5:43 A.M. – The Shatterverse
Nick continually glanced around for any sign of either Alex or Captain Dread as he kept flying through the crystal-filled void, and now he was getting worried.
After all, Alex had fought Captain Dread head-on to buy him time to escape into one of the gateways.
But Captain Dread hadn't followed him into the gateway, and he knew that only someone who already possessed a Prism Shard could do so.
A bright flash of light caught Nick's attention, and he looked down to see a Quantum Rift opening up on a nearby crystal pillar, with Captain Dread making her way out of it.
"All right, maybe I can get some answers," Nick quipped.
Suddenly, a large ship anchor came spinning through the air towards Nick, just barely missing him by inches.
"...or not," Nick groaned.
"I was wondering where you went," Captain Dread chuckled.
"You don't have your Prism Shard anymore," Nick noted.
"Sadly, it was pilfered from me by your other-dimensional counterpart in a moment of weakness," Captain Dread admitted. "But I don't really need it right now to take care of you."
"Well, that's just too bad, because now I have two Prism Shards, and you don't have jack or squat," Nick taunted. "Maybe you'll just have to try harder."
Nick quickly realized that maybe he shouldn't have taunted Captain Dread like that, because he didn't like that snarky-looking grin on her face.
"...oh, that can easily be arranged," Captain Dread chuckled.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
(The pages constantly turn, no matter how long the reader takes. When one story ends, another story will inevitably start. In the end, there is only a new beginning.)
Mat49324 and The Blue Time Ranger are proud to present:
Totally Spies: The New Adventures
Episode 108: Discord and Disappointment
Story Rated: T for Teen
Story Created: June 4th, 2024
Story Summary: The one-hundred and forty-sixth co-op project between Mat49324 and The Blue Time Ranger, and episode one hundred and eight of our mission-based series Totally Spies: The New Adventures. It's no secret that Mat loves his Supercross, but one of his favorite racers, Chad Reed, hasn't really been having the best of seasons, to put it mildly, and Mat's obviously upset about it. And wouldn't you know it, a member of the L.A.M.O.S., namely one Myrna Beesbottom, is back on the scene and ready to exacerbate this disappointment in order to screw with the spies. Even if Chad Reed's season is just about done, can the spies keep Mat in high spirits and thwart whatever sinister plan Myrna has up her sleeve?
Author's Notes from Mat49324: Well, we finished up Fleeting Feelings, and I hope you were still taken aback by what happened then. Did any of you think that Nick would have yet another one of the spies fall for him? Let's just say this one would have made sense if Nick and Haruka were an item from a long time ago since they go way back. Anyway, we're moving on to our newest project, which I've titled Discord and Disappointment. If you recall the epilogue of Calamity Call, Mat was immediately disappointed with how Anaheim 1 2010 turned out; let's just say that's just a prelude, and someone from the spies' rogues' gallery is going to use that to her advantage. For now, here's The Blue Time Ranger with anything he'd like to say.
Author's Notes from The Blue Time Ranger: Why, yes, Mat loves his Supercross, could you tell? This time around, though, instead of just being before-mission or after-mission stuff, it's actually gonna be a bit integral to the main caper, as who else but everyone's 'favorite' nanny wants to use that for her scheme. And as for girlfriend number four from the previous caper, that's probably gonna be the last one, as both Mat and I figured that enough was enough. Either way, let's get into this one, shall we? Bikes ready? ROLL IT!
And Now, the Obligatory Disclaimer: Mat49324 and The Blue Time Ranger do not own anything related to Totally Spies or any of its affiliations. It belongs solely to Marathon Media Group, Image Entertainment Corporation, Vincent Chalvon-Demersay, and David Michel. The only things of this story we DO own are any characters or locations created by us truly for the story. Any characters or things we don't own, we are just borrowing with no intent of copyright infringement, only for the entertainment of our readers. Besides, if we did own Totally Spies, which we don't, why would we be writing fiction on a fan site?
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Act 1: Problems A-Plenty
11:30 A.M. – Malibu University
The Spies' Penthouse
Another weekend had come to Malibu University, and the thirteen spies as well. Mat was once again occupying the TV area for round 2 of the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season from Phoenix Arizona's Chase Field. Currently, the Lites broadcast was on; calling the races were the usual team of Ralph Sheheen and Jeff Emig were calling the race, and Erin Bates was the pit reporter.
