And here it is! My first story for this fandom. I have worked pretty hard on this and I'm happy I can finally publish the first two chapters. Hope you all enjoy it. If you do, please leave a review! I'll try to update soon, but since I'm in theiddle of my exams, I can't say an exact date. I'll try my best. Until then, enjoy!
Chapter 1: Mission Gone Wrong
"This is so not what I had in mind when I suggested team bonding exercises!" exclaimed a very distressed and very annoyed Catboy as he jumped to avoid Night Ninja's sticky splats. The cat themed superhero did his best to dodge the balls of sticky goo coming at him, but it proved to be a difficult task without his Super Cat Speed. He already used it so much that night that he barely had any energy left and became so exhausted that further use of his ability could cause severe damage. And he didn't even have the time to stop and regain his stamina, because Night Ninja and his Ninjalinos have been bombarding him with attacks nonstop.
After a few minutes of dancing away from the splats, he noticed a fire ladder on the side of a house next to him and used it to launch himself to the top of the building and finally managed to find some cover after he launched himself over the edge of the roof and ducked behind it. As he tried to catch his breath, he noticed his teammates also found the same hiding spot.
"Believe us, we all feel that way." Owlette quipped and from the corner of his, he saw from Gekkos's expression that he shared the sentiments of their bird themed companion. Catboy couldn't say he blamed them. Utterly frustrated with his team's current situation, he found himself reviewing the events of the night trying to understand how did they end up in this situation?
It all started with the villanous ninjas stealing a valuable painting of the town founders from the museum, which Connor found odd. Granted, they raided the museum before, but it was different this time. Only that one painting was missing and the ninjas made it as obvious as they could that they stole it. The Ninjalino footprints were all over the scene and they even found toy figure of Night Ninja at the scene. Leave it to him to be busted by his own narcissism.
Catboy just couldn't fathom why would he steal only one thing, something that the Masks didn't even have any emotional attachment to and while he may not have been the greatest ninja who ever lived, he was good at covering his tracks. It almost looked like as if he wanted them to track him down. He shared his concern with his teammates, but they just shrugged it off. They were more concerned about getting the artwork back. This worried Catboy. Owlette and Gekko were acting a little too reckless for their own good sometimes. He also made this mistake several times before, but he's learned. As the team's leader who just recently turned seven, he couldn't afford to be reckless.
Fueling his suspicion was the fact that the painting was very easy to find. Almost too easy. The entire thing just had „TRAP" written all over it. And he was right. As soon as they reached the painting, which they have located in an abandoned warehouse down the docks, the ninjas instantly ambushed. Night Ninja didn't want to steal anything from the museum. He just wanted to finally score a victory over the heroes. It was clear that the villain became obsessed with finally beating the PJ Masks. Connor didn't know when did Night Ninja become so obsessed with them.
Come to think of it, when did the Ninjalinos and their boss get so effective in combat? The last time they met was like any other encounters between the small ninja army and the animal themed superhero trio of the night. It's like Night Ninja actually managed to come up with a plan and organize his minions to effectively fight off the Masks and Connor hated to admit it, but that surprised him. He let the team's previous victories over him get into his head and he underestimated him. They all did. And now here they were. Pinned down by a seemingly endless number of sticky splats, Ninjalinos around every corner and an angry, revenge obsessed Night Ninja who was going to stop at nothing to beat them. So, to put it plainly, things looked bad for them.
"Owlette, see if they are still on to us." he commanded the winged girl next to him. She activated her Owl Eyes and ever so slightly peeked over their cover. She saw the Ninjalinos down on the street as they muttered among themselves in confusion. It was clear they didn't know where did the heroes disappear to.
"We lost them." she reported. Catboy let out a sigh of relief, a feeling which was visible on the faces of his comrades too.
"Good. Get us out of here, Gekko." Gekko didn't need to be told twice. He activated his Gekko-Mobile's remote control on his wrist – one of the heroes' most recent upgrade on their vehicles – turned it invisible and gave the auto pilot the team's current location.
„It will be here in two minutes." the boy in green informed, making Catboy nod in acknowledgement.
„So what do we do in the meantime?" Owlette asked.
„How about figuring out how to stop Night Ninja?" Catboy turned to her with unconcealed frustration in his voice. They wouldn't be in this situation if they have listened to him before. Apparently, Owlette was aware of it as she sank back at hearing what he said in shame. She knew he was right to be upset.
