Ron pulled his motorcycle to a stop outside the old run down warehouses and factories that used to be the backbone of Middleton's economy. Most of the companies had shut down and moved overseas years ago. The change from industrial town to the modern age city was a tough one for Middleton and her people. The completion of the Space Center was the final push to put the town back in fine economic standing.
Many felt that the warehouse/factory district should be leveled to make way for progress. A lot of the community's old timers wanted it around to serve as a reminder of the city's past. Normally Ron took neither side in that argument, however tonight he had very distinct opinions on the district.
"This stupid place should've been leveled years ago", he grumbled to himself as he dismounted his bike and made his way through the shadows to the warehouse Wade had traced Kim's last signal to. "Villain hideout district. That's what they should call it."
"And how cliché is that anyway. Of course I don't really expect anything less of Drakken"
Ron stopped outside of a warehouse seemingly no different then any other in the area. Upon closer inspection, Ron found that the windows were boarded up with steel, painted to look like boards and broken glass.
"You have got to be kidding me", Ron said with a laugh. "Three years since I've been gone, and this is the best Drakken has come up with."
Ron thought back to what Monique said about Kim being careless on missions sometimes. Looking at Drakken's "hideout", he could see the truth in her words; because it was quite obvious Drakken wasn't getting better at the villain racket. A beeping in Ron's ear interrupted his thoughts.
"Yo, Wade", Ron said as he pressed the device in his ear, activating the two way receiver.
"Ok Ron, the satellite scans I'm looking at show lots of activity in this place. The main area has twenty two people in it, all moving fairly constantly, except for one, who hasn't moved in nearly twenty minutes." Wades voice spoke directly into Ron's ear. "In the back of the warehouse, I count four people. Two are moving, which I assume are guards, and two aren't, which I assume to be Kim and Josh."
"Ok, so how do I get to them without alerting the other twenty two?"
"Well...there is an old air conditioning duct on the roof, that you can use to access the vents..."
"Which will of course take me right above Kim and Josh", Ron said finishing Wades sentence. "I don't suppose you fixed my pants so they don't go zooming off with my grapnel did you?"
"No, I didn't." Wade said with a chuckle "But if you use that fire escape to your right, you wont even have to use the grapnel."
Ron looked to his right and saw the fire escape Wade spoke of. With a slight chuckle he sprinted to the ladder and began to make his way to the top.
---
"The day is finally mine Shego! Finally I have triumphed over Kim Possible!" Drakken ranted for what had to be two straight hours now.
Shego sighed and flipped through a fashion magazine. Despite her response, Shego was quite pleased to have Kim as their unwilling guest. Logically, Ron Stoppable would be sent to the rescue, giving Shego another chance to talk to him.
"So where do we go from here Doc?" She said, looking up from the book. "Go ahead with the usual world domination plans?"
"Don't be silly Shego", Drakken said with a grin. "First we take pictures, and email them to all of the other villains, to remind them just who the greatest villain of them all is!"
"Your kidding right?"
"Why would I kid at a time like this Shego?" Drakken asked with a confused look on his face.
"Ok", Shego sighed, "The only person who could stop us, is locked up nice and tight. Logically, we should go ahead with our plan, maybe even eliminate Kim...permanently."
Drakken blinked and rubbed his chin. "That just doesn't make any sense Shego."
This time it was Shego's turn to wear a confused look on her face.
"Huh?"
"Your plan doesn't allow for any gloating. How will the other villains know who is the top dog?" Drakken asked, with a slight sigh, as if the answer was so painfully obvious.
"Maybe when we take over the...oh never mind, the hell with it", Shego groaned, and returned her gaze to the magazine. She then added quietly. "Hope your on your way kid, I could use some company here."
---
Kim struggled against her bonds. She had determined some time ago that they were unbreakable, but she had to keep trying.
She looked around the room, hoping to find something new she could use to her advantage. However the scene was the same as it had been for the last few hours.
A small room held her and Josh. Each of them were chained to the wall opposite each other, hands above their heads, feet secured spread apart. Upon their capture they had been stripped of their mission clothes, and placed in dingy gray prison style jump suits. With their mission clothes, had gone all their fancy gadgets, and seemingly, any chance of escape.
Kim looked across the room at Josh, who hung limply against his bonds. About twenty minutes ago, he had asked to be escorted to the bathroom. Kim wasn't sure if it was a ploy, or if he really had to go. She hadn't been able to talk to him since, as the guards had beaten him senseless for talking. Kim protested the beatings quite loudly, but they had only hit Josh harder.
