Yet another chapter done...this one's even longer. Hope you readers that I've gotten enjoy it. I've tried to put in as much character depth and realism as I could without it detracting too much from the original canon.

Oh, and the Gaelic from chapter one is from "The Sin Eaters." Lovecraft used it in his story "Rats in the Walls." As for the references in this chapter, it's up to you if you want to search for them.

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Kim found herself becoming disembodied, travelling beyond the ceiling of her dark bedroom. She saw the light material of the insulation, the dry wall, and eventually, the structural integrity of the ply wood that held it above her body. Her soul flew beyond the roof tiling of the apartment where she and her husband lived, letting her clearly see everything outside, the few lit buildings, the dim starlight, and the nearly people-less streets. She heard the distant sounds of the occasional person on their cell phone or a car honking its horn at someone who cut it off in traffic. This was a scene she rarely had time to appreciate when she would fly from there on some jetpack or helicopter. Now, she could see clearly all that she missed before going off to fight some terrorist or defector.

She then found herself drifting farther up, towards the few clouds that seemed to hang loosely above the houses, seeing clearly that the stars were getting closer. The atmospheric line seemed to inch nearer, but she found herself still able to breathe. As she drifted upwards, the few sounds that came from the streets lessened until nothing at all could be heard. She tried to speak, to gasp, to yelp in surprise, yet to no avail, as she now found herself breaking Earth's atmosphere and into the vacuum of space. She then found that the breath that was in her lungs had left, but for some reason, she had no need for air.

Her spirit seemed to drift on, past Mars and the storms of Jupiter. She flew through the rings of Saturn, specifically the Columbo Gap, and thought she smelled the distinct smell of some kind of fruit. But how could she smell if she could not breathe? A comet flew by her and disappeared into the darkness, still making no sound. Earth dwindled away as well until it was only a blip in the greater solar system Kim had known.

She then drifted on even farther, although she could not tell whether it was forwards or backwards, until she found herself moving quickly towards the constellation of Aquarius. Within it was the Helix Nebula, of which some scientists had dubbed the "Eye of God," with all of its bright, vibrant colors shining into Kim's amazed eyes. It was such a marvelous sight that she could not help but feel a moment of fear and awe wash over her. Looking at it, as well as the rest of the solar system before her, gave her a feeling both of joy and of humility all at once. Nothing could describe the feelings that ran through her blood and bones.

There was, however, something coming, a thing that made her feel ill.

And light-years from her location was the distant black hole, and in it was the unspeakable daemon sultan, Azathoth, whose accursed flutes could be heard for trillions of miles, even in the empty void, and with him came the voices of the lost and the damned.

………

Kim awoke in her and Ron's Seattle apartment to find herself back in her body and CNN on her television to greet her as usual. The alarm clock was silently playing "Color Me Once" by the Violent Femmes, but she wasn't paying attention to it. Her favorite part of the news was on, specifically iReport with her friend, Wade.

"So, what's the sitch, Wade?" Eric Phillips hypothetically asked, the lines on his face showing his age, despite the television makeup, "What are the people online saying about the women's psychic epidemic, this being its twelfth year?"

"Well, we've got quite a few videos in on that one, Eric," Wade said with an energy he would only share with the camera; he was generally the quiet, reserved computer nerd, but ratings required pep. "Let's take a look at what the people have to say."

"I think this is a good thing for women across the globe," said Janna, a wife and mother of two from Arizona, "It's interesting how women have been given limited opportunity throughout history, and yet the Eye of Fate gives us the next stage in human evolution. And given Gaz Membrane's new publicity, with her weekly video posts of 'Macbeth' scenes online, she's really starting to become the icon for all the benefits this has really brought to women. She could be the next Edgar Cayce; hell, we all could. Girl power!"