„Hey! Back off, will you?" Gekko asked, noticing Catboy's tone. „Your attitude doesn't relly help either." Realizing that he had a point, Catboy laid off of them to think. As he brainstormed, Gekko's communicator signaled, meaning the Gekko-Mobil has arrived. „Thank goodness, our ride is here." Gekko remarked as he pressed another button on the panel on his wristand the vehicle became visible. The heroes hopped in and took off right back to HQ.
„So, any plans, Catboy?" Owlette asked once they were on their way.
„I don't know." he admitted grimly. „Night Ninja won't stop until he has us beaten, so stopping him definitely won't be as simple as getting the painitng back."
"Well maybe we should cut him off from every possible way to beat us." Gekko suggested. "Then he'll realize he's fighting a lost battle and stand down."
"Yeah, but how?" Catboy mused. "I have never seen him so determined before. Honestly, it's almost scary."
"Don't worry, Catboy." Owlette said rassuringly as she put a hand on the feline costumed boy's shoulder. "You'll figure it out. You always do." Despite the situation, Catboy couldn't help, but smile at the girl's reassurance. Owlette seemed to have a way to always bring the best out of him even in the most dire of situations, such as this one. The kind support she showed him at that moment made him feel bad for snapping at her earlier. He'll definitely have to apologize to her later. But for now, he must focus on the mission. And then, the perfect idea hit him.
"Do you have an idea?" Owlette asked, noticing his expression.
"Yes!" he exclaimed triumphantly. "Remembered how Gekko used the Owl Glider once to trap Luna Girl and secure the HQ when she tried to take over it? Maybe we could try that again. That way, Night Ninja won't be able to cause anymore trouble and without him, the Ninjalinos won't know what to do."
"Great idea, Catboy!" Gekko cheered. "But what about the painting?"
"With Night Ninja locked up in the glider, no one will stop us from getting it back, the Ninjalinos will be lost without him. In fact, maybe we could use that painting against the one who stole it!"
"Really? How?" Owlette asked.
"Let's get back to HQ first. I'll tell you everything there." the other two heroes didn't object and soon they were approaching the giant totem pole that served as their base.. They were glad they had a leader like Catboy. He always thought of everything and had great plans.
"Good thinking!" Owlette complimented. She raised her fist and extended it towards Catboy, who quickly realized what was her intention and bumped his fist against hers, which was joined by Gekko's, who reached back from the driver seat.
"IT'S TIME TO BE A HERO!" they all shouted before laughing. "Though, Gekko, you should be focusing on your driving." He admonished.
"Oh, right. Sorry." he replied sheepishly as he turned his gaze back towards the road. Just before they reached HQ, Catboy turned to Owlette.
"Thank you." he said softly.
"For what?" his words and especially his tone felt very good, but also confused her.
"For being my source of inspiration, or should I say, my muse." with that, he turned to jump out of the vehicle which just parked in Gekko's baseroom, leaving behind a flabbergasted Owlette, not noticing a huge blush on her face.
"What do you mean you lost them" asked an enraged Night Ninja from his covering minions. This couldn't happen. He didn't plan on the PJ Masks getting away. "Get out there and find them! They cannot win this time! Some wimps in animal pajamas cannot be better than me!" he roared and the ninjalinos immediatley spread out to carry out his orders.
"This guy is lucky I'm only seven and don't know any real curse words." Catboy muttered to himself as he observed the villains from above. The ninjas brought their stolen painting into the old, abandoned warehouse down the docks, which was where the heroes first tried to reclaim it, just before they got ambushed. Catboy thought it was odd that Night Ninja sent his minions out to look for them, instead of preparing another ambush here when they fully knew the heroes would come back for the artwork. That's what he would have done. But he was satisfied at this turn of evemts. The villain just made their job easeir.
Catboy reached to his ear to activate his communicator. "Everybody in position?"he asked.
"Camouflaged and ready for action." Gekko reported from on of the corners of the warehoue. The boy was just outside and waiting for the signal.
"Owlette?"
"Just give me the signal and I'll be there." she reassured him. She was around the docks, flying the Owl Glider at a distance that made sure she won't be spotted.
"Good. Be careful, if they see you, the whole plan goes down the drain." on the other end of the line, Owlette rolled her eyes.
"I am so touched by your genuine concern over my well-being, but don't worry. I have practiced this countless times before. I can do it." Catboy could tell that the girl was annoyed that he was more concerend about her messing up than her safety.
