A/N: So remember when I said I'd have more time to write since I'm working from home indefinitely? That was a funny joke. If anything, I'm working way more since the line between work and home is blurred. So I apologize for the 2 month wait between chapters. Also, I found out I was nominated for 6 Fannie Awards. I have no idea who nominated me, but thank you. It's humbling that you think my work is even slightly worthy of such an honor. I hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kim Possible. It belongs to Disney and its creators. If it was in the show, I don't own it. Any songs mentioned are the property of their respective owners and artists. I am not doing this for compensation, simply for enjoyment and practice.

Claimer: Krista Ruthie Stoppable is my OC. If you want to use her, please ask. Krysta-L (aka Krystal) was created by StormChaser90 and used with permission. If you want to use her, please contact him for permission.

TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains themes and vague descriptions of abuse and mild language.

After All This Time: Revenge

Chapter 11

Remote Arctic Lair, Location Unknown

5 Days After Krista's Kidnapping

The time for the cure was drawing ever closer. Dr. Whitman and Dr. Henderson worked tirelessly, going over their notes again and again, looking for any potential flaw. Krista wasn't the only one who had to endure several tests. They poked and prodded at Krystal, too, gathering data to increase the success of the operation. It was after one of these meetings that they made their announcement.

"I think we're ready," Dr. Henderson said. "We can perform the cure in 2 days' time."

Drakken was nearly giddy with excitement. "Wonderful! Krystal, go bring dinner to our guest. Must keep up her strength so she's in tip-top shape for the procedure!"

Krystal grumbled as she carried the tray down the hallway. "Great. I've been demoted to a waitress." She unlocked the cell door, approaching her original with the tray of food. She bent over to set the tray down, but as she did, a sharp pain raced through her abdomen. She doubled over, groaning.

"Are you okay?" Krista asked, alarmed. Krystal clenched her teeth as she shook her head. The younger girl grabbed the glass of water from the tray and offered it to her clone. "Here, have this."

Krystal turned and stared at her. Krista held out the glass with such concern and compassion in her eyes. She tentatively took the glass, downed the water, and set it back down. She eased herself into a sitting position, the pain finally dulling.

"Do you feel better?" Krista asked.

"Why did you give me your water?" Krystal returned, ignoring the question. "You barely get any as it is."

Krista shrugged timidly. "I just wanted to help."

Krystal stared at her in confusion for a few seconds more, a feeling bubbling in her stomach. Quickly, she stood, heading towards the door. "Eat your food. You need your strength."

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1 Day Later

Krista groaned as she emerged from unconsciousness. It took several attempts before she managed to push herself up and lean against the cold stone wall in her cell. Drakken had forced another energy transfer today, and her entire body felt drained, her muscles weak from the procedure. She sported several new bruises and lacerations, too, as she had foolishly tried to make a run for it as she was being escorted to the evaluation room. Shego had made sure she wouldn't attempt an escape again.

Too weak to even cry, Krista just sat there, shivering, contemplating her new existence. It wasn't until the door creaked open that she was shaken from her stupor. She lifted her eyes and watched as Krystal entered with a small bowl of soup. The clone set the food in front of her original and waited, but Krista just stared at it, unable to lift her arms to eat.

Krystal studied the younger girl. Again, that feeling sliced through her stomach. Instead of ignoring it, she let herself soften. "You have to eat, you know. If you're going to be any help at all."

Krista sighed, but didn't look up. "I can't… I'm sorry. Too… tired." After a beat of silence, Krystal rolled her eyes and sat next to Krista. She picked up the spoon and brought it to her mouth. Shocked, Krista flicked her eyes up to the older girl, giving her a questioning look.

"Look, I just don't want you to die of starvation before I get my new organs, okay?" Krystal said, her sarcastic words tinged with something… else. Something softer. Krista looked down at the spoon again and slurped down the warm broth. It took several slow minutes for the soup to be finished, but when it was, Krystal still didn't move to leave.

Krista looked up at her again. "Thank you."

Krystal suddenly became very interested with her nails. "Whatever." A few more moments of silence passed before she got the guts to bring up what she'd been dying to ask. "What was that scrapbook about? You know, in the vision I had a few days ago?"

The younger girl stared at the floor, tears welling in her eyes. "It was a book of letters. My parents had written me one every year on my birthday, even when they thought I was dead. It… it was hard to believe how much they loved me. It was a little overwhelming at first."

Yeah, no kidding, Krystal thought. She knew how she had been "born." She knew what her original had been subjected to. And here she was… going through it all again.

That feeling niggled in her stomach again.

"Who was the man in my vision? The man who hurt us?" Krista's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. A dark look passed over Krystal's face.

"My trainer," she spat. "Trying to toughen me up."

Krista was silent for so long that Krystal finally looked over to see if she was still conscious. The younger girl's eyes were staring right at her, filled with compassion and sympathy. "I'm sorry he hurt you so much." Krystal stared at her, shocked at her words. This kid had gone through hell and back, too, but she was feeling sorry for her?

The feeling in her stomach nearly overwhelmed her, and she stood, turning her back to their prisoner. "Yeah, well… don't be." Without making eye contact, she scooped up the empty bowl and quickly left the room.

Once she was out in the hallway, she leaned her back against the wall, taking deep, heaving breaths. She had put a name to the feeling in her stomach that had been plaguing her for several days.

Guilt.

XXXXXXXXXX

She couldn't get it out of her head. She tried to find some other name, some other reason for that horrible, biting feeling in her very core. But she couldn't.

Krystal felt guilty.

How could this even be possible? She was created, trained to be cold, calculating, obedient, precise. She was trained to show no mercy, no shred of empathy. She was created for one purpose and one purpose only: to help her master take over the world.

But she couldn't shake the guilt.

Yes, she had gone through some horrible, painful things. She had endured abuse after abuse. But so had Krista. Even now, in the depths of this new hell, she was showing her kindness. She was offering what little she had to help her. She was sympathizing with her. And Krystal knew she meant it. How the hell was she supposed to go through with killing the only person who showed her compassion?

She thought back to the visions. She hadn't known it until now, but she longed for the love and acceptance Krista had from her family. Would she ever be able to have that?

Her mind spun with all these new emotions, all these thoughts. She remembered one of her first conversations with Krista. Could there be another way?

The hour had grown late. No one but the night guards would be up, and she could easily avoid them. Krystal snuck through the hallways of the lair to the dungeon. She took out a set of keys and quietly opened the cell door. In the darkness, she could make out the form of her original shivering on the floor in a restless sleep. Krystal shut the door behind her and crept forward. She shook Krista's shoulder, causing the younger girl to wake with a start. She stared at Krystal with fear in her eyes before the older girl spoke.

"I'm getting you out of here."

A/N: Once again, sorry for the late update, and thanks to whoever nominated me for the Fannie Awards. Look for the next chapter (hopefully) soon. Stay safe, everyone.