Again, many thanks to all who are reading and especially to lab1152, ron-sama, charizardag, mattb3671, campy, and WhiteLadyoftheRing for their reviews. If you haven't reviewed but have thought of posting your thoughts, please give it a whirl!
You know the drill. If you saw it on KP, Disney owns it. Life just ain't fair ...
I.
Two security guards escorted James Possible from the auditorium. He walked tall, his jaw set as he was led past colleagues, some of whom gawked, some of whom looked away in embarrassment, and, a few of whom had the decency to look him in the eyes and communicate their sympathy. In his lab, he found that all of his personal effects had already been placed in a cardboard box. He was then led to the front door of the Space Center and directed to proceed to his car and immediately leave the Center's property.
As he inserted and turned the key in the car's ignition, James recalled how Drake had explained that going forward the Space Center could not afford to have anyone associated with the Hephaestus Project remain an employee, since it was bad for public relations. Firing James, he reasoned, would show people in Washington that the Space Center was turning over a new leaf. Drake said he hoped James could understand why he needed to be sacrificed; it was for the good of the organization. James Possible could understand the man's logic and was almost sympathetic, given his devotion to the Center; but the way he was let go was stunning, and overwhelmed any understanding he might have had. Twenty-two years of service, callously brushed aside. And though James Possible was shocked, he could still tell that his dismissal was part of a message that Drake was sending to everyone else at the Space Center: things would be done differently from now on. James knew he'd been sacrificed on the altar of expediency.
James was wracked by conflicting emotions: anger, humiliation, confusion. He had worked at the Space Center for more than two decades, ever since he received his doctorate, doing what he loved. And now it was gone. He wasn't even sure where to go. The Medical Center? He thought he would at least let Ann and Kim finish their days before he burdened them with his news. Home? The twins wouldn't know what to make of his being there during the middle of the day, and he wasn't ready to upset them yet, either. So he drove around Middleton aimlessly, until he found himself pulling into the parking lot at the synagogue.
James respected Rabbi Katz. He knew that Kim and Ron both thought highly of the clergyman. In years past the rocket scientist would have talked with the minister at his church. But J.W. had retired after more than 40 years, and James didn't really care for his successor. He walked into the building, announced himself to the receptionist, and took a seat. Katz came out a few moments later.
"Dr. Possible, an unexpected pleasure! Please come into my study," he said with a warm smile and outstretched hand, as he led his visitor to his office. "Can I get you some coffee or tea?"
"No thank, you," James replied, as he took a seat. What he really wanted at that moment was a double Scotch.
Rabbi Katz could sense that his visitor was agitated. Though curious as to why Dr. Possible had come to see him, rather than the minister at his own church, he was happy to spend time with the man. Katz was grateful for the influence Kim was having on Ron. While the rabbi usually frowned on inter-faith dating, in the case of Kim and Ron, he saw how deep and unique a bond the two teens had developed. In fact, Katz was fearful that there might be some problem involving Ron and Kim. Gently, he finally asked, "Dr. Possible, what's the matter?"
James looked at his shoes for a moment, then slowly turned to Katz and said quietly, "I was fired today. Twenty-two years on the job and I was fired. My belongings were put in a box and I was marched to the door like some criminal." The scientiest was fighting to maintain his composure, but finally lost. Katz sat quietly, until Dr. Possible was able to collect himself.
"You loved your job, didn't you?"
"It's all I ever wanted to do," James replied.
"And now you're not sure what to do next," Katz stated. "And you're worried about your family and what they might think. And to top it off, you've never dealt with real failure before."
James looked at Rabbi Katz for a moment, then said, "This is why they pay you the big bucks, isn't it?"
Katz grinned, "I only wish it were big bucks. My mother was right. I would have done much better as a doctor." The rabbi adopted a more serious tone. "Unfortunately, I don't have a list of easy answers to address your concerns. This new director sounds like a piece of work. I could say that you're better off not working at the Center now, but that would be facetious. I will say that you got a bum rap and you have every right to be angry and depressed. It's normal. If you feel lost, that's okay. Take some time if you can. Sort through your feelings, think about what you want to do next.
