Unknown Time – The Still World
"This is really starting to get annoying," Gigi groaned as the Arbiters continued to search for the Collective amongst the myriad of strange sights here in the Still World.
"I agree," Cecilia admitted. "It's like they're deliberately trying to stall for something."
A look of absolute horror suddenly dawned on Elizabeth's face when she made the connection.
"...oh, I don't like that look," Gigi stated. "What's the problem, fearless leader?"
"It's just like Gigi said," Elizabeth proclaimed. "About 'stalling for time'. What if those bastards are trying something devious in order to weaken Null's seal, and they've just been flitting around in order to keep us busy?"
"Oh, damn it, I didn't even think about that," Raora growled. "They played us for complete fools!"
"Ooh, just let me at those little jerkoffs," Gigi responded, clashing her gauntlets together. "They'll learn not to mess with us!"
"It doesn't look like the Still World's changed or gotten stranger yet, so I think we might still have some time," Elizabeth stated. "But no more distractions. We have to keep moving and find Null's seal before they can."
"That's your department, Raora," Cecilia stated. "Is it still in the same place it was the last time we were here?"
Raora glanced around, her eyes turning blue as she used her super vision to pinpoint what they were looking for.
"Yes, it is," Raora proclaimed, her eyes going back to yellow. "But I also saw a bunch of Collective goons heading that way, too."
"Then we've got no time to lose," Elizabeth exclaimed. "Arbiters of Justice, let's move!"
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(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 124: Jailhouse Jostle
Story Rated: T for Teen
Story Created: January 2nd, 2025
Story Summary: The one-hundred and sixty-seventh co-op project between Mat49324 and The Blue Time Ranger, and episode one hundred twenty-four of our mission-based series Totally Spies: The New Adventures. There's something strange going on in the W.O.O.H.P. Containment Facility. Apparently, a bunch of inmates are fighting each other in some kind of screwed-up tournament. It turns out that this is the work of Vince King, who's trying to recapture the magic of his old show alongside Ariel, and Vince is spreading vicious rumors about all of the baddies in containment, including the L.A.M.O.S.! But when things escalate after May, Britney and Blaine get caught up in this behind-bars brawl, can the spies put an end to this insane tournament before there are any casualties?
Author's Notes from Mat49324: After getting through a great project that saw the premiere of Ulrich Wernerstein (reference S3's The Incredible Bulk), it's time for us to begin our penultimate episode of our tenth season of The New Adventures. Only two to go before our movie will be posted on my page. Normally, the spies would have to journey somewhere to stop someone from their rogues' gallery, but this time, they won't be going very far, and that's where I'll leave it. For now, here's The Blue Time Ranger for anything he'd like to say.
Author's Notes from The Blue Time Ranger: We've only got two more episodes to go this season, and we've got a bit of an interesting one for this go-round. Normally, the spies would have to go to different places to solve the caper, but this one looks like it's gonna be mostly at W.O.O.H.P., so how will we handle that? You'll just have to read and find out, so let's get this fight started, shall we? 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?
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Act 1: Ready? Fight!
10:57 A.M. – The Spies' Beach House
"Feels really good to be on summer break," Bridget sighed while she and Mat got the dishes from breakfast.
"You can say that again," Sam quipped while she enjoyed her usual orange juice.
"Yeah, and I think that's it," Mat remarked, while he cleaned up the sink. "And a few minutes to spare before 2010 Motocross begins."
With that, he took off for the TV and was just in time to see the 250cc class broadcast beginning from the opener at Hangtown Raceway in Rancho Cordova, California. Calling the race were Racer X Writer Jason Weigandt and 4-time Motocross champ Jeff Emig with Erin Bates as the pit reporter.
"I'll give you one thing, Sam..." Bridget commented. "Mat's just as real and passionate as any other guy I can think of aside from Nick..."
"No argument from this corner," Melissa added.
As the 250cc class began, it was reported that the GEICO Powersports Honda team had welcomed a new rider into their rig: rookie Eli Tomac of Colorado on the #243 Honda CRF250R.
"First career start?" Nozomi wondered when she and May came to see the 250 class with Mat.
They obviously saw a graphic on the TV regarding the 250 rookie Eli Tomac.
