Author's Note: Here we are with another chapter of the Impossible She-Hulk.
Before we begin, I should give you all a heads up. For this chapter, I'm featuring the Grapplers. I know the comics story about them, and I also know that one of the original four included a woman who was also called Titania, and later Lascivious. However, I decided not to include that character because neither of those names would work. For one thing, there's already a character in this fanfic named Titania. And after looking up the definition of 'lascivious', I thought that was too mature for this fanfic. So for this story, I'm substituting her with Battleaxe.
Now that that's out of the way, enjoy this fanfic. Any and all comments are welcome.
"Pain! Pain! Pain! Pain! Pain! Pain!"
Kim, Ron, and Jen ran as fast as they could to get away from the mob of chanting men who followed them in the evening.
"They're getting closer!" Ron shouted.
"Then it's time to stop holding back!" Jen said. She grabbed both of her friends and carried them over her shoulders as she ran faster. Her speed picked up quickly. She turned into an alleyway, but stopped when she was face to face with another mob which began to close in on them. These men had a different chant of their own.
"Steel! Steel! Steel! Steel!"
Kim and Ron removed themselves from Jen's shoulders and ran to a door that led inside the adjacent building. Ron pulled hard, but it wouldn't budge. Jen then cracked her knuckles and pulled hard on the door forcing it to open.
As soon as the door opened, the trio ran inside the building just before the two mobs closed in on them. They kept running until they stopped in the middle of the mall plaza.
"Next time we come to the mall, let's stick to the main entrance, okay?" Kim asked.
"Sorry, guys." Jen chuckled. "Guess my watch was off. But at least we made it past the crowd before it got messy."
"And it's a good thing too." Ron said. "The first 100 fans not to be trampled get a free GWA tour T-shirt."
"GWA?" Kim asked.
"The Global Wrestling Association." Jen answered. "It's the number one wrestling organization."
Kim looked at a nearby stage with a logo that read "GWA Wrestling Wriot". It was hung between two banners of different wrestlers, Pain King and Steel Toe. At that moment, the mobs from outside finally entered the mall excited for their respective wrestlers that they were cheering for.
"All this just because some wrestlers are making a mall appearance?" Kim asked.
"Not just some." Ron said. "Pain King and Steel Toe. Pain King's got a bionic eye. Don't even think about looking into it or you'll writhe on the floor in total pain."
Kim smiled smugly. "And I suppose Steel Toe actually has steel toes?"
"No. That's just a publicity gimmick." Ron said. "They're more like titanium, actually. A freak industrial accident."
"Riiiiiiiight." Kim said without conviction. "Jen, I'm surprised you actually care about this too."
"It shouldn't be that big of a surprise. A lot of girls like pro wrestling almost as much as the boys." Jen said. "I mean, there are even some female wrestlers in the GWA too."
"There are?" Kim asked.
"Yeah. Check it out."
Jen turned to a banner next to the stage. The words "Also Featuring" were displayed in bold with four women in wrestling outfits beneath them. One was a woman with short, red hair and a sleeveless wrestling outfit in two different shades of green that matched her small mask across her face. Another was a beautiful blonde wearing a black outfit along with leather straps and belts. The third woman was the biggest wearing a full-body purple outfit and a mask that covered most of her head save for her eyes and mouth. The last one, the shortest, had silver hair, a white face along with black eye makeup, and a green, frilly outfit.
"Who are they?" Kim asked.
"They're the Grapplers. Well, four of them anyway." Jen answered. "The one in the green outfit is Battleaxe. The blonde is Letha. The big girl is Poundcakes. And the one with the clown makeup is Screaming Mimi. They're the women's division of the GWA."
"And they do this… willingly?" Kim asked.
"Yeah. These girls like showing off their strength." Jen said. "For some reason, I find that relatable."
"Listen up, Middleton!" shouted a voice from the stage. A short man in a black suit took the podium to address the crowd. "Are you ready for action?" The crowd cheered their approval. "Are you ready for head-bumping, chest-thumping, back-breaking, ground shaking confrontation?"
"Is that the pain guy?" Kim asked.
"No. That's Jackie Oakes, founder of the GWA." Ron said.
"Trust me, that guy's not really built for in-ring action." Jen added.
"Now, here's a little secret." Jackie continued with his announcement. "These two world-class athletes that I'm about to bring out… HATE EACH OTHER'S GUTS! HERE'S PAIN KING AND STEEL TOE!"
The two wrestlers joined Jackie on the stage. One man wore a blue mask that had a small crown on top and the other marched along with a metal foot. They confronted each other in the ring to please their respective fans.
"Okay. I'm in the mall, and I'm not shopping." Kim said. "What's wrong with this picture?"
"KP, wrestling is more than two guys beating on each other." Ron said. "It's also a war of words."
"You're going down!" Pain King shouted at his rival.