As was becoming a bit of a norm, Nick was watching with Mat just to keep Mat company; the main event was close to beginning.
"Dude, I have to say that second heat was really nuts!" Nick exclaimed.
Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Josh Hansen #100, the fastest qualifier with a 54.1, had won it easily, but there were quite a few crashes from Canidae Suzuki's Ryan Morais #116, and Factory Connection Honda's Blake Wharton #21, along with problems off-camera from Wharton's teammate Trey Canard #38. Fortunately, Canard made it to the 20-rider main event finishing 2nd in the Last Chance Qualifier behind winner Broc Tickle #20 on the Star Racing Yamaha.
"Yeah, totally," Mat grinned. "Maybe I might be a happy man if Josh Hansen can win this one."
It appeared he was over what happened with Team Kawasaki's Chad Reed in the 450cc class at Anaheim 1.
While Nick and Mat were enjoying the race for the time being, Haruka, May, Melissa, and Dawn were enjoying the pool in solitude; Haruka was still over the moon after confessing her feelings for Nick, who had allowed Haruka into his fold.
"Feeling better, Haruka?" Dawn asked.
"I'd presume she is," Melissa quipped.
"Oh, you'd better believe it," Haruka chuckled. "The agonizing over what everyone might say was the worst part..."
"Believe me, I've been there," May quipped.
"Totally," Clover replied while laying on a floatie. "Anybody who DOESN'T experience love like that doesn't know what they're missing out on..."
The spies that were there could see Sam and Alex returning to the penthouse from weekend shifts at the Mali-U Café.
In the meantime, back inside, the 15-lap Lites main had just started.
Ralph: It's one of the Pro Circuit bikes out front, but not the one we expected! It's Josh Hansen taking the early lead!
Mat was immediately excited, but two corners later, that excitement went out the window. Honda's Wharton had taken the lead and sent Hansen crashing into the tuffblocks.
Sam and Alex had just stepped in just as Mat reacted.
"Oof," Nick groaned.
"Oof doesn't even begin to describe that," Sam quipped.
"That wasn't funny, Wharton!" Alex proclaimed.
Jeff: He landed on the tuffblocks, but obviously Josh Hansen is shaken up!
"Aw man..." Mat groaned as a replay came up.
Jeff: See, he takes a look over his shoulder and Wharton gets in... oh, and Hansen loses traction with the rear tire and highsides!
Ralph: Wow!
"That wasn't right," Sam scoffed.
"It's racing though," Mat sighed, obviously gutted for Josh Hansen.
In the meantime, Jake Weimer was sitting behind Wharton in 2nd place; in 3rd place was Wharton's teammate Trey Canard, who qualified with the 20th and final gate pick by finishing 2nd in the LCQ!
"I'm just as surprised Canard's running 3rd myself," Nick commented, remembering seeing Canard finish 2nd in the LCQ.
"And he was 2nd last week!" Mat added.
Moments later, Ryan Morais on his #116 Canidae Suzuki made a move on Canard for 3rd, much to Mat's surprise.
"Oh boy!" Mat exclaimed. "That was a good pass."
"Took him by surprise for sure," Nick chuckled.
That was when Morais overtook Weimer for 2nd place after Weimer bobbled after the sand section. Canard was all over Weimer's tailpipe until he slid again and was passed by Wil Hahn on the #49 Troy Lee Designs Honda; just like that, Canard, who was as high as 3rd, was now down to 5th.
"Did I speak too soon?" Nick asked.
Sam and Alex chuckled at their men.
"450cc class is next if you two want to join?" Mat offered.
"We might," Alex remarked.
Sam merely nodded.
Mat turned around in time to see that Pro Circuit's Hansen was in the mechanic's area.
Ralph: Josh Hansen in the pits! Remember he had that big crash on the opening lap... looks like he's trying to re-enter the main event.
In the meantime, Blake Wharton still led the way.
"Bro, did you think Weimer was going to run away with this series?" Nick asked.
"I didn't think he'd win every race if that's what you mean," Mat replied. "I just picked him to win the title after how 2009 went for him as a whole."