"I wouldn't pick him as the champion, though," Mat replied as Sam and Bridget came to the den, too.
The first moto highlights showed Tomac's teammate Trey Canard #38 get the early lead with 2-time SX Lites East champ Christophe Pourcel on his #377 Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki right on his tailpipe. Pourcel found his way around Canard for the lead before the completion of the first lap and pulled a gap on the 40-man field.
"My pick for the title is making a statement already... ooh!" Mat stated until the next shot showed Pro Circuit's Dean Wilson #108 crash himself.
The highlights continued with the rookie Tomac moving up to 3rd after a so-so start.
Jason: Yeah, and it wasn't over! For about FIVE LAPS, Tommy Searle and Eli Tomac gave each other EVERYTHING THEY HAD... until FINALLY, Tomac slammed the door!
The next shot showed race leader Pourcel had gone down and lost some positions, which gave the rookie Tomac the lead.
As the highlights continued, Alex, Clover, Blaine, and Dawn came to see what the hubbub was about.
"Motocross season is beginning now," Mat told them. "The 250s are on."
A future shot showed race leader Tomac had crashed as well, and the fight for the lead was now between Pourcel and KTM's Searle #19. Pourcel made a move on Searle's outside on the last lap.
Jason: That's why they call the 377 "The Crafty Frenchman." It looked like they had him... they almost did. Pourcel wins moto #1! Awesome ride for Tommy Searle to finish 2nd, and Tomac, after the crash, would pick himself up for a podium finish in his very first pro race!
"Whoo! The French-y wins!" Clover cheered.
"Oy vey..." May sighed. "Clover, would you stop that?! I only have so many 'oy veys' left in me!"
The final results of moto 1 showed Pro Circuit's Jake Weimer #12, the SX Lites West champ, in 4th; early leader Canard had fallen down to 7th due to multiple mistakes; Dean Wilson, who crashed early, had finished 10th.
"Anybody see Nick anywhere?" Alex wondered.
"Not since breakfast," Blaine replied after thinking about it a moment.
"Maybe outside?" Mat guessed.
"He's right," Dawn told Alex when she looked at the backyard.
Everybody got a look themselves to see Nick and Haruka were in the backyard together and already in the pool.
Mat immediately saw that Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Tyla Rattray #28 was back on the starting gate after missing all of 2010 Supercross.
"I have to admit it is good that Haruka's experiencing this kind of relationship with Nick," Alex admitted.
"Man, this is just what I needed," Haruka sighed.
"No kidding, especially after yesterday and how freakin' hot it was," Nick answered. "I swear, the temperature around here's been just acting like a rollercoaster..."
"Hey, mother nature does whatever the heck it wants," Haruka giggled. "I think you'd know that pretty well by now, mister 'had to walk to school in a blizzard'."
"I was trying to forget that, thank you," Nick teased.
"You know, it's nice to just get to spend some time together when we have a chance, huh?" Haruka stated as she leaned closer to Nick.
"With our schedules, you take whatever chances you get," Nick quipped as Haruka leaned in further to kiss him on the cheek.
Jeff: Couple riders down...
Jason: Looks like Wil Hahn on the Lucas Oil Troy Lee Honda's going to grab the holeshot here in moto 2...
"I don't see Pourcel anywhere," Mat remarked, alarmed while Honda of Troy's Darryn Durham #36 had moved up to 2nd place.
Durham was making a push on Hahn to take the lead until...
Jason: Wait a minute... report is we've got a red flag situation! We might have a restart. Jeff, you mentioned that a bunch of riders were down off the start... yes, and that is the scenario!
Jeff: Blake Baggett is down after that... unbelievable first moto!
Jason: Wow, Baggett 6th in moto 1, we hope he's OK here in moto 2...
An earlier shot showed one rider was still down on the ground, seriously hurt.
"What happened here?" Blaine wondered.
"Blake Baggett was down," Mat replied.
The Rockstar Canidae Suzuki #66 of Blake Baggett was down indeed along with Honda privateer Drew Gosselaar #373. It was later reported that both Baggett and Gosselaar got up on their own power.
"Hard to give a judgment call when there was no replay," May complained.
"I could see someone go down around the middle of the first turn..." Mat pointed out. "I'll bet they'll show a replay sooner or later..."