"I think this may indicate a growing problem," said Ruby, a parapsychologist from Indiana, "Given all the similar nightmares and visions among women and the growing number of them who are being placed in the custody of mental hospitals across the globe, this could be the beginning of a disaster beyond our imagination. I'll admit that this has opened people's minds to the possibility of something beyond our physical science, but it could also show us a terrible picture of mass destruction."

"I think it's completely sexist that only women are getting the publicity for psychic talent," said James, a psychology professor from Baltimore, "There are plenty of men who exhibit psychic traits. Take a look at Derek Acorah or John Edward. They've been predicting the same events and are no more or less credible than a lot of the women the media has been covering as of late.

"As you can see," Wade said upon reappearing on the screen, "we have quite a variety of responses from the American public. I'll keep you posted once I get more."

"Thanks, Wade," Eric said, "When we come back, we'll talk more about how this epidemic has changed our outlook on the preternatural."

As the television cut to commercial, Kim put on her robe and walked to the kitchen, where Ron was pouring a bowl of cereal for both himself and Kim.

"Good morning, Kim," Ron said, "Did you sleep any better tonight?"

"Yeah," Kim said, "At least there were positive points to this dream."

"That's good to hear," Ron said, "I'd hate to think it would happen night after night."

"So what are you doing at work today?"

"Well," Ron said, "Apparently, there's this new case they want me to work on, and Yori doesn't know how to approach it."

"Are you still sworn to secrecy on it?" Kim asked, sitting down to eat the cereal with a look on her face that showed intent and a confidence that Ron was going to share what it was Ron faced at work.

"Yes," Ron said, "but seeing as how you'll probably know about it anyways, I guess I can tell you. Our old pal, Shego, actually finally spoke up about the whereabouts of Drakken, who apparently still had plans to control the world even after his apparent turn from evil 15 years ago."

"What did she say?" Kim asked.

"Well, supposedly, he died trying to possess some ancient power or something," Ron said, "But other sources say he's still alive and traveling the globe."

"Something tells me I'm going to be hearing from Wade about this soon," Kim said, "Global Justice has left me in the dark about a lot of things as of late."

"To be honest, Kim…" Ron said, but then he stopped.

"They've become afraid of what I've become," Kim said.

"Not so much afraid," Ron said, "I think they're more intimidated than anything. They still consider you one of their best agents, but they don't want you to feel burdened to answer their every whim and call. They have other agents that need field experience."

"They should give some cases to Sydney," Kim said, "She's good."

"She's okay," Ron said, "But as of late, she's been really strange."

"You think she's picked up this psychic bug?"

"Yeah, I do, actually," Ron said, "It seems like every woman has it now. Even Yori's showing signs."

"Well, I've got to get ready for the day," Kim said, having finished the cereal and getting up from the table, "Wade's probably going to be calling me about this issue of Drakken's disappearance and reappearance."

"Yeah," Ron said, with a hint of disheartening that Kim was quick to catch.

"What's wrong?" Kim asked.

"I've been thinking about it for awhile," Ron said, "And, well, I miss those days of which we would adventure together. I was your comedic sidekick. Sure, I didn't really do much, but at least I lightened the mood. Fate seemed to run the same gag over and over again with me losing my pants, and for whatever reason, it was funny. We could laugh at it, even if we couldn't explain why. Now, being at Global Justice and running operations behind the scenes, I've lost something. I feel like I'm losing myself and you."

"Ron," Kim said, "you're not losing me. I'm going to be there for you whenever I can. It seems like the world is going to hell, but I'm going to make time for us. And yes, I do miss you coming with me on missions as well, but we're not 18 anymore; you could get yourself hurt."

"So could you," Ron retorted, "I always hate imagining you going out on missions without knowing whether or not you'll be okay. I want us to be together if one of us has to leave. And damn it, if anything happened to you, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Throughout my life, you've been my one constant. I just don't want you hurt or my world to lose its center."

