Chapter 10
-Unusual-
By Geor-sama
The sun filtered through drawn shades into the room, dancing their way across the mess that was a floor and unto an unkempt mass that could only be the bed. From underneath one could hear the familiar sounds of snoring, though in this case it sounded more like a seriously deranged cross between a beaver and a chainsaw.
It was this, if nothing else, which caused a pink naked mole rat, with blood shot eyes from a lack of sleep, to grumpily shove aside his sock blanket, climb out of his draw bed and start towards the bed. A whole night of sleep gone because of that noise, needless to say Rufus was not happy.
He climbed up the cheese-stained sheets and then raced along the covered mass underneath stopping midway along. With an annoyed humph Rufus leaped upwards to land on the mass. He slid down the other side and began trying to roll the covered mass over, the snoring about twenty times louder now since he was so close.
He suddenly stumbled as the mass moved rolling over onto their back. The mole rat snorted, the snores fading just a tad. He climbed back up onto the mass and began to jump up and down on the rising middle of it squeaking 'wake wake'.
This had the desired results, the sheets, covers and clothes fell away as a blond suddenly sat up taking a sharp inward breath, eyes wide though unfocused. He laid back suddenly muttering something about it not being time to get up. Rufus who had tumbled backwards when the boy sat up got back to his feet and scrambled up to the boys chest.
He blew a loud raspberry, which got the blond to focus his unfocused brown eyes on his pet; he closed his eyes as his pet giving up jumped off and returned to his bed. Ron closed his eyes, trying to return once more to the sweet embrace of sleep but couldn't because of the light that streamed through the window and across his eyes.
He yawned and finally slid out from under his covers and sheets emerging from the bed still fully dressed from yesterday. He stretched and glanced at the clock, the morning was already rather old. He wasn't going to rush to school, because it was way too late to be on time.
He yawned once more, scratching his messy blond hair thinking that the only down side was that Kim would be worried about him since he didn't show up to walk her to school. He was halfway across his room when he remembered that he was suspended for the day.
He immediately returned to his bed and plopped down, resting his arms on his knees as he stared at the floor. This is what he got for hitting Josh, oddly though he didn't feel that bad about it now. He wouldn't do it again, but he wasn't feeling guilty about it that much anymore.
He stayed like that for about another three minutes and then stood up smiling some. At least one good thing came from it, he got to sleep in. He walked over checking on his friend who was finally getting his well deserved sleep, Ron chuckled and tucked his sock blanket around Rufus and turned heading out of his room and into the kitchen.
The house was quiet, which he expected, since his parents were already gone to work. It explained why he had been able to sleep in; if his mother had been home she would have had him doing a mountain of chores. She hadn't been that happy with him hitting Josh, but she had left it up to his father. But he knew she would still make him do chores.
He hit the answering machine listening to a message from Kim that she had left earlier while he rummaged around in the fridge looking for something to eat. All he found was two eggs and a piece of bread, he retrieved the items and set them to the side then grabbed the last of the milk, a bowl and fork, deciding to make scrambled eggs and toast.
It took him a max of two minutes to make his meager breakfast and then half a minute before it disappeared into the human disposal machine called Ron. He burped as he stood and went to do the dishes, knowing that the last thing he needed was his mother complaining about him not cleaning up after himself, she was already on him about his room, along with Kim.
He put the plate and bowl up to dry and then turned heading out, not even bothering to change clothes. He'd just go for a walk and with any luck wind up close to Bueno Nacho. He squinted as he swung the door open and stepped out into the bright light and paused, his mouth falling open as he stared at the street in front of his house.
There, in all of its glory, was his sunbird. He walked towards it slowly in amazement, barely remembering to close the door behind him as he did. It was no longer a faded black but a deep midnight black, new tinted windows along with windows and grill. He stopped; Wade had even put new tires on it. He stared in nothing less than awe at it.
He ran his hand along it lightly, afraid that he would wake up from this dream that he was obviously in. Never in his wildest thoughts would he have thought he would have anything this nice, moved around the car and stopped, his hand hovering over the gleaming handle.
He grasped it and opened the opened the door with a quiet click looking inside. The insides almost looked exactly the same but new, except for the dash that now sported a handful of glowing buttons. He climbed inside slowly; closing the door then ran his hands along the steering wheel enjoying the feeling of leather passing under his hands.
He was just smiling stupidly, unable to stop, just enjoying the moment. He leaned back into his seat dropping his hands to his sides, then heard a strange beeping, he glanced around and then looked up at the window as it suddenly blinked a video screen into existence, filled with an eleven year old computer genius who was typing on his computer.
The boy stopped suddenly and looked up smiling "So Ron, what do you think?"
Ron, grinning, patted the dashboard "It's bondiggity Wade."
The computer genius took a quick sip of his drink nodding "Wait until you push the green button." At this Ron noticed the little green button began flashing on the end of his gear shift. He couldn't resist and pushed it, there was a moment of silence, then the engine revved and the sound of burning rubber filled the air.
Ron yelped in surprise at the sudden acceleration and his seatbelt snapping into place. He started to reach up and grab the wheel but saw that it was turning by itself, not missing a turn or a hitting a single bump. Nervously he glanced down at his speedometer then offered up a silent prayer, the car going way to fast to be safe.
