Chapter 1: Strength Invites Challenge
Roosevelt University, Go City
October 9th, 2009
"And what do we learn about the Roman Empire's expansion into northern Europe," the history professor said from the front of the room. "That the greatest Empire that the world had ever seen, with all its armies and weapons, couldn't survive the long war. We learn that there is a causality. That very strength that the Romans had, invites challenge. Challenge incites conflict, and conflict breeds catastrophe. It's no surprise that once the Romans started attacking Germania, they were unprepared for the fierce resistance and stopped after four years."
Kim Possible listened to the words of the professor carefully, and took it all in. She was in her senior year at Roosevelt University in Go City, finishing up her degree in Foreign Service, planning on working on her graduate studies soon and attempting her run at being an ambassador for the United States in her future. Sitting next to her was her fiance, Ron Stoppable. He had turned his schooling around in college, earning an Athletic scholarship to the university to play on their football team while earning his Culinary degree. The tentative plan was to get married after they graduated in the summer and for Ron to do his training in Go City while Kim finished her graduate degree and then they would look to live in Paris, depending on where Kim was able to be an ambassador.
Currently, they were sitting in the last general studies class they both needed to finish up their degrees, Advanced Ancient History. It was actually an interesting class, and although Ron was struggling through it, it was interesting to attend each day.
Something about the professor's words though, they stuck with Kim.
"Alright that will be it for the day," the professor said. "Make sure to finish your papers about Roman expansion for next week's class and I want you to start reading about the fall of the Roman empire with the next five chapters of your book. We'll begin work on that as well next week and then you're looking at a test about all we've covered in the Roman Empire. I'd start making flashcards now and my TA will get you an official study guide next Friday. Have a good weekend and good luck to the Rough Riders this weekend. I know Ohio State won't be easy to take down, but I know you've got this."
There was a small cheer as Ron smiled as one of the stars of the football team as everyone got up to leave. Classes were done for the week and the big game versus the Buckeyes was tomorrow.
"You alright KP," Ron asked, as Kim still hadn't said anything since the end of the lecture. "You seem about a million miles away."
"Oh yeah," Kim said, finally snapping back into it. "Just that line, strength invites challenge really stuck with me."
"It makes sense," Ron said. "When you rise, the competition rises to meet you. We see that all around."
"I guess you're right," Kim said. "Come on, we've got to get to practice. I know you just have a walk through tonight, but Coach wants to run us through all of the routines since we have College Gameday tomorrow. I'll see you back at the apartment."
"Sounds good," Ron said, swinging his bag over his shoulder and giving Kim a kiss on the lips. "Gonna be a big weekend, I know it."
"I feel the same way," Kim said, smiling into the kiss.
Downtown Go City
Professor Dementor walked into the underground hideout that was designated the meeting ground for this very important session and walked up to a metal detector.
"Really," he asked. "Is this necessary?"
The goon that was about twice his size just looked down on him and Dementor relented, taking off everything metal and heading into the room. In the room was the main conglomeration of villains that primarily squared off against Kim Possible. Duff Killigan, DNAmy, Monkey Fist (having been released from his stone jail by DNAmy), and Electronique. Each of them had their assorted henchmen around the table that they were all seated at and Dementor took his seat.
"Can we get this over with," Dementor said. "I've got a lot I need to work on and this just seems pointless."
"Can it Dementor," Monkey Fist said. "We need to have this talk to figure out where we're going wrong."
"Wrong with what exactly?" Dementor asked.
"Kim Possible," Monkey Fist said. "She and her team have been unstoppable since the Lowardian Invasion four years ago."
"Probably because Drakken and the green lady went straight," Duff said. "Shego was the only one that could really keep up with Kimmy. Now that the boy learned how to fight, they're just too strong."
"The boy already knew how to fight," Monkey Fist snapped, but calmed himself. "That isn't the point. The point is, we have to stop losing to these two brats."
