Because EVERYONE keeps asking...

Dark Reign II: Anger

Disclaimer: I do not own Kim Possible™ or any character, location or event associated with that said show.

Prologue: Countdown

Show time.

He could have walked up to the podium with his own legs beneath him, with the technological aid of his super-enhancing battle suit. Sure would feel great. He could have worn it under his full length black robes be the same as everyone else. This was one event where Felix felt an obligation not to be everyone else. To be himself. Not to hide his disability behind a walking suit. And to leave the Fearless Ferret at home. Lord knows the world seen enough of the Ferret, and all the heroes, during Zorpox reign of terror. Too much by half.

Of course you could not call Felix disadvantaged rolling to the podium under the power of his mother's custom built, prototype, advanced cyber-robotic chair which Felix had dwelt in during the majority of his higher education. Can't reach the microphone or be seen by the waiting crowd? No problem. The wheels doubled as repulsor pads. He could, and did, float into position to present his address.

Before reading his prepared speech, Felix gave a quick survey of the bleachers in the general area he knew his mother and girlfriend to be seated. His girlfriend, the beautiful, ass-kicking, seriously polite ninja student, Yori. That's right, be jealous. The pair he was looking for were hard to make out wwaayy up the back. Ninja practice of seating near and in view of all exits at all times, he should have thought to advise his mum to bring binoculars. For all Felix knew he could be aiming a knowing wink at the wrong pair but Yori would spot it anyway with her eagle vision and know it was meant for her.

"Welcome, graduating seniors…."

…

Dawn.

Sunlight streamed through the window, warming Malcolm's unclothed back. Unchecked by curtains or glass for there was neither. In any window in any home of this quiet mountain town for that matter and Mel customarily left his shutters wide open. The heat of morning stirred Malcolm where the rooster's crow failed.

His eyes opened wide. As they sometimes do in the instant where one is not only awake, they are suddenly alert to the fact they are awake. Fully stepping out from the indefinable middle ground.

No throwing a pillow at the alarm clock and attempting to hide from the day under the covers. Once awake, Malcolm was fully awake. Gently removing the arm of the brunette beside him, draped across shoulder blades, and throwing back the covers to free his pyjama clad legs. Feet finding their comfortable slippers beside his bed. A creature of routine, Mel was. Had learned to be in order he may survive. Going on two years now. He had fine examples to learn from. There were no shirkers of duty in this mountain town. Everyone in their proper place.

He stepped to the window to admire the blue sky. A few piffs of cloud and creeping out from behind his perfect view of Stormburg Castle. He was in time to catch the birds which nest upon her battlements swooping down on the hunt for breakfast.

"Always a perfect day," he murmured distantly. Failing to consider the irony as gazed remotely upon Stormburg Castle, perfectly framed with the snow-capped mountain range aft. The ancient, great fortress which overlooked the town of Stormburg. Her people already out on business and had been, he knew, since first light.

Loving arms wrapped around Malcolm's waist and a familiar chin rested on his collarbone.

Annette.

Malcolm smirked. "I didn't want to wake you."

"I don't sleep. I wait. For you to return to me."

Below the town, it was situated on a shallow stone ridge, farmers tended to the fields of green crops. Cobblestone streets lined by medieval style buildings. This was such an idyllic place. There was, quite literally, no place like it on Earth.

"What is it like? To sleep?"

"I'd tell you, but I was unconscious at the time."

"Maybe you're asleep right now," Annette postulated.

"I very well could be."

…

Malcolm examined his quest and inventory list at the breakfast table as usual, placing the scroll down to greet his young step-child as she pulled herself a chair and her mother placed her breakfast of mutton, farm fresh eggs, organic tofu and freshly squeezed banana juice.

"How is Cordelia this morning?"

The girl, appearing to others to be aged six or seven but in fact she looked older than she was, propped her hand stitched doll up on the chair next to her own to face the correct way and not rest her elbows on the table like a good little lady and answered, "fine, daddy."

"Looking forward to school today?"

Cordelia's frowny face told the story. "School is boring. Mrs Barkin-Dickson teaches the same lesson every day," and she reached for an apple from the basket in the centre of the table, ignoring her tofu. The last item on her plate.

Malcolm thought it did sound boring. "Must have reached the end of her text book. I'll have to make her a new one," he added the task to as a priority to his extensive quest list. "I'll talk to her today or tomorrow. At least it's healthy for you to spend time with other kids your age."

"They're even more boring than Mrs Mason-Dickson. They only ever want to play the same game."

Tag, Malcolm recalled.

"Maybe you should teach them a new one."

"Can I?" Cordelia followed up his suggestion with brief hesitation. Initially baffled but cautiously excited by the prospect.

Mel had made the statement in jest. Although, he wondered. Can she?

"Do you know any other games?"

"No," Cordelia shrugged. Interrupted by Annette looking down at her plate and asking, "Eat you tofu, dear."