"To be honest," Katz continued, "I really don't know you, Dr. Possible. But I have met your daughter. And if she's anything like your wife, then you'll have a great support in Mrs. Possible. Turn to her. She'll have your back, as the kids like to say. Rely on your family. From the one Possible I do know, I feel confident saying that they'll be there for you."
James thanked Katz for his counsel and got up to leave. As he was heading to the door, the rabbi said, "By the way, if you want to talk again, feel free to stop by. And if you think you'd like to hit something, let me know. We can go to my gym and knock the stuffing out of the punching bag." Katz noticed the look of surprise on the scientist's face and smiled. "I used to be an amateur boxer. Golden Gloves, Bantam weight. I still enjoy keeping in shape. Besides, being a clergyman isn't just two hours of worship a week and golf. I'm on call 24/7. Sometimes this can be a stressful job and hitting something just feels good!"
II.
Ron ran across the bridge and into the Yamanuchi school precincts. He had just completed 20 miles with a sack of sand strapped to his back and was ready to collapse. He had only been able to finish the run by imagining that Kim would be waiting there, ready to give him a massage. Entering the courtyard, harsh reality intruded: Kim was 6,000 miles away. His heart sank; he was missing her terribly. But he took comfort from the fact that she would probably be impressed with what she saw when he returned home: he was fitter and leaner than he'd ever been before and all of the training had improved his coordination to a remarkable degree.
Ron dropped the burden from his shoulders and sat down on the bench beneath the tree to catch his breath. Sensei sat down besides him.
"How do you feel Stoppable-san?" the old man asked.
Ron looked at his teacher. He wondered just how disrespectful a full dose of sarcasm would be at that moment. He felt like he'd been worked over by the bullies of D Hall. However, rather than be snide, he chose to be truthful. "I feel lousy. Tired. Sore. And, to be honest, I miss Kim more than I ever thought possible." Ron sat with his arms resting on his knees, his head hanging down.
"Your honesty is a source of strength, Stoppable-san," Sense said sympathetically. "Do not lose faith. You may be tired, but you have done remarkably well these past weeks. I am sure that Possible-san will be very proud of what you have achieved."
Ron looked at his teacher, "That may be, Sensei. But I gotta tell you, I can't imagine doing this for another two weeks."
"You will not have to, Stoppable-san," his teacher said.
Ron perked up. A change in the program? he thought. Have I made so much progress that I'm getting time off for good behavior. Maybe I'll get a chance to study something other than martial arts? Maybe, origami? I'm all about origami …
Gravely, Sensei continued, "The Time of Retreat has almost arrived."
"Uh, 'time of retreat'?" Ron did not like the sound of that. "Where are we retreating to?"
"You, Stoppable-san, will retreat," Sensei declared. "You have made great progress in your warrior skills. You are now ready to discipline your mind. You will walk for two days, you will meditate for five days, and you will then take two days to return to Yamanuchi."
"Uh, okay, so where exactly am I retreating to?" Ron asked, nervousness and skepticism both evident in his voice.
"To the mountains. To the place that Toshimiru went, when the hour for his Time of Retreat had arrived." Sensei paused. "I can see that you do not welcome this idea, Stoppable-san. But it is necessary. You must be pure of heart if you are to carry the Lotus Blade."
"Whoa," Ron said, his attention now fully engaged. "Carry the Lotus Blade? Carry it where?"
"Stoppable-san, I believe the time has come for the Lotus Blade to leave Yamanuchi, to travel with you along your journey."
"Look, Sensei, I know it would be my honor and all that, but what if I don't want to carry the magic sword?"
Sensei arched an eyebrow and looked at Ron as if the young man had asked if the sun had a choice about whether it would rise in the east. "Stoppable-san, it is your duty."
