Location: N-Tek HQ, Copper Canyon
"Director, who's that Uncle Ferrus?"
"The Director of Global Justice, Dr Elizabeth Director" Forge explained, reviewing the latest reports from the repair crews.
"A Director named Director?" Steel asked in disbelief.
"Says the robot called 'Steel'" Max snarked earning a jab in the side "Watch it blinky"
"Alright enough fooling around. Global Justice is, as you could probably guess, a global organisation dedicated to ensuring that threats to world security are dealt with" Forge continued.
"Wait I thought that was N-Tek's job?" Max asked as the trio exited Forge's office.
"The world's got lots of problems Max. While Global Justice deals with a wide variety of threats N-Tek was designed to be a little more...specialised"
"Okay, still doesn't explain why this 'Director' lady wants to talk to you"
Sighing Forge turned to face them "The whole mess with the Ultimate Elementor and Toxzon really set us back. The Director's offering to lend a hand until we're back at full strength"
"Well that doesn't sound so bad" Steel commented lazily hovering around him "So why do you look so concerned"
"Because she also shared with us some intel on a new threat. A few months back they intercepted some encrypted transmissions between known supervillains. The data they managed to decrypt showed that some mad scientists types have formed an organization called 'The Intelligencia', and to make matters worse they've just discovered that one of their little hidey holes in right here in Copper Canyon"
"Are you serious? Great as if there weren't already enough things trying to kill us" Max groaned.
"On a related note the Director also informed me that they would be bringing in some outside help. They're sending them on ahead to meet us"
"Outside help? Are we sure it's a good idea to let some strangers into the base? I mean you're the one who keeps going on about 'keeping a low profile' Uncle Ferrus"
"I'm not exactly thrilled about it, but I know they'll be a big help" he admitted, earning a curious look from Max.
"You know who they are? So who.." Max began only for an alarm flare into life.
Activating his comms Forge contacted Berto "What's going on Berto, is this another attack from the Elementors?"
"No sir we've received reports of a large explosion in the city along with various sightings of unknown creatures attacking civilians" Berto explained frantically searching for information on these new invaders.
"We've gotta get out here! Steel let's go Turbo!" Max yelled as Steel fused into his suit, a set of sharp wings forming from his back "Flight!"
"Max wait we.." Forge started but trailed off as Max launched out of the base, before blasting off towards the city.
"That kid will be the death of me" he grumbled before activating his comms once more "All right people I want every available units geared up and ready to move"
"Sir you have an incoming call from G.J" Berto said, patching them through.
"Diretor now is not the best time...They are? Alright tell them to meet up with our agent in the field. Trust me they'll know him when they see him"
Location: Copper Canyon
Reaching the outskirts of the city Max stared at the multiple pillars smoke rising from the city center as emergency services rushed to the scene.
"Steel can you pick anything up on your sensors?" he asked, increasing his speed to reach the thickest smoke cloud.
"I'm picking up multiple unknown energy signatures, also what sounds like a LOT of lasers. So, you know, try not to get us fried" Steel replied, earning an eye roll from his partner.
"You're all heart buddy" was his sarcastic reply, reaching the base of the smoke he dropped to the ground, returning to his base mode.
In front of him was a motley collection of creatures, scuttling and flying around various destroyed vehicles and stores. Noticing a group of civilians being cornered by two almost spider like creatures, the sinister looking duo raising their forelimbs and preparing to fire.
"I don't think so, Let's go Turbo!" his armour shifting into a taller more streamlined form "Speed!"
In a flash of blue Max slammed into the nearest enemy causing it to collide with its partner, knocking the two into a tangled heap. Not letting up Max charged again delivering a devastating flurry of punches into their masked faces, staggering slightly when they collapsed into pixels.
"Wait are these things..holograms? Solid holograms like the training room?" He asked as he continued his rapid strikes on the nearest targets.
"It certainly looks that way, but there's something about their energy signature that feels off. I'll keep scanning you keep smashing" Steel replied
"Now that is a plan. Let's go Turbo!" his armour shifting into a bulkier form "Strength!"
Leaping forward Max crushed a trio of small tick monsters under foot before lifting one of the blocks above his head and using it to smack a manta out of the sky. Flinching as a volley of bolts struck his back, Max turned and charged at the group of crabs behind him, scattering them like bowling pins. He was taking them down easy enough but their numbers just seemed to increase, at this rate he wouldn't be able to keep them contained here much longer.
"Time to even the odds. Let's go Turbo!" returning to base form he then split into six identical copies "Clone!" Rushing back into the fray Max and his clones spread out to cover the area, dodging energy blasts and using their superior strength to break apart the invading creatures.
