Next Saturday
Ron was squatting on the ground digging through his bag, "do you have to stare at me?" He asked without looking up.
"There's a wall of lockers between us Ron," Kim sighed and shook her head," how do you know I'm staring?"
"Because I know you," a forced laugh in his voice. "I don't suppose you can tell me something to take my mind off what's to come?"
"You act like I'm setting you up for a firing squad."
"No after a firing squads done the pain is gone, what you've done is insure the pain will continue in my life."
"You are such a drama queen," the redhead laughed, "but I'll humor you. I talked to Wade last night, he thinks he's finally unraveling what happened to the three of you."
"And he didn't call me because?"
"Something about you and Zita staying up all night playing Everlot," shaking her head, "honestly after what you went through I'm surprised you can even look at that damn game."
"Hey, just because it spawned Wraithmaster it doesn't mean we're going to abandon a cool game, I have to admit after you've been pulled into it the game it loses a bit of it's charm."
"I'll bet" a hint of a smile on her face, "anyway Wades pretty sure their aren't going to be any long term effects, at least in the real world."
Moaning slightly, "why do I not like the sound of that," as he slipped off his pants.
"It's not as bad as it sounds, Wade and Monique compared some notes and they think the armor in the game was a result of Wraithmaster not knowing anything about magic, they're pretty sure nothing like that will happen in real life and he can counter it in the games when you go back."
His whole body froze, the new pants halfway up his legs. After a few moments he finally regained the use of his mouth, "'WHEN WE GO BACK," he yelled.
Kim jumped slightly at the sound, "yeah," regaining her composure, "Wade somehow obtained the schematics on the digitizer, I asked him a few times, and his answers were more than a little evasive. To make a long story short, he has the plans, and that's all he seems to need other than a camera hooked into a computer network. You don't even want to know how excited he is over this, he seems to think with a little trial and error he can download himself into his computer and find information twenty times as fast."
"Yeah that's all very good," Ron sighed pulling off his shirt, "but what about me going back in?" pulling her back to the real topic.
"Wade just thinks he can modify the program so we can all enter and keep our armor in the same configuration that it's in now."
Rolling his eyes, "that's something to look forward to," he growled sarcastically.
"I thought you didn't mind the game," pocking fun at her friend.
"I don't," he sighed a weight in his voice, "but I don't like the things I'm forced to do there. Everything feels to real in there, I don't want to be just to kill things."
This wasn't the first time Kim had heard this from him over the last week, his slaying of the Ice Griffon had left a few scars on him emotionally. "I know," the words carrying her full sympathy, "and I'm not expecting you to go back for fun. But you never know this technology might come in handy in the future, I don't want you to write it off or let your fear of it control you."
"It doesn't control me," he growled, "I just don't want to go back," as he slipped his top on.
"Even if it means growing wings again," a smile returning to her lips.
"Meaning?"
"Wade seems to think that, um," rolling her hands, "come on what did he call it," her mind going blank.
"Cheat code, power up, power feather," Ron offered trying to help her.
"Power up, yeah that's it," pointing her finger at where she thought he was on the other side of the wall. "Wades pretty sure it's somehow tied to you now, but only when your digital, the same thing would have happened if it were your character in the game."
"Explains why we couldn't use it last night," shaking his head remembering the slightly embarrassing moment that had nearly gotten him killed in the game.
"Yep, everything that happened wasn't your character it was you so the power up is yours alone. Wades pretty sure it won't work in the real world, something about the needed data only existing in the digital world."
"Lets put that theory to the test shall we," a smile appearing on his mouth, "ancient power deep in side, release the force that would hide, wings of ice that freeze the sky, release one who can not die!"
"You blue?" she asked not sure if she wanted it to work or not given the power already in their care. However a part of her did want to see him in his feathers and fur.
"Nada KP," a little disappointed, "still flesh tone and sans wings. If that had worked I could have just flown out of here and not bothered with this."
"You wish partner, you still owe me for pulling you butt out of a few dozen fires."
"And thus she begins the flame metaphors," lightly banging his head on the locker
"If you don't like it you can leaf," a dark smile on her lips not believing she had lowered herself to using a pun that bad.
"Careful if you start using those words and might grow on you."
