A/N: Thanks to all of you that made the effort to leave reviews. Specifically Cody MacArthur Fett, Dagda06117032, FireStorm2K7, axt, Ken, Thoughts13 & reddragonn343.
A special note about Balrog60, beeftony, eoraptor, aedan cameron and Quis Custodiet; these are the folks that take the time to write the introspective reviews that we all hope to get and learn from. It's that sort of interaction that helps writers grow and makes this FanFic genre so remarkable. Thanks guys I owe any improvements to ya'll.
Obligatory Disclaimer: This is Disney's world; I'm just crashing the party. As stated before- NO naked mole rats were injured or mistreated in the completion of this chapter.
The first poem used in this chapter is credited to Ray1997, his stuff is on the web and worth checking out, unfortunatley the site seems finnicky about me posting the web address.
The second one is my own and I claim all rights.
The Blade and The Bloom
Chapter 7: Depth & Determination
In a C-130 Hercules high above western Pakistan
Once again delving into the dark corners of Ron Stoppable's head
Man this had better be a dream, cause there is no way in hell I am going to sit in detention one minute and listen to Mr. B…
Ron's internal rant was cut short as the door of the all too familiar D hall class room opened. Where he was expecting Mr. Barkin to come crashing in he was rather stunned when non other than Master Sensei entered.
"Uh, Master Sensei, not that I'm complaining about seeing you- you know nuthin' but love for the dream visits. But why are we in detention?!"
Smiling his knowing little smile he simply replied as he does so often…with a question, "You tell me, Ronald-san".
"Oh Man! Not the question with a question, cryptic stuff! I'm having a hell of a week; don't you think you could just throw me a bone for once?"
"Fair enough, here is your bone as you say. Other than the last time we spoke, you have chosen the setting of every one of our meetings. The fact that you were unaware of this explains why we generally were in vague, non-descript locations. So you tell me, why are we in detention?"
"I guess I feel I did something wrong?" he hesitatingly hedged.
"Possibly. Do you feel you were wrong in your recent actions?"
Realizing that this man he respected must have seen or somehow known every thing he did in trying to find Shego, he felt his face go red and heart race. "Master Sensei, I broke a lot of laws and hurt a lot of people. You must be so ashamed of me. I didn't mean to disgrace you or the school..."
Sensei calmly but firmly interrupted, "Is this what I asked? No. I asked if YOU felt you were wrong. Worry not about other's perceptions at this time."
Ron attempted to calm and center himself to sort out his true feelings on the matter. In all honesty he hadn't really thought about what he was doing since the ambush back on that Hong Kong Street. Everything since then had been a sort of blur. He allowed his instincts to take control and with his connection with the Blade become a veritable force of Nature as far as the Chinese underworld was concerned.
Sensei calmly waited as Ron's inner dilemma played out. He knew there was much to do to prepare Yori for her destiny and the school for the upcoming battle. However it was pivotal moments such as these he had learned to attend to with care, despite knowing that the person could handle the task.
After some time Ron seemed to resolve himself to an answer, and oddly it seemed he was not pleased that he felt so sure about it.
"Master Sensei I think there's been a mistake. I may not be the Chosen One like you predicted. I have thought through everything. Every thought, every bit of pain I inflicted, every life I probably took in that ambush, every soul wrenching action. I would not take a single thing back, nor do I feel an ounce of remorse. If you want to retake the Blade, I offer it freely, since I've never wanted to dishonor your trust."
"Why do you believe you are capable of doing these things with out remorse?" Sensei asked in an even and totally non-judgmental voice.
"I honestly don't know. If you'd have asked me a month ago whether I was capable of feeling this way or doing what I did- I'd have laughed at you. I simply did what I felt the situation required. I wish there was a better way that would have gotten results as quickly- I just saw no other course so I went on the offensive."
"Why was this so important to you?"
"They had Shego! I need her more than I ever needed anyone. In that little alley it just, I don't know…just clicked. I know I probably screwed up the whole Bloom thing you have been hinting about too. I'm sorry, Sensei. I guess to you it looks like I sold my soul to the devil"
"What was it I told you the first time you visited Yamanouchi and you thought you had lost the Lotus Blade in battle with Monkey Fist and Fukushima?"
"Uh, er, something about as long as my heart was pure it would always find its way home"
"Exactly. So what does this teach us?"
"That I haven't lost all of my memories as I've been loosing my mind?" was Ron's feeble attempt at humor.
Chuckling slightly to himself, "Call the blade", he commanded.
"Huh? Well OK," With a little concentration he rather effortlessly materialized the Lotus Blade in his hands. Feeling the reassuring weight in his hand and without the need to hurt anyone with it he simply thought for a while in meditation and clarity soon found its way above the broiling emotions.
"So you're not just pointing out the obvious that the Blade comes to me because my heart is still pure. But also that since I chose in Hong Kong to fight for Love instead of the Power I was tempted with; that we are basically in this together and the Blade will try to help keep me on the path…"
Letting more than a little astonishment reach his eyes Sensei replied, "I am impressed; I thought it would take much longer for me to pull that out of you."
"How could I still have a pure soul and do all those things, and not feel…bad about it?"