"No! You're going down!" Steel Toe returned.
"No! You're going down!"
"No! You're going down!"
"Yeah, they're poets." Kim said rolling her eyes. "Look, Club Banana is doing a tie-in with the museum's Cleopatra's Closet exhibit. That's where I'll be."
"Okay. Good luck." Jen said as Kim walked off.
Kim headed into Club Banana and looked over at the stacks of green clothes that caught her eye.
"Hello, civilization."
"Oh, my gosh!" cried out a new girl who joined Kim's side. "How much do you love Cleo's Cargoes?"
"Way much." Kim answered.
"Tell me, do you belong to our Club Banana Club?" the new girl asked as she headed to the counter with Kim behind her.
"Charter member." Kim replied. She gave the girl her card and let her read off of it.
"Kim Possible?! I thought it was you. The stuff you do is amazing."
"It's no big, but thanks." Kim said.
"I'm Monique. Just moved here." The girl introduced herself.
"Cool. Where do you go to school?"
"Middleton High."
"Me too."
"I start Monday."
"You totally have to let me show you around."
"Deal." Monique looked at the far end of the store. "Um, is that guy kinda creepy to you?"
Kim turned and looked at a man with messy hair and clothes that looked like they were overdue for a wash. He looked out the store window glaring at the large crowd of people gathered at the wrestling showcase.
"Yeah. He doesn't strike me as a Club Banana customer." Kim said. She left the counter and approached him. "Hey!"
"Huh? What?" the man asked suddenly as he noticed Kim standing behind him.
"Mind telling me what you're doing here?" Kim asked as Monique joined her.
"Me?" the man asked. "Oh, I'm just… window shopping."
"Window shopping?" Kim asked. "From the wrong end of the window."
The man nodded before turning to the empty space behind him. He whispered quietly, "Well, I don't hear you coming up with anything."
"Who are you talking…" Kim started to ask before getting interrupted.
Suddenly, the two girls overheard a growing sound of yelling and grunting coming from outside the store. Kim ran out and came to a large brawl between all the GWA fans. Jen was among the brawlers fighting off any rowdy fan who got too close.
"Jen, what's going on?" Kim asked.
"Well, the wrestlers kept arguing, the crowd got restless, one thing lead to another, and now, we're here." Jen replied before getting grabbed from behind by a large fan. Jen easily broke out and kicked him back.
"Where's Ron?" Kim asked.
"UH, KP, JEN, HELP!" Ron yelled as he was seen riding on the waving fans' hands.
"I'll get him!" Jen said. She charged into the crowd and pushed past any fan in her way until she caught up to Ron. She grabbed him in her hands and jumped up to the stage for safety. Kim joined her soon after flipping above the fans.
When Jen turned, she was surprised to see Jackie Oakes approaching her. "Honey, that was some performance. I haven't seen a thing like that since that masked spider guy made a fool of my man, Crusher Hogan. And that physique you have, astounding. You ever think about a career in professional wrestling?"
"Well, that does sound fun," Jen said, "But I'm perfectly happy where I am now. It is awfully tempting though."
"I see." Jackie said. "Well, I'll tell you what. We actually have an optional time slot for one more match. If you're interested, we can make a one-time show. Think about it, a match between She-Hulk and one of the Grapplers."
Jen widened her eyes in surprise. "For real?"
"Oh, yeah. And to show you I'm serious..." Jackie held up three golden tickets and placed them in Jen's hand. "Here's three tickets to Mayhem in Middleton. You and your friends can enjoy yourselves on Jackie." He then handed a white card to Jen. "Here's my number, by the way. Call me when you decide."
After getting off the stage, Jen, Kim, and Ron looked over the three tickets given to them.
"These are backstage passes." Ron said excitedly. "We get to go backstage with backstage passes. Where the backstage is."
"And hang out with some guy named Steel Cage?" Kim asked.
"It's Steel Toe." Jen said. "Steel cage is a type of wrestling match."
"Jen, are you really considering taking that guy's offer on a match?" Kim asked. "I thought you were joining the debate team?"
"That's not for another week." Jen said. "Look, just because I'm thinking of wrestling, it doesn't mean I'm not still going to join. A person can have more than one interest. In the end, I'm still the same old Jennifer Walters. Besides, I haven't actually decided on it yet. I'm just thinking about it."
"But how cool would it be to participate in a GWA match?" Ron asked.
"Pretty cool." Jen agreed.
"Well, you can give that third ticket to someone else." Kim said. "I'm going to the Cleopatra's Closet exhibit at the Middleton Art Museum. It's a special preview for Club Banana frequent buyers."
"You'd rather see some dead queen's clothes than watch Steel Toe's Night of 100 Bruises with me and Jen?" Ron asked.
"My answer will have to be 'hello, yeah'." Kim said as she walked away.