"I'm sorry, Owlette. I know I don't have to worry your well-being. You're the best flyer I've ever known. But if we make even the smallest mistake the mission will be a failure and as the team's leader, it will all be on my head. Please just try to understand, that's a huge pressure for me." he heard the girl sigh on the other end.
"Yeah, I know, sorry. I just hate it when you put your responsibilities as team leader in front of our friendship. I know that sounds selfish, but I can't help it." she replied sadly, which made Connor's chest ache. He always hated to hurt a friend, he felt even worse if it was Amaya. He was about to reply, when Gekko cut him off.
"Guys, I'll set you up a date where you can talk it out when we're done, but for now can we pleae focus on the mission?" this made both of them blush in embarrassment. Catboy snapped out of it first.
"Right, sorry. Catboy out." he replied before switching his communicator off. Focusing his attention back to the task at hand, he was surprised to see only two Ninjalinos in the room. They were standing guard in front of the painting, which was hung up on a wall. The only other person in the room was Night Ninja who was impaitently pacing up and down in the room, mumbling to himself about something inaudible. Catboy raised an eyebrow. This looked almost too easy. He was not going to make the same mistake twice.
„Gekko, check the outside of the whole warehouse tell me if there are any other Ninjalinos around." he instructed throught the communicator.
„I'm way ahead of you. I've been circling around this building for a few minutes and there's no one out here." came the reply.
„Alright then, here I go. Be ready." he said as he signed out. He snuck up right above the small ninja minions and observed the scene to find something he can use to his advantage. Finding nothing, he decided on a more direct approach. He dropped down behind the two ninjas, who didn't even hear him and knocked their heads together. As they dropped to the ground, Catboy picked up the painting and turned to leave, only to run straight into Night Ninja.
„How did you get in here?!" he demanded. Catboy just smiled at him.
„Oh, the vent." he told him matter of factly. He knew this would end up angering him even more and frankly, that was exactly why he did it. „Can you believe they still make them big enough for a human to crawl through them? Then again, they probably didn't expect a superpowered kid when they designed it. Oh, well."
At this point, the evil ninja kid was boiling mad. He launched himself at the feline themed superhero, who threw the painting into the air and dropped himself down on his back. He then extended both of hís legs and Night Ninja ended up landing with Catboy's legs sticking into his stomach. Catboy then used his strength to launch the villain against the wall, right where the painting was hanging just moments earlier. He then sprung back on his feet and caught tha painting in his hands and made a run for it.
Despite his Super Cat Speed he could hear Night Ninja getting up and angrily screaming into his walkie talkie, ordering his ninjalinos to return. He smirked to himself. He saw that he had made it out of the warehouse far enough, now was the time. He stopped to look behind himself to see Night Ninja along with over fifteen of his minions charging at him. He smirked as he took off into the direction where the heroes have their trap waiting just for the villain. Catboy reached up to his communicator.
"Owlette, I'm almost there, be ready for..." but before he could finish that sentence, he felt an extremely sharp pain in his ankle and he found himself falling forward and dropping the painting.painting. He looked up in horror, expecting the artifact to meet it's end on the the pavement, but before it began to fall, Night Ninja jumped and caught it in the air. Catboy almost sighed in relief as he saw that. Night Ninja may be a villain, but he just saved an invaluable piece of art from destruction. If course, said piece of art wouldn't have been in the danger of destruction if he didn't steal it.
Catboy looked back to see what tripped him, only to see Gekko materialize next to him.
"Gekko! What are you doing here?!" he asked on a tone that was a mix between angry, confused and frustrated. Gekko looked at him sheepishly.
"I..." he started while looking down, he was too ashamed to face him. "I wanted to sneak in and take out the ninjalinos one by one, so you could focus only Night Ninja and I didn't see you coming." he finished, rubbing his arm in embarrassment.
"Gekko! The plan was that you wait for me at the place we agreed on once I get the painting." Catboy snapped, unable to keep his frustration in check.
"I know, sorry." the lizard themed hero apologized, still not looking up at him. Catboy just rolled his eyes and tried to stand up, only to hiss in pain as he stood on the feet he ran into Gekko with. Gekko looked at his friend in concern and went to help him, only for him to hold up his arm in front of him.
"Don't. You've already helped enough." he said as he reached up to his communicator. "Owlette, return to the ground. The plan has failed, we'll have to find out something else." However, the response was not at all what he expected.
"No." Both boys jumped in surprise upon hearing this.
"What do you mean "no"?" Catboy asked in shock.
"I still have Night Ninja in my sight. I can still do this." the girl in red objected.