"As I have said before, yours is the way of Bushido. Forgive me as I paraphrase one of your presidents, you are the 'Man in the Arena'. Others may criticize or point out how things could have been done better after the fact, but you have chosen to live in the now and fight the good fight as dirty and bloody as it need be. You didn't want this, even tried desperately to deny it in the beginning. But you have risen to the challenge and now will defend all those who would later spit on you for doing what must be done and that they often lack the fortitude to do for themselves."
Ron let this sink in. As he did their surroundings faded and resolved back to the training yard in Yamanouchi. He almost visibly seemed to shed the burden of doubt he didn't even realize he was wearing before he spoke with a bit of real humor laced in his voice.
"So I guess you don't want the Blade back?"
Smiling Sensei replied, "No, I have a feeling you will need it soon. While I am not totally familiar with your jumping out of perfectly good airplanes I do believe the little green light and a man opening the door means you should wake up. Shichiten hakki Ronald-San"
And with that Ron woke up, stood, checked his chute which he had been wearing and jumped out the door.
Well he certainly doesn't have any fear of free fall anymore, thought Kim Possible as she tucked her arms in to try and catch up with Ron on their descent. He had all but hurled himself out the door as soon as the Jump Master gave the green light.
As they collected themselves under canopy they maneuvered for an opening between several small hills for better concealment.
While they were burying their parachutes to cover their tracks Ron spoke for the first time since before they got on the plane.
"According to Wade's last Intel we should only be a few miles east of where they are holding Shego."
"And the nuclear facility is several miles in the opposite direction." Kim pointed out.
"So we better pick her up quick and get moving then, KP!"
"Ron, I know you are rather…determined about rescuing her but don't you think nuclear fuel cells in a madman's hands rate over rescuing a convicted felon?" she stated as evenly as possible.
"It's frickin' Dementor! When has that Napoleonic freak ever gotten anything right?" he retorted a little more loudly than stealth dictated.
"She's my arch frickin' nemesis! Why would I risk a mission for her? I say Weapons of Mass Destruction win out!" she nearly shouted
"And what you say always goes, right? For once can't you trust MY gut on something? Shego is just a short hike that way and I know you'll think I'm weird but I can feel that she needs us…soon."
Realizing that she may need to use a bit more finesse she took a deep breath and tried a different tact,
"Listen I can appreciate that you are compelled to rush in and save the day. But…."
"But nothing Kim! I am going to get her out of that shit hole with or without you…"
"So you're going to strike off on your own with no idea what you're up against…"
Suddenly they were both silenced as a flash of pink jumped up between their faces and attempted to smack both their noses.
"Fweinds!" came the diminutive bellow from one naked mole rat.
Realizing at the same time that they were having a shouting match in the middle of a war zone, they both fell silent and were rather chagrined. More so that a small rodent had to force them to remember tactics on top of his reminder that up until a week or so ago they were supposedly best friends.
Leaning down and picking up Rufus, Ron collected himself and sighed deeply.
"Kim, I am going to turn around and go rescue Shego. I really want you with me and I don't like the idea of you out here alone. But for once I am calling the plan on a mission. Follow my lead, please…"
And with that he grabbed his pack and headed out.
Watching him go, Kim Possible felt like she had been dealt her hardest blow ever.
He really did it. He left. I thought for sure if I just dug my heals in he would have my back as always…Shego you better damn well be in trouble…
Turning and heading the other way she had never felt quite as alone as she did at that moment.
Opium processing building a few miles to the west
As a matter of fact Shego was in trouble.
Tied to a wall with very heavy chains that for some reason she couldn't melt, she was beginning to feel something she rarely felt…despair.
She had calculated every possible escape attempt and it seemed that these guys had prepared for everything. From the looks of their operation someone must be pulling the strings because they just did not seem organized enough to have anticipated all her normal tricks, much less transport her to God knows where in the process.
From her vantage point in a downstairs corner she could make out a few details of her immediate surroundings. It looked like a small two story warehouse with a series of suspended walk ways, scaffolds and small rooms comprising the upper floor. It was pretty dark with intermittent tract lighting and some various equipment making up the majority of electrical output. It was cold and dank and with her tattered clothes it was all she could do to fight off a chill.
She had noticed that the majority of the dozen or so guys that manned this joint had been packing up some heavy hard wear and seemed to be prepping to leave. She couldn't tell if it was for an attack or what but considering she could smell all the caustic materials needed to process opium she figured she was still in Asia. Given the wardrobe and the Arabic she could decipher she was more than a little concerned that she had found her way into a Taliban stronghold.
But that doesn't make sense! I have never messed with the drug trade or the religious fringe. Hell I haven't even been to Asia in years. I heard them mention that Yama character a couple of times recently and it certainly sobered the room up quick. What did I do to this guy?
Her thoughts were cut short as the guy she had come to recognize as 'in charge' posted one sentry in the room and made his way out to the sound of rumbling engines that took off into the distance.
Not this guy, damn.
She had noticed the sentry earlier and dubbed him 'Chester' since he seemed to dress slightly different than the rest and didn't seem to have that religious zealot air about him like the rest of them. He indicated that pretty clearly by his regular leering gazes at her tattered clothes and defenseless posture.
After several minutes he pulled a chair up in front of her and just let his eyes wonder all over her body.
"Damn, I'm going to need a shower just from you looking at me, Oh no! Don't you even think about it you little shit!"
She was right to be concerned as he got up and ensured that all her bindings were secure, and even added a few more to be sure that her legs were parted and bound as well as her arms.
