Chapter Text
Deep in Earth's solar system there was only the dark silent emptiness of space with the star glimmering a silence that was soon broken by the formation of large powerful bright light
FWOOOSH
That seemed to form into some kinda hole in space a bright glowing wormhole like portal and moments after it formed....something emerged
A large craft was flying through portal which vanished as the entirely of the craft exited it as if it was never there in the first place. As for the craft itself if anyone could see it they would immediately take note of two things it's size and the fact the entire ship seemed to be made and composed completely of bone.
This was the Citadel of Bone the lair and ship of one of the greatest evil's in all the universe....the Skeleton King
Who deep within the Citadel in the confines of his throne in front of his sinister pit of Ooze sat quietly upon his throne his sockets apparently cold, dark, and empty for several moments before in a flash his red glowing eyes appearing as if he awoke from a slumber.
Though unbeknown to the universe at large this was not the same Skeleton King that terrorized Shuggazoom but rather a lost soul finding themselves in a new yet familiar form. A soul that along with another wayward soul would soon go on to change everything
None the less the figure that would soon be known and feared across a certain blue planet as the Skeleton King groaned bringing a hand to head rubbing it, "Urg...my head...feels like a elephant tapped dance on it.."
They said their eyes closed not yet realizing where they were or that their body was not the one they were born with, "what....happen?" they asked themselves before trailing off as they finally got a look at their surroundings...and at themselves, "I...what...what the hell?!"
They gasped out as they looked around, "I..what...this.." They stood woodenly, "The...Skeleton King..throne room?" they asked themselves aloud recognizing the scene from one of their favorite cartoons as a kid before they looked down at their hand and their eyes widen, "No..no..!"
they looked over and saw the pit of ooze quickly making their way over to it and saw their reflection staring back in the murky dark pits...or rather the reflection of the Skeleton King "AAAAAAA!"
They grabbed at their face as they stumbled back in shock, "NO THIS CAN"T BE HAPPENING!" They bellow out in shock grasping at their face before moving their hands all their body, "I'M SKELETON KING!"
They yelled out in shock and horror as they were indeed the main antagonist the big bad of Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force Go there was no denying it as he looked his body that of the original Skeleton Kings revival before his resurrection, "How..how is this possible?" they asked themselves as they stumbled to the throne, "Is this...a dream?"
They asked aloud staring up at the ceiling before going still as he heard voices arrive in the throne room, "My lord is everything well we heard screaming?!" Questioned the form of the former leader of the hyper force turned traitor Mandarin...or rather the formless clone of Mandarin
Though possessing no burn marks and was wearing the original mandarin gauntlet on his hands looking up at him with a bow, "Silence fool!" Snapped another voice arriving right him, "Can't you see our lord is distress.."
Said none other than Valeena the bone sorceress looking up at him with worry yet also worship a part of which he found both creepy...yet strangely pleasing, "Please my lord tell us what ails you and what I must do to soothe you."
Valeena plead out getting onto her hands and knees and crawling toward her while Mandarin simply scoffed before a third and much more surprising voice spoke up, "He's probably annoyed at listening to your screeching voice.."
Said a younger feminine voice causing the soul that currently found themselves Skeleton King to look surprise to the source and saw none other than Jinmay ally to the hyper force and girlfriend to Chiro their leader wearing a dark nasty smirk while adoring not only a bit more of a figure but a new outfit he didn't recall her wearing in the show.
Which gray shirt-dress with one black button on the top, red gloves on her hands and a red scarf around her neck. A black belt with a glowing pink heart in the buckle and black uggs boots with black thigh high socks
And right now she was looking at Valeena with a mocking smirk and a crueler look than he had ever seen in her eyes when he watched the series....with the exception of one episode. He thought in distracted stupor while still processing all this in shock his mind couldn't help but go to the hills have five episodes with the biker gang and Jinmay reprogramming into a bad girl...could this be a similar case?
Though as he continued to be lost in his confused shocked thoughts Valeena had stood back up whirling to Jinmay as she approached, "Silence you impudent toy!" The skull sorceress screeched with a dark scowl raising her glowing hands, "you say toy like it's a insult.."
Jinmay said with a scoff while grinning mockingly toward Valeena, "but it's a compliment when Skeleton King is the one playing with me~" she said her voice taking on slight husky edge while Valeena brow twitched, "you aren't even worthy to speak his name you trump up doll!"
she snapped glaring as she shoved her face into Jinmay with Jinmay glaring right back, "more worthy than you old witch!" she snapped putting on a smug smirk, "last I checked i've actually pulled my weight around here and by helping our master deal with those stupid monkeys and their simp of a leader."
she said this comment certainly getting the attention of the soul that had found themselves as Skeleton, "Where as you.." Jinmay shoved her finger in Valeena face, "are just a pity case who other than wiping out that fraud cult of followers who just wanted our lord's power and were lead by your parents I might add.."
Jinmay smugly grinning arched a brow, "besides that you've done...what again?" she asked as Valeena gave a low growl as Mandarian off to the side simply sighed shaking his head though with a faint amused smirk, "I have dedicated my entire life, my entire being to the Skeleton King!" Valeena screeched out, "my dedication far exceeds anything the used up former toy of the hyper forces leader could hope to offer!"
She snapped with fury with Jinmay giving a nasty glare in turn however before they could say anything else
"ENOUGH!" A new voice roared out and it took the soul who had found themselves as Skeleton King a moment to realize that it was them who had spoke up in a annoyed roar while banging a fist on their throne causing the three that stood before the throne to flinch back and back in submission and fear
He didn't know what was going on or if this was some kinda crazy dream. But he knew enough about the show Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force Go to know that letting these three realize he wasn't the REAL Skeleton King was a very bad idea and wouldn't end well for him.
So the best thing he could do was try to act the part until he figured out what was going on, "I am in no mood for screeching!" He said speaking in Skeleton King signature sinister voice (Which also acted as further proof of his personal belief in Mark Hamill being the best voice actor alive) glaring at the three, "Forgives me my lord I was merely.."
Valeena tried to explain herself raising her head from her bow, "I said silence!" He snapped back standing up while by some instinct grabbing the staff that sat against the throne, "I have no desire for your excuses!"
He said with the most threatening voice he could make backed by a glare, "do you three actually have a reason for bothering me beyond or do you simply wish to tempt me to throw you into the pit of ooze!"
He exclaimed while banging his staff against the ground and pointing at the dark pit in question as the three flinched
"Apologies, master, we thought we heard you cry out," Mandarin said, bowing his head.
"I didn't, I just followed you two when I saw you run in here," Jinmay said with a shrug.
"Then you must be deaf," Valeena scoffed, earning a glare from the robot girl. But before anymore arguing could break out, the person who was now Skeleton King cut them off.
"Enough!" He snapped again causing them all to freeze while they all straighten their postures and stiffen as he glowered at them though inside he was freaking out as while he was Skeleton King the master of Valeena and Mandarin as well as apparently Jinmay he wasn't fully confident in his odds in taking them on if they should sense weakness or suspect something wrong about their master
Though on the matter of his servants particularly Jinmay her presence alone implied a great deal of difference from what he knew of SRMTHFG canon and brought up so many questions. Perhaps a divergence in the original series that lead to her following him?
Though as he questioned her presence he did his best to hide a wince as he saw himself...or rather Skeleton King examining Jinmay in her giant robot form with the original Mandarin standing behind him in his 2nd muscular enhanced form that he personally though was always rather ugly, "So this is the hairless monkey's girlfriend..pathetic." The original Mandarin scoffed behind his master....him, "at the very least she'll be useful for scrap and recycled parts.." The large monkey said with a laugh, "No.."
Only to be caught off by Skeleton King dark tone, "you lack foresight Mandarin.." The monarch of evil said sparing a small glancing over his shoulder, "This toy as you call her...has greater potential...potential that will serve my goals~"
He said before raising his staff and shot out a dark purple energy toward the giant restrained robotic form with chilling laughter, "Hehehahahhahaha~" Skeleton King smirked as the robot let out a glow before it faded, "master?" The original Mandarin questioned, "Simply planting the seeds of a...insurance policy~"
Skeleton King said turning his back to the robot before walking past Mandarin, "but it is of no concern to you Mandarin.." He glanced over to his servant, "you have your orders separate girls head from her body than send your old team a message~" He let out a sinister chuckle, "i'm sure you're quite eager to show them the new you~" At that the original Mandarin let out a dark smirk, "Oh yes master very much so.."
The monkey said with a dark laugh that echoed in the memories of the present and apparently new Skeleton King his mind still racing as he realized that particular scene must of happen right before the episode Hidden Fortress and whatever Skeleton King is likely why Jinmay was here...though this brought up the question what happen to the Hyper Force and Shuggazoom?
A question that brought him back to reality as he focused back at the three in front of him realizing that he'd have to be careful about acquiring answers to things he should already be aware of...though that memory flash was both a hopeful sign of him getting the real Skeleton King memories and also a dark omen as part of him was terrified what would happen to his mind with those memories considering who this was.
A worry to address for later as he growled out to the three, "I am fine as you can clearly see.." Skeleton King said with narrowed eyes, "or do you doubt your masters power that you believe something could harm me in my own domain."
He asked with a dangerous edge to his voice causing Mandarin and Valeena to pale somewhat while Jinmay shot them a smirk, "Of course not my lord the very thought of anything threatening your power would be madness!"
Valeena plead with Mandarin giving a nod, "Indeed it is just uh..when we heard something from her throne room we felt it our duty to investigate." spoke Mandarin with a bow as Skeleton King simply hummed holding his staff, "considering you acted out of loyalty to your master i'll let hat feeling of doubt pass....this time."
He said and ended in a ominous tone with his servants giving a shiver, "But if you must know.." Skeleton King approached the pit of ooze knowing he should probably give some kinda excuse for that scream he let out earlier, "I sensed something.."
He said with a dark voice raising his free hand to his chin, "Sense something my lord?" Mandarin question with all of them gazing questionly at their master, "Yes...as if something has happen but...what I don't know."
Skeleton King admitted with a dark scowl while internally knowing very well what happen is hes inside the body of a cartoon antagonist in a cartoon! "Tell me you three.." he turned his attention to the three, "would any of you perhaps anything to report that could possibly act as a explanation?"
"Well, I don't know about an explanation exactly, but I did detect some strange anomalies when we were dropping out of hyperspace," Jinmay commented.
"You said nothing of that to us," Valeena stated, eyes narrowed at her.
"It literally just happened, I didn't have a chance," she snapped back. Valeena growled, but before another fight could start, Mandarin quickly interjected.
"What sort of anomalies?" he demanded, hoping that this was the information his master wanted.
"I don't know, but it's like the hyperspace tunnel was fluctuating. I've never seen anything quite like it," the robot girl admitted.
"Pah of course you haven't.." Valeena said with a sneer of contempt to the girl who scowled right back, "i'm honestly impressed you know of anything outside of your toy box." she scoffed as Jinmay let out a growl, "certainly more than you hag of a cult baby!"
she snapped with Valeena letting out a offended gasp, "Focus!" Mandarin snapped to the two with a scowl, "What do we know about our current location?" He added looking over to Jinmay feeling the eyes of their master watching them keenly,
At that question Jinmay frowned as her eyes let out a glow before displaying a holographic image from her left eye of a solar system Skeleton King knew well, "we appeared to be some unknown quadrant of space and from our sensors only one planet has life on it.."
she said before the voice of their master spoke up, "Earth.." He hissed out loud unintentionally causing everyone to turn toward him, "master you know this planet?" Mandarin asked his lord questioningly, "Of course fool Skeleton King knows all!"
Valeena proclaimed grandly while SK did his best to not sweat in front of them (Actually could this body even sweat?) "Yes.." He decided to cover up this slip up the best he could, "some time ago I had...a...vision."
He said pulling this straight out of his ass staring at the holographic image of Earth that Jinmay enlarged, "A vision of this planet...it is...special." He said giving off a sinister chuckle while hoping they would buy it
"It looks no more special than a hundred other planets I've seen," Mandarin stated, looking unimpressed.
"If Lord Skeleton King says it is important, then it must be!" Valeena snapped, "Do you question his wisdom?"
"Of course not, witch!" he snarled, "I simply admit that I lack the insight to understand what has drawn his interest to such a lowly place."
"Hmm...than perhaps I should show you." Skeleton King said with a thoughtful frown as he turned to the pit of ooze as his "new" minions glanced toward internally wondering what the heck he was saying but he did need to figure out how to use Skeleton King power...I mean if he was the big bad than he should be able to use his powers right?
Plus Earth he well honestly doubted it was his Earth...probably the version of Earth seen in the Hyper Force cartoon...or considering the strange anomalies Jinmay mentioned it could be another Earth and despite being in Skeleton King body he and the rest of them were somehow no longer in the Monkey Team dimension...bottom line was Earth it was likely going to be his destination once he got more of handle on the situation
A part of him honestly still in shock from all this but it would be nice to have some familiar rock to latch onto....though first he needed information about this Earth and he needed to try to use Skeleton Power with a good excuse....two birds one stone...he just hoped he didn't blow this.
"Ah yes master enlighten our feeble minds with wisdom.." He brought himself out of his thoughts seeing Valeena bow her head but he focused his attention back to the pit of ooze getting...a idea, "Heheh..glady~"
He said raising his left hand which soon after concentrating started to glow with a purple of light much to his internal relief but also surprise as he found it so easy and by instinct like moving just another part of your body in a way, "with my power and the pit of ooze we shall see..." He gave off a ominous aura, "see what power and secrets this world holds!"
He declared before blasting the dark pit which soon swirled and twirled with images beginning to form inside it
The minions gathered around the pit and watched the images that formed. To their surprise - and unnoticed by them, that of their master - they saw many powerful beings living on the nearby blue planet, many of whom were running around wearing colorful costumes and fighting each other, with some seeming to be committing crimes, and others trying to stop them. To the minions, it was disgustingly familiar.
"Ugh, looks like they have their own versions of those loser monkeys," Jinmay spat, "Only a lot more of them."
"Hmm, a great many powerful warriors call this planet home," Mandarin mused, scratching his chin, though Valeena scoffed.
"None of these insects could possibly match our master's might," she sneered.
"Obviously not," Mandarin said defensively, "But as my former brothers and their human pet showed, even skilled weaklings can be a hindrance."
Meanwhile their master watched the images with growing shock and wonder easily able to recognize many of the figures after all who wouldn't recognize the likes of Batman and Superman..never other signature DC characters.
He thoughtideally seeing the display of a T shaped tower flash by...only it wasn't just DC character he could see a variety of forms flash through the pit he recognized from other media such as Ladybug and Chat Noir fighting against some Akumatized villain in paris, the robotic form of XJ9 aka Jenny Wakeman fighting against other robotic enemies, even what appeared to be Juniper Lee the Te Xuan Ze though older beating down some Ogre...all those and more were displayed by the pit of ooze
Filling him with shock....yet also wonder...this...this was crazy...insanity in its purest form...but yet..
He glanced over his body and than subtle to his minion and the surrounding citadel of bone perhaps it was a opportunity...he didn't know how he found himself in this position as Skeleton King in the solar system of a Earth filled with so many different shows and media he recognizes from his life...but this was perhaps a once in life opportunity
As Skeleton King he had power he could barely dream of before and Earth...was filled with so many warriors it was perfect test his newfound power against....a chance to enjoy playing the villain~
After all if he was Skeleton King and likely would be for the foreseeable future...why not have a bit of fun with it~ Though at that last thought he couldn't help but sneak a peak over at Jinmay and roam his gaze over her body....yes fun~
"Hehehehahahah~" He suddenly laughted surprising and altering his minion, "How thrilling~" He declared with flair as the three blinked up at them, "This planet..this Earth...is indeed a special gem in the universe~"
He said to them with a sinister grin, "Filled to the brim with mighty warriors to test our forces against as we crush and bring them to heel!" He declared banging his staff against the ground, "and the power it holds as well.." He let a sinister grin cross his face, "Will be mine for the taking~"
"Yes, master!" Valeena was naturally the first to respond, "We shall crush all these fools, no matter how powerful they are, and claim this world and all its secrets for you!"
"And every weakling who walks this planet's surface shall be made to kneel to you or be destroyed!" Mandarin quickly added in.
"Give the order, and we'll begin right away," Jinmay said, more composed but clearly just as eager to fulfill her master's wishes.
Before Skeleton King could say anything, however, the group was interrupted by an approaching clanging sound of metal footsteps. They looked to its source, and watched as a rotund silver robot with a screen taking up its center mass, displaying a pink imitation of Skeleton King's face, entered the room.
Of course the new Skeleton King would recognize this particularly machine it was TV Monster the Kings robotic herald who he used to speak through to the likes of the Hyper Force and Shuggazoom city back when he was bound and confined to his very lair the citadel of bone
(And that reminder certainly brought out a fear of the case being the same for him which he hoped wasn't the case for himself.)
Only it appeared to be in his upgraded deadlier (not to mention cooler looking) incarnation from season 3 the Skeleton King Droid or Skeleton Droid it certainly fit to find it among his servants though he worried how fate lead to it assuming his new incarnation if as he suspected canon of hyper force took a very different turn
But he put that thought aside as the Skeleton Droid approach and bow while doing his best to not show his surprise at it did next, "Master.."
It spoke! In a robotic voice reminiscent of his own...ah Skeleton King...he certainly didn't remember this from the show! Well admittedly it had been a number of years since he had rewatched the episodes but he didn't think the Skeleton Droid ever spoke....or did it?
Though he waved that question off as he focused on his apparent robotic servant and herald, "Speak.." he hissed out as the Droid raised it's screen up facing the group, "we have detected a ship not far from are current location."
They said with the screen changing from it's face to a displayed image of the ship in question, "Hmm interesting.."
Mandarin spoke up with a arched brow before smirking, "perhaps the first examples from Earth who shall experience our lords power hohoah ~" he speculated while giving a monkey howling laugh
"Send me my lord and I shall lay waste to the entire crew in your name." Valeena spoke up next up looking eagerly toward her master, "You please we both know I'm the right girl for the job."
Jinmay scoffed out jabbing her thumb toward herself, "Besides it's been dullsville since we ditched Shuggazoom and this sounds like the perfect chance to have some fun~"
She said with a smirk as Valeena hissed out, "simply being graced with the honor of traveling with our lord should be excitement enough you ungrateful doll!"
She small however before they could say anything else Skeleton King spoke up with a hum, "Something about that ship.." he looked at the droids display screen, "is familiar."
He stated aloud to himself while rubbing his chin wondering where he has seen this ship before while at the same time without realizing it the citadel of bone responding to subconscious will was now making a direct course to the ships location at the rings of Saturn
(Meanwhile in the ship at question.)
In the corridors of the ship a large shall we say hefty figure was making their way through the ship muttering to himself, "Oh man, oh no this looks like trouble which means he's not going to be happy not one bit "
The figure fretted to himself before groaning, "and he's already been in a mood since we ended up in this solar system."
"Sheesh what's got you stressed out big guy?" At the sound of a new voice speaking up the figure paused turning their head to what appeared to be two human teenage girls, "someone eat the last donut in the break room ~" joke the one with pink hair with a smirk as her sister gave a laugh
The figure gave a low growl at the jab to his weight before replying back, "Marah, Kapri we've got trouble big trouble." He told his bosses niece's worriedly causing the sisters to pause in their mocking, "What sort of trouble?"
Marah the back hair sister asked with a arched brow, "Our sensors have detected a ship heading directly toward us.." The figure told wringing their hands together worriedly, "and it's real scary looking to boot."
"Scary? Choobo, get a grip," Kapri scoffed, "We're villains, we don't get scared. Besides, Uncle's got an army and this ship is armed, right? What do we have to be worried about?"
"I dunno," Marah spoke up, "I mean, things have been weird ever since we fell through that wormhole. Remember, all the spy imagery we've got of Earth isn't matching up what we had ahead of time, according to Zurgane. No ninja academies, all those people in the funny costumes running around, nothing like what Uncle said it was going to be. Shouldn't we be at least a little worried?"
"Hmm, I guess that's a good point," Kapri reluctantly agreed with her sister, "Still, I'm sure Uncle's got everything under control. He's one of the strongest fighters in the universe, he can handle anything."
"Right, no one can defeat Master Lothor!" Choobo said sycophantically, before nervously asking, "So, uh, can you girls break the news to him?"
"No way! He's been in a worse mood than usual all week, we're not telling him anything that'll upset him," Marah protested. Choobo deflated at that, then reluctantly continued the way he'd been going, the girls following after him out of morbid curiosity about what would happen.
Reaching an ornate door, Choobo nervously reached up and knocked on it. When nothing happened, he knocked again, and when there was no response, he went to do it again a third time just so he could say he tried, only for the door to be suddenly yanked open from the inside.
"What part of 'don't disturb me' wasn't clear?" snapped a black-robed man in a latex-looking Oni mask, whose glare was so intense that the girls were surprised that Choobo didn't burst into flames on the spot.
"Ah yes sir sorry sir a thousand apologies sir!" Squeaked out Choobo while repeatedly bowing his head while the watching girls snorted in amusement, "but it's just...ah... well."
He wrung his hands together while looking frightfully at his master, "we have a...bit..of a... situation sir." He nervously stutter out before bracing himself with a wince
"What kind of situation?" Lothor demanded.
"Well, sir, there's a ship approaching our location. It's heading right towards us!" Choobo explained.
"From Earth?" Lothor asked, glare lessening as he frowned in thought.
"I don't believe so, sir, it doesn't really look like anything they have down there from what we've seen from our observations," Choobo said.
Now looking pensive, Lothor pushed Choobo aside and stalked down the corridor towards the bridge, his nieces scrambling to get out of his way. They and Choobo watched him go, glancing at each other nervously after the uncharacteristically quiet departure, and then quickly followed after him.
For his part, Lothor's mind was whirling as he stalked down the hall. Mostly because he WASN'T actually Lothor - much like was the case with the Skeleton King, he was in fact a soul from another world who had woken to find himself inhabiting the body of a fictional villain from his youth. He'd panicked, understandably, but thankfully the situation had conspired to cover for him - Lothor and his minions had apparently been about to invade Earth with an attack on the ninja academies, as per the start of Ninja Storm, only for a wormhole to suddenly open in front of their ship and suck them in before spitting them back out. The disorientation from that had thankfully given the soul now in Lothor's body a chance to compose himself and take stock of the situation.
1) He could feel pain, so this wasn't a dream, and he was too lucid for it to be a hallucination, so he'd apparently been isekai'd.
2) Not only had he been isekai'd, but it was as one of his all-time favorite villains. And silver lining, he now had access to all of Lothor's memories which came to him on instinct, so he at least didn't have to worry about drawing a blank at a key moment and revealing he wasn't who he claimed to be.
3) Having apparently been dropped into the start of the series, he only had Zurgane, Choobo, his nieces by marriage (and he REALLY needed to check his new memories to figure who the Hell Lothor had been married to), and an army of Kelzaks and assorted monsters at his disposal. Which was fine by him, since aside from their names and the fact that Vexacus was the designated treacherous minion of the season, he couldn't remember a thing about the later minions, so best to not have to worry about them.
4) That wormhole had apparently dragged the ship into another universe altogether, as even though they were still over Earth, there was now no sign of the academies anywhere. And not only that, but the fucking Justice League Watchtower was in orbit (the one from the Unlimited seasons, no less), and long-range observations had revealed that the planet was practically crawling with superheroes and villains from all kinds of cartoons and anime, some of which had no business being on Earth at all.
So, in summation, the person who was now Lothor had some very mixed emotions. On the one hand, he'd been torn out of his life without warning and forced into the role of a supervillain. On the other, his life had been petty humdrum, and now he had the chance to live a life of adventure as one of the coolest villains he'd ever seen, one who knew how to make being the bad guy look fun, not to mention was genre savvy enough that his new soul's fan knowledge wouldn't look out of place. But contrary to that, he now had to worry about becoming an enemy of the likes of Superman and Batman, who probably had a contingency plan for dealing with evil space ninjas from other universes, because he was the goddamn Batman and of course he did.
And the prisoner they'd picked up floating in space shortly after their arrival, who was now sitting in the ship's dungeon, had only complicated things more...
Shaking his head to clear it, the new Lothor tried to force the concerns out of his mind. There was nothing he could do about it now; if he tried to go straight, his minions would probably kill him in his sleep, so he was stuck being a villain. He'd have to just to buckle down and go with it, and try to have some fun while he was at it. Which was what he'd been spending the last couple of days trying to figure a plan for, only to be interrupted by whatever this approaching new ship was.
"Zurgane, report!" he commanded as he entered the bridge, the black-and-red armored samurai at the control console turning to face him with a bow.
"Sir..." His subordinate said with utmost respect to his master paying no mind to Choobo or those fool nieces of his lord, "I am pleased to report that I have the troops ready for battle you need only give the word."
He reported raising his head before turning to the control console, "though as for the threat at our door step itself we don't believe it to be from Earth." He said over his shoulder to his master, "our sensors managed to capture footage of it emerging from a wormhole just a few parsecs away from our location."
He tapped at the console bringing up a live stream of the citadel of bone heading to them, "The vessel itself possess great size, though our scanners have been unable to detect any armaments or defenses we have learned that it strangely seems to be entirely composed of bones."
He reported loyally while Choobo gave a shiver at the ship on the screen with the sisters looking curiously at it none of them noticing Lothor going stiff and clenching his fists the moment he laid eyes on the ship heading to them
That was the Citadel of Bone, from Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go, the ship of the Skeleton King, another of his favorite childhood villains. Which under other circumstances would be rather cool, but at the moment was completely horrifying. After all, Skeleton King was one of the most powerful and dangerous beings he'd ever seen, and wasn't exactly the kind of person to just be swinging by to say hello. So in all likelihood, he was coming to attack.
Then again, Lothor thought, there were times when he recalled Skeleton King making alliances with other villains (albeit with him as the dominant party), so there was still a chance if he played his cards right that he could keep this from going horribly wrong.
"Keep our weapons on standby, but don't attack yet," he ordered, "We don't fully understand our current situation, so there's no reason to automatically assume whoever this is is an enemy. But if they are, blow them out of space, understood?"
"Yes, master," Zurgane said with another bow.
"Good, now try to call them up, and we'll see if they're interested in talking."
"Talking... master?" Zurgane said with a slight pause as he was surprised at this order but at his master's look gave a nod, "At once master.."
He replied before taping away at the console after all wasn't his place to question his master's orders especially his strange mood the past week even after discovering and picking up their "guest" a few days earlier hadn't seem to have done much improve as what they had managed to learn from that bug had only raised more questions and concerns
While off to the side Choobo muttered lowly to himself and Lothors nieces, "I've got a bad feeling about this." He said a tad fretfully as something about that ship since he first saw had him on edge, "Oh stop being such a baby." Kapri said rolling her eyes with exasperated annoyance , "Uhh..he might actually have a point for once sis."
But paused as her sister whisper over to her with her shooting Marah a look of disbelief at those words with even Choobo giving her a shocked look that she was backing him up on this, "I mean that ship is made out bone!" Marah exclaimed in a low harsh whisper, "Even for us that's creepy."
Than she glanced over to where Lothor was focused on the screen with narrow eye's, "And is it me or is Uncle actually on edge." She added with a frown only for Kapri to give a snort, "he's been in a weird mood all week." She reminded her sister with a roll of her eyes, "I seriously doubt there's anything in that ship that would actually worry uncle."
Because really their uncle could be a real hard headed stubborn jerk but there was no denying his power or claim as one of the universe mightiest warriors. Though at her words the screen changed and soon display what seemed to be some kinda throne room made out of bone
With four figures display on the screen that certainly caught the crew attention particularly the figure at the center that seemed to carry a dark chilling aura just from the glance of him, "though apparently they're quite a freak show."
Kapri said in a whisper attempting to make a joke at the expense of the other ships crew but there was no denying her first look at Skeleton King had unnerved her
(Moments earlier Citadel of Bone)
"The ship is attempting to open communication my lord." Reported Skeleton Drone to Skelton King who was now sitting back on his new throne staff in hand with his minions at the foot of it, "Hmm shall we give them a chance to beg for mercy my lord?"
Valeena asked with a nasty smile looking up to her master, "Or would you prefer us to ignore them as we launch our attack and destroy them in your name!"
She declared with flair and zealot passion with Jinmay and Mandarin actually remaining silent awaiting their masters answer
A answer the soul that was now Skeleton King thought carefully on he was still trying to get a handle on this mess it hadn't been even half a hour since he found himself as Skeleton King in some kinda crazy crossover universe.
And while as he declared earlier a part of him saw this at a chance for adventure and power playing the big bad that he previously thought would only exist in fantasy.
While the other part....the other part was still reeling and honestly not trying to freakout over what was going on. Never mind Skeleton King memories were starting to enter his mind...as a jumbled mess though..but he didn't have the time to focus and get a better hold on that while heading to s unknown ship
A unknown ship that seemed familiar but he was having trouble placing it but likely considering what they managed to learn about Earth and by extent the greater universe it was likely it came from a show he had watched. But he didn't know which one or who was on it.
And at Valeena question he let a low hum before deciding it was wiser to get some answers before deciding what action to take, "Neither...for now." He stated stoically glancing down at his "newfound" follower's who gave a slight blink at his response, "I first wish to see who we're dealing with before deciding their fate~"
He said with a sinister chuckle as the trio at the foot of his throne let out shared dark smirks, "Besides..." Skeleton King gesture for Drone to step back and answer the communication, "whoever they are could be....useful ~" he said with a low hiss before Skeleton Droid display a ships bridge and when he saw the crew he finally realized why that ship looked familiar
But determined not to show weakness and perhaps throw one of the Power Ranger villains with more flair off their game as his mind raced in how to appropriately handle one of the big bads of the Sentai series he decided to start off the conversation and knowledge, "Ah..Lothor.."
He let out a sinister laugh, "I had wondered why that ship seemed familiar ~" he said sending a dark smirk to Lothor because after all from what he could tell from his jumbled memories so far Skeleton King had never met Lothor so this would either feed the dark ninja ego or throw him off his game and make him uneasy
For his part, Lothor did look momentarily startled, but he quickly smooth a stoic look back onto his face.
"And you're the Skeleton King, right? I've heard of you," the dark ninja replied, "You definitely live up to the reputation of powerful evil, in a Saturday morning cartoon villain kinda way."
"You dare disrespect Lord Skeleton King with such a tone?" Valeena hissed, "Whoever you are, you should be on your knees thanking him for being merciful enough to have not already atomized you!"
"I am Lothor the Dark Warrior, I don't kneel to anyone, witch," Lothor sneered, "Now why don't you be quiet and let the grownups talk?"
Valeena growled, and was clearly about to say something else, when her master raised a hand, silencing her.
Skeleton King stared silently at Lothor for several moments while processing that the PR villain has heard of him...or well Skeleton King. Which he supposed wasn't a stretch as a few episodes had implied that his reputation and evil went beyond Shuggazoom so it wasn't that hard to believe Lothor had heard of him..
Except from what he could make out so far from Skeleton King memories the same couldn't be heard on his side. He supposed that the original SK had just never heard of him or Lothor was beneath his notice somehow.
Though at the same time it didn't make sense since that would imply to say the least many other characters, places, items etc from Power Rangers lore should exist and Skeleton King of all being's should be aware of such knowledge
Yet from his memories not a hint of the Rangers or any of their enemies could be found in his mind. Which a part of him found a waste since there was a few like Trakeena he wouldn't mind meeting ~
So yes Lothor calling that little minor power grab of his in the start of this conversation by revealing he knew of Skeleton King raised question.
Such as if this indeed was the same universe as SRMTHG with it being home to many other sources of media he knew..or if something deeper was happening here
He narrow his eyes at Lothor as he spoke, "I see you're as bold as I've heard." He stated evenly, "but tread carefully ninja for my ire is not something you want to earn."
He warned ominously with Jinmay speaking up with a snort and cocky smirk toward the screen, "Yeah the hyper force learned that the hard way~" Valeena shot her a glare for interrupting their lord but their master carried on, "And I can already guess what's drawn you to this edge of the universe."
The evil monarch let out a dark cackle, "Setting your sights a bit high aren't you?" He stated rhetorical, "That world resisted and fought against evils more accomplished than a warrior who last I heard has yet to destroy or conquer a single planet ~"
"How dare you insult Master Lothor's might!?" Zurgane called out from the side of the screen, "My lord, let me annihilate these impudent fools!"
"Calm down, Zurgane, my ego's not so fragile that it can't take some juvenile mockery," Lothor waved off his minion's outrage, "And in any case, so what if I've taken my time to wait for the right conquest? It's better than getting my ass kicked on a regular basis by a bunch of monkeys and a kid."
"My former brethren and their hairless pet lie defeated at Lord Skeleton King's hand!" Mandarin spoke up in his master's defense.
"Oh yeah? After how many tries?" Lothor asked dryly.
"Grr tough talk from someone who likely hasn't fought real warriors before!" Chimed in Jinmay with a dark scowl to the man all three of Skeleton Kings followers united in their ire to their master being insulted, "Indeed you likely would of been vanquished for good the first time you'd fight my former comrades hohohohehehaha."
Mandarin added with his own dark monkey laughter, "And what victories those pitiful simians thought they grasped against our lord was ultimately nothing more than him playing them and the long game for his own twisted amusement~"
Valeena added in with a vicious grin however they were all cut off by Skeleton King speaking up, "Enough.." He hissed staring hard at the screen as his followers glanced to him, "My powers speaks for itself Lothor.."
he said with a dark chortling chuckle, "however if you doubt it you are more than free to come to the Citadel of Bone to witness first hand for yourself~" He said with a dark look a threatening undertone to show he wouldn't be mocked
"What, you think I'm stupid?" Lothor laughed, "I wouldn't come over to your ship anymore than you'd come over to mine. After all, while I'm sure we're both confident in our ability to beat each other, I doubt either of us is foolish enough to put ourselves into each other's center of power, full of who knows what kind of tricks and traps."
"Pft, coward," Mandarin spat, to which Lothor rolled his eyes.
"Still not sensitive enough to act on such petty insults," the dark ninja said, "And in any case, I think I have a way for us to resolve this without wasting our time in a stalemate. A little wager, if you will?"
"Hmm..a wager you say." Skeleton King spoke up rubbing his chin while giving the man a intrigued look, "What kinda wager?" He asked with Jinmay following up, "And why should our master waste time humoring a loser like you anyway?" she asked scowling toward Lothor unknowingly her presence and Mandarin claim of the Hyper Force defeat alerting Lothor that things somewhere somehow had diverged greatly from what he remembered of the SRMTHFG show
"That planet down there looks to be crawling with do-gooders and wannabe villains who don't come close to our caliber," Lothor said, "What do you say we have a little competition to see who can defeat the most and conquer the most territory? Whoever wins gets to take the whole thing, while the loser screws off back to wherever they came from."
"As if that would even be a competition," Valeena sneered, "We'd could overwhelm that pitiful world in the time it would take you to blink."
"Well, okay, if you're too afraid of losing to take the chance," Lothor replied with a shrug and a smirk.
"Why you impudent.." Valeena started to say before Skeleton King spoke up, "very well~" with his followers all looking toward him in shock, "My lord?" Mandarin raised a questioning brow toward this while Jinmay simply gave their master a confused look while Valeena, "Master please this worm is not worth your time!"
She told him pleadingly, 'you need but say the word and I will end this farce and make all these pathetic urchins die for your glory!' She declared her hands glowing with mystic power, "try it and you'll burn at the stake witch!"
Zurgane snapped with a dark growl and even with his eyes covered everyone could feel his glare which Valeena returned in kind, "ENOUGH!"
Skeleton King snapped exuding his power as he stood while stamping his staff to the ground with Valeena flinching at her master's displeasure, "your loyalty as always is commendable skull sorceress.."
Skeleton King said with narrowed eyes as he raised his hand which glowed with power, "Master.." Valeena tried to say before she found herself being blasted in back in a blast of purple mystical light, "but don't think that gives you the right to speak for me without my permission or dictate my decisions!"
Skeleton King hollered out as Valeena hit the wall with a loud screech of pain, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" With Choobo, Marah, and Kapri all flinching from this ruthless display, "Starting to think we get off easy when Uncle upset at us!" Marah squeaked out to her sister who gave a agreeing now with Choobo gulping
Meanwhile Skeleton King let the power dropping with Mandarin chuckling under his breath while Jinmay shot a smirk toward Valeena as she dropped to the ground, "My..ah..apologies master...it won't happen again." the witch said shamefully at displeasing her lord
"see that it doesn't.." Skeleton King said darkly internally wincing knowing he was being harsh but if he was going to be the big bad he needed to act like that especially since he didn't want his "Minions" to believe something was off with him or make Lothor think he was weak before turning his attention back to the man in question, "i'll play your game Lothor.."
He told with a dark smile, "Things have been a bit boring without the hyper force to challenge me oh so foolishly~" He said with a dark laugh, "and who knows if your forces amuse me enough I might let them or perhaps even yourself bend the knee in servitude to me!"
He exclaimed with dark wild laughter his body aglow with dark power for several moments sending shivers down everyone spine, "I just have two little conditions to this game of yours~"
Skeleton King told him with a dark smirk rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "The first is no sabotaging the other side.." He said sternly though internally he didn't trust the man not to try anything underhanded anyway, "even if our schemes should...collide if you will in the field"
He said with a shrug, "as for the second.." He gave a thoughtful hum, "I must admit I find your attitude and the fact you believe yourself my equal amusing~" He said with a chuckle as admittedly Lothor was one of the PR villains with more shall we say..."personality" than others, "so I offer this on the table a agreed upon location on Earth that will act as a neutral zone between us and our forces to interact if necessary without hostility~"
He said to the man unsure why he was offering this but figuring it was for the novelty of interacting with someone who wasn't his subordinate in this new found life/body of his....that and part of him couldn't help but feel suspicious of Lothor..like something was...off
"Those terms are acceptable," Lothor said, "I doubt we'll need a meeting spot, but better to have it and not need than to need it and not have it. I'd suggest somewhere remote, so we don't have to worry about any of the local irritants stumbling on it by accident."
"Why? Worried one of those weaklings might get the jump on you?" Jinmay sneered, only to flinch as her master glared at her for speaking up.
"Those terms are acceptable.." Skeleton King agreed with a nod and a dark smirk, "And I true hope you will make this game interesting and won't be so easily vanquished by this world's protectors~"
He said with a chuckle deciding to throw Lothor's canon fate in his face while also....making a small test, "Or perhaps finding yourself laid low by one of Earth's villains and turned into nothing more than a trophy stuffed in a jar on a shelf~"
While that statement got some odd looks from the minions on both sides of the call, Lothor gave a twitch, one that none of them noticed, but Skeleton King did, a knowing glint in his eyes that made Lothor's own widen. However, he quickly composed himself, and gave Skeleton King a look of his own.
"I could say the same to you. It'd be disappointing if you let yourself become, I dunno, a severed head used as a cult's idol or something."
"Blasphemy!" Valeena gasped out enraged while still leaning on the ground with Jinmay giving a snort, "said the cult baby from the cult who would probably try exactly that." she muttered with a eye roll though the room was soon filled with the sounds of a chilling laugh, "heahhahahahhaha!"
Skeleton King shot Lothor a smirk realizing his theory might indeed be right and this Lothor wasn't Lothor...but rather a potential soul that found themselves in the body of a fictional villain...isekai if you will for lack of a better word
His other theory was depending on if the citadel of bone had indeed ended up in a different reality when he found himself in this new body earlier, was either a another version of Skeleton King existing in this reality along side Power Ranger villains and characters mixed with all the other crossovers.
While his third theory was Lothor and his forces had also been dimensional displaced and a verison of Skeleton King existed in their reality.
Though he supposed depending on whether or not he discovered any evidence of Power Ranger Ninja Academias or other pieces of PR lore it could be a mixture of theory 1 and 3. Either way it was quite intriguing that he wasn't the only one potentially in this situation
And while he had been thrown into the deep end trying to figure things out and just wildly winging it while acting a bit by instinct though whether the original Skeleton King or his own even he wasn't sure. He could surmise it was no coincidence and whatever or whomever was behind his situation was behind this Lothor's as well.
And while his mind had a few suspects like a certain purple clothed 5th dimensional imp for example. He was more focused on trying to make his situation work and survive while at least having fun with it.
So he shot Lothor a sinister amused smirk, "you'll find the last fools of disappointing followers who would even conceive such treachery paid a steep price for it~" He said with a dark chuckle his mind going to Jinmay earlier words to Valeena but also flashes of memories of Valeena herself standing over the corpses of dozens of cult members he parents included
"But rest assured whether they be protectors of the weak, or monsters who delight in suffering this world will learn to fear the name of Skeleton King!"
"You mean when they're not too busy cowering before me," Lothor laughed, "Well, I'll be in touch again at a later point so we can hammer out more details. I'm sure we both have more preparations to make, before we can discuss at more length."
A silent conversation occurred as the two isekai'd villains shared an intense look, promising exactly what that conversation would entail. Then Lothor cut the communication, leaving the Skeleton King and his minions staring at static for a moment before Skeleton Droid's screen went back to its normal face display.
"How dare they end communication without permission?" Mandarin snarled, "Who do they think they are to show such disrespect?"
"A bunch of morons if you ask me." Jinmay said with a huff crossing her arms, "I mean did you see the stupid mask the boss was wearing." she said with a smirk, "it's like he's trying to be scary but failing so bad it's actual sad~"
she said with a giggle with Mandarin actually giving a snort, "Urg..they are but peons unworthy of our lord's time." Valeena said gasping out as she rubbed her side while standing up, "Careful cult baby~"
Jinmay said with a cruel glint of amusement in her eyes at Valeena state while Mandarin openly guffawed, "because it sounds like you're speaking for our lord again~" she added with a sing song more than up for seeing Valeena blasted again with the witch actually flinching, "my lord I beg your forgiveness for displeasing you like that."
she plead toward her master who leaned back into his throne, "I merely desired to teach those fools the price of their disrespect you my most glorious of lords.." she said approaching the throne with abject worship mixed with desperate desire for her masters forgiveness, "hmm...just see that your loyalty doesn't blind you and cause you to step beyond your station Valeena."
Skeleton King told her evenly, "I will not my lord I swear to you I make up for his error in judgement on my very soul I swear it!" Valeena declared passionately toward her master with the moment broken by Jinmay, "Valeena wasting your time and making a fool of herself master.."
The robotic girl spoke to Skeleton King, "i'm surprised you're actually humoring them." she stated with a arched brow with their master humming as three fell in line with Skeleton King Droid stepping up behind them, "Lothor and his little so called challenge amuses me nothing more~"
He told them as he began to latch onto a excuse, "and as stated earlier the fool and the greater fools following could yet be useful.." He let out a sinister chuckle, "they could be excellent pawns to use against Earth's defenders~"
"And in the end he'll find himself the loser of his own game~" He told cackling as he really tried to tap into his inner villain monologue here while his "followers" shared sinister smirks, "As you say my lord.."
SkeleMandarin gave a dark smirk before looking curiously up at his master, "but if I may my lord who is this Lothor?"
With Valeena and Jinmay actually sharing the curiosity while Skeleton Droid stood silently behind them, "Hmm...I have made it my business to know of any potential powers and warriors across this universe whether they be weak hearted heroes like the hyper force or fools who believe themselves my rivals."
Skeleton King told them with a dark undertone, "Lothor is one example of the latter a ruthless warrior in combat despite playing the part of a fool on par with the simian boy Chiro." He spat out with scowls forming on his followers faces, "He is a ninja warrior that was exiled from his home world for pursuing arts and secrets deemed dangerous by the short sighted."
"Tch...typical nonsense.." Valeena said with open scorn, "the only danger to true power is to weakling unable to handle it~" she said with a vicious smile and preened at her lords amused chuckle and nod, "precisely~"
Skeleton King told her with a smirk, "but Lothor vowed revenge and would wander the universe amassing a army all with the goal of conquering his home planet...Earth~" He explained and hissed out the name of the planet that had gained their attention, "So wait he's from the same planet we're going to conquer?"
Jinmay asked with a blink before adding with a smirk, "that's certainly going to make his defeat sting all the more~" she said but paused as while her masters smirked he shook his head, "Hmm...i'm afraid Lothor desire might be beyond his grasp."
He told them with a even look, "because I suspect thanks to the vision I was granted that this Earth is not the Earth he knows but rather another version in the wider universe.." The eyes of his followers started to widen, "And that his ship has been transported to a different plain of reality...another dimension."
The newly found dark monarch explained to them before looking down at them as he decided to drop the big bomb, "A fate that I believe we shared."
He hissed out while staring hard at his new found minions took in this revelation shock he knew this information drop was risky especially if he was wrong but if he was right than sooner or later they would realize something was wrong if they ever figured out they weren't in their dimension
Coming off as knowing if at least suspecting this truth would play further into the power and knowledge their master Skeleton King possessed and how nothing was beyond his sight
Meanwhile, on Lothor's ship, a similar conversation was happening between him and his own minions.
"Master, with all respect, why would you agree to such an arrangement?" Zurgane asked.
"Yeah, you're never that generous," Kapri pipped up, only to quickly backtrack as he turned to give her a look, "Not that that's a bad thing!"
"It's not generosity, it's pragmatism," Lothor explained gruffly, "While obviously we'd win eventually, it would be a waste of time and resources that can be better used to conquer Earth. Which we're going to need, considering the fact that there's suddenly all these superpowered freaks to deal with instead of just the academies."
"Uh, sir? Who exactly is this Skeleton guy? I've never heard of him," Choobo spoke up.
"Someone I've heard a few legends about, from some ass-end of the universe," Lothor waved off, hoping his authority over his minions would keep them from questioning his cover story too closely. Because there was no way that Skeleton King existed in the Power Rangers universe, so there was no way any of them, including the real Lothor, would know about him. Which also led to his new biggest problem, the fact that by that logic Skeleton King shouldn't know who he was either, but did. Which could have been written off as a part of whatever crossover universe this was, except for one thing - that remark about Lothor's ultimate fate in canon, which he couldn't have known about, not to mention that he'd reacted when hearing about what had happened to himself in his own show.
There was only one logical explanation. Skeleton King was like him, an isekai soul bought into this world. Which gave him an edge on top of all his other resources, which could be a problem.
Though he was brought out of his thoughts as the others spoke up again, "Well sure looks creepy " Marah said giving a shiver with Kapri giving a snort, "Yeah like he's Lord Zedds long lost brother or something."
She said trying appear nonchalant and not show that something about guy majorly creeped her out, "Yeah plus he looked meaner than you too." Marah added without thinking to her uncle before freezing at as she realized what she said and seeing her uncles annoyed gaze she quickly back paddle, "Uh that is not that your mean I mean your the nicest guy around."
She said with a strained smile while her sister groaned inti her hand, "I mean as evil warlord go you're the nicest which isn't to say your a chump of course that is..you see.."
Marah stammered trying to figure out what to say with a groaning Kapri cutting her off, "What my moron of a sister is trying to say uncle." She said pushing Narah slightly back behind her while ignoring her indignant "Hey!"
"Is that we'd really like to know if skull boy and his goons are going to be a problems." She brought her hands together smiling nervously, "And wed also like to know you know.." She let her arms fall to her side as she shrug with a deadpan tone, "What's the plan?"
She looked a mixture of annoyed and curious toward her uncle, "Because we've been in this solar system a week and outside of dealing with your grumpy mood, playing I spy, and picking up bug girl we've done squat." She said with more annoyance leaking out of her voice with Choobo a actually giving a nod off to the side
"Yeah and while we've seen a lot weirdos running around Earth we haven't found any of the ninja academies you told us about." The green monster said nervously, "Well that is we've found some ninjas but don't think they're from ninja storm academy."
"No, they're not. That's what I've been spending all week trying to figure out," Lothor said, which wasn't even a lie, "And I've realized that there's only one logical explanation. That wormhole somehow sent us into another dimension, an alternate universe."
"Wait, really?" Marah asked, blinking in confusion, "Um, not to disagree with you or anything, Uncle, but how'd you come up with that?"
"It's the only thing that makes sense," Lothor explained, "Not only are they absent, there's no sign that Ninja Storm or the other academies ever even existed in the first place. And on top of that, there's all these other powerful beings running around who I cannot possibly have been ignorant of during my time on our own Earth, not to mention what little we've managed to squeeze out of our prisoner, which doesn't match up with anything we know about the state of the galaxy. So, obviously, we're not in our own universe."
Silence stood in the control throne room as the others processed this revelation before Zurgane spoke up, "As always sir your mind is sharper than any steel."
He said with a bow of his agreeing that with those observations and what they had been able learn so far his master's theory was the most likely conclusion that made sense... however, "Though if I may say sir this news is most... troubling."
He stated with even Lothor top General appearing uneasy at this information, "Troubling!" Marah exclaim with a very stressed out look on her face, "This is way past troubling buster!"
She exclaimed as she started to pace around fretfully, "Were stranded in a entirely different universe!" She yelled out looking a bit stressed, "And the planet that were on the way to conquer is filled with a bunch of freaks and weirdos straight out of Marah geeky comic collection to boot!"
Kapri chimed in with her own frown, "Hey it's not geeky!" Marah snapped over at her sister glaring before freezing as she realized what she just admitted, "Uh..I mean.." she coughed into her fist, "Comics who the heck would those dumb things hehe~" she said trailing off with a nervous laugh as her sister shot her a flat look
"Oh man this isn't good not good at all." Choobo muttered out grimacing before looking worriedly over at Lothor, "What are we going to do boss?"
He asked before pausing as a thought hit him, "And hold on.." He scratched his head, "If we're another dimension how does that creepy skeleton guy know who you are?"
Confusion entering his voice, "I mean.." He looked around at everybody, "Does this mean there's other versions of us in this dimension?"
"I honestly don't know," Lothor admitted, the soul inside him shivering at the possibility that the real thing might be running around out there somewhere, "But I doubt it. More likely, he's from our universe too, and somehow also got dragged here. Zurgane, you did say that their ship came out of a wormhole, didn't you?"
"Yes master, that is true," Zurgane said with a nod, "I would have to check the scanner records to be sure, but it did appear similar to the one that we were sucked into as well."
"So, the more likely explanation for how Skeleton King knows who I am is that he's from our universe as well, and he was also sent to this one against his will," Lothor continued, his minions taking it all in.
"Okay, but that still doesn't answer what we're supposed to do now," Kapri pointed out.
"Isn't it obvious?" Lothor asked, puffing himself up as arrogantly as he could muster, "We use that undead freak to take as much heat off of us as possible, while we take whatever we need from Earth to figure out how to get back to our own dimension, where we'll finish what we intended. And if we conquer this dimension in the process... well, why settle for ruling one world when we can have two? Or more?
"Brilliant sir!" Zurgane exclaimed eagerly with a clenched fist with Choobo nodding eagerly along, "That's what I was about to say." He said sycophantly to his master, "Huh...I guess that does sound pretty neat."
Marah said before putting on a eager grin, "And maybe this universe has some cute guys ~" she squeaked out clapping her hands together eagerly, "liked they'd be interested in a dutz like you."
Kapri said rolling her eyes, "Hey I'm a catch in any universe!" Marah snapped back with Kapri snorting, "Sure you are.." she said rolling her eye's, "But yeah this sounds like a plan I can dig."
Kapri said with a dark smile, "Just tell us where we start uncle."
Than after slight pause added on, "And any chance it can involve hitting the beach or mall or something because doing nothing but spying on that planet of weirdos has seriously been so dull and almost as annoying as Marah." She said with a groan, "Hey if anyone should complain it's me!"
Marah said stomping toward her sister, "I mean the only interesting thing that's happened since we got her was picking up that bug and I've been the one stuck taking her food every day since!"
"And she's always so mean and yelly." She whined out before adding with a stomp of her foot, "And I still say that you rigged it when we drew straws!" She told her sister glaring, "No I didn't!
Who snapped back defensively, "Yes you did!" With Marah snapping right back as the sister's started one of their arguments
"Enough, both of you!" Lothor snapped, immediately snapping his nieces up, "I'll decide where we make our next move, and it won't just be for fun! And it'll only be after we finalize our arrangement with Skeleton King so we know exactly how we'll be operating. Until then, we wait and prepare. Understood?"
"Yes master/Uncle," they all spoke in unison.
"Good. Now then, I'll be in my chambers making my own preparations, and this time when I say don't bother me, I mean it!" he ordered, before stomping off back towards his chambers without bothering to see if anyone was obeying his command. As he went, the soul inhabiting his body whirled in the nervousness it wouldn't let show on his face.
What the hell was he doing? He'd just committed to being a supervillain and trying to take over the world, and in the process essentially declaring war on some of the most powerful superheroes he knew of! And why did the idea of that give him such a thrill? Had he gone crazy, or was this new body influencing his mind?
Well, there was no other choice now but to carry on, and hope he could stay ahead of any unexpected surprises. And in the meantime, maybe he should have another conversation with his "guest"...
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And we're off to the races, with Night/Skeleton King and me/Lothor adjusting to our new circumstances and laying the initial foundation for our competition. And thing are going to only get more intense from here, I assure you.
As for any questions about who my mystery prisoner is, don't worry, you'll find out soon~
nightmaster A/N: Welp certainly off to a great start though while Zims had a week to adjust i'm being thrown head first into the insanity first hour in but i'm determined to make it work for me~
But no matter what happens I hope you enjoy how this fic plays out. :) Don't be afraid to review and leave yours thoughts or share a kudos. :)
Chapter 2: First Moves
Summary:
As Skeleton King sends Mandarin and Valeena out to test Earth's defenders, he also takes the time to "know" Jinmay better.
Meanwhile, Lothor speaks with his prisoner as he makes his own plans.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And here we go with the next chapter. Now that the groundwork has been set, we can start getting into the fun stuff~ Hope you all continue to enjoy.
nightmaster000 A/N: Hey everyone like Zim said swinging you a fresh update and on my birthday no less~ As always hope you enjoy our work. Oh and on side note added in a link in the first chapter that accidentally forgot, it's to the picture below showing Jinmay appearance in this fic. Do apologize for oversight
https://www.deviantart.com/theblacksunking/art/After-DownFall-Jinmay-829721171
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
What the hell was he doing? He'd just committed to being a supervillain and trying to take over the world, and in the process essentially declaring war on some of the most powerful superheroes he knew of! And why did the idea of that give him such a thrill? Had he gone crazy, or was this new body influencing his mind?
Well, there was no other choice now but to carry on, and hope he could stay ahead of any unexpected surprises. And in the meantime, maybe he should have another conversation with his "guest"...
As the soul that had become Lothor was questioning his sanity while planning to check up on his ship's "guest"
The soul that had become Skeleton King was sitting in his throne also musing on his recent decisions. It had probably been just a hour if barely that since he found himself in this entire crazy situation in the body of Skeleton King in a universe filled to the brim with cartoon and anime characters, and just finishing a...discussion with one of the Big Bad of Power Rangers.
Who considering how he responded to jab of Lothor's canon end in the series, by throwing what happen to Skeleton King in his own show in his face while referencing the Skeletal Circle was most likely also an isekai soul in the same situation as himself.
And what's more there was the fact in his efforts to make sure his "minions" didn't realize something was off he was apparently now in a competition with said fellow isekai to see who could conquer Earth better than the other.
A Earth that was filled with not just many heroes and villains he recognized from DC but also from variety of other sources of media as well. So as he was processing this he couldn't help but ask himself if this entire situation had caused him to snap?!
Not because of the entire insane situation in itself. But because despite the odds and dangers in all of this rather than fear he was finding himself filled with eager anticipation at the road ahead and the chance to play the role of a big bad.
Was it just being Skeleton King with his power and such affecting him, or was it the chance to live out long held fantasies.
However he dragged himself out of this thoughts to focus back on his minions who were currently processing his revelation, "I can't believe it so we're in another reality how?!"
Jinmay exclaimed with a scowl with Mandarin speaking up with his own thoughtful scowl, "likely due to the anomalies you mentioned earlier that pulled us out of hyper space." The monkey said rubbing his chin, "This is a most unexpected occurrence."
He remarked with a frown, "Unexpected or is it fate guiding our lord to his glorious destiny!" Valeena said with a dark cackle and a eager grin, "Because now a entirely new universe awaits.." she clenched her fists with a wild smirk, "A universe that shall bow to the feet of the Skeleton King!"
She howled with a cackle with Jinmay and Mandarin despite whatever irritation they had to the witch sharing smirks at that proclamation, "Hehe precisely~" Their master spoke up from the throne with a dark smile, "Being removed from our reality is but a minor setback."
He told them with his eyes flashing darkly, "for even with just the Citadel of Bone and you four at my command my power and forces can still bring Earth and this new universe to its knees!"
He exclaimed standing from his throne with a dark grin, "This is a new opportunity for a grand conquest like none other before~" He cackled grinning at his minions while truly trying to act like classic evil over lord, "if we can discover the means and secrets of what brought us here than not only could we return to our original dimension.."
A scenario he had no desire realizing at the risk of meeting the original Skeleton King thank you very much, "but launch a wave of conquest across the entire multiverse!" He declared cackling madly as his body glowed with power his followers looking up at him in awe
That...was a scenario he wasn't completely against a chance to explore further worlds he potentially knew from fiction and do whatever he desired, "But even still.." He settled down giving a dark smile, "in the event that knowledge remains out of grasp and stays a mystery I believe we can shape this universe to our liking and call it our new home~"
He told with a dark chuckle, because that was admittedly likely going to be the most likely scenario so it was best to lay all cards down on the table now
"Yes, let us spread your magnificence to all corners of this universe beyond, master!" Valeena preened, Mandarin and Jinmay showing more restraint but clearly just as eager to bring this vision to pass.
"So, what's our first order of business?" Jinmay asked.
"Yes master, please command us as where to begin this conquest in your name," Mandarin said.
"Hehe I am pleased to hear your eagerness~" Skeleton King said with a dark grin, "while Lothor and I likely need to discuss more on the terms of this game~" He let out a dark twisted laugh while silently thinking they'd need to discuss other things as well if they were both truly isekai souls
"that doesn't mean we can not begin the fun in earnest~" He said with a laugh as his minions all grinned evilly raising his hand to the pit of ooze and much like he has been able to do so far as if using something that had been part of him his entire life he sent a blast of of energy to the pit and in mere moments afterwards
SPLAT!
Numerous black and white forms that he recognized with ease as the formless filled the throne room, "Mandarin, Valeena.."
He turned his attention to the witch and the formless clone of the former Hyper Force leader, "Yes my lord.." They said together with bows, "you two will take these formless to use as a probing striking to test some of Earth's defenders."
He told them with his ominous chilling voice narrowing his eyes, "I wish for you two to gather information on some of the obstacles that will stand in the way of our conquest just as the hyper force did."
With his minions giving dark eager smirks at the chance to once more break heroes and show them true despair though the Skeleton Drone stood silently emotionless off to the side while Jinmay carried what appeared to be a disappointed frown at not being included in this task,
"I care not if you destroy whoever you choose to target." Their master said with a wave of his hand, "the ultimate goal is to get a measure of the power some of the protectors of Earth hold nothing more...for now." He explained with a chilling laugh as Mandarin and Valeena raised their heads
"Hehehoha ohh it would be my pleasure my lord~" Mandarin spoke lifting his head with a twisted cackle, "Yes I shall teach these pitiful fools true terror as they behold what a follower of your glory is capable of!" Valeena said with glee before sending a taunting smirk to Jinmay, "rest assured unlike others you can trust me to carry out your will."
she said with a twisted giggle as Jinmay scowled and gave a slight scowl though their looks would reverse at Skeleton, "I haven't forgotten you my dear~"
Skeleton King said with a chuckle as he stepped toward the robotic girl cupping her cheek in his hand with Jinmay leaning into the touch eagerly her cheeks actually flushing while Valeena just looked aghast and sick at the doll being shown such favor like that
While at the same time the soul that found himself as the villain couldn't help enjoy the feel of Jinmay cheek against his hand while he let his eyes roam over her form before staring into her eyes as he saw the look of devotion and dare he say love in them and couldn't help but get a...idea, "For now you are best served at my side.."
He informed her with a even look, "you once easily charmed that fool Chiro and gained his trust, as such there is a chance you could serve my will best as a infiltrator among this world's protectors."
He explained while holding back that wasn't the only reason as he wanted to get Jinmay alone, "While as for the Drone.." He looked over his robotic servant, "Lothor is as of yet unaware of you so perhaps you are best served as a unexpected surprise for him should he try anything until I choose the right time to deploy you."
He said with the Drone simply bowing while replying back in it's robotic copy of his new voice, "understood master."
"Hmm..excellent.." He said removing his hand from Jinmay cheek with her giving a low disappointed whine as he turned to return to his throne, "you have your orders..do not disappoint me." He told them with a dark glare to Mandarin and Valeena with the former trying to hide the jealous glare
"Yes master, we obey," Mandarin said with a bow, an act that Valeena silently obeyed, before the pair turned and walked out of the room.
"Mechanical slut," Valeena hissed under her breath once they were out of earshot. Hearing this, Mandarin rolled his eyes.
"Not that I'm pleased about the master showing such favor to that oversized windup toy, I suggest you stop acting like he's your spouse, witch," the monkey clone spat, "You are not worthy of being his concubine, and thus have no say in who he shows any potential such interest in."
"Hold your tongue, vermin, before I tear it out," Valeena growled at him. Mandarin merely chuckled with a smug smirk, but didn't comment further. Seeing this, Valeena scowled, but soon huffed indignantly and returned to the more pressing matter at hand.
"So, where on this pitiful planet should we strike first?" she asked.
"I'd advise somewhere with a high population, a significant number of these so-called heroes, and is public enough to gain enough attention to spread the word of Lord Skeleton King's might across the world," Mandarin decided, "Come, let us scan the planet for such a location."
"Allow me.." Valeena said with a dark smirk raising her glowing hands as she created what appeared to be a smoking purple window in front of them, "oh darkest powers granted by my lord.." she said with a dark hiss with Mandarin rolling his eyes at the witch's usual dramatics, "Show us heroes of which we must break~.."
She said with a dark hiss in a mystical tone and a deadly smirk, "Show us a battle ground of which we can spread our lord's name!" She declared sending out a blast of power with the image rippling and forming into a image of a city and a T shaped tower sitting on a island in the bay, "There~"
Valeena declared with dark relish while Mandarin arched a brow at the tower scoffing at the structure, "much like my brethren and the Super Robot it seems some of this world's protectors are begging to be attacked~" He said with dark relish, "Why they've even built a tower in shape of a T for target~"
He said clenching his fist with a dark smirk, "Indeed but come we must not dally any further.." Valeena said as the formless gathered around them, "we must not disappoint our lord.." She hissed out with a dark voice, "and I must show a mechanical toy who is truly worthy of standing by Skeleton King's side!"
She declared with a flair and a dark cackle, "Yes, yes you're very jealous of Chiro's toy now being our master's.." The monkey beside spat out, "but you can gripe later for now we have a job to do witch!" He told her sternly while glaring up with Valeena simply giving a growl before scoffing, "than let us be off we have heroes to crush."
She told him and with that statement their forms and the forms of the surrounding formless glowed with dark purplish light that shot into the mystical window and with a flash they all vanished with the mystical window dissipating
While back in the throne room Skeleton King dismissed the Drone leaving him alone with Jinmay, "Tell me my dear~" He shot her a smirk, "how have you enjoyed being in my service compared to be the lady love of that foolish weak boy Chiro?" He asked with a chortle deciding to start things off with that question to probe more about this Jinmay's views and personality compared to the canon one
"Tch, it can't even compare, master," Jinmay spat, "I still remember how much of a pathetic pair of saps we were together, and it makes me want to hurl every time. Especially when I think about all the time and energy wasted on acts of kindness he talked me into doing for all those pitiful worms on Shuggazoom."
Jinmay shuddered in disgust at the memories, but grinned in delight before she spoke again.
"Oh, but that makes it all the much sweeter when I think about that glorious day, during the siege of Shuggazoom, when you activated the change in my programming so that I could see the world the way it truly is instead of Chiro and the monkeys' childish heroic nonsense. How you freed me to help defeat those fools, and then gave me the honor of watching as you freed the Dark One Worm only to slay it so that you could prove that you are your own master."
By this point, the robot girl was practically swooning, while the Skeleton King watched with external stoicism that didn't match his internal thoughts.
I...Skeleton King...did what?! The isekai soul thought hiding their shock as that was a very big change from canon but he had to admit that sounded very very bad ass.
Plus while he admit he liked the plotline of the Skeleton King Worm traveling the universe corrupting worlds and growing stronger with the hyper force following it's trail. A part of him had felt a bit disappointed in the whole revelation Skeleton King after all his hype built up seemed to of been a servant to another power
And that the Dark One he served was....well just a giant worm! Granted a very very powerful worm but still a worm and apparently that acted with more beastly instincts as other than the time it spoke through Skeleton King in the season finale didn't really show any intelligence
Overall while a great plotline and indeed powerful threat he had found the Skeleton King Worm more of a lesser disappointing antagonist compared to the Skeleton King
Plus he really liked the idea of Skeleton King betraying and showing he was no pawn to the dark ones but his own master so evil and bad ass.
And..he looked over Jinmay swooning he must admit he was internally enjoying seeing the robotic girl so in love with her lord and master~ It would explain the hints of rivarly he had seen between her and Valeena for sure....though on the witch he was still on the fence of claiming her she was loyal and would be useful indeed...but did he really want her...that way?
A question to address another time as he focused on Jinmay the former girlfriend of Chiro hehe it seems that in the end the villain got the girl though he doubted Skeleton King sealed the deal...so lets change that
"Hehe I'm happy to hear you are pleased my dear~" He told with a dark smirk arching a brow, "I do hope there is no lingering guilt or longing for that pathetic monkey boy....or doubt in your devotion to your lord considering what brought you to my side~"
"Not at all!" Jinmay declared, looking almost offended at the suggestion, "I hate the thought of having ever dated that stupid brat, letting him touch me in even the slightest way... ugh! Even being just your servant already puts me far above being his equal. And if I were to become something more-"
Jinmay froze as she seemed to realize what she was starting to say, face turning red and eyes widening in mild panic.
"Er, um, I mean, not that I would ever presume anything, of course!" she stammered in an oddly cute way.
With the isekai soul quite amused at her action finding it quite cute and attractive~ It seemed while she was quite a bad girl with a crueler edge it seemed she was nervous as a schoolgirl to admitting her feelings freely to her master despite how obvious said feelings were to see
Likely also a fear of upsetting her lord at overstepping her station while happily serving him as well he thought with a smirk toward her and he supposed it made sense since he doubted canon Skeleton King would show a interest in anyone much have anything to do with such a emotions even if they were purely lust...but he wasn't the original canon Skeleton King was he~
"Hehe what if I told you that you could be more my dear~" He told her with a dark smirk staring into her lovely eye, "what I told you that I found you worthy of being more than just a servant~"
He leaned forward and hissed out with a note of a desire, "what If I told you I wanted to give you a long overdue reward for how you broke that miserable Chiro heart~"
"I, um, really?" Jinmay stammered some more, still blushing, "I mean, of course I'm honored to accept whatever you feel I'm worthy of, my lord. But, uh, what kind of reward?"
"Hehe oh you'll see my dear.." Skeleton King said with a large dark grin, "but first I want you to follow a simple order~"
He said as he began to stare at her with open lust, "Entertain your lord with a strip dance~" He declared grandly
"W-what?" Jinmay squeaked, blush intensifying, "I mean, if that's what you want, master, of course. But, um, I've never done that before. I don't know if I'd be doing it right."
"Come now my dear~" Skeleton King shot a smirk toward her, "Where is the ruthless determined machine that crushed Chiro's heart without a second thought in the palm of her hand~" He said with a dark chortle, "simply have faith and let your devotion to your lord motivate you~"
He told her before tilting his head, "unless you truly believe yourself unworthy of this reward?" He asked her with faux hurt before humming thoughtfully, "If so I'm sure Valeena would happily step up in your place~"
He added to stroke the fire of jealousy and rivalry as further motivation
The words had the desired effect, all embarrassment vanishing from Jinmay's face in favor of outrage.
"As if you should ever be debased by watching that hag expose herself!" she scoffed. Taking a breath to steady her nerves, she slowly began moving to a beat she conjured in her head, hips swaying back and forth, head lolling side-to-side.
As she began to get into it, Jinmay turned around to shake her ass in Skeleton King's direction. Lifting her arms, she plucked off one glove then the other, tossing them aside before reaching up to remove her scarf as slowly and sensually as she could.
"Is this good so far, master?" she asked, adding a husky tone to her voice.
"Hmm very my lovely toy~" Skeleton King said with a low laugh feeling arousal as he stared with enjoyment at her sensual dance as he leaned comfortably back into his throne (which despite being made of bone was surprisingly comfortable~)
It seemed that mentioning Valeena was the perfect card to play~
"Truly you were wasted on that boy~" He added with a lustful hiss
"Yes I was, master," Jinmay said as she dropped the scarf and moved to unbuckle her belt and drop that as well. She then turned around again, still moving in beat, and made a show of unbuttoning the top of her dress/shirt.
Pausing for a moment with a fresh blush, Jinmay forced herself to keep going. Even as she kept slowly rocking her hips back and forth, she reached down to grab the dress's hem and slowly pulled it up, teasingly revealing skin inch by inch, first revealing a pair of lacy black panties before her lord's eyes, then kept pulling it up until she finally pulled it away completely and tossed it aside, revealing moderate B-cup breasts clad in a lacy black bra.
"Does my lord like what he sees?" she asked huskily, cupping her breasts and jiggling them teasingly.
"Hmm yessss~" Skeleton King hisses out while noting with internal relief Skeleton King was not only still packing a package but that it worked as he felt his new cock grow hard at the sight before him
"I honestly don't know why I didn't order you to show off your lovely form sooner ~" He said with a chortle before putting on a gaze of mock disappointment, "I'm almost sad Chiro isn't here to see his love debase herself at my order ~"
While at the same time a part of him distractedly did wonder at what precise fate befell the Hyper Force after they were defeated by Skeleton King and his forces. As those particular memories still weren't completely clear yet.
Though that was something to address later right now he had far more important matters to attend to.
"Mmm, don't worry about such insignificant things, master, I have better things for you to focus on," Jinmay said. Turning around again with a flourish, she continued to shake her ass at him, giving him a better view at it as she leaned over to tug off her boots and toss them aside with her other discarded clothes.
Facing Skeleton King again, and feeling emboldened by how far she'd already come, Jinmay sauntered over to her master with an exaggerated sway. Planting one foot on the base of his throne to brace herself, she slowly peeled that leg's sock down and off, tossing it aside before repeating the process with the other leg.
"I'm so glad I can please you like this, my lord," she said, looking up at him lovingly, face flushed fully red.
With Skeleton King smirking down at her his eyes roaming hungrily over her body with open desire, "And I am glad to have such a lovely creature as yourself in my service ~"
He said lifting his hand and with but a thought Jinmay levitated off the ground with nought but a small squeak of surprise and up to his lap where he wasted no time in grabbing her left tit roughly with his right hand, "Yes quite lovely Indeed ~"
He said with a chortle listening to her moan with glee, "So much so you make me question if I was too quick to dismiss feelings and desires like love as worthless ~" He said while staring into here eyes
"Um, love?" Jinmay moaned, "Really? You love me, master? Am I worthy of that?"
Moaning in delight, she leaned into his chest while he continued squeeze her breast, rubbing her crotch against his.
"I love you, master. Real love, not the childish infatuation I had with Chiro. Please, say I'm worthy enough to be loved by you," she begged.
Skeleton King laughed at these while savoring the feeling of her skin and body against him it really was hard to believe she was actually a robotic being and having one of the love interest of one of his old cartoon protagonists proclaiming her love and desire for him while sitting in his lap was a whole new level of thrilling
Though as he felt up her body he could sense power in her...his... Skeleton King power to be precise perhaps what he did to reprogram her...hmm he wonder
"You are worthy my dear.." Skeleton King said squeezing her tit while cupping her cheek with his free hand, "worthy of not only stand-in by me and sharing my bed...but.."
He leaned forward with a chortle, "worthy of feeling my dark twisted love and perhaps even.." He stared hard into her eyes, "worthy of being the one I choose to become my skeleton queen ~"
He told her with Jinmay eyes widening at that proclamation before dipping his face down and latching onto her lips with a rough kiss
But at the same time as he savored her moan and feel of her lip he called upon his power inside her and with a thought decided to test her devotion by breaking the hold it might have on her by well in essence putting it to sleep to see if it was merely her power and programming that was compelling her
As the kiss broke, Jinmay gasped, both for breath and at a tingling sensation that spread out through her. Unknown to her, this was the result of Skeleton King's magic entering her to give his power already in her the command to go to sleep.
"Uh, master, wha?" she muttered, having trouble thinking for a moment as the magic took hold, a fuzzy feeling filling her head. When it cleared, she looked up at Skeleton King, and a sudden slew of memories came flooding back to her all at once, of how she'd turned on Chiro and the Hyper Force, helping defeat them, everything she'd done since then up to this very moment.
With those memories came shock, horror and guilt at what she'd done... but these were soon pushed aside by a realization. Despite those feelings, the fact was that she'd never felt more free and alive than she had in the time since she switched sides. No burdens of having to play nice, look out for everyone else, or holding back her power to avoid collateral damage, just always doing what she wanted so long as it didn't conflict with her master's orders. And more to the point, she felt a little ashamed to admit, Chiro had never made her feel the way that she did right now, lying in Skeleton King's lap.
There was no way to undo what she had done, so what harm was there in continuing to live a way that made her feel so good?
"Tell me my dear.." Skeleton King hissed out staring deep into her eyes after breaking the short kiss, "Now that my power no longer compels you.."
He gripped a hold of her bra, "Do you really not hold any guilt for what you've done or longing for the boy you betrayed?"
RIIIIPPP
He asked with a dark grin as he tore off her bra tossing to the side as he grabbed and twisted her nipple, "Do you still love me and desire the love of the greatest evil in the universe?" He asked arching a brow smirking at her moans as he twisted her nipple hard
"Yeeeeesss!" Jinmay yelled with delight, "Yes master, I feel bad, but I don't care! That doesn't matter! All that matters is serving you!"
Reaching down, Jinmay tore her panties away, revealing her pussy was already wet with pleasure.
"Please master, take me!" she begged, "Make me yours forever, so no one else can ever claim me! Make me your bitch, your slut, fill me up with your dark bastards!"
At proclamation and plea especially the part for his children (A part of him wondering if Jinmay could get pregnant...or if not he could use his power to make that possible.) he let out a cruel dark cackle as he raised his hand and let it fall
SMACK
Right on Jinmay ass with her letting out a loud moan at the strike, "Your lord hears your pleas and shall grant them." He hissed out his face inches from her own as he squeeze her ass, "You are...MINE!"
He yelled out as he let go of her nipple and hit her tits
SMACK
"AH!" Jinmay cried out in a mix of pain and pleasure, "Yes master, I'm yours! Do whatever you want with me!"
As she said this, she continued to grind herself against Skeleton King's crotch. Feeling something hard start to poke her back, she grinned and started grinding even harder.
"Please master, let me have the pleasure of giving you pleasure," she purred, reaching down to stroke his erection through his pants.
"Hehehe yes you've earned the honor of sucking your masters cock my dear ~" Skeleton King said roaming his hands all over Jinmay body while kissing up her neck
And as he gave his permission Jinmay started unhooking the belt of his pants quickly fishing out his new cock which glancing down he noted was not only large and thick but also saw it possessed the same purple physique of his upper body slightly transparent like his abdomen with the tip being a lightish pink,
"Show me that you love me and have no remaining affection for that weak boy ~" He said while giving the side of her neck a long slow lick
"Yes master," Jinmay cooed happily, leaning into the lick for a moment before bringing her head down on her lord's cock. She began kissing and licking it, grinning as she heard Skeleton King grunt in enjoyment in response. And once she felt that she'd done that enough to get him ready, she opened her mouth wide and slid it over the undead meat.
"Glrkt!"
Hearing Skeleton King moan in pleasure at the action, Jinmay began sucking his cock, pumping it with one hand as she did so. It tasted like nothing she'd ever had before, her tongue tingling from contact with the purple flesh. She needed more, she needed to know what his seed tasted like!
All while the Isekai soul that had found himself in her masters body was feeling a euphoric thrilling rush of pleasure like never before.
The last hour or so since ending up in this situation had been the craziest experience of his life but while he was still in shock there was no denying that part of him was on a metaphorically high when he realized he had all the power of the skeleton king at his command never mind when he first used it
But the perks with being Skeleton King just kept coming he realized as he Jinmay wrapped her soft hand around his cock and started to suck eagerly away at it, he had her at his beck and call even loosening her leash and granting her control since the first time Skeleton King awaken his power inside her didn't change that because it seemed despite his evil and horrific actions Jinmay had fallen into genuine love and lustful desire for Skeleton King
This knowledge combined with the feeling of her warm mouth and her tongue swirling eagerly around his cock plus the picture of Chiro's horrified broken face if he had still been around to witness this caused him to groan with pleasure as he ran his hand through her hair
"Hmm yes that's it little toy suck your master's cock.." He cooed darkly leering down at her as she glanced staring up at him with desire while continuing to suck and pump away, "Suck it like the pathetic sex toy you are ~"
He told cackling with a large grin gripping her hair tighter, "Because that's what you are isn't it..." He hissed out with a twisted leer, "A sex toy who wants nothing more than to be fucked by her master ~"
Skeleton King gave another dark chortle, "Because the moment I loosen your leash and give your being freedom rather than try to avenge your love and those filthy monkeys you instead beg to be the bed warmer of their greatest enemy ~"
Jinmay felt a shiver of shame run down her at those words, but despite that there was also a thrill, hearing them come from her master. For some reason she couldn't explain, him insulting her like that sounded more like praise, and it only made her hornier.
So, she kept sucking and pumping, pushing all thoughts out of her head that weren't about fulfilling this moment of ecstasy. All that mattered was bringing her master to climax so that he might reward her with the same, if she pleased him enough to earn that.
And so it was, that a few minutes later, Skeleton King tensed as he hit his limit and orgasmed.
"Ugggghhhh!" he groaned, as his cum, incredibly sweet yet with a bitter aftertaste, flooded into Jinmay's mouth. She happily swallowed as much as she could, desperate to have as much of that incredibly taste as she could, but the load was so large that eventually she had to pull away just to breathe, leaving a significant amount to splatter on her face and across his crotch.
"Was... was that to your liking, master?" she panted, eagerly licking her face and his cock to pick up all the cum she'd missed.
"Very.." He hissed out with a dark euphoric grin truly if this was a taste of things ahead he was going to love being Skeleton King.. "But.."
He looked down his cock twitching as he saw her eagerly licking his seed off her face, "we aren't done yet my dear~" He sad roughly pulling her up by her hair with his right hand while holding onto her waist with his left, "it's time for you to see how superior I truly am to that boy~"
Skeleton King hissed out staring into her eyes, "because whatever pleasure he could of possibly given you if you allowed him to touch your body like this.." A part of him wondering how far Jinmay and Chiro had gotten, "is nothing compared..TO THIS!"
He told her finishing in a roar as he slammed Jinmay as hard as he could onto his cock thrusting into her pussy with one go
"FUCK!" Jinmay cried out, not displeased. Nor was Skeleton King when he felt her hymen easily break from the motion, proving that at the very least, Chiro had never gotten this far.
"Oh god, master, this feels so good!" Jinmay shouted as she started bouncing up and down on his cock, and he began thrusting as well, matching her motions, "Please, I don't want this to ever stop! I need your seed inside me!"
"GRR and you shall have it!" Skeleton King roared out smacking her ass as she bounced eagerly off his cock
SMACK
His mind and body going wild from the feel of her hot cunt wrapping tightly around his cock~, "You shall serve me for all of eternity!" he declared grandly while hitting her ass again
SMACK
"You shall go out to the universe conquering and murdering in my glorious name~" He told her really taping into his image of Skeleton King and his own darkest desires as he stared into her eyes filled with euphoric pleasure and lust, "While serving my every carnal desire within my domain~"
SMACK
He hissed out with dark lust, "Prove yourself worthy enough and i'll let you bare my dark bastards as you plead for but perhaps even chosen you to become my skeleton queen!" He roared out as he dived down biting as hard as he could onto her bouncing tit
SMACK
While of course giving her bouncing ass another hit~
"Oh yes, yes, YEEEEESSSSS!" Jinmay screamed as she climaxed, her pussy tightening around his cock being enough to make him climax again as well, his seed shooting up to fill her womb. When it was done, both their bodies relaxed, Skeleton King pulling out of her and leaning back against his throne, while she collapsed against his chest, panting for breath.
"Uh... I... love... you," she muttered woozily, half-unconscious as she snuggled close to him, reaching down rub her stomach, "I can't wait to bear your dark children, my lord. To crush all in your path so that they can rule worlds as princes and princesses in your name."
While Skeleton King (And it was best to start getting used to that name/title and referring to themselves as such) also felt not only satisfaction at what he just did in his new throne but also quite warm at the the feel of Jinmay against his chest and her open show of love with him actually giving a twisted yet genuine smile of affection down at her, "Hehe it is a day I look forward to as well my dear~"
He said running his hand down her back rubbing it while kissing her forehead, and he had to admit perhaps having Skeleton King's body and power was corrupting his soul or mind...but he really did like the image Jinmay painted.
Ruling and causing havoc across the universe spreading absolute misery and death with Jinmay stood by his side as they raised their children to follow in their footsteps. A twisted image but one...he couldn't help but like the sound of~
"you truly have shown that you were meant to be so much more than a pawn for me to sacrifice or a weak protector who'd waste her potential playing housewife for that boy." He spat gently tilting her chin up as he stared into her eyes, "you were meant to rule~"
He told her before he leaned down and took her lips in a warm kiss
"Thank you master," she said after the kiss ended, leaning in to nuzzle his neck, "I swear I'll do everything I can to prove that I deserve your faith in me."
The two sat there, cuddling in a comfortable silence for a few moments, before Skeleton King spoke again.
"I am quite pleased to hear that my dear~" He said gently rubbing his alongside her back and through her hair with a pleased smirk, "I have no doubt you will not disappoint me like Chiro disappointed you~"
He said with a cruel chuckle kissing her forehead while suddenly getting a idea he didn't know yet remember what Skeleton King had done to Chiro and the rest of the hyper force but that didn't mean he couldn't still have a little fun and put Jinmay love and devotion through one last test, "After all.."
He shot her a dark smirk, "you have already shown that I can trust you to allow your mind be free in my service while still letting you keep the power I blessed you with to use in my name~" He grinned into her face while unseen behind her back he raised a glowing hand and concentrated his will to the pit in front of his throne
"And soon you will prove to all that you are worthy of ruling the universe by my side~" He told giving her lips another kiss though the kiss and moment was interrupted by a voice calling out pleadingly with weak horror, "Jinmay!"
With Skeleton King smirking as the kiss broke and Jinmay swung her sight to the source her eyes widening when she saw the weak disheveled bruised form of none other than Chiro of the hyper force raising out of the pit trapped in the dark waters that were levitating upwards while staring and reaching pleadingly toward Jinmay, "Help.." He gasped out before Chiro's eyes seemed to widen as he beheld a better look at the scene and roared out, "GET YOUR..AH HANDS..OFF HER YOU...BASTARD!"
"Wha- Chiro?!" Jinmay exclaimed in shock, blushing brightly and covering herself as best she could with her arms. Why was he here? How was he here? And why, a small but quickly growing part of her wondered in anger, did he have to show up now of all times and spoil her fun?
"Don't worry, I'll get us out of here!" Chiro called out as he weakly struggled to break free of the ooze. Hearing this caused Jinmay's eye to twitch in annoyance. He'd get them out? He was trapped and looked like he was barely conscious, and he was still acting like she was a damsel in distress he needed to save. Had he always been this much of a condescending prick?
"I'll save you, and then-"
"I don't need saving! Everything's fine the way it is!" she snapped up at him, so angry that she stopped bothering to try and cover herself up.
"What? Jinmay, what are you talking about? Look what that monster's doing to you!" Chiro protested, looking confused and horrified.
"He's not a monster, he's my master, my lover!" Jinmay declared, "And he makes me happier than a worthless brat like you ever could!"
"You, you don't mean that! He's messing with your head!"
"No he's not, he's given me a chance to really live instead of just being your dumb sidekick, so go away and leave us alone!"
"Jinmay, please-"
"SHUT UP!" Jinmay roared, throwing a hand forward to fire an energy blast that hire Chiro head on.
SPLAT
And then, to Jinmay's shock, "Chiro" burst apart into ooze, splattering across the room.
"What...?"
Silence stood for several moments
...
...
...
Until it was broken by the dark twisted laughter of amusement of Skeleton King, "Hehahahahahhahaha~" With the isekai victim actually finding such cruel amusement of what just happen, "Well done, well done!"
He proclaimed with a dark grin moving his hand to the shocked confused Jinmay hip as he glanced down at her, "you have passed my last test.." He told her with a dark grin and before she could ask he gestured to the pit, "though that little fake was not only meant to test your devotion but also.."
He grinned toothily at her, "help assuage any lingering doubts or second thoughts of where your loyalties and love truly lay with~" He said leaning down to nibble at her ear lobe caressing and tasting it with his tongue, "everything you've said and felt wasn't do to my power controlling you, or even said out of either fear for your life or heated lust alone."
He explained grabbing and kneading her tit in the palm of his hand, "you say you feel bad for what you've done but at the same time you don't care~" He grinned evilly as he looked into her face, "but even that isn't truth deep down you don't feel bad at all~"
He chuckled, "you don't feel any guilt for betraying Chiro and the Hyperforce, you don't care you broke that weaklings hear, and you don't care for all those you helped me slaughter as I destroyed Shuggazoom!"
SMACK
He emphasized his words with a hit to Jinmay's ass, "Because you love being evil.." The dark monarch hissed out staring into her eyes, "just as you love me far more than you ever did that boy~"
"I, I," Jinmay stammered, unable to think of a rebuttal to that. Especially since she realized that she didn't want to - she tried to feel guilt for the things she'd done, but honestly, it was just a fleeting thing. She just didn't feel bad at all, not when it had led to her being claimed by Skeleton King like this, when he made her feel so happy and was offering her so much. And yes, like she'd said to what she'd thought was Chiro, she was in fact happier than she'd been with him. There was no point in lying to herself about that.
"You're right, master, I don't feel bad about what I've done, and I do love you more than Chiro," she said, smiling up at him, "I have no regrets, and I never will. I want to be your queen, and I don't care who has to suffer for it!"
And at her proclamation Skeleton King smiled at her feeling strangely triumph that he had truly claimed a hero love as his own~ And while the original Skeleton King started the process he was the one to give Jinmay the final push and accept for lack of a better term the dark side and her darkest desires to be with her true master and love~
Hehe all things considered not bad for his first few hour as the bone daddy himself if he said so himself he thought smugly~
"It warms my dark cold twisted heart to hear you say that my dear~" Skeleton King told her cupping her cheek while smiling evilly as she leaned eagerly into his touch without hesitation, "Know your place at my side is assured for the rest of your days~'
He told her before his and her eyes glowed purple and energy shot from both of them, "And since you've proven true in your devotion I release my chains on you~" He said as the energy faded leaving Jinmay to wobble in his lap somewhat before shaking it off, "you will always be blessed and protected by my dark power."
He said while leaning in to give her gentle lips a kiss, "but now your actions are truly your own no longer guided by my dark hand.." He explained with a chortle, "but by your own dark desires and our love~"
He said after breaking the kiss just to gently take her hand into his own and place it against his skull, "and together should you truly prove yourself worthy of it above any other soul I set my eyes on we will rule this new universe starting with Earth as King and Queen!"
That declaration brought tears of joy to Jinmay's eyes, and she leapt up to wrap her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply, which he eagerly returned.
And, for the moment at least, everything was perfect for these two.
And after several minutes the kiss was broken, "Now then my dear, what say we see how Mandarin and Valeena are progressing with their mission~" he stated with a dark grin as he blasted mystical energy to the pit which soon began to show the image of the same city that Valeena and Mandarin had gone to with squadron of Formless with the image rippling and zooming closer in, "and while we enjoy the entertainment your king can enjoy your body further as a snack~"
He told her a dark smirk grabbing and squeezing her breast while moving her to face to the pit with her back to him
(Meanwhile, on Lothor's ship)
While Skeleton King was fucking Jinmay, Lothor was stalking through the corridors of his ship. He had been on his way to his chambers when he'd decided to detour to the dungeons to visit their prisoner. As much as he knew he needed to focus on how to handle this new situation with his potential fellow isekai, it was all a little overwhelming, and he needed to take his mind off of it for a little while. And fortunately he had a perfect other thing to prioritize right now.
They'd been in this new reality only a few days when they'd come across a small pod floating near where they were hiding in Saturn's orbit. They'd taken it on board, and found a figure in stasis in it, whom they'd quickly taken prisoner to figure out if she had any knowledge of their strange situation. Of course, once she'd woken up, she'd been less than pleased by the circumstances and had fought back, which wasn't helpful for anyone.
Though on top of all that, the soul inside Lothor recognized this person, which had only compounded his existential crisis, so he'd been avoiding her since. But now, well, he had bigger problems to worry about, so he might as well get it over with.
Realizing that he'd reached the dungeons, he'd waved off the Kelzaks guarding the door and entered. Walking down a corridor full of cells, he stopped in front of the one only currently in use.
"So, how are we doing today?" he asked dryly, looking into the darkness of the cell. For a few seconds there was silence, then the shadows shifted as a figure stepped into the light.
"Well, the master of this floating garbage heap comes to speak to me in person instead of sending one of those two bimbos. Should I be flattered?" the prisoner asked in a British-accented voice, the light revealing a green-skinned bug person, a little over four feet tall, with dark purple eyes, wearing a purple shirt with a cape extending down the back, black pants, gloves and boots, and most prominently a large metal pod on her back.
"Just trying to be a good host, Miss... Tak, I believe," Lothor said, looking her over.
Tak, from Invader Zim. The most popular of all the show's minor characters, to the point that many fans (himself included) often forgot she wasn't a main character. Seeing her had been a shock on top of everything else he'd been going through, but now that it wasn't the most shocking part of the situation, he had to admit, having a chance to talk to her was thrilling.
"That is my designation yes.." The Irken said glaring at him with narrowed eyes, "Tak proud Invader of the Irken Empire!" She declared grandly while still glaring at the apparent human male standing before her, "And unless you want to make a enemy out of the most superior species in all the universe and feel the wrath of the Almighty Tallest I suggest you release me!"
she demanded with a cold silent fury, "Do this and perhaps I won't have you sent to a slave planet to toil away for the rest of your days for the empire~"
"Ooh, I'm shaking in my boots," Lothor said sarcastically, as his eyes roamed over her, taking in a good look that he'd been too panicked to do before. Her appearance was a little different from what he remembered in the show, not that he was complaining - her hips and ass were rather wide, and her chest was probably large A cups bordering on B cups (and why the fuck did an insect have breasts anyway?). Overall, she was definitely a short stack hottie, he noticed with a lick of his lips and a stirring in his loins.
Hey, don't judge him. She'd always been one of his favorite cartoon villains, and she was definitely hot even without being human.
"Do not patronize me, human. Or whatever you are," Tak snarled, "I am an agent of the most powerful species in the entire universe!"
"Really? Well, I'm not from this universe, so forgive me for never having heard of you," Lothor said, figuring that there was nothing to lose from telling her that.
"What?" Tak asked, blinking in confusion.
"Yeah, we were all surprised to figure out what had happened to us too," Lothor admitted with a shrug, "But hey, as a local, how about you do me a favor and tell me everything you know about that little blue planet over yonder?"
"Blue planet...you mean Earth?" Tak asked narrowing his eyes at him wondering what he meant by not being from this universe....surely he didn't mean being from another dimension did he? Not even the Irken Empire had cracked the technology for stable multiverse travel!
And such past research into expanding the Empire beyond even this universe....hadn't ended well. Last she heard according rumors while still attending the academy before Zim ruined her life Miyuki shut such research down after repeated attempts lead to various monstrosities that prove too wild for even the superior irken might to tame...with the last straw supposedly being the lost of a entire research and development planet lost in a unstable explosion supposedly related to this research
Needless her interest was peaked while it was quite unlikely her captors had the means of inter dimensional travel perhaps learning more of how they got to this universe could help her gain valuable data for the empire.
Though even if that idea was a failure what really caught her attention was the mans interest in Earth and just by the looks in his eyes she doubted he desired a vacation and as her mind went to Zim and that accursed human Dib who ruined her only chance to redeem herself before her tallest and achieve the title that should of always been hers...she felt a sinister smirk crossed her face perhaps this current set back could be a opportunity
"Now why would you be interested in that mud ball?" she asked with faux interest, "I mean while you appear to be human it's clear from this ship alone that you and your followers are of a superior stock than those pathetic primitives."
she said with a disdainful sniff while a antenna as she stepped closer to the cell door looking up into Lothor eyes, "Perhaps you see it as easy pickings?" She asked with a amused smirk, "and don't bother denying it.."
she told the man cutting off anything he could say, "that one bimbo who's always bringing my food while her yammering is annoying it has been...quite informative." She shot the man a smirk, "Particular the bits about you being some kind of powerful ninja warlord who was someone banished to the depths of space.."
Left unsaid was her disbelief at that bit of information considering what she learned of the species in her monitoring honestly the only things that had peaked her concern at the time were the exceptional members of the species known as meta humans and the apparent surviving kryptonian...but she wouldn't let such minor problems stand in her way....only for Zim and Dib to have ruined everything, "But what really caught my interest was the mentions of conquering a planet~"
She told Lothor with a smirk tapping her hands together with a smirk, "Am I to surmise from your own words you somehow hail from another variation of Earth in the multiverse?" She cocked her head with a dark grin, "and that you desire to conquer this Earth since your original target is out of reach~"
"Well, you know what they say, when life gives you lemons you make lemonade," Lothor replied with a shrug, "I've lost my chance, for now at least, of conquering my own Earth, so why not take the one that's here? Why shouldn't I grab any opportunity to take what should have rightfully been mine in the first place?"
Tak twitched slightly at that, Lothor repressing a smirk and pretending he hadn't noticed; he'd had a feeling that that would get under her skin, given her situation in canon. It only lasted a moment though, and she quickly composed herself.
"Hmph, well, I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you," she said dismissively, "I don't know about in your universe, but this version of Earth has numerous beings of strange power running about, even at least one Kryptonian who somehow escaped extinction, and I can only assume that number has grown these past few years I've spent stuck in stasis. You'll have your work cut out for you."
"Is that right?" Lothor asked, making a mental note of the fact that it had apparently been several years since she'd been on Earth. Which would presumably mean that the rest of the Invader Zim cast were older too, including a certain purple-haired goth. Had she grown as large as the famous Big Dad pictures? ...Shoving that distracting thought aside and focusing on the present, he asked, "So, how did you plan on conquering it yourself? That is what you were planning on doing isn't it, little miss self-declared Invader?"
Tak snarled, though whether at having her status as an Invader questioned or at being called "little", he wasn't sure. But again, she quickly composed herself before answering, "My plan would have rapidly made Earth uninhabitable for human life long before any of those so-called 'heroes' could have interfered, and wiped them all out too."
"Yet here you are, and there it still spins, still full of life," Lothor replied, grinning as she snarled again, loving how easy it was to wind her up.
"It's only still spinning because of an irritating Earth primitive with an enormous cranium and that idiotic menace ZIM!" She retorted back heatedly yelling out the name of the being she loathes most in existence with a snarl and eye twitch
Before pausing than taking a moment to take several deep breaths she gathered herself, "Do not think I don't realize what you're doing human." She said scowling darkly at him, "Making me angry to give yourself more leverage in this little discussion and negotiation."
She than shot him a smirk, "And yes while I'm a prisoner this is a negotiation.." She let out a menacing chuckle and sneer, "Because if you speak the truth you are stranded than you are stranded in a universe likely very different than your own ~"
She gave a dark laugh, "Why from the sounds of it you hardly recognize your own home planet in this reality ~" She told with a sinister smug smirk, "And all you have is whatever forces and resources you had on hand in this ship."
"And you've probably been asking yourself is that enough...am I enough...will I emerge a glorious conqueror...or be crushed like a pathetic clown ~"
Tak was not breaking with Lothor gaze, "Either way in the only source of information you have on this universe and the powers that inhabit it."
She than listed off some names Lothor recognized, "Gordanians, Vilgax, Federation of Planets, the Plumbers, Galactic Guardians, the Cluster, oh and of course the Green Lanterns.."
She appeared nonchalant, "These are but some names I could provide you information on.....but." She narrowed her eye's, "Why should I tell my captor anything?"
She question rhetorical, "I'm certainly not afraid of torture to deny you this information simply out of spite.." she said chuckling at the silent Lothor, "However I might be more willing to share information if you as you humans say.."
She gave a positively chilling grin, "make it worth my while ~"
Lothor stared quietly at her for a moment as he considered what she'd said. It was true, if even a small number of the factions she'd mentioned were as powerful in this universe as they'd been in their respective shows, he would be at a severe disadvantage. He had only a finite number of Kelzaks and monsters at his disposal, and unlike some Power Rangers villains, he didn't have the means to simply make more. And sure, he presumably had some Zords lying around (or at least the means to make some), judging by what he remembered from some of the last episodes of the series, but that would hardly be enough to turn the tide in the case of an all-out war. He'd need all the help he could get when the time came.
Still, no need to come across as desperate and give her an advantage. Best to play it calm... and also, he thought with a grin, might as well see how far he could push her.
"My, my, you're a bold one. Don't you at least want to buy me dinner first?" he asked with a leer. Tak blinked in confusion at the statement for a second, then she blushed brightly.
"Ugh! Get your mind out of the gutter, you pig!" she spat, causing Lothor to laugh.
"Come on, you walked into that one," he chuckled, "But in all seriousness, why should I negotiate with you? It sounds like there's plenty of folks out there that have more to offer me than just one lone soldier who couldn't even carry out her mission."
"You will find even a single Irken Invader is enough to bring planets to their knees!" She retorted with a glare than added in a acid tone, "And the fluke of my failure will not be repeated.."
She clenched her fist's, "Because now I know that a certain factors aren't to be underestimated."
She explained while her mind went to Zim and Dib while also scowling at the man's words and the reminder of her failure it was a miracle the Tallest gave her this chance in the first place likely no doubt motivated by their disdain toward that disgrace of their species.
So she knew she couldn't simply return to the empire empty handed after what happened being banish back to being a janitorial drone might be mercy compared to how they might punish her for her failure and wasting the opportunity they oh so graciously provided.
No unless she had Zim severed head in hand as a offering simply returning wouldn't end well for her. Fortunately she was more than motivated to make that idea a reality ~
Though before she got her hands around Zim's neck it would be wise to pursue other courses that would leave her in the Tallest good graces and benefit the empire and she might have the perfect pawn and means standing right in front of her cell doors
"And you'll find that I have plenty to offer." She told Lothor with a smug smirk, "Not only in knowledge you clearly desire but also in possessing the skills of a true irken Invader."
"And.." her grin grew a bit wider, "these other options you mentioned would likely be more interested in having you fall in line in exchange.." Then gave a snort adding on, "And that's if they humor you at all in the first place ~"
She told with a chuckle before getting quite serious, "Face it human like it or not we might be each other's best chance right now to get what we require and desire."
"And I'm suppose to believe you're more trustworthy than any of those others out there?" Lothor scoffed, "I might be new to this universe, but I wasn't born yesterday. What's to stop you from stabbing me in the back the first chance you get after you're out of this cell?"
"The same thing stopping you from eliminating me as soon as you get what you want from me. Namely, absolutely nothing," Tak stated, "But the fact is, we have no choice but take each other's word. Honor might be an overvalued concept, but we'll have to trust each other to have it, otherwise I'm stuck in here and you won't be getting the information you need."
Lothor frowned, stroking his chin in thought at that. She had a point, but he didn't like the idea of acting purely on faith. He needed some way to seal this deal, but how?
Then he got an idea. Possibly an incredibly stupid one, being fueled by the real Lothor's arrogance overriding his new soul's common sense, but it was the only one he had.
"Well, I already settled one problem with a potential rival today by agreeing to a wager, why not do it again?" he asked aloud.
"A wager? What kind of wager?" Tak asked in confusion.
"A very simple one. Fight me," he declared.
"What?"
"You heard me. I let you out, and you fight me, here and now," Lothor stated, "If you win, I let you go, no strings attached. But if I win, you not only stay and tell me everything I need to know, but you serve me and aid in my conquest of Earth."
"Are you serious?" Tak demanded.
"Yes I am. But if you're worried about your leaders, don't worry. If we ever make contact with them, we'll just spin it as you manipulating me into an alliance, or some crap like that. What do you say?" he asked.
Tak frowned thinking over the offer carefully the sheer idea of serving anything other than the Irken Empire much less a inferior species enraged her to the core...but this gamble did sound like the perfect way to gain her freedom.
Than she could plot her revenge because now she did care about vengeance! Vengeance and restoring her honor before the Tallest and the Empire by bringing them that defectives head!
And after she defeated this arrogant fool she could make her leave and plan how to do so, or leverage it so as to generously make Lothor agree to her offer for a "alliance" as she used him and his forces as pawns before deposing of them.
Though that would at first require her winning this bet and defeating him something she was sure she was capable of as a true (in spirit if not in official title) Irken Invader.
However if there was something that came out of her experience on Earth was learning not to underestimate a enemy even if they were from a primitive species plus she could tell just by the way he held himself she was dealing with a experienced warrior never mind what that bimbo servant of his shared
Though he was arrogant and also foolish enough to let such a security oversight happen in the first place that could play to her advantage.
And even if she did lose she could work with them for now hold her tongue to her new superior while operating her agenda and than strike when the time was right~
Plus if the Tallest did happen to learn of the situation Lothor was right about one thing she could paint things in her favor and than some if Lothors forces proved useful and powerful. So with all that in mind she gave a smug smirk, "Very well brave of you to challenge the superiority of a irken warrior~"
she told him letting out a little chuckle, "but ultimately foolish~" She grinned, "I agree to this wager with but one amendment.." she said as a idea sparked into her head as she stared into Lothor eyes, "should I win YOU swear loyalty to me and surrender your forces to my leadership~"
Lothor arched an eyebrow at that, honestly not all that surprised by it. He did feel a moment of worry, considering despite his new body he had no actual experience with fighting (he'd never even thrown a punch), but over the past week he'd been relying more and more on the real Lothor's memories just to do stuff on instinct. With any luck, that would apply to fighting too.
"Very well, I accept your addition to the wager," he said with a firm nod.
"Like I said, brave but foolish," Tak chuckled, "Now then, mind letting me out so we can get this over with?"
Wordlessly, Lothor pressed the button to open the cell, then stepped back further into the corridor to give Tak room to step out of the cell. As she did, he found himself lowering into a fighting stance; thankfully, it seemed the memories were in fact kicking in on their own.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yes. Prepare to kiss my boots, human," she replied smugly.
And with those words Tak sprung forward deploying her four pak spider legs to launch herself into the air and came down to the ground aiming straight at the man with the pointed tips of her pak legs
However, Lothor easily sidestepped the attack, letting Tak fly by him, before spinning around to slam a fist into the PAK. The impact of the blow was enough to break Tak's control of her momentum, and she went flying down the corridor for several yards, eventually hitting the floor and bouncing for a bit before she managed to tuck herself into a roll. Once she came to a stop, she scrambled back to her feet, turning back around to glare at a smug Lothor.
"Lets see how you like this than!" She snapped pointing her pak legs at them with each of the tips glowing purple before emitting laser fire
PWE
PWE
PWE
PWE
"FOR THE IRKEN EMPIRE!"
Moving swiftly, Lothor jumped from spot to spot, dodging the lasers and the subsequent explosions as they hit the floor and walls. Nearing one wall, he appeared to be cornered, only to leap up to dodge another blast and kick off a high point of the wall. Spinning around in midair, he thrust a fist forward, firing a red energy blast of his own, Tak's eyes widening in surprise by this, caught too much off guard to dodge in time.
ZAP
"AHH!" she yelled as she was hit in the chest and sent flying to slam against a wall, hitting it just as Lothor landed in a crouch.
"Give up yet?" he asked as he stood back up.
"Heh..hardly!" She spat out with a glare but was actually giving a excited smirk, "if anything you're just making this interesting and showing you'll be a competent servant after all~"
She said sitting back up and entering a battle, "And it's not just our technological resources that make an Irken Invader dangerous~" She added before launch a direct kick aimed at his face
Only for Lothor's hand to snap up and grab her leg, stopping the kick just before it could hit him. And as Tak's momentum caused the rest of her body to fold over her leg towards him, he then grabbed her arm as well, before using his double grip to fling her around and slam her against the wall.
"I'd prefer not to do any lasting damage that would stop you from being an effective minion. But don't think I won't break you if necessary," he said casually, before pulling the disoriented Tak away from the wall and then bringing her down stomach-first onto his knee. As she gasped for breath, he picked her back up and threw her several feet away, letting her land in an awkward heap on the floor.
"Urgh..coff..coff...I..I.." Tak weakly gasped out watching as Lothor stepped forward over his apparent defeated foe before she shot him a smirk, "I think you have to do better~" she said before sending a spin kick straight at his ankles to knock him down
"Oof!" he cried out as he hit the floor, stars popping into his vision from the impact. Despite this, he saw her foot coming down towards his face and rolled out of the way in time to avoid it. Coming to a stop, he tried to get up, only getting into a seated position before Tak swung out with her PAK legs to slash at his face. He leaned back to just barely avoid them, and was then caught off guard as she followed up by getting closer and throwing a punch, which he barely managed to catch by the wrist in time. Acting on instinct, he tightened his grip on Tak's hand, and then caught the other one when she tried to punch with that one too.
Tak growled as she tried to break either of her hands free, but Lothor didn't give her a chance. Instead, he threw himself forward; caught unprepared, Tak was knocked off her feet as he slammed into her. She fell on her back, and then he landed on top of her, pinning her down and with the positioning pinning her PAK legs at a useless angle.
"Urg..arg...I won't...SUBMIT!" Tak yelled defiantly while struggling in his grip and attempted to headbutt him to break free
Lothor, however, merely moved his head so that her forehead only hit his chin. As she cried out, he chuckled, enjoying the feeling of her underneath him, noting how his chest was resting comfortably on hers, which was quite soft despite her breasts being relatively small. Really, the only thing missing would be if she were a little taller so that their lower halves were properly aligned, but he wasn't complaining.
"Just give in. You've lost, but you fought well, and proven you'll serve me as an excellent warrior," he said triumphantly. She growled up at him in response to that, still struggling, a passionate light of anger in her purple eyes that Lothor had to admit he found absolutely enticing. A sudden impulse rising up in him, he said, "No reason to be like that. I'm sure you'll find the experience of serving me, in all sorts of ways, very enticing."
And then, without warning, he leaned down and forcibly kissed her.
Needless say Tak's eyes had gone wide at this move....he was kissing her....this primitive...was KISSING HER!
She attempted to struggle out of his grip all the more and break the kiss but his lips and grip kept a great hold and...she was doing her best to ignore how the kiss felt..
As she felt such a strange hot feeling hit her body....the Irken race while still having the biological components to do so hadn't reproduced naturally in eons..with all smeets created and incubated artificially before being prepared since "release" to serve the Empire in whatever best way they can
This was seen as the perfect way to create future Irkens who would serve as proud examples of their perfection and superiority across the universe, those rare few who didn't this goal like Zim were unwanted anomalies or in other words defectives.
It had basically been hammered into Irken culture mindset to ignore such things as romantic feelings or sexual desires unless as a weakness to exploit in their enemies and inferior races. Something she did with ridiculous ease with Dib~
So needless to say Tak was just plain shocked and didn't know how to initially react to his move she was of course fucking furious! Which she made clear in her struggling though a small part under her fury felt smug pride at Lothor recognizing her superiority after all she was a fine example of a female Irken and it would make sense that he'd desire her as a mate...hmm while she looked down on this tactic perhaps she could exploit these apparent he had for her.
She thought distractedly with her mind becoming a bit more foggy as the kiss continued before he broke contact with her lips, "Ah..you..ah...FILTHY PRIMITIVE!" she snapped glaring her anger taking control as she glared up at him, "How dare you lay your inferior lips on me like that without permission!"
she snapped taking several deep breaths to calm down, "And was all of this just a excuse at a chance to acquire a superior Irken woman as your mate?" she asked with a annoyed growl
"No, this was more of a heat of the moment sort of thing," Lothor admitted, "But I won't deny, I'm liking the idea of having a feisty warrior woman like you by my side in all ways. Besides, I'm single."
That wasn't even a lie, he realized, as a memory of the real Lothor signing off on documents labeled "Divorce Papers" suddenly flashed through his mind. Well, that was a relief; he still didn't know who exactly he had been married to, but at least he didn't have to worry about it anymore.
"So, why shouldn't I be looking for someone lovely to keep my bed warm? Speaking of which, you seeing anyone?" he asked. He was pretty sure he already knew the answer to that question, and smirked at the look of disgust that crossed her face in response.
"Hardly the Irken race have evolved beyond such pathetic desires.." She scoffed out, "and while I'll give you credit in wanting the best a viable as a mate what makes you think i'll lower myself to be a simple bed warmer!"
She yelled out with glowering up at him because right now while the combat they've engaged in had been short from what she had seen she might not be able to defeat Lothor in open combat...at least not yet...nor like this...but this could give her an angle to exploit...no matter how disgusting and degrading it was to sink that low...urg the things she did for the Empire and her vengeance
"I might be willing to concede that I can't defeat.." Tak added with narrow eyes, "since it's becoming clear you are a warrior that I can't defeat..." she told him with obvious reluctance, "but I still have my pride as a Irken Invader and the thought of serving someone else besides the Almighty Tallest is bad enough why should I lower myself further by sharing your bed?"
"Okay, I admit, calling it a bed warmer was degrading," Lothor admitted, "Besides which, you'd be more than that. You'd be serving me as a high-level lieutenant, perhaps even one day acting as a General leading my army. You'd still be fulfilling this desire for conquest you have, just on my behalf instead of your Empire's. And as my lover, you'd be more than just a minion; do well enough, and one day I might even make you my official Queen. Doesn't that sound better than toiling away for these 'Tallest' you say you serve?"
And despite anything despite the loyalty to the irken empire literally hardwired and doctrine in her since birth a part of Tak had to admit that he made quite a tempting offer
Because as even she couldn't deny there was plenty of bitterness toward not only Zim but the greater Irken Empire as a whole for not even giving her a chance to prove herself and allowing her to take the test to become a irken elite after the blackout and Zim left her trapped!
Being assigned as a janitorial unit on Dirt no less! And apparently left to rot in this backwater solar system for Irk knews how long after her attempt to conquer Earth failed.
Perhaps his offer had merit if he could back up his words she could truly become and gain the respect she desired! If he fell short than she could always betray him at the best opportune moment and perhaps in a way that will allow her to secure her long desired position as a Irken Elite Invader.
"Hmm...I won't lie you make a tempting offer." she told him stoically, "but while you are a excellent warrior in combat I have yet to see if you or your so called army can back up your claims.."
she narrowed her eyes, "I desire more than toiling away at the Tallest bidding i'll admit that much." she said with a low growl and slight snarl, "but I desire to remain alive even more.." she looked up into his eyes, "because i'll be lucky be banished to a blackhole if they discover i've betrayed the Empire and i'm unable to convince them otherwise.."
she narrowed her eyes, "So tell me while your offer to become your greatest general if not potentially your Queen is a enticing i'd like to know one thing.." She looked straight into his eyes, "Why I should risk everything by quite literally sharing the bed with a potential enemy of the empire?" she said a tad coldly,
"And what exactly do you have going for you as an alternative?" Lothor asked, "Because by your own admission, you've been left floating around this solar system for at least several years since your conquest attempt failed. Which either mean that they didn't care enough about you to come looking, or they simply couldn't because they're not as great at doing things as you seem to think."
Tak growled at him for unknowingly echoing her thoughts, but he ignored her and kept going.
"Point is, despite your protests, you really don't have anything to lose from joining me, because things can't get that much worse for you than they already have," he said, "But, I'm not unreasonable. Let's say that for now, you're on probationary status - watch me make my first moves against Earth, then decide if you're willing to commit. And I mean as both a minion and in bed; I respect you too much as a fellow warrior to face you into that. So, what do you say?"
Tak remained silent for several minutes her face expressionless before ultimately sighing..."very well.."
she gave a Lothor an even look, "I concede this match and as of now I am at your command." She said with a disgruntled expression though there was a gleam of interest and ambition in her eyes for the picture Lothor had offered and the chance to achieve not only glory that could rival any Irken invader but the power that could rival the Tallest themselves, "But don't expect me to act as some obedient pet."
"I'd be insulted if you did. It would mean you weren't taking things seriously," he said, letting go of her wrists and carefully climbing off of her. He watched warily as she got back to her feet, but relaxed as she retracted her PAK legs and crossed her arms with a huff.
"Glad we have an understanding. Now then, shall we go discuss details in a more accommodating location?" he asked, gesturing towards the dungeon's door. Tak scoffed but walked past him towards the door... and as soon as she was past him, he swung out his hand and slapped her wide ass.
SMACK
"Ah!" she yelped, spinning around to glare at Lothor with a noticeable blush, "You perverted primitive!"
"Sorry," he said, not looking or sounding truly apologetic at all, "Had to get that out of my system. I promise, no more of that until you've agreed to it. Ninja's honor."
"Honor pah.." Tak scoffed with a eye roll, "last I checked even on your primitive world ninjas are assassins and whoever heard of a assassin with honor." she said scoffing at the foolish notion before glaring at the man, "but that aside don't be getting any ideas.."
she warned narrowing her eyes, "I am inclined to take you up on your offer of being your general and the glory and power that would come with it.." she crossed her arms, "but it'll take more than just pretty words, promises, and one lost fight to get a proud irken female to share a bed with a primitive."
"Oh, don't worry, I fully intend to win you over with hard work," Lothor stated, "Now, all joking aside, let's get to work..."
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: I'm sure there are people surprised that I/Lothor didn't get any smut too this chapter, but it honestly felt like that would have been rushed. Besides, you got plenty of hot stuff from Night/Skeleton King's side of things. Hope you all liked what we're doing with these character relationships.
nightmaster000 A/N: Hehe not a bad start to things at all considering I made Chiro girl moan my/Skeleton King in my new throne, while ZMLS/Lothor recruited Tak while having some fun teasing her ~ But yes hope you enjoyed this first chapter and will enjoy the action in the next chapter.
Don't be afraid to review and leave a kudos.
Chapter 3: Dark Warnings
Summary:
Skeleton King's forces attack Jump City, confronting the Teen Titans. As a result, Raven finds herself facing her dark secret a lot sooner than she'd have hoped.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And here we are folks, with the next chapter of Isekai Conquerors, wherein nightmaster000/Skeleton King makes his first move against Earth. I really like how this chapter came together, and I hope you all do as well.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Oh yeah here we go next chapter and I'm making my first move on Earth as Skeleton King. I won't lie really enjoyed how the fight sequence played out and first intro to the Titans and hope you do too.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Honor pah.." Tak scoffed with a eye roll, "last I checked even on your primitive world ninjas are assassins and whoever heard of a assassin with honor." she said scoffing at the foolish notion before glaring at the man, "but that aside don't be getting any ideas.."
she warned narrowing her eyes, "I am inclined to take you up on your offer of being your general and the glory and power that would come with it.." she crossed her arms, "but it'll take more than just pretty words, promises, and one lost fight to get a proud irken female to share a bed with a primitive."
"Oh, don't worry, I fully intend to win you over with hard work," Lothor stated, "Now, all joking aside, let's get to work..."
(Meanwhile on Earth)
While the isekai souls were busy out in space either claiming a girl to their bed, or recruiting one to their legions.
Jump City which in just the past couple of months or so had become the location of Titans Tower, home of the newest team of young heroes, the Teen Titans!
Robin, former partner and protege to the legendary Dark Knight and Justice League founder himself Batman. Who's now leaving the Gotham nest to spread his wings and justice to a new city.
Starfire the alien Tamaranian warrior, who despite her people's warrior culture possesses a bright spirit and bright disposition that few could rival.
Cyborg, the mechanical teen who's determined to show the world he's still as human as ever, while using his mechanical side to kick bad guy butt.
Beast Boy, the green shapeshifter who can turn into any animal you can imagine, former member of the Doom Patrol and now current jokester of the Titans.
And finally the mysterious Raven, who despite her age shows great talent and knowledge in the mystical arts.
These five, since coming together after Starfire escaped a Gordanian slave ship, and worked together to stop the same vessel when it threatened the city, have stood as Jump City's heroes and protectors while sending all but the most bold or dangerous of the criminal elements fleeing to greener pastures.
And it seems the days ahead for Jump City were bright indeed.
BOOM!
"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!" Screamed out a man as numerous black and white forms riding motorcycles rampaged around downtown while lobbing energy blasts at every building they passed by.
Well, bright except for the mysterious creatures that were attacking the city and sending citizens fleeing that is, "Hehe pitiful.."
Scoffed Valeena currently watching the chaos, "Hmm indeed, it seems whether Shuggazoom or a new world, the rabble will always flee for their lives when faced with their superiors~" Chuckled out Mandarin with a sadistic smirk as he sat on the edge of the building
"Yes, and just like how Shuggazoom had your brethren as its pathetic protectors, always eager to run into the fray, I have no doubt those children we observed will be here any moment to intervene," Valeena sneered, "I look forward to crushing them like the insects they are."
BOOM
"Ah, speak of the devils and they shall appear," Mandarin mused, as several explosions tore through the Formless on the street below. When the smoke cleared, it revealed the sight of the assembled members of the Teen Titans - Robin stood at the front, bo staff in one hand and the other still outstretched from having thrown several explosive disks, Cyborg and Starfire flanking him, arm cannon and hands still glowing from having launched their respective attacks, while Raven and Beast Boy brought up the rear, the sorceress aglow with her dark magic and the changeling... just standing there, ready to pounce but otherwise looked annoyed at not having had a chance to contribute to the initial attack.
"So, uh, anyone have any idea what we're looking at here?" Beast Boy asked, nervously looking at the Formless as they shifted out of their motorcycle forms into humanoid ones, arms shifting into spikes, swords and maces.
"They do not appear like any species I have ever seen before," Starfire commented.
"And I don't recognize them from anything I've read," Raven added, eyes darting to some splattered ooze on the ground making its way back towards the still-intact Formless.
"Whatever they are, they're a threat, so we're taking them down," Robin stated, "Cyborg and Star, hit them hard, Raven and Beast Boy, help me pick up any stragglers that try to slip past."
"Right!" The others called out before rushing forward to meet these creatures in battle, with the Formless seeing their targets attack moved to do so in kind while those few still in motorcycle form rammed up and surged forward to meet the charging Cyborg and flying Starfire.
FWOOSH!
Cyborg fired his sonic cannon, nailing one in the head and watching as it exploded into goo as two more started to circle him before they threw out what appeared to be oozing chains that wrapped around his arms, "Urg...you'll have..to do..better...than...THAT!" The metallic Titan exclaimed, fighting against their pull as the Formless drivers tried to drive off in opposite directions, with him managing to jerk his arms together sending them flying back off their backs and colliding into each other
"Heh..booyah~" He said with a smirk as Starfire flew past him overhead flinging starbolts down at dodging and swerving Formless
PWE
PWE
"Please be do the pulling over!" she called down only for the Formless bikers to turn halfway around and point out their arms, sending energy bolts of theirs straight at her with Starfire's eyes widening but managing to dodge them while sending more bolts that managed to hit the bikes, sending them flying off and exploding into ooze, "I said the please." She said with a wary smile
While elsewhere Robin, Raven, and Beast Boy were battling others that tried to separate from the conflict with Cyborg and Starfire
BOOM!
With Beast Boy charging straight into several bikers that tried to fun them over by taking the form of a rhino sending them flying before shifting back to normal, "Heh..these things aren't so tough~"
He told Raven and Robin with a cocky smirk before a Formless nailed him with a energy blast to the back sending him flying forward with a pained scream, "AAAH DUDE!"
Fortunately, Raven's powers caught Beast Boy before he could hit the ground, and pulled him away from the Formless before they could come down on him.
"Okay, so maybe they're tougher than they look," he groaned as Raven deposited him next to herself and Robin.
"That's what you get for being cocky," the sorceress said dryly, before grunting as she raised a shield to block several more blasts, actually feeling it as the energy crackled against her magic, "And whatever these things are, they're definitely magical constructs of some kind. Which means there's got to be someone pulling the strings."
"So we find them, we end this," Robin noted, grunting as he blocked a mace strike from one Formless and redirected it into another Formless that was charging with a sword, bursting it into ooze before sweeping the first one's legs from under it and slamming his staff onto its head when it hit the ground, bursting it as well, "Which is going to be easier said than done at this point."
Meanwhile, Cyborg and Starfire were still in the middle of the horde, her covering him from above as they both blasted the Formless swarming them from every side.
"X'hal! There's no end to them!" Starfire shouted as she rained starbolts down on the Formless, but barely denting their numbers. Then she yelped in panic as one particularly clever one jumped up and managed to grab her by the ankle, dragging her down far enough for several more to jump up as well and dogpile her, bringing her crashing to the ground.
"Star!" Cyborg cried out, trying to rush towards his downed friend, only for the Formless to huddle up to block his path. Calling on his long-gone football career, he charged forward, tackling the ones in the front and bursting them apart, barely slowing down as he kept going. Fists swinging and cannon blasting, he cut his way through the horde, almost reaching Starfire's location before the sheer numbers finally managed to overwhelm him and bring him to his knees.
"Grr, get off!" he growled angrily, as his arms were pulled behind him and a Formless loomed over him, claws extended and prepared to strike at his face.
BOOM
Luckily, that was when the pile atop of Starfire exploded in a burst of green light, the Tamaranian coming flying out, eyes aglow and face twisted in anger. Cursing in her native language, she unleashed a torrent of starbolts, destroying every Formless near her, including the ones pinning down Cyborg.
"Friend Cyborg! Are you alright?" she called out as she swept down to come to a stop near Cyborg as he got back to his feet.
"I've been better," he admitted, glaring as more Formless approached, "And I'll be even better if we manage to get rid of these guys already!"
"Yes they are proving most resilient." Starfire agreed with a frown and nod, "Not to mention gross...urg.". Cyborg added with a grimace as he looked down at some of the ooze on the ground before frowning as he noticed it seemed to be moving, "Just what the heck is stuff?" He muttered to himself however before he could even attempt any kind of a scan he heard Starfire call out, "Cyborg!"
"Huh..WOAH!" Causing him to raise his head before letting out a slight yelp as he ducked down with Starfire narrowingly avoided some black and white spikes that several charging Formless had launched from their arms, "Head in the game Cy!"
The mechanical teen growl to himself as he raised his arm while Starfire once again took to the air, "Kick butt now, answers later." He said as he took fire with his sonic cannon while Starfire lobbed starbolts.
While in another part of the battle, Beast Boy after recovering from the cheep shot to the back was currently clawing the face of one Formless in the form of an eagle with the Formless as result wildly swinging its sword around taking out a couple of its fellows before Beast Boy flew back just in time avoiding a blast of energy from another Formless causing it to hit the other formless he was attacking
"Sheesh dude talk about friendly fire.." Beast Boy called out to the Formless that had launched the energy attack before adding with a mutter, "though you guys are anything but friendly."
Than yelped, ducking down into the form of a rat as a energy or passed right over head where Beast Boy's head had been as he scurried off
Meanwhile, Raven had telekinetically ripped several lampposts out of their spots and was using them as clubs, sweeping them through the masses of Formless, splattering as many as she could. Frowning, pulled one of her improvised weapons close so that she could carefully examine some of the squirming ooze clinging to it. She could practically taste the dark energy coming of it, confirming that it was definitely mystical in nature. Now, if she could just figure out how to trace it to its source...
WHACK
"Ugh!" she cried out in pain as a Formless slammed its mace arm into her back, sending her to her knees. Gritting her teeth, her eyes flashed white, and the Formless was stopped in its attempted followup strike as the concrete underneath it exploded, the debris shredding it before flying outwards to hit several of its comrades.
"Damnit, have to keep my guard up. But we need to find the person responsible for this soon, or they'll wear us down from sheer numbers," she muttered as she got back to her feet.
Unaware the perpetrators were watching with dark amusement while analyzing the ongoing battle, "Hehe how pitiful, and these are some of Earth's protectors ~"
Valeena scoffed with a cackle as she brought the back of her hand against her cheek grinning evilly, "At this rate the Formless alone will overwhelm them, then this entire city!" She exclaimed cackling madly, "Hmm yes, if these children are examples of the best this world has to offer, then our lord shall rule it by the end of this month."
Mandarin scoffed, still sitting on the ledge with one arm on his raised knee, smirking as he watched the battle before frowning, as his eyes to the caped boy who appeared to be the leader of the group. He didn't know why, but something about that boy reminded him irritatingly of Chiro..
"However.." He suddenly spoke up as he stood back up, "Our lord gave us the task of testing what this world's heroes are capable of.." He glanced over to Valeena, who simply wore a small scowl, "Nor can we afford to underestimate any of our enemies, not when there's still much about this world we don't know."
He explained with Valeena simply scoffing, "As if anything on this world could pose a threat to our master, simian." She said not even humoring the thought before frowning at the monkey, "And just what are you up to anyway?"
She asked as Mandarin moved and cracked his neck, "Isn't it obvious?" He shot her a smirk, "I am going to follow our lord's orders and find out what this planet's warriors can do personally ~"
He let out a menacing chuckle, "But feel free to continue to observe, perhaps you'll learn something by watching a true warrior of Skeleton King at work ~" He told her before leaping off the ledge to the battle below while laughing and leaving a scowling Valeena on the roof
"Disrespectful pest," she snarled to herself. Deciding that she wasn't going to let him show her up, she quickly levitated after him.
Back in the fight, Robin had been separated from the others and was now surrounded by Formless. But the Boy Wonder wasn't about to give up, staff held at the ready to fend off the next attack.
To his surprise, however, the Formless stood down and backed away.
"What?" he asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion. Then a figure dropped down to land in front of him in the cleared space, and Robin blinked at the sight of an orange monkey in bone armor, wearing a pair of orange gloves.
"Greetings, young warrior," the monkey said in a vaguely Asian-accented voice.
"Who are you?" Robin demanded, getting over his surprise fairly quickly (he was from Gotham, he'd seen weirder than a talking monkey), "Are you the one responsible for this attack?"
"I am Mandarin, right hand warrior of the great Skeleton King," the monkey declared, "And you should feel honored, for you and your comrades have been chosen to be the first of this planet's defenders to feel my Lord's might before we conquer it!"
At this declaration, Robin gave a dark frown as he retorted back, "Never going to happen.." He told this Mandarin firmly as his mask's eyes narrowed, "I don't know who this Skeleton King is.." Though he'll definitely be investigating to find out after this battle, "but he's going to learn that Earth doesn't go down so easy."
He said entering a battle stance while Mandarin simply gave a dark chuckle in reply, "Hehe, my former brethren thought the same child.." He said with a dark smirk as Robin's brow twitched at being called child, "and now.."
Mandarin gave a sinister chuckle as he deployed his gauntlet energy sword bringing up to his face with a menacing grin, "the planet they protected lays in pieces ehehahohoha!" He exclaimed, laughing madly as he pointed his blade toward Robin, "Just as you will be!" He screeched as he lunged toward the Titans' leader with Robin bracing himself for a fight
While elsewhere in the battle Cyborg was blasting and punching at the Formless attacking him, before hearing a chilling feminine voice speak up behind him, "It seems every group of heroes has their own tin toy.."
"Wha?!" He said out in surprise while whirling around to the source of the voice only to see a flash of purple light as he turned his head and he let out a pained scream, "AAAAAA!"
"Hehhaha yes, scream you fool, SCREAM!" Laughed out Valeena madly as she raised her head shooting a electrical energy attack straight to Cyborg face blasting him back, "And feel the pain that comes from opposing the SKELETON KING!"
BOOM
"GAH!" Now it was Valeena who was screaming, as a starbolt hit her in the chest, sending the witch flying.
"Stay away from my friends, you glob'nark!" Starfire growled as she zoomed in to put herself between Cyborg and Valeena as the latter got back to her feet.
"You dare strike a superior being, you wretch?" she snarled, before launching a blast of dark magic at Starfire, who dodged it. The two were soon trading attacks, both of them barely evading the other's energy.
"I can do this all day, child!" Valeena yelled, sidestepping a starbolt and launching another attack that Starfire backflipped in the air to avoid. Seething at this act of casual defiance, Valeena prepared to throw another one while Starfire was still moving, only to scream again as Cyborg, who had gotten back up, suddenly blasted her from her blindspot.
"Lady, I don't know who you are, but right now all you're doing is ticking us off," he snapped, keeping his cannon trained on her as she got back up again.
"I am Valeena the Skull Sorceress, servant of the Skeleton King, and you shall kneel in his name!" she roared, throwing herself back at the two Titans.
Meanwhile back with Robin, he had quickly found himself on the back foot as Mandarin pressed the offensive. His staff had several red-hot gouges cut into it, the monkey's energy sword having cut through the specially-reinforced metal of the staff. And at the same time, any attacks of his own that he threw at Mandarin either were dodged or blocked by the energy shield projected by the other gauntlet.
"You fight well, boy," Mandarin sneered as he continued to drive Robin back,"But not good enough, hoohahaha! You shall fall, just like my brothers before you!"
Robin frowned as he blocked another attack, analyzing his opponent even in the middle of the fight. He was arrogant, but had the skills to back it up. He needed to find a way to take advantage of that... then he grinned as he realized that in the meantime, another opportunity to turn the tide was presenting itself.
"Quick question. When you fought your family, did they have backup? Cause I do," he said, causing Mandarin to pause in confusion.
"Wha-? AAARRRGGGHH!" the mad monkey cried out as Beast Boy suddenly sprang on him as a lion, a paw slamming into him and slashing his chest armor even as he was sent flying.
"Good timing," Robin told Beast Boy as the latter shifted back to human form.
"No prob. But what's the deal with the sideshow escapee?" he asked, looking to where Mandarin was getting back up. Hearing him, the clone's eye twitched - the changeling sounded like Chiro, but talked with the same irreverence as Sparx. That was a perfect combination to get on his nerves.
"You.." Mandarin glared at Beast Boy, "You remind me of certain irritants.." He said before his scowl turned into a dark smirk, "And just like them I shall teach you proper respect hohoHA~"
He laughed before launching forward with Beast Boy meeting the charge as he turned into a bull as Robin shouted out, "BEAST BOY WAIT DON'T LET HIS BLADE HIT YOU!" With a worried grimace
But it would not be Mandarin's sword the shapeshifter had to worry about, as midway into his lunge his energy blade retracted while he screamed out, "MONKEY MIND SCREAM!"
Before letting out a loud piercing scream as a sonic screech with sound waves exited his mouth and hit the charging Beast Boy bull, "SCRRRRRRREEEEEEEEW!"
"ARG!" with the Titan reverting back to human form holding his head as a piercing pain hit it leaving him vulnerable to Mandarin's attack
WHAM
BLAM
BAM
With the sinister simian punching face, then kicking his gut, then finally giving a midair twirl and hit Beast Boy in the face with enough force to send him flying back as Mandarin gave a dark smirk while spitting out, "Pathetic ~" as Robin shouted out his name in concern, "BEAST BOY!"
Though his concern would quickly go back to other matters as he heard Mandarin call out, "Worry about yourself boy!" And twisted back just in time to see Mandarin diving down toward him with a high kick
Robin brought up his arms to shield his face from the attack, grunting in pain as it was followed by several more in quick succession, the blows shaking his limbs to the bone. However, he managed to stand his ground, and after a few moments Mandarin broke away, jumping back several feet.
"Yes, very good," he chuckled, "You really do remind me of the last human I met who was skilled enough to match me. But like him, you share the foolish belief that relying on others makes you stronger. It only makes you weak! And the weak serve the strong, or are crushed by them!"
"Yet you admit to serving someone else," Robin pointed out as he lowered his arms, hoping to spite Mandarin's ego and see if that made him sloppier. However, he merely smirked at Robin.
"That is because my master is more powerful than I could ever hope to be," he said, "And thus, it is only natural that he shall reign supreme over all things, and this pitiful planet of yours is next!"
"Like I said before..." Robin started to retort whole withdrawing from his utility belt, "never gonna happen!" Before throwing several bird-a-rangs straight at Mandarin, with the monkey simply smirking as he blocked them with his energy shield, "Ah but your efforts to defeat me show otherwise ~"
The monkey chuckle however Robin simply smirked right back, "I wouldn't be so sure.." Causing the monkey to give a confused blink before his eyes widened when he heard beeping from the bird-a-rangs on the ground
BOOM!
Though as Robin took Mandarin by surprise, Valeena was proving a dangerous enemy for Cyborg and Starfire, "Screeeeeee!"
With the witch currently letting out a screech as she conjured a swarm of bats that well swarm the two Titans, "Urg get these things off me!"
Yelled Cyborg, blasting with his cannon while Starfire in midair was trying to smack and blast the bats off her, "This is most unpleasant!" She screamed out
Both of them unaware that this diversion would be exploited by some of the remaining Formless as a group surge to jump Cyborg while others surge energy attacks toward the Tamaranian
Valeena laughed as she watched Cyborg be slowly overwhelmed and Starfire barely able to avoid being shot out of the sky.
"Yes fools, suffer the fate of all who defy my master's will!" she cackled.
"You talk too much, you know that?" a deadpan voice called from behind Valeena, immediately ending her good mood. Scowling, she turned around to find Raven floating a short distance away, glaring at her. Returning the look, Valeena floated up to match her.
"The magic you're giving off feels similar to what's powering these things," Raven stated, "So I'm guessing that either you made them, or whoever you're a lackey to did. Either way, taking you out of commission seems like a good way of putting a stop to this."
"Ah, the arrogance of youth. I look forward to crushing it," Valeena sneered, before throwing her hands forward and launching a massive attack at the younger sorceress.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven chanted, throwing her own dark magic out to counter Valeena's attack, the two blasts meeting each other in midair.
BOOM
And immediately exploded, strange shockwaves flinging out to hit both women and knocking them out of the air.
"ARG!" Both women flew back hitting the back with a grunt as Valeena let out a low hiss, "an interesting reaction.."
She said, standing back up and looking upon the rival sorceress as Raven frowned at her as she unsteadily stood back up the Titan internally a bit worried at that strange backlash while Valeena herself now that she properly analyzed the girl and scope her out with her senses, she could sense potent dark power within her making her wonder ideally why someone with such a gift was working with pitiful heroes
"I'm not sure what trick you just pulled." Valeena stated with a dark scowl before smirking while holding up a glowing hand as she gave a sinister grin, "But it will not save you from the power of Skeleton King!"
She exclaimed flying lunging forward as her eyes glowed with dark purple light with Raven responding in kind with a white glow launching a mystical black beam in defense as Valeena shot out a blast of energy but when they collided
BOOM!
Another backlash occurred this time the energies seemed to meld in a sphere for a moment before shooting straight back at both Valeena and and Raven whose eyes both widen before they hit and they cried out
"AAAAAAAA!" Valeena glowing with a purple light as her eyes glowed black felt like her body was on fire as her mind was assaulted with various images
FLASH
A scene of some monastery city filled with what appeared to be various monks of both children...and the young sorceress in front of her as child....a sense of being alone...of desiring the companionship of others...only to be met with wary eyes or outright fear at worst...even from her own mother
FLASH
A scene of this city burning all around her in ruins with all its pitiful citizens turned to cold as dead stone
FLASH
Next she saw a dark void where four giant red glowing eyes were staring right at her with Valeena feeling like they were staring right into her soul
And through all this she could hear voices chanting and repeating the same verse over. The Gem was born of evil's fire, the Gem shall be his portal. He comes to claim, he comes to sire, the end of all things mortal.
While on Raven's end, as her body glowed with her magic's black light but her eyes with Valeena's purple, was experiencing the same situation but with very different visions
FLASH
A scene of a young girl surrounded by what appeared to be robed cultist before two figures stepped toward her smiling down at her telling her the great one had chosen to bestow upon their daughter a great blessing and that Valeena must feel quite honored.
Along with the feelings of loneliness but tinged with nervous excitement at the news the two figures shared
FLASH
A scene of the child being escorted by the two figures...her parents past two lines of cultists to a throne in an ominous chamber where an even more ominous skeletal figure sat looking down at the child with a dark gleam in his eye before raising his hand toward her
And then the next thing the child knew was a evil purple light overcoming her vision as her body was wracked with a burning pain like no other she had experienced before! While also...also feeling a energy entering her young body and her body changing
FLASH
The scene of the child now a grown woman ruling and watching over a land of savage jungles while honing her powers gifted to her by her master preparing for the day she would be called in the service of her lord...The Skeleton King.
FLASH
A scene of the dark sorceress taking part in a assault on what appeared to be an advanced city alongside that orange skeletal monkey and an army composed of those black and white creatures though in more sizes and forms
Of the sorceress clashing against a group that appeared to be composed of a teenage human boy, 5 cybernetic monkies, and a robotic girl with pink hair
FLASH
A scene of the sorceress looking over the destroyed ruins of the city as hundreds of its citizens were escorted in chains by the army of ooze creatures into what appeared a large craft made out of bone
FLASH
The sorceress watching with a enraptured gaze from inside a throne room of bone alongside her lord, the monkey, and...two figures cloaked in shadows as a planet seemed to self-implode
FLASH
The scared lonely child that had been corrupted and grown into the Skull Sorceress bowing to her master...her god alongside the monkey as his orders echoed out in her mind
"you two will take these formless to use as a probing striking to test some of Earth's defenders."
"I wish for you two to gather information on some of the obstacles that will stand in the way of our conquest just as the hyper force did."
"I care not if you destroy whoever you choose to target."
"the ultimate goal is to get a measure of the power some of the protectors of Earth hold nothing more...for now."
With sharp gasps, both magic users snapped back to awareness, scrambling onto their feet as they stared in horror at each other.
"What... what are you?" Valeena hissed at Raven, trembling at the sheer horror of what she'd seen, the first time she'd ever experienced anything that could rival the Dark One Worm's awakening.
"You betrayed your own planet? You let that thing you serve destroy it all?" Raven demanded, too outraged by the horrors she'd witnessed as well to register at the moment what exactly the witch had seen of her own memories.
"You do not judge me!" Valeena snarled, likewise seeing her outrage outweigh her shock and fear, "I was chosen to serve a higher purpose than you could ever imagine, to be herald of the true master of all things! And now in his name, you shall-!"
BOOM
Valeena was cut off by the sound of a nearby explosion, followed shortly after by a slightly charred Mandarin crashing into the ground next to her. Blinking in surprise, she glanced down at him, then looked around and saw that not only were Robin and a limping Beast Boy running over, but Starfire and Cyborg had managed to deal with the Formless swarming them. Worse, most of the Formless they'd brought along with them had been destroyed, leaving them surrounded and outnumbered.
"...I think we can consider this mission completed," Mandarin muttered as he got to his feet, "Perhaps it's time to consider a tactical withdrawal."
"You're not going anywhere," Robin stated firmly as the Titans surrounded the villains, "We have questions you're going to answer, and then there's a pair of prison cells with your names on them. You're finished."
"Finished? No, child, this is just the beginning," Valeena declared, throwing her hands out and causing herself and Mandarin to disappear in a flash of light, while the remaining Formless dissolved into ooze, which slipped away and disappeared into cracks in the pavement.
"Ah dude they're gone!" Beast Boy exclaimed with a grimacing frown, "My scanners can't pick up any sign of them..." Cyborg added in as he held up his arm pushing their buttons, "seems like BB's right they decided to cut and run."
He said to the others, "But who are they...and what did they want?" Starfire asked floating with a frown as Robin bent down with a frown examining some of the ooze from the creatures those two attacked with, "I'm not sure...."
He said dabbling some ooze onto his glove while studying with a frown, "but I'm going to find out." He said the vow with steely determination before standing back up to look to his team, "For now, we know they're hostile and dangerous and that they and whoever this Skeleton King is they serve needs to be stopped..." He told them with a stern frown while punching a fist into his palm, "we actually know more than that.."
At Raven speaking up, everyone turn to her seeing her wearing a grim than usual in expression, "And afraid you don't know how right you are Robin." She told her leader with a sigh as she looked at the surrounding battle damage, "Those two...and the one they serve.." She stared at all her teammates/friends with a serious friend, "need to be stopped at all costs."
She said as her friends exchanges concerned looks from the look in her eyes and her tone while Raven herself...her mind couldn't stop going back to the images of Skeleton King she had in her head and the look of pure evil that was in his gaze
(Elsewhere, back on the Citadel of Bones)
The forms of Mandarin and Valeena appeared in a flash, both of them wearing frown, "Well that was productive.." Spat out Mandarin slightly with a dark scowl, "It seems this world's protectors might provide an adequate challenge after all.."
He observed, not yet noticing how unusually silent Valeena was and the contemplative look on her face, "if nothing else, just as with the monkey boy and my former siblings it will be make their ultimate defeat all the more satisfying~"
He said with a dark chuckle while glancing up at Valeena, before blinking as he noticed the strange look on her face, "Are you listening witch?" He demanded, causing Valeena to shake herself back to focus, "Don't tell me that young sorceress you were facing actually has you out of sorts."
He jabbed with a mocking smile, however at Valeena's remaining silent he frowned, growing a tad uneasy, "That child as you call her is far more than dangerous than she appears Mandarin."
Valeena told him with a dark tone looking down at her hands before clenching her fists, "And I must inform our master of my discovery and this potential threat immediately.."
She said before storming off, leaving Mandarin blinking befuddled before following after her, "What threat, what are you talking about you witch?" He demanded wanting answers, "I don't have time to waste on..."
Valeena without turning her head toward Mandarin but her reply trailed off as she found herself in her master's throne room and saw a sight far more horrifying than what she'd seen from that girl's mind, "WHAT IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD!"
She exclaimed out in horror, prompting Mandarin to rush forward, "WHAT WHAt...is..wrong?" He started to demand at what could cause the witch to react like that in their lord's throne room no less before his eyes fell on the throne, and needless to say his eyes practically popped out of his skull while his jaw dropped
Jinmay was still seated on Skeleton King's lap, both of them still naked from their round of lovemaking. And while the Skeleton King's skinless face meant that there was no outward expression of the surprise and embarrassment that the isekai soul inside him was feeling (helped slightly by Jinmay covering his exposed crotch), poor Jinmay's face was turning roughly the color of her hair as she desperately covered herself with her arms.
"...We probably should have gotten dressed again when we were done," she muttered. The sound of her voice was enough to snap Valeena out of her shock, and she glared in more fury than she'd ever shown in her life.
"You... you... you metal harlot!!!! How dare you defile our master like this?!" she screamed.
"Screw you, you old hag!" Jinmay snapped back, her own anger suddenly overwhelming her embarrassment, "For your information, it was Lord Skeleton King who initiated this, and if anything, he was the one to defile me! In multiple ways, at that!"
Mandarin had a sudden strong desire to be literally anywhere but in this room.
"Uh...perhaps..I should..ah..look in on prisoners..yes." He said with a slight cough as he went about face, intending on trying to get out of here, only to screech out when Valeena without breaking her gaze from Jinmay grabbed his tail, "Our lord has been defiled by this lying harlot toy and you're just going to leave?!"
She uttered in a low harsh whisper, with Mandarin despite his skills and full confidence in being able to handle if not defeat Valeena if it came to it still felt a low chill at her words, "Oh please, you're just jealous!"
Jinmay snapped with a glare her, anger overriding her embarrassment while she covered herself with her hands, "Jealous of the Hyper Force's used broken toy!?" Valeena repeated in a demanding screech, "Yes, jealous of the fact the master loves me and that I"M the one he choose to be HIS QUEEN!"
Jinmay told her with a taunting smug smirk as Valeena roared out, "LIAR!"
Mandarin flinched at her volume at such close distance, but she seemed to have forgotten she was even holding him as she continued her screaming fit.
"The master would never lower himself to making the likes of you his consort!" she yelled, face red with rage, "You are nothing but a tool he used to destroy his enemies! I am the one who was chosen and raised up by him!"
"And yet, I'm the one whose cherry he just popped," Jinmay sneered, "When's the last time anyone even looked at your cobweb-infested snatch?"
Valeena snarled with rage, magic gathering in her free hand, when Skeleton King finally spoke up.
"Enough!" Skeleton King thundered out his red eyes flashing a glow causing Valeena to go still, "But master, this harlot she.." she started to say in defense of her response to defend her lord and deal with this upstart toy, actually forgetting that she was gripping and holding Mandarin by his tail, "Has spoken nothing but the truth."
Skeleton King told her with an even look while internally thinking that as much fun it was defiling Jinmay in his new throne and certainly something he'd be doing again, he'd need to make sure besides not getting caught like this again that they had more privacy in his bed chamber....actually, did Skeleton King have bed chambers?
Eh, he could always make some he supposed, before focusing back on Valeena as he gripped Jinmay by her waist, "While I have not yet officially decided on who might yet be Queen.." He admitted with a frown, with Jinmay giving a blink and looking up at him with a frown as Valeena smirk slightly before it fell a quick death,
"I have however indeed taken her purity by my own choice.." He smirked, cupping Jinmay's cheek, "and for her actions against that weak fool Chiro and the Hyper Force and passing my test when I set her free from my power.." This comment caused Mandarin and Valeena's eyes to widen in shock
"I have chosen her to not only share my bed but stand by my side as I take control over this new universe~" He finished his explanation, giving Jinmay's lips a peck
"Ah, bah, but, but Master! How could you possibly choose this windup toy for such an honor?!"
"And not to question you, my lord, but why would you free her from your power?" Mandarin added, reminding Valeena she was still holding him, and causing her to drop him to the floor.
"For the latter question, I felt it was time to see if Jinmay would now see the light now that Shuggazoom has fallen and she has seen the rewards...and pleasure found in service~"
He said with a husky chuckle, licking up the side of Jinmay's neck causing her to let out a slight embarrassed moan and flush while Valeena's eye twitched at the sight as Mandarin groaned, rubbing his head that the witch dropped him on, and also gave a arched brow of disbelief, "And she showed her devotion and love lies with her true master and.."
Skeleton King pointed a hand to the pit, once more concentrating ,"showed exactly how she feels about that weak boy Chiro~" He said with a fang-filled smile, and shot a blast to the pit which rippled and displayed the earlier scene with the fake Chiro calling out to Jinmay all up to it being destroyed by her
After the replay was done, there was a moment of silence as the minion duo processed what they'd just seen, then Mandarin broke it.
"That was actually quite impressive, showing how you've outgrown such weak compassion," he said with a nod of rare respect.
"That only proves she's just barely deserving of being a servant, not that she can even be considered for being a Queen!" Valeena snapped.
"Oh, just stop acting like a jealous teenager, it's embarrassing for someone as old as you," Jinmay sneered.
"I'm barely 30, you brat!" Valeena shrieked.
"...Really?" Jinmay asked, genuinely surprised, "Wow, you aged badly."
At that comment, Valeena's jaw dropped at the blatant disrespect of this trumped up toy with Mandarin actually snorting and laughing, "You..you...YOU!"
Valeena's blood was boiling, her face was red, and she had never been filled with more contempt and hate towards anyone not even the Hyper Force that opposed her master, or her own parents when she found out how unfaithful they truly were to their lord, nothing compared to the hate and rage she felt from the bottom of her dark soul to this tin toy!
However, her master's voice broke the air again, "And as for your question Skull Sorceress.." He hissed out with a slight narrowed eyes, "I'll remind you again that you exist to serve my will, not to dictate it.."
He leaned forward slightly, "It not your place to decide much less question who I show my favor to." He added with narrowed eyes, "If I decide to honor Jinmay by making her my Queen, then in such a scenario you shall be expected to continue to show your loyalty and serve her and follow her every order as you've followed my will."
Valeena's gaze was horrified, "Even it is as simple as kissing her boots, if she orders it you shall immediately drop to the ground to follow her order!"
"I, I, I... yes, master," Valeena muttered, lowering her head and with her face twisting with multiple emotions.
Normally, Mandarin would be happy to let this moment drag on and let his rival be humiliated, but for now he had a report to deliver.
While Jinmay herself, still sitting her lord and love's lap felt quite happy at seeing the witch get put in her place, and the idea of making Valeena lick her boots once she was chosen as the Skeleton Queen was certainly an enticing image~
Though with her anger fading, her embarrassment started to return as she attempted to lean into Skeleton King's chest and cover herself as best she could while Mandarin coughed for attention, "If I may, my lord.."
The monkey spoke up, staring up at his lord and his apparent new concubine, "we have returned from our mission and are ready to report our findings on the first group of foolish heroes that shall most likely endeavor to stand in the way of you claiming this world as yours."
He informed his master as he bowed down to one knee, with Skeleton King giving a pleased hum while running his hand over Jinmay's back, "Excellent, I trust you two have good news to deliver than~"
He asked stoically, "And then some apparently.." Mandarin said raising his head ,"as during our battle it seems something happened between Valeena and a young sorceress that has her..."
The monkey glanced off to the side to Valeena, "out of sorts..."
That reminder of what she'd seen was enough to snap Valeena out of her funk. Looking back up, and forcing herself to focus on her master's face instead of that robot whore on his lap, she said "Yes my lord, when my magic clashed with the young witch's, it caused some kind of reaction. I'm not sure why, but somehow I was able to see her memories, and what I saw..."
Valeena trailed off with a shudder as the image of those four red eyes flashed through her mind, before she composed herself and continued on, "That girl was sired by something powerful, and of such malice that it may even have been worse than the Dark One Worm."
"I find that hard to believe," Jinmay said, remembering back to the day that thing had risen out of Shuggazoom's depths. Sure, it had ultimately just been a dumb beast, but the sheer scope of its power had been incredible. Which of course made it even more awe-inspiring when her master had turned its own power on it to kill it, taking the whole planet down with it, but that was besides the point.
"I know what I saw!" Valeena snapped.
Skeleton King hummed as he processed Valeena's words, and despite Jinmay's disbelief he knew what Valeena said was not only possible because of all the crossovers and pieces of lore that likely exist in this reality, but were a very real threat they'd have to factor in and consider carefully.
And...he already had a good guess at who Valeena and Mandarin had chosen to test and fight, and the girl Valeena was referring to as well, "These heroes you fought... particularly this young sorceress, who were they?"
He asked with a narrowing of his eyes sockets, his earlier embarrassment that he tried to hopefully cover up with silver tongued words and reminding Valeena of her place in the hierarchy fading away to interest
As Jinmay blinked and looked up at Skeleton King from his lap, "My love...ah I mean..my lord?" She said questioningly, though with a slight slip of the tongue that Valeena glared at her for despite her own smile at their lord of course heeding her words about this potential threat
"We must remember..." Skeleton King glanced down into Jinmay's eyes, "if my earlier suspicion is right we are not merely in a new solar system but in a entirely different plane of reality.."
He leaned back into his throne and focused a bit of his power onto his and Jinmay's bodies, which let out brief glows before their clothing rematerialized on them, with Jinmay feeling relief at not being naked in front of the hag and witch anymore but remained on her love's lap, "we still know little of this dimension...of Earth...what powers exist here...or what powers have been in contact with it from other planes of existence."
He told them with an ominous tone as his memories went to the Captain Shuggazoom episode and of the portal in the Alchemist's lab...as well as the events that started everything and began the Alchemist...his path to becoming the Skeleton King
"Precisely master, this is a whole new universe holdings such potential secrets and powers ripe for your taking!" Declared Valeena with a eager to please smile while bringing his attention back to the current topic, "And this girl...holds the key to one of them~"
She said while conjuring a mystical projection of the Teen Titans before her master's throne, "Hmm, so these are the heroes you faced.." he observed with Mandarin giving a nod, "Indeed my lord, and the girl with the cloak is the one Valeena speaks of."
He said and glanced off to the side, only to find Valeena staring at Raven's image stoically with a dark scowl before speaking up in a low whisper that echoed in the throne chamber.
"The Gem was born of evil's fire, the Gem shall be his portal." She looked up to her master's eyes, trying to ignore the mechanical harlot that sat upon his lap, preening as if she was worthy of such a honor, "He comes to claim, he comes to sire, the end of all things mortal."
She finished the words with a frown as Jinmay spoke up with her own, "Well...that's creepy.." she stated the obvious with Mandarin speaking, "And concerning...if Valeena speaks true, then we've stumbled upon a potential threat to our conquest of this new universe." The simian said with a scowl
While their master was silent before simply humming before letting out a dark chuckle, "I see..." He hissed out, causing his servants to blink, "Master?" Valeena asked tentatively with a frown..."I would need to examine this girl and her power for myself..."
Skelton King said aloud glancing down to Valeena, "But I believe I know who spawned her and what we're dealing with..."
He told them with a stoic look, "Who, my lord? What power could we be dealing with that could be even worse than the Dark One Worm?" Mandarin asked with a skeptical frown, and at that the Isekai soul gave them the name of a demonic tyrant known and feared throughout his domain and beyond.
"Trigon the Terrible."
For some reason, just hearing that name caused all three minions to shudder with dread. Something that was not helped by their master gestured to the pit of ooze, causing it to rise up and take the shape of a towering humanoid figure, with a huge muscular form, antlers framing his head, and four eyes glaring down at them.
Despite their constant exposure to Skeleton King's power, and having witnessed the primal malevolence of the Dark One Worm, the three couldn't help but feel like they were looking upon true evil.
"There are many stories surrounding his potential origins." Their master said, not looking away from the pit and the image of the demon within, "Some say he was given life when a world's people foolishly tried to strip the very essence of evil from their souls..."
All three of the minions listened attentively with frowns, "Others say he was once a formless energy that existed since the beginning of his universe that somehow gained a physical form and began an endless conquest ever since..."
Skeleton King leaned back in his throne, while wracking his brain for the potential origins he could recall about Trigon's origins, "Yet others claim that he was born like any other but at age 1 he ruled his planet, destroyed his first planet at age 6, and by age 30 rules an empire composed of millions of worlds..."
He scowled, "Whatever the truth, he's regarded as one of the most evil and dangerous demons across numerous dimensions."
He moved his gaze to Jinmay, Valeena, and Mandarin in that order, "With even our own reality, which was untouched by him, having heard whispers of his name."
"Make no mistake, Trigon's evil and power is not to be taken lightly." He warned them gravely, as his next words caused them to freeze, "For it not only rivals the Dark Ones like that pathetic worm..."
He spat out before growling out, "But potentially their progenitor, the ancient evil that planted them across our universe in the cores of various planets."
He then frowned, adding on, "However, for all his power Trigon can not simply travel to any other dimension of his choosing to expand his power so easily, he needs to be let in." his eyes went to the conjured images of the Teen Titans, specifically, "that girl...his daughter...is the gateway that will allow Trigon to enter this plane of reality."
"Wow. Okay, so, shouldn't we prioritize eliminating her then, before she can summon her demon daddy and he can pose a threat to us?" Jinmay asked nervously.
"Don't be foolish!" Valeena snapped, "We should be seeking to harness the girl's power for our own cause, which we can't do if she's dead!"
"And we can't risk something that powerful rising up and opposing us!" Jinmay fired back.
"Tch, leave matters of magic to those who actually understand them, tinker toy," Valeena scoffed.
"Oh for- do you actually think you can control her, or are you just suggesting it because it opposes what I said?"
"Question," Mandarin spoke up, interrupting the argument, "If this girl is so dangerous, why have these pathetic heroes taken her in instead of ending her to prevent her father's rising?"
At this, Skeleton King remained silent for several moments before chuckling out, "Don't underestimate how far foolish heroes will go to protect those they care about or avoid spilling blood among the particular weak~"
He hissed out before smirking, "However in this case, I believe the answer you seek is the simplest one, Mandarin." he gave a fanged smirk as he said three simple words, "They don't know~"
"Wait, what?" Jinmay blinked, "How could they... oh, hang on. She hasn't told them, has she?"
"That would make sense," Valeena mused, even as she hated having to agree with the robotic slut, "Either she's manipulating them on her father's behalf, or just as likely, she's cowardly trying to hide from her fate."
"Hmm, either option would have potential for us to work to our advantage," Mandarin said, "We can either expose her lies to turn her team against her, or blackmail her by threatening to do so."
"Okay, but that still leaves the question of what we're actually supposed to do with her," Jinmay pointed out.
A question for the ages, mused the Isekai soul. After all, this was reality now, not a TV show, he couldn't expect for things to play out like canon with Trigon ultimately being defeated, especially since this was a mix-mashed setting and very different from canon Teen Titans
Nevermind his and Lothor's presence in the equation. The smart thing to do would be to find a way to neutralize Trigon's gateway aka Raven, though he doubted that it would be as simple as killing her, considering what they were dealing with.
Though even if it was...he found the idea a waste, since Raven had such potential and was among his favorite DC characters...for more than one reason at that, he thought as he glanced at the legs of the conjured image of Raven before speaking up, "This girl is indeed a gateway to a great threat..."
He said aloud, with Jinmay smiling at their master agreeing with their earlier points while Valeena frowned, "However..."
He tapped his chin, "She could also be the key to greater power... perhaps even the key to vanquishing Trigon himself..." He said with a chuckle, while Valeena shot the harlot on their lord's lap a smirk
"I believe the best option here is offering our hand to her while preparing for the worst in finding the way to neutralize Trigon's gateway if necessary.."
He smirked, "If she's attempting to run and hide from her destiny rather than serving her father's will, then she must be alone... desperate...and terrified.." he chuckled, "Not only of her destiny but of the truth of what she is being discovered ~"
He than gestured to their gathering, "But among us, she wouldn't need to hide, she would be welcomed for what she is.." he smirked, "And much like I vanquished the Dark One Worm, I can use her to vanquish Trigon the Terrible as we defy her destiny.."
His gaze went to the image of Trigon in the pit, "We shall use her desperation and loneliness to convert her to our service ~" he then laughed, "perhaps like Jinmay, she might even find herself charmed by her new master and desire a place by my side ~"
At this, Jinmay and Valeena both frowned, united for the moment in anger at the thought of their master having his eye on that demonspawn like that. However, after his anger he'd already displayed during their earlier argument, neither felt like raising his ire further by arguing against it.
"In that case master, how should we proceed precisely?" Valeena asked.
"Hmm..." Skeleton King rubbed his chin, "There is still much about Earth and this new universe we must learn.." He looked at his minions, "Not only of other pitiful heroes who will attempt to stop us, or their enemies who I might find use for in my service.."
He said gesturing to the pit of ooze which display various key figures across this world, "but also of other potential threats like Trigon that must be...dealt with."
He hissed, before glancing at the image of Raven, "But as of now, this girl and her comrades much like the Hyper Force are a high priority.."
He smirked, "And I believe the first step should be sending a message.." he said, before levitating Jinmay gently off his lap as he stood up, while grabbing ahold of his staff and stepping up to the pit of ooze, "A message to let her know that Skeleton King has learned of her pain and offers salvation!"
He declared with as much evil flair as he could, while blasting the pit of ooze with the image changing into what the Isekai would recognize any day as Titans Tower
The image quickly zoomed in on the tower, dissolving to the interior, specifically the main room with its wide view of the city, where the team had assembled. Raven stood in front of the others, apparently telling them what she'd experienced.
Yes, this would work just fine.
(Titans Tower, Moments Earlier)
"That sorceress, Valeena. For some reason, when our powers clashed, some kind of link was formed between us. I was able to see her memories," Raven explained, looking around at her teammates, most of whom were still bruised and battered from the fight.
"Yeah? See anything juicy in there?" Beast Boy weakly tried to joke, ice packs tied to several parts of his body.
"This is serious," Raven snapped, "This Skeleton King she and the monkey serve, whoever or whatever he is, he's extremely powerful. So much so that on her home planet, there was a cult that worshipped him. Valeena's parents were its leaders, and raised her as part of it, and when she was a child they handed her over to him as some kind of tribute, and he turned her into whatever she is now."
"Her own parents would do such a thing?" Starfire gasped, looking horrified.
"That's not the worst of it, is it?" Robin asked, eyes narrowed tensely.
"No. The details were blurry, but it seems there was eventually a full-scale invasion, which the defenders lost. The planet's inhabitants were enslaved, and the planet itself was destroyed," Raven said, shuddering slightly at the memory of what she'd seen in Valeena's mind.
At this proclamation, the others went still exchanging horrified looks, "And now he's eying Earth for an encore performance." Cyborg said with a dark scowl, "Dudeee."
Breathed out Beast Boy before he gave a groan, "Why do so many evil jerks from space have to take a crack at our planet!?" He asked with obvious annoyance, "Did the universe put an invade sign on us something!"
He added in exclamation before wincing from his bruises, "Sure seems like it.." Cyborg said with a bitter sigh "Hmm.." Robin gave a grunt, analyzing everything he heard, "Starfire.."
Before looking toward their resident alien and off world expert by default, "I don't suppose you've heard anything about this Skeleton King have you?" He asked, however Starfire shook her head with a scowl, "I have not.."
She said before bringing up a clenched fist with a glow of her eyes, "But I will not let evil stand or harm our home!" She told them as the Tamaranian princess (not that her friends were aware of the latter) was horrified at learning all this, a child handed off as tribute to a monster twisted into a monster herself, an entire planet destroyed with its people enslaved, and suffer X'hal knows what fates.
It reminded her of some of the darkest eras of her own people's history, and needless to say Starfire was filled with righteous fury as a result.
With her friends actually blinking at the look of rage on her, not having seen her this angry since perhaps the night that brought them all together, however Robin gave a tired chuckle, "That's a sentiment we all share Star.." he said, before adding with a frown, "But we're going to need information if we're going to bring this so-called king down."
He told them as he glanced over to Raven, "Is there anything more you can tell us about what you saw, or Skeleton King himself?" He asked before blinking as he recalled his battle with Mandarin, "Or those that fought him before?"
He rubbed his chin, "That planet's protectors wouldn't have happened to have been monkeys would they?" Causing the others besides Raven to blink confused, "What you mean like that freak that attacked us with the creepy witch?"
Beast Boy asked confused, "Yes.. Mandarin." Robin told them with a stoic frown, "He said that his brethren tried to stop his master and that their planet now laid in pieces."
"That lines up with what I saw," Raven said, nodding in thought, "Again, the details were blurry, but I definitely Skeleton King and his minions fighting a team of monkeys, as well as two humanoid people... well, one humanoid, the other looked like a robot."
"So what? This Mandarin guy double-crossed his own team?" Cyborg asked, frowning in distaste at the thought.
"Yes. And while I couldn't tell what exactly happened to them, judging by what I saw happening to their planet, we need to assume that they're either imprisoned or dead," Raven said, before something else came to her and she added, "Also, I saw at least two other people bowing to the Skeleton King along with Valeena and Mandarin. We need to assume he has more minions to throw at us, not to mention who knows how many more of those 'Formless' things they can conjure."
"Too many unknowns. I don't like it," Robin said with a scowl.
"Yeah, dude, I know you don't like asking the League for help with anything, but maybe we should? At least to see if any of the space-based heavy hitters have heard of this guy?" Beast Boy suggested. Robin frowned at that, but he had to admit that with something of this scale, there might be no other choice but to run this further up.
And then the lights all suddenly went out.
"What-?"
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" an evil cackle filled the air, a mass of glowing dark-purple light forming in front of the team before solidifying into the transparent image of a monstrous figure.
"DUDE WHAT THE HECK!?" Yelled Beast Boy as the Titans leapt back into battle stances with Raven scowling, "It's him..." she told her team as shared a dark look at their newest enemy, "Skeleton King."
She said, staring into the eyes of evil as the dark monarch offered a smirk, "I see that my reputation proceeds me even in this corner of the galaxy ~" he chuckled out as his eyes went to the Titans, with Robin in particular scowling even further as something about that voice reminded him of Joker, only with a what could be called a deeper demonic undertone to it.
"Wow, uh, he's taller than I thought," Beast Boy said weakly.
"Seriously?" Cyborg asked flatly.
"Dude, I don't know, I'm panicking!" Beast Boy whispered back to him, though Skeleton King must have heard him, because he laughed.
"Ah, how like the inferior to admire their superiors~" The figure said with a fanged smirk as the Titans all scowled, "But these are the heroes Mandarin and Valeena chose to test?"
Skeleton King arched an eye socket at them, "I must admit I find myself.... underwhelmed." He told before his gaze went to Raven, "Though I suppose even among trash a priceless gem can be found ~"
Raven stiffened at that comment, eyes widening in horror. It finally occurred to her that Valeena would have seen her memories too. Which meant she, and by extension her master, now knew what Raven was, about her dark destiny...
Not noticing how Skeleton King was looking at Raven, nor how panic was bubbling up under her normal stoicism, Robin stalked forward to stand directly in front of the dark creature's projection, catching his attention.
"What do you want?" Robin demanded, "I know how much you would-be warlords like to gloat, so let's get it out of the way."
"Warlord? Gloat?" Skeleton King repeated with faux hurt while placing a hand in their chest as they focused their attention to Robin (internally quite in awe at talking to THE Teen Titans nevermind the Boy Wonder himself)
"Why, I'm nothing of the sort, nor do I intend to gloat." He said, shaking his head, "No, no, no I believe you've misunderstood my intentions with the test I had my loyal followers preform."
He said with a smirk, "I merely wanted to see an example of this world's heroes, nothing more~" He said with a chuckle, "Because I come to your world not as conqueror...no."
He spread his arms grandly while he gripped his staff in his right, "But as a savior offering salvation." He said giving a menacingly chuckle, "Just as I did the people of Shuggazoom ~"
"Bullshit," Raven said, shoving aside her fears to focus on the moment, "I saw Valeena's memories. You didn't save that planet, you enslaved its people and then destroyed it!"
"Not to mention Mandarin bragging about defeating his former team and preaching about the weak serving the strong," Robin added, "Hardly what I'd call the sign of someone on the side of the angels."
"You'll have to forgive Mandarin, he has a bit of the survivalist mentality." Skeleton King gave a low sigh, "And the less said about his family issues the better." He said in a flat tone before looking toward Raven
"As for what you've seen from Valeena's memories." He gave a slight sinister grin as he stared down into glaring eyes, "I believe you've gotten things out of context my dear."
He said, before adding with a chuckling smirk, "For it was not I that destroyed that planet ~"
"Oh, so I didn't see your army invading a planet that ended up imploding shortly after?" Raven asked flatly, her teammates grimacing at the description.
Skeleton King sighed mournfully, "What you saw was likely me forcefully evacuating the people of Shuggazoom City for their own good." His glowing image in the dark living room explained, "You see my dear.."
He shot a smirk toward Raven, "I had become aware of a great evil that had slumbering within planet Shuggazoom.." He scowled, "Though my efforts to evacuate the planet while preparing to face this evil were misunderstood with the Hyper Force seeing me as a conqueror trying to deceive them."
Another image appeared next to the Skeleton King's, depicting the planet that Raven had seen in Valeena's memories, a single massive city in one area surrounded by wild terrain of all types everywhere else. As the Titans watched with mounting shock and horror, the planet began to shake and bulge, as a massive worm-like creature emerged from within the crust, the entire planet soon bursting apart around it.
"Behold the Dark One Worm." Skeleton King declared grandly, "Eons ago there existed a great evil that ravaged the universe." He said with a dark look, "This evil left behind offspring planted within the cores of various planets like Shuggazoom known as the Dark Ones "
.
He looked upon the Titan's, "When I learned of this and that the Dark One within Shuggazoom was starting to awaken I knew something had to be done."
"So instead of warning the inhabitants and working with them, you decided to invade and forcibly remove them?" Robin asked, "You can keep trying to sell this idea of you being a hero all you like, but there's too many holes for us to buy it."
"Ah, so little trust..." Skeleton King said, trying his best to put on a wounded look despite his well skull face, "I tried to warn them...but ultimately they refused to listen to reason and for the fate of the wider universe my hand was forced."
He said before smirking again, "And now the Dark One Worm is slain by my own hand and the people of Shuggazoom are safe and happy in my care inside the Citadel of Bone~"
"Oh yeah? If they're so 'safe and happy', why not let us see and talk to them? Let them show us how much better off they are under you themselves, instead of just having your word to go on," Raven pushed, feeling a bit of satisfaction at seeing Skeleton King's jaw twitch in annoyance.
"Hehe...why of course."Skeleton King with an even look while the Isekai soul within was wondering why he was even humoring her request though figured it was to see how far he could get out of this and a twisted amusement
Plus, he had steadily been getting bit more of a handle on Skeleton King's memories, so he knew that the people of Shuggazoom were in his citadel, and with a thought he focused his mind toward one particular citizen and his stuffed penguin Mr Jeepers... he never understood why the show never gave particular recurring background characters names
The man and his stuffed animal were suddenly standing beside Skeleton King in the projection.
"Huh, what?" he sputtered, looking around in fear and confusion.
Before he could say anything Skeleton King grabbed him by the shoulder causing the man to look up and pale at the sight of him, "I do apologize for disturbing you but I was just telling these young heroes how well you and the other citizens of Shuggazoom are doing in my care.."
His eyes stared right into the man's, as if looking right at his soul, "But they'd like a firsthand account, so I need you to tell them how you're enjoying the citadel of bone ~" He explained, giving the man's shoulder a slight squeeze
Internally a bit amazed and impressed that the man still had that stuffed penguin after being enslaved and Shuggazoom destroyed. But considering he still had it after being turned into a wraith one episode, he supposed he shouldn't be surprised
"I, I, I, yes, that's right!" the man said in clear panic, "We've all been treated great. Everything's great. We're not terrified at all!"
The Titans stared at the man incredulously for a moment, and even Skeleton King gave him a flat look for how blatantly fake his cheer seemed.
"I admit I may be sometimes naive, but even I can tell that that is a lie," Starfire stated with a frown.
"Enough games," Robin demanded, glaring at the Skeleton King, who scowled and banished his prisoner back where he'd come from.
"Yes, I suppose that little farce went on long enough." He said with a eye roll, "you'll have to forgive me, I was a bit bored and in a mood, and had this ideal thought hit me for amusement."
He told them with an evil smile, "Though if you had actually bought into the idea of me being a hero, I must admit your planet welcoming me as a savior was a hilarious one~"
He said with a dark cackle, "And the truly ironic thing is.." he gave a s large evil grin, "I might yet be your world's salvation still ~"
"Let me guess, this is the part where you say that you're freeing us from free will or something," Cyborg said dryly.
"Nah, ten bucks says he's going to double down on this whole 'fighting something worse' thing," Beast Boy countered.
"No actually..." Skeleton King looked nonchalantly at his staff, "This is the part where I tell you the key to Trigon the Terrible entering this plane of reality exists on your planet." He stated with a stoic gaze while holding back a smirk
Raven felt her heart stop, even as she heard Starfire gasp. No, no, no, he couldn't do this, they couldn't find out, not like this...
"Who?" Beast Boy asked, blinking dumbly.
"The foulest of all demons. Even on my world we have heard tales of his atrocities," Starfire said, and Raven felt the absurd notion to laugh at how much her friend was underselling her father's reputation.
"Him getting a foothold in our dimension would be an Omega level threat scenario with our entire universe at risk." Robin explained with a flat tone while glaring at Skeleton King as he processed the tyrant's words and wondered how far he could trust him about this
Obviously Skeleton King couldn't be trusted, but if he was speaking the truth, they couldn't afford a potential threat especially not of this level. While his mind went over his past experiences with the supernatural and his research into it.
Bruce might not have been magic's biggest fan, but he never ignored potential threats. Even though he'd prefer to leave the supernatural to those more suited to it like Dr Fate or Jason Blood, he knew his mentor would want to be prepared and would intervene into a supernatural threat any day rather than ignore it and leave people in danger.
This mindset did lead to Bruce and by extension himself brushing up on at least certain legendary or notable myths or figures in the supernatural and needless to say, Trigon even among the tales of the demonic wasn't to be taken lightly.
"Yes..." Skeleton King hissed out, "if the stories about him are true, he could rival the progenitor of the Dark Ones." He hissed out venomously, "That pathetic worm that was nothing but a pitiful beast in the end, despite all its power."
He clenched his staff tighter, "Saw to use me as a pawn for its freedom and rise.." he let out a sinister chuckle as his eyes glowed , "Which is why I took great joy in turning its own power against it as I destroyed it along with Shuggazoom."
He proclaimed, with the Titans feeling a chill at the look on his face and his words, "But not long after I experienced a vision.." he hissed out, staring hard at them, "A vision that showed me so many interesting things...a vision of your planet ~"
He told them with a dark hiss as he raised a close fist, "Because I realize that it was the perfect planet to claim as my own... perhaps even worthy of being the capital of my empire!"
He declared grandly with a dark twisted laugh before he stopped out and hissed out angrily, "however I've also learned this planet is home to potential rivals that can not be tolerated."
He angrily hissed out, "I did not destroy the Dark One Worm simply for that four eyed oaf to claim what's mine while forcing me to bend to his will instead!" He practically roared this out the holographic image of his body glowing with power
"How noble and selfless of you," Raven said flatly, forcibly pushing her panic back down into the depths of her mind and reinstating her self-control. She could not afford to let her emotions slip, not now.
And yet, when Skeleton King glanced at her with a knowing look and a smirk, several cracks appeared in the nearby windows as her powers flared in fear.
"Woah!" Beast Boy yelped in surprise as the Titans threw Raven looks of surprise, "Raven, you okay girl?" Cyborg spoke up first, asking the question on all the Titans' minds, however Raven was cute off from saying anything by the sinister laughing of Skeleton King
"Hehehe.... it seems the mention of Trigon has you out of sorts girl." The image of the monarch said while looking to the windows, "Perfectly understandable as I believe you are a child of Azarath are you not?"
He asked looking over at her with a sinister smile with Raven doing her best to get a handle on her fear and powers, "What of it?" She retorted back with a glare but Skeleton King simply laughed, "Well your people are I believe long time enemies to Trigon... though their efforts to oppose him have been....shall we say... lackluster~"
He said with a dark smirk as Raven narrow her eye's, "Fortunately for you I come here to offer you salvation from this nightmare."
He told her his eyes staring hard into her own while not highlighting what nightmare he means, "Trigon is the greater threat, and as they say the enemy of my enemy..."
He gave another dark chuckle, "I offer you a truce and an alliance against Trigon." He told them with a evil grin, "Agree to work with me and we can bring Trigon to his knees!"
His grin was wide, "And if you prove yourselves I'd be happy to welcome you into my empire once Trigon and our alliance comes to a end."
"And that right there is the deal-breaker," Robin said defiantly, "We're not going to roll over and let anyone take over Earth, no matter what kind of greater threat they say they're providing an alternative to. Even if you're telling the truth about Trigon, we'll find a way to deal with him without making a devil's bargain with you."
"Right! We'll kick his butt, and then your bony behind too!" Beast Boy threw in.
"Oh really, are you sure?" Skeleton King asked with a slight hiss, not looking away from Raven, "The clock is ticking, the prophecy looms ever closer ~" he chuckled, "I have power and arcane knowledge you can only begin to grasp.."
"As well as experience in killing things that could be considered demonic gods ~" He gestured to the surrounding Titans, "What hope by comparison do a group of mere children have in defying destiny itself ~"
"You seem to be forgetting that we're not the only heroes Earth has," Robin said, "I may not like having to ask for help outside my team, but if it means the survival of the planet, don't think for a moment that I won't. Together, we'll stop Trigon, and then we're coming for you."
At that, silence stood for several moments before it was the broken by the sounds of dark twisted laughter that sent chills down to everyone's souls, "HeheheheheHahahaha!" With Robin in particular being reminded once again of the Joker from hearing the tyrant's laughter
Skeleton King actually placed his head in his hand, "You poor insolent....FOOL!" He exclaimed at the end as he body glowed with power as he looked upon the Titans with his eyes giving off an evil red glow, "Clearly like the Hyper Force before you, you have no idea who you're dealing with!"
He hissed out before chuckling as he added with a hiss, "So allow me to give your feeble minds the gift of ... enlightenment ~" He said as his holographic image took a single step forward to the Titans who entered battle stances
While at the same time their surroundings twisted and altered, changing from their darkened living room to the ruins of a destroyed city, then in the next instant the power of Skeleton King in an evil purple glow surged from his holographic body straight to the heroes!
BOOM
As the blast hit the ground in front of them, the Titans were thrown off their feet and sent flying backwards, tumbling across the ground.
"What the hell?! How'd he do that? Where are we?!" Beast Boy yelled in a panic as the team scrambled back to their feet.
"We're still in the tower, this is just an illusion," Raven explained, wincing at her fresh bruises, "An incredibly realistic illusion, though. That takes a lot of power."
"Hehe clever girl~" Hissed out Skeleton King with a smirk, "But make no mistake, illusion or not what you see before you did once exist.." He informed them as he gestured to the surrounding ruins, "Behold Shuggazoom City's fate before the planet met it's final end~"
He grinned at them with menace, "Look upon the price they paid for their defiance." He hissed out, and at those words the sound of the ground breaking beneath them sounded out as what appeared to be numerous greenish pale zombie like people in torn damaged clothing burst and crawled out of the ground chanting together in a moaning groan
"Hail Skeleton King..hail Skeleton King.." as they surrounded the Titans, with them recognizing one of the leading figures as the man from earlier....still holding the stuffed penguin as well only with it more zombie like, "Hail Skeleton King...Mr Jeepers."
"Hail Skeleton King... Hail Skeleton King... Hail Skeleton King," the crowd of zombies chanted as they continued to close in. Starfire and Cyborg opened fire, blasting the illusionary figures back, but they just kept coming. Soon, the Titans were all back-to-back, slowly being overwhelmed by the horde, only for Raven to suddenly throw her head back, eyes glowing brightly.
"ENOUGH!" she roared, her powers flaring and bursting outward. Not only were the zombies vaporized, but their entire surroundings vanished, the illusion shattering and leaving the heroes and Skeleton King's projection back in the main room of the tower.
"Hehe a impressive display of power my dear." The projection said in a dark hiss and honest compliment, "But I'm afraid we're not quite done yet ~" He informed her with a low chuckle
"After all, I haven't even gotten to the best part, my sweet ~" Skeleton King said shooting her a dark smirk while during all this also doing his best to hide his nervousness from Raven's own display of power. While apparent muscle memory and steady process of processing memories were helping him get a handle on his new abilities, there was no denying he still hadn't been in an actual fight yet.
Fortunately he wasn't there in person, so he would have more time to psyche himself up for when he actually took to the field, while for now he focused on psyching the Titans out and getting into their heads.
"The fates of the Hyper Force ~" he told with a dark hiss as he raised his free hands, "And the fate of all that resist SKELETON KING!" He told them in a exclamation as he snapped his fingers and in the next moment the monitor flashed with purple light behind him before footage began to play and the sounds of screams filled the room
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Screams that were accompanied by the sadistic laughter of Skeleton King, "HeheheheheHahahaha!"
Before the Titans' horrified eyes, the screen displayed five cyborg monkeys of various colors, as well as a young boy in a white uniform, all hooked up to a machine of some kind. Their limbs were clamped in place, and what looked like VR headsets strapped onto their heads.
"Hahoohoho!" Mandarin's laughter joined his master's, and the Titans noticed him standing off to the side, working the controls of the machine.
"Yes, my brothers, feel the price of your defiance," he cackled, "You could have stood by my lord's side with me, but in your foolishness you have chosen failure. Now you shall eternally suffer, as you remain locked in an endless cycle of nightmares and pain! The machine will keep you alive indefinitely, while it assaults your psyches in every single second!"
"A fitting end for such fools don't you agree my dear ~" Skeleton King asked with a dark smile, "you of all people should know the foolishness in people relying on such weak things like hope and friendships against the power of true evil ~"
"Hehe much less in defying the true powers that claim dominion over the universe ~" Skeleton King added with a laugh
While a part of him wondered if his Skeleton King side was influencing him because he was probably enjoying all of this particularly the fate of the Hyper Force..... probably a wee bit too much
"You don't know what you're talking about," Raven spat, desperately trying to ignore the fact that a part of her thought he was making sense. After all, she'd lived in fear of her destiny her entire life, and had long since accepted on some level that there was no resisting it, no matter what she tried to tell herself most days.
But there was no way she was giving this monster the satisfaction of agreeing with him.
"And if you think this little display has scared us off." She turned her head to to the voice of Robin as he stepped up beside her, and she could hear and feel the sheer undercurrent of anger off of her leader as he glared at Skeleton King and the sickening display behind him
"Then dude you don't know the first thing about us." Beast Boy chimed in with his own scowl, "All you've done is make us want to kick your butt all the harder." Said Cyborg with a stoic look while pointing his sonic cannon at Skeleton King
"We shall not stand for your evil and vile acts to the innocent!" Called out Starfire hovering over head with eyes and hands glowing with green energy as she actually glared hatefully at the monster before them
However Skeleton King simply seemed amused, "Ah nothing quite like the noble spirit of heroes ~" he said with a cruel chuckle before hissing out, "It will be a joy to break you all as I plunge your world into a era of evil and misery!" He said his eyes gleaming and glowing with his evil power
But the Titans merely met his his glare with their own, "Nice threat.." Robin said with a even look his tone sounding more like his mentors as he didn't break his gaze from Skeleton King, "Here's one of my own.." He told him with a edge entering the heroes voice, "We're going to stop you... we're going to free every single last one of the innocents you're keeping prisoner.."
Robin fists clenched, "and we're going to throw you and every one of your lackies in the deepest darkest hole we can find." He spat while Skeleton King grinned, "You can try but you will see that evil will always triumph in the end~"
He told them before his body began to glow, "But I believe I've wasted enough of my time here." He told them stoically, "I wish you happy hunting for the Gem of Scath that will allow Trigon into this dimension....and."
He shot them a mocking smile seeing Raven go slightly stiff at the mention of the gem, "I wish you the best in your fruitless fight against my inevitable victory ~" he declared with a dark laugh to their glare, "Until we meet again Titans I'll be waiting for you... waiting for you...in your NIGHTMARES!"
And at the last word he thrust out his right hand hand toward Raven as his body gave off a bright purple flash
As his projection vanished, a beam of light shot out and hit Raven head on, sending her flying against a wall and leaving her to collapse into a heap on the floor.
"RAVEN!" the others shouted and ran over to her, but she couldn't hear them. Because while her body was still there, her mind currently wasn't, instead being in a vision of a dark void, the Skeleton King looming over her.
"You know they won't accept you if they learn the truth." He hissed, narrowing his eyes , "And even if they did, would they truly choose you over the survival of their world, their universe even."
"They're my friends, they wouldn't reject me," Raven protested, hating how desperate she sounded even to her own ears, "And who says I'd protest them having to kill me to save the world? I don't want this destiny, I don't want Trigon to win!"
"And yet you've done nothing to try to prevent the prophecy from passing." Skeleton King retorted back, "Nothing except run away from Azarath where you were a outcast."
He leaned forward his face inches his own, "Nothing except play hero out of a petty way to spite your father, and a desperate attempt to feel the love and acceptance you've never felt your entire life."
"There's nothing I can do to stop it myself!" Raven protested practically on instinct, "The least I can do is help as many people as I can before the end comes!"
"LIES!" Skeleton King snapped back at her, "Nothing but pathetic lies!" He told her glaring straight into her eyes, "Lies that you tell yourself because you can't face the truth."
He said as he hissed out and started to circle her like a hungry predator in the void, "That deep down you're a coward too afraid to even try to fight!"
"That, that's not true," Raven stuttered in denial, feeling her emotions straining against her control.
She wasn't a coward, she was just realistic. Nothing could stand in the way of what she was destined to do, whether she liked it or not, so what was the point in fighting it?
"Isn't it.." Skeleton King hissed out stopping right in front of me, "Look at me, once for all my power I was but a tool for the Dark Ones." He leaned forward inches away from her face, "Nothing but a pawn to be used to free that worm!"
He snapped his eyes giving off a red glow, "And yet here I stand more powerful than ever with the Dark One Worm slain by my hand." He clenched his staff tighter, "Because I refused to believe that for all my power being nothing but a servant and sacrificial pawn was my destiny!"
Silence stood in the void for several moments after that proclamation before Skeleton King spoke again
'But where as I defied and fought my fate.." he glared into her eyes, "you for all your claims to the otherwise seem ready to give up and die...to fulfill your father's plans for you once the time comes."
Raven's mouth opened and closed several times, but no sounds came out. She wanted to say something, anything, to defy him, to avoid having to agree with someone so purely evil, but nothing came to her.
Was he right? Was there some way to defy her father, to escape her destiny, that she could have found but had never bothered to even try to look for?
Was she really such a hopeless coward?
"But it doesn't need to be like that.." Skeleton King said leaning back away from her face, "I can offer you salvation and freedom from your chains.." he said stretching out and offering his hand to her, "And unlike this world's heroes you would be welcome with me despite your heritage."
Raven swallowed hard. Could he really do it? Free her from this burden? And all she'd have to do was just take Skeleton King's hand and let him win...
"NO!" she shouted, batting his hand aside as she rallied all her remaining self-control, "The lesser of two evils is still evil! And you really think I'm stupid enough to not remember that you'd only be saving Earth just to enslave its people like you did to Shuggazoom? If there is a way to stop my father, I'll do it without selling my soul to someone just as bad!"
"Who said anything about selling your soul ~" Skeleton King said with a dark chuckle seemingly more amused at her defiance rather than angry, "I merely wish to help you stop living not only fear but this lie as well."
He said with a dark smirk, "Because we both know you didn't become a hero out of noble intentions but rather as simply a way to spite your father." He let out another laugh, "A way to tell yourself you aren't like him by putting the desires of your inferiors before your own."
He then added with a smirk as the void around them altered, "When we both know that you are worth of so much more.." he said with a hiss as the void transformed into another city of ruin, but this time a city she knew well - Jump City.
And as Skeleton King gestured down a ruined street, Raven's eyes widened as she went still in shock, seeing the citizens of Jump City surrounded by those Formless bowing to a large pile of bones where two thrones sat, one holding Skeleton King the other.... herself
Though admittedly, Raven barely recognized herself. For starters, she was dressed far more daringly than the real Raven ever had. Her leotard and cloak had been exchanged for a pitch-black gown, slit up to her thighs and with a plunging neckline that showed off so much cleavage that Raven was honestly surprised that the nipples weren't showing.
But the most shocking difference between the real Raven and this illusion was the other Raven's face. Her lips were twisted in a cruel smirk, but worse, her eyes were glowing bright red - not with four eyes, like what happened whenever her father's power overwhelmed her, just still her own two. Somehow, that was even more disturbing than being warped by Trigon's essence.
"A magnificent sight don't you think." Skeleton King told her as he stepped to her side, leaning down, "It speaks well of your true beauty and potential ~" He said with a chuckle as he leaned in close to her ear
"I can set you free from your cage my lovely bird." His voiced hissed into it, "You'd be free to experience anger, sorrow, euphoria without fearing your own powers.."
He placed a hand on her shoulder gently squeezing it, "You'd be accepted for who and what you truly are you'd never have to lie to yourself and ignore your true desires again."
He gently turned her face him as he moved to cup her cheek, "You'd never have to fear your father again. Instead it'd be him who'd fear you.."
He leaned into her face, "And all you'd have to do is accept my hand." He said, before exploiting Raven's current shock by pulling her into a kiss
"Mmph!" Raven yelped into the kiss, unable to wrap her head around the fact that the evil alien monstrosity in front of her was actually kissing her. This was not how she'd imagined her first kiss going... not that she'd ever thought much about kissing anyone, considering that she'd always had to bury her emotions.
Speaking of her emotions, she felt her control over them slipping, her power flaring around her as she instinctively started returning the kiss, only to catch herself in the middle of it.
What the hell was she doing?! He was evil! A warlord who was trying to corrupt and use her!
While the Isekai soul that was Skeleton King could hardly believe what he was doing right now, he was kissing Raven of the Teen Titans! Not long after fucking Jinmay from SRMTHG, today had indeed been crazy but a very good day Indeed
He thought while attempting to deepen the kiss farther after feeling her tentatively respond, though at the same time he did his best to plant the seeds of a plan he had after remember in a particular episode of Teen Titans while calling upon his newfound power as subtle as possible
As the kiss went on, unnoticed by Raven, Skeleton King started glowing. And then part of that glow detached and and passed into her, the lowering of Raven's defenses by the situation allowing it to easily penetrate into her mind.
In the metaphysical representation of Raven's mind known as Nevermore, the energy - taking the form of a laughing skull - burst into existence. With a cackle, it swept downward amongst the floating landscapes, unnoticed by any of Raven's emotions, all of which were still too riled up by what was happening in the real world. It soon buried itself within the bedrock of Nevermore, hiding itself from all potential notice and discovery.
Now, it just had to wait...
All while Skeleton King savored the deepening kiss enjoying the feel of his tongue against hers as it entered her mouth before eventually ending the kiss giving a slight smirk when he heard her let out a slight low groan and the glazed look in her eye's, "You'd never have to be alone, truly alone again."
He told her in a low whisper rubbing her cheek as he stared into eyes, "I'd welcome you to my side and together..." He gave her an evil smile, "We can not only destroy Trigon but make the universe ours..."
He gave out a low laugh, "And everything or anything you'd ever desire would be at your fingertips."
"What I desire?" Raven slurred out, eyes still glazed but retaining enough of a spark to show that she was still resisting on some level, "N-no, this is wrong, I can't..."
"Why is it wrong?" Skeleton King asked with a frown running his hand through her hair, "Because people who treated you like an outcast raised you to believe it's wrong?"
He gave her forehead a kiss, "Because the people and heroes that would hunt you down if they knew truth would claim it monstrous?"
"Or is it because you were brainwashed to ignore your own feelings and desires since you were a child?" he hissed out, "Don't let your fears control you, embrace your desires and let me set you free ~" He said, while leaning in to give her lips another kiss
"Mmm," Raven moaned into the kiss, which grew even louder as Skeleton King reached down to squeeze one of her breasts. She'd never let herself feel like this, even by her own hands, for fear of what she might let slip out. The thought that she could feel this, and more, on a regular basis was almost too much to bear.
But in that moment, the taint of her father's power inside her and the last sparks of her natural resistance joined forces, lashing out against the one causing all this doubt and temptation.
"No, no, NOOO!" Raven screamed as she broke away from Skeleton King, her powers flaring out and forcing him back, before Raven's surroundings shattered and she found herself bolting awake with a gasp in the lounge of Titans Tower, surrounded by her concerned friends.
"Easy Raven, it's okay.." Robin said gently, reaching out to her shoulder, "Yes you are safe and among friends." Added in Starfire worriedly, "And that spooky scary skeleton's gone." Beast Boy said with a weak laugh and grin
"Though dude couldn't resist one last laugh before he booked it." Cyborg said as Raven steadily calmed herself, "You going to be okay Rae, because that creep hit you kinda hard there."
"I'm, I'm fine," Raven said, stuttering as she felt the phantom sensation of Skeleton King's kiss on her mouth and hands running over her body, "I, just need to mediate. Get my head back on straight, he tried to mess with it."
"Go, take as much time as you need," Robin ordered gently, "The rest of us will handle reporting this to the League. We're going to need all hands on deck to deal with Skeleton King and whatever else he has to throw at us."
"And there is still the matter of Trigon," Starfire reminded, causing Raven to stiffen again.
"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten. We'll also have to put effort into finding this gem and destroying it before it can be used to summon him," Robin said, not seeing Raven's fists clench under her cloak.
"Right, destroy it," she muttered, before taking a calming breath and pulling her hood up, "I'll be in my room, no one bother me for anything."
Without waiting for a response, Raven turned and left the room, clamping down on the many emotions swirling around in her head, and trying very hard to ignore the sound of Skeleton King's promises echoing in her ears.
As well as the image of other her sitting sharing a throne with him.....and sensation of him kissing and touching her
While behind her, before she left earshot, she could hear her friends begin to discuss their new enemy and how to find and destroy the Gem of Scath...Trigon's Gem...her. And as she found herself in her room and began to meditate to regain control, she found herself wondering what she should do?
And what she would do if her friends find out that SHE was Trigon's Gem..
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: A great fight sequence, some humor from Skeleton King's women fighting over him, and some storm clouds on the horizon for poor Raven. Overall, a pretty good chapter, wouldn't you say?
Hope you all like the bit about characters noticing similar-sounding voices between characters with the same VA, because that's going to be a running gag.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Not a bad chapter if do say so myself writing the Titans fighting some of the Monkey Team villains was quite fun. Plus now I/Skeleton King have not given the heroes a heads up about Trigon but planted more than a seed of doubt within Raven~
I'm pumped to see where this all leads to and hope you all are as well. Dint be afraid to review your thoughts or leave a kudo's.
Chapter 4: Invading Pleasures
Summary:
Following Skeleton King's attack on Jump City, Lothor's forces make their own debut in Gotham.
Meanwhile, Tak carries out her own mission on his behalf, soon running into a familiar face.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hey all, here we are with a new chapter of mine and nightmaster000's isekai story. Last time, we saw him/Skeleton King make his debut on the stage of this crossover world, and now it's my turn.
Nightmaster000 A/N: As Zim said we're here with the next chapter, you've seen me have my fun as Skeleton King well now it's ZMLS turn as Lothor. As Earth is introduced to not one but 2 aspiring conquerors in the same day. It's true that planet just can't catch a break ~
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Without waiting for a response, Raven turned and left the room, clamping down on the many emotions swirling around in her head, and trying very hard to ignore the sound of Skeleton King's promises echoing in her ears.
As well as the image of other her sitting sharing a throne with him.....and sensation of him kissing and touching her
While behind her, before she left earshot, she could hear her friends begin to discuss their new enemy and how to find and destroy the Gem of Scath...Trigon's Gem...her. And as she found herself in her room and began to meditate to regain control, she found herself wondering what she should do?
And what she would do if her friends find out that SHE was Trigon's Gem..
(Elsewhere in the solar system)
Around the rings of Saturn inside Lothor Dark Ship, some of the crew were watching the latest signals and espionage footage retrieved from Earth, "And still no word from the Titans on the mysterious creatures and the identities of their escaped ring leaders..."
Came from a screen in the control room, "Huh guess those Skeleton guy's goons pack a punch after all." Kapri said to her sister with an arched brow
"Yeah, too bad they're so gross," Marah said, wrinkling her nose in disgust as footage played of several Formless getting splattered.
"Still, they are formidable warriors, as are at least some of the inhabitants of this reality," Zurgane noted, watching Mandarin clash with Robin.
"Hey, speaking of the locals, why is the bug here?" Kapri asked, looking to where Tak was standing next to the throne that Lothor was seated in, her arms crossed over her chest. Hearing that comment, the Irken bristled and glared at her.
"Keep insulting me, you bimbo, and I'll separate your empty head from your shoulders," she snarled. Kapri glared back, but before she could respond, Lothor spoke up.
"Enough, both of you," he ordered firmly, "Tak has agreed to a tentative partnership, so until such time that she decides not to solidify it, we'll treat her as part of the team. And I know that doesn't mean much since you all bicker to Hell and back, but I expect at least some decorum. Understood?"
"Yes, Uncle," Kapri grumbled, while Tak just grunted. Satisfied with that, Lothor turned his attention back to the monitors, the isekai soul within him absolutely thrilled at the sight of the Teen Titans fighting SRMTHG villains. However, he knew he had an image to maintain, so he kept his face stoic before he spoke.
"Well, as our new rivals have made their first move to test this planet's defenders, I think it's only fair we do so as well," he said.
"As you command, sir. I shall assemble a troop and attack that city at once," Zurgane replied with a bow, which only earned him a sharp look from his master.
"Attack the same city? What am I, a cheap cover band repeating someone else's greatest hits?" Lothor scoffed, "No, I'm sure we'll get to them eventually, but for now we find our own target to hit."
"In that case, allow me to make a suggestion," Tak commented, walking over to the console. Rising up on her PAK legs to better see it, she tapped in a series of commands, changing the view from Jump City and its news channels to a larger, rather dirtier-looking city on the other side of the country, "Bludhaven, the city I operated out of during my previous time on this filthy planet."
And as she brought up the image she glared with hate as her mind went to two faces, Zim and that cursed human Dib, and she clenched her fists imagining their looks of shock and horror when they realized she had returned
And she gave a evil smile as she brought up another imagine, "And I already have the perfect target in mind," She said with a vicious evil smile, "Membrane Labs ~" She told them as the image went to the lab/company owned by Dib's father Professor Membrane, a rather fitting target for a first strike and perfect way to send a message and announce her return
However she turned her head at Kapri's scoff, "In other words you want us to finish the job you couldn't handle then," The girl said with a arched brow and smirk while Tak snarled, snapping back, "It's the perfect target!"
She snapped with Kapri snorting, "Perfect for you since it gives you a chance at payback maybe, but don't see what's in it for us." The teenager said with a bored yawn, "As much as it shocks me to the core to admit..."
Zurgane spoke up next, "I find myself in agreement with Kapri." with the girl in question along with Marah giving looks of shock, since Zurgane usually shot down their ideas, "Our first strike must be decisive, brutal, and make a statement that will strike fear into all the inhabitants of Earth."
Lothor's general said, raising a clenched fist, "This city doesn't even appear to have any notable protectors of note, unlike the city targeted by Skeleton King." He then appeared to glare at Tak, "So I fail to see what attacking this location will accomplish other than fulfilling your petty vendetta, which is beneath Master Lothor's attention."
"I'm afraid I must agree with them my dear, but perhaps a compromise can be reached," Lothor said, standing up and also approaching the console. Tapping a button, he moved the view of the city over to another, still dark but somewhat more refined city nearby.
"This place, Gotham I believe it's called," he said, hiding his inner thrill at viewing one of the most famous settings in all of fiction, "Your Bludhaven's sister city, but more prominent and with a notable high number of superpowered beings on both sides of the morality scale. A much more exciting and challenging target, you have to agree."
"How is that a compromise?" Tak growled in annoyance.
"Simple. While Zurgane and I take some Kelzaks and attack to draw the local heroes out, you'll go with Marah and Kapri to stake out those labs," he explained, much to his nieces' surprise, "While we're keeping the heroes busy just in case they're tempted to respond to a problem with their neighbors, you'll find a way to make this offered mission of yours worth our while."
"Hey, why do we need to babysit her?" Marah complained.
"You're not, she's babysitting you," he replied flatly, "If I have to hear you two complain about being stuck on the ship one more time, I'm going to rip my ears off. So, I'm giving you some time in the field where you'll also be useful, got it?"
"Yes, Uncle," the girls said in reluctant chorus.
"Ah wait sir, what about me?" Chimed in Lieutenant Choobo with a slight whine off to the side, "You must have a mission for me right?" He added on questioningly, "I mean if you're giving the girls a mission..."
He said with the sisters glaring at him, "Hey what's that supposed to mean?" Kapri asked with a glare, "Yeah it almost sounds like you don't think we can handle this!"
Marah added in with her own glare, "Ah uh, I didn't say that..." Choobo denied nervously, "It's ah, I just have seniority over you two...and if everyone's attacking Earth...it makes sense that Master Lothor would have some kinda task for me."
He explained, glancing over to his master a tad eagerly to find out what his big assignment was
"Actually, yes, I do," Lothor said in a rather fake pleasant tone, "You know how to work with tools, right?"
"Uh, yes?" Choobo answered unsurely.
"Good, then you can see about putting Tak's little robot back together," Lothor clarified, Tak's head snapping around to stare at him.
"You have Mimi?!" she exclaimed.
"Is that her name? Yes, she was in your pod with you... what was left of her anyway, she was in a lot of pieces," Lothor admitted.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? And why would I let this buffoon handle repairing her?" Tak demanded.
"Hey!" Choobo protested, though everyone ignored him.
"Consider it a reward for good faith. You'll get her back if this first outing goes well," Lothor said, "And he'll just be putting her back together. I'm sure you can handle patching up any of the more serious damage and any bugs in her programming yourself."
Tak scowled for several moments, her expression not showing her thoughts before sighing, "Very well," She said with obvious reluctance, "I'll agree to this..."
She told Lothor before shooting Choobo a glare, "However..." she deployed her PAK legs, which she used to loom over Choobo with the alien ninja giving a nervous gulp, "If I find out you've fried or permanently damaged Mimi's systems..."
She pointed the tip of one leg at Choobo as it began to glow, "I will make you my personal stress ball and lab monkey...am I clear?" She said in a low ominous tone, causing Choobo to gulp as he stuttered out his reply, "C-cry-crystal...cl-ear... ma'am!"
He said with a salute, causing Tak to smirk as she pulled back, "Good~" she then glanced over to Lothor, "Shall we get started then?"
She asked with a dark grin before Zurgane spoke up, "We move on Master Lothor's command and not a moment sooner!" He told the insect alien sternly
"That's why I asked instead of commanding, you trigger-happy idiot," Tak snapped at him. Zurgane growled at her, one hand going threateningly towards the pommel of one of his swords, but Lothor grabbed his arm to stop him.
"Let's play nice, children," he chided, "And yes, we'll start now. You go with the girls, Zurgane come with me to round up some Kelzaks. We have work to do."
With that, the villains split up, ready to make their own first move on Earth.
(Later Gotham City)
As usually it was a dark grim night in Gotham City though for once it seemed the city stood quiet...too quiet, "O-kay is it just me..."
A voice spoke up from a police car driving on the road, "Or does something seem off today?" Questioned none other than Detective Bullock to his partner Renee Montoya, "How do you mean?" Renee asked with an arched brow to him as they stopped by a stoplight, "I don't know, it's just...off.."
Bullock said with a frown, "I mean, all we've busted today was that one purse snatcher...and that moron pretty much arrested himself when he ran into that light pole," he said with a snort of amusement, "but other than that, hardly seems like anything going on in the city tonight."
Bullock told his partner with a frown as he worked his toothpick in his mouth, "I mean, no major crimes or incidents, just small stuff, no wackos threatening to freeze, gas, blow up, or turn the city into some kinda jungle."
he said, counting off his fingers, "Heck, the commish hasn't even had to light up the Bat's pager," Bullock said with an eye roll, "that's if he's not too busy with his club to actually show up." He added with a mutter as Renee frowned, "Hey now, the League's done a lot of good."
Renee said to her partner, the car turning with Bullock giving a bitter snort, "Tell that to their backstabbing Tweety bird," He retorted back, with Renee grimacing as it was true, Hawkgirl's betrayal had certainly left its mark on many people across the Earth, and while the League had pulled through in the end the fact one of their founding members turned out to be a traitor and spy had caused their reputation to take a hit to say the least, "Plus, I still don't like the fact that they practical got a whole army of freaks now either."
Bullock told her with a scowl, "Mark my words Renee, that's only going to lead to more trouble." With Renee giving a sigh but choose not to argue this topic right now, "If you say so,"
she said, clenching the steering wheel, "right now let's just focus on our patrol route and be grateful that Gotham's actually having a slow night for once."
BOOM
And that was when there was an explosion in the middle of the street ahead of them. Cursing, Renee swerved and hit the brakes, bringing the car screeching to a stop.
"What the Hell was that?!" Bullock exclaimed, as he and Renee hopped out of the car, guns drawn and sheltering behind their opened doors.
As they watched, the smoke from the explosion cleared, revealing Lothor and Zurgane in front of a large crowd of Kelzaks.
"Always good to make a good entrance," Lothor said, "General, get to work. Break anything that can break."
"Yes, my lord!" Zurgane replied, saluting with his swords.
But paused as he heard a shout, "FREEZE!" With their group easily spotting Bullock and Renee pointing their guns from behind their gun, "Put down the swords Mr. Samurai, and all of you get down on the ground with your hands behind your head!"
Bullock shouted out with Zurgane simply scoffing, "No one commands me but Master Lothor," He said, his sword in his right hand letting out a glow before he swung it down and sent a crescent energy blast straight to the police vehicle with Bullock and Renee's eyes widening at the sight, "MOVE IT!"
The female officer said, grabbing her partner by his sleeve as the two took off running, already knowing that when that blast hit the results wouldn't be good
BOOM!
and indeed, as once it hit the car was sliced in half, right before exploding in a fiery heap
"KELZAKS ATTACK! SHOW THIS CITY THE POWER OF MASTER LOTHOR!" Zurgane roared out his command
Lothor smirked as his minions ran off to begin attacking the city. There was a thrill to this that he couldn't deny, though he couldn't help but wonder if it was because of being in this body or just having the power to do whatever he wanted. Ah well, it didn't matter.
Turning his attention to the exploded cop car, he smirked at the sight of two of the most famous cops in the Batman mythos, outside Commissioner Gordon himself, picking themselves up from where the explosion had sent them.
"Good evening, officers," he said with false friendliness, "Sorry about the damages. Do I get a ticket for that?"
Growling, Bullock brought his gun up and tried to shoot, only for Lothor to dash forward and snatch the gun out of his hand, also punching him in the stomach. Wheezing in pain, Bullock doubled over, allowing Lothor to drop an elbow down on the back of his head, knocking him out.
"Now that was just rude," he chuckled, before glancing at the stunned Montoya, "Are you going to try something too?"
Renee's instincts were screaming at her to shoot, but she knew that wouldn't work, so she resisted the urge.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
"I am Lothor, soon to be master of this planet and the universe beyond," he said grandiosely, "Do yourself a favor and bow down now, and I might just let you have a role in my new empire."
At that Renee shot him a disgusted look, "First off, I'd rather kiss Joker's boots you disgusting pig!" she snarled out, her mind jumping to a certain conclusion on what sort of role he meant, "and second, you're not the first wannabe king who thought they could take over Earth and you won't be the last."
she added, spitting out with a scowling glare, "The Justice League will stop you and your goons even if we can't."
"They're welcome to try. I could use the challenge," Lothor laughed, "But in the meantime, if you're not going to take my generous offer, I'm afraid I'm going to have to break you."
With that, Lothor took a step forward, Renee immediately going into a defensive stance-
CHING
-when a small dark shape shot through the air between them and impacted the pavement below. Arching an eyebrow, Lothor looked down, pretty sure he knew what he was going to see. And he was right, seeing the familiar shape of a bat-a-rang embedded in the ground.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to crash your little party," a voice said from behind Lothor, who turned around to face the speaker.
Only to meet the end of a boot that managed to nail him in the face by surprise, causing him to stumble back in surprise before glaring at the form that got a lucky hit in
But rather than the legendary Dark Knight himself, Lothor came face to face with none other than the black-suited yellow emblem and quite sexy form of none other than Batgirl who glared at him as she entered a battle stance, "Because Gotham City has some strict laws when it comes to out of control parties and respecting law enforcement."
She quipped before she threw several more bat-a-rangs while launching herself forward with a flying kick
Lothor dodged the bat-a-rangs, and brought his arms up to block the kick, quickly grabbing Batgirl's ankle so that he could twist her around and toss her aside. She managed to flip in the air and land in crouch several feet away (giving him a great view of her ass in the process) before springing back to her feet and spinning around to face him.
"Well, I must say that while I'm always happy to spend time with a lovely lady, I'm a little disappointed. I don't qualify for the famous Batman himself, just one of the sidekicks?" Lothor asked.
"Sorry to damage your big ego, but Batman's got bigger fish to fry than some guy in ninja cosplay," Batgirl retorted.
"And who said there's only one sidekick?" another voice, this one masculine, called from behind Lothor. Turning partially to face it while keeping Batgirl in his sight, he found Robin standing nearby, bo staff at the ready... wait, what? How the hell was he here when he was just in Jump City?
Wait, hang on. This one was dressed just in black and various shades of red, rather than with other colors thrown in. Hmm...
"Isn't there already one of you on the West Coast?" Lothor asked, probing a little.
"That's the original Robin, I'm Red Robin," the hero replied, with an annoyed undercurrent of having had to explain this many times.
Ah, that explained it. This was Tim Drake then, while the Robin with the Titans was Dick Grayson, as per the most common fan theory. But in any case, he had a villain persona to maintain.
"Red, blue, yellow, green... send whatever color you want at me, it won't matter. You'll all fall before me," he said with smirk, "Though in your case, bird boy, you're not going to have a chance to experience that yourself."
"What-?"
"RAAAAGGGHH!" Zurgane yelled as he charged Red Robin, swinging a sword at his head. Cursing, the sidekick ducked out of the way before bringing his staff up to block another blow.
Lothor laughed as he watched the developing duel, before turning back to Batgirl.
"So, that's the peanut gallery out of the way. Shall we dance, madame?" he asked with an exaggerated bow.
"Careful, I have the habit of stepping on my partner's feet," Batgirl retorted back with a slight glare, before she lunged forward to reengage Lothor while off to the side, the young Red Robin was doing his best to dodge and block Zurgane blows.
"Sheesh, calm down Mr. Samurai," Red Robin called out a bit mockingly as Zurgane gave an annoyed growl, "Be silent and accept your death with dignity child."
He said with Red Robin shooting him a glare, "I'm 13!" He retorted with a glare while jumping back as Zurgane simply scoffed, "Nothing but a mere infant."
He said, pointing his blade toward Red Robin, "Do you honestly think you can defeat me, General Zurgane, Master Lothor's most loyal warrior?" He asked with dark humor entering his tone, "I've taken on worse than a samurai with an attitude problem."
He retorted as he threw some bat-a-rangs while lunging forward with his staff
"Grr, die!" Zurgane growled, ignoring the bat-a-rangs bouncing off his armor to charge forward and meet the staff with his swords in a clang of metal.
Meanwhile, Lothor was trading punches and kicks with Batgirl, laughing at the mere notion that he was actually fighting a member of the Bat Family and holding his own. It was a nerd's dream come true!
For her part, Batgirl just found the laughter annoying.
"Are you even taking this seriously?" she demanded.
"Oh, so sorry my dear girl, it's just been some time since I fought someone on my own level," he replied, "If you're anywhere close to standard, then I might just end up having a lot more fun than I thought in the process of conquering this planet!"
"Never gonna happen!" Batgirl snapped, landing a kick on his chest that actually sent him stumbling back several steps. Despite this, he remained grinning, having the time of his life.
Still, a part of him thought distractedly, he had to wonder if Tak's own mission was going as smoothly as this.
(At same time Bludhaven)
As Lothor was thinking about her while blocking a kick to the head, Tak was currently looking at Membrane Labs from across the street on a rooftop, "Membrane Labs, the location where I take my first step in redeeming myself and announcing my return to my enemy."
She said with a dark evil grin that fell flat into a scowl, "Or it would be if the bimbo sisters I was saddled with weren't currently worried about what to wear!" She snapped, whirling around as Kapri and Marah were examining some outfits being held by the squad of Kelzaks they had taken with them
A part of Tak was curious and eager to put these foot soldiers to the test, while the larger part of her was just plain annoyed and ticked off, "Hey first impressions are important, bug girl!"
Kapri retorted back, causing Tak to let out a growl, "If this is going to be our debut on Earth, then we need the perfect outfits that will blow people's minds." Marah added on with a nod
"Yes, because the people we're going to be attacking and enslaving are going to be so focused on what you're wearing," Tak said dryly.
"Ugh, why are even bothering to discuss fashion with you, anyway?" Kapri scoffed, "I mean, purple clothes to match purple eyes? Could you get any less creative?"
"Yeah, and what's with the combat boots? Trying to add a few inches, tiny?" Marah added with a laugh.
It took all of Tak's restraint not to blast the two where they stood. As extremely satisfying as that would be, Lothor might take offense to his nieces' deaths, and as much as she hated to admit it, right now she still needed his help, at least long enough to get back on her feet and got herself in a position to be able to take Earth by herself.
So, she ignored the bimbos for now and turned her attention back to scouting out the labs building. Glancing down to the street to see how security might be handle a frontal attack on the main entrance, she was surprised to see a familiar figure walking out of the building. She was taller than Tak remembered (and she cursed how unfair it was that humans kept growing with age), but the purple hair and aura of barely-repressed rage was unmistakable. That was definitely Gaz Membrane, daughter of the Professor and sister of Dib.
Tak admittedly barely knew Gaz compared to her brother, and didn't have much of a vendetta against her except by proxy. But still, it occurred to the Irken that she could make a very valuable hostage indeed.
Plus at the thought of Dib's potential horror at learning she had his sister as she knew that most humans valued their blood and family units from her past research, a sinister grin grew on her face, "It seems my luck really might be turning around."
she chuckled out before getting annoyed as she heard the sisters still yammering on, "I mean, it's like your whole species has no concept of fashion," Marah said with a faint smirk before she and her sister actually flinched back when Tak whirled on them snarling, "Enough!"
The Irken barked at them with a glare, "Honestly, the more time I'm forced to be in your presence the more I question my belief that Zim is the dumbest living thing in the universe."
she admitted to them with an eye roll, ignoring the sisters' twin indignant "HEYS!"
"Fortunately for you..." The Irken added, looking over the edge of the roof, her eyes not leaving Gaz as she walked down the sidewalk, "It seems there's a chance for you two to prove that you're actually useful to some degree rather than even more useless than that green fat buffoon back on the ship."
she told them over her shoulder as the sisters traded blinks and confused looks as Tak gave one least sinister smirk before barking over her shoulder to the Kelzaks and sisters, "Follow me!" she ordered, leaping off the roof with the Kelzaks a moment later dropping all the clothing on the ground and moving to follow, "Hey, you can't just throw our clothes on the ground!"
Kapri snapped at them, but the Kelzaks simply ignored her while her sister whined, going to her knees to pick up some clothes, "Come on Marah, we'll show that bug just how useless we are!" she said, grabbing her sister by the shoulder and dragging her off, "Woah hey, easy!" Marah complained as she was dragged off with Kapri ignoring her complaints with a glower
Meanwhile down on the street, the now 16 year Gaz Membrane was walking down the street with her signature stoic gaze.
Unbeknownst to Tak as of yet, a lot had changed yet remained the same since the last time the female Irken had been on the planet. Dib and Zim's rivalry was as strong and bitter as ever if not even more so. With the Irken just as determined to take over the planet, and Dib just as determined to stop him. What had changed is their feud had gone beyond their own "playground" as Zim's plots and Dib's attempts to stop and expose the Irken menace eventually leading to them getting involved in the wider world.
And after one particular scheme in which Zim not only attempted to use the resources of one of the Earth monkey's organization known as Lexcorp but also neutralize the last known surviving Kryptonian to present as a gift to the Tallest, these two would not only be on the radar of the superhero/villain world, but Zim would find his identity and presence on the planet exposed, forcing him to abandon his base for a new one and go to ground for a bit.
Much to Dib's disgruntlement, despite foiling the attempted scheme he lost his eye on Zim with the Irken abandoning his "human disguise/identity" and what's more he realized that somehow the world was larger than he realized and that somehow in his relentless pursuit of Zim and in fact sometime before his Irken rival's arrival he had missed the presence of a well known and documented alien presence.
An alien presence who not only looked like a human but had superpowers and was acting like a hero straight out of a comic book! Never mind the presence/existence of other superheroes of a variety of origins, leaving the paranormal investigator to suspect an information blackout around Bludhaven. (Which itself is its own whole story)
Dib was wary to trust Superman, but held his tongue and accepted the man's presence after foiling Zim's scheme and took victory in Zim now being exposed to the world and people aware of his danger.
Though his experiences with Zim would leave its mark on the investigator, leaving him wary of aliens if not outright distrusting of them or even worse, with him still retaining these habits today, even with his current girlfriend and her family in the mixture.
That aside, Dib would delve further into the paranormal and conspiracies and find his path crossing with a mysterious man who would become like a mentor to him known simply as the Question, with both him and his enemy becoming all the stronger with the stakes of their feud and battle raised all the higher through out the years.
Though that was just on Dib and Zim's side of things, right now we are focusing on Gaz, and safe to say things have both changed lot for her... but, "I can't believe that big headed moron is causing me to miss out on a video game sponsored cruise because he has to play superhero like some geek."
The Membrane family's genes had definitely triumphed in a big way, as despite Gaz's sedentary and hedonistic lifestyle, she'd ended up developing a figure most women would die for. Natural DD breasts and a wide ass were linked together by an hourglass waist, all held up by long, sleek legs, making her a walking wet dream. Unfortunately for anyone interested in tapping that, as a large number of the guys at her high school could attest, she still had a hair-trigger temper and would break the limbs of anyone who provoked it.
Beyond that, Gaz was still the video game junkie she'd been throughout her childhood, and had even found ways to make a living off of it. She had gaming streams with paid subscribers, competed in online tournaments, and had even occasionally worked as a paid beta tester for new games. All in all, she was fairly content with her lot in life in general, though not so much in the moment.
As a prize from her most recently won tournament, she'd gotten tickets to a cruise paid for by the tournament's sponsors. Unfortunately, as she was still technically a minor (never mind that, in her own view, she was more mature than most people she knew), she was legally barred from getting on the ship without an adult guardian with her. She'd of course gone straight to her father to convince him to come with her, but he'd refused on the grounds that he was too busy with work (which she should have expected, she thought bitterly), and had suggested she ask the recently-turned-18 Dib to accompany her instead. Which she knew wouldn't work - when he wasn't spending time with that Hawaiian ditz he'd been dating for awhile, he was off playing superhero God knows where. Even if she could track him down, he'd probably just say he was too busy and run off.
"When I get ahold of him, I'm going to throttle him so hard that his eyes will pop out," she growled, punching a wall as she turned down an alleyway she always used as a shortcut between her dad's lab and her home.
"Oh, is the happy little human family not so happy anymore?" a British-accented voice called out mockingly. A shockingly familiar voice, Gaz realized as she stopped dead in her tracks.
"you have got to be kidding me..." She said with a groan, sending a slight menacing glare toward the smaller figure stepping out of the alleyway's shadows, "Hehe, I see you remember the Irken Invader who almost ended your pathetic planet~"
Tak said with a smirk, before getting an angry disgusted look on her face, "More like remember Dib's annoying ex and her irritating voice." Gaz retorted with a grunt as Tak spat out, "Disgusting!"
she said with a glower, glaring at Gaz enraged, "As if I'd lower myself to letting that fool touch me!" she snapped with Gaz simply grunting, "Uh huh..." she said with obvious disbelief, "Let me guess, you're here for your ship and revenge."
Gaz said in a dry tone, "Yes I..." Tak started to say, her angry expression changing back to smugness before blinking, "My ship?" she repeated with a blink, "Yeah, your junk heap of a ship."
Gaz told her with a scowl, "It crashed and destroyed our yard right after you got your butt kicked," she said, adding with a slight smirk when she saw Tak's growing anger, "these days my idiot of a brother uses it all the time after he got rid of that stupid AI."
she told the alien boredly, "HE WHAT!?" Tak demanded in a screech, her eye twitching at the knowledge that her defeat had allowed her ship, Irken technology, to fall into the hands of the enemy for years!
While a inferior species, who knows what these stupid primates especially Dib could have done from what little they could have learned from her ship! If the Tallest found out...
She gave a low growl, shaking her head, "Rest assured, I'll be retrieving my ship later," she spat, glaring at Gaz, "for now, I'm here to take you hostage!" she proclaimed with a menacing threatening smile, only to freeze at Gaz's next blunt reply, "Not interested..."
The Membrane girl told her before she started to walk away, "I...you..." Causing Tak to blink in disbelief at being so casually brushed aside before howling after her, "Don't you dare dismiss me!"
She yelled out deploying one of her PAK legs and firing a laser
PWE
Which flew by Gaz's head, narrowly missing her but hitting a nearby parked motorbike
Boom
Gaz stood silent for several moments before taking a deep breath, "Okay, you weren't here for long last time so I'll be nice just this once and make this clear..." she turned to face Tak with a dark gaze in her eyes, "I'm not interested in playing Dib's stupid game of cops and robbers."
she told Tak in a low ominous growl, "you want to take revenge go ahead," She told Tak with an empty tone, "I couldn't care less if you kick Zim and Dib's butts, just leave me out of it."
"No, I don't think I will," Tak said with a glare. How dare this human give her any kind of command? Even if she hadn't already decided on this course of action, she'd still abduct Gaz just to spite her for her defiance, "My vendetta might be against those two idiots, but you're guilty by association for how they managed to stop my plan and ruin my efforts to take what's rightfully mine!"
"Oh please, like that's my fault. Knowing their dumb luck, those two would have beat you even if I hadn't helped Zim's stupid robot hack yours," Gaz scoffed. Tak opened her mouth to reply to that, only to blink as she realized what Gaz had just said.
"Wait, you did what?!" she screamed, "You're the one who hacked Mimi and made her go crazy? Never mind taking you hostage, I'm going to kill you!"
Gaz grunted, annoyed at herself for that slip-up and ruining any chance of being able to just walk away from this nonsense. However, before she could say anything-
BANG
CRASH
Marah and Kapri suddenly fell out of the air and crashed into several trash bags piled at one end of the alleyway, garbage spilling all over them.
"Dammit Marah, you screwed up the landing!"
"No I didn't, you bumped into me on the way down!'
"Ugh! Some of it got in my mouth!"
"...Who are these two supposed to be?" Gaz asked, deadpan, while Tak facepalmed.
"The bimbo nieces of my new ally, whom I'm stuck babysitting," she grumbled, before glaring at the pair as they brushed themselves off, "Make yourselves useful and restrain this bitch before I forget again that she's more valuable alive!"
"Yeah, yeah keep your tacky boots on." Kapri said with a groan while pushing herself off the trash bag while Tak scowled, "Ugh..so gross.." Marah said with a grossed out expression taking off a banana peel that landed on her hair, "yuck.."
but soon both turned their attention to Gaz who spoke up flatly, "You can't be serious?" The girl said, actually giving Tak an arched brow of disbelief, "You honestly can't expect me to be afraid of these two morons?"
she asked giving Tak a glare, "if you are than you're right, you are better than Zim," She said with Tak at first glaring, then giving a confused blink at that compliment, "Better at being a moron... or maybe it's just entire species that are morons."
Gaz told her with a smirk as Tak growled out before howling out, "GET HER NOW!" The Irken ordered the two nieces of Lothor, who flinched at the look in her eyes and chose to follow her order rather than risk her irritation for now
"Heh... this should be amusing." Gaz said, entering a battle stance, seeing this a chance to vent some steam as the sisters sprung forward, launching punches toward the sisters with Gaz simply ducking and dodging between them as the two bonk their heads together, "Heh... honestly, GIR would be a better threat and all I have to do for that annoying thing is throw something shiny."
Gaz said, shaking her head in disbelief as the sisters growled, rubbing their heads, "Oh, we'll give you something shiny alright..." Kapri growled out, before thrusting out her hands, launching some light purple-colored energy balls, "Yeah!"
Marah chimed in, also thrusting her hands forward, launching bright pink energy lasers toward Gaz as well, with the goth girl scowling.
Moving with surprising speed, Gaz managed to dodge both energy attacks and then dash forward, reaching the sisters before they could react and slamming her fists into their stomachs. They both gasped and doubled over, allowing Gaz to grab the backs of their collars and pick them up, spinning around and throwing them at Tak, who barely jumped out of the way in time to avoid them, letting them smack against the alley's wall and slump to the ground, groaning in pain.
"I never really had much respect for you, but it's seriously going down, seeing you work with these pathetic sideshow freaks," Gaz grunted as she dusted off her hands.
"What did you just call us?" Kapri growled as she and Marah stumbled back to their feet.
"Have you looked in a mirror lately?" Gaz snorted in response.
"Have you? Who wears that much black non-ironically?" Kapri spat back.
"Yeah, you do know the goth look went out of fashion like 20 years ago, right?" Marah added.
"Like I care what you bimbos think of how I dress?" Gaz growled. She got enough of those kinds of insults at school (behind her back, anyway, no one was dumb enough to say it to her face), she didn't need it from these two morons.
"Oh, I'm sorry, is the edgelord feeling sensitive?" Kapri sneered, "What are you going to do, compose bad poetry and whine about mommy and daddy not giving you enough hugs?"
"At least I don't look like a circus clown reject!"
"How dare you! Kelzaks, get her!" Marah cried out. In response, the Kelzaks who had accompanied the girls dropped down into the alleyway and surrounded Gaz, who arched an eyebrow at them.
"And what are these things suppose to be, badly dressed circus clowns?" She asked with a bored tone, "They're the things that are going to kick your fat ass!"
Kapri snapped toward her, causing Gaz to glare at her before giving a taunting smirk, "Is the little girl jealous~" she said to the bimbo. After all, she hated idiots perving on her body, but she was proud of it and enjoyed the perks that came with it despite the hassle with dealing with morons who can't take a hint, perks like jealousy from bimbos who wish they had a body like hers.
"Grr, starting to see why that bug hates you..." Kapri said before shouting out, "GET HER!" And at that all the Kelzaks all lunged forward, while Kapri gave a smirk to her sister while crossing her arms as Tak stepped forward, "Well that should take care of that..."
she said, her tone oozing satisfaction before a form slammed into her, "HEY!" She shouted out as Marah and Tak gave surprised blinks, seeing the form that hit Kapri was in fact one of the Kelzaks, with the two still standing then looking back toward Gaz, who much to Tak's growling scowl was putting up quite a fight to say the least.
"For Irk's sake, can your minions not handle one simple human?" Tak growled, watching Gaz take down every Kelzak that came at her, not even seeming to break a sweat as she delivered a flurry of punches and kicks at anything that got close.
"No way she's a normal human," Marah commented as she helped her sister up.
"I don't care what the goth bitch is, I want to punch her teeth in," Kapri grumbled, rubbing her head. Tak could understand the sentiment, but didn't want to openly agree with Kapri on anything, so just turned her full attention back on Gaz, analyzing the situation, before an idea came to her.
"Keep her busy and distracted, I think I have a plan that might work," she declared.
"Ohh I do better than keep her busy..." Kapri said with a low annoyed growl as she drew her sword, "I'll slice that cow tit goth bitch to bits!" she yelled, thrusting out her sword which sent a energy laser to the mobbing crowd of Kelzaks and Gaz. Only for the latter to see the attack coming and fling one of the Kelzaks toward the blast
BOOM!
"Heh, you do remember I'm your enemy, right pinky~" Gaz called out with a smirk as Kapri gave a glare before running forward, "Ah..hey wait for me!" Marah called out after her as she ran forward as well to help her sister
Seeing them coming, Gaz kicked a tonfa dropped by one of the Kelzaks, sending it up into her hand. She then swung it out, catching Kapri's sword and twisting her momentum to send her stumbling away. Then she whacked Kapri in the back of the head to send her to the ground, before spinning around to catch Marah's own blades. As their weapons locked, Marah smirked, only to grunt in pain as Gaz brought a knee up into her stomach, and then punched her in the face, before grabbing her by the hair and throwing her on top of her sister as Kapri tried to get up.
"This is just sad. I've had tougher fights playing Tetris," Gaz scoffed.
FWOOSH
And that was when she was knocked off her feet by a high-powered stream of water.
"Gah, what?" she exclaimed as the water stopped and she could breathe again. Wiping her eyes clear, she looked up to see a smirking Tak standing next to a busted open fire hydrant.
And holding a sparkling PAK leg over the trail of water heading towards a now soaking wet Gaz.
"Oh, fuck-"
ZAP
"AARRRRGGG!" With her screaming out as electric energy ran over her body and even overtaking it for several minutes in a glow before eventually the surge stopped with Gaz's smoking form weakly standing there for several minutes before she wobbled and shot Tak one last glare, "Bitch..."
she said with a low groan before collapsing onto the ground as Tak scoffed, "And that girls, is how you properly capture a prisoner," She said to them as Kapri pushed Marah off, "Arg...my stomach..."
Marah groaned out as she got up unsteadily while holding her stomach, "Is she down?" she asked, looking down warily at Gaz with Kapri responding to the question by aiming a hard kick straight to Gaz's head, "Urg!" With Gaz letting out a pained grunt but staying down, "Yeah...she's down..."
Kapri said, before she started to kick her again a few more times, "Restrain yourself!" Tak barked after watching for a few moments of amusement, "As tempting as it is to eliminate her now, she serves us better for now as a prisoner."
The Irken said with a diabolical sneer, while Marah still rubbing her stomach gave a frown, "What makes her so special anyway?" she asked, looking over at her with Kapri but Tak simply waved the question off, "I'll explain later," she said distractedly, before barking to some of the remaining Kelzaks as they started to fall in line from their scuffle with Gaz, "Kelzaks restrain the prisoner and take her back to the ship!"
she said with the Kelzaks all nodding before moving to follow the order, "What about geek central, we still attacking it or what?"
Karpi asked with a frown, crossing her arms, "Of course we are!" Tak snapped, sending her an annoyed glare, "This human is merely just a bonus to my opening move and the announcement of my return~"
The Irken said with a dark evil smile, "While the real show will be taking anything valuable we can from the labs before leaving it a smoldering wreck~"
With a cackle, Tak then ran off back in the direction of Membrane Labs, Marah and Kapri sharing a look before going after her, while the Kelzaks hogtied Gaz and then teleported away with her back to Lothor's ship.
(Meanwhile, back in Gotham)
The street that Lothor's forces had arrived in was a wreck, the ongoing battles between Lothor and Batgirl, and Red Robin and Zurgane, having damaged everything they'd come across, while the Kelzaks were keeping the cops who'd arrived on the scene busy.
PWE
PWE
"Urg, how many of these creeps are there?!" Bullock hollered out to other officers that had arrived on the scene in reinforcements including his boss, "Enough for there to be trouble!" Commissioner Gordon said back with a scowl, while opening fire at another Kelzak in an attempt to keep it back, frustrated that his men couldn't do more to intervene to stop the chaos these things were causing.
While in the middle of said chaos, Red Robin and Batgirl landed back to back glaring at their respective opponents, "So..." Red Robin spoke to his senior behind him as he gave his staff a twirl, "find out anything about our new friends?" He asked with a scowl, "Because so far all I've gotten is names, how great his boss is, and something about how this world will belong to his boss instead of some Skeleton guy."
"Nope, all I've gotten is some snide remarks about how he's going to conquer us, and a bunch of crude attempts at hitting on me," Batgirl replied with a grimace.
"Take it as a compliment, my dear, I don't flatter just anyone," Lothor said as he and Zurgane circled the pair, "But, while this has been fun, I'm afraid we do have more work to do. So, why don't we-"
BEEP BEEP BEEP
The heroes blinked at the sound cutting Lothor off, the evil ninja frowning at the interference. Reaching into a pocket, he pulled out a cell phone-looking device and checked the screen. Whatever the message was, it made him smirk before he looked back up at the sidekicks.
"Actually, it seems our other business has concluded itself. General Zurgane, sound the retreat," he ordered.
"Yes, my lord. Kelzaks, fall back!" Zurgane commanded, the Kelzaks leaping back from fighting the cops to stand by their leaders.
"Oh no, you're not going anywhere," Batgirl growled.
"Sad to see me go, darling?" Lothor asked mockingly, "Well, sorry, but I'm needed elsewhere. Ta-ta for now."
Before either of the heroes could react, there was a flash of light, and Lothor's forces had vanished.
"I...what?" Red Robin blinked, "They just left?!" He exclaimed with a look of surprise, "They show up out of nowhere, wreck some public property, get into a fight, and then just leave!" He added on, scratching his head, "What the heck was the point of any of this?"
He asked as some of the police officers warily started to approach while looking around for any more of those things, with Batgirl frowning at Red Robin's words, "Only two theories come to mind..."
she said with a frown, cupping her chin, "First one is this was just them making some kinda statement," she admitted with a frown, "And the second?" Red Robin asked with a grimace that Batgirl shared as she glanced over at him, "This was just a distraction."
"A distraction from what?" Commissioner Gordon demanded, Batgirl as always tensing slightly at being near her father while in costume and altering the pitch of her voice slightly so that he wouldn't recognize it.
"I'm not sure Commissioner, but I think we need to check for any other reports from the city or the surrounding area, anywhere we would have gotten involved if we weren't busy here," she said.
"Yeah, great idea," Bullock grumbled, "And while you're at it, maybe ask your boss if he can help out whenever he's not busy hanging out with his League buddies."
At that Batgirl and Red Robin shot him glares, but before they could say anything they saw a certain figure standing behind Bullock and smirked, "You can tell him yourself." Batgirl said, pointing behind Bullock, causing him to blink at first before turning around only to jump back when he saw the Dark Knight himself standing behind him, "Hey, are you trying to give me a heart attack, pointy ears?!"
The husky defective complained with a scowl, holding his hand to his heart which Batman ignored, looking over at the Commissioner, "Apologies for being late, Commissioner Gordon, I was dealing with League business when I got word of the attack."
He told Gordon in his normal stoic voice, "No apologies necessary," Gordon said, offering his friend and the city's hero a smile, "after all, you're looking out for more than just Gotham these days."
He told him understandingly, with Batman merely giving a hum before focusing on Batgirl and Red Robin, "What's the situation?" He asked his two allies, with Batgirl speaking with a frown, "A group of unknowns showed up in the middle of the city and just started attacking everything in sight.."
She explained with a frown, crossing her arms, "Me and Robin engaged the leader and his muscle while the police distracted their goons keeping them from attacking any civilians,"
she said with a slight sigh of relief and feeling of pride toward her father and his fellow members of GPD, "However, considering the way they fall back when all they accomplished was picking a fight and some property damage, I'm pretty sure this was a distraction."
she said with Batman giving a nod, "A logical conclusion..." He said before inclining his head, "What do we know about the perpetrators?" At that Batgirl gave a scowl, "You mean, besides the fact their leader's a pervert?"
she said with a faint annoyed growl, not having forgotten some of Lothor comments or the way she could feel his gaze undress her, "Not much... other than as much as I hate to admit it, he's no slouch in a fight," she admitted reluctantly, "The leader of the attack got some skills, to the point I think he might actually give you a good fight."
And THAT was not praise given out lightly to say the least, considering Batman's experience and skill level in the martial arts, "Well, we know that and what his lackey spilled."
Red Robin chimed in with a frown, "When he wasn't threatening to slice me into pieces in the name of his boss at least..."
He said with a roll of his eyes, "but what he said basically amounted to his name being General Zurgane, the big boss being called Lothor, with their goons something called Kelzaks," He informed the keenly listening Batman, Batgirl, Commissioner Gordon, Bullock and arriving Renee, "He would go on about how his master was a powerful ninja warlord and one of the greatest warriors in the galaxy, and how Earth would soon belong to him instead of some Skeleton guy."
At that bit Batman's eyes narrowed, "Skeleton King." He stated with Red Robin snapping his fingers, "Yeah that was the name... you know him?" He asked with an arched brow as Batman let out a hum, "That's actually tied into the earlier League business."
He stated stoically, "His forces attacked Jump City just over an hour ago, followed by him contacting the Titans himself."
"Wait, first your old sidekick's team, now here? These guys got some grudge against you they're taking out on the rest of us?" Bullock demanded, getting him some dirty looks from everyone else at the accusatory tone, though Batman himself was unfazed.
"I think the similarities between attack targets may just be a coincidence," the Dark Knight stated, "The Titans stated that Skeleton King and his minions claimed to be testing the planet's defenses before invading. If Red Robin understood this Zurgane's comments correctly about Lothor's motives, it would seem these two factions are fighting each other for the right to conquer Earth."
"So what, we're stuck in the middle of some kind of interstellar turf war?" Montoya asked incredulously.
"Great, that's just what the world needs so soon after the Thangarians," Gordon sighed, "Meanwhile, if this attack really was a distraction, do we have any idea for what?"
As if on cue, a device on Batman's utility belt chimed. Picking it up, he frowned at the screen.
"What is it?" Batgirl asked.
"I have the League's alert network set to forward me anything that comes up within 10 miles of Gotham," he explained, "This just came through from Bludhaven."
"No offense, but crime in Bludhaven isn't exactly news," Red Robin commented.
"Kid's right, that hellhole makes Gotham look like a sitcom suburb," Bullock added.
"Well, according to this, the headquarters of Membrane Labs - one of the largest tech companies in the world - was just attacked by, apparently, a green bug woman, two teenage girls, and several black ninjas with red masks," Batman reported, everyone else tensing up at that last description.
"Well looks like we got our target," Red Robin said with a frown as Batgirl spoke up, "That's why they targeted Gotham."
she said hitting her fist into her palm with a scowl, "this wasn't just a testing strike, it's also the city closest with Bludhaven," She explained to the others who all frowned, "They probably figured if they made a big show here, any nearby heroes would be distracted, allowing them to hit Membrane Labs without any trouble."
she concluded as Red Robin gave a bitter scoff, "And looks like they were right," he said before adding with a frown, "but why hit Membrane Labs?" He asked, looking a bit confused, "I mean, I know it's one of the most advanced around, right up there with Star Labs."
He said with everyone paying attention to his words, "but why go out of their way to hit that specifically out of all potential targets?" he asked with a frown, with everyone also scowling in thought, "Maybe the geeks were working on some kinda tech they wanted to get their hands on."
Bullock chimed in with a shrug before Batman spoke up, "A possible theory, though until the the fire is dealt with and the damage is assessed, we won't know if anything was stolen."
The Dark Knight stoically told them, "Fire?" Montoya asked with a frown, "Yes, they were able to plant and set off some kind of explosive charge at the attack, and the lab's currently in flames," Batman informed them with a frown, "The League and emergency services are already responding."
He told them looking at his device with a frown, "And I believe I already know a motive for this particular attack," he told them with everyone giving a blink, "Aw, come on Bats, don't leave us in suspense, what's your big theory?"
Bullock asked with an annoyed expression, "The bug girl," Batman stated flatly with a frown, "If I'm not mistaken, she's an Irken," he informed with narrowed eyes, "one that I believe has shown hostile intentions toward Earth before, but was stopped by an unlikely alliance between Dib Membrane and the Irken identified as Invader Zim."
"Who?" Bullock asked, blinking in confusion.
"I've heard of them," Gordon commented, "The Membrane kid is some sort of paranormal investigator and private detective who also acts as a hero sometimes. Apparently, he spent some time apprenticing under that nut The Question."
"And Zim was an alien infiltrator who used Bludhaven as a base while plotting to conquer Earth," Batgirl added, remembering her own reading of the files that Dib had overeagerly shared with the superhero community several years back, "Dib apparently spent most of his childhood fighting to stop him."
"Hang on, a kid was doing that?" Montoya asked incredulously, "I know that Bludhaven's never had any local heroes, but why didn't anyone else step in?"
"Because no one knew," Batman explained, "A conspiracy theorist group Dib was involved with, calling itself the Swollen Eyeball Network, was employing a massive two-way coverup, keeping the outside world in the dark about what was happening in Bludhaven and keeping the city oblivious about events in the rest of the world. They seemed to somehow believe doing so would keep them safe from all superpowered and supernatural threats."
"Well-intentioned idiots causing more harm than good, that's just great," Red Robin muttered, shaking his head, "So, what about this bug lady? You said she's the same species as this Zim guy?"
"Yes, according to Dib's files, she tried to gain the respect of their empire's leaders by hollowing out Earth and presenting it to them as a gift. Zim saw this as a usurpation of his own mission, so he temporarily teamed up with Dib to stop her, which ended with Tak being blasted into space in an escape pod," Batman recited, "That was years ago, but the description of this Irken matches hers, and attacking Dib's family's company is something she'd have a reason to do."
"So, she's back for revenge? And working with this Lothor to do it?" Gordon mused.
"That seems to be the case," Batman agreed with a nod toward the Commissioner as Bullock gave a groan, "Well isn't that just peachy?" The Detective said with a scowl, "Like we don't have enough trouble with the creeps on Earth, now we got every wacko and their grandma from space showing up."
He said with a dark frown, "I mean, ever since those space pigeons we've had a bunch of space lizards down in Jump when your first sidekick formed his kiddy club."
He told the Dark Knight who simply frowned, "and now we've got a space cockroach with a grudge working with a space ninja of all things who's in a turf war with a space skeleton!"
He exclaimed with everyone sharing frowns, "Seriously, did those space pigeons kick start a trend or something?" The detective added with a groan, running his hand through his hair with na annoyed look, "Because at this rate I'm half expecting those freaky Martians from few years ago when Bats here started his club to show again."
He removed the toothpick from his mouth, "Or maybe those freaks that attacked Metropolis like that crazy computer or that one ugly guy who brainwashed the alien boy scout."
"Calm down, Harvey," Gordon ordered, "Panic isn't going to help anyone. We need to think about what we actually can do to handle this."
"The League is already reaching out to the Membranes," Batman stated, "And we're casting a net in case this brings Zim out of hiding. Additionally, we're reaching out to the Green Lantern Corps and other space-based allies for any information they might have on these new threats. In the meantime, I don't know if they'll attack Gotham again, but I'll distribute images of the girls seen working with Tak so that GCPD can at least keep an eye out for them."
"Good. Montoya, see to it that we've got a BOLO out on them as soon as we get the pictures," Gordon said, glancing to the detective before turning back to Batman, "Beyond that, what... And, they're gone."
True to form, Batman and his sidekicks had vanished when the cops weren't looking.
"One of these days, I'll actually see him leave," Gordon sighed.
And up on the rooftop, the Dark Knight glanced down toward the crowd of police as Red Robin and Batgirl stood behind him, "Come on, we need to get back to the Batcave," He said, turning on his heel, "I want a full report on any detail you can give on Lothor and his men from how they fight to any key details you picked up on their personalities."
He said over his shoulder to the two, "And in the meantime, you can review the files Robin has sent on what we know of this Skeleton King and his followers."
He said as Batgirl gave a sigh, "Just when it seemed like it was going to be a slow day, we get hit with more work," she said, shaking her head with a sardonic chuckle, "You have no idea," Batman said in a dark tone, getting their attention, "What's wrong?"
Red Robin asked with a frown, "In addition to these newcomers, it appears we have a potential Omega threat scenario in play," The Dark Knight said, pulling out his grappling gun, causing the other two's eyes to widen, "Which is?"
Batgirl asked, worriedly wondering if Lothor or this Skeleton guy were really that potentially dangerous. Batman let out a grunt and stated one thing before firing it off into the sky, "The end of the world."
And with that he took of from the rooftop, leaving the other two to trade confused and shocked looks before taking out and firing their own grappling hooks after him.
(Lothor's Dark Ship)
Elsewhere in the solar system, Tak was currently looking at a monitor display in the control room with a large dark grin, "Well, someone seems happy.." Kapri noted to the side while filing her nails, "Indeed~"
Tak hissed out with a dark laugh, "there's nothing quite as satisfying as having your enemy helpless and in your power~" She told her with a dark smile while glancing down to the monitor that display feed from the dungeons, specifically Gaz's new cell.
The goth girl had regained consciousness shortly after the group had returned to the ship, but by then she was locked in the cell, which even she was unable to break out of. So, she was left sitting on the floor of the cell, glaring outwards and trembling with rage.
"Yes, I'm going to enjoy this," Tak hissed.
"Glad to hear it, but enjoy what, exactly?" Lothor asked as he entered the room, Zurgane behind him, "You were only supposed to rob a lab and announce your return. What else did you do?"
"We ran into some girl that Tak has a grudge with, so she made us kidnap her," Kapri explained, "Though, to be fair, the goth bitch is an asshole, so I don't blame Tak for wanting to mess her up."
"Yeah, she actually insulted our fashion sense! Can you believe that?" Marah asked.
"Yes," Lothor replied flatly, not just because of his own low opinion on his nieces' fashion, but because as he looked at the monitors he recognized the girl in question and realized that is how she'd act. Older than she'd been on the show, but that was definitely Gaz Membrane he was looking at. Hmm, not as big as Big Dad's style, but not bad at all~
"So, who is she?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
"Gaz Membrane, daughter of Professor Membrane and sister of that big-headed nuisance Dib," Tak explained, "Considering her family's connections and influence, she'll be a very useful hostage. And considering the part she played in my defeat, I'm going to take great joy in breaking her."
"This is my ship, I'll decide who gets tortured and when," Lothor said firmly, "And if she's that valuable, it might be best to keep her in one piece for now. At least until I have a chance to talk to her and determine her worth myself."
Tak frowned, and opened her mouth to retort-
BANG
-when Choobo suddenly came flying into the room, slamming against the wall and sliding to the floor.
"I managed to fix your robot, miss," the green alien moaned through a bruised face, before passing out. At the same time, a black blur moved through the room, soon coming to a stop in front of Tak to reveal her restored SIR unit.
"Mimi!" Tak exclaimed happily, forgetting decorum to snatch her robot up and hug her tightly.
With the bot giving a blink before returning the hug with Tak enjoying holding her faithful SIR unit (Perhaps the only thing she could truly count on outside of herself in this universe) close for several moments before her eyes pop wide open at the sound of a voice, "Aww, that's actually kinda sweet." Marah said with a grin as Kapri gave a snort, "Yeah a bug girl and her toy~" the pink haired sister added with a smirk, causing Tak to let out a slight annoyed growl.
"Oh do be silent," she said, setting Mimi down with a smile, "Mimi happens to be my personal SIR unit who I built myself out of parts I..."
she gave a slight cough looking away, "Scavenged and... liberated." she admitted with a flat gaze, with Zurgane chiming in from the side, "You mean stole?" The General stated bluntly, with Tak simply choosing to ignore the assessment (even though it was true, it was for a good cause in the end, after all she deserved a SIR unit just like she deserved to be an Invader!)
"And she happens to be a great deal more capable and useful than you two put together." Tak added bluntly to Lothor's two nieces who scoffed, "Please, that tiny toy? What's it going to do, kick our shins~"
Kapri asked with a laugh as her sister shared a giggle by her side, though at this mockery Tak let out a sinister smirk, "Mimi, restrain and capture," She ordered to her SIR unit, pointing at the sisters whose eyes widened, and before they realized what happened a black blur lunged toward them.
Before anyone could blink, the sisters were on the floor, tied up with cables emerging from Mimi's body and the robot herself sitting on Marah's back while her enlarged hand was clutching the back of Kapri's head to pin it face down.
"You were saying?" Tak sneered, watching the girls struggle with glee.
"Well, while you're all doing this, I think I'll go have a conversation with our new guest," Lothor said. Not bothering to see if anyone was responding to his comment, he turned and walked out of the room. As such, he didn't notice Tak's eyes narrow, nor her following him discretely once Zurgane also left the room out of a lack of interest in anything still happening, leaving Mimi to deal with the two bimbos and the unconscious Choobo.
Walking down the corridors, Lothor pondered how to handle this new situation. Everything else aside, he had a... complicated view on Gaz as a character. He'd been a fan of how much of a badass she was, but other than that, he couldn't stand her. She was a vicious little monstrous brat, who didn't even have the excuse of Zim's humorous insanity to make her more likable, but now that he was villain out to conquer the world, did he really have any room to talk? Maybe he should ignore everything he knew about her and treat all this like a blank slate?
"What are you supposed to be, a cosplayer?" Gaz's snide voice suddenly cut through his thoughts, and he realized he'd entered the dungeon on autopilot and was now standing in front of Gaz's cell, the goth glaring at him from where she was seated. Composing himself, he gave her a neutral look in response.
"I'm Lothor. This is my ship, and I believe you've already had the pleasure of meeting my nieces and minions," he stated.
"You mean the freaks in pajamas, bimbos, and the bug bitch?" Gaz asked with a scowl crossing her arms, "Little tip, if you expect anyone to take you seriously with minions like that, you might as well just give up and let me go before I hurt you."
"Ooh, feisty one, aren't you?" Lothor laughed, "Well, I'll admit you're right about my nieces; if they weren't family, I'd have tossed them out an airlock by now. As for the Kelzaks, I'm surprised you handled them so well, but that might be more credit towards your own skills than dismissive of them. But Tak? From what I hear, she's the one who figured out how to capture you, so maybe she's better than you're willing to admit."
Actually, he hadn't bothered to get the details of how this had gone down, but he found it hard to believe it could have gone any other way to get this result. And judging by how Gaz's scowl deepened, he was right.
"She got lucky," she spat, "And I'm already going to kick her ass on the way out of here, the only question is if you want me to do the same to you."
"Kinky, but I prefer to be on the giving end of that when it comes to the ladies," Lothor replied with a smirk, which widened as Gaz reeled back in disgust, and a noticeable blush.
Meanwhile, Tak observed all this from the doorway to the dungeon, where she was hidden behind the doorframe. She didn't know what was compelling her to spy like this, but she could only assume it was also responsible for the strange cheerful feeling that popped up when she heard Lothor compliment her, and the sudden spike of odd anger at hearing him flirt with Gaz.
Why did she care about these things? She didn't even like him! For Irk's sake, he was a human, an inferior species, and she was an Irken, one of if not the greatest race in the universe, who had evolved long past such petty desires and bonds... right?
Though even with that dismissal, she couldn't help but think Lothor had in their bout certainly shown he deserved a superior mate than Dib's glutton bitch of a sister. Honestly, besides her... tall (she thought in annoyance, eye twitching) and admittedly moderately attractive form what did she have to offer? NOTHING!
Only use she had was as a hostage or perhaps a pleasure slave for amusement, Tak thought with a slight snarl of annoyance narrowing her eyes from the shadows as she watched the confrontation play out
Gaz meanwhile was glaring with disgust at the pig, as if she'd let him or anyone touch her like that, "So the big boss around here is just a scummy pig."
she said with a scoff, "What, you can't pick up any women your age so you have to resort to your lackeys kidnapping teenage girls?" she shot Lothor a glare, "And here I thought Zim was pathetic."
"In my defense, I had no idea they were going to abduct you," Lothor said, "This was just supposed to be a simple raid on your father's lab for whatever Tak felt was needed to announce her return, as well as part of a first test of your world's defenders. You're being here is a surprise to me, albeit a pleasant one."
"Tch, whatever, jackass," Gaz said, "Did you actually want something, or did you just come here to perv on me?"
"Well, we're going to be keeping you here for awhile until we can arrange a ransom payment from your father," he explained, "I just thought I'd get to know you before then."
"Okay. We met, we talked, you can leave me alone now," Gaz sneered. Lothor was about to do just that, feeling his interest fading, when an idea came to him.
"Actually, if you're so eager to be done with this, I have an offer to make you," he said.
"Oh yeah? What?" she asked flatly.
"You were strong and skilled enough to fight off the Kelzaks," he explained, "Fight me, and show me what you can do. Win, and I'll let you go, no strings attached. Lose, and you cooperate in every way for as long as you're here. Agreed?"
In her hiding spot, Tak clenched her hands. How dare he offer this cow of a human the same deal he'd made her?! As if they were somehow equal! She was nothing but a welp compared to her! Lothor should be torturing her and filling her with fear, not offering her a chance at freedom!
And the fact that she knew Gaz didn't have a chance (After all, how could she? If Tak lost her match with Lothor, there was no way that pitiful human cow could win hers.) didn't do much to salve her annoyance and anger.
Gaz herself looked surprised and intrigued by the offer, before giving a vicious smirk, "Alright deal," she said, stepping up to the prison bars, "Beating you to the ground will be a great way to deal with all my current stress and anger."
she said, cracking her knuckles, "And after I'm down kicking your ass, I'll break every bone in that bug bitch and those bimbos' bodies on my way out." she promised with a dark undertone before adding with narrowed eyes, "So go on, open the door already and let's get this over with!"
she growled out with some annoyance entering her voice
Smirking, Lothor tapped a button to open the cell and stood back, making a "come hither" gesture with his hand. Cracking her neck, Gaz dashed forward as fast as she could, aiming a punch with all her strength at Lothor's face... which he easily caught in his palm.
"What?" Gaz blurted, eyes popping open in surprise at someone actually managing to block her.
SMACK
"Ooof!" And then she was crying out in surprise, gasping for breath as Lothor's free hand slammed into her stomach, driving the air from her lungs. As she doubled over from this, Lothor grabbed her by the back of the head and drove her down onto his raised knee, which her face collided with in a sickening crack, causing Gaz to stumble back in disorientation when he let go.
"Come on, can't you do better than that?" Lothor asked tauntingly. Hearing that sparked Gaz's rage, which snapped her back to awareness.
"You got lucky, you bastard," she growled, before charging again and aiming another punch, only to duck down and switch to a kick as he moved to block her. The kick connected with Lothor's chest and caused him to stumble with a grunt, but to Gaz's annoyance he showed no other sign of feeling it. She aimed another kick at his stomach, but this one he caught by the ankle, tugging her harshly and causing her to stumble forward, allowing him to chop her in the neck, dropping her to the floor with a gagging sound.
"I must say, I'm very disappointed," he said.
And then Gaz leapt up and punched him right in the crotch.
BAM
"Disappointed now, fucker?" she snarled, as Lothor's eyes bugged out. As he doubled over, wheezing in pain, Gaz stumbled to her feet, trying to ignore the new aches and pains she was feeling.
And wasted no time in exploiting Lothor's weakness as she tackled hm to the ground and started swinging as fast and as hard as she could to the smug bastard's face, "NO" BAM "ONE" BAM "PUTS" BAM "ME" BAM "IN" BAM "A" BAM "CAGE!"
She snarled out between each punch with a dark glare on her face
BAM BAM BAM
SMACK
"URK!" Gaz cried out as Lothor's fist shot out, bypassing her own blows to hit her in the middle of the face, nearly crushing her nose. And before she could react to that, one of Lothor's hands wrapped around her throat before he threw her against the wall, his other hand lashing out in a palm strike to plant against her chest and pin her in place. Between that and the hand on her throat holding her head in place, she couldn't move her upper body, and there was just enough distance between them that she couldn't kick at him either.
"Let... go..." she gasped out, but between the distance and awkward angle caused by their positioning, her swings were falling short of his head and only smacking lightly on his arms.
"I don't think I will. After all, I rather enjoy this positioning," Lothor sneered, Gaz not understanding what he was talking about until with a yelp she realized that the hand on her chest was placed perfectly in her cleavage.
"By the way, are these as real as they feel? Because if so, bravo," he laughed lecherously as he wiggled his hand against the soft flesh surrounding it.
At that moment, a spying Tak for some reason she didn't want to admit to felt a level of rage that might very well rival how angry she was when Zim left her trapped and caused her to miss that evaluation test... but also felt a sense of inadequacy as she found herself frowning as she glanced down while raising her hand up to her own mammary glands.
While Gaz... she was simply just completely and utterly pissed off, glaring with such loathing and hate toward Lothor (while trying to ignore how his hand felt on her chest) it a was miracle he didn't combust and die from her hate alone, "You... fucking... BASTARD!"
she gasped, snarling out as she attempted to call upon all her rage and hate to break his hold and lunged toward this fucking pig to tear off his head and shove it up his own ass!
But it didn't work. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how much fury she summoned, Gaz couldn't break free, leaving her almost comically flailing in his hold and ineffectively swinging and kicking at him.
"Well, I'd say this is my win," Lothor said smugly, shifting his hand on her chest to outright grab on of her tits and start squeezing it, causing her to gasp, "Hmm, then again, from the sounds of it, it might be a win for both of us. You seem to be enjoying this enough."
"I'm not... uhhh," Gaz tried to protest, only to moan as Lothor suddenly twisted her nipple through the fabric of her shirt.
"Your words say no, but your tone says yes," Lothor laughed, before leaning in and pressing his mouth against hers in a forcible kiss.
In her hiding spot, Tak had a sudden absurd urge to hit something. Here he was, treating that worthless Earth slut the same way he'd treated her! She was superior, she deserved superior treatment! That slut didn't even deserve to kiss Lothor's boots, much less his lips! The Irken thought in irrational anger, not fully realizing what she was thinking.
While Gaz... she was still angry, but right now she was more shocked than had ever been in her life. She had boys and even a few chicks who weren't aware of her reputation try to flirt or get into her pants before but they always backed off when she threaten to tear them a new one or just simply glared at them.
No one... no one had the fucking balls to treat her like this before. She thought in utter shock at feeling his tongue probe her mouth with her allowing entrance before realizing it as she gave out a faint groaning moan, "hmmmmm."
"See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Lothor purred as he broke the kiss, "In fact, I'd say you've just been waiting for someone to do this to you. You seem like the sort of big tough bitch who's so used to being in control of everything that you're desperate for someone to take control of you for a change. Tell me, how often do you fantasize about someone overpowering you and making you howl like a bitch in heat?"
"I don't..." Gaz panted, her words betrayed by the flush of her face.
"Well, by the time I'm done with you, you'll be thinking about me doing it every day," Lothor said, before the hand on her chest shot down to her waist, ripping the belt out of her pants before grabbing them by the hem and yanking down, letting the pants drop to Gaz's knees and exposing a pair of lacy purple panties. Gaz let out a surprisingly high-pitched cry at that, too surprised and embarrassed to even think about taking advantage of the fact that Lothor was now only holding her with one hand to try and break free again.
And the she just couldn't think at all, as the hand that had just pantsed her suddenly shoved its way into her panties and started harshly fingering her.
"Aaaa you ahmmm... bastard!" Gaz moaned out, her mind a blur between hate and lust and her body on fire. She... had never felt like this before... it... she should kill this pig... but... it felt so good.
She'd played with herself plenty of times, of course, she was a teenager and had those natural impulses. But something about having someone else do it to her, of having a set of fingers not her own invading her most private parts, sent a thrill of arousal through her. Without even realizing it, she was soon bracing herself against the wall, to allow herself to start thrusting back against Lothor's fingers, increasing the pace and intensity, panting and moaning as she felt the heat in her growing, and growing, feeling herself come so close to bursting...
"Enough!"
The yell broke both Lothor and Gaz out of the haze of lust that had overcome them both, and they turned to face its source, Lothor instinctively pulling his fingers free in the process (causing Gaz to whine before she could stop herself). To their surprise, Tak was standing there, face flushed and with a number of emotions running over her face.
"Are you really so pathetic that you'll take this human whore when you could have a superior being like me?" she snarled.
"Whore?!" Gaz growled as best she could around the hand still holding her neck in a vice grip. Given her current state, however, her tone severely lacked its usual threat.
"You didn't seem interested before," Lothor replied, smirking and loving how this was playing out - he'd just beaten Gaz Membrane herself in a fight and finger-fucked her almost to putty in his hands, and if he was right, Tak was about to practically throw herself at him.
"If I'd known that you'd insult me like this, I would have handled things better," Tak scoffed, not sure where this was coming from, but not caring in the moment, "Ditch the human, and I'll show you what pleasure really is."
"Hmm, alright," he said, suddenly letting go of Gaz's neck and letting her drop back onto her feet. Caught off guard by this, and with her pants still lowered and tangled around her legs, she quickly lost her balance and fell on her ass, which to her shame sent another tingle through her now very wet pussy.
Unfortunately, Gaz didn't have a chance to dwell on that, as Lothor suddenly grabbed her by the hair and, ignoring her cries and protests, dragged her back to her cell, tossing her in and closing it back up.
"Sorry dear, perhaps another time. Why don't you just sit there and dwell on things for awhile?" Lothor laughed, before turning to Tak, "Shall we?"
"We shall.." Tak said with a smirk, stepping forward, feeling her nether regions burning with a strange thrill while she threw the whore in the cell a smug smirk of amusement at seeing Lothor toss her aside so easily for the clearly superior woman, "I just hope you can live up to your talk Lothor..."
She said, stepping in front of him, looking up at him as she reached up and unzipped his pants while fishing out his cock, feeling her eyes widen at the size and feel of his member in her hands as she let out a pleased groan, 'Hmmm you've certainly got a nice set of equipment..."
she said with a smirk leaning up with a smirk, "but the question still remains if you can use it~" She asked, before giving his cock a teasing lick, then swirled her tongue around the tip teasingly.
"Well, why don't you find out?" Lothor asked smugly, before grabbing the sides of Tak's head and dragging her forward so that his cock slammed into her open mouth.
"Glrkt!" she gagged for a second, before making pleased sounds as she started sucking his cock, and he started thrusting, fully face-fucking her.
While this was happening, Gaz was staring at the scene in front of her, wide-eyed and mind quickly clouding with arousal again. Her pussy was still throbbing from what Lothor had started but not finished, and there was something so hot about what she was seeing that it was only making it worse. So much so that, almost unconsciously, one hand reached down to start fingering her wet folds, while the other went up under her shirt to start teasing the nipple still tingling from Lothor's previous abuse.
Not noticing that Gaz was starting to masturbate to them, Tak continued to suck Lothor's cock and he kept thrusting against her face, euphoric at being in this situation.
"That's right, show me how much you can take!" he cried out, increasing his pace as he felt the pressure in his balls building up. Seeming to sense this, Tak started sucking even harder, finally managing to push him over the edge.
"Uggggghhhh!" he screamed, cum shooting out and down Tak's throat. Having no experience with how to handle this, Tak quickly gagged and ended up having to pull away, letting a good chunk of Lothor's seed spill out over her face.
"Ah, ah, not bad," Lothor muttered.
"Mmm, you taste better than any snack," Tak said once her mouth was cleared. Glancing to Gaz's cell, she snorted at what she saw, "Enjoying the show, slut?"
Too caught up in what she was doing, Gaz couldn't do more than wordlessly moan in response. Hearing this, Lothor laughed.
"Well, if she is, let's give her some more," he said, "How about my sexy Invader lets me invade her other holes?"
"Hmm, I like the sound of that~" Tak said with a smirk as she sent a mental command to her PAK and her clothing started to rescind into the PAK, leaving her body naked before Lothor, "but is the mighty warlord strong enough to conquer my body~"
Tak asked teasingly as she turned, getting on her hands and knees while shaking her ass up toward Lothor with a taunting smirk over her shoulder.
"Well, I'm definitely going to give it my best," Lothor said with a smirk of his own, raising his hand and bringing it down hard on her ass.
SMACK
"Oh!" she cried out in delight, "Do that again, but like you mean it!"
SMACK
"Ugh! Come on, you can do harder than that!"
SMACK
"Yes!" Tak hissed in bliss, before glancing over at Gaz, "I bet you wish he were doing this to your fat ass, don't you, you worthless whore?"
"Nngh," was all Gaz managed to say. She wanted so badly to hurl insults at that green bitch, but all she could think about was the heat in her loins, and how what she was seeing was making it grow.
"If she liked that, she's going to love this," Lothor said happily, grabbing Tak's hips to brace himself and then slamming his cock into her pussy, causing her to cry out in ecstasy as he began thrusting in and out.
PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP
"Ah yes, harder... HARDER!" Tak groaned out, finding herself lost in pleasure while bucking her hips to meet his thrusts. However, while she was enjoying him fucking her like a bitch... she was about to show how superior she could really be, as she deployed her PAK legs, and before Lothor could blink he found them flung back with him landing on his back and Tak riding him reverse cowgirl style, "Ah, mmm ohhh yeah, didn't... think you could ah..."
she adjusted her position for a moment so she was facing him with a smirk before she resumed bouncing on his cock, "dominate... me... like that whore... so easily... did you~"
she asked with a wide smug smirk, "like I... said... I'm superior... in every way~"
"Ooooh... yes... you're definitely... more fun~" Lothor grunted, as he resumed thrusting up into her, "She just... gave in. You're... so much... stronger."
"Mmmm... of course," Tak purred back, smirking in Gaz's direction, "She's just a... weak-willed... slut. Acts so... strong... but really... just wants to... be dominated."
Gaz would have argued that rather fiercely, but by this point her brain was practically mush with horniness, so she just kept fingering herself.
God this was so hot... so fucking hot! The purple haired girl thought, lost in lust, fingering her pussy while working her hand under her shirt to grab at her tit and twist her nipple as she moaned loudly
"Ah ah ah mmmm very nice~" Tak herself was enjoying Lothor's cock, she had to admit as the pleasure peaked. A part of her was starting to wonder why the Irkens stopped producing biologically despite still having the equipment for it if it felt this good~
"Ah ah mmm bet you never... had a mate... who feels as good as I do... around your... cock~" she told Lothor with a smirk, "That whore... and any others... could never compare... to Irken pussy~"
she told him, bouncing harder and harder with one hand grabbing at her right tit, squeezing as she moaned out, "Hmm, why don't you beg for your release?" she added, shooting him a taunting smirk, "Beg for me to carry your offspring... beg for me... to be your queen~"
Lothor knew, even around the haze of lust currently clouding his brain, that he could easily overpower Tak and make her the one to beg. But frankly, he was having too much fun to spoil the mood like that, so he played along. Albeit with a little twist, he thought with a smirk.
"Oh yes... please... agree to be my Queen," he moaned out, "Please... carry my children... be my chief wife."
"Chief... wife?" Tak echoed, actually pausing in what she was doing to look at him in confusion.
"Yes... picture it," he said, not pausing his own thrusting, "Me taking any woman I want... and you... forcing them to earn your approval... breaking them in for me... them calling you Mistress~"
Tak licked her lips, very much enjoying the mental images that brought to her. One in particular made her look to Gaz again.
"Can we start with the whore?" she asked eagerly.
"Oh yes," Lothor grinned, "She's halfway there already... let's make her our bitch... make her beg to be our pet~"
"Hmm, you like that, slut?" Tak asked as she started bouncing again, "You want us to lead you around on a leash? Naked and on all fours? Kissing our boots and begging for us to fuck you?"
Now it was Gaz's mind filled with images, seeing herself on all fours, naked except for a dog collar, sucking Lothor's cock while Tak shoved her long worm-like tongue up her pussy from behind. This proved to be the final straw, and with a wordless scream, Gaz orgasmed, collapsing into an unconscious heap, juices leaking out of her.
"Hehe, whore," Tak laughed, "I'm going to enjoy breaking her in, once I'm your Queen."
"Then let's finish up here," Lothor replied, increasing his thrusting.
"Ah yes fuck me, FUCK YOUR QUEEN!" Tak screamed out, moaning. A distant part of her was unable to believe she was doing this, this... was treason against the Empire in every way, from letting her body be defiled like this to agreeing to become Lothor's queen.
This was supposed to just be an alliance as she used the man to her advantage, but the more she thought about it... compared to the empire that never gave her a real chance and had her as a janitor till she took a chance... the empire that abandoned her.
Compared to the pleasure she was feeling, the idea of breaking whores like Gaz beneath her boot, of being Queen across numerous conquered worlds... well, the choice was a obvious one she thought, riding and bouncing all the harder, "I'm the Queen... I'm the Queen... I'm the QUEEEEEEEN!" she yelled out after several minutes of riding his cock, before feeling her body rocked by an orgasm.
"AHHHH!" Lothor cried out as well, as Tak's pussy tightened around his cock, causing him to cum as well, seed billowing out and up into Tak's womb. Could Irkens even still get pregnant? Well, he supposed they'd find out soon enough.
With a plop, Tak pulled off of his cock and fell back to land on his chest, leaning down on him with a content sigh, practically unconscious. Smiling genuinely at the sight, Lothor took her in his arms and carefully stood up, zipping up before starting to walk out of the dungeons. Before he left though, he paused and glanced at the undignified position that Gaz had left herself in, pants and panties down and her spent pussy still leaking slightly while her head lolled slightly in her sleep.
"Don't worry, we'll be back for you later," Lothor laughed, before walking off with his new Queen in his arms, leaving Gaz to dreams of being tormented by her new Master and Mistress.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hehe, anyone who knows my writing knows my history of negative feelings towards Gaz. Now, while I've tried to have a more nuanced role of her ever since "Enter the Florpus", I have to say that tormenting her is just too much fun to pass an opportunity on. And believe me, my new Irken Queen and I aren't going to be going any easier on her going forward.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Great chapter don't you think so folk's? We got a taste of combat with two bat family members, and we see despite her top bitch attitude Gaz couldn't stop herself from being captured. And now she's going to be a bottom bitch ~
Chapter 5: Interlude 1
Summary:
In the aftermath of Skeleton King and Lothor's first moves, several factions react to them. Including one with a very different perspective on things...
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Not much here for this update, just a little world building for this unique setting that Night and I have created. I think you'll like some of the choices we're tossing in here, and even if you don't, I hope you can at least appreciate the interesting choices we've made.
Nightmaster000 A/N: As Zim said this chapter ain't necessary the biggest but none the less we hope you enjoy it and the lore dropped into it. I know I do as I believe the setting and lore were developing for this reality is coming along quite nicely.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"AHHHH!" Lothor cried out as well, as Tak's pussy tightened around his cock, causing him to cum as well, seed billowing out and up into Tak's womb. Could Irkens even still get pregnant? Well, he supposed they'd find out soon enough.
With a plop, Tak pulled off of his cock and fell back to land on his chest, leaning down on him with a content sigh, practically unconscious. Smiling genuinely at the sight, Lothor took her in his arms and carefully stood up, zipping up before starting to walk out of the dungeons. Before he left though, he paused and glanced at the undignified position that Gaz had left herself in, pants and panties down and her spent pussy still leaking slightly while her head lolled slightly in her sleep.
"Don't worry, we'll be back for you later," Lothor laughed, before walking off with his new Queen in his arms, leaving Gaz to dreams of being tormented by her new Master and Mistress.
(Bludhaven)
While Lothor was claiming his new queen and sexually torturing Gaz, back on Earth certain other parties were being informed of recent events and who took part in them, "Urg, I can't believe this!"
A 18 year old teenager possessing what many would call a large head said to himself, banging a fist on his computer desk as he gave a dark scowl, "We've just started recovering from the Thanagarian occupation and now not only do we have two new hostile alien factions invading Earth... but one of them has Tak working with them!"
He exclaimed out in disbelief and anger, "I thought she was dead!" He yelled out with a groan, leaning back into his chair while rubbing his face, "instead she's back with a grudge and throws it in my face by blowing up dad's lab."
He said with a scowling sigh, "This is just... perfect." He said to his call on the computer.
"Take a breath, babe, we both now that getting worked up isn't going to help you or anyone else," said the person Dib was currently video-chatting with. This was his girlfriend Lilo Pelekai, a pretty 18 year old Hawaiian girl he'd met a few years back when on one of his first missions after becoming aware of how much the world had to offer outside his hometown. He'd followed rumors of odd activity on Kauai, and ended up stumbling on an entire population of alien lab experiments who had been living on the island for years, with the explicit permission of the US government.
Naturally, Dib had freaked out and thought that government collaborators were selling out to an invasion, and he'd tried to capture one of the experiments as proof.
Just as naturally, he'd ended up in the hospital with multiple broken bones. Fortunately, that had meant that he'd actually had to sit and listen when Lilo had shown up to both apologize for what had happened and explain the situation with the experiments. He'd been understandably hesitant to believe her at first, but she'd shown him plenty of evidence to slowly convince him, and once he'd gotten out of the hospital she'd shown him around and introduced him to many of the experiments and the rest of her extended family. The two had really hit it off by getting to know each other during all of this, and slowly romantic sparks had emerged, leading to the couple's current long-distance relationship.
Honestly a part of him still couldn't believe he had a girlfriend, much less the direction his life had taken since that day all those years ago when a boy with green skin walked into his classroom.
After all, if you told him years ago he'd be working with superhero, much less working willingly with "friendly" aliens even he'd think you were nuts.
But now wasn't the time to think about the turn his life took, especially when an old face from his past was back in town.
"I..." Dib let out a frustrated growl for a moment before sighing, "I know.." He admitted, sending Lilo an apologetic look, "It's just this is the last thing we need."
He said, rubbing his face, "I'm still trying to find whatever hole Zim's been hiding in..." He said with a scowl, "But outside of Gir appearing in random places causing chaos, we haven't seen any sign of him since the Thanagar occupation."
He admitted with a grimace, his mind not only going to Zim's crazy robot who was last spotted in Atlantis of all places, leading to an incident where he admittedly jumped the gun, got his hands on a sub ship his dad had on hand to head there, thinking Zim was scheming a plot involving the underwater kingdom.
Only when he got there Gir was long gone with no sign of him other than some graffiti and wreckage and well... let's just say one incident lead to another and he was kinda banned from Atlantis... which considering the look in Aquaman's eyes when he last saw him he probably got off easy better than losing his head.
But that memory aside, his mind like so many times before also went to Zim. Honestly he still wasn't sure if the Irken had even been to Atlantis and done something or if it had just been Gir being Gir. Though he hadn't forgotten when he last saw his personal enemy and reluctantly had to work with him and his so-called Legion of Doom during the Thanagar occupation.
Which caused him to give another annoyed groan, "And I'm still kicking myself for letting him walk away with so much Thanagarian technology and even worse Nth Metal."
He said with a scowl, because of course Zim pulled a double cross at the right moment, allowing him to take not only a whole ship but a whole armory of Nth Metal Weapons.
He wasn't an expert on the material, but he had heard rumors of Hawkgirl's mace which was made out of it being particularly disruptive to magical energies, and that factor alone made Zim having so much of it very worrying to say the least, "And now..."
He gave another groan, "Tak's back and she's got a grudge to grind," he said rubbing his head, "Who knows what she might be plotting," he said with a scowl.
"I mean, on the bright side, from what you've told me about her, her grudge was with Zim," Lilo pointed out, "So, maybe she'll go looking for him first?"
"I'd believe that, if it wasn't for this attack," Dib groaned, "She definitely knows that I helped Zim stop her last time, so even if he's her primary target, she's clearly going to be coming after me eventually. This attack was probably mostly about letting us know she's gunning for us than any gains she could have gotten from Dad's labs."
"Speaking of which, is your dad okay? He was there when the attack happened, wasn't he?" Lilo asked.
"Yeah, but luckily as soon as the alarms sounded at the start of the attack, his emergency programs kicked in and teleported him out of there," Dib explained, thankful for the preparations his father had taken ever since the end of the Swollen Eyeballs' conspiracy had forced him to finally acknowledge the existence of aliens.
Admittedly, Dib was just happy his dad finally knew he wasn't crazy, but him having proper protection against all threats was a boon.
"What about your sister?" Lilo asked with a grimace. She and Gaz did not like each other at all, but she knew Dib still cared about her, so she tried for his sake.
"Well, Dad said that she visited for something today, but she left before the attack, so she must be fine," Dib shrugged.
"You haven't checked?"
"You think she ever answers my calls or texts? Besides, she made me accept a long time ago that she can handle herself in anything," Dib said, unaware how wrong he was about that.
"That's... true, I suppose." Lilo said with a sigh, recalling her own unpleasant interactions with Dib's sister here and there. As much as she believed in ohana and families being close... Gaz had the knack of making her question that belief with how she treated Dib to say the least.
"And what's worse, she's apparently back with new friends too." Dib said with a sour expression as he looked at his girlfriend, "Don't suppose you have any records on this Lothor guy, or this Skeleton King he's apparently competing with to conquer Earth?"
He said with a sour expression that said everything about his opinion on two hostile alien forces apparently seeing Earth as bragging rights to claim over each other, and as he asked his question he sighed when he saw his girlfriend's expression, "Sorry, but no."she said with a shake of her head, "I've checked through the records I've got access to in the United Galactic Federation databanks but there's been nothing on either of them," she said, pursing her lips for a bit, "Or this Shuggazoom or Dark Ones Skeleton King mentioned to the Titans."
she said with a sour expression of concern, "It's okay, probably was a long shot anyway." Dib said with a sigh, rubbing his head. After all, he knew that his girlfriend was technically Earth's official ambassador to an interstellar republic composed of quite a number of races in the universe.
A fact that made him wary and worried to say the least when it came to her safety, as he was still wary to trust any alien at best, and prepared to step in to stop them if they stepped out of line at worst.
The amount of Kryptonite he had been working on secretly stockpiling and weaponizing shows that, because the footage of the Apokolips invasion alone with the brainwashed Kryptonian proved that there needed to be safety measures in place.
But that was his little secret... that and the contingency plans he's made for a number of Lilo's ohana... a secret that hopefully she won't have to learn about or would understand if any of them proved necessary to use.
But he focused back on the conversation, "After all, despite its size from what you told me, the Federation doesn't span the whole galaxy," He pointed out to Lilo with a frown, "It's a big universe out there and there's no telling what sort of hostile alien scum are lurking in the dark reaches of the universe."
He said as his memories of past fights with Zim flashed through his head with that alien's laughter ringing through his head, "Dib..." Lilo said with a sigh and a slight stern look, causing Dib to realize he might have let his tongue slip there, "Ah, not that all aliens are hostile of course."
He said with a strained grin and nervous laugh with Lilo giving him a slight glare but sighing, choosing to drop this recurring topic... for now, "Point is what we do know doesn't paint a good picture."
Dib said with a scowl, "Lothor's the one we know least about, but the fact he could fight Batgirl, hell the fact that Tak would willingly join or work under a non-Irken rather than her leaders... that says he's dangerous in a fight."
He said with a scowl, "While Skeleton King is the opposite, we know more but what we know from the Titans' reports is absolutely horrifying!" he said with a low snapping growl as indeed that file was already being spread around to the League and its associates like himself, and needless to say Skeleton King wasn't making many fans, "And that isn't even going into this whole Dark Ones business or this whole deal with Trigon of all demoniac entities!"
He said with a groan, slamming his head into the table, "Now I've got to talk to dad for help in building something to help us find out if another one of these Dark Ones are in Earth's core AND I've got to work with Dipper in trying to find this Gem of Scath or whatever."
"All on top of me trying to find Zim and stop whatever he's scheming now, while having to look over my shoulder for when Tak makes her own move," he said, ranting to his girlfriend as he groaned into his computer table, "I need a vacation."
"Well, you're always welcome here, you know that," Lilo said reassuringly, "And don't forget, you don't have to do everything by yourself like you did when you were a kid. There's lots of other people working with you on this."
"Yeah, I know," Dib muttered, a part of him still driven by his youthful ego and need for admiration hating to admit that. He'd spent so long being the self-declared "sole defender of Earth" that he had trouble accepting all these other heroes running around, even the purely human ones that his somewhat-prejudicial views on aliens didn't interfere with.
"Look, go get some food and sleep, and try to look at this again in the morning after you've had a chance to refresh yourself," Lilo suggested, "You know how you get when you work too obsessively on something, and you won't do anyone any good if you burn yourself out."
"You're right," Dib said with a sigh, "Okay, I'll check a couple of things quick and then I'll head to bed. Talk to you tomorrow?"
"Okay, goodnight," Lilo replied, blowing Dib a kiss before ending the call, leaving Dib to stare at the screen as he pondered his thoughts.
Normally Dib would be smiling fresh off a chat with Lilo, while wondering what changed his luck from his childhood so much to meet a girl like her, but right now... he had more immediate problems plaguing his mind.
And like Detective Bullock in Gotham, Dib had indeed noticed an alarming rising trend in hostile alien factions invading or attacking Earth and as much as he loved his planet he couldn't help but wonder why?
What could draw so many factions or individual alien parties to Earth of all places in the universe? "It's almost as if something is drawing them to our planet... but what?" He muttered out with a scowl, his mind going to recently learned information about Trigon and these Dark Ones... could either of those entities have a hand in it... their power acting as a lure to hostile invaders, distracting anybody that could stop them before they strike?
That theory caused him to grimace before choosing to wave it off to address for now as he sighed out thinking about a old enemy who returned.
Tak she... well to put it bluntly, she was probably the ideal invader of the Irken Empire. After all, she had infiltrated seamlessly, and if not for her revealing herself to Zim while attempting to neutralize his operations and then Zim telling him in order to get help against a common threat... he might not have ever even humored the idea of her being a alien.
It was a black mark on his record that he looked back with embarrassment to say the least... especially since before he met Lilo... Tak was probably the first girl he formed a crush on, which just fueled his shame and disgust more.
What kinda defender of mankind lets a hostile invader charm and manipulate them so easily!? He thought with a groan, "Focus Dib."
He said with a frown looking out his window, "You can't change the fact Tak is back with friends, but you can be ready for when she makes her next move." He said as he started to monologue to himself, "Earth is counting on you to protect it from the Irken scum.."
He said with a scowl, "And whether Tak or Zim, humanity will never bow to an Irken master, I swear it!" He declared in what he believed to be a dramatic heroic fashion, though at the thought of his oldest enemy he couldn't help but wonder if Zim was aware of Tak's return yet... and how he was taking it.
(Unknown location, Zim's base)
Elsewhere in what appeared to be a highly advanced base filled with state of the art alien technology... technology certain parties might recognize as Irken, a voice was shouting out in rage, "ARG ZIM WiLL NOT STAND FOR THIS!"
PWE
BOOM!
A loud explosion went off as a laser hit a monitor on the wall while other surrounding monitors displayed news reports showing security footage that managed to be recovered from the attack on Membrane Labs despite the bomb and fire.
And right now a rather infamous figure stood in the center of the room, glaring with hate, a short (And the fact his hated nemesis had grown to tower over him enraged him every day) green-skinned figure with antennae and ruby eyes wearing a uniform with a strange device hooked to his back... Invader Zim, the most infamous Irken in the universe and self-proclaimed future ruler of Earth... was not happy
"HOW DARE THAT TRUMPED UP JANITOR RETURN TO ZIM'S PLANET!" He roared out angrily, clenching his fists, "EARTH BELONGS TO ZIM NOT TAK! ZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!"
"Hmm, you're taking this pretty badly," a voice said dryly from another part of the room. The speaker was a slender, fair-skinned young (probably in her early 20s) Japanese woman with long hair with straight bangs that had been split-dyed into two shades of blue (navy blue on the right and aqua blue on the left) and styled into buns that vaguely resembled horns. Her eyes were dark brown, her nails were multicolored, and she had makeup which consisted of thick eyeliner and plum-purple lipstick on her plump lips. She was wearing an extravagant, neon-green leather jacket with small dark silver spikes on the shoulders and around the cuffs, dark silver studs on the front and on the popped collar, as well as a blue and orange patch sewn on the right side. Under her jacket, she wore a navy-blue stealth-suit which had a design of an orange "V" on the center and a round dull-silver zipper hanging from the high collar. She also wore thigh-high dull-purple platform boots with darker-colored soles and accessorized purple utility straps, one around her right thigh and two around her left thigh, with three of them having buckles which sported a similar design to the zipper on her suit.
"Of course Zim is taking this badly, Paper Star!" Zim snapped, "Did you not see that one of my most cunning, but obviously not as much as me, enemies has returned?!"
"Zim, I have no idea who that is," Paper Star replied, barely glancing up from the origami she was folding, "We've been working together for years, and you've never even mentioned her."
"Oh, right," Zim coughed in embarrassment, "Er, short version, her name is Tak, she blames me for not becoming an Invader, and came here years ago to try and steal my... mission."
Zim trailed off for a bit at that, as he always did whenever he brought up that part of his past. He still remembered when he'd called the Tallest to tell them about all he'd learned about Earth's superpowered population. They'd been intrigued, of course, but when he'd brought up the time Superman had been brainwashed by Darkseid, they'd freaked out - not even the Irkens were willing to mess with Apokolips, after all, and they'd made it clear that they weren't going to dare invade a planet that Darkseid had targeted. Which Zim might have been reluctantly willing to accept, if they hadn't then let slip in their panic how they'd never planned on invading Earth to begin with, this was just a guarantee that they never would, no matter what.
Zim had, understandably, been pissed to learn that his mission was fake, and even more so when the Tallest used this revelation as an excuse to cut him off for good. Well, he'd decided that if they were going to piss all over his loyalty, he wouldn't bother staying loyal - he'd conquer Earth and its superpowers for himself, and build up his own empire! So, he'd reached out to the criminal underworld and made contacts and allies, forging his Legion of Doom!
...Admittedly, other than Paper Star, who'd signed up after V.I.L.E.'s downfall, they were all a bunch of C-list losers, but that was besides the point!
"Anyway, like I was saying, she tried to conquer Earth, so I defeated her with some minor help from the Dib-Monkey and blasted her into space!" Zim explained, growling, "And now she's back! With new allies! Well, two can play that game, and I'll crush her beneath the might of the Legion!"
"Hmm well you know you can count on me Zimmy~" she said with a slight smirk as she revealed a folded piece of a paper in the shape of a star in her hand, "i'll give her a paper cut she'd never forget~"
she said with a slight smirk as she threw the paper, launching it to another screen with the paper star actually destroying the screen as if it was a weapon made of metal, "however..."
she arched a brow at Zim, "you have to remember that besides the two of us the rest of your Legion aren't exactly up to snuff," she reminded him with a bored yawn as she skipped to a nearby seat, "they're mostly just cannon fodder or lackeys. The only one with any real use is that creep Gideon and he's a half-rate psychic compared to other mystics out there."
she said to Zim, "Or to cut to the point, they're useful against the heroes but not sure how useful those morons will be against Tak and whoever she's working with if you're really worried about her."
"Zim is not worried, I'm angry!" he snapped defensively, "And in any case, you're forgetting about our new Nth Metal weapons! With those, and the rest of what we took from those idiotic bird people, even the minions' underwhelming abilities will be magnified to the point of crushing all who oppose us! No matter how many of these ugly pajama people that Tak has allied with, she will still fall before my might!"
"Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you if it all goes south on us," she replied with a shrug. Zim huffed at that, before turning his attention back to the screens.
"Computer! Summon the Legion! We must have a strategy meeting immediately!" he commanded.
"Fine. But you know it'll take awhile for everyone to get here, right?" the Computer replied with a sigh, causing Zim to blink.
"Oh, right, none of them live in the base. Why did I agree to that?" he grumbled.
"So that we'd have more privacy, remember?" Paper Star said with a lustful smirk as she skipped over, leaning down to massage Zim's shoulders and whisper huskily into where his ear would be if he were human, "Speaking of which, think we have time for a roll in the hay before they get here?"
"Zim has more important things to worry about than enjoying your feminine delights," Zim scoffed.
"Please~?" she asked, giving one of his antennae a sensual lick.
"...Then again, there might be time if we're quick," he amended, face flushing.
If he had been informed years ago when he first arrived to this planet that he would develop and see the attraction found in the female gender of the Earth monkeys he'd... well, he would have laughed while sending you to your doooooooom!
But there was no denying that humans, while of course inferior to Zim... had more potential than Zim first wanted to admit. After all, Dib-Stink for as much as Zim despised him more than any other with only his former leaders coming close to the level of hatred he had for him.
There was no denying he had proven a worthy adversary and their battles through out his years on Earth had only worked to make Zim even more amazing! Thanks to the experience against Dib as well as the few other protectors of this puny planet he had only gotten smarter, sharper, stronger, more Zim-like than ever!
So while he still looked down at the normal variety of human in the greater populace, he admitted if reluctantly that they were a resilient species and that resilience only meant they'd be all the more useful when he ruled them as he began his own empire, an empire that would bring the Irken empire to its knees and that soon all would kneel to ZIM!
Of course, this brought him to the girl who was showing her affection to the great Zim and would someday likely rule his empire with him as his Queen!
After he was exposed to the Earth monkeys and learned of the greater additional threats on the planet, and he still cursed himself for allowing himself to fall into that information blackout trap set by those eye swollens or whatever they were called that Dib had been part of, he had worked to establish his power and reputation among Earth now that his cover had been blown.
Searching for pawns and allies he could use he would eventually meet Paper Star, a gifted criminal on the run who at first he saw as a potentially very capable minion but now he saw as so much more.
After all, she was almost as amazing as Zim himself... hmm, something she was currently proving as Zim found himself groaning in pleasure as she fished out his cock and started to suck it eagerly.
"Mmm, yes my future Queen, show Zim what you can do," Zim purred, as Paper Star's tongue ran skillfully over his cock, carefully and lovingly sliding across every inch of it. And as she started applying pressure to suck it in earnest, he started thrusting against her, happily beginning to face fuck her.
He honestly never expected it to come to this when they'd started working together. If anything, he would probably have ended up killing her or experimenting on her when he got bored. But then a few months into their partnership, they'd been raiding a chemical company when it had also been attacked by minions of some human crime syndicate (Zim honestly didn't even know which one, he couldn't tell most of them apart), leading to a fight over the resources within. Zim had won, naturally, but in the process, some containers of chemicals had been broken open, exposing Paper Star to them.
Whatever was in those containers, they'd had some sort of extreme aphrodisiac-like effect on her, sending her sex drive into high-gear, and the next thing Zim had known, she'd stripped naked and thrown herself at him. Why him and not any of the unconscious dirt-monkeys around them, he had no idea even now. But in any case, he'd been so caught off guard that he hadn't been able to react, and soon found himself pinned under her as she ripped his pants off and started riding him.
It had been the most overwhelming, and most pleasant, experience of Zim's life. Why in Irk's name had his people ever stopped doing this?
In any case, by the time that the post-coital Paper Star had come down from the lustful haze, they'd barely had time to escape the site before the human law enforcement arrived. When they'd finally gotten back to base, an embarrassed Paper Star had asked if they could forget the whole thing had happened; Zim had responded with a forceful kiss, making it clear he didn't want to forget. The rest, as they say, is history.
A history that Zim was quite pleased with as he groaned as he gripped her hair and started to face fuck her, "Oh yes, suck Zim's cock my mate~" He said with a dark lustful grin, "Let Zim show his superiority to all inferior males!"
He yelled out in lust as he face fucked her harder and faster for several minutes, the air filled with her muffled moans before he gave a loud groan as he shot his seed down her throat, with Paper Star eagerly swallowing as much as she could as the two stared into each other's eyes with genuine twisted love.
Because despite the incident that started it, they truly had come to love each other, with Zim wanting to give his mate the world and he would once he ruled it~ While for Paper Star, honestly Zim seemed like a good gig and seemed like he'd be easy to manipulate, she figured she could his him and his technology to bounce back after the fall of VILE, but that incident with those chemicals changed everything.
At first it all about lust and desire, and she figured she could use this to manipulate him more easily, but there was no denying she cared for him in a way she never did anyone else... they understood each other in a way no on else could.
"Ah... as always my mate, you show that you are superior to all the inferior female Earth monkeys~" Zim said, looking into her eyes as she swallowed the last of his seed with a smirk, "Dib's pitiful mate is nothing without that experiment slave of hers, while you..."
He kissed her forehead, "you could tear her pet to pieces with mere paper~" he said with a dark laugh, adding with a dark smirk, "And together we will crush Tak, Dib, and all others who dare to claim OUR planet!"
"Hmm, damn straight we will," she replied with a purr, leaning up to share a passionate kiss with the only person she'd ever met who could truly match her sadistic glee in taking whatever they wanted and cutting down anyone who got in their way.
Yes, she was perfectly happy with this arrangement, and to Hell with anyone who dared come between them.
(Elsewhere in a different plane of reality)
In a dark room where the only light source came from seemingly hundreds of monitors on a wall, three silhouettes stood watching the feed from all the monitors.
With every screen displaying footage of not only the isekai souls that had become Skeleton King and Lothor and their followers from their ships, their attacks, and even their fun with certain ladies of choice.
But it wasn't just them footage on the screens displayed various heroes and villains including somehow the scenes of Dib and Lilo's talk, and even Zim and Paper Star's fun.
Silence stood in the dark room for several minutes before the center and largest shadowy silhouetted figure started laughing, "Hehehhe, ohhh now this... THIS is entertainment!"
They exclaimed, raising their arms up grandly as the figure standing to their right spoke up, "Indeed, oh malicious of manipulators." The figure said in a stoic yet submissive tone to the central figure while the figure to the left possessing a more feminine form simply scoffed, "At least something's finally happening."
They said with obvious boredom, "Ah patience, you can't rush perfection in this business, my dear~" The central figure said with a laugh glancing over to them, "But yes, now that both stars are on the set, the real show can begin~"
They said with malevolence oozing out their tone, "And have to say, our second co-star is proving a real go-getter~" They said with a hoot as they looked at the footage of Skeleton King, "barely waited an hour before they launched their first attack and got themselves a girl~"
They rubbed their hands together, "And him joining the show was just the kick in the pants our first co-star needed to get to work~" he chuckled before adding in a thoughtful mutter, "I guess it's true that some people work better with a co-star."
"And ratings are already going through the roof, sir," the stoic figure commented, "Especially for the most recent events. I imagine it's also true that sex sells."
"That's great and all, but is no one else worried about how several of the locals are picking up on the coincidence of all this happening so close together?" the feminine voice asked.
"Oh, they can be genre savvy all they want about the state of things, dear, but I'd say we're a long way from having to worry about them breaking the fourth wall," the central figure stated.
"No, our other actors are still blissfully ignorant and will play their roles wonderfully~" The central figure said with glee in their tone while arching their hands together, "And even if they do start to suspect something..."
he let out a little malicious giggle, "Well my dear, that's what we have you for when management needs to step in... personally~" They said with a dark edge in their tone and you could just feel the smirk in the female's voice as she said, "I'll admit wouldn't mind seeing if this Wonder Woman could live up to her hype~"
"That's the spirit!" The central figure with a laugh before turning their attention to the stoic figure, "But tell me, while the ratings are good what's the latest word on the forums?" They demanded with impatience, "I need to know how the reception is and what the critics are saying about our big premiere."
"After all," They then added with a proud life, "This is probably my grandest idea yet~" They held out their hands spreading them apart as they gestured toward the monitors which all changed to display images of Lothor and Skeleton King, "Take two feared galactic warlords from their respective universes with their armies, throw them into one of the mixing pot sections of the wider omniverse for one doozy of a crossover special..."
They clenched their hands to fists, "AND... and as the special cherry on top that will let us cash in on that whole isekai craze that everyone's going nuts for..." They giggled madly, "Take two lucky saps and throw them into the bodies of said warlords with no else the wiser and watch the chaos unfold~"
They laughed gleefully as they turned to the stoic figure, "You can't tell me that's not entertainment!" They exclaimed out with dark laughter, "The critics HAVE to be singing my praises, right... right?!"
"For the most part, yes sir," the stoic figure replied, "Though there are some who are complaining about this being cliched and derivative, they are in the minority. The vast majority are greatly enjoying the programming so far."
"Ah, okay, so just the typical trolls who hate whatever we do regardless," the central figure noted, "That's fine, they don't matter."
"Shall I have kill teams eliminate them, sir?"
"Obviously. But flamers aside, I think we've got a real award winner here~" The central figure said smugly, "And I've got a good feeling about our two new stars." He said, seemingly grinning sinisterly before letting out a low growl, "Not like those ungrateful hazbins I tried to make stars!"
They snapped in rage, "You try to make them into somebody and give them a chance of a life time and how do they repay you?" They asked, their tone oozing contempt before snapping in a roar, "By destroying your entire set and production!"
Before taking several deep breaths trying to calm down, "Quite ungrateful that lot were, sir," The stoic figure said with the central growling, "Ungrateful doesn't even begin to describe t," They spat out, "Why, if they saw my new show they'd be crawling on their knees for me to give them a second chance."
They started to say before freezing, "Say... that's a idea~" They said with a malicious laugh, "Sir?" The stoic figure and the female figure shot him curious looks but he just waved them off, "Ohhh nothing, just an idea for later into the season... or maybe next season."
They said thoughtfully to themselves before shaking it off, "Doesn't matter, what matters is," They rubbed their hands together, "is making sure this production goes perfectly and our stars shine~"
They turned to the stoic figure, "So make sure we got security to give our boys their protection," He spat, jabbing his finger at the stoic finger, "I don't want any crazies like those fanboy imps that have a habit of floating around our guest stars try to crash their way into the show disturbing our actors while they're working on bringing me ratings and adoration across the omniverse."
They said with a low growl before snapping, "Am I understood?!"
"Perfectly sir." The stoic figure replied back simply
"Good," the central figure said, rubbing his hands together excitedly, "Then let's see how things play out..."
And at that the central figure looked toward the screens displaying Lothor and Skeleton King eager to see what their big stars would do next to bring in the ratings. One things for sure whatever they do it's bound to be entertaining~
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: So, seems the ROB responsible for this story isn't as hands-off as most. Who could he possibly be?
Meanwhile, the Zim/Paper Star pairing was a completely random addition we threw in, but I'm loving it, and I hope you all like it too.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Dib/Lilo and Zim/Paper Star I'm sure many of you are more surprised by the latter pairing than the former but hope you enjoyed this little peak into how the two adversaries are doing these days years after Invader Zim canon their war still continues only larger and it seems both have found love along the way ~
We also get a peak at someone pulling strings from the shadows who's behind me and my fellow Isekai situation. Which brings up the questions. Who are they, and what else might they do?
Chapter 6: Planning Next Steps
Summary:
After making their first moves in this new reality, the isekai souls meet to discuss what they're going to do next.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hello everyone, and welcome back to Isekai Conquerors. With last chapter's interlude out of the way, we can get back to the main plot, as me/Lothor and Night/Skeleton King plan our next steps in the new reality we find ourselves in. And in my case, have a little fun with the girls I've claimed already~
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hiya everyone this chapter is bit of filler with some naughty fun at the end but it's one we hope you all enjoy all the same~ As we decide and plan our next moves while establishing not only dibs on certain targets but establishing some lore for this mixed universe as well that might take you by surprise~
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
They turned to the stoic figure, "So make sure we got security to give our boys their protection," He spat, jabbing his finger at the stoic finger, "I don't want any crazies like those fanboy imps that have a habit of floating around our guest stars try to crash their way into the show disturbing our actors while they're working on bringing me ratings and adoration across the omniverse."
They said with a low growl before snapping, "Am I understood?!"
"Perfectly sir." The stoic figure replied back simply
"Good," the central figure said, rubbing his hands together excitedly, "Then let's see how things play out..."
And at that the central figure looked toward the screens displaying Lothor and Skeleton King eager to see what their big stars would do next to bring in the ratings. One things for sure whatever they do it's bound to be entertaining~
(A week later, Earth)
Deep in the middle of Nowhere, Kansas set the mostly empty near-desolate settlement of, well... Nowhere. At first appearances it seemed like the prime example of the most boring place to be, but for those in the know Nowhere is a hotspot for creepy and weird phenomena, rivaling that of another weirdness magnet known as Gravity Falls.
And it here that a tall figure stood in the middle of an empty wasteland, looking up at a recently-built base resting on a mountain mound with a flat look, "Seriously?" Said none other than the Skeleton King with a flat look, caused by what he was looking at - none other than the Command Center from the original Power Rangers series, "You know, when I told you we could have our neutral zone in Nowhere, I didn't expect you to model the shared base and meeting point after THIS of all places!"
They said, gesturing up toward it before turning their head toward the second figure, none other than that of Lothor.
"What can I say, it just came to me, and I loved the irony," Lothor said, "And while we're on the subject, let's cut the bullshit and put all our cards on the table - we're both isekai'd souls in the bodies of fictional characters, aren't we?"
'Yep," Skeleton King said back in a blunt tone, watching as constructor works composed of shared variety of Formless and Kelzaks finished up the base while making sure either side didn't try anything sneaky, "pretty sure we made that obvious last week when we threw canon fates in each other's faces."
He said, before turning to face Lothor, "Incidentally, how long have you been here before I showed up?" He asked with open curiosity, "Because I was barely 5 minutes in before we detected and started heading to your ship."
He admitted bluntly, seeing no harm in sharing that bit of information, "Oh and that reminds me..." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "if we're going to be operating in Earth's solar system, we need to make sure to keep ourselves protected from any radars and sensors the League or Earth has, never mind others like arriving invaders or certain patrolling Lanterns."
"Good point, that could be a problem, especially now that they know we're around," Lothor mused, "And to answer your question, I was only here a week before you showed up. Spent most of that trying to wrap my head around what had happened to me."
"Heh, at least you had more time to adjust," Skeleton King said back with a snort, "First hour in and I'm doing my best to act like Skeleton King, get a handle on his power and memories, while trying not to freak out about being found out, ordering an attack on Earth, and fucking Jinmay on my new throne."
he admitted with blunt honesty, choosing to be open with his fellow isekai out of a need to vent with someone aware of his situation and sharing it, though a bit of smugness entered his tone on the last words.
"Really? Nice," Lothor replied, "It took our first meeting and your act in Jump City before I got off my ass and ordered an attack of my own on Gotham and Bludhaven, which is where Invader Zim took place in this universe, incidentally. And that only happened because I found Tak floating in space before you showed up, kept her prisoner for a week, and then after our first conversation I talked her into an alliance. Oh, and then fucked her a little bit later, but only after she took Gaz prisoner in the attack and then got jealous when I started feeling her up in the dungeons."
"Hehe, then it was a busy day for both of us~" Skeleton King said with an amused snort and smirking, "We've started monitoring Earth's broadcasts and caught the news report about the Membrane Labs attack... not a bad start at all."
he said with a nod of respect toward Lothor, "Though on the broadcasts, certainly been interesting to see what passes for TV in this reality... the fact Total Drama is an actual thing was a surprise," he admitted, while adding with a tap of his chin, "But did make me wonder if we should offer Chris a job as a torturer or something at some point."
He said to his fellow isekai before shaking off that thought, "And I can guess that like me you've spent the past week fucking your new lover with glee..." He asked bluntly with amusement, "with some training, spying on Earth, and plotting mixed in, of course~"
"Absolutely, though with a small correction," Lothor stated, "See, part of my and Tak's relationship is built on an agreement of her breaking in any other potential lovers, so we've also been giving Gaz hell. In fact, Tak's working on her right now..."
(Meanwhile, on Lothor's ship)
Tak stood in what was now her and Lothor's shared bedroom, her clothes having shifted to a dominatrix outfit and a large paddle in one hand, grinning at the sight before her. Gaz, stripped naked, was hanging facedown in a spread-eagle position from chains shackled to her wrists and ankles and running up to the ceiling. Mimi stood beneath Gaz, wires running from her body to clamps attached to Gaz's nipples.
"Okay slut, here's what's going to happen," Tak stated, "I'm going to give you the spanking your parental unit should have ages ago, and after each blow, you're going to say 'Thank you, Mistress'. Every time you don't, Mimi will zap you. Understood?"
"Fuck you," Gaz spat as best she could, which wasn't much after a week of shit like this.
ZAP
"AH!" Gaz screamed as voltage passed through her chest.
"You really don't learn, do you?" Tak laughed, before raising the paddle and bringing it down on Gaz's ass.
SMACK
"Gah! Bitch!" Gaz yelled
ZAP
"AH!"
"I honestly don't care if your mammaries burn off, by the way. It's up to you," Tak said dryly.
SMACK
"Gah! I, I, t-thank you, mistress..." Gaz muttered.
ZAP
"AH! Why?!"
"Louder, whore," Tak sneered.
SMACK
"Thank you, Mistress!" Gaz cried, tears of shame running down her cheeks, which were red with guilty pleasure.
"That's better!" Tak laughed, the sounds of paddling and Gaz's cries soon filling the air of the room with a rhythm.
(Meanwhile, back on Earth)
"But yeah, other than that, mostly been taking things easy this week," Lothor said.
"Heh, okay, I'm impressed~" Skeleton King said, actually laughing in amusement and shaking his head, "honestly if I didn't need to return the favor, I'd probably ask for recordings of that~"
He admitted with a smirk toward Lothor, "But props, a week in and you've got two girls in hand... well, one girl and a soon to be broken in slut~" He said, laughing with a smirk, "As for myself..."
Skeleton King smirked smugly, "you probably think Jinmay's brainwashed, and admittedly that was a bit of the case at first," he said to Lothor with a shrug, "But during our fun, I released her from Skeleton King... my power, and well..."
He gave a malicious grin, "Let's just say she's not only still eager for her master's love, but blasted the head of a Formless Chiro right off without knowing it was a fake~" he said, laughing with dark amusement at the memory, "And well, I also have Valeena, I suppose."
he said, tapping his chin, "But I'm still on the fence between keeping her as a minion or letting her join my bed," He admitted with a shrug, "Either way, her and Jinmay's interactions have been a joy to watch~"
He said with a smirk, "You ever heard of Shalltear and Albedo from the anime Overlord?" He asked Lothor with a grin, "Picture that but with a dab of one girl smugly sharing their lord's bed while the other still wants it."
(Meanwhile, on the Citadel of Bone)
Jinmay was humming a cheerful tone with a large smile as she practically skipped into her love and lord's throne room, before freezing at a rather unwelcome voice speaking up behind her, "What in the name of our lord do you think you are doing, you trumped-up sex toy!?"
Demanded Valeena as she stepped out from a corner glaring at her, with Jinmay rolling her eyes; she knew she should have planned this surprise in her lord's new quarters, but the throne room felt more exciting, "How dare you walk so freely into our master's throne room without being summoned, while he's not only away, but wearing THAT ABOMINATION!"
Valeena screeched, pointing at Jinmay, who arched a brow and smirked as she posed, "You jealous you can't pull off something like this, hag~" she asked smugly, as she was wearing an outfit that she believed caught her lord's eyes during their monitoring of broadcasts from Earth. She had gotten the honor of watching a movie or 2 with her lord, and one had a particularly interesting scene involving an alien slug and a girl wearing an outfit she was wearing now, which was basically a metal bikini with a loincloth, and she had to say she liked it~
She managed to get some Formless to get her a copy of the outfit, and she was intending on waiting for her love's return in his throne to surprise him, but trust the hag to try to spoil the things, "AS IF I WOULD EVER NEED TO LOWER MYSELF!"
Valeena screeched out, her hands glowing purple, "Ah ah ah.." However, Jinmay simply wagged a finger while saying, "that's no way to talk to your future Queen, Valeena~" she said in a smug sing-song while she skipped over to the throne, "YOU ARE NOT MY QUEEN!"
The witch roared out as Jinmay laughed, sending a taunting smile toward Valeena, "You mean not yet~" she said with a smug smirk, "After all, between the two of us, who is it that's been sharing our master's bed~" she asked with a laugh, with Valeena flinching at the reminder, looking away with a dark frown while feeling her eyes sting at the reminder, "I... he's just using you as a toy!"
she snapped, though weaker than before, but Jinmay simply scoffed, "Whatever you want to tell yourself," She said with a smirk, turning half way, "because if that was true, I wouldn't have permission to do this~"
She said, leaping up to Skeleton King's throne with a large smile, while Valeena gaped before screeching out with her body glowing, "GET OFF HIS THRONE HARLOT BEFORE I DESTROY YOU!"
Jinmay however leaned back, "And our master would destroy you in turn~" She said, grinning wide, "Because like I said, I have permission to sit on his throne~" she told her laughing, "LIES!" The witch screeched back, "It's true.."
Jinmay said with a bored frown, "But really, you need to get a better attitude..." she told her with an arched brow, "And here I was going to make you an offer."
"Offer?" Valeena repeated with a scowl, "Oh, it's quite simple," Jinmay gave a smirk, "if you kiss and lick my feet, I'll convince our master to let you watch us make love~" she said smugly as Valeena hissed, "But..."
Jinmay spread her legs on the throne apart, "if you lick my pussy after begging for the right to do so, I'll see if I can convince him to give you a pity fuck," she asked as Valeena's jaw just dropped, "So, what do you say?"
Jinmay asked smugly.
(Back on Earth)
"Suffice to say, they certainly make downtime at the Citadel anything but boring~" Skeleton King said to Lothor with a chuckle.
"Well, glad to hear we're both doing so well," Lothor chuckled as well, "But in all seriousness, we should probably discuss plans going forward. Because between needing to keep our acts up to keep our minions in line and this competition we've talked ourselves into, we're pretty much stuck having to keep attacking Earth."
Looking up at the under-construction Command Center, he rubbed his chin in thought, mind briefly picturing it being swarmed by various superheroes.
"And considering the first impressions we've both already made on Earth's heroes, you know that they're going to be hitting us with everything they've got," he added, "Not to mention all the villains who are going to be upset about us being on their turf."
"Indeed..." Skeleton King nodded with a frown, "And not just DC villains; with so many crossovers in the mix, who knows who's out there in this reality both on Earth and the wider universe," He shook his head, "For example, I know that XJ9 aka Jenny Wakeman exists in this reality..."
He glance off to the side, "and if she does, chances are so do Vexus and the Cluster." He told Lothor with a frown, "And that's not even going into more, shall we say, ethereal problems like Trigon."
He rubbed his chin, "I've already given the heroes a heads up and mentioned the Gem that would allow him access to this reality," He let out a little chuckle, "I just happened to leave out said Gem is actually a living being and who they are~"
"Oh, sowing a little future angst for a certain sorceress?" Lothor laughed, "Well, I'll try not to interfere with that if I happen to cross paths with the Titans, though right now I don't have any plans to. And in any case, in the meantime, I've got my eye on a potential bit of fun elsewhere."
Reaching into a pocket and pulling out his communicator (he refused to call it a Personal Alien Messenger, which was such a stupid name), he brought up the article he'd found before and showed it to his counterpart.
"Civil war in Kaznia, the northern tribes rebelling against Queen Audrey's government in the south," he summarized, "Been a while since I watched JLU, but I'm pretty sure that's the episode with Ares and the Annihilator."
"Hehe, ohh yeah, that was a fun one~" Skeleton King said with a dark smirk, "Though..." he rubbed his chin, "it's a shame that after all its build up including a heist episode centered around it, the Annihilator only ended up as Faust's temporary body for a episode till Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl beat his ass."
He remarked to Lothor. Don't get him wrong, the Annihilator was a thing of beauty and how Faust tricked Tala like that was amusing, but after all that build up they gave you'd think they'd have had something bigger planned, "And I agree, that's a excellent first target for some fun~"
Skeleton King said with a widening dark grin as an idea started to occur to him as he rubbed his chin, "What say we stir the pot and give Ares a hand~" He offered, looking over to Lothor who arched a brow, "You offer your aid to the northern tribes while I.."
Skeleton King placed a hand on his chest with a dark grin, "take a page out of the Imperium's playbook by having some disguised Formless infiltrate the Queen's government~"
"Sounds like a plan to me," Lothor said with a grin, "I've been meaning to start making use of my army beyond my lieutenants and the Kelzaks. Loaning one of my monsters along with a few troops should be enough to get the tribes on my side."
"Heh, I look forward to seeing what monster you choose then~" Skeleton King said with a dark chuckle, "If nothing else, this little venture should be fun and do a great deal to establish our reputation and presence on Earth further."
He told his fellow Isekai soul with a dark grin, "And I believe it's only right that I offer my aid to dear Queen Audrey as one royal to another... personally~" He said with an ominous dark cackle
"Hehe, naughty boy. Not that I'm any better," Lothor laughed, "Well, if that's decided, we might as well get going to start getting everything set up. Oh, and make sure that once this place is finished, it's properly camouflaged from orbit. It's one thing if the local yokels stumble on this place, but we don't need the League spotting it from space."
As he said that, a thought came to him.
"Actually, speaking of the locals, we should probably start seeing if there's anyone or anything around here we can divvy up between us," he said, "You ever see that crossover movie between Courage and Scooby Doo?"
"That I have," Skeleton King said with a nod and smirk, "actually still had it recorded on the cable box before well..." He gestured at himself and Lothor, "all this.."
He said with a frown, "Though on the mention of Courage, that reminds me of something I wanted to address." He looked over at Lothor, "There's always a chance anything we do here might attract his attention or he might stumble upon this base."
he said gesturing over to the base, "but..." He frowned and gave a sigh, "Look, I'm fully prepared to be a villain and all it entails, from mass destruction, murder, and maybe even some rape..." He said ticking off his fingers and looking over at Lothor, "And I've accepted that I'm likely going to fight with some of my favorite characters and likely kill a number of them."
he added bluntly, "But at the same time..." he coughed into his fist, "I wanted to ask if there were any in particular you wanted to try to leave alone or at least give a gilded cage deal when our conquest begins?"
He asked Lothor with a frown, "Because I know it's probably a weird double standard of me to say this but..." He grimaced, "I'm more than ready to murder an entire city or even rape a woman in front of her family... but for some reason."
He looked a bit embarrassed, "The thought of killing certain characters, in this case Courage, makes me feel a bit... awkward."
"...Oddly enough, I know what you mean," Lothor admitted, "I mean, I'm currently having a teenager sexually tortured into obedience without any guilt, and I find myself not caring about the idea of burning down entire buildings of background nobodies, but the thought of some characters dying or suffering at my hands makes me nauseous."
Crossing his arms, the Isekai looked out over the wasteland with a pensive look on his face.
"If Courage comes across here, I say either scare him off or bribe him into ignoring us," he said, "I think as long as we're not threatening his family, he'll be passive enough not to interfere, so we won't have to hurt him. Though that does bring me back to why I brought him up in the first place - that dark matter meteor under the Bagge farm, with the hypnotic abilities. Could be useful to us."
"Agreed," Skeleton King hissed out with a dark smirk, "That rock showed many abilities centered around altering reality, and if it exists then it's the lure and heart to all the weird and freaky things that happen in Nowhere."
He said, nodding over to Lothor, "I propose a shared custody of it here in Nowhere," He nodded over at the base, "We both want it, and us sharing control of it might be a good first step to building up trust."
He said, before adding with a mutter, "The tricky parts will be figuring out how to use it properly and WHAT we're going to do with it," He said with a frown, "Also, I believe that is the best plan for Courage."
He added with a nod, "If need be I can see about brainwashing him a bit to not interfere," He said before humming thoughtfully, "As for bribery, well he's earned a little love, and can't help but get a idea from that one episode The Mask~"
He told Lothor as his mind went to a pair of certain bisexuals, even though back in the day the episode just pretty much said the two girls were friends, never mind the fact it was pretty clear there was more than friendship going on.
"Oh, planning on playing matchmaker, are you?" Lothor asked, arching an eyebrow, "Well, that might be a good way to win him over. And in any case, I agree to keeping the meteor here, though in addition to figuring out what to do with it and how to do so, we'll have to find a way to get to it without smashing our way through the farm, since that would just make Courage an enemy after all."
"Hmm, I guess we'll just have to dig for it without alerting a certain dog," Skeleton King mused out, "Its power will either make it easier or harder to find, but I'm sure with patience our Formless and Kelzaks can get the job done."
he told Lothor with a shrug, "After all, as long as we make sure no one like a certain fox and duck try to take it for themselves, it's not like it's going anywhere."
"Speaking of whom, what's your opinion on recruiting them? Or other local villains?" Lothor asked, "Because the sex aside, I allied with Tak because she's a powerful asset. Managing to work out deals with other local villains could pay off big time in the long run."
"It's a worthwhile investment to try..." Skeleton King told him with a frown, "the fun of interacting with certain villains we know and love from various media aside, recruiting more muscle to aid us could be beneficial."
He told Lothor, his grip tightening on his staff, "At the very least, even if they disappoint us they could still prove useful in causing trouble for the heroes and entertaining us~" He said with a smirk, "I've actually been nursing an idea to pay a few certain souls in Gotham a visit~"
"By all means, go ahead. You can use my earlier attack as an excuse, just like I can to eventually go to Jump City," Lothor commented.
"Hmm which brings us to establishing our interest in any certain figures and dividing them between us."
Skeleton King said with a hum and narrowed eyes, "You've already said you won't interfere with my plans with Raven and I appreciate it," He said with a nod to Lothor, "but I'd like to stake a claim on one other witch who's in Jump City as well."
He said with a smirk, "A special bad luck charm who I believe could bring me good fortune," He said with a laugh as he looked toward Lothor, "Outside of her and Raven, you are free to do as you please with whoever you please so long as it doesn't spoil my own fun and plans."
He said with a shrug, "There are only two other figures I have this particular interest in outside of playing this game of villainy and heroes related to the Titans," He explained to Lothor with narrowed eyes, "The first has yet to arrive to Earth for her family visit. While the second..." He let out a chuckle, "is no doubt waiting for someone to offer her guidance in how to control her powers~"
"Snatching Terra out from under Slade's nose, eh? By all means, go ahead, same with Jinx," Lothor said, "And as long as you're grabbing one Tamaranian, I'll go ahead and stake my claim on the other. I've broken in tough bitches already, now I wouldn't mind trying my hand at someone a little sweeter. Also, if you're going to be in Gotham, hands off Batgirl, I've had my eye on her since that first little fight the other day."
"Agreed," Skeleton King said with a nod of his head, "honestly, I'm more interested in a particular girl of steel than Robin's kink for redheads~" He said with a laugh before frowning, "though speaking of which..."
He gave Lothor a serious look, "In regards to Metropolis, have you looked into this reality's Luthor yet?" He asked before adding with a blink, "And I wonder how long till someone like Beast Boy or Flash makes a crack about yours and his name."
"Yeah, I'm waiting on that myself," Lothor grumbled, "And I've been meaning to. The DC elements of this reality seem mostly DCAU-based, so odds are he's already working with Cadmus, which could be a problem. We definitely need to take a closer look at him."
"You have no idea," Skeleton King said dryly to Lothor before cutting to the point as he asked bluntly, "Were you aware he has an adopted daughter in this reality?"
Lothor blinked in surprise.
"Seriously? Who?" he asked in disbelief.
At that question, Skeleton King raised his staff, which let out a slight glow as a human-sized projection formed between them, "A rather lovely lady by the name of Pacifica Luthor," His eyes went to Lothor as he finished his sentence, "formerly known as Pacifica Northwest."
He stated bluntly, before he looked toward the image of the rich girl Gravity Falls character herself, only now older at about 16 or maybe 17 years old and... well, just one look at her made it clear that Pacifica had matured very well, and also made Skeleton King wonder if the artist Bigdad back in his original reality was psychic, because damn!
"Not bad~" Lothor whistled, "But how the hell did this happen?"
Both of them were looking upon the image of Pacifica Northwest/Luthor, who indeed has grown up very well. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back past her ass, her lovely green/blue eyes glowed with ambition, she was wearing a more adult version of her clothes from the show, a purple jacket with a short lavender dress, a periwinkle belt, and black leggings with cream-colored boots. She wore heavy purple eyeshadow and lavender hoop earrings.
The main difference being an area of her thighs were exposed above her legging and under her dress skirt, which showed off her long legs and thighs quite well and her... figure, which had matured very well, with her having curves and a body girls would kill for, topped off with a chest size that was potentially E-Cup.
"From what I can gather..." Skeleton King frowned, "The official story to the public is her parents were traumatized by an unknown attacker who somehow managed to get their hands on Scarecrow's fear gas."
He looked over at Lothor, "Though considering this was around the same time Gravity Falls enacted a 'Never mind all that' Act, I think it's clear that's just a coverup."
He said with a snort, "Whatever the case, her parents were left in a crazed fearful state and institutionalized, leaving one Lex Luthor who the Northwests were somehow business partners and associates with, to step in and take custody of her as her guardian. And considering the cherry on top is her parents dying in a fire caused by bad wiring a few years later when they started to show signs of recovery..." He gave a dark grin, "I think it's clear Luthor had some influence on her, because I don't think that was his handiwork~"
"Well now, this has the potential to be very interesting," Lothor mused, "What do you think's more likely? Become a supervillain like him because of his influence, or take the anti-hero vigilante route to rebel against him?"
"Hmm, to be honest either is up in the air," Skeleton King said with a thoughtful hum, "personally hoping for the supervillain route myself," He said with a chuckle, before adding with a smirk, "but I don't believe she's taken up a vigilante route."
He informed Lothor with a slight tone of amusement, "because when I learned of this factor I took the liberty of delving more into Metropolis, and I happened to come across a certain face that didn't belong."
He said giving a laugh, "A certain Marvel identity that debuted in Metropolis, giving Supergirl the slip, but has stolen from other locations all over the world~"
He explained as another projected image formed beside Pacifica, "Only I don't think this Black Cat is Felicia Hardy~"
Lothor hummed to himself as he lustfully ran his eyes over the figure of the Black Cat presented by his comrade, then compared that to the image of Pacifica. Yes, there was little doubt that they were likely the same person.
"So, if not an outright villain, at the very least she's no hero. If you've got your eyes on her, you've got plenty to work with," he laughed, before frowning in thought, "Though speaking of Gravity Falls, should we be worried about Bill Cipher? Even if Weirdmageddon happened like canon, there's always been those fan theories that he's not really dead, just sealed. The last thing either of us needs is him breaking free."
"That's actually why I was bringing this up," Skeleton King said to Lothor with a serious frown and dark gaze, "I don't simply wish to inform you of my desire to call dibs here."
He said dryly, gesturing over to Pacifica, eager to see and learn in person where her morality and allegiance lied in this reality, "But I'm also bringing it up because one.."
He held up a finger, "This factor acts as a reminder and highlight that we aren't just in DC, but a reality that could basically be called a crossover universe."
he started to explain with a frown, "These worlds didn't suddenly mesh together when we showed up, they've always shared this reality, so that means like the case of Pacifica being adopted by Luthor, there will be ripples and changes compared to what we know from canon due to this shared setting."
He than stared right into Lothor's gaze, "While the second reason is indeed as you've brought up, is the subject of Bill Cipher," He clenched his staff, "Gravity Falls exists, and it appears the events of the show already happened."
He gave a dark scowl, "But we can't just assume they happened precisely exactly like canon when this," He gestured to the images of Pacifica in her civilian and costumed identities, "proves that canon derailing can happen even without our interference, and in this case already has."
He let out a dark growl, "Which is why after our business in Kaznia is finished, I propose we go to Gravity Falls to investigate," Skeleton King's eyes narrowed as he hissed out the last word, "personally.."
he took a step toward Lothor, "If there's even the slightest chance of Bill still operating or making a return, then we need to know!"
"Can't argue with that," Lothor said with a scowl, "Trigon's bad enough, but at least he's straightforward. Bill's just fucking insane and can turn reality inside out at a whim. We can't risk that sort of power getting loose again."
"Agreed," Skeleton King said with a nod and a grim look, "which is why after Kaznia a trip to Gravity Falls is necessary."
he stated to Lothor, while his mind flashed back to the Weirdmageddon finale of Gravity Falls, and Bill's twisted insanity, an insanity that literally burnt his home reality to the ground, an insanity he had no desire to experience first hand, thank you very much.
"While part of me thinks it'd be wiser to handle it ourselves with Formless and Kelzaks, it'd probably be better to bring our minions along," He added on with a sigh, "Not just for any heroes that could appear, but also..."
His eyes narrowed, "For any potential trap that might be waiting if Bill is still a threat," He shot Lothor a worried look, "For all we know, Bill could be the one behind our whole situation in the first place."
"Hmm, this does seem like something he'd find amusing," Lothor said. After all, tearing two normal guys out of their lives to make them be supervillains and let them use their meta knowledge to screw everyone else over? That was both well within Bill's range, and definitely something he'd take sick joy in.
"Right. Kaznia first, just to get our feet in the door in that part of the world, then hit Gravity Falls in full force to make sure this problem is nipped in the bud," he said with a nod.
"A sound plan," Skeleton King said with a nod and frown, "I believe our first move should be investigating to see if a certain statue is still in the woods or not," He said, looking over at the Command Center replica with a thoughtful look, "Which, not sure if I want it to be there to make this easier or if I want the heroes to have shown some brains and hid what amounted to Bills remains somewhere safe, if not at least saw they were properly destroyed."
He told Lothor with a frown before shaking his head, "After that, we'll launch our move on the town to get answers from the citizens personally," He explained the makings of the plan to Lothor, while wondering ideally if they should also cut off a way for them to call for help or also use this investigation/attack as a trap of sorts for others.
"As for our followers..." Skeleton King gave a musing hum, "we can easily explain to the others that while the contest is still on, we have reached an agreement that certain outside elements like Trigon and Bill can't be allowed, so in mutual respect we'll compete but also work together during certain scenarios."
He explained, rubbing his chin ,"Admit, I'm actually curious to see how this little bet of ours plays out, it could be fun~" He said with a laugh and shot him a challenging smirk, "And when I win, I might be willing to share some territory on Earth with you still, just to prove I'm a good sport~"
He said with the air of a friendly jab.
"How very generous. I'll be sure to return the favor," Lothor replied in the same tone, "But in all seriousness, I can see that excuse working on the minions. I don't know about yours, but mine are all either too loyal or too scared of me to question it."
Looking to the Command Center as he went over everything quietly for a moment, he nodded and said, "Yes, this is all good for immediate concerns. Unless there's anything else, I'll go prepare my forces for Kaznia and let you do the same. May the best Isekai pick the winning side."
"Heh, indeed my friend," Skeleton King said, offering his hand to shake and actually finding himself surprised to be calling Lothor a friend and meaning it, but eh, it wasn't like there was anybody else around here he could share all this with. Jinmay might be in love with him, but there was no telling how she'd react if he revealed the truth. Valeena... yeah, just had to watch one episode of the show to know that scenario wouldn't fly well. Never mind the Skeleton King Drone and Mandarin.
No... his status for now was likely a secret that he and Lothor would make sure stayed between them no matter what, or else who knew what could happen.
But that aside, he found himself quite eager to see what this contest and potential forming respect between them could lead to though also hoped they were ready for whatever this crazy reality threw at them, "If nothing else, I think we're in for some unforgettable times~"
"That is without a doubt," Lothor replied, taking Skeleton King's hand and shaking it. Like his counterpart, he found it was good to be able to talk to someone so freely in this reality, when he knew all his minions would turn on him in an instant if they knew the truth.
As the sun set, the two Isekai souls went their separate ways, ready to strike out once again at this world.
(Citadel of Bone)
After setting up their shared neutral base in Nowhere and discussing plans with his fellow isekai soul, the one that was coming to accept his new identity of Skeleton King was feeling quite pleased with how today went.
He and Lothor were technically competing and rivals for Earth's conquest, but it was nice to talk to someone as an equal who was stuck in the same mess as him. Plus, it allowed them to establish some territory toward certain interests that had caught their shared wandering eye.
And it didn't escape Skeleton King's notice that besides sharing the status of isekai into villain bodies in a new universe, both of them were developing and nursing desires some might call perverted at the opportunity to live out fantasies that were merely that fantasies for fan boys (and some girls) across the world, only now the centers of those fantasies were very real and they had the power to make it happen~
But he was hardly going to judge, and as long as Lothor didn't try to grab a girl he called dibs on or at least offered a good deal as compensation in the event he did, he didn't really mind who Lothor went after so long as it didn't ruin his own fun both in and out of the bedroom~
After all, he was still a living breathing cartoon supervillain space warlord, the bedroom fun and the girls were just a perk~ And what he gave the Titans was just but a taste of the power he wielded~
And as he walked through the halls of the Citadel of Bone, he gave a malicious grin, eager for when the name Skeleton King was known and feared all around planet Earth and soon all over this galaxy, this universe even~
"Heh, in time perhaps~" He mused aloud shaking his head, "For now I need to prepare things for Kaznia," He said before giving a smirk, "Though I suppose a little fun with Jinmay wouldn't hurt before I get to work."
He said with a little dark laugh, ideally wondering if she and Valeena had "behaved themselves" while he was away, though at that question he found himself stopped as he entered the throne room and he found the answer to that very question waiting for him.
"YOU DISGUSTING, DISRESPECTFUL SLUT!" Valeena was screaming at Jinmay, who was reclining on Skeleton King's throne, wearing a slave bikini. Though, saying that she was "wearing" it wasn't entirely accurate, as she'd pulled down the lower half to expose her pussy, which she was fingering as she lightly masturbated. Neither of them appeared to have noticed his presence
"It's only disrespectful if our lord doesn't like it, and what makes you think that he wouldn't enjoy this show?" Jinmay purred lustfully, "And the offer still stands. Come over here and lick my pussy, and I'll convince him to fuck you too."
"I would never lower myself to being your whore!" Valeena snarled, "And when the master returns, I will see to it that he knows of this shameful act and punishes you for it!"
"First of all, I'd welcome any kind of punishment he'd have in mind~" Jinmay laughed, "And secondly, be careful, it sounds like you're trying to speak for him again."
At that Valeena flinched back at the harlot throwing what seemed to have put her out of her lord's favor recently before as she snapped back, "I would never!" She glared heatedly, "I have dedicated my entire life to our master, all I desire is what he desires."
She spat, her eyes narrowing as Jinmay gave a mocking grin, "Oh?" She arched a brow while letting out a particular loud moan, "Does that mean you want me and that you're jealous our master has first dibs on your future Queen~"
She asked mockingly as Valeena's face turned red as she howl out, "YOU AREN'T MY QUEEN!"
"Not yet~" Jinmay said teasingly as she continued to finger herself, "But you know it's only a matter of time."
"And yet the master has made a point of NOT declaring you such yet," Valeena snapped, smirking as she saw that it was Jinmay's turn to scowl.
"And you think he'd choose you?" She snapped back with a glare that Valeena returned, "You're nothing but an annoying hag who can't even offer him half of what I can!"
"I'd offer him more than you could dream!" Valeena snapped with a glare, "He deserves a Queen whose devotion knows no end!" Before Jinmay could retort, Skeleton King spoke up, "On that we can agree, Valeena~"
At that, both women froze, finally noticing his presence.
"Ah, um, master, welcome back," Jinmay stuttered, blushing brightly and yanking her bottoms back up to cover herself again. Apparently whatever bravado she'd had while mocking Valeena was gone now that he was actually there.
"I trust you two have been getting along~" Skeleton King asked with open amusement, "After all, it'd be a shame if my own followers tore each other apart just for my favor~"
"Ah, yes, that's right, we were just joking around, weren't we?" Jinmay said quickly, not wanting to raise her master's anger.
"Um, yes, of course," Valeena said just as quickly, before rapidly changing the subject, "I trust your meeting with that lowly ninja went well, my lord?"
"Quite well..." Skeleton King said with a smirk as he stopped in front of his throne while glancing over to Valeena, "We've established a shared neutral territory, among other things."
He let out a dark chuckle, "We've not only found a perfect first target for our little competition... but also..." he narrowed his eyes with a dark scowl, "Agreed to work together on a rather serious matter that needs investigating."
The sudden serious tone in their master's voice caught both girls by surprise, and they shared a look of confusion.
"What serious matter?" Jinmay asked, wondering how concerned she should be.
"Yes, my lord, I thought you had already staked your claim on Trigon's spawn? What could be more serous than that?" Valeena asked.
At that, Skeleton King turned around to stare at the pit of ooze as his two loyal followers gazed at their shared lord and object of their desires with curiosity and concern, "It seems Earth is indeed quite special."
He said with a dark frown, causing them to blink in confusion, "As it's not just Trigon who's attempted to use this planet as his gateway to this reality," He said as with but a wave of his hand the pit waters rippled before displaying the image of a yellow glowing triangle with a single eye, top hat, and bowtie, "Behold Bill Cipher, a prime example of never judging a threat by appearances alone..."
He said with a grim tone, "and perhaps one of the few entities across the multiverse that could be considered worse than Trigon or the Dark Ones."
"How?" Jinmay blurted out before she could stop herself, wincing as she realized she'd just disagreed with her lord, "I mean, I don't doubt you master, but... I mean, that's a triangle in a top hat."
"Much as it pains me to agree with the windup toy, my lord, I must admit that this entity hardly appears to be of the same caliber of such beings."
"Do not let his appearance deceive you," Skeleton King hissed out, giving them a stern glare, "having that mind set was what led many people to fall to his silver tongue and become his puppets."
He told them sternly before gazing at the pit, "Bill Cipher is perhaps one of if not the most insane entity that I am aware of," He told them with a grim frown, "He quite literally burnt his home reality down, all in the pursuit of what his twisted mind perceives fun."
He explained to them as his hand clenched his staff, "Normally his threat is reduced to what he's capable of in dreams or the mindscape or his own manipulations," He waved his hand, focusing on images of what he recalled of Weirdmageddon from Gravity Falls canon, "But if allowed access to another dimension and a physical body..."
The pit ooze shifted as it displayed the depths of Bill's madness to the two girls. Both of them reared back in shock at the sight of Bill and his twisted Hench-Maniacs rampaging throughout the town. While they were obviously no strangers to enacting violence, they were at least used to there being a higher purpose of conquest to it. This was just insanity, pure and simple.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Jinmay said, turning green as she watched Preston Northwest's facial orifices be rearranged.
"For once... I agree." Valeena said, shooting the imagery a wary look. She reveled in evil and suffering, especially when it was caused by her lord's hand, but this... felt like a level of depravity that beyond being wasteful was a depth even her master wouldn't condone.
"What you see before you is images of another vision I've recently had." Skeleton King said to them, internally hoping they wouldn't question the whole vision angle with him reusing it again, while wondering how many times he could get away with that as an explanation, "It appears Bill Cipher found a way to enter this reality."
He frowned, "Though the fact we aren't in an eternal pit of madness or this reality still exists at all shows he was somehow stopped," He told them, glancing over his shoulder, "But Cipher, beyond being known for his madness, is also known for his cunning."
He told them with a frown, "Even for all his arrogance, he'd have a one last card to play... a last resort to use in case his fate finally caught up with him."
And with those words he waved his hand again, displaying the scene of Bill's end to the girls, then rewinding the scene so Bill's backwards message would play out.
"A-X-O-L-O-T-L! My time has come to burn! I invoke the ancient power that I may return!" Bill's twisted voice echoed out, sending chills down the girls' spines.
"Was that some sort of spell?" Valeena asked, frowning in thought, "A plea to some higher power?"
"It was Bill's escape measure," Skeleton King told her, narrowing his eyes on the image, "I know not if this has caused him to reincarnate to a new form, or if this measure simply allowed him to live through this with him weakened, potentially sealed but still existing."
He said, dispelling the image to replace it with that of Gravity Falls, "But we will find out, and this town is the key to learning what became of Cipher after his failed Weirdmageddon," He told them with a dark gaze, "Make no mistake, we can not afford to risk Cipher returning or operating on any level."
"Of course, my lord. Give the word, and we can set out with the Formless immediately to raze that town and force its inhabitants to talk."
"No," Skeleton King however, shook his head, "At least not yet," He told them with a frown, "Right now we have another target in mind."
He said to the two as a gave a dark smirk, "And an opportunity to gain a foothold on his planet has presented itself quite nicely in a kingdom known as Kaznia~" he said with a dark laugh before getting serious again, "Lothor and I have already agreed that after our business in Kaznia is done, our forces shall be working together to investigate Gravity Falls and make sure Cipher remains nothing but a forgotten memory."
"Do we really need to work with that fool, master?" Valeena asked with a scowl.
"Yeah, he's a creep. And those lackeys of his all seem pretty worthless," Jinmay added.
Skeleton King gave them an even stare, "Whatever your opinions of them aside, they can still prove useful," He reminded them with a stern tone, narrowing his eyes, "And with the potential scope of this threat that Bill Cipher represents, we must have as must extra insurance as possible."
He told them before in a darker tone, "Or are you two questioning my orders?"
"No master!/Absolutely not!" Valeena and Jinmay shouted in sync.
"We were just worried that they might slow you down," Jinmay added quickly.
"Yes, but if in your wisdom you think they might be of value, obviously we will do as you say," Valeena tacked on.
"Excellent~" Skeleton King said, turning back to face his throne where Jinmay sat, "I am glad that you still trust in your lord's wisdom~"
He said, stepping up to Jinmay while talking to both her and Valeena, "But a wise leader hears the viewpoint of his followers for any insight they might offer," He told them with a smirk, "though at the same time the followers must be cautious in overstepping, from advice to disobedience."
He said, before reaching out to cup Jinmay cheek, "For I am the King and master, and you two are my loyal servants~" he said, letting out a dark chuckle, "After all, I haven't chosen my Queen and equal... yet~"
"Er, right," Jinmay replied with a forced smile, shooting a glare out of the corner of her eye at Valeena, who was looking far too smug at the reminder that Jinmay was in fact not Queen yet. But rather than snap at her over it and risk making her lord and love angry again, she just took a calming breath and asked, "So, what are we doing with this Kaznia place?"
Skeleton King smirked as he took a seat on his throne while moving Jinmay to his lap ,"Right now there is a little civil war going in the kingdom," He said, rubbing at Jinmay's thighs as she let out a low moan, while Valeena's smug look dropped before her lord beckoned her forward, "I will be sending Formless to infiltrate the ranks of the Queen's forces."
he explained, reaching out with his other hand to rub Valeena's cheek, "While Lothor will be supplying the northern tribes on the other side with some of his forces~" he let out a little laugh, "And in the middle of all this, I believe one of this planet's gods, specifically Ares the Greek God of War is fanning the flames of war~"
He explained to the two, one hand on Jinmay's breast as she sat in his lap and the other hand on Valeena's cheek as she hovered by his throne, "But the true plan is to take advantage of this chaos as a distraction to prepare a... surprise for the Queen~"
(Meanwhile, on Lothor's ship)
While Skeleton King was informing his women of his plans for Kaznia and beyond, Lothor was doing the same with his own minions.
"Zurgane, compile a short list of any of our monsters who can competently lead a force of Kelzaks into an active battlefield," he was saying to his General, "I'll make the final selection, but I trust your judgement to choose ones who can handle this mission."
"At once, sir," Zurgane said with a bow.
"Excellent. Well, with that out of the way, I'll be in my chambers with Tak. No one bother us," he said and started to walk away, only to pause as he heard his nieces make disgruntled noises, "Is there a problem?"
"Er, no, not a problem, really, we're glad you're happy!" Marah said quickly, "It's just, uhm, well..."
"Do you have to be banging the bug girl?" Kapri asked bluntly, "I mean, don't get me wrong, I love the thought of how you two are breaking that arrogant cow-tits goth bitch, but do you have to be fucking too?"
"Get dating lives yourselves, then maybe I'll care what you think about mine," Lothor retorted flatly.
"Hey, who said we don't have dating lives?" Marah said back indignantly with a slight hurt expression, "Why, I bet we'll have a lot of boys from Earth chomping at the bit to date us once we put ourselves out there."
she said with a pout, "Yeah, and well.." Kapri gave an uncomfortable cough, "don't you think you could do better than bug girl... like literally ANYONE else!" She said with a frown, looking imploringly toward her Uncle, "I mean for example, saw a news report about some plant girl Poison Ivy... she seems interesting... I mean you like gardening, right?"
she told her uncle before trailing off questionably.
"If you'd bother actually paying attention to the news, you'd know Poison Ivy hates men and has a tendency to live up to her name and poison them, so I'll pass," Lothor said dryly, "Now do yourselves a favor and stay out of my business before I use you for target practice, got it?"
"Yes Uncle," the girls replied reluctantly, still looking uncomfortable with the situation. But, not caring about how they felt (and the Isekai soul had to wonder if that was his own opinion or Lothor's influencing it), he turned and left the room, soon making his way to his bedroom, where he was greeted by a sight that made him smirk and gave him an instant erection.
Gaz had been let down from the chains, but her situation hadn't exactly improved. She was still naked, and was now crawling on all fours, Mimi leading her around by a leash attached to a dog collar around her neck. Tak was seated on her back, still dressed as a dominatrix but having exchanged the paddle for a riding crop.
"You look like you're enjoying yourself," Lothor commented with a laugh.
"Just making sure our bitch is getting proper exercise, like any responsible pet owner should," Tak replied with a smirk, before slapping the riding crop onto Gaz's ass.
CRACK
"Don't just sit there, you lazy cunt!" she snapped, "Go give your master a proper greeting! And do it like I told you to, or I'll break the wires and clamps out again."
"Yes, Mistress," Gaz said in a totally flat tone, before crawling over to Lothor and looking up at him with the empty eyes of someone who had been completely broken, "Welcome home, Master. May this worthless whore have the honor of sucking your glorious cock?"
"Well, since you asked so nicely, go ahead," Lothor chuckled, whipping his cock out of his pants.
With Tak smirking at the sight, "hehe, not so high and mighty now are we~" she sneered as Gaz put Lothor's cock in her mouth, "Honestly, for all her attitude and bark, I expected her to be harder to break."
she said before giving a sneer, "I guess deep down she's just a whore who wants to be raped and fucked by her superiors~"
"Yes, I suppose that tough girl act was just a way of scaring off the ones too weak to break her," Lothor said, as Gaz started sucking him off. Grabbing her by the hair, he started face-fucking her, thrusting hard against her head even as he kept eye contact with Tak, "But as much fun as breaking her in has been, it occurs to me that we've been overlooking why we took her in the the first place. Beyond your revenge, I mean."
"Hmm? Oh, right, using her as a hostage," Tak said, "Well, I suppose now that I'm done with her, we can sell her off for whatever we want from her father."
"Maybe, but I've been thinking of other options," Lothor replied, before pausing as he climaxed, making a point of yanking his cock out to spray his seed all over Gaz's face.
"Such as?" Tak asked.
"Well, we've had her a week, but even without us announcing that we've taken her, there's been no news about her suddenly going missing," Lothor explained, "No missing persons report, no public statement from her father or brother asking for knowledge of her whereabouts, nothing. It's as if they haven't even noticed she's gone."
"Hmm, that is a good point," Tak said, tapping her chin in thought before sneering down at Gaz again, "I guess it's true that you're just worthless trash that no one cares about, aren't you cunt?"
"Y-Yes Mistress," Gaz muttered, a single tear leaking out of her eye to mix with the cum still dripping down her face, "I'm just garbage, no one cares about me."
After all, why would anyone care about a weak slut like her... the bitch who treated everyone even her own brother like crap... and her father, who barely qualified as one in the first place, as mostly a means to an end or piggy bank.
She was just a garbage bitch... only good for fucking and playing videos games, she thought in her current broken state of mind as Tak laughed cruelly, "Hehe, ohhh I'm adoring this new attitude of yours, bitch~"
She said, before lashing out and kicking Gaz down, "Now lick my boots clean!" she snapped with a growl, "Some of your master's seed got on them, and I don't want any of it wasted, cunt!"
"Yes mistress," Gaz said in a broken submissive tone as she crawled toward the Irken's boot to do just that, "So, what are you thinking?" Tak asked her partner and lover with a curious blink, "I mean, I suppose we could announce we have her by broadcasting a video of us having fun with the cunt."
she mused aloud, rubbing her chin, "It'd certainly be a fun thing to throw in Dib's face that we've had his sister for a week and he's apparently not realized it~" she said with a laugh, though internally she could hardly blame him and his father for not missing this pathetic whore. Really, if she wasn't fun to torment and fuck, then what good was she?
"After all, we still really haven't fucked her yet~" Tak added, looking toward Lothor, "So why not pop her cherry in a live broadcast for her brother and all the other monkeys on that planet to see~"
"Oh, that is so very tempting," Lothor admitted, "But no, as much fun as that would be, I'm thinking that there's a way that we can make her useful to us."
"Useful? How could this worthless cunt be useful?" Tak asked, absently kicking Gaz away once her boots were cleaned, knocking her on her ass.
"The thing is, if no one's noticed she's gone, it won't be suspicious if she were to suddenly show back up," Lothor explained, "And then neither her father or brother would even look twice at her hanging around them, keeping tabs on their actions and feeding that information back to us."
"You actually trust this brainless slut to spy for us?" Tak asked with a frown, "She'll betray us first chance she gets!"
"Before, she might have, but I don't think that's the case anymore," Lothor said, reaching down to grab Gaz by the hair and forcing her to look up at him, "After all, now that you know how useless you are, you want to useful, don't you Gazzy? Don't you want to make your master and mistress happy?"
"Y-Yes, Master. Please let be useful for you," Gaz begged, desperate for a way to not feel this empty and worthless anymore.
"That's a good girl. And if you do a good job, I'll let you finally get to enjoy my cock in your cunt."
And Gaz, with what was left of her spirit, felt a surge of a shame and disgust when she found herself experiencing a sense of excitement at the thought and felt her pussy burn at the thought of finally getting fucked... god, she really was just a piece of whore garbage wasn't she?
Tak however scoffed, "If you ask me, she's barely earned the right to clean my boots, much less earn the right to your cock fucking her."
she said before giving a smirk, "However, I suppose this pig bitch could earn it if she can actually spy on her family and their allies without screwing it up~"
The Irken said with a cruel laugh and smirk, "But I suppose if she fails we can just give her a special punishment~"
she said, grinning maliciously, with Gaz actually giving a nervous gulp caught between fear and... excitement? Did part of her actually like the idea of seeing what kinda special punishment Tak... her mistress had in mind?
A small part of her asked herself while Tak focused on Lothor, "But our pig bitch aside, how did your meeting go?" The Irken asked, putting on a serious business face, "And are you sure it wouldn't be wiser to eliminate this rival invading force instead?"
she asked with a tilt of her head, "While I see the merit in using them to distract and weaken the forces protecting this planet, it still seems like a risky gamble to take."
"A risk, but one worth it," Lothor said, before frowning, "Especially since he just brought up a potential threat I was completely blind to."
"Like what?" Tak asked in confusion.
"An extra-dimensional threat that almost destroyed this planet in the recent past, and could threaten us all if it hasn't been neutralized," Lothor explained, "We're going to call a truce to go deal with any potential lingering threat this being left behind, though that's going to wait until after we've both field-tested things in a little kingdom called Kaznia. There's a civil war going on there, and I'm going to be backing the rebel faction while Skeleton King infiltrates the government. Which side wins will be a first step in our competition."
Tak gave Lothor a concerned look, wondering just what this threat was he was talking about. Just what the heck had happened on Earth while she was in stasis?
Though at the mentions of a civil war and their plans, she gave a malicious smile, "While I expect you to fill me in on everything about this extra dimensional threat, I'm ready to do my part for this little competition."
she said with a chuckle, "Just tell me what you want to do, and I'll have those puny rebels standing on the burning remains of their enemies within the day~"
"Glad to hear you so eager, darling, but I've already decided to dispatch a lower-level minion to handle this," Lothor said, "But I'd like for you to observe everything remotely. No matter what happens, I'd like your critical analysis afterwards so we know how to improve going forward."
"Are you sure?" Tak frowned, feeling a little off put by not being able to get involved directly.
"This is just an opening move, dear, that's why I'm not bothering putting more prominent officers into play," Lothor explained, "My first attack on Gotham was as much about first announcing myself as it was providing you with a distraction. This, on the other hand, will be my first real show of force, to let everyone know what I'm really capable of. After this, we can take a middle ground and start being more strategic."
"Hmph, if you say so," Tak grumbled. Smiling, Lothor reached out and gently stroked her face.
"Don't worry, I respect your skills and will give you a chance to demonstrate them when the time is right. It's just not now," he said, "Besides, we're fairly sure that there'll be local third parties involved, and I think you should get a good look at what's become of Earth's factions in your absence before you get directly involved."
"Hmm... you make a sound argument," Tak agreed with a nod, frowning, "Last time I was able to strike swift and brutally with only Dib and Zim and this bitch..."
Here she gave Gaz a good kick to the side, sending her back a few feet with a pained grunt with a sadistic smirk, "managing to mount a response in time to get in my way." she said with a dark scowl, "But it's clear from my monitoring of Earth back then and our current surveillance that this planet's protectors are not to be taken lightly."
she admitted with a frown, "I still can't believe these primitives managed to resist an invasion from Darkseid, of all beings!" she exclaimed, shaking her head in slight disbelief before giving a dark eager grin, "But this only makes Earth all the more enticing of a target as I not only get to conquer the planet Zim failed to... but the planet that defied Darkseid~"
she gave a dark sadistic giggle before sending Lothor a seductive smirk, "But I believe we can discuss business more later..."
she walked up to the taller man, pressing her body against his legs and thighs while giving his cock a teasing lick, "right now, torturing that pig bitch has made your Queen very horny~"
"Well, I'd hate to disappoint a lady," he replied with a laugh, before looking to Gaz, "Watch carefully, little piggy. Once you're back on Earth, every time you're feeling tempted to tell anyone what happened to you, I want you to think about how you could end up in Tak's position if you're good and do what you're told. Understood?"
"Yes Master," Gaz replied, blushing and her pussy wet as she watched Tak lick Lothor's cock.
"Good," Lothor said, before suddenly snatching Tak up, only to bring her down on his cock.
"Oh, FUCK!" Tak exclaimed in joy as she started riding Lothor's cock, legs wrapping around his waist while he held onto her, carrying her as he walked across the room towards the bed. Reaching it, he dropped onto it on his back, allowing Tak to shift and start riding him properly.
All the while, Gaz watched, licking her lips and picturing herself as the one on top of that cock.
God... why did she want it so much? This bastard and that bitch had basically tormented her in any way they could the past week, and all she wanted right now was for them to fuck her! She... not even Zim or Dib or those sluts they were each dating were this pathetic.
A part of her thought distractedly as her hand wandered to her pussy and she started to finger fuck herself while watching Tak riding Lothor's cock with a powerful moan, "Aah, ah, hhh, yessss fuck me...FUCK YOUR QUEEN YOUR PERVERTED BRUTE!" Tak screamed as she rode Lothor's cock for all she was worth in euphoric bliss from how it was filling her, though as she heard their bitch pig give off a moan from the corner she gave a glance and snapped with a moan, "I DIDN'T AHHHMM GIVE YOU MMM PERMISSION TO PLEASURE YOURSELF PIGSLUT!"
"Sorry, Mistress!" Gaz said quickly, removing her hand as fast as she could.
"MMM, MIMI! RESTRAIN THE BITCH SO THAT SHE CAN'T MMM DO THAT AGAIN!" Tak commanded. Mimi obeyed, and in a black blur, Gaz was quickly left hogtied, hands behind her back and legs spread apart so that she couldn't even rub her thighs together.
"NOW SIT THERE AHHHHMMM AND WATCH, BITCH PIG! IF YOU'RE LUCKY I'LL FEEL GENEROUS ENOUGH TO LET YOU FINISH WHEN WE'RE DONE!" Tak yelled, before going back to fucking Lothor viciously, leaving Gaz moaning in distress as she could only watch and do nothing about the burning heat in her pussy.
With moans continuing to be heard echoing around the chamber... and sadly throughout some of the ship as well, "Urgg, gross, gross, GROSS!"
Marah yelled out with a whine as they were passing by close to Uncle's room while heading to their own, "Yeah... we really need to work on soundproofing Uncle's room," Kapri added with a disgusted look, "Tell me about it," Marah said with a whine, "The fact we might have to start calling that bug aunt soon only makes it worse!"
she added to her sister with a grimace which she shared, "Relax, that isn't going to happen," Kapri told her, though her tone carried doubt, "This is probably just some fling or a fad Uncle's exploring, that's all.."
She said with a scowl, "i'm sure once he gets bored or once bug girl screws up, he'll kick her to the nearest galactic dumpster."
"But what if he doesn't?" Marah asked with a whine, "I don't want to be related to a gross bug, Kapri!" A sentiment Kapri seemed to share, "Then we just need to find someone... more... tolerable for Uncle to show an interest in."
As the sisters head off deeper into the ship to their quarters, "I mean... there's has to be somebody on Earth that Uncle would find more attractive and we could tolerate calling family... right?"
she asked with the sisters putting their heads together to think, "Yeah, plus finding Uncle a new girl couldn't be any harder than us finding boyfriends!" Marah chirped out, "Then we'd show him we do too have a dating life."
she added, with that huff being the last thing heard in that section of the ship as it was drowned out by sounds of another sort
"YES THAT'S IT PIG BITCH! WATCH AS YOUR MASTER FILLS MY HOLES WITH THE COCK YOU WANT EHEHAHAHHA!"
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Anyone familiar with my past work knows my mixed-to-negative views on Gaz, so it should probably come as no surprise what my favorite parts of this chapter to write were~ Anyway, lots of future plots set up here, between our plans for Kaznia and Gravity Falls, and any potential antics we might get up to in our neutral ground in Nowhere. As you can see, we've got lots of future developments in store for this tale, and I hope you'll all be sticking around for the ride.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Quite a few plot seeds planted this chapter indeed as we make way to Kaznia and prepare to investigate Gravity Falls to learn the fate of Bill Cipher and neutralize a potential dangerous threat. Not to mention I reveal a little surprise that Pacifica is not only Luthor adopted daughter in this reality but operating as Black Cat~ Where might all these potential plots lead...only one way to find out~
Chapter 7: Kaznia, Part 1
Summary:
Lothor and Skeleton King make their moves to start influencing the Kaznian civil war, and run into some new faces, some of them quite unexpected.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Well folks, as promised last chapter, Night/Skeleton King and I are about to start interfering in Kaznia. This is an arc we've had a lot of fun setting up and writing, and I hope you all enjoy it.
Nightmaster000 A/N: As Zim said we're making our move on Kaznia and I'm even concocting my first villainous plan ~ Plus won't lie really had a lot of fun writing everything we got for Kaznia so far and hope you all enjoy the results.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"But what if he doesn't?" Marah asked with a whine, "I don't want to be related to a gross bug, Kapri!" A sentiment Kapri seemed to share, "Then we just need to find someone... more... tolerable for Uncle to show an interest in."
