Chapter Text
Penny, still thoughtful after her conversation with her uncle, approached her phone, intrigued by the notification she had received. When she unlocked her screen, she saw the name "WHATSISFACE" flashing on her device. No profile or location, totally anonymous. Of course, it had to be him. A small mocking laugh crept onto her lips at the thought of Talon, who had surely been celebrating in some way.
She decided to open the video, expecting anything: an ostentatious diatribe of victory or an annoying message. What she never imagined was that the image would start to shake, with lights around and everything blurry, and then a visibly drunk Talon appeared on the screen, with a half-empty bottle of whiskey in hand, his face lit up by a carefree laugh.
—Penny! —Talon shouted, his eyes still sparkling with mischief—. You have to see this! I'm having more fun than ever, and the night is still young. Madtana Dan is here with me! —The camera spun, capturing Dan, counting bills with a satisfied smile, enjoying the moment of counting his prized money, and he waved at the camera.
Talon's playful expression turned into a strange grimace as he continued talking, his voice rising—. You know, after all the excitement at the conference, I had a little talk with our dear Madtana Dan, —he continued, leaning closer to the camera, his eyes glinting with a hint of jealousy—. He told me something interesting... Something about a new agent who helped you out during that little stunt at the hotel...
Penny's heart sank.
—Now you have a new assistant, congratulations! What was his name again? Hans? —Talon and the other villains behind him laughed, but there was an edge to it, a bitterness that wasn't quite masked by the alcohol—. His name sounds like an old grumpy German with oiled hair, don't you think, guys?
Talon continued, irritation showing through his tone, his festive mood disappearing for a moment—. But you know what? I don't approve! ...hic... What is this, Penny? Did you all think you were smarter than me? I can imagine you all laughing in my face while I was busy working so hard... So here's what I'm telling you, Penny: this war is just beginning! –Her gaze softened a bit– I want you to know that I'm constantly thinking about you... hic... and how to destroy those new meddling agents you have by your side! I'll see you soon, blondie!
The video abruptly stopped, and after it, Talon sent her a devil emoji and a message saying, "save the contact," followed by another, "don't delete it," and then "please." Penny scoffed, feeling a mix of emotions. She felt a pang of responsibility thinking about her new partner, Hans. She didn't want to expose him so blatantly, but it seemed that the information had reached undesirable ears, some henchman from MAD. She should have been more cautious. But she also felt a spark of challenge at Talon's warnings. Did he really think he could interfere with her plans?
She shook her head, trying to rid herself of the images of Talon's drunken face. It was ironic: she had laughed at his vanity, his obsession with appearance, but at the same time, there was an undeniable allure to his way of facing things, even when drunk. It was a mess, but the kind of mess that sparked a strange fascination in her. —Since when does he drink alcohol? —she whispered thoughtfully. It was obvious that someone was influencing him poorly.
A new message arrived, "pleaseeee" from the contact. "Fine, I'll save this contact, but only for professional purposes! It's better to keep your enemy close, right?"Yes, that was a good justification that left her satisfied.
She placed the phone on the nightstand and curled up under the blankets, looking at the corner of the room where Brian slept deeply in his dog bed. "If it's a war he wants," she thought, "then it's a war he'll have." Her own renewed determination began to fill her mind. There was no way Talon could outsmart her this time.
Her mind filled with ideas on how to anticipate Talon's moves. "I'm going to need help," she told herself, recalling Hans. She didn't want to expose him to such danger, especially if he was already on Talon's radar... Well, who was she kidding? He probably was. She could feel strange flattery but worry crept in for her new aide. She had to find the best way to protect her team and herself, which also included finding out more about Dr. Claw's plans.
As she prepared for sleep, she suddenly remembered the appointment she had with Hans for the driving had almost forgotten!
"Let the champagne splash
Let that man get cash
Let that man get past
He don't even stop to get gas
If he can move through the rumors
He can drive off of fumes 'cause
How he move in a room full of no's?
How he stay faithful in a room full of h-?
Must be the pharaohs, he in tune with his soul
So when he buried in a tomb full of gold
Treasure, what's your pleasure?
Life is a, uh, depending how you dress her
So if the Devil wear Prada, Adam Eve wear nada
I'm in between but way more fresher
With way less effort
'Cause when you try hard that's when you die hard
Your homies looking like why God
When they reminisce over you, my God
Wait 'til I get my money right
La, la, la la
Then you can't tell me nothing, right?
Excuse me, was you saying something?"
The atmosphere of the casino was infused with the sounds of games and the murmur of hushed conversations. Bright lights danced in every corner as Madtana Dan watched Talon, who, after having a couple of drinks, was quite the spectacle to behold. He was a villain with class, but that night his pride wobbled along with his balance.