They both looked over to see Sam and Alex return in two-pieces; they were obviously going to cool off in the pool outside for the time being. Nick and Mat certainly noticed them.
In terms of the racing, Morais and Weimer were closing in on race leader Wharton with 5 laps to go. That was when Weimer began to size up Morais to try retake 2nd place.
"Oh, now we got a race," Mat replied as Bridget came inside for something to drink.
Ralph: And, Jeff, as you'll notice as the names scroll across the top of the screen, Canard has dropped like a rock. He's all the way down to 7th.
"That's not a good sign if Canard wants a second Lites title," Mat stated upon hearing that.
A replay showed Canard had bobbled through the second whoop section and was catapulted off his Honda 250F.
"Aww, I saw that coming when his legs came off," Mat sighed.
"He went flying!" Bridget proclaimed.
Nick and Mat had turned to see Bridget indeed in her two-piece with a can of soda in her hand.
The final three laps of the main had turned into a three-man fight between Wharton, Morais, and Weimer. Bridget decided to see it.
"Oh my!" Mat remarked as Morais went for a block pass on Wharton, but Wharton kept the lead.
Two corners later, Morais DID pass Wharton, much to Mat's surprise...
Ralph: Weimer's gonna try to take 2nd! Into the sand... oh, and Wharton finds himself back in 3rd!
"Oh, I'd hate to be Wharton now," Nick sighed.
Jeff: Okay, here we go! Two laps to go and the race is on; Weimer has won before, he has won this season; Morais moved off of the Pro Circuit team onto the new Rockstar Canidae Pet Food Suzuki! Could this be the night for Ryan Morais to notch his first win? The pressure is on!
Ralph: We mentioned it earlier: 11 times Ryan Morais has stood on the podium at an AMA Monster Energy FIM World Championship Supercross, but he's never been on the top step.
Just a few moments later, Weimer got around his former Pro Circuit teammate Morais for the lead.
"Oh, that's really crushing," Bridget sighed when she saw the white flag out.
Morais kept Weimer in sight, but Weimer did not crack and won the second race of the Lites West season.
Ralph: And once again, FRUSTRATION for Ryan Morais! A great run, but not great enough!
"My thoughts exactly," Mat remarked as Weimer had gone 2-for-2 in the 2010 West Lites season.
In the meantime, the pool day had continued, and Clover was now soaking wet after Alex and May had overturned the floatie Clover was on.
"We just got over this, May, and you're at it again?!" Clover bellowed.
"H-Hey, hey, Alex grabbed the floatie first!" May sputtered as she swam for her life.
"Why are you throwing me under the bus, you traitor?!" Alex shouted.
Melissa was the first of the current spies to go back in because she wanted lunch. When she came to the den, she could see that the first Supercross class heat race had just concluded with Suzuki's Ryan Dungey #5 winning easily, further proving that Dungey's 2nd at Anaheim 1 was no fluke.
Mat had a mixed look on his face, knowing that Dungey had laid down a lap time of 53.8 seconds. Sam came in, bikini on and all, and sat with her fiancée in the hopes that Mat would be feeling better after this race.
"Well, bro, I hope you'll be grinning after this," Nick stated.
Just before heat race #2 was a pit report from Erin Bates regarding Chad Reed's DNF (Did Not Finish) at Anaheim 1.
Erin: The AMA Rule Book states that a rider and a bike cannot leave the track if they wish to continue racing after a mechanical or crash; however, if the bike does need to be repaired, the mechanic is capable of running back to the pits, grabbing whatever part is necessary to repair the bike. I asked Kawasaki Team Manager Mike Fisher why they didn't have a replacement wheel for Chad Reed last weekend, and he said there was absolutely no time to go back, grab it, bring it back, and assemble a new wheel. This weekend, they're going to be more prepared – they're actually going to have a wagon right down here on the track with all excess parts needed. We'll never know if those points could have been made up for Chad Reed...
"They never had spare wheels for Chad Reed?!" Mat chastised. "Ah, man!"
"Talk about lack of preparation," Dawn scoffed.
"Mitch Payton always sits on a mule with spare wheels for Pro Circuit Kawasaki," Mat sighed. "How can Kawasaki not be on that bandwagon?!"