Far less enthusiastic about the tofu then she was about the idea of inventing a new game to teach to her friends, Cordelia complied with her mother's instruction. She consumed the tofu quick snap.

"Go get your things, I'll walk you to school," Malcolm volunteered, packing a few last items in to his kit.

"Make yourself useful, go to the market and fetch some fresh produce." Annette asked of her husband as her child scooped up her dolly and ran past.

"Yes, dear."

"And don't forget," in this case forget being synonymous with purposefully not purchasing, "tofu."

Malcolm witnessed Cordelia's shoulder sag running down the hall.

"Yes, dear."

"Don't munch on pies when your questing or you'll have to eat extra apples to lose the weight. And no more eating live crunchy chicklets!"

"It was for a quest!"

"It was horrible! Your breath was disgusting and I had to force feed you apple pie for a week to normalise your purity rating. And celery after that for the weight gain."

"Wasn't a pleasant experience all around, dear."

…

It feels surreal to be here.

Graduation. Temporary seating laid out across the high school sports field. Her parents and brothers returned from the Moon. Uncle Slim and Nana all seated behind her among the crowd in the bleachers. Dad probably snapping shots at everything.

This time honoured robe she spent hours ensuring was wrinkle free and spotless. And the distinctive cap with her hair tied in an animated ponytail. A dash of lip gloss and a gorgeous necklace gifted to her by Nana for her important day.

Kim had missed prom. She had been away, doing important work. She had no one close waiting back home to take her for a special night out, of course. And Kim held no regrets about the work which kept her apart from her friends, her family and her home. Just, this was her first chance to dress up in - forever. Let her hair down (metaphorically) and celebrate success.

What made it surreal was to be celebrating here, at Middleton High School, her graduation and impending departure. Returning to the beginning to forever close this chapter of her life. The truth was, Kim had departed from this life months ago. She had not attended any classes for an entire semester. Being offered a position heading a global security organisation deep in the trenches against the armies of chaos and their devious mastermind. It did not leave any time for school. For cheerleading. For dating. She was an outsider to this world now. No basic, average girl.

So, what happened to turn Kim Possible's life awry?

Once, in the old days (not so old in fact, even if they felt it) Kim Possible, Bonnie Rockwaller and Wade Load, don't forget Rufus their pet Naked Mole Rat, were best friends and freelance heroes. Between school and extracurricular activities Team Possible were dedicated to helping anyone in need. All they need do was call, beep or email. Global criminal network Worldwide Evil Empire, under their new Alpha commander Ron Stoppable, grew exponentially bold and aggressive so the calls for help grew. Team Possible expanded membership enlisting Felix Renton, the cyber-robotic Fearless Ferret, and found themselves working increasingly, often to each respective teams irritation, with Global Justice agents whom they crossed paths. Or world famous superhero teams; Team Impossible, Team Go!.

Wade, Bonnie and Rufus together had difficulty waking stubborn Kim to the fact Team Possible vanilla were skating close to the edge of their capabilities. Felix was the first to rally to Kim's half-hearted recruitment drive but not the last. A classmate she only knew distantly and whom she initially turned down reasoning his inability to walk may be a burden in the field. The Ferret's dedication, loyalty and unwavering good humour won her respect and opened the door to more volunteers. Mad scientist Dr Drakken and his fiery enforcer, the master thief, Shego were run out of business and defected. Yori Chan and Hirotaka Nakamura, actual ninja of the last great school of Ninjutsu school. Operations in co-ordination with authorities became the norm and some major players took note. The unconventional team became an ace in the hole for Betty Director, head of Global Justice. Appointing a promising young agent fresh out of the academy, William Du, to liaison. Integration of the obtuse, by-the-book weenie took time, heavenly patience and a healthy fear of the Bonnie/Shego combo. He joined a well oiled machine, formidable as any superhero group known and making a name for itself.

Those were tough days. It was only the phoney war.

Ron Stoppable, restyling himself Zorpox the Conqueror, overthrew Gemini, director of Worldwide Evil Empire. With Frugal Lucre at his side and almost all criminal elements bullied into recognising his supreme authority it was time for Zorpox to go to war. Betty Director and most of her high level staff were ensnared on mission. Wade Load, Kim's go-to guy, disappeared from the family home. An attempt to kidnap the famous scientist James Possible and his family, including Kim, forced the family in to hiding. She would not see them again for more than six months. Anyone of accomplishment could be and was a target.

Obviously there was strong opposition to an eighteen year old, not even an official agent of Global Justice, taking the reins. By skill, luck or merely Zorpox allowing it, no one else came quite as close to nabbing the villain as Kim Possible and her team. The age argument stumbled as the world was being run in circles by an eighteen year old Joker wannabe with freckles and Worldwide Evil Empire resources. She held the respect of the agency, a legacy of their faith in Betty Director, and universal support from the hero community. Most in power believed Global Justice had failed utterly and would be dissolved soon. Other agencies took the lead as the experiment in a global policing agency floundered. But Kim kept Global Justice in the fight and her team, now including Teams Impossible and Go!, proved to be a force to be reckoned with in any fight.