Ron's shoulders sagged; deep in his heart, he knew the old master was right. All he could muster in reply was a whiney "Awww, man."
III.
Shego was enjoying her life as Ella Va, Model Agency Diva. She actually had a real wardrobe, one that drew the appreciative, approving attention of men and women alike, which was a far cry from the stares her old Team Go outfit elicited. But that wasn't the only reason Shego was feeling satisfied. She had spent enough years watching what Drakken had done wrong – and on occasion right – that she felt confident about the plan she was executing.
Buying an exclusive modeling agency had been a stroke of genius. A lot of cash and some not-so-subtle threats had enabled her to buy an already successful going concern. Old clients chose to remain with the agency and new ones had already been secured. As a result of her new business, Shego's confidence in her management and planning abilities was growing ever stronger. And, the agency provided her with both an excuse to travel around the world and an easy way to launder money as the need might arise.
Shego had two primary concerns at the moment. The first was her new model, Bonnie Rockwaller. There was no question that she was the most self-centered person she had ever met. But the cheerleader's also felt a raw animus towards the Princess, which counted for a lot in Shego's book. And, as a bonus, Bonnie actually wanted to succeed at modeling. So Shego began training her and outfitting her. There was no question in the older woman's mind that she was making an investment that could pay tremendous dividends.
Shego's second priority lay on a small private island in the Mediterranean. She needed cash. Huge amounts of it. Soon. That was why she was on board an international flight to Nice. She was on her way to pay a lightning visit to the Señors. She already knew how she'd play the meeting. An evil smile spread across her face thinking about the fun she was going to have.
IV.
Rabbi Katz had been right about the Possible family's reaction to James' firing: they lost no time in rallying to his side. His wife comforted him, his daughter supported him and his sons tried to distract him.
Ann was able to set her husband's mind at ease by reassuring him about the family finances. She was a brain surgeon after all, and made a very good living. Ann also bolstered his confidence by whispering and doing things to him at night that would have made their daughter blush and sons think about cooties. Kim, knowing how hard her dad was trying to help her deal with her longing for Ron, responded with similar devotion and wore her Space Booster Club sweater/crop top; James barely avoided crying when she embraced him and said she'd always be a charter member of his fan club. The boys, for their part, leapt at the opportunity to involve their father in their virtual reality trainer project.
Yet despite all this, there was still a palpable sense of unease in the Possible house. Kim and her mother both saw how hard the abrupt termination had affected James. Kim was suspicious enough about the circumstances of her dad's firing that she asked Wade to run a check on Andrew Drake; Kim was suspicious. Wade, however, gave him a clean bill of health; there was nothing out of the ordinary in his C.V. And adding to the sense of things being amiss, there was Ron's absence. While Kim obviously missed Ron most of all, each of the Possibles missed the young man's buoyant, goofy presence in their midst; without him, the Possible home seemed somehow incomplete.
V.
Ron lay stretched out on the tatami mat in his cell, looking at the picture of Kim and himself at the Prom. It was a little after one in the morning and he couldn't sleep. He so desperately wanted to hold her in his arms, to talk with her, to hear the sound of her voice. His head told him to be patient, that in less than two weeks he would be with her again. But his heart would not be satisfied; it wanted to be with her now. Ron had been right – in one sense this summer was like Wannaweep: he hated being separated from his best friend girlfriend. Yet this summer was unlike the one of years ago, for while camp had been an unrelenting hell on earth, he knew was benefiting from his time at Yamanuchi, by what he was learning and from how he was being challenged.
He thought of how Sensei had spoken of the need to be pure of heart. And at that moment, Ron did not feel he could say he was. He thought of the words that he and his father had exchanged in the weeks before he left. Ron was ashamed. Sure, his parents could have handled some things differently, but Ron knew that they always tried to do what they thought would be in his best interests. In the deep of that night Ron admitted to himself that he'd always been a bit embarrassed by his parents. He always wished his dad did something cool like Kim's dad. Rocket scientist – now that was badical. But his father was just a numbers-crunching actuary. And where Mrs. Dr. P. was a brain surgeon, Ron's mother did something he couldn't even explain for a company about which he knew nothing other than that it had an office in Norway. Yet much to his chagrin, he knew that if Kim had ever judged him even a fraction as unfairly as he judged his father and mother, Ron Stoppable would be a much lonelier person.