Thinking of it enraged her again, and she gave a mighty tug on the chains that held her hands. The chains gave no quarter, and Kim's dropped her head in defeat. That tug had been the last of her strength, and her arms would now most likely go completely numb, due to the position they were held in.
Outside of the room, the two guards stood quietly on either side of the door. The guards were not Drakken's typical henchmen. They were hired help for the occasion. One was a local Middleton street thug, the other a German mercenary. In a straight on fight, they were more then a match for anyone, including Kim Possible.
Thanks to the magic of modern technology, Ron Stoppable knew all of this. Watching from his perch in the vent shaft, he listened as Wade relayed all he had on the two men.
"All right Ron, you're going to have to do this quick. If one of those guys gets a hold of you, you're done." Wade said in Ron's earpiece. "On the left hand side of your belt, open the second and first pouch."
Ron did as he was told, producing a black eye mask, a small re-breather, and a couple of pellets.
"Ok Ron, I think you know what to do with the mask and breather." Wade started. "The silver pellet is a miniaturized flash grenade, the black pellet is a smoke bomb. The smoke wont knock the guards out, but it will make them weak and disoriented enough you can take them out fairly easy."
"The mask will shield my eyes from the flash pellet right?" Ron whispered as he placed the mask over his eyes. The white lenses let him see just as clear as he could without it.
"That's right"
"All right then", Ron said as he quietly removed the grate from the vent shaft.
"Here goes nothing", he muttered as he fired the flash pellet to the floor beside the guards.
Kim had just about given all hope when a bright flash of light drew her attention the door of her "cell".
"The hell?" she muttered to herself as she could hear what sounded like a one sided fight happening on the other side of the door.
Moments later the door to the room swung open, and a familiar figure walked in, surrounded by dissipating smoke.
"Ron Stoppable rescue service", Ron said as he removed his breather and mask. "I have a rescue request for one Kim Possible, and sidekick?"
"Ron!" Kim shouted, a smile forming on her face.
Ron walked over to Kim, and began unlocking her shackles. Once free Kim worked her sore joints for a moment, before latching unto Ron with as tight a hug as she could manage.
"Ron I was so scared, I didn't think anyone would ever come and save us, I know I say I can do anything but I don't think I could have found a way out of that if you hadn't...."
"Kim?" Ron said with a slight grin.
"I'm rambling aren't I", she replied blushing.
"Yes, you are. Now here put these on while I get Josh. We aren't out of the woods yet." Ron said tossing Kim her mission clothes. He then turned around to release Josh.
"Ron, about the guards", Kim started, but was cut off quickly by Ron.
"Don't worry Kim, I didn't kill them." He said in a gruff voice, then adding a little lighter, "But they will be sore when they wake up.
"That's not what I was going to ask. I just wanted to know how you took them out so easily. Those weren't Drakken's normal goons, whom I seem to remember you having trouble with anyway", she said, buttoning her pants.
Ron lowered Josh gently to the ground, and then, satisfied Kim had enough time to change, turned around and gave her a classic Stoppable grin.
"Trade secrets, KP"
Kim rolled her eyes, and then joined Ron at Josh's side.
"The guards gave him a pretty good beating. He's been out for quite awhile"
"I can see that. I think his jaw is broke, and he probably has a concussion" Ron stated as he examined Josh's battered face.
Kim raised an eyebrow at Ron, to which he shrugged. "The prison library has books on a wide variety of subjects."
Kim shook her head. "Look, you stay here with him. Call Wade, have the police and an ambulance get here. I'll go stop Drakken."
Kim turned and started to make her way towards the door, but was stopped by a strong hand on her shoulder. She turned to face Ron, to see a look of seriousness on his face she couldn't ever remember seeing.
"No." he stated simply, before adding. "I'm going with you. If Drakken is bringing in mercenaries there is no telling what else he has out there. I'm not letting you face that alone."
"But Josh..."
"Will be fine..." Ron said, then pressing his ear. "Wade, send an ambulance and the police to our location. Josh took a thumping; he will be by the entrance closest the holding area. Right. Thanks."
"I don't get a two way earpiece receiver" Kim said with a slight pouty lip.
Ron smiled "I'm sure Wade would be more then happy to whip you up one Now lets drop Josh near the exit, and go take it to old blue boy."
