Subject: JQ: Content-Type: text/plain I am developing a new Quest team. Please tell me what you think of the characters. If they get favorable ratings, I will add the character on, if not, I scrape 'em. PLease tell me what you think. FIC: RATHIKA [1/3] Warning: This is rated PG for AS. E, ALT, and Qd. Disclaimer: I do not own Jonny Quest, HB or any other thing associated with Jonny Quest. I do own some Jonny Quest tapes, and a stuffed Bandit, but that isnt enough for me to write Jonny Quest stories without being sued. If you try to sue me, you cant have my Bandit, or any of the tapes. Rathika, and any other characters that you do not recognize belong to me. If you have problems with the names of any of the characters I introduce, feel free to contact me. Archivers: Yes, but please tell me where. Note: I toned down the language, so things will probably sound strange, and a bit inaccurate. Just pretend. STREETS OF BANGALORE She tightened her sari before stepping out into the streets. It was early morning, and the humidity was already nearly unbearable. It had been unusually hot these past few weeks in Bangalore. She didnt want to stay in this wretched city any longer. Ever since that new Sultan had taken over, things had turned for the worse in Bangalore. She had only arrived a month ago, but she heard the stories. It used to be the best place left for pickpockets. It had one of the worst police forces, and you could get away with nearly anything then. This new sultan changed all that, cleaned up the slums, shut down the brothels, and cut crime in half. It was sickening. She couldnt go back to Delhi, Simla, Jaipor, Bombay, Nagpur, Calcutta, Cuttack, or Hyderabad. And now there was Bangalore. She had thought that it would be an excellent spot, and it would have, if this sultan hadnt ruined everything. The streets were bustling with people, and she weaved in and out gently among them. Her eyes were constantly scanning the area for police, guards, easy picking, and unattended food. As she neared the palace, she stepped more cautiously then before. It was dangerous stealing so close to the sultans home, but it was also less fought over, and she could get some easy food, and maybe even some money. She noticed a strikingly blond American about her age standing outside a shop. His eyes were scanning the crowds as if he were looking for someone. She smirked inwardly, stupid Americans, they were such easy targets. Jonny hummed to himself as his eyes listlessly scanned the crowd. Jessie had said she would be back in 15 minutes. "15 minutes, my foot." Jonny glanced down at his watch. She had been gone for a half an hour. He wanted to get back to the palace, and see Hadji. He hadnt seen his brother in almost 2 weeks, and then, when they finally arrive, Jessie runs off. Jonny glumly glanced around him again, looking for a familiar splash of red. Oh well, shes not coming. He started walking back towards the palace. As he was walking, he watched the people scurry around him. He spotted a girl about his age up ahead at a stand filled with bread. He watched her carefully look over the bread, searching for the biggest piece. He almost missed it. It was something an ordinary person would not have noticed, and he didnt really see her take it. One minute, the bread was just sitting there, the next gone. Vanished. He smiled slightly, and walked up to the girl. "I saw." He jerked his head back towards the stand. He wouldve said more, but his knowledge of the language was not nearly good enough. She turned around, and looked him squarely in the face. She had a look of question, confusion, and curiosity. "What?" She couldnt believe it! The stupid American saw her! She had never been caught before. Seething with anger, she managed to keep the neutral expression on her face, and in her voice. "You saw?" "You took the bread." Jonny kicked himself inside. If only he had studied the language a bit more.. "Excuse me?" She almost laughed it. The American was buying it. "I saw you take bread." "I did not take any bread. I dont want any bread." She smiled at him lightly. "I saw you." He insisted. "You are mistaken, I dont want any bread. I didnt get any bread." She shook her head clearly, and just for spite, through fake words in among her real ones to confuse him further. What?! He understood something about not wanting, and not getting, and something about bread, but the rest was lost. He didnt know what to say. "See you later." "Wait!" She disappeared into the crowd. "Great." Jonny sighed. He wasnt completely sure that she actually took the bread, but he was almost positive. The thought of bread made his stomach growl, and he reached for his wallet. It was gone. She walked in the narrow doorway of the building, and glanced around for Anand. Not seeing the man, she cautiously stepped inside. She took a few steps, and then had her hand grabbed from behind. He pulled sharply on her wrist, causing her to twirl around and face him. She replaced the bitter anger, and growing resentment she felt with fear on her face. Anand tightened his grip on her arm, digging his fingers into her skin. "Do you have my money?" He thundered in her face. "Not yet, I" Her voice quivered, fear and panic was written all over her face. She really just wanted to slit the mans throat. "I needed it yesterday!" He slammed her against the back wall, pinning her with his right hand. His left hand fumbled behind his back, until he found the object of his search, a razor blade. She had seen and received plenty of damage from razor blades before. A favored tactic was the elongation of the mouth, with two slits on either side. She didnt have to worry about that, because she was considered sellable, which ment that she could be used to take money from men. Mostly it was scratches along the back of her upper arms. Areas that didnt matter to men looking for women. "Stupid witch." He cursed under his breath. She wasnt about to take it from the bastard. Her leg found a comfortable place in his belly, and she shoved with all her might. He went sprawling over the floor, clutching his stomach. She had no time to finish the job, and swiftly fled. HADJIS PALACE "Jonny!" Jessie waved to him. "Where we you?" "Waiting for you!" Jonny reached his friends. "I told you to meet me back here in 15 minutes!" "Not here!!!" "All right, my friends." Hadji quickly interrupted. "No fighting." "Some girl took my wallet." "You let a girl take your wallet?!" Jessie questioned him. "I doubt he let her." Hadji grinned, "The famous Jonny Quest, foiled by a common street rat." "Hey!" Jonny crossed his arms. "There is a tracking device in it. Well catch one of your thieves, Hadji." "Perhaps." Hadji just smiled crookedly at his brother, "I wonder what this girl looked like. Huh Jonny?" "Stop it!" He held up his hands. "Lets just go catch the thief." Jessie suggested. "I want to know how she did it." "Oh," Hadji thought, "Its not THAT hard to steal from Jonny, why--" Jonny swung his fist playfully at Hadji, but was blocked. "Ha." Hadji smugly grinned at Jonny. He grabbed his arm, and twisted it around. "Ow! Hey!" Jonny tackled his older friend, and all the Sultanic dignity immediately left Hadji. The two boys wrestled on the floor for. Jessie stepped on Hadjis stomach, ending the fight. "Come on, you two." She yanked Jonny up by his arm. "Quit fooling around, lets go." JQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQ Authors note: The Hadji in these stories is a new one Im trying out. Tell me what you think of him. He is more like the classics Hadji in that he does more, and actually gets in on the action. Rathika is an actual name, it is the name of a girl I go to school with. The character is loosely modeled after her. This is the first character introduced as part of a team. I currently have more characters than needed. Tell me what you think of her, give me plenty of suggestions, comments and facts. If she is liked, she will be the first member of the team, if not, Ill scrap her. Tell me what you think. Mary. Comments/suggestions/death threats/marriage proposals/facts/nonsense/food/sugar/insanity are all welcome. Especially sugar and food. Send em to [email protected]