Shop Till The Sumo Dropped
The mall experience basically went just how everyone imagined it would. The girls squealed at the sight before them, the boys held their ears with pained groans and everyone moved so fast, dragging everyone else with them to each and every shop that they almost figured out how to be in three places at once. Of course, since that wasn't actually possible for the normal human and fighting each other was hazardous, after half an hour, the girls dived shoulder deep into a cosmetics department while the boys made a beeline to an arcade. Needless to say, that worked out better for everyone.
Especially since the girls' next stop was a Club Banana.
"I can't believe how different the stock is here from home!" Monique gushed, running her fingers through a red, silk shirt. "I never saw any of this stuff in the store's potentials catalogues."
"Goes to show how even international, American founded companies are affected by different cultures." Kim grinned, her hands full.
"And it shows you just how much you have been holding out on me." Monique added with mock irritation, her hand on her hips as she turned pointedly to her best friend. "You never told me about any of this, girl! I'm hurt."
"I don't usually go shopping during my globetrotting." Kim shrugged, marvelling a pair of formfitting, silver pants. "Half the time we're in the middle of nowhere, remember? Or trying to stop an assassination? And then I usually had to get home before the next cheer squad practice or a trig exam with flights that could take half a day. Where was the time to shop? So, what do think of these?"
"With the right top, they'll look wonderful girl!" Monique grinned back, dropping the act as she scanned a rack and pulled out an emerald green sleeveless shirt. "Like this! It suits the pants and brings out your eyes. What do you think?"
"I think if it's comfortable, I'm buying them." Was Kim's response, both girls giggling as they headed for the change rooms.
….
"Score! Wrestling Federation Deluxe! Monique's gonna flip when she sees this!" Felix could only laugh as Ron jumped around like a monkey, the video game held in his raised hand.
"Doesn't she hate video games?"
"Not ones that have her beloved Pain King as a playable character." Ron replied, shoving it proudly right into Felix's face. Sure enough, both of his friends' favourite wrestlers, Pain King and Steel Toe, were right there on the cover. "She loves these ones, so much that she actually manages to cream me as often as I beat her."
"Wow, imagine if she played games as much as you did. She'd be the greatest gamer in the world." Felix grinned, taking the game and placing it on the pile on his lap. "By the way, you are shopping within your budget, right? I'm trying not to go broke." He added, pointing to the pile. Most of it was Ron's and it was getting big.
"Don't worry, I won't touch a cent from your wallet." Ron waved it off, dashing right out of the game section and heading toward the MP3s and headsets. "I've got a set amount of cash in my wallet that I am binding myself to. I won't even touch my cards. I gotta keep some money for Bueno Nacho's and a roof over my head."
"Wow. Ron Stoppable thinking ahead. Good thing I'm already sitting down."
"Oh, ha, ha! Extra ha!" Ron rolled his eyes as Felix snickered. "I get it, Ron's an idiot, never thinks past ten minutes."
"Unless he's predicting the next ridiculous, overdramatized disaster." Felix added helpfully with a bright smile.
"I can't believe you! You're supposed to be my best friend and my go-to partner after summer. How can you speak so poorly of me?"
"Because, after Kim, I know you better than anyone and best friends have a right to point out your flaws mercilessly?" Felix offered mischievously. "I mean, we do have to put up with your flaws more than anyone else, might as well get some fun out them. And yours are so amusing, before they cause anyone watching you to come down with severe vertigo and migraines anyway, you overdramatic goofball."
"I thought you were supposed to embrace my flaws and push me up, not smack me down." Ron retorted, staring down at him accusingly.
"Of course! I do that too. I just take the right road for the right situation." Ron gave up, there was no way he was going to win this. Felix' wit and quick responses were unmatched on their team, a feat in itself considering that Kim and Monique were always quick with a smart comment too. It was probably best to quit before someone important found him floundering.
Sighing in defeat, he took one more look around the shelves before deciding that he'd grabbed enough for now. "Whatever, let's go and pay for this stuff and head to the food court. We never did grab that lunch."
"Now you're talking my language." Beaming proudly, Felix was all too happy to follow.