"Funny," Shaking her head and looking at her watch. "Looks like they'll be here soon," heading towards the door, "I'll yell when I need you. Oh the final analysis of Wraithmaster came back."
"And?"
"We aren't sure how he came to be, we have no idea exactly what he did, but he didn't seem to stray very far outside of the Glomgold Enterprises mainframe. If he did anything to them is still being checked out but so far he didn't seem to do much but hack the computers at Everlot Inc. Wade found a virtual trail leading to your and Zita's computers but out of those stops we haven't found anything. Wade wants to go over your systems ASAP so you might want to clear some time Sunday. We also don't know what happened to him."
"We don't know what happened to him as in how he was stopped or in we don't know what happened to his data?" he asked darkly.
"They think they know how you three stopped him. If I understand what he was talking about, your weapons either adapted themselves to the environment, or the game adapted them when you were pulled into the game allowing them to work in the game even though nothing there was really real. And while that adaptation worked against everything else somehow because of what Wraithmaster was they couldn't affect him. Wade tried to explain the nuts and blots to me and I was completely lose, something about being sentient and how he processed data, you'll have to ask him. Anyway when you activated the power up you somehow became a highly integrated part of the games programming, thus became something that could effect him on his level. However because of the considerable differences between all of you it was like using a cap gun against a brick wall, but when you channeled your magic through the digital program, it was somehow able to effect him on a level he couldn't fix.
"Uh-hu, your evading the more important second question, is Wraithmaster deleted?"
"That's what Wade originally thought now he's not so sure. I didn't understand all the techno babble but he thinks something hacked the Everlot database just before you delivered your final blow and that might have been linked to the system slow down you mentioned."
"So he could still be out there?"
"Yes," slumping her shoulders a little.
Running his fingers through his hair, "great, it's not like we don't have enough problems as it is."
"Yeah, another reason to let Wade check your system, he's already started installing massive security measures on mine and he'll be moving on to the others soon, not to mention warning my parents and Global Justice who can hopefully protect themselves from Wraithmaster."
"You really know how to ruin a mood KP," he sighed
"Think of it this way, regardless I just said people were going to get hit today, now you have a better reason to do it."
"Oh yes now can have that time honored and much respected title of skirt beater on my resume."
"Don't worry, if they're smart they won't be wearing skirts."
"KP, think about some of the girls on the squad, some would rather risk death than not look glamorous."
The head cheerleader opened her mouth to spit out an insult for such a stereo typical remark, but then shut her mouth as she realized a few of the girls were that shallow. "Just come when I call ok," walking out the door and bothering to listen to his response.
As she expected a few girls were already in the gym, and much like last week a few were way to dressed up for what she had planed. A quick count told her about half the squad was there and checked her watch again, 'ten minutes till we start this,' she sighed to herself, not looking forward to fight she was to come from the girls.
"So what are we doing today," Bonnie asked coming up behind her, the Earth Knight's voice low so only the pair could hear.
The redhead smiled, "you'll see," not looking back, trying to keep the public's sense of animosity the pair had forged over many years intact.
"Looking forward to it," she whispered as she walked past Kim. Kim was more than a little glad Bonnie's hair was returning to normal, the white-blond having faded to a light brown that in another week would probably be nearly unnoticeable. That is of course if she didn't dye her hair before then, given two other girls on the squad now had the same style, and there were talks of others following the growing trend.
'How the hell did she turn that into the new sensation,' shaking her head, 'this is the girl that made the pink poof look good,' a little voice in her head sounded of, causing a little growl to escape her throat at the thought.
Bonnie was decked out in slightly worn, but comfortable and slightly tight shirt and shorts that were tight enough to keep them up but loose enough to allow her a full range of movement along with old tennis shoes and no make-up. Kim on the other hand had a slightly more professional pair of martial arts pants on and a form fitting full body tank top to emphasis she was the boss. But regardless they were the only two in the gym that looked like they were ready for the kind of day Kim had planed, seeing way to much spandex, jewelry, and the general attitude that they'd be bolting in a few minutes to go to the mall or find their respective boyfriends.
Sighing and doing a quick check of the mats and a few other things she'd need during the day including avoiding a few questions from various girls on the squad as to when they could leave.