"And what do you propose that we do?" Electronique asked. "We've tried to do team ups in the past and they've just led to more bickering and less getting done, not changing the outcome at all."
"We take it up a notch," DNAmy said. "Everyone here has a considerable amount of wealth, we need to pile those resources."
"What about the lot that was taken from one of the dirty banks we had?" Duff said. "I know it wasn't all of it, but it was a considerable amount of money."
"I have plenty left over," Monkey Fist said. "It's not an issue and we will get the money back. I propose that we start by developing a new level of doom ray. Dementor can be the lead on this. Once it's developed, we look to make it portable to be able to mount into guns, small explosions for golf balls, and enough to be mounted on DNAmy's creations and my monkey ninjas. We'll overwhelm Team Possible and finally put them away."
The room seemed to be in agreement, when two loud thumps came from outside. Then, a low, sarcastic laughter came from the door, and all of the villains weren't prepared for what they saw next.
It was a man, with very stringy green hair, white paint on his face with a blood red smile on his face and visible scars. He wore a suit of purple and green and made his way over to the table, still laughing.
"And I thought my jokes were bad," he said, sitting down and looking at the stunned faces.
"Who the hell are you," Dementor said, as the goons tensed, ready for orders should they be given.
The man looked at him, piercing through him with a look that only said, 'are you stupid?'.
"I believe I left my card at one of your banks recently," the man said, leaning back to watch everything unfold.
"That Joker card?" Monkey Fist asked. "That was you?"
"Right on the nose monkey man thing," the Joker said. "I mean I thought the makeup did a pretty good job of being a parallel, but some people just take longer."
"I take longer huh," Dementor said. "How much longer do you think you'll be able to walk if I send my henchman over there to shut you up."
"Depends on which henchman," the Joker said.
"What would make the difference?" Dementor said.
"How about a magic trick?" Joker asked, smiling and pissing off Dementor.
The Joker got out a deck of cards and spread them out like a fan as Dementor motioned for his biggest goon to go break Joker's legs.
"Now pick a card," Joker said. "Any card."
As the goon came over, it was clear that the other villains didn't see that there were razor's edged on the playing cards. As soon as the goon got near and tried to grab him, he spun the man's arm away in a quick sign of aggression and sliced the goon's neck wide open with one of the cards, severing the jugular easily as the goon toppled over on the ground bleeding out. The Joker tossed the blood stained card in front of Dementor.
"I think you'll find that was your card," he said.
Killigan nodded in approval at the display. He long thought they should be taking a more serious approach in trying to put down Kim Possible, and it seemed like this guy had the right idea. Where the rest of the villains wanted to build another doom ray or whatever they called it, this guys was going to get things done.
"Thanks for the suit by the way," the Joker said, looking at Dementor. "You oughta know, you bought it."
Dementor slapped the table and stood up himself, but Killigan stepped in.
"Stop," he said. "I want to hear what he's got to say."
The Joker just looked from Killigan to Dementor and pointed out that obviously Dementor should sit down and listen. Dementor did so, slowly and the Joker looked around.
"Let's wind the clocks back four years," he said. "You all were battling the teeny bopper cheerleader away from the city and the drugs and money were moving through Go City just fine. The one little hero group is being distracted so easily that the boss doesn't even see a dip in profits. Then, the cheerleader moves here for college and you all decide to follow like whipped dogs and continue to get your asses beat. Only this time, you start to disrupt things. Other's take the opportunity to work for you instead of the boss, knowing the worst they'll get will be a little jail time. This doesn't make the boss happy. Not. One. Bit."
The Joker leaned back and looked at everyone.
"So," the Joker said. "I've decided to come to your little group therapy session to let you know that you've got good news. Your debt has been paid off and you work for the boss now, and I'm here to let you know about the plan."
"The Boss?" Electronique asked. "Who is this boss and why haven't we ever heard of him before?"
"I think that's the whole point," the Joker said. "But no matter, when he gets here you'll be able to meet him soon enough. I and a few associates of mine have just come a little early to get things in motion."