Also, Kim had nowhere else to go. Her family had been evacuated to Avalon base in space. She couldn't go home for fear Zorpox was waiting. Kim left the deskwork and logistics to more experienced staff to work their behind the scenes magic. Kim only desired to be in the field, hitting someone who deserved it.

Life as a basic, average teenage girl was over.

But they won. Zorpox was gone. Kim picked up the pieces of her life, determined as ever to prove anything is possible for a Possible. Beginning with an education. Studying with driven, inhuman purpose with a tutor and passing her equivalency exam. Even if her marks were a little shaky there was not a prestigious higher education facility on the globe not begging her to accept their an all-expenses paid scholarship. Mr Barkin even bulldozed regular protocol and insisted Kim Possible, Bonnie Rockwaller and Felix Renton be allowed to graduate with their former classmates. Enjoy the full experience. Even if Bonnie's grades were extremely more shaky. She was being awarded an honorary graduates certificate.

"I can't believe you made us complete high school!"

Bonnie Rockwaller. Seated a row behind and two seats across. Former second in command of Global Justice. Founding member of Team Possible. And Kim's best friend, even if their relationship strains from time to time, since pre-k.

"We saved the world! We were running Global Justice! What have these loser's achieved! They should just kneel at our feet at present us our diploma's like delivering holy scripture."

This she declared over the heads of those around, not caring who overheard her opinion.

"Remember, the last kid you called loser held the world to ransom," low blow or tough truth? Either way, Kim was over her complaining. Nag, nag, nag; Kim had to suggest they find other study partners to get anything done. "You're just super annoyed Barkin is making you suffer through summer school to get your real one. Which you might have avoided if you'd opened a book anytime last month. This is your education! Think of your future, Bee!"

"Yeah, it's going to be great," Ronald Regar. Alphabetically next to Kim in her class role and seated beside her now. "Everyone's going to have a robot."

"Shh," Bonnie hissed in the boy's ear. Cowering him. "Study, pfff! I get enough of that noise from those instructional videos Sensei," her tone revealed how much she thought of the old man and his title, "keeps sending over. Even popped in before the ceremony doing his mystical ghost message service vodo while I was adjusting my hair in the restroom. Something about, "you will face your greatest challenge." Oh, but no information about when and where!"

"Anyway, who needs an education. I have Junior Senior. And he's rich!"

Kim would like to have pointed out he was also dense, vain, childish, that Bonnie did not even care for him until she learned how rich and, frankly, the part about a mystical message service and a warning sounded like it deserved a follow up round of questioning. Another mystery to add to those golf course circles and, at a stretch, may be related.

Fate held other plans.

"And now, Kim Possible!" Felix invited his friend and next speaker to the stage to a wave of applause.

…

"Good sir!"

"Marshall Needious!"

"Hero!"

Mel smiled and waved and pleaded urgent business to the people of Stormburg, who would spend the day attempting to impress their, "Hero of Zaszeroth," (often addressed simply as, "Hero, come quick!"). Various shop keeps of the marketplace were forged with greater fortitude. Chase Mel down the street if they weren't receiving their due attention. They clamoured for everyone's attention but having Malcolm Needious buy your wears and be seen doing it was a great boon for business. Malcolm did not want to be seen to be taking favourites. He dealt with all the shop keeps regularly to retain their good will and frequent shopper discounts.

There was only one shop keep Mel was intent in visiting today. A wise old soul who dealt in the imaginative. Situated down a side street with his store front in dire need of new paint work. A tinkerer, who could see what others refused to and still misplace his spectacles which never left his nose. If Dr Emmett Brown had a brother his name would be embroidered across the storefront, Kaz'dan the Alchemist. "Anyone in?"

He never went anywhere. Often Kaz'dan would be too caught up in his experiments to hear the door chime or a customer calling after him. The only answer Malcolm received was Kaz'dan's steam powered clock whistling in the corner as its visible gears turned and a working model zeppelin, a design Kaz'dan hopped to create on a larger scale in time, circling the ceiling. Following a track dictated by magnetics. The marshall often sought Kaz'dan for his expertise on all items technical and other. He felt comfortable moving around the store counter and through to the back room. A room chocker-block filled with Kaz'dan's past works.

A helmet to compel rats to do the wearer's bidding. The perfect innumerable workforce to perform dishes duty.

A working model of the solar system to help predict tides and planetary crossings. More of a work in progress, Kaz'dan had yet to perfect his mathematical equations on how the sun orbited the planet.

His works included great star charts. Extensive mapping of the night skies to measure longitude in a simple three hour equation. Perfect for seafaring.

"Kaz'dan," Malcolm greeted his friend, spying his legs poking out of an musical pipe organ the Alchemist was busy converting.

