"So…who's the villain we're facing?" Rad asked after the cutaway ended and they all appeared in their mission spandex . "New character?"
"Kind of late in the season for one." Enid rolled her eyes. "Don't they know that the show's almost over?"
"Pfft, yeah," Rad snorted. "Hard to have a real impact at this point. Unless they're the last big enemy or something."
"Isn't that a really lame thing to do?" Enid asked. She crossed her arms, her chest swelling up with pent up passion. "I mean, if they're the last big enemy, but there's no build up towards them…why should anyone care? Like, there's so many other villains we've faced that could be a better last opponent for the show. And why have it be so sudden? It's like a jump scare. Once the surprise is over, there's nothing going for it afterwards."
"What about Boxman Jr.?" Mr. Gar, feeling rather chummy as they trekked through the waterlines to the Glorb Sanctuary's sealed door. "He only appeared in one episode at the end of season one."
Rad clicked his tongue. "That's different. That was season one. Besides, we got a bit of build up in the earlier episodes, too. With Venomous giving Box Butt the equipment, Boxman shown working on it. Ya know, actual buildup?"
Enid and Mr. Gar stared at him, incredulous. Mr. Gar ventured to ask, "Rad…how did you know all this? You couldn't have been able to see any of that!."
"I have my sources," Rad said smugly. He wasn't going to admit that Raymond was one of those said sources.
"Shadowy Figure," K.O. said quietly. His friends looked at him in befuddlement. K.O. pulled out the POW card in explanation. "You know? That guy who showed me how to pull out my anger for more power? He's the one we're going after."
Rad and Enid looked at Shadowy Figure's POW card and then at each other with worry. They did know a bit about him, but they never faced him before. In fact, from what they've been hearing, K.O. is the only one who has directly interacted with Shadowy Figure over the entire course of the show.
So…what was going to happen if they tried taking him on themselves?
If he was responsible for T.K.O.'s existence - Rad still had nightmares about his debut episode - then what was he capable of by himself? Certainly couldn't be weaker than T.K.O., that would have been ridiculous. Or a sign of arrogance. Or, in Enid's opinion, a case of poor writing.
"Sooooo," Rad gave K.O. a sideway look. He was trying to look relaxed, but fooled no one. "Shadowy Figure. A figure who dresses shadowy. What exactly are his powers? Not that I'm worried or anything. Just…for the heck of it."
K.O. pondered this for a moment. "Well, he's fast and strong. And he can float…I think…oh! He's also got a butterfly net."
"Of course he does…" Rad whimpered, feeling dread at the last commented ability. He rubbed at his shoulder, remembering with distinct detail the last time he had an encounter with a butterfly net on a mission. Stupid butterfly fluttering conveniently in-between them and that stupid cat!
"Look at the bright side," Enid deadpanned. "No full moon tonight, which means no risk of getting caught up in a net. We'll be fine."
Rad wasn't convinced. "That's what they all say before encountering the bad guy no one has defeated yet and get their butts handed to them."
"Hey!" K.O. pouted at Rad's comment.
"Oh," Rad rubbed the back of his neck. "No offense, K.O."
"We should be getting close, now." Mr. Gar said. "I want you all to be on your guard."
"Yes, sir." All three employees said at the same time.
"He may have slipped past P.O.I.N.T.'s security measures. But I know for a fact that the main entrance is sealed up tight. Only way he could get passed us is from where he slipped in. Well, that and possibly the waterfall in the Glorb Sanctuary. So, when he's in our sights, we're gonna corner him like the ra - I, uh…I mean…like the bug he is! I'm going to repeat that last statement to set the record straight. The main entrance is sealed up good and even someone like Shadowy Figure couldn't…get…passed…that…"
They were all at the main entrance that Mr. Gar was just talking about. The one that he had sealed up in Season One. The same one that K.O. broke through in the following season in an effort to catch Shadowy Figure and confront him about T.K.O.