After heat #2 got under way, Suzuki's Lites East rider Austin Stroupe #45 got the holeshot for the second week in a row.
Ralph: [Ryan] Villopoto's in 2nd, [Ivan] Tedesco's in 3rd, so where's Reed and Stewart?!
Jeff: Buried in the... mid-pack!
Mat sighed in frustration after hearing Reed was around 5th place until there was a groan from the crowd.
Ralph: Stewart is DOWN!
Jeff: Down hard!
"Oh boy!" Mat exclaimed as the next shot showed James Stewart down hard on the track and not getting up quickly.
Another rider aboard a Kawasaki 450 was down.
Ralph: Jeff, he got together with Kyle Partridge on the 6-4-4... and James is not getting up. The Asterisk Medical Crew right there... this could be a HUGE moment in the championship...
"Oh, yes!" Mat exclaimed with enormous eyes. He was very much pleased with this development.
"What happened to Stewart?!" Blaine wondered.
The second heat race continued with Stroupe still leading; a replay came moments later. That replay showed Stewart had crossed to his right while airborne and locked bikes with Partridge.
Ralph: OH! AND HE LANDED RIGHT ON HIM!
Jeff: Partridge was on the right, and James typically scrubs those triples... almost jumped under Partridge. James goes to cut across to the right, James cut from the middle – ah, that was pretty close – but Partridge... they both came together. They both kind of came to the middle of the track...
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Mat reacted as his jaw dropped and shook his head in disbelief.
"I've heard of dangerous, but that's just nasty!" Nozomi proclaimed.
"...I have no words for THAT!" May exclaimed, stunned.
"That's one helluva way to kill your season!" Mat chastised, obviously fired up at that dangerous maneuver.
"No kidding," Nozomi noted. "Considering that's lord only knows how many pounds of steel and gears and whatever, going lord knows how fast, and landing on top of someone else..."
"Yeah, let's not bring up those mental images, 'kay?" Haruka quipped.
"Stupid-ass prick!" Mat scoffed as James Stewart was finally being helped off the track after 3 completed laps of 8. "I hope that's the end of his night!"
"Dude, I've never seen you so fired up over something like that," Nick replied. "But I agree... that was pretty stupid – and dangerous!"
"Totally," Haruka remarked as Stewart had to be carried off the track.
Moments later, Stewart tried to walk on his own power and was doing an OK job, but he was grasping his stomach area. He later stopped after about 30 yards and bent down like he had just been hit in the stomach with a boat paddle.
"That's what you get for abusing safety and doing something that shouldn't have been done," Mat stated, obviously still fired up.
Ralph: ...he is really hurting! Just hate to see that...
Jeff: You know, how he landed, Ralph, he got in and kind of had that elbow into the ribs type of impact; you could tell right there on his ribs on that right side are extremely tender!
Stroupe still led the heat race until Villopoto finally got around him on lap 4. Stroupe wasn't out of the woods, as Chad Reed was lurking in 3rd. Much to Mat's delight, Reed got around Stroupe for 2nd place.
"Now this is the Chad Reed I know," Mat stated, beginning to grin.
A while later, a future shot showed James Stewart finally succumbed to a ride on the Asterisk Medic Mule, but moments later...
Jeff: This is really gonna... uh oh! UH OH! Where's the 22 on the left side of your screen?
Ralph: OH! He's got problems! Chad Reed had problems! Stroupe is by him... Reed is in 3rd, so that's still a transfer...
A replay showed Chad Reed got too close to some tuffblocks in one of the rhythm sections and cased a triple jump badly. Mat sighed in relief that was not a crash on Chad Reed's behalf, and Chad Reed would avoid riding the LCQ.
"Yikes, that was cutting it close," Alex quipped.
"Riding the edge of the knife is what that was!" Melissa shouted.
Villopoto on his #2 Monster Energy Kawasaki went on to win heat #2 while Stroupe finished 2nd, and Chad Reed in 3rd, but 9 riders would make the main event (just like heat #1).
It was later reported on the broadcast that James Stewart DID return for the Last Chance Qualifier after being cleared and nothing was broken; he was just beaten and bruised up. He would win the LCQ and make the main event with #10 Tommy Hahn on his Canidae Rockstar Suzuki finishing 2nd.