On the restart, Troy Lee Honda's Hahn nailed the start again, but it was the GEICO Powersports Honda of Eli Tomac who was now in 2nd place. Moto 1 winner Pourcel was reported to be in 6th place.
"Buckle up... this is gonna be good..." Mat commented.
"You picked Pourcel as the 250 champ, Mat?" Melissa asked as a refresher.
"Yes, after what happened at Southwick last year," Mat answered.
Before the end of the lap, Tomac made the move on his teammate Canard for 2nd. Tomac then passed Hahn for the lead on the next lap.
Jason: Well, here's the guy who should be locking up mentally... Eli Tomac has never raced as a pro until TODAY, and he just put it to Wil Hahn, and put it to Canard, and now he's starting to pull away. And if Pourcel and Searle can't move too far forward, Tomac might WIN his first pro race!
"The French-y better show 'em," Clover remarked.
Meanwhile...
Nick and Haruka had just resurfaced from a minute underwater.
"You know, I was thinking about your... daring side a bit, Haruka," Nick stuttered.
"You, of all people, should know how daring I can be, Nick," Haruka laughed. "After all, I was the one who decided to get you take-out when it was raining."
"Oof, you still remember that?" Nick chuckled.
Nick couldn't figure out how to reply back and decided to kiss Haruka, which Haruka fully returned the favor.
Though they started stepping closer to the pool, Nick easily noticed the twinkle in Haruka's eye and swung her around as they toppled over so that she went in first.
"Told ya I'd get you!" Nick laughed.
"Ah, you finally got me, Nick," Haruka giggled. "Just be careful. I won't be so easy to trick next time."
"Oh, we'll see," Nick quipped as he leaned in to kiss her again.
Meanwhile...
"So, this is a new series, Mat?" Michi wondered as the second 250 moto continued with Honda's Tomac leading the way.
"There's a Supercross series, which takes place in football and baseball stadiums during the winter and springtime, or in the tri-oval at Daytona, and there's a Motocross series in the summertime," Mat answered.
"We know Nick's got a little NASCAR side in him, but he doesn't really show it much," Dawn remarked.
As the second 250 moto continued, Troy Lee Honda's Hahn fell to 4th after Pro Circuit's Wilson passed him for 3rd, and moto 1 winner Pourcel had gotten up to 5th. After a bit, he got around Hahn for 4th, but Pourcel needed at least 2nd place to save the overall win.
"I wouldn't have picked Eli Tomac to win this race, but it looks like he might pull it off," Mat observed.
"Seems like it," Bridget deduced.
"And my pick isn't going to win the first round of the season," Mat sighed.
"I'm probably gonna go with Tomac," Alex quipped.
"Yeah, me too," Melissa replied. "He looks like he's got the best chance."
Tomac was still not challenged as the moto wound down.
Jason: Meanwhile, the 243 of Eli Tomac, Barcia's new teammate, is gone! His dad, of course, one of the LEGENDS of American Mountain Bike Racing, maybe the greatest of all time at American Mountain Bike Racing, John Tomac. So, you know this kid's in shape! Dad's been pushing him for a long time, and they've been doing it not to win amateur titles – they don't care about that – they're preparing for this day and the long run of being a pro racer.
Jeff: Yeah, and I mean, John was so diverse. He could go uphill and downhill better than anybody out there in his heyday.
"Oh, I heard that name a time or two myself," Mat commented. "I didn't know much about John Tomac, though."
With 3 laps to go, it was Tomac, Canard, and Wilson the top 3 with Pourcel in 4th, but Pourcel was being challenged for 4th by #20 Broc Tickle on the DNA Shred Stix Yamaha.
Jason: Yeah, this is not the Christophe Pourcel that we expected to see out of the gate here in 2010. Looked good to win moto 1, but completely different rider in the second.
Jeff: Yeah, and it's hard to understand his physical condition. Every now and then, you hear a little rumbling about the physical aspects of things from his injury a few years ago, and lack of being able to train at times... That could possibly be what is happening here late in this second moto.
Jeff: Yeah, you're right, Jeff. That plagued him last year. He crashed and broke his pelvis, and had some internal problems as well – had some problems with his stomach, and his digestive system overall. And he had some surgery in the off-season hoping to cure that, but you don't really know, I'm sure, until you go racing...
