The Rook III: Vendetta

By mkusenagi2

The story concept © 6-28-2006
All Marvel characters are © Marvel Comics.
Kim Possible and other Disney characters
are © Disney Co.

"When you dig a grave for someone, dig two." Anonymous, also my Momma.

Part II

6-25-2004
Project Pegasus
Infirmary
Sheila Goble's
Room
0900 hrs

A SHIELD courier knocked on Sheila's door…

"Who is it?" Sheila asked while Kim unclipped her blaster and got in position.

"Courier Ma'am… I have a Diplomatic pouch for you and Capt. Possible… May I come in?" he said.

"Sure… I'm decent… nowadays… thanks to Ron." Shego mumbled.

"Sheila!" Kim Cheshire.

"What?"

"Huh, did I miss something ladies?" the courier said as he walked in.

"Nothing!" they chimed.

"Hold it Sheila… lets scan 'em first…" Kim ran her pocket scanner over the 'pouch'. "It's ok."

"Here you go Ladies, I need a thumbprint and then I'm done." They 'printed, he left.

A large box described it better than 'pouch'. Both ladies looked at the box and each other with questions in their eyes.

"Let's see what's inside." Sheila said.

"Ok." Kim said.

Inside the box were four items… 3 envelopes and 1 secure stasis box.

"?" they thought.

2 of the letters were addressed to Sheila and the 3rd had 'To K & S, (read the others 1st then open me before you open the box (This means you Sheila… AND Kim!)'.

Sheila opened a letter…

Dear Sheila,

Ron chewed me out for not getting' to know you better before we… Anyway I wanted to say I'm sorry… he's right about you. You're a great woman and Damned lucky to have Ron in your life. I'll make sure he comes home with your cure safe an' sound. I figure it's the BEST way to apologize.

Logan

Sheila looked at Kim and handed her the letter…

She opened the second…

Hey girl,

Just wanted to apologize for bein' jealous an' all… Ya made a good choice… Ron's got moxie an' Stones ta spare… Just wanted to say sorry about the jealousy an all… I'm workin' on findin' Drakken. Seem's the little punk that tried ta shoot ya was workin' the 'tract for Strucker as a favor fer Drakken… when I catch that bitch… well you don't need ta know… 'cept take it as a 'pology… I love ya gal… an want the best for ya.

Vic, yer walkin' 'fur carpet'.

Heh!

She gave Kim the second letter…

Kim read it…

"…" Beetroot Women.

"Sooo… you and Sabertooth… 'fur carpet'? He's FURRY ALL OVER?"

"Yeah… heh… it's really nice… once you get used to it… especially when… and you wrap around him when… or when you're sleeping…"

"Ooook… Kinda TMI…" Glowing.

"So you've never?" Sheila.

"No." Blushing down into her kit.

"Sorry."

"It's Ok. I guess I was waiting for Ron… and the 'Right Moment'."

"Don't worry. You'll know when…"

"Let's read the 3rd one." Kim said.

"Ok!"

Dear K & S… S & K,

The box has a surprise inside. A little Ronshine to make your day better. It's my way of saying I'm sorry for being gruff during the mission (and for sticking my nose in your business Sheila).

If you've received this box on time then you'll be able to enjoy the surprise with Ben, Alicia, and Col. Danvers in their favorite dining spot on top of the mesa.

It's my way of saying you need some sunshine too.

I LOVE and MISS you both, TERRIBLY.

Ron

PS: Ben has the key to the box.

Kim and Sheila looked at each other.

"He's a hellofva guy… huh Princess?"

"Yeah…"

"Let me get ready."

"Ok."

Sheila showered, got dressed in her SHIELD kit, grabbed the box and asked Kim, "Ready?"

"You bet!"

"Let's Go!"

And with that the girls went to the top of the mesa and found Ben, Alicia, and Carol Danvers having breakfast there.

"Glad you could join us guys." Ben said.

"Help yourselves to the buffet… there's plenty left." Alicia Masters said.

