Ron had never been as confused as he was at this moment.
First of all, despite the fact that this had been their most dire mission yet, it had turned out to be really, really easy to finish off. Despite the fact that something was clearly wrong about Eric, Kim had sprinted in the direction he had told them to go and Ron, being who he was, was right on her heels. It turned out that Eric had been trustworthy; there were no guards or other security measures to be found. There was just Drakken, rows of computer terminals operated by henchmen that seemed more technicians than fighters, and a wall full of screens showing the giant Diablos running roughshod over the entire world.
Drakken, as was his usual habit, was ranting about how much of a genius he was, only this time he had some justification. The two teens stood, just outside the room itself, while he explained to the room at large how he had stolen Dr. Possible's Hephaestus technology, performed a hostile takeover of Bueno Nacho and used the restaurant chain to both distribute the robots and set up a network of transmission antenna. Then, he got into how he kept Kim distracted while this was all going down.
The only thing that Ron could really understand was that Eric was working for Drakken and that his job was keeping her occupied in the weeks running up to the attack, as well as separating her from Wade and him during the attack itself. This was humiliating to Kim, who decided to do something about it before the blue madman got into the details. She stalked into the control room and leveled Drakken with a single, powerful shot to his jaw, only giving him enough time to act shocked that she was actually there.
There wasn't even the drama of an exploding lair. The technician-henchmen showed no interest in fighting and deactivating the worldwide activation signal was as simple as pulling a clearly marked lever. The screens showed the robots returning to normal size and falling from the sky. Wade called in, pointing out that as long as the infrastructure was in place, there was a danger that the toys could be reactivated. Then, Eric showed up and directed them to a stairway that led to the roof.
It wasn't a complete cakewalk; Kim had lined up a projectile weapon, that looked like a modified child's dart gun, on the antenna when Shego appeared. This time, Shego was faced with trying to perform multiple tasks; fighting Kim and keeping the blonde side- partner from shooting the antenna. She couldn't do both; she was more than occupied with Kim and with no additional henchmen or robots to dodge, Ron simply shot the antenna. There were sparks, but it was really very tame in comparison to what usually happened. This brought them into unknown territory.
Their standard operating procedure on a Drakken Doomsday Device Mission was to flee the exploding lair when the doomsday device was about to blow up. In this case, the doomsday device was disabled and, according to Wade, would take several hours to repair and bring back on line but there was no danger of an explosion or collapse; and this had left the teens in a conundrum; what to do. He and Kim didn't really want to leave the area, since there was a chance that the transmitter could be brought on line and the henchmen didn't really want to fight, since the plan had already gone bust. With both Drakken and Shego still out of commission, there was a great deal of confusion about what to do until Kim ran off in search of Eric. This irritated Ron to no end.
It wasn't just because of her infatuation with Eric. Ron found himself in the midst of a group of confused and listless henchmen who might, at any particular moment, realize that a teenage boy who had helped bring down what was probably a pretty well-paying gig was all alone with them. In addition, either the blue mastermind or his green enforcer might come to at any moment and decide that a little violence directed towards the sidekick just might be the ticket to getting themselves out of this fix. Fortunately for him, he didn't have to worry. Various law enforcement agencies swarmed the place.
Again, there was confusion at first. There were State Police, County Sheriffs, and, apparently, some Federal Agents, all trying to figure out just who had authority and just who had committed which crimes. During the discussion, Drakken came to and tried to crawl away. Ron tackled the man before he could make his escape and at about that time, Global Justice swooped in. While Ron had never really liked Will Du, he had to admit that the agent was able to organize everything in a very short time. What Ron didn't like was that everyone present, including he and Kim, were taken into custody. However, Global Justice itself took charge of the two teens. The two were left alone, handcuffed, on a Global Justice aircraft. Kim was distraught and would not talk to him, something that bothered him as much as the way she instantly fell for Eric.
