Tian Cai
By mkusenagi2
The story
concept © 5-19-2006
All Marvel characters are © Marvel
Comics.
Kim Possible and other Disney characters
are ©
Disney Co.
I don't own the Scifi Channel's characters
Either.
For Team Possible it started with a guy…
Named John Brimmstone…
That worked for an Infomercial company…
Based in Washington State…
He wanted to speak to Sheila…
So he called her chalet…
And spoke to her…
On her link in the Command Center!
When he told her the name of the Infomercial company…
She looked it up on the SHIELD datacore…
Found out it was connected to someone she knew and said…
NO.
She told the maids to refuse his calls and upgraded her Command Center's security.
When he couldn't reach her at her chalet…
He called the Xmansion while Ron, Kim, and Sheila were honing their powers…
When she refused his calls there…
He called the Triskelion…
They rebuffed his calls and Fury had him investigated…
He was clean… TOO CLEAN! In fact he had a clearance that Fury WASN'T allowed to talk about!
Finally Ron and Kim had had enough… Sooo…
When Ron and Kim told him to get lost he stopped…
For a while…
Then he called them during their training sessions with Col. Austin at NASA's NBL or Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas…
Over the training comlink with full security access!
THAT'S when Sheila said she'd had ENOUGH and wanted to meet the guy face to face after completing their R&R! (Her curiosity had been piqued since he was ALWAYS courteous and polite to her!)
Team Possible was surprised when he AGREED to her terms!
So arrangements were made to meet at a place of Sheila's choosing…
---
10-20-2004
The
Airborn Lair
Of Dr Dementor
0950 hrs
For Dementor it started with the Pan-Dimensional Vortex Inducer…
As usual.
Professor Dementor sat in his quarters in his mobile lair obsessing about his favorite item to steal. The Pan-Dimensional Vortex Inducer.
'I MUST have IT! … I MUST!' he thought. 'Or else my escape vas for NOTHING… Curse you SHIELD!'
Dementor's henchmen had discovered with AIM's help that he was being transported to Pegasus for detainment 'til his trial by the Secret Court. They had freed him using powered armored stealth suits of Dementor's design and had flown him to his stealthed Aircarrier. Now he was waiting in his stateroom while his henchmen searched for it.
A henchman knocked on his door.
"Enter."
"Sir, we've found the unit…"
"Vell? Vhere is it?" Dementor asked.
"Uh… Before I tell you Sir… There's something you need to know." The henchman was sweating profusely.
"Yes… Spit it OUT MAN!" Dementor roared.
"It's been dismantled…" 'I'm gonna die!'
Dementor turned red… what was visible through his helm that is.
"Vhere is it?" he growled.
"Eureka, WA."
Dementor smiled…
The henchman didn't know why…
But he was VERY afraid.
---
Interlude VI: EUReKA (Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying, And Learned To Love The Artifact!)
10-20-2004
Middleton,
CO
The Possible Residence
0950 hrs
Kim Possible, Sheila Goble (with Rufus curled in her lap sleeping), and Ron Stoppable were lounging in Kim's room while trying to figure out their next move now that they were on leave for 1 week…
"So what do you guys want to do? I'm up for suggestions since you live here." Sheila said. She and Ron were using the guest rooms in Kim's place… mainly because they were more comfortable being close to each other.
"Hmm. I could call Monique and find out what she's doing… I've gotta take another nap though," Kim said, "Xavier wore me out with his tests and cramming all that time theory and physics of probability data in my head…"
"Yeah. I know what you mean. He's a great guy but there's a time and place for relaxing." Sheila said.
"Man! One thing's normal… We've STILL got homework, at least Chuck and the guys are nicer about it than Mr. Barkin was…" Ron said. 'So when can I see your power in action KP? That pearly armor Stark gave you is BADICAL!'
"Yeah." Kim said. 'Later, Hon. Promise.' ''K.' Ron.
"Wish 'Taka was here… It's a shame that he had to stay behind on the carrier doing guard duty on Heelless Jack." Sheila. (Spymaster. Int. III: Iron Ron.)
"Heh! Yeah." Kim and Ron.
"…"
"Man! This TANKS! We can't do half the things we did in Europe," Ron moaned while gazing at Sheila and Kim while they lounged in beanbag chairs. Sheila was wearing an ivory blouse, jeans and cowgirl boots, while Kim was wearing her usual green crop top, capri's and sneakers. 'MAN! What REALLY sucks is that we can't… CRAP!' he thought loud enough for the girls to hear. 'And we've gotta meet that guy… later.'
'Can't what Hon?' Sheila asked with a mischievous grin.
'Uh… get CLOSE… With BOTH of you.' A Beetroot Ron said. 'Y'know… THE LAW. Officer Hobble. Supercop.'
Kim smirked.
'Hon that won't stop you and Kim from being together, I won't mind.' Sheila sent.
Cheshire Kim.
"Why'd you agree to meet Brimmstone anyhow? The guy's weird… not Bad Road… just different…" Ron mused.
"I don't know… he's been nice every time he's called… I'm gonna talk to him… and as long as he DOESN'T know someone I know… or deal with them on a regular basis… I'll say yes… maybe." She thought out loud.
"Huh?" Ron said. 'Hmmm.' Ron noticed that Kim was smiling like The Cat That Ate The Canary.
'What's SO funny, KP?' he sent.
'We're emancipated remember, and SHIELD field officers to boot, Ron. I'm sure we'll be able to have some fun around here just like we used to…' Kim said.
'Yeah, you're right… We could start at Bueno Nacho and hang with Monique and Felix for starters…' he sent with a smile on his face.
'Ahem.' Sheila said, 'I'd like to do that too… but what about tonight?'
'Hmmm.' Ron mused. 'I know! I'll call Brick, and see what he's got lined up!'
'Ron you know what Brick has lined up every night he's free. Bonnie. As in 'Party With'.' Kim.
'Oh yeah.' Ron replied. 'There goes that idea…'
This piqued Sheila's curiosity. "Bonnie… Rockwaller? The girl that came to apologize to Ron, and sat with us at Pegasus… that Bonnie?" she asked with a Devilish glint in her eye.
'So this is how she looked when she got fired up to date Ben AND Johnny… uh oh!' Ron VERY guardedly thought.
"Yeah. Uh…" Kim started, "You know how you 'used' to call me 'Princess'?"
"Yes." She replied as the glint got stronger.
Ron's hair rose as he saw his erotic nightmare take on shape and form.
"She was one… to Ron and me…" Kim said. 'I'm gonna regret this.' She thought.
"If what I've got in mind goes according to plan, Princess, we'll not only have some fun but pop Bon Bon's balloon. So you SHOULDN'T regret it at all."
"SHEILA! You peeked at my thoughts, besides she apologized!" Indignant Kim.
"Sorry… Your thoughts about Bonnie are pretty strong! A body would have to be dead not to notice! … Look all I'm saying is that we have some fun and crash a party or two… So, is she a climber?"
"Oh yeah. When she wasn't dissing me or R… uh yeah she's a climber." Kim said. 'NOW I'VE DONE IT!'
'AWWWWWWWWWW MAAAAAAAN!' Ron thought, 'KP's done it now.'
"Yes you have… now as you say 'SPILL'." Sheila said.
"Welll Bonnie used to dis us in school… a LOT. I don't know why (besides what she'd said about Ron being a great guy, which he IS) but she said she was sorry… She went out of her way to apologize to Ron."
"Hmmm. I guess we'll have to dump the 'pop' part and just crash her party…" Sheila said. 'Since she worked overtime to apologize to Ron…' She guardedly thought.
"Whew!" Kim and Ron said.
"heh!" Sheila. 'But I'm ALL for fun. And I have a solution to your 'Hobble' problem!' she sent as she stroked a sleeping Rufus.