"No, fuck head you are NOT doing this!"
Her shouts only seemed to incense the deviant on. From his grimy little beard to the general body odor and disheveled clothes that were being dropped on the floor he represented every part of a nightmare coming to life.
It was all Shego could do not to scream out in terror as he ripped her shirt off. Knowing that would only play into his sick little desires she did her best to simply draw into herself and push out what was now beyond her control. She even tried flaring her plasma over her whole body to burn him but in her panicky state she just couldn't seem to collect herself to make a coordinated defense.
As he ripped her ragged pants off she was as close as she had ever been to giving into the depths of shock.
She had never felt so exposed, so disgusted, so…defiled.
After ripping enough clothes to do his deed he stepped back to survey his work and drink in the sight before him. In her last act of defiance Shego mustered up the courage to glare and spit at him.
She briefly thought he lost his nerve and that somehow this had miraculously stopped him when his eyes went wide as saucers.
Then she noticed a slight trickle of blood escape the corner of his mouth as he gasped. As the would be rapist fell to the floor she saw what she had refused to let her mind and heart hope…
Ron was on her in a heartbeat slashing the adamantium bindings with a blazing blue Blade and collecting her falling form into a fierce embrace.
After a few moments to savor the moment and each others closeness; he offered her some clothes from his bag- she just couldn't resist,
"Took ya long enough."
"Sorry…traffic was a bitch."
There cliché reunion was cut short with coughing from her assailant as he hopelessly tried to drag his bleeding form towards his AK-47 that he unwisely left several feet away.
Ron closed the distance and began savagely kicking him repeatedly in the gut, face and groin…wherever his foot could gain purchase."
As the scumbag passed out Ron swiftly reached down and healed his sword wound and brought him back only to begin to rain blow after blow on him,
Rufus scurried up onto Shego's shoulder and gave her a lopsided hug to her cheek.
After he expressed his relief in seeing he looked at her with pleading eyes, "Pweese stop him?"
She was torn. She was actually glad to see the guy getting what he deserved; what she wasn't sure she had the strength to do currently. But then she looked at Ron as he savagely rained malice and mayhem on her attacker.
He was almost systematic in his approach, ensuring to hit separate muscle groups and organs with each blow of foot or hand. He never screamed or cried. In fact his face was almost passive as he methodically made this man pay for every intention and deed done towards her.
It chilled her. She instantly realized the hell he must have put himself through to get to her and knew what she had to do.
Steadying her hand she carefully paused him with a touch to the shoulder and spoke,
"I may not be sure about any prophecy or Bloom nonsense but I am sure about one thing, You and Me. If you do this you are changing who you really are. You'll be changing the man I fell in love with. You're better than this…"
As she gestured to the bloody mess of a man on the floor Ron seemed to change slightly as he came out of the mode that he needed to be in to get to her. He remembered everything Sensei had said and how he felt as he blazed across Asia to get to her.
"You're right Shego" he leaned down and healed all the man's mortal wounds. Before he stood though he look up to her and gave her an almost feral grin, "but that doesn't mean I have to leave him capable of doing that to anyone else." In one swift motion he stood and swept the blade down with a twist, cutting the man's penis cleanly off with a fire trimmed pass that cauterized the wound.
The man passed out from pain and shock before he could even cry out.
Before Shego could even say anything, flood lights blinded them and a lone figure stood above on a scaffold clapping,
"I couldn't agree more…" said a man from the shadows. "I despise criminals like him, that torture defenseless people, that inflict pain without mercy…wouldn't you agree Shego?"
"Who the hell are you!?!" yelled Ron as his Blade flared blue and her hands green..
"I'd stay that fancy sword of yours. And you Shego, I see you finally got your…spark back. I caution you to stay where you are…every access has been rigged to explode and right now you have several marksman trained on each of you. If you don't believe me, simply note the red I have added to your light show."
Looking down they both stifled groans as a half dozen laser sighting red dots trained on each of their chests from various directions.
Dowsing their flames Ron decided on a different tact, "So you've got our attention." Continuing with even more disdain in his voice, "This is the part where you monologue about how bad-ass you are and have captured us and what villainy awaits, yadda, yadda, yadda…if you don't mind, I'm getting bored with that crap, can we just skip to the fighting part."
"Perhaps" with a swift motion and a loud bang Ron found himself with a large gun shot hole in his right thigh.
"Owww." Was all Ron muttered as he dropped to the floor and started patching himself up.
"You bastard! You shot Ron!" Shego screamed without thinking. Before she could attack she was stopped by a hand on her leg and Ron slightly chuckling as he healed himself.
"What are you laughing at?" she asked in disbelief.
"Just that I can't believe you used a South Park line at a time like this." He groaned slightly as he got to his feet and settled back on his newly hemmed leg; "OK apparently you really have something to say, please forgive my interruption. I assume by the light and shadows trick you are the mysterious Yama?"
"You are apparently as insightful as you are insolent. Yes I am Yama, but Shego and I go back much further than that name…" he paused slightly as he let his face come into the light for her to see his face.
She let out a small gasp as she recognized a leaner and more hardened version of the teenage face she had left on that football field so long ago.
