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Of Monkey Lords and Mad Golfers

Killigan Theme

The jet hovered over the green of Killigan's Island, coming in for a landing. Killigan was waiting for them, clearly curious. Why the sudden visit? And with heroes in tow, no less? Drakken had been vague, to say the least.

Blue Boy: Need sanctuary. Will arrive in a couple of hours with other villains and too many heroes.

That was all the man had texted, and when he'd replied with a question mark, Drew had left him on 'read'. To his annoyance. Nonetheless, Drakken was still the first one off that jet. "Killigan, you're alive!" Drakken exclaimed, hugging him tightly.

"Ach, wha' are ye' talkin' about, laddie?" Killigan demanded, pulling free and glaring at his friend in a mixture of appall and confusion.

"Duffy, you're okay!" Amy exclaimed, following Drakken and tightly embracing the golfer.

"O' course Ah am. Wha's goin' on?" Killigan demanded, getting more and more suspicious.

"It's a long story," Kim stated, exiting with the others in tow.

"Big time. Dude, we so might have to hole up here for a while," Ron added. Killigan looked blankly around at all of them, but he supposed he'd hear the story soon enough.

KP

Killigan listened to the tale in disbelief, eyes wide. When everything was summarized, he looked back at Drakken, visibly unimpressed. "Let me get this straight. There's been an infection spreadin' globally, next t' nay survivors, a zombie apocalyptic scenario es playin' out, an' there's no' a cure en sight?"

"Yep," Felix answered for Drakken.

"That pretty much sums it up," Ned agreed.

"Sorry for the intrusion, Killigan, but we don't have a lot of options right now," Drakken said.

"Ah'm afraid ye' will no' be able t' stay here either," Killigan said.

They stiffened. "May I ask why?" Betty questioned, eyes narrowing warily.

"Ah have a few scientists err... visitin' me castle. Company ye know!" Killigan said. Dr. Director's eyes narrowed, unimpressed. "Judgin' by the symptoms ye've been describin', they have it," Killigan continued.

"What?!" the others exclaimed.

Just then they heard a roar as the dungeon door was banged on. They turned with gasps, alarmed. Everything went quiet. There was another roar and scream, and the door was hit again. "Oh come on dude!" Josh exclaimed.

"Can't we catch a break?" Tara nervously asked, backing away from the doors.

"Where to now, people?" Justine icily asked.

"Perhaps Lord Monkey Fist's castle is safe!" Fukushima exclaimed. "Goodness knows it is isolated."

"Killigan, tell me you know whether Monkey Fist is normal or not," Drakken begged.

"Ah've no' had contact wi' the laddie far days now," Killigan replied.

"Anyone?" Drakken almost pled, hoping for at least a bit of good news. No answer. "Oh, wonderful."

"We can take on a few scientists," Kim said. "Killigan's island is still safe for us. We can't keep running from confrontations with the hoards."

"But was it not our plan to seek out survivors?" Yori asked, speaking up. "If there is still a chance Lord Monkey Fist may still be uninfected, it will be our honor to rescue him," Yori stated, bowing. "We cannot abandon him." Hirotaka frowned slightly at his sister, wary about her remark.

"She's right," Kim said.

"Man, we finally find a safe place and now we have to leave to go rescue some kung-fu master who would destroy us in a heartbeat if he got the chance?" Monique complained.

"Kung-fu mater? Destroy? Drewbie, what kind of friends are you making?" Mama Lipsky demanded.

Drakken gasped and went into damage control mode. "N-now mother, it's only a game. Yes, a game! It's um, called, uh, Kung-Fu Capture the Flag? "

Killigan glared incredulously at his friend. "Aye, a game," he backed, shaking his head reproachfully at Drakken. Drakken, embarrassed, looked away.

"Oh. It sounds so complicated," Mama Lipsky remarked.

"It's not," Drakken replied.

