"What do we do?" Scott's voice echoed with defeat through the empty hangar, his hands gripping the rail that overlooked Thunderbird 1's station.

"We get them back," the reassurance and steadiness in his father's words worked to ease the tension that came with feeling powerless. "Gordon can get us to the Hood's base - to our ships. He and Kayo are already setting up the plan and they'll need us if we want to stop the Hood from hurting anyone else."

A warm hand pressed to his back and the brunette dropped his face into his hands as he leaned against the railing. "Why is he doing this to us?" Scott asked into his palms, fully aware of what could have happened if they hadn't had Gordon protecting them.

"If I only knew," the elder man sighed. "Hatred is a powerful emotion. It could be nothing of our doing, but he has decided to hate who we are and what we stand for."

"Then how do we stop him?" He stood, blue eyes desperate for a solution and he knew what he was willing to do, even if it went against everything they had built International rescue on. Not everyone was worth saving. There were some that the world needed saving from. If that was his job, then so be it.

But if there was some other way… They all deserved to check every avenue before making a rash decision that could lead to the end of a life.

His father didn't answer. There wasn't one, yet, that they were all comfortable with and it had shown in Gordon's face. They were relying on the genie's knowledge and experience, but that had been limited to a shared understanding offered by the universe. Gordon just knew about the rules, never testing them out until now.

"What if -" Scott stopped not sure if he wanted to broach this to his father, but it needed to be said. "What if we don't have any other choice but to -"

"Scott," the gentle authority sent a shiver up his back. It brought with it memories of when he was Alan's age, fretting over his younger brothers and Dad working to keep him relaxed. It had helped some, but after losing him, Scott's anxiety had only grown with the responsibility of keeping the rest of the family together. Jeff's tone was a welcome one. "That is a job that neither you or any of your brothers will have to face. We have the technology to capture him without killing him. We can turn him over to the GDF after that."

Scott nodded, grateful that they had something to hold onto. Now, it was deciding who would go and what they would do when they got there. They couldn't be certain, but it seemed likely that their 'birds had been wished away by the Hood. Gordon had tried to get them back, but a genie couldn't undo another genie's wish. They would have to get them back on their own. If they could find them.

EOS had tried from her backup drives on the Island, but without Thunderbird 5, she was left in a state of frustration that had forced them to place her in the portable unit, now sitting beside John's infirmary bed. That had calmed her, but still offered a new reason for her to be angry.

"I guess we'll figure the rest out after," Scott relented his grip on the rail. "Let's see what Kayo's got."

"Good plan," Jeff wrapped an arm around his eldest's shoulders, the hug more than welcome as they headed back to the lounge.

OoOoOoO

"Are you sure about this?" Gordon caught Kayo's intense gaze as they stood over the holographic blueprints of the Hood's base that Penelope had wished for. The war that had been waging inside the security officer's head earlier was gone and in its place, he could see confidence.

"The fewer the better," she clarified. "The Hood is smart. He'll assume we can find the Thunderbirds even though we can't see them in our scans. He'll be prepared for anything."

"Scott's gonna be pissed," Gordon grinned, despite the situation. He agreed this was dangerous and he wasn't thrilled with the idea of putting any of them in danger. Kayo had a connection with the villain and would be their best option for implementing their plan.

"If this works, he'll get over it," her smile met his.

"Then I suggest we leave," Penelope gestured to the elevator that had activated. Parker took his place next to her, obviously ready to protect his charge.

"Lady Penelope, could you acquire us some stealth gear, please?" Kayo asked, eyes on the elevator.

Sapphire eyes, filled with trust, sent a spark through his core and he didn't hesitate to clothe them in black uniforms for the early hours of morning they would be entering into. A day. All of this had taken place in less than 24 hours. It seemed impossible, but he knew better. Genie magic had the ability to turn the world on its head in a matter of seconds. Gordon just hoped the plan would work, because the alternative - the one he had kept to himself - would not be ideal for anyone involved.

The elevator came to a stop and they heard the doors slide open.

"I wish we were in the Hood's facility," the London agent whispered and just as Gordon snapped, he saw the shock and confusion on the commander's face.

A second later and the four found themselves hidden in the shadows of a maintenance room, Kayo already on the move to scan their area for life signs. Gordon took up position behind her, followed closely by Penelope and Parker. The hall remained empty as they silently slipped around the corner and down another corridor. The holographic map only offered a general location for them to head towards - a large chamber that could potentially house the Thunderbirds.

At least, he hoped they were there.

Gordon found he was grateful for Kayo's presence. She had skills that far exceeded the rest of them and from the file he'd found in regards to the Hood, she might be their only chance of stopping him.

"We're here," the young woman whispered back to them, keying through a screen on her wrist. There were at least four life signs moving through the large room, which wasn't too worrying. He could move people to any place in the world at his mistress's word. If it was the Hood, then the real challenge would begin.

