9) Under no circumstances is a Creator allowed to work without permission from the Founders.
Co·rin·thi·an: [kuh-rin-thee-uhn] adjective
1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Corinth.
2. A man about town, especially one who lives luxuriously or sometimes, dissolutely.
December 17th, 2015 A.D.
Castle Rodigan, Rodigan Empire
5:48 A.M.
Beep
Kim's near lifeless body lay on an old and dilapidated bed, her face giving the impression she was in a deep sleep. However, the frail wires hooked up to her forehead and arms in an effort to monitor her brain waves and heartbeat betrayed that assumption.
Beep
Normally a beep from the heart rate monitor would be a good thing but given the fact that her brain hadn't so much as made a peep for the last thirty-six hours, everyone was starting to get worried. Although on a side note, Kim's doctor had noted that her heart was still in surprisingly good condition.
Beep
Hunched over in a chair next to her was her lone companion, a blanket draped over his Centurion suit clad body by some passerby as he had forgotten to wrap himself in one before falling asleep. He hadn't changed or left Kim's side in almost a day but he didn't care, if Kim came back Felix Renton wanted his wife to be the first one she saw.
Beep
Now Felix was asleep with Kim's hand clutched in her own, his lips pressed against the top of her hand in a perpetual kiss even though both were asleep.
Beep
Something stirred in Felix and he opened his eyes as the coarse woolen blanket pressed against his cheek. His eyes flicked up slowly to the monitors that hadn't changed at all before closing them again.
Beep
He slowly raised his head, instantly regretting it as he suddenly felt how tired he truly was.
Beep
The machine next to Kim's body beeped softly as her heart beat again, each beat only confirming that Kim's body was still functioning, nothing else.
"How's she doing?" Dr. Betty Director asked from the door.
Felix started in the chair before seeing who it was and answered Betty with bloodshot eyes, "no change," he took a deep breath and fought the urge to cry, "Wade isn't sure what we're going to do if we hit Paris and Kim's still like this."
Betty nodded thoughtfully and pulled up a chair next to Felix, "We'll burn that bridge when we come to it."
Felix laughed at Betty's attempt at a joke and looked back at the monitor as it continued to beep, "How's the preparation going?"
Betty shook her head mournfully, "How do you think preparing a suicide run is going?"
Felix smiled and patted Betty on the knee, "I'm confident in the plan."
The room was silent for a moment as Betty studied Felix and then Kim, "are you saying that because Kim's your wife or because you actually believe in the plan?"
Felix didn't have an answer as the machine beeped again.
"Let's just say it's a leap of faith," he finally answered.
Betty snorted, "you? Have faith?" Betty fought the urge to laugh but was unsuccessful, "In the eight years that I've known you, you've never once had faith," she held up a finger, "not once."
Felix allowed a faint smile to creep on his face, "Kim has that effect on people. She inspires us."
Betty nodded and placed a hand on Felix's shoulder, "That she does," she slowly rose to her feet, "but if she comes back will she still be your Kim?"
Felix couldn't answer that question.
He simply didn't know how.
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
Before the Kingdom of Middleton
12:39 A.M.
Kim shook the cobwebs from her head as Monkey Fist's enormous army rushed at her. She rocked herself to sit up and slowly, painfully she hobbled to her feet before toppling over again.
Kim pushed down at the dirt and gasped angrily. She knew that if she stayed here the thousands of those nightmarish creatures would simply wash her away in their charging flood before they would sweep over Middleton.
She looked around, trying to figure out how she wound up on this field and only when she saw the dragon in front of Monkey Fist, did she remember the moment of sheer terror she had felt just before the dragon smashed into Middleton's gates.
She pushed herself to her feet again but instantly collapsed as pain radiated up her leg. If her leg wasn't broken it sure was close to breaking and Kim didn't know how she'd be able to hobble to the safety of her soldiers but knew she was dead if she stayed here.
Kim tried standing to her feet again and this time was able to hobble several meters before stumbling to the ground amidst a string of curses.
"Come on Possible," she muttered even as the ground around her shook to signal the approaching army. "It's probably just a sprain. You can run on one of those without breaking a sweat."
Kim looked up at the City of Middleton before her where the remaining defenders were rushing towards the gate before Monkey Fist's army reached it.
Hiss Thunk
A rusty dagger embedded itself in the ground an inch before Kim and she stopped her scramble and slowly turned back to the army chasing her.
Kim's body went cold at the sight behind her. Monkey Fist's entire army had stopped less than ten feet from her but not a single muscle moved in the entire mass, in fact the army had gone quiet as they all stopped before Kim.
She pushed herself to her feet and tried to back up to Middleton but another thrown dagger in the ground helped her stop.
Instead Kim drew her sword and held it at the ready even as she lay on the ground. She took a deep breath as her arm was shaking like a branch in a storm. She took another deep breath and her arm stopped trembling as she looked at the collection of creatures before her.
The closest nightmare smiled a toothy grin and Kim fought back repulsion as a long stream of drool dripped from the largest and most rotten tooth that she had ever laid eyes on.
"Stand back," she warned but standing before the army, she knew the threat carried no fear.
To prove her point, the monster took a step forward.
"I mean it," she stammered and took a hesitant step back.
Without warning, the creature launched itself at Kim only to find a sword shoved through its stomach. It looked down in confusion and the last thing it ever saw was the dirt and grime covered Kim Stoppable's face.
The front of the army took a tiny step back if only for a moment but it was enough to inspire Kim, "How about you?" she shouted at one, "care to meet your maker?"