"Kaz'dan!" he called again when the tinkerer failed to hear him the first time. "What are you working on?"

"Huh? Oh, Marshall," finally realising he had company. "Hmm, yes? A pill dispenser. So I don't mistake Tuesday and Thursday again. If I mix them up one more time I may have to invent the flush toilet."

"You may want to look in to that in any case. It would be a great relief to myself."

Kaz'dan did not remove himself from the organ, not just yet. His voice was instead amplified by the pipework of the instrument.

"I am at your service, marshall. How may I humbly serve you this fine day?"

"I wanted to talk to you about the irrigation scheme."

"Just one minute," Kaz'dan took two. Tightening a few last screws on his invention. Whistling off tune, which the pipes also amplified.

Emerging, he excitedly proclaimed to Mel, "I just came up with a marvellous new equation. The one they will remember me for. M=E\C2."

"What does it mean?"

"I haven't worked that out yet. I think it may have something to do with why I can't trap light. Sneaky thing, very elusive. All I found in my nets this morning was a lost grocery bag and an irritable fairy. I was a might irritable myself, you see. Told her she could stay there until she learns some manners."

Malcolm decided it was best if he saw to the fairy, untangling her delicate insect wings from the fine spider thread if Kaz'dan could assemble the water pumps the pair had discussed for the Lon Lon Farms. They were in operational condition by time farmer Galon fetched his cart, arriving shortly thereafter. Together, farmer Galon and Malcolm heaved the pumps on to the rear.

"Anything else I can help you with?" Kaz'dan enquired.

"Got any ideas about making school more exciting?"

"Electric chairs for when you get the answer wrong?"

"I was thinking along the lines of the more humane."

"What's wrong with it? How I taught myself the periodic table. Hydrogen. Helium. Nitrogen. Oxygen. Krypton. Vibranium. Unobtainium."

"You're an industrious individual. I don't mean to take up your time. I'll think of something."

Producing a small, hand crafted instrument from a leather pouch at upon his waist, the Marshall played a short melody. Epolita, majestic stead of the Marshall, answered his call. Inspecting the riding harness, Malcolm did recall one project he requested of Kas'dan.

"About that, ah, special item…."

Tinkerer held up his hand. One moment/follow me. Epolita was satisfied with some grain pellets and the pair retreated back the alchemy backroom.

Half buried under a pile of charts, books and other miscellaneous gadgets. The tinker cleared them all from his work table at a sweep and held for the Marshall to examine (or at least managed to lift the heavy object to waist high at an intense strain) a massive broadsword. Six feet in length.

The blade was a foot wide.

"Black Addermantium alloy. From the stock you brought me from the lair of Frugal-wing the Destroyer, deep in the core of our world," it was struggle to talk and breath at the same time hefting the blade. The old man was greatful the Marshall gripped the sword by the handle and took the burden. Holding the blade vertically in his right hand.

"Unbreakable. The blade will never dull. It will slice through diamond or dragon scale both."

"The magical orbs," Kaz'dan drew attention to the lower portion of the blade where twin colourful tennis balls were affixed, "are fire and ice respectively. From drake eggs." He took great pride in his alchemy works. "Bet you wish you had a trinket like that when you overthrew the necromancer. Poxzor the Defiler."

A true replica Buster Blade. A fantasy come true.

"I seem to recall coming out of that dungeon handily," Malcolm embellished his triumph.

"I recall months of Annette's medical care and cooking just to get you looking human again. I can still see well you bloodied. Stamina all used up. Flashing red like crazy."

"I remember it took a week for Annette to patch me up. The week after that I didn't much want to leave. Still haven't."

"You found yourself a good thing, young Marshall. I wish you many years of happiness together."

"There are worse ways to spend an eternity," Malcolm concurred, sheathing the blade and strapping it to his back. Uncertain he would now choose to leave this place if a path where open to him.

…

One more quest for today. "How are you this find day, Marshall?" cheerfully the stall attendant advertised his produce.

"Fine enough, Wilbur. I need the usual fruit and vege. And the tofu," he added with less enthusiasm.

Wilbur. A farm hand for Lon Lon. Nestled under the protection of high Stormburg.

Keenly, Malcolm packed the produce in Epolita's store pouches. "Don't mean to hold you up all day."

"King Wyh looking for you then?"

"I'm sure King Wyh has plenty needs doing. Heading up to the castle now, or after I deliver this load. I can only hope the King does not keep me long. I had intentions to meet Cordelia at the gate after school."

"The Kingdom would be lost without you Marshall. Don't be questing too long. Looks like rain today."

"Huh?" Mel shrugged. It never rained. He gave the remark no weight. "Bye, Wilbur."

…

Within the castle, the royal guard were dread excited. It seemed as though preparations were being made for a siege! Malcolm desired to stop a soldier or servant to enquire the reasons for these activities. Their most common reply, "Marshall! Marshall, the King must see you at once!"