Checking her watch she looked up, "and it's time," she barked out, her voice carrying to the assembled cheerleaders, "so come here so we can get this started." After a few moments Bonnie was the only one that walked over to her and Kim sighed, "You can work with me now or Barkin later, make you call cause if we aren't doing anything and he walks in you get to do this again next Saturday." That brought the assembled girls over in a hurry.
"Ok it looks like everyone's here, as I already said our Saturdays for the foreseeable future are on the line, so I'm hoping that enough incentive for everyone here to work with me." Earning her a collective yelpof agreement from the assembled girls. "Good then that will make this easier…"
"Easier than doing cheers all day," Tara yipped
Kim just gave the Tara a sideways look and determined she was sincere, "meaning?"
"Mr. Barkin gave you free reign so we'll just end up doing cheers all day right, or can we just sit around and talk, or leave."
Kim just looked at her bewildered and started to get frustrated when several of the girls agreed with her. Giving out a sharp whistle to cut through the noise and regain their attention, "Ok," sighing, "I don't know what you've been hearing, or think is going to happen, but this is what the day will consist of. I'm going to be teaching all of you various self defense techniques, how far we get is dependant on your skill. If I think for one moment your holding back or faking it, I will go to Mr. Barkin, and we can all learn from him next week."
"You have got to be kidding, I thought you were our friend," a slight growl in Lisa's voice.
"I'd like to think I am, but it's my job to train you, to give you something that might save your lives and I'm not going to write it off. Besides in case you've forgotten Mr. Barkin is going to do random checks through out the day, and if we're not working, that kinda blows your idea."
The remark earned a dark look from Lisa who none the less backed down, "so what about your boy friend," more than a little venom in her voice.
'Damn is that what I sound like,' Bonnie thought giving the other girl a quick look.
"Ah yes Ron," a little smile on him lips, "GET OUT HERE!"
It took a few seconds but the doors to the gym cracked, "don't suppose I can talk you out of this?" the blonds voice asked.
"Nope," as the Fire Knight flipped her pony tail.
"To which I can only say, I double everything I called you over the last few hours, and I really don't want to do this."
"And yet I still don't care," a laugh in her voice, earning her a growl from behind the door. "What was that?"
"Yes boss," he growled pushing open the door and walking into the gym in a white gi. A few of the girls stared at him, along with a few laughing at him, and a few calls of, 'what is he wearing, and 'he's trying to hard.'
Turning to the, "I got in Japan, it was a gift from the school I was transferred to for a few days, you should remember it wasn't that long ago."
"Right that was the best week of my high school life," Lisa called earning her a dirty looks from the collected knights and a few cheers of the assembled girls.
"Ron," Kim's voice even as she did the come here motion with her fingers. "Ok everyone, this is what's going to happen, Ron is going to assist me in a small demonstration, after which we'll be getting to work. Now I need you to understand I don't expect any of you to replicate what I'm going do today, it's not that everyone here can't with some time and training, it's simply that you lack two things. The first being the experience level I have, the other being a partner," waving up and down Ron's body. "You have to understand that Ron and I have been working together for a long time, and in such time we have developed a trust that can't be quickly duplicated, now I ask that you watch closely because we will not stop in the middle. It's not that we can't, but I've been known to go slightly blank when I fight, and I might not notice. To that extent, if we leave the mat it's best if you stay out of our way because I can't really be sure what will happen. So if you have any questions ask me now."
A few hands went up, "serious questions," she sighed watching most of the hand lower, "Hope," point at the only hand left in the air.
"How dangerous is this going to be for us?"
"The actual training? That all depends on if you take it seriously and if those individual your working with do like wise. This demonstration on the other hand, well I can't really say. " Turning away from others, "ready Ron," as she slipped into a fighting stance.
"Quick question," glancing at the girls with his peripheral vision, "slow medium, fast, or us?"
"Do you even have to ask, us."
"Very cool," a little smile on his face as he slipped into a fighting stance.
"Twenty bucks says Ron ends up running out of the room crying," Lisa hissed, a dark smile on her lips. "You in Bonnie?"
"I don't think so, I wouldn't be surprised if Possibles been using him as a punching bag for years," Bonnie whispered leaning over to her, 'sit back and enjoy the show, it's going to be good.'
"Ready," Kim asked
"Always," a smile on his face as she leveled a round kick in his direction, which he quickly side stepped and was ready for her follow up punch as he side stepped again.