His prayer was answered almost immediately, of course the car came to a sudden stop, but this had the nasty effect of flinging Ron forward hard against his seatbelt.
He made an odd sound and sat back looking at the screen on the widow while Wade was typing at a leisurely pace not even paying attention to what he was doing "I told you," He smiled looking down at the keyboard "Normally if you want to resume manual drive just push the green button again. I stopped you early; I don't think your parents would like you crossing into Canada."
Ron blinked taking a firm hold on the wheel of the idling car, "Wade, exactly how fast was this car going?"
Wade shrugged "About two hundred short of the speed of sound. I had some friends at EAES do some tweaking to the engine."
Ron blanched, holding onto the wheel even tighter "So why is it driving by itself?"
Wade shrugged "Well, its AI is tied into the GJ-GPS system and at that speed I figured it would be best if it drove. It's got four preprogrammed locations; it'll cycle through them; a top secret GJ location, then Buneo Nacho, then Kim's house and last but not least yours."
Ron nodded, looking bewildered. He glanced around then smiled slowly, and then risking it he pushed the green button letting the wheel go. The wheel spun suddenly, the tires squealing again and he shot off in a U-turn. He listened as Wade began to explain about the new fuel system "It runs on a new fuel cell that's half fusion and half solar. So it should last for a few hundred years."
Ron nodded, as the car shot past landmarks at blurring speed. He reached up pushing the green button the car suddenly decelerated to a much saner speed and Ron took the wheel, steering through the streets of Middleton. Instant driving was nice, but he didn't think he'd be using it all that much. As it was, he felt like he was moving at a snails pace.
Wade's slurping at his empty drink caught Ron's attention, he started to say something when the boy genius beat him to it "Ron, a word of warning, no matter you do Ron don't push the red button." He paused and tossed his drink away "It's on the underside of the steering column."
Ron shifted enough to see the flashing, off limit button, and then looked back up at Wade "What happens if I do?"
The boy genius leaned forward arms folding on the desk as he stared at the young man "It'll create a temporal vortex the size of California from which nothing will escape, sort of like the temporal vortex inducer." he smiled amusement lacing his voice "Or it'll just blow up with enough force to wipe out the western half of the United States. Were not entirely sure, we couldn't bring ourselves to push the button."
Ron gulped and pressed his legs downward and away making sure not to even get near it. "What did you put in here for then?"
Wade shrugged sitting back "Iunno seemed like the thing to do at the time. Have fun." then with that the video screen blinked out, being replaced by a plain ordinary tinted window.
Ron pulled into the parking lot of Bueno Nacho, his stomach rumbling. He parked it and then with rather trembling hands turned off the engine and pocketed the keys climbing out. He looked around at the car considering it. He felt he need for several grande-sized meals.
***
The sun beat down upon the landscape that was a mixture of both starkness and lushness, dotted with small villages and cities, which were over crowded and filled with narrow bumpy roads. The olive green transport truck was flying along, scattering children and people from the streets.
The heavy canvas covering the back of the truck was parted slightly so that a set of wild eyes could watch as they sped past the last buildings of Rajkot, assessing that it would be only a few hours until they reached Ahmedabad they let the canvas fall back into place to hiding the observer from view.
In the darkness of the covered section, several simians dressed in black uniforms chattered quietly among themselves, it was actually quite crowded back there, but that didn't dampen there spirits. However there was a small number that were not so eager or excited.
They were watching the large simian man sitting at the far back of the group, holding his silver case tightly, apparently deep in meditation. It was a good thing to, because otherwise he would be yelling at the less experienced ninjas for their chatter or at the driver for hitting every bump in the road.
The man opened his eyes slightly to stare at his followers around him, then reached over and moved the canvas to check their progress, he could see only a long stretch of road, but still he smiled cruelly and whispered to himself "Soon, very soon."
He let the canvas fall back into place and settled back into meditation, not noticing that the most experienced of his monkey ninja's watching him closely.
Chippy's gaze didn't waver, neither did the other experienced ninja's from Chippy, they were waiting, they were watching him. He would tell them what they needed to know.
***
The class was silent, filled only with rustling paper and scratching pencils while the students were bent over their pop quizzes trying to figure out answers, all wanting to be done with it as soon as possible. None more so than a particularly sweet, though attractive red head girl.
Her green eyes were focused intensely on the quiz before her, her pencil moving confidently along as she wrote her answer, a small look of concentration on her face. To her it was amazing that she was managing to concentrate on her work.
She paused her pencil hovering over the paper as she sat back to study it closely. She was done, that was the fastest she'd ever done test, at least that she could remember. She felt a smile make its way to her face, it was a small one but it was a smile nonetheless.
She took a few more minutes relaxing, happy that for once Bonnie and Yori weren't constantly on her mind. It was easier to do her work without worrying about the girls flirting or trying to seduce her boyfriend. She couldn't even worry about Shego, after all what were the chances Ron would run into her at home?
As she slid out of her seat and started towards the teacher's desk, she couldn't feel any tension or worry, today was going to be a good day. She missed him, that was for sure, but without him school was a very stress free environment.
