James Bates had never believed that he would be so relieved to see the Fiske Estate again. The trip to Japan had been a waste of time...for the most part. He should have known that the Yakuza would be very reluctant to speak to anyone outside of their organization...even more with someone from outside of Japan...and still more so with someone representing a foreign nobleman. Still, a few bits of information had found their way to his ears, as well something in addition. It was time to decide just what these few hints and clues meant, what to admit to Earl Snidely, and then decide what to do next.
He directed the driver to park the cab by the servants' entrance...he still would not make use of the main entrance if he could avoid doing so...and stood back as the man unloaded his baggage. Paying the hefty fee, with a gratuity, he made a show of opening the door so that the cabbie would feel comfortable leaving him. Once the vehicle had vanished beyond the estates, three monkeys emerged to help him with his bags.
"I wish I could provide you lads with better news," Bates told the primates. "But I'd be lying if I did. Still, I did stumble on something that should make you a bit happier."
The monkeys didn't answer, but hauled his bags to his quarters before ushering him to the servants' kitchen, where a pot of tea was waiting him. He nodded his thanks, sat at the table and sipped the beverage while the small fellows watched him.
"Three months, and not much to show for it," he admitted. "Have the lot of you been well?"
The monkeys nodded, which made Bates conclude that the regular deliveries of foodstuffs that he had arranged for had continued to find their way to the estate.
"Well, we're going to need more food," Bates told them. "I couldn't find out much from the locals, but while stumping through an unoccupied valley, I found nine of your fellows."
The monkeys with him suddenly showed a great deal of interest and excitement.
"I've arranged transport for them here," Bates told them. "They should arrive the day after tomorrow."
The chief of the three monkeys pointed at a portrait of Montgomery Fiske on the wall.
"I didn't find him," Bates admitted, allowing just a touch of his frustration to sound through. "I think I got close to where the was...but I can't prove it."
One of the monkeys showed up with a tray of crumpets, a second one topped off his teacup, then all three settled around the table.
"Alright lads," Bates took the hint. "I'll tell you what happened. First, I got to Japan and looked up the company that Fiske had contacted to smuggle your fellows into the country. The folks there weren't exactly happy to talk to me, but I had proof that they had brought in certain containers and I was willing to present it to the authorities. It took me a few weeks, but eventually one of them spoke to me, off the record of course, and let me know that they had transported this shipping container from a port to a warehouse in southern Japan. I noted that this warehouse was located in a town not far from the geographical feature that Fiske had identified as Simian Canyon. Of course, this valley isn't known as such on any current maps. Since it was in the neighborhood, so to speak, I traveled to this town."
"The owner of the warehouse was polite and even friendly," Bates continued, after a bite of his snack. "At least until he learned which delivery I wanted to track. Suddenly, his mastery of the English Language seemed to be much less than it was, but I wouldn't let him brush me off. He eventually told me that his instructions were to unlock the container and leave his warehouse doors open, overnight. He then showed me the container; it had a couple of chemical toilets...and that was it. I'm guessing that your fellows carried their bedding, tools and spare food with them when they left."
A round of shrugs from his three companions answered him.
"Well, I decided to stay in the area a wee bit; so I bought some hiking gear and started to take long walks through that canyon. A funny thing, this canyon is between two ridges that lead up to the peak of this mountain. Every time I started to get up towards the top of that mountain, I'd run into someone who was very polite, spoke perfect English, and who would inform me that I was getting close to a private school. They would always tell me that they don't welcome visitors and that it would be best if I did my hiking farther down the valley. Of course, this was more than just a day's work...it had taken me a few more weeks. Don't look at me like that, I'm getting older and it takes these old legs a bit to recover after long slogs. Anyway, after the third time I had been turned back down the hill, I spent my recuperation time reviewing Fiske's journals and noted that a place he hated, called Yamanouchi School, was somewhere near the top of that very mountain. Of course, I was about to go up there and demand that they answer some questions, private property or not, but that was when I ran into your fellows."
He paused to look at his audience. Strangely enough, telling the small creatures about his efforts made them seem more worthwhile.
"They had probably saw me on all three of my previous walks," he told the raptly attentive audience. "But they seemed a little nervous to actually come up and let me see them. Anyway, I had just gotten out of line of site of that town when several monkeys, all wearing clothing much like yours, surrounded me and led me to a cluster of small huts they had built. They're no more capable of speaking than you are, but when I asked them, they let me know that they had followed Lord Fiske. I asked them if they knew where he was, but they all shook their heads. After that, I asked them where they had last seen him and they pointed up the mountain, towards the school."
"Of course, that made me more determined than ever to walk right up there and demand more answers, but when I said so, they all headed me off! I got the idea that they wanted nothing to do with this Yamanouchi place, so I asked them about some of the other names that I had gleaned from Fiske's writings. When I said, 'Kim Possible', the barely reacted at all. When I said 'Ron Stoppable', they all appeared rather nervous..."
Bates noted that those monkeys present with him also looked nervous.