And now, here they were in some sort of GJ holding facility. Where they were didn't look like a cell; it looked more like a small apartment. It consisted of a main room with a comfortable couch, a chair and what looked like a small and properly stocked kitchenette. There was also a bathroom; a proper bathroom and not something with all steel appliances. However, there were no windows and the door was locked from the outside. After a few minutes here, Ron had started to fidget and tried two more times to get Kim to tell him what was wrong. After the second attempt, she gave him a glare that told him he had made at least one too many tries.
Defeated, he clicked on the television and tried a few channels. He quickly realized that the news channels weren't available. In fact, the programming was a couple of weeks old. Okay, no news about what was going on outside. He was starting to feel a little uneasy when the door opened and a GJ agent, who he didn't recognize, showed up.
"Miss Possible," he addressed Kim. "I'm going to have to ask you to remove and turn over your current attire." He handed her what appeared to be a GJ jumpsuit.
Kim looked at the man, seeming to be trying to make up her mind between being defiant and being compliant.
"Why are we being held here?" Ron demanded, breaking the standoff. "Are we under arrest?"
"Fine," Kim sighed. Somehow, Ron's question prompted her into a decision. She grabbed the offered clothing and stalked into the bathroom. Ron and the agent exchanged harsh glares until she emerged, wearing the uniform.
"Here," she snarled, shoving the battle suit into the man's arms. "Now, when do we find out what's going on?"
"Shortly," the man told her.
"How long is..." Ron tried to demand of him, but he slipped back out of the door. Knowing that it was a pointless, dramatic gesture, he checked the door. Of course, it was locked. Turning around, he received a glare from Kim that told him she definitely did not want to discuss the situation with him.
In fact, she sat on the couch and turned slightly away from him, her manner telling him beyond all doubt that he was walking on eggshells. Sheepishly, he found a cooking show and turned up the volume just enough to drown out the sounds of his fidgeting, his breathing, or any other noise that might set her off. Sitting on one of the chairs, he settled in as best he could to wait things out.
Fortunately for his nerves, that wasn't very long. The show wasn't even half through when the door opened again and Dr. Director, along with two suits that Ron didn't recognize, walked through. Both teens jumped to their feet while Ron turned off the television. There was an uncomfortable silence to start things off, during which he realized that the usually composed head of GJ looked...frazzled...at least a little bit.
"Are we being charged with anything?" He demanded, more to start things off than out of any expectation of an answer. "Because if we are, we want to talk to a lawyer before we say anything."
"You're not being charged," Dr. Director told them. "In fact, if anybody was to try to charge you with anything, it would be career suicide. This was the worst criminal attack the world has ever seen, and enough people saw you stop it that nobody would try; even assuming that someone could dream up a charge to throw at you."
"Then why have we been held here?" Kim growled.
"We wanted to make sure that there were no...complications...before we release you to friends, family and reporters," she answered. "There have been several...troubling developments."
"Why did you take her battle suit?" Ron asked. "Were you afraid she was going to break out and talk to the wrong people?"
"Dr. Lode informed me that he made use of Dr. Possible's Hephaestus technology for that piece of attire," Dr. Director told him. "Mr. Lipsky was able to pirate the technology and use it for highly destructive purposes. Until we can be sure that all principals in this plot have been apprehended, we're keeping that suit shielded from all, possible transmissions."
This explanation sounded reasonable, but there was something that bothered Ron a little about it.
"Now, why don't we get down to why we brought you here?" Dr. Director suggested, which interrupted Ron's effort to figure out what bothered him about the battle suit sitch.
"Just where is 'here'?" Kim demanded, further interrupting Ron, even though he had to admit that it was a valid concern.
"You're in Global Justice's main compound, under Middleton," Dr. Director answered.
"And do our parents know that we're here, or even alive?" Kim pressed.
Dr. Director's eye opened a little wider, and she looked to one of the suits next to her. Since the two looked identical, Ron decided to name them Left and Right. Left shook his head slightly before stepping backwards and holding a finger to his ear.