There was a long silence between them. Each of them had time to reflect on the indefinable feelings. Kim wondered why Ron had not spoken to her about this before. Ron wondered why he had not worried this much in all the long years. She walked over to him and, placing a hand on his shoulders, kissed the cheek of her husband.

"Ron, listen to me, like you always have," Kim said, "I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. I've been pushed to the brink numerous times and have come back okay. If I'm in a jam, you'll know and you'll rescue me if need be; I have faith in you, so please have faith in me."

"Yeah," Ron said, getting up as well, "I suppose you're right. I've got to feed Sophia and get ready myself."

"Hey, Ron," Kim began to ask, walking back towards the bedroom, seemingly to get to the bathroom to shower, "can you come here for a second, dear?"

"Uh, yeah, sure," he said, walking towards her. She then grabbed him, threw him onto the bed, and shut the door.

"I think we both need a quick one," Kim said, climbing next to him, "With you, the best things in my life are possible."

………

"Syd, what do you have for me?" Betty asked.

"Last report I got was from a guy who was only rambling in Portuguese," Sydney said.

"And what did he say?" Betty asked with an agitation less at her subject but rather at the situation.

"I don't know," Sydney said sheepishly, "I don't speak Portuguese."

"Get a translator on it as soon as possible," Betty responded, "If we don't act fast, there's not going to be a Rio de Janeiro to save."

Sydney did not understand why, but underneath her skin, her blood boiled with an unnerving rage. She knew something was happening in South America that was, in some way, connected with her. Upon realizing this, her mind felt like it was swaying in artificial gravity, and images of the Great Old Ones flashed into her mind's eye. She grabbed her head, digging her nails into her dark viridian hair.

"Syd, are you going to be alright?" Betty asked.

"Yeah," Sydney said, pulling herself together, "I'll be fine; I'm just a little frustrated right now."

"Aren't we all?" Betty asked rhetorically.

………

Kim was putting her pants on while Ron was still running his finger along her back. She then got up, causing his hand to fall on the bed, and put her purple shirt on. Ron looked up at her, and Kim's eyes, as well as what she had just given him, rejuvenated his aching spirit. There was genuine love within them, a love that could not be destroyed by any distance or any villain Kim would face.

"I have to go now, dear," Kim said with reluctance in her voice. She holstered a Ruger MK III tranquilizer pistol in her belt, along with 20 darts.

"Alright, Kim," Ron said, "Take care of yourself. Oh, take this, too." He sat up, turned over to the other side of the bed, pulled a silenced SOCOM pistol out from under the bed, and handed it to Kim.

"Ron, you know I don't like using firearms if I don't have to," Kim said, "at least not lethal ones. I don't like killing people."

"I didn't get it for reasons we could think of," Ron said, "but rather for ones we couldn't. Besides, tranquilizers by themselves can't take out entire armies. Trust me, Kim. Sometimes, it's you or them, and I hope it doesn't come to that."

"Alright, Ron," Kim said, burying the gun in her pants, "thank you for looking out for me, but I'll try to stick with the Ruger for now. Hope you have a good day at work, dear. Love you."

"You, too," Ron said, "Love you, too." With that, she was out the door. Ron sighed and got dressed. He grabbed everything he thought he would need, including his iPhone 5G, wherein he began listening to the first song he had on a playlist, "Animal" by REM.

Ron opened up Sophia's cage, allowing her to climb out and run to his hand. Sophia could not see her master, being the blind naked mole rat that she was, but he sure did smell good; he even fed her and said all sorts of nice things about her, especially when she was not clowning around or getting into mischief. She then climbed into his pants pocket where she could stay as warm as she liked.

Moments later, Ron boarded the Seattle monorail, the first thing greeting him being a loud sign that said "Trust in Xanatos Inc. Bringing progress to a new world," along the top of the cabin. He sat down underneath the sign and looked out the window as the train started. He saw a helicopter coming out of the sky, surely knowing that it one of Wade's remote controlled vehicles ready to pick up Kim.

