Beyond Grim and Evil 2: Return to Bunny Island

by Deliverer

The power struggle was over, the Undertakers finished; but if Grim and the kids can do one thing it's hold a grudge, and Skarr's the butt end of it. Driven steadily towards madness, he has one option left to save his sanity. Ghastly and Hector, or will it be worse?

2. Rise Of Evil Con Carne

Beyond Grim And Evil Installment 2: Return To Bunny Island

Beyond Grim And Evil: Return To Bunny Island

(A/N: This story will be shorter and better written than the last by far, probably. As well as a little lighter, in most places. Open with flashback.)

Rise Of Evil Con Carne (Past)

Hector Con Carne hadn't said much since discovering what had become of him. Major Doctor Ghastly did her best to cheer him up with her bubbly personality and promises they'd get his body back one day. One day? He wanted it now. He sighed. He supposed, though, he shouldn't be short with her. After all, she'd saved his life, pulled him from the brink of death by means of a 'miracle medical slash scientific procedure,' as she'd put it, he would never in a million years have guessed would work. Perhaps he'd been wrong not to hire her right off the bat. He scoffed to himself. Perhaps nothing. He was wrong. Sorely, sorely, wrong. Now he was paying for it. He'd marvelled at why she hadn't just left him. He was glad she hadn't, though. If she wanted to be loyal, let her. She wasn't bad looking anyway. He'd always liked redheads.

"Ghastly, how are you doing with finding my body!" he demanded.

"No luck so far chief," she answered. Sighing, she turned to him and said, "I think we're going to need to find you a temporary replacement.

"Replacement! I don't want no stinking replacement!" Hector protested.

"It's the best I can do chief, I'm just one person," Ghastly defended.

"I want my body back!" he exclaimed miserably, sobbing.

"Aw, cheer up chief. I'll tell you what. You stay here and I'll go out scouting for a test subject for you," Ghastly reassuringly said.

"A powerful one?" he questioned meekly.

"Very powerful," Ghastly agreed.

"A mighty and vicious fighter whom no one dare face?" Hector excitedly asked, clenching his brain stem mightily like it was a fist.

"Uh, sure," Ghastly replied uncertainly, forcing a wide grin. It sounded a little extreme, but if it would make Hector happy.

"Excellent," Hector stated. He laughed evilly, then finished, "Go quickly my dear Ghastly. Bring me back this weapon of destruction!"

"Righty 'o' chief," Ghastly exclaimed, saluting and grinning widely. He'd called her 'my dear!' She raced eagerly out, calling, "I'll be back by tomorrow at the latest!"

ECC

Ghastly wandered dejectedly through the darkening streets. Nothing. She'd been out here all day and she hadn't found a single person or thing that met Hector's standards. She couldn't go back a failure. She couldn't! She sighed. She needed something to cheer her up. All at once she heard music and paused, curious. That was weird. It sounded almost like… she turned her head to the park to look, and her face took on an expression of pure ecstasy. A circus! It was a circus! She squealed in delight and ran to it. She hadn't been to a circus since she was a little girl! She'd loved it! That was just what she needed. Besides, some of the 'carney's'-as they were so unkindly, or kindly depending on the individual, dubbed-were really athletic. Quick, powerful, majestic, brave… They could make great bodies for Hector!

Soon enough she was settled in the front row eagerly watching the parade, grinning widely. There were so many subjects to choose from! And the circus itself wasn't half bad. Let's see, her first choice had been the ring master. He was a leader, and he wasn't bad looking either. Then again, this circus was so well put together it would be a shame to take their head. She frowned and scanned again. The acrobats were good, but they were so beautiful working together. If she took even one it would throw the whole set off, darn it. The strongman? Nah. The clowns? No way. The ones standing on the backs of the horses whose name's escaped her? Unlikely, though they were majestic. Who, then? The circus was almost at its end, and she was feeling depressed again. One more act to go.

"Introducing Boskov the Russian circus bear, and his trainer Vlad!" the ringmaster announced. A drumroll sounded, and the spotlights fell on a creature in a cage. It roared furiously, and Ghastly gasped as his trainer whipped at him, driving him out of the cage. She covered her mouth, eyes instantly filled with pity as she shook her head. Oh the poor thing. He looked so sad, so confused, so dejected. He looked over at her in a panic, and for a moment she was reminded of a child looking to its parents for protection. She felt her heart go out to him. Vlad whipped him again, forcing him towards the obstacle course she just knew he didn't want to do.