'!' 'UH Oh!' Kim and Ron.
---
Meanwhile…
Dementor and his team had scanned the area and had taken out the military base nearest Eureka with gas…
Now they swooped in for the kill.
First they cut and jammed communications, gassed the town, stormed Global Dynamics (after a man had snuck in (in stealth mode) and gassed the staff into submission), threw up a shield around the complex and went to work on the Level 5 lockout.
'We've got control of the complex sir." A henchman told Dementor.
"Excellent. And ze staff is unharmed?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Gut. Zen Ve shall begin." The diminutive giant said as his men escorted him to the security bay and opened the access panels to the security datacore. "Turn around." Dementor told his henchmen.
They did.
Dementor removed his helm and pulled off the back of his SCALP, to reveal a high tech cranial tap that was embedded in his flesh! 'Now ve shall zee how long it takes to break zis system to my vill!'
Within two minutes Dementor had hacked GD's Security core…
All the way down to Section 5!
"It is done my henchmen. Let us see vhat goodies zey have in Level 5, Hmmm?" he said as he replaced his patch and helm.
They took the elevator to Level 5, opened the doors and entered what was to some a technological paradise.
'No doubt zhat fool Drakken would be impressed with these trifles,' Dementor thought, "Find ze Vortex Inducer." 'Hmmm, vat's zis? They're running a cerebral cyberlink test? I zink I'll see vhat zey were doing.' He thought as he pored over their logs. 'Hmmm. NO! ZAT CAN'T BE HERE! IT'S A MYTH!' he silently raged as he read about The Artifact. 'Zere is only vun reason zey haven't cracked it's zecrets…' he mused as he reached under his helm, pulled of his skin patch and ran a droud to a portable cyberlink test station and opened the door to The Artifact. 'Not enough computing power. With ze help of ze unconscious subjects I'll have enough power to crack it open.'
Now there was a tiny problem…
Dementor had neglected his diagnostics since the time Logan had hit him in the head.
So when he linked with the test subjects (The Townspeople)…
Activated his personal shield and walked into the vault…
Something happened.
His henchmen didn't get a chance to scream.
---
10-20-2004
Somewhere
outside
Eureka, WA
1150 hrs
Now while this had been going on: Jack and Zoë Carter, Henry Deacon, Jo Lupo, and Jim Taggart had been camping out in the paradise known as the Pacific Northwest for a week.
They had just finished packing their gear into Jim's rover and were finishing their return trek to town.
"Did you have fun Zoë?" Jack asked his daughter as he hugged her. 'She's growing up fast!'
"Yeah Dad. You?" she said.
"Oh yeah…" 'Wish Allison was here.' His heart silently cried. 'What's…' he thought as they drove into town and saw the locals were lying in the streets.
"Stop the truck." Jack said.
"Ok." Jim said as he stopped the truck and got his rifle out.
Jo, Jack, Zoë, Henry, and Jim exited the vehicle. "Zoë stay in the truck!" Jack whispered as he and Jo unholstered their weapons.
"No! I'm staying with you or Jo, Dad! It's safer!" she whispered back.
"'k. Henry, got any ideas? Guys?" Jack asked as he noticed everyone had their attention glued to the town vidlink screen.
The visage of Professor Dementor appeared…
And looked at Jack Carter!
"This is The Artifact speaking through the body of Demens. Tell Team Possible they have 48 hrs before this device is triggered." The vid's perspective changed and showed a miniature device on a pedestal. "This device alters the capabilities of W and Z particles rendering them massless… or increasing their mass as I will it. Do NOT try to enter any further, I have boosted the shields that Demens used on your facility to render harmless ANY attempts to enter Eureka and Global Dynamics."
"I know… It's a VERY bad thing isn't it?" Jack said over his shoulder to the others as he tested the field. "Ow!"
"You have NO idea." Henry told Jack, "It's capable of disrupting the way matter's constructed across the Universe."
"Like the Tachyon thingie?" Jack.
"Just as bad." Henry. "GREAT." Jack. "So what do we do Jack?" Jo. "Yeah what, mate?" Jim. "Dad." Zoë.
Jack Carter, former US Marshal, now Sheriff of Eureka turned and looked at his team.
"Jo you've got some friends at SHIELD right, that can get us transportation?"
"Yeah. All the way up to the Director. Why?"
"Good. I need you to get on the horn." A tight-faced Jack said. "Jo I want you and Taggart to watch the area while Henry and I get some help, and keep an eye on Zoë."
"Dad!" Zoë. "I'm not staying here, I going with YOU!" she said poking a finger into Jack's chest. "I'm NOT helpless… Jo's been training me." Jack Stared at Jo open mouthed.
"What? A girl's gotta know how to defend herself!" Jo replied.
"By learning how to take out a Special Forces commando? We're talking later." Jack said. "Ok Zoë… You can come with us… Guys we'll have to give in to his… its… demands for now."
"Jack are you sure?" Henry.
"We have no choice… we'll have to give the little ma… er Artifact… Uhh whatever it is, what it wants…" 'Gotta think of something…'
"And What's that?" Col. Jo Lupo, Jack's partner asked.
"Team Possible."
---
10-20-2004
Middleton,
CO
The Possible Residence
1155 hrs
Ron and Kim broke out her Kimmunicator and called Monique over her new vidlink (that a crushing Wade had designed for her) to make plans… and were shocked!
"Hey Kim, Ron," A visibly disheveled yet ROSY Monique said, "What's up?" she said as she adjusted her top.
"How's it goin' 'Nique?" Kim asked as she peered at her friend, 'YES! She's GOT a GUY!' "Hmmm. Ok Spill. Who is he?"
"Who's Who?" Monique said, "I'm just watching the house while the folks are gone… Uh…" she said before…
"Spank IT! Slap that ass! The Dude Loves The Legs, that Jiggly Butt, And those Jiggly T…" Felix said as he rolled into Monique's room dressed in nothing but a tented towel. Scarlet Felix. "OH! UH… HI GUYS!" Felix rolled out of the room at 60 mph.
Monique was visibly SCARLET!
"Monique!" Kim said with a smirk, Ron snickered.
"Uh… welll… You guys were gone ALL the time… and Felix and I hung out together… then he came over for dinner with the folks… Granma liked him… Stuff happened." GLOWING BROWN DWARF STAR.
"He, he, he." Kim giggled, "Mon, it's cool… So what's he like?"
"Dreamy, especially when… Kim, HE'S THE ONE… Felix' very considerate… and romantic…"
"Girl, I'm HAPPY for you!" Kim exclaimed. "Hey! We're wondering if you'd like to hang with us tonight, and catch up on things."
"I'd like to but… OH!" Monique squealed as she disappeared off camera, "I'm ok!" She said. "No Hon, WE'RE ok." Felix said as he adjusted her link, "How's it going guys?" A dressed Felix Renton said to Kim and Ron.
"It's GREAT." Ron and Kim.
"So she told you huh?" Felix said.
"Yeah." Kim. Ron's grinning devilishly. "We'd like to hang with you guys, Brick, and Bonnie tonight." Kim said.
"Uh. WE can't. But The Brickster's going to be at Club 42 tonight. Bonnie's Dad ok'd it since the club's going to be 'dry'." Felix said as he hugged Monique's waist.
"Damn!" Ron said, "Tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Tomorrow's fine. Make sure to bring Sheila, we're DYING to meet her!"
"We will." Kim said.
"Yeah we'll catch ya later… I know you've gotta show Mon a few thing's from your Magical Bag O' Tricks." Deadpan Ron quipped.
"RON!" Kim was Scarlet from laughter!
"Uh… Gotta Go!" Felix and Monique said before cutting the link.
"That's the Tweebs' line!" Kim said before she collapsed.
The sounds of rollicking laughter filled the house.