As the sisters head off deeper into the ship to their quarters, "I mean... there's has to be somebody on Earth that Uncle would find more attractive and we could tolerate calling family... right?"
she asked with the sisters putting their heads together to think, "Yeah, plus finding Uncle a new girl couldn't be any harder than us finding boyfriends!" Marah chirped out, "Then we'd show him we do too have a dating life."
she added, with that huff being the last thing heard in that section of the ship as it was drowned out by sounds of another sort
"YES THAT'S IT PIG BITCH! WATCH AS YOUR MASTER FILLS MY HOLES WITH THE COCK YOU WANT EHEHAHAHHA!"
(Several days later Kaznia)
In the ruins of a destroyed town in the kingdom of Kaznia, a live fire demonstration was happening as the leader of the soldiers of the northern tribes Nardoc watched the demonstration with awe, as his men were virtually powerless against the large behemoth of armor before them, "Impressive, is it not?" Asked the blonde man in the business suit standing next to him with a smirk, "Indeed Mr. Sera."
he agreed, nodding his head in awe at the behemoth, the Annihilator, as Mr. Sera stepped forward coming to a stop before them after the demonstration was finished he circled it in awe, "I knew about advances in unmanned weaponry, but this is incredible."
He said shaking his head before looking over to his benefactor, "Who built it?" He asked with his curiosity leaking through though at that question Mr. Sera simply smirked and stated, "Ever heard the expression, don't look a gift horse in the mouth?"
At that Nardoc nodded in understanding, "Ah classified then." He said in understanding while Mr Sera explained he had already taken the liberty of imprinting it to his voice commands before asking if he was interested, "Of course, anything to protect us from those dogs in the south."
He said with a scowl clenching his fists, "My people called this land home far before that spoiled brat Queen's ancestors showed up as thieves and conquerors." he said, spitting on the ground with a dark scowl before sending Mr. Sera a worried look, "But Mr. Sera, while this weapon would be a great boon, you realize I...my people we have little to pay for it?"
He asked with a worried frown but the man simply smirked as he strode forward and placed his hand on Nardoc shoulder with a smirk, "We can worry about that later~" The business suited man said with a smirk causing Nardoc to look at him in disbelief, "you're joking right?"
He asked with a Sera simply shaking his head, "Far from it~" He said with a chuckle, "After all I trust you and it's not like you're going anywhere are you?" he asked with amused arched brow as Nardoc found himself chuckling in turn, "With help of this machine and our other benefactors, no we are certainly staying right here."
He said proudly though at that sentence Mr. Sera actually looked surprised, "Other benefactors?" He repeated with a curious looking gleam in his eyes
"Oh yes," Nardoc said, "We have seen mercenaries from all over the world join us, either for money or because they believe in our cause, but recently we have received aid from a far more powerful source. Come, I will introduce you."
Genuinely curious, Mr. Sera followed Nardoc into a nearby tent, and came up short as he saw the figure seated at a table. A figure he recognized from news coverage of a recent attack on Gotham City and Bludhaven.
"I must say, Mr. Nardoc, your people's cuisine is delicious," Lothor said, dining on a local poultry dish.
"Thank you, Master Lothor. It is one of our cultural aspects that we've at least managed to preserve against those savages in the south," Nardoc growled, before composing himself, "But please, allow me to introduce Mr. Sera, another benefactor of our fight for liberty."
Lothor looked to Sera with a knowing look that the supposed businessman didn't care for. However, he didn't allow his stoicism to crack for even a moment.
"A pleasure, I'm sure," he said, "Tell me, are you not one of the new aliens that the Justice League recently posted warnings about?"
"Strictly speaking, I was born on Earth, I just found my fortunes elsewhere," Lothor replied, "But yes, that's me."
"I see," Sera said, taking a mental note of that tidbit, "Then may I ask, what is your reason for being here?"
"Well, I'm trying to establish a certain street cred on this planet, so to speak, and helping topple a country's government seems like a good place to start," Lothor explained, "And since I'm helping a repressed people fight for independence, they can't even say that I'm the bad guy!"
"Indeed. So, I take it you'll be leading your forces alongside those of the tribes?" Sera asked.
"Not me personally, no, I have other prospects to attend to elsewhere. But I will be leaving a lieutenant here to act in my stead," Lothor said, snapping his fingers. In response, a figure stepped out of the shadows at the back of the tent. Sera arched an eyebrow - the person, for lack of a better word, looked like a blue mantis in samurai armor, wielding a giant scythe.
"This is Blue Face, one of my most loyal and efficient warriors," Lothor stated, "He'll be leading the soldiers I'm loaning to the tribes, and is authorized to act in my name here."
"I am honored to serve you, Master Lothor," Blue Face stated with a bow.
"And I will bring victory and glory to this army in your name!" He said, standing back up looking over to Nardoc and Sera, "The Kelzaks training with the soldiers goes well, and already reports of us gaining ground against the Queen's forces are coming in."
He stated proudly as Nardoc smiled at the news while Sera merely arched a brow, "In fact, I personally appeared on the battlefield myself just earlier this morning and sent a squadron of the queens so called soldiers fleeing for their lives~"
"Excellent!" Nardoc smiled, "With your forces, the mercenaries, and now Mr. Sera's weapon all added to our armies, we will be marching through the streets of the capital by the end of the month! Then the royal government will have no choice but to concede to our freedom!"
"Yes indeed. Oh, and speaking of which, I've been wondering if I can meet these mercenaries. I'd like to know exactly who I'm working with," Lothor said.
"Of course. As luck would have it, several are already here today, I'll go fetch them immediately," Nardoc said, excusing himself and exiting the tent. Watching him go, Lothor then turned to Sera, the latter arching a brow at the challenging look in the ninja's eyes.
"Blue Face, go wait outside," he calmly commanded.
"Yes master," Blue Face said with a bow, quickly exiting the tent as well.
"Something you wish to discuss in private?" Sera asked.
"Oh no, I just wanted to give you some friendly advice," Lothor replied, finishing his meal, "As far as aliases go, spelling your name backwards is rather lazy. Or are you Olympians simply so ancient that that trick seems new by comparison?"
At that, silence stood for several moments with the expression of Sera or rather Ares the God of War going flat, "Honestly..." He gave a small smirk, "you'd be surprised how often the simplest and laziest cover works~"
He said with a snort, "I actually got this particular idea from a certain vampire who sometimes uses the identity of Alucard and amazingly like with this no one usually puts two and two together."
He told the man with a smirk, "But then again, what can you expect from mortal intelligence?" He said a tad mockingly, arching a brow, "I suppose now this is the part where you either threaten me despite the power gulf between us, or try to manipulate me to fuel your own agenda."
"Hardly, I'm not an idiot," Lothor replied with a snort, "I just didn't feel like beating around the bush. Besides, there's no reason for us to be enemies, as our goals don't appear mutually exclusive. From what I've studied about you, you're not invested in any one side of a conflict, so I don't see why you'd be offended by my actions here. And as long as that Annihilator of yours doesn't go after my troops, it's no problem for me."
"Hmm, true," Ares said, rubbing his chin in thought, "But if altogether we provide the north enough firepower and manpower to win the war easily, I feel like that's counterproductive for me."
"Oh, it won't be ending anytime soon," Lothor said, "If you've heard of me, then you've no doubt heard of my counterpart the Skeleton King? He and I have made this war part of our competition - even as we speak, his forces are infiltrating the royal government. They'll make sure that the Queen doesn't capitulate even if she wants too, which will make things drag on. Also, my presence here is bound to attract the League's attention sooner or later, perhaps even including a certain Amazon."
"Oh, now that would be interesting, wouldn't it?" Ares said with a smirk, "I must say, Mister Lothor, I like the cut of your gib. I think we might be friends after all."
"Glad to hear it," Lothor replied, turning his attention back to the tent's entrance as Nardoc returned.
"Ah it seems that you two are getting along," He said, walking into the tent with a smile, "Indeed," Ares said with an even nod to the man, "I believe Mr. Lothor and I... can work to a mutual beneficial agreement in our efforts to aid your people."
He told the poor pitiful pawn who smiled, "I am glad to hear so," He said, before half turning as more figures entered the tent, "But allow me to introduce you to some of the best among the mercenaries who have come to aid our people."
"What's happening you all!?" Shouted out a muscular dark skinned man wearing a, to call it nicely, eye-catching gold and purple outfit with a pair of green visors over his eyes and a samurai sword strapped to his side, "Da Samurai is in the house!"
He pointed at Lothor, "That's Sam-Moo-Rhai now the hottest and most slicing samurai around~" He told him as he gave a little twirl and pose while Ares actually found himself nonplussed while sending Nardoc a look that screamed seriously.
Because this man... this man probably had to be the biggest arrogant idiot he'd ever seen since Hercules... and believe me that was saying something. Nardoc to his credit did look a tad embarrassed as he coughed into his fist looking away and was about to speak up before Da Samurai cut him off, "And who do my eyes see before me?"
Da Samuraii swaggered arrogantly up to Lothor with a large smirk, "Why it'd be a ninja, a space ninja at that~" He said leaning it cockily, "I heard you got some moves even gave that fine piece of Bat-Ass up in Gotham a run for her money~"
he told the man smirking wide, "But tell me ninja boy, you think you got the skills to play with the real big boys~"
"Boy, I could break you in half with one hand behind my back," Lothor said dryly, "Fortunately for you, I'm a professional, and not going to waste my time when you're working for a mutual ally."
"Tough talk, space dude, think you can back it up?" Da Samurai scoffed.
"That's enough," Nardoc cut off, "Like Lothor said, we're all on the same side here, so no in-fighting."
"Whatever," Da Samurai huffed and walked aside to stand by the side of the tent. Nardoc sighed, then turned back to Lothor and Ares with a forced smile.
"Apologies for that. Anyway, next is... well, he just calls himself Combustion Man."
Lothor raised an eyebrow at that as a large muscular man walked in, head shaved bald and with a third eye tattooed on his forehead, walked into the tent. Well, that was interesting - did that mean that Avatar characters existed in this reality too? If that were true... well, his mind quickly went to a certain fire princess.
Now there was a piece of ass he wouldn't mind getting his hands on. And maybe unlike Gaz, she'd actually prove a challenge to break~
Combustion Man simply grunted crossing his arms, "You'll have to forgive the big guy." A dry voice said coming from a man in a red armored jumpsuit, his head completely covered in a helmet with its right eye being a large targeting scope, "He's not much of a talker, but believe me he leaves one hell of a explosive impression."
The man said with amusement in his voice, "This is Deadshot," Nardoc introduced, gesturing to the man, "perhaps the finest marksman in the world~" Deadshot let out a chuckle, "Well, I don't mean to brag~"
He started to say before a new young voice spoke up coldly ,"Then don't." And a fourth and final figure walked into the room, casting a narrowed eye gaze on Ares that he returned before looking over at Lothor boredly, "So, you're the latest in the long of line of idiots who want to declare themselves king of the mountain."
The feminine figure said crossing her arms, "I'm not impressed."
Now Lothor was definitely intrigued, as that was a familiar voice. The girl in question was at least 18 (with a damn fine figure to match), taller than the one he was familiar with, wearing jeans and a jacket instead of a pink dress, and her blonde hair was free-flowing (if short) instead of up in horn style. But the shirt under that jacket was pink with a familiar flower printed on it, and the scowling face was unforgettable.
Also, she had a large scythe strapped to her back, which was a pretty big clue.
"And you are...?" he asked, hedging his bets.
"Mandy. You don't need to know my full name," she replied flatly.
Well, that cinched it. Never mind tracking down Azula, here was a real challenge to break in. After all, while Gaz was tough, she was ultimately just a brat with anger issues. Mandy, on the other hand, was a stone cold sociopath who bent gods and demons and Death himself to her will (admittedly, Grim was kind of a wimp as incarnations of Death went, but the point still stood). Now, she was someone he and Tak would have a lot of fun breaking in...
Forcing himself back to the present, Lothor gave Mandy a smirk.
"I assure you, my dear, I'm far more capable than whatever first impression you're getting off of me," he said as suavely as he could, "Perhaps I could change your mind if you allow me to treat you to a lovely candlelit dinner?"
"I'll pass," Mandy replied dryly.
Before focusing her attention toward Ares, "And why am I not surprised you'd show up in a war zone?" She asked dryly while Ares simply spoke back flatly, "Lovely to see you again as always, Mandy."
He said, catching some curious looks, "You know each other?" Nardoc asked with an arched brow but Ares simply shrugged, "We have some mutual acquaintances and run in the same circles now and then."
He told the man evenly, who simply nodded in reply realizing it wasn't best to pry, "But must admit you've indeed assembled a strong force for your people Nardoc."
Ares told the man with a smirk, "And my own gift to you is but the cherry on top, I'm sure~" He added with a chuckle, "Rest assured Mr. Sera, I'm sure your machine will go a long way to contributing to my people's freedom."
Nardoc told him with Ares smirking back, "I'm sure," He said, looking at the four mercenaries, "But I must caution you Nardoc," Ares gave the man a frown as his smile fell at the look on his benefactors face, "you must not get cocky.."
He warned him crossing his arms behind his back, "While it seems victory is in your grasp, you do not yet know what the Queen has on her side of the field," He said with a frown, "After all you hardly have a monopoly on soldiers of fortune after all."
"Mr. Sera has a point," Lothor added, "I imagine that there are great many who are looking at this conflict and seeing that the Queen has more money to pay for extra help with."
"Not as much as you might think," Deadshot commented, "They just barely recovered from rebuilding the damage caused by Savage's coup when the Thangarians invaded, and then before they could even rebuild from that too, the war started. Queen Audrey's treasury is pretty low at the moment, so she doesn't have enough to pay for too many high-end mercs."
"How do you know that?" Da Samurai asked.
"Obviously, because I offered my services to her first and didn't like the price she offered, so I came here instead," Deadshot replied shamelessly, ignoring Nardoc's dirty look, "Point is, they might have one or two heavy-hitters, but most will be bottom of the barrel wannabes looking for a thrill and a quick paycheck."
"Mr. Deadshot's dubious business practices aside," Nardoc coughed into his fist while wearing a slight scowl, "He is not wrong, the advantage is ours Mr Sera."
"Which means the Queen will be desperate," Mandy cut in while stating bluntly with crossed arms, "Especially with her string of luck lately." She added on with crossed arms, "And one should never underestimate what the foolish and desperate will do to stay alive."
"I agree with Mandy," Lothor stated, "A cornered animal is the most dangerous. We should expect the royals to start lashing out, if not in desperation, then in false hope bolstered by those recent victories."
"Very true," Ares stated, "So, I believe we should start discussing a more coordinated strategy."
"Mr. Sera speaks wisely," Nardoc said with a nod, walking over to the strategy table that was set up in the middle of the tent where a map of Kaznia sat, "Come, I will brief you on how the conflict currently goes."
"We have managed to liberate most of our traditional lands almost to the ancient borders," Nardoc explained, gesturing to the map, "However, the royal army still has numerous bases north of that line, heavily fortified against attack. As long as those remain, they will still be able to support attacks in our territories."
"Then the obvious choice is to start picking them off," Lothor mused, "Taking them all at once would divide our forces a bit too much to be safe, in my opinion, so it's probably best to attack them one by one."
"Heh just send me in and I'll have all those bases dealt with by suppertime~" Da Samurai spoke up with a arrogant smirk that fell at Deadshot speaking up, "You mean you'll be in the castle dungeons by suppertime."
The marksman mercenary said in a deadpan as Samurai scowled at him, "But Lothor's right that taking them all at once would divide us too much." He said crossing his arms as he looked at the table, "Only problem in taking them out one at a time is it give the south more time to come up with a way to retaliate."
He said, rubbing his mask's chin while Combustion Man gave a agreeing grunt beside him, "Then we'll just need to keep them focused on other priorities while we take out the bases." Mandy spoke up bluntly from the side as she glanced over to Sera, "Since... Sera here has apparently given the Northern Tribes his latest toy, why not make good use of it and show it off to the southern troops."
"Agreed," Ares said with a nod, "The Annihilator will not only take the attention of the royal army off of their bases, but decimate their numbers in the process. What they have left afterwards will be too weakened to properly defend the bases from the rest of you."
"In which case, we can have Blue Face and my Kelzaks lead part of the northern troops against this fort, while the rest of you split up the remainder against these two," Lothor suggested, gesturing to each of the forts on the map.
"Sounds like we got a plan." Mandy stated evenly as she looked over toward Lothor with an arched brow, "Just as long Sera's toy and your men can actual do their jobs of course." She told them bluntly, with Ares giving a slight small frown at the jab though Mandy barely gave him a glance as she focused her attention on Lothor.
"My dear, I assure you, even if my soldiers were to lose, they'd still make it a pyrrhic victory at best for the enemy," Lothor replied evenly, "And as it stands, I don't see that happening barring some miraculous outside intervention."
Considering their earlier conversation, Ares knew he was talking about the Justice League, especially Diana. And judging by the look in his eyes, he was testing to see if anyone else in the room would be bright enough to catch onto that on their own.
And to Lothor and Ares' little surprise, Mandy was the one who connected the dots first, "You mean the Justice League." She said stoically with a frown as Deadshot sighed, "They do have a habit of showing up where they aren't wanted and poking their noses where they don't belong."
he said with Combustion Man giving low a growl, "Annoying pests." he said with a deep rumble and narrowed eyes, "Please, Da Samurai ain't afraid of no losers in their underwear!"
Da Samurai scoffed giving his hand a chance, "Though considering the rumors I've heard about the Queen and Wonder Woman, this could be a opportunity..." He gave a pervy grin, "Give me 5 minutes and I'll have those two singing my praises~"
He said smugly, before scowling as Mandy asked bluntly, "Can you even last 5 minutes?" With an arched brow, "You want to repeat that, butch bitch?" Da Samurai asked, shoving his face into Mandy's with her gaze darkening, "Because I..."
Whatever he was going to say was cut off when Mandy in a surprising show of speed grabbed him by the throat and started to squeeze, causing him to give a strangled gasping squeal, "You know..."
She stared hard into his eyes, "I've met my share of annoying idiots, but you," Samurai gasped out as she gave his throat another squeeze, "are reaching a point where you make even Billy seem like a genius."
she told him in a cold tone but before she could do anything Nardoc spoke up, "That's enough!" He said his tone hard with a glare, "Whatever your disagreements, remember that you're all fighting for the same cause and side."
"Tch, whatever," Mandy muttered, tossing Da Samurai aside to slump on the floor, "The point is, the League is likely to interfere if the royal government feels threatened enough. Especially considering the Queen's friendship with Wonder Woman. So, we're probably going to have superheroes breathing down our necks by the time we're done taking the forts."
"Personally, that's a challenge I'd welcome," Lothor said with a smirk, "I've only had a taste of some lower-tiered heroes, I look forward to seeing what the big names can do against my forces."
"Don't get cocky. Trust me, I've seen that bring down some of the best," Deadshot commented.
"It's not cockiness if he can back it up. And I share the same feelings regarding my Annihilator," Ares mused with a smirk of his own, "I for one love the idea of Wonder Woman taking it on."
"I bet," Mandy said dryly. But then gave a slight scoff as she turned about face, "But if we're done yapping, I'd like to get to work," she said over her shoulder making to move out of the tent, "The sooner we finish this little civil war, the sooner I get what I want."
Causing Nardoc to slightly scowl while Lothor shot Mandy a curious look as Deadshot gave a shrug, "Eh, she's not wrong." he remarked ideally, "I just hope you can cough up the green for our services after we bring down a monarchy," The mercenary told Nardoc boredly, "After all, I've put off some very lucrative contracts and hits to be here for your people in your time of need~"
"You needn't worry, once we've won the war, our peace terms will include financial compensation for all that the southerners have taken from us," Nardoc stated, "That will provide us with more than significant funds to cover all your costs."
"Good," Deadshot said with a nod, "Now, anything else, or can I get back to maintenance on my weapons?"
"I think everything's been covered that needs to be," Nardoc said, "Master Lothor, anything else you'd like to add?"
"Hmm?" Lothor looked away from where he'd been watching Mandy leave (admittedly staring at her ass the whole time), "Oh, no, I think we've got a handle on things. If there's any changes to strategy while I'm not here, simply run them by Blue Face, he's authorized to act as he sees fit while in the field."
"Excellent," Nardoc said, before taking his leave, the mercenaries following after him and soon leaving Lothor and Ares alone.
"I don't suppose you know what Mandy's really here for?" Lothor asked the disguised god, "Because that wording didn't sound like she was after money."
"Power..." Ares stated bluntly to the man in control with a frown, "While Mandy has proven to be a particularly dangerous brand of mortal even as a child..."
He glanced off to the tent's exit, "And she rarely shares her plans with others, her motivations will always boil down to power and control," he said before adding with a snort, "A trait shared by all..." He admitted before sending Lothor a smirk, "only difference is Mandy's usually quite good at achieving those desires."
"Hmm, so the only question is, what does she have to gain from aiding these rebels," Lothor pondered, before shrugging, "Ah well, for now it's no concern of mine, though I imagine I'll be keeping a close eye on her just in case."
"A wise decision," Ares said, "In any case, I imagine you'll be taking your leave now?"
"Yes, I've done all I've needed to do for my interests here," Lothor stood up, "Enjoy your war, Lord Ares."
"Thank you. And good luck to you in your competition, Master Lothor," Ares replied, "I look forward to seeing what chaos you and your rival bring to the board."
With nods of mutual respect, the two parted ways.
(Southern Kaznia)
While the forces of the Northern Kaznia tribes prepared, on the southern side of the border inside the new royal palace that was built after the destruction of the former one, a royal audience was happening.
"I thank you two for answering the call to my people," Said the young form of Queen Audrey wearing a crown, "Think nothing of it señorita," Spoke up the massive muscular form of Bane, standing in front of the royal throne with a smirk, "Bane is always willing to lean a hand in to such a lovely lady in breaking the backs of her enemies~"
Said the smirking black/white masked luchadore while the men besides him wearing a pink Chinese men's long coat simply scoffed, "Speak for yourself, Bane," Said none other than Mercenary Tao with a flat look, "I'm always willing to kill..."
He said looking stoically up toward the Queen, "So long as my clients can pay my fee, of course~"
"You need not concern yourself with that, Master Tao," Audrey replied, "While our royal finances have had some setbacks in recent years, we still have more than sufficient funds to pay your costs."
"I'm glad to hear that," Tao said, "In which case, you have nothing to worry about. I'll have these savages in the north dealt with in no time."
"Hmm, and what about the mercenaries they are said to have recruited as well?" Audrey asked, "They are all said to be highly skilled as well."
"Not as much as me," Tao sneered.
"While I consider myself humbler than Tao, I agree with him in principal," Bane stated, "Bane shall crush all your enemies for you, Your Majesty."
"I am glad to hear this," Audrey said with a dark smirk and look in her eyes, "For these traitors have dared betray Kaznia's people while attempting to steal our land from us!" she said with a cold tone of hate, "As such, I want no mercy shown!"
She told them banging her fist on her arm rest, "I want every last one of these savage dogs put down to the very last woman and child!" she said, her eyes glaring down at them, "I refuse to let such filth and treachery pollute my kingdom and endanger my people."
Bane and Tao arched eyebrows at the vicious attitude being expressed by the former party girl turned Queen, but shrugged it off. They'd heard the rumors of the things she'd had done to Vandal Savage after his imprisonment, which he'd only survived due to his immortality, so dealing with such treachery again probably would set her off like this.
Besides, it wasn't like they cared, so long as they got paid.
"As you desire, Your Majesty," Tao said with a bow.
"With your leave, we'll depart to the field at once," Bane added.
"Good, go," Audrey waved dismissively, before adding as an afterthought, "Oh, and if you encounter a group of youths calling themselves 'Freedom Fighters', ignore them. They're technically on our side, though they're more of an annoyance than anything."
"Ah, one of those groups then," Tao said with a look of realization, "No worries, we'll leave them be," he said uncaringly over his shoulder, "my experience with those types has shown me they can be surprisingly useful sometime."
he said with a slight smirk, leaving out said usefulness amounted to basically being either easy money to kill or as cannon fodder to distract larger targets before he made his move, "Ninos should know better to play at war... it's a man's game, after all~"
Bane said with his own smirk and shake of his head as they exited the throne room as a servant strangely dressed in a purple Greek dress passed them by, approaching the Queen's throne as the doors sealed themselves shut.
With silence standing for several moments before the servant spoke, "So, I take it things are going as you desire, your highness?" The woman spoke in a dry tone, looking toward the throne with an arched brow
"Hmm, yes Megara, I'd say things are going perfectly," Audrey said with a smirk, "Now we can finally stop treating those upstart savages like a meaningful threat and crush them like the pests that they are."
At that the woman Megara arched a brow and said in a dry tone, "While giving your master a foothold on Earth in the process as well," She said, causing silence to stand for several moments before a voice hissed out from behind her, "But of course~"
With Meg actually whirling around in surprise at something getting so close to her without realizing it, and jumped back into a battle stance as she saw none other than Skeleton King smirking at her with staff in hand, "Though don't tell me you have a issue with that?"
He asked her with open amusement, "After all, one of your organization's former leaders Bruno was a collaborator to Darkseid himself~" He said, staring into the eyes of Megara, and it certainly was a surprise to find one of the Disney Princesses right here in Kaznia in the service of the royal family, Meg from Hercules at that.
Though a little digging led to an interesting rabbit hole, and coming away that Meg was here mainly as an agent for the criminal organization Intergang to act in the group's own interests toward the kingdom of Kaznia.
"If I had a problem with it, I'd have already taken my chances and blown the whistle on this scam of yours," Meg said after composing herself, "Though speaking of which, you might want to consider having your copycat up there dial it down a little. Audrey's ruthless when she has to be, but she's never ordered genocide before."
"Heh, precisely," Skeleton King said, hissing out with a large smirk as Megara gave a blink, "After all my dear, who said I didn't want this little scheme discovered~" He told her with a dark grin while his eyes subtle roamed over her body.
A part of him was at first surprised to see her wearing her canon Greek outfit, but that was easily explained as it seems Audrey despite growing up a bit and resolving to be a better Queen after her experience with Savage, was still a bit spoiled and apparently had developed a taste for Greek culture and fashion due to her friendship with Diana. As a result, she'd had many of her servants dress up in ancient Greek styles. Which Skeleton King (or any other man for that matter) wasn't complaining about, considering how well those outfits showed off the women wearing them.
Not noticing the Skeleton King's wandering eye, Megara frowned in thought.
"You went through all the trouble of creating a clone copy of the Queen, but you want it to be found out?" she asked in confusion.
"Confused?" Skeleton King asked with a smirk toward her as she frowned, "I also intentionally let you find out about my presence." He added on as he chuckled at Meg's eyes slightly widening, "Or did you think I was monologuing to myself and the Queen's stunt double ~"
He asked, giving a laugh as Meg scoffed, "Considering what your type usually act like, it wouldn't surprise me," She stated dryly, with Skeleton King actually giving an amused chuckle, "True..."
He stated with a conceded nod toward her, "But no, I became quite aware that a certain staff member wasn't what she seemed ~" He said with a little smirk as Meg looked at him warily, "I found myself intrigued, so I decided to let myself be discovered while you were sneaking around near the Queen's quarters~"
With Meg giving a scowl, not liking being played, but had suspected something was off with how she found out what was going on a bit too easily looking back, "I suppose this is the part where you try to silence me then?"
She asked sending him a glare, however he merely laughed, "Not quite..." He told her with a evil grin, "As long as you keep silent of your own accord, you are free to go about your business, or even leave if you wish."
He explained with a shrug as Megara actually gave him a look of disbelief at that. He'd be willing to just let her walk out despite the risk she was to whatever scheme he had going on here... a scheme where he wasn't worried if his fake was discovered, "However..."
And here comes the catch she thought in a deadpan, "If you're willing to take a little test..." Skeleton King stared into her eyes, "Then I'd like to make you a offer you'll find most enticing should you pass ~"
"What sort of test?" Meg asked, eyes narrowed suspiciously. One didn't survive as long as she had in Intergang without a healthy does of paranoia, after all.
At that question Skeleton King snapped his fingers, and in a instant the so-called Queen leapt out of the throne and with a hand spring and several flips forward landed in front of Meg in a battle stance, "I simply wish to see if you're just a pretty face or..."
He shot her a smirk, "If you've got the skill to back up the ambition I see in those beautiful eyes of yours ~" He explained with a chuckle as Meg, despite looking at "Audrey" warily, gave a blink at the compliment, "So face my Formless here one on one..."
The alien warlord gestured to Audrey, "Win or at least impress me, and I'll tell you my offer~"
Meg arched an eyebrow at that, but after a few moments of thought, nodded in acceptance. Reaching down, she tore off the hem of her dress to give her legs more freedom of movement.
"Okay then, let's do this," she said, taking a stance of her own and facing the clone.
Skeleton King at the sight of her legs gave a subtle smirk, not that Meg realized it as the fake Audrey let out an alien screech, lunging forward as its arm turned black and pale white while shifting into a mace like form, with Meg ducking and dodging some swings before sending a side kick to the copy's side. Only for the Queen to catch it in the grip of her left hand before attempting to swing her right arm mace down at Meg.
Throwing all her weight to the side, Meg not only dodged the attack but fell to the floor, dragging the Formless clone down on top of her due to catching it off guard with the move and not giving it a chance to let go of her. As the fake Audrey fell on top of her, Meg brought her other leg up, bracing both of them against the clone and then kicking out, sending the clone flying away.
Meg quickly jumped back to her feet, grimacing as she watched the Formless do the same in quick, inhuman motions. Screeching again, it charged at Meg, swinging its mace arm at her again. Dodging the blow, Meg caught Audrey's arm and brought her elbow down on hers, forcing it to bend the wrong way and snapping with a sharp CRACK.
Screeching, the clone reeled back, only for Meg to punch it in the face, which deformed into ooze.
"That's disgusting," Meg grumbled, trying to shake her hand free of the goo now on it.
"Heh, but effective ~" Skeleton King said, filled with amusement as Meg shot him a annoyed glare, "But the powers created from the pit of ooze aren't to be underestimated."
He warned her lightly as a loud screech of fury pierce the air.
SCRRREEEEE
While Meg was tackle by the clone despite it's punch in deformed oozing face causing them to roll on the ground till Meg found herself pinned down by this freak with its gruesome face looming over her as it wrapped its hands around her neck, "Glrt!"
With her grabbing its wrists trying to break its grip as its master spoke off to the side, "Hmm, have you lost already?" He asked, his voice actually leaking out disappointment, "And here I thought you had potential."
He shook his head, "I guess I was wrong."
"GRRRR, GET OFF!" Meg yelled, pulling on the clone's arms so hard that, with a sickening spray of ooze, they tore clean off of the clone's shoulders.
With a screech, the Formless stumbled away, while Meg shot up with a gasp, coughing harshly for breath. Glaring at the clone as it flailed about, Meg picked up one of its torn-off arms and wielded it like a club, stalking over to it. As the Formless looked up at her, she screamed wordlessly and brought the arm down on it repeatedly, until the clone's head and torso had been reduced to ooze, which the arm in Meg's hands dissolved into as well afterwards.
"Impressed yet?" Meg snarled at the Skeleton King as she tossed the ooze aside.
"Hhehehhe ~" At that question he actually laughed out madly before sending her a wide amused grin, "Very much so, yes ~" He told her honestly quite impressed (Not to mention amused at the brutality ~) with how she handled that Formless and was rather intrigued at how good of a fighter she really was compared to some of this world's more well know physical combatants.
But that could be addressed later, for now he had a offer to make, "Now for my offer ~" He gave her a dark grin, "Tell me my dear..." He stared into her eyes, "What do you think of rather than serving thugs who are beneath you while getting scraps as your reward..."
He strode forward and with a lift of his staff her form glowed cleaning off the ooze but the tears and rips on her dress remain, "you served by a king's side and had power your current masters could only dream of~"
"Interesting offer. But you're hardly the first alien big shot to come to this planet and think you can just take over, and I'm not interested in selling out to someone who's just gong to lose in the long run," Meg replied, arms crossed over her chest, "Hell, you mentioned Darkseid yourself. You think you can win where he couldn't?"
"Well, I've already got a destroyed planet, a slain dark God, and an imprison team of heroes on my resume ~" He told her with a dark smirk, "And unlike those fools I'm playing the long game, while actually acknowledging that defeat while improbable is not impossible."
He told her with a widening smirk, "For example, on the surface this civil war will be used as a failed attempt to gain a foothold on this planet," he told her with a dark grin, "The heroes will eventually arrive after they learn Lothor has allied himself with the northern tribes.."
This comment caused Meg's eyes to slightly widen, "Where they will go on to discover my own forces have infiltrated the royal government forces," he gestured right to the ooze remains of the fake Audrey, "All the way up to the Queen herself..."
He let out a dark chuckle, "Of course, they'll ride in to save the day, destroy my Formless and rescue the real Queen," he stared into her eyes, "then once the day is saved, they'll go home pleased they saved Kaznia from my grip..."
He smirked, "Not knowing that they've done exactly as I expected and I now rule as the true power behind the throne."
"Wait, the real Audrey's working with you?" Meg exclaimed, eyes widening in shock, "I mean, I knew she could be petty and ruthless if someone gets on her bad side, but what the hell did you offer her?"
Skeleton to simply laughed, "Hehe, you'll find if necessary I can easily bend the weak to my will..." He said with a dark smile toward Meg, who unconsciously took a step back, "But I haven't done that just yet..."
.
He said, raising his hand..."Rather, I've only offered her..." He snapped his finders as a bound tied form appeared at their feet, "Pleasure ~"
He hissed out the last word as Meg's eyes widen in shock at the sight of the real Queen Audrey... the very naked... very bondage bound... Queen Audrey.
"Mmmm," Audrey moaned into the ball gag stuffed into her mouth, arms held behind her in arm binders that were connected by chain to the shackles likewise keeping her legs tied together behind her. The Queen's eyes were wide and unfocused, and her pussy was extremely wet with unreleased pleasure.
"What did you do to her?" Meg asked, not horrified and mostly just trying not to think about how hot this sight before her was.
"Oh nothing much..." Skeleton King said with a smirk to Meg, "I haven't fucked her... at least not yet." He explained, looking down toward Audrey as he pointed the ending tip of his staff toward the Queen, "I've just been playing with and sexually torturing her body for the past several days ever since my Formless took her place."
He let out a chuckle his staff tip rubbing lightly against Audrey's pussy, "All while not letting her experience release, only keeping her on a constant edge as her body is tormented with constant pain... while her mind..."
He let out a dark laugh, giving Meg a cruel grin, "Well, let's say I've been using my power to fill her mind with some very interesting fantasies and wet dreams~"
(In Audrey's mind)
"Ooh, Diana~" Audrey moaned. She and Wonder Woman were locked in an embrace, their nude bodies entwined and rubbing against each other as they passionately kissed.
"Mmm, you want this, don't you?" Diana breathed into Audrey's ear after trailing kisses up her neck from her shoulders.
"Yes, ever since we met," Audrey said, reaching to grasp Diana's firm, muscular ass.
"Then just give into the master's power," Diana said as she squeezed one of Audrey's breasts before leaning down to lightly bite the nipple of the other.
"M-master?" Audrey stuttered around a gasp of arousal, having difficulty thinking.
"Yes, the rightful master of us and all things," Diana said, looking up at where the Skeleton King was seated on his throne, looming above the pair and watching them fuck each other.
"He'll have me soon enough," Diana explained, "And when he does, then all you have to do is give into him, and then we can be together under him forever. Don't you want that?"
"I... AH!" Audrey let out a gasping moan as Diana suddenly bit down hard on her nipple, "YES!" She moaned out loudly with desire, "More than... AH... anything... my... warrior... princess ~" she told the woman that had saved her kingdom and stolen her heart as Diana kissed up from her breasts to her neck, "Then go to him..."
Diana whispered huskily into her ear as they pressed their bodies against each other, "Go to our master and show him how much you desire to be his~"
"Yes... I will," Audrey said, reluctantly detaching from Diana to begin crawling towards Skeleton King on her hands and knees.
"Please, master, take me," she begged up at him, "I'll do whatever you ask of me. Just please, take me so that I can be with Diana forever."
Skeleton King smiled evilly at her, "Would you debase yourself to the lowest depravity at my whim?" he leaned forward, "Would you offer your body to me in front of your entire Kingdom?"
He let out a dark cruel, "Would you start a war in my name or even order all your people executed if you thought it would make me happy?"
"I, I," Audrey stammered, picturing everything he described and momentarily feeling shame at the idea, but then her lust won out over it.
"Yes, master!" she cried out, "Make me your whore! Fuck me in front of all my subjects! Kill them all if it pleases you! Just take me!"
"Hehehehehe ~" her master gave a cold laugh as he stood from the throne walking toward her, "Such a pathetic excuse for royalty ~" He said with a dark smirk, "you are far more suited to being a bed warmer than a ruler ~"
He said emphasizing the statement by spitting down at her right in her face, "But your lord hears your pleas so he shall grant your desires!" He exclaimed as he threw his staff to the side before pouncing upon her body
Audrey cried out in surprise but also pleasure as Skeleton King pinned her to the ground, mounting her and holding her by the hips to keep her in place.
"Ooh, yes master!" Audrey purred, "Please, take me like the lowly bitch I am!"
SMACK!
Skeleton King responded to her plea by hitting her tits watching them bounce as she cried out with dark glee, "Oh, it would be my pleasure your highness ~"
He hissed out wasting no time in fishing out his cock and thrusting inside her folds though as this was happening their surroundings alternated and transform into what appeared to be the destroyed Kaznia with all its people chained while Formless stood guard over them, watching with mixture of broken and dark emotions as their queen surrendered her body to this monster just like she had done to their people
PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, "Argh, so tight, I guess Savage had a pencil dick ~" Skeleton King laughed with dark glee as he pounded away at her folds, "But now you're my whore and all your people get to see you for the slut you really are!"
"YES! I'M YOUR SLUT!" Audrey screamed, shocked at how much she was enjoying not just his cock in her, but also how the looks of her subjects made her feel. There was shame yes, but that shame made her all the hornier.
"BREED ME LIKE THE WHORE I AM!" she continued, "LET ME CARRY YOUR BASTARDS!"
Her master laughed with dark glee as he pounded her all the harder into the ground, "Ohhh, what would your father say if he saw the kinda queen his spoiled brat of a daughter had become~
He hissed out, staring down at her with a dark gaze that made her shiver but as she moaned at his words the voice of her love Diana spoke up before she could say anything, "Why not ask him yourself master~"
Said the naked form of Wonder Woman wearing a dark grin hold a sword in her right hand and in the left... was the form of King Gustav, Audrey's father battered and bruised and being dragged by his royal garb, "Audrey?!" He gasped out as Diana threw him to the ground
"F-father?!" Audrey cried out, too disoriented by being fucked to know how to respond. Which was also why, along with the dream logic of this illusion, it wasn't registering with her that her father had been paralyzed for years ever since Savage had poisoned him, and therefore shouldn't even be able to talk, much less be looking at her in such shock.
"What is this? What are you doing?" Gustav exclaimed, looking on in horror as the Skeleton King continued to fuck her without even the slightest pause.
"I, I," Audrey stammered, unable to think of anything to justify this to her father.
"She's spreading her legs for her new master~" Skeleton King told Gustav with a dark smirk, "just like she spread her legs for the man who poisoned you~" He added, giving her breasts another hard hit.
SMACK "I'm going to kill and torture all your people and your daughter will sing my praises as she bounces gleefully on my cock!" He howled out, pumping in and out all the harder.
"You're lying! She wouldn't do that!" Gustav exclaimed, "Audrey, tell me he's lying!"
"I... father... it feels so good~" Audrey tried to defend herself, but could only moan in pleasure.
"NO! You're better than this!" Gustav protested, "You were always a wild child, always wasting your time on partying instead of being a faithful heir, but you were never some lowly whore!"
Despite the intense ecstasy from the ongoing rough pounding of her pussy, Audrey frowned. Not in the shame that her father was clearly trying to invoke, but in annoyance. No matter the situation, he was still scolding her like she was still a party girl who couldn't take things seriously? She'd been running their kingdom on her own while he'd been barely more than a vegetable, and he still acted like she was a foolish child. That fucking asshole!
"Hmm, it sounds like your father doesn't appreciate you, my dear~" Skeleton King hissed out, licking up the side of her neck while picking her up from the ground with Audrey by instinct wrapping her arms and legs around him as her lord continued to fuck her standing up, as he helped her up by her ass which he gave a strong squeeze, "After all, it was him who opened the door to that brute Savage, did he not~"
Skeleton King hissed out, staring into her eyes as he fucked her and she bounced eagerly in turn off his cock, "While you were the one that made that brute regret ever trying to take what wasn't his."
He let out a dark laugh, "For you and your kingdom deserve a true master," He hissed out, licking his lips, "A master that can give you pleasure he never could..." He leaned forward, "A master who will give you the love your father never did~"
And at those words he locked lips with Audrey, kissing her hard
As Audrey instinctively returned the kiss, she realized something. That while she might love Diana, her master was able to provide her true joy in a way that her beloved warrior princess couldn't. The feeling of his cock pumping in and out of her, while his tongue forced its way into her mouth, was like nothing she'd ever felt before, and she wanted as much of it as she could get.
So, when the kiss finally broke, she turned to face her father with a scowl.
"Fuck you, you worthless old bastard," she spat, "I don't need you, and I don't care what you think!"
Her father was stunned at first before his face turned red as he roared out, "AUDREY YOU WORTHLESS UNGRATEFUL..." Only to find his tirade cut off as he was kicked down to the ground by Diana who had remained silent over him, "SILENCE SCUM!"
She spat at him before looking up toward Audrey, "Say the word my Queen and I will take this man's head," she said, gripping her blade over Gustav, "All I ask in return is the honor of eating out our lord's seed from your royal cunt."
She said with open lust and desire as their master laughed while pounding Audrey all the harder.
The idea of that request was hot enough that Audrey finally came, her pussy tightening around Skeleton King's cock and causing him to cum as well, his seed shooting up to fill her womb as she cried out in delight.
"Do it," she moaned to Diana as their master pulled out of her and dropped her onto her ass on the floor, leaving her lying in a sprawl, cum leaking out off her.
Audrey barely noticed as Diana cut her father's head off, only having eyes for the beautiful goddess as she sauntered over afterwards, and lowered herself down so that her face was in front of Audrey's pussy. With her soon moaning out as she felt Diana's tongue at her wet cunt, lapping up the seed oh so generously given to her by their lord, who stood over them with a dark smile, "This is but a taste of what I can offer you, my dear."
He said, smiling down at her, "This can be a reality.." He told her as he rose his hand, "All you must do is pledge yourself to me~" He hissed out, snapping his fingers and in the next instant death screams sounded out as the Formless started executing all the people of Kaznia while one of the worlds protector's ate out the snatch of the Queen who betrayed them all.
The sounds were horrifying, but they didn't register with Audrey. All she could focus on was the tongue skillfully moving around her most sensitive parts, sensually gliding through the folds so as to not miss a speck of cum.
"Oooh, Diana," Audrey moaned, gripping the back of the Amazon's head to hold her closer, "I want this. I want it now and always!"
"And you shall have it," Diana's muffled voice spoke out against her snatch, licking it eagerly, "In the embrace of Skeleton King~"
At those words, Audrey felt a hand grab roughly onto her hair as next she knew her lord was fucking her throat while Diana was eating her out, with her eyes going hazy, lost in waves of lust, pleasure, and twisted desires.
(Meanwhile real world)
Though unknown to Audrey as she was experiencing what some would call dark twisted bliss, her real self was moaning muffled by her ball gag as she squirmed on the ground as a mystical holo screen hovered in the air over her displaying all of what was happening in her mind, "Hehe, quite a sight wouldn't you agree my dear~"
Skeleton King said in a low hiss toward Meg, as he now stood behind her, placing his hand on his shoulder while lowering the one that held his staff ending the projection, "By the time her Amazon in shining armor appears, our dear Queen would eagerly help me rape her rather than let herself be rescued from my grip~"
He said with a dark hiss into Meg's ear, "Perhaps you'd care to join the fun, if such a scenario comes to pass~" He asked with a dark grin, while giving the side of Meg's neck a lick.
"Oh, uh, wow," Meg muttered, unable to say much beyond that, blushing as she watched the image of Audrey being double teamed by Skeleton King and Wonder Woman. She knew she should be horrified by it, but that was probably the hottest thing she'd seen in her life!
Finally, however, she managed to compose herself and look at Skeleton King with a serious look on her face.
"Exactly what are you offering besides sex? Because I'm not some whore, I expect more than just getting fucked on a regular basis to earn my loyalty," she said.
At that question Skeleton King let out a dark smirk, "You see my dear, it's rather simple~' He stared into her lovely eyes, "Much like Darkseid did, I see potential in Intergang to further my goals or..."
He shrugged, "at the very least be useful in causing enough trouble to distract this world's protectors." he said with a grin, "And I believe I could gain intergang as a asset under my thumb with your aid."
He explained, before adding with a smirk, "As for what I can offer you..." He gestured toward the surrounding throne room, "How does being the real ruler of Kaznia while Audrey is your pet and figurehead sound as a start~"
He asked, grinning at the slight widening of her eyes, "Of course, you'd still report to me, but that's just a sample I could offer."
He held up his glowing staff, "A taste that could include..." Suddenly the room began to rain gold and jewels all around them , "Riches beyond your desire~"
He exclaimed with a cackle, watching as Meg watched the rain of riches in awe for several moments before all the gold coins and jewels vanished, "And of course..." He leaned forward, hissing out, "I can offer you... power..." He clenched his fist, "you are already a skilled combatant, but I could give you the strength to face Wonder Woman head on~"
Meg's eyes widened at that, the mere suggestion of that possibility stunning her. Then they narrowed in thought as she considered that. The idea of becoming a ruler, of having power and riches, and that brat queen under her control...
"Let's talk details~" she said with a smirk.
"Hehe, with pleasure my dear~" Skeleton King said, taking her hand and kissing the back of it as he hissed out, "With great pleasure indeed~" He added as the throne room echoed with the sound of his dark laughter joining the mewling moans of the Queen of Kaznia, trapped in the nightmarish wet dream of things to potentially come.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Well, that's the start of this arc out of the way, we'll be getting into the meat of it next chapter. In any case, hoping you're liking the setup of the conflict, the future plot points we're setting up, and the various other characters we've brought in.
Nightmaster000 A/N: The pieces are in place as ZMLS/Lothor schemes begin to take off as our actions fan the flame's of war. As such you can expect plenty of action next chapter promise you that. Plus expect to see a couple more crossover mercenaries to make a appearance.
Chapter 8: Kaznia, Part 2
Summary:
As the war in Kaznia continues to grow more complicated, the Justice League prepares to intervene, and more players appear on the board.
Meanwhile, Skeleton King finishes bending Audrey to his will~
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Here we are with the next chapter. Admittedly, still more build up to the main part of the arc rather than getting to that right away, but that will now definitely happen next chapter.
In the meantime, hope you enjoy what we do have for you here, especially with the fun Night/Skeleton King is about to have~
Nightmaster000 A/N: Next chapter coming right at ya and get ready for some fun~ Granted like Zim said we still got a bit more of build up till we get to the fighting and action next chapter but none the less we hope what this chapters brings.
We've got not only new players in the war highlighted but i'm about to have me some fun with a princess~
Though warning that lemon in this chapter can get a bit kinky if not extreme nothing gross though don't worry just wanted to give you all a heads up all the same.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
He exclaimed with a cackle, watching as Meg watched the rain of riches in awe for several moments before all the gold coins and jewels vanished, "And of course..." He leaned forward, hissing out, "I can offer you... power..." He clenched his fist, "you are already a skilled combatant, but I could give you the strength to face Wonder Woman head on~"
Meg's eyes widened at that, the mere suggestion of that possibility stunning her. Then they narrowed in thought as she considered that. The idea of becoming a ruler, of having power and riches, and that brat queen under her control...
"Let's talk details~" she said with a smirk.
"Hehe, with pleasure my dear~" Skeleton King said, taking her hand and kissing the back of it as he hissed out, "With great pleasure indeed~" He added as the throne room echoed with the sound of his dark laughter joining the mewling moans of the Queen of Kaznia, trapped in the nightmarish wet dream of things to potentially come.
(Watchtower, Several Days Later)
The Justice League's founders, excluding the self-exiled Hawkgirl, sat at their conference table, all eyes on the screen that J'onn J'onzz was using to display the urgent matter he'd summoned them all to discuss. For her part, Wonder Woman in particular was looking at the screen with a worried frown.
"The civil war in Kaznia is continuing to escalate," J'onn said, "Most of its neighboring nations are going on high alert and arming their borders in case the conflict spills over, which may lead this towards a much wider war. All of which is bad enough on its own, but now in addition to the presence of numerous high-end mercenaries on both sides of the conflict, one of our latest high-level threats has apparently also entered the field."
"Lothor," Batman stated, watching footage of Blue Face leading a squadron of Kelzaks against royal Kaznian troops.
"The bug guy doesn't match the description your sidekicks had of him or that samurai General of his, though," the Flash pointed out.
"We should probably assume that he has numerous high-ranked minions. Most of these warlords usually do, in my experience," Superman commented.
"Point," Flash said nodding in agreement before looking over at John Stewart aka Green Lantern, a member of the Green Lantern Corps, "Don't suppose we managed to get any info on Lothor or that Skeleton guy yet?"
The speedster asked with a frown, with John simply sighing and shaking his head, "Not a single damn thing," He muttered out with a frown, crossing his arms, "Admittedly it might not be that strange, since the universe is a big place and these two might not have made a big splash in the wider galaxy."
He reported with a frown, "But the fact that both of them seem to have armies backing them, experienced ones at that..." He glanced at the footage of Blue Face and the Kelzaks with a dark frown, "never mind what the Titans reported about that Planet Shuggazoom."
Which even with Oa's resources among other more friendly powers in space they hadn't found a mention of, "it doesn't really add up." He told the others with a frown, rubbing his bearded chin, "From what we know so far, there should be whispers, rumors, something of either one of these guys and their goons causing trouble somewhere before they showed up on Earth."
He then lifted his head up with a scowl, "But there isn't a single damn thing, it's like they appeared out of thin air."
"No one comes from nowhere, we just need more information to properly explain things," Batman stated, eyes narrowing at the screen, "Given the circumstances, we may need to intervene, if for no other reason than to detain some of Lothor's minions for interrogation."
"Except you're forgetting our very clear rules of engagement," J'onn reminded him, "Fighting independently-operating criminals or terrorists is one thing, but this conflict is an internal matter. No matter the criminality of the various outside factions who have allied with either the government or the tribal rebels, we cannot get involved without being invited, which neither the rebels nor the Queen have done so."
"Which I still cannot understand," Wonder Woman said, still frowning in discontent, "Audrey may be stubborn, but she's not an idiot. She must realize that with how things are escalating, she needs our help!"
"Maybe if we explain what we know about Lothor, she'll take the situation more seriously," Superman suggested, "For that matter, what do we know about the mercenaries who are also getting involved?"
"Nothing good, I'm afraid," Batman said with a frown, bringing up certain files up on their monitor, "For starters, I'm sure you all remember Deadshot," He said, bringing up the man in question, from his mugshots to his "uniform" and reports on past hits, "Hard to forget someone who almost helped start a war between the surface and Atlantis."
John said with a frown that the others shared as Batman went on, "He's currently one of the top 4 mercenaries employed by the northern tribes alongside Lothor's men."
He explained with everyone scowling, "And who are the other three goons?" Flash asked with a frown. At that, Batman brought up three separate pics before highlighting the first, "Keanu Grier, self-proclaimed modern samurai, and greatest swordsman on the planet."
He spoke with a tone dryer than the desert as the others gave blinks, "While he's not quite at that level, I'm afraid he's good enough; for all his ego, he can actually back up some of his constant boosts."
He said, pushing a button as recorded footage of the man in question started to play, "Hey what's up you all, it's your man Da Samurai!"
He hollered out, doing a sign with his hand while posing, and from all appearances appeared to be recording this from his phone... on an active battle field, "Coming live from the lovely country of Kaznia, putting some royal brat's goons in their place~"
He said, holding up his sword with his other hand as he gave a wide smirk, "And lookie here..." He turned the camera, pointing to a traveling convoy, "we've got ourselves some goons in need of the good ol' slice and dice!"
With that, Grier dashed towards the convoy, the video blurring from his speed. As he neared the convoy, the soldiers manning the top of the vehicles spotted him and shouted orders for him to stand down. When he didn't, they opened fire, but to their shock he dodged every bullet shot at him. And then he was on them, blade swinging.
In less than two minutes, all the soldiers were dead, Grier's blade dripping with their blood as he grinned at the camera.
"And that's how you handle the mooks," Grier laughed.
"...Attitude aside, he's got some skill," Green Lantern said, eyes narrowed as the former Marine's old military instincts analyzed the self-proclaimed samurai.
"Not to mention a callous disregard for life," Superman added in with narrowed eyes, not liking one bit how this man turned all that death into a show for view on the internet, "Who else?"
He demanded slightly of the Dark Knight as Batman highlighted the next pic, "Meet Combustion Man, birth name unknown," He said as footage of the man in question started to play, "He's a metahuman who, in addition to his great strength and skill, possesses a telekinetic ability that allows him to launch explosive blasts with his mind."
He explained with grainy footage of a live action war report being shown of the man in question doing just that to a number of tanks on the opposing side.
"Not the weirdest or strongest power I've ever seen, but gotta admit it's pretty high up there," Flash commented, watching as Combustion Man blasted his way through a column of enemy troops, "That guy's going to be a problem to deal with. Even if he's just a blunt object, raw power's still something to worry about."
"And the last of the mercenaries?" Wonder Woman asked, looking at the picture of a young blonde woman. Something about the cold look in her eyes sent a shiver down the Amazon's spine.
"Can't be that bad, she looks like some kid barely older than Wally..." Flash said with a hint of disbelief in his tone at some girl this age was working as a mercenary, only for the disbelief to grow at Batman's next words, "She's actually the most dangerous of the 4."
The Dark Knight told them stoically ,"Excuse me?" John arched a brow at Batman as everyone traded looks of disbelief, everyone except Diana who frowned at the image of the girl, "How could this girl be worst than Deadshot, never mind those other two?"
The Green Lantern asked with a frown as Batman started to bring up files, "For starters, I don't have clues pointing to Deadshot manipulating and organizing a national crime ring when they were 10."
Batman told him in perfect deadpan, as everyone blinked at that, "Uh, I'm sorry Bruce, but are you honestly saying that..." Superman spoke up with a frown before Batman cut him off, "That this girl did exactly that and more in her formative years, yes."
"By all accounts, Mandy DeLisle was practically running her hometown before she was in junior high school. Apparently, everyone in any position of authority was too afraid of her to do anything," Batman went on, "Which probably has something to do with the rumors of her repeated encounters with supernatural beings."
"Like what?" Superman asked, slightly on edge considering magic was one of the few things that could hurt him.
"Among other things, the scythe she wields in battle was allegedly gifted to her by the Grim Reaper himself, and she's even been said to have repeatedly fought the goddess Eris," Batman elaborated.
"Really?" Wonder Woman asked in surprise. Eris was not exactly the most serious of the Olympians, but she was still dangerous in her own way.
"Indeed," Batman said with a frown as he started to bring up some recorded footage, "we actually have footage of her in a fight with who I suspect to be Eris, and one Hoss Delgado."
He explained as the monitor displayed what appeared to be some museum... a museum filled to the brim with large dog-sized snakes and spiders that were currently attacking Mandy and a large muscular redheaded man with a robotic hand and an eyepatch, with the two fighting each other alongside any attacking snakes or spiders while a golden-haired woman laughed in the middle of it all, "That's Eris alright."
Wonder Woman said with a sigh, shaking her head with Batman simply grunting with a frown, "As I suspected," Batman's eyes narrowed, "Following the chaos, it was noted one of the museum's artifacts was missing."
he explained as he started to click at some more keys, "And while Eris is a possibility, I suspect Mandy is the culprit since common theft doesn't match Delgado's past rap sheet."
"Who is this guy?" Flash asked, watching the video in confusion.
"Hoss Delgado is a self-declared hunter of the supernatural," Batman explained, "He's been associated with several human supremacist hate groups, though apparently he's considered too much a loose cannon to be a permanent member of any of them. He has a nasty habit of attacking anyone or anything nonhuman - or what he assumes is nonhuman - with little care for collateral damage."
"And what's this about a theft?" Superman asked.
"An ancient clay tablet inscribed in a dead language," Batman replied, bringing up a picture of the tablet in question, "Legend has it that it leads to a lost object of great power, but no one's ever been able to decipher it."
At that everyone frowned, "Well, that can't be good," Flash said with a groan, rubbing at his face, "Anyone else getting Faust and Morgana vibes here?"
He asked them with a frown, while bringing up their past experiences with the supernatural and ancient mystical items, a comparison that none of them liked one bit, "From the sounds of it, this Mandy is searching for a dangerous artifact."
Wonder Woman spoke up with a scowl, "Most likely to use as a weapon for her own agenda," She added before looking questioningly toward Batman, "But if so, why is she currently working as a mercenary in Kaznia's civil war?"
she asked as Batman answered back stoically, "Three theories come to mind," he said with a slight scowl, "One, and most unlikely, she was just hired to steal the tablet for another party."
He said before looking over at the table, "But make no mistake, while Mandy has been working as a mercenary in recent years, she's no mere hired thug," He explained frowning, "Her operations are merely a means to an end to fuel her own ambitions, whether through the connections she makes, the information she gains, or the currency to fuel other operations elsewhere."
He said, with John sighing, "It can't ever be simple," He said, shaking his head with the others sharing the sentiment, "The second theory is Mandy's just continuing business as usual while working on translating the tablet."
Batman continued to explain, "While the final theory is either the artifact in question or another item that will bring her closer to finding it is located in Kaznia."
"We should assume that last one's the case," Superman stated, "Even if it isn't, capturing Mandy should be a priority alongside stopping the war. She's clearly incredibly dangerous, even without access to whatever it is she's looking for."
"So, to summarize. Aside from allying with an alien warlord who's declared his intention to conquer Earth, the rebels are also employing the world's deadliest sniper, a punk samurai who can put his money where his mouth is, a man who can blow things up with his mind, and a girl who apparently regularly tangles with gods," John said, "Hate to say it, but I'm not liking the royal government's chances."
"Nor am I," Wonder Woman said, face set in determination, "I'll contact Audrey personally and try to talk some sense into her. Her forces need help!"
"That's the thing. They are getting help, just not from us," Batman said.
"Wait, what?" Flash blinked in confusion, "Hang on, are you saying that the Queen's hiring mercs too?"
"Audrey would never!" Retorted back Wonder Woman angrily at the accusation against her friend, before Batman cut her off, "She did," The Dark Knight stated bluntly as Diana looked over at him in shock.
"Starting off, I'm sure you're all familiar with Bane from the files I showed you." At that he brought up a file picture of Bane alongside footage of the brutal cunning of Bane dominating the battlefield.
And as he did so, all the founders grimaced. Only Superman had the "pleasure" to meet Bane in person during a crisis where a missing Bruce Wayne turned out to be mind controlled by Brainiac, but all recognized how dangerous this could be, "Was he not the who released all the Arkham inmates when you first clashed?"
J'onn asked with a stoic tone before Flash chimed in with his own frown, "Yeah, and broke your back putting you out of the field for a while," The speedster actually giving a dark frown as Batman simply gave a nod, "He was and did," He told them as Flash sighed out sarcastically, "Well, that's just great."
Before Green Lantern spoke up with a slight glare to the footage of Bane in action, "Shouldn't he be running that den of sum Santa Prisca these days?" He asked, with Wonder Woman repeating the name with a frown, "Santa Prisca?"
Though internally her mind was a whirl. What could push Audrey to hire not only mercenaries but one of Bruce's most dangerous enemies no less?
"It's a small island Latin American country," The Man of Steel said, speaking up with a frown, "And from what I recall, it's supposedly a criminal hot spot filled with so much corruption that it can make Gotham before Batman look like Metropolis."
He explained, while throwing Batman an apologetic look, but the Dark Knight simply cut in, "Control of the country regularly traded hands between various criminal figures and factions for decades."
He said, before adding with a grim tone, "That was until Bane showed up," He informed them with a hard look, "He took control of the country in a coup and quite literally took the heads of various criminal leaders while melding and assuming control over their operations."
"Ever since then, Bane has continued his mercenary operations while using Santa Prisca as his main base and the main producer of his strength enhancing drug, Venom."
"Audrey's actually recruiting the help of a man like this?" Wonder Woman asked in shock and disbelief.
"And he's not the only one," Batman continued, bringing up another picture, "Taopaipai, often just called Mercenary Tao. Highly skilled martial artist, to the point that many have mistaken him for a meta due to his sheer strength, though there's no evidence to support that. He's on the most wanted list of every international law enforcement agency due to the long list of atrocities he's committed in the name of his contracts, ranging from wiping out entire villages down to the last man, woman and child, to toppling governments by assassinating every single member of their leaderships."
"Great. Because there weren't enough one man armies already involved in this mess," Flash groaned, "Anyone else we need to worry about?"
"Actually, just earlier today we received word of a late arrival on the royal side," Batman said, bringing up the picture of a tall muscular Asian man with spiky red hair and a thin mustache and beard, "Hak Foo, aka the Black Tiger. Another martial artist of above-normal skills and strength, not quite the same reputation as Tao but known to be just as ruthless. And possibly even more dangerous, because he has a track record of working with the supernatural to get any advantage he can gain."
"How do you mean?" Wonder Woman asked Batman with a worried frown, before adding with a sigh, "And I can't fathom Audrey being willing to hire any of these men."
At that statement J'onn spoke, "Desperation can push a person to do things they otherwise might not do or even regret," With John chiming in, "Yeah, and considering how hard Kaznia never mind the Queen herself has been hit these past few years ever since Savage, it isn't a stretch to think she's determined to keep her throne and kingdom in one piece no matter what."
"Maybe, but this still doesn't feel right," Wonder Woman muttered, shaking her head in resignation.
"In any case, regarding Diana's question, there are some confirmed cases of Hak Foo stealing magical artifacts to enhance his power," Batman explained, "There's also rumors of him doing far more than that, but I can't find anything concrete either way."
"You can't?" Superman asked, arching an eyebrow in confusion. Because if there was one thing Bruce was good at, it was finding out things that other people wanted kept secret.
"No, I can't," Batman replied, his scowl making it clear how he felt about that, "There's traces and shadows of him having been involved in something big in San Fransokyo a little under a decade ago, but I can't find any complete reports on what exactly it was. Everything's buried under high levels of classification and so heavily redacted that I can't piece anything together."
"Great, so now we have some government coverup on top of everything else," Flash groaned.
"We'll worry about that later," Green Lantern cut in, "Is that all on the mercenary front?"
"Hmm, one more for the royals' side, and one rogue element apparently causing trouble for both sides of the conflict," Batman told them with a slight hum, bringing up the next file, "For the last mercenary in Audrey's employ, this particular individual isn't as dangerous in open combat as all the others."
He said, pulling up a picture of a man with a twirly mustache standing next to a... dog? A dog standing up on two feet and seeming to be snickering. "Meet Dick Dastardly and his partner Muttley."
Batman informed them, with the others giving blinks, "And before you ask, yes that is his birth name not an alias," He said with a slight sigh while Flash let out a snort, "Wow, talk about being pegged from birth then, huh~"
He said with a smirk, leaning back before arching a brow at Batman under his mask, "So what's the problem with this guy?" He asked, getting back into a more serious gaze, "Dick Dastardly since his youth has been what many would call a career criminal."
He stated, pulling out a long list of crimes and charges, "His crimes range from jaywalking, pick pocketing, impersonating a public official, sabotaging sporting events, destruction of private and public property, fraud, and many more."
He explained with a frown, "He was once a member of the German military before events led to him being dishonorably discharged," He said, bringing out a picture of Dick and Muttley standing next to what appeared to be two fellow pilots, one in a long yellow jacket, the other a stocky fellow in orange, "But the experience there would serve him well, as he's shown to be an expert hand at operating almost any form of vehicle."
He said, showing pics of Dick Dastardly piloting cars, planes, and even one of him fleeing authorities in a submarine.
"What makes him dangerous however isn't his combat expertise, but his mind," He said, bringing up some footage, "Because in addition to his trickery, he is an old hand at crafting all sorts of mechanisms for his desires."
And at that, footage of what appeared to be an aircraft hovering over a battlefield appeared, sending at what first appeared to be cannon blasts down at the ground, but a closer look would see that the large metallic spheres (the size of an SUV each) that were shot down to the ground were themselves not the attack... but rather what was inside it.
"Are those robot scorpions?" Flash asked, blinking in surprise as the spheres unfolded to reveal said giant robot anthropoids, which began attacking the rebel forces and driving them back.
"They're called Rotters, and they're one of Dasterdly's trademark creations," Batman explained, "And that's just the tip of the iceberg regarding what he's been providing Audrey's forces."
"And the rogue element?" J'onn asked, after everyone had a moment to process that.
"Is actually someone I believe Diana is familiar with," Batman stated, with Wonder Woman giving him a confused look before freezing when her comrade brought up a picture on the monitor, "What in Hera's name?"
She breathed out as she looked at the picture of a dirty blonde haired feral-looking man with claws and fangs to match, "Victor Creed alias Sabretooth," Batman stated with a dark frown, "Huh, don't think you've ever mentioned this guy Diana?"
Flash said, looking curiously at the picture before sending her a teasing smirk, "Have you been fighting baddies without us?" He asked with mock disappointment, before blinking as Diana shook her head, "This doesn't make any sense..."
She muttered out with a frown, "Diana?" Superman looked toward her with concern, "I've only fought this man once," She explained with a frown to the others, "But it was back in World War II when we were in the past."
She told, her mind easily remembering how she found herself working with an American agent by the name of Steve Trevor during that misadventure, and unfortunately how arriving at a meeting point for his contact had lad to them being ambushed by soldiers... and Sabretooth.
The latter of which proved a much more deadlier and bloodthirsty opponent for the Amazon warrior than the other soldiers, "Wait," Flash blinked giving the picture another look, "you mean that crazy feral you mentioned, that's him?"
With Wonder Woman nodding with a frown, "The clothes are different, but the rest of him doesn't appear to have aged a day," She told them worriedly, as John gave a groan, rubbing his face, "Don't tell me we've got ANOTHER crazy immortal to deal with."
He asked with a scowl, his mind easily going to Vandal Savage, not to mention Ra's al Ghul from the League's files, "Hmm, his potential lifespan and what limits he can survive up to are still up for debate."
Batman explained with a frown, "But Sabretooth is potentially one of the oldest known metahumans in our files," He told them, frowning before adding on, "if not potentially one of the first metas to come into existence."
"What do you mean?" Superman asked with an arched brow as Batman brought up footage of Sabretooth attacking or rather slaughtering troops from both factions with a sadistic grin, "As Diana knows first hand, Sabretooth's abilities all appear physical in nature."
He started to explain, while glaring at the ensuing bloodbath on the screen, "Not only his claws and fangs, but his strength, speed, senses, all are enhanced to superhuman levels."
As he stated this, Sabretooth was shown cutting down two soldiers gutting the first then using him as a meat shield, blocking the firing from another solder who backed away as Sabretooth approached with a sadistic grin, until he lunged forward, grabbing and clawing into the man's neck.
"However..." Batman's voice continued, as on the screen the meta's head jerked back from a headshot fired by a hiding sniper, falling to the ground and the shooter emerging cautiously out of hiding toward the body, "All of these appear to stem from at least partially his main ability."
Just as the solider leaned down, the apparently dead Sabretooth's eyes flew open and he side-swiped the man's legs, knocking him down, with the poor man merely screaming out in agony as Sabretooth exploited the opening for another kill.
A scene that caused all those seated at the table to feel rage and disgust.
"Which is what appears to be a highly advanced healing factor," Batman stated grimly, "One which I suspect has affected his aging process," He explained to the others, "I'm still investigating what I can find about his past, which is proving trickery than you'd expect."
The Dark Knight gave Sabretooth on the screen one more frown of disgust, "But depending on the strength and limits of this ability, he could be anything from over a century old to older than Ra's al Ghul."
"Great, an undying psycho with who knows how much experience, that's just great," Flash groaned.
"And judging by Batman's description of him as rogue, I assume he has not dedicated himself to either faction?" J'onn asked, looking to Batman for clarification.
"No. In fact, he seems to be deliberately attacking anyone capable of fighting back. Royal troops, rebels, civilians just trying to keep their homes safe from the conflict - if they're able to hold any kind of weapon, he seems to see them as fair game," Batman explained, earning scowls from everyone else around the table.
"That settles it. Even if Audrey doesn't want our help in the war, the presence of both this monster and Lothor's forces demands that we intervene," Wonder Woman said firmly.
"I agree with Diana," Superman said, "If there's fallout from our stepping in, then we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. In the meantime, we have multiple crises that need to be addressed."
"I'd suggest putting a full team together. This is going to be more complicated than just sending in one or two people and expecting them to be able to handle it," John stated.
"Agreed," Batman stated with a slight incline of his head, "I'm already in the process of selecting League members best suited for this mission."
He explained as he brought up the League files, "In the meantime," He looked over to Diana, "While we will be intervening regardless, perhaps you can contact Queen Audrey."
He stated, with Wonder Woman frowning, "While the chance of her granting us official permission is slim, you still might be able to some information out of her."
As Wonder Woman sighed, "That or talk some sense into her." She said with a frown of worry, "I can't believe she's trusting men like that over the Justice League to help her people."
"It is admittedly quite strange," J'onn commented, "Given our past experiences with her, one would expect the Queen to have come to us for aid first and foremost."
"Uh, I hate to sound paranoid, since I know that's more Bat's thing," Flash said, ignoring the mild glare Batman shot him at that, "But has anyone considered that maybe one of these guys is forcing Audrey to hire them? It doesn't seem like something any of them would have moral problems with."
Just as Wonder Woman scowled at the idea of it, Batman surprisingly shook his head, "While not a bad suggestion and certainly something those four are capable of..."
He stared across the table to the speedster, "Such an action doesn't match any of their past MO," Batman stated flatly, "Tao might threaten a employer if he feels he's being shortchanged and Bane ultimately just used Rupert Thorne as a pawn to get to me..."
With him giving a slight grimace at that particularly painful memory, "But those two and the others aren't in the habit of forcing people to hire them," He explained with a frown, "Such an act would be needlessly risky to their reputation as mercenaries and future contracts."
"As while I'm sure no doubt Audrey paying them quite well, at least Bane and Tao aren't exactly hurting when it comes to money or jobs according to my sources," He explained with a dark frown, with everyone giving a grimace at that little tidbit considering what said jobs were.
"So, going out of the way to Kaznia to threaten the Queen into hiring them would just be a lot unnecessary extra work when they could easily get a more willing paying client somewhere else " Superman stated flatly as Batman gave an agreeing nod toward his friend.
"Furthermore, Hak Foo has shown a surprising track record of loyalty toward his employers, at least more than you'd expect from a mercenary," Batman stated rubbing his chin, "And as for Dastardly..."
He glanced over at Wonder Woman, "I'd be more worried about him trying to con Audrey for extra cash, or even a noble title and some land," Then he gave his head a slight tilt in thought, "that or attempting to court her in a scheme to become king over him threatening her in this particular scenario."
Wonder Woman grimaced at that thought. Audrey deserved someone a lot better than some mercenary madman!
"In any case, as I said, I've put together a short list of candidates for this team. Give me an hour and I'll have it finalized," Batman stated.
"Good, we'll leave as soon as you have. That should give me enough time to talk to Audrey and figure out what's really going on," Wonder Woman stated, leaving no room for argument that she'd be on that team as she left the room.
Silence stood for several moments before it was broken by Batman, "She's too close to this," He stated stoically with his eyes narrowing, "Hey, the Queen and her are pals, can't blame Diana for being worried about a friend."
Flash said with a shrug as he and the others began to stand, "Maybe, but that's why it's risky putting her on this mission."
He stated, staring at Flash, "If she believes Audrey is in danger, she might get sloppy and take unnecessary risks."
He told them bluntly, "Speaking from experience, Bruce?" Superman asked with a arched brief, "Exactly," The Dark Knight returned flatly, "I know firsthand that being emotionally involved in a case always leads to trouble," The Dark Knight told them, leaving the room with the others exchanging looks of concern
(Elsewhere in the Watchtower)
Wonder Woman, now back in her personal quarters, sighed as she took a seat onto her personal computer terminal, "What are you thinking, Audrey?"
She asked herself aloud with a worried grimace, wondering if her friend knew the kinda risk she was putting herself and her people in, "I hope I can make you see reason."
She muttered, before accessing her founder level access to the League communication systems to make a private call to Earth.
It took several minutes longer than Diana would have liked, but eventually Audrey appeared on the screen.
"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," the Queen greeted, "To what do I owe the call, Diana?"
"Audrey, why in Hera's name have you not asked for the League's help?" Wonder Woman demanded, getting right to the point, "Do you have any idea what kind of men these are that you've recruited?"
"Yes I do, and that's precisely why there were hired," Audrey replied with a frown, "My country is tearing itself apart, and I rather don't think you and your friends are willing to get your hands dirty doing what needs to be done."
"Needs to be done?!" Wonder Woman repeated in shock as Audrey went on, "Yes..." The Queen's eyes with a dark glare, "If Kaznia is to survive, these northern savages must be brought to heel and made an example of!"
she snapped with a dark look, "Already people question my capability as Queen because of Savage, and them just seeing me as my father's spoiled daughter," she let out a slight growl, "I refuse to prove them right and have the world see me... see Kaznia as weak!"
she glared into Wonder Woman's eyes, "So this civil war will be used to cement my authority once and for all, and show the world the power of Kaznia."
She then added in a dark tone, "And we shall do so by putting every single one of these traitors to death!"
"Have you lost your mind?" Wonder Woman exclaimed, "Audrey, defeating your enemies is one thing, but you're talking about genocide!"
"I'm talking about my country surviving this war. A war you've only bothered to get down from your high horse for because I'm no longer fighting it the way you think is proper," Audrey sneered.
Wonder Woman was dumbfounded. This wasn't like Audrey at all, something was definitely wrong here.
"Which is why I am telling you now that you and your little Justice club are to stay out of this!" Audrey told her with a glare, "Rest assured, any interference from the Justice League will be met with harsh consequences."
She told her, look dark, and before Wonder Woman could protest Audrey suddenly smirked, "However..." The Queen's eyes seemed to roam over Wonder Woman, "If you agreed to stay out of the conflict, I might be willing to allow to stay in the palace as a personal guest~"
She seemed to lean forward, "You could think of it as a vacation while we... catch up~" She told Diana, seeming to purr the last two words.
Diana blushed at the innuendo. True, Audrey was very attractive, and she'd maybe considered it once or twice before... but that was beside the point!
Shaking her head clear, Wonder Woman glared at her friend.
"Audrey, I don't know what's come over you, but the League will not just stand by on this," she said firmly, "Nevermind the fact that both you and the rebels are harboring wanted criminals, we will not tolerate genocide."
"Suit yourself. If you want us to be enemies, then so be it," Audrey replied with a scowl, ending the call without another word.
Leaving Diana shocked at her friend's behavior and words, "Audrey... what's happened to you?"
She asked aloud, while biting her lip worriedly, before getting a serious look in her eyes, "I guess the best way to find out is getting answers from you myself," she said, voice full of steel while she stood up and left the room, determined to stop this madness and slap some sense into Audrey.
(Kaznia palace)
Audrey stepped into the throne room, which sealed shut with a bang before bowing to the figure on the throne, "Master, I was just contacted by Wonder Woman, the Justice League's intervention is immediate."
"Hehe, excellent, it's time for the performance to begin~"
"You know, they'll probably be sending more than just Wonder Woman," Meg commented from where she was standing nearby, having changed into an intact dress, "You're not worried that they might get this war wrapped up sooner than you had planned?"
"Not at all my dear~" Skeleton King told her with a dark smirk, "After all, I've already accomplished exactly what I wanted and then some~"
He said as his hands went to the figure sitting in his lap, that being the bound form of the real Queen Audrey, who gave a muffled groan as he squeezed her breasts, "In fact, not only are the pieces in place to assume control over Kaznia..."
He told Meg with a dark smirk, "but I believe the conflict so far has revealed useful pieces in the greater game ahead~" He said with a dark laugh as his mind went to the mercenaries revealed on the northern tribes' or rather Lothor's side, and much like Lothor he already suspected that Mandy was after something else in this conflict. Especially when his Formless reported her slaughtering some soldiers stationed around some old abandoned archaeology sites, which is why he had Valeena prepared to step in with orders to intervene and take whatever Mandy was after.
He suspected Lothor was ready to do the same, but even with the agreement to not sabotage each other, they still had a game of conquest to compete against the other and truthfully, he was curious what had Mandy's attention.
Though another mercenary that certainly drew his attention was Da Samurai from Samurai Jack, which led to the question of how many more characters and lore existed from that particular show? It was clear Aku wasn't large and in charge, so he could either be imprisoned or destroyed... but if the latter he couldn't help but wonder... was there something left of him out there?
"Well, in that case, I'd better go get ready to do my part of this charade," Meg said with a smirk, "After all, I can't very well be the scared timid servant worried that something's wrong with her Queen if I'm in here chatting with you, can I?"
With a bow, Meg then departed the room, not noticing how Skeleton King watched her go, his eyes firmly on her ass as she went.
I'm going to rail her ass so hard after this is over~ He thought with a internal pervy smirk of eagerness at how soon he'll have one of the sexiest Disney girls as his eager slut, just like Jinmay~
It's just a shame she didn't appear to be dating Hercules, though perhaps he should inquire if she has any current relationships. Nothing like a little bit of cucking and broken despair on top to make it all the better~
But he put that thought out of his mind, as he focused on the form in his lap, "Now, my dear~"
He said with a dark hiss, licking up the side of Audrey's neck as he removed her ball gag, "I believe it's time to see if you're ready for your performance~" he told her with a smirk, giving her tit a rough squeeze after tossing the ball gag to the size, "And if you realize who truly rules Kaznia now~"
"Of course, Master, whatever you desire is my command," Audrey moaned, her tone betraying how broken she was to his will. Any lingering guilt or shame she had for essentially selling her country out to Skeleton King was buried under the pleasure of what he was doing to her, and the happy thought of him putting Diana in this position alongside her.
"Heheh, I want you to rule this country as its pretty slutty figurehead when in reality it's Megara and me who give the orders~" he told her with a smirk, before giving her tits a hard hit.
SMACK
"AAAA MASTER, YES!" Audrey let out a loud moan from it, with her tongue hanging out as he laughed, "I want you to ride my cock on your throne as your proclaim who truly owns you and Kaznia~"
He added with a dark smirk grabbing her roughly by the chin, "But first..." He leaned in and said with a little hiss, "I want you to pass a little test to see if you truly accept your new position as my servant~"
He told her before kissing her roughly.
"Mmm, yes master, tell me what to do, and I'll do it," Audrey purred as the kiss broke, "I'll do whatever it takes to prove my loyalty to you."
"Hehe, I love the eagerness my dear~" Skeleton King told her as he made her bounds disappear in a flash of purple light, freeing her, "But as they say, actions speak louder~"
He told her with a hiss as their forms flashed and vanished in a dark purple light, and next thing Audrey knew she was standing in a new location, blinking before her eyes widened when she recognized the location.
Her father's royal bed chambers, where he rested paralyzed in the medical coma he had been in the years following Savage's poisoning, usually attended to by the finest medical staff had to offer, but right now the room sat silent with only the beep of Gustav's heart monitor making any sound, "I believe..."
Her master placed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze, "We need to inform your father of the good news~" He said with a dark cackle.
Audrey froze at that, remembering the vision that she'd had of her father's reaction to her new loyalty, and how it had ended. Would things turn out the same way? Would he reject her as a whore? Would she have to execute him?
Did she care?
...No, she realized with cold certainty. She didn't care, not if it meant she could prove herself to her new master and earn the right to fuck both him and Diana.
Skeleton King gave a dark smirk, raising his staff which shot a small blast of energy to Gustav letting it do its work as he decide to give the king a special sight when he awoke.
While King Gustav found himself groaning out and blinking his body, feeling so numb, and the last thing he remembered was... THAT MAID... SAVAGE THE TRAITOR!?
Which meant AUDREY! IF THAT BASTARD DARES HARM HER! Though as his thoughts whirled around in confusion and anger, he heard a loud moan sounding out, causing him to look out to the front of his bed, where his eyes widened in horror as he saw his naked daughter in the arms of what had to be some kinda demon kissing her while roaming its filthy hands over her, "A-Audrey?!"
He gasped out, choking giving a heaving cough from unknowingly being able to talk for the first time in years.
"Mmm, hello father," Audrey said as the kiss broke, "You're probably very confused. You've missed a lot while in a coma these last few years."
"Years?" Gustav managed to get out, now even more confused than he already was.
"Yes, you survived Savage's poisoning of you, but we were never able to cure the damage it caused," Audrey said, moaning as Skeleton King twisted one of her nipples, "If it makes you feel any better, we spent months torturing the bastard before he managed to escape the dungeons and flee the country."
"I... what?" Gustav gasped out, still confused and staring at the sight in horror, "Why didn't you execute him, and why are you... urg... letting that thing touch you?!" he demanded, a part of him wondering if this was some kinda twisted nightmare, years in a coma to wake up to this sickening sight.
"Well, it turns out that he was immortal, so he couldn't be executed," Audrey explained with a shrug, "And 'thing'? Show some respect to my master, you old fool."
"Master?!" Gustav exclaimed in shock, eliciting a laugh from the Skeleton King.
"Hehe, yes, that's right, master~" Skeleton King told him with a dark smug hiss as he groped Audrey's breasts and ass openly in front of the king, kneading and squeezing them hard, "I won't bore you with the fully story.."
He said with a dark chuckle, after all why go through that trouble with someone who won't be around much longer, "but I'm basically an alien warlord who's here to conquer Earth after destroying my home planet."
He stated bluntly, giving an evil grin, "And I've spent the last few days enjoying your daughter's company as she's become quite eager to give me not only a foothold on Earth through Kaznia, but..."
He let out a laugh at his next words, "but herself as well~" he said, emphasizing his words with a hit to the Queen's sexy ass.
SMACK
"OOH!" Audrey moaned, "Yes my lord, please do that again!"
"Audrey! Why are you doing this?!" Gustav screamed as much as he could in his current state.
"Why shouldn't I? It feels so good~" Audrey purred.
"Plus, with me she'll live a life of power and pleasure she never could as a mere Queen to a backwater kingdom~" Skeleton King told him with a dark smirk, giving the side of her neck a lick before fulfilling her request for another ass hit.
SMACK
"Oooh, that's right!" Audrey squealed, "I'm going to help him take over Earth, and feel pleasure like this all the time! And he's even going to let me have Wonder Woman once he breaks her too!"
"What?" Gustav sputtered, dumbfounded. He had no idea how to respond to that.
"That's right..." Skeleton King said with a smirk, rubbing her cheek, "she grew quite close to Diana during that incident with Savage," He said, gently kissing her lips, "So much so she's nursed desires for the Amazon ever since."
He growled out huskily as he licked and nipped the side of her neck, "Desires I'll make true as I make both of them eager sluts for my cock~" He said, cackling and giving Audrey's ass another hit.
SMACK
With the Queen letting out a gleeful moan from the strike and her master's words as he carried on.
"And while I already know Audrey will make a wonder pet~" He chuckled, emphasizing his words with a twist of her nipples ,"Perhaps she'll surprise and prove herself worthy of being chosen as my Queen~"
He said cackling, "Though I think she enjoys being a Queen Bitch more than an actual Queen~" He added, sending the man a dark smirk as he hit Audrey's ass.
"Mmm, yes master, I'm your bitch, I can't wait to be taken like one," Audrey said, leaning against him while her father looked on in horror.
"I... Audrey please, this monster brainwashed you!" He called out to his daughter in pleading horror, surely this couldn't be his little girl... because if it was... then what had this demon done to her in his absence?
"Hehe, all I've done is shown her the desires she had and the life she can lead under my boot~" Skeleton King told him with a dark smirk before looking down to Audrey, "Now my dear for your test, you'll have to do two things before I officially recognize you as my servant."
He told her, cupping her cheek as she asked in an eager desperate whisper, "Name it master... tell this lowly bitch what she must do to be yours~" Audrey asked him with a slight moan as she gently grabbed his wrist, while rubbing her cheek against his palm as her master chuckled, "Starting off for the first part of your test."
He gave her a wide evil grin, "I want you to climb over your father..." He told her with a dark twisted note of amusement in his voice, "I want him to watch your fat tits bounce and see the expression on his daughter's face as I fuck her right over his paralyzed body~"
There was a moment of stunned silence as Audrey and Gustav both processed what he had just said. Then, to Gustav's horror, a wide smirk formed on Audrey's face.
"God, that is so hot," she said, getting off of Skeleton's King's lap and walking over to her father's bed, soon climbing on top of him and leaving her breasts hanging over his face.
"Audrey... please, don't," he murmured, desperately trying to move, to somehow stop this profanity, but unable to do anything.
"Shut up and enjoy the show, old man," she spat, arching her back to present herself doggy style to her master.
"Hehe yes, enjoy the show~" Skeleton King said with a cruel chuckle vanishing away his lower pants and boots along with his cape while letting his staff float off to the side as his entire naked body including hard cock and balls were laid bare.
His legs being of the same purple material as his upper body while his feet lacked toes being instead one pointed foot
But he barely gave his new body which he had more than gotten used too as he assumed his position behind Audrey clasping his hands onto her ass cheeks, "Heheh how fitting that where you once shared your body with a man who failed to take you and your kingdom away from your father.."
He let out a dark chuckle, "you'll now freely give both to a greater monster than Savage could ever hope to be~" He said before adding with a husky growl, "and a greater man as well~"
he said teasingly rubbing his cock against her wet pussy
"Ooh, yes master, take me," Audrey moaned, pressing herself back against him, "Show me your magnificence, that a lowly whore like me can never deserve but which you are generous enough to gift me."
Gustav felt himself die inside, watching his daughter debasing herself like this, and hating that there was nothing he could do to stop it.
"Hehe with..PLEASURE!" Skeleton King shouted out wasting no time in thrusting into the royal whore as she let out a whorish moaning scream, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA MASTER!" Audrey screamed out her mind going blank in pleasure as her breasts bounced in her fathers face as her master fucked her like a animal
PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, "I bet Savage never fucked you like this~" Skeleton King called out with a dark grinning groan before hitting her ass cheeks
SMACK
"Just like I bet your daddy wishes he was the one fucking his whore of a daughter~" He added with a dark cackle
SMACK
"Ooh, do you think so?" Audrey moaned, looking down at her father with a leer, "Is that right, daddy? Are you fantasizing about sticking your limp dick in my tight young pussy?"
"I, I, that's abominable!" Gustav spat with as much vitriol as he could, even as he tried very hard not to look at his daughter's breasts bouncing in his face.
"That's not a no~" Audrey giggled, increasing the thrusting of her hips to increasing the bouncing of her breasts.
SMACK
"Indeed it is not slut~" Skeleton King agreed with a smirk cackling, "why not give him a taste of your tits~" He told her grinning a wide evil grin, 'every man should have a last meal after all~"
"Wha-MMMPH!" Gustav said, only to be cut off as Audrey suddenly lowered herself further, shoving her breasts into his face, forcing one nipple into his mouth.
"Go on daddy, suck your daughter's tits like the perverted deviant you are," she said mockingly, "You know you want it, it's probably the only thing that gets you hard anymore."
"MMMF!" Gustav shouted out in muffled shock finding himself biting down on his daughters nipple by instinct as she moaned out, "AH hmm that's it bite my titty daddy~" Audrey said with a mocking grin, "I know from slut maids you surrounded yourself with you love big tits like mine don't you~"
Gustav tried to spit the nipple out so that he stop this atrocity, deny these accusations, try to snap some sense into his daughter while he still could. But he couldn't, and to his shame instead found himself actually sucking on the nipple he was biting.
"Mmm, that's what I thought~" Audrey laughed, "You're just a dirty old man who sits around taking advantage of every pretty young thing your authority let you, while telling people they should respect you because you're King. You think anyone would respect you if they saw what a filthy pig you really are?"
Every word he heard Audrey say acted like a cruel cold dagger through the king's heard made all the worse by the taste of her nipple and the sounds filling the air from skin slapping against skin and the cruel moaning laughter of his own daughter and that monster.
SMACK
"That's right he's nothing but a filthy pig.." Skeleton King growl out hitting Audrey ass as he pounded away at her pussy, "Just like his daughter is a pathetic whore selling out her kingdom for a chance at some cock and cunt ~" He added with another cruel laugh
SMACK
"Ooh yes, that's right! I'm lowly whore born to a pathetic pig father!" Audrey yelled, happily overwhelmed by the pounding her pussy was getting, and her father's forced suckling of her tits, "Break me and use me like the slut I am before we get rid of this worthless trash!"
GET RID OF!?
Her father thought in shocked horror staring up at his daughters whorish expression of pleasure as Skeleton King amused voice cut the air
SMACK
"Ah has my slut figured out the next part of her test already ~" he asked in cruel amusement while grunting from pleasure lovin' the feel of how Audrey royal cunt wrapped around his cock and the whole twisted depravity of this whole scene
Honestly if Savage had focus more on taming Audrey first over his supervillain plot than he'd probably be ruling Kaznia throne as this bitch sucked him off. Eh oh well his lost was the true kings gain.
"Yes master, I understand," Audrey said, mind flashing back to the vision that Skeleton King had previously shown her, "I know you have no use for this pathetic old man, when I can be your puppet ruler. And without that, what good is this limp dick bastard?"
Gustav mumbled something intelligible, trying desperate to speak past the nipple still in his mouth, but he couldn't get it out.
"And I know you want proof of my loyalty, master," Audrey continued, "So, let me get rid of him, to prove that I am dedicated to you."
"Than do it!" Skeleton King hissed out as his body began to glow with dark energy as he pounded away at this slut as hard and fast as he could, "Strangle this useless wretch!"
SMACK He ordered with a twisted grin, "And let the last sight he sees be both the hate in your eyes and expression of euphoria on your face as I fill you with my seed!" He yelled out slamming a glowing hand down onto Audrey ass
SMACK
"Yes master!" Audrey cried out, tearing her nipple out of her father's mouth.
"Gasp! Audrey, ple-GAH!" Gustav tried to plead, only to be cut off with a choking sound as his daughter's hands wrapped around his throat and started squeezing.
"Shut up, you worthless old fuck!" Audrey screamed, pressing her fingers as hard into her father's flesh as she could, "I'm sick of you telling me what to do and judging me, when you've done nothing of worth! So just fucking die already!"
"AuGLRT!" Gustav gasped out unable to do anything to stop his daughter as he felt her hands wrapped tightly around his throat staring at him with nothing but loathing in her eyes as she moaned and bucked against that monsters thrusts.
This...this couldn't be happening?! A part of him thought weakly gasping out trying to muster up strength to fight, to talk sense into his daughter, SOMETHING!
But this had to be some kinda cruel dream and any moment he'd wake up in his bed with all right in the word with his daughter still his precious angel getting ready for her wedding with Savage nothing like this thing choking him.
"Hmm ah ah the only thing better than fucking a whore over her father~" Skeleton King groaned out feeling how Audrey pussy got even tighter around his cock apparently committing patricide/regicide was a turn on for her~
SMACK
"Is fucking a whore as she's murdering her father~" He added with a dark cackle
"GLRT! GLRT! GLRt! GLrt! Glrt! G..." Gustav's choking and gasping slowly trailed off as his face turned blue, before finally stopping altogether, his eyes going vacant. Audrey kept her tight grip on his throat for a few more minutes just to be sure, then let go and pulled away, panting heavily, and not just from the cock still pumping in and out of her pussy.
"The King is dead, long live the King," she purred, turning around to smile happily at her master.
SMACK
"Yes...long live the king~" he hissed out pushing down on top of the body as he pounded her cunt like a animal PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, "LONG LIVE SKELETON KING!" He howl out with dark twisted laughter as he slammed his cock as deep inside Audrey cunt as he could before grunt as he shot his seed inside her womb
"OOOOOHHHHHH MAAAAAAASSSSSTTTTEEEERRR!" Audrey screamed in ecstasy, the feeling of his cum filling her causing her to cum as well, the fact that she was currently lying atop her father's corpse doing nothing to detract from the pleasure she was feeling.
While her master unknown to her while still experiencing the high from pleasure couldn't believe what he just did. If attacking the Titans, seducing Jinmay, or even fueling the flame's of war in Kaznia hadn't shown that he was past the point of return and he truly was the worst kind of villain.
Than THIS... this certainly did he thought looking at the body of Gustav and form of the freshly fucked Audrey laying over it...but perhaps to little surprise at all he felt no shame or guilt for his actions.
Whether it be a example of power corrupts, his own greed and dark desires having a outlet, or just a side affect of having Skeleton King body and power, whatever the answer it was quite clear he was a monster now and he....he
"Hehehe hahahaha!' He fucking loved it as he threw his head back in a dark twisted laugh of dark twisted amusement, "Now you are truly mine now and forever ~"
He told the whore Queen with a cruel grin, "Oh if your people or even your Amazon love could see you now ~" He grinned rubbing her ass cheek, "What would they say?"
SMACK
"Ooh, my people would be horrified and disgusted, but who cares what those peasants think? All that matters is that I please you," Audrey panted, before pausing and gaining a pensive look, "Diana being upset at first worries me more... but it's okay. She'll understand, once she tastes your cock too."
"Hehe that she will pet~" Skeleton King told her with a cruel smirk, "And i'm sure you'll help her understand no matter how much she pleads and begs at first won't you?"
"Yes master. I promise, I'll help her get over her confusion and see you for the glorious being you are!" Audrey declared.
"Hehe excellent~" Skeleton King told her with a dark chuckle, "But you'll have to be patient for that day to come my dear~"
He told her with a smirk as he seriously doubted that he could nab and break Wonder Woman straight off the bat in his first scheme, "But don't worry you'll have your master, Megara, and perhaps others to keep your bed warm in the meantime~"
He added with a chuckle before getting serious, "For now you must be prepared to put on a grand performance for my plan.." He said staring down at Audrey, "Once the fake is expose you must play the part of a heart broken Queen at her kingdom state and the death of your father flawlessly.."
He said reaching out to cup her cheek as she sat up, "I don't want Wonder Woman or anyone else to suspect who truly controls Kaznia now~"
"I understand, master. I'll do my best to pretend to be upset at this useless shit's death," Audrey said, scowling down at her father's corpse.
"Heh see that you do~" Skeleton King told her before adding with a smirk, "if it helps i'm sure it will be understandable for you to seek..." He gave a little chuckle, "shall we say "comfort" from your dear "friend" Diana in your time of loss~"
"Hmm, yes, she has a good heart, she'd be willing to make me feel much better~" Audrey purred, blushing at the thought of making her fantasies come true.
"I'm sure she would~" Skeleton King said with a smirk before getting serious, "But come we must prepare and have everything in the right positions.."
he said standing up looking toward her, "As tempting as it is to fuck you a bit more over useless pile of bones we should have you comfortable in the dungeons while waiting for your savior to come~"
Though at the same time his eyes did wander over Audrey's body, "Hmm than again...with the civil war and your doppelganger in place.."
He rubbed his chin sending her a saucy smirk, "I suppose we might have time for another round or two whether here or the dungeon~"
"Mmmm, can it be the dungeon, master? I don't want to look at this old bastard's face anymore," Audrey said, turning her back on her father's corpse like it was a piece of trash.
"Hehe but of course~" Skeleton King said as Audrey walked up to his side eagerly returning a kiss he initiated, "we can even do a little role play of me conquering your kingdom and you being the helpless Queen i'm about to have my wicked way with~"
He told her squeezing her ass
"Yes master, make the helpless Queen's screams echo through the halls of the dungeon!" Audrey yelled happily.
"Heh with pleasure~" Skeleton King said as he and Audrey vanished in a flash of energy
Unaware that in a cave out in the wilds of Kaznia a figure had been watching the entire show through a scrying spell projected on the screen giving a moaning groan, "By chaos that was entertaining~"
Said a blonde haired woman wearing a classic greek toga outfit with her breast and pussy currently exposed with juices covering the ground from her own orgasm, 'Hmm seems like bone boy got the right attitude~"
"I thought I'd just be watching Ares' newest pet project for a while, and then dear Mandy showing up to screw everyone over for her little quest, but these new outsiders flipping the script is a wonderfully unexpected surprise," Eris the Goddess of Chaos mused as she lay in her afterglow, "But as much fun as the space ninja's minions joining the fight is, I think the skeleton pulling the strings from behind the curtain will be the real show. Ooh, I just can't wait to see the look on Hippolyta's brat's face when she finds out what her friend's been up to~"
Licking her lips as she rewound the spell to watch the fun all over again, Eris purred as she added, "Hmm, I wonder if he'll be interested in giving me a bit of that action in return for giving him a helping hand? Even with how strong he already is, I'm sure he'd appreciate a little Olympian magic in his corner."
At that Eris licked her lips, imagining the kinda carnage she could cause with this Skeleton King and what other sorts of fun she could have as well~ Hey she might be a goddess but she was also a Olympian and for all their power they had a rep for being deviants, just look at Zeus.
And soon the cave filled with the mad cackles of the Goddess of Chaos who was quite eager to see how this show played out, while picturing the fun she could have once she stepped in... personally~
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hot and messed up, am I right? Hope you all liked that.
As for Eris' involvement, bet you all didn't see that coming. What role will she have to play? Well, you'll just have to wait and see, won't you?
Oh, and Mandy's last name is a reference to her voice actress, FYI.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Quite a intense chapter as I broke that princess good with things taking a kinky if not messed up turn~ But hey if this doesn't highlight how evil and twisted I can be nothing does~
Plus like promised a couple more mercenaries coming into play on the royal side in the form of Dick Dastardly along with Muttley of course, and Hak Foo. Not to mention the presence of Sabretooth who we learn has encountered the Justice League in the past at least Wonder Woman.
A reminder that can't expect all past events to have played out strictly like their canon counterparts in this melting crossover pot world. Plus as things aren't chaotic enough we got the wild card Eris in the mix~
Oh yes things in Kaznia are going to the hit the fan and we hope you all enjoy every single moment of it~
Don't be afraid to leave a kudos or a review.
Chapter 9: Kaznia, Part 3
Summary:
The Justice League enter the fray in Kaznia.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And here it is everyone, the next entry of this story and the Kaznia arc, as the Justice League tries to intervene and confronts both my forces and Night/Skeleton King's infiltration of the royal government.
BTW, a head's up. This chapter contains the last of the content that Night and I wrote up ahead of time, and we're focusing on our other isekai story right now, so this one will be going on hiatus for awhile. But don't worry, we'll be back to it soon enough.
nightmaster000 A/N: Here we are, we promised you action and I like to think this chapter starts to deliver that in big way. As the League finds themselves in Kaznia and quickly find themselves in the middle of the conflict in no time at all.
Though like Zim said expect a bit of hiatus after this chapter as we turn focus to our second Isekai work together.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
At that Eris licked her lips, imagining the kinda carnage she could cause with this Skeleton King and what other sorts of fun she could have as well~ Hey she might be a goddess but she was also a Olympian and for all their power they had a rep for being deviants, just look at Zeus.
And soon the cave filled with the mad cackles of the Goddess of Chaos who was quite eager to see how this show played out, while picturing the fun she could have once she stepped in... personally~
(Elsewhere)
High in the airspace of Kaznia, one of the League's Javelins was traveling through the air with Wonder Woman at the helm, "We've now officially entered Kaznia airspace, so I want everyone ready."
She told the selected team, "Ay, you don't have to worry about me lassie."
Spoke the large muscular man who towered over sitting next to her. The man was dressed in traditional Scottish fair, with perhaps his most unique feature being the gun replacing one of his legs, "I'm always up for a scrap~"
The man said with a large toothy grin, "And I doubt anything this space loony or a bunch of hired mooks could pull would be any worse the weirdos in costumes my niece always wrangles with her friends."
This was Archie Blake, aka the Scotsman, Scotland's preeminent local superhero. Not a meta, he relied primarily on his physical strength and fighting skills, his machine-gun prosthetic, and the broadsword inscribed with Celtic runes currently strapped to his back. Diana wasn't particularly fond of his boisterous attitude, but she couldn't deny that he was a heavy hitter who would definitely prove useful in the mess they were flying into.
"I appreciate the confidence, amigo, but let us not get cocky, si? We still do not know what this Lothor's forces are fully capable of," stated the man wearing a white suit, red and gold luchadore mask, and bronze boots who was seated behind the Scotsman. Rodolfo Rivera, aka White Pantera, was one of the most prominent superheroes in Mexico. He was a bit full of himself, but he could back it up, and at least didn't let it cloud his judgement when fighting too much.
Opinions on including him on the League roster were a bit mixed, to say the least, due to his ties with his father who was a long time prominent supervillain known as Puma Loco. Though Diana could hardly criticize someone for standing by family, but it certainly raised concerns about his commitment and loyalties despite his open if somewhat boisterous passion for Justice.
The rumors of him allowing his father to live under his roof and how his son El Tigre seemed to jump back and forth between fighting crime to committing crime didn't help much.
"I agree with Pantera. Even if all the mercenaries are known factors, we have to assume that Lothor's forces have more tricks up their sleeves that we don't have any clue about. We'll need to be cautious in how we handle them," Captain Atom stated from his own seat. The former soldier turned living atomic battery had been brought along due to being one of their heaviest hitters, in case this mission required a massive amount of firepower, which seemed disturbingly likely.
"Hey, it's not like we all don't have experience beating up alien creeps from the past couple of invasions," Chimed in the red and white suited form of Hawk with a shrug, before his brother, the blue and white garbed Dove spoke up, "That doesn't mean we should underestimate them Hawk."
The smaller brother said with a frown, "And If we could just get the leaders of both sides to come to table, I'm sure we could come to a peaceful resolution and Lothor wouldn't have a war to exploit anymore."
"Right, because that's going to be so easy when they've all hated each other's guts for generations," Hawk replied dryly, "One of these days you're going to realize some problems take the hard approach, bro."
"And you can't solve every problem by hitting them," Dove replied with a frown.
"Enough," Diana cut in before an argument could break out, "We're approaching the front lines. When we get there, you'll all work to hold off the rebels and Lothor's forces, which should hopefully calm the situation enough to talk down the royal army. Meanwhile, I'll head to the capital and talk to Audrey, whether she wants it or not."
"Forgive me, señorita, but are you sure it's wise to head to the capital alone?" Pantera questioned with a frown toward Wonder Woman, with Diana giving her own frown at the question, but Scotsman spoke up with a slight scowl, "For once, the whiny wrestler might have a point."
He said, jabbing a thumb behind him while ignoring the man's indignant hey and Hawk's amused snort, "I got no doubt you can handle that twig baby Dastardly and his puny pooch, same goes for that Hak fool or whatever his name is."
He said with a wave of his hand, as he and the others had of course been brought up to date and briefed on the situation in Kaznia before leaving, "But..." Scotsman's scowl grew a bit more serious, "Even I've heard of Bane's reputation, lass."
He glanced over at Wonder Woman, "And we all know bringing Bat Boy down like he did is no easy feat, no matter what dirty tricks he pulled," He said, with the other three Leaguers sharing slight grim looks at that point, as the Dark Knight was respected and feared among the League members for his skills for a reason, after all.
"And as for Tao..." Here Scotsman gave a low growl, "I've actually tangled with that girly pink-wearing silly ponytail Loch Ness Monster kisser before!"
He said with slightly clenched fists, "Some spineless crime lords hired him to take me out back in the day, too cowardly to do the job themselves."
He gave a bitter snort, "Long story short I won, but it was a tough fight and..." He glanced down at his leg gun for emphasis, "Well, let's just say pinky boy didn't walk away from that fight without a piece of me."
"He took your leg?" Dove exclaimed, everyone looking at Scotsman in horror.
"Eh? No, no, I lost that years earlier, that ponytailed pansy just ripped my beard off," Scotsman clarified, "Luckily the Mrs. said that she liked me better this way, so I kept the look."
There was a moment of silence as everyone just stared at him, processing what he'd just said. Then Captain Atom finally broke it.
"Right... ignoring that, he's got a point. We can't assume that the mercenaries will all be in the field, and they may not appreciate your presence. At least one of us should go along as backup," he said.
Diana frowned as she processed their words before sighing, "I admit I don't like it..." she told the others, "Bringing anyone else could risk Audrey seeing this the wrong way when I simply wish to talk sense into her."
She told them, with Scotsman giving a snort, "Easier said than done lass, in my experience the so called upper crust are always a bunch of weak-willed spineless pansies.."
He said, though at Wonder Woman's dry look he remembered that she herself was technically royalty, "Heh... present company excluded..."
He told her with a slight amused yet sheepish grin as she chose to wave it off, "Audrey isn't like that. She could be spoiled, but she's a good person at heart," She told them, with Pantera chiming, "Si, and I'm sure coming to her as a friend could help her realize the mistake she's currently making."
"That's the plan..." Diana said with a sigh, "But Scotsman's right that going in alone is risky."
She said with Scotsman giving a nod, grinning smugly, before freezing at her next words, "Which is why he'll be going with me to the capital."
"What, me?!" He asked in open shock.
"You're the best choice to take if it comes down to a fight with the mercenaries, especially if you have experience with one of them," She pointed out with a slight smirk, "The others are better suited to confronting Lothor's forces, and trying to stop both sides in this civil war from killing each other."
"Aye, alright. I suppose I wouldn't mind having another go at that pink pajama-wearing walloper," Scotsman muttered, "But I did nae come all this way to NOT fight, so you lot better save some of those space pansies for me, ya got me?"
"Sure, if there's any left over by the time we're done," Hawk replied with a smirk, earning a dirty look from Scotsman. With him grumbling under his breath about spandex-wearing fun hoggers, causing Hawk to let out a little laugh; among the heroes he's met since joining the League, Scotsman was probably one of those he liked most. Guy could more than hold his own in a fight, and he had the kinda attitude he could respect.
However the moment was ended when suddenly a large noise was heard.
BOOM
And the next thing everyone knew, the Javelin was shaking, "ARG, WHAT IN THE NAME OF SANTA MARIA!?" Yelled out a shocked White Pantera, with Captain Atom calling out with urgency, "We've been hit, we're under attack!"
He told the others hurriedly, "By who, Lothor?!" Hawk asked with his own grimace, Dove chiming in as the Javelin shook, "Our craft could have been taken as hostile by one of the two factions, remember we're in a war zone now!"
"We're still on the royalist side of the conflict zone. Clearly Audrey wasn't joking about no welcoming us," Wonder Woman said with gritted teeth, putting the Javelin into a dive to avoid another missile she spotted incoming. With the damage already taken, the ship barely managed to obey her commands as she leveled it to prevent them crashing afterwards.
"I'm bringing us in for a landing, brace yourselves!" she shouted to the others as the ground rapidly approached.
With a harsh screeching sound, the Javelin's landing gear bit into the packed dirt and cut deep grooves as the ship hit the surface and soon ground itself to a halt.
"Urg... is everyone okay?" Wonder Woman called out, sitting up, "All good here, ma'am," Captain Atom reported out, "Ugh... been better... but I'm okay."
Dove called out, laying under his brother Hawk's body, who sat up with a groan, "Same.." He said, rubbing his head and frown, "Aaarg, feel like someone played the bag pipes right in my brain... and not in the good way."
Scotsman said, sitting up before giving a blink, 'Where's whiny wrestler?" He asked, seeing one member of the team missing, before hearing some muffled shouting under him, causing him to look down and let out a laugh, realizing he was sitting on White Pantera, "Hehe, sorry about that lad, didn't see you~"
The Scotsman said, standing up with a slight groan, letting White Pantera gasp out and inhale sweet oxygen, "No... ah... problem."
He said, sitting up with his own groan, "But we must move quickly," Pantera said, looking up at everybody, "Soldiers if not the mercenaries will soon arrive."
He told them, with everyone sharing the same frown and realization, "He's right, we need to get to work."
Wonder Woman stated, crossing her arms, "Scotsman and I will head to Audrey's castle, the rest of you do what you can against Lothor forces and stopping this war."
"Roger that," Captain Atom said, the others nodding in confirmation as well. Nodding back, Wonder Woman opened the Javelin's door and stepped outside. A look around confirmed that there were no soldiers in sight, but she could hear vehicles approaching from the distance, so they'd probably have company soon if they didn't move.
"Let's move. The frontlines are that way," she said, pointing to the north, before grabbing Scotsman under the arms and lifting him as she rose into the air, "Hang on tight."
"A little warning next time'd be appreciated lass," he said as they started flying, though without any real complaint in his voice.
The others watched them go, flying off south towards the capital, then quickly started running off in the other direction, Captain Atom keeping overwatch from the air as the others sprinted across the ground.
"Be on your guard, amigos!" White Pantera called out to Hawk and Dove, who were running beside him with him holding back his speed so as not to rush ahead, "If there is any place more dangerous than Miracle City, it's a war zone."
He said, actually frowning, "He's right, keep your eyes sharp, and your ears peeled for anything," Atom spoke overhead with a steely gaze. This was bringing back memories from before he became Atom, to say the least, "Any wrong move could be your last, especially with what we're up against."
"Worry about yourself flyboy, we can handle ourselves. Or I can, anyway," Hawk commented, shooting a look at his brother, who only sighed and shook his head. For his part, Atom narrowed his eyes at Hawk, not impressed by his attitude, but chose not to comment on it.
The group continued on, and soon the sounds of battle reached their ears. Cresting a hill, they were greeted by the sight of a military base waving the Kaznian flag under siege by what appeared to be the tribal armies. Bullets and artillery shells were shot both ways, while tanks in the rebel army pounded the walls of the base.
"Hawk, Dove, take the western flank, Pantera with me to the east," Atom said quickly.
"Who put you in charge?" Hawk asked.
"Don't start an argument, just do what he says," Dove said, cutting his brother off before he could start an unnecessary fight.
Hawk growled in annoyance but complied for now as they split into groups of two and got to work, attacking and disarming any soldiers that crossed their path.
SWISH!
One soldier blinked, suddenly finding himself empty-handed before turning to his right as he heard a voice speak up, "Apologies señor..." BAM Only to find a fist hitting him straight in the face from White Pantera who frowned, "But this is for your own good."
He told the man, before zooming off to disarm more soldiers. Atom, meanwhile, was launching an energy blast in the middle of the battle field, creating a large trench in the middle of the battle in an attempt to cut apart the two conflicting armies on the field.
"Attention all soldiers! This war is over! Stand down immediately!" Atom declared. In response, soldiers on both sides opened fire on him, though he managed to evade being hit. Sighing discontentedly, he started launching targeted blasts, dispersing both sides without harming anyone.
Meanwhile, Hawk and Dove were similarly under fire from both sides.
"Please stand down, there's no reason for anyone else to get hurt!" Dove pleaded as several soldiers charged him. Seeing that they weren't listening, he grabbed the barrel of the nearest one's rifle and pulled, knocking him off balance and causing him to slam into another soldier, knocking them both out.
"You're being too gentle," Hawk snapped at his brother, punching out another soldier's lights, then dodging another soldier's gunfire as he kicked the gun out of their hand before grabbing them by their uniform and hurling them across the battlefield.
"And you're being too harsh as always," Dove said back with a sigh, shaking his head while "gently" knocking another soldier out with a chop to the neck, "I'm giving these morons the only thing they'll listen to..."
Hawk snapped back, hurling himself into a trio, "violence!" He snapped, brutally knocking the heads of two soldiers together while head-butting the third, "Urg, why does he always have to be like this..."
Dove muttered, though in the next instant he and Hawk would have bigger problems to worry about.
BOOM
As they found the ground next to them exploding out, sending them flying up to the air and landing with hard groans on the ground, "Urg... did one of us step on a landmine?" Hawk asked, as Dove raised his head before getting a worried look, "Worse..."
He said, pointing out to the smoke while the form of Combustion Man emerged, glaring at them, "Ah... the exploding mind guy... and he does not look happy," Hawk stated with a blink.
"I don't suppose we can convince you to stand down peacefully?" Dove asked hopefully. Combustion Man's attention turned to him, his glare deepening before the air around his third eye tattoo started shimmering.
"Yeah, that's what I was afraid of," Dove winced, before he and Hawk dived aside to avoid the blast.
BOOM
While the brothers were fighting Combustion Man and Atom was fending off both armies from above, Pantera was still zooming through them on the ground, knocking out anyone he came across.
SWING
"Madre Dios!" he cried out as a sword nearly managed to take his head off despite how fast he was moving. Moving to avoid it caused him to nearly lose control and slam into a concrete barrier, but he managed to skid to a halt in time.
"Yo, you ain't the Flash!" Da Samurai complained, glaring at Pantera as the hero composed himself.
"Apologies for the confusion, but I'm afraid that Señor Flash wasn't available for this mission," Pantera replied, leveling a stern look at the mercenary, "But regardless of what champion of justice you are facing, know that your ill deeds end here today."
"Pst, man I thought I was getting a chance to fight an A-Lister, not some gaudy luchadore," Da Samurai snorted.
"Gaudy?!" Pantera exclaimed, "I am White Pantera, protector of Miracle City and hero of Mexico!"
"Miracle City..." Repeated Da Samurai with a blink, before rubbing his chin with a mutter, "Miracle City... where have I heard that name before?" He muttered, before snapping his fingers in realization, "Oh yeah, that's that discount Gotham, ain't it!"
He said with a laugh, causing Pantera to scowl at the mockery toward his home, "Shouldn't you be bothering that walking skeleton or that old cat dude?" Samurai asked Pantera with a mocking smile, "A pile of bones and an old man seems more up to your speed, lucha boy~"
He said, laughing while entering a battle stance, "Mock me if you dare, villain," White Pantera said, entering his own battle stance, "but you shall see that no blade, however sharp, can triumph over justice!"
He exclaimed boisterously, causing Da Samurai to blink before laughing, "Hehe, dog you aren't serious, right?" He asked with an arched disbelieving brow, "Because that..." suddenly he took Pantera by surprise by lunging forward, with the hero missing a sword thrust but stumbling back from a kick in the gut, "is some..."
Da Samurai launched a spin kick straight to Pantera's face only for the hero to manage to block it and than grab his leg, then use his leverage to fling Samurai behind him, however the man simply landed in a crouch while continuing to speak, "Grade A corny shit right there~"
He said, giving a snort of amusement as he landed before smirking, "Though seems you might have some moves after all, lucha boy~"
He remarked, standing up and cracking his neck, "Good~" Da Samurai gave a bloodthirsty arrogant grin, "It was getting boring cutting down mooks, and honestly I'm sure my fans at home could do with some better entertainment~"
He said, holding up his phone in his left hand, causing Pantera to blink, "Are... are you live-streaming this?!" The Mexican hero called out in disbelief, "Of course hommie, it's all about the clicks and views these days, don't you know that?"
Da Samurai said with a laugh, shaking his phone for emphasis, "So try to put on a good show for my fans, won't you?"
The man asked Pantera, who gave a growl, "The only show your fans will be getting is the jailhouse rock!"
Pantera roared out and ran forward as he launched a flying kick, with Da Samurai starting to dodge... and dance, because as White Pantera started to launch a series of kicks and punches toward the sword-wielder, Da Samurai started dodging in a dance style while beatboxing, "Do do dee deee doo yeah baby!"
He went, dodging a kick to the side with a jump and a kick to Pantera's face in return, while Pantera dodged a swing from Da Samurai's sword, but got him in the gut with a solid kick, causing the man to slide back with a grunt. But he simply kept his grin as Pantera pressed the attack as he lunged forward to meet it, swinging his sword upwards toward his neck.
Only for it to be a feint; as Pantera dodged and launched his own attack, Da Samurai dodged to the left and as Pantera went past him, he launched a solid kick straight at his back, causing the hero to fly forward and hit the ground with a groan, "Come on luchadore, are you even taking this seriously?"
Da Samurai asked with mocking laughter, while still holding his phone, pointing it to the down Pantera, "Hehe, but hey if you want to make a complete chump out of yourself for the whole world to see, be my guest~"
Da Samurai said, laughing before giving a smirk, "Though I suppose I ought to thank you~" He said, placing his sword on his shoulder while he smirked wide, "You see, been wondering how I should spend my latest paycheck after this job's over, and you bringing up Miracle City caused me to remember something~"
A pervy leer formed on his face, "You see, there's this famous mariachi woman from your neck of the neighborhood by the name of Maria," He gave a snort, "Personally don't see how mariachi could be so popular she gets an entire world tour, though I'll bet half my paycheck it's not the money her fans are interested in~"
He leaned forward, unaware that he was bringing up the ex-wife of the same man who he was fighting, who was being filled with steadily raising indignation and rage, "But to cut to the chase, think after I'm down here in this backwater, I'll book me some special VIP tickets and show that Maria chick some real music, if you catch my drift dog~"
CRACK
Pantera moved so fast that Da Samurai never even saw the blur of his movement, his fist slamming into the samurai's face, shattering his visor and sending the arrogant young man flying back to slam into the ground hard, several yards away.
"Hijo de puta!" Pantera snarled, angrier than he'd been in a very long time. True, he and Maria might not be together anymore (no matter how desperately he held out hope that they'd get back together) but he'd be damned if he let this disgusting fool sully her good name with his filthy mouth!
"Ohh... urg... touch a nerve... luchadore?" Da Samurai said with a grunt as he got up, holding his side with a grimace, "What, you... some stalker... fanboy?" He asked with a mocking grin as Pantera launched himself forward with a yell, with Da Samurai meeting in kind with his own battle cry, blade raised.
Though as White Pantera found himself clashing his bronze boots against Da Samurai's sword, and the brother heroes Hawk & Dove found themselves dodging Combustion Man's mind blasts, Captain Atom would find trouble of his own.
Just as Atom was preparing to blast another trench between the opposing armies, something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. Turning to face it, he barely had time to register a stream of red energy pellets heading towards him before they hit him.
BOOM
"AH!" Atom screamed as the pellets exploded against him, knocking him out of the air. Hitting the ground hard, he pulled himself out of the resulting crater and looked up to see what he recognized as Lothor's minion approaching him, hands still glowing from the attack.
"You show much power, Earthling, but your end is nigh, for you confront Blue Face, warrior of Lothor!" the alien declared, raising his scythe triumphantly. For his part, Atom just arched an eyebrow.
"Blue Face? I'm sorry, but is that really the best name you could come up with?" he asked in disbelief. That seemed to be the wrong thing to say, as Blue Face growled angrily.
"Die, human!" he snarled, charging forward.
As Blue Face and Captain Atom engaged in a fight while the rest of the battle unfolded around them, up on a nearby hill, Deadshot watched everything carefully through a sniper scope.
"I'm surprised you're not taking any potshots at any of the heroes," Mandy commented from where she was leaning casually against a nearby tree.
"I'm not getting paid nearly enough to take out League members, not even a bunch of B-listers like this bunch," he replied, before giving her a curious look, "How about you? I know you say you're not in this for the money, but I'd have thought you'd at least be interested in the challenge."
"You say that like any of them are a challenge," Mandy said blankly, observing the battles between the heroes and mercenaries plus one alien warlord's goon before turning around, "Besides, I've got more important matters to attend to."
She said over her shoulder, "Oh?" Deadshot asked, looking behind him, his eyes honing in on Mandy's ass in particular, "Anything I'd be interested in?" He asked with a smirking tone, "Because I don't normally mix business with pleasure, but for you I'd more than be willing to make a exception~"
He told her, only to receive a cold blank look from Mandy, "Keep your gun sheathed and focus on your current contract instead of my business."
She bluntly said before walking away with a parting shot, "Besides, even if my standards were low enough, I'd still have no interest in becoming some brat's stepmother."
She said, leaving Deadshot to mutter to himself as he turned back to focus on the action, "As charming as always, Mandy," He stated warily to himself, while seeing that alien (with the honestly stupidest name he's heard of, which considering the crazies he's worked with says a lot) sent some energy attack from his scythe straight to Atom, knocking him back.
Normally he'd be concerned if not furious at someone bringing up his daughter, much less knowing about her, but his experience with Mandy on past jobs left him hardly surprised she knew about that. Plus, he figured as long as he didn't interfere with her interests, she likely wouldn't care enough of going through the trouble of trying to use his daughter as leverage over him for some reason.
But unknown to him, as Mandy was walking away, another party had been observing their discussion, "So, she's finally making her move..."
Valeena stated from a deserted field, looking at the mystical window of her scrying spell floating in the air, "Finally, now we can find out what has truly drawn you to this kingdom, if not the conflict and mere coin."
She said with a dark grin, her eyes honing in on Mandy. At first she had been shamefully confused at why her lord had given her this assignment to observe one of these lowly mercenaries. And a part of her couldn't help but dread the reasoning behind observing this particular mercenary, with her mind having gone to a disgusting nightmare scenario of her lord allowing this lowly thing to share his bed like that metallic slut.
But at her lord's explanation and her own observations, she realized how foolish she had initially been, as her master was right - this Mandy was not like the other mercenaries, just one look at that scythe she wielded which flowed with death and arcane energy proved that.
No, her lord believed that Mandy had come to Kaznia with a greater purpose in mind, and the war much like it was for her master and that fool Lothor, was simply just a cover.
But now, whatever purpose she had for coming here would serve the desires of Skeleton King, Valeena thought with an evil grin as she dispelled the scrying spell and set off to follow Mandy and wait for the right time to strike.
As Mandy was departing with Valeena following her, Captain Atom was continuing to fight Blue Face, grunting as he blocked an attack on his forearm, the enhanced material of his containment suit managing to avoid being torn by the blade of the scythe.
"Why do this?" he demanded as he managed to push Blue Face back and put some distance between them, "What does your master gain from prolonging this pointless conflict?"
"It is not my place to question Master Lothor's wisdom," Blue Face scoffed, "If he wishes to see this kingdom burned to the ground, then I shall see it done!"
Atom just shook his head in disgust at the attitude. He'd known far too many soldiers like that in his time in the army, who followed orders blindly no matter how seemingly cruel or petty they were. He prayed he never ended up like that.
"I'm afraid just following orders is not a answer I can accept!" He snapped as he thrust his hands forward, launching a blast of the same energy that composed his body, with Blue Face returning with his own energy attack.
BOOM
Their attacks would hit and explode on contact, forming a large cloud of smoke, dust, and debris which Atom frowned at, keeping his hands which glowed with energy up along with his guard, waiting for his enemy's next move. And the next thing he knew-
"Hiyaaah!" A shout emerged as the chained sickle flew out of the dust cloud and wrapped around his arms, with Atom barely having a moment to blink before he found himself pulled flying into the dust cloud cover.
WHAM
And right into an outstretched fist, the contact spinning him over to slam hard onto the ground, the chain unwrapping in the process.
"Die!" Blue Face growled, bringing the blade of his scythe down towards Atom's face. However, Atom fired off blasts from his hands, the force of them propelling him backwards like a rocket, leaving the scythe to hit the dirt instead. Atom then jumped up and fired another blast, which hit Blue Face and sent him flying.
"Urg!" The monster gave a grunt as they landed on the ground, while Atom took off into the air, exploiting the opening by launching an energy attack straight down at the monster while he was down.
"GRRRRAAAHHH!" Blue Face roared, swinging his scythe up, the blade intercepting the blast and cutting through it, causing the energy to split and shoot off to either side, avoiding hitting the monster.
Atom's eyes widened in shock at the impossibility of that move, but he didn't have a chance to process it before Blue Face was launching more energy attacks of his own up at him. Cursing, he dove out of the way, which gave Blue Face the opening needed to get back to his feet.
With a roar, the monster threw himself into the air, tackling Atom out of the air and bringing him back to the ground.
BOOM
With the two impacting on the ground with a large bang, forming a crater in the process, with Atom finding himself on his back, his opponent right on top him glaring into his face.
"You will fall in the name of Master Lothor!" Blue Face snarled as he raised his sickle and attempted to bring it down on Atom, only for the hero to manage to raise up and grab Blue Face's wrist in time.
With the alien warrior snarling as he attempted to punch him with his free hand, only for Atom to catch it with his own free hand, leading to the two grappling against each other as Blue Face attempted to press back against Atom's grip and stab him in the head with his sickle, "Give up fool, you can't even begin to grasp the futility of opposing me, much the rest of my master's forces!"
"Yeah, that's the thing about us hero types, we don't listen to the odds all that often," Atom replied through grit teeth, "So if your master wants a fight, he'll get one. But first thing's first."
Atom suddenly slammed his head forward into the monster's titular face, breaking his nose with a sharp crack.
"GAAH!" Blue Face cried out in pain, pulling back on instinct. This gave Atom an opening to let go of the monster's hands and blast him at point-blank range, sending him flying across the battlefield to smash against a tank that Atom had previously disabled, rocking it on its treads.
"Give up," Atom stated, hovering over to where Blue Face was struggling to get back on his feet.
"Nrrgh, NEVER! Kelzaks, attack!" Blue Face shouted. In response, two dozen Kelzaks suddenly appeared from nowhere and surrounded Atom, who grimaced in response.
He really hoped Wonder Woman was having an easier time than they were.
(Kaznia Royal Palace)
Surprisingly, Wonder Woman and Scotsman actually were having an easier time. They had been able to infiltrate the capital, even avoiding some of Dick Dastardly's Rotter bots patrolling it, and arrived to the palace, making their way in with no trouble outside of a rare guard they were able to "gently" knock out.
However, despite how their luck was going... "I don't like this," Scotsman whispered in a low tone to Wonder Woman as they walked through the halls, "Don't like what?" Diana asked, sending him a arched brow, "All this..."
Scotsman said, gesturing to their immediate surroundings in the empty palace hall with a scowl, "Stealth isn't exactly my plate of haggis, lass," he admitted, crossing his arms, "But this feels too easy, even for warriors like us."
Scotsman said, tapping his fingers against his arms, "Plus, ever since we got inside this daft place, I feel like I do when my wife, beautiful angel from the heavens though she is..."
He started to explain, his tone turning into a loving sigh that Diana blinked at before he recovered with a slight cough into his fist, "is particularly moody during her ah... monthly unwanted guest."
"Your point being?" Wonder Woman asked, morbidly curious.
"That I don't spook easily, lass, but I am nae liking how this is going," Scotsman replied, "With how you say your Queen friend reacted to your call, you'd expect this place to be crawling with goons waiting to take on anyone the League sent. Why are we bein' able to just walk in?"
Much as she hated to give the boisterous man too much credit, Wonder Woman had to admit to herself that he was right. Audrey had made it sound like she was willing to declare war on the League if they interfered, and she must have been expecting them to show up. So why was the castle so empty?
"Let's just find Audrey and figure out what's going on," she said after a few moments, continuing down the hallway they were in, the Scotsman right behind her. Before long, they reached a large set of doors. Pushing them open, they entered what appeared to be some kind of ballroom, a large space with numerous high windows, exquisite decorations, and a balcony midway up the far wall that allowed for an overview of the room.
They were also, they belatedly realized, not alone.
"Buenos noches," Bane greeted sarcastically from where he was standing on the other end of the room, Tao standing next to him with his hands behind his back and a stoic look on his face. Seeing the latter, Scotsman glared.
"Tao! Remember me, ya pasty-faced, pajama-wearing goat turd?!" he yelled, pointing at the mercenary.
"No, I do not. I cannot be expected to remember every weakling I encounter," Tao replied evenly. Scotsman's face went red with rage, but Wonder Woman put a hand on his shoulder to restrain him before he could do anything rash.
"Where is Audrey?" she demanded.
"I am afraid that Her Majesty is indisposed, but we have been tasked to keep you company," Bane said, cracking his knuckles in clear preparation for a fight.
"The two of you against the two of us? I like those odds," Scotsman said with a smirk.
"Then too bad for you that there are more than two of us," Tao replied with a small smirk of his own.
"What now?" Scotsman blinked.
"Meteor wipes out dinosaurs!" a loud voice shouted, before something slammed into the floor between the two pairs hard enough to send out a shockwave that knocked the heroes back and sent up a cloud of dust and debris, which soon cleared to reveal the person responsible.
And what they saw was a tall muscular orange-skinned man, possessing blue marking on his arms and on his forehead, eyes like a dark void, hair dark red and styled in a wild pony tail, a set of armor that covered yet exposed parts of his upper body, and of course a dark bloodthirsty smirk as he stared at the two shocked League members, "What in the name of my wife's angelic voice?"
Scotsman yelled out, staring at the figure with wide eyes along with Wonder Woman, "Hak Foo?" She questioned with a blink; though obviously very different, she could see some resemblance to the man she saw in the files back at the Watchtower. This caused the orange skinned figure to laugh, "Hehe, in the flesh..."
He said, raising his hand which he clenched into fists, "And once more restored to the power that is rightfully mine!" He exclaimed with a wide grin of euphoria as he stared at the two, "The power that I will use to crush you and prove my might over all once and for all!"
He yelled out, taking a stomp forward with a dark grin, "Just try it, you walking orange peel," Scotsman growled out as he stood up, drawing his sword while Wonder Woman stood up, entering a battle stance alongside him, "You think we're afraid of you getting a bit of a girly make over?"
He called out with a mocking laugh as Hak Foo scowled while Bane and Tao stepped up next to him, "Please, I can break you, the pony-tailed pansy, and the weak steroid-using baby man before Wonder here even says hi to Queenie."
The man said, laughing mockingly at the three scowling opponents, "While I would phrase it differently, he's not wrong," Wonder Woman told them with a scowl and glaring eyes, "It doesn't matter what tricks or power up you three might have," The Amazon said, taking a step forward and cracking her knuckles, "You aren't going to stop me from seeing Audrey," She told them coldly, staring hard at the three, who merely met her gaze with a mixture of amusement, anticipation, or apathy.
"Ah but señorita..." Bane said back with a dark smile promising pain, "Not only do you underestimate us..." He said, his hand going to a dial on the back of his left wrist that controlled his Venom pump, "But like the fool beside you, you've miscounted."
Tao added in coldly with a smirk, and at those words emerging from the shadows of the ballroom were numerous amounts of the robotic scorpion Rotters Diana had seen in the gathered footage back at the meeting, only much smaller than the large ones that were seen attacking the soldiers, about the size of a small dog, "Hehehahaha~"
All of the sudden, the two heard laughter, causing them to look up toward the earlier observed balcony, where they saw Dick Dastardly and Muttley staring down at them with smirks, "Don't let their sizes fool you."
The man said, twirling his mustache with a dark smirk as Muttley snickered next to him, "Because I assure you, they're every bit as deadly as their larger siblings who the northern soldiers have had the pleasure of dealing with these past few days~"
The man told them with a smug tone as the two heroes scowled, "Okay a bunch of windup toys, a string bean and his pet, a weak baby man who needs steroids, a walking fruit, and the ponytailed pansy who ripped off my beard."
Scotsman said idly to Diana as the Rotters started to surround them, "Still good odds for us~" He told her with a wide arrogant grin before freezing at the sound of a new voice, "Oh are they?"
A sinister voice spoke out behind them, causing them to half turn to the direction but the next thing both knew, a sonic screech was hitting them, "MONKEY MIND SCREAM!"
SCREEEEEEEEEEEE
"AHHH!" Scotsman cried out as he and Wonder Woman fell to their knees, clutching their ears, "What the haggis?!"
Gritting her teeth against the pain rattling her head, Wonder Woman forced her eyes open and was greeted by the sight of a skeletal monkey that she instantly recognized from the reports provided by the Titans.
"You... you're Mandarin! You serve the Skeleton King!" she exclaimed in horrified realization.
"Hoohohoho! Why so surprised? After all, if that fool Lothor could become involved in this petty little war, did you really believe my master wouldn't?" Mandarin asked. Wonder Woman's eyes narrowed at that.
"You're the ones who forced Audrey to escalate the fighting, aren't you?" she demanded as she got back to her feet.
"Hmm, not quite," Mandarin explained with a smirk, "You see, it's a funny thing about the Formless. They can take many shapes beyond that of the troops those young fools faced. They can even take on the appearance of specific people."
The heroes' eyes widened as they caught on to what he was suggesting, earning another laugh from him.
"Yes, your dear Queen has been my master's prisoner for some time now!" he cackled, "All the while, a Formless clone has been dictating the war at our discretion, creating a foothold for us on your planet."
"It was a rather impressive deception," Tao commented from where the mercenaries were watching on, "None of us even suspected that the Queen we were interacting with was an imposter, until we were told so earlier today."
"And yer alright with taking orders with some ugly space skeleton and his goo monsters, ya pajama-wearing pansy?" Scotsman demanded incredulously.
"Technically speaking, it was Skeleton King who hired us through his proxy, not the real Queen. So we're all keeping to the terms of our contracts," Dastardly commented from the balcony.
"And I care nothing for money," Hak Foo stated, "I joined this war only to test that my skills remain strong even after all these years. When Skeleton King revealed himself, he stated that he somehow knew how I once wielded this power, and offered to restore it in exchange for my fealty. And so, he now has my loyalty."
"And all at the cost of your soul," Wonder Woman said coldly to the man with a glare, "Heh, a small price to pay for power," Hak Foo retorted back with a smirk cracking his neck, "Indeed señor."
Bane said as his muscle began to bulge out from Venom beginning to be pumped into his body system, "At the end of the day, it's always the strong that survive~" The man said with a dark grin, "Either way we're still getting paid."
Dick chimed in with a chuckle before adding with a grin, "Plus being in the Skeleton King's good books might not hurt future contracts," he gave a little chuckle as Muttley snickered in agreement next to him, "Especially on the off chance he does succeed in conquering the world," He said with a shrug.
"But I believe we've wasted enough time with small talk," Tao said, entering a battle stance, "It's time to put an end to these two," He stated coldly with narrowed eyes as Mandarin gave a hooting cackle with a wide grin, "Hohohohe yes, yes, I agree~"
The simian said, deploying his energy blade with an evil grin, "I knew there was a reason I liked you the most, Tao~" He stated to the mercenary with a smirk which Tao shared before the monkey launched himself forward with a loud screech, his energy blade clashing against Scotsman's blade, blinking in surprise when it didn't cut through the blade, "Heh... Celtic runes,"
Scotsman said to the monkey's surprise, "It'll take more than a banana-throwing primate and his toy to break this blade or Scotsman!" He added with a yell as he punched the surprised Mandarin in the face as Hak Foo, Bane, and Tao, and the surrounding Rotters all launched themselves toward the heroes, "DUCK!"
Scotsman yelled to Diana at the same instant, raising his machine gun leg and started to open fire as he twirled around in a complete circle standing on one leg.
Diana threw herself to the ground, barely avoiding the stream of lead now flying around the room. Tao likewise managed to alter his trajectory to send himself to the floor and avoid the bullets, but his allies weren't so lucky. The Rotters were all quickly reduced to scrap, while Bane and Hak Foo were sent flying back. Between the former's sheer body mass and the latter's newfound magical endurance, neither was seriously injured, but their momentum was completely shattered.
Wonder Woman was quick to take advantage of this, launching herself at the downed mercenaries. She grabbed Bane by the arms and, with a mighty yell, spun him around and sent him flying out of one of the nearby windows.
"Minotaur charge!" Hak Foo yelled, leaping at Wonder Woman, hands extended like claws. She dodged, only to have to block as he spun on his heel and launched a kick at her face with a cry of "Chimera strike!"
As the two traded blows, Tao got up and was about to sneak attack Wonder Woman from behind, only for to have to dodge a sword swing from Scotsman.
"Yer fight's with me, ya pansy!" Scotsman growled.
"Very well," Tao said with an annoyed sigh, sending the man a glare, "I suppose it's for the better," He muttered, jumping back and entering a battle stance, "I do hate to leave contracts unfinished, after all."
He stated with a deadly glare while Scotsman flashed a smug grin, "Ha, so you do remember me!" He called out with a laugh, holding his sword up with a large grin that fell at his next words, "Hardly..."
Tao said bluntly, "I don't make it a habit to remember every annoying gnat I crush," He stated before launching a kick that Scotsman blocked with the flat side of his sword, but despite his own great size and strength, Tao's kick still caused him to slide back, "but if you say we've met, that means I have a black mark on my otherwise flawless record, which I simply can't have."
He stated, as his words and oozing arrogance caused Scotsman to growl before howling out, "Well too bad, because you're going to have more than a mark when I'm done with ye!"
He yelled out as he charged forward, swinging his sword, "Because I'm going rouse your memory by beating you to a bloody pulp!"
With a roar, Scotsman swung his sword at Tao's face, only for the mercenary to jump in the air, not only dodging the strike but then landing on top of the blade, somehow balancing perfectly on the narrow edge.
"Aw, now that's just-AH!" Scotsman started to complain, only for Tao to kick him in the face, sending him flying backwards.
Mandarin, meanwhile, had gotten back to his feet and was now carefully examining the unfolding fights, carefully considering his next move. His lord had been quite clear that the heroes were to be allowed to win in order to lure them into a false sense of victory for their long-term plans, but that didn't mean that he was going to wound his warrior's pride by just letting them win.
Even so, the question remained, which fight to join?
His eyes went to the battle with Winder Woman, watching as she punched Bane back, only to be kicked toward the wall by Hak Foo, screaming something about kangaroos.
She was supposed to be one of this planet's mightiest protectors, a worthy adversary indeed, but...
His eyes watched Hak Foo, his master's newest servant. His mettle needed to be tested, and perhaps she would be the perfect tool to use to do so, his interference might only hinder in seeing if this warrior truly was worthy of the power he wielded now and being in Skeleton King's service.
So his eyes instead honed in on Tao and the larger warrior's battle as his ears twitched hearing what sounded like more of Dastardly's Rotters approaching to reinforce them, before smirking sinisterly as he glared with menace at Scotsman as he made his choice, "Allow me to show you what this banana-throwing primate can really do, oaf."
He growled out before lunging forward to join the battle.
"Hold still and fight me, ya great big dobber!" Scotsman was growling at Tao, who was effortlessly dodging every sword swing and blocking every punch that the larger man threw at him.
"Alright," Tao said, before deciding this time to catch the fist that was aiming towards his face. Scotsman blinked in surprise at this, but before he could react, Tao leapt up and slammed his knee into Scotsman's chin, snapping his head backwards.
BAM
Just in time for Mandarin's own fists to both barrel down onto his head from above, driving the large man down to the floor.
"Pitiful!" Mandarin sneered, activating his gauntlet blade again and swinging it towards Scotsman's neck. Once again, Scotsman managed to bring his sword up to block it, but before he could brag about it this time, Tao grabbed his leg and used it to pick him up and fling him towards the wall. Which he hit with a loud thud and groan before falling to the ground.
"Arg... that.. all... you got, pansies!" He snapped back as he started to push himself up with a glare, before his eyes widened when he saw Mandarin diving down with a sword thrust, which he managed to dodge in time by rolling out of the way and entering a crouch as Mandarin stabbed into ground where he had been.
But before he could attempt to attack Mandarin, Tao launched a powerful kick, hitting him to the side and launching once again to the wall, only this time crashing through it.
BOOM
The next instant, Scotsman found himself in another room in the palace. Sitting himself up with an angry growl, frustrated that he's letting those two cowards gang up on him like this
"Arg... Grrr, when I get my..." Scotsman started to growl out before freezing as he realized he wasn't alone in the room as he heard mechanical clicks, causing him to blink and realize he was surrounded by more of that twig Dastardly's robot things. All looked at him for several moments, before the group circling all lunged to him.
"Aw, goat nuggets," he muttered, before screaming as the Rotters swarmed him.
Meanwhile, Bane and Hak Foo were circling Wonder Woman, who was on guard, eyes darting between them.
"Nemean lion stalks prey," Hak Foo said with a smirk, causing Bane to roll his eyes.
"Must you call out your attacks like an anime character?" he asked, earning a glare from his counterpart before they turned their attention back to Wonder Woman. At an unspoken signal, they both charged her, only for her to leap up high above them.
They did not slam into each other, having kept enough space between them in case of such a move, so they just ran past each other. Unfortunately for them, they were still close enough that when she then flung her lasso down while she was at the height of her jump, the divine rope managed to wrap around their arms as they passed each other, tying them together and bringing them both screeching to a halt.
As the two mercenaries struggled to break free, Wonder Woman hit the floor. She then spun on her heel, pulling hard on the lasso and sending Bane and Hak Foo flying through the air towards the balcony where Dastardly was still standing, the evil genius' eyes widening in shock just before the other two slammed into him and Muttley, the whole crowd smashing through the doors behind the balcony. Where they landed in a large groaning heap while Diana, back where she was, gave a smirk as she heard the angry shouting of Dastardly, "Get... Urg... off me... you fools!"
Before the smirk fell as she got a steely look in her eyes. If Audrey truly had been replaced by an imposter, then she needed to find her friend as soon as possible. Who knows what Skeleton King had been doing to her?
Of course, first she had to deal with these mercenaries, she couldn't just leave Scotsman to fend them all alone, though he'd probably boast about being able to handle them singlehandedly.
So she dashed towards the hole in the wall where Scotsman had been thrown, finding Tao and Mandarin watching on as Scotsman tried to hold off the horde of Rotters. Taking advantage of the fact that their backs were to her, Wonder Woman lunged forward and kicked Tao in the back, sending him flying with a surprised scream. And as Mandarin turned to face her, she lashed out with another kick, catching him in the center mass and punting him into the pile of Rotters, knocking a large number of them off of Scotsman even as Mandarin continued down the hallway.
Seizing the opening that Wonder Woman had given him, Scotsman managed to burst free of the remaining Rotters, sweeping them aside with a swing of his mighty arm.
"Thanks for the help, lass. Though I had that handled," he said, causing Wonder Woman to shake her head.
"I'm sure you did," She said with a sigh before getting serious, "Listen, the mission's changed, we need to find Audrey and expose this deception to everyone before all of Kaznia is destroyed due to this senseless war."
She told him with a scowl, "Easier said than done lass," Scotsman stated as he got up with a grunt, "We've got no idea where Skully could have put Queenie if she's even still here."
He said, picking up his sword before gazing into Wonder Woman's eyes, "For all we know, that boney rat is keeping her in whatever hole he's hiding in with all his other prisoners."
He remarked, with Diana fist's clenching at her sides, remembering that particular part of the report on Skeleton King and all the people he currently had as his prisoners and slaves from their destroyed world, facing who knows what kinda tortures.
The thought of Audrey now among them out of her reach, facing the same... "If that's the case, then we'll force his servant to tell us where he's hiding and liberate Audrey along with all the others he's holding."
She snapped slightly to Scotsman with a dark glare.
"Works for me," Scotsman said with a grin, "I'll keep Tao busy, you deal with the monkey."
Diana nodded and turned to where Mandarin was getting back to his feet, glaring at her.
"Grr, crush her!" he commanded of the remaining Rotters, which charged Wonder Woman, who was all too willing to return the favor.
Meanwhile, Tao was also getting back to his feet with a scowl.
"Blasted Amazon wretch, I shall-" he started to say, only to suddenly dart to the side, instinctively dodging a swipe of Scotsman's sword from behind.
"You'll have to do better than that," he sneered. To his surprise, Scotsman grinned in response.
"Ya sure about that?" he asked, looking down. Tao curiously followed his gaze, and his eyes widened as he saw his distinctive braided ponytail lying on the floor, having been cut off at the base.
"Ha! Now we're even, ya pansy!" Scotsman laughed, while Tao's face reddened with rage.
"I'm going to make you beg for the sweet release of death," He stated in an even, frigid tone of fury as Scotsman shot him a shit-eating grin, "The only thing I ever beg for is second helpings of me wife's cooking, you pansy."
He retorted with a laugh, "We'll see," Tao stated as he lunged forward, launching a side kick at Scotsman's head that was blocked by a raised forearm and gritted teeth, as Scotsman retaliated with a sword thrust that Tao dodged with a jump, while flipping over Scotsman before twisting around to attack at the larger man's back, only to find a sword being swung toward his face that he managed to dodge with a slight widening of his eyes, limbo style.
Only to give out a grunt as a second later Scotsman lunged with a strong punch with his free hand straight at the man's gut, while he was bent bending backwards, knocking him down on his back.
And then found Scotsman's machine gun leg straight down at his face, "Unless you want to lose more than the pansy ponytail, I suggest you give up, lad," Scotsman told him with a smug smirk while looking down at him.
"I do not surrender," Tao seethed, "I am Taopaipai, the greatest mercenary in the world! All who face me die, and you shall-!"
"Alrighty then."
BAM
And then Scotsman brought his fist down on Tao's head, hard enough to crack the floor underneath it and instantly rendering the mercenary unconscious.
"Damn arrogant wobbers never know when to quit," Scotsman spat, "But anyway, better go give the princess a hand-"
"Burrowing sandworm!"
SMASH
"Or I could just deal with you lot," Scotsman said with a sigh, turning to face Hak Foo and Bane as they dropped from the hole that the former had just put in the ceiling, which Dastardly was looking down at them from.
"Remember, Skeleton King wants him alive!" The twig man called down to the steroid baby and yapping pansy, though once he processed the words Scotsman gave a blink, "Eh, so the space skeleton wants a piece of ol' Archie Blake himself, huh?"
He said, arching a brow as he raised his sword with a taunting smirk, "Well, you'll have to drag your broken bodies to your master and tell him this is one Scotsman who ain't anybody's prisoner!"
He told them cracking his neck, "We shall see about that, amigo," Bane said, cracking his hands, "We don't know why he wants you, but..." Bane gave him a bloodthirsty grin, "He only said you needed to be alive not in one piece."
And at those words, Hak Foo lunged forward, raising his arms to attack while yelling out, "Demon bear mauls Scotsman!" And as Scotsman raised his blade for more battle, Wonder Woman was in the middle of venting away a great deal of rage onto the Rotters.
"Arg!" She yelled as she smashed two together, then jumped up and kicked another into the wall, before raising her armor braces to block laser fire from some of the remaining Rotters in front of her, gritting her teeth while hearing Mandarin snickering to the side, "Your strength and passion is impressive, but ultimately futile to the inevitable."
The monkey said with a cruel grin, "So why not surrender now, and perhaps my lord might welcome you to his side as he did me~" He said, raising his energy blade into a battle stance
"You mean when you betrayed your comrades and home?" Wonder Woman scoffed in disgust as she bashed the Rotters aside. Between her upbringing and her time in the League, she had long since ingrained the concept of camaraderie with brothers- and sisters-in-arms into her psyche, and the idea of intentionally breaking such bonds enraged her.
"My brothers were fools dedicated to protecting a planet of weaklings when we could have ruled like gods!" Mandarin snarled, any smugness wiped away by his rage at this human (divinely empowered or not, that's what she was) daring to judge his actions.
"Anyone who wishes to have the power of the gods is the last one who should wield it," Wonder Woman replied, crushing the last Rotter underfoot, "If your brethren were wise enough to realize that, then I'd say you were the only fool in that family."
Growling in incoherent rage, Mandarin threw himself at her, his blade clashing with her bracers in a shower of sparks.
"If I'm the fool, then why am I free and prospering while they're imprisoned and suffering nightmares unending?!" Mandarin snarled into her face, with Wonder Woman returning his glare with her own, "Believe me..."
She said with gritted teeth, "Your positions will be reversed... soon enough!" She snapped, throwing her arms back, forcing Mandarin to disengage his own blade midair, though as he attempted to swing it down again, Diana blocked it with her left bracer while launching her right fist straight toward Mandarin's face, only for Mandarin to raise his left arm in turn and deploy his energy shield before they disengaged leaping back
"Because once I'm done, you'll telling me where to find your master," Wonder Woman spat, glaring down at the simian, "And Audrey, your family, and the rest of Skeleton King's captives will be set free."
This comment however, caused Mandarin to give a growl, "I think not..." He spat before screeching out, "MONKEY MIND SCREAM!"
SCREEEEEEEEEE!
Once again, the sonic waves slammed into Wonder Woman, but she was ready this time. Hands clapped over her ears and teeth gritted, she forced her way through the wall of sound and charged Mandarin. The evil monkey's eyes widened at this, and he broke off the scream to try and bring up a defense, only for her foot to lash out and slam into his head, propelling him against the wall. As he hit it, she grabbed him by the throat with one hand and grabbed his sword arm with the other.
"Now, where is your master keeping Audrey?" she demanded, pressing him against the wall.
"I will never betray my master!" he hissed as he clawed fruitlessly at her arm with his free hand.
"Talk!" However, this was the wrong thing to say, as Wonder Woman slammed him harder into the wall, causing cracks and an imprint to form, "Talk, or so help me I'll..." Whatever she was going to say was cut off by Mandarin's cruel gasping chuckle, "You'll what?"
He asked, smiling mockingly into her face, "Throw me into one of your planet's pathetic prisons?" He sneered, "My lord would free me within the day if not hour," He told her flatly with open amusement as she glared into his eyes, "Because I haven't been idle since we arrived to this planet."
He informed while giving a monkey hooting laugh of amusement, "Hohoha, I know, I know~" He grinned wide, "That you and the rest of your comrades lack the stomach to do what must be done."
He said, staring hard into her eyes, "How many times now has it been that you've defeated your enemies only to simply imprison them rather than end them, only to start the whole cycle over again?"
"It's called being merciful and not abusing the power entrusted to you, something lost on a thing like you!" Wonder Woman spat at him, glaring as he laughed, "Hohoha, spoken like a child playing at being a warrior~"
He flashed a fang-filled grin as she growled, "As well as someone who has no place in war," He said, clawing into her arm, "Why, I bet even if we hadn't replaced her, that spoiled brat of a ruler would have still gone to mercenaries before approaching someone as spineless as you for help~"
Seeing red, Diana snarled before she pulled Mandarin away from the wall, only to slam him back against it hard enough to crack it.
"Don't you dare insult Audrey by suggesting she'd lower herself to voluntarily working with these scum," she growled.
"Or perhaps you don't know her as well as you think you do," Mandarin chuckled despite the pain, "But don't worry, I'm sure you'll have a chance to get to truly know her when you're beside her in chains at my master's feet!"
"I would sooner die!" Wonder Woman snarled out in disgust at that this little demon was insinuating, while Mandarin let out a heaving chuckle, "That's also something we can arrange my dear~" He spat back with a cruel grin, and in the next moment Wonder Woman found herself letting go of Mandarin as she felt an attack hit from behind.
"AARG!" With Mandarin then exploiting the opening to launch a side kick to her neck, knocking her back to the ground with her groaning and looking up to glare at the form of Mandarin surrounded not only by some of of the mini Rotters, but also the white and black forms she recognized from the footage of the attack on Jump City done by Skeleton King's forces, "Formless, Rotters, take her!"
Mandarin called out, pointing his arm down to Wonder Woman, "She shall be an excellent tribute for the master hohoHA!" He exclaimed out, laughing as Formless and Rotters either lunged forward or launched either lasers or energy spheres straight to the League founder.
Wonder Woman crossed her bracers, the divine metal absorbing the energy of most of the attacks, but the sheer amount still managed to drive her back, her feet carving grooves into the stone floor. And worse, she couldn't break away from this position while the attack was ongoing, which meant she couldn't do anything about the Formless and Rotters which were taking advantage of their comrades' attacks to close the distance so that they could physically swarm her.
Fortunately, they never got the chance to do so. Because while this was happening, Scotsman was still fighting Bane and Hak Foo, and saw the situation that Wonder Woman was in. Growling, he dodged a blow from Hak Foo and slammed the flat of his sword into the mystically-enhanced mercenary's back, stumbling him. Then, he leapt over the charging Bane, slicing through the tank of Venom on his back. As Bane screamed and convulsed from the sudden loss of his super-steroid influx, Scotsman took advantage of his distraction to grab him around the waist, easily picking him up and throwing him down the hall to slam into the crowd of Formless and Rotters, splattering the former and crushing the latter.
"You okay there lassie?" Scotsman barked over his shoulder to Wonder Woman who shot him a thankful look, "I am now."
She said with a grunt, standing up from her crouch, "Glad to hear it," Scotsman said, glaring over at Mandarin, who returned the glare as a growling Hak Foo joined his side, "Because pansy ponytail and steroid baby are down, which just leaves these two ugly banshee-kissing goat suckers."
He stated with a large smirk, "So I say we finish this now before anymore of twig boy's toys or space skeleton's ooze monsters show up," He added to Wonder Woman, gripping his sword's sheath with both hands in anticipation.
"That's fine by me. Let's end this," she replied, narrowing her eyes at the villains, taking a fighting stance as they did likewise.
However, before anyone could do anything-
BOOM
A blast of dark energy suddenly exploded between the two pairs, an evil cackle filling the air as a form took shape in front of the heroes. A form the League only had from the Titans' description and their security feed, "Greetings ~" Spoke the figure of Skeleton King with a dark hiss.
"Skeleton King," Wonder Woman glared at him.
"So, this is the great big bad space skeleton, huh? I can nae say I'm that impressed," Scotsman scoffed.
"Show respect to the master, you brainless oaf!" Mandarin snarled, only for his lord to gesture him into silence with a wave.
"Now, now, one should not judge by appearances," Skeleton King said, wagging with a smirk, "After all, at first glance you two could be taken as a giant oaf and a street worker~"
Wonder Woman bristled at the insult, while Scotsman snorted.
"Yer gonna hafta be more creative with yer insults, ya great big pile of owl pellets," he scoffed.
"Enough," Wonder Woman cut into the banter, glaring at the Skeleton King, "Where is Audrey?"
"Audrey?" Skeleton King repeated with confusion, "Audrey, Audrey, hmm..." he muttered, rubbing his chin in mock thought, "Never heard of her." He said with a shrug, before adding with a mocking smirk, "Unless you're referring to that spoiled brat?"
He gave a dark chuckle, "I'm afraid she was too busy screaming to give me a name~"
"You bastard!" Wonder Woman snarled, while Scotsman raised his sword threateningly.
"Alright, enough games. Tell us where the royal lass is, and we'll let ya still be in one piece when we take ya not custody," he said with a scowl.
However Skeleton King merely laughed at the threat, "So rude, did no one ever teach you to give royalty proper respect?" He asked with a dark amused grin, "The only royal I give a goat's ass about is me wife who's fairer than any princess!"
Retorted back Scotsman with a snap, before adding after a slight pause, "Uh, no offense lassie," He stated to Wonder Woman, who ignored him to glare at Skeleton King, "Release Audrey at once, this is your last chance."
She snapped with a dark scowl while taking a step forward, "Hmm, so concerned for her are you?" Skelton King asked with a dark grin, "Guess that confirms those delicious rumors then, and that the choice to leave her alive was the wise one."
He mused while ignoring their looks of fury, "Very well, if you want your lover returned to you so much..." Skeleton King gave a chilling smile, "Then how about a little exchange, one prisoner for another~"
"What?" Wonder Woman demanded, ignoring the jab about the rumors of her and Audrey's relationship, "Why would we ever give you anyone or anything?"
"Aye. Besides which, I doubt anyone we've caught adds up to how valuable you think Queenie is," Scotsman added.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Skeleton King said in a low tone, staring hard at the Scotsman, "But it's not one of your League prisoners, I want no."
He shook his head, "No, the one I want is already standing before me~" he told them with a dark smirk
"Eh? What are you... wait a minute," Scotsman said, trailing off as he remembered Dastardly's earlier comments, "You mean me?"
"Indeed..." Skeleton King hissed, giving him an even stare, "In the event the League interfered or discovered my deception, I originally kept the Queen alive as leverage over her lover."
He explained, gesturing over to Wonder Woman, "But imagine my surprise when I find one of the arriving heroes swirling with powerful temporal and spiritual energies."
And he wasn't even lying, either. After finishing his fun with his new pet, he laid in wait for the arrival of the heroes, only slightly surprised when he discovered the presence of White Pantera among the canon DCAU League members, but the real surprise was Scotsman. Not only due to the fact of Scotsman of all people being with the Justice League, but also because he found himself sensing energies from the man, energies that thanks to Skeleton King's knowledge he could recognize as temporal and spiritual.
Leading to a theory that, if events in the Aku-ruled reality played out even remotely like they did in canon, then perhaps the Scotsman's state as a spirit revived through Celtic magic thanks to his sword's Celtic runes allowed him to unknowingly carry traces of the original timeline through him.
Which gave him an opportunity to perhaps not only further strengthen his current deception, but also gain information on the previous timeline that could be potentially useful. And maybe even harness the energy within Scotsman to further increase his own power.
"Temp-who-whatsits?" Scotsman asked, blinking in confusion, "What nonsense are you blabbering about, ya bone-faced pansy?"
"It doesn't matter," Wonder Woman said, while making a mental note to bring this up to the other League founders later, "We're not giving you anything."
"Ah, then I'm afraid that Audrey will have to remain my guest..." Skeleton King said, sending Wonder Woman a cruel smirk, "I'm sure that her screams of despair for her lover abandoning her to my clutches will be amusing at the least~"
That proved to be the final straw for Diana, and with a snarl of rage, she threw herself at Skeleton King with her fist aimed right at his face.
However, Skeleton King simply laughed as his body glowed with power and raised his left hand, letting loose a large powerful mystical blast straight at the attacking Amazon.
"Ugh!" Wonder Woman cried out as the blast hit her head on, sending her flying back down the hallway.
With a battle cry, Scotsman swung at Skeleton King with his sword, only for the alien to block with his staff, the blade's Celtic runes flaring in response to the dark magic of the staff.
"Urg... okay, you might... be a wee bit stronger... than you look, bone boy," Scotsman said, gritting his teeth as his sword and the staff buckled against each other, "But it'll be a cold day in Ifrinn before I let a pile of bones beat me!"
He snapped, glaring straight into Skeleton King's eye sockets, only for the tyrant to let out a dark laugh, "Ah, but that's the thing," He said, oozing with dark amusement, "I don't need to beat you, I only need to..."
In the next instant, the alien skeleton broke off the stalemate between his staff and Scotsman's sword as he flung out his left hand toward Scotsman's face, "Get some answers!" He roared out as his glowing hand grabbed onto Scotsman's face, and the next thing he knew as the evil purple glow seeped his body was his mind being assaulted with so many confusing images, as the chamber rocked with his scream and the Skeleton King's cruel laughter.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"
"HEHHEHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAH!"
Getting up from where she'd been blasted, Wonder Woman's eyes widened in shock at the sight of Scotsman being driven to his knees, Skeleton King's hand clasped to his face as dark energy flowed over them both. With a cry of rage, she flew through the air to land a punch square in the middle of Skeleton King's chest, driving him back and breaking his connection with Scotsman, who dropped unconscious to the floor.
While off to the side, imprinted into a wall, Skeleton King's form glowed as he processed some of the information he could get while hissing out one name without realizing it, "Akuuuuu~" giving a dark evil chuckle as he glanced up and saw Wonder Woman lifting up Scotsman with a grunt, "Do you truly believe you can escape me?"
He asked mockingly, dropping down to the ground with ease while giving her an evil grin as his sinister aura seemed to press onto her, with Mandarin and Hak Foo stepping up to his sides, "There is no escape, surrender and you may yet see your precious Queen alive and in one piece~"
He said with a dark cackle, while Wonder Woman glared at him hatefully. At the same time, her mind racing, knowing the odds weren't good and that she needed to fall back with Scotsman immediately, but at the same time she doubted this monster would make it easy.
But just as she thought this, she heard a feminine voice shout out, "Heads up!"
And blinked as something was thrown over her and Scotsman's form, landing at the feet of Skeleton King and his minions.
BOOM
And then whatever the item was exploded, sending Skeleton King and his minions flying. Wonder Woman shielded herself and Scotsman with her arms, and as the smoke started to clear, she looked towards where the voice had come from. To her surprise, she found a young woman in a purple toga-style dress, which currently had a full bandolier of grenades slung over it.
"There's more where that came from, jackass!" the woman snapped, glaring at the mostly unscathed villains as they got back to their feet.
"Girl, you have just made the last mistake of your life!" yelled out Skeleton King, his eyes flashing red.
"No, my mistake was not aiming for the head!" Yelled out the woman, lobbing another grenade as Skeleton King quickly raised out an energy shield to block the ensuing explosion.
BOOM
"THIS WAY, QUICKLY!" The woman shouted out to Wonder Woman, while pointing down the corridor and taking off, with the Amazon quickly taking flight after her while lifting Scotsman up by his arm over her shoulder.
"Lion pursues gazelles!" Hak Foo cried out as he and Mandarin took off in pursuit of their enemies, who turned a corner into a side corridor. As soon as they were out of sight of the villains, the woman slammed a hand down on a specific brick on the wall, causing a hidden door to pop open.
"In here!" the woman hissed, leading the heroes into the door, which quietly slammed shut behind them. Right after it did, Hak Foo and Mandarin turned the corner and came to a stop upon seeing the empty corridor, but rather than confusion or anger, they merely smirked at each other.
Meanwhile, the woman was leading Wonder Woman down a dark corridor, "Thank god you've come," She told Wonder Woman while internally getting ready to put her acting skills to the test, "The past few days have been like a nightmare here in the palace."
She explained to her while leading her down the dark chambers just glancing back over her shoulder, "At first the Queen just started acting a bit weird, and we just chalked it up to stress due to the civil war."
She half-turned to Wonder Woman, biting her lip, "She hired those mercenaries and made it known she wanted all the northerners killed right down to the last child... and it only got worse from there," she said, rubbing her arms while displayed her best distraught expression and posture.
"That must have been when Skeleton King replaced her," Wonder Woman muttered, before looking at the woman inquisitively, "What's your name?"
"Megara. Friends call me Meg," the now-named Meg replied, opening another hidden door and leading the heroes into what looked like a storage room, "We should be safe here for now, no one ever uses this room, so I doubt they'll think to look for us here."
"Thank you, Meg," Wonder Woman said with a slight smile as she lowered the barely-conscious Scotsman to the floor and leaned him against the wall, "You've had combat experience?"
"Hell no, I just grabbed the first thing I could find in the armory once I heard the fighting start," Meg replied, "Speaking of which, please tell me you've got backup?"
"Yes, but they're out trying to put a stop to the war," Wonder Woman explained with a sigh, "Meg, listen, we need to find the real Audrey. Do you have any idea where they might be keeping her?"
"The only place I can think of is the King's bedchambers. One of the first weird things that the Queen, or whatever's been impersonating her, did was to order that no one other than her was allowed in there anymore, not even the servants or doctors who have been tending to him since he ended up in that coma," Meg explained.
"The bedchambers?" Wonder Woman asked with a worried scowl, wondering why Skeleton King would choose to keep her there of all places, perhaps using the presence of Audrey's father to further torture her, she thought worriedly, as her mind went back to the monster's words about her friends screams, before shaking it off, telling herself that Audrey was okay... she had to be.
"Thank you," She told Meg, her voice full of gratitude, "What you've done was very brave, I hope you realize that," she said, while gently setting Scotsman off to the side, leaning him against the wall as the man gave an unconscious groan as she examined him, worriedly hoping that whatever Skeleton King did to him could be mended while ideally wondering what he could have meant about the Scotsman possessing spiritual and of all things temporal energy.
"It was nothing..." Meg said with a shrug, looking away, seemingly quite nervous and bashful, "When it became clear that something dirty was going on, I..." she grimaced, clenching her fists, "I couldn't just ignore the situation and keep my head down."
she said, looking down to the ground, "I had to do something... I... I had to," she suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder and raised her head, finding Wonder Woman smiling at her, "You've done more than enough, really."
She told Meg with a smile, gently squeezing her shoulder, "You can leave the rest to me and stay here where it's safe with Scotsman," Wonder Woman said, glancing over her shoulder once more at her fellow League member, "Whatever Skeleton King did to him, he's in no condition to fight," she said with a scowl.
"Of course, I'll stay here and keep an eye on him," Meg said with a firm nod.
"Thank you," Wonder Woman said with a smile. After checking Scotsman one last time, she made her way over to the room's main door. Cracking it open and peering carefully out into the hallway beyond to confirm it was empty, she slipped out as quietly as she could and shut the door behind her.
As soon as she was gone, Meg's nervous facade slipped away, and she smirked in the direction that the Amazon had gone.
"Damn, I'm good. Or she's just naive," she laughed. Glancing at the slumped form of the Scotsman, she found herself wondering what made him so special to Skeleton King, but shrugged it off as none of her concern.
Now, she just had to wait. And pretty soon, she'll be ruling an entire kingdom while its pretty figurehead is following her every order, and a part of her already had a good idea of what her first orders would be~
She thought with a dark smirk, picturing that spoiled brat of a Queen eating her out and calling her mistress, while Meg sat on the throne while wearing her crown~
Oh yes, she was going to enjoy this arrangement~
Meanwhile, Wonder Woman was quickly making her way through the hallways, soon finding herself in front of the doors to the royal bedchambers. Cracking them open, she stepped inside, only to freeze as she was hit with the sickly-sweet smell of rot.
She knew that smell. That was the smell of death.
"Audrey!" She called out worriedly, assuming the worst as she barged in and froze at the sight before her, that of the king laying on his bed and the form bound to the walls opposite of the hall, silently crying with a look of broken despair on her face.
"Audrey!" Wonder Woman cried, rushing towards her friend.
"Diana?" Audrey sobbed as Wonder Woman approached her, "Oh god, Diana! They killed him! Those monsters killed my father!"
"Don't worry, they'll pay. But first we need to get you out of here," Wonder Woman said, reaching for the chains holding Audrey, only for the Queen's eyes to widen in alarm.
"Look out!" she yelled, just before something slammed into Wonder Woman from behind.
"ARG!" The heroine yelled out, before looking up at her attacker with a glare, "I told you not to interfere, Diana," Spoke the cold voice of the imposter Audrey as she glared down at the heroine, "Now you've forced my hand..."
She said as her right arm transformed into a black and white blade, "By the authority of the Queen of Kaznia and Lord Skeleton King, I sentence you to death!" The imposter yelled out, while lunging her blade down to attack as the real Audrey screamed her name in panic and worry.
"DIANA!"
CLANG
Just in time, Wonder Woman managed to bring her arms up and cross them to catch the blade on her bracers. Gritting her teeth against the clone's strength, she cried out and kicked it hard in the chest, sending it across the room.
As the Amazon jumped back to her feet, the Formless clone gave an inhuman screech as its body started convulsing. Diana then watched in horror as the clone's lower half dissolved into ooze that quickly reshaped itself, the creature rising up into the air in its new form, a human torso atop a black and white spider's body, legs that ended in razor-sharp points clicking across the floor as the abomination advanced on Wonder Woman.
And as she got ready to engage the monster that had been pretending to be her friend, Diana could only hope that the others were doing better than she was as the monster let out a furious screech.
"SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEE" As it lunged forward, pouncing straight to its prey, intent on devouring it alive for its master.
And with a battle cry of her own, Diana charged the monster in return, launching herself at its face.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hell of a cliffhanger, huh? That should keep you all on your toes until we eventually get back to it.
nightmaster000 A/N: Heheh if this cliffhanger doesn't prove we're evil than nothing does! XD But hope you enjoyed the fights this chapter provided and will be eager for the next chapter after hiatus ends.
Till than don't be afraid to review and kudos ~
Chapter 10: Kaznia, Part 4
Summary:
The fighting in Kaznia continues as storylines collide, while Mandy pursues her own agenda.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hey everyone, I know it's been awhile, but we're back with another chapter of Isekai Conquerors. Night and I have several more chapters' worth of material written and ready to get published, so you'll have plenty to look forward to in the near future.
For now, please enjoy some action, some lemon, some plotting, and a glimpse at Mandy's side plot which will transcend this current arc.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Like Zim said we're back and giving Conquerors some love~ We've already got some content and we hope you'll enjoy this return to things and the chapters to come as well.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
As the Amazon jumped back to her feet, the Formless clone gave an inhuman screech as its body started convulsing. Diana then watched in horror as the clone's lower half dissolved into ooze that quickly reshaped itself, the creature rising up into the air in its new form, a human torso atop a black and white spider's body, legs that ended in razor-sharp points clicking across the floor as the abomination advanced on Wonder Woman.
And as she got ready to engage the monster that had been pretending to be her friend, Diana could only hope that the others were doing better than she was as the monster let out a furious screech.
"SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEE" As it lunged forward, pouncing straight to its prey, intent on devouring it alive for its master.
And with a battle cry of her own, Diana charged the monster in return, launching herself at its face.
(Meanwhile, back on the battlefield)
Explosions continued to bloom across the battleground as the two armies and the Justice League members continued to clash.
"Die in the name of Master Lothor!" Blue Face yelled as he swung his scythe at Captain Atom, who was busy trying to shake off several Kelzaks that had tackled him. Fortunately for the hero, he was able to spin himself around so that the Kelzaks were the ones hit by the blade instead, sending them flying off of him and allowing him to get back in the air.
"You know, you constantly repeating lines like that doesn't make you sound threatening, just dull," he said, before firing an energy blast at Blue Face, who blocked it with his scythe.
"Insolent wretch!" the alien snarled.
"Only proving my point!" Atom called back with a smirk, "I mean that's like what, the 10th time you called me that!" He said while dodging Blue Face's energy attack, "Silence!"
Seeing that he was getting under Blue Face's skin only caused Atom to smirk wider. True, other heroes like Flash had more experience with this particular strategy. But he knew very well that an angry opponent was a sloppy one, "And really, if you're the best Lothor's army has to offer in soldiers, then I think I might actually feel sorry for the guy!"
He called out while launching a blast of energy aimed at the ground in front of Blue Face's feet.
"GRAAHH!" Blue Face cried out as he was sent flying from the blast, landing in a heap several yards away. Unfortunately for Atom, this only slowed the alien down, and he was soon back on his feet.
"Dammit, this isn't working. I need a better plan," Atom grumbled to himself. Because so far this guy, despite his stupid sounding name, had proven to be a stubborn opponent who wouldn't go down easily, and considering they were in the middle of a war zone with higher stakes around, he couldn't afford to waste too much time on some space warlord's goon.
He thought with a grimace while dodging some blasts from Blue Face, "Okay, think, this guy's got a temper and ego, both things I can play to my advantage," he muttered while returning fire as Blue Face dodged the attack, "But how?"
"Get down here, coward!" Blue Face yelled up at him, "I will crush you in Lothor's name, and nothing will stand in my way!"
"Hmm, nothing?" Atom mused, glancing towards where fights were still occurring across the battlefield, "Well, let's put that to the test."
"If that's so, why don't you prove it by catching me first!" He called out challengingly, before flying off to another part of the battlefield.
"Hey, you get back here, you coward!" Blue Face yelled out, sending more energy attacks from his weapon which Atom dodged, but smirked as he saw the attacks hit some of the tanks on the battlefield.
Even if he couldn't beat this guy straight out, he could at least use him to neutralize some of the other combatants. And that wasn't the only benefit of this strategy, because as he watched, soldiers on both sides of the fight were turning from shooting at each other to open fire on the crazy alien who was inadvertently attacking them.
This probably wouldn't work completely in the long run, but at least for now he'd be able to put Blue Face's rage to good use.
At least that was the plan, until he found himself struck out of the sky by a large boulder, "Urg!" He called out in surprise as he crashed into the ground with a slight groan, before looking up and quickly spotted the origin of that surprise attack, in what appeared to be a large battlesuit stomping its way through the battlefield.
"Oh, now what?" Atom grumbled to himself. Whoever or whatever this was, it hadn't been in the League's files, and nothing complicated a mission more than unknown elements.
"I don't have time for this. Stand down!" Atom demanded as he got to his feet. When the battlesuit neither replied or obeyed the order, he reacted by firing a full-strength blast at it... and to his shock, the nuclear energy washed over it without doing any damage. And before he could even process that, Blue Face suddenly slammed into him, sending him flying several feet to hit the ground hard.
"I see you've met the Annihilator," Blue Face sneered, "I don't know where the rebels acquired it, but it's a magnificent piece of destructive power. As you shall now see first-hand."
"Urg..." Atom groaned, glaring at Blue Face before suddenly giving a blink, looking between him and the armor and got an idea, "Oh, so I guess that means you really can't do the job yourself, huh?"
He called with a mocking smile as he stood back up in a battle ready stance as Blue Face paused at his words, "You need an overgrown toy to do the job right for you," Atom said, giving a chuckle, "Bet your boss will be real happy about this."
He added, gesturing over to the named Annihilator, "Though I suppose he's got your replacement lined up already~"
"You dare?!" Blue Face snarled, shoving the Annihilator aside as he stomped closer to Atom, "I shall crush you like a- ARGH!"
Unfortunately for Blue Face, the Annihilator's magic-guided animation was fairly simple in its nature. It was fueled by aggression, and targeted sources of it in order to create a negative loop of violence, regardless of who it was going after. So, when he'd shoved it aggressively, it had selected him as its next target and lashed out, punching him the back and causing him to stumble forward.
"Treacherous machine!" Blue Face roared, turning around and attacking the Annihilator in a blind rage.
But much like Captain Atom's own blasts, the attack showed no effect and only served to cause the Annihilator to focus solely on Blue Face as he charged forward and launched a punch straight at Blue Face's, well, face, "UURAAAAAAH!"
Causing him be sent flying and crash through some building ruins with a loud groan, leaving Atom to blink in shock where he stood as the armor stomped over to where Blue Face had landed, "Okay... that actually worked better than I expected." The soldier admitted, before giving a smirk, "But this is why machines can never replace a good soldier, no matter how powerful they are~"
He remarked, shaking his head before getting serious, as he knew this distraction wouldn't work for long. And even if this Annihilator took out the alien, that still left this apparent war machine to deal with, something that he quickly realized wouldn't be easy considering how easily it tanked both his and Blue Face's attacks.
He needed to regroup with the others. Maybe all of them working together would be enough to overpower it, he thought as he took off and flew off to find his fellow League members.
BOOM
Two of which who were trying to not get blown up into pieces.
"Dammit, doesn't this guy need to take time to recharge between attacks?!" Hawk yelled as he and Dove were left constantly dodging blasts from Combustion Man's third eye tattoo.
"Yeah, but I think it's only as long as it takes for him to breathe!" Dove replied, leaping over a fallen tree that was soon after vaporized by another attack.
"Great, so we just need to wait til he runs out breath then!" Called out Hawk with annoyance.
BOOM
Then an explosion erupted from the ground right behind them after a near-miss, sending the brothers flying to land in a heap on the ground. As they groaned and tried to pull themselves up, Combustion Man allowed himself a small smirk before taking a deep breath, the air shimmering around his head as he prepared a massive blast to finish them off.
"I don't think so!" Captain Atom declared, swooping down and firing off a nuclear blast just as Combustion Man unleashed his attack. The two beams of energy collided midway and promptly exploded.
BOOM
"Good timing," Dove said with a sigh of relief as their fellow Leaguer landed next to them, "You two okay?" Atom said as the brothers stood, "Eh, give me 5 minutes alone with Mr. Explody and I will be." Hawk said, punching a fist into his palm with a scowl.
"What about you?" Dove inquired to Captain Atom with a frown, "Were you able to handle that alien?" He asked, only for both brothers to frown as he shook his head.
"Maybe, right now he's got more pressing issues to deal with," Atom replied, turning to the smoke cloud that formed from the explosion, "Just like we have our own problem to handle." He said with a frown as Combustion Man walked out of the smoke wearing a scowl.
"Is he even hurt?" Dove asked in disbelief, "What's this guy made of?"
"So he can take a hit, big deal. I got plenty of hits to give him," Hawk scoffed, before the three heroes had to dodge another attack.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the battlefield, White Pantera was still clashing with Da Samurai.
"Come on lucha boy, you'll have to do better than that!" Samurai called out, sending a spin kick toward Pantera's head, with the masked hero dodging and lunging in a tackle, but Da Samurai skidding to the right as Pantera landed in a crouch, then rolled away when Da Samurai attempted to stab on the ground, "If you want better..."
White Pantera glared where he had rolled into a crouch, "Then prepare to face the finest justice has to offer!"
He cried out as he started to run in circular motion around Da Samurai, with a great deal wind, dust, and debris starting to be picked up, "Here's a move I learned from Señor Flash!"
"What are you- Hey, knock it off!" Da Samurai shouted as a whirlwind soon formed around him, the rapid air movement nearly knocking him off his feet even as he was pelted by the rocks and debris that the winds picked up and threw in his direction.
Growling, Da Samurai swung blindly into the dust cloud moving around him, only to hit nothing.
"Knock off the cheap tricks and fight me, you gaudy bastard!" he snarled.
"Hehe, as you wish~" Called out Pantera's voice from the twister, and the next thing Da Samurai knew, his sword was knock out of his hands as he was attacked with multiple kicks and punches while the twister still kept going.
"UGH! OOF! GAH!" Da Samurai sputtered as he was repeatedly hit, unable to see the attacks coming and therefore unable to stop them.
And with a final mighty yell, Pantera rammed a fist into Da Samurai's stomach, sending him flying out of the whirlwind. He then came to a stop, allowing the dust to disperse, and found the loudmouth mercenary embedded in the hood of a truck, his body having dented the metal from impact.
"You... flashy... jerk," Da Samurai slurred out, trying to pull himself out of the hood, "I'm gonna..."
"Do nothing but go to prison, pendejo," Pantera said, walking up and punching Da Samurai squarely in the face.
WHAM
With that, Da Samurai was knocked out, slumping against the truck.
"And that..." White Pantera glared down at the scum, "was for daring to speak so vulgarly about my sweet Maria!" He snapped, before blinking as he noticed a phone on the ground, which he picked up, "And consider your show..." he then squeezed his hand, crushing the phone in his hand, "cancelled."
he said with a huff, throwing the remains of the phone onto Da Samurai's prone form, before turning away and without a second glance rushed off to locate and if need be aid his comrades in this war zone, not giving a second thought to the garbage he was leaving behind.
Meanwhile, Deadshot was still watching all this through his rifle's scope from where he was hiding. He considered taking a potshot at Pantera as he ran off, but quickly dismissed that, as he knew the hero was moving too fast to hit. He'd probably have better luck taking out any of the others while they were distracted fighting Combustion Man, but the constant dust clouds from his explosions were blocking the view - even someone as good as Deadshot needed to be able to see what he was aiming at, after all.
"Well, this is a fine mess," he muttered, wondering if he should just take the risk on ditching this contract. Because frankly, it looked like the side that was supposed to be paying him wasn't going to be able to stay on top for much longer.
"Hmm, perhaps it might be time to cut my losses," Deadshot muttered to himself with a scowl; he didn't get this far without knowing when to fold them, but then again there was still the matter of his payment to consider as well.
Might be a good idea to raid the rebels' coffers on the way out, he thought. It wouldn't cover everything he'd been promised, but it was better than nothing, he supposed.
Taking one last look at the fighting to ensure he had a clear path, Deadshot slung the rifle over his shoulder and took off running. Not seeing a blonde figure in a toga materialize where had been standing earlier.
"Hmm, what's this, someone trying to leave the party without participating in the festivities properly?" Mused Eris the goddess of discord aloud, before giving off a demented giggle, "I think that calls for a special punishment~" she said in a sing-song before vanishing in a flash of light.
(Elsewhere)
Far from the battlefield, Mandy was making her way slowly but surely through the forest, in search of what she'd come to this country looking for. Periodically, she'd pause to check the directions written down on a small slip of paper in her hand, transcribed from the tablet she'd stolen from that museum.
"Almost there. Then I can get out of this cesspool of a country," she muttered to herself.
After all, while the war would normally be a prime opportunity to increase her finances for her goals, or could even provide an opportunity to exploit in gaining power over this so-called kingdom, she was after a bigger prize... something that would help her secure the power needed to take the world and deal with threats like those fools from the Justice League.
Though she had to admit, the presence of Lothor had been unexpected, as had the Queen employing her own mercenary agents rather than crawling to her maybe lover Wonder Woman for help, like she had half expected her to do... though of course, those stupid heroic types still interfered where they weren't wanted regardless.
Well, no matter. She liked a challenge, especially when she knew she'd win regardless. And she would - she'd been facing worse than a bunch of self-righteous idiots in ridiculous costumes since she was a pre-teen, they wouldn't be a problem for her now.
Besides, they were too busy fighting all those other morons, so they probably wouldn't notice her sneaking off. And once she had what she wanted, she'd be gone before they even knew to come looking for her.
Though as she thought this, she was unaware of the mystically cloaked Valeena following her from the shadows with a dark look of glee, eager to see where this fool was heading and what prize she'd claim in Skeleton King's name.
Pretty soon though, Mandy paused in her trek, frowning and tilting her head before speaking up with a sigh, "Whoever's there might as well come out."
she said, grabbing and bringing out her scythe before entering a battle stance, "because I've got more important matters to attend to than dealing with annoying insects." Valeena, who thought perhaps Mandy was referring to her, bristled in indignation at the insult, before pausing as a group of young forms exited out the surrounding foliage.
"Well, well, well, look what we got here..." Spoke the apparent leader who brought out and spun a pair of tiger hook swords, "A piece of mercenary scum for the northern dogs."
"Pretty far away from the frontlines, isn't she?" scoffed a girl with short hair and red lines of warpaint on her cheeks, "What's the matter, blondie, you lost, or just not getting paid enough to avoid running away?"
Mandy, for her part, just stared impassively at the group, seeming almost bored with the situation.
"Aren't you those so-called Freedom Fighters who have been helping the Queen?" she asked flatly, "Funny, with a name like that, I figured you'd be helping the rebels."
At this, the group seemed to frown, "The Freedom Fighters fight for the freedom and safety of Kaznia!" Snapped the leader, pointing one of his swords at Mandy, "Those so-called rebels as you call them are nothing but traitors who have brought war to our country while trying to steal the land that was never theirs to begin with!"
"Whatever helps you sleep at night. I don't really care," Mandy replied, tone still flat and uninterested, "But like I said, I have more important things to deal with than a bunch of kids playing at being heroes. So scram before I decide to start breaking you into little pieces."
At this, rather than show anger, the group laughed, "Looks like we've got ourselves a scrappy mercenary dog here, don't we?!" Laughed the leader, sending Mandy a smirk, "But maybe you haven't realized your situation," The surrounding Freedom Fighters lifted up their weapons, not just guns but also knives, spiked clubs, and even one cocking a bow and arrow, "You're surrounded and outmatched."
The leader said, taking a threatening step forward, "So why don't you do the smart thing and put down that stick of yours and tell us just exactly what you're doing in these parts."
Mandy simply stared impassively back at him for a moment, before sighing in annoyance.
"I don't have time for this," she grumbled in annoyance, pocketing her directions and unslinging her scythe. In response, the Freedom Fighters laughed in arrogant self-assurance.
"Take her down," the leader spat. Following the orders, the fighters with long-ranged weapons opened fire, bullets flying through the air at her. But to their shock, she spun the scythe around, unleashing a wave of energy that slammed into the bullets, either vaporizing them or deflecting them to fly wildly out into the surrounding woods. And then, almost contemptuously, she finished the spin with a swing that split an arrow launched by the archer in half.
"You done?" Mandy asked dryly, the Freedom Fighters staring at her in stunned silence.
"What the fuck?!" the girl with the warpaint exclaimed, before looking to her leader, "Jet, did you see that?! How'd she do that?!"
"Calm down, Smellerbee," the leader, Jet apparently, said with clearly forced calmness of his own, "So she has some tricks, it doesn't matter, we just do this the hard way. Get her!"
At that, the Freedom Fighters while at first exchanging nervous looks at their leader's order, firmed their expressions before charging with yells, with Mandy simply sighing in annoyance before she stared to move in a blur, steadily and easily dodging attacks while cutting down her enemies one by one.
Much to the growing rage of their leader Jet, "Jet, we need to fall back!" He then turned to look at Smellerbee in disbelief, while the boy with the bow and arrow Longshot stepped up to their side, "She's just one mercenary!" Jet exclaimed in frustration.
"Who's killing our people out there!" Smellerbee snapped back, "I don't know who she is, but she's too strong for us to beat!"
"We don't give up to mercenary scum!" Jet snarled, finally hitting his breaking point and charging Mandy himself.
"JET!" Smellerbee called out worriedly, but the Freedom Fighter paid her voice no heed as he lunged forward, with Mandy blocking his swords with her staff, staring with boredom as he glared into her eyes, "I don't know who you are.."
Jet snarled, "But you'll regret setting foot in my country." He promised, with Mandy just arching a brow, "I highly doubt it," she said, before kicking him in the stomach as she lurched back, then swung her scythe blade down.
CLANG
Only for the blade to be intercepted by a sword being wielded by Smellerbee, who managed to force it aside and make it hit the ground next to Jet instead.
Mandy glared at the other girl, who glared back at her. Before Mandy could react though, Longshot ran over and swung his bow at her like a club, forcing her to dodge back to avoid being hit in the head.
"Honestly, what are you hoping to accomplish here?" Mandy asked them with obvious annoyance as Jet and Smellerbee lunged forward with their blades, while Longshot started to fire arrows at her.
Without changing her stoic expression, she spun her scythe to cut the arrows out of the air, before blocking the blades with the scythe's staff.
"We're going to eliminate you, just like every other piece of mercenary filth that's aiding the rebels, and then crush them too!" Jet spat at her, pressing his blades harder against the staff.
"You know the Justice League is back there fighting the armies and mercenaries, right? Seems like they're doing your job for you," Mandy said, shoving back hard enough to knock both Freedom Fighters off their feet. Then quickly swung her scythe to knock aside several arrows Longshot fired at her as Jet growl on the ground, "Then that just means you and your northern masters' days are numbered," the Freedom Fighter said as he got into a crouch, "The Queen is close to Wonder Woman, perhaps she'll give you some Amazon justice!" He exclaimed leaping toward Mandy, while the remaining other Freedom Fighters regrouped, watching the trio confront her, waiting for a chance to attack again themselves.
"Ooh, I'm so scared," Mandy said with sarcasm thick enough to cut with a knife, barely having to move a step at a time to keep blocking sword blows and deflect arrows, "What are they going to do, make me listen to lectures on how all men are evil? I'm already misanthropic, I hate all genders equally."
"Very funny. Let's see if you're still laughing when you're being led to the gallows!" Smellerbee growled, her own irritation at Mandy starting to match Jet's. She lunged at the blonde, only for Mandy to effortlessly dodge the attack and bring her knee up into Smellerbee's stomach. As she gasped for breath in response, Mandy grabbed her by the hair and threw her at Longshot, knocking them both to the ground.
Seeing this, the other Freedom Fighters decided now was the time to move, so as their leader jumped back away from Mandy, those with guns quickly raised their weapons and opened fire, only for Mandy to start spinning her scythe, which begun to glow right in front of her at high speeds in response.
To the Freedom Fighters' surprise, this caused a glowing whirlwind to emerge out from the center of the spinning scythe, which shot out towards the Freedom Fighters. It swept up all the bullets before they could hit Mandy, then snatched up the Freedom Fighters themselves, who were left screaming and spinning in the wind, powerless to escape it.
As Mandy stopped spinning the scythe, the whirlwind disconnected from it and spun off on its own, carrying the captive Freedom Fighters with it. Soon enough, they disappeared into the distance, leaving only Jet, Smellerbee, and Longshot in the clearing with Mandy.
"That's... IT!" Naturally, as soon as he got over his shock, Jet's rage took hold as he started to swing his hook swords wildly at Mandy, "I'M GOING TO TAKE YOUR FUCKING HEAD FOR THAT YOU NORTHERN DOG BITCH!" He roared out madly.
Expression still as flat as it had been for the entire fight, Mandy effortlessly blocked Jet's mindless attacks. Quickly getting bored with this, she shifted her scythe so that the hooks of Jet's blades caught on the staff, and then before Jet could even try to tug them free, she swung the scythe hard enough to yank the swords out of Jet's hands and send them flying out into the foliage.
BAM
Then she punched him in the face, knocking him on his ass.
"Urg... fuckin'..." He groaned out, only to be cut off by Mandy, "I'd choose your next words carefully." She said flatly, as the next thing Jet knew her scythe blade was pressed against his neck as she pressed her foot down hard against his chest, causing him to wheeze out as he glared up at her.
"I should just kill you for wasting my time like this," Mandy stated stoically as she stared coldly into his eyes, "But as pathetic as you are, as a native to this backwater you might have some information that could be useful."
"Fuck you! I'll never do anything to help those rebel scum!" he snarled up at her.
"Screw those idiots," Mandy said, causing all three Freedom Fighters to blink at her in surprise, "I'm only in this godforsaken country because there's something here I want. The rebels were just a convenient way to get close to it."
That caused Jet to stare up at her in shock before scowling angrily, "So my county, my people's suffering, is just a means to a end to you!?" He exclaimed angrily, glaring up at her.
"Obviously," Mandy stated with obvious boredom, "And if you're done acting like idiot, why don't you do one smart thing by telling me anything and everything I want to know."
"I'm not telling you anything!" Jet snarled.
"No? How about you two?" Mandy asked, looking to Smellerbee and Longshot while pressing the blade further against Jet's throat, "You willing to let your friend die rather than giving me information I need that won't even affect you?"
Jet scowled up her at before calling out to the others, "Don't tell her anything guys!" He called out to a scowling Longshot and glaring growling Smellerbee before the latter gave a sigh, "What do you even want to know?"
The female Freedom Fighter asked as Mandy gave a small smirk, "NO!" Jet yelled, before Mandy pressed her scythe blade against his neck.
"I'm looking for something," She explained, looking evenly to Longshot and Smellerbee, "And I think it's only fair you help me find it after wasting my time like this," She said, before adding with narrow eyes, "Starting with if you know of any location in this backwater that seems particularly ancient or out of place."
Smellerbee blinked at that, then frowned in thought.
"There's a cave, up in the mountains," she said after a moment, pointing in the direction of some nearby mountains, "The interior's carved like some kind of temple, but no one knows who made it. And urban legend is that people who go too far into it don't come back."
"Hmm, sounds about right according to the directions I found," Mandy mused.
At that statement, Mandy pulled back her scythe and lifted her foot up from Jet's chest, and as he sat up rubbing his chest while glaring at her she spoke in her signature monotone, "Be thankful I have more pressing priorities than putting down a bunch of kids playing pretend."
She said as she started to walk off, casually dismissing them and ignoring their dark glares.
"Fucking bitch," Jet snarled, preparing to jump after her, only for Longshot to grab his shoulder and hold him in place.
"Forget about her. Let's just find the others and start tending to our wounded," Smellerbee said. Jet scowled, but huffed and got back to his feet.
"Fine," he said, before giving her a dark look, "And then we can discuss you giving helpful information to the enemy."
Smellerbee flinched back at this before shouting back defensively, "She had a blade to your neck, Jet!" She said defensively and bit angrily, "Plus, you heard what she said," she clenched her fists, "She doesn't even care about the war, so once she gets what she wants she'll leave!"
"She was probably lying!" Jet snapped, "And even if she wasn't, what, we're supposed to just let her get away with everything she's done to help those rebel scum?"
"All I'm saying, we should be focusing on the people who are actually a long-term problem, instead of someone who doesn't actually plan to stick around!" Smellerbee retorted.
Jet at that gave a growl, but refused to acknowledge Smellerbee's point, "No, what we should be doing is showing those northern dogs the price for their treason and bringing war to Kaznia!" Jet snapped back, glaring at her, "And putting every one of their mercenary attack dogs to the axe is a good way to start, if you ask me."
Smellerbee grit her teeth at how stubbornly her leader was treating this situation, but before she could snap at him, Longshot put a hand on her shoulder. She met his steady gaze, and after a few moments of silent communication between them, she huffed in annoyance and looked away from both of them.
"Let's just go find the others and regroup," she muttered. Jet scowled at her giving orders, but just nodded and started leading the others away, in the direction of where Mandy's mystical whirlwind had carried their comrades.
"I swear, I'll make that bitch pay for this..." He muttered darkly, ignoring the others' concerned looks to his back, with the trio unaware of the spying eyes on them.
"Hmm, seems that arrogant wretch has some bite to her," Mused a hidden Valeena before she gave a dark smirk, "Fortunately, I'm a little more dangerous than a gaggle of pitiful children," She stated with a low creepy giggle as she moved to follow after Mandy.
Unbeknownst to the witch, however, she wasn't the only one who had been keeping tabs on the situation. Perched in a tree nearby, hidden among its foliage, were Tak and Mimi, with their respective human and cat hologram disguises activated.
While Blue Face was the one in charge of the overt mission in this country, Lothor had dispatched Tak on a more discrete one, namely to keep an eye on Mandy and determine what she was really up to. And while he'd said he trusted her with this because he didn't think his minions could handle it (which was fair, since Zurgane was the only halfway competent one), she'd still rankled at it, seeing such a simplistic mission as spying on some worthless mercenary beneath her.
Having seen Mandy in action, though, she was starting to think that this might be worth her while after all.
"That human might actually be a potential threat, or maybe an asset if we get ahold of her," she mused, before glancing at the retreating Freedom Fighters, "Though speaking of possible assets... Mimi, follow that lot. Once we're done here, we might want to consider grabbing one or more of them for interrogation - I didn't bother examining this region closely last time around, and any information would be outdated anyway. Having a local to pump for answers could be useful."
Mimi gave a salute, then zoomed off after the Freedom Fighters. Tak watched her go, then turned and left as well, trailing Mandy.
Just missing a new form that arrived at where Mandy's scuffle with the Freedom Fighters took place, "Hmm..." the figure bent low, picked up some dirt, sniffing it before looking at some of the surrounding battle damage.
"Looks like I missed some fun," Said the bloodthirsty figure of Sabretooth with a dark grin, "Guess I should show someone why it's a bad idea not to invite me to the party~" the man said with a dark low laugh before sniffing the air and moving to follow one of the scent trails.
He'd been having fun since he'd started interfering in this war, but he had a feeling that he was about to take things to a whole other level~
(Back at the royal palace)
"GRAAHHH!" Wonder Woman yelled as she blocked a blow from the Formless monster with Audrey's face with her bracers, the strength of the attack still managing to send her flying into a wall, which cracked under the impact.
"You should have taken my offer, Diana.." the monster said with Audrey's face, "Because then you could be warming my bed instead of being devoured alive," it said with a cruel laugh as Diana shot her a glare.
"I'd sooner kiss Hades, abomination!" she hissed out angrily in disgust, causing the monster to roar out.
"SCCCCCCRRRRRRREEEEEEE!!"
And launch its spider-like body forward, with Diana narrowly dodging as its lower body spider legs stabbed right through the wall behind her with a roll, but the Formless wasted no time in lurching her legs free and pouncing on top of Diana.
With a grunt, Diana caught the Formless' spider legs before they could impale her. She then yelled out and used that grip to throw the monster at the door, shattering it and leaving the Formless to tumble down the hallway.
However, by the time Diana got back to her feet, she saw to her frustration that it was already getting back up and rushing back towards her.
"Surrender to Skeleton King or become my next meal, Diana!" It screeched, glaring at her as Diana entered a battle ready stance, knowing with Audrey nearby it was too risky to battle here, especially in such an enclosed space. She had to lure the creature away.
"Why don't you make me!" she called out challengingly.
"SCCCCCCRRRRRRREEEEEEE!!!!" the Formless shrieked, lunging at Diana again. In response, she ran forward to meet it, only to suddenly jump up at the last moment, sailing over it while dropping her lasso to wrap around its neck. As she hit the floor, she pulled the rope taught, snapping the monster's head back; this didn't do enough damage to kill it, but caused it to come up short in its charge.
Before the Formless could recover, Diana gave a yell and swung the rope around, sending the Formless flying back down the hallway. And as it hit the floor, she charged again before it could get back, determined to drive it further away from the room still containing the real Audrey.
"DIANA BE CAREFUL!" The yell from the real Audrey chained to the wall only fueling her desire to get the creature away from her friend, as she in a flying tackle sent it hurling out of the room and through the wall into the hallway, missing Audrey's longing moan, "Oh... Diana~" As seeing the princess' strength and her determination to protect, well to say it got her wet and eager to give Diana a hero's "reward" later was an understatement.
But Diana, clueless to this, was currently punching away at the screeching form of the Formless, trying to exploit an opening while she had it. Unfortunately, no matter what she did, nothing seemed to do any serious damage; the Formless' body just deformed around her blows and then reformed.
"You can't win! The Skeleton King's power is absolute!" the Formless laughed.
"Your king..." Wonder Woman grit her teeth, glaring at the monstrosity, easily realizing this creature was certainly stronger than the foot soldiers that had attacked Jump City from remembering the Titans' reports, but knew it like anything else wasn't invincible, "Is no different than any other petty tyrant!"
she snapped, throwing her strongest punch straight to the monster wearing her friend's face, succeeding in launching it flying back.
"SCREEE!!!" the beast snarled through its deformed face, though before it could do anything else, Diana threw herself forward with her hands clasped, which she brought down on the top of its head. The impact slammed its head down onto the floor, cracking the cobblestones and reducing half its head to ooze.
With Wonder Woman then breathing for several moments, watching as the creature's form went still, before turning away to make her way back Audrey, not noticing as the creature's form started to ripple, only freezing as she heard a screech fill the air again.
"SCREEEEEEEE!"
She spun around, just in time to see the Formless lose what semblance it still had to Audrey, its head and torso split apart into a mound of tentacles and a massive maw lined with countless teeth. With another shriek, it launched itself at her.
With Wonder Woman quickly dodging to the right of its lunge as fast as she could, while attempting to launch a kick toward its side, only to find one of its tentacles grabbing and wrapping around her leg.
She had barely a moment to curse before she was slammed against one wall, then the opposite one, then back and forth several times, and then finally flung down the hall. As she collapsed into a seemingly limp heap, the Formless lunged at her, maw wide and ready to devour her-
WHAM
When she suddenly popped up, holding a large piece of concrete torn out of the floor, and bashed the Formless in the face with it, knocking out several of its teeth.
WHAM
WHAM
And she wasted no time in continuing to use the large piece of debris as a blunt weapon against this monster. Soon, she had not just driven it back, but knocked it onto its back, its entire upper body reduced to oozy mush. Having learned her lesson, however, Diana didn't stop her attacks, continuing to keep hitting any part of the Formless that was still in any way still solid.
Before long, the Formless had been reduced to a large puddle, but it was only after a few minutes of watching to make sure that it didn't reform again that a panting Diana let herself droop with weariness, dropping the debris to the floor.
But she only let herself relax for a moment. Reminding herself why she was here, Diana composed herself and ran back towards the room where Audrey was still a prisoner.
"Audrey!" She exclaimed as she ran to her friend's side, "Oh Diana..." Audrey stared at her with an expression of relief and concern, "I... I... knew you would come for me," The Queen cracked out as Wonder Woman frowned, "It's going to be okay..."
She told her friend as she reached up to break the chains binding her to the wall, "I'm getting you out of here and stopping this madness," She said determinedly, while gently taking Audrey into her arms and helping her stand after breaking her free, "Now let's- mfff!"
However, her next words were cut off and her eyes went wide as she found Audrey desperately and hungrily kissing her.
Diana was too shocked to react at first. Audrey was a good friend, but that was all the Amazon had ever viewed her as, so this was not something she'd expected from her.
Admittedly, she was a beautiful woman, Diana wasn't blind to that. And this felt so good...
No! Whatever this was, now wasn't the time for it! They still had to deal with Skeleton King and stop the war, not to mention the fact that least they both forget, the corpse of Audrey's father was still rotting right there in the room with them!
"Audrey..." So with a gasp, she broke the kiss while gently pushing Audrey back while taking her by her arms, "This isn't the time for this!"
"I, wha?" Audrey stammered, too out of it from how good the kissing had felt, and how horny she'd been from the anticipation before it, to be able to form a coherent sentence.
"We need to deal with the monsters who did all this, and stop the war while we still can!" Diana said firmly, "We can deal with... whatever this is, later!"
Audrey nearly let her annoyance at that statement show, mentally kicking herself for jumping the gun when she knew her master wanted the League to achieve a false victory before anything else, but quickly composed herself so that she could keep playing along.
"Ah, yes, you're right of course..." She said, looking away with false shame, "It's just with everything that's happened..." She glanced at the corpse that was her useless piece of shit father, "I'm...I've not been in the best place...and seeing you... overwhelmed me," She explained, putting as much remorse as she could into her tone.
"I understand," Diana said as comfortingly as she could, gently taking Audrey's shoulder and guiding her away from her father's remains and towards the door, "Now come, I know a safe place you can hide while I deal with Skeleton King and his minions. Then we can worry about the war."
"Ah yes, I trust you Diana," Audrey said, giving a nod before adding with a frown, "On the way, you can tell just what exactly that monster has done to my kingdom and people."
"Of course, let's go," Diana said, taking Audrey's hand and leading her down the hallway.
All the while, the heroine was unaware that they were being remotely watched by the monster in question.
"Hehehe, all according to plan~" Skeleton King hissed out, watching a mystically conjured scrying spell window as he sat in the throne room, "Now, just need to continue the performance, and I'll have Kaznia under my rule~"
"We are ready to act on your command, master," Mandarin stated from where he, Hak Foo, Dastardly and Muttley were standing nearby. Tao was still unconscious, and Bane appeared to have gone into shock from sudden Venom withdrawal, leaving them both out of commission.
"Excellent, then let us give a performance to remember," Skeleton King said, standing up from the throne, "Remember, those meddlesome heroes can not suspect even the slightest thing off."
He stated as he strode to them, "And..." his gaze went over to Dastardly and Muttley, "I trust I need not remind any of you the price of breaking your silence on this plan."
He said with his eyes giving off a brief menacing glow, while his gaze was piercing through Dastardly and Muttley.
"Gulp... no, Your Majesty, you don't," Dastardly said, swallowing nervously while Muttley shivered next to him.
Honestly, the two were old hands in the criminal underworld and used to working with all kinds of scum and dangerous individuals, but something about this thing chilled them to the bone, and they had no desire to experience his wrath toward someone that had betrayed him first hand.
"Excellent~" Skeleton King hissed out with a dark chuckle, "Then play your parts well and your mouths shut, and you might yet have more than riches to look forward to as your reward," Skeleton King said, while turning his attention to Tao and Bane.
Honestly, he wasn't sure if he should even bother reviving them to fight again, or just leave them as they were. He did want Wonder Woman to win, after all, and besides which these two had failed, so should he even give them a second chance?
After some contemplating, a dark smirk crossed his bony face. He might want Wonder Woman to win, but that didn't mean he had to make it easy for her; besides, this was a war, and what's the point of war if you don't have a little fun with it? He thought as his gaze focused in on Bane. Not to mention, this was an excellent time to experiment a bit, he thought as he raised his staff over the mercenary figure, "You are strong, Bane..."
He hissed out to the leader of Santa Prisca, though in his current state the man hardly seemed to hear, "But at the same time, you are ever so weak!" He hissed out, slamming his staff hard enough on the ground to crack it, with Bane's shaking form actually raising his head to give a vacant stare, "Dependent on that poisonous drug, that Venom, for your might!"
Skeleton King looked down at the figure, well aware that this was one of Batman's deadliest enemies, but at the same time his mind went back to the potential future that awaited him from remembering a certain episode of Batman Beyond, where he was little more than a vegetable bound to a wheelchair and life support through all his years of overusing Venom. He couldn't help but see such a waste of potential.
"You've become as addicted to it as you have your strength," Skeleton King said with a dark laugh, "but it's clear your Venom lacks the bite to vanquish your enemies like the Dark Knight and his allies."
He observed, and as he looked down at Bane, he swore he could see awareness return a bit to the man's gaze, "How fortunate for you..."
Skeleton King's body began to glow with evil energy, "I have the means to make your Venom, and by extension yourself, deadlier than ever!" He cackled out, his body glowing and sparking with purple energy as he found himself curious at what would happen if he enhanced the strength-enhancing drugs using the power of the Pit of Ooze.
Bane, seemingly close to full consciousness again, grunted wordlessly. Taking this as consent, Skeleton King thrust his staff in the fallen criminal's direction, firing a beam of dark magic at him.
As the evil energy washed over Bane, his Venom delivery tubes repaired and reattached themselves, the drug starting to flow into his body again. But this time, it was glowing a dark purple, and as it spread throughout his system, his veins started popping out, glowing through the skin.
"RRRAAAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!" Bane screamed triumphantly as he got back to his feet, eyes glowing through his mask.
"Hehehe, yes... YES!" Skeleton King threw his head back with a dark cackle, "You are reborn, Bane, mightier than before!" He declared grandly with a dark grin toward the lumbering form of the mercenary.
While behind him, Dastardly and Muttley found themselves cowering at the scene, unsure which scared them more, Skeleton King or Bane. Hak Foo was looking at the form of the newly enhanced warrior with a glint in his eye, seeing a foe he could test himself against later, and Mandarin simply smirked at his master's power.
"Now, it's time to to put your new power to the test," Skeleton King hissed out with a dark grin, "By crushing those meddling heroes and every last one of those fools from the northern tribes!
"Yes, Your Majesty! Bane shall destroy them all in your name!" Bane roared, voice echoing from the raw power now running through his body.
"Hehe, then go get started, and massacre anyone that tries to stop you!" Skeleton King ordered, pointing to the throne room door, causing Bane to roar out as he took a running charge.
BOOM
Straight through the doors and a number of walls behind them with bloodthirsty eagerness, heading to the battlefield, "Now... as for you," Skeleton King said, looking down to Mercenary Tao's form, "It'll be a waste to remove you from the board too early... but how to best use you?"
He wondered out loud, rubbing his chin in thought as the others in the throne room exchanged looks.
"If I may offer a suggestion, master," Hak Foo spoke up, "Arrogant though he may be, he is a mighty warrior through sheer willpower and training. I doubt he needs much enhancement other than merely having the damage done to him healed."
"Hmm, true, not every piece on the board need be upgraded," Skeleton King agreed with a nod... at least not yet, he thought, his mind going to Tao's canon cybernetic upgrades from Dragon Ball, "Very well, a bit of healing and second chance it is, then."
He stated as he shot mystical energy into Tao, healing him and causing the mercenary to awaken with a gasp, "And while the others are handling the Amazon and the war effort, I believe I have a different task in mind for you, Tao."
Skeleton King said with a smirk, recalling the mission he gave Valeena. Perhaps a little added insurance there would be wise; after all, any variation of Mandy was not an opponent to take lightly, never mind the chances of other parties interfering with Mandy's goal in Kaznia like he was.
Tao scowled as he heard that, not liking the idea of passing up on settling the score with that Scottish brute. However, a quick look at his employer's face made it very clear that this wasn't a request.
"As you command, Your Majesty," he said with a bow to hide his disgruntled bow.
"Oh, don't be like that, Tao," Skeleton King said with an amused chuckle, "You're being paid well for your time, and besides..." he gave a smirk as Tao stood up, "you might yet enjoy this particular assignment."
He said as Tao arched a brow, "Tell me, how familiar are you with the young mercenary the Northerners hired, by the name of Mandy?" Skeleton King hissed out, actually finding himself curious at the answer.
"That blonde wretch?" Tao spat, "She's an overgrown brat playing at being a mercenary while she pursues her petty desires. She's a disgrace to this entire way of life!"
"Then how would you like to get one over on her and ruin her day?" Skeleton King hissed out, with Tao's anger turning to intrigue as Skeleton King explained how the brat's contract with the northern tribes was merely a cover and means to an end, as she was apparently looking for something located in the kingdom. What, Skeleton King wasn't sure, but he knew it was likely potentially useful for his own agenda, which is why he assigned a servant of his, a witch by the name of Valeena, to tail her and when the time was right retrieve Mandy's prize for her master.
And as he listened, a dark smirk crossed Mercenary Tao's face, "And you want me to attend to this task as additional insurance." He surmised, before giving a bloodthirsty grin and chuckle, "It would be my pleasure~"
He told the alien warlord truthfully. A chance to put that brat in her place while being paid for it at that sounded like a good day to him.
"Excellent," Skeleton King said pleased, "I'll contact Valeena to let her know she'll be receiving additional aid," He said, before glancing over to the others in the room, "While the rest of you remember your tasks, I trust?"
"Yes, my lord," Mandarin replied, "We shall continue to fight the Amazon, just long enough so that she doesn't get suspicious when we eventually fall back."
"We will then withdraw from the palace and create the illusion that we have fled the kingdom," Hak Foo continued.
"And then we'll hide out while she and the rest of the League deal with the rebels and Lothor's forces," Dastardly finished.
"Excellent, now go... and don't fail me," Skeleton King ordered, internally feeling quite pleased at a plan coming together. It seemed not even a month into this new life of his and he'll be taking control of a entire country in one fell swoop.
"Yes, master!" they all replied before leaving to fulfill their orders, Tao exiting through the doors that Bane had knocked down and the others running off to find Wonder Woman.
"Ah, the joys of being a warlord and a plan coming together," Skeleton King mused aloud as he honestly felt quite proud of himself due to the fact that his first by all means diabolical scheme could be called success, "Now just need to keep an eye on things and make sure they play out as I desire."
He mused, and then he can focus on the matter of Gravity Falls, Bill Cipher, as well as... other matters he thought, as the throne room filled with a dark chilling cackle.
(Elsewhere in the castle)
"You should be safe here, Audrey," Diana told her friend as she led her into the secret chamber where she had left Megara and the unconscious Scotsman, both of whom were waiting when they arrived, though Wonder Woman frowned in concern realizing the latter was still unconscious.
"Your Majesty! Thank God you're alright!" Megara said, running over and forcing herself to show concern for the brat who would soon be licking her cunt on a regular basis.
"You can thank Diana, actually," Audrey said smugly, resisting the urge to glare at the upstart servant who thought she had more of their master's favor than her.
"Yes, thank you, Wonder Woman," Megara said, stepping up to the heroine and taking her hand, "You really are a true hero," she said, giving the Amazon her best smile while staring into her eyes, "If there's anything I can do to help you or repay you for everything you've done, just let me know."
She said as earnestly as possible, but found herself unable to resist these next words, "And I mean anything~" she added with a faint smirk and wink.
Diana's eyebrows shot up, a slight blush on her face as she got Megara's meaning. And being so distracted by it, she didn't notice Audrey's glare at the purple-clad servant.
How dare this slut?! Diana belonged to her and the master, she was far too divine for some worthless whore like this to even look upon! It seemed that this upstart whore needed to be reminded of her proper place, she thought, before focusing on the sound of her love speaking.
"That, ah... coff, won't be necessary," Diana said gently as she could, while Audrey gave a small smirk at the whore being turned down, "Listen..."
Wonder Woman gave the two a concerned look, "While I'd prefer to evacuate you two and Scotsman, the current situation has time of the essence," She explained, shaking her head with a slight frown, wishing she could get them to safety, but with Kaznia being a war zone and the presence of Skeleton King and Lothor's forces, she'd only make them a target if she tried, "So, I need you two to stay here and look after Scotsman."
Wonder Woman told them, with Audrey giving a nod and smiling at her, "But of course, Diana," The Queen said, looking into her eyes, "Rest assured, your friend is in good hands, just like my kingdom is with your own."
She said as Wonder Woman gave her a nod of thanks, "Though with the big guy out of commission, don't suppose you'll be calling in backup?" Megara asked, gesturing over to Scotsman's form as she fished for information that Skeleton King would like to know.
Diana shook her head.
"The rest of my team is already trying to handle the situation at the front lines, and it will take too long for more backup to arrive," she said, "I'll have to handle them on my own."
Skeleton King's two servants both digested that information, acknowledging that no more outside interference would be occurring, before either spoke up.
"Just please be careful," Audrey said, taking Diana's hands and looking at her longingly.
A look that caused Diana to flush as she remembered the earlier kiss, and even the comments her enemies had made about rumors floating around concerning her and Audrey's relationship, "Don't worry."
She smiled at Audrey, doing her best to put her friend's mind at ease, "It'll take more than a war zone and warlords to send me to Hades' realm," she said firmly as she stepped back, "Now the two of you keep safe, I promise I'll return soon."
she told them before hurriedly flying out of the room, intent and determined to save Kaznia from the war and tyrants threatening it, with silence standing for several moments after she left.
"Finally, she's gone," Meg huffed out, crossing her arms, "I was getting sick of playing the part of worried servant," she said, looking over at Audrey who shot her an annoyed look, "And since we're alone with the big guy out of it, I think it's time to have some fun~" she added with a slight smirk.
"The only 'fun' I have will be with Diana and the master, not some up-jumped whore," Audrey scoffed.
"Do you think you're still in charge?" Meg sneered, "You're only being kept around to be propped up as a figurehead for me to rule through, and because Skeleton King apparently thinks your airheaded ass is worth sticking his cock in."
This caused Audrey to let out an indignant gasp while Meg added on with a slight amused leer, "Then again, being a bedwarmer was pretty much all you were ever good for~" she said, her eyes roaming over Audrey's body, 'You... you... INSOLENT LITTLE BIAH!"
SMACK
The Queen started to scream out her rage toward the whore's insult as she stomped over, only for Meg to move quick enough to take her by surprise as she slapped her hard in the face, knocking her to her knees, and the next thing she knew her hair was being grabbed at.
"Lets make this clear," Meg said, pulling the royal bitch's head up by her hair to glare down into her eyes, "While you've lived a pampered life on daddy's credit card and now Skeleton King's cock, I've had to fight to earn everything I have in life, instead of being handed it on a silver platter."
she spat out, glaring into the Queen's eyes, not voicing the recent exception of Skeleton King offering her power and Kaznia, "The only use you have to Skeleton King, or anyone for that matter, is your ties with that Amazon bimbo, being a royal figurehead for this country, and a sex toy, so I suggest you accept the new pecking order!"
Meg snapped, throwing Audrey against the wall with crossed arms, "Or I'll show you personally how I got as high in Intergang's ranks as I have."
Audrey grit her teeth as she pushed herself back up to her feet, glaring at the impudent whore. She'd love to wipe that smug look right off of her face... but sadly, she had to admit that she didn't actually know how to fight, while Meg obviously did. So, that wouldn't end well for her.
Fine, let this upstart bitch have her temporary victory. Audrey would enjoy having Diana crush her like a bug when the time came.
"Glad to see you know when to quit," Meg laughed as she saw the resignation in Audrey's face, "Now, be a good little slut and take those clothes off. You won't be needing them for a while."
Audrey glared hatefully at the whore before sighing with resignation, "As you wish..." And at Meg's arched brow, she practically spat out the last word, "Mistress!' Much to Megara's amusement as she took a seat on a nearby crate, watching as she gave a lick of her lips as the royal brat's clothes dropped to the floor, revealing her naked body.
"Very nice~" Meg said with a laugh as she pulled her own toga dress up, "Now, why don't you be a good royal bitch and eat out the new Queen of Kaznia~" she ordered smugly.
Audrey growled, but started to walk over to comply, only to stop as Meg spoke up again.
"Uh-uh, pets don't walk on two legs, they crawl on all fours," she scolded playfully. Audrey glared at her, but grumbling, she lowered herself onto her hands and knees and crawled the rest of the way over to Meg. Reaching her, she hesitated for a moment, before sighing and leaning in to start licking the whore's pussy.
"Oooh, not bad~ But you can do better than that," Meg laughed, before grabbing the back of Audrey's head and forcing the royal bitch further against her snatch. With Audrey giving off a muffled protest, but ultimately gave in reluctantly while Meg moaned out.
"That's the stuff, you really were born to be a pet bitch~" Meg said, loving the feel of the royal brat eating her out almost as much as the powerful thrill she got out of it, honestly. Audrey as her bitch, a country in the palm of her hand, and a potential power upgrade; the more she thought about it, the more she realized that it coming at the price of sharing the bed (likely soon to be literally, considering what she'd seen of his sexual appetite and the way he eyed her) of some undead skeleton warlord seemed more and more like a bargain, "Hmm, can't wait to see if that Amazon will be as obedient as you are once Skeleton King breaks her in~"
she added with a smirk, feeling a tingle at the potential of having one of the world's most beloved and popular heroines as her bitch toy too.
Audrey growled at the thought of Diana touching this worthless trash slut, but forced herself to calm down. Surely, her master wouldn't be so cruel as to let that happen, so let this whore fantasize all that she wanted, nothing would come of it.
Though as she thought this, her head was shoved deeper into Megara's snatch, "Lick harder, ah, slave~" The woman moaned out, with Audrey while swearing vengeance would come later, complied with the two soon lost to pleasure and each other's bodies, while the form of Scotsman slumbered deeply against the wall.
(Elsewhere in the palace)
While Wonder Woman unknowingly left Audrey at Megara's tender mercies, the Amazon warrior was flying deeper inside the castle with the intention of finding one of the main sources of this current crisis, Skeleton King. The mere thought of that monster, and what he had done to Kaznia, Scotsman, and Audrey, caused her teeth to grit in anger as she swore she'd make that thing regret everything he did.
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Though as she thought this, she found herself hit by a surprise attack in the form of Mandarin's Monkey Mind Scream taking her out of the air and by surprise.
She hit the ground hard, but quickly managed to roll back to her feet. Unfortunately, before she could reorient herself further than that, Hak Foo suddenly charged her from out of nowhere.
"Bull gores toreador!" he yelled, slashing his hands and their razor-sharp nails at Diana's face and throat, only for her to grab his wrists and use his own momentum to turn and throw him down the hallway.
"So, is your master suddenly too scared to confront me himself!?" She demanded, glaring over at the form of Mandarin as he landed in a crouch in front of her, "Ah, if you miss my lord's presence that much, I'm sure he'll be willing to entertain you and that royal brat as long as you desire."
He chuckled out as Diana made an expression that was a mixture of disgust and fury, but before she could say anything she found her side blasted at by an arriving squadron of Formless and Rotters.
"Hit her with everything! She's strong enough to survive it!" Dastardly commanded from further down the hall, more Rotters swarming past him.
Snarling in frustration, Diana crossed her arms, allowing her bracers to deflect the numerous energy attacks being fired at her. Once one of the Rotters was close enough, however, she lashed out to punch it through its head, before grabbing its body and throwing it at her other attackers like a missile, scattering the Rotters like bowling pins and splattering the Formless.
Only to find a screeching Mandarin pouncing at her head in the next instant, "Surrender, you fool, and my lord might yet show mercy!" He snapped, gripping his tail around Wonder Woman's neck, determined to make this performance as convincing as possible as per his master's order.
"N-never!" Snapped Wonder Woman, managing to grab Mandarin's tail and fling him off of her, "The only ones that should surrender are you and your master!"
"Hoohoohahaha!" Mandarin laughed as he landed on his feet, "More powerful foes than you have tried to make Lord Skeleton King yield, and all have failed! Just as you shall!"
"Elephant charge!" Hak Foo yelled, running back down the hall, fists extended in front of him. Diana managed to dodge this attack, but then barely managed to do the same with a swing of Mandarin's energy blade as he leapt up into her path.
She gritted her teeth, knowing that this fight was currently not in her favor, but on her pride as a Amazon, in the name of all of Skeleton King's victims (the image of Audrey's despair as she gazed at the corpse of her father) she would not fall!
"Hera give me strength!" She yelled, lunging forward, dodging a sword stab from Mandarin before kicking his form off into the hallway where he hit Dastardly.
WHAM
Mandarin slammed into the criminal's face hard enough to send him flying into the wall, leaving them both to collapse into a heap on the floor. Diana barely had enough time to appreciate that, before Hak Foo was swinging at her repeatedly, yelling about praying mantises.
As they fought, Mandarin scrambled back to his feet, shaking his head to clear it. Glaring at the fight, he turned to scowl at where Dastardly was woozily getting back up as well.
"Do you have anything stronger than these Rotters?" he demanded.
"Stop that pigeon..." Dastardly responded in a slurred drawl, before his eyes rolled up in his head and he collapsed. Mandarin blinked at that, staring at the now clearly unconscious Dastardly, before growling in frustration.
"Another worthless human! I'll handle this myself!" he snarled, before running off to charge back into the fray, while Muttley grabbed his knocked out partner and started dragging him away.
"Giant crushes Jack!" Hak Foo screamed, slamming his fists downward, attempting to crush Wonder Woman, only for her to dodge by flying up, "Crocodile bites zebra!" With Hak Foo then lunging up himself, managing to grab her by the leg and swing her toward a column.
BOOM
However, Wonder Woman grit her teeth through the pain and managed to lash out with her free leg, kicking Hak Foo straight in the chin, causing him to let go of her, taking several steps back with a dark growl as she hovered in mid air, "Fierce tiger butchers gazelle!" Hak Foo yelled, launching out in a flying tackle only for Wonder Woman to drop to the ground and to meet Mandarin in the air while the monkey attempted to tackle Wonder Woman from behind.
"UFF!" With both of them landing on the ground, with Mandarin snarling out beneath Hak Foo, "Am I surrounded by morons!?" The monkey screeched out, "Yes." only to blink and look up where he saw the sight of Wonder Woman's boot kicking him straight in the face.
While this disoriented Mandarin, Hak Foo tried to get up and attack, only for Diana to bring her clasped hands down on the back of his head as hard as she could. This had the added benefit of driving him back down onto Mandarin, crushing the evil monkey under his bulk again.
And then to Diana's surprise and confusion, Hak Foo vanished in a burst of dark smoke, leaving just a groaning Mandarin on the cracked floor.
"What?" she exclaimed, before shaking her head, deciding that it didn't matter how it had happened, she was just glad that was one less enemy to deal with.
Which left... she then glared over to the groaning Mandarin before slamming her foot on top of him, "Talk!" she hissed out with narrowed eyes. Interrogation might be more Batman's specialty than hers, but she could still put her best foot forward, "Where is your master and his base of operations?"
she said, pressing her foot down harder onto Mandarin's back.
"I'll tell you nothing," Mandarin hissed, then cried out as Diana stomped him again.
"Talk, or I'll-"
"Do what? Kill me? Torture me?" Mandarin sneered, "You don't have it in you. If you or your comrades had the strength of will to do such things to your enemies, you'd have done it years ago! You're not going to start now."
Wonder Woman gave a low angry growl, "It's as I said earlier..." Mandarin gave a dark wheezing cackle, "You are not suited for war~" he stated smugly, "Because you lack the will to do what needs to be done to your enemies."
His dark grin widened further, "So make your petty threats, it will do you no good," His eye gleamed as he prepared to make his next move, believing he had put on a good enough performance, "All you're accomplishing is wasting both our time as your comrades fight for their lives~"
"Don't underestimate my teammates," Diana growled, "They'll bring both armies to heel and stop this pointless war you've been exacerbating for your petty ends!"
"You seem to be forgetting about Lothor's forces," Mandarin sneered, "He may be a fool far weaker than my master, but he is still more powerful than any of you, and I doubt his minions fall that far behind him. Are you certain your fellow heroes aren't already dead?"
At that, Wonder Woman pressed hard onto his back, causing him to wheeze out as she gritted her teeth, because as much as she hated to admit it, Lothor's forces were still not only dangerous but also a wildcard they still knew little about, never mind the presence of the Earth side mercenaries that had gotten involved in this conflict... no, as much as she wanted to get answers, she had no time for interrogation, "Then I guess I'll have to make sure you're secured properly until my friends and I can interrogate you properly."
Diana said, reaching down to grab at the back of the monkey's neck, missing the dark gleam in his eye.
With a screech, Mandarin snapped his head around and bit down hard on Wonder Woman's wrist.
"GAH!" Diana screamed in pain. Snarling angrily, she flung her arm through the air, taking Mandarin with it. As he lost his grip and slipped away from her skin, she lashed out with her other fist and slammed it into his face, sending him flying into the nearby wall.
SMASH
Which he burst clear through, leaving a large crumbling hole behind him.
And when Wonder Woman ran over to the hole, the she saw no sign of Mandarin, only hearing his laughter in the distance as he no doubt scurried back to his master, causing her to scowl.
"This isn't over," She vowed, rubbing at her wrist, wanting to pursue the monkey but knew her allies likely needed her, and there was still the forces of another tyrant to deal with. So, she quickly moved to fly out of the palace, not realizing she was being watched.
"Hehe, yes, go to your comrades, Diana," Skeleton King hissed out as he watched her fly off as he stood on one of the castle's balcony towers, "Go and put a end to the war threatening my new kingdom~" He said, before throwing his head off in a dark cackle.
And as the laugh echoed through the castle, Diana flew off towards the battlefield.
(Elsewhere in Kaznia)
As Wonder Woman was flying away from the palace the battlefield was heating up explosively.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
"Doesn't this guy ever get tired!?' Exclaimed out Hawk in frustration while he and Dove ducked behind a piece of debris from the latest explosive onslaught.
"You have to admit his stamina is impressive," Dove said to his side, while a few feet away behind a boulder, Captain Atom attempted to return fire with his own energy blasts.
"Less complimenting the enemy, son, more focusing on bringing him down!" Atom called out as he returned fire.
As before, Atom's blast was intercepted by Combustion Man's, exploding in midair, the smoke clearing soon after to reveal the mercenary still undamaged.
WHAM
And then a high-speed blur rammed into Combustion Man, actually managing to stagger him for a second, before it resolved into White Pantera.
"Tremble in fear, explosion throwing man, for now you face justice at the bronze boots of White Pantera!" The man exclaimed out, taking a pose while the other Leaguers gave a blink.
"He's dramatic, but I'll take what help we can get," Hawk grunted out as the moved out from the debris.
"Quickly, we need to exploit this opening before he recovers!" Captain Atom yelled out, sending a powerful blast of energy where Combustion Man had landed.
Combustion Man managed to dodge to the side and avoid the blast, only to end up right in Pantera's path again, taking another blow. And before he could recover, Hawk and Dove leapt forward and hit him as well, actually causing him to stumble back and grunt in mild pain.
"Hehe, alright, now we're getting somewhere!" Hawk called out with a grin as Pantera kicked Combustion Man's cheek from his right, with the man lurching forward with a pained grunt.
"We need to put him down fast," Dove called out warningly to his brother as they moved in to grab his arms.
"Remember, don't give him a chance to counterattack!" Captain Atom called out, blasting at Combustion Man while Hawk and Dove held him still, before jumping out of the way of the blast that sent Combustion Man flying back.
"Heh, at this rate we'll have this guy and the rest of the war wrapped up," Hawk spoke up arrogantly. However, as if response to his words...
BOOOM!
"AAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGG!" The mystically enhanced form of Bane landed in a crash not far from where Combustion Man was blasted back, roaring.
"What the hell?!" Hawk exclaimed, the heroes stepping back in shock.
"Isn't that one of the government's mercenaries that Señora Wonder Woman and Señor Scotsman were going to deal with?" Pantera asked.
"I'm guessing things didn't go so well down south," Atom said, eyeing the transformed Bane warily.
"Heheahaha, hello ninos~" Hissed out Bane as he clenched his fists with a wild mad grin as he felt the power flow through him, "Bane is here..." He took a stomp forward, "TO BREAK YOU!" He yelled out as he launched himself forward at surprising speed, while forming a crater in the process, and the next thing the heroes knew Bane was grabbing Atom by the face and plowing him down to the ground, before sending Pantera flying back as he swung out with the back of his left hand.
"Bastard!" Hawk snarled, ignoring his brother's warning cry to charge Bane, delivering a strong punch to the side of Bane's head. Unfortunately for him, it did nothing but get Bane's attention.
WHAM
Which resulted in Bane punching him in the chest and sending him flying back to slam into Dove.
"ARG!" Both of them grunted out as they rolled on the ground with a pained ground, "Okay... this guy might be tougher than he looks," Hawk said with a groan, sitting up with his brother.
"And he looks pretty tough as is," Dove added in with a frown as Bane continued to slam Atom repeated into the ground with a laugh.
"Hehahah, this power is exhilarating!" He yelled out, lifting up a groaning Atom by his head as he gave him a dark grin, staring at him with his glowing purple eyes, "With strength like this, I'll be the man who not only broke the bat, but the entire Justice League!" He said with a nasty grin as he started to press both of his hands into Atom's skull, intending to crack it open like an egg.
Whether he was unaware or didn't care about Atom's body being composed of nuclear energy, the brothers were unsure, but knew they had stop him now!
"Stop! If you break his suit, he'll nuke everything here!" Dove pleaded.
"Including you, you lunatic!" Hawk added, dashing forward to try and attack Bane again, only for Bane to let go of Atom with one hand, which he swung around to bash Hawk aside.
"Skeleton King has made me all-powerful!" Bane declared, "Nothing can harm me!"
"I am mighty, I am strong, I am...INVINCIBLE!" Bane declared with a mad laugh as he tightened his one-handed grip on Atom's head as his body's veins and eyes let out a purple glow.
"You are loco!" A new voice however called out as the form of White Pantera jumped onto Bane's back, wrapping his arms around the larger mercenary's neck in an attempt to get him to drop Captain Atom. It worked, thankfully, but only because Bane dropped Atom to try and grab Pantera off of himself, the Mexican hero barely avoiding by letting go and dropping away in time.
"Wretched little worm!" Bane growled, turning and bringing his fists down on Pantera, who sped away in time and leaving Bane's attack to put a massive hole in the ground.
Though Pantera then sped back, only to grab Atom, barely dodging another swing from a roaring Bane as he skidded to a stop by Hawk and Dove, "Señor Atom doesn't look good and..." Pantera grimaced as they looked at the glaring form of Bane, "I don't think this enemy will go down easily."
"No kidding," Hawk grumbled, watching as Bane approached, growling in rage, "Either of you have any ideas?"
"Hmm, he's strong but I'm faster," Pantera spoke up with a frown as he handed Captain Atom's groaning form over to Hawk, "You two get Atom somewhere safe and check him over for damage."
He said while glancing over to Bane, "Meanwhile, I shall do my best to keep Señor Bane busy," Pantera entered a ready stance, "With any luck, the quick feet of justice will wear him down and put an end to his villainy!"
He declared grandly, before zooming right off, heading towards Bane, "Hey wait, you... and he's gone," Dove said with a sigh, shaking his head, "Why does everyone's idea have to be tackling the problem with violence?" He asked himself out loud as Hawk gave a snort right by him.
"Maybe because just talking never gets anything done," he muttered, "But never mind that right now, we need to check Atom out and make sure he's not about to go all Chernobyl on us."
"Right, last thing we need is to turn this war zone into ground zero for a nuclear explosion," Dove agreed with a grimace.
With that, the two brothers carried Atom away to find a safe spot, while Pantera led Bane as far away from them as he could.
While elsewhere on the battlefield, Blue Face was still in the middle of dealing with a certain godly armor.
"Insolent tinker toy!" Blue Face snarled, punching the Annihilator in the faceplate and barely managing to stagger it, "You dare fight against the servant of a greater power?!"
However, the armor just stood silently while taking Blue Face's attack with ease, causing the warrior to feel even angrier, "You're just a weapon, nothing compared to a real warrior like myself!" He exclaimed out, before sending an energy attack from his weapon to the armor, "So fall!"
However, the Annihilator was barely scratched by the attack, and retaliated with a strong punch to the alien's titular blue face.
"GAAAAaaOOF!" Which sent Blue Face flying away and crashing through a tree with a pained groan, "Is... is that all.., you got?"
The Annihilator naturally didn't respond, instead silently approaching Blue Face again. Growling at the armor, Blue Face wordlessly screamed and charged it, slamming into it as hard as he could. This actually knocked it off its feet, sending them both falling to the ground and rolling down a nearby hill, soon colliding with a tent.
"What is this?!" a voice cried out as Blue Face scrambled back to his feet. Looking around, he saw Nardoc and "Sera" standing nearby, the former looking panicked and the latter angry at the interrupted.
"Stand down at once!" Ares commanded. The Annihilator obeyed instantly, while Blue Face glared at him.
"You dare give me orders, when your blasted automaton attacked me?!" he growled.
Ares glared at the disrespectful tone of this fool before growling out, "Something that would only happened if you had attacked first!" He snapped back glaring, "So stop this foolishness at once and stand down!"
"We should all stand down!" Nardoc blurted out, immediately cutting the argument short as Ares and Blue Face both turned to glare at him.
"Excuse me?" Ares demanded.
"The Justice League is out there, taking our forces and the royal army both out of commission! We can't win!" Nardoc exclaimed, gripping his hair, "What was I thinking? We should have stopped and laid down peace terms when we secured the old borders, that was all we wanted!"
"Coward! You would give up just because the tide of battle has turned against you?" Blue Face spat in disgust.
"No, I give up before this madness escalates further and more of my people's lives are wasted!" Nardoc snapped with a glare to Blue Face, not noticing "Sera's" eyes narrow at him, "Your people, your soldiers' lives, are not being wasted."
Sera said, stepping up and placing his hand on Nardoc's shoulder, "But they will be if you surrender now and lose everything you fought for!" Nardoc grit his teeth in slight pain as Ares gripped his shoulder harder, "Or you truly believe that the Queen will let you keep your rightful lands much less let you all live for this rebellion?" He asked, arching a brow while staring hard into Nardoc's eyes.
"I..." Nardoc stuttered, unable to think of a response to that, and still wincing under the pain of the grip on his shoulder.
"That's what I thought," Ares smirked, "So, you will not be surrendering. You will order your soldiers to fight on no matter what is thrown at us!"
SMASH
As if on cue, the roof of the tent burst apart as Wonder Woman crashed through it to land in front of the group.
"Who is in charge he-?" she started to demand as she stood up, only to cut off in shock as she realized who she was looking at, "Ares!"
"...Diana, lovely to see you again," the God of War said dryly.
"I should have known you'd be involved in this travesty!" Wonder Woman snapped with a glare and clenched fists, while inwardly her anger was mixed with worry. It seemed that this entire crisis kept escalating, the presence of Lothor and Skeleton King pushing the conflict in opposite sides was bad enough, but Ares' presence fanning the flames of this war was a disaster in itself without the factor of alien warlords added to the mix.
"Heheh, why of course," Ares let go of Nardoc's shoulder to cross his arms and smirk down at Diana, "You all people should know that wherever there is war, I am there," He said with a smirk as Diana scowled up at him and Nardoc, caught of guard in shock at the sight of one of the founding members of the Justice League, "I, Wonder Woman... Ares?"
He muttered out in confusion, before scowling at "Sera", "Sera, why did she call you that?!' he demanded, wanting answers.
"Because that's my real name, you idiot," Ares scoffed as his suit magically shifted into a set of ancient Greek armor.
"What in god's name!" Nardoc yelped out in shock and fear, jumping back while Blue Face standing ignored off to the side with the now silent unmoving armor entered a guarded stance, while Ares simply chuckled at the mortal's reaction.
"God of war, to be exact~" Ares said, sending him a smirk as Nardoc's eyes widened in realization, "You... you were using us!" He snapped toward the self-proclaimed man in fury, "It wasn't about helping my people, profit, or even testing that abomination of yours!"
He yelled out while pointing at the Annihilator causing Wonder Woman to shoot the armor a way look knowing that any tool of Area was dangerous, "It was about spilling blood of escalating this conflict, wasn't it!?"
"Now you're getting it," Ares said condescendingly, "And I'd just like to take a moment to thank you for the free entertainment."
"Entertainment?! All this death is amusing to you?!" Nardoc yelled angrily.
"Of course, you mortals fighting over your petty differences is never not funny," Ares sneered.
"You... you... BASTARD!" Nardoc snapped, enraged, as he drew out his side arm.
"Wait!" Diana called out in warning, but he opened fire straight at Ares' head.
PWE
PWE
PWE
PWE
Only for the shots to have no effect other than causing Ares to smirk while shaking his head with a chuckle, "As I said, the foolishness of mortals will never stop being entertaining ~"
He remarked as he turned to Diana, who scowled at them while ignoring the helpless mortal falling to his knees, "People aren't toys for your amusement" She snapped only for Ares to shrug back nonchalantly, "Agree to disagree, my dear~"
He stated as Wonder Woman clenched her fist's, "Oh what have I done.." mutter out Nardoc in despair, from where he had fallen to his knees as he realized he had let himself be manipulated by a demon and brought suffering to his people.
"You brought war glorious Nardoc~" Ares said, sending the mortal a dark smirk before glancing over at Diana, "But I must admit, the presence of Earth's newest ambitious conquerors has escalated the conflict to such a wonderful degree in such a short time~"
"So, Lothor and Skeleton King's presence here isn't a coincidence?" Diana demanded.
"No, it is," Ares replied with a shrug, "It seems like myself, they decided to take advantage of this conflict for their own ends. And I must say, if this is just a taste of what both can offer, I am very excited to see what else they have in store."
This caused Diana to send him a look of disgusted rage, "What they have in store is nothing but harming more innocents," She said heatedly taking a step forward, "Something neither I or the rest of the Justice League will stand for!"
She snapped glaring into his face, "Just like we won't allow you three to use this war and the people of Kaznia any farther!"
"How quaint," Ares said dryly, "Though good luck with that. My little commission from Hephaestus here doesn't stop unless I tell it to. Speaking of which..."
With that, Ares snapped his fingers, and the Annihilator suddenly sprang back to life and charged Diana.
With Wonder Woman barely having time to raise her arms up in a block as it launched a fist, sending her flying through the hole she had made earlier in the tent with the Annihilator following right after her leaving silence...
"Well, that was unexpected," Blue Face admitted with a slight shake of his head before glaring at Ares, "But supposed god or not, don't think you and your toy can stand in Master Lothor's way without consequences," He warned, raising his scythe threateningly, though this only caused Ares to raise a bored brow.
"Your master and I already discussed this at length days ago," he said flatly.
"What?" Blue Face blinked in confusion.
"Short version, we agreed that since our goals aren't contradictory, there's no reason for us to be enemies," Ares shrugged, "Ask him yourself if you don't believe me."
Blue Face glared at the man for a moment before huffing out, "Very well, I shall believe you... for now," He growled out in warning before turning his attention to Nardoc, "Besides, I believe Master Lothor would rather I kept focused on my mission and other matters."
Feeling the alien's gaze on him seemed to snap Nardoc out of his shock, and he scrambled backwards in fear as Blue Face and Ares advanced on him.
"St-stay back!" he stammered, soon finding himself backed up against a table.
"Sorry, my friend, but if you're going to get any ridiculous ideas about ending the war, then I think it's in both of our best interests to put a stop to you," Ares said with a smirk.
Blue Face than gave a menacing chuckle raising his glowing scythe as Nordic eyes went wide and in the next moment the air was filled with a loud piercing scream
"No... no... NOOOOOO!"
Shortly after the screams ended, Blue Face exited the tent with his scythe now bloodied, and ran off to rejoin the fighting. Ares watched him go with a smirk, before glancing at Nardoc's corpse as he prepared to take the dead fool's form to rally his troops, only to be cut off by a familiar voice speaking up behind him.
"Well, you seem to be playing well with the new visitors, brother dearest," Eris commented, legs kicking lightly in the air as she sat on the edge of the table.
"Sister," Ares greeted with a sigh, turning to face her, and blinking as he saw she wasn't alone - Deadshot was lying on the ground next to her, tied up like a pig with glowing ropes of mystical energy.
"May I ask why?" he asked flatly, gesturing to the tied up mercenary.
"Ohhh, just punishing a naughty boy who thought he could skedaddle from the party without contributing to the festivities," His ever unpredictable yet predictable in wanting to cause trouble sister said airily, while the mortal at her feet gave a muffled protest, "Quiet now, or I'll take a from Circe's book and turn you into a little piggy~" his sister added, sending Deadshot a maniacal grin, but that hardly mattered to him and he addressed his fellow Olympian.
"Of course," Ares said as dryly as possible, "And the reason behind your presence?' He added with a sigh as he already had a good feeling as to the answer, "Ah, come now, you should know I'm not one to turn down the opportunity to cause Chaos Areie~" she giggled out as Ares' eye twitched at that nickname.
"And war, while usually a bit dull in its predictability for my tastes, is an excellent boiling pot of chaotic potential ~" Ares just gave her a dull look as she cackled.
"From what I remember, you said the same thing about the Trojan War," He said a tad pointedly.
"Oh, don't act like you didn't enjoy that little holiday~" Eris said back with a eye roll and wave of her hand as Ares shot her a irritated look, "Oh, are you still jealous that my little apple and Helen's looks sparked that little legendary war while you arrived late to the party."
She said teasingly as her brother gave a low growl before taking a deep breath and exhaling, "Why are you here Eris?" He asked her with a flat causing her to grumble while stepping up to him with a huff, "Does a girl really need a reason to visit her favorite sibling?"
She asked with faux hurt in her tone though she could easily tell that Ares for good reason wasn't buying it, "Fine.." she said with a groan, "if you just know I was originally here to watch the fireworks and maybe mix in a dabble of chaos to spixe things up if need be.."
She explained before giving a large grin, "Though there's hardly any need for my touch this time ~"
"Yes, I suppose between myself and our newly arrived guests, things have been spiced up enough without your involvement," Ares snorted, "Though I admit, I haven't seen much of this Skeleton King myself."
"Oh, but I have~" Eris giggled, a noticeable flush on her face.
"...Do I want to know?" Ares asked, morbidly curious.
"Hmm let's just say he might be called Skeleton King but he's packing more than bones ~" she said with a naughty little giggle
Ares shuddered in disgust, deciding that he in fact hadn't needed to know that.
"Well, lovely as always to talk to you, sister," he said dryly, "But I have a war to stir up before it can be brought to a stop. So if you'll excuse me, I'll leave you to your... fun."
"Ah Ares i'm hurt you don't want to do some sibling bonding and stir up some chaos together~" Eris asked with a pout while placing a hand over her heart with a faux wounded expression
"I'm sure you'll find plenty of chaos in my actions without us having to interact," Ares replied with a roll of his eyes, shapeshifting into Nardoc's form.
"Ah, of course, you go stir up the mortals and get them ready for your latest blood bath," Eris said with an eye roll, "i'm going to check in to see how Mandy's treasure hunt is going, then getting a good front row seat for some skeleton boning~"
she said teleporting away with a flash while leaving behind the incapacitated form of Deadshot and the sighing form of the disguised Ares, "Be thankful you don't have to deal with my sort of family issues."
He told the mercenary boredly before turning and making his leave of him as his sister said he had some mortals to stir up and he'd rather not think about what Eris could of meant by boning thank you very much... honestly why were so many people in his family perverts... he blamed father.
Shaking it off and deciding that it didn't matter right now, Ares exited the tent to go find the other remaining rebel commanding officers.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And there you go. Night/Skeleton King's plot is succeeding even as most of his mercenaries are taken out of commission, our trip to Gravity Falls continues to be built up, and we start to get a glimpse of what Mandy is up to. Hope it's all keeping you intrigued, and if so, please feel free to leave a kudos or a comment!
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hehe oh yeah I think the original Skeleton King would be proud as my plan unfolds perfectly~ And have to say it's been great returning to this work~ We've gotten some great fights, a little godly interaction, and continuing developing plot.
So we hope you enjoyed this chapter~ Also as a side note you might notice one of the mercenaries after this chapter drop off the grid with no explanation for the rest of the Kaznia arc rest assured that will be explained later.
But that aside hope you continue to enjoy the Kaznia arc, and won't be afraid to leave a review or kudos~
Chapter 11: Kaznia, Part 5
Summary:
The war in Kaznia reaches its "big" finish, while Mandy fights to claim what she's been looking for.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Well folks, here we are at the end of this arc (excluding a wrap-up that'll be next chapter). And let me just say, there's something here that I've been looking forward to doing in this story since its start, and I think some of you have been as well~
Nightmaster000 A/N: As Zim said it's time to end the Kaznia arc fun as it's been there's still a whole wide world out there waiting to be conquered! But I hope you enjoyed Isekai Conquerors first major arc~
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Ah, of course, you go stir up the mortals and get them ready for your latest blood bath," Eris said with an eye roll, "i'm going to check in to see how Mandy's treasure hunt is going, then getting a good front row seat for some skeleton boning~"
she said teleporting away with a flash while leaving behind the incapacitated form of Deadshot and the sighing form of the disguised Ares, "Be thankful you don't have to deal with my sort of family issues."
He told the mercenary boredly before turning and making his leave of him as his sister said he had some mortals to stir up and he'd rather not think about what Eris could of meant by boning thank you very much... honestly why were so many people in his family perverts... he blamed father.
Shaking it off and deciding that it didn't matter right now, Ares exited the tent to go find the other remaining rebel commanding officers.
(Elsewhere on the battlefield)
"GAH!" Diana cried out as she was thrown clear through a tree by the Annihilator.
"Urg... as always, Hephaestus' work isn't to be taken lightly, I see," Wonder Woman said with a grunt and gritted teeth as she stood up unsteadily and grabbed ahold of the fallen tree half and hurled it to the Annihilator, which just casually smacked it aside, causing her to grimace.
She knew that she'd likely need to go to Hephaestus to get answers on any weakness this thing had, but besides the factor of this thing not giving her a chance, with how delicate the situation in Kaznia was thanks to Lothor and Skeleton King's influence on top of Ares, she might not have the time.
No, she had to figure out how to stop this thing now. But how?
"RAAAGGGHHH!"
Suddenly, a bestial roar echoed through the battlefield, catching both Diana and the Annihilator's attention, before a blur came to a stop next to her.
"Ah, Señora! I hope this means your mission was a success?" White Pantera asked, while Bane charged into view behind him.
"Pantera? What is... is that Bane?!" Diana exclaimed as Bane approached, eyes and veins still glowing with Skeleton King's magic.
"Ah, yes..." Pantera said, shooting Bane a wary look, "it seems he's undergone a bit of an upgrade that wasn't in the files," He explained as Bane let out an angry roar.
"I WILL BREAK YOU!" He thundered out, heaving and breathing heavily as he stomped forward, glaring as Diana looked at him in shock before glaring and spitting out, "Skeleton King!"
"Que?" Pantera looked toward her with a blink.
"I'll explain later, just know Lothor's not the only one who's been exploiting this war," Wonder Woman said, standing up and entering a guarded stance, with Pantera beside her, both of them eying the Annihilator and Bane.
"I see... but that leaves the question of how we'll deal with these two?" White Pantera said, getting ready to move, "Neither of them look like they'll go down easily or peacefully señora," he said with a grimace, and as if to prove his words, Bane roared out before he started lunging toward the group with a large bloodthirsty grin.
"Fine by me," Diana growled, feeling the frustration at how complicated this mission had become boiling over. As Bane neared her, she yelled and rushed forward to meet him, hitting him in the face hard enough that even in his enhanced state he still stumbled backwards. In response, the Annihilator focused on her again and marched into the fray as well. With her dodging its first attacks before jumping up and starting to slam a series of punches into its face, only to have no affect as her fist was eventually caught and she was slammed repeatedly into the ground with pained grunts.
While off to the side, Pantera was attempting to attack Bane's sides while dodging his attack, "Grrr... ENOUGH!" Only for Bane to have enough and slam his fists as hard as he could into the ground beneath them, causing it to explode and shatter out, sending him flying back with a startled yell... straight into the Annihilator's back... causing the armor to pause from slamming Wonder Woman into the ground, with the Amazon letting out a grunt as she took the chance to break free and launch a kick as hard as she could at the Annihilator, pushing it back a good number of feet, straight into the path of the charging Bane.
"Out of my way!" Bane snarled, backhanding the Annihilator hard enough to send it to the side to land on the ground. However, as he passed it in an attempt to continue charging, it suddenly jumped back and leapt on top of him.
"What is this?! Get off!" Bane growled, trying to break free of the grip that the Annihilator now had him in. As they struggled, the heroes looked on in confusion.
"That is not something I expected," Pantera admitted, blinking.
"Yes..." Wonder Woman frowned in thought, watching as Bane and the armor fought, "It seems to prioritize whatever attacks it," She said thoughtfully as Pantera glanced over to her, "Something we could perhaps use, si?"
"Get them to handle each other until we have a better way to deal with both," Diana agreed with a nod, watching as Bane threw himself backwards against a tree to try and knock the Annihilator off, only for it to continue to hold onto him.
"Agreed, though we should probably hurry on that before they spill into the rest of the battlefield," Pantera said, "And in the meantime, we should regroup with the others, and check if Señor Atom is alright. Speaking of which, where is Señor Scotsman?"
"Out of commission for now, but safe with Audrey. I'll explain when we find the others," Diana replied, the two quickly taking off and leaving Bane and the Annihilator to their fight.
(Elsewhere in Kaznia)
As the Justice League members were moving to regroup and Ares was preparing to add more fuel to the fires of war, a certain ambitious mercenary was arriving to her destination,
"So this is the place," Mandy said stoically at the entrance to a cave located on a small cliff area, "Hard to believe my next step to ultimate power would be in a backwater like this," she said aloud boredly, while examining the nearby ruins in the cave system.
Like Smellerbee had said, the interior was carved to look like some sort of temple, the walls shaped like columns while stalagmites and boulders had been carved into pews, all positioned to face the darkened interior of the cave. It looked like whoever had built this place had viewed whatever was further inside as something worthy of worship.
Mandy, however, knew better. What was inside was just a stepping stone towards real power, not a source of it by itself. But in the end, it was still something she required, so she made her deeper into the cave, unaware of the figures following behind her.
"Do try not to get in my way," Valeena hissed out, glaring over to Taopaipai, who stood with arms crossed behind his back.
"Funny, was about to say the same to you," The mercenary shot back as Valeena scowled.
Why had her master sent this arrogant fool after her? Was it a test of her patience, to see if she could restrain herself from killing him?
Well, regardless, she wasn't going to let him distract her from her mission. Whatever that blonde wretch was here for, she'd claim it in Skeleton King's name, proving once and for all that she was his most loyal and effective follower!
'Fanatics...' Tao thought with an irritated roll of his eyes, 'always fun to kill and easy to get work from but ever so annoying to deal with especially when you had to work with them,' he thought with internal annoyance.
But as long as she pulled her weight and that upstart brat Mandy didn't acquire what she was after, he could tolerate, "And I still don't know why we didn't deal with our own little follower," Tao muttered out to Valeena as she scowled, as she realized he was referring to that insect that likely belonged to Lothor's forces.
Her master was right yet again in his wisdom that Lothor would send someone after the mercenary girl to retrieve her prize from her, and no amount of skill in stealth could escape her mystical power.
"She is unimportant," Valeena scoffed, "If she's foolish enough to make a move against us, we'll crush her. In the meantime, she's not worth the effort."
"As you say," Tao replied, not happy with the decision but deciding there was no point arguing over it.
With that settled, the two followed Mandy into the cave, while Tak observed them from the trees nearby. While also retracting a device back into her PAK that allowed her to hear every word, "Not worth the effort... I'll show you who's not worth the effort," she growled out with narrowed eyes, feeling her pride stung by being so casually dismissed by what was essentially just a mere lackey!
She scowled as she deployed her PAK legs and made her way into the cave caverns, intending on claiming her prize and showing Skeleton King's lackey who wasn't worth the effort.
Meanwhile, Mandy ahead of all this, came across her first obstacle.
"Hmm, interesting," Mandy mused, looking at the tunnel ahead of her, which was littered with skeletal human remains, most of which looked to have been either crushed or impaled on something.
So, clearly there was some kind of boobytrap here. The question was, what was it, and how would she avoid triggering it?
She looked down on the ground and, seeing a stone of sufficient size, she picked it up and flung it forward into the tunnel.
It hit the ground and bounced, once, twice...
WHAM
And then a large stone pillar shot out of the wall and through the space above where the rock had hit, before slamming into the opposite wall. Had a person triggered it, they clearly would have been flattened against the far wall.
Meanwhile, the rock continued to bounce, triggering several more traps - spike, buzzsaws, even bursts of fire all were discharged before the rock finally stopped.
However, Mandy simple looked bored before giving a low sigh, "Honestly..." she got into a ready position, "They could have at least tried to make this interesting~" she said with a smirk.
And with that, she bolted forward, moving with an almost superhuman speed. Oh, she wouldn't be mistaken for the likes of the Flash or White Pantera, but she was still running faster than the average person.
With that speed, Mandy made her way swiftly through the tunnel, not just dodging all the boobytraps but in most cases being long past them by the time they were triggered. All while two forms watched from the shadows.
"Hmm... adequate," Tao scoffed out with a frown, watching as Mandy ducked under a buzzsaw while sliding beneath it on her knees, then doing a hand spring to leap into the air to avoid a shot of fire before landing in a crouch.
"Heh... too easy," Mandy said with a crack of her neck and continuing to go deeper into the cavern, while Tao and Valeena approached the tunnel with the latter scoffing, "As if mere toys will stop me from fulfilling my master's will!"
She declared, raising her glowing hands before shooting them into the ground with her magic, encasing the entire system of booby traps with ease.
"Tch, you actually require magic to bypass such simple defenses?" Tao sniffed as the two of them made their way down the tunnel after Mandy.
"By all means, feel free to stay behind me and engage them when they reactivate without my presence," Valeena sneered.
"Obviously I could, but let us not waste time," Tao replied smugly. Valeena scoffed at that, but didn't say anything more as they moved further down the tunnel.
Once they were out of sight, the magic faded and the traps reactivated as Valeena said they would, much to Tak's annoyance as she watched from where she was hiding. However, this was only a minor problem, as she simply deployed her PAK legs and scurried across the roof, which naturally was rigged with trap triggers, and quickly reached the other end of the tunnel, descending after the others.
The next room entered was bare of anything except a large sealed doorway and a large stone statue in the room, a statue that she recognized as a chimera, which she moved to examine with a frown while pulling out her scythe, only for the statue's eyes to glow red once she stepped onto the floor that lit up in a red glowing mystical symbol, and the thing that happened was the statue shattering with a loud roar.
"Hmm, almost a challenge," Mandy muttered as the now very real chimera loomed over her and growled down at her. With a snarl, it lunged at her, only for her to easily jump to the side and dodge it.
Rolling to her feet, she swung the scythe, sending a wave of energy at the chimera, which snarled in rage as it was sent stumbling back upon impact. Before charging forward with another roar, with Mandy simply scoffing, easily dodging its lunge and sidestepping a swipe of its claws, and when its serpent tail tried to bite her, she snapped up her hand, grabbing it mid-lunge with it angrily hissing at her before
SWISH
"RAAAAARRRGGG!" the chimera gave a angry roar as she severed its serpent tail from its body, with it now seeing red as it turned around to charge straight toward Mandy as she uncaringly threw the serpent over her shoulder.
"RAAAARGGH!" the chimera roared as it lunged at her, only for her to sidestep at the last minute, holding the scythe out as she did so. This combined with the chimera's momentum meant that the blade slammed into its collarbone and then dug all the way through its side until it was about midway between its fore and rear legs before the chimera rolled away and the blade tore through.
The chimera roared in pain as it hit the ground and rolled away, blood pouring from its wound.
"Like I said..." Mandy spun her scythe before sheathing it back behind her back, "almost a challenge~" she said with a smirk as the doorway started to automatically open, and she wasted no time heading out, not giving the bleeding out form of the chimera a second glance.
"Hmm..." Others, however, saw some potential as Valeena and Tao made their way into the room, the witch taking a moment to approach the chimera's form, "While you performed poorly against that brat..."
Valeena said, raising up her right hand and pointing it down on the shallow breathing chimera, "You could prove useful with the blessing of my lord's power," The witch said with a crazed smile, before blasting the chimera's body with mystical energy.
As the dark energy passed over the chimera, its wound healed and its serpent tail regrew its head. Restored to its full vitality, the chimera climbed back to its feet and roared triumphantly, which only deepened as the dark magic seeped into it, making it even stronger than it already was.
"Now beast, make yourself useful and deal with the insect following us," Valeena commanded, gesturing the way they'd come from, where she knew Tak was still lurking.
At that the creature let out a growl while bowing its head, as Valeena and Tao made their leave.
"Hmm, I'm almost curious to see if that creature will get the job done," Tao said evenly to Valeena as the witch scoffed.
"Please, while it only has a small taste of my lord's blessing, that beast should prove adequate enough to deal with a pitiful insect~" The witch boasted confidently, while the mercenary simply arched a brow before focusing on ahead of them, internally thinking they'd see soon enough if her boast proved true.
While behind them, Tak entered the room and found herself scowling at the growling and hissing form of the chimera, who glared murderously at her with both heads.
"Tch, I don't have time for this," the Irken grumbled, aiming her PAK legs at the chimera and firing plasma at it. However, these attacks only seemed to anger it, and it roared as it lunged at her.
With Tak pushing PAK legs out and springing up above, avoiding its lunging pounce as she opened fire at the roaring creature's back to further no effect, much to her resulting irritation and scowl.
"Seems you're a sturdy one..." Tak mused, landing in a crouch with her PAK legs ready to move at any second as she analyzed the beast turning toward her with a growl and hiss from its head tail for any weakness, "But it'll take more than a dumb beast to defeat this Irken!"
Tak screamed out proudly, while removing an orb from her PAK that she pressed a button on before throwing it straight to the charging beast.
ZAP
And when the orb hit the chimera directly in the middle of the face on its lion head, it deployed prongs that discharged a massive amount of electricity. Enough voltage to power a neighborhood ran through the chimera's body, smoke quickly rising as its fur and flesh started to burn.
"RAAARRRGGGHHH!" the chimera screamed in pain, but still didn't fall, its snake-headed tail snapping around to grab the orb and tear it off of the lion's face and toss it aside. Then as it hissed angrily at Tak alongside the lion's head, it suddenly opened its jaws and shot out a stream of purple liquid that Tak quickly moved to dodged, with the ground sizzling where the liquid hit, which she noticed with a grimace while moving to dodge other shots of the acid venom as the chimera started to chase after her.
"Irk dammit, this thing is annoying," she muttered in annoyance, ducking behind the plinth that had previously held up the chimera's statue. The chimera pelted the stone with acid venom, quickly melting it rapidly taking away Tak's cover.
As this was happening, Tak was sorting through her PAK as fast as she could, trying to find something she could use to kill this thing.
"Come on, come on..." she muttered as the creature bounded over in a mighty leap, with Tak grabbing and lobbing something from her PAK that as soon as it hit the chimera
BOOM
Exploded in a fiery inferno,
As the smoke cleared, Tak breathed a sigh of relief as she saw that the chimera's lion head had been blown complete off, leaving its body to slump lifelessly to the floor. To her annoyance, however, the snake tail was still alive, hissing angrily and waving around uselessly as it tried in vain to move the body.
Dodging one final venom blast from the snake head, Tak dashed forward and slashed a PAK leg through its base, cutting it free. And as it fell twitching to the floor, she brought a foot down on it, crushing its skull.
"That... was for wasting my time," She growled out, digging her boot into the ground before turning with a huff, "I swear, whoever thought they could sick that abomination on me is going to regret it," She growled out as she moved to leave the room as quickly as she could. She wasn't about to fail this mission, especially when it's the first mission Lothor had given her.
With that in mind, Tak ran out of the room and after the others.
(Elsewhere)
Jet, Smellerbee and Longshot had found their comrades where Mandy's twister had dumped them, and gathered them up to start treating their wounds.
Well, Smellerbee and Longshot were. Jet was more focused on angrily pacing back and forth, ranting to himself about Mandy's actions and how he'd make her pay. Smellerbee was getting sick of hearing it, but if she interrupted, he'd probably just snap at her for her previous "disobedience", and she was in no mood for that, so she held her tongue for now.
"I mean, who does that fucking bitch think she is!" She sighed as she heard Jet roar out with a dark scowl, "Not only profiting off our people's suffering and blood, but just using it as a means to an end!"
He exclaimed out, clenching his fists as he turned to his fellow Freedom Fighters, "We should find her and make sure she doesn't leave Kaznia at all, much less with what she came here for!"
"How?" Smellerbee demanded, having had enough and deciding that it was worth calling him out after all, "We couldn't even handle her at full strength, and now most of us are injured!"
"Well, maybe that wouldn't be a problem if you hadn't let her get away when we had a chance to stop her!" Jet snapped back at her.
"Are you kidding me with this again?" Smellerbee asked in disbelief, "Was I supposed to let her kill you?!"
"You could have tricked her!' Jet snapped back, glowering at her, "Anything really, other than letting her go!" He snapped, stomping forward, "And besides, I'm fully ready to lay down my life for Kaznia."
"Well, excuse me for not wanting my friend to die!" Smellerbee glowered right back, unable to believe how he was acting.
"There's no room for sentiment in war!" Jet spat, "If you can't get that through your head, then you shouldn't even be here!"
Those words caused the others gathered around to exchange nervous looks, while Smellerbee actually flinched back, feeling her heart sting, shocked that Jet would actually say that before glaring right back into his face, "You know what, you're right..."
She said as Longshot and few others shot her worried looks, "Maybe I shouldn't be here," She stated to Jet, who kept his scowl but arched a brow at her, "Especially since you seem more determined to lead us to our deaths rather than help our country!" She added in an angry snap.
Jet's face darkened with rage as he processed what she'd just said.
"How fucking dare you?!" he snarled, stomping towards her in fury. For her part, Smellerbee moved to match him, fully prepared to start trading blows at this point.
However, before they could, a new voice spoke up.
"Ah, I love it when children fight. It's so pathetically amateurish," a man laughed gruffly.
The crowd of Freedom Fighters froze at the voice as Jet yelled out demanding, "Who's there!? Show yourself!" He commanded, drawing his blades while the others also drew their weapons, some standing closer to more injured comrades.
"Ah, look at the little boy playing rebel hero, how adorable~" The voice responded with a laugh, and the Freedom Fighters could practically hear the sneer in his voice while Jet gave a low growl.
"Stop hiding, and I'll show you who's playing!" Jet snapped, eye twitching in frustration. He was already on edge after what had happened with Mandy, he wasn't about to let some coward hiding in the shadows screw with him.
"Well, if you insist~" the voice laughed, before a large form suddenly leapt out of the trees and hit the ground in front of the assembled Freedom Fighters, making them all step back in shock at the sight that greeted them. That of a large, wild-looking feral man looking at them with a bloodthirsty grin, with some dried blood on his clothes only adding to his intimidating presence.
"You..." Jet hissed out, glaring at the figure, recognizing him from word of mouth reports about some crazy lunatic slaughtering anybody that crossed his path, no matter which side of the civil war they fought for.
"I see my reputation precedes me," Sabretooth laughed, smirking at the fear on the Freedom Fighters' faces, "So, what will it be? Running, begging for mercy, or foolishly trying to fight me?"
"How about D..." Jet said, entering a battle stance, "Putting you down like the rabid dog you are!" The leader of the Freedom Fighters snapped, before hurling himself forward and attempting to plunge his hook swords straight into this cowardly killer's guts.
And to everyone's shock, he managed to do so, Sabretooth not even trying to dodge it. Jet's swords ended up slamming right into his stomach, the hooked blades sinking deep into the flesh.
Jet blinked, confused at what had just happened. And that confusion only grew as Sabretooth didn't even make a single sound of pain, just grinning down at him.
WHAM
And then hit him hard in the chest, sending him flying back towards the others. His swords, meanwhile, remained left behind, stuck in Sabretooth's gut, the wounds barely bleeding.
"Hehe, tickles ~" Sabretooth said, with a large amused smirk while casually pulling Jet's swords out of his gut with a small grunt before tossing them over his shoulder, the Freedom Fighters watching with shock as the wound slowly healed and closed.
"Now then..." Sabretooth flared out his claws and entered a crouching position, smiling like a feral animal at them all while Jet, sitting up with Smellerbee and Longshot's help, glared up at him in anger and fear, "Let me show you kiddies how it's done~" The feral metahuman said, before lunging forward with a roar as screams started to fill the air.
And hidden in the shadows of the trees, Mimi watched impassively as the Freedom Fighters were slaughtered. She was tempted to intervene, because her mistress wanted at least one of these humans for interrogation, but she wasn't going to risk herself to do so; she'd just grab one if any happened to survive.
With that decision in mind, Mimi settled in and watched the massacre unfold.
(Back on the battlefield)
While Mandy was being followed on her treasure hunt and the Freedom Fighters were being slaughtered, the Justice League members were regrouping.
"How is Atom's condition?" Wonder Wonder immediately asked as she and White Pantera arrived to a hill clearing where they found Atom being leaned against a tree, while Dove knelt down next to him and Hawk was leaning against the same tree with a scowl and crossed arms.
"Hard to say. We can't exactly check his vitals considering he's made out of energy," Hawk grumbled, "But for what it's worth, he's not conscious."
"On the bright side, his suit's still intact, so we don't have to worry about a meltdown," Dove said, before looking up in concern, "Where's Scotsman?"
"Back at the castle in a safe room. Skeleton King did something to him that rendered him unconscious," Diana explained.
"Say what now?" Hawk asked in confusion.
At that, Diana sighed before explaining everything as quickly as she could, everything she had learned and experienced from the fight with the mercenaries that had been employed by the royal side of the civil war, the reveal of the presence of Skeleton King's forces and how Audrey had been replaced with an imposter Skeleton King controlled, discovering the real Audrey chained and locked away with her own father's body and facing the imposter, and of course Ares' involvement and his own contribution in that armor.
After she finished summarizing everything as quickly as she could, silence stood for several moments before being broken by Hawk, "Well... fuck," The hero said plainly with a dark scowl, while his brother looked worriedly thoughtful at everything Wonder Woman said, while Pantera wore his own scowl.
"Well, that explains what happened to Bane at least," Dove spoke as his brother gave a bitter snort.
"Yeah, nothing like some dark magic mojo to juice up that steroid junkie even more," Hawk said with a low irritated growl before heaving out a sigh, "Can't believe I'm saying this..."
Hawk said with a grimace, "but we might actually need some more backup, princess," He said with a dark frown. He hated to admit they weren't good enough, but just because his brother was the more brainy one between them didn't mean he was an idiot. They had two of their team out of commission, and apparently the odds against them were even worse than they thought going in.
"I agree," Diana said reluctantly, "But I don't know if they'll get here in time to make a difference. We need to find a way to end this now, before there's anymore pointless bloodshed."
"Thankfully, Señor Bane and the armor are handling each other still," Pantera commented, while somewhere in the distance, the sounds of that continuing fight called out, "That lets us focus on the armies."
"And don't forget about the alien," Dove stated, "It sounded like he was still on the loose, too."
"Yes, we can't let Lothor's forces blindside us," Diana agreed with a frown, knowing as enraged as she was at Skeleton King's actions and concerned about Ares' presence, she couldn't afford to ignore the third party involved in this travesty.
"Heh, don't worry, give me five minutes with his goon and he'll be giving up while spilling everything about his boss," Hawk said, cracking his knuckles.
"Oh, will I?!"
The heroes spun around to find Blue Face standing not far away, scythe in hand, glaring at them.
"Arrogant fools!" he declared, "You shall all die in the name of Master Lothor!"
The heroes quickly scrambled, with Dove and Hawk getting in front of Captain Atom so he wouldn't be attacked in his vulnerable state, while Pantera and Wonder Woman stood ready.
"You know, it's almost funny how often I hear something like that," Diana said, giving off a faint smirk before flinging herself forward into the air while pulling back her right fist.
"RAAAGGHHH!" Blue Face yelled in challenge, rushing forward to meet her.
He brought up an arm to block her blow, while his other hand swung his scythe towards her face. However, she managed to jump back to avoid the attack, and in the same movement lashed out with a kick that connected with Blue Face's chest and sent him stumbling back.
Growling, Blue Face swung out with his scythe again, only for Diana to grab it by its chain. She then used it to tug Blue Face forward, allowing her to hit him in his namesake body part, sending him flying away. As he did, he dropped his hold on the scythe, allowing Diana to take full hold of it and slam it against a nearby boulder, shattering the blade.
"You've lost. Give up," she commanded, dropping the ruined scythe's chain to the ground as Blue Face got back to his feet.
"Lost... FOOL!" However Blue Face merely laughed, "I have not even begun to fight!" He exclaimed as he brought up a clenched fist to his face, "I shall present you on your knees to Master Lothor," he hissed out with a dark glare.
With another battle cry, he threw his fists forward, launching a stream of energy attacks. Diana quickly crossed her bracers and let them take the runt of the assault, flinching at the few that managed to make contact with her.
And then, as suddenly as it had started, the barrage ended. And before Diana could register that, Blue Face snarled and lunged at her, hands outstretched towards her throat-
BLAM
When a large beam of energy slammed into him, sending him flying backwards to impact with an abandoned tank, which promptly burst into flame.
Diana blinked in surprise at this turn of events, and turned to see Captain Atom was conscious again, hands still extended from the attack. He was swaying slightly on his feet, but didn't seem in too much danger of passing out again.
"Atom?" She gave a look that was a mix of gratitude and concern.
"Ma'am," the soldier gave a nod as he stepped forward with a stumble, "Captain Atom reporting for duty."
He said firmly while staring off at the flames where Blue Face had landed, "Think that took care of him?" He asked with a frown. He was a soldier, but he was well aware of the League rules following the law and especially pertaining to killing enemy combatants.
"Grrraaahhh!" Blue Face moaned loudly as he stumbled out of the flames.
"Not quite," Diana mused evenly, though she was glad to see that it at least appeared to have taken a lot out of the alien warrior. He was limping and stumbling, clearly barely able to walk, smoke rising from his body as he hobbled his way in their direction.
"Stand down!" she commanded, "You can clearly barely stay up. Surrender, and we'll get you medical attention!"
Blue Face came to a stop, and for a moment she thought that he was complying, before he glared at her with sheer hatred.
"Long... live... Master... Lothor," he growled out, before falling forward and hitting the ground face first.
BOOM
And promptly exploding, much to the shock of the Justice League members, who could only stare in shock at what had just happened.
"...Well, I did not see that coming," Pantera said after a moment.
(Meanwhile, Lothor's ship)
Lothor stood on the bridge of his ship, surrounded by his minions as they all watched the events unfolding in Kaznia on the main console's monitor. For his part, the isekai soul was forcing himself to remain outwardly impassive, even as he was grinning in anticipation on the inside; while it was annoying that he looked set to lose this opening round to Skeleton King, at least now he had a chance to do something he'd wanted ever since accepting that he'd become a Power Rangers villain.
"That's disappointing. But what do you say we give it another try?" he said dryly, allowing himself a small smirk as he pulled out his PAM and pressed a button, "Scroll of Empowerment, descend!"
In response to the command, a small scroll shot out of the ship, crossing the distance to Earth near-instantly, passing through the atmosphere until it was hovering in the air over the Kaznian battlefield. And before the heroes could even register its presence, it unfolded to reveal a set of symbols in red ink, which began glowing and shooting out red lightning. The energy zapped the spot where Blue Face had just died, pulling together the scattered particles that used to be the alien warrior and fusing them back together, before pumping energy into them to make the restored mass grow and expand.
Within seconds, Blue Face was both alive again, and now 30 stories tall.
"Great Hera!" Diana exclaimed in shock.
"Hahahaha! I shall crush you all like bugs!" Blue Face laughed, swinging his restored scythe.
"Oh, you got to be fucking kidding me?!" Exclaimed out Hawk in shock, taking several steps back.
"I wish I was... somehow, he's been regenerated and enlarged!" Dove cried out with his own look of shock.
"I haven't seen anything this big since El Mal Verde!" Yelled out White Pantera, sharing his comrades' shock.
Atom gave a frustrated growl, "Looks like Lothor's forces have some nasty surprises in their arsenal." The soldier quickly realized and analyzed, while Diana shook herself out of her shock.
"However this happened, we need to bring him down now!" The senior League member told the others sternly, while Blue Face laughed, "There's no telling how much more chaos or death he could cause like this!"
As if in response to Wonder Woman's statement, Blue Face swung his scythe down, and it carved through the battlefield, carving a giant trench in the ground. Everything in its path was obliterated, sending tribal and royal soldiers alike fleeing for their lives.
Observing this from a hill where he'd been organizing the rebels to keep them from retreating, the disguised Ares arched an eyebrow.
"Well now, this is interesting," he mused.
He knew from what he observed from Blue Face and those Kelzak creatures that Lothor's forces were not to be taken lightly, and while he was withholding judgement till he saw more, he must admit he was impressed at the ruthlessness in how they cut down their enemies with no mercy. Something lacking in quite a few of the modern day so-called soldiers sadly. But while he could tell from Lothor's aura that he was a formidable warrior with access to likely dangerous resources, he certainly hadn't expected him to possess a way to not only revive fallen soldiers but turn them into giants whose size could rival a titan.
And he could only watch with eager anticipation to see how this would escalate the war, before pausing as a new voice spoke up, "It is quite impressive, isn't it?" Said the skeletal caped figure of Skeleton King as he stepped up to the side of his left, his staff in his right hand, staring up at Blue Face with amusement.
"Hmm, speaking positively of your competitor?" Ares asked, dropping his disguise. Skeleton King obviously knew who he was already, after all, so no point wasting time with the act.
Skeleton King simply chuckled in reply, "Competitors and rivals we might be, but I can give proper respect where it's due~" He said with open dark amusement, looking toward Ares.
"True, I suppose a worthy adversary should always be treated properly," Ares admitted, before arching an eyebrow, "So, may I ask if you wanted to speak to me about something in particular? Or just sharing admiration for Lothor's actions?"
"Truthfully, I believe it prudent to have a word with you," Skeleton King admitted, turning to face him, "I wanted to be sure Lothor hasn't been trying to strike a deal or make an alliance with a god of this world," He explained, narrowing his eyes toward Ares.
"Worried that would throw a wrench in the balance of power between you two?" Ares laughed, "Well, don't worry. As much as I loathe the word, consider me neutral in your little competition. He and I both ending up on the same side of this war is purely coincidental, and there's been no talk of anything more beyond that. Frankly, I look forward to seeing what both of you are capable of without divine aid on either side."
That is if his dear sister doesn't try to stir the pot with her apparent interest in the lich standing before him.
"Hmm, it's good to hear that, Lord Ares," Skeleton King acknowledged with a nod of his head, "And rest assured, I'm sure you'll find the days to come most entertaining~" He added with a dark chuckle, as Ares gave a smirk at those words.
"I'm pleased to hear that," He stated, while turning his head toward the rampaging Blue Face, "However..." before pausing as Skeleton King spoke up again, and he turned his head to see the "undead" alien warlord staring at him with a dark thoughtfully scowl, "That isn't the only reason I'm approaching you," Skeleton King stated, while Ares looked at him with curiosity.
"Oh?" He asked with a tilt of his head as Skeleton King stared right into his eyes, "Tell me..." Skeleton King scowled darkly, "does the name Bill Cipher mean anything to you?'
Ares froze as he felt a shudder go up and down his spine. A true god didn't know fear nor acknowledge it, but that abomination was another subject altogether.
"I'm familiar with that... thing, and the chaos it brought in its wake," he admitted, "Even on Olympus we were aware of Cipher's attempt to break into this world several years ago, and we were all relieved when he was stopped. Why do you ask?"
"Hmm, some time ago I had a vision of Bill's attempt to break into this reality's physical dimension in my efforts to research more about Earth's forces and history," Skeleton King explained with a hum, while looking at Ares with a calculating gaze.
Internally he knew this was risky, but if Cipher was still operating or at a risk of returning, getting word out or at least arranging a godly wrench in any of his plans might be prudent, "And one of the things I saw was Cipher's end," He added, before showing the vision of Bill's defeat to Ares in an illusion as he raised his staff up... including Cipher's true last words reversed.
Ares scowled.
"Of course that bastard would have a backup plan," he growled, "Do you know if it succeeded in somehow reviving him?"
Skeleton King shook his head, "Not as of yet." He admitted truthfully as he watched the forms of Wonder Woman and Captain Atom fly up to Blue Face's face, "However, Lothor and I have agreed to work together by pulling together our forces and investigating Gravity Falls after our business in Kaznia is done."
He explained to the god of war, who wore a thoughtful scowl.
"Good," he said, "If there's even a chance that that abomination might have found a way to crawl back into this reality, it needs to be crushed now while there's still a chance to do so."
"Agreed, rivals in conquest or that fool Trigon's own bid to enter this realm are one thing " Skeleton King agreed, before adding with a grimace, "But Cipher..." He shook his head, "he can not be allowed to exist." His eyes giving off a menacing glow.
"I'm not one for altruism, but say the word and I'll lend whatever aid I can," Ares stated, "Chaos is a natural part of war, but what Cipher brings is something else altogether, and I will not let him bring it about."
"The offer is much appreciated, Lord Ares," Skeleton King admitted truthfully, looking over at the god, "And I'm glad we are in agreement in this threat."
He added, clenching his staff, "I felt it best to enlighten other parties to Bill's little gambit in the event of the worst case scenario of his return," He scowled, watching the continued clash between Blue Face and the League members, "After our business in Gravity Falls concludes, I might make sure this information is shared with those amusing heroes among the Justice League, just as further added insurance."
"Go ahead, I'd love to see their reaction to realizing they let such a threat fester under their noses," Ares scoffed.
At that Skeleton King let out a chuckle, "Indeed," He said, turning to make his leave, "If you should discover anything on your own regarding Cipher, please inform us Lord Ares, and we shall do our utmost best to ensure he remains nothing but a memory."
He said with a dark hiss, before adding with a smirk, "For now, I'll leave you to your entertainment," he stated, adding over his shoulder, "My goals for this conflict have already been accomplished, now I simply need to let things play out~" He informed the god of war with a dark twisted chuckle.
Ares arched an eyebrow at that, wondering what exactly he'd managed to accomplish if Diana had managed to expose his actions further south.
Well, he was sure he'd find out eventually, he figured with a smirk. In the meantime, he decided to put his curiosity about and his concerns about Cipher's potential return aside, and instead focus on enjoying the battle unfolding before him.
(Back with said battle)
"Arg, hold still you annoying flies, and let me swat you!" Blue Face yelled out, swinging his staff at the flying form of Wonder Woman, who was attempting to attack his face while Captain Atom, still hit hard from his earlier injuries, hovered a ways away but let loose a powerful blast straight to Blue Face's eyes.
"RAAARGGH!" Blue Face roared in rage as the nuclear energy burned his eyes just enough to cause pain, but not enough to inflict serous damage.
"This isn't working!" he called out to Wonder Woman, "We need to find a weak spot!"
"Agreed," Wonder Woman called out with a frown, "Only question is, where we can find it," she growled out, while down below White Pantera was attempting his earlier trick against Da Samurai on a much larger scale, as he ran as fast as he could around Blue Face's feet while his comrades distracted him in the air, while pouring all his energy into this effort as wind steadily started to build up.
While off to the distance, Hawk and Dove observed the fight, "I can't believe we aren't there helping them!" Hawk snapped out with a scowl while Dove frowned, "Believe me, I want to help too, but we need to come up with a good plan first before attacking an enemy combatant of that scale." He told his brother, trying to get through his hard head that right now, even with their own powers, they'd be more of a hindrance than aid to their fellow Leaguers against a enemy like this.
"Dammit, I know, but that doesn't mean I have to like it," Hawk growled in frustration. Dove frowned as well, trying to think of a way to help, when a loud noise nearby caught their attention. Turning to face it, they saw Bane and the Annihilator, still grappling with each other and rolling out of the trees.
"Ugh, and we still have those two to deal with," Hawk grumbled.
"Hmm, maybe not..." Dove hummed out thoughtfully as he glanced between the forms of Bane and Annihilator fighting and the enlarged form of Blue Face, causing his brother to blink and arch a brow at him.
"Come again?" he asked.
"I don't believe in two wrongs making a right, but sometimes two or more problems can handle each other," Dove clarified, gesturing between the fights. To his credit, Hawk caught onto what he was saying fairly quickly, eyes widening before he smirked.
"Now you're talking my language," he laughed, "Let's do this."
The brothers nodded, before charging off to get to work, hoping this plan would work.
WHAM
Bane howled with rage as he whaled on the Annihilation, "I WILL BREAK YOU!"
The Annihilator, naturally, didn't respond as it took the blows, before lashing out with one of its own that connected with Bane's face. The mystically enhanced criminal's head barely moved with the blow, and frankly he was more angry at the Annihilator resisting him than from any pain.
He was stronger than ever, and he refused to lose to some pathetic toy knight when he once broke the Dark Knight!
With another roar, he brought both his fists down on the Annihilator's head, driving it down into the ground. He then raised a leg, prepared to stomp it down further.
"Hey, jackass!" a sudden shout caught his attention. He turned to face it, just in time for Hawk's boot to slam into his face.
"Arg!" This of course just angered Bane, and caused his attention to be taken away from the godly armor.
WHAM
Which the Annihilator exploited by launching out a fist and sending Bane tumbling on the ground.
As he fell with a grunt of mild pain, the Annihilator moved to attack him again, only for Dove to suddenly jump on top of it. Wrapping his legs around its neck, he flipped around and dropped to the ground, the movement tossing the armor over and several feet across the field when he let go of it.
"Come and get me!" he called out to it as it stood back up and turned to face him. He and Hawk then ran back in the direction of the fight with Blue Face, the Annihilator taking off after them.
"Get back here!" Bane snarled as he got back up, taking off after the group.
"I think we've got their attention!" Hawk called out with a smirk.
"Now we just need to make sure we pull this off!" Dove called right back as the forms of Bane and Annihilator followed after them.
Meanwhile, Diana and Captain Atom were still flying around Blue Face's head, trying to both damage him and at least keep his attention away from the soldiers under his feet, who were fleeing like ants.
"Evacuate, hurry now!" Cried out one of the leading soldiers just as a form crashed a distance away from the giant, who seemed uncaring of either side of the conflict getting caught in the crossfire.
"Damn you, hold... STILL!" Blue Face yelled out, swinging down his scythe, with Wonder Woman and Captain Atom dodging to the sides while the scythe also shot out a blast of energy off into the distance.
BOOM
A spot of the battlefield the size of a football stadium was blown up, scattering soldiers and vehicles.
"Damn it!" Atom snapped in a low growl, clenching his fists in anger despite his military discipline, "Ma'am, we might need a change of strategy before he blows the entire country up!"
Atom called out as Wonder Woman gave a firm frown and nod.
"You're right, but until we see a weakness to exploit or come up with a plan, best we can do is keep his attention on us while hitting him hard," Wonder Woman said, pulling out her lasso before throwing it forward to wrap around Blue Face's weapon, "Though disarming him could be a good step forward."
"Fool! You think you can match the power that Master Lothor has granted me?!" Blue Face snarled, tugging back on his weapon to pull it free.
Or rather, trying to, as Diana's sheer strength meant that he could barely budge it from the position she was pulling it in.
"Grrr, whatever power your master has bestowed..." Wonder Woman grit her teeth while pulling with all her might, "is nothing compared to the strength of an Amazon warrior!" She exclaimed with one final pull, managing to jerk the weapon out of Blue Face's grip.
The massive scythe went flying across the battlefield, slamming into the ground nearly a mile away and scattering the nearby soldiers.
"Grah! I don't need a weapon, I'll crush you with my bare hands!" Blue Face growled.
"You can try..." Wonder Woman retorted back as Atom shot a blast to Blue Face's right eye from the side, while the giant warrior focused his anger on Wonder Woman.
"Argh, I'll kill you!" He exclaimed out, trying to grab at the two angrily.
Unfortunately for him, in this case his newfound size worked against him, making it like a normal-sized person trying to swat flies out of the air barehanded. The two were easily able to dodge around his massive fists, Atom repeatedly blasting him as he did so, and Wonder Woman periodically swooping in to hit him.
And as he grew more frustrated and distracted trying to grab and swat the two, down below heading to his feet were the forms of Hawk and Dove.
"Alright, those two numbskulls aren't far behind us," Hawk said, turning his head back where he heard the sounds of trees falling in the distance, "So how do we get the gruesome giant's attention?" He asked, jabbing his thumb over to the towering Blue Face.
Dove rubbed his chin in thought, glancing around the battlefield and having a spark of inspiration as he saw a rocket launcher laying on the ground nearby, presumably having being dropped by a fleeing soldier.
"I don't really like these things, but at least it'll be for a good cause," he said, picking it up.
Hawk, at the sight of this, let out a wide smirk, "Just like fireworks on the 4th of July," He said as his brother got into position, and just in time as the Annihilator knocked some of the trees down with Bane quickly following suit, bursting through the foliage.
"Take the shot now!" Hawk called out, entering a battle stance as the two enemies approached, and not a moment later Dove shot off the rocket.
It flew through the air and hit exactly where he was aiming, at the tip of Blue Face's foot. Given his size, the resulting explosion did no more damage than stubbing his toe, but it was still enough to catch his attention as he grunted in minor pain and glared down at his source.
Pantera, who had given up on his attempt to blind Blue Face with a whirlwind once he realized it wasn't working, ran over to join the brothers.
"Amigos! What are you doing?" he asked.
"Getting our biggest problem to deal with the smaller ones," Dove explained, tossing the spent rocket launcher aside and pointing to where Hawk was expertly dodging between Bane and the Annihilator, managing to get their attention back on each other. Eyes widening as he caught on to what Dove was saying, Pantera nodded and braced himself to move.
"Pests! I'll crush you!" Blue Face snarled, raising a foot and slamming it down hard towards the ground. In response, Pantera grabbed Dove and sped off, grabbing Hawk along the way and leaving Bane and the Annihilator alone in Blue Face's path.
"What?" was all Bane managed to get out, before Blue Face's foot came down on the two of them with a thunderous crash.
BOOM
"Well..." Hawk said as White Pantera sat him and brother down while giving a smirk, "I think that's taken care of those two," He said with an undertone of amusement to Pantera and Dove.
"Si, but that still leaves us with one very large problem," Pantera added, grimacing as he looked up at Blue Face.
While up from their positions in the air, Captain Atom and Wonder Woman also saw what happened to Bane and the Annihilator.
"Well, that's two down, ma'am," Captain Atom reported, however Wonder Woman merely shook her head with a scowl.
"Somehow... I doubt it," She told the other League member. Perhaps Bane would no longer be a problem after this, but they armor? No, from not only of what she had seen of its power so far and knowing very well any weapon crafted by Hephaestus would not be destroyed so easily, she doubted very much that Ares' weapon was out of commission just yet.
And as if to prove her words, Blue Face let out a surprise grunt.
"What the?!" He yelped out in surprise as he found his foot steadily being lifted up.
"Impossible..." Whispered out Dove, while Hawk shook his head in disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding me," The other bird-themed brother said, while Pantera gave a worried grimace and the two airborne Leaguers shared a worried scowl.
All of them staring at the sight of the Annihilator, buckling on one knee but slowly standing up while lifting up Blue Face's form, with the surprisingly still alive but purple glowing form of Bane laying on the ground beside it.
"Insolent piece of scrap! You will not defy me!" Blue Face growled, pressing down harder on the Annihilator, only for it to continue to hold his foot up.
Everyone was so focused on staring at this in shock, they didn't notice as the glow left Bane, leaving him moaning and unconscious as it moved like a wisp of smoke over to the Annihilator and passing through a seam in its metal plates.
And as it did so, a figure observing the battle from within Kaznia's royal palace gave a dark smirk while laughing lowly. "All according to plan~" They hissed out with a dark grin, pleased that the secondary goal and motivation for Bane's upgrade has played out just as he hoped~
Before focusing back in on the fight, watching as the armor actually managed to stand back up onto its feet, but threw the weight of the giant foot off it.
"Grrr!" Blue Face growled as he stumbled backwards, nearly falling over before managing to catch himself.
This was impossible! He was a warrior of Lothor, granted even greater power than he already possessed by his master! He could not fail to defeat such an insignificant gnat!
"You... you... dare!" He exclaimed angrily, glaring down at the Annihilator, "I will not be humiliated!" He roared out, lashing down to punch at the godly armor.
BOOM
With a great dust cloud forming where he punched, while the ground shook from a miniature earthquake, though moments later the watching heroes saw the form of the Annihilator making its way up Blue Face's arm.
"What?! Get off!" he snarled, slapping at his arm with his other hand, only for the Annihilator to leap across to land on that arm and continue running up. This kept happening, until the armor reached his face and started punching at it.
"Well, this is entertaining. But what now?" Hawk asked, watching as Blue Face basically repeatedly punched himself in the face trying to get at the Annihilator.
"Now we regroup and come up with a plan." He blinked, hearing the all too feminine voice ringing with authority, with him and Pantera looking up as Captain Atom and Wonder Woman landed beside them.
"With any luck, at least one threat will neutralize the other," Diana said, scowling as she observed the Annihilator pummeling into Blue Face's face, "But it's clear we need to have a strategy, no matter who emerges victorious."
"How fast can Señor Superman or Green Lantern get down here?" Pantera asked, "Because we may need that level of power to deal with this."
"Great, more escalation," Dove sighed, "On the bright side, at least all this has pretty much stopped the war."
Diana, who had been about to hit her communicator to call for help, paused as she heard that. Her eyes widened as something suddenly came to her.
"That's it! That's why the armor attacks whoever attacks it, it's made to feed on aggression!" she exclaimed, "That means the only way to defeat it is to simply stop fighting!"
"What? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" Hawk said.
"Makes sense to me, if it really was made by the god of war," Dove commented.
"But even if that's true, we still need to deal with the big one, otherwise there will still be aggression on the field feeding it," Atom stated.
"Urgh, if we could just hit him hard enough or had something big enough we could bring him down," Hawk chimed in, punching a fist into his palm in frustration, "Hawk..." .
At the sound of his brother's voice he rolled his eyes, "I know, I know, violence isn't always the answer," He snipped back, turning to face Dove, only to see his brother shaking his head and looking off in the distance.
"No, for once you might actually be on the right track," Dove told his brother as he and the other League members turned their gazes to the direction Dove was looking, with them blinking at the sight of Blue Face's weapon that Wonder Woman had managed to separate from him earlier.
"To quote Teddy Roosevelt, speak softly but carry a big stick," Dove said, "And right now, that's the biggest stick around."
"That could actually work," Atom said, "But how are we supposed to use it?"
"I'll handle that," Diana said, before running over to the giant scythe and grabbing ahold of the bottom of its blade, "Hera, give me strength!"
With that invocation, Wonder Woman cried out and started straining to lift the giant weapon off of the ground. Soon, she had it hefted over her head, and with a bit more effort, managed to turn it so that its sharp end was aimed at Blue Face. With another cry, she then threw it at him like a javelin.
While Blue Face himself was to distracted trying to smash the Annihilator and hurting himself in the process in his attempts alongside the armor's own attacks to notice his own weapon was hurtling toward him, "Grr, hold still you.." He snarled out, only to raise his head and widen his eyes at the sight of his weapon
SHING!
"GRAH!"
Which was now sticking right into in the middle of his chest, causing him to gasp out in pain as he he stumbled back, "This... can't... be."
He reached up to try and pull the scythe out, but his strength rapidly left him, while energy started crackling across his body. With a final pained grunt, he fell backwards, the whole area shaking as he hit the ground.
BOOM
And then exploded again, once more reduced to ash and debris.
"Seriously, why's he keep exploding?" Hawk asked.
"Hmm, a trait of his biology perhaps?" Dove asked with his own befuddled expression.
"Could be something Lothor did to make sure his man wouldn't be captured for interrogation," Captain Atom stated with a dark frown, his mind going to kamikaze bombers and the like.
"Regardless, with any luck Lothor can't revive him again, so we can focus on finally finishing this," Diana stated, frowning as she watched the form of the Annihilator start to emerge out of the smoke, "Come on, we need to find the soldiers and make sure they've all stood down."
"What about that thing?" Hawk demanded, glaring at the Annihilator as it started to walk towards them.
"If I'm right, stopping the conflict will stop him. Let's go," Diana said, turning to lead the others away.
At this, the other Leaguers exchanged wary looks, but followed after Wonder Woman and soon came to a stop in front of the armor with stepping toward it.
"No matter what happens, don't make any hostile movements," she ordered sternly over her shoulder as she glared up at the armor, which stomped forward, the others watching nervously as she stared it down, and it taking all the group's restraint to not jump in as it started to raise it' arm in a gesture to smash down onto Wonder Woman, but the Amazon warrior simply gave a hard stare up at it, not moving an inch, with silence standing for what seemed like eternity until... the armor let it arms fall silently to the side, seemingly powering down.
"I can't believe that actually worked," Hawk said in shock.
"See? Sometimes violence really isn't the answer," Dove told his brother, who rolled his eyes.
"Of course, that still leaves the matter of all of them, si?" Pantera pointed out, gesturing to the crowds of soldiers from both armies, who were cautiously coming out of wherever they'd been hiding. Seeing this, Diana frowned and rose up into the air.
"All of you, stand down! I have authorization from Queen Audrey herself to order a ceasefire!" she declared. That was a bluff, admittedly, but she was sure that Audrey wouldn't exactly disapprove of it.
At this, soldiers from both sides actually traded unsure looks, even the most zealous among them wary of continuing the fight after the giant and the arrival of a Justice League founder speaking in the Queen's authority.
"Don't listen to her!" Though a new voice called out with heavy annoyance as the form of Nardoc stepped forward, a form that burnt away revealing Ares wearing a dark scowl, "Keep fighting, all of you!"
He ordered with a slight snap, looking annoyed at the possibility of the war stopping, and the only reason he wasn't showing more fury was how glorious the level of things had escalated to with the intervention of Lothor and Skeleton King... and also more immediate concerns like Cipher's last gamble, something he was probably going to have to share with the rest of his family least he face some severe punishment from his father.
"They might be willing to fight for their beliefs or loyalties, Ares, but you really think they're willing to do it for your amusement?" Diana asked, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at the god. A glare that was joined by many others as the soldiers caught onto what she was saying.
"As if they need a reason. Mortals exist only to give into their impulses to destroy each other!" Ares sneered in disdain. This didn't help his case any, however, as the soldiers' glares intensified, and one by one they started throwing their guns to the ground in defiance.
A sight that certainly raised Ares' ire, causing him to clench his fists at his side before hearing Diana speak up firmly, "It's over Ares," He shot her and the other so-called heroes behind her a glare, before exhaling.
"Very well," He spat out slightly as he narrowed his eyes, "But know that this isn't over, Diana," He leaned forward with a smirk, "Because wherever there is war I'll be there," He told her as she glared right into his eyes, "and besides that..."
He turned with a slight huff, "I've got more pressing matters to attend to anyway." He remarked, remembering the matter of Cipher's little gamble.
Wonder Woman arched an eyebrow in confusion at that last statement, wondering what he could possibly mean by that. But before she could question it, Ares suddenly vanished in a flash of light.
And almost unnoticed by everyone, at the same time Bane also vanished, carried away by Skeleton King's magic. Emphasis on almost.
"Señora! Bane is gone!" White Pantera called out as he zipped over to where the mercenary had been laying.
"What?!' Diana demanded, brushing off Ares' departing words for now as she turned to her fellow League member.
"The guy got squashed by a giant, no way he should be able to run off like that!" Hawk exclaimed out in disbelief.
"Not without help at least," Captain Atom pointed out with a scowl, crossing his arms.
"Skeleton King," Wonder Woman hissed out with a dark scowl.
"Most likely," Dove agreed, looking at the others, "Chances are he's long gone." He added, with Diana giving an irritated sigh.
"Along with the rest of Skeleton King and Lothor's forces," The Amazon agreed with a dark scowl.
"Leave it to the creeps to book it while leaving us to clean up their mess," Hawk added in a bitter mutter.
"Have no fear my comrades, there will be another day to bring those villains to justice," The hero of Miracle City said firmly.
"And we've still done a lot of good stopping this senseless war," Dove added, but Atom sighed as he stared at the soldiers of both sides giving each other wary distrusting looks.
"Now comes the hard part, in both sides finding a way to come to terms with the other," The soldier observed, knowing that would be easier said than done.
"Eh, something for the pencil pushers to worry about," Hawk stated with a wave of his hand, "All I know is, I'm ready to head home and relax after all this craziness."
The hero stated to the others, only to pause with the others as they heard something.
"I'm afraid rest will have to wait," Wonder Woman said with a scowl as she saw several lumbering forms of Rotters, the larger giant-sized models making their way to them, "Because it seems Skeleton King has sent us a parting gift that we need to desk with."
"Well, that's just great," Hawk groaned in annoyance.
"Let's just get this over with," Atom said, the heroes soon rushing out to confront the Rotters.
(Meanwhile, the mountain cavern)
While the League was bringing the war to an end, Mandy was still making her way through the cavern, handling its traps with ease while Tao and Valeena followed behind her and Tak brought up the rear. Until finally, Mandy came to a large cavern-sized room and the final obstacle between her and her prize.
"Hmm," she mused, looking at the only apparent decoration in the room. It was a cube just a little smaller than her head, floating several feet above the floor. Its surface was broken up into a series of small squares, most of them covered in arcane symbols of some sort, which frankly made it look like some sort of bizarre Rubik's cube.
"Which means this is probably a puzzle of some kind," she thought out loud, "So, I just have to solve it to get what I want... and if I get it wrong, it probably triggers another death trap."
She frowned in thought for a moment before shrugging as she stepped forward, "Well, not like I'm one to turn away from danger," She stated bluntly, before stepping up to take the cube into her hands, and after carefully examining it and the symbols on it, made her first try on it.
In a few moments, she had the symbols rearranged so that on each side of the cube they now formed a larger symbol. In response, the cube started to glow, and Mandy smirked... only to jump aside as her well-honed instincts suddenly yelled at her to move.
ZAP
Just in time, too, as the walls of the room started glowing and launched massive bolts at lightning at where she'd just been standing. Even now having landed several yards away from that spot, the energy discharged was still enough to make Mandy's hair to stick out.
"Okay, so that's what happens if you get it wrong," Mandy said calmly, staring at the new scorch mark on the floor, while smoothing her hair back down.
She frowned, carefully examining it, "This one might actually be a challenge..." She observed before adding with a smirk, "Good, this was starting to get dull."
She stated, placing her hand on the puzzle, "Wouldn't you all agree!?" She called out, staring at the room's entrance, "And you might as well stop hiding, I've been aware of someone following me for a while now."
"Tch, so you're more attentive than I gave you credit for," Tao scoffed as he and Valeena emerged into the room, "That's almost enough to make up for your utter lack of professionalism."
"Yeah, and your arrogance is still almost enough to make up for lacking a personality, Tao," Mandy replied, shooting the older mercenary a mild glare.
Valeena, meanwhile, didn't bother giving the byplay any attention, instead turning to look back down the tunnel. As she expected, a moment later Tak emerged as well, quickly moving to keep distance between herself and everyone else.
"I see the bug managed to avoid getting squashed," Valeena sneered.
"I assure you, there are only three people in this room who need to worry about getting squashed, and I'm not one of them," Tak barbed back with a scowl to the witch, who shot her a sneer, "And I see that the walking corpse has at least enough brains remaining in his skull to send a additional agent to hold your hand during your mission," The Irken added smugly.
"You dare!" Valeena snapped, glaring at the impudent insect.
"Dare what? Speak the truth?" Said Tak with a mocking smirk, "Because from what I heard about you, it's clear Lothor has a lot more faith in my capabilities than Skeleton King has for yours~"
She added, staring into the witch's eyes, having been informed of what Lothor's forces knew about Skeleton King and his own forces so far, including what transpired on the communication call between the two sides while she was still a prisoner.
"You insolent insect!" Valeena snarled, "I'll tear you to still living pieces that will beg for the release of death!"
"If you two are going to cat fight, take it outside. Some of us have important work to do," Mandy said dryly, regaining the group's attention.
"Silence, fool, the only work you have is to hand over whatever you came here for to your superiors!" Tao declared.
"Well, if I ever meet anyone superior to me, I'll do that. But no one is," Mandy replied, tone still stoic but with an undercurrent of smugness.
"You know, you remind me of someone, another arrogant bitch who thought she was better than everyone," Tak stated with a frown, before smirking, "And all it took was a week as my prisoner to break her down to the pathetic worm she really was deep down. I wonder how long you'll last by comparison."
However, Mandy merely snorted at the threat, "Please, even if I was pathetic enough to let myself be captured, I'd probably have you broken at my heel as I walked out within the day."
She said, staring boredly at the alien who growled at her, "Ohh, I'd be happy to put that to the test," The Irken said with a hiss as she loomed over the others using her PAK legs.
"Sorry, but I have more important things to do than deal with imbeciles, arrogant lackeys, and wannabe conquerors," Mandy stated, getting dark murderous glares while she took the chance to give the puzzle in her hands a hard twist.
As she expected, that failed to solve the puzzle. But it did have the desired effect of triggering the room's boobytraps, lightning bolts shooting out in her direction. She jumped aside again, allowing the lightning to hit the space between her new location and her opponents.
ZAP
The resulting burst of light temporarily blinded the three of them, giving Mandy the opening she needed. Pocketing the puzzle, she dashed forward to punch Tao in the stomach, while swinging out with her scythe, sending a wave of magic energy at the other two.
Valeena quickly summoned a mystical energy field in front of her to block the blast with gritted teeth, while Tak sprang up, dodging the blast before removing a blaster from her PAK and opening fire at Mandy's location as Valeena conjured a swarm of dark screeching bats swarming straight to Mandy before lobbing a mystical bolt at Tak.
Tak sprang around in midair to dodge the attack, while Mandy spun up a twister to absorb and scatter the bats, before ducking away as Tao recovered from her previous attack and swung a kick at her head.
"I've been wanting to do this for years, you upstart brat," Tao snarled, launching a series of blows at Mandy, all of which she dodged with ease.
"What, fight and lose against a girl less than half your age?" Mandy asked sarcastically.
"No, teach an arrogant foolish upstart her place!" He snapped, swinging out a side kick aimed at her neck that she blocked with her scythe's staff.
"Only person who's going to learn their place is you and those two fools," Mandy said in her monotone, before pushing Tao leg back while swiping at his head with her scythe, which Tao dodged before leaping up and landing on her scythe before then lunging in a kick to her face that Mandy dodged by leaning back.
And as the clash continued, Tak, engaging in a round of firing and dodging with Valeena, decided it was time to call in reinforcements, "Kelzaks!"
In response, there was a flash of light as a squad of Kelzaks teleported into the room, quickly surrounding Valeena, who scoffed.
"Two can play at that game, bug. Formless, arise!" she called out, causing ooze to emerge from the ground around her, taking the shape of multiple Formless which stood protectively between her and the Kelzaks.
"Attack!" Tak and Valeena commanded simultaneously, causing the two groups of minions to charge each other.
With the Formless and Kelzaks wasting no time in clashing against each other, tonfa clanging against any weapon the Formless formed, while dodging the energy blasts from Formless as well.
While Tak wasted no time in charging and lunging to Valeena. With a snarl, she swung her PAK legs at the witch's face, who leapt back to avoid them, then started flinging spells at her in retaliation.
"You'll have to do better than that, bug!" Valeena laughed, only for Tak to manage to easily dodge all her spells and dash forward, punching her in the face.
All of this delightful pandemonium was of course being observed with a wide amused grin by the goddess of chaos herself, Eris.
"Now this is some quality entertainment~" The goddess said with delight, her form hidden in the shadows of the entrance, watching the fighting, Formless against Kelzaks, Valeena against Tak, and of course Mandy against Tao, "But we can always make it more entertaining~" she said with a demented giggle as she held up a golden apple that she threw into the middle of the conflict.
Upon impact with the floor, the apple dissolved into golden energy, which spread across the room, unnoticed by anyone. What they did notice, however, was when the room started shaking.
"Oh, now what?" Mandy growled in annoyance. Before scowling as she heard an all too familiar voice cackling out, "What else but CHAOS!"
"Oh, of course," Mandy groaned, as everyone turned to the voice and found Eris leaning against the wall of the entrance, "What is your crazy ass doing here?"
"Oh, you know, I heard lovely things about this country, I thought I'd take a little vacation and soak in the sights~" Eris replied airily with a smug smirk, "And what about you Mandy, what brings you into this little corner of the world?"
"None of your damn business," Mandy growled.
"Who are you?" Valeena demanded, glaring at the blonde woman who she could sense was radiating intense magical energy.
"I'm Eris, the Goddess of Chaos," Eris replied with a mock bow, as the room shook again, "And speaking of chaos, please enjoy what's about to happen."
At those words, the ground shook, with cracks forming and glowing before a large form burst through the ground, "AAAAARRRGGG!" And a large bronze-skinned minotaur was revealed, with numerous human sized hissing snakes following after it, emerging from the hole.
"...I fucking hate you," Mandy spat at Eris, before having to swing her scythe to decapitate several of the snakes as they lunged at her.
"Love you too, dear," Eris laughed, leaning back to enjoy the show as her monsters swarmed the group.
"RAAARG!" The minotaur roared, punching at the ground, with Tao and Mandy dodging to avoid the attack while a free for all formed between the Kelzaks, Formless, and snakes, a free for all that Tak and Valeena were getting in the middle of while trying to take each other out.
Tak leapt over a snake that a Kelzak was wrestling with, slashing her way through a Formless on her way to Valeena, who leapt aside and threw a spell at her. Tak dodged it, only to get tackled by a snake. Valeena laughed at that, but didn't have a chance to enjoy it before a pair of Kelzaks tackled her in turn.
Meanwhile, Mandy and Tao were both trying to take down the minotaur, but it was absorbing their blows without seeming to feel them.
"This contract is quickly becoming one of the more headache-inducing ones," Tao said with a sigh while backflipping away from the minotaur to give them more space between them.
"Welcome to my world, when dealing with annoying old has-beens who just can't stay out of my way," Mandy called out evenly, getting a glare in return as she sent a energy slash straight to the minotaur's face, causing it to roar angrily as it glared at her.
"Durable, huh?" Mandy said, sheathing her scythe as she quickly pulled out the puzzle from her side, "Let's see how you handle this place's security," She muttered, while giving the puzzle a twist. Hopefully this would cut down some of her current annoyances.
ZAP
ZAP
ZAP
Once again, lightning bolts rained down from the walls and ceilings. As they hit, Formless exploded into ooze, Kelzaks were sent flying, and snakes shrieked as they were left fried, but the main combatants all managed to avoid being hit.
"RAAAAGGGHHH!"
With the exception of the minotaur, which was struck by a lightning bolt head on. However, other than some slight scorch marks, it didn't appear to be all that damaged. If anything, it appeared more pissed than anything as it threw its head back before expelling a great amount of flame toward the combatants.
"And of course it breathes out fire," Mandy muttered with an irritated twitch of her eye quickly redrawing her scythe and spinning it front of her as the flame hit while Tao moved to dodge and get behind the minotaur, Valeena blasted the Kelzaks off her straight back into the approaching flames' path, while quickly forming a mystical energy bubble around herself, and finally Tak was attempting to use her PAK legs to scale the walls up to the ceiling.
"Hahahahahaha! I didn't even know it could do that!" Eris laughed giddily. Hearing this, Tak's eye twitched in annoyance, and she leapt down at the goddess, attempting to impale her on her PAK legs, only for Eris to casually teleport to another spot in the chamber in order to dodge her.
"Nice try, dear, but you're going to have to do better than that," Eris chuckled while Tak glared at her.
"Then allow me!" Valeena snarled, firing a stream of dark magic at Eris.
"Dark magic, cute~" Eris giggled out, before the stream hit her body and blocking it from view, causing Valeena to smirk, before her eyes widened at the sound of the voice behind her, "But while I'm hardly the top three of the Olympians, I'm still the goddess of one of the most powerful forces in existence~"
Valeena whirled around and saw Eris behind her, holding up another golden apple, "Chaos!" She exclaimed with a cackle, and as Valeena moved to attack, the apple let out a bright golden glow.
BOOM
And promptly exploded, sending Valeena flying across the room to slam into Tao, the force of the impact sending him along with her to smack against a wall.
For its part, the minotaur looked confused at one of its opponents suddenly disappearing, before shrugging and turning its full attention onto Mandy.
SHING!
"RAAAAARRRRGGGGG!" Only to let out a furious roar of rage as Mandy, who was now landing behind the minotaur in a crouch while holding out her scythe, had exploited the creature's temporary distraction by leaping up and successfully cutting off its right horn, which landed to the side with a loud boom. Before quickly twisting around to launch several energy slashes straight at the minotaur's back.
The slashes barely managed to break the skin, but even this minor pain just made the minotaur angrier. Growling in rage, it turned and swung its massive fist at her, but she managed to roll out of the way.
Meanwhile, Valeena and Tao were trying to untangle from the heap they'd ended up in where they'd landed.
"Get off of me, you worthless oaf!" Valeena spat.
This caused Tao to send her a glare before spitting out, "How about you start pulling your weight before you call someone worthless!" He stated, standing back up to full height with Valeena, who glared at him, "After all, you're the witch, so between the two of us you should be the one with a solution to this mess."
He said gesturing to the minotaur attacking Mandy as Tak opened fire at it from her own location, all while Eris laughed and enjoyed the show, "And yet it seems I'm the one doing all the work."
Valeena snarled at the insult, but rather than waste time on trading barbed words with him, she turned her attention back to the fighting. Conjuring dark magic in her hands while chanting, she thrust it toward the minotaur, the magic hitting it right in the head.
The minotaur froze in mid-step, as its eyes started to glow from Valeena's magic. Then it spun around, ignoring Mandy and Tak to charge its surprised creator.
"Hey, what the?!" Eris yelped, having to dodge to avoid a punch that put a hole in the stone wall behind her.
At this, Valeena let out a twisted cackle, "Fool!" She proclaimed grandly to the so-called goddess with a twisted smirk, "Did you think you could stop the great one's most loyal acolyte with a mere beast?!"
She asked mockingly as she hovered up, landing on top of the minotaur's head while glaring down at those who foolishly tried to stand between her master and his prize, "Now your beast shall serve the will of Skeleton King!" She declared as the minotaur joined her ensuing crackling with a roar.
"Well, this is annoying," Eris grumbled, before pulling out another apple and throwing it at the minotaur's hooves. It exploded into golden light, causing large vines to burst out of the ground and wrap around the minotaur, which struggled to break free.
"Ha, mere weeds!" Valeena mocked, holding up her her glowing hands, "Is that the best a so-called goddess of this pitiful world can do!?' she demanded, oozing smugness as she blasted the vines with dark mystical energy.
"Not really," Eris said casually as Valeena's magic burned through the vines, "But it makes for a pretty good distraction."
"What?"
BAM
While Valeena's focus had been on Eris, she'd failed to see the humanoid golem twice the size of the minotaur that had formed behind it, until it brought a fist down on the minotaur's head. It barely missed Valeena, who jumped away at the last second, but the minotaur's skull was crushed, killing it immediately.
"Good luck mind controlling this one! It doesn't have a mind!" Eris cackled, as the golem started chasing Valeena.
"You impudent wrench!" Valeena screeched, flying back while hurling bolts of mystical energy at the golem while shooting Eris a dark murderous glare, "Skeleton King shall have your head for this!" The Skull Sorceress promised in a dark growl, only for Eris to give a laugh, "Hehe, oh but that's the thing, dear~"
Eris shot the Skull Sorceress a taunting smirk, "If I bring him Mandy's little prize, he'll probably want more than just my head~" She said, trailing her hand sensually down her side while her eyes honed in on Mandy, Tao, and Tak.
The three of them had ended up in a standoff, Mandy's scythe held at the ready while Tak's PAK legs were aimed at her and Tao, who was tensed in preparation to block attacks from either. However, Eris' last comment immediately caught all of their attentions.
"What?" Mandy demanded icily.
"That's right, darling. I know what you're looking for~" Eris said in a sing-song, causing Mandy to glare at her rage.
"Shut your mouth, you divine bimbo!" Mandy snapped.
"Well, this is interesting," Tak mused, eyeing Eris carefully.
With Tao also narrowing his eyes as Eris looked smugly at Mandy, "Ah come on sweetie, you didn't think you could keep your little treasure hunt for Horror's Hand of all things a secret forever, did you?"
Eris asked coyly as Mandy glared, gritting her teeth, "And while it's not here, we both know the prize here will bring you one step closer to that lovely little accessory~" Eris added, throwing her hair back, and if it weren't for divinity she might have dropped dead from Mandy's glare.
"Horror's Hand? The gauntlet which lets the user bring their foes' greatest fears to life?" Tao exclaimed in shock.
"That's right, Mr. Exposition," Eris chuckled, "It's been lost for centuries, hidden away so well even us gods can't find it. But Mandy here found the well-hidden clues and has been chasing it down for some time. Cause she just can't resist a way to get more power, isn't that right?"
Mandy's glare was practically setting Eris on fire from the amount of held back rage and hate, while Tao hummed out with a pleased smirk, "No she can't," He said, shooting Mandy a mocking smirk, "Though I believe a artifact like that would be a little too much for a child to handle~"
He said as Mandy swerved her glare to him while Tak processed this information. A weapon that could bring the fears of your enemies to life... how very interesting, the Irken thought with an evil smile, "Believe me..." before focusing back on Mandy, "You can't begin to imagine the level of power I'm capable of handling."
Mandy promised in a dark tone.
"Don't go getting a big head, sweetie~" Eris laughed, "Just because you could boss around a wimp like Grim doesn't mean that you're invincible, after all."
"Okay, enough talking," Mandy snapped, grabbing the puzzle box and shifting its pieces around again.
CLICK
And to everyone's surprise, instead of summoning more lightning, this caused a hole to open in the floor in the middle of the room. Up out of it rose a small pillar, atop of which rested what looked like an antique golden compass.
"...That figures," Mandy sighed, realizing that the next clue she'd come looking for had just revealed itself in front of everyone.
And then, before anyone could react, she threw the puzzle box at Tao's head, before bolting towards the compass.
"Oh no you don't!" Tak snapped, flinging her PAK legs forward as fast as she could, with Tao giving a low growl.
"Don't just stand there fool, get that artifact!" And feeling a vein pulse on his head as he heard Valeena screech at him as she teleported away from the golem's punch before lobbing a large blast at the head.
BOOM
All while Eris watched with a delighted grin and a forming idea as she materialized a golden apple.
"Hmm, why just have them fighting over this one clue, when they can fight over all of them?" she mused, laughing at the thought before tossing the apple at the pillar. Just as Mandy, Tak, and Tao reached it nearly at the same time, the apple hit the compass and unleashed an explosion of golden light that sent all three flying in different directions.
Landing several yards away, Mandy shook her head to clear it, and then her eyes widened as she saw the compass lying next to her.
"Ha!" she exclaimed smugly as she snatched it up... only for her expression to go flat as she heard similar sounds nearby, and saw the source of it.
"What the fuck?" she demanded, as she saw Tak and Tao both also holding exact copies of the compass.
"Congratulations, everyone gets the prize!" Eris stated with a smirk, "Now it's really a race, isn't it?"
"Oh Eris, you fucking little..." Mandy snarled out, actually losing her stoic calmness while Tao and Tak clenched ahold of the compasses.
"Ah come now Mandy, you aren't afraid of a little competition now are you?" Eris asked mockingly, laughing before freezing as a voice hissed out behind her.
"The only one that should be afraid is you, wench!" And looking over her shoulder she saw Valeena pointing a glowing hand in her face, with the golem she had created now a pile of rubble.
"Hmm... not bad," she noted boredly, before giving a half smirk, "Perhaps that stud of a skeleton keeps you around for a reason after all~"
she added with a laugh as Valeena screeched out, "you will not mock my master!" As she blasted at Eris, blasting her back to the center of the room with a slight groan, before bursting out laughing, "Hehahhahaha that tickles!"
she exclaimed, sitting up with a wide grin, "But I think it's time for us all to be on our way..."
she added, sitting up while brushing some dirt off her toga.
"And leave a means to acquiring this so-called Horror's Hand in the possession of rival factions? I think not!" Tak snapped back, standing ready to destroy the other two compasses, while Tao entered a battle stand and Mandy narrowed her eyes, the latter already having a feeling where this was going while glaring at Eris.
"Hehehe, my dear..."
Eris held up another golden apple, "Who said you had a choice?" She goddess said, before slamming the apple down on the ground.
FLASH!
And with that, a blinding flash of light overtook the cavern, that when it faded revealed that all of the occupants had vanished.
(Outside the entrance)
Mandy blinked momentarily as she found herself outside the ruins' entrance, and quickly noted she was alone, "Eris... you fucking little..."
She of course focused on other matters as she growled out, clenching the compass in her hand tightly, knowing that her hunt for Horror's Hand had just gained some complications thanks to that bimbo of a goddess, and now she would have to deal with irritants after the power as well.
Well, no matter. She'd never failed to get what she wanted in the face of overwhelming odds before, and she sure as hell wasn't going to start now.
Pocketing the compass, Mandy turned and started making her way in the direction of the nearest of Kaznia's borders. She was done with this godforsaken country, and once she had resupplied in one of her safehouses, she could start using the compass to find the next clue. And once she finally had Horror's Hand, Eris would be the first she'd crush with its power for complicating things for her.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And there you have it, everyone. My first "make my monster grow" experience in the story. Hope it was all as fun for you as it was for me.
Also, we now know what Mandy's looking for, Horror's Hand from the Big Boogie Adventure movie, which didn't happen in this universe. This is going to be a fun story arc to play out.
Speaking of arcs, if you've enjoyed this one, please leave a kudos or review!
Nightmaster000 A/N: Ah make my monster grow scenes always a classic~ It's not hard to see why Zim was looking forward to it so much~ But that aside we know what Mandy's hunting for, and one must ask themselves how powerful is Horror Hand compared to it's canon counterpart?
And what will happen now that three sides are actively hunting and searching for it? Keep reading to find out~
But hope you enjoy the first major arc of our story and will enjoy our work as it continues. Don't be afraid to leave a review of your thoughts or at least a kudos~ :)
Chapter 12: Kaznia, Aftermath
Summary:
As Skeleton King celebrates his silent victory, all sides plan their next move.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Well, here we are everyone, the actual end of the Kaznia arc. I/Lothor lost this round to Night/Skeleton King, and he'll be enjoying his victory, but there's still plenty to come, and we both have plenty of plans for the future, some of which you'll see being put into motion this chapter. Meanwhile, we'll also be tying up some plot threads this arc set up, in some fun ways~
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hiya everyone as Zim said himself we're finally wrapping up the Kaznia arc, it was a bit of a long arc but we hope you enjoy it~ Plus we hope you enjoy the fun had in this wrap up chapter.
That said while it's a victory for Me/Skeleton King the battle/competition between Z/Lothor and I for Earth is only still just beginning~ So enjoy this wrap up of the first major arc and hopefully enjoy the arcs to come.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Mandy blinked momentarily as she found herself outside the ruins' entrance, and quickly noted she was alone, "Eris... you fucking little..."
She of course focused on other matters as she growled out, clenching the compass in her hand tightly, knowing that her hunt for Horror's Hand had just gained some complications thanks to that bimbo of a goddess, and now she would have to deal with irritants after the power as well.
Well, no matter. She'd never failed to get what she wanted in the face of overwhelming odds before, and she sure as hell wasn't going to start now.
Pocketing the compass, Mandy turned and started making her way in the direction of the nearest of Kaznia's borders. She was done with this godforsaken country, and once she had resupplied in one of her safehouses, she could start using the compass to find the next clue. And once she finally had Horror's Hand, Eris would be the first she'd crush with its power for complicating things for her.
(Elsewhere)
Valeena and Tao appeared in a clearing, the mountain containing the ruins nowhere in sight.
"That... that... RAAAR!" With Valeena lobbing a mystical blast toward a lone tree, destroying it with a bang while Tao simply arched a brow, "If that so-called goddess had just stood out of the way, I would have retrieved my master's prize while leaving that insect and brat with nothing but pain and suffering!"
She screeched out with clenched fists. "Considering your performance I highly doubt that," Tao muttered with an eye roll.
"Silence, mercenary!" Valeena snapped, whirling to him, "If you were half as skilled as you claimed, our foes would have been long dead before that wrench interfered!"
she hissed out before stretching out her hand, "Now give me the compass so I may present it to Skeleton King!" she ordered, narrowing her eyes at him, "And I may see that you are not punished for this miserable failure."
"No, I don't think I will," Tao said, pocketing the compass.
"What?" Valeena snarled.
"As I am the one who retrieved it, I shall present it as fulfillment of my contract," he stated, "If he is unsatisfied with my performance, he can say so and punish me for it himself. I will not except such from a lackey like you."
"You... you.... DARE!" Valeena screeched out, raising a glowing hand threateningly as Tao entered a battle stance before a new voice barked out, "Valeena enough!"
At that the two froze for a moment, "Master?" Valeena repeated questionably, before in a flash of light Skeleton King emerged with a scowl, "Master, I..." Valeena started to move to explain, before Skeleton King raised a hand stopping her.
"I was watching since the moment you entered those ruins, Valeena," Skeleton King hissed out, causing the sorceress to flinch, "So I am already aware of what has occurred," He said, turning to look over at Tao, "Now then... the compass if you would, Tao," Skeleton King stated, holding out his right hand.
"Of course, Your Majesty," Tao said with a bow, pulling the compass back out and placing it in Skeleton King's hand.
"Excellent work, Tao," Skeleton King said with a nod toward the mercenary, "Rest assured, you will be paid well for your services," He said, looking down at the compass, "And if you desire it, I can keep you on retainer for the rest of this so-called treasure hunt," He added, narrowing his eyes down at the compass. So, Horror's Hand, huh... he wondered how powerful it was compared its incarnation from the cartoon.
"I would be happy to do so, especially if it means a chance to settle a score with that arrogant brat," Tao replied, sneering at the thought of Mandy's condescending comments.
"Excellent~" Skeleton King chuckled out with a dark smirk.
"But master, we don't need this hired gun..." Valeena protested, only for Skeleton King to throw her a glare.
"Silence Valeena!" he hissed, causing her to flinch back, "Tao..."
Skeleton King stared silently at Valeena for several moments before addressing the mercenary, "I have matters to discuss with Valeena alone," He hissed out with Valeena, despite herself, giving a shiver at her master's tone while Tao held back a slight smirk, "So I shall be sending you to outside Kaznia's borders with your promised payment," Skeleton King said, moving his gaze over to Tao, "Alongside a bonus for retrieving this little artifact."
He added as Tao let out a smirk. "Much obliged," The mercenary said with a nod of his head, "Merely contact me when you have a new mission for me," He said with a tilt of his head.
"I shall, and remember my offer to join my forces full time is always open~" Skeleton King said with a chuckle as Tao smirked.
"Consider me an independent contractor for now," Tao told Skeleton King, looking over at the newest villain to hit Earth's community, "But should your ambitions play out well... I might find myself reconsidering your offer for full-time employment."
He said as such to Skeleton King, who gave a understanding nod while Valeena glared at the man. "Until next time, Tao," Skeleton King said, sending the man away with a flash of purple, though not before Tao shot one last smirk to Valeena, causing her to hiss out lowly, "Master...I."
she turned to address her master, only to find him staring down coldly at her. "Do you know why between the two of you..." Skeleton King leaned forward, "I currently favor Jinmay over you?" he asked as Valeena's eyes widen while feeling like her heart was being ripped out.
"N-no, master. Why?" she managed to squeak out, unable to say anything more than that.
"Despite what you may believe, it is not because of her appearance or her growing skills in the bedroom," Skeleton King stated, while knowing that was a bit of a lie, and not missing how Valeena's fists clenched at her side, "It's because unlike you, she hasn't been disappointing me."
He added staring down at the Skull Sorceress, "Since I retrieved you from the wilds, your performance despite your years of preparation has been... lackluster..."
He hissed out with a dark glare toward Valeena, causing her to flinch back as he recalled more memories of Skeleton King's, "From your disappointing performance against the Hyper Force where it was Jinmay's betrayal that delivered them to me, despite your assurance you had them handled!"
He snapped, banging his staff against the ground, "To how you seem to be struggling against this world's protectors every step of the way!"
"Master, had I simply been given more time to act, I-" Valeena tried to defend herself, only to be silenced as Skeleton King held up a hand and glared at her.
"I don't want excuses, Valeena," Skeleton King hissed out, staring into her eyes, "I want results," He lashed out and grabbed her by her chin, "I want you to prove that I didn't make a mistake all those years ago when I bestowed my blessing onto you."
"P-please, master, just tell me what I need to do to prove myself," Valeena pleaded, "Anything you command, I will do!"
At those words, Skeleton King's hand fell and he stared at her silently while internally thinking it was true that Valeena's devotion couldn't be denied, but with the factors and players that existed in this reality he needed his forces to be more than loyal.
"Your devotion as always stays true, Valeena," He hissed out, staring into her eyes, "But for the challenges ahead I need you to be strong and truly determined to do anything, no matter the task or risk."
He narrowed his eyes, "Can you do that?"
"Yes master, I swear it!" Valeena declared, eyes shining with fanatical devotion.
"Excellent," Her master, or rather unbeknownst to her the Isekai soul that had become her master, hissed out with a pleased undertone while cupping her cheek, causing her eyes to light up in joy while leaning into her lord's touch.
While on Skeleton King's side, he was pleased with her devotion, "Then I hope to see you show this world why I gave you my blessing as you continue to prove your loyalty."
He told her, idly studying her form, and from the look of fanatical devotion in her eyes he couldn't help but think it was time to give her a test and have some fun, "And you can start by falling to your knees~" he hissed an order.
Valeena didn't even need to think about it. She immediately dropped to her knees on the dirt before him, looking up at him in anticipation and acceptance of whatever he had in store for her.
"Tell me, Valeena..." Skeleton King leered down at her with a smirk as he reached down to his pants and pulled out his cock, causing Valeena's eyes to widen with shock and desire at the sight of it, "How much do you desire the honor to pleasure your master?"
He asked with a dark little laugh.
"M-more than anything," she stammered, barely able to think straight.
"Hmm, but do you believe you have earned the honor?" Her master questioned with a smirk that sent a shiver down her spine.
"I, I don't know, but if I haven't, please tell me what I have to do to earn it," she begged.
"Simply two things..." Skeleton King narrowed his eyes, "Two things, and I will allow you the pleasure of tasting your lord's essence, Skull Sorceress," He said slapping his cock in her face, "You are to succeed beyond my expectations in the next mission I give you..."
He said with narrowed eyes, "And you are to face your punishment for your recent behavior and performance with dignity."
"Simply give the order, my lord, and I shall do whatever you desire. And face punishment with all the decorum proper of one in your service," Valeena said with determination.
At that, Skeleton King smirked as he placed a finger on Valeena's forehead, then concentrated, Valeena's eyes glowing as he focused on his desire to share certain memories and information while making sure not to let ANYTHING slip through of his status as a soul in a new body to her, "While putting my plan into action, I became aware of one of those foolish heroes possessing temporal energy in their souls, and when I investigated I learned something interesting..."
Visions of a world ruled by a giant demoniac shadowy creature filled Valeena mind, "Of this world in another timeline... a timeline ruled by a being known as Aku," Skeleton King said with a dark hiss, smirking wide, his sockets glowing with purple energy, "And of the hero that opposed him... and eventually undid everything he accomplished."
Visions and knowledge of a man wearing a white robe wielding a magical sword, a warrior from another time trapped in a future ruled by his enemy... and memories of an army clashing with Aku and that same warrior vanishing in a portal, "I believe that while Aku was destroyed in this timeline, there could be some essence of the demon remaining..."
Skeleton King explained before adding on with a hiss, "Essence that I want YOU to acquire, Valeena."
Valeena's eyes widened at that, but she steeled herself and nodded.
"If it exists, then I shall find it, my lord," she replied, before hesitantly asking, "And, my punishment?"
"Your punishment..." Here Skeleton King gave a mocking smirk, "Is two-fold," He answered, drawing his hand back as he looked down at her, "As you perform this task you are to also keep your eye out and report to me about any women who I might enjoy taking as mine~"
He explained with a dark hiss while Valeena's eyes widen, "While your more immediate punishment is this," here he gave her a hard stare, "For the next 24 hours, you are to follow every single command, no matter what it might be, from Jinmay as if they were my own and be her personal toy~"
Valeena's jaw dropped at that, and she almost instinctively denied it. However, she knew that she couldn't do that; if her master wanted something of her, she would do it, even if it meant serving that slut of a windup toy.
"As you command, master," she said, bowing her head.
"Good~" Skeleton King said with a pleased smirk, already looking forward to seeing how that punishment would play out, "Then you've earned the right to suck my cock, Valeena~" He added, gesturing to his appendage which stood at the ready.
Valeena swallowed in mixed emotions, staring reverently at his erect cock.
"T-thank you, master," she said, before leaning forward and starting to lick and suck on the appendage, while one hand reached up to grab it and start pulling back and forth on it. Taking his pleased-sounding grunts as affirmation, she took things further, opening her mouth to take as much of his length into her as she could. And the sensation as well as the taste of this act was even more glorious and fulfilling than she ever dreamed, she realized with a moan around her lord's cock.
"Hmm, ah yes, good girl, Valeena~" Skeleton King's praise just filled her with more pride and joy at long last being able to service her lord, god, and... love like this, as he placed a hand on the top of her head, "You've been longing for this moment for a long time, haven't you, Skull Sorceress~"
"Mmmph, yes," she managed to moan out around the cock in her mouth. This was everything she'd ever desired and more, and it was only the beginning!
"Hmm... I must admit, despite your lack of experience you show excellent talent for pleasing me, Valeena~" Skeleton King's continued praise just made her all the more excited and happier, "It shows that even if you aren't fit to be a queen, you are worthy at least of being my chosen Queen and I's pleasure slave~"
Though her master's next words pierced her heart.
The reminder that she was not the one that he solely desired, that he would put others above her... it tore her apart, but she would do her duty and serve him in whatever way he wished. Even if that meant standing by and letting him claim other women until such time as she could make him see that she was all he needed.
That thought alone caused her to start sucking faster and more eagerly, while taking her lord's magnificent cock as deep down her throat as she could, determined not to waste this chance to show her master the pleasure her love and devotion can give him.
"Hmm, yes... that's it..." Skeleton King himself let out a pleased groan, grabbing her by the back of her head as he started to face fuck her, "Take my cock, you eager slutty sorceress~" He exclaimed with a laugh of lust, savoring her wet tight throat, "You are mine to use and abuse as I see fit!"
He told her with a dark tone, fucking her mouth all the harder, "Your body is nothing but a means for my goals and pleasure!"
"Hmm, yes master! Use me, abuse me!" Valeena pleaded as she continued to suck, "I exist only to serve you! Do whatever you want with me!"
That statement only caused Skeleton King to laugh with glee as he fucked her mouth harder, "And I shall!" He said with a dark wide grin, shoving his cock all the way down her throat, "Though I'm not sure yet if you've earned the privilege of being deflowered and defiled completely by me~"
"GLRKT!"
Valeena wanted to state that she would do whatever it took to earn that honor, that she'd bring him every last scrap of this Aku's essence, and as many unworthy whores as he wanted. But she could barely breathe, much less speak, so instead focused on sucking even harder, determined to prove through her actions that she was the only woman who could truly please him.
PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP and for what seemed like a glorious eternity this continued, as her master had her way with her mouth before he let out a grunt, filling her mouth with his glorious seed and essence.
"Ah... master..." she moaned out as he extracted his cock from her mouth, covering her in more warm seed.
"Well done, Valeena..." Skeleton King praised with a faint smirk, "You've shown that even at your lowest, you'll have a place at my side as my slave and pet~"
"Ah... yes... master," she said, licking her face clean, "Let me... serve you... always."
"You shall," Skeleton King said, putting away his cock, "Not just as an emissary but so much more... if you improve your performance," He added with a warning look.
"I shall, my lord, I swear it," Valeena vowed, prostrating herself before him, "If this Aku's essence still exists in any form, I will bring it to you. And if I find any... women, who I feel might catch your eye, I shall claim them for you."
"Good, do so and you shall have the... reward you desire, sorceress~" Skeleton King said with a leering chuckle. Honestly part of him was tempted to go ahead and claim Valeena here and now, but nothing wrong with additional motivation~
Hmm, he just had to make sure Jinmay didn't pop Valeena's cherry... maybe have the ass free game as compensation for her fun during the sorceress' punishment.
Oblivious to what her master was considering for her, Valeena sat back up and looked at him directly. She was about to ask if she should set out for once on her mission, only to grimace as she remembered the other part of her punishment.
"Ah, my lord, I suppose I should report to... her?" she asked, unwilling to say Jinmay's name but stopping herself from flinging out any insults instead.
"Indeed, I'm sure you and Jinmay will have a delightful time together~" Skeleton King chuckled with a smirk, "I shall contact her momentarily to explain what's expected~"
Valeena winced at that, but didn't let her disgruntlement show. She would take whatever was coming to her with as much dignity as she could muster. Then she would set out and prove her worth as her lord's one true servant and lover!
And then... her eyes narrowed... she'd finally put that arrogant tinker toy in her place!
(Elsewhere)
And as Valeena was making this internal vow, a certain Irken was making her own report.
"Hmm, and you say that each of you got one of these?" Lothor asked, examining the compass now in his hand. He and Tak were standing in a clearing in the woods, Lothor having teleported down after Tak contacted him.
"Unfortunately, yes," Tak grumbled, arms crossed in annoyance, "Grr, if that airheaded so-called goddess hadn't interfered like that, those fools would have walked away empty-handed!"
"I have no doubt, dear," Lothor replied, even as his mind moved quickly, taking in this new information. He remembered Horror's Hand from that Billy & Mandy special, and if it was as powerful in this reality as it was there, it could be very dangerous in the wrong hands. Or very useful, in his...
Though he focused back on the sound of his subordinate/lover's voice.
"So now that arrogant brat and a rival invading force have the same key to finding this so called Horror's Hand," Tak stated, crossing her arms with a scowl, "And while I'm hardly a expert in mystical sources, an artifact that can bring your enemies' fears to life is the last thing we want falling into the hands of confirmed hostiles."
"Very true. We'll need to begin figuring out how to track this thing down before either of them find it first," Lothor said, pocketing the compass, "In the meantime, anything else to report."
"I had Mimi go track those self-declared 'Freedom Fighters' after the mercenary brat sent them packing, since I figured you'd want local intelligence on the region," she replied, "Though I don't see why you couldn't just scan for that sort of thing from orbit."
"Well, for starters, you've kept me busy since we got to this planet," he said, smirking at her blush, "But more importantly, local insight can often be more telling than an outside overview could."
"Hmm, if you say so," Tak said with a shrug, "Anyway, I signaled Mimi to return, so she should be here any time now."
As if on cue, there was a blur, and Mimi appeared in front of the two of them. And to their surprise, she wasn't alone - she was holding an unconscious Smellerbee, who to their further shock was heavily wounded, her armor shredded and with deep gashes in her chest and stomach.
"What?! Mimi, what in Irk's name happened?" Tak demanded. In response, Mimi's head opened to pop out a screen, onto which she projected recordings of what she'd seen. Specifically, Sabretooth's slaughter of the Freedom Fighters. And heavy emphasis on the slaughter, to the point where Tak, despite having training as an Irken Invader or being no stranger to spilling blood, found herself balking a bit at the carnage.
"I... see," She stated slowly, before narrowing her eyes, "So the so-called Freedom Fighters encountered a much more merciless threat they weren't ready for, and this is perhaps the only survivor of the massacre?" She surmised as Mimi gave a confirming beep and nod of her head.
All while Lothor and Tak analyzed the footage, "Hmm, and the animal behind the slaughter certainly appears skilled, but has no control over their bloodlust if this recording is anything to go by."
"No, he can control it, you can see that in how he's managing to avoid being blinded by it," Lothor commented, watching as Sabretooth (whom he recognized as being in his Evolution appearance) managed to effortlessly avoid several desperate attacks by the Freedom Fighters, "He's simply letting it guide him. Which is arguably even more disturbing."
Which it was, he mentally added, not just because of the brutality but because of the implications. After all, until now this had seemed like a mostly DCAU based universe, with a few other cartoons thrown in. But now here was a prominent Marvel villain running around, which meant there were probably more in this universe too.
Shit, did he have to worry about fucking Thanos or Galactus showing up?
Deciding not to worry about that for now when he already had so much on his plate, Lothor shook his head and said, "Well, for now, let's get our new acquaintance here up to the ship to be patched up."
Tak gave a blink before humming with a nod, "Indeed, injured or not, we can still pick her mind for the information you desire," She stated to Lothor, but didn't look away from the recording, "Though in regards to this variable.."
She gestured to the feral grinning Sabretooth, "Should we perhaps have him eliminated or captured?" She asked with a faint scowl.
"Tricky question," Lothor said, rubbing his chin in thought, "On the one hand, he's a dangerous wild card. On the other, that makes him a problem for this planet's other factions as much as us, especially the heroes who will want to put a stop to him on general principle. Thinking on it, it might be better to leave him in play for someone else to deal with; less of a headache for us if we let our enemies handle each other."
"Always a worthwhile strategy to use," Tak agreed with a dark smirk of amusement, a part of her thinking of Dib and Zim and how, if she didn't want to make them suffer by her own hand, that might be strategy she wouldn't mind exploiting against them.
"But something tells me we might want to research this individual," She added with a faint scowl to Lothor, "Variables like this always have the habit of becoming a problem sooner or later."
"Agreed. We'll put that high on the priority list, along with Horror's Hand. Though our trip to Gravity Falls will have to come first," Lothor noted, "In any case, let's get going."
With that, they teleported away, taking the injured Smellerbee with them.
(Kaznian Royal Palace)
Sometime after finishing their confrontation with Lothor's agent and Ares' weapon, Wonder Woman the sole remaining member of the Justice League present, was giving a small report to her friends.
"And after that we arrived back to the palace," She said, holding a hand up to her ear while walking through the palace halls, "The others are escorting him back to the Watchtower as we speak," She said with a frown of concern, "I opted to stay behind for now out of concern for Audrey's current condition."
"Of course, make sure she's okay, we can take care of the others," Superman said on the other end of the call.
"And on a more pragmatic note, having a senior League member present may also help keep the ceasefire stable," J'onn added.
"That's what I was thinking," Diana said, "Though I think the revelation of how much this conflict has been manipulated by outside forces has sapped everyone's desire to renew the fighting."
"Good to know," Flash commented, "But can we go back to the part where's Lothor's guy randomly blew up and then grew into a freakin' kaiju?"
"Yes, that was a surprise none of us were expecting," Wonder Woman said with a scowl, "It also has worrying implications."
Batman's voice spoke out, and Diana could easily picture Bruce's signature bat scowl on the other end, "We and other League members are not strangers to dealing with enlarged hostiles."
He stated matter of factly. "But those circumstances usually involved one large target," John Stewart stated in his hard tone, "Last thing we need is Earth being invaded by an army of giant alien warriors," The Green Lantern said bitterly.
"And that's not mentioning that Lothor seems to possess a degree of resurrection for his forces as well," Batman chimed in again in a dark undertone, his mind going to past examples encountered, involving such things like the Lazarus Pits.
"I'd suggest asking our magic experts to look into it," Superman suggested, "With any luck, we can figure out a way to block whatever Lothor's using in the future."
"In the meantime, there's also the matter of the mercenaries," J'onn stated, "While we can assume that those hired by Skeleton King were all extracted by him, and we can confirm that Da Samurai is in custody, there's been no sign of Deadshot or Mandy."
"Not to mention that feral lunatic Sabretooth," Green Lantern added.
"No sign of the latter other than a trail of bodies at least," Wonder Woman growled out, clenching her fist tightly at the thought of that savage animal before shaking it off, "But while I can't speak of Deadshot, I think we can assume Mandy got what she came here for."
She sighed out as John gave a bitter snort, "Makes sense, all the chaos gave her the perfect distraction," The Green Lantern sighed out as well.
"We need to find out just what exactly that is," Batman added in, "The more we know, the more prepared we are for whatever artifact she's after, or more preferably the more prepared we are for keeping it out of her hands."
"Agreed," Wonder Woman said, "Between our files and what I've been hearing from the northern soldiers who worked with her... well, I think giving her any sort of upgrade would only be detrimental for everyone else."
"We can worry about that in the long-term," Superman said, "For now, let's focus on what we can handle now. And that includes making sure this peace in Kaznia lasts. The country's been through too much already to just let it all fall apart again."
"Don't worry, I have full faith in Audrey being able to handle things," Diana assured them, before frowning at Superman spoke up with a tone of concern.
"Are you sure?" The Man of Steel asked Wonder Woman from the other side of the channel while frowning in concern, "She just lost her father and there's no telling what Skeleton King did to her while she was a prisoner."
"I know," Diana sighed, anger and concern for what had happened swirling in her, before she shoved the emotions aside, "But she's stronger than most people give her credit for. And she does have genuine support here to keep her going. I am certain that she can pull Kaznia back together again."
"We'll have to see if your faith is well placed then," Batman said as Wonder Woman came to a stop at the entrance of the throne room, "For now, learn what you can about the Queen's condition and anything Skeleton King could have done while in power with that imposter."
He told Diana who frowned but gave a nod, "Rest assured, Audrey and investigating the damage are my top priorities," she told them as she placed a hand on the doorway, "For now, do your best to attend to Scotsman and find out what Skeleton King... did."
She said, opening the door though trailed off at the sight that awaited inside.
"Ah, Diana..." Audrey smiled at her, sitting on the throne with Megara standing to her right, "It seems you've received a package."
The Queen said dryly, while gesturing to the floor where a literal hogtied and gagged with a golden apple, Deadshot laid with a note tape to forehead.
"...Standby," Diana said to the others, turning off the comms and stepping forward to examine the captive mercenary.
"Before you ask, we found him like this," Meg said, "Literally, like this, here in the throne room. The guards have no idea how he got here."
"I have a pretty good hunch," Diana muttered, looking at the apple in Deadshot's mouth before grabbing the note and reading it.
"Dear Diana," it read, "Thought you might like to get ahold of this naughty boy. Consider it my thank-you for your part in all the delightfully chaotic fighting. Love, Eris~"
"Eris... of course." Diana sighed out in aggravation; honestly it seemed like it was one thing after another with this mission, and the fact that the goddess of chaos hadn't escalated the situation had her both relieved yet also worried at what she might have been doing behind the scenes besides potentially playing spectator.
"Eris?" She looked up at the sound of Audrey's voice, and found her friend frowning worriedly, "You mean the Greek goddess of chaos?" She asked, with Diana nodding in confirmation.
"The very same," She said with an annoyed scowl.
"Was she in Kaznia as an accomplish to Ares?" Megara asked with a look of worry, both her and Audrey having been informed about Ares' presence and actions manipulating the northern tribes.
"While not an impossibility, I think she was here on her own agenda," Diana said, shaking her head.
"Which was?" Audrey asked, leaning forward.
"Her own twisted sense of entertainment," Diana stated, crumpling up the paper, "But she isn't anything you need to worry about."
She told the Queen before looking down at Deadshot, "And neither is Deadshot," She added, scowling down at the mercenary.
For his part, Deadshot just gave her a totally dull look of defeat. If she had to guess, whatever Eris had done to him while he was her prisoner, while not too traumatic, had probably left him unwilling to fight back. Judging by her own past experiences with the chaotic goddess, he was probably in need of a good rest, which she'd be happy to provide him in a prison cell.
"I'll take him off your hands when I leave," she said, "In the meantime, would it be too much to ask to make use of your dungeons?"
"By all means," Audrey replied, snapping her fingers. In response, several guards stepped forward and grabbed ahold of the prisoner, dragging him out of the room.
"I believe we can keep a mere mercenary nice and comfortable before the appropriate authorities can extract him," Audrey said with a slight amused smirk as Diana gave an understanding nod, "But now that that matter is dealt with..."
Audrey stood up from her throne, "I believe the two of us need to speak privately," The Queen told the object of her affections as she walked toward her.
"Er, yes, I suppose we do," Diana said, blushing slightly as her mind suddenly went back to her previous conversation with Audrey. Seeing this, Audrey bit back a smirk, while Meg rolled her eyes.
"Megara, if anyone needs anything, don't bother us with it unless it's an emergency," Audrey commanded, glad that she could at least still give orders to the bitch in public like this.
"Of course, Your Highness," Megara said, holding back a scowl as she bowed her head, internally swearing to make the bitch's next training session more pain than pleasure as Audrey took Diana by the hand, guiding her out of the throne room.
"Come Diana, now more than ever I'm in need of your companions," The Queen said as Diana followed alongside her.
"You know I'm always here when you need my aid, Audrey," The Amazon said seriously to her friend as the throne room door closed.
"Yeah, there to lick her cunt," Muttered Megara bitterly with an eye roll while taking a seat on her new throne (And didn't that thought send a pleasurable thrill through her body), before freezing at the voice that spoke up behind it.
"Is that jealousy I detect my dear?" Spoke none other than Skeleton King, revealing himself to her right with an evil smirk.
"Of course not, master," Meg scoffed, "If those two dumb whores want to waste time on each other, that's fine by me. I have more important things to focus on."
"Indeed~" Skeleton King said with a chuckle as he reached out to cup Megara's cheek, "And I'm not only pleased to see you so eagerly take your new place in my service."
He leaned in, staring into her eyes, "But curious at what exactly those more important things are~"
"Oh, I'm sure you have some idea~" Megara purred, leaning into his touch and feeling herself growing wet just from being this close to him.
Skeleton King let out a husky chuckle as he let go of his staff, allowing it to float over and lean against the throne as he stared into Megara's eyes as she stood from the throne to lean against his chest, "Oh, so eager to throw yourself at the wicked mercy of a monster like myself?" he asked with a husky growl as he wrapped his arms around the Intergang member, giving her sexy ass a good squeeze in the process.
Internally thinking about it, he was kinda shocked at his game and luck with the ladies as Skeleton King. Admittedly, Valeena was hardly a surprise considering she was a fanatic to her great one, and Audrey, well, playing at her desires along with the factors of his "training methods" and probably not exactly possessing the strongest will to resist him despite her stubbornness could explain how the royal so easily became putty in his hand.
But Jinmay and now Megara? No denying the surprise there; even after removing the power that controlled and reprogramed her, Jinmay chose him over Chiro with barely a second thought. And Megara, true he was offering power and even a kingdom on a silver platter, but it was still surprising she showed no hesitation in joining his bed as well. After all, while he thought he looked pretty badass as Skeleton King, he knew he wasn't exactly what could be traditionally attractive as the villain. Or perhaps his nature along with his evil ruthlessness added to his allure.
Women dug the bad boy, and monster he might be, but perhaps that was a point in his favor. I mean look at Twilight - despite his own low opinion of the book, there had to be a reason it sold so many copies... right?
While the isekai soul inside of Skeleton King's body contemplated the logic of his situation, Megara was oblivious to his thoughts and leaned into his embrace, wiggling her ass against his grip on it.
"Hmm, yes, you're a monster, and I want you to ravage me~" she purred, pressing herself further against him in order to grind against his crotch.
"Do you now?" Skeleton King stated, giving a smirk, enjoying the feel of her sexy body against him as he licked up the side of her neck, "Even if it means betraying your planet and perhaps any fool lucky enough to be courting you?" He cooed, kissing down her neck, a part of him fishing for information to learn more about Megara, while ideally wondering what she was thinking right now in that pretty head of hers.
"Mmm, courting me?" she muttered, momentarily distracted from the feeling of his kisses to flash to a certain musclebound oaf who'd been pursuing her for a while before she'd been assigned here by her superiors. A good-looking guy, sure, but such a goody-goody that he'd been nothing but irritating in his attempts, even without knowing about her true employment and long-term goals. And really, what could he possibly offer her that could compare to what Skeleton King had already provided, and had planned for her?
"Fuck Hercules, and fuck this planet," she said, leaning her head around to kiss her master deeply.
Well that answers that question... Skeleton King thought, taking in the knowledge that whatever his backstory in this reality, a variation of Disney Hercules was around likely playing hero... playing hero while the object of his affection was throwing herself at a monster. He thought with a pleased smirk, running his right hand alongside Megara's back while squeezing and kneading her ass with his left and returned the deep kiss with glee.
Causing Megara to groan at his touch and kiss, and god he really was a good kisser... a distant part of her was unable to believe she was spreading her legs so easily for what could be called a literal space skeleton monster... but there was something about Skeleton King himself and not just what he was offering her that got her excited.
There was a thrill to this that she couldn't describe in words. But it made her feel more alive than she could ever remember, and if the whole world had to burn so that she could keep experiencing it, then so be it.
And at that thought, her new master broke their kiss before with a lust-filled growl, grabbed the top front of her toga dress
RIPPP
And wasted no time in tearing it off her, throwing the cloth aside as the rest fell to her feet, "Such a lovely creature~" He cooed staring openly at her with dark lustful desire.
"Mmm, thank you~" Meg purred, blushing as Skeleton King's gaze ran over her breasts as they now bounced free. They had to be D cup at the least, the Isekai soul thought, reaching up to squeeze her breasts while his gaze roamed over her sexy naked body, much to Megara's appreciation.
"Yes, you will make a fine addition to my newly forming harem~" He said with a dark twisted chuckle while roughly kneading both her right breast and ass, "Your lovely body was practically made to be my pleasure slave~"
"Yes, and it's all yours, master~" Meg moaned. Admittedly, a small part of her was annoyed at the thought of being part of a harem and sharing him, but she'd settle for what she could get from him. Besides, that harem included Audrey, and she loved being able to put that brat in her place; with any luck, she'd be able to do the same with Wonder Woman once Audrey did her job and seduced her.
And once master sunk his claws into that Amazon bitch, she could probably use Wonder Whore like her personal whore~ Plus, when it comes to being part of a harem, she'd just have to show why she should be one of the favorites or even top bitch.
She thought with a smirk as she moaned while feeling her master's hot breath on her neck, "Yes, you're mine..." He hissed out evilly as his fingers dug into her skin, "For the rest of your days you'll be nothing but a servant to my will and a toy to use as I see fit~"
"Oh, use me, master. Make me scream for you!" Megara begged, pussy visibly glistening wet with desire.
SMACK
At those words, Skeleton King hit her tits, watching them bounce with glee as he barked out a order, "I intend to, my dear~" He hissed out, staring at her with desire, "And as a reward for so eagerly swearing yourself into my service..."
He cupped her cheek, giving her lips a short peck, "You may choose the method your master claims you as his for the rest of your days~"
A thrill ran through Megara at that, a thousand different ideas spinning around in her head. Eventually though, she settled on a relatively simple one; she was dominating Audrey already and would do worse to Wonder Whore once she got the chance, but for this situation she'd settle for being the one who was dominated.
So, turning around, she dropped to her hands and knees and presented her ass to Skeleton King's hungry gaze.
"Please my lord, fuck my ass and make me howl like a bitch in heat!" she cried out.
At that, Skeleton King gave a laugh as his clothing faded off his body in a flash of purple light, leading Megara to stare over her shoulder with lust at the sight of her master's massive thick cock. That idiot oaf might have bigger muscles, but her master was truly superior in every way that mattered.
"I love hearing my sluts beg~" She heard him hiss as he stepped up and rubbed his cock between her ass cheeks, causing Megara to let out a groan of need while rubbing her ass against the large throbbing member, "Almost as much I love hearing them... SCREAM!" Skeleton King exclaimed as he shoved his cock into her asshole with no warning and started to fuck her like a bitch in heat, just as she begged for~
"OOOOHHHHH, MASTER!!!!" Megara screamed in delight, pleasure quickly overwhelming any pain from having her asshole violated. She began thrusting her hips backward against his crotch in time to his own thrusts, matching his pace and increasing the pleasure she was feeling.
PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP
While Skeleton King gave a loud groan of pleasure, "Fuck!" He exclaimed, pounding away roughly, no care of being too rough as he grabbed her by the back if her hair, "You like this, you slave bitch!?" He exclaimed, jerking her head back by her hair, "You like getting turned into a monster's personal slut!?"
He yelled out before hitting her ass with his left hand.
SMACK
"All behind this so-called Hercules' back too~"
"UH! Yes, I love it master! I love being made your whore!" she yelled, looking over her shoulder at him, "And Hercules is a pathetic limp dick loser! He's nothing compared to you!"
"Oh, is he?" Skeleton King asked with amusement, "So, no regret about betraying this apparent lover of yours?" He asked with a grunt, while wondering how far Hercules had gotten with Megara relationship wise... and how heartbroken he'd be if he saw her now.
"He was no lover, I just got close to him to spy on him," Meg replied through grunts and pants, "I tolerated his idiotic flirtations for the sake of the mission... even slept with him once... I've had better experiences using just my hands!"
This response certainly filled Skeleton King ego while also causing him to laugh with cruel amusement in between grunts as he hammered away at her tight ass, "How pitiful ~" he hissed with a dark grin, "I look forward to meeting this fool and showing him why you choose servitude with me over his love in person~"
He promised with a dark smirk.