She looked around at the set up and felt sick. It was a death trap! It was nothing short of a miracle the poor creature had survived so long! Wait… Powerful, a mighty vicious fighter no one dared face, and by the looks of it one heck of a lucky duck. He had to be really tough. That was it! She'd found her subject! Not only would she get him away from that horrid trainer of his, and she didn't like the man in the least, Hector would get what he wanted and he'd be proud of her! And who knew? Pride could very well lead to love. Her mind was definitely made up. After the circus, she was sneaking the poor captive animal out of here.

ECC

Ghastly quietly moved through the streets, one goal in mind. To get Boskov out and away undetected. No problem for a mad scientist genius like her, right? She heard snoring in one of the cages. It definitely sounded like the bear. Silently she moved towards it. Turning on her night vision goggles, she examined the slumbering creature through the bars. It was Boskov. Gently she sang, "Psst, Boskov. Oh Boskov." The creature growled lowly and turned over. "Boskov, please wake up!" she gently prodded.

The bear slowly opened one eye, looking in her direction. On seeing her he sat curiously up and moved cautiously towards the bars. "That's a good boy Boskov. Come to mama," she cooed, beckoning. He stopped near her and sniffed. "Awe, you're just like a big teddy bear," she said, giggling. The bear grinned and licked her hand affectionately, wagging his stub of a tail. "Do you want to get out of here?" she questioned.

The bear's eyes widened in hope, and he nodded eagerly, grunting a reply that sounded eerily like, "Uh huh, uh huh."

"Good, because I'm here to free you," she declared. "You're a lucky boy. No more running through death traps. You'll be hosting the remnants of a great mind and stomach, though. He needs a body, after all. I promise it won't hurt, and I won't take away your free will," she continued to narrate as she fiddled with the lock.

The bear hesitated, but honestly it couldn't be much worse than being shot from cannons through rings of fire and into shark pools. Especially if this nice lady would be there. He nodded excitedly, growling something that again sounded eerily like, "Okay." Ghastly giggled as the lock fell away.

She walked inside and took Boskov's arm, saying, "Hurry Boskov hon, before anyone sees us. And keep quiet. I'm Major Doctor Ghastly, by the way," Boskov nodded eagerly and followed this Major Doctor Ghastly.

ECC

"What is taking her so long? I want my body!" Hector complained aloud to nothing. No response. He looked around then sighed in annoyance. He'd have to rebuild his empire from the ground up. He'd lost everything. Well, except his money, but still. He'd lost his base of operations, his home, his hideout, his body guards, his guard guards, his militia. Who knew whether they were killed or just took off? He growled. He needed to redo everything. When Ghastly got back, he'd get her to look up real estate for sale. Surely there was something out there.

"Chief, I'm back!" he heard her call.

"Well, that was lucky," he remarked aloud. She then entered, saying, "Just wait until you see the body I found for you!"

"Well show it to me already Ghastly," Hector insisted.

"Introducing the one, the only, Boskov!" Ghastly elaborately said, bowing as she moved out of the doorway. In strode the bear looking around in awe. Hector blinked blankly. "So, what do ya think chief?" Ghastly eagerly questioned.

After a moment of twitching, Hector replied, "What do I think? What do I think! It's a stupid idea! Who gave you such a thought! You want me to be attached to the body of a stupid circus bear!" He recalled seeing the circus where this bear came from only a little while ago.

"Oh, don't be so hard on him chief. Look at that face," she said, taking his face. "How can you not love a face like that?" She began talking to Boskov in baby talk, which the creature ate up excitedly.

"Ghastly!" Hector shot, bringing her back to the topic at hand.

"Oh, right. You wanted powerful, bears are powerful. You wanted a fighter that could strike fear into hearts and that none would dare mess with. Who better than the king of the forest? The majestic Boskov the bear!" Ghastly defended.

Hector groaned and complained, "Why me?"

Moments later Ghastly stated, "There we are chief, Boskov. See, that wasn't so bad, was it?"

"Ooh," Boskov said. He then laughed.

"Now you won't have full control, Mr. Con Carne. I wasn't looking to take away poor Boskov's free will now, was I? You'll be able to control him to a degree, but he's pretty well trained," Ghastly narrated.

Hector tested it out, wiggling Boskov's fingers. The bear was intrigued. He laughed and then grabbed back control, scratching his back. "Why me?" Hector groaned. He hated not having full control over his situation. At least he was alive, he told himself. "Ghastly, I want you to start looking up real estate for sale. We need a base of operations. Cod Commando knows where I am here. Besides, there's no way I can rebuild this mess."