"Yes Shego, I have waited all these years for this moment. You will feel everything you did to my father. I have trained and fought and worked my way into every criminal syndicate so that I can get close enough to do this to you…not just kill you but to totally destroy you…"
He was cut short as he noted the look on her face. His minds eye plan for this obviously didn't plan on her almost accepting and compliant countenance. Much less what she said next in a totally honest voice,
"You're right…you deserve your revenge"
"What? Shego let's take these guys and get out of here; I didn't get you back only to have you fall on your sword." muttered Ron.
"Ron, this is it; I can't have you killed by my past. Regardless if this kid doesn't know who his dad really was…"
Yama chuckled maliciously, "Oh but I do. Do you think all these years immersed in the criminal underground I wouldn't learn the reputation of the feared Reaper? Where do you think I came up with the name Yama? I have had to embrace who my father was to get this close to you…I sold my soul to claim yours."
She thought for a moment and seemed to resign herself to her fate as she made her choice, "I got nuthin'. After what I did to your dad I've been locked into this life; seems fitting you'd end it. Just please let Ron go."
"Fair enough. I have no qualms with him anyways. I must say I was impressed with how you handled my crews to get to me. Quite the little dark angel aren't you?"
"What is he talking about?"
"Uh well I had to lean on that moral ambiguity I was telling you about…"
Yama interrupted with a bellow, "Oh please, let's not sugar coat anything, you cut a bloody swath through Hong Kong to claim your beauty. You're acclaimed as some hero, but you're no different than me or my father."
"Say what you want but if you think I'm throwing all that away to leave her now, you need your head examined…"
"Ron…"
"No! Shego, this is where I belong, at your side. If your looking for your redemption through this; well I guess I'm due as well…so quit your yappin' and bring it on Yama or whatever you call yourself…"
Yama considered for a moment, "As you wish" Raising his gun he gave the gesture for all shooters to fire.
A veritable lead rainstorm of automatic gunfire descended on them from every angle. As Ron and Shego attempted to shield each other with their own bodies an emerald lotus flower enveloped them both. Its brilliant form effortlessly ricocheted the rounds back at will.
The sheer volume of bullets flinging randomly about ensured that many of the gunmen were hit by their own rounds.
When the tempo of fire subsided two flashes bolted forward and up amongst them. One Blue and one Green; they quickly dispatched the remaining shooters.
Ron reached Yama first. Shego came up behind him as he crouched over the fallen form. The man was a bloody mess, with a gun shot to his upper chest and another in his lower abdomen.
With blood coughing out with each haggard breath he spoke, "It would appear…cough… someone has other plans for you two. I had my chance…" before he could finish, his ashen grey face went slack as he lost conciseness.
Shego looked expectantly at Ron, not really wanting to say what her eyes were pleading for him to do, to heal their assailant.
Ron looked up at her uncertainly, "He'll keep coming, no matter what; if I heal him".
Taking a deep breath she made her choice, "If we have a shot together, we need to start off clean. I'm tired of having blood on my hands. This may not wipe it away but I'm not interested in another generation added to the score."
"All right…if you're sure." Taking his blade to the wounds it took some time and a lot of energy to heal the extensive wounds.
After collecting up his pack and some gear they may need Ron proceeded to an exterior wall and cut a hole for them to walk through. Effectively circumventing the explosive rigged doors, he turned with a meaningful expression to Shego.
"Shego I know that we need to talk. I have done some…things I'm not proud of. But I know without a doubt I need you in my life."
"Hey sport I'm no angel either and frankly I don't know if I deserved the break I just caught but there must be something to this whole Bloom thing…"
"I agree but right now it will have to wait. Now we need to find Kim."
"What!?! Princess is here, where?"
"Well we got a call that your ol' buddy Dementor was trying to steal a reactor cell not far from here. She…decided, to head out for that mission while I rescued you."
"You left Kim alone out here…to get me?" The enormity of the fact that Team Possible was effectively broken up by that choice was not lost on her. "Ron, were you…" seeing the pained look on his face she paused, "Are you sure?"
He stopped and looked at her then the horizon where his life long friend was. Trying his best to bring back his normal "Ron-Shine" he answered,
"Yep! I got the most baddical girl in my life back and now with a little help from her, we'll go pick up KP and blow this Popsicle stand!"
He pulled out his Kimmunicator and attempted to get a fix on Kim. He was a bit concerned when the no signal screen popped up.
"Must be getting some interference from all these mountain tops. What do you say we 'borrow' one of these vehicles they so thoughtfully left for us and get to some higher ground?"
"So now you want to add grand theft auto to your crime spree? What am I going to do with you?" she retorted playfully.
"Uh, actually I was hoping you'd show me how to hot wire the damn thing."
Looking at him, dirty and bloodied from a cross continent saga to rescue her; she realized that there was no way she was ever letting this guy out of her life if she could help it.
"Oh what the hell…."
A small lake in the back woods of Colorado
The local kids always made jokes about "Crystal Lake", the ski mask wearing "Jason" and such; but there was real fear simmering underneath that bravado/humor. If anyone had bothered to note that Lake Gottascream was connected and several miles down stream from a certain Camp Wannaweep they may have better understood.
So when the government looking vehicles came in and demanded the sheriff take them to the latest "incident" concerning the lake there was certainly much gossip stirred up. Though the fishermen were pissed about the electro currents being shocked though the lake no one complained when an unconscious…thing was brought up and resuscitated.