"Hell and damnation," Ron said to himself, bowing his head as his playlist changed over to something more reflective of his new home, Nirvana's "Dumb."

………

Kim's kimmunicator gave that ever familiar chime as she walked into the park. Wade appeared on the screen with a look half of gladness and half of anxiety.

"What's the sitch, Wade?" Kim asked, "Or should I ask, 'What's the frequency, Kenneth?' given you're a newscaster now."

"That's the first time in a long time I've heard you make a bad joke," Wade said, "Dan Rather really didn't deserve that."

"Yeah, I know," Kim said, "I'm sorry."

"Anyway," Wade began, "You've probably already heard about Drakken."

"Yeah," Kim said, "Ron told me he might be dead and then might be alive as well."

"Well, actually," Wade went on, "He's a little bit of both. He and a group of unknown men have been blowing the crap out of Rio de Janeiro. Even the BOPE are getting overwhelmed. Apparently, these robed men have psyonic powers that they can't compete with. Eduardo Paes has evacuated most of the city; it's up to us to save the rest of it."

"I'm on it," Kim said.

"I'm sending a helicopter your way," Wade said, "It's called the Firemoth. It has two miniguns and a flamethrower, but it's also fuel efficient, so you won't have to stop to refuel until you get there." With that, the grass around the park began to bend in a sudden great gust of wind as the Firemoth helicopter descended upon her area.

"Wow," said a kid nearby, playing on a jungle gym, "I want one of those for my birthday."

Kim jumped in, and the helicopter took off, flying off into the blue sky. Kim sat in the pilot seat, ready to take manual control if things went awry. Her thoughts, however, turned to Ron. Besides this morning, the two of them had not done anything together in awhile. The two had been so busy that they hardly had time to see each other. Kim shook her head; she promised herself she would make time for him soon.

"Oh, Ron," Kim said to herself, "you really don't need to worry about things so much. Things are going to change."

………

"Mr. Hernando has given us a translation of the transmission that kid sent Sydney," Betty said, "It's just as we feared; Drakken has reverted back to his destructive nature." The satellite monitor zoomed in on the destruction Drakken was already bringing to the city. He walked through the streets, robed henchmen surrounding him, and, without an expression on his face, another building near him exploded; he had become a non entity, yet destruction still followed him. Sydney looked at this image, and her blood boiled. "Syd, leave now. I can't have you getting involved in this one. It could be too personal and damaging."

Sydney clenched her fists, but it was Betty's word, and her word was law.

"Yes, ma'am," Sydney said, darting out of the room, nearly running into Ron on the way out.

"Stoppable-san," Yori said, giving him a hug upon greeting him as he entered the room, "It's so good to see you in person again after so long and in such a great city as Seattle."

"Yeah," Ron said with what little air he had, "It's nice to see you too. And yes, there are some nice things about Seattle, I guess. How's Ray-Ray?"

"He's doing quite well," Yori said with great enthusiasm, "He and I finally finished our dream house. Where's Kim."

"She's off doing her hero thing again," Ron said, "What's the situation in Brazil?"

"Well," Yori said, "it seems Drakken is wreaking havoc. That BPRD member, Dib-san, said his crew wanted to get involved, as Drakken's henchmen are using some sort of psychic energy that Dib's men can combat, but Betty-san is insisting that we handle it ourselves, as we've dealt with Drakken for years."

"I'm inclined to agree with Betty on this," Ron said, "We're perfectly capable of handling it." The two of them looked at the screen again, specifically at Drakken's face. It was empty, as was he. There was no evil grin, nor was there ferocity; it also looked like the skin around his cheeks was sagging, even more than expected for his age. Sophia popped her head out of Ron's pocket with the same curiosity as her late father. She could not see the screen but rather could smell the tension in the room.

"Oh, no," were the words that seemed to be formed from Sophia's squeaks.