"In a jiffy chief. Try to get in some bonding time with Boskov. You two will be stuck together for a while," Ghastly stated, walking off.

Hector frowned down at the bear, who grinned innocently up at him, then stated, "The moment I get my body back, you'll be nothing but a bear skin rug!" Boskov roared happily, hugging Hector's brain jar as if Hector had just complimented him. Hector blinked then frowned, complaining, "Stupid circus bear."

ECC

"All right Mr. Con Carne, we've gone through everything. This is the last one," Ghastly said in exasperation, typing down the last command.

"They're all so dull, so boring, so un-villainy," Hector complained. However, as the last one was pulled up, his eyes widened. "Yes, yes!" Hector exclaimed. Ghastly blinked blankly at it, then at him, then back. "That's perfect Major Doctor, perfect!"

Ghastly raised an eyebrow and asked, "Um, are you sure chief. It looks kind of, I don't know, Bunny like. Harmless."

"Precisely Major! It is because it looks harmless that Cod Commando will never suspect! Or if he does, he certainly won't take us seriously," Hector exclaimed. "Major Doctor Ghastly, I want Bunny Island!"

"Okay sir, if that's what you want," she replied uncertainly. With a click, the place was theirs.

ECC

It was a few weeks later, after they'd done a bit of setting up, that Hector approached Ghastly, saying, "Ah Ghastly, things have been coming along splendidly. Now all we need to do is rebuild my militia, and everything will be perfect!"

"Right on chief, but where are we gonna find a whole new militia?" Ghastly questioned.

"Where else, Ghastly? To the military base!" he exclaimed. "We sneak into the ranks under a guise and tour around a bit."

"Tour? Aren't you a wanted criminal hunted by the military?" Ghastly asked.

"Not yet. I've managed to stay under the radar so far, but I will be," Hector stated certainly. "Come on." Ghastly, curious, followed her boss.

Soon enough the two were looking out over the training grounds, watching the troops do their thing. "Wow," she said in awe.

"Look at them all Ghastly! So many to choose from, all of them just clueless enough to follow without hesitation," Hector stated.

"Wow," she repeated. Curiously looking at him, she asked, "Who are you gonna hire chief?" Hector was silent a moment, thoughts whirling through his head.

He'd already made a mistake in hiring a mad scientist. That Cod Commando and his trickery had ruined everything. And just for a pretty face at that; albeit one who seemed brilliant; for she, rather Cod, had built that bomb. He wouldn't make that mistake again. His first choice for second in command would be the General whom Ghastly chose to follow; or rather whom Ghastly paid most attention to, for Ghastly was level headed, competent, and a good judge of character. Soon he looked at her and answered, "I'm not sure yet. Ghastly, go undercover and patrol the ranks like you're evaluating them or something. Look for soldiers who would be worthy additions yet still seem like they'd betray their country for us." She would watch the General's too, he knew. Just like him. They were easily distinguishable amongst the common throng. By the end of this visit, he'd have his army, he'd have his General and second in command, he'd be ready to take on the world. Literally.

ECC

Ghastly understood his excuse, but she still wasn't entirely sure why he'd sent her here to check them all out. After all, they could have just observed from close by, couldn't they? There were so many prime candidates, but somehow Ghastly doubted any of them were worth the effort it would take to either trick them into submission by saying they were promoted, or tell them flat out the truth. The second option didn't seem likely. They may not have been the brightest lot, but would even they betray their jobs to join her and Hector if they told the truth. She highly doubted it. The Generals were stellar; leading the troops like it was second nature. Again, though, none of them felt quite right. They all looked the same. They all acted the same. They all followed the book to the letter, and it was getting on her nerves. They were so predictable. Evil Con Carne couldn't have predictable. None were standing out to her. She was pretty darn sure Hector was having the same thoughts.

She looked up hopelessly at her boss, who met her eyes understandingly. She sighed. She was becoming discouraged quickly. This was going to be another failure for them, she just knew it. And they hadn't even started on world domination. It was then that she noticed Hector perk up. Someone had caught his attention. She followed her crush's gaze, and there she spotted him. She froze, straightening up. Well this guy was a welcome change. She was just beginning to think she was walking through a field of robots. This one, though, looked almost bored, eyes half shut and yawning as if he had a million better things to do. He leaned against the tree. It was strange, she realized, but though he looked about ready to fall asleep, she could just tell that if anyone tried sneaking up on him it would end badly. He was as alert as the most awake of them, if not more.