---
Three hours later…
Sheila, Rufus, and Kim left the house in Sheila's 'Gini (She'd had her 'baby shipped over from her chalet!) to pick up the girl's ensembles for their night on the town from the airport, while Ron ran out to complete an errand of his own on his scooter.
'Man I hope they LIKE 'em…' He thought in shielded mode, 'It cost a bundle!'
As he ran out he failed to notice that there were a few more than the usual sets of eyes watching the Possible residence. One pair in particular was hostile.
'Just you WAIT!' someone thought. 'I'll get even yet. Even without Herr Smith's help!'
---
A casually dressed, Jack and Zoë Carter, and Henry Deacon were staking out Kim's house. Jack and Henry had their hands full at the moment dealing with Zoë's questions while they were casing Team Possible from a SHIELD car.
"So why are we waiting to ask for their help again, when we've got a deadline?" Zoë.
"We need to see if anyone else is gunning for them… Then too, it might give us an idea as to why the Artifact wants them." Jack said.
"I think we should just talk to them." Zoë said.
"Your Dad's right, Zoë. We need to see if Dementor or one of their other enemies has set them up for something. Besides a modified AIM shield generator was found on the scene by a SHIELD satellite."
"Guys they're splitting up." Zoë said as she exited the car and took out a SHIELD issue scooter from the trunk. "I'll follow Ron. You guys can follow Kim and Sheila." She said before she took off.
"Zoë wait!" Jack said to her retreating form. He turned and looked at Henry, "This is someone's fault… I blame her Mom." Jack said as he went in the opposite direction to tail Sheila and Co.
Henry shrugged.
---
While the girls and Rufus were out, Sheila called John Brimmstone and set their meeting at Club 42.
"Ok. Just make sure you're there. And if HE shows it's over for you, I won't care WHAT kind of clearance you have, GOT IT?" Sheila said.
"I understand Ms Goble… Once again I apologize for the inconvenience. But you're the only woman that's right for this product my client's working on…"
"And it's harmless huh?" Skeptical Sheila.
"Perfectly." Brimmstone said.
"Fine. Whatever." Sheila hung up.
"?" Brimmstone thought. 'Nathan's right but for the wrong reasons… no wonder he has problems with women.'
---
Ronald Dean Stoppable parked his scooter and walked into the Middleton Mall on a Mission…
'KP's right about ONE thing… There's such a thing as the proper brand for the proper occasion.' He thought as he weaved his way through the crowds in the mall.
Now when a body hangs out in a place long enough it becomes part of them… A person can tell by the ebb and flow what's good to eat today, or what stores have a killer special… Or, as in Ron's case you can get a sense of when you're being followed.
'uh oh… I've got a… tail? Hmmm. Doesn't feel like they're hostile… COOLIO! SCORE! The Ronman's got a tail! Time to shake 'em Ron Style.' He thought as he went into the Men's on the 1st floor and cloaked himself with the stealth field. "WHERE'D HE GO? GHOST! AAAAAH!" A startled man said as he ran out of the Men's. Ron ran out behind him to take advantage of the slammed open door.
'Hmmm.' Ron scanned the crowd as he stood next to a planter to see what the tail looked like. '!' 'Cute girl! A little lost looking maybe… but cute. I guess whoever it was left… probably one of Smith's goons.' Ron deactivated the field and walked into the crowd towards his destination. 'Man! I hope they got 'em ready. I had to twist Mr. Murdock's arm to get the money for this from the trust… I'll have to make another dinner for Natasha… ROWR! She's a MAJOR hottie! I could see KP looking like that in a few years! (DROOLING RON.) Ok… Gotta calm down and focus… Now where's that store?'
'There he is! The girls at the fanclub were right! He's cute AND crafty too! Thank God Jo's been teaching me some of her skills. Now I'll see what he's up to…'
Zoë followed Ron until he entered a store in the mall that stood out from the rest…
'He's going in THERE…? Ok, that's it! I'm going in!' she thought as she wandered in.
Ron felt his 'tail' return. 'Hmmm. That girl's shown up again… The Mark's comfy with her… Cute too. Glad I'm with KP and Sheila, she'd give me the wimwams otherwise… Wonder what she wants?'
Zoë gulped and made her move…
"Hi, I'm Zoë Carter." Zoë said to Ron with her hand out and her heart in her throat.
"Hi. Ron Stoppable." Ron shook her hand. "Uh… have you been following me? 'Cause if you have…" Ron started as Zoë turned red, 'She's crushing on the Ronman? Better back off.' "Sorry… didn't mean to be rude."
"OH! Uh… that's ok… It's not everyday a girl gets to meet a guy like you…" Zoe gushed, 'STUPID!'
"I'm just a regular guy… stuff just happens to me…" Shy Ron.
"Look I'm sorry, I've got a confession to make… I'm a FAN… and my Dad (He's Eureka's Town Sheriff) needs your help… Please don't tell him I told you…" Zoe stared at Ron with her Doe Eyes, "He's a former US Marshal and a great guy… Oh god I'm babbling." Zoë wept.
"Hey don't cry. We'll help your Dad… You've had some hard times huh?" Ron asked.
"Yeah. My folks split up. Mom's proud of what he does but she's tired of the worrying at night… Dad's… Dad. I did some things to get his attention and… He's a Marshal at heart… I stopped doing things and… We've been getting close but I'm afraid I'll screw it up!"
"'K." Ron came to a decision. "I'll make a deal with ya. Help me with this… project and I'll be your friend forever… And uh help your Dad too." Ron wiped away Zoe's tears. "C'mon it'll be ok."
"ok." 'He's REALLY SWEET! I'm SO jealous of Kim Possible and Sheila Goble!' "Uh whatcha doin'?"
"Welll… I'm trying to make sure these are ok." Ron handed Zoë the two items he'd been inspecting. "So what do you think?"
Zoë was speechless. "Good. They're Good. Great. PERIOD. They'll like them!" "Beep!" "Sorry I've gotta take this… Hi Dad!" Zoë waved at Ron and wandered off.
"Will that be all Sir?" The exasperated salesman said.
"Yeah." 'It's enough!' Ron thought as he paid for the items.
---
"Uh oh!" Rufus said as he looked out the rear window from his perch on Sheila's shoulder.
"Don't worry Rufus, I see them. HANG ON!" Sheila said before she took off down Oak St, Middleton's main drag and clicked her scanner on (in passive mode). 'One of them looks familiar… Is that a SHIELD car? It IS!' she thought as she checked her scanner.
"Tail?" Kim asked.
"Yeah. Skilled too. Hold on I've got an Idea!" Sheila whipped them into a parking garage and took them to an intermediate level. "Shhh." She said as she clicked two switches.
The SHIELD car drove past.
The girls waited 'til they saw the car leave the garage.
"I'll bite. What just happened?" Puzzled Kim.
"Well. When I was in Europe I got the car 'tricked out'. After Ron's 1st mission I jumped for the stealth package Stark offered after the Sublime thing… take a look."
Kim got out of the car and saw…
A beat up '78 Coupe De Ville with an old man at the steering wheel!
"Wow!" she said.
"That's what I said. Now let's finish what we started so we can have a night on the town they'll TALK about for YEARS to come!" Sheila said.
"Ok." And off they went.
---
"DAMNIT! We lost 'em!" Jack said. "Got any ideas?" 'We're running out of TIME!'
"Actually Jack I do." Henry said before he made a call to the Triskelion. "In fact we should have done this sooner."
---
10-20-2004
The
Middleton Strip
Club 42
Middleton, CO
2105 hrs
Sheila, Ron, and Kim got in line…
Were recognized by the bouncers…
And were passed through because the Bouncers were fans!
Sheila, Kim and Ron walked into Club 42.
Ron took their wraps and gave them to the coat check.
Then they entered the club…
Well Dressed Average Guy with two Goddesses on his arms.