"Ron I still don't know about this." Kim said as she watched Ron pick up Josh and walk out of the room to the exit door down the hall. "I can handle Drakken. I've done it before"
"Just like you handled him earlier tonight?"
"It will be different this time, I know what to expect"
"Your right about that Kim, it will be different. Because I'm coming along, whether you like it or not." Ron said, as he placed Josh's limp form by the door. He then turned and faced her again. "As much as you don't want me to be here KP, that doesn't change the fact that I am here. I may not be part of the "team" anymore, but I'm not going to let you go in there alone. So we either go in together, or separate, but either way we are both going in there."
Kim studied Ron for a minute and realized that there was no talking him out of it. Reluctantly she extended her hand.
"Partners?" she said with a slight smile.
"Always KP" Ron said as he took her hand and shook it. "Now lets get down to business.
---
Shego sobbed slightly as she buried her face in her magazine. After getting several villains answering machines, Drakken had finally gotten a hold of the Senor household. Unfortunately for all parties involved, Junior had answered the phone.
"Listen you fool, I've finally captured Kim Possible! Tell your father that I am the ultimate villain!" Drakken screamed at the video monitor, which showed Juniors perplexed face.
"I do not understand. We have all captured Kim Possible at one time or another, what makes this any different?" Junior responded scratching his chin.
"I...just...I....it just is!"
"Who did you say this was again?"
"Drakken. Doctor! Drakken!" Drakken screamed his face now turning a shade of red.
Shego's sobs turned into hushed laughter. The only thing funnier then watching one of Drakken's idiotic schemes get foiled, was watching him get angry. Except when the anger was directed at her of course.
"You must of the wrong number then, the doctor I go to is Doctor Parker" Junior said seriously into the monitor, which caused Shego to burst out laughing.
"Imbecile!" Drakken screamed as he disconnected the connection, before turning to Shego. "And just what is so funny!"
Shego calmed herself down enough to answer Drakken, but as she opened her mouth to speak, someone else answered for her.
"Your what's so funny Doc. I'm surprised you still haven't realized the jokes on you"
"Who the deuce?" Drakken said, his eyes going wide at the figure that walked into the center of his room. "The buffoon?"
"The one and only", Ron said, noticing the henchmen in the room getting up from their various activities and coming towards him. "Relax boys, I'm not here for any trouble. I just want to talk...with her"
All eyes followed Ron's pointing finger to Shego, who sat in her chair with a small grin on her face.
"It's alright, he's with me", she said, motioning for Ron to come over to her.
In the shadows, behind a large metal crate, a confused Kim Possible watched the scene unfold before her. When Ron said he would provide the distraction, she expected an arm waving, monkey noise-making extravaganza of old. This distraction seemed like something out of a sleazy B movie. Kim shook her head, remembering that she had a task to do. As different as Ron's distraction was, it seemed to be working.
Slinking her way through the shadows Kim made it beside the main computer terminal undetected. She then pulled out her Kimmunicator, and ran its cable into a port on the computer. Within seconds she had access to everything on Drakken's computer.
On the other side of the room Ron's distraction was still in full swing.
"I don't understand Shego. Why is Kim Possible's former sidekick here to see you?" Drakken asked again, scratching his head.
"I don't know Doc. Maybe he wants a job reference. But whatever he wants, he asked for me, so go scuttle along and rant some more." Shego dismissed Drakken with an annoyed wave of her hand.
Drakken glared at her for a moment, then defeated, shrugged his shoulders and walked away.
"Hey Doc!" Ron called to the departing Drakken.
Drakken turned to face Ron, "Yes, buffoon?"
"If you get a hold of Monkey Fist, tell him I said hi."
Drakken looked at Ron with a raised eyebrow for a moment, then deciding he was not privy to some big joke shrugged his shoulders again.
"Whatever, buffoon."
Kim scrolled quickly through all the files on Drakken's computer. The lack of a large ridiculous weapon had led her to believe that whatever Drakken was hatching had something to do with the ridiculous computer terminal. Finally she came across a folder marked 'Secret Plan'. Rolling her eyes, Kim opened the file and browsed what was inside. What was inside amazed and terrified her.
The folder held two video files. One was a real time link to movements of military defense satellites in the earth's orbit. The other was a simulation of what would happen if one or more of the satellites were launched on a specific target.
