*Repost

Unhappy Alliance

The red light of the clock ticked slowly a way in the dim light of Drakken's hotel room. He'd been watching it for what felt like hours, but was probably less than half that. He'd re-written his speech, attempted sleep, re-wrote it again, drifted off for an hour, and then woke up and wrote it all back to the original way. Somewhere between that and realizing he'd forgotten the pack anything professional apart from his lab coat... he'd began drifting off into paranoia induced by little sleep and nerves.

He was supposed to give a hefty speech to a room of people who viewed as nothing more than a villain and mad man... the reality that his hopeful decree of finally being respected and recognized was dwindling. He glared at his signature garment strewn over a chair. He hadn't even bothered to update his villainous wardrobe and was going to be on stage in the very attire he had terrorized people in.

You saved the world in it...

It did little to sway his nerves, and he held onto DNAmy's statement of no one caring... but there was a part of him that just wanted to blow off the conference and return to his lair. There he could relax and work on more things in private, no need for speeches or concerns on whose in his audience.

On top of all that was the very person he was giving a speech with... James Possible.

His eyes narrowed and he let out a low grumble. He looked at the clock again and pondered going down to the breakfast before it was set up and grabbing a few things... the image of him upchucking on stage stopped that from happening. Images of people booing him or it turning into a lynch mob kept him from getting a few more minutes of precious sleep.

He slid over the bed to reach the small table with his notes and began looking at them. The scribbles and lines were a mess in some parts but that wasn't the problem. He could still read them, but he was doubting it, again. Every word, sentence, and well thought out phrasing made the image of people glaring up at him with disdain ever more prevalent. Without much thought he grabbed his phone and called the most used speed dial on the phone.

"What did you forget?" it was the hefty sigh of Shego that pulled his thoughts back to his action.

"Nothing," he sputtered. Cursing internally at calling Shego out of instinct, "I have to give that speech today-"

"You'll do fine," she cut in, "Just don't do that thing where you change your speech last minute."

He heard her yawn.

"Did I wake you?" he asked as he rested his head on his arms and let the card fall, "Late night?"

"I've been up for an hour debating on setting off your alarm," said Shego, "I went to bed around the time skinny dipping seemed like a fun late night activity."

Drakken felt a mixture of flustered and annoyance sweep over him.

"I wasn't feeling it so I bailed," finished Shego. Drakken felt the annoyance fade away, "Apparently we're going out for some jet skiing today. I might bail."

"Why's that?" asked Drakken. He perked up.

"Might find something better to day," there was a tone in her voice he couldn't distinguish, "Any suggestions?"

He wanted to tell her to come to the conference, but he clamped his jaw tight at the words wanting to spill out. His brow narrowed and he picked at the blanket under him.

"You could always lounge out the boat or water ski... you always seemed fond of that," he forced his suggestion.

"Hmm," was a soft response, "What are you doing after your speech today?"

"There's several panels I'll probably attend and I'm certain if last night was any indication there will be a lot of idle chatting," he forced the excited tone on his voice, "All fun with the science homies, yo."

"Oh no," he heard her groan. Drakken snorted, "You're going to try and be hip aren't you?"

"Shego. I am hip," he announced, "Don't hate."

The conversation continued with him putting the phone on speaker so he could get dressed, the time ticking away faster than it had in his sleepless roller-coaster. He glared at his lab coat one last time before digging out his clothes from the bag as Shego talked about the desire to toss Camille into a bonfire. He tripped over his boots and grumbled as he started to change out of his pajamas.

"What are you doing now?" asked Shego, clearly hearing his grumbling.

"I'm getting changed," he said casually, "Might as well start to day."

There was silence from Shego and he swore he heard a faint snicker, which was confirmed as she spoke again.

"Wow," the tone to her voice was amused, "So we've reached the stage where your just casually undressing in front of me, have we?"

Drakken's eyes shot open and he sputtered a response.

"You are on the phone," it wasn't a good response.

"I mean, it's already almost happened not over the phone," the amusement in her voice growing as much as the warmth in his face.

"I did not intend that and you know it," he argued, "You were the one lounging in my bed."

This made himself more flustered and he hoped the subject would change.

"Your right... there's nothing suggestive over the phone," she sighed.

Drakken shook his head and unbuttoned his shirt before Shego finally continued.

