In the city of Megadale, high above the most luxurious buildings known to human kind, laid one particular that popped from the rest. The large building was similar to all those around it, the large building with gray complexion and clear windows. However at its top, was an extravagant view; a large monkey skull with red tinted windows and golden complexion. Sitting under it where the words, S.I.C.K written in the same red tint as the windows.
This place was the business of one of the biggest star managers in the industry. He went by the name Mega Monkey, something quite odd. However considering his past it came as no surprise. His real name was a mystery to everyone but himself, but not that he minded, he liked his chosen name even more than his normal name.
His eyes were fixed on his plasma TV screen in the far end of his top office compartment. The screen displayed the latest events of Glamageddon, where SheZow had come victorious from Tara's challenge.
The room was dark, only being illuminated by the screen's blue hue. That didn't bother Mega Monkey. His glasses protected his dark eyes in the dark room and like always he wore and immaculate suit and hair combed back in his preferred style since he had become an idol himself and sure he had moved on from the idol part but he still preferred this cut style to the more official business style.
Once the feed was over and it showed the Idol waving at the massive crowd as they cheered for her, the room filled with lights from the ceiling that showed the expensive and mesmerizing red velvet walls, marbled floor tiles and impressive high golden pillars. Mega Monkey was seated on a high chair that resembled the décor of red and gold, while his fingers lay intertwined a top of a large round golden table.
On the table with him were four other figures each as bizarre as the next. All however watched the smaller, richer man with rapid blinking eyes and squinted expressions as they forced their eyes to adjust to the sudden light.
"Gentlemen," he said to the men. "Welcome to Super Idols Considered Kings or S.I.C.K for short. As you're all aware my name is Mega Monkey and I used to be an idol such as yourselves. Circusmtances change however and now I'm one of the best managers the industry has to offer. I'm assuming you all came here about the…opportunity."
Nods and positive replies accompanied that statement making Mega Monkey quite pleased.
"Very well. My secretary informed me of your coming so when I say your name please give me a brief introduction of who you are and what special talent you have. Señor Maraca."
One of the present, a skinny man with a very prominent mustache, twirled his long mustache and spoke with a heavy Spanish accent, "Si, I am Señor Maraca. My specialty is latin music."
Mega Monkey gave a nod and spoke the next name, "Mocktopus."
Next to Señor Maraca was a man whose most prominent feature had to be without a doubt his green dreadlocked hair. The man casually played with his fingers until Mega Monkey mentioned his name, he then turned to face the smaller man and rolled his eyes.
"Mocktopus… I you know…mock people."
Mega Monkey gave him a nod making Mocktpus copy his action. "The next one is, Spit Bobble."
At the far end next to Mocktopus, a red head with an afro and unibrow sat absentmindedly blowing saliva bubbles when he heard his name being spoken. He instantly perked up and spoke spitting saliva all over the table, "Yesssss."
Mega Monkey nodded and spoke the last name, "Candy Rapper."
The last man that was seating at the other side of the table snapped his fingers and leaned on his chair. His entire body was decorated with jewelry in shapes of different kind of candy. His entire attire was purple as was his spiky hair, "Yo wasup."
Mega Monkey nodded and placed the papers he held a top the table, once more his finger laced around the others in a show of authority.
"Since we already explained why you're here I shall cut the formalities and head directly to the point. SheZow, which ever of you challenges and wins against the idol will have a spot in S.I.C.K. Permanent at that. All the benefits included."
The four men in the table sprung up to stare at the manager.
"You serious?" said Candy Rapper.
"Quite," said Mega Monkey.
The men stared at each other unsure on how to proceed.
"She's the glamazon," said Señor Maraca. "A title only taken by the greatest."
"I fail to see the problem," said Mega Monkey. "S.I.C.K. is a high management agency. We only accept the best of the best. An opportunity to be admitted into an agency such as this, without any questions, is a privilege."
"But SheZow…"
"Is but an obstacle," said Mega Monkey. "If you really wish for this chance you'll fight and persevere. You're dismissed."
With still uncertain expressions the four men got up and left the agency building.
Mega Monkey waited until they were out to clad his office in darkness once more.
He wouldn't lose to SheZow a second time. Last time she was in the picture his company had barely managed and he didn't want to fall once more. No, this time he was going to find a way and defeat SheZow and keep his earnings flowing. But the plan needed to be taken into play; one piece at the time and that first piece, taking SheZow down.
❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿ SheZow ❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿✿❀
It didn't take long after the meeting for the first of the men to make his move. . Actually it only took a day for SheZow's first challenge to arrive in the form of Señor Maraca during a live broadcast to the internet. As the broadcast was taking place Señor Maraca intercepted and challenged the idol to a massive dance off in latin styles. It didn't take long after that for the idol to easily turn his rules against him and come out victorious.
It came to no surprise that the next day all news media was covering it. The heading was –as always was with the idol- an extravagant number, SHEZOW SWEEPS NATION WITH LATIN DANCE. The article that followed explained in painful detail how the dance had gone and how the idol had reacted. The article even had a small picture of the event as SheZow shook her hips with her hands in the air like a seductress in her latin glory, one could even question her origin or background to look into any latin relatives.
Shaking those thoughts away Boxter focused on SheZow herself. Her eyes distant as she danced, staring into a memory only she knew about. It made him curious as to why. SheZow was more than a mere model now, she was a staple and roll model after her heroics. So why did she had to be so unfocused?
"Morning dad," said Kelly cheerfully stepping into the kitchen.
Boxter lowered his newspaper and smiled at his daughter, "Morning sweetie…where's Guy?"
Kelly froze lightly but responded as if nothing, "He's not feeling well."
"Again? Perhaps I should take him to the doctor," said Boxter placing his coffee mug gently on the table surface.
"No! You don't have to do that dad," said Kelly with a chuckle. "Guy just…needs sometime. Alone."
Boxter frowned, "Is it something related to his body? I can understand if that's it."
"Dad," intercepted Kelly. "Guy is fine. He just needs sometime alone."
Boxter nodded and turned back to his coffee, "I'll trust you, but he needs to get out of that room some day. I mean he's been in there several days, he only leaves to go to school. Did he try to confess to that friend of yours? And it went bad?"
Kelly rolled her eyes, "Please as if Guy could date Wanda even if he wanted to. She'll totally reject him and he knows it."
Boxter nodded, "Okay then. But if he doesn't come out soon I'll go to his room to check on him, no excuses."
Kelly nodded, "I'll let him know."
"Great then," Boxter finished his coffee and folded his newspaper. "I'll be heading to work, meet you after school."
Kelly smiled, "See you later dad."
It wasn't until the door closed and the house was technically empty, that Kelly picked her plate and walked over to the empty table. She knew Guy would join her in a few minutes after knowing his father was out of the house. But she still wondered about things.
Since their visit to Club Chaos Guy acted very strange. He was probably still shaken over the entire ordeal but she would think he would get over it fast, he always did. However Guy had yet to snap out of it and Kelly was starting to really grow worried, especially when she had easily persuaded him to clean the house yesterday. Guy never cleaned!
Kelly sighed and turned to her food. She wondered if perhaps Guy was getting used to being SheZow by now. No, that couldn't be. He simply was hurt on the ego. Yeah, that sounded more Guy like. His ego was hurt and he needed some way to regain what he lost. However he wasn't doing anything to regain what he had lost. Instead he was all lost and acting weird all the time.
"Mornin'," she heard her brother speak.
Immediately she turned to her brother and her confidence in her thoughts fell. Guy stood with heavy bags under his eyes and a tremendous lack of posture.
"Guy," Kelly whispered to herself.
❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿ SheZow ❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿✿❀
The second challenger appeared that same afternoon in the shape of Mocktopus. SheZow was making a public appearance in the docks when he appeared. The idol was slightly taken back from the sudden challenge of the unknown musician, but that soon died down as SheZow took the challenge by storm.
Like before with Señor Maraca, SheZow came up top with her dancing and singing leaving Mocktopus in the dirt. It was an easy win, one that the media easily dismissed and moved on from, but Boxter didn't.
Like before the officer took great care inspecting the idol for any sort of indicator that something was wrong. SheZow was alright a couple of days ago so what would be the difference from then to now?
Boxter was quite perceptive ever since Droosha, and he quickly understood that the girl wasn't entirely in her best shape. Sure, her moves were still there and her flair was ever present, her accuracy on point but her spirit, it was lacking. Every turn and every spin was caused by the intense training and endless hours of practice. The spark that usually shone in her depths was a mere speck of what it usually was and this scared Boxter. Was she planning on leaving again? Boxter tried to shake the feeling of dread that came with that thought but it stayed as it always did.
