Sea Monkeys
Drakken grumbled under his breath as the lever stuck on the hover car as they soared over the dark waters of the ocean. He was not keen on it going out there of all places. He'd been glad to at least get it drivable as to get supplies for the lair; he had not planned on traveling so much in such a short span since he'd patched it up.
Shego had in fact dragged him to a doctor, and he'd been both relieved and nervous that it wasn't one from the Villain's Inn. Although he still had questions about her ability to make such authentic identification so fast, he'd not inquired simply because of how amused he'd been to learn that she'd sent all her medical bills to Go Tower all these years...and now had added his to the pile she apparently made her brothers pay frequently.
That had only been a minor trip for the hover car, but the current one was a lot more concerning. He felt the lever click and go back into place and he let out a sigh of relief. He glanced at the still-visible seam on the hover car from where he'd put the side panel back on... Shego's powers were good at heating and bending the sheet metal, but not so great at welding it flawlessly. He looked to his right as she filed her nails. He looked away.
I am not pointing that out.
He heard her let out a slight frustrated groan as she tossed down her file.
"You think this piece of junk is going to make it there or should I plan on swimming?" she grumbled. Drakken glared.
"The hover car is not a piece of junk, Shego," he snapped. There was a grinding noise. "But just in case—"
She let out a slight growl.
"I should have just asked Junior to give us a lift... It's his father's yacht," she scoffed.
"That would have been nice," grumbled Drakken under his breath. His brow suddenly lifted. "I am still baffled why we're using their yacht for this. I didn't even think they knew Monkey Fist... Perhaps possibly a brief encounter at Duff Killigan's party at most."
Shego shrugged and examined her nails.
"Heck if I know... Junior said something about his father knowing Fist's father eons ago... Honestly I think the old man is just lonely and wants to be more social in the villain world." Shego let out a light sigh and leaned against the side of the hover car. "Kind of makes sense. Junior has been spending a lot of time with his girlfriend."
"Kind of a weird way to have a social," stated Drakken. "A funeral...memorial... I don't even know what it is!"
He looked at Shego for help. She tossed her hands up and rolled her eyes.
"Don't ask me... You're the one making us go," scoffed Shego. She rolled her eyes, "I mean honestly, how much did you actually talk to Monkey Fist?"
Drakken shoulders fell and he shrugged.
"More than you'd think... A few times a week...several times on Thursdays," he mumbled and then smirked. "If he'd find something interesting on one of his little monkey trips he'd send it to me from time to time...as long as Killigan didn't intervene."
Shego stared at him for a moment. He saw her face fall for a second before she glared suspiciously.
"Wait, is that where all the garbage in the junk room came from?" asked Shego. She snorted, "Here I thought you were secretly shopping online and trying to hide it from me."
Drakken shrugged.
"I mean sometimes..." he mumbled, but furrowed his brow. "It's not a junk room. It's a storage room."
"It's a junk room," she said smugly and then muttered, "you hoarder."
There was a brief wave of silence between them for a moment, and then: "How did he get turned to stone?" asked Shego in annoyance. "I mean, leave it to him to do so... Was probably monkey-related."
"Oh, it goes without saying it was primate-related," Drakken rolled his eyes. "As to how... Not a clue... I feel like I should be sad, but I'm more confused than anything."
"Confused sounds more reasonable," Shego looked at him closer. "Like, for example...have you always had a black lab coat or is that new?"
"Well someone exploded the blow torch and melted my last blue one...and they're not exactly cheap or easy to get..." Drakken looked at his coat. "The belt is new, but this thing's been in the closet for ages... Early villain years."
"Ah, so the hoarding isn't just junk... There are also clothes." Shego smirked and then looked at him again. "You ordered a blue belt? Why, too much black?"
"Again...I don't know what this is... You're not wearing all black either," glared Drakken. "I mean, you could have at least worn something other than your normal suit."
"Nope," stated Shego. "Every-time we go to one of these things...something stupid and unpredictable happens. I am not in the mood to fight, run, or get chased in a dress and heels today."
"What could possibly happen on a yacht," Drakken rolled his eyes. "If it tries to sink, we have the hover car."
"Yeah, sinking is actually the least likely to happen... Knowing our luck I'm leaning towards a sea monster if I'm being honest," smirked Shego. "It's why I put the harpoon in the trunk."
"When did you put the harpoon in the trunk?" asked Drakken in shock.
"The real question is...why do we own a harpoon?" Shego crossed her arms.
Drakken glared and then focused ahead of them as they continued driving over the ocean.
"It was a good deal..." Drakken argued and Shego snorted.
"Hoarder," was her response.
"Well if we get attacked by some sort of sea monster, then it was worth the purchase, wasn't it," snapped Drakken. He snickered to himself, "I mean knowing Fist they'd probably be some sort of sea monkey type monsters."
He laughed at his joke but Shego had a concerned look on her face.
"Why would you even say that," she glared. "I swear if some sort of water monkey mer-creature attacks...I'm letting them take you."
Drakken let out a mock gasp.
"You would let them drag me to the watery depths?"
"I would toss you the anchor," she smirked. Drakken rolled his eyes and saw a yacht up a head.
"Is that it?" asked Drakken.
"It's a dramatically over-sized yacht with a large black banner on it that has what looks like a monkey on it...you tell me?" asked Shego dryly. She watched as Drakken squinted. "How can you not see that?"
"I see it," hissed Drakken, "I was just double checking."
As they approached the double-decker yacht, the back of the ship appeared to be the only flat surface they could land on. They could both see the bow of the ship was where everyone was gathered. Drakken was certain the back part was probably meant for a helicopter to land on versus any normal yacht having one on the top. He rolled his eyes; it was the Seniors and it would make sense they would have a custom yacht instead of a standard. Shego had practically leapt out of the hover car before he finished landing and had headed towards the uncovered outer stairs. He glanced up them to the second level where music and voices could be heard. Drakken slid out and began tying the hover car down.