—Come on, boy, you've only had two drinks and you're already in this state —Madtana Dan laughed, handing the empty bottle to the bartender.
—It's all… under control… —Talon slurred, his tone punctuated by hiccups. In a sudden move, he almost spilled his glass, but Madtana Dan quickly caught it before it shattered on the floor.
—They don't know… they don't know who they're messing with.
—Of course not, you're the evil and fearsome nephew of Dr. Claw —Dan replied, agreeing with a nearly comical tone—. But to be honest, if you let this get out of hand… they will outsmart you at any moment. The game is pretty even; I'd even say you're at a disadvantage.
With a dramatic gesture, Talon pointed at Madtana Dan as if he were about to banish all logic from the conversation.
—HE can never surpass me —he exclaimed, his ego not allowing him to conceive that a "four-eyed" trainee, less attractive than he, could be his equal. —Ridiculous.
Outside, the moon shone brightly, but in the casino, the echoes of laughter began to fade along with the last players who still clung to the hope of winning something more. The counting of bills between Talon and Madtana Dan had been generous, although Dan saw an opportunity to take advantage of Talon's drunkenness to keep a substantial part of the profit for himself.
—I think it's time to head out. You're going to need a little help. If Dr. Claw finds you like this, he'll surely blame me, so you better hurry.
Talon tried to shake Madtana Dan's arm off him, but in his attempt to walk with dignity, he ended up leaning on his shoulder, dizzy yet determined.
—Of all the trainees available, it had to be a guy of the same age. I would much rather have a new girl as obnoxious as Kayla. What a cruel twist by the writers is this! What does a rookie with carrot hair add to the plot? A know-it-all with glasses...
Madtana Dan rolled his eyes at Talon's dramatics. He knew that for Talon, Penny was not just a mere "heroine"; she was a constant torment.
—Yes, yes, a tragedy —Dan replied sarcastically—. The lair is over there; we'll use the teleporter.
—You don't understand. What if they go from being teammates to being very close friends, and then they fall in love? And they move to an apartment far from the city and from me! They'll have kids who will also be training agents, with carrot-colored hair and inheriting those horrible genes that make them know-it-alls... that multiplied by two! No, no, they must carry my impeccable genes. She and I... we are destined...
—Shut up a bit, would you —Madtana Dan replied, a bit tired of the young villain's delirious fantasies.
As they reached the doors of the MAD headquarters, Dan whistled his fingers. A henchman named Tony approached quickly, seeing Talon almost leaning on his boss.
—Take him inside the lair and to his room without Dr. Claw knowing. —Madtana Dan ordered.
Tony nodded, and Madtana Dan handed Talon over, who continued to murmur in his drunken state, clinging to him like a lifeline.
—If he keeps talking about some Penny... —Dan murmured.
—Penny! —Talon suddenly shouted, startling Tony.
—...or raises his voice too much, give him a good whack. Don't worry; he won't remember in the morning —Dan advised with a persuasive smile.
After leaning Talon onto Tony, both disappeared behind the lair's door. Madtana Dan was left alone, thinking about the peculiarity of that night.
He reflected on how he had done three things: 1. Win Talon's money and take advantage of his drunken state, 2. Gain influence over him, and 3. Have fun at the expense of his pride. With a wicked smile on his face, he dusted off his clothes, especially his shoulder where Talon had leaned.
"Obsessive kid," he murmured to himself. The way Talon spoke about Inspector Gadget's niece was ridiculously comical. It was almost divine punishment for his arrogant behavior. He couldn't help but think that he should have recorded the craziness that came from Talon's mouth; it would be valuable material to use later when the egocentric wanted to show off.
In the world of villainy, you can't afford to show weaknesses, or at least not in front of others. But for now, he decided to stay on Talon's side; it was beneficial and strategic for him at the moment. With a cunning smile on his face, he slipped out of the lair unnoticed.
The sound of the alarm clock resonated in the room, pulling Penny out of her thoughts. She blinked, realizing that she had spent too long thinking about Talon and his antics. She needed to focus; the fear that Hans was in danger called for action.
As she got ready, she remembered the appointment she had with Hans for driving lessons. Although the idea of learning to drive didn't excite her, she knew that good vehicle control could be crucial in her line of work. She pondered what Hans might teach her; perhaps he would be not just a driver, but also an ally in her fight against crime.
Upon arriving at the driving school, Penny noticed that Hans was taking everything with unmistakable energy. Her new partner was waiting for her in front of a shiny car. His hair was perfectly styled, and he wore a T-shirt that read "The Best Driver in the World." She couldn't help but smile.
—Penny! —exclaimed Hans upon seeing her arrive—. Ready to learn! Today you're going to be a race car driver.
—We'll see —Penny replied with a smile—. I just hope you don't end up crashing me into something.