The one that he forgot to seal up after he was done…
Mr. Gar's eyes popped out of their sockets in alarm. "WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SECURITY MEASURES I PUT UP?!"
"Oops," K.O, raised his suddenly sweat hand up in the air like he just didn't care.
Mr. Gar was not amused. "K.O.?! WHY?!"
"I forgot to fix it when I was done…?" K.O. chuckled nervously.
Mr. Gar put a hand to his face. "Just…we'll fix it again when we're done here..."
"We're gonna have to use the net, are we?" Rad shriveled up.
"Probably." Enid sighed, not looking forward to the hijinks that were certainly to occur now.
Does that mean I can come out, now?
We're not doing that, anymore! And I'm gonna let that mistake drag me down!
But I'm boooooooored!
I don't caaaaaare!
K.O. was so caught up in his argument with his inner darkness that he was oblivious to how everyone else was looking at him funny.
Mr. Gar shook his head in sorrow. "The pressure finally got to him…"
"What do we tell his mom?" Enid frowned.
"Let's do it!" K.O. startled everyone and readied a Power Fist. He jumped through into the Glorb Sanctuary, ready for battle. Enid followed close behind with a Power Foot Fireball ready to fly. Rad had his Power Poke ready to poke the baddies hard in the eye.
The trio's epic pose in midair came to an anti climatic end as they realized that none of the glorbs were missing. And worst, there wasn't a figure, shadowy or otherwise, in the sanctuary either.
Mr. Gar blinked and looked at his phone. "Don't wanna jump to any conclusions…" He dialed a number and waited for someone to pick up. He tried not to panic, there had to have been an explanation. Foxtail taking care of it already and forgetting to call back about the situation. The fight leading Shadowy Figure and Foxtail somewhere else, away from the Glorb Sanctuary. A plot hole the writer left in in their haste to build up tension.
Riiiiiiiiing!
Everyone flinched as they heard Foxtail's phone, but no Foxtail appearing.
Riiiiiiiiing!
Rad started following the source, ignoring the glowing spectacle of the glorbs floating above him. Enid was on lookout. She lowered herself into a fighting stance and kept her hands clasped together in preparation for a ninjutsu.
Riiiiiiiiing!
The phone was floating in the water, held in an iron grip by an unconscious Foxtail. She was covered in scrapes and bruises, nothing too severe or too grim because censors wouldn't have allowed it on a kids' show. Rad gulped and levitated her into the air. "Uhhh…found her…"
"Not really what she used to be in my day." An eerie voice cackled. Rad looked around for the source and pointed his other hand out in warning.
"Stay back!" Sweat began beading around Rad's face. "I'm warning you!"
"Seriously? That's the best you could come up with? 'I'm warning you'?"
Rad forgot his fear for a moment and glared. "Oh right. Like you could come up with something better?"
"I could." Something blurred in front of Rad and slammed him in the abdomen. Rad keeled over, unable to maintain his focus on Foxtail. She dropped back into the water with a big splash. Another blur backhanded him across the cheek. When Rad tumbled towards the stairs, Enid leapt in front of him and released a stream of shadowy tendrils at the assailant. It ducked and dodged through all of them and hit her square in the jaw. Enid went down, defeated. "How about: I win."
"GET AWAY FROM MY EMPLOYEES!" Mr. Gar bellowed, coming down with an Elbow strike searing-hot. He crashed down and a huge geyser of water erupted from where he landed. Mr. Gar stood up and looked over his glasses in a rare instance of genuine fury. He grabbed Enid and Rad and flung them over one shoulder. Then, he did the same for Foxtail and jumped back up the stairs where K.O. was.
"We can't fight with everyone hurt." K.O. stood in rapt attention as his boss sternly looked down at him. "We'll need to fall back."
"But the glorbs"-
"Can be recovered later." Mr. Gar interrupted. "I know this is a lot to ask, K.O., but I need you to help me keep everyone safe with your Power Fists."