"He didn't show that at all to me," Dawn commented.
"Well, the off-season is a bit of a double-edge sword since there's no racing during that time," Mat replied.
The next shot showed Pro Circuit's Tyla Rattray (in his first race back from injury) had supposedly gone down and had returned to the second moto.
When the white flag came out, meaning one lap to go, Tomac was far ahead. Meanwhile...
Jason: Oh, WAIT A MINUTE! Somehow Pourcel HAS COME FROM NOWHERE TO TAKE OVER THIRD AND THAT'S GOING TO GIVE HIM THE OVERALL! THE CRAFTY FRENCHMAN AGAIN... NO! We had the change to Tickle! Sorry about that! So, it's going to be a tie now! Tiebreaker, of course, goes to the second moto. So, what has happened to Wilson? What has happened to Pourcel? Last lap, everything coming unglued!
Jeff: Well, and these guys are quite a bit behind Trey Canard, who's running all by himself in 2nd, and that's the position Christophe Pourcel needs if he wants a chance at winning this overall...
"Maybe Wilson had gone down off-camera..." Mat deduced.
"Doesn't look like a green bike's winning today, though," Sam sighed.
Tomac remained unchallenged that final lap.
Jeff: Two turns to go, and the son of John and Kathy Tomac is going to do it...
Jason: How about this?! IN HIS FIRST EVER PRO RACE, ELI TOMAC WINS AT HANGTOWN! AN UNBELIEVABLE PERFORMANCE FOR THAT YOUNG MAN! 17 YEARS OLD OUT OF COLORADO, AND HE HAS CONQUERED THE BEST RIDERS IN THE WORLD!
The second moto had Canard finishing 2nd and Pourcel in 3rd. That meant Tomac's 3-1 beat out Pourcel's 1-3 for the overall win (45 points each) due to the tiebreaker. Canard's 2nd place finish in moto 2 was enough for 3rd place overall. It was also the first time a rookie had won his first pro race in his first try ever.
"Congrats to him," Michi quipped.
"History made as they said," Melissa remarked.
"And the 450s are up soon, too," Mat added.
KTM's Tommy Searle, who was 2nd in moto 1, finished out of the top 20 in the second moto for 0 points; he was 9th place overall.
"So, should we wait for Nick and Haruka to finish outside or the 450 class to be done for punishments?" May asked.
"I say we wait," Alex suggested.
Everybody agreed there, but they couldn't resist seeing what Nick and Haruka were up to now.
"...oh, look at that little ham bone," Melissa chuckled when she noticed that Nick and Haruka were already getting into another splash fight.
"We may basically be adults now, but we've still got a bit of kid left in us, don't we?" Bridget quipped.
"Ain't that the honest truth," Clover answered.
Suddenly, Nick and Haruka dove underwater and vanished into the pool. Before the other spies could check things out, they too were ambushed by way of a large metal pipe unfurling from the ceiling and sucking them all into it.
12:07 P.M. – W.O.O.H.P. Headquarters
Jerry's Office
"I will take that as a victory, just so you know," Jerry chuckled once all of the spies were in his office.
"...I guess the streak was bound to end sooner or later," Nick quipped.
"It couldn't last forever, really," Haruka giggled.
"Okay, so now that we're all here and accounted for, where are we headed to bust up some bad guys today, Jer?" Clover asked as all thirteen spies changed into their spy suits.
"Actually, it's gonna be right here in headquarters," RiCO admitted as she and iCO both materialized in the office.
"...say that again?" May gasped.
"Recently, we've noticed a lot of very strange activity in the containment facility," iCO explained. "It doesn't look like anyone's trying to break out, but we've been getting reports of the inmates coming back from what seems like routine checkups with bruises and even some injuries."
"...you think they're finally turning against each other?" Alex wondered. "With how much infighting there usually is, it seemed inevitable."
"Well, whatever's going on, that's what we're going to have you all investigate," RiCO replied. "And considering that you're technically heading into the proverbial lion's den, we've decided to call in a little extra help."
"Ah, did somebody call for a combat instructor?" Sortiliena laughed as she skidded into the office right on cue.
"Been a while, hasn't it, Sortiliena?" Sam chuckled.
