I in no way profit from these writings. Kim Possible and assorted cast are the property of Walt Disney. The following fan fiction in no way reflects Disney's original intent nor its intended characterization of any of the parties, real or fictional, that are contained in this story.

This story is rated a hard M for language, adult situations and descriptions suitable for adult readers only.

When we last left our story….

She was shocked when Kim reached up and lifted the visor of her helmet in plain view of anyone who might happen to look. When Kim turned to look at her there was a smile on her face larger than any Shego could ever remember seeing. "We don't have to go looking Sherry." Then she looked back down the corridor in the opposite direction of the main gate. "He's here."

Now on with the story….

The Wanderer

Chapter 7 – The Palace debacle

FADE IN -

In her years at the Palace Camille had seen a lot of revolting things. The abuse the guards inflicted on the townspeople would have made her physically sick if she hadn't have been under the influence of that damned chip and some of the things Drakken had subjected her to personally she would never forget. But the sight of what was on the other side of the door that Yori was closing behind her was now a permanent part of her 'never forget' list.

The syntho-drones didn't bother her all that much, she had seen Drakken have a battle-droid rip a few of them apart just for sport, it was the body of the guard, the human guard, or rather the few recognizable pieces she had seen that shook her. She now looked at the man Yori called 'The Chosen One' with fear, because anyone who could do that to another human being was truly someone to be feared.

Ron had moved forward keeping in the shadows as she and Yori waited for him to give them the all clear and she was still shaking a bit when Yori put a gentle hand on her shoulder seemingly aware of exactly what was going through her mind. "Leon-san, I can assure you, had there had been any other way Ron-sama would not have reacted so brutally. He takes a life only as a last resort and his soul pays a toll each time such an action become necessary.

Camille looked over at the lithe oriental girl. "B-but did he have to… to… I mean he was in pieces Yori, pieces. How could doing anything like that ever be necessary."

Camille watched as Yori actually sighed, it was the most human response Camille had yet seen from her. "It may help you to know that the Chosen One was not wholly responsible for that Leon-san. The…ah, blade he carries is… well, it is not a normal blade."

Yori watched Camille for a reaction and saw only patience. She instinctively knew that Camille was waiting for something, anything, to convince her that the man that had released her from Drakken's' enslavement was not himself a cold blooded killer.

Making up her mind she decided to divulge a bit about the mystical energies that were soon to be released on not only the so called Emperor but also on those who willingly followed him.

"Leon-san, the blade that Ron-sama carries is old, very old. It was not forged as a normal blade would be but was wrought and tempered from the very material that created the universe. It is also thought to be what you might refer to as sentient. It has a consciousness much as you or I have."

Yori waited, this was where most people who heard this story began to scoff. Camille however simply waited for Yori to continue. "There is much I cannot tell you Leon-san, but this I can and will convey to you. The blade has bonded with the soul of the Chosen One, Ron-sama's soul and the blades conscious are inseparable. Even when physically separated by vast distances the blade would, and has, responded to the call and need of its chosen wielder. What you witnessed in the anteroom was, I believe, the blade itself responding to a danger to Ron-sama."

Yori watched Camille glace at the closed door for a moment before returning her attention raptly to her. "While the blade has a consciousness it has no soul Leon-san. It cares little for any life except for that of the one it has chosen to be its master. Once we are engaged in battle you may see things you will later wish to forget, the blade will respond to any threat against Ron-sama and those he protects quite brutally and while it may seem to you to be Ron-sama controlling the blade, I assure you, quite the opposite will be true."

For the first time Camille responded. "You mean that the sword he carries will actually take him over? He'd be like possessed or something?"

This was the same reaction she had had when she was first told the stories many years ago and the corners of Yori's mouth twitched upward at the memory, and the explanation. "No Leon-san, not exactly. When the Chosen One has need the blade will give him the strength, wisdom and knowledge to perform whatever acts are necessary to answer his need." Yori looked over at the archway Ron had disappeared through a short time ago. "But when the Chosen One is in mortal danger the blade will also subjugate the soul of the Chosen One to allow him to perform the necessary acts needed without the one weakness that we all, as merely humans, possess, a conscience."

Yori saw Camille now look at the archway for a moment before turning back. "You mean he doesn't realize what he's doing?"

Yori felt her eyes misting a bit as she responded. "He knows, but the blade does not allow him to feel regret or remorse, not at the time. But once the blade feels the threat has been… eliminated…" She looked at the archway again and her gaze remained locked on it as she continued. "… the Chosen One will not only remember every life he was forced to take…but the way that life was extinguished." Then she returned her misting eyes back to Camille. "… and his soul will be scarred by each of them."

