.
Eve Before Battle
"Senor Senior Senior, come in," Kim said into the radio. She waited a moment. No response. She pressed on anyway. "Request permission to land."
After another moment's silence, his familiar voice said, "Ah, Senorita Possible. Welcome. Have you come looking for a battle?"
Kim let out a quiet breath of relief, visibly relaxing. "We've come looking for a sanctuary," Kim replied, nodding at Hirotaka. Hirotaka nodded back, preparing to begin the descent upon Senior's permission.
"Sanctuary?" Senior asked, now curious. "How many are with you?"
"Over thirty," she replied.
"I do not know your game, Miss Possible, but I will play it," Senior said. "Do not try anything that I may take offense to."
"I promise," Kim agreed.
"Then you will of course be welcomed," the elderly man declared.
"Thank you, Senior. You have no idea how much this means to us," she said in relief.
"I am quite sure I will soon find out," he replied.
KP
Bonnie was the first one out of the jet, racing through the door the moment it was opened. "Junior!" she exclaimed, running into her grinning boyfriend's arms.
"Bonnie! Ma paloma, I have missed you so much!" he exclaimed. "I did not know you were with Kim Possible."
"And more," Bonnie replied. "Ugh, such creepy stuff is happening. Really creepy. Hold me, honey."
"Forever and always," Junior replied, hugging her tight. Just then Zita raced out of the jet, eyes sparkling. Junior's mouth dropped. "Zita!" he exclaimed, releasing Bonnie instantly and racing to her, grinning from ear to ear.
"Junior!" Zita exclaimed, rushing towards the young man.
Junior swooped her up in a hug, swinging her around in the air. "Zita, it has been so long! How have you been?!" Junior quickly asked in Spanish.
Zita laughed. "I'm great! Junior, I've missed you so much. It's been years!" she answered in the same.
Felix and Bonnie gaped in horror at the two. "Junior!" Bonnie screamed, instantly possessive. No way was she losing her boyfriend to Zita!
"Zita?" Felix uncertainly asked. Please, please tell him this wasn't an ex-boyfriend.
Senior exited the manor and started, eyes widening. "Zita Florez! My dear girl!" he exclaimed. grinning and going towards the young woman.
"Uncle Senior!" Zita cried. She pulled free of Junior and raced to the man, jumping into his arms laughing happily.
Senior laughed and spun her around. "Oh there you are! Zita, my dear, it has been so long. Look at you. You have grown so much! The last I saw you, you were only as high as my chest. How has your dear mother been? I have not spoken to my sister for years," he said in Spanish.
"She's good, uncle," Zita replied, switching back to Spanish and gazing up at the old man with happy tears in her eyes. Junior approached again, still grinning, and grabbed Zita in a tight hug a second time, beaming. Zita giggled, hugging him tightly back as well.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, time out! Zita is Senior's niece and Junior's cousin?!" Ron demanded in shock and horror. The others looked just as stunned.
Senior, Junior, and Zita all turned, surprised at the interruption. Zita instantly pieced together how this all probably looked to outside eyes and blushed deeply. Two of Kim's arch-enemies and she was embracing them with absolute adoration in her eyes. She had a boyfriend who never knew they existed, and Junior had a girlfriend who was in the same boat. She had run to her cousin and thrown herself into his arms, and he'd embraced her in full. Oh boy, she had some explaining to do.
"Oh, um, surprise?" Zita lamely offered.
"Zita, why didn't you tell us?" Kim asked.
"I didn't know you knew them," Zita answered, putting her hands behind her back and looking ashamedly down. "I mean, not until Uncle got arrested for trying to take back his stolen fortune."
"Oh, yeah, that," Kim said, blushing. In all honesty, she was a little embarrassed about that mission. After all, he was only trying to take back what was rightfully his. Albeit illegally. Not that the conman had been doing anything legal either, but still.
"I was a little angry with you when I heard, but it was okay because Junior got him out," Zita said, grinning up at her cousin.