"It makes it even more fun to imagine," he could hear the snicker in her voice.

"Are you done?" asked Drakken with a head shake to himself.

"I don't have much of an imagination," she spoke calmly and Drakken narrowed his eyes at what her statement might imply, "What are you taking off?"

"Shego!" he snapped as he continued to hurriedly get dressed, "I am not telling you that."

"Relax, I was only joking," she sighed, "I know what you wear already."

Drakken slowed in yanking on his clothes as Shego stated exactly the pajamas he'd been wearing.

I need to buy different colors.

His musings were cut off by Shego making that very statement. He mocked her under his breath as he heard her sigh and the sound of movement.

"I suppose I should get dressed too," was a hum of her voice.

Drakken smirked at the opportunity.

"Now whose undressing in front of who," he teased as he began to buckle his belt.

The low chuckle made his smug smirk dwindle.

"Who said I was dressed this entire time," the whisper was on the boarder of amusement and something very different.

His face felt like fire.

"Ow!" Drakken hissed as he pinched his fingers between the metal and the leather of his clasping belt.

He shook his finger and took a step back, only the trip over the chair he'd been previously sitting on.

Shego's sputtered laughter at the sound of him falling was the final touch to his embarrassment, annoyance, and general frustration. He reached up and grabbed the phone, attempting to control his tone as he spoke, despite the snickering on the other end.

"I'm going to finish getting dressed without your assistance now," he declared, "I hope you have plenty of fun in the sun... and possibly get stung by a mild jellyfish."

The burst of laughter she gave did nothing to quell his own emotions.

"I'm hanging up now," he clarified. She laughed even harder as he clicked the end call button, "I hope its mild... but I hope it sting like a -"

The alarm on his phone went of and he jumped letting it fly out of his hand. He grumbled as he picked it up and hit end on the alarm she had clearly set for her own amusement. He rolled his eyes but smirked at the cartoonish emoji face blowing a kiss. He tossed the phone on the small table and finished pulling on his labcoat. Concentrating on going over his speech on repeat in order in hopes to cool the heat across his face and the bruise to both his knee and ego.

He continued this all the way down the hallway towards the cafeteria area. Planning to grab a quick bite before he would take a final glance over the armor, and hopefully avoid James Possible until after the speech. He didn't need any further distractions today.

"Morning Drew!" came the irritating voice of James Possible, followed by a thump on his shoulder, "Up early to grab a bite and go over the armor too I take it."

"Yes," hissed Drakken as he yanked his shoulder out from under James' hand, "So if you don't mind-"

"Not at all," James seemed not to notice or register Drakken's direct avoidance as he walked passed him into the dining area, "Hmm, we must be really early. Hey I was thinking, you should deliver the speech first today and maybe we could trade..."

Drakken stood in the doorway, not even listening as James prattled on about food not being out save for a few stale muffins and bagels. He glanced down the hallway debating on simply avoiding grabbing a bite and heading towards the storage area to go over the armor for any small detail he might want to elaborate on. It was James' gesture to the seat across from him that sealed that choice. Drakken grabbed a water from a melted ice bucket and some sort of wrapped muffin before making his way down the hallway. He shoved the muffin in his pocket as he reached for his phone if only to whine to Shego... when he realized he'd forgotten his phone in his room... and his room key.

"This is her fault," he grumbled under his breath. He detoured towards the front office.

Picking up a new room key would pair equal time with the fact he hadn't sat to eat and would also assure that he would not run into James at any point as it would take him the long way around the conference area. He drank his water as he made his way to the desk and looked around to see no one in the area. He rang the bell but heard no movement behind the front wall. He sighed as he ate his muffin, it was stale and dry which could not be shaken away by the rest of his water.

He took the time waiting for the front desk to return by sitting on one of the large lounge chairs and going over his cards again. He looked around and saw no one still before returning to the front desk to grab a pen.

At some point in fixing a few words and waiting, Drakken must have drifted off, because next he knew was James voice pulling him out of sleep, which was nothing he'd ever wanted. He swung around rapidly and swatted the arm shaking his shoulder.

"Hey Drew-"

"Will you stop that!" snapped Drakken as he yanked his shoulder away, "Wait, what time is it?"

"Our conference was an hour ago," stated James with crossed arms.

Drakken paled.

"I missed it?!" Drakken's head spun in a mixture of frustration and further embarrassment today, "How long was I asleep... no one said anything... did... why are you laughing, this is not funny."