…
"So where to next? There's so many shops, I can't decide!" Monique was having a ball. Her credit card was almost smoking at that point and she had to dump half her bags on Felix's lap already when they passed the boys on the way to the food court, but she just couldn't get enough! "We could hit that shoe store, those displays look amazing, or that store over there selling the traditional attire. I would love to see what we look like in those kimonos. Of course, I doubt we could actually buy one, I've spent a bit already and they look like they'd cost at least as much as our prom dresses. Or...
"Or maybe get you a case for that fancy communicator before your laser vision burns a whole through it." She drawled, raising an eyebrow as she turned to her best friend. Who had clearly not heard a word she'd said.
"What? Oh, sorry." Kim sighed, looking up sheepishly, her hand only tightening around her Vcom. "It's just...I thought Gohan would have called by now."
"The Saiyan boy?" Monique asked, giving up on the next store and guiding Kim onto the nearest bench.
"Yeah. He never made it back before Jake said goodbye. I was hoping he'd call me by now."
"Any reason why you're hung up on that in the middle of our international shopping spree?" Monique exclaimed, waving her hands around the area. "We are surrounded by killer stores right now! We're going to go into debt before we leave and it will be totally worth it! And it's not like your short on time, so what does it matter if he hasn't picked up a video phone yet?"
"I know, you're absolutely right. It's just that...well, it's partly because I haven't spoken to him in so long, that I forgot about him, you know?" Kim sighed again, dropping her head into her hands and rubbing her temples. "I feel bad about that. He was a good friend. Warm, bright, gentle. I really do want the confirmation that he's not angry at me, as stupid as it is for me to worry. I really want to see that big smile he always used to give us. I really want to see all of them, but I can't talk to most of the others yet and I don't know the duck boy at all, so I was hoping he'd reconnect with me by now."
"I'm sure he's just busy. He may not have even talked to the dragon kid yet." Monique replied, wrapping a reassuring arm around her friend. Admittedly, she was struggling to understand Kim's exact situation. Sure, a couple flickers of forgotten thoughts and memories had been nagging her since Wade told her about the meeting's revelations the night before, more so the more the forgotten past was brought up, but mostly, all she knew was what she'd read in Bulma's archives with the others. According to Bulma, whatever magic caused the global scale amnesia could only be overcome if you were heavily connected and involved in the forgotten events and clearly Monique was not. However, she doubted it'd be much different than remembering an old preschool bff. "Don't jump to conclusions Kim. I'm sure he'll be ecstatic when he finds out he can call you. Just like the dragon boy."
"Jake." Kim corrected, smiling a little as she shot Monique a thankful look. "You're right. I know you are. It's just hard to shake the feeling, you know?"
"Don't worry Kim, I'm sure everyone's dealt with the guilt of forgetting people at one point or another. But you have the excuse of mystic mumbo jumbo, girl! Embrace the handout." She smirked, playfully elbowing the redhead, getting a snort and slap on the arm in response. "Now tell me the other reason. I want to go back to building that debt I mentioned."
"That's...where it gets more complicated." Kim replied, biting her lip as Monique groaned, a soft 'of course it is' passing her lips. Though she still got a 'go on' look and tilt of her head in response. "You see, I've gained so many memories since yesterday. A number of people, friends and foes, conversations and events, knowledge of people, creatures and societies that I never could have imagined existed. But there are still blank spaces. And feelings that I can't explain. Talking to Jake helped me sought out everything I remembered, but it also made me notice big gaps. Ones that Jake couldn't answer. Ones I can prove exist just by opening my Vcom and looking down the list of team members."
"You still don't remember a Guardian?" Monique frowned. She could see why that was troubling her just fine. The Valour Guardians were the heart to the old, now forgotten, world order. They knew each other pretty well, cared for and trusted each other with their lives. If she could still have no recollection of someone she was supposedly that close to, had so much association with her history, then who else was she still forgetting? And even if it was only one friend she'd forgotten, knowing that she still couldn't remember them now that she should had to sting. How many other friends had she lost?
"Justiman." Kim answered, biting her lip harder as she frowned down at her lap. "Ryo Akiyama. I checked his file. I know he only joined near the end of our time as Guardians, but still! It doesn't help that I can't find any records of why he joined us. There's nothing to jog the memories."