Junior grinned back proudly. "Oh I have missed you, little cousin," he said, hugging her tightly again and giving her a noogie.
Zita laughed, shoving him away playfully, then threw herself into her uncle's arms yet again. "You may be villains, I may be close friends with your enemies, but I'm still your precious little girl, right Uncle Senior?" she asked.
Senior laughed and kissed her cheek softly. "My dear, I would bend heaven and Earth for you." Zita beamed.
"So would Gemini! Well, for Will, not me," Zita said.
"What?!" Senior and Junior asked together, looking at Gemini in shock.
"What does this mean?" Junior questioned.
"It's a long, long story," Gemini said with a grimace.
KP
Senior and Junior listened in shock to the summary of what was happening outside the safe walls of their island. "Surely this cannot be," Senior said.
"If Gemini is infected, is it not unsafe to keep him here among us?" Junior asked, nervously watching the man.
"We don't have much choice. Right now Sheldon may be our only hope for finding a cure, depending on what we learn," Betty replied. "There are a lot of pieces to this puzzle we haven't discovered yet. What makes people resistant? What makes them immune? Things like that."
Senior summed her up. He could hardly believe Jack Hench had a wife and son, but knowing what he did of Dr. Director, he could understand why it had been her. "So then tell me, what are your suspicions so far?" the old man asked.
"If I could throw in my two cents…" Jack began.
"But of course, Mr. Hench. We welcome your expertise with open arms," Senior replied, smiling warmly at him. Jack blinked blankly at the man. He hated, hated, hated, the fact that he couldn't read the old man. He always had. It made him iffy when he couldn't read his clients, as few and far between as the unreadable ones may be. Senior chuckled, apparently reading him perfectly - which he doubly resented by the way - and said, "Mr. Hench, you are a master at your craft. In fact, I bow before your skill! However, this old dog is not out of tricks to share just yet."
Jack raised an eyebrow then smiled a bit. Truth be told, he liked the old man. A lot. He owed more to him than anyone knew, and had known him longer than anyone realized. Much of what he understood of manipulation and glib had come from observing Senor Senior Senior. "As I was saying, I'm not sure exactly what's keeping all of us normal, but it's interesting that a good chunk of the survivors have superpowers or mutations," Jack continued.
"Hmm... The idea had merit. A lot of it," Drakken mused.
"It's a better place to start than nowhere," Amy replied. "Let's get cracking people!"
KP
"Now, here we have a series of categories," Drakken stated, pinning up a chart. "We'll group everyone present into each category according to what fits. Starting with that, and using Gemini as a control, we'll hopefully be able to narrow down our potential reasons for being immune or resistant to whatever the biohazard caused. From there we can experiment with each trait and see what works and what doesn't. Once we find what works, we may be able to synthesize a cure."
"Plus it will help us determine who's still at risk and who's in the clear," Amy added.
Drakken, holding a pointer, pointed at the chart and said, "For groupings, we have the following categories: Super Powered and/or Mutated, Elderly, Adults, Young Adults and Teenagers, Children, Ninjas, Pets, Mechanically Enhanced, and Genetic Potential." He looked around to see if they were all following. They looked as if they were. Good. "Now, in the Super Powered and/or Mutant group we have Ron Stoppable, Monkey Fist, Hana, Shego, Camille, and myself. In the Young Adults and Teenagers category, we have Kim Possible, Felix, Monique, Amelia, Tara, Bonnie, Will, Junior, Josh, Zita, Justine, Adrena, and Ned. In the Elderly category, we have Senor Senior, my mother, and Nanny Maim. Adults contain Dr. Director, Mr. Barkin, Dr. Renton, Jack Hench, Duff Killigan, and Motor Ed. Ninjas contains Yori and Hirotaka. Children contains Wade. Pets have Rufus, Debutante, Pepe, George, and the Lithuanian Wolfhounds. Mechanically Enhanced contains Gemini. Genetic Potential has only Fukushima and the only reason he's there is that apparently he's descended from some mystical monkey cult that opened the window for Monkey Fist and Ron to gain monkey powers. There may be something in his genetic code that resists things such as this."