She looked up at Hector. He was watching her again. Maybe he'd chosen to ignore the strange General by the tree, but she hadn't. This one was worth checking out, she felt. Hector watched her make her way towards the figure that had caught his own attention, reading her to see what she would do. She was heading to him. That was a good sign. Maybe, just maybe, they'd found the solution.

ECC

Now really, she didn't know why she was focusing on this guy. If anything, he looked like the most useless one of them all. He looked uncommitted, uninterested, but then she would be too, considering the boring repetitive drills. He looked lazy, uncaring, but something told her that, though he may have been uncaring and unmotivated, or disinclined to follow orders, lazy was the last thing he was. Perhaps this one was a soldier to be watched. The down side was that he was probably one to be watched for more reasons than just a potential recruit. You see, everything about him screamed traitor. She hadn't heard him speak, hadn't seen him in action, but she sensed it. If they took him on, they'd have to be ever wary, ever vigilant, ever on their guard. But oh he would be worth it if she and Hector turned out to be right about him.

A Private marched up to him just then, saying, "General Skarr, sir!"

This General Skarr looked boredly at the man then sighed deeply, replying, "Well what is it? What do you want? Get on with it already. I haven't got all day. Oh wait!" For a moment he sounded excited. That sarcasm was quickly revealed when he added, "Yes, I do."

"Permission to request why you are not running laps, sir!" the soldier stated.

Skarr glared at him, eyes narrowing. He blinked, the soldier blinked, and the awkward silence went on a long moment before the Private awkwardly cleared his throat. Skarr sighed in annoyance and rolled his eyes. Annoying upstarts. Finally he answered, "Permission denied."

"But sir…" the soldier began.

"Because I don't feel like it, okay? I can't be bothered. I get the gist of it anyway. Run away from death, run away from explosions, run after enemies, run, run, run. If you absolutely must know more, I've already done them. This morning before breakfast even began. It's not like I had anything better to do in this dump," General Skarr stated, getting angry. "Now silence in the barracks and get back to your laps! Why it'll be a wonder if you survive a fake battle at this rate!" Quickly the soldier bolted. "Ugh, I hate my life."

The General had actually unnerved the other soldier, and Ghastly had a few more traits to put to the odd man. He definitely didn't go by the book. He ran with his own schedule and orders. He was cynical, hateful, couldn't be bothered with anyone he saw as lesser than himself, and he detested this dreary army job. She could sense he wanted to do more. So much more. Put his talents to some use other than training soldiers for a war that would probably never come. She couldn't help but smirk. Maybe the search was over. No, Ghastly, no time to be closed minded. The chief was counting on her. She had to look around a bit more before making her final decisions.

She was about to walk away when suddenly a voice bellowed, "General Skarr, stand to attention!" She gasped and whirled in time to see the General stiffen up, suddenly wide awake and standing erect, saluting. Possibly a bit of a fake suck-up, too. Hector would like that.

ECC

"Yes sir, General," Skarr replied quickly. Oh great. He'd hoped he wouldn't see this moron today. Time to play kiss-up. Or, who knew, maybe defiance if the other General put him out of sorts.

"Who do you think you are soldier?" the other demanded.

Skarr smirked. The idiot had walked right into this one. He answered with a cold smile, "General Reginald Peter Skarr, sir, and you?"

"Don't play cute man! This is serious business!" the other shot.

"Oh please, they could get the same exercise running around an elementary school playground," Skarr retorted, frowning. He was right, the guy was rubbing him the wrong way.

"You know full well that isn't so General! We run an intensive program here!" the other shot.

"Which I finished before breakfast. Face it, your program is for the birds. It's about time you upgraded it. After all, there might actually be a war. Not one of those little skirmishes around wannabe super villains or rebels," Skarr retorted.

"You're out of line General!" the other stated.

"What are you going to do about it?" Skarr questioned with an icy challenging smirk.

"I have half a mind to report you, soldier! How does solitary sound!" the other General demanded.

A dreamy smile came over Skarr's face as he answered, "Oh it sounds perfect. I'll take two weeks paid vacation." Ghastly covered her mouth, stifling a chuckle. She'd never seen such boldness and disrespect to an authority. It was amusing, but probably not what Hector wanted. It was definitely a stark contrast to the earlier sucking up. Maybe it depended on the mood the higher up put him in, but still it was probably not what Hector was anticipating. Still, she wrote this General Skarr down as a definite potential. If all else failed… well, you get the picture. With that she continued on.

