My standard KP disclaimer:
I know Disney owns "Kim Possible"...lock, stock, and Rufus.
If they want to sue me, they have to get behind all my other creditors.
Since I am in south Florida, the line has formed to the right
…and goes all the way to Sacramento!
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Opening notes:
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1) I want to say 'thanks' to FireStorm2K7, JAKT, lxk, CajunBear73, and karenstern05 for reviewing the first chapter of this story.
For a chapter that was posted so late in the weekend without much notice on my part, I still think it did well.
2) I start this chapter with the last few paragraphs of the previous chapter. Still, it is HIGHLY recommended to read the 'So the Reality: Prologue' chapter for this story, along with this tale's first chapter, before proceeding!! It's the only real way to fully bring readers 'up to speed' on the events leading up to this chapter.
'So the Reality: Prologue' is easy to find. Just click on my name at the top of this story. My bio will appear, along with a list of stories. Click on 'So the Reality: Prologue', select the fifth chapter, and you're there.
Of course…if one of the other stories on the list catches your eye, feel free to read that one (maybe leave a review, perhaps?), and then go the 'Prologue' chapter.
Don't worry…we'll wait until you come back.
You won't miss a thing…I promise!
3) Just a friendly reminder…if you want something a little darker than what I have here, be sure to check out 'When Heroes Fall' by snapbang.
As 'beta-reader' for that story, I have heard some great things from its readers. One person even said the first few chapters had a 'cleansing effect' on his soul. Just treat this like all other cleansers…'Keep out of reach of children', OK? It is rated 'T', after all.
4) No matter what I put here, it's still up to you, the loyal reader, to let me know what you want. Review me, e-mail me if you wanna reach me! If you want to 'PM' me, that's ok! (Sorry…got carried away there, but you get the idea.) Enjoy!
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So the Reality: 'Judge Judy' (The Trial Begins)
"We will pick up the action when he was with Rufus, Ms. Possible, Dr. Drakken, and Ms. Go in the control room of the Lorwardian ship."
The screen's image began to show movement. It panned across many devices before it stopped on the naked mole rat's position next to the 'OFF' switch.
"STOP!" Mr. Takamura shouted to the technician controlling the footage. "Go back about three seconds to a green panel."
The technician dutifully reversed the recording to the green panel. It contained several markings that appeared to be written in Japanese.
"For some reason," Mr. Takamura continued as he held some papers, "this panel is marked 'Restore Beam'. This is consistent with the scroll which directed the Lorwardians to first come here all those months ago…
"Before Warmonga appeared on the screen, the words on the scroll were shown. If it is truly from Japanese, I hold their English translation here."
He spread the pages onto a nearby table and pointed to one passage.
"It says, '…To diminish the burden and hardship on 'The Great Blue', the 'Restore Beam' can heal any non-lethal wounds inflicted and restore any buildings destroyed by our technology.' This is indeed an interesting development."
The main viewscreen now displayed one of the turquoise-colored 'Summons' papers served to Kim and Ron.
"It appears," Mr. Takamura noted, "that the Lorwardians have selected the time and place for the trial. It is to be held one week from today in Fort Myers, Florida—one of the few areas of the country spared from Lorwardian destruction…
"It also seems they have continued monitoring our transmissions and found the one judge they feel can hear their case in a fair and just manner…
-- -- -- -- -- --
Nana pulled Mr. Takamura, Kim, and Ron aside for a private discussion. She informed them it would be in their best interest to fly to Fort Myers that afternoon.
Nana's influence warranted use of a GJ supersonic jet for a direct flight to Southwest Florida International Airport. After their arrival and a short ride in a Hurtz rental car, they approached the 'check-in' counter of the Emeraldhead Resort Hotel.
The woman at the front desk was booking a reservation over the phone. After the middle-aged woman finished the booking, she turned to the four people in front of her.
In a polite, but tired voice, she began "Welcome to Emeraldhead. How may I help…" A look of recognition swept across the woman's face.
"Oh, my goodness!" she gasped. "I never thought I'd meet you in person."
"Thank you, ma'am," Ron began, "I guess you know us from—"
Ignoring Ron, she turned to Nana and continued, "You're Abby, from Team Able—three of Fort Myers High's most famous graduates!! I grew up hearing stories about your adventures. You even saved my mother from an alligator attack."