"Oh, that move makes me so sick!" Mat groaned after seeing another replay of Stewart's crash.
Sam, being the good fiancée, was still staying with Mat, but she was happy to see Mat getting this kind of hope back.
As the main was getting set, it was also reported that James Stewart did not take the sight lap and stayed at his gate on the far outside (in this case, the rider's right with a left-hand first turn).
Ralph: Here we go... watch the gate drop! MAIN EVENT TIME FROM ARIZONA! The holeshot's gonna go to Dungey! What an opportunity for him in the points tonight if he can pick up a win! He's got Stroupe right behind him!
Jeff: Mid-pack for James Stewart.
Ralph: Villopoto's in 3rd! Where's Chad Reed?
Mat's grin went away, as that #22 Kawasaki was nowhere near the front of the pack.
"Uh oh..." Melissa gasped.
After hearing Chad Reed was back around 11th place, Mat was agonized that Reed was letting this golden opportunity get away.
"Oh, this isn't good," Britney added, feeling terrible for Mat.
After lap 1 was completed, Reed was indeed in 11th place, but...
Ralph: There's Chad Reed, and GUESS WHO HE'S BEHIND... JAMES STEWART! Talk about a DEFLATING MOMENT for Reed right now, Jeff...
To say that Mat was really upset was an understatement, despite it being only lap 2 of 20.
"I don't believe this!" Melissa exclaimed as Stewart got around Honda's Kevin Windham #14 for 9th, and Reed got around Windham for 10th.
Mat was way too angry to say anything and just shook his head in disbelief again.
Jeff: You notice Reed right there was a 55.9; our leader Ryan Dungey is flying – a 53.9 – 2 seconds a lap faster than this pace that this group is running!
"Oh, man," Nick sighed, feeling bad for Mat.
Ryan Dungey still led the way with Ryan Villopoto in 2nd, and Josh Hill on his #75 San Manuel Yamaha was running 3rd.
"Talk about a nightmare," Alex remarked.
Before Bridget could say anything, there was a groan from the crowd on lap 6, and the next shot did not make Mat feel any better.
Ralph: OH, AND DOWN GOES STEWART AND REED! James Stewart could not take another impact here tonight!
"Oh no, not again!" Sam exclaimed as Reed was able to continue in the race as a replay came up.
That replay showed Reed went for a block pass on the wounded Stewart, but both combatants fell to the dirt.
Jeff: Watch coming through the whoops here. Watch Reed goes to the right, goes to the inside, and just cuts down – oh, you notice the other riders get stopped up there. That was [Davi] Millsaps and [Justin] Brayton, and it just bottled up that whole turn! Reed was committed to go through the middle, and James cuts down... SUPER TIGHT! He entered the turn way on the left, and he cut really hard, and Reed was there! That was not an intentional take out by Reed, by no means!
Ralph: No, but the tough hit for James was the fact that he came down on his right side, the side that he injured earlier tonight... the worst-case scenario...
Another replay came up.
"I don't want to say anything that might jinx them further, but... that was a thing that happened," Dawn quipped.
"I've learned to keep my mouth shut in those circumstances," Nick answered.
"If I was Chad Reed, I'd have done the same thing," Mat remarked while shaking his head again.
Amazingly, James Stewart still continued on in the main.
Ralph: Jeff, if the race ended as it is right now – I know we're at round 2 – James will have fallen to SEVENTH in the points standings! I tell you again, every year, the preseason, everybody talks about on paper it's all about James Stewart – yes, it is – he is by far THE FASTEST MAN ON THE PLANET, no question about it – however, this is why we line 'em up in the gate and run 17 races cause you JUST... NEVER... KNOW!
Jeff: We don't race on paper! We race on dirt!
Dungey still led the main event unchallenged, but Mat could feel his heart sink after the timing and scoring listed Stewart in 18th, and Reed in 19th (again), and Reed was shown as "OUT" once again.
"Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse..." Alex gasped.
Mat was ultimately crushed at hearing that Chad Reed was officially out of the race for the second race in a row. Sam, Britney, and Melissa immediately consoled him. The other spies could only look on, just as disappointed as Mat was. He did not feel any better hearing Stewart had fought up to 15th, while Chad Reed had 2 DNFs (19ths) in 2 races.
