Chapter VII: Ron's Darkness

Middleton High School

Few months later

Gym

Ron groaned as he lay on one of the bleachers while he waited for Cheer practice. The last raining exercise took a lot from him and he could have sworn that Vincent was out to get him.

When he finished the obstacle course in record time, he was asked to do it blindfolded! It took him about three hours to finish the course. Even though he complained at everything Vincent wanted him to do, he was happy of the results.

Aside from being faster, more agile and stronger, Ron could feel and see his body change. Though he did not change his attire, his loose shirt hid a respectably defined set of abs and pecs. His black shirt hid the developed biceps and triceps and his cargos hid his calves from view.

Not even Kim, when he was visiting her at her room, noticed. There were times that he wanted to rip off his shirt and show Kim his chest. But thinking about it, it would not be a great idea.

As Vincent would say, "Keep your enemies guessing," and Ron knew that he was right. It was tiring to pretend that nothing had changed but he must maintain his usual demeanor until the time was right.

"Hey Ron," Ron heard Kim call him and looked up but froze when he did. Kim was already in her Cheerleader uniform and he was looking up into he skirt. He silently thanked God that the Cheerleaders wear dark spandex shorts inside their skirts but somehow, a sense of disappointment crept in.

"Hey KP," he said as if nothing happened. Vincent had taught him to hide what he was really feeling. That was something he was thankful for right at that moment. "Where are the rest?"

"We decided to take a break for a while," Kim said as she sat on he seat next to him. "They seemed agitated for some reason. At least they're not pampering me anymore." Ron smirked at the word. Pampering.

Most of the people in Middleton High made a big deal that Kim was alive. Though Ron agreed that it was a big deal, it annoyed Kim to be treated like glass. Some even tried to hurt him for not protecting Kim but he didn't mind, he knew they were right.

But things had changed. He changed. It was his drive to protect Kim that helped him survive Vincent's training. And his mentor saw that, used that to make him better.

"So? Want to get something to eat?" Ron asked as he sat up.

"What do you have in mind?" Kim challenged with a smile. She had missed Ron even though they were together almost everyday. Lately, he had been going to Vincent Credible's Manor and she did not know why. Not even Wade could tell her. It had seemed that Ron's tracking chip was interrupted whenever he entered the Manor grounds. Vincent sure wanted his privacy and it would be rude to come uninvited.

But before Ron could answer Kim's challenge, Felix Renton wheeled in and smiled at them.

"Hey, you two!" he shouted and waved. "Listen, I got a job!" this surprised the two friends. Ron knew that Felix was looking for a job all those months ago but never imagined that someone would hire him. Kim was worried that they only hired him out of pity and didn't want to see him hurt.

"Where?" Ron asked curiously.

"Credible Manor," Felix said in anticipation. Upon hearing that, Ron sighed in relief and confusion.

"As what?" it was Kim's turn to ask. She barely remembered seeing Vincent when she was poisoned. But at that time, she felt a certain strength from him that could have come from experience and pain.

"I think he termed it as system operator, much like what Wade is doing," Felix shrugged as he turned looked at Ron. "Anyway, could you go with me? He seemed formidable."

"Uh… KP?" Ron looked at Kim for permission. Ron really wanted to be with Kim but Felix needed him more.

"Maybe we could go some other time, Ron," Kim smiled but that did not remove the guilt he had in his heart.

"We… could go together," Ron said in impulse and suddenly berated himself. Vincent didn't like surprises and Kim was one. He knew that Vincent must have been expecting Felix but Kim? He would just take the consequences of his actions.

"Me? Go with the boys?" Kim smirked but was smiling.

"I think Vincent wanted to meet you but circumstances were against it," Ron said as the image of Kim on the hospital bed was still fresh in his mind. Please let it be all right, he prayed silently.

"Okay. If you say so," Kim smiled as she got her bag. "So? What are we waiting for?"

… … …

Drakken's Lair Shego's Room Meanwhile

"What are you waiting for, Shego," Shego mumbled to herself as she lay on her bed, thinking of the brown-haired man with the sunglasses. It had been months since she had seen him and, though the thought scared her, was pining for him.

She could not believe it. She, Shego, one of the world's most wanted, was obsessed with the man who she came to know as Kim's guardian. And to her, his simple gift was more precious to her than the gift the Wraith had brought her.

She really needed to see him again. Even if it was just a glance. Even a glance from a distance.

