Chapter 16: Two Sides, Two People, Same Desire

Kim Possible's night and the following morning were less than pleasant. 'Misery' wouldn't be the word she'd use, yet there were aspects of that feeling throughout those moments.

Over and over, she replayed it in her head, when she closed her eyes that night, she remembered vividly. How nightmares would have the gall to haunt her, she could even remember the smell of blood, the sound of Hench choking, the horrors were too great.

Kim woke up in the middle of the night, the palms of her hands covering her face. Giving out a huff, she sits up on her bed. One hand slicking back her auburn hair, she leaves her room and goes down to the kitchen. Opening a cabinet, she takes a cup from there and fills it with cold water from the sink. She takes a seat in the dining room, bringing the water to her parched lips and unsettled nerves.

Kim felt a creak, and turned around, she sees her mother donned in a silky magenta robe sporting a worrisome look on her face.

"Are you ok?" Ann asks. She walked towards her slowly, taking a seat next to her.

"Couldn't sleep Mom, sorry if I woke you up." She looks away from her, feeling ashamed of herself… ashamed of being helpless, ashamed of feeling useless.

"No. No. I'm alright, I just…" Ann paused for a bit, wanting to find the right words. "I heard about what happened. Your father and I… we're worried about you. You haven't said anything when you came back, you didn't call us to tell us that you were coming home. Something is going on… and I don't know what." She places her hand on Kim's knee. "Talk to me. What happened?"

Taking another sip, she spoke. "It was… it was just another mission. In and out, as always but… it wasn't. I… I needed help with taking down Drakken and Shego, so I asked someone to help me. He was… he was good… y'know he… he knew how to fight, he knew how to protect himself and he was a big help. We were about to blow up the entire place… I mean we got out of there but… I found out something about him… something crazy." Kim sighs.

"It must've been something serious if you're like this." Ann comments. Her baby girl this uneasy, this disheveled. It's unsettling.

"Yeah, it was. He knew that I figured it out and knocked me out. He showed me things that I shouldn't have seen… that I didn't want to see. When we blew the place up, we saw some goons and they… they didn't make it. But that's not even the worst of it… he killed him… killed him right in front of me."

Ann could only look at her and sigh. She leaned forward and hugged her little girl. Kim didn't bother to shed a tear, rather she exhaled, depressively from the sound of it. Ann cupped her daughter's cheeks and spoke to her. "There are things beyond anyone's control. What he did isn't on you, neither is what you couldn't do." She didn't want Kim to hold herself accountable for someone else's actions.

"But what happened to those guys are." I… told him… I told him to blow up the place. I wanted to know… to see if I was right, and…"

"Hey!" Ann interrupted. "You can't change what happened sweetie. I know you're better than that, everyone one of us knows that. What you need to do, is decide for yourself how you're going to beat this. But you don't have to do it alone."

Kim simply nodded her head. "Are you gonna be okay?" Her mother says.

"Yeah, I just… I just need time to… process this." Her mother leaving her side, she sat for awhile, gazing out of the window to see a darkened morning. With her mother's encouragement, she decided to confront this head-on.

Stopping the vigilante, stopping Ron… that's what she has to do.

After the successful, but botched mission, Ron decided to rest for the remainder of the night. He felt successful knowing that Hench is 6 feet under, with a nice little 'mark' on his throat. With that in mind, he knows that's he was involved in a couple of illegal endeavors. Despite Hench's lawyers will come to his defense in the press, it can't be denied that the evidence was concrete enough to give him a life sentence. Normally some people would want to give Jack the death penalty, but how can someone be killed if they're already dead?

Waking up after a few hours of rest, his eyes opened. A feeling of cold air enveloped his lungs as he turned to the side of the night stand. From there, he sees a photo of himself with his parents still alive. Grabbing it and taking a closer look, a sad smile came upon his face.

"Miss you." He murmured. He placed the photo back onto the stand and looked toward the door. From there he saw a kid, a short kid, blonde, in his pajamas, brown eyes and a look on his face that told people that he couldn't sleep.

Ron got up out of the bed and got out of the room, slowly opening the door with only the sound of it creaking filling the house. Looking to his left and right, seeing no one there, he pinches the bridges of his nose and sighs. "I'm seeing things." He says to himself.

Putting on an outfit, a hoodie, sweatpants and sneakers. He decides to leave the house, go wherever he could… and maybe help someone out.

He started off jogging in a certain direction, picking up speed as he strays further from his home. Seeing a fire escape he leaps to grab it and take himself to the roof. Jumping from rooftop to rooftop, he saw that he was reaching near the end and decided to go back to ground level.