"Well, then I said the name 'Yamanouchi' and they all looked frightened. Then I asked about the Yono, and they were all terrified! I then asked them where this Yono chap could be found, and only one could bring himself to do anything. This fellow led me deeper into the canyon, where the ground appeared to be all torn up. When I asked for a shovel, so that I could dig up whatever had been uncovered, he pushed me away from the place! Well, we went back to his companions and I asked them if they would like to come back here. They all nodded."
"Of course, it takes some time and effort to arrange to have nine monkeys, who aren't supposed to be in Japan, transported back to merry old England. It took me a great deal of time, effort and money for this; while I had contacts with the folks who had gotten the lads into Japan, they weren't all that happy with me. Eventually, I got them to agree to it, but that left me without a great deal of the money I had budgeted for my investigation. It still took a few weeks to actually see them all off, and I spent most of that time debating my next move. I also had a visitor at my room, and that wasn't all that pleasant."
"I can't go on another jaunt just yet," he informed them. "I've drained Fiske's accounts too much and it's going to take a spot of time for his estate to recover. Instead, my next move is to make contact with Dr. Hall and see if that statue really is Fiske. Once I confirm this, I'll see if there's any way to recover him. If not, perhaps she knows where he is at. In the meantime, the lads will show up sometime tomorrow, so we have to prepare for them."
The monkeys needed no prompting; they quickly got up and made their way to the dungeons, where Bates assumed that they were preparing for their fellows. Bates contacted the local grocer and arranged for an increase in the vegetable and fruit deliveries. After that, he debated his next report to Earl Snidely. He decided to admit to finding the monkeys and a monastery that wouldn't allow him to approach. Perhaps the nobleman would be able to use his influence to pry some answers from this facility.
The next few weeks proved to be more than frustrating for James Bates. He had no trouble welcoming the rest of Fiske's monkey's back to the mansion and getting them settled in. With more monkeys assisting with the upkeep, the caretaker was able to devote still more time to managing Fiske's estates, which meant that the incomes grew. However, he was unable to contact, or even track down, Dr. Amy Hall.
In retrospect, he should have realized this. She was a criminal, after all, and by definition she would be difficult to find. James Bates did not have a great deal of experience dealing with the criminal element, so he wasn't able to pierce the veil of secrecy that the geneticist had woven around herself. After a couple of months of futile attempts to establish communication with her, Bates decided that it was time for some face to face contact, and he had a target that was reasonably close by. He hired a mechanic to make sure that Fiske's car was in top operating condition and took a drive north.
"I don't get many visitors to me island," Duff Killigan noted, as the two men sat across the dining room table from each other in the Scotsman's castle. "An' I'm sure that this isn't a social visit. Yer not jest here for a bit o' company, are ye?"
"You're quite right," Bates nodded. "As you can probably guess, I have visited you in order to ask your help for my former master."
"Monty? What's the codger up to, these days?"
"Nobody knows," Bates told him. "He vanished months ago."
"Eh?" Killigan gasped. "Ye don't think those aliens took him away, do ye?"
"No," Bates shook his head. "He vanished well before that. I was hoping that you could help me locate him...or at least try to determine his fate."
"I'll help as I'm able," Duff told him. "But me and him weren't all that close. In fact, the two o' us went against each other once, when we were both trying to get our hands on a chip in a wee rodent's belly. Still, I've no hard feelings towards him. 'twas just a job."
"Well, I was hoping that you could help me find Dr. Amy Hall," Bates told him.
"DNAmy?" Killigan asked. "Aye, that makes sense. Never had anything to do with th' lass meself, but rumors get 'round. She was supposed t' be barmy over Monty, so it makes sense that she'd be keeping track o' him."
"Can you find her?" Bates asked.
"I'll have to try," Duff shrugged. "Jest because she's a villain doesn't mean I know her. We don't have a fellowship, or anything like that, but I can ask a few folk, here and there. Am I assumin' right that ye'll be willing t' pay her for information on Monty?"
"Of course!"
"That's what I'll dew," Killigan decided. "Once ye've gone, I'll put out werd that there's someone willing t' pay for an interview. That shewd get her attention...if she wants t' be found."
"Once I'm gone?" Bates lifted an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Aye, we all have secrets," Killigan explained. "And I can let ye know if I hear anything."
"I take it that...well...villains can be hard to find." Bates commented.
"Of course," Killigan acted as if he were explaining something obvious to a child. "Villains who are easy to find don't last very long. If she's gone to ground and doesn't want ta be found, she won't be found from across th' sea. Still, yer gonna have to answer me a question afore I help ye."
"And that would be?"
"Why are ye lookin' fer Amy?" Duff's expression was curious...calculating. "Sure, she had a shine to th' man, but I know that his main rival t' be Kim Possible and the lad that goes with her. Ye can find th' tew of them easy enough...why try t' find someone who doesn't want tew be found?"
"I want to avoid...the celebrities," Bates declared, thinking that Killigan was a great deal more clever than he let on.
"Aye," the big man smiled, knowingly. "Ye don't want anyone t' know yer on the hunt, do ye?"
"I'm trying to not let just anybody know," Bates answered.
"Well, yer secret's safe with me," Killigan chuckled. "I always liked a gewd mystery. Just make sure ye tell me what became o' th' man when ye finally find out."