"Ooh, that would be so hot~" Megara moaned, "Making him watch as you fuck me every way imaginable, making him listen as I scream your name, let him see how you're such a better lover than him, it's... it's... AAAAHHHH!"
The mental image was enough to put Meg over the edge and she came, juices bursting out of her pussy onto the floor.
And as she came her ass hole tighten around Skeleton King's cock, causing him to groan as he shot his seed into her ass the feeling of the hot seed inside her hole just making Megara moan out.
"What you're fantasizing," Skeleton King grunted out, pulling out his cock, allowing her to collapse on the ground, "Is, like this, but a taste of the pleasure you'll find in my service~" he told her her with a diabolical chuckle as he flipped her onto her back, wasting no time in spreading her legs as he rubbed his still hard cock against her wet hot cunt.
"Uhhh... p-please, master, show me more of what you can give me," Megara begged, looking at his cock eagerly.
"Heheh, I will, but..." He stopped, much to her disappointed groan, "Do you believe yourself worthy of serving the desires of the Skeleton King?" He asked her as he stared down at her with a dark twisted leer, as his mind went to what he asked Valeena earlier, "Of being granted euphoric pleasure by his touch as his essence fills you?" He asked in a dark hiss, staring down at her, "Are you loyal and worthy enough of this honor?"
"Yes master! I'm loyal! I'll do anything you want!" Megara yelled, "Just name it and I'll do it! I'll hand all of Intergang's secrets over to you, help you destroy cities, burn this castle to the ground with everyone in it! Just name it!"
And the strange twisted thing was she meant it too, it wasn't just heat of the moment... no, she meant what she said, every word. She went into this deal figuring it as a means to acquire power that she only dreamed of, and now she was offering everything she could to a literal monster she met earlier this week, while not only selling out Earth but feeling her heart pound and pussy burn with desire like never before... was... was this what being in love felt like?
She wondered, breathing heavily as Skeleton King leered down at her. "Anything?" He repeated, grabbing her left breast hard enough she could feel his claws break her skin, causing her to gasp out with a moan, "Even if I asked you to bring me Hercules' head? Ordered you to bring me someone you cared about to rape against her will? Or even made you nothing more than my personal pleasure slave with no power to your name?"
That gave her pause for a minute. Not so much the first one, she'd honestly have no problem getting rid of Hercules, but potentially handing over someone she actually cared about, or giving up the power she'd craved for so long? Was she really willing to do that?
...Fuck it all, yes she was.
"Yes master, I'll agree to all of that if you want!" she declared.
"Hehe, then receive your REWARD!" Skeleton King at first gave a dark chuckle to her words and open desire; he really did have a way with women now it seemed, before answering her plea with his response and a hard thrust inside her pussy, fully claiming her as his, and Megara in response to her master... her love filling her in ways that wonderboy oaf Hercules never could... found herself only able to give one response.
"I LOVE YOU MASTER!" she screamed, thrusting back against him as his cock wrecked her insides in a delightfully painful way.
PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP
"Arg... yes... give me everything..." Skeleton King responded, slamming as hard as he could inside her pussy with dark relish, "Your heart, your body, your devotion, your very SOUL!" He exclaimed, watching as her tits bounced wildly in response to his thrusts.
"AH... AH... AH... IT'S ALL FOR YOU MASTER!" Megara yelled, before giving a wordless scream as she came again.
"Yes... mine... mine... MINE!" Skeleton King roared out, managing to hold back his release as he continued to pound her at her at an even faster pace after she orgasmed, enjoying the feel of her pussy tightening around his cock while his eyes glowed an evil purple.
With a final roar, he came, his seed shooting deep into her womb. At the same time, a glowing aura spread out from him over her, marking her as his property, in both body and soul.
After that, silence stood in the throne room for several moments as they both caught their breath (Actually, did he even need to still breathe? A part of Skeleton King distractedly wondered) before Skeleton King let out a low raspy laugh.
"Very nice," He said, pulling out his cock with a grunt, "You are indeed an excellent addition to my collection, my dear~" He stated to the sweaty, heavy-breathing form of Megara, who had a fucked silly expression on her face, "I'm actually quite tempted to leave Kaznia in Audrey's hands while I take you back to the Citadel of Bone to enjoy your body along with Jinmay whenever I please~"
He admitted to her as he cupped and rubbed her cheek before leaning down to kiss her forehead.
"And I'm tempted to take that offer, master," she purred, before sighing and adding, "But I can serve you better down here. Not just to make sure that brat doesn't run this kingdom into the ground while pinning after Wonder Whore, but to help you get your claws into Intergang."
"Hmm, true..." Skeleton King said, before standing while picking her up bridal style while heading toward the throne, "though tell me truthfully, how useful do you believe Intergang will be for my goals?"
He questioned the woman as he glanced down at her, "i'm aware that Darkseid manipulated the organization in the past as unknowing agents, but I find myself curious how useful they would be for my own agenda."
"As enforcers, there's only a minority who have useful skills and powers," Meg replied as she let herself relax in his arms, "But we have people everywhere. They can be very useful as a means of collecting information and... applying leverage, shall we say, to key individuals. All without ever having to directly get involved yourself."
"Excellent~" Skeleton King hissed out with a dark grin, quite pleased at what he was hearing, "Then all that remains is you delivering this organization to my grasp."
He stated while taking a seat on the royal Kaznian throne while holding Megara in his arms, "I trust that you have no problem bringing Intergang under heel under some new leadership, will you my dear?"
He cooed, giving her forehead a kiss.
"Not at all," she replied, "But I should point out that I'm only mid-level; I've never even met or spoken to the guy who took over after the whole mess with Darkseid was settled. It'll take time to work my way up enough to hand things over to you."
"Hmm..." Skeleton King nodded in understanding, a tad irked Megara wasn't among the elite, but he choose to have faith in her capability to work her way up in the ranks, "I shall trust your capabilities in preparing Intergang for a coup."
He told her as she sat in his lap and he reached out to run his hand through her hair, letting it slide through his fingers, "I believe my promise of power and a tale of having Queen Audrey's complete trust should go a long way for that~"
"Yes, those greedy bastards will lap up everything you offer them if you present enough," Megara said. If she noted the irony in her words, she didn't comment on it.
"Hehe, true," Skeleton King said, kissing alongside her neck, "But I was speaking of my promise of power to you, my dear~" He stated as he felt her slightly freeze in her lap, "After all, while I don't mind manipulating those fools with empty promises, I imagine they might be cautious of accepting deals from invading alien warlords after Darkseid."
he surmised aloud with a thoughtful hum. True, approaching Intergang with such an offer was something he was considering, though putting aside how accepting they'd be of a offer, much less trusting, it could risk Megara's position in the organization as well, never mind plans to take control of it with her aid.
"I'm sure I can convince them to accept your rule, given enough time," Megara commented, leaning further against him.
"Hehe, we shall see~" Skeleton King said, roaming his hands over her sexy body, filled with smugness knowing she belonged to him, "For now, I give you my trust in keeping Kaznia and Audrey in line while working to bring Intergang under my banner."
He told her, running a hand alongside her hip, "Should you impress me, you can expect greater rewards~" He promised with a dark hiss as he focused his magical power into Megara's body while focusing on the idea of giving her greater strength, "More than just this strength, I give to you now~"
He said with a laugh as her body let off a flash, "But disappoint or even think about betraying me..." He stared murderously into her eyes, "And I will give you a fate beyond your greatest nightmares!"
Megara shuddered in fear at the look in his eyes, but composed herself and bowed her head.
"I understand completely, my lord," she said.
"Good," Skeleton King said with a nod, while cupping her chin to stare up into her eyes, "But serve me well and you might find more than a kingdom as your reward~"
He said with a dark hiss, kissing her lips with her returning it with a groan, "Now..." He broke the kiss, leaning back in his throne, "Why don't you tell me about this Hercules you mentioned," He said, eager to get more information on this reality's Hercules, knowing it could indeed be useful information, especially when a means to manipulate him was sitting in his lap, before adding with a smug smirk, "While your master continues to show you his superiority as a lover~" He stated, before hitting her ass with the palm of his hand.
SMACK
"AH! Yes master, I'll tell you everything you want to know!" Megara exclaimed.
And so, the sounds of smacking flesh filled the room, as Skeleton King continued to fuck her while she told him everything about Hercules.
(Elsewhere in the palace)
As Megara was getting fucked by her master, Audrey was escorting Diana to her private chambers.
"I'm glad that you came for me Diana... truly," Audrey told her in a tone full of gratitude.
"Of course I did, Audrey," Diana said in turn, gently squeezing her friend's hand.
"Even at my worst... even while that monster said no one would come for me... I never lost faith," Audrey said, putting on her best performance of despair, while looking away from Diana, who looked at her in concern.
"Audrey..." Diana took a deep breath, "I know that you're going through a lot right now with what's happened... not to mention the loss of your father," she said gently, with Audrey holding back a snort of amusement; if only her love knew she strangled that useless fool with her own hands, "And I know it's perhaps too soon to speak of..."
Diana continued gently as she glanced at the Queen of Kaznia, "But I need to know," they came to a stop at the entrance of Audrey's chambers, "What exactly did Skeleton King do to you?"
Audrey took a deep breath and looked away, giving the impression of being tormented by her memories, but really to hide her blush at those wonderful memories. Couldn't risk dropping her act and giving away the game, after all~
"I, I don't know if I can talk about that, just yet," she said, wrapping her arms around herself and forcing her voice to shake in apparent trauma.
"Of course," Diana said, holding back a wince as she was afraid she had pushed too hard too soon, "Take as much time as you need, Audrey," she said gently, while pulling her friend into a warm hug, "But remember that I'm here for you," she said gently into the Queen's ear, not seeing the flush on Audrey's face or the lustful desire in her eyes at the feel of Diana's body against her own.
"I know Diana, and I'm so grateful that you're here," Audrey said, returning the hug... and then lowering her arms dangerously close to the Amazon's ass.
"You have no idea how much the thought of you kept me going," She added with a slight purr, as Diana found herself flushing at Audrey's tone and the placement of her hands.
"Cough... Audrey... you said you wanted to talk, yes?" she said, pulling back slightly to look into her friend's eyes while trying to nervously divert the subject.
Unfortunately, Audrey wasn't going to let her off the hook that easily.
"Yes, there is something I've been wanting to talk to you about for a long time," Audrey said, not letting go or changing her positioning, "I've been afraid to say it before, but after what's happened... well, I don't want to risk never having the chance."
"And... what would that be?" The heroine of the Justice League said, actually finding herself feeling more nervous right now than while she was fighting for her life just earlier today.
"I believe as the Americans say..." Audrey shot her a saucy seductive smirk, "Actions speak louder than words, Diana~" she said, and before the Amazon knew it the Queen's lips were on her own, and Diana could do nothing but stand shock still while the Queen of Kaznia kissed her with long held feelings of desire and love, while sliding her hands down to the glorious Amazon ass of her love.
Diana knew she should protest what was happening, shove Audrey away and tell her that this wasn't appropriate... but found that she couldn't. It simply felt so good, that all she could do was lean into the kiss, her hands likewise reaching down to squeeze Audrey's own firm ass.
With soon both women pressing their bodies against the other, stumbling into Audrey's quarters while not once breaking lip contact or removing their hands from the other, with Audrey kicking the door behind them, overjoyed that her dream and desire to have Diana in her arms and soon in her bed was about to come true.
"Audrey..." Diana gasped out when the kiss momentarily broke, but was unable to focus her lust-hazed thoughts enough to think of anything else to say.
"Shh, don't speak, let's just let it happen~" Audrey whispered huskily into Diana's ear, leading her in a stumble over to the bed.
With Diana actually finding herself falling backwards to the bed as Audrey pinned her, "Let me give you your hero's reward, Diana~" the Queen cooed, kissing along the other woman's jawline.
"Ah... uh... reward," Diana moaned in response, as Audrey's kisses trailed down from her jaw to her throat, and down her throat to her chest, stopping just above her breasts. Reaching that point, Audrey leaned back so that she could grab ahold of Diana's suit and remove it, only to pause as she realized she couldn't see any seams to pull apart or any sort of latch to undo to allow her to pull the clothing off.
Seriously, how did Diana get in and out of this thing?
And while Audrey was trying to figure out how to remove her outfit Diana mind was a whirl at what was happening... should she try to stop this... did she want to stop this? Admittedly at any other time, she probably wouldn't turn down Audrey advances... but was her friend really in the right mind right now after everything that's happen?
Was she thinking clearly, or was she just looking for comfort after a traumatizing experience? And if it was the latter, would resisting her just make things worse?
"Hmm, Diana, how do you get this off?" She blinked as Audrey gave her breast a little squeeze through her armor while giving the Amazon's body a look of longing desire.
The shot of pleasure from the groping, and the look in Audrey's eyes, was enough to bury any doubt in Diana's mind. Surely it wouldn't do any harm to do this just this one time, right?
In response to Audrey's question, Diana reached down to her golden belt and pressed down on a hidden switch, causing it to snap loose. She then pulled it away, revealing the narrow seam where the top and bottom parts of her armor met, and grabbed the hem of her top to start pulling it away, much to the delight of Audrey, who grabbed the armor's short pants and quickly tugged them down to Diana's ankles.
"Oh Diana... this is a dream come true~" Audrey said with a breathy tone of desire, licking her lips as she pulled down the outfit and took off the boots, before gazing with enrapture at the divine form of her love, "You truly must be of divine origin~"
She said as she started to kiss up Diana's thigh.
"Uhh, Audrey~" Diana moaned out in delight at the sensation as Audrey worked up her thigh towards her pussy.
Any remaining reservations she might have had about this were rapidly melting away. It had been far too long since she'd felt the touch of a lover, man or woman, she thought to herself as she started playing with her bared breasts.
"Hmm, hearing my name spoken like that..." Audrey let out her own moan, stopping her kissing right at Diana's pussy, "It makes me so wet~" she said before giving her Amazon heroine a lick, causing Diana to gasp out, "Audrey!"
"Hehe, tell your Queen what you want, Diana~" Audrey said with a smirking giggle as she started to eat the Amazon out.
"Uggh! Don't stop!" Diana gasped out, letting go of one of her breasts to grab the back of Audrey's head and press her further against her snatch.
With the rough treatment actually causing Audrey to moan eagerly into Diana's cunt while feeling her own burn with desire as she licked faster and more eagerly than before as she rubbed her face against the cunt.
"That's it, keep going!" Diana moaned, thrusting her hips to push her pussy against Audrey's face in an attempt to force the blonde's tongue further inside herself.
"Ah... you really... know to use your tongue~" She added with a breathless moan as she grabbed and twisted at her nipples, with Audrey moaning into Diana's pussy as she worked to shove her tongue as deep as she could into the delicious cunt her face was being shoved into.
Audrey didn't respond with words, since that would require pulling her tongue out, and she didn't want to do that for even a moment. So instead, she just licked even harder, feeling as Diana's canal started to tense up in mounting pressure.
"Oooooh, Audrey!" Diana cried out as she finally came, juices squirting out over Audrey's face, much to the Queen's delight.
"Ah... oh... Diana..." Audrey moaned out in bliss while licking the juice around her mouth, "I don't know what's better..." she said, looking up into her friend turning lover's eyes, "The taste of your juices or the feel of them against my skin~" she said with a naughty little giggle.
Diana, face flushed and panting, didn't say anything. She just reached down and grabbed Audrey's face, pulling her up into another passionate kiss, which Audrey was all too happy to return.
It broke too quickly for Audrey's liking, but then Diana suddenly flipped her over so that their positions were reversed, the Amazon now the one pinning the Queen to the bed.
"My turn," Diana said huskily, shuffling down to start licking Audrey's cunt. Easily and eagerly tearing away some of Audrey's royal dress, distantly reminding herself to apologize later before diving in to her prize.
"Ah DIANA!" Audrey squealed out in euphoria as she felt the hero who had so long ago unknowingly steal her heart lap at her royal pussy.
Just as Diana had done with her, Audrey grabbed the back of her lover's head and forced her further against her pussy. Knowing that she was hardly in position to harm the Amazon, she pushed down as hard as she could, clutching Diana's scalp tightly.
"Don't stop, keep going!" the Queen groaned, while her free hand tore away the top of her dress to free her breasts so that she could start playing with them.
"Eat my royal cunt... claim your rightful reward..." she groaned, squeezing her breast as Diana eagerly complied, "My body belongs to you Diana, do with it as you please!" She added in another moan while feeling the Amazon tongue sink deeper and wiggle inside her snatch.
Her toes curled as waves of pleasure rolled through her, a fresh one spiking with every movement of Diana's tongue in her folds.
She wouldn't say it was better than the feeling of her master's cock, but it was probably equally good in its own way. And if there had ever been any doubt of the divinity of either of her lovers, the fact that they could both make her feel like this should put those doubts to rest.
And it had her all the more eager for the day when she could feel both of their touch at the same time... the day Diana realized her place wasn't just by Audrey's side but on her knees as they served their master together.
And the mere image caused out to moan wantonly in desire as she twisted her nipple, "OH! Diana, ah, ah, I mmmm, I love you!"
That actually caused Diana to pause, coherent thought momentarily shining through the lustful hormones flooding her brain.
Love...? That, that wasn't something that had occurred to her. She'd had lovers before in her centuries-long life, but actually being in love wasn't something she'd ever really experienced before. Did she feel that way about Audrey in return, or was this just friends with benefits?
Obviously she cared for Audrey.... but did she care about her to that level?
She... she couldn't think about this right now, not when the pleasure of everything was overwhelming her. She'd just enjoy it now, and then think about it when she could actually think straight.
There was nothing wrong with that, right?
"Ah, Diana, please my love, don't tease me!" At the sound of Audrey's voice she chose to focus on the here and now and worry about these thoughts later. So pushing aside any doubts, she dove back into Audrey's snatch, tongue penetrating as deep into the Queen's folds as she could.
With the room being filled with Audrey's moans for several more minutes until, "Ohhhh, DIANA!" She proceeded to squirt her juices all over Diana's face.
With both of them now thoroughly exhausted, Diana collapsed on top of Audrey, who quickly shifted to embrace her and hold her close. For a moment, Diana considered acting on her previous doubts and pushing Audrey away, but decided that she was too tired and comfortable to do that. So instead, she simply returned the embrace.
"Hmm... Diana... don't leave me " Audrey muttered into her chest as the Queen's eyes slowly closed.
"I won't," Diana murmured back, holding Audrey close and not really thinking about the implications of what she was saying.
(Justice League Watchtower)
As this was happening, high above Earth's atmosphere deep inside the Justice League Watchtower, some of its founding members were currently looking inside one of the medical bays.
"Physically, the docs say that except for being in a coma and then picking up some strange brainwave readings, he's fine," Flash said, leaning against the wall while addressing the figures standing beside him, that of Batman and J'onn, "And now we're just letting Bat's ex give the all clear for any curses or nasty surprises that spooky scary skeleton could have left behind."
He added, gesturing to the medical bay window where the League members who had gone on the Kaznia mission stood looking inside with shared concern, all of them observing as the comatose Scotsman was being examined by a black-haired woman holding a wand over him while wearing something more fitting for Vegas than a medical area.
As they watched, magic flared from Zatanna's wand and washed over Scotsman's prone form, surrounding him in a multicolored aura. She frowned as she examined the shifting colors for several minutes, before dispersing the aura and exiting the room.
"What is your prognosis, señora?" White Pantera asked as Zatanna stepped out of the medical bay.
"The good news is, I can't find any sort of lingering magical essence that indicates that Skeleton King left any traps attached to him," she replied, "The bad news is, I can't quite determine what was done to render him comatose in the first place."
"Hmm, according to Wonder Woman's information, the reason Skeleton King targeted Scotsman in the first place was because he sensed temporal energy coming from him," Captain Atom, his suit completely patched up and checked over, said with a hum while rubbing his chin, "Could that have anything to do with it, ma'am?"
He question Zatanna as she gave a frown. "Temporal?" Hawk repeated with a slight confused frown and crossed arms.
"It means time," his brother explained with a thoughtful look, "though how energy tied to time of all things could be inside Scotsman escapes me."
He stated with a shake of his head.
"Hmm, it's not really my field of expertise, but it might be something to look into," Zatanna mused, "If something was already attached to him and got affected by Skeleton King's magic, it could have had an adverse reaction that resulted in this coma."
"A sound theory," Batman stated, stepping up followed by J'onn and Flash, "But if you've done all you can right now, then I believe it's time for J'onn to step in," The Dark Knight said, looking over to the last Martian, "We need to know what's going on in Scotsman's mind, and if Skeleton King got what he was looking for."
"Agreed. I will be as gentle as I can with his mind now in a delicate state, but we cannot afford to not investigate this," J'onn nodded.
Stepping into the medical bay, the Martian Manhunter approached Scotsman's bed and focused on him, eyes glowing as his telepathic powers reached out to touch the incapacitated hero's mind.
And the moment he did, "ARRG!" He cried out in shock, "J'onn!" Batman called out worriedly, rushing into the medical bay alongside the other heroes while the Martian's mind was assaulted by memories and images of a different life, of a cruel twisted variation of Earth under the rule of an even more cruel and twisted demon, and knowledge... knowledge of a warrior who stepped forward to oppose this tyrant.
And fighting alongside that warrior was another, this one familiar to J'onn. It was the Scotsman, identical in appearance and personality, fighting the demon's minions both on his own and side by side with the other great warrior, the samurai wielding a sword of divinely-blessed magic.
As J'onn watched, the Scotsman's whole life unfolded, beholding how he sired and raised a veritable army of daughters to continue the fight for him when he grew too old to carry the cause by himself. How he was ultimately struck down by the demon, only to rise again as a ghost powered by Celtic magic to lead the charge in the final battle, fighting alongside his old ally one last time.
And finally, J'onn saw how the samurai escaped into a portal to the past, followed by a flash of light that upon clearing, found the Scotsman now living his currently life in the here and now.
And as the images at last came to an end, J'onn found himself on the floor of the medical with Batman crouched by his side, gently lifting him up, "J'onn, are you okay?" He urgently asked the Martian before barking over to Zatanna, "Zatanna, I need an examination now!"
He ordered with the Martian realizing that the Flash and other League members were standing surrounding them, giving off looks of concern.
"No need," J'onn said with a groan, raising his hand to his head gently rubbing it, "I am fine," He said standing up slowly with Batman's help.
"I'm not detecting anything..." Zatanna reported with a slight frown, "So, I don't think he triggered some kinda trap I missed."
She informed the others as J'onn shook his head while unnoticed, Scotsman's form started to stir, "No... I'm afraid it is a bit more complicated than that," The Martian stated while the other League members traded looks of concern and confusion, however before he could explain a new voice shouted out, "JACK!"
None other than Scotsman as his eyes flew open and he sat up with a wild look in them as he took in his surroundings with confusion, "WHAT'S GOING ON!? WHERE AM I!? AND WHERE ARE MY DAUGHTERS, OR THAT TREE OGRE AKU!?"
He shouted out, causing everyone to startle and turn toward him, before he winced with a pained groan, "And why do I feel like all of the Highlands danced on me noggin?"
"Calm down, you are among friends," J'onn said as gently as he could, stepping towards Scotsman with a hand held up placatingly.
"Friends? I don't know... wait, yes I do, but I don't, I... what?" Scotsman muttered, rubbing his head and scowling in confusion.
"I believe you are experiencing two sets of memories at once," J'onn explained, "One from this current reality, and one from another that has been erased by time travel."
This statement of course sent a surge of shock through the other League members.
"Wait, time travel?!' Hawk spoke up with open disbelief, shaking his head, "That's not an actual thing outside of geeky sci-fi flicks... right?"
He stated with a snort, before adding questionably at the end.
"Oh, it's a thing," Flash told him with a slight smirk after zipping over to lean on his shoulder, "The original League with exception of Bats here actually went back in time once to World War II after Vandal Savage altered the past."
He said before zipping over to Batman, "It was this whole thing... actually met an alternate timeline version of Batman who was a rebel leader before we went all Back to the Future."
He added on, referencing one of his favorite movies as Batman scowled, focusing on J'onn and Scotsman, "So you and the others reported..." He stated, stepping over by the medical bed, "Though after you all set things right and returned to the present, it was as if that timeline never existed, with only the Justice League members who travel through time having any memory of it."
He stated, his mind reviewing the reports on their first encounter with Vandal Savage and all they knew about time travel mechanics, "Am I to surmise this is a similar situation?"
He asked looking to J'onn who nodded, "Indeed, however..." here the Martian frowned, well aware of the potential impact his words could have, "It appears unlike our previous experience, our own timeline isn't the original but what came into existence after changing the past."
He stated, as the League members went still, all of them looking to J'onn and the Scotsman, "Only unlike Savage's motives for power, it was done to change the world for the better and save it from a truly grim fate."
"Aku..." Scotsman growled out. His mind was still shifting through the conflicting memories, but that tree ogre's ugly face was clearly plastered among them.
"Who?" Hawk asked, blinking in confusion.
"A powerful demon of some sort," J'onn explained, "In the old timeline, he conquered the world and ruled it with an iron fist for centuries. It was only through the actions of Scotsman's close ally, a samurai warrior, that there was any organized resistance to Aku's rule. And the final conflict with him ended with the samurai opening a portal to the past, at which the memories diverge. I can only surmise that the samurai somehow defeated Aku in the past before he could truly rise, thereby preventing the timeline in which he ruled."
"Aye, that's right. Jack was originally from some point centuries ago, but Aku sent him into the future so that he couldn't stop him from taking over," Scotsman clarified, "He said his whole quest was to find a way back to his own time to undo it all, I guess he finally pulled it off."
"...The ancient samurai was named Jack?" Flash asked incredulously.
"It was a nickname someone gave him. I never bothered asking him his real one; figured if he preferred the nickname, might as well use it," Scotsman said with a shrug.
"A sentiment I can understand if not share," White Pantera said with a nod. After all, while he still answered to Rodolfo, there was no denying that while he would always be a proud member of the Rivera family, sometimes White Pantera felt more like his true name than Rodolfo.
"But that's not what's important right now," Scotsman then spoke up with a scowl as he tried to get out of the medical bed.
"Woah, easy, I don't think you're in any condition to go anywhere," Dove spoke up with concern.
"Bah, it'll take more than a weak headache and a whole lifetime of memories to keep me down," Scotsman said with a wave of his hand, despite stumbling slightly as he stood up, "My mind might be a jumbled mess, but I can remember that banshee skeleton sinking his boney hands where they weren't wanted."
He scowled darkly at those words, clenching his fists. "Easy big guy, I'm all for payback but we don't exactly know where to find that creep or his goons," Hawk said with his own scowl.
"Indeed, by all accounts Skeleton King has pulled back his forces and the mercenaries he hired from Kaznia," Captain Atom added in with a stern frown, "Furthermore, you rushing in for round two without a plan will likely do more harm than good," He said sternly to Scotsman, who snapped back with a growl.
"It's not about settling the score, you bellyachers!" He said, before giving a slight wince as he rubbed his head, "If that boney bastard knows about Aku and the original timeline..." He gave a low growl giving them all a hard look, "Then mark my words, no good can come from it."
"You think he'll seek to take advantage of whatever he got out of your head?" Batman asked, scowling.
"Absolutely," Scotsman said firmly, "Most of the monsters and minions that Aku used were created from or powered by his own essence. Even if he's dead, if any part of him is still left, there's no telling what that bone bastard will be able to do with it."
"He's not wrong," Zatanna said with a frown, "Powerful demons and deities tend to be composed more out of mystical energy than actual flesh and blood. Any fragment that's been left behind would still be incredibly potent, even centuries after this Aku's death."
At that Batman scowled in thought as the League exchanged wary looks, "Then we have research to do," The Dark Knight stated, getting a a few confused glances, "We need to look up any pertaining legends about this Aku, especially how and where this samurai slayed him."
He said, glancing over to the others, "With any luck, that will help give us a lead in locating any of this Aku's remains if any still exist before Skeleton King," He said before looking over to Scotsman, "In the meantime, we need to be briefed on everything you know about this Aku, Samurai Jack, and this alternate timeline."
"Alright, but I suggest ya get comfortable for it, lad. It's a lot to tell," Scotsman said, causing Flash to give a disgruntled sigh.
"Sure, why not? It's not like we're already busy with Lothor, Skeleton King, that Trigon guy and all the other bad guys we were already dealing with," he grumbled.
"Honestly, it's looking like expanding the League was a better idea than we thought, because it's like things are getting crazier and busier than ever," Flash sighed out, rubbing his face
"Regardless of how many threats there are, we handle them or no one will," Batman said firmly.
"While you guys are getting the story from Scotsman, I'll reach out to all my contacts, human or otherwise," Zatanna stated, "With any luck, someone's got some information on this Aku, and whether or not there's anything left of him lying around just waiting for the wrong person to stumble on."
"Aye, last thing we need is the bone banshee or any other ejit trying to give themselves an Aku power up," Scotsman said with an irritated scowl, "Or even worse..." His eyes narrowed with a dark glare, "Do something stupid enough the big baby makes a comeback."
"I thought you said he was dead!" Hawk protested.
"Aye, but he ain't human," Scotsman replied, "I think Jack said once that he was some kinda primal evil that fell to Earth after the gods all teamed up to kick his sorry behind out of the heavens. Though that might've just been a legend or something... point is, the damn tree ogre was powerful enough that I wouldn't put resurrection past him."
"Especially when dealing with magic and demonic beings," Zatanna said with her own worried scowl, "And let's be honest it's not like we haven't bad luck with people coming back from the dead," Flash added in with his own frown.
"Then we'll need to prepare," Batman added with a scowl, "If in the event of Aku's return we'll need to be prepared to face," He told the gathered heroes.
"That's going to be a wee bit trickier than you think, laddie," Scotsman said with a sighing scowl, "Because the only thing that could really hurt that big baby was Jack's sword," He stated before adding on, "And who knows where that could have ended up."
"Of course. Because why would any part of this be easy?" Hawk groaned.
"Then I suppose that finding this sword must be among our highest priorities," White Pantera declared.
"Once Scotsman briefs us on everything he knows, I'll put all our resources into researching what we can about where the sword could be," Batman stated to them, before Captain Atom spoke up, "Though we'll have to be careful to not get distracted from the other problems and threats at our borders."
The soldier said, speaking up, "we still have to find that gem that will allow Trigon into our reality on top of dealing with, as Flash said himself, all the hostiles causing the usual brand of mayhem." He reminded them.
"We can dedicate certain personnel and resources to this search," J'onn stated, "That will ensure that this receives all the attention that it requires without risking ignoring other important matters."
"Anyone have anything else we need to consider?" Batman asked the group. When no one responded, he nodded, "Okay, then let's go."
With that, the group left to go gather the other League founders and start the debriefing, all of them determined but none quite able to shake the feeling of disquiet that this revelation had brought them.
(Meanwhile, Lothor's ship)
Lothor stood in the medical bay of his ship, something that the isekai soul hadn't been consciously aware of existing, but it made sense that they had one, he supposed. Specifically, he was standing in front of what looked basically like a bacta tank from Star Wars, inside of which was floating Smellerbee, who had been stripped out of her ruined armor and hooked up to monitoring equipment.
"So, how's she looking?" he asked the Kelzaks who surprisingly enough appeared to act as medics. He'd half expected to find out that he had another set of unseen minions who handled this kind of stuff, but nope, it was just more ninjas.
Hmm, speaking of which, he needed to look into making Kelzak Furies for some upgraded muscle, he thought for a moment before shrugging it off and refocusing on the here and now, as one of the Kelzaks handed him a computer pad depicting Smellerbee's health statistics. He couldn't actually read any of it, but it was all green, so he assumed that was good.
At his question, one of the Kelzaks let out a jumbled garbled alien language that he could oddly enough understand quite easily, with the Kelzak reporting that the human specimen took quite a beating and it was fortunate that she was brought in when she was, otherwise she likely would have perished quite soon without medical aid.
It went on to say that while she was stable for now, it would take at least a few days until she was healed enough to let out of the tube.
"Hmm, so probably not before our outing to Gravity Falls then," he noted, "Oh well, the information she might have isn't exactly high priority, so no reason to rush it, I suppose."
"Speaking of this Gravity Falls, should we start preparing a strategy for our investigation and assault?" A new voice spoke up as Tak stepped up, glancing at the pod holding Smellerbee with a small frown, before focusing back on Lothor, "And if we're really going to work with them on this little venture, I suppose we should contact Skeleton King forces so we can coordinate," She added in a thoughtful tone, rubbing her chin.
"Very true, dear. We should probably do that now in order to start organizing things quickly," Lothor replied, gaze still on Smellerbee's pod.
"If you can tear yourself away from your apparent new toy, you mean," Tak scoffed.
"Jealous?" he asked, looking to her with a smirk.
"Hardly, just confused why your dirty little mind would bother going that way with this one," she sneered, "I mean, the pig slut is one thing, she's at least... moderately attractive, despite her disgusting personality. But this one is so masculine!"
"There's more to beauty than tits and ass, darling," Lothor laughed, "Our young friend here was willing to fight in a war for what she believes in, despite her youth and inexperience. That kind of conviction is rare, in my experience, and really quite appealing."
"Hmmm, true I suppose, commitment to a cause is something to always admire and encourage," Tak admitted with a mutter, examining Smellerbee's form, "Though I still have doubts this child is worth keeping around after we get that information you want."
"Well, we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?" Lothor said, "In the meantime, let's leave her to heal up and call up Skeleton King."
With that, the pair left the medical bay and made their way to the bridge. Approaching the control console, he activated the communications system and sent a signal to the Citadel of Bone, soon receiving a response.
"Ah, it's you," From one annoyed looking monkey, "What is it you want, Lothor?" Mandarin demanded with a slight irritated scowl, "Have you called to acknowledge your betters and swear servitude to Skeleton King?" He added, asking with a smirk.
"If I ever meet any of my betters, I might," Lothor snarked, "Now be a good servant and put your master on."
Mandarin bristled at both the dismissal of his lord's dominance and at being ordered around by anyone other than him, but composed himself before answering.
"My lord is not here. He's still down in Kaznia consolidating his hold over the country, since he won your contest there," he sneered.
"First blood isn't the same as total victory, primate. There's still a whole planet left to conquer," Tak scoffed, causing Mandarin to turn and arch an eyebrow at her.
"Ah, you must be the insect who interfered in Valeena's mission," he mused, "On the one hand, I feel I should thank you for putting the witch in her place. On the other..."
Whatever Mandarin was going to say was cut off by a sudden scream from somewhere off camera.
"YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT YOU OLD HAG! TAKE IT RIGHT UP YOUR ASS!" Jinmay's voice shouted out with a laugh.
"...Do I even want to know?" Lothor asked flatly after staring at the screen for several moments.
At that question, Mandarin actually sighed, with an expression that screamed he was done with life, "My lord decided that Valeena's recent performance and behavior warranted punishment."
He said, before adding with a groan, "Punishment that has her as Jinmay's personal toy for the next day," he explained before pinching the bridge of his nose, "and I just know those two will be even more insufferable than ever after this."
"Heh, well, that's actually kind of hot," Lothor chuckled, even as an annoyed Tak kicked him in the leg, "But in any case, I was trying to get in touch with Skeleton King to coordinate our expedition to Gravity Falls. If he's not there, then when he gets back, tell him to meet me at our neutral zone on Earth tomorrow at, oh, let's say noon local time. We need to properly organize this operation before we carry it out."
"Hmm... very well..." Mandarin said with a slight reluctant nod, "I suppose we do need to coordinate and strategize for this operation," He admitted with a slight scowl before narrowing his eyes, "But know this, Lothor..."
He glared at Lothor and Tak, "If your forces don't pull their weight or should even try something that displeases my master," He raised his hand up deploying his energy blade with the glow from it adding to his sinister grin, "Then you shall learn first hand what it's like to feel the wrath of Skeleton King."
"Understood, so long as you understand that goes both ways," Lothor replied, eyes narrowed, "Try to double-cross me, and I'll break you all into so many pieces even your master won't be able to put you back together."
Mandarin glared back at him, then cut the transmission, leaving Lothor and Tak staring at a blank screen.
"I'm going to enjoy crushing that simian someday," Tak said with a glare.
"Yes, one day, but for now we tolerate him, and the others," Lothor replied, before smirking and reaching down to stroke her antennae, immediately gaining her attention, "In the meantime, if our strategy meeting is put off until tomorrow, then we have the rest of the day free."
"Oh? And how do you plan to spend it?" Tak asked, smirking flirtatiously.
"I can think of a few ideas," he chuckled, "Pity we already sent Gaz back down to Earth, though. Guess we'll have to make do without her."
"Believe me, at the end of day, fun in tormenting that pig bitch aside, you'll only need me," Tak told him with a seductive smirk.
"Oh, I have no doubt~" Lothor said with a grin, picking Tak up and holding her close for a passionate kiss. She eagerly returned it, throwing her arms around his neck and her legs around his upper chest.
"Fuck me on your throne," she whispered into his ear.
"Gladly," he chuckled, carrying her over to the throne and getting comfortable on it, allowing her to settle onto his lap.
"Hmn, there's just something about being fucked here that has me wet~" Tak purred out, rubbing her crotch against his while kissing his neck.
"Oh? Is it the power of being here, or is it the idea that someone might come in and see us?" Lothor asked, admitting to himself that there was a certain exhibitionist thrill to having sex in the middle of an open room that anyone could come into at any time.
"Both~" Tak purred, as she reached down to unbuckle his pants and fish out his cock, which she immediately began sucking.
With her giving off a pleased eager groan before twirling her tongue around his tip, "Plus, can't lie, making you moan at my touch makes me feel powerful~"
"And it gives me so much joy to see you so dominating~" Lothor gave a pleased groan and leaning back to let Tak take the lead.
"Well, if I'm going to be your queen and co-ruler, I can't let you take the lead all the time~" Tak said with an evil teasing smirk, "Now why don't you tell your queen what you want~" She cooed while pumping his cock before slowly licking up the side.
"Mmm, keep doing that, for starters~" he moaned, "And then when you're done, take it as far down your throat as you can."
Tak smirked as she did just that, sucking eagerly away at Lothor's cock, something which she was starting to nurse an addiction for, but she wouldn't have it any other way, she thought, twirling her tongue around the cock as she took it in her mouth before slamming it deeper down her throat.
"Ooh, that's right, just like that!" Lothor exclaimed happily, grabbing the back of her head and forcing her further down his cock. Oh, he wished she had hair so he could properly grip her, but he'd make do with what he had.
But hair or not, Tak certainly approved of his rough treatment, if her eager muffled moan was anything to go by, with her ducking and taking his cock as deep as she could while he slammed her face down it, with her hand going down to her crotch, rubbing at it as she worked to bring Lothor to release, "Glrt, Glrt, Glrt, GLRT!"
"Fuck, you're so good!" Lothor cried out, before he came, shooting his seed down Tak's throat, which she eagerly swallowed.
When she was done, she pulled his cock out of her mouth, then reached down and yanked her pants down to expose her wet cunt.
"Now be a good boy and return your Queen's favor~" she demanded with a smirk.
"Gladly," he replied, lifting her up and then bringing her down to impale her on his cock.
"FUCK YES!" Tak moaned as the girth filled her insides, "MAKE ME SCREAM LIKE A TROQ, LOTHOR!" She yelled out, eagerly bouncing off of Lothor's cock with a wild lustful grin.
"As you, ugh, wish!" Lothor grunted in response, thrusting to match her own movements. Bracing her with one hand on her hip, he reached around with the other to slap her ass.
SMACK
"You belong to me, space slut!" he declared.
SMACK
"AH!" Tak let out a moan before shooting a challenging grin back, "Do I?" She let out a lustful growl, "Are you so sure it isn't the other way around?" she asked between grunting moans, before pulling Lothor into a hard kiss.
"Mmm," Lothor murmured, happily returning the kiss just as intensely and increasing the pacing of his thrusts even more.
As the eager makeout and cock-bouncing fucking continued, the two were so lost into their lust they didn't notice two feminine figures coming onto the ship bridge.
"So you really think Uncle will let us leave?" Marah questioned with a frown.
"It's worth a shot, because I don't know about you, but I'm sick of being cooked up in here with Uncle's... bug... bitch..." Kapri started to say before trailing off as they became aware of a certain noise, and then their eyes fell upon a horrible sight, perhaps the most traumatizing sight of their lives.
"OH FUCK NO!" Kapri screamed at the sight of Tak and Lothor fucking on the latter's throne. Marah, meanwhile, turned very green and looked like she might throw up.
"Do you two mind? We're busy here," Tak snapped, glaring over her shoulder at the pair.
"Why would you do this in the open like this?!" Kapri demanded in disgust.
"It's fun, that's why. Did you want something?" Lothor demanded, too into it to be embarrassed by his nieces' presence. Not even thinking about or realizing how easy it was think of them as his nieces at this point as they turned their backs on him and his lover.
"We, uh... wanted permission to go to Earth!" Marah squeaked out in disgusted embarrassment.
"Yeah, what she said!" Kapri added with a nod beside her sister, neither turning back to face their uncle.
"Getting cabin fever?" Lothor scoffed, "Fine, whatever. But only after our expedition to Gravity Falls. We're going to need all hands on deck for that, so I can't have you two wandering about and screwing around while it's happening."
"For whatever you two might be worth in a fight," Tak sneered.
"Hey we're plenty good in a fight!" Kapri retorted.
"Yeah, I bet we could kick your butt if we had the chance!" Marah added, neither turning to face the throne.
"I could kill you both at the same time with both hands tied behind my back," Tak said flatly, "But right now, I have more important things to do, so scram."
"She's right, you got permission for your trip after we're done in Gravity Falls, now get out," Lothor commanded.
"Yes Uncle!" They both scurried out of the throne room, and once they were out of earshot.
"So first chance we get, we're so totally getting Uncle a new girlfriend, right?" Marah asked with Kapri giving a nod.
"Totally, and with any luck Uncle will get tired of the bug bitch and let us shoot her into the sun or something," Her sister said back, with the two sharing a dark smirk, while back in the throne room Tak and Lothor worked to pick back up where they were before they were so rudely interrupted.
"Why do you even keep those bimbos around? You told me they're not even related to you with your marriage ended!" Tak complained as she started thrusting even harder than she had been before.
"I suppose I'm nostalgic," Lothor admitted, matching her thrusting, "But enough about them, we have more important things to focus on, don't you think?"
"Yes..." Tak hissed out with a large smirk, "Like you breeding me with your empire's future rulers~" she said lustfully, before once again locking lips with him.
And soon the bridge was filled only with the sounds of the two villains' passionate lovemaking.
(Earth, Bludhaven)
Though as they were enjoying each other's bodies, back on Earth a certain pet of theirs was about to begin her mission from her new masters.
SLAM!
"I'm home," the form of Gaz Membrane grunted as she kicked open her family's front door with a darker than usual scowl, wondering ideally if anybody cared she was back after so long, or even noticed she had been missing period.
But to her total lack of surprise, the house seemed empty, the only greeting for her entrance being a hover screen displaying the same recording of her father that he'd been using for years when he wasn't home because he was too distracted to update it.
"Welcome home, son and/or daughter," the image of Professor Membrane on the screen greeted, "I'm unable to make it home tonight, so help yourselves to dinner, and remember to brush your teeth, do your homework, and feed the dog."
"That dog's been dead since I was 8. You'd think the world's smartest man would remember we don't have a pet anymore," Gaz muttered, only to wince as the word "pet" reminded her of the feeling of a collar around her neck and being forced to crawl around naked on all fours. And even worse, those memories sent a thrill through her, feeling her panties start to dampen.
Which of course led to her scowling with a dark growl, because she hated that she fucking loved that feeling!
She clenched her fists. Part of her wanted to throw what she'd been through in her family's face and watch them squirm, while throwing this so-called mission back in the face of her so-called mistress and master! But another part of her... another part of her wanted to ditch this dump and go back to Tak and Lothor for their attention and punishment...
"Grr, I should be making that alien whore my bitch... but why do I want it to be the other way around?" She asked herself with a low moan, while grabbing and squeezing her tit.
Completely unwanted, the feeling of the beatings Tak had given her came back to her, along with the taste of Lothor's cock in her mouth, and wondering what it would feel like in her other holes.
"What is wrong with me? Why am I so turned on by them controlling me?" she muttered, reaching down to rub her crotch while thinking back on how she'd pathetically insulted and demeaned herself for the gratification of Lothor and Tak's amusement.
And how her hatred of every moment soon turned to her wanting more and more. She wanted to be smack down, insulted, and used like she was worthless... she wanted to feel the pleasure of being used... she wanted to... in maybe a twisted way... feel what it felt like to be desired and "cared" for by someone that could actually bring her to her knees.
Was Lothor right about her? Had she always acted so tough and domineering only because she wanted to find someone who could fight back and put her in her place? She couldn't help but wonder as her groping of herself grew more intense, the hand rubbing her crotch starting to slip into her pants...
BANG
When the sound of something heavy hitting the floor upstairs caused her to jump in surprise. Blushing as she realized what she was doing, she pulled her hands away from herself and put them firmly at her sides as she looked to the stairs, just in time to see Dib come down them, boxes of equipment precariously stacked in his arms.
"Oh, hey Gaz," he greeted casually as he saw her, his tone confirming that he had in fact been oblivious to her being absent for almost two weeks, which really pissed her off.
"What the hell are you doing with all that crap?" she demanded, latching onto an easy outlet for her anger.
"It's not crap, Gaz," Dib said, sending his sister an annoyed look, "It's equipment to help me in the battle against the newest alien threats to our planet," He said in a "heroic" tone, while Gaz gave a eye roll.
"Right, because you'll be able to handle an actual serious Justice League-level threat," she said dryly.
"Hey, I fought Zim alone for years!" he snapped defensively.
"I stand by what I said," she replied flatly. Because even after getting more serious and allying with his psycho girlfriend and those other morons in his "legion", Zim was still an incompetent idiot.
And as if he could read her mind Dib scowled, "You shouldn't dismiss how dangerous Zim is, Gaz," He said with a grunt while adjusting his grip on all the equipment in his arms, "Especially since I just know he's planning something diabolical with that Nth Metal and Thanagarian technology he managed to get away with."
He started to say before Gaz cut him off with an amused smirk, "You mean the Nth metal and technologies you practically gave him gift wrapped?" She asked with an arched brow.
Dib flushed at the reminder of that mistake on his part and glowered at her.
"The point is, he's dangerous and shouldn't be underestimated," he said, "And the same goes for these Skeleton King and Lothor guys."
Gaz twitched slightly at Lothor's name, but not enough for Dib to notice.
"So what, you think your little gadgets are going to let you beat the aliens that people with actual superpowers have trouble going up against?" she asked. She hadn't actually seen either alien's forces in action outside of the fight she'd been captured in, but she'd heard Lothor and Tak discussing things back on the ship (they'd either forgotten she was there or decided that she was too broken to do anything with any overheard information) and knew that there had been several fights with Earth's heroes in both America and Kaznia that had been fairly close matches.
"Hey, don't underestimate human ingenuity or determination, Gaz," Dib said with a grunt as he took an unsteady step forward, not noticing Gaz suddenly get a gleam in her eye, "I mean, look at Batman..."
Dib said as Gaz put her leg unseen right in his path, "He doesn't have any powers and he handles crazies that can actually give Zim a run for his monEEEE!"
He said, only to cut off at the end as he tripped over Gaz's leg.
"Oops," she said with a smirk, watching as Dib hit the floor, the stack of equipment in his arms flying up and then collapsing back on top of him.
Snickering, Gaz left Dib there on the floor and made her way upstairs to her room. Once inside and with the door shut behind her, she let herself collapse onto her bed, glad to be able to rest on an actual mattress instead of a hard dungeon cell floor... and quickly found that she couldn't get comfortable.
"Oh, for fuck's sake, do not tell me that whatever weird-ass Stockholm Syndrome I have is making it so that I can't even enjoy being in my own room," she grumbled angrily.
Hoping to pull herself from that discomforting thought, she got back up and walked over to the array of monitors and gaming equipment on her desk, looking for a distraction. Activating her main screen, she was about to pull up a game to play when a calendar alert popped up; arching a brow, she clicked on it, and was greeted by a reminder to register for a gaming tournament to be held over in Bailey in a few weeks.
"Ah right, can't believe I forgot about that," She muttered with a slight frown, "Maybe putting some noobs in their place will help me clear my head," She said to herself, before giving a dark smirk, "If nothing else, this could be a way to remind that prick Mitch who the real top gamer is."
She said with a dark chuckle, "And who knows, maybe that bitch ME_KO will be competing too~"
Gaz had never met the other girl in person, but as one of the few people who could actually match her the few times they'd faced off online and in tournaments, she'd quickly climbed to the top of Gaz's shit list. And the fact that she was so annoyingly chipper and hyper all the time just made it all the worse.
Ooh yes, if she actually showed up for this tournament, Gaz was going to enjoy crushing her like a bug. And if she was there in person, then maybe she'd take her aside and really crush her, make her squirm and beg and scream her name. Gaz could easily and happily picture it... and then in those mental images, Gaz suddenly found herself in ME_KO's place while Tak was in Gaz's.
"Goddammit, can't I stop thinking about that for two seconds?!" she snapped at herself as her face flushed and her pussy started burning again.
"Urg, FUCK IT!" She snapped as she started to pull off her pants to give herself some relief, "Stupid bug bitch... and ah... ninja asshole!" She moaned out.
Slipping her fingers into her snatch, she started pumping them in and out of the folds, causing the heat already burning inside her to grow even stronger. As it did, she tried to concentrate on images of anything else that might turn her on - moderately attractive people she knew, hot video game characters, even situations with Tak and Lothor but with her as the dominant one. But without fail, her mind kept cycling back to them being the ones dominating her.
"That's right, pig slut! Eat out my superior Irken cunt to earn the right to feel your master's cock!" she imagined Tak saying, picturing herself with her face buried in the Irken's pussy.
"Fuck, so good..." Gaz found herself moaning out as she started to get lost in her lust, "I'm just a pig slut who needs to be punished!" She groaned, before she started to picture Lothor coming into things.
She imagined him looming over her as she ate out Tak, smirking down at her.
"Filthy little pig whore," he laughed, before raising a hand and bringing it down hard on her ass.
SMACK
"Who owns this ass, slut?" he sneered.
"Ngh, you do, master~" Gaz moaned in the real world, leaning back in her chair as her finger fucking grew more intense.
"You own me... you own this piggy slut!" She called out in a moan, ripping off the front of her shirt uncaringly to get to her tits as she started to imagine Tak with a large strap on and Lothor double teaming her holes.
"That's right! We own you, you worthless piece of trash!" Tak snarled, gripping Gaz's hair tightly as she face fucked her as hard as she could.
"And that means we'll do whatever we want to you, and you'll take it with a smile!" Lothor laughed, slapping her ass again as he pounded her pussy.
"Fuck yes..." Gaz moaned out, her eyes starting to roll to the back of her head as she twisted her nipple, "Give me all you got... your piggy slut will take it all with a smile!"
And the twisted fantasy continued like that for a while, until Lothor suddenly yanked his cock out of her pussy and rammed it into her asshole instead, which finally proved to be too much for her.
"FUUUUCCCCKKK!" she screamed, body tensing as she came, juices spilling out of her pussy and all over her chair and the floor. Afterwards, Gaz was left panting there for several minutes, the small part of her not overwhelmed by either pleasure or disgust silently glad that she'd long ago installed soundproofing in her room, so Dib wouldn't hear her scream and come running; she didn't need that awkwardness on top of everything else.
"God... I'm so fucked... up," Gaz admitted to herself with a groaning sigh. After all, she had just masturbated to her former captors and rapists fucking her like a slave bitch; if that didn't prove she had fallen far, she didn't know what did, "Only silver lining in this whole mess is I can probably make Dib suffer too," She muttered with a dark scowl.
Admittedly, she didn't know quite how. Sure, Tak wanted revenge on Dib too, and Lothor would probably accommodate her in any way that she wanted. But what would she do, make him a sex slave too?
"Tch, yeah right," Gaz muttered, doubting a scrawny nerd like Dib would be packing anything that could compare to Lothor. Then again, she didn't know for sure; she might be more fucked up in the head than she'd ever realized, but she wasn't some kind of incestuous pervert who tried to figure out how big her brother's cock was.
"Ugh, I need a cold shower," she said, getting up to grab a towel.
"With any luck, that and some gaming will help me get all this out of my head for a while," She muttered, but internally swore if she was going to be a sex slave for the rest of her life, then she'd figure out some way to ensure Dib experienced his own layer of hell.
And even as Gaz stomped off to shower, it never even occurred to her that she could just tell Dib what had happened to her and ask for help; after all, her pride wouldn't let her admit to how she'd been humiliated, and her twisted desire for Lothor and Tak's touch wouldn't allow her to do anything to risk no longer being at their mercy.
She was caught in their web and didn't even realize it.
(Meanwhile, Citadel of Bone)
While Gaz was lamenting her current status in life, another gothic woman was doing likewise.
"Mmm, this is nice, isn't it?" Jinmay giggled as she looked over the bound and gagged Valeena.
The witch shot her a dark glare, causing Jinmay to let out a giggling smirk, examining the witch's form currently laying on her bed in her personal quarters, completely naked save for the ropes binding her, "Plus, I'll admit for an old hag your body isn't as hideous as I thought~"
She added, before bringing down her hand straight down to the bitch's gray ass.
SMACK
"HMMMPPHH!!!" Valeena screamed into the ball gag that Jinmay had forced into her mouth, squirming against the ropes keeping her stuck spread-eagle on the bed.
"Glad to hear you're enjoying yourself~" Jinmay laughed, "But, I think this break has lasted long enough. Let's get back to it, shall we?"
Skipping away from her large bed, Jinmay made her way across her room, past the collection of stuffed animals and motorcycle memorabilia to reach a large wardrobe. Yanking it open revealed racks of various BDSM equipment, which she inspected carefully.
"Hmm, what should we start back up with? The whip or the paddle?" she asked rhetorically, eyeing both tools.
Hearing Valeena's muffled protests from behind her caused Jinmay to nod her head with a smirk, 'You're right, we should savor the moment and work our way up," She said, taking out the paddle as she approached the helpless witch, a part of her wishing she had a dominatrix outfit, but her sexy naked body was also good, "And I hope you're enjoying this~"
she added with a smirk as she raised her paddle at the ready, "Because once Skeleton King makes me his Queen, I think I could get used to doing this~" she added with a laugh, before bringing her paddle down hard onto Valeena's ass.
SMACK
SMACK
SMACK
With each blow, Valeena gave another pained yelp, and made another mental tally mark of things she would make this metal whore pay for once she took her rightful place as their master's REAL Queen.
...And also denying with each strike that a part of her was enjoying this experience.
"After all, you were practically born and raised to be Skeleton King's bitch~" Jinmay's voice added mockingly, emphasizing her words with another hit.
SMACK
"Do you honestly think that a born slave bitch would ever be selected to be his Queen?" Jinmay added with mock sympathy.
SMACK
"The fact he's given you to me as a personal toy alone says who's more valued between us~" Jinmay added with a laugh.
SMACK
"He loves me witch, just as much I love him~" Jinmay's voice took on a edge of desire and devotion.
SMACK
Valeena wanted so desperately to scream defiance at the robot harlot, as her words cut into the witch even harder than the blows to her ass. None of it was true, of course, she knew that she was superior and more worthy of being Skeleton King's bride than this waste of scrap metal could ever hope to be. But in this moment, in this situation that her lord had forced her to partake in, it was very difficult to keep reminding herself of that.
"Just admit it, Valeena~" Jinmay's voice cooed mockingly.
SMACK
"Admit your proper place, and I'll make sure my husband and I take you to our bed every now and again~" Jinmay said with a little demented giggle.
SMACK
"I can be a merciful Queen, after all~" Jinmay said with a cruel grin, "I'm already thinking about letting Chiro watch Skeleton King and I's wedding and honeymoon~" She admitted while ideally patting the paddle against her palm, "Think he'd be happy to know I'm happy and I've moved onto bigger better things~"
she said mock thoughtfully before slamming the paddle against Valeena's ass again.
SMACK
If she could speak right now, Valeena would tell Jinmay exactly where she could move on to. But right now all she could do was fume angrily and take her beating.
And also try VERY hard to ignore how her pussy was starting to get wet from the spanking.
"Ohhh, looks like someone's enjoying her spanking~" Jinmay giggled out, causing Valeena to give a groan, realizing the robotic harlot had noticed her situation, "Hmm, you really were made to be my bitch~"
Jinmay said, teasing Valeena's cunt with her fingers by rubbing against them, "But I don't think you've earned your release yet~" She added in a sing-song tone before reaching over to pull out the witch's gag, "Now..."
Jinmay grabbed the back of Valeena's head, pulling her up to stare right into her eyes, "Who's the Skeleton Queen and who's the bitch, witch?" Jinmay asked with a cruel grin.
Valeena grit her teeth and refused to answer, only maintaining eye contact due to lack of choice. Jinmay, not liking this defiance, frowned and slapped Valeena across the face.
SMACK
"I asked you a question, hag," Jinmay growled, "So, answer me. Who's the real Queen?"
"...You are," Valeena grumbled out reluctantly.
SMACK
"Louder!" Jinmay snapped.
"YOU ARE, YOU'RE THE QUEEN!" Valeena found herself yelling out, hating herself for saying it but having no choice but to, "That's a good girl~" Jinmay cooed, before adding with a dark smirk, "I think you've earned a treat~"
she added, before slamming her lips onto the witch's, causing Valeena's eyes to go wide.
Because as much as she didn't want to admit it... the kiss felt really good, Jinmay's lips on hers sent a jolt of pleasure through her.
Without meaning to, Valeena leaned into the kiss, returning it in equal intensity.
With Jinmay responding in kind with an eager moan, actually surprised but delighted that the witch was returning the kiss, which was mainly a spur of the moment, but she had to admit the hag wasn't a bad kisser and her body wasn't completely hideous after all... if she kept this up and acknowledged her place, then she might really keep her around for her and Skeleton King to pity fuck~
Honestly, she was still surprised at the punishment her master and love gave the witch, but even more delighted. After all, this was solid proof in her eyes that she held Skeleton King's favor more than the witch, and was the only true contender to be his queen... well her and maybe that demon bitch, but she'd learn her place too after the master claimed her... even though part of Jinmay still thought it'd be safer just to kill her.
But she put those thoughts aside as she broke the kiss, "Ah... ah... mmm, not bad~" Jinmay said with a smirk to Valeena, "Now what say you eat me out while praising and thanking your queen for the honor~"
she cooed, rubbing Valeena's cheek, "Then we can bring out the whip before I rail your ass again~" she added with an evil twisted giggle.
Valeena grimaced at that, but knew that trying to resist in any way would just make it worse, so she swallowed her pride and muttered, "Thank you... my Queen. I am... honored to do all that."
"Damn right you are~" Jinmay laughed, as she yanked her tights and panties down and positioned herself in front of Valeena's face, "So, eat up."
At that Valeena reluctantly (or so she told herself, ignoring the burning of her crotch) obeyed as Jinmay gave a low moan at the witch's tongue work, "Oh yeah... it's good to be Queen~" she groaned out, feeling up her breasts through her clothing before pausing as an amused voice spoke up with a chuckle, "Hehehe, I'm glad to see you're enjoying your toy~"
As none other than Skeleton King stepped into her room.
"Oh, I definitely am, master~ And did I tell you to stop, hag?" Jinmay said, before glaring down at Valeena, who had frozen as Skeleton King entered.
At that Valeena gave a small flinch, not wanting to humiliate herself like this in front of her lord, but at her lord's look she carried on, "Hmm, that's better~" Jinmay groaned out with a happy moan.
"Yes, I'm pleased that Valeena is following your orders as if they were my own, just as instructed~" Skeleton King said with a little chuckle, stepping up to the side of the bed, "Just as I'm pleased you're enjoying this little reward along with Valeena's punishment~" He added with a smirk as he leaned down to give Jinmay's cheek a kiss before going to lick up the side of her neck.
"Ooh, I definitely am~" she purred, enjoying his attention to her neck before angling her head around to kiss him on the mouth.
With Skeleton King eagerly returning the kiss as Valeena gave a jealous moan while eating out the harlot's snatch.
"Hmm, ah, I'm glad, my dear~" Skeleton King said, breaking the kiss , "And I have to say seeing you dominating Valeena is quite exciting~" He admitted with a dark smirk, "It has me eager to see what you'll do when you meet Megara, Audrey, and my other future conquests~"
Jinmay frowned at that, not happy about the reminder of her lord and love having his eye on other women even beyond this hag or the demonspawn bitch. But she shrugged it off; she knew that she was superior to all of them, so she wouldn't degrade herself by throwing a tantrum about it.
"Now then..." Skeleton King pulled back, "Fun aside, I came to inform you that the operation for Gravity Falls will begin in a few days," He said before giving a smirk, "And I believe it's the perfect time to start putting you into the field and planting the seeds of the plan I discussed with you~"
"Ooh, sounds fun. I've been looking forward to that," Jinmay grinned in excitement, "But can we discuss details later? Right now, I'd really like to fuck you while making this bitch watch."
Valeena let out a small muffled protest against Jinmay's pussy while Skeleton King simply chuckled.
"Hehe, but of course~" The villain said with an amused smirk as he fished out his cock and slapped it against Jinmay's cheek.
"Mmm, thank you~" she purred, before grabbing his cock and stuffing it into her mouth as deep as she could, quickly and eagerly beginning to suck it.
"Hmm, yes, you've certainly gotten quite good at this~" Skeleton King purred, running his hand through her hair, "And it always warms my dark heart to see you so eager to give your master pleasure ~"
"Mmmph," was all Jinmay said in response, too focused on sucking her master's cock. At the same time, she angled her body to press her pussy even further against Valeena's face, forcing the witch to lick her even harder while she was forced to keep watching what Jinmay was doing.
It should be her sucking their lord's magnificent cock while forcing the metal harlot to pleasure her folds, oh why did their master give this toy such favor!?
And why was part of her, despite her humiliation and anger, enjoying this!? The witch asked in her mind while Jinmay moaned eagerly around Skeleton King's cock.
"Yes, that's it, suck it nice and good..."
Skeleton King groaned out, forcefully face fucking her, "Do well enough, and I'll fuck you over Valeena's bound body ~" he hissed out.
Valeena whined out in protest at that, which only made Jinmay grind harder against her while moaning in delight around their master's cock.
This scene continued for several more moments, Valeena licking against Jinmay's cunt as Jinmay herself sucked eagerly at her king's cock, till finally both of them experienced their release.
"GLRKT!" Jinmay moaned out in delight around the cock as it unleashed its seed down her throat, while her own juices exploded out onto Valeena's face.
"Well done..." Skeleton King cooed with a grunt after shooting his load down her throat, with Jinmay smiling after she finished swallowing and her master took his cock out of her mouth, "Now climb over Valeena so she has a good view of me giving you the reward she desires~"
Her master ordered with a low chuckle, "It should provide excellent motivation for her performance henceforth, I believe."
"Mmm, with pleasure, master," Jinmay chuckled, crawling over Valeena and positioning herself so that she was laying across the witch's chest, Valeena unable to look anywhere but back down at her.
"Ready when you are~" Jinmay called out to Skeleton King, giving her ass a seductive shake while not breaking eye contact with her captive.
At that, Skeleton King smirked as he approached her sexy form, "Believe me my dear, when it comes to giving you my favor and affection, I'm always ready~" he stated, getting into position before thrusting his cock as hard as he could inside her.
"Oh MASTER!" With Jinmay letting out a joyous moan of pleasure from his words and actions, while Valeena could only watch, stewing in jealous longing at the euphoric expression that overcame the harlot's face as their master had his way with her.
Just grin and bear it, she told herself. This was just temporary; she'd prove her true worth to her master, and then she'd have this arrogant windup toy sucking on her toes and thanking her for it!
And this next mission would be where she began to prove herself, she just knew it.
And at that thought, Valeena could do nothing but grit and bear with it as the room filled with the sounds of her lord having his way with that tinker toy over and over again ,while vowing the day would come where her and the harlot's roles would be reversed.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hope you all enjoyed that~ Night/Skeleton King and I both had our fun, and have plans for both the hunt for Horror's Hand and elsewhere. But in the meantime, we're heading to Gravity Falls next chapter, for another arc which will be shorter but hopefully a lot of fun.
Until then, please leave a kudos or comment if you're enjoying the story so far.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Quite a chapter huh lot of hot action that's for sure~ And on plot side the seeds are planted for quite a number of events from Horror Hand to the Justice League now aware of a Aku ruled timeline~ We certainly hope you enjoy how those plotlines play out eventually, but till than we hope you enjoy the next short arc of us invading a weird little town~
Chapter 13: When Gravity Falls
Summary:
The long-discussed invasion of Gravity Falls begins.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Well, here we are everyone, the next arc begins as Night/Skeleton King and I invade Gravity Falls to ensure that Bill Cipher can't come back. As promised, this will be a shorter arc than Kaznia, but I think you'll find that we packed a lot into it~
Hope you all enjoy.
Nightmaster000 A/N: We're back again with another update~ This time heading to the location of one of my favorite disney shows Gravity Falls~ And boy is chaos about to hit the fan there. XD And while not as long as Kaznia I do hope you'll enjoy each twist and turn we took for this little arc and invasion.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Oh MASTER!" With Jinmay letting out a joyous moan of pleasure from his words and actions, while Valeena could only watch, stewing in jealous longing at the euphoric expression that overcame the harlot's face as their master had his way with her.
Just grin and bear it, she told herself. This was just temporary; she'd prove her true worth to her master, and then she'd have this arrogant windup toy sucking on her toes and thanking her for it!
And this next mission would be where she began to prove herself, she just knew it.
And at that thought, Valeena could do nothing but grit and bear with it as the room filled with the sounds of her lord having his way with that tinker toy over and over again ,while vowing the day would come where her and the harlot's roles would be reversed.
(Gravity Falls, several days later)
"And here we come to the next part of the tour, the rock that looks like a face," Said none other than former handyman of the Mystery Shack turned new Mr. Mystery Soos, giving the latest group of tourists a tour of all the best oddball attractions the Shack had to offer.
"Is it a face?" one of the tourists he was currently talking to asked, looking inquisitively at the rock on a small pedestal in the middle of the room, which did indeed look vaguely like a face.
"Nah, dude, it's just a rock," Soos said jovially, having expected the question. It was one of the ones that people always asked.
"Is it a metaphor?" someone else asked the usual other question.
"Maybe, dawg, that's the age-old question," Soos replied with a good-natured shrug, "Now, let me show you dudes all something really great!"
And as they moved the tour on, three forms stayed behind. "Huh... it really does look like a face," Spoke none other than Marah disguised in typical tourist wear, before adding with a tilt of her head to her sister and the new girl from the creepy skeleton army, "You know..."
She pursed her lips, "If you look at it from this angle it actually kinda looks like Uncle."
"Is she always like this?" Jinmay asked flatly, completely unimpressed with the brunette.
"Unfortunately. You get used to it," Kapri sighed.
"Hey!" Marah pouted.
"Oh, shut it before you blow our cover!" Kapri snapped at her sister.
"Hey, thanks to these outfits we just look the regular tourists that places like this sucker for money," Marah snapped back with a slight pout.
"Said the girl who wanted to buy a puma shirt at the gift shop," Jinmay muttered with an eye roll, while Marah shot her an annoyed glare, "Well at least I fit in, biker girl," She retorted right back, gesturing toward Jinmay's current outfit.
(without the screw of course)
"First of all, I make this look damn good," Jinmay scoffed, "Secondly, from what I've looked up on this planet's information networks, bikers pass through backroad towns like this all the time, I do not stand out that much."
"Whatever," Kapri cut in, "Let's just stop arguing and get back to looking around for any of that information Uncle or your boss told us to track down."
"Yeah, yeah..." Jinmay said with an eye roll while hiding her annoyance at the fact this twit thought she could give her orders, "Though other than typical tourist scams you find at dumps like this, I don't think we'll find any useful information."
She admitted with a scowl while looking around the Mystery Shack.
It really was just a typical tourist trap like any she'd seen on dozens of planets, filled with poorly put together but flashy displays designed to catch people's attention so that they'd buy cheap-looking knickknacks being sold at ridiculously marked-up prices in order to remember the experience. The only difference was how odd all the displays were. Seriously, there was a vaguely animal-shaped slapped together mass of meat pieces labeled a "Ham-elope", next to a stuffed beaver with a pair of antlers glued to its head. Who was interested in this crap?
"Honestly, if it wasn't for my master's vision, I'd think nothing of value could be found in this backwater town," Jinmay said with a slight scowl, with the sisters actually giving agreeing nods.
"Yeah and all this trouble over a silly triangle to boot," Kapri said with a snort.
"A silly triangle that actually has Uncle worried and on edge," Marah added in with Kapri giving a reluctant nod.
"And for good reason," Jinmay said as she unconsciously rubbed her arms, "I'm no saint..." She told them before giving a snort, "I'm literally sharing the bed of my ex's greatest enemy while leaving him to be tortured."
She admitted freely, and after Skeleton King truly set her free and welcomed her to his bed she really hadn't paid the monkey team and Chiro a visit or really given them much thought at all, "But what Skeleton King showed us all about Cipher..." She gave a brief shiver from remembering the scenes of the so called Weirdmageddon.
"Oh please, I'm sure it looked worse than it actually was," Kapri said, sounding like she was trying to convince herself more than them.
None of them wanting to dwell on that train of thought much longer, the three quickly moved to catch up with the rest of the tour group, which was now gathered in front of a large object draped in a tarp, which Soos was standing next to.
"Now this is something we've been working on for awhile, dudes, so I hope you all really appreciate it. Behold!" he declared, yanking the tarp off to reveal what was underneath it.
"The wolf girl!" Soos exclaimed as the crowd ooed and ah'd, or in case of a couple of teenage boys wolf whistled.
"Well, there's something I didn't expect." Jinmay said with an amused grin to Marah and Kapri who shared a nod.
"Have to admit, she makes the look work for her," Marah added in, all of them staring at the sight of a sighing longhaired redhead woman probably several years older than Marah and Kapri, wearing a red-furred bikini, a pair of fake wolf ears, and a fake tail strapped to a pair of blur jeans.
"Raaar," The young woman said with an unenthusiastic tone while clawing at the air.
"Dude, Wendy, put a little more effort into it," Soos whispered to her, probably louder than he intended.
"Be glad you're getting this much, Soos, this is NOT what I was thinking of when I agreed to play an exhibit," Wendy hissed back at him, blushing as she noticed how most of the crowd were staring more intently at her chest than her performance. She wasn't ashamed of her body, but this really wasn't the way she liked to show it off!
Honestly, this was the kinda thing she might... MIGHT wear for a guy lucky enough to get to that point, not something to draw up tourism for the Mystery Shack.
Maybe I should of gone into the family lumberjacking business after all, Wendy thought with a flush while covering her breasts subconsciously. Soos so owed her big for this.
"Turn around and give that cute tail a shake!" And her embarrassment only grew when a pink-haired girl dressed as a biker hollered out with a large amused smirk.
"Uh... maybe we should move on," Soos said awkwardly, finally realizing that this might not have been the best idea.
"I'm taking a break," Wendy grumbled, stomping off to the residential section of the Shack. As she did, and Soos led the tour group off to another set of exhibits, the three undercover girls watched her go.
"Hmm, ya think she might be a good candidate for Uncle's new girlfriend?" Marah asked her sister.
"Well, she is hot. And she's got a tough attitude, that seems to be his type," Kapri mused.
"Are you seriously trying to play matchmaker right now?" Jinmay asked flatly.
"Hey, if the alternative is our uncle continuing to screw that bug bitch, we'll take whatever opportunity we can get," Kapri protested.
Jinmay at that arched a brow, a part of her wondering if all evil warlords had strong sexual appetites and girls eager to feed it, because with her own master and Lothor that's 2 for 2.
"You realize if your plan works, you'd still have to deal with your Uncle fucking some random girl," she added to them with her arched brow, "Fucking her in random parts of your ship you could stumble upon too, I'm guessing~" she added with a little laugh, while the sisters shared a look of disgust.
"Still better than dealing with bug bitch, or her becoming our aunt!" Kapri hissed out.
"Uh huh. And what's to stop him from just keeping the insect in addition to whatever girl you bring him?" Jinmay asked, smirking as the girls both looked horrified at that thought, "But forget about that, we need to focus on why we're here."
"Right..." Kapri said with a nod, choosing to focus on the mission so they didn't have to deal with their uncle being pissed at them... while making a note to remember that redhead to look up later, this idea was still worth a try after all, "So how do we play this?" Kapri muttered out, only for Marah to add in with a eager whisper.
"Don't worry I got this," she said, causing Jinmay and her sister to shoot her confused looks as she stepped up and raised her hand addressing Soos, "Excuse me!" she called out, getting Soos' attention away from the other tourists with a blink.
"Yeah dude?" The guide and proprietor of the Mystery Shack (Ever since Mr. Pines passed along this sacred mantle to him) questioned with a friendly grin.
"I was wondering if you had any exhibits related to, oh I don't know..." Marah twirled a strain of her hair in her hand before finishing her question, not seeing her sister facepalm or Jinmay throw her a disbelieving look, "triangles?" she asked with an innocent grin, with Soos at first looking confused before slightly freezing with a nervous look.
"Uh, triangles?" he repeated, sweating nervously, "Nope, definitely no triangles around here!"
"Are you sure~?" Marah asked, leaning in closer as she sensed his nervousness.
"Yep, I'm sure, we absolutely don't have any triangle demon statues that we tossed into the bottomless pit out back for safekeeping!" Soos said quickly, only to pause and blink as he realized what he'd just said, "Uh, I mean... hey look, a customer in desperate need of help with something, I gotta go!"
As Soos ran off in a panic to help the nonexistent customer, Marah turned back to the others with a smug smile, while they stared at her incredulously.
"Did that seriously just happen?" Jinmay asked in disbelief.
"It did and I can't believe it," Kapri added in with her own shocked undertone, unable to believe that her sister actually managed to do something right and find them the info they wanted.
"Hey, I'm more than just a pretty face," Marah told them smugly as the other two rolled their eyes.
"I'm chalking this one up to dumb luck and that guy being even dumber than you," Kapri said pinching the bridge of her nose as Marah pouted, "Hey!"
moving to follow them as they left the Mystery Shack building. "Who cares how she got it we have a lead," Jinmay told them with annoyance, "So let's check out this so-called bottomless pit and report in."
The three of them soon found themselves in the backyard behind the Mystery Shack, standing in front of a large hole surrounded by warning signs.
"Bottomless pit, do not get too close," Jinmay read off of one of the signs, before narrowing her eyes and reading a smaller line of text written under it, "But if you do end up falling in, do not panic, living things get ejected from it after approximately 25 minutes? Huh, that seems oddly specific."
"You think maybe they tested it or something?" Marah asked curiously, while leaning in to look down, only to let out a yelp as she felt a kick at her butt, "Lets try our own test~" She heard her sister say as she let out a cry of shock while falling down the pit, "Kapriiiiiiiii!!" With Jinmay throwing Kapri a slight surprised look mixed with amusement.
"What? You read the sign, she'll be fine," Kapri said with a shrug, crossing her arms, "Plus, gets her out of our hair for a bit," she added, with Jinmay pursing her lips before nodding in agreement.
"If nothing else, maybe your sister might spot the statue," she said, glancing down before giving a shrug, "That is, if she doesn't get splattered like a pancake instead of being ejected out like the sign said."
Kapri paused at that, but shrugged.
"Meh, worth it," she said.
With Jinmay actually giving out a snort of amusement before pulling out a communicator disguised as a local phone, "Well, we better report all this in," she said while pressing at it, "i'm sure your uncle and my master will want to know want we found out as soon as possible."
she said, putting the phone to her ear while Kapri sighed but gave a nod, as the last thing she wanted was to deal with her uncle's annoyance.
(Elsewhere in Gravity Falls)
"I see, excellent work Jinmay," Spoke the form of Skeleton King to his staff as it let out a low purple glow at the tip, barely giving a second glance to all the groaning forms of the bull men or Manotaurs laying around him.
The villains had taken the cavern of the hyper-masculine bull men for their hideout while preparing for their strike on the town, and they kept trying to fight back. So the villains kept putting them back in their place.
"Good news, I take it?" Lothor asked as he walked over from where he had just knocked out several of the Manotaurs.
"Well, we might know where to find Cipher's stone remains," Skeleton King informed him with a smirk before adding nonchalantly, "Also, one of your nieces has been kicked down a bottomless pit."
Lothor blinked at that, before shrugging.
"Ah well, if it's anything like the one on the show, she'll be fine," he said, "In any case, we should probably prepare to make our move."
"Indeed, my forces are ready, with Mandarin and Valeena standing at the ready to launch our attack at my word once we cut off communication with the outside world," Skeleton King said with an evil smirk, "Not to mention..." he looked over at the groaning Manotaurs, "we also have potential additional forces right for the recruiting to aid us in this little campaign~" He said with a dark evil chuckle, his eyes going to the large black-furred form of Leaderaur in particular.
"Ugh, Manotaurs don't serve anyone," Leaderaur groaned, trying to sit up, only for Lothor to casually punch him in the face and lay him out again.
"You will, or we'll turn you into steaks," he said, before turning back to Skeleton King, "Anyway, I've also got Zurgane and Choobo on standby with my half of the attack forces too. So, all we need to do is choose our moment."
"Hmm... how about high noon once the clock strikes twelve?" Skeleton King suggested with a slight smirk, "A bit cliche and dramatic, but a good time as any to strike."
He admitted with a shrug, looking over at Lothor, "After all, from all accounts there's no sign of the Pines family," He stated, looking over at his fellow isekai soul, "And once we cut off communication, they can't call for help, which means there's no one in town strong enough to stop us~"
"Agreed. And I do love a good application of a cliche," Lothor chuckled.
"Excellent~" Skeleton King said with a smirk, "Than we just need to move our forces into position."
He said, raising his staff which emitted a glowing purple energy, "All our forces~" He added with a sinister smirk, before shooting mystical bolts of energy down at all the prone Manotaurs with a dark laugh.
The Manotaurs screamed as the dark magic surged through them, causing their muscles to swell even larger than they already were, and their eyes to glow with dark energy.
And as the lights died down, they rose with Leaderaur bellowing out, "The Manotaurs crush all for Skeleton King!" Emphasizing his words with flames from his nostrils while the surrounding Manotaurs roared out in agreement as Skeleton King smirked.
"Cipher's status aside, I believe Gravity Falls will be put to good use being mined for its resources~" Skeleton King stated, looking over to Lothor, "The magical beings alone could be useful with some, hehe improvements~"
"Very true. I wouldn't mind getting ahold of the Gremlobin or those living arcade game characters, for starters. Get them under control, and they could be useful assets," Lothor mused, "Heh, and too bad I'm not Mesogog, or I'd probably have a million uses for all those preserved dinosaurs down in the mines."
"Indeed," Skeleton King saiid with a chuckle before giving off a sinister smirk, "But I'm sure we can still find a way to put them to use," He said, rubbing his chin in thought, and a part of him couldn't help but imagine an army of Formless and dinosaurs attacking a city.
"Well, let's mark that down for long-term goals," Lothor chuckled along, "In the meantime, let's get ready to move out."
With that, the villainous overlords set out to make final preparations for their attack on the unsuspecting town.
(Meanwhile, back at the Mystery Shack)
Kapri and Jinmay stood by the bottomless pit, the former looking bored while the latter was examining her watch.
"Well, that's just about 25 minutes. She should be coming back any second now," Jinmay stated, looking up from the watch.
"AAAAAHHHHHH!"
Right on cue, Marah came flying out of the pit, flopping through the air to crash on the ground at her sister's feet.
"Well, look at that, right on time," Kapri said with an amused smirk, looking down at her groaning sister.
"You... suck... Kapri," Marah said with a groan, while lifting up her head to glare up at her sister.
"Yeah, yeah, did you see the stupid statue?" Kapri questioned impatiently as Marah got unsteadily to her feet.
"Well, despite falling down a pit to my potential demise while screaming my lungs out," Marah shot Kapri a dark glare, "I'm pretty sure I saw something."
"Pretty sure?" Jinmay echoed.
"Hey, let's see how well you look around for stuff while falling through a dark void!" Marah snapped, "But yeah, I think I saw it."
"And you didn't try to grab it?" Jinmay question flatly, with Marah shooting her a glare.
"I was kinda in the middle of screaming for my life!" She retorted back indignantly, however Jinmay just waved her off with a sigh.
"Doesn't matter, I'm sure my master can figure out a way to get it out of the pit," She stated with a smug smirk before giving them a serious look, "Besides, we need to get ready, the attack's going to be launched at noon."
"Good, I'm not sure how much of this kitschy small town stuff I can stand," Kapri scoffed, "The sooner we wrap up here, the sooner we get the free time that Uncle promised and get to spend time in an actual city."
"Getting cabin fever, huh?" Jinmay question with an actual sympathetic look, "Won't lie, I'm kinda eager to get into the field myself," She admitted, placing her arms behind her head as the trio walked away from the pit.
Not to mention get ready for her big performance for her master's brilliant long game scheme~ She thought silently with a dark smirk.
But she wasn't going to let that slip to these two. After all, they might be allies right now, but their uncle and her master were still rivals, so she wasn't going to just tell them what they were planning.
"I'll just be glad to hit a mall and have a chance to actually do some shopping," Marah sighed, "I mean, most of the fashion on this planet looks like garbage, but there's got to be something worthwhile out there, right?"
"Well, master did like that slave girl outfit that was from some earth flick," Jinmay mused out loud in reply, causing Marsh and Kapri to give her a disgusted look.
"Like ew, could have gone the rest of my life without hearing that!" Kapri stated with a grossed out look.
"Hehe, no need to be jealous, girls~" Jinmay looked over her shoulder, sending them a taunting smirk, "While they'd never compare to Skeleton King, I'm sure maybe you'll find guys who will give you the time of day someday ~"
"Grrr, screw you, bitch! You just watch, we'll have the best boyfriends ever!" Kapri growled.
"Yeah, and then you'll be jealous cause you're stuck with the ugly old skeleton!" Marah added, causing Jinmay to glare.
"If we weren't in a rush, I'd kick both your asses for that disrespect. But we have more important things to do, so let's go," she snapped.
And with that she stomped off, with the sisters trading disgruntled looks but moving to follow as they grumbled under their breath.
(Elsewhere, soon after)
As noon approached, it was a normal day in Gravity Falls.
"Shoo, ya dang gnomes!" diner owner Lazy Susan said as she chased a group of small bearded men in pointy red hats away from her trashcans.
"Dangit lady, it's not like anyone's eating that stuff!" Jeff the Gnome complained as the gnomes ran off, "You ever hear of charity?"
"Shmebulock!" one of the other gnomes added.
"Exactly!"
Which is to say, an incredibly weird day anywhere else.
"Honestly, I can't believe I let Soos talk me into that!" Wendy groused to her oldest friend Tambry as they walked past the dinner.
"Could have been worse," Tambry said with a shrug, while not looking away from the phone in her hands as Wendy threw her a disbelieving look.
"How?!" Wendy demanded, causing Tambry to smirk.
"Well your top could have come off, Melody could have gotten angry at you, thinking you were trying to seduce her husband by dressing up for him, or oh, Dipper could have been there~" Tambry listed off with an amused undertone.
Wendy blushed at those examples, especially the last one. Dipper's crush on her had never really come back over the years, but ironically enough she'd ended up the one having a bit of a crush on him as he'd moved into his teen years and grown taller and more muscular. Thankfully, she'd never been dumb enough to act on it and risk their friendship, but it was still awkward whenever he visited town, and the thought of him seeing her half-naked like that brought a lot of mixed emotions.
"Where do you come up with this stuff?" she groaned at Tambry, hoping to shift her thoughts away from that awkward train of thought.
"Internet~" Tambry said right back with a smirk, "But in all seriousness, the Melody thing was just me teasing, since we both know Soos is like a brother or maybe weird cousin to you who'd never look at another girl besides Melody," She surmised with Wendy giving a agreeing nod at that assessment.
"While the Dipper thing..." Tambry let out a little laugh, "Well, I can't help but find it hilarious that now you're the one with a thing for him after he hit his growth spurt," She said with a teasing grin, "Not to mention after he gets taken off the market by Luthor Jr." she added with a slight snort, while Wendy at that gave a frown, and not just for the reminder either.
She couldn't exactly say that she and Pacifica had become friends in the years after Weirdmageddon, but she'd at least been able to acknowledge that the younger girl was making a positive improvement in her life, becoming more humble and approachable. Then that whole mess with her parents had happened, and she got adopted by Lex Luthor, and now from what she'd seen on the news and social media, the blonde's personality was worse than it had ever been.
Seriously, her own jealousy aside, Wendy couldn't understand what Dipper saw in that spoiled bitch!
And rich assholes or not, that little accident at the asylum that caused her parents to get killed stunk to high heaven in Wendy's opinion.
"She certainly seems to be doing well for herself these days," Tambry said while looking at a pic on her phone of Pacifica that appeared to be taken from a magazine.
"Yeah, probably at the expense of others too," The Corduroy girl muttered with a scowl while Tambry arched a brow, "I just know that spoiled brat is rotten to the core," Wendy muttered, crossing her arms, "But she's got both Dipper AND Mabel wrapped around her finger!"
She exclaimed out with some frustration.
"Sure you're not just jealous?" Tambry asked, "And before you snap, I'm not trying to poke fun of your crush. They're some of your closest friends outside of me, but she's the one who spends the most time with them."
"I'm not jealous!" Wendy snapped, Tambry holding her hands up defensively.
"Okay, okay, forget I said anything," she said, deciding to let the subject drop.
"It's just, I don't trust her," Wendy however, it seemed, was ready to go on a tirade, "Everything I've seen about her on social media just screams bad news," She said to Tambry, who was starting to regret bringing this all up in the first place.
"And call me paranoid, but when I brought up the bitch last time Mabel visited, I swear she was hiding something," Wendy added with a scowl as she stomped down the street.
"Are you sure?" Tambry asked, not wanting to continue this conversation but trying to be a voice of reason, "I mean, Mabel's not exactly the best at keeping secrets. Remember how she ended up blurting out everything about her 'new job' literally seconds after telling us that she wasn't allowed to talk about it?"
"That's true," Wendy admitted reluctantly before shaking her head, "But you didn't see her when I was probing her about how things were going and mentioned Pacifica."
She scowled, "She got as nervous and sweaty as Stan did when the tax auditor showed up that one time," She said to Tambry, remembering how freaked her old boss acted during that incident, "Plus she had a really guilty look in her eyes, too."
"Okay, I admit that sounds bad," Tambry said, "But I'm sure there's a reasonable... do you hear something?"
Wendy blinked at the sudden change of subject, but listening carefully, she heard what her friend meant. A loud rumbling sound, quickly approaching from the distance.
"Yeah... what..." Wendy started to ask, before suddenly the very air seemed to shake from a loud explosion.
BOOM!
And the next thing either of the girls knew was complete pandemonium.
"For the glory of Skeleton King!" Leaderaur roared as he led the Manotaurs in a mad stampede down the town's main street, smashing everything in their path. Behind them came a horde of Formless in bike mode, firing energy blasts at random.
Meanwhile, a horde of Kelzaks came charging down another street, Zurgane and Choobo leading the way, weapons drawn.
"Conquer in the name of Master Lothor!" Zurgane declared.
"What the hell!?" Tambry exclaimed, while Wendy took a step back in shock beside her, before snatching her friend's phone after getting over her shock.
"What? Hey!" Tambry cried out by instinct, but Wendy wasn't paying attention, focus instead on calling a certain number.
"Pick up, pick up, pick up!" she muttered frantically after entering Dipper's number, reaching out to him for help in an emergency practically on instinct. Unfortunately for her, the call didn't connect, and she pulled the phone back from her ear as it blared an error alert.
"What?" she exclaimed, staring at the phone's screen, "Why don't you have a signal?"
"Huh? But I always have a signal, I signed up for the deluxe coverage package!" Tambry protested.
However at those words, they heard hooting laughter, "Hohohohe, sorry but all outside calls have been disconnected~" causing both girls to whirl around where they saw an orange monkey wearing skeleton armor giving them a menacing smirk, "But we're offering a once in a lifetime deal to full servitude to Skeleton King~"
Mandarin sneered as he raised up his energy blade menacingly.
"...it says something about my life that this isn't the weirdest thing I've ever seen," Wendy said after a moment, causing Mandarin to scowl at her nonchalant reaction.
"Fools, you should be trembling and begging for my mercy!" he snarled.
"Right, like we going to be scared of some cute little monkey in a scary costume," Tambry scoffed.
"Cute?!" Mandarin demanded in outrage.
"I am a fearsome warrior, I have vanquished foes that could crush you like an insect and helped my lord bring our home world to its knees!" He yelled out, glaring up at the girl, "I am not cute!" He added with a slight snarl.
"I dunno, your little tantrum here is kinda adorable," Tambry snickered.
"Uh, Tambry? Maybe don't threaten the monster with a laser sword?" Wendy asked, staring worriedly at the increasingly angry Mandarin.
"Hey, I'm only calling it as I see it," Tambry admitted with a shrug, "And it's not like I mean it as an insult." She said, gesturing over to Mandarin, "I'm just saying for an evil talking monkey, he's pretty cute."
Mandarin's eye twitched, clearly not sure how to process what was happening.
"Just... either surrender or flee, already!" he snapped in annoyance.
"I have more pressing matters to attend to anyway than a foolish woman who knows not the power she provokes," He huffed, disabling his sword as he walked passed the two uncaringly, "Though if you possess any brains between you two, then you will surrender to..."
He started to say as he passed between them, only to pause at Tambry bending down and kissing his cheek, his eyes widening, with Tambry even taking a quick selfie of the moment.
"Thanks for the free pass," She said with a smirk before taking off, while Wendy following her threw her a look of disbelief.
"Seriously?!" She exclaimed, with Tambry giving a snort, "What? I've been dating Robbie long enough to know how to handle and throw off wannabe bad boys."
"I think this is all a just a LITTLE bit more than 'wannabe bad boys', don't ya think?" Wendy exclaimed, gesturing to the assault still happening on the town around them. As they watched, a Manotaur punched down the wall to Toby Determined's news office, pulling the tiny reporter out of the rubble.
"This just in, WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!" Toby screamed in panic, before the Manotaur dropped him, but only to then kick him like football before he could hit the ground and sending him flying into the distance.
"Relax, sure this is..." Tambry started to say before hearing a explosion in the distance.
BOOM
"NOOOOO MY LIVELIHOOD!" Screamed out Bud Gleeful, falling to knees in his car lot as all his used cars were in a burning pile, with what looked like the biker girl Wendy saw among the earlier tourists today, only with metallic skin now standing in front of the burning wreckage laughing on a motorcycle.
"A little bad," Tambry finished with a slight wince at the sight, "But it's not like Gravity Falls hasn't been through worse," she added with a shrug as they ducked into an alleyway.
"Okay, sure, this is nothing compared to Weirdmageddon," Wendy admitted, then winced as she peeked back out of the alleyway to see a black armored samurai cutting the statue of Nathaniel Northwest in the town square in half, "But it's still really bad! We need to get up to the Shack."
"How's that supposed to help? We gonna throw souvenirs at them?" Tambry asked dryly.
"No, I meant we go down into Ford's lab and see if there's anything down there that can handle these guys," Wendy explained, causing Tambry to blink.
"I thought the Pines cleared that place out years ago?" she asked.
"Nah, they only took all the most serious stuff out, they left plenty down there," Wendy said.
Before checking to see if coast is clear, "Plus, besides weapons there might be something there that could let us call for help."
She said as they took off running from the alleyway as Tambry gave a nod.
"Point I'm not really getting a signal right now for some reason," She said with a scowl, because she hated when someone messed with her phone.
"And sucker's bet that these jerks, whoever they are, have something to do with it," Wendy mutter, watching as those black and white creatures blasted at buildings while those things that look like some kinda freaky ninja chased citizens down the street.
"Hmm, I'll admit, something about some of these things look familiar," Tambry added with a thoughtful look.
"One of those weird parts of the internet you hang out on that I don't want to know about?" Wendy asked dryly, even while keeping a careful eye on their surroundings.
"Ha ha, very funny," Tambry grumbled, "But no, I swear it was on the news somewhere, something big."
Wendy at that actually blinked throwing Tambry a look as she tried to recall, "It had something to do with some of the superheroes... or something..." she groused out, "Think Robbie was having one of his more emotional moments so I was distracted..." She said, grumbling under her breath.
"Of course he was," Wendy sighed, shaking her head in annoyance, "Whatever, never mind right now. Soos is always keeping up to date with the superhero stuff so that he and the twins can geek out over it together whenever they visit. We can just ask him."
"Yeah... speaking of which, we should probably pick up the pace," Tambry said, slightly nervous as she saw a woman dressed like a witch chasing after Sheriff Blubs and Deputy Durland down the street, throwing blasts of purple lightning at them.
"Good call," Wendy said with wide eyes, especially as she heard Blubs and Durland's screams after the witch sent a swarm of demonic looking bats at then and at that the two booked it as fast as they could straight to the Mystery Shack.
(Mystery Shack)
Though as they were heading towards it, the Shack was having its own issues.
"Ah... sorry dudes, but we're like closed, so could you come back later?!" Soos shouted out from the second story window of the Shack at the crowd of surrounding Formless and Kelzaks while his wife Melody nervously rocked their two year old daughter Maple in her arms.
"Soos, what are we going to do? Those monsters have the Shack completely surrounded!" The mother worriedly exclaimed, looking out the window as her frightened daughter clung to her.
"I dunno, but good news is, it doesn't look like they're trying to actually come in," Soos said, looking down at the crowd that had surrounded the building but otherwise weren't making any move to attack, "Huh, maybe it's that anti-evil unicorn barrier Ford put up back in the day keeping them out?"
"I thought that was only for You Know Who?" Melody asked, carefully not saying Bill's name. She hadn't been in town for his rampage, thankfully, but she knew that no one liked to/was allowed to talk about it.
"Well, yeah, but maybe it's strong enough to keep all kinds of evil magic dudes out?" Soos thought out loud, scratching his head, "I should probably ask him about that at some point."
"I'm more interested in calling him or anybody really for help," Melody said, looking outside worriedly, "I don't know what these things are, but even IF that barrier is keeping them out, I don't want to gamble on them not finding a way past it."
"Don't worry, if they do get in, I'm ready for 'em!" Soos declared, holding up a baseball bat in one hand and clenching a set of brass knuckles in the other.
"Where'd you get those?" Melody asked, looking to the brass knuckles in disbelief.
"Oh, Mr. Pines gave them to me the day I took over the Shack. Said that they come with the job," Soos explained casually.
As Melody sighed, muttering "of course he did", Tambry and Wendy had arrived to find the Shack surrounded.
"Well... so much for getting something to fight back," Tambry muttered, hiding behind a tree while Wendy peaked through a bush.
"There's got to be a way part them," Wendy muttered, her mind going back to a summer all those years ago when the Shack got taken over by those government goons. If Dipper and Mabel could sneak past a bunch of suits, then they could get past a bunch of invading monsters... right?
Though as she asked herself that question, she found herself wondering something else with concern, "Why are they surrounding the Shack?" She asked out loud with a look of realization.
"Huh?" Tambry looked questioningly toward her.
"Think about it, they're trashing the entire town, but all they're doing to the Shack is surrounding it," Wendy told her as she looked up at Tambry who gave a shrug.
"Maybe they're tourists who want a refund," Tambry joked despite herself, getting a flat look in response.
"Dude, I'm serious," Wendy snapped, "These monsters are tearing apart everything else they're coming across, why are they leaving the Shack alone?"
"I dunno, maybe the Pines put up some of magic mumbo-jumbo to keep out intruders?" Tambry suggested, going with the first idea that came to mind. To her surprise, Wendy's eyes lit up in response.
"Of course! That barrier Ford put up to keep out Bill that he made after we beat up those unicorns!" she exclaimed.
"After you did what now?" Tambry asked, blinking in confusion.
However, before Wendy could explain or Tambry could inquire further, two figures approaching the Shack caught their attention, "How much you want to bet those guys are the ones in charge?" Tambry asked as they looked at the forms of Lothor and Skeleton King.
"Well, they're bigger and uglier than all the rest, so I'm gonna go ahead and assume that they are," Wendy said in agreement, watching as the pair walked through the parting crowd of their minions. Reaching the building, they looked at it closely, observing how a protective barrier flared up whenever any of them got too close.
"Hmm, I admit, I forgot about the barrier they put up to keep Cipher out," Lothor grumbled to his partner, too low for Wendy or Tambry to hear.
"Hmm, I as well," Skeleton King mentioned, raising a hand to the Shack property, only for a barrier to appear, stopping it from going through, "Though the fact Jinmay and your nieces got through earlier with no trouble means there's limits."
He said with a thoughtful hum while pulling his hand back, "And while part of me is curious to see if I can overpower a barrier meant to protect against Cipher..." He glanced over to Lothor, "I believe the best course of action is the simplest one."
Lothor blinked at that, before catching on to what he meant.
"Hmm, I suppose since I'm both still human and not corrupted by dark magic, I shouldn't be affected by the barrier," he mused, rubbing his chin in thought, "Still, only one way to find out, I suppose."
With that, he walked up to the front door, and without any preamble, kicked it.
SMASH
The barrier didn't even flicker, allowing Lothor's foot to connect with the door and knock it clean off its hinges, sending it flying into the Mystery Shack's interior. Smirking, Lothor walked in after it.
Leaving Skeleton King behind to give a thoughtful hum. It seemed that even with Lothor possessing dark mystical ninja arts, the barrier didn't extend to him due to still being human enough... ideally made him wondered if those like Raven or Tala would be stopped or let through.
But he pushed that thought out of his mind as he waited for Lothor to retrieve the occupants of the Shack, while back with the girls...
"FUCK!" Wendy called out with wide eyes that Tambry shared.
"I thought you said that barrier thing was keeping them out!?" Tambry hissed out with Wendy snapping back.
"I thought it was!" She hissed out in stress while staring worriedly at the Shack, hoping Soos and his family would be okay while trying to think of some way to help them.
While back inside the Shack, "Did you hear that Melody?" Soos asked worriedly after hearing something smash down below.
"That... sounded like it came from the entrance," Melody said with a frightened look.
"Stay here," Soos said, uncharacteristically serious as he clutched his weapons tight, his wife watching with concern as he left the room and made his way downstairs.
Reaching the ground floor and creeping into the gift shop, Soos found Lothor closely examining the statue of Stan that Soos had erected back when he'd first taken over. Gulping nervously, Soos braced himself and stepped out into the open.
"Sorry dude, the Shack's closed. So get out of here before I mess you up, dawg," he said. Lothor merely glanced at him and arched an eyebrow.
"Good one," he replied with a chuckle, "But in all seriousness, I have no reason to hurt you or anyone else here, so just surrender now, you oversized gopher."
Soos was actually tempted to accept that offer with his mind going to Melody and their daughter while he gulped nervously... but he knew Mr. Pines wouldn't give up without a fight.
"I'm... I'm not afraid of you... dude," He said, raising his weapons, "You might be a supervillain...but I'm not about to throw in the towel or let the Mystery Shack fall on my watch," He said, jabbing at the air.
"Hmm, you're brave, I'll give you that. But don't say I didn't give you an easy way out," Lothor said, making a "come on" gesture with one hand. In response, Soos gave a cry and charged, swinging his bat at the space ninja, who casually caught it with one hand.
As Soos blinked in confusion, Lothor yanked the bat out of his hands and tossed it into the corner of the room. This snapped Soos out of it, and he swung a punch with his brass knuckle-wearing hand, only for Lothor to grab him by the wrist before spinning around to send the larger man flying through the air to knock over a rotating stand of novelty sunglasses.
"Give up yet?" Lothor asked.
"Urg... if I do... will you let Melody and Maple go?" Soos questioned with a slight pained groan and look of shame as he realized he was way out of his depth here... especially as he started to recall where he had seen this dude before.
Lothor blinked, not sure who Maple was, but judging by context and how long it appeared to have been since canon, he assumed it was probably Soos and Melody's child.
"If by leave this building unharmed? Of course, you can all go if you so choose," he explained with a shrug, "But my associates and I are taking control of this entire town, and we're not allowing anyone to leave its limits to alert the heroes; this house is only getting special treatment because our research shows how important it's been to events here. Honestly, you're free to stay, so long as you stay out of the way of us doing what we came here to do."
"Ah... that sounds fair... I guess..." Soos said with a frown. It certainly sounded better than the treatment everyone got back when from that crazy triangle, "I'll just..." He grunted out, standing up with a frown filled with shame, but even he realized he couldn't really do anything against this dude without putting his family in danger, "let Melody know I guess..."
He said with a slight sad sigh and moved to leave before pausing, "Ah... by any chance did you get Batgirl's autograph when you fought her?" He asked with a curious eager undertone despite the situation, as he was pretty sure this was the dude who's name sounded a lot like Luthor's who attacked Gotham City a little while back.
"Sadly no," Lothor replied, "But I consider the fight to have been souvenir enough."
That and the great look he'd gotten at her ass in that costume, but no reason to bring that up.
"In any case, run along to your lady. And I think it best if you stay up there until someone tells you that you're allowed back down," he continued.
"Got it," Soos said with a sad sigh, really feeling like he was letting Mr. Pines and everyone else down, but he was genre savvy enough to know he didn't really stand much chance against a genuine supervillain leading an army, so he followed Lothor's orders without another word.
Lothor watched him go, not taking his eyes off of him until he was out of view up the stairs. Once he was gone, Lothor turned and made his way back to the front door, where Skeleton King was waiting.
"We're good," he said, "Soos won't be a problem, and I'm not seeing signs of anyone else being here except his family upstairs with him. We secure the perimeter, and we won't have to worry about anything from this angle."
"Excellent, then all that remains is a progress report on the rest of the town and retrieving Cipher's remains," Skeleton King said before half turning away from Lothor, "And I believe we're about to receive the former," he added to Lothor, looking up in the air with the ninja warlord doing the same, giving a slight blink at what appeared to be a Formless in the form of a large twisted bat flew above them in the air with a small orange form leaping off it and landing in a crouch before them.
"My lord," Mandarin looked up to meet his master's gaze alongside that fool Lothor, "The town's borders have been secured and its citizens cower before our forces," He reported with a smirk to his lord, though the two isekai souls picked up a note of disgruntlement with that last statement, "As long as Lothor's men can pull their weight, I believe I can say this town is yours to do with as you please."
He said with a bow of his head, with Lothor giving a slight annoyed look at the shot toward his forces before his fellow warlord spoke up.
"Excellent~" Skeleton King hissed out with a dark smirk, "And no trouble whatsoever from the populace?"
He questioned with narrowed eyes, "None at all my lord," Mandarin said with an amused smirk, "Despite its mystical qualities, this backwater town is so defenseless it's easy to see why Cipher choose it as his attempted foothold into his reality," He said, folding his arms, "And closest thing to any resistance is a foolish girl lacking the common sense to respect true power."
He groused out with a slight annoyed huff, ignoring the strange warming of his cheeks.
"A girl?" Skeleton King questioned, exchanging a look with Lothor, "Hehe, my, my..." before giving his servant an amused look, "Has someone actually caught your eye, Mandarin?" He questioned with open amusement.
"Of course not!" Mandarin protested, face now more red than orange, "She is an irreverent wretch with no respect for her betters!"
"Hmm, sounds like opposites attracting to me," Lothor laughed, earning a glare from the monkey.
"I'll cut your tongue out!" he snarled.
As this little confrontation was going on, Skeleton King gave a thoughtful hum to the side before speaking up with a smirk.
"Well, I suppose you're overdue for a reward," He said, getting their attention, with Lothor arching a brow while Mandarin glanced at his master with confusion, "So if you desire this girl, she is yours to do with as you wish," He stated with a dark chuckle, internally wondering who Mandarin was referring too. Perhaps Wendy Corduroy?
"I, uh, thank you master," Mandarin replied, not sure what else to say. He didn't want some human girl as a prize, but he couldn't exactly refuse a gift from his lord. Oh well, he supposed he could take some fun out of breaking her to his will and punish her for her disrespect. And he supposed that as far as the hairless apes went, she was fairly easy on the eyes...
"Well, with that all settled, we can-" Lothor started to say, only to be interrupted by the sound of a twig snapping in a nearby bush, "-deal with our apparent eavesdroppers, I suppose."
And then he spun on his heel and fired a energy blast at the bush, exploding it and revealing Wendy and Tambry cowering within it.
"You!" Mandarin snapped, glaring at Tambry.
"Hehe, still mad about the teasing earlier?" she asked nervously.
"Never mind that!" Wendy snapped, getting up and glaring at Lothor, "What did you do to Soos?!"
"Nothing," he replied with a shrug, "I just made it clear that we're in charge now and that it's best for his family to stay out of the way."
"Yeah dawg, we're fine!" Soos called out from the upper window, everyone looking up at him, "We're just a little freaked out... except for Abuelita, for some reason."
"Is not the first time I have been under house arrest," Soos' grandmother commented casually, still seated in her chair and watching TV, as she'd been doing the entire time that the attack on town had been going on. This actually caused some arched brows and befuddled looks.
"That is a woman with nerves of steel," Skeleton King stated with an amused snort.
"Gracias, señor skeleton," Abuelita called right back while Wendy shook her head.
"Look, who the heck are you creeps, and why are you invading our town?!" Wendy snapped with a glare to the two apparent leaders of the group, "What, were you too scared to attack one of the big cities like Metropolis, you had to settle for Gravity Falls?" She asked, a tad mockingly. Probably not the best idea, but they were already captured and like hell was she going to let these assholes scare her.
"Watch your tongue girl, before I remove it!" Mandarin snapped at her, turning his attention away from Tambry.
"You literally just made that same threat to him," Tambry commented, pointing at Lothor, "You have an obsession with tongues or something?"
"Why? Hoping he'll give you some?" Lothor asked dryly, ignoring Mandarin's outraged screeching but noticing Tambry's blush with an arched eyebrow. Deciding that while that it was interesting it fell more into Skeleton King's purview, he ignored it and addressed Wendy, "To answer your questions, young lady, I am Lothor, and this is my associate Skeleton King. And for the record, we've both already attacked major cities and fought their heroes."
"That's right, dude! The ninja guy attacked Gotham and the skeleton guy attacked Jump City! I saw it online!" Soos added, causing Tambry to snap her fingers in recognition.
"That's where I know them all from!" she said.
"You guys are supposed to be these two alien warlords in some kinda competition to conquer the planet," She added on as she finally remembered why their goons looked familiar.
"You're serious?" Wendy questioned with a note of disbelief and slight anger, "You mean our town's being invaded because of some kinda pissing contest between two assholes from outer space!?" She added on with a yell as Tambry gave a shrug, both of them ignoring their apparent captors for the moment.
"Well, basically, yeah from what I can remember," Her friend said, looking at her, "Admit, like I told you earlier, Robbie was having one of his diva moments so I might have missed some of the news report," She added, while Mandarin found himself frowning in irritation for some reason at that name before everyone's attention turned to Skeleton King.
"Hehehe, I can assure there is far more to this attack than our competition~" Skeleton King told them with dark amusement, "A three-pointed reason with one eye and a fancy top hat ~" he added with a smirk.
The girls, and the onlooking Soos, all froze upon hearing that, staring at Skeleton King in horror.
"What the hell do you want with that psychopath?!" Wendy demanded.
"Mostly to make sure he's actually going to stay dead," Lothor said flatly, "We're going to have enough challenges taking over this planet, we don't need that reality warping jackass added into the mix."
At that proclamation, silence stood for several moments before...
"Seriously!? That's what this is all about?!" Wendy yelled out with disbelieving anger, "You attack our town, and terrorize everyone! All because you wanted to make sure the only asshole bigger than you was dead?!" Wendy yelled out angrily, glaring at the two leaders, "Well guess what, HE'S DEAD! PUSHING UP DAISIES! SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES! SO TAKE ALL YOUR GOONS AND LEAVE!"
Wendy yelled out angrily, before taking several moments to breathe deeply after that tirade.
"Are you done?" Skeleton King then took the moment to speak up flatly, while Wendy glared at him as Tambry and those inside the Mystery Shack gave her looks of concern, "Because if you are..."
Skeleton King's staff tip glowed with mystical energy as the scenery shifted around them as he once again showed someone Bill's last moments and message, "Perhaps you'd like to know Cipher might not be as gone as you believe."
Everyone who hadn't already seen this stared in shock at it for several moments, before Wendy gave a despairing groan.
"No, no, no, you have got to be kidding me," she moaned, tugging on her hair, mind flashing back to the horrors of Weirdmageddon.
"We're not, which is why we're here," Lothor said, "We're going to determine if Cipher actually managed to reincarnate himself, and if so, how to find him. And to do that, we're going to need to take his statue out of that pit you lot threw him down."
This snapped Wendy out of her funk, and she glared at him suspiciously.
"How'd you know about that?" she demanded.
"Your friend up there let it slip to my nieces a few hours ago," Lothor explained flatly, pointing up at Soos.
"Seriously Soos?!" Wendy demanded with a groan, facepalming while Soos gave a sheepish expression and chuckle.
"Eh hehe, sorry dudes, slipped out when one of the tourist asked about triangles," He explained, scratching the back of his neck while Wendy gave another groan.
"Okay, fine, just take the triangle's stone ass with you and get out of our town!" Wendy snapped at the villains.
"Oh no, we're definitely going to be sticking around for a while even after we've dealt with Cipher," Lothor said nonchalantly.
"What?!" Wendy shouted.
"Why?" Tambry added.
"This town is not only a weak point between dimensions but also a hotspot for mystical anomalies," Skeleton King stated with open amusement, "Not to mention it's out of the way and barely on the radar of this world's heroes."
He leaned in, giving off a sinister chuckle as he looked Wendy straight in the eye, "Do you really think we'd pass up the opportunity to exploit all this?" He asked with a twisted smirk.
Wendy's fists clenched, seeing red as she glared at the villains. Noticing this, Tambry paled slightly in concern.
"Wendy, don't do anything stupid," she pleaded.
"Actually, let her," Lothor smirked, "I haven't had a good fight since Gotham. I want to see if she's got any bite behind all that bark."
"Oh, you want a fight?" Wendy snarled glaring up at him seeing nothing but red, "I'll give you a fight asshole!" She yelled out as she leapt at the masked creep, barely hearing Tambry call out her name in worry.
Wendy practically flew through the air fist first at Lothor, only for him to easily sidestep her. She hit the ground and dropped into a roll, springing to her feet and then lashing out with a kick, which Lothor caught by the ankle, his other hand then grabbing her knee to immobilize the leg.
"Let go!" she growled, trying and failing to break his grip on her.
"Why, are you not enjoying yourself?" he asked mockingly, "By the way, nice muscle tone. You work out?"
"Grr yeah, by beating creeps like you to the ground!" Wendy snapped back, trying to break free but no luck, even after throwing a punch at the smug bastard's face, which he just caught with ease without breaking the hold he had on her leg.
All of this of course being watched by the others, Skeleton King with amusement but the other Gravity Falls citizens with concern for Wendy.
"Wendy..." Tambry called out pleadingly, wanting to help, but didn't see a way how before freezing as s voice addressed her.
"I'd advise you not to try anything foolish like your friend, woman," and turned her head seeing Mandarin address her with a sneer, "Things will go a lot easier for you if you just cooperate."
"I don't suppose I can convince you to talk your friend out of hurting mine?" she asked nervously.
"He is not my friend, he is a pathetic weakling that my master is humoring with this alliance!" Mandarin snapped.
"Ah, right, rival warlord," Tambry muttered with a grimace, her eyes going to Wendy's position, wincing as she heard her friend cry out in pain, "Look, please, you've got to do something!"
She pleaded towards the monkey, who merely gave her skeptical look, "Oh? And why, may I ask, must I?" He asked her right back with a smirk.
"Please, she's my best friend!" Tambry begged, "Look, I'll talk her down, I'll do whatever you want, just please stop this!"
Mandarin scoffed and looked to where Lothor was currently pulling Wendy's arm and leg in different directions, leaving her in an increasingly painful position.
"Come on, you were so eager to fight, surely you can do better than this," Lothor sneered.
"Fuck you!" Wendy snarled.
"Is that an offer? Because I'm willing if you are," he laughed.
At that, Wendy shot him a look of absolute disgust, "I'd sooner let that freak Cipher use my body!" She spat back, getting ready to spit in the bastard's face before a voice snapped out with annoyance.
"Enough of this!" Mandarin stomped forward with a slight glower, "In case you forgot, Lothor, we cane here with a greater purpose than putting a meaningless weakling in her place," He snapped, and that was the only reason he was interfering, because they were wasting valuable time. And that was the only reason he was stepping in, not because of the annoying pleading of the woman behind him.
Lothor arched an eyebrow at the evil primate and exchanged a look with Skeleton King before shrugging.
"Eh, okay, this was going on a little long anyway," he said, before tossing Wendy aside, sending her flying to crash next to Tambry.
"Wendy!" Tambry called out in relief, quickly kneeling beside her friend.
"I'm... okay..." Wendy said, sitting up with a slight pained grunt, giving off a glare at the bastards while Formless and Kelzaks loomed over them, "Dad's old lumberjack training hurt more," She assured her friend with a smirk, but didn't turn her glare away from the bastards as the creepy skeleton spoke up.
"As amusing as this is, Mandarin speaks true," Skeleton King said with a sigh, "The more we dawdle, the more time Cipher has to potentially become a threat," He said with a dark scowl.
"Right, of course. Let's go," Lothor said with a nod, before glancing at the girls, "And bring them along so we can keep an eye on them. I don't know if they'd be stupid enough to try something again, but let's not take any chances."
Wendy glared at him even harder, but didn't resist as the Kelzaks and Formless dragged her and Tambry to their feet and forced them to walk after the villains as they walked around the Mystery Shack towards the bottomless pit. However, the whole group came up short as they saw something unexpected waiting for them.
"You know, I don't normally like guys with long hair, but you're kinda cute," Kapri was saying to Wendy's friend Lee, who was sitting tied up on the ground.
"Ah, thanks. You're pretty cute too, for a crazy supervillain," Lee replied, looking only slightly off put by the situation. Likewise his friend Nate, who was nearby in the same condition, Marah looking him over.
"You should ditch the hat, you look better without it," she said, pulling his hat off.
"Really? But it's my signature look," he protested lightly.
The other villains and their new captives could only stare in disbelief at what they were seeing, before Lothor gave a long-suffering sigh.
"Girls, what are you doing?" he asked flatly.
"Oh, hey Uncle!" Marah said, giving off a wave, "We're just hanging out with our new maybe boyfriends," She chirped, seemingly oblivious to looks of disbelief sent her way.
"Yeah, we were getting bored of guarding the hole in the ground since it's, well... a hole," Kapri added in with a flat tone.
"So we went out to see if we could find any cute guys during the attack," Marah explained happily.
Lothor stared at them silently for a moment, then gave another deep sigh and reached up to rub the bridge of his nose.
"What did I do to deserve this?" he groaned.
"You mean other than being an evil jackass?" Wendy asked dryly.
That got her an annoyed look but Wendy focused on her friends, "Lee, Naye, you guys okay?" She asked with a slight worried frown.
"We're good... a bit weirded out, but good," Nate said, shrugging the best he could.
"Plus, strangely enough... we've had worst dates," Lee added in with a thoughtful tone, getting disbelieving looks while Nate gave a slight snort of amusement.
"I still can't believe you got catfished by a bunch of gnomes so they could scam a free meal out of you," He said with open amusement, prompting a few raised eyebrows at that statement while Lee glared at his friend.
"Dude, you promised you wouldn't ever speak of that again!" He snapped slightly, still embarrassed over the "Norma" incident.
"Hey, all I'm saying, things could be worse," Nate defended, looking over at his fellow tied up buddy, "I mean, at least we aren't going through what Thompson is."
He said, with both boys actually giving off a shiver while Tambry and Wendy found themselves a bit curious and concerned at that statement.
(Back in town)
"AAAAAAAAAAHHH PLEASE STOP THIS THING!" Thompson pleaded, currently tied to and being spun on a giant makeshift wheel.
THUCK
Only to let out a whimper as a knife nearly hit him in the face.
"Quit your whining, you're throwing off my aim!" Snapped the form of Jinmay with an annoyed glare, before smirking as she readied another knife to throw, while Thompson cried tears of fear.
(Back at the Shack)
"The dude will be missed," Lee said solemnly, with Nate giving an agreeing nod.
"Well, not that this hasn't been entertaining, but we have a job to do," Lothor stated, "And that starts by determining who's going in to retrieve the statue."
"Not me! I've already gone into the creepy hole, I'm not doing it again!" Marah said quickly.
"Oh stop whining about it, it can't have been that bad," Kapri scoffed.
"You go in then!"
Lothor gave yet another sigh as his nieces bickered, but looked up as Choobo emerged out of the crowd of minions, wheeling in a large cable and pulley array.
"I brought the equipment you requested, sir," he said with a salute to Lothor, who smirked as an idea came to him.
"Excellent work, Lieutenant. And thank you for volunteering to use it to retrieve the statue," he said.
"Wait, what?" Choobo asked, eyes widening slightly.
"You want more duties to perform, you get them," Lothor explained, taking the cable and hooking it to Choobo's waist.
"But... sir... can't I... AAAAH!" Choobo started to weakly protest only to let out a started scream as he found himself taken by surprise and kicked down the pit by none other than Skeleton King, who let out an amused little laugh as Choobo's scream echoed out of the hole.
"You know..." He stared down at the pit, listening to Choobo scream, "As much fun as things like enslaving the masses, fanning wars in countries, or even destroying entire planets is..."
He glanced over to the others, "It's sometimes the little things in life that bring the most joy~" he informed them with a dark chuckle.
"Can't argue with that," Lothor laughed along, "Now, we just have to wait for him to pop back up. Hmm, should probably check in on a few things while we wait."
Pulling out his communication, he flipped it open and activated it.
"Tak, everything going alright on your end?" he asked.
"Definitely some intriguing possibilities here," the Irken replied.
(Elsewhere)
Tak and Mimi stood atop a raised hill, looking from the hatch she'd opened in the ground and at a screen in her hands. It was depicting the data from several drones she'd sent down below, revealing the outline of the truly huge spaceship buried underneath the valley containing Gravity Falls. It might even rival the Massive for size, and that was arguably the least interesting thing she was finding so far.
"I thought the initial scans were being distorted or hindered by how deep underground this thing is, but I'm getting the same results up close," she said into her own communicator, "This technology doesn't match anything in any of the records I have access to. I think we might be looking at a genuine precursor race."
"Sounds like we found your new pet project," Lothor chuckled.
"Indeed," Tak agreed with a smirk, "With any luck, studying and reverse engineering this tech will prove a worthwhile endeavor," She stated with a slight smirk.
"Well, enjoy yourself, darling, I'll let you know when we're about done here. Then we can discuss long-term plans for the town and everything in it," Lothor replied.
"Copy that," she said, before hanging up and focusing back on the data, "Yes, this is going to be fun..."
(Back at the Mystery Shack)
"Hmm, she's going to be in a good mood for a while. That should be fun later~" Lothor chuckled as he put his communicator away with a lecherous grin. Seeing and hearing this caused his nieces to grimace in disgust.
"Ugh, Uncle, no one wants to hear about that!" Kapri groaned.
"Yeah, can't you please move onto someone that's less disgusting than bug girl?" Marah pleaded, "Like the hot redhead over here!"
"Excuse me?!" Wendy exclaimed, blushing in disbelief. Did she really just hear what she thought she did!? She thought looking at the two apparent cases of family nepotism in disbelief.
"Yeah, I mean look at her," Kapri added, gesturing over to Wendy, "Sure, she could stand to dress a bit more feminine," She said with Wendy giving an indignant choke at her style being insulted; she wasn't fashion-obsessed, but that didn't mean she liked the way she like to dress being insulted to her face.
And her indignation only raised at the next statement, "But she's got a nice ass and great pair of tits that you can have fun with." Marah spoke up with an eager grin stepping to her sister's side.
"Plus, she's certainly easier to look at than the bug," Kapri said with slight smirk.
"Stop trying to pimp me out, you bimbos!" Wendy snapped, the Kelzaks grabbing her to keep her from running over and throttling the two.
"Oh please, like you're actually upset about getting shown off, wolf girl," Kapri said with a smirk.
"Wolf girl?" Lothor echoed in confusion.
"Yeah, it was an act she was doing earlier," Marah said, holding up a phone to show off a picture she'd taken of Wendy in her wolf girl outfit.
"Hmm, well, that is hot, I'll admit," Lothor chuckled, carefully examining the picture.
"...Soos, if we live past today, I'm going to kill you," Wendy growled out.
"Yeah, that's fair," Soos said, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head.
At that Skeleton King let out an amused laugh before shooting Lothor a smirk.
"Heheh, if I may add my opinion, I believe I sensed sparks between you two during your little tussle~" He stated with amusement.
"If by sparks you mean I'd like to set him on fire, yeah sure!" Wendy snapped, throwing the Skeleton King a glare.
"The lady doth protest too much~" he said with a slight smirk toward Wendy.
Wendy really wanted to punch this bastard skeleton's teeth in, but with his and Lothor's minions still holding onto her, she could do nothing but glare at him, which just made him smirk more.
"Well, in any case, I think we'll still be taking you and your friends along with us," Lothor stated, "A few hostages should help keep the rest of this town in line. Speaking of which..."
Holding up his communicator again, Lothor switched frequencies to contact someone else.
"Zurgane, how goes it with pacifying the town?" he asked.
"We have nearly the entire population rounded up and under guard in the town hall, sir," Zurgane replied, "However, I regret to admit that we have encountered a slight complication."
"What complication?" Lothor demanded, only to hear something boom in the distance. Turning to face it, he arched an eyebrow at what he saw towering over the trees in the direction of the town.
"Is that a house turned into a giant robot?" he asked flatly, watching at what was clearly the former Northwest Mansion stomping around on robotic legs, waving robotic arms around.
"Oh yeah dude, Old Man McGucket said something about upgrading his house like that," Soos commented, as if it were perfectly normal. Which, for Gravity Falls, it probably was.
In the distance, they could all vaguely hear a hillbilly-accented voice laughing, "That's right, ya varmints! Ya'll chose the wrong town to invade-ify!"
"Adorable~" Skeleton King said with a smirk, looking at the robot, honestly impressed at least a bit at McGucket's work. He had been half expecting the crazy old man to pull out some kinda crazy robot, but the mansion robot was certainly a twist.
"This..." He strode forward, staff in hand with utter nonchalance despite the giant robot stomping toward the town, "Could actually be entertaining," He said, looking over his shoulder at Lothor, "Shall we leave this to our forces or stretch our legs a bit?"
"Why not? I could use the challenge, and we have a bit of time before Choobo comes back out of the pit," Lothor said, striding forward alongside his rival and ally.
As the two warlords walked off to confront the robot house, their minions watched them go. Once they were out of sight, there was a moment of silence among them, then Marah turned to Wendy.
"So, anyway, about hooking up with our uncle?" she asked, causing the redhead to groan.
"Please knock me out," Wendy begged Mandarin.
"If I have to deal with these annoyances, then so do you," he muttered with an annoyed scowl, crossing his arms, "Besides, from the sounds of it you best get used to dealing with these two anyway," He added with an amused smirk, causing Wendy to give off a despairing groan.
Meanwhile, Lothor and Skeleton King made their way back to town, soon emerging on the outskirts, where Zurgane, Valeena and Jinmay were waiting with a crowd of Formless and Kelzaks, looking up at the approaching robot house.
"Master, we are ready to attack on your command," Zurgane said to Lothor with a bow.
"Thank you, General, but you can stand down. We'll be handling this ourselves," Lothor replied.
"Master Lothor?" The General stated in a slight puzzled tone.
"You heard him," Skeleton King said, walking pass Zurgane, "Lothor and I will handle this oversized contraption ourselves," He stated with a slight hiss, gazing upon the mansion mecha, "Compared to the likes of the Super Robot this will a simple if amusing matter to handle."
"Yes, I imagine that this will almost be enough to work up a sweat," Lothor said, cracking his knuckles in anticipation.
"Please, as if you'll actually manage to accomplish anything before Lord Skeleton King ends this threat singlehandedly," Valeena scoffed.
"Watch your tongue, witch!" Zurgane growled, glaring at her.
"Can't handle the hard truth of your master's weakness?" Valeena retorted back with a mocking smile as Zurgane raised his sword threateningly.
"I should teach you proper respect," He growled, causing Jinmay to snort with a smirk.
"Already beat you to it, buddy~" she said with open amusement as Valeena shot her a glare with a slight flush, "But how about you two stop squabbling so I can watch Skeleton King turn this junk pile into scrap?"
She added, watching as her master approached the towering mecha while raising his right arm with his staff giving off a glow, "Try to make this amusing, won't you?"
Skeleton King, her master and lover called out to the junk pile, as overhead what appeared to be multiple flaming purple skulls appeared, hovering for a moment before shooting down like meteors, cackling all the way.
BOOM
As they impacted the robot, the skulls exploded in flashes of dark purple light, blowing chunks out of the house and damaging the robot limbs, but not enough to bring it down.
"Not bad, bone man, but let's see if your magic mumbo-whatsits can handle this!" McGucket called out, before several of the mansion's windows opened up and launched missiles at the villains.
However, none of them ever hit. Because Lothor suddenly jumped up into the air and, hovering there, he began to launch energy blasts at the missiles, intercepting and blowing them up before most of them could get close. Only one ultimately did, and that one he sidestepped to avoid being hit, before grabbing it and spinning it around so that it was aimed back where it had come from.
"Return to sender!" the evil ninja cackled, letting go of the missile to let it fly back through the air, passing through an open window back into the interior of the mansion, resulting in a massive chain reaction of explosions.
"He can fly?!" Jinmay exclaimed in shock.
"Technically, it's just hovering, but yes," Zurgane said, smug on his master's behalf.
This caused Jinmay to send him a annoyed glare, "Oh, don't act so smug," she snapped, glaring at Zurgane, "Because anything your boss can do..." Skeleton King after his body gave a brief flash of purple light began to hover up, "Skeleton King can do better~"
She finished with a smug tone as Zurgane let out a growl while Skeleton King raised up to hover beside Lothor, "Not bad," the dark monarch told Lothor with a smirk, "But let's see you top this~"
He said, thrusting out his staff to send what could be described as a figurative storm of light straight to the house. The lightning crackled across the mansion's robotic limbs, causing them to freeze up and shake as parts of them overloaded and burst apart.
"Whoo, diggity! That's gonna smart in the morning!" McGucket cried out.
"Pretty good. But sometimes you need to get up close and personal," Lothor commented, before suddenly disappearing as he teleported inside the mansion.
He found himself standing in the main foyer of the building, which had been torn apart and now covered in various cables and wires all connected to a chair surrounded by screens, which a slightly-electrocuted McGucket was sitting in. For his part, the rich hillbilly blinked at Lothor's arrival, then panicked and yelled, reaching for the controls surrounding him, only for Lothor to rush forward and grab him by the neck.
"This was fun, but I have more important things to do, I'm afraid," he said with a smirk, before raising a hand and firing a laser in a random direction. He then spun in a circle, cutting the laser through all the equipment and the walls beyond, causing everything to explode, and the mansion to start shaking and falling apart.
With a flash, Lothor was back outside, McGucket still in his grip, and they and the others watched as the mansion robot practically imploded, collapsing into a pile of debris on the ground.
"...Well, guess I'm back to living in the junkyard," McGucket said nonchalantly.
"Ha! Well done sir!" Zurgane said, clapping for his master's obvious success while Valeena scowled at him and Jinmay rolled her eyes.
"Don't get cocky, our master could have done the same in half the time if he was seriously trying," The biker-dressed girl said with a huff as Valeena actually gave an agreeing nod, united at least in their devotion to Skeleton King and his superiority over others.
"Yes, our lord could have destroy that pathetic mech at the first blow, if he wasn't generous enough to allow your master to display what meager skill he has," The witch sneered, while Zurgane twisted his head toward her.
"What?! How dare you!" He snapped back at the two with a growl.
However, ignoring the arguing minions, Skeleton King landed back on the ground beside McGucket and Lothor.
"I believe you have greater worries than finding a roof over your head," He hissed out, looking darkly at McGucket, "Because while your stunt was amusing..." He reached out in a flash, gripping onto McGucket's throat with his left hand as he lifted him up with ease, "Glrt!" With the old man making a surprised gasp as stared into those malicious eyes, "It has me considering using you as an example to the rest of Gravity Falls of the price for defying our authority."
"Now, now, let's not be hasty," Lothor said to his fellow warlord, "I think someone with his skills could be more useful alive. If nothing else, I'm sure Tak would love to pick his brains for his robotic knowledge... maybe even literally."
Skeleton King at that gave a thoughtful hum before nodding, "You make a good point, Lothor," He said to his fellow Isekai, "He'll live... for now," he conceded, but didn't drop his grip on the old inventor.
"However..." he gave McGucket a dark look, "Now that I think about it..." he gave a sinister low laugh that sent a chill down the old man's spine, "I believe he might also be one of the best sources in this town to obtain information of a particular sort."
He brought McGucket up against his face, "Tell me..." Skeleton King's eyes narrowed, "What is your old friend and Cipher's former puppet Stanford Pines up to these days?" He asked with a dark hiss.
"Ford?" McGucket blinked, "I dunno, I ain't seen him in a long time. He and Stan hardly ever come back to town and spend most of their time traveling around the world. I never know where they are when they're not here."
Skeleton King at that gave a slight annoyed look, "And what about the twins, their grand niece and nephew?" He asked, already half-expecting him not to know anything, which meant getting answers to those closer to them like Soos, Wendy, or Mabel's friends Candy and Grenda.
"Well, I hear that Dipper's some kinda big timey investigator and dating the Northwest kid now," McGucket said, causing both warlords to look at him in surprise, "And I don't remember rightly exactly what Mabel's doing nowadays, but I think it's got something to do with those people in the funny costumes."
"Interesting," Skeleton King muttered, before throwing McGucket off to the side, "Restrain him," He ordered distractedly, with a couple of Formless quickly moving in to follow his order.
"Ah, hey varmints, watch the beard now," McGucket called out, but was ignored as Skeleton King stepped to Lothor's side, and ignoring the curious stares of both of their followers, spoke in a low tone.
"Okay, my disbelief and admittedly slight jealousy of Dipper landing the hot number Pacifica grew into aside..." He said in a low hiss, both of their backs to their forces, "The only people in funny costume I can think of he might be referring to are the superheroes."
He said with a low scowl, "But what could Mabel Pines of all people be doing related to that crowd? Designing outfits!?" He questioned with confusion and disbelief. Mabel was actually a favorite of his, but he wasn't sure what she, older or not, could do that led to her being involved in super heroics.
"Maybe she's someone's sidekick?" Lothor suggested all that he could think of, shaking his head, "Never mind, that's something we can look into later. In the meantime, it sounds like we don't have to worry about any interference from the Pines anytime soon."
"Indeed, with communication cut off and our plans for the town, it could be a while before anyone realizes something wrong just as we hoped," Skeleton King agreed with a nod, "For now, let's focus on Bill's remains, then we can focus on interrogating about the Pines family."
"Agreed," Lothor said, before turning back to the minions, "Take the old man to the other prisoners. We're heading back to check on the recovery mission."
"Yes master," Zurgane said with a bow.
And the ever dutiful soldier wasted no time in following his orders as he strode forward, grabbing McGucket from the Formless, "Be thankful master Lothor sees value in keeping you alive, prisoner," He said in a low threatening tone as he dragged McGucket off.
"Well, can't say it's the first time an evil being took an interest in my talents, heheheha~" The old man muttered, giving a cackle as Valeena and Jinmay approached their master.
"As for you two, I want you to sweep over the rest of the town and its borders," Skeleton King said to the two girls with narrowed eyes, "I don't want the slightest chance of anyone escaping our net and alerting unwanted intrusions," He told them in his gravelly tone.
"Your will be done, my lord," Valeena told him with her fanatic eagerness.
"Yeah, if there are any cowardly rats out there, we'll blast them out of whatever hole they're hiding in," Jinmay promised with her own dark smirk.
(Back at the Mystery Shack)
Speaking of cowardly rats, one Robbie Valentino was peaking out of the bushes as he spied on the sight of Wendy and Tambry being held prisoner by a couple of of those pajama freaks, two teenage girls, and... an orange monkey?
(Also offhandedly noting the presence of the tied up Nate and Lee of course, but more focused on the girls.)
"Okay Robbie, you can do this," he muttered, trying to psyche himself up, "It's only a couple of those freaks and some weird monkey, how tough can they really be? You just go in, bust them up, and then you're the hero that Tambry is never gonna want to even think about breaking up with. And maybe Wendy will be so grateful we can finally have my fantasy threesome!"
At that, his eyes grow hazy with lust as he started to fantasize about both his ex and current girlfriend naked and giving him looks of desire as they laid on the bed... and all the things he could do... maybe they'd even agree to share him and he could have two hot babes!
And so, fueled with reckless lust, the young man took a deep breath and got ready to make his move and sweep the girls off their feet. While said girls were...
"For the last time, I'm not interested in dating your uncle!" Wendy yelled out with a frustrated groan.
"Okay, look, I know he's like super old, but he's actually really successful," Kapri chimed in.
"Yeah, you could totes be like Queen of your own personal ninja army," Marah added in, trying to sell the idea to Wendy.
Dealing with matchmaking nieces in the case of Wendy, while Tambry...
"So, according to the news report put out about you guys, you used to be some kinda superhero?" Robbie's girlfriend asked with a blink toward Mandarin, who had his back turned to her as he stood guard awaiting his lord's return.
Was finding herself a bit curious about the alien monkey that was their captor, and at the girl's inquiry he let out a snort as he turned to face her.
"Superhero? Please, don't insult me with such a simplistic and foolish term," he scoffed, "I led my brethren as mighty warriors to stand as champions over Shuggazoom, crushing all who dared challenge us. Then they grew soft and were willing to settle for being mere defenders when we were meant to be rulers!"
"Okay," Tambry blinked, not sure what else to say as Mandarin started ranting. Clearly, this was a long-term issue with him.
"And when I attempted to take my rightful place as master over the pathetic people of Shuggazoom, my brethren betrayed and imprisoned me!" The monkey hissed out angrily, starting to find himself venting to the girl for some reason, "I languished for years in a forced sleeping stasis..."
He glared off at the distance, "Where my dreams were filled with nothing but my reunion with my siblings, each one ending in their demise at my hands," He explained with a sneer.
"And what lead to working for the skeleton guy?" Tambry asked, getting a bit into the conservation of the monkey's past despite herself, "He bust you out of jail?" She added with an arched brow though Mandarin actual gave a amused chuckle, "Not quite~"
"I eventually managed to escape my imprisonment and sought my vengeance, only to fail because my brothers had grown somewhat stronger in my absence," he reluctantly admitted, "Afterwards, Lord Skeleton King offered me the chance to serve him and grow stronger. And under his tutelage I did exactly that, until eventually we crushed my traitorous siblings!"
For some reason, Tambry felt like there were details missing from his story, but decided that now probably wasn't the time to push him on it.
"And after that I'm guessing you conquered that Shuggazoom place?" She asked with a slight arched brow.
"Hohohe, but of course," Mandarin said smugly, "Without the Monkey Team's protection, they fell at my master's feet with ease~"
He explained with dark amusement while Tambry gave a nod, "So then, have you guys just been conquering other planets since then with Earth as your next target?" She asked from her position seated crosslegged on the ground, not even paying attention to the pajama guards behind her.
"Hmm, something like that," he replied, not feeling it wise to share how they were from another reality and were in this one by mistake, before frowning at her suspiciously, "Are you trying to trick me into giving away important information?"
"What? No, I'm genuinely curious!" she said defensively, "Even with how weird this town is, this is still probably the most interesting conversation I've ever had. Tch, definitely better than any I have with my boyfriend."
Mandarin at that found himself feeling a bit amused and pleased, "Why, but of course," He said with a low little laugh, "Someone of my intellect and background would obviously be a superior in conversing with than the mindless yokels you're likely used to."
He said with a smug smirk, with Tambry rolling her eyes rather than feeling insulted at the insult to her fellow Gravity Falls citizens. After all, she wasn't blind to fact many people in Gravity Falls weren't necessary the sharpest tool in the shed.
Mandarin then arched a brow at her, "I assume this boyfriend is the Robbie you mentioned earlier," he stated, with Tambry blinking and giving a nod as he continue, "I can't help but observe that you sound unsatisfied with your choice in mate?" Mandarin stated, looking into the girl's eyes.
"Er, well," Tambry stammered, not anticipating having to discuss her relationship status with an alien invader today, "I mean, he's cute and we have a lot of similar tastes in things, but I can't lie, he's pretty melodramatic most of the time. And a little arrogant and selfish. And it is pretty annoying how lately I can't even seem to talk to other guys without him getting all possessive and thinking I'm flirting with them. I mean, how insecure can he be?!"
At this Mandarin found his brow raising, before giving off a snort, "It sounds like this Robbie knows how pathetic he really is and rightly fears you realizing the same and leaving him for a superior mate," He said giving his own view on the situation.
"I mean, that's a little harsh..." Tambry said, though she found herself unable to think of anything else to say in Robbie's defense.
Honestly, lately she'd been thinking that he might just be a teen phase crush that she was starting to move on from, because she was finding it harder and harder to find reasons to stay with him. I mean, they had been together for over three years, and it seemed like what things they used to enjoy doing together was becoming more of a chore, and you'd think after all these years he'd be less clingy, but if anything he was more insecure and clingy then ever
"But am I wrong?" She heard Mandarin ask, causing her to bite her lip.
"Maybe not completely," she admitted with a reluctant sigh, "But he's got his good points, I got with him for a reason," she said weakly in defense, not mentioning that now that she thought about it, something about how she and Robbie first got together felt kinda off, like it happened out of nowhere.
Seriously, they'd been in the middle of the blind date Mabel had set up for them and arguing over how much they didn't like each other, and then 30 seconds later they were all over each other. That was just weird, the more she looked back on it.
"You don't sound so convinced. Perhaps those reasons are no longer holding up?" Mandarin asked, wondering why he was even this curious on the subject. What did he care if this infuriating woman's love life was falling apart? True, his lord had given this girl to him as a reward, but she was hardly his ideal reward. Plus, the way she treated him with such nonchalance was as infuriating as it was befuddling... honestly, cute, him? Absurd!
Though as they were having this discussion, off to the side Lothor's nieces were addressing their other female captive while the cute boys they picked up sat still tied up, shooting the breeze.
"So, should we be offended that they're ignoring us now to bug Wendy?" Lee asked Nate.
"Maybe? But honestly, this is kinda fun to watch," Nate replied, watching Wendy grow increasingly frustrated with the ninja girls.
"And just think about the huge wardrobes full of better clothes you'll be able to afford once you're Uncle's queen instead of stuck in this hick town," Kapri was saying.
"First of all, I like dressing like this just fine," Wendy growled, "And secondly, don't insult my town, you creeps!"
"What? You have to admit, for a supposed magical hot spot this place is kinda a dump," Kapri said back with a shrug.
"Yeah, it doesn't even have a decent mall," Marah chimed in with a whine, "And I think some of those freaky little gnome things were stalking me earlier."
She added with a huff, recalling how she went through the woods with biker girl and her sister before taking the Shack tour during the whole recon mission Uncle had them on, and how she swore some of those things had been following them.
"Okay, yeah, those guys are a bunch of little creeps, I'll give you that," Wendy admitted, "And yes, it can be a little dull a lot of the time. And most of the people around here are annoying weirdos or morons or both... where was I going with this?"
Because thinking about it, the most interesting thing to hit this town had been Dipper and Mabel, and while there were parts of that first summer that she along with everyone else preferred not to think about, there's no denying that town before and maybe even after that summer was kinda dull. And if anything it was duller than ever with the lives the Pines family were leading outside of town while she... was still doing part time at the Mystery Shack.
"Oh, I think you were heading to the point where you said that you wanted to go on a date with our uncle," Though the sound of Marah's voice brought Wendy back to focus.
"Fat chance," she snapped, though with slightly less heat in it than before. Not that she actually wanted to date him, obviously! But a part of her couldn't help but admit that at least it would be more exciting than what things had been like up until now.
Marah and Kapri shared a smug look as they noticed Wendy's tone. However, before they could say anything, there was a sudden shout.
"Robbie to the rescue!" Robbie yelled with a shrill attempt at a battle cry, running out of the woods and holding a tree branch that he swung at the head of the nearest Kelzak... which accomplished nothing, the blow not even staggering the alien ninja and leaving him staring at it awkwardly as it slowly turned to look at him.
"Eh... what's up?" Robbie said with a weak laugh toward the creature, and next thing he knew-
WHAM
"ARG MY NOSE!" The Kelzak was punching him in the face, causing him to instinctively drop the branch as his hands went to his nose with a shout of pain, "I THINK YOU BROKE MY NOSE!"
WHAM
And then the Kelzak punched him in the stomach, causing him to double over and collapse to the ground.
"I GIVE UP, JUST DON'T HIT ME ANYMORE!" Robbie yelled, sobbing in terror and pain.
"My hero," Tambry said flatly.
"This is your mate?" Mandarin sputtered out in disbelief, "This mewling weakling?!" He added, gesturing to the sobbing Robbie as he looked toward Tambry in open disbelief.
"Sheesh, talk about lowering your expectations," Kapri stated with her own snort of amusement while everyone stared at the crying Robbie, with his friends actually feeling embarrassment.
"Dude, pull yourself together, this is just sad," Nate said with a grimace.
"Yeah man, this is why Wendy dumped you back in the day," Lee added.
"No, I dumped him because he tried to brainwash me with a CD," Wendy stated flatly, "This is just a cherry on top of that."
"He tried to do what now?" Marah asked in confusion.
"Long story, you had to be there," Wendy replied with a shrug.
However, Robbie just cried all the harder, with Mandarin giving off an annoyed growl at the sight while feeling his eye twitch, "Silence yourself at once!" He ordered, stepping up to kick the annoyance in the gut, causing Robbie to wheeze out in pain, "Or I'll silence you myself!" He added with a dark sneer.
"Okay, okay, I'll stop, just please don't do that again," Robbie wheezed out, earning a derisive scoff from Mandarin.
"What have you ever seen in this pathetic wretch?" he demanded of Tambry, who sighed deeply.
"Honestly, I'm starting to question that myself," she groaned. Because really, putting aside how moronic his so-called rescue plan was, he goes down crying like a baby after one of the goons throws two punches!?
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean!?" Robbie demanded, looking up with a incredulous look, "I just risked my life to save Wendy and you!" He called out in disbelief.
"Gee... feeling the love, Robbie," Lee said with a flat look shared with Nate.
"I'm kinda more curious by the fact his girlfriend felt like an afterthought there," Marah chimed in with an arched brow.
"Yeah, I noticed that too," Kapri said, "What, is she just a rebound for Red over here?"
"Uh... no?" Robbie replied, sounding not at all convincing, judging by the deadpan looks he got from everyone in response.
"Oh for crying out loud, are you serious right now?" Wendy asked in disbelief. She knew Robbie had it bad for her back when they were a thing and that whole CD incident proved how low he could sink... but this!? She thought in disgusted disbelief, before hearing the sound of broken laughter.
And when she turned her head, she winced as she saw the look on Tambry's face.
"Let me get this straight..." the girl in question said as she stood up from the ground, "We've been together three years!"
Tambry exclaimed as she stepped toward Robbie, who suddenly gave a nervous gulp while crawling a bit backward from his position on the ground, "Three years of dealing with your ego, insecurities, and clinginess!" Tambry exclaimed with a crazed grin and twitching eye as she looked down at Robbie who was paling with wide eyes, "And all this time..."
She shook her head in disbelief before roaring out, "I WAS JUST YOUR FUCKING REBOUND GIRL!"
"Ah, uh, come on Tambers, just let me explain-" Robbie tried to defend himself, which only set her off further.
"DON'T YOU 'TAMBERS' ME, YOU JACKASS!" she screamed, reaching down to grab him by the throat and lift him clear off of his feet.
"Grk!" he choked, feet kicking in the air as he tried to breathe.
"We're through, you got me?! I am absolutely done with your shit, and I don't care if these alien bastards make you a slave or vaporize you! Just get out of my life!" she snarled, before turning and throwing him at the Mystery Shack, causing him to hit the side of the building with a hard smack and slide to the ground with a moan.
For several moments after that, nobody said anything, just staring at Tambry as she panted heavily. Mandarin in particular suddenly found that he couldn't look away from her, odd feelings he couldn't describe stirring up in him.
The rage... the cold look of her hate... and the ruthless display of dominance from the girl... it was all so exquisite! Perhaps this woman might have potential after all? A part of him mused as he found himself speaking up before he realized it, "Hmm, you know, if you desire for this miserable wretch to suffer, that could easily be arranged."
He said idly to Tambry while sneering over to Robbie's form, deploying his energy blade to add to his threatening statement.
Tambry blinked as Mandarin's question pulled her out of her blind rage, and she looked over at him to see him gesturing at Robbie with the blade.
A part of her was genuinely considering taking him up on that offer, she thought, looking at the asshole who had been playing with her emotions for the last three years. But, despite everything, she found she couldn't bring herself to actually see someone she'd known since childhood be tortured or killed.
"Nah, just... I dunno, put him in chains and use him for slave labor or something," she sighed, "Maybe being forced to do real work for a while will get him to shut up and actually think about his life."
Robbie, despite avoiding execution, shot her a look of disbelief and betrayal, as if she were the one in the wrong here!
While Mandarin looked a bit disappointed, but somehow as if he was expecting this, "As you wish," He said with a shrug, sighing as he deactivated his blade while inwardly wondering if she'd change her mind later, "I'll give the order to have him brought to the Citadel of Bone along with you."
He informed her idly, giving Robbie a sinister smirk, "i'm sure we can put even a worthless worm like this to some use~" He said, giving off a dark laugh, and while Tambry was happy at the thought of Robbie getting karma she honed in on one part of Mandarin's statement.
"Wait, you're taking me where now?" She asked, sending him a look of confusion and worry.
"As stated before, you and your friend will be taken hostage to help assure this town's populace stays obedient," Mandarin explained, "As such, she'll be going with Lothor to his ship, and you'll be coming to ours."
"Okay... but to be clear, that's just a name, right?" she asked.
"No, it's actually made out of bone. We've seen it," Kapri commented.
"Yeah, it's really creepy," Marah added.
"Tch and that is why you and your uncle pales compared to true evil," Mandarin spat out, sneering at the girls, "The Citadel of Bone stands as a testament to the power my master possesses!" He declared, throwing his arm out to the side while clenching a fist in front of his face, "your pitiful ship is nothing but deadweight in space by comparison~"
"Hey, our ship is way cooler than yours!" Marah protested.
"Yeah, and really, a skeleton with a ship made out of bone? How cliche can you get?" Kapri scoffed.
As they argued about their choice in ships, Wendy and Tambry exchanged worried looks at the realization that these guys intended to take them back to their bases, which were apparently spaceships!
Though Tambry found herself thinking that the idea of a ship made from bone a mixture of creepy... yet also kinda cool.
Wendy, meanwhile, was a little more focused on the fact that they were going to be taken prisoner in space. And worse, they were going to be separated!
"Hang on, if you're going to do this, at least keep us together!" she demanded.
"So you can plot together to undermine whoever holds you and escape? I think not," Mandarin scoffed.
"Besides, my master has deemed fit to reward me with this woman," Mandarin added, gesturing to Tambry, whose eyes went wide at that statement, "And I will not risk his ire by refusing his generosity," He said with a sneer to a wide-eyed Wendy, who started to glare at him before his gaze locked onto Tambry, "Especially when you might yet prove more entertaining than I first believed~"
He said with a smug chuckle, his gaze going over to Robbie, who threw him a look that a was mixture of fear, anger, and disbelief, while off to the side, Lee and Nate also listened with disbelief and worry at the turn things were taking.
"Uh... define entertaining?" Tambry asked nervously.
"Mmm, we'll determine specifics at a later date," Mandarin replied, "But regardless, could I possibly be a worse companion than this waste of skin?"
"Hey!" Robbie protested.
At that, Tambry honestly looked thoughtful while glaring down at Robbie, "Honestly... no you can't..." she said with a dark scowl crossing her arms, "In fact, being a slave to some kinda alien monkey would probably be trading up from being this manipulative piece of shit's rebound girl!" she snapped with a dark glare toward Robbie, causing the boy to flinch back
"Tambry, come on, you really going to just go along with this banana-eating, turd-throwing- GAH!" Robbie started to say, only for Mandarin to kick him in the head.
"I detest bananas," he growled at Robbie.
Honestly the more he looked at much less heard this pitiful worm speak, the harder it was not to take his head, as Robbie let out a little whimper at the look in Mandarin's eyes.
"Don't kick him like that..." Tambry spoke out surprisingly in Robbie's defense, causing Mandarin to look up at the girl skeptically confused on why she'd speak in this worm's defense, "You should kick him like this!"
However the confusion abated when Tambry aimed a solid hard kick straight at Robbie's crotch area.
"AH!" Robbie yelled, curling up in a ball in pain.
"Well done!" Mandarin laughed in delight. Yes, he was definitely going to have fun with her after all~
"Tambry?!" Though Wendy gave her friend a shocked look at this.
"What?!" Tambry demanded, whirling to Wendy with angry watery eyes, "We both know this sack of shit deserves it!" she snapped, pointing down at Robbie.
"Got to admit, he does have it coming," Nate said with a slight scowl.
"Totally, what he did was not cool," Lee agreed with a nod.
'Yeah even we think what he did was kinda scummy, and we're evil," Marah chirped in with a shrug alongside her sister, who gave an agreeing nod.
"Yeah, you don't mess with a girl's heart like that," Kapri said.
"For once, I agree with you two. There is a difference between being evil and being a worthless wretch," Mandarin sneered, "Formless, take him away and put him in chains!"
At that, two Formless moved forward and grabbed at the groaning Robbie's arms, "Wait... you... can't do this!" Robbie protested as he was being dragged away, "Wendy help!" He called out pleadingly, while Tambry gave off a bitter snort.
"And of course he calls for her help," she snapped bitterly with a scowl, wiping away some angry tears in her eyes.
And it was this scene that Skeleton King and Lothor arrived back to.
"Hmm, did we miss anything while we were gone?" Skeleton King asked aloud as they saw Robbie being taken prisoner by a couple of Formless while approaching the bottomless pit.
"The purple-haired girl's loser boyfriend showed up to save her and got his ass kicked by a Kelzak. Then he cried like a little girl and let slip that he was only using her as a rebound from Red, so she and the monkey kicked his ass some more, and now he's going to be a slave," Marah summarized.
"Hmm, so nothing too important then," Lothor said with a nod, watching Robbie be dragged off. Frankly, he was glad to not to have to interact with him, he'd always been such an annoying character.
"Well, in any case, Choobo should be back any minute now-"
"AAAAHHHHH!!!"
On cue, the green alien ninja came flying out of the pit to land hard on the ground next to his master.
"Ugh, I managed to secure the cable around the statue, sir," he groaned.
"Excellet. Pull it up!" Lothor commanded the Kelzaks manning the pulley device.
"Wait, are you guys sure you know what you're doing here!?" Wendy spoke up, voice filled with nervousness if not fear and for good reason, as her impending imprisonment on an alien spaceship (and two bimbos trying to hook her up with their warlord uncle) fell to the wayside on a impending issue, "Because what if you accidentally bring Cipher back with whatever you're planning to do with that statue!?"
She called out worriedly, just as a new voice spoke up from the second floor of the Mystery Shack, "She's got a point dudes!" Causing everyone to blink and see the forms of Soos along with Melody and Maple watching from a open window.
"Even Ford never really knew how that guy worked, and he studied him for years!" Soos said, "You sure you really want to mess around with something like that?"
"When the only other choice is the risk of Cipher reborn striking at any time, yes," Skeleton King hissed out in turn.
"We'll take precautions in case things go wrong, but we're not leaving it up to chance," Lothor added firmly, watching as his minions continued to yank on the pulley.
Soon, the petrified form of Bill Cipher emerged out of the pit and was dragged into a secure spot on the ground. Everyone shuddered as they felt as if his one eye was staring directly at them.
"Sheesh, that thing gives me the creeps..." Marah muttered, with Kapri actually giving a agreeing nod before speaking up.
"So we got the dumb creepy rock, now what?" She inquired, wondering what the next step was.
"Now we move it to somewhere far more secure than a hole in the ground," Lothor stated, "Then we begin examining it every way we know how, so that we can determine for sure whether Cipher managed to reincarnate."
"Hmm, I'd be happy to secure it on the Citadel of Bone~" Skeleton King offered with a slight amused smirk.
"And I won't agree to that for the same reason you wouldn't allow me to keep it on my ship," Lothor replied with a roll of his eyes, "Neither of us is going to give the other the potential boost of controlling whatever lingering magic this thing has. No, we'll keep it at our neutral base, where both of us will have to access to it."
"Hehe agreed, but can't blame a skeleton for trying~" Skeleton King said with an amused smirk as Lothor gave a snort, "Though before we leave we just need to make sure the town borders are secured and guarded."
He said to his fellow warlord, temporarily ignoring their listeners and watchers, "And there is one little surprise I want to leave before we depart~" He added with a menacing chuckle, while everyone gave him curious looks, Lothor's nieces and the native Gravity Falls citizens feeling chills run down their spines.
"Speaking of..." He added, glancing up with a smirk with everyone following his gaze with confusion, though Mandarin simply crossed his arms with a flat look as an orange dot appeared in the air... an orange dot that was rapidly plummeting to the ground!
BOOM
And hit the ground with a large boom, forming a crater and dust cloud and causing a strong gust of wind from the force of explosive landing.
"I trust your assignment was a success, Hak Foo," Skeleton King called out nonchalantly as his cape billowed in the wind, and a large form was thrown out of the dust cloud, that of a bear with multiple heads.
"Yes, my lord," Hak Foo replied as he stepped out of the dust cloud and walked past the beaten up and unconscious Multi-Bear, "All of the crystals have been planted at the locations you specified. And the only threat that presented itself was this creature, which I taught the price for defying me in my mission."
"Hmph, an adequate accomplishment, I'm sure," Mandarin scoffed. He liked the mystically enhanced human's warrior spirit well enough, but a rivalry had quickly grown between them as to who was Skeleton King's strongest fighter.
"I'd like to see you do better, simian," Hak Foo spat back at the monkey (who for some reason reminded him of Daolon Wong).
"What crystals?" Lothor asked, interrupting to stop a potential fight from breaking out.
"Oh, just four crystals that will be the focal points of a little surprise for when unwanted visitors show up~" Skeleton King explained with a smirk as he raised up his staff, and around the borders of Gravity Falls at four chosen focal points, four crystals began to glow before shooting off beams of light just as Skeleton King shot out a purple light from his staff, with all the beams meeting at the highest point in the sky above Gravity Falls, with what appeared to be a purple dome-like barrier forming, and within the barrier the eyes of various citizens of Gravity Falls gave off a brief glow.
"Like, dude... did anybody else taste evil for a second?" Soos asked, rubbing his head for a moment, both him and his family having befuddled confused looks, while back on the ground Skeleton King lowered his staff with a sinister grin.
"This should make some good entertainment later on~" He said with a chuckle before looking over at Lothor, "We just need to milk this town for all it's worth before any would-be rescuers show up in the meantime."
Lothor arched an eyebrow at the display, but shrugged it off. Whatever it was, he was sure it would be entertaining whenever it finally kicked off.
"Agreed," he said to Skeleton King's comment, "Considering how these things work, we'll probably have some hero or another stumbling on our little occupying force here sooner or later. So, we should start divvying up and collecting the area's resources as soon as possible."
"Indeed, but for now..." Skeleton King gave a nod before he started to walk off, "It's best we make sure our servants have the town secure, then return home," He said, addressing Lothor over his shoulder, "Mandarin..."
He then addressed his servant.
"Yes, my lord?" The monkey said with a bow.
"Feel free to return to the Citadel of Bone with your..." The Skeleton King turned his gaze toward Tambry while giving a chuckle, "reward~" He finished with a sinister smirk as Hak Foo arched a brow over to his "rival".
"Ah, yes, of course master," Mandarin replied, feeling weirdly flustered for some reason. Coughing to compose himself, he turned to Tambry and said, "Come, girl, let's get you situated in your new home."
"Uh, right," Tambry said, feeling a mix of nervousness and odd excitement. Glancing to share a concerned look with Wendy, she asked, "But, are you sure you can't let me and Wendy stay together?"
"Hmph, no, she belongs to Lothor now," Mandarin said, ignoring Wendy's annoyed look at being referred to as property.
"Hey, don't worry about your friend, we'll take care of her," Kapri said offhandedly.
"Yeah, she can't hook up with our uncle if anything happens to her," Marah added.
"For the last time, that's not happening!" Wendy snapped at the sisters in annoyance.
"Oh trust me, we know Uncle's really old, but he's certainly a better catch than anyone you could find in this dump," Kapri said with a snort.
"Hey, that's just hurtful," Nate said with a slight frown.
"Admittedly, with Robbie they might have a point... but still," Lee chimed in from his position tied up on the ground.
"Also what's going to happen to us?" Nate added on as well, wondering if they were going to end up being taken along with Wendy because of the crazy supervillain girls thinking they were cute... which admittedly was kinda flattering and probably not the worst thing that could happen to him.
"Oh right, almost forgot about you two," Marah said, before turning to Lothor, "So, Uncle, can me and Kapri bring these two cuties back to the ship to be our new boyfriends?"
"If I say no, you're just going to whine about it, aren't you?" Lothor sighed, "Fine, but they're your responsibility to take care of."
"Jeez, he makes us sound more like their pets than their boyfriends," Lee muttered to Nate, who nodded in agreement.
"Oooh, that reminds me!" Marah said with an excited squeal after hearing that comment as she went over to a nearby bush, "Uncle, meet Perry!" she chimed up, with Lothor giving a blink when he saw the creature his niece was holding. It looked like a platypus, but it was colored like it was made out of plaid.
"What am I looking at, exactly?" he asked flatly.
"Oh, it's called a Plaidypus, dude," Soos explained, "Ford and Dipper are pretty sure they're where flannel comes from."
"And I still say that's dumb and weird even for this town," Wendy grumbled.
"Well, whatever he is, he's too cute and I'm keeping him!" Marah said, hugging the bird-like mammal close, while it stared impassively at everyone around it.
"And you said you're naming it Perry?" Lothor asked, sharing a discrete glance with Skeleton King. He hadn't ever been a Phineas and Ferb fan, but he still knew who Perry the Platypus was, and that it would be just his luck for this to turn out to be him somehow.
While Skeleton King... well, now he had the image of this Plaidypus wearing a fedora and fighting Old Man McGucket while preventing him from conquering the area of Gravity Falls. But he focused back on the little discussion in front of him.
"Yeah, he just looks like a Perry, you know," Marah said with a smile, "Don't you, you little cutie you~" she added to Perry, giving him a squeezing hug while her sister rolled her eyes.
"Still think it's a weird choice for a pet," Kapri said with crossed arms.
"Oh come on, you think he's cute too~" Marah said right back beaming
"Ugh, okay, yeah he's a little cute," Kapri grumbled reluctantly, causing Marah to grin smugly at her before returning to Lothor.
"So, Uncle, can I keep him?" she asked, giving her best puppy dog eyes.
"Fine, just clean up after it and don't let cause any trouble. These two as well," he said reluctantly, knowing that any trouble in the future from this wouldn't be as bad as putting up with the girls complaining if he didn't agree.
"Yay! A new boyfriend and pet, best day ever!" Marah chirped with a wide grin, "Plus, now you've got a hotter girlfriend than the bug," She added on to her uncle.
Wendy glared at the pair of bimbos, wondering why they just couldn't get it through their airhead skulls that she wasn't interested in dating their uncle. She opened her mouth to snap that at them again, only to get preempted by Lothor himself.
"First of all, I haven't agreed to that last part yet," he said, even though internally he'd already decided that he'd definitely try to claim her, "And secondly, even if I start dating her, it'll be in addition to Tak, not replacing her."
"...What?" Kapri asked flatly, eye twitching as she suddenly remembered Jinmay's warning from earlier in the day.
"We have an understanding," he explained, "I plan to take as many girls as catch my eye, and she'll help break them in, as long as she gets to stay top bitch."
"What?!" Both sisters said in synch with shocked disgusted looks and twitching eyes.
"Oh hell no!" Wendy snapped, struggling against the Kelzaks grip on her, "I'm no one's bitch! And I'm sure as hell not some creep's harem girl!"
She called out indignantly. I mean, being set up against her will was bad enough, but ending up as some kinda sex slave while playing second fiddle to some other evil bitch... yeah, no, if she wanted to end up like that she would have thrown her dignity out the window and crawled to Pacifica to see about sharing Dipper!
"Don't knock it til you've tried it, hot stuff," Lothor laughed, "And if you don't want to be bottom bitch, feel free to challenge Tak for the top spot. Honestly, that's a show I wouldn't mind watching~"
"Oh, come on!" Kapri yelled, "The whole reason we were trying to get you a hookup was to get you to dump bug bitch, not just play into whatever gross fantasies you two have!"
"Tough luck," he said dryly, before nodding to the Kelzaks, "Take her back to the ship and put her in a holding cell, I'll deal with her later."
"Urg... oh, I'm going to kick your..." Wendy's threat however was cut off as she and the Kelzaks teleported away while Kapri gave a despairing cry.
"Ah, cheer up Kapri, at least we picked up a couple of cute guys," Marah chirped while rocking her new pet Perry the Plaidypus in her arms as she and her sister looked over at the tied up Lee and Nate.
"Er, yeah, whatever. There's that as a silver lining, I guess," Kapri grumbled.
"Hey, about that. Are we going into a dungeon too, or what?" Lee asked, not really concerned but genuinely curious.
"Nah, I'm sure we can find someplace more comfortable for you~" Marah giggled with a wink.
"...You're not going to put your foot down about that?" Tambry asked Lothor when he didn't react to his niece's clear innuendo.
"I'm evil, not a hypocrite," he commented with a shrug, "Let them do whatever they want, if it keeps them out of my hair."
"It's cool Tams, no need to worry about us," Nate assured his friend with Tambry finding herself giving a snort.
"I suppose there are worst fates than becoming the boy toys of alien invaders," she stated warily.
"Yep," Lee agreed with a shrug as Kelzaks stepped up to secure him and Nate, "And eh..." Lee glanced over at Mandarin, "Good luck with the monkey dude, I guess," The boy said with a shrug.
"Personally, I think they make a cute couple~" Kapri chimed in with a little snicker.
Tambry blushed at that, while Mandarin glared at the girls until they teleported away with the boys and Kelzaks.
"Insolent wretches," he spat, before shaking his head and choosing to ignore them for now and turning back to Tambry, suddenly feeling awkward for some reason, "Well... I suppose it's time to go, then."
"Right... so, do I hold onto you for this to work, or what?" Tambry asked. Scoffing, Mandarin surprised her by hopping up to land on her shoulder, and then before she knew what was happening, they were teleported away in flash of dark magic.
Having watched all this, Lothor nodded to himself, then turned to the nearby Hak Foo, who had been watching all this apathetically.
"Well, I'd say everything else is in order here, so go with the Kelzaks and Formless and take the statue to the neutral zone," he said.
"I do not serve you," Hak Foo growled, causing Lothor to roll his eyes.
"This is mutually beneficial to your master. So don't waste all of our time by being petulant," he said. Hak Foo glared, but huffed and walked over the group surrounding Bill's petrified remains.
"If that is all, it seems our business is concluded here for now," Skeleton King then spoke up from where he stood looking at Lothor evenly, "We can set up the operations to take as much as Gravity Falls mystical anomalies as we can later."
He said, nodding his head to Lothor, "For now, I'm returning to the Citadel, I have other plans to see to," He stated to his fellow isekai warlord, believing that their forces would have things well in hand, "And speaking of anomalies..."
His gaze went to the barely-breathing form of Multi-Bear, who with a snap of his fingers was teleported away to the Citadel of Bone, "I might be able to find a use for that creature later~" He said with a amused little cackle, "Till next time, Lothor."
he stated before disappearing away himself.
"Hmph, I should probably make a list of things I want dibs on before he snatches up all the cool stuff," Lothor muttered to himself, "But, first thing's first, I should tell Tak about our new guest~"
Chuckling, Lothor turned to walk away, only to pause and look up at where Soos and his family were still watching nervously from the window.
"Like I said, just stay out of the way and you won't be harmed," he said to them, "And don't worry about your friend. I'll try not to be too hard on her. And who knows, in time she might even come to enjoy my company~"
And with that statement Lothor disappeared with a laugh, while Soos exchanged nervous looks with his family, "I've got a really bad feeling about this dudes," He said with a large frown, wringing his hands together, now more than ever wishing Mr. Pines and the others were here... and that he knew what to do.
Because it looked like unless a miracle happened, Gravity Falls was now under the domain of two supervillains.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: So, most important question first - is that really Perry, or just a joke? The answer, of course, is yes. :P
Seriously though, hope you all enjoyed this. Night and I now control the town and can harvest its weirdness for ourselves, we've planted some plot points for later development, and most importantly, I've got a new potential addition to my harem~ Oh, and Mandarin's got a girl now too, which I bet no one saw coming; we just agreed it would be nice to reward his loyalty, and I'm considering girls for my male minions as well down the road.
Tune in next time, to see how he and I break our girls in. Until then, please a kudos and/or comment if you enjoyed the chapter.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hehe Z/Lothor better watch his back because now he's got a enemy agent on his ship...Agent P! Hehe but in all seriousness hope you all enjoyed the turns this chapter took as we successfully lay joint claim to Gravity Falls.
What will we Z/Lothor and I/Skeleton King harvest from the weirdness magnet, and how will we use it? Well you'll have to wait to see on that front~
But certainly leaving with some souvenirs I've got a new pet bear, Z/Lothor got a new harem girl, his nieces got a couple of "cute" boys, and even Mandarian getting himself a girl in Tambry~
Let it not be said I can't be a good boss to my forces everyone~ Tune in to next chapter we explore the aftermath and how the prisoners adjust to their new living arrangements and more~
Chapter 14: Monkey Business and Ninja Business
Summary:
Lothor and Tak housebreak their new pet, while elsewhere an unexpected romance blooms.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Welcome to the next chapter, everyone, as we followup on the aftermath of mine and Night's takeover of Gravity Falls. And I, in particular, will be having lots of fun~ But I won't be the only one, as you'll see.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hello everyone here's the aftermath of Gravity Falls where we'll be seeing Z having fun along with someone a bit unexpected on my side of things enjoying their own little party~
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Chuckling, Lothor turned to walk away, only to pause and look up at where Soos and his family were still watching nervously from the window.
"Like I said, just stay out of the way and you won't be harmed," he said to them, "And don't worry about your friend. I'll try not to be too hard on her. And who knows, in time she might even come to enjoy my company~"
And with that statement Lothor disappeared with a laugh, while Soos exchanged nervous looks with his family, "I've got a really bad feeling about this dudes," He said with a large frown, wringing his hands together, now more than ever wishing Mr. Pines and the others were here... and that he knew what to do.
Because it looked like unless a miracle happened, Gravity Falls was now under the domain of two supervillains.
(Lothor's Ship)
"Arg... let... go of me... YOU CREEPS!" Wendy snapped as she was being restrained by some Kelzaks before finally having enough, as she was about to show these goons she wasn't some damsel in distress.
"I said... Let... GO!" she snarled, bracing her feet and then throwing her upper body forward. The Kelzaks, caught off guard by this, were sent flying off of her and down the hallway they'd been dragging her down.
Not giving them a chance to react, Wendy ran towards the downed ninjas, punching one in the face and knocking him out, and snatching up his dropped tonfa in the process.
"Who's next?" she growled at the rest of the group.
At that statement, rather than one of the Kelzaks responding in their alien language, a new feminine voice hissed out, "I believe that would be me."
And next thing Wendy knew, her eyes went wide as several volts of electricity ran through her body, "ARG!" Causing her to scream out in pain as she dropped to her knees, with Tak being revealed standing behind her.
"It seems returning to the ship to pick up some extra tools for that ship's study was a more prudent move than I realized," she said, retracting her PAK legs back into her PAK, "though if the Kelzaks can't keep hold of one measly human, then clearly I need to have a serious discussion with Lothor about the quality of our forces."
She said aloud with a slight scowl.
"Ugh... I'll... show you... measly," Wendy groaned, shakily getting back to her feet and turning to face Tak, "I'm guessing you're the bug bitch those two bimbos were complaining about?"
"Hmph, I really need to teach those two brats how to respect their betters," Tak spat, "But yes, I am Tak, Lothor's soon-to-be Queen and ruler of your pitiful planet."
"Goodie for you. But like I told that masked asshole, I'm not planning on being anyone's harem girl!" Wendy snarled defiantly.
"...come again?" Tak asked, blinking in confusion.
"You heard me, I don't care what his bimbo nieces say or what he wants, I'm not about to play into that bastard's or your sick fantasies!" Wendy snapped back with a slight snarl, her face glowing red as well.
Tak stared at her for a moment, then scowled and took a deep breath.
"Obviously, I need to talk with Lothor about recruiting girls without running them by me first," she muttered, before looking Wendy up and down carefully, "Still, I suppose you'll do, once we've broken you in."
"Oh, the only thing getting broken in here is your body!" Wendy snapped, diving straight to the smaller Irken in a tackle, only for the Invader-trained alien to easily dodge the tackle as she grabbed the back of Wendy's hair, pulling her back and kneeing her in the face.
"Ugh!" Wendy cried out before Tak threw her aside to slam into a wall.
"You have spirit, I'll give you that," Tak said with a smirk, "I look forward to seeing how long it takes until I've got you begging to lick my boots."
"If anyone... is licking anybody's boots..." Wendy glared up at her as Tak stepped forward, smirking smugly, believing this untrained human was no threat, "it's you!" The Corduroy girl exclaimed, managing to exploit Tak's arrogance as she grabbed the alien's leg and using the element of surprise and her greater leverage of height, lifted her up by her leg before slamming her against the wall as hard as she could.
"ARG!" Followed by kicking at the back of Tak's head as soon as she hit the ground.
When Tak didn't move afterwards, a panting Wendy took a deep breath to steady herself, before turning to face the onlooking Kelzaks... at which point Tak, who had been playing possum, suddenly jumped onto her back and wrapped an arm around her neck in a chokehold.
"Grkt!" Wendy gasped out, trying desperately to breathe.
"You'll have to do better than that!" Tak hissed into her ear.
"Grlt!" Wendy gasped, but narrowed her eyes angrily before jumping backward to slam her and by consequence Tak back into the wall as hard as she could, before repeating the maneuver again and again, neither of them noticing the new arrival watching the little fight from the shadows.
"Well now, this is interesting," Lothor said with a smirk, watching the ongoing fight. When he'd reached the buried spaceship to find Tak gone and Mimi informing him of her returning to base, he hadn't expected to find this happening when he'd teleported up himself.
Still, he loved a good catfight, and he had to admit that Wendy's badassary was one of her best traits, so getting to see her fight in person was a treat. Besides, it would give him a good idea of how to handle breaking and corrupting her.
"ARG!" Tak grunted in pain, with Wendy's constant slamming against the wall finally doing the trick, with her loosening her grip around Wendy's neck, which the Corduroy exploited as she grabbed Tak's arm, flipping the alien over her head and slamming her down onto the floor on her back, followed by an elbow dive straight into Tak's neck.
"GRKT!" Tak gasped out as she choked from the blow. As she struggled to breathe, Wendy took advantage of her disorientation by jumping back to her feet and kicking the Irken hard, sending her flying at the wall.
Unfortunately for Wendy, Tak didn't impact the wall, her PAK legs popping out to catch her against it before she could hit it. She then sprang back off of back at the human girl, the sharp points of the PAK legs now aimed at her head.
"Woah!" Which Wendy barely managed to dodge, but that didn't stop Tak from thrusting her leg forward in a kick straight at her stomach that was follow by an uppercut kick straight at Wendy's jaw that sent her falling back.
When Wendy hit the floor, she didn't have a chance to so much as move before Tak dropped down, PAK legs cutting through the fabric of her shirt sleeves and pant legs to pin her down.
"Grr, get off!" Wendy growled, struggling to break free.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Tak sneered, leaning down to smirk into the human's face.
WHAM
Which proved to be a mistake, as it allowed Wendy to rear up and headbutt Tak in the face. As she stumbled back from the blow, Wendy tugged as hard as she could, causing her shirt and pants to tear free of the PAK legs, allowing her to roll out from under Tak, and then lash out in a double kick that knocked Tak over.
"Coff... Urg... but you're tougher than the first bitch, I'll give you that," Tak admitted with a reluctant growl as she pushed herself up from the ground, glaring at Wendy.
"I'll... ah, ah... take that as a compliment," Wendy snipped back, catching her breath, doing her best to not take her eyes off this alien cockroach while at the same time trying to look around for something she could use to help bring this bitch down.
Spotting the tonfa she'd stolen from the Kelzak and dropped when Tak had zapped her lying nearby, she immediately dove for it. Seeing this, Tak leapt at her again, but Wendy managed to grab the stick weapon and bring it up to block Tak's PAK legs. She then shoved against them to knock Tak back, before swinging at Tak's head.
"Urg!" With Tak not managing to block the hit in time, and Wendy ruthlessly exploited this chance to hit as hard as she could to knock a bitch out.
"GAH!" Tak yelled as the blow connected, knocking her out.
Panting heavily afterwards, Wendy glared down at the now unconscious Tak, and considered whether to finish her off. Deciding that it wasn't worth it to take the risk, she raised the tonfa and prepared to bring it down on Tak's head... and then suddenly her arm was grabbed.
"What!" she exclaimed, and then yelled in pain as a fist rammed into her stomach.
"Sorry, dear girl, but I can't have that," Lothor said, before ripping the tonfa out of Wendy's hand and tossing her aside.
"You!?" Wendy called out in shock before snapping with anger, "Get your hands off me, you perverted creep!" She yelled, before throwing a punch straight at the prick's face.
A punch that Lothor effortlessly caught, causing Wendy to yelp in pain as he squeezed it tightly.
"You're not bad, Red, but sheer power only takes you so far without training," he said, tugging her forward in order to punch her in the face.
And with that... "Gah!" Wendy was out for the count, as she collapsed to the ground, knocked out from Lothor's solid hit as he stood over her with a smirk.
"Hmm, not bad at all," he chuckled, before sobering up and walking over to Tak. Kneeling down, he picked her up, causing her to stir at his touch.
"Ugh, what?" she muttered, blinking awake.
"Feeling alright?" he asked her as he helped her shakily get on her feet.
"What happened...? Her!" Tak muttered, before shouting as she spotted the unconscious Wendy. She tried to stomp over, only for Lothor to restrain her, "Let go! I'm going to kill her!"
"Understandable, but let's not be rash," Lothor said, "After all, why end her now, when you can drag out her pain and humiliation?"
"You..." Tak growled, sending Lothor a glare, "Make a point... I suppose," She admitted with obvious reluctance, before scowling at Lothor, "Though punishing this infuriating human aside, it seems we need to have a discussion about properly vetting your choice of pleasure slaves through me, Lothor."
She stated, annoyed this had happened in the first place, and humiliated that she allowed an untrained human bitch to knock her out. Clearly, she has slacked off in her training, something that would be rectified; after all, it wouldn't do to have her vengeance against Zim and Dib ruined to do her own weakness.
"In my defense, Marah and Kapri decided to grab her for me," Lothor explained with a snort, "I think they were hoping that I'd dump you win favor of her."
"Is that right?" Tak growled.
"Yep. You should have seen the look on their faces when I explained the harem to them," he said, "Now then, let's get her properly secured and start setting up how to break her in. I think you might like some of the ideas I have in store."
"Oh? Tell me more~" Tak said with a sinister smile, her gaze going to Wendy's unconscious form, curious to lear what Lothor had in mind, "And I suppose we do need a new toy to have fun with while our pig plays spy," She muttered out loud thoughtfully.
"Funny you should mention her. Since we had to send our pet away, I thought we could set her up as our new one," Lothor said, holding up his communicator, which was now showing a copy of the picture of Wendy in her wolf girl outfit.
"What am I looking at here?" Tak asked, gaze running admiringly over the image of Wendy's half-naked body.
"An outfit she wore as part of a performance at her recently-ended job," Lothor explained, "And I was thinking, since she doesn't seem to mind dressing up as a dog, why not treat her like one? How fast can you fabricate a few specified costume pieces?"
"Tell me what you need, and it should only take about 15 or 20 minutes," she replied, intrigued.
"Excellent. Come along, I'll explain on the way," he said, watching as the Kelzaks picked Wendy back up and started carrying her down the hallway again.
"Lead the way. I find myself suddenly eager to break in our new pet~" Tak said with a dark leer, before shooting her lover a warning look, "But this idea of yours better be entertaining."
She warned, reminding Lothor she was still slightly ticked at him. However, the warlord merely shot her a smirk as he followed after the Kelzaks and their new pet, leaving Tak to follow behind with a slight grumble, though also an eagerness to her steps.
(Citadel of Bone)
And as Wendy was being prepared for her new owners' fun, Tambry was being shown where she'd be staying.
"So, I'm sleeping in your room?" The girl in question asked in a slightly wary tone, while at the same time looking around a room that had a real eastern master martial artist kinda theme to it. There was training equipment of various kinds at various points in the room, what looked like a meditation mat off to one side, and a simple futon for a bed.
"Hmm, yes. Forgive me for not tidying up when I wasn't expecting company," Mandarin said sarcastically, arching an eyebrow as Tambry actually snorted at that.
"No problem, I get how this was pretty much dumped on you at the last moment," she said honestly. Because while he might be a villain, she had been pleasantly surprised to see that he at least wasn't being a jerk about it.
And really, what did it say about her taste in men when the literal supervillain whose boss invaded her home was probably treating her better than Robbie would have in his position she thought with a slight sigh... before forcing a smile toward the monkey.
"So..." She gave an awkward cough, "Don't suppose this place has good reception or wifi?" She asked, while pulling out her phone.
"You'll find that our technology is more than sufficient to supply your primitive communications device," Mandarin scoffed, before giving her a dry look, "But you realize, of course, that all your efforts to use it will be monitored, yes? We can't have you trying to send warnings to anyone outside of your town about what has happened."
Tambry winced at that. She had actually been hoping she could get a message to Dipper or Mabel so they could pass it along to the big guns, but it seemed that wouldn't be happening.
"Er, right, obviously I knew that," she said with a forced laugh, which trailed off under his unimpressed look, "So, uh, what happens now?"
"Hmm... now I suppose I have to find a way to put this arrangement to use," Mandarin muttered with crossed arms, "Though honestly, while my lord is generous, I'm not sure why he believed I would be interested in some cute hairless monkey."
He huffed out with a slight scowl, ideally wondering if whatever brought them to this reality had somehow affected his lord's hormones, or if he had always been this amorous, only restraining it by focusing on the destruction of the Hyper Force and Shuggazoom.
Tambry, while frowning slightly at the hairless monkey comment, couldn't help but hone in on one word, "Wait..." She arched a brow at him and found herself shooting him a teasing smirk, "You think I'm cute?" she asked as Mandarin froze.
"Uh, er," he stammered uncharacteristically in response, caught off guard as he realized that he had in fact called her that.
What was wrong with him? Never mind the fact that she was a human, he was a warrior of the highest order, he'd never been distracted by something as foolish as physical attraction before. That was why he'd never made a move on Nova, despite her having everything he might have ever considered in a mate. And no, he wasn't afraid of her after the incident where she literally exploded in the training room, and anyone who said otherwise was slandering him!
And as he was lost in his thoughts, Tambry who was watching him suddenly got a bold... if somewhat twisted idea.
It might sound kinda messed up, but if she could charm this guy, seduce him, or hell get him to fall for her, maybe she could either use him or get his help to figure out a way to escape, get help, and save Wendy, Lee, and Nate.
Admittedly, even with the monkey being an evil supervillain working for a creepy and admittedly kinda cool-looking skeleton alien warlord... the idea of using someone like that, especially after what Robbie did to her, really put a bad taste in her mouth.
But fact was, as much as she trying to treat this casually, she knew she was in a bad position. Especially if she remembered what little she managed to see of the news report on his boss before Robbie showed up.
Drama with her ex aside, she was pretty sure there was something about the guy destroying his home planet and taking its people as slaves! Even without that fact everything about Mandarin's boss screamed evil, hell his lair was a spaceship made entirely out of bone, for crying out loud! Which admittedly while pretty cool also acted as a reminder that the only layer of protection she had right now on this ship against this Skeleton King guy, never mind his other servants... was the little orange monkey in front of her.
So... no matter how demeaning it probably was or no matter how scummy it made her feel, desperate times required desperate measures. Besides... it's not like she can't make sure the monkey doesn't enjoy it, plus... her eyes narrowed as they honed in on Mandarin. With the recent revelation about Robbie, she was in the mood for payback.
"You know..." She shot him her best teasing yet seductive smirk, while leaning down making sure to emphasize her breasts as she did so, "I wasn't lying when I first saw you."
she said, getting Mandarin attention, "You're pretty cute yourself~" she told him with a wink.
Mandarin actually turned red at that, but coughed harshly to quickly forced himself back into composure.
"Er, yes, so you've said," he said quickly, before trying to change the subject, "In any case, we should see about setting up someplace for you to sleep while here."
"What, you mean that we're not sharing a bed?" Tambry asked flirtatiously, batting her eyes. Despite how scummy it made her feel, she couldn't help but giggle as that left him even more flustered than he already was. Seemed like the big bad monkey wasn't used to cute girls flirting with him~ She thought with a flash of amusement at his red face.
Not realizing how true that statement was, as the original Mandarin despite his prowess, didn't have much experience in the romance department. The half-Formless clone that stood before her even more so, in the short time of his existence.
So to say that Mandarin, for all his cunning, actually found himself off guard and unsure how to handle this woman's behavior would be a understatement, "I... coff... woman, I assure you, despite my master's sexual appetite and how desperately the feminine cohorts I'm made to suffer dealing with throw themselves at him, I am not..."
He trailed off as Tambry took a seat on his futon while spreading her skirt-covered legs apart, while posing as sensually as she could, "Yes? You're not what?" Tambry asked with a teasing grin, though part of her certainly noted down the mention of Mandarin's boss apparently being some kind of sexual deviant who his co-workers throw themselves at... so, one silver lining, she supposed was that she wasn't just another notch on the skeleton's belt.
"I, uh, I," Mandarin stammered, before shaking his head to forcibly clear it, "I am a warrior with steely focus, not a fool driven by my libido! So, your attempts to tempt me with your attractive body will not work!"
"Oh, but you're willing to admit I'm attractive?" Tambry asked, smirk widening as she leaned backwards slightly, pressing her chest forward and causing her breasts to stretch against her black tank top. She wasn't exactly a D cup, but Tambry was proud of her size and body, she certainly turned a few heads in her time... and it seemed she was hooking the interest of a sinister simian.
As Mandarin found himself licking his lips with a slight gulp as his gaze went to the top, which to his eyes seemed to be barely hold her breasts, and his gaze couldn't help but go wander down to her purple skirt, her rather lovely looking legs covered by some black leggings and boots.
"I..." Mandarin subconsciously took a step forward, "Admit that... you are perhaps a better-looking specimen than most hairless females," He told her with a slight huff, "But if you think that you can control me by..."
He started to say, only to be interrupted by Tambry reaching out her hand to cup his cheek, causing him to freeze as she moved to scratch under his chin.
"Who said anything about controlling anyone?" Tambry asked with as much innocence she could put into her voice, before adding with a smirk, "Unless you're into that kinda thing, of course~"
Mandarin couldn't form a coherent response to that, finding the feeling of her hand against him oddly pleasant. And at her words, images came unbidden to his mind, of restraining her so that he do all sorts of things to her... and for some reason, also images of her leading hm around on a leash and treating him like a pet.
What was wrong with him?! He was Skeleton King's right hand! He was above such things! Even if those images did seem so very intriguing...
But he was Mandarin! Greatest warrior of Skeleton King's forces! He shouldn't be concerning himself with some female hairless monkey! She was nothing! She was inconsequential! She was... kissing him!?
Mandarin's thoughts and body froze as Tambry, deciding to make a bold move, leaned forward and put her lips on his own. And to her own surprise, she found that the feeling of kissing him wasn't that bad. In fact, she might even go so far as to say that it was better than kissing Robbie. Though frankly, Robbie was simply just overall coming up short in a lot of ways, she realized...
For his part, Mandarin had no idea how to respond. This was literally his first kiss ever, in either of his lifetimes, and he didn't know how to react to it. But, it did feel good, and he found himself leaning into it to return the kiss.
Something Tambry of course exploited. She knew how dangerous this monkey was... but at the same time, she could sense how unsure he was about this. So she gently probed his mouth with her tongue, asking for entrance while she ran her hands over the side of his face.
Despite a part of him demanding that he put an end to this nonsense, Mandarin found himself relenting to Tambry's request, opening his mouth and allowing her tongue entrance. With a pleased moan, Tambry stuck her tongue into his mouth, and he immediately returned the favor, his own tongue plunging into her mouth.
God, she thought, this should feel so gross, considering that he was a monkey... but it felt so good. Despite him seeming to not have any experience, he was weirdly a natural at it.
And at the feel of something grasping roughly ahold of her breasts through her top, she let out an appreciative moan as the kiss seemed to get a bit hotter, while realizing Mandarin's hands were grabbing onto her breasts... and he really seemed to know how to work his hands~
"Ah... umm... does the cute... monkey like my tits~" Tambry teased as she broke the kiss, before thrusting her chest out more, "How about you take a better look at them then?" she said as she added on, "After all, they're all yours to enjoy now, aren't they~"
"Yes... everything you have belongs to me~" Mandarin hissed out possessively, kneading her breasts through her shirt. Acting on her suggestion, he grabbed ahold of her shirt and tore it off, exposing her bra-clad breasts. Then he tore the bra away as well, letting her C cup tits bounce free.
Tambry gasped and blushed at that, not having expected him to be quite that bold so soon. But any complaints immediately disappeared as he not only grabbed one breast and started playing with it, but acting on instinct he leaned down and started sucking on the other one's nipple.
"Ahh Mandarin!" Tambry found herself moaning out enjoying the sensation, "Umm, you're so bold... taking what you want~" she told him with a slight husky purr, "Not like that leech wuss, Robbie," she added with a snort, meaning every word as she let out another moan, her hand rubbing the smaller monkey's back as his teeth dug into her flesh while he sucked eagerly at her nipple, with Mandarin himself quite surprised at how he was enjoying the taste, sensation, and the sheer act of all this. The woman's... Tambry's praise just seeming to add to the pleasure of the act, he thought, not fully realizing he had mentally addressed her by her name for the first time.
He was simply enjoying himself too much, not having felt anything in his life that could match this delight, not even when they'd finally crushed the Hyper Force! And as he gave into the new sensations, he could feel his loins stirring in a way he'd never experienced, but he wasn't complaining.
To Tambry's surprise, Mandarin suddenly pulled away from her, and she instinctively gave a disappointed whine. But then to her shock, Mandarin reached down and removed a piece of his bone armor... a piece right over his crotch, allowing his erect cock to pop out.
"Woah..." Tambry found herself breathing out with wide eyes, because he was big... emphasis on BIG, "Just when I thought someone couldn't make Robbie look any more pathetic," she said with a snort
"As if that is difficult~" Mandarin said smugly, before suddenly grabbing Tambry by the back of the head and shoving her down so that her face was right in front of his cock, "Now suck it, human!"
Not too long ago, Tambry would have been offended and disgusted by being ordered to do that. But after the intense makeout session just now stirring up her hormones, she wasn't thinking clearly enough for that. So instead, she did as she was told, and closed the distance so that her mouth could wrap around his cock.
"Glrkt!" she gasped out as it hit the back of her throat, and then she started sucking on it.
"Yes... that's it..." Mandarin gave a pleased groan, with the monkey unable to believe how good such a simple act felt while running his hand through Tambry's hair, "Suck your master's cock~" The monkey said with a smug smirk.
While Tambry found herself simply groaning, actually finding herself to her shock getting off on this... not only was Mandarin's cock so big... but it actually had a strange taste to it... a strange taste she actually liked... not to mention the show of force he was giving as he grabbed her hair and called himself her master was kinda turning her on... though she'd have to show this monkey that he wasn't the only one holding the leash in this arrangement. She thought as he started to suck his cock all the harder, feeling a tinge of pride at the monkey's pleasure-filled groaning.
"Yes, good girl. More~" he moaned, gripping her head tighter and thrusting against her face. This increased the pressure even more, and soon he hit climax.
"Tambry!!!!" he cried out as he came, his seed shooting down Tambry's throat. And unseen by either of them, this seed was black as the ooze that the Formless were formed from. As as it entered her body, it glowed, before being absorbed into the tissues of her throat and stomach.
"Ah..ah..hmm delicious~" Tambry said, after Mandarin released his grip and allowed her to remove her mouth from his dick. She caught her breath and also licked her lips, finding herself actually savoring the taste a bit. It was kinda odd, perhaps a bit sour... yet also kinda tasty... certainly tasted better than any time she ever gave Robbie head, "Stronger, smarter, bigger where it counts, and tastier~"
She found herself letting out a laugh, while sending Mandarin a smile, "It's really looking like this whole thing has let me trade up big time," she said with a slight wary amused smirk, causing Mandarin to give his own cruel amused grin.
While the girl couldn't help but find a cruel irony in that all it took for her to realize what a scumbag Robbie was is Gravity Falls being invaded by aliens and taken as the prize of an alien monkey serving basically as a general in one of the armies.
"Also... Tambry?' She arched a brow and teasing smirk, "This mean we're on first name basis already, my cute monkey~" she asked with a little giggle, while reaching out to scratch his chin.
"Hmph, I suppose," he grumbled, embarrassed at the slip-up, "But I expect you to avoid any ridiculous nicknames in public. I have a reputation to uphold in front of those wretches I serve Lord Skeleton King with, and those fools we call rivals and allies."
"Heh, if you say so," she giggled at how serious he was acting after what just happened, before blushing as a sudden bold idea hit her out of nowhere, "So, um, are we going to go all the way?"
"All... the way?" Mandarin asked, blushing lightly as well as he caught her meaning.
"Yeah, you know..." Tambry gave a smirk, catching that blush, finding herself amused that the big bad warrior was nervous and also kinda surprised because was he? "Sex..." she finished with a little husky smirk, kissing his forehead while Mandarin found himself giving a slight gulp.
"Though if you're nervous..." she leaned back and started to take off her boots, "You could put that tongue of yours to work to get me nice and wet before we get to the good stuff," she said, kicking off her boots, leaving her only in her black leggings and skirt, "But I'm sure a warrior like you has been with plenty of girls."
she added, sitting back on the futon as she spread her legs.
"Uh, ahem, quite," Mandarin coughed, Tambry arching an eyebrow at how unconvincing he sounded.
"Really, I'm your first?" she asked in amused disbelief, "Wow, that's flattering."
"Do not read too much into it," Mandarin said, clearly embarrassed, "I have simply had more important things to do with my time."
Leaving out he had technically only existed for not even an Earth year, he thought, approaching Tambry as she gave a nod.
"Yeah, being the right hand of a planet conquering and destroying lich likely doesn't leave much time to relax," she said, actually giving Mandarin a sympathetic look, "Actually..." she mused aloud while laying back, while also raising her foot up to Mandarin, brushing it against his chin with a teasing smirk, with the monkey giving the stocking-covered appendage a sniff as he took it into his hands, "What exactly do you do for fun, anyway?"
she asked, before giving off a slight moan as Mandarin licked her foot through the stocking.
"I train and meditate so that I can better serve my lord," Mandarin replied, peeling the stocking away so that he could lick her foot directly.
"Hmm, sounds like more work than fun," Tambry said around pleased moans.
"Because I've had no need for such frivolities," Mandarin scoffed, though did not stop his actions as he licked and twirled his tongue around Tambry's foot. Normally, such an act would be humiliating and demeaning to the highest degree, but right now he found it oddly satisfying~
He also spoke true to the girl; even back during his days with the Hyper Force, his focus had always been about bettering himself as a greater warrior, he had no interest or desire in the idiocy his other brothers like Sparx or Otto engaged in.
"Ah, ummm... ah... you just... need someone... to help you... find things... you'd enjoy..." Tambry replied back with a low moan as the monkey sucked on her toes, with Mandarin actually sending her a cheeky smirk.
"Things like you, perhaps~" He said with a dark little chuckle as he licked up her leg, with Tambry actually giving off an amused snort mixed with a moan.
"Ummm... maybe~" Tambry said with a teasing smirk right back, "But I'd be down to showing you other ways to have fun~" she said as Mandarin kissed up her thigh, causing her to breath heavier.
"Is that right?" Mandarin chuckled, "Then show me~"
"If you insist," she chuckled back. Reaching down, she grabbed ahold of her panties and slid them down, exposing her pussy to Mandarin's hungry eyes, "Eat up~"
And that's exactly what Mandarin did, as he dived down, eagerly lapping at her juice with a hunger he had never felt before.
"AHHH UMM MANDARIN!" Tambry's cries only encouraged him to lap up her cunt all the faster and harder, as his tongue entered her folds, "AH OHHH YES!" Tambry however was moaning as she bucked her hips against Mandarin's face, before reaching down to shove his face down harder against her cunt, "Eat me out you dirty little monkey!"
She ordered with a lustful feral grin. Call it wrong, but she really was enjoying this... it probably didn't hurt Robbie always refused to do this, thinking it gross, with the most he did was sometimes finger her... very badly... but this... God, she really was wasting her time with Robbie these past three years wasn't she, the 19 year old couldn't help but think in between moans, while shoving Mandarin's heads against her cunt.
"Lick me like you mean it you dirty monkey!" she breathed out with a moan, while using her free right hand to grab and knead her tit, "Ummm, show... ah... ah... show me how much you want me~"
Mandarin almost felt like he should be angry at her for daring to give him any sort of orders, but he was enjoying this far too much. The taste of her most private parts was simply delicious, and he couldn't get enough, so he was happy to go down even harder on her to get even more.
Hmm, perhaps she was right about him needing to spend more time relaxing, if this was the sort of thing he could be doing! Her moans alone sent a thrill that could almost rival what he felt the day the Hyper Force fell!
"MANDARIN!" Case in point, his cock gave a twitch at her moan as excitement fueled him and motivated him, eating out her pussy with further gusto while Tambry enjoyed every moment of it.
This... it was just foreplay... and it was already blowing anything that asshole ex of hers did to her out of the water! She didn't know how long she experienced this euphoria, minutes, hours, days, but God that monkey could use his tongue and eventually, "AAAAAAAAAA MANDARIN!"
She screamed his name as her juices exploded all over his face, with Mandarin not even mad about it, finding the sensation of her warm juices against his face actually quite pleasant as he eagerly licked her off, "Delicious~"
The simian said with a smirk, while Tambry panted, gathering her breath, "Ah... you... incredible~" The girl could only say in response, chest heaving and falling with a silly grin while Mandarin gave a smug little chuckle, "Hehe, wait till you experience the main event~"
He said, gripping onto and tearing away her skirt, throwing it over his shoulder with only her left legging as the only remaining article of clothing on Tambry. Mandarin gazed down at her in desire, finding his earlier nervousness gone, replaced by his lust and eager desire to experience more and feel the pleasure of conquering this girl's body but as he approached his prize.
"Ah... wait..."
Tambry spoke up, raising a hand as she sat up and Mandarin gave a slight annoyed scowl, "What? What is it?" He demanded slightly irritated, "You're not having second thoughts now?" He asked with annoyance at the thought of Tambry thinking she could stop this now, or that she could tease and play with him like this without consequences, only for Tambry to shake her head.
"No... I want this," The girl said, flushing, and despite her plans to try to use/seduce the monkey she found to her shock that she really did want this... maybe she wasn't thinking clearly, maybe it was lust getting the better of her, maybe she was upset at Robbie and lashing out... but she really did want to go all the way.
"It's just..." Tambry gave him a small smile, "If I'm your first time..." And oddly enough the knowledge made her feel warm... and dare she say it... special, "Then..."
she reached out and rubbed his chin, "I want to try to make it special," she told him her voice tinged with honesty, "I..." here she frowned, looking away, "I don't want you regretting it," she admitted, her mind going to Robbie, the only boy she had ever been with... and now perhaps the biggest mistake of her life.
And Mandarin could easily pick up the unsaid "like me" in her words.
He frowned, feeling the odd sensation of actually emphasizing with and caring about someone else's feelings. Reaching out, he gently stroked her face, which she leaned into instinctively for comfort.
"I regret nothing about this, regardless of how it happened," he told her honestly.
"Oh... Mandarin..." Tambry breathed out, honestly touched as a warm feeling filled her as she leaned in and kissed him, with both of them groaning and moaning into the kiss as Mandarin ran his hands through her hair.
"Ah... umm... I'm... yours if you'll have me.."
Tambry said, breathing heavily, a strange longing of wishing that she had met Mandarin before getting together with Robbie, and at that thought... she froze as an idea of how to make Mandarin's first time more "fun" if not special popped into her head.
"But first," she gave a smirk as the monkey blinked at her, "I have a little idea of how to make your first time more... interesting~" she said, giving an evil grin that sent a thrill through the simian and caused his own twisted heart to pound.
"Oh? Do tell," he asked with a smirk.
"I want you to fuck me... while Robbie is made to watch," she said, causing Mandarin to blink before he caught on.
"Hoohoo, digging the knife deeper into your former mate? I do like your capacity for cruelty, my dear~" he chuckled.
"What can I say, Hell has no fury like a woman scorned," Tambry said back with a shrug, "Plus..." she gave a smirk, "I want the biggest mistake I've made and only other boy I allowed to touch me to see how much I've traded up~"
she told him in a husky whisper as she reached out to grab his cock, giving it a squeeze.
"Mmm, as you wish, my dear," he said, "I'll send word to have that pathetic fool brought up here at once."
"Thank you," she replied genuinely, letting go of his cock to reach up and stroke his face.
With Mandarin actually finding himself leaning into Tambry's touch, finding it soothing and enjoyable. While Tambry found herself giving a genuine smile of warmth to Mandarin and a little laugh as he let out what sounded like a purr~ For an evil monkey, he really was cute~
With that though, Mandarin reluctantly stepped away in order to walk over to a communicator in the corner of the room that Tambry had overlooked before. He typed away at it, sending the command down to Gravity Falls to have Robbie brought up to the ship, and then quickly made his way back to her.
"He'll be here shortly," he said with a smirk, "Now, how to pass the time until he is?"
"Ooh, I have a few ideas~" she giggled.
Mandarin smirk as he climbed onto Tambry lap, giving a husky growl as he grabbed at her tits, "As do I~" he said with a leer as Tambry let out a slight moan at his touch, before diving her face down to lock lips with the simian.
And as Tambry eagerly made out with her new boyfriend, happily anticipating popping his cherry in front of her ex, she was unaware just how poorly her best friend was fairing over on the other ship...
(Meanwhile, Lothor's ship)
Wendy groaned as she slowly regained consciousness, lying on a hard floor. Her head was pounding, there was a chill over a lot of her body, and her limbs felt weirdly stiff. Especially her legs, which were bent back in an uncomfortable position and for some reason weren't responding to her instinctive command to unbend.
"Ugh, what happened...?" she muttered, only for her eyes to snap open as everything suddenly came back to her, "Shit! Those bastards! I've got to... WHAT THE FUCK?!"
The reason for Wendy's shock was that as she tried to sit up, she fell over, and in the process got a good look at herself. For starters, she was totally naked, tits and pussy fully exposed. But that wasn't to say she wasn't wearing anything; long gloves of latex or some similar material were on her hands and covering up to her elbows, making them hard to bend, while the hand portions of the gloves were shaped like canine paws, the digits that her own fingers were now inside of too stiff to let her do more than wiggle them slightly. Similarly, boots of the same material and with ends designed to look like dog feet were on her legs up to the thighs, and her legs were bent so that her feet were pressed against her rear, with straps holding them in place there and leaving her stuck having to crawl on her hands and knees.
Oh, and she was wearing a dog collar on her neck, as a demeaning cherry on top of all of that.
"WHAT THE FUCK!?" Wendy screamed, repeating her earlier statement with her face glowing red, "YOU FUCKING PERVERTS!!" She screamed as she easily realized who were the sickos who put her in this position.
"What's the matter, puppy? Not liking your new outfit?" Tak's voice laughed from behind her. Turning around to face it, and hating that she had to waddle on her hands and knees to do that, she found Lothor and Tak on the other side of the bars of the cell she was in, both of them leering at her.
"Well, to be fair, we haven't completed the look yet," Lothor chuckled, holding up a pair of fake wolf ears.
"Hmm, very true~" Tak laughed along, holding up her own item, and Wendy's eyes widened as she realized it was a large anal plug with a fake wolf tail attached to one end.
"If you even TRY to put that thing in me, I will rip your heads off!" she snarled, panicked at the fact that she knew how hard it would be to actually back up that threat in this condition.
She also had a pretty good fucking idea where this was going and like HELL was she going to let it happen! Much less without a fight!
"And you assholes have no idea how screwed you are!" Wendy snapped with a dark glare to the two, "I have friends! Friends with some serious connections!" She said, her mind going to Dipper, Mabel, Stan, Ford, hell she'd even take that brat Pacifica's help... her mind also went to the kinda connections they made since that summer, "And they not not only kicked Cipher's ass, but they'll kick yours too!"
Lothor arched an eyebrow at that, wondering exactly what kind of connections the Pines family had formed since canon in this world, but decided that could wait for now.
"Well, I appreciate a good challenge," he said, "As for having no idea... well, I'm sure you'll be begging to tell us everything you know soon enough, once we've got you housebroken like a good little bitch."
"Try it, and I'll be turning YOU into a bitch," Wendy growled, baring her teeth threateningly.
"Oh, I doubt that. But first thing's first," Tak said, opening the cell door and walking inside. Wendy tensed up at that, but before she could do anything, Tak just smirked and said, "Heel."
ZAP
"AH!" Wendy cried out as her dog collar zapped her, causing her to collapse in pain and surprise. And without meaning to, that left her in a "presenting" position, ass angled up in the air, "What the hell...?"
"Just a little insurance policy until we get done with your obedience training," Tak snickered, walking around behind Wendy and looking down at her raised ass, the anal plug in hand.
"Urg... you fuckin'... bas... tards..." Wendy groaned from slight pain before trailing off when she realized Tak's position.
"Hey..." Wendy strained her head, trying to look over her shoulder at Tak, "What do you think you're doing!?" She demanded warily, but Tak simply smirked.
"Oh, just taking the first step in properly training a bitch~" she said smugly, bouncing the plug in her hand.
"I am not your biAAAAAAAAAA!" Wendy started to deny, before letting out a piercing scream of pain as Tak shoved the plug straight into her ass with no warning.
"Are you sure? Because you're howling like one!" Tak laughed, twisting and jerking the plug to make sure that it was going in as far as it could, patting her ass cheeks afterwards, "Try to unclench, it'll hurt less. Or don't, I don't care."
"Gonna... fuckin'... kill you..." Wendy grunted, tears of pain running down her face.
"Of course you will," Lothor said condescendingly, as he walked over and plopped the wolf ears onto her head to complete the look, before turning to Tak, "So dear, what trick do you want to teach our puppy first?"
"Hmm..." Tak gave a thoughtful hum, tapping her chin, "How about roll over~" Tak suggested with an arrogant leer, "I want to get a good look at the bitch's tits~"
"Well, you heard your mistress, puppy. Roll over," Lothor commanded Wendy, who glared up at him and spat in his direction. Lothor frowned at that, brushing the spittle off of where it had hit his jacket.
"Heel."
ZAP
"AH!" Wendy cried out at the fresh shock from the collar, whimpering as it instinctively made her tense up all over, including around the plug.
"Let's try that again. Roll over," Lothor ordered firmly. Wendy continued to glare at him, but not seeing any other choices, she lowered herself as much as she could with her limited limb movement, then flopped onto her side and rolled onto her back, wincing as that put pressure on the plug.
"Hehe you see, that isn't so bad, now is it~" Tak asked with a laugh as she placed her boot on top of Wendy's breast, pressing down on it, "And you've got a decent pair of tits too~" she added, smiling mockingly down at her, "Not as big as our pig's, but good enough."
she added with a backhanded compliment, idly trying to figure out their exact size as her eyes roamed over Wendy, "What do you think, Lothor?" she asked over to the ninja warlord, "Think this bitch has a good enough body to be part of OUR harem?" she asked, emphasizing our, "Because I'm not fully convinced yet myself~"
"Oh, I don't know," he replied idly, reaching down to grab and twist the nipple on Wendy's other breast, smirking at her resulting surprised yelp, "She's not bad to look at. But I suppose it's what she can do with it that really matters, isn't it?"
"Hmm, very true," Tak nodded along with a smirk of her own, "I guess we should test her out, shouldn't we?"
"Agreed," Lothor chuckled, letting go of Wendy's breast and letting his hand trail down her chest and stomach until he reached her pussy, which he began teasing.
"Hey!" Wendy yelped, face burning red, "What do you think you're doing?!"
SMACK
"No one gave you permission to speak, bitch," Tak said, pulling her hand back from having slapped Wendy across the face.
"You fucking bit..." Wendy started to retort in a snarl, only to get another hit to the face.
SMACK
"I think we need to put that dirty disrespectful mouth of yours to better use," Tak sneered as she started to retract her clothing back into her PAK, revealing her proud naked form for several moments that Wendy gaze up shocked at before Tak placed and slammed her crotch onto Wendy's face.
"MMMPH!" Wendy cried into Tak's pussy, giving an additional yelp as Lothor's fingers slipped into her own.
"Start licking me, bitch, and if you do a good job, Lothor will let you cum," Tak commanded.
"Which shouldn't be too hard for me to do. From the feel of things, she doesn't have much experience with this~" Lothor chuckled, feeling his fingers press against a certain obstruction, "What's wrong, puppy, never found the right guy to pop your cherry?"
Wendy blushed at that. The truth was, the longest relationship she'd ever had had been with Robbie, and that had broken apart because of his lies. And despite her fantasizing, things had never seemed likely to happen with Dipper, and next to the idea of being with him, no one had ever seemed to match up enough to be worthy of losing her virginity to.
And now... now some old creep who was not only probably old enough to be her dad, but also was one of the assholes who invaded her town, and took her and her friends prisoner while putting her in this perverted outfit, was... was... oh God, he was really going to pop her cherry and rape her, wasn't he!? She realized with dawning horror; she knew of course that this was likely coming, but knowing it was and it about to happen with no rescue in sight were two very different things!
Which of course caused her to struggle on her position on the ground, while Tak rubbed her crotch against her face with Wendy desperately trying to get free from the pet play restraints she was dressed in to fight back, make a run for it, something!
"Hehe, ah how cute, I think the bitch is scared of becoming a woman~" Tak pointed out with a dark smirk while grabbing onto Wendy's head.
"Well, she shouldn't have to worry about that quite yet," Lothor chuckled, continuing to stroke Wendy's folds while watching Tak thrust herself back and forth on Wendy's face.
"Mmmph?" Wendy exclaimed in disbelief as best she could in her current position.
"That's right puppy, you can relax, I'm not going to do worse than finger fuck you for now," he said with a tone of false reassurance, smirking as he saw hope flicker in her eyes before he moved to crush it, "I won't do more until you beg me for it."
"Mmmph?!"
"You heard me," Lothor laughed, "We're going to break you down until you're begging, like the bitch we've dressed you up as, to have my cock penetrating you and filling you up with my seed."
At this, Wendy felt a mixture of both relief but also anger.
Her BEG!? LIKE HELL! She didn't know what these creeps thought she was like, but she wasn't about to spread her legs willingly for them any day or anytime soon, that's for fucking sure! She'd rather become the Gnome Queen than give her cherry to this egomaniac asshole!
"FMMPH UUU!" Wendy yelled against Tak's pussy, even as she tried to ignore how good Lothor's fingers felt moving around in her own snatch.
"Well, like I said, we have time to work up to that," Lothor said, "In the meantime, for this first round, we'll settle for you begging to cum."
"And we'll only let you if you make me cum first," Tak said, ramming her crotch against Wendy's face even harder, "So start eating up, bitch."
Wendy gave a muffled protest and did her best to bite down onto the bitch's cunt in response. Unfortunately, Tak seemed to enjoy that, moaning in delight.
"Mmm, that's right, keep doing like that, puppy," she said, grinding against her even harder.
"See? You're a natural!" Lothor laughed, increasing the pace of his finger fucking, which to Wendy's dismay felt so damn good! Causing her to let out a moan against Tak's cunt as the Irken laughed and moan.
"Hmm, sounds like she likes the feel of your fingers in her tight cunt~" The Irken sneered with open amusement, while Wendy felt humiliated. God, how could she actually enjoy these assholes molesting and raping her body!? Urg, pull it together Corduroy, you're stronger than this! You're not some cheap floozy desperate for a good time!
She had to think of her friends! She had to be strong for all of them, especially Dipper!
Of course, thinking about her crush (whom she'd had more than a few fantasies and wet dreams about) while in this situation did not exactly help, as she found herself picturing him being the one doing this to her. But she forced those images away, determined to not let anything cause her to give these two the satisfaction of giving up!
She was Wendy bucking Corduroy! She faced down the weird apocalypse and lived! she lived in what had to be the weirdest town in the world! She could handle whatever these creeps threw at her!
This was what she told herself over and over while doing her best to ignore the oddly sweet taste of Tak's pussy and how wet she was getting from Lothor fingering her own cavern. It was almost too much for her to bear. But through sheer willpower, she pushed back against the growing arousal, refusing to let it overwhelm her. And eventually, the bastards both seemed to realize this.
"This is disappointing. She's not even trying," Tak growled, glaring down at Wendy, who despite her very flushed face was glaring defiantly back at her.
"Hmm, she's definitely stronger-willed than Gaz was," Lothor mused, "Still, silver lining about that, we can rub it in our little piggy's face next time we see her."
"Heh, that is true, it would also serve as a reminder that she was never strong like she thought, but instead a pig bitch," Tak said with a smirk before shaking her head with a faint scowl, "But our new bitch is still bring difficult."
Tak stated, turning her head to look at Lothor, "Perhaps we should just cut to the chase and really start putting her body to use," She said with a dark twisted leer as Wendy froze, thinking that these assholes were about to pop her cherry against her will anyway, though to Wendy's surprise and Tak's disappointment, Lothor shook his head.
"No, not quite yet," he said.
"Why not?" Tak snapped incredulously.
"Because even if we fucked her brains out right now, she'd still be able to cling to the idea that she'd resisted until we resorted to that," he explained, "No, it'll take longer than we hoped, but eventually we'll break her and she'll beg to be fucked."
"Hmph, fine. Then what do you suggest?" Tak asked, reluctantly getting up off of Wendy's face, letting the redhead gasp for air not filtered through alien pussy.
"For now, we leave her like this. Exactly like this," he said, smirking as he looked at Wendy's wet cunt, "I'd say we've gotten her pretty worked up. Let's see how she likes being left here, all worked up and unable to finger herself to a proper climax with those gloves on."
Wendy blinked at that and looked to the latex paw gloves her hands were still stuck inside of, and she felt minor panic as she realized that she would in fact be unable to properly touch herself with those things, meaning she wouldn't be able to do anything about the heat burning in her pussy on her own.
"Hmm, not bad~" Tak said, also smirking down at Wendy, "I wonder how long before you're humping the bars of your cell door like a mutt in heat out of pure desperation for release?"
"Fuck you, bitch!" Wendy snapped in reply, glaring with absolute hate.
"You'll have to beg for it like a good pet first~" Tak retorted in a singsong tone while giving a laugh before looking over at Lothor, "Though I hope you realize I'm far from satisfied right now."
She said before adding with a smirk, "And perhaps we should give her some more shock treatment for being such a stubborn bitch~"
"Good idea. Heel," Lothor replied with his own smirk.
ZAP
"AH!" Wendy yelled as she was shocked again. Tak laughed as she watched the human girl twitch and spasm on the floor, waiting for it to pass before she sauntered over to Lothor and reached up to start fishing his cock out of his pants.
"Watch carefully, puppy, I want you to get a good luck at what you're refusing to take," she said, Wendy's eyes widening at the sight of what flopped into the Irken's hands.
Holy fuck!? Wendy couldn't help but think as she got a good look at Lothor's penis, were all guys this big? She found herself wondering for a moment before shaking her head.
NO! She had to focus, she wasn't some slut! Plus, Dipper was probably huge compared to this asshole's wee-wee anyway! She thought, sending the two a venomous glare as Tak gave the side of the cock a sensual lick, "Hmm, as delicious as ever~" The Irken purred, sending Wendy a smug look, "We might let you have a taste if you ask properly~" The Invader said with a taunting smirk.
"Go to hell!" Wendy snapped, trying to force herself not to look at the man meat on display.
"Hmm, we'll see how long you can keep that attitude up~" Lothor said, smirking as he grabbed Tak by the back of the head and shoved her face forward onto his cock, letting it slide easily into her waiting mouth.
"Glrkt!" Tak happily moaned around the cock as she started eagerly sucking on it, head bouncing up and down its length. Moaning around the meat all the while, as loudly and wantonly as she could, while Wendy closed her eyes, trying to think of something, anything to block this out!
While Tak, she was both aroused as she ever was when enjoying Lothor, was picking up and amused at their new pet's defiance. It was annoying true, but Lothor had a point in it being all the more satisfying when she finally broke.
Though that was for later, now... now was the time to focus on Lothor's huge cock, "Glrk! Glrk! GLRK!" Which she did, eagerly twirling her tongue around it as she slammed it over and over down her throat.
"God, I love how tight and warm your throat always is!" Lothor said as he thrust himself to face fuck Tak as hard as he could. It was probably more than was necessary, but he wanted to put on as much of a show as he could to really stir Wendy up, which seemed to be working, judging by how red her face was and how hard she was trying to avoid looking at them.
And wasn't that something? One of the toughest non-superpowered characters he knew of, now his prisoner and at his mercy, forced into pet play and now being forced to watch him fuck... he loved this isekai life!
"Ugggghhhh!" he cried out as he came, seed exploding down Tak's throat.
"GLRK! GLRK! AHH!" With Tak eagerly swallowing a bit before pulling back with a smirk while making sure not to swallow ALL of it, as she enjoyed the feel of the rest of Lothor's hot seed hitting her body, before quickly making her way to Wendy, who glared at her defiantly.
But Tak simply look amused while swashing the remaining seed in her mouth, and before Wendy could snap at her, she was grabbed by her hair and pulled into a hot searing kiss, with the girl's eyes going wide in shock and a bit of horror when she felt and tasted Lothor's seed entering her mouth!
She tried to force it back into Tak's mouth, but the Irken's tongue forced her own back before it could do anything, making plenty of room in Wendy's mouth for the seed. And when the kiss then broke, Tak moved before Wendy could spit anything out, forcing her jaws shut with an iron grip.
"Swallow," Tak commanded. Wendy glared at her defiantly, refusing to obey. She tried to force her mouth open so that she could get rid of the foul (but so good-tasting...) substance sitting on her tongue, but Tak's firm grip wouldn't let her. She then tried to forcibly move Tak's hand away, but with her hands still trapped in the fetish costume, all she could do was bat weakly at the Irken's arm with her own, failing to do anything worthwhile.
Snorting in amusement at this, Tak used her free hand to grab Wendy's puffed-out cheeks and squeezed them, forcing the contents of her mouth back into her throat. Wendy's eyes widened at that, as her gag reflex triggered, and on instinct she finally swallowed it to avoid choking.
"Coff... coff... pah, you bitch!" Wendy snapped, coughing and spitting, "Do you have any idea how disgusting that was?!" She snapped glowering, "And believe me, with my brothers I know disgusting!"
She added on, trying to not think about not only what she swallowed, but that a part of her actually thought it tasted good! Argh, what was wrong with her!? It had to be because of these creeps messing with her hormones or something right!?
Tak, at Wendy's reaction, simply laughed, "Oh, like you didn't enjoy that treat~" She said, before sending a smug smirk down at her, "Now are you going to thank your mistress properly, or do we have to give you more shock treatment?"
Wendy winced at that, the collar suddenly feeling very heavy on her neck. She did not want to give this alien bitch the satisfaction of following such a demeaning order, but she just couldn't take another shock...
Tak smirked at the indecision on Wendy's face, and decided to give her a little shove.
"He-" she started to say, only for Wendy to interrupt her.
"Thank you!" Wendy blurted out in a panic, grimacing and blushing as she realized what she'd just done, especially as Tak's smirk widened.
"Thank you, what?" she pressed. Wendy grit her teeth, but swallowed her pride and responded.
"Thank you... mistress. For the... treat," she spat out.
Tak gave a smug condescending smirk as she pat Wendy's head, "That's a good little pet~" She cooed, while Wendy glared at her, never having felt so humiliated before in her life. She swore that the first chance she got, she was kicking this bitch's ass again hard!
"I think you've earned the pleasure of your mistress being fucked by your master right on top of your slutty body~" Tak said, before hitting Wendy's breasts.
SMACK
"Ah!" Wendy cried out from the sudden blow, and hating how surprisingly good it felt, and then froze as she processed what Tak had just said.
"Wait, you want to do what?!" she screamed in disbelief.
"You heard her, puppy," Lothor said with a grin as he walked over, "So, lie back down and let her get comfortable."
Wendy glared bloody murder at them both.
"There's no way in Hell-!"
"Heel."
ZAP
"GAH!" Wendy cried, collapsing backwards from the shock. As she did, Tak clambered on top of her, lying face down on her chest and stomach, so that her head was resting on Wendy's breasts.
"Hmm, not bad. I could get used to using you as a pillow~" Tak laughed.
"You FUCKING AHHH!" Wendy's anger was cut off with a cry of pain as Tak bit down as hard as she could onto Wendy's breast, while raising and shaking her ass toward Lothor. That was all the invitation that Lothor needed, and he stalked forward to position himself, before ramming himself into Tak's asshole without further preamble.
"MMMMAAAAHHH!" Tak screamed in delight, slightly muffled by Wendy's breast in her mouth, while Wendy moaned in a mix of pain and unwanted pleasure from what Tak was doing to her.
This... this was a nightmare... so why... why did part of her... actually enjoy it?! Wendy asked distantly in her mind, while Tak moaned muffled and bit down harder on her pet's breast while bucking her hips back.
Sweet Irk, this might even feel even better than breaking in the pig slut! Then again, that was personal, so it had an extra thrill to it, Tak thought with amusement.
Hmm, once this bitch was broken in, they should see about making her and Gaz compete for her and Lothor's affections. That would really rub in how inferior both were, she thought with amusement.
But for now, she focused on chewing on Wendy's breast, and ramming her ass back to help Lothor fuck it.
PLAP, PLAP, PLAP
With the cell echoing with the sounds of skin against skin, as well as moaning and groaning, Wendy doing her best to not give these assholes anything as she bit her lip, but God her body was starting to burn! Her pussy, already worked up from Lothor's previous fingering, was practically on fire! And the feeling of Tak's body against hers, on top of how Tak was treating her breast, was just making it worse!
She had to resist, she had to resist, she had to resist... she kept saying over and over again in her head.
She just had to think of something else, anything else! Her friends, and she could only hope that Tambry wasn't going through something like this... Lee and Nate... well, honestly, it was 50/50 on the guys enjoying those bimbos throwing themselves at them.
And there was her family back in Gravity Falls, she couldn't let them down by letting these assholes break her! Not to mention Soos, Stan, Ford, Mabel, and... Dipper... oh God, if there was ever a time she wanted Dipper to show up as the big hero, it was now, she thought as Tak finally removed her teeth from her breast, which was actually bleeding a bit, only to lock lips with her mouth instead.
"Mmph!" Wendy gasped at the action, which like everything else she was experiencing felt far too good for the situation. And without meaning to, she found herself returning the kiss.
Lothor smirked as he noticed this, and picked up the pace he was pounding Tak's ass at, until he finally came. And the sensation of his seed filling her rear hole was enough to make her cum as well, her juices spilling out over Wendy's stomach as she moaned into the girl's mouth.
Pulling out with a plop, Lothor looked down and saw how wet Wendy's pussy was, and how into the kissing she was getting.
"Perfect," he said, reaching down to scoop Tak up into his arms and pull her away from Wendy without warning.
"Huh, wha?" Wendy muttered, looking around in a confused daze.
"Well, since you made it clear that you don't want any of this, we'll just be going," Lothor said, "Enjoy being stuck like this with no way to get off."
"Ah... wait... what?!" Wendy exclaimed, realizing her situation as the cell doors slammed shut, and she grit her teeth, trying to wiggle free out of these ridiculous bonds, "YOU ASSHOLES!" She screamed angrily, feeling both relieved they didn't go further, but also... disappointed?
No, she wasn't disappointed! It was just her body and hormones messing with her! She had to remember these creeps were molesting and raping her, trying to turn her into a fucking sex slave! Well, they'd find out pretty soon that they can't break a Corduroy that easily.
"I... arg... just hope Dipper and the others find out what happened soon," she muttered with a growl as she managed to flop to her side, scowling internally, hoping that the twins would arrive to the rescue. She could already picture Dipper opening her cell, rushing to see if she was okay, then hugging her before...
Her face grew heated as her imagination took a distinct turn that made her current situation, such as the burning sensation of her pulsing crotch, all the worse.
"Dammit, I can't think straight like this!" she growled. She reached down to her crotch and tried desperately to finger herself in the hopes that cumming would relieve the pressure. Unfortunately, like that masked bastard had said, the latex paws on her gloves were too clunky to even properly touch herself, much less do what was needed to bring herself to climax.
Giving a sound that was something of a mix between a whine and a growl, Wendy turned her gaze to the closed cell door, mind wandering back to what Tak had sarcastically suggest she do with the bars...
"I... I can't believe I'm going to do this..." Wendy said with a low tone as she crawled over to the bars, "But... I really need some relief!" she said as she pressed her crotch against the bars, rubbing against them, with the cold metal actually feeling good against her hot pussy.
"Oh God... AH!" she moaned out after a few moments of this was enough to finally push her over the edge, juices spraying out over the bars before she fell backwards and passed out from exhaustion.
Meanwhile, unnoticed by her during all this, Lothor and Tak were only a little distance away down the hall, having stayed to watch discretely how Wendy would react in their absence.
"Huh, I didn't think she'd actually do that," Tak commented, still naked and in Lothor's arms.
"I suppose we got her even more worked up than we realized," Lothor chuckled.
"Indeed," Tak said with a smirk, "but I actually have to admit, despite my annoyance at choosing her without consulting me, I think you've got us a pet who will be a lot of fun to break in~"
she said, giving off a dark little chuckle, "I'm actually hoping she holds out for a while, just to make her submission all the more satisfying~" she said, looking up at Lothor, "But we can worry about her later..."
she said, raising her hand to cup Lothor's cheek, "Right now, your queen needs attention~" she said with a seductive smirk.
"Hmm, well, as my Queen commands~" Lothor said, grabbing one of Tak's nipples and giving it a twist, enjoying the pleased moan she gave in response as he started walking down the hall, "Then, let's head back to our quarters for some fun~"
"Sounds like a plan~" Tak said as Lothor carried her off to their quarters, both of them eager to continue the fun.
(Citadel of Bone)
Meanwhile, as Wendy was experiencing her sexual torture at Lothor and Tak's hands, Tambry was about to start her own torture, as the torturer...
"URG COME ON LET ME GO!" Screamed out the form of Robbie, his arms bound behind him with ooze, being dragged by two Formless with a freaked out look of fear, "COME ON MAN, WE CAN MAKE A DEAL!" he called out fearfully to the monsters dragging him to who knows where in this place straight out of a metal band nightmare!
"I... I... I got a guitar signed by Rockzilla, it's all yours if you let me go!" He cried out pathetically, breaking down into tears as the Formless came to a stop in front of a door that pulled back, before throwing him in as he gave a pained grunt.
"Please have mercy!" He cried out pitifully as the Formless stepped into the room.
"Ah... God... you really are umm... pathetic~" Before hearing a familiar voice call out.
"Tambry?" Robbie asked with a blink, turning to face his freshly-ex-girlfriend, only for his eyes to bug out in shock.
She was lying on a nearby futon, completely naked, which would usually have been an exhilarating sight. Except for the fact that this time, she was currently in the middle of making out with that freaky skeleton monkey!
"What the fuck are you doing?!" he exclaimed in disbelief.
"What's it look like? I'm getting some loving from a real man for a change," Tambry scoffed at him.
"I... you... A REAL MAN!?" Robbie exclaimed, looking at her in disbelief, not to mention insult as he sat up on his knees, "THAT'S SOME KINDA FREAKY ALIEN SKELETON MONKEY!" He roared, his eye twitching, "WHO TOOK ME PRISONER!" He added on angrily.
"This freaky monkey's made me feel better in the last hour than you have in three years... also, he's bigger than you where it counts~" Tambry said with a smirk, gesturing to Mandarin's hard cock, which Robbie's eyes widened at the sight of.
"Uh, yeah, well... that just looks bigger cause his body's smaller!" Robbie protested, not caring if that statement made logical sense, "And what about the whole thing with him being evil and invading the town?!"
"Eh, what can I say, I have a thing for bad boys~" Tambry said with a smirk, while trying to hide her wince at that reminder, but revenge on Robbie aside she had to remember the plan... besides, if she gets Mandarin to like her enough, he could make sure the rest of Gravity Falls people are treated well... right?
"And it's not like I can do anything about the situation, so why not enjoy the silver lining?" she added, reaching out and giving Mandarin's cock a squeeze for emphasis.
"Mmm, and after having to endure such a sorry excuse for a mate, I'd say she's earned that right," Mandarin moaned out, enjoying the look on Robbie's face almost as much as what Tambry was doing to him.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Robbie demanded, glaring at the alien freak, who only gave him a dry look in return.
"I mean, aside from that pathetic showing you put on when you were captured, and using her only as a means to get over your previous mate, it sounds from what she's told me that you utterly failed her as a lover," Mandarin said flatly.
"WHAT!?" Robbie roared out with an insulted look, "I'll have you know I've rocked her world hard!" He declared defiantly to the creep, with Tambry giving off a snort.
"If by rock my world you mean rocked me to sleep while you humped at me, then yeah sure," she said with a flat look, giving off a moan as Mandarin leaned in to lick at her tits.
"What the fuck are you talking about?! I had you screaming my name plenty of times!" Robbie protested.
"Yeah, and I was faking it every time," she said flatly. And the sad part was, that was completely true. While it was disappointing, she'd wanted to stick with the relationship, so she'd stroked his ego and pretended he was good at it. Besides, she was sure that it was just inexperience, and that he'd get better in time.
The fact that he hadn't at all in three years should have been a warning sign, she realized now.
"What?!" Robbie repeated in disbelief, his voice actually cracking.
"You heard her worm, she was faking," Mandarin said with a taunting smirk, "you could never give her pleasure, unlike I, who've made her moan my name in desire with my touch alone~"
"You... you... she's probably faking with your gross alien dick too!" Robbie yelled.
"Except aside from me sucking it, I haven't had his cock yet," Tambry said, "He did go down on me though, unlike you, and it was awesome!"
"Hmm, yes, and she was quite a feast to enjoy as she moaned my name~" Mandarin said with a laugh.
"But we wanted to bring you here so you could see how a real man fucks his woman," Tambry added in with a smirk.
"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Robbie shouted in disbelief, struggling to his feet and looking like he was considering charging them, "If you think I'm going to just sit here and watch you whore yourself out to this furry bastard, you're-!"
WHAM
Faster than either human could blink, Mandarin had jumped across the room and punched Robbie in the face, knocking him back to the floor.
"Do not dare to insult my mate. She is superior to you in all things," Mandarin hissed, while Tambry blushed at the protectiveness he was displaying, "Formless, restrain this maggot!"
"Arg... you... hey, let go!" Robbie yelled out as the Formless grabbed at him, pulling him up with Tambry giving an amused smirk at the sight, actually enjoying watching him squirm. Before looking over at Mandarin with an arched brow and teasing smirk, "So... I'm... your mate, then?"
Mandarin blushed as he realized his slip up, but quickly coughed and composed himself.
"Yes, well, that appears to be the case," he said, watching as Robbie was dragged to the wall and forced against it, the ooze binding his arms behind his back sticking to the bone, leaving him stuck in place, "Now then, shall we show this wretch how inferior he really is?"
"Hmm, come here, dirty monkey~" Tambry giggled, leaning back and spreading her legs.
"Make me scream, ruin me for that worm and any other man~" Tambry said, her tone actually getting eager as Mandarin smirked, approaching his mate.
"As if I'd allow anyone else to touch my woman," He told her with a husky growl before leaping toward her with a monkey screech as he jammed his cock into her folds the moment he landed on top of her
"Ah!" Tambry cried out in a mix of surprise and pleasure as his cock immediately slid in as far as it could go, and then he began thrusting in and out, "Yeah, that's right! Fuck me like you mean it!"
"Oh, I will, I promise you that!" Mandarin cackled, pounding against her while reaching up to grab her tits and start twisting her nipples harshly.
God, this pleasure was euphoric! Mandarin couldn't help but think as he finally experienced full intercourse, and it was perhaps the greatest experience of his life!
No wonder his lord had such a sexual appetite, and those fools threw themselves so desperately at his feet. Truly his Master was more generous than he realized, for rewarding him with his new mate and the chance to experience true euphoria, he thought, while Tambry screamed and moaned, thrusting her chest into his hands while bucking her hips against his thrusts.
Call it sick, twisted, or messed up, but this was the greatest sex of her life!
Admittedly, the only other sex she'd ever had was with Robbie, and as established, he was just terrible at it.
"Ugh! Ugh! You watching this, you emo limp dick?!" she yelled at her ex, "This is how it's like when you actually pleasure a woman!"
"Hoohoohaha! As if he'll ever have a chance to actually use such a lesson!" Mandarin cackled, "What woman will ever want to touch him again after learning how pathetic he is?"
"Hmm, ah, ah, no one!" Tambry moaned, bucking against the thrusts, "Honestly, you probably can't pay a woman to touch him after this!" She called out mockingly, laughing with Mandarin between grunts and moans, "Not that he'll get much action as, ah, ah, a slave~" She found herself adding on with a cruel grin.
"Very true, ah, ah! He'll soon be laboring, ah, all day every day! Ah, ah, he'll soon be completely broken in body!" Mandarin laughed around his own grunts, "But first, let's break his spirit!"
"Ah yes! You watching, cuck boy?! Because this is the last time you'll get close to any girl!" Tambry screamed out, her hands going to her breasts, placing them over the simian's hands while squeezing her breasts.
Robbie was in fact watching, unable to look away from watching the girl who until just recently was his girlfriend have sex with an alien monkey. And not just sex, but far more passionate than she'd ever had with him.
This had to be a nightmare, there was no way this was really happening to him! Because this was worse than when Wendy dumped him! Hell, he'd take that freaky triangle coming back over this!
"This..." Robbie gave a wide strained smile as silent tears ran down his face, "Is a nightmare... yeah, just a bad dream."
"Ugh, uh, keep telling yourself that, loser!" Tambry snapped at him, "But if it is, it's a nightmare you're never, ugh, uh, waking up from!"
"Yes, agh, you're going to live with the memory of this, ah, ugh, forever!" Mandarin added, "For the rest of your pathetic life, ugh, you're going to remember this moment!"
"Ahhh, ahh, the moment, ummm, when the only, ah, girl who gave you a real, ah, ah, ah, chance leaves you for an evil monkey ~" Tambry chimed in, saying between grunting moans.
"Shut up, shut up, shut up!" Robbie yelled, wishing his hands were free to cover his ears and block them out. Not that it would have worked, seeing how loud they were being, especially a few minutes later.
"AHHH!!! Mandarin!" Tambry screamed as she came, her canal tightening around his cock and causing him to cum as well.
"Tambry!" he screamed in return, unleashing his dark seed into her. And like when she'd swallowed it, it quickly glowed and was absorbed into her tissues. Though once again this went unnoticed, as both lovers groaned from post orgasmic pleasure.
"Ah... ah, Mandarin... you're incredible~" Tambry said with an euphoria-filled giggle toward who was laying his head against her breasts as she sat up with a groan, while pulling him in close.
"Hohoho, oh true, but you've yet to see what I'm truly capable of, my lovely mate~" The monkey told her with a haughty smirk, feeling oh so satisfied.
"Oh, is that so?" she asked with a teasing smirk, "Like what?"
"Hmm, well, for starters, we haven't explored everything we can do together yet," he replied, "Tell me, did that worm over there ever claim your asshole, or was he too weak to be so bold?"
At this, Tambry actually barked a laugh, "HA! Are you kidding?!" she gave a snort, shooting Robbie a glare, with him still watching with silent tears, "That wimp always talked big, but always wussed out when things got too hot for him to handle."
She narrowed her eyes in disgust, "I actually offered my ass, thinking something a bit new and exciting would make the sex ACTUALLY enjoyable, but apparently he thought it was too gross," she explained with a scowl as Mandarin retracted his cock from her cunt.
"Well then, allow me to show you what you've been missing out on," he said, grabbing ahold of her and with surprising strength, flipping her onto her stomach and positioning himself directly behind her rear hole, "Ready?"
"Go for it~" she replied, purring in anticipation.
And she really was, actually eager to see where this went and experience anal sex for the first time, and as Mandarin thrust his hard cock into her ass, she got her wish.
"AAAAAAAH YES! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Tambry moaned, thrusting her head back as Mandarin started pounding away at her ass like an animal, Robbie's eye twitching at the sight of this and the noise of their slapping against each other as Mandarin's balls hit against Tambry's ass with each thrust.
PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP
But what really twisted the knife, "OH YEAH, FUCK ME! FUCK THIS BITCH HARD! MAKE ME YOUR MONKEY BITCH!" Was the absolute expression of pleasure and sluttiness on Tambry's face.
Because as much as he wanted to tell himself that she was just playing along with the bastard monkey, she had never once looked or sounded like this when he'd been the one fucking her. She... she really was happier with this freak than she was with him!
At that realization, Robbie like his heart had been ripped out and torn to pieces right in front of him. This... this was a million times worst than when Wendy dumped him! "Tambry..." His voice cracked in a low broken tone, but neither of the lovers gave him any heed.
SMACK
"OH YEAH, SPANK ME! SPANK ME HARD!" Tambry moaned out as Mandarin hit her ass, her tongue hanging out as she groaned and moaned, leaning her breasts down against the futon. God, this was fucking incredible! Mandarin might be a little monkey, but God he was HUGE where it counted.
"As you wish!" he cackled, continuing to hit her ass hard.
SMACK
SMACK
SMACK
SMACK
SMACK
"Who owns this ass, you human whore?" he demanded playfully.
SMACK
SMACK
SMACK
"AGGGHH! YOU DO! IT'S ALL YOURS!" she screamed back at him.
SMACK
"MY ASS BELONGS TO YOU AND ONLY YOU!" Tambry moaned out, feeling her eyes go to the back of her head.
SMACK
"I'LL NEVER LET ANOTHER MAN TOUCH ME!" She screamed as the cock rammed like a jackhammer into her ass.
SMACK
"I LOVE YOU MANDARIN!" She screamed out in euphoria before she realized what she was saying.
Mandarin actually froze as he heard that, before smirking widely as he saw the heartbroken look on Robbie's face.
"And I love you too, Tambry!" he replied, honestly not sure if he was being truthful about that or not, "And we'll be together forever!"
SMACK
"YOU!"
SMACK
"ARE!"
SMACK
"MINE! AGGGHHHH!"
And with that, Mandarin came again, dark seed filling Tambry's ass, and the feeling of it causing her to cum as well.
"MANDARIN YEEEEESSSSS!!" Tambry screamed out in pleasure as she collapsed on the futon, her mind practically blown from the euphoria she just experienced.
"You... are... amazing..." Tambry panted out with the largest, dopiest grin, before looking over to Robbie while slowly raising her hand, "Fuck you... cuck!" she said with a delirious sounding giggle, while she gave her ex the finger.
"You... you fucking bitch!" Robbie sobbed, broken tears falling down his face, "You're just a fucking whore!"
BAM
Once again, Mandarin sped across the room and hit Robbie, this time punching him in the stomach, causing him to double over. The only reason he didn't collapse to the floor was because of the ooze still pinning him to the wall.
"You don't learn, do you?" Mandarin sneered at him, before turning to the Formless standing nearby, "Take him to the dungeons and throw him in the smallest, darkest cell we have!"
At that, the Formless proceeded to do just that, with the last the two new lovers saw of Robbie was his broken look of despair and his cries, with Mandarin simply huffing.
"Such a pitiful worm. I'll have to make sure he gets a more fitting punishment for his words later," He said with a sneer of disdain as he walked back to Tambry, who laid on the futon but shot him a grin.
"Hmm, forget that loser," she said, pushing herself up with a groan as Mandarin hopped into her lap, "And focus on me~" She said with a smirk that Mandarin shared.
"Gladly~" He said, before pulling her into a hot heavy kiss which lasted several minutes before it broke.
"Ah, ah, umm Mandarin~" Tambry let out a slight moan as the monkey grabbed and twisted her nipples, "you're such a animal~" She said with a smirking giggle as Mandarin bit down and sucked on her nipple, "AH umm and... ah... about what I said... earlier..."
she moaned, her mind going to the "I love you", which she can't believe she said. Mind blowing sex or not, she just met the guy! Plus, you know, the whole "evil alien invader and being given to him as a slave thing", that too.
"I... hope I didn't freak you out," she said, rubbing the top of Mandarin's head, "I mean, we just met, and suddenly I'm saying I love you..." she said with a slight strained laugh, "But..." she bit her lip, giving off a slight moan, "Ah, circumstances... of how this... happened aside... I..."
Her face flushed, feeling warm, "I... actually wouldn't mind seeing where this goes," she admitted and she... she actually meant it. Don't get her wrong, she still wanted to find a way to escape and save her friends... but maybe she could convince Mandarin to help her... betray his boss... and they could try to make their relationship work after she gets back home. I mean, if it's legal for that one guy to be married to a woodpecker, it shouldn't be that big of a deal for her to date an alien monkey, right?
Mandarin pulled away from her nipple and stared at her, surprise evident on his face, before he gave a small yet genuine smile.
"Yes, well, I suppose no harm can come from pursuing an actual relationship," he said, before leaning back down to kiss her deeply.
He honestly didn't know where these feelings were coming from, but he found that he did seem to genuinely care for her beyond mere carnal desire. He was admittedly curious to see where this situation would go if left to its own devices. Perhaps those two wenches obsessed with his lord were onto something with their interest and desire for romance. The simian thought, looking in HIS mate's eyes, finding them such a lovely thing to gaze into... yes, Tambry was something special.
Hmm, perhaps he could find a role for her in his master's domain as well, he thought, sucking on Tambry's nipple as she moaned in appreciation.
"Umm... ah... glad to hear it~" Tambry moaned out, face flushed with a small smile, before smirking as she laid back down onto the futon, "And what say we celebrate our new relationship the right way~"
she purred, with Mandarin grinning wide at that.
"Sounds like a wonderful idea~" he purred back, before lowering himself down to penetrate her cunt again, and began pounding away some more, the sounds of slapping skin once again echoing through the room.
PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP
And as it did, the new couple were unaware that they were being watched...
(Elsewhere in the Citadel of Bone)
"Well... that was unexpected," Spoke out none other than the isekai soul turned Skeleton King, currently sitting alone in his throne room, looking down into the Pit of Ooze, displaying Tambry and Mandarin mid-copulation, and had in fact been watching from the beginning. Call it boredom, call it curiosity to see how Mandarin would approach his "gift", or just call it perverted desire to see an alien monkey fuck a sexy girl, he had been watching everything from the start.
And while it certainly was a hot entertaining show, made all the more amusing with the touch of some of his favorite kinks in some netorare cucking action, especially with Robbie one of his least favorite characters being the one cucked. What really took him by surprise was the emotional half, with it seeming like something had really sparked between Mandarin and Tambry, certainly not a twist he was expecting, but an interesting one.
"Certainly a crack pairing that would throw the folks back home for a loop," Skeleton King spoke out loud with a slight snort of amusement, watching as Mandarin pounded away at his new "mate", "If nothing else, it might prove entertaining to see where this goes."
He said with a smirk, leaning back into his throne while rubbing his chin. Part of him wondered if this would put Mandarin's loyalty into question, before waving the thought aside; as long as the primate believed him to be the original Skeleton King, he was sure his loyalty was assured... and besides, it wasn't like he couldn't handle him or make a example of his new mate if he was proven wrong, the twisted monarch thought with a dark twisted smirk, enjoying the show as Tambry proved herself eager for a real man's touch and Mandarin was quickly mastering a new sexual talent, despite only now losing his virginity. It certainly put him in the mood, and reminded him to summon Jinmay to his chambers later after she and Valeena were done properly securing Gravity Falls.
Speaking of... he waved his hand, changing the image from his servant and his new mate to that of one of his prizes taken from Gravity Falls, that of the minor character Multi-Bear currently resting in a stasis pod in a chamber inside the Citadel.
"Hmm, I believe I have a idea of how to put you to use~" He said with a dark chuckle, while giving off a twisted smirk, "After all, I have to show Lothor he's not the only one who can sick giant monsters on the populace~" He mused, idly clicking his fingers against the throne. The only question was how to approach this idea, and who to target.
Of course, as he mused about this, his eyes went to the pod next to Multi-Bear',s containing the little souvenir he picked up in Kaznia before his discussion with Ares... the Combustion Man.
(Flashback)
"Remember, don't give him a chance to counterattack!" Captain Atom called out, blasting at Combustion Man while Hawk and Dove held him still, before jumping out of the way of the blast that sent Combustion Man flying back.
"Heh, at this rate we'll have this guy and the rest of the war wrapped up," Hawk spoke up arrogantly. However, as if response to his words...
BOOOM!
"AAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGG!" The mystically enhanced form of Bane landed in a crash not far from where Combustion Man was blasted back, roaring.
"What the hell?!" Hawk exclaimed, the heroes stepping back in shock.
Though unseen by the heroes as they became distracted with engaging against Bane, the form of Combustion Man slowly got up with a growl and made ready to return to the battle, before freezing at the sound of a new voice speaking up, "Quite a unique power, you possess."
And as the Combustion Man whirled around to the source of the voice, he saw none other than Skeleton King smirking sinisterly at him, "I believe it is a power I could put to good use~" The villain said, raising out his left hand to launch a purple mystical bolt straight at Combustion Man's face. The meta mercenary didn't have a chance to dodge it, the energy slamming right into his face.
"Raaggh!" the usually quiet man cried out in pain and surprise as the dark magic coursed through him into his brain. Within moments, he was rendered unconscious, falling to the ground in a heap at Skeleton King's feet, with the twisted ruler giving off a dark smile before sending Combution Man's form away in a flash of purple light to the Citadel of Bone, before vanishing himself.
(Flashback end)
"Of use indeed~" Skeleton King murmured with a dark low chuckle. After examining Combustion Man, he had one potential plot forming that he believed that, after a bit of a power boost, the warrior would be instrumental in~
Though he was brought out of his thoughts as the Skeleton King Drone entered the drone room, "Master..."
"Yes, what do you have to report?" He demanded with a harsh growl as the drone bowed before raising its monitor.
"Pertaining to your instructions, any and all elements leaving and entering Earth and its solar system are to be reported," It stated as the monitor changed from its skeleton face to that of a ship in space, with Skeleton King's eyes narrowing for a moment in thought before widening as it took a bit, but he believed that he recognized this ship, and it was one he had been waiting for.
"Plot a course for the Citadel to intercept," He ordered, raising up from his throne while grabbing onto his staff, "It's time to recruit a new agent to my banner~" Skeleton King said with a dark cackle, while silently thinking he'd be getting some relief and some fun after watching Mandarin's own very soon~
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Gotta say, when we were first starting on this story, I did not imagine us creating such a crack pairing as Mandarin/Tambry, but there you~
Hope you all enjoyed it, as well as mine and Tak's pet play with Wendy.
Nightmaster000 A/N: I won't lie as unexpected as the Mandarin/Tambry couple was really had a blast writing them out, and i'm actually looking forward to seeing how the relationship will play out as things develop~
Really hope you enjoyed the kick off of this unexpected relationship along with Wendys torment getting started.
Chapter 15: New Recruit
Summary:
Skeleton King finds a new addition to his forces, and his harem.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Here we are with another chapter, and this'll be a fun one, as Night/Skeleton King gets a new girl for both his army and his bed. Sadly, I don't have much to do this chapter myself, but I hope you all enjoy it anyway.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Bringing you all another chapter, one filled with plenty of fun on my side~ As i'll be recruiting a new member for my forces and harem. Someone I believed was under utilized in her series of origin and had so much more potential. Hope you all enjoy~
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Though he was brought out of his thoughts as the Skeleton King Drone entered the drone room, "Master..."
"Yes, what do you have to report?" He demanded with a harsh growl as the drone bowed before raising its monitor.
"Pertaining to your instructions, any and all elements leaving and entering Earth and its solar system are to be reported," It stated as the monitor changed from its skeleton face to that of a ship in space, with Skeleton King's eyes narrowing for a moment in thought before widening as it took a bit, but he believed that he recognized this ship, and it was one he had been waiting for.
"Plot a course for the Citadel to intercept," He ordered, raising up from his throne while grabbing onto his staff, "It's time to recruit a new agent to my banner~" Skeleton King said with a dark cackle, while silently thinking he'd be getting some relief and some fun after watching Mandarin's own very soon~
(On the ship in question)
In the control room, a red armored crab-like alien was pressing at the controls before the door behind it opened, revealing an identical alien.
"How is the prisoner, Cron?" The first asked the second as they took a seat.
"As secure as can be, Kai," The second replied before giving a sigh, "Though I can't believe the embarrassment we've had to deal with because of that troq," He muttered out with a slight growl with Cron nodding.
"Yeah, our superiors won't be happy that we almost arrested the wrong perp and let ourselves get tricked so easily..." He muttered, "And that local Green Lantern part of that planet's protection force was so condescending because of this fiasco," He added, looking over at his partner, "I could tell by the way he looked at us that he thought we were a bunch of idiot rookies," He complained to his partner.
While deeper inside the small ship in the holding cells, a form which was restrained by what appeared to be some kinda green tentacle rope looked up at the energy barrier with purple glowing eyes.
Blackfire, elder princess and (in her own mind, at least) rightful ruler of Tamaran, could not believe how badly this scheme had gone. It had all been so simple, just come to this backwater of a planet and set up her naive do-gooder of a little sister to take the fall for her crimes in the Centauri system, and she'd be home free. Everything handled, neat and easy!
She was sure that Starfire would have been cleared and let go... eventually. And if not, well, who cared? She'd been a prisoner of the Gordanians, what could the Centauri do when compared to those brutes or their Citadel masters?
But no, her dear sister just had to go and screw everything up, like usual. Not only breaking free, but actually managing to beat Blackfire in a fight and hand her over to the Centauri police. Honestly, the embarrassment of that loss was almost worse than the idea of going to prison.
"I swear to you, little sister," she spoke out in a low dangerous hiss, "You will suffer dearly for this, no matter what it takes, you will pay!" She hissed out that dark vow, and not a moment later the ship shook as alarms went off.
BEEP
BEEP
BEEP
BEEP
Causing Blackfire to almost fall to the side, but stood looking up as the glow faded from her eyes, wondering what was going on... though a smirk formed on her face as she realized whatever this was could be delivering an opportunity to escape sooner than she thought...
Meanwhile, back in the control room, Cron and Kai had bigger worries than their prisoner.
"WHAT WAS THAT!?" Kai demanded.
"Urg, I'm not..." Cron started to reply, before the sensor monitors brought up a ship that far dwarfed their own, the Citadel of Bone which hovered above their own, "WE"RE UNDER ATTACK!" Cron yelled after a moment of silence, as understanding of their situation hit them.
"Communications are being jammed, I can't call for back up!" Kai reported quickly with a frantic tone a moment later, not liking their odds against the larger vessel.
And at that moment, the ship shook and started to float up into the Citadel, "WHATS HAPPENING!" Kai demanded to Cron, who was working as quickly as he could on the control panel.
"We're being pulled in!" Cron reported to his partner, "I'm giving the ship all it's got, but it's no use!"
"Dammit! Then forget about breaking free, prepare to repel a boarding!" Kai said. Because if they couldn't escape under their own power, they'd have to settle for fighting their way out.
Far too soon, they were inside the Citadel, their ship coming to a rest inside a large cavern, which sealed shut behind them. The two alien police grabbed weapons and braced themselves, waiting to see what would happen. And soon enough...
BANG
BANG
BANG
Something began pounding on the exterior of the ship. As Kai and Cron watched, one wall began to dent and bend inwards, until finally it burst open, allowing large black claws to emerge and grab ahold of the metal, pulling backwards to tear open a massive hole.
For a few seconds, nothing happened. Then, dozens of Formless started to pour in through the hole.
"OPEN FIRE!" Kai roared as the Formless flooded in.
PWE
PWE
PWE
PWE
PWE
Only for every creature they hit, not only did more seem to flood into the ship but it appeared their weapons had little effect, as even with holes the Formless kept coming, with it taking a number of shots to take just one down!
"URG!
"CRON!"
And things only got worse when the creatures launched their own attack energy attacks, with Cron taking a direct hit, and when Kai tried to intervene to help his partner the swam of Formless flooded over the two, restraining and capturing them.
"Urg, let... us... go!" Kai roared, but it was no use as his entire body sans head was covered in the Formless, restraining him, with Cron little better off, and all this witnessed by the smirking form of Blackfire, watching in amusement though at the same time giving the creatures a wary look as well...
Because she knew what these things were. After all, while she had been setting her up to take the fall for her own crimes, Koriand'r had been more than eager to catch up with her sister at first, telling her all about her time on Earth since her last communication, including the recent troubles they had. Troubles that her sister's little crush/leader even tried to ask her about, seeing if she had any information on warlords by the name of Lothor and... Blackfire's eyes narrowed as some of the creatures stopped in front of her cell, disabling the energy barrier.
"I take it your master wants my presence," she said with a slight arrogant smirk, her mind already whirling and trying to figure out a way to work this unexpected variable to her advantage as the creatures looked at her silently before nodding, "Well then, let's see if this so-called Skeleton King is as scary as baby sister described~"
The Tamaranean said with a low chuckle, stepping out of her cell, "Don't suppose you could all take care of these restraints?" she added, looking down at the tentacle rope wrapped around her. However, the creatures seemed to ignore her as they escorted her and their new captives out of the ship.
Blackfire grumbled to herself as she walked through the corridors of the bone ship, the Centauri pair being dragged along behind her. She took a little comfort from the fact that they were in worse shape than she was, at least.
After several minutes of walking through twisting dark hallways, they soon reached their apparent destination, which Blackfire immediately recognized from her own experience as a throne room. And then her eyes widened as she caught sight of the being seated on the throne itself, feeling a chill of rare instinctive fear run down her spine as she took him in.
Okay, so maybe this guy was as scary as everyone seemed to think, she reluctantly admitted.
And not just in appearance alone. This thing exuded such a dominating chilling aura that could only be described as evil, to the point that when this thing... this Skeleton King looked into her eyes, she could easily believe what her sister told her about him destroying not only his home planet but some kinda ancient demon spawn as well.
Not realizing as she was looking upon this beacon of horror she was being examined in turn, and once again when it came to the fairer sex of this reality, Skeleton King liked what he saw~
The Tamaranean's orange skin gave her a far more exotic appearance in reality than on the show, which went well with the figure shown off by her armor and outfit. Said figure was slim yet powerful, muscles clearly straining under the fabric of her sleeves. And of course, what really caught his attention was a very prominent bust, which had to be at least a solid DD cup.
Not bad at all~
"So, you're the Skeleton King, I presume?" Blackfire asked.
"And you are Komand'r or rather Blackfire," Skeleton King hissed out in turn, staring down at her, "Princess of Tamaran and elder sister to the Teen Titan Starfire."
He acknowledged, staring hard into her eyes, "You certainly possess a more ruthless edge than your sister," He stated, before giving a smirk, "Not to mention a lovelier form, despite the family resemblance, it's clear who the superior is~" He added with a little chuckle, making the Tamaranean give a blink.
"Oh, uh, thank you," she replied, caught off guard by the compliment. She wasn't used to people complimenting her over her oh-so-perfect little sister, even though she was clearly the superior in both looks and skills and every other way that mattered.
Still, she quickly composed herself. She wasn't about to let a few nice comments unsettle her, after all.
"Yes, I know I'm better than her, but thanks for saying so," she said, "But I doubt you brought me here just to stroke my ego. What do you want?"
"Me?" Skeleton King questioned with a smirk as, staff in hand, he rose up from his throne, with Blackfire noting warily how tall he was, "I want many things..." He informed her as he strode forward, "My enemies broken on their knees..."
A bolt of mystical energy from his staff hit her restraints, freeing her to her own surprise, "My name known and feared through all corners of the universe...'
Skeleton King came to a stop right in front of her, gazing down into her eyes, "The people of Earth acknowledging me as their true master and god..." He said with a dark hiss, before adding as he reached out, cupping her cheek, "And to see you at my side to help make it all happen~"
"Wha? Me?" Blackfire stammered, uncharacteristically nervous. This certainly wasn't something she'd expected to hear.
She was a proud warrior, assured of her strength, power, and cunning, and knew she was superior to her sister in every way, and would be a superior leader as well. But something like this thing taking an interest in her was unexpected, and not only put her on guard but also reminded her of darker days in the grasp of the Gordanians and their masters.
"Yes, you..." Skeleton King hissed out with a dark grin, "In you I see a powerful warrior capable of leading armies that would bring entire planets to their knees."
"Well, yes, that's true," Blackfire said, puffing up with pride before giving him a stern look, "But I don't serve anyone, so if you're looking for a new lackey, then thanks for the breakout, but no thanks on the job offer."
"Oh?" Skeleton King asked, leaning down with his face in front of her, "And what if I saw you as more than a mere lackey?" He cooed with a dark grin, "Or told you I wasn't exactly giving you a choice in the matter?"
Blackfire froze momentarily at that, but quickly composed herself and didn't break eye contact with him.
"I'd say the first part is flattering and intriguing... and for the second part, don't expect me to go down without a fight," she replied firmly.
"Hehe, I wouldn't expect anything else from a warrior whose power is rivaled only by her beauty~" Skeleton King said as Blackfire's eyes and hands began to glow with energy, "In fact..." He gave a hum and said something that caused Blackfire to pause, "Why not a bet?"
He challenged with a smirk, looking into her eyes, "You against me," He added, spreading his arms, "You win, I will grant you anything you desire, from Tamaran to your sister at your feet," he stated. Though he easily recalled Lothor calling dibs on Starfire, he believed he could handle this challenge, "I win..."
He grinned down at her, "You swear yourself to me, completely and utterly~"
Blackfire arched an eyebrow at him as she considered that offer. She didn't like the idea of offering herself into anyone's service, and she had no idea what this being was capable of. But, her pride wouldn't let her back down from a challenge, and she was too self-assured to think that anyone could actually beat her in a fight (Starfire got lucky, dammit!), so she knew there was only one answer to give.
"Fine, I agree. Let's do this," she said, taking a stance.
"By all means..." Skeleton King entered a fighting stance, smirking, "Beauty before beast~"
"Well, if you insist," Blackfire smirked, before letting out a battle cry and launching the star bolts in both hands. They flew through the air at Skeleton King, only for him to spin his staff and bat them out of the air, sending them to explode against the wall.
Having half-expected this, Blackfire took to the air and flew fast at him, slamming a fist into his face, with Skeleton King being launched back into a wall. However, rather than get angry, he merely laughed before thrusting out his staff, its tip glowing blue before launching out a blue mystical blast toward the Tamaranean that froze anything in its path, leaving a trail of huge ice crystals.
"Agh!" Blackfire hissed as the wave of ice flowed over her, managing to encase her left arm before she could get out of the way. Cursing in her native language, she slammed her arm against the wall, shattering the ice.
"Not bad," she reluctantly admitted, rapidly moving her arm around in an attempt to shake off the bitter chill, before suddenly throwing both arms upwards to launch star bolts at the ceiling.
BOOM
The resulting explosion cracked the ceiling and caused chunks of bone to rain down on Skeleton King. However, Skeleton King simply smirked, right as the chunks of bone froze midair.
"The Citadel of Bone is but an extension of my will," He told Blackfire smugly with a slight tilt of his head, "So if you believe you can use your surroundings to your advantage, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."
He explained, right before the floating chunks of bone launched toward Blackfire at high speeds. Growling, Blackfire rapid-fired star bolts at the chunks of bone, blasting most of them out of the air and reducing them to dust.
SMACK
"GAH!"
Unfortunately for her, there were too many, and a particularly large one managed to hit her, sending her flying.
SLAM
Straight into the wall of the throne room, where a psychic pressure kept her pinned, and as Blackfire gritted her teeth and struggled against the force pinning her, she looked up with glowing eyes only to get hit by purple electrical energy, "AAAARGG!"
"Is this really the best you can do, Blackfire?" Asked Skeleton King, his tone filled with mocking disappointment as he casually strode forward, his left arm raised and blasting her with electrical energy, "I saw in you someone not only who could serve among my elite and lead my armies to greatness..."
He told her as Blackfire gritted her teeth, while feeling the painful energy continue to course through her body for several more moments before Skeleton King stopped the attack, causing her head to fall forward with a slight gasp as the chunk of bone kept her pinned to the wall, "But someone worthy of consideration of being chosen my equal."
Skeleton King hissed out, pointing the tip of his staff at Blackfire's face, using it to tilt her chin up, "But perhaps I was wrong..." He hissed out, staring at Blackfire's face, who had her eyes closed, "Perhaps you aren't as strong as I believe."
A dark amused grin crossed his face, "Perhaps you are not only weak, but prove everything your people believe about your inferiority to your sister true!"
Blackfire's eyes snapped open, glowing brightly.
"RAAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!" she screamed in rage, the bone pinning her to the wall vaporizing as she unleashed a massive blast of energy, which also rocked Skeleton King back on his feet. And then she rammed him, punching him hard in the face.
"I!"
WHAM
"Am!"
WHAM
"Not!"
WHAM
"Weak!"
WHAM
With each exclaimed word, Blackfire punched him again, driving him back across the room.
And "He~" with "Ha~" each "Heha~" hit, "Hehehehahahaha!" Skeleton King laughed.
"What's so fucking funny?!" Blackfire demanded, pausing in mid-punch to glare at him.
"I'm just happy to see you're more than just a pretty face and one-off villain," Skeleton King told her with a smirk, always having believed she had more potential to shine than the two episodes she got, "And..."
He gave a dark grin, "I'm also exited to have a good fight..." He admitted. After all, beyond McGucket's robot and sparring sessions with Formless, he'd yet to really push himself in a fight.
And at those words, he opened up his mouth as wide as he could, Blackfire's eyes widening when she saw the glow forming from her opponent's mouth and eyes.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHH!!"
And got blasted with a ray of mystical sonic energy right in her face, sending her flying back away from Skeleton King. She tumbled through the air, before slamming against the wall hard enough to bounce right back off of it, hitting the floor and rolling to a stop near the Pit of Ooze.
"Ugh... You want a good fight, bastard? I'll give you a fight," she growled, as she stumbled back to her feet.
Skeleton King's sonic attack, which sounded like the wailing screeches of tormented souls, ended as he stood ready with a twisted eager grin, "By all means..." He raised up his staff over his head, "Prove to me your superiority over your sister extends past your looks, and that your people were wrong about you."
He told her, before unleashing a veritable storm of lightning onto the Tamaranean.
"GRAH!" Blackfire screamed, charging forward and meeting the attack head on. The lightning washed over her, but she ignored the pain and kept going, her anger fueling her and giving her the strength needed to burst through the storm and fly straight at Skeleton King, a fist charged with a star bolt connecting with his chest.
BOOM
The resulting explosion sent them both flying back from each other.
SLAM
With Skeleton King hitting the wall of his throne room, letting out a slight grunt before smirking as he seemed to sink into the bones, while Blackfire with a dark glare after being blasted back managed to freeze herself midair right before hitting the wall, then whirled herself around ready to lob a star bolt at Skeleton King, only to freeze when she saw he was gone.
"Hehahahahha~" At the sound of Skeleton King's laugh, she felt a chill but scowled angrily as she snapped out to the air, "Show yourself, coward!" She screamed, her eyes blazing with energy.
"Coward? My dear, the only one who has any reason to be afraid is you~" Skeleton King's voice hissed with a dark chuckle as the throne room, or rather the bones making the throne room, seemed to rattle and shake, "Or did you forget what I said about my Citadel being but a mere extension of my will and very being?"
His voice asked with dark twisted amusement as Blackfire turned here and there, hands glowing brightly, standing on guard for any attack.
BOOM
Which came with explosive force from down below, as what appeared to be a giant hand made from bone exploded out of the ground and smacked her down just as she turned, attempting to blast it.
BOOM
With the bone hand then pinning her to the ground, causing the Tamaranean to give a low growl, with her anger raising all the more as Skeleton King's laughter sounded out, "Hehe, do you need a hand, my dear?"
"Ugh, puns, really?" Blackfire groaned in annoyance, before blasting the bone hand apart from the inside, "Are you even taking this seriously?!"
"Frankly, I was about to ask the same, my dear~." Skeleton King's voice asked with a mocking tone, causing Blackfire to scowl with a dark growl.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" She snapped, glaring up at the air.
"It means that from what I know of you, even with the factor of your sister, you shouldn't have been captured so easily by peons as pathetic as our audience!"
His voice hissed out in with a note of contempt, with Blackfire actually freezing as her eyes went over to the two Centauri goons, having actually forgotten their presence in the throne room. They were still restrained, with the ooze wrapped around them, the same ooze that the creatures standing silently guard over them seemed to be made of.
"Hey, who you are calling pathetic, you scum?" Cron demanded angrily.
"Yeah, cut us loose and we'll give you a real fight, unlike the spoiled royal brat over there!" Kai added.
Blackfire grit her teeth in rage at being spoken of so dismissively by such lowly beings, and at Skeleton King comparing her negatively to them. She was a royal Tamaranean warrior, they were lowly filth beneath her feet! They weren't even worth mentioning in the same sentence as her!
"They only captured me because my sister got lucky..." Blackfire started to snap back, before Skeleton King's voice cut her off.
"And you got arrogant," His voice hissed out, with the Tamaranean gritting her teeth, "Tell me honestly, if it weren't for the incompetence of these two and the racism your race faces against a number of other races, would you honestly expect that so-called plan of yours to work?"
Skeleton King's voice hissed out as Blackfire snarled, while Cron and Kai struggled against their oozing bounds with their own anger growing, not noticing the ooze binding them starting to ripple, "If you had been pursued by officers who would care to double-check they got the RIGHT Tamaranean, what exactly was your fallback plan? Or were you hoping that the authorities were dumb enough and racist enough not to care which Tamaranean they arrested?"
Blackfire's hands and eyes glowed with power as she clenched her fists, her gaze whirling around the throne room, trying to find Skeleton King, "And that's not even considering the fact that your so-called plan didn't seem to factor in the likes of the Justice League and their connection to the Green Lantern Corps."
Those word caused Blackfire to pause, "Or were you perhaps hoping the Titans wouldn't realize what happened to your sister, and you could swoop in and steal her life on Earth without a care?"
Blackfire didn't respond to that, because she didn't really have any answers to give. She hadn't really thought the plan through beyond framing Starfire, she just wanted the heat off of her and someplace out of the way to settle down for a while; beyond that, she hadn't really considered her next steps.
Hell, while she'd known about the various defenders that this planet had (them fighting off the Thangarians had been big news across the galaxy, after all), the fact that they were apparently connected to the Green Lanterns caught her off guard. How the hell had she missed that?!
And having all of this thrown in her face like this made her feel like a complete fool! She wasn't just a dumb brute or a naive fool like her sister and many of her race, she was better than that! But still, how could she have made such an oversight?!
So lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice the ooze restraining the Centauri officers bubble.
"Kai..." Cron tried to say something to his partner, only for the ooze to shoot up, covering their heads.
"Ugr!" Kai managed to say before getting cut off. This small noise attracted Blackfire's attention, and when she turned her head toward the Centauri officers, she froze, seeing them now writhing and squirming on the ground as if in agony, their forms completely covered in that ooze.
"What in X'hal...?" She managed to get out before taking a step back as the officers rose up, only their armor now matched the colors of those creatures that seemed to serve Skeleton King, and their optics now glowing an evil purple as well.
"I believe this is a fair punishment for their incompetence," Skeleton King's voice ringed out with a chilling laugh, "Well, a punishment and a second chance to bring you down without someone else doing the dirty work~" He added as the two officers charged toward Blackfire.
"Oh, you fucking bastard," she growled, quickly taking to the air to dodge their charge, only for the transformed Kai to jump up and grab her leg.
"Ah!" she yelped as she was snatched out of the air and slammed back to the floor with a crack. Shaking her head to clear the resulting stars from her vision, she glared up at the mutated Centauri and lashed out with a kick from her free leg. It connected with his chest, knocking him away and breaking his grip on her leg in the process, allowing her to get back up, just in time to get out of the way as Cron aimed a punch at where her head lay. As his fist put a hole in the floor, he looked towards where Blackfire now stood, and was promptly blasted in the face.
Though as he was blasted back, Kai surged forward, attempting to swing at Blackfire with his crab clawed arm, while Skeleton King's voice ringed out as she dodged.
"You'll find them quite a bit more deadly and ruthless than before, my dear," He said with a dark chuckle as Kai's arm lunged forward in a thrust, shooting off an energy blast between the claw that took Blackfire by surprise, sending her flying back and tumbling to the ground, "And what you feel is but a taste of my own power and evil~"
Skeleton King's voice added as Kai and Cron, who had recovered from Blackfire's blast, approached her menacingly, "So why not surrender and submit yourself to the superior being my dear~"
"No one is superior to me," Blackfire growled, getting back to her feet again, "And you'll have to kill me before I'll ever submit to you, or anyone else!"
And at that statement, she thrust out her hands, letting loose the most powerful bolts of energy she could straight from her eyes and hands, which hit the two corrupted Centauri dead on, blasting them back. Though as she did so, she missed the presence Skeleton King behind her.
Blackfire, after a couple minutes of onslaught, let the blast of energy drop, and saw the Centauri laying in a heap against the wall. Though before she could step closer to examine them to see if they were truly down for the count-
"Ah, but my dear..."
Before hearing Skeleton King's voice hissing out... right in her ear!
Blackfire whirled around to swing a bolt of energy at her opponent, missing Skeleton King's eyes glowing and shooting off an energy that hit her in the eyes as soon as she turned, "ARG!"
"Why would I want to kill such a magnificent specimen like you?" he asked with a dark cackle, while Blackfire screamed as the energy continued to surge into her eyes, and next thing she knew besides the pain... was finding herself somewhere else... somewhere familiar.
"Ah, Koriand'r, you truly are the light of Tamaran~" Blackfire gave a confused blink at hearing that voice... a voice she hadn't heard for years...
"Mother?" Blackfire spoke up, her voice sounding so much younger to her ears as she suddenly found herself in what appeared the Tamaranean throne room and she saw her parents... who should be long dead... standing there with her sister... only she was a child again?
Blinking in confusion, she looked down at herself and saw that she was also a child, clad in an elegant dress and not the armor she'd started to wear as soon as she was old enough to be allowed to start combat training.
Was this a vision of her past, somehow? It must be, that was all that made sense, but if Skeleton King had caused this, what was the point?
"It's sad, isn't it?" And speak of the man in question, his voice ringed out in the vision, though she couldn't see him, "No matter how hard you tried, no matter how powerful you were, your parents only had eyes for your sister~"
"No, that's not true," she hissed back at him, even though she knew she was lying as she said it. And in response, the vision of her parents seemed to notice her presence, and turn to frown at her.
"Komand'r? What are you doing out of your room? You know that you're supposed to stay out of sight today," her mother said, an uncharacteristically icy tone in her voice.
"How do you expect us to properly coronate your sister as heir if everyone's too distracted during the ceremony by your presence?" her father demanded just as harshly.
This actually caused Blackfire to flinch back, and before she knew it she was snapping back at her parents, real or not, "But I'm the firstborn! I should be the heir, not Koriand'r!" She found herself yelling, glaring at her parents and sister as she felt her eyes water.
"An heir who doesn't even have the royal powers? Who would follow you?" her father spat.
"Not to mention everyone knows you've always been nothing but a bad omen your entire life," her mother added with a sneer.
These words cut through Blackfire's heart like knives. An attack by the Citadel had destroyed an entire city on the day of her birth, and an illness in the crib had delayed her coming into her hereditary powers for years past the point they should have activated, all of which had led to the entire planet looking down at as cursed and unworthy of the throne.
Her parents had never expressed those beliefs, not to her face at least, but she just KNEW they shared them. Why else would they have passed her over in favor of her weakling of a sister, even after her powers had finally emerged following her Transformation? Powers that were passed along the royal bloodline of Tamaran, and according to myth was said to be started by the Tamaranean goddess X'Hal herself, powers that served as proof of the royal family's power and their right to rule and guide Tamaran.
"Please sister, you know that this is what's best for you and our people," Blackfire gritted her teeth at hearing Kori's sweet voice speak up, causing her to glare up at her sister, who was smiling innocently at her, completely lost in blissful ignorance as always.
"How it must have stung to struggle and fight to prove yourself while your sister was handed everything on a silver platter," Skeleton King's voice hissed as his form appeared behind her, neither her sister or parents seeming to acknowledge his presence, "The fact she thought herself your better, that she believed she was doing right by you for taking what was yours while smiling in your face... oh, how it must have burned you!"
Skeleton King stated with a dark grin, "Which made the death of your parents and selling out your own blood all the more delicious, didn't it?"
Blackfire frowned at him of course somehow knowing about that, watching as her surroundings shifted. She was now her present age, standing off to the side of a large but dark room, looking on as her now older and more weary-looking parents stood across a table from a group of Gordanians.
"Lord Trogaar's peace terms are simple and non-negotiable," the lead Gordanian representative sneered, "You will surrender your younger daughter to us as a hostage to deliver to the Citadel, never to return to your world under penalty of the invasion resuming."
"You cannot expect us to hand over our heir!" the King exclaimed in outrage.
"You will, or we will obliterate your world," the Gordanian replied firmly.
"Please listen to them, father," Blackfire found herself saying with false concern, "I don't want this either, but we have a duty to protect our people!"
Blackfire's gaze darted to the Gordanians as she said this, and they shared a discrete smirk. The truth was, this "negotiation" had been her idea, secretly passed to them to present as their own. The perfect revenge on her family for shoving her aside, with no one the wiser; hell, even after what had just happened in the present, Kori was so naive she probably still didn't realize how she'd been stabbed in the back long before the attempted frame job.
But of course, her oh so dear parents always had to take a chance to get in her way, or even show how little she meant to them in the end, the Tamaranean Princess thought with a slight scowl.
"What about Komand'r? Despite her disappointing start, she has proven an able warrior," Her father offered on the negotiation table.
"Yes, surely Lord Trogaar's terms would be satisfied if we presented him with her instead of Koriand'r," Her mother added, nodding her head in agreement.
Blackfire grit her teeth so hard that she was surprised they didn't crack. If they'd rejected the offer out of hand, as she expected that most truly loving parents who actually cared about their children would, she could have almost respected them for their integrity. But the fact that they didn't even blink before considering throwing her away in favor of Kori, yet again... she impressed herself with her restraint that day by refusing to attack them then and there.
"Lord Trogaar doesn't want the child you don't care about, he wants your heir, as a true sign of submission," the Gordanian declared. At that statement, her parents let out a shared scowl.
"I'm going to guess that was the last straw," Skeleton King noted in amusement as he stepped up behind Blackfire, placing his hand on her shoulder, causing her to stiffen, "Tell me..."
Skeleton King looked down to her with his menacing evil grin, "How did it feel to finally show your parents how powerful you really were as you finally took your pound of flesh?"
"There are no words that do it justice," she replied, watching as the memory vision played out, now no longer a player in it but just a spectator.
She watched as her parents attacked the Gordanians in outrage, and as battle broke out, her past self suddenly attacked them from behind. Her father, the parent who was actually of the blood and inherited the royal powers, was the greater threat and thus her first target, a supercharged star bolt hitting him square in the middle of the back.
"Wha- Komand'r! What are you doing?!" her mother shouted in shock as her father fell to the floor.
"The fact that you even have to ask is just another insult on top of a lifetime of them," Blackfire's younger self growled, though she smirked as she watched the Gordanians swarm her mother.
"Ray'dir!" Her father yelled out as he heard his wife scream, only to be tackled down by the younger Blackfire.
"Worry about yourself!" She snarled as she started to hammer her glowing fist into his face, unaware of their audience.
"I must admit, I expected more from those that spawned you and your sister," Skeleton King observed critically, noting how the former Tamaranean King and Queen seemed to be going down with disappointing ease.
"They were complacent," Blackfire sneered, watching dispassionately as her past self slowly beat her father to death, "For all our talk of being a warrior culture, prior to this invasion we'd maintained peace by diplomacy for generations. They weren't ready for true conflict."
"Indeed..." Skeleton King mused while watching as the younger Blackfire finally stopped the beating when the form of her father grew still, before approaching her restrained mother, looking at her with an emotionless gaze before suddenly snarling, her eyes glowing as she raised her hand and brought it down, with Skeleton King and Blackfire (both present and past) giving chilling smirks at the results.
"And neither was your sister..." Skeleton King mused with a chuckle as the scene changed to that of Starfire and Blackfire, with the latter putting on quite a performance of being a distressed wreak, "It's almost sad how easily she believed she could trust her loving big sister~"
He added with a dark cackle, with the scene changing to that of Starfire seeming to attempt to flee the palace only to be ambushed by a squadron of Gordanians.
"Sister, I swear I'll do whatever I can to make this right!" Past-Blackfire called out tearfully as she watched Starfire be put in restraints and be dragged off to the Gordanians' ship, only to immediately compose herself once she was onboard and out of sight.
"I don't care what you or your masters do to her, just keep her away from MY planet," she said firmly to the Gordanian leader standing nearby.
"A pity you weren't born one of us. You would have gone far," Trogaar chuckled, eyeing her appreciatively.
"I'll go farther than you can imagine on my own," she sniffed back at him.
"Ah, so sure of yourself. Tell me, how did that turn out for you?" Skeleton King asked, looking over to Blackfire, who scowled, "How do you go to having nothing standing in your way from ruling Tamaran to committing crimes throughout the Centauri System?"
He added, looking over at her as the scene shifted to that of Blackfire being confronted by a form both of them recognized as Galfore, one from the show the other of course recognizing her parents' most loyal soldier, who like everyone else doted on her sister.
"I'm sorry, I must have misheard you," Past-Blackfire said through grit teeth, "What do you mean, you won't let me take the throne?"
"Your parents' will was quite clear, Koriand'r was their heir," Galfore replied firmly.
"And now she's a slave, and I'm the only member of the royal family left, that makes me Queen by default!" Past-Blackfire hissed.
"Yes, all because of the rather convenient fact that the Gordanians chose not to slay you as well," Galfore said, eyes narrowed at her.
"Just what are you implying?" Blackfire hissed, glaring, while Galfore simply looked sternly at her.
"Nothing, Princess," the man said, emphasizing the word princess while Blackfire let out a growl, "Just that as a dutiful daughter, you will want your parents' last wish followed."
He said as Blackfire snapped, "Koriand'r is gone! A slave of the Gordanians, she..." her rant was cut off by Galfore with a dark look.
"She is the greatest warrior of Tamaran, she will find her way back to us," He lowered his hands and glowered in her face, "And as long as she draws breath, the throne will never belong to you," He said with a hard look, Blackfire glaring silently into his eyes before he turned and made his leave, with Blackfire breathing heavily for several moments. And once she was alone-
"ARRRRG!" She let loose a massive star bolt, destroying part of the wall with a loud boom before turning to a huff, "Then I just need to make sure my sister's last breath either happens soon, or she never sets foot on Tamaran again," she said with a dark glower, before the scene faded, leaving nothing but darkness and Blackfire alone with Skeleton King.
"I'm actually surprised you didn't try to get her alone to kill her while you were with the Titans," Skeleton King stated, looking over at her, "Lingering love and sentiment toward your sister giving one last mercy of imprisonment instead of death, perhaps?" He theorized out loud with a slight smirk.
"Oh please, don't insult me," Blackfire snorted, "It was pure pragmatism. If I'd killed her, then I couldn't have tricked those morons into arresting her. Even if that plan was admittedly flawed, it was still better than staying on the run."
"Hehe, as you say," Skeleton King stated with a smirk, "But, what is your plan now?" He asked with a dark hiss, "Surely you must realize..." He stepped forward as his body began to glow with power, "You cannot... defeat me!"
He exclaimed, shooting out a burst of energy that slammed into Blackfire, with her only having enough time to widen her eyes as it hit her, "ARRRRRG!"
With that, the vision shattered, and Blackfire found herself back in the throne room. Specifically, flying through the air to slam hard against a wall again.
"Uggh," she groaned, sliding down to the floor and collapsing into a heap.
"That, and what you've seen, is but a small taste of my power," Skeleton King told her, his form glowing with power as a purple mystical glow surrounded it, and his aura screaming nothing but pure evil as he approached her form, "But as evil as I am, I am not without mercy, Blackfire."
He stared down at her with a dark grin, "Submit and pledge yourself to me, and Tamaran will be but a mere trinket compared to the rewards that await if you serve me well~" He said, reaching down and grabbing her by the hair to lift her up to his face.
Blackfire wanted very badly to spit in his face, but she had a distinct feeling he'd stop holding back if she pissed him off like that, and frankly she didn't want to see what that would mean.
She hated to admit it, but he was stronger than her, and she couldn't beat him. But, maybe she could find a way to make this work in her favor - use him to claim Tamaran for herself, and then find a way to usurp his power for herself. Then... then she could finish the job of putting this creature into the grave, she thought as she stared into Skeleton King's chilling gaze, with his smirk seeming to widen a bit more as if he knew what she was thinking.
"Well?" He questioned with a dark hiss, gripping her by the hair, "Will it be servitude or defiance, Blackfire?" He asked with a dark undertone.
"I..." Blackfire gazed as strongly as she could into Skeleton King's eyes, "Surrender and submit myself to your rule... Skeleton King."
She admitted, hating herself for sinking this low, but reminded herself she'd just have to bide her time, and this thing along with her sister would pay.
"Hehahahah, excellent~" Skeleton King exclaimed with a wide grin, letting go of her hair, though the next second Blackfire found herself levitating up under his power rather than her own, "And as victor of our bout, I not only welcome you into my service, General Blackfire..."
He said with a dark hiss, cupping her right cheek with his left hand, "But I claim my prize~" He added as a bolt of light flew from his staff to her armor, and in the next second Blackfire's eyes went wide with shock as it vanished, leaving her naked before Skeleton King's leering gaze, with her shock only going when she found herself pulled into a rough kiss barely a moment later.
"Mmph!" she exclaimed, not just in shock and embarrassment at what had just happened... but surprise at how good the kiss felt.
She wasn't some naive, inexperienced fool like her sister, whom she was positive was still a virgin judging by how awkward she acted around her obvious crush on Robin. Blackfire had been with her fair share of bed partners over the years, most of them drunken fools she seduced in bars whenever she needed some stress relief. There was some variance between them, but in the end it was all just the same, a lot of effort for limited pleasure.
This though... Skeleton King's tongue roughly forcing its way into her mouth, was by itself sending thrills all through her body beyond belief. If this was just from a kiss, what else could he do to her?
This very question caused her to give off a slight moan into the kiss as she started to return it, a distant part of her wondering if Skeleton King was about to show he might be worth keeping around after she usurped him.
While Skeleton King himself deepened the kiss as he let go of his staff, which floated off to beside his throne with but a thought as he grabbed onto her D-Cup left tit, his claws digging into her flesh while his left hand hit her ass.
SMACK
"Mmm!" she yelped into his mouth. She should have been angry about being manhandled like this, since in all her past liaisons she'd always definitely been the top, as befitting her station. But it just felt so damn good, she could't help but lean into his touch, pressing her chest out so he could better grip her tit, while eagerly shaking her ass to invite another hit.
SMACK
"Mmm!" Something that Skeleton King was all too eager to provide as he dug into her tit, eagerly and roughly manhandling while kneading it.
X'hal, that felt so good~ None of her past lovers had ever proven themselves this good so quickly, Blackfire thought as she wrapped her arms and legs around Skeleton King, pulling him close so that she could deepen the kiss and press herself further against him.
Skeleton King, of course, eagerly responded to this, running one hand through her hair while the other squeezed her ass, his excitement at adding another sexy no longer so fictional girl to his growing collection and the feel of her naked body just caused him to kiss her more roughly and eagerly.
"Stop teasing and fuck me, you bastard," Blackfire moaned into his ear, breaking the kiss only long enough to do that before going back to it.
At that Skeleton King smirked, chuckling, "So eager to feel your master's cock are you~" he stated while licking up the side of her neck, then hissed in her ear, "Then beg for it~"
"Ugh, beg?" she muttered out. Normally, she'd be infuriated at someone giving her any kind of command, least of all one as humiliating as that. But right now, her mind was clouded by a lustful haze, unable to think about anything other than the heat rapidly growing in her pussy and how much it needed to be pounded out of her.
"Mmm, please, let me have your cock," she said, an uncharacteristic whine in her voice.
"Heheh, I would, but I don't think you want it enough~" Skeleton King replied with a laugh while hitting her ass.
SMACK
"Ah! Please, fuck me!" Blackfire cried out, rubbing her burning cunt against his crotch desperately, "I need you inside me!"
Skeleton King felt his cock twitch at Blackfire's plea, and with but a thought he vanished his pants and cape, leaving his naked body bare as he rubbed his hard cock against her, "Do you now?"
He hissed, grinning mockingly at her face, "But I'm still not convinced you want this enough~" He said with a hiss and hit to her ass to emphasize his statement.
SMACK
"Ah! Please, master!" she screamed, not even noticing the term of address she'd just used, too focused on what she needed from him, "Please, I'm begging you! I need your cock in me! Ravage my cunt! Make me your whore!"
Were she fully aware of herself, Blackfire would have been humiliated and disgusted at herself for what she was saying. But she didn't care, her body was on fire like never before, she needed release!
"Hehehehahahaha!" Skeleton King, however, was only amused and aroused at her pleas of desire as he gripped ahold of her waist, "If my whore you want to be..."
He hissed, staring into her eyes, "Then my whore you shall be!" He exclaimed as he shoved his cock up into her pussy and started to fuck her tight hole while standing.
"AAAHHHH! MASTERRRR!!!!" Blackfire screamed in euphoric delight, as she began bouncing eagerly on his cock, keeping her arms wrapped around his neck to brace herself.
This was incredible, better than anything she'd ever felt in her life! She didn't want it to stop, she needed more!
And more she got, as Skeleton King pumped as hard and fast as he could while starting to hit her bouncing ass.
SMACK
"Who owns you?!"
SMACK
"Who owns this TROQ WHORE!?" He roared. Admittedly, he didn't fully know what troq meant, but with the aptly named Titans episode, he could take a guess.
SMACK
"YOU DO!" Blackfire screamed back at him, too lost in pleasure to even notice the slur thrown in there, "I BELONG TO YOU COMPLETELY! MY TITS, MY ASS, MY CUNT! IT'S ALL YOURS FOREVER!"
SMACK
"And don't you forget it~" Skeleton King hissed, before pulling her into a kiss and allowing themselves to fall to the ground, with him on top of Blackfire.
The impact against the floor was hard, and between that and his weight coming down on top, it would have probably seriously injured most people. But with her enhanced strength, Blackfire barely felt it, allowing her to instead focus entirely on her master's continued pounding of her cunt.
"Yes, master! I'll always be yours, just please don't ever let this stop!" she cried out, loving the feeling of his cock sliding in and out of her, fast and hard enough to make her ass slam repeatedly against the bone floor hard enough that it actually started to form small cracks in the material.
PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP
The room echoed with the sounds of skin slapping as Skeleton King thrust his cock as hard as he could into her while pushing her further down onto the ground.
"Not so defiant now, are you my dear?" He hissed, grabbing at her breast, digging his claws into her skin, "It makes me wonder if all it'll take to break your sister is showing her a huge cock~"
He said with a grunt of amusement at the idea of Starfire dropping to her knees the moment some criminal dropped their pants, "Or perhaps..." He licked up the side of her neck, "You're a special case, and you've always wanted to be overpowered and claimed by a master~"
"Uh, what, no..." Blackfire murmured around moans, a small amount of her pride and ego rallying to try and deny this.
She was the rightful Queen of Tamaran, a mighty warrior, a name feared in numerous systems. She was meant to rule and she knew it, she hadn't wanted someone to overpower her like this, it had just happened and she was making the most of it, that was all!
"No?" Skeleton King repeated mockingly as he kissed up her neck, "Then why is your cunt clinging so tightly to my cock?" He asked, grabbing and twisting her nipple, listening to her moans with dark twisted glee, "Why do you break and beg for your master's attention so easily?"
He asked with a smirk, staring into her eyes, "And why do your eyes scream nothing but desire and devotion for me?" He added, claiming her lips in a rough kiss as he slammed her cunt while gripping Blackfire's thigh in one hand, the other twisting her nipple.
"Ah, ah, ah, I don't know!" she moaned, "You're just, just, so wonderful! Like nothing I've had before!"
And he really was, his cock alone put all her previous pathetic bed partners to shame. It actually made a part of her regret she wasn't a virgin, so she could have experienced what being deflowering by this man... this god would be like.
But she knew that he had probably ruined her for other men, or would at the rate he was going. And that was just his talent on the sexual side, there was also his ruthlessness and the power he possessed... not to mention the look of twisted evil in his eye sockets' gaze sent a thrill through her that both terrified yet also excited her.
But she was still the firstborn princess and rightful Queen of Tamaran, a great warrior whose prowess was recognized even by him. She couldn't enjoy the idea of becoming a simple sex toy... right?
Skeleton King in turn laughed at her earlier words, "Heheh, of course I'm not! Whatever pitiful fools you lowered yourself to before couldn't compare to the power of Skeleton King!" He exclaimed, digging into her right tit while grabbing and lifting up her left leg into the air as he slammed her harder into the bone floor, his cock thrusting into her, reaching places nothing had before.
"Perhaps you could even call me the man of your dreams~" He added in with a mocking laugh, plowing the Tamaranean's cunt eagerly with a grunt.
"Yes you are! You're my perfect man! My god!" she screamed.
Fuck it, she decided amidst the lust filling her brain. She could figure out her weird feelings about this situation later. Right now, she just wanted to focus on the cock filling her to the brim, and to cum until it felt like her brains were leaking out of her head through her snatch.
"Fill me up with your divine seed! Put your bastards in me!" she begged. Those words seemed to motivate Skeleton King to pound her harder.
"Yes, that's what I should do..." He hissed, raising his hand and letting it fall down hard against her tits.
SMACK
Watching with glee as they bounced and she moaned while he pounded into her pussy, "I should knock this troq whore up! Maybe make you lead my armies while your stomach is bulging with my offspring!" He added with another laughing grunt, before hitting her tits again.
SMACK
"If you want it, I'll do it!" she replied, unable to resist the absurd image popping up in her head, "I'll crush all your enemies while carrying your spawn, so they know I'm yours when I do it!"
And X'Hal, why did the mere image of doing so turn her on so much?!
Skeleton King himself laughed with perverted glee, actually tempted to do just that as he pounded into her.
"Ah, ah, so tempting, my pet~" he said with a dark hiss as he leaned down, pounding harder into her, "But ah, ah, the one who carries my first offspring... shall also be a honor reserved, ah, for my chosen queen!" He told her, though the idea of knocking up some of his future harem before choosing his queen was becoming more and more tempting by the moment.
"Ugh, ugh, queen? I'm a Queen!" she shouted in protest, "I can be your Queen! I'll give you Tamaran, and give you heirs, and conquer a thousand planets for you!"
"Will you now...?" Skeleton King asked, grunting as he slammed his cock into her folds, "And here I thought you'd rather usurp me when you had the chance~" He pointed out with an obviously amused grin.
Blackfire froze at that, the comment actually managing to cut through the ecstasy clouding her brain.
Shit, had she really been that obvious?
"N-no, master, I, I would never do that!" she stammered out, wincing at how unconvincing she sounded even to herself.
"Ha! Please, I'm not as naive as your sister, and the ambition was easy to see in those beautiful eyes of yours," Skeleton King told her, grunting as he raised up her leg, licking up her ankle as he plowed her, "But it seems your hunger for my cock is stronger than your hunger for power~" he told her with a mocking smirk, before snacking her tits.
SMACK
"Uh!" she yelped in delight, even as she reluctantly admitted to herself that he was probably right. If she was being perfectly honest with herself, if she was given the choice right now, she'd take his cock over any power and authority without hesitation.
Dear X'hal, when did she become so pathetic? She was the strong one, the domineering one, she should be making him beg to even touch her, not considering giving up everything for him, but she was!
"Yes master!" she panted, "You're magnificent! I don't want power if I can have you!"
"Heheh, how pitiful. All it took was a cock big enough to satisfy you to bring you to heel!" Skeleton King snapped, hitting her tits again as he slammed her harder into the ground.
SMACK
Feeling like he was on the verge of exploding from pleasure, but too lost in his euphoria to care, "Perhaps I should make you a slave girl Instead of a general? Or send you back to your sister carrying my bastards like you begged for after I've had my fun!" He declared, laughing madly with lust.
She knew he was right, she was being absolutely pitiful with this sudden obsession with him and she should be ashamed of herself for it. But all she could think of was horror at the notion of being separated from him.
"No master, please!" she begged, "Make me a slave girl or a general or whatever you want, but please don't send me away! I've never felt pleasure like this, I can't stand the thought of being away from you!"
And what made this horrifying humiliation all the worse is, heat of the moment or not... she found herself realizing she meant every word.
"Then prove yourself worthy of being... MINE!" Her master grunted, before slamming his cock deep into her cervix and proceeded to shoot his hot seed inside her.
"AAAHHH!!!!" she cried out in pure pleasure at the feeling of this, hitting her own climax as well as a result. Her canal tightened around his cock, her juices exploding out of her pussy around the man meat filling it as she was rocked by the biggest orgasm of her life.
For several minutes afterwards, there was silence as they came down from the aftermath of their orgasms, no sounds other than heavy breathing filling the air. Finally, Blackfire broke the silence.
"I love you, I'm yours," she muttered, half-conscious and holding him close to her, "Do whatever you want with me, but don't send me away."
Fuck Tamaran, fuck being Queen, hell, fuck her revenge on her sister, all she could think about wanting now was being fucked by her master... her love, because if this wasn't love, then what was? She thought, wondering under the haze of post-orgasmic pleasure before her master spoke.
"Heheh, I'll give you a choice, my dear," Skeleton King said with a smirk, kissing her neck before standing up, grunting as he removed his cock from her canal, smirking wide with amusement as his seed pooled out, "I'll grant you a chance to leave with what little dignity you have left."
He sneered down at her, "Or you can prove your love and devotion by presenting your ass to me~"
Had this choice been offered at the start of this, after she'd been beaten in the fight, she would have just taken the chance to leave, ego bruised but still too strong to let herself do something so demeaning. But now? Now, she knew there was only one real option for her.
So, without hesitation, Blackfire rolled over to sit on her hands and knees, and pressed herself down to raise her ass high and present it.
"I told you, master, all of me belongs to you," she said, "So please, take my ass!"
"No more doubts or thoughts of treachery?" Skeleton King asked with a mocking grin as he approached crouching down to place his throbbing cock between her cheeks, rubbing between them with a groan, "Even if I keep you solely as a pleasure slave, raze your planet to rubble, and never give you a ounce of power?" He asked before hitting her ass.
SMACK
"AH! No!" she yelled back, "Do whatever you want to me, my planet, my sister, I don't care! I just want to serve you!"
"Then... SERVE ME!" Skeleton King exclaimed, thrusting his cock inside her asshole with no warning and started to fuck her doggy style like a wild animal.
"AAAHHHH!!!!" she screamed in mixed pain and pleasure, hands clenching hard enough that with her strength they were able to carve grooves right into the floor, "YES MASTER! I'M YOUR SERVANT, YOUR SLAVE! I'LL DO WHATEVER YOU ASK, ALWAYS!"
SMACK
"Yes, you shall be my pleasure slave..." Skeleton King grunted, plowing into this tight Tamaranean ass.
SMACK
"My general..." He added with a dark hiss, hitting her ass again.
SMACK
"My warrior..." Skeleton King let out a menacing chuckle, listening to her squealing moans.
SMACK
"My pet~" Hmm, actually, some pet play could be fun to try later, he mused distractedly, while pushing Blackfire's face against the bone floor.
SMACK
"And serve me well while proving yourself over the rest of my harem, you might yet be the one chosen to be Queen~" He gave a hiss. He knew he was playing with fire, but part of him was curious to see how far his current and future harem members would go to take that title.
SMACK
"But at the end of the day, you are and will always be MY TOY!" He roared out, pounding the ass with wild eager abandonment.
PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP
"YES!!!!! I'M YOURSSSSSS!!!!" Blackfire screamed as she came again, juices spilling out over the floor, while her asshole tightened in response, the added pressure on his cock making Skeleton King cum as well and filling her ass with his seed.
And it was this scene a shocked Valeena and Jinmay walked into. They had come to report on how they'd finalized the pacification of Gravity Falls, only to find their lord and love currently finishing up ass-fucking some orange-skinned girl that neither had ever seen before.
"What the fuck is this?!" Jinmay exclaimed in disbelief.
Valeena, despite her own indignation and anger, felt a slight smug deja vu feeling as she shot a look to the harlot toy. "Now you know how I felt," she spoke dryly, easily recalling the scene of finding the harlot naked against the master, on his own throne no less.
"Is now really the time for you being a smug bitch?" Jinmay snapped at her.
"I'll take my victories where I can find them," Valeena replied, turning her attention back to her lord as he pulled his glorious cock out of this new whore's ass and turned to face them.
"Ah Jinmay, Valeena, just in time," Skeleton King said with a smirk; unlike the incident with Jinmay and him being discovered by Valeena and Mandarin, he found himself feeling only amusement over embarrassment, "May I introduce Blackfire..."
He gestured down to the Tamaranean, who still had her ass sticking up, seed leaking out with a fucked silly expression on her face, "Firstborn princess of Tamaran, elder sister of the Teen Titan Starfire..." Both Valeena and Jinmay's eyes widened, before narrowing in recognition, particularly Valeena who had fought the girl in person rather than observe retrieved footage, "And now the newest general to join my forces, as well as newest member of my harem~"
Skeleton King said, giving the two a smug look.
"What?! Why?!" Jinmay exclaimed before she could stop herself.
"Of course, we do not doubt your wisdom, master," Valeena quickly added, "But other than using this girl as leverage against her sister, I fail to see what benefit we gain from allying with her, much less what makes her worthy of sharing your bed."
Those words started to bring Blackfire out of her haze as her gaze focused in on the new arrivals, "You'll find Blackfire is a ruthless warrior with great potential," Skeleton King replied, looking over at his apparent servants, "She not only sold her sister out in an effort to gain the throne, but she put up an amusing little bout against myself~"
He said with a condescending chuckle that earlier would have enraged Blackfire, but only seemed to send a thrill through her as she realized challenging him was perhaps like challenging X'Hal herself at her current level of power, "Plus, she's proven herself a most eager lover~"
"How... wonderful," Valeena said through grit teeth, while Jinmay scowled at Blackfire, but also took in the currently self-repairing damage to the room.
"Well, I'm sure she'll be a... welcome cohort to us," the robot girl forced herself to say respectfully. It was bad enough that her master had claimed those two down in Kaznia, but at least they were down there, and not up here in her face.
"Oh, so you're my competition?" Blackfire snorted, "I'll be Queen even faster than I thought."
"Excuse me!?" Jinmay and Valeena roared out in tandem, glaring at the bitch as she sat up on her knees, offering a smirk.
"You heard me~" Blackfire said with a catty smirk, finding herself quite liking the idea of being the Queen to Skeleton King after that example of his... prowess.
"I'm royal blood, I am powerful, and just by looking at the two of you, I can tell that I'm his best choice for lover," she sneered.
"You dare?" Valeena growled.
"Oh, I'm going to enjoy kicking your ass," Jinmay added, clenching her fists.
"Bring it, bitches," Blackfire replied, eyes and hands glowing.
"Enough," However, Skeleton King's voice cut them all off, "This is not how my servants are expected to behave in my presence," He said with a stern glare, at least not without his permission and perhaps a mud pit, a part of him thought, holding back a snort of amusement, "Especially not when my cock still needs cleaning~"
He added with a smirk, gesturing down to his crotch, with all three girls' gazes honing in on it.
"Of course, my lord, allow- OOF!" Valeena started to say, only for Jinmay to shove her aside.
"Too slow, hag!" she shouted, running over to her master and dropping down to her knees in front of him to start licking and sucking on his cock. Scowling at the sight of this, Blackfire quickly scurried over to join her, helping herself to the parts of his girth that Jinmay's mouth couldn't cover.
"Hmm, yes..." Skeleton King let out a hiss of pleasure, looking down at them as they eagerly sucked his cock while Valeena got up from where Jinmay pushed her, rubbing her head with a scowl, "It pleases me to see you so eager to pleasure your master~"
Skeleton King stated with a dark chuckle
Glaring at the robot harlot and this new whore, Valeena stalked over and shoved them both over, allowing them to keep licking the sides of the cock but leaving the tip exposed for her to start sucking. With all three exchanging glares before focusing on their lord's cock as Skeleton King let out a pleased groan, "Yes, that's it... show your master your devotion~" He told them with a dark grin, "And don't forget to work together while focusing on my pleasure~"
The girls all paused at that, glaring at each other before their loyalty to their master won out, and they silently called a truce to please him. They slightly repositioned themselves to avoid getting in each other's way, and continued sucking as hard as they could.
"Hehe, yes, such good sluts~" Their master's voice sounded out with a pleased groan as his gaze roamed over them, "Valeena, the ever devoted disciple, so eager to redeem herself and earn her place in my bed chambers~"
He said, looking down as Valeena, staring into her eyes as he added on, "A desire that shall come true should you succeed in your appointed task~" with the witch eagerly sucking his tip all the harder at those words, "Jinmay..." His gaze went to the robot sucking and licking at the right side of his cock and balls, "You once shared your love with my enemy, now you give me more than you ever did him."
He observed as Jinmay seemed to preen at the attention as he added with a laugh, "Hehe, I could use you and then toss you away like a broken toy, and you'd still choose me over the boy who'd give you everything if he could, wouldn't you?"
He questioned semi-rhetorically as Jinmay sucked his balls, but didn't give Jinmay a chance to respond as he focused in on his newest addition Blackfire, "And Blackfire, my newest servant, you stood so proud just a bit ago, now you'd abandon your ambitions for power if it meant a chance to suck my cock~"
Skeleton King stated and observed with a cackle, "Oh, what would your sister and people think of you now?" He added with a dark hiss of amusement.
These comments were backhanded compliments, if not outright insults, yet to the three girls they might as well have been the highest of praises. The words filled them with glee that they couldn't describe, and it made them suck even harder, in hopes of earning more.
"Ah, yes..." Skeleton King groaned, enjoying their enthusiasm, "You all want to be my Queen," He questioned aloud with a smirk, "But perhaps you'd each serve better as my personal cocksleeves and cumdumpsters~" He said, cackling.
None of the girls seemed off-put by that. Obviously, they all wanted to be Queen so they could stand by his side and be his primary lover (and lord it over the others), but if they had to settle for just being holes for his cock to fill... well, they were all perfectly content with that. Just as long they could feel their master's touch, they'd be happy and could... tolerate whatever lucky bitch he eventually took as his Queen... and Skeleton King, at their eager three-way sucking, soon grunted, pulling back as he started to shoot his seed all over their bodies.
The three girls all proudly leaned back to present themselves to be coated in his essence, Blackfire taking smug satisfaction in the fact that her nudity meant that she'd be completely covered, while the other two would have most of the seed end up on their clothes.
While Skeleton King just looked down at them with a wide amused grin. Cipher's statue had been retrieved, Gravity Falls was secured, they had some leverage over the Pines family, Mandarin had a new pet/mate, and he had a new warrior for his forces who was also a hot alien princess now in his harem, all in all, "A very productive day if I say so myself~"
He chuckled out loud as the girls looked up at him with devotion. Internally, he was surprised that Blackfire was so easy to break, and he wondered if he was that good, she had a side to herself she didn't realize, or if there was another factor at play. But he put it out of his mind as he address the girls, "Wouldn't you agree, my dears~"
"Hmm, yes master, definitely worth all the crap I went through before you claimed me," Blackfire sighed in contentment, running her hands over her cum-covered breasts.
"Crap like what? Where'd you even come from?" Jinmay asked, genuinely curious.
"And may I ask what the situation is with those two as well?" Valeena added, gesturing to the two Centauri still lying unconscious on the side of the room.
"Huh... actually forgot about those two," Blackfire admitted with a slight blink, though with the fight, stroll down memory lane, and the greatest mind-blowing sex of her life, she believed she could be forgiven for that oversight.
"Are they even still alive?" She found herself asking her master.
"In a sense..." Skeleton King chuckled, while looking down at the Centauri officers, "Hmm, while my focus is primarily on Earth and my competition with Lothor, that isn't to say my eye will not be drawn to other planets or targets."
He mused aloud, rubbing his chin, "Perhaps these two fools could be useful as infiltration agents in the Centauri system."
"Hmm, well, in that case you'll have to alter their minds," she said, "If for no other reason than to keep them from remembering where and when I escaped from them."
"Hehe, a simple matter to address~" Skeleton King told her, raising his hand and blasting the forms of the Centauri police officers with a blast of mystical glowing light, with the ooze covering their armor seeming to sink into their bodies as they rose up, "You are now in the service of Skeleton King."
The dark monarch declared with a hiss as the figures bowed.
"Sire," they bowed down.
"You are to act as my eyes and ears in the Centauri System," Skeleton King informed his new brainwashed agents, "For now, you're to return home and report that Blackfire escaped and how you barely managed to escape with your lives."
He intoned, pointing out of the throne room, with Kai and Cron simply nodding in understanding as they left the room, Skeleton King already knowing his power over them would allow them to report in should they find any information that could be of use.
"And to address your questions..." Skeleton King's gaze went over to Jinmay and Valeena, "Well, Blackfire, perhaps you'd care to explain your story from beginning," He said with an amused chuckle, with the Tamaranean giving a sigh before explaining everything, from her plot for Tamaran's throne, murder of her parents, setting up her sister, how the throne was still denied to her, crimes she pulled in the Centauri system, and attempts to set up her sister to take the fall after her oh so gullible sibling foolishly contacted her to happily tell her about her escape as well as her new home and friends she had made on Earth.
Only for those friends to intervene and save her sister, who then defeated her and handed her over to the Centauri's custody, where she'd remained until Skeleton King had stepped in to save and recruit her.
"So, hate to say it, but your brilliant plan sounds like it was pretty flawed," Jinmay said dryly.
"Not least of all was the fact that you were incapable of besting your sister in combat," Valeena added with a sneer.
"She got lucky!" Blackfire snapped, "And I'm aware I didn't think things through properly, the master already pointed it out, don't rub it in!"
Honestly, the fact that a warrior with her training and experience with strategy had made so many oversights in her plan while allowing her narrow focus of getting her sister out of the way once and for all let her miss so many critical details was an embarrassment beyond embarrassment! The fact that her master still saw her worth despite this poor performance was truly a gift that would not be wasted, she found herself thinking with an internal sigh, before glaring as the pinked-haired girl, Jinmay she believed, spoke up with a taunting smirk.
"Hey, I'm just saying that the master's future Queen needs brains and to understand basic strategy, and from what I'm hearing, you're kinda lacking in that department~" she said with a giggle, while Blackfire growled with glowing eyes.
"Rest assured, little girl, you'll be acknowledging your place below me soon enough!" she snapped, with Jinmay sending a glare right back at her, with Valeena also sending a glare at the whore who despite her miserable performance and planning believed herself worthy of standing beside her lord's side as his chosen Queen.
However, Skeleton King spoke up before they could say anything else, "On the matter of your sister and the Titans," He gazed over at Blackfire, "Tell me, my dear, during your time with them did you perhaps notice anything that could be worth reporting?" He asked curiously, his mind going to a certain cloaked Titan in particular, as he idly wondered what "progress" had been made in searching for Trigon's gem.
Blackfire blinked at the question, and tilted her head in thought as she considered it.
"Well, they were trying to hide it, probably to seem polite for me as their guest, but they did seem high-strung about something," she said, "I had to practically drag them out of there the one time I managed to get them out to party, especially Robin and Raven. He was definitely caught up in researching something, and as for her... honestly, I'm not sure, but she was pretty much barricading herself in her room most of the time."
"Probably worried about the others finding out the truth about her~" Jinmay commented with an evil giggle. With Valeena actually sharing a dark amused grin as her mind went to that foolish half-breed witch who dared to go through HER memories.
Blackfire, however, shot them a confused look. "What truth?" She asked with a tilt of her head and curious gleam in her eyes.
"She's Trigon's daughter," Skeleton King answered bluntly, causing Blackfire to freeze in shock for several moments.
"SHE'S WHAT?!" she whirled to look in wide-eyed shock at Skeleton King, "Trigon?! As in Trigon the Terrible!? One of the most evil demons in existence! That Trigon?!"
She demanded in shock, her mind going to the legends and stories she had heard... and Raven, the little shut-in gothic friend of her idiot sister was his daughter?! Koriand'r, what the hell have you gotten yourself into, she actually found herself asking herself faintly in her mind while her master spoke up again.
"Rest assured that you'll be briefed and brought up to speed later, Blackfire," He said, before giving a smug grin of amusement, "For now..." He turned halfway and seemed to be leaving the throne room, "I'm in the mood to celebrate a good day."
Skeleton King told them with a low cackle before looking over his shoulder, "As such, I want you and Jinmay ready in my bed chambers," He ordered them before adding on, addressing Valeena, "Valeena, while you haven't earned the right to share your lord's bed yet, I find myself in a good mood to allow you to watch if you so wish~"
Valeena froze at that, not sure how to respond for a moment. She didn't want to watch these unworthy whores pleasure her master while she wouldn't be allowed to. But then again, this was very generous of her lord, and refusing would likely be an insult to him.
So, a little reluctantly, she nonetheless bowed deeply to Skeleton King, "I would be... happy, to do so, my lord."
Skeleton King smirked, while Jinmay and Blackfire found themselves amused, the latter interested in noting that apparently only the pink-haired girl was an official part of her new master's harem.
"Blackfire, Jinmay, come," Skeleton King barked out as he made to leave the throne room, "I'm eager to see the fun I can have with both of you together~" He said with an eager perverted leer.
Jinmay and Blackfire eyed each other disdainfully, a silent agreement immediately forming that they were going to do their best to one-up each other in pleasing their master. Then they quickly took off after him, eager to join him in his bed.
Valeena watched them go with a scowl, but took a calming breath and reminded herself that eventually, she'd have the chance to prove herself to her master as the only true lover he'd ever need. With that reassurance in mind, she followed after him and the others.
(Lothor's Dark Ship)
Though as Skeleton King was "welcoming" his new servant into his service, back on Lothor's ship, Kapri and Marah were making sure their new "boyfriends" and pet were comfortable.
"Hmm, what do you think about this one?" Marah asked, holding up a top hat and matching bowtie that she pulled out of the massive walk-in closet she was standing in front of.
Though in Marah's case, she was focusing more on finding a cute outfit for Perry.
"That it's just as good as the last twenty outfits you tried out," Kapri groaned, "Just picked one already!"
"But he needs the perfect outfit, Kapri!" Marah said, letting out a slight whine as she tossed aside the outfit before digging into the closet some more, "We need something that screams cute yet evil for Perry."
she called out over her shoulder, while Kapri rolled her eyes with obvious annoyance.
"Should we say something?" Lee muttered to Nate, the two of them seated on chairs in the corner of the room.
"I dunno, I'm kinda worried about what's going to happen when they remember we're here," Nate replied.
"Point..." Lee muttered with a nod and frown. They weren't tied up anymore, but they knew enough that trying to escape right off the bat wouldn't end well for them.
Though they were both understandably worried on what these two crazy girls planned for them while wondering worriedly where Wendy had been taken to.
"Look Marah, you can figure out an outfit for your pet later," Kapri said with a sigh, staring at her sister's back, "In case you forgot, we have new boyfriends who we have to give a tour to, and sort into their new quarters," Kapri added, gesturing distractedly to Nate and Lee, "Plus we have to get ready for our dates," she added with a smug grin.
"Dates?" Lee questioned nervously with a gulp.
"Well, duh," Kapri scoffed, "What's the point of having cute boyfriends if we don't show you off? And for that matter, don't you want to show off having hot girlfriends?"
"Er, yeah, of course we do, obviously!" Nate responded quickly with a forced smile. Suddenly he was getting an idea of what Mabel Pines had to deal with regarding Gideon, and he was a whole lot more sympathetic. At least these girls didn't seem as crazy as Gideon... especially after Weirdmageddon.
"Hehe, yeah, where would you like to go... sweetie?" Lee added with a strained grin toward Kapri, while nervously sweating a bit.
"Hmm, well, we should probably avoid any of those cities that Uncle or the skeleton guy have already attacked, they'll probably be looking for all of us," Kapri mused.
"Fine by me, most of the places we've seen of this planet so far are dumps," Marah replied, trying the hat and tie combo on an unimpressed-looking Perry, then frowning in dissatisfaction and tossing them aside.
"True, but it's a big planet, has to be at least one place that can meet our standards," Kapri added thoughtfully with a frown ,before shaking her head, "But anyway, give the boys a tour first, then we can plan our double date."
She said, with Nate and Lee exchanging nervous looks, "So come on, forget your pet dressing and let's get moving," Kapri added, snapping her fingers as Marah turned to face her, holding a fedora hat.
"But..." she started to protest, only for Kapri to cut her off.
"No buts!" she huffed, turning on a dime, "Come on, move it boys, you too Marah," she added as she moved to leave her sister's room, with the boys exchanging nervous looks but seeing no option, moved to follow her warily, leaving Marah to pout before looking over on her bed where her new pet sat.
"Guess we'll have to find you a new outfit later, Perry," she said, throwing the fedora distractedly on the bed in front of the Plaidypus, "You be good for mommy while she's gone, okay?" she chirped, picking him up to give his forehead a quick kiss, then sat him back down while hurrying off after her sister and their new boyfriends, "Hey wait for me!"
While back in her room, Perry stared silently at the fedora in front of him, silence standing in the room, but if you listened closely on the meta level, it almost seemed like a theme song was starting to play...
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And there you go, Blackfire got her brains fucked out until she decided to join Skeleton King. Meanwhile, we got a hint of potential trouble on my side of things; is that really this reality's version of Perry, or are we just messing with you? Wait and see~
On a side note, for Blackfire's backstory, we mixed what little we knew of it in the show with what Night and I could crib together from the DC Wiki, as well as a few original spins. Nether of us is big comic readers, so apologies if things were too far off from canon for your liking.
In any case, if you liked, please leave a kudos and/or comment!
Nightmaster000 A/N: And Blackfire the rogue Tamaran Princess has no officially joined my side and bed~ Hope you all enjoyed the fight, journey into Blackfire past, and of course the naughty fun~
On the history we used here I like Zim hope you enjoy what we cobbled together~ For example we decided to go with the angle of the royal bloodline being the Tamaran's that have powers, rather than their abilities being a result of experimentation or every Tamaranean having powers.
Finally it seems that Lothor might have a spy in his midst....or are we just messing with you all~ Keep reading to find out~
But that said don't be afraid to review and/or leave a kudos.
Chapter 16: Interlude 2
Summary:
A certain government conspiracy reacts to the invasion of Gravity Falls, while the man behind the curtain is revealed.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hello everyone, and welcome to the next chapter of Isekai Conquerors. After the brief but intense Gravity Falls arc, we're now taking a momentary step away to show how others in the setting are reacting to things. Including identifying the mystery figure from the first interlude chapter, an addition I hope that you all enjoy.
And speaking of introducing characters, we'll be bringing in a few that have been previously mentioned and building off of a couple of previously mentioned plot threads that we've been laying down, while also adding some more. So, there should be something here for everyone.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hello everyone you've all been doing well or at least better than me. Been sick past number of days or so but finally feeling better and excited to bring you this update! Where as Zim said we're taking a step away from main plot to highlight other factors in play we hope you all enjoy~
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Guess we'll have to find you a new outfit later, Perry," she said, throwing the fedora distractedly on the bed in front of the Plaidypus, "You be good for mommy while she's gone, okay?" she chirped, picking him up to give his forehead a quick kiss, then sat him back down while hurrying off after her sister and their new boyfriends, "Hey wait for me!"
While back in her room, Perry stared silently at the fedora in front of him, silence standing in the room, but if you listened closely on the meta level, it almost seemed like a theme song was starting to play...
(Metropolis, Luthor Estate)
On the outskirts of Superman's home city there was a large gated estate containing an elaborate mansion, which belonged to corporate billionaire and "reformed" supervillain Lex Luthor. It was home to him, his personal staff, and most recently, his adopted teenage daughter, the former Pacifica Northwest.
Speaking of whom, the blonde teenager in question was currently in the big lavish room that served as a combination bedroom/private office, seated at a large desk and looking intently at a computer screen in front of her.
"Well, this is definitely unexpected. And this is the most recent information we have?" she asked the other person in the room... who was currently under her desk, on their knees and going down on her.
"Ah, yes... ma'am..." Answered a girl with light purple hair about 18 years old, looking up as she continued to lick Pacifica's snatch while reporting, "According to the cameras and drones left to monitor Gravity Falls, the town and its citizens are completely secured and under martial law from Lothor and Skeleton King's forces."
"Heh, that's just that town's luck. I swear, just when I start to miss how much I used to run that place, I get a reminder of how much of a disaster magnet it is," the 16 year old heiress muttered, absently reaching down to stroke the slightly older girl's short spiky hair, "Thanks for bringing this to my attention so promptly, Zita."
"Of course, ma'am," Zita said as she continued to lick, "You know I do everything I can to please you."
"Oh, don't worry, I doubt I can forget that, with your choice of outfits always giving me plenty of eye candy to spice up my day~" Pacifica giggled, eyes eagerly roaming over Zita's body. She was wearing tight purple pants that hugged her firm ass, and a lighter purple tank top that highlighted her B cup but still impressive breasts while also exposing her finely-toned midriff. All with an open black short coat that hid nothing and added a hot badass look to her. It was definitely a less professional, but much more visually-pleasing, outfit than what her adult counterpart Mercy Graves usually wore.
"But seriously, this is big. We should probably tell Dad about this," Pacifica mused, referring to her adoptive father Lex, whom was much more of a parent than that bastard Preston ever could have been, "He's already planning how to take these new guys into account for his long-term plans, this is definitely a new wrinkle he'd have to address for that."
"You don't want to tell Dipper, too?" Zita asked, a tinge of jealousy in her voice as always when speaking of Pacifica's boyfriend.
"Why, so he can rush in and get himself killed? Or worse, getting the League involved and making a bigger mess of things?" the blonde scoffed.
Honestly, for someone who believed themselves so intelligent, her boyfriend could be a real idiot sometimes. But, he was still amusing and useful enough to keep around, she supposed with an eye roll, "If I told him, the moron would probably try to pull some cliche rescue mission, or try to use this as a chance to find out where Skeleton King and Lothor's bases are, never mind either of these two could kill him with ease."
she said with a hint of slight disdain, "And Mabel would probably just rush in without even bothering to come up with a plan," she added with a slight snort of amusement, as Zita gave a slight jealous scowl, "Besides, prolonging Dipper finding out only works in my favor..." Pacfica said, before giving a dark sneer, "Especially if that ninja breaks in that Corduroy bitch~"
she surmised, thinking of the recordings she had recovered pertaining to Wendy as the town fell, from her conversation to Tambry from the drones and cams in town to the stuff she had planted near the bottomless pit and Mystery Shack. Though remembering the bottomless pit also lead to her remembering what Lothor and Skeleton King had apparently retrieved... and what bone boy had shown everybody pertaining a nightmare from her past.
She shuddered at the thought of Cipher's statue being pulled up out of the pit. The Pines had all assured everyone that the triangular bastard was dead and gone for good, but seeing him being around in any shape or form still brought back horrible memories of those days his chaos had been fully unleashed.
She really hoped those alien idiots knew what they were doing and didn't accidentally revive him, because she didn't know if even the Justice League would be able to stop him if he got free on the whole world.
"Should have known that creepy triangle would have had a fallback plan," she muttered with a scowl, giving off a slight moan as Zita found her g-spot, "With any luck, those alien wannabe rulers will be able to handle it without setting of Weirdmageddon 2 Electric Boogaloo."
she said with a scowl, running her hand through Zita's hair, "And at least now don't have to worry about that Corduroy bitch turning the twins against me either," she added with a faint smirk.
Because really, it was so good to see that redheaded country bumpkin bimbo dealt with. Seriously, did she think Pacifica hadn't noticed her jealous longing looks at her and Dipper? Well, too bad, bitch! You had your chance when he was crushing on you three years ago and you blew it!
Also, she was probably the only person who could get Dipper and Mabel out from under Pacifica's thumb, but right now that felt like it was besides the point. Because love or no love, the twins were her property, and no Luthor gave up their property to their inferiors! She thought with a vindictive smirk, hoping that ninja fanboy was making that bumpkin bitch squeal like a pig right now.
"Umm, speaking of these new players, ma'am," Zita sounded out from her position with her face against Pacifica's snatch, "What exactly are your thoughts on them?" She asked with a slight note of curiosity before adding with a frown, "Or the information that Dipper recently passed along to you that the Titans supposedly received from the skeleton?"
she added on with a slight scowl. If there was one benefit to the Pines twins' ties to her boss/mistress, it was the fact they acted as unknowing trusted informants when it came to certain information, thanks to certain connections they had forged.
Though the fact their ties with Pacifica were hardly a secret of course meant those like the Justice League would likely be careful about what information the twins got, especially with the legendary paranoia of the Dark Knight among the founders.
"Right, all of that," Pacifica said with a frown. While the possibility of some kind of baby eldritch abomination gestating in the planet's core was what Dipper and his bigheaded bestie were obsessing over right now because they saw it as the bigger concern, she knew that they should be focusing on the much more certain threat of that uber-demon getting summoned to Earth and bringing about a much more clearcut apocalypse than what Bill had caused.
Naturally, she'd informed her father after receiving this information, and he was putting all of their resources (legal and otherwise) into finding this gem before it could be used to summon Trigon.
"For the time being, there's nothing we can do about any of it beyond what we already have," she assured her assistant, "While I think they're a bunch of self-righteous assholes, the League and the other heroes are probably more qualified for identifying if Earth has one of these Dark Ones in it and neutralizing it if there is one than we are. As for Trigon's gem, Dad's already got all our assets looking into it, so we don't really have much choice but to wait and see if we can find it."
"As for this Lothor and Skeleton King..." Pacifica gave a slight frown, "While it's probably too early to give a full judgement of their capabilities, we can surmise from the information we do have that both of them along with their armies are certainly dangerous..."
she surmised with a slight thoughtful scowl, while distractedly running her hand through Zita's hair, "But dangerous or not, it's not like Earth isn't used to aliens invading or warlords trying to conquer the planet," she added with a slight eye roll while Zita gave a slight scowl but gave an agreeing nod while giving the pussy in front of her another lick.
"Mmm, yes. The Imperium, Darkseid, the Cluster, the Thangarians, that little green idiot," Zita listed off, snorting at the thought of her former classmate, "But these two... something seems different about them."
"Hmm..." Pacifica let out a low hum as her eyes gained a calculating gleam, "So it's not just me, then," she murmured, because from what she had seen and heard of these two so far, she thought something felt... off. But she wasn't sure if she was perhaps reading into something that wasn't there by overthinking a new variable and potential threat, or if there really was something different about these two that set them apart from the other "invaders" Earth had experienced.
"They certainly seem to be playing the game a bit differently compared to the others," She muttered, comparing their actions in Gotham, Bludhaven, Jump City, Kaznia, and now Gravity Falls to the playbook of Earth's past invaders. Who either played things through planet-wide invasion, focused all their efforts on a certain location and threat, or a mix of the two. Though admittedly, the green moron had become a bit of a global annoyance after deciding to expand beyond his feud with her boyfriend's big-headed bestie.
But these two new guys... they were treating it almost like a game, picking places to attack seemingly at random, with no way to predict their next moves, making it practically impossible to plan around them. And if there was one trait Pacifica had inherited from her birth parents that her adoptive father shared, it was hating a variable that she couldn't control or pay to get rid of.
Fortunately for Pacifica's current attitude, she was pulled from her annoyance and frustration for a moment as she finally came from Zita's attention, juices splattering over the other girl's face.
"Ah, ah, thank you, I needed that," she moaned out, smiling down at Zita as she pulled away and licked her face clean.
"Of course, ma'am. Will there be anything else?" she asked when she was done.
"We'll need to have a meeting with my father so I can share this intel with him," Pacifica mused.
"Yes, ma'am," Zita nodded, "And does that mean that you'll be skipping out on your plans for the evening?"
In other words, was the Black Cat not going to be making an appearance tonight?
"Hmm, no, I think a night on the town is just what I need " Pacifica said with a slight smirk while thinking about her alter ego.
It had started as a passing fancy, being inspired by all the heroes and villains out there and wanting to see what it was like to run around in a costume. So, she'd put a simple (but elegant, because she was still her) outfit together and snuck out one night... and nearly killed herself trying to jump between buildings, since just because she had trained a bit didn't mean she was qualified for this sort of thing.
So, she'd taken steps to improve herself, starting by "borrowing" a sample of an experimental super-soldier serum that her father had been working on in secret with his new government friends and making use of it. As a result, she was now stronger, faster, and more agile than she'd ever been in her life, skills which she'd sharpened with further training. And thus, the Black Cat of Metropolis, master thief extraordinaire, had been born.
Frankly, while Pacifica loved the comparisons she got to Catwoman, and the speculation by the media about whether she was a hero or a villain amused her to no end, the real pleasure of this was the thrill of her robberies and how many times she'd gotten close to being caught. It spiced up her otherwise dull socialite life in a way even sex didn't.
...Okay, that was a lie, sex was still better, but being Black Cat was a close second!
Not to mention she was proud of the reputation Black Cat had made for herself, a high-profile thief operating on the big blue boy scout's turf (At least when she didn't make any out of town appointments~) and not having been arrested after all this time wasn't anything to scoff at.
Admittedly, it was likely due to a mixture of skill, good planning, a thief probably being lower priority to other criminals, and of course being prepared for Kryptonians. Though on the last, she made sure that the green rock was properly secured in a small thick lead-lined case; she had no desire to repeat her father's mistake with Kryptonite cancer, thank you very much.
"Plus, it's always fun to mess with Superbrat~" Pacifica added aloud in a giggle, recalling her little game with Supergirl and how she really made the girl likely question her sexuality if not become bi when she turned on her charm.
She still got a kick out of remembering how she went shocked still after she landed a surprise kiss on her mouth... a kiss that Lane's annoying photographer lackey got a good pic of and ended up becoming front page news for the Daily Planet.
"Hmm, yes," Zita muttered with conflicted feelings - she didn't like her boss/mistress showing interest in anyone else, but that particular incident had been hot as hell. She still kept a copy of the photo in question among the material she masturbated to whenever Pacifica was preoccupied with Dipper.
"In any case, if that's the plan, then I'll start putting together one of the usual alibis for you after the meeting," she said.
"Always good to know I can count on you Zita," Pacifica praised her personal assistant/bodyguard/secret lover while giving the girl a slight smirk, recalling first meeting her and learning of her past in Bludhaven. How she had been in the same classroom as the crazy alien bug and annoying big head and was actually part of that whole Swollen Eyeball Network conspiracy, not that Dib realized at it at the time~
At first she served as just a bit of a minder for Dib, who due to his zealous nature to expose the supernatural was deemed unsuited to be let in on the full truth of the Network's purpose as a child, and when Zim showed up the Network decided to keep Zita as one of the agents monitoring both him and the Irken, while subtly directing the two against the other to keep them (mainly the Irken) distracted.
Of course, then the Network's whole conspiracy had been blown apart, exposing Bludhaven to the outside world's weirdness and how the Network had been keeping them in the dark for what it perceived as their own good.
After that, the organization had collapsed pretty much overnight, many senior members being arrested for the many criminal acts they'd carried out to maintain the deception (including but not limited to mind wipes on civilians and bribing/blackmailing/threatening journalists to keep them quiet), while the rest had been ostracized by public mob mentality for their part in things.
This had included Zita and her family, who had ultimately been driven out of town by harassment (with the exception of her uncle Bill, who rumor had it was leading a remnant of the Network in secret) and eventually ended up in Metropolis.
Flashforward a few years, and Zita had showed up at Lexcorp to apply for a position as Pacifica's personal assistant. Naturally, Pacifica didn't trust her, but like her father did once upon a time with Mercy, she saw potential in the slightly older girl; plus, she was certainly more interesting than the others who applied for the job.
Interesting and more easy to control as well, she eventually realized, as it didn't take her long to realize that Zita like many others was attracted to her, and her having so many admirers while sometimes a bit tiring always made her feel smug and proud of how karma had apparently decided to pay her back for her shitty childhood with puberty being VERY kind to her~
What could she say, she rocked the EE-Cup~ But her pride aside, she decided to use Zita's attraction to her advantage, and feeling a bit bored (especially with Dipper being busy at the time), she tempted and seduced her assistant and soon trained her into a very loyal pet, who was so eager to tell her so many interesting things~
The Network had kept a lot of secrets, and thanks to her uncle, Zita had managed to gather up a lot of them during its downfall. And once she was under Pacifica's thumb, she'd happily shared them.
Pacifica had shared some with her father, but was sure to keep plenty to herself. After all, she'd need her own power base one day, and this would be the perfect place to start. Plus, while Dipper wasn't a bad boyfriend, Pacifica discovered a powerful thrill in cheating on him by using her little pet~
All while Dipper remained clueless and continued to be a wonderful pawn in his own way. Honestly, the power of being able to cuck him like this was almost better than the sex itself, though like her Black Cat persona it did fall a bit short of that~
In any case, she had a boyfriend and a lover, both loyal to her completely, she had a family corporation and fortune to draw on, and she had power. What else did she need?
A question... she strangely found herself asking more and more lately. Because despite having the world in the palm of her hand, a part of her... wanted more. She wanted more power, more fame, more prestige, she wanted more thrill, she wanted the world at the bottom of her heel!
But that would be hard to accomplish, considering that super serum or not, she knew she was far from the A list of people with powers. And while he was more liberal about it than her birth parents, her dad still kept majority control on the company and fortune, so she couldn't truly say that its power and influence was hers.
She needed to gather more that was truly just hers alone to use if she wanted to really stand on top. Though for that, she need to gather more resources and plan, especially with the competition at play... hmm, perhaps she should use the current events with those competing warlords, wildcards that they are, to her advantage.
Question is, how? She wondered distractedly while leaning back in her chair, though as she pondered this one thing that was clear, she might need to acquire more allies or at least pawns, which brought her mind to her "bestie".
"Hmm, and reaffirming my control on my current assets probably wouldn't hurt," She muttered out loud with Zita giving her a curious look from where she sat on her knees.
"Ma'am?" she questioned as Pacifica arched a brow down at her.
"See if we can call Mabel over soon, I'm in the mood for some girl time with my bestie later~" she added with a faint smirk.
"Yes, ma'am," Zita replied, not as disgruntled when it came to Dipper, but still not liking how much time her mistress spent with the other Pines twin, "I'll see to that after the meeting with your father and setting up the alibi for tonight."
"Excellent..." Pacifica praised, patting Zita's head, smirking as the girl seemed to preen at the touch, "Perhaps some fun is just what I need to clear my head and figure out the best step to take to establish my own power base."
She added with a thoughtful look before scowling, "Not to mention get my mind off that fucking triangle and the fact he could make a comeback if our new players don't neutralize his last gambit."
And as her mind went back to Lothor and Skeleton King, she once again wondered if and how she could play the situation with them to her advantage, "Hmm, perhaps I could at least talk to Dad about sending some charity to Kaznia... could make for some good press at least."
"I'm sure he'd be happy to play that angle, especially when he's getting ready to gear up for his campaign announcement," Zita commented.
"Yes, and I have to admit, being the daughter of the President of the United States has a nice ring to it," Pacifica said, standing up while pulling up her panties and adjusting her skirt, though honestly a part of her would prefer to be the one holding the chair and holding the power, but eh, she's sure she could turn the position to her advantage, she thought as Zita stood up, brushing off her own clothing, getting a smirk while also thinking it might be an extra thrill to have some of her naughty fun in the White House.
"I think Dad's off in a meeting, but I'm sure he'd appreciate us passing along this report about Gravity Falls as soon as possible," She added with a frown, while recalling just who her father was meeting with today.
She understood the pragmatism of working with such high-powered people against the League, but frankly they all struck her as fanatics (especially that General and the lady in charge). They seemed like they'd all too easily end up biting off more than they could chew in their desperation to win, and either drag her dad down with them or turn on him if he tried to jump ship.
Still, this wasn't like when her sperm donor had idiotically tried to cut a deal with Cipher while having nothing concrete to offer him. Her dad was smart, she was sure he had plans in place, just in case things went south. After all, there was a reason that, despite her own ambition and desire for power she could call her own and independence to prevent a repeat of her childhood, she was still proud to call herself Lex Luthor's daughter.
And it was at this thought she found herself at the entrance to her father's home office alongside Zita and knocked at the door. At her father's voice ringing out to enter she did so, finding him seated in front of his desk with Mercy standing not far behind him, looking at a monitor screen where her dad's business partners were shown.
"Pacifica, you know not to disturb me during a meeting?" Lex Luthor said, arching a brow toward his adopted daughter.
"I know, and I'm sorry for interrupting," Pacifica replied as she stepped forward, "But I've just come into some new information I believe you and your business partners would want to know immediately," She explained, gesturing toward the monitor, ignoring the gaze of those on the other side of the screen.
"Oh?" Lex asked, the implication to continue clear in his tone.
"My pet project of keeping tabs on my old hometown caught something today that I think you'll find interesting," she explained, as Zita stepped forward to present a flashdrive with a copy of the surveillance videos on it.
Lex took the drive without another word and placed it in his computer, the footage of the attack soon playing for everyone to see.
"Well... this is... surprising," Luthor eventually said with a frown as the new aliens competing to conquer Earth turning their attention to Gravity Falls was not what he expected.
"Why in the world would they put so much effort into this town? Much less work together when our intel says they're rival factions?" Spoke up one of the figures seated on the table from the monitor that Pacifica recognized as Professor Emil Hamilton.
"Gravity Falls, despite appearing to be a backwater town to the unaware, is a mystical hotspot and a weak point between dimensions," Explained the frowning form that belonged to a witch by the name of Tala, who was a purple-haired woman wearing a black dress, "It is not a stretch to suggest the two, if aware of this, see potential in taking control of it to the point they share the bounty."
She explained as Pacifica brought up certain footage, "I'm afraid there's more to it than that," She explained as footage of Cipher's statue being pulled out was shown, along with footage of Skeleton King showing Cipher's last moments. And at seeing this, Tala actually let out a string of curses.
"What did we just see?" demanded the woman seated at the head of the table on the other side of the screen. Amanda Waller was probably the least physically-intimidating person present, yet Pacifica was still convinced that she was the most dangerous of them all; her steely gaze hadn't wavered or changed at all throughout the presentation, and even Tala's outburst hadn't disturbed her.
"Bill Cipher, an extra-dimensional nightmare demon who turned Gravity Falls into his chaotic playground a few years ago," Pacifica explained, "He was supposedly killed during that, his body left petrified as that statue afterwards, but now it looks like he might have had a backup plan."
"Cipher can warp reality like that 5th dimensional imp who keeps tormenting Superman, but has no rules and is completely insane," Tala added, "If he had managed to escape the town's mystical barriers, he would have made the Imperium or Thanagarian invasions look like playground scuffles! We cannot risk him resurrecting, or it will be an apocalypse!"
"And we already have enough of those on our plate as is," Zita muttered with a sigh, getting a slight warning look from Pacifica which caused her to straighten.
"Crude as the girl puts it, she isn't wrong," grumbled a man in army uniform beside Waller, General Eiling, "Though the fact the existence of these potential apocalypses comes straight from the enemy's mouth makes those threats suspect in my eyes."
He told the others at the table before the last figure, one Dr. Strange, spoke up adjusting his glasses, "Questionable sources or not, what we know of this Dark One offspring and Trigon means we can hardly afford to risk ignoring the information."
"Agreed. We have not all come this far in our efforts to protect this planet to let ourselves be taken down by some overgrown parasite or something not even from this dimension," Waller stated, "That said, we also can't let ourselves be distracted from the threats that Lothor and Skeleton King themselves represent."
"I concur, especially after what we've seen them both be capable of in Kaznia," Luthor commented, mind flashing to the footage of the alien monster growing to the size of a building.
"Speaking of which, I know this is a bit off topic, but you should consider providing aid to Kaznia's rebuilding efforts," Pacifica said, "It'll definitely help your public persona if you get into humanitarian stuff like that."
"She's not wrong," Mercy added in her own two cents, "The public eat that kind of thing up, and it'll definitely look go when you announce your campaign."
"Very true, and I'm sure Kaznia will appreciate it even more once I'm in the White House," Lex mused with a smirk.
"Assuming they forget about the time you tried to sell a battle suit to that old tyrant of theirs," Eiling said dryly.
"No one ever proved my connection to that," Lex stated, which everyone noted wasn't a denial of the accusation.
"I feel like we've gotten off topic," Hamilton spoke up, "What do we do about this new development?"
"Honestly, personal trauma involving that triangle aside, I'm tempted to leave dealings with Cipher's ace in the hole to Lothor and Skeleton King," Pacifica said, crossing her arms with a frown, "We've got no lead on where their bases are or where they took that statue anyway, and I don't think they or anyone for that matter want Bill Cipher back with a vengeance."
She stated with a scowl.
"Well, maybe you should leave matters of national security to people actually qualified for it, little girl," Eiling scoffed.
Everyone on the Luthor side of the call glared at the man, but surprisingly the reprimand for his comment came from his side of the screen.
"Considering that this 'little girl' is the only one of us to have any firsthand experience with this Cipher being, perhaps we would be prudent to listen to what she has to say on the matter," Strange stated.
"Agreed," Waller added, giving the General a stern look.
Pacifica shot a glare toward the General before sighing out, "Well, starting off, calling Cipher insane barely scratches the surface," she said with a slight scowl, "That triangle makes Joker look like the world's most sane, well-adjusted person."
She looked at the monitor, "And I'd take Joker having access to all the world's nukes over Cipher being loose any day," She then added with a grave look, "This is a thing older than our universe, something that if Ford Pines' information is accurate literally burnt his original reality to the ground," she stared hard into the General's eyes, "Someone who manipulated and conned countless people over the eons for the sole purpose of entering our reality."
Despite himself, Eiling felt a shiver of dread run down his spine at the certainty and fear in Pacifica's eyes.
"So, to put it bluntly, we should consider his possible return the most dangerous of all the threats we're currently looking at," Lex summarized, mind flashing to his own past encounters with the Joker. Anyone who made that lunatic clown look passive by comparison was not something to take lightly.
"Couldn't agree more," Pacifica said with a nod of her head, "I'll admit in order of concern it's Cipher, Trigon, and the Dark One that may or may not be inside our planet in that exact order for me."
She stated quite honestly, biased as she was, "And like them or hate them, the Justice League and their associates are already working on the latter two, never mind your own resources you are all putting into those threats."
She stated with a thoughtful calculating look, as some of those she was addressing gave annoyed or dark looks at the mention of the League, "While as of now, the only ones aware of Cipher's potential return beside us are Lothor and Skeleton King forces," She then added with a frown, "And it might just be me, but those two seem more concerned about the triangle than Trigon or this so-called Dark One."
She stated while rubbing her chin with a frown, "I mean, the skeleton was how we knew about Trigon and potential eldritch baby, but up to now he seemed more focused on his competition for Earth with the ninja."
"Which means both of them are doing something about those problems like us and the League..." Waller stated with a frown, starting to see where Luthor's daughter was going with this.
"Or they know something we don't, and don't consider them an immediate threat to their goals," Pacifica finished, turning her gaze toward her father and felt herself preen a bit at the look of pride in his eyes.
"So, what do we do?" Hamilton asked.
"Hmmm, perhaps the enemy of my enemy could apply here and we could approach either Skeleton King or Lothor in an alliance against a shared threat," Doctor Strange offered in a thoughtful tone.
"Absolutely not!" General Eiling however banged his fist against the table, sending the professor a dark glare, "All we'd be doing is inviting a snake to bite us," The General said with a dark glare, "Those two are confirmed hostiles to not only our country but our very planet."
He said with a dark scowl, "One of them apparently played an instrumental role in the destruction of their own home world, and you're suggesting we try to work with them!?"
He added, sending Strange a glare as the professor held up his hand placating, "I'm simply suggesting an option, General," Strange stated neutrally, while gazing at the General, "After all, as Miss Luthor pointed out herself, those two seem to hold critical information we lack."
"As he's already been mentioned, perhaps we should bring Dr. Pines into the loop regarding this," Luthor suggested.
"I'd advise against that," Waller said, "There's a reason we've only had him work for us secondhand through a subsidiary. From all we know of him, he's too moral to accept the pragmatic choices we've had to make to ensure the success of our mission."
"Yeah, I can second that. As much as he might have spent decades fighting Bill, he won't be willing to go all the way like with some of the stuff you've done," Pacifica stated.
"And I suppose that's not even going into the fact that him finding out about Cipher could risk him doing something reckless, considering their history," Luthor added in with a slight frown, as Pacifica nodded in agreement.
"Plus, getting one Pines involved is begging to get the rest involved, and my influence over Dipper and Mabel only goes so far," Pacifica added in with a thoughtful scowl, "I might be able to maybe keep Mabel on a leash at most, but Dipper would certainly give us problems if he found out more about what we do behind the scenes."
"And you just know he'd tell Dib, and that bigheaded moron is still mad about how the Swollen Eyeballs played him, so he's sensitive about conspiracies," Zita added.
"We are not a conspiracy!" Eiling protested defensively.
"You're a secret group of high-powered people pursuing an agenda that the general public wouldn't agree with. That's a conspiracy by definition," Zita said dryly.
"Heheh, she has a point my dear colleague," Doctor Strange said with a chuckle of amusement and slight smirk as the General shot him a scowl.
"Forgive me, but we seem to be straying from the topic," Professor Hamilton spoke up with a frown, "What exactly are we to do about this Gravity Falls being under the control of these invaders or this Cipher situation?" The doctor asked with a worried look.
"Tala, Pacifica," Waller then spoke up with a slight cold tone, "What exactly can they harvest from this town, and how dangerous could those resources be?" She asked the two who seemed the best sources on the town.
"Hmm, the location is a natural magnet for things people would define as odd, mystical, paranormal, or overall weird," Tala chimed in with a calculating look.
"As for how dangerous, it's honestly a case-by-case," Pacifica with a shrug, "The town has things from the gnomes who are just annoying perverts with a circus trick, to macho minotaurs that insist on calling themselves a stupid name," She added with an eye roll as she brought up some more footage from Gravity Falls depicting not only the Manotaurs' part in the town invasion under control of Skeleton King, but other past footage of mystical examples of the town.
"Are those living golf balls?" Hamilton asked incredulously of one scene.
"Yeah, the Lilliputtians. Trust me when I say from firsthand experience, they're a bunch of tiny psychos," Pacifica grumbled at the memory, "And all this is just the creatures. There's also objects and artifacts of all kinds that can be dangerous in the wrong hands, like size-changing crystals, or an arcade game that can bring its characters to life, not to mention the fact that there's a giant crashed spaceship buried under the valley."
"In short, there are a wide variety of things that either of those two could harness into weapons or soldiers given time," Tala added.
"And the reason we're only now finding out about this town?" Waller questioned Tala and the Luthors with a frown.
"Well, I can't speak for the witch, but the weirdness usually stays in town, so I figured things were contained and handled until now," Pacifica said with a shrug, while of course leaving out that the town's natural anomalies were something she of course wanted to use for her own agenda when she could, and the same likely went for her father, "And honestly, I already figured you guys already knew since you likely did a background check on me and have a literal witch on the payroll."
She added on, with Tala shooting her an annoyed look, and honestly this was actually not a lie, since Pacifica had thought Cadmus knew about Gravity Falls' weird side with the exception of Cipher.
"Tala?" Waller pressed.
"Miss Luthor's disrespectful tone aside, she's correct," the witch explained, "The town's own properties create a barrier around it that keeps its native magical and inhuman denizens from leaving, making them only a threat locally should they ever turn dangerous. And considering that same barrier was able to keep Cipher in place, it never seemed likely that anyone else could break it."
"Then how did these two and their whole damn armies get in and out?" Eiling demanded, gesturing to the images of Lothor and Skeleton King's forces.
"I said native denizens. These two are not themselves connected to Gravity Falls' natural weirdness, and as such wouldn't be affected by the barrier," Tala clarified.
"They also seem able to take the native denizens past this barrier as well," Hamilton observed, while watching a scene of Skeleton King teleporting away that bear with multiple heads.
"I can only assume that that's a loophole, there being nothing stopping outside interlopers from removing creatures from within the barrier," Tala speculated.
"Wonderful, so there's nothing stopping them from just taking whatever they want," Eiling grumbled, "Which brings us back to the previous question, what do we do now?"
Silence stood for several moments before Waller spoke up, "Regarding Gravity Falls, I want the situation monitored and allowed to play out... for now," She stated coldly.
"Ma'am!?" Eiling gave her a look of shock.
"Don't misunderstand, I don't the idea of hostiles being allowed to steal resources for their arsenal, but this presents an opportunity," She explained with her hard tone, "Because now we know where one of their operations are."
"Ah, I see," Luthor nodded, "With us having no idea of where their headquarters are, and with them attacking locations around the world seeming at random, having a location where we know for a fact they'll be located for the foreseeable future gives us a chance to keep a close eye on them."
"More than that, by keeping track of what they take, we have a way of anticipating what they might do next," Strange added.
"Can't say that I approve on moral grounds, but I can see the logic," Hamilton stated.
Considering that the man was betraying his so-called friend Superman to be part of this organization, Pacifica thought him trying to object to anything on moral grounds was hilariously hypocritical, but she chose not to comment on it.
"This could also be a chance to neutralize a threat," Eiling pointed out, the General wearing a scowl, "If either of them set foot in that town again, we could mobilize and put them down hard!"
He emphasized the statement by banging his fist against the wall, "Perhaps we could even put Project: Galatea into the field to deal with them?" He brought up, glancing to Professor Hamilton with a slight hard look.
"She's not ready for something of this scale," Hamilton replied firmly.
"Really? Or are you just feeling overprotective?" Strange asked with a smirk, earning a glare from the other scientist.
"I'd also like to point out that since Kryptonians are weak to magic, something our dear clone warrior will have inherited, she's unlikely do well in such a scenario," Lex brought up, "After all, we know for a fact that Skeleton King is a sorcerer of some sort, and it appears Lothor has some magic as well, given how he was able to grow his minion in Kaznia so large."
"That weakness aside, Galatea is one of the most powerful weapons and assets that we have available against these hostiles," Eiling reminded them firmly.
"She's also meant to be our trump card against the Kryptonians," Waller pointed out, "Are you really willing to risk her against hostiles that we don't know she'll even be effective against?"
"It beats sitting on our asses waiting for them to hit us first!" the General snapped.
"Even I know warfare requires patience," Pacifica butted in with a pointed look, "And sometimes to win in the long run you've got to take some losses on the short term," she added, with Luthor giving a nod of agreement with his daughter while Eiling scowled at her.
"Galatea aside, you must have other weapons or metahumans that can be used against Lothor or Skeleton King if it comes down to it," Zita chimed in with a thoughtful look while rubbing her chin.
"That's classified," Eiling snapped, "And would someone remind me why the hired help is even taking part in a sensitive conversation like this?"
Zita glared at the General, only for Pacifica to put an arm around her shoulders to calm her down before she could snap.
"Zita was working as an undercover agent for the Swollen Eyeballs when she was still in grade school, I think she's proven she's more than qualified to handle the seriousness of the situation," Pacifica said, smirking at how Zita flushed from her compliments.
"You mean that conspiracy of morons who thought burying their heads in the sand would protect them?" Eiling retorted right back with a scowl, with Zita glaring back at the General, despite still having a blush from Pacifica praise, "This moron was able to manipulate those idiots Dib and Zim and their feud plenty of times while managing to scavenge not only Irken technology but data."
"Which we're all grateful for, especially now that in addition to Zim still running around, we have this Tak working with Lothor," Lex cut in, "Speaking of which, anything to add about her?"
"Nothing that's not already in the files from her last time on Earth," Zita said with a shrug, "Aside from the fact that I'm pretty sure Dib still has her old ship. We should keep tabs in case she comes looking for it."
"Hmm, good suggestion," Lex nodded, before turning back to everyone else, "Since this argument is going in circles, let's cut to the chase. I call a vote on whether we should intervene in Gravity Falls or only maintain discrete observation."
"Fine, as long as only actual members get a vote," Eiling said, sharing dirty looks with the two teens.
Who simply scowled at him, "You know this attitude isn't going to help Cadmus win allies in the long term, right?" Pacifica said dryly, making clear she wasn't afraid of the General or cared much for his opinion, causing the man to growl before disregarding her.
"I vote we intervene immediately and use this as a opportunity to bring the hammer down hard on these hostiles! Show them that they can't just roll in and take over an American town, no matter how small!" Eiling barked, making his opinion loud and clear, with Hamilton actually giving an agreeing nod.
"I find myself in agreement with the General," The Professor stated with a frown, "I don't like the idea of leaving innocent people at the mercy of alien invaders when we could intervene," He admitted, his mind going back to the dark day where Superman lead that invasion from Apokolips.
"I vote for monitoring the situation for now," Dr. Strange stated, adjusting his spectacles, "Perhaps we could gain some insight to the psyches of Lothor, Skeleton King, or their agents from monitoring Gravity Falls."
He added on in a thoughtful tone before Tala spoke up, "While risky with Cipher's potential involvement, never mind the magical resources these two could take, I believe waiting for the right moment to strike would be wise," Tala said as she made her own vote.
"Indeed, and perhaps this could lead to further opportunity or information that could benefit our own agenda," Lex stated, making his own vote clear.
"And I already made my opinion clear, so the votes are in," Waller stated evenly, "We will be monitoring the situation of Gravity Falls. Let's see how things play out before we tip our hand," she said before narrowing her eyes, "With any luck, these two will prove themselves useful by at least dealing with this Bill Cipher."
Eiling scowled and Hamilton frowned, but neither argued the decision. Seeing this, Waller nodded and turned to Pacifica, who straightened up under her gaze.
"Miss Luthor, since it was your surveillance program that caught this situation, I trust you to maintain monitoring of the situation," she stated, "If anything at all happens, you will report it immediately, understood?"
"Yes ma'am," Pacifica replied with a nod.
"Good," Waller said, "Now then, is there any other business to discuss?"
"Hmm, it's not a lead on the gem's location, but I have recently heard rumors that Brother Blood, a high-ranking leader of the Church of Blood, seems to have gained control of the HIVE Academy organization," Tala spoke up with a grim frown.
"What's one thing got to do with the other?" Hamilton asked in confusion.
"Because rumor has it that beyond its hedonistic and criminal facade, the Church of Blood is a Trigon worshipping cult," Tala explained, immediately catching everyone's attention.
"Well, that's just great. You're saying that a cultist who worships a potentially world-ending threat now has an army of supervillains at his disposal?" Pacifica asked. With the others also trading looks because the scenario Pacifica described was not at all favorable at all.
"Actually..." Tala however shook her head with a frown, "There may be some silver lining there."
she reported, looking at the others, "According to what I've managed to dig up on the man, there are rumors he's been expelled from the church and is now regarded as a heretic and traitor," she explained, before adding with a shrug, "Evidently, he only saw the church as a means to a end for his power, and the more faithful followers took exception."
"Well, that's helpful," Strange commented, "Hmm, perhaps we should try and get ahold of him? We can interrogate him for any information his cult has on the gem."
"An endeavor that might be easier said than done, even if we do locate HIVE Academy's base," Tala said, shaking her head, "I know little of the man, but what I've learned paints a dangerous picture."
she gave them a warning look, "The fact he managed to reach the inner circles of the church before his expulsion alone says how dangerous he can be," she said, with Pacifica chiming in, "Plus, that was before getting control of a school for supervillains in training that he can use to protect himself."
The heiress pointed out, reminding them of the resources now at Blood's control.
"So? We just crush that bunch of criminal roaches and round him up with the rest of them," Eiling scoffed, causing Pacifica to roll her eyes; the man was obsessed with attacking anyone he could.
"Except we don't have any idea where the academy is," Luthor commented dryly, "So, unless you want to tear up the whole city, and get the League's sidekick club involved, that option is off the table for now."
Eiling scowled, with Zita speaking up, "Yeah, last I checked, this was all supposed to be covert, with the last thing we want is the League finding out about Cadmus," she added a tad pointedly with a smirk to the scowling General.
"Hmm, perhaps we could reach out to this Blood to bargain for information instead?" Strange spoke up, rubbing his chin, "If he is regarded as a traitor among Trigon's followers, then he likely desires to keep his former master out of our reality."
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, as they say," Lex pointed out, "And who knows, we may even be able to gain leverage over his entire school this way."
"Hmm, put our feelers out, but be cautious about it," Waller said with her signature frown, "With any luck, we might get a lead on that gem," She added.
"One could only hope. It'd be nice to have a means of dealing with at least one of these new threats," Hamilton muttered, "Speaking of which, have we made any progress in confirming whether or not we have one of those Dark One things inside the planet?"
"Not yet, but considering the sheer size of the planet and how hard it is to do deep-earth scans, I wouldn't take the chance on being too optimistic right now," Lex said.
"And what exactly is the plan if there is one incubating in the planet anyway?" Zita asked with a frown, "I mean, we don't know much about these so-called Dark Ones outside of them being large, powerful, and that one getting free led to a planet getting destroyed before Skeleton King somehow killed it," She added, pointing out they knew the least about the Dark One compared to the other threats.
That left everyone feeling generally disgruntled, not enjoying the reminder of that particular detail.
"Let's leave that as a bridge to cross when we get there," Lex said, "I'm sure with our collective resources, we can find a way to neutralize it if we do find we have one. But for now, let's focus on what actually can handle in the here and now."
"Indeed, best to focus on what we deal with right now," Strange remarked, giving off a hum.
"Hmm, with so many threats, perhaps we should reach out for additional aid," Hamilton suggested next with a thoughtful hum, looking towards Waller, "Like Global Justice, from what I understand their agency does good work policing a number of the lower level super criminals," He offered, only for Waller to shake her head.
"A prudent suggestion, however it's risky," The woman explained, looking over to the doctor, "Betty Director is a good woman, but she leans too lightly and favorably on the so-called superheroes," She explained, with Eiling giving off a snort.
