Rising to the Challenge.
Ron waited for the charge. Normally, when fighting guys with knives the thing to do was to take the initiative—but he had the girl behind him and if he went out to meet them, some might get past. He wasn't Hirotaka, let alone Sensei.
But when they reached him, the thugs found out that he was still, very, very good. Ron reached out and grabbed one thug by the wrist, immobilizing his knife. Before the man could realize what was happening, Ron flipped him into the wall where he slid down, and even before he hit the ground, Ron had lashed out with a kick, folding another thug around his leg.
Don't think. Do. Hirotaka had said. It wasn't fighting without thought so much as thought and motion becoming one. Ron didn't see the man charging the girl with the knife and decide to grab and throw him into the others, so much as he saw and did… decision was simply a part of the flow.
Most were down, as he continued fighting, and now the confines of the Alley worked for him, not them, as they stumbled over their unconscious fellows. Then Ron looked up and saw two others at the end of the alley.
Guys with guns. Oh Boy. They raised their guns to open fire and Ron prepared to charge. If he could get to them-
"When I charge you run." He told the child. "Quickly, out of the alley and find someone to call the police." Then something happened. One second they were getting ready to shoot and the next they were sleeping peacefully on the ground, with the shopkeeper, his hands folded, standing passively over them.
"Ron-san… I noticed that you forgot a packet of herbs." He said. Ron was still trying to figure out what he had done.
"You know Rufus… if I live to be a thousand years old…maybe I'll figure out how to do that." He and the shopkeeper quickly tied up the sleeping thugs, and left the alley.
"Come. We should return to my store and call the school…as well as discover where this lovely young lady has come from, and why she needs such a knight in shining armor." He continued, smiling down at the girl, who took his hand.
"Yeah…where are you from?" Ron asked.
"Tokyo, Ron-Sama. My name is Kyoko." She said, giving him big googly eyes.
Oh no. A ten year old is not crushing on me.
"And why are you here, child?" She looked down at the ground and refused to answer the shopkeeper. Ron gave a grin.
"Hey, if I'm going to get beaten up… why don't you tell me why? Trust me, I'm the last one who will go to the police." She looked up at him and smiled.
"I will tell you." She said, "But not him." She said. The shopkeeper frowned, and put his hand over his chest.
"I, Yamatsuke, have been injured unto death. I will walk ahead, looking for my final resting place while you confide in Ron-san." He went ahead, while Ron mentally groaned.
Yep, definitely crushing.
"I am a computer otaku." She said, "I was running on the internet, and I discovered something… strange." Ron nodded.
"New cheat codes for Everlot?" He asked. She looked horrified.
"Never would I cheat at a game like that, Ron-sama." She paused,
"No, I was playing with new encryption routines…" Ron was quickly lost in the discussion of packet routers and other such…strange concepts. I need to get her and Wade together in a few years. He absently thought, "…and that's when I read about the nuclear bombs."
WHAT?! Ron's mind shuddered to a halt. For one thing, people called him obsessive about games (not that he had played any recently), but even he might consider an atom bomb more important than whether or not you cheated at Everlot.
"Back up." Ron said. She looked confused and started to back up. "No, that's ah, a slang—what about the nuclear weapons."
"There was a note in a data store about a shipment coming in from the Vladivostok naval base…soon. I called the police, but then they showed up."
Before the police—or did her call ever get to the cops? She paused, and continued.
"But I was also told to meet some other people, who would not tell me who they were, at the Tokyo Bueno Nacho. Wade-san said they would help me."
"Wade-you know Wade?" Ron said. She gulped and put her hand's to her mouth. "I am sorry—I have violated the laws of Internet secrecy!."
"No! It's, like OK—I know him too!" Although whether or not he's ever going to talk to me after the disappearing act I pulled is another question.
Ron thought. If someone was listening to their communications, calling was a bad idea. If Wade vouched for the others…
Bueno Nacho…. Moved by three, passed by acclamation.
"I'll go with you-wait, no…" Ron groaned, Kim… She'd be going berserk right now, and he couldn't leave her alone to face the night. He'd call Sensei and have the school send the VTOL down, pick the girl up and then return.
Except that wasn't on Sensei's agenda.
"Ron-san." He said on the phone, "I wish you to escort the young lady to Tokyo."
"But the VTOL would be faster." Ron said.
"But not safer—if, as it seems, there is corruption involved, you must consider what others may be corrupt." Sensei paused. "In any case intruding into some of the most heavily defended air space in Japan…" He left the implications unsaid.
"But what about Kim?" Ron asked.
"Yori will stay with her. She will be fine, Ron-san…" A pause, "Please let me speak to the child." Ron put her one the phone, and quickly lost track of the conversation. When Kyoko gave him the phone back, Sensei brooked no argument.