Agreeing, Bates left for the drive back to the Fiske Estate, feeling guilty at how much he was beginning to consider the place his home. However, any questions about his role in affairs was quashed the next day, when he received a surprise visit from Earl Snidely.
While the roles of host and guest were reversed, James Bates felt just as uncomfortable as he had back in the Earl's office, months ago. They now sat across Fiske's formal dining table from each other, as Bates wasn't about to sit in the lord's chair, and also wouldn't allow another to do so. While Snidely's gaze had been businesslike back then, it was now quite stern.
"Mister Bates, let me be completely blunt with you," the earl finally broke the awkward silence. "While I have no reason to believe that you are embezzling Fiske's incomes and I have every reason to believe that you are making every effort to locate him, I suspect that you are being somewhat less than forthright with me when you report your progress."
Bates tried, and failed, to hide a nervous gulp.
"I see that my suspicions have some merit," Snidely noted. "Now, your last report stated that you had tracked Fiske's movements first to Japan, then to an area that held some sort of monastery with which he had conflict in the past. However, those who currently occupy this facility turned you away as a stranger. You reported this to me, hoping that as an official representative of a government friendly to Japan, I could request that the Japanese Government compel this institution to answer your questions. This was honest and proper of you. However, you cleverly didn't report on two issues."
Bates again tried to conceal a gulp.
"First, what was Monty's disagreement with this institution?"
"I don't know the entire story," Bates answered, feeling sweat start to bead on his brow.
"Mr. Bates," Snidely sighed, with exaggerated patience. "I have trusted you to perform your tasks...both to manage the estates and to search for Lord Fiske. While I have no doubt that you are working hard in both endeavors, you've been less that fully honest with me on the second. Now, tell me, what do you know about Fiske's conflict with this institution?"
"M'lord Fiske attempted to take several items from it," Bates admitted.
"And why is this?"
"He believed that they held the key to mastering the Mystical Monkey Power that he was obsessed with," Bates told him. "Do you mind if I fetch his journal? It has more details."
"Very well, but no delays."
"Of course not," Bates rang a small bell, which brought one of the monkeys from elsewhere in the castle. Smiling slightly at Snidely's slightly shocked look, he instructed the monkey to fetch the journal from Fiske's study.
"So, this is one of the monkeys you found hiding here?" Snidely asked, once the small primate had scurried off.
"Yes, M'lord." Bates chose to not divulge any information that wasn't specifically requested.
"And it seems to be quite well trained..." Snidely was clearly prompting him for more information.
"They all are," Bates nodded. "The lad who just left seems to be their leader. They aren't literate, and they can't speak, but they can perform simple tasks, like fetching and cleaning. They understand our language, even if they can't speak it."
"And they follow your commands?" More prompting from the nobleman.
"They are loyal to Lord Fiske," Bates told him. "And they understand that I am both the caretaker of his home, and am trying to find out what became of him. They do as I tell them because they see that as a way to get their master back."
"Reasonable..." Snidely commented, but stopped speaking when the monkey returned, struggling to carry a large book.
"One moment, M'lord," Bates requested, then quickly flipped to one of the pages that he had previously marked. "Ah. Roughly two years ago, M'lord Fiske learned of an ancient sword called the Lotus Blade, which he believed to be held in this monastery. According to his notes, possession of this blade would increase his mastery of the Mystical Monkey Power, and grant him additional powers, as well. While he apparently managed to get his hands on the blade, the guardians took it from him and forced him to flee."
"So, such guardians are not about to let anyone associated with Fiske back onto the grounds," Snidely concluded.
"There's more, M'lord," Bates decided that a little unsolicited information would help dispel some doubts. "A little over a year ago, M'lord Fiske learned of some weapon...called..." he paused his speech while looking for another point he had bookmarked. "Ah! The Han. He sneaked into Yamanouchi and stole a scroll that led him to a series of temples in Asia. According to his journal, he was confronted and defeated at the last temple, which was built into a live volcano. A few months after that, he learned of a being called the Yono, who was a counterpart to the Han. He didn't record everything in writing, but his journal..." again, a pause while he looked through the book. "Shows that he believed that this Yono character could be summoned from a place called Simian Canyon, which is located on the mountainside below this Yamanouchi Monastery."
"Which led you to investigate the area," Snidely concluded.
"Yes, M'lord."
Earl Snidely gazed at him for a time, long enough and intent enough to set Bates to squirming just a touch. "Very well," the nobleman finally spoke. "We'll get back to your investigation in a moment. However, I have another question that you must answer: Why did you leave Japan when you did?"
"M'lord?"
"You were on site!" Snidely growled at him. "You were close to the answers you were seeking! It would have made more sense for you to stay there while I worked the diplomatic channels from this end. Instead, you traveled all the way back to England! Why did you give up the chase when the quarry was in sight?"
Bates sighed and rang the bell again.
"Have your fellows...all of your fellows...come present themselves here," he instructed the monkey.
