I do not own any Disney characters named herein and am only borrowing them to tell a nonprofit tale meant for entertainment purposes only.
Kim Possible: Vamped
By LJ58
19
"Let me get this straight," Dr. Director was saying as Kimberly and Dana prepared to rest after a long, hectic night and day that had them both beyond tense, and Will literally hiding from Kimberly of late. "You actually told someone outside this office about Kimberly?"
"Just Monique. You know her. She has helped Kim on missions, and they're real close, and she kind of… Well, they're real close."
Dr. Director sighed heavily and shook her head.
"It occurs to us, Director-Sama," Yori broke in when Ron started looking nervous again. "That the woman is someone that Kimberly-San would enjoy seeing. Someone that might help her keep calm if she feels she is not being cut off as she believes just now."
"How much are you willing to risk in trusting her," Dr. Director demanded.
"Hey, Monique would never hurt KP. She'd never betray her, either. They've been friends… Well, not as long as us, but a long time. They're really close. Like, ah, sisters. Sister-friends. Right," Ron nodded at Yori.
"Indeed," Yori murmured as Dr. Director just shook her head at Ron.
He could be grim and somber, and very dangerous at times. Yet at times he was still the clueless and often confused boy she first met when assessing Team Possible the first time. She looked at him, eyed Yori, and declared, "I'll review Robinson's files, and make a decision later. For now, say nothing of this," Dr. Director told them. "Most especially not to Kimberly."
"Because she would likely want to see her if she knew…."
"Because we don't know if we can trust her at this time. Robinson has…some dubious contacts herself."
"What? She's totally clean. She just builds dresses. Or makes dresses. Fashion stuff."
Dr. Director eyed him, and said, "And some of those she designs for have less than reputable reputations. Until I'm certain she won't be tipping off the wrong people about Kimberly, I'll be keeping an eye on her. Until that moment, you will say nothing else to either of them. Clear?"
"Okay, okay. We just thought… You know, that maybe Kim would calm down a little more if she had a friend around."
"Ronald, leave the thinking to me."
Ron shot her one of his rare somber looks now, and said, "Just don't be trying to label Monique. She's cool. She would never betray KP or us, and that I can guarantee."
"We shall see."
"Dr. Director, I need a moment," Will Du limped in just then, holding a slender file. "Alone," he said, eyeing Ron and Yori.
"We'll check in with Kim before we go. Let us know when we bring Monique for a visit," Ron declared and walked out.
"Monique? Visit," Will Du frowned as the two ninja left, closing the door behind them.
"Apparently, they took it upon themselves to bring their friend into the circle. All the way into the circle. The girl now nows everything, and is asking to see Kim."
"While I can see you might be concerned over security that might not be a bad idea."
"You don't," Dr. Director asked in surprise.
"No. Even I've noted Possible seems to be getting….tense again since Parker and Sanders have worked out their issues, and those men have been dealt with after that witless assault on Miss Parker."
"I'll consider wit hile I ponder the issue. Meanwhile, Commander Du, what is it you have you felt so important."
"Trust me, you're calling to want to see this one," he said somberly as he handed her the file, cringing when he stretched his arm out.
Dr. Director took the file, and opened it, and just stared.
"Details," she demanded as she stared at the very brief report, and the very disturbing photo before her.
"As was reported by the regional office, the six of them appeared in a remote region of Scotland where one of our agents was on assignment. They pointedly approached him, leading us to believe they knew all about him, and us, because they demanded we produce the new lady and her heir," Will reported as she scanned the report.
"Heir," Dr. Director frowned. "Will, call Kimberly to my office. We're going to have to confer with her on this one."
"But…?"
"It's not in the reports, Commander Du, but Kimberly has been reporting….memories of her ancestor's life. She is remembering being Krelandra. She might be our best source of intelligence for this one, and it is more than likely she is at the very center of this….appearance. Now, call her in."
"Yes, ma'am," he said, but looked more than anxious about it as he went to call Kim in to brief her on this unlikely situation.
~KP~
Kim said nothing as her eyes narrowed on Will sitting in a chair against the wall, and staying well away from her as she walked into the office, and frowned at him, and then Dr. Director.
"What's so important you had to wake me up just when I was finally getting some rest," the redhead asked with a scowl.
"Something….unusual has come up," the head of Global Justice informed her as she slid the file across the desk to her. "We think it's focused on you, Kimberly.
"Me," she said, and opened the file to gape at the photo. "Whoa," was all she said as Will stayed very silent, and well away from here.
Of late, he had been pointedly ignoring her and evading her, but this time, he couldn't.
"Is that…."
"Northern Scotland. They appeared to one of ours, as the report states, and demanded we produce the new lady and her heir at once."
"Heir," Kimberly murmured as she eyed the photo.
Kim studied the photo saw the six very tall and winged preternaturals that all looked human, even with one looking more of a bat, and one more lupine than not.
"Dana. They mean Dana," Kim said quietly as she eyed the six figures in the photo obviously taken from a distance.