"Good," the words barley audible from Kim and she retook her stance. The pair circled for a few seconds then she struck throwing two kick jabs at his head moving in fast and darted back. A quick body shift and slipped to the ground for a leg sweep, and hit nothing as he did a quick back flip out of the way. A little spin brought her back to her feet to face Ron.
Not letting up Kim threw another jab, which he backed away to avoid and followed it up with a heel kick to his face, a strike that was blocked by his arm and pushed away.
A few of the cheerleaders watching gasped at Ron's move not thinking he could do something like that.
"This is probably a routine," Lisa slightly barked, "this is probably just a tumbling routine," trying to reassure herself as much as the girls.
The two fighters heard the words but ignored them as Kim threw another round kick at Ron's body, a strike Ron caught rather than blocking. A smile shot across Kim face as he took her bait and shifted her hips and jumped launching another round kick at him and connecting with Ron's face forcing him to let her go and resulting in the pair falling to the ground. A quick roll and push shot Kim back to her feet and into another fighting stance and darted back intent on keeping her distance, while Ron just lay on the ground.
"He's done," Lisa quipped putting her hands behind her head.
Kim on the other hand kept her distance and watched him, "your not fooling me," her words controlled but with a hint of anger.
"Never did play possum well," the Forest Knight growled rolling over and spring boarded back to his feet, "but you can't blame a guy for trying."
Raising an eyebrow, "did you honestly think that as going to work again?"
"I had hopes," his response a little flippant.
"Yeah, save um, now stop messing around and give it to me."
"Your word, my command," a smile on his lips and he sprinted in and jumped turning into a side kick which the redhead sidestepped just he he'd anticipated and pulled his jump shot. Planting his legs on the ground and pushing off delivering an forearm to her midsection. Using the force of his strike Kim arced backwards into a flip bringing her feet into his jaw and sending him into the air. After a moment he landed with a thud and rolled back to his feet ready for her next attack.
Rubbing his jaw slightly, "I keep forgetting you can do that now," laughing a little at the situation and charging back in. He set he up with a round kick and waited for the side step, a quick spin and foot shift let him plant a sidekick into her open abdomen and forcing her to slide a few feet back on the mat.
Exhaling sharply Kim back flipped away from him and leaving the mat, glad to see him following with a falsely thinking he was in control. A few additional flips put her in range of the wall and spun in midair and letting her face the wall when she hit the ground. Using the momentum of the spin she jumped letting her foot bite into the wall and turned into a round kick which connected with his face sending him to the ground.
A quick roll and half flip put Ron back on his feet just in time to catch her knee in his ribs sending him back on to back and sliding across the smooth floor. Releasing a sound of joy Kim brought her leg up along her body, holding it for a second, unintentionally showing off her flexibility, before bring the leg straight down towards Ron's body. A strike that missed it's mark as Ron blocked it with both arms, then pushed off the floor with his foot and turned his body on it's side and pushed himself forwards sweeping Kim's leg out from under her and bring her to the ground as well.
For a moment both lay there grabbing a few breaths as the cheerleaders watched in disbelief. With a grunt Ron forced his body back up pushing off the ground with his leg and spinning on his shoulders before rolling back to his feet and hopped back near the wall, knowing full well Kim could counter him if he attacked now.
Laughing a little Kim just pushed herself up with her hands and took another fighting stance, "I can't believe you did that," shaking her head slightly, "you watch way to much wrestling," recognizes the signature move.
"Mock me all you want, you still haven't won," hopping lightly from foot to foot. Just as he expected she threw a round house at him. He darted back and spun his body and jumped his foot finding a hold and sending him flying into a flip over her arm. It wasn't hard to grab her shirt as he was over her and pull her back shifting his body bringing his feet to her back and rolling on his back as he hit the ground then pushed off with his feet and released her sending her fling through the air her body landing on the mat with a small slide.
"Crap," Kim hissed using the falls momentum to propel herself back to her feet, "when the hell did you learn that."
"Been practicing that for a while, I saw it on TV once and figured it might come in handy someday," shrugging his shoulders and he stepping back onto the mat.