In response the crowd parted and up strolled Monkey Fist as casually as if he had just come back from a walk in the park.
"My dear Queen Stoppable," he remarked idly, "I do believe that-"
"Can it Monkey Boy," Kim heard herself saying, almost shocked at her sudden strength, "If I wanted to hear a soliloquy or something equally pointless I'd just go talk to Ron for a few minutes."
Hey! her pocket rumbled.
She ignored the stone and pointed at Monkey Fist with her sword, "You've attacked my Kingdom, killed my friends, I'm fairly certain my ankle is sprained and on top of all that," she shook her head, "I have a headache," she took a deep breath, "All in all it hasn't been a very good night."
Monkey Fist looked taken aback for a moment at Kim's sudden hostility but quickly recovered and drew his scarlet sword.
"Fine," he muttered, "we'll for go the pleasantries-"
"Just shut up and fight," Kim interrupted again as she readied herself for Monkey Fist's onslaught.
Instead of replying with words, Monkey Fist simply launched himself at Kim and at the touch of the swords, sparks erupted and a bright flash blanketed Middleton.
Kim pulled back her sword in horror as all that came back was a stub of molten metal and nothing else. She quickly dropped the sword before a droplet of liquid steel rolled onto her hand and she fought to regain her vision as she backpedaled quickly.
Monkey Fist laughed and walked over her fallen sword, slowly advancing on the hobbling woman, "Where's that defiant laugh now Kimberly Ann?" he said icily, "Where's the taunting?" he took another step as Kim lost her footing and fell to the ground. Desperation gripped her and she started dragging herself along the ground on her back, anything to escape the mad monkey.
She was almost at the remains of the gate when she felt a hand on her ankle and looked up to see Monkey Fist grabbing her leg with his foot, "It's time to die my Queen," he said quietly and he raised the red sword.
Kim tried to break free but found his grip like a vice and found herself in a strange acceptance of her death.
The sword fell.
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
The House of Healing, Kingdom of Middleton
12:45 A.M.
Matriarch Ann Possible looked at her overstocked, scream filled infirmary with a heavy heart. Already they were overflowing and the wounded just kept coming in. If this didn't let up, she'd have to send Scarlet to start screening their patients.
She looked over at the nurse who was currently fighting to save some random soldier's life, but even from across the room, Ann knew Robbins was wasting her time on him.
You know that Scarlet is a perfectly capable doctor so just let her do her job and you make sure Ron is kept safe, she thought to herself and turned back to King Stoppable's bed. She saw the empty bed before her and let out a sigh.
"Ron you better be saving my daughter," she whispered before turning to other patients.
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
Before the Kingdom of Middleton
12:50 A.M.
Clang
Kim slowly opened an eye and saw Monkey Fist's sword stopped mere inches from her body. The cause of the stopped sword? Yori.
She held her Katana without any effort and looked as deadly as Kim had ever seen her.
"Go, Stoppable-San," Yori commanded without removing her gaze from Monkey Fist, "the Monkey and I have unfinished business."
Kim didn't have to be told twice and scrambled away from the two leaders and their deadly dance.
"Even after killing one of my best monsters, you still want blood?" Monkey Fist asked as he circled Yori.
"I want your blood," she responded coldly, circling him as well.
"You and I both know you can't kill me," he smiled as Yori saw the faint streams of dawn's light appear on the horizon, "you're just not as good as me."
Yori laughed mirthlessly, "I don't need to be better than you," she let that hang in the air for a moment, "I just have to wait for you to mess up and when I do I'll show this army of yours that you aren't a god but are in fact a man."
She saw the look of momentary fear dance across Monkey Fist's eyes and with the speed of a cobra she struck.
Her blade hissed through the air and was blocked by Monkey Fist's crimson blade before it sank into his neck. He responded with a kick to her abdomen that knocked her back but she quickly recovered to dodge his slice that barely missed the nape of her neck. Launching herself off the ground Yori kicked at Monkey Fist mid flight but was blocked by a hand that roughly grabbed her and slammed her into the ground.
Yori shook her head to recover her bearings and looked up just in time to see Monkey Fist's blade descending from above and she rolled out of the way and it sliced harmlessly into the ground. With her free hand, Yori grabbed a handful of loose dirt and threw it at his eyes. Monkey Fist growled in pain as the soil blinded him and Yori chose this moment to strike.
Hiss Clang
The two serpents, the Viper and the Cobra circled each other cautiously. Even without his sight to rely on the Viper was still a dangerous threat.
Wish Hiss Clang Thwock
The Cobra sank its fangs into the wrong target and one of the surrounding nightmares collapsed to the ground, split in two but she didn't think anything of it. Any distractions now would be the end of her.
Pssh Hiss Cling Clang Clong
The snakes were locked in a furious battle of wills now, each one daring the other to make a mistake while praying they didn't make one that would end their lives.
Hiss Wisp Slip
Monkey Fist's army took a collective gasp as their leader stumbled back, blood on his cheek.
He held his hand to his cheek and simply stared at the blood on his fingers for several seconds as Yori struggled to regain her breath.
"Forget you were mortal?" she taunted, "Face it, you're nothing more than a poor excuse for a human," she laughed, a mournful and haunting laugh, "you couldn't cut it being a human and so you had to step down from humanity."
Something clicked in Monkey Fist and with a high pitched scream, "I AM NOT HUMAN!"
The Viper struck with a speed that surprised the Cobra and for several minutes the only thing the cobra could do was defense. Every move Yori tried, she found Monkey Fist was waiting for her and with a fervor that she had never known, she fought back.