"Sure there is." Monique cried, grinning as she turned Kim's face back to hers. This one was an easy solution. "If it's Ryo you're worried about, then talk to Henry. They're from the same team, the Matrix Tamers I think. You should have asked him before we left, you silly girl."
"That's another issue." Kim replied, worrying Monique again as her eyes grew more and more unnerved. "I can't remember when I met Henry at all. I can't remember anything about him, but the moment I first saw him, my brain shifted right into red alert! I don't know what happened or why, but I can tell you right now that we've met before and he was my enemy."
"Say what now?" Well, that was the last thing she expected to hear.
"I can't even explain it, all I've got is the foreboding feeling!" Kim cried, throwing herself back exasperatedly. "I don't have a single memory of him. All I know is that the sense of danger I got around him was at the same level as it was when I was facing Warmonga! Whatever happened, we were on opposite sides of what I am sure were serious punches."
"Well then, that's all the more reason to talk to him." Monique stated firmly, placing her hand on Kim's shoulder and holding her steady as she looked her right in the eyes. "If Gohan hasn't called before we get back, push through the fear and find out what happened. Trust me, it'll work out. I talked to him last night and he is perfect boyfriend material! He's polite, respectful and perfectly friendly. Whatever happened, I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding. He and his team wouldn't be part of your little, secret society if he wasn't proven good after all. If you don't trust him, trust your other team's judgement." She added with a smile. "And if anyone can tell you about Ryo, it's Henry."
"Ok. You're right." Kim conceded, letting out a deep breath, much to Monique's relief. "I'll find him tonight. It's probably better to clear the air quickly anyway."
"Especially since we're leaving Wade in his company. It'll be good for your peace of mind." Monique nodded happily. "And don't go too crazy over missing memories. You only got all your forgotten ones back yesterday. Give yourself some time, girl. No one will blame you for it."
Only smiling brighter as Kim accepted her advice with a nod, Monique took a moment to give the girl a hug before it turned into a smirk, her eyes zeroing in on a jewellery store behind them. Pulling her best friend to her feet, she dived right in, dragging Kim right along. "Now come on, the perfect accessory to that new dress of yours is in this store and we are going to find it."
"I just hope it's in my price range." Kim just laughed, looking considerably more at ease than a moment ago and more than happy to be dragged to the display marked with the bargain signs.
However, they didn't even get halfway there before an ear piercing scream echoed throughout the area, quickly followed by the crash of shattering glass, from the very store they were heading for. More screams quickly followed as panic flooded the crowd, everyone scrambling to get away from the area as more smashes followed the first, leaving Kim and Monique struggling to stay standing amongst the crowd, before one more, significantly louder, smash bombarded their ears as a giant, black mass crashed his way right through a store window.
"HAHA! I am strong as a mountain! I AM NINJA!"
"OK, I don't know where to start with what's wrong with this picture." Monique muttered, slack jawed as she stared at the guy before her. Besides the clothes, there was nothing that said ninja about this guy. He was huge, fat and loud. The bag with overflowing jewellery he was carrying made him look more like a stereotypical burglar than a ninja, all of which stood out even more in the brightly lit area. Also, he was performing a heist in crowded store in broad daylight and declaring himself to the public as loudly as he possibly could!
"I'll say. The Sumo ninja's robbing a jewellery store? That's not his usual MO. Times must be tough." Kim mused, looking just as stunned as Monique felt. "How the hell did no one notice someone that big and conspicuous running around?"
"No clue. And the useless mall cops still haven't caught on!" Monique replied, frowning as the overweight ninja continued on his way, knocking away anyone in his way as he ran. "So I guess this is our job." She added, taking off after him.
"Our job." Only to freeze as Kim's voice met her ear. Whipping back around, her jaw dropped again at the look on her best friend's face. Kim's eyes were wide and unnerved, looking in all directions while the rest of her body was still as stone, her skin turning pale. "But..where..."
Monique couldn't believe what she was seeing. What was going on, Kim was never like this. Yeah, she'd been a little off during missions occasionally lately, growing nervous and a little unsure when Ron wasn't around, but it had never been anywhere this bad before. The girl was completely petrified!
"Kim? Girl, come on, snap out of it!" She cried, grabbing Kim by the shoulders and giving her a little shake. "He's getting away."