"Cleopatra." Ron scoffed. "Like anybody's going to remember her ten years from now. Guess it's just you and me, Jen."
"Actually, Ron, I gotta go home." Jen said. "I have to get advice from my dad about Jackie's offer."
"Oh. Well… okay." Ron said watching Jen walk off. That's when Rufus poked his head out of his pocket. "Looks like it's just you and me, Rufus."
When Kim entered the art museum, she was surprised to see her new friend, Monique, in the lobby greeting her.
"I should have known you'd be here." Kim said.
"Exclusive preview, the queen's accessories." Monique said. "Girl, it is all good. I love your pants."
"And you. Very Cleo." Kim returned.
"Good evening." Greeted the museum curator as she approached the tour group. She lead them down the museum. "It's my pleasure to welcome you to this special Club Banana preview of Cleopatra's Closet. We…"
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"
The loud, shrill scream shook the museum halls catching everyone by surprise. When the scream ended, they all ran to the source of the noise: the Cleopatra's Closet exhibit. As soon as they made it, they were shocked to find a security guard kneeling on the ground holding onto his ears.
"Oh, my goodness!" the curator gasped. "Officer, what happened?"
"WHAT?!" the guard shouted.
"Call security!" Kim advised before pulling up her Kimmunicator. "Wade, trouble at the Middleton Museum. Can you tap the security cam?"
"Tapping." Wade said as he started to type.
That's when Kim looked ahead and spotted someone closing the door behind them. She chased after them and followed them to the rooftop. Kim looked around, but she couldn't find any trace of anybody there.
All of a sudden, she noticed a yellow glow cast from the far side of the roof. Kim went to investigate, but that's when something large flew over her head.
Kim looked and saw a man fall across the rooftop before rolling back to his feet. She gasped seeing a man dressed in a completely white outfit with a mummy-like mask and a hood attached to a long, flowing cape. The man had a crescent moon symbol on his chest.
"Who are you?" Kim asked.
"No time to explain!" the man in white yelled. "We can't let them get away!"
A glowing figure ran across the roof with another obscure person running behind them. The hooded man chased after them with Kim following him, but it was too late. The two jumped far and landed at the next rooftop where they disappeared through a door.
"Well, this isn't good." Kim said. "Now, how's about you give me some…" She stopped when she noticed that there was no one there. The man in the white hood disappeared. "Where'd he go?"
"YOU WHAT?!" Morris Walters yelled as loud as he could while admiring the backstage passes that his daughter showed her.
"It's true." Jen nodded. "Jackie Oakes himself gave them to me, Kim, and Ron. He also wants me to get in a match against one of the Grapplers?"
"Really?" Morris asked. "Jenny, honey, you know I am a fan of the GWA, but I don't think I can bear you leaving with them this early on in your life."
"Dad, I'm not leaving." Jen said. "Jackie said this is meant to be a one night only match for the hometown hero. Just one match, and I'm done."
"So what kind of match is it?" Morris asked handing the tickets back to her. "Is it one where you're scripted to lose? I know losing's a hard concept for you."
"Mr. Oakes said I shouldn't know the full details until I accept." Jen said. "But I'm still undecided. What do you think?"
Morris stared out into space and went silent for a moment. After a second, he broke the silence and smiled at Jen. "Actually, I'm not sure myself. But whatever you choose, you have my full support. And hey, either way, you got backstage passes to the GWA show."
"Gee. Thanks." Jen replied before looking at the tickets. "Eh. What the heck. I'll call Jackie and tell him yes."
Jen held up her phone and started to dial, but before she could finish, her phone rang. Kim's name appeared on the Caller ID. Jen pressed the accept button and held the phone to her ear.
"Kim? Everything all right?"
"Not exactly. Just meet me at my house. I'll explain everything there."
Kim returned home finding Ron sitting with her brothers watching a wrestling match on the TV set.
"Ron, you won't believe what happened tonight."
"Shh!" the boys shushed at her before turning back to the TV screen.
The door opened again and Jen arrived. "What's up?"
"Shh!" the boys shushed again.
"Well, that's rude." Jen commented before Kim pulled Jen away.
"Jen, something weird happened at the museum." Kim said. "One of the guards there was attacked. I think something was stolen."
"Stolen?" Jen asked. "By whom?"
"I don't know." Kim replied. "I didn't get a good look at the robbers. But there was someone else there, someone in a white outfit and a white hood. I think he was after the robbers too, but he vanished before I could ask him anything."
"That's weird." Jen said.
Suddenly, the Kimmunicator beeped. Kim held it up and answered. "What's the sitch, Wade?"
"The only thing stolen from the museum was a small talisman." Wade answered. "It was a gift to Cleopatra from the high priest of Anubis, the jackal-headed Egyptian god of mummification."
"A hundred new things brought to that exhibit and the thieves stole a tiny trinket?" Jen asked.