King Wyh, stout a warrior as any through the ages, was grave. There was a force of darkness in the world again. One beyond his ability to stave in with his mighty hammer. "There be dark omens, Marshall. Dark omens, indeed!"

He retold how his ancient druids detected an unnatural disturbance at work in the early hours of the morning. In a few short hours the disturbance had grown until one need not be a druid, schooled in natural workings and in tune with the world, to witness its destructive potential. King Wyh directed Malcolm's attention to the view outside. Of the mountains! The mountains were collapsing!

Dark clouds gathered in force over the peaks. Raging it was! Maelstrom of inconceivable power. The peak closest already had succumb to the battering. Her top split. The debris crumbling down the mountainside.

But the sky never changes!

"No storm could achieve this," Malcolm voiced.

"If the disturbance reaches Stormburg…," the King need utter no more.

Not simply a storm. The ground began to tremble beneath their feet. And it would not stop!

A guard cried out, screaming to be heard against the roar of trembling earth, "Frugal-wing the Destroyer has risen once more! From his deep core lair his terrible might trembles the Earth!"

Only after many minutes did the roar subside. The ground refused to feel stable beneath their feet. Mel needed to exercise his sea legs to move.

"He must be ripping the land itself apart!" Wyh offered. "Marshall, if Stormburg is to be saved we must usher the populace to shelter. Then we can finally end the beast!"

The maelstrom evolved. It was no storm. It was a black hole, sucking the mountains into the sky peeble by peeble. Peak by peak. Approaching.

What is going on?

"This is no dragon. It must be from the outside!"

Realisation struck home.

Zorpox.

The monster hath come. For Malcolm at last. His limited patience was at an end.

Nothing could save Stormburg now. All his friends were going to die.

Malcolm fled.

"Marshall, you flee? Thine who slew Frugal-wing the destroyer and brought low his master, Poxzor the Defiler? Oh, woe is me!"

Forget the King. He could not save them all. He needed to reach Annette. Together they would retrieve Cordelia and maybe by that time Malcolm would have a strategy to spare their lives and any other he could reach.

He played the summons tune for Epolita as he raced from the great hall of Stormburg Castle.

…

Proud father, James Possible, clicked his camera to immortalise this moment. Should his shot not be all he hoped for, however, he would have plenty of opportunity to ask for spares. As Kim approached the podium she almost had a seizure. Marching under chain lighting. Ecstatic applause provided the accompanying thunder. Unwelcome media attention was unavoidable. Search through the faces of Kim's several previous yearbooks and you will discover the young faces of some of the world's most prominent heroines and heroes.

And one terrorising criminal mastermind in the making.

Welcoming Kim on stage, Felix said in addition, "Kim is a reminder to us all we can do anything!"

His declaration caused a standing ovation! Kim was unable to commence with her speech. Here she was, the worlds heroine, feeling embarrassment over all the fuss. Anyone – several dozen persons she knew at least - could have overthrown a terrorising tyrant in a running battle through Disneyland and storm a moon base. It was Bonnie who ultimately saved the world from Shawn Stoppable and the neutroniliser menace.

The crowd did settle. Responding to her cues as Kim stoof before the microphone and presented her palms in a lowering motion. The excitement never died down entirely. Kim wondered if her voice could be heard over the sea of people. She could not hear herself. She could not hear her voice in the speakers. Probably, as they were angled toward the crowd, they were hearing her words loud and clear and Kim was anxious over nothing.

"As I stand before you tonight I see the faces of friends. Friends who, in times of crisis, have become an extended family. And, like all families, we have gathered together and sheltered one another when times appeared down. Now, hand in hand, we have risen above our fear…."

The wind must have picked up because Kim lost her graduation cap. It seemed to lift gently from her head. Failing to reaching up in time to clasp it down, Kim feared she would appear silly, more silly, hunting around for it. Kim elected to continue her speech.

"… knowing that it's not the end of the world…."

A sudden green light surrounding the podium failed to alert Kim. The soundstage boys were messing around.

No one could fail to notice sudden, unplanned levitation.

Down in the crowd, Bee was racing for the stage, bulldozing a path through the seating. Tossing students to and fro but her amazed gawk never left Kim.

Or was it something above Kim?

Kim looked to the sky. She could only make out the light. The green, levitating light. Blinding.

Bonnie leapt, a mystical power enhanced leap which no other could match. Kim reached. They clasped hands.

"I got you!"

But who had Bonnie? Now both heroines levitated toward the unknown.

The responsible party had no need for lackeys. The beam concentrated. The diameter grew smaller and its focus was directed on Kim. Another form of beam entirely lashed out at Bonnie Rockwaller. The more harmful kind.

She was hit square from behind. Forced to let go. Were it not for stone hard skin granted to her by ancient powers she would not have survived the attack or the fall to the surface to crash against the stage podium. Her grisly wound seared and blackened from the heat ray.