"Ron told me that we had to leave some room for his surprise, so don't eat TOO much." Carol told them.

After they finished their meal Ben pulled out an ekey and put it in a slot on top of the box.

While they waited Kim asked Carol a question.

"Ma'am… how is it that we can sit up here and eat without being seen or worry about snipers…?"

"There's a UN treaty that states SHIELD has the authority to shoot down ANY non SHIELD birds that stray over this area, and OUR birds watch for ANY unauthorized movement."

"Oh."

"Ding!" The box opened to reveal… a cheesecake with a card on top!

"?" they thought.

Here's a bit of homemade Ronshine to make your Day! A cheesecake made with 1975 Moet Chandon Dom Perignon.

Enjoy!

Ron.

"!"

---

Meanwhile as Ron and Logan were flying to Latveria in Logan's Xbird…

"Ron."

"Yeah Dude?"

"What's goin' on with yer face?"

"Huh?"

"…"

"Go look in the mirror…"

Ron got up, went to the head, and looked at himself in the mirror.

"…"

"!"

"What the… there's a glowing rash on my face?"

Ron's face had three flaming bands across his face. One on his forehead, one that covered his eyes, and one that covered his nose and cheeks.

'What the HELL is it?'

As he watched it faded away…

"?"

'I'm gonna call Doc Strange… right now!'

Ron stomped forward and sat in the copilot's seat.

"So it's gone." Logan stated.

"Yeah. Logan I need to call a friend… is that ok?"

"Yeah. The jet's link uses a scrambler. We're fully capable here… just dial the number."

"Thanks."

Ron dialed Dr. Strange's number on the compad.

And waited…

"Hello?" said Wong, Dr. Strange's assistant.

"Hey Wong, howsitgoin?"

"Ron! I take it you need to talk to Steven?"

"Yeah."

"I'll get him."

"So how do you know Strange?" Logan asked.

"Rabbi K introduced us… I volunteered to be the point man in an Ancient ritual for my Aunt Bobbi … to get her back… from Hell… She sacrificed herself for my Uncle Clint… they needed a person pure of heart to make it work 'cause they had to walk through both extremes… Heaven and Hell to make it work… I volunteered… 'Cause I could see how her being gone was crushing Clint."

"…"

"Dude, how do you know him?"

"We did some missions together… save Reality stuff."

"Cool."

"Hello Ron." said Dr Steven Strange, MD aka Dr Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts.

"Hey."

"I take it that something new about the Mark of Hanuman has happened since we talked last, and has you worried?" Strange asked.

"Yeah… Something new has happened since I got it." Ron told him about the rash.

"I see… where are you now?"

"We're headed to Latveria."

"To see Doom?

"Yes Sir."

"Ron… the 'rash' is the 'Mask of Hanuman' and appears when the chosen is about to face Great Evil and they or someone they care for could die…"

'Great!' Ron thought.

"Be careful… Doom IS a budding Master of the Mystic Arts… We've clashed before… If he thinks he can wrest the power from you he WILL… the ONLY way through is to keep faith in ALL that you believe…"

"Thanks Doc… Tell Clea I said 'Hey'."

"I will. Our prayers go with you."

"Thanks. Click!"

"So I'll bite… How do we get into Latveria?"

"We're walking in through the front door. Doom said he owes me because my Great Grandpa saved him during the War."

"Who was that?"

"Imi Przystanek."

"!" Logan turned and LOOKED at Ron.

"Something wrong?"

"No… Imi saved my life during the War… he got me out of Sobibor… he was like a brother… I still miss him."

"So do I… Hey! How old are you anyway?"

"I was born in the 1800's. Mutant healing factor."

"Wow."

"So you're Imi's great grandson… you look a lot like 'im… got a heart like 'im too." 'The kid's a little strange… but he's family… I hope you're proud of 'im Imi… he's a GOOD man.'

"Thanks."

The rest of the flight Logan told Ron some stories about his Great Grandpa.