Even Monique was laying off her constant warnings which made her feel quite happy, it made her hope that maybe, finally, her friend had realized that what Kim had been saying was the truth. She grabbed her backpack and pulled out a novel she'd been reading.
She flipped through pages letting out a soft sigh, maybe without Ron around she didn't have that much to worry about, but she still missed the dolt. She leaned back into her seat and started to read, too bad Monique couldn't do much to fill in the gap, but at least the girl was trying.
She didn't get too far into the book before her eyes were pulled over to look at his empty desk, she quickly returned her gaze to her book, missing his snores and jokes a tad more than she realized. It formed a small amount of disquiet in her, but she wouldn't let it affect her anymore, she concentrated on her book taking her mind of Ron; she would see him soon enough, after all he'd be waiting for her after school.
***
Frugal Lucre smiled even though he really didn't feel like it, he was by far too busy making sure his equipment was set up. He was nervous, very nervous, fresh from jail and halfway around the world who wouldn't be.
He paused after double-checking the video line for the fortieth time and stood up right, he slid his smarty mart vest off and folded it neatly. He shivered returning to his seat in front of the camera, he placed his fake goatee into place and took a deep breath.
This had to work, it had to. His mother wouldn't bail him out this time, he'd be left to rot in a cell and he was not fond of rotting in a cell in India. He reached out and pushed the button so that the camera came to life and blinked his image onto the small computer screen.
He checked making sure that the lag time wasn't noticeable and then brushing back his black hair pushed the transmit button focusing entirely on the camera speaking in his villainous voice, which sounded a lot like someone doing a bad impression of a Russian accent "I, Frugal Lucre, have returned!" He gave a quick villainous laugh "I am broadcasting from my new, super secret, highly secure location." He paused looking uncertain and this time his accent seemed to waver "So please don't try and find me."
That said he held a finger up and continued "My plans were thwarted and now you shall truly feel my wrath. Unless everybody sends me one dollar and twenty five cents to the following secure account." He paused and flashed the account number, then settled back into his chair giving them a malevolent glare.
"You have one day to meet my demands or I will crash all communication systems." He laced his fingers together and gave a mild evil smile, which was all he could manage, then reached forward and hit the button stopping the video feed.
He pulled his goatee off and tossed it to the side, he felt it had went well and he was sure that nobody was going to be able to figure out where he was at. Using a Smarty Mart yet again was a true stroke of genius, slipping into the employee system had been easy enough. Now all he had to do was wait and check his account.
***
Wade, computer genius extraordinaire stared blankly at one of his many computer screens. He reached up and rubbed his eyes, then without taking his eyes off the screen reached over and with a few quick keystrokes shut down his secondary computer.
That done he put his hand back onto his keyboard, starting to run a trace program muttering to himself "I can't believe he would try that again."
He glanced down quickly and then back up shaking his head watching as the poorly disguised Frugal Lucre delivered his demands through the internet with his video feed.
Wade smiled to himself as the trace program turned up the location. A Smarty Mart in a city called Ahmedabad, he considered that briefly then nodded if he remembered right it was in India. If nothing else at least Frugal had tried to be smart about trying this again.
He pulled the communications program up and hit the keys for the communicator to tell Kim, but of course it returned the unfamiliar off signal. Frowning Wade reached over picking up a land line and called Ron's cell phone.
It rang three times before it was answered; Wade waited a minute and then started in on what was up "Ron, we have a problem. Frugal Lucre's out and he's threatening the internet again."
***
Josh slammed his locker shut, his face far more serious than ever. It had been like that all day, he would try to keep a neutral face but it wouldn't last. He closed his eyes and took a breath letting it out slowly, calming himself down. He opened his eyes after a few minutes. He refused to lose his cool; it would only make things worse. He squared his shoulders and turned starting off for his next class.
He glanced at the other students in the hallway, wondering which ones knew and daring them to start laughing at him. Bonnie, that vindictive witch, had told her friends, and they had in turn told their friends, but so far it hadn't spread into the whole student population.
He spotted Tara and hoped that maybe, just maybe, nobody had told her. He put a smile on his face as the blonde came towards him, a bounce in her step a sweet smile on her face. She tilted her head coming to a stop in front of him. "Oh, hi Josh." she was using her maddingly sweet voice.
"Hi there baby."
She giggled and put a hand on her hip "You know there's a rumor going around that Ron knocked you out."
Josh raised an eyebrow, realizing that he could at least convince one person of his side of the story "No, he was just trying to help me up after I slipped. I mean really, do you think he could knock me out?"
Tara giggled behind her hand "Oh of course he couldn't. I didn't think it could be true." she smiled her blue eyes twinkling "but you know what else? I had a talk with my cousin in Upperton." At this statement her face lost all hints of amusement "She told me some very interesting things, very very interesting things."
"Oh, really?" he said his smile faltering and a leaden feeling forming in his stomach.
She nodded "Yes. Were family, we don't keep many secrets from each other." she paused and gave a good natured smile "And I do believe the rumor because I checked with Kim and she said it was true and she never lies."
Josh started to say something, to defend himself on both fronts but was cut off by Tara who was smiling once more and waving frantically at someone behind him "Oh! Ron, Hi! Josh was just about to tell me that Kim's a liar!"