"Your getting crafty in your old age," she laughed as she darted in, and the pair quickly started trading blows and kicks, almost dancing as they read each others movements and predicted the outcomes. The majority of the time they were dead on and avoided the attack, but every so often the other would surprise them a land a clean hit. For several minutes the pair traded strikes, the world around them falling away, as their whole world became each other. Finally Ron hit the ground, sliding on his back and just lay there, sweat running down his face, after a few moments he started laughing, joined a few moments later by Kim.
"Ready to call it," the Fire Knight called
"Give me a few minutes I can go another round or two."
Standing over him and shaking her head, "if we keep going there's not going to be anyone to teach them," as she jerked her head to the stunned crowd as she lowered her hand to him..
Mulling it over in his head, "fine, but this doesn't count as me losing," he growled as he accepted her hand and was pulled to his feet.
Turning Kim faced the sufficiently stunned entourage, 'bingo,' a dark smile momentarily flashing across he face. Clapping her hands and bringing the girl back to reality, "Ok here's how the day is going to go, you'll be split into two groups, one lead by me the other by Ron. We'll be teaching you various basic self defense and combat techniques, in addition to a few moves that we've come to rely on through experience. Depending on how well you do at the end we'll have a small sparing session, refereed by Ron and myself."
Looking out over the crowd the pair could tell the team was far from happy about the situation. Ron lightly elbowed Kim in the side and whispered, "bonus."
Nodding, "there will also be a small incentive for all of you to perform. Provided we get to the sparing stage, whichever team wins the most matches well get to collectively get to decide our routines for the next competition. So since I know a few of you have been complaining about not getting the choice parts in the routines, or simply think they can think of a better performance here your chance. And before you say anything Bonnie," a little smile I Kim's mouth, "if my team wins I'll be willing to take an advisory role, however you will be on Ron's team."
The Earth Knight gave the redhead a small grin, "given what I just say that might not be a punishment."
Shaking her head, "OK," Kim called out, "these are the people working with Ron, Bonnie, Tara…."
Later that night the five Knight and Monique sat around Kim's room laughing.
"You should have seen it, I'm pretty sure Ron traumatized a few of them," Bonnie laughed.
The Forest Knight glared at her as he leaned back, "I wasn't that bad."
"Tell that to the girls you put the sleeper hold on."
"Hey, that's a time honored technique Rocky," pointing a finger at her, "and that pretty much won us the competition."
"And here I thought it was me."
"That too," as they high-fived each other.
"We all know you won, stop rubbing it in," Kim mock growled, "I still can't believe how you looked out there Bonnie, I actually though you were just learning half of those moves."
"Well I kind of was Ms. take off you jewelry and shoes," shacking her head, "I thought I knew part of those moves inside out, but as soon as I took this off," tapping her transformed mace, "it felt like half my mind vanished."
"That's what happens when you rely to much on objects and not enough on yourself," a smug look on Will's face.
"Can we not start this argument again," Zita moaned.
"Oh but it's one of my favorites," Ron whined with a laugh.
"You guys should have seen Mr. Barkin when he came in to check on us and say Ron putting a Tara in a arm lock. I thought his head was going to explode, he started screaming about law suits and sexual abuse. It took us almost twenty minutes to calm him down.."
Monique just shook her head, "the next week is going to be great, I can't wait to see what people end up thinking of Ron."
"They'll think the same thing they always do," Ron sighed, "just watch by the end of the week people are going to write it off as a performance piece. As far as everyone at that school is concerned I've have been a spineless loser my entire school life, and a few hours of me teaching cheerleaders to bust some skulls isn't going to change that, and personally I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Then why is it you try to become popular every few weeks," Kim jabbed.
"Passing folly, besides I've lived your life remember," reminding her of the brain switch, "being popular is to much work, as I have enough problems in my life without adding more."
"Still," a sly look on Will's face, "if your reputation as a fighter flourish, I might need to borrow you."
"Football team?"
"Among other things….."
Authors note- yeah kind of a crappy ending, but the more I wrote the more I lost sight of where I wanted this to end so I'm just killing this chapter off. Just assume they went off talking into the night. Will Ron's little demonstration with Kim change anything? Of course not we've seen enough eps- him going evil, him getting 'smart', him being Kim, by the end of the ep everything at school is back to status quo. So why did I do it, I just thought it'd be a cool way to end the set up.