"And what do you propose we start doing?" DNAmy asked.
"It's simple," the Joker said. "We kill Kim Possible and set the city on fire. Once we get rid of all that, knock the cops and lawyers' confidence down a few pegs, we can get back to business."
"Kill Kim Possible," Dementor exclaimed. "You can't be serious. Plus, who are you to say what we are and can't do. Enough from the damn clown."
Dementor stood up as well as Joker, who had reached in his pocket and there was a ring around his thumb, hooked up to about twenty different grenades, enough to kill everyone in the small room very easily. Everyone flinched back at this display, knowing that if the Joker pulled the pin they all would be dead. Even Dementor stopped, knowing he couldn't get the clown in time before he pulled the pin or escape.
"You think you can steal from us and tell us what to do and just walk away?" Dementor asked.
"Yeah," Joker said plainly, not seeing any threat from the little man.
"I'm putting the word out now," Dementor said. "500,000 for your head on a plate. A million alive so I can do it myself."
Joker just looked him over, knowing that the man wouldn't last the week and he had permission from the big man to take care of anyone not cooperating.
"Okay then," Joker said, looking at the rest of the group. "I hope you all are taking this a little more seriously. I guarantee you will after the news tonight. You'll each have someone assigned to you, to ease the transition. If you have any trouble, here's my card."
Joker set a playing card down on the table, a Joker card, and backed out of the room, fake tugging on the grenade string a few times for effect.
Roosevelt University Field
"Alright men," Bill Feeken, head coach of the Roosevelt Rough Riders said, bringing the team in for the final huddle of the practice. "Bring it in."
The players came over, having Vegas Gold helmets with the navy blue 'R' sporting a Rough Rider had on the helmet with a navy stripe and navy facemask; navy jerseys with gold numbers with white outlines and the words Rough Riders on the jersey for the offensive players and white jerseys with navy numbers with gold outlines and Rough Riders on the front for the defensive players. Both wore white pants with a navy stripe.
Ron came trotting over, wearing the number 7 and a gold C on the top right of his jersey to signify that he was a captain of the team. He took his helmet off and his sweaty blonde hair stuck to his head as he took a knee in the center of the group.
"This is a big week gentlemen," Feeken said. "Ohio State is coming into your house, undefeated, and ranked number 1 in the country. We've got a run going, and if we're going to win the Big Ten this year, this is a game we have to win. There's a lot of hype going on, College Gameday will be here. It's a nationally televised game in primetime, scouts will be in the stands, but you need to remember that this is the field."
Feeken gestured around to the stadium that they were in, empty of all spectators.
"This is what it comes down to," Feeken said. "When adversity strikes tomorrow, and it will, you have the field and your teammates on it. This game honors toughness, and that's what we'll be tomorrow. Break it down Stoppable."
Ron stood up and raised his hand to break down the huddle as the teammates gathered around him.
"Team on three," Ron said. "1,2,3."
"Team," the entire team said at once as they began to break off and head towards the locker room.
Ron spared a glance to the other end of the field where the cheerleaders were practicing and saw the familiar head of red hair being hoisted into the air. Ron knew that the cheer squads practice would be at least another hour, so he headed back to the locker room as well, planning on preparing a nice dinner for himself and Kim for their night in, before the big game tomorrow.
Possible/Stoppable Apartment, Go City
Kim opened the door to her apartment and was immediately hit with the wonderful smell of Garlic chicken with pasta. She knew carb loading the night before the game was important, so Ron typically made them a wonderful meal with some protein and pasta of some kind, not that Kim was ever complaining. She loved Ron with all of her heart, but she would have married him for his cooking ability alone.
She kicked off her shoes and hung her jacket on the door as she walked in the kitchen to see Ron with his back to her and working on the stove. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his chest, resting her head on his back. Ron chuckled as he felt Kim arrive and glanced back to see the red head.