"Yeah...I know. But I don't know...I need to..."
'This girl has completely shut down.' Monique thought, grimacing at the sudden mess before her. However, she didn't have time to deal with that. The screams and smashes were only continuing and getting further away. If she was going to help, she had to do it now, with or without Kim.
"Girl, we need to have another talk when this is over." Monique sighed, giving up on the redhead and turning her attention back to the ninja wrecking ball. Digging into her pocket, she silently thanked Bulma for her first gift as she pulled out a capsule. It was much easier carrying her gear around in that little thing.
Clicking the button, she tossed it into the air and grinned as it burst open with a puff of smoke, revealing a belt with multiple coiled ropes hanging from it and what looked like two metal, rectangular boxes, both bearing straps to hold them to her forearms and handles, complete with three buttons easily accessible from her thumbs. Snagging them out of the air as she ran, Monique snapped the belt around her waist and set both launchers in place before aiming both at her target and hitting the biggest buttons.
Immediately, they both fired metal balls connected to a rope each on either side and passed the sumo ninja. The dark clad thief simply went to laugh at the attempt as he watched it fly by harmlessly, however, before he could let out more than a snort, a smirking Monique wrapped her hands around the ends protruding from her launchers and rapidly swung and twisted them around. Within seconds, it was the sumo ninjas turn to gape as the ropes not only spun around him, but effectively tied themselves up around his legs, complete with a bow, and had his own momentum sending him crashing to the ground. "WHA? How can this be?"
"Impressive, no?" Monique called proudly, quickly closing the gap between them. "Kim taught us to play to our strengths and mine are fashion based. Who would have thought accessorising could teach you restraint technique's? You like?"
"Hai, tis an impressive trick. But you are still foolish!" Before she could even blink, a knife had slipped into the ninja's hand and slashed through the ropes with surprising ease before throwing the blade right at Monique not a second later, leaving the unprepared girl only able to watch in horror as the spinning blade came for her. "One trick ponies always first to fall."
"Nah, that's the idiot going solo." Monique fell right to her knees as a humming heralded a metal arm from above slapping the blade well away. Raising her head, she let out a thankful, watery smile as she found Felix' chair lowering itself between her and the ninja.
"Fortunately...we cover each others' backs. Try that again." Felix's laidback nature was nowhere in sight, something that unnerved Monique a little to be honest. He usually delved no further than concerned or to the point, even when situations started going south. However, no one had ever made an honest attempt at murder in front of them before either. Apparently, that was the trigger, for it was a very fierce persona that was facing the ninja now, daring the villain to give him a reason to throttle him. "You alright, Monique?"
"Yeah. Thanks for the save." Monique breathed, pulling herself to her feet and forcing herself to calm down. Never taking her eyes off their opponent, she hit another button on her wrist launchers, retracting the ropes and quickly attaching new metal balls to the end, readying herself for the next round. 'This guy's a genuine killer. No more taking him lightly.'
"A cripple is your saviour? You insult me." Sumo Ninja cried, ignoring Monique entirely as he glared right back at Felix. Then, before they even realised that he'd moved, he was barrelling through the now falling and screaming spectators recording the fight on their phones and charging right at and up wall. "I am strong as a mountain! I am-"
"You already said that!" Felix snapped, shooting his way as his robotic arms sprang forth, aiming for his ankles. Unfortunately, the Sumo Ninja had no issue avoiding the hands. Rather than get snagged, he simply jumped onto and ran straight up the metal arms, already reaching out for the boy.
Only for Felix to send the chair into a sharp spin, ending upside down as he had the robotic arms flail, sending the stunned Ninja plummeting back toward the ground. Felix growled as his target pulled his decent into an aerial flip and landed on his feet in the end, but that didn't stop him from smirking as a blonde mop of hair broke through the crowd.
"Didn't I clobber you bad enough the last time we met?" Ron called, leaping in with a flying kick. Sadly, it never landed, for the moment Ron's voice met his ears, the oversized assassin had the ground rumbling as he flopped down onto it, leaving Ron soaring right over him. And right at the panicked stampede trying to flee.