"We can cut out pets. Animals are being infected in droves. Case in point, Monkey Fist's ninjas," Kim said. "Hmm, the Age Factor could be part of it, the Powers and Genetics definitely," Kim said, starting to narrow down the multitude of categories.
"What we believe is that after the containment unit broke, either whatever the bioweapon was spread through the air encompassing the mainland, or it spread for a little distance, infected a few, and they in turn carried it to other parts of the world," Amy said. "Except it spread awfully fast for that."
"It sounds to me as if the most likely scenario combines the two," Monkey Fist said. "The containment unit broke and spread the infection throughout the air. However, a handful of people became carriers. That category may include all of us, but it seems rather lucky and coincidental. Other carriers became infected by the infected, unable to resist a direct assault as well as the passive air assault. Much like when Smallpox swept the Americas. The first wave killed off many, though some were carriers or resisted it. However, with the second wave, even some of the once-carriers were killed off."
"That's the angle we're working with," Justine stated. "Gemini may be a carrier, seeing how he's resisted it for so long, but the direct assault, a bite, may soon become too much for him to resist."
"Fukushima, I'm willing to bet, does have his genetics in his favor. That may be a good thing. If Gemini is a carrier, then hopefully Fukushima is immune. We won't be able to get much from a carrier, at least not as much as we'd hoped," Amy said. She turned to the ninja boy. "If you'd let me do some tests, we can determine these theories for certain."
"Will you turn me into a mutant?" Fukushima skeptically asked.
"Oh of course not honey. At least, not right now," she answered. Fukushima looked uncertainly to Monkey Fist for guidance.
"It may be our only hope," Monkey Fist admitted. "Amy, I warn you. No genetic splicing."
"Oh sugar booger, I'd never do anything to Fukushima. He's such a cutie patootie," Amy said, pinching Monkey Fist's cheek and grinning. Monkey Fist pulled away, frowning reproachfully at her.
"I am not a child!" Fukushima protested, taking offense to the pet name.
"Yeah, whatever cutie patootie," Monique taunted. Fukushima gave her a dirty look, but was suddenly dragged away along with Gemini. Monique giggled a bit.
KP
Gemini and Fukushima stood in the room watching Amy bustling about with various needles and things. Fukushima winced, feeling uneasy about this whole situation. Amy finally approached them with two separate needles. Quickly she took Gemini's arm, found an artery, rubbed an alcohol swab over it, and poked the needle in. Gemini raised an eyebrow. It had gone in like a dream. Usually, he ended up wincing during blood tests. Amy drew the blood, then placed a cotton swab over the prick. "Pressure sweetie," she said. Gemini obeyed.
The geneticist picked up the second needle and approached Fukushima, feeling for the vein. "My pulse is very hard to detect sometimes," Fukushima informed.
"I'll say," she agreed, frowning. If he hadn't been standing in front of her alive, she'd have thought he was dead. Soon she found it, though, and smiled. Easily she repeated the procedure of taking blood, then returned to the equipment. "Fukushima, cutie pie, would you mind getting your daddy for me?"
"He is not my father!" Fukushima protested, but he obeyed.
Soon Monkey Fist entered with the ninja. "What is it now?" he asked Amy, annoyed.
"You've studied the ancient monkey ninja tribe all your life, lover boy. You may not be a scientist, but surely you researched their genetic code or at least something that could be of use here to help me determine if there's something special in Fukushima's bloodstream," she answered.
"I suppose," Monkey Fist said, raising an eyebrow. He was surprised. This wasn't just a sorry attempt to have him close to her. She genuinely needed to work alongside him as a professional, not a lover. He dared say it would be an honor to work with such a brilliant mind if he didn't have a phobia about her suddenly leaping on him at any given moment.
He approached Amy, who was looking through the microscope. Amy smiled at him, then moved away. She went to a computer and typed in a series of information, bringing up a genetic code and a multitude of other magnified images such as blood cells and such. "Amazing," Gemini said, coming up behind them. Fukushima watched curiously.
