Chapter 1
I remember my life before evil finally caught up with me. You have to lose sometimes. Maybe it was just Drakken's turn to win. Let's face it, I knew it would happen someday. Before I realized my happiness was a lie. Before that monster walked into my life. He spun lies and ruined my life. I had brothers; annoying brothers, but they were my family! They knew me well enough to get to me. I had parents who made me what I am today… Or at least what I was, or even what is about to die. Wasn't that enough for me? Now I would never see any of them again. It was perfect, I can see that now. Why did I ever complain? I can't help but think pitiful thoughts as I hang from a retired Beuno Nacho sign. The binding ropes pull at my experimental suit, the high-tech fabric chaffing on my chest. Ron hangs next to me, his body obviously tired. I know how defeated he feels tenfold.
"So? What's the plan?" Ron asks, his head perking up a little. He always relies on me, and now, when I failed myself, I have to fail him too. I choke back a wretched sob as I prepare to say something I would never dream of. At least, not when everything was perfect….
*-*0o0o0o*-*
"Monique, you were totally right!" I said as we started our walk to Middleton High.
"I know" She said, self assured. Then she paused, "What was I right about?"
"The Bonnie problem." I said casually. I don't even know why it was a problem in the first place. You know things are bad when you start listening to Bonnie Rockweller. Honestly, she has the relationship intelligence of a rock. Or… maybe that's Brick. Come to think of it, those two were made for each other. "It's not an issue. Who cares about the 'food chain'? Ron and I are cool." I said. Friends since Pre K. No stuck up cheerleader out for blood will change that.
"Stand by your Ron." Monique laughed as we turned the corner.
"I mean he's—" I started. But the putputput of Ron's fixer- upper moped interrupted me as we caught up to him cruising on the road. I saw Rufus lounging in the basket on the handlebars eating what appeared to be a left over nacho. Ron beamed at us as the wind barely ruffled his mess of blond hair.
"Full of childlike wonder." I laughed. We passed up Ron and his scooter easily as we continued down the sidewalk to school. I waved to him and he gave me the thumbs up, eager to finish his ride.
*-*0o0o0o*-*
I pulled my motorcycle into an available spot at the Middleton high school. I was clearly cutting Ron Stoppable, Target Number Two, off. This was my in. I sat on my new bike, letting the engine rumble on. Father had wanted to buy me a yellow one, but I chose red. I picked it because it looked like fire as I raced it around the lair track in Nevada. He thought it was because it matched the new uniforms he ordered to fit his syntho-drones. 'Can't you tell they are burgundy Shego? Much more 'in' than the cherry uniforms I gave the henchman!' I was remembering Father's hysterical rantings when Ron Stoppable started screaming at me from behind.
"Do you mind?" He squawked. I let my engine rumble on, trying to get back to the memory of Father. "Dude? Dude? Do you mind?" he continued yelling. I snapped my matching burgundy helmet visor open and turned my head around to face a crucial part of Father's plan.
"What?" I snapped. Why of all people did I have to befriend him? This I was annoyed about. But Target Number One, that was what truly scared me.
"Spot. Mine. You. In it!" Ron continued. This wasn't how people talked in the outside world was it? I mean I know I was isolated in lair after lair for 16 years but the basic English language didn't vary that much in such a small town like this did it? I went for broke and spoke with my normal grammar patterns as I responded.
"Oh, dude, man, I'm sorry. I didn't even see you." I said. Had I said the correct slang? Father would be so upset with me if I blow my cover on something so well practiced as slang. "You know, this might sound weird, but sometimes when it's just me and my machine I—" I said, improvising. I had only driven this bike several times around Las Vegas when Father was conducting business somewhere at a place called The Bermuda Triangle. But I really did feel the world slip away when I rode it in the dessert. I felt like an actual person… not something created.
"And the blacktop! Yes! I know exactly what you are talking about!" He exclaimed, his arms shooting up uncontrollably. He did? Maybe pretending to be his friend would be easier than Father made it out to be.
I'm Ron, Ron Stoppable!" Oh, I know, more than you could even imagine.
"Hey," I said, shaking his outstretched hand, "I'm Eric."