"Well, if you believe the stories, this talisman was supposedly enchanted." Wade said.
"Oh, come on. Who would believe that?" Kim asked.
"The thief must think so." Jen said. "But what's this 'enchanted talisman' supposed to do?"
"Superhuman strength." Wade answered.
"Seriously?" Jen asked. "How many superstrong jerks do we have to beat before we get something new?"
"Any suspects?" Kim asked.
"Actually, there's one guy to look out for." Wade said. "Before Middleton, this talisman was in a museum in New York. But when it was announced that it would be here, one of the museum employees protested. A guy named Steven Grant." The image on the screen changed to a face that Kim recognized.
"Wait a minute. I know that guy. He was stalking around Club Banana." Kim said.
"So this Steven guy came all the way from New York just to steal the talisman?" Jen asked.
"That's one theory." Wade said.
"And what about that noise I heard before we discovered the robbery?" Kim asked. "It sounded like the entire world was shrieking."
"Still unsure. But according to the guard, he got the full blast of it from pointblank range behind him. He couldn't hear a thing after that." Wade answered. "I'm trying to identify that sound, and I'll let you know what I learn."
After the call ended, the girls were joined by Ron. "So how are the queen's old clothes?"
"I barely got to see them." Kim said. "Right after I hooked up with Monique, the museum was robbed by some glowing-headed animal guy who was fighting a weirdo in a white cape."
"Well, that's nice." Ron said before realizing what she said. "Wait a minute. Who's Monique?"
"New friend." Kim said. "Really great. Anyway, the thieves stole an enchanted ancient talisman."
"Whoa, whoa." Ron interrupted. "Back up. How can I not know about a new friend?"
"I met her at Club Banana. Then again at the museum before I chased the glowing robbers."
"So what's she like?"
"The robber?"
"The friend, Kim. The 'new' friend."
"Uh, Ron, focus." Jen said. "Kim just described a robber who stole a legendary mystic jewel who was also being chased by another strange guy. That seems like a bit more pressing issue than someone new who Kim likes."
"Okay, okay." Ron said. "Why don't we hit Bueno Nacho and you can fill me in?"
"No thanks." Kim said. "Monique and I stopped for smoothies on the way home."
The news left Ron discontent.
"Smoothies?" Ron asked after sitting at Bueno Nacho with Jen and Rufus. "Since when does Kim drink smoothies?"
"Ron, lots of people like smoothies." Jen said. "It's not that uncommon."
"Jen, there's a pattern here." Ron said. "Kim does her thing. I do my thing. And pretty soon, we're doing different things."
"Dude, just because you and Kim have different interests, it doesn't change anything about you." Jen said. "You're still best friends. So you like wrestling and Kim doesn't. So Kim likes fashion and you don't. Kim just met someone who she can actually talk fashion with. And then, there's you and me enjoying the GWA together. Nothing's really going to change."
Ron sighed with a soft smile. "You're right. Maybe I'm just blowing this whole Monique thing out of proportion. Tomorrow, everything will be just like it was before."
"That's good to hear." Jen said. "And hey, big news, I just called Jackie Oakes and told him that I'd wrestle at his show."
"Really?" Ron asked excitedly. "That's awesome! What are we awaiting for?"
"Well, Jackie set me up in a match against Poundcakes."
"HA! I knew it!" Ron cried out. "Sounds like the twins owe me ten bucks!"
The next day, at Middleton High, Jen was enjoying the praise she was getting from her classmates.
"Walters, heard you were gonna appear in GWA. Good luck."
"Break a leg, Jen! Literally!
"Congrats, Jen!"
Jen chuckled as she entered the lunchroom. "You know, I was used to stares I get from guys who admire my looks, and now, I'm getting praises for getting in a GWA match. This is just…" She stopped in her tracks when she saw Ron sitting with Kim and Monique.
"Well, don't leave me out." Jen walked over and joined the three. "Hi. I'm Jennifer Walters. Everyone calls me Jen. You must be Monique."
"Jennifer Walters?" Monique asked. "As in, the She-Hulk?"
"That's me." Jen answered.
"We're just getting into our special lunch." Ron said holding out a treat and offering it to Monique. "Bear claw?"
"No thanks. I'm a vegetarian." Monique chuckled.
"Um, I'm pretty sure it's imitation bear." Ron said.
"She's joking, Ron." Kim said.
"Right." Ron chuckled a fake laugh. "So did Kim tell you that I'm her sidekick, 'cause that role's definitely taken by me."
"Then who's she?" Monique asked pointing her thumb at Jen.
"I'm the muscle." Jen answered.
"Well, I better get to class." Monique said standing up from her chair. "Later, Kim. Nice meeting you, Jen. And, um, you too, Ron."
"Likewise, I'm sure!" Ron called out as Monique left.