"I'm kidding, but your face was priceless," snorted James.

Drakken narrowed his eyes as he got up and shoved passed James to the front desk. Seething with rage at the continued snickering of James behind him. His eyes glanced at the clock showing he had only napped for a few minutes at best and he desperately wanted a key so he could at least rant to himself somewhere private and possible plan some sort of minor revenge he might not get caught at. Drakken hit the bell furiously.

"Oh relax, where's your sense of humor?" snorted James as he took the bell away.

"Nonexistent in your presence," snarled Drakken, "Don't you have somewhere you should be... like away from me... where is the front desk attendant?"

Drakken growled before looking at the computer and remembering the time Shego hacked into one at a hotel and made a key. He glanced at James who seemed to be concentrating on something as he looked down the hall. Drakken grumbled and slid over the desk and looked at the screensaver. Attempting to figure out what Shego had done about the password at the prior hotel as he moved the mouse. Drakken looked for a paper with words on it before smacking the keys.

"Hit the home key and the letter R. Then type-" James began but Drakken cut him off.

"I don't need your help. I know what to do." he snapped. He glared before hitting the home key and looked at the box that appeared.

Drakken shot James a dirty look as the man slid a piece of paper with letter on it he'd just hastily scribbled. Drakken glanced at it but shoved it away, attempting to type what he'd seen.

"Dot, D. L. L... lowercase," muttered James.

Drakken aggressively hit the keys and watched as a list appeared. Drakken hit the enter key and watched as the computer logged in to a basic screen that he could navigate. He said nothing or even looked at James who he knew held a smug expression on his face. Drakken grabbed a keycard and followed the prompt on the screen and then placed the card in his pocket and logged out.

"You know, come to think of it... I haven't seen anyone... anywhere," said James as Drakken hopped the counter, "I didn't even hear anyone come down the hall loudly last night... maybe something happened after we left."

"Like what?" Drakken rolled his eyes, "Moved locations at random."

"It happened one year... after some so called super villain tried to erase people's intelligence to fit in," James spoke casually. Drakken clenched his fists.

"I was not... Nghn, watch it Possible!" snapped Drakken as he pointed a finger in his face in threat. James looked unphased and only smirked.

"Yet you knew I was speaking about you?" stated James, "After that everyone decided to relocate last minute... what did you do last night?"

"I am not going to dignify that with an answer," said Drakken as he walked passed him down the hall.

"Technically, you just did," James followed beside him much to Drakken's annoyance, "So I checked out the armor while you were napping... it could have been so much better in a different color."

"Well if someone had figured out the problems and not have needed someone of a higher intelligence to fix it... then that person could have chosen the color," smirked Drakken. James' smirk fell away.

Drakken was rewarded by silence... a disturbingly long silence. James' words kicked in, there was no sound or noise in the entire hotel. It may have been early but people should have been out and about for the conference, and the food now that he thought about the melted ice, had not been taken care of sense the prior day.

"That food was from yesterday," said James. Drakken glared at him.

"Did it take a degree in rocket science to figure that out?" responded Drakken.

"Well clearly it takes some form of degree, I didn't hear you say it-"

"I was thinking it," hissed Drakken. James' smirk was back, "Why are you still near me?"

"Well, we are going the same way," stated James. His smirk deepened, "And I'm finding your clear agitation for no reason, rather amusing."

"The reason being... you are present in my personal space," glared Drakken, "Remove it."

"You know for no longer being a villain and my daughter's arch foe... you are really hostile," stated James, "You certain your not having a relapse."

If your here much longer I'm going to relapse on you with a laser gun-

"No," Drakken said dryly.

As they reached the hallway that led both to the conference and storage center, they could hear someone clearly giving a speech from the main room. Drakken pulled up his sleeve to look at his watch, there was at least an hour before any of the panels would start, but it was clearly going on. Drakken exchanged a look with James before sprinting towards the entrance to peek in. Drakken hoping a window would open where he could slip in unnoticed. His concern for this vanished as he looked at the scene beyond the entrance. Across the stage walked the figure in fully clad feminine robotic suite, the face of which shifted emotions across the pale mask it wore matching the speech giver.

Protonia.