"OH CRAP!" His eyes going wide and screaming his lungs out, Ron broke his kicking form and flailed, only causing the crowd to scream more as he fell their way. It was only at the last minute that he remembered what he was capable of, closed his eyes and focused on his powers. The blue glow encased him just seconds before he crashed into a child, leaving him sighing in relief as his ability to levitate kicked in and pulled him to an immediate halt. However, that second was all he got, for before the breath even finished leaving his mouth, the masses behind him crashed into him, eliciting a new bout of screams as he was sent rolling in the air away from the fight. "AHHH, HEY WAIT! KP HELP, I'VE BEEN ABDUCTED BY THE MOB!"
"You've got to be kidding me." Monique muttered dryly, far from impressed.
"Oh, come on, Ron!" Felix cried, circling the area. Redeploying his robotic arms, he tried to pluck the flailing blonde from the masses. However, the crowd's panic had them moving far too erratically, tossing and jerking the young hero so wildly that his next movement was impossible to predict and leaving him quickly turning green. "Will you stay still?"
"You think I don't wanna?" Ron cried, raising an arm to his friend only to whip it back to his mouth a second later, a loud gulp echoing over the screaming. "I think I'm gonna be sick."
"Felix, LOOK OUT!" It only got worse from there, something the brunette was quick to discover as he snapped his head around and paled in terror as he found the Sumo Ninja airborne and coming right at him.
"Oh crap!"
"And then there was one!" The look in the masked man's eyes was one of glee and malice as he raised a dagger and thrust it right at Felix' chair. Or more accurately, right for its engine. If he succeeded in doing any damage, especially from this height...
Thankfully, before the blade could land, a flash of red shot up from behind the behemoth. Felix barely even recognised it as Kim's hair before the girl had snagged the ninja's arm and flung it away before using the momentum flip up again and into Felix's lap, smacking the joystick and sending his chair shooting up, safely out of the ninja's reach.
"Kim! What will Ron think when he sees this?" Felix teased, though the smile on his face far too thankful to match the joke.
"Oh man, there goes my pants again!"
"I think he'll have bigger priorities." Kim deadpanned, jerking her thumb toward the aforementioned article of clothing riding a separate human wave before turning her attention back to the Sumo ninja landing with a flip.
"So, it's safe to say that he's not going to be of any help today." Felix sighed before taking the controls back and bringing them back down low. 'So how about you, are you...better now?" He asked, more hesitantly than Kim had ever heard him before. Honestly, that was jarring, but Kim couldn't let that affected her. Not again.
'Yeah. I got this." Only waiting to give him the most confident smirk she could muster, Kim leaped back to the ground charged straight in with reckless abandon. It was only years of experience that allowed Sumo Ninja's reflexes to block and deflect the series of rapid chops, slaps and fists suddenly coming his way.
"So now you wish to play! Ha, you were a more appealing statue than adversary." Sumo ninja laughed as he leapt back, kicking at Kim with both feet as he turned it into a back flip. Swinging her upper body back, Kim easily dodged before using the momentum to launch a kick of her own, easily catching her overweight opponent in the gut as he righted himself and leaving him gasping painfully for air as he stumbled back, barely avoiding the following left hook. Growling under his breath as Kim followed after him, his hand whipped up his dagger again, fully intending to aim for her heart, however, before he could even thrust it, it was suddenly ripped upward and right out of his hand, his bag of loot following it not even a second later.
"For me? You're too kind." Felix smirked as the ninja looked up, laughing as he flew overhead and away with every piece of metal the ninja had suddenly sticking to the bottom of his chair.
It wasn't the only surprise either, for even as his reflexes flared and allowed him to avoid Kim's series of kicks, he failed to notice another pair of ropes coming from behind him and each wrapping around an arm before pulling them back. He'd made the mistake or not only forgetting his first opponent, but turning his back to her while fighting Kim! Eyes wide in horror, he could only catch a glimpse of a smirking Monique before turning back to find Kim's fist landing right into his face, followed immediately by an even stronger punch slamming into his solar plexus.
"A..urghhhhh..." Stepping back, Kim barely had two seconds to get out of the way before Sumo Ninja crashed face first into the ground and failed to rise again. He was out cold.