"What is your problem?" Kim asked scowling at Ron. "You're acting really weird."
"Well, let's see." Ron said. "You went to the museum with Monique, not me. Monique was with you this morning, not me. Hmm… Pattern?!"
Jen sighed. "Ron's afraid you're going to replace him with Monique." She turned her head to Ron. "And I thought you were gonna let this go!"
"That was before Kim met up with Monique this morning." Ron said.
"Ron, for crying out loud." Jen groaned. "I already told you, nothing is going to change between the two of you."
"But we're drifting apart because she's excluding me!" Ron argued.
"I am not excluding you." Kim said. "It's just that you and Monique are different."
"Oh, and now, you're going to tell me that sometimes, growing up means growing apart. I've heard it before, Kim. Billy Bulwicki, second grade."
"Ron, you're still blowing this out of proportion." Kim said.
Ron sighed. "Okay. Maybe I am. Ooh, don't forget. Mayhem in Middleton tonight. Jen's going to be in a match against Poundcakes tonight."
"Ron, those tickets are for you and Jen." Kim said. "I kinda already made plans with, uh, Monique."
Ron stared blankly for a second. "I blame the smoothies. Here, you can at least have one ticket." Ron took one of the tickets and passed them to Kim before storming off.
Kim sighed. "Jen, could you please go talk to Ron?"
"Sure thing." Jen said.
The Middleton Arena was packed with wrestling fans who have come for Mayhem in Middleton. Jen headed down the backstage hallway wearing her battlesuit. She stopped when she came face to face with an elderly woman in a blue granny outfit.
"Oh, sorry, ma'am." Jen said.
"It's quite all right. Actually, I want to talk to you." Said the old lady.
"Me?" Jen asked. "I'm sorry, but who are you?"
"I'm Auntie Freeze. I'm the manager of the Grapplers."
"You?" Jen asked.
"Don't let my wrinkles fool you." Auntie Freeze said. "Back in my day, I was quite a brawler in the ring. Just wanted to come and wish you luck on your match. Poundcakes is not someone to take lightly you know."
"What do you mean?" Jen asked. "Ain't the whole thing scripted?"
"The men, maybe, but when it comes to the Grapplers, we take wrestling seriously." Auntie Freeze answered. "In fact, I put my girls through a training regiment so successful, they're able to handle anything in the ring. That's why Jackie permitted us to have real brawls for the crowd."
"Wow. That sounds awesome." Jen said. "Now, I'm extra excited."
"Freeze!"
Auntie Freeze turned around to face the woman who stormed across the hall to confront her. It was Screaming Mimi, who had the rest of the Grapplers following her trying to tell her to stop.
Auntie Freeze sighed before turning to the wrestler. "What is it, Mimi?"
"I'm here to try and convince you to put me into the match instead of Poundcakes." Screaming Mimi said. "I've been out of the ring less often than the other girls. I'm due for a match."
"Sorry, Auntie." Letha said.
"We tried to stop her. I swear." Battleaxe said.
"Sorry, but my mind is made up." Auntie Freeze said. "I told you, if you have an issue, take it up with Jackie. In fact, I thought you already went to him."
Screaming Mimi looked down with clenched fists. "All right. I understand." With her head still down, she continued to leave the hallway. Most of the other Grapplers did too except for one.
Poundcakes approached Jen. "Sorry you had to see that."
"It's fine." Jen said. "So you're my opponent, huh?"
"That's right." Poundcakes confirmed. "But hey, just because I like you, don't think it means I'm taking it easy on you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Jen said.
"Great. Our match is in thirty minutes, after Pain King and Steel Toe's." Poundcakes said before walking away.
All of a sudden, Jen was surprised by the sudden arrival of Ron Stoppable, who ran right at her body and fell on his butt.
"Ron, you okay?" Jen asked helping Ron up.
"Sorry, Jen." Ron said. "Just heading to the back to get a pen. Gonna get Steel Toe's autograph."
"I'll join you." Jen said. "I gotta talk to you about something anyway."
"About what?" Ron asked as he began walking with his friend.
"It's about your behavior when it comes to Monique."
Ron frowned. "Seriously? You too."
"Ron, for the hundredth time, nothing's going to change between you and Kim." Jen said.
"But the pattern…"
"What pattern? So Kim has a friend that she can discuss fashion with. That doesn't mean anything. And last I checked, you didn't even want to go to that museum the other night in the first place. Kim's not excluding you."
"But she would rather hang out with her new friend than come watch wrestling with me."
"Ron, did it ever occur to you that maybe Kim never had an interest in wrestling? At least, as much as you do?"
"What's your point?"
"The point is, for the first time in a while, Kim has someone she can click with on matters that she can't connect with you about. But that doesn't change any of the things that do make you good friends. You both have potential. You like hanging out and talking. You like me and Rufus a lot."
