As with every chapter before and to follow, Kim Possible and all related characters (other than those of my own creation for the purpose of this story) are the property of The Walt Disney Company. Everything else is all mine.

A serious online session of "Everlot" was taking shape at the Possible home. Jim was on the PC in the twins' bedroom, Tim was using the computer in the den, and, in the event Kim found anything out of place, Rufus was assigned to the workstation up in Kim's bedroom.

The plan was for Rufus, the "Tunnel Lord", to accept Jim and Tim's online personas as nameless "Apprentices". Under this arrangement, the two Apprentices would be given training by the Tunnel Lord at his castle. Once they had completed their training, they would each be christened, then accompany him as he journeyed throughout "Everlot".

As is often the case, the training proved to be much more arduous than the twins anticipated. More than once they each had to start over from the beginning. However, after a little more than thirty minutes, both Apprentices had at last completed their training and were ready to be christened.

Typically, the names would reflect in some manner the strongest attribute shown during training. Following the traditional customs, first Jim's Apprentice knelt before the Tunnel Lord, who used the flat of his sword to christen the Apprentice, touching first his right shoulder, then his left.

"You are an Apprentice no more", spoke the Tunnel Lord. "Arise! Henceforth, you will be known as "James the Swift"".

Moving next to Tim's kneeling Apprentice, the Tunnel Lord performed the same christening ritual, touching first the right shoulder, then the left.

"You are an Apprentice no more", spoke the Tunnel Lord. "Arise! Henceforth, you will be known as "Timothy the Resourceful"".

With their online personas trained and named, Jim and Tim were excited to begin their journey through "Everlot". An IM from Rufus indicated he had something else in mind.

"HUNGRY!" read the message that popped up on both twins' screens.

"That makes two of us, Rufus!" read Jim's IM reply.

"Three of us!" chimed in Tim's IM.

"Tim, go call Rufus down from Kim's bedroom. I'll head to the kitchen and see if I can roust us up something to eat."

The sound of four little legs could be heard descending the ladder rungs and scampering down the hall.

"Hey there, Rufus! Let's hit the kitchen and see what's to eat."

Entering the kitchen, they were rather surprised to find their parents leisurely seated in the breakfast nook, munching on pretzels and sipping ice tea while playing a game of Scrabble.

"Mom! Dad! What's going on?" asked the twins in unison.

"Well, your father and I are playing a game", answered Mrs. Possible.

"I can see that, Mom", said Tim. "But why Scrabble? Can't you play that online now?"

"Yes, Tim, you can play it online", replied Mr. Possible. "Since you three were monopolizing the computers, we decided to find something to do "off-line"."

"Besides, your father and I have always liked to play Scrabble. In fact, we played it on our first date, right Dear?"

"How could I ever forget that? It was the worst drubbing I had ever experienced. Of course, you getting two seven-letter triple-word scores had a lot to do with it."

"Uh, okay," said Jim. "Mom, is there anything we can snack on?"

"There's lots of fruit in the drawer in the refrigerator, and I believe there's another bag of pretzels up in the cabinet."

"I meant besides that", Jim said.

"Check the cabinet. I seem to recall there being a box of microwaveable popcorn packs. They have been around for awhile and really need to be eaten. Go ahead and make two packs. I wouldn't mind having a little. How about you, Dear?"

"Sounds great!" answered Mr. Possible, "I've been good today, so a small bowl of popcorn shouldn't be a problem."

Tim hopped up onto Jim's shoulders so he could reach the cabinet door.

"Use the stepstool, boys!" commanded their father, "That's what it's there for."

"Yes, sir", acknowledged the twins in unison.

Tim jumped down. Jim pulled the stepstool out of the kitchen closet, and Tim climbed up, grabbed two popcorn packs and tossed them down to Jim. Rather than climbing back down, Tim leapt off the top step and landed so hard that the impact shook the entire room.

"Tim!" cried Mr. and Mrs. Possible and his brother.

"Oops. Sorry, Mom and Dad. Guess I wasn't thinking and got a little carried away."

"I should say so", replied Mr. Possible.

"Why don't you microwave that popcorn so you can get back to your game?" suggested Mrs. Possible.

"Good idea, Mom", replied Jim, giving a disapproving sideways glance to his brother.

In a matter of minutes three large bowls and two small ones were filled to overflowing with fresh-popped popcorn. The twins and Rufus grabbed drinks from the fridge and headed back to their computers to commence their journey in "Everlot".