ECC

Lunch time arrived and all personal were gathered in the mess tent. The head of the military base rose up and called loudly, "Attention!" The soldiers instantly reacted, rising. Well, most did. There was a battalion near the back who were either sleeping, eating, talking, or looking just plain dumb. "Pay attention maggots! There's a visitor with us today along with his lovely assistant! Hector Con Carne and Major Doctor Andedonia J. Ghastly, rise and assemble in front!" Hector and Ghastly walked up to the front and looked out over the soldiers, Ghastly smiling pleasantly, Hector fixing them with an authorative gaze. "Major Doctor Ghastly will be making herself at home through the divisions! She will be joining in your exercises and evaluating you through scrupulous eyes! You may even get a promotion. Don't you dare shame this army soldiers."

"Sir, no sir!" the army exclaimed. General Skarr, with the other General's, simply rolled his eyes. He hadn't even bothered standing.

Spotting this, Hector began, "You there, General…"

"General Reginald Peter Skarr, sir," Ghastly informed, having remembered the name.

"Thank you Ghastly. General Skarr, why aren't you standing at attention!" Hector demanded.

Skarr raised half his eyebrow then rose, answering, "Because I don't see the point. Just another evaluation. What happened to you?"

Hector blinked and looked down at Boskov blankly. Boskov grinned, giving out a series of roars that made sense to no one. Except, apparently, Hector, for the brain stomach bear hybrid thing replied, "That's none of your business Boskov!"

"Actually, I've been wondering about that myself," the head stated.

"I was blown up in a tremendous explosion, all right! Major Doctor Ghastly saved my life with these containment units then found me a new body. One day, though, I will reclaim my true form and take over the…" Hector began.

Ghastly quickly covered his mouth, hissing, "Shh!" Skarr, though, had become instantly more intrigued. Hector, noticing this, mentally smirked. So Skarr had a brain. More of one than half of the others he'd seen. This General continued to impress. Apparently he also knew full well what he had meant to say before Ghastly's interruption. Plus, he wasn't betraying his motive to the army.

"Mr. Con Carne, Miss Ghastly, join us at our table," the base leader stated.

"Oh most definitely," Hector replied eagerly. This man was a General. Now he'd really get a chance to evaluate them all.

ECC

Hector's hope fell to exasperation and annoyance as lunch went on. All they talked about was drills, potential threats, how great their battalions were. They were boasting, yes, and their boast's impressive, but Hector just wasn't feeling it. Though they all seemed powerful, it appeared as if not a single one had a mind of their own. They followed the book to the letter, they said what they were supposed to say, voiced their strong opinions, at least the few who seemed to even have their own ideas, about their loyalty to the League of Nations. It was actually quite sickening. All but one.

Hector glanced over at the General Skarr. The man looked bored out of his tree, even napping. This was the sixth time he'd observed the man. At the moment he wasn't asleep, just smiling dreamily up at the roof as if daydreaming about a hundred things he longed to do at that moment. If the cruel glint was any indicator, none of the dreams ended well for the army base. Ghastly was keenly observing the man as well, exchanging knowing glances with Hector. Hector beckoned her to lean in. She obeyed. He then said, "Keep an open mind Ghastly. The others may not be much of conversationalists, but that will not matter as long as they can lead and follow orders. We don't know how this, General Skarr, will fare against them."

Ghastly nodded, agreeing, "Sure thing chief." Hector was right. They were looking for the best of the best. They couldn't be deterred by a maverick who only appeared to be different. In more ways than one. Compared to the other General's, his build didn't promise much, nor did his attitude. She would see these men in action on the field.

Just then Hector questioned, "So, which battalion belongs to which General?" Finally they all stopped talking to look at him in pleased surprise. Skarr still was daydreaming, unaware of the conversation happening around him. The head instantly narrated which battalion belonged with which General, and with each passing one Hector looked more and more interested, for they were steadily improving.

Finally he ended the narrative. One battalion was still unaccounted for, though, and Ghastly couldn't help herself. Curiously she questioned, "What about the slobs? Who do they belong to, or are they just wannabe's?"

ECC

"Them?" the head questioned after getting over the surprise of her even bothering to ask. The other General's burst into laughter, startling General Skarr out of his daydream. He looked confused, but within seconds he had caught up to what was happening. He cringed in horrified alarm. Finally managing to stop laughing, the head replied, "Those are General Skarr's latest conquest." Hector's face was falling to disappointment along with Ghastly's, for she'd been so sure, when suddenly…

"By process of elimination!" Skarr instantly defended, eyes lighting furiously up as he shot up and leaned over the table. "You stuck me with the bums!" What's this? Hector was paying more attention again. Ghastly's hope instantly returned, and she listened intensely.