"Besides, Monkey Fist isn't the only possible survivor. What about the Seniors? We still need to find out if they're safe," Zita said, visibly concerned. Bonnie raised an eyebrow at her. Why, she wondered?"

"All right already, point made!" Ron said.

"Why must doing the heroic thing be so bothersome?" Justine complained. "I have better things to do than this."

"Like what?" Ned challenged. She opened her mouth to speak but then shut it. Honestly, there was nothing more important right now than survival.

"Never mind," she grumbled.

"Then let's get a move on. Seriously," Motor Ed said. Quickly the group fled from the castle and returned to the jet, Killigan in tow.

"All I can say is that Monkey Fist had better appreciate this," Drakken said as they took off into the air.

"Lord Montgomery Fiske appreciates little to nothing," Gemini replied. "He hardly even appreciates his own life."

"Ach, give the laddie a break, man. He's gotten bettair," Killigan defended. Honestly, though, Gemini had a point.

"Ooh, a Lord. How romantically exciting," Mama Lipsky said.

"Romantic in what way?" Drakken dryly asked.

"The man's a whole whack o' bricks short o' a load," Killigan agreed. The two snickered.

"Drewbie, that's just like you. No sense of romance or imagination," Mama Lipsky chastised.

"I have plenty of imagination!" Drakken argued.

Ignoring her son, Mama Lipsky turned to the others and smiled. "So, which one of you is his sweetheart?" she asked. "Ooh, the thought of a beautiful young heroine rushing to rescue her noble love... It gives me such tingles!"

They all blinked blankly and exchanged awkward looks. "So tha's wha' the lassie means by romantic," Killigan grumbled to Amy. Before noticing that Amy looked every bit as thrilled by the idea. No doubt thinking of herself as the heroine. He frowned, unimpressed, and harrumphed, crossing his arms and looking sulkily away from her.

"Lady, there isn't a woman here who hasn't thought about it," Adrena said to Mama Lipsky.

"Excuse me?! Babe, come on!" Ed said.

"Oh please. Like I'm gonna deny it. Wealth, fame, a dark, mysterious, nobleman? That's an equation that equals all kinds of freaky," Adrena said to him, smirking at his jealousy. "Not a girl here hasn't thought about it."

"Ew. Want a bet?" Kim asked.

"Wealthy, aristocracy, totally hot, totally broody? I mean, he's like totally perfect fodder for rumors and daydreams," Camille said, flipping through her cellphone's pictures and showing Mama Lipsky a photo of the British Lord that she'd snapped on the sly when he hadn't known.

"Ooh, does he go for older women?" Mama Lipsky joked.

"Mother! The man's younger than me! Not to mention one of my best... colleagues!" Drakken exclaimed in horror.

"I was only kidding, Drewbie, but I do see the charm," Mama Lipsky said.

"And he's all mine," Amy sang, hugging herself with a dreamy look on her face.

Mama Lipsky looked doubtfully at her. "Oh honey, I don't even know him and I can tell you you're not his type," she said. Amy started and pouted.

"Then who do you presume is?" Falsetto asked, amused by the old lady.

"Oh, that's easy," Mama Lipsky said. She looked at Amelia. "You for one." Amelia started, blinking. Mama Lipsky looked around and spotted Yori. "Her definitely," the woman said. Yori flushed ever so slightly. "Oh, and you, you, and you," Mama Lipsky finished, pointing at Betty, Shego, and Kim.

"Ugh, totally not," Amelia replied. "Besides, I'm in a relationship." Hirotaka, listening in, chuckled from the cockpit.

"And she happens to be married," Jack instantly added, pointing at Betty with a frown on his face. Betty smirked.

"And Kim's engaged!" Ron insisted. Everyone gasped. "Ooh, wait, no, that uh, that kinda came out wrong." Kim was bright red. "We're not engaged! So totally not engaged!" The promise ring was a step towards it, but not there yet.

"Then we're down to two. Who cares?" Mama Lipsky said.

"Monkey Fist is not marrying my sidekick!" Drakken insisted. "I mean my, err, co-host."