"What are you doing?" came Shego's voice. Drakken looked at her halfway up the steps. "Are you seriously tying it up?"
"If anyone gets emotional and intoxicated, I am not letting the hover car be their answer to whatever chaos they want to cause," shrugged Drakken. He followed her. "Besides, who knows who's going to be here."
Drakken heard her scoff and walked ahead to see the cabin of the ship and beyond to the bow where everyone was gathered. Shego muttered under her breath about his antics and his tying the hover car up and her doubt about anyone becoming emotional. He walked under the awning of the cabin and nearly into one of its support beams as a monkey ran by and startled him. He looked back towards Shego to see if she had noticed, but was relieved to see she had been scanning the other side of the ship.
Shego looked around the deck of the yacht where a large buffet was set up and all surrounding a statue of Monkey Fist. Her eyes darted over the familiar faces aboard the ship. She wasn't at all surprised to see an emotional DNAmy hovering near the statue where Adrena was attempting to comfort her in some way... Looked like alcohol. Not surprising. Dementor and Camille Leon were chatting with Senior about something she should probably eavesdrop about but chose not to. A man in a nice suit sat in a chair, nearly as emotional as DNAmy, and surrounded by a concerning amount of monkeys. Junior a little ways from the buffet table with his girlfriend Bonnie, who looked extremely bored... as did Junior. The Duff... who was chatting with Drakken next to her.
"You'd think there would be more people," said Duff. Shego's brow shot up.
"I'm surprised there's this many," she muttered to Drakken. He rolled his eyes at her.
"I thought you said you needed to talk to Junior," said Drakken. Shego's eyes lit up and she glared towards Junior whom Bonnie had left alone. "Is there a reason you seem hostile right now?"
"I forgot about that..." she muttered under her breath. "I'll be right back."
"Oh, Shego when you come back—" Drakken began. She waved him off.
"I will grab you something," she sighed.
"Can you get cheese-balls—"
"You will get what I bring you," she muttered under her breath as she stalked over towards Junior.
"Shego!" he grinned as she approached. "You must meet my love—"
"Can it, Junior... I have a bone to pick with you," glared Shego. Junior looked confused but the look fell into a smug smirk.
"Interesting choice of words," he stated. Shego's eyes narrowed, and he continued. "You didn't like the gift?"
"Listen, any other time I would enjoy your sick twisted pranks... But on other people," she hissed. "Drakken nearly opened it because he thought he broke it."
Junior's loud laugh only made Shego feel more homicidal than she had coming over there.
"I would think he would have been flattered." He tried to stifle his laugh into a giggle.
"It wasn't funny. I told you I didn't want that thing," she hissed. Junior shrugged, the smirk still on his face. "It was bad enough Drakken almost saw... My brother actually did see it when he was snooping around my room a few weeks ago."
Junior raised a brow and his smirk fell.
"You didn't green-glow that thing into oblivion?" asked Junior in confusion.
"I wasn't about to set it ablaze in front of Drakken...my luck the thing would have made a very weird scene," scoffed Shego. She watched Junior fight a smirk.
"I sent that to you in December... It's March." She didn't like his smirk's devious return. "Why's it still in your room, my dear friend?"
Shego felt her face go warmer. She honestly hadn't thought of setting it on fire until Junior had mentioned it... The snickering from her friend pulled her back into focus.
"I've been kind of busy," she sputtered. "Not really been in the mindset to set an adult toy on fire or make time to do so."
"Uh huh…busy you say," giggled Junior. Shego picked up a kabob off the table next to her.
"We're all already in black...and the words I say next won't be kind," she growled, her face getting warmer.
There was a pause.
"So you want the sword attachment?" muttered Junior innocently.
Drakken raised a brow as he heard Junior yell and saw Shego's hand glow. He looked back at Duff who held a similar confused look, but it diminished as he continued his conversation. Drakken was only vaguely listening if he was being honest. Duff was talking about Monkey Fist and how he was found, and that the man surrounded by the monkeys was a butler or something. His thoughts were more focused on how Monkey Fist had been turned to stone. It seemed similar to his own goal with the torn-apart laser in his lab. Well, partially torn-apart; he'd made great progress over the weeks since he'd gotten out of his room after the impromptu movie night.
When is Shego returning those movies...
She had returned at one point during the prior week and raided his collection. He'd yet to inquire as to why not just watch them in the living area on Saturday... Though, he had been working through the last two... His mind fell back to the statue near the end of the bow where the monkeys still lingered. His mind raced through the possibilities: if the entire thing was solidified... If it was just hardened DNA... Did the stone-turning force irradiate all of it? There were so many questions... Especially, where it had happened. Perhaps he should have been listening to Duff a little more closely. He zoned back in.
"I guess he messed with the wrong curse this time... His monkeys dug him out," sighed Duff. "At least he went out doing what he loves...attempting world domination with his apish means."
"Primate, Killigan... Primates," corrected DNAmy as she walked over, finally leaving the statue. "Monty wasn't very fond of apes... Boy was that a mistake on my part."
She let out a slight chuckle.
"Still," continued Duff. "If ever I go out...I hope its nine iron up after hitting a shot right at one of my enemies."
"Honestly, there's probably more chance you getting struck by lightning squaring off," corrected DNAmy. Drakken nodded.
"Yeah, well...you have a better chance of one of your monstrosities taking you out," snapped Duff. DNAmy glared.
"My babies are not monstrosities!" she snapped.
Drakken side-stepped away from the two as they argued. His exit was as silent as he could muster until he slipped on a puddle and hit the nearby railing. There was a brief moment of a fuzzy flashback to a pirate ship and cold water as a hand grabbed the back of his coat.