Rufus had been fortunate Bonnie's body shielded him from attack, safe in her chest pocket. He was shaken up from the fall, maybe something broke. No telling without an x-ray. He was fearful Bonnie had been put down for good. However, disregarding her own pain, Bonnie only had eyes for Kim and her fate.

The great Lorwardian warship speed away with their prize.

...

Anything not hammered down began to drift toward the maelstrom. To its end. Bugs. Flower petals. A box of matches. The dust shaken loose on the road was horrendous. It tickled the throat and reduced visibility. The ground shakes continued. Marshall Needious thanked the Zaszeroth spirits for Epolita's sure feet. She never broke her stride.

The town bell rang out to warn the people to find shelter. Most had already barricaded themselves in their homes. Mel doubted the sturdy stone structures could save them. A dark power beyond any they knew was at work.

Malcolm kicked the door to their shared home down. No time for social niceties.

"Annette!"

He rushed through the kitchen and ran up the stairs.

Not in the bedrooms.

No one hiding in the closets.

Or under beds.

Annette! Where was Annette!

Annette was not home, Mel realised.

But… she never left the house.

Malcolm reasoned her actions. Annette must have departed for the school. Probably Annette was braving the storm to reach Cordelia. He imagined at the initial sign of trouble Annette would collect her daughter and bring her to this fortress of personal security.

The school was his next destination after retrieving Annette so he lost nothing if he departed now. Wherever they were, it was a sure bet they were together. The school, if he could make it to the school, may be his final hope.

"Ride as the eagles fly, Epolita," Malcolm urged his gallant friend, "This may be our last."

…

His intuition served him better on the second try.

Under desks shunted together like a protective fort he found them. Annette, Cordelia and the village children and their teacher. Huddled together for support. Riding out the storm. The howl of the maelstrom was so overpowering now, few even heard the heavy door to the schoolhouse bang open. Annette missed the glimpse of her Mel's boots stomping in from the cold. She knew of his presence after he knelt to search low for the buildings inhabitants.

"Malcolm!" Annette darted to him on her knees to hold her protector close. She knew Malcolm would look for her. She knew! She only questioned if he would know where or would he make it time.

"Come on!" Malcolm bid, pulling her out from under the fort and reaching his arm for Cordelia.

"What are we going to do, Malcolm?"

Mel was silent on the subject.

Malcolm had Epolita. She could outrun the storm. But she could only carry their family at most.

"What about the others?"

Malcolm had Cordelia in his arms. "No time!"

"Malcolm!"

He wasn't going to leave the children?

He snarled. "I don't care about them! They aren't even people!"

Some of the children began to cry. Unshakeable Mrs Mason-Dickson comforted them, though looked pale herself.

With the lightning strikes illuminating his frown appeared downright vicious. Annette had not seen Malcolm like this. Not since the scourge of the Wraithmaster. It frightened her to see him like this.

"I don't have a plan! I don't know how to save you! Yet alone everyone else."

"Then where are you taking us?"

"I don't know."

Annette observed the devastation outside the classroom window. "How would it be any better than here?"

"I don't know!"

They stood facing each other. Malcolm holding Cordelia. It wasn't viciousness, Annette understood then. It was Anguish she read in his eyes. The implications were striking home for both of them. There was no-where to go.

"I think," Annette said, "I will finally get to try sleep. Maybe, when I sleep. I will dream of us. Together. In your world."

She stepped toward her Marshall and laid a hand on his elbow. It was time to stop fighting.

Malcolm surrendered. He allowed Annette to guide him back to their refugee in her fort.

…

Magnetic cuffs fit to hold an elephant were placed on Kim's wrists and ankles. The ankle pair must have included a built in levitation device. It moved Kim as her unseen captors willed.

It took her to the bridge where her captors already had one guest.

"Well, well, well. Even captivity can have an upside. To see Kim Possible helpless."

"Drakken?" He was cuffed too. Kim could not fathom who, or what, could have an interest in Drakken and her both. "Where are we?"

If Drakken knew, he had no opportunity to enlighten his foe. Approaching the prisoners was a hulking green monster. His every footfall as heavy as John Henry hammering rivet anchors into the railroad.

"Prisoners will be silent," the monster uttered sternly. His voice so deep he made James Earl Jones sound like a choir girl.

"Hello," Drakken dared address the creature. "I think there's been a bit of a mix-up."

"Silent!" The dangerous edge to the monsters tone suggested he would not ask a third time.

More thunderous footsteps approached from behind the captives.

"The blue one who deceived the Great Blue and the girl one who defeated he. Thank you, Warhok," the unknown female warrior said to her companion. To Kim and Drakken she merely stated, "You will both pay."

"You're entire planet will pay!" Warhok decreed.

"Pay for what? You're not making any sense!"

"Have we even meet before?" Drakken honestly could not recall if he had. These two he did not seem likely to forget.