"There are two reasons," Bates then told Snidely, as the monkey scampered off again. "The first reason is that I located nine monkeys that had accompanied M'lord Fiske to Japan. I've sent for them so that you can see I'm being honest. They were hiding and near to starving in Simian Canyon. Arranging their transport back here, and feeding them while making the arrangements, burned through the funds I had earmarked for this trip."
"Poppycock!" Snidely snapped at him. "Spending additional funds, even if you had to sell off some of Fiske's property to cover it, would have been perfectly justified to learn of his fate!"
"That's where the second reason comes in," Bates told him, now refusing to be intimidated. "You see, shortly after I found the monkeys...or I should say shortly after they revealed themselves to me...I received a visitor at breakfast. It was a surprisingly large young man; polite and fluent in English. He told me that the residents from the top of the mountain understood why I was in the area and that I should just give up my quest. He stated that they would go to unpleasant lengths to make sure that wrongs that were now buried were never unearthed again."
"And you let him discourage you?" Snidely quirked an eyebrow. "I thought you were built of sterner stuff."
"What good would my disappearance have done?" Bates snapped at the man. "I admit that I was ignorant of Japan before visiting, so I suspect that you are, as well. As dense as the population is, there are surprisingly wild and rural areas; Yamanouchi Mountain, which contains Simian Canyon, is one of these. A band of nine monkeys was able to hide out there for over a year! If I were to vanish in the wilds, and my body were to be found somewhere in that canyon, who would question that I fell down a cliff or became lost and died of exposure? Then, nobody would be searching for Fiske!"
"You make a good point," Snidely conceded, as a dozen monkeys shuffled into the great hall. "At your age...our age...one should think with the brain and not with emotions. You were right in clearing out of the area when you could." A ghost of a smile flitting across his face. "In fact, you seemed to have uncovered a certain link between this Yamanouchi place and Fiske's fate."
Bates didn't see fit to comment on the observation.
"But these monkeys," Snidely continued. "Which were the ones that were here when you took up your duties, and which were the ones that you found in Japan?"
"Lads," Bates spoke to the primates. "Those who accompanied Lord Fiske to Japan, walk to the foot of the table, those who remained here the whole time, go to the head of the table."
Three monkeys walked to the head of the table and stood near Lord Fiske's chair. The remaining nine walked to the foot of the table. All stood straight, as servants awaiting their master's review.
"Amazing!" Snidely remarked. "They not only understand English, they understand the concepts of the head and the foot of the table."
"Aye, M'lord," Bates agreed. "These are not normal monkeys."
"Very well, Mister Bates," Snidely returned his attention to the servant. "I can see that you didn't hold back anything vital. You are clearly trying to serve your master, even as you try to learn his fate. It was not my intention to place you in a position where your loyalty towards Fiske would conflict with your obedience to me. I assure you that I also want to find out what has happened to Monty."
Bates simply nodded. "Are you finished with the monkeys, M'lord?"
"What? Oh! Yes indeed."
"Lads, please go back to your duties," Bates instructed his charges. With polite bows, they all filed out of the great hall.
"Amazing," Snidely murmured again. "However, I must discuss your duties some more. Perhaps it's best that the monkeys...these lads as you call them...are not here. From your reports, it is clear to me that Yamanouchi holds the key to knowing Fiske's fate."
Bates nodded again.
"Now that I have your full report, I will work through Her Majesty's diplomatic channels. However, I am beginning to suspect the worst."
Again, Bates nodded.
"I am going to take the distasteful action that I discussed with you, previously," Snidely went on. "I am going to manipulate events so that Fiske's heir will be prepared when it comes time for him to take up his legacy. This could take many, many years. Will you be able to attend to these duties, for the near future?"
"Aye, M'lord," Bates assured him. "There's noting pulling me away from the mansion."
"Good man," Snidely sighed. "This is probably a very lonely posting for you."
"It's not so bad," Bates countered. "The lads are a big help keeping the place tidy, and whenever I fancy a bit of company, there's a pub in the local village. There's a trail out the back, so it's a brisk walk to enjoy a pint or two with the local folk."
"Fair enough," the earl sighed. "But I want it understood that you can use Fiske's vehicle for the occasional, personal errand. It looks like you're going to be at this post for several years, until the young lad is ready to become the next Lord Fiske. In the meantime, should you weary of this job, let me know."
"I certainly will, M'lord."
"In the meantime, I think I shall take Lord Fiske's journal with me, at least for now," Snidely rose to his feet, scooped up the aforementioned book and placed it in his briefcase.
"You will return it at some point, M'lord?" Bates asked, also rising to his feet.
"Yes, it is part of the Fiske estate, but I'd like a chance to double check just how forthcoming you've been with me," Snidely allowed a bit of a stern look to pass over his features.
Bates dropped his gaze, feigning contrition.
"Will there be anything else?" The nobleman asked.
"M'lord, I would like to investigate paths other than Yamanouchi," Bates admitted.
"Such as..." Snidely prompted.
"There were others with whom M'lord Fiske interacted," Bates pointed out. "The rotund geneticist who altered his hands and feet, the blue fellow who stopped the invasion. I'd like to contact them and see if they can offer any news."
"Fair enough," Snidely nodded. "But keep me posted. I want to know where you intend to go, who you intend to meet, and what you've found."
