A/N: Standard Disclaimers Apply

A/N: Well, Slyther, I hate to keep anyone waiting… However, it is curious that you get the chapter posted so quickly, but when I log in it sometimes takes 24 hrs. Hmmm.

A/N: Detailed reviews and constructive criticism are always welcome.

ACT THREE, scene two

BB was the first to get to his feet. He rubbed his eyes and looked around at the empty grinding room. "Aw, man," he groaned, "I cannot believe we just got our butts handed to us by Doctor Light!"

"His new powers are quite formidable," Starfire said, rolling her magnificent head and working out the kinks. "We must plan very carefully before facing him again."

"Yeah," BB said, "and they got away with the mirrors."

Starfire suddenly went very pale and her green eyes widened. "Oh, no! The holographic projectors! I was told to not use them, but I did use them to assist Beast Boy, and now I fear I have put our friends in Middleton in great jeopardy! What if Doctor Light and Doctor Dragon tell Slade that Robin and Raven are not here?"

"Star," Cy said soothingly and slowly stood up, "it'll be okay."

Starfire's large green eyes began to well with tears. "But what if it isn't?"

Cyborg said nothing. He simply drew the willowy girl into a gentle, reassuring hug. The massive Titan looked over to his green friend and traded worried glances.

…..

Kim walked home from Bueno Nacho alone. Her hands were stuffed in her pockets, and she stared at the pavement in front of her. The sad look in Ron's eyes as he left haunted her. Suddenly, the four-note chime of Kim's communicator rang loudly and shook the red headed girl out of her malaise. She quickly pulled the device out of her hip pocket and pulled it open. The cheerleader narrowed her green eyes before answering.

"Kim! We have a Drakken sighting," Wade said. "Jump City, of all places. He and someone that matches the description of Dr. Light just stole several telescope mirrors from an optics plant. The Teen Titans are investigating."

"Do you think they're going to need my help?"

"You are the Drakken expert."

Kim nodded solemnly. "Wade, have you I.D.'ed the guy I fought at GJ HQ?"

"From what little surveillance footage survives and your description, I have an idea."

To Kim, Wade's ideas were better than ninety-nine people's facts. Kim noticed her young friend's mood darken as he elaborated.

"Well, who is it?"

"Slade."

Kim nearly dropped her communicator. Slade was one of the few alpha one-class villains in Global Justice's database, and his quiet, taunting voice filled her memory.

"I expected better of you…"

"Kim?" Wade said, pulling her back to the present.

"What is he doing around here?"

…...

Ron didn't go straight home. He walked past the Possible house twice but always staying across the street. Mrs. Dr. Possible would surely invite him in, but Ron told himself no. He didn't think Kim was interested in John Gray, but he feared she was. He scolded himself for being more worried about whether Kim liked this boy than the dangerous new villain that entered their lives.

Rufus rode on Ron's shoulder, acting as Ron's confidant. The mole rat listened to Ron as he worked out the conflicting emotions and nodded wherever appropriate.

The blond boy finally decided to go home and turned suddenly, and hit someone.

"Oh man, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you," Ron said quickly.

"Obviously," a cool dry girl's voice answered him.

"Rachel? You live around here? I didn't know that."

Rachel stood and swept her dark hair away from her large violet eyes. "I'm just trying to keep a low profile," she said sharply.

"Yeah, no kidding."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I've seen you in the hall, and it's like you walk like you're two feet tall or something. No one notices you, and you're afraid to get stepped on."

Rachel arched a thin eyebrow.

Ron looked at his feet, "Sorry."

"For what? You were being honest." And surprisingly observant, Rachel added to herself.

Ron shuffled his feet trying to say anything and not sound stupid. He started to speak, but the phrase died half-formed. The freckled boy grimaced at his sudden inability to talk.

"It's okay, Ron," Rachel said. "I… I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay, Rae. See you then."

Ron leaned on a lamppost as Rachel walked back to her house. He slapped himself lightly on the forehead and yelled, "Hey Rae!"

The pale, dark haired girl stopped and turned.

"Tomorrow's the pep rally for our game against Lower River Valley. I'd like it if you'd come. I'm the school mascot, have this neat costume that I built and everything."

"Pep rallies aren't normally my thing," Rachel said sternly. Her eyes softened, and she added, "But we'll see."

…..

Kim knew she was dreaming. She was in the burning command center of Global Justice and watched helplessly as the tall, menacing Slade stepped through the smoke and fire, dragging the near lifeless form of Dr. Director. Every instinct told Kim to run, but both fear and honor rooted her to the spot. She raised her guard as he approached.

It was no use.

Kim was little more than a rag doll.

Slade stood over her, his boot on her throat, his cool, whispering voice filled her ears.

"Good bye, Kim Possible."

"NO!"

Kim sat up, sweating, panting. The red head swept a matted lock away from her green eyes, sighing deeply. She never had nightmares about any of her other foes and cursed herself for being scared. She tucked her legs under her and turned on the light.

She wasn't alone.

Perched on the back of her chair, perfectly balanced, was a dark cloaked boy. He wore an eye concealing domino mask, and his black hair spiked back, as if constantly blown by the wind.

"There are thirty seven entry points to your house that aren't covered by your security system. Upgrade it if you value the safety of your family."

His voice was youthful, but commanding and as strong as steel.

Kim's mind filled with too many questions for her to vocalize. She slid out of bed, not taking her eyes off him. The boy dropped from his perch, flipping his cloak back, revealing the bright yellow lining, green trousers, red tunic with a black circle on the left breast. The circle contained a large yellow R.

"By now, Wade should have told you who attacked Global Justice," he said coolly.

"Slade," Kim said.

"Did he also inform you Slade attacked a monastery in Japan? Does the Yamanouchi province mean anything to you?"

Kim kept her distance. The boy had a slouching, no, coiled stance, as if ready to strike at any opportunity.

"Not especially," Kim said slowly. "No, wait, isn't that where Ron did that exchange program last year?"

Kim glanced away and looked to the kimono that Ron brought her from his visit.

"And how did you…?" Her voice trailed off.

Kim was alone.