Drakken knew seeing the recluse women had been shocking the night prior, but he hadn't taken the time to wonder why. Having been too distracted by DNAmy's presence and then James Possible's annoying interruption. He should have known it wasn't some casual drop in at a science conference. His only interactions, minus one very bad night at the Villain's Inn party, had been nothing but hostile. Glancing over the audience further proved this point as all who sat in attendance wore glowing half masks, the posture's rigid as she spoke.

"What demonstration is this?" asked James. Drakken's nerves clenched as James' spoke right over his shoulder.

"I don't think this is so much a demonstration as is a devious caper," whispered Drakken back hurriedly, "But by all means, please go participate. It would be the best thing to happen for me today."

He saw James' eyes narrow as they looked through the crack in the door.

"One of your friend's I take it?" James' glare found Drakken, "In cohorts are you?"

"I would not use the term friend in any way with Protonia," replied Drakken, "There is a minor chance we may or may not be on decent terms but since the last time I saw her she was leveling a Ball... not someone to test the waters with."

Drakken took a step away from the door and turned on his heel.

"I'm going to take this as my sign to leave," Drakken began walking a way, "Do give her my best-"

"Your just going to leave?" hissed James, "That's not very 'Savior of Earth' is it?"

Drakken ignored the mocking tone and shrugged.

"This is less an earth in danger and more a bad day for a select group of people," Drakken placed his hands behind his back as he rounded a corner, "Not really my wheelhouse, you should probably give your precious Kim a call-"

Drakken was cut off as a metallic sound rang through the building and all the windows and doors seemed to be covered by something dark like a metal grid. He groaned and turned back around the corner in annoyance. Knowing full well any chance of exit was probably futile, he forced a smile on his face.

"But... I suppose an assessment of the situation wouldn't be a bad idea," Drakken gestured to the door. James narrowed his eyes.

"I saw the grid go over the windows too you know," said James.

Drakken chose to ignore him and lean against the door to listen instead.

Running down the hall with James Possible at his side had not been what Drakken had planned for this afternoon, but it was happening. He was partially to blame for there current predicament but he was choosing to blame it solely on James for now. After all, if James hadn't been in Drakken's presence to annoy him, Drakken wouldn't have shoved him. If James was more coordinated, he would not have fallen through the doorway in the middle of Protonia's speech turned rally. Nor would both of them has been spotted if James had not yelled his named and glared at him before an army of apparent mind controlled scientists ascended on them.

Drakken was about to swat at James as he was yanked behind a few decorative plants. He refrained as he realized they were hiding and he'd missed a mind-controlled DNAmy and Dr. Freeman not to far from them. Drakken muttered under his breath as he watched them turn the corner.

"Amy is not going to be happy about being mind-controlled... I do hope Dr. Valentine is fond of an animal," Drakken shuttered.

"Wait... Dr. Valentine the reclusive robotics engineer is this Protonia character?" asked James, "I'm torn between wanting to inquire about her Robotic Genetics Engineering thesis and wanting her to be brought to swift justice."

"Yes, well if we don't find a way out of here, one of those may be the best distraction tactic," muttered Drakken, "I am curious about the signal jammed exterior that's around this place. It took some clear and deliberate planning."

"Jealous because you never thought about it?" asked James smugly.

"Hey!" snapped Drakken in a low tone, "You don't get to say judgy caper failings to me... that is reserved for Kim Possible and the Buffoon."

"You mean Ron?" asked James.

"Yeah-yeah, whatever," grumbled Drakken.

There was a silent pause and Drakken began trying to calculate a possible source area where the shield had been set off... if he'd been listening to the speech before hand, he might have been able to guess. He mentally lectured himself on not just leaving last night after running in James. He could have suggested to Shego he should joining her or even just head back to the lair and away from all of this.

"Question?" asked James. Drakken sighed at his thoughts about a beachy island were diminished, "How durable is your prototype armor?"

Drakken raised a brow.

"My armor prototype is completely stable and durable. It's only a prototype because I wasn't about to mass make them on my own time," glared Drakken, "It is fully functional and effective. Why are..."

Drakken trailed off as he looked at James' more closely and to the metallic black beneath the man's white shirt. There was a pause in Drakken's thoughts as he realized that the man was wearing his prototype armor. Logically he knew they both had claims on its technology, something about it felt like a mental slap in the face. He was trying to figure out the fore-thinking James had to put it on when it clicked.