Josh's eyes bugged slightly and he spun a half scream escaping him as he did. When he saw that the hallway behind him did not hold the boy he felt his cheeks flush, they only grew worse as everyone in the hallway started laughing and pointing at him.
His jaw muscles clenched and a tic appeared under his right eye, he slowly rotated his head, keeping his anger under control. He turned back around slowly to stare at his apparently newest ex-girlfriend, his fist clenched tight.
She was laughing good and hard, which had the effect of making the most interesting parts of her jiggle, completely missing the dark look she was receiving from Josh. If looks could kill then she would be six feet under.
Seeing that his glare had no effect on her, he pushed past her and stalked off down the hallway amid a gale of laughter including Tara and the other students. This is all Bonnie's fault; she just couldn't keep her mouth shut.
He thought bitterly, as he approached his class.
He couldn't help but wonder what he ever did to her. She had single handily insured that he would be getting very few dates for the rest of the school year and the next.
He walked through the doorway, not paying the snickering hyenas inside any attention. Apparently the rumor was spreading faster than ever. He dropped his books onto the desktop and sat heavily in his seat, keeping his glare on his book cover.
As the class began, he drummed his fingers on the desktop thinking hard figuring out a plan on how to get back at Bonnie, Kim and Ron were off limits for now.
***
The crowded cafeteria put Monique off for a moment; she was not use to it being this full. She passed a group of students and paused hearing Ron's name. She seemed to take a sudden interest in a poster eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Yea, with Ron gone we finally get to eat lunch." One boy said.
"Yea, him and that pet of his eat all the food before we can get here." responded another.
"Hey, who cares about that, he decked that dolt Josh. " A third one said. They moved off shortly afterwards the other two teasing the third about liking Ron because Josh picked on him.
Monique shook her head and returned to her real reason for being here, Yori. The young dark skinned beauty scanned the crowd trying to spot the oriental girl. She almost gave up hope, there were just too many people in the way but then just as she was preparing to turn and leave she spotted the girl eating a meal at a far table all alone.
Monique narrowed her eyes and marched towards the girl, squeezing her way through the crowd, she knew a few of the guys were coping feels, but in a room this crowded in a high school she wasn't surprised. Finally, free of the crowd she leaned forward and leaned onto the table, her hands resting on the edge.
The other girl continued to eat, oblivious to Monique until the she cleared her throat. Yori looked up then, her face a mask of curiosity. Monique raised one perfectly plucked eyebrow and stood upright crossing her arms "Hello Yori."
Yori smiled "Ohayo Monique-dono."
"You can drop the act girl." Monique half growled, half whispered, eyes narrowed "I know you're not that sweet and innocent."
Yori shrugged, her smile not faltering in the least bit "You speak in such strange ways Monique-dono."
Monique didn't say anything for several long minutes, whether this was from biting her tongue or she wasn't sure how to respond, but finally she did "Everyone else might believe your act, maybe even Ron does, but you need to back off. Kim doesn't need you stealing Ron away."
Yori tilted her head slightly, studying the other girl silently and then smiled brightly "Grapes." Monique blinked slowly caught of guard while Yori continued "I am not stealing Ron-san away from Kim-dono," There was an odd twinkling in the oriental girls eye.
Monique recovered and didn't let up "Don't give me that. I can see what you're doing, even if Kim doesn't. She might think you're harmless and just his friend, but I know better."
Yori shrugged slightly, still smiling "Kim-dono still isn't the only one with green eyes, " Yori suddenly stood her smile growing with each passing minute "You must not think much of Kim-dono if you think that she could lose Ron-san to me."
Monique stood there about to argue but stopped when the other girl walked around the table to stare Monique in the eyes, she lifted a finger and touched Monique's chin lightly "Or maybe you want to take Ron-san for yourself, but I'll tell you a secret, I don't want him."
Monique stared unbelievingly at the girl, her mind racing, unable to figure out she was talking about, Yori leaned in and whispered in the other girls her ear "I prefer things that are softer, warmer, and smell of cinnamon." She leaned back a smile still on her face.
Monique let out a gasp of either horror or surprise, she wasn't sure which, and watched as Yori picked up her tray and easily made her way through the crowd. Monique sat down heavily at the table, her eyes wide, trying to figure out what all that meant and also wondering if Yori was just pulling her leg with that last whispered statement. All she knew for certain was she was never wearing cinnamon again.
Monique was pulled out of her thoughts and surprise by her friend who sat down next to her, a tray of food in front of her. She gave an instinctive smile and engaged Kim in conversation, it was light and friendly and Monique wished it would happen more often.
Still it was nice and best of all Yori's statements were driven from her mind at all.
***
The experimental helicopter zoomed over the landscape at blinding speed and without the familiar whoop whoop of the spinning blades. Its black body gleamed in the declining sun's light as it soared over the city and into the target.
It was three long hours after Wade called, which meant it was well past time for school to be out; at least Ron thought it was. He always had trouble with time zones, or was it the date lines, he couldn't remember. It was Kim's job to do that.
He adjusted his dark mission clothes and then checked his watch, then looked back out the window extremely nervous. The last time he had been on a mission by himself he had wound up in a frozen wasteland. But he supposed it would be better to be lost in the desert than facing Kim after standing her up.