"Thanks," Amy replied. On another screen, she brought up Gemini's bloodstream and DNA, then a generic DNA model. "Drakken, Justine, Wade, Dr. Renton," she said into the intercom. Soon enough the four other brains entered. "The more eyes the better," Amy sang to them.
KP
For a while, they observed the patterns. "There, the infection in Gemini's bloodstream," Justine suddenly said, pointing out a series of black blood cells.
"Blood doesn't usually cause infection," Wade pointed out.
"It may be signaling he's transforming," Dr. Renton said, peering through the microscope. "Here's the more likely culprit." She stepped aside, gesturing for Drakken to take a look. He did so, frowned, then beckoned Justine.
Justine approached and peered through. She started before looking intrigued. "Fascinating. This disease is unlike anything I've ever seen," she said.
"Which means it'll be all the harder to crack. Oh poo," Amy sulked.
Drakken pulled the sample out from under the microscope. "We should begin analyzing this and watching how Gemini's blood interacts with it. The white blood cells can't fight it off or this thing wouldn't spread so fast, but we need to see why and how."
"Look. A change in the genetic code in Fukushima's blood that differs from the basic," Monkey Fist suddenly said, pointing to Fukushima's DNA strand.
Amy peered at it and frowned. "That is odd."
"The tribe long ago lost the ability to pass on the Monkey Powers themselves through birth and blood; however, the trait still lies dormant," Monkey Fist said. "It's really quite amazing. There is such power within Fukushima, yet odds are it will never be released. To inherit these powers directly… It must have truly been something. My abilities would pale in comparison to one born with them."
"In that case, I do not wish them to come alive again," Fukushima stated. He didn't believe he could control such power.
"It isn't likely they ever will, son," Monkey Fist said distractedly. Fukushima started, looking at him with eyes wide. Monkey Fist didn't seem to notice the slip of the tongue. "As I said, long ago the ability to pass the powers on through birth was taken away from the tribe by the gods themselves. The mortals were becoming too full of themselves. I won't say they were rivaling the deities in power because they were far, far, far from it, but they began to believe that they did. It cost them. Such a waste," Monkey Fist continued.
"That's what happens when power consumes you," Drakken bit.
Monkey Fist started and frowned icily at his friend. "Thank you for the moral lesson, Drew," he growled sarcastically.
"The interactions Gemini and Fukushima's blood streams are having with this disease are really interesting," Wade said. "Look. The normal blood we're using, DNAmy's, isn't fighting back at all. If she got this thing, she would be a goner. Gemini's cells, however, are trying to fight back, so he's resistant. Right?"
"Yes, but the infection won't let the white blood cells wipe it out," Dr. Renton said. "Each time Gemini's immune system makes an advance, the infection retaliates and doubles itself."
"Hmm... It's like fighting the disease makes it stronger," DNAmy said. "Fukushima's blood, on the other hand... While at first his immune cells try to fight it, after the infection doubles in power they stop their advance. Almost like they learn not to battle the disease. The infection is weakening in his bloodstream. Dying off. Fukushima's immune cells are advancing again now, but this time they're swallowing the infection up in droves. He's immune."
"We should run tests of everyone else's blood to see who's safe and who isn't. Then we'll have a better perspective. We haven't even begun to understand this to the full, but hopefully, we'll have enough of an understanding to formulate a cure," Drakken said.
"I'll get the others," Gemini said, heading out to fetch them.
Sometime Later
"Immunity belongs to those of us with superpowers and mutations, as well as Fukushima. Camille, Gemini, and I are resistant to it," Drakken said, reading the reports. "The Seniors and Killigan were uninfected because of the isolated places they live. Carriers are Jack, Falsetto, Will, and Ned. The rest of you are in trouble."
"Do no' let the carriers cough on ye'," Killigan said, glaring dangerously at Jack, Falsetto, Will, and Ned. Will frowned, put out by the man.