With a power of will Yori held back the tears that were threatening. "I have witnessed this myself Leon-san. Ron-sama was at the school I attended at the time of the Emperors second attack. At the time the school was attacked we had not only our own students but several hundred refugees from the surrounding area."

Yori paused as she silently remembered the students whose lives were lost that day defending the school and those the school took in. "I was privileged to be present when Ron-sama fully accepted the responsibility and burden that being the Master of the Blade represents."

"During the battle he was forced to take many lives to save the few we were protecting and I was witness to his sorrow after the battle." Yori fought against the tears again. "Ron-sama was lost to us for several days afterward Leon-san. None could console him as he prayed for each of the lives he was forced to take and he himself dug the graves for each of them. He worked through several days without rest to complete this self appointed task."

Getting her emotions under control Yori looked at Camille solemnly as she gestured toward the doorway Ron had disappeared through. "The man we are following is the most gentle and caring man I have ever met Leon-san. But, when the need arises, I fear there is not a force on the face of the earth that can stand before him and survive."

Camille looked back at the door momentarily. "So he… he feels sorry for what he just did in there?"

Yori looked deep into Camille's eyes. "You have but to look into his eyes to see the sorrow etched there Leon-san." Yori took a brief glace at the doorway Ron had disappeared through. "You have no need to fear the Chosen One Leon-san. When this is over I hope you will find it in your heart to join with me and pray for his soul."

Moments later Ron walked back through the archway from the hall. "The coast seems clear for right now and there's a hallway to our left that I think leads up in the direction we want. Are you guys ready to go?"

When Ron looked at her Camille saw in his eyes exactly what Yori had told her to look for, sorrow, sorrow and what clearly said to her, self loathing. But when he spoke it was with calm authority. "Camille, can you assume the shape of…" his eyes glanced toward the door that hid the carnage he so recently let loose, "… ah, that guard in there so you won't look out of place?"

Camille heard herself replying but found it hard to realize it was her voice. "I'm not even sure who that was Stoppable, I never saw his… ah… I mean…"

Camille shrank back slightly as Ron took a step toward her but quickly halted with resolve. "If I show you what he looked like, would you be able to duplicate him then?"

Camille glanced at the door again before straightening her shoulders and looking back at Ron. "Well, yea, I suppose so." She had thought he might reenter the room and retrieve the head and was surprised when he instead he simply reached out and touched her forehead. Instantly an image formed in her mind, it was the image of a guard, a particularly brutal guard that she knew, intimately.

When Ron withdrew his finger she shook her head at the memories that had filled her momentarily but quickly recovered. "Yea, I know… ah… I mean I knew him." Then she slowly began to morph. Not only did her features change but the clothes she was wearing began to alter. Seconds later and exact duplicate of the guard was standing there, complete with uniform.

Ron had merely nodded but Yori had drawn a breath. "Leon-san, that is amazing. Had I not seen it I would not have believed it possible."

Camille looked at Yori and smiled, which looked totally out of place on the face she was now wearing. When she spoke, with the deep timber of the guard she was now impersonating, Yori smiled. "What about you two, you'll look a little out of place even if I pretend to be escorting you."

Ron's voice answered. "Don't worry about us Camille. We have ways of… ah, not being noticed."

Camille spun to look at Ron and was surprised when he was no longer there. Turing to look at Yori she was shocked when Yori was no longer standing where she had been moments before even though there had been no way for her to slip by unnoticed.

A voice she recognized as Yori's seemed to come from mid-air. "I believe the Chosen One wishes us to proceed Leon-san."

Still shaken Camille heard Ron's voice at her side but when she turned to look there was no one there. "Take us to Shego's quarters Camille. I think that's where we should start."

Haltingly Camille walked out of the small room and took a moment to get her bearings before heading off to her left. After only a few yards the eerie silence had all but convinced her she was entirely alone when she felt a hand on her arm just as Ron's voice was heard out of nowhere. "What leads up this corridor Camille, the one to your left?"

Still a bit shaken Camille took a moment to recall exactly where she was and answered even though she had no idea where to direct her reply. "Ah… I'm pretty sure that would lead us out to the main entrance but Shego's quarters are up this way." As she spoke she gestured in the direction they had been moving.

Ron's voice issued from the silence. "I'm not worried about that anymore Camille, she's that way, up this corridor."

Camille answered quizzically. "Who, Shego?"

Ron's voice sounded almost happy as he replied. "No, not Shego, KP. And she's close."