"And that's a wrap. Or it will be when Monique's done with him." Felix cheered, taking just enough time to turn off his chair's electro magnet and safely drop the loot within the jewellery store before doing a victory lap above the masses. "You can all settle down now everyone. Kim Possible claims another victory! All hail our favourite heroine! Hurray, hurray, we're all safe! Now could you be so kind as to put Ron down and give him back his pants?"
"Oh look, now the rent-a-cops show up." Monique drawled, sending them a very chastising glare as she used her broken ropes to tie the Sumo ninja's arms behind his back. "Just when the crook's tied up and the crowd's back to pulling out their phones. How convenient."
Kim however, wasn't paying attention, opting to glare down at the defeated ninja instead, mentally chastising herself. She couldn't believe just how badly she'd choked! This guy was no big, figuratively at least. They'd beaten him twice before, easily, and yet she'd shut down at the mere thought of fighting him. She'd never felt so locked in place before, so consumed in fear, and she'd never once let her fear stop her from fighting. Yes, her fear had been making itself more known a lot more lately. It made her reach out and expand her team. It left her jittery if Ron was gone from her side too long on a mission. But it had never caused more than a little hesitation before. The literal only time fear had paralysed her was when the giant cockroaches were running rampart!
Yet she had stood there, watching as her friends dived into a deadly situation while she struggled just to overcome hyperventilation! Instead of helping them when they struggled, she only grew stiffer. They could have died and all she'd done was watch.
It was only when Ron's voice broke through the fog in her mind, when he dived into her sight, when she became aware of his presence, that she managed to snap out of it and that left her relieved, confused and incredibly angry with herself. While she did always rely on it, she'd never needed to depend on Ron's reassuring presence to fight before. Why did she need it so badly now? Seeing the guy stealing and attacking people, seeing her friends in danger, it all should have set her into action, yet every twist before her powerhouse boyfriend appeared only further shut her down.
"Kim Possible! May we get a word?"
"Why did you stand back for most of the fight?"
"Who are your friends here? Are you training them?"
"Did you hold off as some kind of lesson?"
"Can we get an interview for our blog? We're your biggest fans, Kim Possible!"
"Wow, a lot people speak English here." Felix mused, backing away from the crowd as more than one locked on to him.
More and more people started calling out to her, training their camera phones on her and the villain at her feet. The mall cops were trying to get her attention too, though Monique had quickly taken over dealing with them in order to give them a piece of her mind. Kim just ignored it all, only taking enough note to sink into Ron's arms as her worried boyfriend hugged her from behind. She didn't care about whatever image she was giving right now, didn't care about debriefing authority figures. She only cared about what happened to her and why. She had to figure out why this fear took over and how to get it under control. If she didn't...well, she didn't want to think about what could happen next time.
...
If one were to describe the feeling in the air, only one word would have come to any mind present: suspicious. Grunts, muttering and short screeches of chairs shifting on the metal floor echoed throughout the rock-walled room, the indiscernible noises a far cry from the near perfect silence that had hung over the place not an hour before.
To be honest, Spectra wasn't sure which atmosphere she preferred. It was true that she needed people to feed off, so being alone for so long had made her twitchy, but these people were loud and arrogant, all of them thinking far too highly of themselves and sneering at her. Or at Drakken, whatever. Either way, the looks of contempt and blatantly disrespectful comments being sent her way or spoken loudly enough for all to hear were grating on her last nerve. She couldn't even feed on them and put them in their place because that would risk exposure. These fools were too loose lipped and whiney and even if they weren't, they were needed at their best for the plan to work.
To add to the problem, the most scathing critics also happened to be the ones she'd already determined to be the most likely to bail on them. According to her background checks, Dr Dementor had always thought little of Drakken and the two had an aggressive relationship, even back when Drakken was in the prime of his, albeit unsuccessful, villainous career. Meanwhile, the dark organisation leader, Gemini, basically deemed himself a God among men, sneering down his nose at everyone around him as if they were no more than stains on his boots. Not even the Scottish golfer was heard over them when they spoke, demanding attention and throwing insults. They alone were more than enough to leave Spectra struggling to prevent her red eyes from glowing, to say nothing of her urge to fly over and choke the life out of them.
