Beauty Is ...

Sam and Alex couldn't pry Clover away from her mirror the entire flight to Greece.

"Clover, we're on a mission!" nagged Sam. "We've got more important things to focus on here!"

"But I'm going to be the one on TV, Sammie! I have to look absolutely flawless in front of all those cameras!"

"I'm sure the makeup people can handle that, Clover."

"Yeah, but what do they know? I've been powdering this nose for sixteen years. How are they supposed to know how to make it look in five minutes?"

Alex turned around in her seat. "Because it's their job?"

"Job, shmob. If I can't prove that I'm world-class material right now, there's no way I'll ever get Mandy to shut up!"

"Does everything in your life revolve around showing Mandy up? If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you two were sisters."

Alex suddenly found herself face-to-face with an irate Clover, and felt herself getting very, very small. The rest of the plane seemed to fade away, leaving only her and Clover.

"What. Did. You. Say?"

Alex gulped. "Uh, nothing?"

"Good, that's what I thought."

Clover shrank back to normal, and Alex felt the plane's cabin return to normal. Clover opened her Compowder and began browsing outfits to wear in Athens.

"Alex does have a point." Said Sam. "You can't spend all your time trying to show up Mandy. It's not like we're going to be stuck with her forever, you know."

"Well, high school is an important time to begin learning social behavior, Sam. If I can't learn to live with and beat the competition, there's no way I'll get anywhere in life."

"But Mandy's only one person. The only reason she keeps it up is because you keep giving her fuel."

"Hey, if she wants to keep getting a one-up on me, then I will not sit idly and let her do it. I do have an image to upkeep, after all."

"And you intend to keep this up how long?"

"The day I stop contending with Mandy is the day I either graduate or I lose my fashion sense, whichever comes first."

"But that's no reason to try using this mission as a springboard." Alex objected. "We're investigating a case, not participating in a fashion show."

"Correction!" she held a finger up to drive the point home. "We're investigating a case by participating in a fashion show. Who says we can't enjoy it while we're at it?"

Sam looked back. "Remember, you're not the only one on this case. We've all got specific jobs, here."

"But you're not the one on the catwalk, are you?"

Sam felt a surge of jealousy and barely contained it. "Come on, Clover! Focus here!"

"I am focusing! On what to wear when we get to the showroom. First impression's the most important!"

"First impression on who?" asked Alex.

"And you guys say I'm the one lacking focus. The guy putting the show on is none other than Ennio Degastale, one of the five most important designers in the world! I wouldn't miss this opportunity for the world!"

Alex sighed and leaned back in her seat. "Well, don't put your foot in your mouth instead of the door."

Clover leaned over the seat. "Ha-ha. Laugh it up. When I'm on the cover of Teen Beat, I want to be there when Mandy admits defeat."

"Defeat from what?"

Clover opened her mouth, but she couldn't thing of anything to say. "I'll think of something soon. But whatever it is, she will be admitting defeat for it!"

Sam sighed and chuckled. "If there is one thing I really admire about you, it's that you never quit, regardless how trivial the endeavor."

"Aww, thanks Sammie." Clover sat down and watched the Greek mountains rise up and pass beneath them as they closed in on Athens. "Hey, wait a second!"

-

A few hours later, the girls were standing in front of the convention center. Police officers were scattered everywhere, as well as private security guards. All roads leading to the center aside from a single service entrance were closed. There was no way anyone could get inside without proper clearance.

"Wow, good thing we've got passes." Alex remarked.

"Yeah, no kidding." Said Sam. "The security here is tighter than Fort Knox."

Clover fidgeted nervously. "C'mon, it's getting late! We've got a job to do."

"Since when were you so focused on the mission?"

"Your job is to watch for the vandals. Mine is to make my first mark on the fashion industry!" Clover took one step forward, stumbled on her heels, and fell flat on her face.

Alex knelt beside her. "Are you hurt?"

"Only my ego. If you don't mind, we'd like to crawl off somewhere and hide."

Sam helped her up. "Come on, you."

They proceeded to the security checkpoint outside the building. The guard saw them walk up and stood from his seat.

"Good evening, ladies. Can I see your passes?"

