Hello and here we are with another installment of 'Storm Chaser'. We hope the wait wasn't too bad and the next offering is enjoyed by all who read…
And as usual, before we get started we'd like to thank all those who've Reviewed, Faved, Alerted or Followed: Uberscribbler, Jimmy1201, Sentinel103, DaFuzz, levi2000a1, ajw1970, Robot Wolf 26Z, Beckman, royalscape1, thank you all for chiming in as you have.
Last time while Ron and the Yamanouchi duo were in the process of lulling their 'captors' into believing they had the upper hand against 'The Mountain', Wade's skills (and some friendly friends at another 'secret agency') gave GJ some more information about their recent acquisition from Japan, Kim was winging it back home from the Junior-Bonnie wedding and getting some valuable advice about the sitch the red head had been in for the last several years, Monique and Justine bonded on cross-country trip to see a certain Marine, and the colorful former evil family was getting further involved in their new family sitch. Against this backdrop a vital component in the Villain Community, Information, was 'Terminated with Malice' by a 'Messenger' from The Mountain and thus ended the career of a storied Information Broker. Long is the reach of Yamanouchi, something 'Mr. Patch' should have heeded so long ago.
Before we start this puppy, Larry and I need to deny the Sharks in expensive suits their daily feed: Kim Possible and the characters from the show are the property of Disney and we make no money from their inclusion in our little tale of entertaining fiction (it is entertaining, right?). All others depicted within are either their own selves or our creations (well Larry's mostly…).
So without further ado, here's the next chapter of 'Storm Chaser'.
Storm Chaser
Chapter 25
Piercing sharp pain competed with open-mouthed shock as Percy Metz saw and then felt the shuriken sticking out of the back of his gun hand after the 'Crash' that distracted him and his three goons from the 'negotiations' they were holding with certain obstacles to their growing influence in the Orient.
Their attention diverted moment the blond ninja quickly rose from his chair, grabbed the pierced hand and shoved it into Metz's face, the sharp edges cut deeply into his cheek.
Then raising his right hand, he growled, (Come!)
Standing just outside of the lightning-strike exhibition of his protégée, Sensei recalled the restraint he'd nearly always observed from Ron in his encounters with the criminal element, and marveled in amazement at the quick and brutal destruction of Metz's knee and instant disfiguring of his face by the American Ninja.
Now on the floor, gasping in even more pain, his pistol clattering away, Metz got no further respite from Ron as the blond snap-kicked him in the face, knocking the thug all but senseless after his head bounced off the wall.
Using the distraction provided by his former student, the Ninja Master quickly slid over to one of the three open-mouthed goons, numbed his gun hand with a finger-tap to the wrist and kicked the falling gun out of reach to a far corner. Turning in surprise at this, the goon's outrage was cut short as the old man's fingers went to his jugular, and after a jab, the thug fell unconscious to the floor.
While Ron and her Grandfather went into action, Yori reached up into her hair and quickly retrieved a wire woven into her hair as she seemed to teleport to a second gangster where she used the wire as a garrote. Too quick for the thug to react, he was spun around as the wire was pulled tightly around his neck, cutting off air and, shortly thereafter, his life. But before the burly goon's life ended Yori noted the surprise on the face of one of her slap-happy interrogators as his eyes glazed over.
In the midst of this free-for-all of personal destruction, a loud 'THAWP!' sounded as a brightly glowing blue sword appeared in the hand of the blond American. Gripping the hilt tightly, (For the Mountain!), Ron hissed as he charged/slid by the remaining thug and sliced blindingly fast across the goon's stomach as he flashed by, thus avoiding the blood and intestines that spilled forth in his wake.
Stunned in the realization of what happened the gangster fell to his knees and writhed as he faded while three black clad forms entered the room, each of the newcomers with their primary weapons in hand and curious looking firearms slung over their backs.
Further observations by the dying enforcer abruptly ended as the Lotus Blade's one-handed backswing passed through his exposed neck, severing head from body, both of which fell to the floor.
Paying no heed to the carnage greeting them, they instead looked to the one whose clenched fist opened, then drew a finger across his throat, and raised fingers indicating the closest foes they were to deal with were to be done in silence.
Quietly Ron opened the door a crack, and brown eyes turning blue for a moment, searched his surroundings for the presence of their foes. Satisfied he slowly entered the hallway, the Blade changing forms to allow him to more easily slice through the bases of each of the two light bulbs lighting the passage. The only sound heard was the soft tinkling as the sharp Blade cut through the glass. Knowingly reaching out he caught the ruined bulbs and set them along the wall of the passageway and out of the way.
Though Ron knew he had three very competent ninjas trailing behind him, he also knew he was the most qualified asset present to sneak into the main room downstairs. At the stairwell his eyes glowed for a moment before he faded from view.
In the gloom of the hallway, lit by the bulbs from the 'interrogation room', the tall thin ninja winked at the shorter petite one on the other wall as they trailed behind Ron. Silenced Kriss Vector SMG assault weapons at the ready and aimed at the spot Ron disappeared in just seconds prior.