In fact, she probably would have done exactly that if it weren't for the final guest literally flying into the room on the back of an oversized condor at that very moment. Happy that she could finally get this over with and keen to stop this latest loudmouth from monologuing about his greatness like the last ten villains to enter her personal hell, Spectra took her place before the large, metal table and slammed one of Drakken's tiny fists onto it, infusing it with her own strength so the resulting bang was heard over and drew the attention of the crowd.
"Welcome everyone. Now that the last of us have arrived, let's get down to business, shall we?"
"Yes, let's." Dementor exclaimed, leaning back with a bored look on his face. He didn't even bother looking at her, deeming his finger nails much more interesting. "How about we start with why we should work with you? Last I checked, you were an absolute failure, and that was before you gave up the life of evil for the title of world saving, Daisy Boy."
"No wonder, look at these machines!" A woman with hair seemingly made thick power cables shouted, sweeping her arm around the lair. Electonique, a powerful, technological prodigy with electrical powers and a very short fuse, Spectra reminded herself. "They are ridiculous at best! The ideas of a child and the sloppy workmanship of a baboon."
"I'd say you just defined our host with perfection." Gemini commented. "Coming here was a waste of time. What could this simpleton possibly offer any of us, much less me?"
"A plan to put an end to all of those who have ever defeated us before they become unstoppable!" Spectra snapped, smacking the table again. She took only two seconds to enjoy the stunned looks the rattling metal caused her audience before moving on. "Do not act so high and mighty! You have been bested time and again by the same few groups of people. Team Go! Global Justice! And, the one with ties to both, Kim Possible! Remember, your track records with each of them are no better than mine."
Needless to say, none of them were too thrilled with that little reminder. Duff Killiganled a few lesser growls and grumbled complaints, but most ended at that. Even Dementor merely stewed and glared in his seat, his only attempt to complain being drowned out by Electroneque's furious scream. Gemini, on the other hand, looked absolutely thunderous, throwing himself from his seat and readying a tirade, but Spectra paid it no mind, cutting him and all of their further complaints off.
"It's only going to get worse from here on out! Even as we speak, Kim Possible is making a number of new allies, including a member of the Fenton family and the team from Japan called the Z Fighters. Now, I'm sure some of you have heard of them."
"No, I have not!" A redhead in tights and math equations exclaimed, a few of the others nodding along with him. "The Fenton family I get, but what's important about some Z Fighters? If they were all that impressive, then I can assure you that-"
"SHUT UP YOU FOOL!" The whole room went silent as Gemini shouted, turning everyone's attention his way. What they saw left all of them near horrified, much to Spectra's pleasure. Gone was the looks of contempt and superiority. A fierce glare still emblazoned his face, but his skin had gone pale and the fear in his eyes was evident to all who looked upon him. The difference was so sudden that even the most aloof and oblivious villains felt the deep sense of unease crawl up their spines.
He wasn't the only one having such a reaction either. Dementor looked about ready to faint, while Electroneque's whole body looked like it was short circuiting, sparks flying everywhere. Even the recently de-stoned Monkey Fist shivered at the mere thought.
"There is no force physically more powerful than the Z Fighters." Gemini went on, stomping his way right into the redhead's face. "Super strength, super speed, flight and energy manipulation make up only the general powers found amongst them. They are a group of beings that's status is lesser known solely because idiots like you refuse to believe such forces exist and blame the damage resulting in their battles on natural disasters. When they come, you run, that's all there is too it."
"Precisely." Spectra agreed, taking back the spotlight as the pure horror of this new possibility entailed dawned on each of her new associates. "Now imagine what could happen if Kim Possible successfully connects them to her network. Collaborations between the resources of Global Justice and those of the Z Fighters, who already have connections with Capsule Corp. Access to high demand ectoplasmic technology, which can have many uses and tricks beyond those of current spy tech. More brilliant minds interacting and determining both your plans and discovering their flaws. The doors opened to them through mixing technologies and powers! We would never be able to compete.
"That is why I have called you all here. It doesn't matter how you feel about me or my recent time off. What matters is that I am here now, warning you and suggesting a plan of response before it is too late to stop them. A plan that would require all of us and everything we've got. Yes, we will have to work together! Rest assured that my stomach is just as queasy just at the simple thought as yours. But, if we do not, we will miss our chance and then none of us would ever have any chance at conquering the world, or whatever else your goals may be, again! The choice is yours, but I suggest you think this over carefully."