"Not at this time," Dr. Director admitted. "They are being informed even now. You will be released within the hour."
"As long as we agree to say what you tell us?" Ron asked.
"Will you stop with the foolish conspiracy theory garbage?" Dr. Director snapped at him. "Even if my organization worked that way, which we do not, we couldn't pull off making you disappear. Dozens of law enforcement agents, from multiple agencies, saw you taken into custody by Global Justice. It's well known that you are in our custody so if you aren't returned promptly, all eyes are going to be facing our way. We had legitimate concerns about who you were after this incident, so we kept you isolated until we knew it was safe to release you."
"What?" Ron was completely confused, but he noted that Kim's face had gone pale.
"Where's Eric?" Kim demanded of their captor.
"'Eric' is being kept in a secure facility at this time," Dr. Director told her. "I see you worked out why we took you into custody while we searched Bueno Nacho Headquarters and performed discreet scans on you."
"What's going on?" Ron demanded.
"Eric didn't do anything wrong!" Kim snarled at the older woman. "You can't hold him without charges!"
"Eric isn't a him, and you know this," Dr. Director told her. "Because of this, we can hold Eric without any charges. In fact, we're holding Eric at the construct's own request."
"What, Eric isn't a he?" Ron was even more confused. "What's happening here?"
"It isn't any concern of yours," Kim snapped at him. The redhead then turned back towards Dr. Director, but Ron had had enough.
"I think it is my business!" He practically roared at his lifelong friend. "You dragged me along on this rescue mission to save your boyfriend and suddenly it's none of my business? I was facing the killer robots, as well as a sumo-ninja dude that was three times my size, and suddenly it's none of my business? I put my neck on the line over and over on these missions. You get the grapple gun, you get the knockout gas lip gloss, you get the battle suit while I have the clothes on my back, but I still come with you. Now, it's none of my business? I'd say it's more my business than anyone else's! Is there something about Eric that made rescuing him a big waste of time? Well, since I went into Bueno Nacho to do it, I think I have a right to know if I risked my neck for nothing!"
Dr. Director simply looked at Kim, delivering some sort of unspoken ultimatum. Kim couldn't meet her eye. The older woman simply gave a tight nod before turning back to Ron.
"Mr. Stoppable, 'Eric' isn't a person," she explained. "He is a cleverly made synthodrone, created by Mr. Lipsky. His mission was to first distract Miss Possible while Lipsky set up his elaborate plan, then keep her out of the way during his initial execution."
Ron spent a few moments speechless at this revelation.
"It that true, Kim?" He finally asked his friend. "When did you find out?"
"She found out earlier this evening," Dr. Director answered, after it became obvious that Kim wasn't about to answer. "According to the unit, it had been programmed with sufficient discretion to decide how to proceed, and chose to not betray Kim to Drakken. Once the two of you defeated the plot, it explained the situation to Kim. As it is a creation of Lipsky's, we can't be sure that this isn't part of his plot, perhaps to secure his release in case of failure."
"That's why he changed form after you beat Shego," Ron suddenly realized. "That's where you disappeared to after we shorted out the tower."
"That's why you kept us here!" He suddenly realized, looking back to Dr. Director. "You thought that Drakken had swapped us with sythodrones and you wanted to make sure we were the real thing!"
"We didn't think anything," Director corrected him. "Rather, seeing the level of sophistication that Mr. Lipsky had exercised in creating Eric, we had to make sure that he hadn't seen fit to substitute one or both of you, whom he knows very well."
She fixed the teens with a stern gaze. "I hope the two of you can appreciate this precaution. Would either of you want your families to take in one of Lipsky's things..."
"Eric is no thing!" Kim yelled. "He's a person, as much as you or me! He chose to turn on Drakken! He chose to tell me the truth! Even you said that he wants to be held in a secure location so he doesn't hurt anyone else! Doesn't that mean you can trust him?"
"It could be a clever ruse," Director pointed out.