Clang Hiss Clong
Monkey Fist was fighting crazily, almost as if he was making it up as he went along and for all her training and all her abilities Yori had to face the simple truth:
She simply couldn't cut it.
With surprising speed, his blade danced under hers and brought their blades to the sky and before she could react, Monkey Fist slipped through her defenses with his blade and stabbed her through the stomach.
"Hiro," she whispered as Monkey Fist twisted the blade before savagely removing it.
She fell back, all her strength draining through the hole in her abdomen and she found herself staring at the stars in an almost peace filled state.
She craned her head to the wall and saw her daughter staring not in horror but in simple acceptance.
"Han," she gurgled and reached out a hand but it dropped to the ground weakly.
Han nodded and bowed reverently before ducking out of sight and into the shadows.
As Yori's world faded to black, the only hope she took with her was the fact that her daughter was still alive.
Then nothing.
Monkey Fist fought his way through his soldiers that stared at him in shock, "WELL WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?" he shouted, "GET BACK TO WORK!"
They charged back towards the city but a large bit of their enthusiasm was gone. Now they were charging out of fear of Monkey Fist's wrath should they fail and nothing else.
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
The Kingdom of Middleton
1:15 A.M.
Kim ran through the streets of Middleton, the pain in her ankle no longer concerning her as she heard Yori and Monkey Fist dueling it out before her city gates.
She looked back at the two fighters as she ran but suddenly found herself stopped as she ran into a wall. She looked up.
"Kim," Ron said as he looked down at her in amazement, "You're alive!"
She shook her head, "we've got to go right now."
"But we can help Yori-" he stopped as he watched Yori fall to the ground with Monkey Fist standing over her.
Kim looked back as Monkey Fist melted back into his army that surged through the city gates and her eyes widened in terror and she pulled at her husband.
"Ron," she said, "RON," she shouted in his ear and he looked at her with darkness in his eyes, "Ron, we've got to go right now. You can't save her."
She saw him nod slowly and together they turned and ran toward the castle.
From all around the city, the cry went out as Monkey Fist's army entered the city, quickly overwhelming the last of its defenders, "THE CITY HAS FALLEN, RETREAT TO THE CASTLE!"
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
The Plains of Middleton
2:15 A.M.
"Monty-" DNAmy shut her mouth when Monkey Fist turned to her, his cheek bleeding and soaking the fur on the rest of his body with the red liquid.
"Amy," he said darkly, "you will heal my cheek and then you will shut your mouth until I give you permission to speak again," his tone left no room for questions and without a word Amy turned her skill to healing Monkey Fist's cheek.
When she had finished healing Monkey Fist, he climbed on top of his horse and watched silently as his army surged over the city and methodically killed the occupants of the city. From inside Middleton screams and sporadic clashing could be heard as the defenders fought for their city with a strength they had never known existed.
Monkey Fist allowed himself a smile as a runner appeared before him, tired and out of breath. Unlike his brethren, he was still semi-human and as such could move faster through the city. His only weakness was that he was more human than nightmare and as such was more independent. If Monkey Fist had had his way these runners would never had existed but he didn't have much say when Amy created these amalgamations.
"Sire," the runner wheezed breathlessly.
Monkey Fist's slight smile faded into an emotionless stare, "What is it?"
"The castle," he wheezed, "we're at the castle doors," he looked up expectantly, "What are your orders?"
Monkey Fist was silent a moment before nodding to the runner, "I don't want anyone left alive," the smile appeared on his face again, "spare no one."
The runner bowed, "It will be done my lord."
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
The Castle Middleton
2:30 A.M.
"GO! GO! GO!" Barkin shouted as he swung the enormous war hammer.
Betty Director vaulted over the war hammer as it passed harmlessly beneath her and slammed into the creature she had been running from. Betty angled her body as she flew through the air and landed on the wet cobblestone courtyard.
As she fell back to Earth, Betty pulled a set of throwing knives from their holsters on her wrist and launched the trio with deadly accuracy.
Barkin nodded appreciatively as he grabbed a screaming nightmare by the neck before slamming it into a wall with a sickening crunch.
The two stood alone at the gates leading to the castle, slaying countless monsters that dared approach the last bit of refuge even as their contest had been long forgotten.
A screaming monstrosity lurched at Barkin but he quickly dispatched it by bringing the hammer up over his head and slamming the creature into the ground as if he was driving a nail.
"How long can we keep this up?" Betty asked as she vaulted over Barkin, her sword flicking dangerously into oncoming nightmares.
"Until the King gets back!" Barkin shouted as a monster's blade pierced his side and tore jaggedly down.
Barkin groaned and stumbled to the ground, clutching his side in pain as blood poured forth.
Betty grabbed the creature by its sword arm and pulled it in close before punching it in the face, dazing it just long enough for her to run it through with her sword.
"STEVEN!" Betty shouted as Barkin stumbled around, going into shock.
A screaming monster caused Betty to spin around, blade at the ready.
She was too late and the monster tackled her and brought the two of them to the ground.
Betty tried to push the creature away but it clutched her armor, the black fingernails digging into the chain mail regardless of the pain. Black blood flowed and made gripping the monster a challenge but still Betty persisted.
The nightmare howled and angled its head and a moment later Betty screamed in pain as the creature bit into her neck. She let go of one of the arms and pulled a dagger from its sheath but the creature overpowered her and ripped the dagger from her grasp.
Before the monster could plunge the dagger into Betty, a sword flashed and the monster's head went rolling.