"Yeah, if you guys are heading into the containment facility, we figured you'd need an extra pair of hands who's an expert at throwing hands," Sortiliena quipped. "And because I'm pretty sure the L.A.M.O.S. are at least part of whatever's happening, I figured it couldn't hurt."
"All right-y, then, how about we get our gadgets and go figure out just what the heck is going on in there?" Nick proclaimed.
With that in mind, everybody collected their gadget loadouts and set out for the containment facility to investigate the strange goings-on.
12:23 P.M. – W.O.O.H.P. Headquarters
Containment Facility
"Man, it has been a while since we've had to go here," Sam admitted as the spies headed towards one of the holding cell rooms.
"Yeah, it's a lot less creepy than the old containment facility, but still, it's a prison for all the baddies we fight," Haruka quipped. "One thing goes wrong and you've got a major problem on your hands."
"All right, then, so how are we going to handle this whole shindig?" Blaine asked. "How are we going to figure out what exactly is going on?"
"Well, first, I think we need to see if one of the baddies will sing," May stated. "It might at least give us something to go on."
"But who do we question first?" Alex wondered. "There's multiple floors in this facility, so..."
"Guess we'll just see if anyone on this floor is willing to talk," Mat quipped.
"And don't you worry, I've got my eyes and ears all over the place," RiCO stated. "Since I control most of the tech here, nobody's gonna try anything funny as long as I have something to say about it."
"Definitely appreciate it, RiCO," Clover answered.
"Well, well, if it isn't the multi-colored brats."
The spies all looked towards who had addressed them, seeing that it was Macker the Safecracker.
"I'd ask what the point of this visit is, other than to possibly mock us, but you probably aren't in the mood to talk," Macker quipped.
"...well, you might be surprised there, Macker," Blaine retorted. "We actually have some questions that we hope you can answer for us."
"Your robotic arm's looking a little busted up there, and clearly it wasn't because of me," Nick teased. "You wanna explain what, exactly happened?"
"The story isn't really that interesting, honestly," Macker stated. "I got into a fight with another fellow villain who decided to get uppity during a routine checkup. I don't know why he got so angry with me, but it is what it is."
"You're our lie detector, Nick," Dawn asked. "Is he taking us for a ride?"
"Nope, he's telling the truth," Nick answered after checking out Macker's thoughts. "He doesn't seem to know why the other villain tried to mess him up, either."
"Believe me, I'm not here to pick fights with fellow villains," Macker noted. "I'd rather use that time to plan schemes to get rid of all of you."
"Yeah, good luck with that," May taunted as the spies moved on.
"Guess we're gonna have to get some more information, huh?" Sam quipped.
"We've still got quite a few baddies to talk to about this," Nozomi noted. "Let's try and find someone else to talk to, shall we?"
"I have a feeling that this isn't just a simple case of prison rage," Britney stated. "What's the angle here?"
"We'll figure it out soon enough," Sortiliena responded. "We always do, right?"
"Too true," Alex answered as the spies continued on.
"Seems quite a bit of people in here have some short fuses," Mat observed.
"Totally," Clover remarked. "But the bigger question is 'what or who led to these drastic measures?' most importantly?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," Sortiliena commented.
Unknown to anyone, Nick and Haruka shared a grin over their pool date earlier. Just for a few minutes, Nick and Haruka shared their thought process.
I can't wait to do that again with you, Nick mentally told Haruka.
Same with me, Haruka mentally giggled. It was a lot of fun!
I'd like to think I'm getting better at seeing through your little 'trick moves'.
Hey, don't get cocky, I can still think of a lot of new ones.
Looking forward to it.
"Any inside info yourself, Sortiliena?" Clover asked.
"Just that I did see one fight go down before getting the word to Jerry," Sortiliena replied.
"Who?" May asked.
"Milan Stilton and Violet Vanderfleet," Sortiliena answered.
"I guess we'll need all the help we can get, then..." Mat sighed, knowing they had a bigger task at hand here.
"No doubt," Sam quipped. "Especially if we have to deal with all of our rogues' gallery..."
"Then, maybe we ought to split up and get their sides of the story..." Nick stated.
Everyone agreed to do just that. Mat, Sam, Blaine, Clover, Melissa, Dawn, and Bridget made up one team; they chose to talk to Violet Vanderfleet while the other team went to check with Milan Stilton.