Even if it was on the T.V. Shego glanced at the screen where she had earlier placed it in the news and saw him. She quickly increased the volume eager to hear his voice again.

"The prototype nanoprobes will revolutionize medical surgery. These microscopic robots could repair delicate muscles such as the eyes and heart. It could repair damaged corneas and unclog arteries," Shego heard him say. He was calm and confident, and why was he giving a statement about the new medical nanoprobes?

"When do you think we would see these nanoprobes in action?" she heard the reporter ask.

"Probably, if all goes well, in two months," she heard him say. "We already have a list of patients eager and willing to undergo the experimental procedure."

"Will these nanoprobes repair the most severe cases?" the reporter asked.

"That's what we're going to find out, won't we? And if you would excuse me…" he left the reporter and walked off screen.

"What an intriguing individual," the reporter smiled. "You heard it folks from the project leader of the nanoprobe project, Vincent Credible…" Shego muted the screen.

"Vincent Credible," she toyed the name in her mind and in soothed her. Now, she had a name to his face, now if only she could get a night together.

… …

Credible Manor

Kitchen

5:30 pm

Vincent Credible groaned as he heard himself in the news. He sounded like a bureaucrat. The worst kind. He would never get how Mrs. Dr. Possible and her husband got him to talk to the press about the nanoprobes. Now the whole world knew about his research and with that every nut out there would be vying to get it.

Somehow, that pleased him. He wished that a certain raven-haired villain would try to steal it. Maybe then he would ask her to dinner.

Vincent shouted as he heard the doorbell. For a normal human being it would seem like an ordinary doorbell but to him, it was an explosion. When the ringing in his ears stopped, Vincent bolted towards the front door in anger. And upon reaching the door, he noticed that he had three guests.

"Stoppable! What did you do to my doorbell!" Vincent shouted as he opened the door and suddenly regretted it. Ron's two companions paled at the wrath of Vincent. He was almost fuming but not because he was angry, actually he was, but because he was in pain. The doorbell caught him unawares and struck a nerve.

"I noticed that there was no sound coming from it so I fixed it," Ron said and by his tone Vincent knew he was proud at what he had done.

"Unfix it," Vincent growled as he motioned them to enter. "This is my home, Stoppable. And I like it just as it is. The doorbell's set like that for a reason. Didn't I teach you that everything has a reason?"

"I think I slept on that part," Ron said sheepishly as he looked at his feet. Vincent sighed in exasperation and looked at Ron's companions.

"You must be Felix," he held out a hand to the teen.

"Pleasure, sir," Felix responded and shook his hand.

"And Kimberly Anne Possible," he faced the red-haired teen. "You err in judgment to bring her here, Stoppable."

"Oookay," Ron asked, confused. "Why?" Kim was also confused. Why was it a bad idea for Ron to bring her there?

"Because she's going to tell me all the embarrassing stories about you," Vincent smiled wickedly as he offered his arm. "Shall we, my lady?"

"Ah… sure," Kim didn't know what to make of him as she took his arm and let herself be led.

"To the kitchen," he said and led Kim towards his kitchen. Felix smiled as he saw his friend's expression and followed, dragging a confused and surprised Ron with him.

"So, my dear, what can you tell me that Ronald here did not?" Vincent asked Kim as they entered his spacious kitchen. Vincent felt her tremble not of fear but in mirth.

However, Ron grumbled and shuddered in utter terror.

"I'm Doomed," he said as he followed his friends in.

… …

Drakken's Lair

Drakken's Den

Meanwhile

Shego watched as Drakken paced around his den. She knew that he was hatching a plan but she did not know the details of it. And if she knew Drakken, it would be about the nanoprobes.

Shego shivered in anticipation. It was not that she wanted the nanoprobes but at the chance to see Vincent again. It was a flimsy excuse but she wanted to see him.

"Shego!" Dr. Drakken turned towards her and she looked at him lazily.

"What is it this time?" Try not to be conspicuous or he'll know that something's up.

"We're going to steal those nanoprobes. Just think, Shego. We'll be able to control the world with microscopic robots."

"You did that once, and where did it lead us?" Shego sighed as she reminded the mad Dr. about their misadventures with a certain robotic tick.

"This time it will be different!" Drakken said with determination. "I will rule the world!"

"Same old, same old," Shego sighed as prepared for their mission, inwardly wishing that she could see Vincent.

And if she didn't, she could slip away and go to him.