"Whoa, Cuz. Seriously, wait till we hit the beach before taking a dip," came the rough laugh of Ed. Drakken groaned.
He turned around to see the source of the puddles of water as his cousin shook out his hair in a way akin to a dog after a rainstorm.
"Seriously, how's my mane... That jet ski took a dive one too many seriously killer waves in," grumbled Ed. His brow furrowed. "Although, it would be nice if someone had answered their phone. Could have car pooled, seriously."
"What are you doing here?" asked Drakken. He paused. "Never mind, it makes more sense than the Seniors hosting this."
"I wasn't going to come...but the babe wanted to. Half way here, called and said she was stuck in Tibet... Seriously, I wasn't about to turn back," shrugged Ed. "Besides, you know these ritzy types...always the best chow and drink."
Drakken waved away Ed's hand that was still clutching his collar. He rolled his eyes at the statement and half wanted to snap back at his cousin for essentially freeloading at a memorial... But a plate of cheese-balls and small sandwiches was held in front of him. Shego had returned.
"Uhg, the wet dog is here," snorted Shego as she looked at Ed. Her eyes fell back to Drakken. "Here, I got you your stupid cheese-balls."
Drakken grinned and snatched the plate, not really focusing on Shego. Ed clearly did.
"Hey Green...why do you look all flustered?" asked Ed. Drakken looked at Shego. Her cheeks looked flushed and she seemed slightly shifty.
"I am not," scoffed Shego. Drakken watched her flip her hair. "I'm just...emotional."
"Nah, seriously. You look like you just got caught doing the deed in someone else's lair," nodded Ed. Drakken yanked the plate away as he reached for a sandwich. "Seriously, she got you twelve."
"Oddly specific comparison," Drakken raised a brow and kept his plate out of reach. Ed shrugged.
"Sweets shouldn't leave her lair unlocked," shrugged Ed. He looked over to the buffet table. "Are those meatballs? Seriously, time to snack up."
Ed darted off towards the table as Drakken ate one of his sandwiches. Shego's hand moved towards the plate and he moved it away on instinct.
"Ohm, I got the plate," she snapped. Drakken looked at the plate held away from her and quickly returned it. She rolled her eyes and grabbed a sandwich, turning her head to look at Monkey Fist's statue. Drakken looked at her closer; she was still flushed in color. Her eyes darted to where Junior was being tended to by Bonnie, and was holding his eye.
"Why are you flustered?" asked Drakken. Shego glared at him. "I also saw you and Junior fighting."
"I am not," she hissed. Drakken looked at her closer and he felt slightly nervous. "And we were not."
"You're flushed and you look slightly sweaty... Are you not feeling well...? It's been weeks but there might be—" Drakken was cut off as Shego groaned.
"Since when are Lipskys suddenly observant," she snapped. Drakken rolled his eyes and glared at her outburst.
"Ever think maybe we notice, but don't say anything?" he retorted as he ate a cheese-ball. She looked at him as if sizing up his words. "I mean, I know you ate all the frozen yogurt last week because it was your menstrual cycle... I didn't say anything about that or the fact you seemed— HEY!"
Shego tossed his plate over the railing and crossed her arms as she spun away from him.
"Didn't observe that coming did you," she scoffed. Drakken scowled and walked past her.
"I'll just go get my own," he huffed.
Shego rolled her eyes and leaned back against the railing and shook her head as she watched him walk over to the table. Her eyes scanned the deck and passed over the unnerving statue. She shuddered to think that was once a living person...that they personally knew. Seeing that made her wonder just how many ancient statues in the world were once living people. While she knew Drakken was trying to make a device to do that very thing...it was a concerning reality that it was in fact very possible. Not that she didn't think Drakken's strange mind couldn't do it... Just seeing something similar... She let her thoughts trail off as she tried to focus on something else.
"Shego!" came Adrena and before she knew it, an arm slumped over her shoulder. "I was just telling my new friend Bonnie here...we should do another Villainess Night Out. It's been ages."
Shego's eyes fell to the familiar brunette whom she'd met a handful of times, or rather seen. Camille was right beside her. It was clear the two young villainesses had found a new cohort to corrupt. Shego smirked at that idea.
"I was telling Bonnie about my first one," smirked Camille. "How we hit the town and snuck into a formal... That was a great time."
"Yeah," Adrena sighed and her smile fell. "I remember you ditching us when Possible showed up to bust us."
"Uhg, Possible is such a drag," groaned Bonnie. "Do you know how many times she's just...sucked the fun out a room, just by entering it."
There was a mumbling of understanding and agreement among the three.
"I mean, she did introduce me to my Junior," Bonnie grinned and waved over towards the buffet table. Shego saw him talking to Drakken and shot him a glare. "So I'll give her that."
"So, why are you here exactly?" asked Shego. Bonnie's smile fell. "I mean...this isn't exactly a fun date kind of setting."
Shego indicated to everyone in black-based attire and to the statue.
"Oh!" Bonnie shrugged and crossed her arms. "Junior said it was important to his father and I don't think Senior likes me very much... Besides, we're hitting up a tropical island after for my spring break."
"That sounds freaky fun!" grinned Adrena. "We should all go!"
"Dementor and I are going to Madrid after this. My so-called father is selling my former villa...so we're burning it to the ground," grinned Camille. "I managed to swipe my things back...but now it's personal. I bought that with my own money... I was just too young to have it in my name."
Shego looked at the smug condescending look Camille had but she wasn't the only one to see hurt in her eyes. Her thoughts ran back to Ed's Christmas Party and the messages on the phone she'd seen Camille reading. She didn't think it was a far stretch to believe that had been the actual conversation. It was public knowledge that the Leons had disowned their daughter... But if selling and giving away all her stuff was their current move...Shego wondered if they were just pretending she never existed.