"Of course, M'lord." Bates saw the man to the front door, and then to his vehicle. Upon returning to the mansion, he was confronted by a dozen, curious monkeys.
"I know lads," he told them. "I didn't tell him about the second journal, the one that identified Yamanouchi as a ninja school rather than a monastery, and with the information about the Yono."
At the name, the monkeys who had accompanied to Japan flinched in horror.
"I also didn't tell him about how much that second journal ranted about Miss Possible's companion, that Stoppable Lad. Nor did I tell him about my suspicions of that statue that the doctor had with her. No lads, there's something odd going on...something that goes beyond Fiske going to Yamanouchi and vanishing, and I want to find out what before I let the earl know."
The lead monkey cocked his head in curiosity.
"If Lord Fiske is still of this world, I want to find him. If he's in physical or emotional distress, I want to see if he can be helped a bit before Snidely questions him. If he's...if he's gone...I want to know the truth and let Snidely know that it was a dignified end. I owe Fiske that much, at least."
While the monkeys had been helpful before, this speech seemed to make them even more so. They were proactive in maintaining the estate and set a watch at all times. Over the next few days, whenever Bates felt like walking to the pub for an evening pint, one or two would accompany him to the outskirts of the village, then rejoin him for the journey back to the mansion. They also started to drill in martial arts, showing a skill that both impressed and frightened the servant.
Earl Snidely must have been active, as two days after their meeting, Bates received a telegram from the Japanese Government, informing him that he was no longer allowed into the country. The servant smiled to himself, realizing that this proved some sort of connection between the school and the government, and the fact that Fiske's fate was one that could potentially embarrass the school. He then reported the development to the earl.
Two weeks after meeting with Earl Snidely, Bates was looking out of the window when the entire estate seemed to be plunged into an early evening. As this was England, cloudy weather wasn't unusual, but only the mansion itself seemed to be shaded. Looking at the surrounding lands, he realized that the building was in the center of a bomb-shaped shadow. Looking up, he saw a plaid dirigible descending towards the grounds. Bemused, the went outside, backed by his primate companions, to meet Duff Killigan.
"Greetings, laddie!" The big man called from the gondola. "Aye learned a bit an' thought I'd come down ta speak t' ye, rather than risk letting someone ye' don't want knowin' about this wee endeavor learnin' somethin' ye'd rather they didn't!"
"I...appreciate the gesture," Bates tried to sound sincere. "But I don't know how to moor a dirigible!"
"Ahh...jest tie 'er to a tree and ayl leave 'er runnin'."
Much to his bemusement, Bates soon found himself playing host to the Scotsman, as the blimp tugged at a tree in front of the mansion. While it was hardly a discrete visit, Bates decided that Snidely wouldn't be able to accuse him of holding secret meetings.
"Aye tell ye, DNAmy has gone t' ground," Duff informed him. "Aye pewt out some feelers, hints that ay'd be willin' t' take on some werk fer money...the sert o' werk she used to pay t' have done. Nothin'! Aye also pewt out some feelers that I wanted some engineered rodents t' keep me greens...the sert o' think she always loved t' dew. Nothin'!"
"So, that avenue of investigation is closed to me," Bates concluded.
"Nothin' o' the sert!" Duff countered him. "Aye still have me ins! Doctor Drakken an' me trade emails every week about th' latest episode o' Agony County!"
"Isn't that an improbable romance show aimed at teens?"
"Tis a fine drama!" Killigan roared, pounding on the table. "And mind ye' watch yer comments, less I decide not to help ye!"
"My apologies," Bates quickly conceded. "But how is this helpful?"
"Drakken used t' have a shine for the lass," Killigan chuckled. "But she wasn't interested in him. I'm willing t' bet that he keeps a wee bit of an eye out fer where she's at, but he won't be willin t' write. I kin arrange a meeting fer yew t' talk to either him or th' green lass that's with him."
"That...that would be most kind!" Bates thanked him.
"Eh, like I said before, aye like a gewd mystery. Now, yew don't deal with th' criminal element all that much, sew I'd like t' give ye some advice. Amy keeps nasty critters t' dew her fighting fer her, so when ye track th' lass down, yer gonna want some muscle t' back ye up. Ol' Monty used his monkeys, will they fight fer ye?"
From around the two men, chitters and shrieks of confirmation sounded.
"Alright," Duff nodded. "Now, Amy's probably in America, sew do ye have an idea how to get the wee fighters over there?"
"Fiske used some shipping containers, which he outfitted to hold them for a few days," Bates answered. "There's one in the local village."
"Okay, I'll give ye a bit more advice," Killigan nodded. "Let's prepare it, and move it to me castle, where the bobbies won't be looking. Head to America and have yer meetings. If ye track Amy down, give me a call and I'll send the lads over."
"Do you think I'll need to use violence against Amy?"
"It's better to be ready and not need to, than th' other way 'round. Besides, these wee fellows are sneaky and small, they can get into places that yew can't. If ye can find her, call me and yew can decide tew use them fer spying or fighting."