"My, my, my. Still as sharp as ever, Elbow."
Mr. Gar looked around, keeping K.O. behind him. "W-where are"-
Something jabbed him hard in the chest, knocking all the wind out of him. Mr. Gar collapsed, unconscious like his employees and former friend.
"Peekaboo."
"Mr. Gar!" K.O. knelt over his boss, eyes welling up with tears. He glared up at the enemy with fierce eyes.
Shadowy Figure walked out into better light. He gave K.O. a pitiful smile. "Awwww. Did I make a boo boo?"
I want to fight this guy, now!
We got no choice! I know we're out of practice, but we should-
You really wanna try that? It's been most of the season.
Yo-you really wanna become P.K.O. again?
Hate to say it, but I can't beat him on my own. Might give us a chance to 'work things out' like you want us to, anyways.
Remember. We can't let Mr. Gar, Rad, Enid, or Foxtail get hurt!
Don't worry. This fight will be so intense, Shadowy won't even remember they're here.
"I can see it in your eyes, K.O." Shadowy Figure purred. "You want to free the beast, don't you? Let it all out. I want to see how much you've grown since last time."
K.O. closed his eyes and started floating. Wind began to swirl around him and sparks began flying out from his body. There was a dark sheen of purple to them. Shadowy Figure gave an impressed whistle. He wasn't expecting the kid to give in that easil -
Before he could finish that thought, the sparks started to brighten in color. Foxtail stirred and put a hand to her head, then looked up in astonishment. Rad and Enid began to wake up too and couldn't help but stare.
"Do you see that?" Enid whispered.
"I feel it." Rad nodded.
Took you long enough! T.K.O. snapped. I thought you were gonna chicken out on me!
Why are you giving this a chance?
You proved you were serious about working things out. You brought me out of your subconscious even after I tried breaking out.
I'm sorry I locked you up in there…
You should be! Now let's kick his butt!
K.O.'s eyes opened, now yellow. His headband and wristbands turned electric-blue. There was a fang gaping out of his mouth like an underbite.
Shadowy Figure gulped. "Aw sh"-
A Power First the size of Mr. Gar crashed into him, sending him soaring into the air.
"You can't swear!" P.K.O. scowled. "This is a kids's show!"
Shadowy Figure landed in front of the Glorb Tree, unharmed, but visibly angry.
"That. Really. Hurt."
"And this is gonna hurt more!" Foxtail flew out and hit Shadowy Figure square in the jaw. Shadowy Figure was too stunned by the large Power Fist to dodge. He was sent flying out until he was on the opposite end of the Sanctuary, but stayed firmly on his feet.
"You're choosing a bad time to get a lucky shot in, Foxy."
"The next hit won't be so lucky." Foxtail said.
P.K.O. stared at her in astonishment. He flew to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I don't think it's a good idea. You're hurt and"-
"Hurt, shmurt!" Foxtail brushed the hand aside. "As a member of P.O.I.N.T., it's my sworn duty to place my life on the line for the innocent. I have some unfinished business to attend to with him, anyways."
P.K.O. found himself nodding in understanding. If there was anyone he trusted to help him with Shadowy, it was someone who knew what he was like.
"Rad. Enid." P.K.O. glowered at Shadowy Figure. "Get Mr. Gar out of here. He's hurt."
Enid looked offended. "Are you nuts?! You can't fight that guy on your own!"
"We fight to the end, little buddy!" Rad pointed a finger at Shadowy Figure, ready for a rematch.
"If Mr. Gar gets hurt even more, he can't protect the Glorb Tree or the Plaza and this whole thing will be pointless."
"Wait, what was that about him protecting the Tree, again?"
"Rad? What should you and Enid be doing right now?"
"Getting Mr. Gar to safety?"