Ever since SheZow's comeback Boxter had been a bundle of nerves. His expectations counting on the bail of the idol, but she hadn't. She was still here and singing and everything, so why was he so nervous about it?
He'd been a security guard since Droosha's unexpected illness. She was weak and he had jumped off the officer train and into something more flexible and less dangerous. This was his life, for him and his kids. If SheZow bailed now…what was he going to do?
But something inside Boxter warned him that her running away wasn't the case this time. She still looked enthralled in her job; he could tell she was into it. Then why was the light in her eyes so dull? She seemed lost and unsure. But how does the biggest pop idol in the world feel like that after such a comeback and having been top of the charts ever since?
Boxter turned to SheZow and watched as she finished her dance striking her iconic pose and the audience clapping on her success. Boxter watched SheZow smile and wave at the crowd. Her smile not faltering, her stance not wavering, everything just right; but then something caught his eye, something so miniscule one could have easily dismissed it. Insecurity. However it was so brief and miniscule if one even blinked you would miss it, but Boxter had noticed.
❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿ SheZow ❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿✿❀
Boxter met with Shela as she walked the next day around the studio. It was about time he got answers and he needed them now. He'd already questioned the integrity of the idol once and he felt like if he did it again, he would be in serious waters with Shela. But there was still something he could do and he would get his answers without much hassle.
"Shela," he asked the manager gently tapping her shoulder.
Shela turned and greeted him, "Hello Boxter, is something wrong?"
Boxter gave a step back to keep some space between them, "I was wondering…"
"Yes?"
"Is there something wrong with SheZow?"
Shela raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean? She's perfectly fine."
Boxter rubbed the back of his neck, "I've noticed something odd with the girl lately. It's like her game is really off."
"Are you insinuating she'll leave again?"
"No!" said Boxter frantically waving his hands. "I mean I know you told me no already and that's good enough for me."
Shela grinned.
"What I mean is, I've noticed she seems off. and I don't get it, she was very different in Glamageddon and now…"
Shela sighed, "Trust me I get it. It was something that happened sporadically a couple of days ago. I don't know how long before she regains her composure. And with those guys from S.I.C.K. just bombarding us."
"S.I.C.K? Mega Monkey again?"
"You know him," said Shela. "Never gives up."
"Stubborn to the bone."
Shela nodded, "I just hope SheZow gets her act together soon…otherwise I don't know. For now things seem okay but…"
"Soon these things show in her performance..." said Boxter.
"Nothing will happen Boxter," said Shela smiling. "Things will settle in a few more days."
Boxter only hoped that were true. But his luck is not always the best.
❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿ SheZow ❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿✿❀
When the third rival came and went Boxter was more than annoyed. SheZow had given the display of a life time, but she still fell short in everything else. And now it was noticeable that she wasn't really into it. Even the media noticed as they called her performance mediocre at best.
That wasn't the only thing that bothered Boxter, no; Guy was still acting up and didn't show his face unless it was Kelly or Maz. When he did see Guy, he always had his hoodie up to cover his face. To say Boxter was reaching his limit was an understatement.
He understood it really, SheZow was a star with tons of pressure on her shoulders and Guy was a growing male. But he was an adult with a growing worry and reaching the pinnacle of grabbing them both and shaking them awake. But he refrained from doing such a thing to both as he could easily make up Droosha's voice in his mind.
She always had a way with him. She could soothe him in the worst of the days and make him smile.
For now he needed a way to get SheZow out there and shine for real. But he wasn't entirely sure how. This girl had been pampered for so long to believe she was the best thing out there, he doubted his words would get through to her. But he had to try. After all so many lives depended on this making Boxter firmer in his decision. He would find a way and succeed.
❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿ SheZow ❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿✿❀
SheZow was walking in the studio, making her way to the limo to the special event in the Museum of Fruit Toppings. Why was there an entire museum dedicated to fruit toppings? SheZow didn't know nor cared at the moment. She was more concerned over the latest news of her performances and how the incident in Club Chaos kept her from pushing forward in her career.
Sure Kelly, Maz even Shela had tried to convince her that what happened was no big and that she could easily move on. Besides no one but SheZap and the quartet knew all the exact details, SheZow was free. But the experience etched on her brain and made her feel the weight in her back.
