I do not own any characters named herein from Disney, and am only using them for a tale meant for entertainment purposes only.
Kim Possible: Possibly Strange
By LJ59
3
"Anything?"
"Nothing on Shego, but watch this," Wade told her as Kim sat at her computer in her room the next evening, studying case files, and trying to find a connection between the victims, and a pattern she could exploit.
There was always a pattern.
She had learned that much, if anything.
"We need to go back further," she had told Wade earlier. "Figure in Shego's family, and any cases like hers. Anything….suspicious. Add them, and any others across the country, and let's see if we can get a handle on this freak."
"Right," he had replied, and went to work even as Kim watched the grainy video he fed her.
"What is this….?"
"Footage from an ATM taken last night just after midnight," he told her.
She watched as the enhanced footage showed a young girl in her teens giggling as the two men dragged her toward the ATM, and had her fumbling with a bank card as they obviously intended to make a withdrawal courtesy of the tipsy blonde.
"Wade….?"
"Watch. It starts at the minute mark."
She glanced at the timer, seeing it read fifty seconds, and focused on the screen.
Even as cash started to come out, one of the men was suddenly grabbed by something in shadow, and lifted straight up into the air. The other man looked up belatedly, even as the first man was dropped, his head now twisted around at an unnatural angle.
The girl's silent scream started as the shadow fell over the second man, and drove him to the ground. Then it rose, and turned toward the blonde.
And the camera.
"I'm guessing this is our mysterious killer," Wade said uneasily as she stared at the plain, round face with a pair of very real, very bloody fangs protruding from bulging lips.
"You got anything on him yet?"
"I'm searching the global databases now, but it's a long shot. We both know this guy has obviously been a ghost for longer than we've been alive if we seeing what we're seeing here, Kim," he said quietly. "I'm looking, though."
"Good. Let's run this past Dr. Director, and….."
"Kim, are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, I know she's your boss, and all now, but…."
"Wade, I know you don't entirely trust her, but this is bigger than us. This….thing is obviously on a killing spree. Just like….. Just like…"
"Kim?"
"Every fifteen years," Kim realized. "If we consider Shego's family, and the area deaths in that period, then based on earlier known cold cases, he's going to kill twice more before he vanishes again. Wade, we have to find him before he can kill again. I'm assuming all three…."
"DOA this morning after bank employees found them shoved in the trash bin in the back," Wade said, looking paler than usual.
And he had already had time to see, and assimilate the footage.
"Any sign of Shego in the area during this one?"
"No sign," he sighed. "In fact, she went totally off grid after she ghosted on you last night."
"Keep looking," she told him again. "We're getting close. I'd bet on it."
"That's what worries me," he grimaced all the more.
Kim only stared at the screen, watching the man tear into the three hapless civilians again.
"Wade, I have an idea. If we can't find them. We'll let them find us."
"What," Wade sputtered.
KP
Deacon Draven walked into his current home, and was promptly backhanded so hard he was driven to the floor.
"Fool. Witless fool," the older man spat as he looked up at his attacker. The only one he dared not strike back against.
"Father," Deacon swore, picking himself up. "I know you care little for my…..methods, but…."
"You were seen, imbecile. After all this time, you let Norms see you," the older man with graying temples hissed at him.
"No," he spat. "I ensured there were no witnesses."
"Then you overlooked your first lesson. Because the morning news had your very image on the media, declaring you are the Upperton Slasher," the older man swore at him. "No one is looking for that witless female any longer shadowing you. They are now hunting you."
"Impossible! I made sure there were no cameras around…."
"Tell me everything."
Deacon sighed, and walked into the back of the old house they rented with his father's area connections. He told him of stalking the blonde, and how she was picked up by the two men, obviously predators themselves, and then easily coerced by them into giving them money from a bank machine. Just before he took them all on a lark.
"The ATM. Do you not listen to anything I tell you? These modern bankers put cameras even in those machines now. By the Ancients, you do not listen to anything? I should lock you away until you can truly learn to care for yourself."
"Father, how was I to know….?"
"If you had paid any attention to the updates from the Council…."
"Those old farts don't care about us. Or our needs. They still live on bottled blood, and still seek synthetic cures," he sneered. "All that babble about tradition, and assimilation."
"Silence," Thaddeus Draven swore. "How I ever ended with such a fool for a son. Just tell me we are ready to strike at the true target?"
"The stage is set," Deacon smirked. "After this weekend, our target will be just another random victim of the slasher, and we can both leave this plebian community, and return to our true home."
"Good. And no more mistakes. We cannot afford them," Thaddeus told him curtly.
Deacon huffed, and shrugged off his father's hand.