"Oh, pshaw!" said Nana. "If memory serves, I just pried open his jaws, picked him up and slung him back into the swamp. It was really no big deal."
"It was a big enough deal for me." the woman countered as she shook Nana's hand. "I'm Beth Barnes, the hotel manager. All of the amenities of the Emeraldhead Resort Hotel are at your disposal. What can I do for my childhood heroine?"
Nana proceeded to book four rooms for a span of eight nights each. This would allow an overnight stay in Fort Myers after the trial before the return flight to Middleton. On the registry, the suites were reserved as follows:
Suite 501 (Presidential Suite): Nana (Abigail) and Kim Possible
Suite 502: James, Anne, Jim, and Tim Possible
Suite 503: Dean, Connie, and Hana Stoppable
Suite 504: Harry Takamura and Ron Stoppable
While Nana made the reservations, Harry felt a little weak from the effects of supersonic travel. Ron rushed to his side and helped him find a chair to rest for a moment.
Nana began to pull out a credit card to pay for the rooms.
Beth waved her hands and said, "Oh no, you don't!"
Nana pointed to a sign on the counter and wondered, "I thought you took Master Express. It says so right there."
Beth countered, "I would never forgive myself if you had to spend one red cent here. When I say all of the amenities are at your disposal, I mean all of them…even room service…on the house! It's the least I could do for you. Do you need any assistance with your luggage?"
Overwhelmed with such generosity, Nana could only blush and say, "Please and thank you."
Once Harry regained his bearings, he and Ron joined the ladies and the bellhop with the luggage.
-- -- -- -- -- --
The four travelers began to get situated in their rooms…
…Ron escorted Harry to a comfortable chair in their suite. He opened the small refrigerator and handed the elderly man a bottle of water.
"I assure you," Harry said, "I am quite fine now. I'm just a little hungry, that's all."
'Just a little hungry, huh?' Ron thought.
The smile on the young man's face was downright Zorpoxian. From that moment on, Ron Stoppable began to run up the largest 'room service' tab in the history of the Emeraldhead Resort Hotel…
-- -- -- -- -- --
…As they began to unpack their bags, Nana noticed a puzzled look on Kim's face.
"Okay, Kimberly Anne," Nana smiled, "what's going on in that head of yours?"
Kim responded, "I remember our discussions about your work with the government—even some involvement with GJ…but Director?? And just what was 'Team Able', anyway?"
Nana sighed as she began. "When we were at Fort Myers High, Nate Able, your grandfather, and I formed Team Able. While the three of us didn't have all this techno-stuff you've got, it was the 'Team Possible' of its day. Nate and I were quite the item back then…just like you and Ron."
Kim gasped, "I thought you loved Grandpa Tim! At his funeral, you said the two of you were destined to be together."
Nana had a defensive look in her eyes as she responded. "Just give me a chance to explain first, okay?"
Kim could only nod in silence as Nana went on with her tale.
"Nate and I," she said, "were best friends since first grade. Tim moved into the neighborhood when we started junior high. That was before the whole 'middle school' concept was introduced…
"Our first 'mission' was to break up a group of bullies who loved picking on little kids half their age." Nana rolled up her sleeve to reveal a small dash on her skin near her shoulder. "To this day, I still have the scar from when I kept a switchblade from hurting one of those kids…
"We usually busted purse snatchers, bank robbers, and moonshine runners. There were, however, some missions that took us as far north as Tampa and as far east as Miami…
"Right after graduation from Fort Myers High, Nate and Tim got drafted into the Army. We tried to call in every favor we could with local police and government officials, but facts were facts. Because we were not an officially-deputized law enforcement agency, they had to go fight in Korea. Luckily, they were assigned as MP's at Kimpo Airport…
"I loved Nate so much. We actually got married on the train platform, just before he and Tim were shipped off for basic training."
"You were married before??" Kim yelped in shock. "Does Dad know?"
"Well," Nana responded, "he knows about the team and the wedding, but not how the marriage ended a few months later."
"Okay," Kim said, her face and voice trying to put everything into focus, "you've got me hooked. What happened next?"
Nana's voice began to crack as she continued, "I received a telegram…"
Kim's face fell solemn. "Oh, no! You mean…"
Nana fought back a tear as she said, "That's right…they and a few of their buddies were eating in the mess hall when a grenade flew into the chow line. Nate…almost got it out of the h-hall…wh-wh-when…"
For the first time in her life, Kim saw her Nana, the rock and strength of the family, break down and openly weep. They hugged each other in consolation for a few minutes before Nana could complete the story.