"Actually, come to think of it, it wouldn't be a bad deal," Shego said, offhandedly teasing her boss.

"Nrrgh, what does that mutant show off have that's so special?" Drakken demanded.

"Hello? Mystical Monkey Powers? A family fortune? A castle? A royal title? Fame? Need I go on?" Shego asked. Drakken twitched.

"Laddie, ye've go' the short end o' the stick," Killigan said, shrugging at Drakken. Drakken frowned at the golfer coldly but held his tongue, pouting along with Amy instead.

KP

Monkey Fist Theme

The jet came in for a landing on Monkey Fist's roof. Quickly everyone filed out and listened for anything that sounded off. "I cannot hear the monkey ninjas in the garden below," Fukushima finally said. "That is a bad sign. It disturbs me greatly."

Hirotaka looked worriedly back at Amelia, who was readjusting Hana in her arms. He went to her and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her a bit closer to his side.

Amelia looked up at him in surprise, then smirked in amusement as she caught on. "So protective, Taka," she murmured. Hirotaka blushed deeply and glanced away.

"I fear we may already be too late," Yori said, bowing her head sadly.

"It's not over until the fat lady sings," Drakken stated. Just then they heard Mama Lipsky singing from inside the jet. Drakken twitched.

Killigan blinked along with the others. "En her defense, she's no' tha' big," Killigan remarked, trying to reassure the others. They all looked blankly at him, then instantly bolted for the entrance.

"Monkey Fist!" Drakken called out, bursting inside with Killigan hot on his heels. No answer. The group began to walk the eerie corridors, massing together.

"Monkey Boy, where are ye'?!" Killigan called.

"This is bad. This is very, very bad," Ron said.

"There are only three places he would have gone," Drakken said. "Either he's still in bed."

"Unless the laddie's sick, he would no' be en bed a' this time o' day," Killigan debunked.

"He could be in his library," Drakken continued.

"Aye," Killigan agreed.

"Or he's in his dojo," Drakken finished.

"Most likely," Killigan stated.

"Great, great, now what about Bates and Nanny Maim?" Shego asked. The others were silent. They didn't honestly know.

KP

The group entered the library and looked around. It was silent, but they saw a figure sitting on a rocking chair before the lit fireplace, rocking back and forth. "We must be careful," Yori whispered.

"Stay back," Fukushima said, starting cautiously towards the woman.

"Fukushima," Hirotaka hissed, trying to grab him back. He was already out of reach, though. The others stayed back.

"This is just like watching a horror movie," Mama Lipsky said.

"Mother? You watch horrors?" Drakken asked.

"Of course, Drewbie, I like a thrill as much as the next person," she replied, surprised her son would think differently.

Fukushima, approaching the chair, quietly said, "O ba chan?"

"Quick, what's that mean?" Monique whispered.

"Grandma," Yori translated solemnly. Monique started and went quiet. Oh... She looked worriedly after the ninja.

Fukushima carefully reached for the old woman. She wasn't moving. "O-O ba chan?" he repeated, lightly touching Nanny Maim's shoulder.

The woman jerked up with a gasp. Fukushima fell back into a fighting stance, ready for anything. "Gracious my dear, you almost gave me a heart attack!" the old woman exclaimed before suddenly realizing who was in her presence. "Wh-why, Fukushima! Whatever are you doing here, magoikiko?"

"Grandson," Yori translated quietly to the others.

"O ba chan, you're all right!" the young ninja exclaimed, hugging the old woman tightly.

"What on Earth?" Maim said, hugging him back in confusion. Just then she noticed the others and started. "My, my, clearly I've missed something," she wryly said. Gently she pushed Fukushima back. "Will someone please tell me what's going on? And where is my tea? Bates was supposed to bring it hours ago! My goodness, I fell asleep waiting for the man."

"Sorry to disturb you, Nanny Maim, but there's something you have to know," Kim said, stepping forward.