"Before we beat Drakken, it might have worked!" Kim demanded. "He could have took me out after I beat Shego! If that had happened, there wouldn't have been any talk about clever ruses or plans in case he failed! Drakken would have won!"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Ron grumbled.
Kim gave him a sharp look.
"Me and Rufus were still there," he pointed out.
"It doesn't matter," Kim shook her head. "He had the chance to do what Drakken wanted him to do, but he didn't!"
"Can you say that you know every contingency that Lipsky had in place?" Director asked her. "This plot with the diablos was brilliant...evil, but brilliant. Can you be sure that the plan has been completely defeated even now?"
"But if he's in a prison cell somewhere, what harm can he do?" Kim pointed out. "I want to see him."
"No," Dr. Director told her. "We won't take the risk."
"What risk?" Kim demanded.
"Kim, I had hoped to avoid bringing this up at this time," Dr. Director's manner was one of a person facing a distasteful task. "But I see I have no choice. Kim, since Lipsky deployed Eric, your interactions with Ron have dropped drastically. I hope you realize that you are a much more capable heroine when your friend is with you. We haven't been able to quantify it, but we cannot deny it as fact. In addition, you cut back your efforts on missions once the synthodrone established a relationship with you. For example, when you rescued your father, if you would have investigated the facility fully instead of rushing back home, you could have derailed this attack weeks ago. The synthodrone has had an effective and negative influence upon you, I won't allow it any more influence."
This was awkward. It was beyond awkward. In fact, it made awkward seem smooth and cool. He had faced a 'takeover the world with toys made from hijacked technology' plot, but that had been standard and normal compared to this. It was time to go back to school.
Just getting here had been awkward. He and Kim hadn't exchanged any words since Global Justice had dropped them off at home. Actually, the organization hadn't dropped him off at home, Dr. Director had taken the two of them to a hover-jet, or whatever they called their aircraft, and dropped them off at Kim's house. Workmen were already working on the damaged house, so it looked like the Possible Family would have a place to say. Kim stalked into the house without a word and Ron really didn't feel like talking to her. Instead, he wished that just once he could be dropped off at his own house and walked home.
Kim hadn't called him, and he hadn't called her, all day Sunday. Wade did call him, and asked him to turn on the news. It wasn't good; someone had run their mouth and the news shows were reporting that Eric was an artificial person. The speculation as to what Kim's relationship with the machine had ran from innocent, to fanciful, to downright disgusting. He had stayed inside all day, occasionally looking out to see news vans going to and from the Possible House. Kim must have been staying inside, as well, since there were no live interviews or even sightings of her outside. Since he didn't know if he and Kim were on speaking terms, and he really didn't want to have to answer a bunch of questions about the mission, about Kim, about Eric...and about Eric and Kim, he just walked to school early on Monday morning.
His timing was actually pretty good; he arrived just as the doors were unlocked. Mr. Barkin gave him an odd look, but for once wasn't on his case. Instead, the big man just gave him a knowing look...although it didn't tell Ron what he knew. Shrugging, he went to his locker and pulled out his books for his first classes. Somehow, it seemed that last Friday had been a lot longer ago than just two days.
"You know, I don't know who's the bigger loser," a hated, yet familiar voice announced from behind him. "Someone so pathetic that she falls for a fake person, so someone so pathetic that she chooses a fake person over him."
He grabbed the locker handle with an iron grip. It would be so easy, just a swipe of his arm; the same punch that had dropped the hulking, sumo ninja could send Bonnie flying into the far wall and probably shut down her cutting comments forever. The real terror was that for a moment, he honestly considered it before taking a deep breath and finishing his chore.
"Oh, so I hit close to home," Bonnie gloated. "You actually thought you had a chance with her?" Bonnie giggled at him, and Ron was glad that at this early hour, there wasn't anyone to hear her. "You still don't know your place," she continued. "Oh, you're fine for being the mascot or playing the distraction on her missions, but when it comes time to date, she's out of your league."
That caused Ron to give her an odd look.