Dungey was still leading when his mechanic Mike Gosselaar put out his pit board, which read "NICE" on it.
Jeff: Two turns to go, one set of whoops.
Ralph: Roger DeCoster says he's more dedicated than the average guy, and it's about to pay off! RYAN DUNGEY LIGHTS THE CANDLES FOR HIS FIRST CAREER WIN, AND IT COMES AT PHOENIX, ARIZONA! AND "GOOSE" GOSSELAAR, WHO'S CREW-CHIEFED SO MANY RIDERS TO CHAMPIONSHIPS HAS THE POINTS LEAD AGAIN WITH RYAN DUNGEY!
Ryan Villopoto would finish 2nd, and Josh Hill would finish 3rd; however, the bigger story of all was James Stewart finishing 15th, and Chad Reed 19th for the second race in a row.
"I'm happy for Dungey," Mat sighed, but he couldn't add anything more to his sentence, and everyone knew why.
The points standings showed Dungey as the series leader with 47 pts. and 9 pts. ahead of Villopoto, who had 38. James Stewart was listed in 7th place in the standings, 16 behind Dungey (31), while Chad Reed was not even in the top 15 with just 4 pts. scored!
"This is just awful," Britney remarked.
"I just can't believe..." Clover started before Sam cut in.
"Clover... don't..." Sam insisted.
As the broadcast ended, there was extra news that left the spies surprised.
Ralph: Well, when this one ended, it got crazy back in the pit area. Stewart went to visit Reed, security had to break it up! This championship's gonna be wild!
"I'll bet they exchanged quite a bit of words there," Mat sighed, obviously mad and disappointed that Chad Reed's title hopes were just about down the toilet now.
Obviously, the mood in the penthouse was mixed at best. Sam went after Mat to cheer him up; Britney and Melissa followed.
"Man, I don't know if these circumstances hurt early or at the end of the season..." Nick sighed.
"It really depends on how the rest of the season tends to go," Haruka answered, glancing Mat's way. "I'm of the mindset that it's not over until it's over. Trust me, Mat, I've seen some sports teams that had a pretty bad season somehow claw their way back and make an honest run for the title."
"Let me guess, you're talking about the Mustangs?" Nick chuckled. "Man, that season was something else."
"Yeah, I really miss arena football," Haruka sighed.
"Just know that I'm gonna stick by you no matter how the rest of this season goes, honey," Sam stated as she pulled Mat close to her.
"You wouldn't wanna be anywhere else, right?" Mat quipped, managing a smile despite his disappointment as he returned Sam's hug.
"We've all got your back, Mat," Britney responded. "No matter what."
"Yeah, we won't let you worry for too long about this kinda thing," Melissa stated. "What kinda girlfriends would be we otherwise?"
"True, very true," Mat chuckled.
Before anyone else could chime in, though, the nearby wall panel suddenly slid aside to reveal a large metal tube that extended from the wall.
"Okay, I wasn't expecting it to actually be from the wall this time," Clover admitted.
"He's getting craftier," Blaine admitted.
Nick raised his hand to surround everyone with a psychic bubble until the suction from the tube stopped.
"But I still have my trusty anti-WOOHPing repellent," Nick chuckled. "Hasn't failed me yet."
Mat decided to put his disappointment over the race aside for the moment, considering it was apparently mission time. All thirteen spies changed into their spy suits before jumping into the tube.
12:56 P.M. – W.O.O.H.P. Headquarters
Jerry's Office
"Right on time as always, everyone," Jerry quipped as the spies all made a three-point landing in his office.
"We still haven't broken that record, I hope," Alex chuckled.
"Well, then, let's get down to business, shall we?" May stated. "Who's the unlucky soul that's gonna get the business from us this time?"
RiCO took that honor as she and iCO materialized in the office.
"That would be this looney tune," RiCO answered as she waved her hands to change the office viewscreen to a mugshot of Myrna Beesbottom.
"Oh, wonderful, just who I don't need to see after the day I'm having," Mat groaned. "Have I mentioned how utterly sick and tired I am of this freak still trying to nanny us like we're babies?"