It wasn't something they could implement immediately. They decided to send the shipping container to Killigan's castle before preparing it, as Earl Snidely was probably keeping an eye on the Fiske estate. Once it had been delivered, Bates forwarded the Scotsman the funds he needed to refurbish it, then took another trip to Scotland, this time with three monkeys in tow, in order to stock it for a trip.
After this was done, he diverted incomes to fund his trip. He was somewhat honest with Earl Snidely, reporting that Dr. Drakken had been a known associate of Fiske's, and Bates was trying to set up a meeting. After all, he couldn't return to Japan, so he was going to have to explore other leads. It was with a great deal of relief that he received Snidely's approval. Eventually, he had set aside enough to not only fund his trip, but to pay smugglers to deliver the monkeys, should they be needed. With a heavy sigh, noting that Fiske had now been gone for over two years, he instructed Killigan to set up the meeting with Drakken, then booked a flight to America.
His first stop was in New York City, where Dr. Drakken had settled since receiving a blanket pardon, after saving the world from the Lowardian Invasion. Drakken and Shego continued to enjoy a certain celebrity status, but Bates hoped that he could arrange for a more low key meeting. Killigan had provided a special phone number, which allowed Bates to contact Drakken and set up a meeting at one of those chain coffee shops that seemed to be located on each corner.
He arrived early and ordered some tea...which proved to be a disappointment. He didn't particularly like coffee, so he couldn't tell the difference between the good and the bad, but he deduced that this particular chain's ability to brew coffee must be much greater than its ability to prepare tea. Still, sipping the beverage allowed him to look inconspicuous as he waited. Shortly before the appointed time, Drakken and Shego arrived. While they were disguised, someone looking specifically for them were able to pick them out. The two ordered some silly brew, which contained as much flavoring as coffee, and joined him at his table.
"So, Duff tells me that you're interested in what happened to Monty," Drakken noted. Bates couldn't answer, being completely fascinated with the flower petals that showed from under the man's jacket collar.
"Hey, it's not polite to peek," Drakken complained.
"Oh, quite right...sorry," Bates gained control of himself. "But yes, I wish to locate Lord Fiske, or at least learn his fate. Mr. Killigan assures me that the two of you worked with both him and Dr. Hall on occasion."
Bates caught Drakken's flinch when he mentioned the geneticist.
"Why are you asking after Amy?" Shego asked him.
"I know that she performed the alterations to his body," Bates answered. "Furthermore, I understand that she had some sort of an infatuation with him. The fact that she had a statue of him at your recognition ceremony tells me that this infatuation hasn't faded."
"So you're trying to track down someone who was probably tracking him," Shego surmised.
"It makes sense," Drakken nodded.
"Can the two of you help me locate her?" Bates asked. In answer, the two of them gave each other an uneasy look.
"There's some reason that you don't want me to find Amy!" Bates concluded. "Or is it that you don't want me to find Lord Fiske?"
"You have to understand something," Drakken's tone was firm, even if it was apologetic. "We've finally found something close to being happy and content. My inventions work, and I'm actually making a great deal of money from them."
"Because it's legitimate, we can enjoy the cash we're making," Shego added. "Doc here makes things and I decide how to use them. We're a solid team."
"And you're concerned that Fiske will disturb your prosperity?"
"Not directly," Drakken told him. "You see, during the occasional conversations we had with the man, we learned that he was obsessed with defeating Kim Possible's sidekick, the Stoppable boy."
"I don't understand your reluctance," Bates admitted. "It's now about a teenage boy?"
"Not just any teenage boy," Shego sounded nervous, looking to make sure that there were no customers close enough to overhear. "Stoppable's...different now. He's not the sort that you want to mess with."
"I still fail to see the issue," Bates plead with her. "If he has become more capable, what is the problem with a feud between he and Fiske?"
"Because it could threaten what we've built up!" Drakken snapped back at him. "What if it turns out that Amy has Monty under wraps someplace, and you manage to free him? Look at this from Possible's and Stoppable's point of view; if one old foe can emerge and threaten them, what will prevent other old foes from doing the same. Those two kids aren't what they once were...they're dangerous if they choose to be so. If Monty re-emerges and causes trouble, even only slight trouble, are they going to move against us so we don't do the same thing?"
"So, you refuse to help me," Bates concluded. "And this is based on the probability that M'lord Fiske will wish to take up his old feud...within the small probability that he's still alive...within the small probability that Dr. Hall either has him or knows where he is."
"It may sound silly, but silly things come up to bite us," Shego pointed out. "So no, we're not going to tell you where to find Amy."
"Monty was an odd fellow," Drakken added. "Which is a powerful statement coming from a man with flower petals around his neck and a vine growing out of his back. He stirred up some things that science cannot explain...and somehow that Stoppable kid became involved in it. I finally have the recognition that I've craved for years! I'm not going to let anything threaten it!"
"So, that's your final answer?" Bates demanded. "The two of you, who repelled an alien invasion, are frightened by what a teenage boy may do if I somehow manage to find my master?"
"Some things should remain buried," Shego growled at him. "Fiske sealed his own fate, whatever that is, so leave it be. Don't let those who are gone mess up those who are still around."