Ron lay still in the dark, listening to the crickets, and promised that he would make amends and tell his parents how much he loved them when he returned home.
He didn't know it, but beginning that night Ron Stoppable was ready to carry the Lotus Blade.
VI.
For Bonnie the last couple of weeks had been dreamlike. Her parents were thrilled by their daughter's new opportunity; her sisters, despite their best efforts, could not hide their jealousy of her good fortune. Then there was Kim, pining away for Ron, who'd gone to Japan.
Bonnie had grown tired of hearing people say how sweet it was that the childhood friends were now dating. So it was with special pleasure that Bonnie enjoyed tweaking her fellow cheerleader when they crossed paths at the mall. "So Kim, did the loser run away after just a month? You just can't keep a boyfriend."
"So not funny, Bonnie," Kim said heatedly. "Ron was invited back to Yamanuchi to study."
"Sure he was, K," she'd replied condescendingly. "And I'm sure he's learning a lot. Like how much fun it is to be away from you and alone with that Japanese girl I saw drag him out of school a few months ago …"
Needling Kim had been great fun.
Bonnie also took satisfaction in learning that Kim's dork of a father had lost his job. She had never forgiven the Drs. Possible for humiliating her by inviting her parents on the school ski trip.
But best of all, here she was, Bonnie Rockwaller, aspiring model, wearing the latest fashions and sitting in the first-class section of a plane that was landing in the south of France. Ella had invited Bonnie to join her on a trip to meet with an investor – "I'd like him to meet the future," she'd said – and scout out a new site for a photo shoot. Bonnie had never had an idol before; she'd always worshiped herself. But that had changed. She looked over at Ella with an unabashed admiration. Ella was the person Bonnie wanted to become.
Bonnie and "Ella" left the plane and were met by a man in a pilot's uniform who escorted them through the terminal and back onto the tarmac. The teen gasped as they approached a small jet. She stopped and gawked, then stammered, "Wow. I've never flown on a plane like this before. The only person I know who has is – Kim Possible." Bonnie frowned, having managed to deflate her own balloon. Shego smiled sympathetically.
"Bonnie, you need to get used to traveling like this; it's part of the lifestyle image we project to our clients and audience. And something tells me that Possible girl has never looked as glamorous or at home on one of these planes as you will." Bonnie to beam, leading Shego to think, She is sooo predictable. And I thought I hated the Princess! Ya know, this kid is okay.
VII.
As Bonnie and "Ella" strode across the airfield, Kim, wearing her battle suit, was visiting Timothy North. Having spent a small fortune replicating the Fearless Ferret's armory, North was delighted to see the battle suit; his scriptwriters had never come up with anything so ingenious.
After the Fearless Ferret/White Stripe incident, the old actor had become quite fond of Ron and Kim, who had helped him escape the delusional fantasy in which he'd been imprisoned for so many years. Ron visited regularly and Kim would stop by on occasion, too. North, having played a hero on television, was fascinated by stories of the teens' real-life exploits. He enjoyed the company Ron and Kim provided and was invigorated by their youthful energy. And he was delighted that "FF2" had found his "Ferret Girl."
During that visit Kim surprised North when she asked if she might have the Ferret Girl costume; he happily gave it to her. And as she was leaving, he gave her something for Ron. She assured the one-time TV star that "FF2" would love it.
VIII.