"Hey," he said with a smile. "How was practice?"
"Grueling," Kim said. "I swear Coach Snell thinks we're just gonna go out tomorrow morning and do the robot the entire time on National TV."
Ron laughed as he imagined the sight. "It would certainly be interesting."
Kim just hummed and sat on a bar stool as she watched Ron keep prepping.
"How was your practice?" she asked.
"Good, I think we're ready for tomorrow," Ron said. "Just have to keep Zane's head level and we'll do just fine."
The Rough Rider's senior quarterback went to the NFL last year, leaving them with a true freshman quarterback, Zane Florrick, from a small high school in Nebraska, as their starter. He had done well this year leading them to victories over their three warm up games against smaller schools, but also a huge victory on the road vs Miami, and Big Ten wins against Northwestern and Purdue. This would be his biggest test though, everyone was nervous that he wouldn't be able to handle the pressure.
"I'm guessing you'll be getting a lot of carries tomorrow then to help calm him down?" Kim asked, grabbing a cucumber slice to snack on it.
"That's the plan for now," Ron said, slipping the chicken in the over and setting the sauce to cook slowly. "Probably gonna have a decent amount of bruises tomorrow night after it's all done."
"I'll be more than happy to patch you up," Kim said. "We'll probably celebrate with our family after the game. I know they're all coming up for the game, so that will be fun."
"It will be as long as we win," Ron said. "I have a feeling that if we lose they're not going to be as receptive."
"For sure," Kim said. "Food has to finish cooking?"
"Yeah," Ron said. "Gonna slow cook it, probably be ready to be pulled out of the oven in about 30 minutes."
"Okay good," Kim said, getting up. "I'm going to take a shower."
"Okay," Ron said, leaning against the counter and smiling at her.
Kim got up and walked towards the door and stopped in the doorframe to their master bathroom and looked back at him.
"And you're going to join me," she said with a coy smile.
"Better," Ron said, a huge smile on his face as he followed her to their bathroom.
Go Tower, Go City
It was late on Friday night, and Team Go returned to Go Tower after an unsuccessful night of searching for Electronique, who had been wanted for a while now. While most nights there had been clues of her antics here and there, tonight there was nothing. But all of them noticed a dramatic shift on the streets, like something was different. They didn't hear hardly anything on the scanners as well, just a small-time robbery and a domestic violence call.
"Well that was a huge waste," Mego said. "I could have watched Agony County live instead of waiting for the rerun, I've already had most of it spoiled on Twitter."
"Are you telling me that you were on Twitter while we were on patrol?" Hego said, sitting down at the head of the table and looking pointedly at Mego.
"Relax Hego," one of the Wego twins said.
"Nothing happened anyway," the other twin added.
"But it could have," Hego said. "You have to stay vigilant all the time."
"Hego, I've been doing this for how long now?" Mego said. "I know when I can check my phone and when to be in the game."
"Fine," Hego said. "But I do think we need to talk about tonight. What was with everything?"
"It was strange," Wego 1 said.
"Like freaky strange," Wego 2 added in.
A beeping sound came in on the monitor and Hego almost looked happy to see it.
"Finally something," Hego said, pressing the answer button as the rest of the team came around.
"This better be good," Mego grumbled, sitting in his own chair.
They all gathered around and when the picture came up with what was usually the police agent assigned to talk with them or the Mayor, there was a man that no one recognized. He was sitting in a dark room and a confused looked came around everyone.
"Let me begin by saying you don't know who I am," the man said. "Who I am isn't important. What I am is. I'm the one that has been running this city and keeping you occupied with low level criminals. Unfortunately, I have to do some restructuring all around."
"Low level criminals," Hego said, almost insulted. "We fight the baddest of the bad."
The man just laughed at him, and didn't stop for a second. Hego was still pissed off, but the rest of the brothers were getting on edge a bit.
"If you think that, I'll more than let you believe it," the man said. "You'll certainly get your chance to prove it. With my restructuring, I need to remove you from the fold and send a message. Thank you for your service to this city, I'm sure you'll be missed."