Though not the usual weapons of the Ninja, the firearms were present due to the possibility they would face more adversaries than their standard bladed weapons could counter. That and they wanted to make a statement to any prying eyes that might be observing this fracas.
XX
With an exasperated sigh the extra-large dark haired man tossed two cards into the pile on the table, "Hey Mac give me two.", he said as he rubbed his crooked nose in irritation.
His even larger poker buddy smirked, "Marvin you know that tactic never works with me, I can smell what you have in your hand.", the sandy haired man responded in kind.
Growling, "Shaddup and play.", Emerson Bowser told them, "And keep it down, your yakking will wake the rest of the guys."
Before either could reply, "Games are over…for you!", was heard from the air behind them. Unfamiliar with the voice they turned in time to see a blue blur slash through Marvin, then onto Mac who dropped his cards and fell away from the falling torso of his partner. Years of experience came into play as he was able to avoid whatever went through his partner and the deadweight which fell towards him.
Snapping out of his surprise at sudden events in their hideout, Emerson reached for his holstered .45 as he rose from his chair, his back exploding outward after the soft 'pfft, pfft, pfft' of three .45 caliber Golden Saber slugs slamming into his chest. Eyes wide in shock he fell onto the table and knocked bottles and glasses there to the floor, the clatter/crash quite loud compared to the relative 'quiet' of the room not moments ago.
Anger and outrage, "What the hell is going on out there?", fueled a voice yelling out from behind a door off the room.
XX
Lightly slapping the gangster to wake him, "Mister Metz, please wake up.", Sensei calmly intruded upon his 'slumber'.
"Huh, wha….", he came to before the pain reintroduced itself.
"How is your hand?", Sensei said, his eyes holding some mirth in them.
Holding the shuriken-pierced appendage, "I'll live.", Metz grimaced painfully, his eyes darting about, looking for a way out of something he had yet to understand he was not going to be able to do in the next several minutes.
Looking evenly at him, yet with a sinister gleam in his eyes, "That has yet to be determined, Mr. Metz, but the option in this room is still open.", Sensei said. Then his eyes going cold, "But this is not assured.", he continued as he gestured to the mobster's ex-associates laying in their own blood and gore.
While the goon leader contemplated the verbal and visual reminders of just how his situation had gone so wrong so quickly, Sensei again reminded him of this as he painfully snatched the shuriken from Metz's hand, leading to more bleeding from the wound.
As the injured thug tried to staunch the flow of blood, "There is information we must ask of you,", Sensei said to his former captor, "and though it is presumptuous of me to say so, I believe we will not get this from you willingly.", he said in amusement to the glare he received.
"And as I can surmise from your reaction, we will have to make use of an asset in our midst that will acquire what we seek.", Sensei grimly and confidently said as his eyes bored into those of someone who knew much of his group's dealings in the East. Nodding his head to the door Ron exited through a few seconds earlier, "But at the moment he is occupied…dispatching the remainder of your assistants.", he informed Percy who began to sweat as he took the cloth from Sensei to stem the flow of blood.
Following the white-haired old man's glance, he looked back as Sensei continued, "Now who do you think would be a reasonable substitute in this endeavor,", he said looking to Yori whose demeanor was of a panther watching a rabbit before pouncing, "the young woman you slapped around,", then to the just arriving and quite visibly enraged Hirotaka, "or her husband? Right now they are the only ones available since the young man in question is downstairs taking care of a small annoyance concerning the rest of your men."
Saying nothing more, Sensei leaned back from a growing-nervous-by-the-second New Jerseyite as the gang boss contemplated his choices for the interrogation to come. He wasn't sure which choice would be worse, interrogation by the lithe woman he and his buddies had slapped around since she fell into his grasp, her just arriving and quite outraged husband, or the goof of an American he now knew was in cahoots with the Japanese who had turned the tables on him and his group.
Playing for time, "So, how do you know the American kid?", the hoodlum made small talk in case his people could overcome the outnumbered threat and again turn the tables on the locals.
Giving him a small calculating smile, "Considering that I expect you will never reveal this to anyone who matters, I believe I can tell you a little about the young man who is reducing your men to ruin.", Sensei said to Metz's disbelief. "Ron-sama is the Chosen One of our Ancient Scrolls; his power talent and honor is immense and is overshadowed by only that of the original Master who built our school over fifteen hundred years ago.", he said to the ignorant Occidental.
Looking to Sensei in confusion, "That doesn't answer my question….", he continued to stall for time.
An eyebrow rose and stopped the charade, "I agree, it doesn't answer your question; but this American traveled to Japan in order to improve himself. He is my student, but more than that, he is my friend.", Sensei said to Metz's further consternation.
Smugly smiling to the gangster, "But as to your probing questions regarding a gaijin associating with The Mountain, maybe it would make more sense to you if you consider that he was the man who killed those aliens those few years ago.", Sensei's eyes went cold.