Yori watched with trepidation as Ron set out from the Yamanuchi School. The Dismissal Ceremony for the Time of Retreat had been impressive. It followed the ancient form, believed to have been designed by Toshimiru's own students. Two ninjas beat large, man-sized drums. A phalanx of students held tall poles, from which spirit flags waved, snapping in the breeze. The sky was a crisp, cool blue and the air had the slightest of bites; though it was mid-July, they were in high, mountainous latitudes. As Sense spoke the words of Dismissal, Ron couldn't help but think, This would be so cool if I weren't the one about to hike into the middle of nowhere for a week.
The students stood quietly as the ceremony ended and Ron walked between the guard of honor and towards the world beyond. He wore his white ninja training clothes, carrying the Lotus Blade strapped across his back. The aspiring warriors looked at Ron's impassive features and admired his determination and stoicism. Only Yori guessed that at that moment, Ron's thoughts were not on the adventure ahead, but on a certain red-headed, green-eyed young woman.
IX.
Andrew Drake was pleased, very pleased. His swift termination of James Possible had convinced the timid men in Washington that the Hephaestus Project was now firmly a part of the past and could be safely forgotten. New programs could be pursued, programs like Project Ares, a space-based weapons system which Drake had proposed, fully aware of, but never acknowledging, the irony that it was the fears expressed over the inadvertent destruction unleashed by Hephaestus that had triggered the changes at the Space Center in the first place. Drake passionately argued that the Center had to guarantee future sources of funding and that next-generation armaments were the surest way to do just that. Some scientists objected; they were strongly encouraged to find alternative employment. The majority of the researchers, however, remained silent and accepted that the Center had new priorities.
X.
Ron was discovering the benefits of the previous two and a half weeks of intensive training. He was able to walk quickly, climb agilely, make his way easily through thickets of trees and screes of rock. He thought often of home, and of Kim in particular, imagining the things they would do together when he returned to Middleton. He would tell her of this trip, of the scenery around him, of the distinctive mountain passes, the trees, the sky. It was the same sky Kim looked at back home, he mused, yet here it also felt like the rooftop of the world.
He marveled at how strange life could be. Here he was, Ron Stoppable, participating in an ancient ninja adventure last performed half a century ago. The hopes of Yamanuchi rode on his shoulders; he knew that the last person to set out on Retreat had returned home, humbled by the knowledge that it was not his lot to carry the Lotus Blade. But, Ron, of course, was different from that earlier traveler. Ron had mystical monkey power …
XI.
… and that was why Yori began searching the school's archives. Not since Toshimiru himself had a Retreater possessed mystical monkey power. Yori could not say why, but she suspected that Ron's quest would differ from that of the man who last set out on the journey into the wilderness – and of all the others who went before him, save the founder of the Yamanuchi School. That was why she surreptitiously made her way to the ancient scrolls. She had first read about the modern Retreats in the main library. But then she wished to learn about the older ones, and that required rummaging through the dusty shelves in the bowels of the school. And finally, she knew she needed to learn about the journey taken by Toshimiru himself, the challenges he faced. She feared that Stoppable-san's safety depended on the records of a trip taken more than 1600 years ago.
The ancient scrolls were tucked into slots, much like wine bottles in a rack. Nobody was supposed to read these documents without Sensei's permission. They were rumored to contain dangerous information that could threaten Yamanuchi itself. Yet despite the delicate nature of the materials, they were not locked away. It was believed that there was no need to; every student at Yamanuchi had taken a solemn vow to obey the school's rules. No one in living memory, other than the wretched Fukushima, who had run off to follow Monkey Fist, had violated the time-honored regulations. Yet for four nights in a row, Yori violated her oath. She could not do otherwise. Not if it meant leaving Stoppable-san at risk.
She learned fascinating things about the Yamanuchi School's early years, and about Tai Xing Pek Kwar, the most esoteric and challenging of the martial arts. And she learned about the Lotus Blade. She read of great heroes and heroines of centuries gone by, of men and women who had defended Japan against enemies, both at home and abroad. Yori was intrigued by what she was learning. Yet not finding anything about Toshimiru's Retreat, she began to wonder whether her investigation was in vain, whether she had sacrificed her future because of a groundless fear. She knew she would have to confess to Sensei what she had done. Just as she could not not help Stoppable-san, she could not break an oath she had sworn to her teacher and not tell him about her breach of trust – as much as she did not want to leave the school, she would not lie to remain.