The folder also contained documents containing proper firing trajectories, and launch codes. And of course the launching software itself
"My god..." Kim muttered to herself, realizing the damage Drakken could do with this at his disposal. Kim clicked another button on the Kimmunicator, and the screen split in half, one side showing the data from Drakken's computer, the other side showing Wade.
"Wade," Kim whispered, "Drakken has launching codes for military satellites. I need you to change the launching codes, and alert whatever Military branch the satellites belong to."
Wade clicked a few keys on his keyboard at lightning speed before looking up at Kim with a smile. "Done and done Kim. I've also downloaded anything of importance from Drakken's computer. So feel free to make a scene with it."
"Thanks Wade, you totally rock."
"I know Kim. And by the way, the paramedics picked up Josh, he had a concussion and his jaw was just about broken, but he's doing fine at Middleton General right now. And the police are outside, waiting for your signal."
Kim smiled at the good news, "Thanks for the info Wade, I'll talk to you when this is all over."
She turned off the Kimmunicator and placed it back in her pocket. She then pulled a small explosive device from her belt and attached it to the side of the computer.
"I think this should make a nice scene", she said as she set the timer.
---
"I'm not stupid you know" Shego said with a slight grin.
"What do you mean?" Ron asked, dreading her answer.
"Well let's see here. Your going to tell me that you're here to discuss the business offer I made to you a few nights ago."
Ron nodded.
"Which I would love to believe," she continued, "except for the fact that you show up in a newer version of your old hero gear, Kim Possible is currently our hostage, and you are here in the middle of a take of the world scheme. Doesn't that seem a little too convenient to you?"
Ron opened his mouth to speak, but before he could formulate his response, the computer terminal on the other side of the room exploded into a ball of fire, sending henchmen scattering.
Shego and Ron both turned to look at the scene. The computer was on fire, which had triggered the sprinkler system. Several henchmen were running towards the exits, and Kim, who had made her presence known with the explosion, was soundly beating those that weren't.
Ron turned to Shego, and smiled, almost apologetically.
"Does it help if I told you a lot of what you said about Kim, was true?"
"A little..."
"And a lot of what you said does make sense Shego, but I just...I don't know. I've always tried to help people; I don't think I could go around hurting them for no good reason."
Shego smiled and shook her head. "Your more like me then you know kid. Look at how you used my trust to pull a distraction. Not very honest and hero like. But hey, each to their own."
"Now if you'll excuse me, this is the part where I make a brief battle with Kimmie, while Drakken prepares our escape. Good luck Ronnie, give me a call sometime.", Shego said with a wave, before sprinting a few feet, and launching into a hand spring that propelled her over to where Kim was finishing off the last remaining henchman.
Shego landed a few feet in front of Kim, who had just finished dispatching the last goon.
"You look a little tired K, sure you're up to this?" Shego asked as she eased into a fighting stance, her hands igniting in green flame.
Kim smiled, taking her own fighting stance. "I'm never too tired to kick your pasty green ass Shego."
To emphasize her point Kim extended her right hand, and motioned Shego over. Shego complied, and with a growl leapt at Kim, right foot leading the way.
Kim blocked the kick with her left arm, and drove her right into Shego's midsection, causing the villain to fly over top of Kim. Shego adjusted her tumble in mid air and landed neatly on her feet. She turned to mount another attack, but met with a strong kick to her midsection, that sent her stumbling back a few feet.
"And I thought I was the one who was tired?" Kim said mockingly.
Shego smirked, and fired a blast of green energy in Kim's direction. Kim easily dodged the energy blast, just as Shego had planned. When Kim dodged left, Shego was there to deliver a quick jab to Kim's shoulder, following that with a leg sweep, landing the heroine on her back.
Kim looked up to see Shego's heel fast approaching her face. Instinctively she rolled out of the way, hearing the heel hit the ground with a thud. Once clear she sprang to her feet to face Shego again. Both women circled each other for a few seconds, before launching into a volley of attacks and blocks.
---
In the corner Drakken furiously hammered on the control panel of his blue hovercraft.
"Curse this confounded piece of junk," Drakken fumed. "Next time I buy American."
"There won't be a next time Doc." Ron said from behind Drakken, causing the villain to jump in the air.
"You heroes always say that. But there always is a next time" Drakken said backing up tightly to the control panel as Ron approached.
"I'm not a hero anymore Doc." Ron replied in a low voice.
"Um right well anyway you know..." Drakken stammered, pushing himself up onto the control panel, as Ron drew even closer.