Betty looked over and rolled the creature off her as Ron and Kim appeared at her side, "Are you all right?" Kim asked, a cut bleeding profusely from her forehead.
Betty shook her head and pointed to Barkin who was lying motionless on the ground, "Steve, we need to get Steve-"
Ron nodded and hoisted the mountain of a man up and dragged him into the courtyard.
Kim and Betty turned to the sound of countless screams that echoed through the city.
"Your highness?" Betty asked, "what do we do?"
A dull glow was coming towards them as countless nightmares holding torches made their way to the castle, "fall back into the castle and hold the line."
"And what of survivors?" Betty asked.
Kim turned to Betty, "Ron and I were the last."
Betty nodded and the two retreated into the castle.
When the two were inside the gates were firmly locked and put into place even as screams resounded from beyond the doors.
BOOM
Kim jumped as something big was slammed into the door.
She turned to find Ron at her side and without looking, her hand found Ron's, "What do we do?"
Ron took a deep breath as the door shook again, "now we wait."
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
Castle of Middleton
6:50 A.M.
BOOM
Everyone jumped as the sound echoed from the door.
Kim shook her head and turned back to bandaging the cut Ron had managed to add to the side of his face.
She gave a final wipe with her semi clean rag to the cut and leaned back to admire her handiwork, "It's not pretty but it'll hold for now," she observed.
Ron smiled and stood to his feet. Everyone in the courtyard was armed with some level of weapon and judging by the look of everyone, Ron knew it was going to be a massacre when those doors fell.
As if sensing his thoughts the gates rattled again from the onslaught beyond.
Kim joined him at his side and gave him a questioning stare, "Penny for your thoughts?"
He smiled, "Do you remember how we met?"
Kim thought back to Pre-K and how he had tried to fight off some bullies but had instead been beaten to within an inch of his life, "I'm not sure if I remember it is how you remember it."
Ron laughed, his laugh echoing across the courtyard and bringing a smile to everyone's face, "even after all this time fighting you still believe you're still from the future?"
She shrugged, "something like that."
Ron opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself, "after all these years of marriage there's one thing I do know," he kissed her lightly before pulling back, "even when my wife is wrong, she is still right."
He drew his sword and readied himself even as the gate splintered from the next blow. Kim didn't see it but she could hear the assembly of people in the courtyard form up behind them, each with their weapons drawn and ready to die for their King.
"Sire," Kim turned in shock as the bloodied and bruised face of Betty Director appeared behind Ron, "I'm here for you sir-"
"We're here for you Sire," Steve Barkin interrupted from next to Kim, "is what she meant to say."
Ron nodded and turned to look at everyone present, "I know you're scared but I want you to know that it has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your King and Queen," he took a deep breath and pointed at the gate whose hinges were bending, "all I ask of you know is for one last stand. One stand that defines your life and gives your life the purpose."
This time there was no cheers, no applause, just respectful head nods and tightening of hands on blades. Everyone knew they were about to die and yet no tear was shed, just a quiet reluctance.
BOOM
One more hit and the doors would cave in and Monkey Fist would win.
That was when the horns began blowing.
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
Before the Kingdom of Middleton
6:55 A.M.
Monkey Fist turned his head at the first sounding of the horns and looked around in confusion, "Whose horn is that?"
It was the sound of a horn, or rather thousands of horns singing in the pre-dawn light, each one sounding as if an angel was singing to the world.
The horns continued blowing for several more seconds before he felt it, everyone felt it. From the fields all the way to the heart of the city, everyone felt it: A deep rumbling that shook you to your bones.
"What is that?" Amy asked.
Everyone turned to the East and watched as the pre-dawn Sun was obscured by dust. Dust that could only come from-
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
Plains of Middleton
7:00 A.M.
It was an enormous army. An army made up of horses and foot soldiers that had ridden through the night to be with their allies in their hour of need. At the head of the army, feeling the days of his youth again sat an old man. There was no mistaking he was the King as his armor shone brighter than any other soldier present and on his helmet was a built in crown that everyone could easily see and rally around.
His tan face, creased with the wrinkles of old age observed the scene before him with something that resembled excitement. The odds were firmly stacked against him but he didn't care, even from his position several hundred yards away he could see that Monkey Fist's troops were nearing their breaking point. All they needed was a push to break and he intended to be that push.
"Father," his son asked, "What are your orders?"
Senior Senior Sr. spun his horse around with ease and addressed his commanders, Bonnie and Senior Senior Jr., "My Son," Senior Senior Sr. said, the dawn light making his armor glow like a hero of legend, "You will ride and secure the city. Go!"
Senior Senior Jr. nodded and rode away from his King to his protectorate.
Senior Senior Sr. rode to Bonnie, "You will lead your section to cut off his retreat. When you've passed the city I want you to circle around and eliminate Monkey Fist's army as they try to flee," he nodded to her and she gave a nod back. Bonnie wheeled her horse around and rode down the line of horses that were gathered today.
"My soldiers!" the old King shouted, his voice soothing everyone present, "this truly is a battle you will cherish for a lifetime," his horse trotted nervously as Monkey Fist's army floundered in confusion at the arrival of the Seniors.
In the light of the dawn, Monkey Fist could only see the tip of the Senior's vast army. Horses, foot soldiers, chariots, all of Senior Senior's Army was there to fight for Ron and all that was needed was for Senior to charge.