SheZow knew this is what SheZap wanted. She crushed the spirit of her legacy and destroy SheZow. Why? SheZow wasn't sure, but she was sure that everything that was happening needed to stop. But the weight in her back didn't stop. In fact it grew wider and heavier every day.
She didn't think it would have caused such an impact on her but it had. Heck she had been avoiding everyone but Maz and Kelly for days. Now she had to go out and face hundreds of fans yet again.
She sighed.
❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿ SheZow ❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿✿❀
Boxter clenched his fist as he watched SheZow smile at the cameras and wave at the crowd. She was so two dimensional he was surprised more people weren't booing at her. The idol visibly flinched with the displeased words of the crowd. She clearly wasn't enjoying it then why was she still not acting the part?
The girl was clearly uncomfortable, why wasn't she doing something about it?
However before anything got to dramatic, a loud speaker took everyone in the crowd back. A thick layer of fog appeared out of nowhere and from it, a man entirely dressed in candy styled jewelry, purple sport clothes and a microphone.
Easily he made his way to the stage where SheZow was and he starting speaking about a challenge.
Another one, thought Boxter readying to storm atop the stage.
"Not again," he heard someone from behind him.
Turning, Boxter saw Shela, one of her perfectly manicured hands in her lips as she bit her nail.
"What?"
Shela turned to him and her eyes grew wide, "Nothing."
"Shela…" Boxter warned.
Shela sighed, "SheZow can't do this now. She's too pressured."
"Pressured?"
Shela glared at Boxter, "Do your job and get him out."
"Not until you tell me what's going on," he said staring into her eyes.
"Why is this so important to you?" asked Shela staring back.
Boxter broke eyes contact and turned to SheZow. Instead of her he saw a lost person, like his son at the moment. Someone that needed help. Droosha would have made him help. He would have declined. But Droosha wasn't here. He didn't quite understood, but he just had to do something.
"It's not…"
"Then why…"
"I can't see her like that okay!" he yelled. "First Guy now SheZow, I'm one man I can't stand this kind of pressure Shela."
Shela eyed him for a second before smiling, "Perhaps…you're exactly what SheZow needs."
Boxter backed away looking confused, "What?"
But Shela's smile spoke of thousands of things that he was sure he would regret.
SheZow was in a pickle. Not literally but she was down. Candy Rapper seemed to have her in a corner and her fans weren't being entirely supportive. SheZow knew why this all was happening, but if she hadn't gotten out of it yet then what made her think a miracle would happen now.
"Give it up babe," spoke Candy Rapper to his microphone.
SheZow sighed and fought sudden tears that formed in her eyes. She had only cried once before and that had been while alone in her room after her mother's funeral. She wasn't going to do that now, because wearing whatever she was wearing, deep inside she was still Guy Eli Hamdon, a boy by all genetically means. But without his consent, his shoulders began shaking lightly and silence had fallen to his ears. She was done…
"SheZow!" she heard a voice cut through the noise. "You go girl!"
She turned to meet eyes with her father. He was encouraging more people around him to follow his example and cheer for the idol. SheZow was taken back since Boxter had never shown any sort of support for her before that moment. However something inside her made her smile at her father and stand up with new found fervor.
Her hands gripped her microphone tightly and spun giving Candy Rapper a very SheZow like pose. She taunted him with her eyes and before one could notice the crowd was cheering over the victory of the idol once more.
❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿ SheZow ❀✿✿ ❀❀✿✿ ❀❀ ✿✿ ❀❀✿✿❀
Boxter sat on his table waiting for his children to arrive and join him. Well he was counting on Kelly at least since he still needed to have a word with Guy…
"Hey dad," said a very cheerful Guy as he passed Boxter and picked a plate filled with food. "I am starving."
"Guy?" said a rather surprised Boxter.
"Yeah," said Guy picking a spoonful of food and shoving it in his mouth.
"You're out?"
Guy chewed and frowned.
"Please dad, I told you he was fine," said Kelly walking past Guy to her own plate.
Guy opened his mouth to reply but Kelly raised a finger to silence him.
"Not now Guy," she said.
Guy grumbled and stuck his tongue out to his sister. Kelly dismissed his gesture and continued eating her food all the while Boxter watched in shock the display. After a while the normalicy of the entire scenario brought a smile to his lips. He raised his eyes to meet with a family picture. It showed the entire Hamdon family smiling and well. Nothing could ruin the moment, and he was sure nothing could ruin this one as well.