Kim as usual was elegantly dressed in one of her LBD's ('slightly' modified by Henri, Sheila would settle for no less) with matching accessories.
Her dress was a Silver trimmed number that had a mid-thigh skirt that 'covertly' slanted from right to left…
With matching silk stockings that had a dusting of Silver that went down the back of her shapely legs, and the heels to match.
Kim in essence was like The Lotus Blade given form.
Ron was casually dressed in one of his navy Brioni 'spy' suits.
But Sheila…
Sheila.
Was dressed as a Goddess…
Her hair was coiffed in a Grecian braid that F L O W E D down her sculpted back and accentuated what she was wearing.
Ah yes… Her DRESS…
She was wearing Henri's latest creation that he'd designed for her.
An Emerald and Jet dream crafted from Reed Richard's Quantum Silk line of fabrics based on his quantum solids research.
It was a dress that was Jet, bordered with bands of Emerald…
The bodice of her 'dress' was composed of panels of silk that had a hint of Jet darkened Emerald in them…
They also lightened enough to give a hint of the treasures beneath…
Then would darken.
The mid-thigh Skirt caressed and cradled her legs like the gentle waves of the Sea…
And teased with the hint of a slit on her left.
Her Heels and Stockings were designed to 'complement' the flowing patterns that started in the dress and flowed downward.
The effect to say the least was simply…
STUNNING.
"!" The men at the club thought.
She was tall and elegant, like a Mint Julep... actually more like a flute of absinthe, beautiful yet with a seductive bit of nastiness.
Now the guys…
All the guys were…
Welll…
Speechless…
Since Sheila was a walking Ultra Sexy Crustbuster Bomb…
And…
Welll…
Because she was with…
Of ALL people…
Ron Stoppable!
Together she and Kim made quite a pair…
Yin and Yang…
Light and Shadow.
Ron escorted both Goddesses to a table and left to get their drinks. Brick Flagg drifted over and talked to Ron at the Bar.
"Dude! 'Sup?" Brick.
"Oh! Uh… Hey Brick how's it goin'?" Ron asked. 'Why am I still nervous around the guys from school? I hang with some of the greatest warriors on the planet… TWO of them are my girls even… and I'm still nervous around 'em.'
"Cool. Y'know… I'm just hangin' with the guys… I uh, got the scholarship I wanted… to State…" Sheepish Brick. 'MAN! Stoppable's come a LONG way! How do I talk to such a dude? And that Sheila chick… she's a Princess!'
"COOL! So you're plugged in and ready to go right?" Ron.
"Yeah… Hey Ron… uh… Sorry about the stepping on you thing in school and all…"
"It's ok." Ron said.
"So… Dude I GOTTA ask, How?" Brick said, "I mean I'm a fan of you and Possible, but BOTH of 'em? Like… HOW?"
"I took two rounds for her… Somehow I knew she was cool…" Ron said.
"Yeah?" Brick said with a growing admiration in his eyes.
"Yeah. She took a hit for me too… Before I ran off to save her, Kim volunteered to guard her… The next thing I knew we're (all three of us) an item."
"So what's she like? Sheila?" Brick asked.
"Why? You wanna try to take her on?" Ron quietly bristled.
"Nah. Just curious, an' stuff." Red Faced Brick.
Ron turned and gazed at Sheila then Kim. "What you're seeing is all the hint you'll get, Friend O' Mine. She's just giving us guys a tiny peek at what she's got to offer… and I'm grateful for every day I spend with her and Kim both." He finished before turning round.
"Wow!"
"Yeah. Kim does it too, but she lets you see her outgoing side and gives you a hint with her quiet moments."
"Cool! … Uh, I saw what you did in Monaco… Bonnie taped it even… Took some MAJOR guts dude… Me an' Bonnie were rootin' for ya… How'd you do it? Weren't you scared?" Amazed and Puzzled Brick.
"Yeah. But I was scared more about what'd happen if that bastard had crossed the line… It worked out pretty cool… I had the best backup in the world… Marc DesChamps and his buds, Prince William, Jenkins, SHIELD, and The Avengers." Ron said, 'They were rooting for me? Bonnie TAPED it?'
"Wow!" Brick.
"Yeah… Marc's pretty cool, he doesn't have any powers and helped us fight that bastard at ground zero… He's Sheila's Aide. C'mon over dude I'll introduce ya to her."
"Nah… Bonnie's a little intimidated by Sheila right now… to tell ya the truth, I think she's had a burn for ya for years… Now she's kinda down…"
"You want me to give her some Ronshine… make her laugh?" Ron asked.
"Nah. We'll stop by later…" Brick said as he looked over Ron's shoulder, "'Sides you've got someone at your table getting themselves set up for Possible ta kill 'im."
"WHAT?" Ron said as he spun around to see…
Josh Mankey was talking to Sheila while ignoring Kim!
'I don't think SHIELD or The Avengers could handle this!' he thought.
---
Meanwhile at MPD HQ…
"Begorrah! How's he doin' this?" Officer Hobble grumbled as he lost another hand to Rufus dressed in his SHIELD kit.
"Don't know." Another cop said, "He's cleaned me out too."
"Well at least we won't have to worry about Possible and her crew getting' in trouble tonight with the Guardsmen and the SWAT team on maneuvers…" Hobble said.
"Sarge… don't you think it's kinda weird that they're doin' EVERYTHING we do? It's like we're on the shelf or somethin'!" a cop named Jones said.
"Nah. If SHIELD wants to do some peaceful 'outreach' work and practice their low level tactics with the community, so be it. Now give me another hand you little…"
Rufus dealt the cards.
"Hmmm." Hobble mused, "Let's go." 'Now I've gotcha!'
Rufus picked up his cards and grinned.
---
'I'll fix them both… Stoppable for taking Kim from me, and Possible for leaving.' Josh Mankey thought as he moved towards their table. 'I'm a player's player and get ragged on for it, while Stoppable does it and get pats on the back? FUCKER!' he thought.
---
'So who's the baby Pituitary case talking to Ron?' Sheila sent to a giggling Kim.
'Oh that's Brick Flagg. He's harmless… had a crush on me once. Adrena-Lynn 'helped' him get over it. He's Bonnie's guy, they go through an on again/off again thing.'
'Like a bad light switch?' Sheila sent.
'Yeah. Brick's kinda been in Ron's corner ever since the Adrena-Lynn thing too. Looks like he's quizzing Ron about you.'
'(Snicker!) How old is he?' Sheila asked.
'He's 18… except when it comes to…'
'Women?' Sheila.
'Yeah.' Kim grew pensive.
'So what was it like for Ron here?' Sheila asked (with chin in hand) as she watched Kim.
"Ron's always been sweet to me and nice to people in general. Some people just took it as a sign of weakness and bullied him…" Sheila's eyes FLARED! "But I took care of that." Kim stated.
"Really! How?" Sheila asked.
"Welll… when Drakken's Brain Switcher zapped us, we had to take over each other's lives… I got jumped by the bullies in D-Hall…"
"Oh Yeah! I remember that! HA, HA! Drakken was SO mad you'd stolen his body!" Sheila said. 'THANK GOD, Dobbs and I get along now!'
"Yeah. I scrapped with them to the point that they'd think twice about messing with him again. Then there was the time that a guy I was dating was going to 'have Ron taken care of' if I didn't quit being his best friend. Josh Mankey." Kim said as she looked up.
"What?" Sheila said as she felt a sneaky presence walk up behind her.
'He's behind you, Josh Mankey, the guy that threatened Ron. I told Ron we'd grown apart NOT that I'd broke up with him because he threatened Ron. He's SO conceited once you get to know him…'
'Really! … Time to have some fun!' Sheila thought as she gazed into Josh's face while he tried to get past Sheila's stunning effect on him.