"This will buy us some time but unless we can cut them off at the source we'll just burn ourselves out" Steel said scanning the area "I think I've got a lead on where they're coming from"
"If we go now then these creeps could seriously hurt someone, or worse" Max said, dodging a spray of acid from one of the mosquitoes before taking it out with a leaping uppercut "But if we stay to clear the area more will just keep showing up"
"I believe this is what you call a 'Catch 22' situation" Steel mused "I suppose we'll need to hold out until N-Tek can send in reinforcements before continuing"
As Max dispeled his clones and shifted back into Turbo speed the sound of a jet engine came from overhead. Looking up they saw a small craft with two figures leaping from the rear hatch. The pair activated the jet packs strapped to their backs before landing to his right.
They looked about his age, one being a girl with long red hair and the other a boy with short blonde hair and a small pink skinned creature clambering over his shoulder.
"Not what I was expecting but I guess we can work with this right Max...Max?" Steel asked, confused by the lack of response
"That's..That's Kim Possible!" Max exclaimed, slightly in shock at seeing the famous super teen "What's she doing here?"
"Hey come on man what am I, invisible?" the boy muttered to himself as he moved to cover Kim's back.
"Sorry, I just..Why are you here" Max asked, using his speed to take out another block as Kim sent one of the ticks sprawling with a sweeping kick.
"Global Justice called us in to help search for the Intelligencia base, though we might need to deal with this sitch first" she replied, flipping out of the way of a manta's strafing run.
"Actually I think we've found the base, we just can't check it out without leaving these monster loose"
"Gotcha, you punch on through to the base, I'll stay here with Ron and keep the people safe" Kim decided as Ron rode past clinging to one of the blocks as it frantically tried to shake him off, it's stray shots taking out a few of its unfortunate allies.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Max asked, watching Ron scramble through the enemy's attacks.
"Trust me Ron's more capable than he looks" she assured him before running back into the action.
"Do we believe that?" Steel asked as they shifted back into flight mode.
"They are world famous heroes. So let's go storm a secret base"
Watching Max Steel take off towards downtown, Kim turned her attention back to the horde of monsters still swarming the area. Using her impressive gymnastic abilities she easily evaded their fire and closed the gap between them, striking one of the crabs in its eye icon with a devastating axe kick, smashing it to the floor. Finishing it off with a solid punch Kim was joined by a flustered Ron.
"You hanging in there?" she asked, kicking away a mosquito that had dropped too low.
"I mean it's pretty nice of them to mark their weak points for us I guess but maybe they could cut back on the lasers" he yelped dodging another shot from a spider.
"Don't worry, both Global Justice and N-Tek have some troops on the way, we just need to hold out for a little longer" she reassured him.
At that moment a loud rumbling was heard as a metal sphere came into view, rolling to face them it split open revealing a mass of red tendrils and a central eye.
"Ok that is just sick and wrong" Ron gagged as Rufus squeaked in agreement.
The eye let out a vertical wall of energy slicing through the street and forcing the two teens to leap out of its path. Getting to their feet they soon found themselves under fire from more of the spider creatures. Panicking Ron frantically looked back and forth between the rolling tank and the approaching monsters. Suddenly a plan began to form in his mind, taking a calming breath he ran out to catch the spider's attention, standing in front of the recharging tank.
"Hey lookie here, new target! Hit the hero and win a prize!" he cried, waving his arms as Kim watched in confusion and worry.
Taking aim the spiders unleashed a staggering volley of energy blasts towards him, as they drew near He activated his jet pack, flying over the blasts and causing them to strike the tank and blast it into pixels. Attempting to adjust their aim one of the spiders found its arms snagged by a grappling line, with a sharp tug Kim forced their arms up blowing its own head clean off. The remaining spider barely had time to register the loss of its partner before Ron crashed into it, smashing its head into the floor and destroying it.
Staggering to his feet Ron found himself caught in a tight embrace from his girlfriend, before he could return the hug she pulled back and punched him in the arm earning an undignified whine from the young hero.
"Next time warn me before you do something like that" she admonished, causing him to sheepishly grin back.
The sound of more rumbling interrupted them as two more spheres rolled into view, opening their shells the tanks took aim as the duo prepared to run. Before they could fire both tanks were struck with large blasts, tearing them apart and scattering some of the smaller creatures unlucky enough to be nearby. Turning to face the source of the attack they found N-Tek transports rolling into position, while overhead a group of Global Justice aircraft rained fire down on the largest groups of monsters.
"Booyah! Now that's what I'm talking about" Ron cheered, Rufus happily jumping about on his shoulder.
"Perfect timing, now let's finish these things off and go help out Max Steel" Kim said as they moved to mop up the survivors.
While taking out small groups of monsters along the way Max finally reached the location Steel had traced the strange energy signature back to. Touching down Max made his way through the ruined wall of the auto shop finding that most of it had collapsed with a large hole in the floor.