Sputtering, "Aliens?…..then Gem…..", Metz was cut off by Yori.
Giving the impression of being appalled at the confidences he had let out to their enemy, "Grandfather! Please tell him no more secrets. If he, by chance, gets away he will inform his superiors and then all may be lost.", Yori mock scolded her grandfather.
Smirking, "Yes Yori you are quite correct.", Sensei replied. "Now please send Hiro out to see how the others are doing with the rest of Mr. Metz's men.", he directed to his granddaughter before he glanced to the masked man standing menacingly behind her, his arms crossed, "However I would think that Mister Metz might want to be more concerned about what he is going to reveal to us about his benefactor."
Feigning ignorance, "Benefactor?", his face twitched.
His eyes locked on his prey, "Yes Mr. Metz…the person you work for.", Sensei clarified.
Eyes looking off to the side then back again, "I ah don't know his name…."
Startled by the masked figure who suddenly 'appeared' in front of him from his spot behind him, "Then you know his address…", he said before fixing him with a glare, "where a package might be sent to him?"
Shrugging, "I know where things can be mailed to him.", Percy lied, again trying to buy time.
Playing along, "Very well then we have a place to begin.", Sensei clapped his hands and a note pad and ink pen seemed to appear out of thin air, "Please begin by writing that down,", he said, handing it to Metz, "I wish to send a note to him so as to explain to him our intentions should he continue to intrude upon our part of the world."
Taking the writing materials in his other hand, he gestured to his injured one, "I uh can't, my hand…."
Smiling, "How unobservant of me.", Sensei said and turned to, "Yori do you wish to do the honors?", as the masked figure exited the room.
Bowing her head slightly, "Thank you Grandfather.", she said before turning to, "Mr. Metz, let us begin.", the lithe Shinobi smirked as she relieved Percy of the pen and notebook.
XXX
Flight BA237:
The red head's startled gasp and flailing arms woke those around her. "Oh!", Kim shouted as her eyes snapped opened, desperation and violent shuddering accompanying her darting eyes.
Before her freak-out escalated, a soft hand reached for her, "Kim, it's OK you were having a nightmare.", Tara's soft voice cut through the fog and calmed her down.
Now wide-eyed and fully awake, Kim nodded and spoke in low tones, "It's not the first time this has happened T.", she said to her as she wound down. "I mean once I dreamt of two people I have never met and it was like I was watching them through someone else's eyes…", her eyes haunted as she remembered, "And before that I had all those nightmares…One of them seemed to involve killing people with a sword.", Kim said to Tara's rising eyebrows.
Kim's eyes again filled with fear, "Tara, I've got to wonder if I've gone around the bend…", anxiety rising in her voice.
Gripping Kim's arm lightly, Tara turned to her husband, "Josh, please change seats with Kim, she's had another nightmare.", she said grimly, "I think she needs someone to hold onto for a while", before her eyes lit up mischievously, "and I volunteer for that, and not you.", she said dryly.
Still wiping the sleep from his eyes, Josh nodded and made his way past his smiling wife. After helping Kim to her feet he guided her across to his seat, but not before whispering into Kim's ear, "For this you have to name the first ankle biter after me or Tara, got it?"
Smiling, Kim kissed him on the cheek, "Got it, now just find Ronnie for me and I'll name my all kids whatever you want."
Smiling evilly, "You might want to rethink that promise Possible, Stoppable might take exception to that, because I can be very creative.", he replied and squeezed her hand in reassurance.
A lopsided grin in return, "Don't worry about him, when I get done I'll keep his mind permanently melted."
Not sure about the meaning of what he heard, "Huh?", in confusion.
Patting him on the arm, "Josh his mind is going to be befuddled now go sit down and relax…."
Shrugging, then yawning, "Sure.", Josh made his way to her seat.
Tara snorted as Kim settled down and fastened her seat belt, "It's my job to melt his brain K."
Smirking, "Just practicing, thanks for letting me sit here for a while.", Kim replied.
Her eyes looking on in concern, "Did you really have another nightmare?", Tara lowered her voice.
Frowning, Kim whispered, "Yes, I was in a fight again…well I watched a fight…but it felt real. Men were down, there was blood everywhere.", she shivered and not from being cold, "But it wasn't like the old ones against HenchCo's Henchmen®, this one was much more brutal, and gory.", the red head shuddered again as she wrapped her arms around her.
Stepping in so Kim could wind down and they could get some sleep, "This bothers you doesn't it?", Tara remembered this of Kim's life as a heroine.
Nodding sadly, "Yeah and it shows too.", Kim paused in thought. "You know Tara until graduation we …I mean Ron and I never killed anyone, sure we had some good fights but at the worst there were broken bones.", she said, still bothered by that. "But those alien monsters…", her sigh heavy, "Ronnie had to kill in order to save my life,", then her eyes tearing up, "and then I crapped on him.", she said morosely.