"I'm sorry, Camille," Adrena's expression fell. Camille scoffed.
"For what? The only ones who are going to be sorry are my so-called parents." She looked at her nails and huffed. "Uhg, when did I chip that? I'll be right back."
Shego watched the young woman head towards the stairs to the deck below. Shego glanced over towards where Dementor was arguing with Ed about something. Her eyes fell back to Adrena who made eye contact and cringed before smiling and focusing back on Bonnie.
"I think I have nail glue," said Bonnie as she dug in her purse.
"It's fine, she probably has a whole nail in her bag... Heck she might even have a manicurist downstairs," said Adrena quickly. She looked around. "Hey, I'm going to get DNAmy and we can make plans. She always has some freaky idea... Mostly monsters...but that could be fun!"
Shego watched as Adrena sprinted off towards where DNAmy and Senior were talking to the man surrounded by monkeys. Shego looked back at Bonnie.
"So...tropical islands," continued Shego. "Much better than slumming it around Middleton I bet."
"Uh, yeah... Wait how'd you know I was from Middleton?" Her eyes shot open and she whispered. "Did Junior tell you...? I mean he talks about you a lot... I just didn't know he told you how I knew Possible."
Shego raised a brow.
"We've met," said Shego, indicating between them. Bonnie blinked.
"We have?" she looked confused. "When?"
"Bonnie, my love. You have met Shego," came Junior as he and Drakken joined them.
Shego raised a brow at Drakken, who was still giving her a scathing look. She smirked and moved her hands towards his plate, which he moved suddenly and she watched a cheese-ball roll away. Shego snorted and focused back on Bonnie and Junior.
"Yeah, she says we met...I mean," Bonnie looked at her and then Drakken. "You two both look familiar."
Drakken looked at her.
"I accidentally cloned you once," cringed Drakken. Shego shook her head.
"Yeah, and I was your substitute teacher last semester...for a week," said Shego. Junior's brow rose in shock. "Don't give me that look. You and your father both know my credentials."
"Really?" asked Bonnie. She pulled a confused face. "I don't remember that... I was in your class?"
"Yes," hissed Shego. "You argued with me about your assignment for an hour...and then told me sweaters were 'so last season.'"
"No, I told Ms. Go that," said Bonnie. She looked at Junior. "The woman had a blue and green sweater look...with a headband... It was tragic."
"The horror," shuddered Junior. Shego scowled and Bonnie's attention turned to Drakken.
"You cloned me?" asked Bonnie. "No...that's not where I remember you from."
"Television...media... I had a blog for a while," said Drakken. He glared at Shego. "Had being the operative term."
"It had our address," stated Shego. "It had to go."
"Hmm, no... The only blogs I read are fashion ones... And Stoppable's...but that's more for fuel to get under his and Possible's skin," shrugged Bonnie. She looked between the two. "It's not any of that... I'll remember later... It's really going to bug me."
"I know my love, why don't we get some fresh air on top of the cabin, perhaps it will help," smiled Junior. "Normally when my thoughts escape me...shopping helps, but sadly we must wait."
Shego watched them walk off and turned to Drakken. He shared a similar confused look to hers she was sure. They stood in silence for a few minutes as their eyes scanned around them. Shego smirked as she reached onto Drakken's plate and grabbed one of the meatballs on a toothpick. She heard him grumble but he didn't move the plate away.
"What do you wanna bet that DNAmy is going to swipe the statue?" asked Drakken under his breath.
Shego smirked as she looked towards the woman whose shifty eyes were focused on said statue. Shego leaned towards Drakken.
"What makes you think she hasn't before? She probably already has statues," she retorted.
"Killigan was telling me that something in Japan did that...got me wondering," Drakken began but Shego stopped it.
"No," stated Shego, "I am not hauling your stoned blue butt out of the ground and back to the lair because you messed with weird mystic stuff... I thought you learned your lesson from the gauntlets...and the treasure chest...and—"
"Neign! Fine," pouted Drakken. Shego saw slight nerves pass through his features before he ate another meatball.
Shego looked back at the statue.
"It's kind of creepy isn't it... We knew him...and now he's a lawn ornament," said Shego. She saw Drakken's shoulders slump.
"Unsettling really," muttered Drakken. There was another pause . "All I'm saying is there might be a valid power source—"
"I will chuck the plate and you over," glared Shego. Drakken mumbled under his breath again. "I think I can get you pretty far—"
"Fine!" growled Drakken. "I'll drop it... No mystic Japan-monkey anything... I don't want to get stoned anyways."
Shego snorted and Drakken raised a brow.
"Had too much of that in the eighties?" asked Shego. Drakken rolled his eyes.
"That's not what I meant," he sighed. Shego could hear a rant about to start but it didn't, instead he changed topics. "Speaking of the eighties...I noticed quite a few movies missing... Any idea where they went?"
Shego grabbed a meatball and shrugged.
"Nope," she smirked. She watched Drakken cross his arms and nearly drop the plate. "Uhg, fine. I snagged a few... You have three copies of Back From the Past and I wanted to watch Earth Babes are Simple again...and a few others."
Drakken smirked.
"Nostalgia hitting hard?" asked Drakken. "Don't think I didn't notice they were all sci-fi ones missing."
Shego rolled her eyes. Their banter ended briefly as everyone shifted. Shego and Drakken wandered back towards the railings as everyone gathered for some sort of speech by Senior. Her focus drifted as the monkeys seemed to move closer to them. She saw Drakken's face cringe for a second before he focused on who was talking. Shego instead watched the monkeys as they shifted around them. She saw one scratch and she shuddered and leaned closer to Drakken.
"Instead of the harpoon, I should have brought flea powder," she whispered.