"Where is Lord Monkey Fist?" Fukushima cut off in concern.

"Why, in his dojo of course. Where else would that man be? Honestly, he spends most of his time in that godsforsaken dungeon he calls a place of tranquility," Maim said. She went to the candlestick that opened the passage and pulled it down. The others' mouths dropped, at least those who had never witnessed it before. Maim beckoned for them to follow and led them down.

KP

They spotted the man meditating, sitting in the middle of the room deep in thought. "Is it safe to wake him?" Dr. Renton worriedly asked.

"I haven't the faintest," Maim replied. "I suppose you can hope he doesn't awaken emanating Monkey Powers. I've never been able to snap him out of these states before."

"Lord Monkey Fist…" Fukushima began, approaching. They didn't have time for this. He gasped as an energy field suddenly threw him back. He sat up, gaping.

"He's raised an energy force field? That is so cool!" Ron exclaimed. "Why can't I do that."

"You are able, Stoppable-san, you just have not learned how," Hirotaka said.

"If you would please permit, I believe Hirotaka, Fukushima, and I can reach him," Yori stated.

"You can try, my dear," Maim said, hopelessly shaking her head at her son. She stepped back as Yori, Fukushima, and Hirotaka approached Monkey Fist, got a sense of the circumference of his energy field, then sat in meditative poses. Yori sat directly across from the lord. Fukushima sat at a ninety-degree angle to his right, and Hirotaka was opposite Fukushima.

"What are they doing?" Mama Lipsky wondered.

"Heavens knows," Maim replied. "And you would be…?"

"Oh, I'm Mrs. Lipsky, Drewbie's mother. Pleased to meet you," Mama Lipsky replied, offering her hand.

Maim raised an eyebrow then rolled her eyes, disdainfully shaking the hand. "I should have known," she replied.

"Was that a crack?!" Drakken demanded.

"Never mind my Drewbie, he's being very rude today," Mama Lipsky said, reproachfully looking at her son. Maim started then smirked a little in amusement. Hmm, perhaps this woman wasn't as bad as she'd first suspected. Certainly not as proper as she, but it would have to do.

KP

Meanwhile, Fukushima, Hirotaka, and Yori entered 'the zone', each one of them trying to find a way to connect to Monkey Fist. White was everywhere. They were the only figures in sight. Once certain they had solidified the connection, they opened their eyes and looked around. "I always disliked this part. The nothingness… It disturbed me…" Fukushima said solemnly.

"It will not be emptiness for long. We must find the path into Monkey Fist's thoughts," Hirotaka said. They began to focus again. All at once, the nothingness was moving, blending into colors and images that were unidentifiable. Then there were sounds. Monkey shrieks and screaming. They heard his cries of pain as they passed by the Yono segment of his memories, and paused. Yori swallowed and turned away from watching the man become stone a second time.

All at once, there was a sudden shift, leaving all three of them dizzy and gasping. Everything stopped and the trio of ninjas opened their eyes. Fukushima and Hirotaka's mouths dropped. They were in a garden filled with cherry blossoms! "Is this a happy place?" Fukushima incredulously asked. He wouldn't have thought the man would have one.

"Everyone desires a respite. A retreat into their minds to escape from pain and hurt," Yori said, admiring the traditional garb she found herself clothed in. Fukushima and Hirotaka too were dressed in traditional dress. The three cautiously moved through the cherry blossoms and lotus flowers, searching. Things gradually became darker the further they went, though. More unnerving. They exchanged nervous looks. His thoughts were turning to something bad.

Fukushima looked ahead and froze, paling. Hirotaka and Yori, sensing this, looked worriedly at him. Numbly Fukushima pointed ahead, his hand shaking. They looked and gasped. There was a little house, a cottage, and in the yard was a beautiful young woman dancing with a child in her arms. "Th-that is my… my mother," Fukushima said, tears threatening his eyes.