Trembling, "God the dreams of those events that caused my breakdown were every bit as harsh as these have been. I just don't know what's causing it and I have no defense against them happening.", Kim shivered as Tara put her arm around her friend to comfort her.
Talking lowly, "I wish I could help you Kim, but I don't know how.", Tara offered what support she could. Then, "Are you going to tell the GJ people about these episodes?"
Sighing in exasperation, "Yeah, I will, and they're just going to add them to those already in their records about this…I've undergone all these tests, and found nothing they can investigate, and the upshot is that I'm just as sane as you are.", Kim said as Tara stared into her eyes until both started to giggle softly.
The mood lighter, "You know what I mean.", she said to Tara's smirk.
Shaking her friend lightly, "Well something is triggering these nightmares K and we've got to get to the bottom of this before the rest of the population in the town of Middleton thinks you have gone around the bend."
Nodding, "Yeah I agree, I'd better get a handle on this." Shrugging, "I mean I've been hypnotized too and no one can find anything."
Taking this all in, Tara paused for a moment, as if pulling in random thoughts, and then asked, "Kim…", she drawled out slowly, "Do you remember?"
"Remember what?", an eyebrow cocked in question.
Her thoughts coming together, "I remember you telling me and some of the other girls at school….you know during a break during practice in our senior year,", she looked to Kim, "there was this one time that you and Ron shared a dream…" Now wracking her brain, "I think it was during a field trip…Do you remember that?"
Thinking back, "Yeahhhh, I do.", Kim drawled out. "But it wasn't anything like this…this was super-realistic.", she said. "In that one in high school it was like we were in a 'story'…", she finger-quoted, "This was alllll nightmare.", and shivered. "It made no sense to me; it was like being dropped into the middle of those violent video games Ron used to play, but without a beginning.", she said as more came to her, "It was like you were suddenly just there."
Nodding contemplatively, "So until graduation what dreams you had like that were all nice?", she looked to a thoughtful, then nodding red head. "Then after graduation, when those alien monsters tried to take over the world and take your life, those dreams turned to nightmares?"
Sighing, "Well not all of them, but yeah the world pretty much changed that day.", Kim replied with a haunted look.
"Oh? And who was there that day with you?"
"Well there was Dr. Drakken and Shego, and of course me and Ron.", Kim rattled off, "I mean we were the ones who fought the Lowardians."
Tara stopped, "Lowardians?", in confusion.
Nodding, "Yeah, Lowardians."
Leaning forward, "Who are they?", Tara asked.
"The big monster aliens Ronnie killed for threatening to kill me."
Leaning back into her seat, "Oh.", Tara sat still for a moment, her eyes furrowed in concentration, the wheels of her mind spinning and grinding madly as Kim looked to her in curiosity.
After a minute that seemed longer than that, her eyes softened and her face took on a relaxed look of conclusion, "It's Ron…", she said so quietly, Kim almost didn't hear.
Incredulous, "What do you mean, 'It's Ron?'"
Turning to her friend with a look that would come to be her hallmark in her fledgling career as a teacher, "Well some time ago you said that you and Ron shared a dream right?"
Still not making connections, "Yeah…"
Grasping a hand, "Ok, stay with me here,", as Tara started to lay out her theory, "You said that you have some sort of psychic link with Ron, right?…", she said to Kim's dawning realization, "If that's so and you and Ron did that once who's to say that this hasn't been happening again all this time since high school?"
Jumping to conclusions as she did on occasion, "I know I hurt Ron by cutting him out of my life, but I don't think he'd do something like that to hurt me...", Kim blurted out.
Cutting her off, "No Kim, I don't, and whether it was by accident or not, you did,", Tara's smile soured, "but if that link does still exist…and he was emotionally messed up then…maybe it could happen."
Shaking her head, "I don't know T, it's pretty farfetched…"
Squeezing her hand in interruption, "And it's worth looking into.", Tara eyed her solemnly before a twinkle came to her eyes, "And if you remember you two used to finish each other's trains of thought.", she said to Kim's blush at how they used to 'Tweeb-speak' as she called it. "Also, if you remember, Ron for his part always seemed to know what you were thinking.", Tara reminded her friend.
Nodding at the memory, "Yeah thanks Tara…", Kim started to say before she shuddered. "Gaaaccckkkk!", the red head cried.
Shaken at the sudden change of pace, "What?", Tara grasped Kim's hand tightly.
Eyes wide and breathing heavily, "Gawwwwd, it's still going on!", her eyes seeing, yet focusing on nothing.
Doing her best to not freak out adjoining passengers, "What?", an equally wide-eyed Tara Mankey hissed.
Eyes darting frantically, "Tara…I'm wide awake, right?", Kim asked.
After pausing for a few seconds in confusion Tara replied, "Yes Kim, you are very wide awake."