"Last I heard, she was taking a keen interest in that cheerleader playing secret agent, wasn't she?" The General asked with a scowl.
"Unfortunately. Before you know it, she'll be like those idiots at WHOOP and start recruiting anyone she thinks has a 'spy gene'," Waller said dismissively.
"Oh please, don't get me started on that nonsense," Hamilton grumbled.
"What about the Center, or Section 13? They both specialize in monsters and magic," Strange suggested, "That could come in handy regarding these new developments."
"Hmm, possible. I'll admit, I'm wary of how much influence the Center has though," Waller said with a thoughtful frown.
"Resources that would be put to better use with us, considering they've been failing in their job the last number of years," Eiling grumbled, since the Center was formed to protect against supernatural and extraterrestrial threats and yet, "After all, they weren't much help during the last number of alien invasions, and apparently they missed this Cipher situation on top of that," The man told them, scowling.
"In fairness, as has already been explained, Gravity Falls is isolated in more ways than one, so it's not surprising that even something as big as this escaped their attention until it was already over," Tala said, "Though that said, I agree that for all its resources, the Center seems more apt at dealing with small isolated cases than full-scale emergencies."
"Then it's about time they change that and start pulling their weight," The General said scowling.
"As for Section 13, if the information from Kaznia is accurate, I believe they and their mystical consultants will be quite interested to know that Hak Foo is now working for Skeleton King." Waller added in
"Yeah, apparently with the same power upgrade he got from the evil wizard back in the day," Pacifica noted, recalling those particularly interesting files she'd read, "Hmm, are we sure he's not back in play, too?"
"I checked. Daolon Wong is currently in convalescent care in his prison hospital. It seems his ancient age is finally catching up with him," Tala said, "No, it would appear that the Black Tiger's returned powers are fully the result of Skeleton King, probably awakening the remnants of Wong's magic in him."
"And that's not even going into what enhancements Skeleton King could have bestowed upon him on top of reawakening Wong's magic when turning him back into a dark chi warrior," The sorceress added with a thoughtful look.
"Point is, Section 13 has not only more experience with Hak Foo and how he thinks, but experience in dealing with magical powered threats, so bringing them in at least to a degree would prove beneficial," Waller explained, before adding with a frown, "We just need to make sure, like in the case of Stanford Pines, that they're kept in the dark about some of our operations until we're sure they can be trusted with the information," She explained, with the others giving nods.
"Hmm, on the subject of that traitor, we should be on the lookout for any other local talent that Lothor and Skeleton King could recruit and would sell out their own planet," The General said with a disgusted look, "Starting with the status of those mercenaries that participated in the Kaznian civil war," He added, with Luthor speaking up.
"I believe Deadshot and the samurai have been arrested, while the rest have disappeared or gone to ground," The businessman informed them, "However, I believe Bane has returned to his island nation according to my informants."
"Where he'll now be surrounded by an army of loyal followers we can't even try to get through without causing an international incident. Wonderful," Eiling groaned.
"Indeed, as for the others..." Luthor shrugged, "Last sighting of Dastardly was his airship leaving the country, Combustion Man has disappeared without a trace, and the last reported sighting of Mercenary Tao had him on a bodyguard contract for that fool Wapol."
He explained, giving off a disgusted look at the last name that everyone else actually shared.
"Well, we'll deal with the lot of them later," Waller said, "Now, is there anything else to cover?"
"What about that last mercenary, Mandy?" Zita asked with a frown, with Tala seeming to scowl at that name.
"Like the others, she's disappeared," Lex said, before noticing Tala's look, "Something you'd care to add?"
"Nothing relevant, just a personal comment that that girl is a disrespectful wretch who constantly tramples over the integrity and traditions of the magical world," the witch sneered.
"Speaking from personal experience?" Pacifica asked.
"Yes, and I'd rather not discuss it, if you please," Tala added with a scowl, prompting raised brows, "But I believe we can move this discussion on."
She added with Eiling giving a nod, "Agreed, and on the supernatural angle, I have to ask if there is any new information on that hostile that showed up some months back with that rock army of hers?"
He inquired with a hard look, with Tala giving off a frown, recalling just who he was referring to and her preference to not get involved in that childish tiff over mystical toys... or risking the attention of a certain individual with a taste for dragons. Tala was no coward, but she also wasn't arrogant enough to think that potentially provoking someone like Chase Young was a situation where she'd come out on top.
Honestly, as far as she was concerned, the conflict between the Xiaolin and Heylin over Dashi's trinkets was an internal matter and best left to their own devices. And if anything, Wuya's temporary return to power just proved her point - the egotistical old hag had only managed to actually take over the mostly abandoned region of China where she'd regained her physical form, while everywhere else the various militaries, heroes, and even plenty of other villains had managed to fight Wuya's rock soldiers to a standstill until her defeat barely a day later had caused them all to dissolve. Frankly, it looked like the old witch's reputation had been exaggerated over the years if a bunch of half-trained teenagers had been able to take her down so quickly.
But, she knew that her colleagues wouldn't be so willing to leave things be (especially not Eiling, with his overeager desire to solve all his problems with open combat), so she merely said, "I've made inquiries, but everyone I've talked to is either pleading ignorance or insisting that it's not a matter for non-magical people to worry about."
Which wasn't even a lie. Pretty much everyone in the magical community who knew about the Xiaolin and Wuya shared Tala's opinion that it was a private affair and that there was no reason to involve outsiders in it.
"And personally, I have a theory that with how they disappeared practically overnight, they were most likely some fool who stumbled upon greater magical power they couldn't handle, and as such are no longer an issue," Tala added with a shrug while lying shamelessly to her allies.
"Well, let's keep an ear to the ground on that, just in case it turns out to still be an issue," Waller stated, "Anything else needing to be discussed at this time?"
"Nothing I can think of on my side," Pacifica admitted with a shrug, her mind already turning to her plans to meet with Mabel and going out as Black Cat tonight.
"Hmm, nothing else worth discussing at this time, I don't think," Strange commented.
"Then I motion that we end this session, so we can begin implementing everything we've discussed," Lex said.
"Agreed, let's get to work, people," Waller said with a nod as she stood from the table, and without another word, the transmission was cut off, leaving Mercy, Zita, Pacifica, and Luthor in the room.
"Well, that went well, I suppose," Zita muttered with a slight scowl, still annoyed by the General earlier comments.
"As well as could be, I suppose," Pacifica agreed before arching a brow, "But now that your associates are no longer listening Dad, I must admit I'm curious if you got any plans of your own in regard to all these recent events?"
"Hmm, nothing concrete quite yet. I admit I'm having a hard time fully grasping our new arrivals," Lex said reluctantly.
"You too, huh?" Pacifica asked, "Yeah, they're hard to get a good read on. It's almost like they're treating this whole thing like a game."
"Yes, and I don't like the thought of having to deal with unpredictable factors," Lex said with a frown, "It's like working with the damn clown all over again."
"Only these two got a lot more than a crazy fangirl and criminal thugs backing them," Mercy agreed, nodding her head.
"Actually, speaking of those two, are we sure they're really rivals?" Zita brought up with a frown, thinking of something she noticed before bringing the Gravity Falls report to Pacifica, "Because is it just me, or do those two seem pretty cordial with each other despite leading enemy factions that want to conquer the same planet?" Zita added, pointing out with a frown.
The others paused as they considered what she was saying.
"Huh, now that you mention it, they do seem to be pretty chummy from what I've seen," Pacifica mused, rubbing her chin in thought.
"So, either friendly rivals, or not rivals at all and just pretending for some reason," Lex decided, "The question is, if so, then why?"
"Either way, it makes them even more dangerous if their forces are or start working together," Pacifica pointed out with a frown, looking over to her father, who nodded in agreement. What little they knew of Lothor and Skeleton King's power and resources showed they were dangerous, but if they combined their resources together instead of competing against each other, Luthor found himself scowling at the potential scenario it presented, while looking toward his daughter.
"And don't know about you, but I'm not crazy for the idea of my planet getting split 50/50 between two enslaving conquerors," she added with a slight scowl, realizing that such a scenario likely wouldn't end well for her at all, a realization Luthor shared.
"Agreed," He admitted with a faint scowl.
"Well, it's not like we're in a position to do much about the situation right now," Zita pointed out with a slight sigh before adding in a bitter mutter, "Besides hoping that freak alien might get himself killed while he and the rest of those so-called heroes are trying to deal with them."
Being raised since young childhood as a member of an organization dedicated to hunting monsters and aliens, Zita was fairly xenophobic towards non-humans. Something which had only made Lex approve more of her as his adopted daughter's companion, he thought with a smirk at her words.
"A tempting scenario, dear girl, though I admit I'd feel cheated at not getting a chance to get rid of Superman myself," Lex said, thinking back to that time everyone thought that Superman had been killed by Toyman of all people, and he'd actually mourned with the rest over the apparent loss, for his own reasons.
"In any case, as you said, there's regrettably nothing we can do about it right now except prepare," he added.
"Agreed," Pacifica said with a nod, with her mind internally going to her own resources before turning to leave, "But with that out of the way, I'll leave you to your work, Dad," she said, before giving off a faint smirk, "I've got some girl time with my bestie to prepare for anyway~"
she said with a giggle while Zita gave a faint noticeable scowl, while Mercy gave off a faint amused smirk and Luthor merely rolled his eyes.
"Just remember not to break your toys, dear. As foolish as your friend is, we still have use for her," He reminded his daughter, who merely smirked as she exited the room with Zita following.
"No promises~" Being her last departing words over her shoulder, leaving Mercy and Luthor alone in silence for a moment.
"You know, I had my doubts, but I have to admit her sense of fun aside, the girl seems to be coming along quite well, Lex," Mercy observed, standing beside Luthor, who looked at the shut door to his personal office.
"Indeed," He agreed with a faint smirk as Mercy arched a brow.
"You think she realizes yet that you've known since day one about her sneaking off with that formula while taking a page out of Catwoman's book?" She asked with an arched brow, while Luthor simply gave a chuckle in response.
"I doubt it. She's just clever enough to think that she's too clever for anyone to catch onto," Lex chuckled, "And while I'm hoping against it, if she does ever get caught, this at least gives us enough plausible deniability that we can avoid our own legal troubles while helping her get out of hers."
"You think it'd be that easy to get her off? Some of her thefts are getting pretty high-profile," Mercy pointed out.
"Yes, but considering all the serious threats out there nowadays, I doubt anyone would see it as anything worse than a bored socialite looking for fun," Lex replied, "As you said, she's like Catwoman, and when's the last time that Miss Kyle ever faced serous jail time?"
"True, though I think that might partially be do to the Bat having had a thing with her in the past, according to rumors," Mercy agreed with a shrug while pointing out.
"Nevertheless, in the past several years since I've adopted and taken Pacifica under my wing, she's made an excellent amount of progress," Luthor stated, leaning back in his chair, "She's young and ambitious and bound to make some mistakes, but she's well on her way to being my true ideal successor," He told Mercy, who gave a shake of her head.
"Even after all these years, it's still hard to believe you adopted a kid out of the blue, Lex," She said, taking a seat on his desk while Luthor simply smirked.
"Let's just say I saw a bit of myself in her," He stated while looking up at Mercy, and really how could he not, an ambitious cunning mind being held back and controlled by the miserable fools she was forced to call parents, a story he knew all too well with his own father, "Besides..."
He then frowned, tapping his fingers against the desk, "Securing my legacy is the most prudent choice, considering certain factors I have to thank that alien for," He muttered with a scowl, raising his hand to rub against his chest, knowing the suit that regulated his Kryptonite cancer laid underneath it. If there was one welcome realization to his condition, it was the fact he had neglected to secure his legacy, something he believed he had fixed with Pacifica, who was making excellent progress.
Her ruthlessness was dulled at first when she first came under his wing thanks to the influence of that foolish Pines boy, but now... well, her own parents knew how ruthless she could be during their last moments~ And that fool of a boy had no idea that Pacifica saw him as a pawn and toy in her own game, so blinded by his love to not realize it wasn't returned. Though to be fair, he wasn't sure if Pacifica herself realized this yet...
"But we can discuss Pacifica's progress later, we have our own work to do," He stated, bringing himself back to focus with a frown as Mercy gave a disappointed frown.
"Oh?" She reached out to cup her boss' cheek, "Just work, sir?" she asked with bedroom eyes, staring down at him, "After all, I haven't been punished enough for trying to steal company from you, have I?"
she asked, leaning her face down to Luthor's. Lex smirked back at her.
"Well, I suppose there's nothing pressing enough that it can't wait while I give you a bit more discipline~" he replied, taking her hand from his face and giving her a kiss.
With Mercy simply groaning and returning the kiss, with the room soon echoing with the sounds of a certain kind of business~
(Elsewhere)
In a dark room, a booming voice started to speak up, "Coming this summer, to a screen near you."
A large theater-sized screen lit up, "A tale of two conquerors, whose hunger for power is only rivaled by their lust."
A scene is shown of a door opening, revealing Chiro leader of the Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force, who gasps in horror at what he sees in the room, "Jinmay, how could you!?" He called out with heartbroken betrayal as the camera pans out to reveal Jinmay laying in bed with Skeleton King.
The scene then smash cut to show Lothor fucking Tak doggy style in the middle of the street in a burning city, laughing as Kelzaks ran around destroying everything around them.
"Two conquerors who will crush all in their path as they quest for global domination," the voice continued.
The scene now cut to show Skeleton King punching out Superman, while Lothor was chasing the Titans while waving around a sword.
"Two conquerors who shall charm and corrupt any woman they lay their eyes on~" The voice added on.
Scene now shifted to that of Raven wearing a dress dancing with Skeleton King in a ballroom before being pulled into a deep and hungry kiss.
Then the scene shifted again to show Lothor and Wendy on a beach, Wendy wearing a string bikini so thin that it was barely existent and lying on her stomach as Lothor sensually rubbed suntan lotion onto her back.
"Two conquerors who shall stop at nothing to reign supreme," the voice continued, "But only one can stand truly victorious."
Now, Skeleton King and Lothor were facing off in a wrestling ring, glaring at each other from opposite corners.
"Who shall emerge as the ultimate victor? Find out in Isekai Conquerors, coming soon to Mojo TV Prime!" the voice declared, as Skeleton King and Lothor lunged at each other, fists prepared to strike blows, only to pause in a freeze frame, with the words "Isekai Conquerors" appearing superimposed over them.
At that, loud applause went off as the lights went on, revealing a large room that seemed to be a cross between an arena and movie theater, with the stands filled with all kinds of alien beings of different shapes, sizes, and colors, all of clapping their claws, hands, tentacles, and various appendages.
"Hehahaha, thank you, thank you, hehaha, you're all too kind~" And soaking up the applause was a large, fat, green, and if being honest disgusting-looking creature with no apparent feet inside a mechanical mobile device with four spider-like legs and a large tail, "You are all too kind~"
The creature none other than the malicious manager of TV talent across the omniverse and mastermind behind Lothor and Skeleton King's situation said with a large beaming grin, "But tell me, you sacks of blood and mucus..."
He shot a large grin toward the crowd, "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!?" He roared out with the audience roaring out their answer.
"Mojo! Mojo! Mojo! Mojo!" they chanted his name, the obese dimensional overlord soaking it all up with a smirk, while his two minions stood off to the side of the stage he was on.
"None of those scenes even happened," scoffed a six-armed woman, folding four of them in annoyance while the other two were planted on her hips.
"That's trailers for you, Spiral, they're only meant to get audience attention, not be accurate" her male companion replied.
"Well, still think it's dumb, Major Domo," The woman Spiral said with an eye roll toward Mojo's right hand man, who merely let out a faint smirk as their boss continued to address the crowd.
"Now, when I first leaked this idea onto the inter-dimensional web, people called me crazy, mad, a..." Mojo's voice cracked as he dramatically placed the back of his right hand against his forehead, "A hack even!" He declared with his best look of despair before giving a glaring demented grin, "Well guess what, those same losers are dead and I'm ranking in all your money!" He declared, before giving off a laugh.
The crowd laughed along for several minutes, and as it died, Mojo kept talking.
"And this is just a taste of what's to come, folks!" he declared, "Our two villainous protagonists are just getting warmed up, and they're going to be bringing you everything you want! Action! Intrigue! And plenty of hot, steamy smut!"
The crowd cheered again, with Mojo soaking up ever bit of it with the widest grin that couldn't be wiped off, "And I'm sure many of you are curious when or how a certain annoying triangle will come into play," He said with a slight sneer, nodding as the crowd boo'd at the image that popped up behind him, that of Bill Cipher, "But rest assured folks, that question, along with any others you might have, will be answered in time... just as long as you keep watching our show, HA!"
He explained before yelling at the end with a bark of laughter.
"So, stay tuned, folks! All the action, twists, and fun of all kinds you can imagine!" Mojo shouted, soaking up the resulting applause for a few minutes more before scuttling offstage to join his underlings.
"An excellent performance as always, sir," Major Domo greeted him.
"Of course it was, it's me Domo!" Mojo told his right hand with a laugh, before giving him and Spiral a serious look with a wicked gleam in his eyes, "Now what's the latest ratings on my latest master piece?"
He asked while eagerly rubbing his hands together, "I want to hear it all! The praise, the shippers, even the jealous trolls who wished they were as brilliant as me!" He declared, throwing his arms in the air grandly.
"Well, a lot of people were complaining that the whole thing in Kaznia took too long," Spiral said dryly, "Also, a lot of people are saying that the heroes are too stupid by just falling for all the isekai guys' plans."
"Aside from that, however, everyone is loving it, sir," Major Domo quickly added as he saw his master frown, "Especially how both our protagonists are enjoying claiming their new lovers. And Lothor's first use of his monster enlargement was particularly well received."
"That's good, that's good... minus the whiney babies," Mojo said, nodding with a grin that fell at his last words as they walked deeper backstage, "I mean, I give the people violence, sex, and drama with the Kaznia arc and they're complaining it's too long?! Ingrates!"
Mojo declared, spitting on the ground with Spiral giving a slight disgusted look at the mucus ball by her foot, while Domo seem nonchalant.
"Plus, we planted so many potential plot lines for later!" Mojo added with the tirade, "That little treasure hunt for that mystical doodad, that freedom fighter girl's fate in Lothor's hands, that mind exploding guy now a waiting weapon for Skeleton King, and don't get me started on the Scottish guy regaining memories from another timeline! How are people complaining?!"
He demanded looking over to his top underlings, "Well, you have to admit so far things have been going smoothly for your stars," Spiral said with a shrug.
"The show is still in its beginning stages!" Mojo snapped back defensively with a scowl, "And it's not my fault that the local talent aren't up to snuff when it comes to giving my stars a challenge," He added with a huff.
"Of course not, sir," Domo quickly said to appease his master, "And as you said, things are only in their early stages. So many plot lines planted, and our leads have barely scratched the surface of what this reality has to offer. I'm sure once more plays out, even those whining trolls will shut up and enjoy the show."
"Damn right they will, or I'll have them hunted down and executed!"
"That's reasonable," Spiral said, tone so even that Mojo couldn't tell if she was being sarcastic or not.
"And if those hacks can't cut it, then management will just step in to actually give our... stars... a challenge..." Mojo started to say in a rant, before trailing off as an inspired wicked gleam entered his eyes.
"Another brilliant idea, sir?" Domo asked, intrigued by the look and curious to see what his master had just come up with.
"Oh, nothing big..." Mojo said with a malicious grin and chuckle, "It just occurred to me..." he looked at his two loyal lackeys, "Perhaps we should borrow more from the source material of our actors' roles~"
"What, you want to bring in some of those Power Rangers?" Spiral asked.
"No, I'm thinking bigger. Much bigger," Mojo chuckled evilly, "Though that isn't a bad idea..." He added with a thoughtful look, rubbing his chin, "Note to self, arrange screen audience to test mixing in more players from the multi-colored spandex side of the omniverse."
He said to himself before shaking his head, "But what I got in mind..." Mojo chuckled, arching his fingers together with a sinister look, "Let's just say it's going to be big!"
The two underlings exchanged a look at that, both genuinely curious but neither wanting to risk provoking their master by prodding him for details. So, they merely watched on as he laughed and talked excitedly to himself.
"Yes, this is going to be good~" the overlord laughed with an evil grin.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: First of all, congrats to anyone who figured out last time around that the mystery figure was Mojo. He just seemed like the perfect person to be playing mastermind behind this whole situation.
Secondly, we have now met this story's version of Pacifica, who has been very much altered by her adoptive father's influence, and her lovely assistant, who is a personal favorite as far as underused Invader Zim background characters go. Full credit to Night for her backstory in this setting.
If you liked all this, please leave a kudos or comment.
Nightmaster000 A/N: That's right folks Isekai Conquerors is brought to you live by the big mucus of entertainment himself MOJO! Hehe and we hope you like the twist of him being the one to thank for our current situation. Also congrats to everybody who guessed right to his identity~
And we introduce this reality's Pacifica who's grown into quite the heart throb and really showing ruthless naughty side~ Also hope you like the additional touch of the aged up Zita felt like a fun little twist for the IZ background character~
If you liked please leave a review and/or kudos~
Chapter 17: Divide and Conquer
Summary:
We return to Jump City, as Skeleton King's influence over the Titans' lives continues to grow.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Welcome back to the next chapter, everyone. After the previous arcs and last chapter's interlude, this time we've just got an episodic entry. Specifically, a classic Teen Titans episode that'll see some slight changes from Night/Skeleton King and his forces influencing things. Additionally, there'll be a bit of world building from our other plot threads, old and new, but I won't say any more and spoil things for you.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hello everyone hope you're all ready for the latest chapter! We're delving into a Teen Titans episode with some twists while seeing me/Skeleton King influence the lives of the Titans even more~
All while working on a few other surprises that I hope you enjoy ~ So sit back and enjoy all the fun we've got ready for you all.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"What, you want to bring in some of those Power Rangers?" Spiral asked.
"No, I'm thinking bigger. Much bigger," Mojo chuckled evilly, "Though that isn't a bad idea..." He added with a thoughtful look, rubbing his chin, "Note to self, arrange screen audience to test mixing in more players from the multi-colored spandex side of the omniverse."
He said to himself before shaking his head, "But what I got in mind..." Mojo chuckled, arching his fingers together with a sinister look, "Let's just say it's going to be big!"
The two underlings exchanged a look at that, both genuinely curious but neither wanting to risk provoking their master by prodding him for details. So, they merely watched on as he laughed and talked excitedly to himself.
"Yes, this is going to be good~" the overlord laughed with an evil grin.
(Earth, Jump City)
It was, simply put, Hell on Earth. With Jump City in destroyed ruins, the petrified forms of all its citizens filling the ruins as the red skies hung overhead, and a large four-eyed antlered red figure that was sat using the remains of Titans Tower as a throne.
"Ah, a perfect beginning to my conquest of this universe, wouldn't you agree daughter~" Said none other than Trigon the Terrible with a cruel twisted grin.
Raven didn't respond, laying slumped on the ground in front of her father, staring in horror at the sight before her. Not just the destroyed city, but more specifically the petrified figures placed directly in front of her. Her friends, frozen in looks of utter terror from their final moments, and yet also seeming to somehow stare down at her in judgement.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she muttered over and over, tears running down her face, "I didn't want this, I didn't, I swear..."
"Now daughter, why the tears?" Trigon asked with faux concern, looking down at the much smaller form of his daughter, "This is a happy day, after all," He said, giving a sadistic grin, "The day you deliver the universe to your father's hands."
He said, laughing, while Raven simply cried trying to block him out, "ARGG!" That was until her father's cruel laughter was cut off by a blast of purple light hitting him in the face.
"Wrong!" And a new voice spoke out with a loud boom, causing Raven to whirl around, her eyes widening when she saw the massive figure that rivaled her father's height... Skeleton King.
"Today is the day she is liberated from your control!" Skeleton King hissed, glaring at the figure of Trigon, who had been blasted off his makeshift throne and now glared up at Skeleton King in rage.
"Insolent wretch! You dare defy the master of all things?!" Trigon roared, unleashing beams of pure hellfire from all four eyes.
The attack hit Skeleton King head on, with enough energy to obliterate a mountain. However, it had no effect on the lich, washing over him without leaving so much as a scorch mark on his cape.
"Master of all things? You?! HA!" Skeleton King laughed and grinned mockingly while raising up his left hand, "Let me show who the real master here is!" He intoned, sending out a mystical blast straight at Trigon.
"AAARRRGGH!" Trigon screamed as the energy surged over him like lightning. The mighty demon lord twitched and spasmed in agony, the attack forcing him to his knees, to Raven's utter shock. But Skeleton King wasn't done, as he stopped the attack only to thrust out his staff, shooting a blue light toward Trigon.
"AARRRG YOU CURSED ARRRGGG!" And Raven watched enraptured as Trigon's skin turned blue and started to crystalize... no, turn to ice... and before she knew it, her father, the nightmare of her life... one of the worst demons in existence was a giant ice sculpture.
BOOM
That was reduced to rubble as Skeleton King lunged his staff forward, stabbing Trigon's iced form in the chest before a loud explosion of purple light went off. And with that, Trigon the Terrible, first and foremost of all demonic evils, was vaporized, blown apart into countless fragments.
Raven could only stare in shock, unable to believe what she was seeing. Her father... was dead? It couldn't be possible, could it?
But as she watched the decapitated ice head of her father land and sink into the waters surrounding Titans island, she had to accept it was... he was gone... slain by Skeleton King... and with such ease.
And as this realization filled he,r Raven found her cheeks warming, looking up at Skeleton King's massive figure in awe as he shrunk down to his regular (if still quite tall) height, giving her a look of concern, "Are you okay Raven?"
"Uh, y-yes, thank you," Raven stammered, not sure how she was feeling. She knew he was evil, but he had just slain her father, the worst evil she'd ever known and lived in fear of for her whole life. How was she supposed to react?
Though as she asked this, she blinked when he reached down, offering his left hand which she found herself accepting with a nervous flush as she stood back up.
"I am relieved to see that you are safe, my dear," he said reaching out to rub her chin, and without realizing it Raven found herself leaning into his touch, "I only wish I had come sooner," Skeleton King said, looking over the devastation her father had wrought before his gaze went to what remained of her friends.
Following his gaze and seeing again what had happened to the only people to truly care about her, Raven sobbed, and without meaning to she collapsed against Skeleton King, who caught her.
"Shh, it's okay, my dear," He murmured softly into her ear as he leaned down and kissed her forehead, "Your old life might be gone... but now..." He smiled as he rubbed her back, "You have a chance at a new life ahead of you~"
"A... new life?" Raven muttered, looking up at him in confusion.
"Yes, now that your father is gone, nothing stands in my... our way..." Skeleton King said, giving an evil chuckle as his eyes gave off a wicked gleam that sent a shiver down Raven's spine, "My..." He leaned in, cupping her cheek with his left hand while his right still held his staff, "Skeleton Queen~"
He hissed, before capturing her lips in a hot searing kiss.
Raven's eyes bugged out in shock at the sudden action, only to find herself melting into the kiss.
This was wrong, she knew that on an intellectual level. But on an instinctive one... it just felt so good, and she couldn't resist.
Even more so as Skeleton King's staff vanished in a flash of light and he wrapped his arms around her under her cloak, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss while squeezing her ass, causing her to let out a loud muffled moan of pleasure. This feeling... it was like nothing she had ever experienced. She wanted it to last forever, so when the kiss ended, she found herself giving off a slow disappointed whine.
"Hehe, forget playing hero, forget your friends, forget whatever petty morals those pathetic monks drilled into your head," Skeleton King hissed, squeezing her ass with his left hand while his right hand lashed up and grabbed onto her right tit, squeezing it through her leotard, "Become my Queen, and together all shall fall before us!"
"Uggghhh," Raven moaned, physical pleasure like nothing she'd ever felt before overwhelming her ability to think straight. A part of her was demanding that she throw him off of her and attack him, but it was brushed aside as she found herself leaning into his touch, craving the feeling even more.
Which Skeleton King exploited, eagerly kissing her again, with them both moaning into the kiss as he pushed her down to the ground, grabbing and ripping off her leotard, revealing her gigantic EE-Cup sized tits, which he eagerly grabbed at and squeezed while breaking the kiss as he leered own at her, "Say yes, become my queen, and know this is but a taste of the pleasure I offer you~"
He said with a dark hiss while licking up the side of her neck, "Let us celebrate your father's demise by bringing new life into the world~"
"Ugh, ugh, yes!" Raven found herself screaming, reaching down to grab the tattered remnant of her leotard still clinging to her hips and tearing it away, exposing her pussy, which was already wet and glistening.
"Fuck me! Fill me with your seed!" she yelled, having no idea where these words or desires were coming from after a lifetime of repressing such things, not caring enough in this moment to resist them. While at the same time, a distant part of her felt the stares of her friends' stone remains and their frozen stares of judging horror now seemed to have a different motivation... a motivation that sent an odd thrill through her as Skeleton King fished out his large, emphasis on large, cock and rubbed it against her wet cunt.
"I wonder what your friends would think of you now~" he hissed with an evil smirk before he thrust inside her cunt, destroying her hymen and claiming her as his.
"AAAAAHHHHH!!!" Raven screamed in both pain and pleasure, the latter quickly burying the former.
"I don't care!" she yelled as he started thrusting in and out of her and she started thrusting her own hips to match his movements, "I don't care what they'd think! I was miserable my whole life, and now I'm happy! This is all I want!"
And it really was - her father was gone and his killer, her savior, was offering her the literal world and more to rule together on top of this overwhelming mind-blowing pleasure... as far as she was concerned, this... was all she ever wanted, who cared what her friends thought of her!
"RAVEN!" Though at that thought, she heard a voice scream out in anger and horror. Turning her head as Skeleton King continued to thrust into her wildly, her eyes widened when she saw her friends, no longer petrified remains but broken, battered, and beaten in chains, surrounded by Formless who had them forced to their knees.
"What are you doing?!" Robin yelled.
"He is evil!" Starfire shouted.
"You should be fighting him!" Cyborg yelled.
"Help us!" Beast Boy begged.
"I... I... I..." Raven stuttered, unable to think or speak between the shock of seeing her friends suddenly being restored, and the pure pleasure as Skeleton King continued to pound her pussy.
"Ignore those fools my love, they are beneath us!" Skeleton King hissed with a grunt, staring into her eyes, "Can they truly give you the love and acceptance you crave?" He grunted, squeezing her breasts harder, "Can they offer you power surpassing that of your father? Can they truly set you free from your cage? Can they GIVE YOU THE COCK YOUR SLUTTY SUCCUBUS PUSSY CRAVES?!"
SMACK
He asked each question as he pounded her cunt, emphasizing the last with a hit to her tits.
"AH! NO!" Raven cried out, ashamed of what she was saying but unable to stop the words from spilling out, "Nothing they could give me would be as good as this cock!"
How could anything her friends give rival what she was feeling? A distant part of her thought in disbelief as Skeleton King grabbed and lifted up her left leg while pounding her body into the ground, laughing.
"Ah, ah, heheh, you hear that Titans? My Queen has chosen my love and cock over you!"
"You brainwashed her or something!" Beast Boy protested.
"Yeah, she wouldn't whore herself out to you voluntarily!" Cyborg added, causing Raven to scowl as she heard that, anger suddenly bursting the lustful haze filling her brain.
Whore? How dare he?! She'd repressed her natural desires for her whole life, shoved away any sort of physical or emotional connection with anyone because she was focused on the greater good of the world. So what was wrong with her finally letting herself feel so good now that the threat of her father was gone?!
And it seemed she wasn't the only angry one taking exception to Cyborg's words, as Skeleton King shot a glare at the Titan before his eyes glowed and he shot out a blast of electrical energy straight at him.
"AAAAAAAARRRRG!" Causing the Titan to scream out in pain.
"CYBORG! CY! FRIEND CYBORG!" Causing the other Titans to shout in concern while Raven stared at the scene in shock, feeling oddly warm that Skeleton King responded to her defense, and also... amused? After all, Cyborg only had his own big mouth to blame for this, she thought, before letting out a another moan as Skeleton King continued to ravage her cunt while continuing to torture Cyborg at the same time for several moments, before dispelling the attack allowing the mechanical Titan to sink to the ground with a pained groan.
"You will not call my Queen a whore!" Skeleton King snapped with a dark hiss, "She is your superior in every way!" He said with a grunt, reaching out his hand to rub against her cheek while his other continued to hold up her leg as he drilled her, "She's joined my side because that is what her heart desires."
He said with an evil hiss and a smug smirk, "I am her savior, her love, the one who shall give her the world, the one who has freed her and allowed her to embrace her true self~"
Those words filled Raven with a warmth and joy that had nothing to do with the cock ravaging her cunt. No one had ever spoken of her so positively before, not even her so-called friends, who said they cared about her but never seemed to understand her. Even now, why couldn't they be happy for her to see that she was now free of her burden and feeling joy for the first time!
"She is my Queen, my love..." Skeleton King grunted, leaning down to her face, "Your power and beauty is rivaled only by your intelligence," He hissed, licking up the side of her neck as she gave a groan while bucking against his thrusts, "You are my only equal, the perfect Queen, and mother to our heirs for our future empire~"
He hissed, staring at her with a gaze full of desire and affection.
"RAVEN, SNAP OUT OF IT! DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!" Robin yelled as he struggled fruitlessly against the Formless.
"Why not? It feels so good~" Raven moaned, barely listening to Robin as she reached up to play with her tits while Skeleton King continued to pound her cunt so hard it felt like it was going to burst.
"He's just using you!" Robin yelled.
"Is that what you think?" Skeleton King asked, sending a cruel grin to Robin and the other glaring Titans, "That my feelings for my Queen are untrue?" He asked mockingly with faux hurt, "Well then..."
He gained a devious look on his face, looking down at Raven who was moaning in pleasure while twisting her nipples, "Let me prove otherwise," He said as he suddenly stopped his thrusts, causing Raven to freeze, throwing him a shocked pleading look at this.
"If she asks me to stop right now..." Skeleton King gave a wide evil grin, "I'll not only stop and let you all go free, but I'll also..." He let out a devious chuckle, "Surrender myself and my forces to your judgement and imprisonment~"
The Titans looked at him shock, Raven in particular staring up at him dumbly, all of them trying to process what he'd just said.
"Dude, are you serious?" Beast Boy asked in disbelief.
"I am," Skeleton King said, his eyes staring into Raven, "I leave my fate, your friends' fate, and the fate of the world in your hands, my lovely dark bird," He said, rubbing her cheek, "Will you choose friendship and let the one who set you free from your father's shackles be imprisoned?" His malicious eyes in his sockets narrowed, "Or will you choose our love and stand beside me as we conquer this world and all others?"
"I... I..." Raven stuttered.
That wasn't fair! She still cared about her friends, even if they were being insensitive jerks right now, how was she supposed to choose between them and the first person to ever make her feel this way?
And as her mind was torn on what to do, Skeleton King with a grunt sat up while lifting her up in his arms, still on the ground and his cock still inside her.
"Think of what we can share together my Queen, of what we could accomplish~" He said, giving her lips a gentle peck.
"RAVEN, DON'T LISTEN TO THIS CREEP!" Beast Boy yelled out with a frantic look, "YEAH, YOUR'E CREEPY, BUT YOU AREN'T EVIL CREEPY!" He added on with another yell.
Raven frowned at that. Since the day they'd met, Beast Boy - and all the team, really, the others were just more polite about it - had looked at her like a creepy freak just because of her powers and her personality. At least Skeleton King accepted her for what she was!
And that was a thought that kept echoing in her mind as Skeleton King hissed out into her ear, "You see, they see you as nothing but a freak, a monster, a weapon to use against their enemies..."
He said, shaking his head while cupping her cheek and staring into her eyes, "But I see a beautiful woman, a skilled sorceress, and a brilliant Queen~" Skeleton King said, staring into her eyes, "Why bother yourself with morals you don't care for, or fools that don't care for you... the true you."
He said with Starfire hollering out, "THAT IS NOT TRUE! WE CARE GREATLY FOR FRIEND RAVEN!" The Tamaranean princess roared angrily with glowing eyes.
"Hmm, yes, you perhaps, but the other fools..." Skeleton King scoffed, "You might have a place as my Queen and I'd concubine, but these other fools and all others who mock my Queen deserve nothing but suffering~" He said with a cruel grin.
Raven blushed at the thought of making out with Starfire while Skeleton King fucked her pussy, but shoved it aside to focus on the more important situation. She didn't want anyone to suffer, but did she deserve to suffer loneliness just because everyone said that it was wrong to take what she wanted? Was that really so different from how she forced herself to cut off her emotions so her father couldn't influence her?
Really, it seemed so obvious what choice she had to make.
"What will it be, Raven?" Skeleton King asked, wanting her final judgement, his face leaning down inches from her own, "Will you save this world as its heroine, or will you damn it as my Queen~" He hissed out as Raven reached out her arm, placing it around his head.
"Does this answer your question?" Raven asked right back with a slight smirk in a sarcastic drawl before pulling Skeleton King into a deep kiss, ignoring the horrified gasps and shouts from her friends... no, former friends.
"RAVEN!" They all shouted as Skeleton King wasted no time in pushing Raven back to the ground and resumed pounding into her with glee while the Titans...
"GAHARRG!"
Found themselves being attacked and overwhelmed without mercy by the Formless, who were literally tearing the boys apart while Starfire-
"ARH, NO, PLEASE BE NOT DOING THAT!"
Had her clothes ripped off as the Formless surrounding and holding her formed dicks and started to rape all three of her holes.
"GLRKT!" Starfire screamed into the ooze cock now filling her mouth as her pussy and asshole were viciously pounded.
But Raven couldn't bring herself to care or even notice as her own cunt was being wrecked by Skeleton King, pure pleasure driving any other thoughts from her mind.
"FUCK ME!" she screamed, "GIVE ME YOUR SEED!"
SMACK
"AH!" Raven let out a loud moan at her tits being smacked by Skeleton King as he laughed.
"YOU WANT MY SEED!" He roared as he pounded her like a animal, "THEN YOU SHALL HAVE IT!"
He said with a dark hiss, pounding harder and harder with her moaning like a whore, "I SHALL FILL YOU WITH MY HEIRS!"
He roared out with one final deep thrust and started to cum inside her.
"AHHHHH!!!!" Raven screamed in ecstasy, as the feeling of his seed pumping into her pushed her past the edge, and she came as well... and then bolted awake in bed.
"Ah... ah... ah... what?" she stammered deliriously, heart pounding and body sticky with both sweat and... other bodily fluids, she realized with a groan as she looked down at her twisted sheets and saw the wet spot on her crotch.
"Dammit, not again," she muttered, cheeks flushed with anger, embarrassment, and lingering arousal. She'd been having recurring nightmares about her father as long as she could remember, but for the last couple of weeks ever since the encounter with Skeleton King, they'd all uniformly been taking sharp turns into wet dreams about him showing up to play the hero and then fucking her, usually with her onlooking friends being tortured while she denounced them in favor of sex.
"Azar, why does this keep happening?" she muttered angrily as she rubbed the bridge of her nose and tried to force her emotions back under control, all the while unaware of the piece of Skeleton King's magic implanted in her laughing as it swam around her subconscious.
"The bastard steals my first kiss..." Raven muttered, though that was kind of a technicality since it happened in a mindscape, "And all of a sudden he's haunting my dreams."
She said, shaking her head in disgusted confusion, trying to figure out why this was happening, "Beast Boy would probably say I have a crush," She muttered, rolling her eyes, before slightly pausing... no, no... that couldn't be it... there was no way she'd be attracted to a monster like that... it's crazy.
Obviously, that damn kiss had just caught her so off guard that it had her carefully restrained emotions (which were already riled up by the fact that her friends and all the other heroes were hunting the Gem of Scath without realizing it was her) to get further stirred, to the point of acting out like this. That was all, there was nothing else to it.
"I just need to properly meditate and get things under control again, and then get some real sleep," she muttered, taking a deep breath and beginning the process of clearing her thoughts.
And then the Tower's alarms started blaring.
"Of fucking course," she snapped, a nearby mirror cracking as her anger flared.
"I swear this had better be important..." Raven muttered out as black energy formed around her before giving a sigh, "And hopefully something that will take my mind off that bastard," She muttered, while thinking of him and the feel of his kiss and touch, a distant part of her whispered and further cracking the mirror.
Pushing all of that out of her mind as hard as she could, Raven teleported out of her room to meet the others.
(Elsewhere, a short time later)
Jinmay, clad in the same biker outfit she'd worn on the Gravity Falls mission, sat on the top of a hill overlooking Jump City's maximum security prison, peering down at it through binoculars with built-in scanners that let her see through walls. As she watched, the Teen Titans confronted what looked like a humanoid block of concrete that was breaking in, only to fail to stop it as Robin and Cyborg screwed up a combination attack, allowing the creature to escape with what appeared to be a stasis pod containing an adult human man.
"Tch, and I thought the monkeys could have petty arguments," the robot girl muttered to herself as she watched Robin and Cyborg have a heated exchange that ended with the latter stomping off. A sight that caused her to roll her eyes and give a snort.
"Honestly, you'd think with Trigon, Lothor, and master, they'd have bigger concerns than petty arguments," She muttered with an undertone of amusement, "And this is the team that actually gave the chimp and hag trouble," She muttered, internally wondering if those two were slipping up or slacking off, before focusing her on the female members of the Titans, "So that's the demon whore and the bitch's bimbo sister."
She muttered with a slight scowl and glare aimed toward Raven and the sister of the bitch currently enjoying their master's company.
"Hmm, I suppose I can almost see the appeal," she muttered, noting Raven's large breasts and great legs, and Starfire's athletic trim and smaller but still impressive chest, "Still, master can do so much better. And I'm going to enjoy showing them how they're all inferior to me in every way."
Skeleton King had sent her to Jump City to make her public debut (Gravity Falls didn't count, since the rest of the world didn't know about it) as part of their longer-term plan, and smacking those two bitches and their idiot friends around would probably make a good first impression in the eyes of the general public. So, she was seriously considering going down there right now and hitting them when they weren't expecting it.
However... her gaze turned to follow the retreating form of Cyborg. Maybe picking off the isolated member of the team would be a better place to start? If nothing else, it'd probably cause the others emotional pain, especially Robin for driving him off.
"Plus, a clash of the machines could be fun," She muttered with a smirk while lowering her binoculars, "Maybe I could drag what's left of him in scraps and pieces to Skeleton King for a little reprogramming~"
She muttered with a little giggle, picturing the Titans' looks of horror after seeing their friend again after he got the Skeleton King upgrade. Maybe it'd be as funny as Chiro's look of horror when her own reprogramming activated.
At that thought she found herself giving off a slight melancholy smile, a part of her unable to believe her master had freed her from that programming that he gave her his trust and affection, "Hard to believe how much has changed.."
She said with a faint smirk, "Certainly not the same naive bitch. Hehe, Chiro would probably have a heart attack if he saw me now~" She added, slapping her ass before turning behind her toward the little gift her master and love had given her. It was a hover bike with dagger-like prongs coming out of the front, painted black with a white skull design on the front. It looked utterly badass, and she loved it.
"Time to go to work~" she laughed, getting on the bike and bringing it to life. She then turned in Cyborg's direction and started discretely following him, waiting for the right moment to strike.
(Titans Tower)
It was the morning following the attack on the prison, with its attacker escaping with a prisoner, and the mood in the living room was as noticeably as the 5th missing Titan.
"This stinks, Star," Beast Boy groaned to Starfire, who was currently stirring some alien recipe in a bowl.
"Yes, I also find myself feeling quite smelly without friend Cyborg," The alien agreed with a nod, frowning in sadness.
"Can't we just call him so you guys can talk about this?" Beast Boy questioned, looking toward their leader, who was currently typing away at the computer system while Raven sat on the couch, watching him with a frown.
"There's nothing to talk about. He chose to walk away, he can choose to come back on his own, or not," Robin replied firmly.
"Considering you were acting just as immature as he was, you don't think you have some responsibility in this?" Raven asked flatly, not flinching as Robin turned around to glare at her.
"I was hardly being immature..." Robin said with a scowl, though the retort felt weak even to him because looking back to last night after he calmed down, he had to wince, as that certainly wasn't his best, and he could have handled things better.
But dammit, he was fraying from the mounting stress of all the crises that were popping up. Lothor, Skeleton King, looking for the Gem of Scath and any sign of a Dark One implanted in Earth, not to mention trying to find this "Slade" that the Hive team had let slip that they were working for... it seemed like every time he blinked, a new problem popped up.
And then, having such a simple combo move literally blow up in their faces like that and ruin what should have been a straightforward mission, well, it had been just enough to make him snap, and now he was regretting it.
"Look, we've all been under a lot stress," Raven said, staring evenly at Robin, "But taking it out on each other like this won't get us anywhere," She added with a frown.
Robin didn't respond right away, breathing deeply and exhaling through his nose. He knew she was right, but if there was one thing he'd inherited from his mentor (besides excessive paranoia) it was being too prideful to admit when he was wrong.
"And ask yourself this," Raven arched a brow at her friend and leader, "Are you mad at Cyborg, or are you mad at yourself for letting this happen?" She asked, cutting to the point as Robin looked away with a grimace.
Because that was the part that really stung, knowing that this was a total failure of his role as leader. He was meant to keep the team together, not allow this kind of thing to happen. And not only had he let it happen, he'd been one of the instigators of it!
Dammit, he'd have to swallow his pride and make the call. He couldn't let things fall apart like this.
"I'll... I'll call him up," Robin said with a sigh, turning to face the computer console while Raven gave a faint smirk.
"Oh, glorious! This means I can put side the pudding of sadness for the stew of reconciliation!" Starfire cheered, doing a twirl in the air while flying over to the living room section, while Beast Boy approached, who gave a slight grimace.
"Uh, how about some pizza tonight instead, Star?" He asked, cause if there's one thing the Titans agreed on, it was a shared dread of Starfire's cooking.
"Oh, yes! A traditional Earth meal of friendship is much more appropriate! You are quite right, friend Beast Boy!" Starfire stated, oblivious to the looks of relief Beast Boy and Raven had. Robin, meanwhile, slipped out of the room to call Cyborg. This was going to be tough enough without an audience, after all.
Though as he did so, out in Jump City sitting alone on a bench in the park, Cyborg was currently sitting melancholy, alone with his thoughts, "Spiky-haired jerk, blame me for one little screw up like he didn't drop the ball."
He said, before sighing while giving a groan.
"Of course, so did I," he muttered, "But still! How dare he act like it was just my fault!"
After all, it was his brilliant combo that failed. Cyborg did his part, Robin was the one that slipped up on his end, but heaven forbid the Boy Wonder makes a mistake. He thought with a scowl, and at that thought his Titan communicator went off, causing him to pull it out with a frown, "Probably calling me to pick up my stuff," He muttered, before tossing it onto the picnic table, "Well, I'll get my stuff out of the tower when I'm good and ready."
He said with an angry huff, ignoring the voice that said he should pick up. While back at the Tower, the Titans all frowned, seeing no response from Cyborg.
"The call's getting through, so why isn't he answering?" Robin asked with a scowl, with Raven giving off an annoyed sigh as she quickly realized the problem.
"Because he's being a stubborn idiot like you," She said dryly, feeling her irritation at this whole stupid situation rise. Honestly, I bet Skeleton King doesn't have to deal with nonsense like this, a part of her thought without realizing it... before freezing, realizing what she just said in her own mind.
Oh hell no, she was not going to be complimenting that monster in any way! It was bad enough that she was having wet dreams about him because her subconscious was messed up, she was not going to let herself start thinking about him positively while awake!
While Raven was internally panicking, Robin scowled at what she had said, before grunting and putting his communicator away.
"Fine, if he wants to be like that, I can just wait of him to come back by himself," he said, to the others' dissatisfaction.
"Dude, don't you think that-" Beast Boy tried to say, only to be interrupted as the alarm suddenly sounded again.
"Oh, now what?" Raven groaned, even as she was glad to have a distraction from her uncomfortable thoughts.
The screen turned from a view of the city to livestream surveillance footage of... a green dog robbing a taco truck? Specifically, the tacos not the money, from what could be seen. A sight that caused Raven, Starfire, and Beast Boy to blink in confusion, while Robin...
"Not him..." Gave a groan as he recognized the figure quite well, not only from Batman's files but also from a incident that happened after he left Gotham City but before he arrived in Jump.
"Uh, Robin, what is that?" Starfire asked, "I thought friend Beast Boy being green as a dog was abnormal?"
"It is, and that's not a dog, it's a psychotic alien robot in a bad disguise," Robin groaned.
"Met it before?" Raven asked with an arched eyebrow.
"Yes, after I left Gotham, and I don't want to talk about it," he replied, shuddering, "So much pudding..."
Before shaking off that unpleasant memory as he addressed his team, "Point is, he's trouble we don't need, and we need to stop him," He said, before turning and barking out the battle cry as he ran out, "TITANS GO!"
With that, the team took off to deal with the problem, temporarily distracted from their absent member.
(Meanwhile, Citadel of Bone)
While Jinmay was carrying out her mission in Jump City, her master was occupying himself with other plans he had in the works... as well as more pleasant distractions.
"Hmm, I don't know why, but grapes always taste more delicious when being hand-fed by such a lovely thing~" The master in question hissed out on his throne to the figure sitting on his lap after swallowing a grape they had fed him.
"Mmmm, I'm happy to please you, master~" Blackfire purred. The Tamaranean princess was now dressed in a metal bikini and loincloth much like what Jinmay had previously worn; evidently, Skeleton King had taken a liking to such role-play, as he'd asked Blackfire to start wearing a similar outfit.
Something that before would have humiliated and pissed her off, but now gave her an odd thrill, and as she fed Skeleton King another grape she found herself thinking about her current situation and her new master.
She should be plotting how to manipulate him into aiding her gaining revenge on her sister and then seizing the throne of Tamaran, and then how to make him suffer for reducing her to little more than a pleasure slave. But, she found that she couldn't bring herself to do so - the sheer ecstasy of the sex she kept having with him was beyond anything she could have imagined, and next to that, things like vengeance and power just seemed so petty and inconsequential.
Plus, she had to admit that as much as it made her sound like her sappy naive sister, the great sex aside. Over the past few days since her "recruitment", she had spent plenty of time with her new master... time that wasn't just spent by him fucking her brains out any chance he could, though there was still plenty of that. No, she found Skeleton King oddly enough taking the time to make sure she was comfortable and getting settled into her new home, including giving personal quarters when she wasn't sharing his.
And over the course of these past few days she spent with him, from training sessions, joining him for walks around the Citadel, checking in on and even torturing some prisoners (She had to admit, watching that guy with the weird stuffed penguin being chased by a giant Formless penguin was as ironic as it was amusing), or simply relaxing beside him on his throne as he either spied on the various heroes and villains of Earth or oddly enough watched Earth television in that ooze pit... Whatever it was, Blackfire was coming to a realization that aside from the factor that for many of those they were accompanied by Skeleton King's other servants, mainly the girls who sadly thought they are in her league (Though Jinmay could certainly use that tongue of hers in enjoyable ways, she'll give her that~), and that realization was she was enjoying herself and enjoying spending time with Skeleton King.
Not only that, but the more she spent with him, the more... drawn to him she felt, for lack of better word. His ruthlessness, his cunning intelligence, his power, his twisted sense of humor, hell, even his looks were becoming attractive to her!
She'd... she'd never felt like this before for anyone. And it both terrified and excited her. Was... was she actually in love?
That was impossible, wasn't it? She'd only ever cared for herself, any empathy or compassion for others cast aside by the injustices of her childhood, so how could she in any way be feeling such emotions for him now?
Though as she thought this, she felt Skeleton King cup her cheek, and the next thing she knew he was kissing her lips and she was by instinct eagerly returning the kiss. As she did, any doubts were tossed aside. This was the happiest she'd ever been, and she wasn't going to question it.
So she spent the next several moments enjoying the feel of her lips against Skeleton King and his tongue in her mouth, before breaking the kiss with a hazy gazed smile toward her master, who smirked.
"Is something wrong, Blackfire?" Skeleton King asked, actually seeming to give her a look of concern as he rubbed her thigh, "You seem lost in thought."
"Hmmm... No, not wrong, just wondering at how everything's turned out so differently from how I planned so quickly," she admitted honestly, not seeing a point in withholding anything
"Oh?" Skeleton King said as he kissed the side of her neck, "Well, even if you didn't plan for this, I hope you are satisfied with your place at my side," He cooed, while reaching up to squeeze her breast.
"Oooh, yes~" she moaned, leaning into his touch, "Especially when you keep doing stuff like that~"
"Heheh, keep acting like this my dear, and I might actually believe you've abandoned any ambition to usurp me~" Skeleton King told her with a laugh as he gave her tits a hit.
SMACK
"Ah! Maybe that's just what I want you think~" Blackfire said, but not sounding convincing even to herself.
"Heheh, really?" Skeleton King said with an amused grin as he pushed her metal bikini up, "Are you so willing to betray the first one to accept you for who you are?" He then gave a leering cackle, "And might yet become the father of your children~" he said, while taking the grapes she was holding before, crushing them and letting the juices fall onto her tits.
"Mmm, why not? I'm a coldhearted bitch," she replied with a smirk as she rubbed the juices all over her tits before jutting them out in presentation for him.
"Heheh, that you are~" Skeleton King agreed with an amused smirk as he tossed the squished grapes to the side, "It's one of the things I love about you~" he admitted as he licked at her juice-covered tits.
"Mmmm, I know~" she moaned, grabbing the back of his head to press him further against her tits, loving the feeling of his tongue running over them. A part of her fruitlessly trying to ignore how warm she felt when he said the L-word, while Skeleton King eagerly lapped at her grape juice-covered tits.
The isekai monarch knew that he could be playing a dangerous game here with Blackfire; after all, her ambition for power wasn't to be underestimated, even with his greater level of power. But despite that, he believed he was wrapping her around his fingers quite nicely, and even if he wasn't, the risk made it all the more exciting~ He thought as he bit down and sucked on a juice-covered nipple.
"AH!" Blackfire cried out in delight.
That was another thing, she realized. In past couplings, she'd always been the dominant one, always the one to inflict pleasurable pain on her partners. Now she was the one often getting smacked, and spanked, and bitten, and all sorts of other demeaning painful things, and she loved it! She didn't know how to really qualify her feelings for him, but she could a least admit that she was willing to set aside her pride to enjoy being treated like his toy like this, when it felt so damn good.
"Hmm, Blackfire, you have the mind and skills of a true Queen, but the body of a born concubine slut~" Skeleton King's voice hissed out while twirling his tongue around her nipple.
"Do I? Then how about you use me like one?" she asked with a smirk, reaching down to yank away her loincloth and expose her dripping wet cunt.
"Hehe, gladly~" Skeleton King said, unzipping his pants, allowing his cock to pop right out, "Though if I didn't know any better, I'd swear you really were trying to get me to breed you~" He stated with an amused teasing smirk.
"Why not? Then I can use your heir to rule your forces once I get rid of you," Blackfire said playfully, reaching down to grip and begin stroking his cock, barely acknowledging that she didn't really mean what she'd just said.
"Oh, and would you not miss me?" Skeleton King asked coyly with an amused smirk, enjoying the feel of her hand against his cock, "Or do you plan to keep me as your personal captive~"
"Hmm, that's not a bad idea~" Blackfire mused, increasing the pace of her stroking, "Maybe I'll make you crawl and beg like a dog and call me mistress~"
"Hehe, ohh, that sounds hot~" Skeleton King admitted with a slight groan before shooting her a teasing smirk, "But I wonder if you'll enjoy it as much as me riding your ass, calling you troq bitch~"
"I suppose we'll have to find out at some point~" she mused, "In the meantime, enough teasing. I want you in me, now!"
"Hehe, you want me?" Skeleton King said, grinning wide at her dominant side leaking through, finding it just as hot as her eager submissive side, "Then..." He then lashed out and grabbed her by her hips, "You got me!"
He exclaimed, thrusting his cock out as he slammed Blackfire hard onto it and began to fuck her on his throne as she bounced eagerly off his cock.
"ARGH! FUCK YEAH!" she screamed in delight, grabbing his shoulders to brace herself so she could bounce harder, "THAT'S IT! WRECK MY CUNT!"
SMACK
"You like that?" Skeleton King growled out as he hit her ass, giving a pleasure filled groan as her canal wrapped tightly around his cock.
SMACK
"You like being fucked like a troq bitch?!"
SMACK
"You like being my troq bitch!?"
SMACK
"Maybe I should take you back to Tamaran just to fuck you in front of all your people while my army enslaves them!"
"Do it!" she shouted back at him, "Fuck me like a bitch in the throne room in front of the whole court! I don't care!"
"Heheh, that eager to let them see what a whore traitor you are~" Skeleton King hissed with a wide grin.
"Screw them!" Blackfire snarled, not breaking her pace, "They don't want me as their queen in favor of that naive idiot, then I don't need such weak subjects! I just need you!"
Those words, as soon as they reached her ear, actually caused the pace of Blackfire's bouncing to slow a bit... she just needed Skeleton King? While Skeleton King simply laughed with glee.
"Hehe, oh, keep talking like that and I'll believe you love me," He said with a smirk, thrusting his hips up and giving a smirk, "Though would you so easily toss aside the crown you've desired all your life for me?" He asked, grunting in pleasure as he hit her ass.
SMACK
"Yes! No! I don't know!" she admitted. She honestly didn't know what was true about this relationship and what was just roleplay anymore. Something that Skeleton King shared, though it didn't make fucking her any less hot or fun... but perhaps he could use this to help her see where her place truly was.
"Tamaran is yours," He said out of the blue, while slamming her up and down onto his cock, while Blackfire through a moan of pleasure shot him a look of surprise, "It will be yours and yours alone, to either rule or destroy... that is my gift to you."
He said, staring into her eyes, and couldn't help but think they were quite beautiful.
"R-really?" Blackfire stammered before she could stop herself. After all these years of plotting and scheming for how she'd take the throne... he was really willing to just hand it to her, just like that?
"Really~" Skeleton King said with a grunt, steadily keeping the pace of her bouncing going while staring at her eyes, "When I look at you, I see you every bit the superior to your sister... a true warrior Queen... not a fool suited only for pointless heroics and being a bedwarmer."
He said with a snort. Honestly, he liked Starfire well enough in the show, but he had to admit that from what he saw, Blackfire always struck him as the better choice to be a Queen of an apparent warrior race like the Tamaraneans. True, she had her rough side like her meeting with the Titans displayed, but ultimately she seemed too soft and gullible to be a true Queen... and honestly he couldn't help but sympathize with the hand dealt to Blackfire, and he personally thought her parents got what was coming from them.
For her part, Blackfire couldn't help but be touched. This had to be the most generous thing anyone had ever offered her... hell, not counting Kori's knee-jerk kindness, it was probably the ONLY act of generosity she'd ever experienced.
Feeling tears start to form at the edges of her eyes, she decided to hide them by leaning in to kiss him deeply, while still bouncing hard on his cock. While Skeleton King eagerly returned the kiss, deepening it as he grabbed at her ass and left tit, kneading and squeezing them as hard as he could.
It seemed his work over the past number of days to steadily seduce and sweep Blackfire off her feet while also fucking her at any any given opportunity wasn't wasted. And from her response, it seemed he was right that she was starving for affection... no, not just affection or love... but for someone who would accept her as she was, scheming cold heart, ambition and all.
And he... he honestly was that someone. Because truthfully, he found himself having no problem giving Blackfire Tamaran to use as she wished, the risk of her living up to her words in usurping him or not... he thought it was worth it.
All this went through his mind as he and Blackfire continued their hot searing fucking, their lips not breaking for air as they ran their hands over each other, while Blackfire continued to bounce wildly off his cock until finally they reached their limit.
SPLLLUUURRRTTT!!
Her canal tightened around his cock as she came, the added pressure being enough to push him over the edge and come as well, his dark seed pumping up into her womb.
"I... love... you," she panted through orgasmic bliss as the kiss ended so both could breathe.
And she did, didn't she? It had only been a few days, but this man... he had made her feel things no one else ever had... and that was on top of promising Tamaran to her... she... she didn't want this to stop, she realized as she felt Skeleton King kiss her forehead.
"I am perhaps one of the most evil and ruthless beings in this universe," He said aloud, rubbing his hand on Blackfire's back as she leaned against his chest, "I regarded feelings like love and friendship as nothing but a weakness to exploit."
He stated, his mind going to the canon Skeleton King, since he seriously doubted that he would have played things the same way he had, in more ways than one, "But recently I have come to see that was perhaps a mistake."
Skeleton King admitted, staring down into Blackfire's eyes, "And I believe in your short time in my service, that just as Jinmay before you, I have already come to care for you a great deal, Blackfire... perhaps even love you, as twisted as it may be from a creature as myself~"
He said, kissing her forehead.
Blackfire blushed brightly at the affection, and leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder and hugging him tightly. She didn't have any words to respond to this, and hoped the simple action would convey her feelings. And it did, as Skeleton King actually found himself giving a small genuine warm smile, simply enjoying the moment and the feel of her against him as he ran his hand through her hair.
"And as promised, Tamaran will be yours," He promised, kissing her cheek as she rested her head against him, "Should you wish to rule it alone and leave my service, it will be yours. It is yours to do with as you wish, even destroy down to the last Tamaranean if that is your desire."
He said, giving a grin, "Even if you try to betray me, I'll still give it to you after you serve your punishment~" Skeleton King added with a leer, one hand going to her ass, squeezing it.
"Ooh, now maybe I want to fail~" Blackfire said with a smirk, using flirtatious humor to distract herself from her feelings, "I think I'd like being punished, like a naughty girl~"
"You are a naughty girl, Blackfire~" Skeleton King said with a smirk, before hitting her ass again.
SMACK
"My naughty girl~" He hissed, lowering his face to hers, "And I wouldn't have it any other way, even if you choose to leave or betray me in the end," He admitted, before taking her lips with his own.
And that would never happen, Blackfire realized as she returned the kiss. She'd still take Tamaran because it was hers by right, but it would be in the name of the only man she'd ever loved, the only person she'd ever consider her superior.
She'd die before she betrayed him, and there was nothing else she needed but his love
And one way or another... no matter how many other women he choose to be slaves, toys, or concubines, she'd make sure she was the one he choose to be his Queen, no matter what it took, she vowed as she rubbed her hand against her master... her love's face during the kiss, before breaking it, both of them feeling quite happy and content in this moment.
"As much as I'm enjoying this moment my dear," Skeleton King eventually spoke up, giving her forehead a kiss, "There is work to be done," He said with an evil grin, "Earth isn't going to conquer itself, after all~"
Blackfire whined slightly (though she'd deny it if asked) and pulled away to slip her bikini properly back on so that she wouldn't be tempted to continue anyway.
"Fine," she grumbled, "So, aside from Jinmay's mission and mining that town you took over, what else do you have planned?"
She'd been fully briefed on everything involving her master and their rival faction out to conquer Earth, and honestly she wasn't sure what was more surprising, the fact Skeleton King was from another reality or that Raven was the daughter of Trigon.
And at her inquiry, Skeleton King gave a hum as she reluctantly dislodged his cock from inside her as he put it back in his pants.
"Right now, a mixture of slight recruitment and setting the stage for a larger trap~" he informed Blackfire with a smirk and kiss to her lips, before raising his hand to the Pit of Ooze, that began to bubble and shift before showing an image of what appeared to be some kind of abandoned summer camp in its dark waters reflection.
"Doesn't look all that impressive," Blackfire commented. She didn't want to question her master, but she failed to see how he could make use of such a dump.
"Indeed, it has seen better days~" Skeleton King said, while raising from his throne and gently taking her hand in his as they approached the ooze pool, "But it's usefulness lays in three factors..."
He said with a sinister smirk, "Its remote location, its toxic mutating waters, and..." He chuckled sinisterly as the pool shifted, displaying a mutated creature messing with what appeared to be some kind of technical equipment, "Its sole denizen~"
"Is that a fish person?" she asked in confusion, "I knew the humans had aquatic subspecies, but I thought they looked similar... Oh, wait, you said the water causes mutations. So, I'm assuming that's a result of that?"
"That it is~" Skeleton King agreed, sending Blackfire a smirk, "You see, young Gill here spent too much time in its waters as a child back when the summer camps around it were still open."
He explained, watching Gill's work in the Pit of Ooze; it seemed his earlier surveillance was true in that his debut episode in Kim Possible hadn't happened yet, "He's spent years living in the waters of Camp Wannaweep ever since, plotting revenge against the one he blames."
He said, summoning his staff into his right hand, "He's currently planning to set a trap, but I believe I can take Gill's plan and expand upon it for my own desires~" he said with a sinister smirk. After all, he thought since Gill's plan worked so well in the show, then besides the chance to lure Kim Possible into a trap, he could potentially lure others into a trap as well~
"And is he going to have a choice in the matter of you hijacking his plan?" Blackfire asked with an amused smirk.
"Hehe, oh no my dear, we're not going to give him a choice~" Skeleton King said right back with a smirk of his own as he raised her hand, kissing the back of it, "Are you up for a little field trip?"
"Sure, I could use a change of scenery," she replied, "Just give me a minute to change. Only YOU get to see me wearing this outfit."
"Oh, I don't know~" Skeleton King reached out and grabbed her ass, squeezing it, "I quite like the thought of my inferiors looking on in envy at the knowledge I have such a sexy thing serving my every depraved desire~"
He said with a chuckle, emphasizing his words with a hit to her ass.
SMACK
Listening to her moan with amusement, "But if it is a wardrobe change you desire, allow me to assist," He said, pointing his staff over at her and in a flash of purple light, her slave girl wear was exchanged for that of a new outfit, though not her original armor.
It looked like a sling bikini, with leggings and an armored torc at her neck. It was basically an erotic parody of her usual armor, but she found that she didn't mind how much skin it was showing off, not after her master's last comment.
"Hmm, I could get used to this~" she purred, thinking about standing beside her lord dressed like this before crowds of subjects, all of them looking on in envy at her looks and his luck to have her.
"Hehe, and I could get used to having you at my side, my dear~" Skeleton King said with a smirk, leaning down to share one more kiss before pulling back with a cruel grin, "Now, let us be off to recruit a pawn to the board~"
He said, giving a chuckle while Blackfire smirked, though not before she looked out of the corner of her eye and saw a spying figure which she gave a taunting smile toward and slight wave, before she and Skeleton King vanished in a flash of light. Leaving behind the figure, who walked out to reveal themselves as a scowling Valeena, who had seen and heard every bit of the exchange, giving a low growl, clenching her fists.
"As if that whore is worthy of a planet or your love, my lord!" she spat with a bitter glare.
This was all just a test of her patience, she kept telling herself. Her lord was just using these worthless sluts for what little strategic purpose they could provide, while having her prove that she was the only one deserving of being the true Queen.
She just had to hold out for a while longer, she was sure. And then... then her lord would truly acknowledge her worth and grant her long-held dream of letting her stand by his side, not merely as his Skull Sorceress but his Skeleton Queen!
But first...
"First I have a mission to attend to..." she said aloud with a scowl, turning away from the throne room while holding an internal wince. A mission and a punishment, not having forgotten that little assignment to find worthy members of her lord's harem... but if it was part of her test, then she would do so... perhaps she could find someone she'd enjoy breaking into a toy of her own when her lord isn't using her~ she thought with a dark sneer growing on her face as she left the throne room.
(Later, back on Earth)
The sun was setting, and Cyborg of the Teen Titans was walking down the city street with a frown besides a construction zone, his earlier anger still there though having faded away to frustration.
"Urg... maybe I should call the Tower..." He mused aloud, coming to a pause at the construction zone before shaking his head, "But I'll look like a complete chump," He muttered, rubbing his face, "But... I can't just ditch the team... especially now," He said with a scowl, because his frustrations with Robin aside, now was the worst time to leave them in the lurch, with the chaos Skeleton King and some jerk playing ninja were apparently causing, never mind the mess with Trigon and the Earth having a potential parasite.
Though as he was lost in thought, he suddenly froze as he heard a large crash come from the construction zone to his right, causing him to frown and head over to investigate.
"Hey, anybody there!"
No one responded, but Cyborg decided to investigate anyway. Someone could be in there but unconscious or too hurt to respond, and even if there wasn't, it was better to check than risk it, he thought as passed the gates of the construction zone and entered the area.
Though as he walked deeper into the area, passing by a large pile of sandbags.
BOOM
Everything exploded as Cinderblock burst out of nowhere and laid a surprise right hook straight at Cyborg's face, sending him flying back into one of the steel girders of the future building.
"Urg!... Arg... not cool, man!" Cyborg snapped, glaring at the charging Cinderblock, "But if you want a round 2, let's get it started!" He yelled, firing his sonic cannon, aiming at Cinderblock's face, while high above the construction area Jinmay observed the fight with a slight smirk.
"Welp, that looks as good a cue as any for a debut entrance~" she said with a smirk before she pressed a button, with two laser guns extracting at the side of her bike as she rocketed down with a laugh.
As Cinderblock shrugged off Cyborg's attack, they both paused as they heard Jinmay's approach.
"What the-?" Cyborg started to say, only for her to open fire.
BOOM
The lasers hit the ground between the two enemies, sending them both flying. As they groaned and got back to their feet, Jinmay brought the bike down to a halt several yards above the new hole in the ground.
"Hello, boys~ Is this a private party, or can anyone join?" she asked with a laugh.
"Who the hell are you?" Cyborg asked, blinking in confusion.
"Oh, where are my matters?" Jinmay said with a mock look of regret as she started to assume her more robotic form, her skin being replaced by metal and her eyes glowing a brighter green while Cyborg gave a surprised stare, "The name's Jinmay, loyal servant and lover to the great Skeleton King!"
she said with a slight brag at the mention of being his lover (an unnecessary bit of information to the plan, but hey, she could make it work for them in the long term and she wanted to establish pecking order) before giving a wild feral grin, "But you can call me your personal executioner!"
And at that exclamation, she opened fire with her hover bike, firing straight at Cyborg.
Cursing, Cyborg jumped out of the way to dodge the attack, then fired off his sonic cannon in retaliation, but Jinmay merely flew her bike through he air to avoid it. This did buy Cyborg a few seconds of breathing room, though he came up short as all of what he'd heard her say registered.
"Wait, lover?!" he exclaimed, turning slightly green, "You're actually sleeping with that thing?!"
Jinmay's wild grin was wiped off her face as she heard that, and she scowled down at him.
"Don't you dare insult my master, you- Whoa!" she started to yell at him, only to have to dodge again as Cinderblock suddenly ran up and swung at her.
"Hey, back off rockhead, this is my show!" Jinmay yelled, thrusting out her hand while sending her bike in reverse as an energy orb left her hand and hit Cinderblock straight in the face.
BOOM
Causing Cinderblock to slightly stumble back while Jinmay opened fire with her bike's weaponry.
BOOM
Getting a direct hit on the villain while she shot a glare at Cyborg, "And for your information, yes I'm sleeping with him! And he's a better boyfriend and lover than that loser monkey boy ever was!" She called out with a huff.
"Monkey boy? ...wait, you mean the kid on that team of monkeys that protected Shuggazoom?" Cyborg demanded, deciding that if one of Skeleton King's goons was going to be attacking him, he might as well pump her for information.
"Yeah, that's my ex, Chiro," Jinmay scoffed, "Total goody-goody loser who liked me being some naive little damsel who he had to always save like the big strong hero he thought he was. Tch, even if he hadn't taken me as a lover, I still would be so grateful to my lord for opening my eyes to how pathetic that moron was."
Cyborg scowled at her words, his mind at first going to Mandarin, the one that apparently backstabbed his team to join with tall dark and creepy, and at first he thought Jinmay was the same. But as he examined her robotic form and at her words of Skeleton King "opening her eyes", a darker worrying suspicion came to mind... one that brought him to a lingering fear of his that had formed ever since the day Victor Stone became Cyborg.
"What do you mean by him opening your eyes?" He demanded warily, aiming his sonic cannon toward the girl and her bike.
"If you must know, my master blessed me with his power and showed me how the universe really works," Jinmay told him with a scoff, "That the weak are meant to die and serve, while the strong survive and rule~" she told him with a malicious smile.
"Yeah... and how'd he do that? A little reprogramming, maybe?" Cyborg asked bitterly, disgusted at the thought of forcibly changing the mind of someone, particularly someone with machine parts in their brains. He'd been living with fear of that ever since he became like he was now, and this looked like proof of it being a possibility right in front of him.
"How my lord enlightened me is none of your business," Jinmay spat at him.
"What you call enlightening I call enslaving," Cyborg spat back, sending her a look that a mixture between pity, disgust, and anger, the latter two aimed at the bastard skeleton more than her, before opening fire resolving to end this fight and bring her in for her own good if nothing else. Though as he opened fire, Cinderblock ran out of the dust cloud formed from Jinmay's earlier attack on him, raising his arm to punch at her bike, with Jinmay quickly doing some evasive maneuvers to dodge both attacking enemies. This caused Cyborg's attack to hit Cinderblock, knocking the monster back again.
"Stay down already!" Jinmay snapped, firing on Cinderblock again and driving him even further back. Before ducking down to avoid a blast from Cyborg's cannon, causing her to growl before putting the pedal to the metal as she surged the bike forward and attempted to ram Cyborg, dodging each blast he attempted to shoot at her.
"Whoa!"
With Cyborg managing to roll out of the way just in time before he got hit, while landing in a crouch, scowling as he shouted out at the girl, "Listen to me! Whatever that creep did to mess with your head, my friends and I can help you!" He called out urgently, trying to reach through to her only for Jinmay to laugh.
"Heheahha you can help by letting me blow you into scrap metal!" she called out, pushing her bike to take a vertical turn before opening fire back on Cyborg.
Growling in frustration, he jumped aside to dodge, before firing another attack of his own. Jinmay zoomed the bike up again to dodge it in return, only for Cyborg to fire a grappling cable from his other hand, which grabbed the back of the bike and went taut.
"Whoa!" Jinmay cried out as the bike was dragged to a halt and nearly threw her off.
"Urgh, hey, what's the big idea?!" Jinmay snapped, scowling over her shoulder at Cyborg, "I just got this as a gift from Skeleton King, and you're trying to ruin the paint job!" she snapped angrily as she twisted around in her seat scowling.
"Believe me, I think you should be more worried about your head than your bike," Cyborg retorted with a scowl, only to flinch back as Jinmay jumped off her bike and activated some kinda rocket boosters from her feet as she roared out, "And you need to worry about losing your head!"
She surged forward, with Cyborg raising his arm cannon to fire in defense.
BAM
THUD
Only for Jinmay to be intercepted mid-attack by Cinderblock swinging a metal girder that he immediately swung toward a shocked Cyborg's gut.
"AGH!"
"UGH!"
Hero and villainess shouted out together as they were both sent flying, smashing into the far side of the construction site.
"Ugh, doesn't this guy know when to stay down?" Jinmay snapped, rubbing her head as they both sat back up.
"Guess not," Cyborg grumbled, glancing at her, "Any chance I can talk you into a truce long enough to take him down?"
"...Fine, but then I'm kicking your ass for messing up my ride," Jinmay muttered, looking over to where her bike had hit the ground.
"You can send me the bill," Cyborg said with an eye roll as he readied his cannon, though he could understand her annoyance at someone messing with her ride. Odds are he'd be ticked off if it was him, but he focused back on the roaring Cinderblock who charged forward.
"After we show him some good ol' machine power~" He said with a smirk, opening fire with his sonic cannon while Jinmay thrust her hands forward, sending out multiple laser orb blasts while Cinderblock just charged forward, dodging or getting hit but still charged, before lunging forward to punch at the ground between them, with the two dodging by jumping, Jinmay to Cinderblock's right, Cyborg to the left.
"This guy's certainly durable, I'll give him that," Jinmay called out with a scowl.
"Yeah, but that just means we need to hit harder," Cyborg said, typing onto his right arm for a moment before thrusting it toward Cinderblock while letting loose a stronger sonic blast, straight at the villain's head just as he turned to face him.
The blast hit Cinderblock right in the middle of the face, actually managing to stumble him back several feet from the force of the impact. Seeing this, Jinmay quickly fired energy orbs at the monster's legs, hitting them right at the knees. With them already bent from stumbling backwards, the attack caused them to fold completely, dropping Cinderblock hard onto his back.
As Cinderblock tried to get back up, Cyborg leapt through the air and came down to slam his fists onto Cinderblock's face, ramming the creature back down. And then Jinmay ran over, holding up the same girder that Cinderblock had previously used and whacking it down on his face as well, hitting hard enough that it actually bent the metal.
WHAM
"Just!"
WHAM
"Stay!"
WHAM
"DOWN!"
Jinmay yelled out as she repeatedly hit Cinderblock in the face with the girder.
As Cyborg watched, small cracks actually started forming in Cinderblock's concrete skin. He wasn't sure if the thing could actually feel pain, but at the very least, he at some point stopped moving or reacting to the blows raining down on him.
Jinmay seemed to notice this too, eventually stopping her attacks and stepping back to see if Cinderblock was just playing possum. However, after several moments he didn't move, which Jinmay took as a sign that he was dealt with.
"Well, that was annoying," she muttered, tossing the girder aside before returning to Cyborg, "Now then, where were we?"
Cyborg gave her a serious slightly pleading gaze, "Listen, if Skeleton King messed with your head, there has to be a part of you that realizes this isn't the real you," He told Jinmay, who rolled her eyes, "Let me and my friends help you."
"Ugh, just like Chiro, thinking I'm some stupid, weak little girl who needs to constantly be helped," she spat, "Well, let me tell you something, hero. Yes, my master used his magic to initially turn me on the Hyper Force - and then he removed it, so that I could weigh the pros and cons of staying loyal to him. I actually doubted him for a moment before making my choice, which proves I'm not under his control."
"Or that could just be what he wants you think, while still influencing you," Cyborg pointed out.
"Shut up!" Jinmay snapped, surging forward, sending a high kick that Cyborg blocked with a grunting pained wince, "This is who I am!" Jinmay roared, sending a high kick straight at Cyborg's chin that the hero barely dodged, jumping back while firing his sonic cannon, which Jinmay dodged with a slide to the right, "And Skeleton King isn't controlling me! He loves me!" She roared, tackling Cyborg to the ground and starting to punch at his face.
Cyborg grunted under the blows, before managing to grab her arms and throw her off of him, sending her skidding across the ground.
"You really think that someone who destroys whole planets even knows HOW to love?" he demanded as he got back to his feet.
"Oh believe me..." Jinmay, despite her anger at Cyborg's words, couldn't resist a mocking smirk as her eyes got a bit lustful while recalling certain memories, "He knows how to love~" Jinmay let out a laugh, "He knows how to love me all night long!"
Cyborg's face screwed up in disgust at that.
"I did not need to hear that," he muttered, before firing a sonic blast at her that she easily dodged.
"Then just stand still and die already!" she said, firing energy spheres at him.
"Sorry, but this dude doesn't go down so easily!" Cyborg called out as he dodged and fired his sonic cannon, with the two proceeding to engage in a long range battle of blasting and dodging.
As they did so, they didn't realize that they were being watched.
"Hmm, so this is one of the bone man's minions? Zim is moderately impressed," the exiled Irken muttered to himself, observing the fight from a nearby rooftop.
Zim had come to Jump City to track down GIR, who had wandered out of the base a week ago while Zim had been distracted by his plotting. And of course the stupid robot had left his tracking chip at home (Zim suspected he'd removed it to make room for tuna again), so the only reason Zim had found him here was because Killer Moth, a member of Zim's Legion of Doom, lived here and had happened to see GIR going into a nightclub; he swore that he'd tried to go in after him, but had been rejected by the bouncers for being "too freakish" for the club.
How a robot badly disguised as a two-legged green dog was somehow NOT considered freakish didn't make much sense to the insectoid metahuman, but he'd long since learned not to question logic when it came to things in Zim's orbit.
In any case, he'd quickly contacted Zim, who had come to retrieve his robot, and had been searching for him when he'd caught sight of the fight, and hearing Jinmay declaring her loyalty had piqued his interest. After all, while he was more interested in the ugly ninja that Tak was working with, he wasn't going to ignore the other new bit of competition to his rightful place as conqueror of Earth.
He had to admit what he seen and heard so far had been moderately amusing, "Heheh, turning a former enemy into your brainwashed minion is an amusing classic idea, Zim will admit," The Irken said with a chuckle, "But the bone man certainly took it a extra mile~"
He said with a smirk. Not only defeating your enemy but taking another enemy, the lover of your enemy as your minion and love slave, ohh that certainly gave Zim a laugh~
"Hmm, perhaps Zim should talk to Paper Star about doing the same to Dib-stink's mate," He wondered, rubbing his chin. The island girl was fairly attractive as far as humans went, after all, and if nothing else, through her Zim would gain access to whatever means she had of controlling all those experiments.
"Yes, Zim could definitely have fun with this~" Zim chuckled.
"Yay!" GIR cheered from where he was suddenly sitting next to Zim, causing the latter to jump in surprise.
"What the-? GIR, when did you get here?!" Zim demanded.
"I don't know," the robot replied, before taking a sip from the slushy in his hands. Zim frowned in annoyance at his minion, which deepened as he noticed GIR's dog suit was covered in beans.
"What have you been doing?" he asked in disgust.
"I was having a taco party with all my new friends!"
"New friends?" Zim blinked, throwing his robotic minion a confused look before waving it off as GIR's typical nonsense, "Urg, Zim has no time for your party of tacos, GIR!"
Zim snapped with a scowl, "You know that you aren't to leave the base without permission, especially without your tracker!" He snapped, lecturing his minion, "What if Dib-stink or one of those annoying so-called heroes had capture you?"
GIR merely made a noncommittal noise and shrugged, then took another sip of his drink. Zim scowled at him, but huffed and turned away to return his focus to the fight.
"Regardless, we'll be returning to base as soon as I'm done observing this fight," he stated, "I want to gather as much data as possible on the bone man by studying his robot girl minion."
"She's pretty!" GIR chirped, watching as Jinmay and Cyborg fought, with Jinmay lifting up and throwing a girder that Cyborg got hit by while Zim rolled his eyes, "Yes, yes she's very cute," He said, half-distracted and focusing more on the fight, "Now be quiet GIR, I don't want to miss anything!"
He snapped only for GIR to whine out, "Aw, but I want to play too!" The disguised robot exclaimed, attempting to jump off the roof, "GIR, no!" Only for Zim to tackle his minion to the ground.
"We are only going to observe, not get involved!" Zim snapped.
"Awwww," GIR whined, which did not bode well.
"Look, just do what I say and, uh, I'll get you a present when we get home!" Zim said desperately.
"Oooh! Can I get a headless clown?!" GIR asked excitedly, mood immediately doing a 180.
"...No, I'll get you something else."
"Aw... I WANT HEADLESS CLOWN!" GIR screeched, causing Zim to flinch.
"I'll get you a new pig dressed as a clown!" He snapped, jumping to the first thing he could think of that GIR would like before he alerted the entire city to their location.
"Yay!" And like before, the robot's mood did 180.
"But only if you stay here and stay quiet! Understood?" Zim snapped.
"Yes sir!" GIR replied with a salute, going into Duty Mode momentarily, before returning to "normal" and retrieving his dropped slushy to start drinking it again.
And with that, Zim was able to focus back on the fight, watching as the robotic minion pressed the earlier thrown girder against the cybernetic human's neck with her foot, while pointing her hand down.
"Any last words before I drag your disassembled parts back to my master?" Jinmay asked with a dark grin.
"Aside from giving you one last chance to let us help you?" Cyborg replied, earning a derisive snort from Jinmay, "Just this - are you insulated?"
"What?" Jinmay blinked in confusion, only for her eyes to widen as a hatch opened on Cyborg's chest and shoot out a cable that attached to her leg.
ZAP
"AAAGGGHHH!"
And unleashed thousands of volts into Jinmay's metallic body.
"ARRG YOU BASTARD!" Jinmay managed to yell out despite the pain, while at the same time Cyborg stared grimly up at the girl, "ARRRRG NOT GOING DOWN LIKE A CHUMP!" Jinmay managed to yell out, attempting to fire an attack down at Cyborg.
However, she'd shifted while spasming from the pain, just enough to take the pressure off of Cyborg's throat and allow him to jerk away from her line of fire. The blast missed him, and before Jinmay could register that she'd hit the ground instead of his head, he reared up and knocked her off of him completely.
As Jinmay fell backwards, Cyborg grabbed her and threw her as hard as he could at a nearby support beam, which she hit hard enough to dent it.
"Sorry lady, but if I've got to beat some sense into you, then I will," he said as he got back up and glared at her.
"You... you... I'm... going..." Jinmay's form, which was literally smoking, pushed itself up, leaning one hand against the girder as she shot a look of absolute rage and loathing toward Cyborg as her hand dug into the metal of the girder, with the metal grinding from her strength, "To tear you apart!" She roared out as she activated her foot thrusters and rocketed to Cyborg, roaring out, "ARRRRG!"
Had she been thinking clearly, she would have had more of a strategy than that. But being blinded by rage, she just flew straight at him without questioning why he wasn't trying to dodge her.
As such, when she was practically on top of him, she was caught totally off guard as he brought his cannon up and blasted her at point blank range. With her barely having enough time to widen her eyes before the attack hit.
"AAAGH!" And was sent flying high into the air before coming crashing down on the still form of Cinderblock with a pained groan.
"Sorry about that, but believe me..." Cyborg approached the defeated duo with a frown, "Odds are you'll be thanking me for this later."
"This... isn't... over," Jinmay growled through gritted teeth, glaring up at him.
"Yeah, it is," Cyborg said, leveling his cannon at her, "So give up before you make this any worse for yourself."
In response, Jinmay slapped a hand onto her belt, activating a hidden button. This caused her bike to suddenly spring to life and pop back into the air, zooming in their direction.
"Crap!" Cyborg cursed, jumping aside to avoid what he saw as an attack. However, instead of attacking, the bike kept going, allowing Jimmay to grab it as it went past, yanking herself back onto it as it continued onwards.
"This isn't over!" Jinmay yelled again, glaring down at Cyborg as she got onto her bike, "Next time, I'll turn you into a toaster!"
"Sure, keep telling yourself that," Cyborg sighed, not in the mood to continue this unfortunate fight any further.
Jimmay glared down at him for several more moments, before scoffing and reaching into a pocket to pull out a disk.
"Here, a little message from my master to your team," she said, tossing it down to him, "I was going to leave it with your remains, but I guess you can just take it."
With Cyborg reaching out to catch it with a frown, half wondering what the skeleton creep had to say this time, "But count yourself lucky, because next time..." Jinmay's voice called out before her hover bike took off into the sky, "NEXT TIME I'LL BRING MY MASTER YOUR HEAD AS A TROPHY!"
She roared, leaving behind Cyborg to stare up as she disappeared off into the distance, "And I'll be waiting..." He said, clenching his hand around the disk, "Because next time we're bringing you in and fixing whatever the creep did to your head."
He vowed with a dark scowl, because if he was right then Skeleton King just sank even lower than he thought he could, which considering what he displayed in that short meeting and knew about him was impressive. Though it seemed just torturing his former enemies wasn't enough, he had to brainwash one into his slave and rape her body and mind, with Cyborg giving a low growl at the thought before shaking it off as he turned to Cinderblock's unconscious form. He could address this with the others later, right now he needed to secure rockhead, then get back to his friends to make things right.
Unaware as he did so he was being observed by two parties.
"Hmm, a somewhat disappointing outcome," Zim said, frowning as he watched Jinmay fly off, "If that's what he considers a top minion, then this bone man is no true threat."
"Hehe, pretty lady was playing~" GIR giggled, prompting a confused look from Zim before the Irken scoffed.
"Yes, I suppose she wasn't taking her job seriously enough like a good minion should," He acknowledged, before giving the robot an annoyed look, "Something I'm familiar with."
Causing GIR to give a confused tilt of his head, "But no matter, I've seen more than enough GIR, and you've caused enough trouble, it's time to return to base," Zim said with a frown.
"Then I get my clown pig?!" GIR asked excitedly, causing Zim to sigh in annoyance.
"Yeah, sure, whatever," he grumbled.
"Yay!"
And with that the two departed, unaware that there was another player having observed the fight from the beginning.
(Elsewhere, later)
In a dark room deep underground, a lone figure stood among large turning gears, staring up at numerous screens displaying the Titans' earlier flight with Cinderblock at the prison, and their more recent one with Plasmus, the slime mutant that Cinderblock had broken out of the prison. However, what was really drawing his attention was the footage of Cyborg's three-way fight with Cinderblock and Jinmay.
"Hmm, now this is an interesting variable," Slade mused, single eye narrowed in thought.
"Should we be concerned sir?" Spoke the figure standing at Slade's side, an old man in a white suit by the name of Wintergreen, a long time confidant and ally to Slade since his youth back in simpler days.
"Honestly, I'm not sure," Slade reluctantly admitted, "The fact that one of these new invaders has apparently taken such an interest in the Titans certainly complicates things for my long-term plans. Though as this Skeleton King is also operating elsewhere indicates that this is not a primary focus for him, it's possible that we can still make things work so long as he doesn't put more effort into things here."
"Still, it raises a question..." He mused out loud as the screens all started to display footage of the Titans, "What is it about Jump City, particularly the Titans, that has caught his attention?" He asked aloud with a narrowed eye.
"Perhaps it could be related to the strange movements and increased activity as of late from the Justice League and their contacts," Wintergreen theorized with a frown, rubbing his chin, "Or..." The elder butler looked at the screens with an analyzing gaze, "Perhaps his motivation is similar to your own?" He offered, as Slade gave a thoughtful hum while considering those theories.
"Hmm, that is a possibility," Slade considered, "But frankly, with so little information, it's impossible to do more than speculate. We need to learn more. And with Cinderblock now out of commission, that means I'll either need new hired muscle, or to step in myself."
"Have you considered asking your brother for help, sir?" Wintergreen asked.
"No. I don't need to deal with Wade's asinine insanity on top of everything else," Slade said, before giving a long-suffering sigh, "Of course, now that I've said that, he's bound to show up anyway. Probably making a crude joke or some nonsensical remark about 'pleasing the fans' or some such."
"He is an agent of chaos, sir," Wintergreen agreed with a nod, thinking of his master's brother whose skill was only surpassed by his insanity... to the point some said he was one of the few that could actually make Joker look stable, "Perhaps young miss..."
He started to say only for Slade to cut him off, "No!" And gave Wintergreen a cold look, "Despite her ambition, she's already proven herself unsuitable to fill the role I need," He said, leaning back into his throne while arching his hands together, "She is and could still be a useful agent in this game, yes..."
He acknowledge narrowing his eyes, "But her own desires blind her and could make her an obstacle for my plans for the Titans," He said, with Wintergreen sighing but nodding in understanding.
"As you wish, sir," he said, knowing that when his master made up his mind, there was no arguing with him, "So, what shall our next course of action be then?"
"For now, we observe," Slade declared, "Once we have more information to work with, then I'll determine my next move."
"And who knows..." He looked at the screens displaying now not only footage of the earlier fight but also of the attacks on Jump City and Gotham done by Skeleton King and Lothor's forces, and even some grainy war footage from Kaznia, "Perhaps I can work the presence of these new players to my advantage."
He uttered with a narrowed eye, "Until then, we continue the course," He said to Wintergreen as the footage changed to that of a factory and a purple sludge-like creature fighting the other four Titans, "And perhaps we'll see if the Titans can rise to meet these new threats."
Slade told Wintergreen as his gaze honed in on the leader of the Teen Titans in particular.
Yes, it would be very interesting to see how Robin handled what these new enemies had to throw at him...
(Meanwhile, Titans Tower)
After defeating Plasmus and having him put back in stasis and sent back to prison, alongside the captured Cinderblock, the Titans had all returned to the Tower. However, any attempts at celebrating Cyborg's return were preempted as he revealed the exact circumstances of how he'd actually captured Cinderblock.
Though that was after he asked why they smelled like Mexican food and had some beans as well as sludge on their clothing. In response, he only get four flat if slightly haunted gazes as they said in tandem don't ask...
"So you got ambushed by Cinderblock and one of Skeleton King's minions?" Robin surmised, all five Titans now in the living room with the leader of the team frowning down at a disk Cyborg gave him.
"And this minion was a former protector of the fiend that is Skeleton King's former planet?" Starfire added in with her own frown while Raven gave a nod.
"She certainly sounds like the girl I saw in Valeena's memories," the sorceress said, looking over to Cyborg, who was scowling on the couch, and from what she could sense this situation hit a bit close to home.
"Yeah but looks like that creep really messed with her head," The mechanical Titan told them with a dark angry scowl.
"I can't believe, brainwashed or not, she's actually sleeping with that thing!" Beast Boy exclaimed out with a disgusted look, "I mean, what kinda freak would be attracted to that ugly mug!" He added, only to wince at the looks shot his way, with Raven despite herself feeling a surge of both hurt and annoyance at those words... despite telling herself again that she wasn't attracted to that monster!
As Raven dealt with her internal conflict, Robin spoke up, "Leaving the sexual aspect of things aside, the idea of her being brainwashed into serving Skeleton King is disturbing. We have to capture her next time she shows up so that we can try and help her."
"Indeed! To leave someone in such a state would make us dishonorable marghlacks!" Starfire declared firmly.
"No idea what that means, but you won't get an argument from me," Cyborg said, before holding up the disk that Jinmay had given him, "Also, she gave me this. Said it was a message from skull face to us."
"Huh, surprised the creep isn't trying to contact us personally like before," Beast Boy said, while Robin took the disk, examining it with a frown.
"Hopefully it's a good sign," He said, lifting his head up to look at Beast Boy, "After what happened, I had Raven look into placing what mystical defenses she could find around the tower."
He said, turning to the computer terminal as Raven was brought out of her thoughts by the mention of her name, frowning.
"The defenses I prepared should help defend against Skeleton King contacting or attacking us like before," she said, before adding with a warning, "But it won't do any good against a physical threat, and I have no idea how well the defenses will hold up against someone of Skeleton King's observed level of power."
The sorceress explained while the Titans frowned before Robin spoke up, putting the disk in the terminal, "Like I said, hopefully this message being delivered like this is a good sign," The leader of the Titans said, though noted that even Raven was unsure how well the defenses would hold since couldn't properly test them against what they're meant to protect from, "For now, let's just see what Skeleton King has to say this time."
He told his team as all of them looked up at the screen which soon displayed a very shocking image.
"Hello, Titans~"
"AH, YES MASTER! PLEASE PUNISH THIS TROQ WHORE MORE!"
An image that caused Starfire to let out a horrified gasp while all the other Titans stared in utter shock... while Raven found her own shock joined by.... arousal, anger, and jealousy?!
The reason for this was because Skeleton King was standing in front of what was probably his throne, but he wasn't alone. Blackfire was also there, but in nothing like the condition that the others had last seen her in - she was stark naked, on her hands and knees, being fucked doggy style by the undead tyrant, who slapped her ass hard as they watched.
"I do hope you are all doing well since our last chat~" Skeleton King said from the screen between grunts casually, as if he wasn't fucking one of the Titan's sister and one time enemy, "I just wanted to pass along my thanks for my pleasure slave~"
He said with a laugh, while hitting Blackfire's ass for emphasis.
SMACK
"AH!" Blackfire cried out, "Thank you for treating me like I deserve, master!"
"And how do you deserve to be treated?" Skeleton King hissed, staring down at her with an amused cruel smirk, hitting her ass again.
SMACK
"AH!" Blackfire let out a moan, giving a large smile, "Like a worthless troq whore who's only good for fucking and breeding, master!" she called out with a loud eager moan, "My entire purpose is to serve my betters!"
Starfire could only stare in shocked disbelief, unable to comprehend her strong, domineering sister not only being so defiled, but acting utterly submissive in the process. It was practically breaking her brain to try and comprehend what she was seeing. A distant part of her, under her shock and horror, was hoping that this was some horrible nightmare, or a cruel trick by this monster! But no... no something told Starfire this was all too real.
"Sister..." she whispered in a broken tone of despair, feeling her eyes water as she could do nothing but continue to watch the madness.
"Ah, ah, umm yes, I imagine you in particular little Starfire are confused~" Skeleton King said, flashing an evil grin toward the camera while reaching down to grab at the back of Blackfire's hair, jerking her head head back as he continued to pound into her, the Tamaranean only letting out a pleasure-filled moan as he did so, "You see, I was observing your little sibling feud, and after Blackfire was arrested I had my Citadel of Bone intercept the Centauri ship."
He let out a cackle, "The fools practically fled for their lives, throwing Blackfire at me~" Skeleton King grinned wide, "I offered her a chance to serve my forces as a general, but she refused and attempted to usurp me~"
He explained, hitting Blackfire's ass again, only this time with his hand glowing with mystical purple electrical energy, adding some shock to the hit.
SMACK
"AH, FORGIVE THIS STUPID TROQ BITCH, MASTER!!!" Blackfire moaned eagerly at the hit, causing Skeleton King to laugh.
"Hehahah, so after I beat her down, I chose a more fitting purpose for her~" He said as Blackfire gave a wide, disturbing lust-filled grin at the camera.
"Ah, ah, ah, ah, I'm master's ah, ah, ah, ah, personal troq whore, Koriand'r!" She practically moaned out her tone and expresion screaming nothing but joy, "I finally realize that worthless trash like us, sister, aren't meant to be Queens or warriors, we're meant to be slaves!"
Blackfire let out another pleasure-filled moan, "Slaves whose only goal in life is to satisfy and have our holes filled by the cocks of our superiors~"
"Hehe, glad to see it when useless whores know their place~" Jinmay's voice came from offscreen. Blackfire actually dropped character momentarily to glare at the robot girl, though she composed herself and returned to the submissive slave girl role before any of the Titans could notice it.
At Jinmay's voice speaking up, Skeleton King gave a little chuckle, "Speaking of those knowing their place..."
Jinmay than walked onscreen, only unlike when she fought Cyborg she was completely naked, "I believe that since you've received this message you've become acquainted with Jinmay~" He said as the girl in question leaned her naked body against him as he continued to pound Blackfire, kissing his chest, "She once gave her heart to the leader of my enemies and foolishly fought against me~"
Skeleton King said with a grunt before Jinmay spoke up, grinning at the camera, "Now I serve my master and love and give him everything~"
Cyborg glared at the screen, disgusted and horrified at seeing the girl who'd been so domineering in their fight acting like a submissive slave. He barely knew her, and it still just struck him as just wrong.
"So don't feel too bad for your sister, Red," Jinmay said to the camera, "She's been given the honor of being used and bred by the supreme master of all things. She should be flattered to know he's chosen to make use of her holes!"
Starfire at this actually let out a feral growl ,her eyes glowing with both energy and anger while her sister moaned out on the screen.
"Ah, ah, I'm more than flattered, I'm honored!" Blackfire moaned as Skeleton King pounded her pussy, spanked her ass, and jerked her head back, "Ah, ah, ah, ah, being Skeleton King's personal troq whore is more than I deserve!"
She moaned out doing her best to play broken toy, "This is what worthless troqs like us are meant to be, sister!" Blackfire exclaimed as Skeleton King let out a laugh.
"Yes, yes, Blackfire is indeed a perfect toy for me to enjoy~" He said as Jinmay practically humpeed his body for attention, "Me and the one I choose to be my Queen~" He hissed out.
"Mmm, and that'll be me!" Jinmay declared, not entirely acting, "I'm the obvious choice, far superior to that old hag, this worthless bitch, or anyone else out there!"
Despite herself, Raven felt an odd spike of anger at that statement, which was absurd. Why should she care if this stupid metal harlot wanted to take Skeleton King's huge cock for herself? Or that she actually thought she was good enough to be a Queen, probably couldn't even rule a junkyard much less an empire, Raven found herself thinking with a scowl, unable to look away from the video as Skeleton King gave a laugh, replying back to Jinmay, "Heheh, you'll have you'll chance to prove that, Jinmay."
He said, glancing down to her, "But Earth might yet hold a beautiful gem who might take that position~" he said with a subtle smirk while Jinmay scowl as Raven despite herself felt amusement at the metal harlot being reminded of her place and a surge of warmth at Skeleton King's words.
"But besides wanting to pass along my thanks for delivering my new toy and introducing Jinmay..." Skeleton King said, grunting while pounding Blackfire and reaching down to grab and finger Jinmay's cunt, much to her moaning appreciation, "My new little slut wanted to pass along a message to her sister~" he said with a laugh.
SMACK
"Ah! Yes, I wanted to thank you, sister!" Blackfire declared.
"Thank... me?" Starfire repeated, snapped out of her anger by confusion.
"Mmm, I always thought I was superior to you," Blackfire said, "But you not only defeated me, you practically hand delivered me over to my master, who showed me my true purpose in life. So again, thank you sister, for helping me realize that our parents and our people were right about me all along - they all said that I wasn't worthy to be Queen, and I see now that that was the truth! I'm no Queen, I'm just a worthless troq slut, and I've never been happier! So thank you, Kori! I only hope that some day you'll learn this is your proper place and come to love it too!"
Starfire at those words felt a cold dagger stab her through her heart. She... she's to blame for her sister's current state!? And what Blackfire said about their people and parents... surely that couldn't be true... right?
"Sister..." she murmured as Blackfire gave a loud moan as Skeleton King increased his pace, slamming inside her like a jackhammer.
PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP, PLAP
"Yes, our ah, ah, ah, ah, proper place. AH AH SLAVES AND BREEDING STOCK!" The princess screamed out as she experienced her release before Skeleton King grunted and started to fill her with his seed before the shocked and horrified gazes of the Titans.
"Ah, ah, ah, ah, this... this is what I deserve," Blackfire panted with a happy grin plastered on her face as she slumped to the floor.
A sight that caused Starfire's heart to truly break while Skeleton King let out a dark twisted laugh.
"Heheahah indeed~" He said, removing his cock from Blackfire before roughly grabbing Jinmay by the hair and shoving her face down to it, with the robotic girl eagerly starting to clean off her master, "Look at them Titans~ Both tried to defy me and now..."
He grinned maliciously, "They find purpose serving my desires~" He said, running his hand through Jinmay's hair, "Ah, ummm, yes master, I'm happier cleaning whore juices off your cock than I ever was kissing that loser Chiro~" Jinmay said with a moaning giggle, "As you should be~"
Skeleton King said, grinning evilly at the Titans, "And rest assured Starfire, that if your sister continues to be such a good troq slave, I might yet allow her to carry some of my bastards after I choose my Queen~" He barked out laughing.
"Hmm, yes master, please let me sire your bastards," Blackfire begged, "Let this worthless whore do something worthwhile by bringing your offspring into the world!"
The more Starfire saw, the more her heart broke and the more she felt like throwing up. This... this couldn't be her sister. Not her proud powerful sister, who never heeded another's command so easily... what had this monster done to Komand'r?!
"Heheh, continue to prove your worth and I might yet grant you that honor, my dear~" Skeleton King said with a laugh as Blackfire stood up to her knees before crawling over to fight Jinmay over their master's cock, "Perhaps I'll even give your sister the honor of naming them~" He added with a smirk.
"Mmm, do you hear that, Kori?" Blackfire asked, turning to the camera, "Master wants to honor you too. But you have to accept that you're just a lowly slut like me, instead of fighting your superiors."
This caused a low beastly growl to sound out as Starfire's eyes once again lit up, the anger surging forth to join her horror and despair, "Umm, yes, you and the rest of the Titans are still welcome to see the truth and swear loyalty~"
Skeleton King said with a dark chuckle, "You and Raven in particular... though..." He gave a leer, "I'm afraid Lothor already called dibs and desires his own Tamaranean trog slut slave as well~" He said with a cackling laugh.
This last statement not only caused Starfire to growl again, but also caused Robin to scowl as well, fists clenched at his side.
"Do it, sister!" Blackfire said, "Even if it's to a man inferior to the master, accept that you're meant to just be a slave whore to someone more powerful than you!"
"Yeah, go ahead and join that loser ninja," Jinmay laughed, "One less slut to share the master's cock with."
Both girls eagerly lapping at Skeleton King's cock as he ran his hands through their hair, "Take this as an example, Titans~" He said with a dark grin toward the camera, "An example of both the fate of those that defy me and the pleasures that await those I, eheh, favor~"
He hissed before grabbing Jinmay by her hair and lifting her up, "Now if you excuse me, I have two very eager servants to enjoy~ So thank you again for your generous gift~" He said, cackling as he impaled Jinmay on his cock, with the girl throwing her head back in a loud moan while Blackfire sucked at Skeleton King's balls.
And with that, the video ended, leaving the Titans staring at a blank screen. They did so in a disturbed silence for several moments, before Beast Boy finally broke it.
"Dude, that was the most messed up thing I have ever seen in my life," the green changeling said in a state of shock.
"Right there with you, BB," Cyborg said, in a similar tone.
"Star? Are you alright?" Robin asked Starfire, who was staring blankly at the screen with tears forming in her eyes.
"I..." Starfire glanced over at Robin, who was staring at her in open concern alongside Cyborg and Beast Boy, while Raven seemed to be staring silently at the now blank scree, "I believe I need to be alone, yes," She said as quickly as she could before she flew out of the room.
"Should we go after her?" Cyborg asked. Robin looked like he wanted to say yes for a moment, before he sighed and shook his head.
"No, we'll be here if she needs us, but for now we respect her privacy," he said, before noticing Raven still staring at the screen, "Raven? You okay?"
"What?" Raven asked, blinking and seeming to snap out of whatever state she was in. Seeing the others looking at her, she pulled her hood up to hide her blush, "Yeah, I'm fine. That was just... a lot."
"Understatement of the century, girl," Cyborg said, giving a snort while Beast Boy nodded his head.
"Yeah, knew the guy was a psycho, but this!?" He exclaimed, throwing his arms up in the air, "That was just sick and twisted dudes!"
"Yes it was, and it's all the more reason to put a stop to him," Robin said firmly. And Lothor too, he thought angrily as he remembered that comment about the space ninja "calling dibs" on Starfire like she was some kind of prize.
"So, uh, do we tell the League about this?" Beast Boy asked awkwardly.
"...Yes, but we can spare them the details," Robin decided, "Just that Blackfire's been captured, considering that she was already prisoner of an intergalactic law enforcement agency, which may make this a political incident."
"Great, politics... always fun," Cyborg said with a groan before adding with a scowl, "But the depravity aside, this also serves as proof that skull boy seems eager to sink to any low," He said with a dark scowl, "After all, it's not just Blackfire who's he turned into his toy," He reminded the others, thinking of Jinmay, a robotic girl whose entire personality was likely rewritten to suit Skeleton King's dark twisted desires, all while her real boyfriend was his tortured prisoner to boot... needless to say, this whole situation pissed him off.
"Yes, we need to capture this Jinmay, not just for interrogation but to see if we can free her from his control," Robin said with a nod, frowning in thought.
And at that he looked over to Cyborg, "Cyborg, is there anything you can tell us about her? Anything you learned during your fight? How dangerous she is? Her mental state? Anything?" He asked, questioning the only one among them who had met this Jinmay in person.
Cyborg frowned in thought, considering everything that he'd witnessed and experienced during the fight, before he spoke.
"She's strong, but tends to rely more on brute force than anything else," he said, "Also, however he screwed with her head, he made her fanatically loyal to him. Like, insulting him puts her into a blind rage. Speaking of which, she's got serious anger issues - the only reason I beat her was because she was so furious about me getting a lucky shot in that she seemed to stop thinking clearly."
"So, she's got a temper, that's something we can use," Robin stated with a slight smirk, before Beast Boy chimed in with a grossed out look.
"I just can't believe, brainwashed or not, any girl would be desperate enough to touch that thing," He said, sticking out his tongue in disgust, not noticing Raven who was standing behind him suddenly go stiff, "But hey, guess that's the only way he can bone a girl," He added with a weak joking grin.
WHAM
"OW!" Only to shout out in pain a moment later when Raven smacked the back of his head.
"What was that for?" he asked, rubbing the spot where he'd been smacked. Raven froze as her friends all stared at her, conflicting emotions stirred up in her by the video, but she quickly forced them down and composed herself.
"This is an extremely serious situation, don't make jokes about it," was all she said, albeit with a tone somewhat icier than usual.
"Rae's got a point BB, this really ain't the time and place for jokes," Cyborg agreed with a sigh as Robin nodded his head with his own frown.
"I didn't mean anything by it," Beast Boy said with a pout, rubbing the back of his head, but at their looks he winced, "But got it, no jokes," He agreed with a wince.
"Good," Raven said bluntly before looking to Robin and Cyborg, "Now if you excuse me, I'll be in my room trying to process all this."
She told them bluntly before disappearing in a fold of black energy before they could say anything.
"...Did she seem a little off to you guys?" Cyborg asked after a moment.
"Considering what we just saw, including the fact that Skeleton King suggested that he'd like to do it to her and Star too, I don't blame her," Robin said, anger seeping into his tone before he managed to get a handle on it, "Anyway, I'm going to go report this to the League. Blackfire's capture, and this Jinmay being brainwashed into his service aside, they'll want a report about his latest known activity." He added over his shoulder as he headed over to the computer terminal as Beast Boy and Cyborg exchanged frowns.
"And I doubt they're going to like any of this one bit," Beast Boy said with a wince as Cyborg gave a bitter snort scowling.
"I don't think any of us like this, BB," The half mechanical teen told his friend.
(Raven's Room)
"Ah, ah, what's... what's wrong with me?" Moaned out the sorceress currently rubbing her crotch (which had a noticeable wet stain through her leotard) and squeezing her breast through her leotard while on her knees on the front of her bed.
What she had just seen was, from a moral standpoint, absolutely horrifying and disgusting. She should be fighting to keep control on a righteous fury over Skeleton King's blatant rape, and implicit intent to do the same to her and enable Lothor doing it to Starfire.
But all she could feel was jealous anger about him fucking that bitch Blackfire and that robot slut, and all she could think of was the mental image of her being the one he pounded into the ground, his cock filling her wet cunt while she moaned like a whore. While the forms of Blackfire and Jinmay wreathed and moaned off to the side as she used her spiritual energy projections to rape their holes while Skeleton King ravaged her, proclaiming her his Queen...
"God... why... why am I fantasizing about that monster!" she moaned, her body burning up in desire and need.
This was wrong. He was pure evil, maybe even as bad as her father. She should despise him with every fiber of her being... and yet all she could do was desperately think about him using her like a piece of meat!
"Fuck me..." she hissed, pulling her clothes off as fast as she could in order to better feel herself up, one hand grabbing and twisting a nipple, while the stuck two fingers into her pussy and began pumping the wet folds.
"Please fuck me!" She moaned out, fingering her pussy as hard as she could while twisting her nipple hard, "I'm better than those whores, ah, ah, ah, umm, my tits are perfect to suck on while you breed me!"
She moaned as she found herself picturing Skeleton King in the room, towering her looking down at her with that sadistic... twisted... attractive evil leer.
"Fill me up with your seed, put your spawn in me!" she moaned, picturing him pulling out his cock and leaning down to shove her to the floor and position himself in preparation to penetrate her. And his dark laughter filling the air as he thrust inside her, taking her like an animal, her tits bouncing with each of his thrusts as he grabbed, smacked, and bit them, using her udders likes his toy... her entire body was his toy!
"Ah, ah, ah, ah, yes, yes, I'm your demon whore, ah, ah, ah, I'm your demon whore..." She moaned, picturing him going faster and faster, his dark voice whispering sweet nothings in her ear until finally, "SKELETON KINGGGGGGGG!!
She came hard, canal tightening around her fingers as juices splattered out. And at the same time, her powers flared, and everything in her room went flying.
And at the end, her room looked like a hurricane had hit it, and Raven herself was panting on the ground with a wide-eyed look.
"Woah... ah, ah, that... that was..." she gave a groan as she realized that was possibly one of the most incredible things she experienced... and she experienced it fantasizing about one of their worst enemies!
"I... I... can't really be attracted to him... right?" She muttered, staring blankly up at the ceiling.
That thought would keep her awake for much of the night, all while the fragment of Skeleton King's magic in her subconscious laughed, its tendrils continuing to slowly spread throughout Nevermore.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Ah, poor Raven, falling so far under Skeleton King's sway and not fully understanding why. Speaking of whom, it seems he's got a new plot in the works, adapting a classic Kim Possible episode for his own ends.
Meanwhile, we're setting up Jinmay's role for the foreseeable future, while also reminding you all that Zim is in this story too, and bringing in everyone's favorite one-eyed Teen Titans villain. Speaking of whom, yes, we're making Slade and Deadpool brothers in this setting, just because it was too fun an idea not to use.
Also, as an FYI, this is the last of the current batch of pre-written material for this story, so it'll be awhile before we get anymore. But in the meantime, feel free to check out our other stories!
As always, if you liked all this, please leave a kudos or a comment!
Nightmaster000 A/N: Quite a chapter, as it seems ladies can't resist Skeleton King ~ We not only have Raven falling deeper into my/SK grasp but Blackfire surrendering her body and heart to me~
Much to Starfire's horror when she finds out her sister is "enslaved" hehe ~
But that aside hope you enjoyed the three way fight between Cyborg, Jinmay, and Cinderblock. As well the touches of other plot points with the reminder that Slades still laying in wait in the shadows of Jump City.
With us also learning that he's got some family that might come into play later ~
And of course we see Gir not only causing his brand of chaos but Zim still being his scheming self which will likely lead to more trouble.
But as always we hope you enjoyed what we had to share and will share your thoughts with a review or give us a kudos if you haven't already ~
Chapter 18: Awakening
Summary:
Smellerbee finally wakes up and meets Lothor.
Meanwhile, the Justice League founders meet to discuss everything that's happened so far, and what may happen next.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hey everyone. Know it's been a while since Night and I last updated this fic, since we've been busy with others, but I'm happy to say that we now have a few chapters' worth of material to begin presenting to you.
After the Teen Titans-centered chapter last time, this time we're looking elsewhere, as a plot point from the Kaznia arc is followed up on, and the Justice League react to everything we've done so far.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hey everyone hope you all had a safe happy halloween last night~ Because we're bringing you one last little treat with a new update for Isekai Conquerors. :)
We do hope you enjoy what we brought as the plot moves steadily along~
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
And at the end, her room looked like a hurricane had hit it, and Raven herself was panting on the ground with a wide-eyed look.
"Woah... ah, ah, that... that was..." she gave a groan as she realized that was possibly one of the most incredible things she experienced... and she experienced it fantasizing about one of their worst enemies!
"I... I... can't really be attracted to him... right?" She muttered, staring blankly up at the ceiling.
That thought would keep her awake for much of the night, all while the fragment of Skeleton King's magic in her subconscious laughed, its tendrils continuing to slowly spread throughout Nevermore.
(Lothor's Ship)
"So, deciding to double down on Jump City?" Lothor asked his fellow isekai. He was currently standing in front of the console in his bridge/throne room, the main screen currently communicating with Skeleton King, while others showed footage of Jinmay's fight with Cyborg and Cinderblock.
"Hehe, it was an opportunity I couldn't miss~" Skeleton King replied with a dark chuckle and twisted smirk, "After all, fun aside, I must admit the Titans interest me," He mused out loud from his throne, "While young and not regarded as Earth's greatest defenders, they have potential indeed and are determined to stand against us."
A dark twisted grin grew across his face, "Which will make it all the more fun to break them~"
"Yeah, I can just picture their looks of despair once they've been broken," Lothor chuckled, "Hmm, I'll have to get in on things in that part of the world eventually if I want to have a share of that. Not to mention ensure my claim on Starfire and any other girl out there that I decide I want."
"Hehe, indeed, I actually left a mention of you desiring Starfire to the Titans in my last message I had Jinmay deliver to them." Skeleton King said with an amused smirk, "And right now, I'm sure that a certain princess is dealing with the shock and horror with the knowledge I've turned her sister into my prisoner and broken sex slave!"
He proclaimed before giving a dark laugh at that delightful bit of fun, and wondered how far they could take that deception~
"Oh really? Hehe, well, I wonder what she'd be willing to do to 'avenge' her sister? Maybe accept a deal with a handsome devil?" Lothor chuckled in thought, before shrugging it off, "Ah, but that's for the future. For now, I was thinking that it might be time to start expanding our operations in Nowhere."
"Hmm... agreed," Skeleton King said with a nod and thoughtful frown, "After all, it's an excellent strategic point for a foothold, never mind the location of our neutral zone."
He added, tapping thoughtfully on the throne, "And like Gravity Falls, it can provide quite a deal to our forces~ Particularly that meteor, if it truly exists in this reality."
He added with a dark grin, relishing the thought of harnessing the power he saw in the Courage the Cowardly Dog and Scooby Doo crossover movie... which reminded him. He looked over to Lothor with a frown, "We just need to ensure a certain dog is out of the way while we expand our power over his home," He stated before giving a small smirk, "Fortunately, I believe I know the perfect way to keep him busy~"
"Your plan to play matchmaker with him and that pair of 'best friends' who were obviously more than that?" Lothor asked, "Yeah, that should work. Between that and just paying off the Bagges to let us mine their property for the meteor instead of forcing our way through like any of the local villains, it should be enough to keep Courage from getting worked up enough to poke his nose into our business."
"Agreed. After all, as long as his family isn't threatened, he should have no reason to disturb our operations," Skeleton King stated with a nod, before adding with a smirk, "Especially when he has two lovely ladies to keep him busy~" he said, giving off a chortle.
Lothor laughed along with that, only to be distracted by a beeping coming from another part of the console. Looking at its source, he arched an eyebrow at the message that popped up, smirking as he read it.
"Sorry, but I'm going to have to cut this short," he said, "Seems a guest I picked up in Kaznia has finally woken up, so I should probably go greet her."
"Hmm, yes, I suppose I have my own work to attend to as well," Skeleton King mused, rubbing his chin, "Besides attending to things in Nowhere, I need to check Valeena's progress on a mission I gave her, check in on things with Kaznia, and..."
He titled his head with a frown, "Continue my research to see if I can discover any other familiar factors that exist in this reality," He explained, before giving off a sigh, "Truly, the life of a conqueror is a busy one "
"Ah, but it's worth it, my friend," Lothor said with a smirk, "Good luck with your search, and keep me informed, if you please."
"Will do," Skeleton King said with a nod, before cutting communication, leaving Lothor to address his ship's guest.
(Elsewhere in the ship)
"So, what is the status of our little patient?" Tak asked the Kelzaks with a slight frown. One of them garbled something back to her in its language, which thanks to the universal translator in her PAK, she easily understood.
"Then she's ready to be woken up?" she asked for clarification, the Kelzak nodding in agreement, "Good. Be prepared to do so as soon as Lothor arrives."
The Kelzaks nodded in affirmation, and stood at the ready next to the healing vat that Smellerbee was still floating inside of. Tak crossed her arms and stared at the unconscious Freedom Fighter, scoffing slightly.
"You'd better be worth all this effort," she muttered.
A few minutes later, Lothor entered the room, grinning in anticipation.
"I hear our guest is finally done with her beauty sleep?" he asked as he walked over to stand next to Tak.
"Indeed, the Kelzaks report her recuperation is finished and they're ready to wake her up at your order," Tak said, turning her head to Lothor, "And for her sake, she'd better prove she was worth the effort in saving."
She said with a dark undertone, narrowing her eyes, "Or I'll be taking the time wasted out of her hide and throwing her in a cell with our pet."
"Hehe, I'm sure she'd love the company~" Lothor chuckled. To give Wendy credit, even after a few days of intense enforced pet play, she still refused to let her captors break her. It was actually thrilling in its own way, if he was being honest.
"But, we'll see what happens. In the meantime, wake her up," he said, directing the last bit to the Kelzaks. They bowed, and began typing on the healing vat's control panel. In response, the fluid inside started draining, lowering Smellerbee to the bottom of the vat, the various tubes and wires attached to her detaching once she was lying there in a heap. Finally, the vat itself split in half and slid open, the exposure to the relatively cooler air outside it causing the girl to snap awake with a gasp.
"Huh, what? Where am I?" she stammered, slightly delirious. Seeming to realize that she wasn't alone, she tried to scramble to her feet, only to freeze as she suddenly noticed that she happened to be completely naked.
"AHHH!" she screamed, flushing bright red and collapsing back to the floor as she tried to cover herself with her arms, "Where the fuck are my clothes?!"
"We had to remove what was left of your clothing and armor to treat your wounds," Tak said dispassionately, before sneering and adding, "Not like you had much to cover, anyway."
Smellerbee blushed deeper at the reminder of her A cups and otherwise fairly masculine features, glaring at Tak in response.
"Now darling, no need to be cruel," Lothor chided Tak as he gestured for one of the Kelzaks to hand Smellerbee a towel, which she immediately snatched to wrap around herself, "And to answer your other question, dear, you're on my ship. My name is Lothor, pleasure to meet you."
"Lothor?" Smelleebee repeated with a blink, before her eyes widened in realization, remembering where she had heard that name before, and the latest information they had on the northern tribes.
"You're that alien warlord helping the northerners!" She said accusingly with a glare... that was ruined slightly by her blush and the fact she was trying and failing to cover her naked body.
"Yes I am," he said with a shrug, "But if it makes you feel any better, the war ended while you've been in recovery here."
"Wait, what?" Smellerbee blinked in confusion.
"Yes, the Justice League swooped in and put a stop to things," he explained, "A complete truce, with the northerners re-pledging loyalty to the government. Congratulations, your side technically won."
"Okay..." Smellerbee said slowly, unsure of how to take this information. She was happy that the war was over, but at the same time it made her feel like her and the others' actions really were pointless in the end.
Wait...THE OTHERS!
Smellerbee's eyes widened as the memories of what happened to her started to hit her in full traumatic force.
"What about my friends?!" she demanded desperately. In response, Tak snapped her fingers, and Mimi stepped forward, eyes lighting up to project a holographic recording of Sabertooth's slaughter of the Freedom Fighters. Watching this, Smellerbee paled, shaking as she relived the trauma.
"Sorry to say, but it looks like you were the only survivor of your little group," Tak said, not caring about how the human girl was reacting to the news.
"Jet... Longshot... oh God," Smellerbee moaned, before doubling over and stress vomiting. Tak scowled in disgust, but Lothor just stepped forward and rubbed her back comfortingly.
"I'm sorry for your loss, dear," he said, "True, death is part of war, but no one deserves this savagery."
"I... he... just came out of nowhere..." she muttered in a state of shock, "We couldn't do a damn thing against him!" She snapped, punching the floor as she sat on her knees, glaring down at the floor, tears leaking down her face, "Why the hell did he do this?!"
She exclaimed, desperately wanting answers for all this, her friends were gone... and the last conversation she had with Jet was an argument.
"Hmm, we're not sure, but it appears that he did it just for some sick idea of fun," Lothor explained, hiding a smirk as he saw the shock and anger that emerged in her eyes in response. He could work with that...
"He killed all my friends for fun?!" she screamed in rage. That... that... FUCKING BASTARD MONSTER!
"I'LL FUCKING KILL HIM FOR THIS!" She roared, punching at the ground while seeing red. As she did this, she didn't notice Lothor and Tak exchange amused glances. Yes, they could definitely make use of this, they silently agreed.
"Well, I'd be happy to help with that," he said, "But in the meantime, let's get you some clothes. And some proper food, considering all your body's had for weeks is nutritional feed from the healing vat. Then we can talk at length."
Smellerbee stared at him quietly for a moment, still simmering in her rage, but nodded stiffly.
"Excellent," he said, before turning to the Kelzaks, "Bring her some clothes, then escort her to the bridge. We'll have food waiting for her."
The Kelzaks bowed in acknowledgment, and with a final comforting pat on Smellerbee's back, he got up and walked out of the room, Tak and Mimi following after him.
"We seem to be off to a promising start with her," he commented once they were in the hallway.
"Hmm, yes, her anger and desire for vengeance could make it easy for us to control her," Tak mused in agreement, rubbing her chin, "Provided, of course..." She raised a finger while looking over to Lothor, "We can direct it towards targets we approve of."
She stated before adding with a frown, "And if she can actually prove that this little investment was worth the trouble, of course," After all, Tak still had her doubts about the girl's capability.
"Just be patient, darling," he chuckled, Tak rolling her eyes but not arguing further.
Soon enough, they were on the bridge, a table set up so that Lothor was seated in his throne at its head, Tak standing next to him. Both were watching as Smellerbee - now dressed in a simple set of black pants and grey shirt that the Kelzaks had retrieved from somewhere - sat on the other side of the table, scarfing down the various simple foods that had been assembled for her.
"Feeling better?" Lothor asked after a few minutes, as Smellerbee washed down a mouthful of vegetable stew with a glass of water.
"Yeah, thanks," she said. Before giving them a slight suspicious look, "But while I'm not exactly complaining..." she frowned, her eyes carefully examining her surroundings and hosts, "Why exactly did you save me?"
She asked, frowning since she highly doubted a group invading Earth, much less supporting the Northerners, did it out of the goodness of their hearts, "What exactly do you want from me?" She asked firmly, wanting to cut to the chase.
"Very observant," Lothor said approval, "And to answer your question, it's simple: information. We're newcomers to this world, and while your planet's information network is helpful about learning about major players, I find that locals like yourself can be useful for learning about things on smaller scale that can be just as important."
"And for the record, I doubt that you're actually all that useful, but Lothor's more generous than I am," Tak said with tactless honesty, earning a glare from Smellerbee at her implied uselessness. Not exactly a comment she appreciated, especially with her current mindset after what she went through, though she choose to hold her tongue as she thought about her situation.
She wasn't exactly crazy about providing a group of hostile alien invaders out to conquer Earth with anything they wanted. But she had to think logically here, because chances are they would not react well if she tried to remain silent, and she didn't exactly like her chances when it came to escaping or fighting these guys right now.
Besides, like it or not, this group could be her shot at avenging her friends, and they could probably find any information she could give them from another source eventually... at least when it came to more well-known public knowledge, she thought as she realized something she could give them but she had to play this carefully.
"My debt aside..." she gave Lothor and Tak an even look, "If I help you... what's in it for me?" She asked with a firm frown.
"Simple. We give you the thing you want most - revenge," Lothor stated, causing Smellerbee's eyes to widen in surprise, "As I said before, I'd be happy to help you avenge your fallen friends. Call it a quid pro quo."
Smellerbee stared at him for a moment, before swallowing hard.
"You... you'd really do that?" she asked in a whisper, not having expected them to just offer that outright.
"If he says he will, then he will," Tak replied firmly, keeping her own opinions on the matter to herself.
Smellerbee wrestled with herself for several moments before her mind went to that monster and how he slaughter her friends... how he killed Jet... Longshot...
And she scowled, clenching her fists before sighing, "Alright... I might know something that will interest you," She admitted with a frown, hoping she wasn't making a mistake, "But before I tell you."
She gave them a curious look, "is there any information of particular sort you're after?"
"A more localized view of the geopolitics in your area for starters, as best as you understand them," Lothor stated, "Powerful figures you know of who may not be more widely known. Situations or items that may be of use to us. That sort of thing."
Smellerbee frowned as she thought that over, before nodding.
"Then what I have to tell you should qualify," she said, "You see, some of our neighboring countries took an interest in the war, but couldn't directly interfere because of international laws. So, they started smuggling weapons and supplies in any way that they could to influence things, and us Freedom Fighters were one of those ways."
"Hmm, well, it seems you can actually provide something of worth after all," Tak hummed with an interested gleam in her eyes at this information, "Precisely what countries in particular was smuggling to you and why?" She questioned.
"Primarily, we were getting our supplies from our immediate neighboring country, Meridian," Smellerbee explained, Lothor perking up slightly.
"Meridian?" he questioned, doing his best to mask his surprise. He only knew one place called that, and hearing it be part of Earth was not what he expected.
"Yes, it's a monarchist country like Kaznia, though admittedly a bit more stable," Smellerbee explained, "The ruling Escanor dynasty's been in power for centuries, which is more than any Kaznian ruling family can ever have claimed. As for why they're helping us, they probably didn't want any anti-royal factions in their own territory getting ideas if the Northerners won - the current ruler, Prince Regent Phobos, isn't very popular, from what I hear."
Okay, that was definitely Meridian from W.I.T.C.H., Lothor silently noted. Definitely not something he expected to hear, but could be very useful indeed if it was anything like canon, despite now being on Earth instead of its own world.
"Does this Meridian have any notable resources or individuals that would be of interest to us?" Tak asked with a frown.
"Well, there's the prince himself," Smellerbee replied, "He's been ruling as regent for over a decade since his parents died, waiting for his little sister to get old enough to get coronated, since it's a matriarchal society, so he legally can't take the throne himself."
"And how does he feel about that?" Lothor asked curiously.
"How should I know? I've never met him," Smellerbee scoffed, "But in any case, he's been running things with a pretty tight fist ever since he took over. There's apparently a lot of people not happy with him still being in charge. And I mean to the point there's rumors of some kind of rebellion brewing," She added with a tight frown, "Though if there is, Phobos is keeping a tight lid on it, or it hasn't escalated like the conflict with the Northerners did."
Smellerbee explained to them before shaking her head, "But the person I'm most familiar with is our contact from Meridian who usually delivered the supplies and weapons."
She looked over at them with a frown, "A girl named Miranda, who honestly just always set me on edge."
"Oh? Tell us about her," Lothor asked, intrigued. He was pretty sure that he already knew everything that he needed to know about her, but he couldn't let that show. Besides, it was best to focus on specific details from this reality.
"Well, she can't be that much older than I am, but she's got a coldness in her eyes that's almost predatory in a way no teenager should be," Smellerbee admitted with a shudder, remembering several meetings where she was convinced that Miranda was about to try and eat her.
"Interesting," Lothor mused, "Do you think you could get in contact with her again?"
Smellerbee frowned, "Maybe..." She said thoughtfully with a deep frown, "Honestly, she's the one that got in contact with us shortly after we started fighting the northern tribes."
She explained, while crossing her arms and looking down at the ground, "While she left ways to arrange contact with Jet," She looked over at the two, "If she knows what happened to me and my friends, she might either figure it's some kinda trap if I contact her, or decide to cut her losses completely."
She admitted bluntly, since from the start she had realized that Miranda didn't truly care for Kaznia or the Freedom Fighters' cause for fighting, she was only out for her own interests along with likely Prince Phobos.
"Well, it's worth a try. Worse comes to worse, nothing happens," Lothor mused, "In the meantime, do you know of anyone of anything else of potential importance in Meridian?"
Smellerbee thought it over, carefully considering everything she knew about Meridian. As she did, her mind went to certain rumors she'd heard over the years.
"I don't know how much truth there is to this," she admitted, "But there's been rumors for as long as I can remember about Meridian's royal family having access to powerful magic."
"Magic?" Tak repeated with a frown, both intrigued and wary of this, since magic even after joining Lothor's forces was still something out of her expertise, and the rare few times the Irken Empire encountered this particular phenomenon it was always treated with either extreme caution or eliminated with extreme prejudice.
"Yes, that's what the stories say," Smellerbee explained, "Supposedly the royal family members have magic abilities themselves, but there's also supposed to be other magic at their disposal that they can gift to people who act as enforcers for them."
"I see," Lothor said, rubbing his chin in thought. That last part sounded more like that Guardians being empowered by the Heart of Kandrakar than anything Phobos could do canonically. Hmm, how had their powers been adapted for this world?
"But that's what I know, outside of some rumors here and there," Smellerbee stated with a shrug, frowning and thinking back to some stuff she heard about Meridian having some kinda undead that hunts down criminals for the prince, which Jet thought was nonsense spread by people who had one too many ales at taverns. But in this kinda world, with the rumors of magic tied to the royal family, she couldn't help but wonder....
Though she shook off that thought before looking at them, "But what exactly is your plan here?" She asked, wondering what they were planning on doing in regards to Meridian, "And what exactly is going to happen to me?" She asked, doing her best to not show any fear or nervousness.
"Now that I have a better idea of the situation, I can start figuring out how to use this information to get us a foothold and start moving things to our benefit," Lothor explained, "And as for you... well, that depends on you, I suppose. How'd you like a job?"
"What?" Smellerbee blinked in confusion.
"You really think she's worthy of joining our forces?" Tak sneered.
"I like to think I have an eye for potential," he said with a shrug.
Smellerbee frowned, a part of her not liking the idea of betraying Earth... but at the same time, could she really afford to turn him down?
Even if he just let her go... with her friends gone... did she really have a place to go? Sure, she was ready to leave the Freedom Fighters, but only because Jet had pushed her to her last nerve... it wasn't like she had many places to go to.
Plus... that bastard was out there... and Lothor was probably the only chance she'd have at avenging her friends.
"If you help me hunt down that bastard who killed my friends..." she frowned, looking over at him, "I'll join you."
"Excellent!" Lothor said happily, while Tak rolled her eyes.
"I suppose giving her a chance to prove that she's not completely useless wouldn't hurt," the Irken muttered. Smellerbee glared at her again, but before an argument could break out, Lothor spoke up again.
"First thing's first, let's see about getting you settled in," he said, before raising his voice, "Choobo! Get in here!"
There was a moment of silence, and then Choobo came running into the room.
"Yes sir?" the green warrior asked as he saluted, though everyone stared at him as they noticed that he was covered in spilled paint.
"What happened to you?" Lothor asked incredulously.
"Your nieces' pet jumped on me while I was passing a storage closet and knocked me into it," Choobo explained, adding in a mutter, "I swear the little pest did it on purpose."
"You can't be serious," Tak muttered, sending the soldier a dry look, "You got like this because of an unevolved mammal?" she asked, shaking her head in disbelief, wondering why Lothor kept this idiot around.
"That thing's clever, you can see it in its eyes!" Choobo protested.
"Or you're just a moron," Tak replied flatly.
"Enough," Lothor cut in; he had enough on his plate without having to worry about whether he might have Perry Platypus onboard his ship, "Lieutenant Choobo, please find a guest chamber for Smellerbee to use now that she'll be joining us, and escort her there."
"Ah... but..." he stuttered, but at Lothor's look he sighed, "Follow me," he muttered to Smellerbee, internally hoping the new girl wouldn't be as bad to deal with as his boss's nieces.
Smellerbee stared at him for a moment, then shrugged and got up to follow him out of the room. Tak watched them go, and once they were out of sight, she turned to give Lothor a look.
"First of all, why do you keep that imbecile around? And secondly, do you really think that girl will be any use beyond any further intel she has?" she asked.
"He's a halfway-competent fighter. And if worst comes to worst, he's another warm body to throw at enemies," Lothor admitted, "As for her, I say that we give her a bit of training and see how it pans out; she knows how to fight, I think we just need to sharpen it. In the meantime, her anger and desire for revenge gives a means to control her."
"I suppose..." Tak muttered with a frown, still not convinced in either case, but she ceded that fat moron would make a good meat shield if it came down to it. But...
"I'm concerned that we may be shooting ourselves in the foot," She admitted, looking over to Lothor with a frown, "Can we really afford to risk weak links that could be exploited?" She asked before explaining, "Our research shows that many of Earth's protectors and criminals aren't to be underestimated."
"And as much as I hate to admit it..." Tak scowled as her mind went back to her clash with that witch and the survey of Skeleton King's forces seen in action so far, "The forces of our rival in this campaign have proven to be competent enough to be a threat."
She stated before giving out a bitter, "Never mind the skeleton himself or other rivals that have targeted the planet in the past," Because while she had yet to have the honor of meeting him in person, just seeing him in video calls... he exuded an aura of pure malice and evil that unnerved even her.
As well as the factor of Earth having been attacked and surviving attacks from threats like the insane AI Brainiac and Darkseid himself.
"If I ever think anyone serving under me is a legitimate liability, I'll cut them out myself. With extreme prejudice," Lothor replied firmly with a scowl. Because if he was going to live as a supervillain, he'd be damned if he went down as the type to get undermined by incompetent minions, "In the meantime, I'll work with whatever assets I can get until I see what works and what doesn't."
"If you say so," Tak muttered, clearly not convinced. Smirking, Lothor leaned over and stroked one of her antennae with a finger, causing her to blush at the sensation.
"Try not to worry so much, darling. I know what I'm doing," he reassured her.
"Mmm, I trust you..." Tak admitted with a slight low moan, "I just don't want my history to repeat," She admitted, thinking back to her past humiliating loss on Earth.
"I won't let it," he said, "From what you've told me, your previous failure was a combination of understandably being overconfident and underestimating your enemies. We won't do that; we'll stay alert for any possible threat or weakness, but at the same time, we won't let ourselves be overwhelmed by worry."
"Yes, I suppose that's a smart way of handling things," she replied, leaning into Lothor's touch, before giving him a sultry look, "Now, how about you help me forget my concerns for a while?"
"With pleasure~" he chuckled, stopping his stroking, only to pick her up and place her on his lap. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a passionate kiss.
And as they got into some pleasure, Smellerbee found herself following her new... coworker? She guessed the term fit.
The two were walking down one of the ship's dark twisting hallways, the now former Freedom Fighter trying to keep track of where they were going. However, she eventually had to give up as she realized that her mental map had failed to keep up at some point.
"Why is this place such a maze?" she grumbled, surprised that that got a snort out of Choobo.
"Yeah, I know how you feel. My first few months onboard, I think I was lost more often than not," he said, "I think the master designed it this way like as a security measure against intruders. You get used to it eventually."
"Hmm, if you say so," she muttered, before glancing at him curiously, "So... you've been working for this guy for a while?" She asked, figuring she might as well try to break the ice and learn more about the people she'd be working with now.
"Oh, a few years now," Choobo explained happily, "Master found me working in a fight ring at the edge of the galaxy and said he was impressed, so he recruited me. Gotta say, it's a lot better being an officer in his army than that job."
"Hmm, I see. I can certainly understand taking the chance for a better life," Smellerbee admitted, because she supposed even working for a warlord would be better than being stuck in some kinda alien fighting pit.
"But what exactly is Lothor like anyway?" She asked, before adding with a frown, "Or my new co-workers for that matter?"
With Choobo giving off a snort, "Well, for starters, the master's nieces Marah and Kapri are probably the biggest pair of brats and headaches this side of the galaxy," He said with an annoyed grumble.
"Really?" Smellerbee asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Picture every teenage girl cliche you've ever heard of rolled up in one person. Then picture two of them," he said, "I honestly don't know why he hasn't dumped them on an asteroid somewhere."
Smellerbee frowned, wondering if these two were really that bad, but found herself not looking forward to working with them if they were, "And General Zurgane, the master's top guy, let me tell you, complete suck-up," Though she was brought out of her thoughts with Choobo continuing on.
"Don't get me wrong, he's a great warrior, but he's so full of himself!" Choobo scoffed, "Always going on about his loyalty to the master as if he's the only one who has it, acting like he's never made a mistake and like he's so much better than the rest of us!"
As they were saying this, Choobo failed to notice the other figure coming down from the opposite end of the hall... a figure that could hear every word Choobo was saying.
"Well, he's not better, in fact I could not only do his job with my eyes closed, but kick his butt any day!" Choobo exclaimed, having turned to a stop while focusing on Smellerbee, "And let me tell you another thing, he..."
Suddenly Choobo froze, feeling a presence behind him, and he had a bad idea if who it was, as Smellerbee herself looked a bit nervous.
"He's standing right behind me, isn't he...?" He trailed off with a slight whimper.
"If Zurgane is covered completely in black samurai armor... yes," Smellerbee stated with a slight sigh.
Gulping, Choobo turned around to find Zurgane was indeed right behind him, his glare apparent even through the helmet covering his face.
"Care to repeat that, Lieutenant?" The General growled.
"Uh, no sir, sorry sir!" Choobo squeaked out, "I was just trying to sound tough for the new recruit!"
"New recruit?" Zurgane echoed, looking at Smellerbee as he noticed her for the first time.
'Uh... hey..." Smellerbee said with a wave and lack of anything else, with Zurgane giving off a low hum.
"Hmm, yes, the girl that Tak picked up from Earth," The General mused, seeming to stare right through Smellerbee despite his helmet, with the Freedom Fighter feeling her guard and edge raise up.
"Hopefully you'll prove more competent than others..." Here Zurgane gave Choobo a look, "I have to work with around here," The General said with an undertone of threat of what could happen if Smellerbee didn't earn her keep.
"Believe me, I can hold my own," She retorted with a slight glare.
"We shall see," Zurgane stated stoically, "In fact, I'd be more than happy to put that to the test in the training room later," He added, stepping closer to Smellerbee and seeming to examine her.
She resisted the urge to step back, refusing to let him intimidate her. He looked tough, but compared to the monster who had killed her friends, he wasn't nearly as scary.
"Fine by me, I have a lot of anger I need to get out of my system," she said with a scowl.
And indeed she did. While all of this was going pretty fast, she was still filled with so much pain and anger at the deaths of all her friends... particularly Jet and Longshot, and all she wanted was an outlet she could use to lash out.
"Hmm, excellent~" Zurgane however seemed amused at her attitude, before brushing past her, "Then when you're settled in and ready, come find me and we'll see if you're truly worthy of joining Master Lothor's forces," He remarked over his shoulder, before departing with Smellerbee glaring at his back.
"See, what'd I tell you?" Choobo however gave out a huff, "Smug jerk thinks he's so cool!" He said with a sarcastic gesture of his hands before scoffing, "Honestly, only one worst than him is the boss's new girlfriend Tak."
He muttered, scowling, "Thinks just because she and Lothor are a thing, she can order the rest of us around like she's in charge too. And don't even get me started on her sour attitude!" He added with a exclamation.
Smellerbee blinked at that.
"They're a couple?" she asked in surprise.
"Yeah, they hooked up after he recruited her a couple of months ago," he explained, "Between you and me, I think he's just on the rebound from his divorce, but so far he's refused to consider dating anyone else, from what I've heard his nieces complain about."
Smellerbee frowned, taking that information in, actually surprised that Tak and Lothor were in a relationship. But she supposed even alien warlords out to conquer the world had feelings and desires, and as long as she got what she wanted she was hardly going to judge... though she still took note of this information, as it could be useful somehow.
"So, Lothor's nieces aren't fans of Tak?" she asked, digging for more while once again following Choobo down the hall.
"That's an understatement," The alien said with a snort, "They hate her, and it seems like they've made it their new mission to try to set up the boss with a different girl," He glanced over to her, "I think they're hoping if they pull it off, he'll kick Tak to the curb."
Choobo explained, before shaking his head, "But considering how they've gone at it like animals, even in the throne room where the nieces walked in on them, I don't see it happening anytime soon."
He explained with a slight grimace, not exactly happy at the fact that Tak was going to stick around as a permanent fixture of their forces, while Smellerbee grimaced a bit at the expression; she really didn't need to know about her new... well, boss's love life, thank you very much.
"But anyway, here's your quarters," Choobo said, finally coming to a stop at the door.
Smellerbee opened the door and walked in, humming in thought as she examined the room. It was moderately sized, with a single-person bed, a desk, a dresser, and some space to comfortably walk around between all these things.
"It's not much, I know, but if you impress the boss, I'm sure he'll upgrade you," Choobo said.
"It'll do, thanks," she said, walking over to test the bed and finding that it seemed comfortable enough. Though she was anything but relaxed, because the only thing going through her mind...
"AAARGG!" She flinched as an image of The Duke squealing out in pain as that... that animal tore into him flashed through her mind... and only with more images... no, memories to follow...
"Urg... no... Jet... Longshot... everyone..." she closed her eyes, feeling the tears and pain come again, "I'm... I'm sorry!"
Choobo watched awkwardly as Smellerbee collapsed onto the bed and started to cry, not sure what to do. Comforting people was never his strongest ability, after all.
"Uh... can I do anything to help?" he finally managed to ask.
"Please just leave me alone right now," she managed to sniffle out.
"Uh... well... if you're sure..." He said, while awkwardly backing out of the room before pausing slightly at the door while giving a frown, feeling... concerned for some reason, before speaking up, "But, ah," He rubbed at his head, "If you ah... ever need someone to talk to... I'm free," He offered to her in a surprisingly gentle tone.
"Thanks," she said honestly. He nodded at her, then exited and closed the door behind him.
Now alone, Smellerbee curled up on the bed, letting the tears flow freely. All she could do was picture all her friends being torn apart by that monster, and question why she had been the one to survive. If she could change anything, it would be to have any of her friends alive, especially Jet and Longshot... the only two boys she ever loved.
Jet had been her first crush, and she'd chased after him for years, hoping for him to notice her as more than a friend. That chance had finally seem to come during a party celebrating Vandal Savage's downfall, when they'd both had too much to drink and ended up in bed together. It should have been a beautiful romantic thing, giving her virginity to her one true love... And then the next morning, he'd awkwardly told her through his hangover that he did only see her as a friend, blamed the night's actions on the booze, and asked to pretend that the whole thing hadn't happened. For the sake of not driving him off, she'd agreed.
She was still impressed that she got all the way home after that before she'd broken down crying in heartbreak.
And she was a wreck after that, doing what she could to avoid Jet, feeling like her world had fallen into pieces... pieces that ended up being picked up by her closest friend Longshot. As it turned out, he'd been crushing on her as long as she'd been crushing on Jet, but hadn't acted on it because he could see where her heart lay. And when Jet had crushed her, he'd stepped in - not to take advantage, of course, he was too good for that, he'd just wanted to help her for the sake of doing the right thing.
Ironically, that had done more to win her over than any overtly romantic gestures ever could have.
And being with him felt nice... it felt perfect. He was there for her when she needed someone the most, and eventually she was ready to give herself to him completely.
It had been different than with Jet. They'd both been sober, for starters, but beyond that it had been far more passionate. Where Jet had been rough and too the point, Longshot had been gentle and determined to make sure she enjoyed herself. It had been beautiful, and everything she'd thought that her first time was supposed to be. And afterwards, unlike Jet, Longshot had been happy to continue their relationship.
And what a relationship it was. She felt happy, safe, and accepted with Longshot. In no time at all, she believed that he was the one she wanted to spend her life with.
She'd never forget when the Thangarians arrived and she ended up taken prisoner along other citizens resisting their occupation in Kaznia, with Longshot and the thought of him not only being one of the main things that kept her going, and how he risked his life to rescue her and the other prisoners. True, the other Freedom Fighters were there, but well, no denying having Longshot come to her rescue felt like a fairy tale moment, even with the slight disbelief that they managed to pull it off.
After that, she'd felt that they were unstoppable together. Once the war had started and Jet had led them in fighting the Northerners, she'd gone into it confident that nothing could stop them! They'd win, and then she and Longshot would have their happily ever after.
And now he was gone. And so was Jet, who she still cared about even after that whole mess. And every other friend she had.
All of them ripped away from her by that monster, and she was powerless to do anything about it!
And now here she was in some alien ship, unable to do anything but cry at her loss while swearing somehow, someway, she'd make that thing pay. She swore it!
And if that meant that she had to help Lothor take over the Earth... well, so be it. The only people she cared about were already gone, so who cared what happened to the rest?
"Longshot, I'm sorry..." Smellerbee whispered out loud while closing her crying eyes, "I know you wouldn't approve... but I need to make that monster pay... for you... for our friends... for what we had."
She said, before breaking down into tears as she was lost in her despair, thinking of nothing but what she wanted and the vengeance she desired.
(Justice League Watchtower)
Around the same time in Earth's atmosphere, inside the Justice League headquarters, a certain Amazon warrior was looking down at the planet with a frown. Her thoughts burdened by all the recent events she had gone through, both the threats that were lurking out there... and things of a more personal nature.
She blushed as her mind went back to what had happened between her and Audrey. The passionate night that they had spent together... and the next morning as well, when Audrey had decided to give her a very personal "wakeup call".
Diana still didn't understand what had happened. It had all gone so fast, and now she didn't know how to broach the subject with her friend to clear the air about it. Mostly because she wasn't sure just what that meant anymore!
She cared deeply for Audrey, of course she did, but did she honestly feel the same way for her the way her friend clearly did?
And what's more than everything they did, was Audrey thinking straight or is she seeking comfort desperately from a figure she knows she can depend on subconsciously because of her father's death and whatever she suffered as Skeleton King captive?
She didn't know the answers to those questions, and worse, she didn't know how to get them. She didn't want to forcibly subject Audrey to psychological examination, but didn't feel like she could let the matter rest. And beyond that, she had no ideas what to do.
She was considering asking the others for help, but that just made her blush, considering what she would have to admit to having done. After all, while princess or not, she was used to the occasional lover among her Amazon sisters, particularly in her youth, but that doesn't mean it wasn't done without some class... barring a few exceptions.
(She and Nephera could never look each other in the eyes again after that one celebration Dionysus threw when visiting Themyscria.)
But it would be... awkward to say the least, to explain to her friends that she shared a passionate night with her friend and Queen of Kaznia... especially to Bruce... for more than one reason. But she was already dealing with one too many confusing emotions already, she wasn't opening that can of worms right now...
As all these thoughts swirl in her head, she gave a soft sigh and said aloud, "Hera give me strength."
She couldn't afford to dwell on this now, she decided, reluctantly shoving it all aside. She needed to be able to focus on everything that was happening right now - Skeleton King and Lothor, the Gem of Scath, the potential of a Dark One gestating in the planet's core, the hunt for anything left of Aku's essence... they had plenty of problems far more pressing than her relationship issues.
With that in mind, she made her way to the conference room, for the latest meeting on the latest issue to crop up. Where she found her friends with the exception of a certain Dark Knight waiting for her.
"Hey Diana, just in time," Flash said, sending her a smile as she took a seat, "We're just waiting on you and Bats, and looks like you managed to beat him."
He said, with Wonder Woman giving a low hum, "Speaking of, where is Batman?" She asked with a slight frown, glancing at her friend's empty seat, "He's usually one of the first to arrive for these meetings," She observed with a slight frown.
"He evidently received a call from the Titans regarding a status update on Skeleton King," J'onn explained.
"Is it good news? Please let it be good news, I think we're overdue for some," Flash asked with slight desperation.
"I do not know. I imagine he will tell us when he arrives," J'onn replied.
"Hmm, hopefully it's something we can use," John Stewart said, speaking up from his own seat with a frown, "Because Flash is right, we're long overdue for some good news at this point."
The Green Lantern admitted with a sigh, as things had certainly been busy, never mind hectic for the League for a while now.
"I'm afraid it isn't," Batman announced as he entered the room and took his seat, causing Flash to sag in his.
"That figures," the speedster grumbled.
"So, how bad is it?" Superman asked, looking to the Dark Knight.
"Very..." Batman stated stoically yet grimly, while looking over at the fellow League founders, "We've got data on another of Skeleton King's followers," He stated, prompting curious looks.
"Isn't that good news?" Flash asked with a small confused frown. After all, the more they knew about this guy's goons, the easier it would be take them down... right?
"Not when the subject in question not only formally opposed him as one of the protectors of Shuggazoom, but has now been reprogrammed to serve his desires," Countered Batman with a hard tone.
"Reprogrammed? You mean brainwashed?" Green Lantern asked.
"No, I mean literally reprogrammed. She's apparently a highly advanced android," Batman clarified.
At that, Batman pulled out a small USB drive and inserted it into a small opening on the table, before proceeding to share some of the footage and data the Titans passed along as a holographic image of Jinmay formed over the table.
"I think highly advanced doesn't quite cover it," Superman commented. He had plenty of experience with robots of all kinds, and if he didn't know better, he'd swear that he was looking at a totally normal girl.
"Her name's Jinmay, and she was apparently romantically involved with the leader of Shuggazoom's protectors before their defeat," Batman said, "I suppose Skeleton King thought that making her serve him was a way to achieve one final victory over them."
"Of course he did," Wonder Woman muttered with scorn, "That monster seems to go out of his way to cause suffering, after all," she added with a hard scowl, as Skeleton King, after what they've learned and his actions in Kaznia, had quickly earned a high place on her hate list to say the least.
With her comment prompting some looks of concern before John spoke up, "What do we know about this Jinmay so far?" He asked with a frown, approaching from the strategic angle regarding this new variable.
"She's strong, heavily armed, and fanatically loyal to Skeleton King thanks to his manipulation of her," Batman summarized, "To the point that she apparently thinks that she's in love with him. If anything, I'd compare her situation to Harley Quinn's."
"So, a psycho super robot? Great, this just keeps getting better and better," Flash groaned.
"Then you probably won't want to hear the rest of the news," Batman grunted.
"There's more?" Superman asked.
"Yes. Apparently, Skeleton King also managed to capture and imprison Blackfire."
"You mean that Tamaranean Princess who had some trouble with the law and tried to leave her sister on the Titans holding the bag?" John asked with a slight scowl as Batman nodded, causing the Lantern to sigh, "Great, figures those Centauri couldn't hold onto a perp if they couldn't even find the right fugitive in the first place."
He muttered, rubbing his eyes.
"And the Titans are sure that she's been imprisoned? It wouldn't be the first time any of us have seen enemies join forces," Superman said.
"Robin was certain about that. He said that Skeleton King had Jinmay pass along a message to brag about it," Batman said, frowning in thought. He could tell that his former sidekick was keeping details from him, which was somewhat worrisome, but he had to assume that there was a reason for that. After all, despite the tension between his former student and himself, he still cared greatly for Robin, and he knew that Dick wouldn't withhold information pertaining to a threat like Skeleton King without good reasoning.
"Hmm, should we worry about any political consequences from this?" J'onn asked, looking over to John with a frown, "Blackfire, despite her crimes, is still a princess, and what's more she either escaped or was taken from the custody of the Centauri authorities by Skeleton King."
"I'm not sure," John said, frowning in thought, "I'm not really that familiar with Tamaran's culture, so we'll have to check with Starfire about that. As for the Centauri, they're stubborn, so they might come looking for her, but I'm not sure they'll be willing to mess with someone as powerful as Skeleton King has shown himself to be."
"Hopefully they'll stay out of it. I mean, things are complicated enough without space cops getting involved," Flash sighed, before giving a sheepish grin toward John as he raised a brow, "Present company excluded, of course," He added as the Green Lantern merely let out a soft huff.
"Hmm, I'm more worried what Skeleton King might do with this leverage," Wonder Woman said, speaking up with a frown, getting the others' attention, "Though she might have attempted to frame her, Blackfire is still Starfire's sister and is likely still cared for."
She reminded them, as she knew the bonds of sisterhood went deep. After all, despite her actions and the pain she caused with that artificial disease that targeted men, a part of her still cared for the wayward Aresia before she met her end.
"That's a good point, blood runs deep and people can do crazy stuff if their family's on the line," Flash agreed, actually wearing a serious frown at that point.
"I've already advised Robin about that, though he's insistent that he won't let it become an issue," Batman said.
"He may not have a choice if it comes down to it," John pointed out.
"Then we'll just have to not only trust the Titans, but make sure it doesn't come to that," Superman added firmly, while Batman frowned, not disagreeing with Lantern's point. After all, despite Robin's best efforts, this would be a delicate situation and Starfire might do something risky if it meant saving her sister.
But he chose to pin it, and if need be discuss more with Robin later.
"So, to summarize, Skeleton King seems to be taking a more active role in antagonizing the Titans," J'onn noted, "Meanwhile, Lothor has been noticeably absent since Kaznia."
"Which kinda makes me worried about whatever he might be planning next," Flash said.
"Agreed, the silence is worrying," Batman stated with a speculative look, knowing from experience that this likely meant Lothor was planning or preparing his next move carefully, "Though according to one recent report, he hasn't been completely absent."
He added, prompting looks, "But considering the report is a pair of teens robbing a high-end fashion store in Star City last night, it's more likely some of his agents acting of their own accord," He stated, with the founders trading strange if not somewhat flabbergasted looks at this information.
(Meanwhile, back on Lothor's ship)
"Urg, can't believe this," Grumbled Marah as she was filing her nails next to Kapri while leaning against the wall, "We just do a little shopping, and we're getting punished just because we forgot to ask Uncle for permission."
She grumbled, with Kapri giving an agreeing nod, "I know, so unfair," she added, before calling out, "Come on boys, put some elbow grease into it!" She ordered, addressing Lee and Nate, who were currently performing the girls' punishment of mopping the entire ship.
"So, how come we have to do their punishment for them?" Lee asked Nate.
"Because apparently that's what good boyfriends do, according to them," Nate replied with a sigh, "And I'm not gonna argue, cause I don't want to see what they're like when they're angry about us disagreeing with them."
"Good idea."
(Back on the Watchtower)
"In any case, I've made sure that all League members and affiliates have all up to date information on his forces," Batman stated, "Hopefully, whenever he does make a move, we'll be able to see it coming."
"And when he makes a move we'll be ready to kick some butt!" Flash added with an eager grin, with his friends giving off some soft smiles and smirks.
"Liking your spirit, but I'd be happier if we had more of a plan outside of waiting for them to make a move," John said with a slight sigh, "Not to mention there's still a lot about these two we don't know, particularly Lothor," He said with a firm frown, "And what we know about Skeleton King isn't good, especially all the prisoners he has."
"Agreed. We need to intensify efforts to find them and free them," Wonder Woman said.
"Or at the very least, try and narrow down an area to search for them," Superman added.
"First we'd need a lead where we can find them, which isn't easy considering all their goons are proving slippery in nailing down for capture," Flash added with a frown.
"They'll slip up... and if we can just catch one of their agents and make them talk..." Batman spoke up with a hard frown, "We'll have a lead on where they're hiding," he added, with them giving agreeing nods.
"For now, despite the status update and the additional info of Skeleton King's new prisoner and reprogrammed servant, not much has changed on this front," J'onn pointed out with a frown.
"Yeah... gotta say, that's the part that's making me particularly worried," Flash admitted.
"How do you mean?" Superman asked.
"Well, when's the last time that we had villains who weren't straightforward?" Flash replied, "Even with someone like Joker acting seemingly at random, there's usually some kind of pattern to figure out. I'm not seeing that with these guys."
"Hate to say it, but Wally's right," John pointed out, while using Flash's real name knowing the meeting room was secured thanks to Batman, "Even their targets so far have been completely at random," He added with a firm frown.
"Unless you've picked up a pattern?" he added, looking at Batman.
"No," Batman replied, tone making it clear how he felt about that, "At least the attack on Gotham was an obvious diversion from Tak's raid on Membrane Labs, which was itself most likely for the sake of her revenge. But getting involved in Kaznia, or these attacks against the Titans? There's no discernible reason for them."
"Honestly feels like they're just throwing darts at a map and attacking wherever it hits," Flash added with a frown, leaning his head against his hand.
"Which makes anticipating their plans nearly impossible," Wonder Woman said with a scowl, "I think I speak for everyone when I say that that is as frustrating as it is worrisome."
"Agreed," Superman said with a frown, before sighing, "But for now, I don't see what we can do except be prepared for whenever they strike next. So, unless anyone else has anything to add or suggest, I propose we table it for now and move onto other pressing business."
"Right, suppose I'll start things by asking how Scotsman is adjusting to two sets of memories and how that whole Aku angle is going?" Flash asked with a frown, before looking over at his friends, "Also, is anyone else kinda freaked out knowing our timeline is an altered one like that freaky reality with rebel Batman fighting against Vandal Savage or is it just me?" He added.
"It's not, I'm just trying not to think about it," John muttered.
"And to answer your other question, Scotsman is adjusting as well as can be expected, given the circumstances," J'onn added, speaking from experience, as he'd been the primarily helping to guide Scotsman through integrating those memories, "Occasionally, something will trigger something from his other set of memories, but for the most part he appears able to access them at will and stay grounded in this reality."
He then added with a soft smile, "He's also happy that even time being altered couldn't prevent him from meeting and marrying his wife."
"Corny but sweet," Flash said with a smirk.
"I'm just happy that he's doing well... I'll admit, I was worried after Skeleton King managed to strike him down," Diana chimed in before frowning, "What about the remains of this Aku?"
She asked before adding firmly, "For that matter, what do we know about this demon?" She asked, looking over to Batman who answered, "Enough from researching ancient legends and interviewing Scotsman to surmise he was as potentially as dangerous as Trigon and is better off remaining an obscure legend forgotten by time."
The Dark Knight said with a hard tone, having been less than pleased when he learned precisely what life was like in the other timeline under Aku's rule.
"In which case it's imperative that if anything of him remains, we find it first and neutralize it," Wonder Woman stated firmly, "Not just to keep it from Skeleton King, but anyone else who would make use of it."
"Suppose we're lucky that scenario hasn't happened yet, through all these centuries after he was defeated," Superman said with a slight sigh, before looking at Batman, "But what progress has been made in locating Aku's remains?"
"We've been scouring the legends and using any mystical contacts the League has," Batman reported, "But it hasn't been easy piecing together the aftermath of Aku's fall."
"I imagine after deposing such a tyrant, they probably went out of their way to erase any reliable records of him," Wonder Woman mused.
"Which was probably cathartic for them, but makes things more complicated for us trying to find useful information," John grumbled.
"Indeed, but for now all we can do is continue to reach out to various contacts and research ancient records until we find a lead," J'onn added, with Batman nodding in agreement.
"For now, it's a waiting game until something turns up," He said, before adding with a frown, "Which goes for the potential threat of the Dark One as well," He stated, bringing up a holographic image of Earth, "The League is working with Star Labs and some of the most brilliant minds available like Membrane and Wakeman, but if the planet does have a Dark One, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack."
"So, even if it's there, we might never find it," Flash groaned.
"Unfortunately, yes," Batman said, "As much as I hate to say it, for now there's nothing we can do but keep looking and hope that we don't actually find anything."
"Great, don't suppose we're having better luck on the Trigon front then?" Superman asked with a weary sigh.
"More legends to track, along with more concrete leads," Batman said, "It seems he's had a number of cults worshiping him over the centuries, and they all foretell how this gem will bring him into our world. But no descriptions on what it is or where to find it."
"Is it possible that it hasn't actually been created yet, and that it needs to be in order to fulfill the prophecy?" J'onn asked.
"Even if that's the case, we'll still need to figure out how to prevent its creation," Diana commented.
"Sounds simple enough," Flash snorted with open sarcasm.
"Simple or not, the Earth, this universe, is counting on us to find and deal with this gem before Trigon can claw his way into our reality," Superman reminded firmly.
"Agreed," John said, "But in the meantime, while we're dealing with these major threats, we can't let ourselves lose sight of smaller ones that we actually can handle. So, anything new to deal with from that side of things?"
"The recently concluded conflict in Kaznia inspired me to look for similar situations worldwide that we can hopefully deal with before they escalate," J'onn spoke up, "And I believe I've found one in Alabasta."
"Where's that?" Flash asked.
"It's a small North African country, crammed between Egypt and Libya," Batman explained.
"What's the situation there?" Superman asked with a note of concern in his tone.
"It has been suffering extensive droughts for the last several years, exceeding even what is to be expected from the region," J'onn explained, "This has brewed discontent and anger from the general population, especially as rumors have started circulating that the royal government is hording water rations for itself. While it hasn't led to violence yet, partisan groups are beginning to openly organize in protest of this supposed corruption."
"So, what you're saying is that if something isn't done, there might be a revolution," Superman summarized.
"Yes. Which could be destabilizing to the region, especially as the reigning Nefertari dynasty has been a pillar of their national identity for centuries."
"Great, don't suppose we also have to worry about any dangerous mercenaries or big names causing trouble there, like with Kaznia?" John asked with a sigh.
"Actually, no," Batman said, "There are rumors of Intergang being highly active in the country, but not anyone high profile."
"That's some good news. Then we just need to keep an eye on the situation while hoping things don't escalate," Flash surmised.
"Hmm, perhaps we could spare some humanitarian efforts to the country by delivering some supplies of water," Superman offered with a thoughtful look.
"I'll use some of Wayne Enterprises' charity foundations to set that up," Batman said, "I'll also keep tabs in case the situation deteriorates."
"Okay. Any other potential wars we need to look out for?" Flash asked dryly.
"There have been rumors of unrest among the populace of Meridian, one of the kingdoms bordering Kaznia," Stated J'onn in his usual tone, frowning, "It is a matriarchy, but has been under the rule of Prince Phobos until his younger sister is of age to be crowned."
He explained to the others, "However, many of the citizens are dissatisfied under Phobos's regency, and though nothing was proven, there are rumors of him having a hand of some kind in the accident that killed his parents."
J'onn stated before shaking his head, "Though I am unsure if there is truth to these rumors, or if it is merely something those against him are trying to use as a way to attack his legitimacy."
"Hate to say it, but that sounds like an internal political problem," John said with a frown, "As long as he doesn't turn out to be an actual tyrant, I don't think we can legally do anything."
"Agreed, the League can't afford to overreach and seem like we're interfering with countries' policies or leadership," Batman stated firmly, "We're fortunate that things with Kaznia went so well and that the imposter Queen was exposed."
He added, glancing over to Wonder Woman, who frowned, "But even then, interfering with a country's internal matters, or in Kaznia's case civil war, has made certain politicians and people in power nervous."
"True. There are plenty of people who have been worried we're a threat ever since the Justice Lords incident. Or earlier, in my case," Superman noted, frowning as he thought back to the various politicians and military officers who had given him suspicious glares ever since he showed up, never mind the incident where Darkseid brainwashed him.
"So, we pay attention to what's happening there, but make sure not to intervene unless absolutely necessary," Wonder Woman said, before thinking about it and adding, "Perhaps have Audrey keep an eye on things for us thanks to their proximity?"
"That's IF she can be trusted," Batman pointed out with a frown.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Wonder Woman demanded with a glare.
"She was a captive of Skeleton King, who also murdered her father in that same time frame," Batman stated bluntly, "We have no idea of her current mental state, or what Skeleton King could have done to her," He gave a hard frown, "For all we know, she could be compromised."
Wonder Woman's fists clenched as she glared at her colleague.
"How dare you?" she snapped in outrage, "Audrey is stronger than you're giving her credit for!"
"Are you sure you're not letting your personal feelings cloud your judgement?" Batman asked.
Diana really hoped that her resulting flush was mistaken as a result of her anger, not embarrassment from the unintentional innuendo.
"My personal feelings have no part in this matter!" she snapped, though a part of her internally wished she could believe herself as she glared at Batman, "I know Audrey can be trusted!" she added fiercely, while narrowing her eyes, "What she's gone through has no doubt been traumatizing, but it's a testament to her strength that she's returning to her duties as Queen and being there for her people when they need her."
"No one's questioning her determination," Superman said, trying to quickly defuse the situation, "I'm sure that Batman is simply concerned that any lingering trauma may influence her decisions in a negative way."
With Batman remaining silent, neither confirming or denying, as truthfully that was only part of it. Another part of him was worried what Skeleton King might have done to Audrey while she was his captive. He possessed powerful mystical capabilities, after all; though Diana had reported nothing off with her behavior and she had seemed to be solely a prisoner, he couldn't help but still feel suspicious... as something about how Kaznia played out felt off.
Though sadly, with all the other things in play, all he could do was raise his concerns and hope Diana would notice anything off with Audrey.
"As I said, Audrey can handle herself. And she knows that if anything happens, she can call me," Wonder Woman said firmly.
"Then we'll ask her to keep an eye on Meridian for us, and leave it at that for now," Superman said, "Now then, anything else?"
"Hmm, the Ox King, the ruler of Wukong Kingdom, has been tightening his grip on his people lately," Batman reported with a slight hum, "According to rumors, he's high strung as of late due to his daughter's desire to find a worthy strong husband."
"That's one of those tiny ex-Soviet countries in Central Asia, right?" Flash asked after wracking his brain to remember where he'd heard of it before, "If he's acting like such a tinpot dictator over something that petty, I'm surprised his neighbors haven't used it as an excuse to invade and "liberate" the place."
"It probably has something to do with the fact that Ox King is a metahuman with super strength that can match Superman's," Batman explained flatly.
"Wait, what?!" Flash gave a startled look at that, with the others also sharing some surprise. Metahumans with super strength weren't exactly a rare occurrence in the meta community, but not many of them had strength that could rival Superman.
"And that's added to the factor that unlike Superman, Ox King is a master martial artists who according to reports learned under the Turtle Hermit before conquering and forming his kingdom into what it is today," Batman added with a frown as he thought about that particular martial artist.
The legends about the Turtle Hermit were scattered and inconsistent, varying from a sage-like heroic icon to a perverted old man, but one thing they all agreed on was that he was probably the greatest martial artist who ever lived. Supposedly, he had even defeated Ra's al-Ghul on multiple occasions, even when far past his prime. So, understandably, anyone trained by him was to be viewed as a major threat.
"Fortunately, he's by all accounts a fairly reasonable person normally," Superman stated, "Hopefully, this latest situation will pass on its own."
"All this trouble because his daughter wants to get hitched," John muttered, shaking his head with a frown.
"At least she isn't trying to attack anyone or force someone she views as powerful to marry her," Superman said with a shrug, his mind going to Queen Maxima and that little experience a few years back before shaking his head, "But that aside, what else do we have to discuss?"
He asked, frowning looking at the gathered founders, "Because outside of these situations, all's been normal in Metropolis," He reported, before sighing, "The biggest problem was Black Cat going on a shopping spree and embarrassing Kara last night."
"Your cousin's still mad about that picture?" Flash asked with an amused grin.
"Yeah. The fact that it keeps circulating online isn't helping," Superman said with a grimace, remembering some of the crude comments he'd come across whenever he found that picture somewhere. Kara had swore that she'd kill Black Cat for it, and frankly Clark wasn't entirely sure that she was just being hyperbolic about that.
"Heh, that's the paparazzi for ya," Flash snickered, "As for my corner of things, the Rogues went on a bender the other night to celebrate Captain Cold getting out of jail, but other than causing a few public disturbances, they didn't do anything really worth raising a stink over. And beyond that, Central City's been pretty quiet lately."
"Hmm, Gotham was quiet, at least by its standards, before Lothor's attack," Batman reported with a serious look, "Since then, there's been an increase of weapon shipments and sale," He said with a slight grimace, "I believe Lothor's stunt has the gangs nervous for a repeat of the Thanagarian occupation, and they're arming up."
He added, with the others frowning at the news, "The fact that Cobblepot hasn't been seen much in public or even around the Iceberg Lounge seems to support this theory."
"That would match reports we've received from international sources that Intergang has been increasing weapons sales worldwide," J'onn noted, "Many are probably sharing in the same fear."
"As much as I hate to admit it, it makes sense," Flash said with a despondent sigh, "People are scared. I mean, the Earth's been through how many alien invasions the past few years? Plus, it still has aliens trying to take it over like that crazy green bug, but the new guys are just adding fuel to the fire."
He added with a frown, "And considering the Thanagarians were a bit too of a close call for comfort..." John added, trailing off as everyone shared heavy looks. Yes, it indeed made sense for many people - criminal, citizen, or politician alike - to be nervous at best or scared at worst that the next time an alien invasion happened, Earth's luck wouldn't hold out.
"We may need to do some sort of public service announcement to try and reassure people," Superman mused, "I know that won't satisfy everyone, but if we make it clear that the League is doing everything in its power to keep people safe, it might help ease some of the panic."
"Indeed, we need to show that despite threats like Lothor and Skeleton King or any other criminal, the League still stands to protect the people," Wonder Woman added firmly, with the others nodding in agreement
"Sounds good," John said with a nod, "But there any other business before we conclude the meeting?" The Green Lantern asked, with Batman speaking up, "Nothing except a report on Mandy, who's gone to ground since Kaznia."
The Dark Knight reported with a displeased grunt, "I'm afraid there's also been little progress into the identification of the artifact she's hunting for... but we can surmise that she got what she came for in Kaznia and is likely a step closer to finding what she's really after."
He explained, with the others frowning, "Just another problem we'll deal with when the time comes, then," Superman told him firmly.
"Kinda feels like that's all we're doing lately, hate to say it," Flash grimaced.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. But I don't see much of a choice when we have so little to act on," John pointed out.
"Urg... starting to think we need our own intelligence department or something," Flash griped lightly before sighing, with the others shooting him sympathetic looks, while Batman frowned, truthfully agreeing that they needed perhaps better methods to acquiring information on all these threats... something to look into on top of everything else.
"But if that's all, you guys," Flash stood up with a stretch, "I'm going to hit the cafeteria, then do a little patrol planetside," The fastest man alive said with a smirk.
"Good idea. I think we can all use a break before we get back to work in light of all this," Superman said, everyone nodding in agreement. Except for Batman, of course, whom Wonder Woman was sure had never taken a break in his life.
Though as they left the meeting room, back on Earth some of their new enemies were furthering their agenda...
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Okay, so Smellerbee is now on my team in exchange for revenge, Night/Skeleton King and I are about to head to Nowhere, and the Justice League are just confused by our actions.
We dropped a fair few potential future plots here. Can't wait to get to them~
Nightmaster000 A/N: Admittedly not the action packed chapter but a good chapter none the less in my opinion, and hope you all think the same~
Please don't be afraid to share your thoughts through a review, or to drop us a kudos. :)
Chapter 19: 2 Cowardly Dogs
Summary:
Lothor and Skeleton King visit a certain cowardly dog, and then lay a trap for another one and his friends.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hey there, everyone, and welcome back. Last time, I/Lothor made a deal with Smellerbee to gain her loyalty in exchange for helping her get revenge on Sabretooth, while the Justice League tried to figure out the logic behind mine and Night/Skeleton King's actions.
Now, the two of us make a move we discussed last chapter, as well as one that I'm sure will surprise you.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Beware everybody for I/Skeleton King and ZMLS/Lothor have returned with more fiendish intentions! This time around we're starting's things up in Nowhere while also setting the bait for a trap~
For whom you might ask? Well lets just read and find out shall we~
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"But if that's all, you guys," Flash stood up with a stretch, "I'm going to hit the cafeteria, then do a little patrol planetside," The fastest man alive said with a smirk.
"Good idea. I think we can all use a break before we get back to work in light of all this," Superman said, everyone nodding in agreement. Except for Batman, of course, whom Wonder Woman was sure had never taken a break in his life.
Though as they left the meeting room, back on Earth some of their new enemies were furthering their agenda...
(Nowhere, Kansas)
Inside the state of Kansas there laid the empty plains and town of Nowhere, where creepy stuff was known to happen. And within the center of the Nowhere plains laid a small farmhouse where a small pink dog was currently resting and relaxing on the porch.
It had been a few good weeks for Courage the cowardly dog. No monsters or criminals or dangerous lunatics had shown up to threaten him or his family, allowing him to live peacefully with nothing worse than Eustace's usual grumpiness.
Yes, everything was going just fine, he thought... and then a pair of black boots stepped onto the porch next to him.
Blinking from his drowsiness, Courage looked up to see who the sudden arrival was, and his eyes widened. Standing there was a tall man in black clothes, wearing a monster-shaped mask and smirking down at him.
"Hello there. Be a good boy and go fetch your owners for me, won't you?" Lothor asked.
The mere sight of the man lead to predictiable results, "AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Courage screaming his lungs out and rushing into the farmhouse, with Lothor wincing at the volume of the scream.
"Even louder in person, isn't he?" Spoke the voice of Skeleton King as he mystically uncloaked himself behind Lothor with an amused smirk.
"Yeah, probably should have seen that coming," Lothor grumbled, rubbing his ear before glancing at his fellow Isekai, "So, as agreed, we try the simple route of bribing them first, and only resort to aggressive tactics on the off chance that doesn't work?"
"But of course," Skeleton King said with a nod and serious look, "As I said, the Bagges and Courage are on the list of characters I wish to ensure remain unharmed and perhaps prosper in the new era to come, no matter which of us wins the bet and planet~"
He stated, before adding with a humorous chuckle, "Though I'm tempted to zap Eustace a bit just for the laugh~"
"Go ahead, that jackass deserves that at least," Lothor chuckled, before listening carefully to where he could just barely make out the sound of talking inside. Probably Courage trying to tell his owners what he'd seen.
A few moments later, there were footsteps, and then the door opened to reveal the frowning face of Eustace Bagge.
"Good afternoon, sir," Lothor said, while Eustace just scowled back at them, as if there was nothing unusual about a ninja and a skeleton standing on his porch. Which, given that this was Nowhere, it probably wasn't.
"We don't want any," Eustace said, trying to slam the door shut, only for Lothor to stop it with his foot.
"How about free money? You want that?" he asked. Those were the magic words, as Eustace's attitude did a sudden 180.
"Like I said, come on in and pull up a chair!" He said with a wide greedy grin as he opened the door wide open for them, "Muriel, we have guests!" He hollered, "More importantly, they want to give me money!"
"Oh, that's lovely," Muriel said as she walked in from the kitchen, like her husband seemingly unfazed by the appearance of the two figures entering her house, "Would you gentlemen like some tea?"
"That would be lovely, madame, thank you," Lothor said as he and Skeleton King took seats in the living room. Looking around, he saw Courage hiding behind the doorway to the kitchen, clearly shivering in fear, and couldn't help but smirk at the sight.
"May I say, you have such a lovely home," Skeleton King said warmly with a polite smile, a part of his inner child taking a small warm enjoyment that he was actually in the Bagges farmhouse.
"Oh, why thank you~" Muriel said with a delightful giggle, "Been our home for years, and we've done our best to take care of it," she explained before giving them a smile, "Now, I'll be right back with that tea."
With that, she went back into the kitchen to fetch the tea, leaving her husband with the two warlords.
"So, what's this about giving me money?" Eustace asked eagerly.
"My associate and I have reason to believe that something important to us ended up buried on your property a long time ago," Lothor explained, "We'd like to pay you for the right to dig on your land to find it."
"Hmmm, is that so?" Eustace muttered, rubbing his chin, "And how valuable is this something?" He asked greedily, obviously fishing for info or to see if he could make more by claiming whatever it is for himself.
"For many, it'd be a worthless rock," Skeleton King lied bluntly, staring over at Eustace, who frowned at that admission, "But for us, it's extremely valuable and we're more than prepared to make it worth your time and then some, to allow us to search for and retrieve it in peace."
And to emphasize this statement, Skeleton King raised his hand, and a flash of light formed in the living room, causing the spying Courage to scream and Eustace to flinch back with a cry.
"What's the big idea?! Are you trying to... make me... blind..." The farmer demanded, before trailing off when he saw what was now sitting in the living room.
A large pile of gold coins now covered the floor, stretching from where they were seated nearly to the front door, and coming up almost to their waists.
"Does that satisfy you?" Lothor asked with a smirk.
"Whoopie!" Eustace cheered happily. Jumping to his feet, he tore off his overalls and shirt in one move (much to his guests' disgust), and now clad only in his boxers and hat dove into the gold, beginning to swim through the coins like Scrooge McDuck.
God bless cartoon physics, Lothor thought in amusement.
While off to the side Courage was watching the entire scene worriedly, "These two are up to something or my name is Rumple Stilt Skin... and it's not."
He warily watched the two figures, his instincts screaming at him that they were dangerous, as if their appearances weren't enough of a hint. Sure, they were acting oddly generous, but that didn't mean anything! He'd seen plenty of monsters come to this house playing nice, only to turn around and try to eat his family.
"Oh my," Muriel gasped as she walked back into the room, holding a tray containing a tea set.
"What's all this then?" She asked with a look toward the coins as Eustace poked out his head.
"We're rich, rich, RICH!" He exclaimed, laughing with glee as Skeleton King simply chuckled.
"As we just explained to your husband, there's something located under Nowhere, or as we believe somewhere under your property," He said, looking over to the elderly woman as she approached, offering them tea, "This is just but a small taste of what we're willing to pay to be allowed to dig and find it," He added, taking a small cup for himself to enjoy.
"Dig up whatever you want! For this, you can have the whole farm!" Eustace laughed giddily.
"I don't think that'll be necessary, but I'm glad we have an agreement," Lothor said as he accepted a cup of tea from Muriel.
"Why, this sounds positively thrilling~" Muriel giggled with a large grin, "What exactly are you digging for though?" she added with a curious look.
"Oh, just an old rock that we believe will help us in a business venture~" Skeleton King replied, glancing off to the side at Courage for a moment before turning his attention back to the Bagges.
Courage, however, was shaking in nervousness at everything happening, watching as Muriel happily engaged the guests in small talk and Eustace was distracted counting his loot. It was clear it was time for him to get some answers, so seeing everyone distracted he quickly rushed upstairs, intending to get to the attic and the computer.
Of course, this actually didn't go unnoticed by the isekai souls, "Hmm, madame, might I trouble you to use your washroom for a moment?" Skeleton King asked Muriel, who simply gave off a small wave.
"Oh, no trouble at all dear, help yourself," Muriel replied as Skeleton King gave a polite nod, "Much obliged."
Shooting a subtle look toward Lothor, before proceeding to follow Courage
(Attic)
"Help! HELP! Scary Skeleton and masked man in our house!" Courage yelped, typing like a maniac on the keyboard.
"It's a little early for Halloween, isn't it, dummy?" the Computer responded in its usual dry tone.
"I'm serious! There's a talking skeleton and a guy in a mask in the house!" Courage protested, typing rapidly.
"Oh, so a typical Tuesday in Nowhere, then?" The Computer responded. And really, if anything, a skeleton and guy in a mask sounded tame for Nowhere.
"This isn't the time for jokes!" Courage groaned while typing, "They want to dig under the house for something!" He added with a slight whine, hoping this wasn't a repeat of the zombie movie director incident.
"Something... well, that's better than nothing, at least," The Computer's next reply caused Courage to give a groan as he slammed his head against the keyboard, exasperated.
"Look, it might help if you actually had more than vague descriptions," the Computer said, "Like a name for either of them, for instance?"
Before Courage could make any sort of reply, a voice hissing out behind him cause him to freeze, "You can address me as Skeleton King." And quickly twisting his head around, he saw none other than the creepy skeleton leaning over him
"Hello~" Skeleton King greeted with a chuckle, with Courage's eyes practically popping out of their sockets.
"AHHHHHHHHHMMMF!" He started to scream loudly in fear, before a hand covered his mouth.
"No need for that, I'm only here to talk," Skeleton King said, after giving a wince from the dog's yell. Honestly, hearing it firsthand and remembering a certain episode where Courage took on his enemies in dodge ball made him wonder whose scream was louder, the dog's or the heroine Black Canary.
Courage, for his part, gulped heavily, still shaking in panic. However, he had no idea what to do at that, so he forced himself to calm down and listen to what this thing had to say. Then he could panic and figure out what to do.
"Now, first off, I don't blame you for being scared, that's actually the logical smart reaction," Skeleton King said, glancing idly at his staff, "And yes, as you might surmise, we're evil."
He admitted bluntly, with Courage giving a whimper, "But as unlikely as it sounds, we truly wish you and your family no harm."
Skeleton King said, while looking into Courage's eyes, "In fact, your family are some of the safest people from me and my associate," He added with a hum, "As for why... well, let's just say we've become aware of your misadventures and are fans of a sort."
He stated, walking over to the attic window, "But to cut to the chase, we mean none of you any harm, and we simply wish to retrieve what's buried beneath Nowhere."
Courage blinked in confusion as to what he meant by being a fan, but shook that off to focus on the other part. Obviously, the most important thing to him was keeping his family safe, but could he really trust these two to keep their word? And even if they did, should he really allow them to just take whatever it was that they were after, without knowing what it might be?
"Rest assured, as long as you let us go about our business, not only will your family be left alone and paid handsomely..." Skeleton King looked over his shoulder at Courage, and seeing the look on the dog's face he could easily guess his thoughts, "But down the road, you can expect prosperous lives in the new era to come."
He admitted, turning halfway toward Courage, who gave a concerned and confused look at that statement, and he wasn't even lying - if or when he took control of the world, he had no problem making sure Courage and the Bagges enjoyed life among the elite.
"Furthermore..." He suddenly gave a smirk, "You can expect a long overdue reward for all your past misadventures and heroics coming your way soon~"
Now Courage was really confused. He couldn't remember the last time that a monster/villain/whatever had been this cordial with him, and what did he mean about a reward? Was he going to get paid too, like Eustace?
"But we've troubled you enough..." Skeleton King mused, moving to leave before pausing as he held out his hand toward Courage, with the dog flinching back a bit before giving a blink, seeing him holding out two business cards, "In case you wish to ever contact my associate or myself, simply follow the instructions on our respective cards."
He stated as Courage tentatively took the cards, while Skeleton King moved to leave the room before pausing at the door, "And Courage..." he shot the dog a genuine grin, "It really has been a pleasure meeting you~" he admitted honestly. After all, this was one of his favorite cartoon characters from his childhood, and he did hope the dog wouldn't push him where he'd have to do something he'd regret.
"What was that all about?" Courage asked in confusion, looking between the cards in his paw and the door where Skeleton King had just exited.
"Sounds like you actually bumbled into good luck somehow, for once," the Computer said, though even it sounded slightly confused.
Frowning, Courage glanced at the cards again, then turned back to the computer and typed in the name that he had been given. Maybe now he could properly look them up. And in no time at all, quite a few results showed up.
"My, my, seems these two got quite a rep," the Computer said, as newspaper clips and news reports popped onto the screen:
Titans defend Jump City from mysterious attackers
Picture of the Teen Titans fighting against Valeena, Mandarin, and Formless
Gotham City under attack by alien ninja clan?!
Pictures of Lothor, Zurgane, and Kelzaks fighting against Batgirl, Robin, and Gotham PD
Earth target by turf war between alien warlords?
Pictures of Skeleton King and Lothor placed next to each other.
Alien Warlords Confirmed Involved in Kaznian Civil War
Pictures of Blue Face and Kelzaks fighting in the field, next to pictures of Wonder Woman fighting Mandarin in the castle corridors.
Naturally, Courage took in this information calmly and with grace, "Oh no! Awoooooooo!" No check that... he's totally freaking out.
And indeed, the dog in question was pulling his ears while staring at the screen with wide eyes.
This was worse than he thought! He had alien warlords in the house! Ones who from the sound of it were going to be on the farm for a while, looking for something that would probably help them take over the world!
What was he supposed to do?!
Of course, besides his greater fear, he was also even more confused by how his interaction with the skeleton went and how both of these guys were playing this. Because this oddly generous kindness that they were presenting did not match with what he was reading. Why weren't they just storming in with these armies of theirs to just take what they wanted instead of paying for it?
And seriously, what had Skeleton King meant about giving him a reward? After all, he didn't know these guys, but somehow according to the skeleton they're fans of his for some reason, despite being warlords out to conquer the planet. So much so that they want to give him some kinda reward. Why? And what?
None of this made any sense, and he didn't know how to handle it.
Maybe... maybe he should just stay out of this for now? At least until he understood the situation better? He thought, looking over to the computer at some of the pictures of the heroes fighting them. He could try to contact those superheroes somehow... but that would likely put his family in the middle of a big battle and in danger!
Nevermind what Skeleton King and Lothor might do to them for snitching to the heroes... no, that was probably the last resort... for now he guessed he had to let this play out.
"Oooh, I hope I don't regret this," The dog muttered, before heading out of the attic to go back downstairs where Eustace was counting the loot and Muriel was entertaining and getting to know their guests
"I must say, you're very talented," Lothor said, looking over Muriel's quilt collection.
"Oh, thank you, dear. It's just a hobby to pass the time," Muriel said nonchalantly. Lothor nodded at that, then smirked as he saw Courage cowering at the top of the stairs.
"But, I think we've taken up enough of your time," he said, "With the deal settled, we should be on our way."
"Oh, must you? We don't often get company, and you've been such a charming guest," Muriel questioned with a faint frown of disappointment as Skeleton King arrived back down the stairs.
"I do apologize for the suddenness, madame, but we do have business to attend to elsewhere," Lothor said apologetically, before glancing at his colleague, "Unless there's anything else we need to discuss?"
"No, I think we've got everything settled," Skeleton King said with a smile toward the Bagges, "Rest assured, you'll be more than compensated for allowing us to search under your property, and we will make sure our men don't disturb you," He promised, a hand over his chest.
"Well, thank you. And please feel free to come back anytime," Muriel said happily, causing Courage to gulp at the thought of another visit.
"I'm sure that we will when we get the chance," Lothor said with a grin.
"Indeed, you have such a lovely home, and something about Nowhere just calls to us," Skeleton King said with a smirk, but hid a frown, as truthfully the longer he stayed in Nowhere the more he felt a strange kinda vibe. Perhaps his own magical and otherworldly nature was reacting to the meteor? Or something else about Nowhere's environment maybe?
Whatever the case, it was something to look into later he thought, as he and Lothor left the Bagges' property, with Muriel waving good bye, Eustace laughing with his newfound wealth inside, and Courage watching them nervously from the window.
"I believe that went quite well," Skeleton King stated to Lothor with a soft smirk.
"Agreed, we didn't even have to resort to the slightest threat," Lothor replied with a smirk as they walked down the road away from the farm, "Now all we have to do is wait until our minions dig up the meteor, and then..."
Lothor trailed off as he heard something coming from further down the road.
"Do you hear saxophone music?" he asked.
At that, Skeleton King paused and listened, and sure enough saxophone music could be heard heading their way, "Hmm..." he gave a hum as he spotted the figure approaching them.
"There's your answer," He said as none other than Shirley the Medium, one of Courage the Cowardly Dog's most recurring characters, stopped in front of them, playing her saxophone for a moment longer before addressing them.
"So, the lost souls in bodies not their own have come to Nowhere," She stated, before playing a few more more notes, "While unknowingly providing entertainment to the power behind this set."
Lothor and Skeleton King both stared at her, shocked to realize that she knew what they were. Then, Lothor's eyes narrowed as he processed the last part of what she said.
"What do you mean, power behind the set?" he demanded, "Are you saying that you know who did this to us?"
"Know... perhaps," Shirley said, playing a few more notes, "But instead of who, you should perhaps be asking why?" She added, playing another few notes as the two watched her with narrowed eyes.
"You know, I always hated the whole all-knowing but enigmatic Romani witch stereotype," Lothor grunted, "And frankly, you're even more annoying in person than I thought you'd be."
Only to give a grunt as Skeleton King stomped on his foot, causing Lothor to shoot him a glare while Skeleton King simply gave a sour-looking Shirley a strained grin.
"Forgive my associate, I'm afraid you've hit a bit of a sore nerve for us," He said, before hissing under his breath, "Remember the show, last thing we need to deal with right now is some kinda curse," He muttered, before adding with an eye roll, "Us being more powerful than Eustace or not, it'll just be a headache to remove anyways."
He explained to Lothor.
"Fine," Lothor grumbled, before giving Shirley a forced smile, "Apologies, madame, that was uncalled for. I must admit that being reminded about the uncertainty of our situation put me a bit on edge."
"Hmph, at least you have more politeness than the stupid one," Shirley muttered, glancing at the Bagge farm in the distance.
"You'll find, madame, that we may be evil but we aren't too stubborn to give respect or learn from our mistakes," Skeleton King stated, before looking curiously toward her, "But tell us, why have you sought us out?" He asked, before narrowing his eyes as Shirley gave a hum.
"Partially curiosity, as your arrival in this world has and continues to ripple out..."She said, playing a few notes, "For good or for ill..." she gave a shrug, "Depends on who you ask," she stated, playing another note.
"You said partially. May I ask what the other part is?" Lothor asked as respectfully as he could.
"A fair warning," she replied, giving both isekai souls a firm look, "Nowhere might not be much, but it is my home, and I will not tolerate harm coming to it."
"Heheh, more than fair..." Skeleton King said, actually giving off an amused chuckle, "But rest assured, like I told Courage, we mean no harm toward Nowhere," He said, nodding to Shirley, "Granted, there's a potential a few individuals we might need to put in line..." He admitted, his mind going to a few of Courage enemies if they decided to make trouble.
"But otherwise, Nowhere will serve as a neutral zone of sorts for us to collaborate or relax," He added, giving a shrug before snorting, "Heck, I'm already nursing an idea of letting Courage and the Bagges be among the elite if conquer the planet," He stated to Shirley and Lothor before adding with a hum, "Which reminds me, we really should still go over a list of who else qualifies for that protected status."
"Good idea. And look for more allies while we're at it," Lothor said, rubbing his chin in thought. After all, even as powerful as they both were, he figured they'd still need help to actually take over Earth, with all the defenders it had.
But putting that thought on the back burner, he returned his attention to Shirley and said, "But in any case, like he said, we have no plans on threatening Nowhere. You have our word, for whatever that might mean to you."
"Good, and for this I leave you with a warning..." Shirley said, playing on her note, "Be cautious and be aware, for the force behind your rebirth will do anything to make sure his audience gets a good show."
She stated, with Skeleton King and Lothor exchanging frowns at that, before blinking as Shirley pulled out something behind her back... a fruit basket, "Otherwise, I welcome you to the creepy spooky neighborhood that is Nowhere."
She ended flatly, before proceeding to make her leave after setting the fruit basket down between them.
The two stared after her in bemused silence for a moment before Lothor broke it.
"Well, that was ominous," he said, "What do you suppose she meant by that?"
"I'm not sure..." Skeleton King said, while shaking his head, "But from what I can surmise, whoever is behind our circumstances is watching us," He said to Lothor, narrowing his eyes, "And is intent on making sure we provide entertainment for some reason."
He added with a frown, "Whether their goal goes deeper or they have larger plans for us remains to be seen..." He added, before sighing, "For now, all we can do is continue as we have and be prepared for the worst."
"Agreed. Sad to say, that may be our only option," Lothor grumbled, before glancing down at the fruit basket, "I'm guessing it would be rude to not take that?"
"Hey, free food is free food," Skeleton King said, picking up the basket before plucking something out of it, "Ooh peaches~" He said, taking a gleeful bite before swallowing, "But we did what we came here for, so let's head back to base. We can start the excavation over the next few days."
He said, before looking over at Lothor, "Besides, we need to get that ritual started," He said with a frown to the ninja, "Shirley implied that it might not be Cipher behind this, but he's still a factor we need to address."
"Very true. The longer we leave that unclear, the greater a chance of him turning out to actual being a threat," Lothor said with a frown. Something neither of them wanted to consider, to say the least; they'd rather avoid experiencing Weirdmageddon first hand, thank you very much.
And so with that, the two set off, disappearing in flashes of light as they headed to their shared base to get started on the matter of learning what became of Bill Cipher.
(Nowhere Neutral Base)
"Hmm, I think we got things all set here," Skeleton King stated, standing in a room with Lothor, looking over at Bill's petrified remains sitting in the middle of magical circle, "Now we just need to combine our magical power and focus on our desire to find Bill's soul... or at least learn its fate."
He stated, frowning as he glanced over to Lothor, who was circling the magical pentagram that Bill sat on, "Odds are, this will take time though, despite our power..."
"Yes, you have to figure with someone as powerful as Bill, his essence was probably spread around the multiverse even before he got shattered by Stan," Lothor said, "Even if he's still alive in some form somewhere, odds are that it'll take awhile for the spell to track his present location."
"Indeed. In the meantime, we'll continue things as usual, while waiting for the ritual to complete and show the results," Skeleton King said, standing opposite to Lothor while tapping his staff against the ground, "Which reminds me..."
He glanced over at the ninja warlord, "After this is over, I have a proposal for a bit of fun we could have~" Skeleton King stated with a smirk.
"Really? Well, color me intrigued~" Lothor chuckled, before sobering up, "But in the meantime, let's get this started."
And with that their forms glowed, with Lothor shooting an energy beam at the statue while Skeleton King did the same from the staff, with the magical energy lighting up the ritual circle before the statue glowed with energy, with wind billowing all around them before eventually...
FWOOSH
A column of energy shot out of the circle, high into the air and into a portal that disappeared as quickly as it came, before it faded, leaving behind a glowing circle and the petrified remains that started to blink slowly.
"Ah... that... should do it..." Skeleton King said, leaning against his staff with a soft smirk, "At least hopefully..." He added with a frown.
"Nothing we can do now but wait and see what happens," Lothor commented, before giving his colleague a look, "Now, what's this fun idea you had?"
"Well, ever since confirming Nowhere's existence and the fact of DC being a factor, I just had to look into and see if a certain group that crossed over with both existed in this reality," Skeleton King said, before smirking at Lothor, tilting his head and giving a chuckle, "Tell me..." He smirked wide, "What do you think about giving a group of no longer kids but still meddling a mystery to remember~"
Lothor's eyebrows shot up, and a wide grin grew on his face.
"Ooh, I am not going to say no to that~" he said with a laugh, "And as long as we're bringing them up, I hope you don't mind if I go ahead and call dibs on Daphne - I've had a thing for her ever since the What's New era when they started playing up her role as the hot one."
"Hey now, don't knock Velma's own appearance, she's quite a cutie~" Skeleton King said with a teasing tone, "Plus, I bet her sweater's not only hiding one hell of a pair of knockers, but as they say, nerdy girls are freaky in bed~"
He said with a laugh before smirking, "But follow me, I'll brief you on the gang's last occasion and we can come up with a suitable plan," He said, moving before pausing, "Though on the rest of the gang, I believe the same status as Courage extends to them?"
He questioned, before rubbing his chin, "If it does, I wouldn't mind playing matchmaking a bit for Shaggy and Scooby at least... there's those alien girls, and Shaggy old ghoul students... though depending on their appearance, I wouldn't mind a couple of them for myself."
He stated, muttering to himself before coughing and getting his attention back to Lothor, "But yes, I'm up for having fun with the girls and giving the gang a fright, but nothing that seriously harms them or worse, agreed?"
"Fine by me on all counts," Lothor said, "No reason for icons like that gang to suffer, so yeah, put them on the protected list. And playing matchmaker for them could be a fun project... and heh, I feel like I'll need to be making it up to Fred after taking Daphne from him~"
"Hehe, true, but hey, doesn't take away from the fun of stealing someone else's girl, am I right~" Skeleton King said with a laugh as Lothor shared his laughter with an amused smirk and shake of his head, "But yes... this is going to be fun~" Skeleton King's voice echoed with a hiss before they left the room to begin planning a bit of fun with Mystery Inc.
(A couple of days later)
In central North America, there laid a small city called Olipus. It was as bustling and busy as any other town, though despite its normal appearance, over the past few days have brought trouble of the more unnatural kind... the kinda trouble that peaked the interest of a nearby traveling group of mystery solvers that have arrived in Olipus.
"Here we are gang, Olipus!" The voice of Fred Jones announced as he drove the Mystery Machine into the city borders.
"Wow, pretty nice place for being in the middle of nowhere," Daphne Blake said, looking around at the busy sidewalks and parks that they were driving past.
"Like, as long as its got places to eat, that's all it needs in my book. Right, Scoob?" Norville "Shaggy" Rogers asked the great dane seated next to him.
"Ruh-huh!" Scooby Doo said happily, licking his lips in anticipation of food.
"Remember you two, we're here for a reason, and it's not the local cuisine," Velma Dinkley reminded them firmly yet gently.
"Like we know that... though what reason did we come here again?" Shaggy refuted before asking sheepishly.
"What else? We've got a mystery to investigate!" Fred said happily.
"Like, I was worried you were going to say that," Shaggy groaned, he and Scooby sagging in their seats.
"So, what's the mystery this time anyway?" Daphne spoke up, asking with a curious look.
"According to local reports, we've got ourselves some kinda robot frog monster," Fred stated cheerfully as Velma pulled out her laptop.
"Robot?" Scooby echoed in confusion.
"According to the witness reports of people who claim to have seen it attacking people on the shores of the local lake, that's the best way to describe it," Velma said, before giving a dismissive snort, "Whoever's doing this, it's like they're not even trying to pretend it's real."
"You have to admit, a robot frog is out of the norm for us," Daphne chimed in with a thoughtful tone, "A frog monster's just another Tuesday," she said, giving a shrug before arching a brow at Velma's laptop, "But a robot that's a frog? Even for us that's kinda weird."
"Okay, a little odd, especially since it doesn't appear to match any local myths or legends," Velma admitted, "But I'm sure once we look into it, it'll turn out to just be another real estate scam, or trying to scare people away from hidden treasure, or one of the other usual reasons that we usually find."
"Well, we'll know soon enough gang, cause we're here," Fred announced, pulling the Mystery Machine to a stop next to a large pristine lake at the edge of town, a forest on its other side.
"Like... are you sure we're at the right spot?" Shaggy asked, scratching his head in confusion.
"Reah, looks rice," Scooby agreed, sharing his best friend's confusion.
"Yeah, what Scoob said, this looks like the perfect picnic spot, not a place to find a giant robot frog," Shaggy added as the gang got out of the van.
"According to all the witness reports, this is where it's been showing up," Velma said, looking to the laptop again, "Joggers, picnickers, swimmers... doesn't seem to be a pattern, it looks like it'll attack anyone at anytime."
"Hmmm, strange... this area seems pretty normal," Fred muttered, heading over to the lake, "What reason could this thing have to scare people away?"
"Maybe like Velma said, it's a real estate thing? Scare people away to lower how much the land is worth?" Daphne suggested as she followed after him.
"Hmm, maybe... but something..." Fred narrowed his eyes as he looked around, "Something doesn't feel right," he muttered with a frown, because something about this was starting to get him a bit on edge though he didn't know why.
"Velma, you sure you didn't find anything about the area or its history to explain anything?" He asked, with Velma shaking her head.
"I'll admit my theory about real estate aside, none of my research has turned anything up," She offered with a frown, "At least nothing that should have someone go through all this effort," She added, rubbing her chin.
"Well, there's only way one to know for sure," Fred said after a moment, a grin replacing his frown.
"Oh, please don't say it," Shaggy begged.
"Let's split up and look for clues!"
"And he said it," Shaggy groaned, he and Scooby sagging in defeat at hearing that statement.
And as the gang split up to look around, Shaggy and Scooby in one group with Fred, Daphne, and Velma in another, they failed to notice the water rippling a bit at the center of the lake, or the eyes and ears that had been watching and listening.
"Heheh, so these are the morons that master Lothor been waiting for~" mused the hidden form Amphibidor, one of the monsters/aliens part of Lothor army, who had been spending the past couple of days scaring the hell out of the locals whenever they came around the area, with the orders to restrain himself to scaring only. And he had to admit, despite this catch, this had to be one of the easiest if confusing missions he's ever done. But hey, he wasn't going to complain - honestly, this post had been kinda relaxing, and scaring suckers like he had been doing was fun.
But this assignment came with the orders to report to Master Lothor the moment a group matching the description of the latest suckers to him immediately when they showed up.
"Well, better tell the boss~ Not sure why he's interested in these guys, but a job's a job."
Pulling out a communicator, Amphibidor activated it, and soon his master was answering.
"Yes?" Lothor asked.
"Sir, that group of humans with the dog that you asked me to be on the lookout for have arrived," Amphibidor reported.
"Excellent," Lothor replied with a smirk audible in his voice, "Let them look around for a while before you let them know you're there."
"Yes sir. And, uh, to be clear...?"
"No, don't harm them, just scare them for now. Maybe let them think that they're smart enough to set a trap for you afterwards, then we'll spring one of our own on them," Lothor ordered.
Amphibidor sighed, but gave a nod, "Well, you're the boss..." He answered before adding with a smirk, "Consider them terrified out of their wits~" he stated before communication was cut and he sunk beneath the lake, eager to get to work.
(Nearby)
"Like, you finding anything Scooby?" Shaggy questioned as they looked around near a large tree.
"Nothing, Raggy," Scooby answered, with Shaggy nodding with a frown.
"Well, good news, no robot frog... bad news, it doesn't look like we'll find anything to eat either."
Scooby sniffed the air at that, his tail beginning to wag as he caught a scent he liked.
"Like, what is it? You smell something?" Shaggy asked hopefully.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Scooby said excitedly, before running over towards a nearby bush, which was covered with blueberries, "Rueberries!"
"Well, it's not more than a small snack, but like, it's better than nothing!" Shaggy said happily. He reached out to start plucking berries-
ZAP
BOOM
And then an orange and yellow laser hit the bush, causing it to explode.
"Zoinks!" Shaggy exclaimed, he and Scooby scrambling back and falling into a heap, "Like, what was that?!"
"Heheh, just your friendly neighborhood frog looking for some fun!" Exclaimed a form that landed in front of them, and when Shaggy and Scooby saw it they let out frightened yelps as they took in the form of the robotic frog man, "And maybe you two can help me have some fun~"
Amphibidor stated, sending them a smirk as Shaggy and Scooby tried to crawl away, "You up for a little water fight~" he asked, laughing.
"Like, no thanks!" Shaggy yelled as he and Scooby jumped up and took off running.
"Come back, I just want to play!" Amphibidor cackled. Opening his mouth, he hacked and coughed up one of his polytrons, which flew through the air and just barely passed over the duo's heads, slamming into a tree and latching onto it. Before Shaggy and Scooby's eyes, the tree started withering and cracking as all of the water was sucked out of it.
"Heheh, guess it's just parched huh~" The monster laughed as its targets took off screaming in fright.
"LIKE ZOINKS!" Shaggy screamed along with Scooby, both of them easily picturing what would happen if that had been then hit and not liking the image one bit, "VELMA DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT BEING ABLE TO DRAIN YOUR LIFE AWAY!"
Shaggy yelled, with Scooby nodding in agreed terror.
"Heheh, that's because I was sandbagging!" Amphibidor hollered at their backs while chasing them, "Now that you suckers finally got here, taking the bait, the boss is letting me show my stuff~"
"Ross?" Scooby echoed in confusion, even as he kept running.
"Like, you work for someone?!" Shaggy called back, "Cause then I'd like to file a complaint!"
"Good luck with that! He told me to do this!" Amphibidor cackled. Before proceeding to fire energy blasts toward their direction, while being careful to not actually hit them, not that Shaggy or Scooby realized this.
"LIKE HEEEEELLLLLPPPPP!!"
Shaggy and Scooby's screams pierced the air with fear, reaching across the forest.
"Did you girls hear that?" Fred said, raising his head from his crouched position by a log with a frown.
"Be hard not to," Daphne said, looking around to try and figure out where exactly the screams were coming from.
BOOM
Then another explosion went off in the distance.
"JINKIES!" Yelled out a startled Velma as Daphne found herself instinctively flinching into Fred's arms, "Sounds like the guys are in trouble!"
"Come on, we have to go help them!" Fred shouted, running toward the explosions and screams, the girls right behind him.
Meanwhile Shaggy and Scooby were doing what they usually did when encountering a monster.
BOOM
Running for their lives!
"Like, aren't you tired of chasing us yet?!" Shaggy yelled back at Amphibidor.
"Nope! I'm plenty hydrated, so I can do this all day!" The monster laughed.
"Then you really need a hobby!" Shaggy exclaimed back with a yell.
"Reah! A hobby!" Scooby agreed.
"This is my hobby!" The monster told them with another laugh before firing another blast.
BOOM
"After all, you know what they say - when you do what you love, you never work a day in your life!" Amphibidor cackled, continuing to chase them through the woods.
Honestly, he still had no idea why Master Lothor wanted him to just scare this bunch of idiots rather than really attack them, but he wasn't complaining. He hadn't had this much fun in years! Heck, he didn't even mind the restriction to his orders anymore~ Not when scaring these morons was so much fun!
Hehe, he should really look into doing this more often, it's a real bast~
In the meantime, he was going to enjoy every moment of this, he thought as he fired more lasers.
BOOM
"So go on and keep running! Make it more fun for me!" he laughed.
With Shaggy and Scooby doing just that as they let out one loud piercing scream, "HEEEEEEEEEELLLLLPPPPPP!!!"
With the sight of them being chased and blasted out by the monster soon seen by their arriving friends, "Jinkies!" Velma yelled in shock, flinching as the robot launched a laser blast.
BOOOM
"None of the reports made it sound this dangerous!" She added, giving Fred and Daphne an urgent look as it seemed this mystery had quickly gone off the rails.
"Oh good, more friends to play with!" Amphibidor laughed as he saw the other three members of Mystery Inc arrive, "Here, meet some of my little friends!"
"Like, duck!" Shaggy yelled as Amphibidor started to hack, the others trusting him and doing so, allowing the resulting spray of polytrons to overshoot them and hit several trees and bushes, which subsequently dried up.
"JEEPERS!" Daphne hollered, not even wanting to think about the dry skin they'd of had if they were hit.
"Definitely more dangerous than the reports," Velma agreed nervously.
"Dangerous or not, we've got to do something," Fred said with a firm frown, despite his own shock at this development.
"Aw, that's cute. You think that you stand a chance against me?" Amphibidor scoffed, "That's so funny that I might actually let you live after I'm done pulverizing you, so that you can keep amusing me! But go ahead..." He gestured toward them mockingly, "Hit me with your best shot~ I could use the laugh before I take you all to the boss!" He exclaimed, laughing.
"Boss?" Daphne questioned as Shaggy and Scooby ran over to their direction.
"Like, we've been set up! This creep was waiting for us!" Shaggy yelled, with Scooby nodding frantically beside him, "REAH RET UP!'
"Hehe, caught onto that, did you? Guess you're not totally idiots after all!" Amphibidor said with a sneer.
"Someone set a trap for us? Who?" Fred demanded, a part of him more offended at falling for someone else's trap than scared of the situation.
"Like, who cares?! This guy is crazy!" Shaggy protested.
"Crazy?! I'll show you crazy!" Amphibidor exclaimed, before letting loose another blast aimed at the gang.
BOOM
The blast deliberately fell short of the gang, hitting the ground a few feet in front of them instead and sending up a burst of dirt and smoke while the force of the explosion sent them stumbling back.
"Run!" Daphne yelled as they all quickly got back to their feet.
"Like, don't have to tell me twice!" Shaggy replied, already running away.
"Re either!" Scooby added, right behind him. With the gang taking off through the forest while the monster chased after them laughing.
"Where you all going!? The fun's just starting!" He exclaimed with malicious glee.
And thus started another one of Mystery Inc's chase scenes, only with the monster in question packing a bit more power than usual.
They came across a large stream with a log, with the gang running over the log before pushing it off center into the stream, with it floating off just as Amphibidor, arrived only to leap up into the air and easily land on the other side of the large stream.
They tried to hide among bushes, only for Amphibidor to launch several polytrons to shrivel them up, leaving the gang exposed and running again.
They dashed into a large group of trees, Amphibidor right behind them. They emerged from behind one tree and ran behind another one with him in pursuit, only to pop out from a different tree on the other end of the group, with Amphibidor now in the middle of the group between the guys and girls.
After disappearing behind another tree, they then emerged from yet another one, with Amphibidor now apparently being chased by them instead. Then, after disappearing behind another tree, they each ran out from behind a different tree, running in different directions, and finally emerged from one last tree, back in their original order before running off further into the woods.
They even tried to hide up in the trees, only for Amphibidor to blast it down, with the group managing to avoid injury by landing in a roll before taking off again.
"Like, we need a plan here!" Shaggy exclaimed eventually, while trying to hide behind a large bolder with the rest of the gang.
"I know, but I've got nothing!" Fred said, glancing at Velma, "You have any ideas?"
"I think I might have something," she replied, "Anyone here really good at swinging a bat?"
"I am," Daphne said. When that got her surprised looks, she shrugged, "What? I've got more going for me than just my looks."
"Okay," Velma nodded, "We grab a large branch you can use as a makeshift branch, then provoke him into shooting one of those dehydrating things at you, and then you knock it back at him. With any luck, he's not ready for a taste of his own medicine."
"But like, have you seen what those things can do!?" Shaggy exclaimed, quite clearly not a fan of this plan at all.
"Yes, and I admit that I don't know how they work, but it's the only plan we've got!" Velma protested, glancing around the boulder to where Amphibidor was tearing up the surrounding clearing to try and find them.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are~" The monster called out teasingly while the gang traded nervous looks before Fred firmed himself as he looked a few feet over, and quickly rushed over while Daphne took the chance to grab the branch while Fred was shouting and getting the monster's attention.
"Over here, you creep!" Causing Amphibidor to whirl around, "And I've seen scarier tadpoles than you, ugly!"
"Oh, is that right? How about these?" Amphibidor snarled, before hacking up a polytron and firing it at Fred, only for him to jump aside, revealing Daphne had come up behind him with the branch in hand. With a cry, she swung out with the branch, connecting with the polytron and sending it flying back at the surprised alien.
Caught off guard, he wasn't able to react in time to stop his own drone from latching onto him and start draining.
"Aaaaggghh!" he cried out in pain as he started to dehydrate.
"It worked!" Shaggy yelled in disbelief and relief as he and Scooby hugged and danced in relief, "We're going to live Scooby!"
"Reah rive!" Scooby agreed, just as happy as his friend while Amphibidor fell to the ground with a pained grunt as Velma got out from behind the boulder with a sigh of relief.
"That was too close," she stated to the others.
"I'll say," Daphne agreed, still warily hanging onto the branch.
"Heh, you really got quite a swing, Daph~" Fred said, with Daphne shooting him a smirk.
"Thanks, Fred~" she said with a giggle, before the gang all focused on the form of Amphibidor laying on the ground.
"Just what the heck is going on?" Fred wondered with a frown, easily recalling what was said earlier and still quite annoyed that an expert trap maker like himself let himself and his friends walk into someone else's trap so easily, "Just what is this thing? And what did he mean by all this being a trap for us?"
He wondered out loud, frowning down at the monster.
"I'd think that would be obvious," a smug voice called out.
Jumping in surprise, the gang spun around to face the source of the voice, and found to their shock that they were now surrounded by a large group of Kelzaks and Formless, with Lothor and Skeleton King standing together off to the side.
"Hello. I'm Lothor, and this is my associate Skeleton King. Perhaps you've heard of us on the news?" Lothor asked with a smirk.
Understatement if there ever was one, as Mystery Inc. had indeed heard of these two; after all, they not only kept track of the news but also the super community, not only for keeping aware or for being fans but also due to the fact Mystery Inc. had a few misadventures in the past that led to them meeting and working alongside some of their favorite superheroes. So, of course they had heard of the two alien warlords who were apparently in a competition to conquer their planet!
"Like zoinks!" Shaggy yelped, with Scooby jumping into his arms with a frightened whimper, "We've heard of you alright! And bub, let me tell you, we aren't interested in autographs!" Shaggy yelped, stepping back nervously along with his friends, with the girls exchanging nervous looks before Fred stepped up defensively in front of his friends.
"What's the big idea?" He asked doing his best to not show any fear, "What exactly do you two want with us, that you'd go through the trouble of luring us into an amateur trap?" Fred added with a scowl.
"Amateur but still enough to fool you~" Skeleton King retorted, before giving off a smirk, "And can't we just be fans looking for autographs of our own~"
He teased, using Shaggy's earlier comment against them.
"You seriously expect us to believe that?" Daphne scoffed.
"Why not, my dear? After all, we heavily researched Earth before beginning our competition, and your little team's exploits came up time and again," Lothor stated, "So many overly complicated criminal schemes exposed and defeated by a bunch of 'meddling kids' and their dog. Not to mention the rumors of adventures of a more supernatural bent, like those cat people on the zombie island, or the ghost of that witch. All so very fascinating, we just had to meet you in person."
At this the gang all froze, their shock and nervousness only growing, "How... how do you know about those incidents?" Daphne questioned nervously, while Velma was shooting them an analyzing gaze while trying to figure a way out of this situation.
"Hehe, we have our ways~" Skeleton King said with a smirk, glancing over to Shaggy, "Incidentally, by any chance did you keep in touch with those old students of yours?" He asked, before tilting his head with a dark smirk, "I imagine that a few of them might have some pull in the supernatural world due to their heritage~"
He added, his eyes roaming over Shaggy, actually speaking the truth as he could see the daughter of Dracula having some pull for example in certain circles and that could be... useful~
"What students?" Velma asked, looking to Shaggy in confusion.
"Like, long story, explain later!" Shaggy replied quickly. Now was NOT the time to get into all that.
"Yes, we should be talking about more important things. Like a certain chest and its contents that you three had to deal with," Lothor added, looking from Daphne to Shaggy and Scooby, whose eyes all widened in response at him knowing about that too.
"Indeed, from our sources, it's said to have contained some of the worst evils that befell this world," Skeleton King added, shooting them a sinister grin, "I believe we could find great use for it~"
"Wait, I'm confused. What are they talking about?" Fred asked, utterly lost.
"Another long story," Daphne said, very freaked out about these two alien villains knowing about the Chest of Demons, and terrified of what they could do with the ghosts trapped inside.
"Very true. Stories can wait for later," Lothor said, before looking to his minions, "Take Amphibidor back to the ship and put him in a healing vat. And seize this lot; we have plans for some fun with them."
"You heard the man, capture them!" Skeleton King stated with a hiss. And with that, the Kelzaks and Formless all lunged for the gang, with a small group of Kelzaks splitting off toward Amphibidor.
"Jeepers run for it!" Daphne screeched as the gang attempted to take off.
Unfortunately for them, they didn't make it far. Because unlike Amphibidor, the minions were actually trying to capture them, which combined with the gang's weariness from the previous chase meant that they were soon all grabbed and restrained.
"Grr, let us go!" Velma demanded, struggling against the Formless holding her arms pinned behind her back as she and her friends were all forced down on the ground.
"Urg, you'll never get away with this!" Daphne yelped in slight pain.
"Grr, and we're not scared of you creeps! We've seen way scarier than two wannabe tyrants!" Fred called out from where he was restrained.
"Like, beg to disagree, Fred," Shaggy stated with a fearful gulp as Scooby whimpered.
"Heheh, spirited lot, aren't you~" Skeleton King observed with amusement as he and Lothor approached their captives.
"That's always nice to see. You can only hear begging and pleading so many times before it gets old," Lothor chuckled, before turning to his fellow conqueror, "So, shall we take this elsewhere so that we can get to the fun?"
"Fun?!" Shaggy repeated, trading nervous looks with his friends as they were forced to their feet, none of them liking the sound of that one.
"Indeed, we have our prizes, it's time to enjoy the spoils~" Skeleton King said with a dark leer, before reaching out to cup Velma's cheek causing the girl to freeze.
"Took the words right out of my mouth~" Lothor said, openly leering at Daphne, who paled as she watched his eyes roam over her body.
"Don't you dare, you creeps!" Fred growled, struggling futilely against the Kelzaks holding him down.
"Heheh, don't worry, no harm will come to you or your friends..." Skeleton King said, shooting him a smirk, "In fact, these lovely ladies might find themselves enjoying what we have planned~"
He added with a chuckle while raising up his staff.
"You..." Whatever Fred was going to say was cut off by a small beam of energy hitting him in the face, knocking him out and causing him to collapse in the grips of the Kelzaks and Formless restraining him.
"FRED?!" Causing his friends to shout his name worriedly, before Skeleton King repeated the action with Shaggy and Scooby.
"What did you do to them?!" Velma demanded angrily.
"Don't worry, they're just unconscious, they'll be fine once they wake up. We just didn't want them getting in the way of what's about to happen," Lothor explained with a smirk.
"And what's about to happen?" Daphne questioned nervously with a slight gulp.
"The greatest night of your and this cutie's lives~" Skeleton King said, shooting Velma a smirk.
"Yes, by the time we're done with you two, you probably won't even want to leave~" Lothor chuckled.
Velma and Daphne traded shocked, disgusted, and frightened looks, easily able to realize what they meant and read between the lines.
"So, the fearsome conquerors from space are just a pair of sick perverts!" Velma spat, struggling fruitlessly in the grip of the Formless.
"Heheh, you say that like it's a bad thing~" Skeleton King said with a smirk, "After all, what's the point in having power if you don't enjoy the perks?" He said, leaning into Velma's face, "Plus I don't hear my girls complaining~"
"I do, but only at first," Lothor admitted with a shrug, "Once I get them broken in, they can't stop asking for more~"
"You're sick!" Daphne spat, with Velma struggling.
"And you'll never get away with this!" Velma added angrily.
"Like we haven't heard that before," Skeleton King said with an eye roll, before ordering with a smirk, "But come, you'll change your tunes soon enough~"
Skeleton King said, turning sway.
"Now come along, we have a lovely spot chosen for tonight's entertainment," Lothor said, walking after him, before glancing at the minions, "Bring them."
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: So, a quick trip to Nowhere has proved fruitful, and now we're ready to have some fun with the girls of Mystery Inc.
FYI in case it's not clear, for the Scooby Doo stuff, we'll be mixing in a lot from different canons, just because there's so much fun stuff to work with.
Nightmaster000 A/N: We've met Courage and set the plans to begin the search for a certain meteor from the Scooby Doo crossover film. Which speaking of whom we've used one of Lothor men as bait for a trap that Mystery Inc fell into, and now it's time to have some naughty fun~
Of course we've also started things on the Cipher hunt front with the ritual, though no telling how long it will take to get results if any. None the less hope you all enjoyed this update, don't be afraid to review and kudos.
Chapter 20: Adding to the Collections
Summary:
Lothor and Skeleton King break in their new girls, one of them more easily than the others.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Welcome back to the show, everyone. Last time, Night/Skeleton King and I laid a trap for Mystery Inc and caught them, so that we could claim Velma and Daphne. And now, we're going to enjoy ourselves~
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hehe we left you all on a cliff hanger last chapter, but now you get to see what awaits the mystery inc girls now that they're in our clutches~ I hope you all enjoy the debauchery ahead!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"You're sick!" Daphne spat, with Velma struggling.
"And you'll never get away with this!" Velma added angrily.
"Like we haven't heard that before," Skeleton King said with an eye roll, before ordering with a smirk, "But come, you'll change your tunes soon enough~"
Skeleton King said, turning sway.
"Now come along, we have a lovely spot chosen for tonight's entertainment," Lothor said, walking after him, before glancing at the minions, "Bring them."
And with that, the group headed out deeper into the woods, the girls struggling fruitlessly while the boys were carried unconscious, with their track eventually taking them to a decrepit damaged-looking two story house that had internally been prepared for today's fun.
"Here we are..." Skeleton King said with a smirk, looking at the abandoned household which was part of the reason they choose this location for their trap, "Take the boys to the basement and stand guard, the women stay with us," He order the minions with a smirk.
The minions did as they were told, carrying the boys into the house and then down into the basement, only a few staying behind to keep ahold on the girls for the time being.
"So, how do you want to do this? Separate bedrooms for private fun, or a little mini-orgy in the living room?" Lothor asked Skeleton King, ignoring the girls' horrified looks.
"WHAT?!" They exclaimed in greater fear and disgust, their struggling doubling as their situation really started to hit home. They... were they really about to get...
"Hmm, good question..." Skeleton King spoke out with a thoughtful look, "I'm truthfully up for either," he admitted with a shrug, before looking over to Lothor, "We could do an orgy of fun at first, then move things to some rooms for some privacy," he stated before inquiring, "Unless you'd prefer differently?"
"Hmm, that sounds good to me," Lothor stated, before turning to leer at the girls, "So, ladies, your choice - either you take those clothes off yourselves, or we get rough. I'm fine with either."
"Grrr, if you think for one second we'll let you lay a hand on either of us, you're crazy!" Velma snapped.
"What she said!" Daphne agreed with a glare, "And for the record, we happen to have powerful friends, like a powerful warlock or Wonder Woman! Who is totally going to kick your butts when they find out about this!"
"Who says that they're going to find out?" Lothor asked, "But okay, if you don't want to do this the easy way, then we can do it the fun way."
And before the girls could even blink, he suddenly dashed across the room and grabbed Daphne by the neck, slamming her against the wall.
"AH! Get off, you- MMPH!" she tried to protest, only for Lothor to lean in and press his mouth against hers in a messy kiss. At the same time, his free hand went up to grab her breast through her dress and squeeze it. With Daphne's eyes going wide, unable to believe what was happening, as Velma looked on in horror.
"Let her go!" She screamed at Lothor, only to suddenly find glowing energy wrapping around her body, and the next minute she found herself flung flying forward to Skeleton King, who roughly grabbed her before kissing her hard.
"MMPH!" Velma cried out in response to the kiss, and then gave a higher-pitched yell when Skeleton King's hand went down to squeeze her ass.
Daphne was not in any better state, as she felt Lothor squeeze and knead her breasts through her clothing like Skeleton King was doing with Velma's ass, both girls in a state of shock at what was happening as they fruitlessly struggled in their captors' grips, and their kisses... God, there had to be way out of this... right?!
And as they thought this, Skeleton King worked his hand under Velma's skirt before really grabbing and squeezing her ass.
"MMFF!" Velma squealed even louder at the sensation, as Skeleton King squeezed and massaged her ass, sending sensations that were utterly foreign to her through her body.
"Hmm, sounds like your friend's enjoying herself~ How about you?" Lothor asked as he broke his kiss.
"Fuck you!" Daphne snapped, flushed in the face from the unfortunately rather incredible feeling of what Lothor was doing to her.
"Soon enough, dear. Let's not skip the foreplay," he chuckled, before the hand squeezing her breast suddenly shifted to grab the front of her dress and yank hard, tearing the dress open to fully expose her bra-covered chest.
"AAAH! YOU FUCKING PIG!" Daphne yelled in mortification, trying to reach up to cover her breasts, only for Lothor to grab her by her arm, while off to the side as Skeleton King broke the kiss, Velma looked over and gave a shout of concern, "Daphne!"
SMACK
"AAAH!" Only to let out a surprise moan when Skeleton King hit her ass while hissing into her ear, "Worry about yourself, my dear~"
With that, he grabbed her panties and skirt and tore them away, leaving her bottom half totally exposed to his leering gaze.
"AAHH!" Velma screamed in shock and embarrassment, face going red with humiliation.
"Hehe, you really are a lovely thing~" Skeleton King hissed, grabbing her crotch and rubbing at her pussy, "You'll be such a wonderful addition to my harem~" He added, licking the side of her face.
"H-harem?" Velma stammered, barely able to think through the mix of mortification and pleasure she was feeling.
"Yeah, he has a pretty fairly-sized one by now. I have to work to play catch up with mine~" Lothor laughed, while tearing away the rest of Daphne's dress, leaving her in just her underwear and tights, "Speaking of which, you're going to fit in just fine, darling. I've already got one spirited redhead I'm working on breaking in, but don't worry, there's room for you too."
"Not even in your dreams, creep!" Daphne snapped, her face glowing in mortification and anger while trying to hold back tears, "I happen to already have a boyfriend!" she called out, struggling in this bastard's grip leaving out the "sort of" as she thought about her's and Fred's... relationship.
They'd been together for years (longer, if one counted the whole "previous timeline created by Nibiru" thing that they'd all agreed to never speak of), and while they cared for each other, the energetic crushes of high school had never really grown into true passion in adulthood. Hell, the most they'd ever even done was make out sessions that barely made it past first base, much less to real lovemaking.
Something that Daphne was reminded of with a squeal of surprise and an unintentional moan as Lothor suddenly jammed his hand into her panties and started fingering her pussy.
"Must not be a very good boyfriend, if he hasn't popped your cherry yet~" he laughed as he felt her hymen impeding his fingers' process.
"S-shut up! We just aren't ready for that yet!" Daphne yelled, red-faced and trying to ignore how good what Lothor was doing to her felt. Because it was just her body's natural response to this, like hell she'd ever really enjoy a sick freak like this touching her!
"Hehahaha, sounds like an excuse to me!" Skeleton King called out as he ripped off the rest of Velma's clothing, leaving her clad in only her bra... a bra that he noted with wide eyes contained a larger pair of tits than Daphne's; they had to be E-Cup at the least!
"And it seems you're even sexier than I thought, my dear~" Skeleton cooed, eagerly grabbing her right tit while starting finger her pussy.
"Aaaaah!" With Velma letting out a startled moan, "Urg, ah, ah, stop it and ah, ah, my body's none of your business!" She moaned in humiliation.
This was exactly why she always covered up the way that she did. She'd seen how guys were always leering at Daphne, and she'd prefer that they didn't do that with her, thank you very much!
"Well, that's surprising," Lothor commented, glancing over at Velma's exposed body before turning back to Daphne and tearing her own underwear off, allowing her D-cup breasts to bounce free, "I wouldn't have thought your bookworm friend had bigger knockers than you."
"Shut up!" Daphne snapped angrily with watery eyes at the bastard's actions and barely giving any care to his words. She knew that Velma's breasts were larger, but she honestly didn't care. She was quite secure if not even proud in her own body; if anything, she wished Velma had the courage to flaunt her own looks more and put herself out there.
Though preferably not for creeps like these...
"You, urg, bastards! If you don't let us go, you'll..." She started to say, only to let out a moaning yelp of pain when Lothor's hand suddenly hit her tits.
SMACK
"Sorry, were you saying something? I was too busy watching your girls bounce~" Lothor chuckled, watching Daphne's tits bounce from the blow.
"Ugh, you bastard..." Daphne groaned, unable to hide a moan of pleasure that came from the hit.
"See? It's easy to enjoy yourself if you just let go and accept it," he said, wiggling his fingers further in her snatch and giving her tits another hit.
SMACK
"ARGG! YOU ASSHOLE!" Daphne moaned back with a glare, feeling so disgusted with herself that her body was enjoying this, if only because she wasn't used to this level of attention outside of masturbating. She thought with a scowl, while off to the side Skeleton King ripped off Velma's bra, watching her tits bounce free with glee.
"Hehe, I think these melons might actually rival your big beautiful brain~" He said with a laugh as he continued to finger her pussy while diving his head down in between her breasts to motorboat them.
"Uuuhhhhh," Velma moaned, unable to even think straight at this point. She had very little dating experience, with her longest relationship ever having been with Shaggy (and that was an alternate timeline, so did it even count?), and that had ended before they'd ever done more than a few make out sessions. She'd never done anything remotely like this, and her mind had no idea how to process what her body was feeling.
"Heheh, sounds like you're enjoying this~" Skeleton King observed with a smirk as he eagerly licked and rubbed his face against her mounds.
"Ahhh, noooooo!" Velma managed to weakly deny with a moan.
"Heheh, I bet you fantasize all the time about one of the monsters in your mysteries targeting you and using you like a toy!" Skeleton King added, emphasizing his words with a hit to her breasts.
SMACK
"AH! No I don't!" Velma protested as best she could, but the breathy moan she let out as she did so undercut her point, which made Skeleton King and Lothor laugh.
"How about you, dear?" Lothor asked Daphne, grabbing and twisting one of her nipples, loving how that made her moan, "You're the one always getting kidnapped by the monsters. I bet you loved being tied up by them, and just kept hoping they'd do more than that~"
"N-no, I didn't..." Daphne also tried to protest, but even more weakly than Velma had.
"Your body says otherwise," Lothor said with a smirk, noticing how wet her pussy was getting around his fingers.
"Ahhh, that doesn't mean, ahh, I'm enjoying, ahhh, this!" Daphne exclaimed, though her moans were not helping her case.
"Ahh, ahh, our bodies are just responding to, ahh, ahh, ahh, the stimulus!" Velma agreed, trying to ignore the monster fingering her vagina and playing with her breasts.
"Oh, is that right?" Lothor chuckled, "Well, let's see if you're still saying that after we stop with the foreplay and get to the real fun."
"Real... fun?" Daphne asked, thoughts too clouded by trying to resist the pleasure to immediately catch on to what he meant.
Smirking, Lothor reached down to pull his cock out, Daphne's eyes widening at the sight of it as she finally caught on.
"No, please..." she begged, tears running down her face, while Lothor pulled his fingers out of her pussy and grabbed her hips to brace himself.
"Just try to enjoy yourself, dear~" he said, before thrusting forward and ramming his cock into Daphne's cunt.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" Daphne screamed as her hymen was torn clean through, Lothor's cock completely filling her canal.
Oh God, it hurt! She never had anything like this in her! And... and she wasn't pure anymore... Fred, please forgive me... Daphne thought, while moaning in pain and shedding silent tears.
None of this, of course, going unnoticed off to the side.
"Daphne!" Velma shouted in fear and dread, feeling so helpless at her friend's state, while Skeleton King simply chuckled.
"I suppose it is time to get to the main event," He stated with a dark hiss as Velma looked fearfully up at him, "So tell your master, how you'd like your first time?" He asked with a teasing grin, fingering her wet cunt and giving her right nipple a twist as his clothes vanished in a flash, revealing his naked body, hard cock at the ready.
"I, I... please don't do this," Velma begged, staring at the large cock and very fearful of having it in her, especially as she heard Daphne cry out while Lothor fucked her against the wall.
"Ahh, ah, ah, ah, it hurts! Please, take it out, ah, ah, ah, take it out!" Daphne screamed, closing her eyes, "Please stop!"
"It only hurts because it's the first time," Lothor growled, "Just go with it and help your body adjust. Once it does, it'll feel so much better, trust me."
Despite herself, Daphne found herself doing exactly that, her own hips starting to buck in response to Lothor's thrusts, matching his pace. And to her immense relief, this did work to slightly relieve the harshness of the pain caused by what was happening, pleasure starting to leak through. Which caused her to let out a moan, while feeling her shame and disgust mix in with the leaking pleasure.
"Heheh, your friend is having fun~ So why not just relax and beg for me to deflower you like a good needy nerdy whore~" Skeleton King said with a hiss, rubbing his cock between Velma's thighs while squeezing her breasts as she was turned to face the scene of Lothor fucking Daphne.
Logically, Velma knew that what was happening was just basic biology overriding conscious thought. That Daphne wasn't really enjoying what was being done to her and hated every moment of it. But dammit, if the look on her face and the sounds she was making didn't make it seem so good, Velma couldn't help but think. Especially with her own body starting to feel like it was on fire, leaving her in desperate need of relief.
God help her, it disgusted her, but she needed this!
"Please..." She let out a low moan of shame, while feeling a tear go down her face as she turned her head to look over her shoulder at the monster that was molesting her body.
"Please what?" Skeleton King asked, leaning down to give her lips a short kiss while fingering her harder and squeezing her tits.
"Please, fuck me!" she sobbed in desperation, "Please fuck me like a nerdy whore!"
"Ah, ah, Velma?!" Daphne heard this and shot her friend a shocked look between her own moans and bucks of shame.
"I'm sorry... sob... my body... sob... it's burning," She said in tears, feeling so ashamed as Skeleton King laughed before pushing her down.
"Urg..." With her giving a grunt as she landed on her knees and hands.
"Don't apologize for begging for your master's cock~" he said with a laugh, before shoving his cock inside her.
"AH!" Velma cried out as she was penetrated and her hymen torn. It was painful, as she expected, but learning from Daphne's experience, she immediately began bucking back against him to match his thrusts, hoping to get her body used to the action sooner.
And it worked, her cries of pain soon being replaced by moans of pleasure, much to the two villains' amusement.
"See, girls? Isn't it better to just accept your natural instincts?" Lothor laughed as he continued to pound Daphne, before leaning down to bite on her left nipple.
"AHH!" Daphne moaned louder at this, "Urgg, you ahhh, monsters! Ahhh, you'll pay for this!" She cried, her voice cracking.
"Ahh, stay, arrrgg, strong DAPHNE!" Velma screamed as well, "Mind, ahh, OVER, ah, ah, matter! Urrgh, we're stronger than, ah, ah, physical, ah, ah, ah, desires!'
"Doesn't sound like it to me!" Lothor laughed as he pulled his face away from Daphne's tits, "Seems like you're both just sluts who love having our cocks in you!"
"Ah, ah, ah, you're raping us, you fucking bastard!" Daphne snarled with as much energy as she could spare. Which wasn't much. Because more and more, she had to focus on fucking back to avoid the pain, which led to her drowning in more pleasure along with shame and disgust.
"Hehehe, it's not rape if the bitches love it!" Skeleton King disagreed, pounding into the moaning Velma doggy style and emphasizing his statement with a hit to her ass.
SMACK
"AHH!" Velma cried out from the hit, but was ashamed to realize she felt more pleasure than pain from it. And that just made the heat in her pussy from the movements of his cock inside her grow stronger and stronger.
God, she couldn't take this much longer. She was... was... was...
"AAAHHHH!!!" Velma screamed as she came, juices spraying out of her cunt as it tightened around Skeleton King's cock, causing him to cum as well, shooting his dark seed into her womb.
As if that was her cue, Daphne also came with a scream, Lothor shooting his own seed into her in response.
"There, was that really so bad?" he asked mockingly as she collapsed against him in exhaustion.
"Urg... you... you... bas... sob... tard," Daphne said weakly, with her voice cracking with a sob, having never felt so filthy or used until now, with a groaning Velma laying on the floor with silent tears of shame, sharing the feeling. How could she let herself orgasm from being raped?!
"Heheh, you girls are off to a great start," Skeleton King stated while rubbing Velma's ass, "And the fun's just starting..." He said with a leer, while enjoying the feel of Velma's ass, "And I'm sure our other girls are getting a kick out of the show so far~" he added with a cackle.
Even through the fog of mixed shame and post-orgasmic pleasure filling their brains, both girls nonetheless immediately picked up on what he said.
"The... show?" Velma croaked out.
"Yes, we didn't want our other girls to feel left out, so we set up a livestream for them~" Lothor said as he gestured to the other side of the room, the girls' eyes widening in shock as they saw a camera stand set up there that they'd overlooked in the middle of everything going on, the red light blinking on it indicating that it was on.
"Why don't you smile and wave for your harem sisters, girls?" Lothor laughed further as he grabbed Daphne's hand and forced her to weakly wave at the camera while she stared at it in horror and humiliation.
(Meanwhile, Lothor's Ship)
"Hmm, sometimes him being so smug can be rather entertaining," Tak chuckled as she lay naked on Lothor's bed, fingering herself to the show on the screen in front of her, "Don't you think so, puppy?"
"Mmph," Wendy muttered into the ball gag shoved in her mouth, lying on her stomach on the bed next to Tak, still wearing the pet play costume she'd been forced into. With the Corduroy feeling so many conflicting emotions - angry at her position and how helpless she was to do anything as those bastards raped more girls, and much to her shame and inner disgust, she also felt a burning arousal and need for release!
"Heheh, bet you wish you were down there getting fucked with those whores~" Tak said with a moaning laugh while giving Wendy a hard hit to the ass.
SMACK
"MMPH!" Wendy cried out in response, hating how good that felt... and worse, how for just a moment, she pictured herself in the other redhead's place, being the one that Lothor fucked against a wall with his huge cock.
"Yeah, that's what I thought," Tak said, lightly tracing a finger along Wendy's currently leaking pussy, "Looks like someone's really getting hot and bothered. Finally ready to let your master claim you?"
"NNGGH!" Wendy denied, shaking her head even as her cheeks burned red, refusing to give this alien bitch the satisfaction.
"Hmph, I both hate how much you're holding on, and am still impressed that you're lasting longer than the pig slut did," Tak grumbled, before cocking her head in thought, "Hmm, speaking of which, I wonder how she's enjoying the show?"
(Bludhaven, Same Time)
Gaz lay on her bed, clothes tossed off as she masturbated to the footage that had popped up on her computer screen following a message from Lothor demanding that she watch. And despite herself, she hadn't been able to make herself refuse the order.
"God, that's all so hot~" she moaned as she fingered her pussy with one hand and played with a breast with her other. There was something so thrilling about watching Lothor dominate someone other than herself... and even then, she found to her disgust that a part of her couldn't help but wish it was her finally getting that cock inside of her.
She should be disgusted and enraged at the sheer idea of submitting and letting that bastard humiliate and use her like a fucking fuck toy, but instead she was more upset by the fact she wasn't there getting some dick too!
"Urg, fuck... bastard... master... I'm still here... better then that slut..." She moaned, digging her finger into her cunt and twisting her nipple in desire while staring at the slut's mortified face.
Heheh, stupid bitch had no idea she was Lothor's property now, and same went for the big tit nerd with that skeleton. But those sluts would learn to love their proper place, just like... her, she thought, realizing what she was thinking and gave off a conflicted groan.
"Urg, fuck it... just rape those sluts... give me a show master, if you, arg... won't give me that cock!"
With that, Gaz lost herself in the haze of lust, intensifying her fingering as she watched the unfolding action on the screen and pictured herself in that redheaded slut's place.
(Citadel of Bone)
"Mmm, that nerd's got some surprisingly great knockers on her~" Jinmay mused, as she and Blackfire reclined naked in the throne room, watching the transmission on Skeleton Droid's screen.
"Pff, it takes more than 'big knockers' as you put it to please a man, much less master," Blackfire huffed while kneading her tits, causing Jinmay to arch a brow before shooting a smirk.
"I actually agree, but it sounds like someone's insecure that our love has found a new toy with bigger tits~" Jinmay said teasingly and smugly, while fingering her pussy, enjoying both the show and Blackfire's jealousy, since the Tamaranean had been flaunting her body since practically day one.
Jinmay knew that she and Valeena were currently tied for smallest chest sizes in the harem, and she was fine with that, since as Blackfire said, Skeleton King cared about more than that. But it was so infuriating that the Tamaranean hussy kept acting like her body made her superior, so it was very gratifying to see her get knocked down a peg the same way.
"That's all she is, a toy. I, and to a lesser extent you, are much more than that," Blackfire scoffed.
"Careful Blackfire, I'd almost think that meant you liked me~" Jinmay said, before lunging toward the fellow lover of their master who she was sharing master's throne with, before grabbing onto and biting onto the tits she was so proud of.
"Ahh! Ummm~ You're, ah, tolerable company, I'll, ah, admit that much," Blackfire said between moans while running her hand through Jinmay's hair, "And you've, ah ah, proven worth keeping as my, ah ah ah ah ah, and my, ugr, king's concubine when, ah, he makes me his Queen," Blackfire said between moans, enjoying the attention her tits were getting.
"I think you mean that it's why I'll be generous enough to keep you around when I'm Queen," Jinmay said, biting down harder on Blackfire's tits to make a point.
"Urgg, ohhh, you ah, cheeky bitch!" Blackfire moaned back with a glare, betrayed by an amused smirk as she gave a hit to Jinmay's ass.
SMACK
"Urgmm!" Jinmay groaned around her fellow lover's nipple, before raising her head and pulling Blackfire into a hot kiss, with it only escalating from there.
The two quickly devolved into an intense bout of lovemaking, ignoring the continuing action playing out on the screen.
(Kaznian Royal Palace)
"Hmm, I'm going to have fun with this new girl~" Megara said, sitting naked on HER throne, while a likewise naked Audrey sat on her lap.
"Bet I could make her squeal like a pig~ What do you think, slut?" Megara said, squeezing Audrey's ass while looking at the mystical projected screen floating above the throne.
"Mmm, I think that she's a repressed nerd cliché," Audrey scoffed, hating how much she'd come to love being treated like this in her own palace, "I think giving her a taste of her wild side will make her just want more."
"Heheh, yeah, and she's already gotten a taste of master's cock, and we both know what that can do to women~" Megara agreed with a smirk, grabbing and twisting Audrey's nipples, "Ain't that right, my little kingdom sellout patricide slut?"
"Yes, whatever," Audrey replied with a roll of her eyes, even as she moaned from what Meg was doing to her, "Speaking of which, you think master and that ninja asshole will make these two kill their little friends as an act of loyalty?"
"Hmm, there's a thought. I don't know," Megara said, thinking it over, "Honestly, it's hard to guess master and Lothor's logic sometimes."
After all, their current actions alone proved it, "From interfering in a war and secretly taking over a kingdom to targeting some random group of detectives just to rape some bitches," Megara muttered out loud, internally wondering what besides those huge tits drew Skeleton King to four eyes, to the point he went through all this effort.
"Mmm, they are fairly famous. Maybe they just wanted the bragging rights of banging them?" Audrey suggested.
"Maybe..." Megara muttered doubtfully, before adding with a snort, "But honestly, feels like claiming sluts is a priority and conquering the world is the afterthought, sometimes."
She said with a slight amused smirk, before shaking her head, "Either way, it's just another whore for master to fuck and a bitch who will learn her place beneath me, just like you~"
She said, before hitting Audrey's ass again.
SMACK
"Now eat me out while saying how worthless you are and how I'm the true Queen here, while I watch our master rape that geek~"
Audrey scowled, but knew that there was no point in trying to resist those orders, so she just sighed and went with it.
"Yes, mistress," she said as she slid out of Megara's lap and onto her knees on the floor. Then she leaned forward and started working her tongue across the whore's pussy.
"Ah, fuck yeah, that's the stuff~" Megara moaned, her hand going through Audrey's hair while she forced the royal down onto her cunt, "Umm, so good to see you acknowledging your place," She said with a smug smirk, "Keep this up, and I might let you lick master's seed out of Wonder Whore after master and I are done fucking her~"
Audrey's fists clenched at that. How dare this slut keep implying that she'd get a chance at Diana, when her glorious Amazon belonged to her and Skeleton King alone?!
Oh, she was going to enjoy herself the day that their master finally got sick of this bitch and threw her out like the trash that she was!
But for now... for now, all she could do was eat out the bitch's cunt as she sat on HER throne while listening and watching with arousal as master claimed a new slave... all while trying to ignore the feeling of pleasure from being used like this.
And with that, she increased her pace, with Megara moaning and kneading her tits as she smirked at the mystical screen. God, this was the life~
(In a forested area of Japan)
"Ahhhhh, master please, why do you continue to torment me?!" Cried the naked form of Valeena as she fingered herself, staring at the mystical projection, "I am your most faithful, ahh, I am the one most worthy of your attention!* She plead to her lord as she watched him claim an unworthy whore who doesn't even realize the honor she has received!
She had no idea why her master thought that this girl was deserving of his attention, much less feeling his divine manhood within her. All she knew was that it was torture to have to watch him claim yet another slut instead of herself.
But that's why she was out here, she reminded herself. She was on a quest to prove that she was the most worthy of him, and by his power she would not fail it!
"Urgg, once I discover and recover Aku's essence, you'll finally acknowledge me my lord, and ahhh, I can show you that I alone am worthy of your favor... of your love... to stand, ah ah, by your side as your, ah ah ah, Skeleton Queen!" She exclaimed with a loud moan, squirting her juices.
Yes... it was just a matter of time, that was all. She could be patient for her rightful reward, and until then, there was no harm in the master choosing to spend time with whatever whore caught his eye. If anything, it would make it all the more rewarding when she took her rightful place and put them all in theirs.
That thought brought a smile to her face, even as she forced herself to keep watching that brown-haired slut get what she herself deserved.
(Back with the Conquerors)
"You're live-streaming us being raped!" Daphne snapped with angry tears as the mortification and shame rose to another level.
"I feel so filthy..." Velma muttered in a low tone where she sat on her knees.
"And you love it~" Skeleton King hissed with a laugh.
"No we don't!" Daphne snapped.
"Now now, no need to lie to yourself, no one here is judging you," Lothor said mockingly, reaching down to rub her ass as she continued to rest against him. Despite herself, Daphne moaned in pleasure in response, then yelped in surprise as he suddenly picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.
"Well, this has been fun, but I think I'll take her up to a bedroom for a little one-on-one time," he said happily.
"Oh, don't want to have them make out as we blow our loads over their bodies, or have their bodies press against each other as we take their asses~" Skeleton King asked with a laugh and teasing hiss as he leered down at Velma, who shivered at his words and gaze.
"All in due time, my friend," Lothor said as he started carrying the weakly struggling Daphne towards the stairs, "For now, I want to help Daphne embrace her obvious kink for being bound with a little BDSM."
"Urgg, you disgusting creep, I'm not like that!" Daphne snapped back, her face glowing red at the insinuation she was into anything like that. And even if she was, she wouldn't want to explore it with this bastard!
"Right. So how come you're the one who always gets kidnapped by the monsters you and your friends chase?" Lothor scoffed, "You know what the odds are against that, princess?"
"It's just bad luck!" Daphne protested.
"Hell of a coincidence, unless you've been subconsciously letting yourself be caught," he said, "But don't worry, you'll be able to openly admit it soon enough."
He said as he dragged her off to the room he had prepared for them, leaving Skeleton King alone in the living room with Velma.
"I believe we should get more comfortable as well, my lovely pet~" He said with a dark purring leer as he looked down at her, "After all, we have an entire day and night of pleasure ahead of us~" he said, while offering her his hand.
She gulped, horrified at that... and ashamed to realize that a part of her was looking forward to it. So, very reluctantly, she reached up and took his hand.
"Hehe, that's a good whore, why fight it? Just embrace your desires!" Skeleton King said with a dark laugh as Velma stood up.
"Yes sir," she muttered, looking to the floor, unable to meet his eyes. All she could feel was helplessness and horror, as well as growing shame as she felt her vagina burn with desire and anticipation as Skeleton King guided her to a room.
Jinkies she knew this was her body responding to the stimulation, but what was wrong with her?! She should be utterly horrified and disgusted by what was happening, and yet she couldn't resist the overwhelming need for more of the pleasure that he was giving her!
She... she just had to stay strong... it was just physical pleasure... this was still a monster and rapist... she was cooperating for the sake of her and her friends' safety... she had to remember this... there was no emotional attachment... she had to be strong and avoid a case of Stockholm syndrome or letting this thing brainwash her.
Velma forced those thoughts to keep running through her head, even as she allowed Skeleton King to lead her upstairs to a bedroom of their own.
(Meanwhile)
Whistling cheerfully to himself, Lothor kicked the door of the bedroom he'd chosen shut behind him. He then walked over to the large bed dominating the room and dumped Daphne on it, watching in amusement as she quickly scrambled to the other side of the bed to try and get away from him.
"You just get comfortable, dear, while I get everything set up," he said.
"Hard to get comfortable when you're being held against your will by some rapist scum!" Daphne spat, her voice cracking again, her emotions a mess with anger and violation and shame of what she let her body feel earlier.
"You really should stop pretending that you're not enjoying yourself," he said condescendingly as shrugged off his coat, causing her to glare at him even harder.
"I'm not! You..." she tried to protest, only to trail off as Lothor quickly removed all his clothes, stunned by being able to see his cock in full, along with his chiseled body. Despite herself, she found herself blushing and growing wet again at the sight.
"You were saying?" Lothor asked smugly, now naked except for his mask (actually, come to think of it, had he take it off at all since he ended up in this reality?).
Daphne gave out a huff, trying to ignore her blush and burning wet cunt, "So you've got a good body, so what?!" She spat, glaring at him, "But if you think I'll ever admit to enjoying this, or hell let you brainwash me into thinking I love you, you're crazy!"
She said with a venomous glare, "Because I'm no Harley Quinn case of desperation!"
"We'll see, dear. But I'm fairly certain before long, you'll be begging to be my fuck toy," Lothor stated, while he walked over to a nearby table and picked up a device that looked like a remote control, "But first, like I said, let's get everything set up."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Daphne demanded. Lothor didn't respond in words, instead pressing a few buttons on the remote, causing a screen to lower from the ceiling in front of the bed and click to life, shocking Daphne with what appeared on it.
Which was what seemed to be a naked alien spanking a bound and ball-gagged red-haired girl with a large paddle.
SMACK
"MMMFFF!"
"Heheh, you like that you whore?!" The alien exclaimed with a laugh.
"NGGMMPPH!" the redheaded girl moaned in denial, even though her face was bright red in arousal.
"That's what I thought," the alien laughed, turning to face the screen as Lothor's own laugh caught her attention.
"Enjoying yourself, darling?" he asked with a smirk.
"Well, watching the show got us both so worked up, I couldn't help myself~" the alien replied, before turning to leer at Daphne, "I loved hearing you squeal like a whore, you slut."
Daphne's face burned in rage and humiliation at that.
"Fuck you!" she spat.
"You'll get a chance soon enough," Lothor chuckled, "Oh, but where are my manners? Daphne Blake, meet my chief lover Tak, and our pet, Wendy Corduroy."
"Mffff!" Wendy exclaimed through the ball gag, sending Daphne a frantic look while shaking her head, with Daphne easily able to see that poor girl like herself didn't want to be in this situation.
"Hehehe, we're still breaking her in~" Tak said, sending Daphne a cruel grin, "But she's proving a lot stronger and more stubborn than our other bitch pig~"
She explained, and emphasized with another paddle hit to Wendy's ass.
SMACK
"MFFF!" Wendy gave a muffled shout while closing her eyes, hating every minute of this, and at the same time just wanted release.
"Speaking of our pig..." Tak added with a smirk as the screen picture suddenly split in two, with the image of a purple-haired girl desperately masturbating on her bed appearing.
"Arrrgg, master, please forget that bimbo whore and fuck your piggy slut!" Gaz moaned, not yet realizing she could be seen and heard now.
"Only once you've proven yourself, piggy~" Lothor said with a smirk, which only grew as Gaz gave a startled yelp and nearly fell off of her bed.
"Shit!" she exclaimed, blushing brightly as she realized she had an audience, "I, uh, I was just-"
"Enjoying the show, as were we~" Tak interrupted with a laugh. Gaz shot her a glare, only to arch an eyebrow as she saw Wendy.
"Who the hell is this?" she demanded with an odd note of jealousy in her voice that she didn't seem to notice herself.
"Gaz Membrane, meet Wendy Corduroy, our newest pet," Lothor said.
"We got bored without you, so got a replacement," Tak said smugly, "And I have to say, she's much more impressive. We've had her prisoner as long as you were, and she's still resisting while you broke so easily, you pathetic whore."
At this Gaz flushed and gave a low growl, feeling both anger and humiliation for that comment... only problem was, she wasn't sure if she was upset at being implied to be weak or more upset that they were training another bitch to take her place!
"You couldn't have found someone better looking?" She decided to shake it off and focus on her disdain, "At least the bimbo can't be mistaken for a guy," She stated with heavy scorn, "Plus, her tits just look sad, especially compared to a real set~" she added smugly, while squeezing her breasts.
"Mmph!" Wendy muttered through her gag, insulted by the comments about her looks. It might not be the most important part of the current situation, but who did this bitch think she was to talk about her like that?
"I think our puppy has a fine body," Lothor stated, "But tell you what. Find any useful information for me, and I'll let you mud wrestle her if you really want to prove your superiority."
"Sounds good to me," Gaz said before she could stop herself with a smirk, already picturing making that bitch squeal and submit, with her the one on top for once, before shaking her head, "Though right now, all I got from my moron of a brother is him and his dweeb friend Pines trying to find some gem and something about helping Dad help those costume dorks find some kinda demon baby that may or may not be in the planet."
She reported with a shrug before giving a snort, "At least that's what he's doing when he isn't freaking out about not knowing where Zim is and Ta... ah, mistress being back," She added, with Wendy pausing at the mention of Pines and the name Zim, a name she had heard the alien cunt mention offhand a time or two in utter hate.
But also, come to think of it she had also heard that name from Dipper... wait, purple hair, bitchy attitude... her mind went back to a past talk she had with Dipper, where he told her about one of his friends and the fact he had fought an alien invader... while also mentioning his sister who was like Mabel's polar opposite in the worst ways... Gaz Membrane!?
"Mffff!" Wendy let out a muffled shout, feeling very worried at the fact the bastard had a spy that was indirectly close to Dipper! NEVERMIND what she could find out and share with Lothor!
"What's her problem?" Gaz asked, watching as Wendy started flailing and struggling against her restraints.
"She's a friend of the Pines boy, so she's probably not happy to hear I have someone positioned relatively close to him," Lothor deduced, "But in any case, I'm afraid basic information like that isn't worth much. Find something juicy if you really want a reward, piggy."
"Yes sir," Gaz replied on instinct, a part of her hating how automatically submissive she was acting, but the rest of her more focused on trying to figure out how please him.
All of this happening with Daphne listening closely with concern. She didn't know the full story behind what they were discussing, but she got the concerning gist... though as Lothor was distracted, her eyes went to the door. Maybe she could...
"Don't even think about it," Tak said with a look to Daphne, easily able to read the look on the new toy's face, "After all, you wouldn't get far, and you must realize you stand no chance against Lothor in a fight."
She smugly pointed out, while Lothor turned his head to the bed, "Plus, there's still the matter of your friends who are being held prisoner, or in the case of the one with inferior eyesight, currently being broken in by the skeleton~" Tak added with a laugh.
Daphne tensed at that, and glared at both the rapist bastard and his green bitch.
"If you hurt any of them, I'll kill you!" she snarled.
"Good luck with that," Gaz snorted, "If I couldn't beat master in a fight, I doubt a bimbo like you can."
"Quite true," Lothor said, smirking at how Gaz seemed to have called him that without realizing it, "But if you want to get rough, darling, we can get started~"
"Grrr..." Daphne grit her teeth and clenched the blankets tightly, feeling so pissed and so helpless... but she had no choice but to play along... her friends' lives could very well depend on it.
So with a sigh and silent tear she looked down at the bed, unable to bring herself to look the bastard in the face, "What do you want me to do?"
"Lay down on your stomach," Lothor ordered. Daphne hesitated for a moment, but did as she was told, laying face down on the bed.
As she did so, Lothor walked over to a dresser and opened a drawer. Rifling around its contents, he pulled out several nylon ropes before walking back over to the bed. Leaning down, he harshly grabbed Daphne's arms and pulled them behind her back, quickly wrapping one of the ropes around her wrists to tie her hands together. He then did the same with her ankles, before bending her legs to bring her bound hands and feet close together, at which point he connected their bindings with another rope, leaving her hogtied.
"Comfortable?" he asked mockingly, smirking at the tense look on her face.
"You're sick, I hope you know that!" Daphne spat out, while Tak let out a laugh.
"You're certainly developing a kink for bound sluts, aren't you my mate~" Tak observed, while giving a laugh and another hit to Wendy's ass.
SMACK
"MFFF!"
"What can I say, there's a certain thrill to this~" Lothor said, giving Daphne's ass a hit as well.
SMACK
"Ah!" she cried out, "Bastard!"
"And I'm sure there's a lot of fun in putting stubborn bitches like this in their place," Gaz snickered, only for Tak to shoot her a smirk.
"Yes, I know I enjoyed making you squeal until you gave up, pig slut," she said, causing Gaz to blush. God, why did being reminded of that feel both humiliating yet so good?
"Urgg, you're all sick!" Daphne snapped, glaring up at Lothor, "And enjoy it while you can, because our friends will make you regret every second!*
"Keep telling yourself that," Lothor said dryly, before walking back over to the dresser and rummaging in it again. And to Daphne's wide-eyed shock, this time he pulled out a truly huge vibrator dildo.
"H-hey, what do you think you're doing with that?!" she demanded fearfully, squirming in place as she instinctively tried to move away from him but couldn't.
"What do you think?" he asked with a smirk, before grabbing her bound limbs and using them to flip her onto her back, exposing her pussy (which had been spread wide by the positioning of her legs) and ramming the sex toy into it without warning, turning it on with a flick of a switch.
"AAAHHHH!!!" Daphne screamed in surprise at the sudden intrusion and immense pleasure.
God, this hurt but it also felt so fucking good! She was being violated and she was enjoying it! She thought while writhing on the bed in pleasure and mortification.
"Heh look at her squirm~" Tak laughed with a sneer as she fingered her pussy, "By Irk, it's getting me do hot~" she moaned before glancing to Wendy, "Don't suppose you're ready to eat your mistress out like a good pet yet?" She asked with a smirk.
"Fmmph Ooo!" Wendy mumbled, though she found herself unable to look away from the other redhead's torment or ignore the building heat in her own pussy. Tak saw this in her eyes and leaned in close to her with a smirk.
"If you do, I'll reward you by letting you cum too~" she whispered huskily into Wendy's ear. The poor girl couldn't help but whine in need at that, which Tak smirked at, before she pulled the gag out of Wendy's mouth.
"So? You ready?" she asked again, knowingly.
"...Yes," Wendy muttered.
"Yes what?" Tak demanded.
"Yes, mistress," Wendy spat out. Feeling absolutely furious, disgusted, and humiliated, but God damn it, she needed release!
The only thing that helped was telling herself this was only about relief and she wasn't breaking, these bastards wouldn't break her! And sooner or later, rescue would come and she'd pay these bastards back for what they've done to her, the other girl, Gravity Falls, her friends, and everything else a hundred fold!
"That's a good pet~ Nice to see we're finally making progress~" Tak said, before turning Wendy over to her back and putting her cunt over the girl's face, "Now get to pleasing!" The Irken ordered with a sneer, "And if you perform better than our pet pig, perhaps I'll even arrange a treat~" Tak said with a laugh, "Perhaps a phone call or visit from your friends~"
That actually gave Wendy pause. It would be very good to see her friends, to know that hopefully they weren't suffering like she was. Especially Tambry, who wasn't even on this ship but with that fucking skeleton.
So, reluctantly, she started worming her tongue into Tak's cunt, trying to please her as quickly as possible to get this over with. And trying very hard to ignore how good the alien bitch tasted.
"Urrgg, umm, fuck~ " Tak gave off a pleased moan from both the action and show of submission, "She, ah ah arg, might actually be better at this than the pig~" Tak groaned as Gaz, while kneading her tits and masturbating to both shows her master and mistress were putting on, gave a disdainful huff. Like that bitch was even half as good as her!
"Urg, you and that monkey pet friend of yours practice on each other or something?" Tak asked with another moan, watching as her mate continue to fuck their new toy with a sex toy.
Wendy growled at that. No, she and Tambry were not like that! And she definitely didn't like the reminder that her best friend was probably at that little freak's mercy.
But she pushed that aside, focusing on eating this bitch out, causing her to moan loudly.
"See? Wendy was once very defiant, and now she's giving in and enjoying herself. You can too," Lothor said to Daphne, as he twisted the vibrator around inside of her.
"Arg, ah, ah, ah, you AH! YOU WON'T BREAK ME!" Daphne snapped with a moan, hating every moment that a part of her was actually enjoying this! She was being violated, her first time taken away by this bastard, she should not be enjoying this!
"Urg, ah, ah, ah, it might, ahhh feel good, but there's, ah ah ah, no love!" Daphne screamed as much to herself as the bastard fucking her with that damn vibrator, "Urg, so do your fucking worst, ah ah, I won't, ahhh, break!"
"If you insist~" Lothor said, before suddenly flipping her back onto her stomach, driving the vibrator deeper into her in the process.
"AH!" she yelled, only to scream even louder as he suddenly rammed his cock into her ass, "AAAAHHHH!!!"
"Be careful what you wish for, dear!" he laughed as he started thrusting in and out of her asshole, causing her to bounce off of the vibrator in the process.
"AAAAAAHHHHH!" Daphne screamed in pain and pleasure while Tak and Gaz laughed and moaned at the sight of Lothor fucking this slut, with Wendy wincing from the sound of Daphne's screams but kept focused on Tak's pussy, internally apologizing to the other girl but she wasn't exactly in a position to help and she had to look out for her own needs and friends.
"Hehe, ahhh, yeah, that's it master, urg, fuck that bitch, ah ah, teach her to respect your cock~" Gaz moaned, twisting her nipple while digging her fingers deeper into her cunt. God, she needed to get some sex toys... maybe something modeled after Lothor's cock.
"Urrg, nothing like, ah ah, getting licked by a bitch while you break in a whore, Lothor~" Tak groaned with pleasure while rubbing her own chest. God, moments like this alone made joining Lothor, never mind becoming his mate, so worth it, power or no power.
While Daphne herself, "Aaaaaaahh urgggg nooooo!" Continued to scream and moan, her body instinctively bucking and bouncing against his thrusts in both of her holes. Jeepers, this was so painful, but also felt so good!
Why did it have to keep feeling so goood! She thought with another wanton moan, "Aaaaah, Freeeed, I'm sorrrrrrryyyy!" She moaned, closing her eyes with tears leaking down, both relieved Fred wasn't here to see her like this but also wishing he was here and was the one doing this!
"Aaaaaahhhh ah ah ah ah pleaseeeeee!" Daphne gave another screaming moan as she felt Lothor grab and twist her nipple, it hurt in such a good way!
"Shut up about that worthless himbo!" Lothor snarled, pounding Daphne even harder, "How many years were you with him? Did he ever make you feel even a fraction of the pleasure I'm giving you?!"
"N-no," she sobbed reluctantly, because it was true, as much as she'd like to deny it.
"Then what are you complaining about?" he sneered.
What was she complaining about?!
"Urgg, I'm getting raped!" Daphne snapped, her voice cracking with a cry, "It, ahhhh ah ah ah, doesn't matter how good this feeels! It's, aaaaaahhhh, stilllll, ah ah ah, RAPE!" She screamed with a loud moan, bucking her hips back ,"And you, ah ah ah ah ah, just, ah ah ah, seeee mee as, ah ah ah arg... SEX TOY!" She screamed louder, feeling like her body would explode at any moment.
"Who says that's all I see you as?" he asked, "Yes, I, ah, ugh, love fucking my girls. But that doesn't, ugh, mean I don't care! Right, girls?"
Wendy gave off a muffled protest at that. Yeah, if this was what he called tender care and love, then she was almost afraid of what he would do if he was trying to show his hate.
"Urg, right! Ah ah ah, ummm, you've ruthless and cruel, ah ah, but you've proven to be such a wonderful generous mate~" Tak said with a low moan, giving off a lustful smile, "Ah ah ah, so much, ah ah ah, so I might actually love you for, ah ah, more than your power and, ah ah, cock~"
She admitted with a cackle in a teasing tone, yet meant every word. She had indeed found herself caring deeply for the man after all.
"Urg, ah ah ah, yes! Ah, ah, I know you love your little pig, master~" Gaz moaned, desperately writhing on the floor, "Ah ah ah, far more than, ah ah, my family ever did!"
Because seriously, she had been missing for weeks while held captive, and neither her brother or father had noticed. Her father had been practically absent during her childhood and was barely around now, and Dib had become just as bad; she almost missed how he used to bore her to tears with his paranormal rants, because at least he was around for that! Now he spent most of his time off playing at being a cut-rate wannabe superhero.
At least Lothor, despite destroying her pride, made her feel so good~
And she said as much to the lucky whore getting Lothor's attention right now, "Arg ah ah, just give in you worthless whore and admit you love this!" She hissed with a dark look, "I tried to right Master Lothor and Mistress Tak but, ahhh God, they're just too good at pleasuring my body~"
She moaned, feeling like she could explode at any moment, "Forget your loser friends and just enjoy the cock and the ride!" She moaned before adding with a smirk, "Besides, your friend's, ah ah, probably begging the skeleton to knock her up by now anyway~"
Daphne tried to glare at the purple-haired bitch as best she could when it was hard to even think straight. How dare she say that about Velma?! She'd never voluntarily become that monster's whore, just like Daphne would never accept this! Even if it felt so damn good...
So... fucking... good... she thought, while biting her lips before letting out a moan as she started to feel her tits getting smacked by Lothor's free hand.
SMACK
"AHHH!"
SMACK
"AAAHHH!"
SMACK
"AAAAAHHHHH!!!" Daphne screamed as she finally came, juices exploding around the vibrator and her asshole tightening around Lothor's cock, causing him to cum as well.
"See, wasn't that wonderful?" Lothor asked as he pulled out, his seed spilling out of Daphne's ass as he did so. Meanwhile, Gaz and Tak both came at nearly the same time, the former collapsing against her bed while the latter slumped on top of Wendy, her juices spilling over the redhead's face.
"Ahh, yesss, that's the stuff~" Tak groaned while rubbing her cunt against Wendy's face, the bound girl just feeling hotter and more humiliated, and what's worse noting the juices from this bitch actually tasted good!
God, why was she enjoying any part of this, she could only mentally moan as Tak climbed off Wendy's face and positioned herself in front of her pussy.
"Since you did a good job, pet, now you get your reward~" the Irken said, before jamming her worm-like tongue into the girl's cunt.
"GAAAAAAHHH!" Wendy squealed with a moan as she felt the long tongue explore her insides, and damn it! Why did this feel so fucking good! Weird but good!
She should hate this, hate them all for doing this to her, but she couldn't deny how fucking good it felt! Already, she could feel herself so close to bursting, it was unbearable, but in an undeniably good way!
"So glad to see you finally getting into things, puppy~" Lothor chuckled, watching the show, "Does that mean you're at last ready to have your cherry popped?"
"Go... to... hell..." Wendy panted in return, face flushed.
"Tch, stupid slut," Gaz scoffed from where she was leaning against her bed, "I'd kill to have master's cock in me, and you're saying no? What, you saving yourself for Prince Charming or something?"
At that comment, Wendy flushed, her mind automatically going to Dipper and both of them having sex, and God it was too much!
"Urrrrrg ahhhhhh!" And she found herself already squirting her juices in Tak's face.
"Hmm, delicious~" Tak chuckled as she pulled away, "And they're right, puppy. I was also foolish enough to resist Lothor at first, but now I've never been happier. Give in, and you'll experience joy like you've never known."
"I'm not a slut like you," Wendy muttered in response.
SMACK
"Agh!" she grunted in pain after Tak slapped her across the face.
"A pity, we were making such progress," the Irken sneered, "Maybe some time left in a position like the new whore will teach you some respect."
"Later, darling. For now, you promised her a meeting with her friends if she did a good job eating you out, and you definitely seemed to enjoy yourself," Lothor chuckled.
"Hmmm, indeed, I suppose we should give her a bit of the carrot to go with the stick," Tak muttered with a slight frown, "So, I suppose she's earned seeing her friends at least," She admitted, much to Wendy's relief; at least there was one silver lining to this bullshit, now she could only hope faintly that her friends were all doing better than her and would stay strong long enough until they found a way to escape or rescue came.
And as she was having these thoughts, laying on the bed Daphne was panting and catching her breath, her emotions and mind a mess to say the least. Shed been in tights spots and dangerous situations before, but nothing like this!
She'd never been so violated!
It was horrible, it was evil... so why did it have to feel so good? Why was part of her enjoying the feeling of Lothor's seed leaking out of her ass while the vibrator continued to whirr inside her pussy, and her limbs were aching from being restrained? And goddammit, why was it that when she tried to compensate by picturing Fred doing this, she couldn't feel any of the intense pleasure that Lothor had brought her?!
Fred was her friend, and more than that he was the boy she loved, in this timeline, the nightmare of a former one, or any other! He was the one she wanted to be with! He was the one she wanted to give her first time to! He was the one she loved!
So why couldn't she feel the same pleasure when she thought of Fred and her making love, than what she felt when this bastard raped her! For God's sake, it just being her body responding like Velma said or not, how could part of her at any level enjoy being raped?!
And how could she think making love with the man she loves wouldn't be better than this!? It... it didn't make any sense!
As Daphne sobbed to herself, trying to make sense of what was happening, Lothor reached down to stroke her hair, smirking as she leaned into it without seeming to realize what she was doing.
"Tak, get Wendy cleaned up and dressed for her friends," he ordered, "Gaz, feel free to keep watching, or don't. I think me and Daphne are going to have some genuine quality time now."
"As you wish..." Tak said with a slight smirk to Wendy, "Let's get her all pretty for her friends so she can tell them how desperate she is for her master's cock~" She mocked with a laugh, with Wendy growling and barely biting her tongue, and even then not wanting to screw up the chance to see if her friends were okay.
While Gaz on her own screen gave a smirk toward Daphne.
"Eh, I got nothing better to do~" Gaz said with a shrug, "Plus, it's pretty hot watching you break in a bimbo bitch," She admitted, her hand already fingering herself again while Daphne cried, "Please... sob... you got what you wanted... sob... just let me and my friends go..."
"Oh, don't worry dear, I will eventually," Lothor said as he started massaging Daphne's tits, "Like you said, you've got lots of influential friends. I can make use of that."
"I... I'm not going to spy for you," Daphne somehow managed to find the resolve to protest, which made Gaz snort.
"Yeah, that's what I said before he broke me in," the gamer said, "Trust me, soon enough you'll be begging to tell him whatever he wants to know in exchange for more of his dick."
"Yes she will. But that's for later," Lothor said, leaning down to kiss up Daphne's neck, "For now, let's just have some fun~"
Daphne at that felt a shiver go down her as she spat out, "You've got a sick idea of fun!" She said, glaring with her watery eyes, trying to ignore how pleasant the soft kisses felt against her neck, before letting out a cry.
SMACK
"AAH!" As Lothor smacked her ass before he grabbed the vibrator in her pussy and shoved it deeper inside her.
"And by the time I'm done, you will too!" he laughed, the room soon filled once again with Daphne's screams and the sounds of flesh slapping against flesh.
(In another room)
And as Daphne was violated again and again...
"Ahhh, ummmm, jinkies!"
Velma was enjoying attention from Skeleton King.
He had her flat on her back on a large bed, her legs lifted up as he drilled her pussy as hard as he could, her huge tits bouncing from the movement he was causing.
"Ahhhh!" With her squealing with each thrust, a part of her faintly wondering how this had happened, but it seemed they had barely stepped through the door before this monster was kissing her and running his hands over her body ,and next thing she knew she was flat on her back being fucked like an animal!
"Ah, ah, JINKIES" she screamed with a moan as Skeleton King laughed with glee.
"Heheh, I could really grow to love fucking this cunt and watching those tits bounce!" He exclaimed, before giving her breasts a hit.
SMACK
"AH!" With Velma letting out a moan, hating that this felt so good.
"Just like you've grown to love this!" He added.
"I, ah ah, don't! It's just, ah, my body reacting!" she tried to protest as she had been all along. And it sounded even more empty to her ears now than it did before, she was ashamed to realize.
This was her first real sexual experience, and it was with a rapist tyrant who was not only out to conquer Earth but supposedly, according to the reports out on him, had destroyed his own home planet... and here she was, as much as she tried to deny it or fight it... enjoying being fucked by him.
Jinkies, she hoped this wasn't an early sign of Stockholm syndrome! She thought as Skeleton King bit down hard on her right nipple after leaning in closer.
"AH!" she cried out, hating how despite the pain, she was still managing to find pleasure in what he was doing to her.
"Hmm, yes, delicious~" Skeleton King purred, while roughly grabbing and squeezing her left tit while swirling his tongue around her right nipple, "Comparing you and the redhead, I believe I got the better out of this whole thing~"
Skeleton King said, grunting as he slammed inside her.
And the fact that he kept saying things like that weren't helping! How was she supposed to remind herself that he was a monster that she hated when he kept giving her such flattering comments?
"Urg, yes, beautiful, brainy..." Skeleton King smirked as he gave her nipple a hard twist, "Ahhh!" Causing Velma to let out a low moan at that, "With the cutest moans~" he added with a laugh as he leaned closer to her face.
"You are truly a wonderful addition to my forces and harem~" He hissed, licking up the side of her neck.
"P-please, can't you just let us go?" she begged, not wanting to be stuck like this forever... no matter what part of her was saying.
"Heheh, and why would I, urg, let such a delicious creature like you go?" Skeleton King asked, grunting while ramming inside her with a mocking smirk, "Your potential is wasted on unmasking fools when you could be helping my rule while being rewarded with euphoria~"
He said with a dark hiss, staring into her eyes, "And you haven't met the others yet either~"
"Others?" she moaned in confusion. In response, Skeleton King waved a hand, and several magical screens appeared in the air around them. With Velma turning her head toward the screens, at first latching onto this potential distraction from his words and what her body was feeling, before her eyes widened at the sight of what was on the screens.
"Urg, may I introduce..." Skeleton King grunted, lifting his free hand to gesture at each screen.
"Jinmay and Blackfire..."
One screen display a scene of what appeared to be an ominous throne room made out of... bone?! With a throne that had two naked girls making out while rubbing their cunts against each other, seemingly not fully realizing they were being shown and addressed.
"Valeena..."
A scene of a naked pale woman desperately masturbating and seeming to give Skeleton King a gaze of worshipful desire and herself a look of disdain.
"And finally Audrey the Queen of Kaznia turned slutty figurehead and Megara my loyal regent of the kingdom~"
A scene of a throne room, where a woman was moaning while being eaten out by another blonde haired woman.
"Welcome to the party, nerd~" Megara chuckled, while pressing Audrey's face further into her snatch, with Audrey saying something muffled by Megara's pussy.
"Huff... ungrateful... harlot... clearly doesn't appreciate... this honor, master," Valeena moaned, while sending Velma a glare.
"Uh... ah... ah, Blackfire... ah, you really know how to, ah, use your, ah fingers..." Jinmay moaned, neither her or Blackfire realizing they could be seen and heard now.
"Umm, I've, ah ah, pick up a thing or, ah ah, two~"
While deeply amused by this, Skeleton King nonetheless cleared his throat to get the pair's attention, causing them to look at the screen in surprise.
"Oh, are we moving onto the interactive part of the fun?" Jinmay asked coyly, only slightly embarrassed by being caught.
"Mmm... I suppose we need to welcome our lord's new toy and establish the pecking order~" Blackfire said, more amused than anything as she kissed alongside Jinmay's neck, making the other girl shiver and moan.
"Ah ah ah, I'm not a toy!" Velma denied, shaking her head with a moan while giving the screens a shocked mortified stare, realizing that these women had likely been watching from the start and been enjoying this debauchery like a personal porno!
"Heheh, from what we've seen, we have to disagree~" Megara chimed in with a moan, sending Velma a cruel grin, "After all, you looked so cute begging master to fuck you~"
"Yes, if our lord is going to waste his time on whores like you, it is good to at least see you accepting your natural place," Valeena sneered.
"That was just my body's natural reaction!" Velma protested.
"Keep telling yourself that," Jinmay laughed derisively.
"Umm, ah ah, it's better not to resist, accept your place and the honor you've received," Audrey said, managing to lift up her head from Megara's cunt to look over her shoulder at Velma before being forced back down.
"I didn't say stop, whore!" Megara snapped with a moan as Skeleton King laughed while continuing to pound into Velma, "Heh your harem sisters are right~ You're clearly enjoying this, so why not just submit and swear your soul and heart to me now?"
"No... this is wrong," she moaned, still trying desperately to convince herself that she wasn't actively enjoying this.
"Yeah, it's wrong. That's what makes it so fun!" Jinmay giggled, the others all making various noises of agreement.
"I mean, look at me..." Jinmay continued with a smug smirk, "The master originally brainwashed me to betray my ex and his stupid monkey team, the heroes of Shuggazoom..."
She explained, leaning her face against Blackfire's chest, rubbing against it; the other girl might be a smug bitch, but God if her tits didn't feel good, "Long story short, they lost and the planet's history," She stated with a snort, "But when master freed me from his power, he offered me more than that moron Chiro ever could..."
She gave off a giggle that sounded like a twisted school girl in love, "I could have tried to fight him and tried to save Chiro and the Monkey Team... but I realized something... I loved being with Skeleton King and the new me far more than Chiro's simping damsel in distress."
She then gave a cruel leer, "Now I'm being fucked by Skeleton King while Chiro and his pets are tortured 24/7~"
Velma looked at Jinmay in utter horror. How could she possibly sit there, bragging about betraying someone she loved for the sake of sex? Didn't she have any sort of conscience?
"And this dumb slut had no problem selling out her kingdom and agreed to seduce the woman she loved for master in exchange for being fucked by him," Megara said, gesturing to Audrey, "And the rest of us joined for a combination of sex and power. So, if you give in and accept your natural impulses, just know that you'll be in good company~"
"Heheh, indeed, amazing sex, power most only dream of, and an entire harem of lovely beauties to share it with~" Skeleton King hissed, giving Velma's cheek a lick as she was processing everything she was hearing with horror, "What more could a girl ask for?" He asked with a wide grin, pulling his cock back before ramming it back inside her.
"AH!" Velma cried out, brain too scrambled by everything that was happening to respond verbally.
This was awful, it was evil, they were all twisted and she should refuse to be anything like them! But, it felt so good~
Would... would it really be so wrong to just accept this?
After all, those others girls seemed so happy.... and she could probably do so much more than unmask costumed crooks as part of Skeleton King's forces, she thought as he lifted her legs up and took her into a mating press, "Jinkies!" She moaned as she stared into his eyes. If he really shared power with his girls... she could do a lot of good... couldn't she?
And, maybe they'd have to do bad things to achieve that, but it would be worth it, wouldn't it? Surely, from a logical standpoint, the ends would justify the means, right?
RIGHT!?
She asked herself, giving off another moan as Skeleton King grunted, ramming harder and harder into her, "Urg, I'm going to cum... going to fill you with hot searing seed~" he hissed with dark glee.
Feeling the last of her willpower falling away, Velma responded the only way that she could.
"Do it! Please!" she begged, "Fill me to the breaking point!"
At that, the watching harem all laughed while exchanging smirks, "Heh, knew the nerd would break~" Megara said smugly with a moan, before cumming all over Audrey's face.
"Ah, umm, no one can resist master's power and charm~" Audrey spoke up as the arrogant harlot sprayed her juices over her face, before looking over her shoulder at the scene in question.
"Ahhh, of course they can't, ah ah ah, our master is the, ah ah, most powerful and attractive being in, urg, existence," Valeena said with a moaning sneer and slight glare at Velma, "The fact he's even let you inferior harlots touch him is the highest honor of your lives!"
She exclaimed furiously while so longing to receive the highest of honors and show her master how superior she was to these foolish whores.
"Hehe, urgg, someone's jealous~ Umm, do your job right and you'd already be bouncing off Skeleton King's cock like the rest of us~" Jinmay said with a moan while Blackfire and her made out heavily.
"Mmm, indeed, ah ah, at this rate you'll, ah ah, be lucky if you're kept around as a pet~" Blackfire added as Valeena fumed, "But I must say I love seeing our king break in a new whore~ now we just need to teach her the pecking order.."
She added with a dark grin that was shared while Skeleton King grunted, pounding harder and harder into Velma, who could hear every word the girls were saying while Skeleton King replied to her plea with a hiss.
"Louder! Tell me what you really want!" He commanded with a growl.
"I WANT YOUR SEED!" Velma screamed, "I WANT TO BE FILLED UP WITH YOUR BASTARDS AND BRED LIKE A SOW!"
Her mind not even thinking of the consequences and morality of this anymore. All she knew was that she wanted her release and she wanted his seed! She could deal with the repercussions later!
With Skeleton King letting out a dark laugh as he grinned evilly ,"Yes...than...BREED YOU I SHALL!" He roared, before kissing her hard as he slammed his cock deep inside her, shooting his release, causing Velma's cunt to tighten around him and gush out her own juices as she felt his hot seed fill her.
"MMMPPHH!!!" Velma cried into his mouth in sheer ecstasy at the sensation. Jinkies, it felt so good! Why hadn't she ever done anything like this with anyone before?
Admittedly, she was always a bit nervous about showing off her body, not wanting to draw the same kinda attention Daphne had to deal with, but still! This felt so good, and she never experienced anything close to it, not even the former timeline the gang all swore never to talk about!
Could something that logically felt this good... really be so bad? She questioned with a groan, returning the kiss, and jinkies he was a good kisser, she thought blearily as it broke, with Skeleton King pulling back with a wide smirk as he finished shooting his load, "Hehe, enjoying yourself my dear?"
"Ah, ah, yes master," she moaned without thinking. Because it was true, she had never felt this good before, and she never wanted it to stop.
At that, the other harem members all shared dark grins after experiencing their own releases from watching Skeleton King fill this nerd bitch with his seed, "Hehe, master now am I~" Skeleton King said as he pulled out his cock and stood over Velma and the bed, "Not going to try to resist or fight me anymore?"
He asked with a dark grin.
"No, master, I don't want to anymore," Velma replied sluggishly, "I just want to be with you forever, and keep feeling like this."
And she really did, any faint feelings of doubts and guilt were at the back of her mind, she... just wanted to let her hair down and feel good about being the desired one for a change. She... she could worry and think about what this would mean later... right now she just needed to focus on this amazing man and his pleasure-giving penis, she thought, staring up at him as her breasts raised and fell with her heavy breathing.
As Skeleton King let out a laugh, a part of him disappointed at the lack of challenge, but the other part of him delighted that he's once again broken and corrupted another girl into his willing slut.
"Hehe, excellent, then I formally welcome you into my service and harem, Velma Dinkley~" He said with a dark hiss, gesturing to the mystical screens, "Where for your service, you'll be rewarded with not only love and pleasure..." He said with a chortle, "But power!" He exclaimed, his eyes flaring as he stared down at her as she sluggishly sat up on her knees, allowing him to reach out and cup her cheek, rubbing it with Velma leaning against his touch, "Only one among you will become my Queen~ But you all will enjoy the spoils of my conquests, should you prove yourselves loyal and worthy~"
"I can do that, master. I can be loyal!" Velma declared. She'd do whatever it took to prove herself to him, and be rewarded for it!
"Hehe, I think we're going to get a lot of use out of her~" Jinmay giggled at the display.
"Couldn't agree more~ Another slut to enjoy and to serve Skeleton King's goals," Blackfire said with a smirk.
"Heh, her fat tits alone will be fun to smack around, I suppose~" Megara agreed, arching a brow at the pink-haired girl, as she hadn't the chance to interact much with master's other harem members, something that would hopefully change. After all, she had to establish herself over the competition~
"Huff, as long as she proves herself worth this effort," Audrey said, huffing out, once more sitting on Megara's lap.
"Bah, I hardly see the use for her outside of her body, which probably can't even truly pleasure the master," Valeena sneered.
"Hehe, why don't you tell them how you can serve me while putting those tits of yours to work on my cock, my dear~" Skeleton King then spoke up after listening to his other girls with amusement.
"Yes master," Velma said, bending down and wrapping her breasts around his cock and beginning to massage it with them as she continued speaking, "My friends and I have a lot of influential connections. Rich people, law enforcement, other paranormal investigators, even the superheroes. We can spy on them for you, manipulate them, do whatever you want with that kind of influence."
She told her master without seeming to feel an ounce of guilt or shame.
"Oooh, go on~" Skeleton King said with a pleased groan from both her massive breasts rubbing against his cock and every word she was saying, "And no shame in betraying those same people?" he added with a teasing smirk.
"I don't care, if it makes you happy," she said simply, "And besides, a lot of the people I know are pretty girls. I'm sure you'd love to have them too."
"Mmm, now that sounds promising~" Blackfire giggled.
"Yeah, why don't you tell us what kinda potential slut slaves for our master you know~" Jinmay added with a laugh.
"There's Minerva Minx, the actress, we helped her with a stalker pretending to be a monster in order to scare her into turning to him for protection," Velma panted out, "And Lex Luthor's adopted daughter, Pacifica Northwest, and the Capsule Corp heiress, Bulma Briefs. We've helped them both with people trying to sabotage their family businesses. Pacifica was a bitch during it, but she still admitted that she owed us one!"
Skeleton King at those names was both intrigued and very interested. He knew the gang had connections, after all he at the least suspected connections with the Justice League considering comics, cartoons, and even one movie if he recalled that had them working with the caped crusader and the like.
But those names... oooh, he recognized those names for sure~ After all, he was already aware of Pacifica, but he certainly remembered and loved Bulma in the Dragon Ball series, and Minerva Mink, ooh she was robbed getting only her own two episodes, but she was still known decades later as one of the top material girls in animation for a reason~
He knew they were around, of course, he hadn't been idle in his time here doing his best to research on what factors were around and what players were around... though admittedly he found out Minevera was a thing by deciding to just watch some television through the Pit of Ooze and found a noir movie with Blackfire and Jinmay that proved quite enjoyable.
"Ohhh, did you say Minerva Mink~" Jinmay of course spoke up with an excited gleam, "Master's been researching, and we've even been watching some Earth TV, and have to say she'd look great bouncing off Skeleton King's cock~" she added with a giggle and hungry look.
"Hmm, and those other two are heiresses to some of the biggest companies in the world," Megara mused, "Using those sluts to take control of them would greatly increase master's influence."
And God, the idea of her master steadily gaining more power and influence over the ignorant masses while breaking some sluts off on the side... it sent such a thrill through her~ She really did fucking love this man~
"Hmm, indeed, and Pacifica's connection to Luthor alone makes her a desirable target," Skeleton King mused with a grunt, running his hand through Velma's hair, patting her like one would a good obedient pet.
"Hmph, so I suppose this whore's connections are somewhat worthwhile," Valeena scoffed, not pleased to hear her master planning to take more girls who weren't herself but choosing not to vocalize those complaints and upset him, "Anything else you have to say, slut?"
"Ah, uh, before we heard about the monster here, we were planning to head to Amity Park to investigate stories about its supposed ghost infestation," Velma said as she continued to tit fuck her master.
And jinkies, how just thinking this monster as her master sent a shameful thrill through her as she felt her vagina... her cunt burn so wet with desire for the cock between her massive breasts.
"Urg, Amity Park you say," Skeleton King said with a cruel smirk while fucking her breasts, "Yes... I know of this, urg... location," He said with a menacing chuckle, "Two scientists have managed to create an artificial portal to an afterlife, and it is among my list of targets~"
"Really?" Velma asked. If so, that meant that it was likely that the ghosts in Amity Park were all real, which was fascinating from a scientific standpoint.
"Heheh, yes, but we can discuss all this later," Skeleton King said, smirking down at her, "For now we focus on pleasure and welcoming you into my servitude."
"Yes sir," Velma said, increasing the pace of her tits moving across his cock, soon causing him to cum, exploding across her face and chest.
"Jinkies, ohhhh, it's so hot~" she said with a moan, and it really did feel so hot... so nice against her skin... again, why hadn't she done this sooner?
"Urg... well done... it seems your sexual skill might match your brilliance, my dear," Skeleton King said with a pleased groan and smirk toward Velma, with the girl feeling warm at the compliment, "But the day is still young, and I want to fuck you in so many more ways ~"
"Of course, master. Whatever you want me to do~" Velma said happily.
"I think we can say she's official broken in~" Jinmay concluded smugly to the side while the others laughed except Valeena, who sniffed disdainfully.
"Hehe, get on that bed and stick out your ass you've got one more hole I haven't tried yet~" Skeleton King order with a chortle with Velma finding herself eagerly following his orders, "And girls what do you have to say to officially welcome your latest harem sister to the fold."
He said while stepping up to Velma and hot dogging her ass, "Huff be thankful our lord honors you like this," She said disdainfully from where she sat against a tree naked brewing with jealous and resentment, "At least the others provide either power to serve his goals or manage his foothold on this pitiful planet while you provide nothing but your whore body and worthless connections."
She sneer as Velma found herself frowning and feeling a bit of indignation at her worth being put down and question like this, "Careful how you speak Valeena.." Skeleton King warned in a slight hiss causing the skull sorceress to flinch, "you are a faithful servant....but you aren't a official part of my harem just yet." He reminded her before sticking his cock into Velma ass
"AAHH!" Velma cried in delight as the sharp pain quickly gave way pleasure, while Valeena looked away in shame.
"Apologies, master," she said, even while glaring at Velma crying in pleasure at being ass fucked by the cock that SHE should be receiving.
SMACK
"AHH!" Velma let out a moan as her master spanked her ass cheek while fucking her ass
"It's not me you need to apologize too ." Skeleton King said with a smirk as Valeena bit her tongue, "My apologies girl... I welcome you into our lord's fold... and I'm sure you'll serve him well," she spoke between gritting teeth to the other girls amusement.
"Ahh arg, ooh thank you!" Velma responded back distractedly while bucking her hips back to meet Skeleton King thrusts, "Eh as long as I get a chance to knock those knockers of her around and she realizes that it's me who will be Queen I got no problem with her."
Jinmay spoke up with a shrug and amused taunting smirk toward Valeena screen, "after all the more bitched the merrier and all that ~"
"I agree, though I'm the one she'll have to acknowledge as Queen," Blackfire said haughtily.
"Whatever helps you two dumb sluts sleep at night," Megara chuckled.
With Blackfire and Jinmay sending Megara annoyed looks they haven't had much chance to interact with Audrey or Megara but they didn't like the girls presumption and arrogance that she would be chosen over them
While Audrey off to the side simply gave a sniff obviously if master took a queen it would be either her or Diana chosen for the honor not these foolz
"Ah ah ah I could be ah ah a good queen for you master!" Velma added in her own claim before she fully realized what she was saying
That immediately earned her the united derision of all the other girls.
"You? Queen?" Jinmay sneered, "It takes a lot more than great knockers to be master's equal, nerd."
"Ahh ahh I'm smart ahh I have more to offer master than ah ah just my body!" Velma exclaimed out with a moan lost in pleasure but also speaking the truth she could be a good queen for Skeleton King, "I ah ah could help him rule!"
"Yes, I'm sure someone like you knows all about what it takes to actually rule anything just from reading some books," Audrey said condescendingly. As if this girl knew anything about true rulership, she scoffed internally.
"Said ah ah ah ah the queen who ah apparently give up her position to be ah ah ah a love slave for another concubine!" Velma retorted back with a moan if there was one thing that got under her skin it was having her intelligence question
With Skeleton King simply listening to the catty comments with amusement while he continue to plow Velma ass with glee
"You don't know the first thing about our situation, bitch!" Audrey snarled, while Megara was torn between amusement at her anger and annoyance at being dismissed as a mere concubine.
"Ah, ah, ah, that's not a denial of what I said!" Velma snapped back.
"Why you..." Audrey snarl with Skeleton King grunting laugh cutting her off, "Beauty, Brains, and a cutting tongue ~"
He mused pounding harder and harder, "While the day that I'll choose a queen is not today you're making a wonderful case for yourself my dear ~" he said emphasizing his words with a hit to her ass
SMACK
"AH! Jinkies! Ah ah thank you master ah ah ah ah I just strive to perform the best I can!" Velma moaned out with a large grin feeling so warm at his praise and the cock ravaging her ass
PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP
She never felt anything like this emotionally and physically her emotions and mind were a mess but alj she knew was she wanted to give this man her best...
And as he came in her ass, causing a wonderful sensation that made her cum as well, she knew that she'd be willing to do whatever it took to prove that she belonged on the top of his harem.
And she proved it as Skeleton King fucked her again.
Scene of Velma pressed against the walk with her rugh legg lifted up as Skeleton King plowed into her.
And again.
Scene of Velma hot dogging Skeleton King cock trying to get him off with her ass cheeks like she had with his cock.
And again all through the night while being watched by her masters other harem members.
Scene of Skeleton King laying back on the bed as Velma bounced off his cock with glee and pleasure as he groan in pleasure while watching her large tits bounce with contentment, "Jinkies! Ah ah ah ah I LOVE YOU MASTER!"
She moaned loudly as Skeleton King simply smirked, "And I love you, my newest eager slut~" he said while reaching up to swat her tits.
SMACK
And on it went, all through the night, until Velma finally passed out from sheer exhaustion. Once she had, Skeleton King laid her down in the bed and pulled the sheets over her to allow her to sleep it off.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Yeah, Daphne is resisting a bit harder than Velma, but it's pretty clear they're all ours now~ And look, cameos from the rest of our harems! Hope you enjoyed those bits.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Man girls got it bad for me/Skeleton King huh? As Velma is another addition to my collection that ultimately folded so easily to my power and charm, ehhe chicks dig the bad boy monsters I guess~ ;) But seriously hoped you all enjoyed the lemon and the other harem girls cameo appearance as well.
As always don't be afraid to drop in a kudos or a review. :)
Chapter 21: Next Steps and New Players
Summary:
As Lothor and Skeleton King wrap up their game with Mystery Inc, we get glimpses of other important figures in the setting.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Happy Holidays, everyone! To celebrate, nightmaster000 and I are happy to bring you updates to multiple stories all at once!
For this one, we're giving you an extra-long update, containing all of our remaining currently-written material for this story. Which will not only be wrapping up (for now, at least~) the Scooby-Doo plot line, but also introducing some characters alluded to previously, bringing in some new ones Night and I have more recently decided to include, and throwing a little meta nod in.
But enough with my description, read on!
Nightmaster000 A/N: On the sixth day of Christmas my favorite writers gave to me...SIX STORIES BEING UPDATED! Hehe that's right not two or three but a whole six of Zim and I fics getting a holiday update that we hope you all enjoy~
This time around we're wrapping up things with Mystery Inc (At least for now of course~) and introducing some new players and plots to the mix that we hope you'll enjoy. Not to mention a bit of meta fun as well.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
And on it went, all through the night, until Velma finally passed out from sheer exhaustion. Once she had, Skeleton King laid her down in the bed and pulled the sheets over her to allow her to sleep it off.
It was only well into the morning, as sunlight started shining through the bedroom's window curtains, that Velma finally stirred back awake again.
"Urg... wha..." She groaned as she sat up, wondering why she felt so sore yet so satisfied at the same time, "Ah... what did I do... last night...?" She at first wondered, before freezing as she glanced around at her surroundings and the memories of everything she said and did hit her full force, with her able to think clearly and with clarity, "What did I do last night?!"
She repeated, exclaiming out with so many emotions, shock, horror, guilt, and.... satisfaction?! She... she couldn't have... oh jinkies, what has she done?!
She had specifically warned herself to not succumb to Stockholm Syndrome and let that monster use pleasure to get in her head, and that was exactly what had happened! And then she'd not only pledged loyalty to him, but actually offered to help him do this to other girls!
Oh God, what was she supposed to do now?!
She couldn't honestly follow through with all this! For God's sake, she loses her virginity to some kinda monster space tyrant and she's not only pledging herself to him but throwing in her bid to be his queen! What was wrong with her!?
She asked herself, trying to ignore how warm the image of her and Skeleton King sitting side by side in a matching pair of bone thrones made her feel warm... she... she had to find the others... she... she had to get out of here!
With her clothes still somewhere downstairs, Velma compensated by wrapping the bedsheets around herself like a makeshift toga. Once that was securely in place, she made her way towards the door, trying to figure out how she'd find the others and get them all out of here.
Then she was brought up short as the door opened, and to her mixed feelings of horror and delight, Skeleton King walked back into the room. Once again wearing his clothes and.... carrying a breakfast tray?
"Ah, you're already awake," Skeleton King gave what appeared to be a surprisingly warm smile, "Just in time for breakfast," He said, holding out a tray that had pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs.
Velma could only blink and stare in confusion. He was an evil space monster who had raped her and somehow brainwashed her into wanting to be his queen... and he'd made her breakfast?
"Um... thank you?" she managed to say. Honestly, just having trouble comprehending what had to be one of the most surreal scenes and moments of her life... and believe her, that said a lot considering some of the things she'd seen Shaggy or Scooby pull.
Skeleton King simply smirked as he walked into the room, "Think nothing of it~" He said with a low chortle, "I figured you were likely famished after your energetic performance last night," He added over his shoulder, with Velma flushing at the reminder and the memories as he sat the tray down on the bed, "So I thought my newest harem girl would enjoy a little breakfast in bed with her master~"
"Ah, yes, of course," Velma said quickly, not sure how else to respond to that. Hesitantly, she walked back over to the bed and sat down on the other side of the tray from Skeleton King. After all, dealing with costumed crooks or even the rare genuine supernatural threat with her friends was one thing... this... well, she logically knew she didn't really stand a chance against ma... Skeleton King in a fight... and that escaping now wouldn't go well either, she thought, holding back a flinch when she realized she almost thought of him as her master... jinkies, what had last night done to her? She thought as Skeleton King shot her a grin.
"So tell me, how did you enjoy your first sexual experience~ And meeting your fellow harem sisters?" He asked, leaning over to kiss her forehead.
"Oh, uh, it was... very nice," she said with a blush, unable to deny that that was true, before adding with a frown, "Though I could have done without the others looking down on me like they were."
Honestly, she might not have super powers or was ruling some kinda country, but she still had a lot to offer! She thought with annoyance, before pausing and reminding herself that those girls and this guy were the enemy, no matter what crazy things she said last night!
Only to freeze when she felt Skeleton King place his hand against her cheek with a chuckle, "Hehe, not to worry my dear, you'll get the chance to show them your value soon enough~"
Velma hated to admit it, but that statement and the feel of his touch made her feel so good~
No! She had to resist this, it was wrong, no matter what she had found herself thinking last night!
"So, care to tell your master more about yourself, or why you think you'd be a good Queen? While we enjoy some breakfast~" Skeleton King stated, offering her a piece of bacon with his other hand.
"Oh, okay," Velma said awkwardly, accepting the bacon and chewing on it for a moment as she tried to figure out how to reply to that question.
But before she knew it, she found herself spilling out her interests like favorite books and movies, things she dislikes which admittedly included supernatural or at least magic (with her still believing the arcane is just a field of science yet to be fully understood and the so called mystical users are just another breed of metahumans), as well as sharing some of her favorite past mysteries she's solved with her friends.
Including their brushes with the actual supernatural, such as the Moonscar Island incident and the deception of Ben Ravencroft and his ghostly witch ancestor.
With Skeleton King also sharing some of his own past, including how his former mortal self who he called misguided, weak, yet brilliant strive to make the world a better place, playing tinkerer for some idiotic hero called Captain Shuggazoom, of how he himself created the cybernetic monkeys who would become his own enemies in a foolish effort to stop his own power. Including how it all started with a portal and the exposure to the power of the Dark Ones, power who sought to make him a pawn but he became so much more.
Despite herself, Velma found this all utterly fascinating. Not just from a scientific standpoint for his past creative skills, but it was almost admirable how he'd managed to turn the power that had tried to enslave him back on those who had given it to him.
Of course, she had to remind herself that she couldn't think positively of him. No matter how tempting it was to do so. Or how nice it felt in his lap, she added, realizing them sharing all of this and enjoying breakfast had somehow led to her being on top of his lap with the blanket still covering her body.
She had no idea how that had happened. And she was finding it very hard to think of a good reason why she should to be moving positions instead of just staying seated there.
"And that's what ultimately brought me to Earth." But she focused her attention back to Skeleton King as he wrapped up his story giving off a shiver as she felt him kiss her neck.
"Ah, that's quite the story," she said, trying to focus on anything but that sensation. She couldn't let herself fall under his physical sway again, no matter what!
"I could say to you, you've certainly led a interesting life," Skeleton King said with a chortle, while continuing to kiss her neck, "And it's only become more interesting now that you've joined my side~"
"Yes... now that I'm with you," she repeated, trying to make it sound like she was fully onboard with him when she wasn't. Because she wasn't! Whatever had happened last night had just been her brain being overwhelmed by physical pleasure, it wasn't the real her!
Because she would never condone the things he's done or work to hurt anybody or help him him conquer Earth or... oh jinkies!
Velma's thoughts were cut off when Skeleton King turned her head and pulled her into a deep kiss.
Oh wow, she'd already forgotten how good he was at this~
No, no! She had to resist this! She couldn't physically fight him, but she had to keep her wits about her this time. She couldn't let herself give into him, no matter how wonderful it felt to have his tongue working its way around her mouth, no matter how much it made her remember how even better it felt in other parts of her...
No matter... how good the hand squeezing her thigh through the blanket felt, she thought faintly, giving off a moan into it before the kiss ended, with her giving off a faint whine before flushing, realizing what she did as Skeleton King smirked at her.
"I see through you, my dear..." He said with a hiss, rubbing her cheek, "You doubt me... you think you can't trust me... seeing me as the monster... and yourself as a hero."
"I... of course I do!" Velma blurted out before she could stop herself, "You've done so many terrible things! And I would never do anything like that if you hadn't... brainwashed me or something!"
"Ha! Brainwash!?" Skeleton King let out a chilling cackle that sent a shiver down Velma's spine, "My dear, while I have the power to do so, the only thing I used last night was my body and skills in the bedroom."
He shot her a teasing smirk, "Everything you said and did last night came solely from your own desires~"
"N-no, that can't be true," Velma stammered, "I, I'm not like that!"
"You aren't what?" Skeleton King hissed, rubbing her ass and kissing at her neck, "You aren't a brilliant, beautiful, and ambitious woman wasting her talents chasing costumed crooks with idiotic plans?"
He licked up the side of her neck, "You don't desire to be seen for both your beauty and your brain~"
"I... of course I do, but..." Velma tried to protest, but found that she couldn't come up with a rebuttal that didn't sound hollow to her own ears. Because she DID want to be viewed that way; who wouldn't?
Why wouldn't she wanted to be respected and loved, seen not only for her intelligence but also seen as every bit of beautiful as Daphne (preferably without the horn dog fans her friend could pick up), and while sure she loved and lived for the mysteries her friends and her solved, she sometimes wondered if she could do more.
"Is serving me... being by my side.... joining my bed, really such a bad thing?" Skeleton King asked as he slowly pulled down the blanket she was using to cover her body. Velma didn't even try to resist her cover being pulled away, her mind far too preoccupied by everything that he was saying.
Being appreciated for everything about herself... being able to make a real difference... being made to feel so good... would it really be so wrong?
"I can make sure you AND your friends live like royalty," Skeleton King hissed, gently grabbing and squeezing her tits, "I give my word they will not be harmed and even be among the high class once I or Lothor take this planet."
He squeezed and kneaded her tits, enjoying the feel of them and the soft moans she was making.
"I could open so many doors for you, give you resources... you'd be able to use your mind and genius in any way beyond solving mysteries," He said, before adding with a chortle, "And even then, if it's mysteries you desire, then I can search for and offer you any mystery your heart desires, across not just this planet but across this galaxy!"
He exclaimed, before biting onto her right nipple and started to suck it eagerly.
"Ah, ah, oh Jinkies!" Velma gasped in delight at the feeling of his mouth on her tit.
God, he made it sound so good~ How could she possibly say no? She just couldn't see a downside to any of it!
She'd feel pleasure like this practically all the time, she'd be respected for her mind and be able to put it to use on the largest scale imaginable, and her friends would be kept safe, with their happiness and own futures ensured. Heck, they could maybe even solve mysteries across the stars some day.
She knew logically she should be resisting; she'd not only just met Skeleton King, but he forcefully had his way with her... but no one had ever made her feel like this before!
"You could have pleasure and power beyond your dreams," Skeleton King said, rubbing his face against her mound, "Even if I choose another as my queen, your dreams will come true!"
"Oh Jinkies, that sounds so wonderful~" Velma moaned, pressing her chest further against him without even realizing that she was doing so.
And it really did. It sounded like a perfect life, and she wanted it! More than anything else!
"Heheh, then proclaim your loyalty and tell me who you love," Skeleton King hissed, staring into her eyes, "Help me bring this world and its pitiful heroes to their knees, and I will give you all you could ever desire."
Velma swallowed, feeling one last moment of doubt before forcing it aside. This was what she wanted, and she wasn't going to deny it anymore!
"I love you!" she yelled, "I only love you, and I'll do whatever you want!"
She pressed her breasts against his chest and reached up to wrap her arms around this monster... her master... her love's... neck.
Because she didn't care if this was a textbook case of Stockholm Syndrome, all of this just felt too good... what he was offering sounded too wonderful... she... really was in love.
"I'll deprave myself at your feet, doing anything you desire, no matter how kinky or humiliating," she said, her tone husky with desire as she stared up at him, "I'll use all the connections me and my friends have, and the trust the authorities and even some of the heroes have in us, to be your spy and pass along any information you want."
She started to hump her body against him while sitting in his lap and leaning forward to kiss at his chest, "I'll abuse the trust that people have in us and bring you more girls to enjoy," she added, though gave a slight annoyed look at the idea of sharing this man with more girls... though at the same time she couldn't help but think of a few faces she wouldn't mind sharing a time in bed with, "I'll be as bad as you want me to be."
Velma looked up at him with desire, "Just please..." Skeleton King smirked, cupping her cheek and leaning down slowly as she whispered out the last two words, "Love me," before accepting his kiss.
With that, the two fell into another round of passionate lovemaking, sealing Velma's betrayal of the world and acceptance of his rule.
(In another part of the house)
Though as Velma was embracing her dark side along with her new love and master, her best friend Daphne Blake was having her own wake up call.
She groaned as she slowly regained consciousness, trying to remember where she was and why she felt sore all over.
"Ugh, did we have a party last night?" she muttered, only to freeze as two things belatedly registered with her - she was naked, and she was spooning against an equally naked male body, a muscular chest and hard cock pressed against her back while arms were wrapped around her waist.
Then it all came flooding back to her, and her eyes snapped open fully as she came awake with shock.
"Oh... God... oh... God... OH GOD!" She squealed, nearly screaming but covering her mouth at the last second, not wanting to wake the bastard next to her. But all the same, her eyes watered as she remembered every single agonizing moment of unwanted pleasure and violation as he raped her and took control over her body again and again and again!
"Urg... I'm... I'm... going to be sick!" she said, feeling like she could throw up at any moment.
She'd had her virginity taken against her will by a space monster, she'd been violated and humiliated in front of those other sick bitches who were with him voluntarily, and the worst part was that she couldn't deny how good it had all felt! What was wrong with her?!
Oh God, what if she got pregnant from this? How would she be able to face anyone?
Shit, was she even going to be allowed to leave, or was she his sex slave now?! Was she going to have to spend the rest of her days as his slave pumping out babies that would be raised into monsters like him!?
She asked herself while breathing heavier and heavier, "Calm... calm...calm down Daphne... this is bad..." She told herself with her voice cracking, "But... you... can get through this," she said as she carefully got up from the bed, her emotions and mind still a mess, "Just... got to sneak out... find the others... and try to get... help."
Unfortunately, just as she got on her feet, she froze as she heard a mumbled moan behind her. Turning to face it, she watched as Lothor slowly stirred awake, bleary eyes settling on her.
"Well, that's a sight I could get used to seeing when I wake up~" he said, leering at her standing naked in front of him.
"Ah... don't... don't get used... to it you, sicko!" Daphne blurted, doing her best ti hide her fear of the man who just last night gave her the most traumatizing (and pleasurable, a small voice at the back of her mind hissed out that she ignore with gusto) night of her life!
"And... and don't think you'll get away with what you did either!" She added as she took several steps back.
"Oh, is that right?" Lothor chuckled as he stood up from the bed as well, Daphne unable to stop herself from looking down at his cock, "And who exactly is going to punish me? You're not going to be telling anyone anything except what I tell you to, after all. Now, stop with this tough girl act, and get on your knees to give me a morning blowjob like a good little slut."
At first she just looked at him in aghast disgusted horror, before her expression turned to rage.
"NO!" She screamed out at him with a glare, "I'D RATHER DIE THAN BE SOME SEX SLAVE TO A MONSTER LIKE YOU!" She screamed, before twisting around and attempting to run toward the door.
Only for Lothor to use ninja speed to cross the room faster than Daphne could blink, grabbing her arm to stop her in her tracks. As she cried out in pain and surprise at the sudden stop, he turned and threw her back at the bed.
"And here I thought we were making progress," he sighed as he walked back towards her, "But here you are, still pretending that you weren't enjoying yourself last night. I just don't know why you insist on holding back from enjoying yourself."
"Enjoying myself?! You raped me!" Daphne screamed, glaring at him with hate and pain in her eyes, "You honestly expect me to thank you for that?! To just smile and become the sexy toy of some evil bastard who doesn't give a damn about me beyond my body and sexual pleasure!"
She screamed, sitting up on her knees, her hands clenching tightly to the bed's blankets. As frustrated as she could be with her and Fred's progress in their relationship at times, at least she knew at the end of the day he loved her for her and not just her looks. Meanwhile, this bastard... it didn't matter how good he fucked her, he didn't actually care about her... and it was still rape! She thought angrily, but also a dash of horror that she mentally admitted that he fucked her quite well, like some part of her had enjoyed that violation!
"I do care beyond the pleasure," Lothor said as if it were obvious, "Perhaps I tend to be rough at first, but only because I tend to find myself attracted to strong-willed women. That means one of us has to be on top, and it just happens that that tends to be me... though Tak seems convinced that she's in charge. Don't tell her that she's not~"
"You really think that justifies anything? That you can just rape women until they accept that you're in charge, and that somehow makes it okay?" Daphne asked incredulously.
"It's how I see things," he replied with a shrug, "Besides, I'm offering more than just the sex. Once I rule this world, all my harem will live as queens by my side, even if only one ever gets that title."
"How generous of you," Daphne bit out with sarcastic scorn, "I suppose next you'll be telling me I'll be getting my own country to rule," She asked with obvious barb. She might like the idea of her partner treating her like a queen, but not like this!
"Would you like one?" Lothor asked, Daphne blinking at how genuine he sounded.
"What? I was being sarcastic!" she snapped.
"I'm not," he replied, "It's a big planet, I could use the help running it."
Daphne shot him a look of absolutely disbelief, "You can't be serious..." she started to say, but one look from him made it clear he really was. He'd honestly give her a country?!
She thought with disbelief; she heard of men spoiling their girls, but this was ridiculous. She thought, trying to ignore a strange flash of warmth before shaking it off as she let out a huff, "You could give me a planet, and I'd still never love you."
"So you say," Lothor smirked, "But Tak refused me at first, and now sees me as her mate. And Gaz refused even harder than you to break, and now she's throwing herself at me, and Wendy's well on the way to being the same. I don't see you being any different, after how I had you squealing last night~"
"Go to hell! Just because that's how my body reacted doesn't mean I'll ever genuinely care about you!" Daphne snarled, blushing as she tried to forget how she'd acted last night.
"We'll see. But in the meantime, I have some morning wood to take care of, and you're going to help me with it one way or another," he said, drawing her attention back to his erect cock before advancing on her, driving her back further on the bed as he climbed back onto it.
"Urg, you disgusting GLRT!" Daphne managed to spit out, only to find her mouth soon full of his... large... thick... hot... cock... God, why did it have to taste so good in her mouth?! And why couldn't it be Fred doing this to her!? Why did she have to keep going through his nightmare while trying to fight against her own body!? She asked herself as he roughly held her by her head and started to fuck her mouth.
And worse, she soon found herself going along with it, sucking on the cock as it moved in and out of her.
"See? Isn't it better to just go along with it and enjoy yourself?" Lothor asked with a laugh.
"Mmmfff!" Daphne just gave a muffled insult, glaring up at him before choosing to just bite her tongue... and suck on the bastard's dick... no matter how much she was tempted to bite down on it instead. This bastard and the skeleton creep still had Velma and the guys, so she had to consider their safety... and that was the only reason she wasn't fighting the bastard more! She thought heatedly, sucking as hard as she could, wanting to just get this over with.
"GLRT! GLRT! GLRT! GLRT! GLRT! GLRT! GLRT!"
Of course, even as she was thinking that, Daphne didn't seem to notice that her nipples were hardening and her pussy was growing wet, clearly showing that she was growing aroused by what was happening. Lothor, however, did notice this with a smirk, which just made him even more turned on than he already was.
"GLRT! GLRT! GLRT! GLR-UGGH!"
With a grunt, Lothor came, his seed quickly filling Daphne's mouth and spilling out over her face and breasts as he pulled out.
"Now, wasn't that a fun way to start the day?" he asked mockingly.
"Urg... pah... once again... you've got... a twisted... opinion... of fun," Daphne said, spitting out but unfortunately swallowing some seed... trying to ignore how it tasted kinda good, while looking away from Lothor's gaze with a look of shame and defeat.
"You look like you're enjoying yourself too~" Lothor pointed out, leering at Daphne's body and its clear signs of arousal. She blushed at this and covered herself as best she could with her arms.
"It's just my body reacting," she repeated, which sounded even more hollow now than it did before.
"Whatever you say, dear. Now, how about we go get some breakfast?" he offered.
"Grr... fine," Daphne said with a sigh and frowning, "At the very least, I just want to see my friends," she said to Lothor, hoping the guys were okay and that Velma... oh jeepers, poor Velma. Considering what this bastard had done to her, who knew what that freaky skeleton had done to her friend! She realized in horror, clenching her fists... she was probably traumatized... scared... she was...
(Later in house dining room)
"Hehhe, ooooh jinkies, right there~"
Moaning happily, naked as could be in the lap and arms of that monster, with the widest most satisfied grin possible!? Daphne thought, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"Ooh, that's so good~" Velma moaned as Skeleton King trailed kisses down her neck.
"Well, you two seem to be enjoying yourselves," Lothor chuckled, announcing his and Daphne's presence.
With Velma pausing and actually flushing at Lothor and Daphne seeing her like this... though at the same time, she felt a thrill despite raising her hand to fruitlessly to cover her breasts as Skeleton King gave out a chortle.
"Indeed, Velma's proven quite eager to show that she is a worthy concubine and that I have chosen wisely to take her to my side~" He remarked, tilting Velma's chin up to give her a hot searing kiss that the girl returned eagerly, despite Lothor and her friend's presence.
"Mmmmm... ah... master~" Velma said with a moaning giggle as the kiss broke and Skeleton King grabbed and squeezed her breasts, while Daphne just gaped at the scene in shock before shouting, "Velma! What is wrong with you!?"
She exclaimed, taking several steps forward before sending a deep glare toward Skeleton King; that freak had to have brainwashed her! Because there was no way her friend would ever act like this! Especially not with some kinda rapist monster from outer space, "What the hell did you do to her, you sick freak!?"
"Hey, don't talk to my master like that!" Velma snapped, causing her friend to look at her in disbelief.
"Velma, do you hear yourself? Since when do you call anyone your master, let alone something like this monster?!" the redhead demanded incredulously.
"Since someone finally recognized me for both my brains and looks, and not only sees my potential to use my talents on a larger scale..." Velma began with a huff, before pressing and rubbing her body against Skeleton King, "But gave me the wildest, most romantic, if not the greatest night of my life~"
She said, actually giggling like a schoolgirl, to Daphne's growing disbelief as Skeleton King smirked, leaning down to kiss at her friend's neck, "Mmmm, ah ah, I know I only just met him yesterday Daphne, but I can safely say, statistically speaking, I've never been in, ah ah, more in love~" Velma said with a loud moan as her master twisted her nipple.
"How can you love him when he raped you?!" Daphne exclaimed, trying desperately to reach her friend's common sense.
"It was rough, I admit that, but that didn't make it any less pleasurable," Velma said, before giving her friend a stern look, "And don't act like you weren't enjoying what Lothor was doing to you! That's hypocritical."
At that Skeleton King and Lothor let out laughs as Daphne took a step back, shooting her friend a shocked looked while flushing, "I didn't enjoy it! HE WAS RAPING ME!" Daphne shouted in denial, hands clench at her side.
"Please, I remember the look on your face and you moaning like a whore before Lothor took you to a room," Velma scoffed, before pointing at Daphne's neither regions, "Not to mention how much juice you've been leaking out," she added with a slight smirk, easily able to see that Daphne's pussy was still wet, not to mention the dried juices all over the other girl's body, causing Daphne to flush in shame, "And really Daphne, you should be happy."
Velma said, leaning against Skeleton King's side, "While I care about Fred as a friend, it's obvious your relationship wasn't going anywhere, and now you've got a powerful man desiring you who can probably fuck you almost as good as master does me~"
"I, I, that doesn't matter! It was still rape!" Daphne protested, trying to ignore how many good points Velma was making.
"Doesn't make what I'm saying any less true," Velma replied somewhat smugly.
"See dear? Even your friend doesn't have a problem with this anymore, so why are you still being stubborn?" Lothor said, walking up behind Daphne and grabbing her ass. While she squeaked in surprise at the act, he looked to Skeleton King and commented, "Hmm, I guess since you broke yours in more quickly, that's one more win you have over me."
"Hehe, what can I say~" Skeleton King shot Lothor a smug grin, "Something I've noticed since arriving on Earth is that I have a way with women, and they just find a monster like myself attractive~"
He said with a laugh, while internally still amazed that his luck with girls had been so amazing with hardly any resistance. Again, you'd think with being Skeleton King he'd have a harder time getting laid without resorting to brainwashing... go figure.
"Hmm, you can say that again, master~" Velma said, kissing at Skeleton King's chest before letting out a loud moan when he smacked her ass.
SMACK
"AH! Jinkies, master, spank me harder~" Velma pleaded with an eager grin toward him, "Let me show Daphne how lucky I am~" she added with a laugh that Skeleton King shared as he continued to address Lothor and the horrified Daphne.
"Though my own charm and skills in the bedroom can't take all the credit~"
SMACK
"Ah~"
"It was clear that Velma was desperate for love~"
SMACK
"Jinkies, eheh~"
"Love that I was only too happy to give her, along with a place in my empire!"
SMACK
"YES!"
As Daphne watched in horror, Velma came, juices spilling all over Skeleton King's lap.
"See? Doesn't she look like she's having fun?" Lothor asked her, biting playfully at her neck while still squeezing her ass, "Just give in and be like her."
"Ah... no..." Daphne shook her head in denial all of this... it couldn't be real... her being raped by some space monster... Velma eagerly throwing herself at another one, who unlike Lothor couldn't even pass as human... none of this was real, it had to be a nightmare!
She swung around and jumped out of his grasp, "She... she's been brainwashed!" Daphne glared, latching onto that explanation. She knew Velma... she knew she wasn't like this... she knew her friend wouldn't betray her or say such cruel things, "And I will never be yours!"
She snapped, glaring while ignoring how wet her pussy was.
Lothor, for his part, merely sighed in annoyance.
"I was really hoping we'd be able to settle this now, but I do have a busy schedule to get back to, so I guess we'll just have to put a pin in this for now and come back later," he said, before his eyes suddenly turned black, "Look into my eyes."
Daphne, who had been glaring at him and about to snap something else defiantly, found herself looking into his eyes as they changed color, and suddenly couldn't look away.
"Listen to me carefully," Lothor said with an even and firm tone, "You're deep in a trance. You hear and see nothing but me, you think nothing but what I want you think. When I snap my fingers, you will fall asleep, and when you wake, you will have no memory of meeting Amphibidor or anything that's happened since. As far as you will remember, you and your friends wandered the woods all night and saw no sign of any monster, so you'll write it off as a hoax. You will not remember anything that really happened until such time as you hear the phrase 'dear darling damsel', at which point you will remember everything clearly. Understood?"
"Yes, master," Daphne replied monotonously.
"Good. Now, sleep," Lothor said, snapping his fingers and then catching Daphne in his arms as she passed out and collapsed, while his eyes turned back to normal. A sight that actually distracted and took Velma's attention away from Skeleton King as she looked at her friend in concern.
"Is she...?" She trailed off. The earlier calling out and teasing of Daphne aside, she still cared dearly for her friend, Daphne was like a sister to her after all; she only wished she wasn't being so stubborn about all of this.
After all, while Lothor was an apparent rival and competitor to her master, from what she could understand there was a mutual respect between the two, if not even a strange if twisted friendship, so even when one successfully took over the planet, the other and their forces would likely remain unharmed and free to take a different planet for their pleasure, which meant Daphne could still live like a queen with a man who could give her everything she could ever want.
"She is fine, don't worry," Skeleton King said, kissing her neck, "Lothor just did a little insurance policy to make sure she won't give any trouble once we let you and the rest of your friends go," he explained, gently squeezing her breasts, "The boys will receive the same treatment and story, and you'll be the only one who knows the truth, my loyal spy~"
He said with a dark chortle that caused Velma to feel a shiver through her body, "And not to worry, I'm sure she'll come around to Lothor~" Skeleton King added, smirking over at Lothor holding Daphne's naked form, "And the rest of your friends will be safe in the days to come, as promised."
He stated, before adding with a snort, "Besides a life in the elite like we said, we could even arrange for them to find their own girls~"
"Really?" Velma asked, arching an eyebrow in surprise.
"Why not? Sounds like a fun challenge~" Lothor chuckled, before glancing down at Daphne in his arms, "In the meantime, let's get you both dressed so we can work on your friends and send you all on your way."
"Do I really have to leave already?" Velma asked, giving off a small disappointed frown.
"I'm afraid it's necessary, my dear," Skeleton King said, softly kissing her cheek, "I have much work yet ahead of me, and you still need to live up to your own promises."
He said softly, cupping and rubbing her cheek, "But not to worry, we'll keep in contact and have plenty of chances for more fun," He promised, before giving her a leer, "Perhaps even a romantic date or two as well~" He added with a chuckle.
Velma blushed, very much looking forward to that. But in the meantime, she reluctantly got up from her master's lap and went about trying to find where her clothes had ended up so that she could get dressed.
And as she left Skeleton King and Lothor alone, her master looked over to the man holding Daphne Blake in his arms.
"Well, despite her resisting a bit more than my new pet, I'd still say last night was satisfying and furthered our agenda's quite well~" Skeleton King said with a soft smirk and chortle.
"Yes, and now we have both an active spy and a sleeper agent just waiting to be activated," Lothor said, looking down at Daphne again, "Still, it's a pity that I couldn't win her over, but considering the doubts that I picked up on her clearly trying to deny about her relationship with Fred, I bet it'll just take that moron slipping up one time to push her towards me."
"And you'll be there to sweep her into your arms to comfort her," Skeleton King said with an amused smirk, "Though a bit harsh calling him a moron," He added with a head tilt.
"Okay, sure, he's probably an outright genius when it comes to traps," Lothor admitted with a shrug, "But you have to admit that when it comes to everything else, he's kinda a bimbo. Not to mention ignoring this hot piece of ass practically throwing herself at him is downright stupid."
"Point, but his loss your gain, and I'm sure he can find another hot piece of ass to distract himself with," Skeleton King acknowledged with a nod before standing up, "None the less, we should get ready to send the gang off and getting back to our plots and competition."
He remarked, summoning his staff into his hand with a flash, "And really, with all the targets and opportunities on this planet, never mind beyond it, it's starting to seem like the hardest part is choosing what to do next."
"Tell me about it. I think first and foremost, I'm going to start looking into what other countries have been added to this version of Earth. Never know what kind of opportunities that'll provide~" Lothor chuckled, "But first, give me a minute to get her dressed, and then we can get this wrapped up."
"Agreed. I'll have the Formless retrieve the rest of our guests and make sure they're ready to leave," Skeleton King said, before giving off a smirk, "And thanks to my new toy, I believe I already know what one of my next targets will be."
He remarked with a chortle, remembering the mention of Amity Park and how the Fentons technology, never mind whatever was waiting to be looted in the Ghost Zone, could be quite useful. While leaving out that he's already setting the stage for a couple more plots, not just with Camp Wannaweep but also back in Jump City, thanks to not only remembering a certain Teen Titans episode, but realizing that the Citadel of Bone had more than just the Hyper Force and Shuggazoom citizens on it~
"Hehe, sounds like we've both got a lot of fun ahead of us~" Lothor said, before walking off with Daphne to get her dressed again.
(A bit later)
Later on, after the unconscious form of Daphne was dressed and the forms of Shaggy, Scooby, and Fred were presented by the Formless after an improv escape attempt was neutralized, they were loaded up onto the retrieved Mystery Machine.
"Now, you remember my orders to you, my sexy little spy?" Skeleton King said, cupping Velma's cheek off to the side, having given her personal instructions in regards to Amity Park after arriving there.
"Yes sir," she nodded, "Use the investigation as an excuse to get close to the Fentons and gain access to their labs, then plant the bug you gave me so that you can remotely spy on them and access their systems."
"That's a good girl," Skeleton King said with a smirk, "I believe their technology, particularly that of their portal, could prove quite useful~" Skeleton King stated as he leaned his head down, "Succeed and you'll find yourself rewarded~" he added with a hiss, before kissing her hard on her lips and squeezing her ass.
"Mmm," Velma moaned into his mouth as she melted into his embrace, savoring the moment. Had there been any doubt left on her part, it was long gone by now; all she wanted was to be able to experience this again as soon as possible, and she'd do whatever necessary to make that happen.
Because jinkies, she didn't think she had ever felt this good in her life! Or felt this way about anyone either! Even in that crazy timeline they remembered, where she had a thing with Shaggy and maybe some chemistry with Marcie Fleach, she couldn't remember ever feeling as strongly for anybody as she felt for her new master; despite only meeting him and experiencing his touch for the first time yesterday, she knew she wanted to spend her life by his side.
She thought with a soft moaning whine as the kiss ended, with Skeleton King smirking down at her.
"And if you happen to see a chance to get close to any particular women you believe I might find worthy or desirable, don't be afraid to sample them as you prepare them for me to claim~" He added with a chortle, his mind going to a few certain girls and ghouls he remembered in Amity Park. Oooh, the fun he could have~
"Of course, master," she said with a nod, while hiding a frown. She already didn't like that she was sharing him with those other bitches, much less him wanting even more. But, if it made him happy, she'd do it to please him.
In the meantime, she looked to her friends in the van, Lothor standing at the ready. To her surprise, he was hold a weird gun-shaped device with a large light bulb in place of a barrel and a tube in the middle of it.
"What is that?" she asked.
"A little something I picked up in a town called Gravity Falls," he explained, "It allows the user to remove selected memories of those it's used on, and implant suggestions that form new ones. I've been looking forward to testing it out, and this seemed as good a time as any."
"Why not just hypnotize them like you did Daphne?"
"Because with her, I wanted her to eventually get those memories back. With your other friends, I don't care," he stated.
"Hmm, fascinating, I'll admit... and there aren't any side effects?" Velma asked with a concerned look as Skeleton King stepped to her side.
"None, unless you use it recurring on the same target," He assured her, his mind going to McGucket... which reminded him, he and Lothor should probably make use of that old man soon, "So your friends will be fine and blissfully ignorant to your new loyalties and the fact their futures are assured in our future order~"
Skeleton King explained to her with a chortle as Lothor pointed the memory eraser gun at the unconscious trio before opening fire. One by one, the beam washed over the three male members of Mystery Inc, causing them to twitch slightly as their memories of the last day were removed. Once this was done, Lothor removed the tube from the gun and pocketed it, then turned and nodded to the others.
"It's done. They won't remember anything, and between what you and Daphne tell them, their minds will fill in the blanks with what we want them to believe," he said, talking directly to Velma.
"Understood, just leave it to me, and as far as they'll know we just wasted our time with a hoax," She assured them, before turning to her master one more time, "And... I hope we'll see each other again soon, master."
She said with a flush and leaned into his touch as he chuckled, "Hehe, sooner than you might think, my dear~" He said with a smirk, kissing her lips one final time with her groaning into it, savoring it before it ended, "For now we must part way... until next time~"
He said as he turned to make his leave with Lothor, leaving behind Velma, breathing heavily but staring at Skeleton King... her master's back. A part of her shouted that she still had a chance to tell her friends the truth... that she could try to get help from the heroes... but a larger part was realizing she didn't want to... as horrible of her as it was... she was in love with a monster... and she wanted to be with him even if meant becoming a monster herself.
So, she just waited until he and Lothor were out of sight. Then, taking a breath to brace herself and get ready, she walked over to the Mystery Machine and leaned in, honking the horn and causing the others to all jolt awake in surprise.
"Zoinks! Urg... like, what happened?" Shaggy exclaimed, at first with a frightened yell before looking around confused with Scooby.
"Reah... what rappened?" the dog asked, also looking confused.
"Urg... good question. Here's a better one... why is my body so sore?" Daphne asked, rubbing her head while Fred sat up in his seat, also rubbing his head.
"Well, we did spend all night traipsing around the woods looking for a monster that we couldn't find and then slept in the van. That's going to make anyone uncomfortable," Velma said as matter-of-factly as she could.
"Urg... we did?" Fred asked with a confused look shared by the others while Velma gave a nod.
"Yeah and from what I've seen, or haven't seen so far, I think this particular mystery was just a hoax," she said with her best disappointed look, "At most, we're looking at some teens playing a prank that got too far or something."
"Huh... I guess that makes sense," Daphne muttered. Her memories from the last night were hazy, but what Velma was saying sounded right for some reason.
"Like, that's a nice change of pace," Shaggy sighed in relief.
"Reah, no ronster," Scooby nodded in agreement.
"Yep, no monsters this time," Velma told them, lying so easily to her friends, but it was all for the greater good. They'd understand later on when the truth came out, she was sure. In the meantime, she just had to guide them in the direction that she needed them to go in, she thought.
"Well, okay then gang, looks like this was a bust," Fred admitted with a shrug, "So, I guess we'll just get back on the road and find another mystery somewhere else."
"Yep, and I think checking out all those rumors in Amity Park will be a good start," Velma told him, eager to get started on her master's given mission, "If even half of them are true, it's suppose to be like ghost central," she added, with Shaggy and Scooby gaining frightened looks.
"Like, any chance we can go to Hawaii again instead?" Shaggy asked with nervous laughter.
"While that sounds fun, I think we'll put a pin in it for now." Fred said as Velma made her way into the van, "For now, Mystery Inc is going to Amity Park!"
Fred exclaimed, while Shaggy and Scooby shared a groan.
"We were afraid you were going to say that," He whined, while off to the side Daphne found herself frowning while rubbing her arms, her body felt so sore... and why did something feel... off?
There was something at the back of her mind nagging at her that this was wrong, that what Velma described of last night's events didn't add up. But of course it did, Velma wouldn't lie, and even if she did, Daphne would definitely remember if something else had happened, right?
So why did it feel like something was very wrong? She asked herself as the gang drove off to their next destination, four of them unaware of what really happened last night, and the fifth eager to accomplish her mission, and awaiting her next meeting with her master with bated breath.
(Meridian Royal Castle)
In a small, distant corner of Eastern Europe known as Meridian, an old-fashioned place that in many ways still resembled the Middle Ages, the ancient castle of the ruling Escanor family loomed over the capital city. And in a hallway of that castle, a young Asian girl with short dark hair wearing a yellow and green dress was making her way towards the throne room. With her wearing a wary frown, hoping the prince would be satisfied with her report and wouldn't be in one of his "moods", she thought, holding back a sigh while shaking her head.
"Things probably would have gone perfectly without those aliens or the League interfering," she muttered with a scowl.
The civil war in neighboring Kaznia had been all set to grind on for years as the rebels and royal government bashed against each other, which would overall keep the country weak enough that it couldn't continue to economically outmatch Meridian as it had been for decades. That was the entire reason that Meridian had been discretely supplying weapons and material support to partisans on both sides, like those idiotic so-called "Freedom Fighters", in order to prolong the fighting as long as possible. It had been an ingeniously simple plan, and had been working perfectly.
Then those aliens had to get involved, which brought the attention of the Justice League, who of course had to swoop in all heroically and resolve the situation. So, what should have lasted years ended after only a few months, and already the Kaznians were hard at work on rebuilding.
The Prince was NOT going to be happy about this, she knew, and just hoped that she would manage to present a positive enough spin on things that he wouldn't fly into a rage and decide to shoot the messenger.
Especially since the fact was that two alien warlords had been operating so close to Meridian's borders. Two alien warlords who the Earth still knew little about outside of the fact, if the information the Justice League put out was to be believed, one of them destroyed their own home planet, while the other was a complete mystery outside of being some kinda space ninja who could apparently turn his soldiers into giants!
So yeah... this was likely not going to be a pleasant report, she thought as she made her way through the halls with a grimace, before pausing as a familiar voice spoke out, addressing her.
"Miranda, you're back!"
A voice that caused Miranda to put on her best pleasing smile, though it was strained as she looked up to see the approaching figure of Prince Phobos' little sister.
"Your Highness, I hope this evening finds you well," she said entering into a curtsy.
"Oh come on, I've told you that you don't have to do that, we're friends," Princess Elyon replied, not noticing Miranda roll her eyes in response to that.
"Apologies, but it's only proper protocol, after all," she said, trying to keep a believably friendly tone in her voice. After all, it wouldn't do to have Phobos' ignorant little puppet, oh she meant sister, suspecting that they were hardly as close as she believed.
Honestly, how someone related to Phobos, much less raised by him after her parents' little "accident", could be so naive and ignorant escaped her, but she supposed Phobos has worked to keep her that way. After all, it makes her the perfect figurehead until he's able and ready to claim control over Meridian openly as the king.
"You know that despite our friendship, we have to keep our places in society in mind, Your Highness," Miranda continued, sending Elyon a "sweet" smile.
"If you say so," Elyon sighed, before shaking it off, "Anyway, how was your mission with delivering those relief supplies to the Kaznian border?"
"Everything went fine," Miranda replied evenly, knowing that Elyon was referring to the public story she had been told, about Meridian providing aid to war refugee camps on the border. Which, to be fair, was something that they actually were doing in order to win good will from the international community.
"I'm glad to hear it," Elyon said with a smile before sighing, "I'll admit I was getting worried with it seeming like the war was escalating," She said before giving a grimace, "But when I heard about those aliens in Kaznia, I started to fear the worst."
"Yes, they certainly complicated things," Miranda said, which was true enough, before deciding to play to the naive girl's sympathies, "Fortunately, the Justice League showed up and managed to put an end to things before it got any worse."
Instead of just keeping their noses out of it and minding their own damn business, she thought with a flash of irritation, before Elyon responded while nodding her head with a smile.
"Yeah, who knows what could have happened if it wasn't for them," the princess said with a hint of admiration in her tone, before looking tentatively at Miranda, "I don't suppose you got to see anything of them in action... like Wonder Woman?"
Now Miranda really had to resist the urge to roll her eyes, as Elyon once again brought up her obvious crush on the Amazon.
"No, Your Highness, I'm afraid I didn't get close enough to the frontlines to see any of them in action," she sighed.
"Yeah, that makes sense..." Elyon said with a sigh and slight embarrassed flush at her friend pointing out the obvious, "Just got a bit exited when it comes to, ah, the League," Elyon said with a cough, with Miranda barely holding back another roll of her eyes, "I mean, they're all so amazing!"
Elyon said with a gush, her mind going to a particular member especially, "And honestly, I wish Phobos would allow us to try to arrange for the Guardians to become part of the Justice League, they could do a lot of good across the planet," She added with a pout.
"The Guardians are a state secret, and they're supposed to exist to protect the kingdom," Miranda stated as firmly as she dared while speaking to a royal.
Honestly, this was just one of the many ways that Elyon proved how much of an inept child she was. The Guardians of Kandrakar were an ancient order who existed to serve the royal family and protect Meridian at all costs, and she wanted them to go out and run around with superheroes on the other side of the world instead, because she thought it was cool? Pathetic.
"I know, I know, they've been our kingdom's greatest protectors and secret for generations," Elyon said with a groan as she started to walk alongside Miranda, having heard this so many times before from Phobos and the like, "But you have to admit, the world's changed since the old days."
She added with a frown, not seeing Miranda's annoyed look, "We live in a world where the innocent are protected by a warrior princess from a society of Amazons, an alien empowered by the sun, the fastest man alive, the last Martian alive, a man chosen to join an organization of space law enforcement by a magic ring, and a man with enough cunning and skill to probably take on entire armies."
Elyon listed off, with Miranda noticing but not pointing out she didn't mention a certain winged traitor, who was probably the most hated person on the planet after her betrayal of Earth and the League.
"Never mind the fact the threats the Earth has faced from however many alien invasions, the latest two are packing some serious magical power," Elyon finished with a frown, looking over to her friend, "Don't you think it's time for the Guardians... for Meridian to step up and start doing more for the world?"
No, because the rest of the world didn't matter, so Meridian should look to its own concerns, Miranda thought. But she couldn't exactly say that, so she just plastered a smile on her face before responding.
"Well, I suppose that's something you can carefully consider once you're on the throne," she said carefully, "But in the meantime, I doubt the Prince will allow it as long as he's regent."
And wouldn't be allowing it when you took the throne either, Miranda thought silently, sure the Prince likely would work to make sure to keep his power over Elyon somehow by that point, or ensure it was him that took the throne.
"Yeah, I love Phobos, but I think he's too worried about keeping Meridian isolated," Elyon said with a sigh and frown, "I think he's become convinced that after what happened with our parents it's the best way to keep me and our people safe... but I know that it isn't."
She added, shaking her head with a grimace, "I'm just glad he's finally allowing our borders to open up more, and even having Mrs. Vandom doing great work as a diplomat."
Miranda chose not to comment on how that was mostly because Susan Vandom's daughter had been chosen by the Heart of Kandrakar as one of the current Guardians, so that was mostly an act of realpolitik on Phobos' part.
"Well, in any case, I have to report to your brother on things, so if you'll excuse me?" she said, hoping Elyon would take the hint.
Apparently not, "Oh, I'd be happy to go with you," Elyon said with a smile toward Miranda, causing her eye to twitch, "Honestly, since I'll be of age to be Queen in four more years, I should probably start participating more in court and things like this anyway."
She added with a wave of her hand,
"Yes, that'd be... wonderful," Miranda said, glad that the brat was too oblivious to pick up on the snarl she was barely repressing. Because this report would be bad enough without the double talk that Phobos' inner circle often had to use around the Princess.
But leave it to the princess to poke her nose where it wasn't wanted, just like her bimbo Amazon crush! Urg, honestly, why couldn't Phobos just drain this brat of all her magical power and arrange an accident for her like her parents and claim the crown, rebellion and war be damned!
At least then they'd have a competent ruler fully in charge, she thought with a sneer. One who would be willing to crush any potential threat to Meridian's rightful place as a great power of Europe, rather than this brat who would probably roll over for any pretty outsider that fluttered their eyes at her. Never mind fold like a weakling and throwing herself at the mercy of any potential conquerors like that freak ninja or skeleton from space.
However, she couldn't say any of that, so she kept her mouth shut as the two continued down the hallways. Soon, they reached their destination, the throne room, entering the large chamber to find Elyon's brother waiting for them on the elaborate throne.
"Ah, Miranda, welcome back," Phobos greeted firmly, before putting on a fake smile for his sister, "Elyon, I didn't realize that you'd be joining us."
"Hey, Phobos," Elyon stated, greeting her brother with a smile and wave, "I found Miranda heading to the throne room, and I figured I'd join her and be here for her report on relief efforts and how her time in Kaznia went."
She explained with a smile as Phobos gave a hum, "Hmm, well, I'm sure Miranda appreciates your presence," He first stated, even though both he and Miranda knew that wasn't the case, "You needn't trouble yourself with all this."
He added, while giving a wave of his hand from the throne, "It's no trouble at all, really Phobos," Elyon denied, shaking her head, "Besides, if I'm going to be Queen, it's best I start attending matters of the court and such more."
"Yes, of course," Phobos replied with a strained smile that Elyon was of course oblivious to, "Well, if you insist, then I suppose you may as well get comfortable so that we can begin."
"Now then, Miranda..." Phobos looked over to her and the girl hid a wince as she could see the annoyance in his eyes, "Why don't you start by telling us how our relief work to Kaznia was received?"
Phobos asked with a frown, "I do hope that no one took any issue with it?" He added with a slight hard look.
"That is not quite how I would put it, Your Highness," she replied with a bow, "However, with the conflict now ended, there are many who seem to think that our... services are no longer required."
"Huh? Why would they say that?" Elyon asked in confusion from the seat she'd taken.
"I mean, shouldn't they be happy to receive medical aid for their kingdom and help putting it back together?" Elyon asked with a frown.
"You'll find, Your Highness, that for some people, pride takes priority over need," A new voice hissed as a blonde-haired man stepped out of the shadows.
"What do you mean, Cedric?" Elyon asked, after flinching back in surprise before easing herself, seeing the form of her brother's right hand man, and as far as she knew, closest friend.
"Most nations will never admit that they need the help of outsiders to handle their internal matters," Cedric explained as he walked up next to the royals, "In fact, considering how much outside interference it turns out that there was in this war, I imagine they're even more determined to handle things on their own, if only to prove to themselves that they're able to do so."
He explained to the naive princess while offering his best friendly smile, though really from her bearing to the western clothes she was wearing, it was hard to think of her as or even take her seriously as a royal, even knowing she was fated to either suffer the same fate as her parents or be Phobos' puppet on the throne, the man thought while holding back a smirk.
"That makes sense... I suppose," Elyon said with a sigh, seeing the point Cedric was trying to make before adding with a frown, "But we should show them, despite those mercenaries and aliens, Kaznia still has allies it can trust like Meridian," she added, sending her brother a pleading look, "Maybe I could accompany Mrs. Vandom on a diplomatic mission to Kaznia to show them that."
She added, while leaving out she could also take the chance to see if the rumors about Queen Audrey and Wonder Woman were really true, while helping both Kaznia and Meridian's relations and the former's people.
"I'd advise against that, Your Highness," Miranda protested, "While the war may be over, we still need to consider the possibility of some leftover disgruntled soldiers from either side who may try and restart the fighting by any means necessary. That would put you at risk if you were in the area."
Plus, having her in the open, outside of a controlled environment, made it too likely that she'd screw up and do something that would embarrass Meridian.
"Indeed, while sending a diplomatic envoy to Kaznia is wise, it's best to leave it in the hands of Susan Vandom," Phobos added, giving a look over to his sister, "I wouldn't want any disgruntled elements trying anything with my dear sister after all."
He added with his best look of concern. Or giving you ideas, he thought silently, though he supposed her safety was also a concern considering the alien element that operated in Kaznia for a while... never mind he had to soothe things over with that brat Queen, since she might soon learn of Meridian providing weapons to both sides and might take issue with it.
What's worse, unlike his original plan and hope to be in a better position to actually do something about her issues with it, rather Kaznia being in no state to do anything after years of civil war... a civil war that if things had gone just right could have allowed him to annex the weakened kingdom into Meridian years down the line, while playing himself as a savior to its people.
But no, instead those blasted superheroes had to come flying into something that didn't concern them in the slightest and resolve it before he could do much of anything to take advantage of it. Now he once again had a strong and (mostly) united nation right on his doorstep, one which would be easily able to retaliate if they learned what had been done at his orders.
In any case though, he didn't really want to let Elyon get an up close look at kingdoms that were run more democratically than what they had here in Meridian. If she did, next thing you knew, she'd be demanding that they actually hold elections for their government instead of just appointing people they knew to be loyal to them!
Honestly, it was bad enough she wanted the Guardians to become more public as some sort of superhero team, or worse had childish fantasies of using her inherited magical power to become one herself! Urg, the world was better off without those fools in capes and spandex putting this kinda nonsense in people's heads!
However, he forced himself to stop thinking about that and returned his focus to the conversation at hand as Elyon spoke up again.
"Okay, I can see what you're trying to say," she admitted, "But... I guess I just want to get out there and actually do something to help people, instead of just sitting around here all day!"
"And you will, Princess. Once you are coronated, you will have the power and authority to help all of our people, and those beyond our borders," Cedric falsely reassured her.
"Indeed Elyon, but for now it's best for you to remain and safe and train your abilities," Phobos added toward his sister. After all, the stronger his sister was, the stronger he would become long term, he just needed to make sure she was kept under his control till that fateful day.
"I suppose you're right," Elyon said with a sigh, "In that case, I should probably go see if the girls are up for any training. I could use the practice."
"An excellent idea, Your Highness," Cedric said. He didn't particularly like Elyon's closeness with the Guardians, as it would more likely than not put them on her side in any future power struggles, but if nothing else they helped to both keep her out of the way and build up her mystical power that Phobos could put to better use for himself.
Though perhaps he should raise this concern to the Prince and work on trying to get the Guardians to trust Phobos more, or hopefully more under his power. Particularly the Earth Guardian, she was too close to General Julian's son for his liking, a known critic against the Prince, though Julian unlike his son was wise enough to hold his tongue... thankfully, they had Raythor firmly in their grasp, and his loyalty combined with the Prince's influence ensured a great deal of the military would support the Prince if the rumors of brewing rebellion bore fruit, Cedric thought while Elyon hugged a reluctant Miranda.
"You should come by after you're done here, I'm sure the girls would be happy to see you again," Elyon told Miranda with a warm smile.
"Of course, that sounds wonderful," Miranda replied, and hoped that it sounded convincing. She frankly couldn't stand any of the Guardians and hated how much time she had to spend with them as part of her fake friendship with Elyon.
Fortunately, Elyon didn't notice anything off in Miranda's voice, and she soon ended the hug to leave the room. Once she was gone, Phobos let his own fake smile drop, and he turned to Miranda with a frown.
"Now then, Miranda, would you care to give your REAL report?" he asked icily, with Miranda feeling a slight chill, but thanks to years of practice managing to hide her fear.
"Of course, my prince," she said with a bow of her head as her mind rushed, wondering where to begin, "For starters, you'll be happy to know we still managed to make a good enough profit from some of the parties we sold to for the treasury, even despite some of those in Kaznia being given weapons and supplies freely to keep the war escalating."
She said, trying to ease into things with some good news.
"Excellent. But what is the bad news that you're obviously trying to evade?" Phobos asked, clearly picking up on her tension. She grimaced, but sighed and decided to simply get to the point.
"I'm afraid that those sales only occurred before the ceasefire," Miranda explained, "Once it was in effect, and it was revealed both that those aliens were manipulating it for their own ends and that the Justice League had intervened, it seemed that any desire to keep fighting evaporated. None of the partisan groups on either side want to be the ones who restart a now very unpopular war, nor risk the superheroes' ire."
"Not even those so-called Freedom Fighters?" Cedric asked, "Their leader seemed fanatical enough to keep fighting even against orders."
"They never even showed up for our last scheduled meeting," Miranda scoffed. She had never understood why they'd even been bothering with those idiots in the first place, so she didn't see that as a big loss.
"Hmph, so no great loss then if they've either lost their nerve or died," Cedric noted, equally unimpressed.
"So, there appears to be no way to begin the fighting again?" Phobos demanded, tone dangerously calm.
"It doesn't appear so, my prince," Miranda said, hoping that any outburst that was about to happen didn't end up aimed at her.
"I see..." Phobos said, taking a deep breath before speaking out with gritted teeth, "And how likely is that failure of a ruler to learn of our interference in the conflict?" He asked, staring right through her, with Miranda giving off a slight gulp.
"Considering our efforts in supplying weapons and such to both a number of parties on both sides... many of whom are now supporting the Queen and a more united Kaznia... or biting their tongues..." She winced, bracing herself, "i'd be surprised if she didn't already know," she reported, knowing the Prince would not be happy.
And he wasn't, giving a snarl as he slammed his fists into the armrests of his throne, giving off sparks of magical energy that cracked against the stone floor around the throne.
"This is a disaster!" he yelled, "We were supposed to use this war to tear Kaznia apart and take it for ourselves! Now all we've accomplished is make ourselves look like incompetent dolts! And worse, I'll likely have to humiliate myself by issuing some sort of public apology and paying reparations!"
He gave a snarl, "And the cherry on top of this disaster is the interference of those alien outsiders!" He said, glaring down at Miranda, who took several steps back, "It was bad enough when you reported Lothor supporting the Northerners with his forces..." He said, before giving off a bitter mutter, "Never mind the matter of that armor that turned out to be supplied by a Greek god of all things..."
He groused, and that in itself was yet another complication in this mess, "But the fact this supposed Skeleton King was able to usurp Audrey with an imposter with no one the wiser..." He shook his head, snarling as he clenched onto his throne's armrests, "For all we know, those two could be eying Meridian as their next target after the failure of Kaznia!"
"There is no reason to believe that to be the case, my prince," Cedric tried to calm Phobos down, "They were merely taking advantage of the war-"
"You mean like the war we'll have on our hands if those rebels ever grow organized?" Phobos cut Cedric off to snap at him, "You don't think either of those freaks won't hesitate to use those traitors against us?!"
Phobos got off his throne and started to walk toward Cedric, his body beginning to glow with power, "You don't think they could ignite their resentment and disdain toward me?!" Cedric took a step back, "You don't think they could drag Meridian into a civil war from which they would reap the benefits!?"
Phobos snarled, "Send giant monsters to terrorize MY kingdom or usurp MY throne with an IMPOSTER!"
"Your Highness, please calm down!" Cedric begged in desperation to avoid getting blasted, Miranda stepping back to try and get out of the blast radius, "Do not forget that unlike that brat Queen and her subjects, we have full access to and knowledge of magic! We can take steps to prevent infiltration! And should those fools be tricked to rise up or should monsters be sent after us, the Guardians can be used to put them down!"
At this Phobos took some calming breaths while giving a scowl, "You... raise several good points, Cedric," He admitted, folding his arms behind his back, "I am not as weak or foolish as that spoiled brat."
Phobos said with a smirk, his eyes narrowing, "And should they try to take Meridian like Kaznia, those two will find my forces will not bend the knee so easily," He added, looking out the window of his throne room, "But on the Guardians..."
He frowned, "My sister is foolish for wanting to use them as superheroes..." He scoffed with an eye roll before scowling, "But I must admit, compared to those fools of the Justice League, they lack the same level of experience... and sadly in some cases, the same level of raw power."
"Then perhaps we should see about getting them training, sire?" Miranda dared to speak up, "Even if we can't increase their power level, we can still increase their skill with what they have."
"Miranda is right, my prince. Raythor can give the Guardians proper combat training to turn them into true warriors," Cedric added, "And more importantly, perhaps he can work to secure their loyalties to you, rather than your sister."
"The training has already been covered since they became Guardians," Phobos said, rubbing his chin, "But it is perhaps time to intensify things... and work to make sure their loyalties are placed with the right Escanor."
He said, giving off a dark look, "If I didn't know my sister was a naive fool, I would almost suspect she cemented her bonds with the Guardians as a measure against me," he said, shaking his head before glancing toward them, "But yes, the Guardians need to be stronger, and we..."
Phobos started narrowing his eyes, "We need to start making plans... and perhaps deals," He added with a reluctant tone as he glanced up into the sky, "As much as I hate to admit it, my sister might be right to a degree about Meridian's isolation hurting us in the long term."
He said with a sigh, causing Cedric and Miranda to give him shocked looks, "The past alien invasions and everything that happened on our borders in Kaznia... it shows that we need not only need to be stronger... but also stand ready to start dealing with outsiders... one way or another."