To his surprise, he was right in front of a gym, that has seen better days. "Hm, not even a big flashy sign? Looks like it's almost about to run down, what happened here?" From the corner of his eye, he sees two guys, and it seems that they're harassing an old man.

"You're not getting away from this, not like last time." The first guy said.

"Our boss wanted you to pay up, you didn't want to do it, so you know what happens." The second guy remarks.

The old man tried to plea. "The money will be there soon, I just need a little more time."

"I'm sure you do, but don't worry, we'll be sure to pay your son a visit after this." The second man snidely remarked as he twirled a baseball bat.

The old man felt fear "Leave my son out of this!"

That was where Ron stepped in. "You bastards get off on beating old men?!" He walked furiously toward them. To think, we wasn't going to kill someone this morning. But it'll still pay to hope.

The first guy chuckled at the boy's foolishness. "Look at this, kid's got a pair on 'em." He cockily walks towards the blonde boy. He takes out a switch blade. Twirling it around he simply laughed "You wanna help him, how bout you pay for…" He never got a chance to finish as he felt an uppercut to the jaw. The hand that had his blade was immediately grabbed, and Ron punched him in the throat, tossing him to the ground. Taking the knife from the crook, Ron stabs the first guy, gouging his eye out. It left the crook screaming in agony, rolling around on the ground as he holds his bleeding face.

Ron charges the second guy with the blade in hand. As the guy took a swing, Ron did a baseball slide and stabbed the guy in the leg, placing him on his knee, he then stabbed the arm that held the bat. With the blade lodged in, he knees him in the jaw and takes the bat from the thug and swings it onto his face, breaking his nose and causing his front teeth to fall off.

"Sorry, but I think your boss is going to have to hear the word 'no'. I'm sure he knows what that means." With concern in his eyes he looks at the old man.

"You ok?" Ron asks.

"Oh thank you!" He says as the panic in his heart started to dissipate. "Oh God, those animals." He continued.

Ron held his hand and patted his back, "You don't have to say anymore, is there somewhere you can take a breath, a safe place?"

"The gym, right there." He points. "Ok, we'll get there, just… stay with me." Ron said as he walked the man towards the gym at a pace where it wouldn't strain him, but quick enough to know that they couldn't stay out here. As they reached the door, the old man takes out a key and unlocks it.

"You own this place?" Ron asks.

"I won't be for long, not if guys like them keep doing this." The old man says. Both inside, Ron took him to his office and sat him down.

Placing his hand on his forehead, the old man sighs. "This is the last thing I need, on top of everything else. Just why?" He mumbles to himself.

"What was going on with those punks? They run a racket or something?" He takes a cup and fills it with water.

"I'm afraid it's more than that… but this shouldn't be your problem. You seem like a nice kid, although you're a little…"

"Bloodthirsty, combative? Don't worry, I'm used to hearing that. Whoever those guys are, they're my problem now, after what I did to them." Ron finishes for him.

The old man takes a bottle of pills from his desk and opens it. Popping them in his mouth, he drinks the water and takes a slow and steady breath. "My heart, it isn't what it once was, all the stress and everything, it's getting to me. I don't wanna burden you with this… I really don't."

Ron looks out the window which overlooks the gym. "The place looks… modest at best. This is a fighting gym right, what's taught here? You do kickboxing, wrestling, jiu jitsu, or is it just regular boxing?" Ron wanted to avoid saying the word 'rundown', the last thing he wanted was to be disrespectful to the man.

"You know, it actually started off as a boxing gym, trained some pretty good guys who ahh, got scouted by people. Boxers, Mixed Martial Artists, those two types as far as I can tell." The old man leaned back on his chair.

"Almost makes me wanna sign up for a membership." Ron jokes. The old man had a small smile on his face when he heard that.

"So after that, some guy came in, said they were running a fighting tournament or something. Apparently one of the members here went in, got beaten pretty bad. Tracked the gym and said something went down that caused a lot of commotion, apparently placing me in 'debt'. If I didn't pay up, they'll smash the place, threaten my life and my son's life."

Ron looked back at him. "Why not contact the police? What about GJ or something?" He sat down in front of him. Folding his hands and placing them on the table.

"The guy has deep pockets, police won't even try to interfere. GJ, they were there, this redhead was there, but they couldn't find anything. They actually helped my son out when he was on his way to college. Actually planned to give the gym to him, but all it is… it's nothing but debt and people cancelling their memberships. It's getting close to shutting down."

GJ and the police failed this man, to some aspect, it didn't surprise him. Ron wanted to help him, maybe cut this bastards head off and put it on a pike.