Gulping deeply, "Well,", she shudders, "There are no sounds…but I can see…", she stopped and gagged, "Ulp!", before rising quickly from her seat. "it…Oh god…", and with a hand to her mouth she gasps out, "Excuse me..I gotta go to the john and hurl.", the ashen red head hurriedly rushed from her seat, shuddering as she desperately made her way into the closest 'unoccupied'; slamming the door shut once inside.
Roughly ten minutes later an almost paper-white and trembling Kim Possible returned to her seat; fear and panic in her eyes. Glancing to her, "Are you alright Kim?", Tara asked in concern.
Her whisper hoarse, her voice haunted, "Yeah, Tara…but it was gruesome.", Kim said before she gulped again. "It was like being in a nightmare…but in the middle of the day.", her eyes glazed over. "There was blood and gore everywhere.", she shuddered as Tara put a comforting arm around her.
After a few moments, Kim laid her head on Tara's shoulder and quietly wept, her mind scrambled by the sudden 'intrusion' of flashes of harsh looking men in suits, carrying guns, torn apart by black clad people in a gruesome dance of death punctuated by flashes of steel and flying bullets.
Finally overwhelmed, Kim quietly wept, her sobs shaking both women as the red head succumbed to the dread she thought she had left behind until this moment.
Shushing her as she rocked her friend, "It's ok Kim, we're here for you, we'll get you through this,", she said as she glanced to her paler than normal husband, "I promise.", Tara comforted her former classmate and cheer captain.
Pulling back and wiping her eyes as she sniffled, "I'm so sorry to be such trouble for you two, T…"Kim said before she began to foam at the mouth.
Shocked, Tara reached and pushed her 'Call Button' and turned to Kim, holding napkins to her face.
Gasping and gagging, "I..kaff-kaff..can't…gak…breathe….", foam spewed from the mouth of the air-deprived, struggling red head.
A Flight Attendant appeared; panicked, Tara asked, "Is there a doctor on board?", who nodded and rushed off as the blonde struggled with Kim.
Shortly thereafter a short, thin man with a black bag arrived and helped with Kim as Tara explained what she could to the perplexed and concerned physician.
Taking his stethoscope from his bag, the MD kept it at the ready as he began to check the frantic red head as best he could under the circumstances.
X
Another fifteen minutes passed after the doctor's exam ended, all of it spent with Tara holding the nearly catatonic red head until the 'fit' and its aftermath ended and was cleaned up.
Kim's occasional twitch or moan was met with comforting or cooing sounds from the platinum blonde as she held the dozing red head, "Ssssshhh, you just relax Kim.", she soothed. Then glaring, "If Stoppable is causing this I am soooo gonna kick his butt.", she whispered into her hair.
Exhausted, Kim struggled from the depths of her drowse, "Don't want it kicked,", she murmured, "just want it to hold onto me…..t….to love me again…..to forgive me.", as she tried to keep her eyes open.
Rocking her back to sleep, "That would be a good second choice, Kim…Now put your head on my shoulder and relax, you'll be alright.", Tara said as she looked to Josh and reached out to grasp his hand.
Looking knowingly to her husband, each now had a much better understanding of what their friend had been going through over the years since she left Middleton.
XXX
A warehouse in Tokyo:
Staring at the white haired old man, who stood stoically throughout the noisy dismantling of his core group of associates in Japan, Percy Metz flinched when this 'Sensei' spoke to him just after a very loud event ended elsewhere in the building, "Now..", his smile gave away a small glimmer of satisfaction, "I think it is time for you to reveal the information we have requested of you."
Extending a hand, "If Yori would be so kind as to come closer to you, she can record it so we do not get the address wrong.", he said as the female Shinobi approached with paper and pen.
Still stalling for time, "Why's that?", Metz feigned confusion.
Speaking offhandedly, "We have a package to send to the recipient and we would very much like to make sure it is received in good order.", the wizened ninja master replied, "We would not care to waste all this effort.", his smile hinting to sinister.
Shrugging as nonchalantly as he could as he figured his time was short, "I suppose you're right about that. But you do all you can to make things fall into place when you try to get people to look at our bottom line, and…"
"And you will die slowly if you do not swiftly comply with our bottom line.", Yori cut him off, "You misunderstand what we are saying.", she glared at the dithering thug. "Now, what is that address?", she bared her teeth.
"Please refuse to release that information to me!", she growled at him. Nodding to Sensei, "If my Grandfather has my fans…you will indeed die slowly as I will skin you alive with them."
Sweat beading on his forehead, "You wouldn't…", he said, his voice shaky.
Pointing to a decapitated corpse, "You think not?", she spat into his ear. "Look at your friend there…he got off easy." The Shinobi pointed to the wire she used to slice all the way through his throat, "It was easy to kill him in this way…Now just think how easy it will be to send you to your ancestors should I have the weapons of my choice."
Smiling inwardly that his Granddaughter was more capable of delivering on her threats, he decided to unsettle his captive further, "Mister Metz, I believe it is her with that she wants to mix your blood with those of your comrades.", he let the thought linger for a few moments, "So please give us the information we seek so that we do not have to resort to any more unpleasantness than we have to."