"Of course!" They pulled their I.D. tags from their belts and handed them to the guard, who scanned all three.

"Alright, everything's clear. You can go on ahead."

There were even more police inside the gate. "Man, this place is really locked down" said Alex.

"After what's happened to the other places," said the guard, "we have a reason to be. The attacks are getting worse every time."

"So why not postpone the show?" asked Sam.

"Degestale is known for being pretty fearless. He follows his own ideas, and tends to not let outsiders influence his plans, even threats like the ones we've been getting."

"Who's been sending the threats?"

"What are you, detectives or something? That's a matter Interpol's dealing with. They're here if you want to know so badly."

"Alright, thanks!"

They hurried away from the checkpoint. They passed more guards and police officers before arriving at the front doors of the exhibition center. Another stern-looking guard barred the way while flashing them a friendly smile.

"Passes, please."

They presented their passes, which the guard checked before handing them back.

"Welcome to the show, ladies." He turned to Sam. "You can go straight into the showroom. An usher will direct you to your seat." He turned to Alex and Clover. "You two can go ahead on back."

They smiled and said "thank you!" before moving on. They soon reached a fork in the hallway. A sign pointed to the left, indicating the dressing rooms. The other sign pointed to the showroom.

"Okay girls," said Sam, "this is where we split up. You guys keep an eye out for anything suspicious backstage. I'll be right there if anything happens. Just don't underestimate these guys, they sound pretty mean."

Alex and Clover gave her a thumbs-up and said "Gotcha" before heading for the dressing rooms. Sam turned and adjusted the strap on her camera bag before entering the showroom.

The room was already packed. Video cameras lined the platforms at the back of the room, and extravagantly wealthy patrons, designers, and a swarm of photographers and reporters occupied the seats on the floor. Sam couldn't see her seat anywhere.

An handsome young usher noticed her confusion and stepped up beside her. "Excuse me, miss?"

Sam turned and flushed a little. "Uh, yes?"

"Are you looking for your seat?"

"Um, yeah. Can you help me?"

"Gladly! Let me see your pass."

Sam handed it to him. He took one look at it and handed it back to her with a look of recognition. "Ah, I know where your seat is. Please follow me!" Sam followed him into the noisy throng. He expertly weaved between people in five-figure suits and photographers checking their equipment one last time until Sam found herself right next to the catwalk. The usher turned to her and pointed down the row. "Your seat is the fifth one down."

"Okay. Thank you, uh..."

"Don."

"Don. Thanks!" She started shuffling down the row, but Don put his hand on her shoulder and leaned close.

"There's been a report of an unidentified figure in the area. Jerry's sure the perp's in the area." He turned and left before Sam could ask any questions.

Sam watched him go and sat down in her seat with a surprised look on her face. Man, those WOOHP guys are sneaky! She put a straight face on and opened her bag. The camera and several rolls of film were inside, including a telescopic lens. The camera could take regular pictures, but the special trigger would activate the stun beam so she could disable the culprit. She loaded the camera and sat it in her lap. The catwalk was empty, and no sign of activity offstage. She looked around to see if any unusual characters were in the audience. Unfortunately, there were too many people in the room. If the vandals were to make their move tonight, they wouldn't be noticed until the last second. Good thing I'm so close to the stage. I hope Clover and Alex have things covered on their end.

-

As soon as Alex and Clover entered the dressing rooms, they were surrounded with nonstop activity. Models in varying stages of dress and makeup were running everywhere and chatting with one another in at least five different languages. Wardrobe and makeup artists were darting back and forth to fine-tune one model's hair or make last-minute makeup applications. Alex and Clover hadn't taken three steps before a young man in glasses with a clipboard stood in their way.

"You're the new girls, right?"

"Yes, are we late?" asked Clover.

"No, you're just in time. Clover, is it? Ennio just called a meeting with all the models back thataway. Please hurry."

"Alright. See you Alex!"

"Bye, Clover!"

"Alex? Wardrobe is over there. Claudette is in charge. Talk to her and she'll show you everything." He made a few marks on his clipboard and hurried off, yelling at someone in German.