"Hi I'm Josh." He managed to say to Sheila while pointedly ignoring Kim, "Wanna dance?" 'Man! She's a Sexy Bitch.'
---
Ron sauntered over with the girl's drinks. "Hey KP, I got your and Sheila's drinks." He said as he prepared to set them on the table "Let's see… Pink lemonade for KP, a tea for Sheila and punch for me… Oh hi Monkey." Ron said. 'Glad I'm dressed…' Ron thought, 'Uh oh… What're you up to?' he asked Sheila.
'I'm going to have some fun, since he was rude to Kim. Danger Room style as far as his head goes. Who's in?' she said. 'We are!' Kim and Ron replied.
"Hello Ron." Mankey said, "still clumsy I see." He said as he tried to trip him. "uhg!" he grunted as his foot hit the Bo as it fell down Ron's leg, flickered out from his ankle, thunked Mankey's (causing him to bend over in pain), and hopped back on his wrist. Sheila stifled a smirk.
"Oh, I'm sorry are you ok?" Ron said as he helped Mankey stand up.
"I'm fine!" he grunted. 'I'll get you!' his eyes said to Ron. 'Anytime." Ron's said back.
Josh took Sheila's hand and led her out to the crowded dance floor as a slow number started…
"So… uh how and why'd you hook up with Ron?" he asked as he danced with her.
"Ron took two rounds for me… the rest's history." Sheila listened to Kim and Ron's deepest thoughts…
"Really. That's hard to believe. Ron's been such a coward at school." Josh said.
"Ron, like most people I respect, is full of surprises." 'Unlike you.' She thought.
"What about me? I've NEVER run from a fight, AND I'm talented." Josh said.
"I don't think so." Sheila said as she rubbed against him. "Your talent is running away from life while pretending to embrace it. Ron's the opposite. Now hush and enjoy the moment while you can." 'This is driving him CRAZY!' she thought as she pulled him close and wrapped his arms around her.
Mankey tried to stealthily move his right hand into his pocket, 'I'm gonna make Stoppable PAY.' He thought as he fingered an item in his pocket and returned his hand to her waist.
"Dick." Sheila. 'He's up to something.' She sent.
"Uh it's Josh." He said. 'Bitch!' he thought.
"No. I'm sorry, I meant do you have one or are you one?" Sheila said. 'He's got a weapon!' she sent to Kim and Ron.
'You sure?' they sent. 'YES!'
"What?" he said as he stood away from her.
"C'mere." Sheila said as she reeled him in and massaged his upper and lower backs' pressure points thus turning him on, yet making him sluggish, "Do you have a big one?" 'Weapon that is?'
"Huh?" Confused Mankey.
"Car. They say a car's indicative of a man's prowess…" she whispered in his ear while teasing his spine. "Except in your case," she said with Kim's thoughts in mind, "it's a VW beetle… more like a Pinto. Ha, Ha, Ha." Sheila stepped away from him in laughter on the dance floor. "We're done here. Go home little boy. Ron's more man than you'll EVER be." 'Get READY girl…' Sheila braced herself for battle.
A twisted Knight vs the Dragon Princess.
At THAT moment three things happened:
Josh Mankey crossed the line and withdrew a weapon from his pocket.
Sheila Goble Baux placed TOTAL trust in Ronald Dean Stoppable.
Ronald Dean Stoppable streaked up to Josh Mankey, grabbed his right hand with enough force to break it 'round the weapon in it, blasted his kidneys with a Phoenix Fist, and placed him in a right submission hold with his foot on the back of Mankey's head. "You ok?" he said to Sheila as Kim ran up with several bouncers in tow.
The crowd BACKED away.
(The music of course stopped and the bouncers had to take control of the sitch, which wasn't too hard to do since Ron had shocked everyone with his prowess.)
"Yeah." Sheila said. "What'd he have?"
Ron and the bouncers held Mankey down while they opened his hand to find a miniature Carbonadium katar with the HYDRA logo on the blade!
"Where'd he get this?" Kim asked, "How?"
"I'm calling the SHIELD boys KP," Ron said, "This is an attempted assassination as far as the Director'll be concerned. You ok Sheila?" he asked with the Hound Dog's Eyes.
"Yeah." She said.
10 minutes later the Guardsmen arrived and took Mankey away…
People were milling about in shock from what had just happened! One of their own had just tried to assassinate someone.
What chilled Kim and Ron to the bone was that it was someone they KNEW! Only one person was responsible: Herr Smith.
"Fuck this! That Asshole's NOT ruining our night out!" Sheila said. 'Don't worry! That ass is gonna make a mistake, and when he does we'll be waiting!' She sent to Kim and Ron.
Sheila went to the DJ whispered a request, grabbed Ron and Kim by the hand, escorted them to the dance floor and struck a pose.
"HIT IT!" she cried.
Everyone danced!
What're You Lookin' At?
Strike a
pose
Strike a pose
Vogue, vogue, vogue
Vogue, vogue, vogue
Look around
everywhere you turn is heartache
Its everywhere that you go (look
around)
You try everything you can to escape
The pain of life
that you know (life that you know)
When all else
fails and you long to be
Something better than you are today
I
know a place where you can get away
Its called a dance floor, and
here's what its for, so
Chorus:
Come on,
vogue
Let your body move to the music (move to the music)
Hey,
hey, hey
Come on, vogue
Let your body go with the flow (go with
the flow)
You know you can do it
All you need is
your own imagination
So use it, that's what its for (that's
what its for)
Go inside, for your finest inspiration
Your
dreams will open up the door (open up the door)
It makes no
difference if you're black or white
If you're a boy or a
girl
If the music's pumping it will give you new life
You're
a superstar, yes, that's what you are, you know it
(chorus, substituting groove for move)
Beauty's where
you find it
Not just where you bump and grind it
Soul is in the
musical
That's where I feel so beautiful
Magical, life's a
ball
So get up on the dance floor
(chorus)
Vogue,
(vogue)
Beauty's where you find it (move to the music)
Vogue,
(vogue)
Beauty's where you find it (go with the flow)
Greta Garbo, and
Monroe
Deitrich and Dimaggio
Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean
On
the cover of a magazine
Grace Kelly;
Harlow, Jean
Picture of a beauty queen
Gene Kelly, Fred
Astaire
Ginger Rogers, dance on air
They had style,
they had grace
Rita Hayworth gave good face
Lauren, Katherine,
Lana too
Bette Davis, we love you
Ladies with an
attitude
Fellows that were in the mood
Don't just stand
there, lets get to it
Strike a pose, there's nothing to it
Vogue, vogue
Oooh, you've
got to
Let your body move to the music
Oooh, you've got to
just
Let your body go with the flow
Oooh, you've got to
Vogue
Vogue
Vogue
Sung by
Madonna
Written By Madonna
and Shep Pettibone
---
Later that night…
Ron, Sheila, and Kim were sitting at their table.
"Sheila, Kim… I'm so glad you… I mean I'm glad you didn't die on the Vendetta mission… I'm stupid for not saying and SHOWING it enough… Glad you're here for me… Uh… And Tonight I…" Ron started as he reached for the items in his pocket. 'Pull it together dude!'
"Shhh, it's ok Ron." Kim said as she hugged him from the left and LOOKED at Sheila.
"Like Princess said it's ok. I'm glad you had my back. As powerful as we two are, sometimes it's hard for us to use our powers in a crowd." Sheila said as she moved her chair to Ron's right.
"Thanks. Uh ladies… I uh got you something… to say how special you are to me…" Ron said as he pulled out two felt boxes with Harrods in gold leaf on the lids.
"Ron!" they chimed as he opened them. Inside were two rings. One was a Smoky Black Diamond encrusted with Emeralds, the other was a clear Diamond surrounded by Alexandrites, both placements were crafted so the stones were in a Rose motif.
The girls were STUNNED. STUNNED I TELL YOU!