"You were going to demonstrate it to one up me, weren't you?" asked Drakken. He narrowed his eyes in anger but there was a bitterness of emotions boiling inside, "Is there something fundamentally amusing about making a mockery of me at every given window?"

"You always make things so dramatic," James shook his head dismissively, "Anything to be the center of attention."

"Me?" Drakken practically yelled. James hushed him, "Your the one who needs constant validation... that's why you wanted to go second so you could steal the attention and praise... its why you always put your name first on every shared project in college, why you insisted on giving all the speeches-"

"Yours were long-winded," James glared at him, "I crave validation? So do you. How many weirdo projects did you constantly drone on about every time we all hung out... magnetic hovering systems, conscious swapping creations, and robotic dance partners."

Drakken felt the fury overcome the other emotions barely being held back.

"All of which you thought we're a good idea until others said otherwise," hissed Drakken.

The argument he was bout to continue to narrate he had accomplished those very things, halted. There was movement beside them and the words James had been muttering to him despite him not listening, faded. Drakken looked up to see the metallic armor clad Protonia leaning against the wall beside their hiding spot. Drakken paled and gave his best friendly smile.

"Protonia, how are you?" he attempted to sound casual.

"Fine, thank you," came the echoed reply behind her expression shifting mask, "Due continue, I was so enjoying the cowardly hiding and chatter."

"Cowardly," scoffed James, "We're not the ones putting people under control for... whatever nefarious reasons to do so."

"I think its to make a point," whispered Drakken, "The part in the speech about being so easily replaced and forgotten."

"You would know an overly dramatized villain speech, wouldn't you?" James replied.

"I'd say I'd leave you alone to work out whatever issues you two have, but unfortunately I can't have loose ends," sighed Protonia, "I need all the brilliant minds under my control."

It was quick and without warning that Drakken was yanked out of his crouching position by Freeman. His mask glowing eerily around his face. Drakken yelped in surprise and was nearly kicked by a struggling James as DNAmy and another masked scientist grabbed him. Drakken tugged out of Freeman's grip easy enough and tripped over the turned over plant, falling right into the grasp of other masked scientists and staff.

"You wont get away with this," yelled James and Drakken wanted to kick his boot at him for egging it on further, "Villains never prosper."

"There's a fine line between villain and scientist," Protonia's laugh sounded robotic and eerie, "I've read enough on you James Possible to know that robotic arson and illegal use of government funds and technology are often overlooked on your behalf."

Drakken raised a brow towards James whose face had turned a darker shade. Drakken fought the snicker he wanted to emit at the idea of sending these facts to Kim Possible if only to get under James' skin. This weighing of odds fell away as he realized he actually had to get out of here to attempt this. He felt the coil in his back at his thoughts before he mentally smacked himself at forgetting he had an advantage in his restraints.

Before Flower could react on his behalf, he was released. Drakken froze and looked at Protonia who had made a dismissive gesture.

"Consider this repayment for the tip off about my former sister-in-law," Prontonia gave a bored wave towards the door, "It was truly the shake up I needed to get out of the lab. You may leave."

Drakken stood there for a second and a wash of relief came over him as he was presented the very exit he'd hoped for.

"A repayment I will gladly take," nodded Drakken as the grin fell across his face, "Always a pleasure Protonia."

Drakken took a few steps towards the exit.

"Are you seriously going to just leave?" asked James with a scowl, "Nothing has really changed has it. Your still the same person who runs when thing's get tough and the same villain who my teenage daughter foiled on a weekly basis... Saving the world was a one time fluke, wasn't it."

"A fluke indeed," offered Protonia, "But simple is sometimes underrated... or rated too highly... Alright mask him."

Drakken had made it around the corner before he felt the tugs running through him. He could see the entrance ahead of him where the metal had been cleared, a clear exit. The relief was being washed away by anger and annoyance... and that new twist of anxiety that had crept inside him ever since the United Nations... some form of conscience that had wheedled its way over his selfish desires.

It's really starting to irk me.

Drakken glared over his shoulder as he felt the tingle in his spine. James' words were only a minor inflection of his current thought process. He wanted nothing more than to prove James Possible wrong of coarse, but it was the reminder of Protonia's words... that he was almost too simple minded to be seen as a needed in her evil plans. He made one last look at the exit before turning back into the room.