"If you can't handle the pressure, then just give up and walk away Skarr," a second replied.

"Can't handle the pressure!" Skarr furiously shot.

"Two weeks and he hasn't even started with them. They're a lost cause under a pathetic excuse for a General," a third General stated.

"You think I can't handle them!" Skarr demanded.

"Where all of ours are at their peak, yours are at their lowest," the head stated.

"Oh really? Before you couldn't even get them up until lunch," Skarr growled through gritted teeth. "Even then they would come to the mess hall still in underwear. At least they use utensils now! And I'll have you know, I accomplished that without really even trying! If you want me out, sir, then fire me!" The head said nothing. "I thought not," General Skarr stated with an air of triumph as he sat back down.

Now Hector, Boskov, Stomach, and Ghastly weren't sure what to think, and their gazes to each other betrayed as much. On learning which battalion was his, they'd pretty much thrown him as an option out the window. Until, of course, he'd talked back and defied those who were taunting him. They had belittled him, but he'd turned it right around. Barely even trying and he'd turned a group of pathetic whatever's into something of a functioning battalion within two weeks. He could have done better; a great and committed General would have. Then again, he hadn't even really tried, and he wasn't all that committed to this army. They'd been able to tell that much, at least.

Then again, if he were really so useless, why didn't his fellow Generals or superior's just fire him and get the whole thing over with? It was obvious they didn't like him and wanted him gone. When he'd talked back, though, and challenged them to try, they hadn't taken the bait. Why? If he was only on par or equal to the other General's, why hadn't he just quit on the battalion and demanded another? Heck, why hadn't he just quit? They seemed the type of slackers that would drive a sane person crazy. And why had the other General's given it to him in the first place when even they didn't dare risk trying it? Especially if they'd thought he was no good. Perhaps… perhaps they'd given them over to Skarr because he was the only one who had a hope of fixing them. They had no way of knowing, but Ghastly would find out. She was on a mission.

ECC

Ghastly walked throughout the training grounds, taking notes as she went and joining in with the exercises. None of the General's, though, really did it for her. She tried to follow the lead of some of the best ones, but she just couldn't get behind them. Or even identify with them. If she tried to be cordial or speak normally, they ignored, stuck to the book, or pulled rank on her and ordered her back to the exercises. That was all fine and dandy, but she just couldn't picture herself following any of these men, and it would ultimately be her following them.

She casually joined the ranks of one of the General's in order to keep an eye on the men. This General was the one that had held command over the most powerful looking brigade. This brigade was efficient, she had to admit. Very much so. They would be perfect. Approvingly she made some notes. Unfortunately, they didn't seem to be the kind that would betray their jobs for the paramilitary life. Just in case, though. Seeing another lineup marching past, she slipped over to it. Not quite as impressive as the first, but then she hadn't expected them to be. She frowned, marking them down. She scanned the area for another. Wait. There was that General Skarr! Unbelievable. He'd actually gotten the men out of the mess hall! They looked terrified too. He must have really cracked down after the insults he'd been belittled with throughout lunch. And the insults that had come when his brigade had refused to move from the mess hall until they decided they were good and ready.

Regardless of what had happened, they were by some miracle out. In all honesty she was shocked. The way the army spoke… They despised the General. They wanted him gone. They wanted him to break under their iron fists, to give up and just leave the military for good; for they apparently couldn't afford to fire him. She didn't see why, but there was something there that protected him from dishonorable discharge. The man was stubborn, she realized. Stubborn, hateful, and defiant. Somehow she doubted that the General would ever yield. Huh, that was weird. How she was dubbing him the General, that is, when there were many more. He wasn't the only one. She stopped. No. It wasn't weird at all, actually. Now that she thought about it, it seemed the most natural thing in the world to dub him as such. She couldn't see herself referring to him as anything else but her General. She watched him a moment, letting the other brigade go on.

ECC

It was then that the man noticed her. He frowned, bored expression fading, and curtly questioned, "Ah Major Doctor Ghastly. To what do I owe the displeasure? Con Carne set you on me?" The men began to get sloppy, instantly falling off. They figured they were safe. Their General wasn't looking anymore, after all. What had they to fear? He wouldn't notice if they fell off. Wrong. Sharply he looked at them and barked, "Attention! Straighten up you pathetic slobs!" Instantly they obeyed, shocked. She herself wondered how he'd seen them. She also wondered greatly what methods he'd used to get them to shape up and leave mess hall.

"Oh, no reason General. I just thought I'd join you and see how, you know, things are done under your command," she replied.