"That is... quite a change of policy, my prince," Cedric said carefully.
"I know, but it's necessary," Phobos said with a frown, "I will not allow us to become someone else's conquest. Even the presence of those two would-be conquerors who treat claiming Earth as a game between them aside..." Phobos said with a dark scowl, honestly feeling both envious of the power and infuriated at likely being among the masses dismissed in such a way, "Things have been steadily escalating, from the Justice League's roster increasing to such large numbers from figures across the planet..."
He looked over to his two servants, "To whispers of governments and criminal organizations, among the latter of which include notable so-called supervillains, entering an arms race of such while making alliances or working to increase their arsenals in any way to match the power the League now possesses."
Phobos then gave a sigh, "Never mind the mess in Kaznia with the immortal Vandal Savage almost taking control of the country," And hadn't that been a stressful headache, to the point he was actually relieved that those meddlesome heroes actually disposed that ancient relic, allowing him to be taken into Kaznian custody for torture, "It's quite clear that we need to start doing the same if we're survive never mind accomplish my goals. To that end, Cedric, I want you to begin gathering intelligence on anything in the super underworld that can be of use to us," Phobos commanded, "Potential allies or pawns, weapons, anything that can give us an edge that will allow us to stand triumphant in the wars no doubt to come."
"Understood, sire," Cedric said, giving a half bow to Phobos.
"And Miranda..." Phobos turned toward Miranda, who stiffened at his attention, "I want you to work with our intelligence network," He said with a dark look, "Perhaps it's a bit paranoid of me, but the fact that this Lothor and Skeleton King were operating so close to Meridian's borders has me worried."
He gave his servant a dark glare, "I want you to make sure that they didn't use the chance to slip through any of their agents despite our guard on the borders," He ordered with a dark scowl, "And for our intelligence to be ready to report any strange rumors or activity. We can't afford to take any chances."
He added with a frown, "Understood, my liege," Miranda said, bowing her head to Phobos.
"In the meantime, I'll be sending Vandom to Kaznia to help deal with damage control," He said with a tired sigh, knowing he'd have to bite his tongue and swallow his pride for a while in the near future... but he swore he'd make that spoiled brat Audrey eventually acknowledge her proper place under his heel rather than as his so-called equal, he thought before continuing to address Miranda and Cedric, "I'll also be accelerating the Guardians' training as well as my own," He looked down at his hands, flexing them as power glowed from them, "If either of those two attempt to target Meridian, then I will personally send them crawling back to the deepest reaches of space."
"As you command, my prince," Cedric said with a bow, he and Miranda quickly leaving the room before risking saying or doing anything to make him angry again. Leaving the Prince to glare silently up into Meridian's sky, knowing the League's space station was likely hovering above the Earth, and who knows where Skeleton King or Lothor were lurking... but they would all learn to fear the name Phobos!
He swore it because Meridian... this world... belonged to him! He thought with a dark glare as his form glowed with power.
Meanwhile, out in the hallway, Cedric and Miranda made their way from the throne room as fast as they could.
"So, now what are we supposed to do?" Miranda asked, "Where do we even start with this?"
"We start where we always have, Miranda," Cedric replied evenly with a frown while calming down himself as he looked over to the younger girl, "One step at a time, while doing whatever it takes to survive and thrive."
He said, his eyes becoming slightly reptilian, "Because Phobos is right, the world is changing and things are escalating," He frowned, turning his head, looking off into the distance with a narrowed gaze, "And we must be ready to ensure we'll be the ones who thrive over all others... even Phobos."
Miranda allowed herself a smirk at that. That was the ultimate goal, after all, to ensure that when the time finally came and the dust settled, that they would be the ones reigning supreme. That had already meant playing along with Phobos' plans until they could usurp them, so she supposed that it wasn't too much of a deviation to start adapting to other players too.
Yes, this would be a lot of work, but she was sure it would be worth it in the end~
(Elsewhere, somewhere in the Atlantic ocean)
As plans and plots were being made, inside a highly advanced aircraft currently submerged and cruising through the ocean depths, a new arrival to the playing field was taking stock of the information they've gathered and making plans of their own.
"So, this is all the information we've been able to gather on this variation of Earth?" A voice spoke up in a dark room, illuminated by only numerous monitors on the wall that a figure in a chair was currently staring at, addressing the figures behind him while giving off a hum, watching various news reports and footage from across the planet.
"Yes sir," said the tallest of the figures gathered behind the seated man, "We're still doing a more detailed look, but this would appear to be a good overview of the situation."
"Definitely a lot more to deal with, huh?" one of the two smaller figures commented.
"Ya think we can get invited to one of these pajama parties?" the other short one asked, looking at the various superhero/supervillain fights playing out on the screens. A comment that was ignored by the figure in the chair outside of an annoyed growl.
"An entire planet ripe for the taking... and it's filled with superpowered heroic fools and unwanted competition! Dealing with that blasted hedgehog and his friends is bad enough, but now this?!"
"I'm sure you'll be able to overcome it regardless, doctor!" the man behind the chair stated sycophantly.
"Of course I will, Stone," scoffed Dr. Eggman as he leaned further back in his chair, "But the problem is how much more of a pain it's going to be."
After all, his genius could overcome any obstacle, and ultimately all that annoying blue pincushion and his friends were was an annoying roadblock to sharpen his wit and skills against before steamrolling right over them.
But an entire world filled with new powerful players such as all these heroes and villains running around in costumes like one of his childhood guilty pleasure comics? Sure, many of them would be easily crushed, but just a glance at the screens caused him to scowl as he saw just as many who could potentially prove as big of an annoyance to his work as that hedgehog!
"And there's still the matter of the phenomenon that brought us into this reality in the first place a week ago," He added with an irritated grumble.
He still had no idea what had happened. It had been just another fight with Sonic and those other furry freaks, when suddenly a wave of bright light had passed over them, and the next thing he'd known, his mobile base was in a completely different location, which he'd soon managed to confirm was a different dimension from their own.
He hated unknown variables. They meant that he wasn't in complete control, and he was supposed to always be in control of everything!
Something he'd make whatever or whoever was behind this pay for at first opportunity! But that could be addressed later; he needed to focus on his first move in this new world... of course, chances are once he did, the rodent would show up. Speaking of...
"And has there been any sign of Sonic, Stone?" He asked the tallest figure behind him, "I'm sure whatever brought us here likely brought him as well," he stated with a grimace; after all, the hedgehog had a knack for always showing up wherever he wasn't wanted.
"No sign yet, sir. And I think even in a world like this, he and his friends would stick out," Stone replied, "Maybe they didn't get brought along with us?"
"Nah, we're not that lucky," the small form of Orbot commented dryly.
"Yeah, he always shows up to ruin the fun." His companion Cubot agreed, shaking his head before floating forward toward a screen, "Though kinda cool that this world's got both humans and animal people like ours."
He added, pointing at a screen displaying a.... basketball game? Perhaps he should been more specific when he ordered any and all available information on this world to be retrieved, he thought, watching as a female rabbit scored a slam dunk.
"Yes, though their main difference seems to be name, they're called Anthros instead of Mobians," He remarked, scowling slightly.
"And it would of been easier had this planet been solely populated by humans, because at least then the hedgehog and his friends couldn't blend in and would be easier to track down being so out of place," The genius known as Ivo Robotnik aka Eggman stated before giving a wistful sigh, "Maybe they would have even been hunted down to be experimented on by the local populace."
"Maybe they still will be? There does appear to be quite a bit of prejudice towards nonhumans despite all the heroes' efforts, especially after that most recent invasion," Stone commented, "Even if they're publicly accepted, there's likely still plenty who will despise them just for existing."
"Hmm, and while I myself am above such petty racism despite my hate for the pincushion, it is something I can exploit," Eggman agreed with a dark smirk, with Stone giving a smile in turn, "But we can focus on Sonic and his annoying friends as well as anybody else from our world who arrived here later."
Eggman said, shaking his head and focusing back on the screens, "Right now, we need to plan and lay out what we know of the powers that challenge my conquest of this new world!"
Images popped up on the screens, of the Justice League, Teen Titans, and other well-known superheroes. Additionally, there were images of Lothor, Skeleton King, and various other upper-level supervillains.
"Some of these so-called villains may be useful allies or pawns in my plans," Eggman mused, "But in the meantime, we need to find some heroes to take down in order to prove my dominance!"
"You got anyone in mind, boss? Because this world's sure got a lot of them," Cubot commented, rubbing his head.
"Indeed, this variation of Earth has no shortage of protectors to test your work against, sir," Orbot added, hovering closer to the screen displaying the Teen Titans with a hum.
"Hmm, good question," Eggman mused, looking over the various screens, "It needs to be someone prominent enough to prove my superiority, but for now we should avoid anyone attached too closely to one of the larger teams. We can't risk any of those coming after me until I've had a chance to properly strategize against them."
"In that case sir, I think I might have just the target," Stone said proudly with a smirk as he moved forward with a holographic keyboard appearing mid air that he tapped on, changing the monitors to all show the same figure, "During my research, I stumbled upon this particular case."
He explained as Eggman arched a brow at a redhaired teenager, "She's young and doesn't have any powers, but she's proven herself quite skilled, taking a variety of missions all across the world, even facing off against some empowered individuals of moderate skill," Stone explained with a smirk.
"Hmm, and quite well-known and popular too, from the look of things," Eggman noted, looking over the news articles and social media posts streaming across the screens around the young heroine's picture, "Yes, I think eliminating her would make a very good statement."
He said with a dark smirk as he looked into the eyes of this so-called teen heroines, "You can do anything, huh?" He asked mockingly, reading off the data file they had on her, "Hehe, well, I'm afraid one thing you can't do is defy the Eggman Empire!"
He declared with dramatic flair, realizing he found the perfect target to announce his presence upon his future subjects.
"Now I only need to choose the right machine for the job..." Eggman added, giving off his signature chortle as he started searching for the right one of his Badniks to send after his new target.
(Mojoverse)
As Mystery Inc was heading out to Amity Park, the Conquerors were plotting their next move, and additional players were planning their own moves or opening gambit, all of it was being observed by the genius mind behind this marvelous production~ A figure so inspired, so intelligent, so mind-blowing inspirational, he boggled even himself with his ideas! He...
"Remind me again why you're throwing a mad scientist with an egg obsession into this mess?"
Was brought out of his thoughts as Spiral looked over to him with an arched brow.
"Hehe, weird egg kink aside, don't underestimate what our new actor is capable of, Spiral~" Mojo told her with a smarmy grin, looking up at a screen that displayed Eggman, "After all, many of his variations have proven to be excellent sources of drama, but caused a level of trouble to give even that annoying triangle a run for his money."
He added with a scoff.
"Hmm, yes, that little Genesis Wave reboot was quite a mess," Major Domo agreed, while shaking his head as he looked at a pad he was holding in his hands.
"Urg, don't remind me," Mojo groaned, rubbing his eyes, "We lost so many viewers and sponsors because they got erased from reality!"
He exclaimed with annoyance and a dark scowl, before smirking, "But it also proves that Eggy is the perfect wild card to throw into the mix, to not only keep our stars on their toes, but also add some good background plot and drama~"
Mojo explained eagerly, rubbing his hands together, "Him and all those furries from that corner of reality," He remarked, before glancing over to Major Domo, "Which reminds me..." he turned to face his stooge with an eager smirk, "How did the retcon go?"
Mojo asked, leaning toward Major Domo's face, "Thanks to using that meteor as a focal point anchor, combined with your own marvelous genius, resources, and power, oh Mojotistic one," Major Domo began his report, "I'm proud that it's gone swimmingly, and the alterations to Earth's local timeline reality are completely stable."
Domo reported, looking up into Mojo's eyes as his master began to chortle, "As far as everyone will be concerned, the Anthro species, as they are termed, always existed as part of Earth's history."
He stated as Mojo exclaimed with a laugh, "Heheh, excellent! Then the test was a success! But really, is there any surprise? I mean, it was my own idea, after all~" Mojo bragged while twirling around the room.
"I should note, sir," Major Domo spoke up with a cough, "That while this will be the case for the majority, there will be some exceptions that may remember the original timeline without the Anthro species, or at least feel something is off."
He informed, to which Mojo gave a scoff, "Phe, hardly an issue Domo," Mojo remarked with an eye roll, "Heck, this could be a good source of some drama for our viewers later," He added, rubbing his chin with a dark smirk.
"Uh-huh," Spiral spoke up with a flat look, "But remind me again why you wanted to add in a change like this?" The woman questioned, to which Mojo gave a chuckle, "Hehe, oh dear sweet innocent Spiral~" He shot his goon an amused look, "Do you realize how popular anthros, or rather furries are?"
He asked with an arched brow, "Seriously, just put in one search on the internet, and you'd be amazed at the amount of porn for that kink," Mojo said with a scoff, with Spiral giving off her own scoff.
"So what, you're hoping your new stars will pick up some new pets?" She questioned as Mojo gave a smirk.
"Hehe, that's one bonus out of this, yes~" He informed as he clicked his fingers together, "But this allows some of our newer side characters to blend into Earth more easily, and..."
He gave a sinister grin, "it also served as the perfect test for a retcon," Mojo said, looking upon all the screen, "After all... if we can do this, just imagine what else we can add to the setting for the ratings~"
He crowed, before he began to descend into mad laughter, "I am a GENIUS!" He called out, spreading his arms wide apart, "And by the time I'm done, this show... Isekai Conquerors, will be my greatest masterpiece!"
Mojo said with a dark wide grin, before ending in a menacing vow, "One way... or another~"
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Well, there you have it. Velma has willingly joined Night/Skeleton King, while I/Lothor have had to resort to hypnotism to keep ahold of Daphne. And while we've sent Mystery Inc on their way for now, you might have noticed that they're off to a certain ghost boy's neck of the woods, so we've got some fun for them down the line~
Meanwhile, we've fully brought our take on Meridian into things, and also brought in the one and only Eggman, courtesy of Mojo-induced retcon, and sent him off to confront Kim Possible.
A lot of wheels spinning in this story, but as stated this is the last of our current batch of pre-written material for this story. It'll be sometime into the new year before we get back to this. Until then, Happy Holidays, and please leave a kudos or comment if you liked this!
Nightmaster000 A/N: Once again no women can resist the power, dark allure, or the cock of Skeleton King! Hehe as Velma has now joined my side swearing her body and loyalty to my cause~ And while Daphne still resisting Zim/Lothor i'm sure she'll come around eventually.
We also got a introductions into Meridian with Phobos scheming for power no matter the variation, though it seems his servants are less than loyal. We also got some new arrivals in the form of Eggman and likely quite a few others from his reality as well. Who plans to make his debut using the girl who can do anything the teen heroine Kim Possible.
It will be interesting to see how Kim handles this particular mad genius.
All thanks to Mojo who we also have to thank for the anthro species being thrown into the mix out of nowhere in the middle of the story...and you all thought Zim and I did it for some sexy anthro bitches didn't you? XD
Chapter 22: Making Moves
Summary:
Lothor, Skeleton King, and those around them plot their next steps.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hiya everyone coming in first on the announcement this time, as Zim and I are happy to finally bring you a long awaited update for Isekai Conquerors!
We know that many of you have been waiting patiently, and as such we hope you won't be afraid to share your love for the update through some reviews and kudos~ ;)
Now Zim and I are currently still writing/working on more content for Conquerors so next update might be a bit, as we don't have any other content quite ready yet. But we hope this chapter will be enough to give you a taste of what's to come, and show that Lothor and Skeleton are still here and ready to Conqueror!
Also on one last note from my end couple of announcement, first off gave some small edits in previous chapters, including changing mention of San Fransisco to that of another city, put some of the link pics into chapter themselves, etc.
And second bit we're putting down a breast size chart of girls who have come up so far, help keep track of various girls and their size's. Readers and writers alike hehe~ Hope this little touch helps.
1. Tak large A cups bordering on B cups
2. Gaz DD
3. Wendy C
4. Daphne Blake D Cup
5. Smellerbee A cup
6. Jinmay B Cup
7. Valeena B Cup
8. Blackfire DD Cup
9. Audrey C Cup
10. Megara D cup
11. Velma E Cup
12. Pacifica EE goes up to F Cup as Black Cat
13. Raven EE
14. Zita B cup
15. Wonder Woman F Cup
16. Tambry C Cup
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hey everyone, hope you enjoy that list that Night put together to help keep our girls' figures straight~
More importantly, hope you enjoy this first update to this story of the year. Some fun stuff here, but what really matters is that we're setting up a few new plot lines, some for the near future and some for further along.
All that said, please read on!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"So what, you're hoping your new stars will pick up some new pets?" She questioned as Mojo gave a smirk.
"Hehe, that's one bonus out of this, yes~" He informed as he clicked his fingers together, "But this allows some of our newer side characters to blend into Earth more easily, and..."
He gave a sinister grin, "it also served as the perfect test for a retcon," Mojo said, looking upon all the screen, "After all... if we can do this, just imagine what else we can add to the setting for the ratings~"
He crowed, before he began to descend into mad laughter, "I am a GENIUS!" He called out, spreading his arms wide apart, "And by the time I'm done, this show... Isekai Conquerors, will be my greatest masterpiece!"
Mojo said with a dark wide grin, before ending in a menacing vow, "One way... or another~"
(Lothor's Ship)
"Oh, thank God, I'm never taking any of this for granted again," Wendy muttered as she finished getting dressed, loving the sensations of both having her limbs free from the pet play restraints and wearing clothes again. Those were such simple things, but after spending so many days naked and restrained, they felt like luxuries.
"Aw, what's the matter, puppy? Didn't you love playing with your master and me?" Tak sneered from the other side of the room, where she and several Kelzaks were standing guard while Wendy got dressed.
"Fuck you!" Wendy snapped, even as she blushed, hating the fact that the memory of everything Lothor and Tak had done to her sent a warm thrill through her. It was rape and torture, she shouldn't have any positive reactions to it!
"Mmm, maybe later~" Tak laughed, "But for now, your friends are waiting. So, start moving that fine ass of yours."
At that, Wendy gave a snort while glowering at Tak as they started to move through the ship, "Do you really have to be as perverted as that asshole?" she asked bluntly, with Tak smirking.
"I'll admit, I wasn't completely on board with the perversions at first either, it seemed so unprofessional," she remarked, shaking her head, "But it's actually so liberating and enthralling once you just embrace your naughtier side. It certainly adds a spicy fun touch to invading~" Tak told her, as Irk knows Lothor had really helped her relax so much more since starting their little partnership turned relationship.
Where it was to the point Tak was starting to believe it was going beyond just great sex and the power she got out of this deal, she actually really cared for Lothor, as the thought of being his Queen always gave her a thrill and warm feeling.
But she shook that thought off as Wendy shot her a dry look, "I think I'll stick to having dignity," The human said as Tak merely arched a brow.
"I must admit, your resistance while frustrating is both amusing and commendable," The Irken admitted with a frown, "I think I'll almost miss it when you finally break and submit to your masters~"
Tak added with a laugh as Wendy gave a growl, following her through the halls, "I honestly don't know why you're even putting up a fight, honestly. Being part of the harem of Earth's future ruler is far more of an opportunity and life than what you'd get out of that mystical backwater we picked you up from."
"Hey! Gravity Falls might be a little out of the way, but it's got plenty going for it!" Wendy protested indignantly at the insult to her home town.
"Like what? Job opportunities limited to chopping down wood, serving greasy food, or working in tourist traps, all while hoping some random monster doesn't pop out of the woods and snatch you up?" Tak asked dryly.
"That... you don't know what you're talking about," Wendy spat with slight hesitation. Much as she hated to admit it, Gravity Falls did suffer from all the normal problems of being a small town in the middle of nowhere on top of all the native weirdness, and getting a more fulfilling life while living there did seem harder the older she got. Especially when she had the awesome lives of the Pines to look at for comparison...
But that was beside the point! She wasn't going to let herself get looked down on by some space bug, especially one trying to talk her into accepting being a warlord asshole's harem girl!
And she said as much to the bug, "And really, you can't expect me to believe that being some crazy warlord's trophy wife at best or sex toy at worst until he gets bored with me is a good life," She said with a scoff, rolling her eyes, "If it means being with people who treat me with respect and I know actually care about me, I'll stick to small town living, thanks."
She said, shooting Tak an annoyed look before smirking, "Or are you really going to tell me that you think the bastard actually cares about you beyond a sexual thrill or having another lackey around to do his dirty work?"
She said, causing Tak to scowl, "After all, he certainly seems pretty eager to add as many girls as he can get his hands on into his harem," Wendy continued, her mind going to Gaz and that poor Daphne girl the bastard had raped most recently, plus she heard Tak mention someone new on the ship, offhandedly implying that she might be joining Lothor's bed once he decided to make a move, "Doesn't exactly scream he values or appreciates what he already has, does it?"
"Now you're the one who doesn't know what she's talking about!" Tak snarled defensively, "Lothor may have a voracious appetite, but that doesn't make what we share when we're breaking you sluts in any less true!"
"If you say so. I'm sure the evil warlord is totally loving and caring," Wendy said dryly. Tak glared up at her, but huffed and didn't respond, instead just stomping forward down the hallway, Wendy following after her with a smug smile.
Before long, they reached and entered a room, where Wendy was relieved to see Nate and Lee lounging on a couch, while a screen on one wall was showing Tambry leaning back in a chair and looking at her phone.
"Guys!" Wendy called, a surge of relief filling her at the sight of her friends, even if it was only two of them in person, while the third was on a screen, "You're okay," she said with a sigh of relief as Lee and Nate blinked, before standing up smiling.
"Wendy! Good to see you, girl!" Lee said as Nate welcomed Wendy with a hug.
"You will not believe the stuff we've been going through since we got picked up," Nate said with a slight bewildered blink.
"Yeah, I mean... this is probably the weirdest relationship I've been in," Lee said with finger quotes on the word relationship.
"And considering he once dated a bunch of gnomes disguised as Norma, he'd know," Nate quipped with a smirk, causing Lee to groan and send him a glare at once again bringing up that incident, while Wendy looked toward Tambry on the screen, who smiled at her.
"Hey Wendy, you doing okay over there with the ninjas?" Tambry asked with a smile and look of concern.
"Could be a lot better," Wendy muttered, wincing slightly at the phantom pains from the things that had been done to her since she'd been captured.
"Don't act like we haven't been showing you a good time~" Tak called out teasingly from where she was leaning against the doorway. If the defiant bitch was going to mock her relationship with Lothor, the Irken figured that the least she could do in revenge (for now at least) was embarrass her a little in front of her friends.
"Stay the fuck out of this!" Wendy snapped at her with a bright blush, much to the surprise of her friends when they noticed this. Before they could comment on it, however, Wendy turned back to the screen and asked, "What about you, Tambry? You doing okay over at that freakshow?"
"Oh, I'm doing better than okay~" Tambry replied with a blush of her own, and an uncharacteristic giggle. Prompting weird if not concerned looks from Wendy, Lee, and Nate, who have never seen Tambry act like that ever.
"Uh, Tambry?" Wendy asked with concern, wondering what was going on.
"I'll admit, having my wi-fi access restricted and monitored to certain sites and actions is a bit of a bummer, but otherwise..." Tambry continued on, blushing with a smile, "Well, let's just say the only thing more satisfying than seeing Robbie get his is what my monkey can do in the bedroom~" she said with a smirk and wink.
The others stared blankly at her for a moment as they processed what she'd said, and then they reacted in the most perfectly logical way they could.
"WHAT?!" they all screamed in shock.
"You're sleeping with that skeleton monkey freak? Why?!" Wendy exclaimed.
"Hey, anything would be an improvement over Robbie," Tambry replied with a scowl in defense of her lover, "And besides, he's got a big dick and knows how to use it better than that emo loser ever did!"
"Ouch," Nate commented, wincing on behalf of his friend, while Lee nodded sympathetically. Because if there was one thing that hurt a guy, it was a shot at their manhood and skills in the bedroom. And the fact that Tambry was saying an evil monkey was better than him... yeah, Robbie likely wasn't taking it well.
"Plus, evil general to a space monster or not, and the great sex aside, so far he's been treating me better than Robbie has in all the years we've dated," Tambry added with a bitter scoff while scowling down at her phone, "And considering I was basically given to Mandarin as a prize while finding out I was just Robbie's rebound and backup girl... why shouldn't I try to make this work and enjoy myself?"
She asked, giving her gaping friends a frown while leaving unsaid she was also hoping to get Mandarin closer to her side of things to get his help escaping and rescuing her friends... while internally starting to hope more and more they could continue their relationship afterwards. Because, as much as she didn't expect it to have happened, she really was starting to develop real feelings for Mandarin beyond just the physical pleasure, and she didn't like the idea of sacrificing what they had in the process of saving her friends.
While she was pondering this, said friends exchanged looks in reaction to her words.
"Okay, sure, Robbie's a jerk, but still! Do you really want to be sleeping with one of the guys holding you prisoner?" Wendy demanded.
"Hey, it could be worse," Tambry waved off, "Besides, am I really the only one here who's been getting lucky since we got grabbed?"
At that Wendy blushed, missing Lee and Nate's own reaction behind her as she snapped back, "No! I haven't let that perverted asshole fuck me!" She called out incredulously with disgust, with Tak's voice then cutting in with amusement, "No, she's just let us tie her up, tease her, and enjoyed me eating her out while Lothor fucks another slut~"
Wendy blushed even brighter as her friends looked at her in surprise.
"Dang girl, I didn't know you were that kinky~" Tambry said with a laugh.
"I'm not!" Wendy protested, "And I didn't let them, they just did it to me!"
"And going by how hard you came, I'd say you were loving it~" Tak laughed.
Wendy gave an embarrassed growl while glaring at the bug bitch, before turning her head at a slight cough, causing her to look toward Lee and Nate who were blushing.
"Oh, don't tell me you guys..." Wendy trailed off, sending them an incredulous look.
"Kapri isn't exactly someone to say no to," Lee defended while scratching at the back of his neck.
"And Marah can be very convincing," Nate said while also looking away, with their minds thinking back to how the girls made things... official.
(Flashback)
"Oooh, that's it... eat me... eat me like the horny doggy you are!" Moaned a naked Kapri, who was holding and tugging onto a leash tied to a naked collared Lee. Who had his face pressed against her cunt, eagerly licking it. Hey, he might not have exactly wanted things to go like this, but he wasn't going to complain too much~
Meanwhile, a naked Marah had a naked Nate flat on his back as she rode his cock.
"Ah, ah, ah, that's right! Fuck me hard!" she yelled as he thrust back against her.
"Ah, ah, ah, yes ma'am!" Nate said back with a groan as he instinctively hit her on the ass while she was bouncing off his cock.
SMACK
"AH!" Marah cried out, before smirking and saying, "Do that again, but like you mean it!"
Taking the instruction, Nate hit her ass again, even harder than before.
SMACK
"OH FUCK YES!" She squealed with a loud moan, "Spank me, daddy! Spank your naughty girl!" She told Nate with an eager moan of desire, with Nate more than happy to comply.
SMACK
SMACK
"AH! YES!"
While Kapri gave a groaning snort from her position as she pushed Lee's face deeper into her snatch, "Could you be anymore desperate?'
"Hey, you're the one, ah, ah, who decided to jump straight to sex!" Marah yelled at her sister, "I, ah, ah, just followed your lead!"
"Yeah, but I'm - ugh, yeah, right there - at least staying in charge! You're on top but acting, ugh, like a bottom!" Kapri yelled back.
"Ah, ah, I'm just, ohhhe, enjoying my man giving me, ah, ah, attention!" Marah moaned back defensively, bouncing all the harder off Nate's cock, "And he's clearly, ah, ah, having a better time than yours!"
"Bullshit! He's loving this! Isn't that right?" Kapri yelled, reluctantly pulling Lee's face away so that he could clearly reply.
"Yes ma'am, I love the taste of you," Lee replied with a pant.
"See?" Kapri said smugly as she shoved him back into her pussy.
"Ah, ah, yet I'm rocking my man's world while yours can't even touch himself!" Marah snipped back smugly.
"Maybe because you, ah, ah, you've got to let your guy earn his pleasure." Kapri moaned right back, "Instead of just, ah, ah, being a whore!"
"I'm the whore? Like I, ah, ah, ah, said, you're the one who made the first move!" Marah pointed out.
"Because in not afraid to take what I want!" Kapri retorted, gripping Lee's hair tighter as the sisters dissolved into a mixture of arguing and fucking their respective boyfriends. Who for their part could only resign themselves to being fucked while argued over as if they weren't there.
(End flashback)
"So, you know. Not the best relationships either of us has had, but not the absolute worst either," Lee stated, Nate nodding along while Wendy could only groan and facepalm.
"You know what... I shouldn't even be surprised," Wendy said with a tired sigh, knowing she should have probably expected this from the guys; after all, they weren't exactly fighters... and honestly, captive or not, it shouldn't surprise her they wouldn't turn down a chance to get laid.
"Pinning that..." Wendy turned her attention back to Tambry, "Robbie being a creep aside, you mind telling me why you're so eager to jump into bed with a crazy evil monkey?"
Tambry considered her response, figuring that she couldn't mention the manipulation angle when Tak was listening in, since she'd probably tell Mandarin and Skeleton King about it because of their alliance. So, she just went with the other truth.
"Look, I don't know how to explain it, but honestly? I feel better with him than I have in a long time," she admitted.
"And no, I don't just mean the sex, though it is incredible," Tambry said, before adding with a flush, "I mean, like so incredible, so, so, so..." She said with a smile and foggy gaze, with Wendy snapping with a flush and groan.
"I get it!" Wendy exclaimed, facepalming in disbelief while Tak looked amused and the guys traded looks, causing Tambry to cough and got back to the point, "But he also pays attention to me, talks with me, and even cares about my feelings and interests. Never mind just Robbie, I can't remember the last time anyone made me feel this cared for."
Wendy and the boys could only stare at her, not knowing how to respond to that. They all had to admit, they'd never seen Tambry this happy before, but they didn't know how to handle the fact that it was only because of the current circumstances.
After all, they were prisoners of evil warlords and invaders from space, who were probably just a bit below a certain crazy triangle on the evil scale. Wendy in particular had experienced firsthand Lothor's depravity and gotten a good glance at that creepy skeleton as well when they worked together to lure that group of famous detectives into a trap just to rape those girls.
While Lee and Nate, getting laid aside, they were quite aware they were basically prisoners and slaves, and were nervous at what might happen to them if Kapri and Marah got bored or decided to dump them.
But it seemed that despite also being a prisoner and flat-out given away to be an evil space monkey's personal slave, Tambry was actually enjoying herself and developing feelings for said monkey. That was... definitely something that they would have to work hard to reconcile, they realized.
"Ugh, fine, if you're happy, I guess," Wendy mumbled, unable to think of anything else to say. But it seemed to do the trick, as Tambry smiled, before checking her watch.
"Well, it was great checking in with you guys, but Mandarin and I actually have our first date later, and I need to get ready," she stated.
"Wait, they're actually letting you off the ship?" Nate asked.
"Well, under Mandarin's chaperone, with them making sure I can't make any outgoing calls or messages on my phone to anyone but the Citadel of Bone, but yeah they are," Tambry admitted, giving a shrug, "Apparently Mandarin got the clear from his boss, though not without a promise of torture for me if I threw his good will back in his face by trying something stupid."
She told them with a slight grimace, remembering that particular audience with Skeleton King quite well. The worst part was that he'd never raised his voice or acted particularly threatening. It had just been a statement of basic fact regarding what would happen to her if she tried anything.
"So, yeah, I'm not going to risk rocking the boat while I'm out," she said, "And hey, according to Mandarin, we're going to some European playboy's private party they learned about in order to spy on the guests, and when else would I get a chance to attend something like that?"
"That actually sounds pretty fun," Lee admitted with an arched brow.
"Yeah, not exactly much of a club scene in Gravity Falls," Nate agreed as Wendy pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I don't believe this," she muttered, wondering if she was the only one who even remembered that they were prisoners here.
"Oh, don't worry, puppy. If you keep playing nice, we can arrange an outing for you too," Tak said condescendingly.
"Puppy?" Nate echoed in confusion, while Wendy flushed.
"Don't call me that in front of them!" she snapped, before realizing what she'd just said and adding, "Or at all!"
And as Wendy scowled at Tak, the boys traded looks and Tambry arched a brow, while also recalling Tak's earlier comment about eating out a tied up Wendy while they watched Lothor fuck another girl.
Which, while Wendy had stated that she hadn't wanted to do it, she hadn't denied Tak's statement about how she'd apparently enjoyed the experience. And now she apparently had a pet name too on top of that... huh, was her reaction to finding out about the others' relationships just being defensive over her having one too?
Considering how long she'd pined after Dipper (pun not intended), she might just be in denial about having moved on, especially given the circumstances, Tambry thought. And yes, while the situation wasn't great, she had to admit that the thought of her friend finally letting go of her crush to try something else was probably a good thing.
Besides, maybe it wasn't actually romantic? Wendy might just be doing what Tambry was with Mandarin, trying to get close to Lothor and Tak to manipulate them, and she just couldn't outright say that with the alien standing right there. In which case, it was probably best to just let the subject lie for now until either of them could make a move.
That and she could hardly call out her friend for trying to make the most out of a bad situation with some good sex like she and the guys were doing. So with that in mind, she gave a cough and decided to try to help Wendy by changing the subject a bit.
"Well, I'm glad you three are doing okay and having a good time," She said with a humorous smirk as the guys looked slightly embarrassed and Wendy gave her an incredulous look, "But you all want to hear about Robbie?"
She asked with a sudden vindictive smile, "Because starting off, his crying and denial to being forced to watch a real man satisfy me was hilarious!'
"You made him watch?!" Wendy exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yep, and I think it actually made the sex even better~" Tambry laughed, "After that, he was dragged off to do hard labor."
"Doing what?" Nate asked, morbidly curious.
"Honestly, don't know. But I also can't say that I care, as long as I don't have to see him again," he replied with a shrug.
At that, the other three traded mixed looks. On one hand, Robbie had been their friend for years, and Tambry being so flippant if not particularly eager to have him suffer, while twisting the knife of her leaving him for an evil alien monkey general was kinda disturbing. But the on the other, there was no denying that Robbie... had his faults... and what he had done was, well, pretty crappy to say the least.
Hell, thinking about it honestly, Wendy realized she barely tolerated him on a good day, and that was mostly for Tambry's stake. Which made her question if she even saw Robbie as a friend anymore, even before the reveal of how he was just using Tambry as his backup rebound and was still apparently hung up on her.
While as for Lee and Nate, they had to admit Robbie used to be alright to hang out with, but over the past couple of years after that crazy summer with that weird freaky apocalypse, he'd become steadily more... unbearable. Like, he had grown increasingly needy, and seemingly almost afraid to be left alone. But at the same time, he never seemed to actually want to do anything when he was with them, constantly complaining about whatever they were doing, without actually suggesting alternatives.
Really, it was getting a lot harder to justify hanging out with him when he was so hard to even tolerate.
Plus, the fact it turned out he was just using Tambry like that and would have probably dumped her without a second thought, if he thought he had a real shot at Wendy again... majorly uncool, dude.
So, yeah, they might be reluctant to admit it out loud, but they were starting to think that maybe they weren't really willing to be friends with him anymore. Heck, a part of them were thinking that whatever Robbie was going through right now was karma overdue.
(Meanwhile, deep in the Citadel of Bone)
"Ugh, what is even the point of this?" Robbie exclaimed as he and several of those weirdos who had already been imprisoned on this terrifying ship when he'd arrived stood in a large cavern-like room, shackled at the legs and Formless standing guard over them as they took pickaxes to the rock-like bone forming the room.
"Seriously, why is that creepy skeleton making us mine his own ship? It'll just fall apart eventually!" he added, even as he angrily struck the wall in front of him again.
"Nah, it'll be okay," the freak with the giant stuffed penguin commented from his spot next to Robbie, "There's another work team that gathers up the stuff we mine and toss it down a hole that sticks it back into the ship, pretty much undoing all the damage right away."
"...Then why are we even doing this?!" Robbie yelled in disbelief.
"I'm pretty sure it's just to keep us too busy and tired to try rebelling. Isn't that right, Mr. Cheepers?" the guy asked his doll.
"That, and the big creep in charge is probably still trying to decide what to do with us," Said a ginger teen with a grunt as he stood slaving away next to Robbie.
"Yeah, he probably spent so much time fighting the monkeys that he didn't think about what to do once he'd actually won," added the heavyset dark-skinned kid standing next to the redhead.
"Yeah, but hasn't exactly stopped him from causing a lot of damage to other worlds," Added in a man who was mostly bald except at his head's sides, as well as possessing sharp buckteeth, as he gestured toward other prisoners on the Citadel of Bone, such as a group of cat people wearing Japanese-like clothes, or a yellow-skinned and brown-haired woman in a skimpy green outfit.
"Skeletal bastard's definitely had his fun, going from world to world," the bald man muttered, "Honestly surprised he's taking his time with this new one."
Robbie grunted as he thrust his pickaxe down to the ground, "Well... don't know about the rest of these weirdos," he said with a grimace, "But Earth's had its fair share of freaks from space invading it before. And none of them have pulled it off, so I bet sooner or later this boney bastard's going to get his ass kicked by the heroes."
"Yeah? Well, why are they taking their sweet time then?" BT, the redhead, asked sharply.
Robbie at that shot a scowl right back, not liking the redhead's tone, "Probably just having a hard time finding the creep while he's hiding this place like a coward," He said with a confidant sneer.
"Whatever you wanna believe," BT's friend Glenny grumbled, "But we thought the monkeys would always win, and look where that go us."
"Yeah, well, your monkeys all sound like a bunch of losers!" Robbie snapped, that particular species now a sore subject for him after seeing one banging his girlfriend.
"Hey, you can't talk about the Monkey Team like that!" Said the freak with the stuffed penguin defensively and angrily toward him, "They're real heroes who always protected us."
"Then how come you're here?" Robbie asked flatly.
"Uh, well," the freak stammered, "That wasn't their fault!"
"Yeah, it was because Chiro's two-timing girlfriend double-crossed them!" the bald man, Mr. Gackslapper, added angrily.
"Girlfriend?" Robbie questioned with a confused blink, before adding with a snort, "Oh believe me, I know the feeling," He growled, glaring at nothing while stabbing his pickaxe as hard into the bone ground as he could, "Especially since my so-called girlfriend practically spread her legs for that monkey freak at first opportunity!"
"Really?" BT asked, arching an eyebrow at that.
"Yeah, that fucking slut!" Robbie growled, "And then she has the nerve to lie and say that he's better in bed than me! Which is complete bullshit by the way! No way a freaky monkey would ever be better than me!" He snapped, stabbing into the ground angrily.
"Whatever you say," Glenny said sarcastically, which Robbie didn't notice.
"And so what if I was using her as a rebound?! I was with her way longer than with Wendy!" he ranted, "And sure, I fantasized about getting Wendy back, but it's not like I would have ditched her to do it! We could have had a three-way!"
And as he ranted on, he missed his fellow workers trading uncomfortable looks.
"Sheesh, starting to see why his girl left him for a monkey," BT muttered to his friend Glenny.
"Mr. Cheepers and I have always believed in treating your partners with the utmost respect," the penguin guy said with a nod.
"Got that right, Oscar," said Mr. Gackslapper with an agreeing nod.
"...Your name is Oscar?" BT asked, blinking in confusion and staring at the weirdo.
"Yeah, what'd you think it was?" Oscar asked.
"Honestly, I didn't even know you had a name, you were just the guy with the stuffed penguin," Glenny admitted.
"Ah, come on guys, Mr. Cheepers is the most important thing in my life, but I'm more than just the guy holding him," Oscar admitted with a sad pout as the others traded arched brows and looks, though whatever they were going to say was cut off by Robbie's annoyance.
"And are you even listening to me!" he said with a growl and glare to his fellow prisoners and slaves.
"Yeah, your girlfriend dumped you after realizing how scummy you were, and took the chance to trade up while avoiding ending up like the rest of us, cry me a river," Glenny said with an eye roll, sighing in annoyance and ideally hoping that he and BT had never been this bad with some of their stunts.
"Why you..." Robbie gave a growl, glaring at them, "First off all, if anything I dumped her!"
He snapped back defensively, even though clearly that wasn't what happened, "And secondly, she didn't trade up!" He added angrily, only to freeze at a new voice speaking up.
"I beg to differ, fool~"
And the next thing he knew.
SLING
SWISH
"ARGG!"
He was hit right in the back by a whip-wielding Formless as the form of Mandarin approached with a smirk as Robbie fell to his knees, "It seems hard labor has yet to teach you respect," Mandarin noted, crossing his arms with a sneer, "Perhaps experiencing some torture will fix that attitude problem of yours~"
"Ugh, you little bastard," Robbie growled at Mandarin, "I'd like to see how tough you are without your goons!"
The enslaved Shuggazoom citizens stared at Robbie like he was an idiot (which to be fair, he was), while Mandarin just laughed.
"Oh, is that right?" he sneered, snapping his fingers. In response, the Formless backed away, though not before one struck off Robbie's shackles to free his legs.
"Uh, what?" Robbie asked, blinking in confusion.
"Go ahead, fool, get up and face me if you're so strong," Mandarin sneered, "I have some time to kill before I take MY mate out for a date, so I could use some entertainment."
At first unsure at this opportunity, Robbie honestly thought about trying to make a run for it (even though there was literally no place to run in the Citadel of Bone), but at the mention of this freak having a date with Tambry, he saw red.
"Aaaaaaaarg!"
And found himself charging forward with a raised fist, while Mandarin simply stood crossed arm and smirking, with the results being...
SMACK
SMACK
SMACK
BAM!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Predictable, as after easily dodging Robbie's pathetic punch, the monkey sprung forward and nailed Robbie with several merciless hits (holding back just enough not to kill him), before sending the fool flying high into the air.
"AAAHHHH!!!"
SLAM
Before he hit the ceiling and bounced off to crash back hard to the ground, landing with a pained groan in front of the rest of his group.
"Um... we had nothing to do with this, sir," BT quickly said to Mandarin as he approached.
"Yeah, we don't even like this guy!" Glenny quickly added.
Mandarin however scoffed. "Calm yourselves, I heard every word," he said, shooting them a sneer, "And you'll find thanks to my good mood, and the comment about trading up, you'll be allowed to end your shifts early."
"Ah, thank you, sir," Mr. Gackslapper said, quickly giving a bow that the others copied, before a group of Formless approached and led them away. Mandarin watched them go, then turned to look down on the groaning Robbie with a condescending smirk.
"So, still foolish enough to keep fighting? Or have you finally accepted how pathetic you truly are?" he asked.
"Fuck... gasp... you," Robbie gasped out weakly with a glare as Mandarin arched a brow.
"I suppose that answers that question," the monkey said with a cruel gleam entering his eyes.
Before he leapt into the air, coming down to slam his foot hard into Robbie's back.
WHAM
"ACK!" Robbie cried out in pain as he was driven further into the ground. With Mandarin giving off a sadistic hooting laugh at his pain.
"If nothing else, you make for a most amusing punching bag, fool~" he said with a dark grin, before looking over his shoulder to bark orders at the Formless, "Take him away and retrieve the two we came here for."
The Formless nodded, several grabbing Robbie and dragging him away, Mandarin barely paying him any mind as they did so. Instead, he turned his attention to several other Formless as they approached another group of prisoners. Specifically, the humanoid cats, who tensed up as the Formless neared them.
As Mandarin watched, two of them were grabbed, a male with dark grey fur and a female with pinkish-grey fur, who both struggled as they were dragged over to him.
(best pics from show could find of both, obviously ignore Chiro in background~)
"Tikqudo!" The female cried out as she struggled fruitlessly against the Formless.
"Grrr, don't worry Neekeeta, everything will be okay, sister," The male replied as they were dragged forward, both carrying a defiant gleam in their eyes, rousing Mandarin's interest as he addressed them.
"Yes more than fine, indeed," he said with menace and amusement, "After all, you two have the honor of being presented to Skeleton King in an audience," he said, following his statement with a laugh.
"What more could that monster possibly want from us?" Tikqudo demanded angrily.
"One in your position should not question the actions of those above you," Mandarin sneered, "I'd advise you to simply accept the favor being shown on you, and thank the master for his generosity."
"Generosity?!" Neekeeta snarled, "Is that what you call him destroying our world with those damned Mantadons?"
"Yes, because he allowed some of your people to live," Mandarin scoffed, "Now come, let us not keep him waiting. Or would you rather your people pay the price for your defiance?" He added with a sneer, causing the siblings to freeze and glare, both of them hating that they were powerless to do anything to help their people, or the rest of the prisoners for that matter.
"Fine, take us to your master," Tikqudo growled.
"Glad to hear you being reasonable~" Mandarin chuckled, gesturing the Formless to escort the pair out of the room. As they went, he turned his attention back to the rest of the room, seeing that many of the prisoners had stopped their work to watch the unfolding events in morbid curiosity.
"What are you all staring at? Back to work!" he snarled, the prisoners all immediately jumping back to it.
With Mandarin then turning to escort the prisoners to his lord, finding himself in quite a good mood and resolving to tell his mate about this incident later. He was sure she'd find the fool's suffering amusing~
(Lothor's ship)
"But enough about the biggest mistake of my life and his well-deserved suffering," Said mate was picking back up the conversation with her friends, "How's it like living on a space ninja spaceship?" Tambry asked with an arched brow.
"I dunno, I haven't exactly seen much of it myself," Wendy grumbled, not wanting to discuss how she'd been locked up in the dungeons or Lothor's room this whole time.
"You should take a tour when you get it chance, it's actually pretty cool," Nate commented.
"Yeah, though it is a little confusing finding your way around," Lee admitted.
Prompting a curious look from the girls, "What exactly have you seen around this place?" Wendy asked, wondering if the guys had seen anything that would help them escape.
"Get this, they got a whole hanger bay area full of giant robots!" Lee exclaimed happily.
"Yeah, it's like something out of an anime," Nate added, just as excited.
"Giant robots?" Wendy repeated with a nervous look, her mind filled with the kinda damage these creeps could cause with something like that, "Exactly how giant we talking here?" She added warily.
"Definitely bigger than the ones McGucket turned the Shack or his house into," Nate said after a moment's consideration.
"Yeah, these are probably the size of small skyscrapers," Lee stated.
Wendy's worry spiked into real fear, knowing Lothor having access to that kinda hardware, it wouldn't end well for anyone.
"And don't suppose that skeleton creep has anything like that?" She found herself asking Tambry, while turning her head toward the screen.
"Not that I've seen," Tambry replied, before grimacing, "Of course, he may not need it, because he's got a lot of monsters over here."
"Monsters?" Wendy repeated, blinking in confusion, "You mean those goo skeleton things?"
"Nah, I mean stuff a lot worse than that," Tambry explained, "Like, for example, I saw a whole room of house-sized mantises when Mandarin was showing me around. And they have even weirder stuff than that, I think."
"Greeeat... just... great," Wendy drawled out with a groaning sigh, "Lothor has giant robots and his skeleton pal has even more monsters to spare."
"Yes, so you should all be grateful that we've taken you onboard," Tak chimed in, "Now, as long as you stay loyal and obedient, you'll be safely out of the way whenever the two of them get tired of their games and decide to go all out on this pitiful planet~"
Wendy glared at her, not noticing how her friends seemed to reluctantly be taking the alien's words into serious consideration.
The boys themselves were of mixed minds. They'd had worse relationships, and the sex was actually pretty good, though admittedly they'd still like to be free, but couldn't deny the ship was probably one of the safer places to be.
As for Tambry, she found herself coming back to her already mixed feelings on the situation. She really did want to try and convince Mandarin to switch sides and help them, but she was realistic enough to acknowledge how hard that would be, not to mention that she did genuinely have feelings for him and a part of her hated trying to manipulate him. And now on top of that, the very likely fact that either Lothor or Skeleton King could actually pull off a conquest of Earth made staying in safety up here very appealing.
Though they were brought out of their thoughts by Tak giving a pointed cough. "But as amusing as this has been, it's best to wrap things up. I do have a meeting to attend to with Lothor in regards to our next target on Earth," the Irken said, giving them an annoyed look.
"Sure, God forbid we interfere with that," Wendy muttered sarcastically, earning a glare from Tak, which turned into a smirk.
"Careful with your tone, puppy, or I may have to give you a spanking in front of your friends~" she said with a laugh.
"What?!" Wendy sputtered, face blushing bright red at that while her friends looked on in amusement.
"Wow... again, never realized you were that kinky, Wendy~" Tambry said teasingly to her friend, who blushed while giving off a mixture between a growl and groan, "Anyways, I better sign off so I can start getting ready for that club date Mandarin's going to take me to on his little assignment."
She said before two new voices spoke up. "Oooh, did someone say date?" Said Marah, walking into the room with Kapri.
"Forget that, what's this about a club?" Kapri also questioned with an interested look toward Tambry, "Because sis and I are going crazy with cabin fever, and I'm all for taking a chance to get out of here and hit the club with our boy toys."
She said as Lee and Nate exchanged looks while Tak gave them an annoyed look and Wendy just sighed.
"Like I told the others, it's part of an assignment that Mandarin's boss is sending him on," Tambry explained, giving off a shrug.
"Really?" Kapri asked, sharing a glance with her sister, "Well, in that case, we should definitely go too!"
"Dare I ask what logic you're making that decision on?" Tak asked flatly.
"Hey, Uncle might be playing nice with the skeleton guy, but he's probably going to want to make sure he doesn't get an edge up, right?" Marah asked, "So, we should probably go along to make sure he doesn't get any intel without Uncle getting it too."
Tak moved to reply, but stopped, her mouth open as she blinked.
"I don't believe it..." she said, her tone flat yet incredulous, "That... actually makes sense," she said with a groan of realization, rubbing her face as Kapri and Marah looked smug, "But what makes you think you two are qualified for an intel-gathering assignment?"
Tak asked, sending them an annoyed look, "This is easily something I could handle myself, and unlike you two, I wouldn't get distracted with my toys or pretty lights," She barbed back while gesturing over to Lee and Nate, who frowned but remained silent alongside Wendy.
"Hey! We totally could get some good intel while having a good time!" Marah protested.
"Plus, it'll get us out of Uncle's hair for a while," Kapri added, with Tak giving another grunt, conceding the point.
"Fine... I'll run it by Lothor," Tak relented, if only so she didn't have to deal with these two morons for a while, "But you had better bring back some useful information... or else."
She said, sending them a threatening glare.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say," Kapri waved her off. Tak glared at her for a moment more, then scoffed.
"Fine. With that handled, let's go, puppy. I'll escort you back to your... room, before I go meet with Lothor," she commanded Wendy. For her part, the redhead scowled, not liking the idea of going back to her cell, but she had a feeling trying to resist would only make things worse for her. And besides, if she cooperated, at the very least maybe this way she could keep her clothes this time.
"Okay, fine. I'll see you guys later," she said to her friends.
"You take care of yourself, girl," Tambry said with an encouraging comforting smile, "Who knows, once we get enough trust, they might let us chat with each other on a daily basis," she added with a shrug, before giving a smirk, "But you just keep doing what you can to enjoy yourself."
She told her before giving a giggle as she signed off, "I know I am~"
Wendy groaned at that, not liking the mental images that comment brought forth. And she really hoped that she hadn't given Tambry the wrong idea that she was voluntarily going along with all the crap that Lothor and this bug bitch were putting her through!
While she was pondering that, Marah and Kapri grabbed the boys and led them out of the room.
"Let's go, boys, we have a night out to get ready for~" Kapri said with a smirk.
"Hehe, yeah... can't wait," Nate said with a forced grin, and unseen to Marah and Kapri their boyfriends traded serious looks behind their backs as they followed them out of the room, both wondering if this could be the chance they needed and were waiting for.
While Wendy herself just sighed, following Tak and internally hoping that whatever Lothor was planning right now would backfire in his face somehow.
(Lothor's command room)
"And that's why, sir, according the information provided by your new servant, along with what intel we've managed to get from the local information network, and our own efforts in gathering information, we believe this Kingdom of Alabasta might be the next fitting target to move in on to make up for the results of the Kaznia campaign."
Lothor himself was listening to Zurgane finish up his report, sitting on his throne with only Zurgane, Choobo, and Smellerbee in the room with him while processing everything he heard.
It was very interesting to hear that one of the most famous locations in One Piece existed as a country in this world. That raised the serious question of what other parts of that series might also be present, which could be both interesting and very much a threat, depending on the details.
In the immediate situation, however, it seemed they now had a prime target for the taking in the desert. From the sound of things, Alabasta was on the verge of its canonical civil war, with a years-long drought causing social tensions to spike, along with anger towards the royalty. It was a powder keg waiting to blow... and a perfect opportunity for him to take advantage of~
"Well, I think it's time we took in some sun," he chuckled, "Zurgane, gather a few squads of Kelzacks, and one of our monsters for some extra muscle. I want to see if this is one situation to we can twist in our favor."
"Yes sir!" Zurgane said with a salute, "And I believe I know just the soldier to use for this mission," He said bowing his head to his lord, "Terramole should be just the monster for the job," He said as Choobo spoke up.
"Why not send me? Why, I bet I'll have them ready to swear allegiance to the boss in no time," the lieutenant bragged somewhat, much to skeptical and annoyed looks.
"I seriously doubt it'll be that easy," Smellerbee said, leaning against the wall with a frown, "I know that I'm still new, but even if this kingdom wasn't on the verge of war, chances are all the governments and countries of the world are on guard with confirmed hostile alien invaders out there."
"Well, there's no fun without risk, my dear," Lothor stated with a smirk, "Besides, the fact that they are on the verge of such a conflict provides us with an opening that I can't pass up."
"Like what?" Smellerbee asked with an arched brow.
"Do not question Master Lothor, girl!" Zurgane snapped, only for Lothor to wave him off.
"It's fine, General, having to defend my plans helps keep me from becoming overconfident in them," he stated, "And the opening is simple - unlike Kaznia, the Justice League and other heroes don't seem interested in providing aid to this particular conflict. Which means we can go in and take advantage of the situation however we want without having to deal with them."
"And by the time they potentially do show any sign of interfering, we'll already have secured our foothold on Earth through Alabasta!" Zurgane said, banging his fist against his chest with a pleased tone.
"Hehe, yeah, though even if they do show up, I doubt they'll be that big of a problem," Choobo said with a laugh, "I mean, have you seen what some of those weirdos look like? I bet if we sent the Kelzaks to that fancy tower of theirs, we'd have them dealt with no time," He told them with a laugh, while Zurgane simply gave a scoff.
"And its comments like this that make everyone wonder if our master's nieces are truly the dumbest ones on the ship," he remarked, causing Choobo to glare.
"Hey! I'm plenty smart!" The lieutenant protested.
"Experience says otherwise," Zurgane said dryly back, with Smellerbee ignoring the potential argument as she turned to Lothor.
"And don't suppose you have a part for me to play in this little plan of yours?" She asked, before adding with a scowl, "And I hope you haven't already forgotten what you promised," she added, clenching her fist as her mind went to that abomination that had slaughtered her friends.
"Don't worry my dear, I'm a man of my word," Lothor replied, "We will track down that beast and get you your revenge. But in the meantime, you still need to train if you're going to stand a chance as more than a bystander when that time comes."
Smellerbee scowled at that, but huffed and looked away with crossed arms.
"Fine, whatever," she said, before looking to Choobo, "If you're staying behind, you're helping me train. I'm not going to sit on my ass doing nothing."
"Ah, what? Me?" Choobo questioned, pointing at himself in surprise, with Smellerbee nodding.
"Yeah, you have to be tough to become part of this army's elite, right?' she questioned as Choobo suddenly smirked.
"Hehe, you betcha. I'm not one of Master Lothor's best men for nothing," He claimed, as Zurgane gave a scoff.
"Oh please, you're only here because the master took pity on you, and needed cannon fodder to throw around," Zurgane sneered.
"That's not true! You're just jealous cause I'm a better fighter than you!" Chooboo yelled.
"Only in your dreams, you worthless little-!"
"Girls, you're both pretty," Lothor cut in dryly, "Now zip it! We have a mission to prepare for!"
"Yes sir! Apologies, sir!" Zurgane immediately focused back on Lothor, bowing, "I'll have the Kelzaks and Terramole ready to move out within the hour, sir!" He said, with Choobo muttering under his breath about a suck-up, prompting a low growl from Zurgane who had heard that, but Smellerbee spoke up next.
"Meanwhile, I guess Choobo and I will head to the training room," She said with the lieutenant giving a nod.
"Yeah, and when I'm done, she'll be ready to tear that guy she wants dead limb from limb," he promised with an eager grin, just as a new voice spoke up.
"Well, it's good to see you're making yourself useful," Tak noted as she walked into the room, "Though I will note that Mimi seems to be needing a little work despite your earlier repairs," she remarked with a frown.
"Hey, I did the best I could, considering how advanced that robot is!" Choobo protested.
"Hmph, I'll take that as a compliment," Tak scoffed as she walked over to stand next to Lothor's throne.
"Well dear, did our pet enjoy her meeting with her friends?" he asked her.
"It went well enough," Tak replied with a shrug, "Though you should know that the one over on Skeleton King's ship mentioned Mandarin taking her on an infiltration mission to some club as a date, and your nieces overheard that and want to join in."
"Of course they do," Lothor muttered, rolling his eyes, "Fine, whatever. If I don't let them go, they'll just whine about it, so I suppose I'll give them permission."
"And at least it will keep them out of the way for a while," Choobo added optimistically, "Though have to admit a night at the club sounds fun.'
"Save it for whenever I decide to give you a day off," Lothor snapped, "Now, get to it!"
With that, Zurgane left to rally their troops, while Choobo and Smellerbee went off to the training room, leaving Lothor and Tak alone.
"Are you sure that you don't want me accompanying you?" she asked him once they had the room to themselves.
"Tempting, my dear, but I'd prefer you get back to studying that buried ship in Gravity Falls," he replied, "I have a feeling that Skeleton King will take an edge on us in regards to the town's mystical elements, so I want to siphon as much technical knowledge as we can to stay competitive."
"Hmm, true, and any edge is important," Tak acknowledged with a frown, "And I'm beginning to worry you're becoming too complacent with this rival for conquest," she added, sending Lothor a look, "It hasn't escaped my note that you're becoming more comfortable and cordial with him during your communications with him."
She pointed out, staring up into the eyes of her lover, "Plus, you usually return from your meetings with him in a good mood."
"And why shouldn't I be? Not ever rivalry is as driven by hatred as yours with Zim," Lothor stated, while Tak snarled at the mention of her nemesis, "I find that he and I have much in common, so it's only natural that we get along. And just because one of us will eventually rule this world doesn't mean that we have to be at each other's throats."
"I disagree," Tak scoffed, "And all that aside, I still say you're getting complacent. This mission to Alabasta is the first move I've seen you make independent of working with Skeleton King since your initial attack on Gotham!"
"Hmm, I'll give you that," Lothor admitted, getting up from his throne too walk over to the console, Tak following him, "But, while this is our first new active move, we're not entirely without plans. There's waiting for Gaz to find anything useful for us to take advantage of, scrolling the information networks for any news on Zim or Sabertooth, mining Gravity Falls for research... oh, and this."
Tak narrowed an eye as she watched Lothor bring up an image on the console screen of a female winged humanoid.
"Who is this?" she demanded.
"Shayera Hol, aka Hawkgirl, a founder and former member of the Justice League," Lothor explained, "And also a spy for the Thanagarians, who enabled their invasion of Earth only to betray them out of a guilty conscience, after which she exiled herself from the League. She hasn't been seen since."
"The Thanagarians..." Tak spat out with a tone of distaste, prompting Lothor to give a curious look, "Irkens and Thanagarians have a history," She stated matter-of-factly with a frown, "You know how it is, a territory dispute rising when Irk claims a colony of theirs during territory expansion here, them having issues when we invade an allied species under their banner there, or of course providing some intelligence to Gordanians while also allowing them to journey through Irk space for a fee during that little war between them and the birds."
"Hmm, should make it interesting if we do cross paths with her then," Lothor chuckled, making Tak roll her eyes.
"I'm sure. And you really think you can take advantage of some disgraced exposed spy?" she asked.
"Well, she'll know all the other League founders on a personal level, which could prove useful," Lothor mused, "And if nothing else, she is known to be a highly skilled warrior. We can make use of that."
"True, I suppose every potential recruit is a good one," Tak mused, rubbing her chin, "Especially one who has experience with and knows how some of Earth's greatest protectors think."
She added with a smirk, "Plus, I suppose it would be fun to break in a real warrior like we have our other toys~" she added with a laugh that Lothor shared, before giving him a firm expression, "But fun aside, this and our newest addition Smellerbee has reminded me of a strategy we should perhaps look into employing."
Tak told Lothor while crossing her arms, "One that Skeleton King is already utilizing, that being recruitment of local agents to our cause to serve against our enemies," she explained, before adding with a dark growl, "Zim and Dib themselves have seemed to gain new allies since my last encounter with them, after all."
"Hmm, yes, I suppose that is something we need to look into to start leveling the playing field," Lothor mused, rubbing his chin in thought, "Fortunately, this world has a large criminal underworld, not to mention all the supervillains out there who have no problem selling their services. I'm sure we can start finding some if we start looking. Hell, I might find some in Alabasta."
"You really think there'll be anything worthwhile in some barren desert?" Tak scoffed, not exactly impressed by her lover's choice of targets.
"You never know what you'll find until you look, darling," Lothor replied, mind going to the idea of what Alabasta might have in store for him. If things were anything like canon, then Baroque Works or something equivalent to them might be waiting for him - or hell, maybe even something equivalent to the Poneglyph that he could take advantage of! He didn't know if Pluton existed in this world, but superweapons were fairly commonplace in DC, never mind all the other series part of this reality, so he wouldn't write it off completely.
"I have my doubts, but if you wish to further secure your foothold in that desert, then by all means," Tak said with a sigh, shaking her head, "Meanwhile, unless you have another task for me, I believe I'll start researching into potential recruits this planet has to offer."
She said, before giving him a smirk, "Unless you do have another task... such as one of relieving you of any stress before you depart~"
At that, Lothor smirked back at her.
"Well, I won't say no to that~" he said, picking her up and pulling her into a deep kiss as she wrapped her arms around him.
"Hmmm..." With Tak eagerly returning the kiss while putting aside the plans for their continued conquest for later, and focusing more on enjoying some pleasure from her partner.
"Ah, ah, mmm, Lothor..." she moaned as the kiss broke and his mouth moved to her neck, "Ah, ah, ah, if you keep this up, mmmm, I might be expecting you to, ah, ah, as the humans say, mmmm, put a ring on it~"
"Mmm, I"m tempted, but I think we can hold off on making things formal like that until we can do it to celebrate our conquest of Earth," Lothor replied, kissing at her neck while one of his hands moved down to grab and squeeze her ass, making her moan.
"Ah! Yes, I think I'd like that~ Being crowned your Queen atop of the rubble of our defeated enemies!" she declared happily, while sending the command to withdraw her clothes into her PAK. Taking this as permission to take things up a notch, Lothor carried her back to his throne, dropping down into it before shoving his pants down to let his hard cock pop out.
"Well, that's what we'll do. But until then, I know you love getting fucked in this room like this~" he said, before thrusting up into her.
"Ah! Fuck yes I do!" Tak moaned, her hands going to Lothor's shoulders, "Fuck your Queen, fuck her right on your throne!" she demanded, wasting no time to bounce hard and eagerly off Lothor's thick hard cock, "Ah, ah, ah, and let her remind you that no matter how many sluts you fuck, you'll only, ah, ah, ah, have one true Queen!"
She moaned, her tone mixed with smugness and desire, as admittedly a part of her was worried at the back of her mind that with Lothor's appetite, he might soon collect a girl that could challenge her position. And as much as much as she tried to deny it, her impudent pet's earlier words had been echoing inside her head and bothering her. She was confident in her own superiority... but she couldn't help but worry that Lothor's pure lust might draw him away from her.
And then she was pulled from her thoughts as Lothor leaned down to bite on her nipple as he continued to fuck her.
"AH! Yes! Keep doing that!" she groaned.
"Whatever my Queen wants~" Lothor said as he continued to bite and suck on her tit.
Fuck it, Tak thought with a moaning groan, her hands going to the side of Lothor's head, she'll worry about all this later. She just had to remember it didn't matter who Lothor picked up or how appealing their bodies were, she would prove her superiority over all others and show that she alone was his Queen, that she stood above all those bedwarmers.
"That's right, whatever I want~" she purred as she bounced on his cock, "And I want us ruling side by side, crushing all who oppose us!"
"Then that's what you'll get," Lothor growled in delight, "Nothing will stop us! Not on this planet, or anywhere else in the universe!"
"Urg, yes! We'll make even the Tallest themselves bow to us before destroying them!" Tak said, bouncing harder off his cock, her mind filled with images of them ruling countless planets and forging an empire like no other!
"Ah, ah, Zim, Dib, aoooh fuck yes! Ah, ah, the Justice League, ah, ah, Skeleton oooh King, hell, fucking Darkseid! They'll all fall to us!" she yelled, pulling Lothor into a hungry kiss, becoming lost in her lust and desire.
Fuck, he loved it when she got domineering like this, he thought happily~ And yes, he could just see them standing triumphant over a mountain of all their enemies as they ruled the universe with iron fists.
But that would come later. Right now, he just wanted to fuck her brains out, he decided as he kept thrusting away at her. With Tak soon pulling him down backwards, her back falling to the ground as he then started to fuck her hard into the floor.
"Ah, ah, ah, pound me! Pound your Queen!" Tak moaned, her eyes screaming nothing but lust and pleasure, "Show her, ah, ah, she's superior to all other sluts!"
She exclaimed, before biting onto Lothor's neck, sucking on it eagerly.
"Ugh!" Lothor cried out in pleasure, pounding even harder into her, "That's right! You're the best pussy I'll ever have! It doesn't matter how good all the rest are, none will ever match you!"
"Fucking right they won't!" Tak yelled, feeling herself so close to bursting. Soon enough, she came, cunt spraying juices around Lothor's cock as it tightened, soon making him cum as well.
"AAAHHH!" they screamed in tandem, before slumping into a heap on the floor as the sensation passed.
"Ah, ah, ah... I love you," Tak muttered, holding him close.
"I love you too, darling," Lothor replied, kissing her forehead, "And while I enjoy a good cuddle, we do have jobs to do, so we should get going."
"Ah, ah, I know... though it is tempting to continue this," Tak admitted with a pout, giving his lips a kiss before it broke as he pulled out of her with a grunt, "Just make sure to secure that foothold and get some good resources from that Alabasta place."
Tak said, standing up with a grunt and having her PAK redress her, "And I suppose pick us up an interesting toy too, if you find anyone interesting enough," she added with a scoff.
"Well, I'll see if there's any that catch my eye~" Lothor replied with a chuckle, mind going to a certain blue-haired princess. Ooh, now there would be a hot piece of ass to break in~
Giving Tak another kiss, the two left the room to prepare for their respective missions... not noticing as a certain fedora-wearing plaid animal emerged from behind the throne, having been watching them the whole time.
"Brrrrrr..." was the only noise the plaidypus made, before placing a whoopee cushion that would double as a banana cream bomb once someone sat on it, on the throne before disappearing.
And as this was happening, over in the Citadel of Bone, Lothor's fellow isekai and rival warlord was receiving his own report while making his own plans.
(Citadel of Bone)
"The Cathurians as requested, master," Mandarin declared as he entered the throne room, bowing before his master and the Formless forcing the cat siblings to do so as well.
"Ah, excellent..." Skeleton King said with a dark smirk, sitting back in his throne as the forms of Blackfire and Jinmay stood by it.
The former wearing the alteration to her original outfit that her master gave her, and the latter opting to wear her original wear she wore when the isekai soul first awoke as Skeleton King over her biker outfit.
"I'm sure it must be quite a honor for you two being summoned in the presence of your lord and master~" He said with a devious chuckle.
"That's one word for it," Tikqudo growled as he and his sister glared at the monster who destroyed their world and enslaved their people.
"Tch, such a disrespectful tone," Blackfire spat, "Is this how you show your gratitude to your lord?"
"Gratitude? For what?" Neekeeta demanded incredulously.
"He could have just wiped out your whole race instead of sparing some of you," Jinmay pointed out smugly.
At that, she only got angry incredulous looks as Skeleton King let out a chuckle, sending them a smirk, "Indeed, I saw potential, which is why I left a number of your people alive so that potential could be honed in my service, as I bring the survivors into a new age of glory under my rule~"
"Yes, we can see all that glory as we toil pointlessly in your mines," Neekeeta spat, "If you really want to be merciful, stop with the false pleasantries and just tell us why we're here!"
"Hehe, spirited aren't we~" Skeleton King said with an amused leer while Blackfire and Jinmay shot her annoyed if not angry looks at her disrespect, "But very well..."
He gestured to the side, where Skeleton King Droid stood silently before approaching with its screen changing to that of Earth.
"This is Earth... my most recent target," Skeleton King explained with a smirk, "It is a rather special planet, that I believe will prove not only an interesting challenge for me, but also make for a fitting capital for my new empire~"
He said with a dark grin while Neeketa and Tikqudo stared at the latest world to catch this monster's eye, and could only hope it would fare better than their own.
"And as for why I brought you here or why I'm telling you this," Skeleton King frowned, "I must admit, you aren't wrong that i have perhaps been wasting the potential of your people... or even the rest of my prisoners," He remarked, leaning back in his throne as he had truthfully been wondering what to do about all those held aboard the Citadel of Bone for a while. After all, Evil for the sake of Evil in making the prisoners suffer was all well and good if not fun, but it seemed like a waste. True, there was the factor they made excellent leverage, but he believed they could be used in other ways.
Though on the prisoners, it had certainly been a surprise for him when he realized it wasn't just citizens of Shuggazoom, but also those the Hyper Force met, or would have met as allies. Such as the siblings before him and the likes of Alliana, but also others such as that Frog Team, Master Offay, and even Captain Shuggazoom all of them held in various states of imprisonment in the Citadel.
Even those that the Hyper Force clashed against could be found, one of which he had enlisted and given another chance, sending them to Jump City in preparation for a plot, while also potentially securing a new asset.
"And that is something I wish to change," He said with a wicked gleam, looking at the two Cathurians, as he learned their species was called, "You might have lost your original home, but Earth can become a new home for all your people, under my guidance."
He leaned forward, giving them a dark hiss, "It hasn't escaped my note how you two in particular still retain strong spirits of defiance... and such spirit is better aimed at my enemies~"
"You actually expect us to help you enslave another world?" Tikqudo demanded incredulously.
"Like you have any better options?" Jinmay scoffed, "This way, you'll be relatively free. You really want to pass that up to keep mining?"
Both of them stiffened, scowling at the machine girl; their fellow prisoners from the fallen planet of Shuggazoom had not been shy of sharing her crimes and betrayal, and how she played a key role in the fall of their world, with it of course disgusting both siblings, just as her master did.
Though her words weren't wrong. However...
"We'd never sell our souls while our people suffered," Neekeeta said, shaking her head with a look of resolve, while her brother gave an agreeing nod, though he also shot his sister a better look.
"Ah, but what if your service guaranteed your people better treatment, and in time a better future?" Skeleton King asked with a smirk as Blackfire followed in.
"After all, it's not like you can get back your home, or stand a chance against Skeleton King's power," The rogue princess said smugly, "You should be grateful he's offering your people this lifeline for more than just being slaves in meaningless labor for the rest of their days."
She added in amusement. A part of her had certainly been surprised yet amused at Skeleton King's sadistic treatment of his prisoners taken from his conquered and destroyed world, but it was just another thing she loved about the man.
"Indeed, which brings us to the point," Skeleton King turned his gaze toward Tikqudo, "I see potential you in two... Tikqudo, with proper training I believe, will make for an excellent warrior under my banner."
Tikqudo's fists clench at his side as his sister gave him a look of concern, "Should you kneel and serve against my enemies, I promise to remove your sister from the mines and allow her to live in much more comfortable accommodations~"
He said with a laugh as Jinmay and Blackfire traded looks, both of them already having a good idea what their lord had in mind for the pussycat. And while there was the instinctive jealousy there, they had to admit that the thought of adding to the harem could be fun.
'As long as she knows that I'm top bitch,' both of them thought independently.
"I will not let you use me as leverage," Nekeeta growled.
Skeleton King simply smirked, his eyes subtly examining the form of the one-time character from the Monkey Team show, having to admit she looked quite delectable in person, and her continued defiance despite what she had lost and endured since chained made her all the more appealing.
"Hehe, you underestimate what a brother will do for a sister, my dear," He said with a smirk, his eyes going from her to the scowling Tikqudo, "And you also forget that it's not just you I have as leverage," He added with an evil smirk, "Should you agree, then I promise you this."
He stood up from his throne, holding his staff and looking upon them imperiously, "If you serve well and earn it, your people will be granted their own territory under your leadership on Earth once I conquer it."
At that, both siblings couldn't help but give him looks of surprise before Neekeeta added bitingly, "While under your benevolent rule, naturally," she said, her voice filled with venom.
"Hehe, naturally~" Skeleton King said, approaching them and leering down at them, once again enjoying his body's height, "Of course, should you refuse this offer, then I can't promise your people's treatment will be so merciful or rewarding~"
The siblings tensed at that, minds filling with horrific images of what could still be done to their people at this monster's whim. They exchanged looks as they considered this, before turning back to Skeleton King.
"What exactly do you want from me?" Tikqudo growled, hating even the idea of giving in, but not feeling like he had a choice.
Skeleton King smirked, knowing that he had him, "As said, you will undergo training, and when I deem you ready you shall serve as a warrior in my army," he explained, rubbing his chin, "I actually already have a good first target in mind once you're ready."
He added, glancing off to the side, with the Skeleton Droid displaying recorded and live monitored footage of Jump City, which were experiencing the events of the episode "Forces of Nature", and it had been proving entertaining.
Though from what he could see, there were differences. A key part of that episode's plot was the tension between Starfire and Beast Boy after the latter's intended prank backfired and hit Starfire instead. Where from what he could see, the Tamaranean princess was certainly more vicious and angry in her fighting from his recent monitoring of Jump City, with her showing her anger toward the demigod brothers Thunder and Lightning.
Likely a result of the little message he had sent the Titans concerning her sister's fate~ And he had to say that the fact it had led to even more tension and problems with Beast Boy in this episode's plot had proven to be delightfully amusing. It seemed despite the current problems, the green moron had still gone through with his prank; you'd think he'd realize now wasn't the time for such things.
Though that aside, he had the Skeleton King Droid display the current live feed of the fire monster heading toward Jump City, and Robin engaging who he knew to be a disguised Slade, "That being the young warrior Robin, who leads a group of protectors known as the Teen Titans."
Tikqudo frowned in thought as he watched the young warrior in the oddly colored clothes fought the old man whose own clothes put him in mind of his own people. He had to admit, the young one was very skilled; under normal circumstances, Tikqudo wouldn't mind sparring with him in a friendly contest.
But then, this wouldn't be friendly, and he knew it.
"So, you want me to kill him?" he asked for clarification.
"Well, you would be rewarded if you achieve such," Skeleton King said with an amused chuckle, "But you need only prove that you're committed and that you're a worthwhile investment, like I believe."
He said with a dark grin toward him, "But none the less, do you accept my generous offer?" He asked as the Cathurian scowled, before sighing.
"Brother, you can't..." Neekeeta said toward him while reaching out to place her hand on her shoulder.
"What other choice do we have, sister?" Tikqudo said quietly, his voice full of pain and resignation, "This could be our only chance to ensure our people still have a future... or can survive, even," He said with a scowl. It would be under this monster's rule, yes, but at least they'd be more free and wouldn't be forced to do meaningless labor until they died... that was no life or future for their people, "And if it means that our people... that you live better, I will sell my soul to evil itself."
He vowed as Skeleton King let out a loud laugh at the proclamation.
"A wise choice indeed~" Mandarin said, having remained silent off to the side while shooting Tikqudo a smirk, "Rest assured, you will find service to Skeleton King most rewarding, so long as you prove your worth~"
He said with a sneer.
Tikqudo glared at the monkey, having a special amount of disdain for him matched only for that for Jinmay, based on what he'd heard from the other prisoners. After all, here was a warrior who had betrayed his comrades to sell out to pure evil, spitting on everything such beings were meant to stand for.
He'd love to strike the little beast down, but that wouldn't do them any good. So, he merely ignored him and stayed focused on Skeleton King.
"If you will keep your word and do as you promise for my sister and my people... then I will do as you command," he said, bowing his head.
"Brother!" Neeketa gave her brother a horrified look, but what made it all the worse, she didn't see any way to convince him otherwise, because to do so meant more than putting themselves at risk, but their people.
"Excellent~" The monster hissed, snapping his fingers with two Formless approaching, "These Formless will guide you to the training area, where you can begin to prepare yourself."
Skeleton King said before glancing off to the side toward Neekeeta, "And while your people will continue to toil for now, your sister as stated earlier, to prove my benevolence will be moved to more comfortable accommodations."
He said, before giving her a evil grin, "And not to worry my dear, like your brother I see great potential in you~" He said, staring into her eyes as she glared but gave a shiver.
There was a hunger in those eyes, and she was terrified as she realized that it was aimed at her. But she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her fear, so she steeled herself and maintained her glare.
With her glancing to the side as her brother spoke.
"Just uphold your promise... and I will carry out your orders," Tikqudo said quietly, feeling internally disgusted at this, but if it meant his people and sister would be better off, he would do this, while internally praying for their ancestors to forgive him.
"Tikqudo..."
He glanced to Neekeeta, who gave him a silent look, "I'm sorry, sister... but this is our only choice," He said, turning to face the two Formless and moving to follow, with Neekeeta frowning and moving to follow her brother, only to find a grip on her shoulder, "Oh no... like I said my dear, you will be moved to new living quarters while your brother trains for his induction into my army~"
Skeleton King said with a vicious grin, staring silently over at Tikqudo, "And I don't think I need to detail the consequences should you disappoint me, or worse consider... betrayal, do I?" he asked, with Tikqudo scowling but giving an understanding nod.
"Just ensure my sister is treated well," he said, sending one last apologetic look toward his sister before making his leave, while Neekeeta stared at his back, feeling so hopeless as the monster gripped her shoulder.
"Mandarin..." Skeleton King glanced over to the monkey, "Unless you have something of interest to discuss, you are free to begin your mission," He said, before adding with a smirk, "Though you're also free to enjoy your little date, as long as it doesn't distract you too much."
Mandarin flushed slightly at that, and glared at Jinmay and Blackfire as they snickered at him. However, he quickly composed himself and bowed to his master.
"Of course, master, my duty will always come before my personal pleasure," he said.
"Enjoy yourself Mandarin, let me know if you spot anybody of interest, or learn anything of interest," Skeleton King stated as Mandarin bowed, before making his leave while his master mused to himself.
Things had been progressing quite well since gaining a foothold in Kaznia. True, he hadn't performed much major action since, outside of sending Jinmay to deliver that message for the Titans. But he had been making excellent progress in not only information gathering, but preparing for various potential plots.
He had an agent in Jump City, who unless that fool disappointed him, would be in prime position to turn the events of a Titan episode to his advantage.
His trap in Camp Wannaweep was just about ready, with that mutant Gill knowing his place, and soon he'd set the invitations and bet and let his targets walk right in the trap.
And there was also the information that Audrey and Megara had given him when he had personally visited them recently in Kaznia. After all, he shouldn't ignore two delicious slaves like that, had to keep them nice and loyal to their master, and addicted to his cock~
Audrey had informed him of Meridian and the troubles there, and it was still a surprise to see that kingdom from W.I.T.C.H exist on Earth, but he was learning to adapt and go with the flow for twists like this.
Evidently, it seemed Phobos was still Phobos, despite this variation having attempted to exploit the war to his advantage by providing aid to both sides, likely in a bid to keep the war going hot for as long as possible and then swoop in at the right opportunity to annex Kaznia under his control.
Naturally, a puppet figurehead now or not, Audrey was pissed and wanted to make the overblown regent pay for his impudence. And that was something Skeleton King was all the more willing to encourage, telling her to milk out what she could with this leverage. Though also informed her at the same time it would be of advantage to form closer ties to Meridian at the same time, and he could already picture making Elyon moan and squeal while calling him master~
So he ordered her to accept a diplomatic meeting with their envoy, though when learning who that Meridian diplomatic ambassador was, Susan Vandom mother of Will Vandom... Well, he altered his plan somewhat and told her to make the right preparations so he could be involved in that meeting personally~
Though that in itself was still a few days off, and of course Audrey had also informed him of other current events going on across the world.
And it was fascinating to learn that Corona from Disney existed in this reality, and it seemed much like canon, Rapunzel was a missing princess. If things were playing out like canon, only in a modern crossover era... then he needed to be ready to move soon, before a certain thief found a certain tower.
Another thing of note was the existence of the kingdom Wukong under the rule of the Ox King from Dragon Ball era, with more Dragon Ball elements not being that surprising, with the confirmed existence of the Briefs family, after all.
Though a part of him was still worried about Dragon Ball elements being in the equation. A part of him was curious if Dragon Balls were a thing, but also hoping that didn't mean Dragon Ball Z power levels and characters were a factor. He was confidant in his skills, but he didn't like his odds against Frieza, Super Saiyans, and gluttonous Gods of Destruction, to say the least. He was holding out hope that it was just elements and characters from early Dragon Ball, or if any from the Z and Super era appeared, it wasn't at the same level of power as their canon counterparts.
However, that was neither here or there; what was interesting was the little rampage Ox King was on, all due to the fact that his daughter was desiring to be married to a strong worthy husband, a role he'd be all too happy to fulfill, to say the least.
And of course there was the information Megara reported on Intergang's operations, and how her position currently was within said organization, which had no clue of her changed loyalties. Along with all the information she passed on about a certain Disney Hero by the name of Hercules~
First of all, he was quite interested to learn that he was not the original mythical Hercules, but a more modern demigod born in recent times and named in honor of the original. He was still a son of Zeus, but since the Olympians in this reality were based more on their DC variations rather than the Disney movie, that and his general personality seemed to be all he had in common with that version.
In any case, he'd taken up the mantle of a superhero, having spent some time traveling the world but eventually settling in Metropolis, where he operated alongside Superman and Supergirl. Though his showboating and mild smugness evidently made him slightly less popular than them, by all accounts.
Oh, and apparently he and Megara had slept together once, which the oaf seemed to take as commitment to a longer-term relationship. Though Meg made it clear that she hadn't really been interested even before getting to know what a REAL man was like~ But at the same time, she had no problem with exploiting his assumption, as even before leaving for her Kaznia assignment, she figured she could take advantage of his feelings, a belief that got all the stronger now that she was serving a real man with real power.
She was all too eager to manipulate that musclebound fool on his orders, as soon as he figured out the best way to take advantage of him.
Yes, overall, things were looking very good for him~ And that wasn't even going into the apparent treasure hunt for Horror's Hand that Eris had kicked off (And it was interesting to note that while the rest of the pantheon were more DC variation, this Eris was more attuned to Grim Adventures). Though the compass had yet to do anything, he believed from his inherited knowledge and studying it that it would activate at certain times or with a certain catalyst... he was still looking into what that catalyst was.
There was also Valeena's own mission he gave her, but as he learned more of who existed on this variation of Earth, he began to have theories where Aku's essence could be found. Specifically, he went back to certain fan theories of a connection between the Shogun of Sorrow's essence and the power source/origin of a certain trio of young heroines whom he'd recently learned existed in this reality as well. Albeit older than in canon, and as a consequence, much finer on the eye~
But eye candy and potential fun aside, he remembered there were those who chose to believe that Chemical X was in some way connected to Aku. And if it was the case in this reality, perhaps going after the Powerpuff Girls could prove to be beneficial in more ways than one~
Though those plans and the choosing of his next move could wait... for now. He glanced over to Neekeeta, who remained where she stood with a glare. He had a new pet to claim~
"And I hope you don't think i've forgotten you, my dear," he said, smirking toward Neekeeta, "Like your brother, I see much greater potential than a mere worker in the mines~"
"Oh joy," she huffed, "I suppose I should be flattered by that?"
"Oh, trust me, pussycat. By the time the master's done with you, you'll be more than grateful~" Blackfire purred teasingly.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Neekeeta asked, giving the girl a scowl, while doing her best to hide her wariness or fear, knowing that the situation wasn't favorable for her at all, and despite her defiance, even she couldn't stop the tinkle of fear at what this monster and his servants might have planned for her.
"Only that you'll soon think that Skeleton King coming into your life was the best thing that ever happened to you," Jinmay said smugly, right beside Blackfire. After all, the latter still remembered well her initial defiance to her master, how he proved his superiority in battle and took her as his prize. And she realized how far she'd fallen, giving up any plans for betrayal to embrace a life of being by his side, and her determination of being his Queen.
Some might say he broke her, but in truth she realized she was in love with this man who would destroy all in his way as he forged an empire like no other.
With Skeleton King giving off a small chuckle, "Tell me, Neekeeta..." he said, smiling smugly at her, "What does your heart desire?" he asked, holding out his hand, "Because I can grant it to you, along with a life of power and pleasure you'd never even dreamed of~"
"You mean aside from my people being completely free from you, and you paying for your evil?" Neekeeta growled, "There is nothing you could offer me that I would want!"
"Oh..." Skeleton King gave a dark leer as he stepped forward, "I wouldn't be so sure of that, my dear," He said, reaching out to cup her cheek, causing her to freeze in place, "After all..." His dark gaze stared into her eyes and what felt like her soul, "You'll find that I offer a lot to those I choose to induct into my personal harem~"
With her eyes going wide in shock at his words, and the next thing she knew she was pulled into a rough kiss by the monster that had enslaved her people.
Her mind froze in shock as she processed this. This abomination was actually kissing her?! And did he just say harem?!
As the kiss broke a moment later, allowing her to pull back, still stunned, she caught sight of Jinmay and Blackfire. Both of whom were smirking smugly at her.
"Mmm, welcome to the club, pussycat~" Blackfire chuckled.
"Trust us, you'll be mewling and meowing master's name all night soon, and will be as addicted to him as catnip~" Jinmay added in with her own smirk, while Neekeeta was in shock, feeling herself stiffen as she felt Skeleton King's hand grab and squeeze her breast through her clothing.
"AH!" she yelped, before growling, "Let go!"
With a hiss, she instinctively lashed out a hand with her claws extended, slashing across Skeleton King's face. However, to her dismay, this barely left scratches, and didn't even seem to cause him any pain.
"Hehe, resistant are we~" Skeleton King said, letting go of his staff, allowing it to float off toward his throne with a mental command, "Don't worry..." He lashed out and grabbed her by her wrists, "You'll come to crave my touch soon enough~"
He said with a leer, before addressing Jinmay and Blackfire over his shoulder, "Girls, show your new harem sister your divine bodies~"
"Gladly, master~" Jinmay said with a smirk, as she and Blackfire quickly removed their clothes.
"Like what you see, pussycat?" Blackfire laughed as she saw Neekeeta's eyes widen as she looked at them, reaching up to start kneading her breasts, "Don't worry, master will let you play with us once he's got you broken in~"
"This... this is..." Neekeeta shook her head, a blush being seen through her fur as she struggled against the monster's grip, "Indecent!" she snapped, trying not to look at the bodies of those sluts who willfully gave their souls and bodies to this abomination!
"Oho, looks like we've got a prude on our hands~" Jinmay giggled.
"Yeah, and if she thinks this is 'indecent', we should give her a taste of what's really in store for her~" Blackfire added with a laugh of her own, giving Jinmay a lecherous look.
"Read my mind!" Jinmay replied, before grabbing Blackfire and pulling her into a searing hot kiss. Neekeeta could only watch, her blush intensifying, as the two girls kissed deeply while pressing against each other, hands roaming over each other's bodies.
"Hehe, jealous, my dear?" Skeleton King hissed as he loomed over her, "Don't worry, as they said, you'll be feeling their touch along with mine quite often from now on~" He said as he leaned in and licked up the side of her neck, finding himself strangely unbothered by the taste of her fur.
"Ugh! What, jealous?! No!" she yelled in response, trying to ignore how good what he was doing to her felt, "This, this is wrong! I have no desire for you, you monster!"
"Hehe, then I suppose you desire your people's suffering instead?" Skeleton King asked, causing her to freeze, "After all, if you deny this generous offer, I might decide to take it out on them~" He said with a dark grin.
Neekeeta's eyes widened in horror at that. Her people were already suffering, she couldn't let it get worse for them!
But... could she really give herself over to this unholy abomination, even for that reason?
"Hehe, and besides, I think you'll find that sharing my bed is quite enjoyable~" Skeleton King told her with a smug grin, with Jinmay and Blackfire's moans as they made out and felt up each other's naked bodies seeming to emphasize his words, "After all, I have five official members in my harem, who worship my cock as much as they do me~"
He said smugly, staring into her eyes, filled with such defiance but fear for her people, "And a sixth who's currently on a mission to earn the right to join them~"
Neekeeta couldn't believe what she was hearing. There were really that many women willing to throw themselves at this thing? Why would they be willing to debase themselves like that?
And why was a part of her wondering what it would be like?!
Skeleton King was evil... an abomination beyond abominations! He destroyed not only his own home planet but ravaged her own home world along with corrupting any other world that crossed his path! What remains of her people toiled away in meaningless labor on his ship, just for his sadistic amusement! He freely admitted to now setting his sights on this Earth to conquer it as well, he was nothing but a cruel monster.
Why in her ancestors' name would part of her be curious what sharing his bed would be like? She asked herself as Skeleton King let go of her, stepping back with a smirk.
"You see my dear, you've had my attention for some time," He said with a smirk, leaving out she had his attention after processing more of his memories and thinking about the prisoners he had as resources on his ship, "I can still remember how you in particular were oh so defiant when the survivors of your people were brought to my citadel."
He gave an amused chuckle, "I can remember your lovely eyes looking upon me with such contempt and hate, but still retaining a fighting spirit, something that many of your fellows oh so obviously lacked."
"Am I supposed to be flattered by that?" Neekeeta growled, trying to ignore how a part of her did enjoy the fact that her defiance had been strong enough to leave an impression on him.
"Ah... yes you should," Jinmay said, breaking the kiss with Blackfire to send Neekeeta an annoyed look, "You should be grateful you have any ounce of his attention," she said while rubbing her cheeks against Blackfire's breasts; God, she was secure and confidant in her own body, but she both loved and hated how big the other girl's tits were, "Hell, you should be stripping and begging your master to fuck you like the slutty pussycat you are~"
She added, before turning her head to bite down on Blackfire's nipple, sucking it as Neekeeta shot them a disgusted look.
"I have more dignity than two wanton whores who sold their souls to serve a monsters desires!" she spat, glaring at the two, "I already know of your story of betraying your own lover, and I doubt the other slattern is any better," she added with a huff.
"Considering my own family stabbed me in the back in favor of giving MY rightful throne to my oh so precious little sister, while the master is willing to just hand it to me in exchange for my loyalty, I feel no shame from my actions," Blackfire scoffed.
"And my loser ex was more interested in treating me like a damsel in distress than showing me the respect that master does," Jinmay added.
"Selfish whores," Neekeeta scoffed in disgust.
If there's one thing her people valued, it was loyalty and commitment to your bonds, both family and love. For them to throw it all away for power and lust and be this monster's personal sex slaves was disgraceful.
"You'll be singing a different tune soon enough," Jinmay spat right back, glaring at her with Blackfire, who spoke up.
"Allow us some time master, and we can have this pussycat ready for you," she offered with a dark grin, prompting Skeleton King to chuckle while Neekeeta hissed, stepping back.
"Tempting, but I'm sure she knows that she has no choice here," Skeleton King said, and in a glow of dark purplish light his clothing vanished, leaving his naked body bare to the girls, including his hard cock, "So why don't you take off that kimono and show your master your lovely body~"
Despite herself, Neekeeta found herself staring with a slack jaw and bright blush at the sight of his cock. She'd never actually seen one before, having been saving herself for marriage, as was proper and traditional. Were they all this big?
"Enjoying the sight, kitty?" Blackfire called out mockingly, breaking her out of her shock. This made her blush grow even stronger as she realized what she was doing, and she looked away defiantly.
"If you think I'm actually going to do this-" she started to say, only for Jinmay to interrupt.
"If you don't, your people suffer. Your pride able to handle that?" she asked sarcastically.
At that Neekeeta froze, remembering very well the risk involved in refusing. If it was just her alone... but what would Skeleton King do to her brother... to her people... if she refused his advances?
She knew that she wasn't in position to fight him. The abomination had displayed his power among his prisoners to cement the fact their fate was sealed... and even if she had a chance at harming him, much less killing him, there was an entire ship full of his servants and monsters to consider.
"Hehe, I'm sure she wouldn't put her pride before her people, Jinmay~" Skeleton King said as Blackfire and Jinmay approached his sides, both of them gazing hungrily at his cock, "Especially when she could enjoy the perks of my favor~" He added as Blackfire and Jinmay leaned in to kiss his cock on opposite sides.
Neekeeta gulped, both in horror at what she was considering doing... and shame at the fact that she really liked how that looked. And worse, the fact that she didn't have a choice, and she knew it.
"For my people," she muttered in resigned shame, as she slowly removed her kimono, soon standing naked before them, blushing brightly.
(decided to share the best nude pics of Neekeeta I could find all together~)
"Hmm, not bad," Jinmay said, looking up with a glance and smirk.
"Oh yes, she'll make a nice pet~" Blackfire agreed, both girls going to lick their master's balls while preparing his cock for the pussycat.
"Hmm, yes... such a lovely body," Skeleton King said with a lustful grin, and indeed she was. It seemed this one-time character from Hyper Force was prime furry to fuck material, and he couldn't help but find her embarrassment and shame as she raised an arm to cover her C-Cup breasts cute.
"Come..." He said, raising his hand and making a come hither gesture, "Come and worship your master~" He proclaimed with a cackle, with Neekeeta closing her eyes with a small tear leaving them, internally begging her brother and people to forgive her... but it was for them.
So, reluctantly, she walked forward and lowered herself to her knees, leaving her face right in front of Skeleton King's cock. Gulping, she leaned forward, mouth wide-
"GLRKT!"
And before she knew it, the undead man meat was in her mouth, and she was sucking on it.
"Hehe, look at her, the pussy slut loves it~" Jinmay said with a smirk.
"It is always amusing to see a whore realize her proper place~" Blackfire agreed with a giggle as Skeleton King fucked Neekeeta's mouth eagerly.
"GLRT! GLRKT! GLRKT! GLRKT!"
She wanted to desperately deny it... but the more that the cock forced its way in and out of her mouth, the harder that denial became.
He was a monster, an unholy abomination who had enslaved her people and destroyed their world, and was forcing her into this. So why did he have to make her feel so good?!
Her body, it just felt so hot! She'd never experienced anything like this before. She... she had to do something about this heat.
Before she knew it, her hand was going down and she was rubbing her wet dripping pussy, with Jinmay and Blackfire giving off mocking laughs as she moaned around Skeleton King's cock.
"And here I thought she'd be the one to actually put up a fight against our master~" Jinmay remarked with amusement.
"It's not her fault she's a slutty pussy, and Skeleton King is superior to all other men~" Blackfire said as they moved closer to Neeketa, placing both of their faces against one of her breasts, Jinmay her right and Blackfire her left, with Jinmay licking and kissing it to tease it while Blackfire just grabbed and squeezed the other nipple.
"MMPH!" Neekeeta yelped at the sudden sensation, which felt better than anything she'd ever experienced before.
"Hehe, enjoying that, pussy?" Blackfire laughed as she continued to squeeze the breast in her hand, while Jinmay stopped teasing the one she was attending to and instead bit it.
Neekeeta could only moan around the cock, hating the fact she did enjoy it. Was she really this weak... this pathetic? She always tried to be strong like her brother, even more so after the fall of their people to the abomination, a pillar they could depend on in this hell.
Now...
"GLRT! GLRKT! GLRKT!" She was sucking the cock of said abomination as he placed his hand on top of her head, petting her as if she were a pet and his two whores helped themselves to her breasts... she told herself she was doing this to protect her people... but that didn't stop the shame and disgust that grew with her own arousal and pleasure.
Because as wrong as she knew this was, it just felt so good~ The feel of this monster's cock in her mouth, and what his sluts were doing to her breasts... spirits, it was making her hot! Her body was on fire!
"MMMMPH!" she moaned around the cock as her fingers entered her pussy, desperately trying to rub away the heat and tension.
"Hmm, yessss, suck it... suck your master's cock~" The abomination cooed, looming over her as he had his way with her mouth, "In time, you'll care for and love it far more than your people and even your own brother~" Skeleton King added with a dark cackling groan.
No... no, that couldn't be true! Neekeeta thought desperately, even as she didn't stop what she was doing. She was doing this to protect her brother and people, she wouldn't take it in place of them! No matter how good it felt...
"GLRKT!"
And then she was gagging and gasping as Skeleton King suddenly came, his seed shooting down her throat. With him allowing her to pull off his cock to pull back as he still shot his load, with some hitting her face and breasts while she choked on the load in her mouth, but before she could spit out or swallow-
"MFFF!" she found a pair of feminine lips moving in quickly to kiss her hungrily, while at the same time taking her own share of seed in Neekeeta's mouth.
"Mmmm," Blackfire moaned happily as she sucked some of her love's seed out of Neekeeta's mouth, before breaking the kiss so that she could swallow it, while grabbing the Cathurian's mouth and squeezing it closed to force her to swallow too.
"Enjoy that?" the Tamaranean asked mockingly as Neekeeta swallowed, loving the look at the cat's face.
"Mmm, definitely sounds like it~" Jinmay added teasingly as she licked the rest of the cum off of Neekeeta's breasts, taking her time to run her tongue slowly and lovingly along those fur-covered mounds.
With Neekeeta giving off a low moan as she swallowed the seed, which didn't even taste as remotely foul as she expected... hating that fact almost as much as hated the mocking of these whores... and how true it seemed to ring.
"Now let's give your master a show as we get you ready for his cock~" Blackfire said, moving her hand down to her crotch, rubbing it for a moment before inserting her fingers in her, causing the cat to let out a moan, "And the pussy slut's pussy is already so wet and hot~"
Blackfire added with a laugh, "Of course she is, no woman can resist Skeleton King and his cock~" Jinmay bragged smugly, before biting Neekeeta's nipple as their master loomed over them, pumping the cock in question.
"Ugh, no..." Neekeeta moaned a weak denial, trying desperately to ignore the pleasure of what they were doing to her, "This... ugh... for my people..."
"Oh please, who do you think you're fooling?" Blackfire scoffed as she fingered the Cathurian even harder, "We can all see how much you're loving this~"
"That's right, forget about your people and brother," Jinmay agreed, grabbing and twisting one nipple while licking the other, "Let them toil in the mines or die in our master's name while you live a life of pleasure as his pet pussy~"
"Nggh, pet?" Neekeeta moaned, mind starting to fog with lust and pleasure.
"Yes, pet~" Blackfire purred into her ear, "Just picture it. Spending every day cuddled up to our master, letting him do whatever he wants to you like he does to all of us. Making you feel better than you ever have in your life~"
And despite herself, Neekeeta couldn't help but picture it, seeing a life of serving Skeleton King's every desire and being rewarded with pleasure... of her sitting naked against him as he lounged on his throne as she sucked his cock before bouncing off it, mewling like a whore.
No, no, no - she had to resist this! She was descended from a long line of noble warriors and leaders, she wasn't some base slut! And she wasn't doing this out of choice, she was just trying to protect her people! She was... was... was...
"AAAHHHH!!!" Neekeeta screamed as she came, cunt tightening around Blackfire's fingers as she sprayed juices.
"See? Much more fun when you give in~" Blackfire giggled.
"Ah... ah... ah... I..." Neekeeta tried to gather her breath, unable to believe what she just felt or experienced, before giving off a defiant if weak glare, "I... will not break," she told them, taking a vow, "Do what you ah... want with my body... my spirit will not break."
She said, with Jinmay and Blackfire snorting.
"Oh, we'll see about that~" Jinmay said, while giving a hard twist of Neekeeta's nipple, listing to her yowling moan in glee.
"Indeed... we shall," Blackfire said, glancing up to their master who loomed over with them with a dark gaze of desire, "Your pussy is ready for you, master~" she said, licking some of Neekeeta's juice off her hand, savoring the taste.
"Hmm, yes... but first..." Skeleton King shot Neekeeta a smirk, "Let us hear our new pet thank us for this honor, and beg for her master to deflower her with his cock~"
"W-what?" Neekeeta stammered.
"You heard him. Thank him, and beg him," Jinmay said firmly, giving another harsh twist of her nipple.
"Uggh!" Neekeeta hissed, hating how good that felt. Looking up at Skeleton King's smug face, she felt her remaining pride and dignity clashing with the burning in her cunt, which still needed release even after what she'd just experienced. And unfortunately, the latter won out.
"Thank you... master," she spat, "And please... take my virginity with your... cock."
Feeling herself flush with shame at her words, never having felt so humiliated. However, her words prompted a scoff from Jinmay and Blackfire.
"Seriously, is that the best you can do?" Jinmay asked with a mocking smirk as she rubbed her hand against Neekeeta's crotch, prompting a groan.
"Yes, come on pussy cat, really beg like you mean it~" Blackfire agreed, grabbing the cat's nipple, "After all, once master's done, you'll be ruined for any other man~" she said with a laugh, giving her nipple a hard twist.
Damn these whores! Neekeeta growled in her head, even as she outwardly moaned in reaction to their actions. She wanted to yell at them, but her body was burning again, and she needed relief!
So, tossing aside any remaining self-restraint, she screamed, "Fuck me! Please, master, fuck me hard! Make me yours forever!"
Dammit, she hadn't meant to say that last part, it had just come out, she realized as the others laughed.
"And so another slut gives in to her desires and submits~" Blackfire said with open amusement as their master got into position, grabbing Neekeeta's legs.
"And as a benevolent master, I grant her desires," Skeleton King said with a chuckle, before shoving his cock inside Neekeeta, with the woman's eyes going wide as she yowled out, "AAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Oh spirits, it hurt more than anything she'd ever experienced! So why did it also feel so good?! He had just entered her, and she already felt like she was going to explode in pleasure!
"Hmm, you like that? You like your master fucking your tight wet pussy~" Jinmay asked, kissing up to her neck.
"Of course she does. Look at her expression, it screams eager whore~" Blackfire said with a laugh, pulling Neekeeta into a rough kiss as their master pounded into his new toy.
PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP
A part of Neekeeta wanted so badly to deny what they were saying, but she could barely form any coherent thoughts at the moment. All she could focus on was the huge cock tearing up her insides, the actions of the other girls a close second to that.
Spirits, why had she resisted? This felt so good~ She never thought this level of pleasure was possible... she'd explored her own body before a time or two in privacy, but it was nothing like she was feeling now.
But how... how could such a monster be making her feel this?
She should despise him with every ounce of her being for all he'd done to her people, and what he was doing to her and her brother now. But it was as if with every thrust of his cock, more and more of her resistance and hatred was getting chipped away, leaving only pleasure and desire in their wake.
Fuck, she needed him to bring her to release! And then she needed him to do it again and again, as many times as she could get him to do it!
"Urg, yes... you like that?" The monster's voice growled as he pounded her pussy, while Blackfire and Jinmay's mouths latched onto her nipples, biting and sucking on them, "You like being fucked by the same being who destroyed your planet?!"
Skeleton King exclaimed with a laugh, "The same monster who's going to turn you into his personal sex slave now?!"
"Ah, ah, ah... YES! I DO LOVE IT!" she screamed without thinking, "I LOVE YOU! FILL ME WITH YOUR BASTARDS, PLEASE!"
And the moment she said that, shame and disgust filled her. Oh, if only her people and brother could see her now... though the thought of their disappointed disgust gazing down at her... spirits what was wrong with her!? She asked herself as her three tormentors laughed
"Hehe, you heard the pussycat master... give her some kittens~" Jinmay said, pulling her lips away from the breast, with Blackfire doing the same.
"Hmm, I don't know... it doesn't sound like she really wants it~" Blackfire said mockingly as Skeleton King grunted, pounding away at the pussy's cunt, "Perhaps Skeleton King should just send her back and allow us to bring him to release~" she added with a mocking look toward Neekeeta.
"What?!" Neekeeta exclaimed in panic, "No, please! You can't do that! I need this!"
"Hmm, really? Because a few minutes ago, you were being very defiant and disrespectful," Blackfire said with a laugh, loving the look on Neekeeta's face.
"I'm sorry! I was being stupid! Please don't send me away!" she begged. Her whole body was burning, she needed release, and she knew that having to resort to her own hands wouldn't do it. Shit, she didn't even think another cock could match what this one was doing to her.
"Hehe, need this do you~" Skeleton King said, sending her a mocking smirk as he leaned in closer and making her torturous need all the worse when he stopped his thrusts, "Then tell me how much you need this... how much you desire this!" He hissed, licking up the side of her neck.
"I, I, I want it more than anything!" Neekeeta declared desperately.
"Come on, you can do better than that~" Jinmay laughed, twisting her nipple.
"AH! Please, I want you, I need you!" Neekeeta screamed, "You can keep my people, make my brother do whatever you want, just please give me your seed!"
"Oh?" Skeleton King gave a cruel grin and a crueler chuckle as he cupped and rubbed her cheek, with Neeketa leaning into his touch while Jinmay and Blackfire both roughly kneaded and squeezed one of her breasts, "But I thought I was just a monster and abomination~" He asked coyly, "That you were only letting me defile you to protect your people and brother from my wrath."
He let out a laugh, "Are you so quick to sever those emotional bonds just from getting a taste of your master's cock~"
"I, I..." Neekeeta stammered, feeling the shame well up inside her, tears pouring from her eyes as she exclaimed, "Yes, I am! I'm a pathetic whore who needs your cock! Fuck everyone else, I need you!"
SMACK
And at that proclamation, Skeleton King smacked her hard in the face with a laugh before cackling.
"Hahahahahhahah! Louder!" He ordered, tone full of malice as he started to thrust and fuck her again.
PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP
"Scream who your loyalty belongs to! Me or your brother and people!?"
"You! Only you!" Neekeeta screamed, "Do whatever you want to them! I only care about you!"
"And your brother?" He asked with a cruel grin, prompting Neekeeta to mewl and moan as he pounded harder and harder.
"Ah, ah, he means nothing to me! All that matters is you, my love! All that matters is SKELETON KING!!!"
She screamed, feeling her body rocked with an orgasm.
And in that moment, what she said was the truth. Right now, she couldn't care less about Tikqudo, their people, or anything else. All she wanted was to get fucked by Skeleton King!
And as her master grunted, pulling out his cock, spraying and covering her in his seed... that's precisely what she got.
As she was fucked over...
"Ah, ah, ah, ooooh master!" Neekeeta meowed loudly with a loud moan as Skeleton King fucked her ass while pulling her tail before being shoved into Jinmay's cunt.
"Eat out my pussy, pussy-slut!" Jinmay commanded with a moan while Blackfire was making out heavily with Skeleton King as he fingered fucked her pussy.
And over...
"Ah, ah, ah, ahoooooh!" Neekeeta, her back to Skeleton King's chest, was bouncing off his cock as he sat in the throne while Jinmay and Blackfire scissored beside them. The Cathurian's gaze, which was filled with lust, was directed to the Pit of Ooze, which was displaying not only images of her people's backbreaking labor but her brother training, which itself could be called torture.
And over...
"MMMM!" Neekeeta moaned into Blackfire's pussy as the two of them 69'ed each other, while Jinmay bounced on Skeleton King's cock.
And eventually, she found herself passed out in a heap on the floor, Skeleton King and the other girls looming over her with smug smirks.
"Have to admit, think I'm a cat person now~" Jinmay said with a smirk, leaning against Skeleton King's side while Blackfire pressed her foot against the back of Neekeeta's head, with the cat girl giving off an unconscious moan while Blackfire gave a smug grin above her.
"Yes, she'll be a amusing toy to play with~" She let out a laugh, "Hehe, I wonder what her brother will think when he finds out how much she loves our loves' cock now?" she added with a laugh that the other two shared.
"Hehe, if he knows what's best for him, he'll praise her for accepting her place at my side," Skeleton King said, smirking down at her before giving a considering look, "Hmm, but I believe I have an idea of how she can prove her worth beyond sexual pleasure."
He said, prompting their attention, "I've decided to make my move to the Kingdom of Wukong," He explained to the two with a dark smirk, mentally choosing his next move, "The princess's desire for a husband is an opportunity that must be exploited while the iron is hot."
He gestured toward Neekeeta, "And perhaps our pet here will serve as an excellent tool in diplomacy as well as an example of the joy found in the service of Skeleton King~"
"Hmm, I guess she's technically nobility, so she's a good showcase for how you can bend anyone to your will~" Jinmay laughed.
"But we can worry about that later," Blackfire chimed in, "In the meantime, as long as she's passed out, no reason the three of us can't keep having fun~"
"Hehe, you are insatiable, my lovely~" Skeleton King said, moving his hands to grab and squeeze both their asses, prompting shared moans, "Let's move this to my quarters, and we can enjoy each other before I depart."
He said, leaning down to allow his tongue to hang out, with Jinmay and Blackfire leaning up, opening their mouths to allow their tongues to touch his own with moans.
Moaning into each other's mouths, the three stumbled together out of the throne room to head towards the bedroom. As they did, they left the unconscious Neekeeta lying in a heap on the floor, guarded by a few onlooking Formless.
When she woke up, she'd have to deal with the shock of everything she'd done and said. But for now, her mind was content with dreams of being seated at Skeleton King's throne, nude but for a collar, happy to be his beloved pet.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: And there we go got a good check in on both sides, with Wendy and her friends catching up us learning that Lee and Nate are getting laid~ Wendy realizing more of the full depth of Lothor and I forces, and realizing her friends falling for a evil monkey.
Plus get a good check in on the prisoners held in the Citadel of Bone, revealing there's more than the Shuggazoom citizens suffering there. Also highlighting some plans on Lothor and I end, though it seems former might have a enemy agent on his ship~
We also see Lothor and i have some fun him with Tak, and myself/Skeleton King with Neekeeta who fans of SRMTHFG will likely recognize from the Stranded Seven episode. Do hope fans enjoy the chance of bringing in more Super Robot lore/characters~
All together this was a fun chapter to write, and hope you all had just as much fun reading it. :)
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: So, Wendy now knows about her friends' new relationships while accidentally giving them the impression she's voluntarily with me/Lothor, I'm heading to Alabasta after some fun with Tak, Robbie got reminded how pathetic he is, and Night/Skeleton King has claimed Neekeeta for his harem while recruiting her brother to send after Robin.
But first, we've got a group date heading to a night at the club. How will that go? Well, you'll have to wait a while to see that, since while Night and I are woking on more content for this story, it'll be awhile before we have enough for more updates.
Until then, please leave a comment or kudos!
Chapter 23: Out at the Club
Summary:
Mandarin, Marah, Kapri, and their respective dates head for the club, only to stumble right into another villain's plot, alongside a lot of new and familiar faces.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Welcome back, everyone. Last time around, Night/Skeleton King and I both made plans for our next moves, with him also taking the time to add another member to his harem in the form of cat girl Neekeeta. Meanwhile, my/Lothor's nieces decided to join in when they heard about Mandarin and Tambry heading out to a club, and that is where we'll now be picking up.
Gotta say, I really enjoyed this new short arc, and I hope you all will too, as we bring in a lot of face and plot points for future development.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hiya everyone! We're back with another update and bit of a small arc~ One we hope you all enjoy as we hit the club baby~ A club that Kim Possible fans might recognize hehe~
But enjoyed writing this small arc it was a fun little event to do as we plant seeds for the future, now lets party!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"But we can worry about that later," Blackfire chimed in, "In the meantime, as long as she's passed out, no reason the three of us can't keep having fun~"
"Hehe, you are insatiable, my lovely~" Skeleton King said, moving his hands to grab and squeeze both their asses, prompting shared moans, "Let's move this to my quarters, and we can enjoy each other before I depart."
He said, leaning down to allow his tongue to hang out, with Jinmay and Blackfire leaning up, opening their mouths to allow their tongues to touch his own with moans.
Moaning into each other's mouths, the three stumbled together out of the throne room to head towards the bedroom. As they did, they left the unconscious Neekeeta lying in a heap on the floor, guarded by a few onlooking Formless.
When she woke up, she'd have to deal with the shock of everything she'd done and said. But for now, her mind was content with dreams of being seated at Skeleton King's throne, nude but for a collar, happy to be his beloved pet.
(Earth, somewhere in Europe)
"I can't believe you did this father, this was supposed to be my evil scheme," Said the whining voice belonging to Señor Senior, Junior, a tall muscular young man of Hispanic origin to his father as they prepared to open what should of been HIS Club Lair (and he could already hear the crowd outside!).
"Precisely Junior, it was," Señor Senior, Senior, said with a sigh to his son, both of them wearing protective sunglasses, "But your evil scheme amounted to stealing the mascots of a restaurant to use as background dancers."
He gestured to the dressed-up animatronics that were dancing in cages hanging above the dance floor, "And as you said, partying all night long," Senior said, his tone quite dry, "Which has led me to needing to step in."
He said, moving his cage over to another pair of cages and dancing figures, "And modifying your disco ball to emit quite the hypnotic effect, which will put all our guests under our complete control, just like it has Kim Possible and her sidekick Ron Stoppable."
To illustrate his point, Senior pointed towards the two figures dancing in the cages, a pair of teenagers, one a girl with long red hair and the other a boy with blonde hair. Both were dancing robotically with blank looks on their faces.
"Must dance," Kim Possible, the famous young heroine, droned monotonously.
"Can't stay dancing," Ron Stoppable, her best friend and sidekick added in the same tone.
"Mmm, boogie," mumbled Rufus, the naked mole rat sticking out of Ron's pocket as he also moved to the music.
"I don't care about that, father! I just wanted to have the coolest place to party!" Junior protested.
"And that is exactly why I had to take over, my son," Senior replied with a scoff, "We are not simple idle rich, anymore. We are supervillains, and that means something more than just running a club! So that is why now, it is instead a trap to ensnare all the VIPs of Europe and America, whom we can then hold hostage to get whatever we want!"
"America? I thought you only cared about Europe?" Junior asked in confusion.
"Eh, I decided to expand our scope a little," Senior replied with a shrug, "Now, let us open the doors and let in our unsuspecting victims!"
"Fine, whatever," Junior muttered, "After all, not like it's my party anymore," He added with a grumble, leaving his father to give a sigh, shaking his head. What was he going to do with that boy? The first time he lets Junior take the reigns in an evil scheme and his only goal was to party?
Where was the passion for evil, the respect for tradition, the sinister scheming? Admittedly, he first became a villain as part of a hobby after his first encounter with Kim Possible and her sidekick, finding the ideas the young man had most intriguing... but in time he realized that villainy, it was his passion.
He felt so young and alive when matching wits against Kim Possible, who in her he saw potential to become one of the greatest heroines of her generation, perhaps even rivaling that of the Justice League founders someday, a perfect adversary. Not to mention a fitting one since her and her friend Ron Stoppable unintentionally helped him discover this passion... now if only Junior could share the same fire for it. He knew his boy had potential, he just needed proper motivation and guidance, and perhaps in time the two of them could even give some of the greater evils in this world a run for their money.
But that was neither here nor there, now was the time to get the grand opening of Club Lair started and for the scheme to truly begin~
And in no time at all, father and son were soon greeting guests together, though with Junior more sour about it.
"Glad you could make it ambassador," Senior greeted, shaking hands with a man as he entered, "And ah, the talented Minerva Mink, you're even lovelier in person than you are on the screen," He added with a smirk toward the next person who entered the club, a beautiful Anthro mink woman with white fur and floor-length blonde hair, wearing a shoulder-less red dress with a short hem and black stockings that together exposed her thighs.
"Oh, thank you so much for inviting me~" Minerva said with a smile, offering her hand to Senior to kiss, which the elderly man happily did, "It's been way too long since I've been out to party!"
"Well, that is positively a shame," Senior declared, "Please, help yourself to the refreshments and enjoy yourself."
"Pst, father, are we at least still overcharging for the drinks like I planned?" Junior whispered to his father.
"Hush, Junior," Senior replied harshly, before turning back to the line of guests. With his smile becoming more strained at the arrival of the next guest.
"I hope this club is worth the time and effort it took to get here, Senior, or so help me I'll see you get more than a bad review for wasting my time," Spoke out a haughty voice filled with arrogance and smug superiority.
"Hello Miss Morbucks, how are things in Townsville," Senior greeted with a slight twitch of his brow.
"The usual, meaning I'm the only person worthwhile in that town of idiots," Princess Morbucks scoffed as she walked up, wearing a black dress that like Minerva's exposed her shoulders and thighs, along with black gloves and boots, as well as a gold belt with a large P on the buckle, as well as a golden cape with a fur collar that combined with her trademark crown gave her a royal appearance.
"So sorry to hear that," Senior said flatly. God, he couldn't stand this brat, who really was the worst kind of rich person - yes, they were better than the poor, but they were meant to carry themselves with dignity and decorum in order to prove it, not condescension and smugness! Especially when you then apply that same attitude to everyone else around you!
Oh, he was going to enjoy turning this girl into a brainwashed drone!
"Yes, and can you believe that city of nimrods are worshiping the ground those hero wannabe Puffs float over?" Princess continued with a huff, either not noticing or caring for Senior's hidden annoyance, "I mean really, I'm right here!" she exclaimed with a scowl, "What do they have that I don't?!" She demanded with a slight stomp of her foot.
At that question, a new voice spoke up, one that Senior was treating more cautiously in this plan and actually considering giving some professional courtesy of warning and sparing her from the plan.
"Hmm, brains, looks, friends, admirers, the list goes on really," spoke out the form of Pacifica Luthor, being followed by what the isekai souls if they were there would recognize as an older Mabel Pines with a more mature figure. Now with DD breasts that were nicely highlighted by the outfit she was wearing, a dark pink shoulder-less top held up by straps, along with a lighter pink knee-length skirt.
(picture this older figure)
(wearing this dress.)
Pacifica, meanwhile, was wearing a purple dress that was keeping with the apparent theme in that it was shoulder-less, only a couple of straps holding up its top as it strained against her EE cup breasts.
(And another pic to give you yet another good idea of Pacifica figure~)
"Northwest," Princess spat, only for Pacifica to wag a glove-covered finger at her.
"Ah, ah, ah, it's Luthor now," the blonde corrected the redhead, "I know that remembering that might be straining your few working braincells, Morbucks, but do try to keep up~"
"Oooh yes, how can we forget you being used as Luthor's pity propaganda piece," Princess scoffed, shooting her a dark look, "I'm sure you've been a great help to your so-called daddy while selling that crap about his reform."
She added with an eye roll.
"At least my father actually takes the time to acknowledge I exist," Pacifica shot back. Princess actually flinched at that, hating that it was a good point - her daddy would give her plenty of money whenever she asked, but otherwise tended not to pay much attention to her.
Anger quickly overwhelming her feelings on that, she scowled and opened her mouth to snap something back, only to be cut off by the blonde's bimbo sidepiece.
"So, anyway, this is a great club!" Mabel quickly said, hoping to cut off the argument before it could start.
"Why thank you, young lady. We've put a lot of work into it," Senior said proudly.
"What we, father? This was my idea before you hijacked it!" Junior protested petulantly.
"Not now, Junior..." Senior said in a low hiss while keeping his smile, with the girls giving a blink, "But tell me dear Pacifica, how is your father doing?" He asked with na arched brow, "I understand he's still preparing for his presidential campaign yes?"
He inquired, knowing that the American elections weren't that far off, and Lex Luthor was putting himself forward as a candidate for the next president, "Not to mention I'm sure living in the city of tomorrow Metropolis is never dull," Senior added with a goodnatured chuckle.
"Dad's doing fine, getting ready to make the public announcement that'll make the campaign official," Pacifica replied, "And the city's definitely not dull, not with the Blue Boy Scout, Superbrat, that Greek cosplayer and all the rest running around."
"Yes, and I'm sure that the Black Cat's exploits are also quite entertaining~" Senior stated with a knowing smirk. It wasn't confirmed, but he was pretty sure that he knew who that particular masked figure was. The only question for him was whether her father was in on it, or if she'd taken the initiative on her own, the way he wished that Junior would.
Honestly, a part of him was tempted to attempt matchmaking in hopes she'd run off with Junior. But he knew even if Pacifica was single, such a plan would not end well, and not even due to the girl's father but rather due to the fact a girl like Pacifica Luthor would eat Junior alive... potentially literally at that.
With Pacifica herself just giving off an amusement smile and secret glint in her eyes at Senior's words, "I will agree that people like Black Cat certainly keep things interesting~" She said with a chuckle while Mabel gave off a giggle next to her.
"Hehe, oh yeah, bet Supergirl would agree with you, considering that big wet one she got~" The girl said, laughing, with Princess giving a snort.
"Yes, yes, nothing more entertaining than overblown whores looking for a cheep thrill," Princess said with an eye roll, "And can't believe people consider that Catwoman wannabe a high class thief, never mind criminal and villain."
She added with a contempt-filled sneer, "I'm pretty sure the Amoeba Boys have got more skill than her. All she has to do is flash those fake melons of hers to some security guards, and the morons probably just give her what they're supposed to be guarding."
"I'm sure her breasts are real," Pacifica said with narrowed eyes and a slight growl. Yes, her tits went up a size when she activated her serum abilities for some reason, but they still weren't fake, dammit!
"Oh please, they look even faker than yours!" Princess scoffed, oblivious to the irony of that statement, before sneering at Pacifica's chest, "Say, how much did those things cost you, anyway?"
"I don't have implants!" Pacifica snarled, feeling very tempted to activate her powers and break every bone in this bitch's body.
Yes she knew her tits were up there in size, with not many toting being close to EE cup. She could only think of a few at the drop of a hat that came close to rivaling her, like that one mystery nerd (and part of her still wishes she was able to get that nerd and her redhead friend alone to have some fun with~) or even Wonder Woman's legendary breasts. But point is, they were all natural, damn it!
"You're just jealous that you once again fall short compared to me~" Pacifica said, thrusting out her chest while giving off a sneer toward Princess's DD breast size, causing Princess to give off a growl.
"I'm quite happy with my body, thank you very much," Princess said, her voice icy cold, ignoring other guests who passed them by, veering away from this potential row from the tension sensed in the air, "And you're one to talk about coming up short, considering the inferiors you surround yourself with," she added with a snort, "How is that boyfriend of yours again, by the way? Still looking for Bigfoot?" she asked with a mocking laugh.
"Hey! Dipper has way more important to things to investigate than Bigfoot!" Mabel spoke up in her brother's defense.
"Oh? So he's gone full conspiracy theorist then?" Princess asked mockingly.
"Dipper's doing important work, something that a spoiled brat like you wouldn't understand," Pacifica scoffed, "FYI, don't know if you've noticed, but you're not in kindergarten anymore. Try actually acting like an adult for once and pull your own weight, and maybe people will stop seeing you as worthless trash~"
"Worthless trash?!" Princess repeated incredulously, her eye twitching, "That's rich coming from someone whose biggest accomplishment is a boob job and getting lucky in the adoption category!"
Princess snapped, pressing her face forward, with Pacifica's look darkening, "Some might call it a criminal record, but at least I accomplished something with my life!" Princess added smugly; sure it took a fair bit of daddy's money, but she'd gone toe to toe with a trio of heroines who, no matter how much she despised them, had the potential to one day rival that himbo alien boy scout.
"Accomplished something? Oh please!" Pacifica spat, "Is that what you call it? Because from what I hear, as far as being enemies goes, you were always ranking behind that egotistical monkey and the demonic crossdresser! Fuck, I hear even the hillbilly monster freak was considered more of a threat than you!"
"That's bullshit! I was the Puffs' archenemy for years!" Princess snarled.
And as they argued, Junior stood off to the side and whispered to his father, his current disgruntlement to his father hijacking his club plans temporarily forgotten in lieu of what was happening in front of them.
"Uh, father? should we not do something?" Junior asked as Senior sighed.
"Junior, if you ever take any lessons from me to heart... let it be this," Senior said, giving his son a serious gaze (to the point that it could be seen through the protective glasses he and his son were currently wearing) "Never step between two angry women, especially rivals, unless you absolutely have to."
Senior said, with Junior giving a thoughtful nod as he looked between the two arguing heiresses and Pacifica's friend standing in support of her.
"Archenemy? Please, you're just an overblown schoolyard bully!" Case in point, Mabel spoke up with a snort, with Princess gritting her teeth.
"Oh, like you know anything!" Princess spat, glaring at Mabel, "You're just Pacifica's little desperate hanger-on," Princess added with a poison-filled sneer, "I bet the only thing people remember about you is your breast size!"
"Hey, I'm very memorable!" Mabel declared, not having felt this angry since that time she learned that unicorns were all jerks, "And at least people genuinely like me and Paz! I bet you have to pay people to be your friends!"
"Please, like that matters," Princess scoffed, "All that's worth anything in this world is money and power, you air-headed bimbo, who cares if people like me without it!"
"Tch, I remember when I thought like that, thanks to my sperm and egg donors," Pacifica said, refusing to refer to the late Northwests as her parents, "And look where that mindset got them when they lost everything - completely crazy and locked up in a nuthouse, with no one caring about them. I look forward to when that happens to you."
Princess growled, but her next reply was cut off by a new voice calling out dryly, "Glad to see you two are as entertaining as ever."
The whole group turned to see a trio of Asian girls approaching, the one in the lead being the speaker. She had her brown hair in a bun held together by a crown, and was wearing an open red jacket over a black shirt and pants. Flanking her were a dark-haired girl wearing matching dark pink pants and jacket over a dark vest, and a brown-haired girl with a long ponytail a red vest-styled shirt with puffy pink sleeves and a pink skirt.
"Ah, Miss Phoenix, so lovely of you and your friends to join us!" Senior said quickly.
"Yeah, great to see you, Azula," Pacifica grumbled in annoyance.
"Now, now, Northwest, is that anyway to greet an old friend~" Azula countered back with an amused smirk.
"I'd hardly call us friends," Pacifica muttered, remembering some of the parties her birth parents had dragged her to with some of their less-than-legal business partners, including Azula's father, "And how many times do I need to tell people, it's Luthor now!"
"Oh, right, sorry to hear about your parents," the ponytailed girl chimed in.
"Yes, it was a real tragedy," Pacifica muttered, holding back an eye roll while Mabel gave a smile and wave.
"Hiya! Name's Mabel Pines, Pacifica's bestie, nice to meet you~" she said, holding out her hand in a friendly shake.
"Hi! I'm Ty Lee, and this is Azula and Mai!" the other brunette replied just as chipperly, taking her hand and shaking it happily.
"Oh great, now there's two of them," Princess muttered, rolling her eyes.
"I feel your pain," Mai deadpanned. After all, Ty Lee was one of her closest friends, but even she had to admit her chipper attitude could get tiring, and it seemed like this girl could actually give her a run for her money, something Mai thought impossible till now.
"So, surprised to see you here, Azula?" Pacifica said, arching a brow toward the new arrival, seeming to disregard Princess much to the other girl's annoyance, "I was expecting Europe's and maybe some of America's elite like myself."
She continued on as Azula smirked, "Didn't expect to see the little fire princess leave Hong Kong for a night at the club," Pacifica continued, prompting Azula's smirk to fall at those words, or rather the look of meaning in Pacifica's eyes at them.
Publicly, Azula's father Ozai Phoenix was a major shipping magnate in Hong Kong, one of the most successful in China. But in private, he was the metahuman crime lord known as the Fire Lord, who ran one of the biggest syndicates in Asia, with Azula as his right hand enforcer. All of which Pacifica knew because of all the years her birth parents had used him as their main black market contact.
Frankly, Azula didn't like the brat knowing that, much less even slightly mentioning it in public like this. But, she wouldn't let herself be intimidated, so she maintained a calm demeanor.
"Well, you know how it is, a bit of relaxation every now and then can't hurt," she said, "And clearly, Senior knows when he needs to call in the A-list."
"You flatter me, my dear," Senior said with a chuckle where he stood, leaning against his cane while giving a smile as he carefully examined Azula. Truthfully, her appearance was a surprise, and one like Pacifica he should handle carefully. Should he exploit his opportunity as a true villain, or hedge his bets to maintain good will with Ozai, as well as Luthor in turn with Pacifica? Plus, their fathers aside, his information told him enough to know that both girls were dangerous and would hold a grudge to say the least, should something go wrong.
"But yes, I assure you only the elite of the elite are here to attend," He told the group, with Princess preening a bit while the others just gave even looks or smiles in the case of Ty Lee and Mabel.
However, yet another voice spoke up, "Precisely why my lord decided to send me as a representative to his will for this little soiree," Prompting blinks, and when everyone turned to see the source, their eyes all widen in surprise.
Mandarin stood in the doorway, smirking at the group, while Tambry stood beside him, having frozen in mid-step as she saw the group, two of them in particular.
(ignore lee in the pic)
Speaking of whom, while most of the group was looking to Mandarin, Mabel was more interested in his companion.
"Tambry? What are you doing here, and with a creepy skeleton monkey?" she asked, blinking in confusion.
Tambry - who had changed into a light purple sleeveless shirt with shoulder straps and a black skirt, while keeping her boots - froze and stammered. This... this was her chance to blurt out the truth and ask for her help! Considering Mabel's "side job", she could be rescued and get help for Gravity Falls and her friends on Lothor's ship, then... then... well, that would probably kill her plan for Mandarin... best case scenario he either got captured and she worked out some kinda angle where she was allowed to visit him, or he escaped and might be sore at her to say the least.
But was she really willing to choose her relationship and the hopes of winning Mandarin over to their side over alerting everyone to what happen at Gravity Falls?
"I'm on a date!" Tambry found herself blurting out as she realized that apparently... yes... yes she was, "Me and Mandarin met on a dating site and, well... here we are."
She said with a forced smile and nervous laugh, doing her best to bury and ignore any guilt and such.
It helped that she reminded herself the people in Gravity Falls were being treated fairly according to Mandarin (finding herself trusting his word), her friends were doing well and actually getting laid, and honestly so far the only one suffering was Robbie, and that alone was incentive to lie and keep Mabel, Pacifica, and everyone else in the dark for as long as possible.
Mandarin arched a brow at the excuse, but before he could comment, Mabel gave a shocked gasp.
"Date?! What about Robbie?" she demanded.
"She decided to trade up from that fool," Mandarin stated smugly, hopping up to land and perch on Tambry's shoulder.
"You dumped him?" Mabel asked in disbelief.
"Yes. And honestly, I don't know why I didn't do it years ago," Tambry muttered, "Honestly, looking back, I swear I must have hit my head or something, considering how it feels like something suddenly forced us together despite not even liking each other!"
"Oh, um, is that right?" Mabel asked, forcing a smile into place as she suddenly felt quite nervous. With Pacifica frowning, noticing something off and resolving to chat with Mabel later, while the others focused on the newcomers.
"I mean really, the past three years of our so-called relationship was the most miserable of my life!" Tambry exclaimed, choosing to not only vent but also hope to divert too many questions being asked, "He never took an interest in my own hobbies, we always had to do what he wanted, whenever we actually did something he whined, he was clingy and not in the good way, and of course he was just using me as rebound for Wendy!"
Tambry snapped with a low growl, "Still holding a thing for her and was ready to drop me if he thought he had the chance to trade up to her," she added with finger quotes on the words "trade up", with Mabel nervously sweating and trying to hide how each word acted like an emotional dagger, as she was hit with the realization that... she might have screwed up big time.
Tambry however didn't notice as she gathered her breath, "Ah... ah... um yes..." She then gave a cough as Mandarin kissed her cheek, "My loser ex aside, I'm here to have a good time with my new and all around superior boyfriend."
She said as Mandarin shot the group a smirk.
"A boyfriend who I believe is working for that skeleton alien in an invader contest with that ninja guy whose name sounds like my dad's," Pacifica noted with an arched brow.
"Hmm, yes, rather brazen for you to walk straight through the front door," Azula stated with her own arched brow, "Particularly if the reports of your actions in Kaznia ring true," she added, looking toward the monkey with a calculating analyzing gaze.
This was certainly the last thing she expected when she came to this club; the most she expected was relaxing, clashing with and putting inferiors in their place, or having front row seats to either Senior's latest evil hobby scheme, or him dealing with the embarrassment coming from his son. She certainly hadn't expected anything like this.
"Please, like we're the first case of a villain dating a civilian," Tambry scoffed, "And what can I say, I like a guy with a dangerous edge~"
"Yet another reason your old mate falls flat," Mandarin chuckled, which she laughed along with.
"Oh, definitely~" she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
With Mabel and Pacifica trading looks while the others arched brows. Pacifica, unlike Mabel, was well aware of what happened to Gravity Falls, and even saw some of the very amusing footage of what happened to Robbie. But even she was surprised at how apparently close Tambry had gotten with this monkey she was frankly given to as a bonus from said monkey's boss. Part of her would call it Stockholm Syndrome, or even Tambry working an angle, but while both are possible, considering how pathetic Robbie was she actually couldn't fault the girl for wanting to trade up to... well, honestly, even Mabel's stalker Gideon would be a better choice, which alone said how pathetic Robbie was.
While as for the others, Princess just scoffed; honestly, dating a monkey, how desperate could you be? Okay, yes, one of her closest allies and perhaps one of the closest things she had to a friend was a mutated monkey, but still.
Nonetheless, she supposed this was a chance to get a read on some of the newer players in the villain community. Hmm, maybe she could aim this Skeleton King's forces at the Puffs, just to watch the banes of her existence deal with additional headaches.
While Azula was frowning as her friends exchanged looks behind her back, her mind already working out ways to gather information and find a way to exploit this opportunity.
As for Junior and Senior... "Well, you weren't on the guest list," Junior admitted, rubbing his chin, "But I suppose I can't turn away someone who certainly sounds like they're overdue for a good time."
Junior said, looking over to Tambry with a sympathetic look, "Let me tell you, I'm not a stranger to a nightmare of an ex," He said with a brief shiver, before his father lightly pushed him aside to address Mandarin himself.
"And beyond that, I for one am happy to welcome newcomers to the supervillain community!" Senior declared, "As a fellow criminal, I am of course willing to give you this opportunity to help yourselves integrate with our world."
"On behalf of my master, I thank you for the courtesy," Mandarin said, "And I pass along the following message - he finds your approach to things level-headed, if different from his, and offers a chance to join our ranks and perhaps earn the right to control a slice of this planet once we conquer it."
Senior at that arched a surprised eyebrow, "Well now, I must admit I am surprised yet grateful for the offer," He said with a chuckle and a smile as he rubbed his chin in thought, taking in the fact he was on this Skeleton King's radar and seemed to have impressed his fellow villain quite a deal with such a offer.
"Should we be worried about villains making deals like this?" Mabel whispered to Pacifica while watching this exchange. She'd been nervous enough about coming to a known supervillain's party, though Pacifica had convinced her that the Seniors being such minor villains meant that it wasn't a problem. Besides, she could never resist a party... and she had trouble saying no to Pacifica...
"I doubt it's a big enough deal to worry about," Pacifica quickly reassured her also in a whisper, even as she made a note to report this to her father and Cadmus later. Clearing her throat, she raised her voice and stated, "Well, you lot can discuss business all you want, we came here to party. So, if you'll excuse us?"
"Hmm? Oh yes, my dear, of course, go enjoy yourselves!" Senior said, pulled out of his musings, though he also made a note to seek Pacifica out later and warn her about the hypnotism before he activated it; simply a professional courtesy, of course. He'd mention it now, but Princess was still here, and that brat he didn't want to warn.
"Thank you," Pacifica said with a nod, grabbing Mabel's arm and pulling her away.
"Talk to you guys later!" Mabel waved to the others before they disappeared into the crowd, after which she turned to Pacifica with a frown, "You alright? That Princess girl really seemed to get under your skin."
"Nothing that a little payback won't settle. I think the Black Cat might need to pay a visit to Townsville and go on a little shopping spree at Morbucks Manor," Pacifica muttered, glad that she'd let Mabel in on her secret so that she could at least vent to her. Shaking her head to clear it, however, she decided to focus on the present, and having some fun to cheer herself up.
"But forget that brat bitch for now. I came here to enjoy myself, and I feel like I need some... stress relief~" she said with a smirk, letting go of Mabel's arm to reach down and grab her ass instead, earning a cute squeak from her.
"P-Paz! Not in public! Tambry's right over there, what if she sees?!" Mabel pleaded, even as she blushed.
"Mmm, but doesn't that add a nice little thrill?" Pacifica asked, still smirking, "Knowing that she might see us and post about it online, and that Dipper might see and finally find out that I've been cucking him with his own sister?"
And at that, Mabel let out a light moan, flushing in both shame and arousal with Pacifica smirking so sexily into her eyes. Both girls couldn't help but think back to how this little affair started and Mabel became Pacifica's little pet.
It had been so normal a day, just another one of their semi-regular girls outings that Pacifica liked to have whenever she was bored and Dipper was too busy to spend time with her. As usual, they'd gone to a high-class spa, Mabel as always loving the fancy setting and the pampering that came with it, especially the massages by the big hunky employees~
And as usual, they'd followed up the massages with a soak in a hot tub... and that's when things had started to heat up in another way. Oh, not at first, the only oddity being Pacifica offering to clean Mabel's back, which she hadn't had any problem with... and then before she knew it, Pacifica's hands had been feeling her up all over, while her breasts pressed hard against Mabel's back. And then she looked into Pacifica's amorous gaze as she turned her head and soon found herself kissing and moaning into her own brother's girlfriend, with things only getting steamier from there, as Pacifica opened her eyes to the pleasure found in submission and at a feminine touch.
While Pacifica remembered herself how easy it was to twist Mabel around her fingers and make her into her loyal pet, all behind Dipper's back~ A factor that was not only thrilling and pleasurable, but also secured herself quite a useful asset. Especially a few months later, when Mabel had stumbled onto the little bauble that was currently (somehow) safely stored in-between her breasts. One that had made her far more than just a civilian on the sidelines of the chaotic mess that the world was becoming these days.
Yes, Pacifica had to admit that she was very happy with how this investment had played out~
"Mmm, forget dancing for now~" she purred, giving Mabel's ass another squeeze, "Let's go find a private room and have our own party~"
"Yes ma'am!" Mabel said a tad eagerly, despite her nervousness at being seen by Tambry, and this leaking back to Dipper.
She knew what she was doing was so wrong, sleeping with her brother's girlfriend behind his back, never mind hiding and keeping her criminal activities as Black Cat a secret. But God, it just felt good letting Pacifica have her way with her, and at this point while she still fantasized about finding the perfect guy, she had to admit that she might be in love with Pacifica.
So she did what she always did, bury and ignore the guilt and focus on the positives... like the sexy blonde with massive melons! Though even then, that didn't stop her from suddenly paling as Pacifica added in a low whisper as she led Mabel away, "And while we're at it, you can tell me why you suddenly got so nervous when Tambry brought up her wreck of a relationship with Robbie."
With Mabel giving a nervous gulp at that and barely holding back a whimper.
As for Pacifica herself, she gave an amused smirk at Mabel's reaction, once again loving the thrill of having power over her, and how exciting it was to fuck her boyfriend's own sister behind his back and basically make her into her eager sex pet/slave.
Some might call it cruel and calculating of her, and perhaps it was, but it wasn't like she didn't care about Mabel and Dipper; it was all in good fun, and securing a powerful position, really. One day, she'd live like a Queen atop of an empire formed both by her inheritance and what she'd seized with her own hands. And when she did, she'd make sure that both Dipper and Mabel lived in the lap of luxury alongside her, right next to Zita and any other loving pets she could seduce to her side.
But that was for later. For now, she was going to fuck her lover like a pair of animals in one of their host's side rooms~
Though as she did so, Senior continued to address his guests.
"And I do hope that the rest of you will also be enjoying yourselves," he stated.
"Hmm, I'm sure we will," Azula stated offhandedly, still looking in the direction that Pacifica and Mabel had gone in, "I'll say this for you at least, Senior, you always know how to give your guests a good time."
"He'd better!" another voice called out, the group all turning to see Marah and Kapri walking up, Nate and Lee behind them.
"Oh yes..." Mandarin gained an annoyed look, "My mate informed me you were joining us," He breathed out with a shake of his head, "And here I was hoping she was actually wrong, or that Lothor wouldn't have allowed you to leave for fear of you embarrassing him."
He added with a sneer.
"Hey, we're not going to embarrass Uncle!" Marah sniped back.
"Yeah, if anything, we'll be helping his rep," Kapri agreed with a nod.
"Oh goodie, now on top of the skeleton goon's pet monkey, we have the bimbos working for the space ninja. Great," Princess muttered sarcastically.
"Pet?!" Mandarin snarled, "I shall rip out your entrails and throttle you with them!"
"And who are you calling a bimbo?" Kapri asked with a scowl, "You look like a little girl playing dress-up!"
"For your information, I happen to be one of the world's most successful supervillains since I was five," Princess said back with a haughty huff, choosing to ignore the monkey's threats while reaching behind her and pulling out a phone, "While you..."
Princess gave a smirk, "I'll admit, ninja and skeleton are making a rep for themselves... but so have you, only in a less than flattering way~"
She added with a laugh, pulling up a video on HeroTube, which seemed to be displaying a video of... mall security footage? Prompting arched brows and curious looks, while the sisters suddenly looked worried and their boyfriends exchanged winces.
On the footage, the onlookers watched as a crowd came running in a panic out of a clothing store, followed by a more casual Marah and Kapri, while Nate, Lee, and a group of Kelzaks followed behind, carrying large piles of bags stuffed with all sorts of clothes.
"Yeah, that's right, run!" Kapri snapped on the video, "That's what you get for saying we need to go up a dress size!"
"And for trying to sell us last year's styles at this year's prices!" Marah added.
"Okay, that's enough!" Present Marah said, trying to get the phone, but Princess merely held it away with a smirk.
"Oh, but we haven't even gotten to the good part~" she said, making sure everyone could still see the video as a new figure arrived on the scene, a white and blue metallic figure that the residents of Earth could recognize as the robotic teenager XJ-9 or Jenny Wakeman, who had been making a name for herself among hero circles for some time now.
"Alright shopping spree is over," Jenny said giving them a glare as she came in for a landing in front of them.
"What are you supposed to be, an automated mannequin?" the Marah on the video scoffed.
"Yeah, and what colorblind moron designed you? You look like a kid's drawing," Past Kapri added with a sneer.
"Wow, even alien teens can be mean girls," Jenny deadpanned, before a few weapons popped out of her, "In case it wasn't obvious, you and your minions are all under arrest."
"Um, we're not technically minions," Nate spoke up.
"Yeah, we're kinda boyfriends slash prisoners," Lee spoke up with a nod, prompting a blink from Jenny.
"Less talkie, more holding bags or no sex when we get to the ship," Kapri snapped, with Lee straightening up, "Yes ma'am!"
"Okay... did not need to hear that," Jenny said with a look of disgust, before shaking her head and scowling, "Right, last warning. Stand down now, before this has to get violent."
"You want violence? Okay - Kelzaks, attack!" Marah yelled, the Kelzaks dropping their bags to rush forward towards the teen robot, weapons drawn.
"They always choose the hard way..." Jenny said, her hand enlarging into a spiked fist that she lashed out with a hard punch, sending the Kelzaks flying back into Marah and Kapri.
"What the-?!"
SMASH
And the alien ninjas collided with the girls, who then flew back into the startled Nate and Lee, soon leaving them all in a tangled heap on the floor.
"Ugh! Get off!" Kapri growled, struggling to break free.
"I'm trying!" Marah growled back, also wiggling between the Kelzaks stacked on top of her.
"Going to take a guess..." Jenny approached, seeming to arch a brow, "But you all are new to whole supervillain thing, aren't you?" she asked, prompting glares from the sisters.
"Urg, you just wait until our uncle hears about this!" Marah snapped, with Kapri giving a groan.
"Oh yes, running and tattling on me, I'm real scared," Jenny scoffed as her arm began to extend out around the pile into a makeshift rope, "I'm sure you can tell him all about this once you get your one phone call in prison."
"Ugh, this isn't over! We'll be back!" Kapri snapped, managing to tap a button on her wrist and causing the whole group to vanish in a flash of teleportation, leaving Jenny blinking at she stared at the now empty spot of floor.
"Well, that just happened," the robot teen muttered to herself as the video ended, leaving the present Marah and Kapri moaning in annoyance.
"Truly an impressive display," Mandarin said flatly.
"Who asked you?" Marah snapped at him.
"Yeah, that walking tin toy just got lucky!" Kapri added with her own nod, with Mandarin sending them a dry look.
"I'm sure," Mandarin said with an eye roll.
"Honestly, you two are like the living example of nepotism aren't you?" Princess chimed in with a laugh.
"Excuse me?!" Marah said with an affronted look, the sisters glaring at the heiress.
"You heard me. Bet that ninja only keeps you around because he's apparently your uncle, and to feel smart by comparison," Princess added with a smug smirk, with Mandarin giving his own hum in acknowledgement.
"Hmm, I find I must concur with the brat," He added, ignoring Princess's glare, "As annoying as they can be, at least Valeena and Jinmay are semi-competent."
Mandarin stated from his perch on Tambry's shoulders, "The latter, thanks to my lord opening her eyes, even ensured the defeat of my brethren and their hairless monkey leader," He gave a sadistic chortle, "Ah, the memory of Chiro's horrified heartbroken face when his little robot girlfriend betrayed him still brings a tear to my eye~"
He stated to the current audience, before giving Kapri and Marah a cruel grin, "Meanwhile, you two can't even rob a clothing store successfully~"
"I told you, that robot bitch got in a lucky shot!" Kapri growled as she and her sister turned red in anger and humiliation, "If we'd had a chance to actually fight, we'd have turned her into scrap metal!"
"Yeah, you just watch!" Marah added, "Sooner or later, Uncle's gonna give us a mission of our own, and we're totally going to nail it!"
"I'll believe that when I see it," Mandarin said dryly, "But your fantasies aside, I have a date and recon to get to," He added, kissing Tambry's cheek and causing her to flush before he turned his attention to Senior, "And while my lord didn't state a time limit to the offer, I do hope you make the wisest choice."
He said as Tambry began to walk off with him perched on her shoulder, "After all, I'm living proof that it's better to serve at Skeleton King's side than oppose him~" he said, chortling and leaving unsaid what happened to the... original.
He didn't like thinking too hard about the fact that he was a clone, even if he was a superior version. He hadn't even shared the existence of his previous self with Tambry yet, and wasn't sure if he would at all.
But that wasn't important right now, he reminded himself as he returned his focus to the present and listened as Senior, "Yes, of course. I will give much thought to your master's generous offer."
"You do that. Some of us will keep our dignity and NOT ask for handouts," Princess scoffed, finally having enough of the conversation and walking away without another word.
"I really do not like that girl," Junior commented, watching Princess walk away.
"Nor do I, my son," Senior commented, before turning to the rest of the assembled group, "Which is why I will not give her the warning I now give all of you out of professional courtesy - when we activate the disco ball, shield your eyes."
"So, this is another one of your evil schemes, then?" Azula stated dryly with an arched brow, only for Junior to huff.
"Actually, it's mine. Father just hijacked it," He muttered, pouting with crossed arms as Senior sighed.
"if you had actually made an EVIL scheme instead of just wanting to party, I wouldn't have had to Junior," He said to his son before addressing Azula and the others, "But yes, just a little plot to give us greater leverage over Europe and America, and a bit of a ransom of some of their most influential and popular figures."
Senior explained with a shrug as Mai spoke up with a arched brow, "And you're telling us this?" she trailed off as Senior smirked.
"Like I said, professional courtesy," Senior explained with a smile, "I've been most impressed by Skeleton King's opening gambits as he joins Earth's society of villainy," He remarked, giving a chuckle, "And it would be quite rude to brainwash his followers after making such a generous offer."
He added nodding to Mandarin and Tambry, "And as for you three..." Senior smirked, "I'll admit I have no proof, but something tells me there's more to Ozai than what he allows the public to see."
He remarked with a chuckle, giving a grin to Azula, "Plus, just one look in your eyes my dear, and I see such a lovely spark for villainy and ambition~"
"Flattery will get you nowhere, old man," Azula said in a friendly-sounding tone, but with a harsh look in her eyes, clearly warning him to not say more on the subject.
"What about us?" Kapri demanded.
"Honestly, you two remind me too much of my son," Senior replied flatly, earning a grumble from Junior, "But like Skeleton King, this Lothor has caught my attention in his brief time since becoming active on Earth. I'd like to do him a favor from one villain to another by not subjecting you to my scheme if I can avoid it. After all, no need to make unnecessary enemies, and just because I'm a villain doesn't mean I can't be respectful of my peers in villainy," Senior added with a shrug.
"Huh, guess there is some honor among thieves," Lee commented.
"Whatever," Kapri said, grabbing his arm and dragging him away, "We came here to party, so let's do it!"
"Right behind you, sister," Marah said, also grabbing and dragging Nate along, the sisters missing the looks the boys threw at each other.
"Might as well see what they have to drink," Mai mused, heading over to the bar.
"I'm going to shake my booty~" Ty Lee said with a giggle, heading to the dance floor while Azula frowned before sighing.
"I suppose I should try to mix and mingle before you start your plan," she stated with one last nod to Senior before making her leave to the club, with Junior despite still being annoyed with his father, found himself giving him a look of curiosity, as he let out a chuckle.
"I must admit, tonight is certainly proving to be a surprising one~" Senior mused, rubbing his chin.
"Father, are you actually considering that creepy skeleton man's offer?" Junior asked with an arched brow, as his father did make sure he was always up to date on the latest going on in the supervillain underworld. Though truthfully, Junior was always more interested in the gossip... sigh, when would Miss Quinn realize that clown was no good for her... especially when it was clear that plant woman had a thing for her and was the far better choice.
"I'm not rushing into it, but it is an offer to take into heavy consideration, Junior," Senior replied with a thoughtful look, "And truthfully, I find myself flattered that Skeleton King saw fit to make the offer in the first place," He admitted with a grin. After all, he hadn't even been a proper supervillain a full year, and already he was being made offers of alliance from a much more prominent and powerful figure. It made him feel very good about the choice he'd made with his life.
"But regardless, let us go and enjoy ourselves before we spring the trap," he said, making his son sigh.
"That's what I was trying to do before you took over my plan," Junior grumbled, but followed along with his father, while internally hoping everyone would still get to have a good time.
(Elsewhere in the club)
"Man, when you said there would be a lot of high profile people here, you weren't kidding," Tambry said, giving off a whistle as she looked at some of the faces in the club.
"Yes, it would seem that the old man truly wished to gather as many of the rich and powerful as he could," Mandarin commented, looking around at the crowd around them.
Personally, he thought that this outing wasn't worth the time and energy being spent on it, for what could these so-called elites truly offer his master? But, his lord had ordered it, and one did not question Skeleton King's will and live.
Besides, it gave him the opportunity for his first ever date with his mate, and he wasn't going to pass that up.
"I'll say," Tambry said with a snort, "I mean look, there's..." Suddenly Tambry froze as her eyes landed on Minerva Mink, the famous Anthro movie actress, only... Anthro?
"Urg?" She grunted, holding her hand to her head.
"Something wrong?" Mandarin asked, actually giving her a look of concern.
"I'm... not sure," Tambry said, her tone confused. She recognized Minvera Mink, remembering loving her in that movie "Get Loony or Die", but something was... off.
And the more she thought about it, the more that being a born denizen of Gravity Falls started to come into play, and she found herself looking back at her memories where she realized... something wasn't right.
She couldn't say what it was, but the more she looked back over her memories, it was like things were clashing with each other. Not personal details, everything about her own life was still the same. But surrounding information, like stuff she knew about the world, that was glaring at her like something was blatantly wrong, but she had no idea what it was!
"Ugh," she muttered, rubbing her head, which was starting to pound from the conflicting memories.
"Perhaps we should get you a seat," Mandarin said with a look of concern, while internally noting to perhaps bring this up with his lord. Perhaps not only out of concern for his mate, but because if something was afoot then his master would have to be informed.
"Urg, yeah... that sounds good," she said, following Mandarin over to the bar counter, with the monkey giving a suspicious glance over to Minerva since it seemed she was part of whatever was happening to his mate. But was she a source or a just a side effect?
Yes, this was definitely something to bring to his lord's attention. Surely in his infinite wisdom, Skeleton King would be able to deduce what this was about.
And as they walked off to find a place to sit, other guests were enjoying the party, unaware of the trap that was soon going to be sprung by the hosts.
"Oh man, this club is great! Don't you think so, Trixie?" A blond-haired girl by the name of Veronica Star questioned her friend, before blinking and looking to the side, seeing Trixie looking distracted, "Uh, Trixie?"
"Huh?" Trixie Tang asked, blinking in confusion before looking to her friend, "Yeah, it's a great scene. But, uh... isn't that Kim Possible?"
Now Veronica blinked, following her friend's pointing finger to the hanging cages where Kim and Ron were dancing. Squinting her eyes, Veronica stared at the cages for a moment, then shook her head.
"Nah, it can't be. Why would a superhero like her be working as a dancer in a club?" the blonde asked dismissively.
"Hmm, well, it's hardly a secret among the social elite that Señor Senior, Senior, has picked up supervillainy as a hobby," Trixie sounded out with a frown, "Nor is the fact that it's usually Kim Possible who's handled him."
She added, looking over toward the cage.
"Then it's probably an actress that Senior paid to mock her or something," Veronica replied with a shrug, "I mean, doesn't that one fast food chain have their waitresses dress up as heroines and female villains?"
She added with a thoughtful look, with Trixie giving a snort, "True, but still that doesn't seem like something Senior would do," Trixie said with a frown.
"How about that himbo son of his?" Veronica pointed out.
"...Okay, sure, I could see him doing that," Trixie noted after a moment of thought, "Not sure that his father would let him get away with that, though. Honestly, I'm surprised he let him open up this club," she added with an eye roll.
"Eh, no harm in having a good time," Veronica said with a smile, "I mean, who doesn't love to party?"
She asked herself with a giggle, "You've got movie stars, diplomats, rich businessmen..." Veronica listed off, pointing at faces in the crowd as Trixie hummed along
"Yeah... a lot of rich and powerful people," Trixie noted, eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"Duh, who else would they let into a club this fancy? I mean, it's not like there are any... supervillains..." Veronica said, trailing off as her eyes went to the side, "Ehhh, Trixie..." she said, pointing over at the bar, where Mandarin was helping Tambry take a seat, "Isn't that the creepy monkey who attacked the Titans, and helped escalate the war in Kaznia?"
"Yes, it is," Trixie said, eyes widening slightly, before narrowing in confusion as she watched Mandarin pat Tambry's back comfortingly, "And... I think he's on a date?"
"He is?" Veronica blinked in confusion, face screwing up in mild disgust, "Ugh, I don't know who that girl is, but she must have super low standards."
"Veronica, let's not be racist," Trixie chided distractedly with a frown in Mandarin and Tambry's direction, causing Veronica to blink confused before her eyes widened.
"I didn't mean like that!" She retorted defensively with a blush, "I've got no problem with Anthros. Losers, geeks, and freaks like that monkey yeah, but I honestly don't care if someone's Anthro or human," She glanced off in Mandarin's direction, "I just meant, like, that monkey looks like a real freaky piece of work."
"Okay, yeah, that bone armor stuff is weird, I'll admit that," Trixie stated with a nod, not taking her gaze off of Mandarin and Tambry, "But in any case, I kinda feel like we should be concerned about him being here. I know the Seniors are supposed to be villains, but they always kinda seemed cartoony to me. This guy and his boss are way more dangerous. I mean, I've checked out the announcements the Titans and League put out, and even the rumors online," Trixie said, shaking her head, "Apparently that creepy skeleton not only managed to force Wonder Woman to retreat at one point, but also destroyed his own home world."
She stated to Veronica, unaware of not only Megara's own hand in spreading that rumor to further give her master the fear and respect he deserved, but unaware of the Dark One Worm, with the League omitting that knowledge from the public when putting out information they have on him so citizens and authorities are aware of the danger of Skeleton King and his forces and would report any potential sign of their activity. While this had been done to prevent people panicking and worrying that another Dark One might be buried in Earth (especially when they had yet to conclusively prove that there wasn't one), it had had the adverse effect of making Skeleton King look even more dangerous than he already was.
"So, you think maybe the Seniors are trying to get some more street cred by sucking up to someone tougher than them?" Veronica asked.
"I don't know," Trixie admitted, "But I feel like we should keep an eye on those two, just in case."
"And do what if they are up to something? It's not like we're superheroes," Veronica pointed out, a bit bitterly. With Trixie, despite the circumstances of their "friendship" feeling more like for the sake of running with the popular crowd, never mind being quite aware of Veronica's envy toward her, having to hide a wince and give her a look of concern.
After all, superheroes had become a somewhat sensitive subject for the blonde after the Thanagarian occupation, and hard not to understand why when your favorite hero and idol is revealed to be a spy who sold out the entire planet.
But she also had to hide any nervousness she felt at Veronica's words behind her go-to poker face, because unbeknownst to the blonde, for some time now Trixie Tang had secretly been operating as the hero Avenging Knight.
It had all started when she'd stumbled onto a magical artifact that granted her access to a suit of empowered armor. At first, she'd just used it to screw around and have fun, living out all the fantasies she had from her years of reading comic books in secret (to protect her popularity, of course). Then she'd literally stumbled into the path of a stolen armored bank car, leading to a shootout with the crooks involved; the armor had protected her, and acting purely on instinct, she'd taken down all the crooks by the time the police had shown up, and then run away before she could be questioned too hard about it.
Once she'd gotten safely home and the adrenaline had crashed, she'd been thrilled to realize what had just happened. She'd actually fought crime like a real superhero! It had been so incredible that she'd decided then and there to keep doing it, to make the most of what she'd ended up with in order to make the world a better place, and enjoy herself while doing it. And thus, the Avenging Knight, one of the primary defenders of Dimmsdale had been born!
Admittedly, it was a little annoying that the press and public all seemed to assume that she was a guy under the concealing armor, but at least that helped hide her identity. Which led to her owning the misconception by disguising her voice to make it as deep as she could, even getting a voice changer to give it some extra omph, if she ever needed to speak in her hero identity.
Which, speaking of, she had to figure out how to handle this situation if she snuck off to go Avenging Knight and attempted to bring that monkey into custody; there were a lot of people he could use as a hostage here. Never mind that anyone who fought not only the Teen Titans but apparently Wonder Woman and escaped is probably not someone to take lightly.
And being honest, her experience with more high profile threats was kinda of a mixed bag. She'd been doing this since she was 13, but even after three years she was still barely above a rookie. Sure, she could handle a diva like Platinum Princess no problem, for instance. But a more serious threat like a full-scale alien invasion? In that sort of thing, she was a little out of her power bracket, which was probably why the League or any other teams hadn't made her any membership offers.
So, if that monkey did try something, she wasn't 100% sure about her chances of taking him on.
Though, call it a superhero sense of duty or call it her ego and pride, a part of Trixie didn't just want to ignore the situation. She wanted to prove she could handle the big leagues. The question is, even if she did do something, what would be the best approach without putting everyone in unnecessary danger?
"So, since we're lacking capes and cowls, you think we should call the authorities or something?" Veronica asked her, bringing Trixie out of her thoughts, and while part of Trixie thought that was the smart plan, another part of her couldn't help but wonder... could this be a chance to get some information on the newest threat to Earth?
"No,' Trixie said, shaking her head, "For now, I think we should just keep an eye on him," She replied, putting as much smug arrogance as she could into her voice while tapping into her popular persona, "After all, we came all this way to have a good time, and calling the authorities will just lead to a superhero battle and a lot of people panicking."
She explained, with Veronica biting her lip but giving an agreeing nod, "I suppose you're right... and besides, he's here on a date, so he's not hurting anyone," The blonde girl said thoughtfully, before giving a snort, "Besides, how dangerous could one little monkey be? He probably just got lucky with the Titans and Wonder Woman anyway."
Trixie highly doubted that, the League and Titans didn't seem the type to blow things out of proportion like that. Still, she didn't want to drop the casual facade she was putting up, so she just nodded in agreement.
"Right, so let's keep an eye on him, but not obsess or something," she said, leading her friend to another part of the bar to get drinks but keeping a safe distance from Mandarin and Tambry. She hoped that this didn't turn out to be more than just a villainous date, and that if it did, the evil monkey would turn out to be more Bull-E than Nega-Chin.
Ugh, maybe she should take up Masked Magician's offer to keep an emergency contact line between them, even if it did likely mean having to admit to him at the very least that she was a girl. But when it came to her identity and anything that could link Trixie Tang and Avenging Knight together, she was very paranoid, especially since her "powers" all came from an ancient artifact that once stolen away ,she was left powerless.
Sure she'd been taking some self-defense and combat classes, with the explanation of this world being crazy and dangerous especially for the rich, and she wanted some insurance to feel safe. But while that training helped in her hero career, even she wasn't arrogant enough to think she was on the level of someone like Robin, never mind Batman.
And there was no denying that her artifact being taken away, either stolen by a criminal or confiscated by another hero for her own safety and good, had become one of her worst fears. Which made her paranoid in doing everything and anything she could do to keep it.
Which was also sadly now biting her in the ass, lacking the means to contact any of the few heroes she's worked with. She would definitely have to reconsider her approach after tonight. But for now, she'd just have to deal with it, and hope for the best.
So, she settled down with her soda (and seriously, a villain-owned club was actually carding her so she couldn't get alcohol?), positioned herself to keep an eye on Mandarin, and waited to see what would happen.
(With Lothor's Nieces)
"Is it just me..." Marah spoke up where she was standing by the wall with a frown and crossed arms, "Or do a lot of girls on this planet have ridiculously-sized breasts?" she asked, while gesturing over to a redhead with perhaps one of the most smoking attractive figures she's ever seen, with a tight red dress that left little to the imagination.
Seriously, those breasts that were practically hanging out had to be an F cup at least!
"Tell me about it," Kapri growled, mimicking her sister's pose, "I mean, I thought that goth bitch that Uncle broke in had cow tits, but some of the ones I've seen since then make her look small! And us by extension!"
There was a moment of silence as the two stewed in their disgruntlement, then Kapri turned to glare at where Nate and Lee were standing awkwardly nearby.
"This is the part where you try to make us feel better!" she snapped at them.
"Ah, right! Right!" Lee said, straightening up and getting a nervous expression, "You look great, babe!" He said, with Nate giving a nod.
"Yeah, you two are really sexy," He said, with Lee adding with a snort.
"Yeah, any real man knows girls with big tits are overrated," He said with Nate chiming in again.
"And you've both got good breast sizes anyway," He said with a grin, hoping they were managing to calm down the sisters, and it wasn't like their C-Cups were that bad either.
"That's right! We look great, and can walk around without looking like we might fall over any second, or will get stuck going through doorways," Marah scoffed, before cocking her head in thought, "But that aside, you think she'd be a good selection for Uncle?"
"Hmm, cow tits aside, she is pretty hot, he does seem to like that," Kapri said, rubbing her chin in thought while the boys blinked.
"Wait, you're still looking to hook your uncle up?" Lee asked in confusion.
"Duh," Marah said, "We really want to get him out of his relationship with the bug bitch, but so far the only other girls he's taken have been total subs, so she's staying on top."
The boys exchanged looks at that, remembering their early conversation with Wendy, and trying to be good friends by NOT picturing her getting dominated by Lothor and Tak.
"Ah, well..." Nate coughed with a flush, "That woman is Jessica Rabbit, one of the most popular actresses around, and she isn't exactly what people think of when they think of a sub," He said, recognizing the famous woman on sight.
"Yeah, though she is married to this comedian named Roger... Rabbit," Lee said, trailing off as a dazed look entered his eyes, and like Tambry before him began to experience a slight migraine while feeling like something was off, with Nate sharing the feeling a moment later.
For some reason, the idea of that woman being married to an Anthro rabbit was hitting them as wrong, but neither of them could put their finger on why.
However, before they could figure it out, Kapri suddenly snapped her fingers, catching their attention.
"Hey! Stop daydreaming and focus!" she said, "You were saying?"
"Ah, right... Jessica Rabbit," Lee shook his head back to focus, ignoring the slight migraine and the off feeling, "She's one of the biggest names in Hollywood," Lee explained, nodding his head over to the woman, who was was smirking, "She's got a ton of Oscar awards, and is known as one of the biggest bombshells in the movie industry."
He said with a flush.
"She's married to Roger Rabbit, one of the biggest comedians in the business," Nate said, giving a snort, "He's right up there with Gallagher and Carrot Top when it comes to prop comedy."
He said, remembering watching some of his acts on TV... again though, why did something feel off?
"She's also got something of a rivalry with Minerva Mink, according to the tabloids," Lee added in his own thoughtful tone, spotting the mink in question seeming to shoot Jessica a small dirty look before putting on a smile and approaching the woman in a friendly greeting?
"Oh, hello, Jessica~" Minerva said with obviously fake friendliness, "I don't know how I missed seeing you, with such an... eye-catching dress. But you make it work."
Jessica's face twitched as she clearly repressed an angry expression at the backhanded compliment, before she forced a smile into place.
"Why thank you, Minerva. I know, not everyone looks good in red," she said, offhandedly gesturing to Minerva's own dress of the same color in a way that indicated where she felt the mink fell in that regard. With a short scowl flashing across the mink's face, before Minerva gave a chuckle.
"Ohh yes, I quite agree, Jessica," Minerva said with a tight smile, "Just as it's a shame that some people don't have enough faith in their own looks and talent they have to resort to dirtier methods to stay ahead in show business."
She said haughtily, before adding faux concern, "Which reminds me, how did your husband take those nasty rumors about you?"
Jessica scowled, lips pulling back in a repressed snarl as her cheeks flushed.
"Roger handled it fine, because he knows that they were just horrid lies," she spat back.
"Oh, I'm sure," Minerva said mockingly, "After all, I'm sure it's a total coincidence that you kept getting parts slated for other actresses after private meetings with producers who usually refuse to admit the meetings even happened."
Jessica at that seemed to fume and clench her fists at her side, "Just like it's a total coincidence you got your big break after finding out not only one of your admirers came from money, but that his family had a lot of pull and friends in the industry."
Jessica said, her voice practically poison, "How is dear Wilford by the way?" she asked with faux concern, "Still believing the excuses you're giving on wanting to focus on your career over marriage?"
Now it was Minerva's turn to blush and scowl.
"Wilford's fine, and they're not excuses!" she snapped, "I'll be perfectly happy to marry him once the time is right."
"I'm sure," Jessica said dryly.
"Oh, like you're one to talk," Minerva snapped back with a glare, "It's hardly a secret that your hubby's been wanting to make an addition to the family for how many years now?" she asked coyly as Jessica frowned, "But I ain't seen any baby pics in the gossip mags~"
She added with a giggle, "Afraid that someone as shameful won't be a good mother perhaps?" she asked with an arched brow, "Or maybe you think the child will resemble someone other than the father once you stop using protection."
She added with a cutting smirk.
"Ouch... felt that one," Marah said with a wince, with the sisters and their boyfriends having been easing closer to eavesdrop; the girls' gossip senses were tingling.
"Shhh, this is getting good," Kapri hissed to her sister with a scowl.
"How dare you?" Jessica snarled, face turning the same color as her dress in her outrage.
"How dare I what? Call it like I see it?" Minerva asked facetiously.
By this point, Jessica looked like she really wanted to punch Minerva in the teeth. However, she caught herself and took a deep breath, forcibly calming herself.
"I'm not going to insult our hosts by starting a fight," she hissed, "So, I'm just going to walk away and be the bigger person... you no-talent hack."
"Hack?!" Minerva looked outraged at this, "I'm one of the most popular actresses in all of Hollywood and beyond!" The mink snapped, "I have legions of fans who line up to watch any movie or show I appear in."
She said with a scowl, "I am not a hack!" she glared at Jessica, "If anyone is a hack, it's you and your joke of a husband," she said, giving a cruel smirk, "Who, by the way, is the one people are laughing at, not his terrible jokes or performances."
She said, and that... that was the last straw for Jessica. Mock her and insinuate things Jessica wasn't necessary proud of if you want, but she drew the line at her funny bunny being dragged in.
"That's it, I'm going to..." she started to say, before a pointed cough cut them off, causing them to freeze and blink before turning to a short green-furred hedgehog woman with peach skin wearing a red business suit with red high heels, a white undershirt, gold buttons, two white sided stripes, and white gloves being held together by two gold cuff bracelets.
"Ladies, ladies, as entertaining as a cat fight would be between you two, perhaps it's best saved for a more suitable arena and audience," The woman said with a small smirk.
"And you are?" Jessica asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Name's Breezie. Pleasure to meet you~" the hedgehog replied, oozing charm, while Minerva narrowed her eyes at her in confusion. Something about this girl seemed... odd, to the Anthro, but she couldn't quite place a finger on it.
"I'm an entrepreneur and businesswoman, and I won't bore you with my life story," Breezie continued with a smirk, "I'm just someone who has a business opportunity for you two~"
She said with a smirk, while Jessica gave a scoff.
"I'm not sure if you've been living under a rock, hun, but the hack and I hardly need a new agent or help in the stardom department," the woman said dryly with an arched brow.
"Oh, I know you two are successful movie stars, famous across the world," Breezie said back, keeping her smirk, "But wouldn't you like to not only give your fame a boost, but have the chance to settle this rivalry while proving who's better once and for all?"
She said, and despite themselves, Jessica and Minerva got an interested look on their faces.
"How so?" Minerva asked with a frown, crossing her arms.
"I've got two words for you, ladies: cage match," Breezie replied cheerfully, making the two actresses and all the onlookers blink in confusion.
"Excuse me?" Jessica asked, "You want us to what, fight in front of an audience?"
"Why not? You were about to do it for free~" Breezie pointed out, gesturing to everyone else around them. This caused Jessica and Minerva to freeze and flush, realizing that the woman was right, while suddenly remembering where exactly they were.
"Ah... I wouldn't say fighting..." Minerva said, moving to do some damage control; last thing she needed was this scene being the latest gossip on the news or that vulture show of reporters giving off anything interesting and embarrassing they have on celebrities, "We were merely having a disagreement."
Minerva said, with Jessica nodding along.
"Indeed, we were simply getting a bit passionate about it," The woman said, frowning at the hedgehog, "We would hardly fight like a pair of animals," Jessica added with a snort, with Minerva giving her a slight look since that could be taken as a slur... but she held her tongue, knowing the bitch's husband was Anthro. And she might cheat on the moron for her career, but she doubted Rabbit would condone that kinda talk.
"Yes... especially when it's obvious I would win," Minerva agreed, but added with a smirk.
"Excuse you," Jessica gave her a glare.
"What? We both know that when it comes to, shall we say, physically demanding work in the business, I'm the superior star," Minerva said smugly, "After all, I did all my stunts in my spy thriller "Get Loony or Die". Meanwhile, you're what, the love interest or damsel in distress?" she asked coyly, with Jessica giving a scowl.
"I've taken self-defense classes, I'd say that's more skilled than your scripted fights," Jessica said with a scowl and crossed arms. At Minerva's surprised look, she scoffed, "What? When you're as beautiful and popular as I am, you need to be able to defend yourself from obsessed fans. Not that I'd expect you to understand that, I suppose."
Minerva growled, clenching her fists.
"I am very tempted to take her up on her offer right now, bitch," she snarled, which made Breezie smirk.
"Well, if either of you change your mind, let me know," the hedgehog said, taking out a pair of business cards and tossing them to the actresses. With both women catching the cards by instinct as the hedgehog gave a smirk.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a club to enjoy," She said, turning and walking off, leaving the two actresses frowning at her back before looking at the business cards that displayed the name Breezie the Hedgehog.
"Mutual disdain aside..." Minerva suddenly spoke up with a frown, glancing toward Jessica, "Was something off about that woman, or was it just me?" She questioned her rival and bane of her career and existence, while not looking away from the card in her hand.
"No, there was definitely something... different about her," Jessica muttered. She'd interacted with plenty of Anthros beyond just her wonderful husband and this bitch throughout the years, and there was something about this hedgehog woman that just hit her as wrong...
Shaking her head, Jessica decided to brush the odd interaction off... though she did tuck the card away, just in case.
"Well, I think I've wasted enough time on you tonight," she said haughtily, "So if you'll excuse me, I'll go see if there's anyone with class in this place."
"Yes, I'd much prefer conversing with someone who can match my IQ," Minerva snipped back.
"Ah, I'll alert the nearest pre-school of stranger danger then," Jessica called over her shoulder as she departed, with Minerva throwing a glare at the woman's back.
"Bitch..." She said with a huff, before deciding to get another drink; she could use it. While some of the onlookers either dispersed back to enjoying the club, or took in what they had just seen.
"Well, that was entertaining," Marah said with a slight smirk, with Kapri nodding in agreement, "But you think either of them would be right for Uncle, or can put bug bitch in her place?" She added, looking over to Kapri.
"Hmm, that redhead does seem like she's willing to put down anyone who gets in her face. I could see her not being willing to take the bug's crap," Kapri mused, rubbing her chin in thought.
"Uh, yeah... but again, she's married," Lee pointed out awkwardly.
"Oh please, who would want some lousy comedian when they could have the guy who's going to take over this planet?" Kapri scoffed.
"Yeah, plus Uncle's evil, I don't think he'll care if he stole another man's wife," Marah pointed out, with Kapri giving a snort.
"If anything, that would make things more fun for him," Kapri stated warily, with Marah giving a nod while the boys traded unsure uncomfortable looks.
"So, what's the plan?" Marah asked, looking curiously toward her sister, "We keep scoping out the club to see if we can find more people who could convince Uncle to get rid of bug bitch, or should we try to approach the redhead with an offer to trade up?"
"Hmm, tempting, but let's not put all our eggs in one basket," Kapri said, "Let's have a look around, and see what our other options are."
"Right," Marah said, before looking toward their boyfriends, "Anyone else stand out here guys?" She asked, wanting the local intel.
"Uh, we ain't exactly spymasters or experts on who's who, babe," Nate said, rubbing his neck.
"Yeah, we mostly know about Rabbit and Mink because they're famous movie stars," Lee stated, nodding in agreement.
"Ugh, fine, we'll just walk around and look for anyone hot," Kapri decided, "They don't need to be famous, that's just a bonus."
"Sounds as good a plan as any," Marah said with a shrug, before getting a thoughtful look, "Maybe once that old guy zombies everyone, we can leave with whoever looks good enough for Uncle."
"Um... wouldn't you prefer girls who'd want to be with your uncle voluntarily?" Nate offered cautiously.
"Sure, but we'll take what we can get," Marah replied, waving off his obvious concerns without really acknowledging them. A feeling that Nate was worried he'd have to get used to the longer this relationship lasted.
"Ohhh, those girls look good!" But shook that off at the sight of three girls he and Lee most certainly recognized.
"I mean, lean a bit much into the whole goth girl theme, but they make it work," Marah said with a thoughtful nod.
"Dude... those are the Hex Girls!" Lee spoke up with a hint of awe and really, first Jessica Rabbit, then Minerva Mink, now this? This club really did have a lot of A-list attending! Who's next, Bruce Wayne, Oliver Queen, flipping Lex Luthor?! Well, the latter's daughter was attending, considering Pacifica's adoption, but still.
"So, you know them?" Kapri asked, with a slight jealous note in her voice.
"Yeah, they're one of the biggest bands in the world!" Lee explained.
"And they're friends with Mystery Inc, so that's an in that your uncle can use," Nate added, remembering the girls mentioning how Lothor and Skeleton King had nabbed the famous crime solvers, though they'd been light on the details (which was fine by him, admittedly).
"Hmm, there's certainly potential," Kapri said with a thoughtful hum, remembering Uncle and the bug bitch being all smug after Uncle had some fun with that redhead she and Marah had looked up on Earth's online net, after finding out about Uncle's trap he set up for that group of detectives. And the fact that dressing up in dumb costumes was a recurring trend of crime was still weird and dumb to her.
"Though it's not much of an in, since only one of them remember running into Uncle and Skeleton King, and that's the dork who's apparently playing spy for that creepy skeleton after she got boned," Marah pointed out, getting a dry look for her joke at the end.
"Still, they're attractive, plus musicians means they could entertain Uncle with personal concerts, and that redhead might enjoy some friends being with Uncle," Kapri listed off with a considering look.
"You think it'd be okay if I asked for a autograph?" Before giving her boyfriend a slight annoyed look as Lee spoke up with a curious look.
"And you feel the need to drool over other girls when you have me, why exactly?" she asked icily, immediately making Lee pale.
"Ah, um, I wouldn't say I'm drooling..." he said awkwardly, gulping at her clear irritation, "I just want to, uh... sell it after I get it! It's just to make money!"
There was a tense silence for a minute as Kapri stared at him with narrowed eyes, before she shrugged.
"Whatever. You can get it after they've been brainwashed, so they don't get any ideas about getting cute with a sucker fanboy," she muttered, "Now come on, let's keep looking around."
And with that the group scooped out the rest of the club.
"Oh, those three girls look hot," Kapri stated, pointing over at three girls enjoying the dance floor, "Plus they've got a sense of style."
The girls in question were a blonde wearing a pink jacket over a dark blouse and white skirt, a blue-haired girl wearing a yellow jacket over a red thigh-length dress, and a pink-haired girl wearing a green shirt and blue skirt. Nate and Lee stared at them for a moment, then Nate snapped his fingers in recognition.
"Oh, those are the Waterflower sisters, they're famous supermodels," he said.
"Hmm, so they're hot and famous? Uncle might like that," Marah mused, "Anything else you know about them?"
"Well, I don't see her here, but they've got a fourth sister who's not a model, but she's a pretty famous professional swimmer," Lee added with a shrug.
"Ooh, athletic, that might translate good in the bedroom~" Kapri laughed, "Let's make a note to track her down later."
"Hmm, plus think the Waterflower sisters used to to perform in some water show before taking up modeling careers," Nate added with a thoughtful tone.
"So they look good, got style, and are in good shape, they're definitely winners," Marah said with an excited clap, "But who else we got?" She asked, looking around the club.
"Well, I'm pretty sure that blonde over there is the daughter of the Mayor of Paris," Lee commented, pointing to a girl with blonde hair in a ponytail wearing a yellow jacket over a black and white striped shit and white pants, who was rambling on about something to a redheaded girl with glasses, who was meekly nodding in agreement to everything she said.
"Yeah, I recognize her from social media, that's Chloe Bourgeois," Nate nodded, "Don't really know much about her beyond that, except she's always struck me as one of those mean girl high school cliches."
"Hmm, not sure if she can handle Tak, if being honest," Marah said with a frown.
"Yeah, I can see her getting broken into a pet like the goth bitch was a little too easily," Kapri said with a frown, "Which Uncle might enjoy, but I don't want to give Tak anything that helps her stay on top. Let's make her a maybe. Now who else is here..." she asked herself as her eyes fell upon two women having an intense discussion. One was a blonde, the other a redhead, both dressed much more fancily than most of the other guests, the former in a blue gown and the the latter in a dark green one.
"Know them?" Kapri asked the boys.
"Oh yeah, that's Queen Elsa of Arendelle and her sister Princess Anna," Lee replied, gesturing to the blonde and then the redhead.
"Where's that?" Marah asked.
"It's a small country in Scandinavia," Nate explained, "Only reason anyone really knows about it is because Elsa's a metahuman with ice powers. I hear she's strong enough to freeze entire cities if she wanted to."
"Really?" Kapri asked, grinning evilly, "Hmm, now there's a prize - hot, powerful connections, and with actual powers too? No way Uncle can turn that down~"
"Though something seems to have blondie worked up?" Marah stated and observed with a questioning tone, "Wonder what?" She wondered aloud with a hum.
"Considering I just saw her shoot a glare at the skeleton monkey and has now turned that glare onto us, got a good idea," Kapri answered, her tone becoming slightly dry.
"Yeah, uh, you guys are supervillains," Lee pointed out, "Some people might take offense to you being here."
"Should we be worried?" Marah asked her sister, watching as the princess held her own sister back when the Queen looked like she was about to come stomping over to the group.
"I think we could take her... but let's not take our chances," Kapri said, quickly ushering her group off towards another part of the club.
And as guests enjoyed the club, Senior was preparing to put his plan into motion.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Yep, we're hijacking the Kim Possible episode "Coach Possible" for this arc. And more importantly, we've introduced a lot of new faces who'll come back later. Feel free to place bets as to who ends up in which harem~
I think my favorite of these new plot points is giving Trixie a completely original superhero identity instead of her canonical Wonder Woman parody.
Next time, we'll see what happens when Senior's plot goes down, and what other complications arise during it, but until then please leave a comment or a kudos if you enjoyed this!
Nightmaster000 A/N: Oh yeah we're really having Kim Possible come into play with a divergence and more guest list high light in Coach Possible at Junior Club Lair~ Hope you all like this little twist, and hope you all enjoy the look at who showed up to party~
So many new face, how will they come into play in the plot? You'll just have to see~ Won't lie loved the angle we approached with Trixie Tang in this and hope you enjoy it as well.
Please give us your honest thoughts in a review, or drop a kudos if you liked. :)
Chapter 24: Chaos at the Club
Summary:
Things at Club Lair go wrong, in both the way everyone expected, and in another way no one saw coming.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hiya everyone hope things are going well, because Zim and I are bringing you another update for Conquerors. Where we'll see the little Club arc come to a close, and hope you'll enjoy the action ahead in this chapter.
Admit on my end worried if the fight scene wasn't my best, and doesn't match up to the previous fights Zim and I did. None the less I hope you'll enjoy the chapter, and will share your love for it. :)
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hey everyone, welcome back. Like Night said, we're wrapping up this mini-arc this chapter with some action you'd expect from canon, and a few twists only available in this setting. Hope you all enjoy it!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Yeah, uh, you guys are supervillains," Lee pointed out, "Some people might take offense to you being here."
"Should we be worried?" Marah asked her sister, watching as the princess held her own sister back when the Queen looked like she was about to come stomping over to the group.
"I think we could take her... but let's not take our chances," Kapri said, quickly ushering her group off towards another part of the club.
And as guests enjoyed the club, Senior was preparing to put his plan into motion.
"Now is the time, my son. Prepare to enact our master plan!" he declared to Junior, who just pouted.
"Can I at least make all of them dance once they're brainwashed?" Junior asked, making his father sigh.
"Fine, fine, if it makes you stop complaining," Senior muttered, "By the way, did you see where Miss Luthor and her friend went off to? I never had a chance to warn them."
"I think I saw them heading down a side hallway. Maybe they were looking for the bathroom?" Junior shrugged.
"Oh good, that means that they won't be caught up in this after all," Senior mused, turning to the control panel in front of him. An act that didn't go unnoticed.
"Looks like Senior is making his move," Azula noted with some interest to Mai and Ty Lee, with them having regrouped by the bar.
"Ahhh, I was hoping to dance some more," The latter said with a pout while the former sighed.
"So, what are the chances this goes well?" Mai asked with a flat tone and disinterested expression.
"Have any of this old fool's little schemes worked?" Azula asked just as flatly, "Especially when he's made a point of NOT killing his enemies even when he has them captive."
She punctuated her point by gesturing to where Kim and Ron were still dancing in their cages.
"Wait, that's really Kim Possible? I thought those were actors Senior hired," Ty Lee commented, blinking in surprise.
"No, that's the real deal. Senior managed to get the drop on her and her sidekick apparently," Azula said, before giving a scoff, "But because of his so-called traditional sense of villainy, which is cartoonist at best, rather than exploit this chance he has them dancing."
She said, shaking her head in disbelief.
"So, should we stick around to watch the fireworks, or get out while we can?" Mai asked.
"Let's stay, I'm morbidly curious to see how this mess blows up in his face," Azula snorted, glancing in Senior's direction before making a point of looking away to avoid getting caught up when the disco ball came down. With Mandarin ensuring that Tambry did the same as the disco ball came down and worked its magic, as one by one all the guests fell under its power, entering a zombified hypnotic state.
"Hehehehehe, yes, it is working, they are all under our power, Junior!" Senior shouted in triumph.
"Great, whatever. Can we dance now?" Junior asked, causing his father to sigh.
"Fine. But keep the music down so I can call in the ransom demands," Senior stated, pulling out his phone.
"Fineeee," Junior drawled out from the side before calling out, "Everybody dance!" As he slid to the dance floor, busting a move as all the hypnotized victims proceeded to dance.
"So... what now?" Tambry asked her boyfriend while doing her best to not look at the disco ball, "I mean, there's a lot of high class and even important people here, this seems like a good opportunity to exploit that with everybody all zombied out."
"Hoho, I like how you think, my mate~" Mandarin laughed, "Hmm, yes, there do seem to be many here that my master may wish to claim as servants... or prizes~"
"Yeah, we were thinking the same thing," Marah said as her group walked over to join them at the bar, keeping their eyes down to avoid looking at the ball.
"And just for the record, we're calling dibs on that Jessica Rabbit and the Hex Girls," she added.
"And don't forget that ice queen," Kapri chimed in with a nod as Mandarin shot them a flat look.
"And why should I humor your so-called dibs?" Mandarin asked with an arched brow, "While my master and your uncle have been cooperating, we're still rival factions, and we all know you attempting to fight me would be a sad joke," He scoffed, with the sisters giving scowl.
"Well, like you said, Uncle's working with your boss, and I doubt skull boy would be happy with you causing issues for their working relationship," Kapri pointed out smugly, with Mandarin giving a scowl before sighing, "Very well, we'll negotiate and see who at this little party would interest our respective masters."
With Tambry unable to hide a snort, "And something tells me it will either be influential people or desirable women... more to the latter than the former," She observed in amusement, before freezing when a new amused voice spoke out, "Hmm, sounds like the newcomers on the block have a sexual appetite."
The speaker sitting next to her, enjoying a drink while also avoiding the disco ball's power, was a Latina-looking woman with long straight black hair (reaching all the way to her legs), brown eyes (hidden behind a pair of round-amber colored shades), full coral pink lips and a well-pronounced hourglass figure, having rather voluptuous hips and thick thighs that weren't hidden by her choice of clothes, a rather short wine colored top that left her midriff and plenty of cleavage naked, black sweatpants with a colorful feathered serpent on her right leg and green, red and black sneakers.
"...And you are?" Tambry asked, after the combined group stared at the woman for a moment.
"Call me Chel," the woman replied, casually sipping her drink, "But out of curiosity, do your bosses actually want to take over the Earth, or are they just looking for a good time? Cause I could work with either~"
This prompted some looks, with Kapri and Marah looking skeptical while Mandarin gave her a studying look. Something about this woman... she was more than she seemed.
"And what would you have to offer my lord in service?" he asked with an arched brow, prompting Chel to smirk.
"Well, besides rocking his bones in the sheets..." Her eyes took on a green glow, "Well, let's just say I've got experience with the magic touch," She informed them while enjoying another sip of her drink.
"A sorceress," Mandarin realized with a frown
"Yes I am," Chel replied smugly, "One with centuries of experience at my disposal. Which I'm happy to put to use, for the right price."
"You should be honored if my lord even considers enlisting your service!" Mandarin snarled, which Chel just rolled her eyes at.
"Please, I've been around the block, and I've seen my fair share of aspiring conquerors, warriors, magicians, you name it," Chel said, putting down her glass, "While your master and his ninja pal both sound impressive, I ain't seen anything that sets them apart from Vandal Savage or that Darkseid character from a few years back. So I ain't just going to drop to my knees in awe and worship while working for free, monkey boy," She added matter-of-factly, while Mandarin scowled at her tone.
"And honestly, just putting the offer on the table out of hope for some thrills," She gave a shrug, "Senior isn't the first to take up supervillainy as a hobby, but with my regular playmates joining up with the League, networking probably wouldn't hurt."
"What playmates?" Marah asked, arching a brow in curiosity.
"Well, there's Zatanna, little miss 'magic should be used responsibly but I'll hypocritically use it for my shows'," Chel scoffed, "And of course, there's Pocahontas, who thinks that just because her longevity and magic was granted by her people's spirits instead of her taking it by force the way I did, she's better than me."
"Ah, the self-righteousness of the weak-willed. That brings back unpleasant memories," Mandarin sneered. After all, the others on the Hyper Force, particularly Antauri, had always been so self-righteous and set on the moral high ground.
"Yes, always a shame when one lets morals get in the way of business," Agreed the approaching form of Breezie the Hedgehog, not bothering to shield her gaze from the disco ball, but noticeably unaffected by it, "Speaking of such, please pass on my card to your employers, I think we could do lunch sometime," The woman added with a smirk, while holding up some business cards, causing everyone to blink at her.
"Uh, I'm sorry," Ty Lee spoke up from where her group was seated a bit further down the bar, "But how come you're not getting all zombified by the lights like everyone else?"
"Let's just say that I'm built a bit differently~" Breezie giggled at some inside joke, while Marah and Mandarin each took one of her cards and looked then over carefully.
"Breezie the Hedgehog, professional business entrepreneur and consultant?" Marah read aloud with a frown as Mandarin narrowed his eyes toward the hedgehog.
"And you're offering your services, which are?" Mandarin inquired with a frown, looking suspiciously toward Breezie. Something about this hedgehog was off but also... familiar? He couldn't quite put his finger on it, and that was not something that he liked.
"Oh, you know, the usual," Breezie said offhandedly, "A middle person for business deals, using my contacts to get things for you without the difficulty of doing it yourself, calling in favors to act in your benefit in exchange for you doing the same for me, that sort of thing. I find it can be very beneficial for everyone involved."
"Hmm, well, Uncle does need some more local talent," Kapri mused with a thoughtful look as Breezie passed a card to Azula, who simply frowned.
"And at the least, passing this along will show we haven't been wasting time here, and get us some praise for a job well done," Marah chimed in with a hopeful look.
"Hmm, I'll have to run this by my master, but he might be interested in your services," Mandarin added as Breezie gave a card to Chel, who simply arched a brow, "If..." he heavily emphasized the word, "You can actually back up your word and are as useful you claim to be."
He gave Breezie a dark look, "Because if you aren't..." He raised his arm, deploying his energy blade that hummed as a gave a sinister smirk, "You'll learn the same lesson of suffering that all those who disappoint Skeleton King learn."
"No offense, but that's far from the first time I've ever heard a threat like," Breezie replied flatly, before shrugging, "But regardless, I look forward to proving myself, and the profitable relationships we can all have as a result."
"Question," Azula spoke up, eyes narrowed suspiciously at the hedgehog, "My family's been involved in this business most of my life. How come I've never heard of you?"
"Hmm, I'm new in this neck of the woods, so to speak," Breezie replied with an impish smirk.
"Ah, another alien then?" Azula asked knowingly.
"In a matter of speaking," Breezie said back with a little amused giggle, getting the attention of the other offworlders, "Though it's a bit more complicated than that~" she remarked, with Mandarin addressing her with a frown.
"Define complicated," He said, deactivating his blade, internally a bit irked his threat was disregarded so easily. Hmm, perhaps like his master, he should look into establishing himself as a figure worthy of fear and respect on this planet.
As he pondered that, Breezie gave another laugh.
"Well, I suppose that depends on how much everyone here knows about the multiverse and inter-dimensional travel," she commented, immediately gaining the attention of Mandarin, Marah and Kapri, who remembered their own arrivals in this reality. However, before anyone could ask any followup questions, she glanced over to the other end of the club and made a humming sound.
"But that conversation will probably have to wait. I think the party's about to get called short," she said, looking to the cages holding the captive Kim and Ron. Or rather had been holding them, as both were now wearing sunglasses and leaping down from the cages and confronting the Seniors.
"Well, I'd be lying if I said if I didn't see this coming," Azula sighed, taking a sip from her drink.
"I don't think he even bothered to lock the cages," Chel added thoughtfully, with Azula shaking her head.
"Of course he didn't," Azula said with an eye roll, while Marah and Kapri traded confused looks.
"Who's the redhead, and why is she such a big deal?" Marah questioned with a frown.
"Uhh, I think that's Kim Possible. Like, the real Kim Possible," Nate said with a tone of awe, causing Marah to frown.
"She's this famous international teen heroine who goes all around the world stopping villains, helping in disasters, and solving problems," Lee explained while summing up a bit.
"Hmph, she doesn't seem so great," Kapri scoffed, jealous at the tone in Lee's voice.
"Regardless, it would appear that she's prepared to deal with the old fool and his son," Mandarin mused, carefully examining the girl's stance as she prepared for a fight. He'd seen better, but at first glance she still appeared more a skilled fighter than many he'd viewed on this planet. He was curious to see what she could do.
However, before anything could happen...
BOOM
Something suddenly burst through the roof of the club, slamming into the floor between Kim, Ron, and the Seniors. When the resulting dust cloud cleared, everyone was left staring at a giant robotic dog. It was mostly colored black, with a maroon mark like a collar around its neck, maroon circulars on its shoulders and all over the thighs, red eyes and silver claws, and an antenna sticking out of the back of its neck.
While everyone else stared at the robot in surprise and confusion, Breezie scowled at it.
"Shit, he came here too after all," she muttered.
"Seriously? A robot attack dog? I see you really went all out for the party," Kim commented dryly, only to arch an eyebrow as she saw the confused look on Senior's face.
"That isn't mine," he said, scratching his head in thought, "Junior, did you buy this thing?"
"Why would I want to buy a robot dog when we already stole the animatronics?" Junior asked, equally confused.
"Hehe, of course it's not yours, suckers!" Exclaimed a new voice that screamed mischief and troublemaker as a new form flew in on a jetpack. It appeared to be a short and humanoid black creature; he had a round head and stout body, with small arms and legs. He also was wearing a jetpack, white gloves, a belt with a large yellow "M" in the middle, and red boots. He also had small, round, yellow eyes with irises, and a blue tongue. His ears were likewise large and protruded from the side of his head, and were pointed on the ends. And he was carrying a green bag with an arm strap over his shoulder with the word EGG printed on it.
"This is the Egg Cerberus, an example of the genius of Dr. Eggman!" The creature exclaimed dramatically, floating over the aptly name Egg Cerberus, with his declaration getting the expected confusion.
"Dr... Eggman?" Kim and Senior said together with a confused expression.
"Okay, heard some crazy villains names, but that one takes the cake," Ron said, scratching his head with Rufus nodding from his pocket.
"Perhaps he is a relative of that Egghead fellow from Gotham who has an unhealthy obsession with eggs," Junior proposed thoughtfully while the audience took in the new arrival.
"Sounds like a silly name," Ty Lee said with a giggle.
"Yeah, who'd take anybody named Eggman seriously?" Marah agreed with a laugh.
"Yeah, what's the robot dog going to do, shoot eggs at people?" Kapri asked mockingly. However, the others weren't laughing.
"Believe me, hun," Breezie sighed, "The name becomes less of a humorous mocking taunt when its target decides to own it, and make it a name to fear," She said with a slight irritated scowl.
"You know this guy?" Tambry asked, eying the robot warily. After all, one thing she'd learned living in Gravity Falls was that a silly name or appearance did not mean something wasn't dangerous.
"I should, I used to work for him before I went independent," Breezie replied, "And let me be clear - as humorous as he might act sometimes, Eggman is a psychopath with a sadistic streak, who won't hesitate to crush anyone or anything in his way."
"Is that right?" Mandarin asked, giving the robot an analytical look. Yes, his master would want to learn about this, that there was another powerful player on the scene. But for now, he focused back on the creature as it spoke, rummaging into his bag.
"The name's Bokkun, messenger robo, and I've got a live message from the Doctor himself!" He proclaimed, revealing himself to be a robot himself as he pulled out a... small old-fashioned box TV? Prompting blinks, but once it turned on, laughter sounded out.
"Ohohohoho, greetings everyone! And welcome to the glorious Earth debut of the extra-dimensional displaced greatness that is Doctor Eggman!"
Several eyebrows went up at the sight of the speaker, a rotund man wearing a red jacket with gold buttons, black pants, and goggles concealing his eyes. He was bald, but had a huge mustache sprouting out from under his large nose. And he was giving them all an evil grin as he leaned back in his chair, clasping hands covered in white gloves under his chin.
"Dimensional what now?" Ron asked, he and Rufus staring in confusion at the screen.
"Pretty sure he just said that he's from another universe," Kim clarified for her friend, earning a sound of approval from Eggman.
"Quite right, Miss Possible. I see you're just as clever as your reputation states," he said with a smirk.
"Thanks," she said dryly, "So, is there a reason for the robot attack dog busting in here?"
"Oh yes, very much so," Eggman said with a nod, "You see, I'm newly arrived in this reality, and with so many other villains crowding the field, I felt the need to make a big move to get the world's attention. And I figure with your celebrity status, eliminating you should be just what I need."
Kim scowled, not exactly thrilled at the idea of being used as a way for a new villain on the block to boost his rep. However, at Eggman's announcement, Senior spoke up before she could, with the man frowning and getting Eggman's attention as he stepped forward.
"Excuse me," he said with a pointed cough, with Eggman arching a brow, "While I can understand wanting to make a splash with your villainous debut."
He said with a nod before sending a glare toward Eggman, "Doing so like this is not only most rude, but shows a shocking lack of professional courtesy," He stated. After all, this man was targeting HIS foe in the middle of HIS scheme!
Before gesturing toward all the currently hypnotized guests, "After all, Kim Possible is in the middle of attempting to foil my own fiendish plot."
"Oh please, like there's anything here worth calling a real plot," Eggman said with a scoff as he looked over the room, "I mean, really, hypnotism? What next, tying a damsel in distress to some railway tracks? How about you head back to the retirement home and play Bingo, grandpa, I've got REAL villain work to do here."
"Ooh, burn!" Ron commented, several of the non-hypnotized guests snorting at Eggman's comment and the angry look Senior gave in response.
"Heheh, you were right Ty Lee, this was worth the trip," Azula remarked with a grin, watching the show with amusement but also an analyzing gaze. Another new player, with extra-dimensional origins at that; it truly seemed that the League's expansion prompted an escalation beyond what her and father had expected... plans would indeed have to be made at this rate.
"Hmmm, certainly shaping up to be one of my more entertaining nights at a club," Chel agreed from her seat as Senior steamed where he stood.
"Excuse me... but do you have any idea of who you're addressing?" He asked with a dark scowl, struggling to recall a time he'd ever felt so insulted.
"A senile old fool who thinks he's a villain when really he's a fool having a VERY late mid-life crisis while playing pretend like a child," Eggman stated matter-of-factly with a mocking grin.
"Hey! You can't talk to my father like that!" Junior protested, glaring at the weirdly egg-shaped person. He might be annoyed with his father right now, but he wouldn't stand for someone mocking him like this.
"I can talk to whoever I want however I want, and no moronic case of nepotism can tell me otherwise," He said with a snort, before dismissing them with a wave, ignoring Junior's offended gasp and Senior's growing rage, "Now then, I suggest you get out of the way while the Egg Cerberus shows you a real villain at work, and how to properly take care of an enemy."
With the Egg Cerberus stepping forward for emphasis, causing Kim and Ron to enter guarded stances, the latter's expression more freaked out, "After all, not like you can do anything about it," Eggman added with a smug chuckle, while Senior steamed with a look of fury.
This man barges into his scheme, attacks his enemy, insults not just traditional villainy but himself and his son! This... this would not stand!
"Actually, I can do two things..." Senior said with a dark look, before snapping his fingers and the eyes of the animatronics in the cages above began to glow, "For the first, the disco ball wasn't the only thing I modified."
He stated as the animatronics exited the cages and crashed to the ground, "As for the second..." Senior glanced over to the non-brainwashed guests, one in particular, "Mandarin!" He called, with the monkey giving a blink, "Does Skeleton King's offer come with aid in dealing with unwanted rude party crashers?"
Senior questioned with a positively evil and venomous grin.
Mandarin cocked his head in thought as he considered that, before nodding.
"Hmm, yes, I suppose offering mutual aid is a key part of any alliance," he stated. As he spoke, Kim and Ron turned to face him, the heroine arching a brow at the sight of the group who were unaffected by the disco ball. Before she could question it, however, Ron gave a high-pitched yell.
"AAAAHHHH!!! Evil demon monkey!" he screamed in panic, pointing at Mandarin with a look of absolutely terror.
"What's with him?" Tambry asked, annoyed on her boyfriend's behalf.
"He, uh, has a thing about monkeys," Kim said awkwardly.
"Heheho, does he now~" Mandarin observed with a smirk before suddenly floating up into the air and straight toward Team Possible, stopping right in front of Ron, whom he gave a menacing grin, "Tell me boy, do I frighten you?" He asked with an amused chortle.
"Yes, very much!" Ron yelled, stumbling backwards to try and get away, much to Mandarin's amusement.
"Hey, back off, creep!" Kim snapped, stepping forward to put herself between her friend and the creature she recognized from the news as an alien villain who had attacked the Teen Titans.
"Oh? Certainly more of a spine than your lackey," Mandarin observed with a hum, staring right into Kim's eyes, seeing more fire and steel than the boy. Who he would have disregarded as being of no consequences... if not for something pulling at his senses about him... something familiar, and powerful... yet another thing to report.
"I'm used to dealing with creeps," Kim retorted, with Mandarin simply smirking.
"I'm sure... but fortunately for you, today is not a day where you have to face Skeleton King's most loyal and greatest warrior," Mandarin said, turning to face Eggman's screen and the Egg Cerberus.
"And I take it this means you're accepting my lord's generous offer, then?" He inquired to Senior, who gave a nod, scowling.
"I would have preferred having more time to think it over, but our rude unwanted guest has forced my hand," He admitted with a scowl, grabbing and dragging Junior away from the Egg Cerberus.
"Wait, what offer?" Kim asked, suddenly getting a worried look.
"Merely a place in my lord's forces and a slice of territory should they prove their measure," Mandarin replied, not looking away from the Egg Cerberus or Eggman on the screen held by Bokkun.
"What?!" Kim shot the Seniors a horrified glance, "Senior, you can't be serious!" she exclaimed in disbelief, "I've read the report put out about this creep's boss, and believe me, he's not the type of crowd you want to get involved in."
She said, shaking her head and her tone actually conveying... concern? Which was noted by the others listening in.
But concerned she was - despite being her enemies, she knew that Senior and Junior weren't that bad at heart, and that there was a major difference between them and some of the supervillains the Justice League usually handled. There was a reason that her parents made her swear not to take any missions in Gotham City for example, and he might be new on the block, but what she read about the Skeleton King was little better.
These two would be small fish jumping into a shark pool, and she just knew how badly it would end for them.
"I thank you for your concern, Miss Possible, but it is not something you need worry yourself with," Senior stated firmly, "Now, please be defeated by my modified animatronics while my new friend deals with these pests."
With that, the stolen animatronics' eyes started glowing before shooting lasers at Kim and Ron, who yelled in surprise and jumped aside to dodge the attack.
"Ahhh, dude, seriously! I thought you were sicking them on the robot dog!" Ron exclaimed, before ducking a blast from a purple hippo, "Why, Pizza Potamus, why?!" He cried out while Senior called out.
"Interlopers with no sense of matters or not, you're still my foes trying to ruin my scheme!" As he hurried over to behind the bar area of the club, dragging Junior behind him.
"Uh, father, what are you doing?" Junior questioned the man as Senior got behind the bar.
"Simple Junior, considering the world we live in, I always make sure any lair we stay at are installed with adequate protections for safety," Senior explained, turning a drink dispenser to the side, revealing a hidden panel with a control keypad coming out of a secret compartment, "If you aren't participating in the battle, I'd advise you ladies to get behind the bar," Senior remarked to the ones sitting at the bar, internally wondering about the hedgehog woman but disregarding, but giving a blink at Chel, "Ah, Miss Dorado, my apologies for not greeting you properly earlier. I was unaware of your presence at the club, but you look as lovely as you did several decades ago."
Senior remarked, offering her a polite grin while typing into the keypad.
"Ah, Senior, always the charmer~" Chel said with a pleased giggle even as she climbed into the bar.
"Decades? You don't look it," Tambry said as she got into the safe zone as well; much as she'd like to help her boyfriend, she figured Mandarin could handle himself in a fight just fine without her.
"Benefits of immortality, dear. I've looked this good since the days of the conquistadors," Chel commented with a smirk.
"Wow, you look great for your age," Ty Lee said with appreciative whistle as she and her friends got behind the bar.
"I know, and I'm still determined to learn her secret." Junior told her with a nod.
"Hehe, as I said before Junior, the magical touch of life does the body good~" Chel said with a smirk.
"Hmm, I'm sure it does," Azula said with a hum. If there was one thing that was a long term goal of hers, it was obtaining if not immortality than a way to prolong her life span, and she knew there were various means to obtain it. The tricky part was obtaining said means, but she never let anything stop her before.
"Eh, not that big of a deal," Marah said with a shrug, "I mean, I can think of plenty of people who didn't look half-bad despite having thousands years under their belt," she said, prompting looks, "I mean, Rita Repulsa had terrible fashion sense, but for someone who was over ten thousand years old, she didn't look half bad, right Kapri?"
She asked, turning to look at her sister, who gave a distracted nod before frowning as Senior activated a forcefield around the bar area.
"Uh, sis... where's our boyfriends?" Kapri asked, noticing that the group behind the bar included the Seniors and the women who had avoided the disco ball's power... but the two guys they came to the club with were missing.
"What do you mean, they're right... here..." Marah said, gesturing off to the side before noticing that yes... her boyfriend was gone.
"Hmm, I believe I saw your boyfriends sneaking off a bit after the robot arrived," Mai informed bluntly, "One of them whispered something about freedom."
She stated with a shrug as the girls' expressions suddenly turned thunderous.
"Those... ungrateful... bastards!" Kapri growled, "We bring them along to a party, and they ditch us?!"
"And after we went through all the trouble of making sure they didn't end up enslaved with the rest of their town!" Marah added with a growl.
"Yeah, how unreasonable of them," Tambry said flatly. Hey, she might be becoming a case of Harley Quinn-level Stockholm Syndrome with Mandarin, but that didn't mean she couldn't understand why Lee and Nate would take the chance to run for it if they had it.
"Exactly! Why can't they be more like you with the monkey!" Marah exclaimed, throwing her arms up in the air, "I mean, Skeleton King basically gave you to him as a reward, and you pretty much embraced it while sticking it to your jerky ex," Marah said, unaware that her comments like the mention of a town enslaved was prompting raised brows and interest from the others behind the bar barrier.
"Oh, Lee is so getting the special punishment when I get my hands on him," Kapri stated, with her sister nodding in agreement. Tambry sighed, choosing to turn her attention to her boyfriend while her hand went to her phone, remembering certain modifications it had gotten before leaving the Citadel of Bone.
"So..." Eggman said from the TV screen being held by the floating Bokkun, "You're the lackey of that Skeleton King fella," The scientist said, rubbing his chin, "One of the newer villains to make a scene in this reality, according to my intel."
He said, with Mandarin huffing in the air with a scowl, "And you are apparently another aspiring conqueror attempting to claim what belongs to my lord," He said with a note of disdain, "You'd be wise to submit yourself to my lord, and you might be granted leniency in his service."
The monkey said, activating his blade and ignoring the forms of Kim and Ron as they dodged laser fire from the animatronics, "And you could start by surrendering and informing me about the means of your arrival to this reality."
He said with narrowed eyes. His lord and the entirely of the Citadel of Bone, Lothor and his forces, now this fool and from Breezie's words likely others from their reality... once was happenstance, twice was coincidence, three times... no, it was clear something or somebody was at work, pulling hostile factions from other realities to Earth... but why?
However, before he could ponder this further, Eggman scoffed loudly, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Please, I don't play second fiddle to anyone," he sneered, "I'm going to be the greatest evil this world has ever known, just like back home!"
"What about Black Doom?" Orbot asked from Eggman's side of the screen.
"Or Dark Gaia?" Cubot added.
"Or the Deadly Six?"
"Or Mephiles?"
"Or-?"
"Enough from the peanut gallery, or I'll toss you in the trash compactor!" Eggman yelled at his offscreen minions.
Mandarin arched a brow before scoffing, "Yes, truly the world will bow at your greatness, and tremble at your evil," He said dryly, with Eggman scowling at him.
"Oh they will, starting with you," The mad scientist said, before exclaiming out his order while Bokkun hovered away with the screen, "Egg Cerberus, rip that simian to shreds!"
And with that, Egg Cerberus launched itself forward, with Mandarin lunging forward with a screech, raising his blade to meet the Egg Cerberus in battle. As they clashed, Kim and Ron were busy fighting the animatronics. Well, Kim was; Ron was mostly running around and trying to avoid getting hit.
"Is it me, or did this mission get way more complicated than it started out as?!" Ron exclaimed as he dodged another blast from Pizza Potamus.
"Tell me about it," Kim muttered as she blocked a punch from JP Bearymore and then kicked the robot bear in the face to knock it back.
"And while i'm confidant we can handle the Seniors' hijacked pizza mascots, the monkey and apparent new mad scientist out to make a name for himself might be a bigger problem," Kim said with a worried frown.
With the former, she'd heard about the attack on the Teen Titans and the chaos in Kaznia, and anybody who could fight the Titans, much less Wonder Woman himself, and avoid capture on top of that wasn't to be underestimated. While this apparent Eggman guy (And Ron's right, weirdest villain name ever), she didn't know enough to get a bead on his threat level, but the fact he can send out something like that robot dog meant he had resources to spare. And the fact that he was from another dimension on top of that was certainly something important to note and have investigated.
But what had her worried was the fact that his whole reason for being here and crashing Senior's scheme was because he was targeting her. She was used to fighting villains, whether it be the Seniors or the recurring plots of Drakken and Shego, but this is the first time a villain had actively tried to target her, and all to make a name for themselves... it was off-putting and unnerving, in all honesty. She had no problem with the dangers of being a hero, but this was the first time she'd ever felt directly threatened, and she was suddenly hit by the mental image of one of this guy's robots attacking her home and going through her family to get to her.
However, as the animatronic bear got back up and loomed over her, Kim quickly shoved that aside. She couldn't afford to let herself get overwhelmed by fear, especially not in the middle of a fight. She'd get out of this situation first, then she'd worry about what the potential threat later.
It might be a good idea to reach out to one of the big teams for some professional advice, she thought idly as she backflipped out of the way of a punch. For now, she'd focus on Senior's hijack mascots, then worry about the robo-dog and skull monkey, she thought, getting a determined expression as she launched herself toward one of the animatronics to use its head as a handstand, launching herself up to to the air while dodging laser fire along the way.
Meanwhile, Mandarin was hopping around the Cerberus, slashing at it with his gauntlet's laser blade, and scowling as that barely did anything. And then he gave a surprised shriek as the robot dog blurred forward, slamming into him before he could react.
"Haha! You like that?" Eggman sneered from the screen still in Bokkun's hands, "This bad boy was designed to match the speed of the fastest being in my reality!"
"Urg, it... takes more than... speed to obtain victory," Mandarin said with a grunt as he got up from the wall that the Egg Cerberus had slammed him into, with Tambry watching with growing worry for her boyfriend.
"Heh, believe me, that's actually a sentiment I share, but sadly personal experience says otherwise," Eggman said with a scoff from the screen, before scowling at Cubot speaking up offscreen.
"Yeah, Sonic always wins, and runs circles around you," The bot said, with Eggman giving a growl.
"Quiet, you nimcombot, before I recycle you!" He snapped as Mandarin let out a chortle.
"Hehe, it seems unlike my lord, you have failed to conquer your enemy," The monkey said, keeping a wary eye on the Egg Cerberus, analyzing it and looking for any weak point... hmm, the antenna on its head, perhaps?
"Is that why you came to this reality?" Mandarin probed, fishing for information, though he already suspected like Lothor and his master, whatever force brought Eggman to Earth was not by his own choice, "You realized you could not triumph over your foe, so you sought out an easier target you could actually win against?"
The monkey asked, cruel amusement pouring out of his voice. Eggman scowled, gritting his teeth in rage as he glared at Mandarin.
"You insipid little primate," he growled, "I am the most brilliant mind that the universe has ever known! My reality would have been mine to command in time, and I'll prove it by conquering this one first and then finding a way back there to finish the job! But it's such a shame you won't be there to see it!"
At that unspoken command, the Egg Cerberus charged forward again, but this time Mandarin was ready for it, leaping into the air as the robot dog started to move and leaving it to slam into the wall. As it started to pull itself out, Mandarin flipped over to face it while still in midair and took a deep breath.
"Monkey mind scream!" he yelled as he unleashed the sonic attack, which slammed into the Cerberus' head, directly hitting the antenna. And the moment the attack hit, sparks formed around the head area of the Egg Cerberus, before the antenna blew up and the robot began to spaz out.
"NOOO! WHAT YOU DONE, YOU FOOL?!" Eggman cried out angrily from the monitor as Mandarian landed in a crouch, smirking.
"Did I break your toy~" He asked mockingly, with Eggman snapping back, "No! You've caused me to lose control over it! Now who knows what it'll do!"
As if to prove his point, the Cerberus looked around with jerky motions, before its gaze settled on the forcefield-protected bar area where the Seniors and their guests were hiding. Giving a mechanical growl, the robot dog dashed across the room to slam against the bar, making the forcefield flicker.
"AH!" Kapri yelped as the bar shook, "A little help here would be nice!"
Snarling angrily as he saw Tambry scrambling away from the edge of the bar and the Cerberus, Mandarin leapt in the air and came down with a swing of his blade. However, the Cerberus saw him coming and dodged out of the way. And as Mandarin hit the floor, to his surprise the robot leapt up high in the air itself before coming down hard.
BOOM
And when it hit, it unleashed a shockwave that spread across the room, knocking Mandarin, Kim, Ron, and the animatronics off of their feet, shaking the whole building in the process.
(Elsewhere)
Pacifica looked up from what she was doing as the room shook.
"Did you feel that?" she asked.
"Mmph," Mabel replied, voice muffled due to her face being buried in Pacifica's pussy, the two having been 69-ing on a couch in a side room.
Both girls were now stripped of any clothing, with Pacifica having not wasted any time once she was alone with her pet, removing their clothing and starting a little interrogation. With Mabel, as Pacifica sexually teased and tortured her, spilling everything about what happened at the Woodstick Festival during Dipper and Mabel's first summer in Gravity Falls. How she had met a cherub calling himself Love God, her desires to set Robbie up to get him out of the dumps, how she basically dosed both him and Tambry with some of the Love God's love potion she stole from him.
With Mabel then experiencing a moment where she was both aroused and afraid of Pacifica when the other girl stopped her sexual teasing to grab her by the chin and look her straight in the eyes, asking her in a cold tone if Mabel or even Dipper had ever used the same love potion on her.
Thankfully, Mabel could give her the answer she wanted to hear, and reassured her that none of that stuff ever got near her, and explained how Dipper wanted to stop her... even if it was more to fix Wendy's group of friends, since Robbie and Tambry getting together caused them to temporarily split up, than out of concern for the morality of the situation. Them stealing some antidote from the Love God and the chaos caused through the festival as he chased them down. How they had a chance to break the spell over Tambry and Robbie, but Mabel refused because they had seemed so happy.
By the time she was done explaining while eating Pacifica out at the same time, her mistress scoffed and filled Mabel with conflicted feelings in sharing amusement and how she was a bit impressed that Mabel had it in her to basically date rape somebody and force them into a relationship they wouldn't normally want. Though if it had been her, she would have stuck Wendy back with that loser Robbie since the lumberjack bitch deserved someone that pathetic, while Tambry hadn't really done anything to warrant being punished like that.
Before sending Mabel a smirk, saying that since she'd been a bad girl, it was up to her mistress to punish her, leading to things getting very hot, and making it very hard for Mabel to focus on her guilt or Pacifica's comments about Wendy, though the other girl's disdain for her other friend was hardly a secret between them.
But now, their fun was being interrupted, as the room shook from some kind of impact. And, now that they were actually listening, they could dimly hear sounds of shouting coming from the general direction of the main room.
As Pacifica reluctantly rolled off of Mabel so that she could speak clearly, the brunette sat up and listened carefully, while licking her face clean.
"Huh, that doesn't sound right," she said, "Should we go check it out?"
"Might be a good idea," Pacifica decided, grabbing her clothes, "Because this sounds a little intense for one of Senior's schemes," Pacifica noted with a worried frown, a part of her strangely hoping the old man was okay; she was ruthless and had no problem betraying, using, or hurting people, but she rather liked Senior. He had an interesting view on the world, and was always the respectful sort.
"Yeah... this might be a job for..." Mabel gave an excited a smile as she reached between her breasts, before pulling out an item that glowed with violet energy, "Star Sapphire!"
With that, she slammed the purple crystal onto her forehead, causing its energy to spread out over her, soon taking physical form in the shape of a very revealing costume of that color.
Pacifica still wasn't entirely clear on how or why a power source identical to that of another supervillain's had ended up in Mabel's position; according to her, she'd just found it in her apartment one day. But upon realizing what it was, she was quick to take advantage of it to live the superhero lifestyle... and Pacifica was just as quick to take advantage by manipulating her pet to use her new abilities to her own ends~ And she didn't mean in the bedroom either... though the energy constructs were always fun to use~ No, she turned her little pet into the perfect pawn to use, such as serving in getting another pair of eyes and ears in the superhero world.
Granted, some like the League would treat her cautiously not only due to the other Star Sapphire, but also for those aware of Mabel's identity, her friendship with Pacifica was hardly a secret, even if the depths of their true relationship was. So, she was often given the side eye by more suspicious League members (namely the likes of Batman and the Question), but the rest were willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. Which made it a lot easier to spy on them for Pacifica~
Admittedly, she wasn't high enough in the League yet to know the really important stuff, but it was still useful. After all, the fact she was invited into the expanded League at all spoke of Mabel's potential as both a spy and a heroine, potential that belonged to Pacifica Northwest.
"Umm, if things are getting rough, maybe you should stay here Pacifica," But she shook herself out of her thoughts to give a annoyed look to her pet, who was floating up into the air as Pacifica dressed herself.
"I appreciate the concern, Mabel, but we both know that even without Zita acting as a bodyguard or while I'm Pacifica Northwest instead of Black Cat, I'm perfectly capable of protecting and taking care of myself," she said with a huff, "Besides, we came all this way, it'd be a waste for me not to enjoy the party," the heiress added with a smirk.
Mabel looked conflicted at that, but Pacifica knew that she wouldn't protest too hardly. If her mistress wanted something, she was going to get it~
"Okay, but just be careful, okay?" Mabel finally asked after a moment, caving just like Pacifica knew she would.
"I will. And you be careful to pretend that we don't know each other," Pacifica pointed out as they headed towards the door, "We don't want anyone getting suspicious, after all."
"Right, you're just a sexy heiress, and I'm the attractive single heroine looking for any lucky cute guy or girl in need of a hero in their lives," Mabel said, with Pacifica giving an amused snort.
"Yes, but don't push it," she added, looking over her shoulder, "Remember, at the end of the day, you're always going to be my property~"
"Mmm, yes ma'am~" Mabel giggled, following after her mistress.
Soon, they reached the door back to the main room of the club and cracked it open to stare inside to see what was happening. And to their surprise, they saw the Seniors, Tambry, and several other club guests cowering behind a forcefield at the bar, while Kim Possible and her sidekick fought the previously dancing animatronics, and Mandarin fought a robot dog, while another robot floated around holding an old-fashioned TV depicting a fat man yelling angrily. And all the while, the other club patrons kept dancing robotically, with dull looks on their faces.
"...I think we missed a lot," Mabel said after a moment.
"Ya think?" Pacifica asked flatly, before shaking her head and giving out an order, "Just... just go help Possible with Senior's toys and see if you can find out the deal with the robot dog, while I go question Senior," She ordered, knowing it made more sense for Star Sapphire to assist a known hero than villain upon arrival, with Mabel simply nodding and zooming off while Pacifica rushed over to the bar area.
"Let me in!" she hissed as she reached the bar, Senior quickly opening a hole in the forcefield for her to enter through and then closing it behind her.
"Ah, Miss Luthor, I had wondered where you had gotten off to," Senior commented, "Where's your lovely friend?"
"Probably still in the bathroom," Pacifica said quickly, glad to see everyone else seemed to be buying that, except for Tambry, who she knew that Mabel had blurted out her secret identity to along with the lumberjack bitch, "Now, can someone tell me what the fuck is going on?!"
"Well for starters, our boyfriends ran off like a bunch of a cowardly chickens," Kapri stated crossly, scowling.
"Oh, Nate is getting such a scolding later," Added Marah, with the two getting flat looks.
"Let me rephrase..." Pacifica said dryly, "What the fuck is going on that's important?"
With the sisters giving her insulted glares, "Well, Kim Possible and her sidekick broke out of their trance, and then a very rude man's robot dog crashed through the ceiling," Junior answered her matter-of-factly.
"Uh-huh... can someone please clarify that?" Pacifica demanded.
"If you mean the trance part, Senior was planning to hypnotize all the guests in order to hold them hostage," Azula stated, smirking at the glare that Pacifica shot Senior, who held his hands up defensively.
"I would have warned you if I had the chance, but you wandered off," he said quickly.
"We'll come back to that," Pacifica growled at him, "Now, more to the point, what about the man with the robot dog?"
"That would be perhaps the rudest, most disrespectful individual I've ever had the displeasure of meeting," Senior said, giving a scowl, "He breaks in here and interferes with my scheme, attacks my enemy, and insults my villain credentials! Clearly, this "Dr. Eggman" has no class whatsoever!"
"Dr. Eggman?" Pacifica asked with an arched brow.
"Yeah, we all think it's a stupid name too," Azula said, rolling her eyes, "But apparently, he's from some other dimension and trying to make a name for himself here by killing the do-gooder cheerleader."
"Also, greenie over here apparently used to work for him," Mai added, gesturing to Breezie, who shrugged.
"That was quite some time ago, I'm my own boss these days," the hedgehog stated offhandedly.
At this, Pacifica took in the information that this new player, as well as the hedgehog in front of her, were from another dimension with an actual flash of concern. After all, Earth's last experience with tourists from another reality were a Justice League who killed her dad and went all dictator in their native reality. And before that there was... Pacifica did her best to hide a shiver as memories of insane laughter and being turned into a tapestry flashed through her mind.
"Alright..." She said, taking a deep breath before giving a stern look, "If you really used to work for him, how about you tell me exactly what this Eggman's entire deal is," She stated, though her tone made it clear she wasn't taking no as an answer, "And while you're at it, you can explain what brought you and your old boss to our reality."
Breezie arched an eyebrow at the blonde's demanding tone, but shrugged it off. She'd dealt with worse, and she didn't see any harm in sharing some details.
"To answer that second part first, I honestly have no idea," she admitted, "I was spending a normal day in my office at the casino I use as my headquarters, and then there's this flash of light, and next thing I know I'm in some city on this version of Earth, with everyone thinking I'm something called an Anthro."
"That's not what you are?" Junior asked in confusion.
"No, my people are called Mobians," Breezie clarified, "There's similarities, I'll give you that, though my people seem overall smaller compared to your world's Anthros."
"And Eggman?" Pacifica pressed.
"I'd think that would be pretty straightforward - he's an egomaniac who wants to rule the world purely for the sake of it," Breezie scoffed, "I'm not sure he even knows what he'd do if he actually won, he just wants to be in control of everything."
"So, the typical supervillain mindset then," Pacifica stated flatly, since unlike her father many villains didn't exactly account for long-term planning when it came to actually achieving their goals.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean you should underestimate him," Breezie warned, "He is perfectly willing to burn the whole world down if it means that he might rule over what's left. And no matter how he might act, he is still a super genius. My advice is quite simple - do not underestimate him."
"Great, so basically if the Joker had actual goals beyond being psychotic," Pacifica muttered in annoyance. This asshole sounded like a huge wild card, in ways even Lothor and Skeleton King didn't.
And with this factoring in the League's expansion, never mind how some other criminal elements and governments were working to expand their power base, it was really starting to seem like things were escalating around Earth.
She and her father would definitely have to ramp up their own plans if they wanted to be able to counteract all of these threats.
Meanwhile, while Pacifica was learning all this and analyzing it, Mabel flew into the ongoing fight on the dance floor, deciding to help Kim and Ron first.
"Mind if I cut in?" she called out, summoning violet light constructs shaped like fists and launching them at the bear and hippo animatronics, knocking them back.
"Hey, it's Star Sapphire!" Ron said excitedly, before pausing, "Wait, you're the good one, right?"
"You betcha!" Mabel said, smiling wide, "After all, I got the other beat in both fashion and looks~" she said, taking a sensual pose while thrusting out her barely-covered DD chest. Causing Ron to flush and get a dazed look in his eyes.
"Uhhh.... y-yeah you do!" he stammered with a bright blush, causing the onlooking Kim to scowl.
Seriously? He was gawking at some barely-dressed skank's tits while they were in the middle of a life-or-death battle? Unbelievable!
...Not that she cared, obviously, he could look at whatever girls he wanted, it wasn't any of her business. But that was beside the point!
"Ron, head in the game!" Kim yelled while doing a jump spin kick at an animatronic's head, "And you, less flirting with my best friend, and more helping!" Kim called out with a scowl, causing Mabel to giggle.
"Ah, but I didn't get the chance to hit the sexy redhead with my pickup line~" She said with a teasing pout right as she shot a beam of energy out from her crystal to one of the animatronics.
Kim blinked at that, then blushed brightly as she realized what she meant.
"J-just help us deal with these things so that we can save all the people the Seniors are hypnotizing!" Kim snapped, ducking under an animatronic's attack and kicking its legs out from under it.
"Hypnotized, is that what happened here?" Mabel asked, looking around the room and the zombified crowd.
"Yeah, they did it with the disco ball," Ron explained, shaking his head to clear it after Kim yelled at him.
"The disco ball?! Do people have no shame these days!" Cried out the superheroine who was secretly sleeping with her brother's girlfriend, "Corrupting something like that for evil! On top of cute animal mascots!"
She said, shaking her head before floating up, "That's what I said!" Ron called out while Mabel frowned.
"Well, let's take care of that disco ball then!" She called out, lashing out with a hand construct that she used to grab and remove the ball from the ceiling before flinging it straight to the out of control Egg Cerberus.
"Fetch!" she shouted, catching the rampaging robot's attention. Turning to face her, it caught sight of the incoming projectile and jumped up to catch it in its jaws. With a slight clench, its metal teeth shattered the ball, disrupting the hypnotic light it was stimulating.
"Booyah!" Ron declared appreciatively.
"Well, that is unfortunate," Senior said with a sigh, while Junior pouted next to him.
"No, now my club is ruined," he groaned.
"There, there, you could always try opening up another club with no evil scheme involved," Pointed out Ty Lee as she patted him on the shoulder, causing Junior to pause and rub his chin.
"This is true," He said, his expression brightening up while the others kept focused on the current conflict, though Chel and Azula glanced over at the corner of their eye to see Tambry, making a phone call?
While at the same time, those who had fallen under the disco ball's hypnotic power found themselves coming to their senses and chaos.
"Ugh, what happened?" Trixie asked, blinking and looking around in confusion, which only grew as she saw what was definitely Kim Possible, her sidekick and the more heroic (if sluttier dressed) Star Sapphire fighting animatronic animals. Also, there was a huge robot dog chasing Skeleton King's monkey lackey around, while his apparent date hid behind a forcefield at the bar with a few other guests and their hosts.
As the other guests noticed all this too, panicked murmurings started filling the room.
"Everyone, please stay calm, there's no reason to panic!" Kim called out, hoping to keep things from escalating.
"That's right, there's nothing to worry about, you were all just turned into hypno-zombies and then we were attacked by a killer robot dog!" Ron added.
"Ron!" Kim hissed at him, even Rufus facepalming as his words caused the murmurings to turn into outright panicked yelling.
"Oops," Ron winced, as he realized he might have put his foot in his mouth and caused a panic rather than calming them down.
"Okay, okay, that's my bad," Ron said with a wince, seeing the panic and fear entering the eyes of the guests, "But it's not like I said 'at least things can't get any worse'," Ron stated sheepishly. And as if summon by those very words-
SCREEEEEEE
A loud roar was heard, causing everyone to look up through the hole in the ceiling made by the Egg Cerberus earlier to see what looked like a terrifying draconic monster that had an even more terrifying figure sitting upon a throne at its back. Everyone in the room felt a chill of terror run down their backs as the skeletal dragon came to a stop and the Skeleton King's glowing eyes swept over the room.
"Master! What are you doing here?" Mandarin asked in surprise.
"I received a call..." Skeleton King stated with a scowl, his mind going back to how his own fun with his women had been interrupted by Tambry calling to report on the club being attacked by Dr. Eggman, of all people! Apparently a plot angle similar to that of Sonic X was happening according to her, as she told him about Breezie the Hedgehog, a figure he recognized from the comics, and it made him cautious to which variation of Robotnik he was dealing with here, and wondered if this was another Isekai soul like Lothor and himself.
His eyes honed in on Mandarin as the monkey dodged the Egg Cerberus, "Tell me Mandarin, how does a night off with simple orders to extend an offer while running recon lead to this chaos?" He asked, as everyone at the club took in the figure of this new arrival.
Many who were out of the loop still were coherent enough to be terrified just by his sheer presence, but those who recognized him from the news about Jump City and Kaznia were even more horrified to realize they were now in the same room as a Justice League founder-level threat. In particular, Kim and Ron were suddenly feeling very out of their depth, Mabel was wishing that she'd had more training time, and Trixie was hoping that she could find a way to slip away and activate her armor, even if it likely wouldn't do much against this thing.
"Forgive me, my lord, but I'm afraid that circumstances outside of our control emerged," Mandarin stated, gesturing to where Bokkun was still carrying Eggman's TV monitor around.
"I must agree in your minion's defense," Senior spoke up, "This is entirely the fault of the uncouth gentleman on the screen, who crassly crashed in here and threw out all proper villain decorum."
"Oh please," Eggman gave a scoff from the screen being held by Bokkun, "Decorum? Like any true villainous mastermind cares about manners," He said, his tone full of mockery and scorn, making Senior scowl. However, Eggman focused his attention toward Skeleton King, who like himself was one of the newer arrivals to this world, and while only a couple of major incidents under his belt, what information gathered on him did paint him as a more threatening figure than Senior.
Bah! But still no match to his genius! After all, he'd learn just like that chimeric creature Naugus, and that old fossil Mogul, that science especially guided by his enlightened mind, would always triumph.
"But the old fool aside, you're supposed to be the big bad scary skeleton that has this world's heroes in such a tizzy," Eggman gave a mocking smirk as he leaned back in his seat and his glasses gleamed, "I'm hardly impressed," He stated, while Skeleton King stared evenly at the monitor while a nervous Bokkun flew closer.
"I could say the same..." Skeleton King said, glancing off to the side to the Egg Cerberus, "If a mechanical pet is all your genius can produce, then you fell short in many ways to not only my own powers, but the wonders of science I've witnessed created by others."
He said, with Eggman suddenly frowning, "Please, the Egg Cerberus is just a small sample of what my empire offers," Eggman said with a wave of his hand, "You honestly think I would bring out my A-Game for an overblown cheerleader and her dumb hanger-on who I'm basically using as a media piece to announce myself to the world."
He asked, with Ron and Kim scowling, "Hey! You don't have to be such a jerk, you know!" Ron called out, turning his head to Kim, "Man, Senior has a point, this guy is probably the rudest villain we've ever met," He said, with Kim holding back a sigh but keeping a wary eye on the conversation, grateful for the reprieve from the animatronics, who seemed to have paused in their attack for some reason, while also watching as the robo-dog focused its attention on the monkey, relieved he wasn't guiding it closer to the guests.
Ron's insulted call was ignored by Skeleton King and Eggman, however.
"Oh, and do tell ,what do you have to boast in your resume?" Skeleton King asked with a small smirk, "Have you come to this planet after conquering your own?" He asked, truthfully trying to get more of a feel from this variation of Eggman, his mind going to Archie and Fleetway Eggmans in particular as potential nightmare scenario.
"No, Sonic always stops him," Cubot's voice chimed in, with Eggman giving a growl.
"Oh?" Skeleton King gave an amused chuckle, "Ah, that's a shame, but I suppose not everyone can boast the same record as my own forces," He said, giving a dark smile, "The Hyper Force destroyed, and..."
Here he paused and gave an actual thoughtful hum, "Let's see - Shuggazoom, the Cathurians' planet, hmm..." He then called out to Mandarin, "Mandarin? Where does our record in worlds conquered and destroyed before we came to Earth stand again?"
Skeleton King asked, the isekai soul in himself honestly curious, because from his memories he knew that Skeleton King had been on quite a spree and tide of unrelenting evil... but hadn't exactly counted up how many worlds suffered from his evil.
"Are we individually counting inhabited moons around separately inhabited planets?" Mandarin asked as he casually leapt over a strike from the Cerberus and slashed its back, "Because I can think of a few cases where we did that."
"Hmm, so we did," Skeleton King noted with a thoughtful hum, rubbing his chin, "But this little reminder of making a record of my victories aside..." He gave a sinister grin to Eggman, "What conquests and proof of your power do you have?"
Skeleton King asked, seemingly unbothered by his and his minion's blatant admission of horrors of conquest and destruction they've brought to countless worlds and societies, "Because the torturous screams of the Hyper Force, along with all the meaningless toiling of my slave prisoners on my Citadel of Bone, is enough to prove mine~"
He said, his eyes flashing a malevolent glow that sent a shiver down the spines of everyone listening, especially when his gaze seemed to pass over the crowd. Eggman, however, wasn't affected.
"Oh please, it sounds like someone's overcompensating," he scoffed, "Meaningless slave labor? That's just a waste of resources - at least put them to work building something you can make use of."
"Oh, they'll be put to use in due time," Skeleton King said back with a dark chortle, "For now, it's best just to keep them occupied and reminded of the fact of who they serve," He stated, idly glancing off to the side to examine the guests... hmmm, oooh, was that Minerva Mink? My, my, she was even better looking in person~
"And believe me, as my personal harem can attest, I have little to compensate for~" he noted in amusement, while Minerva felt a shiver as it felt like this thing was staring right at her, right into her soul.
"Harem? Like, having multiple girlfriends?" Ron exclaimed, "Dude, how does a bad guy this bad get all the luck?!"
"Ron, please don't compliment the supervillain," Kim groaned, only to freeze as Skeleton King turned his gaze onto her.
"Hmm... Kimberly Ann Possible..." Skeleton King hissed, his eyes gleaming, with Kim doing her best to hide her nerves while scowling at him, "Yes, I recall you from the intelligence gained on this planet."
Skeleton King mused thoughtfully, "Someone with... potential... if wasted on heroics."
"Thanks for the career advice, but I think I'll pass on any tips from the evil overlord," Kim replied firmly, refusing to show any fear in front of this monster.
"Hehehe, spirited aren't we~" Skeleton King said with amusement rather than offense, "But spirit only gets you so far my dear, until it ends up broken," He stated, staring down at her from his throne, "A lesson I have taught many, and be more happy to teach you."
"Try it and see what happens," Kim said, instinctively taking a fight stance.
"Yeah, and she's not alone, ya creep!" Mabel said as she flew down to hover next to Kim.
"Got that right!" Ron said, running up next to his best friend as well, despite clearly being terrified.
"Hmm..." Skeleton King gave a simple hum, "And what do we have here?" He wondered aloud, "A lovely beauty who uses love of all things as a power source," He observed, taking a closer look at that girl, a Star Sapphire and certainly not the one that appeared in the Justice League cartoon... though certainly familiar... hmm.
"And..." Skeleton King's gaze went over to Ron as he paused, sensing the slumbering power within him, a familiar power or at least similar to the Power Primate... though he didn't possess it himself, with Skeleton King having used the power he leeched off and corrupted in destroying the Dark One Worm, with the connection severed in the aftermath and unable to be rekindled, despite efforts to it. He could sense and recognize a power like it, the Mystical Monkey Power slumbering in Ron, and knew that particularly from the finale with the Lowardians that it was not power to take lightly.
"A disappointment that would rather play the buffoon hanger-on than tap into his potential," He said with with a dark smirk.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Ron demanded in offense, Rufus chattering in outraged agreement from his pocket.
"The fact that you have to ask at all means you are truly as much of a fool as people proclaim," Skeleton King said with a sigh, shaking his head as he seemed to dismiss Ron, ignoring his and Rufus's affronted looks as he addressed all those in the room, from Eggman and the heroes to the guests, "To all those that bear witness, let it be known that I am Skeleton King, herald of evil, master of monstrosities, and lord of all I claim dominion of."
He spoke with regal power from his throne, "Submit and swear fealty to me and find a rewarding life in the service of your master," He proclaimed, his eyes picking out a few guests in particular that stood out, "With those particularly worthy enjoying pleasure and power unimaginable."
He said with a dark chortle, his gaze once again going over to Minerva Mink, before moving to a less than impressed looking Princess Morbucks, as well as a glaring Elsa, "Resist and find only nightmares awaiting your future."
There was a moment of heavy silence as everyone processed that declaration, and then Eggman broke it with a dramatic yawn.
"Yes, yes, very impressive," he said sarcastically, "Now, are you actually going to do something other than just stand there making speeches, or can we get back to the action?"
At that, Skeleton King simply let out a dark laugh of amusement that sent a chill through the room.
"You wish to witness my power?" He asked with a dark grin.
"Uhh, actually, can we maybe not...?" Ron said, holding his hand up, suddenly getting a VERY bad feeling, but was ignored as Skeleton King stood up from his throne and raised his scepter high up into the air.
"Then behold, ahahahhahaha!" The dark monarch proclaimed as the scepter glowed with purple energy that then lashed out as he let out a chilling laugh.
As everyone watched in shock, the dark energy slammed into the Egg Cerberus and the stolen animatronics. In response, they started to float into the air, and then the animatronics shattered into pieces.
"Pizza Potamus! JP Bearrymore! NOOOO!!!" Ron screamed in horror.
"I think we have bigger problems than that!" Kim declared, watching as the remains of the animatronics flew over to attach to the Cerberus, bolts and wires and gears attaching to the robot dog's frame.
Soon, the merger was complete, and everyone was left staring at something that now looked more like the mythical Cerberus, the dog now having three heads instead of just one.
"What have you done to my Egg Cerberus?!" Eggman demanded in outrage.
"Heheh, I've turned it into the Skeleton Cerberus!" Skeleton King proclaimed, with the three heads giving off a roar that shook the room for emphasis.
ROAAAAR!
"And unlike its pitiful predecessor, it lives up to its namesake, the guardian of the underworld, by sending all those that cross its path to it~" Skeleton King added, smirking to Eggman who was glaring at him, "Be honored that I used your shoddy craftsmanship as part of true power and genius~"
"Shoddy?!" Eggman demanded, enraged as this skeleton was quickly working his way up his list of people he hated, and considering how long that list was, that said something!
"Oh, I'm going to enjoy grinding you into dust and listening to you beg for mercy!" he growled, glaring with hatred at the undead monstrosity.
"Conquer at least a kingdom worth of territory, and perhaps you'll be worth my time," Skeleton King, however, just gave him a mocking smirk, "For now, I believe this world has far superior geniuses for me to focus on," He said, giving a chortle as Eggman growled, "Wakeman's creation XJ-9, for example, is a far superior work of beauty than any of your junk from the recycle bin."
He added, while Eggman grit his teeth, his face turning red while the audience watched with wary fear, though in Senior and Junior's case amusement and a bit of awe at the showcase of Skeleton King's power that easily showed why he was a League Founder level threat.
And as this was happening, two boys who had been making a run for it...
"Are you sure this is the exit?" Lee asked with a frown as they ran back into the room, "Because I think we got turned around at the bathroom." He added as they entered the room.
"I told you, I had to... go," Nate said back, but trailed off when he realized they were back in the club dance floor... and they had apparently missed quite a bit. As evidenced by the fact that one of the guys who had conquered their town was now present with a big skeleton dragon, and the robot dog that had shown up earlier was now bigger and three-headed.
"Okay, that's a lot..." Lee said, before shaking his head, "But never mind that. We still need to find an exit so we can escape and-"
"Ahem."
The boys froze at the sudden clearing of a throat next to them, and they turned to Marah and Kapri standing nearby, glaring at them.
"You were saying?" Kapri asked icily.
"Ah... we need to find the exit so we can, uh, escape with the girls to safety!" Lee said, nervously paling and sweating.
"Yeah, we wanted to make sure that egg guy didn't have any robots blocking the entrance or anything," Nate chimed in, both of them knowing they were in hot water here, because while they have had worse relationships, and in all honesty the sex wasn't that bad, they were basically still prisoners and the girls' servants/forced boyfriends, so they had to take the chance to escape while they had it.
The girls frowned at them, then shared a look.
"Do we believe them?" Marah asked her sister.
"Hmm, I'm not sure," Kapri said, tapping her chin in thought, "I'd hate to think they would be disloyal enough to just run off on us like that... but them being stupid enough to do what they said they were doing and not tell us isn't very appealing either."
The boys sweated nervously as they waited for the girls to make their decision. But before they could, there was a beeping as their communicators suddenly went off.
"Hello?" Marah asked cautiously as she answered hers.
"Girls..." Lothor's tense voice immediately had everyone on edge, "Is there a reason I had to hear from Skeleton King about your outing turning into a fiasco instead of from you directly?"
And he was just as annoyed as Skeleton King at having his personal time interrupted, but even more annoyed when he found out the good reason he had for calling, a call he should have been receiving from his nieces!
At that, it was the girls' turn to suddenly look nervous.
"Uhh, Uncle! We were actually about to call you!" Marah said, with Kapri chiming in.
"Not that we didn't try to call you before..." she said with a nervous giggle.
"Because we totally did," Marah added, supporting her sister.
"It was just, uh... it couldn't get through," Kapri said, trailing off a bit lamely.
"Yeah, we told you that you should switch your evil service provider," Marah added, nodding her head.
"I'm sure," Lothor said flatly, "Well, party's over. Grab your boy toys and come back to the ship for a debrief, right now!"
"Wait, can't we stay a bit longer?" Marah practically begged.
"Yeah, the creepy skeleton just upgraded the egg guy's robot and is about to fight that redhead hero lady and the pink skank with it!" Kapri added.
"...fine, just because that sounds like something I should hear about the fallout from," Lothor grumbled.
"Yay!" Marah said with a smile and clap of her hands, "Come on, let's find a good spot to watch the show," She said, grabbing Nate's arm, "Don't worry Uncle, we'll make sure to have a full report ready for you when you get back," she said, with Lothor simply grumbling under his breath as he cut off communication.
"Come on... and don't think you're off the hook either, Mr.," Kapri ordered and stated sternly to Lee, who gulped as he and Nate followed the girls to a safer spot to observe the carnage.
"Mandarin!" Skeleton King called out to his minion.
"Ah, yes master?" The simian approached, bowing his head.
"We'll discuss your disappointing performance against this fool's toy later," And gave a shiver at his master's words and tone as Skeleton King looked down at him from his throne, "As it's starting to seem you've grown lazy and complacent with all our success, and might be falling into the same trap of arrogance as your predecessor."
His master observed, with Mandarin paling and giving a gulp, "Something that will need to be addressed, least I handle it as I did before," He added with a threatening tone.
"Ah, rest assured my lord, that is not necessary," Mandarin said hurriedly, the fear in his tone obvious to all who heard him, "I will intensify my training and be sure to uphold myself to the standards befiting a warrior of Skeleton King," He said, groveling a bit as he bowed to his master.
"Hmm, see that you do," Skeleton King remarked evenly, before casting his gaze back on the cowering audience, many of whom had wanted to flee, but were terrified of getting his attention and suffering the consequences for it if they attempted so, "For now, retrieve your date, it's time to go."
He ordered and stated to his servant, who gave an understanding nod.
"Yes master," Mandarin said with a bow, before turning towards the bar, "Tambry, come! We're leaving!"
Tambry, who had watched this exchange with nervousness (and confusion as to what "predecessor" Skeleton King was referring to), blinked at the command, but nodded.
"Fine by me, I could do without the fireworks," she said, hopping over the bar and running over to the dragon.
"Uh, are you sure you want to do that, Ta- er, lady?" Mabel called out in concern, barely keeping herself from slipping up and publicly revealing that they knew each other.
"I'm good, you should worry about yourself!" Tambry called back to her superhero friend, gesturing to the Skeleton Cerberus as it took a threatening state towards the heroes.
"Indeed they should," Skeleton King said as numerous forms of Formless began to fall down the hole in the ceiling, though that small slip up on Star Sapphire's side and how she seemed to look at Tambry with familiarity hadn't gone unnoticed... hmm, it seemed a questioning was in order when he got back to the Citadel.
"But let it not be said I'm not without mercy," He said with a smirk as his steed began to flap its wings while Mandarin helped Tambry hurriedly get onto their getaway, "Should any wish to pledge themselves to me now and avoid feeling a small example of my power, speak now~"
There was a moment of silence, many in the crowd exchanging looks, before a voice spoke up.
"Oh, fuck you, you ugly jerk!" Princess shouted, "We've got enough freaks running around on this planet already, we don't need you coming down here acting all high and mighty on top of that!"
This prompted some nervous murmurs, some in agreement, though some not quite liking Princess' choice of words in the mention of freaks. However, Skeleton King's voice cut through.
"Disappointing to hear. Considering your past association with the likes of HIM, one would think you'd know proper respect," Skeleton King stated, his eyes going to Princess, who froze.
"How did...?" she started to say, but he simply chuckled.
"I've been working gathering information since my arrival to Earth," He stated matter-of-factly, before casually dismissing her, "Does she speak for all of you?"
He asked as the Formless' arms shifted into weapons or held energy spheres, and the Skeleton Cerberus took one more threatening stomp forward. This triggered more murmurs, but Kim quickly stepped in to try and stop anyone from making any rash decisions.
"Don't listen to him! He's just trying to scare you into working for him, but there's no way it's worth it!" she yelled.
"Yeah! He's just a big bully, that's how they work!" Mabel added, also hoping no one would make things more complicated by suddenly declaring loyalty to the new supervillain.
"Bully, am I?" Skeleton King stated from his seat, looking down at her, "I simply offer people a greater opportunity, and a chance not to waste their potential," He said, examining the forms of Star Sapphire, Kim, and Ron, "Take yourselves, for example."
He gestured to the three, "I know from personal experience that being a hero... brings only suffering," He said, his tone turning hard as memories of the Alchemist ringed through his mind, "And I can help open your eyes, just as mine were~"
The heroes exchanged looks at that, while more confused murmurs broke out in the crowd, and the group still at the bar raised eyebrows.
"Did he just admit that he used to be a hero?" Pacifica asked.
"That's what it sounded like," Azula commented.
Both girls taking in this information with a frown and analyzing gaze. There were a few examples of a hero becoming a villain they could think of, but both girls, despite their intelligence and cunning, struggled to comprehend how something like the Skeleton King could have ever been anything close to heroic. A thought shared by many in the crowd, with some wondering what had happened to him to twist and turn him into this thing.
"Wow, what happened to you?" Mabel asked sympathetically, saying what everyone was thinking.
"You know he's probably just playing the sympathy card to mess with us, right?" Kim said flatly.
At that Mabel frowned, only for Skeleton King to scoff.
"If only... the less said about my weaker mortal self, the better," He said with a scowl, "To think that he'd create those wretched simians the Hyper Force in hopes of stopping the greatness he'd become... pathetic!" He spat out with venom in his voice.
"Wait, you made your own enemies?" Ron asked, struggling to keep up with everything getting dumped on them.
"Indeed," Mandarin stated from his own spot atop the dragon, "The one thing of worth that my creator accomplished, and it was a foolish attempt to appease to weakness in order to try and deny the inevitable!"
"Well, if he made you too, what's that say about you?" Kim pointed out with a smirk as that comment made Mandarin scowl. But any retort he could have made was cut off by his own master.
"Bah! Enough of my weaker self... that man is dead," Skeleton King said, shaking his head, "His weakness is not my own," He stated with a scowl, staring down at them.
"You trying to convince us or yourself?" Mabel asked with a frown, staring worriedly up at the figure, a part of her wondering what happened to this guy.
If he was telling the truth, and something told her he was... he was apparently a good person once, one so determined to do the right thing he created the very heroes that apparently opposed him. Which just made the question of what happened to him to turn him this all the bigger. Honestly, while Dipper was the bigger mystery buff between them, she couldn't help but feel intrigued.
"Look..." She floated warily up, "It sounds like something really messed you up and screwed with your head."
She said in a tentative tone as Skeleton King scoffed, "If you just stand down, then I know some people who could..." she was cut off by Skeleton King's cold laughter.
"Return to the same cowardly fool who trembled at greatness, who preferred using his mind to help others, or aiding that pitiful Captain Shuggazoom protect our world?!" Skeleton King's cold voice hissed, "I'd sooner throw myself into the sun!" He spat, glaring at Mabel, "I am Skeleton King, now and forever! The weakling known as the Alchemist is dead! Nothing but a shameful memory of the pitiful shell I once was!" He hissed, glaring down at her. He was mostly sharing this to give the heroes a bit more lore on Skeleton King and mess with their heads, but couldn't deny he was having fun selling hints of Skeleton King backstory.
And with all these witnesses, he was sure rumors would spread.
"And it is time you all see the superiority of Skeleton King!" He proclaimed as the Formless surged forward, with an ice wall immediately surging into formation while the Egg Cerberus also lunged forward and the dragon began to fly up in the roof, "Feel free to watch real power and villainy at work, Doctor!" Skeleton King called down to the screen of Eggman, who simply scowled.
"Bah, as if I'd waste my time on a hack like you," Eggman sneered, watching him fly away, before glancing at the heroes as they started to fight off the Formless, "You fools better not die here; no one I claim as an enemy, no matter how minor, is allowed to lose to anyone other than me!"
"Well gee, I'd hate to disappoint you," Kim said sarcastically while dodging a Formless' blow. Eggman glared at her, and then the screen switched off without another word.
"Heads up!" Bokkun shouted, tossing the TV at the nearest Formless, which caught it and stared at it in apparent confusion.
BOOM
Only for it to explode, destroying that Formless and several of its surrounding comrades.
"Exploding TV?!" Ron called with wide eyes.
"Hehe, Doctor Eggman likes to deliver his messages with a bang!" Bokkun said with a cackle, before letting out a startled cry, dodging an energy blast from a Formless, "Ah! This is getting too hot for me, I'm out of here!' He called out, zooming off out of the battle radius.
"Sounds like a plan to me, right Trixie?!" Veronica called, wanting to get the heck out of here, "Trixie?" Before giving a blink when she noticed her friend was gone.
"Hmm, I believe it's time for us to fall back, my son," Senior said, pressing another button on his control panel, causing a secret passageway door to open up as part of the wall lifted up, "Would any of you ladies care to join us?" He offered to Azula and entourage, Breezie, Chel, and Pacifica.
"Afraid I have to turn that down," Pacifica said with a shake of her head, "I need to find Mabel, after all," she said, before glancing off to the battle, "And I'd prefer to see this battle to the end, just in case anything else of note happens."
She said, with Azula then giving a shrug, "Suit yourself, I believe I'v seen enough today," she said, before looking toward her friends, "Mai, Ty Lee, time to go," she stated in an order, getting nods.
"Sigh... so much for a night out," Mai said, while grabbing a bottle of wine before following Azula through the doorway.
"I thought it was a blast myself~" Ty Lee said with a giggle.
"Honestly just seems like another day from back home to me," Breezie said with a sigh.
"It was interesting, at the least," Chel stated, both of them going into the doorway.
"Hmm, if you're sure, my dear," Senior said, before addressing his son, "Come Junior, it is time to escape to plot another day," He said, before adding with a smirk, "After all, we need to come up with a scheme that will truly impress our new friend anyway~"
"Father, are you sure it's a good idea to team up with the creepy skeleton man?" Junior asked as he followed his father into the escape tunnel, "I mean, I can understand wanting to get revenge on the rude egg-shaped person, but still..."
"Worry not, my son, I believe this is our ticket to the villainous big time!" Senior declared as they entered the tunnel, the door shutting behind them. Pacifica watched them go, shaking her head.
"More like your ticket to an early grave when he decides he doesn't need you losers anymore," she muttered, turning her attention back to the fight and the panicking crowd of guests. She liked Senior just fine, but if it came down to it, she wasn't about to stick her neck out for him, for attempting to operate above his weight class.
"Anna, you try and get as many people out of here as you get to safety!" Elsa ordered her sister.
"But Elsa, you can't..." Anna tried to attempt to stop her sister from doing something crazy.
"I'll be fine, Anna... I can handle some goo monsters and a toy dog," Elsa said, before sending out some ice blasts toward the Egg Cerberus.
"Move it! Famous and beautiful people first!" Minerva Mink called out, attempting to shove a guest out of the way.
"As rude as ever..." Jessica Rabbit muttered, running past her.
"Stow it, you-" Minerva's words and glare were cut off as a couple of Formless landed in front of them, "On second thought... perhaps I should see if Senior has a backdoor!" Minerva called, turning right around.
"Oh, I thought you were capable of doing your own stunts!" Jessica said mockingly to her, running right beside her.
"I don't see your self-defense doing any good!" Minerva snapped, glaring at her.
"This is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!" Called out the blonde-haired daughter of Paris' mayor as her "friend" and herself backed up against a wall, a Formless standing threateningly in front of them, "Get away from me, you gross freaks! Do you have any idea who I am?!" The blonde demanded, only to let out a shriek as she and her friend ducked to the ground, dodging a Formless whose arm was shifted into a blade, stabbing into the wall behind them.
"Chloe, we need to get out of here!" Her friend said, grabbing and pulling on the girl's arm.
"Oh gee, you think, Sabrina!" Chloe snapped, getting up and pushing her friend to the side before taking off, with Sabrina following after her.
"Back off!" Princess yelled, punching and kicking Formless away, cursing herself for not bringing her armor or any weapons with her. But how was she supposed to know that this kind of chaos would happen?
"Uh, so... are we going to do something, or just watch?" Lee asked, his group standing off to the side as the chaos unfolded around them.
"We are doing something... we're observing," Kapri said, as if it was obvious.
"Yeah, Uncle has a sort of truce slash competition with skull boy, so we're good," Marah said as the boys looked warily at the carnage, before Nate's eyes widened.
"Duck!" He called out, dropping to the ground with Lee, who he grabbed by the shirt, with the girls giving confused blinks before their eyes widened when they saw the form of a Formless flying straight toward them.
SPLAT
Hitting and splattering against the wall just behind them, with the sisters barely ducking in time... but getting covered in ooze.
"My outfit!" Marah whined with a yell.
"Ooooh, Uncle's buddy is so paying our dry cleaning bill!" Kapri called out in absolute disgust, with Nate and Lee not looking any better, but glanced over where the Formless came from, where they saw a knight-like form who had thrown it, who was charging toward the Skeleton Cerberus with a shield and sword in hand.
"Oh wow, it's the Avenging Knight!" Lee exclaimed.
"Who?" Marah asked as she desperately tried to brush the ooze off of her outfit.
"He's one of the local heroes of this town out in California," Nate explained, "Wonder what he's doing here?"
"Maybe one of the guests hired him as security, who cares!" Kapri snapped, glaring at Lee and Nate, "We're covered in monster goo! Urg, do you have any idea how many showers I'll have to take to feel clean?!"
She rhetorically asked in a demanding whine, as the Skeleton Cerberus let out a roar.
ROAAAAAAAR
Before opening its mouths, the center shooting out lighting, its right a blast of fire, and the left a freeze ray.
BOOM
FWOOSH
WHOOSH
With the lightning blowing a hole in one wall, the fire burning through an ice wall that Elsa threw up to try and block it, and the freeze ray sealing off one end of the room, blocking the escape route that some of the guests were trying to take.
"We're trapped!" One man screamed.
"We're all going to die!" another called out, his hands going to his head.
"Uh, KP, really need a plan right now!" Ron called out desperately, as Mabel flew around the heads and started blasting at it.
"Working on it!" Kim called out, holding up her Kimmunicator, "Wade, any chance you could hack that thing... or get us some more backup?" Kim asked worriedly.
"No good on the former, Kim..." Wade Load said, shaking his head, "I'm not picking up any kinda signal from it," He said, hurriedly tapping at his computer, "And I'm on line with the Justice League..."
He said, with Kim giving a sigh, "That's good," she said, only for Wade to wince.
"Bad news is, a lot of their members are dealing with problems elsewhere right now."
"That's bad."
"Don't worry, I'm sure we can handle ourselves until whoever they send gets here!" Mabel said optimistically as she managed to blast through the ice, creating an opening for people to start escaping.
"They better get here soon!" Ron yelled in panic as the Cerberus charged them-
BANG
Only for the Avenging Knight to suddenly body slammed it, knocking it off its feet.
"Wow... that was quick," Ron said with a blink.
"Uhh, don't think that's a League member... though they do look familiar," Star Sapphire called out with a blink.
"I am the Avenging Knight, champion of justice!" Trixie declared, voice distorted into a deeper and more masculine tone. She knew the catchphrase was probably a bit much, but it always felt right to use it to announce herself.
"Oh yeah, I've heard of you," Kim said, offhandedly punching a Formless trying to come at her from behind.
"And I have heard of you as well, Kim Possible," Avenging Knight declared as grandly as she could, trying to keep excitement from leaking out of her voice. It was another of her little secrets, but Kim Possible was one of her favorite and admired fellow heroes - smart, good-looking, top of the social food chain, has no powers but has the moves to kick butt. True, the enemies she faced weren't exactly A class in the supervillain hierarchy, but she was still able to go all around the world helping people, making a name for herself, and look good doing it.
"It is an honor to battle by your side!" Avenging Knight declared, raising her shield to block a blast from one Formless while stabbing another. While it might be a bit geeky of her, she did her best to lean into the knight angle of her persona, even researching and looking up footage on another knight-themed hero called Shining Knight, who claimed to be a knight from King Arthur's round table, and considering her armor and the fact the guy had a flipping pegasus, Trixie was willing to give that story the benefit of the doubt. While also using him as a basis for her Avenging Knight, at least in some ways.
"Nice to meet you too, dude! Thanks for the save!" Ron chimed in, Rufus nodding in agreement.
"It is my pleasure, no thanks are necessary!" Trixie replied, swiping through several onrushing Formless with her sword.
"You sure? Cause I'd be happy to thank you personally~" Mabel said with a giggle and fluttering eyelids.
Hey, she might belong to Pacifica, but her mistress had given her full permission to seduce anyone who might be useful, which she was happy to do, as the friends with benefits she had among the League proved~
"Uh, er... perhaps we should focus on the fight?" Trixie stammered, blushing under her helm at the blatant proposition. She was used to admirers, whether as Trixie or Avenging Knight, but they weren't usually so bold, not had figures like Star Sapphire, a part if her thought, going to the other girl's breasts before shaking it off.
"Ahh, probably..." Mabel replied, pouting and shooting a beam of energy that expanded into a large sphere that encircled and trapped the Cerberus, "Robot and goo monsters now, celebratory fun later~"
"And she's a professional?" Kim muttered in disbelief, shaking her head.
"So, when she says celebratory, you think that's an open invite or...?" Ron asked, only for Kim to shoot him a glare, "Right! Not the time or place! Focus on the butt-whooping!"
With his words echoed by the roar of the Cerberus banging against the forcefield, with Mabel giving a wince.
"Uh, not to worry anyone, but I don't think I can hold this guy for long," She told them as the others fought Formless.
"Perhaps I can be of aid?!" Elsa called out, freezing some Formless in icy blocks while approaching the floating form of Star Sapphire, her hands glowing with blue energy.
"That'd be a big help, Your Majesty!" Mabel replied, even as her eyes openly ran over the young Queen. Ignoring the ogling, long since used to it from admirers, Elsa raised her hands and fired beams of freezing energy at the sphere containing the Cerberus, which Mabel dropped at the last second, allowing the robot to be hit head on before it could react. Within seconds, the three-headed robot was frozen solid, its glowing eyes flickering before shutting off as the frost reached its hard drives.
"Booyah!" Ron exclaimed in relief.
"Spanking, Your Highness!" Kim called out with a smile, before ducking a blast from a Formless, "Now we just have to deal with the goo goons," She added with a grunt, jumping to the right to avoid a stab through the gut and retaliating with a kick that sent the Formless back several steps before it lunged again, "And these guys are certainly tougher than Drakken's usual henchmen!" She added, dodging the attack with a backflip.
"Yeah, and not to sound mean, but I think these guys might actually be smarter than his henchmen too," Ron commented, yelping as he ducked under a blade strike, the Formless who did it shooting past him only for Trixie to smash it with her shield.
"Eh, I'd call them upper mid-level mooks," Mabel said with a shrug, blasting several more Formless.
"Whatever their competency, they will fall all the same!" Elsa called out, sending out a large blast of her power, freezing many Formless in their tracks, with the guests watching in relief and awe.
"Well, guess show's over then," Marah said with a frown.
"Yeah, and unless we want to deal with all three losers, we better beat it before they finish up with skeleton boy's goons," Kapri stated matter-of-factly.
"Yeah, so much for a night at the club," Marah whined, "And not to mention my outfit totally ruined because of all this ooze!" She added, gesturing at her ooze covered form from the splattered Formless from earlier.
"Uh... we can take you on a shopping trip to make up for it?" Nate said quickly, hoping to get back on the girls' good side.
"Hmm, I guess," Marah muttered, "Let's just go before they remember we're here."
"Right," Kapri said. With that, she and her sister grabbed their respective boyfriends and teleported away without any further fanfare, leaving the heroes to continue their combat with the Formless.
SPLAT
BOOM
With energy spheres being thrown at Avenging Knight while they sliced through some of the monsters.
FWOOM
Elsa continuing to freeze any Formless she could, while Kim dodged and fought to the best of her ability and Ron.
SWISH
"Can't we just talk about this!" Ron exclaimed as he dodged and ran from Formless, chasing after him.
"Hurry!" Rufus called from his pocket.
"I'm trying, but this guy's persistent!" Ron exclaimed.
Case in point, the Formless leap into the air, slamming into the floor in front of Ron, partially deforming from the impact but quickly regaining its shape as it loomed over Ron.
"Not good, not good!" Ron yelped as he stumbled back to avoid running right into the Formless. Fortunately, before it could strike at him, it was suddenly blasted by Mabel.
"Don't worry cutie, I've got you covered!" she declared.
"Coff... yeah... you... and this slime... urg," Ron said, his entire form covered in ooze from the Formless.
"Urg, super gross," Rufus said from his pocket, turning green.
"You said it, buddy," Ron said, standing up, but gave a blink and shot Mabel a thankful smile all the same, "But still, thanks, always nice to meet a fellow hero, especially one so..." Ron started to say, before Kim's voice cut him off.
"Not the time, Ron!" Kim snapped, punching a Formless hard enough to send it stepping back several steps.
FWOOM
Where Elsa froze it in place.
"Now... who's... next?" Kim said but gave a blink as she saw Avenging Knight slice through what seemed to be the last of Skeleton King's creepy goons.
"I actually believe that was the last of them," Elsa said with a sigh as the crowd of the guests tentatively approached.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Ron blurted out, sighing in relief, "Because this mission turned into some nightmare fuel, right up there with Camp Wannaweep!"
He exclaimed, "I mean, did anybody see the evil demon monkey?! Why do there have to be so many monkey super villains?! Weren't Mojo Jojo, Gorilla Grodd, Ultra Humanite, or even Monkey Fist enough?!"
As Ron had a miniature breakdown, everyone else stared at him with varying levels of awkwardness.
"Ah... is he alright?" Trixie asked Kim, gesturing with her sword in Ron's direction.
"Yeah, he just has problems with monkeys," Kim sighed.
"Did he just say a camp scared him as much as this?" Mabel asked, arching an eyebrow.
"He had a few bad experiences at it," Kim replied with a shrug, getting an incredulous look from Ron.
"Total understatement, KP! It's a place of evil! It's the kinda place out of your nightmares, just like that skeleton guy!" Ron exclaimed.
"Hmm... out of your nightmares..." Murmured Minerva Mink from the crowd, suddenly getting a bit of inspiration from this incident.
"I mean, it's probably even worse now that they abandoned it, like something out of a horror movie!" Ron added, with Minerva giving an interested hum while Kim sighed.
"I'm sure, Ron," she said, giving her friend a flat look, "But can we focus on the now and not your childhood trauma?"
She added, with Ron pouting but nodding.
"Thankfully, I don't think anyone was hurt by that thing or any of his minions," Elsa said with a sigh, shaking her head, "I knew coming to a club run by known open supervillains would end badly... but I never expected all of this."
She exclaimed, gesturing toward the damage.
"In the Seniors' defense, things usually don't get this haywire during their schemes," Kim added out warily.
"Hmm, yes, the true threats today were that mad scientist and... Skeleton King," Avenging Knight said, trailing off on the latter's name, as that thing had seriously sent a chill down her spine.
"Yeah, guessing the authorities, not to mention the League's, going to want to know that we've got a mad scientist from another reality running around," Kim added, glancing at Mabel, who nodded.
"Really seems like we're getting a lot of new supervillains popping up lately, huh?" Star Sapphire said thoughtfully out loud.
"Tell me about it, and I still can't believe that Skeleton King used to be a hero," Ron said, scratching his head in disbelief.
"So he claims, at any rate," Kim pointed out warily.
"You think he was lying about that?" Elsa asked, "What purpose would that serve?"
"Mess with our heads, make us waste time trying to "redeem" him, who knows? I wouldn't be surprised if he made the whole thing up," Kim stated.
"Well, whether he was or not, I should get his minions and this thing to the Watchtower for analysis by the big brains," Mabel stated, gesturing to the frozen Cerberus and Formless... only for them all to suddenly disappear in flashes of dark light.
"...Or not," she added lamely after a moment of stunned silence.
"It's never that simple, is it?" Kim said with a sigh.
"And guessing this means that robo-dog might be back for a rematch," Ron asked warily.
"Hmm, the fiend might choose to use it to attack another target," Avenging Knight pointed out, with Ron giving a sigh, only to wince at Kim's next words.
"As dangerous as Skeleton King clearly is, I'm more worried about the mad scientist targeting us to make a name for himself," Kim pointed out to Ron with a worried frown, as again this was the first time something like this had happened, "But right now..." Kim glanced over to the guests, "Let's see if we can get everybody out of here and home safe."
She said, with her suddenly frowning as a new voice spoke up.
"Sounds like a plan to me," Said the form of Pacifica Luthor, approaching the group, "And have to say, you all did good work here."
Pacifica said with a smile toward the heroes, "And Your Highness, it's a honor," Pacifica said with a bow of her head to Elsa, who merely gave the girl an even look, recognizing Luthor's adopted daughter from the media reports.
"A pleasure, I'm sure," Elsa said with her best poker face, not letting any distrust and displeasure show, especially with Luthor's plans to run for president... no matter how much she considered the man a criminal. Honestly, if he were a citizen of her country, she'd make sure that he stayed in prison, or at least was barred from entering politics.
But, he wasn't, and she wasn't going to too heavily criticize another country's judicial system, since that would be a whole can of worms that she didn't want to deal with. As it was, she decided to simply walk away from the conversation.
"But if you'll excuse me, I need to go check on my sister," she said, quickly turning and walking away. Pacifica glared slightly at her back for the brushoff, but chose not to make a big deal about it.
"Yeah, and I should go find Mabel," she said, shooting a discrete look to the Star Sapphire.
"Ooh, yeah, and I should probably go call the League," Mabel said quickly, turning to fly off, but not before shooting Ron a wink, "Call me, cutie!"
"But you didn't give me your number!" he called after her, while Kim facepalmed.
"Well, today certainly didn't go as planned," She added dryly.
"Indeed, but it was a honor to fight alongside you, Kim Possible," Spoke Avenging Knight.
"Same to you," Kim offered in a welcoming smile.
"Yeah dude, you've got serious medieval style," Ron said, holding his hand up for a high five that Avenging Knight tentatively returned.
"So, it seems that you're not only this Eggman's target, but on Skeleton King's radar," Pacifica pointed out, addressing Kim who frowned, "Both seem a bit more dangerous than you're used to, so if you're interested in some help, I'm sure my father..."
Pacifica said, but was cut off, "Eh, thanks but no thanks, but as scary as skull boy looked, and however advanced Eggy's hardware is, I'm sure I've got it handled," Kim replied evenly, with her best convincing smile, "Besides, if need be, while not a member, I'm sure the League would be willing to step in and help."
Ron opened his mouth to say something, only for Kim to cut him off.
"And not just your apparent new crush!" she snapped at him, a little harsher than she intended.
"Right, I'm sure you'll be fine," Pacifica said dryly, shooting her a mocking smirk. "After all your motto is you can do anything. I'm sure that includes getting into the big leagues and surviving~" she said, before turning to make her leave with a laugh as Kim scowled at her back, while at the same time her mind went to Eggman and Skeleton King.
She'd dealt with plenty of evil geniuses and criminal masterminds, but as much as she hated to admit it, those two were on a whole other level. She'd really have to up her game if she was likely going to have to deal with them again in the future.
But she'd worry about that later. For now, she had enough to worry about right here.
"Come on," she said to Ron, "Let's check to see if anyone here needs help."
"Right, and then when we get done, I'm getting the biggest order of Bueno Nacho to destress," Ron said, following his best friend while Rufus nodded in agreement, with Avenging Knight giving a no.
"Verily, and I must be off myself once the people are attended to," they stated, while the three moved in to help handle the crowd of guests, all of them unnerved at their taste of the larger league threats, to say the least.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: And there we go the Club arc comes to a close with the death of Pizza Potamus and friends~ Hehe needless to say that pizza place ain't getting their animatronics back anytime soon.
But hope you enjoyed how Coach Possible played out alternately in this setting, with not only the additional guests, but Eggman crashing the party. Though Eggy made his debut his bot got hijacked, he's not likely to let that go anytime soon.
Plus we see some heroes like Team Possible and Avenging Knight get a taste of the big leagues, while royalty like Elsa get a taste of the hero life.
Speaking of Avenging Knight really hope everyone likes the direction we took for Trixie hero identity this setting. I won't lie personally love it myself, with a more original approach.
Also while still worried the fight wasn't my best work, hope you all enjoyed it, and the character interactions. I/Skeleton King certainly left a impression not to mention revealed bit of origin of once being a good man, though some like Kim Possible are of course doubting the validity of this claim.
What will happen next? Keep reading to find out, but also please keep sharing love through reviews and kudos. It really helps our motivation and inspiration to write more.
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And there you go, Club Lair is trashed, but in the process we managed to introduce the wild card of Dr. Eggman into the mix, while also revealing Mabel's status as a Star Sapphire and giving a taste of Trixie's own OC superhero identity.
Please leave a comment or kudos if you liked all this!
Chapter 25: Interlude 3
Summary:
Zim plots to remind everyone that he's a player in this game, Valeena's quest hits a major turning point, and a certain mink reacts to the events at the club.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Welcome back everyone. Last time, we wrapped up the short club arc with a big fight after Eggman crashed the plot. Now, we follow up with another interlude, showing a bit of the fallout from what happened, along with setting up a few future plots, some of which I think are going to be quite fun.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hiya everyone we're back with another Conquerors update, this time another interlude, showing some fall out from the club party crashing. Really hope you all like what's revealed this chapter, been excited to share a particular bit since wrote it~
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Come on," she said to Ron, "Let's check to see if anyone here needs help."
"Right, and then when we get done, I'm getting the biggest order of Bueno Nacho to destress," Ron said, following his best friend while Rufus nodded in agreement, with Avenging Knight giving a no.
"Verily, and I must be off myself once the people are attended to," they stated, while the three moved in to help handle the crowd of guests, all of them unnerved at their taste of the larger league threats, to say the least.
(Elsewhere, in a super secret base of dooom!)
"Welcome, my loyal followers, to this meeting of the Legion of DOOOOOOMMMMMM!" Exclaimed a certain Irken menace as he stood upon a large rounded table while raising a fist high into the air with a wide maniacal grin... a grin that fell at a voice yawning.
"Sigh... do you really have to do that every time we meet up?" Asked a blonde dressed up in a black latex cat theme outfit with a scowl as she pet at a small white pussycat in her lap.
"Hai, it is getting most old," Concurred the large, emphasis on large, rotund ninja sitting in the chair next to her, with said chair straining from his weight.
"And how many times do we have to say this?" A... for like of a better description mothman spoke up next with a scowl, "Just because we all decided to join this little group doesn't mean we're your followers," He said, sending a glare at the Irken.
"That's right! I'm no one's lackey!" Agreed the small white-haired blue-suited figure in another seat.
"Seriously bro, Motor Ed doesn't work for anyone, and is just here for the networking. Seriously," stated a muscular biker with a prominent mullet.
"Yeah, and even if we did have a leader, what makes you think it'd be you?" scoffed a heavyset teen with red hair wearing a dark coat.
THWIP
THWIP
THWIP
THWIP
THWIP
THWIP
And then paper throwing stars slammed into the chairs of the dissenters, barely avoiding stabbing them and making them all jump in surprise.
"You were saying?" Paper Star asked from her spot reclining next to Zim, who smirked as his allies squirmed from his lover's demonstration.
"That's what I thought," she said when no one made any further statements. Turning to the other two people sitting at the table, she asked, "How about you two? Anything to add?"
"Huh?" a man with green-yellow dyed hair dressed in a multicolored outfit complete with a small eye mask and cape looked up, "Actually, yeah..." the man smiled, holding up a blueprint of a.... giant cream pie catapult, "What do you think?"
He asked with a proud grin, "I figure if we make a big enough catapult, and bake a big enough pie, we can give Central City the biggest surprise!" He said, cackling with a laugh as the feminine figure beside him rolled her eyes.
"That's nice, Trickster," Spoke the pasty white skin hourglass figure wearing red-black color scheme on her clothing, which consisted of a red leotard, red opera gloves, red fishnet stockings over black pantyhose, and red thigh-high, high-heeled boots. And most noticeably, seemed to have living hair tentacles moving about as she turned the page of the magazine she was holding, "Hmm, looks like Black Cat and Supergirl made the villainous gossip column again."
"No one cares for your gossip, Sedusa! Zim summoned you all for important business!" Zim declared.
"Ugh, I should have stuck with Wuya," Katnappe grumbled to herself, "Why did I think it would be a trade up to work with a psycho alien and the even crazier bitch actually willing to sleep with him?"
"Jealous?" Paper Star asked with a smirk.
"Of what? You actually think I want to be the one fucking that green bean?" Katnappe scoffed.
"Zim specifically? No. Getting laid at all? Well, be honest, when's the last time someone cleaned out your litterbox?" Paper Star asked smugly.
"Ooh, burn!" Control Freak laughed.
"Grr, it's called having standards!" Katnappe snapped, sitting up to glare at Paper Star, "And not throwing yourself at the first interested guy like a desperate alley cat in heat," she added, giving a huff, "Not that you'd understand that."
She said as Paper Star gave her a glare while raising a paper shuriken, before the mothman spoke up.
"Can we focus, please!" The mutated man gave an irritated glare, "If I wanted to listen to girls cat fight, I would have stayed at home and eavesdropped on Kitten's phone calls."
He said with an annoyed huff, "I must concur, we came here for a purpose, so let us hear what it is," The fat ninja Tubbimura spoke up.
"It had better be good too, boy," Spoke up the white-haired figure of the small boy, "It's bad enough that I've become the next Baby Doll, being stuck in this body..." Scowled the figure that Gravity Falls residents would recognize as Gideon Gleeful, "But I signed onto this operation to obtain greater power and respect, not to become the joke of the supervillain underworld!"
He snapped, banging his fist onto the table.
"Weren't you already?" Sedusa commented dryly, looking up from her magazine, "I mean, considering your main claim to fame was manipulating a town of idiots, you weren't exactly considered grade A material."
"Says the woman who spent years getting her ass kicked by a bunch of kindergartners!" Gideon snapped back.
"Those kindergartners are up there with Superman in power level and range," Sedusa retorted in a cold tone, "Minus the weakness to kryptonite... if only it was that easy," she said, adding the last bit in a bitter mutter.
"Focus!" Zim snapped, "Urg, yeah, can we just find out why we're here, or can I head out to work on my new ride?" Motor Ed asked with a bored grunt.
"As Zim is sure you're all aware of by now, this pitiful planet faces new extraterrestrial threats," Zim stated, pressing a button on the table and causing holographic images of Lothor and Skeleton King.
"Ooh right, those guys," Control Freak said, "Gotta say, loving their cool designs."
"Never mind what they look like!" Zim snapped, "The point is, they are new competition, and Zim will not tolerate that! Especially when one of them is working with Tak!"
"Who?" Killer Moth asked, blinking in confusion.
"A filthy annoying thief who sought to claim Zim's planet to impress those backstabbing former leaders of his!" Zim snapped, bringing up a holographic image of Tak with arched brows.
"Hmm, I'm sensing a lot of hate and history there," Sedusa said, giving off a smirk, "Bad break up~" she asked with a giggle, with Zim's expression turning sickened while Paper Star gave a dark scowl.
"Zim would sooner kiss Dib-Monkey!" Zim snapped at Sedusa, before taking a deep breath, "Regardless, Tak while not as great as Zim, is still an Irken possessing the level of a moderately-skilled Invader to be an annoyance on her own."
He said with a grunt, "But her joining forces with this Lothor makes things more complicated," The Irken informed them.
"Uh-huh..." Katnappe gave a bored yawn, "This sounds more like your problem than ours, so why should we care about your personal tiff?"
She asked with an arched brow, "Because Zim is your leader! And any enemy of Zim's is an enemy of yours!" Zim snapped, glaring at Katnappe.
"More to the point, while we're no stranger to competition..." Paper Star spoke up with a frown, "So far they've performed attacks on Gotham, Bludhaven, Jump City, and the kingdom of Kaznia, so they're making a large splash, getting a lot of people's attention."
She explained, when a loud beep came from Control Freak, "Ah sorry, that's my phone," the villain said with a embarrassed grimace, pulling out said device, "Got a Nefarious News Network alert on the net."
He said, with Killer Moth giving off a huff, "I can't believe someone used the dark web to make a site that's basically about gossip and news for supervillains," He said, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Never underestimate the power of juicy gossip," Sedusa told him with a sage-like nod.
"Yeah... because looks like that club the Seniors were putting together got crashed by Skeleton King... and some guy calling himself Dr. Eggman?" Control Freak said, arching a brow on his phone, "Junior's blowing up complaining about that, and how his pops hijacked his evil scheme."
"See what we mean?" Paper Star said, "These guys just got here, and they haven't been slowing down."
"Still, just because one of them was there-" Katnappe started to say, only for Control Freak to speak up again.
"Also, that Lothor guy's nieces were there too," he stated.
"You see! They're plotting plots! Trying to take Zim's planet! While making him look bad!" The Irken snapped in irritation.
"I don't think we're looking that bad by comparison," Katnappe pointed out with an arched brow.
"Yeah man, seriously, didn't you nab a whole ton of those bird guys' stuff when they tried to jack our planet?" Motor Ed asked with an arched brow.
"What is the progress on the Nth metal projects anyway?" Gideon asked with a curious wary scowl, knowing that metal's properties and how it worked against magic, it could indeed be a useful card to play... especially against the Pines!
"It's still a work in progress, the filthy bird people's metal is surprisingly tough to work with, even for Zim's superior intelligence," Zim stated.
"Gee, I wonder why?" Gideon muttered, only to flinch as Paper Star pointed a weapon at him.
"But regardless, we will soon have an unstoppable arsenal at our disposal!" Zim declared.
"Which is great and all, but..." Control Freak looked up, arching a brow, "What's the plan? Because the most we've been doing is our normal solo crimes," He stated, gesturing toward those attending the meeting, "Meanwhile, the new guys and a lot of other criminals are out there making names for themselves."
"For once, I agree with the couch potato," Gideon stated with a scowl, "We need to start being proactive," the former con psychic turned aspiring mystic of great power stated, glancing around, "Perhaps we start with those fascinating Shen Gong Wu that Katnappe and Tubbimura informed us about," he added, giving a greedy smile.
"Sure, if you want to deal with those Xiaolin losers every week," Katnappe said dryly.
"Or worse, get talked into a team-up with Spicer," Tubbimura said, he and Katnappe shivering in shared horror.
"Bah, Zim needs no help from human mumbo-jumbo!" Zim spat, "Once I unlock the power of the Nth Metal, we shall unleash a wave of terror that will make the world tremble!"
"In other words, you don't have a plan," Killer Moth said dryly.
"Zim has a plan!" the Irken snapped, with Killer Moth sighing out, "Look, the Nth metal is fine and all, but it'd be nice if we were doing more than just waiting on you to finish that project, especially since rivals and enemies aren't exactly sitting on their butts."
Zim glared at Killer Moth, but just huffed instead of doing anything.
"Zim reluctantly admits that you have a point," he grumbled, "And that is why I DO have a plan, to remind the filthy humans and everyone else on this planet why Zim and his allies are not to be underestimated!"
"Which is?" Control Freak asked with a curious expression.
"Those fools in the Justice League present themselves as defenders of this whole pathetic planet, but they can't be everywhere," Zim stated, tapping another button to bring up a map of Africa, one specific location highlighted in red, "So, we shall target a region that they don't currently have under active protection and ravage it!"
"Uhh, is this wise?" However while some looked at the map in curiosity or skeptically with mixed hopes on Zim's plan, Tubbimura looked nervous, frowning under his mask as he got their attention, "True, the League does not operate there, but that does not mean this territory is defenseless or lacking rivals."
He told them, before giving off shivers, "I have heard rumors of the ruthlessness of Matriarch Shenzi and her clan, for example."
"Hmm, he's got a good point," Killer Moth stated, tapping his mandibles in thought, "And I hear that the underworld leader in that region, Lord Scar, is not one to trifle with."
"Make up your minds. Do you want Zim to actually go out there and do something, or just sit around plotting?" Paper Star snapped, "Because you can't just go from complaining about him doing nothing to complaining about not liking the plan he actually has!"
"Hey, we're all for actually doing something," Sedusa spoke up, "We'd just prefer not to be morons about it, and risk our necks for no reason."
"Bah, you think Zim has concocted this plan for no reason other than just causing damage at a whim?" Zim sneered.
"Kinda?" Control Freak offered with a shrug.
"Seriously, bro, most of what you tend to do is pretty random. Seriously," Motor Ed added.
"Fools! You fail to grasp the genius of your leader!" The Irken snapped back with a glare.
"Clearly. So by all means, please enlighten us," Katnappe drawled sarcastically. Zim glared at her, but chose to do just that.
"First of all, as you already know, I've been using GIR's natural chaos as a smokescreen to hide the fact that I've been planting devices of my ingenious creation at specific points around the world," he explained, another tap of buttons bringing up a globe with several flashing dots scattered across it.
"You still haven't explained what those are for either," Killer Moth pointed out.
"Zim is getting to that, be patient!" Zim snapped, "The point is, an attack on these 'Pride Lands' will be in part a cover for planting another device there."
"In part?" Tubbimura repeated with an arched brow.
"Yes, in part, for Zim has an additional target in mind~" the Irken said with a devious smirk, "Behold, the Gem of Cyttorak!"
With that declaration, an image appeared over the table of a large red gem.
"Ooh, shiny~ Now you're talking my language," Katnappe purred.
"It's not just a gemstone, kitty-bimbo," Paper Star scoffed, earning a glare from the cat-themed criminal.
"Paper Star is correct," Zim explained, "The Gem of Cyttorak emits a unique form of radiation with highly mutative properties. In the right hands - namely Zim's - it can be used to create an army of unstoppable mutant soldiers! Those fools in the royal family of Pride Rock have spent centuries keeping it under lock and key without making use of its power, so Zim suggests we take it off of their foolish hands."
"Ohh, now that sounds like something that will drum up some ratings, I'm in!" Control Freak.
"As am I, sounds like just the kinda edge we've been looking for," Gideon chimed in with an evil grin.
"Dude, that rock looks rocking, seriously!" Motor Ed called in with a grin, "Wonder if I could hook it up to an engine?" He said to himself as the others chimed in their affirmation for this plan and target.
"...Fine, that does sound like something that would be useful," Katnappe grumbled, before shooting Zim a look, "But you still haven't explained what those devices of yours are for!"
"Those are for a larger-scale plan that will be implemented once the time is right," Zim waved her off, "Simply know that we will be planting one in the Pride Lands while using our raid to claim the gem as cover."
"Huff, still would prefer if you told us your so-called big plan," Killer Moth said with a huff.
"Patience, Zim will enlighten his followers when the time is right," The Irken said, ignoring or not noticing the looks of annoyance he got for them being called followers.
"Just know that soon... soon all will bow before ZIM!" He exclaimed, breaking out into mad laughter as Paper Star smirked and the rest of the Legion traded looks.
"Muffins are done!" Though the moment was broken by a pudgy Irken walking into the room wearing a pink apron while holding a tray of muffins with pink mittens.
"Ooh, muffins!" Trickster said excitedly, snatching one off of the tray, even while everyone else gave the newcomer flat looks.
"Skoodge, what has Zim told you about coming in here while we're having meetings?" Zim snapped at his comrade.
"I thought that was just when you and Paper Star are having, uh, 'private time' in here?" Skoodge replied with a blink.
"...Please tell me you two haven't had sex on this table," Katnappe said flatly as she and the others (except Trickster, who was happily eating his muffin) leaned back in disgust.
"Okay, I won't~" Paper Star replied with a smirk.
"Okay... ew..." Katnappe stood from her seat, "I move to end the meeting... and get a new table," She said, with her fellow members raising their hands
"Aye!"
Paper Star scoffed, "If you're that jealous, maybe you should see if Spicer will scratch your itch," She said, before sending the girl a mocking smirk, "Unless you want to be Zim and I's pet pussy~"
Katnappe's cheeks turned bright red as she scowled at the couple, even as several of the others laughed.
"I'd rather skin myself than let you two - or that loser mama's boy - touch me!" she growled.
"Mmm, if you say so, but option's always there~" Paper Star giggled.
"But yes, I suppose the meeting's adjourned, just be sure to prepare for our mission in the Pride Lands," She added, addressing everyone.
"Yes, where we shall show this planet it is not a skeleton or ninja they must fear, but Zim!"
"Whatever," Katnappe muttered, getting up and quickly leaving the room with everyone else, Sedusa having to drag an oblivious Trickster behind her.
"So, should I just leave the muffins here, or...?" Skoodge asked, gesturing to the tray.
"Just leave the muffins and go... I don't know, play with GIR or something," Sighed Zim in annoyance, causing Skoodge to give a salute.
"Sir!"
Before placing down the tray and following after the others.
"Well, that went well," Paper Star said with a smile.
"Bah! Those fools show no proper respect for their master!" Zim spat, while grabbing and biting angrily into a muffin.
"Mmm, relax babe, it doesn't matter in the long run," she said, leaning over to massage his shoulders comfortingly, "No matter how this mission goes, once the big plan is complete they'll either fall in line, or we'll tear them apart!"
"Hmm, true," Zim purred, melting under his lover's touch, before giving her a cheeky look, "By the way, were you serious about making the impudent cat girl our pet? Because Zim wouldn't say no to that~"
"Hehe, I'll admit I was teasing, but..." Paper Star smirked, "While she's not Black Cat, I wouldn't mind teaching that pussycat some proper respect, and making her meow all night long~" she said, leaning down to kiss his neck, "Besides, I know I'm your future empress, but any proper emperor should have more than one girl to satisfy his dark deviant desires~"
"Ooh, is that right?" Zim asked with a smirk, turning to wrap his arms around her and pull her close, "Hmm, then perhaps Zim should start shopping around for pleasure slaves?"
"Hmm, just as long as they meet my own approval too," Paper Star said with a mixture of stern and amused, "But we can get you more slave girls later."
She leaned in and spoke huskily, "Right now, your empress needs some pleasure~" she said, with Zim smirking wide.
"Then allow Zim to give it to you~" He said, pulling her into a hot searing kiss, resolving to bring up the matter of Dib-Monkey's girlfriend and the idea he'd gotten from spying on Skeleton King's robotic minion slave fighting that one Titan of the Teen.
Ooh, and the Gaz-Beast too! That would not only hurt the Dib-Stink by enslaving his sibling, but also allow Zim to claim long overdue vengeance for her years of disrespect!
But that could wait until later. For now, Zim intended to enjoy the pleasures of the delightfully bloodthirsty vixen in his arms
(Elsewhere, Japan)
Though as Zim was enjoying his woman while plotting to claim more, in land of Japan, Valeena was currently continuing the task given to her by her lord, with her search and research for where Aku's essence could be found, leading to her the infamous forest of Aokigahara, also known as the also known as the Sea of Trees, recalling what she had discovered in her research.
A forest on the northwestern flank of Mount Fuji on the island of Honshu in Japan, thriving on 30 square kilometres of hardened lava laid down by the last major eruption of Mount Fuji in 864 CE. The western edge of Aokigahara, where there were several caves that filled with ice in winter, was a popular destination for tourists and school trips. Parts of Aokigahara were very dense, and the porous lava rock absorbed sound, contributing to a sense of solitude that some visitors attributed to the forest.
The forest had a historical reputation as a home to yūrei: ghosts of the dead in Japanese mythology. At least since the 1960s, Aokigahara had become associated with suicide, eventually becoming known in English by the nickname "Suicide Forest", and gaining a reputation as one of the world's most-used suicide sites. Because of this, signs at the head of some trails urge suicidal visitors to think of their families and contact a suicide prevention association.
That was what was known to the public, but as soon as she arrived on a hunch, she could feel the tainted energy coursing through the very land itself, a lingering power that could only be called evil... this... this might be the lead she was looking for, she thought with hope in her heart as she made her way through the forest with the sun beaming overhead.
As she went on, the trees grew closer together, and the area darker as they blocked out more of the light. And all the while, that feeling of evil grew stronger.
Oh, it didn't match her master's malevolence... but it was very close. This had to be the resting place of Aku's essence, she just knew it!
"Soon, my lord... I will return with your prize. Then you will see and honor me with a place by your side," Valeena spoke, her voice filled with fanatical desire made all the stronger after not only getting a small taste of her lord, but seeing him have his way with those inferior harlots, "This Aku should be honored to have his remains serve the purpose of a greater evil."
She added with a diabolical giggle as she floated up into the air.
"Now then, in my lord's name, show me where you are," she intoned, holding out a hand. In response, an orb of dark energy formed above her palm and started moving on its own through the air. Smirking, Valeena followed the tracking spell, which would lead her to the largest concentration of negative energy it could find.
Unaware of the movement in the trees. following her.
"It seems that Master Sensei's vision rang true," Spoke a male form covered completely in a black gi and mask to a female form wearing the same garb, with a group of others standing on tree limbs, hiding among the leaves and shadows.
"A dark force is on the move seeking out the ancient evil power," The male figure said with a hard tone.
"This must not be allowed, Hirotaka," The female figure shook her head, "I recognize this sorceress from the news reports. She is a servant of that monster from the stars, Skeleton King."
She glared down at the witch, "That monster already destroyed his own world, there's no telling what harm he could do if he harnesses the evil's cursed essence," she spoke, her voice carrying an undertone of worry.
"Agreed, Yori, which is why her quest ends today," The man replied, his hand going to his back where a sheathed shikomizue sat while giving a hand signal to the others in the trees to move and follow the witch; they shall strike when the time was right.
Valeena, seemingly unaware of her pursuers, continued to follow her spell, deeper and deeper into the darkest parts of the forest. And soon, she came across something that surely no one from the outside world had seen in centuries - a deep pit, descending into pitch blackness and ringed with dark spikes protruding from the dirt throughout its length all the way down.
Even without her mystical senses, the sorceress was sure that she'd be able to feel the pure wickedness emanating from this place.
"Yes, this is it~ I can feel the evil energy in the air..." Valeena hissed with a laugh as she floated above the pit, raising her glowing hands, "Aku, a demon born from the sheer essence of evil," she proclaimed, her eyes lit with madness, "You who would have ruled this pitiful planet in another time, you whose power gave nothing but suffering, whose very demise cursed this land, turning it into a sight of death and sorrow."
The hidden shinobi in the trees watched silently with hard eyes, Hirotaka and Yori seeming to glare at the witch particularly at her next words.
"Your power will now serve Skeleton King!" She exclaimed, thrusting out her hands, sending a blast of energy straight into the dark pit while cackling madly.
The shinobi's hands went to their weapons, prepared to strike, only to blink as the energy suddenly cut off, leaving Valeena floating there, blinking in confusion.
"What?!" she exclaimed, "What is this?! Why is nothing happening?!"
Pressing her senses against the pit and focusing, Valeena scowled as a realization hit her.
"The essence... It isn't here!" she growled, "This is just an echo of what was once here!"
At that, those watching her went still and traded looks of surprise... but also concern. True, it was a boon for the witch's objective to not be here, but... from all their records, what was left of the Shogun of Sorrow should be here at this cursed site! The eternal Samurai's work was thorough yes, but even the monster's death had cursed the land, and attempting to destroy every last trace of Aku had sadly proven... dangerous. Which left the site of his death being guarded and monitored... though that sadly did little to lessen the influence of the evil energy permuting the land drawing in those whose souls were drowning in sorrow and forcing them to take their own lives.
With all this factored in... what did this sorceress mean there was but an echo left of Aku's cursed essence?
"Where is it?!" Valeena snarled, enraged and desperate. She couldn't return to her master empty-handed!
Swooping down to the ground, Valeena hovered over the edge of the pit, preparing to enter it for a more up close investigation, but she paused as something caught her eye. Leaning down, she saw a metal hoop sticking out of the side of the pit wall, and quickly realized what it was - an anchor from a set of climbing equipment.
"Someone else has been here before me," she hissed, "Someone else has retrieved the essence!"
How?! The school always made sure to keep a close eye and guard on his location, how could have something like this slipped by their notice?! Thought Yori, Hirotaka, and their comrades in alarm from the witch's proclamation.
"ARRRRRG!"
BOOM
And as the sorceress roared out her displeasure, blasting a nearby boulder with a magical bolt, causing it to explode into pieces, it was clear she was as happy as them at this revelation.
"No... no... NO! I refuse to give up!" Valeena snapped, shaking her head in frantic denial, "There... there must be a way to track whoever stole Skeleton King's prize!"
Leaning down, she tore the climb anchor out of the dirt and held it up to her eye.
"There must be some trace of the interloper's own essence here," she mused somewhat desperately, "If I can harness it, maybe I can track them..."
"Or I can just tell you, dear~" a voice called out, making Valeena and her observers all jump in surprise. Turning to face the source, they were greeted by the sight of Eris, reclining on a couch that definitely hadn't been there before.
"You!" Valeena snarled.
"Me!" Eris proclaimed with a wide smile as she spread her arms grandly on the couch, "Everyone's favorite Goddess of Chaos~" she said with a giggle, her eyes moving to the trees for a second, smirking while those hidden watched warily.
"Why are you here?!" Valeena demanded, hands lit up glowing, "If you believe I'll allow you to interfere in my master's agenda again, you are..."
Her words were cut off by Eris laughing, "Hehehe, interfere?" Eris smirked at her, "My dear, I've come to help your master's agenda~" she said as she lounged sensually on the couch while Valeena scowled, "After all..."
Eris' tone became sing-song, "I know who took the essence~" she said as Valeena scowled. Having researched into Eris since her interference in Kaznia, she knew that while a self-proclaimed deity or not, this woman couldn't match the power of her master... but that didn't mean she couldn't prove a challenge for Valeena.
More to the point, what she had been able to dig up while also working on her mission toward Aku's remains painted this Goddess of Chaos as, well... chaotic, a wild card who'd do literally anything should the mood strike her, "Say I believe you, why would you aid me in my quest?"
Valeena questioned, glaring at her, "Surely you know my master gaining this essence bodes ill for your world?" she added, with Eris giving a snort, "Don't get me wrong, my dear, I like Earth, but as long as I get to have my fun, it hardly matters who's in charge."
Eris said airily with a gleam in her eyes, "Especially not when they impress like your master has~" she added with a naughty giggle.
Valeena scowled at the clear innuendo in the blonde's tone. Ugh, that was just what she needed, yet another harlot throwing herself at her master and distracting him from his true Queen!
However, she shoved her anger at that aside to focus on what mattered most at the moment.
"Just tell me what you know," she growled.
"Sure thing! Though you may want to get comfortable, it's a bit of a long story," Eris replied, patting the cushion next to her. With Valeena scowling before sighing, choosing to play along for the sake of her mission.
"You see, about a decade or so ago, give or take," Eris started, summoning a golden apple that she started to bounce in her hand, "I was a bit bored, roaming around looking for something that would spice things up."
She said, her eyes gleaming, "When I happened to find out that a mortal living in a delight den of depravity was playing at being a modern day Pygmalion by seeking to bring life to this world... life that would shine a ray of hope on the bleak place he called home. Naturally, the poor dear while bright, was going about it all in the wrong way," she said, shaking her head while clicking her tongue, "So..." the golden apple glowed with energy, "I decided to play the part of the muse and give him a little help~"
"You guided him to the essence?" Valeena asked with narrowed eyes.
"Oh, not directly, that would have been no fun," Eris waved off, "But I did whisper in his ear while he slept, and planted the seeds of ideas that led him to look to ancient myths and legends for inspiration. That led him down a proverbial rabbit hole of research, until even his rational scientific mind began to believe in at least the possibility of some truth behind the stories. And that led him here. Of course, while Aku is but a myth and footnote these days, there are those in the know who keep a close eye on the land of his death," Eris admitted with a smirk, "And I had to work a little glamor magic to make sure he went unnoticed and unbothered as he found the pit."
She then gave a shrug, "A little spelunking later, and he managed to find liquid gold in Aku's essence," Eris said as her eyes gleamed and she giggled, "Then came the fun part~"
"Meaning?" Valeena asked, voice straining in impatience.
"He wanted to make the perfect little girl, and I gave him three~" Eris gave a giggle, "Though my girls, ohhh, they were more than anything anyone could have expected!" she grinned wide, "You should have seen them when they first set loose playing tag, heheh, oooh, the chaos it was beautiful!"
She said, laughing and talking like a proud mother, which in this sense she was. After all, it wasn't just that she'd sent the Professor in the direction of Aku's essence. She'd also given that monkey of his a push to start the little tantrum that had led to him accidentally spilling the essence (which he'd so dully dubbed "Chemical X") into the formula the Professor had been working on, leading to the girls' creation.
And even that wasn't the end of it. Oh no, Eris had also launched just a tiny spark of her own divine power into the mixture, genuinely curious to see what would happen as a result.
And what a result it was. Those three with that mixture... Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, young goddesses in their own right, brimming with potential! She'd felt a mother's pride then and there, resolving to watch from the shadows to see the fireworks.
Though admittedly, she had also felt a mother's anger for the first time when seeing how the citizens of Townsville treated her girls after that delightful game of tag. Of course, that had also scared her a bit, when she realized how angry she was. As that had lead to her realizing that this little plan for chaos had gone beyond what she had expected.
"I won't lie, I actually became more attached than I expected~" Eris mused with a look of melancholy, remembering how she had almost stepped in when the girls flew off to space while Mojo went all king of the monkeys on the town, but she held herself back and her girls came back like a wonderful storm of chaos~
"But how could I not?" Eris let out a giggle, "So smart..." Her mind flashed to all the plans and strategies Blossom came up with, "So brutal..." Oh Buttercup, always the muscle and truly growing as a skilled fighter that caused her enemies pain, "With such a love for life~" And of course, Bubbles' passion and how she might be the sweet one but had proved more than once she could be quite hardcore~
"And of course, powerful," Eris smirked in pride, thinking of how powerful the girls had been at birth and how much more powerful they had become, which is partly why she hadn't revealed herself to her girls, instead watching from the shadows with gifts or little pushes here or there.
After all, the mixture that created them - Aku's essence, her own little spark, and of course the mind of a mortal genius - had produced results beyond expectation. Results that would likely make her father nervous, and make ol' Zeus believe she was planning a coup.
If there was one thing that the Greek gods had in abundance beyond libido, it was paranoia, with Zeus ironically just like his daddy before him. Thankfully, there hadn't been any prophecy of dethronement leading to baby eating. Just lazing around and enjoying his power while resenting the fact that most mortals don't worship them anymore.
"They were a true tide of chaos, changing the corrupt order that had formed," Eris said with a proud smirk; after all, she was a bad girl at heart, but chaos was as much a tool for good as it was for evil, just look at the concepts of freedom and love, for example~ "Hehe, and it didn't hurt they've given ol' lobster claws a major headache either~"
Valeena arched an eyebrow at the unusual name, but didn't get a chance to comment before Eris kept talking.
"And as the years have gone by, it's only gotten better~" she giggled, "Yes, they've become a little less energetic as they've reached their teen years, but they've just gotten stronger, so when they do go all out... well, they could probably give dear Diana or the big blue boy scout a run for their money~"
Laughing maniacally, Eris leaned in closer to Valeena, who instinctively leaned back, not enjoying the unhinged look in the goddess' eyes.
"Oh, I just can't wait for the day I can properly introduce myself to my girls~" she laughed, "Once I help uncage their full potential... oh, the chaos they'll be capable of will be glorious!"
With the those watching in the shadows feeling a chill at her words and the look in her eyes. This... this was serious. They needed to report this to Master Sensei immediately!
While Valeena kept an even face, staring hard at the self-proclaimed goddess, "If you are so attached to these girls you're speaking of..." she narrowed her eyes, "Why are you telling me all of this?"
She asked with a dark scowl, "They carry the essence my master seeks," she shook her head, "Surely you know, however powerful they are, informing me of this will only lead to their misfortune."
"Hmm, depends on how you look at it," Eris replied with a shrug, "After all, I think that they'd be very useful to your master. In more ways than one, considering how they've developed~"
"...Are you really offering these girls you care for so much up to my lord?" Valeena demanded incredulously.
"Why not? From what I've seen, he has a big appetite, and I'd be more than happy to help him sate it~" Eris giggled. Valeena scowled darkly at the woman's words, getting a suspicion in how Eris would like to sate Skeleton King's appetite.
"And what do you get out of this?" she asked, narrowing her eyes, "You've told me all of this, even offering three girls you care for to Skeleton King, why?" she asked, staring hard into Eris' eyes, "And I refuse to believe it's simply for just amusement or chaos."
She added, narrowing her eyes, "You're playing some sort of angle."
"Two of them, actually," Eris admitted without hesitation, "The first one is simply that anything that empowers Skeleton King will likely make things so much more wonderfully chaotic around here~"
"And the second?" Valeena demanded.
"I want to ride that cock," Eris stated bluntly.
..
...
....
At that, silence stood in the forest, with not even birds chirping, the shinobi staring in blatant disbelief for the Goddess of Discord's motivation, with Yori actually stumbling and almost losing her balance on the branch she was standing on.
"WHAT?!" Valeena roared, her face red as she glared with fury and disbelief at this... this... this...
"You heard me, sweetie," Eris pulled back a strain of hair from her face, "I saw what he was packing back in Kaznia, and have to admit I was impressed~"
She said, giving Valeena a smirk, "I've had my fair share of lovers, but that particular skeleton's bone might give me a good time that surpasses them," she said, leaning sensually on the couch, "Plus, a mother only wants the best for her daughters, and Tartarus knows that they've had to settle for boys that quite frankly are beneath them."
She stated, actually frowning in distaste, thinking of some of her girls' past experiences with romance.
Such as her brilliant Blossom, who quite honestly deserved so much better than the four eyes she was seeing right now. Honestly, she hadn't seen a bigger egomaniac since Adonis, and mixed with a mind that Athena would approve of, right down to being a bore.
Of course to be fair, he certainly made for such a wonderful target and source of entertainment, especially when she gave that sister of his a little push~ Not that she had to do that often, as that girl was one of her favorite mortals for a reason... though she sadly was too busy playing spy these days to destroy her fuddy duddy brother's lab as often as she used to. But she still managed to fall into chaotic misadventures, so there was that.
"What makes you think you or your brats are worthy of laying with someone as glorious as my lord?!" Valeena demanded.
"Hmm, seems to me that he doesn't really have standards that high, considering some of his other lovers," Eris commented, before giving a fake gasp, "But oh, I forgot, you're not on that list, are you?"
At that, Valeena's face glowed redder, clenching her fists.
"I will be!" she snapped, standing up from the couch, "Once I retrieve the essence, my master will acknowledge my worth and allow me to stand by his side!"
She screamed, throwing out one hand while placing the other over her chest, "And he will see that he doesn't need those unworthy harlots!"
"Keep telling yourself that, dear," Eris replied with a smirk, casually examining her nails, "But we'll see who's in his bed first~"
"Or I could just destroy you now!" Valeena snarled, which just made Eris laugh.
"Good luck with that," the goddess said, "Besides, even if you could, how would you find my girls and the essence contained within them without me telling you where to look?"
"I think you've told me enough to figure it out," Valeena sneered.
"Are you sure?" Eris asked coyly, "After all, I could be leaving out something important," She pointed out, before smirking at Valeena, "Besides, memory's a funny thing you might forget a few important details ~"
"Please, I think I'm more than capable of remembering the details of your pathetic story," Valeena scoffed.
"Oh yeah?" Eris asked, snapping her fingers, "How many girls did I say were created?"
Valeena opened her mouth to respond, only to freeze as she suddenly realized that she couldn't remember the answer. The number was right there on the tip of her tongue, only to feel the memory of Eris saying it distorting and sliding around in her mind.
"What is this?! Why can't I remember?!" she demanded with a snarl. And it wasn't just her; the shinobi in the tree currently communicating using sign language found themselves also struggling to recall certain details of the mad goddess's story.
"Come on dearie, you didn't think I'd just simply tell you while ensuring I got my fair share for this information~" Eris asked with a giggle while bouncing a glowing apple in her hand.
"Grr, what do you want from me?!" Valeena demanded.
"Just your word, sworn on a binding oath, that you'll pass long my little proposition to your master~" Eris stated, "Agree, and you'll remember word for word everything I said. Don't, and you'll barely remember anything of worth for your search."
Valeena scowled darkly at Eris' words, made all the worse by her next statement, "Besides..." Eris' golden apple began to emit a holographic image in front of them, "Think of this as a chance to complete the other part of your mission~" the goddess said with a large smirk as Valeena's master's voice ringed out, as Valeena found herself watching the scene that took place back in Kaznia when her master first gave her this task.
"Your punishment..." She saw her master Skeleton King give a mocking smirk to her past self's form, "Is two-fold," He answered, drawing his hand back as he looked down at her, "As you perform this task you are to also keep your eye out and report to me about any women who I might enjoy taking as mine~"
He explained with a dark hiss while Valeena's eyes widened, "While your more immediate punishment is this," here he gave her a hard stare, "For the next 24 hours, you are to follow every single command, no matter what it might be, from Jinmay as if they were my own and be her personal toy~"
And once he finished his statement, the mystical image of her and her master disappeared, "How did you enjoy that punishment, by the way?" Eris asked with a curious smirk, "Did this Jinmay make you moan for more~"
Valeena's face turned bright red at the question, which brought back vivid memories of what the metal harlot had done to her that she'd rather forget. Especially when some of it had felt surprisingly good...
"That's none of your damn business!" she snapped.
"Ooh, someone's defensive~" Eris giggled, "But seriously, do we have a deal or not?"
Valeena would very much like to tell this whore where she could take her deal... but... she sighed, gritting her teeth, realizing that this... was the only potential lead she had to Aku's essence, and like it or not this whore wasn't wrong about the other part of her assignment. Plus, she hated to admit it, but as a goddess of this planet, she could be of use to her lord.
"Very well," Valeena glared at the smug Eris, "We have... an arrangement," she practically spat out before glaring at the woman, "Provided of course you don't try to protect those girls from my master should he decided to rip Aku's essence from their corpses!" she added with venom, with Eris' eyes darkening somewhat at the threat, however she kept her smirk.
"Something tells me he'll prefer them alive~ But in any case, if you'd like to seal the deal, place your hand on the apple and make your vow," Eris declared, holding up the glowing apple. Valeena glared at her, but grit her teeth and placed her hand on the apple.
"I swear that I will pass your... offer, on to my master," she spat out, the apple flashing in response as the deal was sealed.
"There, was that so hard?" Eris asked teasingly.
A growl from Valeena and a death glare was her only answer before the sorceress sighed, "Should he accept your offer..." Valeena said, scowling in disgust, "How would we contact you?" she asked with a frown.
"Keep the apple," Eris said, pressing it into Valeena's hand, "When he's ready to speak with me, your master just has to smash it."
"Understood," Valeena said, giving her one last glare, "But be warned - if this is some kind of trick, you will feel my master's wrath," she threatened. However, Eris only leered, rather than appearing coy.
"Oooh, believe me, that's just what I'm hoping to feel, all night long~" she said, bursting out into laughter.
Valeena scowled at her, clutching the apple and vanishing in a flash of dark light, Eris smirking as she watched her go.
"Well, this should be fun~" she giggled, before raising her voice, "So, do any of you peeping toms have any comments or questions?"
This caused the onlooking ninjas to freeze, especially as Eris turned to look exactly at where they were hiding.
"Oh, don't act so surprised~" Eris said with an eye roll, "You're all very sneaky, but I'm a goddess, and one of the sneakiest ones around."
She said proudly as the shinobi exchanged looks before jumping down, "And don't be getting any ideas either," she held up an apple, which let out a threatening glow, "We all know that a fight won't go in your favor~"
She said smugly, with the eyes of the shinobi glaring at her.
"Do you have any idea what you have done?!" Before Yori stomped forward, her eyes glaring from the eyes holes on her mask, "Your careless actions have put the world in danger twice over!" she exclaimed as Eris gave a bored yawn.
"Urg, please, what's life without a little danger and risk?" she said, giving a smirk, "Besides, it's not like I'm leaving with you nothing, either~" she said, leaning forward, "While the details are muddy for you all, there's still a chance you could put together the clues to track down my girls before Skeleton King."
She then tilted her head, "Though not sure what you'll do then, since any assassination attempts won't go well."
The shinobi exchanged wary looks at that. After all, beings born from the merged essences of a goddess and Aku would be extremely powerful, and well beyond what they were trained for.
However, refusing to let her worry show, Yori forced herself calm and glared at Eris.
"Why would you wish to offer us any aid when you just offered an alliance to that undead monster?" she demanded.
"You mean besides amusement?" Eris asked back with a smirk, "Simple, letting you know could help lead to more lovely chaos~" she said, before giving a mocking smirk, "Besides..." she leaned forward and said with a wide grin, "Something tells me you aren't going to be able to stop him and the storm to come anyway~"
She said, and with that statement she disappeared in a flash of golden light, with the forest echoing with her mad laughter, "Hahahahahahhahahahahaha~"
For a moment, there was silence as the shinobi tried to process what had just happened.
"Yori, what do we do?" Hirotaka asked, looking to her in concern.
"We must return and inform Sensei of this at once," she replied with a frown, "With luck, we can deduce the location of these girls before Skeleton King gets to them. And perhaps despite their origins, they are of noble intentions, as that mad goddess implied."
"And if they aren't?" Hirotaka questioned with a frown.
"Then we must be prepared to do what is necessary to protect the world from great evil," Yori replied with a sigh after several moments of silence, before she turned and bounded off, leaving Hirotaka and the others in a heavy silence as they traded looks before moving to follow her.
(Elsewhere, Europe)
Not far from the destroyed remains of Senor Senior Jr.'s Club Lair in a high-class five-star hotel, a white-furred figure wearing a purple bathrobe with a purple towel wrapped around her hair was currently chatting into the phone next to her ear.
"Yes Wilford, for the hundredth time, I'm fine," Sighed the form of Minerva Mink with an annoyed expression on her face, internally thankful that both her experience as a successful actress and Wilford being Wilford helped keep her boyfriend on the other end of the line from picking up any signs of irritation or boredom in her voice.
"Are you sure? I mean, the club got crashed by dangerous supervillains!" Wilford stammered out, with Minerva rolling her eyes, "And I'm still confused why you'd go all the way to a club in Europe without me," The nasally and somehow dorky sounding voice continued.
"Didn't seem like something you'd enjoy," Minerva said offhandedly, "I know parties aren't really your thing."
"Well, no, but it still would have been nice to have been invited," Wilford whined.
With Minerva taking a deep breath while pinching the bridge of her nose, "Darling, please, I just simply didn't want to bother you, I know how busy you are," she said, examining her nails boredly, "And I thought a bit of a girls night to myself would be fun, is all."
Yes, a night to myself and a chance to pick up a real man on the down low, she thought with a slight resentful sigh. After all, Wilford had money and connections, but he was such a dork! She needed a real man, someone who could take charge and really rock her world, and he just wasn't it.
She'd hoped that she'd find an upgrade at the club, considering the guest list, but she'd barely had a chance to look around before the skeleton had crashed the party.
And at the memory of that skeleton... the self-proclaimed Skeleton King... she felt a strange chill through her body, remembering his piercing gaze while distractedly half-listening to her producer of a boyfriend/meal ticket.
"Okay, I get that, but you could have at least let me know. Relationships are meant to be built on trust and equality," he said, making Minerva roll her eyes.
"You're right dear, I'm very sorry," she said, trying to sound sincere.
Honestly if it weren't for the fact you were a producer... she thought with annoyance, because as much as she hated that bitch Jessica, she was dead right on in her reasons for being with Wilford. The only reason she ever humored him was finding out his family not only came from money and had heavy influence in the movie and television industry, but learning that Wilford himself was a producer.
A date here and few little sweet words with a starry-eyed confession of having dreams of being a star there, and she got her big break, now years later she was one of the biggest names in Hollywood. She had fame, wealth, and admirers in abundance; the only problem was the very person that allowed this to happen.
Honestly, settling down with HIM! Barf! She had no problem with marriage, but she wanted to marry a real man! It was bad enough sharing a bed with him, she'd rather not say I do and let him become the father of her children.
The only reason she hadn't dumped him was because of the potential backlash to her career, which is why she needed to work on securing a man of high class that could not only meet her standards, but help her frame any breakup in her favor in a way that wouldn't ruin her career and allow Wilford or his family to ruin it.
Sadly, she was coming up short on that, as the only rich guys she could find were either bigger dweebs than Wilford, or were already in relationships (which she could work with, but being accused of being a homewrecker wouldn't do her any favors). So, for now, she was stuck with this loser and having to make the most of it. Speaking of which...
"In any case, while I was at the club, I overheard something that we might be able to make use of," she said, moving the conversation in a more important direction.
"Oh, really? What is it?" Wilford asked.
"I need you to look up a place called Camp Wannaweep," she stated, "It sounds like it might be perfect for that horror movie project I've been wanting to do."
"Camp Wannaweep?" Wilford repeated in a thoughtful tone.
"Yes, I heard it described as a 'place of evil', with the one I learned about it from seeming quite traumatized by this place," She explained, thinking back to Kim Possible's sidekick... what was his name again?
"Actually, I think I know the place," He said, his wary tone prompting Minerva's curiosity, "It's one of the five camps around Lake Wannaweep, right along band camp, telecommunications camp, clown camp, and science camp."
He said with Minerva giving off a dry look, "Let me guess, you just happened to go to one of those four camps as a child?" She stated, with her boyfriend's voice ringing out in surprise.
"Wow, how'd you know, Minerva?" Wilford asked, with Minerva sighing.
"Oh, you know... I just know you so well, darling," She said with a forced preppy tone, while looking like she wanted to gag, "Let me guess, science?" She added with an eye roll.
"Heheh, clown actually, wanted to be a comedian for a while, but for some reason I always felt like people were laughing at me, not my jokes."
"Couldn't imagine why..." Minerva said back dryly. God, she knew she had needed someone in his position to give her the big break she needed, but why did he have to be such a loser?!
"Anyway, back in the day, my folks thought it'd be good for me to enjoy a camp out of state, and well, I..." Wilford's tone turned nervous, "You might want to reconsider this location," He said, causing Minerva to frown.
"Why?" She asked, both annoyed and even more curious.
"Well, to start with, turns out someone from science camp had been dumping dangerous experimental chemicals and runoff into the lake, heavily polluting it," He explained, causing Minerva to blink, "And there's the fact that one of the campers from Wannaweep went missing to boot."
"Missing?" Minerva repeated, while making a mental note to circle back to the bit about chemical dumping later.
"Yeah. Can't remember his name off the top of my head, but he apparently spent all the time he could swimming in the lake, until one day he just never came back out," Wilford explained.
"Not to sound morbid, but couldn't he have just, you know, drowned?" Minerva pointed out.
"The cops considered that, but they dredged the lake and never found a body," Wilford went on, "So, officially, he's just been missing all these years. Which has led to a lot of rumors and urban legends."
"Hmm, all I'm hearing is this is the perfect location for my horror project," Minerva said eagerly after a thoughtful hum, "We could even use those rumors and urban legends about that camper in the script," She gave a wide smile, "This could be bigger than Friday the 13th!"
Before adding with a smug smirk, "And perhaps just the thing to make that bitch Jessica Rabbit realize who the real star is~"
"Uh, dear, don't you think that it's a little disrespectful to take advantage of a tragedy like that?" Wilford asked meekly, making Minerva roll her eyes.
"With all respect, darling, I think you're a worrywart," she replied, "Besides, who knows? People might appreciate me bringing this story to their attention. So you just worry about getting everything ready, so we can start filming on location ASAP, okay sweetie?" She ordered, with Wilford stuttering out, "But..." only to be cut off by Minerva, "Perfect, I knew I could count on you, now I must be getting some shut eye, love you!"
She called, before hanging up the phone and then adding with a huff, "Like I love the paparazzi rooting through my trash," She said with a huff, throwing her phone to the side and frowning, "I need to find a real man so I can dump Wilford without worrying about too much backlash, and soon."
She let out a longing sigh, "How is it that snoopy reporters like Lois Lane can bag Superman, while I have to settle for the geekiest producer in all of Hollywood?" She asked herself with a frown.
"I mean, I'm the hottest star alive! I have guys constantly throwing themselves at me all the time, why can't I get just one who's the right mix of handsome, suave and successful?" she groaned.
"I mean, even that monster skeleton apparently has better luck in romance with a fucking harem!" She exclaimed, allowing herself to fall and drape herself dramatically over the couch. Seriously, what woman in her right mind with sleep with that thing?! And yet, apparently at least a few were, while she was stuck with a fucking wimp loser like Wilford!
Ugh, life just wasn't fair for incredible people like herself.
"Sigh... guess it's another night of wine and my favorite toy," Minerva said to herself with a grunt, "Hmm, unless the room service is cute and can keep a secret?" She wondered thoughtfully, her eyes going to the phone, feeling a mite... peckish.
She'd worry about her relationship later. For now, she wanted to enjoy her little vacation while she could~
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Well, there you have it - Zim is heading to the Pride Lands, Valeena is going to be targeting the Powerpuff Girls, and Minerva has decided to make a certain "place of evil" the sight of her next movie.
Let us know which of those future plots you're most looking forward to. And regardless, please remember to leave a comment or kudos.
Nightmaster000 A/N: And another interlude chapter out, with Pride Lands existence shown with Zim planning a invasion, Minerva making plans to make Camp Wannaweep her next filming site unaware of Skeleton King currently using the location, and of course Valeena search for Aku essence leading her to the Powerpuff Girls.
Also can't forget the revelation of Eris hands in the girls creation, and her pretty much the mother of the powerpuff girls~ hehe won't lie been excited to show that bit since wrote it, and look forward to hearing your thoughts on it. :)
Really hope you like all these future plots that have been set up, and will continue to enjoy the story.
Please don't be afraid to drop a review or kudos.
Chapter 26: Alabasta, Part 1
Summary:
Lothor arrives in Alabasta to begin his next plan, and finds himself drawn into local events.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Welcome back to the show, everyone, and boy have we got the start of something great for you, as we begin the Alabasta arc. Night and I have put a lot of work into this, and it's shaped up to be even bigger than Kaznia, so I hope you all enjoy it as it unfolds.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hiya everybody got another chapter for you all, Zim and I have been working hard on the Alabasta arc, and we really do hope you all will be enjoying it~ It's sure to be a fun ride for all. :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"I mean, even that monster skeleton apparently has better luck in romance with a fucking harem!" She exclaimed, allowing herself to fall and drape herself dramatically over the couch. Seriously, what woman in her right mind with sleep with that thing?! And yet, apparently at least a few were, while she was stuck with a fucking wimp loser like Wilford!
Ugh, life just wasn't fair for incredible people like herself.
"Sigh... guess it's another night of wine and my favorite toy," Minerva said to herself with a grunt, "Hmm, unless the room service is cute and can keep a secret?" She wondered thoughtfully, her eyes going to the phone, feeling a mite... peckish.
She'd worry about her relationship later. For now, she wanted to enjoy her little vacation while she could~
(Alabasta)
Deep within the sands of the Sahara lay the nation of Alabasta, an ancient kingdom that in its heyday had rivaled the Pharaohs of Egypt for control of northern Africa. Now, however, it was long past that prime - it was still prosperous, but limited in its reach and influence on the outside world. And more importantly, currently highly unstable, as years of drought and accusations of corruption aimed at the royal government had led to a significant percentage of the public threatening revolt.
In short, it was a nation hanging on the edge of chaos... making it a prime target for someone who knew how to take advantage of it~
"So, General, what do our scouts have to say?" Lothor asked Zurgane, the two of them seated in the mountain cave that they were using as shelter and a base for their operations here.
"Sir, I'm pleased to report that we have eyes on one of the leading rebels, identified simply as Koza," Zurgane reported with a bow of his head, "He is currently delivering what appears to be rations to villages across Alabasta with his men."
"Just rations? Not handing out weapons or trying to recruit more troops?" Lothor asked.
"No, master. For now, he appears content to try and win the hearts and minds of the people rather than trying to pressgang them into his forces," Zurgane stated, tone indicating he didn't think much of this approach.
"Hmm, probably waiting until the government's standing with the public nosedives completely, so he can make a move without seeming like the villain of the story," Lothor mused. That did match with what he remembered of Koza from canon, where he'd only kicked off an open rebellion once Mr. 2 had framed King Cobra for active acts of tyranny.
"That seems the most likely scenario, sir," Zurgane said with a salute, "We also have gathered intel on those that appear the closest with and most trusted by Alabasta's royal family."
"Oh? Such as?" Lothor asked, already having a good idea as to the answer.
"Their chief military commanders, known as Chaka and Pell, appear to be metahumans with the ability to take on animal-like forms," Zurgane listed off, "While the leader of their royal guard, known as Igaram, is noted to have an usual fighting ability involving guns hidden throughout his body, including his hair."
"Should make for an interesting set of fights," Lothor said with a laugh, "Anything else in regards to the royal family?"
Mostly, he thought to himself, what was Vivi up to in relation to her canon position?
"One interesting thing of note, my lord," Zurgane nodded, "While the king has been struggling to maintain a good public image, his heir the princess has not been seen for months. The only person said to have contact with her is her handmaiden, who refuses to make any public comment on it."
"Oh? Curious. What do we know about this handmaiden?" Lothor asked, racking his memory of One Piece to see if this was someone he should remember, but drawing a blank.
"Her name is Jasmine Agrabah, a member of one of the noble families most loyal to the throne," Zurgane explained, Lothor arching an eyebrow at that.
Well... that was an unexpected development. After all, he knew that Disney characters were a thing and not just from shows like Kim Possible or Lilo and Stitch either, but classical characters as well. Though he certainly hadn't expected to see a news report about Pocahontas who was a superheroine assisting in controlling and putting out a wildfire. Nor was he expecting to stumble upon Princess Jasmine as a handmaiden in Alabasta.
This was certainly an opportunity... but also a concern, as it reminded him that he wasn't just dealing with a variation of One Piece lore and characters here, and there could be other players he'd need to watch out for. After all, the presence of Jasmine brought to mind not only Jafar but the various villains from the spin-off TV series - Abis Mal, Mechanicles, Mozenrath, or even Mirage.
"By all accounts sir, this Jasmine seems to be the Princess' closest companion," Zurgane reported, "I believe if we can secure her, we should be able to exploit her as leverage, sir."
"An apt strategy, General," Lothor said with a nod, "Getting ahold of his heir should give us a means of controlling the King... though I must also admit curiosity as to what the princess is up to. It could be nothing, or it could be something we can make use of."
"I will see to getting the Kelzaks closer to the handmaiden, so we can grab her when the time is right," Zurgane said with a bow.
"Excellent," Lothor said, standing up from his makeshift throne, "Well, while you see to that, I'm going to get some fresh air. I have much to consider."
And not just this mission, either, he thought with a scowl as his mind went to what his nieces had encountered during their little outing. Especially who had crashed it - Doctor Eggman, and apparently like himself and Skeleton King not a native to this reality, though the jury was still out on him being an Isekai soul like them.
Needless to say, Skeleton King and himself were concerned by not just this new player, but what his presence could mean. After all, if this Eggman leaned more to his Archie comics variation, it was in everyone's best interest to avoid a Super Genesis Wave event. And more other-dimensional stranded showing up in the form of not just Eggman but also Breezie according to his nieces, and likely quite a few others, put together with the words of a certain saxophone-playing gypsy... it was becoming quite clear somebody was pulling strings behind the scenes.
And he didn't like that, not one bit. He was nobody's pawn, least of all in a world where he had actual power at his disposal.
He and Skeleton King would need to take steps to properly investigate this, he thought as he emerged out of the cave and looked out over the desert sands surrounding his temporary lair. The only question was, how would they even start to address something like that?
Before he could ponder on this too much, however, he paused as a distant sound reached his ears. Arching a brow, he cocked his head and listened carefully.
Yes, there it was - the crack of gunshots echoing across the sand dunes and hills.
"Well now, sounds like someone's having a party," he mused. Deciding to see what was happening, he levitated into the air and flew in the direction that the gunfire was coming from.
Meanwhile, at the location of the shots, a blue-haired form was riding a... giant duck?
"Faster, Karoo! They're gaining on us!" Screamed out the form that many might recognize as Princess Vivi of Alabasta.
As she rode atop the duck, her loyal companion, which was fleeing across the desert. Behind them were several horses being ridden by rough-looking men aiming guns in her direction.
"You can't get away, bitch!" one of them yelled as he fired several more shots, "You're going to pay for spying on us!"
With Vivi simply gritting her teeth as the wind blew through her hair, thinking back to how things had gotten to this point, how her kingdom was once prospering but now suffered from a drought and was on the verge of an uprising!
The public discontent and anger over the endless drought had been understandable, and she and her father had done their best to help their people through this hard time. But then rumors had started circulating, seemingly from nowhere, that the royal family and their government supporters were hoarding water and food for themselves. This was a lie, of course, and there was no proof of it, but that hadn't stopped the rumors and the resulting outrage over them from spreading like wildfire.
Now, what felt like half the country was crying out for action against the King. And what made it even more heartbreaking for Vivi was the fact that her childhood best friend Koza was one of the leading voices of this almost-revolution. That he of all people could believe her family would treat their people like this made Vivi want to tear her hair out!
Determined to find the truth of all this and put a stop to it before it was too late, Vivi had discretely launched her own investigation to find the source of the rumors. She'd even left the castle in secret, with only her father and a handful of trusted servants knowing where she was going, so she could conduct the search directly and not have to worry about intermediaries.
It took time and quite a bit of hard work and a near few close calls but she found answers... along with more trouble than perhaps she had prepared for.
Because what she had uncovered was a conspiracy, by none other than the international crime organization Intergang. She had managed to get close to some low-level operatives and had leaned that their leader - known only as "Mr. 0" - was behind the rumors and turmoil. Why, none of them knew, and they didn't care as long as they got paid.
Unfortunately, that was as far as she had gotten. Someone higher up in the chain had somehow learned of her snooping, and had sent a kill squad after her. Which led to her currently being chased through the desert. It was only thanks to Karoo, who was a result of experiments the Alabasta government had performed on natural fauna giving birth to the large almost horse-sized species super spot-billed duck, probably one of the fastest animals on land, that she was getting away.
But even with Karoo, losing their pursuers was proving...
BLAM
BLAM
Tricky, she thought, flinching as a shot nearly nicked her in the ear.
"Just give up, and we'll go easy on you!" one of the goons cried out.
"Like hell!" Vivi cried back, pulling out a sharp metal disc attached to a long string. Grabbing the string, she spun the disc around rapidly before launching in the direction of the goons.
"AH!"
One of them was slashed across the face, causing him to fall off his horse and hit the ground.
"Karoo... get ready for a game of chicken or die!" Vivi called, turning Karoo around to charge straight toward their pursuers, while pulling out and spinning another metal disk in hand, knowing this was risky, but they didn't seem to be getting anywhere by trying to flee; they needed to handle their pursuers.
"Ha! Stupid bitch is making this too easy!" the lead goon shouted, taking aim... only for Karoo to dodge the shot and zoom forward in a blur.
"What the-?!"
WHOOSH
SLASH
SMACK
And then the duck passed right through the group, his wings outspread to knock several of the riders off of their horses, while Vivi struck out with her weapons, striking several more of them.
"I will not let you harm my kingdom and people!" She called out with fierce determination as she and Karoo continued to make short work of their attackers, unaware of the new pair of eyes watching with keen interest and examining her form.
"Hmm, not bad," Lothor mused, hovering in the air above and watching the fight intently. Admittedly, Vivi had shown petty good skill in canon, as far as early Paradise went, but she was far from a heavy hitter. So, it was pretty impressive to see her holding her own so well when badly outnumbered.
"Let's see how well you handle yourself, princess," he said with a smirk, sitting back to see what would happen. With Vivi swinging out a circular blade, knocking a gun out of a goon's hands before Karoo knocked him down with his wing by charging forward.
"Surrender now, and I will convince my father to show leniency should you tell us everything you know!" Vivi ordered toward them all, getting scowls and growls from those still standing.
"Bitch, do you have any idea who you're messing with!" Snapped a rider from his horse, "By the time we're done, you'll be nothing but a used-up sex toy!" He snapped, opening fire with his gun, with Karoo moving to dodge swiftly while Vivi scowled, sending her blade spinning out while pulling another, internally grateful she had prepared for the worst by bringing weaponry. She hadn't been completely naive about her chances of remaining undetected after all, she thought as she slashed down another goon.
However, just as Karoo was making a pivot...
BANG
"QUACK!"
A bullet hit his leg, causing him to lose his balance and collapse, the fact that he was doing so at high speed sending Vivi flying to hit the ground hard and tumble for several feet before coming to a hard stop.
"Karoo!" she called out in worry, grunting in slight pain while pushing herself up, looking worriedly toward her friend and ride.
"Hehaha, not so tough now, are you girly~" sneered a large portly man as he stomped forward, "What say we have some fun with this bitch before turning her over to the boss, boys!" He called out over his shoulder.
Vivi scowled as the other goons all laughed harshly at the suggestion.
"Try it!" she yelled, going for her weapons and starting to spin them again.
BANG
"AH!" she yelled as a bullet hit the edge of her shoulder. It didn't directly impact, but still did enough damage to inflict intense pain, making her drop the weapon she was holding in that hand and drop to her knees, clutching the fresh wound.
"How's that feel, bitch?" snarled the goon she'd slashed across the face, gun still smoking, "Oh, I'm going to enjoy making you squeal!"
"Don't worry, you'll get your turn~" the fat man laughed as the rest of his group surrounded Vivi and started closing in on her. She glared at them, even as terror gripped her, a part of her brain whispering that it might be a good idea to use her remaining weapon on herself while she still could...
"Well, this hardly seems fair," a voice suddenly spoke up, catching the whole group off guard. Turning to face it, they were greeted by the sight of Lothor hovering down to land on the ground, arms crossed and glaring at them.
"Who the hell are you?" the fat goon demanded.
"The name's Lothor. Perhaps you've heard of me on the news?" Lothor replied.
At this everyone, even Vivi, went still. While he had only targeted Gotham and Kaznia so far (Though there was footage of some of his followers robbing clothing stores, for some reason) word had certainly spread about the two alien warlords eying Earth, and if rumors could be trusted in some kinda competition for it.
"Uh, er, w-what do you want?" the fat goon demanded, trying to sound intimidating despite clearly being afraid.
"Oh, I was just in the neighborhood, when I happened to come across this little scene," Lothor replied offhandedly, "And I must say, this is no way to treat a lady."
"This bitch has it coming!" spat the goon with the slashed face, "So stay out of our way, you freak, and we might let you have our sloppy seconds!"
Or I could take my time and end up with the whole meal, Lothor thought with a smirk. Outwardly, however, he said, "Nice offer. Here's my counter - all of you back down and surrender, and once I get what I need out of all of you, I let you walk away with all your pieces still attached. Deal?"
Some of the goons actually looked tempted to take that deal, however the one with the slashed face snapped.
"How about we bring your head to the boss instead!" He sneered, "After all, you're just some weirdo in a dumb mask from space, at least that skeleton freak's ugly face looks scary."
He said, pointing his gun at Lothor, "And maybe after we're done fucking you up, we'll look up those two bimbos you got working for you and fuck them real good like this royal whore!"
At that, Lothor's good mood immediately disappeared as rage spiked in him. His nieces might be pains in his ass, but they were still his, and no one threatened what belonged to him!
"Alright, my offer just expired," he hissed with a glare that made several of the goons almost piss themselves. The one with the slashed face just scoffed, however.
"Good, because you're about to expire too!" he snapped, pulling the trigger... and in the time it took for the bullet to exit his gun, Lothor had used ninja speed to not only move out of the way, but to dash forward and slam his fist into the goon's throat.
"ACK!" the goon gagged, barely having a chance to process what had happened before Lothor grabbed his head and slammed in downwards, bringing it slamming right into Lothor's extended knee, hard enough to break his nose and knocking in several of his teeth.
"Who's next?" Lothor asked, dropping the now-unconscious goon to the ground.
"Uhhh... is that offer to give up and leave expired for all of us?" Whimpered the fat goon frightfully.
"Sorry, but yes," Lothor said flatly, before dashing forward and punching the fat goon in the stomach, making him wheeze and collapse.
Seeing this, the other goons began screaming and panic-firing, causing Vivi to yelp and instinctively throw herself flat on the ground to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Lothor, meanwhile, put his ninja speed to good use, expertly dodging every shot and making his way through the crowd of goons.
WHAM
BAM
SMACK
CRACK
And as he moved, he lashed out with punches and kicks, each blow breaking limbs or rendering his victims unconscious. Soon enough, Lothor and Vivi were the only ones still standing, surrounded by a pile of knocked out bodies.
"Well, I believe that handles that," he said, brushing off his hands, before turning and offering one to the shocked Vivi, "Are you alright, my dear?"
"Yes... I am... thank you," Vivi said instinctively, but with confusion as she looked upon her unexpected rescuer, before shaking her head and grabbing another ring blade with a scowl, "But if you've come to attempt what you did at Kaznia in Alabasta, you'll find failure."
"Heh, injured and clearly outmatched, yet you still want to fight?" Lothor chuckled, "I admire your spirit, Your Highness."
"How do you know who I am?" Vivi demanded.
"Presumably the same way this lot figured it out. After all, with this planet's technology level, it's not that hard to look up what a country's leaders look like," Lothor explained.
Vivi scowled, acknowledging that point, and it wouldn't have surprised her if Lothor had done his research before coming to Alabasta for whatever purpose he had.
"Just tell me why you've come to my kingdom," she demanded, sending the man a glare.
"I won't insult your intelligence with lies, so I'll admit it, I came here to see if your country's instability is something I can take advantage of," Lothor admitted. At Vivi's infuriated look, he shrugged, "Now, now, no need to get upset. Just because I'm looking for personal gain, doesn't mean that I can't help you too."
"I don't need help from the likes of you!" Vivi spat, swinging her blade at him, only for him to easily dodge it.
"Really? Because it seems to me like if I hadn't stepped in, you'd be getting gangbanged by this trash," Lothor replied flatly, making Vivi flinch, "But hey, maybe you're right and you don't need me. I'm sure the Justice League can help... not that they seem in a hurry to do so, even though they went to Kaznia without being invited. Though I suppose when the Queen is a personal friend of one of the founders, that helps grease the wheels."
Vivi scowled at his words, hating that he had a point. Like it or not, she was in his debt, because if he hadn't shown up those men would have done the unspeakable to her.
And she... she did need help, but the Justice League... getting them involved was a potential gamble in itself. Because truthfully, her father and even herself were among those nervous about the League's expansion and how powerful it was becoming.
After all, they remembered the Justice Lords incident from a few years ago. A version of the League founders from another universe had nearly conquered the world the way that they'd apparently taken over their own, and that was just six of them. What could an entire army now do if they also went bad? Not to mention how their actions in getting involved in Kaznia made them seem worrisomely political.
So no, Viivi would much rather prefer not having a potential threat like that involved in her country. But then, was a blatant conqueror like Lothor really a better option?
"What do you want?" she asked tiredly, feeling the adrenaline rush from the fight starting to crash.
"Hmm, we can talk long-term details later. For now, I think we should get you and your feathered friend some medical attention," Lothor stated.
"Karoo..." At that, Vivi's eyes widened as she quickly remember her friend and hurried to her animal companion's side, "Oh, Karoo, what have they done to you?" she asked, fussing over the duck while looking over his condition as Lothor examined her with a smirk.
Yes, that was spot on for her. Standoffish with threats to those she cared about, but if you were in that category she'd throw everything into protecting you. And if you aided those that she cared for, you won her loyalty. He could definitely work with that... in more ways than one, he thought, as his eyes ran up and down her form, wishing that she wasn't wearing that concealing blue cloak.
But, business before pleasure, he reminded himself before he spoke up.
"My encampment isn't that far from here. We can get both of you patched up," he offered. Vivi at that shot him a distrusting look, before sighing.
"I'm no fool... I know that you likely won't let me go free if I refuse," she said, meeting his gaze with a steely glare, "But just because I'm in your debt, doesn't mean I'll allow you to exploit my kingdom and people."
"Of course not," Lothor said placatingly, walking over to put an arm around Karoo, helping the duck to stand up, "But like I said, we can discuss the details later."
Vivi scowled but sighed, choosing to follow him while internally hoping that she wasn't sealing her people's fate by doing so.
Soon, they were at the cave that Lothor's forces had taken up shop in, a squad of Kelzaks staying between Vivi and the cave exit while a few others tended to Karoo's leg and her arm, the princess having shed her blue robe to better expose her wound. To Lothor's disappointment, she wasn't wearing the dancer outfit she'd worn under that robe in canon, but the white dress shirt and light blue pants she was wearing still did a good job of highlighting her shapely legs and D cup breasts, so he wasn't going to complain too much~
"Shall I have her restrained, my lord?" Zurgane asked Lothor as the two stood off to the side, observing Vivi.
"No, I don't think so," Lothor replied, "Sometimes, General, the carrot works better than the stick. I have a chance to win her goodwill, which gets us an in with this country without having to work too hard for it. If that doesn't work, then we can resort to force."
"Hmm, Skeleton King has gained greater control over Kaznia by subverting its ruler to his cause," Zurgane said with an understanding nod, "You should easily be able to do the same with Alabasta's princess."
"Very true," Lothor said with a smirk, before walking over to join Vivi, "And how are the patients?"
"We're fine," Vivi replied, as the Kelzak medic finished bandaging her arm and Karoo stretched his bandaged leg, "But let's stop beating around the bush. What do you want from me?"
"Information, for starters," Lothor said, taking a seat, "What's the story behind those thugs who attacked you?"
"If you must know..." Vivi sighed, figuring at least she could turn two potential threats to Alabasta against each other, "I've been investigating into the source behind all the turmoil hitting Alabasta."
"Oh, is that right? And who's the guilty party?" Lothor asked, half-expecting to hear the words Baroque Works.
"They're called Intergang," Vivi stated.
Well, so much for that theory.
"They're an international criminal organization," Vivi continued, "And from what I've managed to gather, they've been deliberately instigating public anger over the drought in hopes of starting a war."
"To what end? What profit do they gain from such a conflict?" Zurgane asked as he joined them.
"That's the part I'm still trying to find out," Vivi admitted with a sigh, "A part of me thinks they're hoping to install a figurehead of some kind in a coup," she admitted with a frown, "But my instincts are telling me there's something more to this."
She told them with a scowl.
"Well, I suppose the only way to find out is to track down the people in charge and make them talk. Then you can bring them to justice," Lothor stated with a nod.
"Tch, justice? Don't act like you care about that," Vivi scoffed.
"No, not really, but I figure if that's what you want, I should help bring it about," he replied with a shrug, "Call it a show of good faith towards a future business partnership."
"Business partnership?" Vivi repeated in disbelief, "My kingdom might be facing a crisis, but what makes you think I'd work with you, or even trust you for that matter?"
"Well, I suppose trust has to be earned," Lothor admitted, "But as for why you'd want to work with me even after this current problem is dealt with, just think of the benefits of having someone as powerful as me in your corner. No one else is likely to try this kind of conspiracy when you have a powerful backer behind you."
"My family's been doing just fine without a backer, as you put it, for centuries," Vivi replied defiantly.
"True, but that was before everyone and their grandmother was running around as a one-man army, wasn't it?" Lothor replied, before waving a hand dismissively, "But we can discuss that later. For now, as this is your investigation, what's your next step?"
Vivi bit her lip, before sighing, knowing as royalty the wisdom in picking her battles.
"I suppose it would be alerting my father, and attempting to locate and capture someone from Intergang who's high enough in rank to know something," She said while crossing her arms, "As well as obtaining proof of their actions to a friend of mind in the budding rebellion before things escalate," She said, frowning while once again thinking of Koza, "Though I'd also like to learn if they're just exploiting the drought that hit Alabasta or somehow causing it."
She added, knowing that in this world the latter wasn't impossible and couldn't be discounted.
"Well then, off to the capital it is, with us providing you an escort to make sure you get there safely," Lothor said with a nod, "And actually, on that subject... Terramole, get out here!"
Vivi blinked at that, and following Lothor's gaze further into the cave, she arched an eyebrow at the figure that emerged from the darkness. For lack of a better description, it appeared to be a humanoid mole wearing armor, with a large drill coming out of its chest.
"Yes, Master Lothor, how can I be of service?" the creature, apparently named Terramole, asked with a bow.
"When we leave, I want you to burrow ahead of us and scout out to make sure that we don't run into any ambushes," Lothor ordered, "We could probably handle it no problem, but it's best to see it coming."
"Yes sir, consider your journey clear, and any trouble makers dealt with," Terrormole said with a salute, while Vivi gave the creature a cautious look, recalling reports from Kaznia about how Lothor had some kinda means to turn his soldiers into giants, and internally hoped she wouldn't see it for herself. However, for now she'd be cautiously grateful for the help; having just barely escaped one ambush, she wasn't in a hurry to walk into another one.
"Karoo, can you walk on your own?" she asked her companion, who quacked an affirmative, giving a salute with his wing, "Okay then, we should get going. It's going to be a long journey to Alubarna, but we'll pass through some smaller villages and Rainbase along the way, so we can resupply and get some news while we're traveling."
"Rainbase?" Lothor echoed, arching an eyebrow. He was pretty sure that he knew all he needed to know about that location, but it was best to confirm things.
"It's a resort town," Vivi explained, "And also the home of Sir Crocodile, our local... well, I refuse to call him a superhero, no matter how much he tries to hype himself up as one. Smug bastard really seems to love being the center of attention, and I haven't seen him do anything to actually help people since the drought started!"
The princess explained with a dark scowl, thinking of the man who honestly had to be one of the most arrogant, condescending, slimy pieces of work she'd ever met. Before sighing and explaining at Lothor's curious look, "He's a metahuman who can create, control, and turn himself into sand."
She scowled, "He established himself as a hero of my people helping repel the forces from the alien invasion that led to the formation of the Justice League," She gave a bitter snort, "Needless to say, he was quick to exploit this and set up shop in that casino of his," She explained with a bitter scowl, "Though when the Thanagarians arrived, he wasn't as much help then as he was before."
"Outside his weight class, were they?" Lothor asked with a smirk.
"I wouldn't know, considering he didn't bother fighting them," Vivi scoffed, "He convinced my father to not risk our people's safety by resisting what was supposed to be a temporary occupation, but if you ask me, he was too scared to go up against actual warriors."
"Hmm, well, perhaps we'll have a chance to meet him on the way through his town," Lothor mused, having a good feeling that there'd be a fight on their hands when they got there, "But in the meantime, we should probably get moving, Your Highness."
"Yes, time is of the essence," Vivi agreed with a dark look, "I wasn't able to learn much before those brutes discovered me, but what I did learn implies Intergang is planning a major operation and soon."
"Then let's hurry," Lothor said, leading the group out of the cave, he, Zurgane and the Kelzaks making their way to a group of horses and getting on.
"Do I even want to know where you got those?" Vivi asked with a frown as she got onto Karoo and put her own cloak back on.
"I'll have you know we paid a good price for them upon our arrival in the country," Lothor replied, "Admittedly, we didn't have any of the local currency, so we had to use some gold we stole from somewhere else, but the villagers didn't seem eager to complain."
"Of course you didn't..." Vivi said with a scowl, resolving to learn what villages those were so they could be compensated for their loss, "Let's just head out," She said, before giving Lothor and his men a frown, "Though we might want to get you some disguises or something before you all attract too much attention."
She told them as the party set off, while the individual behind all of Alabasta was receiving an unwanted phone call.
(Rainbase)
Underneath Rain Dinners, the casino, restaurant, and resort owned by Alabasta's metahuman "hero" Sir Crocodile, the man in question was holding a phone up to his ear with a dark scowl.
"So, you let her get away," He stated simply with a hard edge entering his tone, before pausing, his eyes narrowing, "Lothor... I see," Then with a simple click he hung up the cell phone, before placing it on the table with an irritated sigh, "Remind me to have those men killed," He ordered aloud before raising his head, "But for now, I've just received word that an unexpected and unwelcome variable decided to play hero for the snooping princess."
He leaned back, scowling, "That alien ninja Lothor seems to have decided to recuperate his losses from Kaznia with Alabasta."
"Really now? That is interesting~" said the other occupant of the room, a tall woman with long dark hair, wearing a cowboy hat and a long white coat over a dark purple vest and skirt, "Do you suppose he knows about our involvement with things here?"
"If he didn't already, no doubt the princess will have informed him by now," Crocodile muttered, tapping the hook he had in place of one hand against the tabletop, "Fortunately, it seems that the royal brat doesn't know my identity as leader of the organization, but if she's going to be allying with this alien, we have to assume that he'll have ways of digging up information that she lacked."
"So, what should we do, Mr. 0?" the woman asked, using his codename in private mostly just to tease his need for secrecy.
"What we do, Miss All-Sunday," he replied, using her own codename to play along, "Is twofold. First off, we speed up plans to kickstart the war; we don't have time to bring all the top agents back, so we'll make do with what we have."
"And secondly?" Miss All-Sunday asked, arching a brow.
"I want to find the princess and eliminate her," he ordered, "And if possible, make it look like Lothor did it, so both sides will rally against him."
"Hmm, leaving a confirmed hostile to Earth holding the body bag sounds like a good strategy," Miss All-Sunday mused, before arching a brow, "Though you realize Intergang's history with aliens hasn't been to our organization's favor."
She said, with Crocodile giving a sneer at remembering not only a certain alien boy scout, but that warlord Darkseid who that idiot Bruno just had to get involved in.
"Also, you know that while this will put a target on him, it will in turn put a target on Intergang from him," Miss All-Sunday pointed out with an arched brow, "And Intergang's already busy dealing with not only with business as usual, but the consequences of the Justice League seeming to want to invite almost every hero on the planet to join their club."
"I'm aware of that, Nico Robin," he spat, using her real name, "That is why this operation must succeed. Once we have our hands on Pluton, no one will be able to stand against us!"
"So said every supervillain with a superweapon, and none of them have ever succeeded," Robin pointed out, before holding up her hands defensively at his glare, "But, as you command. I'll see it done."
"I'll put the word out to our men to make sure it looks like Lothor killed the princess, and make sure our top agents in Alabasta are in place for the accelerated time table," She added on, with Crocodile giving a nod.
"Good, and make sure to have eyes out for that skeleton or his witch and monkey," he added with a scowl, "For all we know, those two freaks are planning to use Alabasta for round two for their global turf war," He said, before sighing, "There are days when I actually almost wish I wasn't a metahuman, and long for simpler days when a man could plot to send a county into a war in peace."
"Ah, yes, the good old days of normal crime," Robin said dryly as she left the room. Crocodile watched her go with a scowl, not for the first time wishing that she wasn't so good at her job so that he could get rid of her for her constant backtalk. But oh well, that could wait until he didn't need her anymore.
There really were days when he missed how relatively simple things were before he took over Intergang following Mannheim's fall. His old organization had been smaller scale, but profitable, without all the extra headaches he had these days.
Still, it would be worth it. Once he got ahold of the information he needed and tracked down Pluton, the whole world would kneel to him! After all, that ancient weapon was precisely the edge he needed deal with the Justice League and competition like Lothor. And unlike so-called supervillains, he knew how to play his cards in just the right way~
After all, he didn't want to rule the whole world; he wasn't stupid enough to think that was a viable long-term goal. No, he'd settle with just carving out a sizable empire he could rule in comfort, with Pluton as the ultimate deterrent to ensure that no one could take it from him.
Let all those other fools out there keep fighting their endless cycle. He had a ticket to an easy retirement, and no one would stand in the way of him claiming it!
(Royal Palace, Aluburna)
The ancient capital of Alabasta, the city of Aluburna, was built atop a mountain rising high above the desert. And at its center was the royal palace that had been the home of the ruling Nefertari family for centuries, currently led by King Cobra Nefertari. A man who was currently rubbing his face tiredly as he listened to the reports being given to him.
"And as much as as I hate to admit it, Your Majesty, unless we find either evidence to disprove these rumors spreading, or find a way to stabilize things soon, the citizens might do something... drastic," stated the man bowing to him.
"Thank you, Igaram," Cobra said with a sigh.
"If I might interject, as I've suggested before, we could apprehend Koza and use him as an example of the price of treason," Said the person standing next to his throne while holding a staff in the form of a golden cobra.
"Treason! Treason!" echoed the large red parrot perched on the man's shoulder.
"We have been over this, Jafar, I will not act like the tyrant I am being accused of being," Cobra snapped at his advisor, "Arresting Koza will just make everyone believe that he's right about me and rally around him!"
"Forgive me for saying so, Your Majesty, but that's happening already," Jafar replied with a scoff.
"As much as I disagree with Jafar's suggestion, Your Majesty," One of the two head guards and protectors of Alabasta, Chaka, spoke up with a scowl, "He's not wrong there."
The man admitted with a sigh, "Tensions are mounting, and Razoul has the men working double time to keep order in the capital, while Pell and myself have been traveling all over Alabasta dealing with one incident or disaster after another," The man added, rubbing his tired eyes as Cobra frowned.
"Perhaps it's extreme, but should we perhaps consider opening our borders and reaching out to the Justice League for help?" Igaram asked, causing hard looks from the others in the throne room.
"Would you like us to offer our country's metahumans for their growing army, and the throne while you're at it?" Spat out Jafar with a scowl.
"I still don't think there's any reason to believe that they have ulterior motives..." Igaram tried to protest, only for Jafar to speak over him.
"They are enlisting the literally most powerful people in the world under one banner, you cannot be naive enough to not see the endgame there," the advisor sneered.
"And even if they aren't planning a takeover of any kind, they would still be scooping up our most powerful assets for their own use," Chaka added, "For every crime or disaster they deal with in the West, how often do they properly provide aid to the rest of the world? Superman can stop every bank robbery in Metropolis, but how many coups or revolts has he intervened in Asia or the Middle East?"
"Well, they did get involved in Kaznia," Igaram pointed out.