"Hopefully one of them might fill in the blanks here," Haruka remarked before everyone split up to get some answers.
"You got some visitors, Vanderfleet," one of the WOOHP security guards stated.
Violet was amused at seeing the spies just outside her cell.
"The meddlers want help?" Violet sneered, pretty amused.
"Cut the crap, Violet..." Sam demanded.
"We're looking for answers to that scuffle you got in with Milan Stilton..." Clover added.
"And the last thing you wanna do is screw us over," Dawn emphasized.
Violet Vanderfleet scoffed, but she agreed to do so.
"Okay, fine," Violet stated. "So, Milan Stilton just tracks me down saying she heard I told her that she's 'a narcissist with a butt-ugly body,' when I don't even say crap about anybody who wants to destroy you any given day."
"That's harsh..." Bridget commented.
"I don't know whether to be amused or sympathetic," Clover added.
"And that's where everything went hazy?" Blaine asked Violet.
"I'm afraid so," Violet sighed. "If I could have five more minutes with that egotistical bitch..."
"Don't even think it, plant girl..." Sam insisted.
Meanwhile, the second team, consisting of Alex, Britney, Nick, Haruka, Nozomi, May, Sortiliena and Michi decided to see if Milan knew anything about all of this.
"Well, well, look how far the mighty have fallen," May quipped.
"Is there a point to this visit, besides just mocking me?" Milan groaned.
"You're lucky that's all we do after the last time we had to deal with you," Nozomi retorted. "Now I'd suggest you listen to us and answer our questions."
"Like what?" Milan snipped.
"Did you get into a row with somebody lately?" Alex asked. "Namely, a certain botanist?"
"That bitch?!" Milan shrieked.
"Ooh, yeah, that got a response," Haruka quipped.
"I'm just minding my business, and this chick suddenly calls me something along the lines of a 'sore loser with an overinflated ego and plastic body', completely unprovoked!" Milan exclaimed. "So, naturally, I retaliated, and we got into a fight."
"Sounds like it didn't go well," Michi chuckled.
"Ooh, just let me at that plant-obsessed little slut..." Milan growled.
"Well, let's check in with the others," Nozomi remarked.
May was checking out the adjacent cell simultaneously.
"Something wrong, May?" Haruka wondered.
"Get Jerry and RiCO, too..." May insisted with some worry.
With that, Haruka and Sortiliena went to see what got May alarmed.
"What in the world?!" Sortiliena chastised.
It was Eugene Snit; he was groaning and down to his knees all beaten up by somebody, who turned out to be Doctor Gelee.
"All right, that was absolutely not what I was expecting," Nozomi admitted.
"I thought I told you, Clover is mine!" Snit snarled as he tried to peel Gelee off of him.
"You're wrong, 'lover boy,'" Gelee countered as he continued to punch Snit in the face. "Clover is my Ice Queen, and you're lucky I don't have any of my freeze rays or you'd be deader than fifty rusty doornails!"
"Hey, dorks!" May called out, trying to stop the fight. Neither villain heard her, too absorbed in trying to beat up the other.
Nick raised his hands to telekinetically grab both villains and yank them apart, though they quickly bum-rushed out of the cell to try and tackle Nick, only for Michi to open a portal under their feet that dumped them right back into their respective cells. RiCO quickly activated the door controls, trapping them both back inside their cells.
"When a lady tells you to stop the fighting, you listen," Nick taunted. "Now start singing. What was with that little show?"
"What was I supposed to do?!" Snit shouted. "This little icicle-head just jumps me because I was plotting another scheme against Clover! I thought you were over her anyways?!"
"Well, never say never," Gelee quipped. "And besides, you're a coward for hiding behind all of those stupid disguises!"
"Oh, I'm the coward?!" Snit snapped back. "You're the one who insists on doing stupid things like killing us all!"
"It's called a 'necessary sacrifice'!" Gelee countered.
"Okay, I think we're not getting anything else from these two," Michi admitted. "Let's try and find something else."
"And you won't have to worry about them getting back out," RiCO stated from Nick's X-Powder. "I reset the security codes for their cell doors."
"...wait, that's a thing that can happen?" Haruka wondered.