He was the one that took all the risks. True, he got the bonus of fresh blood, but he didn't see his father putting himself out there when the old man first hit upon the idea of being assassins for hire for certain select clientele. They had moved around the world for years, striking from shadow, and never having anyone even get close to them. It was a good way to make easy cash, which was still necessary even in their lives, and a good way to supply them with the blood they needed just to live.
One little wrinkle, though, and his father had to get stuffy.
As if the police could catch them. Or especially him.
So they had some silly picture.
That would do them no good. No good at all.
KP
Night was falling when Kim went to her car, climbed in, and headed for Upperton.
Somewhere out there, this freak was going for another victim, or two, and then he might vanish again for who knew how long. Or, rather, as the now global pattern showed, they might move. Because Wade had stretched his search, and was finding a lot of high profile, and very suspicious deaths that covered the planet well over the past fifty years.
Fifty years, at the least, and this guy had been running around killing, supposedly at random.
She didn't buy it.
She had Wade still hunting that one last clue, and then she was sure she would find this guy.
Or, he would find her since she had so blatantly posted his face all over the media, calling him the slasher. Dr. Director hadn't wanted to use that gambit, and was still focused on Shego, but Kim chose to let Wade leak the photo to carry out her plan all the same.
Betty was furious, as usual, but Kim was certain her ploy would pay off.
After all, her instincts had never led her wrong yet.
She was just reaching for the ignition when she suddenly turned, shoved the door open, and jumped out of the car to look back inside.
"We need to talk," Shego said, slowly climbing out of the back seat where she had seemed to just appear.
"You couldn't just knock," she growled, gesturing to the passenger seat. "I'm headed for Upperton. So climb in, and buckle up. We'll talk on the way."
Shego didn't argue as she climbed into the passenger seat.
"How'd you get past my security? It's supposed to be unbeatable," she complained as she climbed behind the wheel again.
"I beat it. Get over it. Nice reflexes, by the way. Sure you're human?"
Kim glared at her.
"Of course, I'm human," she huffed.
"Just wondering. Not many can keep up with me. Or move almost as fast as me."
"It's not about speed. It's about instinct, and skill. I know nineteen forms of martial arts."
"Really. How many have you mastered," she asked, sounding very interested.
Kim smiled.
"Fifteen. I'm still working on the other four, but I've been busy. Give me time."
"Impressive," Shego admitted. "So, where did you get his picture?"
"Upperton Trust. He killed three people in front of an ATM. Apparently, he didn't consider the camera there."
"Apparently," Shego murmured.
"So, who is he? You know, I'm sure, that it's only a matter of time before….."
"Shut up, and drive. We do need to talk. Because I have found his next target."
"Who? Shego, I know you think you don't need help….."
"I don't. You do. You're his target. You're why he's here."
Kim blinked.
"Me?"
"You. Ready to listen now, Kimmie?"
"Tell me everything," Kim demanded, showing no fear.
Which either made her very brave, or very stupid. Shego still wasn't sure which just then.
KP
"When will you take her," Thaddeus demanded.
"Not tonight. It would be too obvious," Deacon said slyly. "This must appear random. Like all the others. A mere….coincidence. Not a reaction to a posted image of the alleged killer. I think, by week's end, Kimberly Anne Possible will be no more, though. You may tell the client to have the cash ready. All his problems are about to be…..over."
Thaddeus nodded.
"Just stay out of view. And away from cameras," he spat, having spent most of the day advising his idiot son of how much digital technology had changed of late.
"I will," he scowled. "I just need the perfect ploy, and I'll make her death look as random, and incidental as the others. I have been doing this a while, after all, father."
Thaddeus said nothing to that, and simply went to his den.
He had travel arrangements to make. Especially if their target was going to gone by the end of the week. He had long since learned you never wished to stay in the area while the authorities lumbered about, trying to feign competence. Even they could lucky sometimes.
Unfortunately for the inestimable Miss Possible, her impossible luck was about to finally run out.
Fifty million dollars was simply too much to turn down, whatever the risk. Which was why they were here.
KP
"His name is Deacon," Shego told her after they rode in silence for a time.
"So, you do know him."
"I've…..put things together over the years. He's an amateur assassin. Likes to play careless, but he's brutal, and methodical. You get no second chances with this guy," Shego warned her. "You don't get first chances."
"And yet you lived," Kim pointed out.
"I was his first, and only mistake," she said grimly. "You know how long ago that was," she muttered.
"So, I was right. He is deliberately hiding his real targets behind random murders."
"Figured that out?"
"Too many high profile deaths. All representing very large thorns in certain sides. Like Juan Gordeaux. A political activist from Go City that was pushing a reform bill that would have undercut billions to certain companies farming illegal laborers."