"This is important, Ron-san—and I can think of nobody more suited to it. Do not fear about Kim Possible-san…and be careful."
Don't need to tell me twice. Ron thought as he gave the phone back. Now…how to get into Tokyo.
Use the goons' cars? Nope—for all he knew they had LoJack or some other beacon system. No time to tear them apart to search for it either.
"What about my scooter?" Yamatsuke asked.
"A scooter?" Ron said, That'd take forever…. "Let's look at it."
The Scooter turned out to be a crotch rocket motorcycle. Appropriately enough it was a Kawasaki 'Ninja' that looked like it might decide to up and take off for the moon if you opened the throttle. Ron looked at Yamatsuke.
"That's a scooter?"
"Ah, maybe my English was off. It's useless for groceries, and I feel silly driving it." He looked at Ron. "And in fact, Ron-san…I think it suits….you." Ron blinked.
"Well, I don't have any money on me, but once I get to an ATM-" Yamatsuke shook his head.
"No—It suits you—as a gift." He paused, "I know who you are, Ron-san, and what you and Kim-san have done, and are doing. There is greatness behind, and before you both." He smiled, "And I would be happy if you would let me play a role in it with this gift." Ron stepped back and gave him a full bow, and broke into his best Japanese.
Yamatsuke-sama.> He said, the honor is done to me by your gift. Thank you.> Then Ron, smiling broadly added, If this makes YOU happy?> Yamatsuke smiled back.
Why am I meeting so many brats on such a pleasant day? Begone.>He mock grumbled. Later, as they buzzed off down the road,Ron heard Kyoko giggling.
"What is it?"
"Your accent sounds like a person speaking Japanese with a mouthful of marbles."
"Oh, is it that bad?"
"No! I think it is Kawaii!"
Oh God…
They'd be in Tokyo in a few hours, Ron realized. Then he'd figure out what was going on. Meanwhile Rufus had abandoned his pocket for Kyoko's, and was holding some kind of conversation with the kid. Ron looked up at the darkening sky.
Don't worry Kim, I won't be long.
"Ron's gone!?" Kim said, as she toweled herself off. She'd just finished swimming and in fact felt better than she had in a long time—even the very unfair comparison between Yori's and her own body hadn't dampened her spirits, but this…
"He must be gone for a day or two, no more—he has to deliver a child to Tokyo." Yori said.
"But that means, h-he-he-, I-" Kim stopped and hugged herself. She kept hugging herself for several minutes than started talking again, slowly.
"I don't know if I can sleep alone, Yori…the-th- nightmares…He is there when I try."
"I know, Kim-san…but I will move into the room with you until Ron returns…but you may be surprised. You have grown far." Kim shook her head in denial. Yori sighed.
"Regardless, Kim-san…we have more work to do. Are you ready?" Kim nodded, forcing her fear out of her face, but not her eyes.
Once in Tokyo, Ron felt a very strange feeling. There were too many people! After months at a school where he knew every student, it was…strange. Some looked at him oddly, or maybe it was just his own paranoia Still…. He could handle it. Not only that, but even though it was full dark out, the sky was brightly lit, the neon advertisments, cars and trains going too and fro... he shook his head trying to clear it of the information overload.
Then he saw Mecca…the Grail Castle… Xanadu.
Or as others would call it, Bueno Nacho.
"When were you supposed to meet them?" Ron asked. "Probably should have asked that before." He thought.
"Anytime today—Wade-san didn't give an exact time."
Well, at least we can get some snackkage… Ron thought, pulling the bike up to the racks for bikes and motorcycles and locking it up .
I'm not getting my bike stolen on my first day here.
Inside, Ron and Rufus took some time to inhale the aroma that presented itself before their noses. Kyoko frowned.
"It does not smell very good, Ron-sama." Ron looked down at her.
"You poor, deprived child. I see now why God sent me to you. Come, we shall purchase our first meal of the night." Ron said, trying to adopt Sensei's mannerisms. Kyoko laughed.
"You're funny."
"Well, that too." Ron confessed. "C'mon—let's eat."
Back at the school, Yori watched Kim's sleeping form. Kim had become increasingly worried as the time to sleep grew closer. But not hysterical. Not like she had been in the beginning. Her eyes had been dry with dread when she'd lain down, but she hadn't tried to fight it.
Whether you know it or not, Possible-san, you are winning.Yori continued to wait as the night wore on.
He was putting her in the Coffin. She couldn't get out. Kim tried to fight, tried to struggle, but she was too weak to even move.
"N..nn..nnnoooo" she slurred out. She was alone, she was alone, she was going to-
"Hey KP." A cheerful voice said. Looking up, she saw…Ron? He casually kicked Him into another open grave and reached down and pulled her up to him.