"Okay, then. Stay calm, Alex. You're only all alone in a place so stressful you can cut the tension with a knife. Easy, really." Alex nervously walked back to the wardrobe room and peeked inside. The room was filled with rows of racks with clothes hanging from them, and several people inside were checking each item. A middle-aged woman in glasses was overseeing the whole operation. Alex approached her and spoke up.

"Um, excuse me, Claudette? I'm Alex, the new girl."

The woman looked down at Alex and gave her an appraising look before smiling. "Ah, Alex! I've been waiting for you!" Her accent was heavy, but her English was precise. "Follow me and I'll show you what to do." Alex followed Claudette a few rows down to another rack. "Every model has their own rack with the outfits already laid out in the proper order. Your job will be to your model her next outfit and put away the ones we bring back."

"Sounds easy enough! Who am I in charge of?"

Claudette tapped her chin. "Let's see, I think it was...Clover? Yes, that's it! You're in charge of Clover's wardrobe."

Alex breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. She's my best friend!"

"Good! But don't dawdle, dear. We're on a strict schedule here. Ennio wouldn't let the Apocalypse stop one of his shows."

-

Clover followed a model into another room where the others were congregating around a stout man in a sweater. Some of the other models looked at the young newcomer contemptuously and tried to ignore her. The others were more friendly, but still very serious. Clover began to feel out of place amongst these professional models. Nevertheless, she banished these feelings and focused. She was still on a mission, and this could be her first chance to experience the fashion industry from the inside.

Ennio clapped his hands together and addressed the models. "Alright, ladies. Let's get our acts together now. I know you're all worried about the threats, but if we cancel the show, it will only make the vandals think they've won. I am not about to let a silly bunch of poverty-ridden protestors have their way with me!" The gathered models applauded and Clover followed suit. "Now, it's almost show time. Everyone get ready to go, and don't forget your masks!"

The models began to disperse and go back to the dressing rooms, but Clover had one question.

"Wait a second, masks?"

Ennio looked her way. "What was that? Oh, you must be the new girl. Didn't you read the packet I sent you? All the models are wearing masks tonight."

"You mean this?" Clover produced a badly folded information packet from her purse. "It's in Italian! I can't read Italian!"

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry my dear! Here, this mask is yours." He handed her a paper Mardi Gras-style mask bordered with sequins. "Now get going, Clover. The show starts in ten minutes."

Clover was on the verge of tears as she shuffled back to the rooms. One of the models saw her distress and tried to comfort her.

"There there cherise, it's only a silly mask!"

"But, this is my first time in a big show like this!"

"Oh, you must be very new indeed. We're called models for a reason. We're just bodies to show off the clothing. I'm sure a lot of your friends would die to be in a show like this, even with the gaudiest of masks!"

Clover sucked up her tears and thought about how jealous Mandy would be if she ever heard about this. "You know what, you're right! Things like this don't come along every day!"

"That's the spirit! Now hurry, because Ennio just hates it when people are late."

-

Sam fidgeted in her seat. She tried to observe the room without looking suspicious. It wasn't hard, since most of the attendees kept to themselves, and the other photographers were busy fine-tuning their cameras. Her hands rested on her own as she waited for the show to start. She wondered how many other WOOHP agents were here.

She didn't have much time to let her mind wander. The house lights dimmed suddenly, and the stage lights illuminated the catwalk in a warm glow. The pulsing techno track started playing and the show was on. Sam readied her camera. It's not like she needed to take the pictures, but darned if she wasn't going to get first dibs on next season's fashions.

-

Clover had butterflies in her stomach. She stood in line with the other models, waiting for her turn to strut her stuff. At the signal from the producer, the first model strutted onto the catwalk. Clover paid careful attention to what she did. All of the models were much older than her, and it showed. Clover was a bundle of nerves, but the other models were calm and focused. Clearly she was out of her league.

Clover felt someone tap her on the shoulder and looked back. It was the French model from before.

"Don't worry, cherise. Just act natural. Walk out there, pause at the end, and then walk back. It's simple as that. Besides, these masks hide half your face."

Clover felt the butterflies going away. "Thanks. What's your name, anyway?"

"Gloria."

"Clover."

"Pleasure to meet you, Clover. Get ready, it's almost your turn!"