His pink, hairless mole rat took a peek out of his pocket home to check their progress and then squeaking disappeared back inside his pocket home. Ron reached down and patted his pink friend making an understanding noise then leaning back in his seat.
"Thanks Andy." Ron said without looking away from the landscape.
"Hey, after you...wait, who are you again?" The pilot asked looking over at Ron, suddenly curious about his passenger.
The blonde looked over at him, feeling slightly disgruntled "I'm Ron Stoppable." the man looked at him blankly and Ron sighed trying again "R-O-N S-T-O-P-P-A-B-L-E" The man continued to stare blankly at him. Ron spent the next fifteen minutes saying his name over and over, determined the man had to remember him.
Ron paused and looked out the window, he sighed seeing the building they were headed for rushing towards him, and he looked back over at the man motioning for him to bring the copter to a hover just over the rooftop. The man nodded and did as he had been told, Ron undid the latch on his side of the copter and looked back over at the pilot "I'm Ron Stopp..." he stopped and decided to cut his losses "Oh never mind, I'm Kim's sidekick."
Sudden realization dawned in the pilot's face and he gave thumbs up smiling "Tell her thanks for saving my..." But Ron was already out of the copter and dropping to the ground, a silent anger welling up in him. The helicopter pulled away and zoomed off.
Ron landed on the balls of his feet and rolled into a shoulder roll to absorb the landing, he sprang upwards and landed. The soles of his feet stung and his knees did as well, he ignored that and dusted himself off. He stretched some and then walked over to the side of the roof and looked down.
He grabbed the access ladder and started climbing down, muttering to himself "The next person I run into that can't remember my name I'm going to hit. I swear I will." He reached the last rung and dropped to the ground sighing.
He grumbled slouching his way along the back of the building to the side door and paused knowing it would be locked. He looked around the cramped and dirty alleyway and sighed. He tapped his pocket and Rufus stuck his head out. Ron picked him up and showed him the door and then the open window above it. "Alright Rufus, break in time."
The mole rat nodded and readied himself for the throw; Ron brought his arm back and lobbed him upwards high into the air, then through the small window. Ron sighed and waited, trying to be patient, but he was antsy even though he didn't know why.
The door suddenly swung open and Ron smiling slipped inside the dark loading area, Rufus leapt upwards onto Ron's shoulder and squeaked quietly. Ron looked over at him offering his finger up saying "Booyah." Rufus high fived the finger back squeaking happily.
***
Kim walked along the sidewalk, head downcast, kicking a rock along in front of her. Ron hadn't been there like he had promised he would be. She was feeling a mixture of disappointment and anger, it didn't make any sense he should have been there after school.
She paused and swinging her backpack around she unzipped and dug around for the communicator, she'd check in with Wade. She remembered the thirty cases she had from the last time she turned off the communicator, honestly what had she been thinking.
She watched the screen flicker to life and then flashed the familiar green and yellow KP symbol. She sighed and slinging her backpack over her shoulder starting off again, her thumb was hovering over the button to contact wade. Did she really want to do this without knowing where Ron was?
The decision was made for her when the symbol was replaced with a slightly anxious Wade; she blinked "Er...Hi Wade, I was just about to contact you."
He nodded "Hi Kim. I've been trying to contact you all day, I would have tied in through the schools TV system but Ron told me not to." he paused and typed hurriedly "He didn't want to disturb you while you were doing your quizzes. He swore he could handle the mission on his own."
Kim stared at him in disbelief repeating what she had just heard "He swore he could handle the mission on his own? What mission?"
The genius nodded, his fingers moving rapidly "A Smarty Mart in Ahmedabad, India. Frugal Lucre is threatening the internet."
Kim blinked glaring slightly "That it? He should have been able to handle that and been back by now. I'll be ready in a few minutes."
"Well, his rides kept running out of fuel so when he finally did get a ride it was late." Wade said as he paused in his typing "Kim don't worry, he'll be back soon, after all this is just Frugal Lucre. Promise me you won't interfere, let him try on his own."
Kim reluctantly nodded, chewing her bottom lip; he was going to get an ear full of what she had to say. Wade's satisfied image faded off the screen returning the green and yellow KP symbol. Kim shoved the communicator into her pocket and continued her walk home, kicking a rock as she did.
He was sweet, trying to let her have a day to concentrate on school work and it wasn't like he intentionally broke his promise to be there to met her after school, but he was just stupid sometimes.
***
Monkey Fist watched his monkey ninjas with an appraising eye, separating them into groups. The more experienced ones didn't make a mistake a few of the newer ones slipped allowing parts of themselves to be visible. He would have train them doubly hard to make sure it didn't happen again.
But still, he was thankful that none of the news crews or crowds had seemed to notice them, he wasn't sure why the police had taped off the building, but it would help him with his plan. He motioned for his ninjas to hold and form up around him.
He studied the side door, obviously an emergency exit and opening it would set off an alarm. Unless of course he used Chippy. He didn't have to say a word, the monkey came forward working his magic, instinctively shorting the alarm and picking the lock.
Fist smiled and passed through the opened door, he didn't thank Chippy, but then again his ninja was bowing allowing him to enter first. They others followed him inside, whatever employees that were there ran out of the door as they entered, terrified of what seemed to be going on around them.