"…Nate's last words to Tim were to look after me…and he did with every waking moment from then onward—even when we teamed up with Harry at Global Justice in its early days. They had no problems with my keeping my maiden name for professional missions, hence the 'Director Sorenson' title you heard at GJ…
"That friendship led us to love, which led us 'tying the knot', which led us to having Nate, June, and Jim, which led us to be blessed with all of you wonderful grandchildren."
"Hold up!" Kim snapped, her eyes looking suspiciously at Nana. "Nate, June, and Jim?"
"That's right—we named our first son Nathan Thomas Possible." Nana replied. "You didn't think Slim was his given name, did you? I mean, what kind of parents would we have been if we did that to a child?"
Kim giggled, "I guess you got me on that one!"
Nana lowered her voice to a whisper. "Do you know why Harry and I wanted to bring you and Ronald here a few days early?"
Kim was really confused now. She responded with the only answer she knew. "So we could review the trial location and go over our defense plan, right?"
Abigail Sorenson-Able-Possible laughed heartily at that response. "We could have done all that from the GJ Situation Room back in Middleton."
"So…what's the sitch, Nana?"
"Kimberly Anne, I want your honest answer to this question…Do you love Ronald with all your heart and soul?"
-- -- -- -- -- --
After consuming enough nourishment to feed the 7th Infantry Division, Ron, Rufus, and Harry began the process of stacking the used plates for the staff to take to the downstairs kitchen.
Ron finally noticed a small chest that was brought with the luggage. Just slightly larger than a jewelry box, its detailed panels indicated craftsmanship from a long-ago era. This brought out Ron's curiosity. He began to open the chest when Harry quickly snapped the lid shut.
"I am sorry," Harry said, "but I cannot allow you to see the contents of this chest."
Ron whined, "But Mr. Takamura—"
"Please…Call me Harry. As I was saying, this chest holds crucial evidence in our defense. It was shipped to GJ in Middleton ahead of its usual keeper. That person still had some important matters to attend to before joining us for the trial."
"Can't I just have a little peek? I mean, what harm can that do?"
"Without the right protection, the entire contents of the chest could be destroyed, along with any chance we have of saving your lives!"
"Oh…" Ron said, remembering the sitch he got into just for touching the 'cool suit of armor' at Port Mystic Cove Haven. "That's a lot of harm!"
Harry thought this would be the right time to ask Ron a few hard questions.
He began, "So, Stoppable-San, I was wond—"
Ron snapped, "Why did you call me that?"
Harry laughed, "I'm sorry if I offended you. It is an old habit from my youth, just like American children of my generation being taught to call people 'Sir' and Ma'am'."
Ron nervously chuckled, "It is I who should be sorry. By the way, please call me Ron. When you called me 'Stoppable-San', it's just…your voice sounded just like somebody else I know."
"Thank you…Ron. You said I sounded like somebody else? I hope that is not a bad thing."
Ron's laugh became more confident. "Of course not, Harry. It's just the last time I saw this other person, he was…" He stopped short of mentioning anything more about Sensei. "…Never mind. What were you originally going to ask me?"
"Ron, do you know why we came here so early before the trial?"
"Oh, sure…We came to do a 'walk-through' of the trial. It's just like what Mr. Barkin did with the football team before our big game against Arvada."
Harry Takamura laughed heartily at that response. "We could have done all that from the GJ Situation Room back in Middleton."
"Then…what's going on here?"
"Ron, I want your honest answer to this question…Do you love Kim with all your heart and soul?"
-- -- -- -- -- --
The next morning, Harry, Nana, Ron, and Kim travelled to the Lee County Constitutional Complex. The black-windowed exterior of the tall building sent shivers through Ron's spine.
"It's no wonder the Lorwardians left this area alone." he sniped. "This place looks like Darth Vader's beach house!"
Barely stifling a laugh as they entered the building, Kim chided, "Head in the game, Ron."
Once they reached the Office of Documents and Licenses, Ron put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. He spoke in the deep solemn voice she last heard during their 'Amazing Race' ordeal the previous year.
"KP," he said, "I must correct you. In this game, it's not my head that matters. It's my heart…and for you, I'm 'all-in'!"