"Shh," hissed Drakken, "I am listening... This is a serious moment."
Shego raised a brow and watched Senior chatter before her eyes fell back on Drakken and she felt the devious smirk spread across her lips. She looked at the two toothpicks in her hand from the kabobs she'd swiped off his plate and slowly moved her hand around him to drag them gently across his neck. Drakken yelped and dropped the plate, frantically scratching his neck and back.
"Shego! Get them off," he pleaded. Shego had to cover her mouth from laughing as all eyes turned on him.
"Drakken," she forced a disappointed look on her face. "This is a serious moment...shh."
Drakken looked around and then shot her daggers as she held up the toothpicks. She watched his face flush and he leaned against the railing with a bitter expression. She watched everyone focus back as Duff was talking now. Shego waited and then nudged him.
"Way to make a scene," she snickered. Drakken glared. "Oh come on, it was funny and you know it."
"Shego, this is a serious moment and you made me look like a fool," he muttered.
"They're talking about the time Monkey Fist got loaded and crashed his banana jet into Duff's golf course," sighed Shego. "We don't even know if that thing is really him... It is Monkey Fist... He could be secretly in hiding plotting some monkey world take over...like normal."
"Not the point Shego. He was our...colleague of sorts and this is—" Drakken's rant was cut off as Ed appeared over his shoulder. "Will you stop that!"
"Relax Cuz, don't make another scene, seriously," scoffed Ed. Drakken glared at Shego again.
"What did you want Eddie... Don't you have other people to pester?" asked Drakken. Ed shrugged.
"Well I was going to bail... Cleo's still in some canyon or something," shrugged Ed. He looked over his shoulder. "But I'm seriously not about to make that trek with those storm clouds coming in."
"Storm clouds? It's supposed to be nice..." Shego looked behind them.
Large dark clouds seemed to be appearing out of nowhere, a circle of lightning at their center. Shego looked at the rest of the cloudless sunny sky as the wind picked up. The water suddenly went from calm to rocky and unstable as fast as the clouds had formed. Shego felt Drakken pull on her shoulder and she turned to inquire why...when she got the answer. The once-clear sky was a dark sickening color and as she viewed the left of the ship, it was clear that they and the nearest coast were being surrounded.
"What kind of weather is this?" bellowed Junior as the ship started to rock, the currents picking up quicker.
"I don't think it's weather," yelled Dementor. "Verdammt! It's a weather machine!"
Shego looked as a small blimp surrounded by lightning appeared through the clouds. She could see everyone doing a quick headcount and she shared a confused look with Drakken. She knew the only people who would use that tactic...were already on the yacht.
"Huh, so that's where the storm clouds were coming from," scoffed Ed. "Seriously...really pathetic to roll in like that on a...whatever this is."
Shego rolled her eyes but she heard a few yells of shock and her gaze fell back to the weather machine, but instead they drifted behind it. Cyclones were forming connecting the sea and the clouds, and the lightning began striking the water. She glanced around the ship they were on and to where Senior had moved into the cabin and was looking at buttons. She breathed in relief that Senior probably had the yacht loaded with defense weapons. A huge jolt of the ship sent everyone sliding. Shego's hand grabbed Drakken's sleeve as they both hit the railing hard. She glared and shoved him away from it.
"Stay away from the railing!" she snapped. His eyes narrowed.
"You stay away from the railing." They both hit the railing again.
"Aye, here's a thought," came Duff a short ways from them, "why don't we all stay away from the railing!"
"Father, blast that party pooper," yelled Junior from where he held Bonnie in the middle of the deck.
"My son, this is not the weapon one... This is the cruise yacht I'm afraid," came Senior's voice from the cabin. "The other is in for repairs."
"Oh, that's great!" snapped Shego. "Loon with a weather machine and no weapons... So glad we came."
A shrill sound erupted from the weather machine and Shego heard the monkeys scream as she covered her ears. A voice bellowed from the machine like a crackling intercom with faulty wiring...making the voice seem small and slightly comical...if not for impending doom.
"I hope you enjoyed your last pollution-spewing trip in the ocean...because it will be your last," came the voice. "Now, I, Stormy, shall aid revenge for Mother Nature! Soon the world shall be restored to peace by my hands!"
There was a silent pause across the ship before an eruption of laughter took over. The speakers of the yacht chimed on and Senior's voice returned in volume to the ship.
"I feel this is a simple misunderstanding...we are villains as well," came Senior's voice. "If you proceed west, you will find proper victims of villainy."
"Must be new," laughed Adrena. "Not a really good first impression—"
"Stormy cares not of who you are. All shall suffer the wrath!" came the voice. Lightning struck again. "You are no different than others with your big ship spewing residue of oil and gas in the pure ocean to—" the speakers cut out and broke apart.
"Is he serious?" whispered Shego. Drakken shrugged.
Senior's speaker took over.
"I assume you are struggling with your speaker... I shall take advantage of this small break in your...I'm sure well-practiced speech and declaration of violent villainy," came Senior, slight amusement in his voice, "but it is not proper decorum to assert your acts of...assuming new...propaganda upon fellow villains."
"Bad form," nodded Duff. There was a murmur of agreement.
A screen appeared on the side of the weather machine and the silhouette of a dark figure appeared.
"The weather machine has a screen?" scoffed Drakken. He leaned towards Shego. "That's the same model we had... Why didn't we have a screen?"
"Maybe it wasn't included in ours, geesh," retorted Shego. She shoved Drakken out of her face.
"All weather machines come standard with a screen," came the silhouette. It appeared to pick up a book. "Page seven. You hit the..."
"They can hear us?" asked DNAmy. "Wow, that thing must have good sensors."
Drakken looked at Shego again.
"Shego, you said there was no way of turning those up," whined Drakken.