She felt the hand on her arm turning her toward the corridor she knew lead to the main entrance. "But there are a lot of guards always at the entrance, not to mention a couple of checkpoints before we even get that far with even more guards. Shouldn't we…"

She felt the hand on her arm propel her up the corridor as the voice sounded again. "Don't worry about guards Camille, just start going this way."

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

Shego stood there staring open mouthed at the wide smile that graced Kim's face wanting nothing more than to slam the face shield down again and pull Kim out the entrance, forcefully if necessary. Shego knew who Kimmie was referring to, it couldn't be anyone else. But the direction she was looking lead back into the depths of the palace, a direction Shego knew couldn't possible lead toward anything but discovery and possibly death.

Shego glanced the way Kim was looking. "Don't be stupid cupcake, he can't possibly be that way, the only way in and out of here is the way we were going."

Kim made no attempt to lower the shield that had been hiding her face as she turned toward Shego. "I told you before Sherry, don't underestimate Ronnie…" then she looked back into the palace again and her smile widened. "… take my word for it, he's that way, and not to far away either."

Kim began walking back into the palace and Shego had no option but to follow her, if she had done anything else it would have alerted the guards that there was a problem. Looking at Kim as she was dragged along she knew that keeping their deception up was their only hope of getting out of here once Kim discovered she was wrong. "At least put that shield down again Kimmie, we don't want anyone recognizing you, not now."

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

Camille felt herself being all but pushed down the corridor. The unseen hand constantly at her back, guiding her and forcing her forward. The closer they got to the entrance the harder the hand pushed. Then they passed a corridor she knew well, too well. Only a few steps to the right was the door that lead to Drakken's throne room but a glance told her that Drakken was not there right then, there were no battle-droids guarding the entrance.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

Shego stumbled alongside Kim every so often attempting to reach out and slam the shield down herself since Kim had made no attempt to follow her advice. She was looking up the corridor when she noticed a guard stumbling toward them, she recognized him as one of Drakken's personal human guards, one that stood particularly in the favor of the self proclaimed Emperor due to his streak of depravity that always seemed to attract Drakken's attention.

The odd thing was that, although he looked to be alone, he looked like he was being pushed along the corridor, and not to gently. As she wondered about this the worst possible thing that could have happened did happen. From a side corridor two of Drakken's elite battle-droids turned into the corridor she was in and began trundling toward her, that was bad enough but the fact that they were followed closely by Drakken himself spelled doom to her entire operation.

Shego stopped in shock at the sudden appearance of the last person she wanted to see at the moment and was only shaken from her shock when a mechanical 'HALT' boomed through the corridor. She knew instantly what had happened, Kim had kept walking instead of moving to the side of the corridor and dropping to one knee as Drakken had decreed.

The battle-droids had recognized this as a threat and reacted as they had been programmed; issuing the only command they would before opening fire. Fortunately the volume of that order had stopped Kim in her tracks and Shego knew she had a few moments to react.

With the threat momentarily stopped the droids had not opened fire and Drakken soon walked up between them. "What's going on up…" then Drakken recognized her and her looked at her quizzically. "Shego, what are you doing here? I thought I told you to…" Then Drakken stopped as he looked at the woman standing directly in front of him.

His face screwed up in confusion for a moment before breaking out in a wide smile. "Shego! You found her, you found that bitch and brought her back to me." Then his smile turned lecherous and he took a step forward staring at Kim's face. "I'll teach you to…"

Shego knew she had to do something; there was no way she was going to let Drakken get his hands on the woman she loved, no way in hell.

Even though she knew it would be useless she began tensing her body in that particular way that awakened her powers. She was well aware that the battle-droids would sense her actions and immediately reduce her to her composite atoms but she had to try, she had to keep Kim out of Drakken's hands even if it meant killing her.

Before she could even complete the thought there was a shimmering in the air and Drakken, who had been reaching out for Kim, was now simply standing there staring at the empty and smoldering sleeve of the ridiculous robes he always wore.

Shego detected a odor in the air, an odor she, and only she, would recognize immediately. It was the odor of charred and cauterized flesh. Glancing down she saw the still twitching hand that had moments before been reaching for Kimmie lying on the ground still clad in the black rubber glove.

Before she could react at all the thing she feared would happen happened, with mechanical efficiency the battle-droids opened fire. She cringed knowing she was about to be vaporized along with Kim. It took her a second to realize that that had not happened, she heard the distinctive whine of the disintegrators but there had been no ensuing feeling of having her atoms scattered to the four winds.