A few folks remembered the news stories a few years back about the camp and finally realized who had been terrorizing campers for some time. In the commotion of the whole event no one bothered to note that the vehicles taking the monster away weren't affiliated with any known agency. In fact not a single person could recall any credentials being offered.
In the lead vehicle a call was placed, "Yes sir, the amphibious creature known as Gill has been brought into the fold. I am certain that he will be willing to help when he hears what you have to offer….Roger that sir, we'll meet you there."
Middleton, CO
Wade's basement
To say that the young prodigy was nervous would be an understatement. He had been steadily improving on his 'people skills' or lack there of. But there was a huge difference between his little forays out in public or on missions with KP and going out with one of the hottest cheerleaders Middleton High had ever seen.
After agonizing over what he would do and say for the better part of the day he was almost relieved when the door bell rang.
When Bonnie descended the stair case she was more than a little impressed by what she found. Wade was decked out in a sharp set of khaki dockers, shined black shoes, a nice dark blue shirt and a black leather coat. He had put more effort than…well…ever; in grooming and preparing for this little foray out into the world.
Not to mention that it was the first time she had ever seen him out of his usual baggy clothes and in something more form fitting.
Wow, he sure has grown up and filled out hasn't he? I guess when he's hunched over his computers it's easy to miss that he has seriously gotten in shape…hmmm.
With a pleasant smile she stated evenly, "You clean up well Mr. Load. I take it you're ready to step out?"
"Well…yeah! I mean….sure? Oh hell, I'm already screwing this up aren't I?"
Noting the look of concern and almost despair in his eyes she crossed the room and took his hand in hers.
"Don't worry Wade, I know this may be a lot but I'm gonna help you with this whole public anxiety thing. I mean who better to teach the ropes of handling crowds than the queen bee bitch of them all?" she asked with genuine good humor.
"You're not a…oh you were playing with me. Sorry I guess I'm just keyed up a little too much."
"Don't sweat it. We're going to go out and have a nice casual night on the town. I know a nice quiet little place that will be perfect."
After he nodded in acceptance they went out to her car and headed off. Falling into an amicable silence she was amused to hear him humming to the R&B song on the radio.
"You like these guys? Hmmm, me too. They just play it to death on the rotations." She noted.
"You said it, I've been thinking about hacking the radio station's play list and doing something about that actually."
Laughing she had no doubt that he was capable and amused that he not only had the same dislike but had a plan to fix it.
"You do that a lot, don't you Wade?"
"What hack into stuff, kind of a hobby, yeah"
"No…fix stuff. You see a problem and instead of bitching about it you just figure out a way to make it better. I guess not enough folks do that anymore." She stated as a matter of fact, noting to herself that she was also thinking of her brother and even her father when he wasn't around her mother.
Arriving at a nice little Italian restaurant they sat down to a pleasant booth with impeccable service.
"Nice place Bonnie, I've never been here before. What do you recommend?"
She was actually taken aback by the comment. Men that she dined with generally weren't interested in her opinion; more often than not they were just interested in getting her in the sack. She realized that this may be a more interesting evening than she thought.
"Well I usually get the Fettuccini Alfredo but Blake swears by the Veal Parmesan."
Wade caught her brief pause and reaction and accurately assessed the cause. No one ever asks her what she thinks do they?
"Bonnie, tell me if I'm being too forward, but do you like your friends?"
Almost choking on the sip of water she was taking, she retorted, "What!?! What sort of question is that?"
"An honest one. I may not have your social skills, but I think I have some descent observation and analytical skills. I see how you care about your brother and you're even taking the time with me tonight. I guess in this light I just have a hard time picturing you with the crew you normally hang with."
After thinking for a moment she replied, "Well their not ALL bad. Tara is a real sweetheart and then there's…and well there's….hmmm." Stopping and thinking she almost growled in frustration, "OK I get your point but don't think just because I'm taking my brother's advice about not being so cynical, that I'm overnight going to go all 'Shiny Happy People'"
"Heck I wouldn't want you too, I'd have to run a scan for a mind control chip or something!" he joked in return.
"Why you! Was that a jibe? You sure you ain't playing possum on this whole people interaction thing?"
"Nah, I just usually prefer to have a nice buffer of ones and zeros between me and others. I understand the virtual world perfectly, but I realize I need to start plugging back into the real world more often. So thanks for taking me out tonight."
"Well it looks like it may be far more interesting than I thought. Any ideas on where you'd like to go from here?"
Wade seemed torn. While he was assessing how much he wanted to open up and trust her she mistook his pause for indecision or fear.
"Wade don't sweat it. We can keep it simple, maybe a movie or walk or…"
"It's not that Bonnie. It's just I actually do have some place I like to go. I just am not sure if you would enjoy it or if maybe you might think I'm weird…"
She cut him off, "That's OK I already think you're weird. But lately I have started to realize I need a little more weird in my life."
Smiling as he took in her statement, "Weird it is then. What do you say I find out more about you then before I let you into some of my secrets?"
And so they continued on to an excellent dinner. They were both surprised at how easily they were able to talk freely with each other. Years later they would still joke that it was the simple fact that they were such polar opposites that there simply was no barriers to get past.
After they left the restaurant, Wade gave her directions to a little brownstone building in down town Middleton. He refused to give her any details saying it would ruin the surprise.