"I know today this army outnumbers us," he shouted, his old age being replaced with an image of him in his youth, "but I know that each of you is worth one hundred of them!" he smiled broadly, "today will be a day you look back on when you're my age and tell your grandchildren how you saved this nation," he paused knowing his army was hanging on his every word, "TODAY WE WRITE OUR NAMES IN HISTORY!"
His horse spun around and with a speed no one could have predicted, he charged headlong at Monkey Fist's army. Senior's army struggled to take off but it made no difference, Senior was leading them and the one man charging at his army gave Monkey Fist the greatest fear that he had ever felt in his entire life.
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
Castle of Middleton
7:00 A.M.
Ron's ears instantly recognized the sound of the horns and smiled, "you Corinthian Son of a Bitch!" he shouted and turned back to the remnant of Middleton, "IT'S SENIOR SENIOR SR.! He's finally here!"
Everyone present shouted a cheer and surged towards the door.
The throng pushed against the doors and they swung out into the confused army on the other side. The remnant poured into the now terrified army of Monkey Fist that didn't know what to do. Their prey was charging through their midst, striking down their number as they went while a new enemy was attacking their leader. Seeing no other option, the nightmares did the only logical thing they could do, flee.
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
Before the Kingdom of Middleton
7:05 A.M.
Monkey Fist was in a strange quasi-panic, his army was faltering, his cheek was bleeding again, the Seniors had arrived with an army that rivaled his and he had no back up. He was vaguely aware that Amy was screaming in his ear and slowly he turned to her.
"What?" he asked meekly, victory had been taken from him and he was slowly slipping into shock.
"WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?" she pointed to their army that had now started a full retreat.
"Do?" he asked back almost drunkenly.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?" she screamed at him, "IF WE STAY HERE WE'RE DEAD!"
He stared at her with a peaceful gaze that didn't change even when the Seniors slammed into his already retreating army and started to cut through them like a scythe through wheat. From all around the battlefield the screams of Monkey Fist's nightmares echoed as their lives were brought to a close.
A clash of steel and screams came from the gates and the remnant of Middleton led by Ron poured through the front gate and fanned out after the retreating army.
Monkey Fist slowly watched his world crumble around him and let out a discontented sigh, "I was so close..." he mumbled, "So close..."
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
The Kingdom of Middleton
7:15 A.M.
Beep Beep
He walked through the ruined city of Middleton, following an elusive beeping that echoed from his wrist.
Beep Beep Be Deep
He stopped mid stride in horror as his wrist beeped and he quickly spun around.
Beep Beep Be Deep
The signal was getting stronger the closer he got and within several seconds his wrist was emitting a long and steady tone.
He looked around and pulled away rubble and debris as his body screamed in protest. In the distance the sounds of the battle raged on but he didn't care. He had to find the source of that sound-
"There you are," he whispered reverently at the body of Felix Renton splayed out before him.
He held his open palm over the body and watched as a holographic display on his arm started to scan the body.
Object found came back the report.
He smiled and the display flickered from existence.
Kneeling down, he checked the body and saw Felix clutching something in his bunched up fist. Upon further investigation, the man saw it was a little flag with the royal seal that had probably been ripped from Ron's banner.
Normally Tam Agmiln would have been mortified at seeing Felix's body in such a state like this but this time he didn't care about the body, after all this wasn't the Felix he knew. Instead he cared only about what this Felix clutched in his hand.
Tam pried apart the death grip Felix had on that little flag and his wrist started blinking. Looking around Tam pulled back his sleeve to the hi-tech watch on his wrist and punched in a button combination. He waited several seconds and found himself face to face with Dr. Betty Director.
"Tam?" she asked through the scratchy picture.
"Yes, Ma'am," he replied, "I found it."
She looked confused, "Found what?"
"The Symbol of Royalty," he explained and held up the bloody flag before his view screen for Betty to see, "Felix found it before he died," he thought for a moment, "I'm not sure this version of Felix knew what he had but he was holding onto it as if his life depended on it."
"Do you have Possible?" Betty asked.
"Not yet," Tam replied defensively, "She's next on the list."
Betty nodded, "Find her and then jump out. I want you to do the rough jump and give her the reclaimer. The last thing that girl needs is another pummeling from the Nothing."
"I understand," Tam said, "Agmiln out."
Tam reverently folded the flag before sliding it into a plastic bag and tucking it in one of his pockets. He patted the pocket and allowed a smile to grace his lips as he turned around.
Maybe things are turning around, maybe we have a chance, he thought happily as he came face to face with a lone nightmarish creature that stabbed him in the chest with a wicked, rusted blade.
Maybe not.
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
Before the Kingdom of Middleton
7:20 A.M.
So this is what it feels like to lead a mob, Kim thought to herself as she allowed herself to be pushed by the remaining citizens of Middleton. Everyone was armed and following after the retreating army while shouting at the top of their lungs.
She wasn't sure how it happened but Kim suddenly tripped and knowing that if she tripped in front of this mob of people they would trample her before she could get to her feet. Instead she called up the last reserves of her strength and launched herself down a forgotten alley. She landed on the cobblestone ground and rolled to a stop. She was about to rejoin the mob but she heard the a grunt of pain followed by a hiss of one of those nightmares. She spun on her heel and walked down the alley, sword drawn and ready for anything.
She rounded a corner and simply stared. A man was toppling over with a sword through his chest and before him stood one of the nightmare creatures that pulled the sword out of the falling man's torso, a twisted grin on its face. Meanwhile the dead body of Felix Renton sat in the background, watching over the entire twisted affair.