Hans made a dramatic gesture as if offended—. Losing a young promise of espionage would be an unforgivable crime. So, are you ready?
—I'm always ready.
They got in the vehicle, and Hans showed her how to adjust her seat for good visibility while explaining the controls. As Penny turned the ignition key, she felt a mix of nerves and excitement.
—Let's head a bit out of the city so you can be more comfortable; it'll be a little more manageable than the bustling city full of taxis and crazy pedestrians.
Penny thought that was a great idea. Throughout the lesson, she grew increasingly comfortable with Hans. He was surprisingly entertaining and also quite good and cautious at driving. Penny loved cautious people. As he guided the car, Penny noticed that he was keenly observing the vehicle's capabilities, his mind always alert to potential dangers.
—Now it's all straight; just apply the gas gently and look ahead.
—So… —said Hans, breaking the silence—, what's it like working with your Uncle Gadget?
—It's... interesting —she said, recalling the conversation she had with her uncle the night before—. He takes care of me a lot, but sometimes it seems like he doesn't really understand what's going on around him. There are times I get mad at him because he's too clumsy and inadvertently endangers others… although afterward I feel bad. Anyway, he's a splendid Inspector, a legend, even with his quirks and distractions.
Hans chuckled a little and nodded, as if he understood more than he was willing to say.
—Yeah… that sounds familiar. My uncle is almost the same, but add a touch of arrogance and an inability to talk to women. He's a genius, but he constantly pressures me to follow in his footsteps in the lab. The other day he made me stay up until I finished an invention… Watch out for that sign.
—Well, you still have three months to think about what you want to do at HQ. I really love science, but being an agent and a spy is definitely my calling. My Uncle Gadget always says that the best thing is to focus on becoming an expert at one thing rather than being not an expert at anything.
—Well, you definitely break that rule —Hans said, genuinely impressed. Penny blushed a bit at the compliments—. You're too good at everything you do! I've seen your contributions to the lab with the Professor since you joined HQ; it's amazing. Is there anything you're not good at?
Penny laughed, blushing at the compliments while firmly gripping the steering wheel.
—Hmm… let me think —unable to resist the charms of a certain villain, that subject was on hold—. Cooking. I must admit I'm not good at it; it frustrates me a lot.
As they continued talking animatedly about how the Professor found a burnt muffin in the lab that Penny had baked, which had been impossibly tough to break, they spotted a hunched figure on the road.
Penny and Hans stopped next to the elderly woman, whose presence on the quiet road seemed out of place. As they approached, Penny noticed that the woman, with her gray hair tied up in a messy bun and dressed in a wool jacket, smiled sweetly, but there was something in her gaze that generated distrust.
—Is everything okay, ma'am? —Penny asked, lowering the window as a gentle breeze ruffled his hair—. Do you need help?
—Oh, thank you, dears. Don't worry about me —the elderly woman replied in a trembling voice. Her wrinkled face was marked by the warmth of a smile, but there was something in her tone that sounded a little too rehearsed—. I'm waiting for my grandson. He won't be long.
Penny exchanged a glance with Hans. The situation felt strange to her. The road they were traveling, lined with tall trees on both sides, felt empty, and inexplicably, a chill ran down her spine.
—We should give her a ride! —Hans said, eager to do a good deed—. If she feels uncomfortable, there's no reason for her to wait here.
—No, I'm really fine; this old lady sometimes gets a bit lost —the elderly woman insisted, waving her hand in a friendly gesture—. But my grandson should arrive any moment now. I don't want to interrupt his journey.
Penny couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The woman had an air as if she had come from an old movie; she seemed a bit too perfect in her act.
—Are you sure you wouldn't like us to call your grandson? We can do it from my mobile. I feel bad leaving you here —Penny asked. The intuition that awoke in her as a spy was starting to raise the red flag.
—No, no, really —the elderly woman said, averting her gaze as if she were searching for something—. I... will wait; don't worry, just continue on your way, young ones.
Penny whispered to Hans —what if we wait with her?... —At that moment, they spotted a black vehicle approaching them. The elderly woman waved and walked toward the car to get in. The car turned around and disappeared.
—Well then, mission grandma safe... complete?
—This feels fishy to me; let's head back to HQ, Hans. My instinct tells me we should tread carefully. I'll let you take the wheel. —Penny got out of the car so Hans could sit in the driver's seat. Penny had an uneasy and alert feeling; perhaps Talon or some henchman from MAD could be nearby and do something dangerous now that they knew about Hans. They drove to HQ and parked. Penny couldn't tell him what Talon had said, simply because she couldn't expose that she was messaging him, much less show him the video from the casino. She thought about wanting to prepare Hans and introduce him to her training against MAD.