Clover looked forward to find only one model in front of her. With another signal from the producer, Clover was next in line. Clover watched the model go, and as she was heading back, the producer signaled Clover to go. Clover took a deep breath, released it, relaxed her shoulders, and strode onto the catwalk.

Sam held her breath when she saw Clover appear on the catwalk. She fully expected a face plant, stage dive, or a catatonic Clover, but none of that came to pass. Instead, Clover appeared relaxed and confident, even if she wasn't quite as graceful as the other models. Sam made sure to take a few pictures for keepsakes.

"Eww, what gaudy masks."

And then it happened.

A gray blur fell from above onto the catwalk and Clover stopped. Sam lowered her camera and saw that the blur was a human. The intruder stood up and faced Clover. The intruder's form-fitting jumpsuit revealed it was a woman. She wore a mask over her head and a high-tech visor completely concealed her face. She stared at Clover for a moment, like she expected Clover to recognize her. Clover was instead slowly retreating and reaching for her Compowder, tucked away in one of her outfit's pockets. Sam switched the camera from photo mode to stun mode and made ready to apprehend the intruder.

The center's security team was also ready for her. A pair of burly guards jumped onto the stage and rushed the intruder from both sides. She saw them coming and grabbed one by his outstretched arm and flung him into the other guard. The guard caught his buddy, but before they could recover, the intruder struck them with a single palm strike and sent them flying off the catwalk.

Pandemonium ensued. Photographers and wealthy patrons began scattering. The patrons began making phone calls as they began trampling one another in their frantic bid for freedom. The photographers escaped more slowly, taking pictures of the intruder as they retreated. As the audience surged towards the exits, the police and security forces started moving towards the catwalk, trying to fight through the surge of people. The intruder stood silently and watched the approaching guards, apparently wanting to fight with them.

Sam saw her chance and centered the intruder in the camera's viewfinder. Just as she pressed the trigger, a fleeing reporter bumped into her, sending the stun beam wide of its target. The intruder glanced at Sam and jumped away. Sam aimed again and fired wide again. The intruder dodged the shot and somersaulted away.

"Geez, she's fast."

Sam knelt and fired again and again, the intruder dodging every time. She stopped and waited for Sam to take another shot. Sam aimed, but didn't fire. "She's too fast. I need to get her to stand still for just one second..."

Clover was thinking the same thing. When the guards had rushed onstage, she had retreated and changed into her jumpsuit, and Alex had joined her. Clover snuck up behind the intruder and grabbed her.

"Sam! Hit her now!"

"Gotcha." Sam smiled a little as she aimed the camera and reached for the trigger. The intruder wasn't about to go down so easily, however. She broke Clover's hold in a superhuman display of strength, reached behind her, and tossed Clover over her shoulder right at Sam. Sam ducked as Clover flew overhead yelling "Sammieeeee!" and crashed offstage behind her. The intruder hadn't yet recovered from the throw, and was a sitting duck.

"Say cheese." Sam pressed the trigger.

When the flash faded, Sam lowered the camera, but she hadn't hit the intruder. She'd reached offstage and snatched up some poor audience member with one hand and used him as a shield. The poor guy's body was now stiff as a board, and his eyes were wide open with surprise and disbelief.

"No freaking way."

The intruder knelt on the catwalk with the hostage, daring Sam to take another shot. Before she could do that, however, the guards and police reached the stage. The rushed past Sam and stormed onstage. The intruder made a quick revolution and tossed the hostage at the guards, knocking a few of them down. The rest of the contingent reached the intruder with clubs, hands, and handcuffs extended, but the first wave never laid a finger on the intruder. In a masterful display of martial arts and strength, the intruder fended off every single guard, flinging them offstage like rag dolls. Then it was the police's turn.

They surrounded the intruder and attacked. She managed to fend off the first few, but one of them managed to get a hold of her, giving the other police a chance to grab hold. The intruder vanished into a huddle of officers as Clover and Alex appeared beside Sam.

"You okay, Clover?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Man, she's strong!"

"Think the police can take it from here?" asked Alex.

As if to answer her question, the huddle exploded. The officers were sent flying in every direction as the intruder burst out of the middle and landed with catlike grace on the stage. She faced the girls and beckoned them forward.

Sam stood up and used her Compowder to don her jumpsuit. "That answer your question?"