"Then you have made a connection with Monkey Fist. He senses your presence. That is why his thoughts have turned to you. And to your mother," Hirotaka said gently, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. Fukushima shook his head in denial, unable to look away from the scene.

It began to vanish. "Haha!" Fukushima cried, trying to race towards it.

Yori held him back. "Fukushima, no! It is just a memory, nothing more!" He struggled before giving up and sobbing, collapsing to his knees. Hirotaka and Yori exchanged saddened looks, feeling their own hearts aching. They remembered all too well the pain of this sort of loss.

KP

Hirotaka knelt next to Fukushima and began speaking soothingly to him in Japanese. Yori, meanwhile, looked around. Where was Monkey Fist? The scene had changed now, to a dark place she didn't know how to describe. She glanced back at her brother and schoolmate. She could risk searching without them as long as she didn't go too far and lose contact. She started off, eyes scanning the area filled with dark and foreboding cliffs. She suddenly spotted a door and froze. After a moment, she pushed it open. It led into a corridor leading down a set of stairs to a large and beautiful dojo. Yori glanced back at Hirotaka and Fukushima. They were watching after her now, but Fukushima was in no condition to continue just yet, shaken to the core. He was bearing up, he would have had to be to keep his focus like this, but it would be a moment before he followed.

She entered the dark and mysterious dojo without them. They would come when they were ready. All at once torches lit up all around her and she gasped, in awe at its beauty. She looked ahead and spotted Monkey Fist standing in the middle of the room, eyes closed as he remained still. She approached him slowly and moved in front of him. After a moment, she reached out and softly placed a hand on his arm. He started, sharply looking up. He blinked at her a moment, trying to process how on earth she was here. He heard two more sets of footsteps and turned his head in time to see Hirotaka and Fukushima enter. He frowned warily. Something was wrong in the waking world. It would have to be for these three to come here after him when he was in this state. He turned back to Yori. "Dare I ask what's going on?" he wryly said.

"Return to the waking world, my lord, and all will be explained to you. Your life and the lives of your family and friends rest upon it," Yori replied.

Monkey Fist was silent, trying to confirm to himself without a doubt that he'd actually heard that, then sighed and nodded. He turned to Fukushima and realized how grief-stricken the boy looked. "You saw her, didn't you?" he asked the young man quietly. Fukushima swallowed and tightly closed his eyes, nodding his head. Monkey Fist winced and looked down in frustration, sighing and drawing a hand through his hair. "Very well. Let's go." Hirotaka and Yori both bowed and soon after vanished. Monkey Fist glanced at Fukushima, who hadn't moved. "What now?" he asked in Japanese.

Fukushima looked up at him. "I want to see her again," he said in the same language, approaching his guardian.

Monkey Fist felt a pang of pain pull at his heart. "She is not the real thing, Fukushima. She is only a memory."

"It is better than nothing!" Fukushima insisted. Monkey Fist sighed in exasperation and switched the scene back to the little house in the Japanese village, where the woman was humming and brushing her long hair. Fukushima stood at the fence, longingly watching her. "Can she see me?" he asked, voice breaking as Monkey Fist came up to him and watched quietly.

"She can do whatever I will her to. She is a machination of my own mind," Monkey Fist replied. Fukushima sobbed, leaning his head against the fence he had once been so familiar with. The fence he'd once felt so safe behind. Monkey Fist's hand was suddenly and gently on his shoulder.

Fukushima looked miserably up at him, tears slipping down his cheeks. "I want her back," he said, voice breaking.

Monkey Fist sighed in frustration and pulled the boy close, holding him tight and resting his cheek on the youth's hair. "I can't raise the dead," he murmured. Fukushima held onto the man even tighter as the world of memories began to fade all around them...

Waking World

Monkey Fist and Nanny Maim, in the den now along with the others, listened in horror to everything they were being told. "I can't believe it," the former finally said when recent events had been summarized.

"Dude, believe it," Ron replied.