---

6-25-2004
Latveria
Castle Doom
The Grand Hall
0900 hrs

"I had expected better of you Ron Stoppable… working with this…"

"Watch it Dude…" said the Serious Face.

"Person is beneath you. What would your Great Grandfather say?" Doom said with a voice dripping with disdain.

"His Great Grandpa wouldn't have a problem with it. I know 'cause I fought by his side on a few missions in the War, just like you did." Wolverine growled.

"…"

"Tell me, how is the lovely Storm these days. It has been quite a long time since these halls were graced by her beauty." Doom said to Wolverine.

"Watch it bub, yer NOT fit to say HER name after what ya did ta her!"

"I was trying to preserve her AND her beauty for the ages to come. Enough! Why are you here?"

"I'm here… because we need your help Sir."

"Indeed."

"Yes Sir."

"Why should Doom help you? The synthesizer was fused."

"I have NO idea how that happened Sir… When I picked it up off the floor during the firefight it looked fine."

"…"

"Very well… Doom ALWAYS keeps his word. What is your request?"

Ron told Doom about Drakken stealing his tech and misusing it.

"What I need to know sir is have you seen Viper and is there a cure for the toxin?"

"…"

"Yes… to both questions, no as to whether I have the cure here."

"Ok. Then Viper's your thief. We'll just…"

"I challenge you Ron Stoppable for the right to carry the Mark of Hanuman." Doom said as he made a gesture with his hands and three glowing sigils appeared under their feet.

"Hey! Is this any way to treat the great grandson of a man you owed a favor to? Huh, is it?"

The Mask of Hanuman reappeared on Ron's face and BURNED.

"Can't move… Ron are you ok?" Wolverine cried.

"Yeah… face's burning though."

'He has the Mask as well? No matter! When he fails this test the power WILL be mine!'

"Don't bother struggling. The seals of Durga will hold you fast until the contest is over."

"What do you want it for anyway. The Mark's no use to you! It takes a man of Virtue to carry it!"

"If I can't have it NO ONE CAN!"

"…"

Ron got a sly look on his face.

"Dude… you said this is a contest… what are the rules?"

"Ron…" Logan began.

Ron looked at him with TRUST ME on his face.

"Ok, kid… got yer back. Don't forget what Doc said."

"I won't."

"The rules are simple, your soul must survive the walk through the Realm Between The Worlds. If you do the seal will release your body and soul. If not you'll die."

"Coolio! Just like the game The Call… to defeat Big K you have to walk through his realm and master it… better than he does… You're on!"

---

6-25-2004
Project Pegasus
The Esper Room
0950 hrs

The Esper Watch Commander (formerly the Landing Pad Watch Commander) responded to the alarm, ran into the sensor room and corralled the duty tech.

"What's going on… a break?" 'Well this ends the theory that this is a boring dead end posting!'

"No Sir. We're getting weird readings from Capt. Possible and Special Agent Goble, Sir. I've never seen anything like it!"

"I'll call the commander… Where are they now?"

"SA Goble's room. Sir."

"Right. Call Col. Danvers and Cmdr Grimm, tell them what's going on… I'll meet them there."

"Yes Sir!"

---

The Realm

Envision a dark realm where ALL beings strip off their outer image and walk between the worlds until they're chosen to play another role in what is called 'Reality'.

That's where Ron and Doom were…

"Ok… are we supposed to fight? 'Cause if we are… I WON'T." Ron said as he faced Doom. 'It's peaceful here. Where's Logan?'

'That brutish Wolverine is supposed to be here too! Where is he?' Doom thought.

"That isn't the nature of this test. You must walk with her. Begin!" Doom said as he pointed at the glowing outline of a woman.

---

While Ron 'moved' through the Realm Kim and Sheila watched on and bore witness.

"How… You ok Princess?"

"Yeah… You?"

"Yeah… that's the FIRST & LAST time I eat a Dom cheesecake…"

The Handmaid appeared before them.