"Listen, it was a big manual... Excuse me for not reading the tedious things," sulked Shego.
"Pretty sure you were just too worried about those fish," he muttered. Shego glared but he was correct in his assumption.
"Yeah, the audio thing has a dial...just wish I could get this camera focused," muttered the person. They suddenly stood straight up. "I mean...don't try to distract me with trivial nonsense. Prepare for the wrath—"
"What is going on up here?" came Camille as she walked up the stairs. "I have never been on a yacht with such chaotic driving...who's on the blimp?"
"He calls himself Stormy. Apparently he's some lame villain who wants to sink the ship," called Bonnie over to her. "Something about yachts polluting."
"Oh yeah...they totally do," shrugged Camille. "I mean...it's a small price to pay for luxury... And it's minimal at best except small harbors and private wildlife areas... Out here in the clear ocean...it's diluted for the most part."
Shego raised a brow as she looked at the former heiress, who was still looking at her cracked nail. She appeared not to be the only one looking on in confusion. Camille looked up and shrugged.
"I mean like, most of my summers growing up my parents tossed me on one because it was big enough to ignore me," Camille scoffed. Shego saw Dementor shake his head in disapproval at her statement.
"Hey! This isn't about your villain backstory...this is about my coming of villainy," snapped the figure on the screen. "As I was saying..."
"Like how much pollution exactly?" asked Duff. He looked at Shego and Drakken. "There's been a couple near my lair lately...wouldn't want Buttercup getting sick."
"Honestly it depends on size, proper maintenance, engine size..." Camille ranted. Senior had come out of his cabin to listen.
"Well I wouldn't want to impose upon the environment," said Senior. "I wonder if there are more eco-friendly alternatives—"
"HEY! I am talking here!" yelled the silhouette on screen. It suddenly shifted and the screen grew in full color. "Oh hey it's fixed."
The screen came into view and the looming silhouette of the would-be villain and ship-sinker became a clear image. The squeaky voice had yet to shift, and seemed to fit the figure in front of their eyes. A tall thin figure stood in a black storm cloud-themed attire, complete with a cape. He looked young...very young. The glint of metal on his teeth did not help his case as he spoke.
"As I was saying... I shall help Mother Nature take back her world from the likes of trash-tossers like you—"
"Are we being lectured and threatened by a twelve year old?" asked Bonnie. She looked around. "Is this normal?"
"Normally it's just one bossy teenager lecturing us not to do violence," shrugged Drakken. There were a few nods.
"I am thirteen!" snapped the kid. "I will not stand for this!"
"Well I mean, you probably just learned to walk," snickered Ed. There were a few laughs and snickers in return.
Shego, like the others, seemed too lose focus on the storm clouds around them and even on the cyclones twisting in the distance as a series of jokes, puns, and comments rang across the boat, all drowning out the voice of the kid calling himself Stormy in his assumed-stolen weather machine.
"UHG! That is it! Listen old timers!" snapped Stormy. The jokes and laughter died.
"Watch it kid!"
"Aye, I'll take ye over my knee you pint-sized—"
"Seriously, who are you calling old—"
"Someone has a death wish—"
There were a series of annoyed comments tossed at the kid. Shego's hands blazed and she wondered if she could hit the weather machine from that distance.
"I think someone needs to go home," sneered Drakken. "I'm sure you have a nice nap and juice box waiting for you there...so scoot."
"Uhg, I've babysat toddlers with less of a complex than this kid," scoffed Bonnie.
"Okay, that's it! I'll save my speech for people who don't need hearing aids," growled Stormy and the screen went off.
"That was just rude, calling my poor father out like that," scoffed Junior.
"Junior!" yelled Senior.
"Well that was fun," Shego rolled her eyes.
The storm clouds did not part and suddenly the wind picked up.
"I don't think he meant he was going home," cringed Drakken as lightning struck the deck.
There were screams and monkeys sprinting about. Monkey Fist's statue wobbled with the ship's movement, the buffet table slid off the ship as one wave nearly turned them sideways. Shego tried to gain traction as rain began pouring down on them, making the surface slick. She dug the nails of her gloves into the grooves to slow herself enough that her back hit the railing versus being thrown over. Her eyes darted around for Drakken as she heard a large splash off the side.
"Drakken!" screamed Shego as she looked over the railing.
Her heart sank as she saw that the results of the kid's weather manipulations had resulted in a maelstrom a short way from them. The ship was drifting towards it quickly. Her eyes darted around for any sign of Drakken when she saw him, not in the water but hanging a few feet over the edge and holding onto Duff and DNAmy who hung further over the side.
"Aye, woman you are daft! Going after a statue," snarled Duff as he held DNAmy's foot.
"You know Kim Possible always busts in on our fun," Shego heard Camille snap. "Where is she when we have villain problems?"
"It's very inconvenient," she heard Dementor grumble in the distance.
"Should we call her?" came Adrena from somewhere near Camille.
"Adrena. No," sighed Camille.
"A little help here," growled Drakken. Shego's attention focused back on him as he attempted to pull DNAmy and Duff back onto the ship.
Shego started to move along the railing when the ship rocked the opposite way and the brief second she let go, she went sliding across to the other side. She barely dug her nails in this time and lost a few in the process. Her eyes darted as water began to pool over her and the board beneath her claws started to give.
"Heir, Shego," came Dementor's voice. He was holding onto one of the ropes of the canopy and holding out his hand. "Reach."
Shego yanked herself up as much she could and grabbed his hand. She barely made it to the beam the rope was tied to when the railing where she was headed cracked. Dementor did his best to hold them both there as the winds picked up, the fragments that hadn't flown off now flying in the air as they started drifting downwards.
"Do you think you can hit that thing with your hands?" asked Dementor. Shego looked at the weather machine.