Shego's jaw clenched, but she said nothing.
"Your only concern now, Princess, is laying low until the deadline on your bounty expires."
"Laying low," Kim scowled. "Not my thing. Tell me about this bounty. Not that I haven't had prices put on my head before, but….?"
"Fifty million for your death before the first of the month," Shego told her. "No, I can't prove it, but I'm certain Jack Hench is behind it."
"So, all the talent he's conscripting…..?"
"Is for you. In case you come calling before his assassin can kill you."
"Or," Kim posited, "If he fails."
"Deacon never fails," Shego scowled.
"And yet here you sit," Kim drawled.
"Don't be flip," Shego spat. "You think I haven't been trying to take him down? I've been trying since I first realized… Well, what I am. He's got protectors. The kind you can't ignore. Added to that, he's a ghost. He never stays in one place long, and by the time you find him, he's already gone."
"Tell me what he…. What you are," Kim asked. "I might be able to help."
Shego's disdain was audible when she snorted.
"You think I care about you, or your help?"
"If you don't care, why are you helping?"
Shego smirked now.
"Maybe I'm just using you for bait for my trap," Shego suggested.
"Then you could have watched me from a distance. Not broke into my car to give me a personal warning."
"God, you're annoying," Shego sighed. "You can't just accept….?"
Kim smiled.
"It's okay. This is what I do. If this freak is after me, let him come. Between the two of us…."
"No. No, no, no. There is no two. There is no us. There is me. The spider. You? Fly. Tiny, buzzing, annoying fly. In a web. Get it?"
Kim laughed.
Shego scowled, and shook her head.
"I get it. You're a moron. Hit your head one time too many. Right? Right?"
"Wade, have you finished that scan?"
"Wade," Shego frowned.
"Almost, Kim. I should have a complete report in….."
"Who are you? What the hell are you doing," Shego hissed, punching the dash hard enough to crack the panel.
"Calm down. Wade's my….unofficial right hand. He knows more than….. Well, anybody, about anything."
"He's a freaking kid," Shego scowled at the young face in the now cracked glass monitor.
"With five PhDs, and a working knowledge of the allegedly arcane that would shame a coven. Ready to listen," he asked blandly, not reacting to her anger.
"What….are you doing," Shego demanded.
"Kim asked me to scan you when you showed up. She thinks we can help you."
"When….? You expected me," Shego squeaked now, staring hard at her.
"Hey, I knew you were interested," Kim smiled, and winked.
"Gah!"
"No, seriously," Kim said now. "I realized I was going to draw you, and this…Deacon when I posted that photo. I just didn't know when, or where. I knew if you were really after him, though, you'd be coming to see what I knew when you realized I released his picture. I guessed you would be along in that case."
"Touché," Shego murmured. "And how do you think you can help me?"
"Well, while I don't know what actually happened to you, I've learned a long time ago that there is usually a logical explanation for things that most write off as unnatural. I think if Wade can study your physiology, he might be able to devise a cure for whatever…..afflicts you. Or those like you."
"Can't be done," Shego huffed. "Trust me."
"Let me make that decision, shall we," Wade told her blandly, and then vanished when the monitor went dark.
"You two can't tell anyone. I'm serious. Our….. Our kind would erase both of you before they let you say a word about us."
"I'm not here to expose, or hurt anyone. Justice, Shego. Remember?"
"Well, that said, our own have been studying the problem for years. I doubt your pet Nerdlinger is going to be able to….."
"It's a viral condition? Right? Obviously transmitted by intimate contact of any kind. And it creates a severe anemia requiring regular plasma intake to keep you stable, and healthy. Am I warm?"
"At least you didn't call me a vampire," she grumbled as they neared Upperton.
"I said I do believe in science," Kim told her.
"Well, in your family, I can see that. Some things just aren't that cut and dry, though, Kimmie," Shego said. "You don't think I haven't looked for cures? Along with that freak Deacon? There is no cure. Trust me. The Elders have looked for generations, too."
Kim said nothing.
"But they didn't have Wade," Kim finally told her.
Shego sighed.
"Just keep him quiet. I'd rather not have to kill you two. Or worse."
"What's worse," Kim huffed.
"You wouldn't be the first turned to keep you quiet, but manageable."
Kim smirked.
"As if. Even my folks gave up trying to manage me years ago."
"I don't doubt it," Shego muttered.
"What," Kim fumed.
"Princess, face it, you are a walking disaster. Seriously. Who dresses you? Blind monkeys? And that hair…."
"Shego!"
Shego smiled now, oddly enough, feeling better.
To Be Continued…..