10100001010011011011110101Chapter 610011011011111011101110110111
1001101111011010Neodammerung part 3: Armageddon's Eve001011010101
This is my life
its not what it was before
all these feelings I've shared
and these are my dreams
that I'd never lived before
somebody shake me
cause I
I must be sleeping
Now that we're here,
it's so far away
all the struggle we thought was in vain
all in the mistakes,
one life contained
they all finally start to go away
Now that we're here its so far away
and I feel like I can face the day
I can forgive
and I'm not ashamed to be the person that I am today
These are my words
that I've never said before
I think I'm doing okay
and this is the smile
that I've never shown before
Somebody shake me cause I
I must be sleeping
Now that we're here,
it's so far away
all the struggle we thought was in vain
all in the mistakes,
one life contained
they all finally start to go away
Now that we're here its so far away
and I feel like I can face the day
I can forgive
and I'm not ashamed to be the person that I am today
I'm so afraid of waking
please don't shake me
afraid of waking
please don't shake me
Now that we're here,
it's so far away
all the struggle we thought was in vain
all in the mistakes,
one life contained
they all finally start to go away
Now that we're here its so far away
and I feel like I can face the day
I can forgive
and I'm not ashamed to be the person that I am today
- 'So Far Away' by Staind
"I can't believe it's almost over," Morpheus said from the observation level of Jericho.
"I know, Morpheus," Niobi said from his side, "This time tomorrow, all those black clouds should be completely cleared away, and us or them will be left standing."
"Let us hope it is not them," Morpheus said, his eyes dancing with worry.
"Ron won't let us down," Niobi said without an ounce of doubt in her voice.
"I've no doubt about his leadership," Morpheus stated in agreement, "But the Machines have had control for so long, I can only fear they would be expecting this."
"You worry too much, honey," Niobi leaned up and kissed Morpheus softly, "now, lets go rescue him from the Fleet Captains, it's almost time for Kimmie's appointment."
Morpheus nodded and the two exited the observation deck.
----
"No, they'll be expecting that," Ron said motioning to an area of the large map laid out across the table before him. He glanced around the group of older ship captains and once again the intimidation factor weighed down on him again.
"W-What if we just send a line forward, three fourths of the fleet. It will draw their fire. While the machines are distracted with them, we'll send the remaining ships around the side and hit them with their back turned." Ron said, pointing to the map.
"Three fourths of the fleet for a decoy?" one of the captains scoffed, "That's just not logical!"
"Exactly," Morpheus said walking in and clamping a hand on Ron's shoulder. "Logic. Logic is what the machines have. They don't understand illogical choices. It's an excellent plan I'd say."
Ron smiled gratefully to his mentor, "Also it would be best to have the slower moving yet heavier armed group to do the sucker punch, while the faster ships play decoy, that way they can slip out of the line of fire and counter attack."
The group nodded, several smiles playing on many of their faces. "My I suggest we recess this meeting, The One has other matters to attend to just as important as the battle strategy." Morpheus said pulling Ron toward the door.
"Take care of Mrs. Stoppable and the kids, Stoppable," Capt. Barkin chuckled, giving Ron a mock salute.
"Still can't get used to KP being called that," Ron smiled as he walked out of the ready room beside Morpheus.
"She seems more then happy to bare your name, my friend," Morpheus said as they strolled down the hallway.
"She should be leading this attack," Ron shook his head, "She's the hero, without my powers … I'm just the sidekick … the decoy …"
"You sell yourself short," Morpheus smiled at the young man, "You have come along way in a not very short time. When we pulled you and Kim from the tanks, you were a boy with low self-esteem and afraid to step out of Kim Possible's shadow. That boy is no longer here."
Morpheus then stopped and grabbed Ron's shoulders making him face him, "Did you not hear yourself in there, that was genius."
Ron shrugged his shoulders. "That was Davis and Aeris, they had a thing for chess and strategy …"
"But YOU used the knowledge they had to formulate a plan that could actually win, you, a man whom everyone in this city and in the ships floating above it are willing to follow all the way to hell if it comes to that." Morpheus stated firmly, "Ronald, when will you realize you are no longer in Kim Possible's shadow, you aren't even behind her any longer, if anything she is now standing behind you." Morpheus squeezed his shoulders lightly, "Ronald, I believe in you. Our fighters believe in you. Kimberly believes in you. Don't you think it is about time to believe in yourself as we do?"