"No," she growled, then remembered, "but I got something that will... I need to get to the hover car."
"Eh, that might be a problem," grimaced Dementor as he looked to the lower deck that was taking on water.
"We have a harpoon in the trunk," said Shego. "I can get it out, but I'll need help...Drakken?"
Shego's eyes darted across the now-empty deck. A surge of panic rushed through her as she looked around.
"He went into the cabin," said Dementor quickly. "Why did you pack a harpoon?"
Shego looked towards the cabin, skeptical that Dementor wasn't simply telling her a line.
"History," she said. "Villain gatherings used to be fun chaos, drinks, and illegal activity... Somehow they've become more like...try not to die and don't eat those candies... I was more worried about a sea monster than a teen with a power trip."
"We should always be prepared for a teen with a power trip... We all have the same enemy," Dementor rolled his eyes. "We have to sprint to the railing if we plan on making it to the hover car."
The moment there was a still second in the winds, they sprinted and each grabbed a railing.
"I see your point however... As villains we should be more prepared," yelled Dementor over the whirling of the wind. "As we should expect the worse...because it's what we do."
"Exactly!" yelled Shego. "When did fun become nerve-racking and tragic? The girls want to do a Villainess Night Out again...no thanks. I've had my fill of mind-altering sweets and liquor."
"Yeah, you don't handle that well," he laughed. Shego glared at him as a foggy memory swam in her head of a dark bedroom. She shook her head and focused as he continued. "It took weeks to get my helmet cleaned alone."
"I don't remember and I don't want to," snapped Shego. "Let's just get the harpoon."
"That's the effect of those little snacks we made the mistake of eating. Dr. Sweets sure knows how to concoct devious desserts," she heard him grumble. "Gott sei Dank they made us ill and nothing got too out of hand... But since they got pulled...one less thing to worry about."
Shego raised a brow at this but before she could respond the stairs to the lower deck collapse under their feet.
"Meign Gott! If we live through this, that is!" he gasped as they both slid under water.
Shego gasped and tried to clutch onto anything as they gained their footing. The hover car lolled back and forth in the water. She could have sighed in annoyance at the fact that Drakken had been correct about tethering it. She'd argued against it, but like her harpoon...it was proving a good idea. She cursed the smooth surface of the hover car as she clung to it and tried to unlatch the trunk.
"He locked it! Are you kidding me?" growled Shego.
Her hand tried to flare to bust the lock but nothing happened. She shook off the moisture and tried again. She could feel heat on her hands but nothing was forming. A blast of red shot past her and hit the trunk lock. Dementor's laser gun was spouting water and in a frizzle of light...caught flame. He yelled and tossed it overboard.
"Cheap knock-off," he hissed. "Did it work?"
Shego stopped looking at her hand and focused on the now-smoldering trunk lock. She yanked upwards and the hatch opened with ease. She sighed in relief as she looked at the harpoon. She looked back up to the caved-in stairs and groaned. This was a new problem...or at least she thought it was. She looked at Ed's jet ski with the keys still in it.
"Well this will be interesting," said Shego under her breath.
Shego darted for it.
"How are we...oh well that's both dangerous and convenient," muttered Dementor as the engine roared.
The trek upward wasn't as easy as Shego had hoped, but they made it... Unfortunately only because the ship was now leaning forward into the violent whirlpool that had formed. Shego grabbed Dementor and the harpoon, letting the jet ski careen away over the railing as they grabbed the awning's support beam. Shego could hear Ed over the whirl of wind and water, but didn't care to try and make out what obscenities he was probably yelling. There wasn't enough rope from the awning to steady the harpoon as they were tossed about.
"We only have one shot," said Shego. "Can you hold it tighter?"
"We don't have enough rope and it's not exactly light," hissed Dementor.
"Shego!" came Junior's voice near the cabin door. Shego looked to see him toss a strand of clipped-together belts.
Shego caught it and handed an end to Dementor. It was the best they could do, and after Dementor lengthened the rope with the belts and secured the gun, Shego took the shot. The harpoon jetted towards the weather machine, the resulting impact causing a flurry of sparks. With a loud snarling sound the weather machine began dropping towards the whirlpool. Shego had a brief moment of panic that they had just created an anchor...which Dementor must have assumed as well because they both yanked the harpoon free, letting it drop overboard as well.
Shego held onto the beam and the belts and rope for balance... The wind slowly began to die down and the cyclones dissipated into the air. The ship still rocked in the unstable waters, but it calmed enough to gain some sort of stability. As the weather started to slowly correct itself, the other villains made their way out of the cramped cabin.
"Shego, are you all right?" asked Drakken. He was now sporting a bruise across his cheek.
"Fine... The trunk is broke on the hover car...but looks like my harpoon came in handy," smirked Shego. She let out a deep sigh of relief. "What happened to your face?"
"Seriously Green, that's so rude...he was born with that face," scoffed Ed. Drakken glared. "What, she left it wide open."
"That's my fault," grimaced DNAmy. "I may have accidentally kicked him when Eddie and he pulled us back on the ship."
"Is everyone all right?" called out Senior as he looked around. "Shego, my dear, where did you find a harpoon?"
"I packed it," shrugged Shego.
"Ah, such keen thinking...a lesson learned for future travels," sighed Senior. His smile turned to Junior. "And Junior..."
"Nice thinking with the belts," smirked Shego. Junior grinned but pulled Bonnie from around him.
"It was not my idea, but my Bonnie's... She said you were struggling," Shego watched as Bonnie grinned at him before attempting to look casual.
"It was so not that big a deal," she shrugged. "I mean, I only had to fight Camille for hers."
Shego heard the former heiress whine and looked towards where the belts were still strung on the beam.
"Uhg, it's all stretched out now," she pouted and crossed her arms. "That was Prada."