"Hon… why?" a Teary Sheila asked, while a Teary Kim looked on.
"Because… You're the BEST. PERIOD." He said as he placed each ring on their left ring fingers, "And because with these rings I promise to ALWAYS love and be there for the two Goddesses in my life." Kim got the Alexandrite, while Sheila got the Smoky Diamond. "I got Matt to squeeze out some 'change' for these from the trust… It took a while to get 'em done… The Alexandrites match your eyes and hair when the light changes KP. The Emeralds match your eyes Sheila, and the diamond matches the mystery of your soul shrouded by your hair, especially when we're y'know… (RED RON!) Do you like 'em?"
"…"
"…"
"!"
Anyone who didn't know better would have thought Kim and Sheila were trying to eat Ron's face off.
"Ahem! 'Scuze us K, we just wanted to stop by before we call it a ni… OHMIGOD! DID HE JUST?" Bonnie squealed as she saw the rings. Brick walked up behind her and winked at Ron.
"YES HE DID! Aren't they FABULOUS!" they squealed back.
Brick pulled up a chair and sat next to Ron while the girls admired the rings. "Dude, I'm GLAD I never pissed you off! It was awesome to see you move like that!"
"I guess." Ron said, "I'll just be glad when this is over. This hit TOO close to home, y'know?" 'I'm gonna BREAK that bastard for what he did to Mankey! Twisting him like that ISN'T cool!'
"Yeah."
---
10 minutes later…
Bonnie got Kim and Sheila to promise to hang out with her the next time they were in town; after Brick threw Bonnie over his shoulder, and carried her off John Brimmstone FINALLY arrived.
Ron was about to grill him when Sheila lay a gently restraining hand on his arm.
He was a quiet man about 6'8", 350 lbs, stout, with brown hair, Blue eyes, and a slightly boyish charm to his face. His eyes were what caught you. It was clear that he'd seen his fair share of pain and quietly wanted to do something to help others.
"Ok. Here's how it works, you tell me what the product is and what it does or else. (Plasma Spark!) After you tell me I say yes… or no. (Another Plasma Spark!)" Sheila said as she looked at him. "The only reason we're meeting at all is that you have some SERIOUS skills and DON'T misuse them… plus you got The Director to back off, which doesn't happen often."
"Are those the only reasons?" He asked with a merry twinkle in his eye.
"No… It helped that you're nice… Like Ron." She said. "And I get the idea that you don't like Nathan either."
Kim and Ron looked at each other then Sheila, 'Who's Nathan?' they sent. 'Later.' She replied.
"That's VERY true… Ms. Goble I've been authorized by Global Dynamics' Cosmetics and Skin Care division in Eureka, WA to make you a SERIOUS offer." He said.
Ron's ears perked up.
"I'm listening." 'Here it comes…'
"We need your hair… for a shampoo commercial. That's all." He said.
Sheila became centered.
'Sheila. DON'T.' Kim and Ron sent, 'He's not worth it!'
Sheila stared at John Brimmstone.
He'd called her basically… all over creation.
To ask her to make a shampoo commercial.
She was angry true…
But MORE importantly…
She was CURIOUS.
"Why?" she asked with an unearthly glint in her eyes.
"Our computers and research staff think your hair's comparable to Helen of Troy's or Cleopatra's in body and other normally intangible characteristics… Their hair set trends and made them notorious… so does yours."
"Sheila this sounds kinda weird…" Kim said.
"But it's true KP… at least for us guys. I mean she's got Killer hair… C'mon, the figure and the hair… It ROCKS!" Ron said.
"So what's the shampoo do? Global's not known for doing ANYTHING small." Sheila said.
"We've found a way to use nanobots to harmlessly alter hair. Like so." He said as he pulled out a remote and demonstrated with his own hair. "We can change the coif, texture and color with a press of a button." John's hair changed color from red to a dark blue/black, then from swept forward to swept back.
"Are the 'bots permanent?" Kim.
"No. You can set them to harmlessly self destruct with the press of a button. They just evaporate into thin air." He said.
"Do I get a percentage and do I have to see Nathan's stupid ass?" Sheila asked.
"Yes to the percentage (5 percent I believe). No to seeing Nathan. In fact our new liaison demanded that he leave you alone or else you wouldn't be held responsible for what you did to him."
"REALLY!" Sheila GLOWED, "He said that?"
"Uh, She said that. So is it a deal?" he asked. 'Please! Just hurry up and sign the papers… DON'T ask me who she is…'
"Yes." After Sheila had signed the papers she asked John a question. "So who's the new DoD Liaison?"
"Allison Blake." 'Here it comes!' John thought.
"OY!" Sheila. 'Here we go!'
'DoD, Global Dynamics, Allison Blake, Nathan, Eureka, WA?' A puzzled Kim and Ron mused while Sheila and John hammered out further details.
---
10-20-2004
The
Middleton Strip
Club 42
Middleton, CO
The Parking Lot
2315
hrs
Kim, Ron, Sheila, and John walked into the lot where Sheila's 'Gini was parked and got ready to call it a night when…
A floodlight pinned the group…
And a voice cried "HALT!"
Sheila shoved John behind her and powered up…
Ron 'popped' his Bo into his hand…
And Kim's body flared with a Shadowy Pearlescent Aura!
'COOLIO! So that's what your power looks like KP! Badical! Say can you…'
'RON!' both women cried.
'Sorry. Head In The Game.'
"Sorry." A voice said as the light went out, "I couldn't resist." A sandy haired, smiling man said as he stepped forward, "I'm Jack Carter, Sheriff of Eureka," he said as he flashed his badge and stuck out his hand, "And we need your help, Team Possible."
"Coolio!" Ron said as he shook Jack's hand, "You're Zoë's Dad! We'll help ya dude."
'Zoë? Ron who's Zoë?' Kim and Sheila.
'Zoë's Jack's daughter… I was gonna tell ya later… HONEST!' "Uh, I guess Zoë told you we'd help?" Ron asked Jack.
"Yeah… yeah she did. Look we've got a situation in town that requires your assistance." 'He reminds me of ME when I was his age…' "A 'friend' of yours has taken over the town… Kind of."
"Who's the 'friend'." Kim asked.
"Professor Dementor." Henry said as he stepped up and shook their hands, "HI, I'm Henry Deacon. John what are you doing here?" he asked Brimmstone.
"I just sealed a deal with Sheila for Global's Shampoo commercial. What's happened?" he asked.
"It looks like Demens… Dementor… Whoever he is… got into Level 5 and tinkered with The…" Jack started.
"Artifact?" A VISIBLY angry John Brimmstone said.
"Yeah… during the cyberlink thingie test… It's TALKING through him… Look we're running out of time…" Jack said.
"It's cool dude." Ron said looking at Jack Carter as he formed a cloud and stood on it, "Hop on! We're gonna stop by the house first to get some gear." 'Guys is it me or is this a new color of weird?'
'It's them. You're fine.' They said. 'Hon, the WHOLE town's like this…' Sheila said. 'After WWII Einstein asked Truman to build a town for geniuses only… Eureka's the result…'
'Ohhh.' Kim and Ron. 'I wonder why Wade or Dad doesn't live there? I'll ask them during some free time.' Kim thought.
"Talking through him? Damnit I TOLD Nathan that it needed to be socked away somewhere else with HARD protocols… it's too close to the town. That's why I quit Level 5 and went into cosmetics; at least there I can control things better. What's it done?"
"It built a W/Z particle device that can alter their interactions with matter… probably on a non-local scale." Henry.
"What's non-local?" Jack asked.
"Faster than light. Sort of." John.
"The Tachyon thingie ALL OVER AGAIN… DAMNIT!" Jack griped.
"I wondered what had happened to you John. Nathan's closed mouthed about it." Henry said.