Drakken shifted slightly on the power button, and the hovercraft finally roared to life, lifting itself of the ground with a jerk. The movement caused Ron to lose his balance, and he steadied himself on the side of the craft.
"Well buffoon, it appears the tides have turned!" Drakken crowed, hoping into the drives seat and strapping on his lap restraint.
Ron lunged at Drakken, but he quickly found himself flying face first towards the ground, as Drakken pulled the craft into a tight barrel roll, sending Ron flying out.
Ron pulled his hands over his head and took the fall as best he could. A half somersault and a long skid across the floor into the wall was the best he could do.
"Ow...just like the old days" Ron said rubbing his head.
Drakken guided the hovercraft over to where Shego and Kim continued to do battle. Each fighter showed no sign of letting down, and both showed the signs of blows that had slipped through their defenses.
The sound of the approaching hovercraft caused them both to stop and look upwards. Drakken had the craft idling a few feet above them, motioning for Shego to get in.
Shego turned to Kim who was running up behind her. She delivered a quick kick to Kim's midsection, which sent her tumbling backwards, only to be caught by Ron.
Shego then neatly back flipped into the hovercraft next to Drakken, and with a smile, waved to Ron and Kim.
Kim started to run towards the hovercraft, but was pulled to the ground by Ron, as a missile went streaking over their head. The medium sized projectile crashed into the wall behind them creating a gaping hole.
Kim and Ron turned over to watch the hovercraft go zooming through the hole into the dark night. Drakken's shouts of "I'll get you next time" could be heard in the distance.
"Man, that guy is ridiculous", Ron said with a chuckle, which quickly turned into a groan as he grabbed the back of his head.
"Are you alright?" Kim asked, her eyes filled with concern as she lightly touched the back of Ron's head.
"Oh yea," Ron said, "just a wall. How about you?" He said as he reached for a bruise on the left side of Kim's face.
"Just a foot" Kim said with a wince as Ron touched the wound. "I'll live."
For a moment the two sat there on the floor looking each other in the eye. Before either of them could say anything or move, the room became bathed in blue and red lights. They turned to the hole in the wall, which now had policemen rushing through it.
"Middleton's finest. Just after the nick of time." Ron said getting to his feet.
Kim chuckled softly, as she accepted the helping hand Ron extended, and got to her own feet.
---
Kim and Ron sat on the back bumper of an ambulance, watching the police lead out the last of Drakken's men. Ron held an icepack to the back of his head as Kim laid her head on Ron's shoulder, careful of the bruise, which was swelling up nicely.
A young paramedic in his mid twenties came up the two. "Hey we are heading out of here. Do you two need a ride anywhere?"
Kim lifted her head and started to respond, before Ron cut her off.
"No, we've got one, but thanks."
"So you've got a ride?" Kim asked skeptically.
"Oh yea, you'll love it" Ron replied with a grin.
Kim shook her head and walked with Ron as he led them to the spot where he left his bike.
"Ron?"
"Yea KP?"
"Thanks for coming tonight."
"No big KP"
Kim stopped and grabbed Ron's arm, turning him to face her.
"No Ron, it is big." She started with a sigh. "After everything I said, or implied, even after you got here. For you to do everything you did...it means a lot to me.
Ron smiled and looked Kim in the eye. "Kim, you know I would do anything for you. Regardless of whether you want me to or not."
Kim smiled, and gave Ron a light hug. When the hug broke, they began their walk towards the bike again.
"So...where do we go from here?" Ron asked, not sure if he would like the answer.
"I'm not sure. We've still got a lot to talk about." Kim said, as Ron nodded in agreement.
"But wherever we do go from here..." Kim continued, taking Ron's hand and interlacing her fingers with his. "We do it together..."
Ron looked down at Kim with a smile, and tightly squeezed her hand. They walked the rest of the way to the bike in silence, enjoying happiness for the first time in far to long.
-Fin.
Final Authors Notes:
Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed this story. Sorry it took so long to complete, but those things happen I guess. So thanks for sticking with the story and me. A sequel is in the works, but I'll probably do a story that has nothing to do with this one first. Expect the sequel to pop up in the fall/winter. As always thanks to Classic Cowboy and Ron Stoppable for the help. The story would probably still be on chapter 2 if it weren't for those fine gentlemen. Also as always, Kim Possible and related characters are property of Disney. So thanks again, hope you all enjoyed it.
-R