The doors slid open smoothly, revealing the high ceiling of what they had hoped was a hangar. What it was, however, left them stunned. Piles of money, each a different currency lined the room. At the center, a throne, ornate and grotesque in its richness. It sat atop stacks of gold bars that sent a dull glow over the walls and in it, the man they had come for.

And he was looking straight at them.

"Ah, I was beginning to wonder when you would come to visit," the Hood grinned from where he lounged. "I had hoped you would have brought at least one Tracy with you, Tanusha."

Gordon felt his skin buzz at the cold composure of the villain and his head was screaming for him to get his friends out of there. This man knew they were coming and seemed to be prepared. And where was-

Just as he thought it, the connection - the link bound by the universe - pulled his attention to the figure in the shadows just past the throne. Gordon wanted to reach out to know what was at stake. What was the Hood planning?

"Sorry to disappoint," Kayo taunted back, sounding anything but apologetic.

"It's funny," the bald man's grin only grew. "If I hadn't been privy to a certain amount of information, I would be questioning how you made it inside so easily." Yellow eyes shifted to stare straight into him and Gordon shuddered with the recognition. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your new friend? I've already heard so much about him."

The security officer tensed just the slightest, but it was enough for the genie to know she'd been caught off guard. Gordon's own gut had flipped and his attention returned to the other genie. He felt the regret pass over their connection and his worry grew. Kayo's voice was steady despite the trouble they were in. "Save the pleasantries for someone who cares. We're here to stop whatever it is you're doing."

"Why, what could you possibly think I'm doing?" The Hood's hands lifted as though finding the comment offensive. "Simply a man growing his wealth, I'd say."

Their plan was quickly reforming in his head, but the danger was much greater with the man aware of their presence. Penelope moved just the slightest behind him - the damsel in a dangerous situation that would be overlooked in lieu of those with fighting skills. She was their one hope of taking him down without a fight.

"By killing innocent people?" Kayo growled.

The Hood's face contorted with confusion, but there must have been enough in that accusation to fill in a few holes. A laugh fell past the villain's lips, "I almost didn't believe him at first. I thought maybe he had simply warped more of my wishes when I thought to capture Scott. Imagine my surprise when I learned the Tracys had a genie of their own and knew all about mine." The eyes were back on Gordon who tried not to bristle at the glee he saw in them. "I do hope you enjoyed the show, my boy. It's about to have an encore."

Penelope moved just as two large henchmen sprung from behind the piles of money. Her weapon rose and fired in the split second it too for the men to take their first lumbering steps, but as the tranquilizing bolt closed in on its target, a shimmer of energy caught it. The group stood stunned and Gordon's mind raced for another option as the goons descended on Parker and Kayo. Both nimbly avoided their first blows from the massive individuals. He watched as the tranq gun aimed at the man attacking Parker, but before she could obtain a clear shot, the Hood's voice broke over them.

"I wouldn't, if I were you," the man grinned, producing a tablet from the arm of his chair. "I have access to more explosives located around the world. At a simple stroke of my finger, you'll be responsible for someone's untimely demise."

They hadn't planned for this. A flaw of being the good guy meant the bad ones had the advantage. Threaten just one life and they could win. Gordon's own plan crept forward, edging him closer to a choice he didn't want to make.

Find another way… He thought as Penelope took a stand next to him, the weapon gone for the moment.

"What do you want?" She ground out, if only to keep the Hood busy. Kayo was halfway across the room with the larger of the two goons. The man was clumsy, but he had power behind his strikes. One hit and Kayo would be in trouble. Parker wasn't much better off, his movements leaning more towards deflection and retreat. He needed an opening to take the advantage of speed and downright dirty fighting.

"Simple. World domination," the Hood made it sound as if he were reading from a Christmas list. "So far, it seems greed and self-preservation are the leading strategies to obtain just that." He picked up a coin from a stack by his throne, rolling it over his fingers. "And now, what I truly want, is for your genie to die, by which Fuse here has assured me is quite possible."

Gordon's core pulsed with fear, but he knew where his lamp was. It would be safe.

The genie - Fuse - stepped into the light, gold beams bouncing over the black suit that made him seem more of an assassin than mystical creature. His jaw was clenched and Gordon wondered what he might be trying to withstand.

"Now, your ladyship," the Hood taunted as he stood from his throne. "I'd like to introduce you to true power." A glance to the genie by his side. "I wish for you to destroy him."

Gordon didn't think, just pushed his mistress out of the way as a chunk of stone shot up from the floor and slammed into him, his back colliding with the door they had come through. His core shook violently with the impact and he slid to the floor in a daze. Penelope was back to her feet, wide eyed and he could see the fear as it tried to overtake the woman who was so used to being in control.

"Mistress!" The command jarred her from the shock and she shot a glance to the Hood and the genie attacking him.

"I wish you would fight back!" Music to his ears and he felt his element surge free as water pulled from the air to surround him. Fuse had done the same, only his form had become that of earth and stone. Gordon could already envision the collateral damage their fight would bring with it.