"Which happens to be to ruled by a personal friend of Wonder Woman's," Cobra countered, shaking his head, "No, old friend. I will not involve our people in the League's politics, regardless of their intent."
He said with a hard look, being the only one in the room aware that in another reality the Justice League, or rather the Justice Lords, had killed the President of the United States. From the information shared by the League following the extra-dimensional Lords incident, the counterparts of the founders managed to gain control of their Earth entirely on their own. What could the League accomplish with a veritable army of heroes?
But, that was something only to be shared by the various heads of state on a need to know basis, so he couldn't discuss that with his advisors. As such, he pushed that aside to focus on the more pressing matters at hand.
"We will handle this ourselves," he declared firmly, "This is an Alabastian matter, and shall be dealt with by Alabastians."
"On that matter, Your Majesty, may I inquire as to how the Princess' own investigation is going? And again, I must question the wisdom in allowing the princess to investigate things personally, without a guard no less," Jafar asked with a scowl as Cobra gave a sigh.
"Believe me, I'm as happy about it as you Jafar, but when Vivi is dead set on something, it's not exactly a simple matter to tell her no," the King said.
"And besides, she's not entirely alone, she still has Karoo with her," Igaram pointed out.
"Oh yes, I'm sure the duck will be very helpful," Jafar said dryly.
"Honestly, still can't believe we wasted money on that project," He then added with an eye roll, "Putting aside what's wrong with horses, camels, or even cars," He gave them a flat look, "What exactly are giant ducks going to do against Alabasta's enemies, quack at them?"
"I think you're overlooking the simple math of something that big moving at the speeds that they're capable of," Chaka pointed out dryly.
"Still, a rather pointless waste of money compared to what else we could have been doing with it," Jafar scoffed. Chaka glared at him, but before they could devolve into yet another round of arguing on the subject, Cobra spoke up.
"Enough, we're not wasting time discussing this again," he snapped, "We have more important things to worry about."
"Starting with Vivi's investigation," Here Cobra gave a worried scowl, "From her last report, she's learned that the criminal organization Intergang are operating in Alabasta, and plotting something."
At that, the others in the throne room gained dark scowls.
"Intergang? What do those criminals want with Alabasta?" Chaka asked with a dark scowl.
"What all scum like them want," Igaram scoffed, "To profit no matter who suffers in the process," He stated, his tone full of disgust.
"Hmm the ones that profit most from war are the merchants who sell their weapons to the soldiers," Jafar spoke out with a thoughtful scowl, "They could be hoping to send the kingdom into a civil war to make a profit," He theorized.
"We need a full investigation of this," Cobra said with a scowl, "We cannot let this conspiracy go unimpeded. They have to be drawn out like a poison before they can destroy everything my family's built."
"That's all well and good to say, sire, but it's a lot harder to do in practice, especially in the midst of all this unrest," Jafar pointed out.
"Indeed, I don't think there's been a drought this bad in all of Alabasta's history," Igaram stated with a worried scowl, "We've had dry seasons before... but never anything like this," the man said, shaking his head; sure, Alabasta as a desert kingdom could get rough, but the drought with their natural water resources and the increase of sandstorms, it was no lie they were being hit hard.
"Even with us receiving some resources from other countries, it's not enough," Igaram said with a sigh, his face taking on a expression of despair, "The people are withering away, growing hungry and thirsty."
"And it doesn't help that the aid supplies from the United Nations have been hit and stolen at an increasingly alarming rate," Chaka added with a scowl.
"With Intergang the most likely culprits behind that," Jafar surmised, but threw Chaka a dirty look, "Not that it excuses the failure of certain people to prevent it from happening in the first place,"" Prompting Chaka to give the man a glare.
"My friends, please... this is indeed a stressful time," Cobra sighed out holding up his hand, "But we must not quarrel amongst ourselves," He said with a frown as the bird on Jafar's shoulder cawed.
"Bah! Shouldn't quarrel!" With Jafar sighing and putting on his best apologetic expression.
"A thousand apologies, Your Majesty, I'm afraid the current crisis is getting to me," He said, with Cobra sending his advisor an understanding nod.
"It's understandable, Jafar," Cobra said, before frowning, "But you bring up a point... the fact that the supplies have been successfully taken so many times implies that Intergang had someone on the inside aiding them."
The King stated, with the others trading grim looks, "And there's no telling who else is loyal to them in Alabasta," Cobra added with a heavy look, "For now..." he gave Igaram and Chaka a heavy look, "While we wait for Vivi's next report, I want you two to do whatever's necessary to not only help the people, but..." here he sighed tiredly, "Prepare the soldiers, should the worst come to worst."
The man ordered, hating himself for this, but he had to ensure and prepare for the scenario of rebellion and war. He wanted peace and order for his kingdom, but if he had to resort to violence to maintain it, then he'd reluctantly do it.
"Yes sire, Pell and I will rally them immediately," Chaka said with a bow.
"And I will do the same with the royal guard," Igaram added.
"Good. For now, leave us, there are matters I need to discuss with Jafar," Cobra said, with the man in question giving a subtle smirk, while Igaram and Chaka frowned but bowed their heads in acceptance, before departing the throne room, leaving the king and his advisor alone.
"Sigh... I'm worried, Jafar," Cobra admitted with a frown, leaning back in his throne, "If things continue at this rate, I might be forced to actually reconsider seeking the League for assistance," He admitted, shaking his head.
"Your Majesty, while heavy is the burden that wears the crown, you must stand strong," Jafar said, putting as much convincing support as he could into his voice, "After all, you have people you can trust with your kingdom and daughter... like myself~" He said with a slight smirk.
Cobra sighed in annoyance at that.
"Jafar, we have been over this," he said sternly, "While I'd prefer Vivi marry for love, I know that her hand needs to be saved for the best political match. And marrying an advisor is not it."
At this a scowl flashed across Jafar's face for a moment, before he maintained his smirk, "Ah, but Your Majesty, who would truly be worthy of the desert flower that is Princess Vivi?" He asked, while stepping in front of Cobra and subtly pointing his staff's eyes into Cobra's own, "And these are dangerous times, Your Majesty..."
Jafar smirked, "You want someone you trust to look after your daughter, don't you?" He asked coyly as Cobra seemed to start to enter a daze.
"Dangerous... times... trust... yes."
"Yes, so it's very important to arrange a marriage as soon as possible," Jafar added with a smirk.
"Arrange... marriage... yes," Cobra added, before Jafar pulled the staff away and he snapped out of it. Shaking his head, he said, "But we can discuss this in detail once Vivi's returned."
"Of course, sire," Jafar said with a bow, smirking wide, "After all, once we root out those criminals, we'll want to ensure Alabasta has a bright future with the royal line continued," Jafar continued, backing away, "But for now, I'll be leaving to attend to duties elsewhere while you rest."
He added on as Cobra gave a distracted nod, "Ah, yes, yes, of course... that will be all, Jafar," the man said, missing Jafar's smirk as he left the throne room.
Unnoticed by either man, however, they weren't alone in the room. Peering out from behind a tapestry covering a hidden alcove was a teen girl with dark skin and black hair wearing a blue bedlah outfit.
This was Jasmine Agrabah, Vivi's handmaiden and close friend, who had been asked by the princess to keep an eye on things while she was gone. And now, she was glaring at the retreating form of the royal advisor.
"Dammit, I knew that smug bastard was up to sudden," she muttered angrily.
She never trusted the vizier Jafar; everything about him unsettled her, and while Vivi didn't like Jafar that much either, her princess and friend viewed him no different than any other ambitious sort at court. But something told Jasmine that Jafar was different, more dangerous, and this was the proof she had been looking for, only it seemed things were a lot more serious than she expected.
"I have to warn Vivi," she said with a stern frown, because like hell would she let Jafar get away with brainwashing their King, much less allow him to lay his hands on the princess.
She'd expose him and stop him... one way or the other.
(Secret Chamber in Royal Palace)
"Hehe, looks like the princess is pretty much all yours, Jafar~" Crowed the winged form of the parrot on Jafar's shoulder, suddenly showing a lot more sapience than earlier.
"Indeed, Iago," Jafar said with a smirk, before giving off an irritated sneer, "Now if only we didn't have those meddlesome outsiders causing trouble, my reign would truly be secure."
He said, walking into his private sanctum where he conducted his magical research, experiments, and of course plotted his ascension, "Nonetheless, their presence can be worked to my advantage," Jafar added on with a slight cackle.
"Oh yeah? How?" Iago asked, flapping off of Jafar's shoulder and over to perch on a nearby desk.
"It's simple, really," Jafar answered with a smirk, "Once I've secured my marriage to the princess, they'll be a perfect scapegoat for the "accident" I arrange for the King to clear the way to the throne."
"Devious, I love it!" Called out the bird with a smirk, before raising a feathered brow, "Though still don't get why you don't use your fancy mojo to just takeover, instead of going through all this trouble."
"Because at my current level of power, I could seize control of the capital easily enough, but maintaining control of the whole kingdom would be much more difficult," Jafar admitted with a grumble, "Oh, it would be so much simpler if I could find that accursed cave and take its power for myself..."
"Ugh, are you still on about that?" Iago asked, rolling his eyes, "Seriously, you've been looking for that place for years and you haven't found squat. It ever occur to you that maybe it's just a myth?"
"No!" Jafar snapped, "The Cave of Wonders is real, Iago, and I will find it! Once I do, and gain control of the magic within, I will be truly unstoppable. Then, I can openly rule myself without having to deal with the likes of that fool Cobra or the petulant brat princess. Though I suppose either way, keeping her around until she's given me an heir is the smart move."
He said with a dark malicious leer, "Her and that insolent handmaiden of hers..." he growled, clenching his staff, "Oh, the day I defile their bodies over and over while making them worship their master will be almost as joyous as the day I'm crowned~"
He told Iago with a cackle as the bird gave him an uneasy look, "Sheesh, since when are you so gung-ho about getting a girl, never mind a harem?" He asked, shaking his head before arching a feathered brow, "This got anything to do with some of the rumors that have been spreading around since that club in Europe got crashed by an egg and skeleton yesterday?"
"Of course not," Jafar scoffed, even as his mind went to the reports coming out of that club battle. One specific detail that had been circulating among the gossipers was how Skeleton King, an utterly monstrous undead abomination, apparently claimed to have a harem of girls serving him. Which was an utterly ridiculous lie, surely, but hard to not think about.
"Right. It doesn't bother you that some alien monster man's got a harem while you're still single and ready to mingle?" Iago asked dryly.
"I have no time for such petty things as carnal desires," Jafar spat, which made Iago arch a brow again.
"But you were just saying-"
"Breaking in those bitches will be a matter of pride and dominance, not lust!" Jafar snapped.
"Uh-huh..." Iago's tone made it clear how much he believed that, causing Jafar to growl, "Enough of this nonsense, Iago, we have more important matters to deal with," He said as the bird rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, but what exactly is the big plan to deal with those crooks?" He asked, giving the man a curious look, "I mean, you still seem pretty set on not showing how powerful you are," He added on; after all, Jafar might not have enough juice to take over the whole kingdom singlehandedly, but he should have enough to deal with Intergang and any freaks they got on their roster... right?
"Since we now know that they're involved, it might be best to let things play out," Jafar mused, "Let them play their hand by inciting the rebellion, and then I can make my own move. I'll crush them and those traitors all at once, making myself the kingdom's greatest hero in one fell swoop! After that, I shouldn't even need hypnotism to make Cobra give me his daughter's hand as thanks."
He then emphasized his statement with a mad cackle as Iago shot him a dry look, "Right, then you'll only need to worry about keeping your new kingdom," The bird said, causing Jafar to freeze mid-laugh, "You know, since Earth's got invaders coming out if the wazoo these days, never mind all the other crazies running around in costume."
The bird added, making Jafar scowl, "And there's that superhero club on top of that, and considering they apparently threw down with Morgan Le Fay, you probably don't have good odds there," He continue rubbing his beak
"You assume they'd care if I take control," Jafar pointed out, "For all the concerns about them forming an army, for now they're keeping to their own corners of the world. And who knows, perhaps I can spin myself as enough of a "hero" that they'll even give me an invitation to sit at the table!"
"Heh, yeah right," Iago said, rolling his eyes, "And I'm sure the princess will throw herself in your waiting arms while declaring her love too," He added with a snort.
"I don't need her to love me, just to obey me," Jafar replied with a smirk, holding up his staff, "And for that, simple hypnosis will suffice."
"And the reason you haven't done it already is because..." Iago asked, trailing off, as it always confused him why Jafar didn't just simply hypnotize the princess and be done with it.
"It's a simple matter, but someone of Vivi's willpower will likely be resistant, and I need to be sure my position is absolutely secure before attempting it," Jafar said with a huff, with Iago giving off a hum.
"Listen, Jafar, I know it's probably been a while for you, and if you're really nervous about being with a girl, we could probably looked up a good brothGLRT!" The bird's words were cut off by Jafar grabbing him by the throat and lifting him up to his face with a dark glare and growl.
"Don't push it, Iago. I tolerate you because you're a useful spy and minion, but do not believe that this gives you a position to mock me," Jafar hissed, "Is that understood?"
"GCK! Yes!" Iago gasped.
"Good," Jafar said, before tossing Iago aside, "Now leave me, I need time to think."
"Alright, alright, sheesh... you try to help a guy out a little," Iago muttered under his breath as he made his leave, flapping away as Jafar approached a particular stand in his lair. Set on the stand was a large scroll, which depicted a scarab-shaped amulet, surrounded by ancient writing that had taken him years to decipher.
"The Cave of Wonders is real, this proves it," he muttered to himself, "And once I'm king, I'll have all the time and resources needed to locate the scarab. And once I have that, I will find my way to the cave, claim the lamp for myself, and then no one will ever defy me again!"
And at that proclamation, he descended into a mad cackling fit, assured of his impending victory and how soon the kingdom and power beyond imagining would be his and his alone!
Unaware that Intergang was perhaps the least of his worries...
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And there you have the start of this arc. I/Lothor have gotten into Vivi's good graces and struck an alliance with her against Intergang (which is merged with Baroque Works here), while we unknowingly also have to worry about one of the all-time greatest Disney villains running his own agenda.
Things only get better from here, folks, and I hope you'll enjoy it all. But in the meantime, please leave a kudos or comment if you're liking it so far.
Nightmaster000 A/N: And we've officially started the Alabasta arc, really hope you like the twist we've taken with intergang angle with Crocodile being the new leader of the organization and expanding upon it after what happen to Bruno in Superman the animated series.
Plus we cover not only Vivi meeting Lothor and Z/Lothor securing her agreement in allowing his aid, but also cover the factor that intergang aren't the only ones plotting in Alabasta.
Hope you all enjoyed the kick off of this arc, and please don't be afraid to leave your thoughts in a review or drop a kudos~
Also for anon reviewers you can now drop a review if you'd like as well. Turns out Zim hadn't realized their settings were set to disable that, but that's fixed now. :)
Chapter 27: Alabasta, Part 2
Summary:
Lothor and Vivi's group reaches Rainbase, and walk right into Crocodile's trap.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hey there, everyone, and welcome back to the story! Last time, I/Lothor arrived in Alabasta, and after stumbling across Vivi in danger, saved her and struck a deal with her. Now, we'll see what happens as she and I travel together to try and save her kingdom.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hiya everyone, we're back to the next arc, and the continue adventures of Lothor in Alabasta. We saw Lothor meet and make a deal with Princess Vivi, to work together against intergang who in this reality are currently lead by Crocodile, so expect familiar faces from Baroque Works to show up. Now let's see how this goes.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Set on the stand was a large scroll, which depicted a scarab-shaped amulet, surrounded by ancient writing that had taken him years to decipher.
"The Cave of Wonders is real, this proves it," he muttered to himself, "And once I'm king, I'll have all the time and resources needed to locate the scarab. And once I have that, I will find my way to the cave, claim the lamp for myself, and then no one will ever defy me again!"
And at that proclamation he descended into a mad cackling fit assured of his impending victory and how soon the kingdom and power beyond imagining would be his and his alone!
Unaware that Intergang was perhaps the least of his worries
(Rainbase City)
"Now remember, try to keep a low profile," Vivi said to the group she was traveling with while pulling her hood over head.
"We're ninjas, my dear, that's our specialty," Lothor replied, while pulling up his own hood.
"I'm sure," Vivi said dryly, looking over the rest of the group. The Kelzaks and Zurgane were also wearing cloaks, and in the samurai's case in particular it did very little to actually hide his true appearance.
Vivi didn't have high hopes for this, but it was too late to turn back. Besides, it could be worse - Terramole was still somewhere underground, so at least she wasn't going to have to worry about him sticking out like a massive sore thumb.
"Now remember, we're only here to resupply before heading to the capital," Vivi explained as they walked through town, "That, and see if we can get ahold of any information as well," she added with a frown, "Since Rainbase is perhaps one of the biggest tourist attraction spots in Alabasta, you get all sorts here even in hard times like this... chances are, there are people who might be willing to give information out for the right price."
She explained, glancing over to Lothor, "But at the same time, it's imperative we avoid detection. Intergang could be monitoring and have eyes everywhere, especially since a metahuman as powerful as Crocodile openly lives here."
Oh, you have no idea, Lothor thought, willing to hedge his bets that Crocodile was in charge. But he couldn't comment on that, so he just nodded.
"We should probably split up to save time," he said, turning to his soldiers, "Zurgane, take the Kelzaks and cover the eastern half of the city, the princess and I will cover the west."
"I don't need..." Vivi tried to protest, only for Lothor to give her a stern look. Looking away with crossed arms, she huffed, "Fine, but remember, we need to keep a low profile."
"Of course, Your Highness," he replied with a bow, waving off his minions. With Vivi watching them head out with a wary look, still unsure about this, but she knew she needed help dealing with Intergang... only problem was, what was she going to do with Lothor and his followers afterwards?
After all, he was out to conquer Earth and made no secret he was targeting Alabasta after his failure in Kaznia. In essence, she was trading one threat for another, with Lothor potentially a great deal worse than Intergang. But at the same time, she was raised and trained as Alabasta's future ruler, and knew a thing or two about handling foreign dignitaries or elite members of state and nobility who were... difficult.
She was sure she could handle Lothor if given time to strategize. So for now, she'd have to focus on dealing with the more immediate threat, then she could deal with him.
"So, where to first?" Lothor asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Hmm, I believe heading toward the city market will be a good start," Vivi said with a frown, "Besides helping us blend more into the crowd, I can look into some contacts the royal family have here in Rainbase."
She said, and at Lothor's look she gave a scoff, "My personal opinion aside, do you really think my father would just let a metahuman of Crocodile's power operate openly without having agents keeping an eye on him, regardless if he helped Alabasta in that invasion?"
"How paranoid and untrustworthy... I approve," Lothor said with a smirk, Vivi rolling her eyes but smirking slightly as well, "Well, lead on, milady."
With that, the two of them walked further into town, while listening carefully to the people they passed along the way. Most of it was just daily chatter, but more and more was anger about the situation.
"Hmm, sounds like a lot of people here are in support of the rebellion," Lothor mused, "Your boyfriend's movement is apparently doing a good job winning hearts and minds."
"Yes, they- Boyfriend?!" Vivi started to reply, only to yelp and blush as she caught up with the rest of what Lothor had said, "Koza's not my boyfriend!"
"Really?" Lothor asked in amusement, and seeing an opening, "I find it hard to believe that a lovely young lady as beautiful and intelligent as yourself is single."
Vivi flushed, a part of her feeling complimented at his words, while another part was angry and disgusted it came from a man like this.
"For your information, I'm more focused on duties than romance," she said with a huff, before admitting with a frown as they began walking through Rainbase, "And truthfully, for someone of my position, finding someone that would love me for me, while also being a good future king for Alabasta is tricky."
She explained with a scowl, "The last thing I want to experience is what Queen Audrey of Kaznia did with Vandal Savage." Because that incident had certainly made waves and served as a reminder for all royalty to be careful who you gave your trust to, "The fact that I'm starting to suspect my father's advisor has been discussing my future marriage prospects with him more and more lately doesn't help matters either," Vivi added in a low bitter mutter.
"Advisor?" Lothor asked. Hs first instinct was Igaram, but he couldn't assume that, not with all the other elements in play in this reality.
"Yeah, his vizier Jafar," Vivi explained, missing the surprised look on Lothor's face.
Well, that wasn't as unexpected as it should be, considering he already knew Jasmine was her handmaiden, but still.
"Sounds like you have problems with him," Lothor pointed out.
"No more than any other ambitious noble or politician," Vivi admitted with a shrug and frown, "Personally not the biggest fan of the man, but my father trusts him and he does good work," she said, before rubbing her chin, "But my friend Jasmine certainly hates him and doesn't think he should be trusted."
"Well, if you trust your friend, perhaps you should trust her judgement," Lothor pointed out. Vivi frowned in thought at that, but before she could comment on it, a commotion caught her attention. Turning to face it, she saw a large crowd gathered around a newsstand, clearly upset about something.
"Excuse me, what's going on?" she asked a man who was angrily stomping away with a newspaper clutched in one hand.
"You haven't heard?" the man spat, holding up his paper to show the headline, "Some whistleblowers just exposed that the royal government's been using Dance Powder to keep up its own water reserves!"
"What?!" Vivi exclaimed, snatching the paper out of the man's hands to read it, "That's ridiculous! The King would never allow that!"
"Makes sense to me, girly," the man snarled, "Selfish, entitled royal bastards and their lackeys, not caring about the rest of us! I hope the rebels burn them all down!"
Vivi looked like she wanted to snap something at that, but Lothor grabbed her shoulder and gave her a stern look when she turned to glare at him, which was enough to make her hold her tongue and give the other man his paper back. Once he had stomped off, Lothor let go of Vivi and gave her an inquisitive look.
"Dance Powder?" he asked. Once again, he was pretty sure he already knew what that was, but aside from not knowing how it translated from canon to this reality, he couldn't let it slip that he knew more than he should.
"It's a chemical substance that can induce rain, but at the cost of draining moisture from the surrounding environments, making the drought worse in the long-term," Vivi explained, "Which is exactly why it's banned, and why my father would never use it!"
"Hmm, sounds like a blatant frame job to me," Lothor mused, "And with how high tensions are already, it might just be the spark that ignites the powder keg."
"I know..." Vivi admitted, biting her lip while clenching her fist, "Time just became all the more of the essence," She said, raising her head to look up into Lothor eyes, "We need to find evidence of Intergang's crimes and my father's innocence immediately!"
"Then let's go meet your contacts," Lothor replied with a nod. Vivi nodded back and started walking again, leading Lothor further into the marketplace.
For a while, they wandered from stall to stall, pretending to look at the wares while Vivi asked innocuous-seeming questions meant to cover that she was actually looking for her operatives' location. Eventually, she seemed to get what she needed, and looked to Lothor with a conflicted look.
"Well, the good news is, I'm pretty sure I know where to find them," she said, "The bad news is, they've been spending a lot of time at Crocodile's casino, Rain Dinners."
"Makes sense for keeping an eye on him," Lothor noted.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I have to like the idea of being so close to the slimy bastard," Vivi muttered, before sighing and shaking her head, "But we don't have a choice, so let's get over there and find them."
Though before they could leave, Lothor froze upon hearing a familiar voice... a familiar voice that most certainly should not be in Alabasta!
"You know, I'm no fan of the heat, but can't deny the local fashion brings out my hot side," Bragged Marah, who walked by them not noticing them, currently wearing something resembling a belly dancer outfit while addressing three others who shouldn't be here and taking a sensual pose.
"Yeah, cannot argue with that," Kapri said, dressed similarly, "Don't you think so, boys?"
"Ugh, yeah, definitely," Lee stated, he and Nate buried under large piles of clothes, jewelry and other accessories that they were carrying.
"Um, but you know, we'd be able to appreciate it more if we could actually see you over this stuff," Nate added, peeking around his own pile.
"What, you expect us to carry our own stuff?" Marah scoffed, "Besides, consider this punishment for trying to run off on us at the club."
"And consider yourself lucky that we're going this light on you for that," Kapri added, "Not to mention how Uncle decided not to punish us all for that fiasco."
"That can still be arranged," Lothor called out, making the group freeze and turn to look at him in panic, while Vivi looked on in confusion.
"U-uncle! What are you doing here?!" Kapri exclaimed.
"I should be asking you two and your boy toys that!" Lothor snapped.
"Uhhh..." Marah and Kapri traded looks, more than obvious trying to come up with a good excuse.
"We're not really here!" And failing as Marah spoke up, earning a disbelieving look, "Yeah, we're totally a mirage, the heat's just getting to you, Uncle," She said while sending Lothor a nod and strained grin.
Lothor felt his eyebrow twitch.
"Really? Then I suppose there's no harm in using you for target practice," he growled, raising a fist crackling with energy. His nieces and their boyfriends paled, but before he could do anything, Vivi grabbed his arm.
"I don't know what's happening right now, and I don't care, we can't afford to make a scene," she hissed at him. Lothor growled at that and pulled his arm free, but didn't follow up on the attack.
"...And you are?" Kapri asked Vivi, grateful for her help but confused by her presence.
"Girls, meet Princess Vivi of Alabasta. Your Highness, my idiot nieces Marah and Kapri, and the unlucky fools they roped into dating them," Lothor made quick introductions.
"To be fair, we weren't in much of a position to say no," Muttered Nate, with Lee giving a nod in agreement as they continued to strain under the weight of everything their girlfriends/kidnappers/mistresses bought. Though his comment was ignored as Marah and Kapri focused in on Vivi.
"Ohh, she's cute," Marah chirped excitedly, prompting a blink from Vivi.
"And a Princess..." Kapri added with a smirk, arching a brow, "You finally trading up, Uncle?"
She asked in a slight eager tone, hoping this was a step in the right direction of finally getting rid of the bug bitch.
"Excuse me?" Vivi asked in disbelief, not sure if she was hearing that right.
"Oh, we know, he's really old," Kapri said, misjudging the situation as always, "But he's got his own army and is going to be running this planet some day, so that's got to count for something, right?"
"Plus, we don't like any of the ladies he's currently sleeping with, but they always definitely sound like they're enjoying themselves, if you get what I mean~" Marah added. Judging by how Vivi turned bright red, she got the other girl's meaning just fine.
"I'm not-! I would never-!" Vivi stammered in mortification, unable to think form a coherent response to the outrageous idea that was being suggested to her.
"Girls, I'm not sleeping with her," Lothor cut in. Not yet, anyway~ He added mentally, before saying aloud, "We merely have a business arrangement to help me get a foot in the door on this county."
He said, ignoring Vivi's disgruntled look, as putting aside her embarrassment of Lothor's nieces apparently wanting to set her up with the man, allowing any sort of foothold into Alabasta and to a greater extent Earth certainly wasn't the agreement... but it reminded her that Lothor's assistance wouldn't come without a price, and with this latest scandal, now more than ever she needed help dealing with this criminal conspiracy against her family, people, and country.
Only question, what price would she be paying for this help? She asked herself as Lothor's nieces gave their uncle surprised looks.
"Really? How you'd you'd pull that off without nailing her?" Kapri asked with a surprised blink.
"Yeah, even your new bestie had to nail that queen to pull that off," Marah added, before freezing in place, "And I was not supposed to say anything about that."
"No, you weren't," Lothor replied flatly. Seeing the surprised look on Vivi's face, he waved it off, "No need to worry about it, Your Highness, it doesn't involve anything in this part of the world."
"I suppose I'll take your word for that," she muttered, narrowing her eyes at him suspiciously before shaking her head, "But I suppose I can worry about that later, we have more important things to worry about."
"Right. Speaking of which," Lothor said, turning his attention back to his nieces, "Our arrangement was based on how I saved her from agents of the criminal conspiracy inflaming all this revolutionary unrest, and promising to help root the rest out. And since we have work to do on that front, I'm not going to waste time on punishing this unauthorized trip of yours. As long as you head back to the ship. NOW."
"But we can help!" Kapri protested.
"Yeah, plus this is some of the best shopping we've managed to do since coming to this solar system," Marah chimed in a whine, "And I still need to get a souvenir for Perry!" She added with a pout.
Lothor facepalmed at that.
"If I say no, you're just going to keep whining, aren't you?" he groaned, before putting his hand up to keep them from responding, "That was rhetorical. And we don't have time to argue, so fine, you can come along, so long as you stay out of the way. Got it?"
"Yes, Uncle," the girls chorused.
"Good," he said, before turning back to Vivi, "Okay, princess, which way to the casino for the meetup?"
"Ah, it's just a few streets down, actually..." Vivi replied with a blink, choosing to just go with the flow here, "Just remember, while we work on finding the contacts, we can't be noticed," she reminded him with a frown while gesturing for the group to follow.
"Don't worry, we can be discrete. Right, girls?" he said, adding the last part to his nieces with a glare, causing them to flinch.
"Uh, yes Uncle, whatever you say," Kapri said with a quick nod.
"Right, we'll follow your lead," Marah added.
"Good. Let's get going," Lothor said.
"Urg... don't suppose we could get a little help... dude?" Before giving off a flat look at the strained plea coming from Lee, who was stumbling around along with Nate. Grinding his teeth slightly, Lothor snapped his fingers, causing several of the Kelzaks who had accompanied them to appear, taking the souvenirs from Nate and Lee before disappearing.
"There. Now can we go?" Lothor asked, tone suggesting there was no room for further debate.
"Ah, right, of course. Just lead the way, boss," Lee said nervously, nodding his head rapidly.
"You lead, we follow," Nate said, just as nervous from Lothor's look.
Meanwhile, the group was unaware of the eyes watching them from a nearby alleyway with a dark smirk.
"Knew following those two girls and their boyfriends would lead me straight to our target~" Said a tall blonde woman wearing a yellow dress marked with lemon designs and holding an umbrella.
"Yes, so you already said, Miss Valentine, you don't need to gloat," said the grey-skinned man in a trench coat standing next to her.
"Says you, Mr. 5. Gloating is fun~" scoffed Miss Valentine, "Now, let's follow them. And send word to the others, so we can all strike when we have them in the right spot."
"Just remember, we have to play this smart," Mr. 5 warned Valentine, while adjusting the sunglasses he was wearing, "Not only do we need to make it look like space ninja was the one to kill the princess..."
He gave a look at the direction the group had walked off, "But when we make our move, we can't hold back or underestimate our target," Mr. 5 gave a frown, "There's still very little information about Lothor and his forces, but what little we do know implies they've got the potential to be big players if they aren't nipped in the bud."
"So? We didn't exactly get our positions by being pushovers," Valentine replied, "Besides, like you said, we don't need to actually beat him. Just keep him busy long enough to kill the royal brat and leave him holding the bag."
"Point, but still, be careful..." Mr. 5 said with a stern look, "One part of this assignment will be gathering intel on Lothor's capabilities."
He said as they proceeded to move, "After all, once all's said and done, he'll be an enemy of Intergang, and enemies of Intergang need to be eliminated~"
"Oh, don't worry. I'll be more than happy to crush him myself when the time comes~" Valentine laughed, "Now, let's go."
With that, the two set off, intent on making sure their target was eliminated and her ally would be seen as her murderer by all.
(Rain Dinners)
Later on, Lothor's group would find themselves standing before the Rain Dinners resort, the exterior of which was shaped like a large pyramid, with a golden crocodile head at the top and was patterned in blue and gold.
"Okay... this guy might be leaning a bit too heavily into his name," Kapri said with an arched brow, looking up at the top of the building where the golden crocodile sat.
"To be fair, babe, your uncle does do the same thing with the whole ninja warlord theme," Lee pointed out beside her.
"Hmm, fair enough, I guess. Still, you gotta admit it looks a little gaudy," Kapri noted.
"We'll give him some design pointers later," Lothor said dryly, "Now, where would we find those agents of yours, princess?"
"They've apparently been spending a lot of time on the main casino floor," Vivi replied, before frowning, "And they'd better just be doing that for a cover and not actually gambling on the job, or I swear to God..."
"Let's actually find them before you start deciding how to treat them," Lothor cut in, taking the lead and walking into the building. Unaware of the eyes on them from both outside and within the casino.
"They just went in," Valentine said into her earpiece.
"Yes, I see them," Robin replied from where she was observing in the casino's security room, "Hmm, I have to say, our ninja strikes quite the figure in person~ Almost a shame we'll have to make an enemy of him."
"He's already an enemy. Don't lose sight of our orders," another voice growled over the communications line, making Robin roll her eyes.
"I haven't, Mr. 1. Though you seem to be forgetting who outranks who here," she retorted. A low growl was her only reply.
"Honestly surprised the big boss isn't trying to bring him to the table, when you think about it," Valentine stated with a thoughtful tone.
"Oh yeah, because making deals with aliens has worked out so well for Intergang in the past," Mr. 5 stated dryly to his partner.
"That's just because Bruno was too much of an idiot to see the double-cross coming," Valentine replied with an eye roll, "Mr. 0's clearly too clever for that. But you gotta figure he could use this Lothor guy and then be the one to double-cross him when the time's right."
"Maybe, but it doesn't matter about what could have happened. We have orders to carry out," a young female voice said deadpan over the comms.
"Yes, thank you for the reminder, Miss Goldenweek," Robin said, albeit with an amused smirk.
"Indeed, my young nakama, so let's us get into our positions and put on a performance to remember~" A more flamboyant voice called out over the line.
"Patience, Mr. 2..." another voice replied with a bite of caution in his voice, "Remember that this casino is owned by Crocodile, and last thing we want is that metahuman getting involved and complicating things further."
And at that, Robin gave an amused snort, "Oh don't worry, Mr. 3, I can assure you Crocodile will not be an issue."
"Hmm, if you say so, Miss All-Sunday," a more mature and husky female voice spoke up, "But I think it's time we stopped talking and start dealing with these pests."
"Yeah, like Doublefinger said! Let's go, let's go, let's go!" another female voice said, so quickly that it was nearly impossible to understand.
"Just be patient a little longer, Miss Merry Christmas," Robin replied, "Are you and Mr. 4 in position outside in case they make a run for it from us?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, we will be as soon as that oaf finishes moving his ass!" Merry Christmas said with an annoyed yell at the end.
"I'm coming..." a deep male voice chimed in slowly.
"I'm ready and waiting as well, and I believe Miss Tuesday is waiting and quite hungry to get started~" Mr. 2's voice chimed in with a laugh.
"That woman still gives me the creeps," Mr. 3 voice sounded.
"Don't be a wuss," Miss Goldenweek addressed her partner quite bluntly.
"Oi! You'd be creeped out by her too if you didn't hypnotically null your emotions!" Mr. 3 snapped back, "And I can't honestly be only one who sees she's like something straight out of a horror movie!"
He exclaimed, adding with a grumble, "Feel like she's going to steal away my soul every time she looks at me."
"Do you even have a soul?" Doublefinger asked dryly.
"As much as I love philosophical debates, let's save that for another time," Robin said, looking over the cameras and tracking the targets across the casino, pausing as she noticed another group of interest elsewhere on the floor. Well, former interest, anyway; she'd thought that they might have a lead on Pluton through a relative of theirs, but it had turned out to be a dead end.
"Oh my, such a lovely place," Spoke out the form of Muriel Bagge with a smile, standing beside her husband and Courage.
"Who cares how nice it looks, where's the slots? I feel lucky!" Called out Eustace as he rubbed his hands with a greedy smile.
And he really did, considering how great things had been going lately. First, those two weirdos had paid him a literal ton of money just to dig on his land, and then they'd won a free vacation to this place in some contest neither he or Muriel even remembered entering.
Sure, when they'd first gotten here, he'd had to have some kind of interview with that lady who was apparently the manager or something. And for some reason she'd asked a lot of questions about his dead brother Horst and his archaeological work, which Eustace hadn't cared about. But, once he'd made it clear that he had no idea what the woman was looking for, she'd let him go on his way. And now, he just knew he was going to make even more money here!
He was in such a good mood, he didn't even care that Muriel had insisted on bringing the stupid dog along.
Courage himself was looking nervously around. Ever since they won this little trip, alarm bells had been ringing. It didn't help when he thought back to how things usually went for him when his family won something or went on a trip.
The questioning Eustace had gotten earlier about Horst had made his bad feeling all the worse, as while he'd never known the man, he'd certainly dealt with Eustace's issues with his brother, and things he left behind like a certain possessed box that was full of a fortune that remains trapped in there to this day.
And of course, it didn't help that he was more on edge than ever these days (which said a lot, believe him) ever since two space warlords showed up offering that deal to the Bagges, so they could dig for what Courage still didn't know. Never mind the things Skeleton King had said about being a fan and a reward coming his way.
He still had no idea what that meant, and it had him even more nervous than usual, even before they came on this trip. Plus, he'd looked this country up before they'd left home, and the fact that it seemed to be on the verge of a civil war just made his bad feelings worse. It would be just his luck if that boiled over while they were here, after all.
So, he stuck close to Muriel just in case, completely oblivious that one of the warlords he was worried about was only a few yards away, walking in a different direction.
"Any sign of them?" Lothor asked Vivi, who was looking around for her contacts.
"Nothing yet, just tourists and citizens who are better off than most these days," Vivi replied with a frown, "But I know they have to be here somewhere."
She said with a frown, looking around the resort casino.
"Hmm, while you're looking for these guys, Marah and I could hit the poker table," Kapri suggested with a slight smirk, "Maybe poke around to see if anyone has any worthwhile information."
She suggested, rubbing her hands together.
"Uhh, didn't Uncle ban you from ever gambling again?" Marah spoke up, giving her sister a look and arched brow, "Remember, you snuck into that one space station club with a fake ID and ended up losing the ship in a card game..."
Marah said, giving off a snort, "Uncle ended up blowing up at you, before blowing up that station."
"Uh, heh, we agreed to never talk about that again," Kapri said with a fake laugh and forced smile, while Lothor scowled as that memory from this lifetime came to him. Ugh, he was starting to understand why canon Lothor eventually decided to leave his nieces for dead rather than keep dealing with headaches like that.
"No gambling," he snapped, "You sneaking away not withstanding, this is work, not a vacation. Got it?"
"Got it!" The two nieces said with a salute, with Kapri noticeably more nervous.
"Don't worry, Uncle, you can count on us, and you can count on our boys," Marah said with a smile.
"Yeah, especially since I'm sure they're eager to make up for their stunt at the club, right boys?" Kapri added, only to hear silence.
"Boys?" she questioned, turning around only to blink when she realized that Lee and Nate were no longer behind them!
"Oh, those two are so getting cut off from sex!" Kapri snapped, stomping her foot onto the floor.
"They might have gotten lost in the crowd," Marah suggested, looking around with a frown.
"Right, like they just went to find us an exit last time?" Kapri growled, clearly not buying it.
"We don't have time for this. Go find them," Lothor snapped. The last thing he needed was those two managing to get away and possibly getting in touch with the authorities or the League... or to listen to the girls whining about losing their "boyfriends".
"With pleasure," Kapri grunted, she and Marah walking off.
"Should I be worried about this?" Vivi demanded.
"Simply an internal squabble, Your Highness, nothing to worry about," he waved off her concerns, "Now, let's find these contacts of yours."
Vivi frowned, not quite trusting his words, but choosing to put it aside for now as she gestured Lothor to follow while continuing their search.
All of them unaware that Lee and Nate hadn't disappeared of their own choice.
(Nearby)
In a small room off of the main floor, the boys found themselves tied to chairs, staring at two of the strangest beings they'd ever seen... which was saying something, considering they were from Gravity Falls.
"Hahaha! Ah, I love simple plans with quick results!" crowed a flamboyantly-dressed man, wearing too much makeup and a swan-themed ballet outfit that left his disturbingly hairy legs bared, as he literally danced around the room.
"Calm down, Mr. 2, we're not done yet," noted the woman standing next to him. She was tall and slender, with turquoise skin, ankle-length violet hair, and magenta eyes, wearing a black dress and a crown on her head.
"Ah, forgive me Miss Tuesday, I got excited~" The man said while giving a spin before stopping in front of the boys, "But I believe we should take this opportunity to get to know our guests~" He said with a smirk as Nate and Lee sweated while the man approached.
"So, gentlemen..." here Mr. 2 gave them a smug look, "Anything you'd like to tell us about...?" He started to say before Lee started shouting.
"I wet the bed until I was 13!" He screamed a confession.
"I always hated Dumpty Humpty songs, I just pretended to like them because my friends liked them!" Nate cried out.
"...I meant about your employer," Mr. 2 said after a moment of awkward silence.
"Oh, right. We knew that," Lee said with a forced cough.
"And, uh, he's not really our boss, he's just the uncle of the girls who forced us to date them," Nate added.
"Forced?" Mr. 2 repeated with a blink.
"Yeah, he and the skeleton pretty much took over our town, but the girls apparently thought we were cute and decided to make us their boyfriends," Lee explained as Mr. 2 and Miss Tuesday exchanged looks.
"Hmm, so ninja boy took over some town with skully, huh?" Mr. 2 said, while giving a spin as he raised his leg, "How sneaky, and surprising!" He declared, putting his face next to Lee and Nate, "And where might you two boys be from?" He asked, curious why Lothor and Skeleton King worked together to take over some random town.
"Uhh... Gravity Falls," Lee said nervously.
"Gravity Falls!" Miss Tuesday said with a surprised tone in her echoey voice.
"You've heard of this oddly-named town?" Mr. 2 asked.
"It's a hotspot of paranormal activity, where creatures and humans live side-by-side openly," Miss Tuesday growled, "And yet, they're so annoyingly mundane about law enforcement. You know they actually tried to lock me up just because I ate a few townspeople?"
"...How unreasonable of them," Mr. 2 said dryly.
"I know, right!" Miss Tuesday said, either ignoring or not catching the sarcasm from 2, "It's why I started hanging around Nowhere... until that dog spoiled one of my favorite hunting grounds," she said but then added in a grumble, "Well that and the fact Gravity Falls is practically Cipher territory."
She gave a brief shiver, "I'm sadistic, but even I have my limits."
"Cipher?" Mr. 2 echoed.
"Psychotic demon triangle from another dimension," Nate clarified.
"Yeah, dude tried to break into this dimension a few years ago and unleash a weirdness apocalypse," Lee added, "But some friends of ours beat him and turned him into a statue... er, which Lothor and the skeleton guy then stole a few weeks ago."
"What?!" Miss Tuesday demanded with a hiss, glaring as the two flinched, "Cipher actually gained a foothold?! When?! HOW?!" She demanded, her face becoming more monstrous and terrifying, causing the two to pale while Mr. 2 frowned, with any look of amusement fading away, as he was getting the feeling that Intergang had stumbled upon something big, and was wondering if this demon was such a deadly threat, why was he only hearing of it now?
"Miss Tuesday?" He questioned with a concerned look to his assigned partner, who took a deep breath before resuming her original form.
"Cipher gaining physical form in our reality would be the end of everything," she replied back with a frown, "Even the forces of Hell itself gaining control would be preferable to his madness."
Miss Tuesday, otherwise known as the Queen of the Black Puddle, explained, shaking her head.
"Hmm, I see..." Mr. 2 said, before looking toward the boys, "But if he was beat and is now just a statue..." He leaned forward with a serious look, "Would you boys happen to know what that ninja uncle of your girls and Skully wanted a new lawn ornament for?"
"Well, according to them, before Cipher got erased while in Mr. Pines' mind... long story," Nate said with a thoughtful look, "He apparently pulled out some kinda gamble to allow him to cheat death and he might not be dead."
"Of course he did..." Miss Tuesday said flatly, hardly surprised.
"Yeah, and apparently they're hoping to use the statue to find him somehow," Lee carried on, with their captors exchanging looks.
"Something tells me Zero's going to want to know about this," Mr. 2 said with a frown, crossing his arms.
"If he's even remotely the genius he claims to be, he'd better," Miss Tuesday muttered, shaking her head, "But in the meantime, we should focus on dealing with the current problem."
"Ah right, almost forgot," Mr. 2 said, turning his attention back to the boys, "Now then, tell us everything else you know about Lothor!"
"Well, he's got a creepy spaceship floating somewhere in space," Nate said.
"And a lot of ninjas and creepy monster guys working for him," Lee added.
"...And?" Mr. 2 pressed.
"Dude, that's it, they're not exactly sharing the details for their evil plans with us," Nate pointed out.
"Yeah, the only other thing we know is that the dude's dating this alien bug chick that our girlfriends don't like," Lee said, cocking his head in thought, "And also maybe a friend of ours? She was a little vague about that. Oh, and also a couple of other girls he picked up, but all we know about them is that one's goth and the other's a redhead."
"Yeah, our girls were too busy ranting about the bug lady to go into detail about the others," Nate commented.
Mr 2 and Miss Tuesday gained flat looks at that, "And I'm guessing you don't know anything about Skully either?" The former asked dryly.
"Other than the fact he's got his own collection of girls, and another of friends of ours is dating that monkey minion of his, not really," Lee replied with a shrug.
"And this is latest threat to the entire planet," Miss Tuesday said, her tone dry.
"Hey, you don't know them," Lee warned, "When they took over our town, the two of them took down a giant robot house by themselves!"
"Giant... robot... house?" Mr. 2 repeated, blinking in confusion.
"You kinda had to be there," Nate shrugged.
"Point is, they're bad dudes," Lee added.
"Yeah, so you should let us go before Lothor kicks your butt!" Nate said, trying to sound tough.
"Though if you could let us go as far away from him and his nieces as possible, that would be appreciated," Lee chimed in with a sheepish chuckle.
"Yeah, we'd really like to be able to get away from them too, while we're at it," Nate added with a forced smile. The Intergang agents exchanged a look at that.
"This is not going how I expected it to," Mr. 2 admitted.
"Agreed," Miss Tuesday said with a nod, "But regardless, we have a job to do. Take one of their faces, so that we can get close enough to strike."
"Wait, faces?!" Lee shouted as suddenly both boys paled.
"Oh God, they're going to cut off our faces and wear it like a mask!" Nate screamed, both of them recalling a scene just like that from a Jessica Rabbit horror movie as they struggled in their bonds.
"What?! NO!" Mr. 2 however looked just as horrified as them as he held up his hands and shook his head like crazy, "That isn't what we're doing!" He yelled with bulging eyes, "And did you have to phrase it like that?!" Mr. 2 added with a glare toward Tuesday, "We're criminals, not sick psychos!"
"Speak for yourself," Miss Tuesday replied dryly, ignoring the flat look that Mr. 2 gave her.
"Wait, so... what are you actually going to do to us?" Nate asked nervously.
"Nothing harmful, I assure you. Behold!" Mr. 2 declared, reaching out to lightly touch Nate's face with his right hand, before reaching up to touch his own face with the same hand - and to the boys' shock, he suddenly looked exactly like Nate.
"Impressive, right~" Mr. 2 said with Nate's face and voice, "Other shapeshifters have it easy, just a glance, but me I need to touch my target at least once before being able to use their form," Mr. 2 bragged, taking a melodramatic pose, "I like to think it makes me more of artist than others with similar abilities, though~"
"And yet you're just as egotistical as any other with those abilities," Miss Tuesday said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, like you don't brag about your powers!" Mr. 2 scoffed at her.
"I don't need to. I'm the Queen of the Black Puddle, that is what I am and speaks for itself," she snapped back at him.
"A puddle?" Lee questioned with a confused expression.
"Uhhh... how does that work?" Nate questioned.
"Thank you! It's basically the same thing as me declaring myself king of a mole hill!" Mr. 2 exclaimed, throwing his arms up in the air.
"It is not! I rule my own pocket dimension that's accessible through any body of water!" she snarled.
"Ah, but if you can enter it through any water, why specifically mention a puddle?" Mr. 2 retorted.
"It's a title! It's not meant to- ugh! Never mind! Just get out there and lure those two bimbos into our trap!" she hissed at him, face briefly distorting into a more monstrous form as she did so. With Nate and Lee paling and gulping as they noticed the sharp teeth she had, while Mr. 2 gave a scoff.
"Very well," he said, before pointing a stern finger into her face, "But no eating our guests!" He added in a stern tone.
"Ugh, fine, I won't, just go already," she waved him off. He glared at the dismissal, but turned and started to leave, only to pause and snap his fingers in realization.
"Oops, almost forgot!" he stated, before turning to Nate, "I need your clothes."
"Wait, what?" Nate exclaimed in embarrassment.
"What? I won't be very convincing if I show up looking like you but in my superior fashion sense," Mr. 2 pointed out, gesturing to his bizarre outfit.
"That's true, I suppose..." Nate said with a weirded out look at seeing himself wearing Mr. 2's crazy outfit.
"Hehe, actually kind of wish I had a camera~" Lee admitted with a snort, prompting a glare from Nate, who simply sighed.
"Let's... just try to not be weird about this," Nate pleaded.
"Nonsense, there's nothing weird at all about this," Mr. 2 said with a wave of his hand, "I'm just going to wear your clothes while pretending to be you in order to trick the alien ninjas that you and your friend are dating."
There was a moment of silence as everyone processed what he'd just said.
"Eh, okay, maybe that is a little weird," Mr. 2 admitted.
"Honestly, not as much as it probably should be," Lee stated with a shrug, "Side effect of living in Gravity Falls, I guess."
"I'm really going to have to check that place out sometime, sounds fun," Mr. 2 said with an arched brow before shaking his head, "Nonetheless, there's work to be done!" He declared as he started to remove Nate's clothing to set himself for the deception ahead.
(Later)
"I can't believe it! I was looking everywhere for you two, and you were taking part in some poker tournament, instead of doing your jobs!"
Vivi and Lothor had located her contacts, and right now the princess was tearing into them. One was a large thin man of average height, wearing a green shirt with a brown vest over it, and a green hat. The other was a bulkier man of similar height, wearing a green shirt with a brown vest over it, and a green hat.
"We're so sorry, Your Highness!" exclaimed the thin man, named Toby, "But it's just... we get very into character when we're undercover!"
"Yes, but we swear, we were still keeping an eye on things!" the bulkier man, named Abby, added with a bow.
"I should hope so," Vivi said with a huff, before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, "But that aside, do you have anything new to report?" she asked, giving them a serious look, "With this news about someone trying to incriminate my father in using Dance Powder, i'm worried we don't have much time before Intergang starts a war."
At that, the pair exchanged nervous glances.
"If they are, Your Highness, then they'll have a definite edge," Toby stated, "Over the past several days, we've ID'd several known prominent members going in and out of this casino. I think they're gathering their strength."
"Hmm, probably getting ready to make a move once the war breaks out," Lothor mused, rubbing his chin in thought.
"Yeah, that's what we're... thinking..." Abby started to say, only to trail off as he actually registered Lothor's presence and appearance, "Wait, aren't you...?"
"Yes I am, pleasure to meet you~" Lothor replied with a smirk, making Vivi sigh in annoyance.
"Desperate times, desperate measures," Vivi explained at Abby and Toby's concerned looks, "To sum up, he's agreed to help us for now, and I'll deal with the consequences once Intergang is stopped, and we prevent a war."
Vivi told them with a stern look, "Right now, we need to focus on the threat actively working against us," she said, taking on a contemplating look, "Starting with why they're focused on Crocodile's casino... you think it'd be one of the places they'd want to avoid the most."
Lothor knew exactly why they were here, but also knew that he couldn't just outright say it without exposing his meta knowledge. Hmm, though perhaps he could give things a nudge in the right direction?
"Hmm, forgive me for being so bold as to suggest this, Your Highness, but could they have possibly bought off Crocodile's compliance?" he asked, "You did make it sound like he's really not so much a hero as an opportunist."
"That's true, but even so, it seems like a big step from not fighting off an invasion under the excuse of keeping the peace to looking the other way on starting a civil war," Vivi replied, even as her brow furrowed in thought.
"But it's not impossible that Intergang gained some sort of leverage over him," she added thoughtfully with a note of concern entering her voice, "I'm no fan of the man, but for an open metahuman, he's private about his personal life."
She looked over to Lothor, "Either way, a meeting with Crocodile might be in order," she admitted reluctantly, "I was hoping to avoid involving him, but with things as they are, we'll need all the help we can get."
"Yes, that might be wise," Lothor mused, though not for the same reasons as the princess - after all, this might force Crocodile's hand and make him reveal himself.
"Well, if you want to speak with him, he's known to have an open door policy so long as he's not otherwise busy," Abby stated, "I think it's meant to sell his whole 'man of the people' image."
"Then let's go see if he is busy," Vivi said, leading the group away, not noticing that they were being watched.
"Well now, that's quite an interesting development~" Nico Robin mused to herself.
It seemed the princess would be coming straight to Zero himself, not realizing that Crocodile was the leader of Intergang.
"Poor girl has no idea what she's getting into," Robin said with a smirk, but watched the group with an analyzing gaze, particularly Lothor; of the newer threats on the block, he was the bigger unknown compared to Skeleton King. Well, with exception of this Eggman individual, and that was only because he debuted last night, and it was only thanks to contacts from Intergang being on Senior's guest list, if unknowingly, they knew about him already.
Nonetheless, Lothor was a wild card and had to be treated with caution.
Though that said, she had to admit that it really was quite a shame that they'd have to make him an enemy. Seeing him in person, she had to admit that he was quite impressive - strongly built, and every step full of subtle confidence that she found most people lacked.
Still, best not to dwell on that. She knew what had to be done if this mission was to succeed... and more importantly, if she was to finally get what she'd searched so long for.
"Sorry, Your Highness, but one country is a small price to pay compared to the rest of our world and universe," Robin said, shaking her head as she moved to contact Zero to alert him of his upcoming guests
Meanwhile, Marah and Kapri were still stalking around the casino floor, looking for their missing boyfriends.
"Ugh, where are those two idiots?" Kapri growled, "They couldn't have gotten that far this quick!"
"I dunno, I'm starting to get a little worried," Marah stated, looking to her sister in concern, "You think maybe something happened to them?"
"What do you mean?" Kapri asked with an arched brow.
"Well, Uncle's apparently helping the princess deal with a gang of dangerous criminals, and this country is on verge of civil war, so..." Marah trailed off with a frown, biting her lip.
"Oh please..." Kapri said with a roll of her eyes, but hiding her own worry, "I'd be more worried about them flirting with some skank or trying to make a run for it."
"Yeah, you're probably right," Marah said after a moment's thought, "I mean, why would any dangerous criminals want to grab them? They're cute, but they're not anything special at first look."
"Exactly," Kapri said with a nod, "Now come on, keep looking. The sooner we find them, the sooner we can punish them."
"Hey girls!" Though before they could move, they heard a voice call out and spotted the form of Nate approaching, "Found you, sorry about disappearing on you, Lee and I got lost in the crowd," Nate said with a nervous grin.
"Well it's about time," Kapri said with an annoyed huff, glaring at him.
"Where's Lee?" Marah asked with a frown, wondering why she felt like something wasn't right.
"Oh, don't worry, he'll be along, just had to use the bathroom," Nate said with a laugh.
"Again... seriously?" Kapri asked in disbelief that he was trying to use that excuse again.
"What can I say, the dude has a weak bladder," Nate said with a shrug before smirking at... Kapri?
As he moved forward and gently grabbed her hands, "But hope I didn't make you worry too much my lovely desert beauty~" He said with a wink.
"What?" Kapri blurted out. Not just because of the obvious fact that he was doing this with the wrong sister, but because neither of the boys had been this forward with them since they'd been press-ganged into dating. It was completely out of character, and was setting off alarm bells in the sisters' heads.
"Yes, I'm so very sorry, darling, I promise it won't happen again~" Nate said, leaning towards Kapri with puckered lips...
"Hey!"
Only to yelp as Marah grabbed him by the collar and yanked him over to face her.
"What do you think you're doing?! You're MY boyfriend!" she snapped.
"I am?" Nate repeated, looking confused, and then panicked as he realized his slip-up. Snarling at this, Marah reached up and slapped him hard across the left cheek.
SMACK
"OW!" Nate exclaimed, hand instinctively going up to his face... and in the process triggering the deactivation to his powers, causing "Nate" to turn back into Mr. 2.
"What the fuck?!" Kapri exclaimed.
"Oh poo... I knew there was something I was forgetting," Mr. 2 said with an embarrassed pout. How could he have forgotten to ask the lad which girl was his?! Urg, he'll never hear the end of this from the others; the first rule on infiltration was knowing your target, and in his case form.
"You... who the hell are you supposed to be?!" Kapri called out, glaring with shock at 2's true form.
"More importantly, what have you done with my boyfriend!?" Marah demanded, because as much as some people liked to call her and her sister dumb, she could add two and two together. The boys disappearing and now this creep popping up wearing her man's face! Oh, someone was about to feel a whole lot of pain for thinking they could touch her man!
"I'm afraid your boytoys are a bit tied up at the moment~" Mr. 2 declared, jumping back with a spin as he grabbed his clothing before ripping it off to reveal his usual signature outfit.
(And this trick was a lot harder than it looked to master, never mind keeping his outfit under the other clothes without getting noticed.)
"But not to worry ladies, the illustrious Mr. 2 of Intergang is here to see to your every need!" He declared with a wide dark grin.
"...You've got to be kidding," Kapri muttered, as she realized that Marah had been right about the boys getting grabbed.
"And what is with that outfit?" Marah added in disbelief.
"What's wrong with it?" Mr. 2 demanded, smug confidence sliding away to be replaced by annoyance at the question.
"Are you kidding? You look like a drunk ballerina meeting a train wreck," Kapri stated flatly.
"Well, I wouldn't expect you two to understand style and flair if it stared you in the face," Mr. 2 said with a huff, "After all, this outfit is my own personal design, and would impress Eda Mode herself!"
"I don't know who that is, but I figure even she'd say that the swan heads are too much," Marah scoffed, "And seriously, if you're going to bare your legs, at least shave them!"
"I project an all-natural look!" Mr. 2 protested.
"Not having plastic surgery to alter your looks is all-natural. This is just gross," Kapri retorted.
"Ohh like you two know anything about good fashion or looks!" Mr 2 snapped stomping his foot, "I mean just look at the ridiculous headware you both are sporting!"
"What did you just say about our hair?!" Kapri exclaimed angrily.
"Yeah, it's one thing to snatch our boyfriends..." Marah started to say, only to trail off as she suddenly remembered what they were originally talking about, "Ugh, you know what, forget about your lousy fashion sense, where are the boys?!"
"Oh, don't worry, you along with that uncle of yours will be joining them as personal guests of Intergang leader Mr. 0," Mr. 2 told them with a smug smirk that fell at Kapri's groan.
"Urg, do all you Intergang weirdos have crappy number codenames?"
With 2's brow starting to give a twitch.
"I mean, seriously, how cliche can you get?" Kapri added, rolling her eyes.
"Who cares what they call themselves! Let's just kick this guy's butt until he tells us where the boys are!" Marah snapped in annoyance.
"You can try..." Mr. 2 said, before lunging toward them with a high spin kick.
SMACK
"Huh?!" Only to exclaim in shock as Marah brought an arm up to block the blow.
WHAM
And then Kapri punched him in the face, sending him flying into a nearby slot machine, much to the surprise of the person operating it, who yelled happily as the impact made it start spilling out coins.
"How did you do that?!" Mr. 2 demanded as he got back to his feet and glared at the girls.
"Please, you think Uncle only keeps us around for the nepotism?" Kapri scoffed.
"Yeah, we probably can't handle any of the heavy hitters on this planet, but I think we can deal with you just fine," Marah said, cracking her knuckles.
"Plus, it's about time we start making a rep for ourselves anyway," Kapri added with a smirk.
"Grr, alright then. If that's how you want to play it, then let's take it up a notch!" Mr. 2 proclaimed as he launched himself at the girls, who charged forward to meet him.
(Elsewhere)
"Ah yes, an underground lair in the building he owns. Classic touch," Lothor commented as his group was led down a stairway by the attendant that they'd cornered and requested an audience with Crocodile from.
"A basement office is unusual, but I'd hardly call it a lair," Vivi replied, even as she looked around somewhat nervously. With every step, a feeling of unease was growing in her.
She wasn't exactly a sheltered princess, having both political and even some combat training under her belt, Father wouldn't have allowed her to step out of the palace much less pursue this investigation otherwise. So she wasn't naive enough to not see that something... something wasn't right. She trusted her instincts, and right now they were screaming at her.
"Lothor..." She spoke quietly, getting his attention, "You obviously have experience," She said, causing him to give a faint smirk, "So, would you happen to have any idea outside of potentially targeting him why Intergang members would risk themselves by coming to Crocodile's casino?'
"Hmm," Lothor tapped his chin in thought, wondering how best to phrase this, "Well, forgive me for potentially besmirching a national hero, but have you considered the possibility that he might be in on it?"
"What?" Vivi exclaimed, barely managing to keep her voice down, "But he's already beloved by the public and has government support. Why would he risk that to help Intergang with whatever they're plotting?"
"Maybe he's just an egotist who loves the idea of stepping in to save the day once they've accomplished their goals," Lothor replied with a shrug, "Or maybe I'm reading too much into things, and he's just a target."
Vivi bit her lips, "I'm no fan of the man, but I can't see why he would throw away everything for Intergang, what could they possibly offer him that he doesn't already have?" She asked aloud with a frown, while at the same time a part of her couldn't help but consider and analyze Lothor's suggestion.
Could Crocodile really be in league with Intergang and plotting against her country, after everything they'd given him? He'd come to them with nothing, and they'd made him one of the most prominent people in the kingdom!
But, that stirred another thought. Namely, the fact that she didn't know much of anything about Crocodile's life before he came to Alabasta. He'd just appeared during the Imperium invasion, and they'd been happy for his help, but they'd never really questioned where he'd come from. Could he have a darker past than anyone realized? The kind that could connect him to Intergang?
As she asked herself this, the group finally arrived at a set of doors.
"Here we are, Your Highness," Toby said, turning to his princess.
"This is Crocodile's personal office," Abby added with a nod.
"Good, then it's time he and I had a few words," She said, though found herself giving the door a wary look. Looking to Lothor, who nodded at her reassuringly, Vivi took a steadying breath, then stepped forward and opened the door to step into the room beyond.
"Ah, Your Highness, what a pleasant surprise! Please, come in," Crocodile called out from where he was seated behind his desk in front of a massive aquarium taking up one wall of the large room.
"Crocodile, thank you for seeing me on short notice," Vivi said, giving the man a polite nod but remaining standing with a frown as the man arched a brow at her group, "There's an urgent matter I need to discuss with you regarding a conspiracy against Alabasta."
"Oh? That is quite concerning," Crocodile stated as his gaze roamed over Vivi's group, "Though perhaps not as much as the fact that you're walking in here alongside a known supervillain."
"Don't mind me, I'm just here doing my good deed for the week, escorting the princess after saving her from some ruffians," Lothor replied melodramatically, while eying Crocodile carefully. One of the first major villains of One Piece, and arguably the most iconic of the pre-time skip era, who gave Luffy his first major defeat. Lothor knew he needed to be wary about him, but he didn't seem all that impressive in person.
Hell, if anything, he looked like a pimp! Seriously, what was the deal with that coat? Not to mention the size of the hook, was he trying to compensate for something?
However, he was brought out of these thoughts by Vivi speaking up, "Believe me, circumstances have led to unlikely allies," The princess admitted with an odd sigh, "I won't say I trust Lothor, but right now he's the lesser evil."
She told Crocodile firmly with a frown, "The kingdom is on the verge of being thrown into war at practically any moment, and Intergang is behind it all," she stated quite bluntly, crossing her arms, "I'm not sure if they're hoping to profit off it somehow, or are acting in the interest of another party."
She admitted, biting her lip slightly before shaking her head, "But what matters now isn't their motivation, it's stopping them," she said quite firmly, giving him a firm look, "And I believe you can assist Alabasta in this matter, just as you did with the Imperium years ago."
"Well, of course I'd be happy to be of service to the good of the kingdom," Crocodile replied far too calmly and in a tone that immediately had Vivi on edge, "Of course, who's to say that stopping them is what's best?"
"What?!" Vivi demanded in outrage, "How could you possibly think that?! These criminals are going to tear the country apart!"
"And one could argue that since your father was weak enough to let this revolution happen, he's not really deserving of being ruler anymore, wouldn't you say?" Crocodile replied with a smirk, "This country could use a change in leadership, if I say so myself~"
"...Son of a bitch, Lothor was right! You are working for Intergang!" Vivi exclaimed, eyes narrowing and fists clenching.
"Quite the contrary, princess - they work for me," Crocodile stated, "They have ever since I took over following that fool Mannheim's death."
Seeing red, Vivi tried to charge forward to attack the bastard who had caused so much harm to her kingdom, only for Lothor to grab her arm and restrain her.
"What are you-?" she tried to demand of her temporary ally, only to pause at the look on his face.
"Let me guess," Lothor said, eyes narrowed at Crocodile, "You're only admitting all this because you don't intend to let us walk out of this room alive?"
That immediately brought Vivi up short, as she was suddenly reminded where exactly they were and who was in charge here. And her concern only grew as Crocodile laughed.
"Well, Mr. Lothor, you're half-right," he said, "You, at least, will be leaving. Such a shame it'll only be after you've brutally assassinated the beloved princess before I could stop you~"
"You... you... fucking scum!" Vivi snapped, glaring at the man with absolute hate and loathing.
"What makes you think you'll get away with this?" Demanded Abby, raising a clenched fist.
"Yeah, you might be powerful, but Alabasta stands strong!" Toby added, with Crocodile giving a snort.
"Please, if it stood strong, it wouldn't have been so easy to turn the people against the king, now would it?" He asked with a mocking smirk, "Let's be honest, this pile of sand is long past its heyday. And once I've accomplished my goals, I'll have taken the only thing of worth it has left!"
"Which would be what, exactly?" Lothor asked, to which Crocodile scoffed.
"Is this the part where I'm supposed to reveal all the details of my evil plan?" he asked dryly.
"Well, I'd appreciate it," Lothor said, sounding perfectly friendly about it.
"Please, current circumstances aside, I'm hardly one of those moronic fools counting themselves the so-called supervillain crowd," Crocodile said with a roll of his eyes, "Alabasta is merely a means to an end, and what that is, truthfully is none of your concern."
He stated, before giving Lothor a pointed look, "Especially since you'd likely try to take my goal for yourself."
"Ooh, interesting~ Now I may have to beat the details out of you so that I can claim it as my reward from the princess for stopping you," Lothor commented with a grin.
"You know what? Kick this bastard's ass for everything he's done, and I'll give you whatever you want," Vivi spat.
"Anything? Careful, darling, I might just hold you to that~" Lothor said, giving her a smirk and a wink.
At that Vivi froze, before blushing, realizing what he was implying. But honestly, right now she was willing to do anything to save her kingdom and make this bastard pay for everything he'd done! Even... even if it meant getting into bed quite literally with another villain.
"Just..." Vivi sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, "Just deal with him... and we'll talk about it, okay?" she said, her voice strained with embarrassment.
"Hehe, this is turning out to be my lucky day~" Lothor chuckled as he stepped forward, while Crocodile arched an eyebrow and the two spies exchanged looks.
"Uh, is this something we should be worried about?" Toby muttered to Abby, gesturing to Vivi and Lothor.
"Probably... but I think we should focus on the bigger problem right now," Abby replied, watching as Lothor closed the distance towards Crocodile's desk.
"So, care to give up easily, or are you going to give me a work out?" Lothor asked.
"How about option C?" Crocodile asked calmly, before raising his voice, "Miss All-Sunday, if you'd be so kind as to restrain our unruly guests?"
"As you wish, Mr. 0~" a female voice replied, before hands suddenly burst out of the floor to grab the group's legs, and even more shockingly out of their torsos to grab their arms.
"What the hell?!" Vivi exclaimed.
"Sorry, Your Highness, but I'm afraid your little adventure with your new boyfriend ends now~" Spoke out the amused voice of Nico Robin as she entered the room behind them with crossed arms, "Nothing personal by the way, just business."
She added with a faint smirk.
"Urg... you... won't get away with this!" Vivi snapped, straining against the arms holding her.
"This is so creepy!" Toby exclaimed with wide eyes.
"Hmm, interesting. Magic, or some sort of metaphysical ability?" Lothor asked, genuinely curious. After all, as far as he knew, Devil Fruits didn't exist in this reality.
"Sorry handsome, but a lady needs to have some secrets~" Robin replied with a smirk, intrigued by how calm Lothor was acting. Most people she got in this situation acted more like... well, more like the princess' two little spies, who were freaking out over the disembodied hands holding them.
"Well, I'd certainly love to try and get them out of you~" Lothor replied, eyes openly roaming over Robin as he took in her shapely form.
"Are you seriously flirting with her right now?!" Vivi exclaimed in disbelief... and oddly, a bit of personal annoyance. After all, he'd just been implying that he wanted to sleep with her, now he was bantering with this hussy? It wasn't like she wanted to spread her legs for him, but at the same time this was insulting, to say the least!
"Heh, no need to be jealous, Your Highness~" Robin teased with a smirk, "Men just prefer mature women with experience instead of sheltered little princesses~" she said, knowing that comment would get under the princess's skin, and considering how her face turned red it certainly hit the mark.
"Grrr, would you just do something! You're supposed to be some kinda ninja, right?!" Vivi ordered and demanded out of Lothor in annoyance.
"Very true, I suppose the time for games has passed," Lothor said with a sigh, before glancing at Robin again, "I suppose I should apologize for this in advance."
"Apologize for what-?" Robin tried to say, only for Lothor hands to start crackling with energy before they bent up to grab the hands holding his upper arms.
"AAAHHH!" Robin screamed in pain transmitted from those hands, stumbling backwards. Her concentration broken, this caused the conjured hands to dissolve into flower petals, freeing the captives.
Not giving anyone a chance to process what had just happened, Lothor thrust his fists out, sending energy blasts at Robin and Crocodile, both of whom had to jump out of the way.
"I had a feeling it wouldn't be that easy," Robin said with a firm frown.
"It'll make it all the more satisfying when I hear his dying gasp then," Crocodile said with a dark scowl, raising up his hook.
"Remember, we do still need him around to pin the princess's tragic fate on," Robin reminded him, with Crocodile rolling his eyes.
"Like I would forget my own plan," he remarked as his body turned into sand and surged toward Lothor in a twister.
Lothor held up an arm to protect his face from the sand roughly blowing around him as the twister picked him up and tossed him through the air towards a wall. However, if this had been meant to harm him, it failed, as rather than slamming against the hard stone on his back, he twisted in the air to hit it with his feet, bouncing off to land casually on the floor.
"Is that all you've got?" he asked dryly. In reply, Crocodile rematerialized in front of Lothor and slashed at him with his hook, which Lothor jumped back to dodge.
"Now that's more like it~" Lothor replied with a smirk, dashing forward to meet Crocodile.
Meanwhile, Robin watched all this, considering her move. Deciding to try and at least stumble Lothor to give Crocodile an opening, she raised her arms-
SLING
"Argh!"
And then one of Vivi's ring blades flew through the air and slashed across her back.
"Forget about me?" the princess demanded icily.
"Hardly," Robin said with a chuckle, idly watching as the princess spun her weapon with a small easy smile.
"Toby, Abby, get out of here, send word to my father!" Vivi ordered her two contacts.
"But princess..." Toby protested.
"No buts, that's a royal order!" Vivi yelled as she lunged forward, lashing out with her ring blade, with a wall made out of arms forming out of the ground in front of Robin, who gave a smirk.
"Let's see if the princess can play with the big girls, shall we~"
"Bring it on, bitch," Vivi growled as she cut her way through the wall of arms, charging towards Robin.
Meanwhile, Lothor and Crocodile were still trading blows, the energy crackling around Lothor's fists as he punched actually making Crocodile grunt in pain even as the blows failed to do any physical damage to his sand body.
"How are you even doing that?" he demanded angrily as he swung his hook again, barely missing Lothor's head as he leaned back.
"Ancient space ninja magic," Lothor replied, only half-sarcastically, as he wasn't actually sure how his abilities worked, "How about you? What made you a sandman?"
"Do you ask all your enemies about their powers?" Crocodile asked dryly as he stepped back, momentarily ceasing his attacking as he considered his next move.
"Only when I'm genuinely curious," Lothor replied with a shrug, also backing off for a moment, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Let's just say I took a gamble that paid off immensely," Crocodile said with a smirk toward Lothor.
"Oh, you do love being vague, don't you?" Lothor chuckled, "Ah well, since I'm sure the royal family's interrogators will want a word with you once you're in their dungeon, perhaps I can have them get the answers out of you."
"Tch, you really are determined to play the hero here, aren't you?" Crocodile spat.
"Hero? No, just a pragmatist," Lothor waved off, "But enough chitchat, let's get back to it."
"Hehe... I was just thinking the same!" Crocodile yelled, thrusting out his hand, ending a cyclone of stand straight at Lothor's face.
"Ugh!" Lothor grunted, as he barely managed to get his arms up in time to protect his face; mask-covered or not, he couldn't afford to let it get sand-blasted, especially with his eyes and mouth still exposed.
WHACK
And then while he was distracted by that, Crocodile darted forward and kneed him hard enough to send him flying into a wall, which cracked from the impact.
"Ready to surrender?" Crocodile asked with a sneer... only to blink as Lothor started laughing.
"Are you joking? This is shaping up to be the best fight I've had since coming to this planet!" he cackled as he got back to his feet, before dashing forward and punching Crocodile right in the jaw. With the man actually leaning into the punch, seeming to grunt with a grimace.
"Really now...?" He smirked as he lashed out, grabbing Lothor's arm, "Glad I'm not disappointing~" he said with a dark grin as he started to drain the moisture out of the arm.
"Ugh!" Lothor growled in pain as his arm started to dry out. Dammit, how'd he forget about this ability of Crocodile's?
Well, fortunately he still remembered how to counter it, along with this annoying bastard in general! But first thing's first... Rearing back with his other fist, he charged it with energy and slammed it into Crocodile's chest.
WHAM
Which sent Crocodile flying, breaking his grip on Lothor's arm in the process. Clutching his withered arm to his chest, Lothor then bolted towards the aquarium, chambering a kick as he skidded to a stop in front of the glass.
"Vivi! Brace yourself!" he called out.
"Huh?" Vivi looked up from trying to slash at Robin, only to see what was about to happen, "Oh, shit!"
SMASH
And then, before anyone could react, Lothor kicked the glass, shattering it and causing the water within to come flooding out.
"Dammit!" Crocodile snarled, before barking out an order, "All-Sunday!"
"Already on it..." Robin said, while creating a large wall of limbs to block out the rushing water in an attempt to shield Crocodile, while also using the chance to sprout and grab onto Vivi's legs while she was distracted, before lashing out with a kick.
"What... urg!"
Knocking the princess down, and the next thing Vivi knew, hands sprouted right next to her, grabbing ahold of her neck.
"Enjoy the swim, princess~" Robin said, while a massive column of hands lifted her up into the air above the onrushing water.
For her part, Vivi tried desperately to pull herself free, but she couldn't break the grip of the conjured hands, and her eyes widened in fear as the water came over her. And then her vision blanked out as she found herself struggling to breathe, water filling her lungs.
Oh God, she was going to die, wasn't she? She was going to drown here, and then those bastards were going to destroy her home, and it would be all her fault...
"GASP!"
And then she was bolting upright, desperately taking in deep breaths and coughing up water.
"Ah, ah, what?" she stuttered, looking around in confusion and seeing that she was lying on the stairs leading down to the now flooded office. More importantly, Lothor was seated next to her, helping her sit up.
"Careful now, deep breaths," he said, "I'm sorry, I didn't think you'd get caught up in it like that."
"I... I'm fine," she managed to gasp out, feeling her lungs clearing, "T-thank you for saving me... wait, did you give me CPR?"
"Sorry you couldn't be awake for the mouth-to-mouth, but maybe next time," he said teasingly as he helped her to her feet.
With Vivi flushing at his words and the realization of what he did to... save her life... she was in his debt once again, it seemed.
"Sigh... are you going to flirt with me the entire time we're working together?" She asked, but found herself giving a small smirk nonetheless, while her cheeks felt warm. Her reply was a smirk from Lothor, though before he could say anything...
SPLASH
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHH!"
A large form rose from the waters of the flooding office, gazing hungrily up at them.
"It's a banana gator!" Vivi yelled in horrified shock, seeing one the largest, most dangerous predators in the world. A species that had been discovered decades past, with quite a few theories on the origins of the species, from it being a natural mutation of sorts akin to metahumans, to the results of some mad scientist's experiment.
Whatever their origin, they were without a doubt one of the most deadly creatures on the planet, with work being done to make sure the creatures didn't destroy any ecosystems they found themselves in, due to lack of natural predators, or over eating on any prey that found its way in their sights.
And right now, it's sights were set on them!
Lothor, however, didn't seem intimidated.
"Oh good, I could use some new leather boots," he said with a smirk, cracking his knuckles and stepping forward as the banana gator loomed over them.
"Lothor, wait!" Vivi tried to call out to him-
WHACK
Only to stare in shock as he punched the gator right in its banana-shaped snout, sending the beast flying back into the office. And incidentally, right towards Crocodile, who Robin was helping out of her protective barrier for him. Seeing the incoming gator, Robin's eyes widened, and she shoved Crocodile aside before diving out of the way herself, leaving the gator to slam back into the aquarium.
"Well, that was easy," Lothor said, dusting his hands off before turning to a stunned Vivi, "Still, we should probably fall back for now, don't you think?"
"Ah, yes..." Vivi said, nodding in stunned silence. Logically, she knew Lothor had to be strong to match his skill level, but she didn't think he was that strong!
A part of her couldn't help but wonder how his skill or strength would compare on the scale to Batman or Superman, but she shook her head, gaining back focus.
"Quickly! We need to move before more of his men arrive!" she called, already turning to flee from the flooding room, with Lothor following right after.
"Well then... this might be trickier than we thought," Leaving Nico Robin and Crocodile alone in the room.
"It's an unwanted complication, but it doesn't matter," The man stood up with a grunt, scowling darkly at the prone groaning form of his pet, "Send out the order..." He narrowed his eyes with a dark glare, "Operation Utopia begins immediately."
"Yes sir," Robin replied, while glancing in the direction that Vivi and Lothor had fled.
Meanwhile, said pair were running back up the stairs, bursting back out onto the casino floor.
"Come on, we'll gather my forces so we can strike back," Lothor said, looking around cautiously, expecting an ambush at any second.
"What about your nieces?" Vivi asked. Lothor frowned and opened his mouth to reply-
"AAAHHH!!!"
-And then a screaming Mr. 2 went flying through the air, Marah and Kapri right after him.
"Ha! Not so tough now, are you?!" Kapri laughed as they pursued their enemy.
"Tell us where the boys are, and we'll go easier on you!" Marah added.
"...Found them," Lothor stated dryly, taking in the unusual sight.
"Well... that's not something you see every day," Vivi remarked with a blink, watching as Lothor's nieces terrorized perhaps the most oddly dressed man she'd ever seen, before shaking her head, "We can't afford to waste time, we need to leave immediately."
"Agreed," he replied, before raising his voice, "Girls, stop playing around, it's time to go!"
"But Uncle, this creep kidnapped our boyfriends!" Kapri protested.
"Yeah, and then did a shit job impersonating Nate!" Marah added.
"Hey now!" Mr. 2 protested, sounding genuinely offended, "I admit I somehow overlooked one key fact in my eagerness, but other than that, my act was flawless!"
"Flawless? Buddy, please, Marah's boyfriend couldn't be that flirty or romantic if he tried," Kapri said with a snort, rolling her eyes.
"Hey! He so could!" Marah protested, sending her sister a glare.
"Yeah, sure, and Uncle will give up world conquest to run for mayor in some backwater town," Kapri said with a mocking smirk, though as the two were distracted, Mr. 2 was slowly entering a crouch, narrowing his eyes. This fight hadn't been going well... though that was more on him, if anything. He'd underestimated these two and was performing sloppily... but now...
"Time to get serious," Mr. 2 stated firmly, before launching straight to the girls as they were distracted, spinning out in a twister as he stuck out one leg for a deadly attack.
SMACK
"AAHHH!" the girls screamed as the blow connected with Marah, slamming her into Kapri and sending them both flying across the room.
"Ha! Who's laughing now?!" Mr. 2 laughed, only to gag as Lothor suddenly grabbed him by the throat.
"Not you," Lothor said flatly, before picking Mr. 2 up and tossing him in the other direction. However, Mr. 2 performed a spin mid air, and with a handspring to the floor, landed on one foot with the other foot pointing threateningly toward Lothor.
"Well, that's just rude!" Mr. 2 said with an affronted look, "Don't you know it's impolite to cut in on another person's dance?"
He said, raising his hands and assuming a crane position, "Perhaps I should teach you some manners and punish you like the bad boy you are~" he added in a giggle, shooting Lothor a wink
Lothor just gave him a flat look at that.
"First of all, I'm straight," he stated bluntly, "Secondly, even if I did swing that way, I'm afraid I'm always the one on top."
"Didn't need to know that," Vivi muttered, rolling her eyes... and then her cheeks started burning as a whole bunch of images suddenly popped into her head in response to what she'd heard.
No, no, no, she thought frantically as she shoved those thoughts aside. She was not going to start fantasizing about the supervillain she was only allied with out of convenience!
"Well, that's a pity, but maybe I can..." Mr. 2 started to say, only to pause as Miss All-Sunday's voice came over his comms.
"All rank agents, fall back. We are initiating Operation Utopia," she declared. Hearing this, Mr. 2 frowned, but shrugged.
"Sorry, handsome, but it seems I'll have to call a raincheck," he stated. And before Lothor could react, he'd jumped up and backflipped to disappear into the crowd that had gathered to watch the unfolding fight.
"Hmm, that can't be a good sign," Lothor muttered, not wasting time chasing after the shapeshifter, who had probably already altered his appearance.
"It's starting..." Vivi murmured in realization with a worried look, "Now that his cover's blown, whatever Crocodile is planning is being put into action!" she exclaimed, looking toward Lothor, "We need to warn my father immediately!"
"Agreed," Lothor said with a nod, having a pretty good what was going to happen, "Girls! Let's go!"
"But, the boys..." Kapri tried to protest as she and Marah got back to their feet.
"We'll come back for them later, we don't have time for this!" he snapped. And the look he sent them made it clear that he wasn't taking no for answer.
"They better be okay..." Marah grumbled but gave a conceding nod.
"I'm so going to break the assholes' bones for thinking they could touch our men," Kapri added with a scowl as she followed the two, "But where the heck are we going now?" she asked, frowning.
"Yeah, what's the plan, Uncle?" Marah asked with a curious look.
"The plan is, we head straight to the capital and warn the king what's happening. Hopefully while there's still time to stop it," he replied, even as he started leading his nieces and Vivi out of the room. As they walked, he pulled out his communicator and activated it, "Zurgane, Terramole, meet us at the city limits, we're heading out immediately."
"Yes master... though I've had a slight complication on my end," the samurai replied, making Lothor arch an eyebrow.
"What complication?" he demanded.
(Elsewhere)
"It would seem the enemy took offense to our presence," Zurgane explained, glaring across the wrecked marketplace he was standing in at the person he'd just been fighting for several minutes, a tall tanned man with large muscles and a shaven head. Most notably, the edges of his arms were metallic and shaped like blades, though those were drawing back into flesh as he stepped away.
"Apologies that we can't finish this now," Mr. 1 stated, "But I promise you, that you won't walk away next time."
"We shall see," Zurgane growled, clenching his sword hilt. This was the first worthy fight he'd had since he'd gotten to this planet, and he wanted desperately to finish it, but he knew better than to disobey his master.
"Terramole, what about you?" Lothor asked.
"Ah, just a moment, sir," the monster replied over the comms, while right at the edge of the city-
BOOM
-an underground explosion sent up a geyser of dirt as two figures shot up into the air. One was Terramole, the other was a stout middle-aged woman with red hair and notably mole-like features.
"Yeah, that's right, you better run!" Miss Merry Christmas yelled at a rapid pace as they hit the ground several yards apart.
This was a new experience for Terramole - usually the underground was his territory, this was the first time with facing a enemy who could burrow almost as well as him.
"Seems the enemies got quite a digger on their side, and while she's old, she's determined," He called over the comms.
"Old!?" Miss Merry Christmas demanded in fury, having caught that comment, "Who are you calling old?! Huh, huh, huh?! I'm in my prime!"
"I'll take your word for it," Terramole said dryly, which just made her angrier.
"Grrr, 4! Blast him!" Miss Merry Christmas yelled.
"Okay..." a slow voice drew Terramole's attention to the other side of the field they were in, to see a very tall and fat blonde man in a green outfit standing a few yards away, holding a huge metal baseball bat.
"Lassoo, fast ball..." Mr. 4 slowly said to what appeared to be a machine of some kind with a dog head and limbs attached to it, which was facing him from a spot midway between him and his onlookers. In response, the dog barked, before coughing up a baseball that flew through the air towards Mr. 4, who swung at it with his bat. It connected, sending it flying towards Terramole, who scoffed at the pitiful attack.
BOOM
Until it connected and promptly exploded, sending him flying.
"Hahaha! How'd you like that?!" Miss Merry Christmas laughed, "You're just lucky we've got orders to fall back, or we'd finish you off now, jerk! 4, let's go!"
"Urg... that all you got... I've dealt with worse from... mentally unstable greenskeepers!" Terramole yelled out with a groan as he got up with a slight wobble while rubbing his head.
"Yeah, well, come after us and we'll hit you with way worse than that!" Miss Merry Christmas called out, before diving back into the ground and burrowing away, while Mr. 4 ran off at a surprisingly quick pace for his size, Lassoo at his heels.
"Ugh, I'm going to enjoy crushing them," Terramole growled.
"Never mind that, just meet up with us," Lothor ordered over the comms.
"Understood, sir," Terramole replied, before diving into the ground and started to tunnel to the rendezvous.
He was a loyal soldier and would obey orders... but he was already plotting what he'd do when he came across those two again, especially the woman.
There could be only one master of the underground, after all.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And there you go, my/Lothor's group is now openly in conflict with Crocodile's Intergang, while Nate and Lee's bad luck continues as they find themselves being held prisoner by Miss Tuesday, aka the Queen of the Black Puddle from Courage the Cowardly Dog. Coincidence that Courage is also present while one of his foes is nearby? Nope, but you'll have to wait and see on that angle~
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hope you like the first taste of conflict with Crocodile and his men, as well as the surprise twists we threw in not only Courage and the Bagges being in Alabasta, but a old enemy of courage among intergang ranks. What will happen next? Please keep reading to find out.
Chapter 28: Alabasta, Part 3
Summary:
While everyone else is dealing with the conflict between Lothor and Intergang, Nate and Lee have to get themselves out of their own situation.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hey everyone we're back with another chapter for the Alabasta arc, this time focusing on a little side adventure centered around this fics Bulk and Skull, and one of everyone's favorite cowardly dogs~ A adventure where they try their best to avoid becoming a meal, will they succeed? Lets find out!
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Welcome back, everyone. Like Night said, we're taking a slight detour from the action for a fun little side story we set up for our resident pair of very unlucky idiots, as well as a beloved canine icon. Hope you all enjoy it!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Ugh, I'm going to enjoy crushing them," Terramole growled.
"Never mind that, just meet up with us," Lothor ordered over the comms.
"Understood, sir," Terramole replied, before diving into the ground and started to tunnel to the rendezvous.
He was a loyal soldier and would obey orders... but he was already plotting what he'd do when he came across those two again, especially the woman.
There could be only one master of the underground, after all.
(Back at Rain Dinners)
Though as Operation: Utopia was being kicked off by Intergang, and Lothor's group was regrouping, one particular dog following his instincts was investigating Rain Dinners.
"I know there's something rotten going on, or my name's Stinky McDumpster, and thank goodness it's not," Courage stated aloud with a frown. With Muriel enjoying the buffet and Eustace busy at the slots, the dog had taken the chance to sneak off to see if he could find some answers. He wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea of leaving Muriel alone, but his instincts were screaming at him that something was up, and he was determined to find out what.
The fact he had caught a scene that seemed too familiar certainly supported it... only problem was, he couldn't quite figure out why it was familiar.
He'd seen two guys grabbed and dragged off by a woman, which was disturbing enough on its own, but there was something strikingly familiar about the woman. He hadn't gotten a good look at her, but Courage swore he knew her from somewhere. Combined with the clear abduction happening, Courage knew that something was wrong, and he had a gut feeling that he needed to figure it out.
Which left him in the back rooms of Rain Dinners, going through a hallway of doors to get those answers.
"Let's see, maybe this one," he said, reaching up to open it, only to get a room of feminine screeches, "Whoops! Sorry!"
He called, before quickly slamming the door shut with a blush, "Hehe... dressing room for dancers," He said with a quiet chuckle, feeling steam leave his ears, "Hmm, maybe this one..."
He said, walking down farther the hall, with him picking up the scent a bit stronger, carefully opening and peeking in it.
"So... are you like some kinda evil siren or something?" Lee asked, currently still tied to the chair right next to Nate, who was tied as well but in his boxers.
"You could say that," Miss Tuesday said with a slight amused smirk, before pausing and raising her hand to her ear.
"Yes, Miss All-Sunday... understood," she said, bringing her hand down with an evil smile, "So, time to bring Utopia to Alabasta... and time to feast~" she said, her smile becoming more fang-like as her eyes let out an evil glow, causing the boys to feel a chill as they gulped.
"Uhhh, don't suppose that means it's time to let us go?" Nate asked with a nervous chuckle.
"No, it means it's time for my appetizer," Miss Tuesday replied, warping into her monster form.
"Hey, wait a minute, the other guy said to not eat us!" Lee protested.
"What Mr. 2 doesn't know won't hurt him~" she replied with a laugh, stepping closer to them... and then Courage, who had been leaning forward to get a closer look, stumbled and fell into the room, catching everyone's attention.
For a moment, there was surprised silence, and then Miss Tuesday's eyes widened in recognition.
"You!" she snarled at the dog who had denied her from eating for the first time ever. For his part, Courage also recognized the Queen of the Black Puddle, and reacted accordingly.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" he screamed loudly.
"I will wring your flesh from your bones while making your screams my side dish as I devour your soul!" the Queen of the Black Puddle bellowed as she lunged toward the dog, who jumped out of the way, with her slamming into the wall... outside the door.
SLAM
Which Courage promptly slammed shut, before locking and attempting to grab whatever he could to barricade it. Which happened to include the chairs holding the now very confused Nate and Lee.
"Uh, what's happening?" Nate asked with a blink.
"I don't know, but she really seems to not like this dog," Lee commented, looking down on Courage as he continued to stack the barricade.
"I WILL DEVOUR YOU SLOWLY! YOUR SCREAMS OF SUFFERING WILL BE MY LULLABY FOR EONS TO COME!" The quite literal roar of fury that followed that statement was enough to prove and emphasize it.
"Hey, uh, little dude? Think you can get us loose?" Lee asked Courage. Blinking as the comment got through his haze of panic, Courage looked at the boys, suddenly remembering that they were there.
"Oh, right," he muttered to himself, before running over to chew through their restraints, freeing them.
"Ah, thanks man, appreciate it," Lee said.
"Yeah, we owe you big," Nate said, though Courage gave him a bit of an awkward look considering the teen was in his boxers.
"Now... what do we do about the crazy demon who wants to eat us?" Lee questioned with a nervous look, with the angry howls and bangs from the Queen of the Black Puddle emphasizing the stakes here.
"Beats me. We ain't exactly fighters like the girls or their uncle," Nate said, with Lee giving a groan, "Really starting to wish we had something to call for help with."
"Yeah, we... wait, do you hear that?" Nate asked. Lee and Courage blinked and cocked their heads, trying to hear what he did.
"I don't hear anything," Lee said.
"Exactly. I think she stopped," Nate commented, looking to the barricaded door, beyond which they could no longer hear the Queen's screeches or her pounding at the door in an attempt to get in.
"Did she leave?" Lee asked. Nate opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, he was cut off with a wince as a loud bell started ringing, followed by the sprinklers in the ceiling going off.
"What the-? Who pulled the fire alarm?!" Nate exclaimed. While he and Lee tried to cover themselves, Courage looked to the rapidly-forming puddles on the floor and gulped.
"Uh-oh," he whimpered, as one particular puddle quickly turned black.
"I must admit..." The Queen's voice came out as a haunting chilling echo as she rose slowly out of the water, "When I learned that Zero had lured your family here in order to question them, it took all my restraint not to consume you."
She let out a feral growl, "But now that you're right here in front of me..." she glared at the quivering Courage, "Nothing will stop me from finally teaching you the price for making an enemy out of the Queen of the Black Puddle!" she hissed, with Courage giving a gulp.
"I think I liked you better when you didn't talk!" He squeaked back with a whimper.
"Now, prepare to suffer!" the Queen snarled, lunging forward.
WHACK
And then Nate grabbed one of the chairs from the barricade and smacked her in the face with it, sending her stumbling back.
"That's for letting the creepy ballet guy take my clothes!" he declared.
...
...
...
Stunned silence filled the room, before the Queen slowly turned her head toward Nate.
"I'm going to pick my teeth with your spine," she stated, quite matter-of-factly. However, before she could make a move-
WHACK
She was hit by the other chair barricading the door as Courage grabbed and threw the rest of the junk at her.
Squeak
Mr. 2's lucky rubber swan.
BAM
A coat hanger.
WHACK
A large history book on Alabasta.
"Arg, accursed..."
SHATTER
And an exotic lamp.
"RUN AWAY!" Courage screamed out flinging the door wide open
"Come on man, follow the dog!" Lee said, grabbing Nate by the arm and dragging him out of the room.
"Don't have to tell me twice!" Nate said, rushing after his friend and Courage.
"RRAAAAGGGHHH! Get back here!" the Queen shrieked as she charged out of the room after them, ignoring the crackling in her earpiece.
"Miss Tuesday, where are you?" Robin's voice demanded, "We need to leave immediately for the operation-"
"Fuck your operation! I will have my vengeance!" the Queen screamed, tearing the earpiece out and tossing it aside as she pursued her prey.
Elsewhere, Robin arched an eyebrow at the response, and turned to a frowning Crocodile with a deadpan look.
"I think Miss Tuesday just tendered her resignation," she said flatly.
"Dammit, we don't have time for this," Crocodile growled, shaking his head, "Fine, we don't need her to carry out the plan. But dispatch the Unluckies to deal with her; the last thing we need is a loose end running around."
"Will do, sir, but..." Nico Robin raised a skeptical brow, "You sure they're equipped enough to handle this particular rogue agent? After all, if you recall, I did advise AGAINST recruiting her, after you became aware of her existence, for a reason."
"Now is not the time for I-told-you-so's! Just do it!" Crocodile snarled. Robin, unaffected by the anger, just shrugged.
"As you say, sir," she said, turning to walk off and carry out the command.
"It's just one thing after another..." Crocodile muttered with a scowl, leaving him standing alone on a sand hill outside of Rainbase, "Are there any other complications that would like to show up to annoy me?"
He grunted with a grimace, before pausing as a voice spoke out.
"Having troubles, little Croc?" A feminine voice asked with cruel amusement as the sand in front of him began to rise and form into the shape of a humanoid figure.
"Of course, when it rains it pours, and in a drought no less," Crocodile said with a scowl of annoyance.
"Nothing that can't be handled easily enough," He said to the figure with a firm look, "Rest assured, you'll get your part of the bargain."
"Best that we do," the figure replied, "We raised you up and gave you power, Crocodile. And we can take it away just as easily... assuming, of course, that you live to walk away from this fight~"
"Please, if that so-called ninja could actually harm me, I doubt he would have held back," Crocodile scoffed.
"Oh, not him~" the figure laughed, "Never underestimate the fury of an angry young woman~"
"The princess?" Crocodile said, his tone disbelieving as he shook his head, "I think your age is catching up with you. After all, she's nothing but a pampered brat playing a dangerous game."
He said, staring at his benefactor unflinchingly, "Matter of fact, the only reason she still breathes is because of her new ally," The man said with an annoyed scowl.
"Hmm, take heed Crocodile, underestimating your enemy, especially when she comes from that cursed bloodline, will be your undoing," The figure spoke with a grave tone.
"Remind again, what exactly is your grudge against the Nefertaris again?" Crocodile asked with an arched brow.
"Let's just say, had her ancestors not interfered, the world as you know it would be a very different place. For it was the Nefertaris who defeated us, so long ago," the figure replied, "Like you, we made the mistake of underestimating them, thinking they were weak and pampered royals. But we were wrong, and now are just shadows of our previous selves, because of them."
"And because you made that mistake back in a time when rulers were expected to be warriors, you think it's going to happen to me?" Crocodile scoffed, "I think you've grossly misjudged the situation."
"We shall see," the figure stated, before vanishing back into the sand without another word.
"Magic users... always have to be so dramatic," Crocodile said with an eye roll and look of disdain. He enjoyed his powers immensely, but if there was an annoying thing, it was how it left him powerless and in debt to the ones that granted him these abilities... however, Pluton would change all that.
"Time to turn the sand red," Crocodile said as his form turned into that of a twister of sand as he began to conjure and form into a massive sandstorm.
And as he led the storm in the direction of his target, Crocodile failed to notice the eye on a nearby sand dune, which had been observing him the whole time, and which dissolved into flower petals as he left.
"Interesting," Nico Robin mused to herself as she opened her real eyes, standing several dunes over, "I knew you were keeping something about your goals from me. Though I suppose this raises new questions about these apparent benefactors of yours, and what they want themselves."
"Either way, this could be a complication for my own agenda," Robin said with a sigh. After all, despite the determination for her own goal and how she was willing to sacrifice Alabasta for it that, it didn't mean she trusted Crocodile. After all, while she was working towards a greater good, that man was clearly only interested in power for its own sake. He was scum, pure and simple, and frankly she just saw him as a means to an end.
When the time was right, she'd have to dispose of him. Call it her small way of making amends for all that she'd done while working alongside him in pursuit of her goals.
But for now, she needed to play her part for Operation Utopia to secure the information she was seeking.
(Meanwhile, back at Rain Dinners)
"Run away, run away, run away!" Courage yelled as he, Nate and Lee continued to flee through the casino's halls, the Queen of the Black Puddle right behind them.
"I will devour your hearts and swallow your souls!" she shrieked.
"Where does she come up with this stuff?" Lee asked.
"Who cares, man, keep going!" Nate yelled at his friend.
Needless to say, the the boys and dog were not having a good time, with it reaching the point the former two would prefer an angry Lothor over this; at least he wouldn't eat them alive!
As for the latter... well, the small part of him not overwhelmed by panic couldn't help but groan that this was another addition to his family's long list of bad vacations. If not for the fact that this stuff was just as likely to happen at home, he'd swear vacations off altogether!
But that was something to worry about later. Right now, he had to get away from this monster before it ate him!
"I think the casino floor's this way!" Nate told them as they ran for their lives, "Maybe we can get some help!" He added with a desperate edge, willing to take anyone, from Lothor and Skeleton King to a Justice League member, or even that crazy dude who took his clothes. Anyone, as long as they didn't get eaten!
"Where's a superhero where you need one, dude?!" Called out Lee with a groaning pant.
"Tell me about it," Courage chimed in with his own groan as they made a right turn down the hall.
Seeing a door up ahead, they bolted towards it and forced it open, slamming it shut behind them.
WHAM
"This didn't save you last time, it won't save you now!" the Queen snarled, the door shaking as she clawed at it.
"We don't have a lot of time," Nate commented, looking around and seeing that they'd apparently ended up in a coat closet, clothes of all kinds hanging from hangers and racks around them. And despite his fear from the howls of rage from the Queen of the Black Puddle promising their death and suffering, Courage's eyes lit up when he saw all the clothes as he was hit with a crazy idea that might just be crazy enough to work.
Lee and Nate exchange bewildered looks as Courage suddenly grab onto and started throwing outfits all over the place.
"Is now really the time to upgrade your look, dude?" Lee asked with a grunt, straining against the door. However, Courage ignored him before letting out a shout of triumph as he threw a pair of outfits toward Lee and Nate. The two blinked and looked at the clothes they were now holding onto, a pair of fancy tuxedos.
"I mean, I'm glad to get dressed again, but it's not really my style," Nate said, causing Courage to groan and facepalm.
"Just put them on!" Courage demanded, just as another screech of fury from the Queen sounded out, "ARRRG! I'LL BATHE IN YOUR BLOOD!"
"Then again, nothing wrong with looking stylish," Nate said with a gulp, him and Lee figuring if the dog had a plan, might as well go along with it.
Soon, they had pulled the outfits on, Courage even managing to find a bowtie and sunglasses for himself. And then, just as they finished getting dressed, the Queen managed to kick the door down.
"Now, I shall-!" she started to shriek, only to be cut off by Courage.
"Excuse me, ma'am, important high rollers, coming through!" he declared, grabbing Nate and Lee and dragging them past the Queen.
"Oh, sorry," she said, letting them go past her before she stomped into the room they'd vacated. However, a moment later, she paused as she realized what had just happened.
"What am I doing?!" she yelled, mind belatedly catching up with the fact that those "high rollers" had been her prey. Snarling, she spun around, only to see that they'd vanished from sight.
Meanwhile, the boys and Courage had slipped through another door while the Queen had been momentarily distracted.
"I can't believe that worked," Lee said, stunned.
"Don't question it dude, just be happy we're that lucky," Nate said with a sigh of relief, but Courage jerked them forward, quite aware that wouldn't trick the Queen for long.
The three made their way down the short hallway they found themselves in, soon coming across another door. Hoping that this was an exit, or at least a way to the main floor, they pulled it open, only to be greeted by a midsized room, with a bunch of people seated around a large table, apparently playing cards.
"Welcome, gentlemen," a man in a butler's uniform said as he approached them, "I assume you're here for the exclusive high rollers-only poker tournament?"
"Well, actually-" Lee started to say, only to freeze at the echoing sound of the Queen's screeches from way too close, "Yes, yes we are!"
"We are?" Nate asked, looking to him in confusion, only to get elbowed in the side.
"Of course we are! That's why we're in here, instead of back out there!" Lee said quickly with a strained smile.
"Ah, right!" Nate said with a look of realization and sharing the strained smile, "After all, why else would be here?" He said, with Courage giving a rapid nod, "Uh huh, uh huh."
"Then right this way, gentleman, the game's about to begin," The man in front of them said as he gestured for them to follow.
"Do you know how to play poker?" Nate muttered to Lee.
"Sort of? I'm more worried about what we're supposed to play with, considering we don't have any cash," Lee replied.
As the boys tried to figure out a plan, Courage looked warily around, before his eyes landed on a familiar figure at the high roller table.
"I'm ready to get rich, rich, rich!" Cackled the form of Eustace Bagge with a greedy smile.
He'd been even luckier than he'd hoped~ He'd been on a winning streak, and had impressed the casino management so much that he'd been invited to join this private game. Not that he cared much about how exclusive it was, he just wanted to make even more money!
"Sorry to disappoint, old man, but I'm the only one walking away with fuller pockets from this match~" said another person at the table, a blonde woman with an open purple coat over a low-cut white shirt revealing the top of the largest breasts that Courage had ever seen.
"Oh man, that's Mai Valentine," Nate whispered with a hint of awe.
"Who?" Lee asked with a confused expression.
"Dude, she's like, a superstar celebrity gambler," Nate replied, "Poker, blackjack, you name it, she's won big at it! Aw man, you think she'll give us an autograph?"
"Okay, first of all, not the time for autographs," Lee hissed out with a groan, "And secondly..." He gave his friend a look of confusion, "How exactly do you know this?" he asked Nate with a confused expression.
"Hey, I can like professional gambling," Nate scoffed, "I'm a man of many tastes!"
"...Is it because of her big tits?" Lee asked flatly.
"Er... well, I won't say a complete no to that..." Nate admitted, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly. Lee sighed.
"Look man, let's focus on surviving here, because I don't know about you, but I don't have any cash and got no idea how to play poker, but we can't be thrown out unless we become chow, so what do we do?"
He whispered in a low tone as the two boys and dog took their seats at the table.
"I don't know, man, we're just going to have to fake it until we can figure something out," Nate replied, looking around the table. Besides Mai Valentine and what appeared to be some old farmer with a greedy grin, there was a man in a green suit with flaxen blond hair, his eyes carrying a hint of desperation.
"I do hope there are no hard feelings when I win the pot," Spoke the man with a forced grin, causing another figure to scoff.
"Please, Valmont, we're well aware of your fall from grace, and how this is just another pathetic desperate gamble to rebuild everything you lost," Said a short red-haired man in a dark suit over a red sweater and with an eyepatch.
"And what exactly have you accomplished lately, 'Commander'?" Valmont sneered back, "Your so-called army hasn't done much beyond annoy Ox King, last I checked!"
"Well, maybe because unlike you, where you see an enemy to be removed I see a measuring stick, and future asset," The red-haired man addressed as Commander said back with a huff
"Good luck with that," dryly stated an older man with dark hair and a dark suit.
"Who asked you, Giovanni?" the Commander snapped, "I don't see your little group doing much either!"
"Because we know that the key to success in our line of work is NOT gaining everyone's attention," Giovanni replied with a smirk.
"After all, what has fame afforded those like the Joker and Luthor," Giovanni added, shaking his head, "Nothing but the eyes of everyone on them, and constant interference from the so-called heroes."
"I must agree," admitted a tan-skinned woman with long dark hair, "I know that my father and I do our best work in the shadows~"
"Thank you, Miss al-Ghul," Giovanni said with a nod to her.
"Not a problem, dear Giovanni," The woman said as the last member at the table spoke up, "I must admit, it is a bit disappointing how these days it's glory hounds and amateurs you mostly see in the business."
As this conversation played out, Nate, Lee and Courage exchanged nervous looks.
"Is everyone here a criminal?" Nate muttered in concern.
"Yeah, I think so... which makes me even more nervous about not having money or experience," Lee said with a gulp.
"Gentleman..." before freezing as the last man addressed them, looking at them with a frown and analyzing gaze, "I believe like Mr. Bagge here you're newcomers to the table, so why not introduce yourselves?"
"Uh..." Lee stammered, eyes darting between the suspiciously staring others around the table, before blurting out the first thing that came to mind, "Um, I'm Lenny and this is... Carl. We're new money!"
"What about the stupid dog... looks familiar, actually?" Asked the farmer with a scowl and arched brow, not recognizing Courage for some reason due to the suit and glasses.
"Oh, that's, uh, Phil! He's our butler!" Nate quickly tossed out. Courage arched an eyebrow at that, but decided to just go with it; he figured that Eustace wouldn't appreciate his presence, and would probably end up blowing their cover if he recognized him.
"Well, welcome to the table boys, hope you're ready to play~" Smirked the husky voice of Mai Valentine, causing them to flush and gulp.
"I know that I'm certainly looking forward to relaxing with a friendly poker game," Smirked the form of the Commander, prompting a snort from Valmont.
"Friendly, he says," The fallen crime lord said, while looking at the others sitting at the table, "Personally, I'd prefer we'd just start already, so I can leave with my money all the quicker."
"Alabasta's heated climate not agreeing with you?" Inquired the last suited gentleman with an arched brow.
"More like it's Alabasta's current political climate that's making me nervous. I'm sure we've all seen enough war zones to know when one's about to break out," Valmont clarified, "I, for one, would rather not be here when the shooting starts."
"A fair point," Talia commented, "One can practically feel the anger bubbling in the air in these lands. I imagine it will boil over quite soon."
"Hmm, yes, and the recent reports about Rain Powder has likely accelerated that time table," Stated the suited gentleman.
"I must agree with Mr. Du, as things stand Alabasta will be the next Kaznia, minus the alien interference," Giovanni chimed in as the cards were dealt out.
"Are we sure about that?" Commander Red asked, "Seems to me that you can't walk five feet without bumping into one of those freaks these days, and these new ones in particular seem like they love the limelight."
"I think if this Skeleton King or Lothor were present, they'd make their presence known," Talia said as she examined her cards.
"Yeah, those two seem determined to make a statement," Mai chimed in with a smirk, "In fact, you all hear the juicy gossip going around since that club of Senior's got crashed last night?"
"You mean aside from the senile old fool apparently making a deal of some kind with the skeleton?" Valmont scoffed, before bitterly muttering something about deals with monsters.
"Yes, aside from that," Mai replied, "But apparently, His Undead Majesty admitted that he used to be a heroic figure himself before becoming what he is now~"
"Really?" Talia asked, arching an eyebrow, "I find it hard to believe one could shift so massively on the morality spectrum."
"Ha! Considering my backstabbing former top man went straight, I could easily see the opposite happening to someone else," Valmont said with a scoff.
"Yeah, so Skeleton King wised up to how the universe really works, so what?" Added in the short figure of Commander Red as he looked at his cards with a slight smirk, "Underworld's full of crooks who used to be idealistic morons, hardly see the big deal about Skelly being one of them."
"Hmm, I don't know, something of this scale seems a bit more noticeable," Talia commented, "Though I have to admit that I'm more interested in Lothor. Considering he hasn't made quite as much a splash as Skeleton King, that leaves a lot of questions."
"Heh, and here I thought the only ninjas you were interested in are the ones dressed like flying rats~" Will Du chuckled, earning an eye roll from Talia.
"First of all, bats are not rats," she said flatly, "And more to the point, if there's one thing I've learned from my father, it's to always keep an eye out for potential assets of all kinds."
"Assets? Just more unneeded complications and competition more like it," Giovanni stated, before calling out, "I raise five hundred," Throwing some chips into the table center.
"All depends on how you handle the situation," Talia replied, examining her cards before tossing her own chips into the pile, "I see your five hundred and raise six hundred."
"What do you two think?" Commander Red asked Nate and Lee, who were sitting there awkwardly looking at their cards.
"Uh..." Lee stammered, trying to think of something to say without giving away their own situation with Lothor.
"Well... we're still processing the fact that someone like Skeleton King has a harem," Nate stammered, latching onto the first thing he could think of.
"Yeah, and probably that Lothor dude too," Lee added, with Courage suddenly going still and giving them shocked looks.
Harems?! Those two?!
"I heard of girls liking bad boys, but this is ridiculous," Courage said, experiencing a fourth wall breaker moment as he addressed the "audience".
"Hmph, that really is almost harder to believe than that skeleton being a hero," Valmont scoffed.
"Agreed, don't any women have taste these days?" Will Du added, tossing some chips into the pile.
"Ah boys, is that jealousy I hear~" Mai teased as the two shot her annoyed scowls.
"Please, I have better things to do with my time," Valmont scoffed.
"And I could get any woman I wanted!" Will Du snapped.
"Sure you could~" Mai laughed, making them glare even harder at her.
"Hey! Are we here to trade gossip, or are we gonna play?" Eustace exclaimed, tossing chips into the pile irritably.
"I agree with the hick," Commander Red grumbled.
"Hick?! Why I outta..." Eustace gave Red an irritated scowl before huffing, "I came here to play and win, not cluck away like a bunch of hens," The farmer said in annoyance, "So let's play, so I can celebrate my winnings at the buffet."
"More like drown your sorrows after you lose~" Mai laughed, "Now, anyone else want to ante up? ...No? Okay then, let's see what we've all got."
At that, everyone including the nervous Lee and Nate put down their cards. With any luck, they'd be able to bluff their way through this.
After all, how hard could it be?
(One hour later)
Nate and Lee could only stare despairingly at the small handful of chips they had left, compared to the huge piles everyone else had.
Apparently, it was very hard, and the boys were feeling a lot more sympathetic toward Kapri for that incident where she lost the ship in cards, because now they knew the feeling all too well. Because considering they had been losing more and more when they didn't actually have the cash they were betting, they probably lost enough to put their great, great, great grandchildren in debt!
"Hehahahhahahohohohoh, I'm rich, rich, RICH!" And what made it all the worse was the gloating of the farmer Eustace, who had the second biggest chip pile right after Mai, somehow.
"Some guys have all the luck," Courage muttered, already trying to figure out how to get them out of here before the boys got forced to pay up; he may have just met them, but he wasn't going to just ditch them.
And of course, there was still the Queen to worry about, but with any luck, she wasn't in this part of the building anymore.
"This can't be happening..." Valmont groaned in despair, face first into the table, not having a chip left to his name.
"Hehe, not to worry Valmont, the Red Ribbon is always looking for new recruits, and I'm generous enough to allow you to work off your debt~" Commander Red said with a loud triumphant cackle.
"Sigh, must you be so uncouth about this, Red?" Giovanni said with an eye roll, "But none the less, gentlemen, ladies," He gave Mai and Talia a nod, "I believe it's time we wrap this up with one final hand."
"Fine by me. Mama's got a celebratory trip to the spa all lined up~" Mai laughed up.
"Agreed, I think we've had enough fun here," Talia stated, looking to her own midsized pile of chips, "This was always just an excuse for me to check in on this country's affairs up close, after all."
"Much is the case for you as well, right Will Du?" She asked, sending a smirk at Will as the younger man shot her a scowl, "Unless your superior sent you here for another purpose?" she added with an arched brow, causing Du to huff.
"If you're implying I'm here for anyone at this table, rest assured if that were the case, you'd already be dealt with."
"Yes, we're all very intimidated," Commander Red said dryly as he looked over his own chip pile. It was less than he'd hoped for, but he could at least take satisfaction in having wiped out Valmont.
"Will you two be going all in with what little you have left, or doing yourselves a favor and giving up now?" Giovanni asked Nate and Lee.
"Ehh... we're all in," Lee said with a gulp while Nate held back a groan, realizing they were screwed either way, so why not go nuts!
"Yeah, we've got a feeling this time." Nate added with a strained smile.
"A feeling that you'll be joining Valmont in the poorhouse, maybe~" Red laughed.
"Oh, go to Hell, you cyclopic dwarf," Valmont grumbled, earning a glare from Red.
"Enough talk!" Eustace snapped, pushing his chips in, "I'm hungry, so let's hurry this up."
With that, everyone else threw their chips in, before showing their respective cards. And when they did, there was a moment of stunned silence.
"I actually won?" Nate asked, looking at his Royal Flush, which even his limited knowledge told him beat the other hands.
Needless to say, the boys and Courage were stunned, since they thought this would be the hand that would lead to them having to try to make a break for it, or beg for some kinda I.O.U. Instead... Nate had won... he'd won... he... was...
"I'm rich..." He whispered in a stunned tone with a wide grin.
"Me money!" Others at the table weren't as joyous, with Eustace banging his head against the table, while Valmont was just staring listlessly up at the ceiling with the looks of a broken man.
"Grr, knew this vacation was a bad idea... should have just focused on selling arms to those rebels," Commander Red grumbled sourly.
"A set back, but that's how the game works, sometimes you win, other times..." Giovanni gave a shrug with a slight smirk, not appearing bothered by any of the money he lost. After all, he still had plenty left, and it wasn't like he didn't have plenty of resources to still draw on elsewhere.
"Oh man, I can't believe how great this day turned out after being so terrible!" Nate exclaimed as he started scooping up chips.
"Yeah, we'll actually be able to afford plane tickets home!" Lee added, helping his friend gather up the chips.
"...Where did you two say you were from again?" Mai asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Uhhhh... Canada?" Lee said with an unconvincing strained smile, getting flat looks in the process with a note of tension spiking in the room.
"I'm starting to smell a rat..." Commander Red growled with a suspicious look, "And I don't meant Du," He added with a scowl. After all, besides the farmer... and maybe Valentine (honestly hard to tell what that girl knew and didn't know) they all knew Will Du was a Global Justice stooge.
But in this world, there was a time and place for things; you could kill a man at one moment, while in another killing him would bring about unneeded complications and heat. So, as long his business wasn't messing with their own, then they allowed him to "observe" before reporting back to that director bitch like a good little dog.
In the meantime, he had more pressing concerns - namely these two bozos who were not acting like high rollers, and were raising his suspicions with every word out of their mouths.
"Uh, rat? What rat? I don't see any rats!" Nate said nervously, he and Lee both sweating excessively, while Courage was gulping nervously next to them.
"Hmm, really? Then why do you seem so nervous, Mr. Lenny?" Giovanni questioned with an arched brow as he sipped from a glass filled with liquor.
"Nervous? Who's nervous, I'm not nervous, are you?" Nate retorted, blowing out air with a strained laugh.
"Hmm... then why did you respond to his name?" Talia asked, pointing at Lee who froze, "After all, your name is Carl and his is Lenny," she stated matter-of-factly, seeming to look at the two with amusement.
"Ah... well, you see... the thing is..." Lee stammered, gulping.
For a moment, he considered whether he should just tell them the truth. Some of them seemed like important and connected enough to protect them from Lothor, right?
However, before he could make his decision-
BANG
The door to the room was kicked off its hinges, revealing the furious Queen of the Black Puddle.
"There you are!" she hissed, glaring at the boys and Courage.
"Oh crud..." Lee whimpered, having almost forgotten her for a moment; it had been well over a hour, didn't she give up and go home?!
"Uhhh..." Nate's eyes went around the room, trying to find something, anything that could help them out of this mess.
"Excuse me madame, but you can't justGLRT!" The butler from earlier had approached the Queen, raising a hand, only to be cut off by the woman grabbing his throat and quite casually throwing him high into the air where he hit the wall with a groan.
"No more running, no more games..." she let out a feral demoniac growl as her form and face shifted into something monstrous, "I will devour you all whole!"
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" Courage and the boys screamed as the Queen leapt in the air towards them-
SHING
"AARGH!"
Only for a knife to suddenly fling through the air and stab into the Queen's shoulder, causing her to fall to the floor with a cry of pain.
"That seems uncalled for," Talia stated, arm still extended from tossing the blade.
"Did you actually bring weapons to a card game?" Valmont asked incredulously.
"Am I really the only one?" she retorted.
At that, there was a slight cough, with the various card players pulling out weapons.
"Uh... I think we left ours in the car, so we'll just go get them..." Lee started to say, only to freeze as Commander Red pointed a gun at him.
"Sure, as soon as you start answering our questions," he sneered.
"Yeah, no, I'm not letting you threaten what's obviously a couple of civilians who have no idea what they're doing," Will Du stated firmly, aiming his taser watch at Red.
"Oh please, in case you haven't noticed, there's no cheerleader around to do your job for you," Commander Red retorted with a snort, causing Will Du to give him a dark scowl just as the others began to speak up.
"I want me money!" Eustace declared angrily with a scowl, holding up a large mallet.
"Where were you even hiding that?" Mai inquired next to him with an arched brow.
"None of your business, ya dang bimbo!" Eustace snapped at her. Mai gave him a deadpan look at that, then pulled out a can of mace and sprayed it directly into his face.
"AH! My eyes!" Eustace screamed, flailing about in blind pain and panic, his mallet accidentally knocking over Valmont in the process.
Which caused the man to lose his grip on his blade that had been hidden in his cane, sending it flying into the air before landing and stabbing into the ground right next to Courage, who let out a frightful yelp.
"Agh, damn hick!" Valmont growled as he got back to his feet and turned around to punch Eustace hard enough to knock him backwards.
WHAM
Causing him to fall onto the table hard enough to knock it over and send the cards and chips gathered on it flying in every direction. Which is when things really hit the fan.
"The money!" Commander Red shouted, lunging for the spilled chips while firing his gun off wildly to cover himself. Cursing, everyone else dived to the floor for cover and/or to also snatch up chips.
"Crazy bastard!" Will Du yelled, firing his taser at the short man.
"Leave it to a man to think with their gun instead of their head," Scowled Mai, ducking down while covering her head.
"Sigh, can't even take a vacation without dealing with headaches," Muttered the form of Giovanni, shaking his head after diving for cover.
"This is nuts!" Lee yelped, crouching on the ground.
"We need to get out of here!" Nate called out, also crouching... and gathering up as many of the fallen chips and money as he could.
"Dude..." Lee said flatly, while Courage and him gave Nate looks.
"Hey, I won this fair and square!" Nate retorted defensively.
"Raaaaaaargg!" Before turning his head at the literal roar of rage emerging from the Queen of the Black Puddle as she removed the knife and lunged toward the now cowering forms of Lee, Nate, and Courage.
"DIEEEEEEEE!!!!" she shrieked.
"AAAAHHHH!!!" Courage screamed, before instinctively snatching up the blade that Valmont had dropped and swinging it in the Queen's direction just as she closed in on them.
"ARGH!" the Queen screamed as the blade cut across her face, making her rear back in pain. This, combined with her previous momentum, caused her to lose her balance and go stumbling past them, tripping over the knocked over table and Eustace, before falling over onto Commander Red just as he took aim at Will Du.
PWE
With his shot going side ways and hitting the wall instead, while Commander Red yelled out angrily, "Get the fuck off me, you damn hick!"
"I'm trying! Someone get this crazy lady off of me first!" Eustace snapped back, clearly not recognizing the Queen from that time she'd tried to eat him. Then again, he hadn't recognized Lothor and Skeleton King by the rest of the group's earlier descriptions despite the fact that the two had paid him a ludicrous amount of money, so Courage shouldn't be too surprised at his lack of retention.
"Silence, you imbecile!" the Queen snarled as she tried to disentangle herself from Eustace, while the wound on her face sealed itself up.
"I am done with all the humiliations you've caused me, you cursed mutt!" She snapped, glaring at Courage, allowing her mystical healing factor to do its work, "Your suffering will be long and slow, with you begging for the mercy of death!"
"All this for revenge on a dog? Pathetic," Talia scoffed, still the picture of calm despite the chaos unfolding around her. Hearing her, the Queen turned to snarl at her.
"Wait your turn, bitch!" the Queen spat, not forgetting the knife that Talia had thrown at her earlier. Before pausing as she sniffed the air, before scoffing.
"You reek of the Lazarus..." She sneered, "One would think after Thoth's fate, you mortals would have learned to not reach for what is beyond your pitiful ilk."
"Funny you should mention that old fossil, I was one of the ones who put her down permanently," Talia replied offhandedly, briefly recalling that particularly poor plot on her father's part, "An act I'd be happy to repeat with you if you don't mind your tone."
The Queen of the Black Puddle let out a hiss, glaring at Talia, "Be thankful I have prey that takes greater priority," She snapped, turning her gaze of loathing and hate toward the dog... that was no longer here?
"WHERE IS HE?!" The Queen roared, realizing the dog and those foolish boys had exploited her distraction to flee the room.
"If you mean the dog, he and those two frauds ran off down the hallway," Giovanni supplied. Howling in rage, the Queen bolted from the room, leaving the rest of the group sitting around in an awkward silence for a moment.
"Money!"
Until Eustace broke it by diving for the remaining spilled contents of the table, immediately starting another free-for-all. At least between Commander Red, Eustace, Mai and Valmont, the others just gave flat or disbelieving looks toward the scene.
"Honestly, does no one have any dignity anymore?" Giovanni wondered out loud with a sigh.
"Indeed. It's really not worth it to squabble like children over petty cash," Talia scoffed.
"I'm tempted to just not arrest anyone and let them just deal with the embarrassment of this," Will Du commented, "That said..." Will glanced over to Talia with a frown, "I believe the director would like a word with you about a few particular political assassinations."
"I'm sure she would. However, I'm afraid I must decline," Talia replied with a smirk, while making discrete hand gestures.
"Too bad, I'm going to have to insist," Will said, raising his taser watch-
WHACK
"Urk!"
Only to then collapse as he was hit over the head, revealing his attacker to be a ninja that had appeared behind him. Arching an eyebrow at this, Giovanni looked around and saw that several more ninjas were also present.
"How long have they been here?" he asked.
"I never travel anywhere without bodyguards," Talia explained.
"Of course..." Giovanni remarked, shaking his head, "Nonetheless, I believe I've had my fill of all this..."
He said, gesturing toward the free-for-all, which had Eustace being strangled by Mai, and Commander Red in a headlock by Valmont, who he was currently punching in the gut, "So I believe I'll be taking my leave."
"As you wish," Talia replied, "For me, I believe I'll make my way to the capital to observe events. I have a good feeling that one way or another, the current crisis will come to a head there."
"Why do I have a feeling that you and your father know more about this conflict than the general public?" Giovanni asked.
"We're the League of Assassins, it's our business to know secrets~" Talia stated with a smirk.
"Well, as long as it's not my secrets or business you poke your nose into, my dear, then do whatever you desire," The man remarked as they proceeded to leave the room, ignoring the unconscious form of Will Du and the fighting forms of the other poker players.
(Elsewhere)
"Okay, here's the plan! We get the heck out of town, we keep running, we don't look back, we find a way back to America, and we forget all about that terrifying monster woman!" Lee called out, running beside Nate and Courage.
"Works for me!" Nate yelled from beside him.
"Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh!" Courage panted as he ran along them. As right now, all the three wanted was to put as much distance between them and the Queen of the Black Puddle as possible!
Bursting out into the casino floor, they looked around desperately, Lee's eyes widening with hope as he saw the exit doors.
"Look, there's a way out!" he shouted.
"Yes!" Courage cheered with a large smile.
"Goodbye, freaky cannibal lady and space ninjas, hello freedom!" Nate exclaimed with a wide grin as the three took off running, paying no heed to the others enjoying the casino floor.
"Oh Courage, have you seen Eustace?" Called out one elderly form the three passed, that being Muriel, who was looking for her husband and Courage, but having no luck till now.
With the sight of Muriel causing Courage to pause for a moment as he skidded to a stop, before rushing over to the elderly woman, who barely had time to blink before she found herself lifted up by the dog, who once more took off to rejoin Nate and Lee in fleeing for their lives!
"Uh, did he just kidnap an old lady?" Nate asked Lee, glancing at Courage.
"Sounds like they know each other," Lee replied, "And anyway, let's worry about that later, and get out of here before-"
"There you are!" the Queen screamed as she leapt over a row of slot machines to land directly in the boys' path.
"Ah, crud..." Nate whimpered as they skid to a stop.
"Lady... what is your problem? Why can't you just leave us alone?" Lee asked, his voice cracking.
"I'm petty, it comes with the territory," the Queen replied with a smirk, "Now, who wants to go first?"
"Oh my Courage, you've made some friends." Muriel said with a blink toward Nate and Lee and... "Hmm, pardon me, but have we met?" she inquired of the Queen of the Black Puddle with a frown, "You look a bit familiar for some reason," she said, scratching her head.
Courage rolled his eyes at that. Usually, he didn't mind the apparent obliviousness that his family had to the supernatural threats that they met on a regular basis, since it meant that they could go through life without having to deal with trauma from all their near-death experiences (if only he could be so lucky...). However, at times like this when it kept Muriel from recognizing a threat, that really just ground his gears.
"Never mind who I am, aside from the fact that I'll feast on your flesh!" the Queen snarled.
"Oh my, that's just rude!" Muriel stated with a stern frown.
"Ma'am, I don't think she's worried about manners right now!" Nate yelped with a gulp as the Queen stomped forward.
"If anyone has a plan, I'm open to it!" Was Lee's cry of fear, right now wishing Lothor, the girls, or anyone was here to save their asses!
BANG
BANG
BANG
And then several bullets slammed into the floor near the Queen's feet, sending her stumbling backwards as the others blinked in confusion.
"What now?!" the Queen demanded, the whole group looking around for the source of the attack and soon finding it - a large vulture wearing sunglasses and a bandanna perched atop a slot machine, machine guns strapped to its back and still smoking. Sitting next to it was an otter, also wearing sunglasses along with a polka-dotted onesie, and holding two halves of a clam with knives sticking out of them.
"The Unluckies!" the Queen exclaimed, "What are you doing here?!"
In response, the otter pointed one of its blades at her, before miming running it across his throat.
"I see..." The Queen scowled, glaring at them, "So that fool Zero has sent you neutralize me," she realized as the vulture and otter gave nods, "Well, unless you wish to join these fools as my meal I, suggest you fly away."
If the animals were in any way intimidated, they didn't show it. Instead, the vulture just took aim and opened fire again.
BANG
BANG
BANG
"RAAAAGGGGHHH!" the Queen screamed as she dodged the attack, only for the otter to dash forward and slash her across the side of the chest.
"Pest!" she snarled, kicking the otter away.
"...Do you have any idea what's going on?" Lee asked, staring in confusion at the unfolding fight.
"Nope, but I'm not going to complain," Nate replied.
"Uh-huh..." With Courage giving a nod in agreement while Muriel blinked in confusion.
"Is this some kind of floor show?" she asked, looking to the boys in curiosity.
"Ehhh, just a wild animal attack... we should get to safety," Nate answered with a strained smile, deciding not to burst the lady's bubble.
"Right... preferably outside, and far away from the building," Lee added quickly.
"Oh my, I might need to find my husband before we go," Muriel stated, making the boys groan at the potential delay on their escape... only for the farmer they'd seen at the card game to get dragged past them by bulky security guards.
"I told ya, it's not my fault! Those weirdos took me money!" Eustace yelled, struggling against the guards' grip.
"We don't care! No one attacks VIPs on our watch!" one of the guards declared as Eustace was dragged to the front doors and tossed out on the street, "And stay out!"
"Oh, never mind, there he is," Muriel said.
"Great! So how about we give you folks a tour of Alabasta, starting with as far away from here as possible!" Lee chimed in, with both a sigh of relief and also a strained grin... though part of both him and Nate were surprised that someone as grouchy as the guy from the poker game was married, much less to somebody who appeared to be so nice.
"Oh, that sounds lovely~" Muriel said with a clap of her hands as Courage carried her off with him and boys, trying to sneak past the distracted Queen of the Black Puddle, now officially formerly Miss Tuesday, as fast as possible.
Unfortunately, just as they were circling around her and her attackers, she noticed them while dodging a strike from the otter.
"No! You will not escape! Vengeance will be mine!" she snarled hysterically. Grabbing the otter, she picked him up and tossed him at his partner, knocking the vulture off of her perch.
"Let's book it!" Nate exclaimed, noticing this.
"Don't have to tell me twice!" Lee yelled back.
"Uh-huh!" Courage added as they bolted towards the exit.
"I WILL DEVOUR YOUR SOULS!" the Queen of the Black Puddle roared out behind them.
"Lady, get new material, you said that already!" Lee yelled back at her.
"Why are you critiquing the monster lady trying to eat us?" Nate asked incredulously.
"I don't know, it's how I'm coping!" Lee shot back.
The boys, along with the dog carrying the old lady, fled outside the casino, with Eustace right outside and grumbling as he pushed himself up from the sand, picking up his hat.
"Grr... stupid dog... stupid teens... my money," The old man grouched, before blinking as he heard a voice shout out, "Run for your lives, dude!" Causing him to turn with slight annoyed confusion.
"What's that, huh?"
Before Lee, Nate, and the Muriel carrying Courage sped right past him, causing him to spin around.
"Arg, hey!" Eustace stumbled as he came to a stop, dizzy and confused, before being spun again as the form of the Black Puddle Queen raced past him.
"Your screams will echo across the desert!"
"Urg... what's everyone's hurry?" Eustace muttered, very dizzy, before once more he was spun in a dizzying circle as the forms of Mr. 13 riding upon Miss Friday back flew past him.
"Ugh!" Eustace grumbled, before collapsing from disorientation, unnoticed by any of the others as the chase continued throughout Rainbase.
"Ah, ah, you think we've lost them?" Lee asked, actually too scared to look behind him as they ran through the streets of Rainbase.
"Well, I don't hear any death threats or gunshots, so I think we might be good," Nate replied.
"Oh, thank God," Lee muttered as they came for a rest next to a fountain, an exhausted Courage setting Muriel down next to them while practically collapsing.
"This... day... has been right up there... with getting turned into stone by... that freaky triangle man," Lee groaned while catching his breath, prompting a concerned look from Courage.
"Long story, don't ask," Nate said, raising his hand while seeing the look, with Courage raising a brow, starting to wonder if he really wasn't the only poor unlucky soul in the world who had deal with creepy dangerous things coming after himself and his loved ones.
"Oh my, such a lovely fountain, and look at the local culture~" While Muriel herself was just smiling looking around, completely oblivious to what had just happened around her, making the boys arch eyebrows at her, before shaking it off as unimportant.
"Okay, if we've got a chance to breathe, we need to figure out what we're going to do next," Lee stated.
"I say we grab a car or horses or whatever we can find and head towards the next nearest city, so that we've got distance between us and this nuthouse, before we figure out how to get back to the States," Nate suggested rapidly.
"Right, right, good plan, but then what?" Lee asked, nodding his head just as rapidly before frowning, "I mean, do we try to call the Justice League about what happened to us and Gravity Falls, or what?"
"Well, it's that or just living on the road like hermits or something, cause it's not like we can go home while those guys are running it," Nate replied, "The League's got to have a help line or something, right?"
"Huh?" Courage looked at them with concerned confusion, because it was starting to sound like these two were tangled in something big, but before he could try to get some answers, he suddenly went stiff as he felt a strange powerful chill go down his spine, as unseen to the group the waters of the fountain behind them began to turn black, and a form rose silently out of it with murderous eyes.
"Going somewhere?" the Queen hissed, making the boys and Courage freezing and slowly turning to face her, while Muriel just blinked in confusion.
"Oh, come on," Lee groaned in resignation.
"Shouldn't you be more concerned with the killer zoo escapees?" Nate asked desperately.
"They'll have their turn. You lot first," the Queen growled.
"Seriously, dude, what did you do to this chick to make her have this kinda grudge?" Lee asked Courage, who put on an affronted look; it was hardly his fault that she tried to make a meal out of Eustace and he wouldn't let her!
"He denied me a meal for the first time ever, so he'll take that fool's place!" the Queen declared, "And you two, I just don't like!"
"Well, that seems uncalled for," Nate commented, genuinely offended.
"I'm evil... what do you expect?" Was the Queen's dry retort, with the boys trading flat looks and sighs. Wasn't that statement the story of their life as of late?
"But enough playing with my food..." Her mouth grew wide and her face transformed into its more monstrous form, "It's time to feast!" she hissed as the water around her began to bubble and ripple.
And then something dropped into the fountain, splashing next to the Queen.
"What-?"
BOOM
"AH!" the Queen yelled as the explosion knocked her off her feet. Looking up, everyone was greeted by the sight of the Unluckies circling in the air over them.
"Damn vermin!" the Queen snarled up at them.
"Uhhh, considering they're after her and we aren't with her... what do you think the chances of them letting us go are?" Lee asked the others with a thoughtful if worried look.
"Considering our luck lately?" Nate asked sarcastically, making Lee flinch and nod in acknowledgement.
"In that case, run for it while they're distracted?" he offered.
"Sounds like a plan to me!" Courage yelped, more than ready to take off and let these creeps deal with each other.
"Die, you pests!" the Queen shrieked, leaping up in the air at the Unluckies, who dove out of the way, Mr. 13 flinging a blade at her while Miss Friday fired a blast at her. With the Queen swerving and dodging Friday's machine gunshots as best she could with a howl of fury.
"Time to go!" Courage yelped, picking up Muriel, getting the Queen's attention, "NO! I'M DONE CHASING YOU! YOU DIE HERE AND NOW!"
With that, she lunged for them, ignoring the Unluckies coming behind her. Mr. 13 threw another bomb at her, which the Queen dodged without breaking her stride, smirking as it flew towards her targets.
"Incoming!" Lee yelled in panic. Seeing the incoming bomb, Courage screamed and did the first thing that came to mind, jumping and doing a spin kick. Somehow, this worked, as it connected with the bomb and sent it flying back towards the Queen and the Unluckies. With the eyes of all three of them bulging wide open in shock from seeing this.
"I... hate... you," The Queen of the Black Puddle hissed, barely in time as she shot one last glare toward Courage before the bomb hit their location, just as Miss Friday tried to take off with 13 on her back.
BOOOM
A large explosion shook the plaza, causing many to scream and run in shock and fear, with the form of the Queen of the Black Puddle being launched into the air before coming down, landing and smoking into the black waters of the fountain from which she had emerged earlier.
SPLASH
And unseen to Courage and the boys, the Queen of the Black Puddle sunk unconscious into the murky depths of her realm, defeated... for now.
While as for Friday and 13, their own smoking forms came landing with a loud thud right in front of Courage and the boys, with Miss Friday laying sprawled unconscious on the ground, while Mr. 13 got up woozily, his glasses cracked, managing to shoot Courage a dark glare as he took a step forward... before collapsing in a dead faint.
...
...
...
"So... did we win?" Lee asked with a blink, currently sitting on his butt, having been blown back by the explosion.
"Well, the crazy cannibal lady's gone, and these guys are unconscious, so... I'm guessing yes?" Nate said from where he was laying splayed on the ground nearby.
"Thank goodness," Courage sighed, leaning against a happily smiling Muriel.
"Oh my, what a lovely fireworks show," she said, clapping excitedly. With the three deciding it was better not to let her know how close to real danger she had been.
"But it's probably smart to book it," Nate added aloud with a frown, "These creeps aren't a problem, but there's still that whole criminal organization they were with."
Nate reminded them, with Courage's eyes widening and gulping, while Lee nodded.
"Yeah, sounds like a plan," Lee said, before getting a worried look, "Plus, sounds like they're about to do something big considering the call scary lady got before she tried to eat us."
He added with a slightly pale look, before shaking it off as he looked toward Courage, "But seriously dude, we really appreciate the save, we owe you big time," Lee said, smiling at Courage.
"Yeah man, if it weren't for you, we would have been a lunch special," Nate added, with Courage giving a sheepish if humble smile as he shot them an okay sign with his paw.
"But yeah, we'd better get going before something else happens," Lee stated, looking around in worry that he'd just jinxed them.
"Okay, you boys have a nice trip home. Courage and I better go find Eustace," Muriel said, brushing herself off and heading back to the casino.
"So, that's what blissful ignorance looks like on the other side," Nate said with a blink toward Muriel, before shaking his head, "You take care of yourself, and you might want to head out of this country as soon as possible, little dog dude," he said, with Courage giving a rapid nod agreement.
"You don't have to tell me twice," The dog said, quite ready to end this vacation and head home.
With that, they parted ways, Courage running after Muriel, while the boys headed towards the city limits.
"So, how much of that quick cash did you manage to hold onto?" Lee asked.
"Not as much as I'd have liked, but it should be enough to at least get a ride out of here."
"It'll have to do then," Lee said with a sigh, "But seriously, whatever's going on, we need to move fast if we don't want to be caught in the middle of it, never mind caught by Lothor and the girls."
"Right," Nate nodded in agreement, before frowning in thought, "Speaking of, what do you think happened to them?"
"Don't know, don't care, as long as they're somewhere far away from us," Lee replied as they went looking for a ride.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: And there we go, hope you all enjoyed this little side adventure with Lee, Nate, and Courage. As well as enjoyed the cameos that appeared in the poker game, that was a fun touch~
And that misadventure aside it seems that Crocodile himself has some mysterious backers. Who are they, and what's their agenda? Sad to say it will remain a mystery for now, but hope you continue to enjoy how conflict continues to escalate.
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: So, fun side story out of the way, with some world building and future plot points dropped on top. Really hoped you all liked it, because it was a lot of fun to write~
If you did enjoy it, please leave a kudos or comment!
Chapter 29: Alabasta, Part 4
Summary:
Lothor and Vivi set terms for the future, before confronting Intergang's endgame.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Welcome back, everyone. After the Nate/Lee/Courage side story last chapter, we're ready to dive back into the main plot of this arc, as I/Lothor and Vivi have an important conversation before heading into the fight against Crocodile's master plan.
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hope everyone's ready for another update! Because we're diving back into the main Alabasta part, as Intergang utopia end game kicks off, and we Z/Lothor and her royal highness try their best to stop it.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
With that, they parted ways, Courage running after Muriel, while the boys headed towards the city limits.
"So, how much of that quick cash did you manage to hold onto?" Lee asked.
"Not as much as I'd have liked, but it should be enough to at least get a ride out of here."
"It'll have to do then," Lee said with a sigh, "But seriously, whatever's going on, we need to move fast if we don't want to be caught in the middle of it, never mind caught by Lothor and the girls."
"Right," Nate nodded in agreement, before frowning in thought, "Speaking of, what do you think happened to them?"
"Don't know, don't care, as long as they're somewhere far away from us," Lee replied as they went looking for a ride.
(Elsewhere)
As Crocodile's conjured sandstorm swept across Alabasta from Rainbase to the capital, Lothor's group found themselves quickly forced to take shelter inside a cave they came across.
"The storm doesn't appear to be letting up anytime soon, master," Zurgane reported from the cave entrance, watching the sand blowing around so hard it was practically a solid wall.
"And it's so strong it's interfering with our teleportation. Wonderful," Lothor grumbled from his spot seated on a boulder.
"This is a disaster," Vivi muttered, seated next to Karoo, whom she'd retrieved as they'd fled Rainbase, "A storm this bad on top of everything else will probably make the rebels desperate enough to attack, which is probably exactly what Crocodile's counting on!"
"Hmm, could this Crocodile be behind the storm, then?" Zurgane questioned with a thoughtful hum, "During our information gathering of Earth, a few individuals such have been notable in being capable of similar feats, and the timing of this sandstorm is suspicious at the very least."
"Hmm, he does appear to have sand-based powers, based on what I saw in our fight," Lothor said, making a point to scratch his chin in thought. Obviously, he knew all about Crocodile's powers from canon, and this storm was a key part of his plan, but he couldn't exactly admit that out loud.
"Dammit!" Vivi growled, slamming a fist onto the ground, "We need to get to the capital and warn my father while there's still a chance!"
"Understood. However, I'm afraid that even for us, venturing out into this sandstorm would be hazardous and reckless," Zurgane said, shaking his head, "Especially if it's truly created by enemy action," He added, looking out of the cave, "The best we can do is wait it out."
Vivi scowled at that, but before she could protest further, a pair of moans came from nearby.
"Ugh, so we're stuck in a dirty cave for who knows how long? Full of sand that gets everywhere?" Kapri grumbled.
"While our boyfriends are still being held prisoner by those freaks," Marah added.
"Hmph, it's almost as if you shouldn't have come down here in the first place," Lothor said pointedly, clearly in no mood for his nieces' whining.
"Hey, excuse us for wanting to avoid a case of cabin fever," Kapri retorted with a huff.
"Yeah, plus, can you really blame us for being curious about Earth?" Marah added in a slight whine.
"No, but I can blame you for not only leaving the ship without permission, but of all places choosing the country I was on a mission to, and one on the brink of civil war on top of it!" Lothor snapped, making his nieces flinch back.
There was a moment of tense silence at that, then Terramole emerged from deeper into the cave.
"There's no sign that anyone else has been here, my lord, so we at least shouldn't have to worry about unwanted visitors," the monster reported, "However, I did find what appears to be a natural hot spring, in case anyone wants to freshen up while we have the chance."
"Ooooh! Now that's what I'm talking about!" Marah said with an excited squeal, clapping her hands together.
"Could use something to relax and take my mind off things," Kapri muttered with her own gleam of interest.
"Of course you two would jump at the first chance to slack off," Zurgane said with a scoff.
"Oh, like you aren't interested in taking a soak yourself," Kapri snapped, sending him a glare.
"I am not," Zurgane replied flatly. The girls continued to glare at him, but Lothor holding up a hand silenced any further comments.
"I'm not in the mood to argue about this. If you want to go, then go," he stated, before glancing at Vivi, "Princess, I may as well be generous and ask, do you wish to join them?"
At that, Vivi frowned before sighing.
"I'd prefer to be finding a way to warn my father or get to the capital," She admitted, but shook her head, "But worrying myself into an early grave won't help anyone right now..." she glanced over to Lothor's nieces, "So, I suppose I might as well take the chance to relax while I have it."
"Sweet, we can get to know you better," Marah said, she and Kapri sharing a knowing smirk, as they both really intended to use this opportunity to win her over to Lothor's harem and displace the bug bitch with her.
"Sure, sounds great," Vivi muttered sarcastically, patting Karoo as she stood up, and pausing to give Lothor a look, "If we're not back by the time the storm breaks up, please come get us immediately."
"Of course. Go enjoy yourself," he replied with a nod.
And with that, the girls headed down deeper into the underground cavern system, with Terramole leading them to the hot spring, leaving behind Lothor, Karoo, Zurgane, and the Kelzaks.
"Sir, now that I have you..." Zurgane spoke up, getting Lothor's attention, "What exactly is the plan after this Crocodile is dealt with?" He asked with a slight tilt of his head.
Lothor glanced at Karoo before answering, not sure if the duck was intelligent enough in this reality to comprehend and report what he said back to Vivi, and deciding to choose his words carefully.
"Once he's disposed of, I'll see about negotiating with the King," he stated, "I'm sure between him and the princess, they should be grateful enough about our intervention to be willing to strike an alliance. Especially if he shares her clear distrust of the Justice League."
"Hmm, I suppose more willing alliances would be an easier course of action," Zurgane stated thoughtfully, "Though I question how you'll secure their trust, and make sure they won't simply attempt to turn on us once the more immediate threat is dealt with, I have no doubt you already have a viable strategy, sir."
The General said, addressing his master, "And I must admit, the distrust that many people in power have for this Justice League is an excellent weakness waiting to be exploited."
"Indeed, and definitely something to look into more closely later," Lothor replied, mind going to Cadmus and their plans against the League. He'd have to figure out how to take advantage of that while the option was still viable. In the meantime, however, he needed to focus on the present situation.
"As for gaining their trust, I think the fact that I've saved Vivi's life twice now will prove helpful in that regard," he stated, "I think between that and taking down Crocodile, I should have earned enough trust to at least get my foot in the door."
"Hmm, true, and hopefully like Kaznia with Skeleton King, this will provide us an excellent influential foothold on this planet," Zurgane said, nodding in agreement, "Only question is, how cooperative they'll be to your goals, sir."
He added, looking toward Lothor, "After all, Kaznia's Queen is all but a figurehead with Skeleton King the true ruling power now... I doubt this King Cobra or his daughter would be interested in sharing a similar status."
"Well, with any luck I'll be able to convince them to accept a more equal partnership," Lothor mused, giving a slight smirk as he thought of the ideal way to do that. He thought that he'd noticed Vivi being slightly more open to his more recent flirtations; with any luck, he'd be able to convince her to share a bed, and a kingdom with it~
"Hmm... oh!" Zurgane gave him a curious look before making a sound of realization, believing he had a good idea about his master's plan, "Well sir, I will say that while I'm hardly the biggest fan of that insect, it is good to see you putting yourself back out there after that rather messy divorce."
The loyal General said with a nod, before adding with a low cough, "Especially considering what that woman managed to not only get out of it, but left us saddled with the biggest dunces of evil since Divatox," He muttered sourly before shaking his head, "And despite the issues the insect might raise, I do concur a marriage between you and the princess is an excellent strategy."
"I'm glad you see the wisdom of it," Lothor noted with a chuckle, before frowning, "Though an outright marriage may have to wait until our worldwide presence is stronger. As it is now, publicly revealing our alliance would probably provoke intervention, if not from the League than from other nations seeking to prevent it. I suppose I'll have to settle for being some sort of consort for the short term."
"That seems hardly worthy of you, sir, but if you believe it best, then so be it," Zurgane said with a nod, "But in the meantime, what should we plan to do once we reach the capital?"
"With any luck, we'll get there before Crocodile can instigate open conflict with the rebels," Lothor mused, "But in all likelihood, we should be prepared to fight them as well as Intergang's agents."
"Not to worry sir, I will eliminate any Intergang agent that crosses my path," Zurgane said, banging his fist against his chest, "I'm actually quite excited to face the one who could turn his body into blades... he proved to be a challenging opponent before falling back."
"Well, do try to enjoy yourself," Lothor replied, figuring that if anyone could handle Mr. 1 the way that Zoro had, it would be the dark samurai.
Now, they just had to get to the battle that was coming... and in the meantime, hope his two idiot nieces didn't end up accidentally sabotaging his plans for Vivi.
(Meanwhile, elsewhere in the cave)
"Oh God, I didn't realize how badly I needed this," Vivi moaned as she reclined in the hot spring, her clothes having been piled on the ground nearby after Terramole had withdrawn to give the girls privacy. She'd have thought that she'd be wary around water after almost drowning, but the comforting heat was too relaxing to worry about that.
"Same..." Marah agreed with her own moan of delight.
"Mmm, I haven't felt this relaxed since the time we convinced Uncle to invade that spa planet," Kapri chimed in with a slight smirk.
"Oh yeah... that masseur really had some magic fingers," Marah agreed with a nod.
Vivi arched an eyebrow at that and gave the sisters a deadpan look.
"You seriously invaded a planet just to get access to something you could have gotten if you just visited?" she asked flatly.
"Hey, the prices were way too high to be considered reasonable!" Kapri retorted defensively.
"Yeah, and calling it an 'invasion' is a stretch anyway," Marah added, "They surrendered without a fight as soon as Uncle showed up! And then once we were done enjoying ourselves, he just had us pack up and leave. We didn't even do any damage on the way out!"
"That's it?" Vivi questioned in slight disbelief, blinking while arching a brow, "He didn't destroy it..." Her mind going to Skeleton King and how he'd destroyed his own planet and potentially more than a few others since, "Or even conquer it or force them to pay some kinda tribute?"
She added, frowning in thought, her mind revolving around the enigma of Lothor. He was skilled and powerful from what little she'd seen personally, and was a bit of a pervert, but other than that, what did she know of the man, his forces, or his accomplishments?
"Eh, Uncle's not always straightforward like that," Kapri waved off, "Sure, he'll crush any enemy who outright defies him, but he's willing to negotiate if necessary to get what he wants. Says it's a waste of time and energy to always start with a fight when just intimidation might work."
"Yeah, don't get us wrong, he loves conquering," Marah added, "But sometimes I think he cares more about being in charge than how he gets there."
"Is that so?" Vivi repeated with a thoughtful tone, frowning while missing the look that Kapri and Marah shared.
"But if you're really curious about him..." Kapri spoke up, shooting her a smirk.
"We'd be happy to tell you all about Uncle~" Marah chimed in with a eager smile.
"Well... I..." Vivi frowned, giving a blink while giving them a wary look, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to learn more about the man who's helping me," she said, while looking toward them, actually quite curious despite herself about Lothor, "And I suppose you can start with how many planets he has actually invaded and conquered, or what brought him to Earth in the first place."
On the latter, a part of Vivi, like many others, couldn't help but wonder why Earth had experienced so many alien invasions. Was it really that common of a thing to worry about, no matter the species and planet, or was Earth really that unlucky or special?
"Eh, it's been a few. And I'm not sure if any of those count now that we're in this reality instead of our own, but- Ow!" Marah said, only to be cut off by Kapri jabbing her in her side with an elbow, "Hey! What was that... er..."
Marah trailed off as she saw the shocked look on Vivi's face and realized her mistake.
"Um... forget I said that," she said weakly. But Vivi was most certainly not forgetting, as she gave them a shocked look.
"Not in... you're from another reality?!" She exclaimed in shock, actually standing up from the water to reveal her naked body to give them a disbelieving stare, while her mind went back to the Justice Lords, the last time their Earth experienced visitors from another reality... was Lothor from the Lords' dimension? And what brought him here?
"I... how... why?" Vivi muttered, shaking her head.
"Well, for the why, we're actually as clueless as you, the how seems to be some kinda strange funky wormhole that sucked up our ship," Kapri said with a sigh, seeing and realizing the cat was out of the bag, while giving Vivi's figure an appreciative glance... God, what was with the girls in this dimension? Was it something the Earth girls drank or ate? If so, where the hell could she get her hands on it?!
"Yeah, Uncle was originally going to the Earth he was from before being banished for practicing dark ninja magic and secrets," Marah chimed in, nodding her head.
Vivi frowned at that. Okay, that didn't sound as bad compared to the Lords, but...
"What kind of dark magic?" she asked.
"Oh, you know. Harnessing energy as an attack instead of healing, hypnotism, transforming people against their will, that kind of thing," Kapri explained, cocking her head in thought, "I think that's where he learned to revive fallen soldiers as giants, now that I think about it."
"And he learned this on an alternate Earth? As in, he's actually from another reality's Earth?" Vivi questioned in surprise, a part of her wondering if these kind of arts existed on her Earth as well; she knew that magic along with superhero powers were a thing, but she wasn't aware of anything that could revive the dead into literal giants.
"Oh yeah, big time, and after he got banished he worked as a mercenary for a while before building up his own army and forces," Kapri explained as Vivi slowly sunk back into the water.
"Honestly think part of the reason Uncle never returned sooner was because Earth was in the territory of space that was considered Dark Specter's territory for like a long time... heck, it took years even after his death and that whole apparent Z-Wave wiped out a good chunk of the bad guys or brainwashed them into goodies before anyone was brave enough to venture into that part of space again," Marah chimed in with her own thoughtful look.
"...I feel like I only understood about half of that," Vivi said after a minute of staring at them.
"Just take our word for it, it was a big deal," Kapri said, waving her off, "Point is, he spent a lot of years prepping of going back for revenge, and then just when it was finally going to happen, we ended up here. That about summarizes it."
"I see," Vivi muttered, pondering on that, "So, he's going to take over this Earth instead?"
"Why not? I mean, we're already here," Marah shrugged.
"Yeah, we came all the way here, why waste the trip?" Kapri said with her own shrug, "Granted, this Earth doesn't have the secret ninja academies... at least, ones like Uncle was familiar with... but it's got lot of good stuff just up for grabs."
She added with Marah nodding, "Plus, ever since he's met Skeleton King, he's been more upbeat about things. I'm still not sure if they're actually enemies with weird respect or if Uncle somehow made a friend."
"Really?" Vivi asked in disbelief, "I find that hard to believe."
"Yeah, we didn't see it coming either," Marah said, looking as equally confused, "But now they've got this whole friendly rivalry thing going on while they compete to take over."
"And also apparently competing for who gets the most girls too~" Kapri added, smirking as she saw Vivi tense up a bit at that, several emotions going over her face.
"I beg your pardon?" Vivi asked, wondering if she had heard right, frowning, "What do you mean competing for who gets the most girls?" she asked, frowning at them, wondering why she felt a flare of annoyance at the thought of Lothor sleeping with other girls, though she already knew he was... and while she didn't like to judge by looks, she'd seen a sketch picture put out of the Skeleton King provided by the Teen Titan heroes, and she found it hard to see how any girl could find that attractive.
"Well, I don't know if it's officially a bet or anything, but Uncle says that the skeleton guy's getting a lot of girls," Marah stated, "And we know that he's picking up girls left and right."
"Mostly because he and bug bitch are so damn loud when they're fucking each other and whatever other girls they pick up," Kapri added with a grimace.
Vivi was silent, her expression a bit disgruntled and uncomfortable, but also, "Exactly... who is this bug bitch, and what other girls has he picked up?" curious despite herself, with a small part wondering how they compared to herself, since it was clear that Lothor was attracted to her, something that both made her slightly nervous but also could work to her advantage.
Obviously, that was the only reason she'd care about appealing to him, she thought idly.
"Ugh, her name's Tak, she's this bug alien that we picked up right after we ended up in this reality," Kapri scoffed.
"And next thing we know, they're banging in the throne room, right out in the open for anyone to walk in on," Marah said with a haunted look.
"Really? I... that's... so..." Vivi blushed. A part of her couldn't help but be scandalized, while another part of her... couldn't help but wonder what it'd be like to do something so taboo in her father's throne room.
"Gross, I know, yeah?" Kapri said with a snort, before sighing, "But besides her, there's this bitch with tits just bit bigger than yours that Uncle and her broke into their spy, and another is some redhead who's trying to play hard to get, but she'll probably be begging for it soon enough."
"And needless to say, this makes getting rid of the bug bitch harder, considering the other girls Uncle picked up so far break pretty easily to Tak," Marah said with a small scowl.
"There's also this new chick that Uncle picked up from Kaznia; he hasn't shown any interest in her that way, and she honestly comes across as too boyish, but at his current pace I could still see Uncle screwing her too," Kapri chimed in thoughtfully.
Vivi just sat there quietly for a moment, trying to process everything she'd just heard. A part of her thought that she should ask for clarification about that one girl being broken in, but she was too distracted by everything else. After all, she knew that Lothor was a pervert, he hadn't hidden that with how he kept flirting with her, but the idea that he had a whole group of women that he was sleeping with... it was a lot to take in.
Also, for some reason, she felt a strange feeling bubbling up at the thought of him fucking those girls, which she couldn't quite place.
"But you know..." Kapri gave Vivi a smirk, "If you asked me, Uncle could use a woman who's got experience with leadership, and isn't afraid to get the job done herself."
"Right," Marah added with a nod and smirk of her own, "Not to mention someone who's able to handle herself in tough situations, and is even able to stand up to him. He might appreciate the challenge~"
Vivi blinked at that, then blushed as she caught on to what they were suggesting.
"Are you two back on that?" she demanded incredulously, "I thought that I already made it clear that I have no interest in Lothor!"
"No, you just said that you're only in the middle of a deal with him right now, you never said anything about long-term," Kapri replied, still smirking.
"And you can't deny that you two have great chemistry~" Marah added.
"Plus, what better way to make sure Uncle keeps your kingdom's best interest in mind than by literally getting into bed with him?" Kapri added with a snort.
That just made Vivi's face burn even brighter, as that question caused her mind to be filled with images of her and Lothor, in bed together, naked bodies rubbing against each other as they embraced...
"Eeeehhhh..." she moaned, shaking her head rapidly to clear it and trying desperately to ignore a heat that had started to grow between her legs, "T-that is absolutely absurd! I would never whore myself out like that!"
"If you say so~" Marah said in a sing-song, she and her sister exchanging amused looks at how Vivi was reacting to their questions.
"But I wouldn't call it whoring so much as securing a strong alliance for your kingdom, while bagging a powerful king to boot," Kapri added in with her own teasing smirk.
"Yeah, plus be honest, compared to Uncle despite his faults... how many good pickings do you actually have?" Marah asked, arching a brow, "I mean, yeah, I get you're a princess and have your pick, but can you really say any of them are more than just snobs after your throne?"
Vivi scowled at that, wishing that she had a good retort to it. But sadly, it was true - she'd had her fair share of suitors over the last few years, and it was clear that each and every one of them was only interested in using her to get to the throne. The best that could be said about some of them was that they only wanted to gain comfy positions as her consort, but most clearly assumed that they'd become king after marrying her and reduce her to just a bedwarmer and a means to produce heirs. So needless to say, she'd turned them all away.
The only man she'd ever considered actually marrying was Koza, whom she'd had a crush on since childhood... and now he was raising an army against her father, because of baseless rumors, which was very much souring her opinion of him.
Compared to all that, a part of her treacherously whispered, was the idea of being with Lothor really so bad?
Okay, yes, he was basically a warlord from space, who had invaded and perhaps even conquered or destroyed who knew how many planets. But at the same time, that showed he himself would be a strong ruler for Alabasta, and would be a strong ally and deterrent against other threats to their kingdom. The fact that he seemed to have some kind of friendship strangely enough with Skeleton King, despite their reported rivalry and competition for Earth, in itself would perhaps lead to Alabasta being if not safe than safer from that threat than other countries and kingdoms on Earth.
And while it certainly hadn't escaped her notice that Lothor, like others before him, had been eying her form and looks, he unlike many others did seem at some level to respect her and acknowledge her own strength. She had to admit, it was nice to be seen as more than a sex toy or a means to an end. But even so, could she really seriously consider handing her body over to him just to secure her country?
...This might be something she'd have to put a lot more thought into, she reluctantly admitted to herself, sliding deeper into the water.
"Tell me something... if I actually humored this..." Vivi gave them a serious look, "What kind of husband or father would Lothor be like?"
Marah and Kapri exchanged smug looks at that, but still gave their answer careful consideration before answering.
"Well, our own feelings about Tak aside, she and Uncle do seem happy together," Kapri reluctantly admitted, "And even outside of the sex, he tends to act very loving and compassionate towards her."
"Yeah, it'd be cute if it wasn't so gross," Marah added.
"Agreed. But poor tastes aside, he'd probably treat you like a Queen... even more so if you get the bug bitch out of the picture," Kapri added in with a smirk.
"As for being a dad... well, never pictured Uncle as, well, a dad..." Marah said with a thoughtful look, "But I suppose he's kinda like a father figure to my sister and me... and he'd probably be the kinda dad that's stern but spoils his kids."
"Yeah, you can see that with us," Kapri added with a thoughtful look, "I mean, he's strict with us, but he's never too harsh, even when he's really pissed at us. And he does seem to actually care about us, even if he doesn't show it."
Vivi pondered that, thinking back to her first meeting with Lothor, when those Intergang goons had threatened to rape his nieces when they were done with her. That had switched off his playfulness right away and made him outright angry, which seemed like good support for what Kapri was saying.
"Sigh... I have a lot to think about," Vivi muttered, leaning back against a rock with a frown as she looked up at the cavern ceiling, "Times like this, I hate being royalty..." she admitted with a frown, "Because it makes relationships so complicated, as besides the always lingering question if they love me for me, whoever I marry will affect Alabasta's future for good or ill."
"Well, look at it this way - if Uncle wanted to take your kingdom by force, he probably could have by now," Marah pointed out, "I think the fact that he's not even threatening that shows at least that he respects your country and you personally."
"Hmm..." was Vivi's only reply as silence fell between the three enjoying the warm waters of the hot spring, while Vivi found herself deep in thought about Lothor, and her future... a part of her wondering if she was starting to lose her mind, with what she was considering.
Because the more she thought about it... the more she had trouble seeing a reason to not seriously consider Lothor as a husband. He was a warlord and conqueror, yes, but that just meant he'd be a powerful protector for her kingdom and people. And the fact that he clearly did have a caring side wasn't exactly a turn-off either...
By the time that the girls finally got out of the water, dried off, and got redressed, Vivi still hadn't made up her mind completely. But as they made their way back to the others, she did know which way she was leaning.
"Ah, excellent timing," Lothor said as they approached the cave entrance, "The storm looks to be slowing down. It should be safe to start moving soon."
"Good..." Vivi said distractedly, chewing on her lower lip nervously before blurting out, "Can I talk to you privately before we go?"
Lothor arched an eyebrow at her, especially as he saw the smug looks on his nieces' faces. Well, he had a good idea where this was going~
"I think we have some time," he replied, gesturing for her to follow him further back into the cave until the others were out of sight, "So, what's on your mind, princess?"
"I..." Vivi bit her lip, seeming to look nervous before sighing, "I believe that it's time we formally discuss what you want and will get in return for all your aid," she said, giving him a serious look, "I won't let you go unrewarded, but don't expect me to hand you my kingdom on a silver platter."
"I'd be disappointed in you if you did," Lothor replied, "I respect your commitment to doing whatever it takes to protect your kingdom, princess. I don't expect you to just hand it over to me, or anyone else for that matter."
"Then what do you expect from me?" she demanded with a frown, "Or should I make a guess on that from how you've been not so subtly checking me out since we met?"
"Can you blame me? You're a beautiful young woman, after all~" Lothor stated with a smirk.
"I... appreciate the compliment..." Vivi gave a sigh, rubbing her eyes, "But believe me, I have enough experience with being seen as merely a ticket to kingship and a bedwarmer to be used for heirs."
She said, giving him a look, "So let's be blunt and to the point, Lothor... what do you want from Alabasta... from me?"
"Alright, straight to the point then," Lothor said, expression growing serious, "I can't take over this world directly, not at the current strength of my forces vs the number of powerful factions present here. I need allies, and Alabasta seems as good a place as any to start - you were a powerful empire in ancient times, I think together we can make you one again."
"All for your larger agenda of ruling the whole world? You really think that Alabasta can help you do that?" Vivi asked incredulously.
"In part. I know I'll need more allies around the world in the long term, but like I said, this is to start with," Lothor said, "As for what I want from you specifically... I won't insult your intelligence by pretending otherwise. Yes, I'd want your hand in marriage to secure this alliance, but I have no intention of taking your throne. I'd settle for being your consort and letting you handle actually ruling, so long as it never conflicts with my other plans."
Vivi bit her lip, figuring that was what he wanted, his words only confirming it... and like it or not, she needed to choose a husband, and her other choices only saw her throne and a bedwarmer or were... her mind flashed to Koza, and a sting of pain and betrayal once again hit her heart before she ignored it.
No... like it or not... even if there wasn't the risk of what Lothor would do if she refused him... this might be her only choice for a semi-acceptable husband for both herself and Alabasta's future.
"If I say yes..." her eyes narrowed toward the man as she crossed her arms, "What exactly would I... would Alabasta get in exchange? You say you can restore Alabasta's power and influence to that of ancient times, and that's no mere boast."
It really wasn't. In eons past, Alabasta commanded not only greater territory, but had the kind of influence and wealth to rival Greece before its fall. But over time, a series of bad rulers, economic and environmental downturns, and simply being outpaced technologically by the rest of the world had seen them reduced to the much smaller country they were now. Vivi had to admit that this did burn her cultural pride a little, and the idea of restoring that former might was tempting. But she wasn't naive enough to think that would be easy.
"Conquering a world is relatively easy, ruling it is another matter," Lothor explained, "I'll need help to run things, and I don't see why Alabasta can't get a big piece of the pie. How's all of North Africa sound to you?"
At that, Vivi's eyes gleamed with interest, "I'll say, while I have nothing against the Pride Lands' ruling family, I believe such territory would benefit Alabasta greatly," she said, taking a step forward, "But if I agree to this..."
She looked straight into his eyes, "I expect to be treated as an equal partner, your wife and queen, not just your bedwarmer..." her look turned even sterner, "And evil or not, I expect you to be a good father and role model to any children."
"But of course, I would never do anything less," he said, reaching up to stroke her cheek, which turned red as Vivi realized what he was doing, "Though, in the fairness of full disclosure, I should tell you now that I'm not exactly a one-woman man."
"You mean this Tak and the rest of your harem?" Vivi asked, causing him to arch an eyebrow in surprise, "Your nieces told me about all that."
"Of course they did," Lothor muttered, pulling his hand back to pinch the bridge of his nose, "Well, regardless, I hope that it's not a dealbreaker for you, because I refuse to give it up. I'm a lot of things, but fully selfless is not one of them."
"I figured that... and rulers of Alabasta in the past did have harems," Vivi said with a sigh and slight embarrassed cough, "So, I'm willing to accept other women in your life... if..." she gave him a stern smirk, "You accept that I expect to not be loved or treated any less... and..."
She leaned forward and said with her best seductive smirk, "As your wife and queen, I expect to be first among the harem," she said, before capturing his lips with her own.
Grinning, Lothor happily returned the kiss, while wrapping his arms around Vivi to hold her close. And of course eventually lowering his hands down to squeeze her very nice ass, eliciting a cute squeak from her.
"Mmm, well, I'll do my best to make you feel like a Queen~" he said as the kiss broke, "Though fair warning, you'll probably have to fight Tak for the position of top bitch."
"After dealing with Crocodile, Intergang, and various scheming suitors, I think I can deal with one entitled alien invader," Vivi said with a scoff and confidant smirk, "Just do your part to save Alabasta and live up to your promises, and I'll be the perfect Queen to help you rule the country and more."
She promised, before adding with an arched brow, "Though I would like more details on her and whoever else is in your harem," she said, before adding with with a slight confused expression, "Along with what exactly is going on with you and Skeleton King? Is he a friend or rival for Earth, because I'm getting mixed messages here."
"Now that is a long story, my dear, so I'm afraid we'll have to wait until after the current crisis is dealt with," Lothor replied, giving her another quick kiss, Vivi sighing as it broke.
"Fine, but I'll hold you to that," she said, before the two turned to rejoin the others at the mouth of the cave.
(Alabasta, capital city Alubarna)
"Hmm..." Cobra, from the balcony of his throne room, observed the massive sandstorm in the distance with a frowning scowl. He didn't know why, but something about that storm felt unnatural. It reminded him of texts he read. Could it be...?
"No... I have enough worries as is without worrying about demons long dead and left in the past," The man said with a sigh, tightening his grip on the balcony railing, "Vivi... where are you?" He wondered aloud, his worry for his daughter growing stronger as more and more he felt himself on the edge of a storm, both literally and metaphorically. As his instincts, honed by decades of leadership, were telling him that all of the boiling tension and Intergang's scheming behind the scenes was all finally coming to a head.
"And I'm helpless to do anything but wait," he spat out with a disgusted scowl, feeling like a failure of a father and ruler. Vivi was proving she'd be the perfect Queen that Alabasta needed one day... while himself... what did it say about him that he allowed Alabasta to fall to such a sorry state?
Yes, he could blame Intergang's interference, but could they have gotten this far if he'd been more proactive as a ruler? Had he delegated too much to advisors and servants instead of doing the work himself?
Maybe, if they made it through this conflict... he should consider abdicating and letting Vivi take over. Surely she could handle it, with the aid of loyal advisors like Jafar... and why did that thought give him a headache?
Though as he pinched the bridge of his forehead in a grimace, he froze as he suddenly heard a voice speak up behind him coyly, "Heavy is the head that bears the crown, isn't it, Your Highness~" causing him to whirl around, only to find himself grabbed and falling to the ground as he was bound by hands sprouting out all around him!
"What the devil is this?!" Cobra exclaimed in shock, grunting as he felt his arms being pinned together behind his back.
"Apologies for the rough treatment, Your Majesty," He grunted, looking up to see a woman smirking down at him, "But I'm afraid we need to have a decoy step in for your public appearances for the foreseeable future~"
Said Nico Robin as she gazed down at King Cobra, "And I'm ready for the role of a lifetime, Miss All-Sunday!" Called out Mr. 2 as he appeared in a spin beside her, "Oooh, I'm all a tizzy! The King of Alabasta, it's the role I was made for~" He said, giggling like a schoolgirl.
"Please don't make this weird," Robin said flatly, causing Mr. 2 to stop short and cough into a fist.
"Ah, yes, sorry about that. Just enthusiastic," he said with a smile, before turning to the restrained king and reaching for his face, "Now then, Your Majesty, just hold still. This won't hurt a bit."
"Urg who are you!? What is the meaning of this?!" Cobra demanded as 2 crouched down, "I demand you unhand me at once!" He called out, with Robin giving a snort.
"You know, you'd be amazed to know that I don't hear that as often as you'd think," she said dryly.
"Hehe, it is funny when those little things come up~" Mr. 2 stated with a laugh as he gripped Cobra's face with his right hand, before reaching up to touch his own, the king's eyes widening as the shapeshifter changed to look just like him.
"What is this?!" he exclaimed.
"Nothing you need to worry about at the moment, Your Majesty," Robin replied before another hand emerged to jab Cobra in a pressure point, rendering him immediately unconscious.
"Indeed, for we're about to bring utopia for all!" Mr. 2 exclaimed, laughing in the form of King Cobra.
Robin rolled her eyes at that; why so many of their underlings bought so easily into Crocodile's propaganda about his endgame was a mystery to her. But if believing that they were taking over Alabasta as a prelude to creating a "perfect" nation got them to do their jobs, then so be it.
"Go get some of his clothes from the closet and prepare to move out," she ordered Mr. 2, causing him to straighten up.
"Of course," he replied with a bow and now speaking in Cobra's voice, "After al,l a royal must look the part, and there is important work to be done."
"Indeed. So be sure to do your part properly, or you won't like what happens when next we meet," she said in warning, a dangerous edge to her voice that made Mr. 2 shudder even as she vanished into the shadows with the captive King Cobra.
"Ugh, that woman really needs to learn to lighten up a bit and take some joy in her work," he muttered as he started going through the king's closet, "But one endures what one must to accomplish their dreams, I suppose." He added with a sigh, "On the bright side, don't have to deal with Miss Tuesday anymore since she went rogue... why Zero recruited her, I still don't understand."
Shaking his head in order to stop thinking about his wayward partner, Mr. 2 went back to getting dressed and prepared. He had a rebellion to incite, after all~
(Some time later, outskirts of Alubarna)
"Hmm, so that's the capital of Alabasta," Lothor mused, looking up at the grand city atop the plateau in front of them. He had to admit, it looked very impressive in real life.
"Yes... this is home," Vivi said with a slight sigh and smile at seeing the capital in person. It felt like she'd been away for years since she left to pursue this investigation, "It seems we might have arrived in time after all," she noted with a hint of relief in her tone.
Relief that went out the window the minute that Terramole popped out of the ground in front of them.
"I wouldn't celebrate just yet, Your Highness," the monster said, "I just spotted a large number of people marching on the city. And they don't look like an official army to me."
"It would appear that the rebels are on the move," Zurgane noted grimly.
"What?! NO!" Vivi cried out in horrific realization, before shaking her head, "I need to get to Koza! If I can just get him to listen to me about Crocodile, we can stop them before any blood is shed!" she said with a tone full of convicted determination, while a voice of doubt whispered in her ear. After all, if Koza was so quick to think the worst of her father, who's to say her childhood friend wouldn't do the same to her?
Seeming to know what she was thinking, Lothor said, "We'll try, but I hope you're prepared for what we may have to do to stop them if your friend doesn't want to listen to reason."
Vivi shot a stern look at her... was he her fiancé now? Well, whatever he was, she gave him a firm look as she replied, "I don't want it to come to that. But if it's a choice between Koza and my kingdom... I'm not going to sacrifice the greater good for one person, even a friend."
"Glad to hear it," Lothor said with a nod, before facing the whole group, "We'll move to place ourselves between the city and the rebels. Hopefully, we can intercept them and talk them down before they get into attack range."
"At once, sir!" Zurgane said with a salute, ready to get to work and determined not to fail his master.
"Ehh... maybe Kapri and I should go on ahead and try to get in contact with Vivi's dad," Marah suggested with a slight nervous look.
"And you think he'd listen to two random girls he's never met because...?" Lothor asked with a deadpan look.
"Well, you know, we can be very convincing!" Kapri stated awkwardly, making her uncle sigh.
"Look, if things go bad, you can head to the palace with Vivi while the rest of us handle the fighting. Happy?" he asked.
"Sounds like a plan to me!" Marah said with a happy grin.
"Hmm, wonder how they treat royal guests," Kapri added in thoughtful tone.
"Try not to get in the way, and I'll make sure you get 5-star treatment," Vivi said dryly, before turning to Lothor, "Let's go, while we still can."
"Lead on, Your Highness," Lothor replied, following after Vivi as she rode Karoo towards the city, aiming for an area midway between the city and the approaching rebels, planting herself firmly in their path. And she could already see the dust cloud of the approaching militia forming not far in the distance.
As they got closer, she could see them, countless people in trucks, jeeps, motorcycles, even on horses and camels. No heavy duty military vehicles like tanks, but by sheer numbers, that might not matter as much in the short term of a battle.
So many of her people, rising up against her family, she couldn't help but think sadly, before Lothor's firm but gentle hand on her shoulder snapped her back to focus.
"Stay strong," he said, "If they see weakness, they'll take full advantage of it."
"Right..." Vivi said, nodding with a agreement while steeling herself, "I just need a way to get them to stop, while getting their attention," she muttered out loud.
Frowning in thought as her mind whirled desperately, Vivi decided that there was only one thing to do. Yanking her hood down to let her recognizable blue hair flow freely, she then sent Karoo charging forward straight at the oncoming rebels, figuring that this was guaranteed to get their attention.
"Not quite what I meant, but okay," Lothor muttered, before charging after her.
"KOZA! KOZAAAAAA!" Vivi screamed into the distance, determined to get her childhood friend turned rebel leader's attention and get him to stop this madness.
Whether her shouts were actually heard, or it was just the audacity of her charging an army by herself, she didn't know. But it actually caused the rebels to come up short as she approached them.
Unaware that up among the capital city's defenders, Intergang operatives were laying in wait.
"Steady men... don't fire until I..." the leading officer's words were cut off as several of his men holding snipers at the ready opened fire without his order.
"What?! Hold fire!" the officer demanded, only to be drowned out as the actual soldiers followed the operatives' lead and started firing down at the rebels, who reacted accordingly.
"Ambush!" a rebel yelled, causing the whole army to freak out, returning fire back up at the city's walls while also taking cover.
Vivi watched all this in shock, then her eyes widened in panic as she saw several guns being aimed at her.
BOOM
Fortunately, before anyone could shoot, Lothor fired an energy blast that hit the ground in front of her and threw up a cloud of dust, blinding the rebels.
"Time to go," he said, grabbing Karoo to turn him around and sending the duck running back to their group.
"What the hell just happened?!" Vivi exclaimed in disbelief and frustration.
"If I had to guess, Crocodile has people in the royal forces too, and had them act," Lothor replied, cursing himself for not seeing that coming. Especially considering this exact same scenario had happened in One Piece! Honestly, what was the use of having meta knowledge if he was going to waste it and not exploit it? A lesson to remember for another time, he thought as Vivi gave a look of horrified realization.
"If their infiltration has reached that far, then there's no telling who we can or can't trust!" she snapped with a grimace, before shaking her head, "But still... there must some way to stop the fighting... some way we can prevent both sides from killing each other and focus on the real enemy!"
Vivi said as she leaned against Karoo as her faithful steed and friend raced off, avoiding any shots fired at their back... "Though as things stand, the only thing I can think of to make them stop is..."
Vivi suddenly paused as an idea suddenly hit her... though this idea in itself was also dangerous... and would make her and Lothor's future alliance and marriage... complicated, especially when time came to make it public.
"Is a common enemy..." she finished, her thought glancing over her shoulder to Lothor, who blinked at her, "Was that report about you turning one of your soldiers into a giant as accurate as I believe?"
"Yes, though I normally only do that when they fall in battle," Lothor replied, starting to get an idea for where Vivi was going with this, "That said, I can do it if necessary."
"Well, I think this counts," Vivi said, looking back at the advancing rebels, "We need something to keep both sides too busy to fight each other, at least long enough for us to stop and expose Crocodile!"
"Hmm, that could work," Lothor mused, before raising his voice, "Terramole, front and center!"
"Yes, master!" the mole monster said, stepping forward to bow to Lothor.
"Seems we're going to need you to go plus-sized for a while," Lothor stated.
"Hehe, you know I'm always up for digging up some new canyons for local terrain~" Was Terramole's eager reply, causing Vivi to give a worried scowl.
"Try to keep damage to both my kingdom and people as small as possible," she said, before adding with a sigh, "And I'm not looking forward to the additional attention this will likely get from the Justice League and other governments, but that's a problem to be addressed later," she stated to herself, before looking over toward Lothor with a slight conflicted look, "And depending how this goes, this might make our marriage plans to seal the alliance more... complicated."
She told him with a grimace, actually finding herself displeased at the idea of her people seeing Lothor as a threat rather than ally who helped them in their time of need.
"I fear that that's a risk we're going to have to take, and deal with any complications later," Lothor stated, looking to the advancing rebels, "So, unless there's any other objections...?"
When no one replied, Lothor nodded and pulled out his communicator, hitting a button.
"Scroll of Empowerment, descend!" he commanded. And moments later, a scroll launched from his ship appeared in the air over them, unfolding and firing its energy at Terramole, who quickly grew to massive size.
"Ha! Who's the mole now?!" the monster crowed as he loomed over both armies, which stopped in their tracks to stare up at him in horrified surprise.
"MONSTER?!"
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
"IS THIS A REBEL TRICK?!"
"US?! SEEMS SOMETHING LIKE THOSE ROYALIST SCUM WOULD PULL!"
Were the shouts coming from both armies as they stared up at the gigantic figure towering over them, with one in particular, Koza, gritting his teeth, his mind going back to a foreign report he'd gotten awhile back. He might be more focused on helping his homeland, but he wasn't going to ignore the outside world and the dangers that could come to Alabasta, and he like many others of course heard about what occurred in the Kingdom of Kaznia, and he was realizing that one of the alien invaders involved saw a chance to exploit Alabasta's current turmoil.
"Damn it!" He snapped with gritted teeth, banging his fist against the dashboard of the jeep he was riding, this... this was perhaps one of the worst case scenarios that could happen! The conflict was already likely going to be bad enough with the loss of lives of good men and women on BOTH sides, and now... now they had to deal with an outside threat interfering, in the most dramatic way possible!
So caught up in his panic and anger at this as he was, he barely remembered the brief appearance by whoever it was that had charged his army just now, who had looked so familiar... but that didn't matter right now. They had to focus on the literally bigger problem right in front of them.
"Sir! What do we do?!" an officer yelled at him.
"Concentrate everything we have at that thing!" he ordered.
"What about the royalists..." the officer questioned, only for Koza to snap at him, "If they have any sense, they'll be doing the same, and if so consider this a temporary truce and ceasefire until the larger threat is dealt with!"
Koza snapped, glaring at the man, "Whatever our problems with Cobra, I don't think it needs to be said that the last thing we want is some alien warlord rolling in and taking his place while enslaving our people!"
He said, with the officer rapidly nodding before carrying off the command, and soon all rebel forces were opening fire with everything they had at Terramole. Which... wasn't doing much, actually.
"Hahahaha! Is that all you've got?" Terramole laughed down at them, before taking a big dramatic step forward and brought it down hard on the rebels, barely giving them a chance to get out of the way.
"Does he not remember he's not supposed to kill anyone?" Vivi asked in exasperation.
"Sorry darling, but we do have to make it look good to keep everyone's attention off of each other," Lothor stated, "Now, let's move. We may not know his exact agenda, but if I were in Crocodile's position, I'd probably target your father in order to move things along."
At that Vivi went still, but understood that Lothor was right... and so with one last wary look toward Terramole, who gave a deep laugh as he gave another mighty stomp, shaking the battlefield, she followed after Lothor, hoping it wasn't too late to help her father.
Meanwhile, many particular eyes had of course notice Terramole's arrival.
"I think it's a safe bet to say the princess and her ally have arrived," spoke out Nico Robin in a dry tone to Crocodile from their current vantage point.
"Your powers of observation are as astute as ever," Crocodile growled, biting down hard on his cigar. Dammit, the armies were supposed to be slaughtering each other in order to create enough chaos for him to go after the poneglyph without being noticed, and then wiped out by his bomb to cover his tracks. Now, if the bomb went off, it would only destroy a chunk of the city and not any soldiers because they were in the wrong location!
Well, like the expression went, time to make lemonade from these lemons.
"Contact Mr. 7 and Miss Father's Day, tell them to launch the bomb at this thing instead of the square," he ordered, "We'll just have to let the armies bleed each other dry the old fashioned way once it's dead."
"Right, and if the bomb isn't powerful enough to take down our not so little friend?" Robin asked him, arching a brow.
"It'll do its job, so I suggest you do the same," Crocodile snapped, sending her a glare before his form shifted into sand and flew off, leaving Robin to frown before sighing as the sent out the order.
Meanwhile, others were also taking in the new arrival.
"Uh, Jafar, JAFAR! WE GOT A BIG PROBLEM HERE!" Screeched Iago as he looked out the small window of Jafar's secret tower sanctum.
"Yes, Iago, I can see that," snapped the vizier with a glower and seething expression, "It seems that Intergang aren't the only source of riff-raff making trouble in Alabasta."
This was just what he didn't need on top of everything else. Bad enough those criminals were instigating a rebellion, but now one of those blasted aliens was taking advantage of it!
And the worst part was that now, of all times, he'd lost track of the king! The old fool had somehow slipped out of the palace, only for some reason to then go confront the rebels himself and attack them before fleeing, which had caused them to launch this attack. And now, Jafar had no idea where he was!
"This is a disaster..." Jafar groaned, rubbing his eyes.
"Yeah, it's not looking good," Iago said with a grimace while landing on his shoulder, "Think it might be time for you to either show your stuff, or start packing."
Iago said while watching the laughing monster as it terrorized two armies, "Maybe that Queen Audrey chick is in the market for a new advisor?"
"No!" Jafar snapped, "I have worked too hard to get into such a position of power and influence, and besides which, the Cave of Wonders is here! I will not walk away from the power it holds because of those meddling interlopers!"
"Fine, then you better think of something else, because at this rate I don't think there's going to be a country left for you to search through for that cave," Iago commented, looking out the window again.
Jafar at that let out a growl, but knew Iago had a point, and so he gave a groaning sigh.
"I was hoping to keep the full extent of my power and mystical knowledge a secret," He said with a dark scowl, "But it's either showing my hand and dealing with the consequences... or having MY kingdom reduced to rubble in the desert sands."
He said as he then turned to look toward Iago, who suddenly got very nervous at the look in his "friend's" eyes.
"Uhhh, Jafar..." the parrot fluttered off, backing away from the scheming vizier, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Iago said with a nervous gulp as Jafar smirked, "While I might not yet have the power to make even that ancient fossil Nabu wary or destroy that joke of a League..." He held up his snake staff with its eyes glowing red, "I do have enough to show this Lothor he's not the only one who can make giants~"
"Hang on a minute, I don't agree to this!" Iago protested, taking off and trying to fly away.
ZAP
Only to get blasted by a beam of red light from the staff before he got far.
"Yaaaahhhh!" he yelped as the blast sent him flying right out of the window, where he then started to rapidly grow.
"Oh, I'd better be getting something good later on for this!" he called out angrily and with a slight pained groan as he felt his form enlarging.
"Stop your complaining and attack that thing!" Jafar snapped, eyes on his staff glowing again in a threatening manner.
"Alright, alright, I'm going!" Iago yelled back in annoyance as his body finished growing. With a flap of his now humongous wings, he took off for Terramole, who was still shrugging off the attacks from both armies.
"Hey, rat-face!" he called out.
"What?" Terramole demanded, turning to face the insulting voice, only for Iago to sweep past him and claw at his face.
"AGGHHH!" the mole-man yelled as the claws drew blood.
"HA! Guess you ain't so tough after all, huh?!" Iago called out with a mocking grin, actually feeling exhilarated and powerful right now. After so long playing the dumb pet bird, it felt good to be in a position of power... even if said position came with more danger to his life than he preferred, he thought as he swooped in for another swipe.
"Argh, damn flying pest! Why can't you birds just leave us innocent moles alone!" Terramole yelled, attempting to swipe at Iago.
"Not our fault you rats look so tasty!" Iago taunted, dodging the swipes.
"Rats?! Oh, that tears it!" Terramole yelled, before beginning to fire laser blasts from his forehead at Iago, who yelped and flew more erratically to try and dodge them.
Meanwhile, the attacks from both armies trailed off as they all stared at this with confusion.
"Uh, sir? Do we attack the giant bird too?" a royal soldier asked Chaka, who was standing nearby supervising. And was staring at the form of the bird with narrowed eyes, because though it was MUCH larger and talking, he recognized the bird well. After all, hard not to, since he could usually be found perched on Jafar's shoulder.
"I always knew there was something off about that bird," he muttered, as something about that bird had seemed more intelligent than it seemed... and clearly, it seemed Jafar had a lot of explaining to do... but that could come later. Right now...
"No, keep our focus on the monster. For now, the bird is an ally!" he called, giving his order.
"Yes sir!" the soldier replied, he and his comrades resuming firing on Terramole, who ignored them to keep fighting Iago.
Meanwhile, Lothor and Vivi's group were making their way up the grand staircase that led up to the palace proper.
"Stop lagging, girls!" Lothor called back to his nieces, who were well behind the others.
"Why... are... there... so... many... stairs?" Kapri panted.
"Haven't you... heard... of elevators?" Marah asked, shooting Vivi a glare.
"Excuse my ancestors for not coming up with the concept, and believing a little exercise wouldn't kill someone," Vivi retorted with an eye roll.
The girls glared at her, but before they could say anything, Zurgane spoke up.
"Uh, sir, should we be concerned about that?" he asked, pointing to where Iago and Terramole were fighting, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Well, that was unexpected," Lothor commented, recognizing Iago, albeit not at that size. A reference to the live action movie, perhaps?
"Wait a minute, is that Jafar's bird?!" Vivi exclaimed.
"Huh... do not envy him when it's time to clean his bird cage, then," Marah said with a slight dumbfounded blink, "Ow!" Before letting out a yell when her sister smacked the back of her head.
"Obviously the bird isn't usually this big, stupid," Kapri scolded.
"No, it's not," Vivi said with a scowl, "I think Jafar and I are going to need to have words when this is over."
"Worry about that later, princess, we have more important things to focus on right now," Lothor said.
"Right, we need to find my father," Vivi said with a frown, "The throne room shouldn't be far."
"Lead on," Lothor said, following after her as she led them through the palace.
Though as they did so, they missed the literal eyes watching them from the ceiling before they disappeared.
"The princess is heading to the throne room," Nico Robin said to Mr. 2, currently in his true form but wearing the King's clothes.
"Well, I'll be happy to make sure her daddy's ready to greet her," Mr. 2 said with a smirk, "But all her little friends will be a problem, never mind her not so little friend outside."
He said, standing on his tippy toys before leaning forward and standing on one leg, "I'm good, darling, but I've got my limits."
"We'll handle the monster outside," Robin replied, though she had some doubts about actually being able to do that, "As for the princess's other new friends, we'll run interference with them to separate the group so that they can't help her any further."
"Good luck with that, dear," Mr. 2 said dryly, "After all, those two bimbo girls were surprisingly tough, I'd have to wager a guess that the ones who actually look strong are even more of a threat."
"True but our own agents aren't lacking in the dangerous department either," Robin replied.
"Very true. A pity I won't be able to watch all those fights in person, they should be fun~" Mr. 2 laughed, before changing back to Cobra's appearance and slipping into character, "But for now, I'm ready to do my part."
"Then let's set the stage and begin the show," Robin said with a smirk.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And the fight is on, with me/Lothor and Jafar both throwing wild cards into the mix. And that's not even counting the looming showdown against Intergang coming up.
But on the bright side, Vivi and I/Lothor have formalized our alliance~
Leave a kudos and/or comment if you enjoyed the chapter!
Nightmaster000 A/N: And there we go another chapter done, good news the armies aren't killing each other, the bad news two giant monsters to worry about~ But things are certainly getting interesting, and hope you'll all enjoy the conflict ahead. :)
And like Zim said don't be afraid to leave review or kudos~
Chapter 30: Alabasta, Part 5
Summary:
Lothor and Vivi's group meets some new allies, before confronting Intergang.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hiya everyone! Hope you are all ready because we got ourselves a action pack chapter, that will hopefully satisfy the fight junkies among our readers~ As we're truly kicking off the battle between Lothor forces and Intergang, during the midst of Operation: Utopia. Who will come out on top? Lets find out!
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: This might be one of my favorite chapters in the whole story so far, just because it really lets us have fun with the action. I hope you all enjoy it as much.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"We'll handle the monster outside," Robin replied, though she had some doubts about actually being able to do that, "As for the princess's other new friends, we'll run interference with them to separate the group so that they can't help her any further."
"Good luck with that, dear," Mr. 2 said dryly, "After all, those two bimbo girls were surprisingly tough, I'd have to wager a guess that the ones who actually look strong are even more of a threat."
"True but our own agents aren't lacking in the dangerous department either," Robin replied.
"Very true. A pity I won't be able to watch all those fights in person, they should be fun~" Mr. 2 laughed, before changing back to Cobra's appearance and slipping into character, "But for now, I'm ready to do my part."
"Then let's set the stage and begin the show," Robin said with a smirk.
(Elsewhere)
"Is this place usually so empty?" Marah asked, looking around the empty hallway as the group made their way through the palace.
"No. They must have evacuated everyone nonessential for their own safety," Vivi replied, feeling a sense of dread at seeing her home so abandoned. The palace was usually so full of life, with servants and guards at work, yet now not a sign of any of them.
It just felt... wrong.
And it was all because of Crocodile and his scheming, Vivi thought angrily, clenching her fists. Oh, when she got her hands on him...
"Are we almost to the throne room?" Lothor asked, snapping her out of her vengeful thoughts.
"Yes, we should be.." Vivi started to say, before an expensive vase was thrown straight at Lothor's head.
SHATTER
Followed by a feminine voice yelling out angrily, "Get away from her!"
And next thing Vivi knew, Jasmine came bounding forward... on the back of her tiger Raja, holding a scimitar!
"Wha- Jasmine?!" Vivi called out in surprise, shocked by the sight of her longtime servant and friend charging toward them like some kind of warrior. Lothor, meanwhile, merely lowered the arm that had instinctively knocked the vase out of the air and arched an eyebrow.
"Hmm, impressive," he stated, stepping forward to meet the attack. Glaring at him, Jasmine charged at him, clearly intending to either slash him with her scimitar or having Raja maul him... only for him to easily dodge both attacks, while lashing out with an arm to clothesline her across the chest and knock her clean off of her mount.
"But not quite good enough~" he added with a chuckle, leering down at her as his eyes roamed over her body. Oh, very nice~
"Arg... I am... lady Jasmine Agrabah, noble of Alabasta... and loyal servant to the princess," Jasmine grunted as she pushed herself up off the ground, "And I won't let you... harm Vivi!" She yelled out in a snarl as she bounded at Lothor, swinging her blade as the tiger Raja skidded to a stop and whirled around, pouncing toward the group, with Marah clinging to her sister with a slight shriek as Zurgane moved to intercept the beast.
"STOP!" Vivi yelled before anymore attacks could be made, actually making Jasmine and even Raja skid to a stop, "Jasmine, it's alright, they're allies!"
"Allies?" Jasmine repeated incredulously, "Vivi, that's one of the alien warlords who was involved in Kaznia! And one of his giant monsters is out there attacking us right now!"
"Hey, in Uncle's defense, that was her idea!" Kapri retorted, shoving Marah aside to point at Vivi.
"What?!" Jasmine gave her friend and princess a disbelieving look as Vivi sighed.
"He's been of valuable assistance against Intergang's plot. And Terramole's rampage out there is a necessary evil to stop the fighting by giving them a common enemy," Vivi explained.
"You can't be serious," Jasmine said flatly, "Vivi, you're really willing to make a deal with the devil like this?"
"If it keeps Crocodile and his goons from taking over my country, then yes, I am!" Vivi snapped, frustrations bubbling over, "I've almost been killed or worse multiple times over the last few days, and Lothor's been the one who's saved me each time! He might be evil, but he's at least a more honorable evil than the bastards who are trying to destroy everything I care about!"
Jasmine gave her friend a shocked look, "Wait... Crocodile?" She questioned after a moment.
"Yes, it turns out he's the leader of Intergang and the mastermind behind all the troubles Alabasta's been experiencing," Vivi spat out with a dark scowl as Jasmine sighed.
"Okay, this... information aside," she gave Lothor a distrusting glare, "You must realize that however he's been helping you, he's likely little better if not worse than Crocodile."
"Probably..." Vivi admitted with a sigh, "But better to have someone like him on our side and working with us than against us."
"And you actually trust him?" Jasmine pressed.
"We have an... arrangement," Vivi stated, reluctant to admit the details to her friend right now, for a number of reasons.
"Indeed we do," Lothor spoke up, "And in order for it to go through, there actually still needs to be a kingdom left for Her Highness here to rule. So, we really should get moving again, assuming no one else wants to delay us?"
And as if summoned at those words-
"Your Highness, Jasmine, MOVE!" A familiar voice, at least to Lothor and Jasmine in particular, rang out as a new form arrived holding a large net.
Specifically, a boy the same age as the girls, wearing a more modern outfit than Lothor would have normally expected to have seen him in, a purple dress shirt and beige pants rather than the Arabian style clothes he wore in his movies.
As everyone watched, the boy who could only be Aladdin threw the net towards Lothor, who just arched an eyebrow and pointed a finger, firing a bolt of energy that vaporized the net immediately.
"Cute," the ninja said flatly.
"Are we going to have to go over this all over again?" Kapri groaned.
"Sigh... stand down Aladdin, they're with me," Vivi ordered, recognizing the palace servant, one that Jasmine in particular seemed quite fond of for reasons she was suspicious of.
"What?!" The boy said, giving her a look of disbelief.
"I know, it sounds crazy to me too," Jasmine stated to him, before a groaning Vivi snapped, "Look, I'll explain everything later, right now we need to get to my father and warn him, whatever Intergang has been plotting is going into action as we speak."
At that, Jasmine and Aladdin exchanged a serous look.
"Vivi, about that. Intergang aren't the only ones you have to worry about warning your father of. There's also Jafar," Jasmine stated.
"Jafar?" Vivi blinked, "Okay, yes, he's obviously been keeping secrets, considering what just happened with his bird, but-"
"Your Highness, Jasmine says that she saw Jafar using mind control on the King," Aladdin quickly interjected.
At that, silence stood in the hall before being broken by Vivi.
"He's been what?" she asked, giving them a hard look, her voice flat but there was no denying the undercurrent of rage bubbling underneath the surface.
"It's true Vivi, I saw him using that snake staff of his to put the King in a hypnotic trance," Jasmine reported with a worried grimace, "And what's worse, he's planning to have you wed to him for the throne!"
"WHAT?!" Vivi yelled, growling in rage.
"Wow. At least Uncle worked out a deal with her for that instead of going around her back," Marah commented, her sister nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, we- wait, what?" Aladdin started to say, only to trail off in confusion as he processed what he'd just heard.
"Like the princess said, we have an arrangement~" Lothor said with a smirk, while Vivi groaned and placed her blushing face in her hands.
"Can we please discuss this after we stop Crocodile? And also Jafar?" she begged.
Jasmine wanted to pry more... but she knew that it wasn't the time so she sighed and nodded. "As you wish, Your Highness," she said with a frown.
"Good, now let's get to the throne room!" Vivi ordered, scowling, "If my father's being brainwashed, then it's more imperative now than ever that we find him."
She said with a scowl, wasting no time in running off in worry, a part of her wondering if Jafar was working his own agenda or was an ally of Crocodile, while the rest of the group blinked but moved to follow her. With Jasmine and Aladdin standing momentarily behind, before trading unsure looks as they moved behind the group.
"I just hope you know what you're doing, Vivi," Jasmine said with a low mutter as Zurgane gave a scoff.
"Your kingdom will be lucky to have Master Lothor as a leader," The General replied over his shoulder as the group raced through the palace halls, with Aladdin whispering to Jasmine.
"I don't like this..." he said with a scowl at Lothor's back.
"Neither do I, but we're in no position to start a fight right now," Jasmine replied.
"No, you're not," Lothor called back to them, letting them know as they turned a corner that he could hear them, "So, best to just play along and..."
BOOM
And then an explosion went off right in front of them, bringing the group up short.
"Dammit, Mr. 5, you fired too soon!" shouted a tall man whose hair was done up to look like a number 3.
"Well, maybe if someone would stop jabbering in my ear and let me do an ambush right, that wouldn't have happened!" Snipped back the other man with an irritated expression.
"Enough, both of you," Mr. 1 growled, not looking at his colleagues as the smoke cleared and he was able to get a look at Vivi's group.
"Oh look, a welcoming committee," Lothor said dryly, noting that most of the canonical Baroque Works members were gathered, with some noticeable exceptions, "But I see that your boss couldn't make it. He afraid of losing to me again?"
"Oh, don't worry, we'll be glad to arrange a personal meeting with our employer when we drag your broken body to him, handsome~" said the form of Miss Doublefinger with a smirk.
"Oh, handsome, am I?" Lothor asked with a smirk, carefully taking in the blue-haired woman's ridiculously hourglass-shaped figure, "You know, if you're looking for a date, you can just ask~"
Vivi let out a small growl at that, while Miss Doublefinger arched an eyebrow at him.
"Well, isn't that a typical man? About to die, and still thinking about getting laid!" scoffed Miss Valentine.
"No need to get jealous, Blondie, you can join us if you want~" Lothor added.
"Are you seriously going to flirt with every slut you meet?!" Vivi demanded incredulously.
"It's a curse, I have to show attraction to every beautiful woman I meet," Lothor replied melodramatically.
"You know, there's this thing called appreciating what you have," Vivi said with grinding teeth as she shot Lothor a glare, while their audience gave a blink.
"Anyone else starting to get a bit uncomfortable, or just me?" Mr. 3 asked in a low whisper.
"I don't have a problem with it," the redheaded teenager known as Miss Goldenweek commented with a shrug as she popped a cracker in her mouth.
"Yeah, but you don't have emotions," Mr. 5 said dryly.
"Enough of this!" Mr. 1 yelled, catching everyone's attention, "Lothor, you have interfered in matters that do not concern you, and now you shall pay the price!"
"Oh? And how do you plan to accomplish that, you walking Swiss Army knife?" Lothor asked dryly.
"First, behold as we bring down your giant!" Mr. 1 declared, pointing out the window to where Terramole could be seen still fighting Iago... just as something came flying out of a clocktower in the middle of the city and heading right towards them.
BOOM
And promptly exploded on impact with the mole monster.
"Uh, remind me again... can the Scroll of Empowerment be used on a fallen soldier if they got blown bits WHILE giant?" Marah questioned with a nervous look.
"Calm yourself, it will take more than that to bring down Master Lothor's soldiers," Zurgane chimed in with a stern tone as everyone around the city looked at the large smoke cloud that formed from the explosion.
"Where did that come from?" Chaka demanded of a nearby soldier.
"Someone reported an object being launched from the clocktower, sir," The soldier reported as Chaka frowned.
"Hahahah, once again an alien learns why you don't mess with Alabasta!" A rebel cheered next to Koza, who frowned.
"Something's wrong..." he said with a scowl, as his instincts were screaming at him that this wasn't over.
"Well, on one hand there's no longer a giant monster looming over the capital... on the other hand, there's nothing distracting an army of bloodthirsty rebels... and we're faced with a group of dangerous criminals... who with my current luck are probably superpowered," Aladdin said with a grimace, taking a stand in front of Jasmine, determined to do everything he could to protect her.
Meanwhile, in the clocktower, two figures were laughing as they stood next to the cannon that had fired the bomb at Terramole.
"Direct hit, Miss Father's Day!" cackled a man with poofy white hair and wearing a purple jacket covered in the number 7.
"As if there was any doubt, Mr. 7!" replied his partner, a purple-haired woman bizarrely dressed in a frog-themed costume, "Not what Zero originally wanted, but he can't say that we didn't do our part!"
The two continued to laugh, until...
"RAAAGGGHHHH!!!"
Everyone froze at the enraged roar, and looked in shock to the dispersing smoke cloud.
"Who did that?!" a burned but otherwise intact Terramole demanded angrily.
"I'm pretty sure it came from that clocktower," a slightly singed Iago, who had dodged most of the blast, grumbled as he looked over his blackened feathers.
Hearing that, Terramole turned to face the clocktower. Growling, his forehead glowed, before firing a laser at the tower.
"Oh, sh-" was all that Mr. 7 and Miss Father's Day managed to get out before the laser hit.
BOOM
...
...
...
...
"Well... so much for that plan..." Mr. 5 said after a somewhat stunned silence.
"Ehh, never really like those two anyway, if being honest," Mr. 3 said with a scoff.
"...I had fond childhood memories of that tower," Vivi said, tone tense and eye twitching slightly.
"I'll build you a new one as a wedding present," Lothor shrugged, watching Terramole and Iago resume fighting for a moment, before turning back to the other Intergang members, "So, who's next?"
"As they say..." Mr. 3 stepped up with an arrogant smirk, "If you want something done right..," He raised out his hands, "Do it yourself!" He yelled, thrusting his hands forward and shooting out a wave of wax from his hands straight at them. Within moments, the wax had surrounded the group and hardened to a steel-like state.
"And that's how you do it," Mr. 3 said with a smug smile... which fell off his face as the wax was suddenly sliced open, falling apart to reveal Zurgane standing in front of the others, sword held high.
"Is that all that you have?" the black armored samurai scoffed.
"Er... Mr. 1, can you handle this?" Mr. 3 asked nervously.
"Sigh... like you said, if you want something done right," Mr. 1 said with an annoyed look, stepping up while ignoring Mr. 3's glare, "Besides, I do believe we need to finish our match from earlier," Mr. 1 said glaring at Zurgane.
"I will take great pleasure presenting your head to Master Lothor," Zurgane said, stepping up into a battle stance.
"We'll see who takes whose head," Mr. 1 sneered, arms shifting into blades, before he and Zurgane charged each other.
CLANG
With their blades clashing, the two fell into a deadly dance, which soon took them down a side corridor, leaving the others behind.
"So, anyone else want a one-on-one?" Lothor asked after a momentary silence, sending a challenging smirk towards the remaining Intergang members.
"Hmm, how about you and me go a couple rounds, handsome~" Miss Doublefinger offered with a sultry smirk, stepping up.
"Well, I never so no to an eager lady~" Lothor chuckled, stepping forward and cracking his knuckles.
"Just stop flirting and kick her ass already!" Vivi snapped. Lothor laughed at that and then dashed forward, Doublefinger running to meet him, her fingers extending out into spikes as she moved and slashing at him.
"Hope, you've got the stamina to keep up with me... because I can keep this up all night long~" Doublefinger called, her voice husky, with Vivi's face turning red.
"Leave it to Crocodile to employ a slut!" she called out angrily, as Aladdin and Jasmine gave her wary looks.
"You seem... rather upset, Your Highness," Jasmine said with a slight cough.
'Circumstances that led to it aside, Lothor is now my fiancé, so yes, I'm annoyed at a floozy flirting with my intended," Vivi snipped back, grumbling under her breath.
"Don't worry Your Highness, once we're done with you, those little worries like not being able to satisfy your man will be a thing of the past~" Miss Valentine called with a mocking smirk and giggle.
Vivi shot Valentine a glare, both for that comment and remembering that Lothor had flirted with her too.
"Know what? You're mine," she said, pulling out her string blades and beginning to twirl them.
"Oooh, I'm so scared~" Valentine cooed with a laugh while spinning the umbrella in her hand. She then leapt into the air, going higher than any of her opponents could have expected, nearly hitting the ceiling. And then she came down fast, Vivi barely having a chance to dodge out of the way before the blonde hit the floor hard.
SMASH
As in, hard enough to crater it and cause a shockwave that nearly knocked everyone off their feet.
"How the hell did you do that?!" Kapri demanded.
"I can alter my density at will," Valentine explained, "From light as feather to practically fly, to literally weighing a ton to crush people like a wrecking ball. All without affecting my perfect figure~"
"Perfect? Please, I've seen better." Marah scoffed.
"Excuse me?" Valentine demanded with a glare.
"I'm just saying, your hips are looking a bit bigger than your chest~" Marah added with a mean giggle.
"Yeah, and what's with the lemon motif?" Kapri sneered, "What are you, a kindergartner in a school play about healthy dieting?"
Valentine scowled and opened her mouth to snarl something back at them...
SLING
"AAHHH!"
And then she screamed as one of Vivi's blades cut across her cheek.
"Forget about those two, I already called dibs on you," the princess snapped at Valentine, ready to vent some rage at the convenient target.
"You know what? Sure..." Valentine snarled, glaring at the princess, "Either way, today a bitch is gonna die!" She yelled, lunging toward Vivi as she leapt into the air.
Once again, she came down hard, Vivi jumping out of the way to avoid being crushed. As she landed on her feet, she threw one of her blades at Valentine, only for the blonde to intercept it with her umbrella, the string wrapping around it.
"Nice try~" Valentine replied with a smirk, tugging hard on the string with the umbrella, causing Vivi to stumble forward.
WHACK
At which point Valentine struck her hard in the chest with a now very dense fist. Causing Vivi to let out a pained gasp as she was sent flying a few feet back.
"Honestly, I'm a trained experienced mercenary with superpowers, while you're just some spoiled royal brat," Valentine gave a mocking smirk, "Do you really think you have a chance against me?"
"I'm not just a spoiled brat," Vivi spat as she painfully got back to her feet, "I'm a princess of Alabasta... and that means being trained to fight against scum like you who threaten my kingdom and my people!"
"Oh please, am I supposed to feel threatened?" Valentine scoffed, raising her umbrella to block another swing of Vivi's weapons.
Instead, to her surprise, Vivi ran forward and punched her in the face.
"Urg... oh, you little bitch!" Valentine snarled, stumbling back as her hand went to her nose, with Vivi exploiting the opportunity to lash out with her ring weapon, with Valentine barely dodging but still getting cut on the side of her leg, "Urg!" She yelled in pain while sending Vivi a hateful glare.
Though as this fight, along with Lothor's fight with Doublefinger and Zurgane's duel with Mr. 1 were happening, Aladdin turned to the girls, tiger, and the group of Kelzaks.
"Shouldn't we do something to help them?" he asked with a worried grimace, glancing toward the remaining agents who were Mr. 3, Golenweek, and Mr. 5, unaware of the absence of Miss Merry Christmas, Mr. 4, and Mr. 2.
"Hmm... yeah, probably. She is going to be our step-aunt, after all," Kapri mused with a nod, while Marah blinked.
"Huh, just occurred to me. Is it weird that she's going to be that when she's basically our age?" she asked her sister.
"Eh, maybe, but it's still better than the bug bitch," Kapri scoffed, before turning to the Kelzaks, ready to give them an order to attack the Intergang members... and then blinked as she saw that Goldenweek had somehow snuck up on them, now holding a paint brush and a palette of several colors of paint.
"How did you...?" Kapri started to ask, looking in confusion between the other girl and her former location.
"I'm sneaky, and you were too busy talking. Now hold still," Goldenweek said flatly, before making a few quick motions and painting a red symbol on Kapri's chest.
"Hey! Did you just paint on me?!" Kapri demanded angrily, jumping back in surprise, "Kelzaks, attack!"
The Kelzaks did as ordered... and to everyone's surprise, went for Kapri instead of Goldenweek.
"What the fuck?! I meant attack her, not me!" she yelled, rapidly blocking blows.
"Hey, what are you guys doing?!" Marah yelled in disbelief at seeing her sister attacked by their own troops.
"My paints have a hypnotic effect. I call it Colors Trap," Goldenweek explained dully, "That's Bullfighter Red, it makes whoever sees it want to attack it, and anyone or anything it's drawn on. And I call this one, Tranquil Green."
Before anyone could question that last part, Goldenweek dashed forward and painted a green symbol on Marah's chest, who immediately slumped with a glazed look in her eyes.
"Calm down and take a seat," Goldenweek ordered.
"Okay," Marah replied with a dull tone of her own, before she sat down on the floor.
"Marah! Get up! Now is not the time to sit on your fat ass!" Kapri called out angrily.
"I don't wanna," Marah muttered in response, making her sister growl as she continued to dodge attacks.
"Don't bother getting upset at her. As long as that paint's on her, she'll have no drive to do anything," Goldenweek commented blandly.
"Ohh, you are so asking for it, brat!" Kapri said, kicking back a Kelzak before snapping at Jasmine, "Sick your tiger on her!" she yelled, with Jasmine giving a startled blink, knowing she had to help... but feeling mixed feelings at the idea of attacking a child to say the least... but she was working with terrorist threatening their kingdom.
"Raja..." Jasmine called out. However, before she could finish the order-
BOOM
An explosion burst on the floor next to them, sending them flying back.
"Forget about me?" Mr. 5 asked, finger still extended from having flicked the explosion at them.
"Urg...actually, yes," Jasmine said with a grunted groan, before sending him a taunting smirk, "After all, you aren't exactly that memorable."
"What?" Mr. 5 asked with a scowl.
"Yeah, you know, she's right," Aladdin said, quickly picking up on what Jasmine was doing, "I mean, your friends are all pretty unique-looking and have special skills. You're just a guy in a trench coat who blows stuff up."
"I can turn any part of my body into explosives!" Mr. 5 snapped.
"Still not as impressive as turning her arms into swords or being able to summon tidal waves of wax," Jasmine said, smirking at how angry this was making the criminal.
"Hmm, they do have a point~" Mr. 3 said smugly, stroking his chin with a smirk.
"Excuse me?" Mr. 5 asked, his eye twitching as he turned his head toward Mr. 3.
"Like they said, someone who can blow stuff up is a dime a dozen," Mr. 3 said with a shrug, "The rest of our abilities are not only more unique but more... shall we say, versatile."
"Oh please, you're a walking candle. How useful is that?" Mr. 5 sneered at his technical superior.
"I have a variety of techniques at my disposal, for both offense and defense," Mr. 3 snapped in annoyance.
"Then how come all you ever do is drown people in wax?"
"I do more than that!"
"Name one time!"
"...So, do we help Vivi or those girls while these two are distracted?" Aladdin muttered to Jasmine.
"Come on, can't you do more than crush people with your fat ass?!" Was the mocking shout of the princess in question, with Valentine's roar of rage following along with a loud crash.
BANG
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
Causing Jasmine and Aladdin to wince.
"I believe Her Highness has it handled for now, and assisting the others will secure more reinforcements for the others," Jasmine stated to Aladdin, who gave an agreeing nod.
"Yeah, good idea," he said, looking to where Goldenweek was casually eating crackers while watching Kapri continuing to fight off all the Kelzaks.
"You're all fired when this is over!" she yelled at them, leaping up to punch one in the face while kicking another away.
"Considering you and your boss are going to be dead when this is all over, they can just work for Intergang instead," Goldenweek called out in a deadpan.
"Oh, shut it, brat! You're so getting a spanking after I'm done with these ingrates!" Kapri snapped, sending a Kelzak flying back with a spin kick.
"For the record, I'm 16," the painter replied, extra flatness in her tone, "I'm just short and underdeveloped."
"Oh good, so I don't need to feel guilty about this," Aladdin commented from next to Goldenweek, who only had a chance to blink before he punched her.
"Urggg...!" Was her startled cry as she was knocked to the ground, "You really don't expect me to go down with just one punch do you?" Goldenweek asked blankly, while moving to push herself up from the floor.
"It'd be easier on you if you did," Jasmine said as she walked up to loom over the younger girl, "You obviously don't have any fighting skills yourself."
"No, but you do," Goldenweek replied, before her arm shot up to smear black paint onto Jasmine's midriff, "Betrayal Black. Attack your boyfriend."
"What?!" Aladdin called out in shock and surprise at this sudden move.
"Have fun," Goldenweek said with a hint of menace in her flat voice as Jasmine turned and lunged at Aladdin.
"Die!" Jasmine yelled, eyes wide as she swung her scimitar wildly at him.
"Jasmine! Snap out of it, fight it!" Aladdin called in shock.
"Sorry, doesn't work like that," Goldenweek said casually, sitting up and brushing herself off, "As long as the paint's on her, she can't fight its effects."
"Terrific," Aladdin muttered as he grabbed Jasmine's arm and reluctantly tossed her aside roughly.
"And here I am without any water to wash it off," He said, giving Jasmine an apologetic look, hoping she wouldn't hold any bruises against him later... if they survived to later.
And then, just to make things worse, Jasmine pointed to him and yelled, "Raja, attack!"
"Oh crap," Aladdin said, going pale as the tiger only hesitated a moment before turning and growling at him.
"Raja, buddy, come on... let's not do anything rash," Aladdin said, holding out a hand placatingly, "Jasmine isn't exactly in her right mind right now."
Unfortunately, Raja was only trained to obey his mistress, and since she'd ordered him to attack, that's what he was going to do. So with a roar, he pounced at Aladdin, who cursed and jumped out of the way.
"This is why people shouldn't have tigers as pets!" Aladdin yelled out
And as he continued dodging, his yells actually got the attention of Mr. 3 and Mr. 5, who finally broke off their petty argument to notice what was happening.
"Ah, well, Miss Goldenweek seems to be handling matters well enough," Mr. 3 coughed awkwardly into his fist, "We can probably just sit back and watch at this point."
"Right," Mr. 5 nodded, before frowning and adding, "But for the record, I could have handled it better than you."
"As if, you-"
"QUACK!"
And suddenly, Karoo slammed into Mr. 3 at high speed, sending him flying into Mr. 5 and bowling both of them over.
"Urg... forgot about the duck," Mr. 3 said with a slight pained groan of realization.
"Grr, no matter, I'm in the mood for roast ARGG!" Mr. 5's threat was cut off by Karoo leaping up into the air and than slamming down on both 3 and 5, jumping and up down on them while also pecking them with his beak.
"AGH!"
"UGH!"
"AAAAHHH!!!"
The two senior Intergang operatives yelled in pain as they were assaulted by the giant bird. With Goldenweek giving a blank look at this before sighing.
"Yeah... not my problem," she stated matter-of-factly, because if those two were getting their butts kicked by a giant duck of all things... then they could get themselves out of this mess, unless they'd rather explain to Mr. Zero why they shouldn't be replaced by some barn animal.
And as she turned back to observe Jasmine and Raja attacking Aladdin, while 3 and 5 were learning to fear a duck's rage.
CLANG
CLANG
The other bouts were proceeding.
"Hmm... I will give you credit," Zurgane looked right into his opponent's eyes, "You are certainly among the most skilled enemies I will conquer in Master Lothor's service."
He said, with Mr. 1 merely giving a dry snort.
"And you're proving to be more than a wannabe samurai," He remarked rather bluntly, though added with an arched brow, "Still surprised that space ninja and samurai are a thing, but hardly the weirdest thing I've seen I suppose."
"Yes, I imagine with everything else that this planet has experienced, we seem mild by comparison," Zurgane chuckled, thinking about all he'd seen and heard of on this version of Earth. It was certainly more of a challenge than just the ninja academies they'd been planning on dealing with back in their own reality.
"But do not deceive yourself, we are a superior force," he added as he gave another slash of his sword.
"You keep telling yourself that," Mr. 1 stated with a slight snort, "But other than the interesting trick with the giant," He grunted, using his arm turned blade to block Zurgane's strike, "I ain't exactly seen anything worth bragging about from you lot."
Mr. 1 gave an even stare at Zurgane's face, "At the end of the day, you're just a man with some skill serving a man with some ambition, just like me... nothing special."
"Oh, is that right?" Zurgane growled, "Then let this match determine who is truly superior!"
"Agreed," Mr. 1 growled, arm blades extending before the two of them charged each other again.
CLANG
CLANG
Matching each other blow for blow, until Zurgane noticed Mr. 1 standing by a window. Seeing an opportunity to exploit, he attempted to kick him through it.
With a smash, the blow connected, sending Mr. 1 flying backwards to slam into the window. The glass gave way from his weight, and with a scream he fell down towards the ground below.
Zurgane didn't know if that had killed his opponent, but it at least bought him time. Which, as he returned to the main hallway and took in the situation, was desperately needed to be spent here.
"Master Lothor, I am ready to assist!" He called, raising his blade, ready to intervene in his master's fight.
"Forget Uncle, he can handle some random floozy, help me and Marah deal with the underdeveloped hypno-girl!" Kapri snapped in annoyance, sending one more Kelzak flying.
"Uhh, I could use some help myself!" Aladdin screamed, ducking into a roll to avoid a pounce from Raja.
"Kapri, if you can't handle some Kelzaks, it means you've been slacking in training," Zurgane said dryly, "Obviously, my duty to Master Lothor is more important-"
"I'm fine, Zurgane," Lothor called out, casually dodging Doublefinger's strikes, "And you really shouldn't interrupt man's private dance!"
"What the hell does that mean?! I swear, if you're getting any ideas when your fiancé is standing just a few feet away, fighting for her life!" Vivi called angrily, with Zurgane wisely choosing to stay out of that and instead turning to the boy who was dealing with the tiger and the princess's compromised servant.
"Sigh... sometimes, you're too nice for your own good, Zurgane," The General muttered to himself before moving to aid Aladdin.
Just in time too, as Aladdin was cornered, Raja about to pounce on him.
SLASH
"RAGGGHHH!" Raja roared as Zurgane slashed him across the side, causing him to jump back.
"Raja!" Jasmine cried out, turning to glare at Zurgane, "You bastard!"
"You're not the first to call me that," Zurgane informed her in a battle stance, "Now, unless you want me to make a rug out of your pet, I suggest laying down the sword and letting us put you back in your right mind."
He said, with Jasmine scowling letting a screech of fury, "AARRRGG!" While Zurgane simply sighed.
"They always choose the hard way," he remarked, lunging forward.
CLANG
SWISH
SWING
CLATTER
"URRG!" And in a quick bit of movement, Zurgane managed to not only meet her attack, but caused Jasmine to lose her sword as he hit it hard enough to make her lose her grip and send it flying into the air, with it landing on the ground as Zurgane exploited the moment to lash out with a kick to Jasmine's stomach, knocking her back to the ground before pointing his blade at Jasmine's throat, "Don't move."
"Wait, don't hurt her, it's not her fault!" Aladdin begged.
"Perhaps not, but right now she's my opponent, as long as she's under the little one's control," Zurgane stated... before one of his hands let go of his sword to shoot behind him and grab Goldenweek's wrist as she came up behind him, hand covered in blue paint.
"Speaking of which," he said, looking back at her as she tried to break free, "I assume you have some sort of solvent for your paints. Give it to us."
"No," she retorted flatly, though there was a flicker of fear in her eyes.
"Alright," Zurgane said, before turning and tossing her at a wall, which she hit with a hard crack before sliding unconscious to the floor, "Boy, search her for the solvent."
"Right... searching the teenager who looks like a little girl," Aladdin said, giving a sigh, "Really hoping Jasmine won't hold this over my head later," he added as, necessity aside, he couldn't help but feel like a pervert doing this.
"Just do it!" Zurgane snapped, pressing his blade threateningly against Jasmine's neck to make a growling Raja back off. Seeing this, Aladdin moved quickly, hoping to fix this before it could get any worse.
Grimacing as he did so, he patted the young-looking girl down, searching every pocket and hidden corner of her outfit. He found multiple tubes of paint, and finally a small canister marked "solvent".
"Got it!" he yelled, running over and splashing some of the solvent onto the black mark on Jasmine's midriff. With Jasmine's look of anger turning into one of confusion, before her eyes went wide, "Oh Aladdin, I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay, it wasn't your fault," Aladdin started to say, only for Zurgane to cut him off and snatch the solvent canister out of his hands.
"Save your relationship drama for another time, we have other things to worry about," the samurai stated, before tossing the solvent towards Kapri, "Kapri, use that on yourself and Marah!"
"Oh sure, NOW you help out!" Kapri grumbled, having just finished knocking out the last Kelzaks. Catching the solvent, she quickly used it to remove her own paint mark before it could make anyone else attack her, then walked over to her sister and splashed her with it.
"Uhhh... what just happened?" Marah questioned with a confused blink.
"Just you being useless, like usual," Snipped her sister.
"Hey! You take that back!" Marah demanded as she stood up.
"Enough! Now is not the time for your petty arguing!" Zurgane snapped, "We must aid the master and his betrothed!"
"AAAGGHH!"
"Ha! You like that, bitch?!"
"Why are you even so pissed at me, brat?! I'm not the one your boyfriend's flirting with!"
"Close enough!"
"...Can we just focus on Uncle and let the princess handle that one on her own?" Marah asked, slightly intimidated.
"Master Lothor wished for no interference in his fight, and I'm truthfully more confidant in his combat abilities than the princess," Zurgane stated, though truthfully found himself wary of getting involved in the princess's battle as well for some reason.
Speaking of which, it had momentarily come to a stop, both combatants needing a moment to catch their breath. Vivi was bruised all over, while Valentine had multiple slashes around her body, and both were glaring at each other.
"Damn brat... can't you just... give up?" Valentine growled around pants.
"And let you... destroy my country? Fat chance," Vivi spat.
"Grr, your country is a small price to pay for utopia and accomplishing my dream!" Valentine.
"Your dream?" Vivi repeated with an undertone of incredulous rage.
"Yes I'm going to open up my own little cafe and be a patisserie!" Valentine stated determinedly, only to get stunned silence.
...
...
...
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Vivi bellowed, enraged.
"You're starting a civil war just to get a normal job you could get on your own?!" Jasmine added, also furious at the blatant selfishness.
"Wow, and people say we're self-centered," Marah said to her sister, who nodded as Valentine scowled at them.
"Do you know how hard it is to open a shop in this economy?" she spat, "Once Zero runs this country, he'll make it a paradise where anyone can achieve what their hearts desire!"
That got more incredulous looks, but before anyone could respond, loud laughter brought their attention to Lothor, who was pausing his fight with a confused Doublefinger to cackle.
"I'm sorry, but do you and your little friends actually believe that your boss has any agenda beyond ruling for the sake of ruling?" he sneered.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Valentine snapped sending the man a glare, "As long as we do our part we'll be rewarded with our dreams!"
"Oh please," Lothor rolled his eyes, "I talked with your employer back in the casino. He made it quite clear that he doesn't actually care about this country; he actually referred to it as a means to an end. Now, does that sound like someone trying to build a utopia to you?"
"Perhaps not, but we've all got to hitch our boat with someone," Doublefinger stated as Valentine gave a growl, while 5 and 3 were still distracted by a vicious duck attack, "After all, Alabasta's just a small example of how things are escalating in the world," She said, lashing out toward Lothor's head with a kick.
"She's right!" Valentine snapped defensively, "We all know that things have been building to a boiling point ever since the Justice League got founded! Bigger teams and alliances on both sides, governments getting involved - people with powers can't just go their own way anymore! You need to be part of something larger to survive!"
"Hmm, what a pity then that you let yourselves get dragged into the wake of a glorified con artist," Lothor mused, before smirking, "How about I make you a better offer?"
"Are you serious right now?" Vivi demanded incredulously, "Bad enough you're flirting with them, now you want to actually hire the people who have been plotting against my kingdom?"
"Just think of it as politics, dear," Lothor replied, "Sometimes, you need to make deals with people you don't like."
"Appreciate the offer, handsome, but one usually doesn't survive long in this business by betraying and switching employers on a dime," Doublefinger stated with a scoff.
"Fair enough, I suppose. You can think it over in the dungeons after I beat you," he replied with a shrug.
"Heh, sorry, but the only thing getting beat is that pretty face of yours!" Doublefinger yelled as she slashed at Lothor's face, only for him to dash out of the way with ninja speed.
WHAM
And then slammed both of his fists into the back of her head in a double hammer-strike.
"You were saying?" he asked with a smirk as Doublefinger collapsed at his feet.
"YOU BASTARD!" Valentine screeched, before letting out a yelp as she dodged another attack from Vivi but getting a small cut on the cheek, causing her to growl, "Will you two morons stop playing with the duck and help!"
She snapped, while unnoticed a figure began to lift themselves up into the hall through the window with a dark glare aimed at Zurgane.
"Does this, ACK, look like playing?!" Mr. 3 snapped, as Karoo hopped up and down on his spine, Mr. 5 groaning next to him.
"It would seem that your allies cannot help you, girl," Zurgane sneered, "Surrender now, and we will-"
"RAAAAGGGHHHH!" Mr. 1 yelled as he charged towards Zurgane, swinging out his arm blades, which the samurai barely blocked in time with his sword.
"Die!" Mr. 1 snarled in his face, driving him back several steps.
"Well, that was unexpected," Lothor muttered, taking a step towards his General, only for the apparently unconscious Doublefinger to suddenly pop back up and grab him by the leg, halting him in place.
"Gotcha!" she yelled with a smirk, at the same time that Mr. 5 decided to take advantage of the situation to try and salvage the situation. With Karoo focused on Mr. 3, he tore a hair off his head and flicked it towards Lothor.
BOOM
"LOTHOR!"
"UNCLE!"
"MASTER!"
Were the shared cries of shock and worry from Vivi, Marah, Kapri, and Zurgane, while Jasmine and Aladdin stared in silent shock along with Raja.
Of course, Mr. 1 was quick to exploit Zurgane's distraction.
"Ugh!" Zurgane cried out as one of Mr. 1's blades slashed across his arm.
"Don't worry, you'll be joining your master soon enough," Mr. 1 sneered, raising his other blade to aim at Zurgane's head, only to freeze as a voice called out.
"That stung a bit," Lothor said tersely, a slight growl in his voice as the smoke from the explosion cleared, revealing the warlord was slightly scorched, but otherwise unharmed, much to everyone's shock. Especially Doublefinger, who was still holding his leg, and paled as he turned to glare down at her.
"Oh, shit," she muttered as he yanked his leg free from her grip.
"Remember, I gave you a chance," he said, before bringing his foot down hard on her face. With Doublefinger's eyes widening before quickly attempting to block it by forming spikes from all over head and face.
WHACK
However, she didn't manage to do so in time, Lothor's boot slamming into her face and slamming her head against the floor hard enough to legitimately knock her out this time.
"Okay, playtime's over," Lothor said, looking to the remaining Intergang members, who were now suddenly very nervous, "Zurgane, sorry to interrupt your fun, but I need to express some rage."
"Feel free to cut in anytime, sir!" Zurgane replied with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Oh, so needing to hide behind your boss?" Mr. 1 snipped as he swiped at Zurgane's chest as the soldier jumped back.
"He can hide whoever he wants! He'll be blown to pieces all the same!" Mr. 5 snapped with a twitching brow and look of utter rage while trying to hide his unease how his attack didn't seem to do a thing. It had to be a fluke... right?!
"Arrrg, let's finish this!" Mr. 3 agreed in a shout of fury, managing to twist and lash out with his hand, blasting a stream of wax straight at Karoo, who could only let out a startled quack as he hit the wall, with the wax hardening in place as Mr. 3 stood up with a dark sneer as Mr. 5 ripped off more pieces of his hair.
"Finally, we agree on something," Mr. 5 stated, flinging several explosions, showing no care who got caught in the crossfire.
But as everyone else jumped and ducked for cover, Lothor simply dashed forward, expertly weaving around every explosion. With each step he took, Mr. 5 grew more more desperate and wild in his attacks, all to no avail as Lothor closed the distance between them.
WHAM
"ACK!"
And then slammed a fist into Mr. 5's throat. As he staggered back, choking, Lothor followed up with a punch in the gut, doubling him over, before a chop to the back of the neck finished the job and collapsed him to the floor.
"Grr, just die already!" Mr. 3 yelled, throwing a wave of wax at Lothor, only for the ninja to jump up and backflip in the air, landing behind Mr. 3. Grabbing his ridiculously-styled hair, Lothor yanked back hard, bending Mr. 3 over backwards before spinning and throwing him at a wall.
"Urgg, alright... no more games!" Mr. 3 grunted in pain, shooting Lothor a glare as wax leaked and formed all around his body, "Hehehehehe let's see how you handle my special wax mech suit!" He exclaimed in a mad laugh as a large shadow started to form and loom over Lothor.
Lothor, however, didn't seem impressed by the large shape that looked like a boxer made out of wax.
"Ooh, scary," he said sarcastically, "Quick question, though. Can it fly?"
"What?" Mr. 3 asked, blinking in confusion at the question. And then he yelped in surprise as Lothor suddenly tackled him, slamming into him hard enough to carry the wax suit into the window that Mr. 1 had previously been thrown out of.
SMASH
Smashing the window and the surrounding wall, leaving the two floating in midair outside the palace's walls, Lothor gripping tightly to the suit as he levitated in place.
"Because I can~" he said with a laugh, before letting go and letting the suit drop.
"Oh you... ASSSSSSSS!" Was Mr. 3's scream of anger and slight fear as he fell down from the air, landing with a mighty crash that echoed throughout the palace grounds.
BOOM
This, of course, didn't escape Mr. 1's attention, as he was clashing blades against a smug Zurgane.
"And then there were two," The General stated with obvious amusement, meeting Mr. 1's dark scowling glare before the man jumped back, getting more distance between him and the General.
"Valentine! Time to fall back!" Mr. 1 barked with a scowl.
"Fine by me!" Valentine yelled, turning and running to join him. This caught the attention of Vivi, who had been watching Lothor in action with awe, but was snapped out of it as she saw her opponent fleeing.
"Hey! Get back here!" she yelled, slinging her blade at Valentine, who dodged it and kept running.
"Some other time, brat!" the blonde yelled back at her.
"Grrr, coward!" Vivi called angrily at the other woman's back before sighing, "Suppose they're not the priority anyway."
"Yes, they obviously wanted to keep us from warning your father, so it's best to not let them distract us from that any more than they already have," Lothor said, brushing himself off.
"Right, let's move," Vivi said, before looking toward Jasmine and Aladdin, "Though with Intergang members already in the palace, I'm worried that my father might already be a captive."
"Then we'll just have to save him," Lothor reassured her, before looking over the rest of the group, "Is everyone good to go?"
"Marah should be, she didn't do shit," Kapri grumbled in annoyance.
"Hey, that wasn't my fault, I was brainwashed!" Marah protested.
As the girls bickered, Lothor rolled his eyes and asked, "And everyone else?"
"I'm fine, sir," Zurgane said with a salute.
"So am I... but could someone please help Karoo?" Vivi said, gesturing to the duck, who was still encased in wax.
"Allow me," Zurgane said, approaching the stuck bird with his sword.
"Please be careful," Vivi said, with Zurgane speaking with a hint of pride in his voice.
"Not to worry, with my skill I can free him without nicking a feather," He said proudly to the princess, causing Aladdin to mutter sarcastically to Jasmine off to the side, "Humble, isn't he?"
"To be fair, if he can pull it off, is it really bragging?" Jasmine replied with a shrug, watching as Zurgane easily cut through the wax, without any apparent damage done to Karoo, as promised.
"Karoo, are you alright?" Vivi asked, walking up to her companion, who quaked an affirmative as he brushed off the remainder of the wax clinging to him.
"Oh, I'm so sorry about this... after this is over, I'll make sure to get you a nice relaxing bath," Vivi assured him, causing Karoo to give a smile.
"But first, we need to move," she said, looking to the others.
"Right," Lothor said, before shooting his nieces a glare, "Girls, knock it off! We still have work to do!"
"She started it!" The sisters both called out, before clamming up at their uncle's look.
"We need to hurry, something tells me time's of the essence here," Aladdin said with a worried scowl.
"Right, let's move," Lothor said, having Vivi lead the group down the hallway towards the throne room.
And once again, no one noticed the eyes observing them from the ceiling, which dissolved into flower petals as it lost sight of them.
(Elsewhere)
"Well, that's unfortunate," Nico Robin muttered to herself as her spy eye dispersed.
"Let me guess, Lothor won," Crocodile said with a tone dryer than the desert, hiding annoyance and anger underneath it.
"Well, 1 and Valentine have fallen back, while Goldenweek, Doublefinger, and 5 are currently knocked out for the count, as for 3..." Robin pursed her lips, "There's a chance he might still be able to fight, if that little fall wasn't too much for him."
"I'm not even going to ask," Crocodile muttered, shaking his head, "But never mind, it doesn't matter as long as they're kept busy and away from here long enough for us to find the poneglyph."
"Which is I guess where we come in, one, two, three, four," Called out the form of Miss Merry Christmas standing by Mr. 4 over a tied-up and glowering King Cobra, who was on his knees, "Six, seven, eight, just tell us where you need us, Croc."
She said, giving a smirk.
"Yes, Miss Merry Christmas, we'll need you to dig towards the hidden chamber, which our research shows is most likely located in this area," Robin stated, before giving the restrained king a look, "Unless you want to just tell us where it is, Your Majesty?"
"Go to Hell," Cobra spat, glaring at Crocodile in particular, "You especially, you damn traitor!"
"Traitor?" Crocodile gave the king an amused smirk, "I don't recall giving you any vows of allegiance and the like," He remarked, giving a chuckle, "All I remember is you practically rolling out the red carpet for me after I handled those Imperium."
"We treated you as a national hero, and you stab us in the back? And for this?!" Cobra growled, "Do you even know what you're meddling with?!"
"The secret to finding a long-lost ancient Atlantean superweapon that I can conquer the world with," Crocodile replied with a knowing smirk.
"A weapon that was hidden and locked away for a reason!" Cobra snapped glaring, "And conquer the world?" He shook his head in disgust, "You'll cause nothing but death and destruction before you meet your own end."
"We shall see, won't we?" Crocodile replied, clearly assured of his impending victory, "But tell you what. Make things easier for me and just tell us where to dig, and I promise to spare your daughter after I beat her and her friends."
Cobra was silent for a moment, and Crocodile smirked at him... which slid off of his face at the King's next words.
"It sounds to me like she's the one who's winning right now," Cobra stated with a defiant smirk of her own.
"Heh... you honestly believe that?" Crocodile asked with a dark smirk, "You honestly believe that beating my men amounts to anything in the grand scheme of things?" He asked, shaking his head with an amused laugh as Cobra scowled at him, "At the end of the day, your country will not only be ready to rip itself apart."
Crocodile gave the king a cruel grin, "But the fact that your people were so easy and quick to turn against you stands as a testament to their loyalty, the unity of your kingdom, your leadership, and ultimately how pitiful and fragile it all really is."
Cobra grit his teeth as he scowled at that, hating the fact that he didn't have a way to retort that statement. After all, hadn't he been having those same thoughts before he was captured?
"What, nothing to say?" Crocodile sneered, before looking to Robin, "Keep an eye on him while I supervise the dig."
"Of course," she replied with a nod. Once Crocodile was out of earshot, she glanced down at Cobra and arched a brow, "For what it's worth, I hope you realize that this isn't personal."
"And I hope you realize that whatever promises he's made you, a man like that isn't interested in sharing power," Cobra spat at her.
"I couldn't care less about power," Robin replied with a shrug, making Cobra blink in surprise.
"Then why are you doing this?" he demanded.
"Pluton isn't the only secret that the Atlanteans buried," she stated with a cold look, "And if I'm right, that includes knowledge I need to find, for all our sakes."
"What knowledge?" Cobra asked with a worried scowl, as realized that unlike Crocodile, she wasn't interested in Pluton, or even whatever false promises the man made, and knew very well that ancient weapon wasn't the only secret lost to the sands of time in his kingdom that was best left forgotten.
"Let's just say... something that will help me stop something far worse than Crocodile could ever hope to be," Robin replied ominously, frowning as she looked into the distance, becoming lost in thought. With Cobra frowning, but feeling a slight chill at her words, while internally hoping that his daughter and kingdom could weather through this storm.
Because he had a distinct feeling... that there was more to come.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hope you all enjoyed how the fight scenes played out~ As a number of top Intergang agents are down for the count, while a few still remain in the game and fight.
Meanwhile it seems that Robin has more motivation behind her part in this than first appears, but what threat out there is worse than pluton power at Crocodile finger tips? Only time will tell.
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Yeah, we've changed Robin's motives a bit from canon, and I'll be curious to hear everyone's theories before we reveal it.
In the meantime, hoping you enjoyed the fight sequence. If you did, please leave a kudos and/or comment about it.
Chapter 31: Alabasta, Part 6
Summary:
As the world reacts to events in Alabasta, Lothor and Vivi's group continue their assault on Intergang, and another player in events gets confronted.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hiya everyone back with another chapter for Conquerors, and we hope you're continuing to enjoy the Alabasta arc play out~ Last chapter had Z/Lothor clearing up most of the agents at the royal palace with things not going well for intergang.
But Crocodile isn't out yet as good ol King Cobra is his guest in his quest for pluton. A quest that is getting closer to being fulfilled by the madman. The battle for Alabasta fate continues this chapter, please enjoy!
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Welcome back, everyone, as the Alabasta arc continues. I/Lothor have been making short work of Intergang's agents, but they're not down yet. Meanwhile, we'll see how the rest of the world is reacting to our fight.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Pluton isn't the only secret that the Atlanteans buried," she stated with a cold look, "And if I'm right, that includes knowledge I need to find, for all our sakes."
"What knowledge?" Cobra asked with a worried scowl as realized unlike Crocodile she wasn't interested in Pluton or even whatever false promises the man made, and knee very well that ancient weapon wasn't the only secret lost to the sands of time in his kingdom that was best left forgotten.
"Let's just say... something that will help me stop something far worse than Crocodile could ever hope to be," Robin replied ominously, frowning as she looked into the distance, becoming lost in thought.
With Cobra frowning but feeling a slight chill at her words while internally hoping that his daughter and Kingdom could weather through this storm.
Because he had a distinct feeling... that there was more to come.
(Elsewhere)
Tucked in a corner of the capital city was Alabasta's central news TV station building. And right now, its hallways were flooded with reporters running to and fro, trying to keep track of unfolding events and report on them.
"Any word where that explosion came from?"
"It was the Alubarna Clocktower, but no word on why or how a bomb was launched from there!"
"The monster's focused on the giant bird, but neither of the armies, royalist or rebel, seem to be making a dent!"
"Just got a report from the palace, some kind of robot just got thrown out a window!"
"What, someone's attacking there now too?!"
"No one knows, and there's still no sign of the king or princess!"
Needless to say, just like the rest of the capital, it was chaos. The only difference being, it was the job of everyone here to get a handle on what exactly was going on, and report it to the citizens of Alabasta and the larger world.
And while at first it had seemed straightforward enough - albeit very shocking - when the King had made a public appearance at Nanohona and had troops attack the rebels before disappearing, with the rebels naturally retaliating with this attack on the capital, things had blown well out of proportion. After all, they had a giant monster appearing (which reminded people way too much of Kaznia) and then being attacked by a giant bird, and now practically every time they blinked they were getting a new piece of information they were struggling to get a handle on.
"Why hasn't the Justice League shown up yet?!"
"The government never called for them!"
"That was when it was just a rebellion, now we have a giant monster!"
"Since Alabasta never signed as part of the League charter of operations, I don't think they can send anyone without formal permission!"
"Again... there is a giant alien monster in the capital! How much more permission do they need?!"
"Has there been any sightings or word of any other hostile alien agents?!"
On and on, the shouts and questions went, the journalists all desperate to understand what was happening. And with all this chaos, no one noticed as one unnaturally calm man stepped into an empty side room to answer his cell phone.
"No, my lady, no one here has any further information beyond what is being broadcast," he stated in response to something asked of him.
"Hmm, a pity," Talia al Ghul murmured on the other side of the line, "I had hoped that they were simply under a gag order from the royal government."
"There has been no word from the government, mistress," the undercover League of Shadows member said, "The military commanders are all leading from the front, and the King has made no public statements."
"Hmm, and with the King's out of character behavior at Nanohona, I suspect he isn't in a position to give one," Talia mused from her end of the line, "But no matter, there are always other ways to gain information. After all, no secrets can hide from the shadows' reach~"
"How shall I proceed, mistress?" the operative asked.
"Continue as you have done so," Talia ordered, "I imagine that one way or another, things will be concluded soon. And knowing my beloved, the League will get involved eventually just because of this Lothor's presumed presence, regardless of if they get invited."
(Watchtower)
"What do you mean we can't interfere?!" Demanded the angry voice of Wonder Woman, glaring incredulously at her friend and comrade John Stewart, with the bearded Green Lantern giving a weary sigh.
"I don't like it anymore than you, Diana," He said, giving her a stern look, "But we've been toeing the line as is, and unless we get permission from Alabasta's authorities, the League can't send anyone into the kingdom."
"One of Lothor's monsters is rampaging through their capital as we speak!" Wonder Woman yelled, gesturing to a screen depicting footage from Alabasta's primary news channel, showing Terramole fighting Iago, "And we're just supposed to sit up here and do nothing?"
"Yes, because those are the rules we agreed to with the UN," John replied firmly, "And since neither King Cobra or anyone from his government has requested our aide, we can't enter their territory, no matter what."
"Surely there must be some kind of loophole regarding an ongoing investigation from outside their borders," Diana said, "That creature could be the key to finding Lothor, or at least determining his plans!"
"And you think I don't know that?" John said with a scowl, "But fact is, we already pushed our luck with Kaznia," He stated, holding up a hand to cut off Diana's next retort, "Even if we exposed Skeleton King's fake, the fact that we still sent League members into Kaznia to intervene in the war despite orders to the contrary already has some people in power wary, to say the least."
He informed Diana, rubbing his face, "The only saving grace that prevented more blowback is the fact that Kaznia was already part of the League's UN charter allowing operation there if need be, and the Queen helping mitigate some damage control PR-wise, along with us exposing the plot with that imposter along with Ares' attempt to escalate the war. And unless we have proof that Lothor was doing something similar instead of just randomly attacking, we don't have a foot to stand on."
"Dammit," Diana muttered, hating that she knew that John was right, "So, we do nothing but watch?"
"Unless we get word from the Alabasta government to the otherwise, it looks like," John said with a frustrated expression, sharing his friend's feelings. But they had to be careful to not step over the line with the UN agreement mandate... and also had to be careful to not fall down the slippery slope their Justice Lord counterparts did. After all, the saying that "the road to hell was paved with good intentions" existed for a reason.
"For all we know, interfering is exactly what Lothor wants," John added, looking up at the livestream news report, frowning, "The reports of the monster showing up right before the rebels and royalist armies could clash is off, after all," He said, turning to look at a scowling Diana, "If Lothor wants to perform a hostile takeover, surely he'd realize it'd be more strategic to allow them to weaken and thin down their forces before attacking."
Diana frowned in thought as she considered her friend's words, and realized that he was right.
"If anything, this has given the two sides a common enemy to rally against," she mused, "And everything else aside, this also doesn't explain the presence of the giant bird."
"Thats because it's a local element." Spoke the voice of Batman as he arrived, frowning.
"Local?" John arched a brow, "That makes sense considering it's attacking Lothor's goon, but I don't think any of Alabasta's known metas are bird themed."
He added with a wary tone and frown.
"One of the commanders of the royal guard has the ability to transform into a humanoid bird, but that's not him," Batman stated, walking up to the computer console and typing at it, bringing up an image of Jafar on another screen.
"Who is this?" Wonder Woman asked, looking at the red-robed figure and feeling a sense of unease.
"Jafar Jafari, King Cobra's royal vizier and advisor," Batman explained, "Notice the bird on his shoulder?"
"It's the same bird," John said with a frown.
"What do we know about this Jafar?" Wonder Woman asked with a frown.
"According to census records, he was born to a working class couple in the capital, and received an average upbringing and education, until he went off the grid for several decades in his early twenties," Batman explained with a frown, "Nothing solid is known on him during this time, but there are rumors of him traveling the world and studying mystical arts... most worrying is that this includes at least some sort of acquaintance with Felix Faust."
At hearing that name, Diana froze, then scowled and clenched her fists.
After all, even a few years later, it's hard to forget the man that turned your mother and people into stone, than leveraged their lives in a mad plot to free your mother's spurned ex-lover the God of the Underworld Hades.
"So, he's trouble then," she asked, giving a firm glare at the picture of the man.
"Maybe," Batman replied, "He doesn't have any criminal record to speak of, and he's clearly trusted by the Alabastan royals enough to get as high up as he has."
"All due respect, can we really trust their judgement, considering how they can't swallow their pride enough to ask for help in a major crisis?" John asked, scowling at the image of Terramole on the screen.
"Noted, but in their defense, I believe they're among those most wary of the Justice League since the Lords incident, and our expansion has likely only heightened paranoia for a number of leaders worldwide," Batman informed him bluntly.
"Fair enough, but at least we would leave a country left for them to rule," John commented, watching as Terramole blew a hole in the city's walls while trying to hit Iago.
"Grr... still, isn't there anything we can do?" Wonder Woman asked again, hating feeling so helpless.
"Not without feeding into the fears people have about us," Batman replied, well aware of the irony of that statement. After all, he'd built his entire crimefighting career on making criminals fear him, though he liked to think he was able to keep from scaring the innocents he was trying to protect.
In any case, seeing Diana's concern, he added, "We can make offers of aiding in relief and rebuilding efforts when this is all over, but I'm afraid our hands are tied beyond that."
"Right now it's all in Alabasta hands," He stated, looking up at the monitor with a frown.
"And if Lothor isn't stopped and manages to get a foothold on Alabasta?" Diana asked with a grim frown.
"We'll have to cross that bridge if we come to it," Batman said with a hard look.
And with that, the League founders could do nothing but keep watching.
(Alabasta royal palace)
"Here we are, the throne room," Vivi said to the rest of her group, "Everyone be ready, we don't know if Intergang managed to get here before we could."
"I just wished we knew where Jafar was hiding," Jasmine said with a scowl, looking at the throne room door, "I don't know if he's working with Intergang or not, but I don't like the idea of him doing who knows what."
She admitted as Aladdin placed his hand on her shoulder.
"One problem at a time, Jasmine," he said reassuringly.
"He's right. Once we've dealt with intergang and Crocodile, we can deal with that treasonous snake," Vivi said with a scowl at the reminder Jafar had been brainwashing her father for who knew how long, and was planning on making her his wife for the throne!
Naturally not something she'd allow, and if he thought he could control her father like a puppet without consequences, he had another thing coming.
"So, what's the plan once we go in?" Marah asked with a curious look to the throne.
"We go in and kick their asses, duh," Kapri said with a snort, "I mean, it's just the two of them now, easy peasy."
"Is it, though?" Lothor pointed out, "We still don't know where Crocodile or his lieutenant are. And I believe there are a few other minions unaccounted for."
"That's correct, sir," Zurgane spoke up, "There's the two that Terramole encountered, as well as the shapeshifter that your nieces fought."
"Oh right, the creepy cross-dresser guy," Kapri said with a frown.
"Yeah, that's right, we still need to find out what they did with our boyfriends!" Marah added with a yell.
"We have greater concerns than your personal captives you two insist are dating you," Zurgane said with a hint of annoyance, prompting concerned looks from Aladdin and Jasmine, while Vivi just sighed.
"Don't ask," the princess advised her friends/servants. She still didn't fully understand Lothor's nieces' relationship with their so-called boyfriends, and now wasn't the time to try and analyze it.
"Zurgane's right, we can find your toys later," Lothor said, "Right now, we have more important matters to deal with."
"Right, so everyone get ready and be prepared for anything," Vivi said, getting nods from everyone in the group before opening the throne room doors, with Vivi's eyes widening in horror at the sight awaiting her.
"Welcome, Your Highness... you're just in time~" Said Valentine with a smug grin as Mr. 1 held a bladed hand up to the neck of King Cobra.
"Vivi! Run!" the king yelled, held tightly by Mr. 1's grip.
"Father!" Vivi yelled, instinctively stepping forward to run towards them, only for Lothor to grab her arm.
"Careful," he said, glaring at the Intergang agents suspiciously.
"I'd listen to your boyfriend, princess," Valentine said with a sneer, standing next to Mr. 1 and glaring at them.
"After all, one wrong move and daddy dearest loses his head~" she said with a chuckle as she and Mr. 1 stared at the group in front of them.
"You cowardly snakes!" Aladdin snapped angrily with clenched fists, Raja growling beside him.
"Release the King at once, and you might yet get life in the dungeon instead of execution!" Jasmine demanded just as angrily, while Zurgane let out a huff.
"So, you couldn't win in battle, you resort to the tactics of a coward to secure victory," he called to Mr. 1 who shot him a dark glare.
"Call it what you want, but we have the upper hand," Mr. 1 growled, "Surrender, or I will take the King's head!"
"Go ahead," Lothor said bluntly, immediately cutting the tension as everyone turned to stare at him in shock.
"What?!" Vivi exclaimed.
"What?" Cobra repeated, dumbfounded.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Jasmine demanded.
"Calling their bluff," Lothor explained, "After all, if the King dies, they lose their only bargaining chip."
"Excuse us?!" Valentine demanded in shock and anger.
"Does this really look like we're joking to you?" Mr. 1 growled, bringing his blade finger closer to Cobra's neck making the man pale somewhat as it cut and drew blood.
"We're the ones in control here, not you!" Valentine shouted, pointing at Lothor smugly.
"No, really, you're not~" Lothor replied with a smirk, "Because if you kill him, I imagine my fiancé and her upstanding morals won't have any problem with me brutally killing you."
"I really won't," Vivi said, glaring at the criminals. She would have been fine with just beating them in a fight and arresting them, but if they hurt her father, all bets were off.
"Grr... so we're at a standstill then," Valentine said with a huff, "But..." she gave them a smug smirk, "We might need him alive, but there's nothing stoping us from hurting him, maybe even crippling him if you don't cooperate."
She said threateningly.
"EXCUSE ME?!" Cobra called out, giving her a look that was torn between anger and disbelief.
That was NOT part of the plan, Mr. 2 thought to himself. They were just supposed to scare the princess and her friends into surrendering, not actually hurt him while he was impersonating the king!
He was really starting to wonder if he was getting paid enough for this? First his nightmare of a new partner, then this!
Urg... he really needed a vacation... maybe Hawaii? Yeah, Hawaii was always nice... especially Kauai, those creatures were such a delight last time he vacation there, and that Pelekai girl along with her little blue friend certainly didn't judge him like others.
While Mr. 2 was contemplating that, Lothor narrowed his eyes at him. The "king's" voice had changed when he'd yelled; no one else seemed to have noticed it, but he had. And considering one of the Intergang agents still unaccounted for...
Deciding to test his theory, Lothor discretely tore a button off of his coat, before suddenly flicking it in "Cobra's" direction, towards a specific spot. It flew through the air towards the Intergang agents, who didn't have a chance to notice the small object before it hit "Cobra" on the left cheek.
"Ow!" Mr. 2 yelled, instinctively reaching up to grab the suddenly aching part of his face with his left hand, which triggered the reversal of his abilities and restored his normal appearance.
"Hey, what's the big... idea...?" Mr. 2 started to yell, only to realize what he'd just done, the whole room staring at him in varying levels of surprise and shock.
"...You fuckng idiot," Valentine said with a disgruntled sigh.
"Oh, don't you start! You're the ones who went off script, threatening to cripple me!" Mr. 2 snapped back, with Lothor giving a blink, because he could have sworn that Mr. 2's head had just experienced an anime moment, with his teeth becoming fangs and his eyes white with rage.
However, he just shrugged that off and shot them a smirk.
"Now then, who did you say was in control here?" he asked with a laugh, making the three criminals freeze, Valentine and Mr. 2 going pale as they realized what this meant, while Mr. 1 just glared.
"If we're supposed to be intimidated, I'm not impressed," Mr. 1 stated, entering a battle stance, "After all, we don't need to beat you..." His eyes went over to Vivi, "We just need to kill her!" At that exclamation, he rushed forward.
Vivi's eyes widened in panic, and she stumbled back as she desperately grabbed for her weapons while her friends tried to move to help her, but with Mr. 1 closing the distance far too close for anyone to do anything-
WHAM
Except for Lothor, who bodychecked her and sent her flying out of the way just in time, but in the process left himself in Mr. 1's path.
SLASH
"UGGHH!" Lothor grunted as Mr. 1's blade arm slashed him across the shoulder, the sudden pain driving him to his knees.
"Ha! Not so invincible now, are you?!" Mr. 1 crowed down at Lothor, only to blink as Lothor smirked back up at him.
"Neither are you," the ninja sneered... before suddenly lashing out with a punch that hit Mr. 1 squarely in his crotch.
CRACK
"NHG!" Mr. 1 gasped, eyes bugging out and falling to his knees as well as everyone else winced at the act.
"Should have made those metal too~" Lothor said, both following up with another punch to the face, knocking Mr. 1 over.
"Ouch! I know we're criminals but still, ouch," Mr. 2 said, giving a wince.
"Are you alright?" Vivi exclaimed, jumping to her feet and running over to Lothor, examining his injured shoulder.
"It's fine, my dear, I've had worse," the isekai replied, his memories of this lifetime telling him that that was actually true; it had taken Lothor a long time to become as strong as he was, after all.
"Still, while I appreciate the save, you didn't need to be so reckless," Vivi said, actually feeling genuine concern for Lothor. She'd not known him long, and was under no delusions he was a necessarily good person, but somewhere along the way she found herself enjoying his presence and company... a part of her starting to wonder what a life as his wife would be like.
But that didn't matter right now, she reminded herself with a shake of her head. She could worry about domestic life once she was sure she'd still have a home to live it in.
"So, are you going to surrender now?" she called to the other two Intergang agents by the throne, while Zurgane walked over to place his sword against Mr. 1's throat as he lay groaning on the floor.
"Grrr, you fucking asshole!" Valentine snapped, glaring at Lothor, "Why the hell are you even getting involved anyway?! Why can't you go bother any of those League pricks or that creepy waking Halloween decoration!?"
"I have my reasons," Lothor replied with a grunt as he stood back up, clutching his wounded shoulder, "But I don't need to justify myself to you, especially when you yourself have already admitted to having such petty motives."
"My motives aren't petty!" Valentine yelled angrily.
"Yeah, they kinda are," Kapri replied with a shrug, earning a glare from the blonde.
"Who asked you, bitch?!" Valentine snapped, "All I'm doing is following my dreams! You expect me to believe any of you have some tragic noble reasons for invading Earth?!"
"Of course not," Lothor said flatly, "We're just going to conquer this planet for the power and because we can. But at least we're honest about being the bad guys, rather than dressing it up with some supposed higher goal."
"Gotta admit, he's got a point," Aladdin commented. At Jasmine's look, he shrugged, "I mean, if he's going to be selfish, at least he's not insulting our intelligence by pretending that he's not."
"I... suppose there's a twisted point to it... though still don't like it," Jasmine said with a groan, "Never mind personal feelings toward the idea of him potentially being Alabasta's next king."
"Consort, not king," Vivi quickly corrected, because no matter what happened with her and Lothor's future, she was still adamant that she would NOT just be a bedwarmer.
"We can work out details of my title later," Lothor waved off, still staring down Valentine, "Now, about that surrender?"
"Don't suppose you'd let me go if I tell you where you can find Zero, or rather Crocodile?" Mr. 2's voice cut in before the glaring Valentine could make another reply.
"2!" She shouted, throwing him a glare.
"Sorry, sweetie. I value loyalty, but this is starting to seem like a wash," Mr. 2 said with a sigh, "Plus, being honest, haven't been the boss's biggest fan since they assigned Miss Tuesday to me."
"That's besides the point, you fucking coward!" Valentine snapped, while Lothor's group exchanged looks.
"Your country, your call, princess," Lothor stated, making Vivi frown in thought before she spoke up.
"I can't let you go, but I can promise a more lenient sentence," she called out to Mr. 2, catching his attention.
"Well, that's fair, I suppose..." Mr. 2 said with a sigh. Besides, it wasn't like he didn't have experience escaping sticky situations or was lacking favors to call in, "You can find Croc outside the city borders, where he's currently having Miss Merry Christmas digging for something," He said, ignoring Valentine's steaming look and shaking form, "Don't know what, but did catch the mention of something called Pluton," He admitted, giving a shrug.
Lothor's eyebrow shot up at that theory being confirmed, while Vivi gasped loudly.
"WHAT?!" she exclaimed.
"I take it you know what that is?" Lothor asked, glancing to her.
"It's an Atlantean superweapon from their ancient imperial days," Vivi explained, "When they sank under the ocean, they somehow lost ahold of it, and it's been hidden ever since. My ancestors found an ancient monument that leads to its location, and we've been hiding it since we did because we knew that it's too dangerous for anyone to have control of!"
"Hmm, that, and I'm sure having such a weapon on standby in case your kingdom ever needs it likely doesn't hurt," Zurgane stated with a hum, then added at Vivi's expression, "Or am I expected to believe there's another reason Aquaman and Atlantis weren't informed about this Pluton after they made official contact with the surface?"
"I... no!" Vivi protested, looking scandalized, "This is for the good of the whole world!"
"As you say," Zurgane said dryly, earning a glare from Vivi.
"I don't have to justify my family's decisions to you!" she growled.
"Indeed you don't," Lothor cut in, "Obviously, we have bigger things to worry about right now."
"That's right!" Marah declared, pointing threateningly at Mr. 2, "Where'd you put our boyfriends, creep?!"
...
...
...
"...I meant, going to deal with Crocodile," Lothor said tersely, eye twitching.
"Oh... heheh, of course," Marah said with an embarrassed look and slight cough.
"Though if you're really curious about your boys, last I heard, they got loose with Miss Tuesday chasing after them and going rogue because of some dog for some reason," Mr. 2 informed them.
Everyone blinked at that, not sure how to take it, before Lothor broken the silence.
"Well, that's... interesting," he said, "But we'll worry about that later. First, we need to get to Crocodile and-"
"What makes you think that I'm going to let you leave?" Valentine demanded.
"Lady, in case you haven't realized it yet, you're kinda on your own and outmatched here," Kapri said, giving a snort while smirking mockingly at Valentine.
And then, as if to prove her wrong-
"RAAAGGGGHH!"
Mr. 1 suddenly shot back up, tackling Zurgane and sending them both rolling across the floor. This caught everyone else by surprise, and provided Valentine an opening, which she took to leap high into the air, before coming down hard at Lothor.
"DIE!" she screamed. Which proved to be a mistake, as it brought Lothor's attention back to her.
"Oh, enough of this," he grumbled, raising a fist and firing an energy blast that hit Valentine head on.
BOOM
"AAAHHH!"
And sent her flying across the room from the resulting explosion, slamming into a wall before collapsing into a heap on the floor.
"Urgg..." with her giving one last pained groan before falling unconscious, while Mr. 1 attempted to capitalize on his attack against Zurgane while he had the chance, raising his bladed hand and bringing it down as hard as he could while aiming at Zurgane's face.
CLANG
And the blade embedded in the metal of his faceplate, before getting stuck in place.
"Got you!" Mr. 1 yelled, only for Zurgane to start laughing.
"Sorry, it didn't go deep enough to hit me," he sneered.
"Grr..." Mr. 1 let out a furious growl, but before he could move to attack again, by instinct honed over the years he raised his arm, blocking attacks from Marah and Kapri, holding their ninja knives and sword respectively.
"Enough of this!" Mr. 1 spat. He was loyal and wasn't one to run... but he knew when to cut his losses and retreat, he thought, pushing Marah and Kapri back as he leaped off of Zurgane before rushing toward the balcony opening of the throne room.
He had to get away, reunite with Crocodile to warn him of what had happened and plan a counterattack, he thought as he reached the balcony-
SLING
"AGH!" Mr. 1 yelled when, just as he jumped, one of Vivi's ring blades cut through the back of his legs, causing him to stumble forward. Instead of a controlled leap, he tumbled and slammed into the balcony railing.
"Did you really think we'd just let you get away so easily?" Vivi asked with a scowling glare toward the man, who shot her a dark glare over his shoulder.
"You really think this changes anything?" he sneered, "You're going to fail, and Crocodile will stand triumphant! And when he does, he'll make you suffer, you impudent whore bi-!"
WHAM
"Oh, shut up," Lothor sneered, having punched Mr. 1 in the face and knocked him out, watching him slump to the floor.
"Excellent work, sir," Zurgane said, standing up with a grunt, "Though I apologize for my disgraceful performance in allowing him to take me by surprise."
"We all make mistakes, General, no harm done in the long run," Lothor reassured him, "Now then, restrain him and the others so we can get going."
"Wait, me too? But I surrendered!" Mr. 2 protested.
"And we're supposed to believe you won't just run off the second we're gone?" Jasmine asked dryly.
'How dare you? I would never!" Mr. 2 cried out scandalized, though at their flat looks he simply sighed, "Fine... but could it at least be comfortably restrained?" He asked hopefully.
"Fine," Lothor replied, rolling his eyes as he gestured to his nieces to carry out the act, "Once we have them restrained, then we go after Crocodile."
"What about your injury?" Vivi asked, looking nervously to his shoulder.
"Sweet of you to be concerned, but like I said, I've had worse," he said, giving her a smile.
"Are you sure?" Vivi said with a look of concern, "As much as I might despise him, Crocodile isn't to be taken lightly... he already got you by surprise earlier," she pointed out and reminded him.
Lothor scowled at that, not liking the reminder. Between that and this wound from Mr. 1, this was the most he'd actually been hurt in this new lifetime, and he didn't like it.
"I just got cocky," he admitted, but sighed at Vivi's concerned look, "But I suppose if it makes you feel better, we can take a few minutes to give us all a look over and patch up."
"Sigh, that's good to hear," She said with a feeling of relief that Lothor would take a moment to address his wound. Though before they could do so, the room shook with the sound of a loud explosion happening outside.
BOOM
"WHAT THE DEVIL WAS THAT?!" Vivi screeched in shock as she stumbled into Lothor, who took the chance to pull her in close as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Urg... maybe Terramole going overboard," Marah suggested with a groan on the ground, having stumble backwards into Kapri, causing both girls to fall over.
"Whatever it is, we should probably investigate it before we react," Lothor suggested, really hoping that another unknown variable hadn't popped up.
"Ah... right," Vivi stammered, blushing as she realized she'd ended up in his arms. Which felt really good, wrapped around her like this...
"No, focus!" She snapped at herself in her thoughts.
"We need to find out what that explosion was, and stop Crocodile before her finds the monument revealing Pluton's location!"
With that, the group ran over to the balcony, where they were greeted by the sight of a large smoking hole in one of the walls surrounding the city, next to which was a collapsed building, a groaning and scorched Iago laying atop it as it fell apart under his weight.
"Yeah, that's what you get for interfering, you feathered pest!" Terramole gloated.
"Ugh, I need a vacation," Iago mumbled.
For his part, Lothor was relieved to see that yet another party hadn't interfered with the fight. Vivi, meanwhile, felt her eye twitch as she took in the damage.
"Your monster was supposed to stop the fighting and protect my city, not blow it up himself," she grumbled.
"Hey, you're the one who said to grow him," Kapri pointed out.
"And it's not our fault that the bird showed up!" Marah added.
"Well, excuse me for thinking a giant monster would prevent my people from killing each other, and not considering my father's advisor has secrets like this!" Vivi exclaimed, while gesturing toward Iago's current massive form.
"Regardless, we can't do anything about it now," Lothor stated, "We need to neutralize Crocodile first and foremost before putting a stop to the fighting."
"Agreed master, let us secure the prisoners and move out," Zurgane stated with a bow of his head.
With that, the group quickly secured the knocked-out Valentine and Mr. 1, as well as the compliant Mr. 2, and then quickly departed. Though Vivi still insisted on swinging by the palace's medical wing so that Lothor's wounds (and to a lesser extent, her own) could be attended to.
(Outside the Capital)
Meanwhile, as this was happening, a new figure had arrived and was currently witnessing the army attacking Terramole, as well as Iago's groaning defeat.
"Correct me if I'm wrong..." Pell stated, turning to look over his shoulder with a slight glare to the two men standing behind him, "But didn't you say that the princess had secured Lothor's aid somehow?"
"Yes sir, we swear!" Toby exclaimed, he and his partner looking the worse for wear after quickly making their way across the desert from Rainbase, having been found by Pell while he was scouting for rebel positions.
"There must be a logical explanation for this!" Abby added. He didn't trust Lothor either, but the princess had been clearly certain about their alliance.
Pell frowned, taking in the scene, noticing both the armies attacking the monsters rather than each other.
"Perhaps there is..." Pell said to himself with a low mutter, before shaking his head, "Whatever the reasoning, we need to try to get order, rather than just waste time standing here!"
"Yes sir! ...Uh, how, exactly?" Toby asked, trailing off and looking apprehensively at the battle.
"We need to find Chaka and Igaram, or even the King if possible," Pell replied, "Then we can coordinate a proper response, hopefully before this gets any worse."
"Understood, sir," Abby said with a salute.
"We'll find them, you can count on us," Toby added, nodding in agreement.
"Good, let's go," Pell said, shifting into a humanoid bird form and flying towards the battle. And leaving the two spies behind.
"...So, do we just walk?" Toby asked his partner, who shrugged.
While Pell himself flew high in the air, his destination clear in his mind, as he knew Chaka would likely be at a command point for the army, or right there in the middle of it. Once he found him, perhaps he could get a clearer idea on what was going on.
And then they'd hopefully be able to act while there was still a chance to stop the damage from spreading.
(Meanwhile, back at the palace)
Igaram panted as he ran through the halls of the palace. He knew he should probably stop a moment to rest, but he couldn't. He'd been overseeing the evacuation of the palace's staff ever since the rebels had been spotted on the move to the capital, but he had a more important mission - namely, finding Jafar and wringing some answers out of the slimy bastard.
"I knew there was something about the man, I knew he couldn't be trusted near the king or princess, but this?!" He exclaimed in disbelief, his mind going back to how he had first seen Iago, only now a giant, attacking the monster that had suddenly appeared between the two armies before they could truly clash.
Thankfully, the monster's presence was stopping the armies from fighting, but now its own fight with Iago was now starting to damage the city as badly as if they had!
And that was the thing, wasn't it? Iago, that annoying pest that Jafar called a pet, was the size of a house now! Clearly, Jafar had been keeping significant secrets from all of them, and Igaram was going to get answers about them, even if he had to beat them out with his bare fists against the vizier's face!
The sounds of explosions and what sounded like combat deeper into the palace echoing through the halls only fueled his determination... first Jafar, that likely treasonous snake, then he'd investigate and if necessary deal with whoever was fighting in the palace.
"Jafar, show yourself!" He roared, kicking down a door to what he knew as the advisor's personal quarters, only to find... nothing.
"Where are you?!" Igaram yelled, his tone demanding answers as he looked around the advisor's quarters; perhaps he could find a clue for what else the man had been keeping from everybody.
"No need to yell," Jafar spoke up, making Igaram jump in surprise. Turning around, he saw the Vizier standing in a corner of the room that he could have sworn had been empty a moment ago... never mind, it didn't matter, he thought as he glared at the other man, who arched an eyebrow at him.
"Something wrong, Igaram?" he asked.
"Don't play stupid!" Igaram yelled, pointing towards a window, "Explain how it is that your pet is out there, now the size of a house and fighting that monster!"
"Hmm..." Jafar calmly looked out the window, watching as Iago shook off some dust and debris from being thrown into a building before taking flight and swooping at Lothor's monster.
"I believe he might have been eating too much bird seed lately," he remarked finally with a small smirk, prompting Igaram to give a low growl as he glared at the man.
"This is not a time for jokes, Jafar!" he snapped, stomping toward the man, "I want answers, and I want them now!"
"Hmm, you really should relax, Igaram. All this stress can't be good for your blood pressure," Jafar said, trying to bring his staff up to Igaram's eyesight to hypnotize him, only for the other man to smack it aside before he could.
"Don't tell me to relax!" Igaram yelled, "I've known you've been keeping secrets since day 1, and I've let you because it was none of my business, but that ends now! If you can transform your bird, I want to know what else you can do!"
Jafar gave a scowl before sighing.
"Very well," He said, casting a dark glare to Igaram, "If you wish to know what else I can do..." He gave a dark grin before letting out a cackle, "Then allow me to show you!" He exclaimed, lashing out with his staff and sending a red blast straight toward Igaram, whose eyes barely had time to widen
BOOM
The blast hit him head on, exploding and sending him flying across the room to slam into the far wall, sliding down with a groan.
"Tch, I would have expected better of the head of the royal guard," Jafar scoffed, only for his eyes to widen as Igaram quickly got back to his feet.
"You want better, you bastard? I can do better!" he yelled, before guns suddenly popped out of the curls of his hairdo and opened fire at Jafar.
BANG
BANG
BANG
BANG
BANG
"Dammit!" Jafar cursed, jumping for cover behind a large desk, "I should have known there was a purpose to that stupid hair style!"
"It's not stupid! It's dignified!" Was Igaram's honest offended yell as he continued to shoot, with Jafar giving a snort, rolling his eyes before yelling over his desk/shield, "You look like someone trying to imitate the British colonials and failing miserably at it!"
"Well, you look like a character out of Arabian Nights!" Igaram yelled back, before jumping out of the way as Jafar shot another energy blast at him.
"Excuse me for appreciating Alabasta's roots!" Jafar retorted, sending Igaram a glare, "Which is more than can be said for that weakling of a king, who simply huddles in his castle while the world encroaches on us and mocks our heritage!"
"Oh please, as if you care about national pride!" Igaram spat back, "You're a social climbing snake we only kept around because your advice was always halfway worthwhile!"
"Halfway..." Jafar repeated, his expression actually incredulous and offended, "My advice is better rulership than that fool or that bedwarmer he calls a daughter!" He spat out, with Igaram's face turning red with rage, "HOW DARE YOU!"
As he began to open fire again at Jafar, while also preparing one of his more... explosive weapons
BANG
BANG
BANG
BANG
BANG
Soon reducing the room to rubble, leaving Jafar with nothing to hide behind.
"Now then, ready to give up and talk?" Igaram asked with a glare, inwardly hoping Jafar would give him an excuse to finish him off.
"Not really," Jafar replied flatly... before slamming his hand down on a hidden switch, causing a trapdoor to pop open underneath Igaram's feet.
"Oh you ASSSSSSSSSSS!" The man barely managed to say before he plummeted to the ground, leaving Jafar to give out a cackle, "I don't know why Yzma complained about them, I for one always find trap doors useful ~"
However, his good mood quickly disappeared as he considered what this encounter meant. If Igaram came after him because of Iago, others probably would soon.
"I need to find the King and use him to fix this," he muttered.
Yes, it was clear that things were coming out of the bag, but he could still use the King as damage control, spin a yarn of how the King always knew but kept it secret, along with selling him as Alabasta's brave hero who rose to the occasion to protect the kingdom.
But first, he had to find where the old fool had disappeared to, he thought in annoyance as he stomped out of the room.
Meanwhile, down the pit he'd been dropped into, Igaram groaned as he slowly pulled himself to his feet, bruised but not seriously injured.
"Damn bastard," he grumbled, looking around for a way out of here. Though it was a bit difficult with how dark it was.
"I need some sort of light," He murmured, searching through his clothes for something that could help. Pulling out a lighter (he didn't smoke, but it never hurt to be prepared for anything), he clicked it to life to give himself a little light. Looking around, he was greeted by a small, cramped hallway that went on in both directions, further than he could see.
"Dammit, now what?" he muttered. Not seeing any other option, he picked a direction at random and started walking.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: Quite a chapter huh~ hope you all enjoyed the reactions of other parties like the League to what's going on in Alabasta, and the explanation for why no heroes are showing up to save the day like Kaznia.
Not to mention the touch of Talia Al Ghul working in the shadows of all this chaos attempting to gain information. That aside the battle for the palace is over and now Z/Lothor got a lead on Crocodile and the last remaining elite agents.
But will they be able to save Cobra and stop Crocodile before it's too late? Find out next chapter in the exciting climax!
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: So, the League know what's happening but are limited by politics, I/Lothor am on the way to confronting Crocodile, and Igaram has confronted Jafar on his manipulations.
What'll happen next? Well, you'll just have to wait and see~
Chapter 32: Alabasta, Part 7
Summary:
The conflict in Alabasta reaches its climax as Lothor and Vivi confront Crocodile.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Here we are, everyone, the action-packed climax of the Alabasta arc, as I/Lothor and Vivi have our final showdown with Crocodile. Additionally, Zurgane is going to get some time to shine too. How? Well, you'll just have to go ahead and read it~
Nightmaster000 A/N: Like Zim said we've finally arrived at the climax with Crocodile, plus we're going to see Zurgane getting some major spotlight today as well. So without further Ado let's start the show!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Yes, it was clear that things were coming out of the bag, but he could still use the King as damage control, spin a yarn of how the King always knew but kept it secret, along with selling him as Alabasta's brave hero who rose to the occasion to protect the kingdom.
But first, he had to find where the old fool had disappeared to, he thought in annoyance as he stomped out of the room.
Meanwhile, down the pit he'd been dropped into, Igaram groaned as he slowly pulled himself to his feet, bruised but not seriously injured.
"Damn bastard," he grumbled, looking around for a way out of here. Though it was a bit difficult with how dark it was.
"I need some sort of light," He murmured, searching through his clothes for something that could help. Pulling out a lighter (he didn't smoke, but it never hurt to be prepared for anything), he clicked it to life to give himself a little light. Looking around, he was greeted by a small, cramped hallway that went on in both directions, further than he could see.
"Dammit, now what?" he muttered. Not seeing any other option, he picked a direction at random and started walking.
(Outside the Capital)
"Urrg... how much further?!" Marah whined, as the group had moved out and were already outside the borders of Alubarna, avoiding the current conflict happening and doing their best to not attract attention from either army's forces, since time was of the essence.
"We're almost there," Vivi said, eying the ancient ruins in the near distance, "The old capital was built over the monument's chamber in order to cover it up, before we eventually moved up to on top of the mountain to make sure it was forgotten about."
"Clever," Lothor commented, eyes peeled for any possible ambushes. He wouldn't have put it past Crocodile to cover his tracks, just in case.
"It's certainly served its purpose," Vivi agreed with a small smirk, "Plus, a desert kingdom is the last place you'd expect to find anything connected to Atlantis as well."
"Very much so," Lothor commented, "Any idea how it ended up here?"
"No idea," she replied with a shrug, "We can only assume that whoever wanted Atlantis to lose track of Pluton dragged it here to get it as far away from their reach as possible."
And really, even eons later, her family line and those trusted with this particular secret still had no idea of who in particular hid Pluton or left behind a monument revealing its location either.
"It's probably a mystery best left unsolved to the ages," Vivi remarked, before shaking it off, "But right now, it's not ancient history that's important, but Crocodile."
"Indeed, and I think we know where to find him," Zurgane said as they reached the ruins, and found the ground full of holes, a particularly large one near the center of the space.
"So, we just go down there?" Kapri asked.
"Yes, and then we can..."
BOOM
Vivi's reply was cut off by a large explosion and total chaos. And next thing the group knew, they were sent flying high into the air with shouts of surprise.
"Agh, now what?!" Marah yelled in exasperation from where she'd landed.
"Home run..." a slow voice calling out from the distance caught the group's attention. Looking towards it, they saw Mr. 4 standing in the distance with Lassoo, baseball bat still raised from having swung an explosive baseball at them.
"Another Intergang member?" Aladdin asked with a groan as they all got back to their feet.
"He does match the description of one of the two that Terramole fought," Zurgane noted.
"Urg... and he looks half as ugly as Chobo and twice as dumb," Kapri said with a groan while pushing herself up from the sand.
"Didn't Terramole also say that he had a partner?" Lothor asked, already knowing the answer as he looked around for any sign of Miss Merry Christmas.
"Yes... one who could also travel underground," Zurgane said, quickly catching on, also looking for any sign of approaching danger.
Only to have the ground explode out from under him a moment later.
"Hahahahahaha! You like that, huh, you like that?!" Merry Christmas laughed at rapid-fire pace as she leapt out of the hole she just burst in the ground to land a few yards away, "Come on, let's go, let's go, let's go! Crocodile gave us orders, and you're not getting past us, no way!"
"...Did anyone catch any of that?" Jasmine asked as the group stared at the fast-talking woman, while Zurgane grumbled and got back to his feet again.
"No, but I don't need to understand her to skewer her," The General growled, irritated.
"Ha! Have to hit me first, buddy!" Merry Christmas replied, "4! Hit 'em again!"
"Okay..." Mr. 4 replied, preparing his bat to swing, "Lassoo, fast ball."
With a bark, the dog-shaped robot coughed up another explosive baseball and shot it at Mr. 4, who swung his bat into it and sent it flying at the group while Merry Christmas dove back into the ground.
"Duck and cover!' Aladdin cried out as the projectile zoomed at their position.
BOOM
As the resulting dust cloud settled, the group pulled themselves up once again.
"Exploding baseballs... shot out of a robot dog... are you kidding me?!" Kapri yelled, "What is wrong with this planet?!"
"I'm beginning to wonder that myself..." Vivi said with a groan, idly wondering if any other planet in the universe had to handle repeated invasions and just plain crazy weird stuff like this, or if Earth was just that special.
"It makes things interesting, at least," Lothor stated, eyeing the ground carefully and quickly spotting Merry Christmas' trail zooming towards them. Before it could hit them, however, he slammed a fist crackling with energy into the ground in her path.
BOOM
"AAAAHHH!!!" Merry Christmas yelled as she burst out of the ground and was sent flying.
"Excellently done, sir!" Praised Zurgane as he drew his blades, "But you can leave the riff-raff to me, while you deal with Crocodile."
"Oh, you think so, huh?! 4, get them!" Merry Christmas yelled from where she was lying on the ground, trying to get back to her feet.
"Fast ball..." Mr. 4 commanded, knocking the resulting projectile from Lassoo at the group again. This time, however, Zurgane swung one of his blades, sending out an energy wave that sliced through the ball and detonated it while it was still at a distance.
BOOM
"When you only have one trick, you stop being a threat," the samurai sneered at the surprised criminals.
"Well done, General. Enjoy yourself," Lothor said, gesturing towards the others to follow him towards a nearby hole.
"Are you sure it's okay to leave him to handle those two by himself?" Jasmine asked with a concerned frown.
"Yeah, I get the feeling those two are old hats at working together against a target," Aladdin added, glancing over his shoulder as they made their way down into the tunnel.
"Eh, he'll be fine," Marah waved off their concerns, "He wasn't made a General just because he's so good at kissing Uncle's ass."
"Not quite how I'd put it, but she's right," Lothor stated, "Zurgane is one of the deadliest warriors in the galaxy, he can handle those two just fine."
And with that statement, as they went deeper underground, Zurgane stood ready, staring down his latest opponents, "I do hope you prove to be as interesting a challenge as your comrade who could turn his body to blades."
"Mr. 1's just a blowhard who talks tough, we actually know what we're doing!" Merry Christmas yelled, before diving into the ground again and starting to circle Zurgane at high speed, while simultaneously Mr. 4 started knocking baseballs at Zurgane.
"Hmm, almost a challenge," Zurgane muttered, slicing energy blades at the balls while still managing to track Merry Christmas' movements.
Case in point...
Merry Christmas attempted to leap from the ground, raising her claws in her were-mole form for an attack, only to receive a kick right in the face from Zurgane.
"UGH!" she yelled as she went flying back to slam into a stone pillar, "Argh, damn bastard!"
"If you're not going to present a serious threat, just give up," Zurgane sneered.
"Grrr, six, five, 4, blow this bastard to bits double time!" Merry Christmas hollered as the dog robot started to fire out more exploding balls that 4 hit at great strength and speed.
WHAM
WHAM
WHAM
WHAM
And with surprising speed for his size and bulky armor, Zurgane dodged every ball, before slicing another energy wave, this time right towards Mr. 4.
"Uh, oh..." the large man said, eyes widening just before the energy slammed into him.
BOOM
"Babe!" Miss Merry Christmas called out in shock and worry to the point she called out Mr. 4's real name rather than his codename, "One, two, now I'm really steamed!" She snapped with a growl as she dived into the sand, determined to make this jerk pay!
"How quaint," Zurgane sneered, taking a stance and preparing himself, watching the dirt trail head right towards him. However, just as it reached him, he leapt high in the air, leaving Merry Christmas facing nothing as she burst out of the ground in an attempt to pounce him.
"Huh?!" she exclaimed, realizing he was gone. Looking around frantically, she didn't see it coming as he came down from the air and slammed his armored knee into her back.
"Hello~" he said with a chuckle as he drove her back into the ground.
"ARRG!" Was her resulting cry of shock, anger, and pain.
"Ack, ugh, you bastard!" she spat and wheezed, "What gives you the right... to get in our way? We were... ugh... finally going to... have a perfect place to retire..."
"That was your motivation for this?" Zurgane sneered, "You and that blonde woman... such pitiful things to drive you forward."
"Oh, shovel it! Like you've got the right to judge," She sneered as she sat up and crouched, glaring at him, "Ten, nine, eight, you're as bad as we are," She realized it was time to call up the big guns... which meant going full feral, "One, two, three, time to rip you into shreds!" She called, jumping back and quickly burrowing, but not before calling out a command to the dog robot who was checking on Mr. 4's groaning form, "Lasso play ball!"
Which seemed to be all the dog needed to hear to open fire a steady stream of exploding balls straight at Zurgane's position.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
Explosions dominated the area, but Zurgane easily dodged them, not one making contact with him. Unaware that this was just a small distraction, as his opponent underwent a transformation and prepared to attack.
"Uggghhhh... Five, four, three, two, one, time to die!" Merry Christmas growled as her body shifted. Muscles across her form shifted and grew, her jaws extended out into a maw full of razor sharp teeth, and thick fur grew out all over her.
Within minutes, she had transformed into what a certain pink dog currently trying to flee the country would have recognized as a were-mole.
"GRAAAAHHHH!" the transformed Merry Christmas snarled as she burst back out of the ground and leapt at Zurgane. With the General barely having enough time to turn toward her before finding her form not only slamming into him but dragging him down into the depths of the desert underground, while at the same time getting a vicious grip onto his arm with a strong bite.
"UGGGHHH!" Zurgane cried out in pain, which made the were-mole give a deranged cackle even as she tried to work her teeth fully through his armor.
Ah well, even if she couldn't directly injury him, she could at least bury him!
So, keeping her grip on the General, she burrowed and dug, and dug, and dug!
All the while, Zurgane struggled to breathe, the dirt filling his helmet while more pressed against him on all sides.
Ugh, he needed to break free while he still could! But due to Merry Christmas' surprise attack, he had lost his grip on his swords, leaving him with only his hands to attempt to grapple free.
Fortunately, he hadn't made it as far as he had by just being a one-trick pony, he thought as he jabbed his fingers into Merry Christmas' side and discharged energy blasts into her.
"RAAAGGGGHHHH!" the were-mole screamed in pain, releasing her captive in the process, with Zurgane then taking the chance to exploit this opening by attacking her as quickly as he could. Charging not just his hands but also firing from the faceplate of his helmet. All three attacks hit Merry Christmas head on, resulting in a massive explosion.
BOOM
Said explosion blew a huge hole into the ground, blanketing the area with dirt and dust. For a few minutes, there was silence as the dust cloud settled, and then coughing could be heard as Zurgane pulled himself out of the hole.
"Ugh... cough... cough... that was unpleasant," he muttered as he crawled onto solid ground.
"But I believe that's a job well done all the same," he added, pushing himself up, only to notice the large shadow looming over him as Mr. 4 whacked him as hard as he could with his bat.
WHACK
"AHHHH!" Zurgane yelled in surprise and pain as the blow connected and sent him flying clear to the other side of the hole, hitting the ground hard enough to dig a trench into it.
"Agh... ah... I see... you're still... standing," he grunted as he shakily got to his feet, looking at Mr. 4, who glared at him.
"You... are... dead," He said slowly, while lumbering forward and as he charged toward Zurgane, and his robotic dog Lassoo started firing at the alien warrior.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
As explosions erupted around him, Zurgane cursed as he found himself having to dodge both them and Mr. 4, who was surprisingly fast for his size.
And sadly, currently dodging two-pronged attack made it hard to spot his swords, much less get enough space for a counterattack... so perhaps he should try getting up close and personal like the other did with him? He thought, dodging a swing from Mr. 4 before dodging a blast from the dog with a duck.
BOOM
A sand dune exploding in the distance as he launched himself toward Mr. 4, who at the same time swung his bat as hard as he could toward Zurgane.
Zurgane just barely managed to duck under the swing in time, feeling the bat pass over him. But he didn't let that distract him, instead continuing his charge forward until he slammed into Mr. 4.
"Oof!" The large man gasped as he was knocked off his feet and collapsed onto his back.
With Zurgane than quickly attempting to finish him off by jumping up and diving down with a glowing fist.
"RARRG!"
Only to have the smoking roaring form of Merry Christmas burst out of the sand to the collapsed Mr. 4's right, slamming into Zurgane before he could land and launch his attack, consequentially sending his energy blast off to the way side missing Mr. 4.
BOOM
"RRRAAAHHHH!!! Pest!" Zurgane snarled, punching at Merry Christmas, only for her to dodge out of the way.
WHAM
Mr. 4, meanwhile, took the opportunity to grab his bat back up and swing it into Zurgane, sending him flying.
"GAAAAA!" Was the resulting scream, with his situation made all the worse as Lassoo opened fire... straight at Mr. 4, who smacked the ball as hard as he could toward the flying Zurgane, nailing a direct hit.
BOOOM
"One, two, three, that's a home run! Four, five, six, his goose is surely cooked!" Called out the more growling guttural voice of Miss Merry Christmas with a laugh. Only to freeze as Zurgane's voice called out.
"Not yet..." he growled, stiffly walking out of the clearing dust cloud, battered but still standing.
"Grrr... Just die already, you bastard!" Merry Christmas yelled at him.
"Urg... I'll admit... you've proven worthier opponents than expected," Zurgane grunted, sending an unseen dark glare toward them, though the two could feel it despite his helmet, "But I refuse... to fall to you... or fail Master Lothor," He said, entering a battle stance.
"Gah, you think you're any better than us, but you're standing there talking about fighting for someone else instead of your own goals!" Merry Christmas ranted, "You think your boss cares any more about you than Crocodile cares about us?!"
"It doesn't matter if he does or not," Zurgane spat back, "I serve my master, and that is it's own reward."
After all, if wasn't for Master Lothor, he wouldn't be the man nor the warrior he was today, a part of Zurgane couldn't help but think grimly. Before they met, he was just another mercenary, wandering the galaxy and taking jobs as much for the sport as for pay, lacking any calling higher than the thrill of the fight. Then he'd bitten off more than he could chew, taking on an entire pirate crew at once. He'd almost won, only to be severely injured by the surviving pirates and left for dead in a ditch.
It should have been his end... but then Lothor, fresh off of his banishment from Earth, had come across him. Zurgane didn't know to this day why, but the ninja had taken pity and nursed him back to health, before offering to train him, to make him strong enough to never face such a defeat again. He'd agreed, and months of intense training later, he'd hunted down and killed the remaining pirates. After that, he'd sworn loyalty to Lothor as an act of gratitude for his aid.
And now... now he would show once again that Lothor wasn't wrong to see something in him... he'd once again vanquish his master's enemies!
And with that thought he entered a battle stance as Merry Christmas, 4, and Lasso readied themselves.
"Prepare yourselves..." Zurgane said, his tone and determination as hard as steel, "I will show you why you shouldn't underestimate Master Lothor's top General!"
"One, two, three, bring it, bastard!" Merry Christmas yelled, diving back into the ground and tunneling towards Zurgane, while Mr. 4 started rapid swinging explosive balls at him.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
But Zurgane didn't stop coming, shrugging off the explosions to keep charging towards Mr. 4. And when Merry Christmas burst out of the ground again-
WHAM
He anticipated it and punched her right in the face.
"Gah! Urrgg, lucky... arrg!" Her snap back from the hit, quite literally with a lunge of her jaws, was cut off by Zurgane's dodge, before swiftly giving a two hit strike, one to her stomach then one hitting her jaw upwards, before bringing his hands together and sending out an energy blast that sent her flying.
BOOM
"URRRRGG!" She screamed as she went flying, eventually slamming into a stone pillar, which then collapsed on her.
"Eeeegggghhhh!" Mr. 4 yelled in anger at this, swinging at Zurgane, who ducked and rolled out of the way... and in the process nearly stumbled over one of his swords, sticking out of the sand.
"Perfect~" he said with a smirk under his helmet, grabbing the blade and bringing it up just in time to block another blow of Mr. 4's bat.
"You... I'll... crush," Mr. 4 said with a grunt, glaring down at him, with it taking all of Zurgane's strength to hold back the bat with his sword. It was quite clear his opponent truly possessed great strength, and he sadly wasn't at his best anymore... he needed to end this.
So, summoning every bit of energy he had left, he channeled it into his sword. The blade crackled with red lightning, and the metal bat pressing against it started to glow from the heat.
"Time... to... fall!" Zurgane declared, stepping forward and slashing clean through the bat, while unleashing a massive blast point blank against Mr. 4.
BOOM
With the man blasted back in the large ensuing explosion sent rocketing, in fact right into Lassoo, with them hitting a dune in a large explosion of sand.
BOOM
With only the sounds of sparks from the robot and 4's groans heard until the latter fell unconscious, leaving Zurgane who laid on the ground, having taken a majority of his own attack, smoking and letting out a pained groan.
"A pyrrhic victory... but a victory... none the less," groaned the samurai warrior, realizing he was in no further condition to assist his master against their remaining enemies... but he knew Crocodile, like many before him, would fall to Master Lothor's might.
So for now, he opted to just lay there and rest.
"This planet... will truly... be a worthwhile... challenge after all," He remarked with a weak chuckle, as despite his condition he wouldn't deny he had truly enjoyed the fights he had engaged in with Intergang agents, from Mr. 1 to these two. They were worthy enemies, and he had a hard time recalling when a battle had his blood pumping so much.
And with that remark and passing thought... Zurgane passed out, content knowing he'd done his part to help his master secure victory.
Crocodile impatiently tapped the flat of his hook against his leg, watching as Nico Robin carefully examined the Poneglyph as she'd been doing since they'd arrived in this chamber with their captive in tow. They'd brought Cobra along in case there were any boobytraps left by his ancestors that needed defusing, but there weren't any. It seemed that the Nefertaris had relied surely on secrecy to protect an artifact of such importance, proving that they were all as foolish as he'd always assumed.
But for as fast as they'd gotten here, it was taking forever for his so-called expert to finish the translation.
"Not to rush you, dear, but we are pressed for time," he called out to her tersely.
"You want this done fast, or you want this done right?" Was the retort from over her shoulder, causing Crocodile to scowl while Robin didn't even turn to look at him, "After all, one mistranslated word could have us looking in the northern hemisphere when it in reality could be in the southern."
Robin added, making Crocodile sigh with aggravation but saw her point, "I understand, but still..." he looked over his shoulder with a scowl, "Chances are we'll be having unwanted guests soon, and I'd rather have my prize in hand before they arrive."
He stated, while Cobra leaning against the wall on the floor tied up scowled up at him, "It doesn't matter... even if you obtain the knowledge you seek, you won't be allowed to leave Alabasta to make use of it."
The monarch spat out defiantly to the criminal.
"Oh? And who's going to stop us?" Crocodile sneered, "The only ones who who know what we're doing are your brat and her new friend, and we'll deal with them if they haven't been already. As far as everyone else knows, I'm still the hero of the kingdom~"
"It doesn't matter," Cobra glared back at him, "I swear to you, you won't make it out of here, no matter what!"
Crocodile scoffed before shooting Cobra a sinister smirk, "Actually, Your Highness..." He stepped up, looming over the monarch, "I believe it will be you who won't be making it out of here," Crocodile said with a dark sneer, "After all..."
He raised his hook hand threateningly over his head as Cobra glared up at the man, determined not to show any fear, "I believe you've outlived your usefulness," Crocodile said with a sneer, "It's just a shame I arrived too late to save you or your daughter from Lothor~"
With that, he raised the hook up high and then brought it down-
SLING
"AH!"
Only to be interrupted as one of Vivi's ring blades sliced through his back, making him cry out and stumble, causing his attack to miss.
"Get away from him, you bastard!"
"Your Highness, what a surprise," Crocodile greeted as casually as he could while shooting the new arrivals a dark scowl, while Vivi noted that her attack actually caused him pain. So, his abilities didn't help if he didn't see the attack coming in time.
"Oh? Was it a surprise because of how you tried to have me killed? Repeatedly?!" she snarled at him, as Lothor and his nieces came up behind her.
"No, because I expected you to be dead by now," Crocodile growled, "But I suppose if you want something done right, you do it yourself!"
"I'm afraid I'll have something to say about that," Lothor said, stepping between Vivi and Crocodile and glaring at the latter.
"And the big bad space ninja playing knight in shining armor is here as well," Crocodile added dryly, arching a brow, "I'm curious, Your Highness, did you need to promise your kingdom or your body to have him go through all this trouble?"
Vivi turned bright red as she scowled at Crocodile for that, but Lothor spoke up to spare her the trouble of having to respond to it.
"The details of our arrangement are none of your business, especially since you won't be alive to worry about it much longer," he stated, making Crocodile scoff.
"Oh please, you already tried to kill me once and failed," he sneered, "And you think you can defeat me now, in the moment of my ultimate victory?"
"Ultimate victory? I think you're rather misjudging your situation here," Lothor scoffed back.
"How so?" Crocodile demanded, glaring at the smug look Lothor was giving him.
"Simple. See, I'm good at reading people's body language... and your friend over there clearly finished her translating a while ago and is just stalling for time," Lothor replied, gesturing to Robin, who froze as attention was drawn to her, a look of surprise flashing over her face for a moment before she could compose herself. But it was there long enough to confirm Lothor's accusation.
"Explain yourself... now!" Crocodile snapped with a glare toward Nico Robin, who simply sighed as she stood back up, shooting Lothor an annoyed look at having exposed her.
"Well, I suppose there's no denying it now that the cat's out of the bag," she said, turning her gaze back to Crocodile, "I know megalomaniacs like you aren't used to hearing the word no, but I'm afraid you'll find that I never had any intention of telling you Pluton's location."
"You traitorous bitch!" Crocodile snarled, "You think you can use me and take it for yourself?!"
"I couldn't care less about your Atlantean tinker toy," Robin scoffed, "But I had hoped that whoever had hidden it might have also hid knowledge about something far more important... sadly, that doesn't appear to be the case."
"I don't understand, if you didn't want Pluton, what were you after? And why would you help bring war and suffering to my kingdom?" Demanded Vivi, who while relieved was also a bit pissed that Alabasta's suffering might have just been pointless.
"One kingdom is a small price to pay for the greater whole, Your Highness," Was Robin's reply.
Everyone arched eyebrows at that, Lothor in particular being intrigued. That sounded a lot more intense than her canon search for the world's true history. And given the primarily DC-based setting of this universe, that could mean just about anything...
Well, worry about that later, deal with the warmonger in the pimp coat first, he told himself.
Speaking of whom, Crocodile was glaring at his treacherous subordinate.
"I don't know or care what you're talking about," he growled, "But you're going to tell me where to find Pluton, if I have to skin it out of you!"
"Please... you think I haven't heard threats like that before?" Robin said with a roll of her eyes, "And do you really believe I'd let a shortsighted megalomaniac like you even lay a finger on something like Pluton?" She asked, giving the man a cold stare as he gave a low grow of anger.
"Shortsighted?!" He repeated, furious - who did this double-crossing bitch think she was?!
"Besides..." Nico Robin gave a slight smirk, "We both knew that our arrangement would only end in one way."
And at that proclamation, arms sprouted all around the Intergang leader, moving to grapple and attack Crocodile.
"Ugh, bitch!" he snarled, slashing at several of the arms with his hook, Robin grunting in pain as they dissolved, but not letting up the attacks.
"...Uh, so, do we help her or what?" Marah asked as they watched the fight play out.
"I don't mind watching them kill each other," Vivi muttered.
"Understandable, but I admit to being curious, and I can't get answers if she dies, so if you'll excuse me," Lothor said, before suddenly dashing forward to punch the distracted Crocodile in the side of the head.
"Urg! Bastard!" Crocodile snapped with a glare as Robin arched a brow at Lothor.
"Hmm, not that I'm complaining about the assistance, but why?" she asked him.
"What can I say? You've left me intrigued with this mystery quest of yours," he replied, "Tell you what, how about a little deal? I help deal with this worthless bastard, and you tell me what you know. We can even do it in private if you're worried about eavesdroppers."
"Oh, a private rendezvous? Perhaps with a candlelit dinner?" she asked with a teasing smirk.
"Not what I had in mind, but I'm open to it~" Lothor replied in the same tone.
"Seriously?! I am standing right here!" Vivi yelled incredulously at him, while her father arched an eyebrow at her outburst.
"Vivi... exactly what is your relationship with this man?" The monarch asked, protective parental instincts flaring up, with Vivi freezing and stammering.
"Uh, well... we, ah... came to a business arrangement," She said with a strained smile.
"Yeah, Uncle helps her, and in exchange she marries him," Kapri added casually, making Vivi and her servants glare at her while Cobra's eyes bugged out.
"WHAT?!" he exclaimed.
"You couldn't have done that with a little more tact?" Aladdin asked with a sigh.
"What? Better to just rip the band-aid off," Kapri said with a shrug.
"Yeah, better than him finding out from a wedding invitation," Marah nodded, chiming in while Cobra gaped at his flushing daughter, just as Crocodile gave a laugh.
"So the princess spreads her legs like a whore to save her kingdom~" he remarked, shooting Vivi a sneer, "How pathetic!"
"Pathetic's a strong word coming from a guy who needs to hide behind plots and schemes to win a prize when he knows he's too weak to fight for it," Lothor spat, glaring at Crocodile, enraged on Vivi's behalf, "Also, you really shouldn't talk about whores when you're dressed like that, people might make you an offer~"
"What?" Crocodile asked, blinking in confusion at the odd insult.
"I believe he's commenting on how that coat makes you look like a pimp," Robin stated, "Which I have to admit, I always thought as well, I just didn't want to be rude."
"Oh? Did you also share my thought on how that hook's size looks like he's compensating for something~" Lothor asked with a smirk.
"Actually, yes..." Robin said with a smirk, "I mean, gaudiness aside, there's being threatening... and there's just looking ridiculous," She said as Crocodile's expression slowly grew more enraged as his body began to shift into sand.
"ENOUGH!" he snarled as he rose up into a swirling twister of sand, everyone being forced back by the force of the winds he was kicking up, "I will not be mocked by insolent peons like you! I have worked too hard to be defeated now, when victory is in my grasp! I'll bury you all, and then tear this pathetic country apart stone by stone until I find Pluton the hard way!"
With that, the sand twister turned to sweep down on Lothor and Robin, who leapt back to avoid it before it hit where they'd just been standing, the high-speed grains carving into the ground.
"We'll handle this, the rest of you get the King and get out!" Lothor yelled to the others.
"On it, Uncle!" Marah called out, moving to help Kapri with the King, "Hiya, we're your future great-step-nieces... or however the family tree would be like," Marah added to the King as she helped him stand.
"What?" Cobra blinked, still trying to wrap his head around all this.
"Yeah, it's a little weird that we're going to have a step-aunt practically the same age as us, but it's still better than the alternative," Kapri said as she cut the King's bindings to free him and grabbed one of his arms, "Okay, let's go!"
"Wait, we can't just leave him!" Vivi protested, looking to where Lothor was dodging Crocodile's attacks (she couldn't care less about the hussy fighting alongside him).
"I'll be fine, princess, go!" Lothor yelled, dodging another strike and firing an energy blast into the twister.
"But..." Vivi stammered, feeling worried for Lothor and not liking the idea of abandoning him to fight Crocodile alone... especially with that other woman's motivation being unknown and suspect.
"Your Highness, please, we need to get you to safety!" Pleaded Aladdin, with Jasmine giving an agreeing nod as Raja growled in agreement, while the King was placed onto Karoo.
"Dammit... You'd better not die!" she yelled at Lothor as she ran to jump onto Karoo as well.
"Don't worry, I won't give this bastard the satisfaction of getting that lucky!" Lothor called back with a laugh.
"Luck has nothing to do with it! I am simply beyond you!" Crocodile snarled as he moved his hand over his hook, pulling it off or rather pulling the sheath his hook was in off, with purplish gas starting to emit from it before lunging toward Lothor in a swarm of sand.
Seeing this coming, and remembering how dangerous it was from canon, Lothor immediately dodged out of the way, leaving the hook to hit the floor instead.
SMASH
And punch clean through the rock... which started melting.
"Impressive. I didn't know he could do that," Robin admitted, a hint of concern in her otherwise still stoic voice.
"Did you really think I would show you everything I'm capable of?" Crocodile asked with amusement, right before the sand under Robin's feet shot up, taking her by surprise.
"AAAAHHH!" she yelled as she was sent flying upwards to slam against the ceiling.
WHAM
Which she hit hard with a pained gasp, before falling towards the ground as the sand collapsed under her. But she never reached it, as Crocodile leapt up and slammed his fist into her stomach, to send her flying towards the far wall.
"Ugh!" she exclaimed as she hit the rock, Crocodile looming over her.
"Goodbye, Miss All-Sunday," he sneered, bringing his hook down on her.
WHACK
Only for Lothor to leap in, ramming his knee into Crocodile's arm, causing it to shift to the side at the last second and hit the wall instead.
"Ugh! You think that will-?" Crocodile started to sneer after a pained grunt as he turned his glare on Lothor, only to freeze as he saw the ninja was holding a large rock in one hand. Which he then brought down hard on the base of his hook.
However, Crocodile quickly transformed and shot up a wave of sand, hitting Lothor and sending the ninja flying up against the other side of the room, where next thing he knew he was pinned against the wall and felt Crocodile's hand wrapping around his throat.
"Time to dry you up like a raisin," Crocodile said with a dark glare while reforming back into his human form as he started to suck out all the moisture from Lothor's body.
But to his confusion, Lothor didn't scream or struggle. Instead, he just smirked, even as his skin started to dry out and crack.
"You think... I wouldn't... be prepared for... this a second time?" he gasped out, while his hands slipped into his pocket to remove a large canister, which he quickly opened and thrust at Crocodile.
SPLASH
"Gah! What?!" Crocodile exclaimed as a large amount of water was splashed all over him.
WHACK
And then Lothor punched him in the face, knocking him backwards and breaking his grip. Grinning, Lothor then splashed more water on himself, instantly restoring his moisture.
"What's the matter? Not able to use your powers when wet?" he asked with a laugh, punching again as Crocodile instinctively tried to shift to sand and finding himself unable to, taking the blow to his stomach.
"Glrt... you think... I need my powers to take you down?" Crocodile snarled, glaring at Lothor before smirking, "Besides, you're only half right..." He said, raising his hook hand up, "I can't turn into sand..." He said as the sand around them began to shift and levitate... "But I can certainly still control the sand around us!"
He exclaimed as the sand turned into pointed deadly lances that all launched straight toward Lothor.
Frowning at this development, Lothor raised his hands, crackling with energy, and started dodging as many of the lances as he could, punching away any that got too close.
"Ha! You can't keep this up forever!" Crocodile laughed.
"He doesn't have to~" Robin spoke up, right before several arms sprouted out of Crocodile's body to wrap around his neck and arms.
"Urgg, you treacherous bitch!" Crocodile snarled as a wave of sand shot straight toward Robin while he struggled to break free from the grip of her arms.
Robin dodged out of the way, but that distracted her long enough for Crocodile to slash his hook through all of the arms holding him, making Robin cry out in pain.
"I'm going to make you beg for death!" Crocodile snarled, only to see Lothor lunging at him out of the corner of his eye. Spinning around, he brought up his hook to block... which was exactly what Lothor wanted, as he slammed an energy-charged fist into the already-damaged hook, causing it to shatter.
"NO!" Was Crocodile's scream of denial and rage, but before he could make another move to counter, the next thing he saw was Lothor's glowing palm hitting him and blasting him right in the face, sending him flying into the wall with a loud crash.
BOOM
"That was satisfying," Lothor said, brushing his hands off as he watched Crocodile collapse to the ground in a slump. After watching him for a few moments to make sure that he wasn't getting back up, he turned to face Robin, offering her a hand, "Are you alright, dear?"
"Hmm, I've had worse," she said, accepting the hand and letting him pull her up, "So... what happens now?"
"I imagine that'll depend on the princess, and how much you're willing to talk," he replied.
"Hmm... you'll find that some secrets are best kept close to the chest," she said, giving him an even look, "And while the princess might be upset, believe it or not I had motivation for the greater whole over all."
Robin replied evenly, crossing her arms, "Besides, like I stated earlier, I never planned on letting Croc get his new shiny ship," she added with an eye roll.
"I somehow doubt that the princess will be quite so forgiving on that," Lothor said dryly, "But in any case, let's-"
"RAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!" Crocodile screamed as he suddenly jumped back up, his wrecked hook falling away to reveal a large knife blade that popped out as he charged at Lothor, eyes wide with rage. With both Robin and Lothor freezing from shock, however before either of them could move to do anything-
SLING
Another party intervened just as Crocodile leapt toward Lothor, and the next thing the space ninja knew with a blink, Crocodile's body was falling to the ground... with the man's head rolling right to a stop in front of his feet.
Lothor and Robin both glanced down in shared genuine shock before looking up to the wall where a blood covered blade ring sat embedded into the wall, before looking toward the direction it came from and saw none other than a heavy breathing Vivi, whose eyes carried a look of shock.
"I, I, I... did I...?" she stammered, staring in disbelief at the dead body laying on the ground, and the bloodstained weapon she'd launched at him.
"Kill him? Yes, you did," Lothor stated, walking over and gently cupping her face in his hands to make her focus on him instead, "It's never easy, the first time. It's quite a change, going from being an innocent to being able to cross that line, for whatever reason that you do it. But just remember, that trash was destroying your country for his own selfish wants. Do not feel any guilt for it."
Granted, he'd yet to kill anybody in this new life... well, not directly at least, as his warriors certainly spelt blood at Kaznia. But he had Lothor's memories, including of the lives he had taken.
Vivi herself nodded distractedly before stammering out, "Yes... yes... you're right," she said, shaking her head back to focus, "It... needed to be done," she said, more to herself than anything, "He needed to be stopped once and for all," she added with a scowl.
"Exactly, so don't let this kind of scum wear on your conscience. He's not worth someone of your level worrying about," Lothor said, before leaning in to give her a reassuring kiss, which she melted into on instinct. Dammit, he had such a way with making her feel good...
"Ahem," Robin cleared her throat to get the pair's attention, smirking at the princess' blush when they broke apart to look at her, "Not to interrupt this touching moment, but we should probably be leaving if you want to put a stop to that war outside."
"We? What the hell makes you think you're anything other than a prisoner?" Vivi demanded, glaring at her, "Just because you switched sides at the last minute doesn't change the fact that you helped cause all of this!"
"Yes, which means that I can provide all the evidence needed to expose Crocodile's plans, exonerate your father, and stop the fighting~" Robin replied casually.
At that, Vivi paused before scowling while glaring at Robin, "I hate how much that makes sense."
"Glad we can all be reasonable~" Robin said with a smirk, which just made Vivi scowl harder.
"And while you're at that, you can tell us what you were actually looking for," Lothor stated, before holding up a hand to forestall Robin's protests, "Yes, I'm sure you have your reasons for keeping it secret, but I'm going to find out anyway, and I'd much rather it be on friendly terms. After all, unlike the fresh corpse over there, I actually keep my end of any deals I make."
"Just something that'd be more dangerous than Pluton," Was Robin's even reply, "And before you get any ideas, it's something not even you would want to use."
"Try me," Lothor said with a smirk, making Robin roll her eyes.
"Yes, very macho and impressive," she said, "But I think even you wouldn't want to risk raising the ire of Trigon the Terrible."
Lothor's eyebrows shot up at that, while Vivi just blinked.
"Who?" she asked.
"Arguably the most evil and dangerous demon to ever exist," Robin stated coldly.
"Indeed he is," Lothor nodded in agreement, eyes narrowing suspiciously, "And since there's only one thing that could catch his interest in this dimension, I have to ask... why are you looking for the Gem of Scath?"
Robin's eyes bugged out, stoic demeanor shattering.
"How... How do you know about that?!" she demanded.
"I know a great many things about that little harbinger of the apocalypse that might intrigue you, dear," he stated, even as he analyzed the situation. This was not a scenario he'd anticipated regarding Nico Robin's presence, but it could have a lot of potential to exploit.
Admittedly, it might complicate Skeleton King's own plans for Raven in the long run, but that was just how the game was played~
Robin herself gave Lothor an analyzing gaze, "Then you know that Trigon coming into our reality is the last thing any of us want," She said while folding her arms, "So if you happen to have information that will help me secure the gem and prevent that scenario, it's really in your own best interest to share, handsome."
"Ah, but nothing comes free, and that is very valuable information that I could just act on by myself," Lothor replied, "Why should I share it with you?"
"Oh, I'm sure I could make it worth your while~" Robin replied, leaning forward to make her bust more prominent, which made Vivi's eye twitch.
"Okay, seriously? It's bad enough he keeps doing this, but do you have to encourage him, you hussy?" she snapped. She was morbidly curious to know what the two were talking about, but that didn't mean she needed to see them flirting like this!
"No need to be jealous, Your Highness, you're free to join us in the fun~" Robin replied, giving the younger girl a wink.
"Ex-excuse me?!" Vivi exclaimed, throwing Robin a shocked look, "I don't know what kinda woman you take me for, but I'm not about to share a bed with a terrorist who threatened my kingdom!"
Vivi snapped, with Robin simply arching a brow, "No, you prefer the invader threatening the planet as more your type~" the other woman noted with some amusement.
Vivi stammered harder at that, unable to think of a good response to that comment without sounding like a hypocrite. Deciding to spare her from having to defend her choices by herself, Lothor spoke up.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures, as they say, and I happened to be there to help her when she needed it. The facts of our arrangement just evolved from there," he stated, "And on the subject of arrangements, you and I can hammer out the details of one later, as I'm sure there's much we can do for each other. But in the meantime, we should rejoin the others, and see about wrapping things up."
"Ah, right," Vivi said, happy for the change of subject, "I did sort of just run off on them to come back here and help."
"Your Highness!" And as if to emphasize this, Jasmine came rushing in alongside Raja, "Your Highness, hang on, I'm..." her next words were caught in her throat when she took in the scene before her, particularly that of Crocodile's decapitated body.
"I'm sure the loyalty is appreciated, dear, but as you can see, the princess has already dealt with the problem," Lothor declared proudly.
"Wha... princess, you... you did this?" Jasmine asked, looking between her friend, who always viewed violence as a last resort, and the dead body on the ground.
"...Yes, I did," Vivi said after only a moment's hesitation and a deep frown, "And I'd do it again. That bastard tried to destroy our home for the sake of his own greedy agenda, this is the least he deserved."
At that, Jasmine gave Vivi a stunned stare. Admittedly, she shared the sentiment, but at the same time her friend had just taken a life, so she was concerned to say the least.
"Princess... Vivi... are you okay?" She asked with a worried expression.
"I... I don't know," Vivi admitted with a sigh, "But right now, I just want to get out of here and finish cleaning up this mess."
"Ah, right. I should probably call off Terramole's attack, now that I think about it," Lothor mused idly, scratching his chin in thought.
At that, Vivi went still, her eyes widening, "That's right! We still need to handle the rebels and prove my family's innocence along with Crocodile's crimes!"
"Hmm, I suppose first thing's first, we can go grab our shapeshifting friend and have him explain how he impersonated the King to stir things up," Lothor stated, "Hopefully, that will calm things down long enough to present evidence of Crocodile's crimes to the public."
"I know where he kept all of his incriminating documents," Robin chimed in, "I can easily get ahold of them for you."
"And we're supposed to believe you won't run off?" Vivi demanded.
"Given the information your boyfriend here is in possession of, princess, I suddenly have a vested interest in sticking around," Robin countered, pointing to Lothor.
"That is unless you're trying to mislead me on having information about the Gem of Scath," She added with narrowed eyes and a warning glare toward the ninja.
"I give you my word, I know everything about the gem," Lothor replied confidently.
"What gem?" Jasmine asked, feeling lost.
"I'm not entirely certain, but we can deal with that later," Vivi said, walking towards the chamber's exit, "Right now, we have more important things to worry about."
(Outside Alubarna)
"Stop flying and let me show you the superiority of the underground to the sky!" One of said things was currently trying to blast a giant flying parrot out of the sky.
"Not so superior if you need to me to come to you to attack me!" Iago spat back, ignoring the fact that he couldn't attack long-distance, unlike the mole bastard with his laser blasts.
This whole thing was going on a lot longer than he'd hoped for. What was Jafar thinking, sending him out here? He wasn't a fighter! He was a schemer, yeah, spy if need arose, but fighter?! He didn't even hunt his own food like other birds, what exactly was Jafar expecting him to do here?!
"Urrrg, I swear, I better be getting a statue at the minimum for this crap," He griped out loud, before narrowly dodging another blast.
"Blasted pest!" Terramole snarled, charging up another attack, only to pause as his internal communicator activated.
"Terramole, fall back!" Lothor's voice commanded, "The situation has been handled, we don't need a diversion anymore."
"But, I..." Terramole tried to protest, only to sigh. He knew better than to argue with his master, after all.
"You got lucky, you flying pest!" He snapped at Iago, before adding to the two armies, "You all got lucky!" He called out before his form flashed away.
"What? Where'd he go?" Chaka demanded.
"It would appear he teleported away," Pell commented from where he was standing nearby, before glancing up at the still flying Iago, who looked just as confused, "Though that still leaves Jafar's pet."
"Not to mention the rebels, since I doubt they originally came here for peaceful negotiations," Chaka added with a dark scowl.
"Yes... but hopefully, given what just happened, they'll at least be willing to extend a ceasefire," Pell stated, before glaring up at Iago, "But first thing's first, let's deal with that thing."
"Fine by me," Chaka said, as the army's weapons were all pointed up at Iago, who paled.
"Ah, crap," the parrot muttered, before the soldiers started firing at him.
"Ahh, what's the matter with you ingrates?! This the thanks I get for helping you with a giant monster?!" The bird screeched in indignation.
Of course, the fact that he was currently a giant monster too probably wasn't helping, but still!
"Sir, should we, uh, help them?" one of Koza's lieutenants asked him. Koza scowled, before sighing.
"I won't let Alabasta become vulnerable to outside invasion," He said, looking toward the man, "Aid the royalists against the bird, and put out the order for a ceasefire," He said, before adding with narrowed eyes, "But make it clear, aliens or no aliens, we will get justice, and if it means putting us at risk to outsiders should they deny this last chance, so be it."
"Yes sir!" the lieutenant replied with a salute, and soon the rebels were firing on Iago as well.
"Oh, come on!" Iago protested, now dodging attacks from both sides.
"I didn't sign up for this! Jafar if you don't help, so help me I'll sing like a parakeet!"
And in the palace, Jafar scowled as he observed and heard this.
"Blasted bird... fine, very well," he muttered, smacking his staff against the floor, unleashing a wave of red energy that caused Iago to vanish from the battlefield and reappear on his shoulder, back to his normal size.
"Ahrg, took your sweet time!" Iago snapped, breathing heavily while throwing Jafar a glare, "Maybe next time you decide to turn me into Big Bird to throw me at an overgrown rat, you spare a little time to make me bulletproof too!"
"Oh, stop your complaining, you survived, didn't you?" Jafar sneered, "And more importantly, no matter how long it took you to do it, you managed to scare that thing off, so we can still claim a victory in the kingdom's defense."
"First of all, I would have liked to have seen you do better," Iago said defensively, "Secondly, considering everyone was shooting at me, I kinda doubt I'm some kinda national hero now!"
"You will be by the time I'm done," Jafar said, rolling his eyes, "In fact, I'm sure with some damage control, you'll be the most beloved figure of Alabasta right after me."
"I'll believe that when I see it," Iago grumbled, starting to preen the feathers damaged in the fight, "But what do we do now?"
"Now, we try to find where that idiot king wandered off to, so that we can take control of the situation before anything else happens to complicate matters," Jafar grumbled.
"Right... you sure disappearing into the wind isn't the way you want to go instead?" Iago asked with a skeptical look, "Cause I don't know how well this whole thing is gonna play with everyone."
"Please, there's nothing to worry about," Jafar scoffed, holding up his staff, "As long as I have Cobra under my control, it doesn't matter what those other peons think."
"Because soon they'll all be bowing to me!" He exclaimed, cackling.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And there you have it. Crocodile has not only been defeated, but he's also been permanently removed from the board. Meanwhile, Zurgane got a bit of exploration to the backstory we've given him, and I/Lothor have started forming an alliance with Nico Robin, who it turns out is out to sabotage Trigon's plans.
But the arc's not done yet. We still have some loose ends to tie up... and Vivi and I/Lothor still need to finalize things~
Until then, please leave a kudos or comment if you liked this chapter!
Nightmaster000 A/N: And that's another chapter done ~ Really hope you all enjoy the fight scenes, admit kinda proud of how Zurgane battle turned out. But Crocodile fight was fun too, though he ultimately met his end at Vivi hands. How will she handle taking a life, even Crocodile remains to be seen however.
And we learn that Robin uh Nico Robin that is, is working against Trigon which is certainly a twist. Now all that remains is loose ends like Jafar to address, let's see how Lothor handles that shall we.
Chapter 33: Alabasta, Aftermath
Summary:
As the dust settles in Alabasta, there are still a few loose ends left to address.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hey, everyone. Sorry for the delay on this, but here we are at last, the final chapter of the Alabasta arc. Last time, I/Lothor and Vivi had our showdown with Crocodile, with the princess getting in the final blow against him.
Now, we deal with the aftermath of the fighting, and deal with the many issues left over that need to be addressed.
Nughtmaster000 A/N: Like Zim said we apologize for the delay, but finally the last chapter of the Alabasta arc is here and we hope you enjoy it. It's time to see how ZMLS/Lothor handles not only the aftermath,but a certain treacherous vizier.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Right... you sure disappearing into the wind isn't the way you want to go instead?" Iago asked with a skeptical look, "Cause I don't know how well this whole thing is gonna play with everyone."
"Please, there's nothing to worry about," Jafar scoffed, holding up his staff, "As long as I have Cobra under my control, it doesn't matter what those other peons think."
"Because soon they'll all be bowing to me!" He exclaimed, cackling.
(A short time later)
It had been a bit of a hassle for Lothor's group to get Cobra back to the city without being noticed by the rebels, but they'd managed to do it and reunite the king with his supporters. Which was proving to be its own can of worms.
"Your Majesty, you cannot possibly tell us that we're to just let these invaders walk free!" Chaka was protesting to Cobra, gesturing to Lothor's group, who were watching the argument with bored amusement.
"Much as it pains me to say this, old friend, Lothor provided key aid in saving me and stopping Crocodile's scheme," Cobra said with a sigh, "I'd say he's earned some gratitude for that."
"I'd say we earned more than that," Marah said smugly.
"Yeah, like maybe a parade and statues for starters," Kapri chimed in with her own grin.
"Don't be greedy, girls," Lothor chided with a smirk, "Though I think Zurgane at least deserves a medal for going the extra mile."
The samurai in question was currently absent, having been teleported back to the ship for medical treatment after they'd returned aboveground to find him injured and passed out from his fight with Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas. Unfortunately, of those two, there was no sign of them when they had exited the underground and recovered Zurgane, as it seems whatever their own injuries they were able to regain consciousness and flee before being found by himself or the others
"Besides, I think the princess deserves most of the credit, being the one who was willing to ask for help, after all," Lothor continued, "Not to mention being the one who finished off that filth."
"Yes, on that..." Cobra looked toward his daughter with a worried gaze.
"I'm okay, father... really," Vivi said as reassuringly as she could, though the king still frowned.
"Taking a life is no small thing, even if it was someone like Crocodile," He said, shaking his head, "But we can discuss it when you're ready."
"Thank you," Vivi said, glad that the subject wasn't being pressed, before firming up her expression, "But in the meantime, our focus should be on undoing all the harm he caused. Starting by revealing to the rebels how you were framed."
"Ah, on that subject, is all this really necessary?" Mr. 2 asked from nearby, where he was shackled and surrounded by armed guards, guns pointed at him, "I mean, for goodness sake, I already agreed to cooperate!"
"Forgive us if we're not just going to take your word for it," Aladdin said dryly.
"That just hurts, you know. I happen to be a man of my word," 2 said with a huff as those around him shot flat looks toward him.
"Trustworthiness aside, we need to reveal the truth immediately before something restarts the conflict," Jasmine said, shaking her head.
"She's right, Crocodile might be dead with most of his elite agents captured, but we still likely have Intergang infiltrators among the royal forces," Vivi said with a worried scowl.
"Any chance Razoul is one of them? Certainly unpleasant enough," Aladdin joked slightly, but shared the same worried scowl as everyone else at the princess's words.
After all, they knew that Intergang had an entire army's worth of operatives at their disposal, and that wasn't even taking into account how several of Crocodile's high-ranking agents had slipped away - in addition to the aforementioned Mr. 4 and Merry Christmas, Mr. 3 had managed to escape after being thrown out of the palace, and Mr. 2's partner Miss Tuesday was unaccounted for. Not to mention that there were several more such agents currently outside the country, and they had no way of knowing if they would show up to avenge their fallen leader.
"Well, with any luck, that information will be among what Miss All-Sunday brings back to us," Lothor commented, trying to break the tension.
"You seem rather certain that woman hasn't already used the opportunity you gave her to flee," Pell said, shooting Lothor a narrow-eyed look.
"I have information she rather desperately wants, I'm sure she'll be back," Lothor replied with a shrug.
"I'll admit I'm curious about this information myself, but we can discuss it and that woman after my kingdom is saved," Vivi said, giving Lothor a disgruntled look.
"That among other things," Cobra said, giving his daughter a look, not having forgotten what was said about his daughter's arrangement with Lothor.
"Ah, right," Vivi coughed, blushing at that reminder. However, before she could say anything in response to that, a much less pleasant voice spoke up.
"Ah, Your Majesty, I'm so pleased to see that you're alright," Jafar said as he walked up, smiling smugly, though that slipped slightly as the whole group glared at him.
"Jafar, I'm pleased to see you too," Cobra said, scowling at the nervous-looking Iago on Jafar's shoulder, "Seeing as you have a lot of explaining to do."
"Ah, yes, I suppose I do, but I can assure you that while I might have left a few talents out of my resume, I am as always loyal to a brighter tomorrow for Alabasta," Chuckled Jafar, seemingly regaining some composure, "Talents I'd be happy to use dealing with these invaders," He added, looking at Lothor and his nieces, recognizing Lothor at least from the description of the man that had gone out to authorities across the globe.
"Considering that these so-called invaders just helped put an end to Crocodile's conspiracy against us, I'd rather prefer you didn't," Cobra said flatly, causing Jafar to blink in surprise.
"What?"
"Yes, it would appear that Crocodile was leading Intergang all along, and was using them to destabilize the kingdom for his own gain," Chaka explained, "Lothor and his forces saved the princess from them, and together they put a stop to that treacherous bastard."
"Ah, I see..." Jafar sad, frowning in thought, before composing himself, "But even so, they still unleashed a monster on us, and must be made to pay for that!"
"Actually, that was my idea," Vivi said firmly, "It was a ploy to keep our army and the rebels from needlessly killing each other."
"Hmm, a very risky move, Your Highness," Jafar said, narrowing his eyes at her, "And speaking as a loyal servant-"
"Loyal to whom, exactly?" Vivi demanded, interrupting him with a scowl, "Jasmine, would you care to share with everyone what you told me earlier?"
"Gladly, Your Highness," Jasmine said, glaring at Jafar, "This traitor has been getting away with his treason and who knows what other crimes for too long," She said, with Jafar shooting her a glare.
"How dare you? I'm loyal to the throne above all else!" He said, snapping toward Jasmine.
"Rawk, loyal!" With Iago repeating the line, trying to play the dumb bird card in case things went south.
"Really? Then perhaps you'd card to explain why you were brainwashing the king?" Jasmine said with a cold tone, before explaining the scene she witnessed in the throne room. By the time she was done, everyone was glaring at Jafar, who was sweating nervously.
"You fucking bastard!" Chaka growled, shifting part-way into his jackal form.
"Come now, you're not going to listen to this child, are you?!" Jafar demanded, taking a step back, "Clearly, she misunderstood the situation simply because she didn't like what she was hearing!"
"Misunderstood, did she...?" Before freezing as a new unwanted voice arrived, "Then perhaps you'd care to properly explain the situation?" Said Igaram with a dark glare, "And why you saw the need to send me down a trapdoor while you're at it!" He snapped as several guards came up from behind him.
"And it had better be a good explanation," Said Igaram's right hand man in charge of the capital security Razoul, with a dark look holding up a sword.
"Trapdoor?" Cobra repeated incredulously, glaring at Jafar as he took that in.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Igaram said, not taking his own glaring eyes off of Jafar, "When I confronted Jafar for answers as to how he managed to transform his pet, he attacked me! And when I defended myself, he dropped me down a trapdoor into some hidden passageway; I'm honestly surprised that I didn't beak my neck on the way down."
"I was acting in self-defense! You attacked me first!" Jafar yelled, desperation noticeably tinging his voice, "I would never betray the throne otherwise!"
"Oh? And when you described the king as a fool and the princess as a bedwarmer, was that also a sign of your loyalty?" Igaram sneered.
"He... WHAT?!" Screamed Cobra with a sudden enraged expression.
"And we're dead..." Iago said with a soft groan, facepalming with one of his wings. And Jafar had the gall to say he had a big mouth!
"He's lying! We all know Igaram's been against me since I first entered the service of the royal family," Jafar exclaimed, backing away with a strained look, "Him and this brat!" He spat, pointing at Jasmine.
"Igaram and Jasmine have served my family loyally for years, they would have no reason to lie about something like this!" Vivi declared.
"Of course they would, it's all politics! Don't be so naive!" Jafar spat back at her.
"This is getting good," Marah muttered to her sister as they watched this off to the side.
"Yeah, I wish we had some popcorn," Kapri replied with a smirk.
"Jafar, I believe it's best you surrender yourself into custody so we can clear all this up," Cobra said with a hard look as Jafar shot him a look that was a mixture of anger and disbelief.
"So, this is how my loyalty is rewarded!" The advisor spat, tightening his grip on his staff, "If it weren't for me, Alabasta would have fallen the moment Intergang stepped foot in it!"
"You didn't even know they were present until Vivi uncovered it!" Chaka scoffed, "And what exactly did you do to counter them when she informed them of the threat?"
"I was working on plans that I would have shared in time!" Jafar snapped, sounding more unhinged with each word.
"How convenient," Vivi said, rolling her eyes, "And I suppose now you're going to claim that all Lothor did to help us was exactly as you thought up in those plans?"
"Don't mock me, you brat!" Jafar spat at her, clearly past the point of caring about how he was speaking to a royal, "At least I'm not spreading my legs for an alien's assistance, you whore!"
...
...
...
At that, stunned silence stood as everyone glared at Jafar, both shocked and angered at his audacity.
"And now we're really dead..." Iago said with a groan.
"Guards! Seize him!" Cobra demanded, face red in outrage.
"Gladly," Razoul said, he and several guards stepping towards Jafar... only for the vizier to spin around and thrust his staff in their direction, the gold snake's eyes unleashing an energy blast at them.
BOOM
The resulting explosion sent them flying backwards into Igaram, knocking them all over.
"You think I'll just roll over and let you incompetent fools take everything I've worked so hard for?!" Jafar screamed, glaring maniacally at everyone around him.
"Uhh... you know what, you've got things handled here and I already have my fight quota filled for today, so I think I'll just hang back," Iago said nervously on the man's shoulder, before moving to fly off.
"Get back here, you feathered coward!" Jafar snapped, snatching Iago out of the air with his free hand, "If I'm going to have to do this the hard way, you're not running away from it!"
"I'm, uh, not really following your logic..." Iago gasped as Jafar squeezed him hard. Growling at him, Jafar turned back to his enemies - just in time for Lothor to dash forward and grab his staff by the head.
"Sorry if this is anticlimactic, but this whole thing has dragged out just long enough," Lothor said, before sending a charge of energy through his hand and into the staff.
BOOM
Causing the staff to explode and send Jafar flying.
"ARRG!" With him rolling on the ground and hitting the wall with a grunt before lifting his head up with a groaning glare, while Iago took the chance to slip out of his grasp.
"And I think that's my cue to head south for the winter!"
With that, the parrot flew off before anyone could stop him.
"Uh, should we go after him?" Kapri asked.
"He's a secondary problem, we'll track him down later," Vivi said as the guards moved in on Jafar, "In the meantime, we can deal with this traitor-"
"NGGGHHHH! This isn't over! You will all pay!" Jafar yelled as he got back to his feet. And before anyone could stop him, he threw something at the ground, causing an explosion of smoke. When it cleared, Jafar was gone.
"Hey! The vanishing in smoke trick is a ninja thing! He's totally ripping us off!" Marah complained. This comment was ignored however by the others.
"Find them! Search the entire capital if you have to, but don't let the traitor escape!" Barked out Chaka, with the surrounding guards and soldiers all saluting, "Sir!"
The guards ran off, leaving the royals, their main servants, and Lothor's group behind.
"I'd suggest searching for any secret passages and chambers. He seems like the type who'd use those," Lothor commented.
"I can confirm that," Igaram muttered, thinking about how long it had taken him to get out of the secret corridor he'd been dropped into.
"But Jafar aside, I believe we should now focus on clearing the royal family's name, and bringing Intergang's crimes to light for the greater whole of the kingdom," Igaram said with a cough, "Chances are, Pell will only be able to keep control of the situation for so long."
He added with a grimace toward the king, "Lothor's distraction has the rebels nervous to try anything in fear of leaving themselves weakened for another attack from him," He said, giving Lothor a slight suspicious look, "But cooler heads might not prevail for long, especially with potential Intergang infiltrators."
"Right, time for you make yourself useful," Chaka said to Mr. 2, dragging him to his feet.
"Alright, alright, no need to be so rough," the shapeshifter grumbled.
"Meanwhile, you lot should maybe be out of sight until we've had a chance to explain things," Cobra stated to Lothor and his nieces.
"Fair enough," Lothor shrugged, "Let's go find a place to hide, girls. You need to practice your ninja observation skills anyway."
"Okay, Uncle," Kapri said with a pout, while Marah sighed.
"Looks like everything's being taken care of, except finding our boyfriends," Marah said with a pout, while said boyfriends were actually arriving at the capital.
"Ugh, finally, that took way too long," Lee muttered as he and Nate reached the city's walls atop two flea-bitten and weary donkeys.
Apparently, Nate hadn't gotten ahold of as much money from the casino as he thought, and cars and even horses were very expensive. Something he was still upset about.
"You aren't honestly still sour about not being as rich as you thought, are you?" Lee asked, seeing Nate's pouting face as he rode the donkey.
"All that money... sniff... I could have lived it up like Bruce Wayne!" Was the reply he got as Nate burst into tears.
"Dude, at this point I'll just settle for our lives going back to normal," Lee said, rolling his eyes, "Now come on, let's get in there and find some way to get back to the States."
"Yeah, yeah... uh, should we be worried about this?" Nate asked, finally noticing the rebel army surrounding the city. At that, Lee frowned, also taking in the army.
"They aren't doing anything... think as long as we don't draw attention to ourselves and get what we need to head back to the States as quickly as possible, we should be okay," Lee reasoned with a frown.
"Right, okay, let's just go slow and steady," Nate said, nodding in agreement as they kept heading towards the city at a slow pace, "So, any idea how we're actually going to get home from here?"
"Well, this is a capital, right? There's gotta be embassies around here somewhere," Lee replied, "And even if there aren't, we can probably just find directions to an airport and buy plane tickets."
And as the two discussed where to go, a small feathered form was flying towards their direction.
"Okay, that is it, I officially quit! If Jafar wants to turn me into a dino bird than get us busted by the authorities, then he can be the one facing treason charges," Iago grumbled to himself as he flew across the sand away from the city. He had no idea where he was going, or what he'd do once he got there, he just knew that he had to get as far away as he could. He had no intention of ending up stuffed on the king's mantle, or whatever they were going to do to him if they got ahold of him.
"Maybe I should join a circus," he muttered as he flew, "Or maybe find some rich noble or socialite who's in need of a talking wisecracking parrot?"
Being so focused as he was on his escape and future employment options, Iago wasn't actually paying attention to his surroundings. As such, he didn't notice that he was heading right towards Nate and Lee until he slammed right into the former's donkey.
"Hey! What the-!"
"HEE-HAW!"
Instinctively, the donkey turned and kicked at what had hit it, its rear hooves ramming into Iago's face and sending him flying back to slam hard into a boulder.
"ARRRG!"
BLAM
"Urg..." Iago groaned in pain while embedded into the rock, "Someone... get that... ass's... registration..." He managed to say before falling to the ground in a pained groan.
"What just happened?" Nate asked, blinking and looking around in confusion.
"Dude, I think your donkey just knocked out a bird," Lee said, looking just as confused as he looked to where Iago had passed out on the ground.
"Oh, wow... should we take him with us?" Nate asked. At Lee's look, he shrugged, "What? There's got to be a vet or something in town. And after that dog helped us out back at the casino, I don't feel comfortable just leaving an injured animal to fend for itself."
Lee frowned, but saw Nate's point as he sighed out, "I suppose we might as well... could ask where we can find a vet along with an embassy or somebody to help us get back to the States."
As they approached the bird, with Nate moving to gently retrieve him from the ground. They then placed him on the back of Nate's donkey, and with that resumed heading to the city.
(Throne Room)
"I can't believe it..." Koza muttered with a scowl, while looking through some of the documents he was holding before looking up at the king... or rather kings, one on the throne, the other standing to the side restrained, "All this time... it was Crocodile?"
"Believe me, I'm as shocked as you are," the real Cobra sighed, "I knew the man was self-serving, with even his position as a national hero being just to boost his ego, but I had never imagined that he would be willing to make us tear ourselves apart like this."
"But why?" Koza demanded, "What was even the point of all this? What did he hope to achieve?!"
"There are secrets that my family has been tasked with keeping safe for centuries," Cobra said, looking more serious and grave than Koza had ever seen him before, "Crocodile sought to use the chaos of this rebellion as a cover for him seizing one of them for his own mad dreams of power."
"And before you ask what that secret is, I can't tell you," Cobra added with a stern look, "It's bad enough that Crocodile somehow became aware of it... something in itself that will need investigating," he said with a scowl of worry, because this raised a very important question of just HOW Crocodile became aware of not only Pluton, but Alabasta's link to it. That secret was heavily guarded for a reason, after all, passed down his family for generations, with only but their most trusted allowed even a hint of its existence, and even then only if deemed necessary.
And despite Jafar's recent exposed treason, he doubted the leak came from him. For one, he never told him, and for another, even if he managed to learn of all this while brainwashing him (something he will ensure he pays for dearly), he doubted the man would have allowed it to spread instead of seeking to use this knowledge for his own benefit.
No... someone else had told Crocodile, and Cobra had no idea who that could be. This would have to be investigated very carefully if they wanted to uncover the truth and hold the people who ultimately caused all this responsible for the blood on their hands.
"I suppose I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on that. I owe you that much after letting myself get tricked," Koza muttered, glaring at the bound Mr. 2, who held up his hands defensively.
"Now, now, dear boy, don't look at me, I was just following orders!" he protested.
"The excuse of every man following criminals and tyrants, just following orders," Koza said with a look of disgust, glaring at Mr. 2, "What exactly are you planning to do with Crocodile's followers?" The rebel leader asked, glancing back up at Cobra, before adding with a frown, "And do we know if he was working with that alien Lothor, or was he just exploiting an opportunity?"
"No, Lothor was not working with Crocodile, we're certain of that," Cobra said after an odd moment of hesitation.
"Yes, my associates and I have the bruises to prove it," Mr. 2 muttered, only to grimace and shut up when a guard jabbed him in the side. Koza arched an eyebrow at this, unable to help but feel suspicious of what he was seeing, but he chose not to comment on it. After all, the last thing he wanted was to sabotage this chance at peace when he'd already been played like a fool for his part in starting the war.
"As for the captured Intergang members, they'll be held here until we decide the best course of action with them," Cobra continued.
"Understood," Koza said with a nod, before adding with a frown, "Though even if Crocodile is dead like you say, the people are going to want to see someone face justice for all the pain they've been caused," He warned the king, causing Cobra to sigh, "And on the matter of Crocodile's death..."
Koza looked back down at the documents be was holding, "Who exactly killed him, anyway?"
"That would be me," Vivi said as she walked into the room, Jasmine following behind her and looking slightly concerned.
"Vivi? You?" Koza exclaimed in shock. Looking to the King, expecting him to contradict that statement, he was instead greeted by a very serious look and a firm nod.
"That traitor threatened to destroy my home and people for his own greed, I wasn't going to let him get away with that," Vivi said firmly, but with a noticeable tenseness in her voice.
"Ah, no, of course not," Koza said, looking to his old friend in concern, "I just... didn't think you had that in you."
"And I didn't think you would ever rebel against my father on such flimsy evidence, so I guess we're learning a lot about each other lately," Vivi replied icily, her tone as much as her words making Koza wince.
"Ooh, I'm sensing some tension here~" Mr. 2 said with a laugh, only to wince at the glares he received, "Which is obviously none of my business, so I'm just going to shut up now..."
"Vivi, I..." Koza sighed, looking towards his old friend, who he admits to perhaps feeling more than friendship for, but she held up her hand while giving him a dark look.
"Please just save the excuses, Koza," She said with a tired expression, "We can discuss your lack of faith later... right now, I'm only interested in restoring order to Alabasta."
"Ah... yes, of course," he said, reluctantly nodding along. He really felt like they needed to have a more in-depth conversation about this, but he also knew how hard it was to change Vivi's mind about something once she put her mind to it, so there was nothing to do but give her time to cool off.
"Well, if this is everything, I can take this information to my officers and spread the word about this scheme," he said instead, "I'm sure there'll be some who'll think this is some kind of trick, but the majority should believe it."
"It'll take time, but I believe we can restore the people's trust and peace to Alabasta again," Koza said with a firm look.
"I just want to put this entire nightmare behind us," Jasmine sighed as Vivi pat her shoulder.
"It is and will be," Cobra said with a firm look, "Now all we have to do is rebuild and last through the drought," He added with a sigh.
"Hopefully, that'll be relatively easy now that Crocodile won't be exacerbating things with his sandstorms or Dance Powder," Koza said, scowling at the papers in his hands, which detailed Intergang's strategic use of that damned chemical in remote locations across the country, drawing water away from inhabited areas. Combined with Crocodile using his powers to create devastating sandstorms in already unstable areas, it had been a tactic specifically designed to push the kingdom to collapse.
"In any case, if you'll excuse me, I should get going before anyone gets paranoid about this having been a trap," Koza said with a respectful bow, before leaving with the bodyguards he'd brought with him.
For a few moments after he left, there was silence, and then a light chuckle filled the air.
"So, I'd say that went fairly well, all things considered," Lothor stated as he emerged from a shadowy corner of the room, his nieces behind him.
"It certainly could have gone a lot worse," Jasmine said with a sigh, trying to not show how uneasy she was by Lothor's presence now that the immediate crisis was over, while giving him a distrusting wary glance.
"Indeed," Cobra said with a tired expression, before scowling toward Lothor, "But with that out of the way, I believe it's time we address the precise nature of your arrangement with my daughter."
Vivi tensed up slightly at that, but Lothor merely smiled at the king.
"But of course, I had no intention of keeping you in the dark, after all," he stated, "To summarize the key points of our agreement, I've proposed a marriage, wherein I'll be her consort while she rules Alabasta. And in time, also ruling at least some of the rest Africa after I've conquered Earth."
Cobra, whose face had started to twist in rage upon hearing about the marriage, was brought up short as he heard that last part.
"Wait, what?" he sputtered.
"Lothor's offered to help bring back Alabasta's glory days," Vivi spoke up, "And frankly, that is a very appealing offer. Especially in light of how Intergang just came in and played us for fools."
"And realistically speaking father... it's not like I have many other options, political or personal, as a husband," Vivi added with a sigh, her mind flashing to Koza for a moment before shaking it off, "And there's no denying that things have been steadily escalating around the globe for some time now. Aligning Alabasta with Lothor might be the potentially best move to ensure our kingdom survives, never mind prospers."
Cobra grimaced at that, thinking back to earlier conversations and concerns about the growing power of the Justice League and other superpowered groups. He couldn't deny, the idea of having someone of Lothor's clear power, both personally and through his army, backing them was very appealing. But...
"We were just stabbed in the back by someone meant to be our nation's protector," he stated, eyes narrowed at Lothor, "Why should I expect you to be any different?"
"Crocodile wanted to pretend to be your protector until he could take over," Lothor countered, "Me marrying Vivi gives me proxy control right away, so there's no reason to lie about my intentions."
"That may be so, but that still leaves your exact intentions toward my daughter in all this," Cobra said giving him a glare. Lothor, however, merely arched an eyebrow back at him, before shrugging.
"Fine then, straight to the point," he said, "I intend to marry your daughter and make her an empress after I conquer this planet... and also take great personal pleasure in consummating that union, as well as making her a part of the harem I've been putting together since I got to Earth."
There was a moment of silence as Cobra and Jasmine, as well as Mr. 2 and his guards (whose presence had been forgotten in the middle of all this), all stared in disbelief at Lothor, while his nieces snickered and Vivi flushed while facepalming.
"Did you have to be so blunt about it?" she hissed at him.
"Sorry, darling, but he wanted honesty," Lothor replied with a smirk.
"That... was more detail than I desired..." Cobra admitted with a slight groaning sigh while rubbing his face, before looking over toward Vivi, "Are you honestly sure this is what you desire? What you want? His morality and being an invader out to conquer Earth aside, you've barely known the man for over a day."
Vivi sighed, rubbing at her temples to ward off a headache.
"Yes, I know this is a lot and happening very fast," she said, "But the fact is, he's saved me personally more than once, and if not for him, Crocodile would have devastated the country and probably gotten ahold of Pluton. Not to mention, Jafar never would have been forced to show his hand and reveal himself for the snake he was if not for Lothor's actions. Between all that and what he's promising us... well, I won't say I'm in love, but it's a small price to pay, and who knows, maybe I will learn to love him in time."
Lothor felt he could bring up the kiss back in the cave as a sign that she was well on her way to that status, but figured that might stir things up just when Vivi's words seemed to be winning her father over, so he kept his mouth shut.
Silence stood in the throne room for several minutes, before it broke with the King's weary sigh.
"I can't say I'm fully pleased by the idea..." Cobra said with a frown, leaning back in his throne, "But you aren't wrong that Alabasta needs strong allies... this entire crisis shows that now more than ever."
He said, frowning, "And I also know personally how difficult it is to change your mind once it is set on something," he said with a weak grin, while Vivi gave a small snort and smirk, "So... while I can't say I trust Lothor... I'm willing to give his word the benefit of the doubt... for you at least."
Cobra said, giving his daughter a nod while shooting Lothor a wary look.
"Thank you, father," Vivi said with a slight smile, walking over to give her father a hug, which he eagerly returned.
"Oh, that's so sweet!" Mr. 2 exclaimed, reminding everyone that he was still there.
"Oh, right, you," Jasmine said with a frown, "What are we doing with him and the others?"
"Let me go with a slap on the wrist?" Mr. 2 suggested with his best heartwarming grin and puppy dog eyes. Which just got deadpan looks from everyone.
"No, I don't think we'll be doing that," Cobra said flatly, before glancing at Lothor, "I don't suppose you have any suggestions?"
"Oh, I could make great use of the abilities he and his friends have at their disposal, if you don't mind handing them over to my custody," Lothor stated with a smirk, "Of course, I might have to take a few harsh steps to keep them in line, but that's just business~"
"...You know what, I think I might prefer staying in the nice cozy dungeons you guys have here," Mr. 2 said with a gulp.
Cobra hummed before speaking, "I'll consider it..." he said, looking carefully toward Lothor, "As is, I'm already extending out a great trust toward you, even with your aid in saving Alabasta."
He said, leaning back in his throne, "If you should prove that you really mean your word, I might be willing to release them into your custody, if you can keep them under control," He remarked, before adding with a frown, "Though this in itself would need to be covered up somehow, since allowing others to become aware of this arrangement might not be in Alabasta's best interests right now."
"True. I imagine that, invited or not, the Justice League will be snooping around soon once they learn of my presence," Lothor mused, noting how Cobra and Vivi grimaced at that, "I doubt they'll be any more happy to learn about my alliance with you than Koza was, so like him, you'll want to keep them in the dark. And I'd suggest just insisting on keeping the Intergang agents prisoner; I don't think they'll risk an international incident by trying to force the issue."
"That still leaves the matter of how to cover up them being released," Vivi pointed out.
"Just say they escaped," Kapri said, shrugging when everyone looked at her, "What? From what I've seen online, supervillains on this planet break out of prison all the time!"
"She's not wrong," Mr. 2 piped up, "You should hear all the jokes about how Arkham Asylum practically has revolving doors on its cells."
"Sad but true... the problems that could solved with decent prison security," Cobra said with a sigh and irritated mutter, "But yes, I believe we have an agreement and plan... just as long as you uphold your end of things and treat my daughter well," Cobra said, before giving Lothor a warning look.
"You have my word," Lothor said with a respectful bow, before clapping his hands, "Now then, with all that settled, I have another meeting to attend to with our dear turncoat."
"Right, her," Vivi grumbled, narrowing her eyes at Lothor, "You're sure that you trust her with whatever information you're offering her?"
"Oh, believe me, dear princess. If I read her right, sharing this information will just make her a stronger ally," Lothor replied.
"If you say so... but honestly, I have my doubts," Vivi said with a scowl, and for more than one reason related to that woman, not having forgotten about her boldness earlier underground in the slightest.
None of them noticing the hidden literal ear sprouting from the wall that disappeared.
(Elsewhere in the palace)
Said bold woman was currently lounging in a private if guarded room with a slight frown. She was used to being patient and waiting as long as necessary for things she needed, but all the same, she couldn't deny potentially finally gaining the information she sought on the Gem of Scath had her antsy.
"That is, of course, if Lothor is telling the truth," she murmured out loud with a frown.
He wouldn't be the first person who misled or outright lied to her about potential leads over the years, after all. And yet, the fact that he even knew about the Gem's existence was too promising to pass up.
And if he really did know as much as he implied... then maybe this was it, the way to finally end her long quest. Her chance to destroy that accursed thing and prevent Trigon's rising... and in the process, finally achieve vengeance by proxy on those who had taken everything from her.
And at that, she frowned as her mind started to become lost in painful memories... of a stolen childhood... and the Church of Blood.
Her fists tightened as the images flashed through her mind. Fire, blood, screams, a voice yelling for her to run...
"Dammit, get ahold of yourself,"she muttered to herself, reaching up to harshly brush away tears that had started to fall from her eyes, "You can't fall apart every time you think of that. Especially not now, not when you're finally so close to finally ending it all!"
No, right now she had to stay focused. If Lothor truly had knowledge of the Gem of Scath, even so much as a lead to its location, she had to do whatever it took to get the information out of him so she could destroy that cursed thing once and for all. Once it was gone, it didn't matter how hard those bastards tried, they'd never be able to summon their master. And all that had been sacrificed to stop them wouldn't have been in vain.
So, she sat and waited for Lothor to come, composing herself by the time he arrived, opening the door after a brief knock.
"I hope you're finding the accommodations to your liking, my dear," he stated as he shut the door behind him, "I impressed on the King to make you as comfortable as possible, given the circumstances."
"Honestly, as holding cells go, I'd give it five stars, certainly much more comfortable than others I've stayed in~" Robin said, sending him a smirk, "And speaking of the King, how did your first official meeting with your future father-in-law go?"
She asked with amusement, despite the fact she had secretly been listening in on the meeting right from the start.
"Oh, about as well as can be expected," Lothor replied with a shrug, "He wasn't exactly happy about the deal Vivi and I forged at first, but once I spelled things out, he was willing to give it his blessing for now."
"Ah, so you'll soon be enjoying marital bliss then~" she asked with a smirk.
"I suppose those details still need to be hammered out before we get to that," Lothor admitted, "Though I imagine that's not what's really on your mind right now."
"No, it's not, so let's get to business," Robin said, a more serious look settling on her face, "What do you know about the Gem of Scath?"
"I know that it's what the prophecy foretells will open the portal that will allow Trigon to enter and conquer this world," Lothor stated, "More importantly, I know where it is... though before I share that, I'm curious. Why are you so determined to find it?"
"Besides the obvious of not wanting the world to end?" Robin asked dryly.
"Yes. Because if this was just about the greater good, you'd have told the authorities or the Justice League about it ages ago," Lothor said, crossing his arms, "But all this cloak and dagger? That reeks of a personal vendetta."
At that, Robin gave him a silent analyzing look before letting out a smirk, "So, you got some brains to go with your muscles and I assume good looks under that mask of yours~" She remarked with a slight teasing tone, but her eyes were nothing but serious, "But you aren't wrong.."
She looked toward Lothor while leaning forward in her seat, "Tell me, what do you know about the Church of Blood?"
Lothor smirked at the slight flirting, marking that down for later, but frowned as he focused on the question.
"I know that they're a cult that worship that four-eyed abomination," he replied, drawing on the comics lore that the Teen Titans cartoon had ignored in favor of making Brother Blood a generic villain with no connection to Trigon.
"That they are," Robin said with a scowl, "For centuries, they've worked in the shadows to advance their cause of gaining power so that they can fulfill the prophecy of their master's rising. And crushed everyone and everything in their way."
"...What did they do to you?" Lothor asked with a note of sympathy, having a good idea where this going.
"What didn't they do?" Robin remarked, her tone slightly bitter, "Stole my childhood... my life..."
Memories flashed through her mind of a little girl, with tears streaming down her face, running in fear while surrounded by smoke and fire.
"Destroyed everything I held dear..."
A scene of her witnessing an older woman she carried a resemblance to getting stabbed clean through right in the heart by another woman... by the woman's finger that had extended out into a deadly lance.
"Sent me on the run, worried every waking moment that they'd find me..."
A scene of her hiding in a hole under a tree as shadowy figures ran around, yelling at each other to find her.
"They took everything from me in an attempt to cover their own tracks, and I have spent my whole life determined to ruin them for it," she hissed, glaring at Lothor, "So, tell me where their precious Gem is, so I can destroy it, and reduce all their hopes and dreams to ash!"
Lothor stared at her for a moment, before nodding.
"If that's truly what you wish, then I'll help you do it," he said, "Because yes, I know where the Gem is. And more importantly, I know WHO it is."
"...What?" Robin asked, blinking in confusion.
"Oh, didn't you know, dear? The Gem of Scath isn't an actual gem, that was just subterfuge. It's actually a person... specifically, Trigon's daughter," he explained.