They walked to the back of the building where you could almost feel the resounding, deep base beat coming through the walls. A large door man recognized Wade and slapped his hand in greeting,
"Hey Mr. Wade my man. I ain't seen you in an age, where you been?"
"Busy and burnin' big daddy! This here is Bonnie what do you say we get a good table back off the stage."
"You got it brother, have a good one. Nice to meet you Ms.Bonnie!"
"Nice to meet you…" she started to say as Wade pulled her in to the dark smoke filled room.
She wasn't prepared for what she saw. A small stage was in the middle of a medium sized bar room with a stool and a single microphone on a stand. A spotlight highlighted the stage and all other lighting seemed to simply create more shadows throughout the rest of the small club. A thick layer of cigarette smoke hung just off the ceiling and a waitress met them at the door. After a brief nod from the door man she led them to a cozy little booth towards the back with a great view of the stage. A smooth jazzy beat pumped out of numerous speakers throughout the place.
"OK Wade, spill. What is this place? I thought I knew every club in town."
"Well this isn't your normal dance club or anything. You probably would call it a beatnik joint; but it's more than that. People come here and perform open mic poetry, music, whatever they want to get off their chest. Sometimes folks just get up and rant in beat to the music. Either way it's a little piece of sub-pop culture that you can sit back and enjoy or even go interact with."
"And you know about this how?"
"When I realized I needed to get out more I searched on line for settings that jived with my personal interests and surprisingly I found a perfect match here. You'll see people get up on that stage ranging from doctors to college drop outs, even returning military vets. They all just want a place to say their piece and have a good time in a non-judgmental environment. So I started coming here quietly and even managed to get up on stage a few times."
"You have gotten on stage? What do you sing or something?"
"No, trust me you do NOT want to hear my singing voice. Maybe if the mood strikes you'll see. Oh Ray's getting up, he's good, you'll dig this."
They sat back and ordered a couple cups of coffee as a diminutive, bespectacled white guy of about 35 dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt got up and took the stage. As he calmly sat on the stool, lit up a smoke and blew a smoke ring; a smooth base beat struck up in the back ground. He let the beat reach an even keel and almost imperceptibly all in ear shot wanted to tap their foot as he stood and leaned towards the mic.
"Evening all you cool cats and kitties.
We all have those…things that scrape our nerves. This goes out to all of you that choose to just keep them in…perspective."
With that, all but the spot light on him went out forcing all eyes towards the lone person in the center. It was poetic in itself that all action stopped, no drinks ordered, no one talked; while someone put themselves out on a limb to perform in such an exposed way.
"This is the poem that isn't a poem,
this is the poem that got away,
this poem is one of a kind,
this is the world's first scratch and sniff poem,
this poem glows in the dark, hit the lights, check it
out!
This poem is one in a series
collect all 64,
this poem will later be set to music,
and danced to,
by aliens learning about earth
This poem pronounces it "Poeem"
to sound European
this poem was brought to you by the good people at
Poems Inc.
this is a good eatin'
lip smacking
in your face
eye poppin'
hip shakin'
bone rattlin'
composition
This is a chain poem
If you get this poem
please make ten copies
and mail it to the poemless
this is the poem that rose to the top of the charts
knocking my other poems off the top 100
in a few days, it'll move down several notches
thank you for my fifteen seconds of fame
this is my pop art poem…
this is my pop art poem.
Thank you."
As the lights came up his demeanor slightly changed as he smiled and warmly absorbed the rounds of applause he received and good natured cat calls. As Ray walked by them back to his own little table Bonnie could tell that he was just any average Joe. Probably a 9-5 job and the run of the mill routine. But for those few minutes on that smoky little stage he embraced who he wanted to be. He showed the world the guy inside screaming to get out. On a smaller scale, he had stepped into the arena.
Suddenly she understood the appeal of this place to Wade and was secretly touched that he was willing to share it wither.
After Ray's performance a pair of young long haired guys that looked like a cross between Nirvanna rejects and hippies from the 60's took the stage with acoustic guitars in hand.
"Hey there folks. We wanted to just play a set for ya'll. Just a little fun instrumental number. Nothing too involved. If it's all right with the owner we'd like to keep the lights up and just invite all you fine people to enjoy your coffees or whatever and dig a little jam we worked up."
As the pair began into a rather impressive acoustic session Wade and Bonnie settled into a pleasant little discussion about this place, Wade's first try at getting up in front of everyone here and just about anything else that the conversation turned to.
After several hours of great company and some good-some bad performances Bonnie had to take a moment to drink it all in.
This has to be one of the most original dates I've ever been on! I thought I was going to be helping him out but he turns the tables on me and I get to see some things in a new light.
These were just some of the thoughts playing across her face as Wade watched her discreetly and smiled. Finally he had to ask,
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Shaking her head slightly and letting an almost feline grin spread across her lips she responded, "Just that there is definitely more to you than meets the eye."
"Glad to hear you say that your cool with that, cause you'll have to excuse me for a moment."
With that he got up as another smooth base beat came up and the lights dimmed down.
As he took the stage you could tell from the dimly lit faces of those closest that he was recognized and that they were anxiously awaiting something special. Bonnie noted with some alarm that it seemed that the women especially seemed to lean forward in anticipation.