"We have an idea of what we might be able to do for a cure. The DNA of the superheroes and the mutated are too unstable to risk, and we can't very well give everyone superpowers, but Fukushima's bloodstream is stable. Gemini's as well. So are the carriers' blood," Amy stated. "If we can synthesize something based on the way Fukushima's immune system fights off the disease, we may be able to fix this. An injection to mellow out the white blood cells, then a booster shot to boost them again after an allotted period of time. Or we could try and super concentrate a formula that will work similarly to how the biohazard did. Then, when we release it, it'll spread like the biohazard did, curing all the victims."
"Unfortunately, Miss Hall, I do not have the equipment here to aid in the development of a cure so high-tech," Senior said solemnly.
"What? But there's nowhere else to go!" Ron exclaimed.
"Go Tower," Shego suddenly said, and all eyes turned to her. Her expression was filled with realization. "Go Tower. My brothers!" she repeated. "They're super powered, they wouldn't be infected! We had a high-tech lab there like you wouldn't believe. For all the good it did us. Not like we had a resident genius."
"Wait, brothers? Go Tower? We? What are you talking about?" Camille asked confusedly.
Shego started, realizing her slip. "Oh, uh, me? Um... Look, it's none of your business! Never mind! Ugh, I'll be by the pool when you people figure things out."
"Well I know for sure Ron and I are going, but most others who aren't immune to this thing should probably stay behind. Just in case this backfires," Kim said. "Anyone else not interested in going too."
"Great. I'm going with you and the bozo," Shego said.
"Really?" Kim asked, grinning in amusement.
"Doy. Like I wanna be stuck here," Shego replied.
"In the lap of luxury?" Kim teased, eyes sparkling. "Admit it Shego, you're just worried about your brothers," she realized.
"I'm not worried about my brothers! Back off, Cupcake!" Shego yelled. "You people get on your little planning for the trip thing. In the meantime, I'll be lounging by the pool. Night or not, I'm not skipping out on my tan! Hench, we need to talk. Follow."
"Sure, Shego. Sure," Jack replied. Shego frowned warily at him, not sure she liked that tone, then shrugged it off and walked away, making for the pool.
KP
Jack approached the pool where Shego was lounging under a large sunlamp. It killed the beauty of the night, he thought, but you didn't stand between Shego and her sunning. It just wasn't done unless you wanted a one-way ticket to, well, you know. He picked up the suntan lotion bottle and squeezed some out onto her back. She gasped at the sudden cold then lit her hand, ready to blast him. He simply dodged under the plasma and put the bottle down. "So, what now?" he asked.
"You dumped the lotion on me, you rub it in!" she shot testily.
"Sorry honey, married," Jack answered, flashing his ring.
Shego grabbed his tie and dragged him near as he caught his breath. She lit up her free hand. "Married schmarried, get to work Richie Rich!" Jack pulled free and cleared his throat, straightening the tie. Oh well. Really this was his own fault. He sat next to her and began massaging the lotion into her back, ruefully wishing it were his wife he was doing it for. "You could have a real career in massage, Jackie boy," Shego said.
"Flattering, Miss Go," he answered, smirking wryly. "So, what's your plan?"
"They develop the cure, we take it from them," she answered simply. "We win, the world is mine, and you stay safe at home base."
Like Hades that was how it would play out, he knew. If they got the cure, the first thing she'd do is align with Evil Incorporated, hold his family over his head in an attempt to gain his weapons and technology, obtain said weapons and technology, probably finish off his family regardless, and take him down with them. Or keep his wife and son over his head and keep him a slave, basically. Regardless, it wasn't going to happen. If she really thought she had this all figured out, she was sorely, sorely mistaken.
"Ooh, better watch your back, Jack. Someone's watching," Shego sang.
KP
Jack started and looked quickly over, but he got the feeling he knew who it was. Sure enough, there was his wife standing in the doorway, armed crossed, eyes narrowed, and foot tapping agitatedly on the ground. He smiled and casually called, "Hi Hon! Come join us."