"I assure you we have not meet. According to your world's propaganda outlets each of you, in your own way, are primarily accountable for the downfall the prophesied messiah of our species. The Great Blue who would reach out across the stars and lead our military in glorious conquest. I shall instruct you," the female pressed a series of keys on a control port. A life sized holographic figure, made of light, stood before Kim and Dr Drakken.

NO! Kim raged inside her own mind.

Not him.

Not Zorpox.

"I am Zorpox the Conqueror. Soon to be master of Terra, commonly known to its inhabitants as Earth. Forth planet of the Sol system.

"Through enquires I have become aware of a species feared above all across space and offer greetings to the glorious Lorwardians hailing from mighty Lorwardia. I know too of your fleets setbacks in recent decades dealt at the hands of the Galactic Federation and offer coordinates to my world freely, a world still rich with resources. Outside the Federation's boundries. I invite a superior race to Earth. A race with great tradition of warfare and conquest. Though we must seem less than a worm to be stepped on I believe your guidance will be beneficial. We can forge a weapon of these whelps to wield against our mutual enemies.

"One day they will call me Zorpox the Intergalactic Conqueror. Send an emissary if you are interested in my terms."

End transmission.

Ron betrayed his entire species for power.

Kim believed she could never be surprised by the depths of Ron's cruelty or insanity. Even at his lowest Zorpox had never done anything like this. How terribly she had misjudged him. How terrible the events Ron had set in to motion.

Ron.

What have you done?

"We acted as bidden, evading the Federation fleet to arrive here. Terra. Instead of a subjugated world we learned from intercepted transmissions the Great Blue was overthrown and forced in to hiding. We intend to reverse fortune."

"Objective," Warhok decreed, "Total Planetary Domination," earning an exasperated growl from his blue captive.

"Nyah! That was my objective!"

That tears it. Kim did not throw away her senior year battling Zorpox to fall to his one last insane scheme. Chained or not, Kim decided she would fight.

"Hey!" she demanded the alien's attention. "We're a pretty tough planet."

…

The Maelstrom was upon them.

Malcolm huddled together with the children and his family. No one spoke. There was not comfort in anything which could be said and the thunder and the wind would not let one be heard in any case. Daylight was eclipsed by the thick storm clouds.

Nowhere to run. Nothing to be done. Their world was collapsing outside and Malcolm could think of no solution beyond waiting for it to end.

There was a crash. The school's roof was ripped from the building exposing all to the Maelstrom. The gathered desks they used for shelter rocked and slid back and forth. The wind formed a suction tunnel. Anything the wind currents could get under was lifted to oblivion. To call them bugs harassed by a housewife armed with a vacuum cleaner would be a telling metaphor.

Some of the children were swept up. As was the teacher. Malcolm forced Cordelia flat on the ground as the civil defence advises when caught in the open during a whirlwind storm. He shielded his adopted daughter as best he could. But he could do nothing for Annette.

It was the most horrific in Malcolm's already tragic fuelled life. The storm swept away all. It was as if Malcolm could see Zorpox's clawed hand close around Annette and drag her to oblivion.

Zorpox.

Zorpox will pay.

He could not allow himself to dwell. He still had Cordelia to think of. Annette would want him to save Cordelia.

How?! There was nowhere to go! Nothing he could do! How can Cordelia be saved?!

An idea struck quick as the lightning striking the town cathedral. One long shot.

Salvation may be found in the market. If they could brave the perilous storm.

But Malcolm could do nothing but close his eyes and wish the storm would abate and give him one more chance.

The maelstrom would not abide resistance. Without its supporting roof arch the entire building structure was weakened. The walls collapsed inward, burying those who would not be taken.

…

Epolita was gone. She was frightfully fast. If any beast could outrun the Maelstrom – but not forever.

After several hours the eye of the storm brought relative calm to the mountain town of Stormburg. Now you could be deceived into believing this hamlet was the only refuge from raging storm. The truth was far simpler. There was no refuge.

Cordelia at his side, Mel cut away the building debris with the buster blade as though the brick and mortar was no more than straw.

Cordelia had few tears left to shed. The pair had been buried for hours, alone in the dark with naught but destruction abound over their protective hole. Comforting words were not Mel's strong suit, if there were any words suitable for telling a child their mother was gone. He was thankful the girl had not seen. He could not have borne it.

Cordelia was his sole responsibility now. He took his child in his arms. "We won't have long. We have to move."

…

The winds still battered. The ground still shook. The visibility was nothing to speak of. Now these treacheries of nature were compounded by fire and a failing drainage system. Malcolm pressed on tirelessly.

The townspeople were nowhere to be seen. Fled or taken by the storm. A marked contrast to the hustle that very morning.

He swiped a Tent from an unattended stall's inventory.

"Everything is going to be fine." Malcolm assured the terrified girl in his arms. He was sure this idea would work.