"Look uhh…" Ron started. "You're a good man, and I don't wanna see you or your son owe something to a bunch of crooks. I'm not gonna be like GJ or the police, what if I can make a permanent solution? Your luck is running out, and right now… I'm your best chance."

The old man took another drink. "What's your name, kid?"

"My name is… Dean." Ron said, avoiding his real name.

"You don't look like a 'Dean' to me." He says looking at Ron, who took off his hood, revealing a crew cut hairstyle.

"What do you think a 'Dean' looks like? I mean, I'm not dying my hair brown if that's what you're thinking."

"Fair enough, my name is Walter." Walter gets up to walk toward the blonde boy and looks him straight in the eye. "Listen, Dean… these fights aren't just usual typical street fights. They're - some people don't come out alive. I can't live with the idea that I sent someone to fight my battles and they die for it. I just can't." Walter places his hands on Ron's shoulders, hoping he'll reconsider. But for some reason, a part of his conscience wanted him to do it. But not for the reason to die, for the reason that maybe he'll have a chance to live without fear looming through him.

"Yeah, but ah… you should trust me… I mean I've been through this. Look, where do they host this kind of stuff?" Walter removed his hands from his shoulders.

"There's a club in Middleton that's not too far from here. Hold on…" Walter walks to his desk, grabbing a paper and pen and writing down the address. "Here, make sure you say exactly what I put down." Ron deduced that this was a password of entry.

'The Reaper's opened the gates'

"8 p.m is where the fighting starts. Just…" the old man couldn't continue, as he contemplated about this action that could turn out to be a mistake.

Ron just took his leave, heading back to the alley where the two thugs were probably lying. The second guy who he struck in the head with the bat was lying there. He goes toward him to feel a pulse. Dead. The first man, nowhere to be seen. 'I'm surprised he's running, even when his eyeball was stabbed out. I think I overdid that part, but when it comes to surviving like that, could it really be helped. He looks at the digital watch on the dead man.

"I should head to school, sort things out from there."

As school began everything was sort of the same, new boring assignments, lectures that put most students to sleep, the only solace anyone could find was lunch time, or their break periods.

Sitting down, there were things that were pretty different, for starters Brick wasn't as boastful and annoying to the people in class. Ron wanted to believe that it was his little confrontation changed that… but anyone can delude themselves to believing they still had their pride intact after a thorough humiliation.

Another was Monique, she didn't even bother to say hi, or spare him a passing glance, at least one that he'd notice. Could she really be distraught about him revealing himself to be a vigilante, who actually fought Kim and had no problems crossing a line? In her position, he'd probably do the same, he didn't blame the fashionista. This somber tension that filled the classroom actually corrupted his head and gave him a somber mood as well.

To add salt to the particular wound, he saw the redhead Kim Possible stare at him with a glare that indicated death. Of course she'd be mad, no… furious at what he'd done to her, what he'd made the redhead witness. It seemed like Kim was using every fiber of her being to not walk up and punch him for what he's done.

When it came to lunch, Ron would sit with Felix and some other people. He didn't bother going near Kim or Monique. The blonde boy feared he'd done enough.

"So, did you see the news this morning?" Felix asked. He took out his phone scrolling to the video.

Ron shook his head. "I got sidetracked this morning, another problem, couple guys running a protection racket or loan sharking, one of those two." Felix hit the play button.

"Authorities recently released a statement confirming the death of CEO's HenchCo Industries Jack Hench. Recent allegations have claimed that Hench was involved in criminal activity such as weapons smuggling and human trafficking. Evidence, provided by Global Justice and reviewed by many other departments finished their investigation, concluding that Jack Hench was indeed involved in the affairs." It cut to someone else speaking.

"It was unbelievable. I mean this guy was involved in a lot of things, and now… now he's killed for it." Ron shrugged his shoulders. Hearing the statement didn't have any effect on him.

"Evidence has also surfaced that an attacker was going after Jack Hench, evidenced by the assault in his home, prior to his hospitalization last week. The organization known as Global Justice has yet to issue a statement pertaining to the case. We'll keep you updated as this story develops."

"Well he's done, thanks to us." Felix said. "I don't suppose we're going after someone else now?"

"No… like they said, he was involved in human trafficking. We need to rescue those people who're still trapped." Ron said. He leaned back and took a sip of his drink. "Also, I need another favor… there's this old man who's down on his luck. His name is Walter, got a kid and college and owns a gym here in Middleton. The racket that I was talking about earlier… yeah, he's being extorted."

"Guessing that he doesn't need cash. You got a lead?"

"I might…" Ron leans towards the hacker. "Look, these guys are hosting some underground fight night, it's happening tonight at this address." Ron showed Felix a piece of paper.