"A small price to pay for your life," said Senior casually. Camille pouted but rolled her eyes.
"Fine, whatever... I have more, I guess." Camille wandered over to where Dementor was talking with Duff.
The conversations and atmosphere attempting to get back to normal were interrupted by yells from the side of the boat on the now-still water. Everyone moved closer and avoided any breaks in the railing. The weather machine was slowly sinking and Stormy stood on top of it panicking and crying about how he couldn't swim. It was silent among the villains as they all shared looks. DNAmy was the first to speak.
"Do we...do we save him?" she asked. "He was a total meanie trying to kill us all."
"He is a kid," shrugged Ed.
There were a few shared looks and Shego moved towards the railing about to jump in. She was gently pushed aside as Drakken tossed a life preserver with a rope attached over the edge. Shego raised a brow at him and he rolled his eyes before glancing at everyone.
"If he makes it...he lives... Problem solved," snapped Drakken. There were nods and mutterings.
"Yeah, pretty sure we were just not saying anything for a reason," Adrena rolled her eyes. "I mean...he actively tried to snuff us all out... I enjoy a freaky good thrilling time...but that was a bit much."
"He's just a stupid kid," sighed Shego. "He'll learn...or we'll make him learn."
"He still has to reach it," added Drakken.
"He made it!" yelled Camille.
"Damn it," sighed Drakken as everyone looked at him.
Drakken smiled down at the hover car as it seemed to be running more efficiently than during their journey to the yacht. If not for the trunk making a racket, the fact that he and Shego had been roped into dropping the child-villain home, and the extremely moist clothes he was in...he would have enjoyed it more. He sighed in relief as he saw their lair and it dawned on him that Shego hadn't said much since trying to throw Stormy out of the moving hover car as they cleared his home.
He did tell her she was old like his mom...
Drakken would have let her if not for the fact he would have crashed the hover car doing so.
"I still can't believe we got stuck taking the brat home," hissed Drakken.
"You did save him," shrugged Shego. "Besides...who else was taking him home...and actually getting him there."
Drakken thought for a moment to the angry expressions across the ship as Stormy had been pulled up. He sighed.
"You didn't have to volunteer us so quickly," he muttered.
"I'd had enough villain outings for the day," responded Shego. "I want to get back, take a nice hot shower, and erase the day from my memory."
"Is that why you've been quiet?" asked Drakken. "Trying to push it out of your mind?"
"No, I was thinking..." Drakken watched Shego shift a little. "Dememtor mentioned some things when we were getting the harpoon..."
Drakken's brow furrowed.
"Good or bad...we can still make it to his lair before he does and—" Drakken was cut off.
"No...there were a few things...I should have asked him before we left." Shego let out a deep breath and shook her head. "Some other time... But...did you know Sweet's stuff was pulled from Hench Co?"
Drakken's eyes shot open and he thought about this.
"She did mention that she was unhappy with her contract," Drakken recalled. He shrugged. "She must have found a way out of it... Probably for the best."
"Yeah," he heard Shego mutter. Drakken looked at her tired and heavy expression.
He thought for a moment about his laser, the yacht, and the fact Monkey Fist's statue had fallen into the sea... Drakken smirked.
"Hey Shego," he waited for her to look at him. "Monkey Fist's statue fell into the sea...right?"
"Yeah," sighed Shego. He watched her eyes narrow. "Don't..."
"King of the sea monkeys," he smirked. Shego snorted and shoved him as they landed.
"That was terrible," she responded as she jumped out. "Honestly it was shameful and you should apologize to Monkey Fist...wherever he is."
They walked into the lair and both let out a relieved sigh before looking at each other as they made their way into the living area.
"I'm exhausted," sighed Drakken. He smiled. "I think I'll get an early start on the laser tomorrow and perhaps Saturday... Movie night?"
Shego smirked and was about to nod before he saw her expression shift as if she'd remembered something.
"I ohm...made plans this Saturday," she said. "You were so into the laser the last few weekends... I sort of agreed to go out to dinner with Dean."
"Dean?" asked Drakken in confusion. Then it clicked. "Oh, Dean! Oh, uh...forgot he was around... Well that's fine, another time."
Drakken ignored the sinking in his stomach and the slight agitation that Shego and Dean were apparently still a thing.
None of your business...
"I should be back by nine," continued Shego. Drakken raised a brow. "So, long as you don't start early we could have a late-night movie fest."
"Why so early?" asked Drakken. He tried to read Shego's expression as her eyes darted and she smiled and gave a half shrug.
"Dean...has work," she yawned. Drakken was about to inquire about him working on a Sunday, but Shego had started to walk away. "I'm headed to bed... You should do the same... It's been a long day."
"Agreed," stated Drakken as he followed a little behind her. He yawned as well. "Bright and early in the lab tomorrow?"
"Uh, doy," snorted Shego as she waved over her shoulder. "Night Dr. D."
"Good night, Shego," responded Drakken as he saw her door close behind her.
Drakken entered his room and lazily tossed his jacket over a chair and headed towards his bathroom. He let his mind fall back to his laser, which he'd neglected mentally for most of the day. His thoughts swam back to the trip out when Shego had brought up the gauntlets and the pirate chest when he'd wondered about what had turned Monkey Fist to stone...if he really was stone, or as Shego put it...hiding out. The reminder of what still resided in his desk drawer and what he needed to possibly power his laser bounced through his head.
As he did so, his mind pieced bits and pieces of the day together. Ed mentioning Cleopatra was still in Tibet where she'd practically exiled Hermes and Pandora...probably finding all sorts of valuables and powerful items... If he asked Shego to help him with the gauntlets...she, like he'd thought before, would lose it... But there were a few people who might be able to assist him...and all he needed was to pick them up.
ONWARDS! -