Deciding to forgo any further denials, he sat mute and his eyes took on a 'thousand yard stare' as he looked to Sensei, trying to convey that there would be no more replies to their questions. Sensei, however reminded him of just how weak a position he was undertaking, "Remember Mr. Metz, you physically assaulted her…", his eyes narrowing as he let that hang, "Just be glad her husband is not present."
Memories of the slaughter he witnessed rushing back, Percy's beads of sweat nearly became a downpour before he nodded. He knew he had to give them what they asked for if he was to survive.
XX
Downstairs:
Twirling and slashing in a display of brutal efficiency neither group present had ever witnessed, the eleven remaining gangsters quickly fell to the blond American. Two minutes after entering the room, the gangsters' bodies lay in pools of the own blood.
Smirking behind her mask as she lowered her .45 caliber weapon, (Didn't leave much for us did you Chosen One?), Wanda teased him.
Letting out a breathy sigh, (It was better to deal with them in this way…I didn't want one of them to get lucky.), Ron told her. (Besides, I owed a few of them for smacking Yori around.), he growled.
Stating the obvious, (Well it looks like you got even, but we won't be getting any information from any of these.), Wanda said as she nudged a body with a foot. (I wander how Sensei is doing with their leader.)
Spinning around at the whistle heard behind them, (Ron-sama you didn't have to kill all of them.), Hirotaka chided him. (Some of them could have been of use to us alive if Metz lies to us.)
Shaking his head, (He won't lie, that I promise you. He will tell all that we need to know.), Ron assured him. (Now where are the rest of the guys? We need to crate this bunch up…they have a trip to take.)
Now puzzled, (What are you talking about?), Suzie asked.
With a mischievous gleam in his eye, (Do you have any of those cool 'Mountain' cards with you?)
The short Shinobi nodded, (Of course.)
(Help Antubi and a couple of others get a large shipping crate ready and line it with thick Styrofoam panels. Then send someone out and get some dry ice.), Ron instructed.
Wanda frowned, (Why do you want dry ice?)
Smirking, (We don't want to draw flies now do we?), he waved a hand grandly, (I mean it is summer. But you know we might want to air freight this mess for quicker delivery.), Ron brainstormed. After pondering for a few moments, he turned to the door, (I'm going upstairs, though I don't think Mrs. Hirotaka would skin Percy boy, I don't want to miss a chance to get some information before he has an…accident.)
Calling out to him, (Scare him a little for me Stoppable-sama.), Wanda offered her advice on the subject.
Looking on at the task ahead of them, Suzie said to her taller friend, (We'd better get a couple of guys in here with a fork truck; these clowns are too big to carry far.)
Smiling Wanda whipped out her cell phone and speed-dialed the group she needed for this little project.
XX
After Sensei helped Percy into the chair Ron had been strapped into a few minutes earlier, eyes bright, he amicably told the gangster, "There you are Mr. Metz; a bit more comfortable than the floor, don't you think?", as he patted him on the back.
Quickly, all semblance of mirth gone from his eyes, "Now Mr. Metz, if you please, the name and address of your employer.", Sensei was now all business.
Grimacing while holding his hand, "I …. ah. I don't have the address memorized you know and I already said that I don't know his name.", Metz continued to stall for time.
Yori, a little put out by the stalling, growled, "You know enough, tell us quickly pervert.", as she slapped him on the back of his head.
Telling them more than they realized he was letting on, "I can't.", then froze when he saw his recent 'punching bag' walk back into the room holding a sword tinged in red. But what freaked him out more was the sinister grin on the blond's face, matched only by the blood splatter on his clothes, which told the lifelong 'Hitter' in his field that something beyond his comprehension had just walked into the room.
Stepping beside the woman who had almost become more than a friend to him, "Let me take a crack at him Yori, maybe I can find something within he's been keeping from us.", Ron said. "Who knows we may learn more than what we're asking for.", as he turned menacingly towards his recent 'inquisitor'.
His eyes wide in fear he tried to struggle, but Ron was too strong for the hoodlum as he gripped Metz's head and entered his subconscious. Once present Ron 'sounded' loudly within so Metz was assured that his mind had been invaded by his former 'punch monkey', "You wanted to know who I was…I think that now you've got one hell of an idea.", he announced, barely tapping into his power.
Getting right to the crux of the matter, "Now I really want you to think about what Yori asked. What is the name of your boss?"
His eyes bugging out, Metz gasped at the overpowering presence in his mind, "I…I don't know his name…I swear."
"Alright…a Mister Doe, huh? We can work around that.", Ron rolled his eyes, "What did he look like? What is the color of his eyes?"
Shaking, eyes darting nervously, "Dark and he's always towering over people."
Head turned in thought; Ron contemplated for a few moments, "Where is he from?"
Anxious, and sweating more, "I'm not sure…he never talked about his past to us."
Continuing this game of twenty-questions, "He must have said something, how long have you worked for him?"