If he could just make it outside the inhabited zone and into the wilderness.

"Ho, Marshall!"

Mel looked around. How any being could still be out here he could not fathom!

It was Kaz'dan! Idling about in the town square.

Kaz'dan was flying a kite in all this mess.

"I'm attempting to prove one of my theories about lighting," misinterpreting his flummoxed Marshall's reaction when sighting him. "Don't worry, I'm wearing all the protective gear."

Metal chest plate. Metal gloves. Metal Helm. Metal boots.

Even in the nightmare around him the absurdity struck a chord. Or broke one.

Malcolm struggled to find the words to say goodbye.

"I hope your experiment works out. Bye Kaz'dan."

"Good day to you, Marshall."

…

A cottage before them threatened to collapse. The inferno the town had become was taking its toll. Holding Cordelia, Malcolm took up his Buster Blade and sliced the falling east side wall neatly in two. The pieces landing at his feet. The roads were nothing more than debris piles and treacherous.

This would not do. Mel understood he needed to get beyond the outskirts of the town and he was running out of time.

A rumble drew his eyes. The ground beneath Castle Stormburg, faithful watcher and protector of the town, was subsiding. The dawn facing side of the castle was falling down.

…

Mel had to put Cordelia down to complete his work. He placed her at the foot of a great tree and made her promise not to leave this spot. The girl was becoming hysterical, "Daddy, why are you pitching a tent?!" but Mel knew he had no time explain.

His task complete, Mel returned for Annette's daughter.

The wind was picking up again. Dolly was ripped from the child's arms but a quick catch from Mel saved her.

"Hold on to her," he placed Dolly back in Cordelia's arms. "Dolly needs you to take care of her. Now…."

How Dolly had survived this long, Mel would never know. He was, however, grateful for small mercies.

Malcolm placed Cordelia inside the tent. And prayed to all manner of forest sprites his logic was on the money. I hope this works. Please, please work.

"I've placed an enchantment on the Tent. Stay in the Tent. No matter what happens, no matter what you hear outside, stay in the Tent. I will find you. Do you understand?"

She did not.

"Cordelia, do you understand?"

Stay in the Tent. Cordelia nodded.

"I'll be right outside."

Mel zipped up the tent. The world became silent.

No howling wind or thunder. The shadows cast by swaying trees ended in a heartbeat.

The ground no longer moved.

Cordelia stayed in the tent with Dolly. She waited.

…

Middleton was in chaos. An hour before dusk the alien combat walkers awoke and began their mission to bring a halt to communication by attacking anything moving on the ground and to destroy any target regarded to hold any military significance. Their stomping all over downtown Middleton and the suburbs had already seen many homes and businesses damaged or flattened completely.

Most of the students and families present for graduation now took shelter in the school gymnasium under the guidance of the teachers and volunteer marshal parents. From what they were seeing, many understood it could be a long stay. Wade Load, tech guru for Team Possible, risked life and limb to join Bonnie and the Possible family in order he might brief a small council or war on developments.

"I've uplinked to Jim and Tim's satellite. Definitely getting a clearer picture."

"And?" Bonnie demanded.

James Possible's genius boys had been developing a low orbit sensor package from refuge and parts begged, borrowed or stolen. Primarily stolen. Primarily from James own multi-million dollar experimental designs, to their father's chagrin. Now the tiny array with a decaying orbit appeared the only known equipment in orbit to escape the aliens notice. Total disregard for corporate property on the behalf of brothers Jim and Tim now gave Team Possible their only edge.

"It's bad," James stated.

"Bad doesn't begin to describe it!"

Wade pulled recordings he had managed to tune in thus far. A few unknown sources transmitting despite the global shutdown.

"First they took out the power all over the planet. They activated these machines everywhere, and they can't be stopped. At least by conventional means."

He punctuated his briefing with still images of cities without power. But what really hit home the dire situation was amateur footage of an insanely brave but futile stand by the military. Whatever could be organised for a counter-offensive during the mere hours since the invasion began. The combat walkers were impervious to their arsenal. Forget Independence Day, this is happening.

"What about Kim?"

"Nothing yet," Wade reported.

Bonnie wondered over to the window of the classroom and looked up at the stars. The world in dire straits. Kim lost. Even Mystical Monkey Power may not be enough against the technological forces bearing down on them. But Bonnie Rockwaller would not give in! Bonnie and Kim, and Wade and Rufus, and all their friends, did not fight and have their lives derailed to save the world from a psycho and his even more vicious cousin Shawn only for the Martians to take it from them now. Bonnie would never let that happen. Kim led them to victory before. Recover Kim, the whole game changes.

"It's not my first trip to space. This Monkey warrior has one more battle in space left in her," thinking of the desperate battle to prevent Shawn firing the Neutroniliser from a captured Moon base. If she could beat Shawn, she could beat these losers.

"I'll find Kay and bring her home. Then we'll put up a real fight."