...
...
...
For the first time in years, Nico Robin was well and truly stunned and speechless.
"It... she..." she shook her head and took a deep breath to regain her composure, while gathering and analyzing her thoughts.
Sure, she'd heard stories of an anti-christ and such, but she never considered such a scenario applying to Trigon... and the revelation of it being a person was certainly shocking, and perhaps helped explain why the Gem was so hard to find, even more because she hadn't been looking for a person in the first place.
"Are you sure?" she asked, giving him a hard look, "Because I'll admit a healthy amount of skepticism of Trigon having a daughter, and the child not hitting my or anyone's radar."
"You can thank the mother for that, whom I'm fairly certain was not exactly consenting to the conception," Lothor explained, "From what I understand, she took her daughter and fled; I'm unclear on how, but she eventually found her way to another dimension, where she raised the girl in safety until about a year ago when the latter came back to Earth. She appears to have been living peacefully since then."
"Who is it? Where is she?!" Robin demanded, looking at Lothor frantically.
"Before I answer your question, answer one of mine - what will you do when you find her?" he asked, "As the Gem, she's the key to her father's rising, but by all accounts, she wants nothing to do with him or that destiny. So, will you kill her to prevent her from fulfilling a role she doesn't even want?"
Robin gave him a scowl, clenching her fists.
"Don't lecture me on morality," she said, her voice turning frosty, "I might not like it, but ever since I was a child, I've spent years, decades, fighting against Trigon and his followers."
Her eyes narrowed, "The Gem of Scath... it's the key to everything... when it came to existence... whatever was needed to bring it... this girl into existence, it was all but the final step to Trigon gaining a doorway into our universe."
She shook her head, "It might be monstrous... but one life lost compared to the rest of existence... is a small price to pay," she said, her tone hard as steel while her eyes flickered with a small amount of guilt... but no, even if the girl had no desire to aid her father, her very life itself was a risk to everything.
"Well, glad we understand each other," Lothor said with a nod, while he pondered how to handle this. After all, he knew that Skeleton King had a claim on Raven, and enabling Robin to try and kill her might spoil their understanding. He needed to buy time to discuss things with her.
"So, are you going to tell me her identity, or not?" Robin demanded, pulling him out of his thoughts while glaring at him.
"Hmm, you know, I could always just save you the trouble and deal with her myself," he mused, "Of course, that would deny you satisfaction of getting your revenge... tell me, what's it worth to you to be the one to end Trigon's threat personally?"
"I don't care, the greater good is all that matters!" Robin snapped, though there was a clear waver in her voice, which got an arched brow from Lothor. At his look, she sighed and slumped slightly, "But I can't deny... it would definitely be the type of closure I need. So, what do you want?"
"Long-term cooperation," he replied, and at her curious look he clarified, "With Crocodile dead, you're in charge of Intergang, correct?"
However, he frowned at Robin shaking her head, "Not so simple, I'm afraid," she said with a frown over to Lothor, "I was officially his right hand, but even with that and him dead, there are still others in Intergang with potentially enough pull and influence in the organization to challenge for leadership."
She said, crossing her arms, "Intergang won't immediately resort to full out internal war, but there are procedures in place when it comes to leadership," she explained, looking over to Lothor, "After all, you don't think someone like Crocodile would make it a simple matter of his right hand being able to assume complete control in the event of his death?"
She let out a soft scoff, "Crocodile... heck, any leader of a criminal organization, would have to completely trust in their number two in that scenario, or always looking over their shoulder waiting for their right hand to betray them."
She then arched a brow, "And Crocodile trust only went so far, especially with me."
"So, how will a new leader be decided without the whole organization falling apart through infighting?" Lothor asked.
"Once word gets out that he's dead, a secret meeting will be called between all high-ranking members of the leadership hierarchy," Robin explained, "There'll be negotiations to try and pick a new leader peacefully, with some sort of formal challenges used to handle disputes... and only if those fail will things resort to violence."
"Hmm, and how would you rate your chances at coming out on top of all of that?" Lothor asked.
"Pretty good, but I'm never one to gamble, especially since Intergang has a few members I wouldn't take lightly," Robin said, giving him a serious look, "Even Crocodile treated a few of them like Vinsmoke Judge carefully."
Lothor arched an eyebrow at that name, not really surprised to hear that there were other One Piece characters beyond the ones in Alabasta present in this world. But, he could worry about that later.
"Well then, what I'm proposing is this," he stated, "You do your best to take over Intergang, and once you do, you pledge the organization's resources to my service."
"Hmm, bold of you to assume I'd be willing to do that," she said, amusement peeking through her serious emotions again, "And what makes you think I'd be willing to be the Bruno Mannheim to your Darkseid in such a scenario?"
"First of all, we're both much better looking than either of those two~" Lothor replied with a smirk, which grew as that got a giggle out of her, "Secondly, and more seriously, the fact is that to actively rule a planet isn't something that someone can do alone. Vivi will be my proxy in a political sense, and I'll need more like her. But allying with an organization with a reach like Intergang's... oh, that will be quite an asset."
"Hmm, yes, making allies and such among the criminal underground is wise, and you aren't wrong, Intergang gained a lot of influence and favors since its comeback from that near-collapse under Bruno's tenure," Robin said with a thoughtful look, "And I suppose I'll be willing to get my hands dirty for you... if you're willing to help me handle Trigon's daughter," she said, narrowing her eyes at him, trying to ignore a small whisper of doubt in her ear that sounded far too much like her own mother or Professor Clover to her liking.
Yes, she knew she'd be crossing a line if she killed someone whose only crime was existing... but she'd killed before, and this was for the greater good of keeping the world from being destroyed. And if she had to help hand it over to Lothor to achieve that, then so be it - at least he wouldn't destroy the world in his conquest of it.
"Then I suppose we have a deal?" he said, offering her a hand. She hesitated for a moment, then took it and gave a firm shake.
"Deal," she said.
"Excellent~" he chuckled, bringing her hand up to give it a light kiss before she could pull it away.
"If nothing else, this should prove an interesting partnership," Robin remarked with an arched brow. And despite herself, also a slight blush at the gentlemanly gesture. After all, Lothor was quite handsome from what she could see past the mask, and it had been a while since she'd been able to attend to her womanly needs...
"Ahem," she cleared her throat, forcing herself to focus on the matter of hand, "So, will that be all?"
"For now. I'll speak to the King and Vivi about some excuse to let you out," Lothor replied, heading towards the door, "For now, just stay comfortable."
"Don't worry... I'll make myself right at home," Robin called out with a smirk, actually feeling pretty good she didn't have to deal with Crocodile anymore, and she finally had a real lead to the Gem of Scath, even learning the Gem was in reality Trigon's own daughter, "Innocent or not... I am sorry, but for us all to survive, you'll have to die."
She said aloud with a sigh, her mind going to Trigon's daughter, wondering what type of person she was, before shaking it off. It was best to not think too deeply on the matter. All that was important when it came to the Gem was its destruction... nothing more, nothing less.
And she'd come too far and lost too much to let this revelation stop her. One way or another, Trigon would cease to be a threat to her universe, his followers would pay for what they took from her, and his daughter.....his daughter would die.
(Elsewhere)
In a back alley of Aluburna, a figure in a cloak limped down the street, carefully avoiding catching attention from any onlookers.
"Damn alien bastard," Mr. 3 muttered to himself, pushing himself past the pain of his injuries to keep going.
Honestly, he knew this whole operation was going to backfire or give Intergang potentially way too much more heat than it was ready for, and unlike the rest of the morons, he wasn't buying Crocodile's bullshit of the so-called perfect country, and dreams coming true. It was blatantly obvious that the smug bastard was only getting them to do his dirty work. For what, it still wasn't clear, as the official announcements coming from both the royals and the rebels were all deliberately vague about that. But the point was, he'd just been using them to get what he'd wanted, and clearly bitten off more than he could chew.
"And now I have to get myself out of this shit show he got me into," Mr. 3 grumbled to himself as he finally reached his safe house (unknown even to his colleagues, not even Goldenweek) and slipped inside.
"I'm starting to wonder if this assignment is even worth the benefits," Mr. 3, or rather Galdino, grumbled to himself with a scowl.
And he didn't just mean his position in Intergang, he mused as his mind went to his other job. Sighing at that thought, and realizing that there was no reason to put this off, he reached into the drawer of a nearby desk and pulled out a burner phone. Flipping it on, he dialed the only number saved on it and waited for the ringing to be answered.
"What the flashy fuck is going on over there?!" a voice screeched in Galdino's ear as soon as his contact picked up.
"Oh, you know, plots to overthrow a kingdom, throwing said kingdom into civil war, and of course alien invasion complete with a giant monster attack," Was Galdino's dry response back, "So really, just business as usual these days," He mused out loud.
"Glad to hear you being so calm about what was supposed to be a simple infiltration!" the voice snapped, "Even when you told me about Crocodile's plans, you made it sound like things would be straightforward!"
"How was I supposed to know that Lothor would show up with one of his fucking giants?!" Galdino snapped back.
"It's called considering any flashy scenario!" Was the yelled retort, "Plus, considering the mess in Kaznia, it's hardly that big a surprise he'd try to exploit another civil war," They added with a huff as Galdino frowned, "Yes, however this time around he might have succeeded and secured the princess, and through her Alabasta's backing."
"Say what now?" the voice asked in surprise, "What makes you say that?"
"Well, he helped her fight us... and they were arguing like an old married couple the whole time," Galdino clarified.
"Huh... didn't expect that," the voice admitted.
"Tell me about it," Galdino said with an eye roll, "But this could be a problem," He stated with a frown, "While Alabasta is hardly a world power, it still has influence and resources, even in its current hard times."
He said, taking a seat, "And of course, this not only gives Lothor access to what the kingdom has to offer, but a secure foothold on Earth now as well."
"Well, that's just wonderful," the voice muttered, "I'm tempted to give those flashy morons in the League an anonymous tip about this, but they'd probably cover it up before they showed up."
"Probably," Galdino sighed, "So, glorious leader, considering that Intergang is probably going to implode now, do you want me to bother continuing to infiltrate them, or can I come home?"
"What? Are you flashy nuts!?" Was the roared reply, "This is a perfect opportunity!" They exclaimed, prompting Galdino to blink, "According to the news report being put out, ol' Crocodile was killed during his scheme, which means it's time to sway Intergang in a more flashy direction~"
"Are you kidding me, Buggy?" Galdino demanded, "Do you have any idea how they pick their leaders? Or who else will be competing for the position? I don't stand a chance!"
"Oh, suck it up!" Buggy the Clown snapped, "That kind of negativity doesn't do either of us any favors! After all, you think I became the man I am today by looking at the downside, never taking chances," He added with a smug tone.
"No, just through dumb luck or using others as meat shield patsies," Muttered Galdino under his breath.
"What was that?" Buggy demanded.
"Nothing, nothing," Galdino said quickly, "But seriously, you haven't met some of the other people who'll be competing to replace Crocodile now that he's gone. I'm good, but I'm not that good - why do you think I never made it past being Mr. 3?"
"That's what good ol' fashion cheating, sabotage, blackmail, and making yourself look good are for," Buggy said back with a huff.
"Then why don't you try putting yourself out there some more instead of making me do all the hard work?" Galdino scoffed, "Or are you worried that the Joker might come after you for stealing his brand again?"
"That fucking flashy psycho doesn't have a monopoly on the clown theme, damn it!" Was Buggy's screamed response.
"Judging by the body cast he put you in last time, he apparently thinks otherwise~" Galdino chuckled, enjoying the one guaranteed way to get under his employer's skin... well, that or mentioning his nose, but Galdino wasn't feeling particularly suicidal today.
"Don't mention that! And stop trying to change the subject!" Buggy snarled.
At that Galdino gave a sigh, "If you're so insisting on this, I'll do my best to obtain leadership over Intergang, or failing that either secure a high position, or at very least perform some explosive sabotage as I cut ties."
It wasn't like he had a choice, he supposed. Buggy wouldn't take no for an answer once he set his mind on something, and Galdino couldn't afford to cut ties with him on top of leaving Intergang. And if he was staying with Intergang, it might as well be while still working for Buggy.
"Glad to hear you talking sense again," Buggy scoffed, "But for now, I suggest you get out of Alabasta; with Croc's stunt and Lothor mixed in, there's too much heat on you," He said, with Galdino giving off a snort.
"Believe me, I'm aware and quite looking forward to leaving this sand trap," He muttered, before asking with a weary sigh, "Any particular orders for me before I do leave, though?"
"Hmm... don't suppose you can swing by Crocodile's lair to empty out any secrets he had lying around?" Buggy asked.
"I doubt it. From the sound of things, the royals already raided his base at the casino to get all the incriminating info they could," Galdino replied.
"Damn," Buggy muttered, "Fine, never mind that then. Just be sure to cover your tracks, and then get out of there."
"Will do, and not to worry, I should be back in the States soon," He said, before adding in a mutter, "The fact that I'm not the only one Alabasta's looking for should be of help there."
(Elsewhere in the kingdom)
"Five, six it's all down the drain! Nine, ten that ninja ruined everything!" Miss Merry Christmas growled to herself as she, Mr. 4 and Lassoo made their way across the desert, putting as much distance between themselves and the capital as possible.
"So close, so close, so fucking close to getting what we wanted, and that bastard and his friends had to go and get in the way!" the mole-woman ranted, barely feeling the pain from her injuries fighting Zurgane.
"It's... okay," spoke the slow lumbering voice of Mr. 4.
"Three, four, no it isn't!" She snapped, sending him a glare, "And five, six, we'll be settling the score," She said, causing the man to blink.
"But... retirement?" He questioned, causing the woman to scoff.
"Can wait... one, two, three, I won't let our careers end like this!" She declared with a vicious grin, "Hup, hup, Lothor and that princess are gonna pay!" She declared to the desert air as 4 and Lassoo gave blinks.
Unaware that they weren't the only still free Intergang agents desiring vengeance.
(Rainbase)
Mr. 13, with Miss Friday standing by him, looked at the paper in his paws, both of them scowling darkly before exchanging looks and nods.
Moments later, Friday with 13 on her back took flight with one purpose in mind, as the paper drifted down to the ground, revealing a well-drawn sketch depiction of a certain cowardly dog.
They couldn't care less about Crocodile's downfall. They were professional mercenaries, after all, and outliving a failed superior was par for the course. But this dog had made them fail in a mission to eliminate a target. That was a black mark on their record that would not stand!
(Elsewhere, Royal Palace)
"Grrr, I refuse to let this be the end of me!" Snarled the form of Jafar while swiftly packing as much as he could carry from his hidden lair within the palace; packing light and moving quickly was key for his escape, but there were quite a few items among his possession he'd rather not risk losing.
"If those criminals and invaders hadn't shown up, I'd have Alabasta and the princess on their knees!" He yelled with an angry roar, while banging his fist against a desk, breathing heavily, "No matter..." Before calming himself with several deep breaths, "This is just a setback."
He muttered, his eyes going to a certain scroll, "Soon I'll have the power to take Alabasta and so much more," He said with a dark smirk.
Once he found the Cave of Wonders and claimed the genie lamp within, he knew exactly what he'd be wishing for - ultimate power, control of Alabasta as the seat of his new empire, and death for all of those who had gotten in his way!
"Yes, I will still emerge victorious. This is my destiny, and it will not be denied!" Jafar snarled as he carefully packed the scroll depicting the scarab, before making his way towards his secret escape tunnel, which would take him safely outside of the city.
And when he returned to the palace, he swore that it would be not as a criminal in chains, but as its rightful conqueror!
(Elsewhere)
In an underground cavern, several shadowy figures were meeting.
"It seems that Croc bit off more than he could handle~" Cackled one.
"A shame, his abilities were one of our better works, but in the end the man wielding them was a disappointment," said a second.
"Hmm, indeed, I warned him to not take the Nefertari and her new ally lightly," Remarked the last figure, shaking their head, "Nonetheless, Crocodile served his use, as both an experiment for future servants, and a probing strike at Alabasta."
"Hmm, yes, though that Intergang's resources will be a loss, I suppose we got what we needed out of them anyway," Another of the figures remarked.
"Agreed, but Crocodile's failure aside, what should we do about this Lothor?" The second figure asked in a low tone, "He could prove quite a threat."
"Or a boon~" the third remarked thoughtfully, getting the other two's attention, "This new world and era is full of those who will either see us as rivals or seek to oppose us," They said in a serious tone, "If we're to claim what's rightfully ours, we must be patient and strike when the time is right."
They said with the other two nodding, "In the meantime, perhaps we can direct Lothor and his Nefertari pet to our own interests," They said in a tone of smug satisfaction, "And thanks to our little acolyte, we have the perfect eyes and ears inside the palace to keep a close eye on the Nefertari in the meantime."
"Indeed. With her, we'll know exactly what influence Lothor is having on the princess, and how we can use it to our advantage," the second figure stated.
"So, we are in agreement?" the first figure asked. At the nods from their compatriots, they nodded, "So be it. We wait and bide our time, until our moment presents itself."
And soon, they'd show Alabasta and the world beyond the true power found in the desert sands.
(Alubarna)
"Hey Nate?"
"Yeah Lee?"
"Could you explain how trying to find a vet lead to us being arrested and dragged to the palace?" Lee asked, because that was indeed the situation he and Nate were in, hands bound behind them, surrounded by guards, one of whom was holding a cage that was carrying the parrot they were trying to get help for, while being escorted to the royal palace of all places.
"Not sure... maybe the bird's an endangered or sacred animal, and we accidentally broke the law when the donkey hurt it," Nate suggested, his tone thoughtful but also a bit worried at their current situation.
"Yeah, that would be our luck, wouldn't it?" Lee sighed as they were marched through the gates of the palace, where they were greeted by a large man with a very elaborate hairdo.
"Captain Igaram, these are the two who were found in possession of Jafar's bird," one of the guards escorting them said to the man with a salute.
"Hmm, that's definitely Iago," Igaram growled as he stared at the knocked-out bird in the cage, before looking to Nate and Lee, "Where did you two find him?"
"Uhh, outside the city as we were arriving," Lee answered nervously.
"Yeah, he kinda startled my donkey and got kicked," Nate chimed in, looking just as nervous, "Are we in trouble?"
"Trouble? No, just the opposite!" Igaram declared, quickly gesturing to the guards to free the boys, "This feathered bastard and his owner are traitors to the crown, so if anything, you've done us a service by catching him!"
"The bird's a traitor?" Nate asked, blinking in confusion.
"Eh, not the weirdest thing we've ever seen," Lee said with a shrug.
"So, not to worry boys, you're not in trouble," Igaram assured them with a comforting grin, "In fact, I can make sure you're rewarded for allowing us to apprehend Iago," He said, lifting up the cage just as the bird in question groaned, waking up.
"Urg, what happened? And why do I feel like I drank all of Jafar's wine collection?" He asked, rubbing his head feeling a major migraine.
"Welcome back," Igaram said flatly, making Iago freeze. Looking around, his eyes widened as he realized where he was, and then he started panicking.
"No, no, no, no, no!" he yelled, grabbing the bars of the cage in his talons and shaking them futilely, "I didn't do it! I've been framed! I'm willing to turn state's evidence! Let me out!"
"Save it for the King, I'm sure His Majesty and the princess will be very interested in what you have to say for yourself," He said, causing the bird to pale and gulp while internally hoping for some kinda miracle.
"Now then, is there anything we can do for you boys as a reward?" Igaram asked them, momentarily turning his attention away from Iago. For their part, the boys exchanged a look, eyes sparking with hope as they turned back to him.
"Well, actually-" Nate started to say, only to be cut off by a high-pitched squeal.
"Natie-poo, you're alright!" Marah yelled as she suddenly tackled him out of nowhere.
"Ma-MARAH?!" Nate exclaimed in shock, his eyes going wide in horror as he felt freedom slipping out of his fingers, with Lee sharing the feeling as heard Kapri's voice called out, "Lee?! Ohh, you've got some nerve letting yourself be captured and making me worry, buster!"
As Kapri appeared, stomping over.
"Uh, hey babe..." Lee greeted nervously with a strained smile, while Nate dealt with Marah hugging and kissing him, "And yeah, sorry... sort of got taken by surprise."
He explained, with Kapri giving him a stern scowl, "Well, don't let it happen again," She said, before pulling him into a rough kiss, leaving Igaram and the guards blinking.
"Ah... I, uh, see you know each other?" Igaram said after a moment.
"Yeah, they're our boyfriends who that creepy shapeshifter guy kidnapped," Marah explained around kisses.
"And you have no idea how worried you had us, Mr.," She added, sending a stern look to Nate who gave a nervous chuckle.
"Heh, yeah, ah sorry, but Lee and I managed to escape thanks to a dog, though we did almost get eaten," He muttered as Kapri broke the kiss with Lee.
"Wait, you what?!" Demanded Kapri.
"Uhh, well..." Lee began to stammer, only for Kapri to hold up a hand.
"You know what, you can tell us all about it once you're safe and sound back on the ship," She said, causing Lee and Nate to wince; it looked like their hopes to escape, and maybe contacting the Justice League, were going up in smoke.
For a moment, they briefly had the thought to ask for help from the other people in the room, but both quickly dismissed it. Whatever they'd missed, it was clear Lothor had managed to get on the government's good side here, so they probably wouldn't help act against him.
"Speaking of which, we're going to take them back to our ship now," Kapri said to the onlooking guards, "Mind telling our uncle about this for us?"
"Ah, yes, I suppose I can do that," Igaram said after a moment to process the request.
"I myself need to get Iago to the king and ready for interrogation," he added, with Kapri distractedly waving him off.
"Yeah, you do that," She said just as Iago screeched.
"Wait?! Can't we talk about this!?" The bird pleaded.
"Don't worry, you'll be doing plenty of talking soon enough," Igaram sneered at the bird as he walked off, while the girls grabbed their boyfriends and teleported back to their ship.
(Meanwhile, royal guest chamber)
"So, let me get this straight," Tak said with grit teeth from the hologram screen being projected by Lothor's communicator, "Your plan to simply infiltrate this kingdom and take advantage of its civil unrest somehow led to you playing hero... and getting a new mate out of it?!"
"Pretty much," Lothor replied with a shrug, laying on the large and comfortable bed in the room he'd been provided, "And there's no need to be jealous, darling. We've talked about me expanding the harem in strategic ways, after all."
"Jealous? Of some pampered brat? Please!" Tak scoffed with a scowl, though internally had to note this Vivi sounded more capable than most royal born would have been in her position, and the fact she was willing to get her own hands dirty to protect her little kingdom was, she supposed, worthy of a bit of recognition.
But... while Lothor teased, a small part of her couldn't help but feel a flash of worry. Prizes and slaves like Gaz and Wendy were one thing... this princess and the circumstances that led to her joining Lothor's harem was another. The fact alone that Lothor would be entering a marital bond with her (an act like intercourse not performed by her own race for a long time) raised her heckles, but what she was potentially offering him as well...
For the first time since beginning this partnership turned relationship, she found herself worried that her position as Lothor's one true queen might not be as secured as she believed.
Seeing the look on her face, Lothor frowned. Hmm, he may need to give her a confidence boost in order to remind her that he still cared for her, but in the meantime...
"By the way, I have a gift for you," he said, catching her attention.
"Oh? And what's that?" she asked, narrowing an eye at him.
"One of the captured Intergang members, Miss Goldenweek, used some kind of paint that had a hypnotic effect on people it was applied to," he explained, "That could be very useful to us, so I'm sending you what she had on her to study and reverse engineer. I figured you'd enjoy the challenge."
"Hmm, surprised you didn't decide to just break her in~" Tak scoffed, albeit with a teasing tone to her voice.
"She's chemically lobotomized herself to get rid of her emotions," Lothor replied flatly, making Tak blink in confusion, "I doubt torture, or the more fun way of doing things, would work on her."
"Huh... don't see many willing to go that far," Tak mused out thoughtfully, "My curiosity of what I'll find from these paints, or how we could make use of them aside, someone with that kinda willingness to do that to herself, in a likely attempt to eliminate weakness, is perhaps somebody worth recruiting."
"I was thinking the same, along with the other captured Intergang members," Lothor said, "While Mr. 1 has indicated that he was loyal to Crocodile directly, the rest seem more mercenary to me. Not to mention wanting to avoid punishment for what they've done here."
"Hmph, and I imagine you'll use your new bride to influence her father into letting them go so that you can?" Tak sneered, bad mood returning.
"Yes," Lothor replied bluntly, not seeing this as the time to argue over that detail, "And between that and my alliance with Nico Robin, which will hopefully soon give us control over Intergang as a whole by proxy, it gives us access to a great number of resources to put to good use."
"And you trust this woman?" Tak asked, redirecting her disgruntlement towards another target.
"I have information she's desperate for. She'll do whatever it takes to get it," Lothor stated.
"Hmm, just be careful for how long you hold whatever she wants over her head. If she believes you're holding out on her, she might cause trouble," Tak warned him with a serious look before expressing curiosity, "What information do you have that she wants, anyway?"
"A little something I picked up from my intel-sharing with Skeleton King," he replied, stretching the truth a bit, "The location and identity of a person who is destined to act as a portal for a powerful demon to enter this reality through so that he can conquer it. Robin's got a vendetta against said demon's worshippers and wants to spoil their plans as proxy vengeance."
"..." Tak stared at him as she processed what he'd just said, then she sighed, "That sounds like another serious threat. Mind telling me why we're not addressing it, with or without your new ally?"
"Because Skeleton King intends to add said living portal to his own harem, and I'd like to avoid pissing him off and turning our competition into an outright war as long as possible so that we're as prepared as possible," Lothor explained flatly.
"Of course that's the case..." Tak muttered in annoyance while rubbing her face, "As fun as it is, I think you two are thinking too much with your dicks rather than your brains," She said in a dry tone while giving him a look, "And you might be giving your arrangement with Skeleton King too much leeway if you're allowing a potential threat like that to walk free, nevermind into your competitor's grasp."
"To be fair, if I was just thinking with my brain, you and I wouldn't have what we have~" Lothor pointed out, smirking as Tak blushed from that, "Besides, this is strategic. Not acting on this information right now gives us time to strengthen our assets overall, while also giving me time to fully get my hooks into Robin and whatever she can bring to the table down the road. And I'm aware my arrangement with Skeleton King can't last forever, but I need it to last until we're ready and able to beat him."
Leaving unsaid he admittedly wasn't sure what he would do to his fellow Isekai soul once they reached that point. After all, rivalry for Earth and conquest aside, he rather enjoyed their talks and semi-partnership that was forming between the two of them. But he'd cross that bridge when they got there.
"Very well, I suppose it is smarter to play the long game," Tak agreed with a sigh, before giving him a look, "But we'll be having a discussion about keeping me in the loop once you return."
She told him firmly, scowling and wondering what other potential vital pieces of information she hadn't been informed of.
"Of course," Lothor replied with a nod, only to arch a brow as there was a sudden knock on his room's door, "But I'll have to call you back. Seems I have something else to do."
"Fine, I have matters to attend to as well," Tak replied, before ending the call. Setting his communicator aside, Lothor walked over to the door and opened it, smiling at the sight that greeted him.
"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," he said to Vivi, who was standing there wearing a robe.
"I, ah, hope that I'm not disturbing anything," the princess said, squirming with slight nervousness.
"Not at all. Please come in," he said, stepping aside to let her into the room and closing the door after she entered, "Did you need something?"
"Ah, I... believe we needed to have a private more... uhh... in-depth discussion about our impending nuptials," Vivi said with a slight cough while trying to psych herself up. What she was about to do was a massive step, but Lothor did deserve a reward for all his help... and truthfully they should perhaps get this all out in the open anyway.
"Oh?" Lothor asked with a smirk, liking where this was going, "By all means. Where would you like to start?"
"First and foremost, since publicly announcing our... relationship would likely garner international backlash, we'll have to keep the ceremony small, private and most importantly secret until such time as we're in a strong enough position to risk letting it be public knowledge," Vivi replied, rattling that information off formally, trying to calm her nerves by focusing on the political aspect of things for the moment.
"Fair enough," Lothor nodded along, "What else?"
"I... want your word," Vivi gave him a serious look, "That I'll not only be treated like an equal, but that you'll try to make this work beyond being a political alliance."
She said, frowning, "I don't want to be just a political tool, ally, or bedwarmer. I want to be treated and loved as a wife," She looked into his eyes, "I want to know that if you really do continue to take other women to your bed you'll actually care for me... love me," She gripped her hands together, "And when it's time... I want to know that you'll be a good father to any children we have."
Because she knew that she was making a deal with the devil, that she'd had to in order to survive and save her kingdom. But that didn't mean she intended to just go along with however this played out without making it the best it could be. And if she couldn't get a storybook romance, she wanted to at least be happy with the life she'd lead from this point going forward.
Then she was pulled out of her thoughts as Lothor reached out to gently cup her cheek.
"My dear, I give my word - which I hope you know by this point that you can trust - that I will genuinely love you just as much as any girl in my harem, which will be as much as I can," he said softly, "And should we be blessed with children, I will care for them just as much. I will make you all as happy as I am capable of doing, I swear to you."
Vivi, at his words and touch, felt a warmth blossom from within her as something told her from the bottom of her soul and heart that he meant every word... and she started to see that perhaps a life with Lothor wouldn't be a horrible one.
"And I swear in turn to love you as you are, be the best mother I can be to our children, and work to be the best queen possible not just for Alabasta but your future domain," She said, leaning into his touch, "Just love me and help me protect what's precious to me and..."
She let her cloak fall to the floor, "I am yours and yours alone."
Lothor grinned at that, eyes appreciatively running over the sight that greeted him. Underneath the cloak, Vivi was dressed in her dancer's outfit from canon - while not as iconic as Nami's, it had always stuck with him, and it was even sexier in person~
"My, my, quite a naughty girl, running around the castle dressed like this~" he said with a chuckle, moving his hands down to run along her exposed sides before reaching her loincloth-covered ass and squeezing.
"Ah, ah, I just figured, if I'm going to be a harem girl, I might as well dress the part," Vivi replied with a blush, loving the feeling of what he was doing to her.
"Well, in that case, why don't you dance for your king?" Lothor purred, giving her a quick kiss before stepping back, "Give me a show of what Alabastan girls can do with what they've got~"
"Hmm, if that's what my king wishes~" Vivi said with a smirk, feeling such a naughty thrill as she started to move her body, "You know, I practice this with Jasmine for fun," She said while swaying her arms and gyrating her hips, "And I can think of plenty of men who'd love to be in your place right now~"
She added as the image of Koza flashed through her mind, but she shook it off; he ruined whatever chance he might have had, and she shouldn't dwell on what-ifs.
"Well, then I suppose I should consider myself very lucky~" Lothor chuckled, feeling himself growing hard, enjoying the sight as Vivi's hips swayed and her breasts bounced from the movement of her body.
"Yes you are," Vivi replied, turning around to shake her ass sensually at him. Then, feeling particularly bold, she reached up to unhook her top, pulling it away as she spun back around, tossing the top aside as her bared breasts bounced freely.
"Oh, very nice~" Lothor said, "Out of curiosity, what are those, a D cup?"
"Hmm, maybe~" Vivi said teasingly, while thrusting out her chest, giving her breasts a good shake, "Maybe you should come take a closer look to find out~"
"Well, if you insist~" Lothor said, stepping forward and reaching out to grab her breasts, Vivi moaning appreciatively as he squeezed them, "Oh, definitely a D~ And all natural, from the feel of it."
"Of course they are!" Vivi huffed, "I'm fully confident in my body, I don't need any enhancements to it!"
"No, you don't," Lothor agreed, before leaning down to bite onto the nipple of her left tit.
"Ahhh! Mmmm, so bold~ Does my king find his harem girl's body that pleasing?" She asked with a loud surprised but pleasure-filled moan while sending him a smirk, "Tell me..." she moved her hand down, rubbing it against his crotch, "How does it compare to the others that share your bed?"
"Hmm, I try not to play favorites," he replied around licks of her nipple, which was something he could say honestly, remembering Tak's signs of insecurity, "But if you want honesty, you've got the second biggest chest of every girl I've currently been fucking."
"...Second biggest?" Vivi asked with a scowl, good mood suddenly diminished.
"Yes, but she's one of our bottom bitch pets, so you're automatically above her no matter what," Lothor reassured her as he gave another lick, the pleasure of that bringing Vivi back into the present moment.
"Ah, ah, I feel like I should be questioning that... I'll be needing to know more about the rest of your harem at some point," she said.
"All in good time, dear," he said, before smirking and adding, "Now, why don't we take things up a notch? Lose the loincloth."
"Hmm, already giving orders~" Vivi asked with a smirk, suddenly getting a naughty idea, "Well, if you want to see more of my royal body, you'll have to earn it~" she said teasingly, while leaning in to kiss at his neck, "And you can start by kissing my royal feet."
Lothor smirked at that; her acting commanding was very hot, and it was nice to hear that from someone other than Tak after all his other girls had ended up being forced into submission. So, he saw no reason not to play along.
"Well, if that's what my Queen commands~" he replied, lightly moving her to sit on the edge of the bed before getting on his knees and grabbing one of her legs, lifting it up to bring her foot to his mouth before wrapping his lips around her big toe and beginning to suck on it.
"Mmm, yes, that's it, worship your Queen," Vivi said with a low moan, feeling a powerful naughty thrill from this while just savoring the sensation of Lothor sucking on her toe, actually enjoying it more than she expected. She'd thought about sex before, of course (she was a healthy young woman, after all), but her fantasies had usually been straightforward and to the point. This kind of play had never been a factor, and she was really was enjoying herself~
"I'm glad my Queen is enjoying herself," Lothor said, running his tongue over Vivi's toes, before starting to slowly trail kisses from them and up her foot, soon starting to work his way up her leg.
"Mmm, it's, ah, certainly relaxing and, ah, enjoyable," Vivi said, giving a groan, enjoying the sensation of Lothor's lips against her leg.
"Mmm, then let me do something that you'll really enjoy~" Lothor said with a grin as he continued to trail kisses up her leg until he reached her waist. Without giving her a chance to reply, he grabbed her loincloth and tore it away.
"Hehe, no panties under here? How improper, Your Highness~" he chuckled, before diving his head forward to start eating her out.
"Mmm, I, ahhh, didn't see the point, ahh, ummm, I, oh God!" Vivi moaned in reply, her hands going to the side of Lothor's head. His tongue felt incredible! She couldn't even think straight, it felt so good!
As for Lothor, he was loving the taste of the princess's snatch and the sounds she was making, running his tongue slowly and deliberately over each and every fold to make the experience last longer.
"Mmm, nothing like the sweet nectar of a virgin~" he purred, sucking on her clit.
"Ahh, Lothor, ooooohh, mmm, don't stop, ahhh, lick me more!" Was Vivi's reply, losing herself to the pleasure as she raised a hand and started to knead and squeeze her breast.
"Mmm, as you wish," Lothor said with a smirk, seeing that Vivi's dominance had crumpled fairly quickly. Choosing not to gloat about it, however, he merely doubled down on his licking.
"Ahhh! Lothor!" Vivi cried in delight, falling backwards onto the bed and playing harder with her breasts as Lothor continued to eat her out.
"Ahhh, yesss! Don't stop! Your Queen orders you to keep licking! Ahhhhh, if you even think about stopping, I'll send you to the, ahhh, dungeon!" Was the ensuing cry from her as well. Because goddammit, she never wanted this to end!
"But of course, Your Majesty, I'm happy to comply~" Lothor said, continuing to lick. And then, having a fun idea, he reached down to rub her ass, before slipping a hand under it to suddenly jam a finger into her asshole.
"AH!" Vivi cried out in surprise, which melted into a moan of pleasure as she registered the action.
"Ooooohh, violating royalty now!" She managed to say while sending him a teasing smirk, "I should, ahhh, have you, mmm, in the dungeon for that!"
"Mmm, I'd happily accept it~ Such a punishment is worth it in order to make a princess squeal!" Lothor said, biting on her clit while wiggling his finger deeper into her asshole.
"Ohhh, give me some, ahhh, chains and whips and we'll see who, ahhhhhhh!" Vivi's words were cut off by another loud moan as pleasure flared through her body. God, this was probably the most amazing thing she'd ever felt.
"You were saying?" Lothor laughed, doubling down on everything he was doing.
"Ah, ah, you, ah, ah... LOOOOTTTTTHHHHHOOOORRRR!" Vivi tried to protest, only to scream as she came, wet cunt exploding into Lothor's face.
"Mmm, delicious~" Lothor said, pulling back to lick his face clean while also pulling his finger out of Vivi's asshole, "So, should we stop? Or should we go all the way and really make you mine?"
"Ah, ah, ah, ah, if you even... ah, ah, even think... about stopping... then ah, ah, I'll really send you to the dungeon," Vivi said half-serious as she caught her breathe, "And don't you mean, ah, when I, ah, ah, make you mine?"
"Hmm, we'll see who belongs to who by the time I'm done~" Lothor chuckled as he stood back so that he could quickly disrobe, smirking as Vivi was left staring red-faced at his large hard cock, "Liking what you see, Your Highness?"
"Um, ah, yes..." she stammered, gulping hard before she managed to tear her sight away from his cock to look at his face, "Ahem... assuming that you know how to use that thing, of course."
"I haven't had any complaints so far, but I'll let you make your own decision on that," Lothor said, stepping forward and spreading Vivi's legs, bracing against them as he pressed forward to slowly slide his cock into her pussy, making her moan. It was only when he felt himself press against her hymen that he paused.
"Ready?" he asked.
"As I'll ever be..." Vivi said, biting her lip but giving him a serious look and nod. Lothor nodded back at her, and then thrust forward, tearing clean through her hymen.
"FUCK!" Vivi yelled, eyes widening from the sudden pain; she'd known it was coming, but that didn't lessen it any!
"Ugh, ah, power through it, princess!" Lothor grunted as he started thrusting in and out of her, "The pleasure will bury the pain soon enough!"
"Grr, I know... and I can handle it..." Vivi said with gritted teeth, "So don't hold back!"
"If you, ugh, insist!" Lothor said, increasing his pace significantly. Vivi moaned at this, but started moving her hips to match his movements, which helped her body start to adjust, and soon the pain was buried under the pleasure.
"Ah, ah, ah, Lothor!" she moaned as she found herself growing lost in the pleasure, "It, ah, ah, feels so good!"
"Oh, really? Ah, ah, how about this?" Lothor replied, not pausing his movements even as he reached out to harshly slap her breasts.
SMACK
"AH! YES! HARDER! HIT YOUR QUEEN HARDER!"
"As you wish, Your Majesty!" Lothor laughed, lashing out with his hand again.
SMACK
SMACK
SMACK
"OH, FUCK YES!" Vivi yelled, lost in ecstasy. So much so that she barely noticed as Lothor suddenly rolled them over, leaving him on his back and Vivi on top of him.
"Glad you're enjoying yourself, princess!" Lothor laughed, watching the prim and proper royal start to bounce on his cock like a natural-born whore.
"Urg, I've never felt anything so good!" Vivi moaned, losing herself to the pleasure, "Ah, ah, but what about you? Is it good for you?" She asked, attempting to gyrate her hips as she bounced off his cock, wanting to make sure she could satisfy Lothor in turn.
"Yes it is, you're a natural!" Lothor replied, grabbing her hips to brace her in place as he kept thrusting up into her.
"Ah, ah, thank you!" she replied huskily.
"But I'm sure, ahh, ahh, experience will trump, ahh, natural talent soon," Vivi said bouncing faster and faster off this euphoria-giving cock!
God, why had she been so hesitant for this? It was incredible! And once they were married, they could do this all the time!
"Yes, princess, don't worry, you'll soon have all the experience you can ever want!" Lothor replied, matching her thoughts.
"Arg, yes, that sounds wonderful! Ah, ah, ah, we, ah, ah, can experience our love, ah, ah, anytime, anywhere!"
"Anytime, anywhere, huh?" Lothor asked with a smirk, squeezing her ass while continuing to pound her, "What about on your father's throne, right in the open, where people might be able to walk in and see us?"
"Ooooh! That would be so wrong and, ahhhh, desecrating my, ahh, family's ancestral power but, ahhh, ooooh God, it sounds so hot!" Vivi moaned, bouncing harder and harder, picturing the scene, her sucking off Lothor as he sat on the throne, worshiping him till climbing up and showing him why she was his queen... only for somebody to walk in... her father, Jasmine, anyone could come in and see their princess letting herself be fucked on the royal throne like a whore.
The looks she could picture them giving her... looks of shock, disgust, and anger... they should fill her with shame, but they didn't. Instead, they just sent a thrill through her, which just made the pleasure that Lothor's cock was giving her feel even better!
"Then let's be sure to do that at some point," Lothor said, "But first, I'm going to finish fucking your brains out right here!"
"Ahhh, yes! Fuck me hard! Make your Queen moan like a whore! Continue the royal bloodline!" Vivi moaned, bouncing like a jackhammer off his cock, before leaning down to capture his lips hungrily while continuing the motion, Lothor happily returning the kiss while continuing his own movements.
And all the while, neither was aware that they were being watched, the door to the room having been discreetly cracked open.
"Oh, my..." Jasmine muttered to herself, unable to look away. She'd seen Vivi heading towards Lothor's room and followed her friend, still not entirely trusting Lothor enough to be alone with her. And she ended up playing witness to her princess and friend giving herself to a warlord and tyrant from space... and enjoying it immensely, from the looks of it.
Admittedly, they were engaged, and Vivi had kept acting jealous of him flirting with other women... but that didn't mean that Jasmine expected Vivi to just throw herself at him! And yet there she was, engaging in passionate sex, bouncing off of Lothor's... gulp, huge cock...
She didn't even think cocks could get that big... she and Aladdin... well, they'd recently become no stranger to sharing a bed, but Lothor was certainly bigger... and as much as it shamed her, she couldn't look away as she found her body getting hotter.
And as she watched Vivi enjoy getting fucked by that huge man meat... she suddenly pictured herself in the princess's place, bouncing off of Lothor's cock and screaming his name...
No! She couldn't let herself think about that! She had Aladdin, and Lothor was Vivi's betrothed, not to mention an alien warlord! That made it wrong on so many levels!
And as Jasmine struggled with these thoughts, little did she know she wasn't the only voyeur watching everything, as the walls in the room quite literally had ears, and eyes.
"Hmm, that's it... fuck the royal slut nice and hard, Lothor," Nico Robin found herself moaning while fingering her pussy, naked and laying on the bed of her room.
She'd only meant to spy on Lothor long enough to confirm whether or not he was lying to her, and his conversation with his alien lover had been informative in that regard. But then the princess had come in, and... well, it had been awhile since she'd been able to get any "stress relief", and it hadn't taken long for this to get her hot and bothered, as Lothor was certainly showing that he had vitality and stamina to match his power... not to mention the equipment to satisfy and then some~
While the princess... hehe, newly deflowered she might be, but she was certainly an eager one, that's for sure.
And as she let out her own moan while twisting her nipple and delving her fingers deeper into her snatch, she had to admit this was exactly what she needed to relax. Plus... there was the realization that working with Lothor might come with at least a few perks beyond finally destroying the Gem of Scath~
After all, she'd been so focused on her quest that she'd never put any real thought into what would come after it. Now, though... well, if Lothor was interested in having a harem, she might as well throw her hat in the ring, and show him how a real woman compared to that blue-haired brat. And hey, if said brat wanted to join in, fine by her~
Said brat was currently screaming her lungs out as she hit her release while feeling her new lover's seed fill her, "LOTHORRRRRRR!!"
For a few moments, she was stock still atop his cock as his seed shot into her womb and her juices spilled out over him. And when they were both finally done, she collapsed onto his chest, panting hard.
"That... was... wonderful," she gasped out, resting against his muscles and feeling very comfortable.
"Ah, ah, you weren't bad either for a first timer, princess~" Lothor chuckled, running a hand through her hair, which had come undone from its ponytail at some point during the fucking.
"Thanks, heheh, but I'm sure with some more experience, I'll outdo the rest of your harem in no time~" Vivi said proudly, while leaning to kiss his... cheek.
Suddenly she frowned, looking into his eyes, "Though is there some kinda cultural reason you haven't taken off your mask yet?"
"No, it's just a personal preference," Lothor replied, though that was just an excuse, since truth be told he often didn't really remember he had the mask on. It just felt like an instinct to keep it on, and he didn't feel like challenging that at the moment.
"Mmm, if you say so," Vivi said, choosing not to press the issue, instead simply laying against him and enjoying the sensation.
"Though speaking of preferences..." Lothor said after a moment with a smirk, "Want to see if you enjoy getting ass-fucked?"
Vivi blinked in shock at his bluntness, before finding herself giving a smirk.
"Nothing wrong with trying new things," She said while getting into position, much to the enjoyment and shock respectively of the eavesdropping Robin and Jasmine.
"My thoughts exactly, princess~" Lothor said, looming over Vivi as she settled on all fours, grabbing her hips to brace himself and teasing her asshole with his cock, "So, ready for this cherry to get popped too?"
"Do it before I lose my nerve!" she yelled at him. With a smirk, Lothor thrust forward, his cock forcing its way into her rear entrance.
"AHHHH! URRRG!" Vivi let out a yell, but grit her teeth, determined to power through the pain. If she was going to be on top of Lothor's harem, she couldn't let herself be overwhelmed by anything he did to her!
And after awhile, as her hips started moving back and forth to match Lothor's thrusts, the pain slowly faded in favor of pleasure from having her lover's cock in her hole, and her cunt started growing wet again.
"Ah, ah, ah, well, you liking it, ah, ah, princess?" Lothor panted, giving her ass a slap as it bounced around his cock.
SMACK
"AH! YES! I LOVE IT! I LOVE YOUR MASSIVE COCK FUCKING MY ROYAL ASSHOLE!" Vivi screamed, becoming more lost in the pleasure as she bucked her hips back to meet his thrusts.
"Then, ah, ah, I'll be sure to do it more often!" Lothor yelled as he kept ramming against her, "Because, ah, ah, all your holes belong to me now!"
SMACK
"You!"
SMACK
"Are!"
SMACK
"Mine!"
SMACK
"AH! YES!" Vivi moaned, surprised that she was actually enjoying the rough treatment, but she wasn't going to question a potential new kink of hers when it felt so good, "I'm yours! And you're mine! Ahhh, now show your Queen how much you want her!"
"Gladly!" Lothor yelled, ramming into her even harder.
PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP
And for several minutes, the room was filled with the sounds of skin slapping against skin, Lothor's grunts, and Vivi's pleased cries. And all the while, the spying Jasmine found herself unable to look away, flushing brightly while one hand unconsciously went down to start rubbing at her pussy through her pants.
This was so wrong. She shouldn't be spying on them like this, but despite how much she distrusted Lothor and disagreed with Vivi arrangement with him, she found herself unable to stop watching the debauchery as her hand got to work and her mind began to wander.
She once again saw herself in Vivi's place, being the one getting fucked up the ass by Lothor and loving it... and then Vivi was there too, making Jasmine eat Lothor's seed out of her royal snatch while being fucked, gripping her hard by the hair.
"Dirty little slut, this is what you get for spying on us," Vivi sneered down at her.
"Ah, ah, ah, I'm sorry, princess!" Jasmine moaned as she licked Vivi's pussy.
"That's mistress to you, bitch!" Vivi snapped.
"Ah, ah, yes mistress... forgive this lowly slut," Jasmine moaned, fingering herself harder and faster.
"Mmmm, make me cum before your master makes you do so, and maybe I will~" Vivi smirked, before shoving Jasmine's face further against her cunt, while Lothor's cock continued to ravage Jasmine's asshole.
All the while, in the real world, Jasmine kept fingering herself, face red and breathing hard, until finally she came with a cry that was thankfully drowned out as Vivi did so at the same time.
"LOOOTTTTHHHHOOOORRRRR!!!!" the princess screamed her lover's name, juices spilling out of her cunt while his cum filled her ass, while outside the room, Jasmine fell to her knees, the crotch of her pants now soaking wet.
"Ah, ah, ah, what... ah, ah, was that?" Jasmine asked herself in shock while Vivi was laying on the bed in sexual bliss.
"Ah, you are, ah, amazing~" The princess said with a wide grin to Lothor.
"Mmm, you're not bad yourself, princess~" Lothor chuckled as he lay down next to her and held her close, "I think we're going to have a lot of fun together~"
"Mmm, agreed..." Vivi said with a smile, suddenly feeling a lot more confidant about her recent choices and future, "Give me a bit to rest, and I'll show you how much fun we'll have~" she added, kissing up his muscular chest.
"Oh, I look forward to that~" Lothor said, leaning down to kiss her forehead, the two settling in to cuddle for a bit, while outside the room Jasmine tried to process what she'd just seen and fantasized, and in her own room, Nico Robin smirked to herself as she lay on her bed, sweating and in a puddle of her own juices.
Both of them processing what they just witnessed and did, and both of them wondering what the future would hold, though one with more fear than the other.
But no matter what happened, it was clear that things were going to be very... interesting~
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And there you have it~ I've fully claimed Vivi, and have unknowingly gained the interest of Jasmine and Nico Robin, with the latter also now in a deal with me to allow me to help her destroy the Gem of Scath down the line, which is likely to eventually cause problems with Night/Skeleton King and his own plans for Raven...
Anyway, hope you all enjoyed this chapter, especially the alterations to Robin's backstory to make it fit this reality, and all the future plot points we've set up. I'm sure we'll have fun with all of them at some point.
But until then, please leave a comment or kudos!
Nightmaster000 A/N: There we go this arc was a long run but a fun one, and we really hope you all enjoy the entire play out. As well the introduction of new plot points that might come into play later such as Nick Robin history with the church of blood , and her goal of finding and destroying Trigon gem. How will this conflict with my plans for Raven?
As always have to wait to find out`
Chapter 34: Townsville Troubles, Part 1
Summary:
Skeleton King solidifies an alliance with Eris, and sets his eye on three certain new targets.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: Last time on Isekai Conquerors Lothor and his forces managed to save Alabasta from the plots of Crocodile the leader of the Intergang, in the process Lothor secured himself not only a new lover in Princess Vivi, but also a secret formal alliance with the kingdom.
Now we're going to get a look at what I/Skeleton King been doing on my side during Lothor adventure in Alabasta, kicking off fresh from the chaos at the Senors club. And hope you all enjoy what we got planned, because i'm actually quite excited for it~
Also here's a slightly updated list of the girl breast cup size list, and again expect it to be updated as the story continue plays out. This is partly to help Zim and I keep track of those sizes too.
1. Tak large A cups bordering on B cups
2. Gaz DD
3. Wendy C
4. Daphne Blake D Cup
5. Smellerbee A cup
6. Jinmay B Cup
7. Valeena B Cup
8. Blackfire DD Cup
9. Audrey C Cup
10. Megara D cup
11. Velma E Cup
12. Pacifica EE goes up to F Cup as Black Cat
13. Raven EE
14. Zita B cup
15. Wonder Woman F Cup
16. Tambry C Cup
17 Mabel Pines DD
18 Princess Morbucks DD
19 Minerva Mink EE
20 Jessica Rabbit F Cup
21 Vivi D Cup
22 Nico Robin DD
23 Mai Valentine F Cup
24 Eris F Cup
25 Buttercup D
26 Blossom E Cup
27 Bubbles F Cup
28 Neekeeta C Cup
29 Marah C Cup
30 Kapri C Cup
31 Starfire DD Cup
32 Mandy E Cup
33 Trixie Tang DD Cup
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Like Night said, after spending the last arc focusing on me/Lothor playing anti-hero in Alabasta and taking control by proxy of the country, we're now going to show what Night/Skeleton King has been doing at the same time. Namely, going after the Powerpuff Girls with help from Eris.
This is a hell of an arc we've put together, and I can only hope you all enjoy how it unfolds as much as Night and I did putting it together.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Mmm, agreed..." Vivi said with a smile, suddenly feeling a lot more confidant about her recent choices and future, "Give me a bit to rest, and I'll show you how much fun we'll have~" she added, kissing up his muscular chest.
"Oh, I look forward to that~" Lothor said, leaning down to kiss her forehead, the two settling in to cuddle for a bit, while outside the room Jasmine tried to process what she'd just seen and fantasized, and in her own room, Nico Robin smirked to herself as she lay on her bed, sweating and in a puddle of her own juices.
Both of them processing what they just witnessed and did, and both of them wondering what the future would hold, though one with more fear than the other.
But no matter what happened, it was clear that things were going to be very... interesting~
(Citadel of Bone, morning after the Club attack)
"And that's everything she said?" Skeleton King asked with a firm scowl toward the bowing Valeena.
"Yes my lord, and though the harlot did tamper a bit with the memories of her tale, that is every word she spoke," she said, glancing up toward her master to shoot a glare toward the feline kneeling at his feet as her lord distractedly petted the slave's head, while Skeleton King himself was processing everything Valeena had said.
Eris... a part of him, after her interference in Kaznia, had wondered if she'd interfere again, to fan the flames of chaos for her own amusement. The twist she took in making Mandy's search for the Horror Hand a three-way race for the artifact served as an excellent example of why she was a wildcard to look out for...
But this?! Even with Eris' power muddling a few details for Valeena, he could easily put together the pieces, and it seemed that not only had this confirmed his earlier suspicion... but it seemed once again a factor in this shared crossover world was showing its hand. Though the fact that Eris was the ultimate mastermind behind the creation of the Powerpuff Girls, and he supposed their mother, even viewing herself as such according to Valeena... that was certainly not a twist he saw coming.
"Hmm... this... this prompts a change in plans," Skeleton King mused aloud, getting the attention of those in the throne room - Valeena, Neekeeta sitting at his feet, along with Jinmay, Blackfire, Mandarin, Tambry, Hak Foo, and even the Skeleton King Droid, all of them present for Valeena's tale.
"I had originally planned to make my move toward the Kingdom of Wukong," Skeleton King stated to his audience, "To exploit the current turmoil in the kingdom, along with the Princess's desire for a strong husband," he mused, ignoring the slight jealous scowls he got from some of those in the room, "But this..."
He hummed, narrowing his eyes, "This might require my more immediate intention," He stated.
"With all due respect, master, should we really be taking this so-called goddess at her word?" Mandarin asked.
"Yeah, the lady's literally all about chaos," Jinmay pointed, "She could be stringing us along just because it's amusing to her!"
"True, but all the more reason to play her game," Skeleton King reasoned out loud with a frown, "Not only is this an opportunity if she speaks true, but if we ignore her we risk irking her either way, and she's already proven she can cause problems without holding a grudge."
He stated, giving them a firm look, "At least this way we won't be caught by surprise if she tries anything," Skeleton King told them, knowing that ignoring this... well, insulting a goddess, especially of the Greek variety, rarely ended well.
Plus, on the hormonal side... he had to admit he was interested in the offer~ Seriously, how did he have so much game as Skeleton King?! He couldn't help but ask himself, and not for the first time either...
"Then... should we summon this harlot to interrogate her, master?" Valeena asked, hesitant to bring that blonde divine slut here, but knowing that if her master wanted the information of Eris' children, she should enable him to gain it.
"Summon, yes... but she shall be treated as a guest," Skeleton King said with a slight hiss and firm look toward Valeena, while subconsciously petting Neekeeta on the head, "Our efforts on Earth are too in the early stages to risk the ire of a goddess."
Skeleton King repeated himself as Valeena frowned, but nodded with an understanding sigh.
"As you say, master," she said, standing up and presenting the golden apple to her lord, with it floating up to his right hand as Neekeeta watched with wary fear. A part of her was still filled with so much confusing emotional turmoil from last night... everything that was done to her... everything she did... everything she said... and now she was to be in the presence of a goddess native to the planet the monster that violated was invading... one who offered a perspective alliance, it seemed.
She thought with fear at what this monster could achieve with even more power at his side... while also hating how she subconsciously leaned into his touch while being treated as a pet...
"Now then..." Skeleton King looked down at the apple, "Let us do business, Eris, Goddess of Strife and Discord."
And at those words, he did as Eris instructed Valeena, and threw it as hard as he could to the ground, smashing it.
FWOOM
"Hahahahahahahaha!" And at once a brilliant bright light flooded into the room along with a surge of power, causing many to step back or flinch back, though some like Skeleton King did their best to remain stern with firm expressions.
"Summoned already? Good to see you don't keep a lady waiting, Skully~"
"Show respect to your betters, tart!" Valeena snarled at Eris, who just scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Now, now, no need to be like that. I'm an invited guest, after all~" the goddess replied.
"Only because you have information we need!" Valeena spat, only to be silenced by her master holding up a hand.
"Eris, you honor us with the presence of such a lovely divine force of chaos," Skeleton King said, sending a smirk toward Eris, his eyes subtle roaming over her figure, with Eris sending a smug smirk to Valeena.
"Oh, the honor's all mine, handsome~" she said, thrusting her chest out a bit with a smirk, "And I'll take it you're interested in my offer and my girls~" she said with a smirk.
"Hehe, indeed, Aku's essence was my main objective," Skeleton King said with a chuckle, standing up from the throne, his staff in hand as he approached Eris, "But how could one resist the opportunity to feel the touch of such a breathtaking beauty, or her daughters~"
He asked as he reached out, taking and kissing the back of Eris' hand; the best thing to do here he believed was try to pour on the charm. And it seemed to be the right angle, as Eris smirked at him.
"Hmm, quite the gentleman for an alien warlord. I like that~" she purred, giving him a hungry look, which earned glares from several of the others in the room.
"Can we focus on why we called you here?" Blackfire snapped, wanting to blast the harlot for openly flirting with HER man.
"Aw, straight to business, how party pooper of you," Eris said with a faux hurt look towards the glaring Tamaranean. Hmm, judging by the other girls, it seem Skully's harem had trouble sharing, and didn't like it when a new girl showed up. Why, how delightfully chaotic~
"Do forgive us, but in this case perhaps it's best to get business out of the way first before we get to the pleasure," Skeleton King added, getting a more serious look as he stared into Eris' eyes.
If she was truly speaking of the Powerpuff Girls in her tale to Valeena, he didn't necessarily have to contact her due to his meta knowledge. But besides the desire to avoid dealing with a goddess who felt insulted and spurred, moving to target the Puffs without meeting with Eris would not only risk her moving to protect them, but also risk hinting that he had information he most certainly shouldn't. No reason to tip his hand there or get someone like Batman to suspect something like Lothor and him having the identities of himself and other heroes.
"And forgive me, despite what I've gathered from your reputation, I can't help but doubt that you only seek the chaos that would come from me getting more power on top of a good time," he gave a brief chuckle as he stared at his guest, "You're a beautiful unpredictable force of nature, yes... but I can see the cunning ambition in those eyes," Skeleton King said, narrowing his eyes, "So I can't help but feel there's another angle to this I'm not seeing."
"My, how suspicious of you~" Eris said in clearly mock outrage.
"Is he wrong?" Jinmay asked, crossing her arms and glaring.
"No, not really, just saying," Eris replied with a smirk.
"And I don't suppose you'll be telling us your full motivations then?" Mandarin added with a suspicious glare and crossed arms.
"Oh, I have so many~" Eris replied cheerfully, ticking things off on her fingers, "I can get my girls lined up for a real man, and get them in position to really upgrade their powers to their full potential. Plus, this helps me get more directly involved in the chaos of the world instead of just pulling strings. Oh, and this allows me to potentially screw over ol' lobster claws, which is always a plus~"
"Lobster claws?" Tambry repeated incredulously.
"Oh, just this crossdressing demon who's been giving my girls some trouble," Eris explained offhandedly. At the arched brows and slight perplexed expressions she received, she added on, "Nothing wrong with the former, of course, I'm chaotic not a prude that tells people how to live their lives. And my girls have certainly put him in his place a time or two, which is always amusing."
She said, giving off a smirk, "But lobster boy has always been, well, a prick," she gave a huff, "With such a narrow-minded view on chaos, while having the nerve to act like he does it better to boot," she said with a huff as Skeleton King realized who she was referring to. And HIM, despite his losses to the Puffs in canon, wasn't an entity to underestimate, he knew that much.
But taking in her words, he choose to believe them, as those motivations would certainly fit Eris to a T, and considering the potential gain here he didn't see that much of a downside to cooperating... especially when he already had a plan involving the girls, that if it worked... well, it would give him some new muscle, potentially please Eris, and be an excellent mind game and tool against the Powerpuffs and other heroes.
It'd just come with some new responsibilities... but he'd been jumping headfirst into all of this so far, and it wasn't like he hadn't been enjoying himself. Besides... if Lothor could have family in this reality in the form of his nieces... then why couldn't he?
"Very well," Skeleton King held out his hand in a shake, "Tell me everything about your daughters, and I'll see to it we're both satisfied with what comes next."
"Well, why tell you when I can show you?" Eris asked, snapping her fingers. In response, a glowing screen popped into existence in midair, showing the image of a moderately large city.
"The City of Townsville," a male voice declared, making several of the onlookers blink.
"Is that a narrator?" Tambry asked in disbelief.
"Oh yes, nice chap, we do brunch sometimes," Eris said offhandedly with an amused smirk.
Everyone stared at her in confusion at that (except for Skeleton King, who noted the existence of that fourth wall breaking detail with amusement), but after a moment decided to file it away and ignore it for now, turning their attention back to the screen.
"A beautiful example of metropolitan Americana... is under attack!" the narrator said, starting calmly before screaming in panic as the view suddenly cut to a giant reptilian monster towering over the city's buildings.
"Is that one of Lothor's?" Hak Foo asked, eyes narrowed.
"I do not believe so," Mandarin said, giving the monster a calculating look as it tore the top off of a skyscraper, "His tend to be more humanoid."
"Oh no, while ninja boy's surprised people with his not-so-little trick, Earth ain't exactly new to giant monsters," Eris explained, shaking her head before giving a cough, "Admittedly, I'm partially to blame there."
She added, giving a giggle, "One too many cups of ambrosia at one of Dionysus' parties a few eons back led to me butting heads with lobster boy, which led to a little contest, which led to a little tear in reality forming straight down to the underworld, which led to some monsters rampaging... make a long story short, I won said contest, and some of the monsters ended up settling in a delightful piece of land that would be called Monster Isle."
"How creative," Blackfire said flatly.
"It was back then, dear," Eris said, waving a hand dismissively, "Point is, they tend to mind their own business and stay on the island, but occasionally they'll come ashore like this, and that's where my girls come into play~"
And as if summoned by her words, three streaks of light - pink, blue, and green - appeared on the screen, smashing straight into the reptilian monster's face, sending it stumbling back.
"Allow me to introduce Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, the Powerpuff Girls~" Eris presented with a smile that could only belong to a proud mother.
As the streaks of light resolved into three distinct figures, clad in color-coded uniforms, Skeleton King observed them eagerly. All of them much older than in canon, somewhere in their mid-teens, and thus much taller... and MUCH more female in appearance.
Seriously, each of them had to be at least a D cup, with firm asses to match. Clearly, they took after their mother in all the right ways~ Oh yes, they'd be fun to play with, and eventually wonderful additions to his collection.
"Seriously, the Powerpuff Girls?" Jinmay asked, scoffing with disdain, "And I thought Super Robot Monkey Team was a dumb name."
She added, rolling her eyes while scowling at the girls; seeing both their power and figures, she could see them drawing her master's attention, which meant more competition, hooray, she thought with sarcastic disdain.
"To be fair, they were 5 years old when they came up with it," Eris responded with a smirk, before pausing, "Well, physically five; in terms of actual existence, it hadn't even been two months since they were created," she amended, before shaking her head, "Names aside, even as little girls my darlings could give the boy scout of steel a run for his money, and they've only gotten more powerful with age."
Eris said, gesturing toward the screen
As they watched, Buttercup shot up in a green flash and punched the monster in the jaw, the blow actually knocking its head back while making several of its fangs pop clean out of its mouth. And while it was distracted by this, Bubbles shot down to grab the end of the monster's tail and tugged, actually pulling it off of its feet, before spinning it around for a few moments and then tossing it high up into the air. At which point Blossom flew in and kicked it, sending it flying to crash into a nearby mountain, which cracked from the impact.
"Hmm, impressive," Hak Foo mused.
"I have seen better trained and skilled fighters, but the sheer power is worth noting," Mandarin added.
"Please, I could easily handle any one of them," Blackfire said with a glare as Skeleton King let out a hum, watching the screen. It seemed that the girls had only improved with age.
"Impressive, both in power and looks, just like their mother," he said, sending Eris a smirk.
"Oh, you boney charmer~" Eris said with a giggle, "But yes, take the mind of a mortal genius, mix in the essence of Aku, and a sample of my own chaotic blessing and energy, and the results are something that would make even daddy Zeus nervous."
Eris said, looking toward the screen, "Which is partly why I had to take a hands-off approach to parenting, restraining myself to watching and guiding from the shadows, while leaving the more hands-on parenting to ol' Professor Drake Utonium."
She said, her smile becoming slightly melancholy, "Which I suppose is another motivation for me in this deal; it's long past time the girls learn the truth and have some quality time with mama."
That got a few raised eyebrows, as it was the first real bit of real understandable emotion that the goddess had displayed since she'd shown up.
"She almost sounds like she actually cares," Tambry muttered to Mandarin, who merely glanced at her before looking away with a grunt, which Tambry blinked at. What was that about?
Shaking it off and deciding to save it for when they had a private moment, Tambry turned her attention from her boyfriend back to Eris, as the goddess started talking again.
"But you wanted information, yes? Well, to start with, my girls have had an impressive 11 year long career in heroics," Eris said, snapping her fingers and summoning more screens that displayed scenes that Skeleton King recognized from the Powerpuff Girls show and beyond. Fighting against other monsters, and against various villains - the Gangreen Gang, Fuzzy Lumpkins, Princess Morbucks, and of course, Mojo Jojo.
"Oh look, we found another relative of yours, primate," Valeena said dryly to Mandarin, who shot her a flat look.
"Very funny, witch," he said dryly, before cocking his head at the sight of Princess, "Hmm, she was at the club last night, if I'm not mistaken."
"Ah, little Princess Morbucks, yes~ She's been one of my girls' recurring playmates since they were little," Eris said, giving a little laugh, "She's got a bit of an inferiority complex compared to them, and didn't take being told no she couldn't join their little group well."
Eris said with an amused roll of her eyes, "But allow me to start at the beginning..."
At that the screens changed to a scene that Skeleton King remembered well... a rampaging monkey... the Professor returning home after rubbing his aching head...
"The birth of my girls, the plots of a naughty monkey, and how it led to them becoming heroes," Eris said as she begun to spin and show the tale that the isekai soul remembered well from the Powerpuff Girls movie.
The group watched as the story unfolded, the girls being created by accident and initially treated as freaks and outcasts by the community. How Mojo had played to their insecurities and earned their sympathies by pretending to be harmless and mistreated himself, tricking them into helping him in a plan to create an army of super-intelligent apes and conquer the world with them, only for the girls to manage to defeat him and prove themselves as heroes.
"Hmph, a pity that he failed," Mandarin said, watching the evolved apes all be defeated and rounded up.
"Of course you'd say that," Jinmay scoffed, rolling her eyes, before glancing at Eris, "So, how come you didn't step in when the whole town was blacklisting them?"
"Truthfully speaking, I almost did," Eris admitted with a frown, "I was honestly surprised at the amount of rage I felt, to the point I felt like a good ol' fashioned mass smiting with a side of not so natural disasters raining down on the city."
She added, crossing her arms, "Part of what led me to realizing this particular plot to stir up some wonderful chaos had pulled me in deeper than I was expecting," Eris said with a slight cough, "But I knew that I couldn't just swoop in and take them back to Olympus... it'd lead to some rather pointed questions and Daddy being his paranoid self like Gramps would likely jump to "she's plotting a coup" conclusions."
She admitted, rolling her eyes, "So, I restrained myself to a few minor curses of bad luck for the town while seeing how my girls would develop from their treatment," the goddess gave a shameless shrug, "I was honestly half expecting them to snap and go on a rampage... the twist with the monkey coming back into play after I used him as a pawn to get Utonium to add Aku's essence, what he called Chemical X at the time, into that alchemy concoction surprised even me a bit. But, it all worked out in the end, as he turned himself into the perfect means for my girls to earn themselves the love and respect of the masses. And from there, the rest is history," Eris said, playing the montage of the girls' years of adventures again.
Indeed, many adventures even beyond what he remembered... even a few where they met other familiar faces. However...
"Wait!" he hissed, staring at two screens in particular.
"Ah... so those caught your attention, did they?" Eris said with a click of her tongue as the others looked at the screens that now displayed images of boys with similar appearance as the girls causing destruction before fighting them. As well as the image of, well... a large hunchback-looking version of the girls in purple, squeezing them tight.
"The big girl there is Bunny, one of my girls' bigger hiccups, when they attempted to replicate the process that created them, to get a new sister to lighten the workload. Sadly, it didn't work out, since she couldn't quite grasp the way law and order worked," Eris said, as the screen showed Bunny throwing cops in jail and releasing all the criminals to run rampant, "And then, when she tried to redeem herself by fixing her mistakes... well, the poor thing's design proved unstable and fell apart."
As she said this, the screen now showed Bunny fighting a horde of criminals, only to ultimately explode, leaving nothing behind.
Nothing that is... except a shred of purple cloth from her outfit that the girls stared at in heartbroken horror, before locking it away in a small chest that they put away in their room. This got Skeleton King's attention... he wondered, his eyes glancing over to the Pit of Ooze... would it be possible to... he was brought out of this thoughts, with Eris continuing on.
"As for the boys, well, monkey boy got frustrated losing again and again, so he decided to fight fire with fire with some boy power."
The scene showed Mojo dumping an assortment of things into...
"Is he using a toilet?" Tambry asked with a disgusted look.
"He got a bit impatient and opted to scavenge what he could while in prison rather than waiting to escape and use better resources," Eris said with a chuckle before the scene took a twist that wasn't in the original cartoon, "But have to give him points for cunning," she said as Mojo took a sharp piece of concrete he managed to hide away in his cell, "Thanks to being at ground zero of the girls' birth right up against the pot, he not only mutated into what he is today, but gained just a silver of Aku's essence within his being... just a sliver enough for it to work with his little potion and..."
Mojo cut himself, allowing the blood to leak into the toxic-looking toilet, which then began to bubble and shake before blowing up, revealing three floating boys.
"Brick, Butch, and Boomer, cheap knockoffs of my girls, but still they provided a excellent challenge for them," she said, with the scene showing the boys fighting the Puffs as kids and overpowering them, "Which led to the girls using their feminine wiles for the first time."
The scene changed to the boys heading for another round, only to skid to a stop midair when they saw the girls approaching them strangely... before their eyes widened as the girls each gave their counterpart a kiss on the cheek... which led to the boys freaking out and going boom.
At the stunned disbelieving looks, "They were still little boys, new to life and in the whole "girls are icky" phase of things," Eris explained with a snort, "And it wasn't the kisses themselves that caused them to blow up, more of a combo of Mojo working with knockoff ingredients and them getting too emotionally unstable due to getting kisses and cooties."
She explained with open amusement, "Of course... in the day they were alive, they still put on a good enough showing for ol' lobster boy to be impressed enough to resurrect them for round two and a little war between the sexes."
As she said that, the screen shifted again, this time showing the red and pink form that the isekai inside Skeleton King's body recognized as HIM.
"I take it this is who you were referring to?" Blackfire asked, face scrunched up in disgust at the eye-searing outfit of the being before her.
"That's him... which is actually his name. HIM - His Infernal Majesty," Eris replied, "Pretentious name, I know. But he's got power and knows how to use it, which in this case meant resurrecting the boys and stabilizing them so that the kiss plan wouldn't work on them anymore."
Scene changed to the boys' comeback, the girls attempting to kiss them again only for the boys to grow larger each time they tried it.
"But boys will be boys, which means fragile egos~" Eris said with a smirk as the scene showed whatever spell caused the enlarging effect had a drawback where when the boys' egos were attacked or embarrassed, they shrunk before becoming as small as dolls, crying at the girls' feet.
"All that power, and this is the result? Pathetic," Mandarin scoffed with disgust.
"Yes, but despite that weak first showing, after HIM fixed that little error, they became some of my girls' most recurring and most powerful enemies," Eris said with a smirk, watching various scenes of the Ruffs and Puffs fighting, "They really added an extra spark of chaos to things, and gave my girls a challenge that could give them a real fight," she giggled.
"And what became of them?" Skeleton King inquired with a frown.
"Eh, they slipped lobster boy's leash a while back, and last I checked they're doing the dirty work for some humans in the government," Eris replied with a shrug, with Skeleton King taking note of that and already having a guess of which humans she was referring to.
"But with the background laid out, are you still interested?" Eris asked with a smirk.
"Very, and I believe I already have a plan involving your girls that will bring a new force of Chaos into the world~" Skeleton King said, as the making of an idea occurred to him. Pleasure aside... it could prove beneficial indeed in a desire for more power on his side of the board... and perhaps a desire for the family side of things... he just needed to make sure it worked.
"Just tell me where I can find any essence of Aku that remains, as well as the location of that cloth left behind in the destruction of that Bunny child," he added, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
Eris arched an eyebrow at that, and grinned.
"Hmm, now what could you be planning with that, I wonder?" she asked, before giggling and holding a hand up, "No, don't tell me, I want to be surprised~ In any case, they keep the cloth in their home in a makeshift shrine, and as for remaining traces of the essence, some of that diluted "Chemical X" made from it is locked up tight in Utonium's lab in the house basement."
Eris explained with a smirk, "And?" Before arching a brow as Valeena stepped up with a demanding expression.
"And, what?" Eris asked with a teasing expression.
"Do not play dumb, goddess," Valeena hissed, "My master seeks the pure essence of Aku's remains! Not some diluted alchemy formula made from it," she said with a scowl.
"Surely there must be more of it left," Mandarin chimed in with a dark thoughtful scowl.
"Oh, there is, quite a bit of it went into making my girls, and the Professor behind their birth has hidden its existence, giving all credit to his little Chemical, but there's still some prime essence of flame brows in existence," Eris said with a smirk.
"Then tell us where to locate it, so I might retrieve it for my master!" Valeena snapped, her hands glowing with energy, but Eris giving off a giggle.
"Ah, ah, ah, patience dearie, after all I'm already giving so much already in good faith," Eris said with a smirk, her gaze toward Skeleton King, "So tell you what... you prove my own faith isn't misplaced and impress me with whatever you've got cooking in your head, on top of showing me that you can handle me and my girls..."
Eris shot Skeleton King a leer, "Then I'll retrieve Aku's essence where the Professor stored it away where he thought no one would find it," she said, giving off a giggle, "I even added my own little security measure for it behind his back," she explained with a smirk, "After all, I'm all for risks, but I wasn't about to leave something like that laying around when there's a chance lobster boy could walk in and take it for himself."
The goddess said with a smirk, "I honestly don't think he realizes my own part, much less Aku's part, in the girls' creation, but I figured why take chances~"
Most of the group glared at Eris for her defiance, except for Tambry and Nekeeta, who were mostly worried about getting caught in the crossfire, and Skeleton King himself, who just looked at the goddess in amusement.
After a moment, he chuckled and nodded.
"We have an agreement," he said with a smirk that Eris returned, "Rest assured, you'll be more than impressed with the results of my plan," Skeleton King said confidently, before turning to look toward Valeena, "Skull Sorceress..."
He said, with Valeena immediately bowing.
"Yes master," she said, not entirely happy at the goddess getting what she wanted despite her disrespect.
"You'll be tasked with collecting the cloth and any and all samples of this Chemical X," Skeleton King ordered as he turned and walked back toward his throne.
"Yes master, and if those girls stand in my way, I shall show them the error of their ways," Valeena said with a nasty sneer, with Eris scoffing.
"Oh, you've got some nice parlor tricks I'm sure, honey, but I doubt you could handle my girls," the goddess said smugly.
"Perhaps I should give you a taste of my "parlor tricks" yourself in order to prove my point?" Valeena growled, dark energy crackling in her hands.
"Try it, dearie, see what happens~" Eris replied with a friendly tone, but eyes narrowed and smile a little too wide.
"That won't be necessary, on either account," but Skeleton King's stern voice cut through the air with a warning glare, "Not only is the Goddess of Discord considered an ally, Skull Sorceress, wild card though she may be," he said, with Eris sending Valeena a smug look before sticking out her tongue.
"But I have no intention of allowing you to be distracted from your mission," he added with a frown, "You shall retrieve the chemicals and cloth, and ensure they're brought to the Citadel of Bone, nothing more or less until your task is complete," he said, staring down at Valeena.
"Yes, master..." she said, bowing in submission with a small frown, "Am I to surmise you already have a plan for those girls, then?" she asked, not looking up.
"Indeed, I'll arrange a distraction or exploit this Townsville's natural crime and monster problems to my advantage," he said, his eyes gleaming, "Where I'll keep these Powerpuff Girls not only busy, but lure them straight into my grasp," he explained, his gaze moving over to Eris, "Where I'll perhaps require your aid, my delightful goddess of discord."
The villainous isekai said with a twisted grin, "As my plan requires them at least temporary becoming more agreeable to your offering of your daughters to myself..." he explained, leaning back in his seat, "And while I'm confident in my power, I'm not a fool," he stated with a slight frown, shaking his head, "I realize that with their ancestry and power source, they'll likely have resistance to certain spells and powers... a resistance that the forces of chaos could bypass."
He explained; after all, he knew how powerful the girls were in the show, add 11 more years of power growth and experience, he'd rather hedge his bets a bit with some added insurance just to be on the safe side for his plan. Since he already knew that if he attempted it and the girls managed to resist his power, it likely wouldn't end well for him.
"Ooh, well color me interested~" Eris giggled, "Of course, I'm happy to help~"
"How generous of you," Mandarin scoffed, before looking to Skeleton King, "How may the rest of us be of service to aid this plan, master?"
"None..." Before blinking at Skeleton King's blunt response, "I actually have different tasks for you all outside of this plan."
He answered, looking over to his left, "To start with, while I'll be putting my plan for the Kingdom of Wukong on hold, "I'll be sending my new pet Neekeeta along with Hak Foo to act in my stead."
Skeleton King explained, reaching out to pet Neekeeta as she stiffened in surprise from his announcement, "You two shall act as my emissaries to the Ox King and his suitor-seeking daughter."
After all, it never hurt to cover his bases, and might as well make use of his followers to help with the other plots he has brewing.
"My lord, I am more than capable of handling such a mission on my own. I do not require your slave's assistance," Hak Foo said with a sneer aimed at Nekeeta, who flinched but glared back at him.
"Yeah, because you're so diplomatic," Jinmay said with a roll of her eyes.
"Silence, machine! Before I turn you into scrap metal!" Hak Foo snarled. However, Jinmay just scoffed.
"You see, this just proves my point," she added, giving him a glare, and as Hak Foo stepped forward he went still as Skeleton King spoke up.
"Hak Foo," Skeleton King gave him a stern glare, causing him to flinch back. The man was no stranger to serving dark entities - the Demon Sorcerer-possessed Valmont, the dark chi wizard Daolon Wong, the Lord of all Oni and King of Shadowkhan Tarakudo - but even with this experience, something about his newest master made him uneasy, and he knew his ire was not something he wanted targeted toward himself.
"She is not wrong, you are a powerful warrior, but this mission requires both a show of power and a soft touch," Skeleton King said, glancing over to Neeketa, "And this will be an excellent task for my new pet to prove her loyalty~"
He added with a chuckle as she bowed her head.
"I... understand, and will not fail you... my lord," Neekeeta said, the words feeling like shame and bile on her tongue. The monster's next words made it all the worse.
"I'm sure you won't~" Skeleton King reached out, petting her, "After all, I'm sure you'll desire the rewards that await~" he added with a laugh, with Neekeeta flushing as her mind went back to last night with shame... and she hated herself for the heat her body felt.
Valeena, Jinmay, and Blackfire all scowled at the Cathurian woman, none of them happy with the reminder that she had joined the harem's ranks, even if it was just as a slave and not a proper member. Seeing all this, Eris gave a giggle.
"Well, it seems you do have quite a collection already, don't you? Seems I'll have a lot of you to make look bad by comparison~" she laughed. Ignoring the glares now being redirected at her, she turned her attention to Tambry and asked, "What about you, sweetie?"
Tambry blushed at the question and quickly threw her hands up defensively.
"Not me, lady! I'm spoken for," she said, gesturing to Mandarin. With the monkey huffing again as he turned away, causing Tambry to frown and actually feel hurt.
"Oh? Well, always good to see mortals open-minded with cross-species romance," Eris said with a giggle, before pausing, "Though it's probably a bit more acceptable now that those Anthros popped up into the time stream."
"Yeah, that... wait, what?" Tambry said, only to trail off with a blink as she actually processed what Eris had just said.
"Hmm? Oh, right, I suppose you mortals wouldn't really be able to pick up on things like reality being altered to retroactively include a race of anthropomorphic animals," Eris stated casually.
Most of the room's occupants stared at her in confusion, but Skeleton King stiffened as his isekai soul realized what Eris was saying.
He had felt something off for a little while now. He remembered using the Pit of Ooze's power to tap into the Earth's communications systems... and admittedly to pirate cable... yes, stupid use for his power, but come on, he couldn't just sit around plotting evil and world domination 24/7, he'd like to enjoy himself in some regular activities just like anyone else, even with his newfound status as space warlord.
But looking back... something about the Anthros as he researched this Earth... felt off, like out of place... something that bugged him but felt out of itch, and with Eris' statement he realized why.
Someone had managed to alter this Earth's reality and history... potentially AFTER his and Lothor's arrival. Which brought up the question of what else they might have changed? Their reasoning for the Anthro species? And if the perpetrator was the same one behind his and Lothor's presence, and potentially Eggman's as well.
"Wait?" Tambry herself was staring at Eris with widening eyes, "I... when I looked at Minerva Mink last night at the club... I got a massive headache... and something about my own memories... they felt off..."
She said slowly with a stunned tone as Eris gave a hum, stepping closer and... sniffing her.
"Ah! Gravity Falls born native, right?" the goddess asked, snapping her fingers.
"Um, yeah?" Tambry said with a slow nod.
"That makes sense. Just like some beings like me and my fellow gods would be immune to and realize someone messed with reality, others would have some level of resistance," Eris said, rubbing her chin, "In your case, being born and raised in the wonderful chaotic hot spot of Gravity Falls wouldn't protect you from the alteration... but you'd have enough resistance to feel and know something was different... off... and in the cases of those with particular stubborn strong wills, perhaps put the pieces together."
"Guess I should take that as a compliment," Tambry muttered as she thought over what she'd just been told, and tried not to feel existential dread at the knowledge that reality had been altered, and her memories with it.
Seriously, what else did she remember that wasn't actually the way that things had happened? She thought with internal paranoia at the idea of not being able to trust her own memories..
"In any case, I wouldn't worry about it too much, dear," Eris spoke up, "It's not like those memories are fake - if you went back in time, you'd find things match what you now remember, because it's time that's been altered, not your mind."
"...Not sure if that makes me feel any better, but thanks," Tambry said flatly.
"Moving on, Hak Foo and Neekeeta have their assignment, and I expect them to not only work together but represent me respectfully, but work to ensure the princess doesn't wed anyone else," Skeleton King said with a firm look, with Neekeeta bowing her head with a frown and Hak Foo letting out a low grumble but nodding in acceptance.
"Now Mandarin, Jinmay,.." both servants stood up straighter at their names being called, "Your own tasks will be more related to my current targets in Townsville," Skeleton King explained, getting curious look, "When Eris here showed her daughters' adventures, two figures caught my notice."
He said, with Eris arching a brow.
"Oh, who'd that be, Skully? You hoping to get another pet monkey with Mojo Jojo?" She asked with humor in her tone, while Mandarin shot her a glare for that pet remark.
"Not quite," Skeleton King's mind went to two particular one-time villains... who might have potential under his guidance, "Tell me of the mime and the undead magician."
Eris arched a brow at that.
"Hmm, kinda scraping the bottom of the barrel, aren't you?" she asked, but shrugged, "Well, no matter, I'm sure you'll make it interesting. Anyway, after the mime got turned back into a clown, he got locked up and tossed into the local Star Labs branch so that they can study his powers and make sure that he doesn't relapse. As for the zombie, his makeshift coffin got locked up tight and tucked away in a vault, just to make sure he never comes back."
"I see," Skeleton King gave a nod at this information, though internally part of him couldn't help but think the clown's fate was rather harsh since he wasn't exactly himself in that episode... and the Puffs still beat him black and blue after he got turned back to normal.
"Mandarin, you shall retrieve the magician, while Jinmay retrieves the clown," he ordered from his throne.
"Yes master," Jinmay said with a nod.
"It shall be as you command," Mandarin said, bowing deeply.
"What about me? What am I doing as part of this?" Blackfire asked, feeling left out. After all, unlike the others, she really hadn't seen any action, or even left the Citadel of Bone much at all with the exception of when she accompanied Skeleton King to that camp to bring mutant boy to heel, and begin the operation he's got going now using its toxic mutating waters.
"Feeling eager to take the field, my dear warrior princess?" Skeleton King asked with an amused smirk.
"Don't get me wrong, I've been enjoying serving your needs and spending time with you," Blackfire said with a smirk as Jinmay and Valeena shot her looks, particularly the latter, "But I'm more than just a bedwarmer pleasure slave, and I want to prove your faith when you recruited me wasn't misplaced."
She said, before looking more smug at her next words, "After all, don't want anyone to doubt your choice when I take my place as your queen," she said, with Valeena snarling at that.
"As if you'd ever be worthy of such a honor!" the witch spat, glaring at her.
"Worthier than you," was Blackfire's retort.
"Ah, rivalry for the top spot, always an amusing classic~" Eris said with an amused giggle, "Though with my girls and perhaps myself entering the ring, I'm afraid you'll have to settle for sexy side pieces, dears."
Blackfire and Valeena both glared at Eris, as did Jinmay, though she also had a thoughtful look.
"Aren't you supposed to be pretending to be a tortured and raped slave as part of that trick against your sister?" she pointed out to Blackfire, "Won't people be suspicious if you're running around acting on master's behalf?"
"I haven't forgotten, and I know I have a role to play so we have leverage over my sister," Blackfire said with an eye roll, but smirking internally, hoping her sister was tearing herself up with her imagination running wild with the horrors she could be put through... "But that doesn't mean I can't pull my own weight in the meantime."
Blackfire said with a frown, "And slight fondness I've got for you over other so-called rivals aside, if the next words out of your mouth is a fat joke, I'll dump your scraps out the airlock," she added just as Jinmay opened her mouth, only to close it with a click.
"And if need be, I could just act like that one Harley Quinn criminal I heard about," Blackfire stated, giving a shrug, "Can't be that hard to act like a sexually broken sex slave enacting her master's will for his love and affection."
"Yes, I'm sure you'd know all about what that's like," Valeena sneered.
"I'd know better than you, witch, since I've got actual experience~" Blackfire hissed in reply with a smirk.
"Why you..." Valeena's potential threat was cut off by Skeleton King.
"Very well, if you wish to have a more active role in our conquest efforts, I see no reason to dismiss this desire," he stated with a slight smirk, glancing off to the side at her direction, "I'll send you to Santa Prisca, to check on Bane," he decided, getting a blink from Blackfire and others, "Before departing Kaznia, Bane and I reached a bargain for a business arrangement, and I wish to hear how the operation is proceeding in the early stages."
He explained, staring down at Blackfire, "Just present yourself in a way that won't contradict the cover story we forged, I'd rather not lose the emotional leverage we have over your sister before we can truly exploit it."
Blackfire gave a smirk, bowing her head, "Not to worry, I'll get the job done while giving an award-winning performance as the warrior broken to a mere shell of herself, and now nothing more than Skeleton King's adoring slave."
She said proudly as her master/lover let out a chuckle, "I expect nothing else, my conniving beauty," he stated as she preened, "Finally, I'll be sending the Skeleton King Droid to Jump City."
Skeleton King stated, moving his gaze over to the droid, "I believe a little progress check on our agent there is needed as a reminder to that collection-obsessed fool to not disappoint me or get any ideas."
"An excellent idea, master," Mandarin stated with a scowl, "I sometimes think that fool forgets that he is in your service."
Tambry arched an eyebrow at that. She'd heard mention of other minions, but hadn't actually met any of them since she'd been brought aboard the ship. Only mentions here or there, and it made her wonder if she should try to dig a little more and see if Mandarin would be willing to tell her.
"Our arrangement is still new, and while he might consider it more of an alliance, I believe he'll understand his proper place and bend the knee in time," Skeleton King said with a smirk, before looking toward Tambry, "But for now, I want you all ready to move out," he said, before narrowing his eyes at Tambry, "Though before I leave for Townsville, I have some questions to ask your lover, Mandarin."
He said as the girl stiffened, "such as why she seemed almost familiar with that Star Sapphire that appeared at the club last night."
"Oh, um... you know... just a fan of hers from what I've read online!" Tambry said quickly, smiling widely and sweating nervously.
Judging by the flat looks she got, that was far from convincing.
"I'm going to assume that you're interested in her for how she is in bed, and not her brains?" Jinmay dryly Mandarin, smirking as he and Tambry both glared at her for the comment. Both for what she was insinuating, and in Tambry's case what she was implying about her and someone she considered a friend... okay, admittedly Mabel wasn't someone she'd kick out of her bed, but still!
"Oh, haha," Tambry said with a flat look, "I'm... just someone who, uh, admires her passionate spirit," she tried, forcing a grin.
"Really? Then why can I not help but get the feeling you know her personally," Skeleton King said with a pointed look.
Tambry mentally cursed as she realized that he was probably referring to how Mabel had slipped up and referred to her by name back at the club. Oh, she was going to have words with her friend about being better at keeping secrets... if she made it out of here in one piece, she added.
"Ah, well... maybe I kinda, sorta, know her?" she offered weakly.
"Tambry. If you know something, tell Lord Skeleton King immediately," Mandarin told her firmly.
With Tambry wincing at both her boyfriend's tone and glare, while realizing that attempting to play dumb wouldn't work, and trying to refuse to answer the questions would mean her stay here becoming less comfortable, and she rather preferred a gilded cage as opposed to hard labor like Robbie was being put through.
"She's..." Tambry sighed, "She's a friend," she admitted, rubbing her arm and holding back a guilty wince, "She's probably closer to Wendy than me, but I like to think we're pretty cool with each other," she explained, looking up at Skeleton King, "Her name's Mabel Pines, I met her three years ago when she and her twin first came to Gravity Falls to spend the summer with their great-uncle."
She explained, with Skeleton King's eyes narrowing. So, that really was Mabel he'd seen, and like Pacifica the years had been very kind indeed~ he thought with an internal leer.
"Her family were actually the ones that canceled that freaky triangle's party," Tambry added with a sigh, "And a while back she somehow got ahold of some magic space crystal that let her go full superheroine."
Though added with a cough, "But she was a bit overeager at first, which is how Wendy and I found out about it."
"So, you are friends with one of this world's defenders, and you didn't see fit to share that information with our master?" Valeena asked with a glare, which Tambry returned.
"I really didn't see that it was all that relevant. She's barely more than a rookie, not some big-shot!" she said defensively.
"Rookie or not, she likely has the trust of the people and connections that I can use, no?" Skeleton King said, his gaze cutting through to Tambry, who winced.
"Um, well... she is... kinda with the Justice League," she admitted, looking down, "Though it might still be on probationary status," she sighed, feeling the gazes of everyone on her, "But even then, considering she's all buddy buddy with Pacifica who's Luthor daughter now after that adoption, I'm not sure how much the other heroes, or at least those who know her identity, trust her."
She gave a snort, "Hell, her brother works with a friend of his, Dib Membrane, and some guy called the Question as investigator and paranormal contacts for the League, but I'm pretty sure they watch him like a hawk since he's the one who's actually dating Pacifica."
"So, she has many important connections that could be of use to us," Mandarin mused. The girl hadn't seemed very impressive to him at first glance in the club, but now that he knew she was the purple-clad warrior who had flown in, she now had his interest.
"Yeah, I guess she does," Tambry said with a wince. She felt like she was betraying her friends, but what else could she do?
"Then I have a assignment for you as well, Tambry," and the next words spoken by her boyfriend's boss didn't help make her feel any better, "I shall allow you to contact her, we need to make sure that your tracks are covered from the club and you unidentified."
Skeleton King said with an even look, "While the trap is set in Gravity Falls, I'd rather we continue to harvest as much of its natural unnatural resources as possible before some foolish hero realizes something is off and investigates."
He stated, musing aloud, "What's more, considering how she expressed sympathy from what I hinted about my weaker shell of a former self, I believe we can exploit that and her trust in her friend..." he gave a dark smirk, "Plus, if I understand correctly, the source of her powers doesn't have the best history with emotionally stable users, and the fact it draws from the feeling of love itself from the emotional spectrum might be something I can use~
Tambry gulped, not liking the thought of whatever Skeleton King might have in store for Mabel... but again, what could she do? She had no leverage or bargaining power here, and she didn't like the idea of this guy blasting her with magic or throwing her into space, or whatever he'd do if she said no.
"Ah, right. Whatever you say, sir," she said quickly with a nod, "I'll arrange a meeting with her for whenever you want, and then tell you when I've set it up!"
"Yes, you're quite good at telling him things," Mandarin muttered, Tambry blinking as she nevertheless heard it. And then her eyes widened as she put two and two together.
"Wait a minute... is that what the cold shoulder you've been giving me is about? Because I called for backup at the club last night?" she asked incredulously.
"I had everything under control! You had no reason or right to call my lord and tell him I was failing!" Mandarin snapped back at her.
"I was worried that robot was going to hurt you!" Tambry retorted hotly.
"Do you doubt my capability that much?" Mandarin snapped back, "Do you truly believe an inferior creation made by such a fool of a scientist would be enough to defeat me?!"
"It's called caring about you and being worried when you're in danger!" Tambry yelled, unable to believe how stubborn he was being.
"I feel like we should have some popcorn," Jinmay muttered to Blackfire as they and everyone else watched the lovers spat play out before them.
"Here you go." Before blinking as a bag of popcorn was held to her face, causing to jerk back to see the bag being held by Eris, who was now standing next to her munching on some of the snack while enjoying the show, "Hope your gears can handle extra butter."
Jinmay frowned at the divine slut, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of accepting her gift... but she had to admit, it did smell good. So, with a huff, she took a handful of the popcorn and stuffed it in her mouth as she continued to watch Tambry and Mandarin argue, seemingly having forgotten that anyone else was present in the room with them.
"I do have faith! But there's a difference between having faith and being worried about you!"
"I hardly asked you to worry about me!" With the two presently glaring at each other, "Do you realize how weak you made me look to my lord?!" The monkey added, exclaiming out with his arms.
"Oh figures, it all comes down to your pride! Maybe you and Robbie have something in common after all!"
"How dare you compare me to that weak fool?!" Mandarin demanded, looking genuinely offended.
"Why shouldn't I? You're acting just as insecure as he did!" Tambry snapped, "Here's a newsflash, everyone already knows that you're a badass! You don't have anything to prove to me or anyone else!"
"I have everything to prove, woman! I have my very existence itself to prove!" Mandarin howled.
"What the Hell is that supposed to mean?" Tambry snapped back, though her anger was mixed with a concerned expression as Mandarin froze, realizing he perhaps had said too much.
"I, ah... nothing! Never mind, it does not matter!" he said quickly, "Simply know that if I say I must prove myself, then I must, and do not act like you understand things far beyond you!"
The simian Formless hybrid said, with his mind going to his original and how his failure had led to his very existence... and what could happen should he follow in the disappointment's footsteps...
"Urg! And more importantly, we have tasks to see out for our master!" Mandarin added, shaking his head with a dark scowl, trying to divert attention from his tongue slip.
"Hmm, indeed," Skeleton King himself decided to throw him a lifeline, "The sooner we strike, the better."
He added, giving a firm frown, "After all, due to my actions toward the Scotsman, there is a chance the Justice League themselves have examined the memories of the previous timeline I awakened within the fool's mind and spirit."
The isekai soul admitted truthfully, already realizing that his own risky gamble could have lead to that scenario, and the possibility of the League now being aware of everything - Aku's existence, the former timeline, and his most likely desire to find any of Aku's remaining essence along with the blade that the Samurai once wielded... which reminded him.
"Which is why we must move fast, before the heroes put together the same pieces we have," he added, his gaze going over to Eris, "Though on the subject of Aku, from the Scotsman's memories, there was the matter of the sole object that could hurt him."
He said, only for Eris to shake her head, "Ah, sorry Skully, but if you're talking about a certain divine butter knife, even I don't know where it's tucked away," she said, clicking her tongue, "And not just because it's hidden well, but because one useful little annoying side effect that came from being created from A-List divine power, is that it's practically impossible to scry for or find using magic whether it be mortal, demonic, or even godly."
She explained with a shrug, "Sure, you can scry for a wielder of the blade or even perhaps the location the sword might be at (unless said location is protected from outside eyes somehow), but the sword itself specifically... no dice, sorry."
She added with a look toward Skeleton King.
"At the very least, that means that our enemies will not be able to find it either and use it against us," Hak Foo commented.
"Great, whatever, you guys handle all of that. I'm going to go call Mabel to set up that meeting, since apparently my thoughts on anything else around here don't matter," Tambry said with a sniff, shooting Mandarin a glare before stomping off.
"Master, should we not punish her for leaving without your permission?" Valeena asked, watching Mandarin's pet walk away and hoping for permission to zap her with a spell just to spite the primate.
"That would not be necessary, my lord, I'll discipline her myself later," Mandarin spoke up immediately, while shooting the witch a glare; as irked as he was at his mate, he wouldn't stay silent as the witch threatened to harm what was his.
"There's no need. After all, emotions can run high sometimes, and she is leaving to perform the task I gave her," And held back a slight sigh as his lord decided to wave off Tambry leaving without proper dismissal, "Which is something I believe the rest of us should be doing."
Skeleton King added as he stood up from his throne, "You all have your tasks, and you know I expect you all not to disappoint me."
He added, with his servants all bowing their heads.
"I believe I speak for all of us when I say we shall not fail you, master," Valeena said most eagerly, stepping up to her lord with her hand over her chest, "And by the end of the day, you shall have your prize!"
She declared with a wide eager grin.
"And something tells me my girls won't be forgetting today either~" Eris added with a giggle, stepping up to Skeleton King as he stepped up toward the Pit of Ooze.
"Oh, more than you know, goddess... more than you know~" the isekai turned aspiring warlord said with a dark cackle as he stretched out his arm, blasting a ray of energy toward the pit, which begin to ripple and shift, showing a image of his targets...
(City of Townsville)
"Ah, the City of Townsville, nestled in the heart of America's Great Lakes Region," spoke out the same male narrating voice Skeleton King's forces had heard during Eris introduction and sharing of information, "A thriving bustling city, with its citizens going about their days after the usual morning monster attack."
The scene showed some citizens walking on the sidewalk, some talking on cell phones, some buying food from a hot dog vendor, some stopping to watch the news displayed on the TVs displayed on the front window of the electronic store, showing footage of the town's local heroes fighting a reptilian monster, "And right now, its brave protectors are preparing to have a usual weekend day where they can relax and hang out with the usual teenage activities."
The image changed from just outside the city to a suburban area, zooming in on a home with three large circular windows.
"Yes, teenage, because our once power tots aren't little girls anymore, but blossoming beautiful young women, and their father Professor Drake Utonium couldn't be prouder."
And soon the scene changed to that of a dark-haired man wearing a lab coat reading a morning newspaper, with articles about foreign news such as the state of Kaznia following its civil war, as well as the mentions of Kim Possible and sighting of Skeleton King at the Eastern Europe club, along with the apparent debut of some new supervillain calling himself Eggman.
Not exactly an impressive supervillain name, but the Professor had to admit that he'd heard worse. And in any case, this mad scientist had proven himself to be a legitimate threat, so that should at least be acknowledged.
"Oh well, I'm sure the Justice League will have him handled. And if not, the girls are always on standby to deal with him," he mused to himself.
"Handle what, Professor?" And speak of the heroines, his girls stepped into the kitchen, now dressed in their civilian clothing, having chosen to have separate uniforms for their hero work some years back.
"Ah, girls, just reading the news on the international side," he explained, setting down the paper, "Seems that a new villain calling himself Eggman debuted trying to attack Kim Possible," he explained with a chuckle, "A bit of a confusing name since it seems he's more of a scientist with an apparent talent for robotics, rather than having anything to do with eggs."
He admitted with a shrug as Blosssom picked up the paper, with the girls' interest perked at the mention of Kim Possible, a fellow teen heroine who in a way could be considered the Batman to their Superman, with how she did everything with pure skill over powers and abilities.
"Skeleton King was spotted too?" Blossom said with a slight frown at the information.
"Yes, he apparently showed up to retrieve one of his minions who was in attendance," Professor Utonium explained, "And apparently he and this Eggman didn't get along all that well."
"Hey, better the bad guys fight each other instead of the good guys," Buttercup said with a shrug.
"Hey look, Princess was there too, and gave a interview," Bubbles said, taking the paper and reading it out loud while the Professor took a sip at his coffee, looking at his girls... he could still remember when he could hold them all in his arms, now they're 16 with established 11 year long heroic careers under their belt, dating and exploring relationships, next thing he'd know they'd be heading toward college, or he'd be walking them down the aisle, or waking up a grandpa, he thought, looking at how much his girls have grown over the years.
All nearly as tall as he was now, with extremely well developed female figures that he was sure made them the envy of every girl in town and the eye candy of every boy. And as part of their personal development, they'd also decided to differentiate their appearances, as shown by their new outfits - Bubbles wore blue jeans and a sleeveless blue t-shirt with a red heart on the front, Blossom wore pink jeans and a pink crop top, and Buttercup wore green jeans with a green sweater tied around her waist and a green t-shirt.
They'd grown so much, and while naturally hitting a hiccup here or there, it was all part of growing up, and he personally couldn't be prouder of the heroic young women they've become, he thought listening as Bubbles read the paper out loud.
"Among noted guests, the heiress of the Morbucks fortune had this to say," Bubbles said, before coughing and taking on a mocking imitation of their old rival, "I am appalled that a decent law-abiding citizens can't even enjoy a night out without deranged mad scientists, senile supervillains, or ugly space freaks crashing the party and threatening anyone, and if you ask me, the world would be a lot better without all these superpowered freaks."
Bubbles' mocking tone turned a bit annoyed and scowling a bit, with the sisters sharing the expression.
"Law-abiding citizens, Princess?!" Buttercup gave a scoff full of derision as she took a piece of bacon from the plate sat on the table, "Right, and HIM's secretly an angel dedicated to helping the elderly."
"Obviously, anyone who knows Princess personally won't believe that," Blossom said, shaking her head, "But, you know that for plenty of people, the word of a rich socialite they only know through the media will be all the evidence they need that she maybe has a point about something."
"In that case then, "plenty of people" are a bunch of idiots," Buttercup snorted. At Blossom and the Professor's scolding looks, she threw her hands up defensively, "What? It's true and you know it! I mean, she's been nothing but a criminal brat since kindergarten, and the only reason she's not in jail or at least juvie is because money talks," Buttercup said with a scoff, "And now that she's trying to imitate Luthor, she's somehow becoming a bigger pain in our asses, by playing this whole "remorseful for everything she did, and now wanting to make up for her crime by being a heroine" crap she's been selling the media!"
She snapped, scowling, "When it's just her wanting to upstage us, and mess with our heads!" she banged her fist against the table, "Plus, anyone with a brain has to know that she and probably Mojo have to be the ones behind the Townsville criminal underworld getting supplied so much high grade weapons that even the purse snatcher I stopped the other day pulled a fucking laser on me!"
Utonium wanted to chide his daughter for her language, but he knew it wouldn't accomplish much. Besides, she had a point - the crime rate in Townsville had been titled somewhat lately by a lot of street-level thugs getting ahold of tech way too advanced for them, and either Princess or Mojo seemed like the most likely suspects for that. Not that anyone could prove anything, of course. The Morbucks had money and lawyers to hide behind, and Mojo was too good at covering his tracks when it came to crimes that he didn't actually want credit for.
"Listen girls, I know you have had your hands full a bit with common crooks getting bolder as of late due to being better equipped," he chose to instead try to cheer his daughter up a bit, "But as always, you've proven it's nothing you can't handle, and I'm sure in time you'll figure out how to cut off their supply."
He said with Bubbles beaming, Blossom giving an agreeing nod, and Buttercup letting out an annoyed grunt before sighing in agreement.
"And if worst comes to worst, you could always request help from someone like Batman," the Professor added with a slight fanboyish smile.
"What?! And make the Justice League think we can't handle our own neighborhood, and need the adults holding our hand? No thanks!" Buttercup huffed, prompting concerned looks, "Lasers or no lasers, these are just small hoods; even the Gangreen Gang are more dangerous than the morons we've been dealing with."
"First of all, that's sadly not that much of an insult anymore since after that mess with Sedusa, the Gangreens are actual competent criminals and then some these days," Blossom said with a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Yeah, I mean, they're even hiring themselves out for jobs outside the city these days," Bubbles added with her own frown, remembering how that gang of punks had not that long ago managed to regain the powers they'd briefly had years ago. Which, while the girls could handle since they were so much stronger themselves nowadays, still made them a lot more dangerous than they used to be.
"So? They're still C-listers and dumb muscle at best," Buttercup scoffed, not impressed.
"Buttercup..." Blossom gave her sister a pointed look, "I know you don't want to admit it, but many of our enemies have grown smarter, stronger, and more dangerous over the years," she said as Buttercup rolled her eyes, taking another bite of bacon while Bubbles and the Professor traded concerned looks, "The Gangreens, for example, not only have powers but have expanded upon the training Sedusa provided them, and on last word of them are proving themselves an efficient mercenary team for hire in the criminal underworld."
Blossom gave a brief scowl, "And it's not just them. Princess, as much as she's a brat, has gotten not only more and more dangerous tech over the years, but even you noticed she's become a better fighter."
She added, with Buttercup scowling at that.
"And the fact she's tight-lipped about just who her martial artist instructor was beyond being worth every penny itself doesn't imply good things," Bubbles chimed in with a frown as Blossom had brought up theories of Princess hiring a skilled upper-level mercenary for training, but hadn't been able to prove it.
"Exactly, and while she's still a spoiled arrogant brat, she's gained some degree of cunning, as her current strategy proves even if she's imitating Lex Luthor," Blossom said, giving Bubbles a thankful nod, "And do I really need to go through the rest of the list to highlight how each of our enemies have grown more dangerous," she added sternly toward Buttercup.
"I mean, even the Amoeba Boys had to be locked up and quarantined in some classified government base after that virus scare a few years ago, for crying out loud!" she said, with the Professor getting an uncomfortable look at that memory, and how they learned the artificial plague created by that rogue Amazon to wipe out the male gender had infected and mutated within the Amoeba Boys. They themselves hadn't been negatively affected by it, but unfortunately, that had just made them carriers for an even worse form of the disease that infected anyone they came in contact with; without even meaning to, they'd ended up infecting half the city in just a few hours by just walking around.
Luckily, a cure had been found, except for the Amoeba Boys themselves, who were carted away to be locked up until such time as the virus could be separated from them. Which seemed excessive, but they at least seemed to enjoy being treated like a major threat for once. But they hadn't been seen in Townsville since... hmm, perhaps he should reach out and check to see how the progress in separating them from virus was going?
"But the point is, we can't underestimate our enemies or the other criminal elements out there," But he focused back on his daughters, Blossom speaking to Buttercup, "Which is why there's no shame requesting assistance when we require it, and further more, it highlights why accepting the League's offer is..."
She was cut off by Buttercup groaning.
"Urgg, and here we go!" she exclaimed in annoyance and frustration, "Ever since the Justice League expanded and we got that invite, you haven't shut up about it!" Buttercup gave her a glare, "But like I've said a hundred times by now, we're doing just fine as is!"
"It probably wouldn't hurt to have connections though, right?" Bubbles offered, trying to play peacemaker between her sisters yet again.
"It's not connections, it's getting dragged into some group where we have to follow a bunch of rules that don't even apply to us!" Buttercup snapped, "We can handle ourselves just fine without getting bossed around by a bunch of people who don't understand us or our villains!"
"But it's not just about us or our villains, Buttercup," Blossom said with a stern look, "It's about being able to do good for more than just Townsville, helping fight the other threats that are cropping up."
She added, holding up the newspaper for emphasis.
"We can do that just fine without joining a dumb club!" Buttercup snapped back with a scowl, "We've got more experience under our belts than plenty of adult superheroes I can name, and can easily handle anything and kick anyone's butt."
"You mean like we handled the Thanagarian occupation?" Blossom asked icily, with the others in the room stiffening.
"That's only because those dumb birds threatened to blow up the city if we so much as stepped out of the house!" Buttercup snapped defensively.
"And if we'd had connections to other heroes, we could have called for backup," Blossom pointed out.
"Like what? Most of them were on the run or were too busy fighting in their own territories!" Buttercup retorted.
Needless to say, like many citizens of Earth whether hero or villain, the Thanagarian invasion was a sore point for them.
"Girls, please..." the Professor sighed with a pleading look, "We've long agreed that you did what you could during the occupation, and there's no shame in it."
He said, getting his daughters' attention, "As for the Justice League's invite, that's your choice to make, but please work it out between yourselves without arguing," he added, with his daughters sighing.
"Yeah, yeah, but there's nothing to argue about," Buttercup said, standing up from the table and moving to leave, "Because we're not joining. And if you'll excuse me, I've got things to do today."
With that, she stomped off, with the sound of the front door slamming shut soon announcing her departure.
"Dammit, why does she always have to be so stubborn?" Blossom groaned, running a hand down her face.
"Maybe she's just scared of change?" Bubbles offered with a shrug, "I mean, joining the League sounds exciting, but it would be a pretty big adjustment."
"Maybe, but she has to face the facts that we're not little girls anymore, that things change," Blossom said with a look of frustration, "Fact is, criminals worldwide are working to find any edge they can, and that's not even going into new threats that are cropping up."
Blossom added, shaking her head, "Or the old threats - we still have no idea where the Rowdyruff Boys have disappeared off to, and the fact they haven't pulled anything for so long has me worried," she said as Bubbles and the Professor traded looks at that point, as it has been a few years since they'd seen any sign of the Puffs' evil male counterparts.
They'd gone from not even being able to go a week without causing some level of trouble or starting a fight with the girls to disappearing out of nowhere, to the point not even Mojo or HIM seem to know where they were. In fact, HIM was actually beyond furious at their disappearance and took it out on Townsville and the girls in the aftermath. Honestly, it seemed among all their enemies, the constant defeats had made HIM even more ruthless and eager to exploit any opportunity to bring misery to their lives. It was even getting to the point where the demon was starting to drop his goofy and playful cover persona and showing his true twisted self. He'd always been dangerous, of course, but lately he seemed less inclined to make a game out of it, which was troubling.
"Well, no one's saying that that's not the case," the Professor said, "But arguing about it isn't helping anyone. So, as long as Buttercup's taking a personal day, why don't you two do so as well? It'll probably help everyone cool off and think more clearly."
"Ohh, that does sound nice," Bubbles said, perking up, "Maybe I could call Mac to see if he's free," she said as the Professor gained a more strained look; one thing he hated about his girls becoming beautiful young women was the fact they'd started dating.
Don't get him wrong, he was all for the idea of them finding the right person, and making him a grandpa someday. He'd just prefer for that day to happen In perhaps a couple more decades... or three.
At least the boy that Bubbles was seeing seemed like a nice lad, and even regularly did volunteer work for the community. While Blossom's own current partner was a bright young lad that could already give minds like Membrane, Wakeman, and himself a run for their money.
As for Buttercup... sadly, another sore point for his more tomboyish daughter was her luck in romance hadn't turned out well. From that crush she used to nurse on that Gangreen goon Ace, to an attempted relationship with young Mitch Mitchelson that had sadly ended bad enough to end and sour any friendship between the two, to... to that... that... space thug!
Seriously, what had that even been?! He knew that Buttercup had a thing for bad boys, and he could respect it as being no more than a phase she that she might outgrow, but there was a difference between some rough gang member or school bully and a psychotic alien bounty hunter like that Lobo!
Still, at least that hadn't lasted long... though considering that it had ended with Buttercup literally breaking Lobo in half and throwing him out of the atmosphere, while clearly being upset over something that she refused to talk about afterwards, it had still managed to go very poorly for her.
Honestly, in recent months he was growing more concerned over Buttercup, as lately it seemed like she was pushing herself harder, and when the invitations from the Justice League were sent, rather than excitement she acted insulted, believing that the Justice League thought she and her sisters couldn't handle things on their own, and she'd been arguing with her sisters or particularly Blossom about joining or staying independent ever since.
And more and more, she was acting like she had something to prove, and he was starting to wonder if he should try to address this by being more insistent on getting to the root of the issue.
As he thought about this, Blossom sighed, "I suppose a day at the library would be nice," she admitted with a small smile as Bubbles shot her a curious look.
"You don't want to take the chance to call Dexter?" she asked with a head tilt.
"Maybe, but lately he's been so busy with some project of his, and whenever I try to fish out what it is, he clams up," she admitted with a frown, "Won't even let me help with whatever it is."
"Speaking from experience, sometimes a scientist can get so caught up in a work that they can't even think about anything else," Utonium commented, trying to be helpful (and momentarily distract himself from Buttercup's issues).
"Believe me, I know, but still, it can get annoying," Blossom said, shaking her head with a sigh.
She'd known her boyfriend since they were little, meeting him about 5 years ago when they were eleven and helping him against his rival Mandark, when the evil genius had teamed up with Princess for a while to provide some new toys in exchange for a large paycheck.
He'd grated a bit on her and sisters' nerves at first, with a bit of a sexist view on girls and stupidity, but she'd shown him that girls could be just as smart as boys, and while stubborn in believing he could handle Mandark and some rich spoiled heiress on his own at first, he'd eventually opened up to a team up. Which later led to them keeping in touch as penpals with Dexter, while still being stubborn and prideful, opening his mind up more to the capabilities of the fairer sex, while also opening his eyes to how his genius could help people outside the lab.
Eventually they started dating just a couple of years ago, and they were still going strong; with Dexter ,she felt like she was respected for her mind and not for her accomplishments as the Powerpuff Girl leader, which felt nice.
But at the same time, she sometimes felt like she'd come second to science sometimes in Dexter's worldview. Don't get her wrong, she loved her boyfriend, she just wished he'd be more willing to relax sometimes (and considering her own work ethic, that was saying something), and would also be more open to accepting help, but he was even more stubborn on striking out on his own than even Buttercup.
Seriously, half the time he seemed to think that asking for help made him look bad or insulted his intelligence. As if there was anything wrong with admitting that you needed help!
Shaking her head to clear that out, she just said, "Well, whatever it is, hopefully he'll get done with it soon so that we can actually hang out again."
Because at the end of the day, despite his flaws, she loved Dexter and he loved her. They just needed to be more open with their emotions, that's all, she thought as Bubbles gave an eager nod.
"Yeah, and then maybe we could have a double date!" she chirped, thinking of the fun she and Mac could have with Blossom and Dexter, "I just wish Buttercup would let me help her with some matchmaking, then we could make it a triple date," she muttered in a huff, with Blossom giving a wince; despite how annoyed she was at her sister, she knew the romance department had been a sore point with Buttercup, even though she tried to hide it.
"Let's, umm... put a pin in that idea, Bubbles," she said with a strained grin, "Buttercup's already in a mood, and I don't want her thinking we're throwing our relationships in her face or something," she muttered disgruntled to herself, as part of her thought Buttercup's recent relationship disaster and her sour attitude lately had been because of jealousy toward her and Bubbles having boyfriends while she was single with a three-strike record of crushes and relationships gone bad.
"For now, let's just follow the Professor's advice and try to have a good time today," she said, floating up in the air.
"Okay, we'll see you later Professor," Bubbles said, floating over to kiss her dad's cheek as he smiled.
"You girls enjoy the weekend, I've got some work that needs done in the lab today anyway," he said, standing up.
"Will do," Blossom said with a nod toward him, and with a flash of pink and blue they zoomed out of the house, heading in opposite directions toward Townsville. With the Professor humming to himself as he carried the dishes over to the sink... unaware that he wasn't as alone in his home as he believed.
Mystically hidden within the shadows atop the stairs, Valeena narrowed her eyes down at the direction that the girls had left in. Yes, she could sense their impressive power up close... but all she could see when she looked at them was the mental image of them and their whore mother defiling Skeleton King's superior being with their lowly forms.
"Unworthy sluts," she hissed, wishing she could have struck them down right then and there to spare her master the shame of lowering himself to touching them. However, she knew that that wasn't what he wanted. Instead, she silently retreated further into the house, searching for the items that she had been sent to retrieve.
And when she did retrieve them, her master would finally reward her with her greatest desire, and she could finally prove that she and she alone was worthy of standing beside him as his Skeleton Queen!
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: And there we go the twist with Eris approaching Valeena has lead to me/Skeleton King making a change of plans, and changing my immediate priority to none other than the Powerpuff Girls!
Who we see have certainly grown from their kindergarten days now lovely beautiful young women. But we also learn that while they've grown so too have their enemies. As well as learning that there's some turmoil in the Puff household.
As Buttercup besides experiencing some kinda bad break up with Lobo of all people, isn't exactly sold on the idea of joining the Justice League. Though all of them are unaware of the new threat about to make their move against them.
And i'm sure many of you are curious what exactly I/Skeleton King is planning will say it's going to be a fun twist, that I do hope you all enjoy~
That all said hope you enjoyed both how the meeting with Eris played out, the bit of relationship drama with Mandarin and Tambry first fight, the reveal of the reality alteration with the anthro species, and highlight on the Puffs adventures.
Please don't be afraid to share your thoughts in a review or drop us a kudos. :)
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Fun fact, that whole adventure to Wukong was going to be Night's next arc, before we decided to do this one instead. Hope you don't mind the detour.
Anyway, lots of buildup this chapter, but believe me, there's a lot more action (in every sense of the word~) coming soon enough.
Until then, please leave a kudos or comment if you liked this chapter.
Chapter 35: Townsville Troubles, Part 2
Summary:
The Powerpuffs go about a normal day, only to be interrupted by an unexpected interloper, and by Skeleton King's next move.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hello everyone next update for Isekai Conqeurors coming right at you! Now you'll be happy to know that Zim and I already got the whole Townsville arc written up, and now we're seeing how far we can take things till we decide to pin to work on another of our works.
None the less that you can expect plenty of updates for Conquerors to come in the near future. Zim and I are starting a interchanging schedule of updating two fics per week we've got a number of backlog of content for a number of our fics, so you all won't be lacking content from us anytime soon~
But right now we're focusing on Conquerors and this chapter you'll get a highlight on the Puffs before the action kicks off, and you might see some surprises along the way. So we really hope that all enjoy the chapter.
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Like Night said, we're setting up an alternating update schedule for our stories, mostly because we've got quite a backlog on several of them, especially Conquerors here. We've got this whole current arc and a lot of the aftermath written up, so expect to see plenty of this story in the near future.
Anyway, as noted, this chapter is mostly more buildup as we check in on the Puffs' average lives at this point in time, before we start to get to the fun~
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Mystically hidden within the shadows atop the stairs, Valeena narrowed her eyes down at the direction that the girls had left in. Yes, she could sense their impressive power up close... but all she could see when she looked at them was the mental image of them and their whore mother defiling Skeleton King's superior being with their lowly forms.
"Unworthy sluts," she hissed, wishing she could have struck them down right then and there to spare her master the shame of lowering himself to touching them. However, she knew that that wasn't what he wanted. Instead, she silently retreated further into the house, searching for the items that she had been sent to retrieve.
And when she did retrieve them, her master would finally reward her with her greatest desire, and she could finally prove that she and she alone was worthy of standing beside him as his Skeleton Queen!
(Meanwhile, Townsville Mall)
After leaving the house, Buttercup had made her way to the mall, specifically making her way to a food store to pick up cooking supplies.
Much to the surprise of everyone who knew her, including herself, Buttercup had developed a knack for cooking over the years. She found it to be quite the fun way to relax and take her mind off of whatever was stressing her... and these days, she had a lot of stress.
Because as much as she hated to admit that her brainiac of a sister had a point in anything, there was no denying that their enemies had gotten smarter or tougher just like they did over the years. But she was still fully confident they could handle them! They didn't need the so called big leagues to hold their hands!
That wasn't to say she actually had anything specific against the Justice League... well, outside of one specific backstabbing birdwoman she'd cook like a Thanksgiving turkey if she ever got the chance.
It was... it just... they shouldn't even need to join up and follow someone else's rules! They'd done things just fine on their own since they were kids! Why should they change the way they did things just because they were older now?!
They didn't need to ride Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman's coattails! If they joined it... it would be like admitting they weren't good enough to handle things on their own as their own team anymore... that she wasn't good enough.
At that Buttercup, who was looking at a potato in her hand, found herself giving off a growl as she clenched her fist, crushing it... before trying to take a deep breath to calm down.
She didn't want to admit it, even to herself... but for a long while... Buttercup felt that she'd been getting more and more overshadowed by her sisters. Even though she clearly was the toughest and best fighter of the three, it seemed like everyone adored Blossom and Bubbles.
"Or adore their fat tits, at least," Buttercup muttered in slight disgruntlement, shaking the mashed potato off her hand, glad that no one seemed to notice it.
She knew her own body was a knockout... and while she was a tomboy at heart, she still liked to be acknowledged and feel like a woman... but somehow even with D-Cup breasts, firm lean muscles, and one tight ass... she couldn't help but feel inferior to Blossom and Bubbles' figures. For fuck's sake, Blossom's breasts were a solid E Cup that she tried to keep restrained, while Bubbles, she was a fucking F Cup rivaling even Wonder Woman's legendary breasts!
Seriously, how the fuck was that even possible?! And for that matter, why weren't they all evenly-sized? They were triplets for God's sake, shouldn't they all have developed the same? It wasn't fucking fair!
And if that wasn't bad enough, she was the only one who wasn't currently in a committed relationship. Blossom had her nerd, Bubbles had that too nice to be real guy of hers, and what did Buttercup have? A failed crush, a friendship-ruining fling, and Lobo... ugh, she didn't even want to think about that jerk! Mr. "Wham-Bam-Thank You Ma'am"!
The only one-up she had on her sisters was that she'd managed to lose her virginity, and look how that had gone! She got banged by an asshole who was practically looking for another girl while she was still coming down from her orgasm!
And... as much as it pissed her off, then and now... there was no denying that had stung in a whole new way. Buttercup reached up to rub her eyes distractedly, feeling them sting as she placed some pork into her shopping bag.
She... should be happy that she lost her virginity... but instead all she felt was shame. At the time it felt great, but then that bastard ruined it... and while she was no romantic sap like Bubbles, she couldn't help but think she lost the chance to make her first time special and something to remember. Instead, she'd spent it with someone who didn't care about her!
Oh well, at least she'd gotten some catharsis by kicking that pale bastard's ass and tossing him into space. With any luck, he'd hit a star and burned up badly enough to actually feel it through his healing factor.
Still... didn't change the fact that she was single and hating it while her sister both had a boyfriend. Granted, in Dexter's case she didn't know how Blossom could stand that smug prick, and Mac... ehhh, nice guy, but honestly seemed kinda dull to her.
But her sisters' poor tastes aside, they had boyfriends and she didn't, they were happy... and she wasn't. And every time they went on a date, went on about how their time with their boyfriend went while coming home literally floating on air, it felt like they were throwing their happiness in Buttercup's face!
Seriously, wasn't it enough they had better figures?! Or the fact that more and more it felt like even their fans liked her sisters more than her, even though she was the bad ass one?! Why couldn't she just get one thing over her sisters?!
Why couldn't she get a guy that appreciated her and cared about her?! For fuck's sake, she might even settle for one of those hero/villain trainwreck relationships she's heard rumors about at this point! I mean, Batman apparently had a thing for Catwoman and according to some rumors she's heard, some kinda assassin whose dad is like a cult leader enemy of his.
Admittedly, she knew that probably wasn't psychologically healthy, but she didn't care. She just... didn't want to be alone anymore, she thought as she grabbed some rice with a sigh. She needed to find some crook's teeth to smash out after she was done shopping. Anything to distract herself from feeling like this.
"Hey Buttercup....um, you okay?" Before blinking at the familiar voice speaking up, causing her to turn her head.
"Oh... hey, Robin," she greeted with a forced grin toward her and her sisters' friend and neighbor Robin Snyder, "Yeah, um, just doing some shopping," She added with a cough.
"You sure?" Asked Robin Snyder, a teenager possessing long brown hair, bright hair, a modest but fit figure, wearing a red jacket, white t-shirt, red jeans, and white tennis shoes and currently looking at her childhood friend with a concerned expression, "Because you look a bit upset."
Robin added, with Buttercup frowning.
"Like I said, I'm fine," the heroine added with a huff, moving to continue to shop, but Robin followed after her.
"You know while I'm no hero like you and your sisters, I'm here to listen if something's bothering you, right?" Robin asked with a frown.
Buttercup huffed at that, but took a deep breath, remembering her martial arts lessons about controlling her quick temper when frustrated before it made her snap out at anyone for no reason.
"Look, Robin, I appreciate the concern, I really do," she said, "But it's... it's just some personal stuff I'm working through. I'll be okay."
"Well... if you're sure," Robin said, giving her friend a worried look.
"I am, after all I'm the toughest Powerpuff, I can handle any crap life throws at me," Buttercup bragged with her best smug smile.
"Okay, but I'm here if you change your mind," Robin said with a slow nod, "But you need any help shopping at least?" She asked with a kind smile, "We could trade some juicy gossip while we shop," She added with a giggle, causing Buttercup to snort and roll her eyes.
"You remember gossip's more Bubbles' thing, right?" She asked with a humored smile and arched brow.
"Oh, come on, everyone loves to gossip, don't deny it~"
"Mmm, maybe, but I guess that depends on what the gossip is," Buttercup commented with a shrug.
"Well, did you hear about how Princess went to some club in Europe?" Robin suggested, with Buttercup giving her a dry look.
"I might have picked up the newspaper and heard the brat's interview, if that's what you mean," she said, with Robin giving a nervous chuckle.
"Hehe, yeah, she's uh... really taking any chance she can to criticize and target you guys' public image indirectly," she added, before looking thoughtful, "You and your sisters might want to look into getting a PR agent or something... honestly surprised you don't have one."
She said more to herself than anything.
"Heh, I'll run the idea by Blossom later," Buttercup said with a roll of her eyes but a more genuine smile, "But is that really the big piece of gossip?" she asked, with Robin blinking and shaking her head.
"Oh no, actually the gossip a two-parter," She said with a smile, "First off, the club was actually being run by some rich billionaire and his son who started doing supervillainy as a hobby months back, and fighting Kim Possible," she said, her smile becoming amused, "And get this, the whole club was a trap with a brainwashing disco ball, and Princess literally walked straight into it."
"HA!" Buttercup couldn't help but burst out laughing at that, "Oh man, I would have loved to have seen the look at that brat's face when she realized that she'd walked into an obvious trap like that!"
"Yeah, I'm guessing that it probably didn't do her ego any favors~" Robin giggled along.
"And then some, she sure as heck didn't mention that in the interview Bubbles read," Buttercup said with a large grin as she grabbed a few spices, "Ah man, that's just what I needed to hear Robin, thanks."
She said, still laughing a bit, "I mean, it's things like this that remind me however Princess tries to change or up her game, she's still the same spoiled shortsighted brat from kindergarten," the heroine added with a smug smirk, with Robin giving a giggle.
"Yeah, not exactly her best moment, and something tells me other villains like Mojo aren't going to let her forget about this anytime soon," she said, with the two just sharing a laugh enjoying the moment of Princess embarrassment.
"Though I'm afraid the second part of the gossip is less amusing and more curious," Robin said with a slight frown, prompting a curious look from Buttercup, "If your family read the paper, do you know how Skeleton King showed at the club?"
She asked as they headed toward the checkout.
"Yeah, the Professor said he was there to pick up one of his lackeys who was at the club for some reason," Buttercup said with a frown, "Though come to think of it, that brings up the question of why one of his goons was at this club."
She added with a frown.
"Eh, apparently on a date, since some witnesses saw him in the company of some girl a little older than us," Robin said with a shrug, earning a surprised look, "Apparently, evil space invader or not, he gives time off to henchmen," She added, with Buttercup giving a slight nonplussed look.
"Well... suppose not the weirdest thing I've heard... heck, Mojo once babysat me and my sisters when we were kids... never mind that slumber party incident," she muttered, shaking her head and giving off an amused smirk, remembering how Mojo had gotten overwhelmed and his butt kicked by a bunch of little girls, and how he'd literally begged on his hands and knees in the aftermath for them not to say anything.
"Yeah, that was fun~" Robin agreed with a giggle, remembering slamming the pillow into Mojo Jojo's face; the monkey had seriously been off his game that night, "But the reason I'm bringing this up is apparently something that Skeleton King said."
She said as they exited the food store section of the mall, "Before he left, he apparently exchanged some classic hero/villain dialogue and he apparently said that he knows from experience that being a hero only brings suffering."
Robin explained with a frown as Buttercup shot her a surprised look. She hadn't met this new guy on the block, but she and her sisters had certainly heard of the trouble and his apparent space ninja rival had been giving the Justice League and Teen Titans. And what she heard didn't exactly paint anything close to heroic to say the least.
"So, what? He's implying that he somehow used to be a hero himself?" she asked incredulously, "Because from what I've heard about the guy, I gotta say that that's hard to believe."
"Me too, but it's apparently what he said," Robin said with a shrug, "I mean, I guess it could be some kinda mind game, but it seems like a weird angle to go with."
"That's an understatement. I mean, it's like HIM admitting that he used to fight for truth and justice," Buttercup said with a snort, "So yeah, not buying it," she added with a scoff, "Probably him just trying to mess with people's heads, but don't think even the Mayor would be gullible enough to buy what he's selling."
"Don't you mean our future president~" Robin asked with a giggle, causing Buttercup to groan.
"Urg, don't start on that. I seriously can't believe he took that joke seriously and he wants to try to run against Luthor in the next presidential election. I mean seriously, did he forget that he's only kept winning because no one's ever run against him? He couldn't even beat Fuzzy in an actual competition!"
"I dunno, his simple viewpoint on things might win people over compared to someone as big as Luthor," Robin said with a shrug, only half-serious about the subject.
"Simple is definitely the right word for him," Buttercup snorted, "I mean, don't get me wrong, he's a nice guy. But it's pretty obvious that Miss Bellum has been the one really running things all these years. Plus, no offense, but he's got to be getting up there in years by now; I'm honestly surprised he hasn't retired by now," She added, with Robin nodding to her points, though before another word was said...
BEEP
BEEP
BEEP
"Speak of the devil..." Buttercup said with a sigh, reaching into her pocket to pull out her cellphone, where the face symbol for the Powerpuff hotline her sisters and her had made all those years ago was clear as day on the screen.
"Looks like duty calls. Think you could do me a favor and take my groceries back home, Robin?" She asked, with the girl giving a smile.
"No problem," she answered, just as Buttercup responded to the call.
(Earlier around the same time, Townsville City Library)
"Ah, this is just what I needed..." Blossom said with a smile, floating through the aisles, "Just me, all these wonderful books, and the beautiful stories and knowledge within," she said with an eager smile.
Lately, she'd been looking into the very complicated web of laws that had grown around the superhero community ever since they started becoming commonplace. It was important to stay ahead of these sorts of things, especially with how complicated the public opinion of heroes were getting these days.
Which was why it would be such a good idea to join the League, Blossom thought with a grimace. God, why was Buttercup being so stubborn about that? Joining up would be a mark of prestige, sure, but that wasn't her only reasoning for it; they needed to be part of something bigger if they wanted to bring a real force for good, and on top of that, it would help them in case they ever accidentally did anything to get on the wrong side of a legal or PR problem. Especially since a certain spoiled heiress seemed to have lately come to the conclusion that if she couldn't beat them in a fight, then she might as well try to beat them in public image, and smear their names, or the names of any other heroes or superpower beings, in the process.
This was something Blossom was taking seriously, because even with her criminal record and spoiled attitude, Princess Morbucks sadly had money to spare on anti-Puff PR whenever she saw the chance to exploit or hint at their fault, while praising herself any chance she could, and like she said to her sister, people outside Townsville would take the word of a rich socialite like Princess seriously, or at least give it some notice. She knew that sooner or later, Princess would probably get impatient with her current strategy of trying to prove herself the better heroine, while trying to paint them as incompetents or threats sooner or later, and probably try to kill them for thousandth time sooner or later. But until that day came or Princess finally slipped up, Blossom had to find anything that could help them with their image, and help them deal with the law system.
After all, Princess was hardly the only problem on that front, Blossom thought with a frown. Ever since Hawkgirl had gone traitor during the invasion, and even before that when Superman had been brainwashed into attacking Metropolis by Darkseid, there were plenty of other people who wanted to put the superhero community on a tighter leash to keep that sort of thing from happening again, regardless of the moral compromises involved. So, they had to be prepared in case anyone tried to bring the hammer down on them somehow.
"Now, if only Buttercup and Bubbles would understand that," Blossom muttered, while grabbing and stacking some books into her hand as she gave a sigh.
True, she and her sisters experienced the darker side of public opinion of people against superpower being shortly after their birth, thanks to the "tag incident", something that to her shame was still used as an example by anti-metahuman groups of the dangers found in even superpowered children. But even years later, her sisters didn't seem to realize or want to think about how quickly public opinion could turn against them and other heroes if worst came to worst.
Bubbles even at 16, was as sweet as could be and preferred to think the best of people, while Buttercup seemed to think that there was no problem they couldn't solve by themselves, preferably with brute force. But Blossom realized that they couldn't keep going as they have been; the world was changing, the Justice League had expanded with so many heroes, villains and criminal elements across the world were getting smarter or more dangerous any way they could, and that's not even going into the mess with politics when it came to the League and other heroes.
The mess she heard about in Kaznia's civil war was just the latest example she could think of. Apparently even with the League having helped save the country, with the Queen herself personally thanking them, critics were trying to use the whole incident to their advantage as word had gotten out about not only Lothor's open involvement with the northern rebels, but also how the war was enflamed further by the Greek god Ares of all people.
Though she was sure that some people like her boyfriend would believe he was a metahuman using the identity for himself, or some crazy who actually believed he was Ares, like that loon in Gotham who thought he was Zeus, or at the most would believe he was some extra-dimensional entity that people worshipped in olden times. She should know, since Dexter still refused to acknowledge the supernatural, and at most admitted some realms of physics or science that had yet to properly studied. He still firmly believed HIM was some malicious entity from another dimension that had found a way to their plane of reality, and he wasn't budging anytime soon.
But the beliefs of those who didn't want to acknowledge the supernatural aside, Lothor and Ares' part in Kaznia was bad enough, but once word had gotten out about Skeleton King apparently managing to replace the Queen with an imposter, well you can bet despite the plot being exposed and foiled, paranoia struck hard among anti-meta groups, politicians, and military leaders alike.
The radical reactions ran the whole gamut from demanding that martial law be declared and the Justice League deputized in order to root out any other sorts of similar infiltration, to actually accusing the League of having staged the whole thing as a false flag so that they could take over. Never mind that that didn't make any sense, there were still plenty of people who believed it, which was a sad commentary on society, Blossom thought.
But she seemed to be the only one who really appreciated how bad things were. Bubbles saw the best in everyone, and Buttercup was too stubborn to admit that anything was bad enough that they couldn't handle on their own. And Blossom was legitimately worried that sooner or later, something would happen that was too big for them to be able to deal with, that they'd need the help of the League with, and it wouldn't be there because they hadn't asked in advance!
"Maybe if I force them to sit through a power point presentation, I can get them to see why joining the League would not only benefit us, but hopefully allow us to contribute to society on a larger scale," She muttered thoughtfully, while taking a seat at a nearby table, "I could even make graphs scales!" she added with an excited clap of her hands. Completely overlooking the fact that her sisters didn't share her love for presentations and statistics.
"Now, let's see..." Blossom turned on the computer that she had set the books beside, "Let's start with a review of the international laws, and countries part of the League charter that allow Justice League members or any foreign heroes to operate within their borders," she murmured softly to herself. Obviously, if they were going to be part of the League - and they would, since even Buttercup couldn't be stubborn enough to keep turning down the invitation forever! - they needed to know where they were allowed to operate in order to avoid any political problems.
Though as she started her research, she didn't notice the form approaching her.
"Why bless my heart, is that Blossom Utonium I see?" Causing Blossom to blink and raise her head at the familiar voice.
"Ms. Keane?" She questioned, before smiling at the sight of her former kindergarten teacher.
"Hello dear, it's been so long, how have you been?" Her former teacher questioned.
"Oh you know, same ol', same ol', saving the day before curfew," Blossom said with a chuckle while smiling toward one of her favorite former teachers, the woman who started her on her path toward education and helped her discover her love for knowledge. As well as one of the Powerpuff Girls' nicest supporters even today, and part of Blossom couldn't help but still be disappointed that things didn't work out between the Professor and her. If she'd become part of the family, that would have been just perfect! But, that wasn't meant to be, and Blossom had come to accept that, so she just shook her head and smiled at her former teacher.
"How about you? How are you doing?" she asked.
"Oh, I'm doing quite well, educating bright young minds, helping them reach their full potential," Ms. Keane said with a giggle, "Sure, teaching at Pokey Oaks Kindergarten doesn't quite get you the same respect as being a professor for some big fancy college."
She added with an eye roll, "But I personally adore the chaotic passion found in my own students, so much boundless energy, imagination, and the passion where they believe anything is possible, no matter the odds."
Ms. Keane gave a slight smirk, "Though won't lie, just hasn't been the same without you or your sisters there," she added with a click of her tongue, "With you three, it always felt like I could expect anything. Though I certainly didn't expect a game of tag to get so wild on my girls' first day~"
She added with a giggle.
"Ah, yeah, still a little ashamed of how that all turned out," Blossom admitted with a blush.
"Yes, I know a lot of people are still sore about that all these years later, but I know that it wasn't intentional on your part," Ms. Keane said with a smile, "So, what are you working on?"
"Oh, you know, just studying up on superhero law," Blossom replied with a shrug, "Doesn't hurt to stay up to date on that stuff."
"Ah yes, I've heard that some people are pushing for harsher restrictions," Keane said, giving her a concerned look.
"Yeah, but nothing that I, my sisters, or even the Justice League can't handle, don't worry," Blossom reassured with a comforting smile.
"Don't worry, I've long learned to have faith in you girls," Ms. Keane said with a smile, "But all the same, be careful. I know that there are people like Luthor and sadly Princess waiting for any opportunity to use the same laws you uphold against you."
She added, before giving a sad sigh, "Part of me still considers it one of my worst failures as a teacher in not being able to reach that girl," she added, with Blossom giving a slight frown.
"You shouldn't blame yourself, Princess was spoiled rotten long before she set one foot in Pokey Oaks," She said with a scowl, thinking about how bad Princess had been since day 1, "She was a bad seed then, and she'd only grown worse since."
"True, but as a teacher I still feel bad about not being able to at least curb her worst tendencies," Ms. Keane sighed, "That being said, I'm really quite proud of how you and your sisters have turned out," Ms. Keane said with a slight gleam entering her eye.
"Though..." Blossom blinked, giving her a confused look, "A part of me worries you girls still aren't tapping into your true potential," Ms. Keane said with her best concerned look, "Don't misunderstand, you girls have done so much and you're clearly among the best when it comes to heroes..." Ms. Keane said, with Blossom giving a small blush while feeling a bit of pride at her old teacher's praise.
"But at the same time, well..." Ms. Keane clicked her tongue, "As much as I love Townsville, there's never a dull moment in this city, a part of me can't help but think the city is beginning to hold you girls back."
She moved her gaze over to Blossom with a strange look, "There's such a wide wonderful unpredictable world out there, and you three still have so much to show it."
Then, surprising Blossom, she reached out and brushed a lock of hair out from in front of her eyes before laying her hand on her cheek in a seemingly maternal gesture of affection, "When I look at you girls, I see three women who should have the masses at their feet while making those like the Justice League nothing but yesterday's news."
"Oh, well, I don't know about that," Blossom said, feeling awkward and flattered at the same time, "I mean, we have been considering an invite to join the League, but I don't think we'd be able to just outmatch them like that."
"Never say never~" Ms. Keane giggled, before cocking her head in thought, "But in all honesty, you're joining the League? That's exciting!"
"Well, no, we're just considering it," Blossom said with a sigh, "I'd like to accept, and Bubbles is onboard, but Buttercup is being stubborn about it. I can't make her join, but also don't want to break up the team by joining without her."
"Well, that's understandable; after all, you three have always had each other's back, and you've been a team since day one," Ms. Keane said with an understanding nod, "But why doesn't she want to join?"
She asked curiously as Blossom sighed.
"Honestly, part of me thinks it's down to her pride and not wanting to follow anyone's rules except our own," she explained, figuring that venting to her teacher might at least help, and Ms. Keane always helped with advice before, "It's like for her, joining the League means we can't cut it on our own anymore, but it's not like that..."
Blossom shook her head, "It means a chance to help more than Townsville, access to greater resource, a chance to work alongside our fellow heroes and maybe make some new friends," Blossom said, smiling eagerly, "Not that there's anything wrong with the friends we've got, I mean Robin still has our back since the day she moved next door, it's just..."
She trailed off as Ms. Keane shot her an understanding look.
"It's just that for all that she's been a good and loyal friend, there's still a part of her that will never understand what you girls go through," she stated with a knowing tone.
"Exactly!" Blossom declared with a nod, glad Ms. Keane got it, "But that's just one benefit for us to join the League, the main thing is us being able to make a larger difference for more than just Townsville."
The leader of the Powerpuffs said, "Plus, even if Buttercup doesn't want to admit it, some backup and help would be nice," Before giving a slight sigh, "I mean, it's not like I don't have confidence in being able to handle what our enemies or other criminals throw at us anymore, but at the same time it feels like not only are things escalating so much, but also getting so much more complicated."
She leaned back in her chair, "I think part of me honestly misses the simpler days when it was just getting a call from the hotline, and all we had to worry about was stopping whatever criminal, supervillain, or giant monster was threatening the city this time."
She glanced over to the computer, which had an article displaying an interview about Luthor's political intentions.
"These days, it's not always so straightforward and we've got not only criminals but politics to worry about, and how our actions might affect the image of other heroes," she pinched the bridge of her nose, "Makes the days when Fuzzy and then later Princess became mayor seem easy, and the latter declared all crime legal!" she exclaimed with a frustrated groan.
"And don't even get me started on that dump Citiesville," she added with a sour expression. All these years later, and that place and its refusal to even try to accept her and her sisters grated on her. She was almost glad that that freak earthquake had leveled half of it a few weeks after they'd moved back to Townsville, but she wasn't that petty.
"Oh, try not to worry about that place," Ms. Keane waved her off, "And I also wouldn't worry about handling the villains. You and your sisters are made of better stuff than they could ever be."
"Thanks, Ms. Keane," Blossom said with a grateful smile, "Always glad to have your support, even after all these years," she admitted honestly.
"And you always will... no matter how much things might change," Ms. Keane said, before adding in a sigh.
"Yeah, seems likes just yesterday me and my sisters first showed up at Pokey Oaks, now look at us," Blossom admitted with a slight smile, "But speaking of..."
She gave the woman a grateful look, "I don't think I ever really thanked you," she said, with Ms. Keane giving a blink, "Even back when the entire city hated us after that tag incident... you didn't."
Blossom said, thinking back to all those years ago, "You accepted us... you went out of your way to treat us as normal students... you even did your best to keep the other students from causing us problems.. .and checking in on how we were before we headed home."
She said, listing it off, "I don't think me or my sisters ever really told you how much that all meant to us," Blossom said honestly to the woman, who smiled at her.
"Oh Blossom, there's nothing to thank me for, I was just giving you the proper love and affection you and your sisters deserved, after all," She said with a wave of her hand.
"Maybe, but I know a lot of other teachers in your positions would have tried to ban us from the school completely," Blossom added, reaching out to squeeze Ms. Keane's hand, "So thank you, you really did so much for us back then."
She said, and for a moment she could swear Ms. Keane's eyes watered and... flashed with guilt.
"Perhaps not as much as I should..." her old teacher muttered.
"What do you mean?" Blossom asked with a frown, "Because if it was about how the town was treating us, there wasn't much you could have done, and it was hardly their fault for being so afraid and anger after what happened."
She reasoned, having long moved on from those particular painful memories.
"Oh, nothing dear, don't worry yourself about it," Ms. Keane said with a grin, "It's in the past, and you should be thinking all about your future!"
She said with a beaming grin, "And something tells me big things are heading you and your sisters' way," she said, with Blossom giving a chuckle.
"Yeah, just need to get Buttercup to stop being stubborn," she said with an eye roll, "But say, after I'm done at the library, you want to accompany me back home?" she asked with a smile, "I'm sure the Professor would..."
Ms. Keane cut her off with a giggle, "Hehe, sorry dear, but I've got a previous appointment I need to get to," she said, before giving off a faint smirk, "And what Drake and I shared was fun, but that's in the past, and truthfully I've recently met someone who's caught my eye."
"Really?" Blossom asked in surprise, torn between disappointment at her longterm matchmaking fantasy evidently being crushed and happiness for her teacher.
"Oh yes," Ms. Keane replied with a giggle, "Admittedly, he's a bit of a ladies man, with a few other girls in his orbit. But, I'm confident that I'll be the one who wins him over and comes out on top in the end~"
"Um... okay? Good to know, I guess," Blossom said, blinking at that statement. It wasn't exactly what she expected to hear from her prim and proper former teacher, but hey, as long as it made her happy, who was she to complain?
"Though speaking of boys, I've got time before I leave, so how about some girl talk?" Before suddenly blushing at her teacher's sudden change in subject, "I understand you and Bubbles are both seeing someone, while Buttercup's sadly struggling in the romance department. So, care to share any details about the lucky boy on your side of things?" Ms. Keane said with a teasing smirk, "I hope he'd been treating you right and not, oh say, acting like he's the smartest one in the room, never mind between you two, canceling plans due to scientific projects, or turning what are supposed to be romantic dates into scientific projects."
And at Blossom's slightly stunned look, Ms. Keane let out a giggle.
"I might have met your little boyfriend a little ways back during one of his visits to Townsville," She explained with a shrug before frowning, "And I must admit, while I can understand the attraction to someone with a brain, my first impression of your beau left me concerned if he was giving you the respect and love you deserve."
"Oh, well, you don't have to worry about that," Blossom quickly reassured, "Yes, it's annoying that Dexter can get too caught up in his work to focus on anything else sometimes, but it's not always like that. And he can be adorably awkward when he tries to make up for it afterwards."
"Hmm, if you say so, dear," Ms. Keane said, though she still looked doubtful, "But you know, I'm just worried about you getting what's best for you."
"I know, and I appreciate it," Blossom replied with a smile. And she really did; true, Ms. Keane wasn't their teacher anymore, but she was still one of the Puffs' original supporters, and someone who Blossom still trusted and cared about a great deal.
"And it's really been great talking to you again," She added, with Keane giving a smile.
"Oh, I feel the same, and I apologize for falling a bit out of touch, but I'm afraid I had some personal matters and projects that get my attention," She added, with Blossom waving her off.
"It's fine, after all I'm sure the kids keep you busy," Blossom said with a giggle, "And while it'll probably be years before I'm ready for that step, I hope you'll still teaching when my own kids are ready to go to Pokey Oaks."
Ms. Keane grinned widely at that, a look of amusement appearing in her eyes.
"Oh, don't worry dear, I'll be happy to take care of your and your sisters' kids, whenever they come around~" she said with a giggle. Blossom didn't quite get what was so funny about that, but chose not to make a big deal about it.
"In fact, you might still have a thing or two that I can teach you myself~"
Blossom blinked at that, but before she could say anything, her phone started ringing. Picking it up, she saw the flashing icon of the hotline.
"Ah, excuse me, I need to take this," she said.
"Of course dear, I need to head out myself anyway," Ms. Keane said with a grin, "I've some special plans today," She said, moving to leave.
"It was nice talking with you; we should do it again soon, the invite is always open to drop by," Blossom called at her back, missing the eager dark smirk on her teacher's face before moving to answer the call.
"Oh, don't worry dearie, we'll see each other again very soon~" Ms. Keane under her breath with a giggle, "In fact, can't wait to introduce you to the new boy in town~" she added as she left the library.
(Townsville Park)
"Mac, this picnic looks wonderful~" Bubbles said with a bright smile as she sat on a blanket in the park. Seated across from her was a boy her age, with brown hair wearing a red shirt and cargo pants.
"Thanks Bubbles, I'm glad you like what I put together," Mac replied with a smile of his own.
(couldn't decide which version worked better for older Mac went with both)
"Oh, you know I always love anything you plan," Bubbles said, leaning up against his shoulder with a happy smile, "And a nice romantic picnic is just what I needed, too," She chirped with an eager smile as Mac gave her a sympathetic look.
"Your sisters arguing again?" He asked as his superhero girlfriend gave a sigh, and part of him still couldn't believe being saved from a giant monster led to the girl beside him asking him out.
"Yes, and it's once again about joining the Justice League," Bubbles added, shaking her head, "It feels like all they do anymore is argue about whether we should or not."
"I mean, to be fair, it's a pretty big decision," Mac said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders comfortingly, "It's gotta be natural that emotions about it are going to be pretty high."
"Maybe. But they just can't seem to find any kinda middle ground," Bubbles sighed, "It's like Blossom can only see the positives of being part of a bigger team, and Buttercup can only see the downsides of us not being independent anymore."
"Okay. But what do you think?" Mac asked.
"Me?" Bubbles asked with a surprised blink.
"Yeah, you really haven't said what you think you and your sisters should do, you've mostly been playing peacekeeper between them," Mac pointed out as Bubbles frowned.
"Well, on one hand I agree with Buttercup, we've doing just fine on our own for years, and following someone else's rules for how to do things even though we've got over a decade of experience doesn't sound fun," Bubbles said, leaning back to lift up one hand, "But on the other hand..." Bubbles lifted up her other hand for emphasis, "I see Blossom's point that joining the League is a big opportunity that would allow us to really help more than just Townsville, and really make a difference."
She said with a thoughtful look before giving a giggle, "Plus, it's a good chance to make more friends with other heroes," She added with a hopeful smile that faded with a sigh, "I guess I'm not sure what I want. It's a big decision, and part of me wants things to stay the same, scared of how things might change, but another part of me wants to take the risk and prove to everyone that the Powerpuff Girls can make it in the big leagues!"
"Well, maybe try talking to your sisters separately about it," Mac suggested, "If you can't make up your mind, and they can't even talk about it without arguing, maybe some one-on-one conversations will help sort things out?"
"That could help, thanks Mac," Bubbles said with smile.
"Anytime," Mac said as Bubbles scooted back up against him.
"But right now, I just want to enjoy the picnic and my cute boyfriend," the heroine said with happier grin, before looking up and giving Mac a slight smirk, "And maybe after we're done, we could have a special dessert~"
She said with a slight husky tone, causing Mac to stiffen and blush.
"Uh, ah, that is..." Then nervously stammered before attempting to change the subject, "Say! How about I get those sandwiches?!"
He said, turning and reaching into the basket that was sitting on the blanket, "And while we eat, maybe we could gossip about something, I know you love your gossip," He added with a strained laugh, missing Bubbles' annoyed if not frustrated look.
Don't get her wrong, she loved Mac and was very happy to be with him. But, well... she was a healthy young woman, and she had needs. Needs that Mac seemed way too nervous about even discussing, much less actually doing.
It definitely didn't help that she knew that Buttercup had lost her virginity already, even if it was to a jerk like Lobo. And yes, she felt bad for her sister having had such a bad first time, and also having to lie to the Professor about the reason for the breakup (Buttercup had sworn her and Blossom to secrecy about it after confiding in them). But, she couldn't help but be envious of Buttercup for crossing that threshold and becoming a real woman, and a part of her wanted to do that herself, and what better way than with the boy she loved? But he was always so nervous and shy, which left her taking the reins as the bold one in the relationship. Heck, the most they've done is kisses on the cheeks and mouth, along with hand-holding.
She might be regarded as the sweet and innocent one of her sisters even years later, and maybe to a degree that was true. But that didn't mean she didn't want to be naughty! Just like she proved to everyone she could be hardcore all those years ago, she was willing to prove she could be down and dirty.
Only problem is, even with a sexy cute superheroine throwing herself at him, Mac didn't seem interested in taking their relationship to the next step and level. Part of her wondered if she should approach Mac's friends Goo or Frankie Foster for advice, but that be a little awkward to say the least.
So, she supposed she could nothing but keep trying to lead him on until he was finally ready... no matter how long it took, she thought with a slight pout, taking the offered sandwich from Mac before biting into it... hmm, peanut butter and jelly, always yummy~
But while Bubbles was enjoying the picnic, she was unaware that she was being watched.
"Hmm, seems the blonde brat's enjoying some downtime with her boy toy," Sedusa murmured to herself as she observed from her hiding place behind a tree.
She had come back to town to handle a few things while the Legion was preparing for Zim's planned attack on the Pride Lands, and had spotted Bubbles heading towards the park. Naturally, she wasn't one to pass up the opportunity to spy on her enemies, and see if she could learn anything useful.
Though the sight of the brat and her boy-toy together acting all sickly-sweet made her sick to her stomach. Of course, some would say she was jealous, which she was not! So what if all the girls, the blonde bimbo especially, had grown into knockouts, so what if she'd heard some people whisper behind her back about her age...
She wasn't old! She was as drop dead sexy and seductive as ever! If anything, she's aged like fine wine! So what if the bimbo and her geek of a sister had bigger breasts?! She was still bigger than that tomboy, and had the refined womanly touch none of them would ever have!
She... she was spiraling again, wasn't she? At that Sedusa took a deep breath and counted to ten.
"Let it go Sedusa, you've been through this enough as is, you're sexy and you know it... you have nothing to prove," she said to herself in a low murmur, before focusing on what she managed to gleam from spying on the date; it seemed that the Puffs had been invited to join the Justice League.
Which was certainly big and unwanted news for herself and any of the Townsville villains and criminals, but honestly not an unexpected one. After all, the whole reason she accepted that crazy alien's offer was because not only were the Puffs stronger and smarter these days, and sadly wise to her tricks, but with the Justice League becoming a bigger factor going from one small (if admittedly powerful A-class) team to a whole organization, it seemed pretty clear that to continue to make it as a villain, you needed to make allies. And while there were her fellow Townsville villains as options... well...
Princess was a spoiled brat, who last time they interacted had the nerve to say she was yesterday's news, and acted like she was better looking than she'd ever be.
Mojo Jojo, besides the way he always spoke getting on her nerves, she knew the dumb monkey would just try to use her as a pawn in the long term.
Fuzzy was a dumb hick useful for muscle, but she'd rather not resort to getting that desperate. Especially after that one Valentine's where he was revealed as her secret admirer... urg! Never again! She thought, thinking back to that humiliating experience... showing up at what she believed would be a fancy restaurant, only for it to be a burger joint, with Fuzzy waiting for her playing the banjo. Needless to say, that date ended pretty quickly.
But moving on to choices, Roach Coach was even more disgusting than Fuzzy, the Amoeba Boys were useless and hadn't even been seen in the city for a number of years after they accidentally spread that plague, and... HIM.
Sedusa gave a brief shiver.
"No... just... no," she muttered to herself. That demon might play a role acting all playful or even goofy at times, but if anyone knew about putting up a mask it was her, and lately that thing had been letting said mask slip more and more, revealing the ruthless edge and depths of evil that caused even a seasoned criminal like her to think about her life choices for a bit.
So in the end, it was clear that the best bet was making allies outside the Townsville underworld, and Zim for all his insane ego, had resources and has proven to be a dangerous threat, even if unintentionally, and while the rest of the group weren't exactly cream of the crop, in criminal elements beggars couldn't be choosers. Besides, she worked with worse; she was the one that turned the Gangreen Gang from street thugs to the high profile mercenaries they were today, even before they got those powers! Not that the morons appreciated it, since apparently they took offense to her "leading them on", when they should be grateful she even bothered wasting time training them up for her plan at the time in the first place!
But she was getting distracted, the main point here was the fact that the Puffs had finally been invited to join the League, which wasn't good... not at all. Only silver lining was that it caused some friction between the group, with apparently Blossom all eager to join, but Buttercup wanting them to keep doing as they have, while the final brat wasn't even clear on what she wanted.
Though chances are this wouldn't last long, and they would make up and get all buddy-buddy with all the other heroes in that hero club. Hmm, but still, the friction could be exploited, if not by herself then another villain... she could always put the word out on the street about this, while hoping someone would come up with a plan.
Admittedly, she could try exploit this with her own team, but she'd rather not listen to the green bug's rants, or deal with his annoyance about wanting to change their immediate plans at the last moment. Besides, she was always one to take the chance to let someone else do the dirty work anyway~ She thought with amusement, that only rose higher at seeing Bubbles' boy-toy act all nervous and shy, when it was pretty clear the girl wanted him to make a move. Seems someone wanted to take things to the next level, but her boyfriend was too spineless to take the chance.
"That's the thing about nice guys, sweetie; they're fun to play with, but at the end of the day, they're just bores that disappoint you," Sedusa said with a huff, before moving to leave since it didn't seem like she'd get anything else out of this other than the brat making goo-goo eyes at her boyfriend who wouldn't pick up the hint.
BEEP
BEEP
BEEP
Before freezing as a noise went off, with Bubbles sighing as she reached into her pocket.
"Sorry, got to take this," She said with an apologetic look toward Mac, who simply gave an understanding smile, "What's the trouble, Mayor?"
She asked as she answered her phone. She listened for a moment, eyebrows climbing as she did so.
"Really? Well, okay, I guess we can't exactly say no just because we don't like her..." Bubbles said with a sigh, before hanging up.
"What's up?" Mac asked, not necessarily concerned but noting the annoyed look on his girlfriend's face.
"Apparently, someone's robbing the Morbucks manor and set off the super-level alarms," Bubbles explained, "The Mayor thinks that we should go arrest whoever's responsible before Princess somehow makes the situation worse."
"Yeah, can see how that'd be a problem," Mac admitted with a wince, having had the "pleasure" of interacting with Princess Morbucks a few times, all of them unpleasant, especially the time she tried to flirt with him to make Bubbles upset, "But hey, silver lining..."
He gave a slight smirk, "If you manage to catch the thief before they get away, you and your sisters might be able to hold this over her head," he said, with Bubbles giving a giggle.
"Hehe, that does sound fun~" she said, before leaning in to kiss his cheek, "But duty calls, we can pick up our date later," she said, floating up, "Love you Mac!" she called before rocketing off into the sky.
"Love you too, Bubbles," Mac said with a slight goofy grin while rubbing his cheek. He didn't know how he got so lucky to get a superhero as a girlfriend, but even with her being on call like this, he wouldn't trade it for the world.
And just as he was about to leave, he suddenly paused and gave a groan, and to the confusion of the spying Sedusa started to... talk to himself?
"No, I'm not being a moron, no I'm not going to "nail her" next time," Mac said with finger quotes, "Because something like that... it... it needs to be special, and..." the boy gave a blushing cough, "I'm not sure I'm ready..." he said, rubbing the back of his neck... before then giving an irritated glare at a empty space.
"What? No, I'm not scared she'd break my pelvis!" he declared defensively, while Sedusa just watched with growing confusion.
"He's a nut..." She muttered to herself stunned, and considering Zim and that robot of his, she knew crazy when she saw it. Before a dark amused smirk grew on her face as the realization that Bubbles' boyfriend was apparently crazy, something that was not only hilarious, but something that certainly could be used against her.
"Just need to figure out how," she muttered, before sneaking off from the scene, missing Mac's expression turning serious and concerned.
"What do you mean, someone was spying on us?" Before his gaze went straight to where Sedusa had been hiding, implying that there was more going on here than Sedusa realized.
Though as Sedusa left the park, and Mac was told by some mysterious force that he and Bubbles had been spied on, Bubbles was meeting up with her sisters as they headed toward Morbucks Manor.
(Soon after, Morbucks Manor)
The three Puffs floated in midair above the mansion, each of them having changed from their regular clothes into their color-coded heroine costumes.
"So... am I the only one tempted to just let whoever this is get away with Princess' stuff?" Buttercup asked, only half-joking.
"No, but if we do, Princess will just blame us for it and use it to smear us more in the media," Blossom said with a sigh, "So, with that in mind, let's also try to keep any collateral damage to a minimum. Because you just know that she'll try to sue us for it."
"Fine, take all the fun out of it..." Buttercup at that huffed, muttering sourly under her breath as Blossom shot her an annoyed look, "Miss the days when we could just kick her butt and call it a day."
The tomboy said with a longing sigh. However, before Blossom could reply to that, Bubbles spoke up.
"Hey! Do you girls hear that?" She asked with a frown, getting confused looks before the three frowned, using their enhanced senses, and like Bubbles said they could indeed hear something.
PEW
PEW
PEW
"HOLD STILL, YOU FLEA-RIDDEN WANNABE!" The sound of laser fire and the all too familiar screeching of Princess Morbucks, followed by the mocking laughter of an unfamiliar voice that had a seductive undertone to it.
"Better a wannabe than a brat who had to pay to get where she is today, and probably for her body too~"
PEW
PEW
PEW
"HOW DARE YOU?! I'LL END ALL NINE OF YOUR MANGY LIVES!"
"Ooh, such a clever comeback, I've definitely never heard that before~" the other voice laughed, "I'm guessing you also pay people to do your thinking for you?"
"RAAAGGGHHH!!!"
"...I don't know who that is, but I'm loving how much they're getting under her skin~" Buttercup said after a moment, making Blossom roll her eyes.
"Maybe, but let's get down there before things get blown out of proportion," she said before flying down, her sisters quickly following after her.
And not a moment later, they burst through an open window landing in crouches as they declared in tandem, "Not so fast..." before pausing as they took in the scene of Princess, laser in hand firing at, "Black Cat?!"
They declared in surprised confusion at sight of the cat-themed thief of Metropolis who'd been making a name for herself for almost two years now.
"Oh look, it's the cute local heroines~" Black Cat said, getting up from the crouch she had been in after dodging a laser blast from Princess. As she straightened up, she flung her long white hair over her shoulder and brushed off her black catsuit, the front of which was zipped down to show off the cleavage of her massive breasts, which rivaled Bubbles' for size.
"Ugh, of course you three show up," Princess spat, glaring at her rivals, "Guess I should be grateful that you used the windows for once instead of bursting though the walls like a bunch of dumb bulls."
"Not too late for us to bash in a few holes if that's what you'd prefer," Buttercup said dryly.
"Don't even think about it!" Princess spat out with a dark glare, "Just get rid of this mangy disease-ridden feline, and I might not press charges for trespassing!" she added with a huff while holding up her laser.
"Aww, and here I thought we were bonding~" Black Cat said with a mocking pout, "Don't tell me I'm too much woman for you~" she added with a sensual pose and wink as Princess scowled.
"And would you stop acting like a whore?! At least Catwoman has some dignity, damn it!" the heiress snapped, opening fire with Black Cat dodging with acrobatic grace.
"Aww, what's the matter, little girl? You jealous that I'm the sexiest thing in the room?" Black Cat asked teasingly as she easily avoided every attack.
"I'm plenty sexy! And without those silicon fun bags of yours to cheat with!" Princess snapped, seeing red.
Just for a moment, an annoyed look crossed Black Cat's face before she smirked again.
"Spoken like a little girl who's never seen or felt a pair of real tits," she said while smugly landing in a crouch, before looking toward the Powerpuffs, who were watching with nonplussed expressions, "But if you need a second opinion, I don't mind letting these three cuties cop a feel to prove they're all natural~"
She added with a purr, while thrusting out her chest a bit as she stood back up to full height.
The Powerpuffs all turned bright red at that.
"Um, ah, I have a boyfriend!" Bubbles stammered out the first thing that came to mind.
"So? Call him up, I'll let him join in the fun~" Black Cat said with a smirk.
After all, she had her own boyfriend too, but what Dipper didn't know wouldn't hurt him, and it wasn't like she'd limit herself to just female pets like Mabel and Zita to have a good time~ She thought, watching with amusement as the blue Puff stammer at her offer.
"I... uh... well..." A part of Bubbles was actually very tempted to take up the offer... then again, with how Mac had been, he'd probably have a heart attack if Bubbles approached him with the offer of a sexy threesome, she thought, feeling some very confusing torn emotions about this situation and offer, with her sisters little better.
Blossom herself just looked embarrassed and angry. Was this criminal seriously flirting with them?! Okay, since puberty hit, they'd gotten a few thugs making cat calls and the like, but this was harder to just wave off for some reason. Admittedly, Black Cat was very attractive, but it wasn't like she was into girls... was she?
Buttercup herself, due to her recent relationship strikeout and loneliness... actually looked the most tempted among the sisters. She had been thinking on how she'd even be willing to take a hero/villain relationship at this point, and since all her relationships with guys didn't work out... maybe it wouldn't hurt to, um... explore her sexuality, she thought, her eyes honing in on Black Cat's breasts and for once feeling more than breast envy as she licked her dry lips.
"Tell you what..." Black Cat leaned forward, emphasizing her chest, "You three let me finish up my shopping trip here, and the four of us can head somewhere more private where you can punish me for being a naughty kitty and really make yowl~"
That made the girls blush even harder, while Princess looked at them all in disbelief.
"Are you kidding me?! Are you three actually going to be even more useless than usual by flirting with this slut instead of stopping her from robbing me?!" she yelled in outrage.
"Ah, no, of course not!" Blossom said with a cough, shaking her head with a glowing face, "We're just taken aback is all."
"Um, yeah! And the idea's flattering, but um, don't think Mac would be interested, sorry..." Bubbles said with a conflicted expression, blushing brightly. The two then looked at Buttercup, who was blushing but with a thoughtful look.
"Buttercup!" Blossom snapped, with Buttercup stiffening.
"What?! I'm thinking!" The tomboy huffed out defensively, with Blossom giving her an incredulous look.
"You're not seriously considering her offer, are you?!" Blossom snapped at her sister with both anger and also concern. After that disaster with Lobo (and she swore if she ever saw that space thug again, she wasn't holding any punches, and she'd be using her ice breath to freeze his dick off!) the last thing she wanted to see was Buttercup making another mistake that would only hurt her in the long run.
"Can you blame me?! She's actually making me question my sexuality!" Buttercup exclaimed, gesturing toward Black Cat, who gave a smug little wave, "And it's not like Princess doesn't have this karma coming, or she can't replace anything taken anyway," Buttercup added, scratching her cheek as she looked away.
While Princess herself just gave her an incredulous look, her face glowing red from rage and her eye twitching.
"Fuck you! You actually expect me to waste good money on replacing stuff that this skank stole just because your whore ass is that desperate to get laid?!" the redhead snarled, wanting to just shoot everyone in sight.
"...See, that attitude is exactly why I don't feel bad about potentially letting her get away with robbing you," Buttercup said flatly, glaring at Princess.
"Don't let her get to you, she's just jealous that no one would be willing to touch her with a 10 foot pole~" Black Cat commented with a giggle. This was turning out to be even more fun that screwing with Superbrat~
Not only that, it seemed one of the Puffs was responding to her flirting; if she played her cards right, maybe she could leave Townsville with at least Buttercup wrapped around her fingers as her little pet just like Mabel was, with a foot in the door for her sisters. After all, pleasure and fun aside, there was no denying that metas at the power level of the Powerpuff Girls would be a valuable asset for any side to have. They were like Kryptonians in a way, without the kryptonite weakness; not to say they were invincible of course, but there was no denying that having that level of power bowing before her and looking up at her with adoration sent a shiver down her spine~
However, it would seem that the other two weren't intending to play along so easily.
"Buttercup, I know that Princess is a jerk, but we still can't just let someone rob her!" Bubbles piped up.
"Exactly! It's the principle of the thing! Besides, you deserve better than... this!" Blossom added, gesturing towards Black Cat, who scowled at the implied insult.
"For your information, I'm a catch anyone would desire," Black Cat said with a huff.
"More like a catch they can't wait to throw back so they don't catch your diseases," Princess muttered with a scowl, prompting the glare to switch to Princess' direction.
"Well, excuse me if I'm flattered that a good looking babe was flirting with me!" Buttercup, however, shot her sisters an annoyed glare, "Instead of just immediately honing in on my prettier, more feminine sisters and their oh-so-big perky tits!" She snapped with a scowling blush.
"Buttercup, there's nothing wrong with how you look, and I can understand if you've been lonely, but this is just repeating the same mistakes, only this time in an opposite gender," Blossom lectured her sister, both her and Bubbles giving Buttercup a concerned look, all of them unaware of the party observing everything.
(Forest outside of Townsville.)
"The pieces are in place..." spoke Skeleton King as he stared up at the scrying window displaying the inside of Morbucks mansion, and the presence of Black Cat or rather Pacifica Northwest was a surprise. He was tempted to use this as a chance to nab a bonus, but no... he needed to focus on his main objective here.
"I trust there are no second thoughts," He asked the figure standing behind him, "Now that you know my plan, you know that once they learn the truth about everything they once thought they knew, and your hand in all of this..."
He looked over his shoulder, "Your daughters might very well hate you for a time."
"I know, but it's for their own good in the long run," said the figure, who was none other than Ms. Keane! But as she stepped forward to join Skeleton King, her form shifted, and soon Eris was standing in her place.
This was one of the chaos goddess's best-kept secrets. That for years, she'd taken on the invented identity of a humble kindergarten teacher, just so that she could get close to her girls. It grated on her natural instincts to act so orderly, but the benefits were so worth it. Plus, she supposed it was a bit of challenge for herself to play the straight woman, so to speak.
"Plus, after you shared the particulars of your plan, I must admit I'm excited for the results," she added aloud with a smirk, "I just hope you're ready to take responsibility after you're done with my girls, and that you can give them a good time~" she said with a teasing smirk, a part of her honestly curious if Skully could handle all three of her girls together.
"Oh believe me, I'm determined not to disappoint, and I fully intend to take responsibility," Skeleton King said right back with a smirk.
"Glad to hear it. So, show me what you can do, big boy~" Eris said with a giggle, turning her attention back to the scrying window.
While Skeleton King glanced at her silently with a frown, inwardly still a bit stunned at how deep Eris' machinations went when it came to her daughters the Powerpuff Girls; the fact that Ms. Keane in this reality turned out to be an identity crafted by the goddess was certainly yet another twist he hadn't expected. It also highlighted how questionable his meta knowledge could go within this reality, since in this universe with so many angles in play and intermingling, who is to say that Grim Adventures' Eris being the mastermind behind the Powerpuff Girls' creation was truly the only unexpected melding twist between two crossovers within this reality?
It seemed he'd have to be cautious and use his meta knowledge with a grain of salt going forward, he thought, focusing back on the scrying window as the show truly began.
(Morbucks Manor)
"Grrr, enough of this bullshit!" Princess snapped, glaring over at the Powerpukes, "You can have your sister intervention for Buttercup's horrible tastes later! Just do your job and deal with this trespasser!"
Blossom glared at her for that, but shook her head, reluctantly admitting that she had a point.
"Look, just make this easy on yourself and give up," she said to Black Cat, "You're outnumbered, and you might be strong, but you're not on our level. So, how about just turning yourself in before we have to hurt you?"
Just as Black Cat was about to make a sultry remark asking if hurting her involved spanking, all the windows in the room shattered, and black and white forms surged through.
SHATTER
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Princess yelled angrily, before ducking with a yelp as an energy orb was blasted at her, and the forms that the Teen Titans and some Justice League members would recognize as Formless, servants of Skeleton King, launched their attack toward Princess and the Powerpuff Girls... while leaving Black Cat alone?
"Huh?" Pacifica blurted, looking around in confusion as she found herself being completely ignored by the Formless as they attacked everyone else.
What the hell was happening right now? Why were Skeleton King's goons here, and why were they attacking everyone except for her?
"Not these freaks again!" Princess exclaimed in exasperation, internally glad that this time she was packing heat as she started opening fire with her laser.
"What the heck are these things?!" Buttercup demanded, punching back one Formless.
"They look kinda familiar," Bubbles said, dodging a swipe and kicking one back.
"I think these are the Formless! They were part of the news reports connected to that new villain Skeleton King!" Blossom called out to her sisters, glaring at the new arrivals.
"Once again, the nerd's right! These disgusting things showed up with ugly at the club I went to last night!" Princess called, leaping to behind a couch for some cover, "And apparently they're here helping that hussy rob me!"
Princess roared out angrily, as it hadn't escaped her notice that the Formless weren't attacking Black Cat. In fact...
"HEY, YOU PUT THAT BACK!" she screeched as any Formless not attacking started grabbing anything they could in the room (One even taking an old portrait she commissioned a couple years ago and posed hours for!) before heading over to Black Cat's location in the room. With the girl herself looking stunned before coming to a worrying conclusion.
The bastard's trying to set me up as his new goon! She thought with a mixture of shock and anger at the audacity... though part of her had to admit she was slightly impressed at the move. But also cautious at just why he was doing this. He couldn't know her identity... right? So, he had to be targeting her Black Cat persona for some reason...
"You're working with Skeleton King?!" Blossom suddenly yelled, pointing at her accusingly and snapping her out of her thoughts.
"I am not!" Black Cat snapped immediately, though she didn't stop the Formless from depositing valuables at her feet. Waste not, want not, after all...
"Oh, so that's why they just happened to show up and are helping you rob me?" Princess sneered in disbelief.
"He's probably one of my many admirers," Black Cat said with a shrug, before sending Princess a mocking smirk,"I'd understand of course if you don't know what that feels like, since you don't have any~"
She added with a giggle as Princess retorted back as expected.
"FUCK YOU!" With a curse and middle finger... but at the same time, despite the teasing toward Princess, a part of Pacifica actually considered that theory.
She knew she was a knockout, especially as Black Cat, and skull boy was apparently sexual active if that mention of him having a harem wasn't a lie. So, what if he was targeting Black Cat not only for recruitment but also to bed her?
...What did it say about her that she wasn't entirely turned off by that? If anything, she was morbidly curious about what it would be like to sleep with something that inhuman.
"I don't care if they are working together or not, I'm still kicking these things' asses!" Buttercup exclaimed, picking up a table and throwing it at a group of Formless and splattering them.
"Hey! Don't mess up my stuff!" Princess yelled while blasting a Formless's head off.
"Bill me!" Buttercup snapped defiantly.
"You couldn't afford even my cheapest stuff!"
"Eh, I'll worry about the consequences later," Black Cat murmured, before her eyes sparkled as another Formless approached, holding out an expensive jewel-encrusted necklace, "Ooh, don't mind if I do~" she said, taking the offering before calling out to the Formless, "Alright! I'm not sure if this is your boss' way of offering employment, or him trying to butter me up for some reason."
She said, addressing them, figuring if they were going to assist her, might as well take control, "Either way, I want half of you to grab as much loot as you carry and follow me, while the other half keep the heroes and brat busy!"
She called, unsure if that would work. But to her surprise, the Formless standing around her saluted and quickly started picking up their loot they had laid bare at her feet.
"So you are working together!" Blossom shouted out again with a scowl.
"Eh, more like playing it by ear to see how this goes. Why waste an opportunity when it's handed to you?" Black Cat responded with a shrug.
"Are you crazy! These things work for an alien warlord who wants to conquer our planet!" Bubbles called out in slight disbelief.
"Well, girls do have a thing for bad boys~" Black Cat shot back teasingly, before turning around to leave.
"Oh no you don't!" Buttercup yelled, leaping towards the retreating criminal. However, she never got close, as a dozen of the Formless suddenly dogpiled on top of her, their bodies melting into ooze and soon encasing her in a giant black ball.
"Hey! Let me out!" she screamed, struggling to try and break free of the ooze containing her.
"Buttercup!" her sisters yelled, trying to jump to her aid, only to have to dodge as other Formless started blasting at them.
"Hey, quit it!" Bubbles cried out, trying to dodge by flying in the air, only for her eyes to widen when some of the Formless convulsed for a moment before bat-like wings popped out of their bodies, and they leaped up after her, firing energy orbs!
While Blossom suddenly found herself grabbed from behind by one Formless, wrapping its arms and legs around her.
"Hey, get..." she trailed off, her eyes widening as the Formless glowed with energy, and the next thing she knew, it exploded!
BOOM
And as this was happening, Princess, who was firing in defense, suddenly found a lasso wrapped around her wrist thrown by one of the Formless, and with a tug, she was pulled forward with a startled yell and dogpiled by more Formless.
"UGH! Get off me!" she yelled as they pressed her to the floor, "If you stain this dress, I'm going to sue all of you!"
"You really think they care about that?!" Buttercup asked in disbelief, as she continued to struggle to break free. But for some reason, she was having trouble breaking through.
"Urg, what is this stuff made out of?!" Buttercup demanded, since she and her sisters couldn't find many things that could resist their strength these days, so to have a bunch of goons made of some gross ooze being able to pull it off pissed her off!
"No idea, but apparently it's enough to keep you out of the way," Before looking up to see Black Cat in her face with a smirk.
"Wha?" Buttercup started to demand, only to freeze as the thief cupped her cheek.
"While Skeleton King's goons showing up was a surprise, I do want to say goodbye properly~" Black Cat said, her tone turning husky as Buttercup's eyes widened and she blushed, and before she could say anything, Black Cat's lips slammed onto hers with a hungry kiss.
"MMPH!" Buttercup exclaimed, before finding herself melting into the kiss on instinct. Wow, she was really good at this...
"Hey! Stop that!" Bubbles yelled down at Black Cat, even as she kept dodging energy blasts.
"Urg... you... hey, hands off my sister!" Blossom yelled, her form smoking on the ground as she gave her head a slight dazed shake while pushing herself up, though before she could attack, she found herself dogpiled by Formless, who like Buttercup before her melted into ooze, and encased her in a large black ball.
"Hey!" Blossom attempted to struggle free to no avail, while Buttercup found the kiss ending as quick as it began, with her in a daze.
"I... you... wha?" she stammered, as Black Cat gave a giggle at the heroine's flushed face.
"Look me up sometime, and I'll show you how bad this kitty can really be~" she said with a wink, speaking seductively before turning on her heel and running straight out the window, leaping out of it with many of the loot-carrying Formless following after her.
Though before Buttercup could shake herself back to her senses or the others could process the thief, leaving...
"Hey, what are you doing?!" Blossom yelled as some of the Formless grouped around the ball containing her, with another group doing the same for Buttercup's current prison, while Bubbles continued to dodge and fight against the airborne Formless. And before the restrained Puffs could blink they were being lifted up and carried out of the mansion.
"Girls!" Bubbles yelled as she saw her sisters being carried away. And unfortunately, this turned out to be a vital distraction, as the flying Formless tackled her to the ground, swarming over her and melting into a ball to trap her like they'd done with the others.
"Hey! Let go!" she demanded as she struggled to break free. The remaining Formless didn't pay her any heed, instead picking up the ball and running out of the mansion with it.
Soon, Princess was left alone in her looted mansion, looking around in utter shock.
"What the hell just happened?!" she demanded, eye twitching.
First that Catwoman wannabe whore breaks in and has the nerve to try to steal from her! Then those Powerpuke bitches show up, and instead of doing their job, they're flirting with the whore or standing around arguing! Then some of those gross slime monsters belonging to that skeleton freak show up, helping the whore rob her! And apparently, while she was good enough to rob from, she wasn't good enough to kidnap or hold hostage!
"They're all gonna pay for this!" she screamed in outrage, "That whore, those stuck-up bitches, and that skeletal bastard! No one insults me like this!"
With that, she turned and ran off further into the interior of the mansion to retrieve her power armor.
(Meanwhile)
As Princess was plotting vengeance, the Powerpuff Girls were being carted off.
"Where the hell are you creeps taking us?!' Buttercup demanded, still struggling to break free, and still having nothing to show for it.
"Don't worry girls, I think if they were going to try to hurt us, they would have already," Blossom said as she also kept trying to break free, "I think as long as we stay calm, we can figure a way out of this!"
"But where are they taking us?" Bubbles asked with a frown.
"Probably to their boss," Buttercup snapped with an irritated scowl, "And where the heck did Black Cat go? I thought she was with these creeps."
She added with a frowning blush as Blossom gave her an incredulous look, "Seriously?! We've been captured, and you're focusing on that slattern that slipped you some tongue?!"
"First of all, "slattern"? What is this, the 1800s?" Buttercup snapped in annoyance, "Secondly, it's a valid question! If she's working with them, why isn't she here?"
"I don't know, but we have bigger things to worry about!" Blossom snapped back. Then frowned, looking at the Formless that were carrying them away from Morbucks Manor, and further away from Townsville.
"We've been captures by servants of a League level threat..." she began, with Buttercup giving off a snort.
"Oh yes, because the Justice League is the go-to power scale for how dangerous some space creep is," she said with a dry sarcastic tone, "You really can't go five minutes without kissing their asses, can you?" She added with a huff as Blossom shot her a glare, her face bright red.
"I'm not kissing anyone's butt! And would you take this seriously?!" she snapped as Bubbles shot them a concerned look.
"Girls, is now really the time for this?!" she exclaimed as she nervously squirmed in her own ooze ball, "Shouldn't we be focusing on trying to get out of this?"
"That's what I'm trying to do, but Buttercup's more interested in her new villain crush!" Blossom spat in annoyance.
"I don't have a crush!" Buttercup snapped back defensively.
"You were actually considering taking her up on her offer! And I'm pretty sure I saw you kissing her back!" Blossom retorted, and just as Buttercup was about to snap back.
"WOULD YOU JUST SHUT UP?!"
Both her and Blossom went still as they gave their sister shocked looks, but Bubbles' patience had finally snapped.
"EVER SINCE WE GOT THAT INVITE TO JOIN THE LEAGUE, YOU TWO HAVE BEEN ARGUING ON AND OFF EVEN WORSE THAN WHEN WE WERE KIDS! AND I'M SICK OF IT!!" The blue Puff ranted, before taking several deep breaths as her sisters look towards her, stunned, "So here's what we're going to do," She gave them a smile that was anything but sweet, "We're going to focus on our current problem with no more arguing! And after we're done kicking butt, we're going to go home, sit down, and talk things out, then we're going to hug and tell each other how much we mean to each other, AND WE'RE ALL GOING TO GET ALONG! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!"
There was a moment of stunned silence as Bubbles panted for breath and her sisters could only stare at her in surprise. It wasn't often that the blue Puff lost her temper like that, so it was always rather shocking when she did.
"Um, ah... yeah, we get it, Bubbles," Buttercup said slowly once she was able to think clearly again.
"Right. An honest conversation is what we need, that's probably overdue actually," Blossom said quickly.
Neither sister wanted to risk Bubbles' anger further, and they supposed it was time to cut to the chase and talk about all of this without fighting about it.
"Good," Bubbles gave a happy smile, before looking serious, "Now, what's the plan?"
She asked, focusing back to their situation at hand, with Blossom and Buttercup also getting serious.
"Urg, I think I'm almost out of here," Buttercup said with a grunt, clearly still struggling against her or prison, "Then I'll squash these creeps before they drag us off wherever they're taking us."
She said with gritting teeth, while Blossom suddenly raised her head at Buttercup's words.
"Wait... maybe we should let them take us to wherever their destination is," she said slowly, causing her sisters to look at her in surprised confusion, "It's risky, especially with our current restrained positions, but..."
Blossom frowned, "If Buttercup's right about them taking us to Skeleton King, this could be a chance to bring down a dangerous threat to Earth."
"Sounds like a plan to me~" Buttercup said with an eager grin, though Bubbles didn't look as pleased.
"Um, but if he's really as strong as everyone says, is it safe for us?" she asked.
"Maybe not, but I'm sure if we work together, we can beat him," Blossom said, doing her best to hide any nervousness that she might be feeling.
After all, their own enemies were dangerous no doubt, but something about facing a villain with not only an entire army behind him, a record of planet destruction and conquest (even if it's only one planet that's confirmed), who even the Justice League consider dangerous... it made her nervous and wary for what this particular threat was planning.
"Hell yeah we can!" Buttercup called out eagerly, "We'll kick his boney butt so hard, he'll regret ever crawling out of the graveyard!"
Her sisters wished that they shared her optimism, but didn't counteract it as the three were carried deeper into the woods to meet the fate waiting for them.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: So what did you all think of the chapter? We've got some familiar faces coming into play during it.
We see that Buttercup like her PPGD webcomic counterpart has picked up a interest in cooking, and run into now long time friend Robin Snyder, who's sharing the gossip while making clear she's always there for her friend when we need it.
We also learn what happen to Buttercup with Lobo and it seems that bounty hunter broke her heart after she gave him something special poor girl, she's really looking for some love.
Not to mention it seems developing bit of inferiority complex with her sisters, though it's not like Bubbles and Blossom don't have their own problems.
Bubbles wants to go all the way but Mac it seems isn't ready for that. Also yes that Mac from Fosters Home hope you like the touch there, and it seems there's more to him than meets the eye, and he might not be some nut talking to himself either.
Blossom we learn how things stand with her current boyfriend Dexter boy now teenage genius, getting bit of highlight of ramifications recent actions in Kaznia are having, not to mention her catching up with old teacher Ms. Keane.
Who speaking of really hope you all liked the twist with Keane in fact being a identity created by Eris. I won't lie Zim wasn't sure about the idea at first but really happy they're willing to give it a shot.
I took inspiration from Puck/Owen from Disney's Gargoyles, and i'm eager to hear any thoughts you all might have on this twist.
Next we get Black Cat official debut onto the story with her attempting to rob Princess and really giving the girl grief, while taking the chance to flirt with the Powerpuff Girls, and it seems like Buttercup isn't against the idea~ XD
Though it seems Skeleton King/my forces coming into play was a X-factor no one expected as they managed to get the drop on the girls and are now delivering them to their master. Will the girls regret their current strategy of wait for best moment to make their move? Well you'll all have to keep reading to find out~
Please don't be afraid to drop a kudos or review :)
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: So, we got a look at all of the Puffs' personal lives, introduced a few of the characters close to them, and showed them crossing paths with Pacifica/Black Cat before getting crashed by Night/Skeleton King's forces.
What'll happen next? Well, if you've been paying attention to the story so far, you probably know already. But, I think we have a few twists in store that you won't see coming~
And yeah, I wasn't entirely into the "Ms. Keane is Eris" angle at first, but Night talked me around, and I hope that you all like it too.
In any case, until next time, please leave a comment or kudos if you're liking things so far.
Chapter 36: Townsville Troubles, Part 3
Summary:
With the Powerpuff Girls indisposed, Skeleton King's minions move on their assignments, while he cuts a deal with Black Cat.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hello everyone, Zim and I have returned with another update for the Townsville arc, and as always it's one we hope you enjoy. As we see how my/Skeleton King operation for Townsville play out, and you might get some surprising turns. Plus fans of the Powerpuff Girls are likely to recognize some familiar faces too.
That aside did want to take the moment to thank everyone for their support for this fic, means a lot when you take the time to leave a review of your thoughts to show how much you're enjoying the chapter and story itself.
But needed to take this chance to address some reviewers leaving reviews in other works asking when this particular story will be updated. I appreciate the support but you need to patient for updates they will come, but constantly spamming other stories asking about when this specific story gets tiring, and is also bit disrespectful of the work we put into our other works or the fans they have.
That aside hope you all continue to enjoy our work respectfully and will take the time to leave a kudos or review of your support/love. :)
EDIT: Also to those interested this is a double update on my side today, with my cowork with Yahoosounding in Isekai Demons of the multiverse also updated.
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Welcome back, everyone. Last chapter kicked off the arc properly with a bang as Night/Skeleton King lured the Powerpuffs into a trap; now, while they're busy due to that, we'll see the missions that his minions are getting up to.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Maybe not, but I'm sure if we work together, we can beat him," Blossom said, doing her best to hide any nervousness that she might be feeling.
After all, their own enemies were dangerous no doubt, but something about facing a villain with not only an entire army behind him, a record of planet destruction and conquest (even if it's only one planet that's confirmed), who even the Justice League consider dangerous... it made her nervous and wary for what this particular threat was planning.
"Hell yeah we can!" Buttercup called out eagerly, "We'll kick his boney butt so hard, he'll regret ever crawling out of the graveyard!"
Her sisters wished that they shared her optimism, but didn't counteract it as the three were carried deeper into the woods to meet the fate waiting for them.
(Townsville Penitentiary)
As the Puffs were carried off to meet their captor, on the other side Townsville within the walls of Townsville Penitentiary, it was seeming like a regular prison day.
"I wants me a lawyer! And me banjo back!" shouted the pink Sasquatch known as Fuzzy Lumpkins as he was dragged in chains into the prison.
"You know the rules, Lumpkins," one of the guards said flatly, "No personal property items while you're incarcerated, and you'll get to call your lawyer once you're inside."
"But I am's innocent! I was defending my property!" Fuzzy exclaimed as the guard rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah that's what you're always doing. Now move it!" the guard snapped, shoving Fuzzy along as he continued to shout defiantly.
Perched atop the high wall surrounding the prison, Mandarin snorted in disdain as he watched all of this.
"This is what passes for criminal punishment here? Pathetic even by this planet's standards," he spat.
After all, say what you would about the Hyper Force's weakness, at least they were capable of properly dealing with their enemies. The way they'd imprisoned him... or rather the original, proved that.
At that, Mandarin frowned, as more and more it seemed his thoughts were going back to the original Mandarin... but why? Though he supposed he already knew the answer, as the face of his purple-haired mate flashed through his mind.
"I have more to prove than you can possibly understand, woman," he muttered with a sour expression. He was living proof that Skeleton King would not hesitate to dispose of and replace anyone who failed him. And he refused to let that happen to him the way that it had to the original!
Despite that, however, a small part of him still felt... oddly guilty for their argument, he supposed.
He was upset at her for doubting his capability, and causing him to lose face in front of his master. But at the same time, he realized she was only concerned for him at the time, and didn't truly realize the stakes involved; after all, she was still ignorant to his true origin.
Which itself was another quandary rocking around his mind: should he perhaps inform Tambry of his full origins? It was hardly a secret among Skeleton King's forces. Well... not among the original servants at least; their newer recruits like Blackfire or those agents on Earth were in the dark as well, he believed. But they hardly mattered. It was the factor of Tambry learning the truth that bothered him, along with the fact it bothered him so much in the first place. True, he preferred not to think about how he was a clone rather than the original, and in fact preferred to think of himself as a superior variation of the original, the true Mandarin if you will.
But for some reason, how Tambry might potentially react to the truth bothered him. Had he truly allowed himself to grow so close and care for the girl his master gave to him as a reward on a whim? Had he truly come to see her as his mate?
This... this was going to take a lot of thought and consideration, he realized with a sigh. However, that would have to wait until after his mission was complete, he told himself with a shake of his head; his duty would always have to come first.
"Now then, where's the quickest and quietest way to sneak inside?" he mused out loud, looking around the prison complex.
The Formless were of course on standby, but it was best to avoid setting off the alarms to give his master as much time as possible, especially since the tinker toy's own operation wouldn't exactly be a stealthy one. And he was sure that she would make it messier than it needed to be, just to have fun and show off what she could do. He, by contrast, would be purely professional and dedicated to getting the job done.
Humming in thought, Mandarin's gaze swept over the building, before setting on an air vent tube.
"That will work," he said with a smirk.
If all went well, he'd be returning his master's newest servant to the Citadel of Bone without anyone aware he'd ever been here, he thought, leaping off the wall and moving as quickly and stealthy as he could to the vent tube, though he hadn't forgotten his lord's orders to cause as much chaos as possible when he got the signal.
And while he had no issues in causing a little jail break to use as a smokescreen for his mission, a part of him wondered if the task was in part to appease their new ally. One who he was wary of, to say the least, but he was confident that if this goddess saw to use his lord as a pawn, she'd learn the price of arrogance just as the Dark One Worm had.
Though at the same time, he couldn't help but be curious what parts of the plan his lord was holding back, only sharing it with the goddess, much to the disgruntlement of the witch, tinker toy, and slave princess. Whatever it was seemed to have actually stunned the goddess when his lord whispered it into her ear, before the widest grin grew upon her face and she went into a cackling fit.
He was morbidly curious what plan his master could have concocted that would have had that effect on the goddess. But unlike the others, he could wait to learn what it was; Lord Skeleton King, in his infinite wisdom, would know the right time and place to share this information with them all. For now, he would simply do his part, he told himself as he dropped into the vents and started scurrying through them.
And so he scurried, remembering the knowledge shared by the goddess of the control room, and after that he would he make his way to lower level where the coffin holding his prize was kept.
And as he was making his way inside the prison, the prisoners were going about their day.
"Ninety-eight, ninety-nine, urg... one hundred!" Grunted a glasses-wearing man as he finished his push-ups in his cell.
"Urg, Dad, could you do that a bit quieter? Trying to take a nap here," said the young man lying on one of the cell's bed.
"Ah, sorry son, but you know how important it is to keep in shape," the man said with a chuckle toward his green-haired cellmate and son as he flexed, showing off his muscles.
"One silver lining to the prison life for the past eleven years, it's really helped me get in shape," spoke the form of none other than the former neighbor to the Powerpuff Girls Harold Smith, who was no longer the stringbean he once was after all his time in prison. His story is a simple one, where after secretly following Mojo Jojo as a fan, he found excitement in the life of villainy, and seemed to out of nowhere snap and take Professor Utonium hostage when his family hosted him and the Powerpuff Girls for dinner. He was ultimately foiled and sent to prison, where he served his time and was released, only to discover his wife and children had discovered their own passion for villainy and a desire for vengeance against the Powerpuff Girls.
"Yeah, silver lining," his son Bud Smith grunted with a scowl. Now a young man of 24, he'd originally been sent to Juvenile alongside his sister all those years ago, following his family's arrest. But the family's attempt at destroying the Powerpuff Girls together with a souped-up RV had only been his first step into a life of crime.
Oh, they'd never made it into the big leagues of villainy, no matter what his dad told himself. But they'd certainly made recurring nuisances of themselves - bank robberies, jewelry heists, attacks on the Powerpuff Girls that never worked out. For years, they'd acted as a thorn in the side of local law and order in all its forms, and Bud wasn't sure that it was all worth it in the long run.
Don't get him wrong, he wouldn't have wanted to end up the boring, completely average type of guy that his dad had been before he'd snapped. But he didn't exactly like being a B-list punching bag like they'd all been for years now. Though he sure as hell wasn't interested in going straight; way too dull, with way too many rules. Which left him in the pickle of what to do. A part of him had lately been considering branching out a bit, see if he could get some work from other higher level villains, or maybe seeing about teaming up with someone outside the family.
Not that he didn't love his family, of course. But he wasn't a kid anymore, and he didn't want to spend his whole life as part of some messed up family business, he wanted to forge his own path! The tricky part, of course, was actually telling his folks and sister this.
"Anyway son, we'll be meeting up with your mother and sister in that rehabiliation art class some of the prisoners are taking, I think your sister has come up with a plan to get us out of here."
And at his dad's voice, Bud sat up with a sigh.
"Yeah Dad, sounds good," he said, resolving to pin those issues later, though Harold gave his son a concerned look.
"Something wrong, Bud?" He asked, taking a seat at a cot. He might be a supervillain (and a highly successful one he'd say, despite some claiming he was just an overblown criminal), he still did his best to be a good husband and father, particularly since his whole criminal debut could have gone better, and he still felt guilty about getting his family caught in the middle of it and ruining his wife's dinner, even though she blamed the Puffs ultimately.
"Eh, besides being in prison, just feeling a bit bored, I guess," his son answered with a shrug and frown, with Harold frowning at the answer, but pausing as he heard something.
"You can't treat me like this! What kinda world is it when a man can't just defend his property and land?!"
Causing him and Bud to glance out their cell to see Fuzzy Lumpkins being escorted past it to his own.
"Well, looks like we got a big name joining us. Don't see many of the original faces in the Puff rogue roster behind bars these days," Harold said with a thoughtful frown; even years later, he was still a big fan of Mojo Jojo, and efforts to impress the monkey that had inspired had been lackluster.
He still winced at that disaster of an introduction that led to Mojo Jojo somehow covered in banana cream pie. Needless to say, he had not made a good first impression. But he was still determined to gain his idol's respect, and the respect of their criminal peers in Townsville.
"But this is certainly exciting, don't you think so son?" Harold said to his son, who sighed.
"Not exactly the kinda excitement I'm looking for, Dad," the young man answered, unaware he was going to get his wish and then some. As Mandarin had found his way into the control room, and had already made quick work of the security guards there.
WHAM
"Urg!" Was the cry of one guard thrown against the wall before collapsing onto the floor, while the other laid feet away, with Mandarin already pouncing upon the controls of the security system.
"Now, let's see, ah..." Mandarin gave a dark chortle, quickly getting into the systems, "Remote access to the prison cells, always delightful when your enemies make your mission all the easier~"
He said, and with a push of the button, the cell doors within the prison all began to open, leaving guards and prisoners stunned for a moment before Mandarin spoke into the intercom.
"Attention criminal filth, on behalf of my master I give you a chance at freedom, I suggest you not waste it," Mandarin said with a dark grin, "Show no mercy to those that sought to keep you prisoners, and perhaps you might find a place in my master's new era if you impress enough," He said with a dark chortle, honestly doubting it but it never hurt to provide further motivation.
And with that said, he activated his laser blade and quickly destroyed the controls to prevent anyone from closing the cells again before scurrying off; he still had a mission to accomplish after all~
And he wasn't the only one getting his mission underway, either...
(Star Labs, Townsville branch, same time)
Jinmay hovered in the air above her target facility on her hover-bike, just out of range of the building's scanners while her own superior ones closely examined everything below her.
"Can't believe I'm collecting a clown," Jinmay muttered with a sigh, scowling and feeling a bit irritated with this assignment, since not only had that bimbo goddess practically walked in like she owned the place, and what was worse, Skeleton King seemed interested in buying what she selling. But she realized that while she was on this recruiting assignment, those slut daughters of hers were likely getting a taste of HER man.
"Not to mention whatever he's got planned that he has no problem sharing with that bimbo but won't tell the rest of us," Jinmay muttered in jealousy, remembering the goddess' reaction as Skeleton King had beckoned her to the side before she and the others had departed to get into their positions, and the reaction of her laughter and eagerness.
She was sure that whatever Skeleton King had planned would be brilliant, but for some reason she wasn't exactly happy at being in the dark this time, and she couldn't help but feel on edge from Eris' reaction. The woman apparently lived for any opportunity to cause chaos, and that was something her lord and love could provide easily, but something about that reaction... it felt like she was excited for more than the chance to cause trouble.
"Urg... whatever, it doesn't matter," Jinmay shook her head with a scowl, "That bimbo and her daughters could throw themselves at Skeleton King's feet along with that old witch, but it'll be me who raises to the top as his favored minion and future Queen."
She said with a stern glare down at the labs below, "After all, they could never offer him what I could," Jinmay spat, scowling and clenching the controls of her hover bike harder, "Just like he's superior to Chiro in every way, I'm superior to all those toys of his in every way, and I'll prove it!"
And she'd start by completing this mission with ease, no matter how low-quality she found it in the larger scheme of things, and be back at Skeleton King's side long before the others were done with their own tasks.
With that in mind, she shifted into her full-robot form and kicked her bike into full gear, zooming down towards the lab below her.
And within the lab, a group of scientists were milling about performing experiments, research, and going over data, while two unique figures were conversing.
"And one little touch there, and voila!" A happy-looking clown presented a balloon animal to a large figure that he barely met the chest of. Said figure possessed a monstrous-looking slimy form that seemed to be composed completely of paste, but also strangely wore a pair of glasses.
"It's a poodle!" Declared the clown with a happy-go-lucky grin, while the other figure gave a chuckle.
"Ah, looks great Rainbow," The figure said, accepting the balloon animal, "You always make it so much easier to put with these tests," the figure said with a slight frown, glancing to the side at some of the scientists milling about, some of whom smiled gently at him and the clown, but others he could see the nervous if not slightly fearful glances they gave.
"Ah, chin up Elmer, I know things look bleak, but if there's one thing i've learned though all this is, you've got to focus on the colorful side of things," Rainbow the Clown said with a chuckle.
And he would know, after all. He'd once been a moderately-successful birthday performer, until exposure to a large amount of bleach in a truck accident had triggered an apparently latent metahuman gene in him and given him dangerous powers that had also turned him into a deranged mime. The Powerpuff Girls had stopped him from brainwashing the entire town with those abilities and turned him back to normal... and then beaten him up and tossed him into prison anyway.
He'd been a little indignant and bitter about that at the time, since he was being punished for something he hadn't been consciously responsible for. But he'd come to realize that it was for the best; if his powers had ever reactivated, it likely would have made him act just as bad, if not worse. So, it was best to keep him somewhere where he couldn't hurt anyone.
He was glad that he'd been moved here to Star Labs, though. It was much more comfortable than jail. And while it wasn't the same as bringing joy and smiles to children's faces, he could still entertain others within Star Labs. Admittedly, his psychologists were a bit concerned with how deeply he'd embraced his Rainbow the Clown persona, to the point he had abandoned his original identity and requested his legal name be changed as such. But it helped keep his spirits up, and if focusing on being as happy as possible as Rainbow the Clown helped prevent his other side from returning, then he was all for it. Besides, with that psycho Joker around, clown kind had to do whatever they could so they weren't painted with the same brush.
Which in this case, meant doing anything to keep a smile on the face of his fellow metahuman, one who had it pretty tough, Rainbow couldn't help but think as Elmer Sglue looked at the balloon animal in his slimy hands.
It was over eleven years ago when Elmer, just a kid, a student and classmate of the Powerpuff Girls no less at Pokey Oaks Kindergarten, mutated into what he is now. Apparently back then, he had a rather unhealthy habit eating paste, which no judgement on Rainbow's part, lots of kids at that age got into things or tried to eat things they shouldn't. Rainbow himself could remember chewing on crayons... and he was still convinced red crayons tasted like oranges, while oranges had more of an apple taste. Anyway, the bad habit normally wouldn't have amounted to much beyond a health lecture and perhaps a doctor's check-up, but much like Rainbow, fate had other plans in mind for poor Elmer.
And not just the typical jeering and picking on from his classmates either, including Buttercup of the Powerpuff Girls herself throwing paste right at poor Elmer's head while calling him paste eater. No, like Rainbow, it seemed that the paste triggered a latent meta-gene... well a contaminated sample of paste at least, as was later learned through investigation. Apparently a company in Townsville that was responsible for generating a lot of industrial chemicals had been improperly disposing of its toxic waste for years. Because of this, it had ended up mixing with other elements in the city, and long story short, poor Elmer had gotten exposed and mutated into the entity that he now was.
The Powerpuff Girls had managed to talk Elmer down from his resulting rampage, and afterwards he'd been sent here to Star Labs to be contained and studied for his own good, in the hopes that they could figure out how to change him back. Sadly, even after all these years, they hadn't managed to do so, leaving him stuck as he was. Which sadly led to a rough childhood growing up; it didn't help that his own family seemed to visit less and less over the years, to the point that these days Elmer feels like they just pretend he doesn't exist.
Though on visitors, his old teacher Ms. Keane drops in from time from time, and Elmer himself appreciated the visits. Unaware that the motivation behind those visits was his teacher's true self trying to manipulate and craft him into a tool of chaos for her amusement.
But in any case, it wasn't all bad. The staff here made sure to treat him as humanely as possible, and Rainbow had been doing his best over the years to help keep his spirits up. Which had led to what Rainbow liked to think was a strong friendship between the two.
"So, what are the brains testing today?" Elmer questioned, lifting his gaze to Rainbow, "Feels like they've done every examination and test possible countless times by now."
Elmer added with a sigh, "And while always appreciate your sunny disposition Rainbow, it's getting pretty hard to believe a cure is possible," he admitted as Rainbow gave him a concerned look.
He'd seen Elmer get depressed like this before, and it always troubled him. Especially since he often felt that way about his own situation - he'd love to be able to leave the lab and go back to performing to crowds, but he couldn't as long as there was a chance that he might revert to Mr. Mime and go on another rampage. And he was sadly pretty sure that they weren't going to be fixing that anytime soon.
But while he couldn't entertain crowds anymore, he could be there for a friend.
"Hey, hey now, I know that things look bleak, but there's always that bright spark of hope," Rainbow said, giving him a smile, "I'm sure that someday, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, the brainiacs will figure something out."
Rainbow said, giving a comforting grin, "And besides, that doesn't mean you can't still have a life outside of Star Labs before they do," He added, with Elmer giving a sigh.
"Not this again," He muttered, but Rainbow persisted.
"Yes, this again," the clown said, actually giving his younger friend a serious frown, "I know you don't like the idea of leaving the Labs at all these days, but unlike me, you aren't a danger to other people's safety," he said, and he raised his hand just as Elmer was about to protest, "And we both know that I am. Until we figure out a way to deal with my other side, it's just too risky me for me to go out in public."
The clown said with a click of his tongue, "But there's no risk with you, you've got full control of yourself, and pretty darn gosh good grasp of your powers at this point, if I say so myself," Rainbow said, smiling at Elmer, "So, you know that you could easily request for housing outside of Star Labs and still check in for the regular tests while integrating back into society."
He added, reaching up to place his hand on Elmer's shoulder, ignoring the slimy sticky paste getting on his hand.
"You shouldn't force yourself to live like this Elmer, not when people might be more willing to accept you if you give them a chance," he said, with Elmer giving a slight bitter scoff, though with a longing expression on his face.
"Hard to give people a chance when everyone looks at you as either a freak, a monster, or a lab experiment," he said before adding bitterly, "Or when your own family all but disowns you."
"I know, and I'm sorry," Rainbow said, giving Elmer's slimy shoulder a squeeze, "But all we can do is the best that we can with what life's given us. And you can do a lot better than just staying here."
Elmer frowned and considered that. He opened his mouth to say something in response...
BOOM
Only to be interrupted as the room suddenly shook from the sound of an explosion somewhere in the distance.
"What was that?!" Rainbow exclaimed as alarms started blaring.
"I don't know, but it doesn't sound good," Elmer said as he looked toward the panicking scientists as more explosions sounded out.
"What's going on?!' A woman at a computer terminal demanded, looking toward the security officer posted in the room, who had his hand to his ear, listening to his comm.
"There's an intruder breaking through the lab!" The officer explained hurriedly while pulling out his firearm.
"Who is it? Mojo Jojo?!" Elmer immediately questioned, his mind leaping to one of Townsville's supervillains most likely to attack Star Labs.
"No, it's..."
BOOM
The security officer's reply was cut short as the wall exploded, with a hover bike being ridden by a robotic-looking form surging into the room.
"Alright nerds, listen up!" Jinmay barked with a feral grin, "Unless you want me to crack you egg heads open, I suggest you tell me..."
She trailed off, spotting Rainbow and Elmer, with the latter stepping protectively in front of the clown.
"Well, that was easy," she said with a smirk, and seeing the creature next to her target, it looked like she might be bringing back a bonus for her master, which was sure to make him happy, and once again prove her superiority over the rest of his servants and harem.
Though she was brought out of her thoughts as the security officer opened fire at her.
PEW
PEW
PEW
With her just scoffing as the bullets did no damage to her.
"Oh please, you're just embarrassing yourself," she muttered, rolling her eyes before pointing her hand out toward the security officer with a dark smirk.
ZAP
And an energy blast shot from her palm to hit the guard, sending him flying with a cry of pain.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" Elmer demanded in outrage and fear, the latter of which spiked as Jinmay turned her attention back to him.
"Getting rid of an annoyance so that I can do my job," she stated, before pointing at him and Rainbow, "Speaking of which, in the name of my lord and master Skeleton King, the future ruler of this world, you two are now my prisoners. Come along quietly, and I'll go easy on you."
"What?!" Was the shared cry of Elmer and Rainbow at this.
"You heard me, just cooperate and this will go a lot easier," she added with an annoyed look, before giving a smirk, "And just think of this as an opportunity to do something with yours lives in the service of my master, rather than staying as lab rats," she said with an amused smirk, while Elmer and Rainbow's minds raced.
They might be living on-site in Star Labs, but that didn't mean they didn't keep up with the news, and like everyone else, they heard of the new alien invaders and villains threatening the planet, and to have an apparent minion burst into the lab, intending on taking them prisoner for her master, was most understandably a shock.
"That's right, my lord has apparently decided that your pathetic skills are somehow worthy of his attention and the honor of serving him," Jinmay said haughtily, "Personally, I don't see the appeal of either of you, but if it's what my master wants, it's what he's going to get."
"And, uh, hypothetically speaking, if we were to turn down this... honor?" Rainbow asked nervously.
At this, Jinmay shot a dry look, ignoring the scientists staring fearfully at her.
"I drag you back to him with every bone in your body broken, and what's left of your friend in a bucket," she stated matter-of-factly, "And considering I was originally sent to just get you, and your pal here is just an unexpected bonus," she gestured toward Elmer, who scowled at her, "He in particular might want to avoid pushing his luck."
"Lady, we're not interested," Elmer said, glaring at her, "Besides, those alarms are bound to get the Powerpuff Girls here in no time, so I don't think we're the ones about to get hurt!"
"Oh, I'm not concerned~" Jinmay replied with a twisted giggle, "After all, my master was sure to set up a diversion for your precious heroes, so they won't be coming here anytime soon."
At that, the others in room traded alarmed looks, realizing that the situation was even more serious than they first believed. If this girl was telling the truth, then their heroes would be distracted by another threat, and likely wouldn't know what was happening before it was far too late.
"So, let me give clown boy his makeup, and we can head out," Jinmay said, pulling out a vial of ooze straight from the Pit itself, with Rainbow paling as he watched the vial's contents move and squirm, "Hope for your sake, your mime act can entertain my master."
And Jinmay's next words and dark twisted smile only spiked his fear through the roof as he took a nervous step back.
"L-let's... not do anything crazy now," he said. raising his hands placating, "Wouldn't you like a balloon animal instead?" he asked with a strained smile, but Jinmay just gave him an amused look.
"Sorry, but my master has a different idea in mind for how you'll be entertaining from now on," she said as the bike slowly hovered closer.
"That's what... gulp... I'm afraid of," Rainbow said with a gulp, causing Elmer to growl; seeing how scared his friend was naturally made him furious. This crazy chick thought she could crash in here and drag him and his friend off to her creep boss? Well, she was about to learn the hard way that he wasn't going to let anyone bully his friends!
"I said..." he stepped forward, "We're not interested!" And thrust out his right hand, which surged straight to Jinmay, who barely had time to widen her eyes before she was knocked off her bike and pinned right onto the wall on the opposite side of the room, dropping the vial on the ground in the process.
"URK!" Jinmay gagged in surprise from the impact, and from the glue now covering her face. After a moment, however, her surprise faded and was replaced in anger - how dare this freak try to get in her way?!
ZAP
"AH!" Elmer yelped in pain as an energy blast tore through his hand. Pulling it away to let it reform safely revealed Jinmay pulling herself off of the wall, eyes glowing dangerously.
"Alright, goo boy," she growled, "You want to go? Fine, let's go!"
And with that, she rocketed forward with a roar, sending out energy blasts straight toward Elmer, who attempted to dodge while firing paste balls at Jinmay.
"Everybody, get out of here!" Elmer roared to the Star Labs workers, who immediately started to flee the room, while Rainbow stood off to the side, stunned, watching worried for his friend.
Not noticing the vial Jinmay had held rolling toward his feet
"Elmer!" Rainbow called out, stepping forward on instinct to try and help his friend.
"No, Rainbow! Get out of here, it's not safe!" Elmer yelled back, dodging an energy blast by collapsing to the floor, then shooting a stream of paste at Jinmay, who flipped out of the way.
"But-!"
"Go!"
Wanting to argue, but seeing that it wouldn't work, Rainbow reluctantly nodded and turned to run-
CRACK
-And froze as his foot landed on the vial and shattered it.
And as he looked down and saw the ooze that was now surging up his leg, he let out a soft, "Oh afro circus..." Before letting out a shrill yell.
"AAAAAAAAHHHH!!" As the ooze crawled all over his form at a frightening pace.
"Rainbow!" Elmer shouted in horror as he turned to the sight of his friend's current situation.
"Get it off! GET IT OFF!" Was the clown's terrified plea, but before Elmer could attempt to help his friend...
ZAP
Jinmay lunged forward, blasting him right in the face and consequently blasting his head right off.
"That's what you get for standing in my way, goo ball!" Jinmay said with a dark smirk as she turned to Rainbow, "Shame, you might have been useful to my maSAURG!"
Though it seemed taking her eyes off Elmer was a mistake, as despite losing his head, he was due to his unique biology still alive, as Jinmay realized when his headless form tackled her brutally.
WHAM
CRACK
Slamming her into a table hard enough to break it in half, Elmer's body started smacking her back and forth against the floor, denting the tiles.
But while he was doing this, he lost track of Rainbow, who had collapsed to the floor as he desperately tried to pull the ooze off of him, only for it to spread from his leg to his hands in the process. And from there, it spread across his arms towards his torso, while the ooze still on his legs made its way upwards.
"No, no, no, no, no! Help me, pleaMMMPH!!!" Rainbow screamed, only to be cut off as the ooze completely covered him, leaving him trapped within a makeshift cocoon on the floor.
And unseen within the cocoon, the potent power of the ooze and Skeleton King's magic got to work, tapping into Rainbow's subconscious while letting itself seep and be absorb into his body to awaken something darker... nastier... eviler... and certainly not so cheerful.
ZAP
While off to the side, Jinmay blasted a hole straight through Elmer's chest.
"FUCK OFF!" Jinmay snapped angrily with a furious glare, but despite that, to her fury, the pummeling didn't stop! And to her spiking fury, the hole regenerated along with her opponent's head... including his glasses somehow?
But Jinmay didn't have time to process that as Elmer cried out, "NO ONE BULLIES MY FRIENDS!" As he grabbed her by the face and twisted around, throwing her to the wall with another stream of paste.
SMASH
She hit the wall hard enough to burst clean through it, emerging into the hallway on the other side.
"RAAAGGGHHH!!! I'm not losing to a freak like you!" Jinmay snarled as she blasted herself free of the paste again.
"Funny, I was about to save the same to you," Elmer said as he walked through the hole just created when he blasted Jinmay through the wall, "And you might as well give up."
He said with a glare, "I'm sure that the Powerpuffs are likely wrapping up whatever distraction your boss set up," he said, half-confident half-bluffing to be honest.
"Please, right now they're probably screaming their heads off," Jinmay said with a scoff and jealousy-filled scowl as she entered a battle stance.
"If you're a good sign on how dangerous he is, I doubt it," Elmer said with a scoff, prompting a glare.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked with a dangerous growl, her eyes glowing.
"Well, considering I'm winning when this is literally the second super battle I've ever been in, I'm starting to think your boss' reputation, along with all his goons, is overblown," Elmer said with a mocking smirk as Jinmay growled.
"Oh, you're dead!" She howled, mentally sending a command to her bike as she lunged straight toward Elmer, blasting at him with a pair of eye beams while Elmer suddenly also found himself attacked from behind at the same time due to the arrival of Jinmay's hover bike.
SPLAT
Which was enough to burst his body apart, creating space for Jinmay to land back on her bike. Spinning it around in the air to leave it floating above Elmer's splattered body, she opened fire with the bike's weapons.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
"DIE! DIE! DIE!" she screamed as she blasted every bit of paste that she could see.
"Ahahahahahhahahah!" Before proceeding to laugh like a maniac as she continued to open fire for several more moments...
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
Before finally stopping as she breathed heavily, before giving a cocky smirk.
"Let's see the bastard come back from that~" she said smugly, though also gave a cautious glare toward the smoke, waiting for it to clear. After the last time, she was doublechecking to make sure he was dead.
When the smoke cleared and she didn't see anything, she sighed in relief.
"Well, that was annoying," she muttered, before looking around, "Now then, where did that clown go...?"
WHAM
And then the floor burst open underneath her, and Elmer - who had slipped between the tiles to get under the floor and reform while Jinmay was distracted - shot upwards and slammed into the bike from underneath, sending it and Jinmay crashing into the ceiling above.
"Urg... okay... starting to... get pissed off..." Jinmay said with gritted teeth and glaring eyes toward Elmer, who was keeping her and her bike pinned up against the ceiling as a long stream of paste shot up toward it.
"Face it! You can't waste this paste!" Elmer called out, sending her a mocking smile.
"Oh, we'll just see about that," Jinmay growled with a venomous tone as she prepared to blast him again, only for both of them to freeze as an odd sound reached their ears.
CRACK
Looking towards its source, they saw the ooze cocoon, which had just burst open. And as they watched, a figure emerged out of it... a figure that was definitely not Rainbow the Clown. But rather a sinister-looking mime that looked like they stepped right out of an old black and white film. This was Rainbow the Clown's other side, Mr. Mime.
And as he stood up silently with a dark menacing grin, Jinmay gave her own smirk while Elmer looked in horror.
"Rainbow!"
With Elmer quickly pulling back, receding back to the ground, ignoring Jinmay as she grabbed onto her hover bike and hovered overhead with a smirk.
"Rainbow, talk to me!" Elmer pleaded, approaching Mr. Mime, who just stood there silently.
"Hehe, sorry, but your friend's not in the building anymore~" Jinmay called out smugly, "And now that he's back to what he was, he's on my side now!"
At that, however, Mr. Mime frowned slightly. Looking to Jinmay, he slowly shook his head, making her blink.
"What the Hell do you mean, no?!" she demanded angrily, to which Mr. Mime responded by pointing at himself and making a few gestures before pointing at himself again even more firmly.
"I, uh, think he's saying that he only works for himself," Elmer offered nervously. He was glad that his friend's other self was apparently not planning to join Skeleton King, but it was disturbing that he was still planning to be evil.
At that, Mr. Mime shot Elmer a finger gun, nodding with a dark smirk while Jinmay... to put it frankly, exploded.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN ONLY WORKS FOR HIMSELF?!" She shouted, glaring at the impudent mime, "It was Skeleton King that brought you back! If not for his power, you'd still be stuck in a has-been birthday clown's subconscious!"
She snapped as Mr. Mime began to scowl, "It's his power that now courses through you! So you serve him!"
Mr. Mime merely shook his head again, scowl deepening. Taking a step forward, he brought a foot down hard on the floor, unleashing a wave of black, white, and gray that sucked all the color out of his immediate surroundings.
"Are you seriously trying to intimidate me?" Jinmay scoffed, "Fine, guess I'll just have to beat you senseless and drag you to the master in pieces!"
And at that, Jinmay surged forward, lashing out to grab him by his shirt... which proved a mistake, as the Mime grinned wickedly, and next thing Jinmay knew all her color was being sapped away.
"You think that..." she was cut off as the colorless wave of black, white, and gray overtook her form, rendering her as well as her bike not only completely colorless, but silent... but it was neither the lack of sound nor color that proved her immediate issue, but rather being the first to received a taste of the Skeleton King-boosted power Mr. Mime now possessed.
As she let the Mime go, her hand falling limply to her side, she became overwhelm by a feeling of despair.
Look at her, nothing but a toy pretending to be a real girl, how pathetic.
You actually think Skeleton King loves you? HA! You're nothing but a pleasure toy for his amusement and goals.
A trophy to hold over Chiro head as one last laugh.
Why would he ever want a pathetic doll like you as Queen?
You can't even face your past with Chiro! You claim that he means nothing to you anymore, but is it really true?
All these thoughts, all of the fears and doubts that Jinmay had been repressing ever since she entered Skeleton King's service, all came flying to the surface all at once, and she didn't know how to handle it. Worse, it seemed like any positive thoughts that might have counteracted them were being snuffed out.
With a silent whimper, Jinmay fell to her knees, arms wrapping instinctively around herself for comfort, eyes going dull.
"Woah!" Elmer jerked back in shock. It'd been a good number of years, but he sure as heck didn't remember THAT happening when Rainbow's other side drained the color and sound out of Townsville. And seeing the state she was in... enemy or not, Elmer actual felt concern.
However, he quickly realized he had other problems, as Mr. Mime lunged toward him, with Elmer at first forming a hole in his chest and attempting to step back from his attack, only for the Mime to surprise him with a kick to his side, activating his powers in the process. And much like Jinmay, he was drained of sound and color and assaulted by feelings of despair.
Freak.
Monster.
You honestly think you'll ever be human again?!
You'll never be accepted!
Even your own family can't stand the sight of you!
With a quiet whimper, Elmer completely lost coherence and collapsed into a shapeless puddle, mind lost to his despair.
Mr. Mime gave a small smirk as he looked at his two fallen foes laying on the floor. Then he turned on his heel and walked away, heading towards the nearest exit. He had an entire world out there waiting for his performance, after all~
Not giving a second thought to the robot that tried to make him into a goon for her master, or the boy that his weaker half had called friend.
(Utonium household)
As this was happening, Robin Snyder had arrived back to the neighborhood of her house and the Utonium household, with her heading toward the front door of the latter, with her humming to herself as she opened it.
"Hello, Professor! It's me Robin, hope you don't mind me letting myself in, but I've got Buttercup's groceries!"
"Hello Robin, come on in!" the Professor called out as he emerged from the basement lab back onto the ground floor, "Thanks for this, I'm sure Buttercup appreciates it. Need a hand with those?"
"Sure," Robin said, smiling at her neighbor while handing him the bag, "How's your day been?" She asked with a curious look.
"Oh, you know, same ol', same ol'," the Professor said, giving a chuckle, smiling at his daughters' friend, "Scientific research while pursuing the endless search for knowledge~" He admitted, giving a chuckle, both of them unaware that as they made small talk, all three rooms of the Powerpuff Girls (each now having their own separate room) had been vandalized, and the one behind it was feeling her patience coming to an end.
"Urg, that cursed cloth must be here somewhere!" Valeena spat, stepping out of Blossom's room, which had been literally torn apart, "I'll scour this entire house from top to..." she trailed off as she glanced up, noticing an attic entrance, causing her to give an evil smirk as she floated up.
Reaching the door, she pressed it open and floated up into the attic itself. Looking around the space, her gaze soon settled on a makeshift shrine at one end - a crayon drawing of a large form that was presumably the fallen fourth sister, surrounded by candles. And more importantly, lying on a pillow in front of it was the scrap of purple cloth that Valeena had come looking for.
"Excellent," the sorceress said with a smirk, reaching down to snatch up the cloth, her eyes carefully examining it, a part of her hardly believing her master desired such an insignificant thing, but she supposed that she was proof that the power of the Skeleton King could turn even the most insignificant things into something truly glorious!
She thought, thinking back to when she was but a frail simpering child before her parents presented her to her one true lord! The only thing they had ever done that was of true value besides ensure her true birth; she could still feel the disappointment ring that her parents were traitors who sought to merely serve Skeleton King for their own short-sighted ambition, rather than true loyalty!
It was her honor to make them pay the price for such arrogance, and truly show her master where her loyalty was! She thought for a moment, smirking at the memories before shaking it off to look at the cloth in her hand.
"I don't know what my master is planning to do with you..." Valeena murmured with a dark grin, "But it surely will be a sight to behold~" she stated with a twisted cackle, before giving one last look at the shrine.
"How sentimental... pathetic," she spat, and with a flick of her finger the shrine was destroyed as it was set ablaze, with the Skull Sorceress making her way out of the attic, deciding that the time for stealth was over, and it was time to retrieve her second prize... and more to the point...
Her eyes narrowed, "I promised my master I would bring him Aku's essence, goddess, and that's a vow I shall uphold!" she spat, determined to take not only all of this Chemical X, but force the location of where the foolish Professor had hidden the pure essence. Then she could surely bypass whatever defenses he and that mad goddess had set up, and she could present her master with everything he desired! Yes, she'd be going against his orders somewhat here, but surely he'd understand her reasoning... right?
For just a moment, Valeena felt a sense of dread run down her spine at the possibility of what might happen if this did anger her master. However, she quickly brushed that off; all that mattered was securing Skeleton King's victory and dominance, and any lines she had to cross to do so would be forgiven in the long run, she was certain.
So, with that in mind, she turned and made her way back down into the house proper. As she reached the stairs, however, she paused as she heard voices coming from below. One was the Professor, but the other was one she didn't recognize - it was young and female, but not that of one of the three sisters that she had heard earlier.
Whoever it was, they were ultimately inconsequential... all that mattered was her master's desires, she thought with an evil grin, her hands glowing with dark power as she approached the kitchen.
"So I told her that if she ever needed someone to talk to, I'm here," Robin informed the Professor as they put away the groceries.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that. It's good to know that the girls have such loyal friends standing by their sides," the Professor said with a smile, which she returned.
"Yeah, I may not have powers, but I'm glad that I can still help them anyway I can," she said.
"And the girls appreciate it, Robin," the Professor said with a honest tone, "I know your friendship has helped keep them grounded and reminded them a time or two that they do and can have lives outside of superheroing."
He said with a smile, "Plus, you've shown countless times you're a true friend, and not someone who'd simply take advantage of the girls' popularity or powers," He added with a slight disgruntled tone entering his voice, "Something that I myself could have used when I was their age."
He muttered, thinking of his former so-called best friend, who after everything he did to his girls and the monster he ultimately turned himself into, it was easier to look back to the past with less rose-tinted glasses and see Dick Hardly for the man he really was.
Though at Robin's concerned look, he coughed.
"Point is, you've done so much for the girls, but don't be afraid to come to us for help if you ever need it," he offered, placing his hand gently on her shoulder, with her smiling.
"Thanks Professor, I..." her words were cut off by a new unfamiliar voice speaking up.
"How disgustingly sweet."
Causing them to whirl to see a rather gothic if not scary-looking woman walking into the kitchen, her hands glowing.
"But I have no time for this nonsense," Valeena said, sneering, "You'll be relinquishing all of your Chemical X formula," she said, stepping up threateningly, with the Professor and Robin's eyes widening, but the Professor in particular went pale at the woman's next words, "And you shall tell me where I can locate all the remaining pure essence of Aku for my master!"
"The what?" Robin asked, looking between the Professor and the strange woman in confusion, "Professor, what's going on? Who is this, and what's she talking about?"
However, the Professor didn't hear her, too gripped by shock from Valeena's words to process anything else.
"How do you know about that?" he demanded, looking at her in horror.
"I serve the great Skeleton King, and he knows all," Valeena replied, not deigning to give that harlot of a goddess any credit, "Now, answer my question, before I force you to."
The Professor's mind was racing, especially after the woman proclaimed she served that space warlord Skeleton King, and somehow, he didn't know how, her master had learned of his deepest secret, one that no one, not even his girls knew... the true source of their existence, and what made the existence of Chemical X possible.
He gulped, his mind going to his girls, their fantastic abilities and powers, but also going to the likes of Mojo Jojo and even the Rowdyruff Boys. The former, he knew through secret examination of his DNA after learning of his origins as his lab monkey Jojo, carried a small trace of of the essence within his being, a trace small enough to allow him to create the Rowdyruff Boys, though they ultimately proved unstable, meeting their ends through self-destruction before later recreated and stabilized by HIM.
All of this raced through his mind, because he knew that the power of the pure concentrated essence and the potential it could reach was limitless, compared to his more synthesized formula he created from it and deemed Chemical X. If it fell into the wrong hands, like Skeleton King's, there was no telling what havoc would be wrought!
"I won't tell you!" He declared as bravely as he could, glaring defiantly, "Do with me as you will, but I refuse to let something like that fall into the grasp of a monster like your master!"
Utonium added, trying to be as brave as he could, while Valeena scowled, before smirking.
"Really?" her gaze went over to Robin, who stepped nervously back, "But tell me, while you're willing to lay down your own life to keep your secret, are you willing to say the same for her?"
The Professor's eyes widened, and he immediately placed himself in front of Robin protectively.
"Leave her alone, she has nothing to do with this!" he declared, even as he sweated in panic.
"Yet she is obviously someone that you and your daughters care for," Valeena sneered, "As such, I think inflicting a little pain and suffering on her is just what is required to make you talk."
At that, a flash of fear crossed Robin's face for a moment before she glared at Valeena.
"I'm not scared of you!" She snapped, determined to be brave; after all, she always knew being friends with superheroes would come with risks, and she wasn't about to betray that friendship either.
Her comment seemed to amuse the woman as she let out a cackle.
"Oh child..." the Skull Sorceress sneered at Robin, "You will be."
Before thrusting out her hand and sending a blast of energy straight at her.
Robin's eyes widened as she froze in panic at the impending attack, only to yelp as the Professor tackled her out of the way, leaving the blast to barely miss them and hit the cabinet behind them instead.
BOOM
As the cabinet exploded, the two scrambled back to their feet.
"Robin, run! I'll hold her off!" Utonium yelled as he grabbed the nearest possible weapon, a frying pan, and held it in an attempted threatening pose at Valeena, who gave him an unimpressed look.
"You can't be serious," the sorceress said with a scoff of disdain, before waving her hand, and a moment later the frying pan glowed with dark energy, before transforming into a snake.
HISS
"Gah!" The Professor let out a startled cry as he threw the creature to the side as Valeena gave a mocking laugh.
"No wonder that goddess had to step in to hold your hand," she cackled, sneering at him, "Without her pulling your strings, a fool like you could never hope to find Aku's essence, much less create three beings of such power!"
Because disdain for Eris and her daughters aside, she could recognize the power these Powerpuff Girls had, if nothing else. They would be valuable tools for her lord once they were broken in, she thought with a smirk, while the Professor blinked in confusion at what he'd just heard.
"What? What are you talking about?" he demanded, equal parts curious and wanting to keep the witch distracted from Robin.
"Oh yes, I suppose you wouldn't know, would you?" Valeena sneered, "You only found Aku's essence because a chaos goddess guided you to it, and then added her own power to the "accident" she arranged, in order to create your so-called daughters, all for her own amusement~"
"I, what?!" The Professor along with Robin who had frozen gaped at her in shock, their minds reeling. She... she had to be lying, right?! Because if she wasn't, that threw everything about the girls' very creation into question... and the motives behind it.
The Professor's mind went back to all those years ago... the strange dreams... the way he was suddenly inspired to start researching ancient myths... finding the legends about the demon known as the Shogun of Sorrow... how he found himself strangely more and more obsessed at the time... feeling like something or someone was whispering in his ear, telling him that this would be the key to his project.
But no, that... that couldn't be true! The girls were a happy accident of his honest attempts to improve the world! They weren't jut the result of some goddess messing with him for fun!
...Right?
"Does the revelation that you are nothing but a tool for higher beings break your mind?" Valeena asked with an expression of cruel amusement, "In a way, you should consider this everything coming full circle."
Valeena's dark gaze gleamed as the Professor stared at her warily, along with Robin, who eyed the exit to the kitchen nervously, "It was Eris who guided you to the essence and created your daughters, and now it is Eris who's served as the telling us everything."
She said, before sneering, "Everything except the location of the pure essence, which you will reveal to me, if you wish for you and your daughters' little friend to live!" She exclaimed, lashing out with a blast of energy.
With a scream, the Professor jumped out of the way, barely dodging the resulting explosion.
BOOM
And as the floor burst apart in a cloud of dust and debris, Robin took the opportunity to run towards the door. Seeing this, Valeena scowled.
"Oh no you don't!" she snapped, raising her hand to launch another blast, only for the Professor to tackle her.
"RUN ROBIN!" He screamed as he did so, with Robin, who had also jumped out of the way of the blast, pushing herself up.
"But, what..." her words were cut off by the Professor.
"FORGET ABOUT ME! GO!"
Robin flinched, but gave a nod and attempted to do just that, only to run into one problem.
HISSS
The frying pan turned snake appearing and lunging at her, wrapping its coils around her legs before squeezing and biting down!
"ARG!" With the girl letting a cry of pain as she fell to the ground, just barely out of the kitchen.
"ROBIN!" The Professor exclaimed while in his struggle with Valeena.
"Worry about yourself, fool!" She exclaimed, her form glowing with dark energy before lashing out and blasting the Professor back, his form flying off her own and landing hard on the table, breaking it and crashing right through.
"Urg..." He groaned in pain, blinking as he found Valeena sneering down at him.
"Now then..." the witch reached down, grabbing him by the front of his lab coat, "Let's go down to your lab to secure that Chemical X, and while we're at it, you can tell me all you know about that wonderful Aku essence you're hiding."
She said, holding up her right hand, which crackled with electrical mystical energy,
"N-Never," Utonium spat through the pain. Scowling at this, Valeena brought her hand down on his chest, the energy surging through him.
"AAAHHHHH!!!" he screamed in agony, until she pulled her hand away.
"That is just a taste of the pain that awaits if you resist. And I don't mean just for you," she snarled, glancing over to where Robin was lying on the floor, groaning in pain.
One way or another, she would be the one to present her master with his prize, and if she had to break these two fools' very minds to do it, then so be! She thought with a dark twisted grin as the Utonium household began to be filled with the sounds of deranged cackling and screams of pain.
(Across the city)
"Alright, just put everything into a pile here!" Black Cat called out, sitting on a crate, looking over the Formless carrying all the loot from that bitch brat's manor, with them currently in a warehouse she secured after arriving to Townsville.
It was perhaps a bit petty to do this, but after Morbucks' disrespect last night at the club and the way she insulted both of her identities, some pecking order had to be established. Which led to her arranging a trip to Townsville secretly, while also having Zita cover her tracks as Pacifica Northwest.
Of course, this was after she reported everything that happen at the club to her dad, and like herself he was both intrigued and concerned at the new player that had shown his hand, this Doctor Eggman, particularly when it came to his origins. Given their respective histories with beings from other realities, it was decided to best treat him as a legitimate threat. While also to work to learn more about his original reality and who else might have come with him, along with the man himself. Fortunately, they had a potential contact there in the form of that Breezie woman, with her father already looking into her, and at their last call actually sounding impressed with how quickly the woman had been working to establish herself in their reality's business world after ending up on Earth.
"Kinda wonder if he's going to recruit her, or if Mercy's going to get competition for that potential stepmom position," Pacifica muttered to herself with a slight amused smirk... though despite her nonchalant behavior, she didn't take her eyes off the Formless... and those with combat experience could tell she was ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
This little jout at most was supposed to be some fun and petty revenge, with perhaps the potential of flirting with some superheroines and messing with their heads like she's done with Supergirl. Admittedly, seeing the effect she had on Buttercup made her think there was potential there to get the girl under her in more ways than one~
But that little twist aside, things were playing out like she expected until Skeleton King's minions showed up... helping her... and while she of course exploited the opportunity, she knew she had to stay on guard here. This was risky, but if her Black Cat persona was on his radar and he had a plan for her, it was perhaps best to play it to see what he wanted, while being ready to bail at a moment's notice.
If worst came to worst, there was the emergency beacon device she gave Mabel and Zita. It might risk unwanted questions, but one should always have a plan ready in case of a worst case scenario.
Regardless... she supposed it was time to get some answers.
"So, don't suppose any of you talk, do you?" she questioned with a frown toward the Formless dumping the loot, "Because as much as I appreciate the extra hand, this pretty kitty would like some answers."
She said, her mind going to one of the newer bad boys on the block, Skeleton King, and what she's seen of him so far. He'd certainly made a splash in a short amount of time, but she had to admit that she still wasn't sure how to feel about him. He was terrifying and powerful... but at the same time, he and his ninja pal almost seemed to treat the whole thing like a game.
Now, don't get her wrong, she liked to have fun with what she was doing, but still, there was a certain decorum to this lifestyle that those two weren't following. They were just popping up everywhere causing trouble, destabilizing countries, dropping Earth-shattering information, or taking over certain towns, then just disappearing.
She had no idea how to process this and plan for it, and that pissed her off! How was she supposed to overcome something and come out on top like she deserved if she couldn't plan around it?
Though just as she gave a scowl, a holographic image formed behind her, displaying none other than the form of one of the two individuals she was thinking about.
"So, the thief wants some answers, does she~" This caused Black Cat to freeze, "Careful what they say about cats and curiosity, my dear~"
Skeleton King said with a laugh as she immediately sprung off the crate, twisting around in midair before landing in a battle stance. Realizing it was just a hologram, however, she calmed down slightly, blushing in annoyance at being caught off guard. However, she still stayed defensive, in case the Formless tried anything while she talked to their boss.
"Can't blame me for being curious after you sent me the unwanted help and made the Puffs think that we're working together," she scoffed, eyes narrowed, "So, let's cut to the chase. What do you want from me?"
"Truthfully my dear, you were an unexpected bonus," the holograph figure of Skeleton King stated, looking down at her with an imperious gaze from on top of the crate that caused her to bristle slightly, "I happen to have a very special plan for the Powerpuff Girls and Townsville that will shake them to the core and change everything~"
He said with a dark chuckle,"But I am never one to turn down an opportunity when it presents itself," He shot her a smirk, "Especially one wrapped in such a lovely appealing package~"
Pacifica blushed at that, but brushed it aside to puff herself up and show off her killer figure even more.
"Well, I'm glad to see you at least have good taste~" she purred, giving him a sultry look. Two could play that game, after all, and if this thing had a libido, maybe she could use it to manipulate him to her advantage.
After all, she was Pacifica Luthor; she might have discovered a healthy libido herself, but she used it to do the manipulating, she didn't let herself be manipulated.
Zita, Dipper, Mabel, all of them were proof of the power found in feelings and sexual desire, and she could exploit it to take control. Hell, she'd perfected her sexual and amorous edge to where she could even throw off heroes like Supergirl and make them play right into her hand, and she could do the same to Skully here.
A bit more of a risk to it, true, but that made it more exciting~
Skeleton King, seeing this, merely smirked, holding back a chuckle ,realizing what she was doing, and seeing the cunning gleam in her eyes, he could see the ruthless edge sharpened by Lex Luthor. Oh yes, she had potential, and would likely be a fun challenge, but the risk made the game all the more fun~
"Indeed, as of late I have come to realize that I was too quick to dismiss certain parts of mortal desires as a weakness," Skeleton King stated, his eyes roaming over her figure, "And you'll find that I have a refined palette, as well as a gift for finding potential."
He explained, narrowing his eyes, "And I believe a thief of your talents would do great things under my service," he stated, holding back a smirk; no reason to let her even think he suspected, much less knew, her true identity.
"Is that right?" Pacifica retorted, "Well, I don't normally work for anyone else, but maybe I'll consider it if you make it worth my while~"
"Oh, I can assure you, for those that don't disappoint me, what you see before is nothing compared to the wealth, power, or even pleasure I can offer you," Skeleton King said, gesturing toward the stolen loot taken from Princess Morbucks, causing Pacifica to smirk as she caught the emphasis on the word "pleasure".
"That is..." She paused as Skeleton King's dark gaze narrowed at her, "If you are truly worthy of being part of my forces."
At that, the Formless began to move again... this time surrounding her, causing Pacifica to narrow her eyes.
"My offer is this, walk away with nothing to show for today, and risk becoming another casualty or slave in my new era..." Skeleton King leaned forward, grinning evilly, "Or take two little tests I have in mind for you... prove that you are willing to take a risk to achieve your goals... show me that you have ambition and are more than just a lovely figure and beautiful face."
Pacifica bristled at the implication that she wasn't more than her looks. She got enough of that in her civilian life from people who thought she was some bimbo heiress, she sure as hell wasn't going to take it now!
"Fine. Tell me what you want me to do," she demanded. Seeing this, Skeleton King smirked.
"The first test is simple, but no less challenging," He stated as the Formless began to form their arms into weapons or summoned energy orbs, "Let us test your combat capability."
The dark monarch said with a cruel laugh as the Formless all sprung into action, with Pacifica barely having time to widen her eyes and let out a curse.
"Oh you fucking!" she quickly ducked an energy orb, then leapt up to avoid a Formless stabbing her straight through with its arm sword.
She then spun around in midair and came down to kick that Formless in the head, splattering it. As she landed, another Formless ran up and swung a mace arm at her, but she managed to spin around to grab ahold of it.
With a grunt of exertion, she turned and flung the Formless around, sending it flying into several others that were also running up towards her.
"You want to play things like that? Fine!" Pacifica, or rather Black Cat, spat as her clawed gloves suddenly extended out into sharpened talons, "Let me show you this kitty has claws!" she snapped, whirling around to slash one lunging Formless straight in the face, causing it to stumble back before she kicked it down.
After that, she started to dodge energy orbs being thrown by several other Formless with grace that impressed Skeleton King. He was quite eager to see how Pacifica had grown, in not only looks but capability. And considering she seemed to have somehow obtained the ability to transform into an enhanced state like the Black Cat from Spider-Man: The Animated Series, he felt testing her against numerous Formless rather than just one like he had done with Megara was fitting.
"Ruthless..." He commented, watching as she grabbed one Formless by the throat, using it as a human shield, taking several orb hits before it burst into goo as she lunged toward the small group firing at her.
"Determined..." he added with a faint smirk, watching as she proceeded to do a hand spring as the Formless continued to fire at her, with her then landing on the middle one, using its head as leverage, forcing it down to the ground as she did a split kick to attack the two to its right and left.
"But show me more... show me that you can be more than just a copycat thief!"
"Oh, you want more? How about this?!" Black Cat snarled as she held up a hand, and to Skeleton King's surprise a blaster muzzle burst out of her sleeve and opened fire at several Formless. Then, small rockets ignited in her boots and launched her into the air, letting her hover in midair as she shot at the Formless below.
"Unlike that has-been, I've got more than one trick!" Black Cat declared with a smirk.
"Impressive," Skeleton King said with a laugh, and he meant it; he hadn't been expecting for her to pull anything like that! Hmm, it seemed that he'd forgotten that while she was this reality's Black Cat, that didn't mean she would only fight or use tricks like the variations of Marvel's Black Cat.
A slight slip-up, and one he should remember lest he end up taken off guard again.
"But you'll find..." He smirked, watching as Black Cat fired at the Formless below, with some attempting to return fire, "That my Formless are not solely limited to the land," He stated with an amused chuckle as a Formless with wings suddenly tackled Black Cat to the side.
"Ugh!" she grunted as she was slammed against a wall, hard enough to crack it. But thanks to the super serum in her system, this was mostly just a slight pain rather than anything incapacitating, and she quickly recovered. Glaring at the winged Formless holding her, she growled and headbutted it hard enough to splatter its head.
"Okay, so your goons aren't one-trick ponies either, good to know," she spat, peeling herself off the wall and glaring at the other flying Formless moving in to surround her, "Fine... let's see what else they can do!"
At that, Skeleton King smirked, knowing very well that the Formless were anything but one trick, and had certainly come far since the Hyper Force days...
"Oh believe me, they can still give my enemies quite a shock when needed~" He said as some of the flying Formless' forms glowed with yellow energy, before letting out electrical blasts aimed at Black Cat. She dodged, not by flying further up but surprisingly by cutting off her jet boots and dropping down. As the electric blasts hit where she'd just been, she fired upwards, hitting several of them.
Hitting the floor, she went into a roll that took her out of the way as the surviving Formless fired down at her. With her moving with grace, avoiding both energy and electric blasts as Skeleton King observed.
"Tell me, what motivates you? What drives you?" He asked, his voice cutting through the air, both to sate some curiosity and to see how she handled further distraction, "Are you truly satisfied with being a mere thief, constantly compared to her senior, or do you not desire more?"
"Of course I want more, and I'm gonna get it!" Black Cat snapped as she effortlessly dodged the attacks, "I might be styling myself on Catwoman, but I'm more than just some fangirl copycat willing to settle for a low bar like she did. All this is just a fun form of training; I'm going to build up connections and resources, an empire of my own!"
She landed on the pile of loot and, seeing a suit of armor holding a spear, she grabbed the weapon and threw it as hard as she could at some of the airborne Formless, managing to impale two.
"I'll crush anyone who stands in my way!" She declared with a dark glare, "Sentimental saps like the Justice League or other heroes..." she rocketed off into the air, blasting at the airborne Formless, before reaching and grabbing one that she took for a literal spin, twisting like a twister, "Psychotic demons that try to make their world their plaything..."
Her mind went to Cipher and that insane Hell on Earth he'd unleashed.
"Even cuties that waste their potential," she scoffed as she let go of the Formless, allowing it to be sent straight toward the last two airborne Formless, as her mind went to Dipper; for however much he's grown and delved into the supernatural world's secrets, even becoming a student of sorts to John Constantine, he still had such a narrow-minded view on things, and let his morals hold him back. Granted, he could be selfish, and that knowledge Mabel shared about that whole love potion incident and how he just let it happen surprised her, but odds were if the incident didn't get Robbie out of the way at the time, or had affected someone more personally, he'd have done more. Honestly, the reason it probably played out for over three years is because he really hadn't really realized the date-rape brainwashing implications in Mabel's stunt.
Shaking that off, however, she refocused on the situation at hand, and glared at Skeleton King's hologram.
"And I'm sure as Hell not letting some alien warlord saunter in from nowhere and look down his nonexistent nose at me," she spat defiantly.
"Look down at you?" Skeleton King shook his head, watching as she landed on the ground, glaring challengingly toward the remaining group of Formless, "On the contrary, I'm impressed and intrigued."
He admitted with a dark smirk, "I've been researching since I arrived on this world, and many figures have stood out," the Formless charged forward, bodies shifting into weaponry or launching energy attacks, "You among them. Many wrote you off as just a imitation whose main weapon was her sex appeal and mind games."
He clicked his tongue, "But the more I looked, the more I saw the hidden ruthless cunning. Some might see your actions as thrill or greed, but you've got larger goals that you want to become sharper and stronger for! And your thefts are a means to reach that end!"
He declared, watching as she lunged toward the Formless, blasting one point-blank in face, dodging a sword swipe from another, landing on its arm before kicking it right in the face, sending it flying back into another.
"More than that..." Skeleton King placed a hand over his chest, "Black Cat is your way of unleashing more of your true self, isn't it~" He said with a dark grin, "You don't have to care or consider the foolish senses of law, order, and morality, you can take whatever you want, and do whatever you want, with a taste of a true sense of freedom! It is a taste of the same liberation that was given to me the day I was reborn as Skeleton King!" He gave a mad cackle, grinning madly, "And while you still hold yourself back due to fear of how the League and other fools who can't understand might react..."
Skeleton King gestured grandly down to Black Cat with his free hand, "I can set you free completely! I can help you embrace true power and evil! Show you the joys found beyond mere theft, as we bring death and destruction to this pathetic world!"
"What makes you think that I need your help to get anywhere?" Black Cat spat, backhanding a Formless that tried to came up behind her, "I've never had anything of real value just handed to me in my life, and I'm not going to start with my ambitions!"
"A quality I respect," Skeleton King stated, despite knowing internally he couldn't speak for himself on that factor, considering all his current power was quite literally handed to him on a silver platter... though part of him is still waiting for the other boot to drop.
"But ask yourself this?" He gazed down at her, watching as she literally tore the face off one Formless, "How long can you build up your resources while playing the thief, before the heroes and rivals realize there's more to you?"
He tilted his head, "How far can you reach with those like the Justice League standing in your way? And when a rival attempts to take everything you've built for yourself, will you be ready to protect it?"
"Of course I will!" Black Cat snapped instinctively, even as she felt a small smidge of doubt bubble up in her. She had a lot going for her... but could she really stand up on her own if things went bad, as they currently stood?
She had boosted meta-level physical abilities, she had money and resources from both the Northwests and from being Luthor's adopted daughter, she had loyal followers like Zita wrapped around her fingers. She had Dipper's complete trust while using him as an unknowing supernatural informant and on some level on the Justice League. She had Mabel, who was now a superheroine willingly betraying her brother by sharing her bed and completely in love with her, and with her as an agent inside the Justice League... though with the Bat, it was probably to an admittedly limited degree, as he likely knows every identity in the Justice League knowing his infamous paranoia, and would know of Pacifica's connections to both Dipper and Mabel, though hopefully to not the true depth on the latter.
But it wasn't like she'd stopped there. She'd been training, learning how to fight, carefully cultivating and gathering her own assets and resources that were her own and not her father's... As Pacifica Northwest, she'd been using her limited access to the family company to fund smaller labs and businesses, some even in her own name instead of through pseudonyms, all to build up her own private portfolio. As Black Cat, she'd been doing some low-grade mercenary work to make connections with other villains. Sadly, no big names yet, but some prominent B and C listers were on her contact list now, and could be useful tools down the line.
Steadily and patiently building up connections and resources for when she was ready to step up and show how dangerous Pacifica Luthor or Black Cat could really be... but...
She frowned as she kicked down and blasted the last Formless straight in the head. She had to ask herself, would it be enough? Because as much as she hated to admit it, Skeleton King might have a point... the obstacles that stood in her way wouldn't be easy to take down (part of what made the challenge so exciting), and while she'd been as patient as a true predator... the way things were accelerating, she might not have the time to afford to be patient.
If worst comes to worst, she could bunker down when things finally hit the fan, and then try to swoop in to build up her power base from what remains on Earth... but that itself came with plenty of risk, like who'd be left standing as the victor if things on Earth escalated to full-scale conflict.
Her eyes gleamed with frustration... but also ambition. She wasn't in this game to lose, she was intent on raising higher than even her father (however much she appreciated and respected him for what he's done for her, and perhaps even saw more as a parent than those bastards and their stupid bell), perhaps becoming Queen of Earth in all but name if possible! And she wasn't going to just throw in the towel and give up on ambitions because it got hard. No, she'd come too far... she just had to use any opportunity that came up this cat's alley.
So... much as it stung her pride... she might just have to take up this offer.
"For the sake of conversation," she said out loud, "Let's say I take you up on your deal. What exactly would I need to do?"
"Besides passing the next test I have in mind, since you've proven your combat skills," Skeleton King said, staring down at her, "I believe it goes without saying that your skills as a thief will be put to work."
He stated, with Black Cat giving an expected nod; she's built a reputation as a skilled thief, so of course he'd want to put those talents to use retrieving certain items, or perhaps information for him.
"But besides that, I see great potential in you as another agent on Earth, helping secure further connections, if you can stomach it assassinating certain targets, and if need be acting as another enforcer of my will alongside the likes of Mandarin, Jinmay, and Valeena," Skeleton King gave a smirk, "And if you're half as cunning as I expect, I see value in putting your mind to work in any particular strategies or schemes to help secure my power over this planet~"
"Well, that's flattering," Black Cat replied dryly, "Not sure I like the idea of being anyone's minion, but I can tolerate a mutually-beneficial alliance. So, any ideas on what you want me to steal?"
"Hehe, not to worry my dear, if you prove yourself as talented as I believe, then you'll become more than just a minion... much more~" Skeleton King said with a dark grin, "As I've realized that the carrot works just as well as the stick with my followers... at least those worthy of such."
He explained, before adding with a slight mutter.
"So much so, serve me well, and prove yourself, and you might find yourself rewarded with your own chunk of territory on Earth as your own personal kingdom," He stated with an amused smirk, "Or perhaps even your own world for your picking after I claim Earth, if you go beyond my expectations."
The twisted isekai soul stated to stroke the fires of Pacifica's greed and ambition as bait, and not being entirely untrue. After all, he gave Megara Kaznia to rule in his name through Audrey, and he promised Blackfire her home planet, he could be generous to those that deserve it.
"And as for what I want you to steal, thats where your second test to join my forces comes in." He stated with a smirk as he already saw her eyes gleam with greed and interest, despite how well she tried to hide.
"Tell me, are you familiar with the artifacts in the Townsville Museum known as the Head of Anubis and the Anubial Jewels?" Skeleton King questioned as Pacifica blinked, before arching a brow.
"You know that mutant monkey's tried to use those things like twice now, right?" she asked bluntly, while her mind processed everything he said.
Having an actual kingdom to rule, not just a corporate or criminal empire... that was very tempting. And it was something that she'd have to give a lot of serious thought to once she had a chance to actually process all of this.
In the meantime, there was this test she'd been given, which should be simple enough. Morbucks' monkey bestie had stolen those mystical artifacts twice, in some asinine attempt to take over the city by turning people into dogs, and epically failed both times. It was not increasing her opinion of Skeleton King all that much if he was trying to do something similar.
Besides, while what he was offering sounded nice on paper, she was no sucker who let her greed blind her. Her birth family made their fortune on false broken promises, after all, while her true father Lex Luthor had made a career out of his using his silver tongue to manipulate people. Not to mention she'd seen what happened first hand when someone's arrogance and greed overcomes their common sense.
She held back a shiver as the memory of that triangle rearranging Preston's orifices flashed through her mind before shaking it off. So, she'd play along, especially since Skeleton King didn't seem to fully grasp the extent of her ambition; for all his flattery, he didn't realize Black Cat was Pacifica Luthor, and she wasn't going to be anyone else's pedestal.
But that didn't mean she couldn't exploit his resources and offer to her own advantage~
Besides, as stated, she'd give this all proper thought later once she processed everything.
"Oh, I am well aware~" Skeleton King said, replying to her statement with an amused chuckle, smirking, "And rest assured, I have something else in mind than turning Earth into the planet of puppy dogs~"
He said with a dark smirk. Truthfully, after realizing he was heading to Townsville, he'd been contemplating having the Formless retrieve the artifacts in the chaos to come, as he had an idea that he wanted to see was possible once he got his hands on them, but the presence of Black Cat wasn't an opportunity he could turn down.
Black Cat herself gave him a slight frown, before nodding.
"Alright, I'll trust that you've got a better plan than playing copycat in mind for those jewels," she said, before smirking, "And it shouldn't take long to nab those things anyway."
She scoffed, because thanks to her research in what could make for valuable targets to nab in Townsville in case she decided to stick around a bit after looting Princess, she knew that even after Mojo's twice over stunt, they still kept the repaired bust and jewels in the same museum, in practically the same level of security from her understanding. Guess no one believed there was a threat after monkey boy embarrassed himself twice attempting to pull Planet of the Dogs after Planet of the Apes didn't work out for him.
But she paused at Skeleton King's next words.
"Oh, you didn't think I'd make the test that easy, did you?" He asked with a mocking smirk as she gave him a wary look, "You'll retrieve them today yes, but only move on the signal."
He explained with a dark twisted grin, "Your test will be to retrieve the artifacts and deliver them to me in person in one piece, while getting through all the chaos to come~" He added, with Black Cat frowning.
"What chaos?" she asked warily, wondering what this guy had coming.
"Oh, I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise, but I will say the city will have history repeat itself once playtime truly kicks off~" Was his response as he gave a mad cackle that reminded her of footage she'd seen of Joker, only darker and more demonic causing a slight chill to go down her spine.
But despite that... she had to admit that she was morbidly curious to see what he had in mind.
"Okay, fine, keep your little secrets," she scoffed, rolling her eyes, "But you better be sure to make this actually worth my time. And if you're thinking that you can just use me... well, I don't care how powerful you are. NO ONE uses me and gets away with it."
"Not to worry, as long as you prove your own value, it'll be worth your time," Skeleton King said, his gaze boring into her, "As for using you..." He smirked, "You might find like a number of woman I've chosen, there's great honor and pleasure found in being used by me~"
Pacifica blushed brightly as she easily caught on to what he was implying, remembering his comments at the club about having a harem. And despite herself, she briefly found her mind conjuring images as it pondered what it would be like to actually sleep with this thing...
No! She had plenty of lovers already, thank you very much, and she was always on top! She wasn't about to let herself be just another notch on some space monster's belt; she'd used this alliance to her advantage, get everything out of it that she could, and then she'd cut him loose.
Even if part of her was morbidly curious what something like him was like in the bedroom. But she shook off that thought as she arched a brow.
"So, what will this signal be?" She questioned with a frown, while he simply gave an evil leer.
"Oh trust me my dear, you'll know it when you see it~" he let out a chuckle, "Just try not to lose any of your nine lives in the crossfire~" he said, disappearing with one last cackle.
Pacifica frowned as she watched him vanish, and the splattered Formless ooze curled up and disappeared, leaving her alone in the warehouse.
"Smug bastard. We'll see who's laughing by the time this is all over," she muttered. Shaking her head to focus, she went to contact Zita to arrange a pickup for all this loot, and to fill her in on what had happened.
Though as she did, she had to wonder... what exactly was Skeleton King planning? He and Lothor had proven unpredictable, and people were still trying to get a good grasp on their whole psychological profile, but with the few moves he'd made so far, he'd shown he was ruthless and cunning.
And playing along with this was extremely risky. After all, Intergang's former leader was a prime example to what happened to those that tried to work with space tyrants.
But at the same time, getting into his forces was a prime opportunity to not only use him to further her own agenda, but potentially try to subtle guide him more to targets that would be more in her and her father's best interests if targeted by Skeleton King. Not to mention the information she could gain on Skeleton King himself and the extent of his resources, perhaps even Lothor too if that theory about them collaborating while putting on a show of being rivals proves true.
Information like... her mind went to not only the Dark One entity that could be incubating inside Earth... that Gem of Trigon's that was still out there and of course... she held back a shiver as a memory of that one-eyed triangle's laugh flash through her mind.
Before shaking it off as she pulled out her communicator... reaffirming herself Zita and Mabel probably wouldn't like this... but the gains outweighed the risks in allowing Skeleton King to recruit her. This might mean more heat from the heroes, but that only meant her training and fun was about to be taken to the next level.
"Still though, if he's not ripping off a twice-failed scheme, then what is he planning to do with those artifacts? And what did he mean by history's going to repeat itself once playtime starts?" She couldn't help but ask herself out loud with a frown.
Was that supposed to be code for something? And if so, what could it be?
Shaking her head, she decided to just wait and see what happened, and make her move then. Who knows, maybe she'd be pleasant surprised by it?
Notes:
Nightmaster000: This chapter had a focus of my/Skeleton King forces making their moves. Mandarin breaking into a prison, Valeena at the Utonium household, and Jinmay at Starlabs.
Though we can see that some things are not going to plan with Valeena for example ignoring orders in efforts to obtain Aku essence herself, while Jinmay retrieval of her target goes side ways with not only Elmer stepping up but Rainbow the Clowns other side Mr. Mime not being interested in the offer to work for me/Skeleton King.
And hope you enjoy the touch we added to Mimes powers it might be temporary effect now but it sure as heck hits harder with more than just color and sound being drained away.
We also see a few familiar faces in the Townsville Penitentiary not only Fuzzy Lumpkins being escorted inside, but certain members of the Smith family, who it seems have only continued their criminal careers over the years.
But all the prisoners are now serving as a excellent distraction for Mandarin as he makes his way deeper into the prison toward his target as the prisoners now have their freedom offered and they're all eager to take it.
And of course we had a little interesting segment with Black Cat with Me/Skeleton King making a offer and putting her through a combat trial before giving her a test to retrieve certain artifacts from the Powerpuff Girls series.
How will Black Cat handle this, and if she succeeds can she handle playing the game at Skeleton King level? We'll just have to keep reading to find out. :)
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And there you have it. Mandarin is staging a breakout as a cover for his mission, Jinmay has failed in hers but in the process awakened Rainbow the Clown's Mime side, Valeena is going rogue on her own mission out of overeagerness (unfortunately for Professor Utonium and Robin), and Night/Skeleton King has cut a deal with Pacifica, which will take the form of her stealing an iconic PPG magic artifact for him to prove her worth.
Speaking of Pacifica, I hope you like the upgrades to her Black Cat form; I just felt that she'd do more than just rely on acrobatics and martial arts. Similarly, hope you also like the upgrade we gave to Mr. Mime's powers, since we wanted him to be more of a threat.
Anyway, what'll happen to all these characters next? Wait and see, but until then, please leave a kudos or comment!
Chapter 37: Townsville Troubles, Part 4
Summary:
Skeleton King sinks his claws into the Powerpuff Girls.
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Welcome back to the show, everyone. Last time, Night/Skeleton King's plans in Townsville accelerated, as his minions carried out their missions to varying levels of success - Mandarin is causing a prison break as cover for his mission, Jinamy successfully turned Rainbow the Clown back into Mr. Mime but failed to recruit him as he used his powers on her, and Valeena successfully retrieved Bunny's remains but went rogue and is now torturing Professor Utonium and Robin Snyder to try and retrieve Aku's essence as well out of overeagerness. And on top of all of that, Black Cat has been given a mission to prove herself as a worthy ally.
So yeah, we've got a lot going on this arc. But before we get to all of that, we first need to address what's happening with the captive Powerpuff Girls. And that won't be a good time for them... but should be for all of you~
Nightmaster000 A/N: Like Zim highlighted we've got a lot happening this arc as chaos grips the city of Townsville and then some. But this chapter we're focusing on what's happening with the Puffs meanwhile, and I promise you are all in for a wild chapter ~ Hope you all enjoy.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Before shaking it off as she pulled out her communicator... reaffirming herself Zita and Mabel probably wouldn't like this... but the gains outweighed the risks in allowing Skeleton King to recruit her. This might mean more heat from the heroes, but that only meant her training and fun was about to be taken to the next level.
"Still though, if he's not ripping off a twice-failed scheme, then what is he planning to do with those artifacts? And what did he mean by history's going to repeat itself once playtime starts?" She couldn't help but ask herself out loud with a frown.
Was that supposed to be code for something? And if so, what could it be?
Shaking her head, she decided to just wait and see what happened, and make her move then. Who knows, maybe she'd be pleasant surprised by it?
(Forest outside of Townsville)
And as Pacifica arranged transport for her stolen loot, and prepared herself for Skeleton King's little test, outside of Townsville the Powerpuff Girls were waiting patiently to arrive to their destination so they could make their move.
"Urggg, are we there yet?!" Buttercup yelled with a frustrated groan, "It feels like these creeps have been carrying us for hours!"
"Patience, Buttercup, I'm sure we're almost there," Blossom said, trying to calm down her agitated sister despite her own impatient frown.
"We could play I Spy or something to pass the time," Bubbles chirped with a grin.
"I'm not in the mood for a game right now," Buttercup grumbled, before a thought came to her, "And hey, since we're in the woods, why aren't we calling Bullet for help?"
"Um, because she's not here? She spends a lot of time out of town ever since she joined the Super Pets, remember?" Bubbles pointed out.
"Oh yeah..." Buttercup gave a blink as a look of realization hit her, "Still think that it's kinda weird that there's enough superpowered pets for there to be a whole team of them," She admitted with a grumble, "And I'd also like to add that if Bullet hadn't joined some big team instead of sticking with what's worked for years, we'd have more help."
She added with a slight smirk as Blossom gave her a flat look and Bubbles held back a groan.
"Are you seriously bringing that up again now?" Blossom asked incredulously.
"After we already agreed to just talk it out later?!" Bubbles added in frustration.
That caused Buttercup and Blossom to flinch, before muttering out an apology in tandem.
"Urg... I just want to kick some butt already! I mean seriously, just where the heck are these creeps... taking... us," Buttercup said, before trailing off as she caught sight of something.
"Buttercup?" Bubbles asked questioningly.
"You've got to be kidding me," Blossom spoke flatly, catching sight of what her sister had.
"What? What are you girls talking... oh," Bubbles started to ask, before she also saw it.
They had apparently arrived at their destination, which was actually a rather lovely spot in the forest right next to a crystal clear lake, with a lovely field of flowers in the clearing of a grove of trees. But what really caught their attention was the prepared dining table set up, complete with candlelight (despite it being in the middle of the day), delicious-looking food, and what looked like glasses of wine.
One of which was currently being enjoyed by one of the newest villains to be making a name for themselves worldwide.
"Ah, so my guests of honor have finally arrived~" Stated the Skeleton King with a dark smirk as he sipped from a wine glass at his seat.
The Powerpuffs could only stare at the sight before them incredulously, sharing a confused look as they tried to process this.
"You had your goons attack us, kidnap us and drag us out here to the middle of nowhere... for some kinda fancy picnic?!" Buttercup exclaimed in disbelief.
"More like a business lunch," Skeleton King corrected, snapping his fingers. And to the girls' surprise, the Formless not only set them down, but the ooze containing them peeled back, allowing them to fall out as their former prisons reformed back into more Formless, "As I've been looking forward to meeting you three, and was hoping to discuss some things with you all."
"Oh, um, thank you?" Bubbles offered, still looking very confused.
"Okay, you wanna talk? We'll do it while kicking your ass!" Buttercup declared, trying to charge forward only for Blossom to grab her by the shoulder and hold her in place.
"Hang on, let's hear what he wants first," the pink Puff said, before glaring at Skeleton King, "Not that I trust your intentions, but I'm curious why you'd go through all this effort."
"Come now, just because I'm an evil twisted space tyrant doesn't mean I can't be a gentleman," Skeleton King explained calmly as he started to cut into a steak, "And why wouldn't I go through such effort to share the company of three lovely ladies like yourselves?"
He answered, taking a bite of his food. That got some raised eyebrows in response.
"Are you... are you flirting with us?" Bubbles asked, dumbfounded.
"What is happening today?" Blossom groaned as she facepalmed, "First that skank Black Cat, now this?"
"Hey, speaking of which, where is she?" Buttercup asked. At Blossom's incredulous look, she threw her hands up defensively, "What?! I know you've gotta be curious about that too!"
"I think we have more important things to worry about!" Blossom retorted, pointing to the amused-looking Skeleton King.
"I'm flattered. But as to your sister's question, Black Cat is getting ready for the next part of her employee interview," Skeleton King explained with a chuckle, "And I wouldn't call myself something to worry about."
He held up his wine glass, "Merely a, mmm... admirer," he said, nodding, "Who wishes to make a proposal," He explained, sipping from the glass.
"Is this one of those things where the villain offers to let the heroes serve him?" Bubbles asked, cocking her head in thought, "Huh, you know, other than when we first fought Mojo, I don't think anyone's ever tried to pull this on us."
"What about Princess?" Buttercup asked with a frown, blinking toward her sister.
"Ehh..." Bubbles made a so-so gesture, "Her whole deal was wanting to be a Powerpuff Girl, which was more like joining us, so don't think her trying to bribe her way onto the team really counts."
Bubbles said, with Buttercup giving a conceding nod.
"Point... huh, guess this really is the first time since Mojo that someone tried this," She muttered, rubbing her chin in thought, "Weird... you'd think we'd have seen HIM try at least one plot to turn us to the dark side."
She muttered with a slight frown as Blossom pinched the bridge of her nose as Bubbles nodded.
"Well, we could sort of count how the Gangreens tried to make you part of their gang, back when we first met them and you had that crush on Ace, I suppose," Bubbles added thoughtfully, tapping her chin.
"Don't bring that up," Buttercup said with a scowl, not liking to think about her first childhood crush and how badly it had gone... or how it still wasn't as bad as how things had gone down with Lobo.
"Can we please focus?" Blossom asked in exasperation.
"Indeed, the food's getting cold, feel free to pull up a chair," Skeleton King stated, his expression amused as some of the Formless pulled back and offered some seats to the girls.
The three exchanged looks at that, but after a moment of silent communication, they nodded and decided to play along. So, they took the offered seats and dug into the food... and much as they might hate to admit it, it was actually pretty good.
"Now, as Bubbles surmised this is indeed me making an offer," Skeleton King said calmly, enjoying his own food; he wasn't sure if Eris teleported it from somewhere or conjured it with her power, but either way it was delicious, "After all, even as a newcomer to this planet, it's obvious to me that factions are beginning to form around the planet."
Skeleton King gave a frown, "Heroes, villains, even governments and run of the mill criminals or common citizens are beginning to band together under one banner or another, while stocking up for the storm ahead."
And he wasn't even lying; from his and Lothor's research, it was clear that Justice League's expansion had kickstarted an arms race of sorts. And with all the expanded list of players including those beyond the DC universe like the three sitting in front of him, it was clear that it would escalate to more than just the Justice League, CADMUS, or the League's villains. And on the last note, he needed to remember to be alert for any signs of villains banding together in not just teams, but as an organization like Grodd's secret society or The Light from Young Justice.
"It is clear that everyone is choosing a side, so as such, I wish to place my own offer on the table," he finished stating to the girls.
"Well, that's very flattering, but what makes you think that we'd take any kind of offer from a villain, let alone one of your caliber?" Blossom asked firmly, not trying to be rude but making her stance clear right away.
"Yeah. Even if we were willing to join up with anyone, which we're NOT," Buttercup said, getting deadpan looks from her sisters, "In case you missed it, we're heroes! We don't work for bad guys like you!"
"Perhaps not, but if there's one thing I know very well, you either die the hero or live long enough to see yourself become the monster," Skeleton King answered calmly with a smirk. Yes, he was stealing that line from The Dark Knight, which was even more ironic considering that a version of Batman existed in this reality, but it was too good a line to not use.
In any case, Blossom and Bubbles blinked in confusion at his statement, but Buttercup slowly nodded as she remembered something.
"Yeah, Robin said that she heard that you've apparently been claiming that you used to be a hero before you became... this," she commented, gesturing vaguely to Skeleton King's form.
"Wait, what?!" Blossom and Bubbles gave their sister a shock look at this piece of information, while Skeleton King gave a hum.
"Mmm, much to my own shame, yes," he admitted, giving an even look, "But I take it that like Ms Possible, you don't believe it?"
He inquired as Buttercup gave a scoff, "Got that right, just sounds like a bunch of mind game garbage if you ask me," she said with a scowl, picking up her glass and giving it a careful sniff before shrugging; it might be alcohol and the Professor wouldn't approve, but why waste the chance before beating this guy down?
Skeleton King gave a chuckle, "Oh, I can understand the skepticism and perhaps even the fear that I'm telling the truth," He gave a dark smirk, "After all, if a mortal soul who so pathetically dedicated their life to the pursuit of knowledge and leaving the universe a better place, even helping that moronic Captain Shuggazoom protect their home in a role similar to your father."
His smile gained a dark edge, "If such a noble yet weak fool could be corrupted into something like me..." he started to chortle, "Then why, anyone could truly become a twisted monster, couldn't they~"
"No! Most people are good inside, sometimes they just make mistakes," Bubbles quickly interjected, shoving aside her shock to try and counteract that pretty nihilistic comment.
"I don't know if I believe that completely myself, but I also find it hard to believe that just anyone could become as bad as you," Blossom added, even as her mind whirled from this new information. If it was true, what the hell had happened to turn a supposedly good man into this creature before her?
Though she was internally noting down every word he was saying, such as the mention of this Captain Shuggazoom. Even if he was trying to deceive them, any information about Skeleton King's past could be critical information; she was sure the Justice League alone would want to be informed of anything he lets slip, she thought, watching with narrowed eyes as he continued to look amused.
"Oh, the Alchemist didn't just perish over night~ He tried to deny the truth of the universe, the truth that was carved into his very soul," His gaze moved from Blossom over to Bubbles, "His second greatest mistake, right after creating the insufferable Hyper Force to serve as one last act of defiance, a team created to protect Shuggazoom and the universe beyond it from the great evil that would ultimately consume him~"
"Sounds more like a strong sense of will and dedication to a cause to me," Blossom scoffed, no impressed by what she was hearing.
"Agree to disagree, but there's no denying in the end, whatever willpower and dedication he had was ultimately meaningless, and he only delayed his rebirth in the end," Skeleton King said, placing down his fork while the sisters exchanged frowns at those words, "Which brings us to you three," His gaze bored into them, "I know more about you, your very origins than even yourselves," He gave a smug knowing look, "I know the very essence of evil runs through your veins, I know that deep down you enjoy the glory, the violence, and the sheer taste of power you feel while playing hero."
He hissed out the last words in disgust, "But why spend your lives serving the mindless masses who will never truly understand you, or appreciate your sacrifices, when you could rule as Gods!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Buttercup demanded angrily, rage flaring in offense at what she was hearing.
"Yeah, we're not evil!" Bubbles yelled, also angry and offended at such an accusation.
"And we don't want to rule, we just want to help people!" Blossom added, glaring at Skeleton King.
"Oh? So you never stole..." He glanced at Blossom, "Took delight in the pain you inflicted or profited from it..." He glanced at Buttercup, "Or gone to extreme to prove you aren't soft or weak, even if someone got hurt in the process?" He finished, glancing at Bubbles.
The girls all froze at that, caught off guard at having those childhood incidents brought up.
"H-how do you know about all that?" Bubbles stammered.
"It doesn't matter! We were young and stupid, it doesn't matter now!" Buttercup quickly said.
"Doesn't it?" Skeleton King questioned, his stare boring through her, "They might seem childish now, but those acts among others, such as you allowing that monkey to wreck havoc in the city for sweet rewards prove you're not as good nature as you try to claim."
He said, with Bubbles wincing with a guilty expression, Buttercup scowling with a glare, while Blossom frowned, "And you might be wondering what I mean when I said the very essence of evils flows through. Allow me to make clear that I'm being quite literal, not poetic when I say that."
He gave a feral grin, "It all traces back to not only the true root of your origins, and how you came to be, but how I also know so much about you beyond just my own research~" Skeleton King eyes seemed to flash with malicious glee, "After all, what proud mother doesn't enjoy bragging about her daughters?"
That caused the girls to rear back in shock.
"W-what are you talking about? We don't have a mother, the Professor made us by himself!" Blossom protested.
Skeleton King at that gave them a knowing look, before speaking aloud, "I believe it's time you show yourself and show your daughters the truth, Eris."
He called, causing the girls to give him confused looks along with their shock.
"Mahahhahahahahahahha~" Before a loud feminine and unhinged cackling filled the room...
FLASH
And following that, a golden apple suddenly appeared on the dining table that let out a bright flash, causing the girls to flinch back before their minds were overtaken by a vision...
An ancient kingdom... a dark pool that steadily grew to swallow more and more land and lives... an emperor seeking to protect his people... a poison arrow... the birth of a demon.
An exiled prince training to be a samurai warrior and free his people... the demon averting his defeat by throwing the samurai through a tear in time.
The samurai finding himself in a dark future under the demon's heel... spending years walking the Earth, seeking a way to return to his time and change the course of things... finally succeeding and striking down the demon at the start of his reign, altering the timeline.
The remains of the demon laying undisturbed and trapped underground for centuries... until the Professor came across it.
But as the form of the apple began to grow into a humanoid figure shape of light... the girls' vision continued.
They not only saw the Professor collecting the essence, but an unseen figure whispering in his ear and guiding his every step. Helping him find the essence, which he called Chemical X to hide its supernatural origins and make his efforts seem purely scientific... and then the figure provoking the lab monkey who would become Mojo Jojo into causing the accident that would spill the chemical into his "perfect little girl" formula and creating them.
But most importantly... they saw that figure, still invisible to the Professor, placing a piece of itself into the formula as the Chemical X mixed in... providing the spark of life to the mix.
All of this flashed through their shocked reeling minds as they stared at the figure standing grandly, arms spread wide on top of the dining table.
"Hello, girls~" Spoke Eris, the Greek Goddess of Strife and Discord... their mother with a wide smirk, "Who wants to give mama a hug?"
There was a moment of stunned silence as the girls stared at Eris in shock, before Buttercup broke it.
"Bullshit!" she blurted out, "This... this is some kinda trick! You two are just messing with us!"
"Yeah!" Blossom agreed, standing up to glare at the goddess, "you can't expect us to believe that..."
She was cut off by Eris, "That your father would hide the true origin of your power and birth, or that he received literal divine inspiration to make it all possible?" Eris cut off with a slight smirk, but also a sympathetic gaze, "Well, sorry to say, but while Skully and I have certainly pulled tricks in the past, this is no lie, this is the truth."
She said crouching down to stare at her daughters, "I swear on not only the River Styx itself, but also the powers of chaos and my position as the goddess of such," she gave them a look of steel tinted with affection, "I am your mother, girls."
The girls wanted to keep denying that... but something about Eris' tone and the look in her eyes... it made it impossible to not accept as true.
"I... how are we even supposed to feel about this?!" Bubbles exclaimed, many conflicting emotions swirling inside her.
Everything they thought they knew about themselves and their origins had just been shattered into pieces! They... they weren't an accident! It was all planned... they were created not only from the remains of some ancient demon that apparently could give HIM lessons in evil, but from the divine power of the woman standing in front of them... but... but...
"Why?" Blossom shook her head, stunned and processing it all, her mind racing, "Why... why did you create us?" she asked, fists clenching at her side as she glared at the woman, who gave her a even stare.
"If even half the myths and legends about you are true..." she said, taking a deep breath, "I doubt it was in hopes of making the world a better place," she said, with Eris sighing as she hopped off the table.
"I won't lie, when I started this particular scheme, it was all for the usual brand of chaos and making things interesting," Eris admitted truthfully with a frown, "But when you were finally brought into existence... I realized it had become so much more than that."
She said, looking toward her daughters, "You weren't just instruments of chaos, you were my children," Eris said with a loving smile toward them.
"Oh yeah? Well, if you cared so much, why are we just meeting you now?" Buttercup demanded, defaulting to her usual anger as she tried to process all of this.
"I admit, I probably should have stepped in sooner," Eris admitted, "But I told myself that it was better for everyone to let you develop without interference. And in any case, I've always been watching over you, even if I never directly intervened. While also guiding you from the sidelines, or showing my love in more indirect subtle ways, such as anonymous gifts here or there.." Eris said with a smirk before scowling, "Or punishing those that had the nerve to treat you as freaks..."
She muttered bitterly as Blossom's eyes widened, recalling her earlier conversation with Miss Keane.
"Citiesville..." she said in a slight stunned tone, "You... that earthquake... you..."
Eris let out a giggle, "Oh yes~ Bet they regretted not having any heroes when I tore down half of their city."
She said with a dark grin. However, if she was expecting a "thank you" for that, she got the exact opposite.
"Are you crazy?! You destroyed a city just because some of them treated us badly?!" Bubbles exclaimed in utter disbelief.
"You'll understand when you're a mother, dear~" Eris replied with a gleam in her eyes.
"I seriously doubt that!" Blossom spat with a look of disgusted anger.
"Yeah, and you sure as Hell ain't no mother of ours!" Buttercup added with a growl, clenching her fists, "Or do you fucking seriously think you can just throw all of this in our faces out of nowhere after all these years of being a no-show, and we'll be one big happy family?!"
She spat, with Eris sighing.
"Honestly, we were probably better off without her involved in our lives," Blossom chimed in with a sour glare toward Eris.
"I did it partially for your own protection, dears," Eris retorted, crossing her arms, "If you've read up on our family history, then you know your grandpappy like his papi before him has a wee bit of a paranoia problem when it comes to anything that could threaten his throne."
Eris said, rolling her eyes, "Never mind the fact he doesn't actually do much these days, and not many mortals outside the Amazons pay Olympus much lip service," she scoffed, before giving her daughters a sharp look, "You were created not only from divine power, but essence from a demon who was born from the primordial evil itself... you three can't even begin to grasp the potential you have."
She said with a smile spreading across her face, "You three might believe yourselves powerful, but you have barely begun to tap into your roots... you have the potential to topple pantheons!"
"And what makes you think that we want that?" Bubbles asked, "We've never wanted to be gods, we just want to do our best to help people!"
"Yeah, so if this was all just some long con to get us to help take over the world or whatever, you can shove that right up your ass!" Buttercup snapped, glaring at Eris, who just sighed.
"I had a feeling you'd react like this," Eris muttered under her breath, before shaking her head, "But to make it clear, world domination is hardly my cup of tea," she explained, crossing her arms, "I'm all for the fun and chaos found in conquest, but at the end of the day I hardly care who's running the show on this little marble, as long as I get my kicks."
Eris admitted with a shrug, before shooting Skeleton King a smirk, "Even though I might favor some conquerors more than others~" she said, steeping up to Skeleton King to lean sensually against his side with a smirk.
"Wait, are you two?" Buttercup trailed off with a slight disgusted expression.
"Oh, nothing official quite yet, but, well, I've seen what he's packing, and part of our arrangement is him, well... boning me~" Eris admitted without shame, giggling, "The other part is you three," She added, looking toward her daughters with a sigh, "And I hardly care if you ultimately choose to take over the world or not, I just want what any mother wants - what's best for her daughters. And protecting a town full or morons was fine and dandy when you were kids, never mind making mama proud by giving that prick lobster boy a beating time and time again."
Eris giggled smugly as she kissed Skeleton King's cheek, "But you girls are in a rut these days, and you deserve so much more than playing unappreciated hero, or joining your cousin Diane's fuddy-duddy justice club."
"Hey, what we do with our lives is our business, no one else's!" Buttercup snapped.
"Buttercup's right. Even if we don't agree with how we should go forward, it's our choice!" Blossom said with a scowl.
"Yeah! You can't just show up and tell us what we're supposed to be doing!" Bubbles added.
"Like I said, you'll understand when you're mothers yourselves, but to put it simply, a parent always wants what's best for their children," Eris said, unusually serious, "And that means stepping in even when they don't want you to. Whether it's about their careers... or their love lives~"
"Excuse me?!" The girls called out in tandem with affronted looks.
"Who are you to judge our love lives?! Or who we date!" Blossom called out angrily.
"Yeah! It's bad enough that you were never there for us growing up, you can't just walk into our lives now just to give our boyfriends the shovel talk!" Bubbles agreed while Buttercup gave a low growl, hating this particular sensitive subject was being probed at.
"Of course I can, I'm your mother," Eris, however, looked both amused and stern as she pushed herself off Skeleton King, who continued to watch the long-awaited meeting with amusement while sipping from his wine.
This was prime superhero soap level drama right here~ He thought, watching as Eris started going into the girls' love lives.
"Blossom, your boy toy, he's one of my favorite targets to mess with, with his sister actually being one of my favored," Eris looked toward Blossom, who gave a surprised look at that, "So much so that I rarely had to give things a push when they were children, and usually just had to sit back and enjoy the show as she danced and destroyed his lab again and again~"
She giggled at the memories for a moment as Blossom looked slightly stunned, already realizing how furious Dexter would be when he found out about this.
"But outside of being a fun target..." she said disapprovingly, "He might have a bright mind that your aunt Athena would approve of, but he's someone more full of himself than Adonis ever was, and more to the point, you'll always come third after science and his own ego."
Eris surmised, with Blossom giving her wide eyes, but Eris didn't give her time to react as she focused her attention onto Bubbles.
"Bubbles, your boy, he's nice and certainly got a powerful imagination," Eris stated, getting a surprised blink from Bubbles while also having a slight knowing gleam at mention of Mac's imagination, "But problem is, he's too nice and sweet to the point it's dull," Eris shook her head, "Not to mention he's shy to the point of gutless, and isn't willing to take risks or have some real fun."
She huffed, "I mean honestly, you've not only made it clear you're ready to go all the way, but also all but thrown yourself at him, and he's done nothing but chicken out or find any excuse he could to avoid it, acting more like the idea was the plague rather than a honor most would kill for."
At this Bubbles blushed, while Blossom and Buttercup gave their sister shocked looks.
"Honestly made me wonder if he was using you as a beard and he swung for the other team for a while, to be perfectly frank," Eris admitted with an eye roll before focusing on Buttercup with a sympathetic look, "And Buttercup... my poor, sweet spurned Buttercup."
Buttercup gritted her teeth, "First was your childish crush on that Ace boy, which I was willing to let slide, but than there was that fiasco with that Mitch boy, and finally Lobo..." Eris just shook her head, scowling, "Urg, I can understand liking bad boys, but you deserved better for your first time!"
She spat out with a look of fury, "And believe me, your little beating was nothing compared to what I did to the disgusting fool when I got my hands on him," she said with a dark smile.
"He may be virtually immortal, but I sure as Tartarus made him wish that he wasn't~" she said, remembering with glee the so-called "Main Man's" screams as she'd tortured him for treating her daughter like some cheap whore.
For her part, Buttercup was stunned to hear that... and felt slightly warmed by the idea of a maternal figure stepping in to avenge her after being wrong by her brief lover like that...
No! Don't fall for it, she told herself. She couldn't let herself be won over by this absentee bitch just because she did her a favor!
As she thought this, Blossom and Bubbles were processing their so-called mother's words as well.
Blossom was just feeling angry, at how Eris had the nerve to dismiss Dexter. Yes, she knew he had a bit of an ego... and yes, he focused a lot on his work and research... but like she told Miss Keane earlier, he cared about her, and had shown it time and again. She hardly came third after science and his own desire for glory, she thought with a scowl. While at the same time, trying to ignore certain memories that said otherwise.
Bubbles herself was upset at Eris' words... but also upset at herself, because part of her agreed with them at some level. She loved Mac, but she couldn't deny that his refusal to accept the open invite she'd been sending, and all but making any excuse he could to avoid taking their relationship up the next level. And... she supposed she wouldn't mind a little more excitement. But... but that didn't mean she didn't love him, or him her! He just wanted to take things at their own pace... she just had to be patient, that's all... right?
As those thoughts ran through their minds, Eris spoke up again with a shake of her head.
"No, it's clear that not only do you girls deserve better, but you need mama to step in. Fortunately..." Eris then gave a smirk as she turned to Skeleton King, "I believe I found you girls a man worth your time, who might be able to satisfy you~" she said with a naughty giggle as Skeleton King smirked.
"And I was honored to be given the opportunity," he said.
At that, all three girls reared back in shock.
"Are you fucking kidding?! You expect us to sleep with that thing?!" Buttercup exclaimed in disgust.
"Eww, gross!" Bubbles shouted, looking nauseous.
"What is wrong with you?!" Blossom exploded incredulously with a glare toward the woman.
She apparently masterminded their creation for nothing more than chaos and laughs, she had the nerve to be a deadbeat mother and walk back into their lives, making them question everything they thought they knew, she had the nerve to judge their relationships, now this?!
"A lot, according to quite a few people including old Freud himself~" Eris answered with a smirk, "But really girls, I thought after that little test I set up with your old substitute teacher Mr. Green, you learned not to judge by appearances."
She said with a mock disappointed look, "And Skully happens to be quite a catch according to a number of girls he's got eating out of his hand~" she added with a giggle.
That just made the girls even more disgusted.
"There's people other than you with standards that low?" Buttercup asked in disbelief.
"And for the record, our reactions aren't based on his looks, it's because he's a monster, in the moral sense!" Blossom stated.
"I happen to take that as a compliment~" Skeleton King spoke up with a dark smirk, "I'll take being a monster over a man working tirelessly toward the meaningless goal of helping others any day~" he said, adding with a scoff, "So much more liberating to give in to one's true baser nature."
The girls scowled at him.
"Helping others isn't meaningless!" Bubbles snapped with a stern glare, "And if you've really been telling the truth, then I'm just sorry and horrified for whatever happened to the old you to twist you into this to the point you forgot that," she said, her glare softening somewhat with a look of pity before steeling into a glare, "But that doesn't change what you are now, or the fact you've hurt a lot of people."
She added as Blossom nodded.
"Bubbles is right," she glared at both Skeleton King and Eris, "So you can forget any offer you have," the leader of the Puffs gritted her teeth, "We told Mojo, and we'll tell you..."
Skeleton King and Eris gave slight frowns at that, "We'll always protect innocent people, because we have the power to make a difference," Blossom stated passionately.
"And we'll make it by fighting against monsters and creeps like you two!" Buttercup spat out.
"And there's nothing you could ever do or offer that could ever make us even consider becoming evil!" Bubbles chimed in sternly as the girls started to hover a few feet off the ground, glaring at Skeleton King and Eris.
"So that's it then, I suppose negotiations have ended before they truly began," the former said with a sigh as Eris gave a shrug.
"They're teenagers, not to mention my daughters, Skully, I'd honestly be a bit disappointed if they didn't have some teenage rebellion," Eris said with an amused smirk, both of them appearing unbothered by the Powerpuff Girls looking more than ready to fight as the crowd of Formless that had stood silently watching entered battle stances as well.
These remarks just seemed to irk the girls more.
"One chance..." Blossom said in a hard even tone, prompting some curious looks, "We'll give you one chance to surrender and turn yourselves in peacefully."
"Yeah, if you really want to show that you care about us!" Buttercup spat toward Eris with a bitter gaze that held a lot of emotions.
"Or if there's anything left of the good man you claim you used to be," Bubbles added in a soft yet stern tone to Skeleton King.
"Then prove it now!" The sisters declared in tandem, leaving a tense silence in the clearing, broken as Skeleton King stood from the table while grabbing his staff.
"The Alchemist is dead," He stated firmly with a dark glare, "I am Skeleton King, the nightmare his ambition brought into existence, and nothing will ever bring that fool's weakness back into the living realm!" He spat out... internally surprising and scaring himself a bit for how strongly he felt about this particular subject.
Hmm, perhaps even with his own mind in control, enough of the real Skeleton King's core personality remained to influence things, beyond merely his cruelty and the knowledge he could access?
Definitely something he'd need to consider, and probably consult Lothor on. But in the meantime, he had more pressing matters to focus on, he thought as the girls took battle stances.
"Fine, I've been wanting to kick your ass since we got here!" Buttercup spat, glaring angrily at Skeleton King. She had a lot of issues to take her anger out on, now more than ever with all this crap that just got revealed to her and her sisters. And they'd be having one hell of a talk with the Professor while trying to find a way to process all this shit, that's for sure, she thought, moving her glare over to Eris, who simply smirked.
"And what about you?" Blossom asked with a scowl, "Are you going to fight against us?"
"Or are you going to prove you care and surrender?" Bubbles chimed in... and despite everything, her sisters could hear the pain and longing in her voice and conflicted look in her eyes.
With Buttercup and Blossom trading looks; true, all three of them had longed for a maternal figure in their lives, to actually have a mom. But now that they found out they'd had one all along and like this... well, Bubbles was putting up a tough front right now, but her sisters knew she was likely hurting and hurting bad from this.
Before they could process this, however, Eris responded.
"Hmmm," she hummed, making a show of rubbing her chin in thought, "I think I'll go with... Option 3!"
And then, before the girls could react, she conjured another golden apple and threw it to the ground in front of them, causing it to give off a burst of light. And when it cleared, the girls realized several things. One the table was gone, two it had been replaced with a large king-sized bed that looked fit for royalty or a goddess, and three... they were naked!
"EEEEEEEEPPP! DON'T LOOK!" Bubbles shrieked, trying fruitlessly to cover her breasts and neither regions, for once wishing her breasts weren't so big.
"COVER YOUR SHAME, GIRLS!" Blossom also yelled, scandalized, her face glowing red with embarrassment, relieved they weren't in the middle of town with any cameras around.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Buttercup bellowed angrily, glaring at Eris as she tried to cover herself, looking seconds away from launching herself at her so-called mother.
"Sorry dears, but this is for your own good in the long run, and trust me, you'll be thanking me one day," Eris said with a click of her tongue, before smirking, "Just let the effects kick in, and the fun can finally begin~" she added with a devious giggle.
"Fun?! You're out of your mind if you think anything about this is..." Blossom's words trailed off as a powerful strange heat began to hit her and her sisters... and before they realized it, they were flushing... breathing heavier... and floating down to the ground onto their knees.
"Ah, ah, ah... what... what's happening...?" Bubbles moaned, as purely on instinct, her hands stopped trying to cover her body and instead starting playing with it.
"Oh, just a little lust spell to help get you girls in the mood~" Eris giggled.
"Ah, you, ah, ah, bitch!" Buttercup growled as best she could, even while her fingers started toying with her pussy.
"Urg, fight it girls... we're better than baser urges," Blossom said, groaning, but her words were weak, even more so as she was twisting a nipple and fingering her own pussy.
None of the girls had ever felt such an intense heat of desire before. Sure they had urges that they dealt with from time to time like anyone else, but nothing like this.
Eris gave a laugh at the sight.
"Heheh, sorry sweetie, while there's a good chance you could resist or power through a regular lust spell, I'm afraid you'll have less luck with one that has a divine kick to it," Eris explained smugly, before looking behind her, "Now, what do you think of my girls, Skully?"
She asked as Skeleton King stepped up.
"I think they truly take after their mother in divine beauty~" He hissed out as he leered and loomed over them, with the girls quickly realizing it wasn't only their own clothes that had vanished! As Skeleton King loomed over them, naked with his alien and in some areas translucent body for them to see in all its glory, including his rather large and already hard cock.
"Oh, um..." Blossom stammered, face burning brightly as she tried and failed to keep her composure.
"Big~" Bubbles gasped out in delight, pussy growing visibly wet at the sight.
"Ugh, ah..." Buttercup grunted, unable to even form coherent words at the moment with everything that was happening.
"Heheh, flatterer~ But today's about my girls, so give them a good time, Skully~" Eris said with a giggle as she floated up a bit to give Skeleton King's cheek a kiss before floating back, eager to watch the show.
"Oh, I will~" Skeleton King said with a hiss, leering at the Powerpuff Girls brought to their knees; it seemed the spell was keeping them from resisting too much.
"And I believe this beauty is owed the first time she truly deserves," He added, reaching down to grab Buttercup by her shoulders before picking her up as he leaned down to claim her lips in a hungry kiss.
"MMPH!" Buttercup exclaimed, before her eyes fluttered closed as she found herself leaning into the kiss on instinct. God, that felt good...
"Ah, ugh, Buttercup! Don't, ah, ah, give in!" Blossom cried out as best she could, which wasn't much considering that she was fingering herself even harder as she took in what she was seeing.
For her part, Buttercup barely heard her sister, and found that she didn't care to process her words. All she knew was this felt incredible, and not just the kiss - a part of her couldn't help but relish in the fact that she was chosen first. Not Blossom or Bubbles with their huge tits, but her; for once, she was the focus of attention, and at this moment, that was all that mattered~
Then she yelped as one of Skeleton King's hands came down to grab her bare ass and squeeze.
"Such a firm sexy ass~" He hissed as he broke the kiss, her hands going to his shoulders for leverage, "Not to mention your lovely lean muscular form~" he kissed at her neck as he turned her toward the bed, "I look forward to testing how much punishment your delicious form can take!"
He proclaimed, roughly throwing her onto the bed.
"Ah, ah, I... I can take... ah, ah... whatever you can give!" Buttercup panted in reply, not even thinking about what she was saying.
All she knew was that she was horny as Hell, but if she could take Lobo, there was no way that she was going to let this asshole dominate her!
"Let's put that to the test," Skeleton King hissed with a dark leer as he grabbed and spread her legs apart, before diving in, proceeding to eat and lick her out with gusto.
"Oooooh! Fuck! Ah, ah, ah!" Buttercup moaned and groaned. One thing Lobo certainly didn't do was foreplay, and God, bone boy was already driving her nuts, "Ah, ah, ah, that, ahhh, all you got?! Can barely, ahhh, feel anything!"
Buttercup moaned reaching up to grab and squeeze her breast with her right hand while her left went to his head with a taunting grin, her mocking seeming only to encourage him as he ate her out eagerly.
"Ah, ah, ah, Buttercup... oooh no..." While her sisters could only watch with a mixture of horror and their own growing desire, with Bubbles panting and licking her lips as her gaze went to Blossom.
"We, ah, ah, have to stop this..." Blossom groaned, not noticing Bubbles crawl over, "We have to..."
Blossom's words were cut off by Bubbles reaching over to cup her cheek to turn her head toward her.
"Bubbles, wha...?" Blossom's eyes widened as her sister leaned in.
"I'm sorry... I'm... just so hot!" her sister whined, before capturing Blossom's lips.
Blossom's eyes went wide as she froze in shock at this. What the fuck?! Why was Bubbles kissing her while their sister was being molested by an alien warlord right in front of them?!
...And why did it feel so good?
With a moan, and without even thinking about what she was doing, Blossom leaned into the kiss, wrapping her arms around Bubbles to hold her closer. Seeing this, Eris laughed giddily.
"That's it, girls. Really get into that sisterly bonding~" she giggled. After all, her girls growing closer from this shared experience would be just another bonus~ And it was only fair they got to have some fun till their fun with Skully started too~ She thought, moving her gaze back to Skeleton King eating out Buttercup.
While at the same time, the surrounding Formless began to leave and head toward the city, with Skeleton King having activated his mental command to proceed to the next part of the operation. It would attract attention yes, but that was the point, as by now Mandarin and Jinmay's own missions likely had gotten the alert of the authorities at some level, and with what happen at Morbucks Manor, news of the presence of his forces in the city would soon likely spread.
So, best thing to do would be to attract attention with an attack in the city, keep eyes there while he busied himself with the Powerpuff Girls. Besides, this would be a fun little test for some of his gains from Gravity Falls, and show that he had more than Formless in his forces.
Of course, right now his priority was the moaning heroine who was challenging him.
"Mmm, delicious~ No wonder you're named after a sweet~" He said teasingly, shooting her a smirk, "Perhaps we should cover you in chocolate and peanut butter so you can truly live up to your name."
"Ah fuck, that's hot..." Buttercup muttered, breathing hard and barely able to think. However, she maintained enough self-control to glare at him and state, "But, ah, ah, ah, if you think it's enough to, ah, ah, top me, you've got, ah, ah, another thing coming!"
"Hehehe, oh, you've got spirit to challenge me for dominance," Skeleton King hissed in both amusement and excitement at this prospect as he started to kiss up from her pussy, trailing butterfly kisses across her belly button, stomach, right at her breasts as he moved one hand, shoving it inside her pussy, "I accept your challenge~ I just hope you can handle a King after settling for thugs in the past~"
He hissed, kissing and nipping at her breasts before claiming her lips in a hungry kiss as he fingered her eagerly, with his hand beginning to glow with mystical power, sending an electrical surge through her pussy.
"MMPH!" Buttercup yelped into his mouth as pain jolted through her from her pussy. But oddly, that was immediately followed by pleasure that mixed with what Skeleton King had already generated in her.
Shit, did she have some kind of pain kink? If she did that was definitely a revelation, she thought, before yelping as he zapped her cunt again.
"I'm not only going to savor every moment of your delicious moans..." Skeleton King hissed as he broke the kiss with her breathing heavily, "But I'm going to make you beg for me to defile your body!"
He declared, before biting down onto her neck as he sent another surge.
"AHH! Bring it, you bone bastard, ahhh!" Buttercup yelled defiantly, even though it was taking all her effort to not cum on the spot.
Goddammit, why was he so good at this?! He was an undead monster, his cock shouldn't even work, much less give him enough experience with women to be making her feel this good!
Fuck! He hadn't actually even used his cock yet, just his hands and mouth, and part of her was actually looking forward to when he got to the main event. It looked like it could certainly satisfy a woman; from first glance, it appeared a little bigger and longer than Lobo's, if not a little bit less thick... and at the memory of that bastard, she remembered how he hadn't bothered with foreplay, just preferring to cut to the chase to get his rocks off. But bonehead... it felt like he wanted to make her feel good too, that despite everything it wasn't all about him.
"Fuck it! Ah, ah, I'm not begging for anything you, ahh, bastard! Especially not from a mild shock!" She yelled with a groan, and at that, Skeleton King bite onto her neck harder while upping the juice and pace of his fingers.
"AGH, UGH, ARRGGGHHH!" she moaned, feeling the heat growing stronger and stronger inside her the longer that this went on.
Fuck, she was going to blow! It felt so good!
But like fucking hell she'd let him win so easily! She thought with a flair of determination as she grabbed Skeleton King's shoulder and the wrist of the hand fingering her, then next thing the monarch knew, she had flipped him onto his back, with Buttercup pinning him by his wrists, breathing heavily with a flushed face.
"If anyone's begging it's, ahh, you," she said with a groan, holding back frustration and temptation as she kept him pinned while teasingly rubbing her cunt against his cock.
"Urg... you're truly as spirited as you are beautiful~" Skeleton King said with a smirk.
"Damn straight, ah, ah, I am!" she spat, grinding herself against his cock and resisting as best she could the urge to plunge herself directly onto it, "Now, ah, ah, tell me how much you want my pussy!"
Skeleton King let out a cackle. This was perhaps the first time one of his lovers had taken a more dominant role and truly challenged him, and he found himself enjoying the change in pace.
"I want it! I want it as much as I want this world's heroes broken at my feet! I want it as much as I want to claim very dominion over this planet!" He hissed, staring at her with desire, "I want it as much as I want that fool of a bounty hunter within my grasp screaming and pleading for mercy, for daring to defile you and toss you aside like trash!"
He rubbed his cock as close and fast as he could against her pussy while in this position, while at the same concentrating some of his power into it, with it sparking and glowing, causing Buttercup who was already flushing to let out a moan while processing his every word, "I want it as much as I desire you and your sisters by my side as I conquer all! I want it as much as my desire to have you three the mothers of my children!"
"Ah, ah, ah, children?" Buttercup moaned, trying desperately to stay in control despite the pleasure sparking from her cunt, but finding herself caught off guard by that statement.
Because while she'd enjoyed the thought of sex, and definitely enjoyed the act (until Lobo ruined it afterwards), the idea of kids... that had honestly never really crossed her mind. Probably because she was too young to even consider it, but still. And now here this asshole was, suggesting it... and she was having a hard time not picturing herself walking around with a swollen stomach, or holding a baby to feed at her breast.
Fuck, something about that image got her turned on! Plus, there was the sentimental part of her that couldn't help but picture the kid growing up, her being part of their life every step of the way (unlike her apparent flake of a mom), teaching the kid how to fight, doing some mother daughter/son bonding by beating the crap out of criminals like Mojo Jojo, Fuzzy, or the Gangreens.
And as she was distracted and lost in thought, she not only missed the wicked gleam in Skeleton King's eyes but her grip loosening, allowing him to sit up.
"Yesss! Become the mother to the child of the Skeleton King!" He proclaimed with a wicked cackle, biting down onto her breast hard as he brought his sparking hands down hard onto her ass cheeks while she sat positioned in his lap against his cock.
SMACK
SMACK
"AH! AH! FUCK!" Buttercup yelled, loving each and every blow to her ass, and the pain from his fangs biting into her nipple.
It was so good. She was gonna... gonna...
"AAGGGHHHH!!!" the green Puff screamed as she came, juices spilling onto Skeleton King's lap, before falling up against him, catching her breath and panting.
"Just, ah, ah...fuck me you, urg... bastard!" she spat with a groan of pleasure high. That... had felt so good... they were only just starting, and this bone bastard... he was already making her feel better than her first time. Why had... why had she wanted to fight against it again? She thought as more of the spell took hold, while behind her Blossom and Bubbles were sixty-nining each other.
"Ah, ah, Bubbles this, ah, ah, we should stop..." Blossom said with a groan, but continued to lick her own sister's pussy.
"But it ah, ah, feels so, ahh, good... and you ah, ah, taste so yummy!" Bubbles groaned. She'd been desiring sexual intercourse for so long now, it was hard to resist it... and something about doing this with her own sister sent a strange thrill through her.
Meanwhile, Eris was watching everything as she pleasured herself to all the debauchery... hey, she might be willing to take a backseat so the girls could have the spotlight, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to enjoy the show while she had the chance~
As this was happening, Skeleton King was sucking eagerly on Buttercup's breasts, and moved to shove his finger into her mouth.
"Ahhhhh! Bastard fuck!" Buttercup let out a moan, leaning against him, "Urg, screw it!"
And next thing he knew, he was being pushed back onto the bed and she was slamming her body right onto his cock.
"AGH, FUCK YEAH!" she screamed as the huge cock filled her and she started riding it. God, it felt so fucking good inside of her! And it made that bastard Lobo look small by comparison!
Shit, she wished that bastard could be here to see this. Then she could make his worthless ass see how a real man fucked a woman!
"You like that?!"
SMACK
"AH!"
"You like riding this twisted monster's cock!?"
SMACK
Skeleton King called out with a dark cackle, looking up toward Buttercup as he smacked her ass cheeks with one hand while the other fingered her asshole, both of them crackling with energy.
"FUCK YES! URG, WISH THAT WORTHLESS CUNT LOBO COULD SEE ME NOW!" Buttercup screamed, enjoying the rough treatment and pain, "URG, SEE A REAL MAN FUCK ME BETTER AND HARDER!"
She moaned, giving him a glare, "And you're, ah, ah, ah, giving it to me harder alright! I don't care if I break your fucking boney pelvis I want MORE YOU BASTARD!" She bounced harder and harder as Skeleton King increased the dosage of his mystical energy in his hands, while fingering and hitting her ass.
SMACK
"AH! HARDER!"
SMACK
"HARDER!"
SMACK
"STOP TRYING TO HIT ME AND HIT ME YOU FUCKER!" Buttercup moaned so loud it echoed around the forest as Skeleton King's entire form glowed with energy, with him sending a powerful surge of electrical energy through her asshole as he fingered her and struck her ass again.
SMACK
"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! FUCK YEAH!!!!!" Buttercup screamed in pure ecstasy as these actions combined to make her orgasm again, even harder than before.
Her mind blanked out as she came, her entire body tensing up and her cunt tightening around Skeleton King's cock. This was enough to push him past the edge as well, and with a grunt he also came, his dark seed shooting up into her.
"Urg, amazing... ah, ah..." Skeleton King actually found himself trying to catch his breath (he still wasn't fully sure if he actually needed to breathe anymore. A part of him was a bit uneasy to delve into just how potentially undead he really was).
"Lobo was a fool to let someone like you out of his grasp," he said, reaching up to cup her cheek as she used his chest for leverage, with Buttercup smirking as she leaned into his touch.
"Heh... yeah, he was a moron... and you keep this up and maybe I'll visit you in prison after I kick your ass~" she found herself, teasing with a slight smirk.
And she did mean that. He was an evil bastard and she hated him and her so-called mother for setting up this whole situation... but he'd just rocked her world like she'd never thought possible. She wasn't going to forget that, even once she and her sisters had beaten him.
And unlike that bounty hunter bitch, he wasn't making her feel like a used piece of trash, she was actually feeling like she mattered... heh, at this rate she might consider letting him be the one to knock her up when she was ready for that responsibility, a part of her thought as she leaned down, capturing and kissing his lips softly, even as a fading distant part of her mind asked herself why she wasn't kicking his ass already, unaware of how deep into Eris' spell she was now. It had wrapped around not just her libido, but also her desire to have someone care for her, and was using those things to override her common sense. It was pushing out anything that might keep her from falling under his control, and as Eris noted with a smirk from where she was watching, she was well along the way towards that.
"One down, two to go~" she giggled, turning her attention back to where Blossom and Bubbles were still eating each other out.
Ohh, she knew eventually the spell would wear off and break, it was all but inevitable with her girls' level of power, and for all her power and skill she was humble enough to admit this was more Aphrodite's domain than her own.
But it hardly mattered if the spell was temporary, after all the plan here was to give the girls a good time, along with a taste of a real man. As well as get them ready for Skully's special surprise~ she thought, holding back an excited giggling cackle fit. Oooh, it'd been ages since she'd been brimming with so much chaotic anticipation! This was going to be glorious! She thought as Bubbles and Blossom moaned.
"Urgg, how is it... that, urg, Mac could resist getting a taste of this?" Blossom moaned, lapping at her sister, feeling like she'd explode any moment.
"Urg, tell me about it!" Bubbles huffed, annoyed, "If I threw myself naked at him, he'd probably run away!" She said with a frown, while also giving a moan, on the verge of an orgasm herself, "Ah, ah, plus, urg, think Dexter would prefer a robot that, urg, boosts his ego to a sexy nerd like you sometimes, Blossom."
"Yeah, he would," Blossom groaned, too caught up in her horniness to try and defend her boyfriend, "I haven't, ah, ah, wanted to do this, ah, ah, ah, but if I did, he'd probably turn me down! Ugh, ah, arrogant jerk!"
She hadn't wanted to think about this sort of thing, but she had admit, a part of her really resented Dexter and how he so often seemed to focus more on his work than their relationship. Why were they even dating if he didn't care?!
She loved science and knowledge as much as the next intellectual, but there was more to life than research or inventing! The Professor understood that, was it so hard for Dexter to do the same?!
And it wasn't just her, either. A lot of the time it felt like Dexter only tolerated his family, and kept his own parents at a distance, never mind the way he'd sometimes treat his sister or call her over the years; even with how she usually sneaked into his lab and wrecked some things, a lot he did was harsh, looking back, Blossom thought with frustration, a part of her wondering if by some miracle they got to the step in their relationship where they married and she convinced him to start a family, would he treat their children as a father should, or more like another one of his lab experiments?
While Bubbles' own mind focused on Mac... thinking back to how he moved to Townsville with his family... how she first met him looking like he was being mugged by some thug, only to find out it was his own jerk of an older brother, trying to pound hm for some fun! And how her interest was perked not just because he was cute, but the way he treated her; there was an awe, yeah, but at the same time he treated her as Bubbles instead of Bubbles of the Powerpuff Girls. Plus, as she matured, it seemed like he was the only guy who paid attention to her words instead of her body, and eventually it got to the point where after saving him from a run of the mill monster attack, she asked him out.
And their relationship was going great... at first. Now... now it was seeming like some of the same traits that attracted her interests were what were frustrating her! Would it kill Mac to be a little bold?! Forget the hand holding and cheek kisses, or the rare chaste lip kisses, how about trying to get a little handsy or slip her some tongue?!
There was being a gentleman, and there was being a wuss refusing an open invitation! Honestly, if she had accepted Black Cat's offer, he probably would have made some excuse and run, or had a heart attack at the thought of being with two sexy girls, never mind one, intimately.
As this all passed through their minds, they licked and ate each other at a faster pace, before finally orgasming in each other's faces.
"Bubbles!"
"Blossom!"
After that, Bubbles rolled off of Blossom, both girls lying panting on the ground, looking up in the air.
"Ah, ah, that was, umm, certainly exhilarating~" Blossom admitted with a slight giggle.
"Hehehe, yeah, a lot more fun than using my own hands~" Bubbles said, giggling with a smile; both of them, despite the situation, couldn't help but just enjoy the moment while for a second forgetting what brought them there.
PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP
"Urg, fuck yeah! Give me that bone, you bastard! Give it to me hard!"
PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP
Before hearing skin slapping against skin, the sounds of their sister's moaning voice causing them both to look to the side to see that Buttercup and Skeleton King had moved from the bed, and now Buttercup was being pressed back against a tree, one leg lifted up as Skeleton King pounded into her while she had her hands at the back of his head and neck, making out heavily.
"Urg, come on! Pound this Puff! Show me you ain't all talk! Show me you don't rely on those goo goons of yours to do all the hard work!" she moaned as Skeleton King kissed at her neck and pounded her harder.
Despite everything, Blossom and Bubbles could only feel themselves grow hotter watching this. They knew it was wrong, just as wrong as the fact that they'd just fucked each other, but they couldn't stop watching their sister get pounded against that tree.
"Mmm... what do you think it feels like?" Bubbles asked with a blush, reaching down to finger herself.
"I don't know... but I want to..." Blossom moaned, also playing with herself as she watched.
Like their sister, both girls were getting deep enough under the spell's power to override their normal common sense, as it played on their boiling or subconscious desires to be seen as women, their frustration toward their boyfriends, even the small bit of internal jealousy toward Buttercup for losing her virginity despite their anger toward that Lobo bastard for how he used and hurt their sister like that. Even realizing what Skeleton King was didn't deter them... for some reason, it made losing their virginities to him appealing in a forbidden taboo sort of way.
"Urg, I call dibs next turn!" Bubbles blurted out in frustration.
"Ah, ah, alright, but... after we're done... we take him straight to jail..." Blossom said, licking her lips, a part of her still resisting against the spell more than her sisters and trying to rationalize this, "This... is only to keep him distracted... and umm... maybe teach Dexter a lesson."
She said with a dazed mutter, watching as Skeleton King pounded Buttercup harder and harder, with her sister taking it like a champ as he really let her have it.
"Yeah, maybe me getting boned by a space monster will teach Mac not to be such a wuss!" Bubbles chirped out with an eager grin, giggling in amusement despite the cruel comment to her boyfriend.
But as both sisters tried to rationalize their desire or watched their sister's sexual intercourse with eager anticipation for their own turn, Skeleton King was currently pounding Buttercup harder and harder.
"Urg, come on, ah, ah, ah, that all you got!" Buttercup shot him a taunting grin, "How do you, urg, expect to conquer the planet if you can't even conquer my body?!" she said with a moan, clearly enjoying ever moment of this, but couldn't resist challenging him every step of the way either.
And apparently it motivated him, as he not only increased his pace more and more, but shoved his finger up into her ass as he pushed her against the tree, before leaning forward, hissing "You will be mine!" before biting down hard on her neck, and the next thing Buttercup knew she felt a powerful painful yet pleasurable shock coming from his finger in her ass, as well as the dick drilling her cunt while his teeth dug into her flesh.
"Ugh, ah, yeah! That's more fucking like it!" Buttercup cried out in delight, body twitching and shaking with ecstasy. This felt so fucking good! Why couldn't she have met this asshole before Lobo? Then she could have had her first time with him instead of that bastard! She thought, barely even considering the fact that in a number of ways Skeleton King could be considered worse than Lobo, but fuck it, at this point him being an evil space warlord invading Earth was acting as an additional turn on for her.
She had never felt this good in her life, and she never wanted it to stop!
Eventually, however, she finally came again with a cry as she nearly blacked out with pleasure, finally having reached her limit. And feeling Buttercup orgasm as she squeezed his cock with her tight wet pussy once again pushed Skeleton King over the edge as he came inside her.
Following that, he allowed the heroine a moment to catch her breath as he did the same, mentally preparing himself for what came next.
"Urg, urg... ah God, you're good..." Buttercup said with a satisfied grin, leaning back against the tree, bone boy letting out a grunt as he pulled his cock out of her, filled with smug glee as some of his seed leaked out.
"Good enough for you to see the folly of fighting me and for you to swear yourself into my service?" He asked with a slight hiss as he leaned down to kiss her forehead, with Buttercup giving off a snort with an amused smirk.
"Don't push it, bone boy~ You're good enough for some prison visits and maybe just maybe enough to consider trying the whole hero dating the villain scene," She gave him a challenging glare with a smug smirk, "But I ain't no one's lackey, and you could conquer the entire planet but I'd be the badass rebel bitch who you'd have to break with your cock over and over again."
This comment caused Skeleton King to let out a genuine amused chuckle. Oh, he'd very much like to do that~ And he had a feeling that even when Eris' lust spell broke, she'd still be begging for more of his cock.
But, let her have her imagined defiance for now. He had two more lovely beauties to break in, after all~
Speaking of...
"My turn, my turn!" Buttercup suddenly got an annoyed frown as Skeleton King glanced over his shoulder to see Bubbles and Blossom watching the entire show, fingering themselves, with the former having spoken in an eager smile while raising her other hand, the lust in her eyes clear for everyone to see.
"Urg! If you want to get laid, can't you just fly off and find your boyfriend?" Buttercup asked with a faint scowl, finding herself annoyed at the thought of her sister butting in; villain whose ass she'd kick later after they were done or not, bonehead was the first guy to actually choose her over her sisters, to focus on her, so why the hell couldn't Bubbles and Blossom let her have this?!
Her question caused Bubbles to scowl.
"If I did, he'd probably just say he wasn't feeling well, or run off at the first chance," she said with a scoff.
"Your fault for dating a wuss, sis, bad boys are where it's at~" Buttercup said with a mocking smirk. After Skeleton King pulled out his cock, she pressed herself against his side, "Though you're free to watch me turn my new archnemesis into my personal sex toy if you want~" she added with a smug chuckle as Bubbles let out a whine.
"Come on, that's not fair!"
"Bubbles is right Buttercup, we're a team, and as sisters we should share," Blossom chimed in with a nod, a part of her not even processing what she was advocating for.
"Seriously? You have a boyfriend already too!" Buttercup snapped at the redhead.
"Yeah, well... this'll teach Dexter to put our relationship after his work!" Blossom defended herself, blushing brightly at the reminder of what she was doing, but her lust quickly burying any guilt or doubt about it. Though it did fan the flames of her resentment and taboo thrill at the thought of cheating~
"Grr, then find some other villain to fuck! This one's mine!" Buttercup, however, was just annoyed at all this.
"Now, now, Buttercup, share with your sisters, Skully's a gift for all three of you, after all~" Eris called with a giggle from her position rubbing her pussy, reminding the girls she was still there.
"You stay out of this!" Buttercup snapped, sending the woman a glare, "Once I'm done with bonehead, I'm kicking your fat ass and squeezing out every last ounce of child support you owe the Professor!"
She called out as she shot her so-called mother a glare, with even Bubbles and Blossom looking a bit annoyed at her interfering, even if she was speaking in their favor. After all, lust spell screwing with their priorities or not, and even with the factor of still processing the revelation of their mother, all three of them were still plenty upset at her to say the least.
However Buttercup, while tempted to kick her so-called mom's ass here and now, wanted to get back to feeling good; she wanted to see how well bonehead stacked up in the stamina department.
"I believe it's only fair your sisters get a turn," but Skeleton King's next words caused her to stiffen, "After all, I came here today for all three of you," He added with a slight smirk, but frowned as he saw her upset expression.
"But you don't..." she froze as he cupped her cheek and stated quite bluntly.
"I'm not Lobo," he said with a firm look, "This isn't me tossing you aside, you are still a treasure that I shall take great joy in claiming as my personal trophy when I conquer this planet."
He said, leaning down to softly kiss her, with her giving off a slight groan as she returned it for a moment before it broke, his eyes bearing down into her own.
"You are no less valued than your sisters, my brutal warrior," Skeleton King hissed, "Your beauty, your strength, your determination, I will not throw it away," he smirked, "You and your sisters... the Powerpuff Girls shall be one of my greatest conquests," he said, looking over to Blossom and Bubbles, "And when I am done, you shall all share the honor of being mothers to the children of Skeleton King!"
All the girls stared at him, blushing brightly as they tried to process very conflicting emotions - the spell-induced lust, of course, but also genuine flattery at him desiring them so much, joy at the thought of carrying his children, and beneath it all some offense at him objectifying them and outrage at the thought of a villain doing any of this to them.
However, those latter bits were buried under the spell's effects, leaving just a powerful desire for him.
"So, um... does that mean I can fuck you now?" Bubbles asked.
Buttercup glared at her sister for that, but Skeleton King just laughed, before glancing back down at Buttercup, who scowled while letting out a frustrated growl.
"Urgg, fine! But you three better appreciate this!" she said with a huff, crossing her arms with Bubbles letting out an excited "Yes!", while Skeleton King chuckled as he leaned in to kiss Buttercup again.
"I do, just like I appreciate you, my warrior~" He said, with Buttercup letting out a faint groan.
"Not yours..." she managed to say, before kissing him hungrily one more time; at the least, she was willing to admit that despite the fact he was about to take a whack at her sisters right off the bat from fucking her, he wasn't like that bastard Lobo, he actually valued her and saw her worth.
"You will be," Skeleton King said to her last response after the kiss broke, staring down at her flushed face, "You, your sisters, and the rest of this planet," He said with a cruel grin, "And I believe it's time to move on to the next step in my conquest campaign~"
He turned, looking back down at Bubbles, "Only question is..." he smirked, "Should I treat her gently like a fair princess..." he leaned forward and spoke in a husky dark tone, "Or shall I go the more hardcore route and treat her like an animal and prisoner~"
Bubbles blushed as her mind whirled at both suggestions. However, one in particular reared up, a desire to guarantee that this would be a first time to absolutely remember no matter what.
"Take me rough," she growled huskily, "Make me your bitch and treat me like one!"
That got raised eyebrows from her sisters, and laughs from Eris and Skeleton King.
"Ha! Gotta love it when the nice ones have such kinky sides, don't ya, Skully?" the goddess giggled.
"Indeed~" Skeleton King said with a dark twisted smirk, already picturing ways he could could have fun with this, "And if she wants to be treated like a bitch, she'll have to act like one."
He leered down at Bubbles, "Crawl forward and bark like a dog," he ordered with a slight cackle, "Then how about you put your mouth and fat tits to work cleaning off and pleasuring your future ruler's cock~"
He added, gesturing toward his cock that was covered in Buttercup's juices.
A small part of Bubbles underneath the lust spell's effects was indignant at the order. But the rest of her was far too excited at the prospect of finally getting her cherry popped to care; besides, something about the order was very thrilling to her~
"Yes sir!" she said happily, before dropping to all fours, "Arf! Arf! Arf!"
Barking like a dog, and feeling herself grow wet under all the gazes watching her do this, Bubbles crawled forward until that magnificent cock was right in front of her face. Licking her lips in excitement, she leaned up and took it into her mouth.
GLRKT! GLRKT! GLRKT! GLRKT! GLRKT! GLRKT! GLRKT!
With Bubbles quickly proving very eager, as just the taste of the cock was better than she'd ever imagined! Even the taste of her own sister's juices just made her more excited!
"Urg, yes, that's a good puppy bitch~ Pleasure me, show me your desire!" Skeleton King proclaimed with a cackle as Buttercup gave a snort, still leaning against her side.
"The way she's going, I'd say she's been wanting to get laid for a while," she noted, smirking in slight amusement despite some lingering annoyance at having to share.
"Um, ah, we shouldn't judge..." Blossom moaned slightly, fingering herself as she watched Bubbles suck on Skeleton King's cock. Noticing this, Buttercup gave another snort.
"She's obviously not the only one who's been backed up~" she laughed, earning a glare from her sister.
"Not like you've been getting any action since Lobo! And excuse Bubbles and me for not wanting to be taken as desperate," Blossom shot back before adding in a huff, with Buttercup's laughter stopping as she shot her sister a look.
"Oh, I'll show you desperate," she said with a dark leer as she stepped away from Skeleton King over toward her sister, who shifted nervously as she approached.
"Ah, what... what are you doing?" Blossom asked as Buttercup loomed over her.
"Giving you a little preview of things~" the green Puff replied with a smirk, before grabbing her sister by the hair and slamming her face against her cunt, "Go ahead and put that big mouth to good use by licking Bone Boy's seed out of my snatch!"
"Mmmf!" Blossom made a muffled protest, but despite everything found herself doing just that, feeling both upset at Buttercup's actions, but also a strange thrill from it as well.
This was so wrong, just like what she'd done with Bubbles had been... but she couldn't make herself stop. It tasted so good, and the feeling of breaking such a taboo made her feel better than anything she'd ever experienced in her life! She thought, eagerly eating out the seed from her own sister's snatch, and God help her, but the knowledge she was eating the seed of Skeleton King just got her even hotter! The fact it actually didn't taste half bad certainly didn't help.
"Urg, that's it, eat me out you micromanaging bitch," Buttercup groaned as her sister's tongue probed deeper into her folds, "Urg, and who says nerds being kinky whores is just a stereotype~" she said with a wide smirk, getting such a thrill at getting Blossom of all people into a position like this~ Finally, she was the one calling the shots, and baby did it feel great!
No more playing second and even third fiddle to her sisters! She had been Bone Boy's first choice, and now she was putting this total control freak in her place and making her into her bitch!
"Ugh, could get used to this~" she moaned, pressing Blossom closer against her, "Ah, ah, maybe once this is all done, ah, ah, I should be the new leader. And you can, ah, ah, be the team's official bottom bitch!"
"Urg... don't... count... on it!" Blossom said from her position, because as much thrill she was getting out of this, she wasn't about to let Buttercup turn her into the bottom so easily. Which she proved by grabbing the side of Buttercup's thighs, and next thing she knew she was getting pulled down, landing on her back as Blossom lifted up her legs, giving her pussy a lick.
"Now who's the bottom bitch~" She questioned mockingly, with Buttercup letting out a groan.
"Urg, oh just bring it, sis! You know, ah, ah, I can take whatever you can give!" Buttercup declared, "You, ah, ah, might be the smartest, but I'm, agh, ah, the toughest!"
"We'll just see about that~" Blossom said with a smirk as she got an idea and blew on Buttercup's pussy, channeling her ice breath though on a weaker level than usual, with Buttercup still feeling the chill though.
"Urg, hey, no cheating!" she protested, giving a shiver as Blossom giggle.
"Thought you could take whatever I give~" she asked teasingly as she ate more of the seed out of Buttercup, with her sister giving her a frustrated growl and glare.
GLRKT! GLRKT! GLRKT! GLRKT!
While off to the side, Bubbles was discovering the joys found in being a villain's cock slut.
"That's it, take it! Take my cock, you bitch!" Skeleton King had his hands on the sides of her head, fucking her mouth with glee, "Urg, can't believe your pathetic boyfriend never took the chance you were offering~"
"Mmph, mmph!" Bubbles moaned around the cock in response, trying to express her agreement. Mac was so nice, but why couldn't he let her do this, much less go further? It felt so good! They could have had so much fun together!
And speaking of fun... smiling around the cock she was still sucking on, Bubbles grabbed ahold of her huge tits and lifted them up to wrap them around the cock and started rubbing them on it.
Shit, that felt even better! She couldn't help but think happily.
"Urg, yes..." And Skeleton King was apparently in agreement, especially since these were perhaps the biggest breasts he'd ever felt around his cock~
"That's it... worship me... it's fruitless to resist my power... so why fight... when you can submit like a bitch?" He asked, leering down at her.
And despite the indignant voice at the back of her head, drowning under the lust spell, which was yelling that she didn't want that... a large part of Bubbles couldn't help but ask that same question.
This felt so good already, and they hadn't even gotten to the real sex yet! Why shouldn't she just give in so that she could do this all the time? Because she sure as Hell wouldn't be getting anything like this from Mac anytime soon!
"Urg, I can already picture it..." Skeleton King said with a grunt, enjoying both her mouth work and breasts, the latter feeling like two large pillows full of euphoric pleasure, "Me sitting on my throne in the middle of Townsville..." He gave an evil leer, "The city in burning ruins as my army invades..."
He chuckled, "All while a fallen heroine bounces off my cock, as her former love sits chained before my throne, watching in heartbroken horror as she moans and pleas for the honor to become a mother to my child~"
Bubbles should have been horrified at that. And that voice screaming at the back of her head definitely was, as it was yelling that she would never let Townsville be conquered, or let anything like that happen to Mac.
But as for the rest of her, the thought of being defiled in front of her boyfriend, being fucked in all the ways that he was too much of a pussy to try himself... God, it was such a turn-on!
GLRT! GLRT! GLRT! GLRT! GLRT! GLRT!
And she showed it too, as she began to increase her speed of her sucking and breast work to near superhuman levels, causing Skeleton King to groan in surprise and euphoric pleasure.
"Come on, give it to me," Bubbles removed her mouth from his cock to look pleadingly at him as she continued to pleasure him with her breasts, "Cover me with you seed, mark your conquest, you evil monster~"
Skeleton King grinned down at her, pleased to see her so fully under his thumb already. Eager to fulfill her desire, he reached down to grab ahold of the huge tits smothering his cock and began harshly rubbing them against his shaft, causing the pressure building up inside him to grow even stronger.
Finally, he came with a grunt, and his dark seed exploded out over Bubbles' face. Smiling happily, she opened her mouth wide to let the cum fill it to the point of overflowing, with some of it dribbling down which she tried to catch with her hands, before drinking from them; it tasted so delicious~
"Well done bitch, you might yet be a worthwhile pet to keep at the side of my throne after I conquer this planet," Skeleton King said with a leer as she looked up with a smile, the voice in the back of her mind upset at such a thing, but the larger part of her finding herself turned on at the idea of being his pet Puff.
"But for now..." The tyrant gave an evil twisted grin, "I believe you requested I treat you like a bitch!" He yelled, and out of nowhere, Bubbles found herself smacked in the cheek with the back of his hand, with her landing roughly on the ground, with Skeleton King then pouncing onto her, pinning her arms, "Which is exactly what I'll do! I'll defile and break every inch of your body!"
He declared in a dark hiss as Bubbles stared up at him, wide-eyed... but also flush and breathing heavier. Because something about this, about being powerless before such a horrible figure who was about to violate her... it was so hot!
"Mmm, yeah, that's right, that's what I deserve~" she purred, "In fact, you should turn me over and do me doggy style! Mount me like the bitch in heat that I am!"
"Oh I will," Skeleton King said with a cruel grin as he reached out to roughly grab her large tits, his claws practically digging into her flesh, "But first, I want to hear you beg like a proper bitch~" he said, cackling as he sent an electrical shock through his hands straight into her breasts. Let's see how she responded to pain compared to Buttercup~
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" Bubbles screamed in pain as her breasts felt like they were on fire from the shock.
Fuck, that hurt! And yet, for some reason, it also made her pussy start to tingle as the pain faded.
"Ah, ah, ah, please!" She looked up at the villainous tyrant, feeling not hate nor fear but desperate desire, "Give it to me! Take my virginity! Defile me in any cruel twisted way you can!" She let out a moan as he grabbed and twisted her nipples, applying another shock, "AAAAAAAH!"
Before moaning again with her pussy burning as the pain faded, "I'm sick of being the sweet innocent one! I want to be the naughty slutty one for once! So fuck me, you big bad monster! Ruin me for Mac and all the little boys out there!"
She called out as he leaned in, his face inches away from her own as he hissed at her.
"What are you willing to give? What are willing to do? For the pleasure of Skeleton King defiling you like a wanton whore?" He asked with a smirk, finding amusement in teasing her like this ~
"Anything!" she yelled, "I'll do whatever you want! Just treat me like the whore I want to be!"
And in this moment, that was completely true. No matter what he said or demanded of her, Bubbles knew that she'd do it, because she was just that desperate for him to fuck her!
"Then forsake your love, show me how much you resent and hate him," Skeleton King hissed, leaning forward, "And how much you desire my affection," He said, giving her a gentle kiss that she leaned into with a low moan before pulling back, "And beg to be bred with my child~" He said with a dark gleam in his eyes.
"I... I..." Bubbles hesitated here. Yes, she wanted to get fucked, but pregnant? Was she really willing to get knocked up just for the chance to be filled by this... huge... thick... cock...?
...
...
...
...Fuck it, yes she was! She needed it more than anything, she could deal with the consequences later!
"Mac's a wussy cuck! I want a real man to be my baby daddy!" She called out with desperate desire as she rubbed her pussy against his cock as Skeleton King let out a groan, flipping her over before barking out, "Louder!"
He ordered, bringing his hand glowing with energy down against her ass.
SMACK
"AHH!"
"I want to hear your desire for my child!"
SMACK
"AHH!"
"I want you to say the cruelest things you could think of that would break this Mac's heart and spirit!"
SMACK
"AHH!"
Bubbles moaned as each strike made her wetter and wetter. Fuck, that was so good~
"Mac's a pathetic loser!" she yelled, "He can't even stand getting kissed on the cheek, he'd probably die of shock if he saw my tits! And even if I could convince him to have sex, he's probably got a limp micro-dick that I wouldn't even be able to feel!"
The small voice at the back of her mind was screaming that none of what she said was true, that she shouldn't be saying such cruel things about a boy she knows loves her. But the rest of her felt only pleasure as she disparaged her own boyfriend's worth, while pouring out months of frustration and resentment.
SMACK
"AHH!"
All while a real man showed he was the farthest thing from a wuss.
SMACK
"AHH!"
That he was determined to take what he wanted like a true conqueror.
SMACK
"AHH!"
That he could give her what she'd been wanting for so fucking long!
"He's nothing like you! A stupid wussy boy who'd just get his ass kick by his thug of an older brother!" Bubbles yelled, panting and moaning with desire, "Ah, ah, nothing like a real man who can bring me to my knees!"
She looked over her shoulder, gazing at him with desire, "Bet if I asked him real nice, he'd probably be willing to raise your bastard like the loser wuss he is!" she declared, rubbing her pussy against his cock, "So go ahead, give me what that loser wouldn't! Pop this Puff's cherry! Breed this bitch! Make me a MAMAAAAAAAHHH!"
At the last word, she let out a shrill yell as Skeleton King, who'd been listening to every word with a dark twisted grin, thrust his cock inside her with no warning, and with that one mighty thrust took her virginity.
"AAAAHHHHH!!!!"
God, it hurt! But, like the shocks and the spankings, it hurt in a good way, the pain quickly fading to pleasure as Skeleton King started thrusting in and out of her, and her body adjusted to the man meat now filling her.
"Ah, ah, ah, FUCK! IT'S SO BIG! SO GOOD!" Bubbles screamed in ecstasy as she started thrusting her hips back to match his movements, "GIVE ME MORE! FILL ME WITH YOUR SEED! KNOCK ME UP WITH YOUR BABIES!"
The idea of getting pregnant was suddenly starting to sound a lot more appealing to her... and for some reason, she couldn't help but picture herself rubbing a pregnant stomach while Mac waited on her hand and feet. Then the image of her pregnant body getting pounded by her baby daddy Skeleton King while Mac stood in the corner crying silent tears while jacking his likely micro-penis like the wuss he was.
"Urggg, BREED THIS BITCH!" She added with another scream just as Skeleton King cackled, reaching out to grab her by her pigtails, jerking them back roughly as he pounded her like a hardcore bitch!
"Hehehe, that's my girl~" All of this being seen by the others, with Eris laughing as she fingered herself and kneaded her breasts; she always knew Bubbles had a wild side just waiting to be unleashed.
"Urg, ah, ah, ah, looks like you're the only, ah, ah, virgin Puff now, sis~" Buttercup called out to her sister, with her and Blossom now scissoring each other while grappling the other's legs.
"Ah, ah, ah, just means he's urg, ah, ah, saving the best for last," Blossom countered with a groan, moaning from both the scene with Bubbles and what she was doing with her own sister, "I'll ah, ah, show him why I'm the leader soon enough!" she declared with a determined grin and glare.
All the doubts and guilt and righteous fury that she'd felt at the start of this was washed away by the lust spell by now. All that mattered was satisfying the pure desire burning in her core, which her sisters' pussies and tongues couldn't provide anymore than her own fingers could; she needed that big fat cock, and nothing else would suffice!
She'd show this alien bastard who the real top was around here! Then she'd send him to jail, where he'd make his amends to society by fucking her whenever she wanted! Blossom vowed in her head, it not even registering with her what she was saying to herself at this point. But rather more focused on looking forward to her turn with lustful anticipation, with part of her actually already planning on having a talk with the Mayor about being Skeleton King's parole officer... perhaps even arrange it so he could serve his time with house arrest at the Utonium household.
After all, if Townsville prison couldn't hold Fuzzy Lumpkins, how could it hold a man like this? Blossom thought with a moan of desire, watching as said man pounded her less-innocent-by-the-minute sister as she rubbed her own clit against Buttercup's. No, clearly she needed to take a more... hands on approach with this particular villain... she was sure she could not only keep him in line as a proper parole officer, but was also sure the Professor would understand, she thought, not even really giving Dexter a second thought, rather starting to fantasize about a life she and Skeleton King could have after he's "repaid" his debt to society with plenty of proper "punishment" and "discipline".
Making him into a force for good, with the two of them fighting crime and monsters together... and then going home to celebrate with passionate lovemaking, maybe with her sisters joining in if she was feeling generous. And soon, her stomach growing large with his children, causing him to propose to her, and then herself walking down the aisle to meet him at an altar while everyone looked on happily.
Fuck, that image made her feel even better than the feeling of Buttercup's cunt against hers!
"Ah, I bet four eyes would have a heart attack if he saw all of this," Her sister said with a grunt, smirking as she kissed Blossom's leg.
"Urg, ah, ah, so? Maybe he'd, ah, ah, take that brain of his and ah, ah, learn what's really important," Blossom smirked, "How to treat a woman~"
And that just brought more images to mind. Her and Skeleton King consummating their union, with her stomach swollen with his young, while Dexter could only look on in longing, realizing only too late that he should have paid attention to her rather than his stupid experiments.
Hmm, maybe she'd be generous and let him occasionally eat her out. Preferably after Skeleton King had just cum in her; maybe a taste of a real man's seed would teach him not to be such a pathetic cuck!
And if he had any problems with it or tried to give them problems with any of his mecha or toys, she was sure Skeleton King could kick his ass, then get a kick out of fucking her over his broken body~ She thought with a dark evil smirk, the lust spell summoning up years worth of boiling subconscious resentment drowning out the small voice that said these thoughts were wrong.
"Urg, you said it, sis!" Buttercup said with a groan, "Honestly, four eyes, Bubbles' boy toy, and that fucker Lobo can all screw off!" she said with a moan of pleasure, "Ah, ah, ah, because ah, ah, as long as we have Bone Boy after we ah, ah, establish the real pecking order, we won't need any of those cucks!"
She declared with a feral grin toward Blossom that was returned as they sat up, both of them still pressing and rubbing their cunts together as they pressed their upper bodies together.
"Just him and ah, ah, us... the three of us..." Buttercup gave a groan as Blossom kissed at her neck, "The way it's always been... the way it was always meant to be," she said, her eyes gleaming with so much emotion, "I ah, ah, love you Blossom, you and ah, ah, Bubbles, don't want to ah, ah, lose you."
She admitted in a moan, causing Blossom to actually stiffen in surprise, with this confession actually coming from the heart. For losing her sisters... the three of them falling out of touch... was perhaps one of Buttercup's greatest fears. One she tried to bury... one even greater than her resentment toward feeling overshadowed by them.
"Ah, ah, I love you too, Buttercup... you know that... we'd never abandon you... Bubbles and me," Blossom said with a slight moan, staring into her sister's eyes with desire and love, before pulling her into a hungry kiss. Buttercup stiffened at that, before relaxing as she melted into the kiss.
That... that had been what she'd most been worried about since this whole League business had started. That if they changed their status quo, then things would never stop changing. That they'd join a bigger team, which would split their team up, and before they knew it, they'd never see each other because they'd all be off on their own missions all the time.
She might fight with her sisters, might sometimes feel jealous of them, or even inadequate at times (more so after the Lobo disaster). But they were her sisters and she loved them, and the thought of them splitting up for good... losing what they've had since their birth... it terrified her more than she could admit.
"Ahh, I love you ahh, too, you brainiac," Buttercup moaned as she felt Blossom hands move down to her ass as Buttercup kissed her neck, "Now let me show you why we don't need the League or that four-eyed cuck of yours~" she said with a husky growl, before pulling Blossom into a hungry kiss that was returned eagerly as the girls moaned and fell back to the ground on their sides.
While Eris arched a brow but smiled widely at the sight; those two might have always had a sister rivalry a bit, but it was good to see their love was stronger than ever.
"Plus, good to see they're not becoming like me and my fuddy siblings either," Eris said with a scoff, as it felt like Ares was the only one of her siblings, never mind family as a whole, who tolerated much less gave her the time of day these days, which is why she subtly encouraged the girls to be closer.
Sure, she might help spark a little sister rivalry a time or two, but only to teach a lesson and make them stronger for it she surmised, but raised her head at... barking?
"WOOF!
SMACK
"ARFF!"
SMACK
"BOW FUCKING WOW!" Bubbles moaned as Skeleton King gripped and jerked her head back by the pigtails with one hand while smacking her ass cheeks with his other hand that glowed with dark mystical energy.
'I'm a slutty puppy!" She moaned as Skeleton King cackled.
"Yes you are~ And if you take your breeding like a good bitch, perhaps I'll take you for a walk through Townsville, so all the citizens, your boyfriend included, can see what a good puppy bitch you are!"
"Ah, ah, yes master! Ooh, that would, ah, ah, be so nice!" Bubbles moaned, flushing with delight at the thought. That was humiliating and degrading, yet the thought of being walked naked around town for everyone - the Professor, her friends, and especially Mac - to see and gawk at, while showing off how she was just a pathetic slutty puppy bitch for her master... it was incredible!
PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP PLAP
She let out a moan as Skeleton King pounded into her.
SMACK
"ARFF! TAKE THIS PUPPY FOR A WALK MASTER!" Bubbles moaned at the next spank, and she could already picture it, her naked body wearing nothing but a collar and leash, following after Skeleton King like a good puppy on all fours, with everyone looking at the scene with shock, disgust, jealousy, or desire.
Ooooh, maybe he'd even breed his puppy bitch right in the middle of the city!
SMACK
"ARFF!"
And just the thought of that, along with Skeleton King's next few hits being stronger and hotter than ever, while also feeling an energy sparking inside her very wet cunt...
SMACK
"ARFF!"
SMACK
It proved too much and she finally exploded in pleasure.
"ARFFFFFFFFFF!!"
With Skeleton King cackling and grunting as he also released his seed deep inside her.
"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah... oh, master~ That was wonderful~" Bubbles moaned as she collapsed once her orgasm passed, while Skeleton King yanked his cock out of her cunt, leaving seed and juice to leak out.
"Hehe, I'm glad you enjoyed it, puppy~" Skeleton King cooed ,reaching down to rub and squeeze her ass cheek, "A first time should be meaningful, a pleasurable experience, and with someone special," He gave a mocking smirk, "I trust this has met all three?"
He asked with a chortle as she nodded dumbly.
"Fuck yes... soooooo good!" Bubbles chirped with the largest fucked silly smile. She wasn't sure she'd ever regret today. Who knew getting her cherry popped by a dangerous supervillain rather than her own boyfriend would feel so great?
The only downside would be that sex with Mac would definitely never be able to compare to this... assuming that wuss ever manned up and tried to make it past first base.
Hmm, maybe she should just forget about him and stay with Skeleton King full time, she couldn't help but think deliriously, not really considering what she was thinking. After all, she was sure she could use her body and love to heal Skeleton King and bring him back to the side of good, or perhaps it'd be exciting to try a forbidden romance between the cute heroine and terrifying villain~ She couldn't help but think with a giggle, looking over her shoulder toward Skeleton King.
"You know..." she raised her ass, giving it a shake, "There's still one more hole you haven't defiled, you big bad monster~" she said with a giggle and a naughty smirk, with Skeleton King giving a leer, but before he could respond...
FWOOM
A flash of recognizable pink light tackled him away.
"HEY!" Bubbles shot up in protest, pouting and glaring, "I wasn't done!" She yelled, glaring at the bed, with Skeleton King giving a dazed blink before looking up, realizing he was being pinned by a smirking Blossom.
"Sorry Bubbles, but it's high time I take the lead, and give this villain the punishment he deserves!" She declared, trying to sound defiant. Though the effect was ruined somewhat by the look of pure lust she had in her eyes as she looked down at Skeleton King.
Bubbles pouted at this, only to stiffen as Buttercup suddenly came up behind her and wrapped her arms around her.
"Eh, I guess it's only fair that leader girl get a turn," she said as she reached up to grab and play with Bubbles' huge tits, "In the meantime, I want to get a taste of what these melons of yours feel like~"
"Ooooh! Ahhhh, Buttercup! For once, ahhh, I think I like you playing rough~" Bubbles said with a giggle, turning her head toward her sister, who smirked.
"God, I love you and these fat tits~" Buttercup said huskily, leaning closer, "Let me show you that Bone Boy isn't the only one better than Mac around here."
She said, before claiming Bubbles' lips in a hungry kiss that was returned with a moan, with Buttercup allowing herself to fall onto her back, taking Bubbles down with her still on top, her back to her chest as she roughly kneaded the fattest pair of tits in the Powerpuff Girls while making out hungrily.
And as more sister-on-sister action started, Blossom gazed hungrily down at Skeleton King while teasingly rubbing her pussy alongside his cock.
"So, you have me helpless before you," Skeleton King said with a mocking smirk, "Is this the part where I'm supposed to beg?"
He asked with a tilt of his head, "Or perhaps the time you drag my beaten body to the Justice League?" His eyes gleamed, "Or the part where you try to make a fruitless appeal to my humanity?"
"No, this is the part where I fuck your villainous cock into submission with my heroic pussy!" Blossom declared, not caring how ridiculous that statement was, before she slammed herself down onto his cock.
"AH! SHIT!" she yelled as she was penetrated, her hymen easily being torn clean through.
"Urg... cutting right to the chase, are we?" Skeleton King stated with a groan at the feeling of her tight pussy, "Hope your heroic pussy is ready for my villainous cock!" He declared with a cackle, his body glowing with energy, with Blossom suddenly feeling a powerful surge from the cock inside her.
"Ugh!" Blossom groaned as the surge hit her, but she refused to let herself be overwhelmed by it. She was the leader, she wasn't going to give in as easily as her sisters!
"That all you... urg... got, bastard!" She glared at him with a smirk that was returned as she started to bounce off his cock wildly, concentrating on the goal, ignoring the pain and fixating on the pleasure.
"I'm going to Puff pound your world," Blossom declared with a moan, "Welcome to the start of your Blossom patent-pending sexual reformation program, I'll be your official therapist, parole officer, and sexual goddess starting today!"
She declared with a moan, keeping her grip as she leaned down to smirk down at him as he groaned.
"Urg... and I'll be your conqueror... the one who will father your children... the monster that will destroy your city... the man who you'll love and adore!" He declared, choosing to let her take the lead for now; just like with Buttercup, it was actually kinda hot and fun twist to how he usually was the one to call the shots, "The one that will open your eyes to ultimate pleasure found in the arms of evil!"
"Ugh, ah, ah, we'll see about that!" Blossom panted, "I've never let us, ah, ah, ah, lose to a villain before! And we're, ah, ah, not starting today!"
She said while shooting him a challenging grin, her face red, heart racing, her body being rocked with pleasure as she felt such a powerful energy fill her as he gazed up into her eyes with a wicked cunning gleam. Was... was she in love? She'd... not even Dexter had ever made feel like this! She wondered faintly as she moved to capture his lips in a hungry kiss while continuing to bounce off his cock, with Skeleton King returning it with glee.
Hehe, he loved it when a plan came together~ And this was going even better than Kaznia! Sure, this was only due to the lust spell, which would wear off soon enough, but he was sure that this taste of him would leave its mark on the girls, and before long he was sure that they'd be throwing themselves at him even without a spell on them~
But of course, this wasn't even the best part. Just a bit longer, and the real plan could begin...
But he'd certainly be savoring every part of this in the meantime, while giving them some memories to revisit when they're alone pleasuring themselves.
"Urg, you do realize that no one dominates Skeleton King so easily?" He questioned with a dark grin as the kiss broke.
"Mmm, so you say. But it looks to me like I'm the one on top~" Blossom said with a smirk as she ground down on the huge cock inside her. Only to yelp as Skeleton King suddenly grabbed her and flipped her over, leaving her on her back and him looming down at her.
"You were saying?" He questioned with a smirk, leaning in as he started to pound her pussy, while grabbing her breasts and digging into their flesh, "When I am done with you, you'll beg for me to take you back to the Citadel of Bone!" He declared before he began to shock her breasts with a cackle as he pounded her hard and deep, "You'll choose a life as my personal concubine over a life being lab partners with that arrogant fool!"
"ARGH! UGH! AHHH!" Blossom yelled in mixed pleasure and pain, but refusing to let it overwhelm her, "Ah, ah, ah, never! Ah, ah, you're going to, ah, ah, surrender and, ah, ah, be my convict!"
"Oh? Urg, going to make me your personal prisoner? Punish me every day with your sexy body?" Skeleton King asked with a dark coo as he leaned in, licking upside her cheek with Blossom shivering and giving a moan as he plowed away, "What would your little boyfriend say about that idea, I wonder?"
"Fuck him! He probably wouldn't even notice I wasn't there!" Blossom growled, "All he cares about is his work and getting his ego stroked! Well, he can stroke it and his tiny pecker by himself, while I ride a real cock!"
That caused Skeleton King to cackle, "Why stop at humiliation?" He gave a cruel grin, "Give into your darkest desires, take your place at my side, become the mother of my child."
He grunted as moved his hands to her legs to pick them up and put her into a mating press, "And we could make the fool our personal prisoner jester to torture to our hearts' content!" He declared, cackling as he once again tried his new trick of sending out a surge of energy from his dick.
"AAGGGHHHH!!! YESSSSS!" Blossom screamed in response, "Let's make him our personal bitch boy and make him suffer!"
The part of Blossom not consumed by the lust spell was of course horrified by what she was saying about someone she loved. However, the rest of her ignored it, too consumed by images of herself dressed as a dominatrix and whipping a naked Dexter, making him scream about how superior a man and lover that Skeleton King was to him, while Skeleton King fucked her from behind.
"Then give in! Take your rightful place!" Blossom's feet were now pressed against her head as he pounded her harder and harder, "Accept my child! Pledge yourself to me, and you'll rule like a goddess!" Skeleton King declared, cackling as his and Blossom's bodies began to glow with energy, "Let us reduce this world to ash, and break that pathetic boyfriend's spirit as a family!"
"Ah, ah, ah, yes! That's what I want!" Blossom yelled, mind blanking out from pure pleasure, "Let's all be together forever, and do whatever we want to whoever we want!"
For so long she'd been the responsible one, for so long she and her sisters had always tried to do the right thing, maybe it'd be better just to embrace their darker impulses, she couldn't help but think as an image popped into her mind... Skeleton King on a throne overlooking Townsville in ruins, with the citizens in chains being marched away by the Formless. While she and her sisters, all of them naked, their stomachs bulging with Skeleton King's children, lounged and pressed their bodies against him.
It was twisted... it was evil... it was depraved... but at that moment, Blossom didn't think she ever wanted anything more!
"Then let your master grant you your deepest desire!" Skeleton King hissed, his face inches from her own as her feet were pressed to both sides of her head as he folded her like a chair, "Let him not only grant you your true destiny at his side, but grant you his child!"
He cackled, sending out a surge of powerful energy from his body straight into Blossom's.
"AAAAAHHHHH!!!! MASSSSSSTTTTTEEEERRRRR!!!!!" Blossom screamed, not even noticing what she was calling him as she climaxed from the action, body bursting with ecstasy and cunt exploding with juices around the cock filling it. And as it tightened on said cock, it made Skeleton King cum as well, dark seed flying into Blossom's body alongside his energy.
After that, he released Blossom and rolled over to collect himself, feeling quite satisfied, wearing the largest smirk. This... while he's been racking up an excellent score when it came to women... this had been particularly satisfying for some reason~ Perhaps it was the knowledge of what would come next, perhaps it was the knowledge that after giving them a taste of this, the Puffs would long for more whether they liked it or not~ Either way, he had to say he loved it when a plan came together.
"Hope you don't think we're done~" But he suddenly stiffened as Blossom snuggled up against his side, "Because my sisters and I are only just getting started~" She said with a smirk.
"You got that right, brainiac~" Skeleton King blinked as Buttercup and Bubbles floated overhead with smirks.
"You've taken us each at once," Buttercup landed over his crotch, smirking down at him.
"But can you handle some Powerpuff teamwork~" Bubbles asked as she moved to lay to his right side, the opposite of Blossom, all of them staring with hunger and desire.
And for the first time since finding himself as Skeleton King and started his explicit exploits... he found himself wondering if his new body would have enough stamina to keep up... while also experiencing a feeling akin to being surrounded by bloodthirsty predators in a sense... and strangely enough, part of him enjoyed it almost as much as it made him nervous.
But... he'd come here for more than just sex, no matter how intense and VERY pleasurable it might be. And he couldn't let himself get sidelined from his greater goal, so he should focus on that.
And no, he wasn't scared of letting them triple team him. Anyone who said otherwise was a liar.
So it was time to get to work. Besides, with his forces at work in the city and the fact that the Puffs hadn't arrived yet, the odds of outside intervention from the League or the like increased by the moment. He couldn't risk being discovered until he accomplished one of his main goals for this fun with the Powerpuff Girls.
"Oh, believe me, I'm sure I can take what you girls can dish out," Skeleton King said aloud, addressing them as they all pressed their bodies against him while he sat up, "Sadly, I'm afraid I'm on a deadline, my lovely heroines."
He remarked, getting blinks, pouts, or annoyed scowls, "And I believe it's time to get to the big surprise I've been planning since I first arrived in Townsville," he said with a twisted grin.
"Hehehe, ooooh yes!" And blinked, seeing Eris approaching the bed with the largest eager grin, "I've been looking forward to this~" she remarked, rubbing her hands together, "Time to expand the family~" she said with a giggle. Which got a confused look from the girls, despite the lust hazing their minds.
"What do you mean?" Bubbles asked, looking to Eris with a blink.
"Yeah, what else are we here for besides fucking each other's brains out?" Buttercup demanded.
"What... what exactly are you up?" Blossom asked with a frown, curious despite the lust clouding her mind. Just what was their plan?
Skeleton King, at that question, smirked as he climbed out of the bed, raising his hand with his staff quickly flying back into it from its position leaning against a tree, before slamming it down, and in a brief dark flash he (much to the Puffs' disappointment) was once again covered in his clothing.