… …

Credible Manor

Kitchen

Two hours later

"Really? You mean Ron's had a crush on Tara?" Vincent smiled as he heard about Ron's social life. "I had the impression that he had a crush on everyone on the cheer squad." Ron blushed as he turned away.

"Except Bonnie," Kim smiled.

"I can't imagine him not crushing at Bonnie," Felix said as he took a sip on his soda.

"I think Ron prefers Redheads," Vincent said causing Ron and Kim to blush. Suddenly, the Kimmunicator began to beep and Kim sighed in thanks.

"What's the sitch, Wade?" she asked the boy genius.

"Someone's attacking the laboratory where the nanoprobes were being developed," Wade said as he sipped from his drink. "And by the looks of the security camera it's Dr. Dementor and Dr. Drakken." At the mention of Dr. Drakken, Vincent turned towards Kim in intrigue.

"Dementor and Drakken working together?" Kim knew that the two didn't get along.

"More like the two are fighting over the nanoprobes," Wade said.

"Okay Wade, set us up," Kim said but Vincent stood with a look of determination in his face.

"Belay that, Mr. Load. Stoppable, Miss Possible, use Seraphim."

"Boo-Yaah!" Ron cheered as he smiled widely.

"Seraphim?" Felix asked.

"This is so cool," Ron smiled as he hugged Kim. "Seraphim is the coolest. Wait till you meet him."

"Ah. Okay," Kim smiled for Ron and was disappointed when he let go of her. "We got to jet."

"Okay KP," Ron smiled and took her hand, leading her to Seraphim.

"Be careful you two," Vincent said in a whisper as the two disappeared from the kitchen. He had a feeling that this night would not go well. "Mr. Renton, it's time for me to tell you about your job."

… …

Middleton Medical Research

Nanotech Laboratory

Meanwhile

"Dementor! I was here first!" Dr. Drakken whined as he glared Professor Dementor. Drakken and Shego arrived at the laboratory only to find Professor Dementor and his henchmen trying to find the nanoprobes.

"Temper, temper, Dr. Drakken," Dementor taunted. "Let's settle this the old fashioned way. Get him, my loyal henchmen!"

"Shego!" Drakken ordered her to attack. Shego sighed and prepared to attack. She was disappointed that Vincent was not at the lab but maybe if she finished here early, she could at least find out where he lived.

But before Dementor's henchmen and Shego even moved, a loud roar of an engine disturbed the night. From the windows of the laboratory, Shego saw a pair of headlights coming at them, she had mere moments before the vehicle crashed into the wall.

Shego had jumped out of the way as the wall gave from the force of the crash revealing a black Nissan Skyline charging through. Screeching to a halt, the car doors opened and its occupants jumped out.

"Boo-yaah!" Ron shouted as he looked around. "I told you Seraphim's cool."

"I get it, Ron," Kim said as she jumped towards the center of the room and poised to attack. Shego smiled when she saw Kim was up and about. She was relieved to see the best fighter she had ever fought ready to do battle once again.

"Hey, Kimmy. Looks like you little 'hiatus' put a little meat into your bones," she teased. Kim looked at her body then back to Shego with a huff.

"At least I filled them well," Kim smiled. Shego smiled inwardly, this was the first time in months that they saw each other and she missed the banters.

"Enough talk," Shego was about to attack when she saw the most amazing thing. Ron Stoppable was clumsily defeating Dementor's men. But to Shego, there was nothing clumsy with Ron's fighting. It was well coordinated and well executed.

"Where the hell did he learn to fight like that?" Shego asked making Kim glance at her friend and was astounded at what he was doing.

"I don't know," Kim said in awe. "But he looks like he's doing well for himself."

"Get ready!" Shego said but before they could even traded kicks, the other wall exploded. "What now?" she said in exasperation. A large lizard type robot entered the room and began attacking the nearest henchman.

"Yours?" Kim said as she stood in awe as the robot tossed a henchman through the wall. The robot stood at a massive eight feet tall. Its claws were large enough to wrap a man whole and its jaws looked like it could destroy titanium. Its tail swayed like a deadly iron whip and strangely, the end began turning like a drill. Seraphim roared and backed away from the monster.

"Not ours," Shego said as she moved towards Kim. Kim was ready for an attack but it never came. Shego was taking a defensive position in front of Kim and facing the robot. Immediately, the robot charged towards the far wall and punched through it revealing a safe.