Deeming her point made, Spectra simply stared down each and every one of the assembled villains and took a seat, letting her declaration sink in and gauging their responses. Duff and Monkey Fist were the easiest to read, of course. Both had well defined history with Drakken and were already looking set on the plan. Dementor looked physically pained at the thought of a team up and terrified of the possible future at the same time, but she was sure he would join the fold. Good, his tech was critical to the plan
Most of Team Go's gathered enemies seemed unsure where to stand. That was expected too, if not a little annoying. Simply put, despite their claims or surprising talents, most weren't very bright. Electronique was the only exception and the disguised ghost was pretty sure she would agree.
A few others, the young, self absorbed villains, completely failed to grasp the big picture, but Spectra was sure she could persuade them to help. Even if she couldn't it wouldn't matter too much. Though Camille's power could be useful, they were only really invited for the extra tricks and numbers, not for actual necessity. Either way, the plan would work.
Gemini looked like he'd just sucked on a lemon. Clearly the idea of working equally with people he declared so far beneath him still made him sick to his stomach, but the severity of the situation was registering to him. He'd stick around at least long enough to hear her out and that's all she needed. Once he heard the plan, she was now as confident as Plasmius that he'd do his part. The desperation to avoid this possible future and his own hatred for Global Justice ensured it.
In fact, he was even the first to speak.
"Inform us of your plan, buffoon. If what you say is true, then we have no time to waste."
Hidden behind the scowling blue mask that was Dr Drakken's face, Spectra bore a near demonic smile. She had him. She had everyone she needed. She was sure of it.
...
"Well, this is turning out better than I planned." A huge, gleeful smile covered Vlad's face from ear to ear as he rose to his feet and stretched the kinks out off his back, his eyes never leaving the monitors before him. A couple of them were delivering a feed from Drakken's lair, giving Vlad a perfect view as Spectra expertly manipulated almost all of Kim Possible's enemies, and that was going without a hitch so far, but it was the hacked security cameras from the mall brawl that had given Vlad a few unexpected, but delightful results.
The overall objective seemed to be a complete success. The new Team Possible did find it odd that the assassin for hire was stealing jewels in broad daylight, and admittedly Vlad could have planned a more believable ploy, but they seemed to be righting it off as desperation. Furthermore, even as Wade was being informed of the situation via Kim's communication device, the young prodigy only responded by looking over the Sumo Ninja's records and followed it up with a general sweep of crimes that might fall into their known villains' MOs, he didn't dig deep into anyone else's location. With a little luck, that should suffice for now. He should probably set off another, more believable problem for Kim to resolve soon, but for now, his pawns' actions were still going unnoticed and should stay that way. That was all Vlad had expected to get out of this and as he watched one of his ghost vultures sneak out of the overweight villain as unnoticed as his return to Earth, he would have been perfectly satisfied. However, this fight had started with a very unexpected twist.
Kim had frozen. The girl was terrified and had left almost the entire fight to her new, undertrained teammates. That could make their job so much easier. Ron stoppable had snapped her back to reality, but that could be worked around. He just needed a few more details to determine the why and how. Then he could exploit it and make Kim's defeat all the more assured.
"But still, one step at a time." Vlad declared, taking a deep breath forcing himself to calm down. It would not due to impulsively jump ahead. That's how mistakes occur and unravel his plans. No, he'd continue observing this new development of course, but for now he would focus on and finalise the next phase of his plan.
"After all," He reminded himself as he walked over to his whistling teapot, pouring himself another cup. "Kim possible is really just the figurehead. There are plenty of more important targets before my minions take her down and all of them deserve proper attention."
Like he said, he had no intention of underestimating his enemies this time. And he had gotten a lot better at controlling his impulsive behaviour. Kim's time would come, but this would not speed it up. It was just a useful tidbit that Spectra would absolutely adore when it was time to kill the heroine.
Which wouldn't be long now. Everything was falling into place. The operation would soon begin.
AN: Hey all, hope you enjoyed Felix and Monique's first fight. I wanted to show them off a bit before it hits the fan. Oh, and bar one more small scene, that's the last of the recycled material, in case older readers were interested. Well, that's all for now. Later.