"I wish I could say that it was a pleasant meeting," Bates snarled at the two, as he got to his feet. "But that would be lying. Good day to you both!"
With that, Bates stormed out of the coffee house, without a look back. His face looking like an impending hurricane, he stalked the long walk back to his hotel room. Once he locked the door behind him, he allowed his expression, and his composure, to drop. While he was disheartened by the answer he had received, he was nowhere near as upset as he had let on. He opened his tablet and sent a message to Killigan, requesting that he continue to ask Drakken for information. He then made arrangements to travel to Colorado.
"Alright, that's it for today! Hit the showers and keep out of trouble! Everyone back tomorrow, and you better be ready to show me a whole lot more than I saw today!"
Along with the rest of the team, Ron Stoppable allowed himself to relax a little before pulling off his helmet and wiping the sweat from his face. He understood the need to drill, to get into peak condition, but he just wished that the process wasn't so painful. Still, today marked another week gone by and despite the coach's constant clamoring, they were all close to ready for the season opener. Tucking his helmet under an arm, he joined the throng of sweaty, young men on the path from the practice field to the athletic center. Sure, he had a date with KP set for tonight, but right now, he was only thinking of water...cold water to drink and hot, soapy water to clean himself off.
Life had gotten better...and worse...for him since his freshman year. Better, since he was now a red-shirt freshman, he wasn't subject to the constant hazing from all of the upperclassmen. Worse, because he was now on the varsity team, greater things were expected of him. Still, he had learned his place and his routine; he waited while the upperclassmen got their showers, then cleaned himself and got dressed. Now that he was clean, had a chance to catch his breath and re-hydrate, he was thinking of food and some couple time with his girlfriend. There was a smile on his face as he left the locker room.
"Mister Stoppable!" The smile remained on Ron's face when he turned to face whomever had just shouted at him. That smile went away very swiftly when he saw who it was.
"I know you!" Ron snapped at the older man. "You're Bats...or Bates...or some other name like that! You worked for Fiske when he tried to kill me...the first time!"
"Ah...yes," the Englishman admitted. "James Bates, at your service. I'd like to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind."
"Mind?" Ron was incredulous. "Why should I mind? The last time I saw you, you helped trap me in a castle with a loony!"
"Mister Stoppable, you are quite safe here," Bates tried to point out. "Although I freely admit that I was wrong, those years ago. I should have prevented Lord Fiske from making an attempt upon your life..or at least called the proper authorities. We are on your home turf now, and you have teammates to assist you...even if you needed it."
Ron made an honest effort to tell the man off. In reality, he had every reason to just walk away, but for some reason he just couldn't. The man had a look of desperation, the look that so many people had just before KP did some impossible task and saved the world for them.
"There's some benches outside," Ron told him. "We can have a talk in private...while in view of plenty of other people. If you try anything, I'm calling the police."
"Very well, lead the way," Bates was tempted to ask what he could possibly be charged with, should the younger man contact the authorities, but decided that getting him to talk was too much of a blessing to complicate. He observed Fiske's old nemesis as he led the way outside of the athletic center. While he had clearly grown and bulked up in the years since Bates had last seen him, he didn't appear to be the sort that could intimidate the likes of Drakken and Shego merely by existing.
"So, what do you want to know?" Stoppable asked, taking a seat without waiting for the older man to be seated.
"I want to ask you about Lord Fiske," Bates told him, deciding that the boy had no intention of showing proper manners. Bates could hardly blame him.
"I guessed as much," Stoppable snorted. "Could you try to be a little more specific?"
"Very well," Bates sighed. "He vanished over two years ago, I know that he considered you a hated nemesis, so..."
"So you think I did something to him?" Ron glared at the man. "I didn't do anything to him. What happened to him was his own doing."
"So you know his fate!" James struggled to keep the enthusiasm from his voice. "Mr. Stoppable, please tell me what became of Lord Fiske, it's my duty to the Queen to learn what..."
"Hey Ron!" A cheerful voice sounded from behind the two. "Talking to another reporter?"
Both men spun to see the newcomer, who proved to be a pretty, and familiar, redhead. As soon as Kim Possible's gaze fell on Bates, her cheerful smile vanished.
"Ah, Miss Possible," Bates rose to his feet and inclined his head, politely. "I see that you recognize me."
"I can't say that I recall the name," Kim growled. "But I know who you are."
"I was hoping that we could put some unpleasantness behind us," James offered. Kim just fixed him with a cold stare as she approached to stand next to Stoppable...who had also risen to his feet. Their body language was unmistakable...they stood close to each other and faced him...joining forces against the servant of the old foe.
"A lot of people want to put unpleasantness aside," Kim told him. "Usually because they've already committed unpleasant acts and don't want to face any consequences."
"Letting bygones be bygones is easy when you've done the bygoning," Ron added. "But don't want to get bygonned in return."
"Fair comments," Bates allowed. "But, could the two of you give me a few minutes of your time?"
"A few minutes sounds fair," Kim shrugged and took a seat. Ron followed suit, taking up enough room that Bates was forced to stand. Well enough, he wanted to face them for this, anyway.