"A challenge has been issued by Doom for the right to bear the Mark of Hanuman… Your beloved IS in peril… due to your TRUE essence you ARE allowed to watch NOT interfere."

"May we pray for him?" Sheila and Kim chorused.

"Yes."

---

While Ron and Doom's souls faced off in the Realm, Logan stayed in our 'Reality' and was released!

"Logan!"

"Whozzat?" he said as he beheld a ball of light.

"I have many names but ONE True Nature… Some call me God, Shiva, Durga, Kali, Morrigan, Yama, Thor, Zeus and other names, but to ALL I am the source of life."

"Ok. So why am I here instead of there… with Ron?"

"You have already passed your test… now Ron must pass his."

"D'ya mind if I have a cigar?"

"No."

"Ok." Logan lit up a Spanish cheroot.

---

Meanwhile in the realm Ron walked with the 'woman'.

"Uh… what should I call you?"

"I am the Handmaid… I am composed of all that can and cannot exist… here is your first test."

Ron looked around and saw a glow to his right in the distance…

He looked at the Handmaid…

"Go!" she said.

He 'walked' over to the glow and found it emanated from a White Dragon.

'Oooh… Awesome statue… I think I'll touch it… it's warm… alive?'

Ron looked up and saw the Dragon was awake AND enraged!

"FOOL, YOU DARE TO AWAKEN ME? DIE!"

"Hey man! Sorry I just y'know… AAAAAA!" went Ron as he was CONSUMED by White Flame from the Dragon's Maw.

---

Ben Grimm, Col. Carol Danvers, and the EWC walked into Sheila's room to find Kim and Sheila were sitting in chairs and glowing.

"Ok they're alive…" Col. Danvers said. "Get Xavier down here STAT!" she barked to the EWC.

"Yes Ma'am!" said a terrified EWC.

"?" she thought.

"Carol… go look in the Mirror."

She did so… "!" 'I'm glowing too?' As were Esther Stoppable and Anne Possible.

---

A heap of ashes lay where Ron had stood…

"…"

"…"

" "

A spark appeared… a hand rose from the ashes… then an arm which bent, reached down and pulled an amused Ron Stoppable from the ashes.

"Dude ya GOTTA do better than that to get the Ronman down… folks are depending on me back home."

The Handmaid appeared.

"You have passed the 1st Test."

"Cool… can we go now? I've gotta get back home to help my friends."

Handmaid STARE.

"Ok… just askin'… What's next?"

---

"So what's going on Chuck?" Ben asked Charles Xavier.

"From what I can scan telepathically… they're fine… they're witnessing a test… something that requires their strength to help Ron see it through."

"So why am I glowing?" Col. Danvers asked.

"The 'fallout' as it were is causing your powers as Binary to emerge on a low level… the odd thing is that it appears to only affect women that Ron respects… or loves."

"Heh!" Ben snickered.

"Don't EVEN!" Col. Danvers said.

"Just kiddin'… so what's happenin' to Ron?"

"He's being tested… if he passes he'll be fine."

"And if he doesn't?" Col. Danvers asked.

"He'll die."

---

Ron and the Handmaid went further…

Until they stood beneath the Phoenix, the Handmaid grabbed Ron's hand…

"Ok, what's the next Teeesssttt…" he cried as she threw him into the Phoenix' Heart…

To be CLEANSED AND CONSUMED by the Phoenix' heart.

"…"

"…"

"!"

'You're lonely! It's ok… If it helps I love you… like you even.' Ron thought and was released.

He drifted down…

And stood next to The Handmaid…

She took his hand… ! … Like Kim AND Sheila would!

'Coolio! Somehow they're here… inside her!'

"You have passed the 2nd Test."

"Coolio! Uh any more?"

"Yes… one more."

"Ok."

---

Logan sat in a chair and looked at the Light…

"So… am I on Guard duty or somethin'?"

"Yes."

"Can I ask a question?"