"Thanks, Morpheus," Ron smiled shyly.
"It is I who should be thanking you, my friend," Morpheus slapped his back, "Come the mother of your future children awaits, and you know how her mood swings have been lately…"
"Should I tell her you said that?" Ron smirked.
"Should I tell Niobi about the photos you made in the construct for Trin?" Morpheus replied knowingly.
"You know about that?" Ron gulped.
"I shall remain silent, if you do the same."
---
Kim sighed as she finished drying her hair and dressing in her usual gray one strap tank top and lose fitting pants. She sat down roughly with a huff on her and Ron's bed. She reached down and began buckling her boots when the thought struck her. "In just a little while I won't be able to bend over and do this …"
She then chuckled at the thought of Ron trying to buckle her boots for her, "Maybe I should invest in some new, easier tied shoes …"
Kim finished dressing and looked at herself in the mirror from the side. She hadn't started showing yet, but she could see a slight swelling start. Though she wasn't sure if it was real or her mind playing tricks.
She walked out of the apartment and started toward the medical complex for her appointment when a voice spoke behind her. "Where you off to in such a hurry, KP?"
Kim rolled her eyes and turned to face Josh Mankey, "I've asked you once, and told you countless times. Don't call me that."
"It's a free world, Mrs. Stoppable," Josh smirked confidently, "That is unless that husband of yours fails."
"Ron won't fail," Kim growled in irritation, "I believe in him and I know he won't let us down."
"Oh so he knocks you up and you believe in him all of the sudden?" Josh asked, and was answered with a hard slap.
Kim turned on her heel and stomped off, "He may have you now but I have what he can never have." Josh chuckled when Kim stopped and stiffened, "I had you first, I was the first to see you in pure pleasure, and I know one way or another you'll always compare him to me."
Kim spun around and gave Josh the mother of all death glares. "You know nothing," Kim hissed, her knuckles turning white from her tight fists.
"I know plenty, like the night we made love on your birthday," Josh said, smiling when Kim's anger melted to a look of pale shame, "I knew he was in that closet, I saw him when we came in. And I saw him leave after you fell asleep. And the look on his face when he looked at you sleeping on my chest … I've never seen a person look so broken in my life …it was priceless."
Kim this time responded with a large right cross to his cheek sending the blonde to the ground. Before he could react Kim was on top of him pulling him up off the ground by the collar, "I almost forgot, Kimmie, you do like it on top huh?"
Kim with a cry of rage began pummeling the boy with everything she had. "Kim!" Niobi called walking around the corner to find Kim pinning Josh down.
"Kim calm down!" Niobi said pulling Kim to her feet and away from the now bloody Josh.
Kim relaxed slightly but was still incredibly angry. "Josh, Ron is twice the man you'll ever be!" she shot angrily.
"Of course," Josh flashed a bloody smile, "Ron's The One, How am I supposed to compete with that. Just goes to show you only love power, Kim, which I knew all along!"
"Don't listen to him," Niobi said glaring at Josh, "Lets get you to your appointment." She said leading the now deep in thought Kim down the hall.
'Is he right?' Kim thought as they entered the elevator.
---
"Ok, Mrs. Stoppable, just lay back and relax." The healer sad as she smeared the cool gel over Kim's belly. Kim glanced over at Ron who was standing at her side nervously, stroking her hand gently.
"It's going to be ok, KP," Ron said in a slightly trembling voice.
"Ron," Kim chuckled, "They're not going to hurt me! It's just a ultrasound."
"Ok, stay perfectly still," the healer said as she pressed the cold microphone on Kim's belly, Kim and the healer watched the monitor carefully as she moved it around her tummy. "Ah, there they are … two growing beauties!" the female healer cooed, before glancing back at the couple. "Uh oh …" she said pressing the intercom button, "We're going to need smelling salts in here."
"But, I'm fine?" Kim blinked in confusion.
"Not for you dear," the healer smiled, "For the father." She said pointing at Ron who was now sliding down the wall.