The feed cut at this point and the room looked at each other before noticing the other figure in the room. They stood there, dark armor with flecks of orange and blue in it. They had a hood up over a mask that had a visor and was almost like a skull. In one hand they held a sword and in another hand they had a shield.
The entirety of Team Go got to their feet and their powers lit up, ready for a fight. The figure did nothing, just looked at them.
"You should leave now," Hego warned. "I'm fresh out of patience and I don't appreciate our base being broken into."
The figure did nothing, just continued to stare at them.
"Whatever this is over," Mego said, shrinking down and charging in.
He charged forward and lept in the air just in time to land a massive kick to the figure's head. The only problem was, the figure read him like a book. They moved perfectly, spun and blocked the kick with their shield and before Mego knew what was going on, the sword moved through the air and stabbed Mego right through the chest.
Mego shuddered as the cold steel was through his chest and the rest of the group stared in shock. The figure pulled out the sword and Mego slumped to the ground.
The twins didn't waste any time, multiplying and charging out to attack the figure that just killed their brother. The figure moved and blocked all the strikes that they could, giving ground quickly. Hego also didn't let up, knowing the actual twins wouldn't be this close this early, he picked up the table and flung it at the figure.
The figure had a perfect counter for this as well, dropping the sword and letting the shield take most of the blow as it fell off their arm. The figure used the table to propel off of and into the air as they quickly pulled a bow from their back out and strapped in two arrows, using their targeting and training to quickly find out which two clones were the main ones. The arrows loosed and one entered the neck of twin one and the second found his eye. The clones retracted back into the originals who fell to the ground.
At this point, it was only Hego and the figure. Hego was glowing blue and pissed off. The figure tossed the bow to the ground and crossed their hands in front of them, claws coming out of their gloves.
Hego charged and the figure began parrying him blow for blow. Hego was landing a punch now and then, but he never hit full on with his super strength, and the blows he did manage was a glancing one. The fight had been going on for about ten minutes, and Hego was tired, his blue powers fading on him.
The figure used this as a perfect moment to finish the fight, dipping down low and slicing the right hamstring of Hego, following it up with a spin and a slash across the stomach, the metal in the claws having no trouble slicing through him. Hego dropped to his knees, hands pressed against his stomach. The figure wasted no time and brough the claws up through the bottom part of Hego's jaw, putting him down for the count.
The figure stood and looked at everything for a second, before gathering their weapons and heading out of the room. They pulled up a message on their wrist communicator and sent it out to their boss.
'Heroes eliminated, Taskmaster mission complete'
Possible/Stoppable Apartment
The familiar ring of the communicator on Kim's beside table began ringing out and piercing the quiet night as Kim woke up and reached over for it.
She finally managed to grab it and open her eyes a bit.
"Wade, it's 1am," Kim said. "What could the Sitch possibly be?"
"Kim I need you to get out to Go Tower now," Wade said, appearing on the screen with a somber look on his face.
Kim woke up decently quickly then with the tone Wade had and the look on his face.
"Wade what happened?" Kim asked.
"I've already messaged Shego and she's going to meet you there," Wade said. "Kim, all of Team Go has been killed."
A/N
Here we are, a brand new story I'm trying my hand at.
Recently been getting into some KP stories again and there was a short story that had been cancelled that had the same type of premise, so I thought I would modify it a bit and give it a whirl.
So for some semantics, on the Wiki it shows that Go City is very similar to Chicago, so I've got Go City bordering Lake Michigan, similar to Chicago but something of a sister city.
We have two villains so far, Taskmaster and the Joker, and I have the Big Baddie that you won't find out till time is right, but I'm open to suggestions on the other ones to come in. Preferably Marvel or DC, but I will accept options of any kind.
This is going to be a gritty story and take things to a different level, so be prepared for more of this and some hard things going forward.
Until next time!