Opening her eyes she saw the lethal glow of the disintegrators splashing off a translucent blue shell that had formed around her and Kimmie leaving them totally untouched. Drakken had apparently gotten over the shock of losing his hand because his voice echoed through the corridor. "HOLD YOUR FIRE, I WANT THEM ALIVE!"

As soon as the destructive beams from the battle-droids ceased the translucent bubble faded out of existence. Shego was now face to face with an enraged Drakken. "What did you do Shego, I'll have you…"

He got no further before he was interrupted by a voice that seemed to be standing directly between her and Kimmie. Looking over she saw that shimmering again but this time it coalesced onto the form of a tall man dressed completely in black and holding a blue glowing sword. "Shego had nothing to do with it blue boy. If you're going to do something to somebody maybe you should start with me."

It took Shego a moment to recognize the voice but Kim had recognized it instantly and thrown herself at the black clad figure wrapping her arms around him as she shouted "Ron! You found me."

As shocked as Shego was Drakken was even more shocked but his madness quickly asserted itself as he shouted "Kill them! Kill them all!"

Shego looked back at the droids expecting them to renew their attack and was just in time to see the second droid go as motionless as the first one she looked at appeared to be. From around the head of the second droid an oriental face looked down at them holding a mass of wires in one hand. "I have managed to deactivate these two droids Chosen One but I fear they may have been able to signal for additional assistance."

With one arm wrapped around Kim the black clad figure was still staring intently at Drakken. "That's okay Yori and thank you. I'll take it from here."

Drakken was still gripped in his madness and began to shout hysterically, "GUARDS! GUARDS! GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!"

Shego had forgotten that were only yards from the main gate where almost two dozen guards were posted and quickly spun to see them rushing forward even before the self proclaimed Emperor had finished yelling.

Without even turning to look behind him the black clad figure Shego now knew was Ron shouted back. "STOP WHERE YOU ARE, GO NO FURTHER!" As soon as he had spoken the first line of guards bounced back as if they had run into a brick wall upsetting the guards behind them and stopping the remainder in shock.

Drakken's madness showed through as he sneered. "Stopping them wont do you any good whoever you are. I have battle droids all over the world and if I don't send a signal every day they'll begin to destroy everything around them, only I can stop them and I have no intention of doing that. If you don't release me at once, AND give me the Possible bitch you're going to be responsible for the deaths of millions of people."

The black clad figure began to actually chuckle and Shego's first thought was that he was as mad as Drakken. Then he answered back. "Oh I don't know. I think I have someone here that might just convince you to not only abdicate your throne but call off all your stupid droids." Then he looked behind where Drakken was standing and directly at the guard Shego had seen stumbling up the corridor earlier.

Then Shego noticed for the first time that the guard did not have the boot licking look of adoration she was used to seeing on his face, instead he had what looked like anticipation, anticipation coupled with hatred.

Shego heard the reply, she heard it clearly. It was the voice she had expected to hear but the words made no sense given what she knew about him. "I can sure give it a try Ron…" then the guard actually sneered. "…but it might take longer than the thirty minutes you promised me, a lot longer."

Then Shego got the shock of her life when the guard suddenly morphed into an exact image of the Emperor. "And don't worry about the daily command, Drakken used to take me with him when he gave the orders to the droids so I know exactly what to say and exactly what to do to keep them in check."

Shego now knew exactly who the guard had really been and her suspicion was enforced when the Drakken look-alike morphed into an extremely large man who instantly began rubbing his crotch as he walked toward Drakken. Then he took hold of Drakken's arm and began dragging him effortlessly in the direction of the throne room. "Come on 'Your Majesty' we've got some things to discuss…" and after groping his own crotch again almost chortled as he added. "… and I've got something I want to share with you."

As they walked past the inactive droids the oriental girl was just slipping down to the floor. "Do not forget what I have told you Leon-san and please, if you require any assistance I would be pleased to share my knowledge with you at any time. This man had caused the deaths of many friends and fellow students and I would relish a chance to extract even a small amount of vengeance."

The large man stopped and smiled at the short oriental girl. "Give me a couple of hours first Yori, there are some things the 'Emperor' and I need to discuss in private. After that I would appreciate your help, and your guidance."

As the oriental girl bowed the large hulk Shego now knew was Camille Leon dragged a helplessly resisting Drakken once again toward the throne room.