"Only a few years, he recruited me and then some of the others.", sweat pouring down Metz's back.
"How did he know how to find you from your voice you are from the East coast, is he?"
"No…now that I think of it he might be from the Midwest."
Pressing on, "Are there any scars or...anything in the way he acts."
Ron suddenly felt, more than heard, a 'click' inside Metz's mind, and before the young American could even shout an alarm he 'saw' the tooth and the capsule from within Metz's thoughts. Abruptly an intense pain, followed by numbness and dizziness began to overwhelm his consciousness.
"Shit!", Ron spat as the pain overwhelmed him and he collapsed to the floor. Foam poured from his mouth just as it did from the struggling death throes of Percy Metz.
Realizing what he was observing the white haired Ninja Master quickly rushed to Ron, wrapped his arms around him and ordered, "Ron-sama release him, he is a dead man.", as he pulled The Chosen One from the dying gangster.
His eyes rolled up in his head, the former hero fell over as he continued to foam at the mouth. Reaching over Sensei slapped Ron, "Return to us Chosen One…please do not leave us so soon."
XXX
Flight BA237:
After several unsettled minutes, Kim drifted off to sleep on her cheer bud's shoulder. While listening to her friend's murmurs, moans and feeling her shudders in Kim's troubled sleep, Tara considered what she had learned and experienced in those few short minutes of mental and emotional terror put on display by her lightly snoring friend and concluded she needed to talk to some of her friends about this 'episode'.
That the heroine was still being plagued by these 'demons', shook the bubbly blonde to her core as she saw them firsthand and, in their aftermath, how they reduced the strong and outgoing person of Kim Possible to the emotional and mental wreck who sobbed on her shoulder. Frowning, Tara wished she knew the exact rhyme or reason of these 'fits', and even more how to end them and return the auburn haired woman to who and what she was before this nightmare started.
In stunned silence her hubby Josh watched all of this from across the aisle. Shocked at the front row seat he had to an episode of what had reduced a former girlfriend to this level of tears and despair shook him also. Ever the supportive one, he reached out a hand to meet the one his Wife extended, sending her all the love and help he could under the circumstances.
XXX
Near a seaside Caribbean Lair:
"Drew go back inside and bring out the baby sunscreen for Samantha!", the green skinned former villainess yelled to her pack mule of a blue skinned husband trailing behind them. That he was already struggling to carry their cooler, beach towels, an umbrella and various other items from their little seaside cabin to their outing on the pristine beach sands barely resonated with the wife and mother of their child. As usual…
Startled he almost dropped their gear and ran back to the cabin he directed to be built on the other side of the island from their underground lair living quarters, but the realization that his wife had set him up, yet again, in an untenable situation, he shrugged and plowed on through the soft sands to the spot Shego had chosen for their outing.
Upon stopping before the smirking mother of their child, "Meh…I'll get the sunblock Shego, but first let me drop off this stuff off.", as he carefully placed the 'baggage' where it could be accessed.
A gleam in her eye, "Hurry you know how much she loves it when you carry her out in the water…", Shego sweetened the pot of incentives to her husband.
Giving her a pained look, "Shego, that diaper of hers soaks up all that water and then she weighs about as much as Mister Sit Down…..", he cried before rubbing his lower back, "You know I to get had four months of chiropractor work because of that little episode."
Batting her eyes sweetly, "I had to hold your hand too if you remember.", Shego countered with a sugary smile as she lightly mocked him.
"Yes, well I remember that and thank you, but you know that I am sensitive in my lower back…"
Smirking again, "And your neck and legs and right arm…", she counted off.
Stamping a foot and kicking up a tiny 'spray' of sand, "Shegoooo you don't have to bring all that up!"
Enjoying another bit of coerced entertainment at his expense, Shego continued on, "Well you did have me give you back rubs, and I did buy one of those inversion gimmicks for you, too.", she retorted. Then arching an eyebrow to Drakken, "And speaking of back rubs, when are yours going to match mine for relief? We both know yours did nothing for me when I was in labor with Sam."
Though she was enjoying another round of 'parental dinner theatre' the little tyke grew bored of it and decided to change the focus of things by raising her hands above her head and quickly bringing them down to the sand as she laughed at the antics of her Mommy and Daddy. I mean, really, there was a beach and all that water to play in…what were her 'rents' priorities on these things?
Catching Sammy's antics out the corner of her eye, "Awwwww have you ever seen anything so cute?", the raven haired Mom melted, another adult falling under the spell of a cute child of her own.
Smiling what was a warm and genuine smile, not the evil ones he used to be known for, the former Dr. Drakken was also smitten by the antics of his adorable child, "She has your laugh, you know."
Also smiling warmly as she picked up their daughter, "Yeah, she does.", she said before warily looking to Sam, "I just hope she doesn't inherit my temper."
Taking a moment to tickle her daughter's bare midriff, "Now do as I ask Drew, get her sunblock, Sam's skin is very sensitive."