The Healer helped the barely conscious Ron into a chair next to Kim, who reached for Ron's hand. "Save the majority of mankind without a flinch … but faints at the thought of me in pain …" Kim whispered gripping his limp hand.
Kim smiled lovingly at her husband who was now officially out like a light.
"Just goes to show you only love power, Kim, which I knew all along!"
Josh's words echoed in her mind again, but now she had a counter for it. Kim loved his unruly blonde hair, loved every one of his freckles decorating his cheeks. The way his eyes lit up when he smiled at her. The way he held her at night. The way he was so gentle when they made love. It had nothing to do with his power. She didn't love The One; she just loved Ron Stoppable.
---
Kim moaned as she slowly opened her eyes. She mentally thanked God there wasn't any morning sickness yet. But she wasn't going to mention anything so not to jinx it. She glanced at the clock. "Five thirty AM …" She let out a sigh before rolling over to cuddle with her husband but blinked in surprise to find him not only missing but the side of his bed made up.
"Ron?" Kim asked sitting up and stretching her arms over her head. "Ron where are you?"
When there came no reply she climbed out of bed and quickly dressed before walking out of the apartment. She walked toward Morpheus and Niobi's apartment and smiled when she saw Morpheus leaning against the railing overlooking the innermost of the city. "Good morning, Morpheus," Kim greeted as she approached her mentor.
"Good morning, Kimberly," Morpheus replied with a gentle smile, "How are we feeling this morning."
"All three of us girls are feeling great," Kim smiled patting her belly, "Have you seen Ron?"
"I have in fact," Morpheus said stepping away from the railing. "I saw him heading toward the birthing station."
"Birthing station?" Kim asked blinking in confusion.
"Yes, before we built this city, this was a factory where the machines 'manufactured' human children," Morpheus explained, "There is a good chance you were produced here."
"As my husband would say …" Kim gulped, shaking her head, "Sick and wrong, sick and wrong …"
"Come with me," Morpheus shook his head, "Let us find him."
---
Ron stood over a small birthing tank, grunting and groaning as he held his hands over the working machines inside the pink-slime filled tank. Electricity flashed between his fingers as he strained every muscle in his body and his mind focusing on his task. He's usually brown eyes flashed an electric blue as raw energy flowed through his body as he manipulated the Source, the core power of all the Machines.
"Almost … got … him …" Ron growled as sweat ran down his face and back, making his jumper stick to his body. "Just … a … little … bit … more …"
"Ron? Ron! What's wrong?" Kim asked worriedly seeing his stated, as she and Morpheus ran to his side.
"On second!" Ron snapped narrowing his eyes on the tank in concentration, "I'm … Not … Leaving … Him … Alone …" Ron said growing louder with each word, "It's done …" Ron whimpered before he collapsed into Kim's arms as the machines slowly silenced.
"Ron!!" Kim cried out in fear, as she caught him and eased him to the floor.
"Ron what did you do?" Morpheus asked, going to the young heroes' side.
"Just … brought back … an old … friend …" Ron said, weakly opening his once again brown eyes.
"Huh?" Kim asked before following his gaze to the birthing tank.
"Come on … out … pal …" Ron smiled as a small figure slowly climbed from the fluid. His small pink figure, still with a cable attached to the back of his head and belly, slowly rose from the slime and blinked his week black eyes open.
"Ohhh … no feel good …"
"RUFUS?!?" Kim gawked at the pale naked mole rat.
"I think … I saved … how I used that to make the animals … in the birthing computer …" said hoarsely as Morpheus unhooked Rufus, "Maybe now we can have meet … for my taco surprise …" He laughed.
"Unbelievable …" Morpheus said cradling the weak rodent.
"That's Ron," Kim said, holding her now sleeping husband, "never underestimate him."
"I'll get Rufus taken care of," Morpheus said, as Kim lifted Ron with one arm over her shoulder. "You get Ron to bed and rested, tonight's the night."
Kim turned slightly pale, but nodded and started out of the birthing center. She entered the elevator with her dazed husband praying that they'll live long enough to see their daughters.
TO BE CONTINUED …
A/N: now I need you readers' help. I am really up for suggestions for the names of Ron and Kim's twin daughters. Your help and suggestions will be noted and appreciated. Later folks! Two or three chaps to go!