disclaimer: I Do not own any of the character portrayed. This piece is also kind of a retro throwback to the 1940's Noir style so its a mix of old and new.

Chapter 1

Edge of Despair

" I don't know how it ended up like this… one day everything was fine and the next… well let's just say even the toughest man can lose his sanity when he thinks about the hand fate dealt him."

Ron walks down a poorly lit street on the rough side of town. It was the middle of a dreary rainy night in Middleton, and Ron was in no hurry to make it to his destination. His long beige trench coat kept his body dry from the weather and his fedora protected the blonde mop on top his head as well as his face. The ill lit streets on this part of town only had scattered street lamps to illuminate the glossed sidewalk with the rest of the street filled with the neon signs and reflections from the various shady businesses and locales.

Ron notices a warped reflection in the standing water for a hole in the wall bar where not to long ago he lost everything he cared about to 'IT'. He pushed the thought out of his mind as he turns his head back away from The Underside Lounge's orange lit-up sign.

"I still think back on those events and wonder if there was anything I could have done to prevent this… I mean who would have known after 'IT' did one good thing it would tear her away… Now the only thing torn is my heart."

Only a few blocks separate Ron from his destiny and he doesn't mind the brief reprieve from the rain as he passes under the overpass. He stops for a moment with the collective condensation dripping from his coat leaving a small puddle on the relatively dry section of concrete. The lack of light leaves him blending in with the shadows as he stops and looks out through the rain.

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Several weeks earlier Kim and Ron were on a mission to spy on Drakken and Shego at a shady little bar that criminals liked to gather at and swap plans or 'merchandise' away from prying eyes. Word had it that the evil duo was selling a new diabolic take over the world machine after several years of 'retirement'.

"The details are kinda sketchy and don't seem to quite add up," Ron said to his long-term girlfriend.

"You worry too much Ronnie it was only a matter of time before they relapsed back into making trouble… honestly I'm surprised it took them this long," Kim responds back to her hesitant boyfriend. The two had been courting for some time and matured much, however Kim was still ready to jump into a sitch at a moments notice.

Kim wore a stylish dark green swing dress and had her hair pulled up into a fashionable bun. Ron always loved her in that dress because it accented her Emerald eyes and made him feel warm inside. Ron wore a classy 3 piece tan suit with a charcoal vest and tie. The double-vented jacket he wore was all the rage now after it's recent introduction to the market and Kim liked the way it looked on him so he spared no expense. The heroes arrive at The Underside Lounge and enter nonchalantly to avoid arousing suspicion. They peer around to see if the targets are present and sure enough they were. Kim and Ron go find a booth in a far corner that still has a clear view of their marks.

"Well looks like the Intel was legit alright lets hand around and see what happens," Kim says as a waiter approaches. The two order their drinks and sip on them as they wait for someone to make a move. After several more minutes their patience they are rewarded with a potential situation they can take advantage of. A man had approached Drakken with a packet and muttered something in his ear that caused the villains to follow the secretive man.

"Come on Ron lets go!" Kim whispers as she stands. Ron throws some money on the table to cover their bill and a decent tip and takes off after Kim. They follow the trio outside and down the street to a warehouse and make their way onto the roof to observe the following meeting. A woman is already waiting inside for the approaching blue man in a scientist's lab coat and the green tinted woman wearing a very black and green fishtail dress. They begin their meeting and then Kim realizes the unknown woman is none other than Betty. Betty also known as Dr. Director of the GJ was meeting with these villains and Kim wants to learn why. She opens the large window and jumps down to the floor startling all those present, "What is the meaning of this?"

"Oh why if it isn't Kimberly," Drakken says to the new addition to the room.

"Ms. Possbile this isn't what it seems over the last few years Dr. Drakken and Shego have been deep undercover agents for GJ and our fight against the secret crime organization Phantom. In fact after this meeting we were going to contact you to bring you in and brief you with your new 'allies' on this mission," Betty just looks at the open mouthed Kim and waits for a response.

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Ron shakes his head as he withdraws from his recollections of the subsequent weeks undercover in Phantom with their former enemies.

"Of course with Kim leading our mission was successful but something about working with them had effected her in more than one way… and somewhere along the lines something got crossed in her mind and the inconceivable happened…" Ron snaps back to reality lifts his head and starts back out into the pouring rain with his resolve restored. It was because of that mission Ron resigned from GJ after its completion when the unspeakable occurred between the two lovers.

"It wont be long now and then all of this will be fixed and all this suffering will be over… and these last few weeks will be inconsequential…" Ron looks up and feels the rain on his face as it washes away some of the despair that was welled up inside of him.

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What do you think of the 1st chapter? who is 'IT'? let me know what you think in a review. any ideas or suggestions for the writing style? I am trying to be descriptive since Noir is very visual and need to know if i am capturing that in a way it makes since to you the readers, sp please review or message me with input good or bad I can take it. as always Thanks for reading and see you next time.