—Hans, how about coming to train with me and Kayla? As long as the Professor lets you out. I think it's time to put your skills to the test against holographic MAD spies. Doesn't that sound great?
—That sounds amazing, but will I be up to your level? I think you guys have more technique than I do. I don't want to slow down your training or anything…
—Not at all! We'll be patient with you —Penny laughed nervously—. I'm sure you'll get along well with Kayla; have I told you about her? She's my best friend, but be careful; she's quite chatty…
Hans and Penny entered the HQ, and Penny needed to speak privately with her best friend before she spilled a certain topic in front of Hans.
Madtana Dan was behind the wheel, with the elderly woman sitting behind him.
—Well, old lady, did you do what I asked? —Madtana Dan asked, looking through the rearview mirror.
—It's done. It only took me a few minutes. The blonde girl I think suspected something; thankfully, I got here in time, or they would have discovered me.
—It doesn't matter if they suspected you, old lady; the important thing is that you did the job without complications.
—So...
—Yes, a promise is a debt. Your three cats will receive a limited edition collection of scratchers, and you'll get an antique silver-coated tea set.
—Yay! How wonderful, my little ones will love it! —the elderly woman exclaimed. Madtana Dan smiled cunningly. He wasn't working for MAD but rather on his own, giving rewards out of his own pocket. He thought it was more fun than receiving orders and doing private missions, but clearly, it was more dangerous without anyone to back him up. For small missions, it was fine. He dropped the elderly woman off at her home and gave her what he had promised from the trunk. He was sure she would work with him again. She didn't have much money, was alone, loved her three cats dearly, and had a great admiration for antique silverware.
After getting back in the car, he drove to the main MAD headquarters.
The morning light filtered through the cracks of the hideout, tinting the walls with a soft golden hue that contrasted with the purple walls. Talon woke up disoriented, a strong throb in his head pounding like a drum. He sat up slowly, trying to remember what had happened. He was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday, ugh, he smelled of alcohol. Echoes of laughter, shouting, green bills, and the roulette wheel spinning with the ball inside resonated in his mind.
—What the hell...? —he murmured, scratching his head and sitting on the edge of his bed. Looking around, he realized he was in his room. Had he come back alone? What time is it?
"Uncle Claw must not find out about this," he thought.
Meanwhile, in the control room of the hideout, Madtana Dan was settling into his chair, reviewing reports and laughing at Talon's situation. He was watching the security cameras, and through one of them, he noticed movement in Talon's room. A small flash of satisfaction lit up his face.
—I see the rock star has finally woken up.
Determined to take advantage of the situation, Madtana Dan got up and headed to Talon's room. He knocked softly on the door.
—It is alright?
—No, not at all —said Talon, trying to hide his confusion. Embarrassment enveloped him; he had been a spectacle last night, and his head hurt —my head is going to explode.
—Come on, boy, it's just a hangover. Don't be a crybaby —Dan joked, crossing the threshold and entering the room. He looked at Talon with a smirk of amusement.
—Uncle Claw is going to kill me if he sees me like this —Talon stretched and yawned—. I need to take a shower and get something to eat. Tell Tony to prepare me some cereal… no, no, not milk, better some fruit and a pill for my head.
—Yeah, have a good breakfast to regain your energy. We have a lot of work. But first, you need to stop thinking about Inspector Gadget's niece.
Talon raised an eyebrow, distracted as he searched for clean clothes, confused by the change of topic and Penny's mention.
—What? What are you talking about? I don't know what…
Madtana Dan let out a mocking laugh. —Oh, please. You literally named her all night. You even sent her a video very funny.
As Talon headed to the bathroom, he stood there in shock.
—Ah… Damn, I must have totally lost my mind. Anyhoo, I don't think I'm the only one who's had something like that happen, you know, alcohol doesn't let the blood circulate well… —he laughed nervously— …do you know if I said anything else?
Madtana Dan, with his arms crossed, shrugged.
—I think I remember something about mixing your genes with hers, something about fate, and ranting about the new apprentice agent at HQ. You were really annoying; I thought about leaving you there. Don't worry, your reputation is safe with me.
Talon made an embarrassed face, talking about these things in front of Madtana Dan...it was a bit strange , the morning glow promised a day full of new adventures. Talon shook the fog from his mind, and for the first time that morning, a sly smile appeared on his lips. He silently thanked Madtana Dan but knew he was looking for something. He didn't help for free, without something in return.
—Alright, let's start plotting a new plan —he demanded with a challenging look.
—For now, you and I will take care of that —Madtana Dan said, feeling the spark of ambition beginning to burn again in Talon.
Suddenly Tony knocked on the door. Talon snorted.
—What it is now? Can't you see I'm going to take a shower?—Talon asked, irritated by the hangover.
—Talon, Dr. Claw is calling you, and Madtana Dan.