Chapter Two
In the invisible-to-humans section of the Golden School, a teacher sat behind his desk, writing with a golden quill. The door slid aside, admitting another teacher.
The one behind the desk was Prof. Arkan, a tall male angel with white robes, a beard, and small glasses. His wings were larger than Raf's and his halo brighter. Joining him was Prof. Temptel, the devil's teacher. She was tall and thin, wearing a dark blue dress. She had on dark lavender eye shadow and lipstick, and wore horn-rimmed glasses. Her horns were longer and wings larger than Kabale's.
The room they occupied was large and airy, white and gold. Rows of school desks with small computers built in filled most of the floor space, but none were occupied. In front was a large monitor screen that was currently dark. Large windows let in the light from the morning.
"Have they left yet?" she asked.
"I believe so," he answered, not looking up.
"I instructed my students to assemble in the Challenge Room at nine," she said.
"As have I." Arkan finished writing, folded the paper and put it in an envelope. He glanced at a clock. Almost time. He stood and went over to a bank of controls and readouts, putting the letter in a slot, where it was sucked in.
"Are they ready for this?" asked Temptel.
"They have to be," he replied, "We've studied the signs, and we got notifications from the Upper and Lower Circles. Events are happening as foretold."
"I still think we should have said something," Temptel said.
"We couldn't, and you know it," he replied, looking at her, "Not without making the outcome unpredictable. And we both know that's not wise."
She nodded in agreement. "But still..."
He sighed. "I know. All we can do is watch, and hope for the best. I know Urie, Dolce, and Miki will be worried for Raf."
"And Cabiria, Sulfus, and Gas will be wanting to go make mischief," she added.
"That's why I think your idea of a joint session was a good one. We can all watch, and make sure they stay here," Arkan said.
The worry on Temptel's face was plain. "Those two are our best and brightest," he assured the devil-woman, "They will not fail."
Temptel smiled slightly. "Sulfus might challenge that assertion. But I hope you're right, Arkan," she answered, stepping over and looking out the window, "Something... feels off. I don't know what, and it bothers me."
He sighed and joined his colleague at the window. "I must confess that I too have misgivings. I have asked the Upper Circles for more information, but they refused to give any, saying events must happen as they will."
"The Lower Circles as well," she answered.
They watched the humans Jennifer and Andrew as they sat on a bench and talked before class. They had been boy-and-girl friends for nearly a year. Andrew was blond and brown-eyed, while Jennifer was redheaded and green eyed.
"I just realized- they resemble Kim Possible and her partner," Temptel said, nodding at the young couple.
Arkan studied them for a moment. "Yes, they do. Odd coincidence..."
The bell rang in the human part of the school, and the pair headed for the door.
Temptel looked at the clock. "It's time. See you there," she said, and took her leave.
KP/AF KP/AF KP/AF
The Challenge Room was a place that could be made into any environment. It was large and bare, and the walls had a metallic sheen. The student angels and devils used it for contests to see who would have first crack at their human in a given situation, to guide them toward good or evil.
Now, though, the six students and two teachers had assembled, and a monitor screen created.
Professor Temptel spoke first. "We want to impress on ALL of you that there WILL NOT BE... MUST NOT be, ANY interference with what is to come."
Arkan nodded. "The Upper and Lower Circles agree this is a Crisis Point."
"A what, sir?" asked Urie. The dark-skinned angel with lavender eyes was Raf's best friend. Her clothes, halo, and wings were yellow and her hair dark brown curls gathered on both sides of her head.
"It has not happened since all of you became students, until now, but there are certain events prophesied whose outcome will have far reaching effects," said Temptel. "This is one of them."
"So, Raf and Kabale were assigned to this Kim Possible human as the best for the situation?" asked Miki. She wore white flared pants and a dark blue hoodie over a lighter blue blouse. Her hair was black and straight, cut in bangs and ending at her shoulders, eyes blue, and skin with a golden cast. She was a year older than the other angels, having been kept behind in class. Her wings and halo were dark yellow.
"That's right," nodded Arkan. "Hopefully we have given them enough lead time to get to know her, and guide her through it."
"And it must be handled carefully," added Temptel, "Those involved CANNOT know; it would make the outcome unpredictable, which would have grave consequences for both sides."
"Okay, okay, we get it," said Sulfus. The devil-boy murmured an instruction, and a chair appeared. He settled himself in. His clothes were dark gray, his hair wild and black, and eyes yellow-green. He had a red star around his left eye.