Monkey Fist watched them run with disdain and then when the last one had fled he motioned for the door to close and be locked. Once that was done he started assigning guards to the doors, two to the emergency doors and three to the front. He nodded seeing that they were hurrying off and he sent tweleve more off to find any lingering patrons, that done he pulled the Trans-energetic phase indicator out.
He studied the flashing light and holding his case tightly started walking, following its lead. Sure that it would take him to where he wished to go. As of now it was only a matter of minutes.
Yori was flipping through the channels of the TV, her face showing her interest in the shows. She paused leaning forward, she was curious. Ron hadn't been there to walk Kim home, something she knew was odd, he was not one to break a promise to Kim-dono.
Yori felt a little guilty through, Kim had looked so disappointed and for one brief moment she had felt happy, but it had passed. She'd offered a reassuring comment that his parents probably wanted him to do something.
She frowned leaning back into her couch, Bonnie hadn't been so nice. As a matter of fact Yori was sure if she hadn't had tripped the brown haired girl Kim would have blown up and seriously hurt the girl. Bonnie was saying some rather hurtful and foolish things.
"Urgent breaking news, we go now to our foreign correspondent in the city of Ahmedabad India." The newscaster suddenly said, pulling Yori's attention to the news report. The image changed to show a man standing outside a police line surrounding a medium sized building.
"It has been confirmed that the villain Frugal Lucre's new hideout has been located at the opening of the newest Smarty Mart. The citizens are urged to remain calm, Lon Popable the sidekick to Kim Possible is on the scene." The newscaster made an odd face, as if he couldn't believe what he was saying, but he couldn't take it back.
But Yori was uninterested in what he was saying, at least about Frugal Lucre, she was glad to know where Ron was now. However her eyes were widen watching as several shadows moved along the edges of the screen, she knew what and who they were without having to pay much attention.
She felt panic well up inside her, Monkey Fist! Ron didn't know, nobody would know! She turned and fumbled grabbing the phone, hoping that her exchange family wouldn't get upset with her for using the phone. She punched the numbers quickly then listened anxiously while the phone rang.
She stood and paced the room, chewing her thumb lightly, worry racing through her mind. She stopped and seemed to relax slightly "Osamu-san, I need a huge favor."
Shego stood on the sidewalk of idyllic street of Springfield, staring at the image on the TV screen in the store front. She was focused on Monkey Fist, she'd almost missed it, but she'd caught the tail of a monkey disappearing into the shadows of the new Smarty Mart opening.
She looked around muttering to herself "Where the hell is the airport?"
She was amazingly answered by a small girl dressed in a red dress with yellow spiky hair. At least she assumed it was hair; it looked as if it was actually part of her head "The airport is over that way."
Shego turned to look and then blinked wondering how she had missed the medium sized airport, it was just at the end of the block after all. The girl began to drone on about something but Shego ignored her marching off towards it, her mind set on Fist.
Kim was pacing her room angrily, arms crossed. She paused glared at a picture of Ron then turned pacing back the other way, her temper rising but held in check with her worry. He was so dense, he knew better than trying to take on a villain by himself.
She stopped and glared at her communicator, She had promised Wade she wouldn't interfere, let Ron go this one alone. But she was getting on edge, still it was Frugal Lucre, he should be able to handle him easily enough.
She gave up and plopped down on the bed next to her book bag and the blue device, she was going to give Ron a piece of her mind, he should know better. Of course she knew when he came back she wouldn't be upset, now it was just her worry that was making her so angry.
Just as she began to consider laying down the familiar three tones rang out from her device, she snatched it up convinced it would be Wade telling her Ron was on his way home. She was half way right, it was Wade.
He spoke hurriedly not looking up from his keyboard "Things just got complicated Kim." Wade paused and looked up at her, the screen showing a heat readout showing what could only be simian bodies "Monkey Fist and it appears to be two dozen monkey ninjas have snuck into the Smarty Mart where Ron and Lucre are."
Kim was already striding across her room to the closet, she pulled her mission clothes free of their hangers talking tersely "Get me a ride Wade.."
"Already got you one, it'll be there in five minutes." Kim started to say something but found the communicator already off. She didn't even worry about it, just slammed it down on a bedside table and proceeded to dress in a matter of minutes.
Snatching the communicator and her ever useful backpack, she stormed out of her room yelling "Bye Mom, Dad I have to go help Ron." They're voices drifted out of the kitchen saying their goodbye and to take care, but Kim was already out the door and halfway towards the small black jet that was setting down on the road in front of her house.
She eyed it, her face and body language already set into serious mission mode.
***
Ron crept along silently, unable to keep from looking around excitedly. He was in the loading area of a Smarty Mart, a dream come true. He paused briefly to stare longingly at several cases of Pop Pop Porter frozen food. He placed a hand over his heart as did Rufus, both took a moment of silence and then reluctantly Ron turned and continued on looking for Frugal.
He had no clue where to head, but he was listening, any minute he would hear the cackle of Lucre, or the phony sounding Russian accent. "Ten to one," he muttered to Rufus "Francis doesn't even remember my name." His pet patted his shoulder and made a comforting, indistinct noise.