"The whims of nut loafs like the L.A.M.O.S. will sadly forever be a mystery," Haruka teased.
"Well, then, shall we head on out and teach her that lesson again, like we always do?" Britney proclaimed.
Nick held his hand up in the 'wait just a moment' signal, knowing that someone they were waiting for was on their way.
Sure enough, Sortiliena skidded to a stop inside the office, saluted to Jerry as always, and turned to the spies. "I hope I'm not late, everyone," Sortiliena laughed.
"I'd say you're right on time like always, Sortiliena," Sam chuckled. "We've had a lot of L.A.M.O.S. nonsense to deal with lately, so..."
"Say no more," Sortiliena proclaimed. "Let's go and find that demon nanny so we can give her a couple hundred keester kicks."
"Now you're talking my lingo," Nick laughed as the fourteen spies all headed out to find Myrna.
1:06 P.M. – Downtown Beverly Hills
"Oof, that bad, huh?" Sortiliena stated as Mat told her why he was feeling bad about his Supercross series. "That sounds like it sucks."
"It really does, Sortiliena," Mat admitted. "I'd like to keep my hopes up, but from what it looks like, Reed's season might as well be a wash at this point."
"But it sounds like your friends aren't gonna let you suffer alone, huh?" Sortiliena quipped.
"I always appreciate that," Mat chuckled.
"Hold on, everyone," Nick proclaimed, glancing to the southwest. "We've got incoming demon nanny five clicks that-a-way!"
Sure enough, after a couple seconds, Myrna came bum-rushing towards the spies, obviously intending to bowl them over, but May countered that with a horizontal swing from her anchor, sending Myrna stumbling backwards.
"Nice try, lady," May taunted. "But we're not so easy to ambush anymore."
"Unruly as always, I see," Myrna cackled. "I guess it's a good thing that I'm here, then. I believe it's time to teach you all a much-needed lesson."
"Don't you even start with me on that, Myrna," Mat growled. "My day's already not going too well, and I didn't want to have to deal with you again for a long time!"
"Well, isn't that just too bad," Myrna laughed. "And considering it's our job to make your days as close to a living hell as is possible, then who am I to fight it?"
Myrna was so caught up in her gloating that she failed to notice Sortiliena cartwheeling her way towards her until Sortiliena was right in her face, jumping into the air and lashing out with a windmill kick to the side of the head that sent Myrna sprawling.
"Fighting is what I do best, so why would I fight that?" Sortiliena retorted before jumping back and shifting into a fighting stance. "Prepare yourself for a combo platter of pain, you demon nanny!"
"Demon nanny is pretty laughable," Myrna scoffed.
"If you think for two seconds you're going to try and ruin our lives, you're dumber than we thought," Clover remarked right away.
"It's not dumb if you can back it up, and I certainly will..." Myrna sneered. "Especially for you unruly updikes!"
"What's with you and that word?!" Haruka chastised.
Myrna was not given a chance to answer at all because Sortiliena drew first blood for this current battle, by way of doing a forward cartwheel towards Myrna so she could whack her in the face with an upward snap kick.
"On second thought, maybe don't answer that," Sortiliena taunted.
"You're going to wish you didn't do that," Myrna growled.
"Why don't you take a slide?!" Sam proclaimed and sprayed some Ice Queen Perfume at the floor like last time.
Myrna did not see it coming and slid out, landing flat on her back.
"Checkmate, you 'nanny nuisance'!" Sam exclaimed.
"That's got a nice ring to it," Clover commented.
"I'd second that," May added.
"You won't be saying that for much longer since you shouldn't be focusing on childish things..." Myrna sneered.
She then fired her shuriken at the spy team.
"You'll have to get better at using those jokes of a weapon," Bridget remarked.
Nick used his psychic powers to fire psychic shots at all the shuriken like he was skeet shooting.
"Surprise..." Myrna sneered and fired some more.
"Now it's my turn," Clover proclaimed and used her Metal Masher Boxing Gloves.
Using her hand-eye coordination, Clover punched all the shuriken down to the ground.
"And me!" Alex added.
While Myrna was busy flinging shuriken towards the rest of the spies, Alex slipped behind Myrna while she was distracted and hit her with a shoulder barge from behind.
"Keep your eye on all of the birdies," Alex taunted.
