They couldn't run to either side without the Rhinobit catching them. Kim looked up and slapped her hand on the holster where she kept her hair drier grappling gun, but it was empty. The snap had come loose, and she had lost it during the run.
"No grappling gun?" asked Ron.
"No, I lost it," Kim replied.
"What about the knockout lip gloss?" he asked.
"Sent it back to Wade for a refill," answered Kim, "What about your Monkey Power?"
"Sorry, the mojo doesn't seem to want to work today," he said, "And believe me, I've been trying."
The Rhinobit took a step forward and growled. Kim and Ron shrank back against the wall.
Without warning blobs of green energy suddenly hit the ground between humans and creature, throwing up chunks of earth and dust. Kim and Ron turned their heads and closed their eyes, and the Rhinobit jerked back away from the attack.
More green energy filled the space newly vacated by the bizarre creature, causing even more damage and dust.
With a yelp, the Rhinobit turned and fled back to the safety of Mama.
Kim and Ron opened their eyes, and saw a female figure with glowing green hands standing with her back to them. The dust obscured details, but there was only one person it could be.
The teen heroes looked at each other. "Shego saved us?" said Ron.
"Looks like," answered Kim.
The person turned and walked toward them, the glow fading from her hands.
Kim started to take a fighting stance, but dropped it when the figure came out of the now settling dust. She and Ron's jaws nearly hit the ground.
The person standing before them was certainly not Shego. She was wearing thigh-high dark blue boots with lighter blue for the trim and a matching miniskirt and belt. Her midriff was bare, and a dark blue top covered her breasts. This clothing had a metal sheen to it. Above it was a metal neck guard. Her upper arms were bare, though the right one had a metal band around it, and she wore gauntlets that covered from the backs of her hands to her elbows. Her hair was long and dark red. Her skin was orange, and her eyes lime green. She appeared to be about eighteen.
"You are unharmed, yes?" the strange girl asked in a soft voice.
"Uh, uh, that is, uh..." stammered Ron.
Kim elbowed him to get him to stop trying to talk. "Yes, we're fine, thank you."
The girl smiled. "I am glad I arrived in time to prevent it from hurting you," she said, and turned toward where the Rhinobit was being comforted by Amy. "Is that a normal animal here?"
"No, it's not. That woman created it," said Kim, pointing at Amy, who was leading her pet back into the warehouse.
"It seemed to be very cute and cuddly. Perhaps she will make one for me," said the girl.
"Um. I don't mean to be rude, but who are you? I'm Kim Possible, and this is Ron Stoppable," said Kim.
The odd girl looked at them and smiled. "I am glad to make your acquaintance. I am known as Starfire," she said.
Just then Rufus popped out of Ron's cargo pants pocket. Starfire, catching sight of him, squealed in delight. "A greefa, from Greplex Prime!" she said, and reached toward the naked mole rat. Rufus ducked back down into the pocket, and Ron moved away a bit.
"No, that's Rufus, he's a naked mole rat," he said.
Starfire frowned and dropped her arms, disappointed she had scared the little pink creature.
"C'mon out, Rufus, she's not going to hurt you," said Ron.
The pocket flap eased up, and beady black eyes regarded the newcomer, who cooed at him.
Starfire slowly moved a hand towards him, and Rufus sniffed at it. He got a confused look on his face, and moved away from her uncertainly.
"He's usually friendly with people," said Ron, "What's wrong little buddy?"
Rufus looked up at his master. "Smells different."
"What do you mean?" asked Ron.
Rufus shook his head. "Dunno. Different."
Kim and Ron looked at each other. This was new behavior for Rufus, and they didn't know what to make of it.
Starfire looked embarrassed. "I am sorry, I have not performed the shower-ritual in two days. That may be the problem."
"Are you related to Shego?" asked Kim, looking at Starfire.
"No, I do not know this Shego. I have no kin on this world," was the reply.
"What do..." began Kim, and was interrupted by the sound of the truck Amy had stolen cranking. They looked, and saw her in the driver's seat. Seeing she had their attention, she smiled and waved, and put the truck in gear.
"Ah, Kim, she's getting away..." said Ron.
"I shall stop her," said Starfire, turning towards the truck.
"No, don't," said Kim, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder, "We're letting her go."
"WHAT? Why?" asked Ron in utter confusion.
"I planted a GPS tracer on the truck," replied Kim, "So when she gets home, GJ can capture her, and get all her animals."
"I don't get it," said Ron, shaking his head.
Kim sighed. "We don't know where she lives, and she said she was out of animal food. If we take her down now, it might be days before her other animals are rescued and fed."
"Oh, I see," he said.
Amy waved again, and the three of them waved back. The truck disappeared around the building back towards the main gate.
"That is most kind of you, thinking of her other animals," said Starfire, her eyes moist.
Kim and Ron glanced at each other. This girl seemed to be very emotional.
"We'd better find Jen," said Kim, "Let's get back to the warehouse." She started walking back towards it, followed by Ron and Starfire.
About halfway back to the warehouse, Kim found her grappling gun where it had fallen from the holster. She picked it up and returned it to it's place.
"So, uh, Starfire, why are you here?" asked Kim.
"I am on a mission to find one who is lost," she said, "I happened to be nearby when I heard that cuddly animal roar, and saw you were in danger."
"Thanks for the rescue," said Kim, "When this is over, we'll see about helping you find your missing person."
"Your assistance would be most welcome," said Starfire.
Back in the cooler darkness of the warehouse, they looked around. The remains of the heist were still visible; hand trucks carelessly tossed away, a bag of food split open, a door left open.
"Jenny!" called Kim, and her voice echoed back. She waited, but no other answer came.
Kim pulled her Kimmunicator, and hit the button connecting her directly with Jinx. On the other side of some crates they heard the familiar four-tone alert. Kim took off in that direction, the other two right behind her.
Several rows down she stopped short. Jinx was sitting up, hands on her temples and eyes closed.
"Jenny!" said Kim, squatting beside her, "Are you okay? What happened?"
"Ohhh, I've got the worst headache," answered Jinx, "And I don't know. I got to the end of these crates, and everything went dark. Goddess, my head hurts." She reached out and Kim took her arm, helping her to stand up.
"Were you hit in the head?" asked Ron.
"I don't think so; the pain is internal," answered Jinx. "Owwww..."
"Ah, Jenny," said Kim, "We were saved from Amy's pet by..."
"FRIEND JINX! IT IS GLORIOUS TO FIND YOU ALIVE AND WHOLE!" shouted the strange girl, who rushed past Kim and put Jinx into a crushing hug.