"Oh, I've put her down a time or two," the brunette admitted. "But I have to admit that she's food chain elite and that means well above you. You're dumber than I thought, loser. It took you until almost all of Junior year to finally figure it out. You're fine to play the distraction or let her vent, but when it comes time to date?" She shook her head in a theatrical fashion. "She rates a hot guy, and that's not you."
"Well, thank you for coming in so early just to make sure I know my place," Ron finally managed to grumble. "By the way, why are you here so early, Bon-Bon? Usually, you're getting in just before the bell rings."
"Probably the same reason as you," she admitted. "It's going to be a madhouse about the time Possible gets here. I wanted to be in the building, away from the reporters, and just waiting for K to show up, all shaken." She paused a moment. "Is K even coming to school today?"
"How would I know?" Ron asked her. "Like you said, I finally figured my place out."
Any retort that Bonnie could have come up with was interrupted by car horns and tire screeches from outside, as well as gasps and gossip from the few students already present. Looking towards the front doors, Ron saw a very familiar redhead, looking every bit as flustered as Bonnie was hoping, rushing for the doors through a swarm of reporters. Behind her, cars swooped up and stopped on the road, discharging still more men and women with cameras and microphones. Even in the school, students pulled out phones and started filming. True to form, Barkin was drawn by the commotion like a shark to blood.
Ron freely admitted that he was biased against Mr. Barkin, but he had to respect the big teacher's ability to pull order out of chaos. Kim managed to slip through the doors, allowing in the clamor of the reporters shouting questions, requests, and innuendo at the redhead, before Barkin let out a bellow that had a physical presence.
Kim kept going, slipping by the big man, while the reporters, some of whom had undoubtedly covered gang crime and perhaps even battlefields, stopped in shock and awe. Before they could act, Barkin informed them all, in a voice that was somehow both thunderous and calm, that they were trespassing on school grounds, a sanctuary of learning for the students in attendance. Should any reporter insist on staying on the grounds without specific permission from the principal, who would not be present for another half hour, he would be more than happy to turn over any such intruder to the Police Department. He concluded by informing all present that the school and law enforcement took a very dim view of anyone who interfered with the students' education.
The crowd dispersed surprisingly fast. Kim, on the other hand, caught sight of Ron and set a determined stride towards him. Ron honestly didn't know if he should be relieved or angry about this. He decided to hear her out before he made up his mind.
"We need to talk," she told him. Unfortunately for her, Bonnie was still close by.
"Oh, the perfect construct didn't work out for you?" The brunette smiled wide. "I guess it's back to the bottom feeder until someone else comes along, isn't it?"
"Fine Bonnie, you win," Kim sighed. "You're the Queen B and the top of the food chain. You're the head cheerleader and captain of the squad if you want. I so don't have time for this right now."
Leaving a thoroughly stunned Bonnie behind, Kim dragged Ron down the hall to the janitors' closet.
"I'm trying to get Eric released," she told him, as soon as the door was shut behind him. Ron's heart dropped even lower; how could she be so blind as to what she was asking him? Yet, she continued before he could say anything.
"I'm working up the appeal now," she explained. "I've got a few lawyers that we helped, and they've also contacted some firms that will take on the case, free of charge. This is something of a landmark case. In addition, I've contacted Dr. Porter and Dr. Freeman, they should be able to get hold of Drakken's files under a Freedom of Information Act Request, then confirm just how much free will he had."
"And just how do I fit into all of this?" He asked her.
"You'll remember all of your interactions with him," Kim told him, completely missing the bitter tone of his voice. "I'll need you to go to the meetings with me and give a different perspective. You see, Eric didn't actually do anything illegal; he never attacked or kidnapped anyone, he didn't steal anything. I think that we can get him released from where he's being held, since he hasn't been charged with anything. He has rights under the constitution."
Ron could only look at her, dumbfounded, as she went on and on about getting the synthodrone released. Did she understand what she was doing? How could she just drag him along with her plan? Didn't she understand how he was torn up about the whole thing?