Mat put the icing on the proverbial cake with an upper cut punch under Myrna's chin, and he even stamped his authority with his boot on Myrna's chest.
"I don't want my year to go any worse than it already is, you old-ass witch!" Mat growled.
To some of the spies' surprise, he had even used an Expandable Mascara Brush right near Myrna's neck.
"Guys, I don't blame Mat, but I think he could be going a little too far here..." Haruka commented.
"Then again, this might just be karma catching up to these guys," Nick quipped. "Sometimes, it's the only way to get them to listen with how stubborn our rogues' gallery tends to be."
Just as Myrna did so, Mat sent her back down to the ground with a whack to her neck and clenching the back of her throat. Luckily, he didn't let Beesbottom perish.
Finally, Myrna had enough after catching her breath and used a smoke bomb to escape.
"Crapbaskets!" Clover chastised. "I hate it when they do that..."
"Mat, I hope you're feeling okay..." Melissa stated.
"I know it doesn't look like it, but my conscience is clear," Mat insisted. "I just gave her a 'don't screw with me because I'm not your type' warning..."
"I buy the last part," Bridget commented.
"Same," Sortiliena stated.
"Two starts, two DNFs for Chad Reed... I'm just about out of hope now!" Mat emphasized.
"Look, man, I get it..." Nick tried to tell Mat. "That was a golden opportunity out the window, but I sure hope you heard Haruka back at the penthouse..."
"I certainly did," Mat groaned. "But it still doesn't change that this title chase is over for Chad Reed..."
"I get it, too," Bridget added. "Sometimes reality sucks..."
"What do we do now?" Britney wondered.
"Never fear, everybody, RiCO is on the case as always!" RiCO proclaimed from Nick's X-Powder. "According to my tracking program, Myrna's not too far away from you guys, heading towards Venice Beach."
"Guess we've better keep up the chase," Nozomi stated.
"Honestly, I'm used to Myrna and the like giving us the runaround," Sortiliena admitted. "Like you said, Nick, their stubbornness knows no ends."
"You gonna be okay, Mat?" Sam wondered. "I know you're upset about your Supercross, but..."
"I'll be fine, don't worry," Mat responded. "I've just gotta focus my frustration into taking down Myrna like we always do."
"Yeah, you've gotta channel your anger instead of letting it take control of you," Nick quipped. "I've learned that lesson the hard way a few times, trust me."
"I'm more curious as to what exactly Myrna's up to this time," May stated. "It can't just be to antagonize us and annoy us. Rules for villains, number eighty-three, after all."
"Hey, whatever it is, I'm sure we'll unravel it sooner or later," Dawn answered. "We always do in the end, right?"
"Damn right," Mat chuckled, already feeling a little more at ease. "Let's go find that punk, shall we?"
"Now you're talking my lingo," Nick chuckled as the spies all set out towards Venice Beach in hopes of stopping Myrna before she could put her plan into motion, whatever that plan might be.
To be continued...
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Next time...
Clover: It's so weird seeing Venice Beach not be full of people.
Alex: Well, it's just about winter-time, so beach trips are kinda out of the question for now unless you really like bathing in the freezing cold.
May: I kinda can't wait to head off to Resort Ridge again during winter break. It'll be nice to spend a few days there without having to worry about a mission finding us there like it did last time.
Melissa: Hey, don't forget about your trip to Tachikawa.
May: I scheduled that for after our time at Resort Ridge. I'm better at scheduling than I was as a kid.
Mat: Back to business, is there any sign of her, Nick? I've got a few things I want to show Myrna, preferably my boot up her keester.
Nick: Here she comes!
Britney: Man, you move fast for such a tub o'lard, you know that?
Myrna: Oh, make your stale jokes while you can, you little brat. I swear, when I'm finished with you, you won't have any more legs to stand on.
Bridget: Um, isn't that supposed to be our line, ya old hag? And with that, we'll see all of you on the next act of Totally Spies: Discord and Disappointment, "One Step Too Far"!
Nozomi: Is it me, or is that chapter title kinda ominous?
Haruka: Hey, who's that taking my spot in the makeup room?
May: I think that's our guest star for the next episode. She's kinda in a hurry to get ready, so...