Shego began to get concerned, they may have Drakken, they may even be able to keep the battle-droids in check, but that still left several hundred guards on the loose, guards that would be sure to attempt to free Drakken to maintain their status quo. Turning toward Ron she voiced her concerns. "Ron, there are other guards, not just here but scattered all over the globe. What it they…"

She was interrupted by the oriental girl. "That matter is being attending to at this moment Shego-san. Without the battle-droids protecting them my fellow students will be arranging for all remaining guards to retire from the former Emperors employ. How they retire will be totally up to them."

Shego turned to look at the short oriental girl. "B-but how will they… I mean how soon can you get word to them about what's happened?"

The Oriental girl smiled and bowed in Ron's direction. "I am sure the Chosen One has already alerted them Shego-san. In all probability before we even entered the palace."

Shego looked at Ron who still had arm wrapped around Kim protectively and saw him only nod and smile. Then he lost his smile and looked directly at her. "I hope we're not going to have a problem between us Shego, Wade told me you're the one responsible for keeping KP safe and alive and for that I owe you."

For the first time since Ron had first appeared Kim spoke into the ensuing silence. "Ron no, please. Sherry isn't only the reason I'm still alive she's also the reason I'm alive at all. Drakken was going to just kill me outright and Sherry was the one that stopped him."

Ron looked down at Kim who was still holding him in a death grip and then looked back at Shego. "It seems I owe you more than I thought. Then Ron's eyes flashed with a swirling blue for a moment and he did something Shego had never expected, he smiled.

Then he leaned down toward Kim again and whispered something to her that Shego couldn't hear. Moments later Kim nodded and then hesitantly released her grip on Ron. Ron then took a step toward Shego. "Can we talk for a moment…" after looking around he looked directly at her. "…in private."

As Shego nodded and gestured down the corridor Ron turned toward the oriental girl. "Yori? Can you find some ice or something and get Drakken's hand in it. I want him whole when he stands trial." Then a shrill scream echoed around them. "And you better bring some with you when you go see Camille, who knows what that girl might cut off."

Shego shuddered at the nonchalant way Ron referred to the removal of body parts and wondered if he really would be able to put back anything that Camille might remove. Then she looked over at where the girl that was apparently named Yori was gathering up the rubber encased hand and somehow knew he hadn't been being flippant, he had been planning ahead."

As she walked a bit further down the corridor out of earshot she saw the oriental girl bow to Kimmie and begin to speak, what they were speaking of she had no idea but she saw Kim answer her with a small smile before Ron called her attention back to him. "Do you really love her Shego?"

Whatever she had expected the bluntness of his question caught her off guard. It took her a moment as she stared at him with her mouth twitching but knew she had to be honest with him. Something deep within her told her that she would regret any lie she attempted to tell, any deception she tried to pull off. Somehow she knew he would know, he would know and after what she had seen she didn't want to find out what he might do.

Squaring her shoulders she looked up into the now chocolate brown eyes. "Yes Ron, I do."

She saw Ron nod once before he spoke again. "And you were trying to get her out of here, away from Drakken…" then he leaned down slightly. "…and away from me, weren't you."

A shiver passed down her spine but only seemed to strengthen it. "Yes Ron, I was."

She stiffened waiting for the inevitable explosion or blow or whatever response her admission might elicit from the tall blonde. But when the response came it left her totally confused. His response was one word. It was short and very much to the point. He had softly said, "Good."

As dangerous as this man was Shego almost slapped him. But instead she narrowed her eyes. "What exactly does that mean, good? What are you trying to say?"

The blonde looked away from her for a moment, in the direction where Kim was still standing and watching them. Then he looked back. "I'm not good enough for her Shego, not now, not after everything I've done. She cares for you Shego, she cares a lot. In time that may even turn into love, I don't know. I only know she's better off with you than with someone like me."

Then Ron reached out and gently placed his hand on Shego's arm. "Take care of her Shego, take care of her for me."

Then Ron turned and began to slowly walk back to where Kim was standing. What made her do it she could never really figure out. After everything she had seen him do, even knowing how truly dangerous he was she only waited until he was two feet away before she put her fists on her hips and all but shouted into the silence. "You get your skinny ass back here you stupid fucking asshole."

TBC – The Grand Finale.

A/N: Well, as I promised I am continuing this story. I have the next (and last) chapter blocked out and will most likely have it posted by next weekend although I am still open to suggestions on the final outcome as I have three of them currently penciled out and am racking my brain trying to figure out which would be best.

There are also several other stories that jumped at me out of the blue but are currently nothing more than a jumble of disjointed notes and ideas. Who knows what may come from them.

Until then, please read and enjoy. As always all reviews are appreciated, that's the only way I know if I'm doing this right.