"Simple..." He turned to face the girls with an evil smile that sent a strange chill down their spines, "I wish to give each of you three one of the greatest treasures a woman could ever ask for~" he remarked as Eris let out laugh at that.
"That's right, girls! You all said that you wanted his babies? Well, now you're going to get them!" she exclaimed, making the girls' eyes widen in shock.
And with that, a shared cry pierced the forest, sending birds scattering.
"WHAT?!"
Though as Skeleton King had his fun with the Puffs and was moving onto the next step in his plan, things in Townsville were escalating...
Notes:
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: And there you have it. Night/Skeleton King, with some magical help from Eris, has managed to fuck all three Powerpuffs. And that's just the start of what he has in store for them~
What'll happen next? Well, you'll have to wait to see, as next time, we go back to the rest of Townsville to see the continuing events of the attack.
Until then, please leave a kudos or comment if you enjoyed this!
Nightmaster000 A/N: Hope you all got a real kick at my/Skeleton King fun with the lust spelled Powerpuff Girls, certainly had a hell of a good time. But it wasn't merely just for pleasure, but actually the first step of something special coming your way.
Though till we reach that particular surprise hope you all continue to enjoy the Townsville arc in the meantime.
Also know there wasn't much highlight on Eris and Aku revelation for the Puffs here, hope to give that spotlight it deserves steadily as story goes on. Though trust me when say the Puffs are going to be hit hard and have a LOT to process once everything is said and done.
Chapter 38: Townsville Troubles, Part 5
Summary:
With the Powerpuffs... indisposed... Skeleton King's forces descend on Townsville, with the Justice League arriving to help the locals fight back.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: Alright everyone hope you all had a Happy Halloween, just as I hope you all will enjoy this late treat of a chapter. As it not only has some good action in it, but it's got a twist been dying to bring to you!
Hehe in all honesty this twist is probably my favorite part of the Townsville arc, and pumped to see what you all think of it. So since i'm so eager lets get to it and see how the City of Townsville is doing while the girls are....busy.
Spoiler alert not well.
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Yeah, this is a big one, everyone, bringing us to the very plot point that this arc was created to bring into the story. Really hope you all enjoy it, but first we have a lot of action to get through before we reach that point, which was still a lot of fun to write.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Skeleton King, at that question, smirked as he climbed out of the bed, raising his hand with his staff quickly flying back into it from its position leaning against a tree, before slamming it down, and in a brief dark flash he (much to the Puffs' disappointment) was once again covered in his clothing.
"Simple..." He turned to face the girls with an evil smile that sent a strange chill down their spines, "I wish to give each of you three one of the greatest treasures a woman could ever ask for~" he remarked as Eris let out laugh at that.
"That's right, girls! You all said that you wanted his babies? Well, now you're going to get them!" she exclaimed, making the girls' eyes widen in shock.
And with that, a shared cry pierced the forest, sending birds scattering.
"WHAT?!"
Though as Skeleton King had his fun with the Puffs and was moving onto the next step in his plan, things in Townsville were escalating...
(Earlier/Meanwhile)
BEEP
BEEP
BEEP
"Whooo weee! Now this is a real hootenanny!" Called out Fuzzy Lumpkins over the prison alarms, raising one guard over his head before throwing him straight at two others, with prisoners and security fighting all around.
POW
"For once, I might actually agree with a man," Called out the female villain that went by Femme Fatale, wearing her, urgg, black and white striped prison jumpsuit as she dropkicked another guard. Oh, she couldn't wait to get out of this place and get back into her own clothes... after she took her pound of flesh, of course~
With that, she jumped back into the fray, joining the chaos as the criminals and guards fought each other. All of which was observed by Mandarin from where he was looking out through the grate of a vent that he was currently inside of.
"Hmph, so fulfilling to make the pawns do the dirty work for you~" he cackled, before turning and continuing his way through the vent in search of his target.
It hardly mattered whether any of them escaped or not, they merely needed to keep the guards and any unwanted arrivals busy long enough to act as a smokescreen as he retrieved his prize, he thought, going to the lower levels through the ventilation system.
"And I do believe my quarry is not far ahead," Mandarin said aloud with a dark smirk, remembering the information provided by the goddess, who had revealed that the zombie magician had been sealed inside his makeshift coffin after his defeat, and then it had been locked away in a secure section of this prison, secretly located in the lower levels that didn't officially exist.
Now, he just had to get down there and retrieve it, then he could return to his master in triumph! Then perhaps his mate would realize not to question his capability, he thought with a smirk, before shaking his head.
"Not the time for distractions, focus!" He berated himself, before kicking out a grate and jumping out of the ventilation, "Ah... the last obstacle."
He remarked, staring at a large steel security door.
"Once again, this planet's level of prison security is just disappointing," he said with a dark smirk, activating his energy blade before lunging toward the door with a screech.
With a few quick slashes from the blade, a roughly rectangular piece of the door fell away, leaving a hole for Mandarin to jump through. Doing so left him standing in a large storage room, filled with boxes and crates marked with various statements like "Hazardous Material" and "Danger: Do Not Open". And at the far end was his target, an iron maiden wrapped in chains and padlocks, with a sign in front of it saying "Highly Dangerous, Do Not Approach".
There were a series of laser lights crisscrossing the room, clearly meant to activate security measures if crossed. Seeing this, Mandarin scoffed, still not impressed.
"Please, is this the best that they could bother with?" he sneered, before darting forward. And with grace that would impress an acrobatic gold medalist, he easily swerved and moved between the lasers with a smirk.
"All too easy," he remarked, landing in a crouch in front of the iron maiden, "Hmm... I might not be my master or even the sorceress, but I can feel the dark power within."
He smirked, placing his hand against it, "No wonder the master seeks to recruit you into his service," he muttered before scoffing, "Perhaps another minion capable of sorcery will motivate the witch to do better."
Oh, he could just see the look on the witch's face when the one thing of value she had was no longer unique~ But, that would have to wait until later; for now, he needed to get this thing back to the rendezvous point.
"Hmm, now then, how to get you out of here?" he mused, looking between the large iron maiden and the laser light grid. Its size would make getting it out of here without triggering security tricky... but, it was not a challenge that he couldn't overcome.
"I suppose there was some benefits to the larger frame the original mutated into," he muttered, looking at the iron maiden, "No matter, there's always more than one way to accomplish a goal," he muttered, his eyes going to some chains in the corner, causing him to smirk as he grabbed them, wrapping them not around the iron maiden but himself in a makeshift leash.
"A bit demeaning, but I'm surely strong enough to drag it to my master," he muttered with a slight scowl, "At the very least, I could consider it training," he said, but lifted his head up at the lasers, realizing that figuring out a way to get the iron maiden past them would take too long.
"Perhaps the time for stealth had ended, and it's time to apply the more, urg... direct approach," the monkey said, moving the iron maiden into position as he got behind it before letting out screech as he launch a kick to launch it forward with all his strength.
The iron maiden flew through the air, passing through dozens of the lasers before passing through the hole cut in the vault door to crash into the hallway outside. Mandarin smirked at that, but he only had a few moments to enjoy it, before alarms started blaring.
"Ah, there it is," he muttered, as laser cannons popped out of the walls and scanned the room before focusing on him.
"Unauthorized presence detected. Get down on the floor and await the arrival of security, or lethal force is authorized," a robotic voice declared. Mandarin, however, just scoffed.
"If what I've seen of the security here is standard, I doubt highly I have cause to fear," he remarked, moving to leave, and not a moment later the cannons opened fire.
PEW
PEW
BOOM
BOOM
And Mandarin, smirking, once again moved with great agility and grace, dodging the blaster fire while also using not only his shield to block some shots, but as he lunged toward the cannons after jumping onto a crate and leaped off it, he got into range, landing on a cannon and stabbing his sword straight through it. Then, just as it sparked, he leapt off it toward another cannon to repeat the process.
BOOM
BOOM
Soon, all the cannons had been destroyed, the only remaining sign of a triggered security system being the alarms still ringing as Mandarin dropped back to the floor.
"As I thought. Pitiful enough that even that fool Otto could have handled it," he spat, deactivating his blade and shield, before hopping out of the hole in the vault door. Reaching the spot where the iron maiden had landed, he picked up the makeshift chain leash and wrapped it around the maiden in order to drag it after himself.
And as he was preparing to try to escape with his prize, Jinmay was experiencing the fruits of her failure.
(Star Labs)
You failed him.
Nothing but a worthless doll he'll throw away.
Chiro loved you yet you choose the easy way out and pleasure over facing him.
You're pathetic.
No one will ever love you now.
You should just curl up and let your batteries run out, like the forgotten toy you are.
Ever since the mime had left, she'd been lying curled up on the floor, these thoughts racing through her mind over and over again, as a feeling of despair overwhelmed her. The puddle that was Elmer sitting off the side wasn't any better, both of them going through emotional torment as all their doubts, fears, and trauma hit them like a fright train.
"FREEZE!" And it was this scene two Townsville police officers had arrived to, having responded to the alarms at Star Labs, they had half-expected to be just taking in a report on the incident after the Powerpuff Girls had finished wrapping up, only no sign of them. And after learning the source of the break in wasn't local, the senior Officer Perez, former partner to disgraced officer Mike Brickowski, requested immediate backup as he and his current partner went in.
"What the hell?" Though the scene they'd arrived to certainly wasn't one they expected.
The room was wrecked, there was a large puddle of some kind of goo to one side of the room, a robot girl curled up nearby, and most strangely of all, half the room (including said puddle and robot) were completely black and white.
"What happened here?" Perez's partner asked, looking around in utter confusion.
"I have no idea... but don't touch anything, just in case," Perez said, looking around at the bizarre scene and frowning in thought. Something about the black and white parts of the room scratched at the back of his head, like he'd seen something like that before, but he just couldn't recall when or how.
Though right now his focus was on the robot girl; according to the lab scientists who met them on arrival, this robot girl had claimed to be working for Skeleton King when she had burst in, which made her a high priority threat/capture for authorities in and out of Townsville. But finding her in this state was the last thing he expected... and then there was her reason for being here.
"That scientist said she was here to recruit some of the metas here... whether they liked it or not," he muttered in a low tone as he slowly cautiously approached Jinmay's form.
"Sir?" Questioned the rookie behind him.
"What we got on the metas that were in Star Labs?" Perez questioned, not taking his gaze or weapon away from the perp.
The rookie pulled out his phone and checked it, pulling up the records that the department had provided them.
"There's Rainbow the Clown, who's apparently got a meta-powered split personality that turns him into a mime that can drain sound and color from things, and Elmer Sglue, who is an anthropomorphic pile of glue," the rookie stated, Perez's eyes going wide as he took that in.
He remembered how the town had turned into something straight out of a film from his grandad's days. He also remembered a small feeling of sadness, but... he frowned, looking at the girl's form, he realized she was completely colorless and her expression was empty with a hint of despair.
Nothing like this, he thought, shaking his head in thought.
And the goo off to the side... he glance over. If Elmer was hit with the same thing as this girl...
"I think Elmer's still there, but we got a hostile Mime loose in the city," Perez said to the rookie, who blinked. However, before he could ask what he meant, the radio attached to his hip went off.
"Calling all units, calling all units! We have a Code Alpha HI!, I repeat Code Alpha HI!"
The rookie and Perez's eyes widened as the former asked nervously.
"Isn't that...?" he trailed off as Perez nodded.
"Full hostile citywide invasion," Perez said in a grim tone.
That code hadn't been put into use since the Imperium invasion, and the only reason it hadn't during the Thangarian occupation had been because the damned aliens' threats of destroying the city had kept anyone from reacting. Beyond that, there had never been an occasion dire enough to require it. If it was happening now...
"Damn, damn, damn!" Perez cursed, looking to the two downed figures on the floor for a moment before shaking his head as he made a harsh but necessary decision, "Come on, let's go!"
"But, what about...?" the rookie asked, gesturing to Jimmy and Elmer's puddle.
"I hate to leave them like this, but we don't have time to help them. Alpha HI means all hands on deck!" Perez declared. He frowned, giving one last concerned look, "With any luck, they'll still be here once the dust settles."
The rookie looked concerned, but nodded in acceptance. And with that, the two turned and quickly ran out of the room, leaving Jinmay and Elmer behind. As they did, however, they failed to notice how the black and white was slowly diminishing, retreating from its full extent and back towards a center point.
While Mr. Mime's powers had been made more dangerous by his empowerment by the Skeleton King's essence, their effects were now more limited. Rather than being permanent unless he was defeated, it now required his constant presence to be permanent; with his absence, it was slowly wearing off.
"Urg... ah, I... master... Chiro?" Jinmay let out a dazed groan as her color and senses returned to her, with her sitting up, rubbing her head in confusion before her eyes widened in realization, "That Mime!"
She sprung up, looking around, but saw no sign of that bastard.
"Oh, that motherfucker!" she screamed, enraged. That ungrateful piece of shit had the fucking nerve to put her through that! When Skeleton King found out... she stiffened as she just realized... unless she track down that stupid Mime... she would have failed her mission.
"Fuck!" she screamed in anger... but also fear. This... would be the first time she'd truly failed her master. That fight with Cyborg hardly counted, since she was mainly supposed to pass on a message... but this?!
"Let's calm down... he... I'm not like the trash that's disappointed him before, he... loves me," she reasoned, running her hand through her hair, trying to calm down... but everything she heard while under that clown's power came flooding back.
You mean how like Chiro and you loved each other?
Do you truly believe Skeleton King won't punish you?
"Shut up!" she yelled at the voices only she could hear, turning and blasting a nearby computer console to vent a little, while panting hard, before she managed to compose herself, "Get ahold of yourself, you stupid bitch. That mime was just messing with your head. Master loves you, he wouldn't have kept you around if he didn't."
Then what about all his other sluts? The voices in her head whispered again, though a bit weaker as time went by.
"No, no, no! I'm not going through this!" she spat, shaking her head, "I just need to find that stupid mime, beat him senseless, and drag him back to Lord Skeleton King's feet!"
"You're not going anywhere!" However, before she could get onto her bike, she found herself attack from behind as a stream of paste blasted her back, "And you're not going to lay a hand on my friend!" Snapped Elmer, also back to his senses, and the main thing helping power through the aftereffects of what he just went through was the fact he had a target to vent all his frustration and anger onto.
"Ugh, seriously?! I don't have time for you!" Jinmay snarled, turning to glare at Elmer and firing a blast at him, which his blobby form shifted to dodge.
"I don't care!" Elmer snapped, "You turned Rainbow back into the Mime! He was terrified of that happening to him, and you made it happen!"
"Oh, cry me a river," Jinmay snapped, "It's not my fault that your pathetic friend is too weak to accept power when it's handed to him!"
"Power?!" Elmer gave her an incredulous look, "What good is power at the cost of yourself, your very soul?!" He demanded with a glare as they exchanged blasts of energy and paste, "What good is having power when you're nothing but a monster?!"
He screamed, thrusting his hands forward with a massive stream of paste that Jinmay barely dodged by rocketing up to the ceiling.
"Oh, stop acting like such a moron!" Jinmay snapped, glaring at him angrily, "So your friend's a silent film circus freak reject, while you're a walking booger," she scoffed as Elmer glared at her, "Do you have any idea how many pathetic saps out there would literally kill to get a taste of what you two feel?"
She gave him a look of disgust, "At least heroes like my moron of an ex have the guts to do something with their abilities. You and clown boy... all you did before I showed up was cower at yourselves in the mirror while serving as glorified lab rats."
Jinmay at that lashed out and sent a blast of laser fire from her eyes straight at Elmer. Elmer collapsed into a puddle before the blast could connect, and then before Jinmay could react, he shot back up in a towering column of paste that slammed against her.
"Ugh!" she grunted as she was encased in the paste, before being slammed against a wall by it.
"Some people don't want power! Or abilities! Or anything but to be normal!" Elmer yelled as his face reformed out of the column and glared at Jinmay, "That's all Rainbow wanted! And you took that away from him!"
"I gave him a gift! The honor to serve the greatest evil this universe has ever seen, and he threw it away!" Jinmay spat back, breathing heavily, "And I'm done playing nice!" Her eyes, followed by her entire body, started to glow, "I'm going to find that clown and take him back to Skeleton King, even if I have to topple this entire fucking city to do it!"
"No you won't- AH!" Elmer started to say, only to scream in pain as the energy surged through him, causing his form to bubble and boil away, which made him let go of her and pull away.
Now free of his hold, Jinmay floated into the air, the glow surrounding her growing stronger with each passing second. And as it did, her form started growing as well, quickly becoming quite large.
"What the...?" Elmer said, and then he would have paled if he still had skin and blood as the enlarging Jinmay suddenly hit the ceiling.
SMASH
And burst right through it, causing it to collapse and rain debris down on him.
And as he tried to the dodge the debris, Jinmay's new form, more robotic than ever with a darker gothic edge than her main body, legs and arm guards completely black, with a large heart symbol in the middle of her chest. She was now about as tall as a skyscraper, if not a bit more so as she bellowed.
"WHERE ARE YOU, STUPID MIME?! NO ONE MAKES A FOOL OF ME OR DENIES SKELETON KING!" she roared, much to the terror of the Townsville citizens.
ROAAAAR
PEW
PEW
PEW
Or rather added terror, as Jinmay paused and realized the city was in the middle of an invasion! She could see not only squadrons of flying Formless blasting down, with other Formless on bikes or foot taking to the streets, but also see the form of a gigantic vicious-looking monster that Earth citizens would believe resembled a T-Rex. Something Jinmay quickly realized was one of her master's newer monsters, created from some of their gains from Gravity Falls, the Kasai Rex she thinks he called this particular monster. But the more immediate problem came to her as she realized that her master's plan for this city was really kicking off.
And as she watched the Kasai Rex headbutt a building, she realized she needed to find that clown, and she needed to find him NOW!
"I'M NOT FAILING!" she screamed, before stomping off towards the city, smashing her way through the remainder of the Star Labs building and demolishing it. However, she didn't even bother to register this, charging into the chaos of the city.
Silence filled the air for a few minutes after this, and then the rubble started shifting, and Elmer oozed out of it before reforming.
"Ugh, that sucked," he muttered. Looking around, he froze and his eyes went wide as he saw what was happening.
It was complete and utter mayhem! With a giant dinosaur and an entire army of monsters invading the city! Forget the Thanagarian occupation, this took him years back to when Mojo Jojo first attacked the city with all those mutated monkeys!
And what's worse... there didn't seem to be any sign of the Powerpuff Girls! Elmer realized with a look of horror.
"Somebody help me!" And a scream of help caught his attention, as he saw a woman running with her child in her arms as a group of the monsters chased after her.
"Hey creeps, back off!"
The next thing Elmer knew, he acted without thinking, sending out a blast of paste straight at the monsters, scoring a direct hit.
"Wha?" The woman paused, giving him an expression mixed with confusion and fear.
"Get to safety!" Elmer barked, with the woman despite her confusion nodding and running off, while Elmer grimaced, watching as the monsters struggled to get out of the paste before he gave them another blast.
His eyes roamed over the chaos. He didn't know where the Powerpuff Girls were, but... the city was in chaos... and while he never wanted this...he had the power to do something about it. And at that, he thought back to the last thing Rainbow said to him before that crazy robot girl showed up.
"I know, and I'm sorry," Rainbow said, giving Elmer's slimy shoulder a squeeze, "But all we can do is the best that we can with what life's given us. And you can do a lot better than just staying here."
Elmer looked down, clenching his fists with a frown.
"You were right about one thing, Rainbow... I can do better than just staying at Star Labs," he thought with a determined glare as his form began to ripple and slowly grow.
"And I'm going to protect you and the rest of Townsville!" he called out with determination fueling him, as others in the city were responding to the invasion.
PEW
PEW
PEW
"Rob MY mansion!" Roared Princess Morbucks, now wearing a black full body suit covered in an advanced gold colored battle suit with a visor over her eyes, and currently blasted at some of the Formless flying through the air with bat-like wings.
BAM
With her zooming and kicking one Formless in the face.
"Invade MY city!" She roared with an enraged expression, "When I'm done with you disgusting freaks, I'm going to make your boss regret the day he ever heard the name PRINCESS MORBUCKS!" She screamed, firing miniature missiles from her battle suit that soared after numerous airborne targets.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
And she wasn't the only villain coming to the city's defense for selfish reasons, either.
"You dare attack the city that belongs to Mojo Jojo?!" the evil simian declared angrily as he piloted a mech suit that was firing at the Formless in the air and stomping on the ones on the ground, "This city belongs to me, myself, and I alone! No one else can attack it, for I alone can attack it, and only myself can do so!"
"Mojo! Less babbling, more blasting!" Princess shouted in annoyance toward her "friend" as she floated beside his mech while blasting at some of the Formless with her wrist blasters, "And don't suppose we're getting anymore backup?"
She asked with a scowl.
"Backup?! Mojo Jojo doesn't need backup! For Mojo Jojo is, if anything, THE one giving you Princess Morbucks assistance out of Mojo Jojo's generous nature, and for the fact that you and I share a common threat intruding onto the city of Townsville, which is our official territory! Which is therefore a clear violation of villain unwritten rules, and as such must be met with overwhelming..."
As Mojo went on a tirade while continuing to fire or smack aside Formless, Princess got a flat look accompanied by an eye twitch, with her soon screeching.
"JUST ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTION, MOJO JOJO!" she yelled in frustration. Urg, over 11 years, and he still refused to do anything about the longwinded way he talks!
"Huff, very well, but only because Mojo Jojo does not wish to become deaf from your infernal screeching," Mojo said with a huff, "As of now, among Townsville's noted rogues, the Gangreen Gang is out of town on one of their mercenary jobs they have taken since going from common hoods to dangerous powered mercenaries, Fuzzy as of this morning has been arrested, Sedusa if Mojo is not mistaken is currently battling some of these irksome invaders downtown..."
Mojo's response was cut off by Princess.
"And? What about the big guns? What about...?" the monkey then let out a furious yell to cut her off.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT! NEVER AGAIN!" the monkey gave a furious expression, "Mojo Jojo refuses to either be that failure of a guardian's keeper! OR ever deem to consider working alongside that shortsighted incompetent ever again!"
This prompted a facepalm from Princess, "Urgg, look, this is not the time for your bitter breakup issues over the runaway trio!"
"Oh, for... FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME! MOJO JOJO AND HIM WERE NEVER DATING!"
Seriously, where had that ridiculous rumor come from?! He and HIM barely ever worked together, even when it came to making use of the Rowdyruff Boys, and when they did, they both made it clear that they didn't even like each other! And yet, somehow, people seemed to think that the two of them were some kind of couple!
Not that Mojo had anything against people who swung that way, it's just that he didn't himself. And even if he did, he'd have better standards than that incompetent demon who thought he was so superior just because of his magic powers! Well, if your powers make you so much better, why did you always fail to defeat the Powerpuffs too?!
"Sure, whatever you say," Princess scoffed, cutting into Mojo's mental rant as she blasted some more Formless, "But seriously, you're the only one I know who can contact HIM, and right now he might be the only one who can deal with this mess!"
"But Mojo Jojo does not require..." Mojo's protests were cut off by Princess, "MOJO! SO HELP ME, IF YOU DON'T CALL HIM, I'M POSTING THE PICTURES FROM LAST YEAR'S VILLAIN CHRISTMAS PARTY!"
"You wouldn't dare!" Mojo protested, paling slightly at the embarrassing memories of that party's drunken antics.
"Try me," Princess growled, making Mojo gulp nervously.
"Alright, alright! I'll do it!" he said quickly. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a phone and hit a number in the speed dial, listening to it ring as he waited for HIM to pick up.
(Elsewhere)
Within the confines of his hellish realm, the demon known only as HIM was currently taking a spa day, lying in a bubbling hot tub with a towel wrapped around his hair and cucumbers placed over his eyes.
"Ah, this is just what I needed~" the demon purred, simply enjoying the moment... which was interrupted as a ringing filled the air.
"NOW WHAT?!" HIM snarled, cucumbers popping off as his eyes glowed with rage. Sitting up, he saw his phone ringing on the edge of the tube. Picking it up in one claw, he saw Mojo's name flashing on the screen, and snorted.
"Hmph, sorry monkey boy, but this is my day off," he grunted, tapping the screen with his other claw to send the call to voicemail. He then set the phone aside and laid back down in the water, figuring whatever it was, it wasn't a big deal.
(Back in the city)
"You dare screen Mojo Jojo's calls?!" Mojo yelled at the phone after getting HIM's answering message.
"Typical, if you want something done right," Princess muttered bitterly from her position in the air before shaking her head, "Alright, forget that diva demon!" She yelled to Mojo, getting his attention, "It's time to show these gross goons and their even more gross boss why Earth villains don't go down easily!"
Princess called out with a determined glint, with Mojo grinning deviously at the announcement before rolling his eyes at her next statement.
"Even if one of us is reformed, of course," Princess added with a cough.
"Of course, for how could anyone doubt that Princess Morbucks is anything but a perfect little angel," Mojo said with a mocking tone, prompting a glare from Princess.
"Urg, just shut up and help me kick some butt!" Princess yelled out as she blasted off into the air, blasting at any airborne Formless that crossed her sights.
"Huff... honestly, even bossier as a teenager," Mojo muttered to himself, kicking a group of Formless with his mech's foot before pausing as a loud roar filled the air.
"ROARR!!!"
And a large dinosaur monster walked around the corner of the building down the street.
"Well, Mojo Jojo might as well have a little fun with this," the monkey said with a smirk, entering a battle stance as the Kasai Rex let out a low hiss, "Come..." the mecha hand made a come hither gesture, "Mojo Jojo shall render you extinct like the rest of your primitive species that being dinosaurs, and show this Skeleton King the superiority of Mojo Jojo!"
At that the Rex let out a another roar before charging straight toward Mojo. Mojo's mech crashed into the Rex, tackling the beast into a building and immediately crashing it while grappling with the creature.
And while this was happening, others in the city were reacting... less calmly.
(Townsville town hall)
"Mayor, please calm down," Miss Sara Bellum sighed to her employer.
"Calm down? I'm perfectly calm, why wouldn't I be calm?" the Mayor with a nervous giggle.
"Because you're hiding under your desk, clutching a pickle jar for security," Miss Bellum pointed out flatly.
"Oh, um, this?" the Mayor gave a sheepish chuckle as he poked his head out from under the desk, "I was um... just having some lunch," he explained as he straightened up, "And I happen to find eating pickles under my desk, umm, relaxing."
He added with a nod, with Miss Bellum sighing.
"Of course Mayor, but if you're finished with lunch, I believe we have an invasion to address," she said, gesturing out the window with all the Formless wrecking everything in sight or attacking any civilian they came across.
"Right, right. Miss Bellum, call the Powerpuff Girls!" the Mayor said with a determined expression as he held up his finger dramatically, while still holding the pickle jar under his other arm.
"I'm afraid that's part of our current crisis," Miss Bellum said, with her tone changing to that of slight worry.
"Huh? Oh no... did I forget to pay the phone bill?" the Mayor asked nervously, hugging his pickle jar as Miss Bellum shook her head.
"No sir, but we've attempted to contact the girls, but they just aren't answering," she explained, her voice showing a hint of worry for their town's heroes, who she's known since they were little girls, "They haven't been seen or heard from since the theft at Morbucks Manor."
She explained, with the Mayor stiffening, "And considering Princess Morbucks has been sighted fighting against the invaders, she's not exactly in a position to answer any questions on their whereabouts, even if we could contact her," she explained, with the Mayor nodding slowly.
"I see..." he said, his tone becoming grave as his eyes narrowed, "Then my dear, there's only one thing we can do in this crisis now," he said with a solemn tone as he looked up to his faithful assistant, speaking with a level of gravity that would surprise those that knew him, "AHHHHHH! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! SAVE THE PICKLES!" Before he then proceeded to panic, running around the room while holding the pickle jar over his head, causing Miss Bellum to sigh as she facepalmed.
"Mayor, please stop panicking," she begged.
"How can I not panic?!" the Mayor screamed as he continued to run around, "The girls are missing! They're the only ones who can stop this, and they're not here, so we're doomed!"
"Then why don't we just call for backup from somewhere else?" she asked.
"But who? Who could save us in our time of need?! Who could we possibly turn too to fight against this insidious invasion?! Who could be not only as dependable as the Powerpuff Girls but symbolize heroism and justice as much as them?!" the Mayor asked pleadingly as he continued to run around the room in panic before Miss Bellum reached out with her hand and grabbed him by the back of his shirt, picking him up to lift him to her face, with his feet still moving in a running fashion.
"Well sir, there happens to be a rather large heroic team with Justice in their name who have saved the planet time and again," Miss Bellum said, with the Mayor freezing in her grip as a look of realization crossed his face.
"Of course! How could I forget?" the Mayor said, facepalming as Miss Bellum set him down, "With the Powerpuff Girls missing in action, than there's only one group of heroes who we can turn too to stop this invasion."
The Mayor looked up at Miss Bellum, "Miss Bellum... Call the Justice Friends!" The Mayor declared grandly as he turned toward the American flag hanging in the office, "Why, I bet once Major Glory shows these monsters truth, justice, and the American way with his Star-Spangled laser vision, they'll regret ever attacking Townsville!"
The Mayor said, saluting the flag.
"That's..." Miss Bellum raised a hand, but paused, "Admittedly not a bad option... but not exactly who I had in mind, sir," she explained, with the Mayor blinking and giving her a confused look, "Oh? And who did you have in mind?"
(Watchtower)
As the attack in Townsville was playing out, the Justice League was not only responding to other threats across the globe, but also monitoring and discussing the presence of Lothor's forces in Alabasta.
"Right now, it's all in Alabasta hands," Batman stated, looking up at the monitor with a frown.
"And if Lothor isn't stopped and manages to get a foothold on Alabasta?" Diana asked with a grim frown.
"We'll have to cross that bridge if we come to it," Batman said with a hard look.
And with that, the three League founders could do nothing but keep watching. But would soon realize they had other matters to address, as a blue mystical light began to form behind Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Batman, causing them whirl around.
"My apologies for the disturbance, my old student, but we on the verge of a great crisis that only you and your comrades are in position to prevent," And see the ethereal blue glowing form of an Eastern man in robes with a long white beard... a figure that Batman recognized as he immediately raised his hand up toward Diana and John, both of whom had entered battle stances among other heroes nearby while Watchtower personnel looked on in shock.
"Master Sensei," Batman stated evenly as he stepped up, "It's been a while," he said as the floating figure looked down at him.
"Indeed it has, and you have certainly carved quite a legend for yourself," the figure said with a slight tinge of pride entering their voice, "You've indeed come far since the day Yoru first brought you into the Academy."
"Friend of yours?" Green Lantern asked, glancing at Batman while keeping an eye on the floating apparition. The fact that Batman seemed to know this person reassured him, but with everything that had happened lately, he wasn't willing to take chances.
"Master Sensei is the leader of Yamanouchi Ninja School, one of the many places I trained in the years I studied to become Batman," the Dark Knight explained.
"And I am honored to have played a part in the path that has led you here," Master Sensei said happily, before frowning and adding, "But I am afraid that I bring dire warning of a great threat. Yamanouchi has had many duties over the ages, one of the most sacred of which has been safeguarding the resting place of the final remains of a powerful demon who once ruled Japan, and threatened to conquer the whole world before he was struck down."
That immediately got the League members' attention, as they all connected the dots.
"Do you mean Aku?" Wonder Woman asked with a frown. If Master Sensei was surprised, he didn't show it, just nodding.
"You are aware of his existence already, that is good," he stated, "For centuries, Yamanouchi has guarded the cursed land where the last remnants of Aku's essence were buried upon his defeat. But now, that land has been disturbed."
"Let me guess, Skeleton King," John said with a grimace, already getting the feeling they were not in for good news.
"Great Hera, the monster beat us to the demon's remains," Diana murmured and cursed under her breath, realizing that this happening right after Kaznia was no coincidence; Skeleton King's forces had manage to beat the League to his prize.
"I'm afraid the situation is more complicated than you realize," Master Sensei explained grimly, "His servant, a sorceress, did indeed arrive at the cursed land," he looked down toward his old student, "Only for herself and the students sent to protect the essence of the demon... to learn that it had already been retrieved by another party years ago."
He said with a sigh, his shoulders sagging a bit as if carrying a great weight, while John and Diana traded surprised if slightly relieved looks as Batman scowled.
"Someone managed to slip by Yamanouchi's defenses to the point it wasn't discovered until years later?" the Dark Knight questioned, looking up towards the ethereal figure, "Either the school's gotten sloppy since my own tutelage, or there's another factor at work," he surmised, knowing the skills of Yamanouchi weren't to be dismissed, and the fact that this had somehow escaped Master Sensei's notice for years despite this being a likely heavily monitored site... no, there was an X factor at play here.
"Indeed, my student," Master Sensei said grimly, "The machinations of a mad goddess."
Diana immediately tensed at that, mind flashing back to Kaznia, and the "gift" she had received in the aftermath of everything.
"Eris," she spat in anger.
"Indeed," Master Sensei said with a nod, "It would appear that in an act of malicious humor, she manipulated a well-meaning man's intentions to save his home from injustice by subtly guiding him into studying the legends of Aku and towards finding his essence so that he may use it to create beings of great power to act as champions of benevolence."
"You're saying that there's someone out there powered by that thing?" John asked, eyes widening in shock.
"So it would appear," Master Sensei stated, "Though I am afraid that that is all I know of their identities. The mad goddess obscured my students' minds so as to keep them from remembering the finer details of what she has caused."
"Why not just wipe their memories completely?" Batman asked with a frown.
"Probably because she finds it funnier if we have just enough of a lead to panic over," Diana said with a scowl, "Eris is a lot like the Joker in that regard - she does things for her own amusement, and to Tartarus with the consequences or the innocents hurt in the process."
"Such as when she helped start the Trojan War," Batman surmised, thinking back to some myths he had read, with Diana nodding with a scowl.
"Precisely, and if she not only has a hand in this, or is worse yet pointing Skeleton King the way to his prize, then the situation has escalated immensely," she remarked with a frown, with John giving an irritated groan, rubbing his eyes.
"Great, first Ares in Kaznia, now this," he muttered to himself, "What's next, Hades coming back for round two?" he questioned, because lately it just did not seem to want to end with the threats and problems popping up out of the woodwork.
Diana chose to ignore the comment, but internally hoped that particular scenario didn't come to pass, as she looked up toward Master Sensei.
"Do you have any leads for us?" She asked with a worried scowl, "Some clue to where we can find Aku's remains, or at the least whoever was created using it?"
"All that the goddess allowed my students to remember was this - that the man in question was a scientist from a city plagued by crime, whose well-intentioned goal for Aku's essence was to create heroes, and that he evidently succeeded in the process," Master Sensei replied.
"Really? Something created from an ancient demon was good?" John asked incredulously.
"According to what my students heard, the beings created - the goddess's daughters, as they claims them to be - have indeed been a force for good, albeit causing chaos in the process," Master Sensei stated.
"Of course that would be her priority," Diana scoffed, while Batman frowned in thought.
"Daughters? As in, there were multiple beings created, and they were all girls?" he asked.
"That is what my students heard," Master Sensei replied, before cocking his head at the look on Batman's masked face, "I see that this means something to you, my student."
"It's enough for a theory worth investigating," Batman said, walking over to a nearby console.
John and Diana exchanged looks, but stepped behind their friend, with Master Sensei floating overhead.
"The Powerpuff Girls?" Diana asked incredulously as Batman brought up a file. She recognized them immediately; after all, they were among her own personal recommendations for the Justice League, though the girls themselves were apparently still debating on whether to accept the offer or not.
"You don't honestly think..." Diana shook her head with a frown, "Those girls have been a beacon of heroism since birth," she said, glancing to her friends, "How could they be a byproduct of Aku or Eris?" she questioned, crossing her arms.
"Well... hate to say it, but Batman's theory lines up," John muttered, rubbing his chin with a faint scowl, "I mean, their debut with that tag incident was certainly chaotic, and anti-meta parties still use it as a prime example of the danger that can be found in even metahuman children," he added, shaking his head.
"More to the point, the very source of their creation can all be traced back to a creation of their father, Drake Utonium, Chemical X," Batman stated, pulling up more files, "A property that even eleven years later, anyone outside of Utonium himself knows very little if anything about, only that it causes extreme mutations in subjects exposed to it, or in some cases grants enhanced abilities."
He glanced over his shoulder, "Utonium been tightlipped about the exact process of how the chemical is created, much less how he came about to discover it," he gave a grim frown, "Whether it be authorities, government, or even us, he's refused to share the deeper intricacies behind Chemical X beyond what is already publicly known."
He explained, pulling up the Professor's data file, "At first, I thought it was just good sense in desiring to keep the substance out of the wrong hands, and prevent anyone from replicating whatever process is used to create it."
He shook his head, "Now I'm wondering if there's a deeper motivation behind it."
"You think Chemical X is Aku's essence?" John asked, frowning in concern at the implications.
"At the very least, it could be a refined version. That might explain why most beings exposed to it don't become nearly as powerful as the girls," Batman speculated.
"I am still having trouble accepting this," Diana said, shaking her head, "The Powerpuffs may be energetic, and made mistakes as children, but I cannot see them acting as mad as Eris, or as vile as the Scotsman tells us that Aku was."
"We may be influenced by our origins, but we are not defined by them," Master Sensei commented, "If, as you say, these girls have been forces for good without showing signs of being influenced by Aku's essence, I believe that they should be given the benefit of the doubt."
"Agreed, it's not our roots or bloodline that define us, but the choices we make," Batman remarked with a nod and firm frown, "Regardless, this is a lead we can't ignore. I'll head to Townsville to question Utonium."
He said, looking toward the group, "If we're right, then hopefully we can get the lead over Skeleton King on this matter as we work out a plan," the Dark Knight stated, with John and Diana nodding with a scowl and concerned frown respectively.
"I'm afraid we're already too late," Before pausing as a new voice spoke up, with J'onn phasing through the floor, frowning, "We've just received a call for emergency aid straight from Townsville," the Martian Manhunter stated bluntly as he approached the console, "It seems they're facing a full invasion."
He stated as he brought up live footage from the City of Townsville, displaying the attack of the Formless, with some screens even displaying Jinmay running through the city, Princess fighting airborne Formless, and the fight between the Kasai Rex and Mojo, "And there's been no sign of the Powerpuff Girls since responding to a break in at Morbucks Manor, according to the Mayor's office."
J'onn finished, looking toward his friends and the floating specter of Master Sensei.
"Dammit! Eris must have told him more than we realized, and he's acting on it!" Diana exclaimed, "I'll bet anything that all of this is just a distraction while he goes after the girls!"
"Distraction or not, we can't ignore it," Batman stated, "We need to put together a team and intervene immediately. Once the threat's been handled, then we can track down the Powerpuffs and handle the situation, no matter what it is."
"Sounds like a plan. Who you thinking should go?" John asked, adjusting his a ring.
"Myself for one; if Eris is there and chooses to get more involved, we'll need someone familiar with her," Diana said with a scowl, leaving out she was hoping to have words with Skeleton King pertaining his actions in Kaznia.
"Agreed, I'll join you as well," Batman stated with a nod, while giving her a look that said he saw right through her motivations, "But we'll also need to leave some of the heavy hitters still free in reserve."
Batman added, glancing over to J'onn, "We still need to keep aware of the situation in Alabasta, and be ready to respond to any other threat," he stated, with the Martian nodding.
"Understood, though as to heavy hitters, I'm afraid Superman is still leading evacuation efforts toward that earthquake in Indonesia."
"Then I'll come along," John stated, "My ring can help level the playing field."
"I suggest that you also take the Scotsman," J'onn said. At everyone's looks, he added, "Given the likely connection to Aku's essence, it is best to bring along the closest thing we have to an expert on the subject."
"Are you sure he's ready for active duty again?" Diana asked with a concerned frown toward her friend.
"Yes, despite some memory acclimation and flashes, he has been rather coherent," J'onn stated with a nod, "He has also been rather vocal in his frustrations in being kept off the field, and how we do not need to pamper him like a frail baby."
He added, getting blinks and strange looks from the others before they realized easily he was just quoting the Scotsman.
"On that note, if we require experts, bring in Zatanna," Batman spoke up, getting their attention, "I believe she's free, and with what we're going up against, a magic user being on standby would be wise," he explained, with the others giving nods.
"A wise choice, my student," Master Sensei spoke up, getting their attention, "For now, I must leave this in your hands, but I shall prepare Yamanouchi's force to act if necessary," he said as his form disappeared.
"You've made a lot of interesting friends over the years, haven't you?" John asked Batman in mild amusement, who didn't bother to respond to the barb.
"Check to see who else is available, and have them meet in the Javelin bay," he said instead, turning and walking towards the door.
"On it," John said, turning back to the console, but pausing as a form floated down, calling out to him.
"You know I'm always available for a good time~" said none other than the heroic Star Sapphire aka Mabel Pines, with John giving a sigh toward one of the League's more... problematic members. But rather than protest, he relented but gave the Star Sapphire a warning glare.
"Alright, don't really have time to argue, and you've got experience fighting against Skeleton King's forces from the club incident last night. But keep your head focused on the mission," he ordered, with Star Sapphire giving a mocking salute, "Yes sir!"
John frowned at the flippant response, but didn't say anything and just turned to walk away. As he did so, he failed to notice as Mabel's smile slid off in favor of a frown of her own.
Truthfully, she wasn't just volunteering for the sake of helping out (though that was a factor too!). She knew that Pacifica had gone to Townsville to rob Princess Morbucks as payback for her insults at the club, which meant that she was down there right now in the middle of all of that chaos, so Mabel was worried; even with what she knew that her lover was capable of, this was still a lot.
Plus, there was not only the fact she'd been finding herself curious about this Skeleton King since last night, but also the matter of a phone call she had earlier that was still on her mind.
(Flashback)
Barely a couple hours ago, Mabel was lounging in her personal room on the Watchtower, with a cell phone held up to her ear.
"Really glad that you decided to call, Tambry, because I really needed to talk to you," Mabel told her friend on the other line, "I've managed to do my best in covering up your identity, but considering the League has detectives like Batman, I think it's only a matter of time before they get a lead and manage to identify the unknown girl who was attending the club with Skeleton King's minion monkey last night at the club."
"Ugh, great, that's just what I need right now," Tambry groaned, "Dammit, that whole party is turning out to have been a huge mistake!"
"Are you okay?" Mabel asked in concern.
"You mean aside from the fact that I'm dating another huge jerk?" Tambry grumbled, "Mandarin actually got mad at me for calling for backup when I was worried about him! Can you believe that?! I mean, the whole reason I called his boss was because I was worried about that robot hurting him! But apparently my concern means I don't think he can handle it when things get tough, or that I believe he's incompetent!"
"Okay... pinning the fact you've apparently got Skeleton King's number for a moment," Mabel said slowly with a blink, "That does sound bad... perhaps this just means you need to give Robbie another chance," she added with a strained grin from her side of the call.
"I'd rather try to date your midget stalker," Before wincing at Tambry's reply as she brought up Gideon.
"Ouch, ehh... was the relationship really that bad?" She asked, nervously grimacing.
"Bad doesn't even begin to cover it," Tambry said matter-of-factly, "He was nothing but a clingy annoying control freak who was not only lousy in bed but was just using me as the rebound girl from Wendy?!"
Tambry said with a hiss, "Even with his jerky attitude right now, Mandarin's been a better boyfriend than Robbie ever was in the last three years, and sure as Hell better in the sack."
"You slept with him?!" Mabel exclaimed in shock. Sure, she wasn't above remembering her old fantasies of dating a hot vampire or looking back fondly on her brief time dating Mermando, but she drew the line in some cases of cross-species relationships (hence her refusal to be the gnome queen), and being with a monkey definitely crossed it.
"Yeah, repeatedly. And I enjoyed every second of it~" Tambry replied happily, regardless of the current status of her relationship.
"Especially got a kick out of forcing Robbie to watch~" she added with a dark laugh as Mabel gave the phone a stunned look, trying to process that particular statement. How badly did things Robbie go for her to be THAT vindictive?
"Uh, okay... good to know," she managed to say, clearing her throat awkwardly, "But, uh, other that that... are you okay? Because just say the word and I'll come over to kick some butt for you! Plus, it'd be nice to see how everyone in Gravity Falls is doing."
"Oh! Uh, appreciate the offer Mabel, but offer's not necessary," Tambry said with an awkward laugh, knowing Skeleton King didn't want his operation in her hometown exposed, "I want to see if I can work out what Mandarin's problem is on my own."
She said, and actually meaning it; she was upset at him, but despite the circumstances and newness to their relationship, she did care for him, and the comment about needing to prove his existence kinda had her worried, "Besides, you're busy with hero work and all that, and I was actually hoping to talk to you about my boyfriend's boss."
"Really? Do you actually know something about him?" Mabel asked, "I mean, if you were able to call him, you're obviously closer than most people have gotten."
"Well... I know a bit from Mandarin," Tambry said half-honestly with a cough, "I know he wasn't lying about how he used to be a hero till something major changed that," she explained with a frown, "Even apparently created Mandarin and this whole cyborg monkey hero team he was on for the express purpose of fighting him before he went completely off the deep end."
She explained, while cautiously looking at the surroundings in her room at the Citadel of Bone, knowing very well she had to be careful with what she shared.
After all, she was sure that she was being watched for signs of double-crossing Skeleton King and his minions, and if she said anything that might count as that, she was equally sure that she'd either join Robbie in the slave mines or get thrown out of an airlock.
"Wow, so that's true?" Mabel asked in shock, "Man... that's pretty sad. To think that someone that heroic could become such a monster..."
"Yeah, shame that no one can help him," Tambry said, holding back a guilty wince, knowing what she was about to do, "But at least Mandarin has mentioned he's opened himself more to positive emotions. He used to consider love nothing but a weakness... now he's apparently got a harem eating out of his hands who are digging the monster package."
"Oh, uh, wow. That's true too?" Mabel asked, instinctively licking her lips and her gemstone flashing in response to the spike in her lust. She was very happy with Pacifica, thank you very much... but still, the gem had heightened her libido by a lot, and the idea of an actual real life harem was very hot.
Admittedly, Pacifica technically had one as well... but it was more on the secret side, since she was seeing Pacifica behind her brother's back. Plus, there was the fact of Zita, who was Pacifica's personal assistant and bodyguard, also getting some action (and God could that girl use her tongue) though the first time Pacifica had the three of them have a girls night out that turned into a threesome certainly shocked her, but it sure as Hell was satisfying.
And yes, this meant Pacifica was fucking more than just her behind Dipper's back, but it wasn't like she didn't love him or herself any less, it was all in good fun. So what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. At least that's what she'd been telling herself whenever the guilt rose up.
That aside, she could hardly judge Pacifica for having other bed partners, especially since she'd let Mabel have her own fun as long as she remembered that Mabel belonged to her.
Which of course led to her jumping at the chance to get a taste of some of her fellow League members. Just last week, she'd had a three-way with Fire and Ice~ And she'd also had a few flings with Captain Marvel (who was oddly nervous for such a stud) and that cutie Masked Magician (still hoping to get a taste of his mentor Zatanna~). And lately, she'd been working on seducing Stargirl, so that she could be the one dominating a hot blonde for once~
Point was, she had no problem with harems and open relationships, so she wasn't going to put that as a mark against Skeleton King. If anything, she was glad even someone like him could find love!
She was also a bit curious at what something like him was like in bed... and at that thought she froze, thinking about Tambry's comment that it was a shame that no one was willing or able to help Skeleton King find his back to the side of good.
Hmm... and besides Pacifica, she hadn't gotten much taste on what bad guys were like in the bedroom (even though Pacifica was only a thief, it still counted), well outside of that one off-Earth adventure when she met that literal killer princess with an even more killer figure when she went to planet Yugopotamia and accidentally terrified the native populace due to their viewpoint on the universe being rather unique. She still wasn't sure if Mandie wanted to kill her or turn her into her personal slave girl... she sent some very mixed messages.
But in any case, Skeleton King was a real villain, and a big time one at that. And the idea of banging someone like that... it sent a real thrill through her~
Though obviously the real benefit would be helping rediscovery his good side, of course.
"Ahem... well, I hope he finds the right girl to help him out," she said quickly.
"Right, me too," Tambry said, rolling her eyes as she easily picked up the obvious intention in her friend's tone. She felt bad about this, but did Mabel really have to make this so easy?
I mean, Tambry enjoyed sex as much as the next girl (especially now that she had a boyfriend that could actually give her an orgasm), but Mabel acted more thirsty than someone who'd be stranded in a desert for weeks. It was honestly probably either a miracle or some damn good birth control to thank for the fact she wasn't pregnant.
"You know... perhaps I could be that someone." And here we go, Tambry thought, rolling her eyes, "I mean, since you're dating one of his minions, maybe you could arrange a one-on-one meeting," Mabel said with a slight eager grin into her phone.
"I don't know, Mabel. For one, if the League finds out about this, they'd try to turn it into a trap, and I don't want Mandarin to think I set up his boss; fighting right now or not, I've got a good thing going with him, and don't want to ruin it," Tambry said, both honestly and trying to play reluctant to the idea, "Plus, I honestly couldn't guarantee your safety from him either," she warned, with Mabel scoffing.
"Relax, you pass along the message that Star Sapphire wants a face-to-face meeting, and I'll make sure no one finds out about it," she said, adding with a smirk, "And don't worry, I can handle bad boys~ He could take me to his personal dungeon, but I'd handle anything he throws at me... mmm, all night long," she said with a light moan as she started to rub at her clit through her uniform.
"Right..." Tambry said flatly, before sighing, "Alright, I'll see what I can do... just be careful," she said, a bit of guilt leaking out.
"Don't worry Tams, I got this! Nothing can stop the power of love!" Mabel said gleefully, before than adding with a pause, "But speaking of love... really sorry for how things went with Robbie."
"Relax Mabel, you might have set up that blind date, but it's not like you forced us to be together," she said, not seeing Mabel's guilty wince, "The last three years of crap was my own stupid choice, not yours," she added softly, unknowingly twisting the knife a bit further.
"Hehe, right," Mabel said with a strained tone.
"Anyways, got to go Mabel, you take care of yourself and I'll pass along the message when I can," Tambry said, hanging up, leaving Mabel feeling both anticipation of what could happen when she got a private meeting with Skeleton King... and also guilt as once again the realization came that she had crossed a line and really screwed up with Tambry.
'Urg... a love potion... what the hell was I thinking?" Mabel said with a groan.
It had seemed so harmless at the time, a way to get two unhappy people together so that they could be happy! She hadn't realized the implications of it, and even if she had, she probably convinced herself that it didn't matter so long as they were both dedicated to the relationship.
Ugh, she felt so stupid! She wished that she had access to that time tape or some other kind of time travel, so she could go back and smack herself upside the head and tell her younger self why it was a bad idea... among other things that she would have liked to prevent.
"Urg, nothing l can do about it now," Mabel said with a groan, rubbing her face, "Just got to support Tambry's new relationship... the least I can do for her," she muttered, standing up, a part of her wondering if she should tell Tambry the truth.
But despite being a superhero now, she found herself almost as scared about being honest with Tambry on that subject, as she was with Dipper on the fact Pacifica was screwing his own sister behind his back.
"Just focus on the love and future, Mabel... it'll all work out," Mabel said, muttering to herself before leaving the room to get something from the cafeteria to eat.
(End flashback)
And it looked like things were working out. She had a chance to not only help her favorite sexy kitty, but talk with Skeleton King in person, and maybe get a chance to meet some of her favorite heroines since she was a little girl! The Powerpuff Girls! Who had grown from Titan Tots to Bombshell Badasses in both looks and power... mmm, and just the thought of burying her face in Bubbles' breasts had her restrain a moan. If she could impress them, then maybe she could get a foursome with three sexy sisters!
Score! She thought, floating off with a giggle to meet up with the rest of the team heading to Townsville.
(Meanwhile, Townsville)
"The City of Townsville... is in chaos!" declared the Narrator's panicked voice, in response to the fact that much of the city was now in flames, hordes of Formless still ravaging everything in their path despite the best efforts of the defenders, Mojo Jojo was still fighting the Rex without regard for collateral damage...
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
"WHERE IS THAT FUCKING MIME?!"
...and Jinmay's enlarged form was still rampaging, tearing the city apart in search of Mr. Mime in a blind fury. Needless to say, if it wasn't for the fact her master wanted the Mime taken back to him alive, Jinmay might have blown up the entire city and then shifted through the rubble for him for how pissed she was.
"COME OUT, YOU FUCKER!" She cried out angrily, grabbing and lifting up a bus, looking inside it to see nothing but a panicked driver who had been attempting to drive to safety with his passengers.
"URGH, WHERE ARE YOU?!" she yelled, throwing the bus behind her carelessly and uncaring to the passengers' panicked screams.
Fortunately, before the bus could hit the ground, a stream of paste shot up to encase it before hitting the side of a building, leaving the bus dangling only feet in the air from its makeshift safety line.
"Everyone hop off and run towards the nearest shelter!" Elmer shouted at the bus, sticking around just long enough to watch the bus door open and people start hopping to the ground below, before turning and glaring at Jinmay's back. Grabbing large pieces of debris from his surroundings, he picked them up and tossed them at the robot girl, hitting her in the back of the head.
"AGH!" Jinmay yelled, more in annoyance than pain as the concrete shattered against her. Turning around, she glared as she saw Elmer, "UGH, YOU AGAIN?!"
"Yes, me," Elmer scowled at her with a dark glare, "And you and the rest of you creeps have caused enough trouble in Townsville," he said, with Jinmay giving a scoff.
"If anything, we've barely started," she said, her robotic eyes letting out a red glow, "And if you expect me to be impressed because you can become a bigger pain in the ass, then sorry to disappoint."
She said, with annoyance leaking out as she saw that this annoying walking goo ball could apparently alter his size to the point he could assume a giant form, "But Skeleton King's forces have done it hundreds of times over, and better too."
She added, entering a battle stance as Elmer gave a glare.
"My plan isn't to impress you," he stepped forward, "It's to make you regret ever causing trouble in my town," he said with a threatening growl.
"Heh, trouble... I'll show you trouble!"
At that, Jinmay let out a laugh, before exclaiming out as her heart chest symbol let out a glow, and the next thing Elmer realized, a powerful beam of light shot straight toward him! With a cry, he leapt out of the way, but just barely.
"AAAGGGHHH!!!" Elmer screamed in pain as the laser grazed him, burning away part of his mass, causing him to briefly collapse while the blast blew up something behind him.
"That's just a taste of the pain I've got in store for you if you don't scram, freak!" Jinmay snarled at Elmer as he recomposed himself.
"Urg, better a freak than a psychotic bitch!" Elmer cursed as he glared. He shifted his hand into a large mace-like form, something he'd been practicing over the years, taking inspiration from Clayface. His paste-like body couldn't shapeshift to the degree Clayface could, but he could alter his form to a degree.
"I'm going to enjoy splattering you all across this miserable city," Jinmay said with a low venomous tone, before thrusting her fingers forward that were all launched like missiles straight toward Elmer, who charged straight toward the missile barrage while raising his non-mace hand to blast paste at the rockets.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
And as they restarted their earlier fight, only this time giant sized, not far from their location in downtown Townsville, Jinmay's target was catching the attention of another villain.
SPLAT
SPLAT
"Urg, disgusting! I'm going to need to shampoo for days to clean this out of my precious hair!" Moaned Sedusa in absolute disgust and rage, as a hair tendril grabbed one Formless by the leg, before using it as an oversized bat against several others, before she threw it to the side of the building as she launched a high kick at another one straight into a car attempting to drive away from all the chaos in the city.
SPLAT
"Honestly, if my stuff wasn't in this city, I'd be getting out of here," Sedusa muttered with crossed arms, huffing, but paused as she began to notice something off with some of the scenery. Namely, the fact that they were all going black and white. At first, she thought that maybe it was just a side effect of all of the ooze splattered everywhere, but looking closer she realized that wasn't the case - in fact, all the color in her surroundings were being drained away.
"What the...?" she asked, looking around in confusion, before pausing as her gaze settled on the form of Mr. Mime, who was casually strolling down the street, spreading his grayness with every step he took. Sedusa frowned at the sight of him, memory tickling at her before she recognized him from that incident years ago when he'd nearly silenced the entire city by sucking the noise and color out of everything.
Personally, she hadn't minded the incident; yes, the lack of color took some getting used to, but at the time she had been nursing a rather bad migraine, so the silence had been bliss and rather relaxing.
But still, seeing him out and about was a surprise, since he seemed like not only a one-hit villain, but at last word he was sitting neat and tidy within Star Labs.
"Rather a strange time to choose to make a comeback, don't you think?" she called out with curiosity, approaching the Mime, who blinked giving her an arched brow, "Don't get me wrong, I can understand the desire for peace and quiet, but with an entire invasion happening right now, you might want to keep your head down."
Mr. Mime looked around at the battle unfolding around them, then looked back to Sedusa and shrugged.
"Not worried?" Sedusa asked, arching a brow, "That confidence, or do you just not care?"
At that, the Mime simply just gave another uncaring shrug, while Sedusa let out a hum, "Hmm, rather confident aren't you? Especially for abilities that don't seem much use combat-wise."
Mr. Mime scowled at that and stomped towards her, making her scoff.
"Really? You're trying to demonstrate on me or something?" she asked, rolling her eyes before extending a hair tendril towards him, "Go ahead, see how much I don't care about going mute for a bit."
Smirking, Mr. Mime grabbed her tendril as instructed, Sedusa's color quickly draining. As it did, Sedusa's smug look faded as she felt a sudden despair come over her.
Old hag.
Laughingstock.
Can't even beat children.
No wonder only that alien bug will work with you.
Worthless.
Sedusa stumbled and fell to her knees, her doubts and fears overwhelming her, before a very smug-looking Mr. Mime snapped his fingers. Immediately, the effect reversed and color rushed back into the villainess.
"Ah! What the fuck?!" she gasped as the dark thoughts she'd been drowning in were brushed aside as quickly as they'd hit her.
"That... that didn't happen last time..." she said with a dark look at the smug-looking clown. She was angry at what he just did, but she supposed she was literally asking for it. Besides... she was more focused on the unexpected opportunity, while also subconsciously trying to ignore any lingering negative thoughts, "Say, Mime... you ever thought of becoming part of a team?"
She questioned with a smirk, with the Mime giving a sour expression, "Now hear me out, I wasn't exactly crazy about the prospect myself," she admitted, crossing her arms, "But while you've got a useful trick and might take the Powerpuff Girls by surprise, can you really say they won't pull a surprise victory out of their asses... like they've done so many times before."
She pointed out and muttered bitterly as the Mime frowned, while rubbing his chin, "And there's the factor of the Justice League," Sedusa pointed out with a bitter frown, "Fact is, even if someone beats the Powerpuff Girls, these days we've got a entire club of heroes to worry about," she gave the Mime a pointed look, "Heroes who I happen to know have invited those three brats to join up."
The Mime's eyes widened at that, and then narrowed, clearly not happy with that revelation.
"Yeah, that really puts things in perspective, doesn't it?" Sedusa commented, shaking her head, "Times have changed. You can't get by as a solo villain anymore; you need to be part of something bigger, and that's why I signed up. Now, admittedly, the team I'm part of isn't exactly A-list, and the guy in charge and his girlfriend/right hand are both so psychotic that they're basically a non-abusive version of the Joker and Harley Quinn. But, they're effective, and we've managed to pull off some good moves lately. So, want to give it a try?"
At that, she held out her hand out, offering with a dark smirk and hiding any fear that he might try the same trick from earlier on her. While Mr. Mime stared silently at the hand and Sedusa's offer with a contemplating gaze.
And as this along with the invasion was happening, over in Townsville Museum a form was grumbling to herself.
"When he mentioned part of the test was making it through the chaos to hit the city, he could have mentioned said chaos would be a full blown invasion!" Exclaimed Black Cat, staring at the repaired twice over Head of Anubis bust, having already secured the Anubial Jewels, "And still don't understand what he wants this thing for, if he's really not going to rip off the monkey," she added with another frown, "Plus, it's been busted twice now, would it even still work?"
She wondered as she just reached out to grab the bust, not going about it with her usual style or grace; the city was in the middle of an invasion after all. No one would notice her theft in the middle of all of this, she told herself as she slammed a fist into the glass, covering the bust, shattering it.
Ignoring the resulting alarm that started sounding, Black Cat picked up the bust, tucking it under one arm before turning and walking towards the exit.
"Now then, let's see if I can get out of here without getting blown up or crushed by something," she muttered in annoyance.
"Hey, stop right there!" Before pausing and turning to give a look of disbelief as she saw a security guard running over.
"You're kidding, right? The city's in the middle of an invasion, why are you even still here?!" She asked incredulously while the guard shot her a flat look.
"Lady, this is Townsville. While a whole invasion might be a bit of a twist, it's rare we go a week without one giant monster attack," he stated matter-of-factly, with Black Cat raising a hand but paused.
"Alright, that's actually a fair point," she admitted out loud, a part of her wondering why the government or CADMUS at least hadn't tried to do anything about that whole monster island or tried to exploit it... unless they had. Hmm, might need to look into that later, she thought, reaching into the pouch she had at the side of her waist as an idea hit her.
"And do you honestly think you're the first thief to try to commit a robbery while the Powerpuff Girls were dealing with a bigger crisis? Ha! As if~" the guard said with a smug smirk, "So why don't you come along quietly, you Catwoman fangirl, and we can call the authorities as well as your parents after the Powerpuffs take care of... hey, what are you doing?"
The guard trailed off as he noticed and realized just what this thief had stolen... and Black Cat, who had just put the Anubial Jewels in the bust's eye sockets, shot him an annoyed glare.
"First off all, I'm no fangirl, I'm the superior breed," she said, holding up the bust with the jewels, now serving as eyes, starting to glow, "And secondly, no one brings up my parents."
And at those words, a beam of energy shot toward the guard.
"Thirdly, your yipping's getting on my nerves," she finished with a scoff, as where the guard had stood there was now a chihuahua. The transformed guard only had a moment to process this, blinking in confusion, before Black Cat kicked him away with a yelp.
"Hmm, this thing's actually pretty useful~" Black Cat purred, "Too bad that it only does dogs and not cats, it'd go well enough with my motif that I'd be tempted to keep it. Ah well," she shrugged, turning to leave, "It'll still be useful to pass skeleton boy's test," she muttered while humming to herself, "Though wonder if there's a Bastet Bust that turns people into cats?"
Was her parting comment as she left the Museum and headed out into the chaos consuming the city. Now, how to find Skeleton King?
(Elsewhere)
"ROAAAAARRR!" Was the roar of the Kasai Rex as it bellowed, charging toward Mojo for another headbutt toward his mech.
"HA! Once again, your fruitless charging shows why the tiny-brained dinosaurs have died out!" the monkey cried out within his mech, raising its hands out to block the charging attack, only skidding a few feet before planting its feet firmly in the ground, "And furthermore, this proves that fossil power is nothing compared to Mojo Jojo's mighty creation!"
He declared, before spinning the mech around, causing it to send the Kasai Rex flying through the air to slam against another building.
"That's right, you cannot defeat Mojo Jojo, because Mojo Jojo cannot be defeated by the likes of you, who cannot defeat one such as Mojo Jojo-!" the mad monkey started to rant, only to be cut off.
"Seriously, stop with the rambling and just kill that thing!" Princess snapped as she flew past, before spinning around and blasting the Formless chasing her.
"Do not rush Mojo! For Mojo knows what he is doing!" the monkey ranted, glaring up in the air, not seeing the Rex raise itself up with a low growl, or the light that began to emit from its jaws, "For Mojo Jojo is clearly the superior combatant, and the superior villain if this is the best that space menace known as Skeleton King can offer to challenge Mojo Jojo, who again as stated is clearly the superior..."
And as Mojo was getting into another one of his rants, he was suddenly taken by surprise as his mech was hit with a blast of energy.
FWOOM
"URRGGG!" With Mojo letting out a surprised yell as the blast threw his mech back, hitting the opposite side of the street and giving a groan of pain from the cockpit, "Urg... what... hit Mojo?" the monkey muttered as he climbed back to his feet in a daze.
ROAARRR
CRASH
Only to stumble back as the Kasai Rex rushed forward, pouncing on him and pinning his mech chest down with its powerful legs as it lowered its head, opening its jaws, and Mojo saw the energy that began to emit at the back of its throat.
"Oh... that's what hit Mojo," the villain muttered, stunned, before realizing he had to act quickly!
BOOM
And then an energy blast hit the side of the Kasai Rex's head, causing it to turn its head away with a roar, and make Mojo blink in surprise.
"Don't say I never did anything for you!" Princess shouted at him, blasters still smoking from having fired at the beast, before she turned around to punch at a Formless that tried to come up behind her.
"Mojo could have handled that," he muttered to himself, before grabbing the Kasai Rex and tossing it off of his mech. Though as he did so, the damage to the mech became quickly obvious, not just claw marks from the creature's feet talons, but also a large hole in the chest of the mech.
"Grr, though Mojo Jojo will admit he should have expected the overgrown lizard to have a trick like that," he said with a huff, but glared at the Kasai Rex as it shook its head with a low growl, "Nonetheless, it is becoming clearer to Mojo Jojo that we need a strategy, a plan, a way to triumph," he said, addressing Princess as his mech's hands opened two holes that glowed with energy, "For Mojo would prefer not to waste entire day on this, and more importantly still have a city left to conquer after dealing with these annoyances!"
And with that, he began to barrage the Kasai Rex with laser fire as it roared.
"If you've got suggestions, I'm open to them, monkey boy!" Princess called out with a scowl, blasting more Formless from the air, "Because besides the overgrown lizard, these goo goons all over the city, and I'm pretty sure I spotted a rampaging giant robot too."
She said with a huff, "Nothing I can't handle of course, but dealing with so many numbers is starting to get annoying."
She told the monkey with a scowl, "Honestly, leave it to those three to be a no-show when we actually need them," she snipped, before muttering under her breath as she shot some rockets from her suit, "Not that they were any help earlier when these freaks dragged them off."
She muttered at those words, Mojo's attack on the Kasai Rex stopped, allowing it to fall to the ground, smoke covering its form as he whirled toward Princess.
"WHAT?! THE POWERPUFF GIRLS HAVE BEEN CAPTURED?!" he demanded, glaring at Princess, who flinched back at his yell.
"Yeah, some of these creeps were helping that bitch Black Cat rob me, and they melted and trapped those three bitches in some goo balls," Princess explained as Mojo's eye twitched.
"WHY DID YOU NOT INFORM MOJO JOJO OF THIS SOONER?!" He demanded in a furious screech, banging his fist against the mech's control panel.
"In case you're blind, a freaking invasion took priority over keeping you in the loop!" Princess snapped back at his tone.
"URGGG! HOW CAN YOU BE SO BLIND?! DO YOU NOT REALIZE THE TRUTH IN FRONT OF YOU?!" Mojo screeched, not noticing the form of the Rex stirring again, "THIS INVASION IS NOTHING BUT A DISTRACTION, SMOKESCREEN, A METHOD OF KEEPING UNWANTED PARTIES WHICH IS US OUT OF THE WAY!"
The monkey screamed angrily, "Right now, this Skeleton King is likely enacting his true master plan, of which the Powerpuff Girls appear to be a key component," he scowled, gritting his teeth, "A plan that has a high chance of including the destruction of the Powerpuff Girls to further establish himself as a greater evil threat. Which Mojo Jojo will not stand for! Destroying the Powerpuff Girls is an honor that shall belong to Mojo Jojo! For it was Mojo Jojo's actions that brought them into existence, it must be Mojo Jojo who ends their miserable existence! And Mojo Jojo shall not let some interloper steal Mojo Jojo's glory!"
"ROARRRR!" A sudden roar cut off the tirade, causing them to whirl back to the dinosaur, which as Mojo had ranted and Princess tuned him out, the Rex had rose and lunged forward, letting loose another energy blast from its mouth to exploit their distraction.
Though this time, before they could be hit, a wall of energy made from green and purple light formed in front of the mech and Princess.
BOOM
Which the Kasai Rex's attack exploded against, without doing any damage.
"Wow, a laser-breathing zombie dinosaur? Even I've never seen that before," Star Sapphire said as she and Green Lantern floated down from where they were projecting the barrier, catching the attention of the two local villains.
"Oh great, now the spandex club's getting involved," Princess spat, before shooting Star Sapphire a dirty look, "And they sent their pet skank as part of the crew, I see."
"We could just let this thing eat you, you know," Green Lantern pointed out dryly, looking to where the Kasai Rex was bashing its head against the barrier uselessly.
"We are grateful for your assistance, even if it was unnecessary and Mojo Jojo's genius would have solved the problem without any outside help that is unwanted, unneeded, and completely not something that you needed to do," Mojo said quickly.
"...You're welcome?" Star Sapphire offered, looking at Mojo in confusion. Before adding in concern, "Um, did you get hit in the head?"
Causing Mojo to blink, but before he could reply, Princess gave a snort.
"Hardly, this is how he's always talked... and he's refused to take speech therapy," she said, ending in a mutter before Mojo Jojo snapped back.
"That is because Mojo Jojo's way of speaking is clearly the superior method of speaking!"
With Princess rolling her eyes.
"You keep telling yourself that," she said, with Mojo growling before huffing.
"Mojo Jojo does not have time for this! Mojo Jojo must destroy this annoying lizard! Then Mojo Jojo must locate this Skeleton King and teach him the many errors of his ways for daring to capture Mojo Jojo's enemies! Which is the Powerpuff Girls, who shall not be destroyed by Skeleton King, for that is a right reserved for Mojo Jojo!"
He decreed as Star Sapphire and Green Lantern traded looks.
"Right.." John stated dryly, before shaking his head back to focus as he glared at the growling dinosaur, "While you two are hardly my first choice of assistance, I'm willing to forgo your criminal records and accept a truce due to the bigger problem."
He said, his form and ring glowing with green energy as he got ready for the enemy to make its move.
"Hey! I happen to be reformed, thank you very much!" Princess called out with an insulted expression.
"And Mojo Jojo is out on bail!" Mojo chimed in.
"Good for you," Green Lantern said dryly, ignoring them to focus on the Kasai Rex, which was tensing up. As it charged forward again, he suddenly dropped his part of the barrier, Star Sapphire quickly following suit.
With the barrier out of the way, the Kasai Rex ended up overshooting its charge, causing it to stumble as it realized what had happened, and it tried to correct itself. Distracted by this, the beast wasn't able to react as the two League members attacked it, Star Sapphire dropping a purple net over it to trap it in place, while Green Lantern summoned a giant mace and hit the dinosaur in the side of the head with it.
"ROAR!" The Rex let out a roar of anger, with it struggling against the net as Star Sapphire gritted her teeth.
"This thing's tough! Not sure how long I can hold it, we need to take it down now!" she called, with Green Lantern frowning as he let it have another good hit with the mace.
"It's certainly durable and stubborn," he admitted, but looked over as Mojo let out a laugh.
"Hehahaha, once again, it is up to Mojo Jojo to show how it's done!" the monkey villain cried as he moved the mech over, grabbing the prone form of the Rex, "Mojo Jojo will admit you were a better foe than Mojo expected, but it is time for Mojo Jojo to end this farce!"
And with that declaration and a great heave, the mech threw the Kasai Rex as far as his creation could in the air.
"Let us see you come back from this!" Mojo declared. With a push of a button, multiple holes opened on the mech, and from them shot out numerous missiles, and as the Kasai Rex fell back to the ground, the missiles all scored a direct hit.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
And soon the large smoking form of the dinosaur monster crashed onto the street, creating a crater, its form now smoking and charcoal black, and not moving an inch.
"And you couldn't have done that sooner?!" However, rather than impressed, Princess screeched, annoyed they'd wasted so much time dealing with an overgrown iguana.
"Mojo Jojo simply needed to wait till the best time to act while luring it into a false sense of security!" the monkey retorted, huffing.
"That, and you needed some backup to pin it," Star Sapphire said with a teasing smirk, causing him to scowl.
"Focus, people!" But Green Lantern's voice cut through, getting the three's attention as he floated over, "We still got an entire army that needs dealing with."
He said sternly with a frown, "The others are already on the move doing their parts, and we need to pull our weight," He added, with Mabel sighing but giving a nod, while Princess and Mojo shot him annoyed looks for speaking like he had authority over them.
"Now then..." John gave Mojo a stern glare, "What was that about the Powerpuff Girls being captured?" He asked with an expression of concern, internally hoping they weren't too late, or that the younger heroines could handle Skeleton King long enough for backup to arrive.
"They got caught by some of those goo monsters that showed up to help that bitch Black Cat rob my mansion," Princess said with an annoyed shrug, causing Star Sapphire to do a double take and stare at her.
"Wait, what? What do you mean they were helping Black Cat rob you?" she asked incredulously.
"Exactly what it sounds like. That Catwoman wannabe is apparently working with Skeleton King now, like a total sellout," Princess scoffed.
"Since when?!" Star Sapphire exclaimed, totally confused. Pacifica didn't even want to work for her dad, why would she be working for an alien warlord? And why wouldn't she tell her about it?! She thought, feeling a slight sting of hurt at the idea that Pacifica might actually be keeping secrets from her, but that was ridiculous she was the one closest to her, and she told her everything! Even things that Dipper was completely clueless about, such as her Black Cat persona and her darker side.
"Don't know, don't care," Princess said with a scowl, "All I care about is choking all of her nine lives right out of her once I get my hands on that whore's throat!" she said with a growl, bringing up her clenched fists, "Bet the fucking bitch is one of those desperate sluts sleeping with that freak Skeleton King."
She added with a huff. But before Mabel could retort or a frowning John or Mojo could cut in... the latter noticed something out of the corner of his eye.
"Oh, you must be kidding Mojo!" Causing them all to turn where he was looking, to see that the form of the Kasai Rex had started to shake and ripple, turning into a similar color as the Formless attacking the city, before it startled to melt... and from the ooze sprouted numerous forms, each reaching about the waist height of Mojo's mech.
SCREEEEEEEE
And none of the new forms looked friendly. They looked like giant velociraptors, albeit horribly mutated ones. Their skulls were exposed, as were the entirety of their spines running down from their heads to the end of their tails. Their leathery skins and molted feathers were warped and sickly-looking, their claws and talons crackling with dark energy, and red eye lights were shining in their empty sockets.
"Oh, come on!" Princess whined as the monsters charged the group.
"Going to be one of those days," John sighed, before raising his ring for battle, while hoping the others were doing better across the city.
(Townsville City Hall)
"Um, now fellas, you're looking pretty upset, but how about we calm down and discuss things over a nice juicy pickle? Please?"
"Oh sure, we'll take your pickles," said one of the armed goons who had broken into City Hall, lightly tapping a lead pipe against one palm, "Along with anything else valuable you've got lying around here."
"Yeah, but only after we've expressed our disagreements with some of your policies," another goon said, twirling a switchblade.
"Is this about the alternate side of the street parking rules? Because that was the city council's idea, I don't even understand how it works myself!" the Mayor declared, while Miss Bellum facepalmed in her spot hiding behind the desk with him.
"Actually, I do want to file a complaint about some of the parking tickets I've gotten cause of that crap," a third goon armed with a large chain commented genuinely.
"Shut up, Greg!" the lead goon snapped, before turning back to the Mayor, "Point is, we're here to wreck you, little man, and since they haven't even shown up to deal with everything happening outside, it doesn't look like you've got any super freaks coming to save you this time!"
He said with a dark grin aimed at the Mayor, who nervously gulped. However, at his words a voice spoke up behind the thugs.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that."
Causing the three to stiffen and whirl around...
BAM
With the goon holding the switchblade getting punched right in the face and launched back with a cry of pain.
"It's Green Lantern!" Cried out the goon named Greg at the sight of the new arrival.
"Green... what?! No! I'm Booster Gold! How does this look green to you?!" the hero demanded indignantly, gesturing to his blue and gold outfit.
"Oh, sorry... wait, which one are you then?" Greg asked, scratching his head in confusion.
"Booster Gold, I just said that!" Booster snapped, "Seriously, does everyone in this century have hearing problems or something?"
"I don't care who you are, you're going down!" the lead goon growled, charging forward and swinging his pipe at Booster, who easily dodged it.
"Oh no, a lead pipe, my only weakness," Booster Gold said dryly, and you could just feel the eye roll under his visor, "Seriously buddy, just give up," he remarked, dodging another swing of the pipe, "I mean, you can't seriously think some random thug will take out Booster Gold."
"Grrr, shut up!" Yelled the lead goon, lunging forward and bringing down the pipe. However, this time rather than dodging, Booster Gold easily caught his wrist.
"Sigh... tried to be nice," he muttered, before headbutting the goon, causing him to cry out in pain and dropping the pipe, before Booster, keeping his grip, spun him around and threw him straight toward the wall. With the lead thug then collapsing to the ground in a pained groan.
"And then there was one," Booster Gold said with a smirk, before frowning as he turned to the side to see the last goon named Greg trying to tiptoe out of the office, "Hey!"
This caused the goon to stiffen before turning with a sheepish smile, "Um... I was just going to the bathroom," he said with a nervous smile.
"Sure you were," Booster said dryly, "How about you just lie down and give up?"
"Okay," Greg said, dropping his weapon and lying down on the floor, making Booster Gold blink.
"Huh, didn't think he'd actually do that..." he muttered, before shaking his head and turning to the Mayor and Miss Bellum, "You folks okay?"
"Yes! Thank you, Green Lantern!" the Mayor declared, making Booster Gold slump and Miss Bellum sigh.
"Mayor, he just said that he's NOT Green Lantern," she said slowly.
"He's not?" The Mayor said with a blink, before taking off and cleaning his monocle, "Dang new prescription lens," he muttered, before putting it back on, "Nonetheless, thank you, um... whoever you are."
He said, with Booster letting out a groan.
"It's Booster Gold..." he said, dragging his hand down his face, "You see Skeets, this is why we need to get a publicist," He said as a small gold-colored drone floated into the room.
"I'll make a note of it, sir," the drone stated as it came into the room.
"Ohh, fancy toy, does it come in pickle green?" The Mayor questioned, with Booster Gold giving him a confused and slightly incredulous look as Miss Bellum sighed.
"Apologies for the Mayor, he can be... eccentric," she said to Booster, with the Mayor piping up with a smile.
"Don't forget lovable! I'm very lovable," he said with a laugh, getting slight blinks.
"Right. Nonetheless, we appreciate the help," Miss Bellum said with a nod.
"Hey, anytime gorgeous, and if you happen to be free later, maybe we could..." Booster was cut off by Skeets speaking up.
"Sir, apologies to interrupt, but the city is still in the process of being invaded by the forces belonging to one of the newer major anomalies," it said, causing Booster Gold to stiffen.
"Ana what?" The Mayor question with a blink.
"He means villain! The city's being invaded by that new major supervillain," Booster Gold said quickly with a strained smile. After all, he was not about to discuss with this weird civilian how Skeleton King didn't exist in his 25th century historical database. Nor did Lothor... or, for that matter, did a ton of other people who were running around!
Seriously, half of the League's current roster couldn't be found anywhere in his records. And while he might chalk that up to being overshadowed by more famous members like the League founders, the same was also true of their villains, and even entire cities and nations! Seriously, how the Hell could whole countries not show up in the history files? It wasn't like they just popped up out of nowhere!
Then again, that seemed to be the case for an entire species of anthropomorphic animal people who apparently had always existed and lived alongside humanity (even if not necessarily as equals), something that was most certainly NOT in the historical records.
Hell, this entire city and their own heroes and villains weren't mentioned in the history files at all. All of this put together quickly led to Booster along with Skeets to realize that something or someone had dramatically altered the course of the timeline.
And he would still like to state for the record that whatever it was, it was not his fault! He had come straight back to this time from his own, there was no way that could have altered history to such a degree! It wasn't like he had gone back and stopped the dinosaurs from going extinct or something!
No, there was definitely something else at work here, and he was seriously considering actually admitting that it was above his pay grade and asking for help for once. But right now, Skeets was right, there was the more immediate problem of a monster/alien invasion to worry about.
"Right," Booster Gold gave a nod, frowning, "You two should get to safety," He said, turning to them, "I mainly came here because Bats was worried that Skeleton King guy would target the city leadership for some sort of leverage, but frankly the creep seems more interested in causing mass panic and destruction."
He added, looking out the window with a grimace as an explosion went off in the distance.
"Understood, but does the Justice League have any lead on the girls?" Miss Bellum asked worriedly.
"Yes, we've been trying to call them, but still no answer from the Powerpuff Girls," The Mayor added, before speaking in a thoughtful tone, "Though I suppose the line might be busy, they're at the age where girls are stuck gossiping on their phones."
"Mayor, we've been over this, the hotline is specifically designed to override anything else that the girls might be doing on their phones," Miss Bellum said.
"Oh, really? Well, in that case, now I am worried," the Mayor said, frowning in concern.
"I'll spread the word to be on the lookout for them," Booster Gold stated with a nod.
"I just hope they're okay," Miss Bellum murmured softly, rubbing her arm, "The girls are used to risk and danger, and they've always pulled through," she admitted, before looking back up at Booster, "But for some reason, I can't help but get the strange chill that something's different this time... and that something horrible has happened."
She'd been trying to ignore it, but she'd been getting a strange unpleasant feeling at the back of her mind, telling her something was very wrong, but she was helpless to do anything about it.
"Oh, that might be my fault, I turned up the AC earlier because I was feeling a bit stuffy," But she was brought out of this by the Mayor speaking up, causing her to give a fond sigh of exasperation.
"I hope that's all it is," she murmured as Booster Gold spoke up.
"Hey, don't worry, we'll find those Powerpuff Girl, and they'll probably even help us deal with all these creeps," he stated with a comforting smile, feeling confident that they'd be sending this Skeleton King running for the hills, especially since the rest of the League team was probably already kicking butt as he spoke.
(Townsville Prison, same time)
The riot that Mandarin had started to cover his tracks was still ongoing, and in fact had gotten worse, as the freed inmates were on the verge of breaking out altogether.
"Alright, we're home free!" a thug yelled after knocking out the last of the riot guards standing between his group of prisoners and the exit door. He ran towards it, already picturing all the things he'd do once he was on the outside.
"Oh yeah, let the good times roll again, baby!" the convict laughed as he flung the doors open-
WHAM
-and was immediately punched in the face hard enough to knock him off his feet, causing the crowd behind him to skid to a halt.
"Alright, laddies! Who's next in line for a Highlands knuckle sandwich?!" the Scotsman yelled as he walked through the doors, hands on his hips and smirking tauntingly at the convicts. Some of whom stepped back at the size and muscle of the man, others looked confused, but overall many just glared angrily.
"Get out of our way!" Snapped a convict by the name of Trevor, who along with two of his buddies were known as the Fake Powerpuff Girls due to their attempt to impersonate the girls in a mass robbery spree... despite the fact the girls were 5-years-old little girls at the time, and they were full grown man. Most just assumed they were trying for a weird theme, because they honestly couldn't be stupid enough to think something like that would have worked... right?
"Yeah, you honestly think we're all scared of a brute like you?" Femme Fatale called out angrily, with Scotsman smirking at that.
"Oh lassie, I'm not the one you should be afraid of~" He said with a laugh, and at those words something was thrown over the Scotsman, hitting the feet of the convicts.
Boom
Boom
And the next thing they knew, smoke began to fill the room, blinding them.
"Cough... cough... urg... can't see!" Called out Marianne Smith as the criminal matriarch of the Smith family coughed.
"Keep close, everyone!" Harold Smith called out to his wife and children as cries of pain began to echo out from the smoke.
BAM
POW
"URG!"
"Hey, let goooooo!"
"AGH!"
"AHHH!"
Soon the cries died down, and the smoke cleared to reveal Batman standing above a pile of knocked out inmates.
"Return to your cells," the Dark Knight ordered the few inmates still standing. They all looked at each other nervously, but before they could do anything, they were cut off by an angry yell.
"RAAAAGGGGHHH!!!" Fuzzy Lumpkins yelled as he charged Batman, "Outta mah way! Yer standing between me and getting back to mah property!"
However, Batman didn't look impressed, as he easily not only sidestepped Fuzzy's attack, but as he went past, Batman launched a bola at Fuzzy's feet, with it along with the momentum from his charge causing him to be sent flying forward.
WHAM
Right into Scotsman's fist, with the force of the punch launching Fuzzy back and over the rest of the convicts, where he landed with a pained groan while the convicts looked a lot more nervous, if not frightened. After all, Fuzzy had gone toe-to-toe with the Powerpuff Girls plenty of times over the years, and was among those that could take a hit from them and keep coming back for more. So, to see him dealt with so easily... well, suddenly, many weren't so confident in numbers winning the day.
"Alright... here's how it's going to go," Scotsman cracked his knuckles, "The smarter of you eejit bampots will go back to their cells, while the dumber ones will be heading to the medical ward after Batsy and I are done with you."
He said with a smirk, but frowned, "And let's try to be quick about this, I enjoy a good brawl, but you lot of lavvy heid's aren't really a challenge, and besides wanting to get to the real fighting outside, there's a rather personal issue of mine that needs addressing in this city."
"If you think I'm going to be ordered around by some brute of a man who probably thinks he's better than me just because I'm a woman-" Femme Fatale started to say, only for Scotsman to cut her off with a raised hand.
"Lassie, my wife calls the shots in me family, and I let my daughters do pretty much whatever they want, so don't go wasting me time by shouting that one-dimensional feminist crap at me," Scotsman scoffed, "Also, if ye want to talk about equality, I'm perfectly fine with hitting a woman in a fair fight, so if'n ye want to try yer luck, go ahead and try."
Femme Fatale gave a nonplussed blink at being shot down so easily, right before Scotsman punched the wall next to him, forming a hole through the solid brick to emphasize his statement.
...
...
...
"Yeah, I'm done," Bud Smith said with a sigh as he pulled an about-face.
"What?! Son, we can't..." Harold protested, but Bud shot his dad a flat look.
"Dad, the big guy aside, that's freaking Batman," Bud said, with his sister Julie Smith giving a nod.
"Yeah, getting our butts kicked by the Puffs is bad enough, I'd rather not get a new black eye from a fight we already know we're going to lose," she said with a pout.
"But... but..." Harold's protest was cut off by his wife grabbing his shoulder and started to push him away.
"Sorry dear, they're right. Maybe if we had some better weapons or were more prepared, but now... best to call it," Marianne said with a sigh and a disgruntled scowl.
"Coward! I'm not afraid of a thug and some man with an overblown reputation," Femme Fatale snapped, before launching herself up and aiming a high kick at Batman, who just gave a stoic look. And just before the kick connected, he lashed out, grabbing her by the ankle, then swung her down to the ground before pinning her easily.
"Last chance, stand down," He warned with a dark scowl, "Right now, the city's in the middle of an invasion from Skeleton King's forces. We don't have the time to waste with you all."
"Ugh, typical man, thinking that his problems are more important than a woman's!" Femme Fatale growled as she struggled uselessly in Batman's grip, "Do you know what all these years of prison gruel are doing to my figure?! I need to get out of here!"
"Lass, you really aren't doing yourself any favors," Scotsman sighed, shaking his head.
"Fuck you, you Irish asshole!"
"Oi! I'm Scottish, not Irish!" Scotsman yelled in indignation, "Yer lucky ye didn't just call me English, or I'd be introducing ye to my sword point-first!"
Though as they were distracted with Femme Fatale, one of the convicts tried to inch toward the door... before breaking out in a run, followed by the others.
"Oh no, ye don't!" Scotsman yelled as he noticed this. Turning away from Batman pinning Femme Fatale, he picked up a large piece of rubble from where he'd punched the wall and threw it like a bowling ball; it flew low through the air to smash through the legs of the fleeing convicts and knock them all off of their feet. And to land with pained groans, before looking up as a shadow fell over them.
"I did warn you lads," Scotsman said with a scowl, "Now I'm going to have to hurt you."
"AAAHHHH!!!" the convicts screamed as the Scottish hero descended on them, and then there was only pain.
(Elsewhere)
As the invasion continued to unfold around them, Jinmay and Elmer were still focused on fighting each other.
"Just die already!" Jinmay roared as she fired another blast at Elmer, who formed a hole in his body to let the laser pass harmlessly through him.
"How about you just give up?" He snapped back with a lash of a paste whip that Jinmay caught.
"Why? Because you know I'm winning!" She yelled, sending an electric surge through the whip straight to Elmer, who let out a pained cry, "Because I got you beat in both skill and experience! I've been a literal fighting machine for years. You're just some kid who got power dumped on you and has been too afraid to use it!"
"Ugh, doesn't mean that you're going to win!" Elmer grunted as the pain faded, "I'm fighting for something, you're just fighting for yourself!"
"Oh please, spare me the cliche heroic speech! Unless your plan is to make me too nauseous to fight!" Jinmay spat, "You know what fighting for something got my ex-boyfriend? Eternal imprisonment and torture while his greatest enemy screws me on the regular," she added, her eyes glowing, "And it gives me an opening to attack!"
She roared, shooting off finger missiles that zoomed past Elmer. His head instinctively snapped around to watch the missiles, and his eyes widened as he saw them heading towards a cafe where a group of civilians could be seen sheltering inside, who started screaming as the missiles approached.
"NO!" Elmer screamed, lunging forward and placing himself between the missiles and the cafe.
BOOM
"URG!" He cried as the rockets all exploded against his body one by one..
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
And the onslaught only got worse as Jinmay unleashed laser eye beams while firing more rockets from her body, with Elmer doing all he could to block and take the attack so it didn't hit anyone else.
BOOM
BOOM
FWOOM
BOOM
BOOM
"URGG!" He grunted and heaved in pain as he fell to his side, body smoking.
"You see, this is what being a hero gets you," Jinmay spat out as she stomped toward Elmer's form, rage spiking despite cruel amusement at seeing him like this, "Nothing but failure and suffering!"
The heart symbol on her chest glowed before unleashing an electrical beam that hit Elmer, causing him to scream in pain, "URRRRRRGGG!"
"Was being a hero worth it!?" Jinmay spat, glaring down at the pathetic figure, and for a moment she started to see someone else in Elmer's place, "You could have accomplished something with your power... you could have ruled! Instead you had to be a pathetic weak moron!"
She spat, increasing the voltage of her attack, "Instead you're suffering and being tortured, while I'm living the high life at Skeleton King's side! Was it worth it?! Was throwing away the chance to have real power worth the pain, the loss?! WAS SHUGGAZOOM WORTH LOSING YOUR FREEDOM AND ME, CHIRO?!"
"W-who?" Elmer managed to croak out through his pain. The sound of his voice snapped Jinmay out of the haze clouding her head, a lingering effect of the emotions stirred up by Mr. Mime, making her blink and shake her head in confusion.
"Ugh, what...?" she muttered, trying to reorient herself. Before she could, however-
BAM
-something suddenly slammed into the side of her head, knocking her off of her feet and sending her crashing to the ground with a huge crash.
"Urg! Whoever did that is dead!" Jinmay shouted, pushing herself up from the street, but internally welcoming the distraction this provided while doing her best to not think about what just happened.
She had a mission to complete, that was all that mattered, not some weird emotional moment about her worthless ex!
"I've been threatened with worse, miss," a voice spoke up in response. Looking towards it, Jinmay was greeted by the sight of a muscular man in a red suit with a thunderbolt on the chest and a white cape, floating in the air in front of her.
"Who the Hell are you supposed to be?" she demanded as she stood back up.
"Captain Marvel, nice to meet you," he replied, "Now, how about you make this easy on everyone and just give up?"
At those words Jinmay gave him a look of disbelief, before letting out a laugh.
"Give up?! Why would I do that, tiny?" she mockingly asked, her robotic eyes glaring death at him, "So you took me by surprise, so what?" she raised her hand, "Nothing's stopping me from squashing you!"
She yelled, lashing out to grab him... or rather tried to.
"Urg what?!" But she realized something was wrapped around her robotic wrist.
"I wouldn't say that," Spoke a feminine voice as Jinmay felt something jerk her hand back, causing her to turn slightly as Captain Marvel flew in, punching her in the face again.
"Urg!"
Causing her to crash back onto the ground as a second figure holding the lasso that had been wrapped around her wrist glared down at her, but with a hint of sympathetic concern that Jinmay hated.
"Surrender, it's for your own good," said Wonder Woman with a stern scowl, "If you are who I believe, then you are not in your right state of mind."
After all, this robot, despite its enlarged form, definitely matched the description that the Titans had given of the girl that Skeleton King had brainwashed into his servitude. And if it was her, then despite all the harm that she'd done, she was as much a victim as anyone.
"Screw you, you condescending Greek bitch!" Jinmay snarled as she struggled to break free of the lasso, "Go fuck your whore queen!"
Diana, at that comment about Audrey, scowled heavily. She quickly reminded herself that the girl was brainwashed, she needed help... though the help might come with some pain if she kept being stubborn.
"I'm not failing my master! He's put his love and faith in me, and I won't fail him!" Jinmay spat as the pigtails that formed after she took on the enlarged robotic form glowed, "And I'll destroy this entire city if it makes him happy!" she snapped as the pigtails, revealed to be rockets, blasted off right at Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel.
Cursing, the two heroes flew out of the way, barely dodging in time as the blasts narrowly missed them. In the process, Wonder Woman's grip on the lasso slipped, allowing Jinmay to yank her hand free. She then used it to swipe at them, again barely missing them.
"I'm going to crush you two like bugs!" Jinmay snarled, "And then I'm going to burn this whole fucking city to the ground! And then- UGH!"
Jinmay was cut off as Elmer, having mostly recovered, suddenly tackled her and took her off her feet.
"YOU"RE NOT HURTING ANYONE ELSE!" Elmer roared with determination as he not only pinned her, but began to let his paste melt off his body and cover her, attempting to stick her to the ground, "You've already turned Rainbow back into that Mime monster, and terrorized the people of Townsville, I won't let you hurt anyone else!"
He yelled as Jinmay screamed angrily.
"URG, WHEN I'M DONE WITH YOU, I'M GLLMMFM!" Before her mouth as well was covered in paste, while Captain Marvel floated beside Wonder Woman in the air, the former giving the female heroine a confused look.
"I thought Townsville only had the Powerpuff Girls as heroes?" He questioned with a confused frown, "Well, them and a squirrel I've heard rumors about being part of that League of Superpets," He added with a thoughtful look.
"It does, though something about our friend here is familiar," Diana said in a mutter, thinking back to the files she'd read on the Powerpuff Girls, of all the various adventures they'd had over the years. One came vaguely to mind, something about a friend of theirs who had been mutated into some sort of slime monster, and sent off to Star Labs for study. From the look of things, he'd come out to try and defend the city.
Well, even if lacking experience, she was hardly going to turn down aid, though she'd have to remember to talk to the young man later. Not every metahuman, contrary to some people's belief, became a hero or criminal, some still tried to live a normal life. But if that had changed for him, she wanted to let him know that the League could help him, even if he wasn't a member. Though that could come later, she realized as she saw a squadron of flying Formless approaching.
"Regardless, he's an ally, that's all that matters," she said as Captain Marvel nodded, giving a smile at that, more than happy to take the chance at a new friend, but also frowned, seeing what she was staring at.
"Can you keep her restrained while we deal with her reinforcements?!" Marvel called out to the giant guy, who looked like he was made of paste? As he and Wonder Woman entered battles stances.
"Don't worry, I've been keeping her busy since she crashed at Star Labs, just make sure that her friends don't hurt anybody," Elmer replied as more of his form melted over Jinmay, and with understanding nods, Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel began to engaged the airborne Formless horde.
"Uggghhhh!!!!" Jinmay roared wordlessly in a blind rage as she tried to break free, to no avail.
"Oh, just give up already! It's over!" Elmer snapped down at her, while watching Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel starting to tear their way through the Formless.
"Now that the Justice League's here, they're going to kick all your goons straight out of the city, find Rainbow and get him back to normal, and finally take you into custody where you can't hurt anybody else," Elmer said, staring down at her angry eyes, "Maybe even give you a tuneup, because it's clear that you have more than a few screws loose to say the least," he added with a scoff, watching as Captain Marvel grabbed two Formless by the heads, before slamming them together, splattering them. While Wonder Woman punched through one Formless and dodged another's sweeping tackle while taking the chance to grab and tear off its wings.
For the first time since this whole mess started, Elmer was starting to have hope that they could end it. He just hoped that they could keep it up...
(Elsewhere)
In the city park, crowds of people were fleeing across the area in search of someplace to hide, pursued by a swarm of Formless. However, the final member of the team that had arrived from the Justice League wouldn't be letting it happen, as she put on her performance.
"Reirrab!" A wall of light formed between the civilians fleeing from the Formless and the Formless themselves, ramming into and scratching at the wall of light, "Ladies and gentleman!"
Before turning behind them to see none other than the magician of the Justice League, Zatanna Zatara, giving a wide smirk.
"Watch as I make these monsters disappear!" She called out dramatically, before pointing her wand at the Formless, "Erif! Ezeerf!" Then sent out a fire blast to one part of the group, followed by a freeze ray, freezing others that charged forward, "Tel eht dnuorg knis htaeneb rieht teef!"
And at the last spell of light she shot at the charging Formless, the ground beneath them rippled, and they soon stumbled and started to sink into it as if it was quicksand. They scrambled to try and break free, but quickly disappeared beneath the ground, Zatanna smirking as they vanished from sight, before turning her attention to the relieved civilians.
"Head west, the police have set up a safe zone that way!" she called out to them. She watched as they did as they were told, only looking away when a shadow fell over the area; looking up, she saw a large number of flying Formless diving towards them.
"Dniwlrihw!" she declared, thrusting her hand towards the Formless and summoning a twister that soon sucked them all up.
"That should keep those things out of trouble," Zatanna said with a sigh, her performance winning smile falling into a frown. This was the first time she had firsthand experience with any of Skeleton King's forces, and what she had sensed from his minions alone had her concerned.
"Not only dark magic... but such a powerful feeling of negative emotions..." she murmured softly.
Despite popular belief, dark magic wasn't inherently evil. It leaned towards destruction and a user's less attractive traits, true, but it could still be used for good if properly controlled. But this magic... all she felt from it was hatred, and rage, and a desire to consume all in its path. It was without a doubt the truest evil she'd ever felt in her life.
It made her worried. Skeleton King might truly be a greater threat than her and the rest of the League had initially realized, and they already considered him a high level threat as is. But it also made her morbidly curious and concerned. If the rumor about what he said at that club attack last night was true... if he'd truly been a good man once... then what could of happened to him to twist him to something that would produce magic and creations like these?
Shaking her head to brush off those thoughts, Zatanna reminded herself that she needed to focus on what was important right now, and that was protecting the people of Townsville from this attack. So, she started moving in the direction of where the attacking was heaviest, only to pause as she sensed something powerful incoming.
"What?" she said with a blink, looking towards the sky in the direction of what she felt, just in time to see three streaks of colored light zoom by overhead.
"It's the Powerpuff Girls! We're saved!" someone shouted.
"No, I don't think it is," Zatanna muttered, feeling a sense of dread as she watched the lights head further into town.
Because she could sense two things from those lights. Raw untamed power... and the same dark energy she'd sensed from the Formless.
Something was very wrong... and she was suddenly very concerned about what was about to happen.
(Elsewhere)
"Just die already!" Princess screamed as she blasted away one of the Kasai Rex's raptor-like offspring, which just got back up after a moment, looking barely injured.
"These things don't want to stay down!" Star Sapphire yelled as she created a giant tennis rack construct and used it to bash away another raptor, which just scrambled back to its feet and charged her again.
"They're resilient and stubborn, not a good combo," Green Lantern agreed, while using a construct in the form of a net to catch a few in a group before swinging them around, straight into a horde of charging raptors.
"Release Mojo's machine! It is a work of brilliance, not lunch!" Bellowed Mojo Jojo, shaking the arms of his mech that each had a couple of raptors biting down on them, with more pouncing onto it or biting and attacking the legs. And while with most animals that would just be an annoyance, these things had fangs hard enough to actually tear into the metal limbs and start damaging them.
"This is ridiculous, annoying, irritating!" Mojo screeched, "My machine is unstoppable, invincible, incapable of being stopped! I refuse to accept it being defeated by these things, which are hideous, ugly, and-!"
"Will you shut up and fight?!" Princess snapped, flying into the air to avoid a raptor and firing a missile down at it.
"Mojo Jojo is trying!" The monkey roared in annoyance, with Princess' missile reaching its hissing target.
BOOM
With it making a direct hit and exploding on contact, splattering its remains everywhere.
"See that, not that hard!" Princess said, sending a smug smirk to Mojo, who scowled, but before he could retort he noticed something.
"Oh? Because from what Mojo sees, it appears more challenging than Princess says it is," he said as the splattered remains started to ripple and shake, before they began to crawl toward each other, and before their eyes two new raptors (each half the size of the original one) stood with a roar.
"Are you kidding me?!" Princess screamed in annoyance, "Even we blow them up, more of them just pop up!" She shouted in frustration. True, they were smaller, but she didn't want to deal with more of these gross freaks.
"A rather impressive strategy, Mojo must reluctantly admit," the monkey said, pressing some buttons on his mech console with a grimace, but grudging respect for these monsters or rather their master forming within his tone, "But Mojo Jojo welcomes the challenge, and shall prove himself the superior intellect and villain!"
And with that exclamation, he banged his fist on a button, activating an electrical surge that he sent throughout his mech, that surged through all the Raptors attacking it.
"RAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!" they all screamed, thrashing in pain before collapsing off of the mech. As they did, Mojo grabbed ahold of one by the tail and started swinging it like a club, smashing it into the others over and over again, until all of them were splattered.
"Um, you know that there's just going to be a ton of them now, right?" Star Sapphire asked, while lassoing another raptor's legs and tripping it up.
"Yes, but they will be smaller and less effective, which will make them easier for Mojo to crush!" Mojo declared while the ooze of the splattered raptors started to reform at his feet, "And when that makes them into even more much smaller ones, Mojo will smash them even easier! And then-!"
"Okay, we get it!" Princess snapped. Honestly, the way Mojo spoke, sometimes she found it endearing in an odd sort of way, but other times just found it annoying! And right now, it was on the annoying scale!
"The monkey might be onto something," But she shook out of her annoyance to turn a glower to a frowning Green Lantern as he formed a bowling ball construct, "While it'll mean more numbers, decreasing their size could give us an opportunity to herd and capture them all as a group," he explained, before letting the ball roll.
It smashed through a group of raptors, knocking several aside and splattering others.
"Ugh, fine," Princess grumbled, before turning to face two raptors charging her. Taking careful aim, she fired missiles into their open mouths.
BOOM
With Mojo following suit, releasing some of the remaining missile systems the mech had.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
While off to the side, Star Sapphire formed a giant rolling pin and started to flatten any raptor it hit like dough.
SPLAT
SPLAT
SPLAT
With raptor remains quickly forming all around them, that just like the first one Princess blew up, reformed into multiple smaller raptors... raptors whose mouths began to glow.
"Oh yeah..." Star Sapphire's eyes widen in realization, "That first dinosaur could breathe lasers," she said, just as the numerous raptors opened fire.
PEW
PEW
PEW
PEW
With Green Lantern and Star Sapphire quickly forming a wall of energy to act as a barrier, protecting them along with Mojo and Princess.
"Okay! Starting to think there might have been some flaws in this plan!" Star Sapphire yelled as the barrier started to shake and crack from the repeated attacks.
"Ya think?!" Princess snapped, "Ugh! I should have known better than to follow a plan made by any of you idiots!"
"Mojo doesn't hear any better suggestions from you!" Mojo scoffed.
"Well, excuse me for having trouble thinking straight surrounded by freaky undead dinos trying to eat me!" Princess snapped right back with a glare.
"This is not the time for an argument! Get your heads in the game, you two!" Green Lantern yelled sternly with a scowl that was returned.
"Hey, I don't take orders from you!" Princess retorted with a glower, "And don't think you and the pink slut here can swoop in and claim any of the credit after I save the day either," she added with a huff, while Mojo gave a groan as the heroes gave slight scowls, "This is my moment to prove that Princess Morbucks is a better hero than the Powerpuff Girls, and I'm not about to let anyone spoil it!"
"Are you seriously more worried about credit than protecting the city?" Star Sapphire asked in disbelief, "What is wrong with you?"
"Oh, don't condescend to me, you bimbo!" Princess sneered, "What do you know about having to work hard to get praise? All you have to do is flash those fake tits of yours, and people will give you whatever you want!"
"Hey! My girls are all real, I'll have you know!" Star Sapphire yelled defensively.
"Can we please focus?!" Green Lantern snapped.
"I am focused!" Princess yelled out shrilly, "I'm focused on destroying these disgusting freaks, and showing their freakier boss that no one crosses me! And most importantly, I'm focused on showing up those Puff bitches, who are probably sitting on their fat asses in some dungeon that I am and will always be their superior!"
She ranted on as the raptors continued to fire at the shield...
PEW
PEW
PEW
Or at least they did, as they suddenly stopped firing and seemed to freeze, the crowd of monsters all looking up toward the air.
"Why do I got a bad feeling about this?" Star Sapphire asked with a frown.
"Ha! Looks like these freaks are ready to give up!" Princess crowed, while Mojo scowled behind her.
"Princess stop this nonsense! You are letting you ego, pride, and over all brattiness take control! You are better than this! Clearly our enemies are about to..." he was cut off by Princess, who snapped back, "About to learn that Princess Morbucks is the top hero around these parts!"
Green Lantern ignored the pointless byplay happening behind him as he analyzed the situation, his gaze going to the sky. Something had caught the raptors' attention, something that was enough to make them stop attacking the group. But what could it be?
Then he saw three streaks of light zooming across the sky, and heading right towards them.
"Heads up, we've got incoming," he stated, getting the others' attention.
"Ugh, seriously? Now those idiot Puffs decided to show up?" Princess spat in annoyance, while ignoring the slight look Mojo shot her, frowning. Princess had admittedly come far from her days as a spoiled kindergarten brat... now she was a spoiled brat of a teenager. One who'd certainly proven she could use her mind in cunning ways to give the Puffs trouble outside of battle.
But her pride was still a major weakness for her, and when she let it control her like this, she would lash out, not think through, embarrass herself and Mojo Jojo by association, and perform in less impressive fashion than what she was truly capable of.
Evidently, Mojo Jojo would once again need to give her not only a stern lecture, but also figure out a way for her to not let her pride cause problems in the middle of battle. But that was for later, right now Mojo Jojo's brain power was focused on the immediate situation as he frowned up at the three streaks of light. And for some reason, despite having seen them hundreds of times over the years... something felt different... off... not right... out of place, even!
And the behavior of the creatures... they were not behaving as if a greater threat was arriving, he thought as the raptors actually seemed to be pulling back to make room. They were behaving as if they were welcoming the arrival of a greater predator...
"Something is wrong..." Mojo muttered.
"Of course something's wrong, those useless Puffs are either going to get in the way, or take all the glory!" Princess said with a huff, crossing her arms.
"Seriously, will you let that go, you egotist?" Star Sapphire asked with a scowl. Princess turned to glare at her, but before she could say anything, Mojo cut her off.
"That is not what I mean!" he said, "Mojo Jojo has fought the Powerpuff Girls many times, on countless occasions, in numerous battles! He knows what it feels like when they're coming, and this is not it! I feel dread, terror, fear!"
"And the raptors aren't acting like they're expecting to be attacked," Green Lantern commented, having picked up on their behavior as well.
"Oh please, what are you idiots talking about?" Princess scoffed, gesturing to the rapidly approaching lights, "Look, you can clearly see them, right there-!"
BOOM
And then the lights hit the ground, sending out a shockwave that knocked everyone over, and a dust cloud that briefly hid everything from view.
"Urg... what the hell was that?!" Princess yelled in a groan, sitting up to rub her head.
"Urg... like Mojo was trying to tell you, something is very wrong!" Mojo Jojo yelled from his mech, which had fallen on its back as he looked at the dust cloud, frowning, "Very wrong."
He murmured, because while he had evolved far beyond the primitive ape he once was, he still retained his animal instincts despite preferring a more civilized way of living, and right now those instincts were yelling at him.
"On your guard, everyone!" Green Lantern called out as he pushed himself up to point his ring at the dust cloud, "Be ready for anything," he said with a frown.
"Aren't we just jumping to conclusions? I mean, it could be just the Powerpuff Girls wanting to make a bang of an entrance," Star Sapphire chimed in, though she also had a worried frown as she agreed that something didn't feel right.
"Urg, will you all stop being idiots!" Princess snapped, glaring at the three she was forced to work with, "And you three! What the hell's your problem?!"
She yelled toward the dust cloud, "First you sit on your asses letting that thief rob me and get yourselves captured oo boot, now you have the nerve to swoop in like this!"
"Geez, lady, would you shut your trap?" a voice snapped from an unseen figure hidden by the dust. A voice that was oddly familiar, but not quite right either.
"Yeah, your voice is making my ears bleed!" a second, also oddly familiar-but-off voice added.
"And we do what we want when we want, so buzz off!" a third voice, just as oddly familiar as the other two chimed in.
Everyone blinked in confusion at that.
"I... what?" Princess at first looked confused, since those voices were familiar yes... but they weren't the Powerpuff Girls, "Who the hell do you think you are to talk to me like that?!" But confusion soon changed to insult and fury, as her patience, what little was left of it (if she had any to begin with) was at the breaking point as is, and she was in no mood to take such blatant disrespect!
At that question, mocking laughter came from the dust cloud.
"Who are we?" The first voice said with a mocking smug tone of superiority, "Why, it's quite simple... we're the force that devastates all in our path," it said as the second voice picked up.
"The most glamorous divas around, who make all other villains shiver with fear and envy in their tacky outfits!" they said with a giggle that sounded sweet but also sadistic.
"The baddest of the bad, who will rock this entire planet to its core!" The third voice said, tinged with an eagerness for violence.
"We are the legacy of evil. We are..."
The voices started to speak in tandem as a news helicopter hovered closer to the scene, and as the dust cloud finally cleared before the shocked eyes of the League members and especially the Townsville natives, the figures declared their identities for all to hear.
"The Powerpunk Girls! Daughters of the Powerpuff Girls and the Skeleton King!"
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: That's right! The big twist and major plot I/Skeleton King was brewing from the beginning was fatherhood with using the Powerpuff Girls essence combined with my/Skeleton King own to create none other than the Powerpunk Girls!
Fans of the Powerpuff Girls will likely recognize the evil doppelgangers from the spin off comics, they were originally going to get their own episode but sadly things didn't work out, but the plan still made it into the comics.
Which for those unfamiliar with the issue can read here.
https://batcave.biz/reader/28922/201562
Though rather than counterparts from a world where good is evil and vice versa these Powerpunk Girls are daughters of my own creation. Bet you all thought I/Skeleton King just wanted to get lucky with three sexy heroines for the hell of it, i'm sure none of you saw this twist coming~
Like said this is without a doubt one of favorite parts of Townsville arc if not story yet, and looking forward to incorporating them into the plot, alongside me handling evil fatherhood.
But I digress a new threat has surfaced! How will the Justice League members and the native Townsville villains react to the Powerpunk Girls and their origins, and will they be able to stand against them?
Tune in next time to find out dear readers~
Also as note despite pic Powernpunk Girls do have human hands and feet aka fingers and toes picture PPGD comic if helps. Also they like their mothers the original Powerpuff Girls when they were born/created are about 5 years old physically, though that doesn't make them any less of a threat.
Though the punks aside hope you all enjoyed this chapter, as we reveal Batman connection to Yammanouchi and get some fun action with the League arriving to assist Townsville.
We introduce the Mayor and Miss Bellum, won't lie had fun writing the Mayor~ We learned that Booster Gold viewpoint of history is strictly DCAU which brings up questions on this reality and numerous figures that call it home.
We also saw plenty of action that hope you all enjoyed. Also for anyone that asks how Batman and Scotsman could so easily deal with Fuzzy the answer is simple, their the god damn Batman and Scotsman!
Oh and most importantly we've confirmed that the romance between HIM and Mojo Jojo is just tabloid celebrity villain, so shame on you all for reading gossip rags~
But seriously hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and hope to hear your thoughts in reviews. :)
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Well, hope you all enjoyed that. Lots of action and humor (I especially liked writing the Mayor and the Mojo/Princess banter), but more importantly introduced the Powerpunk Girls. Full credit to Night for the decision to bring them in and how to do it.
But as Night noted, we also introduced an important plot point in the fact that Booster Gold's historical knowledge doesn't include anything from outside the DCAU. So it seems that the Mojoverse's meddling with reality for the sake of their show hasn't exactly been flawless. And also, we've put Jinmay through some serious psychological trauma that she'll be dealing with for a while.
Anyway, if you enjoyed all of this, please leave a kudos and/or comment.
Chapter 39: Townsville Troubles, Part 6
Summary:
The Powerpunk Girls reveal their origins, and proceed to have some "fun" with Townsville.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: Alright everyone after one heck of a cliffhanger last chapter, it's time for a proper introduction to the Powerpunk Girls! And rest assured they'll be making a impression to remember~
We've got plenty of fun and action this chapter along with another twist, though no spoilers can say this whole attack on Townsville will have lasting consequences beyond the Puffs now being moms.
That being said let's kick right into the action! Any further notes Zim before we do so?
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: No, I think that covers everything. We'll be setting up a future plot point or two for down the road, but for now, let's enjoy the Powerpunks' debut!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Who are we?" The first voice said with a mocking smug tone of superiority, "Why, it's quite simple... we're the force that devastates all in our path," it said as the second voice picked up.
"The most glamorous divas around, who make all other villains shiver with fear and envy in their tacky outfits!" they said with a giggle that sounded sweet but also sadistic.
"The baddest of the bad, who will rock this entire planet to its core!" The third voice said, tinged with an eagerness for violence.
"We are the legacy of evil. We are..."
The voices started to speak in tandem as a news helicopter hovered closer to the scene, and as the dust cloud finally cleared before the shocked eyes of the League members and especially the Townsville natives, the figures declared their identities for all to hear.
"The Powerpunk Girls! Daughters of the Powerpuff Girls and the Skeleton King!"
The speakers were three girls who did indeed look like the Powerpuff Girls as they did when they were little, albeit noticeably different - the first was a redhead whose ponytail was spikier than Blossom's, held by a messy ribbon rather than a bow, and was wearing a red non-sleeved shirt with a red button and collar, a crimson plaid skirt, white tights, and black Mary Jane shoes. The second was a blonde with her hair in large pigtails held by blue bows, wearing a blue tank top with a semi-circle neckline at the top that stopped above the navel and a black miniskirt, along with six bangles on her arms, white tights, and black boots. And the third had black hair in a spiky rockstar style, wearing a black dress with dark green stripes on each side going down vertically, with a dark blue spiked belt and bracelets on each wrist, as well as white tights and fishnet stockings, along with black boots.
There was a moment of stunned silence as everyone stared at the girls in shock, taking in what they'd just said, before Princess broke it.
"WHAT?!" she screamed, "Those losers actually slept with that thing?!"
"Impossible! Ridiculous! Inconceivable!" Mojo yelled in equal amount of shock.
"Wait, didn't Skeleton King just get to Earth a little while ago?" Star Sapphire asked in disbelief, "How could he and the Powerpuffs have daughters this old already?"
"Especially since they'd have needed to be conceived when the mothers were little girls themselves," Green Lantern added, scowling in thought as he tried to figure out what was happening.
"If you morons must know, today happens to be our birthday," scoffed the girl that resembled Blossom.
"As in, we were just born, aren't we just adorable~" Cooed the one that resembled Bubbles.
"But we ain't no babies, and we'll break all your bones if you say otherwise!" Threatened the one that looked like Buttercup.
For Mojo Jojo and Princess, as well as any nearby hiding civilian or those from Townsville watching the broadcast coming from the news copter this was providing a surreal experience, it was like looking at a distorted image of the Powerpuff Girls over 11 years ago, back when they first started protecting the city. And as their statement sunk in, Star Sapphire and Green Lantern still looked partially stunned by this, realization quickly entered Mojo Jojo and Princess' eyes.
"ARE YOU KIDDING MOJO?!" Screamed the monkey with newfound fury, "Again... AGAIN! MOJO'S BRILLIANCE IS STOLEN, COPIED, INFRINGED!"
He snapped from within the mech, pounding at the mech's controls, "First HIM revives the Rowdyruff Boys, acting as if it was his own power that made them what they are today! Now this Skeleton King dares to rip off one of Mojo Jojo's greatest plans by creating his own evil Powerpuff Girls!"
"Hey, don't badmouth our dad, you damn dirty ape!" the Buttercup lookalike snapped, glaring at him.
"Mojo shall insult whoever Mojo wishes to!" Mojo snapped, "You are but a poor mockery of Mojo's brilliance! This is an insult, an outrage, a disgrace! This will not stand!"
"What are you gonna do? Throw bananas at us? Or maybe your poop?" the Blossom lookalike laughed nastily.
"EW! Blarg, gross! He better not, I just got this outfit!" the Bubbles lookalike said with a disgusted expression as Mojo looked particularly enraged these comment.
"Why, Mojo ought to..." However, he was cut off by Star Sapphire.
"Okay, let's calm down," she said, cutting him off and getting looks, "How about we take a step back and you girls introduce yourselves properly, and maybe we could work this out without violence," Sapphire said with her best grin.
"What are you doing?!" Princess hissed, giving her an incredulous look.
"Can't believe I'm saying this, but that's a good question, what are you doing?" Green Lantern asked, floating over with a frown, hoping the girl wasn't about to do something stupid.
"Hey, I'm not just popular with hot guys or sexy girls, kids happen to love my outgoing positivity," Sapphire said, and at Princess and Green Lantern's looks she quickly added on, "In a nonsexual way!"
She said with a cough; she could take certain rumors, but she'd rather not deal with those kinda accusations, thank you very much.
"So just watch, they'll be calling me Aunty Sapphire while asking for ice cream in no time," Sapphire added with a smug smirk.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Green Lantern said with a stern scowl, causing the smirk to fall from Sapphire's face.
"More like the dumbest idea I've ever heard, and believe me I've heard some pretty stupid ones," Princess scoffed as Sapphire shot her a glare before focusing back on John.
"Look..." she took a deep breath before giving her own firm look while taking inspiration from Pacifica's own glares, "Whatever's going on, and whoever their dad is, these girls are just kids," Star Sapphire reasoned, frowning, "Which means they deserve a chance."
She said as she turned around, "Besides, if they're really the Powerpuff Girls' daughters, they can't be all bad," she added with a hopeful smile as she started to float over to the Punks.
"Oh, this should be good," Princess muttered with an eye roll, but stood back, figuring she might as well watch the train wreck while mentally preparing herself and to figure out a plan of how to deal with the Puffs' apparent evil spawn with that gross undead corpse. Urg, just the thought of that thing breeding and touching any woman made her feel sick to the stomach; please just let this be a result of magic or mad science! Hmm, then again, if anyone deserved to get defiled by a gross abomination like that, it'd be the Puffs.
"Alright... so what say you girls tell Aunty Star Sapphire all about yourselves," Star Sapphire asked, floating above the Punks, who all shot her incredulous looks.
"You can't seriously think we'd..." Buttercup's lookalike was cut off by Bubbles' lookalike, who actually appeared excited, jumping up in place.
"Me first, me first!" Prompting glares and disbelieving looks from the other two, "I'm Brat, I'm the cute and soon to be popular one of my cousters!" Bubbles' lookalike/daughter who was apparently named Brat claimed with a wide grin.
"Cousters?" Sapphire asked with a blink.
"Sisters and cousins put together," Brat said with a shrug, "Our moms are all sisters, which make us cousins, but we have the same dad, so we're also sisters, so putting it together obviously makes us cousters!" She chirped with a grin, and all of a sudden Mabel could not only see a lot of her favorite Puff (and honestly one of her top favorite heroines growing up) in the girl, but was reminded of herself a bit as well.
"That's stupid," Buttercup's lookalike stated with a flat glare toward the blonde.
"Is not!" Brat retorted.
"Is too!"
"Is not!"
"Is too!"
"Is not!" Brat snapped, petulantly kick the ground and not only cracking the pavement but making everything shake for a moment, before she turned to the Blossom lookalike, "Berserk! Tell Brute to stop being mean to me!"
"Why? I agree with her, it is stupid," the redhead who was apparently named Berserk said flatly, "You can't just make up words like that."
"Ha! Told you!" Brute the Buttercup lookalike laughed, pointing at Brat, who scowled.
"Ugh! You're both mean! I'm gonna tell Daddy!" she yelled.
"Go ahead, see how he reacts," Berserk said with a shrug.
"He'd take my side since I'm the favorite!" Brat retorted.
"Are not!" The other two yelled, descending into a sibling argument as Sapphire gave a slight stunned blink... sheesh, were Dipper and her ever this bad at this age? She couldn't help but wonder while the nearby raptors actually seemed to trade nonplussed looks.
"They really are just kids?" While Green Lantern, observing all of this, spoke with disbelief.
"Do not get complacent, drop your guard, or underestimate the situation," Before turning toward Mojo, whose mech began to stand again, "While merely a mockery and imitation of Mojo's brilliance..."
The monkey scowled, "If they're even half as powerful as the original Powerpuff Girls were at their birth, they are highly dangerous," he said with a dark glare, "Even as children and technical newborns they had enough raw power to destroy the city while playing tag of all things!"
"Tch, I'm not worried. I had this suit designed to go toe-to-toe with the real Puffs," Princess scoffed, and at Green Lantern's look quickly added, "Back when I was a villain and not reformed like I am now, obviously."
"Obviously," Green Lantern repeated dryly, "In any case, I wouldn't get too cocky if I were you. We haven't seen what they can do yet."
"Like I said, this armor was designed to take on the Puffs when they've had years of training. These brats are literally newborns," Princess sneered.
"Do not be foolish!" Mojo snapped at her, "We know nothing of what Skeleton King may have done to empower them beyond their initial strengths!"
Princess frowned for a moment before scoffing as her pride once again took front seat.
"Relax, Puff or Punk, I can handle whatever tricks their freaky daddy gave them," she said with a huff, glaring at the Punks as Star Sapphire interceded in the argument.
"Right, so your names are..." Sapphire pointed at the Blossom lookalike, "Berserk." The girl gave her a frown and analyzing gaze before Sapphire pointed to Bubbles' daughter, "Brat." The Punk smiled and gave a wave with Sapphire giving a smile herself before turning to the last Punk who was Buttercup's lookalike, "And finally Brute."
The last simply huffed, crossing her arms.
"What's it to you? Got a problem with my name?" Brute asked with a scowl.
"Oh no, they're all really lovely names," Sapphire protested, keeping her friendly grin, "I'm just curious to learn more about you."
She said, giving them a soft look, "I mean, I was a big fan of your moms growing up, so finding out they've got kids with some new big baddie is pretty shocking," she explained with the Punks frowning, "And don't suppose you three are interested in being heroes like your moms, are you?"
She asked, and at that question...
"Hahahahahahahahaha!" The Punks traded incredulous looks before bursting out laughing.
"Um... is that a no?" Star Sapphire asked nervously.
"Of course it's a no, dummy!" Berserk said, still laughing.
"Yeah, why would we want to be heroes like our moms? So we can be stuck having to do boring stuff like help people all the time like they do?" Brat scoffed.
"Nuts to that! We're gonna be villains and do whatever we want, just like Dad!" Brute declared.
"Sigh, had a feeling it wasn't going to be easy," Green Lantern muttered with a frown, while his ring softly glowed, eyeing both the Punks and the surrounding raptors. Right now, it was the eye of the storm, but odds are they'd resume hostilities any moment, and the girls would live up to their word on their desire to be villains, so best to be ready for a fight.
"But... but what about your moms?" Sapphire protested, getting looks from the Punks as the laughter died down.
"What about them?" Berserk asked with a frown, crossing her arms.
"They're heroes! You don't want to have to fight them... right?" Sapphire said with a strained grin.
"Why wouldn't we?" Berserk asked instead with an arched brow, "It's the perfect way to test our skills and show them what we're capable of," she added with a dark smirk.
"Yeah, sounds like a great way to spend time with them if you ask me," Brute added with a shrug and her own violence thirsty grin.
"Yeah, plus they'll join up with Daddy and become his Queens eventually anyway," Brat added with a smile.
"But, um... what if they don't want to do that?" Star Sapphire asked cautiously, not wanting to anger the Punks but still trying to get them to actually think about this.
"Oh, they'll want to eventually, even if they're mad at Dad right now~" Berserk said with a giggle, thinking about how their moms had reacted to their births.
(Flashback)
"What the heck do you mean we're going to have his kids?!" Buttercup demanded, glaring at her so-called mother.
"Oh dear, did your father not explain this to you?" Eris asked with mock concern, "See, when two people love each other very much-"
"That's not what I mean, and you know it!" Buttercup snapped, "I mean, how do you expect us to actually have this bastard's kids?! Sure, the sex was awesome, but I'm not anyone's babymomma!"
"Why not, I happen to think you'd make a wonderful mother~" Skeleton King's words cut in with a chuckle, watching as Buttercup gave a rather attractive scowling flush as she and her sisters put their uniforms back on after Eris summoned up their clothing.
"That isn't the point!" She snapped, glaring at him only to pause as he reached out to cup her cheek.
"Come now, consider this a sign of my commitment, as opposed to Lobo who left the first moment he could~"
"Um, ah, well... that's a good point, I guess," she muttered, too caught off guard to think straight.
"Buttercup! Don't let him get to you!" Blossom yelled.
"Why not, dear? You certainly enjoyed bouncing on his cock a minute ago~" Eris giggled, making Blossom blush.
"That... that isn't the point!" Blossom retorted, glaring at her mother, who'd she be having her own confrontation with later, "That... being a mother is a big responsibility, and not something we can just rush into!"
She added with a huff, crossing her arms. The lust spell's effects had died down after the initial bout of sex, but the magic was still keeping them from thinking straight enough to go on the immediate attack.
"Such a step should come when we're not only ready, but after Skeleton King has repaid his debt to society," Blossom said with a firm frown and nod, closing her eyes, "Right, Bubbles?"
She opened her eyes, blinking in confusion, but Eris simply smirked and pointed to the right, and the sight that Blossom saw...
"Bubbles!" she shouted incredulously, as Bubbles, having finished getting dressed, had floated over to Skeleton King and pulled him into a hungry kiss with quite a bit of tongue.
"She really was rather pent up," Eris remarked with a giggle, arching her brow... at this point, she wasn't even sure if it was her own lust spell pushing Bubbles along, or if she really was that amorous after getting a taste of a man.
"Ah... what?" Bubbles gave a look of confusion, looking toward her sisters, Blossom glaring while Buttercup looked annoyed, "I'm fine with being a mom, I could be a great mom!"
Bubbles chirped, leaning against Skeleton King smiling, "And I'm sure we could make the whole villain and hero thing work~"
"Ugh, seriously?!" Blossom yelled, tugging at her hair in frustration, "Am I the only one here who can think about more than sex?!"
"I didn't see you complaining when it was your turn," Buttercup scoffed.
"Again, not the point!" Blossom snapped at her sister, "The point is, we need to clear our heads and think clearly, we can't just..."
Her thoughts trailed off as Skeleton King stepped up and cupped her cheek, causing her to stiffen and flush.
"Come, my dear, there is no reason to be afraid," he hissed, staring into her eyes with such desire... desire she'd never seen from Dexter, "I know it's a large step, but I want to show you how committed I am to you girls~ I want to show you that I'll put you above science and research..."
He said, knowing exactly what to probe at as he leaned down and softly took her lips, kissing her and exploiting any lingering effects from the lust spell as she moaned into and returned the kiss before pulling back, "And I promise you, unlike Dexter I'll treat fatherhood with the seriousness it deserves, and not just as another lab experiment."
Skeleton King said with a chuckle as Blossom gave a distracted nod of her head.
"I, ah... suppose... wouldn't be so... bad," she muttered in a daze.
"Hehe, excellent, now then..." Skeleton King grinned evilly, knowing he didn't necessary need their permission for this, but he wanted them to give it as added leverage and mind games to use later after they were returned back to their proper senses.
"Shall we get the ritual started, my lovely goddesses~" He asked as he picked up Buttercup's hand, kissing the back of it, "I know you three can fearlessly conquer any challenge, how is motherhood any different~"
"Um, ah... ritual?" Buttercup stammered.
"Of course, dear. You didn't think we were going to make you go through the pain and dullness of the whole nine months of a mortal pregnancy, did you?" Eris asked. And at the girls' blinks, she gave a giggle, "Oh no, we've got other plans; after all, you weren't born from childbirth either~" Eris said, holding up a golden apple before looking toward Skeleton King, "Alright Skully..." She grinned madly, "Work that magic, and make me a grandma!"
She exclaimed with a cackle as she threw the apple to the ground, and like she did over a decade ago, gave her own bit of blessing/power. She wanted her grandbabies to grow as strong and chaotic as their mamas, after all~
And as a golden glow overtook the field and the forms of the Puffs...
"Heahhahahahahahaha!" Skeleton King began to cackle as his own form glowed with twisted dark magic as he held up his staff, blasting each of the girls with a stream of energy from his staff.
"URGG!"
"ARRRRG!"
"AAAAAA!"
With the girls shouting out in shock and pain as the ritual began.
"Essence of Aku slumbering from within, hear my call from one evil to another!" Skeleton King called out, grinning widely with anticipation, "Let my seed flowing through these vessels, bring new life! Let power and chaos surge forth! Let the Powerpuff Girls serve new roles as mothers to the children of Skeleton King!"
He exclaimed, banging his staff down onto the ground, with a boom echoing out and a shockwave of energy blowing back trees, "LET THE PUFF GIVE RISE TO THE PUNK! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
He cackled madly, as he could feel it, it was working! His essence and energy within each of the girls from their earlier intercourse was activating! It was melding not only with their own life force, but the very essence of Aku that flowed through their beings!
All that raw power, merging together to create something new, guided by his intent. And more importantly, guided by the memories of what it was from his old reality that he was trying to create - specifically, a rather obscure bit of PPG canon from the comics that had left an impression on him.
After all, if he was going to take advantage of the girls and bend them to his will, he might as well get some powerful soldiers out of it~
As well as something more... because as annoying as they could likely be... a part of him had found himself slightly jealous that Lothor retained a form of family in their new lives. He knew that this move would come with complications, but he was actually excited for the challenges that awaited him in evil fatherhood.
Though as he was thinking this, the girls were still screaming, collapsing to the ground and squirming as dark energy swirled around their forms. Soon, it coalesced around their abdomens, which began glowing from the inside. After a few moments that felt like an eternity for the girls, that glow separated from them, forming orbs that floated above the girls, connected to them by thin tendrils of energy.
"Yes... yes... YES!" Skeleton King found himself cackling with absolute glee as he saw this, "Live, my children! LIVE!" He bellowed as wind and energy blew from the orbs, "LIVE AND SHOW THE WORLD YOUR POWER! THE POWER OF SKELETON KING'S DAUGHTERS! THE POWER OF THE POWERPUNK GIRLS!"
With that declaration, a final bolt of energy shot from his staff, splitting in three to hit the tendrils and sever them. With their metaphysical umbilical cords cut, the orbs floated further up into the air, while the Powerpuffs fell to the ground, the energy that had been coursing through them dispersing.
As they lay there groaning, the orbs that had separated from them came to a stop in midair. They then began spinning around in a circle, going faster and glowing brighter, until finally they exploded with a massive burst of light.
"HEHEHEHEHEHAHAHA!" With Eris cackling madly with glee as this was happening. She could feel it, the birth of a new powerful force of CHAOS! She was officially a grandma! Ooooh, she was so rocking Skully's bones later for this delightful gift alone~
While Skeleton King stared at the light, grinning with evil and triumph as his cape billowed behind him from the force of the explosion, and as the light died down he saw them... three forms hovering midair, their bodies sparking with energy and their eyes closed.
"Welcome to the world of the living, girls~" He said with a smug smirk as their eyes opened, and...
"Who the heck are you?!" Demanded the redhead, glaring at Skeleton King, who arched an eyebrow in response.
"Yeah, what's going on?" added the blonde.
"Where are we?!" demanded the black-haired girl.
For some reason, a strange warmth began to fill him as he let out a chuckle.
"In reverse order, you are in the forest outside the city of Townsville, you were just born, and I..." Skeleton King spread his arms apart grandly, "Am the master of all things vile and evil, the Skeleton King!" He proclaimed, giving a dark twisted cackle as he leaned on his staff, "And I am your father!"
What? You didn't seriously think he'd pass up the chance to use one of the greatest lines in movie history, did you? Especially when he was one of the greatest characters Mark Hamill himself ever voiced.
"And I'm your grandma!" Eris chimed in happily, "And the girls lying barely conscious on the ground over there are your mothers."
The Powerpunks glanced over to where the Powerpuffs were lying groaning on the ground, barely aware of what was happening around them, before turning back to Skeleton King and Eris.
"Okay. So, what do you want?" the redhead demanded, arms crossed and glaring.
"Hmm, well first, I think we should give you girls some names. Don't you think so, Skully?" Eris asked Skeleton King.
"Agreed, names that will strike fear into the hearts of all," Skeleton King said with a nod, though he already knew what those names were, "Starting with you," He pointed toward the redhead, who blinked, "I can see raging passion just waiting to be unleashed on the helpless masses, so you shall be Berserk!"
Berserk cocked her head in thought at that, and then nodded in acceptance.
"Yeah, I like that, it's a name everyone who might mess with me will be afraid of!" she declared, smirking and already picturing all her inferiors cowering before her.
"What about me?!" The green one demanded with a glare, "You better give me a good one, or I'll clobber you!" She declared, causing Eris and Skeleton King to share a chuckle.
"Quite a brute, isn't she?" Eris asked with an arched brow and fond smile.
"Indeed," Skeleton King hissed, looking toward the Punk in question, "I can see you've inherited your mother's passion for fighting and violence, so I believe a name that symbolizes the brutality you inflect on your victims would be fitting."
He stated, leaning toward her with a slight hiss, "Wouldn't you agree, Brute?"
Brute blinked at that, thought about it for a moment, and then smirked.
"Yeah, that's right! It's a name that shows everyone how tough I am!" she yelled, pumping her fists.
"Ooh, ooh, what about me?!" the blue-clothed blonde spoke up with an excited whine, "I want a good one! Gimme, gimme, gimme!"
"Heheh, eager one, aren't you?" Skeleton King said with a hum, while internally thinking of the way to best spin this name, "Hmm, yes, eager and greedy, I can see the desire to claim anything you desire, to be star of everyone's attention."
He said, with Brat smiling widely, nodding as she floated up in the air as her sisters shot her looks, "So you shall be Brat!" Before her face fell at Skeleton King next words.
"What?!" She exclaimed as her sisters let out laughs.
"Ha! He nailed you, Blondie!" Brute said, holding her sides.
"Oh yeah, I think that's a name you deserve~" Berserk agreed, giggling as Brat shot them a glare.
"I'm not a brat! I want a better name! I want it, I want it, I want it!" she whined, pouting with a scowl.
"Oh yeah, really fits her~" Brute said to Berserk, who smirked before Skeleton King spoke up.
"Now calm down," he said, holding back a sigh, already having expected this sort of reaction, "I call you Brat to symbolize your greed."
He looked toward her, "And because I have no doubt you can turn what is regarded as an insulting moniker into a name that is feared and respected by all!" He proclaimed, with Brat giving a blink.
"Really?" She questioned with a hopeful tone.
"Indeed, embrace your greed, my daughter, and embrace what people will try to use against you, turn what could have been your weakness into your strength."
Brat thought carefully about that, and then smiled.
"Yeah! I'm gonna be so great that from now on, brat's gonna mean "awesome person"!" she yelled happily, while her sisters rolled her their eyes, disbelief clear to see, as Eris giggled.
This was going even better than she could have hoped! Not only had she managed to get her girls a taste of what a real man could offer them, but she'd gotten three grandbabies who had all their mothers' chaotic potential but none of the annoying moral drawbacks out of it!
Though, speaking of her girls...
"Hmm, hey Skully, I think you should introduce the girls to their mothers, don't you?" she said, gesturing to where the Powerpuffs were starting to recover.
This prompted curious looks from the Punks, while looking down at their apparent mothers as they gave pained groans and began to weakly push themselves up.
"Urg, what happened?" Blossom asked with confusion, wincing as she rubbed her head.
"Urg, not sure, but I feel like I just went ten rounds solo with the Rowdyruff Boys," Buttercup said with her own dazed groan.
"Urg, I feel sore... but in a good way?" Bubbles muttered in confusion, all of them trying to think back to what happened.
There was that theft at Morbucks Manor, they got captured, meeting Skeleton... King... At that, the memories came rushing back, from Eris and the reveal of her connection to them, the true source of Chemical X, and... and...
"Oh God!" Blossom croaked, her expression nothing but horror, shame, and violation.
"What... what did we do?" Bubbles gasped in shame, while Buttercup's face twisted up in many different emotions.
They'd all had sex with Skeleton King! They'd thrown themselves at him, pleasured themselves to watching him violate their sisters, and even had sex with each other when it wasn't their turn with him! What the fuck had any of them been thinking?!
Blossom and Bubbles in particular were also feeling intense guilt on top of everything else - they'd both given their virginities to someone other than their boyfriends! How could they do that?!
Buttercup, meanwhile, was dealing with a different kind of guilt. Namely, from the fact that even though everything that had just happened was awful in the worst possible way... it still felt really good, even more than when she'd gotten her cherry popped by Lobo. What the Hell did that say about her? The fact that Skeleton King was actually quite good in the sack didn't help much, either.
Of course, their shock would only spike at what happened next.
"Hi mom!" As three voices addressed them in tandem, causing them to stiffen and look up at a distorted image of their childhood floating over them with smirks.
"What... the... fuck?!" Buttercup stammered, as she and her sisters looked at the Powerpunks in total shock.
"Girls, meet your daughters. Berserk, Brat, and Brute. Isn't this exciting~" Eris giggled, pointing to each of the Punks as she introduced them.
The Puffs stared, stunned, eyes twitching as they barely processed what they just heard.
"Heh, yeah, we are pretty awesome," Brat bragged with a wide grin.
"So, these are our moms? They don't look so tough," Brute said with a huff, arching a brow at Buttercup.
"Yeah, kinda underwhelming, Dad at least looks creepy and spooky," Berserk chimed in, floating closer to Blossom.
"At least they're pretty, and got good tastes in clothes," Brat said, leaning to float toward Bubbles, who found her eyes going to the back of her head as she fainted.
"...Was it something I said?" Brat asked, blinking in confusion.
"Nah, it's like I said, they're wimps," Brute snorted, making Buttercup scowl at her, ego and short temper momentarily overriding her shock.
"Who are you calling a wimp, you brat?" she snapped.
"No, she's Brute, I'm Brat," Brat spoke up, making her sisters roll their eyes.
"I wouldn't underestimate your mothers, girls," Though they all looked over to their apparent father as he spoke and stepped up, staff in hand, "After all, they all are mighty heroes, with Brute's mother in particular being known as the toughest fighter of the trio, and at times infamous for her brutality."
He said, shooting the Puffs a leer, "But I chose them to be the mothers of my children for a reason. They are goddesses by birth, beauty, and power, and deserve a place at my side."
"You... you!" Blossom snarled, momentarily too enraged to form coherent words, "You raped us!"
"Now, now, dear. None of you were unwilling~" Eris pointed out, causing Blossom to turn and glare at her instead.
"Only because you cast some kind of spell on us to make too horny to think!" she snapped.
"I merely got rid of your restraint and freed your inner inhibitions," Eris countered as Blossom stood, glaring at her while Buttercup pulled Bubbles to her feet, trying to shake her sister back to consciousness, "And you can't tell me that you and your sisters didn't enjoy every moment of the fun, or that Skully didn't make you feel special~"
"That... that's besides the point!" Blossom sputtered, blushing brightly and trying to not think about how good the sex had indeed been, "You and that bastard just used us make these... these... things!"
She punctuated that last comment by gesturing at the Punks, who all scowled at her.
"Hey, who you calling things?!" Berserk snapped, glaring at her mother.
"Yeah, you should be grateful to have someone as awesome as us as daughters!" Brute added, scowling.
"Yeah, we're the cutest most powerful kids around!" Brat piped up.
Eris also frowned at that, before smirking as an idea came to her.
"Sweeties, I think your moms are just a little overwhelmed right now," she said, "Why don't you go play while we talk to them?"
"Play?" the Punks, and two conscious Puffs, repeated, looking to her in confusion.
"Yes, there's a nice big city right over there you can have all kinds of fun in," she said, gesturing to Townsville while looking at Skeleton King, who smirked as well as he caught on to what she was getting at.
"Indeed, plus by now some of Daddy's servants loose in Townsville have likely lured plenty of heroes to the city that would make excellent playmates for you," Skeleton King remarked, giving a chuckle, "I believe you all would enjoy a nice game of tag, for example~"
He remarked with an evil grin as the Powerpuff Girls stiffened, as horrible memories of that awful mistake early in their lives came rushing at them. And judging by the looks on the Punks' faces, they were unfortunately very eager for the idea.
"You can't!" Blossom yelled, causing the Punks to snort.
"You're not the boss of us!" Berserk declared.
"Hey! If we're your moms, then you have to listen to us!" Buttercup snapped with as much authority as she could muster. While at the same time, her own words hit her, because like it or not she was a mom now, and honestly she couldn't think straight enough to process this, much less get a grip on how she felt about it, she thought while doing her best to keep up a stern glare, not noticing Blossom grimace at her words, while Bubbles began to groan and wake up again, more focused on the kids floating in front of them.
"Please, mom or not, the Powerpunk Girls don't take orders from anyone," Brute declared with a huff, missing Skeleton King's slight frown; one potential risk in this plan was his newfound daughters challenging his authority, but if that happened, he'd just have to put his foot down. After all, no one said being a parent would be easy.
"Yeah, besides why would you want to stop us?" Brat added in with a frown.
"Didn't you hear Dad, they're heroes, which means they're dumb saps who waste time helping people instead of doing what they want, when they want," Berserk snipped, while shooting a glare and taunting smirk toward her own mother.
"Ohhhh!" Brat gave a nod of realization, "And since we're villains, we don't have to listen to them," the blue Punk added thoughtfully, looking toward her sisters.
"Duh!" Brute said with a snort while Berserk rolled her eyes.
However, Brat while at first smirking at this, gave a disappointed pout, "Wait, does this mean Mom and I can't rob the mall together?"
"I, um... don't think that's something you're supposed to do at all," Bubbles piped up awkwardly, hoping she could diffuse the situation before it got any worse.
"Ugh, lame!" Brat groaned.
"Don't worry dear, you can ignore her and go take whatever you want," Eris said, earning glares from the Powerpuffs.
"Stop encouraging this!" Buttercup snapped.
"Why would I? It's so wonderfully chaotic!" Eris giggled, "Besides, it's a grandma's job to spoil her grandkids~"
She was more than apparently getting a kick out of this, and more than eager to encourage the chaotic potential of the Punks.
"Indeed, and it's a father job to make sure his daughters reach their potential," Skeleton King said with a dark gleam, "And while we have our heart to heart, the City of Townsville will be the perfect tool to not only test it, but show the world the power of our daughters."
He said, reaching out to gently pat Berserk on the head, with the girl herself giving off a glare but also an unsure expression as Brute gave a small scowl and Brat shot her a jealous pout.
"I have no doubt they'll make us all proud parents," he said with a cackle as Blossom snapped.
"Those things aren't our children! And you're no father!" She roared as she launched herself forward, pulling back her arm to punch this monster for how he'd violated her and her sisters in the worst way possible, and now had the gall to twist the knife with those things!
And as soon as she launched forward, Skeleton King lashed out with a blast of dark magic.
ZAP
"AAAAHHHH!!!" Blossom screamed as she was hit head on and sent flying.
"Blossom!" Bubbles and Buttercup yelled as they flew after their sister, catching her before she could slam against a tree. As they did do, Skeleton King looked toward the Powerpunks.
"Now, you girls go have fun, daddy needs to have an adult talk with your mothers," he said, focusing his gaze back to the Puffs, who landed with Bubbles and Buttercup holding their sister's sides, "Just make sure that Townsville and the world beyond learn why they should tremble before you~"
He said with a dark cackle as he held his staff with both hands, before slamming it down onto the ground, with a surge of energy shooting straight toward the Powerpuff Girls.
BOOM
And as explosions rang out through the clearing, the Powerpunks exchanged smirks before taking to the air and zooming off towards Townsville, ready to have some fun...
(Flashback end)
"...So, yeah, our moms are probably still fighting Dad right now," Brute finished up the story, the Punks' audience staring at them in wide-eyed shock.
"Well, him and Grandma, since I heard her cackling about chaos before a loud explosion when we left," Brat chimed in, rubbing her chin as the audience tried to process this.
"I have... so many... conflicting emotions right now," Princess muttered.
On the one hand, while she found it hilarious how the Powerpukes had been defeated in the worst possible way, it was also gross to think of them having sex with that hideous space monster. And... well, she might not admit it out loud, a part of her also felt some sympathy for them being taken advantage of and violated the way that they were. She was still a woman herself, after all, so she could imagine the horror of that.
As for the others, Mojo Jojo was trying to show stoicism, but even he had a disturbed look in his eyes, while Star Sapphire wasn't even trying to hide how horrified she was. Green Lantern, meanwhile, was visibly both enraged and disgusted.
He'd already knew from the reports that this guy was a piece of scum, and had mentally prepared himself for the worst if Skeleton King had gotten his hands on whatever was left of that Aku demon. But this?! There were a few enemies that he'd faced in the past that nursed a special place of contempt for their actions - Luthor, Sinestro, the Manhunters, Despero. But Skeleton King might have just jumped to the top of his list with this move.
He was ashamed to admit that a part of him had been a bit paranoid about the Powerpuffs when they'd realized that the three were born of Aku's essence and what that might mean, regardless of how heroic they'd been all their lives. But this? Even if they had turned out to be evil, no one deserved to be violated like this!
It took his years worth of training and experience as both a former Marine and a present day Green Lantern not to lash during the Punks' story. That and the knowledge they were merely the result of the violation, not the source.
So he bit his tongue, knowing the longer they were distracted and the nearby forces from Skeleton King were on apparent automatic standby due to their presence, it gave the others more time to deal with that prisoner breakout, and the rest of the invasion forces.
Though he knew that whatever came next, the aftermath was going to be messy.
To the side, Mabel was staring horrified at the Powerpunk Girls, and not just at the knowledge of what happened to her favorite team of heroes since she was little. But also because this struck far too close to home as realization started to hit her like a train. This... this is what she did to Tambry, and if she had ever gotten pregnant while with Robbie, then... then it would have been her fault. Tambry would have ended up with a baby that she probably wouldn't have wanted, as a result of sex with someone that she didn't even really like, all because of Mabel drugging her!
"Oh God, I'm going to be sick..." she moaned out loud before she could stop herself.
"Who asked you?" Brute snapped, glaring at her.
"Yeah, what's everyone's problem?!" Brat chimed in with a glare, not exactly happy at the reception she and her cousters' (It was so a good name!) existence had gotten, to say the least.
"They're just jealous of us, and probably Dad for having the brains to make us," Berserk said with a huff as the Powerpunk Girls started to float up and the nearby raptors let out hisses.
"Where do you think you are going?" Mojo demanded, eyeing the raptors carefully while preparing for another round with them.
"We came here to have fun, not talk to losers like you, so that's what we're gonna do," Brute sneered.
"Yeah, story time's over, so we'll let Dad's pets eat you," Berserk said with a smirk.
"And I want to address my adoring public, and play that tag game already," Brat said, causing the group to stiffen.
"Uh-oh..." Star Sapphire looked pale. As a long time member of the Powerpuff Girls' fan club, she of course knew of how their initial debut was a bit of a disaster and why, "Umm, don't suppose you'd be interested in playing tea party instead?" She asked with a nervous chuckle, while eyeing the numerous raptors.
"Nah, that sounds lame," Brute said bluntly.
"Yeah, we came to play tag, so we're gonna play tag," Berserk said, before suddenly slapping Brat in the back of the head, "You're it!"
SMASH
The blow caused Brat to go flying and slam into a building, smashing a huge hole in the side of it.
"Catch us if you can, you big baby!" Brute yelled, before she and her sister disappeared in flashes of green and pink as well of laughs. Leaving the others wide eyed for a moment, before a few things happened all at once.
ROAR
PEW
PEW
PEW
The raptors all let out a roar, before either resuming their earlier laser barrage or attempting to charge forward, with Star Sapphire and Green Lantern quickly forming an energy barrier together around their groups.
And...
BOOM
"AAAHHH! I AM NOT A BABY!" Brat's form exploded from the building, creating another hole in the process, kickstarting the most dreaded traumatizing game of tag since the Powerpuff Girls' first day of kindergarten.
"Crap... I hope that idiot Mayor remembered to update the city's insurance," Princess muttered, watching as the three streaks of light started tearing their way through the city, toppling buildings.
"Worry about that later, we must now focusing on fighting these beasts, combating these monsters, and defeating these abominations!" Mojo declared, arming every weapon the mech had left and preparing to open fire on the raptors as soon as an opening presented itself.
"I'm open to ideas, since blowing up the dinos just led to a laser barrage, and unlike you I'm not exactly a fan of getting my sexy butt kicked by five-year-olds!" Star Sapphire called out, gritting her teeth as the raptors weren't letting up in the laser fire or ramming against the construct barriers.
"First of all, I'm sexier than you!" Princess snapped, making the others roll their eyes, "And secondly, if we knew how to beat them at that age, they wouldn't exactly have been a problem for us, would they?!"
Before scowling as Green Lantern spoke up, "Right now, their age or power doesn't matter, what matters is they'll tear apart the entire city while treating it like their personal playground!" He called out with a firm scowl, "So we need to deal with these things now, so we can focus on the greater threat!"
"Mojo is open to suggestions!" Mojo snapped, watching the barrier start to crack from the raptors' attacks. John grimaced, before narrowing his eyes.
"They're able to reform from pieces, but what if there's nothing left to reform from?" He muttered, before looking toward the monkey, "You got anything in that toy of yours that can burn these things down right to the oil?!"
"Mojo Jojo does not make toys," Mojo spat, before frowning in thought for a moment and eventually nodding, "However, there is a flamethrower option that could work."
"Then why didn't you use it earlier?!" Princess demanded.
"They're not meant to be used for large numbers like this! I might run out of fuel before I get them all!" he said defensively.
Princess frowned at that point, before huffing, "That's a risk we'll have to take. Besides, it's not like you can't handle yourself out of your tin suits."
"Perhaps, but with these power offspring abominations, we need as much power, strength, added edge as we can get to use against them," he said, working on the controls, "But Mojo agrees, these reptilian annoyances must be dealt with first!" He exclaimed, his mech's hands retracted as he deployed two nozzles that came alight before looking at Lantern and Sapphire.
"On Mojo's signal!" the simian looked toward the cracking barrier, "Steady... steady... hold it... just for the right..."
"Will you just burn these things to a crisp already?!" Princess screeched. And with that scream, the barrier broke and Mojo sent out a large stream of flames toward the monsters.
FWOOOM
"AAAAAAARRRRGGG!!"
Screeches of pain and panic filled the air as most of the raptors were set on fire, the few that weren't also screeching in fear as they leapt away and scattered to avoid being caught up in it. And as the heroes watched, the ones that were caught aflame started boiling and melting, dissolving them into bits of bone that fell to the ground.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Star Sapphire laughed, before constructing spikes and firing them at the remaining raptors. They attempted to dodge, but she managed to get direct hits, with Green Lantern forming a wall, blocking others from escaping, with Princess blasting at a few others, and soon...
FWOOOM
The raptors and the ooze they were born from were burning in a large bonfire in the middle of the street.
"Finally! Thought those ugly things would never die!" spat Princess, glaring at the flames.
"Yes, but just as Mojo feared, Mojo Jojo's magnificent mech is out of fuel, power, gas even!" Mojo said with a huff, scowling as the mech started to power down, "And we must now figure out a plan to address those delinquents born from the devious deviance of Skeleton King and the Powerpuff Girls."
"First thing's first, we're going to need to rally the troops," Green Lantern said, activating his comms, "Green Lantern to team, we have a major problem."
"Yeah, we noticed," Booster Gold's voice replied.
(City Hall)
The time traveling hero was standing in the Mayor's office, the two of them, Skeets and Miss Bellum watching out of the large window as three colored streaks of light flashed back and forth across the city, smashing through everything in sight.
"Well, I'm having bad flashbacks," the Mayor commented, nervously taking a bite of a pickle.
"Me as well," Miss Bellum found herself admitting out loud before shaking her head, "But what's happening?! I know those lights aren't dark enough to be the Rowdyruff Boys coming back to town, but the girls wouldn't ever intentionally do this."
She said worriedly, before freezing as a green light crashed right outside City Hall, and they watched in shock as a small form pointed down with a laugh.
"Ha, you missed me!" mocked Brat, before sticking out her tongue toward Brute who rose up with a growl.
"Grrr, get back here!" Brute yelled, jumping up to chase after Brat, her kick-off further cracking the pavement as she went.
"Good lord! The Powerpuff Girls have been turned back into children, and been brainwashed to have terrible fashion sense!" the Mayor exclaimed.
"Ah, no. It's actually worse than that," Booster said, grimacing as he listened to Green Lantern's quick summary of events over the comms, "Apparently, those are offspring of the Powerpuffs created by Skeleton King through magic and... um... more physical means."
The Mayor blinked in confusion, while Miss Bellum went stiff as a board.
"I don't get it? How does exercise lead to kids?" he muttered, scratching his head, "And the girls are mothers now? My, how time flies; seems like only yesterday they were the ones destroying the city while playing."
Miss Bellum didn't bother correcting the Mayor or interrupting his nostalgia, instead looking at Booster in horror.
"Are you saying he... that they...?" she stammered, unable to put it into words past her shock.
"Seems he used some kinda lust spell to, ah, get them in the mood, so to speak," Booster replied awkwardly.
Stunned silence filled the room for several moments, before Miss Bellum spoke up in a flat tone.
"Mayor, I'm afraid I'll have to turn in my resignation," she said, prompting the Mayor's eyes to go wide.
"What, why?!" he whirled toward her, nervously rubbing his hands together, "If it's the pay, I can double it, I'll even throw in free pickles and extra vacation time you never seem to take! If it's me, I can change, I'm sorry for whatever I did, I can change!"
He cried, throwing himself at her feet, "Just don't leave me!" He said with tears streaming down his face, making Booster more than a little uncomfortable as Miss Bellum sighed.
"Calm down Mayor, it's nothing you did," she explained as the Mayor looked up with a sniffle and tinge of hope.
"It's not?" He questioned as she nodded.
"Of course not, it's just that since I'll soon be facing murder charges, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to continue to hold my current position."
"Huh?" The Mayor asked, looking up at her in confusion.
"Yes, I'm going to find this Skeleton King and tear him apart with my bare hands," Miss Bellum growled.
"Uh, not that I disagree with you morally, but I feel legally obligated to advise you not to try that," Booster spoke up. Before adding with a frown, "And while there's not much info on how this guy fights, we know he's got plenty of power to spare, so the attempt likely wouldn't end well."
Bellum gave a low growl at that.
"It'd be more than worth the risk," she stated, clenching her fists. She'd known the girls since they were little after all, and of course cared for them dearly. So to find out they had been violated in the worst way possible left her more enraged than even the time Sedusa kept her prisoner while impersonating her.
The Mayor and Booster traded concerned looks, before a loud explosion went off outside.
BOOM
With the three whirling back to look out the window.
"But I'll be willing to wait until after we figure out how to address the current crisis," Bellum said with a wince, wondering if the League and girls pulled through, what would be done with these apparent offspring. This... was going to be messy and an emotional nightmare for the girls, she could already tell.
"Not to worry, I have a idea!" But gave the Mayor a surprised look as he walked over to his desk, "I know just the thing to put a stop to this rambunctious rampage."
"You do?" Booster questioned with surprise and confusion that Miss Bellum, despite her boiling rage, honestly shared, "What, you got the Powerpuff version of kryptonite in your desk?"
The hero added. folding his arms, half skeptical but also half hopeful.
"In a matter of speaking," Mayor said, looking through his drawer, "The girls certainly went crazy for this stuff back in the day, let me tell you."
He said with a laugh, before crying out in triumph, "Ah! Here we are, the answer to all our problems!" He called out, holding a glass jar over his head, the contents of which caused Bellum to facepalm while Booster said with a flat tone and expression, "Candy? Your plan is candy?!"
"That's right! We just have to offer them some, and they'll be so focused on it, they won't have time to damage the city!" the Mayor said happily, looking quite proud of himself.
"Is he serious?" Booster asked Miss Bellum flatly.
"Unfortunately, yes, I'm pretty sure he is," she replied with a sigh. But looked at her employer with fond exasperation all the same; leave it to him to come up with something like this.
"Mayor, I really don't think this will play out like you believe," she said as the Mayor walked toward the window.
"Nonsense Miss Bellum, everyone loves candy, and the girls themselves went nuts for it themselves when I started using it to reward them for saving the day," he gave a chuckle, "Why ,they even let Mojo commit crimes just so they could get some more candy, those sneaky scamps~" he said with a fond sigh at those crazy (and sometimes painful and terrifying days).
"Wait, they what?" Bellum and Booster said in tandem, but the Mayor ignored them as he opened up the window and stuck his head out, yelling out as loud as he could.
"WHO WANTS CANDY?!" And off in the distance, the three zipping lights all suddenly froze in their positions midair. And next thing the three knew...
"CANDY!"
Three lights sped right towards City Hall with a shared eager yell... with the next thing the Mayor saw was three bright colored lights slamming right into him and sending him flying back into the wall.
SLAM
"Mayor! Are you okay!?" Bellum questioned, urgently running over to the man as he slid down the wall.
"Urg... I'm okay... but wow... they certainly inherited their mothers' sweet teeth," he said with a groan as he fell from the wall to the floor. While Booster was more focused on the three forms grabbing and fighting over the jar of candy in the middle of the room.
"Give it!" "No it's mine!" "I got here first!" "DID NOT!"
And as they fought over the jar, they rolled around the room, smashing into everything in sight.
SMASH
WHAM
CRACK
And smashing up everything in sight too, which none of them seemed to notice or care about, more focused instead on the sweet prize within their grips, with Booster wincing at the damage but still giving a nonplussed look.
"I can't believe that actually worked," he muttered, stunned, Skeets floating over his shoulder.
"Young adolescents are known for their love of sweets, sir," the robotic drone said as Booster gave a slow nod.
"Yeah, but still..." he shook his head, "Whatever, now's my chance to give these kids some much needed discipline."
He said with a confident smirk.
"I'd advise caution, sir," Skeets advised, but Booster just gave a confident snort.
"Relax, superpowers or no superpowers, I can handle some kindergartners," he said as he stepped up and called out, "Hey, hey, HEY!"
The hero yelled, getting the girls' attention, causing them to freeze with blinks but not letting go of the jar, while giving him confused glares.
"Now I know you all want some candy, but sweets are for good little girls," Booster said while putting on his best charming smile as he approached and knelt down on one knee in front of them, "So how about we all calm down, behave ourselves, and help Uncle Booster fix up the nice Mayor's office, and we can see about you all getting some candy till your moms get here to pick you up."
He said as the Powerpunk Girls exchanged looks and blinks.
"So what you say, want to be good girls for Uncle Booster?" he asked as the Punks frowned, before giving devious smirks, and the next thing Booster Gold, hero from the future, knew...
WHAM
BAM
POW
...was pain, as he experienced a brutal butt kicking that many criminals and villains in Townsville had experience over the years, with him soon sent slamming straight through the wall over the Mayor and Miss Bellum's head.
CRASH
"Urg... ow," was his weak groan from the rubble as Miss Bellum and the Mayor looked over with blinks as Skeets floated over.
"Oh dear, it seems that strategy was ill advised, sir," Skeets said to the hero's groaning form in the rubble, while the Punks started to argue over the candy again.
"It's mine!"
"No it's mine!"
"I'm the sweetest, so I deserve the sweets!"
"Hmm, perhaps I didn't think this through," the Mayor admitted aloud with a wince as a loud shattering was heard, "Oh my, that sounded expensive," he said as Miss Bellum gave a sigh.
"I hope that wherever the girls are, they're okay," she muttered, "But right now, I'm mostly hoping that they can show up to fix this. Or at least that the other League members can do something about it."
"Girls, wait!" But looked up as the one resembling Blossom spoke up, frowning.
"Why are we fighting over candy like this?" Berserk asked with a frown.
"Because it's candy, duh," Brat said as if it was obvious.
"Yeah, and not like we need a reason for fighting," Brute chimed in as Berserk sighed.
"Yes, but we have an entire city that probably has plenty of candy we can steal," Berserk pointed out as her sisters blinked, "and if we really want this candy in particular, then maybe we could make it a prize in our games~"
That caused the adults in the room to pale, while the other Powerpunks shared their sister's smirk as they caught onto what she was saying.
"I like it!" Brat declared, "We can play a version of tag where instead of tagging, the person who's it has the jar and has to run away from the others!"
"Works for me!" Brute said in agreement.
"Glad to hear it. So... catch me if you can!" Berserk said, before suddenly blasting both her sisters with eye blasts to knock them away, letting her grab the candy jar and take off with it.
SMASH
Bursting clean through the wall without stopping.
"Hey!"
"Get back here!"
The other punks yelled, before taking off after Berserk.
SMASH
SMASH
Both of them also smashing through the walls, forming their own holes in the process, leaving silence behind them.
"Miss Bellum..." The Mayor spoke up, staring at the holes.
"Yes Mayor?" she asked with a worried glance toward him as Booster began to pull himself out of the rubble with a groan.
"Remind me to give the girls a book on parenting later," the Mayor added, with Bellum giving a sigh.
"Will do," she said as Booster, groaning in pain, activated his communicator.
"Urg, Bats... not to pressure you... but, urg, we might need a plan... one that preferably doesn't involve bribing those menaces with candy," he said with a groan, "Also... think I need to lay down for a bit," he added weakly before collapsing back onto the ground.
As Miss Bellum and the Mayor tended to him, the other League members were reacting to the news.
(Prison)
"That ugly bastard forced himself on those lasses?" Scotsman asked in disgust as he held up a convict he had been in the middle of pummeling with his fist.
"That does appear to be the case," Batman replied, the tense tone of his voice the only indication of his own rage at the situation.
If there was one thing that enraged the Dark Knight, it was of course injustice, and this was crossing into a criminal territory he was particularly brutal on, as reports Gotham PD had about attempted rapists coming in with broken limbs could attest. Not only that, but his eyes narrowed, thinking back to Robin's report about Blackfire's capture... and how it felt like his old student was leaving something out... and a dark suspicion as to what that may be started to form.
"Not only that, but he's created a dangerous threat in the process," he added on out loud, knowing that he needed to focus on the immediate problems and priorities, he could contact Robin privately later. Though internally, he was already raising Skeleton King's threat level from all this, not only due to the creation of these superpowered offspring, but realizing that the warlord could be particularly dangerous to other female heroines on the League if they caught his eye, now that it's been proven he'd cross even this line, or even had the desires of such to do so.
But as said, they needed to focus on the problem at hand. Once they'd dealt with the new threat posed by these Powerpuff offspring and finished defeating with the invasion, then they could worry about just what Skeleton King was capable of.
"We need to find these children and stop them before they level the city," Batman stated, while Scotsman dropped the moaning convict he was holding.
"Ain't gonna argue with that, lad. But, uh... any ideas on how ta do it without hurting 'em too badly? I cannae say I fancy the idea of hurting little kids," Scotsman said, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.
He'd been mentally preparing himself to face whatever monster or beastie that bone bag unleashed on them for this mission, or if worst came to worst might create from any of the tree ogre's remains. He was not, however, prepared for the idea of him creating himself a trio of wee daughters and setting them loose on the city. Archie Blake was still honestly trying to process the fact that the Powerpuff Girls of all people had been created from what was left of the tree ogre. He might not have met them personally, but he knew that their reputation didn't exactly line up with the monstrosities he was all too familiar with from Aku. While part of him honestly found it hilarious - as he bet the old tree ogre would be rolling in his grave, if he had one, if he knew his legacy was being used to protect the world - it also confused him and had him on edge a bit, but he had resolved to hold his judgement till meeting and getting the metal of the Powerpuff Girls personally.
However, while he was prepared for that, he was not prepared to fight little girls.
"Plus, if my wife be hearing about me raising a hand to wee little tots, forget sleeping on the couch, I'd be sleeping in Loch Ness," he added with an uncomfortable grimace toward Batman, who frowned.
"Hopefully, they're still as innocent as they seem, and they simply don't understand that what they're doing is wrong," Batman said, "And if so, then we can talk them down without any violence."
And he really hoped that was the case. Because aside from the moral quandaries of fighting superpowered children, if they couldn't talk these Powerpunks down and nip this threat in the bud, then they'd become a long-term problem. And that was the last thing that they needed right now.
After all, they had more than enough problems as is, not only from various super criminals around the planet such as those they regularly dealt with, but political tension was spiking on a global scale, the criminal underworld were working to find any edge they could. And they not only had the potential Dark One and Trigon situations, but outsider threats working against Earth, such as not only Skeleton King and Lothor, but other confirmed hostile parties, such as the Cluster that thankfully for now focused their own efforts on the territory protected by the XJ-9 android.
They could not afford a threat level that could match the potential of the Powerpuff Girls.
"Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel," he spoke into the comms, "Whatever you're doing, wrap it up and try to intercept these girls. You're probably the best of the present group at getting through to people, and our heaviest hitters available in case it comes to fighting."
(Townsville Skyline)
"Understood Batman," Wonder Woman replied, though carrying a murderous expression as she slammed the head of one of the former airborne Formless straight through a building's rooftop.
SPLAT
"But I want to be told immediately when Skeleton King is spotted, I wish to have words with him about all of this," said the famous heroine with a dangerous edge in her undertone as Captain Marvel hovered nearby, punching another Formless while shooting her a concerned look. He'd honestly never seen the woman so angry, she was usually friendly and approachable.
Though understandable, since it looked like Skeleton King might be a villain contending for her archenemy spot, or at least villain she hates the most. After all, he heard about what happen in Kaznia, with Wonder Woman's friend who was the Queen being held prisoner while an imposter took her place, so this news about the Skeleton King and the Powerpuff Girls' daughters (which was all kinds of gross) likely was just adding to the grudge.
"Zatanna, you head to the Powerpuff Girls' home and speak to their father, Professor Utonium," Batman continued over the comms, "See if he was smart enough to have created some kind of failsafe in case they ever went bad; if so, we might need to use it on their daughters if we can't talk them down."
"On it," Zatanna replied over the comms.
"You think it'll come to that?" Captain Marvel asked Wonder Woman somewhat nervously, not happy with the thought of fighting little girls, even if they were superpowered ones.
"Let's hope not, but be ready for it if it does," Wonder Woman said with a resigned sigh.
She wasn't pleased at the situation, and she knew handling these apparent offspring of Skeleton King and the Powerpuff Girls would be a complicated delicate situation, even if they were able to get the children to stand down peacefully. After all, between their origins and their actions right now... well, she knew that there were plenty of people who would jump on the opportunity to lock them up, or do worse, just to make a point about their views on metas.
But, they'd have to worry about that later. First, they had to catch the girls and put a stop to their rampage before it went too far.
Speaking of... her eyes narrowed as she spotted three zipping lights flying across the city, showing little care for anything in their wake.
"Marvel!" She called out, with the Captain giving a nod, already flying off.
"Already on it! After all, I'm always up for a good game on the playground," he said with a slight smirk, internally a bit excited, since considering his whole secret identity no one on the League knew Captain Marvel was really ten-year-old Billy Batson, not even Batman knew (at least, Billy didn't think he knew) and he was like the world's greatest, coolest, and scariest detective. So he was honestly a bit excited at the prospect of meeting superpowered kids despite the circumstances. Hopefully he just needed to make a good impression, and he could leave this mission with three new friends.
Soon, they caught up to the Powerpunks, seeing that Brute now had the candy jar and was being chased by her sisters.
"Ha! Can't catch me, cause I'm the best!" the green Punk laughed, looking back at the others while shaking the jar tauntingly at them... only to blink in surprise as it was suddenly snatched out of her hands.
"I'll take this," Wonder Woman said firmly, giving the Punks a stern look as they all stopped in midair and stared at her.
"Hey, that's ours!" Brute shouted angrily.
"Yeah, you can't just cut into our game like that!" Brat chimed in with a scowl.
"Who do you think you are?" Berserk added with a glare.
"Well, she's Wonder Woman, one of the greatest heroes in the world, and one of the founders of the Justice League," Captain Marvel said, getting their attention as he floated in behind them, causing them to whirl to see him offering a friendly game, "Name's Captain Marvel, nice to meet you," he said with a wave as they all just glared unimpressed, "And from what I understand, you're apparently calling yourself the Powerpunk Girls."
He ventured as Berserk gave a scoff.
"That's right, and we're going to be the ones to kick your butts if you don't give us back our candy, and let us play our game," the leader said with a glare.
"Hey now, no need to be hostile," Captain Marvel, ever the optimist, didn't let that deter him as he held up his hands placatingly, "We just want to have a little talk, that's all," he said gently as Wonder Woman spoke up.
"Indeed, we know that you're new to life, but you're causing great harm," she added, gesturing toward some of the damage that had been taken from the girls' game of tag, and considering the city had already taken a hit from the invasion, it was safe to say even by Townsville standards, the city had been taking a hit, "So?" Brute said with a scoff, "Yeah destroying stuff is half the fun!"
Brat chirped giving a grin, "I like the pretty lights the explosions make~" she added with a giggle.
Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel exchanged looks at that, as it wasn't exactly the response they were hoping to hear.
"Um, that's... great," Captain Marvel said nervously, "But, you do realize that you're hurting people, right?"
"Who cares? Not our fault that they're too weak to take it," Berserk spat, "Now give us back our candy before we make you give it back!"
This was certainly Skeleton King's side of their heritage influencing things surely, that or either Eris or even Aku's essence, Wonder Woman couldn't help but think as she gave the children a firm glare, seeing their dismissal to the harm they've caused to others and already seeing the situation deteriorating.
"I'm afraid I can't do that," she told them with a firm tone, "Out of respect for your mothers, I will ask you only once, and if you truly have any love for them yourselves, then you will do as I ask and stand down. Stop this madness before it goes too far."
"Eh, we don't care what they think," Berserk said with a shrug.
"Yeah, especially since Daddy will convince them to join us eventually," Brat said, sounding completely sure of herself.
"Yeah, and... wait..." Brute paused and gave Brat a frown, "Who the heck said we were joining up with Dad? I thought we just going to do our own thing?" the green Punk said as Brat gave a blink.
"I mean, I certainly don't want to take anyone's orders," Brute added with a huff.
"But what about Dad?" Brat questioned with a slight whine, "He made us and let us have our fun, so he must love us," Brat said as Berserk frowned between her sisters, "And once our moms stop being silly, then we can all live together as Queens and Princesses with Daddy, doing whatever we want."
Brat added with an eager chirp while Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman traded looks. On the one hand, it was good to know that they weren't all united in following Skeleton King. But on the other, they were all still determined to be a problem situation.
"You know, it can be even more fun to be a hero and help people!" Captain Marvel said with a wide smile.
"Says who?" Berserk demanded, giving him an incredulous look.
"Says me, and all the heroes in the Justice League," Captain Marvel said, keeping his grin, "Plus your mothers too," he added as Berserk scowled up at him incredulously, "There's nothing like the warm fuzzy feeling that comes from helping someone in need, or going to bed with the knowledge that you helped make the world a better, safer, and all around brighter place."
He explained, examining them, "I mean, your moms started their hero careers when they were your age, and while I haven't personally met them yet, they're among the best in the next generation of heroes."
He gave them an imploring look, "You three, like them, have so much potential to do so much good, you don't have to be villains, you don't have to cause mass destruction to have fun, and you certainly don't have to be anything like Skeleton King."
Captain Marvel reached out, offering his hand, "You can be heroes to the people like your mothers, friends even to the community."
There was a moment of silence as the girls considered that, exchanging thoughtful looks before they broke it.
"Nah!" they said in unison.
"Uh, what?" Captain Marvel asked, caught off guard by the response.
"You heard us, we're not interested in your lame offer!" Brute snapped.
"Yeah, whether we join up with Dad or do our own thing," Berserk said, still not showing her own vote or opinion on that matter, unlike her sisters, as she shot Marvel and Wonder Woman a glare, "Why would do something as dull and stupid as being heroes?" she asked with an eye roll, actually snorting in disbelief at the idea.
"Yeah, I mean if our moms have done it as long as you've said, what did they get out of it?" Brat chimed in, frowning, "Because I haven't even seen one statue while zipping all over this city."
"Plus, it's a lot more fun wreaking stuff and making wimps scared of us, than wasting our time saving a bunch of losers," Brute added with a smirk.
"Um, but, ah..." Captain Marvel stammered, having no idea how to respond to that. He looked to Wonder Woman, desperate for her to have some kind of answer for this. However, Diana just scowled at the girls.
"You're making a mistake," she said firmly.
"No, you're making a mistake by wasting your time and life playing hero, and getting in the way of our fun," Berserk snapped, glaring.
"So, are you going to give us back our candy jar?" Brat gave her own glare.
"Or are we going to have to play smash the hero losers instead?" Brute finished with a punch to her open palm.
"I believe you already know the answer," Wonder Woman said with a sigh, not going to take any pleasure in what she was about to do as she threw the jar straight at the Punks, causing Brat to catch it in surprise, but miss the punch that Wonder Woman threw in the process.
WHAM
Sending her flying down to the building below.
"Hey, no one hits our sister except us!" Brute snapped, lunging toward Wonder Woman, who caught her and easily tossed her aside, before likewise blocking an attack from Berserk and kicking her away as well.
"Um, wait a minute, should we really be fighting children?" Marvel asked, feeling very conflicted.
"They're not giving us a choice," Wonder Woman replied, as she watched the Punks picked themselves back up, "And if we don't stop them now, then they'll only cause more damage and hurt someone."
"Lady..." Berserk gave a scowl, before smirking evilly, "You should be worrying more about yourself," she said as her sisters floated up to her right and left, and the three of them began to glow with blue, pink, and green energy.
"Oh, that's not good," Captain Marvel said, wincing in anticipation as he and Wonder Woman instinctively held up their arms defensively just before the building attack discharged.
BOOM
With the next thing Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel knew was that they were being blasted back through several buildings.
"HA! That's what you get for messing with us!" Brute called out with a laugh.
"And lesson's just starting, girls," Berserk said with a dark grin, "It's time to teach these morons that no one messes with the Powerpunk Girls!" She declared as her sisters gave feral grins.
"Ooooh, our first hero fight! Daddy will be so proud!" Brat said, practically shaking in midair before twirling as Brute let out of a scoff.
"Like we need his approval," she said with a scowl that Brat returned.
"I thought you liked Dad? I mean, you got upset at the monkey for badmouthing him," Brat said with a frown.
"Because he's our dad, only we get to mock him," Brute said with a frown, "And while I wouldn't say I hate the guy, I wouldn't say I like him either."
She added as Berserk's smile fell as her sisters seemed to get distracted from their fun.
"Why not?! He's our dad! And unlike our moms, he's not acting all coo-coo crazy being a barf hero," Brat said with a scowl toward Brute.
"Yeah, but you can tell that he's just waiting to tell us what to do!" Brute spat.
"But he'll probably only tell us stuff that we'd like to do," Brat replied with a frown.
"How do you know?" Brute scowled, "And even if he does, no one tells us what to do!"
"Yeah, well-"
"Would you two focus?!" Berserk snapped, turning around to glare at her sisters, "We're trying to fight these losers, remember?!"
"Tell that to Daddy's girl over here!" Brute snipped, pointing toward Brat.
"For your information, I take that as a compliment, since I happen to like our dad!" the blue Punk huffed back.
"Shut up, both of you!" Berserk snapped, "Now, let's get back to kicking their butts before they get back up!"
"Too late," Wonder Woman's voice called out, before her lasso wrapped around Berserk.
"Aw, crud," the pink Punk said, before screaming as she was swung through the air.
"WAAAAH!" She cried out as Brute and Brat jerked in surprise.
"BERSERK!" Was the shared cry, but before they could move to help-
"Gotcha!"
-they were both suddenly grabbed from behind by Captain Marvel, who wrapped his arms around them.
"Hey, let us go!" Brute yelled angrily.
"Yeah! Only Daddy and our moms can hug us!" Brat snapped, with Brute giving a frustrated growl.
"Will you forget about Dad for one minute and focus on kicking butt already?!"
"Look girls, why don't you just calm down? I don't want to hurt you!" Captain Marvel begged as the girls struggled in his grip.
"Don't worry, you won't!" Brute growled, before kicking downwards and nailing him right in the crotch.
"AH!" With Captain Marvel letting out a pained squeal, because thanks to the Punks' level of strength, he actually felt that.
CHOMP
He also felt Brat biting onto his arm the moment his grip loosened.
"AH! HEY!" The hero barely managed to yell out in pain just as Brute, once free, whirled around and launched a punch straight to his face.
BAM
SMASH
Sending him flying through the air and slamming into the side of a building.
"That's right! You want some more?!" Brute yelled after him.
"Yeah, that's what you get when you mess with us!" Brat chimed in with a giggle, before blinking as she heard Berserk cry, "Watch out!"
Causing both sisters to look confused before a moment before the form of the lasso-wrapped Berserk slammed into them.
"AAAGGGHHHH!" The girls screamed in unison as they collided, knocking Brat and Brute out of the air and down to hit the ground hard. Meanwhile, the collision loosened the lasso on Berserk and sent her flying in a different direction, causing her to hit the street and skip across it before hitting a parked truck, which pancaked under the impact.
"Urg... okay, now I'm mad," she muttered with a groaning growl as she sat up, rubbing her head only to glare up at the voice that spoke above her.
"I'm afraid your temper will only get worse if you insist on your current course of action," said Wonder Woman with a stern glare toward the child, "So I will say once more, stand down, you and your sisters have done enough damage."
She said as Berserk stood up with a scowl.
"Oh trust me, you haven't seen half the damage we're capable of making," she said as she crouched down, entering a battle stance, with Wonder Woman giving a sigh as the child launched herself forward, with Wonder Woman lashing out in kind.
Though instead of meeting the attack or attempting to dodge, Berserk surprised Wonder Woman but suddenly stopping midair and pulling back, leaving Wonder Woman's attack to not only miss, but realized barely a moment later at seeing Berserk's face that she had fallen for a trick.
POW
POW
And as she felt an attack hit her back and launch her forward with the cry of one of the other children, she realized what it was.
"Take that, you meanie!" Brat screamed as she and Brute had gotten up from where they had crashed and, seeing that jerk distracted with their sister, back turned, both of them of them immediately blasted off right at her, nailing her in the back with a shared kick.
"Urg!"
Which launched Wonder Woman forward and straight into a spin kick from Berserk.
"Ugh!" Which also launched her straight toward Brute as Brat moved back, with the green Punk bringing her hands together and giving a hard hit toward the heroine's side while basically serving her over to Brat, who smirked and gave a headbutt toward the incoming Wonder Woman, launching her straight back to Berserk.
With the Punks now basically starting a game of Wonder Ball, with Wonder Woman as the ball, the attacks coming too quickly for Wonder Woman to react, leaving her stuck being knocked back and forth between them.
"Ha! Not so tough now, are you?!" Brute laughed as she hit Wonder Woman with a kick that sent her flying over to Brat.
"We should do this until she cries like a baby for us to stop!" Brat added with a cruel giggle as a double-fisted hammer strike sent Wonder Woman flying over to Berserk.
"This is what you get when you try to the stop the Powerpunk Girls from having fun!" Berserk chimed in, laughing as she smacked Wonder Woman over to Brute, with each attack sending her flying with enough force to prevent Diana from righting herself in midair. While internally stewing at the predicament of it all, she was basically a toy, a ball in a children's game of catch; oh, if Eris was watching, she bet the goddess was laughing her ass off. Needless to say, this would not be a moment Wonder Woman lived down anytime soon.
Especially due to the presence of a new van down on the street, capturing the entire moment and broadcasting it live.
"And as the invasion of Townsville continues, the bizarre lookalikes of the Powerpuff Girls appear to be utterly dominating the Justice League members who showed up to provide relief!" the reporter standing next to the van declared, "Even Wonder Woman herself has been reduced to a toy for these monstrous children to play with!"
However, this ended up catching Berserk's attention as she looked down, and suddenly gave a smirk.
"Excuse me a sec, girls!" she called as she once again smacked Wonder Woman toward Brute.
"Aw, what's the matter, can't keep up, sis?" Brute called with a mocking baby tone as she hit Wonder Woman with a hard kick upside the head, launching her toward Brat, who let out a giggle.
"Hehe, guess she's the smart one after all, since she's admitting defeat!" the blonde punk said smugly as she smacked Wonder Woman back to Brute, while Berserk rolled her eyes with a snort.
"Hardly, I just have something to take care of real quick," she said with a dark smirk, before calling out with a taunting giggle, "But glad you're finally admitting you're dumber than me~" she said, with Brat shouting out an angry "Hey" on her next serve as Berserk zipped off to the news van.
"Ah!" the reporter let out a startled cry of fear as he was suddenly picked up by Berserk.
"Out of the way, dummy! I've got a special announcement to make!" she yelled, throwing him off to the side roughly, but Berserk hardly caring what happened to him, focused more on the cameraman, or rather the camera broadcasting.
"Listen up, all you weaklings of Townsville!" Berserk said, grabbing at the camera, causing the cameraman jump back in fright, his back hitting the news van, shivering in fear and barely holding onto the camera as Berserk grinning maniacally straight into it, "The name's Berserk, my sisters pounding that chump hero are Brute and Brat, and together we're the Powerpunk Girls! Daughters of the Skeleton King and your so-called heroes the Powerpuff Girls!"
She declared with a look of malicious glee into the camera that she grabbed from the cameraman, who slid down onto his butt next to the van, staring in shock like many across the city and beyond at the announcement.
"And after we're done with any stupid loser heroes trying to stop our fun..." Berserk turned the camera to face the direction of Brute and Brat, who were kicking and punching their Wonder Woman Ball between them at increasing speed, before the camera focused back onto Berserk, "You're next!" The leader of the Punks declared with malicious glee, "Me and my sisters are going to find you!"
She pointed right into the camera, sending a shiver of fear down many viewers' backs, "No matter where you are, you hear me!" The camera began to crack as a maniac expression in Berserk's eyes could be seen, and she shoved her face into the lens, "You're..." Before then pulling back her right fist to emphasize this next statement, "DEAD!" With the last thing being broadcast was her final threat and the image of her fist.
As the camera exploded from the punch, Berserk laughed manically, before turning to the cameraman and reporter, who flinched under her gaze.
"This is the part where you run away screaming," she said with a smirk.
"Okay," the reporter said meekly, before he and the cameraman both screamed and ran away, while Berserk laughed some more.
"Hehahaha, what a bunch of losers~" Berserk said with a wide amused grin, while wiping a tear out of her eye, "I can't believe Mom ever bothered protecting this pathetic city when she could have had everyone cowering at her feet as she destroyed it."
She said with a scoff, but at the mention of her mother, words she heard earlier flashed through her mind...
"You and that bastard just used us make these... these... things!"
"Those things aren't our children! And you're no father!"
With the amusement fading away from her expression for a moment as she gave a low growl before scoffing.
"Whatever... not like I need a loser like her anyway," she said with a firm scowl, "Besides, why should I waste time thinking about her when I've got an entire city to play with," she added with a dark smirk, her eyes going to her sisters punching that annoying snob who tried to spoil their fun between them... before her eyes also went over to the news van, and suddenly a wicked gleam entered her eyes.
While over with her sisters, Brat gave a yawn, boredly looking at one hand while using the other to smack the dazed Wonder Woman back at Brute.
"This was fun at first, but I'm starting to get bored," she said with a slight whine.
"Yeah, this game's losing its edge," Brute agreed with a pout, smacking Wonder Woman with a kick, "Plus, she's not even screaming in pain or fear! It takes half the fun out of the game!"
She added with a frustrated growl.
"Yeah, and she didn't even put up a good fight either," Brat chimed in with a frown as she spin-kicked Wonder Woman away, "I thought she was a big time hero like our moms," she added with some confusion.
"Heroes are just loser wimps, doubt any of them will put up a good fight, or be fun to play with for long," Brute said, punching Wonder Woman's form back just as Berserk's voice shouted out, "HEADS UP, GIRLS!"
Causing them to blink and turn to see the launched form of the news van, which hit Wonder Woman midair before she got to Brat, smacking her with a slight cry before hitting a building on the other side of the street with a loud explosion.
BOOM
"HA! Take that, loser!" Berserk yelled at where the explosion occurred, before wiping her hands off, "Well, that was fun, but also annoying. Let's get back to our fun, girls."
"Fine by me," Brute shrugged, Brat nodding in agreement, before pausing and widening her eyes as something occurred to her.
"Wait! What happened to the candy?!" the blue Punk exclaimed in horror, which was shared by her sisters as they realized the same thing.
"Ugh! That jerk made us lose track of it!" Brute growled, "I'm gonna go beat up her corpse!"
"Forget about her!" Berserk snapped, "We'll just tear the city apart and take any other candy we can find! So, come on, let's go!"
And with that, Brat and Brute gave nods before following after their sister in zips of light, missing the wincing form of Captain Marvel pulling himself out of the building he was knocked into earlier, still walking off the below the belt hit he got. But right now, the pain was the last thing on his mind as he had seen what happened before the Punks left.
"Wonder Woman!" He yelled in worry, and the main thing on his mind was making sure his teammate was okay as he zoomed over to the burning debris of where Wonder Woman's form had crashed along with the news van.
"Wonder Woman are you okay?!" He called out, spotting the charred remains of the news van embedded into the building's side, but before he could move to lift it out of the way, it shook and was lifted up by the form of Wonder Woman herself, though more bruised, battered, and scorched than usual.
"Urg... been better, captain," Wonder Woman said, throwing the burning news van to the side as she winced and limped out of the hole in the building, "Urg..." she let out a slight groan, her hand going to her head as Captain Marvel floated down to her side.
"Take it easy," he said, gently holding her up.
"I'm fine... it's honestly my pride over my body that hurts the most right now," Wonder Woman reassured him with a slight frown, but Captain Marvel didn't look convinced.
"I really think we should evacuate you for medical treatment, and then get some more backup," Captain Marvel said, which Wonder Woman scowled at.
"No, I'm not walking away from this! We need to stop those three, they're causing nothing but chaos!" she snapped.
"I know, isn't it wonderful?"
The unexpected voice caught both heroes by surprise, making them jump, before spinning around to face it and being greeted by Eris, smirking smugly as she leaned against a lamppost.
"Eris!" Wonder Woman spat, while Captain Marvel blinked in confusion, "What are you doing here?!"
"You mean, aside from watching you get your lovely ass kicked by my grandbabies?" Eris asked with a laugh, "Well, I just thought that I'd check in on how they were enjoying their playtime while letting my girls and Skully have their little lovers' spat~"
"Lovers spat?!" Wonder Woman repeated incredulously, glaring at the mad goddess who she now had more of a negative opinion of than ever before. She was hardly a fan of Eris' shenanigans beforehand, but after all of this... well, Ares might no longer be the Olympian she holds in most contempt now.
"You put them under a spell and let that monster rape them!" she roared enraged, taking a step forward, ignoring Marvel's concern as she glared at Eris, "Even for you Eris, this... the violation, the manipulation, to your own daughters no less!"
Eris, however, just rolled her eyes.
"Oh please Diana, this is tamed compared to some of the stunts my family has pulled, and you know it," she said with a huff, rolling her eyes, "And I don't just mean Daddy's indiscretions or how Mama takes her anger out on the offspring either."
She said, giving a nasty smirk, "You and the rest of those butt kissers on Themyscira might try to pretend otherwise, but you need to face the reality the modern world woke up to eons ago," she told Wonder Woman, who glared angrily at her as Eris gave a taunting smirk, before emphasizing her next words, "That being, fact is the Greek Pantheon are the farthest thing from noble as can be," she said, giving off a giggle, "At least I actually have my daughters' best interest in mind with all this."
"Best interests?! That's what you call letting that monster rape them for the sake of creating those little monsters?" Wonder Woman snarled.
"That last part was his idea, but I'm not complaining about it~" Eris giggled, "And you make it sound like this is meant to be a onetime thing. My girls are going to be part of Skully's harem, and get a chance to rule this world alongside him!"
"Whether they want it or not?" Wonder Woman demanded.
"They're still young, they don't know what's best for them yet," Eris replied with a shrug, "And settling for being overqualified bodyguards for this hick town, when they could be worshiped as gods befitting their heritage, is definitely NOT best for them. Being with Skeleton King will raise them up to where they belong!"
"Where they belong?!" Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel both looked at her angrily.
"What right do you have to decide where they belong?" Captain Marvel asked, actually giving a stern scowl.
"I'm their mother," Eris stated matter-of-factly.
"Really? Because from what I understand, you weren't there for them when they needed you, you weren't there when they needed advice, comfort, or even there to support them in their happiest moments," he said as Eris' smirk fell to a scowl, "Instead, you just burst into their lives rip the rug right from under them and let that monster hurt them in the worst way possible."
He said as he shook his head in disgust.
"I'd be careful of your words," Eris gave him a dark look, "Because the little lackey of an overblown wizard with an ego who's done nothing but sit on a rock for eternity has no right to judge me," she said, before adding with a scoff, "Especially when these are adult matters."
She added with a particular look that caused Captain Marvel to stiffen as he held back a curse. Of course if anyone knew about his identity, it'd be the crazy goddess. Heck, he had the Strength of Hercules and the Power of Zeus, who were Eris' brother and father respectively; it'd be weirder if she didn't know! He realized, kicking himself as Eris turned her attention back to the scowling Wonder Woman.
"So, that's it then? You're really just going to sell them out to that monster?" Wonder Woman spat out with a glare.
"I'd hardly call it selling out, more matchmaking," Eris said nonchalantly, her annoyance fading back to her amusement, "Bubbles' boy toy has imagination but ultimately measures up to a nice fling, Blossom's is fun to mess with but certainly not boyfriend much less husband material."
She said, before scowling, "And less said about that brute Lobo and how he hurt dear Buttercup the better," she muttered, before giving Wonder Woman a smirk, "Skeleton King actually has potential, and unlike most warlords isn't just a dime a dozen bore."
She summoned an apple that she began to bounce in one hand, with Marvel and Diana both eying it uneasily, "I don't just mean his power or aspirations, but he's actually got a sense of style, knows how to have some fun, and as my new granddaughters prove, knows how to think outside the box."
She giggled, "Plus, as my girls and even that royal bedwarmer you're currently seeing can attest, he knows how to please a woman," she laughed, "I can hardly wait to try him for myself~"
Wonder Woman probably should have registered the fact that Eris had just declared her intention to also sleep with Skeleton King. But at that mention of Audrey, and the implication of what she must have gone through while his prisoner, she just saw red.
"RAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!" she screamed wordlessly, charging towards Eris in a blind rage. Ignoring Captain Marvel calling out to her, she flew at the chaos goddess, who just arched an eyebrow and teleported away, leaving Diana to collide with the lamppost hard enough to snap it in half.
"You really need to do something about that temper, dear~" Eris giggled, before throwing her apple at Wonder Woman. Before the heroine could react, it exploded in a burst of light, causing massive vines to burst out of the ground and wrap around her, restraining her as it lifted her up into the air.
"Ugh! This won't hold me!" Wonder Woman declared, as she struggled with the vines.
"Doesn't have to, for long. It just needs to keep you busy until Skully is done with my girls and is ready to pick up the grandkids," Eris said, before casually moving to sidestep an attempted sneak attack from behind by Captain Marvel.
"Really?" she asked him flatly.
"Can't blame a guy for trying," Captain Marvel joked, but actually kept a glare toward Eris, "And don't suppose I can convince you to give up now?" He asked, Eris just laughing as she conjured another apple.
"Dearie, just because you're empowered by the gods doesn't mean you're on equal standing with us," she said with a slight condescending smile while casually tossing the apple toward Marvel, who instinctively caught it as it let out a golden glow, and the next thing he knew was the feeling of a large explosion.
BOOM
Which promptly sent Captain Marvel flying, causing him to disappear into the far distance.
"Hmm, not a bad kid, but he needs to stay out of the big boys' games," Eris muttered, before turning to the struggling Wonder Woman, "And you really need to learn to lighten up, dear. Getting all wound up and angry about every little thing like this will prematurely age even an immortal, after all."
"Grrr, I swear in Hera's name Eris, that you will face consequences for all of this!" Wonder Woman snapped, glaring at the goddess as she struggled against her vines, while Eris simply rolled her eyes with an amused smirk, "You have gone too far this time."
Wonder Woman yelled, grunting with strain as Eris scoffed.
"Like I haven't heard that before," she muttered, before stepping back with a smirk, "Nonetheless, I'm going to see how my new grandbabies are doing, but I'll be sure to give your mother your love next time I drop by Themyscria for you~"
She said, before giving a taunting smirk, "Which reminds me, before you judge my parenting, you might want to look at your own mother," she said tauntingly with an arched brow, "You know, since she banished you after you and your little justice club saved her and all those other Amazons from my bitter bastard of an uncle and his little wizard lackey~"
"She was upholding our laws and traditions!" Wonder Woman snapped, making Eris roll her eyes.
"Do you even hear yourself when you say that, or is it just a knee-jerk reaction?" she asked flatly, "Or do you honestly believe traditions are more important than all the lives on that island, never mind what else my uncle would have done once he got the excuse to cut loose?" She added as Wonder Woman gave her a glare, "Face it, mother of the year, your own is not."
"You have no right to talk, not after what you've done to your own daughters today," Wonder Woman spat.
"You really are a broken record, you know that?" Eris sighed, "But whatever, dear, I'm done arguing. Have fun breaking free~"
And then she vanished in a flash of light.
"ERIS!" Wonder Woman screamed angrily, struggling against the vines internally swearing next time she saw the goddess she'd make sure she'd face justice... one way or another, "Hera give us strength to rise against the madness your daughter has wrought."
She prayed, only hoping that she and her friends could rise against this new threat and put a stop to both Skeleton King and Eris' machinations before it was too late.
(Utonium Household)
Meanwhile, as Wonder Woman was struggling to break free of the vines conjured by Eris, Zatanna was arriving to the home of the Powerpuff Girls.
"Professor Utonium!" she called, pushing open the front door as she ran inside, "I'm with the Justice League, I..."
Her words were cut off as she not only felt a burst of dark magical energy... but also heard screams.
"AAAAAAAHHH!"
Zatanna's eyes widened, and her eyes went over to a doorway that appeared to lead downstairs, and she didn't hesitate rushing down, only to freeze at the sight that awaited her.
"I will not ask you again! WHERE IS THE PURE ESSENCE OF AKU?!" A woman dressed all in black, whom Zatanna recognized from the files as one of Skeleton King's minions, was standing over the man she recognized as Professor Utonium and a teenage girl restrained by what seemed to be a live snake. And both of them were singed and slightly smoking, while shaking in clear agony.
"Tell me where it is, and the pain stops!" Valeena snarled, firing another blast of energy into her victims.
"AAAAHHHH!!!!" they both screamed, which snapped Zatanna out of her shock, and immediately made her react.
"Niartser reh!" she shouted, flinging her wand at Valeena. In response, chains formed out of thin air and wrapped around her.
"What?! What is this?!" the Skull Sorceress screamed in outrage and shock.
"Someone putting an end to this," Zatanna called out, getting the witch's attention just as she shouted her next spell.
"Gninthgil llab!" And an orb of electrical energy formed at the tip of her wand before shooting at Valeena, whose eyes barely had time to widen before she was blasted back into the wall.
"AAAAAAHHH!"
And as her body experienced the electrical current, made all the worse as it was conducted by the metallic chains restraining her, Zatanna quickly rushed over to the Professor and teenager.
"Hisssss!" With the serpent coiled around the latter attempting to lunge toward her.
"Etativel!" Only to levitate helplessly up toward the ceiling while Zatanna focused on the two former prisoners, ignoring the hissing anger of the serpent.
"Are you two okay?" she asked with concerned as the Professor groaned.
"Urg, I'm fine... just help Robin... that snake, it bit her..." He said with concerned as the girl in question groaned, and Zatanna realized she didn't look good, even more so than the Professor.
"Leah!" she intoned, holding a hand over Robin and generating a glow that caused Robin's pallor to slowly recover as the venom was drawn out of her. But before the process could finish-
BOOM
Valeena blasted herself free of her restraints.
"Interfering fool!" she screamed, throwing a blast of dark energy at Zatanna.
With Zatanna quickly whirling around and calling out, "Dleihs!" Forming an energy field that blocked the blast but also sent her stumbling back.
This woman... the magician narrowed her eyes at Valeena. She wasn't a novice, Zatanna could tell that much from the power alone. But if there was one thing the magician knew, was that when it came to mystical arts, skill was as important as power if not more so, so let's see how skilled this alien sorceress was.
"You dare try to impede my quest?! I shall show the power found in the service of the greatest evil this universe has ever seen!" Valeena screeched with a malicious glare.
"Great, a fanatic, that's always fun," Zatanna muttered with an eye roll, but focused a glare at the witch, who screeched, summoning a swarm of demonic-looking bats that lunged toward her.
"Ezeerf!" With Zatanna sending a blast of blue energy out in response, with the bats freezing in solid ice as a result.
But she didn't have more than a moment to cherish that small victory, before Valeena followed up with a blast, which burst through the frozen bats and nearly caught Zatanna in the face. However, the magician managed to dodge to the side and roll to the floor just in time.
"Die, you insolent whelp!" Valeena snarled as she levitated into the air, gathering energy into her hands in preparation for an attack. Before she could launch it, however, Zatanna thrust a hand up towards her.
"Esaercni ytivarg!" she yelled. In response, Valeena suddenly came crashing to the ground with a yell, pressing against the floor as it felt like a great weight had been pressed down on her.
"Grrr, I will not... be... DEFEATED!" Valeena screeched in response, hands taking on a glow that spread toward the floor, and all of a sudden the ground started to shake and tremble before large spikes that appeared to be made out of bone burst out of the earth and started to head toward Zatanna and the injured forms of the Professor and Robin.
"Etativel!" Zatanna yelled, waving her hands to encompass herself and the two civilians, causing them to float up into the air just before the spikes could reach them.
"You will not win! You shall suffer for standing in my way! I will-!" Valeena ranted, only for Zatanna to point a finger at her.
"Tuhs pu!" she snapped, causing a gag to appear over Valeena's mouth, making the sorceress's rage only grow stronger.
"Sweet silence, that screeching was giving me a migraine," Zatanna muttered aloud, actually half serious about that while quickly trying to think of a plan.
They were in an enclosed space, she had two vulnerable civilians, both of which were already targets of the witch, and the witch herself was proving she was no novice. It might be best to fall back get the civilians to safety and then lure the witch to a battlefield that she could work better with.
However, just as she thought this, Valeena raised her hand, pointing it toward the snake that Zatanna had levitated earlier, with it mutating, not only growing bigger but two wings sprouting out of its back, and with a few flaps it suddenly lunged toward Zatanna and the two civilians behind her with an angry hiss.
"Shit! Dleihs!" Zatanna shouted, quickly throwing up another shield to block the snake. Undeterred, the snake started wrapping itself around the shield, growing in length to allow it to do so, and then it started squeezing it, causing it to crack from the pressure.
And things only got worse when Valeena, disregarding the gag for now, lashed out, sending out a mana current of energy from her hands with a dark murderous scowl at the shield as the serpent continued to squeeze.
Zatanna gritted her teeth, doing all she could to keep up the shield from the pressure, but knew she needed a plan and she needed one yesterday!
Come on Zatanna, think, your father was a master escape artist even without his magic, if there was ever a time to show you were his daughter, it's now, Zatanna thought, her eyes narrowing in a determined glare.
Immediately, one potential spell option occurred to her, though it came at the risk of the backlash hitting her just as strongly, but it was a risk she'd have to take. As she immediately shouted, "Cinos evawkcohs!"
And as she slammed her free hand and wand hand together, a loud piercing sound and wave of energy shot out, blowing apart the shield, and in the process sending the serpent flying back straight toward the wall on the opposite side of the lab, while also blowing Valeena off her feet before she realized what happened.
Though as Zatanna feared, the backlash hit her along with the civilians, with them falling to the ground and landing roughly on the table.
SHATTER
With a large vial labeled Chemical X landing on Robin and shattering over her in the process.
"Agh!" the barely-conscious girl cried out on instinct, which immediately got everyone's attention.
The Skull Sorceress's eyes widened as she sat up her hands going to the gag on her mouth, finally managing to rip it off with eyes of fury.
"No!" Valeena snarled as she saw one of the prizes she'd come for being wasted on some random nobody, "You've ruined everything!" She snapped, glaring at Zatanna, "I was to present my master with that formula along with what was left of that fallen child!"
She yelled, her rage allowing her tongue to slip, "I would have presented it along with Aku's essence to show my master that he need not humor that pathetic goddess!" she breathed heavier, her body glowing with mystical power, "This was my chance to finally prove that I alone was worthy of being his Skeleton Queen!"
Zatanna was very confused about that bit about a "fallen child", but decided to set that aside until later. For now, she needed to focus on beating this witch to protect these civilians, including the tortured girl who was just exposed to a volatile substance.
"All this just to better throw yourself at that monster?" she scoffed as she gathered her own magical energy, hoping to keep Valeena distracted from actually launching an attack, "You're like an even more twisted version of Harley Quinn!"
"Do not compare me to that pathetic clown!" Valeena snarled, having familiarized herself with many of Earth's prominent players and recognizing the reference, "She pins after a mere mortal madman, while I am loyal only to the most powerful being in existence!"
"No, you're a tool to a madman that became a monster, nothing more, nothing less," Zatanna said with a firm glare.
"You dare?!" Valeena shrieked in rage, so angry that she didn't even bother with using her magic. Instead, she lunged at Zatanna, flying at her with hands outstretched, intending to strangle her.
Zatanna smirked, glad to see the witch take the bait.
"Enots rallip!" she intoned, causing a large stone spur to burst out of the floor right in front of Valeena. The witch's eyes widened, but she was unable to avoid the pillar, ramming right into it, and then being carried backwards by it until slamming against the ceiling.
"Urg, this... you'll pay for this... humiliation!" Valeena gasped with a dark glare.
"Only one who's paying for anything is you, for your crimes," Zatanna retorted, getting ready to cast one more spell to end this.
However, as much as it galled her, Valeena realized if she didn't fall back now, then she would only risk returning to her master completely empty-handed. So with a dark flash of light, her form disappeared before Zatanna could make her next attack, though her voice echoed out in the lab one last time, "I swear in Lord Skeleton King's glorious name, I shall rip your still beating heart out from within your chest when we next meet, magician!"
This caused Zatanna to scowl before sighing, "Great, just got myself a new enemy with a death grudge, fun."
However, she quickly brushed that off. She had much more pressing concerns at the moment, not least of which was the injured teenage girl who had just been exposed to a powerful mutagen.
Rushing to Robin's side, Zatanna cursed as she saw the girl's skin starting to change color. Whatever was happening to her was happening fast.
"Zatanna declaring an emergency! I need medical assistance at my location ASAP!" she shouted into her comms. While at the same time concentrating her magical power into the girl; it was risky, especially if she had been exposed to what she suspected was that formula created from Aku's remains, but she had to try.
"Laeh!" As she did so, Professor Utonium, ignoring his pain and injuries, stood up.
"Hang on! There's an emergency medical kit in the lab, and I have some Antidote X in stock that might counteract the exposure if we act quickly enough!" He explained, moving as fast as he could, hand to his side and wincing in pain.
He probably needed medical attention too, he realized, but he refused to even consider it while Robin was in a far more serious condition. So, he stumbled his way over to the medicine cabinet in the corner and yanked it open to grab both the med-kit and one of the large vials of Antidote X also kept inside.
"Hurry!" Zatanna called out, watching as Robin's skin continued to change, in not just color but also texture. Were those scales she saw forming?
"Right!" The Professor hurried over with the med-kit and vial before throwing open the former to grab a syringe that he quickly drained some of the formula into, "Hang on, Robin," he muttered as he injected her with the formula; usually, mere exposure was enough, but he didn't want to take any chances. It was already bad enough she got caught in the middle of all this chaos, he couldn't forgive himself if he failed his girls' closest friend even further.
However, as the Antidote X hit Robin's system, her entire body convulsed, and dark energy started crackling around her.
"What the-?" Professor Utonium started to say, only for the energy to flare up.
ZAP
"UGH!"
Hitting both him and Zatanna, sending them flying away from Robin to crash against the wall.
"What's, urg, happening?!" The Professor asked with a groan but a frantic expression toward Robin's direction as he saw the dark energy coursing around her, with Zatanna giving off a curse.
"Dammit!" Utonium looked toward the magician, seeing the grim expression on her face as she pushed herself up.
"You said that snake bit her," she said, glancing over to the form of the winged serpent that was left behind in that sorceress's retreat.
"Yes, but..."
Zatanna cut him off, "Which meant that dark magic was still coursing through her system when she was exposed to the formula," she explained, cautiously approaching Robin, "That antidote only acted as a further catalyst."
She pursed her lips, "If we don't act now, there's no telling what could happen to her!" She explained, her mind racing as she tried to think of the best way to counteract this, before freezing at a new voice speaking up.
"Yes, quite a delightful surprise, isn't it~" Causing both Zatanna and the Professor to see the blond-haired Greek toga wearing form of Eris coming down the stairs with a smirk.
"Have to say, this wasn't something I'd planned," she said as she looked to where Robin's body was started to warp and change under the effects of the magic and the Chemical X, before smirking and adding, "But that's the fun thing about chaos, isn't it~"
"Eris, I presume," Zatanna said, glaring at the goddess.
"Yes, indeed," Eris replied, "Don't mind me, though. I'm just here to pick up that Aku essence that the witch thought she was being clever by going after herself."
The Professor stiffened, his mind going back to everything that horrible witch had said, while Zatanna glared at the goddess with disgust.
"Honestly, Skully's orders were just to get the cloth and the formula," Eris added, clicking her tongue and looking at Robin's form, "I'd already promised the pure concentrated essence as long as Skully's plan impressed me, and considering I'm now a grandmother of three chaotic bundles of joy, he's certainly exceeded my expectations and then some."
She said with a giggle, before rolling her eyes, "But I suppose love and jealousy make people do crazy stupid things~"
"Grandmother?" Professor Utonium echoed, confused but suddenly feeling a pit of dread in his stomach for reasons that he didn't understand.
"That's right, and you're a grandpa! Congratulations~" Eris laughed, while the Professor paled at the implications.
"What?!" He exclaimed, looking toward Zatanna, who couldn't look him in the eye, knowing the news he was going to hear was anything but pleasant.
"Yes, but before we bring out the wine and celebrate, Drake, let me deal with this," Eris spoke up, getting their attention as she focused on Robin while conjuring an apple, "While usually I'm all for the chance of someone getting mutated into a wild monster of chaos and running amok," she admitted quite casually, bouncing her apple in one hand as Zatanna stiffened, preparing to intervene, "I happen to rather like dear Robin, and she's been a good loyal friend to our girls since childhood."
She added, giving a smirk, her eyes gleaming, "So allow me to reward her loyalty with my own blessing~" she said with a giggle, throwing the golden apple straight toward Robin.
"Ezeerf! Etativel!" With Zatanna, not trusting Eris, attempting to intervene only to find her magic having no effect on the apple, likely blocked by the divine chaotic power.
As such, she was unable to do anything to stop the apple as it hit Robin head on, unleashing a flash of golden light that blinded Zatanna and the Professor. When it cleared and they were able to see again, they were stunned by what they now saw.
Robin had completely transformed. Everything below her neck was now covered in dark scales, her hands now ended in sharp claws, and the lower half of her body had been replaced by a long tail. Her face was still human, but there was a light smattering of scales around the edges, while her ears were now long and pointed. In short, she was now a naga.
"What have you done?!" Zatanna demanded, glaring at Eris.
"Stabilized her, which isn't really my thing, so I hope you appreciate it," the goddess replied with a shrug, "She could have transformed fully into a snake, or a mindless monster. Now, she can have at least some semblance of an, ugh, "regular" life once she adjusts."
At their looks, she shrugged.
"What? Like I said, I rather like the girl, and her loyalty to my daughters deserves to be repaid in kind, doesn't it?" Eris asked rhetorically with a shrug, and she was honestly being truthful. If it had been anyone else, she probably would have just sat back with some popcorn, but Robin had earned some of her favor to allow this godly intervention, "The new body will take some getting used to, but I'm sure she'll come to love it."
She stated with a smirk, "And I'm sure my girls will appreciate this~" She added with a giggle.
"Like they'll appreciate everything else you've done today?" Zatanna spat icily, her hands clenching her wand, but restraining herself. She was proud of her skill, but she didn't like her odds of soloing a goddess, much less one as unpredictable as Eris.
"Excuse me, but what is going on?!" But both women turned to Professor Utonium, whose expression was nothing but confusion, worry, and fear, "Just... what did you mean about me being a grandfather and you a grandmother?" He demanded, wanting answers, "Was... was everything that horrible woman said true?"
He asked, shaking his head as he gave the woman a stern glare, "She said I was just a puppet used to create my girls by a goddess, and I recognize the name Eris from Greek myth," the Professor said, stepping forward while holding his side, "And now you appear helping Robin, which I'm grateful for, but also stating your intentions for the demon's essence, and telling me I'm somehow a grandfather?!"
He exclaimed, his voice cracking, "Just... please... what is going on?" he pleaded, and to Zatanna's surprise Eris sighed and actually gave the man a fond expression mixed with sympathy and guilt?
"Ah, Drake... I suppose you above all else do deserve some answers," she said, conjuring another apple in one hand while reaching out to cup her cheek, "I must admit, while what we had sadly didn't work out, you're still one of the mortals who I favor most, and my disagreement with their insistence on playing babysitter for this town of morons aside..."
She said with an eye roll but still smiled at him, "You've done a wonderful job taking care of and raising our girls," she said as the man just looked confused, before Eris pulled him close and said huskily, "One last time for the memories~" she said with a giggle before kissing him hungrily as the golden apple in her other hand exploded in light, and memories came to the Professor's mind.
Not only new memories and knowledge... but also memories that had been erased or perhaps suppressed... the night after the girls defeated Mojo Jojo for the first time, he remembered this woman appeared before him in his room, speaking of a reward long past due... before holding up an apple... and next thing he knew, they had...
...Oh wow, they had done a LOT, he realized with a massive blush, as his mind was flooded by images of her riding atop him cowgirl style, him fucking her while holding her in a mating press, her wrapped around his waist as he fucked her against a wall, and so much more.
"Mmm, I've had lots of lovers, but you were one of my favorites~" Eris said as she ended the kiss and pulled away, leaving the Professor in a daze.
"Um, uh, ah..." he stammered in response, unable to think clearly, which made Eris giggle, only to frown as Zatanna spoke up.
"While you're flirting with him, are you going to also tell him that you helped that monster rape his daughters?" she asked venomously, which immediately snapped the Professor out of it.
"WHAT?!" he exclaimed in rage and shock.
"You've probably heard of Skeleton King, the boss of that crazy witch who was torturing you," Zatanna continued, glaring at Eris, "Mother of the year here hit her daughters with a divine powered lust spell, and then gave them over to him."
The Professor's eyes bugged out as all the color drained out of his face for a moment, before it twisted in rage as he turned to glare at Eris.
"You... you..." he stammered, too furious to even speak straight.
"Oh please," Eris rolled her eyes, not impressed by the display, "All I did was give them the chance to have their first times with someone truly special... well, first times for Blossom and Bubbles, at least. For Buttercup, it was more of a makeup for getting her cherry popped by that piece of shit Lobo."
"She what?!" Both the Professor and Zatanna yelled, actually stunned at the news, with the latter having not met the space bounty hunter (thank God for that), but he had an infamous reputation for a reason.
While suddenly, Buttercup's behavior during and after that incident with Lobo suddenly made a lot more sense to the Professor. But sudden desire to use the biker as a lab rat and see how far his healing factor went aside, his rage was currently focused on the more immediate violation.
"And it wasn't like they didn't enjoy themselves either, Drake," Eris continued unbothered, "Plus, we got three bundles of chaotic joy to spoil as grandparents now~" she said with a giggle, snapping her fingers with a mystical scrying screen appearing midair showcasing the Powerpunk Girls and all the fun they'd been having in Townsville, even using Wonder Woman as a makeshift ball.
Something that Zatanna and the Professor could only look upon with horror.
"Oh my God," the magician gasped in shock.
"Hmm, more demigods than anything, but close enough~" Eris giggled, "And such a stunning first day out! Oh, they're going to be chaotic terrors in no time~"
"This is madness!" the Professor cried out, his mind going back to the tag incident all those years ago, only these girls... his apparent granddaughters... he could see they realized the harm they were causing... and they didn't care! If anything, they delighted in it!
"I know, isn't it grand~" Eris said with a giggle, grinning widely, "But as much as I'm enjoying sharing the wonderful news, I did come here for a reason, Drake," she said as the scrying screen vanished, "I'm a goddess of my word, after all, and Skeleton King earned his prize and then some~"
She said with a slight sultry smirk, running her hand down her hip, "I'm certainly interested in getting a taste of him myself after seeing how he handled our girls~"
"You have got to be kidding," Zatanna said flatly, "You want to have sex with the same thing you just let rape your daughters?"
"Have you not heard any of the stories of my pantheon?" Eris snorted, "Half of the relationships in the family are incestuous or polygamous or both. What I'm doing isn't that far from our norm. Why, I'm already planning on giving my other daughter a turn as well, poor girl could use the distraction," she added on with a shrug, "Considering that things with that vampire mummy boy could be going better, and I'm honestly starting to worry that her obsession with outdoing Mandy is leaning to the yandere side of things."
"What?" Zatanna blinked, caught off guard by that sudden change of subject.
"What, you think that someone as old as me hasn't had more children running around?" Eris asked with a smirk, "She was a result of one of my flings with ol' Hoss Delgado, always fun to play with that one," she added in explanation, shrugging before giving a frown, "Regardless, I didn't come here to share more about the family tree."
She said, moving past Drake, "I have something to collect, and I'll be on my way."
"No, I'm not letting you-!" the Professor said, instinctively trying to grab Eris to stop her.
WHAM
Only for her to casually backhand him, sending him flying to slam into a wall.
"Sorry dear, but can't let you get in the way," she said firmly.
"Niartser!" Zatanna yelled, causing chains to form and wrap around Eris, who just rolled her eyes.
"Really?" she asked flatly, before causing the chains to vaporize.
"You might have some amusing tricks, but compared to a Goddess of Chaos, you're nothing but a birthday magician!" she called out, flinging a golden apple toward Zatanna, with the magician barely having time to widen her eyes before hit with a bright flash..
"Urg... what... what the hell?!" And next thing she knew, she was hanging from the ceiling inside a large cage... but what really pissed her off was the fact she was wearing a Playboy bunny outfit! With Eris' amused cackle just making her more angry.
"Oh, think this is funny? Well, let's see you laugh at AAAHHH!" Zatanna's threat was cut off as the moment she tried to cast a spell, the cage glowed and powerful electrical energy ran through her body, "Urg..." And once it stopped, she found herself falling to her knees, leaning against the bars. As Eris already dismissed her, focusing more on the prize she came to get.
"I'll give you credit Drake, your choice of hiding spot was clever, and with my added enchantments kept it even out of lobster boy's pincers," she said over her shoulder, holding her golden apple, "But it's time ol' flame brows' essence was put to use again~"
Tossing the apple to the floor, an energy wave was unleashed. In response, a portion of the floor started glowing, before a disguised hatch flipped open to reveal a hidden space containing a safe with a combination lock. As she watched, the lock started spinning as it unlocked itself, before popping open as well. This revealed a metal box marked with a biohazard symbol, which levitated up for Eris to grab, before she popped it open, revealing several large vials containing the pitch-black pure essence of Aku.
"That's what I'm talking about~" she giggled.
"Stop please! If that falls into the wrong hands..." Before turning toward the pleading call of Professor Utonium.
"Then it'll be complete and utter chaos~" Eris stated, cutting him off with her wide eager smirk, "All the more reason to do this, dear."
She said, closing the box, "Aku was born from primordial evil itself, a being that had the potential to threaten gods, a demon who conquer this world and ruled it in another timeline," she said, giving an unhinged cackle, "Oooh, I'm positively shaking with anticipation to see what Skeleton King can do with this!"
She exclaimed, cackling madly as the Professor and the groaning form of Zatanna looked at her in horror.
"I do apologize for the rough treatment, Drake, and you might be upset now about what I've done today, but trust me, the girls will thank me in time," But Eris then spoke toward the Professor with soft sympathy, "And while I've moved on, I'll always treasure what we had," she added with a slight smirk, "So I'll see about arranging some quality bonding with your new granddaughters when the time comes."
She said with a giggle, before giving a more serious look, "And not to worry, once the girls become Skully's queens, and if he manages to pull off conquering this planet, we can easily arrange a place for you in it among the elite."
She told him, adding with a wink, "Maybe give you your own personal harem to keep you company too~" she said, before disappearing in a cackling flash of light.
Leaving the battered Professor and trapped superhero there, both horrified beyond belief by the implications of what had just happened...
(Elsewhere)
"Just keep heading towards the edge of the city, everyone! You'll be safe there while we fix this!" Star Sapphire called to the fleeing civilians she was floating over, trying to ignore the sounds of explosions occurring in the distance.
"What makes you think we can?" Princess sneered, arms crossed as she watched a building collapse downtown.
"For starters, things look bad now, but as someone who's personally survived a demonic apocalypse, I know there's always hope and chance of victory," Star Sapphire said, putting as much optimism as she could into her voice before wincing as an explosion went off in the distance.
BOOM
"Even... if it really looks bleak right now," she admitted with a wince, while Princess arched a brow at the demonic apocalypse part and gave her a look of slight disbelief at that statement, "Besides, weren't you the one bragging about how your armor could handle the Powerpuff Girls with years of training, and would easily be able to handle these three."
Star Sapphire added with a pointed look.
"One, I still stand by that statement," Princess shot her a glare, "But I'm also not a moron!" she spat, scowling, "As much as I hate to admit it, these girls might be newborn, but they might already be more dangerous than their mama Powerpukes ever were."
She added, before gesturing toward a collapsing building as three lights burst through it, "Because at least the Powerpuff Girls weren't crazy maniacs!"
Star Sapphire frowned at that, but before she could say anything in response, Green Lantern spoke up.
"Right now, there's nothing we can do but damage control," he stated, "Speaking of which, we still have some of those Formless things running around and looting buildings."
"Seriously? That skeleton bastard's resorting to petty theft on top of everything else?" Princess asked in disbelief. Before adding with a bitter mutter, "Though considering he helped that cat bitch rob me, I don't know why I'm surprised," she scoffed, with Star Sapphire holding back a wince as she remembered the news that Pacifica was apparently working with Skeleton King for some reason, and was still somewhere out in the city to boot during all of this.
She could only hope her secret girlfriend/mistress was okay and had an explanation on what she was thinking, before focusing on the 4th member of their current party speaking up.
"Hmm, rather beneath a villain of his caliber, but at same time Mojo Jojo sees the strategic value in exploiting the distraction caused all by this chaos," spoke the form of Mojo Jojo, now carrying a blaster that was tucked away in his mech as he looked curiously toward Green Lantern, "Tell Mojo, what valuables have the Formless which are the servants of Skeleton King been pillaging from Townsville?"
"That's the thing, they're not stealing anything valuable. They're stealing children's toys and clothes," Green Lantern said flatly, making the others blink in confusion.
"He's... stealing stuff for his daughters?" Star Sapphire asked slowly.
"Looks like it," Green Lantern sighed, "Of course, we've also got reports of a break-in at the museum and someone stealing an Egyptian bust and some jewels..."
"What?!" Mojo exclaimed, "Are you kidding Mojo?! Is he seriously ripping off another of Mojo's brilliant schemes?!"
"By brilliant scheme, I assume you're referring to that stupid "turn people into dogs" plan that you tried and failed at twice?" Princess asked flatly.
"It was a brilliant scheme!" Mojo Jojo protested defensively, "Mojo Jojo had the entire city and beyond eating out of the palm of Mojo's hand!" He said, with Princess giving him a flat look.
"And yet first time around you got your butt bitten then beaten by puppy Puffs, then the second time around just plain beaten since you thought a metal plate over your butt would help you win so long as you didn't turn the Powerpuffs into dogs again," she said with an arched brow as Mojo grimaced.
"Do I seriously need to point out the flaw there?" The heiress asked with a hint of disbelief.
"Mojo Jojo is willing to admit... he overlooked a few details in his attempt to redo his brilliant scheme," the primate said with an awkward cough, feeling Star Sapphire and Green Lantern's looks, as that particular redo had not been his best moment, "But it still doesn't change the fact that Mojo Jojo is once again being ripped off!"
"Umm, what are you...?" Star Sapphire's question was cut off by Princess giving a groan.
"Urg, the stupid bust and jewels once put together have the ability to turn everyone into dogs, and monkey boy tried to use it twice to turn Earth into planet of the mutts after the whole planet of the apes thing didn't work out for him."
She explained in an irritated impatient voice, "So why that space skeleton freak wants them when Mojo failed twice with that stupid plan," she said, ignoring Mojo's indignant, "Hey!"
"Is beyond me," she finished with a shrug.
"Odds are he might know something we don't, or he's got his own idea for how to use those artifacts," Green Lantern said, before pausing as he raised a hand to his ear, "Lantern here..."
Before giving a dark scowl at what he heard, "And the situation just got worse," he said, looking over to Star Sapphire, "Zatanna went to the Utoniums' but she found that witch of Skeleton King's torturing him along with some friend of the Powerpuff Girls..."
He said with a grimace, relaying what Zatanna was telling them over the League line, "She managed to fight her off, only not only did the girls' friend get exposed to both dark magic and Chemical X, but Eris popped in."
The Lantern gave a frustrated growl, rubbing his face, "Long story short, the girl's now been mutated, and Eris got her hands on Aku's essence, while leaving Zatanna currently trapped in some anti-magic cage."
Star Sapphire gasped at that, while Mojo and Princess just looked confused.
"Whose essence?" Princess asked.
"An ancient demon whose essence was what Chemical X was made from," Green Lantern quickly explained.
"What?!" Princess and Mojo Jojo yelled, with the latter in particular giving a stern glare.
"Explain yourselves at once!" He exclaimed at this information. True, Chemical X still held many secrets perhaps even from Professor Utonium himself, but this?! Did HIM know about this? Mojo couldn't help but wonder, as he could just see the smug demon hiding this knowledge for his own amusement. At his demand, however, Green Lantern gave a scowl.
"We don't exactly have time to fill you in on the whole story, in case you forgot," he said, gesturing toward their surrounding chaos, but Star Sapphire having been briefed on what the League knew grimaced, knowing that the situation was indeed very bad, potentially almost as bad as Bill making a return... but also knew that the monkey standing in front of them, supervillain or not, did have a right to some of the information.
"We might as well give them the summarized version," Star Sapphire said, with Green Lantern giving her a glare, "Hey, considering his own part in this, he probably does deserve to know," she said, with Green Lantern still scowling before shaking his head with a sigh.
He wasn't a fan of sharing information with villains (Morbucks could play the reformed angle all she wanted, the League was buying it less than Luthor's act), but as things stood, it wasn't like they could exploit the knowledge, and like it or not Sapphire had a point in Mojo being another pawn in all of this, he thought as Star Sapphire gave them the summarized version about Aku being an ancient powerful demon that in another timeline managed to conquer the world, how he was stopped by a samurai wielding a magical blade after sending him to the future he ruled, only for the samurai to find a way back and destroy him.
How eons later Eris, the Goddess of Discord, found Professor Utonium and secretly guided and manipulated him toward Aku's remains, which he would later call Chemical X... and how Eris masterminded the creation of the Powerpuff Girls... including likely staging the "accident" using Professor Utonium's former lab monkey... and finally Eris' part in the chaos today.
"Um, Mojo... you okay? Mojo?" Princess said, looking toward her ally and "friend", who stood stock still and numb, his blaster actually falling out of his hand, while Princess herself was little better.
The Powerpuff Girls were made from the remains of some evil demon, and because some crazy goddess wanted to cause some chaos? The fact that the Puffs' own apparent mother had set them up to get raped was actually making Princess feel sympathy and pity toward the girls itself said how out of sorts she was at this information.
But Mojo... it was like he had completely shut down!
His massive brain was trying desperately to wrap itself around these revelations. Chemical X being not a scientific formula, but the remnants of some ancient demon... some mad goddess manipulating things so that it would bring the Powerpuff Girls into existence... playing them all like pawns on a chessboard!
Most importantly... that meant he himself had been manipulated! He'd been a tool that this Eris had used to make the Powerpuffs, all as part of her sick game!
How could this be? He was Mojo Jojo! Greatest of all villains! He was no one's puppet!
Suffice to say, Mojo was taking all this information even worse than the day he realized/remembered that it was his own actions that lead the birth of his greatest enemies. Actions that appeared themselves were not his own!
The monkey began to breathe heavier and heaver, veins pulsing on his forehead, causing Princess and the two heroes to take a few cautious steps backs.
"Um, Mojo... you good?" Princess asked nervously, with genuine concern leaking out of her tone as the monkey twitched, "Ehh, maybe you should lie down for a bit..."
She suggested warily, only to flinch back as Mojo threw his head back and let out a feral screech of rage.
"SCREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! ERISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" He roared, absolutely enraged and honestly scaring Princess a bit; she'd never seen the monkey like this.
And the monkey's screech of rage was just the beginning as he started to bang his fists on the ground and attack or damage anything he could get his hands on..
PEW
PEW
PEW
Made all the worse when he grabbed his blaster and started firing it wildly.
"WHOA! Calm down!" Star Sapphire yelled as she and Green Lantern threw up barriers to block the blasts. However, Mojo showed no sign of even hearing her, let alone stopping.
"Mojo Jojo is no one's puppet! No one's pawn! No one's tool!" the monkey shrieked as he continued firing blindly in every direction, "Mojo is supreme! Superior! Master of all! No one manipulates me!"
"Mojo, calm down! You're going to hurt someone! Namely me!" Princess screeched, dodging some of the wild blasts while some of the nearby fleeing citizens screamed and ducked for cover.
"Mojo Jojo's working for Skeleton King and those evil Powerpuff Girls!" Screamed one woman in fright who had seen Berserk's earlier broadcast. Which proved to be the wrong thing to say, as Mojo whirled around to glare at the woman with wide-eyed rage.
"Mojo Jojo works for no one! Mojo Jojo is not a minion, servant or hired gun!" he yelled as he pointed his blaster at her, "Mojo Jojo is supreme, almighty, and-!"
WHACK
And then he was cut off Green Lantern formed a baseball bat construct and hit him in the back of the head with it, knocking him out.
"Mojo needs to take a nap," the hero said bluntly with a scowl and firm glare.
"Everyone okay?!" Star Sapphire called out worriedly as she floated over to the civilians, while Princess approached Mojo's unconscious form, "Where the hell did that come from?!" She exclaimed with frustration, "I've known Mojo since I was a little girl, but I've never seen him go completely bananas like this!"
"I guess he didn't take finding out about Eris too well?" Star Sapphire suggested with a wince.
"I don't care what it was, I'm not letting him run around while this unstable," Green Lantern declared, wrapping Mojo in glowing green chains.
"Which means we're down a fighter, just great," Princess said with a groan of frustration.
"Just as well, because we're switching away from active combat," Green Lantern declared, "Since none of us is capable of taking on the Powerpunks-"
"I could, I'm just choosing not to!" Princess protested, which the others ignored.
"-We're switching to search and rescue for any civilians still trapped in the danger zone," Green Lantern finished saying.
"Leave that to me! I'll find any stragglers," Star Sapphire assured, floating up higher, "Right down to the last cat stuck in a tree."
Especially if they're of the sexy rich breed~ She couldn't help but think, silently hoping Pacifica was okay.
"Good, and I'll see if I can intercept any of those Formless robberies," Green Lantern replied, "Just because they're petty, doesn't mean that we should let them happen."
"What about me?" Princess demanded.
"Keep an eye on your friend," Green Lantern grunted, pointing to the knocked out Mojo, "I don't want him causing anymore trouble if he's still out of it when he wakes up."
"What am I, a babysitter?" Princess scowled.
"If you were, we'd be sending you to wrangle those out of control kindergartners," John said bluntly, with Princess' expression suddenly getting a bit nervous, "Unless you're that determined to back up your earlier words?"
"Ehh, you know what, being a supportive friend in Mojo Jojo's time of need sounds like a plan to me," Princess said with a forced laugh and smile.
"Glad to hear it," Green Lantern said dryly, "Now, let's move out."
With that, he and Star Sapphire flew off in different directions, leaving Princess alone with the unconscious Mojo. Taking this in, the heiress gave a deep sigh.
"You so owe for this," she muttered, leaning down to pick him up and walk over to the side of a building to sit him up against it more comfortably, "Still..." Princess scowled, "If the nightmare today's been has proven anything, it's that I was right to accept that business offer."
She muttered, looking off in the distance at the three lights zipping around and destroying the city, "Because looks like that bone freak is going to be a bigger problem than I thought."
She really didn't want to join some bigger organization; hell, she barely liked her semi-regular team-ups with Mojo, and the most she'd ever done beyond that was that whole Beat-Alls thing back in the day, which hadn't worked out in the long run.
But with how things were getting so much more intense these days, joining that smug brain in a jar's new group might be a good insurance policy.
(Elsewhere)
"History repeats itself once play time kicks off," Black Cat muttered under her breath, pressing her back against the wall while peaking out an alley, wincing as she saw another building explode and collapse into a flaming wreck, "Make it through the chaos to find him."
She repeated again, muttering and scowling under her breath, "He could have mentioned his plan was to create evil offspring with the Powerpuff Girls!" she blurted out in frustration, having seen the news report of that girl apparently named Berserk of all things little announcement through the broken windows of an electronics store.
Seriously, how the fuck had he even done that?! Shit, did she even really want to know, actually? She thought with a shudder.
Shaking it off, she refocused on the much more serious matter at hand. Namely, how the fuck was she supposed to get out of this in one piece when those three little maniacs were tearing the city apart?!
A part of her wondered if this whole so-called test was just so the psycho could watch her squirm, and he never really wanted these stupid antiques in the first place, that this was all just a sadistic joke.
"Calm down, Cat," she muttered, taking a deep breath as she ran out of the alley through the burning wreckage of the city, "If you panic when things get tough, then you might as well give up and become the glorified puppet and future trophy wife those bastards were raising you to be."
She said with a scowl under her breath, while thinking back to Preston and Priscilla as she clenched the bust. She had ambition, she'd come so far these past few years after that one summer. It might have only been a short amount of time, but so much has changed; she had more skill and power than ever before, Mabel was a superheroine and completely devoted to her, she'd even took long awaited vengeance on her bastard egg and sperm donors!
She couldn't just pussy out when things finally got tough! Yes, she was getting Weirdmageddon flashbacks, but she wasn't the same helpless little girl anymore. She'd pass Skeleton King's little test and gain her seat on the table, and use his schemes and forces to her own advantage.
So, first thing's first, getting out of here without getting vaporized or flattened by the newborn punk brats doing their best to level the city. But how was she supposed to do that...?
"Paz!" a sudden familiar voice called out, making Black Cat jump slightly, before looking up to see Mabel in full Star Sapphire form swoop down towards her, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. And don't use my name when we're in the field," Black Cat replied sharply.
"Ah, right," Sapphire gave her an apologetic look, before frowning, "But seriously, are you okay?! Why the heck are you committing a robbery now of all times?! And why did that spoiled brat Princess say you're working for Skeleton King now?!"
She exclaimed as she landed in front of her, with Black Cat taking a deep breath.
"Will you calm down!" she hissed, giving Sapphire a stern glare, "I'm fine, and got everything under control," she explained, holding up the bust, "And I'm not working FOR Skeleton King."
She added, glancing down at the item in her hands, "Rather he's made an interesting proposition, and all I have to do is bring him this thing and Black Cat passes the test," she looked back at Sapphire, "The test in question will allow Black Cat to join his forces, but I prefer to think of it more as a business partnership."
"Ah, okay," Sapphire said slowly, not looking comfortable, "But, um... are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, you know how dangerous he is. Do you know what he did to the Powerpuff Girls?!"
"No, I somehow missed the children that they suddenly have out of nowhere that are tearing the city apart," Black Cat replied flatly.
"So you know that he and a greek goddess who is actually the Puffs' mother worked together to hit them with a lust spell, and how he fucked them and then created those girls in the aftermath." Though paused at Sapphire's next statement.
"What?" Black Cat gave her a questioning look before frowning, "Come on..." she grabbed Star Sapphire by the wrist, "Fill me in as we go, last thing we want is to be spotted," she said, with Sapphire sighing before explaining everything as she followed her girlfriend/mistress. From the details of the League briefing on the entire situation as they headed down, and what had happened to her since arriving to Townsville.
"Well, that is all very fucked up," Black Cat eventually said when Sapphire was done, "I mean, I know that my egg and sperm donors were likely going to sell me off in marriage as soon as I was old enough, but I doubt that they'd have just thrown me at someone and drugged me in the process. Can't believe I actually found a parent worse than them."
"Yeah, I'm probably going to be having nightmares about that for awhile," Sapphire replied, looking around carefully at their surroundings, making sure no one was around to see them walking together, "So, do you have an extraction plan waiting to pick you up that I can drop you off at? Or are you supposed to meet Skeleton King somewhere first? Cause, I don't like the idea of you being near him, but if he's expecting you, I don't want to risk pissing him off."
A part of her wondering if she should tell Pacifica about that plan she had with Tambry setting up a personal meeting, while also adding, "And are you sure about this plan?" She asked giving her a concerned frown, "I mean, with all of this..."
She said, with Black Cat frowning before giving a scoff, "Look, I won't lie, it's risky, but while Skeleton King seems to know I've got ambitions, he hasn't shown any sign of knowing who I am or how far those ambitions actually go."
She said, giving Star Sapphire a firm look, "And getting inside his operations is an opportunity that we can't pass up," she said, but also admitted with a scowl, "And as much as I hate to admit it, the bastard made a point while making his pitch."
She said with a sigh, looking down at the artifact in her hands, "I've got plans and I've been patient about it, but I'm not blind to the rivals and enemies I'll be working against, plus with how things are escalating, I might not have time to play the patient long game for much longer."
"Okay, I get that," Sapphire said with a frown, "But is the alien warlord who we know almost nothing about the right option to expand with?"
"Maybe not," Black Cat admitted, "But he's the one who reached out to me, and I'm not going to throw away a good opportunity when it presents itself like this."
"Yeah, but what if he, umm, you know, tries to make a move?" Star Sapphire said, giving her a concerned look while slightly biting her lip, "I mean, with what he and Eris pulled..." she trailed off as Black Cat suddenly gave a snort.
"As messed up as it is, especially with Eris' part in things, don't you think it's a bit hypocritical to judge someone for using a love spell?" she asked, giving her pet a look, with Star Sapphire wincing as her mistress twisted the knife straight into the open wound of her recent guilt for her actions with Tambry, "And if he does make a move, so what?"
Black Cat gave a shrug, "I'm sure I can handle him in the bedroom, and it'll give me even more leverage to work with, while seeing if something like him can give a decent time in the sack."
"Um, yeah, guess that's a good point," Star Sapphire replied, knowing that she couldn't really argue with that. Though that didn't stop the concern welling up in her... and also some jealousy, which was absurd. After all, Pacifica was already sleeping with Dipper and Zita too, what was one more on top of that? And those were just the ones she knew about... though Pacifica would probably tell her about other bed partners... besides, she'd been sleeping around with Pacifica's permission and orders to use the connections she made to benefit her goals in whatever way possible.
Put that with the fact that she was the other girl/sex pet in this relationship with Pacifica dating Dipper, and they were doing this all behind his back in both sexual and criminal acts... did she really have a leg to stand on here?
"Of course it is," Black Cat said, reaching out to pat her cheek, "Remember that I'm in the one in charge for a reason," she said with a smirk, "Just relax and remember that if Skeleton King tries to play with this pussy, I'll show him this feline has some very sharp claws~"
Black Cat said with a wicked gleam in her eyes, "You just focus on building up your hero rep and making any connections you can in that little justice club while funneling information back to me."
She said as Sapphire leaned into her touch, "After all, you're my best informant there," she added with a little bit of praise, smiling, "Your brother is of course willing to trust and share information with me, but with you I don't get the feeling that you're holding out on me."
She praised, with Sapphire flushing, feeling good despite herself that she had a win over Dipper in that regard. Even thought she knew Pacifica still loved Dipper, it was just... he wouldn't quite understand why Paz had to do some of the things she'd been doing. They had to wait for the right moment to reveal things to him...
Though at the mention of holding back on Pacifica, her mind went to her earlier phone call with Tambry... and strangely enough, for once she found herself not telling Pacifica.
Maybe it was the feeling of guilt and that part of her knew she owed Tambry, maybe it was the desire to give Pacifica plausible deniability if things went wrong, in an effort to keep her safe... but she kept her mouth shut.
Though speaking of Tambry...
"Oh, and before I forget, try and get in contact with Tambry, would you?" Star Sapphire gave her a confused concerned blink, "You're closer to her than me, so see if we can manipulate that thing she's got going with Skeleton King's pet monkey to our advantage."
Black Cat smirked, "Play things right, we might be able to exploit her new relationship to our advantage~" she admitted without a hint of shame. Admittedly, this was perhaps a risk of Mabel finding out what happened in Gravity Falls. But if Tambry didn't take the chance to ask for help last night, then something told her for one reason or another the girl was keeping her trap shut about her and the town situation. Which if it meant some level of surveillance on one of Skeleton King and Lothor's operations, and that whore Corduroy getting raped and hopefully tortured longer, was all good in her book~
"Um, sure... I can do that," Sapphire said. Well, at least now she didn't have to feel bad about this, since now she was technically following Pacifica's orders.
"Good pet~" Black Cat replied, patting Sapphire's head, before looking around, seeing that they were in a fairly deserted part of the city, "Anyway, looks safe enough here. I think I can make it to my rendezvous without a superhero playing bodyguard."
"Right... just..." Star Sapphire gave her one more worried look, "Be careful, please," she said as Black Cat arched a brow, "I know you can handle yourself... but..."
Star Sapphire gave a wince, "I'd rather not have to tell Dipper you've ended up as a personal pleasure slave to an alien skeleton... never mind all the other stuff we've been keeping from him."
She said with one of the becoming rarer as time went on flashes of guilt for the things she and Pacifica had been doing behind Dipper's back, and how they'd also been using him indirectly to help benefit Pacifica's goals.
Though at the same time, the pleasure slave comment caused her to be hit with the image of her and Pacifica in slave girl outfits sitting at Skeleton King's feet as he lounged in a throne. She blushed brightly at that, which Black Cat didn't notice as she was too busy scoffing at her comment.
"I appreciate the concern, but I'm no one's slave... not anymore," she said, trailing off with an angry grumble at that last part, momentarily thinking of how her birth parents had treated her. However, she shook that off before she could dwell on it, and added, "Anyway, you should get heading back before the other League members wonder where you ended up."
"Alright," Star Sapphire gave an understanding and to Black Cat's pleasure slight obedient nod, "Just contact me when you're able to," She said, before leaning in to kiss Black Cat hungrily that the girl returned gleefully before it broke.
"Don't worry, just don't disappoint me," Black Cat said, giving Sapphire's ass a smack as the heroine flew off with a slight naughty giggle.
"She's come along nicely," Black Cat said with a smirk, "A bit more training, and maybe I'll see if she's ready to kill for me," she muttered with a dark gleam entering her eyes, "Or maybe arrange for a League member that I can train into a new pet to go missing in action."
After all, there were plenty of studs and gorgeous bitches in the superhero club she wouldn't mind having underneath her~
But, fantasizing like that would have to wait for later, she decided. First, she had to meet up with Skeleton King and solidify this deal.
Though as she headed off, one particular citizen was taking in the chaos hitting his city and wasn't happy.
(Elsewhere)
"Damnit! What the hell is going on?!" Elmer exclaimed from his position melted and pinning Jinmay onto the street, with the robot still struggling to break loose, though the mayhem to hit Townsville hadn't escape their notice.
Admittedly, Jinmay couldn't see much from her glue cocoon, but she could still hear the chaos that was unfolding. Elmer, on the other hand, was perfectly able to see the streaks of light that were making their way back and forth across town, slowly leveling it.
"Why does it look like the Powerpuffs are attacking the city? They wouldn't do that!" Elmer exclaimed, wishing that he could go and investigate, but knowing that he couldn't let the insane robot he was pinning get free again.
Powerpuff Girls attacking the city?! Was this Lord Skeleton King plan? Had he somehow brainwashed those girls into his slaves?! Jinmay couldn't help but wonder, feeling a bit of awe at her lord's power, but also sting of worried jealousy at potentially more competition. As well as more negative feelings she was trying to ignore.
You'd know about brainwashing, after all that's what he did to you.
Looks like you're already being replaced with some new toys.
SHUT UP! Jinmay yelled in her mind before focusing her body's systems, and as it let out a glow, a potent electrical current shot out, coating her entire body, delivering a nasty shock to Elmer.
"Arrrrg! I'm, urrg, not letting you, ahhh, loose!" Was his cry of pain and determination. No matter what was going on, he was not going to let this metal psycho get free to help make it worse!
Though as he fought against the pain and did his best to keep Jinmay pinned, this scene of course caught some attention.
"Hey, what's that?" Brat asked, coming to a stop midair, holding an ice cream truck in the air.
"What's what?" Brute asked, holding a poor ice cream man by his ankle while Berserk got some chocolate pops from the truck.
"That thing over there... kinda looks like a big pile of goo?" Brat said in confusion as she pointed Elmer out to her sisters.
"Huh, that's weird," Berserk said, cocking her head in confusion, before smirking, "Let's go find out what it is... and blow it up!"
"Ohh, sounds fun!" Brat said, throwing the ice cream truck aside with it exploding into a fiery wreck in the side of a building.
"Yeah, don't want to leave anything in this dumb city in one piece," Brute added, casually dropping the ice cream man who plummeted to the ground with a scream.
Though the girls were already heading over to Elmer and Jinmay location, zipping off as Berserk tossed her sisters their chocolate pops.
"Urgg, just give it up! Whatever's happening, you're going to, ahhh, end up behind bars with your, arrrrg, boss!" Elmer growled at Jinmay, who just tried zapping him harder. He grunted in pain again, but before he could respond to it, oddly familiar voices spoke up.
"The goo can talk?"
"That's kinda weird."
"Who cares? Let's still blow it up!"
"What?!" Elmer looked up to the stunning sight of the Powerpuff Girls looking right out of Pokey Oaks, only with some new tastes in fashion, "Girls? What happened to you? It's me, Elmer!"
"Who?" Brat asked in confusion.
"He obviously thinks we're our moms, dummy," Berserk scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"Moms?!" Elmer blurted out in shock.
"Yeah, moms, we're the Powerpunk Girls, not the Powerpuff Girls!" Brute snapped, glaring at the walking goo pile, "And don't think we won't blow you up, just because you're some friend of our moms'."
She added with a threatening smirk.
"Friend isn't exactly the word I'd use," Elmer muttered slightly, giving Buttercup's lookalike a sour look, as he was starting to get some rather unpleasant flashbacks of his kindergarten days before his mutation.
Sure, they'd gotten along better after she'd apologized to him, but some of that bitterness had never really gone away, and seeing this so-called "daughter" of hers acting like her at her worst was stirring it back up.
"Well, whatever, we don't care what you are," Berserk said, "Our dad told us to come have fun, so we're going to have some more by blowing you up now~"
"Not that we need permission from him to have fun," Brute added with a huff, getting a slight look from Brat while Berserk rolled her eyes with annoyance.
"Dad?" Elmer questioned, barely processing this, but really not liking where this was going.
"Skeleton King!" The Punks called out in tandem, before letting loose eye lasers straight at Elmer, unaware of Jinmay, or the fact she had heard every word.
Daughters?! How could her master have daughters?! And with those three whores?!
She should have been the one to give him children! She screamed in her head, ignoring the question of whether she even could get pregnant, and triggering those annoying voices again.
See? He doesn't need you.
He'll grab whatever whore catches his eye, you're not special.
Shut up! She mentally yelled, just before the Powerpunks' combined attacks hit Elmer.
BOOM
Which combined with the electrical current from Jinmay proved too much, allowing the robot her chance as Elmer's form was quite literally blasted off of her.
BOOM
"ARRRRRRRRRRRR!" Elmer screamed as his form splattered and was sent flying in every direction.
"Ha! That was easy~" Brute laughed, before she and her sisters paused and stared in response to Jinmay as she stood up and glared at them.
"What's with the tin toy?" Brat questioned with a blink.
"Who cares, it's just another thing we can blow up," Berserk added, while Jinmay's large form gave a twitch at being called a toy.
"I'm no toy! I'm Lord Skeleton King's top girl and future Queen!" She snapped, her voice echoing across the devastated city while glaring at the three floating forms, "The name's Jinmay, and you brats have a lot of nerve to claim you're my master's daughters!"
The Powerpunks blinked and stared at Jinmay for a moment, turned to look at each other, and then they burst out laughing.
"What?! What's so fucking funny?!" Jinmay demanded.
"Y-you really think that you're gonna be Dad's queen?" Berserk laughed.
"Yeah! That's gonna be our moms' shared job! They're the only ones who deserve it!" Brat added, also still laughing.
"Heheh, yeah! I mean, even if they're being moron wimps playing hero, why would Pops choose a wind-up toy over them?" Brute chimed in, laughing as well.
"I am not a toy!" Jinmay yelled, her eyes glowing red, "I'm the one who hand delivered my loser ex and the rest of the Hyper Force into his hands!" She exclaimed, stomping forward, "I'm the one he chose first for his harem! I've proven my worth over three superpowered bimbos!'
That immediately wiped the smiles off of the Punks' faces, as they glared at Jinmay.
"Hey! No one insults our moms except for us!" Berserk snapped with a growl, a surge of surprising anger taking hold of the Punks, even Berserk despite her current own anger directed towards Blossom for some of the comments she had made earlier.
"I'll say what I want about who I want!" Jinmay yelled back, raising her hand which glowed with energy, "And the only thing you three are is at most new creations of my master with an overinflated sense of worth"
She exclaimed with a glare, "So I suggest you stop with this daughter bull crap, and fall in line!"
"I got a better idea. How about we turn you into a pile of scrap metal!" Brute snarled.
"Works for me!" Brat yelled alongside her.
"Sounds like a plan, but let's try to leave some scraps for Dad to decide whether to fix or throw in the junkyard, girls," Berserk added with a smirk.
Growling angrily at the insolence, Jinmay charged forward, intending to crush the three pests. Giving their own battle cries, the Punks flew forward to meet her, fresh explosions soon raining out around the area as they clashed.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: So what did you all think? Hope you all enjoyed the highlight of how the Punks were created by me/Skeleton King using magic and combined essence after intercourse with the Puffs, and using them as avatars channeling the Aku power in their veins.
Plus bet you all thought already had the Puffs well in hand, heh not quite yet as we see without spell dulling their thoughts they've got plenty of fight left in them. :)
Though as their discussing child support with me/Skeleton King, we really had the Punks having a lot fun and chaos in variety of scenes. Such as the scene with the Mayor (while making a nice call out to a favorite episode of mine from Powerpuff Girls.) though sadly sweets didn't help.
Not to mention showing that while born today they got plenty of power as they used Wonder Woman herself like a toy ball.
Also full credit to the idea for that particular scene with Berserk new's announcement goes to youtube channel bluewing, saw that video linked in chapter while back and just had to use own variation of it.
https://www.youtube.com/@BlueWingYT
Outside of the Punks we also got a fun clash of magic between Valeena and Zatanna, before the former is forced to flee. Though not without consequences with the Chemical X not only be lost but exposed to the post tortured form of Robin Snyder.
With none other than Eris showing up to give a helping hand in her own way leaving Robin mutated into a new naga like form. Poor girl only time will tell how she handles this, but as said before my/Skeleton King attack will have lasting consequences.
This along with everything else makes this a chapter we really hope you enjoyed. :)
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Hope we didn't make the Punks too OP here, but they do take after their moms in that regards.
Also hoping you like the twist with Robin. We wanted to really take a chance to amp up a fan favorite minor character, and this was the best way we could think of. But don't worry, we're going to make sure that the poor girl is taken care of in the long run.
And hey, on the bright side for the forces of good, Valeena completely screwed up her mission, and you know that Night/Skeleton King won't take that lying down.
Until next time, please leave a kudos or comment if you liked the chapter.
Chapter 40: Townsville Troubles, Part 7
Notes:
NIghtmaster000 A/N: And we're back! Quite a action packed chapter with not only the Puffs but various League members stepping up, as we wrap the Townsville arc to a close. I have to say this was a real blast of a arc to write, and while can't speak for Zim I really had a lot of fun writing it~
Plus it means so much to hear that all the reviewers enjoyed the twist with the Powerpunk Girls so much! I admit it was one of my favorite parts of the arc, and audience reception to this twist to the story had me really nervous, so to see everyone loving them and this twist it really fills me with joy! So thanks so much everyone your support means so much. :)
But even with the Powerpunks aside this arc was a true thrill to write from the fights, the revelations, the character interactions, all of it a delight to write. Plus the fact we managed to wrap this up in seven chapters like Zim/Lothor Alabasta arc in itself is a welcome surprise too~
So without further ado lets get to the climax of Townsville Troubles..
Though first....anything to add Zim my dear friend?
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Nothing really to add, just going to agree that this has been a very fun arc to write, and I'm so glad that everyone's been enjoying it so much. Not just the big twist with the Powerpunks, but also every other plot point we've set up for future development through this arc's events, some of which I'm really looking forward to revisiting down the line.
But anyway, let's wrap this arc up.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
She exclaimed with a glare, "So I suggest you stop with this daughter bull crap, and fall in line!"
"I got a better idea. How about we turn you into a pile of scrap metal!" Brute snarled.
"Works for me!" Brat yelled alongside her.
"Sounds like a plan, but let's try to leave some scraps for Dad to decide whether to fix or throw in the junkyard, girls," Berserk added with a smirk.
Growling angrily at the insolence, Jinmay charged forward, intending to crush the three pests. Giving their own battle cries, the Punks flew forward to meet her, fresh explosions soon raining out around the area as they clashed.
(Elsewhere)
The woods outside of Townsville were a burning wasteland, torn apart by the ongoing battle between the furious Powerpuff Girls and the maniacally laughing Skeleton King.
The latter of which felt so alive! After all, outside of mopping up in Gravity Falls and that testing bout against Blackfire, he really hadn't had a chance to test his limits and skills as Skeleton King in a real battle. He'd been privately training against Formless, but here and now he felt truly tested and alive! A villainous Big Bad taking on a trio of superheroes in their prime, all of them giving it their all. It was an epic battle, and he was loving it!
Case in point, as he banged his staff against the ground, sending out a large wave of blue energy that froze everything it hit solid in a powerful arctic wind. However, Blossom just took a deep breath and unleashed a wave of flames, melting through the ice to clear a path for them.
"You'll have to do better than that!" Blossom snapped as she and her sisters flew closer towards him, fists held back in preparation to punch him.
"Gladly~" Skeleton King spoke before letting out a cry, "Death Scream!" As he unleashed a little trick inspired by Mandarin's monkey mind scream and a certain Phantom's ghostly wail.
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Which caused the Puffs to freeze midair, hands going to their ears as a screech of what could only be described as tortured wailing souls filled the air. And with their super hearing, it was even worse, their ears starting to bleed.
"Ugh... this... won't... stop us... bastard!" Buttercup growled, glaring at him.
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
However, not only did the scream continue, but a glow began to form at the back of Skeleton King's throat... and before the Puffs could retaliate, a surge of energy shot out straight at them!
BOOM
With the resulting explosion sending the girls flying backwards to slam against and shatter one of the few trees still standing in the area.
"Urgg, okay... he's tougher than he looks," Buttercup groaned, rubbing her head.
"What?! Can't hear you!" Bubbles cried out, her ears still ringing while lying under her sister.
"Don't worry girls, it's just like HIM; just because he's got some tricks, doesn't mean we can't beat him," Blossom said underneath the pile. Though honestly, she was partially trying to convince herself of that. It had been a long time since they'd fought someone who could stand against them like this.
But they were not going to give up! They were going to make this bastard pay, and then deal with those... things that he'd made out of them, she thought, scowling at the thought of those little abominations. And the bastard had the gall to call those things her and her sisters' daughters!
She was going to see him and those monsters locked away where they belonged when this was all over, she swore to herself as her fists clenched in rage.
Speaking of monsters...
"I do hope you're not giving up already!" Skeleton King's voice echoed through the forest, "After all, this is perhaps the best fight I've had since arriving to Earth, and I'm just starting to have fun."
"Fun?! You won't think this is fun once we kick your ass!" Buttercup snarled as she and her sisters got back to their feet and glared, looking around for where Skeleton King was hiding.
"Heheh, maybe I will~ After all, you girls certainly enjoyed the pain earlier, didn't you?" Came his mocking laughter, making them flush and not just from anger. As they instinctively flashed back to the earlier sex, and just how good it had made them feel...
"Ugh, shut up and fight already!" Blossom yelled. However, Skeleton King's laughter continued to echo.
"And here I thought Buttercup was the violent one~" He stated, his tone full of amusement as Blossom scowled while she and her sisters eyed their surroundings on guard, "Really Blossom, what kind of example are you making for our daughter?"
He asked mockingly, while unnoticed to the Powerpuff Girls the ground beneath them began to crack.
"Those abominations aren't our daughters!" Blossom shouted with an expression of disgusted rage, missing her sisters' looks at that statement. Bubbles was shocked that Blossom would say something like that, especially about people who were technically family despite how they'd been born. Buttercup, though she had some very mixed feelings of her own, was similarly disturbed that Blossom of all people would talk like that.
However, neither of them had a chance to comment on it, as Skeleton King's laugh echoed through the air.
"That's where you're wrong, Blossom~ This isn't a case like the Rowdyruff Boys - the girls, our daughters, were made from not only my power and seed, but with your own eggs and the essence of Aku that runs through your very being," his voice said, distracting the girls as the ground beneath them cracked some more, with a dark purplish-pink glow forming in them, "They are, however much as you try to deny it, your own flesh and blood."
"Grrr... just show yourself already!" Blossom yelled, feeling her temper boiling over.
And at those words, the ground beneath them blasted out in a fountain of purple-pink fire, causing the girls to scream in pain while Skeleton King at the same time stepped out of the shadows of a tree line, lashing out with a three-way electric mystical attack while the flames barbecued the Puffs.
BOOM
"AAAAHHHHH!!!"
And the attacks hit dead on, sending the Puffs flying across the ruined wasteland that their fight had created.
"Heheh, time to divide and conquer," Skeleton King said with a chuckle, raising his scepter into the air. So far, he'd been focusing on attacking from a distance or exploiting any chance he could to take the girls by surprise. As powerful as he was, he was wary of fighting the Puffs up close with their own amount of power and super strength, so in his mind the best way to attack was by keeping them off balance.
"Let their doubts and fears fog their thoughts, as they become blind to each other and their foe!" He cackled, his staff and body releasing a glow as a dark thick fog began to form over the entire former forest turned wasteland, with his own form disappearing within.
Meanwhile, across the battlefield, Blossom groaned as she pulled herself out of the hole that she'd put in the ground when she'd hit it.
"Ugh, agh... girls?" she groaned, before calling out as she realized that she couldn't see her sisters anywhere, "Bubbles? Buttercup? Where are you?!"
However, she only got a menacing chuckle in reply, causing her to grit her teeth, that laugh becoming all too familiar and hated.
"Show yourself!" Blossom screamed, looking around wildly as she pushed herself up, holding her side.
"Why are you rejecting me, mom?" Only it wasn't Skeleton King's voice that answered her, "Am I not good enough? Am I not smart, strong, or fast enough? Don't you want us to be a family?"
Blossom's eyes widened as she looked around in shock, before seeing Berserk emerge from the darkness, looking at her with watery eyes.
"S-shut up!" Blossom snapped, refusing to acknowledge the emotions building up in her, "You're not my daughter! You're just a... a thing that that bastard used me to make!"
With Berserk's form actually seeming to flinch at those words.
"I didn't ask to be made!" she snapped, looking at Blossom with eyes full of pain, "Then again..." Berserk's eyes narrowed with hate, "It's not like you have a good track record of loving your daughters," she said, her voice full of pain and disdain.
And for a moment, the emotions Blossom was trying to ignore were replaced by confusion.
"What are you...?" She was cut off by a new voice... one she hadn't heard for over a decade, but had haunted her nightmares and always filled her with shame and guilt.
"Bunny do good!"
Blossom's eyes widened in shock at that, and she slowly turned her head in another direction as a different figure emerged from the darkness.
"Bunny do good!" the large hulking figure of the short-lived fourth Powerpuff repeated, looking at Blossom eagerly, "Sister proud of Bunny?"
"I..." Blossom stuttered as she found herself taking a step back in shock, as her and her sister's greatest sin stood before her, her mind overwhelmed with so many emotions she found herself speechless.
"Don't bet on it," Unfortunately, that meant Berserk was more than willing to speak in her place, her voice full of scorn, "After all, how could abominations like us ever meet her prissy perfect standards? She doesn't even have the grace much less spine to call you what you really are."
Berserk's eyes bored into Blossom's, "Because last I checked, creating someone and giving them life doesn't make you their sister."
"Not sister?" Bunny asked in confusion.
"No. She's your mother, just like she's mine," Berserk said, the word spat at Blossom, who flinched.
"Mama?" Bunny said, looking at Blossom with puppy dog eyes that made guilt stab at her heart.
"Bunny... I..." Blossom's words were cut off again by Berserk, "Tell us, were you proud of creating a personal servant, of allowing her to die?"
"That... that's not what we did!" Blossom protested, voice shaking.
"No, you just wanted someone to do the hard work for you, instead of just doing your job," Berserk sneered, "And when she couldn't do the job after you barely explained to her what she was supposed to be doing, you turned on her!"
Blossom flinched as Bunny's tone broke.
"Bunny do bad?" The large girl asked, her eyes watering.
"No, you did your best," Berserk said softly, floating over to her while glaring at Blossom, "It's her who did bad."
"I... we tried..." Blossom stammered. A part of her mind was yelling how this couldn't be real, but the rest was too overwhelmed by years of repressed guilt and shame.
"Tried what? To make a slave, to hide away your sin while still soaking up the glory and praise of being a hero?!" Berserk snapped, her voice full of scorn as she patted Bunny on the head, "No one in Townsville, even your own father, knows the truth about Bunny and what happened, because their precious heroes covered it up!"
Blossom winced at that. They had in fact hidden the truth about Bunny's origins from everyone, even the Professor, and just let everyone who was curious about the briefly-existing fourth Powerpuff make up their own minds about who and what she was. It hadn't been an easy decision, but it had been for the best! ...Wasn't it?
"We weren't ashamed of her, we were ashamed of ourselves, for what we did!" she said defensively.
"Then why didn't you own up to what you did?!" Berserk snapped as Bunny started to sob into her hands, "Why didn't you face the consequences to your actions?! Instead of hiding your shame in the attic while pretending nothing changed or happened!"
Berserk's words, along with Bunny's crying, caused Blossom to flinch back several steps.
"You three couldn't even bother to give her a proper funeral!" Berserk gazed at her with disgust, "And to think you have the gall to call Dad a monster, and still call yourself a hero after what you did!"
"Shut up! Shut up!" Blossom screamed, dropping to her knees and clasping her hands over her ears.
"What's the matter, don't like the truth?" Berserk sneered down at her, "Some hero you are."
And at those words, the citizens of Townsville began to form and come out of the fog.
"I never knew you girls could be so cruel," Miss Bellum said, shaking her head.
"Have you no shame?! And to think I thought those golf clubs and the candy incident was the worst thing you've ever done," Mayor chimed in, shaking his head.
"Oh Blossom... I thought you were better than this," Ms. Keane said, looking at Blossom with disappointment that was so much worse than anger.
But worst of all was when the Professor stepped forward, looking so very sad.
"Blossom, how could you? Why would you use my research so recklessly and selfishly, and then not take accountability for it?" he asked, each word hitting Blossom like a punch.
"Liar!" Robin called out, her eyes burning with anger.
"Fraud!" The talking dog barked.
"Monster!" Mr. Green yelled with scorn and disappointment.
More citizens began to appear, calling scorn and hate toward the Puff, with Bunny stepping up in front, tears running down her face, "Blossom bad! Blossom very bad!"
"No, no, no!" Blossom cried out, feeling tears rolling down her cheeks as she curled up in a fetal position, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
And as Blossom fell within the trap made by her own guilt and sins, her sisters were getting their own taste of Skeleton King's trap.
"Girls! Girls, where are you?!" Bubbles called out from within the fog, frowning with worry, before going still as she heard a giggle, causing her to whirl around to see a little table set up with a plate of cookies.
"Hi mom!"
One of which was currently being enjoyed by Brat.
"You're just in time for the tea party!" Brat chirped with a smile as she sat in one seat, with another being filled by the tied-up and gagged form of Mac.
"Mffff!" Who looked pleadingly at Bubbles for help.
"What are you doing?!" Bubbles demanded, seeing her sorta-daughter having apparently abducted her boyfriend.
"I was just thinking that I'd do you a favor and grab this loser so that you can tell him that you don't need him anymore since you're with Daddy now!" Brat replied with a bright smile. A bright smile that for some reason caused Bubbles to feel a flash of guilt despite the situation.
"Mffff!" And not just for the reminder she had cheated on her boyfriend who was giving her a shocked confused look that cause shame to well up as she focus on... her daughter.
"Listen... Brat?" Bubbles trailed off, not sure if she got the name right, but the girl nodded, "Skeleton King and I aren't together."
"Of course you are!" Brat said, her tone suggesting that it should have been obvious, "You did all that gross grownup stuff with him, that's how you made me, right?"
"Well, um, yes, we did," Bubbles said with a blush, though she winced at the betrayed look that Mac gave her at that.
"Mmmph!" he made a sound of protest through his gag.
"Then that means that you're together. Because grownups only do that stuff when they love each other, so you must love Daddy if you did it with him," Brat stated sagely.
"It's, um, a bit more complicated than that," Bubbles said tentatively, finding herself unsure how to explain the whole concept of love spells and rape to the little girl. While also finding hard to argue against her logic, since it was a simpler version of her own beliefs.
But she didn't love Skeleton King! She loved Mac! Sure, she had been frustrated with her boyfriend, and yes, even if it was against her will, a part of her had to admit her first time had felt amazing. But that didn't mean she was proud of what she did, of everything she said even! Just the memory of everything that happened earlier filled her with guilt and shame, as well as a few other emotions she was trying to ignore.
"Oh, I know you still got to dump this loser, and get married all official like with Daddy," Brat's words brought her back to focus as her daughter misunderstood what she meant.
"That, um, that's not what I meant," Bubbles said with a wince, hating that this conversation was slipping so quickly out of her control.
"Huh?" Brat blinked in confusion, before smiling widely, "Oh, I get it. You're not gonna dump him, you're gonna kill him! Can I help?"
"What? NO!" Bubbles yelled, eyes widening in shock.
"Aw, okay, you can do it by yourself," Brat said with a pout.
"No, I mean that I'm not going to kill him!" Bubbles clarified frantically.
"You're not?" Brat looked confused for a moment, before making an expression of realization, "Ooooh, I get it! You want to make him our personal slave!".
"No!" Bubbles exclaimed, growing increasingly frustrated at her daughter's inability to latch onto what she was trying to say, "I'm going to be with him, because he's my boyfriend and I love him, and I don't love Skeleton King!"
"What?!" Brat shot up into the air, giving her an angry incredulous glare, "How could you pick this loser over Daddy?! He's Daddy! He going to make you his queen when he conquers the planet! He gave you the best thing you could ever ask for! ME!"
"Yes, and I'm... I'm grateful for that," Bubbles said, not sure how exactly to feel about her daughter's existence, but trying to be positive about it, "But I don't want to be a queen, and I don't want Skeleton King to conquer the planet! That's evil!"
"Who cares?" Brat spat, "Being evil is fun! What's being good ever gotten you except a bunch of headaches?"
"What are you talking about?" Bubbles gave her a confused frown, "Being good and helping protect Townsville has gotten me a lot!" She protested, with the gagged Mac giving an agreeing nod.
"Yeah, like the glory of being an unpaid babysitter for a city full of morons," Brat shot back with a snort, "Morons who will drop you like yesterday's news for the next best thing like they did with Major Man."
"That's different! He was a fraud who was tricking them!" Bubbles snapped angrily at the reminder of that particular incident, not even questioning how Brat could have known about it.
"But they still turned on you for him before they found that out," Brat pointed out with a sneer, "Face it Mom, you're just a glorified guard dog, a free for all freakshow they can gawk at!" She added, getting into Bubbles' face, "None of them appreciate what you've been through or sacrificed to protect this stupid city!"
"That's not true!" Bubbles snapped, shoving Brat back.
"Oh please," Brat sneered as she floated slightly backwards, arms crossed over her chest, "Yeah, sure, they cheer for you. But where's the real esteem, huh? Where's the gifts, the rewards, the statues showing how much they appreciate you?"
"We don't want any of that!" Bubbles yelled, throwing her arms up in the air.
"Oh?" Brat, however, looked disbelieving, "So you enjoy being on call 24/7, risking your lives time and time again, sacrificing your own happiness for nothing more than a pat on the head and a "good job Bubbles"," Brat said, finishing in a mocking tone, "Never once wishing for a real reward?"
"I, that, you..." Bubbles stammered, unable to voice a good retort to that. Because while she'd never admit it out loud, she had to admit that a small part of her did resent that she and her sisters had no sort of reward for all the good they'd done since literally when they were born.
"What, got nothing to say? That just proves that I'm right!" Brat declared, while shooting her a smug grin, "But with Daddy, you could have the entire world and beyond! Giant statues, the prettiest dresses, the most expensive gems, all of Daddy's love and attention! Name it and it'd be yours!"
Brat said, floating closer to Bubbles, who took an unconscious step back, "And we can be one big happy family together!"
"I... I don't... I can't..." Bubbles stammered, mind whirling as she tried to resist the fact that Brat's words... they sounded very good at face value.
"Come on Mom, don't you love me?" Brat asked, bursting forward and taking Bubbles by surprise as she hugged her side, "And didn't Daddy make you happy earlier?" She looked up into Bubbles eyes, "Isn't this all you've ever wanted?"
"I... I don't know," Bubbles said, finding herself instinctively returning the hug. This was nice, and it all sounded good... but could she really let herself be with a monster like Skeleton King to get it?
At that, her gaze went over to the bound and gagged form of Mac... and images began to form in her mind at what could happen if she gave in and gave up on everything she and her sisters had been fighting for all these years .
Fighting against the heroes they idolized, and terrorizing the people they'd sworn to protect. Destroying everything they'd defended for so long. But... doing it alongside Skeleton King and their daughters. Him holding them all tight through it all. Making them all feel loved... and making love to them~
She flushed as her mind couldn't help but subconsciously go back to the pleasure she felt earlier. It was wrong, and against her will, but she couldn't deny it had felt so good at the time! And Brat, she... was so adorable... she could see the desire for a mother's love in her eyes.
For just a moment, Bubbles found herself in doubt... doubt that Skeleton King's magic attempted to exploit, as before the heroine realized it, the scenery around her began to shift and change as an illusion took hold, shifting their surroundings, Bubbles giving a blink as she found herself sitting on Skeleton King's lap as he himself sat in his throne while they rode some kinda monster with the the form of Brat floating over them and the form of Mac chained and beaten on his knees next to the throne, as they flew over the ruins of Townsville, with Formless marching the citizens in chains.
She should feel horror and disgust at all of this... but as she watched, they came upon a giant statue of her and her sisters, standing tall and majestic over the ruined city, the sight of which caught her by surprise.
"Wow, Mama! You look awesome!" Brat said in amazement.
"I... really do..." Bubbles said, her tone slightly stunned with a hint of amazement leaking out at seeing such a monument dedicated to her and her sisters; despite the surrounding horror, she couldn't help but find part of her touched at the sight.
"Like I promised you, my sweet, you and your sisters will finally get everything you're due," Skeleton King hissed into her ear as he kissed her cheek.
"Um, ah... thank you..." she stammered, blushing and unable to think of any other sort of response.
"This is but the start, my dear. More and more of Earth has fallen, the heroes are but a broken shell of their selves, and soon no one will be able to challenge our power on Earth or beyond," Skeleton King said, his dark voice whispering in her ear, "Every desire you could ever want is at your fingertips, you merely need to name it."
"Bubbles, please, you have to- ARG!"
"Silence, slave! You won't talk to my mom without permission," a plea from Mac was cut off by Brat giving him a harsh smack at the back of his head as the Formless Throne Wyvern flew up closer to the monument, in front of Bubbles' head.
That exchange snapped Bubbles out of her stunned state, and she looked to Mac, guilt and shame swirling up in her at the reminder of how she'd betrayed her boyfriend, and was ignoring him while he was just sitting there! What was wrong with her? Why was she ignoring Townsville in ruins while its surviving citizens were being enslaved? Why wasn't she attacking Skeleton King and making him pay for everything he's done?!
Was their daughter, gifts, and promises really enough to make her turn her back on everything she's stood for?! She should grab Mac and flee, find her sisters, and put a stop to this!
But she couldn't move, finding herself just standing there, rooted to the spot and unable to do anything.
With Skeleton King smirking as he saw this as he stood up, carrying her bridal style as the wyvern landed on top of her statue's head, leaping off as Mac was levitated off, grasping as his throat while Brat followed, floating.
"I believe it's time we got rid of the dead weight that's keeping you tied to your past," Skeleton King hissed, his eyes gleaming as he looked down into her own, "This fool does nothing but keep you weak, and is a sign that your heart is not completely mine," He leaned in, whispering in her ear, "I know deep down you want to give in and embrace your place at my side with our daughter. All you have to do is repay this obstacle for his loyalty by proving your own~"
He... he wanted her to kill Mac? Bubbles thought in horror, looking between Skeleton King next to her and Mac's bound form in front of her.
What was she supposed to do?
"Bubbles, please..." Mac pleaded, staring at her with eyes that had always been so filled with love and affection, now filled with fear.
"Do it Bubbles, do it and we can be a family~" Skeleton King hissed.
"Yeah mom, let's drop this loser and celebrate the good times ahead!" Brat cheered excitedly over them, smiling eagerly as Bubbles bit her lip as she found herself at the crossroads. The choice should be clear... but for some reason, thanks to all the confusing emotions she was feeling right now, it wasn't.
And as Bubbles found herself at a crossroads and Blossom was tormented by past sins, Buttercup was dealing with her own confrontation.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
"That the best you got, bonehead?!" Buttercup shouted, dodging energy blasts coming from different directions in the surrounding fog, "Get me alone and attack while hiding like a rat! I expected better of you!"
She called out tauntingly, only to stiffen as Skeleton King laughed, echoing all around her.
"Hehehe, good to know that the father of your daughter left such a strong impression~" He cooed, and before she could retort...
SMACK
"AH!" She felt a powerful electric strike hit her right in the ass, which caused her to let out a yell that sounded quite close to a moan, and as she whirled around she found herself face to Skeleton King's staff, that let out a blast of energy right in her face.
FWOOM
BANG
Which sent her crashing and skidding onto the ground, while Skeleton King spun his staff in hand.
"And I'm more than up for some foreplay roughhousing as some foreplay until you're ready to admit what you really want from me~"
"What I want is to kick your ass!" Buttercup growled as she clamored back to her feet and launched herself at Skeleton King, body crackling with energy. With Skeleton King in turn sending out a mystical energy wave.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
But Buttercup powered on through, and the next thing he knew.
WHAM
POW
WHAM
Was pain, as he found himself crashing into the ground with a slight groan, feeling his bones crack before feeling a weight landing on him as Buttercup pinned him with a glare.
"Still as fierce as you are beautiful, my warrior," he hissed with a smirk as Buttercup let out a growl.
"Shut up!" She yelled, raising her right arm to launch another punch but froze at his next words.
"Why so much anger? We both know that your mother's spell was meaningless for you, because between the three of you it was yourself who enjoyed our time the most."
"I, you... you don't know what you're talking about!" Buttercup snarled, blushing brightly and trying to not think about the fact that he was completely right about that. It had felt so good~ And she couldn't deny that unlike with that asshole Lobo, this bastard he... had actually made her feel special at the time.
"Don't I?" Skeleton King hissed below her, smirking widely, "I gave you what that fool Lobo took away, and I unlike him see your true worth. And I know, unlike your sisters, you long for more, to show the world how powerful you truly are, to follow your own path not the Justice League's, to face and conquer enemies worth your time."
He let out a chuckle, "All things I can offer you and then some~"
"I don't need anything from you, I can do it on my own!" Buttercup snapped, glaring at him.
"Even if it meant standing alone?" Skeleton King questioned, looking up at her, "I know that's what you fear the most - being alone, your sisters abandoning you to follow different paths," he reached up, placing his hands onto her butt, "With me, you'd never be alone~ I'd always be there, and Brute is my gift to prove it."
"Um, ah..." Buttercup stammered, her bravado collapsing in light of what was happening. She tried to cling to her anger, but it was hard to focus on that when she felt so good right now~
"I have an offer for you, Buttercup," Skeleton King continued, massaging her ass through her clothing, "Well... two, I suppose," He said with a chuckle, "The first one is you accepting a place at my side, but I know you..."
His eyes gleamed wickedly, staring up at her, "You're a fighter to the end, you aren't one who will simply give up, much less if it means betraying or being separated from your sisters," he admitted, staring into her lovely shade of green eyes, "So my second offer is this... the best of both worlds."
He stated, squeezing her ass, "You can continue to play heroine as you wish, you can even attempt to fight me to stop me from conquering Earth," he smirked, "But off the clock, so to speak, I offer you the affection you crave. Where we leave our heroism and villainy off to the side, and enjoy each other's company, with even the perk of allowing you to spend time with Brute and your nieces."
At her surprised look, he let out a chuckle, "A rather dangerous offer and risky for both of us, but I find myself inspired by the rumors I've heard of the Dark Knight's exploits, and part of me likes the idea of you attempting to punch my head off one day, and the next you're moaning my name, begging me to go harder~"
Buttercup scowled at him for looking so amused by the whole situation, but she still found herself carefully considering his words.
Could she... could she really go through with something like that? Play both sides just for her own gratification?
"What's the catch?" she asked instead, not showing her inclining toward either a hell no or acceptance on her face, but knowing there had to be more to this.
"Other than the obvious, never mixing work with business or attempting to find out information from each other," Skeleton King stated matter-of-factly, "When I conquer this planet, you accept your place at my side, and if your sisters continue to try to resist, help me capture them."
She scowled, but he continued, "Or if in the event I win you over to my side during the course of this deal, you either defect openly to my side, or become my double agent. And finally, if in the event I lose, you act as my ace in the hole finding a way to prevent my destruction or imprisonment," He listed out his terms as he stared up into her eyes, "Of course, if you have your own terms, I am most willing to hear them out and negotiate~"
He said with a squeeze of her ass for emphasis.
"Mmph~" Buttercup moaned as she unconsciously wiggled her ass in his grip. God, that felt good~
But... was it good enough to even consider selling out everything she'd always believed in?
As she asked herself this ,she suddenly felt a pair of hands grab at her breasts as another Skeleton King formed behind her.
"You'll never be alone, Buttercup~ You'll have me and our daughter, while still enjoying the adoration of the masses," the new one hissed as he kissed her neck.
"And when the time comes, you'll have Earth at your feet and the entire universe to challenge you as we conquer everything in our path together," the one under her added, before giving her ass a slight hit.
SMACK
"AH! Fuck!" Buttercup moaned in pleasure, "Keep doing that, and I might just agree to anything you say~"
The two Skeleton Kings smirked.
"This is but a taste of what I offer you, my warrior~" the Skeleton King behind her said, kissing her neck, "Name your desires, and I will grant them~"
"Ah, ah, oh yeah?" Buttercup asked, moaning from what was being done to her, "Cause I want a lot. Ah, ah, ah, I want fame, ah, ah, I want people knowing how awesome I am, ah, ah, ah, I want my sisters with me always, even if they turn you down!"
"Granted," the Skeleton King below her said with a hiss, "You shall have the glory you desire, and should your sisters resist, they shall be our personal shared harem girls~"
Despite herself, Buttercup blushed at that, her mind jumping to images of herself and her sisters in harem girl costumes, herself in Skeleton King's lap on his throne, while Blossom and Bubbles danced before them.
"Mmm, fuck, that's hot~" she moaned.
"Oh, trust me, you've yet to truly get even a taste of the pleasures I offer you~" Skeleton King behind her said, licking up her neck, causing a shiver before she turned her head and had her lips claimed in a kiss, while the one under her gave her ass a hit.
SMACK
"MMPH!" Buttercup moaned into the kiss, which left her panting for breath when it broke, "Ah, ah, ah, good to know. But, ah, ah, you should know that, ah, ah, I've got a few surprises of my own for you~"
"Oh, what kind?" Skeleton King asked, smirking as she gave him a smirk in return while turning half way.
"Well..." Buttercup's sultry smirk suddenly twisted into a scowl as she grabbed him by his shoulders, and next thing he knew he was being tossed over her shoulder and slammed down face to face with his counterpart.
BOOM
"The fact that it takes more than just a big dick and good time in the bedroom to make me sell out, you bonehead asshole!" She exclaimed, now floating up in the air, scowling down at the forms of Skeleton King. One buried up to his waist head first with his legs sticking up, and the other only their legs and arms can be seen from the crater hole that been formed from under the first Skeleton King.
And moments later, both vanished as if they were never there, and the real deal's voice spoke out, echoing, "So, defiant to the end? I suppose that'll make it all the more satisfying when you ultimately break~"
"Actually show yourself instead of hiding behind illusions, and we'll see who breaks first, jackass!" Buttercup yelled defiantly, eyes darting around her surroundings for the slightest sign of Skeleton King's next move.
"I actually welcome the challenge~ Truthfully, while part of me is disappointed, another part is satisfied at the proof that I chose the mother of my child well."
Buttercup grimaced at that reminder of Brute's existence. She had really, really mixed feelings about that, but she wasn't going to let it give this bastard the upper hand over her!
"Yeah, well, after I kick your ass, I'm going to take MY kid and make sure you never see her again!" she declared.
"Oh? Are you sure your sisters and father will allow it?" The bastard's voice whispered... in her ear! She quickly whirled around, throwing a punch, only nothing was there.
Grrr, this was becoming more frustrating than HIM's mind games, she couldn't help but think in disgruntlement while the bastard continued to talk.
"Abominations was what Blossom called them, no?" With his words bringing a grimace to her face at that reminder.
Because Blossom's reaction to the Punks... had definitely been shocking, to say the least. Sure, they were all surprised, but to go that far to dismiss them was not something she thought her pink sister was capable of.
Still, she wasn't going to give this bastard an inch to work with, so she just declared, "She was just shocked! She'll get over it!"
"She will indeed, when she finally falls to her knees before her master!" At that, a hand thrust out of the fog, grabbing Buttercup by the throat, with the next thing she knew was an electrical current hitting her.
ZAP
"AAAARRRGGGHHHHH!" Buttercup screamed in pain as the electricity coursed through her. With Skeleton King's grim grinning face emerging from the fog as he slammed her into the ground.
"UGH!" Buttercup cried out as she hit the dirt. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she glared up at him.
"You won't win," she spat, "Even if you beat us in battles like this... we'll never be yours!"
"Heh, I've heard similar lines before, and each time the woman I desire falls to her knees, calling me master," he said, sneering down at her, feeling such a desire to simply claim her again and make her submit to him.
But, perhaps he was getting ahead of himself. He had plenty of time for that in the future, after all~
And if anything, her defiance made things more interesting ~ His track record in breaking and corrupting women was delightful, but a change of pace with more challenge would be interesting.
And with that thought, he opened his mouth and preformed the same sonic attack from earlier, only point blank in Buttercup's face.
"SKREEEEEEEEEEE!!!!"
"AAAAGGGHHHHH!!!!" Buttercup screamed in agony as the intense sound hit her, unable to block it in any way.
But she wouldn't throw in the towel! She'd beaten bigger creeps than this asshole, and it was time to show him how tough a Powerpuff Girl really was!
With that, she put all her focus into concentrating all the energy in her body, causing her to start glowing brightly.
"Ugh... screw... YOU!" she screamed, before unleashing the energy all at once in a massive blast.
BOOM
With a column of green energy shooting out as she did so. And once it cleared, all that was left was Buttercup panting in a massive crater before raising her head with a scowl; she knew that bastard wasn't down for good yet, and odds were her sisters were dealing with his mind games too.
"Hang on girls, I'm on my way," she burst out, zooming through the fog.
And as this was happening, back with Bubbles, a green wave of energy shot through the city of Townsville, causing it to flicker for a moment as Skeleton King gave a brief scowl.
"Come, my dear, it seems we'll have some unwanted guests, so best to get this execution over with."
"I... I..." Bubbles stammered, still torn on what she was supposed to do.
However, as she was trying to make her decision, she saw her surroundings flicker as Buttercup's energy passed over the area. Seeing this sparked something in her mind, which cut through the haze that had formed in her mind as the illusion had gone on, and realization dawned on her.
"This isn't real..." she gasped, before turning and glaring at Skeleton King, "This isn't real at all! You're trying to trick me!"
"It's not real yet," Skeleton King corrected, seeming at ease as he stared at her, "Your sisters have denied my offer, but you can still choose better," he held out his hand, "Power, Pleasure, Glory, any possession you desire, with an adorable daughter being the cherry on top."
His eyes gleamed, "I offer you all of this to you, Bubbles. Let me open your eyes as mine once were, and together with our daughter we will reign above all as gods!"
"I don't want to be a god, and I don't want you twisting my daughter into a monster like you!" Bubbles declared, "I hope that someday you can maybe be the good man you used to be, but you're not dragging us down to your level!"
"A shame," Skeleton King remarked with a sigh, shaking his head as he stepped up with her entering a guarded stance, "But I shall enjoy our little game of cat and mouse, just as I shall treasure the memory of our time together~"
He said, his eyes gleaming while Bubbles flushed, "Because whether you want to admit it or not, truth was you hesitated here," he said, looking over to the illusion of Mac, and when Bubbles followed his sight, she saw the gaze of accusation and hate in them, "Despite your apparent determination to defy now, it doesn't change the fact you hesitated rather than trying to save this fool immediately."
Skeleton King gave a dark grin, "Which means I've left my mark; I'll not only be the father of your child, and the man who deflowered you..." he leaned in and spoke in a dark husky tone, "But I'll be the monster you'll always fantasize about taking you like an animal while you're settling for holding hands with this spineless fool!"
He declared, sending a blast of energy that hit Mac, blasting him off the gigantic statue of Bubbles herself that they stood on.
Gasping, and her instincts making her forget for a moment that this wasn't real, Bubbles dove after Mac, zooming down through the air after him, managing to catch him just before he could hit the ground.
"Gotcha!" she exclaimed, only for her eyes to widen as "Mac" suddenly transformed into a tentacled monster made of Formless ooze, which wrapped itself around Bubbles and caused her to fall to the ground with a cry. All while Skeleton King's voice echoed out.
"I wonder if even the hope of becoming the weakling I once was is born out of desire to have me by your side over that fool," he mused, his form flickering as he watched her plummet, "It hardly matters, because in the end you shall come crawling to me on your hands and knees, begging like the obedient bitch you were meant to be!" He exclaimed out with a dark cackle.
"In your dreams, asshole!"
Only for his laughter to be cut off as Buttercup suddenly swept in from nowhere, flying down to catch Bubbles and blasting the Formless monster off of her with a quick eye blast.
"You alright?" the green Puff asked the blue one, who started levitating on her own again, grimacing as she shook the lingering ooze off of herself.
"I'm okay. Are you?" Bubbles asked her sister.
"I'll be better once we find Blossom and pound child support out of this asshole," Buttercup said with a scowl as the illusion broke around them, returning them to the fog-covered wasteland while Bubbles nodded in agreement, trying to not think about everything Skeleton King said.
Because he was wrong, right? She loved Mac and wouldn't turn her back on him... only... why had she hesitated, like he said? And... was a desire for him to become the good man he apparently once was born out of more than sympathy, but also her own selfish desires?
Because she wasn't that selfish at all... right?
Oblivious to her sister's inner turmoil, Buttercup scanned the area, looking carefully for any sign of another attack, or more importantly for any sign of Blossom's location. Only to pause as the shouts from a number of familiar voices began to fill the fog.
"Monster!"
"Fraud!"
"You call yourself a hero!"
"You're nothing but a disappointment!"
"A murderer!"
Including one voice that caused Bubbles and Buttercup to stiffen.
"Mama bad! Mama hurt Bunny!" with their eyes widening as they looked at each other in shock.
"Buttercup, was that...?" Bubbles trailed off. It had been years, but she could never forget that voice, or the feeling of guilt and shame that accompanied it.
"Oh, that fucking bastard!" Buttercup at first slowly nodded, before barking out a curse as she floated up in the air, already having a good guess what Bonehead was doing, "He's throwing that of all things in her face?!" she exclaimed as she blasted through the fog, following the voices.
"Wait for me!" with Bubbles flashing after her, putting her inner turmoil aside to focus on their current situation.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please, I didn't mean for it to happen!" While Blossom herself was curled up, still on the ground, arms over her head on her side as she closed her eyes, trying to block it all out but failing miserably.
"Face it, Blossom, despite everything you claim to fight for, your own past choices show one fact quite clearly..." Skeleton King stated as he loomed over her with a dark smirk, "You're no hero~"
"Yeah, he's right," Berserk sneered down at her, "You're not a hero, and you don't even have the decency to be a villain to cover for being selfish. You're just scum!"
"Scum!"
"Monster!"
"Liar!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Blossom muttered like a broken record as the voices continued to rain down on her.
They were right, she wasn't a hero, if she was Bunny would still be alive. Hell, she wouldn't have played around trying to copy the Professor's work just to create someone to take off some of the workload.
She was a fraud, a liar, a monster... she deserved this... she...
"BLOSSOM!"
Two voices shouting out her name caused her to raise her head as Buttercup and Bubbles landed protectively over her.
"Snap out of it!" Bubbles pleaded, giving her a concerned expression while Buttercup scowled at the image of Bunny, before her glaring eyes went to Skeleton King.
"You have the fucking nerve to use Bunny of all people to..." she was cut off by Skeleton King.
"All I've done here is speak the truth of your own actions and sins," he hissed, his eyes seeming to flare, "You created a child with the express purpose of her being a tool, and your own carelessness in the process led to her demise."
He said, meeting her glare with one of his own, "Say what you will about me, at least I've created the Powerpunk Girls with the intention of treating them as my own," he stated before adding with a huff, "And I actually made sure I knew what I was doing before creating them as well, instead of throwing random ingredients in the pot along with Aku's watered-down essence."
"You're right, we didn't know what we were doing!" Buttercup admitted, to everyone's surprise, before she continued, "But that's because we were dumb kids who wanted someone to help do some of our work for us! That's normal! Yeah, we screwed up badly, but it doesn't make us monsters! If we were as bad as you're trying to say we are, we wouldn't have cared, not been left feeling guilty for all these years! So screw you and your mind games!"
However, at her words Skeleton King gave her an even look.
"Pretty words, but you're forgetting one thing..." he said, before gesturing toward Bunny, who had tears in her eyes, "You're not children anymore, and yet you still hide your sin away out of shame, and fear of the consequences," he remarked as Bunny sniffed.
"Mamas... shamed of Bunny? Bunny... bad?" she questioned, her voice cracking, with the Puffs flinching despite knowing it wasn't really her.
"N-no, you weren't bad!" Bubbles said quickly, while Blossom whimpered on the ground next to her, "We were bad for treating you like that, but you didn't do anything wrong!"
"It's not really her! That bastard's just messing with us!" Buttercup snapped at her sister, ignoring Bunny to glare at Skeleton King.
"Am I? Or am I showing a preview of things to come?" Skeleton King remarked with a chuckle.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" Buttercup snapped, glaring at him.
"Oh, I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise~" he remarked, his eyes gleaming with a malicious edge, "But let's just say you'll soon learn the sins of the past never truly stay buried forever!" he said with a laugh, "And soon the entire world shall learn who the Powerpuff Girls truly are!"
He exclaimed with a cackle, looking at them with sadistic amusement, "Blood of evil, spawns of chaos, mothers of destruction, and lovers of death itself!" He proclaimed dramatically... while internally hoping this little comment didn't get the Endless on his back.
He might be playing fast and loose since starting this new life, but that didn't mean he was a moron, thank you very much. And given all the other non-DCAU elements at play in this universe, he was not ruling out that particular esoteric part of DC lore being present.
But in any case, with that final remark, he slammed his staff down onto the ground, unleashing a blinding flash of light that blanketed the area. When it cleared, he was gone and so were his illusions, leaving just the Powerpuff Girls standing there... well, Buttercup and Bubbles were standing, while Blossom was still in a fetal position on the ground.
"Blossom! Speak to me!" With Bubbles focusing more on the last factor, while Buttercup looked around warily on guard, not banking on him being gone completely just yet.
"Monster, fraud, liar... sob... sob, Bunny I'm sorry..." Blossom let out, sobbing into Bubbles' arms.
"Shh, it's okay, it's going to be okay," Bubbles said, trying to comfort her sister.
"Hate to disagree with you sis, but we're as fucking far from okay as can be," Buttercup stated, turning to face her sisters, giving Blossom a concerned look before firming her face in a scowl, "Because something tells me that while Bonehead's been keeping us busy, his goons have been doing hell knows what in Townsville."
She said, and with that Bubbles let out a gasp.
"The Professor!" she exclaimed in alarm.
"Will have to wait," was Buttercup's response as Bubbles gave her a disbelieving look, "In case you forgot, we've got not only Bonehead and his creeps to deal with, but..." Here Buttercup's expression became torn, before giving a sigh, "But also some new motherhood responsibilities to attend to, and three troublemakers to wrangle before they cause too much damage."
"Oh, right," Bubbles said with a wince. That had to take priority, before Skeleton King could corrupt their daughters even more than he already had.
"Exactly," Buttercup said, kneeling down to gently grab Blossom's shoulder, "So come on, leader girl, we need you to pull yourself together and help us out here."
"I... Bunny..." Blossom managed to stutter, but Buttercup cut her off gently yet firmly.
"Is dead, and yes we fucked up, but we aren't the monsters Bonehead was trying to make you think we are," she said, looking into her sister's eyes, a part of her trying to ignore the memory that flashed from earlier, and what they had done to each other; now wasn't the time or place to address... that.
"We can't do anything for Bunny, but we sure as hell can do something for the people in Townsville counting on us," she said, with Blossom giving a nod.
"Yeah... yeah... you're right," Blossom said, taking several deep breaths before scowling, "I... can't let him get inside my head," she said as she stood up unsteadily on her feet, "Bunny's gone..."
Blossom admitted with a wince of pain, "And nothing will make up for what we did," she added, glancing away as she wiped some tears out of her eyes before giving a firm glare, "But that doesn't make us monsters... we're still the Powerpuff Girls... we're still heroes... and we'll fight monsters like that bastard to the end!"
She vowed, with her sisters giving her encouraging smiles as she floated up, before exchanging concerned winces at her next words as she spoke up in a dark glare, "So let's make that monster, those abomination he created, and Mommy Dearest regret the day they messed with the Powerpuff Girls!"
"Ah, right," Buttercup said, not exactly happy to hear the Punks getting lumped in with the boneheaded bastard and their so-called mother. However, she quickly raised a hand to cut off Bubbles when the blue Puff opened her mouth to comment on it herself; now wasn't the time or place to address that either.
"So let's go, girls, we have work to do!" Blossom declared, zipping off back towards the city. Leaving Bubbles and Buttercup to trade uneasy looks.
"What the are the chances we can talk the girls down?" Bubbles asked worriedly, with Buttercup giving a sigh.
"If they're anything like I was at that age, or worse the Rowdyruffs, they'll be looking for any reason for a fight," the green Puff said as she and her sister floated up, causing Bubbles to wince, "But discipline and spankings is all part of being a mother, I suppose," Buttercup added with a grimace, "Let's just worry about stopping and catching them, then..."
She winced, with Bubbles giving a sigh with a shake of her head.
"The Professor's going to have a heart attack," the blonde Puff remarked. She didn't ask for this and she was determined to stop Skeleton King no matter what he tried to say to get in her head... but she'd do her best to step up to this challenge and show her... daughter... that she didn't have to be like her father.
"Ain't that the truth," Buttercup muttered, before she and Bubbles took off after Blossom. While both of them hoped the Professor was okay, neither of them was looking forward to telling him about the events of today, the revelations on their origins (and they'd be having words about this apparent Aku demon and his remains), or... the fact he was now a grandpa.
Right now, they were focused on doing what they always did, kicking butt and saving the City of Townsville.
(Townsville)
Speaking of...
"Oh, the horror! The City of Townsville is in ruins! As a sinister force has launched not only an all out invasion, but unleashed a new force of power onto the world that unlike their mothers stand not for justice and righteousness, but destruction and ruthlessness!" Spoke out the narrator as the scene took to the wrecked burning remains of Townsville.
"Who's saying that?!" Brute demanded, looking around in confused annoyance, before yelping as an explosion erupted next to her.
BOOM
"Who cares?! Just keep trying to blow up this stupid tin can!" Berserk snapped, dodging another attack from Jinmay.
"Daddy really needs to get a refund for this toy!" Brat called out, sending out some eye beams to Jinmay's face.
"I am not a toy!" Was the roaring retort as Jinmay attempted to swat at the Punks, who kept zigging, zagging, and zooming all around her like annoying superpowered mosquitos!
"And the only ones getting blown up are you three!" Was her following roar as holes began to open around her body before shooting out an array of missiles.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
Which blew up everything around them, but failed to hit any of the Punks.
"You're right! Toys are fun, you're not!" Brute snapped, picking up a car and throwing it at Jinmay's head.
BOOM
"Arg! Why you!" Jinmay's hand went to her eye where the car had hit and exploded against, 'When I get my hands on you, you'll regret the day you were ever born!" She threatened, with Brat giving a blink.
"You mean today?" the blue Punk questioned, causing her sisters to facepalm, while off to the side, unnoticed by the scuffle, one section of paste from Elmer, who had been blown apart across the city, began to stir and shift.
"Ugh, what hit me?" Elmer moaned as he reformed, blinking as he looked around and saw Jinmay facing off with the Punks, "Oh, right, all of that... ugh, this has not been a good day."
And wasn't that an understatement if there ever was one. Star Labs gets attacked by a crazy robot that wanted to turn him and his friend into an alien invader's stooges, said crazy robot turns his friend back to his darker counterpart, his city gets invaded, he ends up in a kaiju-sized battle with the crazy robot, three mini evil Puffs claiming to be the Powerpuff Girls daughters with Skeleton King show up and blow him up! All while his home town is invaded and destroyed! Yeah... today is right up there with the day he got mutated, he thought, scowling from his position against the ground, half the size he was earlier and so far unnoticed.
He was tempted to let the robot and those girls fight each other, but they were causing far too much collateral damage; he had to do something before they hurt someone or brought down the entire city. But what could he do? Even if they weren't working together, it would still be four against one! How could he take them all out of commission without getting overwhelmed?
Maybe he could get the jump on them and restrain all four of them together? Risky, but unless the League showed up (what the heck had happened to Wonder Woman and that other guy?!) he was coming up short on options.
So, not seeing any other choice, he braced himself, before lunging towards the robot and Punks with a cry. But before anything could happen-
ZAP
"AAGGGHHHH!!!"
-a blast of energy slammed into his side, sending him flying back into the ground. This ended up getting Jinmay and the Punks' attention.
"Hey, it's the goo guy we blew up," Brat said, gesturing at Elmer, who grunted on the ground.
"Guess we gotta blow him up again," Brute grunted.
"Wait, something happening," Berserk said with a frown.
"Urg, can't let you..." Elmer raised his head, reaching his arm out towards the forms of Jinmay and the Punks, but his entire form was becoming paler and hardening, with him quickly becoming like a giant statue made of paste,
"What's the deal?" Brute questioned, shaking her head, only to let out a shocked cry as Jinmay exploited the opening to grab the three sisters out of the air.
"HEY!" Was the Punks' startled cry as Jinmay brought them up to her face.
"Don't know, don't care, but I'll deal with him after I..."
Whatever her next threat was going to be was cut off by a menacing piercing voice, "Jinmay! Release them!"
Causing her to stiffen, with the Punks also going still in her hand before they looked up and the identity of Elmer's attacker revealed himself. A figure sitting on a throne which itself sat on a draconic form.
"And explain yourself!" Skeleton King barked his order, giving her a piercing stare, "Why aren't you at the rendezvous point with your target? And why are you wasting time fighting with my own children?!"
"I, bwuh, what?" Jinmay stammered, "Master, these girls actually are your daughters?!"
"Told ya so!" Berserk sneered.
"Yeah, now Daddy's gonna punish you for being mean to us!" Brat added.
"Yeah! Probably throw you out with the rest of the trash!" Brute added mockingly, causing Jinmay to stiffen while Skeleton King turned his attention to the Punks.
"Don't think you three are getting off so easily," he warned, staring at the three, "When I told you to have fun in the city, I thought it went without saying that my own forces weren't targets."
"Hey, she started it!" Brute protested, pointing to the stunned Jinmay.
"Yeah, she was lying about how she's gonna be your queen, when obviously that's gonna be our moms' job!" Berserk stated.
"I was not lying!" Jinmay snapped, glaring at the three while barely processing the fact these three really were her master's offspring, which caused her to be hit with more overwhelming emotions that she just couldn't process right now, "I'm the first chosen of Skeleton King's harem! I hand-delivered my ex to him, I've proven my worth over three easy..."
"Jinmay!" Her words were cut off by her master's stern tone, full of authority, "That's enough, release them."
"But..." Jinmay's protest was cut off by a glare, with her flinching but doing as command.
"Ha! You're in trouble~" Brat called out, sticking her tongue out with Skeleton King sighing.
"That's enough from you as well, girls," he stated, getting the Punks' attention, "The one or ones that become my Queen has yet to be decided, and your daddy happens to have quite a number of lady friends outside of your mothers vying for both the position and his attention."
He stated to them, before adding with a slight smirk, "Also, as your mothers are currently playing hard to get, they aren't currently interested in the positions themselves right now anyway."
Jinmay gave a slight sigh of relief at that. It was good to know that, daughters with them or not, those whores weren't automatically getting the greatest prize of all just handed to them.
Then she stiffened in concern as her master turned his angry gaze back on her.
"This, however doesn't explain why you're still here instead of at the meeting point with your target," he said with a low tone, eyes narrowing, "Or why you saw fit to lower your behavior to match three children who were just given life today."
He added, some annoyance leaking out as she flinched.
"It's not my fault!" Jinmay exclaimed defensively, "That pile of slime got in my way," she said, gesturing toward Elmer, with Skeleton King recognizing him and realizing the effects of his mutation never got reversed in this reality, "But I still got that clown to go all mime, only for that freak to turn down the chance to serve you and turn his stupid powers on me."
She said with a low growl, "When I snapped out of it and tried to track him down, paste boy and some of those Justice Losers got in my way!"
"Heheh, she was pinned by goo guy when we came to blow him up~" Brat interjected with a giggle before pouting, "Then she acted all mean to us Daddy, saying we weren't your daughters."
"Oh don't try to pin this all on me! You three tried to blow me up!" Jinmay snapped, glaring at them.
"Yeah, cause you were badmouthing us and our moms!" Brute yelled back, "Only we get to call them out for acting like losers!"
Before a fight or argument could break out, Skeleton King yelled.
"Enough! I don't care who started this, I'm ending it!" he exclaimed, getting everyone's attention, "It's time we take our leave and return home, we can discuss consequences for behavior and failure later."
He intoned, causing Jinmay to flinch, while the voices once again flashed through her mind.
You see, nothing but a servant and a toy.
You know what he's capable of, do you really think he'll show you mercy?
"What?!" However, while she was dealing with that, the Punks reacted to Skeleton King's statement.
"We can't leave already!" Berserk protested.
"Yeah! We're still having fun!" Brat added with a pout.
"And who says we have to listen to you anyway?" Brute challenged with a scowl as Skeleton King frowned.
"Girls, that's enough! You've had your fun, but it's time to go home, and as your father you will respect my authority!"
Brat paused at that, and Berserk actually seemed to be considering what he was saying, but Brute just kept scowling.
"You can't tell us what to do just cause you made us!" she spat at him.
Skeleton King held back a sigh. He knew this was a risk, but he had to be firm here; if he backed down, then he'd have no control over them.
"Can't I?" He asked, with a dark gaze piercing into her, "I am your father, and while being my child gives you more leeway compared to others, I am not above showing why my servants fear me."
The girls exchanged nervous looks at that, and despite her own swirling emotions, Jinmay took some relief in seeing that they weren't just allowed to do whatever they wanted.
"Um, maybe we should just do what he says?" Brat suggested.
"Shut up, Brat!" Brute snapped defiantly, "I'm not letting anyone boss me around!"
"So, will you turn on and attack your own father instead?" Skeleton King's voice asked icily, examining them with stoic eyes. Brat seem inclined to listen, and Brute needed to learn the chain of command, so it was Berserk who was the potential wild card, "I rather we be a loving family, but I'm not above raising my hand to teach you proper discipline if you force this issue."
Brute growled and opened her mouth to say something else defiant, only for Berserk to slap her upside the head.
"OW! What was that for?!" the green Punk demanded, glaring at her sister.
"Just shut up and do what he says, I don't wanna fight him," Berserk ordered.
"What?! Why not?! We can totally take him!" Brute exclaimed with an incredulous look towards her.
"But he's our dad," Brat pointed out with a frown.
"So what?! You didn't have any problems with the idea of fighting our moms! What makes this any different?!" Brute exclaimed, scowling.
"For one, Daddy isn't being all silly by trying to be a hero," Brat said with a huff.
"Also, I'm not really sure that we can actually take him on," Berserk chimed in, "I mean, he was obviously able to fight all of our moms at the same time."
"So? We're tougher than those wimps!" Brute protested.
"Oh yes, the newborns are tougher than the girls with eleven years of experience," Jinmay's voice cut in, disbelieving.
"You stay out of this!" Berserk snapped with an annoyed look at her father's toy.
"Yeah, this is a family fight, and you ain't family!" Brat chimed in, sticking out her tongue while Brute gave a frustrated growl as Jinmay shot Brat an annoyed look.
But Skeleton King's sigh broke the air again.
"To be young and believe yourselves invincible," he intoned, raising his left hand, and his eyes gave off a brief glow as his hand made a come here gesture.
"Wha!? Hey!" With the Punks letting out startled yells as they found themselves pulled against their will out of the air straight toward Skeleton King.
"Hey, what do you think you're...?" Brute's threat was cut off as, to Jinmay's disbelieving eyes, when the three forms floated in front of him he stood up and rather than harm them, he... pulled them into a hug?!
Yes, a hug. Skeleton King was hugging the three girls, who stiffened as he spoke in a soft tone.
"I know the resentment that comes from being under another's power," he said with a frown, "I was once a mere pawn to a power that thought itself my superior."
He admitted with a sigh, "But unlike the Dark One, I see you three not as mere pawns or tools, you are my daughters, my legacy, my family," he told them as he stared at the three small forms in his arms, "Together, we can make this world and the universe beyond it ours."
Skeleton King gave a malicious grin, "There is no reason to fight me, I am your father, I only wish the best for you, my dears," he added, giving Brute's head a soft kiss. The green Punk blushed at that, while she and her sisters both looked utterly stunned and lost about what was happening.
Jinmay wasn't doing much better, as she was only able to stare in total shock at her master, acting so... paternal towards those little bitches. It was a sight that caused mixed feelings - on one hand, a surge of warmth at the display of her master's softer side, on the other hand a spike of jealousy and anger since this should be reserved for her own child!
Yes, she was a robot, but with how advanced she was, or with her master's power, there had to be a way to give him the heirs he actually deserved! These bitches weren't worthy of being his heirs and princesses, they didn't deserve to his legacy, and their mothers sure as hell didn't deserve to be his Queen! She thought, her fists clenching at her side as she gave the Powerpunk Girls in the arms of her master and love a glare, before Skeleton King spoke up.
"Now, what say we stop this needless childish rebellion and go home?" he said, looking softly at the forms in his arms, feeling a surprising amount of love and pride fill him as he gazed at them. They were proof that his life had changed forever once again, he was a dad... and he actually wanted to be a good one.
"After all, there's still one surprise and part of my plan that I need to finish before I can call this day complete," he added with a smirk, thinking on Valeena's mission and Eris's promise; if the former had completed her task and the latter lived up to her word, then his family would grow even bigger~
And then the moment got interrupted by loud yell.
"Ya ain't going anywhere, ya fandan bawbag!"
Everyone blinked and turned to face the source of the voice, finding the Scotsman standing on the street below them, sword drawn and pointed at Skeleton King, Celtic runes glowing brightly.
"Ye and I have got some unfinished business, ya ugly gobber!" he snarled, glaring at Skeleton King.
"Ah, the man who made this all possible," Skeleton King greeted, allowing the girls to float out of his arms as he stood, staff in hand on top of his Formless Throne Wyvern while Jinmay's large robotic form entered a defensive stance, "I really must thank you, if it hadn't been for the knowledge resting within your hard head, I might not have gotten the chance to experience fatherhood so soon~"
He said with a taunting chuckle, while seeing Scotsman's grimace with a dark glare.
"Tell me, do you happen to still have daughters in this timeline?" He questioned, leaning forward with a taunting smirk, "Perhaps we could arrange a play date~"
"Over my dead body!" Scotsman snarled, leaping upwards and towards Skeleton King, swinging his sword with the intention of cutting him in half.
The Punks and Jinmay all moved to intervene, but they didn't need to. With a stretch of his hand, he froze Scotsman in midair, and as the Celtic hero struggled to break free, Skeleton King waved his hand and sent Scotsman flying into a truck lying flipped over on the street below.
BOOM
"Really? You didn't honestly think it'd be that easy?" Skeleton King asked with a bored look, "Or is this the part where it's revealed you were a distraction and one of your comrades attempt to attack me while my guard is down?"
As he said that, he turned and casually dodged a kick from Batman as he leapt up onto the wyvern's level. The Dark Knight wasn't fazed by missing his attack, dropping into a roll and coming to a stop still atop the undead beast, standing up to face down with Skeleton King, who gave him a calculating look.
"The legendary Dark Knight, it is a honor," Skeleton King inclined his head, and he actually meant it, with it taking quite a bit of self-control to not freak out from seeing his favorite DC hero in person, the DCAU definitive version of Batman no less!
"Of all the heroes I've researched since arriving on this world, you're one of the most noteworthy, who deserve respect," his eyes gleamed as he looked stoically at Batman, "You who stand equal to those with the power of gods with nothing but skill, wits, and determination."
He let out a chuckle, "I'd offer you a place in my forces, but I believe we both know what your answer will always be~"
"Yes, you do," Batman replied stoically, before suddenly flinging a pair of batarangs at Skeleton King. He waved his staff and unleashed a wave of blue light that froze both in midair in solid pillars of ice, but before he could even register that-
BOOM
-both exploded, unleashing a spray of metal and ice shrapnel that Skeleton King raised his cape to shield himself from on instinct. As he did so, Batman leapt forward and aimed a punch at his head. With Skeleton King ducking while lashing out with a glowing facepalm that the Dark Knight swerved to dodge as Skeleton King went past him, before lashing out with a high kick that was blocked by Skeleton King's staff as he quickly twisted around, staring at the Dark Knight with a menacing grin while the wyvern beneath them let out a roar.
"Why stop at simply staring down into the abyss, Batman, why not embrace it like I have?" Skeleton King asked with a twisted chuckle that caused Batman to scowl, being reminded strangely of Joker in that moment as he stared into Skeleton King's mad twisted gaze.
"Because the difference between us is that while we both looked into that abyss, you blinked," he retorted, before throwing a capsule at Skeleton King's face. Skeleton King moved to knock it aside, letting it explode harmlessly in the air... and while he was distracted by that, Batman dropped down and swept his legs out from under him, sending the alien warlord falling onto his back with a grunt.
"Hey! You can't treat our dad like that!" Brat called angrily, with the Punks all giving scowling glares toward the Dark Knight. However, before they could attack him and assist their father, a large green bubble formed around them.
"Sorry, but this is adult business," Green Lantern said as he floated behind them, "And you three have caused enough trouble," he added with a scowl toward them, while Jinmay found herself with her own problems as well. She tried to move forward to help her master, only to be brought up short as purple chains grabbed her by the wrists and pulled her back.
"What?!" she exclaimed. Looking behind her, she saw that the chains were being created by Star Sapphire, who was yanking back on them.
"I don't want to hurt you, since I hear that you're brainwashed, so why don't you just give up?" the heroine asked politely.
"Urg, this crap again?! I'm not brainwashed, I love Skeleton King!" Jinmay proclaimed, scowling at the new slut on the scene, while Star Sapphire frowned as her connection with her gem allowed her to see the love coming from Jinmay, and she couldn't help but notice something strange. The emotion she was feeling from the robot... it felt genuine to her, not something coerced by magic or drugging or any other form of mind alteration. But, that couldn't be right, could it? Not from what she'd read in the Titans' report... had they been wrong about the situation?
Though as she looked closer, she noticed something else.... the love was torn... divided between two different sources. One was obviously Skeleton King, but who was the other? Wait, didn't the report mention she had been dating...
While Sapphire was distracted, Jinmay's eyes suddenly let out a glow before sending out beams of electrical energy aimed right at her.
ZAP
"AAAHHH!!!" Sapphire screamed as the energy coursed through her. This disrupted her concentration enough to make her conjured chains disperse, freeing Jinmay. The robot girl then proceeded to spin around and slam her giant fist into Sapphire.
BAM
"AGH!" Sapphire yelled as she was sent flying into a nearby building.
SCREEEEEEEEEE!
As this was happening, the wyvern that Skeleton King and Batman were on suddenly let out a screeching roar before taking off in the air, while the Punks began to pound against their prison, with Green Lantern gritting his teeth, knowing he had to keep these three contained.
But as he attempted to do so, Skeleton King on his back smirked up at Batman as his stead took off to a higher altitude.
"Good move, this might prove to be fun~" He stated as Batman kept his balance despite the Throne Wyvern going on the move, simply scowling at Skeleton King stoically as the warlord launched himself up, swinging his staff that let out a sharp mystical glow. With Batman dodging the swing, and as Skeleton King slashed at him, a crescent energy wave shot out of his staff, hitting a nearby building, but that was ignored as he gave two more slashes that the Dark Knight dodged, before launching an uppercut that Skeleton King managed to dodge, while at the same time grabbing Batman's wrist before twisting and launching him straight toward his throne.
But Batman managed to twist midair at the same time, throwing out several batarangs, though Skeleton King's eyes flashed, with the weapons briefly glowing before darting back toward Batman as he landed on the throne.
BOOM
"Ugh!" Batman grunted as the explosions knocked him off of his feet and back onto the throne. And then, before he could get up, Skeleton King blasted another spell at him, causing the throne to distort, parts of it wrapping around Batman like chains to restrain him.
As the Dark Knight struggled with his bonds, Skeleton King stepped forward and pressed the blade head of the staff against his neck.
"I've researched so many rumors and stories about you Batman, since coming to Earth," Skeleton King hissed with a dark smirk, "And sad to say, you aren't living up to the legend~" He remarked with a chortle, while Batman scowled.
"Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not in the business of impressing warlords or rapists," he stated, with Skeleton King detecting the hint of disgust entering his tone.
"Oh, I'd hardly call it rape, as they certainly enjoyed every moment of it," Skeleton King remarked, before adding with a teasing smirk, "And considering what I've heard about you involving a cat burglar or the daughter of a cult leader, you're hardly one to judge"
He remarked, with Batman giving him a glare at bringing up Selina and Talia.
"Now, you said the difference between us was I blinked when looking into the abyss..." But Skeleton King grabbing the back of his head cut off any retort, while pressing the blade head against Batman's neck as he looked into the eyes of his cowl, his own eyes starting to take on a glow, "Let's change that, shall we~"
He remarked with a dark smile, before his eyes shot out a stream of energy straight into his cowled eyes.
"ARGGG!"
And the next thing Batman knew was a mental barrage assault of nightmares and horror.
The scene of his parents' deaths, only instead of being simply shot they were tortured to death before his eyes.
Then came a montage of his first meetings and fights against the criminals that would become known to be part of his Rogues Gallery. Only instead of what truly happened, in each horrible vision he saw what could have happen had they claimed victory - Joker twisting Gotham into a city of madness, Scarecrow spreading nothing but fear, Mad Hatter trapping so many innocents in his personal Wonderland, Poison Ivy's crusade escalating till she became a threat to humanity itself, Bane not stopping at breaking him but also brutally beating Robin to death and even snapping Alfred's neck right in front of them.
On and on, the nightmare barrage continued. Once again showing the night of his parents' deaths, only instead it was himself dying that night while his parents became darker shadows of himself. His father becoming Batman but without his code, showing no mercy as he ruthlessly slaughtered enemies, while his mother... a twisted mockery of the Joker.
Then it shifted to a view of Metropolis... only it was in ruins, a wasteland of destroyed buildings. It flashed to him in an interrogation room with Joker, before Superman burst into the room and... dear God... the image of Clark's expression of utter hatred as he grabbed Joker by the neck before ramming his fist straight through his enemy's chest would be a sight that would never leave the Dark Knight. Before then recruiting other members of the League to impose a dictatorship on the world in the name of peace.
And then more images came, of himself resigning from fighting crime out of despair, allowing Gotham to fall into further decay. Eventually coming out of retirement to try and restore things, only to come to blows with a version of Superman who had become the government's puppet.
Then it shifted again, showing... oh God... himself killing Joker, only to be exposed to Joker venom in a final act of spite and driven mad, becoming something worse than Joker ever could be himself.
Then it showed a world where Clark, rather than be found by the Kents, was taken by the government as a baby. However, rather than a weapon, he grew into nothing more than a shell of what he could have been, a traumatized lab rat. While outside his walls, the world was laid to waste in a war between Themyscira and Atlantis, with the latter sinking western Europe, while the former had conquered the United Kingdom, so many innocents lost in the bloodshed. And all of it started by Wonder Woman... Diana killing Mera after she had caught her in an affair with Aquaman.
Then a image of James Gordon, a man he calls not only one of his closest allies in the crusade against injustice but also a dear friend, being tortured to the near breaking point by the Joker, who had shot Barbara, paralyzing her from the waist down, and God, used images of himself as Batman and Barbara Gordon having sex on a rooftop as part of the psychological torture against Gordon.
"It only takes one bad day, Batman! Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Was Joker's, no Skeleton King's, laughter echoing in his mind.
The laughter and the images hit him like one physical blow after another, the walls of his mind shaking and cracking, the carefully-controlled darkness that always surrounded his innermost self threatening to break free and consume him completely...
NO! He was better than this! He controlled his darkness, not the other way around! And whatever he was seeing... it wasn't real. Maybe in another world or a possible future, but not here, and not now.
"One bad day? I've had plenty," he spat as the barrage of images finally stopped, glaring at Skeleton King as he panted for breath, "But there's another difference between us. You were obviously alone when you teetered on the edge... I'm not."
"RAAAAHHHH!"
Right on cue to prove his point, Wonder Woman suddenly flew in out of nowhere and tackled Skeleton King clear off of the Throne Wyvern, taking him down to the ground like a meteor.
"Aw man, are you alright?" Captain Marvel exclaimed as he swept in, tearing Batman's bonds off to free him.
"I've had worse days," Batman replied bluntly, causing a slight incredulous look, but a roar from the Throne Wyvern as it twisted around and tried to buck them off was their more immediate attention.
And while the were trying to not get tossed off, a large cloud of dust burst out from the ground below as Wonder Woman slammed Skeleton King into the street.
"Rapist bastard!" she snarled as she started pummeling him, "This is for Audrey! And the Powerpuffs! And everyone else you've ever violated!"
Yikes... clearly I have touched a nerve, was the fleeting thought that flashed through Skeleton King's mind as he took the onslaught, internally gratefully that this body could not only handle her strength but had good endurance, and apparently pain tolerance.
"Urg... not sure who Audrey is," he managed to croak as she grabbed him by the throat to slam him deeper into the ground while raising her right fist, "But might want to add your mother to the list," he shot out, unable to resist, and he could see the spark of rage become overwhelming in her eyes as she moved to punch his lights out.
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
But before she could he point blank released a Death Scream, the same sonic attack he used on the Powerpuff Girls earlier, right in her face.
"AAAAHHHHH!!!" Wonder Woman screamed as she reared back on instinct to cover her ears. Which left her wide open as Skeleton King cut off the scream and punched her in the abdomen as hard as he could, sending her flying backwards. Before then holding out his hand, with the staff that had landed off to the side suddenly shaking before flying right into it, then once he grabbed it he pointed straight at Wonder Woman and unleashed a powerful blast of blue energy that shot out a powerful arctic wind and frost that froze everything it hit as the wave approached Wonder Woman's position.
Yes, he might be using this particular technique a lot, but come on, who hasn't wanted to exploit the idea of what was basically a literally freeze ray to its fullest limit? And considering the events of the episode that led to Skeleton King gaining this particular power-up, odds were he was capable of a lot more than Mr. Freeze could do with his own Freeze Gun.
However, before he had a chance to freeze Wonder Woman solid, a figure suddenly jumped in from nowhere and kicked his staff, sending the ray of ice magic flying off in another direction.
"I don't think so!" Booster Gold declared, moving to follow up with a punch, which Skeleton King easily dodged, turning a glare on him.
"Ah yes, the fool who sought to change history for fame and glory," he spoke dryly, with Booster Gold jerking his head back slightly, not just from the insult but also because of the recognition.
"You know who I am?" He questioned with very mixed feelings; why the heck was the only person that recognize him and didn't mistake him for Green Lantern this lunatic?!
"Of course..." Skeleton King stated simply, before giving an amused smirk, "You're Gold Lantern," before lashing out with an open palm thrust at Booster's chest with a glowing palm, and next thing Booster knew he was blasted back by a blast of dark energy.
"AGH!" Booster yelled as he was sent flying through a glass storefront. Skeleton King stalked towards him, only to be stopped as the sound of rapid-fire gunfire filled the air.
BANG
BANG
BANG
BANG
BANG
BANG
BANG
BANG
BANG
BANG
Grunting, Skeleton King threw up a magical barrier to protect himself as bullets flew at him, the culprit being the recovered Scotsman shooting from his gun leg.
"I ain't done with ye yet, ya pansy!" Scotsman yelled as he kept firing, the barrier shaking under the barrage of bullets.
"You know, you'd think having memories of your big mouth getting reduced to ash, would make one a little more respectful of their superiors," Skeleton King called out over the barrage.
"You ain't superior to a mule's behind, you numpty dobber boggin hackit!" Was Scotsman's yell as he pulled out a grenade from his side, and after removing the pin with his teeth, threw it at Skeleton King, who merely scoffed as he used his telekinesis to freeze it mid air between them.
BOOM
While also banging his staff against the ground, and in a move that Valeena used on Zatanna earlier, a wave of spikes burst out of the ground, heading straight towards Scotsman.
However, Scotsman wasn't anymore impressed with Skeleton King's attack than Skeleton King had been with his. He simply unsheathed his sword, and with a mighty swing he slammed it into the ground, sending out a shockwave that soon intercepted the wave of spikes.
SMASH
Shattering the spikes and stopping their advance.
Skeleton King, however, just smirked, feeling a thrill fill him at the challenge as he concentrated on his next spell, one inspired by some video games he played in the past. And with his staff hitting the ground, a wave of energy went out as numerous purplish pink fireballs in the shape of cackling skulls formed around him before launching straight toward Scotsman with bone chilling cackles.
With the Scotsman merely scowling before he raised his sword, meeting the skulls with a battle cry. However, as he attempted to slice through the first flaming skull with his blade, he discovered something rather important.
BOOM
The fact they were explosive.
"Kick his ugly fat butt, Dad" All of this, meanwhile, was being witnessed by the Punks still in the bubble construct, with Brute surprisingly being the one to let out that cheer as she looked eagerly on to the action happening below them.
"I thought that you didn't think of him as our dad~" Berserk asked her sister smugly.
"He is when he's being cool like this!" Brute replied, shooting Berserk a glare before eagerly turning her attention back to the fight.
"Um, shouldn't we be trying to break free to help?" Brat asked, while also watching the action eagerly.
"You girls aren't going anywhere, because you and your so-called father will be facing some serious consequences for all this chaos," Green Lantern said, floating over them, while also casting a slight worried scowl over the battlefield. He wanted to help, but he had to focus on keeping these three restrained.
"Oh please," Berserk snorted, "The only reason we haven't broken out yet is because we're having too much fun just watching our dad kick butt."
"Yeah, and when we do break out, we're kicking your butt first!" Brute declared, pointing at Green Lantern with a sneer.
"I'm sure you will," Green Lantern said dryly, frowning and not showing any intimidation from the threat, much to Brute's annoyance before she huffed, focusing back on the fight with her sisters.
While Green Lantern himself kept a wary eye on them; they were distracted for now, but the moment they tried to break free, he had to be ready.
BOOM
BOOM
And he had to hope the others could end Skeleton King's threat here and now in the meantime, he thought, focusing back on the fight. Right now, the Scotsman was attempting to dodge the flaming skulls, after the first one had sent him flying onto his back.
"Urg, that all you got?" he muttered, raising himself up, only to go still as he realized something important, "Where's me sword?!"
His blade was missing; fortunately, he spotted it sticking out of the ground not far from where he'd sliced through that ugly fire skull.
"Hehehehahaha!"
Speaking of which, he looked up and gave a curse before rolling to the side as two of the fire skulls slammed into the ground where he'd been lying, and as they exploded on contact, he entered a crouch, quickly realizing that the hideous cackling abominations were zooming all across the blooming battlefield!
"Urg, this is going to get annoying," he grunted, before then freezing for a moment follow by him quickly jumping to the side to dodge an attack from behind from Skeleton King as he attempted to bring the blade head of his staff down on his head.
"I believe you mean fun!" Was the cackle of Skeleton King as he lunged his glowing staff straight toward Scotsman, while several of the cackling skulls zoomed to the hero like homing missiles.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
"AGH!" Scotsman yelled as one explosion got too close for comfort and sent him flying to hit the ground hard. Grunting in pain, he got up and glared at Skeleton King.
"That all ya got?" he sneered, "Or are ya gonna ditch that oversized magic stick and fight me like a real man?"
That comment caused Skeleton King to give a chuckle.
"Oh, don't worry. Once I reduce your body to ashes like Aku did, I'll enslave your spirit to my will, so you can watch me prove how much a man I am when I pay your daughters a visit!" He exclaimed, sending out a beam of energy from his staff.
Scotsman dove to the side to avoid the blast and the resulting explosion, then jumped up and charged Skeleton King with a cry.
"I'll drag yer bony ass down to Hell before I let you touch them, ya bastard!" he snarled. However, as he lunged toward him in a tackle, he found himself freezing in midair.
"Oh! You scheming little-" Scotsman's threat was cut off as Skeleton King tilted his head with a smirk, before next thing Scotsman knew the bastard ducked down and he found himself flung forward, straight into Wonder Woman who was attempting to rejoin the fight.
"Urg!"
"Ah, sorry lass!" Was Scotsman's cry as he gave a forced body slam to her, causing them to hit the ground in a roll, while Skeleton King twisted around, thrusting out his staff, sending out not only a lightning blast from it but a wave of the flame skulls that came crashing down like meteors.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
Explosions rained along the street, blanketing it with smoke and dust. When these clouds dispersed, it was revealed that Wonder Woman had placed herself protectively in front of Scotsman, arms crossed defensively in front of herself to block the damage from the explosions.
"Impressive, but ultimately you only delay the inevitable," Skeleton King said as the wind billowed out his cape, "Soon you shall fall to your knees and call me master."
"I'll die before that happens," Wonder Woman spat as she and Scotsman got up and glared Skeleton King down.
"Oh, don't talk kinky with me~" Skeleton King shot back with a leer, before raising his left hand and blasting out energy down at the ground, which shook before a large form began to raise under his feet.
As everyone watched, a golem formed under Skeleton King and rose up to tower over the assembled heroes.
"Ach, that's not fair," Scotsman complained.
"I'm a villain, since when do we play fair?" Skeleton King stated simply as his creation loomed over Wonder Woman and Scotsman, "Also..."
The golem suddenly whirled around, lashing its fist out to hit Booster Gold, who came flying in only to get smacked down.
"You'll have to try harder to catch me by surprise," Skeleton King said with a dark smirk, before his gaze went up and seeing the form of the Throne Wyvern lashing out in the air with Captain Marvel attempting to bring it down, only... where was Batman?!
BANG
BANG
BANG
Suddenly, several batarangs slammed into his body and burst, unleashing a thick foam that quickly spread and covered his limbs, before hardening into something as strong as steel, trapping him.
"I must admit..." Skeleton King, however, while at first startled gave a slight smirk, "While part of me should be angry at this, another part of me is a bit impressed," He let out a chuckle, "Perhaps you do live up to your legend."
He remarked, giving off a sigh, "A shame that you won't open your eyes like mine were. I'll have to dedicate a monument in your memory in Gotham once I rule over this planet."
"I think you should be more concerned about where you're going to end up when we're done with you," Batman said as he approached, more batarangs at the ready.
"Ohhh, going to send me to Arkham? That might make a nice weekend vacation before the monthly breakout happens early~" Skeleton King mused mockingly, before shooting him a smirk, "Unfortunately, I'll have to pass!"
He exclaimed, his entire power glowing with dark magic as the golem he and the Dark Knight stood on let out a roar.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGG!!!"
Before charging straight toward the forms of Wonder Woman and Scotsman, causing the Dark Knight and the foam-covered Skeleton King to be knocked off its back, but at the same time Skeleton King simply smirked as he was flung high into the air.
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
With the form of the Throne Wyvern breaking off from its clash with Marvel to swoop in and catch him, with Skeleton King letting off a cackle as he actually sunk into and melded with the creature's body, before it turned direction to head toward the hardened form of Elmer, with Skeleton King getting a bit of an idea he wanted to try.
He reached out with his power, causing the wyvern to start glowing for a moment, before unleashing a beam of dark energy down into Elmer's frozen form. He started glowing in turn as the energy spread throughout his body, and soon cracks spread across him, before his petrified body shattered with an ear-splitting sound.
"RAAAGGGHHH!!!" Elmer roared as he rose up, eyes glowing with dark energy and an expression of mindless rage on his face.
There we go, Skeleton King thought with satisfaction, his head seen under the neck of the wyvern, looking at the perfect distraction to keep the heroes busy. Truthfully, while part of him wanted to keep the fight going, not only to test himself but also because he was enjoying himself, he knew that he shouldn't take unneeded risks. He'd accomplished his ultimate goal, he could fight another day, best to pull back with his daughters and...
"Jinmay?" he frowned, his gaze glancing off to the side, while Elmer charged to join the golem, only to be intercepted by Captain Marvel.
"Stop! You need to calm down!"
However, Elmer wasn't interested in listening to him, only letting out an angry roar as he lashed out.
"I don't think he can hear ya, lad!" Scotsman called up at Captain Marvel as he and Wonder Woman dodged a paste fist that slammed down onto the ground.
"Scotsman's right! Whatever Skeleton King just did to him, it's blinded him with rage!" she declared, noting how Elmer didn't seem to actually be aware of what was happening around him.
"RAAAAAAAAA!"
"And he's not our only problem either!" Scotsman yelled as the golem Skeleton King created earlier attempted to squash them with a stomp, only to get blasted in the face by Booster Gold while batarangs suddenly hit its legs before exploding.
"They're just a distraction! Skeleton King's attempting to fall back!" Batman called as he landed by Wonder Woman, "What's the status of Lantern and Sapphire?" He asked immediately with a frown.
"I'm trying to keep the girls contained, and they're not making it easy," Green Lantern grunted, as the Punks had gotten bored and started trying to break free of the bubble containing them, pounding away at it.
"And I'm not having a good time either!" Sapphire declared, weaving through the air to try and avoid Jinmay's attacks.
"It's about to get worse for you!" Jinmay called out as suddenly Sapphire was hit from behind, "AH!" Causing her to let out a cry of pain as Jinmay's hover bike arrived on the scene, and as she was sent crashing down, the form of the Throne Wyvern tackled her out of the sky to send them skidding onto a rooftop.
While at the same time, Jinmay's form gave off a glow before she shrunk back into her normal size as the hover biker zoomed past her, allowing her to land on it. Then barely a moment later, she turned toward Green Lantern and began opening fire on him, with him having to dodge by jerking to the side, cutting off his concentration enough to allow the Punks to break free and lunge toward him and launch a three-sided brutal assault.
WHAM! With Berserk performing a spin kick to his face.
POW! That launched him toward Brat, who laid out a hard punch right into his stomach.
BAM! Before finally Brute delivered the finishing blow, bringing her fists together in a double axe handle as she brought it down onto his head.
CRASH! Sending him crashing to the ground below as they smirked, before looking toward Jinmay.
"Don't think this means I like you little bitches," Jinmay snapped, scowling at them, "I'm only doing this because of Skeleton King," she stated with a dark glare, "And make no mistake, daughters or not, it doesn't change who will be his Queen."
"Keep telling yourself that, lady," Berserk sneered.
"And we didn't need your help to get out, either!" Brute snapped.
"Yeah, we could have done that on our own!" Brat added.
"Sure you would have," Jinmay said with a roll of her eyes, giving off a disgruntled scowl, "Let's just regroup with Lord Skeleton King and blow this dump," she muttered, her eyes going over to the distance where she saw the Throne Wyvern pinning that annoying slut from earlier.
"Urg, anybody get the license plate number?" Mabel groaned, before freezing as a new voice addressed her, "Afraid Jinmay's bike doesn't have one."
With her looking up to see the glowing eyes of Skeleton King as his form emerged out of the Throne Wyvern, landing right in front of her, no longer restrained by the foam while looming over her.
"Though on numbers, I wouldn't mind your own, or better yet your immediate surrender and allegiance~" he added with a chortle as he crouched on one knee in front of her, staring right into her eyes.
"Um, well, if you'd like my number, I could give it," Mabel said nervously, "Though I'd need you to stop attacking innocent people if you want anything more, that's kinda a turn-off for me."
"Oh? And here I thought you were a woman who liked danger and excitement in her life," Skeleton King observed with a smirk, his eyes gleaming, "Believe me, a life of villainy is much more liberating and pleasurable than a life of pointless heroics."
"Yeah, well, I like the feeling I get when I help people," Mabel replied firmly, but still trying to keep the conversation from degenerating into another fight.
"Really now? Helping people you call it?" Skeleton King remarked, giving off an amused chuckle that made Mabel uneasy, "You know, while I was preparing things with Eris, she mentioned she happened to recognize this girl my subordinate picked up when I allowed him some free time."
Skeleton King remarked, having been informed of the cover story that Tambry gave and decided to play off it, while also using Eris as his insider source for having knowledge he shouldn't, and what made this particularly delicious was the fact he wasn't lying~
(Flashback)
As Mandarin and Jinmay headed off into Townsville to get to their positions, Skeleton King stood with Eris, who gave a stretch.
"I'm going to do a quick pop into town before the fun starts," Eris remarked with a smirk, before giving Skeleton King a look, "Though before I do, I thought you'd like to know something about your little monkey's girlfriend."
Eris remarked, getting Skeleton King's attention, "I know you're already aware of Gravity Falls, and my brother actually passed on your little warning," She remarked, giving off a frown, clicking her tongue, "Such a waste, Cipher; he had the right attitude, and certainly knew how to have a good time, but takes the phrase burning down the house so far it spoils the party."
She said, shaking her head, "Don't get me wrong, his whole Weirdmageddon celebration was certainly my kinda scene, but even as much as I enjoy and approve of going wild and loose," She frowned, looking up into his eyes, "Even I realize that take things too far and you'll either turn your own playground into a dump, or worse, blarg, make chaos the new normal."
The goddess explained with a look of disgust, "Which means it loses its excitement, means what should be wild and untamed becoming just boring and mundane!" she huffed with an insulted look, "Thankfully, that pesky triangle got tricked, but seems like he had a card to play according to you."
She remarked, frowning, "And right now, Olympus is certainly up in arms about your information; some of them are doubting your word, but I can tell even those like Artemis are uneasy at the idea of ol' one-eyed Billy making a comeback tour," she admitted, giving a snort of disdain, "Though they've mostly been arguing over what they should do from stepping in themselves, letting the mortals handle it again, or even informing Diana and her justice club."
Eris said, crossing her arms, "They'll likely be at it a while, but odds are someone's going to squeal to Diana and her friends about this sooner or later, which means eyes heading toward yours and ninja boy's operation in Gravity Falls."
She remarked, with Skeleton King giving off a hum.
"Hmm ,Lothor and I have been working to harvest as much as we can from the town, and we've made plans in the event of outsiders investigating," he assured, glancing over to her, "I've even set up a rather nasty surprise to activate once our operation is exposed."
He assured her evenly. Both Lothor and he realized that they could only keep their actions in Gravity Falls secret for so long, which is why they were having their forces work around the clock to harvest what they could, while also making preparations to help trick any unwanted parties that came calling in hopes of buying more time, "Just as we've activated a ritual that will trace and alert us to any sign of Cipher still existing."
With Eris giving a smirk, "Always on top of things. Almost hope you find something, I'd love the chance to talk shop and show him how a true master of chaos does things," she said with a giggle, before giving him a look, her eyes gleaming, "But getting back to the original subject, around three years ago, I kept a close eye on the town, particularly the misadventures of a pair of twins, and I think I have some information you'll want to know about your monkey's little girlfriend~"
She remarked, with Skeleton King eyes gleaming, already having a good idea what this information was, but once again he couldn't reveal his hand there with outsider knowledge, and if Eris wanted to provide him with a cover story for how he came aware of something this juicy he could use against Mabel... well, how could he turn it down~
(end flashback)
How indeed, he thought, his gaze roaming over Mabel's body as he grinned maliciously while continuing to speak.
"Apparently, Eris recognized her as someone from some supernatural hot spot she enjoys now and then, and how three years ago proved quite entertaining due to the arrival of a pair of twins," he added, looking into Mabel's widening eyes with a dark smirk, enjoying this quick little mind game as he leaned in with a dark whispering hiss, "And she mentioned such a interesting fact, like how Mandarin's new girlfriend had actually been drugged under the power of one of Cupid's bastards, and by her own friend no less!"
He said, giving off a cackle, leering at her as Mabel went pale, "And how said friend had became a superhero a ways back, and I can't help but remember how you seemed quite familiar with Tambry at the club."
"I... I don't know what you're talking about!" Mabel protested weakly.
Dammit, why did that stupid sexy goddess have to know about that? And why, after all these years, did it suddenly feel like everyone was rubbing her face in her mistake like this?!
"Oh? So then you wouldn't mind me informing Tambry or even your associates about this?" He asked as her eyes widened, smirking, "Though personally I see nothing to be ashamed of, I actually find your ambition there and how you took control of two people's lives like that quite an attractive trait."
"I wasn't trying to control them, I was trying to help them!" Mabel blurted out, too incensed to try and keep denying things. Because yes, she was realizing that she screwed up, but she had legitimately thought that it was a good thing that she'd done at the time!
"Just like I am trying to help the universe," Skeleton King replied, his eyes gleaming, "Help open their eyes to the truth of our reality and very existence," he held out his hand, offering it, "Just as I offer my hand to you, let me open your eyes to the truth, let me help you reach your potential~"
Mabel stared at him as she processed that. Did he actually think that he was helping people like this? Did he actually have good intentions underneath all of this nightmare fuel he was spreading?
If so, maybe there was some hope for him, though before she could reply, he turned his head toward four new arrivals.
"Master!" "Dad!"
With Jinmay and the Punks arriving.
"Ah, girls," Skeleton King stood back up and gave Star Sapphire one more glance, "Do keep the offer in mind, for now I believe I've overstayed my welcome in Townsville."
He remarked, before addressing the new arrivals, "Are you four ready to go home?"
"Ugh, if we have to," Brute grumbled, but didn't seem to actually be too upset at the prospect.
"Master, should we eliminate this whore before we go? She is one of those heroes," Jinmay said, sneering down at Star Sapphire, who glared back at her. She knew from the information briefing she was apparently brainwashed, and yes Mabel might have a few bed partners, but that didn't mean she could be insulted!
"No need, we've accomplish what I desire, and I believe this one might have some potential," Skeleton King remarked, shooting a leer at Sapphire before leaping up toward his throne. Once he'd landed, the Throne Wyvern took off with a flap of its wings, ascending into the air, followed by the Punks and Jinmay. But before they could go anywhere-
"Hold it right there!"
-they were brought to a halt as, with a tricolored sonic boom, the Powerpuff Girls arrived on the scene, placing themselves in the villains' path and glaring them down.
With Star Sapphire, standing up, barely processing what just happened as she watched the confrontation in concern. Despite part of her noting how pissed off the Powerpuff Girls appeared to be, she couldn't help but notice how sexy each of them were.
"Ah, girls, here to say goodbye before I take custody of our daughters for the weekend?" Skeleton King asked with a teasing smirk, while Jinmay scowled at the whores who dared to give her master his firstborn children, a right that should have been hers!
"Hi, Mom!" Brat chirped, giving an eager wave. Only to then yelp as her sisters both smacked her upside the head.
"Ow! What was that for?" she demanded angrily.
"Don't be happy to see them, dummy!" Brute snapped.
"Yeah, they're our enemies right now because of how stupid and heroic they're being, remember?" Berserk added, scowling at her mother, who scowled back at her.
"And we're also no mothers of yours either!" Blossom snapped, but froze as Bubbles gently touch her shoulder.
"Blossom, um, maybe we should try to talk to them," Her sister suggested nervously.
"What's there to talk about?" Blossom asked with a scowl, "They're little monsters that that bastard made by raping us!"
"Er, yeah, but I'm kinda with Bubbles on this," Buttercup spoke up reluctantly, "Maybe despite how they were made, we don't necessarily need to treat them like enemies?"
"What?!" Blossom gave her sisters a look between anger and incredibility.
"Look, Blossom, the circumstances aside..." Bubbles gave a grimace before sighing, "These girls came from us, they're our daughters."
"They are not!" Blossom snapped, glaring at her sisters like they'd lost their minds, "They're... they're... things that he made by casting a spell on us and then raping us!"
Watching this, Mabel winced at both the looks of hurt that briefly flashed on the Punks' faces at that, but also at the emotions she could sense coming off of Blossom. She could feel the unique tug of paternal love trying to rise up in her... but it was being buried by rage that the Star Sapphire could only assume was coming from the trauma of what Skeleton King had done to her and her sisters.
Though speaking of Skeleton King, she could sense genuine parental love forming within him.
"Things? They're gifts, treasures even," Skeleton King remarked, looking toward Blossom, "And it's hardly rape if you enjoy it."
"Said every fucking rapist ever!" she snarled at him, "And we only "enjoyed" it because you had our so-called mother put a spell on us that was basically drugging us! We weren't in our right minds to give consent!"
"Eris at most unleashed your repressed desires and loosened your inhibitions," Skeleton King remarked with a scoff, "Regardless, you should be happy, I gave you three a good time, and the gift of motherhood."
"This isn't a gift! You made those little monsters from us and had them wreck the city for laughs!" Blossom snarled, feeling her rage drown out the voice in her head that was trying to get her to listen to her sisters.
"Hey, who are you calling monsters?" Berserk snapped, her expression angry, though hurt could also be seen briefly flashing through her eyes.
"Yeah, we were just having some fun," Brat chimed in.
"Not our fault this dumb city can't take how awesome we are," Brute ended with a huff.
"Yeah, and didn't you three also wreck this city with playtime at their age?" Jinmay chimed in with a smirk. She may not like the little bitches, but she wasn't going to pass up on putting their whore mothers in their place.
"Hey, that was different!" Buttercup said defensively.
"Yeah, we literally didn't know that what we were doing was dangerous to people!" Bubbles added.
"Oh? The buildings exploding or collapsing weren't a big clue?" Jinmay asked with a mocking smirk.
"You stay out of this!" Buttercup snapped, "I don't know who you are, but this is none of your business!"
"Name's Jinmay, Lord Skeleton King's best follower, top girl, and future Queen," she said, shooting the Puffs a glare, "And it became my business the moment you three whores took the honor of having my master's firstborn!"
"Hey! Don't insult our moms!" Brat snapped at her.
"We didn't want the so-called honor!" Blossom yelled at the same time.
"Why do I feel like I'm in the audience of some talk show from the 90's?" Mabel muttered from where she stood on the roof, actually unsure on what to do here. The gossip part of her was enjoying the drama (despite the circumstances behind it), while another part of her felt like she was intruding on a private moment.
"Please, from what your mother said, your boyfriend's more likely to build you a vibrator rather than be bothered to do the deed himself, so if that doesn't scream desperate to get laid, what does?" Jinmay said with a scowl as Blossom growled.
"Enough!" Buttercup snapped, floating forward, "Let's just kick Bonehead and his fangirl's asses, then drag the girls home to figure out this whole mess!"
"Hey! You want Dad, you gotta go through us!" Berserk snapped, glaring at them.
"Fine by me!" Blossom growled back at the abomination wearing her face.
"Blossom..." Bubbles said, giving her sister a worried look. However, before she could say anything more, Skeleton King spoke up.
"As much as I'm happy to allow some mother/daughter bonding time, shouldn't you three focus on the larger problem?" He asked, gesturing toward the roaring form of Elmer as he attempted to blast a stream of paste at Captain Marvel and Booster Gold, while off to the side the golem tried to squash Batman, Wonder Woman, and Scotsman. With Green Lantern still laying knocked out from the Punks' earlier attacks.
"After all, thanks to my little touch, your friend won't be calming down anytime soon," he finished with a smirk.
"Oh, you bastard!" Buttercup snarled as she saw the look on Elmer's face and realized that he'd been brainwashed. While also feeling a flash of guilt from seeing him, as the way she treated him when they were kids and how he ended up mutated was one of her biggest regrets. Admittedly, on the second she wasn't really to blame much there, but still, the way she treated Elmer and how it led to him lashing out and almost becoming a villain himself... it still made her feel like crap whenever she thought about it, and it didn't help that even after all these years, no one, not even the Professor, could crack the code to safely cure him.
"You know you love it~" Skeleton King cooed with a smug smirk as the wyvern flew higher, "Your choice, ladies," Skeleton King's eyes gleamed, "Will you focus on the threat that's pulling back, or focus on the threat that's still causing harm to the city, fellow heroes, or even himself."
"But I want to kick their butts," Brute whined, causing him to sigh.
"As I said, you three have had your fun, but it's time to go home, we need to set up your room, and I happen to have a special surprise planned for you three as well, provided Valeena got what I needed," he said, before trailing off in a mutter.
The Punks exchanged looks at that, before shrugging and flying after him.
"Later, sluts~" Jinmay said, smirking disdainfully at the Powerpuffs as she flew after her master as well. The Puffs watched the group go, rapidly looking between them and the battle, before Blossom gave a disgruntled grunt.
"Let's go, girls," she said, flying towards the fight.
"But, what about...?" Bubbles asked, glancing at where Skeleton King's group was quickly disappearing into the distance.
"We'll deal with them another time!" Blossom snapped.
Buttercup and Bubbles flinched at the look in their sister's eyes. They'd never seen her like this; the only times they could recall seeing a look like that in Blossom's eyes was that nightmare future they experienced one time, or that time HIM brainwashed the entire city to attack them.
"Bye, Mom! Love and see you later!" And Brat calling out as she gave a wave over her shoulder apparently didn't help.
"You got lucky! Next time, we'll kick your butts!" Brute added with a huff over her own shoulder, while Berserk simply scowled, giving off a huff.
"Grrr, let's go!" Blossom snapped, flashing over to Elmer while Buttercup and Bubbles exchanged looks.
"Can't believe I'm the one suggesting this, but we might need to look into a therapist after all of this," the green Puff admitted, concern leaking out of her voice.
"Tell me about it," Bubbles muttered, before they zipped off to help Blossom, while Skeleton King's forces made their leave of Townsville.
"So, what's this surprise you got? And hope you've got a decent place for us to live at," Berserk asked, before adding with a frown, with Skeleton King giving off a chuckle.
"Not to worry my dear, you'll find yourself right at home within the Citadel of Bone," he said with an evil grin, "As for your surprise..." he let out a chortle, "Let's just say we have one more piece to add to our family~" he said, causing the Punks to exchange looks while Jinmay frowned.
She didn't want to question her master... but was he seriously about to reveal that he'd banged some other whore and gotten another quick baby out of it? Ugh, she was going to pull her hair out if that was the case!
The one upside she could think of was that Valeena would probably take things worse than her. And just the image of her potential expression caused her to smirk and hold back a laugh.
With that, they all took off, leaving Townsville behind them.
Meanwhile, back in the city, the League were still dealing with the golem and the brainwashed Elmer.
"Anyone got any ideas?! Cause I don't feel like getting crushed today!" Booster Gold cried out as he barely dodged a blow from the golem.
"Yeah!" But paused as a voice shouted out and three arrivals came to the scene, "Let us handle this, we've got a lot of frustration to vent," said Blossom with a frown, looking up toward Elmer and glancing at the golem, "Girls! Divide and conquer, Bubbles you help the League with the golem, Buttercup and I will try to knock Elmer back to his senses."
"Got it!" Bubbles replied, giving a quick salute before diving towards the golem, extended leg first.
WHAM
The resulting kick connecting with the middle of the golem's head and sending it flying back. With Bubbles then zipping past it before it hit a building, and with a kick launched it up to the air before sending out some eye beams that scored a direct hit on it.
BOOM
ZIP
ZIP
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGG!"
Meanwhile, Buttercup and Blossom zipped and zoomed around Elmer.
"I'll distract him, you put him on ice!" Buttercup called, with Blossom giving a nod as Buttercup flew up to Elmer's face.
"Hey pasty, remember me?!" Buttercup called, and with the feral growl it soon became apparent he did.
FWOOM
"Whoah!"
FWOOM
"Missed me!"
And a moment later, Elmer was blasting streams of paste at her while also trying to swipe her out of the air, as the green Puff dodged and weaved. And while he was distracted, Elmer didn't notice the leader of the Powerpuff Girls floating up over him.
"Here goes..." she muttered, taking a deep breath before zipping around Elmer in a twister formation, while also letting loose with her ice breath.
"AAAARRRGGGHHH!!!" Elmer roared as he tried to swipe at Blossom, but slowed as ice swiftly formed over him. Before long, he was completely frozen over.
"Well, that takes care of him," Buttercup commented as Blossom came to a stop next to him, the two of them looking over the frozen Elmer carefully, to make sure that he was unlikely to break free.
WHAM
Meanwhile, the golem crashed into the ground next to them, noticeably missing a number of pieces, but still moving.
"Now we just need to deal with this," Blossom added with a frown as Bubbles zipped over.
"You girls ready for the three-blast special?" she asked with an eager smile, causing the girls to smirk as their bodies glowed with energy as they clasped each other's hands, before launching themselves straight at the golem with a glowing sphere of pink, green, and blue energy forming around them.
BOOM
That exploded on contact with the golem. Which gave a final roar as its stone body was burst apart by the resulting explosion, reducing it to dust.
As the resulting cloud of dust settled over the area, most of the League members were left looking at the girls in varying levels of surprise, ranging from Batman's stoicism to Booster Gold and Captain Marvel's open shock.
"Whoa," the latter managed to get out.
"Say that again," Booster Gold muttered beside him as he started to frown. Don't get him wrong, he was glad for the help. But that sort of highlighted why he was worried about all the anomalies in the form of heroes and villains that shouldn't be around, the fact that quite a few of them were packing power to be major threats.
"And now that Skeleton King guy's got three kids with the potential to reach this kinda power," he murmured with a grimace, really not liking the idea one bit. The fact he got his butt kicked so easily by said kids didn't help ease his worry or help his bruised ego, that's for sure.
Though his comment was cut off by the other heroes, who all shared grimaces.
"We might still be able to catch him," Blossom said earnestly with a deep scowl, "If we follow his trail, we could..."
She was cut off by Buttercup giving a sigh as she placed her hand on her sister's shoulder.
"Face it sis, Bonehead took the chance to skedaddle, and he's probably long gone with his goons," she said, with Blossom whirling to snap at her.
"You don't know that! We have to try! We can't just let him walk away with those abominations! We can't just let him get away with everything he's done to Townsville and us!"
Her sisters once again flinched at her tone and choice of words, while the League members all exchanged concerned looks at the conversation. But surprisingly, it was Batman who spoke up to break the awkward silence.
"They'll pay for what they've done, but not today," the Dark Knight stated, not flinching as Blossom spun around to glare at him, "Right now, we need to regroup and do damage control. The city's been hit heavily, and not only are you clearly not thinking clearly from what you've been through," he said bluntly, though with a slight sympathetic tone, making Blossom clench her fists as Buttercup scowled and Bubbles looked away, "We need to take assessment of what else Skeleton King accomplished with this attack."
"What do you mean? Seems pretty clear the bastard just wanted to destroy the city while fucking us to create those things!" Blossom spat out, once again causing some exchanged looks of concern.
"What is it?" Bubbles asked, noticing the looks, causing Wonder Woman to sigh.
"We have a lot of talk about," the heroine said, unsure how much the girls themselves knew right now, but she knew the aftermath of this was going to be messy.
"First thing's first," Batman declared, "We need to get to your home; Zatanna went there to check in with your father, and... well, I think it best if we discuss things there."
That brought the Puffs up short, looks of concern immediately appearing on their faces. And as Star Sapphire arrived carrying Green Lantern, the girls expressed concern for their father, hoping he was okay... and that he would not only be able to handle what happened to them today, but explain why he kept the secret of Chemical X from them.
Notes:
Nightmaster000 A/N: What's there to say except truly loved how this chapter and entire arc turned out. :)
One of favorite parts this chapter was the fight scenes I/Skeleton King had with the Puffs and Justice League members, if got any notes and opinions how those turned out please don't be afraid to share.
Plus really hit the Puffs especially Blossom where it hurt with my mind games and bring up old wounds, while also getting a highlight on conflicted feelings about their new daughters to say the least.
We also get some intense action against League members, including a scene of me/Skeleton King tormenting the Dark Knight with visions other realities. But he's the god damn Batman for a reason ladies and gentleman, as it'll take more than a twisted isekai to break him that easily.
And also get a highlight that Wonder Woman really, really, REALLY hates my/Skeleton King guts to say the least. Not like other League members like Scostman are any better.
Plus outside all of the great action Mabel learns that Skeleton King knows who she is along with what she did to Tambry, how will she handle this remains to be seen.
Oh yes all together this arc turned out great, and look forward to seeing how you all react to the aftermath.
ZimsMostLoyalServant A/N: Like Night said, loving how this arc ended up turning out. We had some great moments in it, and have set up plenty for later events as well.
But, that can wait for the aftermath at least. For now, please leave a kudos or comment if you liked this end to the arc.
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