"Yes."

"Y'know I aint a saint… why spare me… y'know…"

"Your heart is true. Beneath the scars you willingly bear and the mistakes you've made you are still a GOOD man."

"oh."

---

Ron and the Handmaid appeared under an object that looked like a 'tree'.

"So what's this?" he asked.

"This is called Indra's Net, Yggdrasil, or the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil on your world. Are you ready?"

"Sure." Ron was tossed up into the Tree…

And SAW…

EXPERIENCED…

WAS…

"I KNOW what it's like to be KIM… SHEILA… MOM… DAD… A PROTON… EVERYTHING IN ALL BRANCHES OF THE MULTIVERSE… there's a Ron Stoppable that's a Galactic Ruler in one verse… another where I'm a doctor… I see them ALL… and the universes that don't have a Ron in them… the future AND the past are one here…"

And was Tempted.

"I can change things… in my world… ALL WORLDS!"

"…"

"…"

"no."

Ron floated down and stood beside the Handmaid.

She took his hand…

"You may stay here if you wish, or return."

"They need me…" Ron thought of Kim, Sheila, and his family all of the people that helped an awkward boy turn into a Man because they LOVED him.

A flash of light tore through the Realm and Kim and Sheila stood there next to the Handmaid.

"He has passed the Test and proven worthy." said The Essence.

They 'ran' over to Ron and hugged him.

"No!" Doom cried as he appeared before them.

"You wish to Battle for the right?"

"Yes!"

"Very well… Do you accept his challenge?"

"Yes I d…" Ron started to say.

"WE do." Kim and Sheila chorused in.

"Begin. You may transform into your TRUE selves." The Handmaid said.

Ron transformed into a modernized Hanuman…

Kim turned into Palden Lhamo, The Red Haired, Blue skinned Tibetan Warrior Goddess of Compassion and Guardian of the Law.

Shego turned into Green Tara the Goddess of Compassion.

'Nice Racks!' Ron thought as he Looked at Kim and Sheila's true essence.

"What are you doing?" Kim asked.

"Uh… Just Admiring the view… you girls look GREAT in blue and green!" 'Yowza! Big, Big…'

---

Castle Doom…

Logan finished his cheroot.

"Be ready. Doom has challenged Ron. He'll try to destroy his body here." The Light vanished.

"?" 'What's that?'

"Whoosh!" a door opened and…

Doombots started to file down the hall towards their position.

'Hurry Ron!'

"'Bout time I got a chance ta workout… a guy can only sit still fer so long."

Wolverine popped his claws.

"Let's Dance!"

---

Pegasus…

"What's happening now Charles?" Carol asked.

"Doom has issued a challenge to claim Ron's powers for his own."

"Doom? What's he doin' there… bastard!" Ben roared.

---

"Guys we can't fight him here." Ron said.

"Why?" they chorused.

"My gut's telling me we CAN'T OK!"

"Hon… it's ok… what should we do?" asked Kim.

"We'll Defend ourselves with the Power of Imagination!"

"!"

---

Castle Doom…

Wolverine was having the TIME of his life… ripping Doombots to shreds.

However…

He WAS starting to tire…

'What's takin' so long?'

---

Doom unleashed several bolts at Team Possible in an attempt to strike them down.

Ron grabbed the girl's hands and vanished…

Only to reappear behind him!

'Let's see if this works… it does in the comics… 'Kim, Shego!''

"Ron?" Kim.

'Shh! Just relax and think… I think it's telepathy… 'cause we love each other… we need to split up and take him on.'

'How?' Shego.

'We need to set it up where he goes TOO far.'

'Ok.' Kim.

'It's a Kar… uh…'

'Karma?' Shego.

'Yeah!'

'Gut thing?' the girls asked.

'Yeah.'

'Works for me.' Shego.

"Hey Doom," Shego said as they split up, "I heard you're so scarred that the most hardened whore gags at the sight of ya."