"Yeah, pretty much. Guess it's our turn, now."

The spies hopped up onstage and formed a circle around the intruder.

"Well, I'm glad you showed up. It's about time." Said the Intruder.

"Who are you?" demanded Sam.

"Wouldn't you like to know? You'll find out soon enough. Care to see if you can succeed where all of them failed?" She pointed her thumb at the semiconscious guards and police now scattered around the catwalk.

"I hope you have a nice, soft bed in your cell, girl." Said a very irate Clover. "Because I am going to kick your butt so hard for ruining my debut."

"Ruining your debut? I wish I could be as naïve as you. But that would be stooping to your level."

"Let's get her." Said Alex.

Getting her proved to be a difficult proposition, as the intruder proved to be a formidable fighter. She parried or blocked everything the spies threw at her, and she was so fast the spies had a hard time just keeping her in front of them. Worse yet, she hadn't gone on the offensive yet.

Finally, Alex managed to grab one arm after a parry and lock it up. The intruder was so surprised by this turn of events that she let her guard down just long enough for Clover to grab her other arm and lock it as well. She struggled to get free, but her arms were held in positions that prevented her from using her full strength. Sam fished up the camera and aimed it at the intruder.

"Send Jerry my regards."

"Give them yourself, Sam." The intruder kicked Sam in the stomach, planted her other foot on the camera, and launched off of Sam, kicking the camera right in her face. The intruder's arms wrenched free of Alex and Clover's grasps, and she grabbed both of them by the wrists, twisted in midair, and flung them to the side. She flipped vertically and landed right back where she was standing a moment ago.

"You three are pathetic. I don't know why I don't just waste you right now."

Sam was kneeling and rubbing her head from the blow." Just who are you?

"Catch me and I'll tell you."

"Fine by me!" All three of them leaped at her simultaneously, but the intruder jumped out of the way, letting them collide in spectacular fashion. The spies untangled themselves from each other and looked around.

Alex stood up. "Where'd she go?"

They heard a whistle come from above and looked up. The intruder was standing next to an open window. "Catch me if you can, girls!" She hopped out the window and into the night.

"After her!" said Sam. She started to run, but Alex and Clover were lagging behind and staring at her. She stopped and asked, "What?"

Clover pointed. "Uhh, there's like a major bruise on your forehead, Sammie."

"What!?" Sam opened her Compowder and looked in the mirror. Sure enough, a purple-ish blot was forming on her forehead where the camera smashed into it. She snapped the Compowder shut and started fuming.

Alex tentatively placed a hand on her shoulder. "Uh, are you okay?"

Sam stamped her foot and bellowed. "THAT CHICK IS TOAST!"

-

The chase proved just as difficult as the fight. Not only was the intruder strong, but she was fast, too. The spies chased her down the narrow, darkened back streets of Athens, dodging the trashcans and boxes she threw in their way to slow them down.

"We can't keep this up!" said Sam as they chased the intruder down another side street. "We've got to cut her off!"

"I'm on it!" Alex aimed her bungee belt down the street and fired it at one of the buildings. The grapple caught and she retracted the line to swing into the air. She swung out and away from Sam and Clover, down the street, and past the fleeing suspect. She released the line and landed in front of the suspect, who ground to a halt as Sam and Clover caught up.

"Ready to surrender yet?" said Clover.

The suspect looked up at the buildings. "Not just yet. This is fun." She leaped at one building, rebounded off of it across the street, rebounded off the other building, and repeated this daring feat two more times to get to the rooftops. She waved down at them and vanished.

The spies stared at each other speechlessly. Alex was the first to break the silence. "How did she...?"

"Nevermind that." Said Sam. "Let's figure that out after we catch her. Come on!"

They used their Bungee Belts to scale the building and get to the rooftops. When they got there, there was no sign of the culprit.

"Where did she go now?" Clover wondered aloud.

They spun around when they heard another whistle. The culprit was on the next rooftop and waving at them. Sam pointed at her furiously.

"You'll be eating through a straw when I'm through with you!"

The culprit merely laughed and turned to run. The spies pursued her across the rooftops in the pale moonlight, but she was still able to keep away from them no matter how fast they ran.