He seemed to straighten up and loose any semblance of his usual shyness in public. As the beat started to flow he simply did a slow turn as if he was looking through the darkness into each person eyes. His turn stopped as he rounded and made eye contact with Bonnie.
Despite herself her breath caught as she saw him in this persona. Much more to him indeed…
"All right you all you smooth daddies and hot mommas… lean back and let the beat take you to where I'm sendin' you. The base drop is a rain drop and the rhythm is the wind on your face. Yeah feel that tempest wellin' up in you…"
Pausing for a moment to ensure had set the mood for the best effect before he continued…
"The Storm…
It's coming through the hills,
caressing every ridge.
Swelling every river to overflow,
pushing every stream to it's brink.
Wind ripping at branches,
tearing at them like a lover's clothes.
Racing to and fro…back and forth,
sensually embracing Mother Nature.
Trees sweating pure pleasure until
pools collect on the swaying forest bed.
Clouds intimately enclosing the mountains
In a dark yet inviting embrace…
THEN CRACK!!!
Lightning comes down in a flash,
pulsing through every nerve in the ground.
An enflamed tree snaps and falls to the earth
at the climax of the tempest's embrace.
As the rage subsides the forest rests.
The animals, streams, trees, all lays blissfully quiet;
continuing life as usual, yet eagerly anticipating
the returning desire…
of
THE STORM.
As he finished the lights slowly came up as the music faded. Wade just calmly walked back to the booth as every one cheered his performance. Needless to say more than a few couples were eyeing each other that it was time to head home.
Feeling pretty good about himself he sat down and noted that Bonnie was staring at him and stunned silent. Wisely deciding not to push the issue he just settled up the bill and motioned for them to leave, which she did gracefully but quietly.
As they walked the few blocks to the parking lot she still had not said a word. Wade was beginning to get worried for fear that he may have done or said something wrong or that maybe that scene was too much for her.
Once they reached the car he finally decided to ask,
"Uh. Bonnie are you…"
He was cut off as she spun around, grabbed him by the back of the head and pulled him down into a mind blowing kiss. Not your Disney Family Special first date kiss, but rather a Cinemax after 10 pm kiss that was promising to melt at least one hemisphere of the genius's brain.
For her part Bonnie was acting purely on primal instinct. This had been one of the first dates in her life where the guy hadn't been pawing her and actively undressing her with his eyes the whole time. She had enjoyed an honestly interesting conversation throughout with a good looking guy who seemed to actually value her opinion.
And then he goes up on that stage and…transforms into this… sensual being
It felt to her that every word, every gesture, every perfectly intoned syllable was reverberating through her body. She had honestly never been so turned on by a single action with clothes on in her life.
As they finally came up for air it was his turn to impersonate a mute. She favored him with a feral smile and came clean with him.
"Wade, that was the most singularly erotic thing I have ever seen a guy do. You pushed every button I have. You have obviously been filling out and growing into one impressive man physically; but where in the hell did that come from?"
Unfortunately for him every bit of confidence and bravado he had in his element on the stage had vanished the moment those perfect lips met his.
"Uh, yeah about that, er… I mean…ah hell. I'll be honest, that was one of the first real kisses I have ever had and frankly I wish I was the guy you're thinking your holding."
Noting the confusion and growing suspicion on her face he tried to explain as he pulled away from her embrace and leaned on the hood of her car.
"That guy up there that looks like me, it's the guy I'm trying to become. Like I said, I don't have any freaky psychological condition. I just have certain elements I excel at and all others I suck at. In the ether of the Net I'm unstoppable, after a lot of practice and learning to put my feelings to pen and words I even started to shine up their on stage…"
"But when it comes to real human contact your still learning, huh?" Bonnie quietly finished for him as she began to understand. She placed her hand on his shoulder and leaned up against the car next him.
"Yeah. Big let down, huh?"
After a moments thought she smiled widely again as she pulled his face to hers and gave him a brief almost chaste kiss, "So let me get this straight you mastered cyberspace and numerous degrees before you even hit puberty. Then you knew you had to get out in the world more; so you taught yourself poetry and performance and from what I've seen knock it out of the park. You have a great body and a good heart…let down? Are you kidding?"
"So you're saying you might want to go out with me again?" he asked unable to prevent genuine hope creep into his voice.
"Boy with a learning curve like yours and me to help you along who knows where this little team could go!"
Chuckling together he attempted to kiss her again when something solid in his coat pocket hit Bonnie pretty hard in the hip.
"Oww! Is that a rock in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?" she toyed with him.
"Oh I almost forgot! I whipped up a little surprise for you!"
Taken aback by his enthusiasm and the fact that he made her a gift she didn't even have another quick remark.
He pulled out a small molded fiberglass case with a fine dark leather wrap around it.
Looking at him inquisitively, he prodded her on.
"Go ahead open it. Just push the red button on the side to power up and the blue button to send."
She opened up the case and found a thinner version of the Kimmunicator. As she did as he instructed a short start up screen came up. As it warmed up he explained,
"It's a narrow wave satellite communicator that can work almost anywhere in the world. It has only three channels. The yellow one is a direct burst to 911 in case you ever have an emergency, the green one links to my system and can reach me any time, and the blue one...well you'll see."