Shego raised an eyebrow at him. Seriously? That was the card he was gonna play. She guessed playing it smooth would alleviate the woman's suspicions. Clever move, Hench, clever. Unfortunately for him, Dr. Director didn't seem to be biting.
Betty approached her husband and Shego, pausing in front of them with hands on her hips. "Alright Jack, since I love you and I'm not the jealous sort, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here. What's. Happening?"
"Cool it Dr. Director, it wasn't the man's idea," Shego half-heartedly defended. Honestly, she respected Jack Hench. Heck, even liked him somewhat.
"He went along with it," Betty replied.
"Ooh, can't help you there, Henchy boy," Shego said.
"Shego, I'm touched. I never even realized you were trying," he half insulted and half thanked. She frowned, unsure of how to take the remark. Jack rose and turned to Betty, tenting his fingers, "In my very, very weak defense, I had little choice. It was rub the lotion in or be incinerated. I was only…"
He was cut off when his wife rolled her eyes with a sigh and leaned into him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly and lovingly. He shut up immediately and for a good long moment didn't move, caught off guard, but soon he returned her embrace and deepened the kiss, begging for access. She parted her lips, allowing it, and made a soft sound against his mouth before hopping up on him and wrapping her legs around his body. "Uh, get a room please!" Shego demanded, appalled by the blatant display of affection.
"That sounds like a plan," Betty whispered into his ear, breaking the kiss, and Jack grinned, eyes lighting up.
"Dr. Director, was that a proposition? You're getting brave," he growled, very much 'turned on', as the kids liked to say.
"Somehow I have to remind you you're mine," she purred.
"And yours alone," Jack finished. "Vice versa to you as well, love. Remember it," he said before kissing her again.
"Come on Jack. We have all night," she breathed against his chin. He chuckled, definitely aroused. She climbed off him with a giggle and took his hand, drawing him away from Shego. Gods knew she and her husband both needed this stress reliever right now.
Shego gawked after them in shock, mouth agape. Honestly, they might have the right idea there she wryly thought. Too bad she didn't have a stress reliever all her own. She scoffed and tried to focus on napping. Right now that was the only relaxation she wanted or needed, she decided.
"Shego!" she heard Drakken yell. She frowned.
"What?!" she yelled back.
"I can't sleep!" Drakken replied.
Shego sighed in exasperation. She didn't believe she liked the way her mind had processed that remark at first. Deeply she blushed and cursed herself, rising. "Then come sit by the pool with me and relax! I'll give you a massage or something!" She caught her breath, paling and blushing when she realized what she'd just said. There was a beat, so she knew he was probably flustered too.
"Massage for massage?" he timidly called out.
She frowned, unimpressed, and sighed, rolling her eyes. He tried. Actually, that one wasn't half bad. He was improving. "Whatever Dr. D!" she replied. Rewarding accomplishments and all that she told herself. He soon came out, approaching her, and she smirked at him somewhat fondly. He hesitated a moment before sitting next to her and reaching out to massage her shoulders.
"Um, is this alright?" he asked.
"Doy," she replied. He hesitated only briefly once more before getting to work on them. "Mmm... Dr. D, you have the magic touch," she purred. He blushed deeply and pretended he hadn't heard that. He really, really hoped his mother didn't witness this and get any ideas.
KP
Jack carried Betty into one of the guest rooms. They were making out like teenagers, so here was hoping none of the actual teenagers spotted this nonsense. Least of all their son. The poor kid would probably die of embarrassment. He shut and locked the door behind them. She giggled, nuzzling his nose. He grinned and dropped her onto the bed, falling with her She beamed up at him and wrapped her legs around his body, pulling him close and deepening the kiss.
"Mmm, no talking about Will?" she asked.
He snorted in derision and kissed her again. No talking at all, preferably. He just wanted to enjoy every inch of her. She didn't seem to mind the insinuation. "He doesn't want to think about me, I won't bother thinking about him," Jack replied.
"Don't do that to yourself, baby," she said.
"Right now, love, all I care to think about is right in front of me," he replied with a grin. She grinned back approvingly and they commenced their lovemaking.