Nana had to gently separate the two of them for one moment.
"Now, now," she said, "we have to file this counter-claim first. There's just over twenty-four hours left on that countdown, and we have to show those Lorwardians we mean business! You'll have plenty of time for that other paperwork once this gets filed."
Completing all of their paperwork, they received notice of a 'change of venue' requested by the Lorwardians. Abigail Sorenson-Able-Possible took one look at the paperwork, gave a wicked smile and said, "They've just made their biggest mistake!"
With more than a hint of curiosity, Kim asked, "Why do you say that, Nana?"
'They moved the trial to Germain Arena." Nana replied.
"What do the Germans have to do with anything?" Ron wondered. "Don't tell me Dementor is interfering with things again!"
"Not 'Germans', Ron," Nana corrected, "it's 'Germain'…named after a local car dealership."
"Okaaaaay." Ron returned. "Let's just say Harry here doesn't know why this place is important." Harry, Kim, and Nana glared at Ron before Nana said anything else.
She said, "Well, Ronald…in addition to numerous rock concerts, monster truck rallies, and GWA events, Germain Arena is the home of the Florida Firecats of AF2 and the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. Both of those teams have won conference championships here, and have never missed the playoffs in a single season of their histories..."
"…And we're the home team!" Kim said with a wicked grin of her own.
-- -- -- -- -- --
The Lorwardians understood the need to accommodate a large group for the trial. With the arena's seating capacity of just over 7,500 for an event like this, they knew enough media outlets would be on-hand. They wanted to get their point across to any other worlds who wished to trifle with their superiority.
Besides, those courthouse chambers were just too darn small.
-- -- -- -- -- --
The interior of the arena floor was decorated in the fashion of a typical courtroom, complete with flag, judicial bench, tables and podiums for the plaintiff and defendant teams, and floor seating for invited parties.
The seating chart placed the Possibles in the front row, on one side of the aisle. Directly on the aisle, in the next row back, sat a…person…clad head-to-toe in black garb, with only the person's dark eyes uncovered by the fabric.
The Stoppables, on the other side of the aisle, were joined in the front row by a man in his thirties with salt-and-pepper-colored hair, moustache, and goatee. He returned the smiles and waves of both families.
Thankfully, Dr. James Possible was looking away from the man when he blew a kiss toward Dr. Anne Possible. She, however, responded with a blush and a wink toward the man.
Behind them sat many dignitaries, including several heads of state, Dr. Betty Director, and various international security agencies.
Among these people sat a larger group of beings. They were not necessarily more numerous. They were just…larger…and dull grayish-green in color. Most of them were adorned with dozens of medals for their actions in previous conquests. It was discovered they were members of Lorwardia's Governing Council.
-- -- -- -- -- --
Petri Hawkins Byrd, dressed in his full bailiff uniform, approached the space between the two podiums, holding a manila folder in his hand.
After everyone in the 'courtroom' area was seated, Bailiff Byrd nodded toward the arena's press box. A thirteen-year-old boy named Wade Load punched a few buttons on a console to dim the outer-seating lights and start the intergalactic video feed…
On the scoreboard tower hanging from the center of the arena, gigantic monitors played a sequence of various scenes, starting with a statue of Lady Justice, blindfolded and holding the traditional 'scales of justice' in her left hand, but a Lorwardian phase pistol instead of a sword in the right hand
The opening music began to play. Usually, the four ominous tones first used by Beethoven to begin his fifth symphony started the theme. This time however, four other tones, based on a familiar Kimmunicator, were followed by the tension-adding bass line which underlined the 'off-camera' announcer's opening statements:
"You are about to enter the courtroom of Judge Judith Scheindlin…"
The screen was filled with a video montage featuring a dark-haired older woman in a black robe. While no sound is used for her on-screen actions, she appeared to speak in heated tones to various litigants as the announcer continued…
"…The people—and Lorwardians—are REAL…
…The cases are REAL…
…The rulings are FINAL…"
The logo for the show appears on the screen as the opening montage concludes…
"…THIS is 'Judge Judy'…"
With a tone of authority, Bailiff Byrd declared, "All parties in the case of Lorwardia vs. Team Possible, please step forward."