"ARRRGHH! YOU DARE TO MOCK DOOM?" he cried as he threw several more bolts.

"I heard her fine Kim, how about you?"

"Oh yeah."

They winked out and reappeared in new 'positions'.

"Hey buddy," Shego replied, "Drakken told me YOU stole HIS plans for the Bebe robots to improve your own designs."

"YOU DARE…"

Shego sauntered over to Doom…

'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?' Kim and Ron chorused.

'Relax… I've got it!'

"Course I also heard that when your 'accident' happened that your face wasn't the ONLY thing mangled…"

"…" DOOM GLARE!

"It must be hell to go through life without ANYONE wanting to touch you or get to know the man inside. See I saw that as bad as Sabertooth had been that he was a Man. You called Ron a stripling but he'll ALWAYS be taller than you are in the Manliness department. He's taught ME so MUCH about what it takes to be a woman just by loving me FLAWS and all. That's what being a man is all about, NOT 'I'm Gonna Take Over The World!' You're SO conceited."

"…"

Shego got in Doom's arm range…

"Oh Yeah. You're ugly too." She carped at him as she turned, wiggled her ass and started to walk away from him.

"DI…" Doom was seized and held in a pillar of light!

"ENOUGH! THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN MET AND BESTED! Team Possible is free to go."

"Uh God?" Ron stepped forward.

"Yes?"

"Would you cure Shego please?"

"She has to EARN it."

"Oh…"

"Can I ask Doom a question? It's for Shego…"

"Yes."

"What's the Cure?"

"The cure is simple… an energy surge… but she'll never do it… Drakken has my notes…" Doom replied.

Kim and Ron vanished…

---

Castle Doom…

Doom's body vanished, and Ron woke to see Logan was trashing Doombots.

"'Bout time you woke up!"

"Need a hand?" Ron said as he used his Bo to rip through the remaining Doombots.

"Where's Doom? His Body vanished when you returned."

"I think I know who has him…" Ron said as he used the 'Iron Step' on the remaining Doombots that were twitching.

"And?"

"Don't ask."

---

The Realm…

Hanuman and Shiva appeared before Doom and Shego, and spoke to Doom.

"You are the God's Whetstone Doom. Your purpose was to sharpen heroes for what lies ahead… among other things…" said Hanuman.

"You were to be a hero, yet chose to be a villain. Come with me." Shiva said and vanished with Doom.

The Essence spoke to Shego while Hanuman watched.

"You have a choice to make. You may stay here or leave."

"I want to go back."

"WHY?" Sheila cringed.

"I… love him… and I NEED… no WANT to atone for what I've done."

"So be it… Daughter… I will reward your sacrifice… with a boon."

"?"

And she was gone…

---

Pegasus…

A FLASH of light erupted from Kim and Sheila as they returned from the Realm.

Sheila collapsed forward into Ben's arms.

"How are you guys?" Ben asked as he helped Sheila sit up.

"Uh, ok I guess." Kim said.

Carol slapped the emergency call over Sheila's bed.

Charles went ahead to set up the lab.

"I need medics here STAT. Tell Drs Possible and Richards to meet Xavier at the lab, full test series yesterday!"

"Man I've GOTTA get that Dom recipe from Ron." Sheila quipped as Ben placed her back in bed.

---

6-25-2004
Latveria
Castle Doom
The Landing Pad
1020 hrs

Ron and Logan called Pegasus.

"How are ya doin' Ron." Ben asked.

"We're ok sir… uh how are the girls?"

"Kim's fine… uh Sheila… well…"

"What's wrong? She's alive isn't she?"

"Yeah… the poison's inert…" 'Whew!'

"But…"

"what?"

"She lost her powers. Her genes shut down."

"no."

"C'mon home Kid… we nee…"

"NO!" Ron slapped off the feed.

"It's your call Major. They'll probably mark us as rogue or AWOL. Whatcha wanna do?" Logan said.

"We go to Madripoor. Time to send a Message!"

End Part II