"What do you know? Do you have anything from your…memories to explain…this," Dr. Director asked.
"I know a little. That is Legion," Kim pointed at the bat-like man. Orion the Hunter," she tapped at the wolfish visage. That one is Bephemont. Lucifer. Heras, and…Adam."
"What can you tell us….?"
"All six are the eldest of the Elders in the ruling line of preternaturals, and likely the source for a lot of gods, legends, and myths out there," she nodded at Betty. "We had better go. There is no telling what they want, but we'd better go find out. I do have the impression they are not all that patient."
"And if they mean trouble?"
"I think we're going to be evenly matched," Kim smiled somberly at the uneasy senior agent.
"We'd better call in Stoppable, and…."
"I go alone. With Dana. Only I will keep her back until…"
"I'm going with you."
"Dr. Director," Kim and Will both blurted.
"Technically, this feels like an official meeting. I think it's time they learned….or remembered that humans are more than their cattle," Betty spat at Kim in a firm tone. "I'm going."
"You'll stay back with Dana in the Roth until I'm certain it's safe," Kim said after a moment.
"I can take care of…."
"Six preternatural elders," Kim told her. "You can't even handle me," she quipped. "Do you think to manage six if there is any trouble?"
"I'm hoping that they'll be reasonable," Betty shot back indignantly.
"Anything's' possible," Kim smirked.
Will only groaned.
~KP~
"You're staying in the Roth, and I'll keep my Kimmunicator on and linked with Annie's comm," Kim said as she stepped out of the car even as Dr. Director's team landed nearby.
The one-eyed senior agent deplaned, and walked swiftly over to join her, and eyed her somberly.
"This is your plan. Are you sure you want to risk…?"
"You get in Annie, and wait with Dana," Kim told her. "If I trigger the auto-drive, she'll bring you right to me. Like I told her, I'll have my comm on, so you can hear what is said, and be ready for whatever is waiting. My personal advice based on what little I know? Be respectful, but bold. If I am…recalling correctly, they won't take weakness well. In fact, they'll likely exploit it. Now, just hang back, and wait."
"And how will you….?"
"I'd thought I'd walk. It's less than two miles, and I can run that in no time now. Just be patient. Both of you," Kim said, eyeing Dana who sat in the passenger seat as Dr. Director slid into the driver's seat. "And, Elizabeth," Kim smiled knowingly. "Don't touch anything. Annie wouldn't like it."
"Darn right I wouldn't. It's bad enough when those two gremlins of hers decides to try to upgrade me."
"They're just trying to figure you out, Annie. They still don't quite know how you went from a robotic mind to full AI."
"It did," Betty sputtered, eyeing the dash that was full of lights and LEDs that confused her.
"She, if you don't mind," Annie said in a very disgruntled tone.
"Be polite, Elizabeth. Annie can be kind of….mommish, if you know what I mean," she said, and turned, and loped off into the nearby forest masking them from the eyes that likely saw them arrive all the same.
Kim ran with a smile, dodging trees, brush, and brambles, and soon emerged on the wide, rolling plain beyond the forest, and saw the six towering Elders as Krelandra's memories identified them. She slowed down, trotting more gracefully, and paused just a few yards from the six that rose from seats on various stumps and rocks that seemed rather serendipitously placed even to Kim's mind.
She stopped, looking up at them as she now walked closer, and eyed each in turn. The six giants stood before her, simply eyeing her, and then one of the tall, muscular men with featured wings stepped forward, and glared at her.
"Do you insult us, child," Baphomet grumbled as he stood there with great raven's wings, and eyed her as he looked down at her with disdain. "At least show us your true self."
Kim glowered, but suddenly rose to her full height and flared her own crimson bat-like wings, grateful her current uniform had been altered to let her stretch. She was getting tired of tearing out of her clothing at such moments.
"There you are. I knew I sensed Krelandra's spawn. And here we thought her line had faded. Now, where is your heir, my lady," Heras, the female demanded.
"Why do you want her? Or me," Kim demanded. "For I'm still uncertain as to your purpose."
"We only wish to greet you, and offer you welcome, child," Orion, the wolfish Elder told her. "Obviously, our children are fading from this world of late, and so when found we try to protect those few of us still existent from the mortal purges."
"I'm doing well enough," Kim countered.
"You've near died more than thrice this one year alone," Legion hissed at her.
"Life is a risk. I prefer to live life all the same to hiding in shadows and caves like a craven," Kim snapped, tossing her head as her red mane fell around her shoulders.
"There is Krelandra's spirit," Lucifer smiled. "You are more like your ancestor than you know, woman."
"Truly. And who are you, Lucifer, to ask anything of us?"
Lucifer smiled.
"Until now, the youngest of the Elders. I truly am pleased you now have that honor, Lady Kimbera."
Kimberly nodded her head.
"Tell me true, why are you here making foolish demands before mortals. Else I leave, and you can go argue with yourselves."