"As I was explaining to your companion," he addressed the young woman. "Fiske vanished over two years ago. He left behind an estate that needs to be cared for, and I've been appointed to that task."
"How horrible," Kim's sarcasm was obvious. "You get to live in a luxurious mansion."
"Only until a new lord is found!" He snapped in return. "You may think I'm milking this situation for my gain, but it isn't the case. Fiske wasn't always the psychopath that the two of you dealt with. I understand that I didn't take the proper steps when he started to...change. He used to be a good man, and I owe his memory of that good man to find out his fate. If it means placing a memorial in his great hall, showing the date and circumstances of his death, so be it. If it means knowing that he's in some institution somewhere, and unable to take up his duties as a landowner and nobleman, at least there will be answers!"
"Some questions shouldn't be answered," Kim told him. "I hated hearing that when I was a girl, but it's true. Please, just accept the fact that Monty's beyond your reach and let it go."
"So, did one of you two kill him?" Bates asked, although there was no hatred in his voice. "I can understand that he might have placed you in a position where you had no choice."
"Neither of us harmed him," Ron answered, quietly. "He did it to himself."
"Did what!" James pleaded for them to tell him. "What happened to Fiske?"
"He called up the devil himself," Ron finally told the man. "Or at least his pet monkey. When that deal went sour, the devil took his due from Monty."
"So, Fiske is dead?" Bates tried to force confirmation from the teens.
"We don't really know," Kim admitted. "We saw a stone statue of him, on some temple, sinking into the Earth."
"And you think this...statue...was really him?" Bates asked.
"That devil had turned KP, Rufus, and others into stone," Ron snarled at him. "As well as a bunch of Fiske's monkeys when it missed a shot at my little sister. So yes, I think that it turned him into stone."
"But Miss Possible is here now, flesh and blood," Bates protested. "And apparently none the worse for wear. I'm not saying that what M'lord did wasn't a crime...but do his actions warrant a death sentence?"
"Possibly," Kim grumbled. "But it doesn't make much difference. That devil that Monty called up was the one that turned us to stone...once he was defeated, he turned everyone back...except Fiske. Fiske got turned into stone and taken away. We haven't seen...I won't say the name...since. There's no way to turn him back."
"But if he could be recovered!" Bates pressed. "If that stone statue that used to be him could be brought back to his mansion, at least there would be some closure. At least I would have the answer."
Kim and Ron looked at each other for what seemed to be a long time. Finally, both shrugged in a manner that told Bates they didn't like what they were about to do, but that they'd like the alternative even less.
"Fine," the redhead growled at him. "I'm sure you saw Amy at Drakken's award ceremony. She had the statue...or she had one made that looked exactly like him. I don't know how she got her hands on it and I don't want to know. But if you can track her down, you're welcome to it."
"The last we heard, she had moved back into her old lair on Mount Middleton, above the ski lodge," Stoppable told him. "She hasn't been making trouble, so we haven't bothered her. If she has Fiske up there, fine! If not, it's up to you to keep looking."
"That was a true favor the two of you have done for me," Bates honestly thanked them. "As you say, I owe you one."
"You can repay us by not causing trouble," Kim told him. "There are things beyond science here, things that are worse than anything men have ever done. Just get the statue, move it to his mansion, and put an end to things."
Despite the fact that James Bates spent most of his life as the gentleman's gentleman, able to guide his employer and master through the intricacies of society, he was more than able to live roughly when the situation demanded it. Upon learning the physical description of Dr. Hall's last known location, he reviewed some topographic maps and determined the best locations from which to observe Hall's location. Fortunately, most were on public land.
Soon, he had acquired a pickup with four wheel drive and sufficient camping equipment to provide him with comfortable camps, even in the increasingly cold weather of the higher altitudes. For the next several weeks, he set a series of camps from which he was able to observe the rough location that the youngsters had provided him. He moved every few days, both to reduce the chance that he was being observed and to provide him with fresh angles from which observe his target. After three weeks, and a few snowfalls, he gained the break he was looking for. He didn't know what to call the creature he observed from several kilometers away; but it was clearly not normal wildlife. It was large, bipedal, furred, and disappeared into a cave that was hard to spot.
Despite the long search, Bates didn't simply assume that he had found his quarry; there was a strong likelihood that one of Dr. Hall's creatures had escaped her influence and was living in the area. Instead, he moved his location again and focused upon the opening into which the creature had vanished. Two days later, under the cover of darkness, three bipedal creatures, accompanied by six quadrupeds, left the opening and made their way down the mountain. James didn't bother trying to track them; he continued to observe the opening. Several hours later, shortly before dawn, the creatures returned, with the quadrupeds wearing harnesses and carrying crates.
That was enough for James Bates. He sent a message to Duff Killigan, requesting that he ship the 'cargo' to Middleton. After that, he purchased additional camping equipment and supplies for the monkeys who would soon be joining him. Somehow, he knew that his master, or what his master had become, was somewhere inside the cave he had been observing. It was time to send the wee lads in to check out the situation, and if violence was called for...so be it.
A/N: As always, major thanks go out to Joe Stoppinghem for his beta reading.