Kim didn't think, she just acted and before the creature could move, Kim had vaulted up to the creature and surgically removed its head from its torso. Kim kicked the nightmare away, cast a sad look at the two dead men and shook her head before turning back to the battle.
"Kim Possible," the man with a sword in his chest gasped weakly.
Kim froze at her name, "W-what," she stammered, "What did you call me?"
The man rolled over and stared at her with dying eyes, "Y...your name is Kimberly...Ann...Possible," he wheezed, "youhack...you're like me. You don'teungh belong here..."
He pulled at a pocket and pulled out a plastic bag with the Global Science written on the side of it, "Give..." he fought back the blood rising in his throat, "I need you to give this to Betty."
Kim sat next to him and held the bag in front of her face as she peered at the contents, "What is it?" she asked.
The man coughed loudly, blood coming from his mouth as Kim reached into the bag, "It's the Symbol of Royalty-"
One traveler for the journey to the creator,
as power from beyond the stars will fuel her machine.
His love not returned will guide her and stay with her when she becomes lost.
The symbol of royalty will open the doors closed to her and the machine will carry her
even as the soul of an immortal protects her.
Kim held a hand to the side of her head as pain suddenly erupted and she cried out as she heard long forgotten words echoing in her mind.
The man looked at her reaction and admiration mixed with hope crossed his face, "it is true," he whispered and Kim looked back at him.
"You're Tam Agmiln?" she asked and her jump sprang into her mind, "It wasn't a dream..."
He didn't answer but then again, he didn't have too, "I didn't really believe the Creator," he wheezed, his breathing coming slower now, "but to actually see youhackhack react like that..." he trailed off as blood trickled from the sides of his mouth, "maybe it'll work after all."
Kim looked at him, "What's happening to me? Why is all this happening to me?"
Tam shook his head, "Thank you for staying with me to the...to the end," he looked at her a final time and pulled a small black remote from his pocket, "make sure you're holding this when you jump..." he took his final breath, "it'll make the jump easier..."
Kim shook her head, "What are you talking about?"
Nothing.
"Hello?" she waved a hand in front of his face but it was no good.
Tam Agmiln, her hope and way out was dead.
She tucked the bag in her armor and slowly rose to her feet. She needed to find Ron and fast, her instincts told her she wasn't going to be here much longer.
August 18th, 1257 A.D
Before the Kingdom of Middleton
7:35 A.M.
Bonnie had always been a natural when it came to riding horses. When her husband had shown her how to use a sword, well she soon became the deadliest horsewoman in the Island Kingdoms.
As she hacked and slashed at the nightmares that her father-in-law and husband were herding into a large group she couldn't help feel like this was nothing more than a massacre waiting to happen. Granted troops were still pouring out of Middleton but the tide had definitely turned in favor of Middleton.
Bonnie felt a nightmarish looking creature grab at her leg to pull her down but a swift jab with her sword and the creature was dead. And that was when she heard it, the shouting.
"THEY HAVE HIM!" a soldier shouted as he rode past her, "THEY'VE CAPTURED MONKEY FIST!"
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
Before the Kingdom of Middleton
9:05 A.M.
Monkey Fist stared as he knelt at the vast army arrayed before him even as he heard his army being slaughtered behind him.
King Ron Stoppable stood before him, hand on the hilt of his sword and staring at him with all the malevolence and anger he could muster.
"Montgomery James Fiske," he said darkly, "you are responsible for the death of thousands, damages to cities and..." Ron stopped and composed himself, "and you're responsible for the deaths of Emperor Hirotaka and Emrpess Yori Yamanouchi." He drew his sword and placed it under Monkey Fist's neck, "give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you now."
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Senior Senior Sr. standing behind him, "I would advise against killing this creature," he spat at Monkey Fist's knees, "let him rot for the rest of his pathetic life. If you kill him now it might make him a martyr and give his retreating army a cause to rally behind."
Ron's hand trembled as he held the sword, "he deserves to die," he argued back, "look at what he did."
"I know Ron," Kim said as she appeared behind him, "he does deserve to die but killing him brings you down to his level," she lightly nudged Senior Senior Sr. away, "don't become him."
Ron brought the sword down from Monkey Fist's neck and slowly sheathed his blade, "take him away."
"So that's it?" Monkey Fist asked in shock, "you're not going to kill me?"
Bonnie shook her head, "you deserve to die but you're going to rot instead."
Ron looked over at Bonnie, "did you ever find Amy?"
Bonnie shook her head, "she escaped before we could get to her and she took Drakken with her," Bonnie nodded towards the burnt husk of Upperton, "she's probably back in those mountains behind Upperton."
Senior Senior Jr. stepped up as a quiet squish sounded nearby, "I'll lead some soldiers back into those mountains to see if I can find them."
Ron nodded, "Be careful Jr."
The group turned back and stared at the scene before them. Hana Yamaouchi was crouched before Monkey Fist, her Mother's Katana firmly jammed through his midsection. Monkey Fist tried to speak but his words only came out as a gurgle.
Han stared into his eyes, "I just want you to know," her eyes flashing with unbridled rage, "that even if it takes me the rest of my life, my kingdom and everything this world has to give, my people will hunt down the remaining army of yours and will personally be the ones to kill DNAmy and see to it that she joins you in hell," she saw Monkey Fist's eyes focus on her with malice, "I will make it so you never existed," she continued even as Monkey Fist's life poured out in spurts, "I will purge your name from history until no one ever remembers the name Monkey Fist and instead remembers Montgomery Fiske, a sad and pathetic human who died as a coward," she smiled a smile that froze Monkey Fist to his bones, "You will die as the thing you hate most, a man."