As a connection was made she noted that Wade had stepped a few feet away to give her some privacy. Then the screen lit up and it was…
"Blake! I didn't think I'd get to talk to you again so soon…"
"Yeah, just got this thing via a weird drone air drop a few hours ago. I don't even want to know how Wade figured out where I am, but tell him thanks for me. I'm not too hot on people knowing my business at work, but I know he had your best interests at heart so he's aces in my book. Your taste in friends has definitely improved sis."
Blushing despite herself she replied, "I agree we're actually out on our "first date".
"You say that as if you intend on a second?"
"I may be a lot of things bro, but dumb ain't one of them…you bet your ass I'm going out with him again."
Mt. Yamanouchi, Japan
Sensei and now Yori's personal dojo
Alexandria had been prodding her to get some rest for several hours now, but Yori just couldn't get this train of thought out of her head.
Who is it?
She had appropriately delegated all preparations for the coming battle and supervised the construction of new and sturdier embattlements around the school. With the wealth of talent in the school's alumni arriving daily from around the world she felt comfortable that all that could be done was being done.
After discussing this with Sensei she decided that her best contributions would be in hitting the books so to speak and finding out any edge she could.
In doing so she came across the first and as far as she and Alexandria could tell the only mention of Sensei's successor.
"In the days of the great battle, as the Bloom comes to fruition; the child of the school's first Master will step into their own. The decisions of this pupil will greatly affect the fate of the conflict and hence the world. If faith is kept and the mantle worn this warrior will live a long and fruitful life alongside a keeper of the Mystical Monkey Power and in time find someone to share in this happiness."
Who is it? If Ron is with…her. And the very outcome of the battle requires…her to accept the Bloom then who could this be referring to? Will I ever know love…?
These thoughts had been harassing her for some time and eventually she decided to meditate and refocus her center. She sat in meditation in front of the Lotus Blade's stand for some time.
She had gotten used to it randomly disappearing; it had been doing that frequently. With little effort she could track where Ron was and whether he was in danger. Heeding Sense's warning not to interfere she had resisted this as much as she dared for fear she would be tempted to disobey.
She had been meditating for an untold amount of time when she felt a fluttering in her stomach. She opened her eyes and stayed perfectly still. She could hardly stifle a gasp when the emblem in the stone that held the Lotus Bloom began to shake slightly and all of the gems in the amulet began to radiate a brilliant rainbow of light.
As the kaleidoscope of colors stopped moving it settled into a single emerald hue that finally coalesced into the form of a Lotus Flower over the stand.
Unsure of what this meant and totally absorbed in the spectacle she shouldn't have been too surprised when the voice of Sensei came from beside her.
"They have found each other…and the bond is formed. The battle looms closer."
Pakistani Power Plant #N-2A
It took Kim longer than she expected to reach the nuclear power plant. The terrain was rougher than she thought and the elevations and hills played hell with her GPS and Kimmunicator signal.
When she arrived the place was in shambles and only a handful of the guards and workers were waking from the stun guns and tranquilizers that Dr. Dementor's men had used on them.
Thank God for small favors…funny though. The supposed SUPER villains are so hesitant to kill personally yet are hell bent on dominating the world. But some two bit thug who just wants your wallet- is willing to put a bullet in your head.
Her musings were cut short as she found a site manager that was seemingly coherent and motioning for her.
"Kim Possible! Praise be to Allah. I am Ali Akmeer; Global Justice said they would be sending you. I only wish you could have arrived several hours ago. That mean little man in his big helmet he took the stand by reactor cell. Odd really."
"Mr. Akmeer what's so odd about taking that particular cell?"
"You see we have 5 operating nuclear cells with an almost full load of enriched uranium. The one he took was empty and awaiting fuelling. It has no power in it; nuclear or otherwise."
"Could he have made a mistake? Grabbed the wrong one in a hurry?"
"Oh no, goodness gracious no. I am awake now only because he kidnapped me from my station and forced me to locate that very cell by name. He even asked me to ensure it was the standby without fuel. I figured it was the safest thing for him to steal so I complied."
Kim was a bit conflicted. One part wanted to cheer that it seemed like Ron was right about Dementor always getting things wrong. But something was nagging at the back of her mind that things just weren't adding up and that nothing good could come from this.
She was about to start organizing recovery and first aid operations when Ali called out to her,
"Excellent! Your back up has arrived Ms. Possible; their help will be greatly appreciated."
Hearing the numerous vehicles approaching she had a sickening feeling as she responded, "I don't have a back up team…"
Seven military style trucks came to a screeching halt not far from them. Out from them poured almost a platoon of shaggy looking fighters in various forms of uniforms and tribal regalia. Only two things were common to all; a fierce look and they were all armed to the teeth.
As they spread out and secured the perimeter and ensured all the guards were still bound a lone man approached the red headed heroine.
"Kim Possible? You will come with us. Do NOT resist; it would make things become how you say…unpleasant." He stated in passable English and a threatening voice.
"Don't tell me you guys are bent on global domination too."
"No, nothing like that at all. We just want you. Welcome to Asia; kidnapping and extortion are a way of life here. With you as our captive perhaps we will finally get your government to see things our way. If not, we will have one less imperialist meddler to worry about."
With that she was tightly bound and a dirty hood was thrown over her head as she was roughly thrown in the back of one the tucks.
As the trucks turned around and headed west the way they had come she was beginning to feel the first hints of fear,
Ron if you were ever going to come through for me- this would be that time…