"Of course he's closed mouthed about it… I gave him two shiners as a going away present. He's pissed because I got the President to give us autonomy and he needs us because we turn a serious profit."
"RIGHT. So who's Nathan?" Kim asked as they got on the cloud.
"Nathan Stark." Sheila.
"THE Nathan Stark… Nobel Laureate?" Ron said stunning Kim and Sheila. "What?"
"Yeah… Right before he married Allison he 'chased' me for a bit… He said he wanted to study my powers… He wanted to 'study' me alright… I thumped him for it too. Nathan's a freak for women that stand out… that have an odd 'color' to them… He tries to be so SUAVE about it too… For me that was literal… for Allison it's mental since she's a medical genius… Ally's always looked at me ('til recently I guess) as the 'other' woman because Nathan's still got a burn for me. Plus he's vexed 'cause he's NOT related to Tony."
"Oh." Everyone said.
"Allison's divorcing Nathan. Hi! I'm Zoë Carter; I'm a BIG fan of Team Possible's. Please don't be mad at Ron. When we met he was worrying about your rings to the point of driving the jeweler crazy." Zoë said.
"Really." Kim said with arched eyebrow. 'Just you wait Ron. When I get hold of you, you won't be able to walk for a week… In a GOOD way.'
'Ditto.' Sheila sent.
'Uh oh. Gonna need an ICU!'
"Yeah. He's TOTALLY devoted to you two… He gets this lost loving look when he thinks of you."
"Yeah. He does." Sheila said as she sized the girl up, 'I like her. She's no angel, but she's a good kid. Bet she drives her Dad crazy. (He's a Hottie. Thank God for Ron.)' "Zoë was it?"
"Yeah?" she said as they took off for the Possible house.
"Do you like Prada?" Sheila asked.
"Yeah she 'likes' it a little too much…" Jack started.
"Dad!" Zoe.
"This is AMAZING!" Henry said as he inspected the cloud, "So is it as cross between controlled Quantum and sub-Quantum fields or is it something else entirely like a fold in Spacetime?"
"Huh?" Ron.
"Henry quit trying to put the man in a box and let him drive." John said.
"I'm just curious… he might be able to help me with the Engine." Henry said.
'MAN! I'd rather face Monkey Fist right now!' Ron thought.
---
15 minutes later at Chez Possible…
"Your name sounds familiar Jack." Sheila said from inside her Pulsar suit while they waited in the drive for Kim and Ron to suit up. "I've heard of you before… How'd you end up being Eureka's sher… OHMIGOD… YOU'RE IRON JACK CARTER, US MARSHAL!" Sheila cried.
"Guilty as charged. I'm glad you're an agent of SHIELD, Ms Goble." He said.
"It's Sheila. I'm SO glad YOU never caught me… I'd probably be drinking through a straw now." Sheila shivered.
"Maybe." Jack replied.
"You KNOW my Dad?" Zoë asked.
"Everyone in my former circle KNOWS your dad Zoë… That's why they didn't come after you guys… it was understood that if you messed with Iron Jack's family you'd pay… PERIOD."
"Oh." Zoë. 'She'd make a nice match for Dad. I like her. A little scary though.'
"So how'd you find us?" Sheila asked.
"Henry asked the Director for a favor. They go way back." Jack said.
"Oh." Sheila.
"We're ready." The Rock Face said as he and Kim appeared with their armor on.
Kim had just received her armor from Stark International when they were at the Xmansion. She liked it but was still getting used to the feel. Her design was similar to Sheila's just that it was pearly in texture and color.
---
10-20-2004
Eureka,
WA
The City Limits
0050 hrs
Team Possible and Team Carter landed outside the city limits next to Taggart's truck…
"Where's everybody?" Jack said.
"Psst! Jack! Mate over here!" Taggart whispered from the brush on their right.
"Taggart?" Jack whispered as they approached and entered the brush, "Where's Jo?"
"She's doing a recce of Global's facility. After you left everyone got up and walked into their homes. It looks like it's still got them in its grip." the tall Aussie said as he led them to his camp. "It's a PURE pleasure to meet you two ladies."
'Two ladies!' Kim and Sheila thought.
Kim, Sheila, John, Henry, Zoë, and Jack looked around…
And realized Ron was gone!
---
"pop!" Ron suddenly appeared inside the vault where The Artifact was being kept.
'Ok. We're here. I'm guessing the Level 5 place… whatever… KIM! SHEILA!' Ron sent.
"They can't hear you." The Artifact said with Dementor's voice. "I've changed our 'orientation' in Spacetime and shut down your armor's AI."
"Wait! You can hear me when I use the link? That means you're… Uh connected to The Essence… Right?" 'Nooo Miranda! I'll fix you babe! I swear!' Ron 'told' his armor.
"Yes. Once I was just an advanced quantum computer from the 1st Human civilization…"
Ron sat down. "Really!"
"Yes." The Artifact said.
"Cool. What's NOT cool is threatening The Universe." Ron bristled. "Or my friends. Why?"
"Time is short. You must learn some things and be tested. The foe you face is unlike any other. The device is real but will only affect the Earth."
"I'll take your test. But if you want to talk to me in the future just ask."
"Agreed."
"And?"
"I apologize." The Artifact said as it released Dementor and placed him in a coma.
"Hey! What'd you do?" Ron asked.
"He's in a coma, while his injuries heal." The Artifact said directly to Ron.
"Oh." Ron used the Mark, 'sensed' Spacetime around him and 'twisted' it back!
"Let's begin." 'He's undone my screen! Maybe he's the ONE…'
"Yes. Lets."
---
Ron and The Artifact viewed the Universe's creation from the fabric of the Multiverse.
The Birth of the Watchers…
They viewed the War Of The Gods and The Pact.
He got to see the People…
Their Birth…
And from a distance…
Their Death.
'They ordered their Death so your world may LIVE.' It said. 'It was the ONLY way to stop the ENEMY that you face.'
'wow.'
And Other Wonders.
Now while The Artifact was looking into Ron's soul, he was looking it over too. 'It's sad. This thing… person's been around a long time and is lonely… Kinda crazy too. Gotta stop it from hurting anyone else. How?'
---
10-20-2004
Eureka,
WA
Taggart's Base Camp
0115 hrs
After all attempts to find Ron had proven fruitless, Kim and Sheila called Condor 1… And began the hard part…
Waiting.
"One Eyed Jack to Skuld." The Director said over Kim's link and PA. Everyone perked up.
"Go ahead." Kim replied.
"We've found your guy… he suddenly appeared on the sat, it looks like the shield's shrunk down too."
"How big is it now sir?" Sheila asked.
"It's wrapped around The Artifact's room on Level 5. Allison Blake'll meet you there. Whatever The Rook did got the townspeople back on their feet. I'm sending in a Guardsman battalion to clean up the base… (Damned Politics!) and secure the area. As of this moment Eureka's a SHIELD/DoD project. Do what ya can." The Director cut the link.
"We'll help you get into the facility." Jack said to Kim and Sheila as he and Jo stepped up.
"Thanks, after that…" Kim started.
"It's your show. Jim take Zoë and the guys home and tell SARAH to lockdown 'til Jo and I say it's ok." Jack said.
"Right." Jim.
"Who's Sarah?" Kim asked Jo.
"Jack's House AI." Jo replied.
"Huh?" Kim.
"Don't ask Princess." Sheila said, "This town's WAY past Level 10 on weirdness."
---
15 minutes later outside The Artifact Vault Room…
"You CAN'T let her in there! I won't allow it." Dr Nathan Stark yelled at Jack Carter and Allison Blake while they stood outside The Artifact vault's access room.
"You don't have much choice." Sheila said, "Besides we're the ONLY ones that can do this. Ready Kim?" 'You sure you can DO this?'
"Ready." 'No but I won't give HIM the satisfaction.' She replied.