Ron shook his head and stopped, then pressed his back up against the crates and boxes, a voice was drifting through the loading area. "Come on, come on...aww man, why's the system down?"
Ron stifled a laugh, and turning, slinked along towards where he thought the voice was, he tripped several times over his own feet, but just managed to catch himself before knocking something over. He shook his head thinking that the hero business was easier when Kim did it.
He stopped and pressed himself once more against a crate, the voice suddenly closer, he peeked around the corner and spotted Frugal seated at the loading areas desk and computer. He leaned back and looked at his friend "Alright, just you and me. I think we can do this, lets bring this demented smart shopper down."
He readied himself, taking a half dozen deep breaths. He felt sweat beading on his forehead, he didn't wipe it away, this wasn't Drakken or Shego, just Frugal Lucre. How dangerous could he be? He closed his eyes and took a deep breath letting it out slowly as he opened his eyes.
He had just stepped around into the open, mouth open for his witty blast, just as the loading bay doors leading to the rest of the building burst open and monkey ninja's came pouring in. Lucre looked up in surprise and yelled as he tumbled back out of his chair, knocking the computer over so it smashed on the ground.
Ron stood there, watching as the ninjas attacked Lucre who was running around in circles, the only think he could think to say was "Things just got hairy." as the ninjas noticed him and charged.
Monkey Fist walked distractedly down the many aisle ways of the empty store, following the blinking light. He was grumbling, unable to find what he was looking for, nor did it help that he still had five of his monkey ninjas following him. He knew they were under orders from himself to do just that, but it was growing tiring.
He stopped, and turned looking at them. they stared back, but eventually lowered their eyes. He gave a twisted smile and spoke "You three stay here," he gestured three he wanted to stay there, then pointed at the remaining two "You others patrol the aisle ways." They had started to do as ordered when he added quickly "And don't let anyone other than a Monkey Master pass."
The nodded and hurried off and Monkey Fist turned to continue his search, thus he missed Chippy's eyes suddenly looking amused.
It was another ten or fifteen minutes before he finally found himself walking along the pet section, passing cages and glass tanks on either side. Each held a pet of some sort, rats, snakes, rabbits, dogs, cats, and monkeys. But the device's light still didn't stop blinking, much to Monkey Fist's annoyance.
He finally stopped, the light staying steady, he smiled slowly and followed it towards the cages lining the wall. He moved the device slowly, there were five monkeys and no matter which one he pointed it at the light stayed steady and constant. He frowned slightly, but he didn't need it any more for now. He pocketed the device and set his case down on the ground.
He undid the snapping locks and lifted the jade statue out of the padded case and held it aloft. He held it before the first cage which held a small screeching monkey. He preformed his ritual and received nothing for his efforts, undaunted his moved on to the next one to check and see. He would keep trying until he found his monkey.
Ron moved with a mixture of grace and uncertainty as he dodged the blows from the twelve monkey ninjas, he batted away several successive attacks and then ducked a jump spin heel kick.
He stood up immediately after it had cleared and threw a palm heel to the still airborne monkey ninjas chin so that its downward momentum was suddenly changed. Not that he was paying attention, he was already moving driving a right back elbow into another monkey ninja sending them sliding along the ground to sprawl at the feet of the others.
He didn't hesitate, firing his left arm out in a hammer fist so that came into contact with yet another monkey ninjas temple dropping them like a rock. He spun around in time to block another attack to the back and thrust a left palm heel up into the ninjas chin. He snaked his hand around to cup the back of its neck and pulled it down into a knee strike driving the air out of it.
He planted his foot looking around wildly but not for long, he spun throwing a spin heel kick sweeping quite a few ninjas to the side. He brought his foot to the ground and then fell over as a pair of monkey ninja's leapt at him.
They soared over head and he scrambled up from the ground spinning to face them and prepare for the next attack. He was breathing heavily, looking around wildly, there was just too many. He didn't get to rest long as more ninjas came charging towards him.
He waited until the last minute and then stepped back grabbing the ninja on his left by the wrist and flipped him across his path into the group charging on his right, then spun throwing a reverse side kick to the ones charging him head on.
He barely came to a stop before he leapt upwards to avoid even more attacking ninjas, a good amount of those he had not fought with yet sailed under him and he alone himself a smile, but was soon crashing to the ground the air being driven out of him by two monkey ninjas that had thought a step ahead of their brethren and leaped for where he would be when he jumped.
He landed heavily, pain racing it's way up his spine and into his head so that he saw spots before his eyes. He gritted his teeth trying to block it out though he wasn't helped by the two ninjas atop of him throwing blows.
Recovering rather quickly he managed to throw them off and began to stand, making it halfway up then froze eyes wide as he watched a monkey ninja soaring towards him chambering its leg for a flying side kick. He was unable to block, he couldn't even duck or move in time to avoid the kick. He clenched his eyes bracing for the impact of the blow.
Yet the blow never came and Ron slowly opened his eyes, he stared in silence as the remaining monkey ninjas gathered together. But that was not what had the blondes attention. It was the strange man positioned between him and the ninjas.