"After the stories you heard at lunch? You're not like other Major's, are you? Most have given up on me by now," he questioned dully.

"No siree General Skarr," she verified.

"Oh great. A bubbly optimist. Just what I needed," Skarr vaguely insulted.

"You bet sir," Ghastly responded, letting the dig slide.

He smirked coldly. Not one to be easily shaken, was she? "Join in," he agreed.

"Thanks. You're like, the only one who's actually accepted me into the ranks," Ghastly remarked.

"And why not? I've seen women soldiers who have proven themselves well enough," Skarr nonchalantly stated with a shrug. "Besides, I would rather be a lowly private in a battalion made up of all women, than the General of this imbecilic lot of men."

"What we lack in strength, we make up for in leadership, wiles, and stealth skill," Ghastly declared. He chuckled; the closest thing to a laugh she'd heard from him yet. She moved next to the men standing at attention with a smile.

"Fall in!" Skarr ordered. Ghastly instantly fell in. Surprised, and not to be undone, the men followed her lead. Skarr smirked approvingly at her. Well, this promised to be much easier now. At least as long as she was around. She was a good influence on the slobs, he saw. "Company march!" he ordered. Instantly they paraded after him. For a time things were fine. For a time they obeyed every order given by the General. Then came the obstacle course…

ECC

"But we don't wanna," the men whined. Oh Skarr was ready to kill them, teeth gritted.

"Oh brother," Ghastly complained. "Okay, listen up you maggots! You're climbing up that wall and through the obstacle course whether you like it or not! Get moving!" Shocked and slightly scared, the men headed for the course worriedly.

Skarr blinked, then smirked, impressed, saying, "Nice one." The two burst into laughter. Huh, first time she heard him laugh. Go figure. They leapt on the wall and easily scaled it, passing even the others. From the top Ghastly spotted Hector and waved. He beckoned to her. She looked confused.

"Hector is calling you," Skarr remarked, stating the obvious.

"I wonder what he wants," she mused. Easily she clambered down the other side with a curious Skarr, then hurried towards Hector.

He'd come to the field when he'd seen her scrambling along with General Skarr's battalion. As he watched he realized that even if she hadn't made her choice, depending on how the rest of the week went, he had. He'd seen enough of the General to be convinced. She was following this man's lead. She was obeying his commands and helping aid him in whipping the pathetic battalion into shape. If Skarr was able to finish the process on his own relatively well, for he planned on beckoning Ghastly away so they could observe, as far as he was concerned the man was hired. Besides, no other would likely willingly agree to join them. This one, though… This one wasn't all black and white right and wrong. Even if he were, he wouldn't care, Hector sensed. Evil emanated from the man, and so help him he wanted that wickedness harnessed. This next week would be quite interesting.

ECC

It was almost the end of the week. Hector and Ghastly watched in anticipation as the General's battalion reached the main and most difficult part of the obstacle course. The first day they'd been there, the men had been panting and gasping by the time they reached it, unable to continue. Skarr had face palmed and shaken his head hopelessly. They'd begged to be let go come dinner. As if. They'd failed their leader too many times. Skarr was through with it. He'd forced them mercilessly into drill after drill that went so far off of the planned training the army had prepared that it was ridiculous. He had completely thrown the plan out the window, implementing his own ideas and orders. Apparently he'd given up on the army's measures in favor of his own experience, and it had worked.

The other General's had all scoffed, but oh how well Skarr's own planning had worked. Before the end of the day they'd run the thing over and over until they made it in an acceptable amount of time. Over the course of the week they'd steadily gotten faster, better. They hardly ever screwed it up anymore. In fact, by the time they'd gotten here at this point in time now, nothing had been able to touch them. They had become as quick and disciplined as any other battalion, albeit still an odd mixture who often failed or messed up if things got too laid back or they didn't take something seriously. In fact, they couldn't even shoot right. And more often than not they fell into chaos and panic at the beginning of a threat. That would require working on, Hector and Ghastly realized. Still, most of what the soldiers didn't take seriously was what their General didn't. Now they were watching, waiting to see how this would go. If he succeeded… Enough said. The whistle was blown. "Charge!" Skarr ordered, drawing his rapier and pointing it ahead.

