the synthodrones, Team Possible is likely to know how to combat them. After all, they've gone up against them before."
"Then we'll need a diversion," Monkey Fist said, knowing what his apprentice meant. "One big enough to keep all of Team Possible bogged down."
Fukushima thought for a moment before whispering into Monkey Fist's left ear.
After Fukushima pulled away, Monkey Fist asked, "That's a diabolical idea, but why did you have to whisper it?"
Fukushima smirked, "It's more dramatic."
To Be Continued…
A/N: I wonder what Fukushima has an idea for a diversion.
How will Kim, Anna, and Davis comfort a troubled Ron?
You'll find out.
The Lapezio tap shoe named after Anna is based on the real-life Tapsonic tap shoe by Capezio.
I'm sorry for the late posting.
Please leave a review.