"So why are we here?" asked Cabiria, looking bored, "We've got our own humans to tempt." The devil-girl wore tight, dark red clothes. Her hair was bushy and black, with white in the front that framed her face. It trailed behind her, touching the backs of her knees. Her eyes were a light red.
"You are all excused from your assignments for the duration of this crisis," said Temptel.
The devils cheered, Sulfus and Gas exchanging a high five.
"But you will be here, watching and learning," said Arkan, forcefully.
There was a groan from the devils, which caused the angels to roll their eyes.
"What's this crisis about, anyway?" asked Gas, peering over the top of his sunglasses. He was large and red-headed, with a hoarse voice. He wore a gray T-shirt with a drawing of a frog and the caption "Emo Frog". His wings and horns were blue.
"We cannot say for sure," answered Arkan, "All we can surmise is that Kim Possible will be at the center of it, and the time is now. The decisions she makes will shift the balance between our forces."
Cabiria snorted. "Then your side has already won. Kabale has been complaining to me about how little success she's had with her."
Temptel and Arkan exchanged a look.
"Let me explain further," said Arkan, "As events unfold, there will come a time, the Crisis Point, where Kim Possible will have to make a decision. That decision will alter the future of the world, and the odds equally favor it being good or evil."
"Oh, well, that's better," said Cabiria with a smile, "Kabale is great with confusing her human."
Urie looked at Cabiria with anger. "Yes, she is, but it won't work on Kim Possible. Raf's told me of how strong her morals and ethics are."
"We'll see, won't we?" retorted the devil-girl.
"Will they be okay?" asked Dolce, looking concerned.
"We hope so," answered Arkan.
"But we can't say for sure," said Temptel.
The pink-haired angel gasped and put a hand over her mouth in shock. She wore pink and white clothes that sparkled, and her eyes were a light blue-gray. She was friendly and kind and just a bit ditzy, but not stupid by any means.
"Don't worry," said Urie, reaching over and giving her friend's hand a squeeze. "They're both strong and good at their jobs. Things will work out."
"Thanks, Urie, that makes me feel better," said Dolce, giving her a dazzling smile.
Arkan gave a slight smile, Temptel's face was neutral, and the three devil students rolled their eyes.
"Yeah, don't worry your empty little head about it, Aspartamine," said Cabiria, smirking. Dolce means "sweet", and the devil took great delight in teasing her about it.
"My name is Dolce!" said the offended angel, loudly. "Get it right for once!"
"That's what I said; Saccharine!" said Cabiria.
Urie, Miki, and Dolce narrowed their eyes and growled at the devil, who ignored them and created a chair for herself. Gas and Sulfus snickered, and even Temptel couldn't resist a smile.
Cabiria turned to Sulfus, who was sitting back, eyes closed and hands behind his head. "You re not going to say anything?"
"Not me. I'm just waiting for the show to start," he answered.
More chairs were created, and shortly everyone was sitting, angels to the right of the monitor, devils to the left.
Temptel waved her hand, and the screen lit up just in time to show Kabale and Raf pass through the window of Kim's room.
When the trap was triggered, they saw the angel and devil scream and writhe like they were being shocked. Then they fell and landed on the bed.
Everyone gasped and stood up.
"RAF!" exclaimed Sulfus. He and Raf were in love, and everyone present knew it, but the relationship was strictly forbidden.
A year ago, a fallen angel named Reina had manipulated the devil and angel from her prison in Limbo, causing them to fall in love. When they kissed, the sacrilege disrupted Limbo, allowing Reina to escape. It had taken the combined efforts of all the students to defeat her. Since then they still felt the same about each other, but were trying to avoid further problems.
"What happened, Professor?" asked Miki.
"I don't know!" Arkan answered, "What we've just seen is impossible!"
"We have to go to them!" said Urie, turning toward the door. The others followed suit.
"NO!" commanded Arkan and Temptel in unison. They both flew over and blocked the door.
"But we have to help!" said Miki.
"Yeah," agreed Gas, "What's the deal?"
"Nobody must interfere!" said Arkan, "Now go sit down, all of you."
Reluctantly the students did so.
"Today was the beginning of the Crisis, but what has happened is unexpected," said Arkan.
"But it may be the source of our misgivings," said Temptel. "We must watch, and see."
"But..." said Sulfus.
"We will intervene only if it proves necessary," said Arkan.
Reluctantly, everyone settled down and turned attention back to the screen.