Rushing back to the cabin, "I will be right back dear."
XXX
Tokyo:
After staging the fork truck where he needed it, Antubi Monestu, the black clad driver announced to those standing nearby, (Some of the guys are getting the foam and the dry ice.) Then looking at the carnage, (It looks like we have a bit of work ahead of us to pack them away.)
Frowning, (Well we'd better get started, these men are not going to get in there by themselves…), Suzie chided him. (Not in their present condition.)
Shrugging in reply, (Well we might have been able to keep a few of them alive,), Wanda deadpanned, (but hero boy went a little berserk on us.)
Shaking her head sadly, (It is how he is now, all business.), Suzie lamented. (I liked him a lot better five years ago when he was a goof-off.) Frowning, (That red head needs to have her bottom spanked, she has no idea the problems she's caused.), she growled.
Lowering her voice, (From what I've heard, Yori has some information about her.), Wanda said and glanced around quickly, (We can't discuss this here, too open an area for this,), the tall Shinobi said lowly, (but all I can say here is that Sensei mentioned something about a mission for two of his more elite and enterprising students to undertake soon.)
Snorting, Suzie picked up an arm from one of the dismembered former gangsters, (Well, by elite and enterprising, I'll bet he means us.), she said as she tossed the appendage towards the shipping box, (He just wants us out of the school campus doing some real work for a change.)
With a gleam in her eyes, (He must mean you then Sue, we both know that I'm worth my keep.), her lifelong friend teased her.
Rolling his eyes, (You two are both troublemakers.), Antubi interjected. (It is my hope that he can keep you away from the campus for a year or five so that you won't be a bad influence on the rest of the students.), then ducked when both turned and threw body parts at him.
XX
Pressing a hand to his shoulder to keep him in place on a wall so he could recover from his recent ordeal, (Stoppable-sama, relax and take a deep breath.), the old ninja master told his American friend.
Wiping the 'foam' from his mouth, he slung it to the side, (Being in someone's mind when they commit suicide is not the best way to spend time Master, let me tell you.), Ron sighed to his confidant and friend.
(Yes, well he could have had you perish with him.), he admonished his friend. (Now near death experiences aside,), he said with a barely seen grin, (did you obtain any information about Metz's employer while inside?)
Shaking his head, (No that information was blocked somehow. When I tried to force my way in to get it, it seemed like he was programmed to take the poison pill; like someone meant for this to happen.), Ron said as he recalled what he felt as he delved into Metz's mind regarding that information. To this Sensei sat back to contemplate this wrinkle in their plans to learn of their head antagonist.
Holding his hands out as he shrugged, (So in that regard, it seems that our efforts to uncover who his employer is have been thwarted for a while.), he said to Sensei's frown. Then with a gleam in his eye, (But I think the address we need is in Metz's pocket.)
Grinning back, (Ah then we should use that address to send the addressee a package which he will be sure to enjoy.), he said to Ron.
Then to Hirotaka, (Please remove Mister Metz's hands and head before you crate him up with the rest of his men, we want to make sure the correct message is sent…oh and make sure there is no doubt that 'The Mountain' sent the message.)
Bowing, (It shall be done Sensei.), Hiro said with a smirk, then went to carry out those directives.
X
His part in this adventure at an end, Ron followed Sensei out of the warehouse, the gathering and packing of The Mountain's 'message' taking place nearby at the loading dock of the building, (I need to get back to Sapporo and get my bags if I'm to get there in time today.) Looking from the activity to Sensei, (Except for our talks, I won't be around for the summer.) Sensei nodded his understanding of the implications.
Smiling wistfully, (Take care Sensei, my thoughts are always with you.), he said before bowing, and then giving the 'Peace and Love' hand gesture which Sensei reciprocated after returning his own bow; then they hugged briefly.
After breaking from the hug (Yes it was a manly-hug, no Slash here people…!), (I have called for the helicopter and it will drop you off at a private airport.), Sensei replied. (You have a return flight back to Sapporo for you to gather your things.) Then warmly, (Have a good time this summer Stoppable-san and thank you for your help in this matter.)
XXXX
Well that was an interesting chapter. Ron and Company clean house in a corner of Japan and he nearly buys the farm due to Mr. Patch's indoctrination while Kim gets a front row seat to the entire thing on the other side of the planet. Tara is onto something alright about Kim's 'problems' and for the first time there are witnesses to something others only have heard about from Kim in the aftermath. There's nothing like an actual display of what had been described after the fact all these years to nail down conclusions about the blonde's theory.
The cell of Scum and Villainy in Tokyo cleaned out, messages being sent to Yamanouchi's persistent pest, Ron heads out to another leg of his journey since leaving Middleton. Kim's heading into Middleton before going off with Wade to Japan for a GJ Mission and information about the boy she locked out all those years ago during what she has learned was probably channeled to her by a PTSD'd blond Hero who lived with the nightmares that followed.
And beg his forgiveness.