"Small favor," said Drakken clearly interrupting the speech Protonia was about to give.

"The small favor was me letting you leave," came the metallic hiss, "Which I am slowly unfavoring."

"I am grossly aware I am unwelcome here... I would just like to sort things out with Possible before you turn him into a lovely useful clog in your machine of evil," Drakken said in his best charming tone.

The smile returned through her shifting expression made it clear he had hit the charming note.

"Come to punch me or say something poorly worded and long-winded?" glared James.

Drakken almost walked back out but instead he simply glared.

"You know, I could go the rest of my life content with you being someone's mindless drone," scoffed Drakken as he reached around James' collar, "But I don't like sharing and I'm not keen on anyone using my work."

Drakken clicked the button on the back of the armor and moved aside as it activated. It took James a second to realize what he'd done, but not enough time for Protonia to notice or catch on before James broke free of being held and the black armor morphed around him.

"What is that?" glared Protonia.

"You're not the only one with armor," smirked Drakken as James rushed her.

"Attack!" was her only order before she was slammed into a wall.

Drakken jumped as the mind-controlled scientists began to advance on him. He managed to evade Dr. Bortel's grip well enough only to have DNAmy grab onto him. He felt the tingle up his spine before the vine of Flower effortlessly knocked them people around him to the ground like bowling pins. He watched as James was thrown into a few of them as what looked like electric currents were running across the armor.

"You could used some of the features you know!" snapped Drakken. He yelled as Dr. Freeman dove on him and Flower tossed him aside.

"What feature- Oh," James reply was cut off as he shot fireballs at Protonia, "Well that's fun."

"Sometime didn't read his notes now did he?" mocked Drakken as he dove away from three unknown assailants, Flower flung a few chairs into them.

"Do you think her mask is controlling them since its glowing too?" asked James before Protonia punched him.

"I don't know," growled Drakken as DNAmy clawed at him, "Ow! Amy this is unnecessary... Why don't you ask Protonia."

"Like I would dignify that with an answer," growled the metallic sound of her mask.

Drakken made eye contact with James for a split second.

"I think she just did," stated Drakken.

"Mind lending me a hand or... rather a vine?" James asked as he flew at Protonia.

"I really do," grumbled Drakken as he kicked DNAmy, "My apologies."

Flower shot towards Protonia and gripped the mask. Drakken's eyes darted between that and the attack by a Dr. Porter whom apparently knew some sort of defensive attack moves. He saw the glow of her mask flicker with the same circular device she'd been showing off the night before embedded in her armors shoulder. He wondered if they'd made the wrong assumption. This was only confirmed as the mask cracked and nothing happened except James being thrown into a chair and Drakken being yanked by Flower.

"You cracked my mask!" was a glitching hiss noise, "Do you know how much work this took!"

Drakken gave a nervous laugh as her grip on Flower tightened. He felt a sharp feeling rushing through his back.

"It's a lovely mask," he cleared his throat, "But not as lovely as you normally look."

His attempt at being charming was met with a fragmented angry expression on the cracked mask.

"That was not the correct response was it?" grimaced Drakken.

"No," was the echoing growl.

Which turned to a screeching yell as the image of James flying into her forced the release of Flower. Drakken let the appendage return, both out of need and fear. His spine was still twitching at the pain he'd briefly felt.

"Aim for the shoulder," Drakken yelled as Nakaumi flung himself into Drakken.

"I could use some help!" yelled James.

"I am busy!" growled Drakken as Dr. Sandradottir was attempting to put a mask on him, "Use the extension assistant."

"The what- you mean the other hand," snapped James, "I would have called it the Extension Appendage."

"Well I didn't," argued Drakken.

He saw the hand extend from the back of the armor and begin ripping out the glowing item from her armor. Just before the mask was placed over his eyes and he was greeted with a glowing nearly blinding light and the feel of something sharp touching his skin. It was yanked away almost as soon as it touched him and he saw the glowing orb had now been shattered not far from him. He watched as the masks fell from the faces of his fellow scientists. Some looking startled and others confused.

"Oh, my apologies Dr. Drakken," came Dr. Sandradottir as she removed herself from leaning over him.