The man was wide shoulder and taller than Ron himself, he also had long brown hair and a black jacket. He remained unmoving, as if unwilling to take his eyes off the ninjas. Ron stood slowly, unsure of what to expect.
Ron cleared his throat and the man shifted slightly, turning to glance at the boy. Ron was startled to realize the man wasn't a man, he was barely older than himself and he was amazingly pale, almost Shego pale.
"Stoppable I presume?" he asked a thin smile on his face, his blue eyes shining slightly in amusement.
"Wha? I mean yea-" the blonde stopped and shook his head "Who are you?"
The stranger turned back to face the monkey ninjas who were beginning to charged forward for back into battle "Yori sent me, you can call me Osamu."
Ron nodded but didn't respond, instead focusing on the attacking monkey ninja's, questions could wait. He had to get through this fight, still as he kicked a ninja sending it sliding away along the ground he couldn't help but wonder where exactly Monkey Fist was.
___________________________________________________________________________________
AR:
Mayzon: Hey, I'm glad that it has remained up to the standard that you remembered it being.
DragonTidalWaves: Well wait no longer. I give you the long awaited chapter.
ainominako:I am sorry to say, but your wrong by four years. Yes, yes, thank you for pointing those items out. Madam Grammar, I scored on up there on the same test, but its been waaaay to long.
Frederick Aloysius: The longest review yet. Thank you, I truly enjoyed this. So the high comfort factor is what keeps you coming back uh? Good to know. I'm glad the straight up K/R dose is working. Trust me, your not the only one that needs this fluff to balance out the angst to be found in my other story. I write them both to keep myself from going to far either way.
As for Yori, I'm glad her portrayal was excellent. I try to do that with any character I use, just seems to make the story better. Your right she has changed over the course of the story, her core goal is to prepare Ron for what's coming, but her own personal vendetta has blossomed since it appears that Kim and Ron really are in love. As for what Master Sensei would say about her misleading people about dating Ron, we may never know.
Well, call me wrong headed but I know several red heads and they all seem to have a bit of a temper so it just seemed natural that Kim would. As for her not decking Josh; it was only because Ron was closer...besides with Ron decking him it makes it three times worse.
Yes, Ron is both a blessing and a curse; but no worries her life may pull out of it's out of control spiral.
As for Ron being a stronger man than thought; of course he is. He'd have to be, he's loyal to a fault and naive about lots of things. But I'm not so sure I could have resisted but I would have tried. As for keeping the secrets I'm sure I couldn't. Well, Ron considers her a friend and he can't wrap his head around her actions not being kosher.
Now, I hope that this chapter which allowed Ron and Shego both to tie up with Fist fit the bill....and Kim's on the way, so the next one will pick right up in the action so please leave a review.:)
I shall keep it going, but the frightening thing is that it might just end before Betrayal is halfway through, so you may still fall into a huge funk.
OsuwariTetsusaiga: Hey, Yori's suppose to push Ron. He's got to be ready cause the ends coming fast.
charizardag: Nothings up with it, I just like to give guest shots and references to other stories, shows and etc. They're are quite a few of them through out the story though no ones seemed to notice them.
chris-warren876: I am hurrying, but I'm slow for some reason. I wouldn't want to be in his place, because lets face it: Give in and Kim kills you, resist and Bonnie's going to be pissed.
red52: I assume that this chapter will have your approval...but Iunno the fight scenes might be kind of weak.
ss3dj:Thank you and I hope you enjoyed your guest shot.
Spice of Life: Really? Nothing? I am pleased, because if you have nothing to say then I must have done good. I'm surprised at her reaction.
warprince2000: Updated per your request.
A Psychedelic Leviathan: No weirder than the militant leader you had in Blue Wasteland...who funnily enough seemed to hail from there has well if memory serves. And some how, take no offense, but I am not surprised that you did hit people. Ron is Ron, were us, we may not feel remorse for it, but were not as pure hearted as he is. No body likes the super perfect characters, so it was extra fun for me to see Ron hit Mankey.
Monkey Fist: I'm glad you approve. And that your willing to let me use your ships name, I am thankful for that. Would hate to incur your wrath. Shego teases everybody I've noticed, I think she only does it to those she really likes...;)Your quite welcome, besides I like the name. Good day to you too
Yamal: Indeed it is, I wish I could have like I said. Anyway, Shego and Fist are back in the foreground for a pay-per-view. So I hope you enjoy that. ( I though about bringing in Frederick, but alas I could see no real way to do that just yet. But Never fear he might just turn up yet.) I hope the wait for this chapter was worth it...because the next one might be twice as long a wait. And like always your welcome.
AN:
Fight in the Mart!
Now for those of you who are curious to know what the next chapter shall include here is a very breif run down: More fights not all of them taking place in India, Josh developing yet another plot, and last but not least Kim's birthday.
So after next chapter expect to jump ahead from March to April, where some major fluff and frustration shall be found.Also, I think I'll be adding some plot progression, a thing that this entire story needs badly.
Stick around, enjoy the show it might be entertaining. (Disclaimer: all events are subject to being dropped do to the author having a nervous breakdown or just not liking the idea any more. Please, flames are discourages since the authors inbox is not flame retardant.)
Finally words: Leave a review and be patient. I am sorry about the long delay.
Geor-sama