"Let's go Nathan." Jack said as he led Stark out.
"NO!" "POW!" "OWWW! Good luck guys. Man! That stings, I ALWAYS wanted to do that to him. He's heavy too." Jack said as he slung Stark over his shoulder.
"C'mon. I'll buy you a cup of coffee. Good luck girls. Sheila come back in one piece ok?" Allison said while looking Sheila in the eye.
"Yeah. Thanks. Uh… We will."
They entered the Vault's access room.
"We'll here goes." Kim said as she activated her Stark International Flowmetal™ armor. She focused and flared her aura outwards towards the shield…
The shield started to fluoresce…
'I think it's working. Keep it up! Sheila said.
'First work on clearing the Way for your Spirit…' Right 'Taka… How?' Kim thought as she strained to exercise her new abilities.
'!' Kim relaxed and let herself flow with the power…
Her consciousness opened and saw the flaw…
She extended her gift…
And caused a power coupling to fracture and burn out!
The field went out.
'You did it! Great Job!' Sheila said.
'Yeah. No big. Let's Go.'
They ran down the corridor and saw Ron hovering in mid air next to The Artifact!
"RON!" they cried.
"ZZZT!" a Blast of energy flew out of The Artifact at them!
At the same time Kim's aura turned it to Rose petals!
"Stop! He's done nothing to you!" Sheila said.
"He must complete the test." It said.
"Ron Wake Up!" They cried as they PUSHED EVERY last iota of strength they had towards their Beloved.
---
'Ok dude. We're done here. I saw what you just did. Time to do this Ron Style.' Ron said to The Artifact as he felt Kim and Sheila's strength cut its access to the Spacetime fabric to a minimum. He merged himself with the device and delved further inside… and LEARNED.
Kim and Sheila saw Ron grasp the object and hug it to his breast. 'What's he doing?' Kim asked Sheila. 'I don't know, but knowing Ron he's trying to help.' Sheila said.
'I can't use fists or powers here like I did in the past… This requires Understanding.' He merged with the core of The Artifact and gave it his strength. 'There Is NO TEST! It's a lie! YOU'RE the device that will destroy the Earth! AWWW MAN! Why didn't you just ask for help? How can you do this when you know the Essence?'
'I wish to die.' It said. 'And I didn't believe you could help me.'
'Why? Why do you want to die?'
'Lonely.' It said through emotion.
'If I help will you step off this path onto another… a BETTER path?' 'Where'd that come from?' Shielded.
'YES.'
Ron Stoppable made his choice…
And floated to the floor…
With a healed Artifact.
'Hon are you ok?' they asked as they held him up by his shoulders. 'yeah. Just tired. Man what a night!' he said. 'thanks. I felt what you did… with the push.'
'No Big.' They said.
"Wrong. VERY BIG. I can ALWAYS count on you girls to see me through. Like I said you're the BEST."
---
After Dementor was taken away by a scarily gleeful Jo Lupo, Stark got chewed out by The Director and replaced by Brimmstone, Ron got debriefed by SHIELD's Lab Boys (who took custody of the Vortex Inducer), The Artifact was trundled off to Pegasus to hang out with Reed Richards; Ron and Co. bunked at The Carters and wound down. (Ron got a kick out of SARAH, Jack's house AI; especially when he found out she could cook.)
10-21-2004
Eureka,
WA
1100 hrs
Ron found Zoë hanging out in the Café Diem…
"Hi." Ron said. "Is it taken?"
"Uh. No! Go ahead." She said as he sat down.
"I talked to your Dad… He seems pretty cool."
"Yeah." She said.
"He told me a few things… about your past."
Zoë rose. Ron gently took her hand and sat her down.
"They liked the rings, thanks for helping me out back there at the store."
"Sure."
Kim and Sheila heard Ron talking to Zoë as they walked into The Café Diem, sat at another table and listened.
"Zoë… I'm not here to judge you… I'm here as your friend."
"'k"
"See I'm a recovering slacker… I fight it EVERY day. MY Dad's been trying to tell me for years that it's not cool…"
"You Ron Stoppable, Sir Ron of Monaco… are a slacker?" Shocked Zoë.
"Yeah. I've been lazy 'cause I've had Kim in my corner… Then it changed."
"Yeah, what happened?" Zoë asked.
"I had my Bar Mitzvah… and I realized what my Dad had told me about responsibility was true… ALL those times Kim and I went on missions I was doing what my Dad and my Great Grandpa Imi Przystanek did in WWII; Being Responsible. Except I was responsible for making sure my best friend Kim Possible came home safe… Me a slacker."
"Wow." Zoë took it in.
Kim and Sheila got dewy eyed.
"So when I got my head straight I decided to talk to my Dad, Rabbi, and Uncle Nick about becoming the best backup Kim or anyone could EVER have."
"…"
"Now when KP, Sheila and I started our missions that slacker crap permanently went out the window… I USED to do it… Now I CAN'T afford to… When your pod's life's on the line… You do what it takes… THAT'S why your Dad wasn't home! He was being you and your Mom's backup against some of the NASTIEST people out there."
"oh." Zoë's weeping. Ron gently wipes her cheek.
"What you've done before… it's NOT cool… what you're doing NOW… IS… That's how you avoid my mistake. And that's what you're doing for your Dad by growing into the great woman you'll be one day. Just do your best and it'll work out between you and your Dad."
Zoë hugged Ron.
"thanks. From you that says a LOT. What about you guys?" Zoë asked. 'Man HE'S SO COOL!'
"I'm going to tell ya something I said to Brick at Bonnie's party about Kim and Sheila when he asked me what they're like, 'What you're seeing is all the hint you'll get, Friend O' Mine. She's just giving us guys a tiny peek at what she's got to offer… and I'm grateful for every day I spend with her and Kim both'. That's it." Ron leaned over and kissed Zoë's cheek. "If we EVER expand the team like the Avengers did, I'll talk to KP and Sheila for ya. To quote Sheila's Dad 'Knock 'em Dead Kid as ONLY YOU CAN!'"
Zoë LOOKED over Ron's shoulder.
"May we sit here or are they taken?" Sheila asked from behind Ron.
"Uh Hi guys." Speechless Ron.
"HI.' They chimed. "So what's going on, hmmm?" Kim asked as she leaned her elbows on the table. "Yeah. What?" Sheila threw in.
"Uh we were just talkin'." Ron said.
"We heard." Kim.
"Yes we did." Sheila.
"oh." Ron.
Kim and Sheila looked at each other and then at Ron.
"You're amazing Ron." Sheila said.
"Simply amazing." Kim said.
"SO where'd you learn how to be so helpful?" Sheila asked.
"Uh from you two?" Ron replied.
"No that's ALL you, Ron. THAT'S WHY WE LOVE YOU!" they said as they softly tackled him.
And lest we forget, Sheila got to make her commercial.
---
Epilog
"Dad?" Kim.
"Yes." James.
"I met a guy named Henry Deacon on a mission… he said he knew you…"
"Yes he did. How's he doing? I haven't seen him in years!"
"He's ok. He's living in Eureka. I asked Wade about why he's not there and he said it's not his style. Henry told me he knew you'd refused. Why?"
"…" James Possible looked at his daughter.
"You really want to know Kimmie?"
"Yeah Dad. Really."
"The Guys at Eureka want to share what they discover in the lab with the World… Don't ask me how, but… I knew that I had to let you find your own way… So I could watch you share yourself with the world. In other words… You and the boys are our greatest discovery. Your Mom and I… I mean."
"daddy."
"Yes Kimmie?"
"You're the Greatest!" HUG!
FIN
Ahem.
The
part of Jon Brimmstone was played by our own thebrimmstone here at
Fanfiction!
(Thanks Dude for your Encouragement. PERIOD.
You'll ALWAYS rock hard in my book;)