Drakken ignored this and stood up to see Protonia's mask had fallen away and she was wrapped in the wire cables fired from the armor by James. The light flew in as the windows were unbarred from where Dr. Bortel was showing James the panel on Protonia's arm plate that had fallen away in the fight. The sound of chatter began filling the air as people began making phone-calls of various authorities he was sure. He wasn't sure how much time had ticked by as he processed the fading pain in his eyes, but when he had everyone was gathered in small groups. He could hear conversations about Global Justice and watched as everyone gathered around James in awe.

He glanced at Protonia, bound and ignore in the corner, no longer seen as a threat.

A mistake really.

Her eyes were narrowed at him and he felt a sudden wave of fear and concern wash over him. He realized it wasn't just anger in her expression but a familiar betrayal. He felt guilt wash over him at this. She'd given him an out and he'd thrown it back in her face. His eyes glanced over the crowed too self-absorbed to notice him before he took steps towards Protonia.

"Consider us even," he whispered as he hit the release button on the coil and moved away from her.

He made haste to be near the exit and far from her just in case anyone noticed, which he'd made well before the coil had finally released her. He hoped that she would take off and not continued her plan in someway, a blind hope really. No one noticed she was no longer restrained until she'd crashed out the window in an glitching exit. He stood against the wall as everyone yelled and began moving and talking wildly at this. He was more relieved that James Possible hadn't been stupid and heroic enough to try and go after Protonia.

Too bust getting his validation.

Drakken rolled his eyes as James seemed unphased and continued talking to the group he'd been chatting with. Drakken's shoulders slumped as he became very aware that no one had even glanced his way at Protonia's escape... not that he'd wanted to be associated with it, but some acknowledgment would have been nice.

"I saw that," came DNAmy. Drakken gave her a side glance as he felt some satisfaction at her words, "You letting her escape."

"No idea what your talking about," Drakken shrugged. The sugar coated grin he got in return made him glare, "Does it look like I want enemies?"

"No one does," DNAmy giggled, "So neutral means helping out your former fellow villains."

"Neutral means I don't pick sides," Drakken gestured.

"Since that's the case... Global Justice is about to be here and I may have visited my old genetics lab-" Drakken handed her his room-key, "Thank you Honey Bun."

Drakken rolled his eyes as the women sprinted down the hall to hide. He looked around the room of scientists chatting about the masks they'd been wearing just as the first jet of Global Justice landed in the distance. He watched as a good few of them were talking to James and discussing the armor he wore.

My armor.

Drakken felt the boiling of words and anger quickly diminish into a distant feeling. His eyes glossed over the room of people he'd desperately wanted to be accepted by whom over the years he'd crossed with malice and disdain... the thought that one heroic act would actually change that was almost laughable. Before he could dwell on this and pull every strand of negativity that was loosely buried beneath his surface, something else happened.

"I owe you an apology," Drakken raised a brow at James having walked over to him, "Quick thinking on activating the armor and your little... plant friend. I shouldn't have assumed you were running away."

"Oh no your assumptions were correct... but my need to invalidate you is too strong," declared Drakken. James looked at him, "But do continue to praise and apologize."

"That pretty much sums it up... I'm working on my long-winded speeches currently," James rolled his eyes, "And there asking more about the armor than I can contribute over there if you feel the need to get further attention."

"I want to say something like I'm working on that, but I am clearly not and will gladly revel in your lack of knowledge and my praise of genius," said Drakken smugly as he walked passed James. He paused for a minute and debated on James' words before sighing, "Are you coming? I can't smugly contend your lack of knowledge without your presence now can I?"

"Fine, but I make no promises myself about not countering your statements," James snickered. Drakken glared, "Don't glare at me... I'm not working on not needing validation."

Drakken grumbled but then smirked.

"Speaking of validation... what was Protonia saying about some illegal indiscretion of yours?" Drakken watched James pale, "Something tells me if your daughter caught wind of some villainous behavior she might not be too proud-"

"I will concede to two lack of knowledge moments and that is it."

"Four," countered Drakken.

"Three and you can be the main speaker," said James.

"Three, main speaker, and you have to give the demonstration during both our speeches," said Drakken.

"And Kim never hears of anything that was said," James raised a brow and offered his hand. Drakken rolled his eyes and shook it, "Deal."

Drakken wasn't sure if he was making the correct deal at the moment, but the praise that followed seemed worth it for now.

Whose to say a mysterious letter doesn't get sent anonymously to Kim Possible.

Hmm Let's See What's Happening with Shego a Friends... Shall We?