"Krelandra's for certain," Heras smiled. "Child, we did come to ascertain your state and your safety. Truly, and to offer shelter to you and yours if needed. You must know it is a dangerous world for our kind of late. Not that it was ever safe."
"And will we ever be safe if we hide so, and do not face that world. I work with a good woman, and good people who do accept us. I fight those that do rampage when needed, but I try to bring peace between us all. Can you say as much?"
"We have learned that trusting mortals often leads to ruin," Heras told her. "I have lost too many children, child, to risk more needlessly."
"Life is a risk," Kim said again.
"We will hear your daughter and heir speak for herself. While yet to mature, she is still of an age to decide her place. Bring her forth," Baphomet demanded.
"You are transparent, old letch. I will let my daughter speak because she has her own heart, her own mind, and will. Only you will not gain another sycophant to warm your bed because her heart is already mated. You will listen, but you will not touch her. As I charge you, the mortal woman with her is our ally and friend. On your honor, you will not harm her."
"We will not act first," Legion told her, his great wings rustling.
"Nor will she. She is an honorable woman and a diplomat as much as a warrior," she declared, and gave the signal for the Roth to close on her as it flew down and Orion laughed at the little car that landed, and rolled to a stop near Kim.
"Not mature," Dana huffed the moment she climbed out and glared at the six uneasily.
"Well," Kim smiled down at her fondly. "You do have a little growing to do," she advised her as Betty stood stiff and proud before the six as she joined Kim and Dana.
"Ah, we do know her. The Huntress," Orion called Betty with a tone that conveyed some respect.
"Only by necessity, honored Elder," she said proving she had been listening. "I would much rather we all lived in peace without trouble from any side. Can you say as much?"
"Yet you hunt our young," Heras charged.
Betty eyed her despite the differences in their sizes, and boldly declared, "Only when they rage too greatly, and endanger our own and our world. Can you deny that some go too far, Great Lady? Even we hunt and police our own. Can you do no less?"
"She is bold," Baphomet smiled when Heras only frowned. "I like her."
"You like anything female," Legion charged. "Recall why we are here. Child of Krelandra," he called Dana, "We offer you refuge and safety among your own true kindred. You would free to learn your true strengths and to grow as you ought. Proud, and strong."
Dana eyed him, Kim, and then stepped forward at Kim's nod.
"I appreciate the offer, but I already have that. In Kim…. In my mother's shadow, I have safety enough. I learn from her. From Lady Director. From people on both sides. I have a woman I love and cherish, and I grow wise and strong enough to protect her, too, as well as myself. What do you offer beyond fear and shadows?"
"Oh, she is daring," Orion smiled. "I love a bold cub," the Hunter declared.
"You have heard my child," Kimbera as they called her stepped forward again to put her hand on Dana's slender shoulder. "You have heard from my friend. Now, hear me. We are not ready to leave our lives as yet. We still have much here to yet learn, and much here to yet do. We do appreciate your offer, and we will remember it, and you. Only for now, our time is still here among mortals. Not with you."
The six eyed one another, seemed to share something unspoken and then Heras turned back to face Kim as the others leaped into the sky, all but vanishing even as they flew away. Heras nodded to Kim and smiled at Dana, and declared, "I pray it is ever so for you, Kimbera, child of Krelandra. When you find yourself betrayed, though, you know where to come. Be wary, and ever guard your back. And you, Lady Danaras to be. I pray you never lose that pride and spirit. I pray you do grow as strong as your mother."
"I will," Dana said quietly, looking to Kim who stood taller and stronger than she had ever seen before now.
"We will be watching, little Huntress," Heras said as she now turned to Betty. "Time will prove if you are earnest, or no. Time will ever tell."
Then she leaped upward, flying off on great colorful peacock's wings and vanished like the others.
"Whoa," Dana said, and turned to Kim who was now shrinking back to normal, and pulling on a jacket she had ready for the moment since the air was still chilled around them. "So, I'm really gonna be like you one day?"
"Apparently. Apparently, when I shared my blood to save you, it gave you more than expected. Only it also apparently takes time to work," Kim told her as Betty frowned at the pair of them.
"I don't care….mom," she called Kim and hugged her. "I'm just glad to be here. With you."
"Me, too, sweetie. Me, too."
"So. You know where they go," Dr. Director asked bluntly as she looked away from that empty sky where the Elders had just vanished.
Kim eyed Betty and smirked saying, "They think so. Obviously, I haven't, ah, gotten in touch with all of my other side's more primal memories as yet. I'm very interested, though. They gave me a lot to think about. Didn't they?"
"They sure dropped some of it on me. Danaras," Dana grinned.
"Give yourself time, sweetie. One thing even I learned, is you don't have to grow up too fast. You miss out on a lot of if you do."
Betty eyed her, but said nothing as Kim slid into the car and Dana eyed the head of GJ, shouting, "Shotgun!"
The senior agent groaned as she climbed into the back of the car for the trip back to her own waiting team. Kim only laughed at her grumbling as she struggled to fit into the very small back seat.
To Be Continued….