"Yeah, occasionally, some of the more tech-savvy villains try to figure out ways to open their cells from the inside," RiCO explained. "So just to make sure, I do a periodic refresh of all of the cell doors' security codes and protocols just to trip them up."
"You really thought of everything when you guys constructed this new containment facility, didn't you?" Nick chuckled.
"Actually, the security code refresh thing was iCO's idea," RiCO giggled.
"Usually, whenever a villain tends to escape from here, it's usually because they took advantage of a moment when the security was down for whatever reason, usually during a regular system update," iCO explained.
"Ah, I know the feeling of having to do a system update at the absolute worst possible time," May groaned. "I know exactly what that feels like."
"And consider that not everybody in our rogues' gallery is in containment at the exact same time, too," Britney noted. "Otherwise, we wouldn't see capers so often."
"It kinda feels like whenever some baddies bust out, they decide to lay low for a while to plan out their latest scheme," Michi stated.
"That seems to be the trend," Alex quipped.
"I know no containment system is perfect, especially in this day and age where so much stuff is online and that much easy to fumble around with," RiCO admitted.
"You're doing the best you can," Nick answered. "That's really all anybody can ask of you two."
"And besides, when and if baddies do find a way out of here, then it's our job to kick them right back in," May proclaimed.
"Damn right," Nozomi chuckled.
"And especially considering how state-of-the-art the drive core is," Sortiliena stated, referring to a highly advanced supercomputer that powered a lot of W.O.O.H.P.'s more high-end inventions, including the servers that housed the Datascape.
"Oh, I made sure to put extra firewalls in the software for that, especially considering how many times we've had to deal with Lady Dragon trying to remake the Datascape to her liking," RiCO quipped.
"I sincerely hope she's learned her lesson, honestly," Nozomi quipped.
"Knowing her, it probably won't be long before she's back on her BS again," Haruka admitted.
"Might as well enjoy the reprieve while we've got it, huh?" May noted.
Suddenly, a beep came from Nick's X-Powder and he flipped it open, revealing that it was Sam who was calling him.
"How are things on your end, you guys?" Sam asked.
"Well, Milan pretty much confirmed what we expected about that fight," Alex quipped.
"And then we found Eugene Snit getting pummeled by, of all freakin' people, Doctor Gelee," May answered.
"I had no idea that guy could actually throw hands if he wanted to," Michi admitted. "I mean, he looks so scrawny for a scientist, and..."
Just then, Nick noticed there was a commotion on the other end of the video call. "Hey, what's going on over there?"
"Oh, great, we've got three villains fighting each other now," Mat groaned. "And they're all the ones that are obsessed with Sam."
"Three guesses what they're fighting about, and the first two don't count," Haruka teased.
"Don't worry, you guys, we're on our way," Sortiliena stated.
"This is gonna be a royal rumble at this point," Alex quipped.
"Then how about we be the metaphorical heels and put a stop to this nonsense?" Nick proclaimed.
"Sounds like a plan to me!" May laughed as the eight of them turned around and dashed in the direction of Sam's call, hoping to quell this brawl and figure out who was behind all of this.
To be continued...
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Next time...
May: Okay, that's clearly not a sight I expected to see anytime soon, either.
Sam: Oh, good, you guys made it just in time. Please break this nonsense up, because it's making me sick.
Michi: Already on it.
James: Who did that?!
Bridget: Who do you think, you little lunatic?
Tim Scam: Well, well, look at what the cat dragged in.
Sam: I do not want to hear your usual crap, Scam. The only thing I need to know is why the hell you three are fighting each other.
James: Well, obviously, these lug nuts bragged that they were trying to make Sam their own when she's clearly mine!
Tim Scam: I said no such thing out loud, you pea-brain. You really think I'd say the quiet part out loud like you?
James: Well, maybe mime boy would.
Jazz Hands: I'm a mime, you piece of filth!
James: Sure don't act like it.
Michi: All right, I'm intervening now, because this is just getting sad by this point, next time on Totally Spies: Jailhouse Jostle, "Handicap Battle of Sorts"!
Melissa: ...is it me, or do I hear a scuffle in the dressing room?
Elizabeth: It's okay, everyone, Gigi and Raora are just practicing their big scenes for the season finale.
Cecilia: They can get pretty into it, too.