Rufus emphasized her point by popping out of Ron's pocket. "Hey."
"Monique's probably the only person she can talk girl stuff about." Jen continued. "But in the end, you're still the best friend she's had since preschool. Try not feeling like an outcast and more like someone who's glad that Kim has another friend."
Ron thought for a moment and sighed. "All right. I'll try."
"Attaboy." Jen said just as they reached a door.
Ron opened the doorknob, but stopped when he entered a dimly-lit room. Jackie stood in the middle of the room wearing Egyptian clothes while a purple smoke circled around him. He wore a talisman around his neck which glowed as he laughed while the smoke grew bigger until it consumed him. Right after, the smoke cleared, and Jackie had changed into a giant, monstrous Jackal that almost took up the whole room. He growled at both Jen and Ron.
"You know what?" Ron asked. "I'll just come back later."
"So Jackie's the talisman thief?" Jen asked cracking her knuckles. "Well, don't let me let you hurt people."
She threw her fist, but was surprised when Jackie caught it. He countered with a punch of his own sending her flying out of the room. He did the same thing to Ron right after.
"What's the matter with you, Oakes?" Jen asked.
"Not Jackie Oakes anymore!" the monster shouted. "Tonight, the world will see the fearsome power of… the Jackal!"
"I don't care what you call yourself?" Jen asked standing back up. "Right now, you're a bad dog, so I'm going to put you…"
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Both Jen and Ron were pushed aside by a scream so loud, it shook the hallway. When Jen recovered, she looked up at Screaming Mimi, who joined the Jackal's side.
"You're helping him?" She-Hulk asked.
"It's called payback for being underestimated." Screaming Mimi said. "Jackie knew something about that. So when we heard that a magical strength-augmenting talisman was being sent to same town we were heading to, inspiration struck."
"And now, we strike!" The Jackal charged forward toward Jen and Ron.
Kim and Monique were having an enjoyable time at the coffee shop until Monique noticed Kim not smiling at all.
"Not enough froth in your latte?" she asked.
"No. I'm just feeling guilty. I kind of blew off Ron to be here tonight."
"Why didn't you bring him along?"
"Unless someone put a waiter in a headlock, this is definitely not Ron's scene. Besides, he had a date with Steel Toe."
Monique's eyes lit up. "Hold up. He scored tickets to Mayhem in Middleton? The GWA rocks!"
"What?" Kim asked surprised.
"Pretty tacky, I know. But my brother hooked me up. Pain King's my boy."
Kim laughed. "I can't believe you, Ron, and Jen have something in common. I bet you also didn't know that Jen's wrestling tonight."
"She is?" Monique asked. "With who?"
"Someone named Poundcakes, I guess."
"Sounds great! I mean, I was kinda hoping Screaming Mimi since she's due, but Poundcakes is a better choice. Still, it would be nice to hear Mimi's supersonic scream again."
Kim's eyes widened. "Hold up. Supersonic scream? What's that about?"
"Right. That." Monique said. "See, Screaming Mimi has this unique gimmick of having a loud scream that can shake the entire arena."
"She does?" Kim asked with a realization. She then pulled out her Kimmunicator. "Wade, that loud noise at the museum before the robbery. Try comparing that to the GWA wrestler, Screaming Mimi."
"Hold on." Wade said typing and staring at the screen. "Well, I'll be. It's a perfect match."
"What's going on?" Monique asked.
"Don't freak out," Kim said, "But I think Mimi might be involved with the museum robbery."
"You couldn't be more right."
The girls were surprised at the new voice that came from behind them. They were staring at Steven Grant who approached them.
"You again?" Monique asked. "You're that weirdo at Club Banana!"
"Steven Grant." Kim recognized.
"Well, not exactly. My name's Marc Spector. It's a long story, but the point is, we need to head to the Middleton Arena now. Innocent people are in danger."
"Why should I trust you?" Kim asked.
Marc sighed before spinning himself around. Suddenly, a white cloak appeared circling him as he changed. When he stopped, he stood tall wearing the same white outfit and hood that Kim saw on the roof of the museum.
"Willing to listen now?" Marc asked.
Kim stood from her chair and nodded. "Okay. Let's go."
Marc changed back into his civilian clothes as Kim called a taxi. She got in with Marc and instructed the driver to take them to the Middleton Arena.
"So you're the man who was trying to catch the thief too." Kim said as the taxi drove.
"I prefer Moon Knight if you don't mind." Marc replied.
"How did this happen?" Kim asked.
Marc sighed before answering. "Fine. Since we've got some time before we get to the arena, I might as well tell you. I used to be a mercenary. One day, I was sent on an assignment to Egypt which then lead me to the Temple of Khonshu, the moon god. Long story short, the job went sideways and I was left for dead. I thought it was the end, until Khonshu himself saved my life."
Kim raised an eyebrow. "You expect me to believe an Egyptian god saved your life?"