Monkey Fist felt fear seize him as he looked into Han's eyes and saw she wasn't bluffing. As Monkey Fist's eyes darkened, Han finally stood up and withdrew her sword from his stomach before kicking him onto his back.
The last thing Monkey Fist's saw before he died was the dirt covered face of Hana Yamanouchi staring at him with malice and hatred covering her features. Slowly her face morphed into a more neutral look before a smile appeared on her face.
Ron was the first to snap out of his stupor and rushed to Monkey Fist's side as his eyes glazed over. Looking up he whirled on Han, "Why?"
She shook her head, "I shouldn't even be explaining it to you Ron," her meek attitude was gone, replaced instead with the firm voice of an Empress, "this creature was responsible for the murder of both my parents and countless others. If you wouldn't kill him, I would."
Ron opened his mouth to argue but Han cut him off, "With my Father and Mother dead the throne of Yamanouchi falls to me, I am now the Empress and if you feel the urge to argue with me know that there will be repercussions for your actions."
Kim stared at the scene before her even as the morning light blinded her. Ron towered over the fifteen year old girl but Kim wasn't sure who was more intimidating, her husband who looked like he had just been put through hell and back or the fifteen year old girl standing before him with her mother's razor sharp katana strapped to her back and a cold fire that simmered inside of her.
"Look," Kim interrupted as her head began to throb, "we can't change the fact that Han just killed Monkey Fist," she blinked rapidly as the light brightened, "but we can start repairing the damages brought about by this night."
She rubbed at her eyes to clear the headache that sprang up when it hit her, "Oh no," she muttered as the pain in her skull blossomed and she collapsed to the ground as she let loose a scream of pain.
Ron was instantly at her side shouting for a doctor but she waved the doctors away, "It's no use," she gasped as the pain spread to her entire body and her nose began to bleed, "I'm..." she didn't quite know what was happening so she just kissed Ron.
She pulled back from Ron's kiss and screamed in pain. Suddenly remembering Tam's words, she dug the little black remote from her pocket and held it in the palm of her hand. Instantly the pain lessened to the point where she could still look around and remain semi normal.
Looking around at the various people standing over her she looked at Senior Senior Sr. and nodded, "thank you for being here."
The old man smiled as Kim turned away and saw Hana standing away, "If you are anything like your Mother, you'll be a great Empress," she groaned as the pain sprang back into her skull, "just remember to cut Ron some slack. He can get so proud sometimes."
Han smiled as Kim stared at Ron and kissed him a final time before speaking, "Let loose the bonds and shrug this mortal coil, only then will the path to the creators open," she saw Ron's gaze turn to confusion so she whispered, "Jump."
And then...
August 18th, 1257 A.D.
Before the Kingdom of Middleton
10:08 A.M.
Ron stared at the body of his wife, his Queen as she went limp in his arms. He didn't know what to do so he held her close and fought the urge to cry in front of his troops.
Even as he held her he felt something akin to peace, she was gone but she came back once before. His eyes snapped open, then she would come back again.
He didn't notice it at first but then stopped focusing on Kim and instead focused on one of the strangest sights that he had ever seen.
A pebble was floating in the air.
There wasn't anything special about this particular pebble, it was just your simple, every day, run of the mill pebble. However what made this pebble unique was that it happened to be floating three feet off the ground.
He reached out to touch the pebble with a free hand but stopped as he saw three more pebbles rise up from the ground. His fingers lightly touched one of the pebbles, watching as they drifted lazily through the air, but without warning the pebbles fired into the sky as if fired from a bow.
As Ron gazed at more pebbles that floated above the ground a distant lowing called out to him and in the distance a herd of brachiosaurs wandered across the battlefield.
A loud screeching arose as countless dinosaurs suddenly appeared on the battlefield. Rather than attacking, the reptile's eyes rose to the sky to watch as the most horrible sound resounded through the universe.
Everyone's eyes rose to the sky as they followed the pebbles and upon seeing the heavens, they simply stared in confusion or horror.
Maybe both.
To Ron it looked as if someone had ripped the sky asunder as IT appeared. He wasn't able to describe IT because there wasn't anything to describe. IT was a rip of nothingness in the sky that was spreading, eating up everything over Middleton and beyond. Anything that wasn't secured to the ground was pulled quickly into the growing expanse as tendrils of nothing dropped from the hole in the sky. When the tendrils made contact with the ground, an enormous earthquake that rocked the universe was felt. It was as if the Earth itself was defying the nothingness its prize.
People tried to run but they were sucked into the sky as soon as one foot left the ground. They tumbled up through the sky, kicking and screaming until they collided with the nothingness and evaporated away. Monkey Fist's lifeless body rose into the sky and was soon lost in the nothingness that now covered the entire sky. Ron slowly looked around as soldiers, his soldiers, many of whom had fought and bled for him that night were disintegrated into nothing when one of the tendrils brushed against them. Ron felt a tugging at his arms and before he could react, Kim's body was pulled from him and hauled into the sky.
"KIM!" he screamed as he lost her form to the nothingness.
He felt a tugging at his side and looked into the terrified eyes of Hana Yamanouchi, "King Stoppable," she clutched him tight, "I'm scared," she shouted above the destruction raining down around them.
Ron knelt to the ground pulled her close, "me too," he whispered into her ear.
