Chapter 4 [Colorado Rockies—100 miles from Middleton]

High among the mountain peaks, few ventured on the soft snow. The icy cold cut through the landscape chilling the landscape. Even the billy goats and birds skirted the area if they ventured there at all.

On one particularly jagged cliff, a concrete and steel bunker huddled from view. In truth, it served as the top entryway for a multilayer hideout extending down into the hollowed out mountain. Computers linked into satellites and other detection equipment. Equipment for developing weapons worked away.

Bizarrely though, they did so by themselves.

Zorpox strode through the central floor and surveyed the activities. His eyes gleamed at the fulfillment of his plans. Before he'd nearly succeeded at shaking the Earth to smithereens just for some petty ransom request. Now he had bigger plans.

The Master's plans….

He smirked and considered the massive golden cannon aimed at the sky. The quantum disintegrator would annihilate cities and their defenses in a split second anywhere in the world. "With this, we'll conquer the world! BOO YEAH!"

Focus, Mortal! The enemy still hunts for us! Dahak's fire persona flared up in a brazier.

"Yeah." Although he hated doing it, he bowed. "Those pesky agents think they'll ruin my day, do they? I. THINK. NOT!"

I meant Dubois and the brats.

"Yeah Dark Unkie. Almost forgot about him." Zorpox frowned. "I wanna kick his ass! SO BAD!"

We eliminate him. The others will follow.

"Him and the dark creep? They can take us," he reminded the creature.

I have worked out a special spell for them. We just need to time it right. Tonight, you will attack that theater again. It is the new moon.

"New moon? So what?"

Have faith and show respect! The allies will be at their weakest! Engage Dubois again. He changes and I will deal with him! It will happen soon. Prepare well, Mortal. With that, the flames went out.

"Another fight with that creep? Yeah whatever!" Zorpox stalked downstairs and through several tunnels toward the middle of the mountain. Two levels down, he pressed his hand against a sensitive lock and opened a heavy metal door. "Hey, Girls! Guess who? Been gettin' the 411?"

Kim glared at him from where she was chained to the wall. Despite her bruises and burns, she still burned with a chance at a rematch. "On you? So not worth the drama!"

"Ooh! Touchy! Touchy!" He ran his index finger under her chin so she squirmed. "Wonder how Little Ronnie missed you?"

"Ron's nothing like you!" she challenged.

"Keep telling yourself that, KP. I'm him! DEAL!" he retorted forcefully.

"No…you are not."

"And now the Asian other half? You are so BOSSY! SHUT UP!" he instructed.

"As Americans…say,…go to Hell. I believe Ron San…in there." Yori Matsumaru Stoppable glared through a pair of blackened eyes and bruised cheeks. Her arms ached from her own bonds.

"Maybe. You have me now! And I'm not giving him ANYTHING!" he challenged.

"He…take it…." Yori spat at the blue man's face. "I love…him."

"We both believe!" Kim asserted.

"Believe what you want! I am the REAL DEAL! AH BOO YEAH! HAHAHAHAHA! Time for more fun! I'll get Ricky next. Make it the whole party! Later, Ladies!" He waved nonchalantly at them before leaving and shutting back in the stygian darkness once more.

"Ron San, why…does he not fight?" Yori's eyes watered.

"You heard that creep. He did something to Ron. This is NOT his sitch! No way!" Kim assured her.

"I know. I do not lose hope, Kim," Yori insisted.

Come on, Ron! FIGHT! Rick, hope you're okay! Kim struggled a few more times before relaxing again.

It was going to be another long night.