"Sam," said Alex between breaths, "We can't keep this up! We've got to bring her down now!"

"I know, but how? We can't get close enough!"

Alex got an idea. "I know!" She stopped and unfolded the Tornado Blast.

"Good thinking. Think you can hit her from here?"

"Just watch me." Alex extended her arm and aimed at the fleeing culprit. She waited until she jumped again, and pulled the trigger. A powerful cyclonic blast streamed from the handheld device and tore across the rooftops. In the blink of an eye, it caught up to the culprit while she was airborne and swept her feet out from under her. The blast tossed her forward like a tennis ball and slammed her into the side of a taller building. Alex released the trigger and the wind died. The culprit fell out of the indentation she made in the wall and landed on another rooftop.

Sam gave Alex a high-five. "Nice!"

Clover gave her another high-five. "Did you channel Annie Oakley there, Alex?"

Alex spun the hairdryer on her finger. "Eh, it was nothing." She stopped the hairdryer and put it away. "For a spy, that is."

"Come on, let's put this creep away so we can go home."

A few minutes later they caught up with the culprit. She was just coming around and rubbing the back of her head. She raised herself up on her knees and looked up at the spies. "Well, you caught me. Good show, spies."

Sam stepped closer and leaned in. "Now, tell us who you are and who you're working for, or else I'll make good on that promise. Personally, I don't like the idea of living off smoothies and soup, so please make this easy for both of us, okay?"

The gray-clad culprit staggered to her feet. "Fine, you asked for it." She reached up and peeled the mask off her head. She shook her head as her shimmering blonde locks fell free. She raised her visor up onto her head, and the spies gasped.

It was Clover.

Or at least, she looked exactly like Clover. Even the hairstyle was a mirror image of Clover. Sam and Alex glanced back and forth between the two Clovers to make sure they weren't seeing things. Clover's mouth fell open and stayed that way.

The other Clover spoke. "Surprised? I figured you would be." She even sounded just like Clover.

Sam stammered. "Who...who the heck are you?"

She looked at Clover. "Why, I'm you! Isn't that much obvious?"

Clover snapped out of her trance and pointed angrily. "No you are not! I would never wear anything that gaudy!"

The second Clover looked almost exactly like the first one. Almost. There was an intelligent, calculating nature behind her blue eyes, and a touch of cruelty about the mouth. "Of course I'm not exactly you. I'm better than you. Better than all of you."

"You're certainly more arrogant than Clover, I'll give you that." Said Alex.

The other Clover clenched and unclenched her fist. "I am the product of a hundred sacrifices. I was created to be superior, and you three are the last obstacle in our path!"

Sam furrowed her brow. "Our? Who do you work for?"

"All in due time, Sam. But that's for me to know and you to find out." She slowly moved towards the edge of the building.

"Why were you attacking the show? To get to Clover? Were you involved in the other attacks?"

"To get your attention, no, and yes."

"Get our attention?"

"Yes. And now that I have it, we can have some real fun." She looked down off the edge of the building. "Farewell, you three. We'll meet again." She stepped off the edge of the building and fell.

"Wait!" The spies dashed forward and looked over the edge. The other Clover was nowhere to be found.

Clover blinked. "Could someone like, tell me what's going on here?"

Alex shrugged. "I dunno, Clover. We'd better call Jerry."

Sam opened her Compowder. "Good idea." She dialed Jerry's office and a hologram of the old man appeared.

"What is it, spies? Any trouble?"

"Sort of. We cornered the suspect in those vandalism cases, and then it got weird."

"Weird how?"

"Well," she looked at Clover, "she was, no, she looked exactly like Clover."

"Except she can jump 20 feet in the air, run like the wind, and she's super-strong" Alex added.

"Oh, my. This could be serious. You three had better return immediately. There have been some strange events happening in New Orleans that may be related to this case. I'll brief you on the plane. Good luck, spies." The hologram vanished when Jerry killed the connection. Sam shut the Compowder.

"What does all this mean, Sammie?" asked Alex. "What did that...other Clover mean by all that?"

"I don't know, Alex. But I have a feeling this case just got a lot more complicated."

"I'll say." Said Clover. "Now there's someone who looks as good as me running around!"