A Few New Tricks
is a crossover between Kim Possible and the Chinese folk tale known as Madame White Snake, in which Kim is taken to China for three years as a result of losing a bet to Shego, who had disappeared for roughly the same amount of time before suddenly resurfacing to challenge her. She's picked up a few new tricks in that time, and practically forces Kim to learn them as well.
The story offers a unique take on the Kigo pairing in that it makes it undeniably clear that Shego is still an evil, self-serving, stubborn, cantankerous asshole who somehow has the capacity for empathy underneath it all. Kim manages to worm her way into her heart regardless, and the two of them develop a brief romance. But there's another person in Shego's life who might object to that.
There is a sequel, called The Twelve, that is worth checking out as well.
This fanfic contains the following tropes:
- Bilingual Bonus: Cantonese (and to a lesser extent, Mandarin) speakers can, with a bit of work, figure out what the Chinese used in earlier chapters (prior to Translation Convention kicking in) means.
Word of God is that the author, while fluent in Cantonese, is not so good at Mandarin. - Bittersweet Ending: Oh, boy. Shego is dead, and Kim is utterly distraught. On the other hand, Xaio Qing and Bai Su Zhen are finally reunited, and confront the guardians of the afterlife to recover Shego's soul.
- Gilligan Cut: A rare dramatic use of this trope occurs in the first chapter, when we cut to Kim's reaction as she's riding in a plane after losing to Shego.
- Title Drop: The very last line of the story.“Why of course,” Bai Su Zhen laughed lightly, back to back with Xaio Qing. “Let us show you a few new tricks we have learned.”
- Took a Level in Badass: Kim was badass already, but after the training she goes through she's basically unstoppable against any human threat.
- Training from Hell: Kim is subjected to this when she arrives at the mountain.
- Translation Convention: Only kicks in once Kim learns Chinese. The author had promised to translate the Cantonese that was used earlier in the story, but decided not to because it helps the reader identify with Kim.