More importantly, when was he going to get the backbone to tell her no?
The walk up the mountain was more tiring than usual. How many of those detestable toys had the horrid blue criminal distributed throughout Japan? How many had fallen, how much damage had been done? The exact numbers would probably never be known; however, the damage and carnage had been serious enough for Yamanouchi, the rival Yakuza clans, and even other less-than-fully-disclosed organizations had called a truce to help alleviate the injuries and damage.
At first, Yori had wondered why criminal organizations, who exploited the citizens, would assist in rebuilding and treating the injured. Then she realized that although the men who ran these clans may have abhorrent morals, they were intelligent men. If they wanted to continue to exploit the citizenry, it was in their interest to maintain a prosperous citizenry to exploit. The Yakuza had influence with various heavy construction companies and trade contractors, which assisted greatly in dealing with rubble and damaged infrastructure. They also had underground medical professionals and supplies, which allowed them to treat wounded members without generating unwelcome questions from official channels. The Yakuza had unleashed their full capability for the assistance of their home country, and the results had been impressive.
As for Yamanouchi, the students and operatives were organized, fit and all were trained in at least the basics of first aid. Yori had spent over a week crawling through the remains of collapsed buildings, finding those who were trapped, recovering and treating those she could, comforting those who could not be saved. The emotional toll had been even more trying than the physical demands. She was exhausted in a way that she had never known before when she received word to return to the school. Now, she was looking at the walls as a refuge from the turmoil she had experienced. Yet serenity was not to be hers.
"Yori-chan."
She turned and bowed, noting that Master Isha, the school's head doctor, had hailed her.
"I know that you are close friends with Junso-chan," the old man told her. "So I feel it is only right that you be informed of this. Follow me."
Doing as ordered, Yori followed the man first into the infirmary, and then into a back area, where she had never been before. A graduate waited at an unremarkable door, he bowed to the doctor, but looked sharply at Yori.
"She will be allowed access from now on," Master Isha informed the man. The younger man merely nodded and stepped aside, opening the door for the visitors.
The inside was colorful and bright. The sound of songbirds could be heard, and the scent of the pines outside the widow filled the air. Another graduate waited next to a crib. The doctor instructed him that Yori was to be allowed access, while Yori approached the crib and saw an adorable infant sleeping within.
"Hana," Master Isha informed her. "Junso-chan went into labor even while the robots were rampaging and Yamanouchi was rallying to assist. It seems appropriate that the Han came into the world at a time when great turmoil was defeated."
"And Junso, master?" Yori asked. "How does she fare?"
"She is...not well," Master Isha told her.
"I would like to see her," Yori put a firmness that was completely inappropriate for addressing a master into her voice.
"As you will," the old man sighed.
He led her through another door. This room was dimly lit and unattended. The only sounds were the beeps and hums of medical equipment. The smell of strong antiseptics tickled her nose. The only furnishing was a medical bed, flanked by a bank of medical equipment. Unable to restrain herself, Yori rushed forward and looked into the bed to see her friend, pale, drawn and unresponsive.
"The Han demanded great sacrifice," Master Isha told Yori. "A great deal of Junso-chan's chi went into the child."
"Will she recover?" Yori touched her friend's unkempt hair and felt her weak pulse.
"No," the old man shook her head. "We keep her alive out of hope, but the hope is illusion. Giving birth to the Han demanded more from her spirit than any mortal could provide."
"Did she know that this would happen to her?" Yori struggled to keep her voice steady.
"She knew that the sacrifice would be great," the doctor told her. "But not to what degree."
"Did you know, master?" She was well beyond being insubordinate, but she really didn't care.
"I knew," he answered. "But was instructed to not inform her. The Han had to be born."
Yori ground her teeth together, there were more answers she would have to find, more tasks to do, and letting her emotions control her now wouldn't help.
A/N: As always, major thanks go out to Joe Stoppinghem for beta reading.