"No, really, I don't believe it. You expect me to buy that zombies are roaming the earth infecting and or killing anyone they can get their hands on?" Monkey Fist incredulously asked.

"Let's put it this way. Where are your monkey ninjas?" Will asked.

Just then George ooked and leapt down from a hidden spot, landing on Monkey Fist's shoulder. "George is here. He's almost ready to join my army, but needs a little more one-on-one training. The others are out in the garden fooling around when they should be practicing," Monkey Fist answered.

"We heard no monkey shrieks, my lord," Yori stated.

Monkey Fist started, looking at her in disbelief. "What?" he asked.

"We heard no monkey shrieks," she repeated.

"That's right. And Bates hasn't brought your mother's tea for hours now," Mama Lipsky added. "Ooh, is he the handsome stud in that picture frame over there?" She pointed it out. A stately photograph of the valet in question.

"Mother, please!" Drakken insisted.

"You don't suppose that Bates…" Maim began.

"There are very limited possibilities as to why such an efficient valet is taking so long," Justine stated.

"Such a shame. Drewbie, get me his number when this is all over. I'd love a little meet and greet," Mama Lipsky said.

"You're not dating my friend's hired help!" Drakken replied.

Mama Lipsky gasped in horror. "Drewbie! Just because he's hired help doesn't make him any less valuable of a person. I know I taught you better than that!"

"Not now, mother," Drakken said.

Monkey Fist, on edge now, rose and began pacing. After a moment he went to the window and looked out. Sure enough, he saw no monkeys leaping through the trees. In fact, it was utterly still. Too still. He swallowed nervously. "There is no reason for us to lie to you," Fukushima said, watching him.

Monkey Fist turned, meeting his ward's eyes. After a moment, he said, "Get up to the battlements. Everyone."

They rose, obeying the command. Reaching the top of the castle they looked down at the ground far below. George began shrieking uncertainly, leaping up and down. Now the simian sensed something was wrong. Monkey Fist stroked his newest ninja's head, soothing it. "Th-there the zombies are," Ned stated, pointing towards the horizon. In the distance, they saw people moaning and groaning and running toward the castle! Monkey Fist and Maim's jaws dropped in horror.

"Look out!" Betty suddenly cried, leaping forward and dragging Monkey Fist back. Just then a monkey landed where he'd just been and staggered up, growling and shrieking, teeth bared as it pounded its chest. All at once, they were surrounded by zombie ninja monkeys!

"The Monkey Ninjas! They are infected!" Hirotaka exclaimed.

"Run!" Jack ordered, pointing towards his jet. Instantly they began to flee. There was no way they could avoid getting bitten by the droves of monkeys if they didn't. They needed to get out. Besides, with the human infected on their tales as well, they didn't really have much choice.

The group raced towards the jet, but suddenly Bates leapt out of it, screaming and roaring. "Bates!" Maim and Monkey Fist exclaimed in horror. Bates lunged for Maim. Maim gritted her teeth and whipped out her umbrella, striking him and knocking him to the side.

"Get on board!" she ordered the others as Bates staggered up. Quickly the group ran onto the jet and shut it just as the Monkey ninjas and the valet began tearing at the body of the aircraft.

"This can't be happening!" Monkey Fist exclaimed.

"Well it is!" Drakken replied. George was clinging to Monkey Fist desperately, obviously terrified. The jet lifted off as the monkeys slammed against the windows, trying to break them! Hirotaka cried out in terror and pulled a swift maneuver, sending them flying off. Right after, the jet shot away from Fiske castle as the infected converged on it.

"Wh-where are we going?" Mama Lipsky asked, eyes wide and nervous.

"No more pitstops. We're heading straight for Senior's island," Kim replied, sitting next to Hirotaka in the co-pilot's seat and entering the coordinates of the isolated region.

Hirotaka nodded and set course for it. "We are getting low on fuel," he said.

"Here's hoping Senor Senior has some to spare then," Kim answered.

"Here is hoping he is still alive at all," Hirotaka gravely replied.