It was on that fourth night, as Yori was preparing to end her search, that she came across the brittle, yellowed scroll. It looked no different from the others, dirty, cracked and held together by a faded black silk ribbon. She carefully untied the knot that kept the scroll rolled up, then gently opened the document, blowing away the accumulated dust of the passing centuries. She began to read and was at first excited. "This is the testimony of Toshimiru, who retreated into the wilderness …," the text began.
It wasn't long, however, before Yori's excitement was replaced by anxiety and her anxiety by a penetrating, enveloping fear that gripped her heart much the way a falcon wraps its talons around its prey.
XII.
Ron sat atop the mountain, his legs crossed, his arms outstretched above his head. He held the Lotus Blade aloft in its bo staff form. The air was chill, the Milky Way splashed across the sky above. He had been in this place for five days; tomorrow he would begin his trek back to Yamanuchi. Never in his life had Ron been so quiet, so alone – and so at peace. He sat there, gazing into the distance, watching the hawks circle and wheel as they rode the thermals. He looked at the trees nearby, noticing the pine needles and the rough texture of the bark. He watched as the clouds scudded across the sky, on their journeys to nowhere.
Sometimes Ron held the Lotus Blade above his head, other times he let it rest before him; sometimes he had it take the form of a sword, others times that of a staff. Ron had discovered on the third day that he could cause the Lotus Blade to change shape at will. In the past he could cause it shift form, but not with ease or control; it was like he had to flip through a book to find the page he wanted. Now he could turn directly to the passage he wanted to read. Yet though Ron could now will the Lotus Blade to take whatever form he wished, he did not treat this ability lightly, sensing the gravity of what he was now able to do. Ron wasn't quite sure what the Lotus Blade was; but he did know that it was not a toy. It was something to be respected, not trifled with.
At times Ron would empty his mind of all thoughts; at others he would reflect on what he was experiencing. He thought of the times he had tried to change himself, just so he might become more popular. But here he really was changing – yet remaining true to his old self. What he thought of as "zen-Ron" rested easily next to the Old Ron, or better yet, the First Ron. Happily, he could still be irreverent, even out in the wilderness, thinking things like "It is my honor to allow my arms to grow numb while I freeze my butt off here!"
Ron would also think of home. His heart ached at how much he missed Kim. Yet Ron was learning to accept longing as part of the human condition. And rather than try to change what he could not, for he knew yearning would not bring him to Kim any sooner, he focused on what he could enjoy, the anticipated reunion and the joy he would experience when they first saw one another upon his return. Longing need not be all pain, he reflected. Under the right circumstances, it can provide an entree to greater happiness. And at that he chuckled, realizing Sensei was rubbing off on him.
The time on the mountain also gave Ron time to reflect on his training, to understand how what he did at Yamanuchi was but an extension of what he'd learned and experienced with Kim over so many years. He felt a deep gratitude as he realized that Kim, his Kim, was not only his girlfriend, his best friend, his partner, but was also a sensei to him. She would have been surprised to be described as such, but she had been a teacher whose method of instruction was to take him into the field where he could learn by doing.
When Ron saw the first hints of morning light, a happy grin began to spread across his face. Soon he would begin walking home to Yamanuchi, and to Kim.
XIII.
Shego smiled as Bonnie, her eyes wide as saucers, looked out the jet's windows. Below them was Senior Island, a little paradise. At its center was a palatial Mediterranean-style bathed in the golden glow of late afternoon. Bonnie's naked ambition to succeed as a model, her undiluted animosity towards Kim Possible, indeed her general spitefulness towards all humanity that did not serve her needs were all leading Shego to wonder whether the teen might actually have what it took to succeed as a villain. She had never thought of herself as having a protégé. But now she was considering the idea. Any change in Bonnie's status from irritant-to-Kim-Possible to trainee-in-evil would have to wait, however. There was business to conduct with Señor Senior, Senior and Señor Senior, Junior.