Ghastly shivered in anticipation. Hector gasped in excitement. They'd observed this man at work with sword play and guns. He had shamed the other Generals, anyone who dared even try and challenge him. He'd wiped the floors with them all. The others had been nothing compared to his speed, skill, and grace with the blade. His shooting was something to marvel at as well. He hadn't missed a single target. He might as well have been a sniper. He implemented karate moves the other General's couldn't hope to complete. The other members of the military were pathetic compared to him. At least when he got determined enough. Their skills lay more in the demolitions and usual army training areas, with exception to the specialized performers, and even they had paled in comparison. The General was rounded in all abilities, excelled in speed, and oh how he was defiant if he needed to be. He wouldn't go down easily. When he did lose physically, which was often they admitted, he became sulky, but he always bounced back eventually with his own strengths.

On his orders his battalion took off like shots, far ahead of the others. They scaled the wall and surpassed each obstacle like it weren't even there. Skarr grinned wickedly, victoriously, as they went. The other General's looked on in shocked disbelief. He laughed cruelly as his men crossed the finish, and crooned, "Yes! Victory! To the victor goes the spoils!" The other General's looked furious as he went to greet the men, grin spread across his face.

"And how," Hector stated out of the blue, slowly clapping as he approached the General and his men with Ghastly at his side. Skarr and the large battalion looked curiously back at him. "Congratulations, General Skarr, you've won a once in a lifetime opportunity," Hector stated.

Instantly suspicious, eyes narrowing, Skarr questioned, "Oh really? What, pray tell, is that?"

"A chance for you to join us, and your battalion too," Ghastly replied, clenching her fist. Skarr stood straighter, now intrigued.

ECC

"Now tell me, why should I be interested in your offer?" Skarr questioned after he'd brought the two into his battalion's bunkhouse.

"Because you want power. You want an opportunity to shine. You don't deserve to be the underdog here in a place that lacks the excitement you want and doesn't even acknowledge your many talents," Hector tempted.

"And you would?" Skarr asked sarcastically.

"We are the two leaders of an international evil organization by the name of Evil Con Carne. Well, we will be once I have gained a militia. And a second in command," Hector replied.

Skarr spewed out the water he was drinking and coughed. Finally he looked at the two in disbelief. Had he just been offered a second in command position? "You're joking, right?"

"No sir, General. We were here to scout out a worthy army leader. You took the cake," Ghastly stated. "You and your battalion join us, and we'll drag you from your dreary army job. You'll come with us, and you'll be second in rank only to Hector himself. We three will head the organization."

"Whose plans are too…?" Skarr fished, though he knew full well what the plans would be. He'd seen that the moment they came and admired and envied it with such passion it wasn't even funny.

"What else? Take over the world," Hector answered. The soldiers began to mutter. Skarr, however, simply blinked. Soon, though, he grinned evilly, eyes glittering maliciously.

"And you're sure this will be worth my time?" Skarr questioned.

"Anything's better than this," Ghastly stated, waving her hand around. General Skarr followed the gesture.

"True that," he finally admitted. He faced them again and offered his hand, saying, "General Reginald Peter Skarr, at your command sir."

"Excellent," Hector villainously replied, shaking to seal the deal; and it hadn't been long after that when Skarr had realized that really, he wasn't much better off. It wasn't long after realizing this that he and Hector had had a problem.

ECC

That problem happened to be the eye the General had lost in the line of duty during one of Con Carne's ill-fated plans involving lasers and running with a pair of scissors. He hated it when mothers were right. You see, at that first arguments end, Hector had thrown it out as nothing of importance. Nothing of importance? Nothing of importance! Even Ghastly had been upset, and by then he'd long realized the woman was passionately in love with the brain bear freak and faulted next to nothing he ever did, chalking it up to misunderstood! As if. Skarr remembered all too well that she had been the first one to rush and help him, not Hector. She had been the first to hear him scream in agony, the first to hear and observe his fear when he'd realized he'd lost something greater than he'd ever thought he would. And the severity of the scar down his chest combined with the eye…The poor woman had screamed in sheer horror and panic on seeing the damage! She hadn't been able to save it. It wasn't her fault. It was too late the instant it had happened. Nonetheless, she'd been torn up with guilt while Hector wrote it off as just another casualty, and she'd had nothing to do with it! After all of that… After all of that…

It wasn't long after what the General had done, after he'd lost something so valuable and so precious in an attempt to, against his own wishes save, the ungrateful jerk of a boss on the brain's own orders, that Skarr had come to hate him desperately enough to daydream of destroying him once and for all. He acted on it rarely, but it was a dream nonetheless. He had never been more glad to finally get out of there. Not that Endsville was any better. He marvelled at how he hadn't lost anything else. He had no intentions of returning to the army. They could offer him nothing. They were weak, and he was through with army life. Too much trouble.