"That would be so cool, it wasn't going to hurt us," Ron said as he came to Kim's side.

"We'd better pull out," Shego suggested as they watched the robot rip the entire safe from the wall.

"I think the nanoprobes are in that safe," Ron said as the robot glared at them.

"Thank you Captain Obvious," Shego and Kim said in unison. The robot's tail suddenly lashed out and the three of them jumped out of the way before the drill could puncture them.

"Are you okay, KP?" Ron asked. Kim noticed that he had his arms wrapped around her protectively.

"I'm fine Ron, we need to get the nanoprobes," Kim said but found herself blushing. She could feel the heat emanating from Ron's body.

"Okay," Ron's voice became shaky as he pulled her closer to him.

"Ron, you really need to let go," Kim said softly.

"If you two lovebirds are through, I could use some help!" Shego said, hands glowing as she attacked the robot. However, the robot was too fast for her and it had her instantly pinned on the wall. The robot poised its tail to strike like a scorpion to its prey.

"Vincent," Shego whispered in defeat as she saw her end. But when the robot stuck, it hit something hard. Sparks came flying as the drill slowly stopped. It was like some outside force was stopping it. Shego's eyes widened as the outline of a cloaked human suddenly appeared, then the whole human appeared holding the drill at bay.

"Wraith," Shego sighed in relief. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Well, hello to you too," the Wraith said as he tore out the drill and punched the robot, sending it flying towards the other side of the room. "Better get out of here. That thing's as mean as they get."

"And I'm fine, thank you," Shego said sarcastically. "If I had a power armor like yours I could handle it."

"So, you figure me out huh?" the Wraith said. "You two okay?" he turned towards Kim and Ron who came beside him.

"Okay, I guess," Kim said as she looked at the carnage. Both Drakken and Dementor were down as well as their henchmen. "What was that?"

"Range Hunter," the Wraith said as he ushered Shego, Kim and Ron out of the building.

"What are you doing?" Kim asked as the exited the room by the hole Seraphim made. "We need to get the…" the Wraith held a vial in front of Kim and continued on. "How did you?"

"So, you beat me to it?" Shego sighed. "Again."

"Sorry," the Wraith said and suddenly stopped. "Oh, crap."

"What?" Ron asked and he was answered. The ground shook and the Hunter emerged, its right arm transformed into a cannon.

"Move!" the Wraith said, shoving Shego aside. Ron took Kim's hand and pulled her away. The robot followed Kim and Ron as it charged through the streets.

"Why is it following us?" Ron asked as he ran.

"Maybe it thinks that we have the nanoprobes," Kim said as she tried to catch up. She was having a hard time keeping up. Was it her imagination or was Ron running faster than her? "We need to split up."

"Okay, be careful," Ron said sincerely as he made a quick turn but the Robot followed Kim.

Kim was in a bind. The robot increased speed and was charging at her fast. She needed to do something, and she needed to do it fast.

Suddenly, a loud explosion erupted from her side and Kim went sprawling to the ground. As she struggled to look up, she saw the robot aiming its canon towards her.

"Ron," Kim whispered in defeat wishing that she had said something to him.

"Leave her alone!" Kim's heart raced as she heard his voice. He came for her. "Hey you overgrown lizard! I'm over here!" Kim saw Ron leapt up and struck the monster with a pipe. Kim cringed, how could Ron stop a robot with a piece of pipe?

The robot aimed at him and before the robot could fire, Ron jammed the pipe at its gun.

Unfortunately, the robot was on the verge of firing and the canon exploded with the force that threw Ron into the air and landed on the hood of a car.

The robot was destroyed, but Ron was also hurt.

Kim rushed towards Ron in panic and concern. In all the things she saw him do, that was the most reckless thing yet.

"Ron!" Kim went over him and checked him over. He had burn marks all over and more on his face. His eyes were bleeding and there were scratch marks all over.

"KP?" he moaned in agony as he tried to sit up.

"Lie down," she said and Ron did not have the strength to argue.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he blankly looked at the stars.

"I'm all right, Ron," she caressed his hair, some of it were burned. She noticed his blank stare and his troubled brow. "What's wrong?"

Ron blinked slowly, once… twice and closed them in futility.

"I can't see."

/End of 7/

Next: Kim was beyond herself when their positions were turned. While Ron was in surgery, Kim could not be consoled. Shego was hiding from the law and only one person could help her.

Chapter VII: Kim's Distress