Life as a villain can be pretty rough sometimes. You're just minding your own business, conquering the universe, when all of a sudden a bunch of ungrateful scrubs show up saying they don't [i]want[/i] to be crushed beneath your totalitarian heels as you ascend to godhood, and no sooner have you handed them their asses than another bunch of so-called 'heroes' shows up to annoy you still further. Over time, it starts to become a real problem.

There's an easy solution to all this, however. As those pathetic do-gooders love to proclaim: nothing is stronger than the power of friendsh- damn it, one can't just say that with a straight face. So call it, ehhh, 'mutually beneficial alliance?'

Point is, every competent villain (and the Big Bad was a competent villain indeed) makes sure to keep a list of stone-cold badasses on speed-dial. When the forces of good unite, evil unites right back at 'em! Take that, you overly generous pansies!

[center]***[/center]

In a certain bustling city on a faraway world, a dark-haired teenager is startled awake by a sharp rapping at the door. With a yawn, he rouses himself, stumbles down the stairs, and cracks it open- only to stumble backwards with a sudden wail.

"B-big Martin?"

For indeed, standing there before him is a tall and lanky man in a white shirt and black suit coat, hissing felines streaming around his feet and perched up on his shoulders. Even as the intruder steps into the room, his furry vanguard spreads out, surrounding the terrified youngster.

"Good morning."

"Dude, we had a deal! No aggression between our sides until-"

Big Martin cuts him off with a wave of his hand. "Don't worry, I'm not here to fight. Just calling in a favor."

The teenager groans, but relaxes a little. "Geez, would it really have killed you to let me know in advance?" When no reply is forthcoming, he sighs resignedly. "All right, fine. What do you want?"

Smiling, the supervillain hands him a slip of paper. "Portal, these coordinates. I've a favor of my own to fulfill."

[center]***[/center]

A few moments later, a glowing gateway opens in front of the abandoned fortress, and Big Martin steps out, accompanied by about a dozen small cats. His features are hidden, masked by the kitten currently climbing up his face, but he seems to be smiling. As the portal behind him snaps shut, he stretches out his arms, cracking his knuckles.

"All right, boys and girls! Let's flush these little mice out of their castle."

There's a shrill yowling in response, then man and cats alike charge towards the front gate and its turquoise guardian. A blatant and obvious assault by all accounts, but then he knows there will be other villains coming, and big distractions are a specialty of his.