"Well, it was more like I made a deal with him to save my life." Marc continued. "In exchange, I became Khonshu's avatar, someone who can carry out his justice on his behalf. Though, sometimes, he can be a bit of a micromanager." He turned his head to the empty space between him and Kim. "Yes, you are. Don't interrupt."
Kim stared at Marc nervously and scooched herself to her side. "Um, you know you're acting a bit crazy, right?"
"Yeah. I've been called that before." Marc said. "Since then, I've been travelling the world delivering the justice of the Moon Knight to those who deserve it."
"And your day job is working at a museum?" Kim asked.
"No. That's still Steven Grant. I… Look, it's a long story that's not relevant. Right now, we need to stop Jackie Oakes before he goes too far."
"Jackie Oakes?" Kim asked. "He's the thief?"
"Correct." Marc replied. "He started his plan when he and Screaming Mimi broke into a Chicago university and stole an ancient papyrus associated with the Talisman of Anubis. If he reads it aloud while wearing it, the spirit of Anubis will transform him and twist his mind changing him into an unstoppable juggernaut of fury and rage. As soon as I heard what he's up to, I tried to stop him, but he got to it first and escaped."
"So we're going up against a madman with a Napoleon complex who has the power to turn into an Egyptian monster." Kim said. "And Ron and Jen are in the middle of it all. Driver, go faster!"
"Okay." The driver said. "But I gotta say, that was probably the third most interesting conversation I've ever heard."
The Jackal and Screaming Mimi knocked Jen and Ron out into the arena and into the wrestling ring along with Pain King and Steel Toe. Immediately after, the two joined them.
"Who's the new guy with Mimi?" Pain King asked.
"It's Jackie." Ron answered. "He's got supernatural powers."
"That's right!" The Jackal said confronting the two wrestlers. "You all said I was too small to get in the ring! Well, here I am! Do you still think I'm too small?" He grabbed both Pain King and Steel Toe and held them up to everyone in the arena to see.
"You made your point, Jackie!" She-Hulk stated. "Now, put them down!"
"But we just got started." Screaming Mimi said before taking a deep breath. She then let out a loud scream in Jen and Ron's direction. "AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"
She-Hulk and Ron got blasted to the far side of the ring where the Grapplers all joined them at. While most of them helped the two up, Poundcakes stepped up to confront the traitor.
"Why, Mimi?" Poundcakes asked. "What did we ever do to you?"
"It's more like what you didn't do for me." Screaming Mimi asked. "I've been with you all since day one, but the rest of you get many more matches than I do! I deserve to be in the spotlight as much as the three of you! But once the Jackal dominates the entire roster, I'll be the one in charge of the Grapplers!"
"But we trusted you!" Poundcakes cried out. "You were our friend!"
"Were. Past tense." Screaming Mimi said.
"Sheesh. Looks like this girl needs a lesson in friendship." Kim said as she joined the group.
"KP! You're here!" Ron yelled excitedly.
"Hope you don't mind, but I brought in some more help." Kim pointed upward. Everyone looked up at the Moon Knight to landed in the ring in his full white costume.
"Who's that?" She-Hulk asked.
"He calls himself Moon Knight." Kim said.
"Well, whoever he is, consider him part of our stable." She-Hulk said.
After throwing Pain King and Steel Toe to the mat, the Jackal turned to the crowd. "I will take on all comers in a no-holds-barred grudge match! Right here! Right now!"
"You asked for it!" She-Hulk yelled as she jumped to the Jackal and punched him in his chest. He fell over and landed on his back. The Moon Knight landed on his chest and tried to reach for the talisman, but the Jackal quickly recovered and pushed him off.
Meanwhile, Screaming Mimi was facing her three former friends who all charged at her. She pointed her mouth to the ring beneath her and screamed. She used it to launch herself up from the ring and letting the girls run into each other. Battleaxe then grabbed Letha and threw her upwards to Mimi. She grabbed her and they grappled while they fell. Mimi escaped by screaming at Letha and pushing her off of her as she landed safely on the ground.
"Jen," Kim said to her gamma friend, "The Grapplers are trying to grab Mimi. Help them with that while Ron and I help Moon Knight get the talisman."
"On it." Jen said as she headed to help the Grapplers.
"So what is your plan?" Moon Knight asked.
"Ron, you distract the Jackal while we reach for the talisman." Kim said.
"Got it." Ron said before running out to confront the Jackal. "Steel Toe's number one! Jackal who? Jackal who? Steel Toe's number one!" Jackal turned growling at Ron's chanting. "That's right! You heard me, old demon!"
The distraction was enough for Kim and Moon Knight to bounce off the ring ropes and land on his shoulders. They tried to grab the talisman, but Jackal grabbed them both and threw them at Ron.
"As long as he has that talisman on, this guy can't be stopped." Kim said.