"A secret base under a motor shop? These guys have no sense of style" Max quipped as he dropped down.
As they neared the bottom of the tunnel they noticed a small swarm of monsters attempting to climb out.
"Sorry this exit is now closed. Strength!" Transforming mid fall he impacted the ground like a meteor crushing them beneath his bulk.
Dusting off the debris from hsi landing the pair got their first look at the lair. Most of the equipment had been destroyed except for the main console and a large circular machine towards the far side of the room. From the light came a black metallic creature, claws glinting dangerously as it snarled in warning.
"You look like you could use a good manicure, maybe we can help" Steel taunted as they charged.
Immediately the beast leapt away, moving to flank its prey as Max took a swing, the beast easily dodging the heavy attack before lashing out with its claws cutting into his arm plates. Cancelling the transformation Max dodged the next flurry of swings before being pinned down turning his head in disgust as the beast roared into his face.
"Hey ever heard of personal space?" Max grunted struggling to keep its snapping jaws away.
Detaching from the suit Steel floated around the creatures head, peppering it with Turbo blasts. As the beats reared back to shield its face Max took the opportunity to kick it off, hurrying back to his feet as Steel rejoined him. Snarling the beast made another lunging attack only to be knocked back as Max unleashed a pulse of Turbo energy. Using the breathing room Max charged up for another mode change.
"You ready for this Steel" he asked, positioning himself to get both the beast and the machine in his line of sight.
"Oh yeah. Time to put fido here down" he agreed preparing to transform.
"Go Turbo! Canon!" his armour becoming large and bulky, Max began to power up for a charge.
Facing down its enemy the beast made a mad dash towards him, claws aimed for his throat. Before it could even register that Max had moved it found itself flattened into the floor as Max shot forward, his bulky form smashing the machine apart with ease as he ploughed through it before impacting on the wall behind it. Allowing himself to return to his base mode Max shook his head to clear the dizziness and turned to inspect his handiwork.
"Not bad, you managed not to smash the console. Berto should be able to pull some useful data from it" Steel commented as Max moved to inspect the broken and twitching form of the beast.
As he approached the beast made a weak attempt to raise its arm before Max brought his foot down on its head, reducing it to black smoke. Letting out an exhausted breath Max shifted back into flight mode.
"Come on, let's help clear out any stragglers. The we'll see what those Global Justice guys can tell us about these Intelligencia psychos"
Location: N-Tek HQ, Copper Canyon
Once the remaining creatures had been eliminated Kim and Ron had been invited back to N-Tek for debriefing. While Ron and Rufus geeked out over how 'cool' Max and Steel looked, with Kim playfully teasing him over his new guy crush, Forge was discussing the situation with the Director.
"Our teams have just finished reporting in. Amity Park, Townsville and Norrisville are secure, and they've made contact with some..interesting individuals" the Director said, sending a set of files over.
As he flicked through the information she continued.
"The data your people have managed to extract from the Intelligencia's mainframe is quite concerning" she said going over the report "It appears that this lab was also linked to another of these 'devirtualization' chambers. While the location of this remaining base was unfortunately wiped from the system, we think we can use our satellite network to track it down thanks to the data acquired by Steel"
"Well keep searching the system for any more information. But I'm more concerned about this 'Gigabyte' from the Townsville report" Forge admitted, reading through the transcript from Buttercup's debriefing.
"If what Buttercup says is true, that these attacks were just to gauge our strength, then we could be walking into a serious mess when we track him down" she agreed.
"So what's the plan for dealing with it? No offence but I don't think your agents will have much of a chance against this thing and whatever new creatures it's' cooked up"
"Sadly I've got to agree with you. Our forces probably won't be a match for him, but maybe if they have support. A strike team to lead the attack" she said bringing up the images of six individuals, one of which being very familiar.
"Do you think they'll say yes?" he asked, turning to face his nephew.
"I can't order them to help, but I'm sure they'll agree once the stakes are explained." she replied.
"Alright I'll ask them"
"Ask us what Un-I mean sir" Max asked, earning a sarcastic 'smooth' from Steel.
"The Director's getting ready to deal with the last of these creeps' hidey holes, and she's hoping to put together a team to lead the assault" he explained turning the tablet for them to see.
"Wait, are you asking us to perform a superhero team up?" Steel asked, excitement evident in his digital voice.
"If it means we can stop whoever attack our home then I'm in" max announced "Just uh..no suit this time okay pal"
As Steel gave an embarrassed chuckle, Kim gave her agreement to the plan too. The group making their way to one of the Global Justice transports nearby, strapping themselves in, the craft lifted into the air before beginning it's return trip.
Letting out an excited cheer Ron turned to Kim "Oh man this is gonna be so cool!"