"I can maybe find the owner of the building, or get surveillance and find a name and cross reference it with criminal databases. If something happens, I'll let you know."

"Thanks man. I really appreciate it." Ron said.

"Look, uhh… you being a killer ninja and all… I gotta ask… what happened? I mean, normally no one usually chooses something like this, fantasize it sure, but for someone to actually be one… it's strange."

Ron felt a shiver emanating from his back and traveling to his arms and hands. His mood becoming less and less cheery. "Just let me know if you find something. I gotta go." As he left the cafeteria, he felt something vibrate in his pocket.

"Yes?" He asked. From the other end, he heard a female voice speak to him. "Hello Dean, I have an assignment for you. The docks in Middleton are about to send a shipment to an undisclosed location. These docks are influenced by Hench's payroll. I have other agents investigating some of the other businesses Hench owned before his death. But I need you to investigate the docks, apparently he pulled all the stops to make it look like a legitimate ownership, no one can touch it. Legally speaking my hands are tied, same as local police."

"But not me." Ron saw where this was going.

"You're getting the gist of it. If there's anyone imprisoned, you're our best bet of getting them out safe. If this is successful, I can assure your permitted continuance of your… endeavors."

Ron raised a brow. "I still have one problem." He suggested. He looked back at the cafeteria. To see Kim, the redhead didn't stare back at him, most likely she hadn't noticed his appearance.

"She'll be assigned to another objective." Betty said. "There will be explicit orders for her to not pursue you."

Taking his leave, he knew he'd be skipping the remainder of his classes, but that gave him a little bit of concern. He attempted to shrug it off, the only thing that mattered in Middleton was tracking a certain killer. After Felix probed him for information, something got to him. A question that he hadn't asked himself. Even if he did catch and kill this killer, would he return to Japan, or would he remain in Middleton? Can something be made to keep him here? He couldn't answer that… at least not yet.

Kim had poked at her cafeteria food, barely paying attention to her surroundings. She placed her Kimmunicator upon the table, waiting for Wade or the Director to give her a mission.

"Guess you know about him too, huh?" The redhead looked up to see Monique. A look of pity was on her face, to see Kim like that… it isn't right.

"Yeah." She mumbled. "I just… how does someone do something like that?"

"Girl I dunno… honestly it, it shocked me too. I'm just glad you're ok." She places her hand on Kim shoulder.

"Wait… how did you know about what Ron really is?" She looked at Monique.

"He came by my home, he told me… right to my face girl. Kim… that took guts… he even said that he understood if I didn't wanna see him again." A pause came from her lips, even Kim didn't have a rebuttal. "Kim, he may be a killer, but there's more to it, more than just being a vigilante. I had a lot of time to think about it last night, honestly… he's a mystery, not everything is as it looks."

Kim looks at Monique in her eyes. "Do you think I'm doing right? I mean I… I try to help people, I try to do what I can for them and… somehow… somehow I believe… that he's doing more than me… more than I ever did." Kim doubted herself, which was such an odd occurrence, truly an oddity.

"Kim, I'll tell you this right now… you are a hero. You're a hero in your own way. You don't need a mask or a sword or some organization to say that you are. People can be heroes in their own way. You've shown people that there's a chance for them to be better, you've empowered them with a lot of independence and hope. The difference between you and Ron is that… he's out for blood, hurting people who hurt other people. He carries out some judgement, a brutal, unforgiving judgement. If anything, something drove him to this and he wants revenge, and some people are going to see that as justice. Even I can see that you're different from that. If you and other people see him as a hero, that's your choice… but don't follow his example. Cross that line and you can probably never go back. You're you Kim, don't let anyone or anything change that."

Kim felt an invigorated feeling rising in her chest. The room and everything didn't seem so gloomy and somber. She felt like she could breathe, it was her spirit… her spirit was uplifted by Monique's words. For that, she embraced her.

"Thanks Mon, I really needed that." After that, she heard her Kimmunicator go off.

"Go Wade." Kim said.

"Kim, the Director's got a mission for you. After… what happened, some of his employee's, now that they don't have an employer, are trying to drop off the grid. They're heading into HenchCo Industries and try to steal whatever's there and get out of the city. They could also wipe out evidence of their involvement, maybe start their own companies. We can't let that happen."

"Finally, I get to knock some heads… alright Wade, I'm on it."

Kim rushed out of the school in order, without even seeing Ron. Despite a setback, she desires to press on. She can beat this… she will beat this. Those people don't know what's coming to them. Knowing that she'll encounter him again, she wasn't aching for it just yet… she knows that she can wait.

Round Three can wait.