Shego had been very clear when calling to arrange her visit that her hosts were not to provide any indication that they had taken up villainy since she was bringing along a guest who knew nothing of Shego's actual professional interests. The Seniors were to act like a garden-variety billionaire and his boy – or else. Just to make sure they understood what that meant, Shego had seized their attention by manipulating their financial assets. Shego ultimately put everything back where it was first to be found, but not after convincing the Seniors that she had the power to ruin them in a New York minute if she so chose.
At first she had considered just taking the money and keeping it. But Jack Hench, who had been so helpful in providing her with the tools to hack into the Seniors' accounts and portfolio, educated her in the glories of shell companies and fronts. "It's much better to do everything through the Seniors, if possible," he advised in his usual smooth salesman's tones. "That way, if anything goes wrong, they can take the fall."
The plane touched down and taxied to a stop. Bonnie watched as two men, one distinguished, with gray and white hair and a cane, the other young, with gelled hair and great pecs, approached the plane. After the two women descended to the tarmac the older man spread his arms wide and said, "Welcome to Senior Island!" Bonnie could not say why, but as he offered his greeting she thought the man should have been wearing a white three-piece suit and black tie. Ella introduced her companion and Señor Senior, Senior replied in kind, extending his hand to Bonnie, introducing Junior to Bonnie.
"Junior, would you be kind enough to show Miss Rockwaller around while Miss Va and I meet?" the older man asked.
"Yes, Father, I'd be delighted to!" Junior said with a giggle, partly due to his glee at being part of the deception, and partly because he found Bonnie attractive.
The feeling was mutual. Bonnie was smitten. Her fantasies were becoming reality. Beautiful clothes. Jet-setting life-style. And now a Euro-hunk!
Shego watched as Bonnie and Junior exchanged looks with one another. This was going very, very well. She recalled her tutoring sessions with Junior. Nice kid, even had some potential. He just needed to be weaned away from Daddy. He and Bonnie could make quite a pair, which would serve her purposes nicely. Shego had considered pursuing Junior herself, but quickly dismissed the idea, knowing she needed someone more mature, someone more sophisticated. And as fate would have it, she had found him, which was why she wanted to conclude her meeting with Señor Senior and return to the States. Shego had dinner plans for the following evening and didn't want to be late.
XIV.
Yori had finished reading the scroll and was stunned by what she had discovered. The climax of Toshimiru's Retreat had left her breathless. But what really shocked her was that Sensei expected Stoppable-san, with just a fraction of Toshimiru's training and skill, to endure the same trial.
She silently made her way through the corridors of the school, finding her way to the information technology center. Quietly, she booted up a computer, connected to the internet, and found what she needed. She knew she had to act quickly, before she was found.
Yori was typing when she heard footsteps.
Someone turned on the light. Her betrayal of the Yamanuchi School had been discovered.
XV.
The Possible family had settled in for a game of Strategories. Kim, as usual, used her lightning-quick reflexes to grab the car. Big-hearted, willing to do anything to help others, yes. But let someone else get her favorite board game piece? So not going to happen.
They had just begun playing when the Kimmunicator chirped. I hope this is Wade patching through Monique to dish the latest on Felix and Tara, she thought. I so do not want to go on another Ron-less mission.
"Sorry 'bout the interruption," she said to her family as she went to answer the call.
"Don't worry, Kimmie, we understand," her mother said, taking advantage of the distraction provided by the Kimmunicator to trade playing pieces with her daughter. Her husband smiled and her sons stared at her; they began to snicker when she winked at them, not realizing she was trying to draw their attention away from Kim's call.
"Hi Wade, what's the …" Kim began to say as Wade cut her off, appearing very tense.
"Kim, it's Ron. He's in danger."
TBC …