"You're spending way too much time in this dump. Wanna go to Bueno Nacho?"
"But-he'll"
"Never trouble you again, Kim. He's dead." Ron said. Kim looked up and around. The sky was blazing with a light that turned every dawn she'd ever seen into darkness by comparison. Kim suddenly felt free…for the first time in a very long time.
"Are you buying?" She asked Ron.
"That's my KP…" The two strolled off, out of the clearing.
Yori looked down. Kim had started into a nightmare, that much was plain, from the twitching of her body. She'd been about to waken her, when she suddenly relaxed.
What is Kim-san seeing? Yori wondered, as her pinched expression slowly relaxed into a smile, as she sighed and pulled the other pillow, Ron's pillow, to her, inhaling of his scent. Yori smiled. Ah.
Outside, Sensei waited, a smile playing on his face. Kim-san would not be over it all tomorrow, he knew. But with Ron's aid, she'd turned the corner, as this night showed.
"Sleep well." He said in the darkness, before leaving for his own quarters.
Kyoko was surprised. She understood that this young man was the same 'Ron' Stoppable that Wade-san had mentioned many times before but Wade-san had told her how Ronald-sama would gorge himself…but he was not.
For his part, Ron was also surprised at that. Still, the idea of filling himself up until he could barely move was…repugnant. In any case, Naco's were to be enjoyed, not scarfed.
Ron felt their presence before Kyoko noticed them. He looked up and saw several men walking towards them.
"Kyoko." Ron said, softly. The younger girl, involved in drinking her coke, looked up. "Are they the men?"
"I…I don't know." She said, "Wade-san said they would identify themselves as friends."
Or foes when they try to shoot us.
"Are you Kyoko?" The leader asked as the four men came up to their table. (Ron didn't want a booth—too closed in.). Ron stood up, and noted that their hands were empty, but they had shoulder holsters, and their eyes were never still, covering every part of the restaurant.
"Maybe…who are you?" He asked. One of the men looked at him, and then frowned slightly.
"Is it any of your business?"
"Yep. She doesn't leave until I'm satisfied that you are the good guys." One of the men paused, and Ron noticed the radio plug in his ear. So there are more of you.
"Understood." He said softly. "Stoppable. I'm to tell you that we have been in contact with Wade…and if you come outside, all will be explained." Ron looked outside and saw the limo. Saw the limo with two men mounting his bike onto a rack. He tensed.
Great. Now I can't even drive off. Who were these guys?
"Ok…" Ron said, with a large smile. "Just let me get-" One of the men raised his hand, holding a bag.
"Grandie-size Naco, to go. We have soft-drinks in the car." Ron looked down at Kyoko.
"OK!" He bent down and whispered into Kyoko's ear. "Kyoko—if these men are not who they seem, run into the most crowded place you can find and start screaming bloody murder."
"That won't be necessary." Ron glared at the agent. He shouldn't have been able too hear that-right, he probably also had sound intensifiers. Kung-fu or no, Ron Stoppable wasn't going to take these guys out like the Yakuza…especially since there was no back up.
They walked outside, and all of a sudden the buildings and crowds were threatening again. Ron remembered—a big city could be more lonely then the middle of the desert. Three of the men got into the front of the Limo, while the last held the door for Ron and Kyoko. Ron didn't even think of running—the fact that three had left proved there were more around. Besides…maybe these were the ones they were supposed to contact.
Inside, Ron's eyes struggled to adapt to the dark interior after the bright lights of the city. There were two forms at the other end, one slim and feminine one very bulky, though not fat.
Abruptly, there was a flare of light from a slim hand, green plasma dancing around it.
"Looking good, Stoppable." Shego said. "You should have cased the place better…but you're young. How's Kimmie?" Ron's mind went into shock.
"She's…doing good…real good… Shego." Ron said. Shego grinned.
"I'll just bet. I also bet you didn't send a note home yet." Ron shook his head.
"I didn't want to get people in trouble—Kim wasn't watching much news, but I was…and well…" He paused,
"Some of the people Kimmie helped didn't seem overly grateful?" Shego laughed. "Don't forget the lesson—lots of people will sell you out for money, every time—heck, you don't know how hard it was for me to pass up that easy money, knowing where you had gone and all." Ron looked into her eyes, and then smiled. That was a lie, and they both knew it.
"Thanks Shego…for passing up the chance." Shego stretched, showing off her curved form.
"Well, maybe you can pay me for it—mountain air has done you good, woof!" she said, giving him a frankly lascivious look. The other figure moved, and Ron tensed. Right, if Shego was here, then it was time for Drakken to make his appearance.
"Alright, Stoppable, we're already running late, and we don't' have a lot of time." Ron's jaw dropped as the lights came on. Sitting beside Shego, in a dark suit was…
Mr. Barkin?
To be continued.