"SIRE!" Ron looked up as he saw Steve Barkin and Betty Director barreling towards him but before he could get to Ron an enormous tendril passed through Steve and he simply evaporated. Betty stopped herself mid stride and dodged the tendril by vaulting through the air. Landing on the ground, Betty rolled into a fighting stance and swung at the tendril with her sword, but upon contact, the tendril of nothingness traveled up her sword and consumed her body.
Ron didn't know what to do so he took a final look around his kingdom that was being consumed by this vast storm of Nothing but this time he didn't see the colorless, lightless mass that never stopped eating everything he knew and loved. He didn't see his people screaming as they ceased to exist. No he didn't see any of that; instead he saw his nation before all this with a future he would never have.
He saw the golden fields of grain that waved in the calm summer wind. He looked back and saw Kim running towards him, just as beautiful as the day he first met her. From all around him, Ron saw his expansive Kingdom and felt at peace.
He looked down at the two children he and Kim had never had. He smiled as he ruffled their hair, "I love you," he told them and they giggled with glee as Ron swept them up in an enormous bear hug.
He looked to see Kim approaching and turned back to his children who had morphed into Han.
Ron looked up and saw that he and Han were the only two things left, nothingness had swallowed everything else.
Han looked up at Ron, tears covering her face but peace in her eyes, "I see my family too," she whispered as the nothingness drew closer. "Will it hurt?"
Ron hugged her again, "No," he pulled her close so she wouldn't see nothingness consume them.
"It won't hurt a bit," he said as the nothingness closed over the two of them and they were no more.
Plip
July 3rd, 3019
Global Science Headquarters
Go City, Colorado
11:45 A.M.
...it was all gone.
Beep
Kim opened her eyes slowly.
Beep
She groaned as it felt like her body had just been fed through a spaghetti strainer.
Beep
She was only vaguely aware of pressure on her right hand and slowly sat up, instantly regretting each painful inch until she was in a seated position.
Beep
She felt something cold in her hand and slowly opened her hand to find the black remote tucked away in her hand. She stared in shock but was even more shocked when she felt a plastic bag in her pocket.
Beep
She leaned over and shut the heart rate machine off, she wasn't going to need it anymore.
Be-oop
That was better and much quieter. Now to deal with that pressure on her hand.
She looked down in shock at Josh Mankey who was asleep, her hand trapped in his grasp as he did a perpetual kiss.
Not wanting to disturb him, she instead looked around the room, her eyes flickering around the room hesitantly. She was in a hospital room, that much was certain. Next to her was a bed with a man who appeared to be sleeping but Kim wasn't sure.
Quietly removing her hand from Josh's grasp Kim eased her stiff body out of bed and onto the cold tile floor. She awkwardly walked over to the sleeping man and placed a finger on his neck to find his pulse.
Nothing.
She continued to search for his pulse on his wrist and shook her head when she felt none. She looked away from the dead man but turned back as something caught her eye.
Agmiln
The word was stitched on his shirt. She looked at the face, instantly recognizing it and knowing beyond the shadow of a doubt this man was the man from the Kingdom of Middleton.
She pulled out the plastic bag from her pocket and stared at the flag that had mysteriously journeyed with her to this new place.
She took this brief moment to look at her clothes and possibly figure out when she was. She was clad in a military issue gray jumpsuit. Above her heart was stitched her last name and beneath that was the name Global Science. Of course she was barefoot but that could easily be fixed by the shoes by the foot of her bed. Kim quietly walked over to the shoes and slipped them on. All the while trying to make sure she didn't wake Josh from his sleep.
BOOM
Kim readied herself as the doors to this hospital wing slammed open and in strolled Betty Director with a Doctor who according to the name tag she wore was called Scarlet and Will Du. Betty stopped by Kim and nodded towards the dead body of Tam Agmiln, "He died just before you showed up," she explained.
Josh had quietly risen to his feet, not even attempting to hide the shock that covered his features, "You came back," he murmured quietly, "You actually came back Kim."
Kim looked from him to Betty in confusion, "What's going on?"
Betty smiled and rubbed at her eyes and Kim jumped visibly, "Betty," she gasped, "you've got both eyes."
Dr. Elizabeth Director laughed, "All the universes are crashing down around you and all you care about is that this version of me has two eyes?"
Kim held up her hands defensively, "Wait, back this train up. What do you mean this version of you?"
Betty slapped a hand against her forehead, "Of course, you don't know," she moved out of the way as the doctor started wheeling Tam's dead body out of the room, "I apologize, it's just that..." Betty looked nervous, "it's just that you being here changes everything."
"What?" Kim asked as Betty took her by the hand and led her out of the room.
"I know you have lots of questions so let's go answer them," Betty said happily.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, Disney owns the rest.
Author's Notes:I think writing gives the author a chance to reflect on their faults while writing. While they may be good in one area, you find yourself lacking in others. All of which is to say that I don't know how to write really good motivational or heroic speeches.
Anywho...The Corinthian was actually a reference to Ricardo Montalban who sold leather furniture by calling it Corinthian leather. There's your random fact for the day, and you say I never do anything for you.
Thank you to everyone who continues to read and enjoy this story from week to week. It truly makes me glad to have you all here.
Special thanks this week go out to Darev (Whatever, I'll do what I want with physics), Magic Flying Spud (In my defense it really was the best line to describe Monkey Fist), CajunBear73 (You're right. What of Shego?), Taechunsa (I never said Kim's meeting with Tam would be a long one), Sentinel103 (It was a toss up but Hana won the honor), Katsumara (Always darkest before the dawn).
If you have a question, feel free to drop me a line or if you want to sing my praises that'll do as well. Main thing is, drop me a review and I'll get back to you.
TRS