"What is she talking about?" Catboy asked looking Gekko, who could only shrug. He looked around and saw the edge of a tall building which he guessed was high enough to see the Owl Glider's situation from.
"Super Cat Jump!" he exclaimed as he jumped into the air and grabbed the ledge of the building's roof to slowly pull himself up. He couldn't jump straight on it due to his injured foot. While Catboy didn't have Owl Eyes, he managed to spot the vehicle flying towards the same dockside warehouse where he just took the painting from. But there was something off. He also spotted Night Ninja, alone, running circles around the building, only stopping when he saw that he was in cover from the Owl Glider's view. Catboy knew right away that he was up to something and when he saw him peek around the corner of the warehouse, he also knew what was it.
"Aw, shoot." Catboy panicked upon realizing what was going on. "He knows we're onto him. He's going to lure in Owlette to crash!" he reached up to his communicator again. "Owlette, get back, now!"
"No! I can do this!" Owlette argued as she flew closer to the warehouse, still unaware that Night Ninja was aware of her. Catboy grew angry.
"I said, get back! Now!" he yelled. But then Owlette did something that he couldn't believe. She turned off her communicator, shutting him off. "Owlette?!" he tried again. He just couldn't believe she would ignore him like that. He growled angrily as he took his communicator off of his head and threw it to the ground. He then saw Gekko also made it to the roof.
"Help me up to the Owl Glider!" he ordered, gripping the other boy's shoulders tightly, hoping that this time, he would emphasize his order enough for Gekko to follow it.
"But... But your leg." Gekko objected in shock, but he didn't get to finish.
"NOW!" he shouted straight into his face, which broke Gekko's resistance. He laid down on the ground and activated his Super Gekko Muscles, Catboy the jumped up to use his Super Cat Jump and landed on Gekko's feet who gave him a push. This was a move they practiced several times before. Catboy could reach even higher places with it than by himself. And he needed the extra boost this time, because otherwise he wouldn't have made it onto the Owl Glider's wing. He then used all his might to crawl up to the driver's cabin and knocked on it's window. Owlette almost didn't notice at first as she was busy closing in on Night Ninja, but eventually she did heat him and had to turn her attention away to let him in. The boy climbed into the vehicle and tried to grab the control wheel, but Owlette stopped him.
"What are you doing?" she asked, baffled by his actions.
"Saving you from crashing into the ground!" he yelled back. "He has spotted you! He's luring YOU into a trap!"
"What?!" She exclaimed as she looked back at the villain who has now jumped up to the top of the warehouse, jumped into the air and there several stick splats at the plane. None of them missed. They all landed on the window and completely blocked the sight.
"Fluttering Feathers!" Owlette yelled as she grabbed the controls to steer her vehicle away, but it was too late. Catboy knew and he quickly pressed the catapult button on the control panel and the driver seat with Owlette flew out and parachuted safely on to the ground.
Catboy on the other hand, wasn't so lucky. He grabbed the steering wheel and tried to pull up the glider before crashing, and while he did manage to avoid the building, he couldn't avoid the crash. The Owl Glider has plummeted into the ground, leaving a long trail in the pavement before coming to a stop.
"CATBOY!" Owlette screamed as she undid her seatbelts and went to check on him, along with Gekko who had just arrived on the scene. They looked into the glider to see how he was and gasped in horror of what they saw. Inside, they found him lying right under the control panel with a huge wound on his head, most likely from headbutting the steering wheel from the impact, and one of his hands and legs was also out of place. Thankfully, the boy was conscious, but the voices he made let the other two know that he was in great pain.
"Get him out of there!" Owlette screamed at Gekko who reached inside to do as he was told.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Catboy shouted as Gekko's hands reached him. Every part of his body felt like it was on fire and being touched certainly didn't help. But neither did screaming, the massive shout caused a great pain inside his chest. He couldn't bear it. He could only lie there and cry from the intense pain. It broke the other two hero's heart.
Eventually, Owlette decided to get him out herself, and while he did flinch when she touched him, the pain was so severe in his whole body that he couldn't focus on her touch. Owlette picked him up very softly and told Gekko to pull the Owl Glider out of the ground. A crash like this would have damaged an ordinary aircraft beyond repair, the the Owl Glider was no ordinary vehicle. It was badly damaged, but still functional, so they won't have to worry about getting back to HQ.
What they did have to worry about was Catboy's condition and the fact that for the first time in the history of the PJ Masks, they failed to save the day during the night.
TBC... Review please! Thanks :)