Two familiar Lorwardians approached the plaintiff's table as they are introduced by an off-camera announcer…
"…This is Warmonga and Warhok of the planet Lorwardia. Their planet claims they were misled by the people of Earth into thinking a powerful being called 'The Great Blue' was on this planet. When they implemented their standard methods of searching for this being, they were assaulted and left for dead by the members of Team Possible.
"They're suing for extradition of Team Possible to Lorwardia, where the defendants have already been found guilty 'in absentia' of war crimes against Lorwardia. Once extradited to the distant planet, Team Possible would face immediate execution for their crimes.
"A place for their stuffed bodies has already been allocated on each side of the archway leading into the chambers of the Lorwardian Governing Council."
An elderly woman, smartly dressed in a white blouse and long blue skirt, accompanied an older gentleman in a black suit toward the defense table. The man carried an ornately-decorated chest, emblazoned with ancient Japanese symbols.
Behind them walked a red-haired young woman, wearing a purple loose-fitting kimono wrapped by a black belt. She was holding hands with a blond-haired young man, clad in a blue kimono wrapped by a green belt. The 'Team Possible' logo was prominently stitched on the backs of both kimonos.
The person dressed in black joined Team Possible as they approached the front of the 'courtroom'. Once the mask was shed, a familiar face caused all three people to hug each other before taking their places at the defense table. A small, pink rodent jumped out of a pocket of the person's black pants and joined the embrace.
The 'off-camera' announcer spoke once again…
"…This is Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable, members of 'Team Possible'. They are accompanied by Rufus, Yori Takumi, Harry Takamura, and Abigail Possible. They maintain that the Lorwardians initially invaded their planet without provocation, and that Team Possible was merely trying to 'save the world' from the advancing forces from Lorwardia.
"As far as 'The Great Blue' is concerned, 'Team Possible' states that if such a being exists, it has not yet made itself known to the people of Earth.
"In a counter-claim, they seek the use of a 'Restore Beam' to fix the structural and bodily damage caused by the Lorwardian invasion."
-- -- -- -- -- --
"Order!" Bailiff Byrd commanded. "All rise!"
The capacity-crowd of over 7,500 beings from several different planets rose to their feet (or their biological equivalent) as the same black-robed woman from the opening montage walked toward the judicial 'bench'.
"Intergalactic Court is now in session…" the bailiff continued. "…the Honorable Judge Judith Scheindlin presiding."
As Judge Scheindlin sat down in her chair, Bailiff Byrd handed her the manila folder and said, "This is case number 9-9-07 on the calendar, in the matter of "Lorwardia versus 'Team Possible'…"
He then turned back toward the courtroom 'gallery' and said "The parties have been sworn in. You may be seated."
After most of those in attendance resumed their customary seated positions, Bailiff Byrd turned to the grayish-green beings that were still several feet higher than their human counterparts.
"I said, 'You may be seated.' Please sit down now."
In seemingly one voice, the entire Lorwardian delegation replied, "We are seated!"
"Brax!" Warmonga called out to the other Lorwardians, "You owe me a copsi!"
The 'braxed' beings grumbled softly as Bailiff Byrd resumed his stoic position off to the judge's left side.
-- -- -- -- -- --
Author's ending notes:
1) For those who are not familiar with this series of stories, 'So the Reality' places KP characters into various TV 'reality' shows. I was originally going to list a summary of each one here. However, it's probably easier to find them via my bio. If you still want more info about them, just ask me (see note #4 below).
2) While this chapter revealed a lot of information, some major issues are still unresolved…
What secrets are held in that wooden chest?
What role does Yori play in all this?
What other paperwork was filed at the same time as the counterclaim?
Who was that man flirting with Dr. Anne Possible?
…and how will this case end??
These questions and many more will be answered (or expanded) when the trial resumes next week!
3) I don't believe Nana's first or maiden names were ever revealed on the show. I thought I'd fill them in with Abigail Sorenson-Able-Possible. I hope you don't mind this use of 'creative license'. Still, I am prepared to fight off any flames thrown in my direction.
4) The production of this story, like that for any work of fiction, is solely dependent upon the constructive feedback of its readers. If you like it, I will gladly make more. If you think of ways to make it better, I am always open to suggestions. If you really think it's a piece of garbage, stop me before I strike again!! Once again, Review me, e-mail me if you wanna reach me! If you want to 'PM' me, that's ok!
Your friend in writing,
The Samurai Crunchbird