Moon Knight turned and saw Pain King and Steel Toe recovering. "Get them to help!"
"Got it." Ron said heading to the two wrestlers. "We got to keep the Jackal busy!"
"No way, man." Pain King said. "This guy's scary."
"There's no way." Steel Toe agreed. "I don't want a piece of this guy."
"Don't you see?" Ron asked. "You're not just entertainers. You're not just gifted athletes. You're heroes."
Pain King and Steel Toe looked down at the kid fans who admired them. They then looked at each other and smiled. They then tackled the Jackal and wrestled against his might as he struggled.
From afar, Screaming Mimi shot a sonic scream that nearly hit She-Hulk before she dodged out of the way.
"Sheesh. Doesn't this girl ever have laryngitis?" She-Hulk asked turning to the other Grapplers. "How have we not beaten her yet? There's four of us and one of her!"
"She's keeping herself out of our reach." Battleaxe said. "As strong as we are, we're no match for her screams."
Just then, an idea flashed in She-Hulk's head. "Maybe not individually, but maybe together…"
Poundcakes shared an uncertain look with Letha and Battleaxe. "It's worth a shot."
The four of them grouped up and stayed together as they stomped their way toward Screaming Mimi, who laughed at them.
"That's cute. You think you four can change anything together?" Screaming Mimi mocked. "Well, get a load of this!" She held in her longest breath before letting it all out.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"
This scream fired at the four like a missile and hit just as hard, but the four of them didn't fall. They slid back a few inches, but they didn't fall. They kept on walking towards Mimi who was surprised before screaming louder. They kept getting closer and closer fighting the supersonic blasts that hit them. Finally, they got close enough for She-Hulk to grab Mimi by her shoulder to stop her from screaming. She then held her up into the air and send her crashing down into a powerbomb. The impact was strong enough to knock her out and rattle the ring.
When the ring shook, the Jackal lost his footing and fell on his knee. The Moon Knight saw his chance to charge at him and strike him with his knee. While that happened, Ron threw Rufus to the Jackal's collar where he bit the strong on his talisman and removed it from his body. He was thankfully caught by Kim.
Without the talisman, the panicking Jackal quickly transformed back into the small and nonthreatening Jackie Oakes, who found himself surrounded by his angry wrestlers.
"Uh, guys, be reasonable." Jackie chuckled nervously.
"Jackie," Pain King said picking his company's owner up into the air, "You're going down!" He spun him around and threw him right into the crowd.
With the Jackal and Screaming Mimi defeated, the crowd cheered loudly at the heroes who stood in the ring triumphantly.
The next day, at Bueno Nacho, Jen finished rubbing the inside of her ear while sitting with Kim, Ron, and Monique.
"How are you feeling, Jen?" Kim asked.
"I think I got the deafness out of my ear." Jen said. "I tell you, taking the full force of a shrieking banshee's sonic blast can make even my ears pop. So what happened? I couldn't hear what happened after we beat Jackie and Mimi."
"Well, Moon Knight took the talisman and told us he was going to hide it somewhere no one would ever find it." Kim said.
"You know, there are so many questions I still have about that guy." Ron said. "Like, why did Wade say his name was Steven Grant? And does he really serve an Egyptian god?"
"Who knows?" Kim shrugged. "As for the GWA, Auntie Freeze said she would take over now that Jackie and Mimi were arrested. She even said she would hire some new female wrestlers to expand the Grapplers. But after what happened last night, Jen, she said your match with Poundcakes has been cancelled."
"I was afraid of that." Jen sighed.
"Don't worry though." Ron said. "She also said she's gonna try and arrange for a return tour to Middleton and get you that match."
"That's great." Jen said.
"I still can't believe you met Pain King and Steel Toe." Monique said.
"Well, I can't believe you're into wrestling." Ron replied.
"I can't believe I know either one of you." Kim said.
"Oh, cheer up, Kim." Jen said. "You like fashion. Me and Ron like wrestling. And now, we've got a new friend who likes both."
"Yeah." Kim agreed. "I think this is the beginning of a very weird friendship."
Auntie Freeze tapped her fingers in her office without a speck of light to keep her company. As she sat in her desk, she stared at her cell phone until it rang. She picked it up and answered.
"I've been expecting you." she said.
"I saw the show." said a deep, disguised voice. "It's a real shame one of your Grapplers got arrested. But I do hope she doesn't sing like a canary about where she and the others really got their strength."
"You don't have to worry about that, Power Broker." Auntie Freeze assured. "Mimi may be traitorous, but she knows better than to tell the wrong people about you. In the meantime, I hope you leave us alone while we keep the fans entertained."
"Of course." The Power Broker replied. "You are the customer. What you do with the powers I give you is none of my concern. For now, keep going about your business as long as you don't say a word. And trust me. I'll know if you do."