"Exactly!" P.K.O. turned back and gave his best friends a reassuring smile. "And I'm not alone. Foxtail's with me, I'll be fine. Once Mr. Gar's safe, you better have back-up with you. I don't know how long I can keep this form going for."
Rad and Enid nodded, accepting what their main concern had to be, even if it meant the kid they both grew to love like a little brother had to stay and risk his life. Which meant that they both ran at risk of facing his mother's wrath if anything happened to her beautiful boy. As the faster of the two, Enid took lead while Rad kept Mr. Gar hovered with his telekineses.
"Jeez, Mr. Gar." Rad struggled to keep his hand steady. "Would it kill you to drop a few?!"
Mr. Gar only groaned in response.
"We'll be back, K.O.!" Enid called back. "Just hang tight, you two! We're not letting you face him alone!"
Foxtail stared back at her former student with new respect. "That's exactly the type of commitment we at P.O.I.N.T. have striven for, Miss Enid!
"Oooooh, really?" Shadowy Figure sneered. "The P.O.I.N.T. I heard of would inject their students with glorbs, cheat in sports games, and use a robot masquerading as organic life as their mascot."
Foxtail narrowed her eyes. "I'm better than that, now."
"Tell it to the press, furball."
"I will, with a formal apology to boot!" Foxtail flew out at him, her fist raised. Shadowy Figure smirked, letting her come closer until the last moment. He ducked underneath her flying form and aimed an uppercut at her.
P.K.O. was suddenly right there in front of him, blocking the strike and taking hold of Shadowy Figure's arm in both hands. He was lifted in the air and P.K.O. spun him round and around until he let go, sending Shadowy Figure flying into Foxtail's left hook. Shadowy crashed back down, sending water everywhere.
Wowee! We've gotten a lot stronger since the last time we fought him!
Shadowy Figure was up on his feet again and shot straight for P.K.O. The young hero tried dodging, but Shadowy was too fast for him and slashed at his chest. P.K.O. spun in the air, dazed, but unhurt.
Hey! Why couldn't we move?!
Tch! I'm rusty. Give me a break!
P.K.O started to descend without warning. He panicked and started clawing at the air, trying to maintain his defiance to gravity. His headband and wristbands started flickering back to their original red hue. Foxtail noticed this and immediately flew towards him, ready to have K.O. fight with his Power Fists in case he couldn't maintain his form. Shadowy lunged at her, taking advantage of her worry. P.K.O. growled and concentrated hard on staying afloat. He stopped the descent and aimed a flurry of Power Fists at Shadowy Figure. Shadowy used his arms to block the volley of attacks, deterred from striking at Foxtail.
P.K.O. wiped the sweat from his brow and flashed a confident smile at Foxtail. She did not look impressed.
"Sugar, you're pushing yourself too hard. Can you keep that up for long?"
"I have to." P.K.O. said. "He's stronger than both of us on our own. I have to go all out."
"That's fine and all, but you can't focus all your power in each attack."
"If I can't stop him here, then I'll never forgive myself." P.K.O. scowled. "I already made a mess with Chip, ruined P.O.I.N.T's reputation, and let my friends get hurt by Shadowy Figure. The mess-ups end HERE!"
As he said this, T.K.O's face eclipsed P.K.O.'s for a split second and he started falling again. Foxtail caught him and settled him onto her back. T.K.O. stared down at his hands in astonishment before K.O. reemerged.
"W-wha…?" His lip trembled.
What happened, T.K.O.?
Why is this my fault?! You're the one who let all that stuff happen! I'm gonna make it right!
We are, you mean!
"K.O., hang tight!" Foxtail flew high into the air. K.O. gripped for dear life. She already fought Shadowy Figure and lost just before they all arrived. And Shadowy took care of Mr. Gar, Rad, and Enid within seconds. The only reason they were able to fight him to a standstill was because of P.K.O.
But without that…this battle was probably going to be a lot harder to handle.
Author's Note: Hello again! Promise next update will come sooner than last time! Don't forget to review!