Good… he could keep his friends protected while the Hood's base collapsed. Whatever Fuse had told his master, this wasn't the way to kill another genie, but it did offer a new route for his own plan.

With more zealous than was necessary, Gordon sent out a whip of water, letting it slam into a far wall, just inches from his counterpart. The resounding screech of bent metal gave him hope that he could bring the building down given enough effort.

Fuse's glowing red eyes locked with his aqua, the message loud and clear that they would have to do what they could while keeping to their masters' wishes. In response, a chunk of stone ripped from the floor sending gold bars tumbling into the newly formed pit. It slammed into Gordon's torso and embedded into the fluid before falling away.

Nothing about this fight was particularly painful, but his focus was scattered. Penelope still stood by the doorway, his connection to her making it easy to keep her safe. Parker's man hadn't been prepared for the elemental battle and was currently stunned and slack jawed. The chauffeur had climbed a pile of money with a look of relief. Kayo was on the opposite side fighting her goon, who must've been willing to accept anything as normal as long as he did his job. The young woman was quick to leap out of the way of his attacks, but if Gordon didn't resolve this battle soon - she couldn't afford one slip up.

He surged forward, wrapping his form around the stone figure and let himself seep into every corner. Water always won in the end, but Fuse was powerful. His core burst with magma, scorching the liquid as it reached inside.

Damn! Gordon hissed. Abandoning that option was only temporary as he dropped around the larger genie's feet. Mud began to spread over the floor, making it slick as Fuse took a lumbering step forward and slid. He toppled into the pile of gold bars, sending it crashing to the floor with the Hood leaping clear with a growl of his own.

"What are you doing, you fool?!" The villain spat. "I said destroy him!"

The water elemental would have laughed at the Hood's plight, but the sediment that had mixed within him suddenly grew ridged, spreading throughout his form before hurling him into the wall. Fuse peeled him off, slamming him into the floor.

Panic set in as Gordon found it difficult to extract himself from all of the particles. His focus returned to his charges, desperate to keep them safe as he was thrown towards Parker. Fuse was well aware of what he was doing, however, and the mass of water hit the henchman. The goon crumpled under the blow and Gordon felt a spark of hope ignite before he was pulled back up.

The only problem, Fuse still had a wish to fulfill and the ground burst upwards, swirling around him until it formed a thick cocoon of solid stone. The sediment fell from him and Gordon threw himself at the inner wall of the sphere. His fingers ran over the smooth surface, scrambling for any crack to slip into.

But there were none.

Throwing himself in every direction, nothing budged and Gordon tried to reach out to his mistress, but he couldn't find her. Fuse was inadvertently blocking their link with his own powers. Despair was immediate, his core screaming to get out and protect her.

If I can't find a crack, I'll make one! He didn't have a specific location to focus on, but that didn't stop the pinpoint deluge of water that cycled into the one spot of stone he hoped would give. His teeth clenched as he poured more energy into his attack and felt the first fissure open. It was all he needed to press forward, widening the weakness until he felt open air and streamed his way through.

Gordon's immediate concern was his mistress, finding her ducked behind a pile of treasure to avoid laser fire from a weapon the Hood had produced. He fought to make it to her, the wish demanding he get back out and fight, but he needed her to end this.

And that sent a new ache through him.

"Mistress - this won't end." The genie gasped out once he knelt by her side.

"What do we do?" Penelope's eyes were full of fear as a black burn mark appeared on the wall behind them.

A wish, but one no genie would willingly ask for. It was a shared understanding between their kind that spoke of great consequences if ever attempted. Yet… It would put a stop to all of this for good.

"I need you to wish for - for me to absorb the other genie's powers." He hoped she couldn't hear the tremble in his voice at his request. Gordon knew she would do as he asked and there was no going back now.

"If you sure?" Bless her for asking, but it was still a dagger to his core to nod. "Then I wish for you to absorb the genie's power."

The snap echoed loud and final in his ears and a new sensation coursed through him. Even the earth elemental seemed to notice it as he stopped to stare at Gordon reemerging from beside Penelope.

"What have you done?" Fuse asked, taking a step back.

"Just - get them out of here -" he ground out just as the universe demanded he shoot forward, a stream of ice blue slicing through stone, straight into the core of the genie. Gordon felt it surge in protest, but it was only a second, his own core fusing with the energy until he felt the stone armor fall away, revealing the man who had been cursed long ago.

Fuse's bare feet hit the ground, his upper half held firm by the colossal form Gordon had become. The room had gone quiet as the fighting ceased, Parker collecting Penelope as they stood to see the result of Gordon's request.

"Fuse! What are you doing?!" The Hood snapped, more irate with his genie than the intruders.

Dark brown eyes just regarded Gordon, awe and disbelief in their newly reclaimed humanity. "Why?"

The blonde gave a sad, lopsided smile, "Seemed like the right thing to do."