Disclaimer: Nope, don't own any of the KP characters from the series. They belong to Disney. A few of the bit players are mine. This epic, along with the rest of my writing career is, unfortunately, a non-profit operation.
Chapter 3 - Trapped
While Kim's attention was focused on her partner, one of Dementor's henchmen was beginning to wake up. Rufus had emerged from the warmth of Ron's pocket when he felt his human collapse. Seeing what was going on outside, he began chattering at Kim.
"Not now, Rufus," she responded. "I have to take care of Ron."
Mumbling under his breath, Rufus dove into Kim's backpack in search of something to subdue all the henchmen. After a short search he located the elastic constricting lipstick. Crawling out of the backpack, he leaped to the low wall of the shelter to get a better look around. The last two henchmen Ron took down looked like they were out of the game for the foreseeable future. Both the others where stirring, the effects of the taser beginning to wear off.
Jumping down from the wall, Rufus headed out across the snow carrying the body-binding weapon. He got to within a couple feet of his prey as the first of the henchmen struggled to sit up. He immediately found himself covered with sticky pink goop that quickly began to shrink, binding him tightly. Wondering what happened, he looked in the direction of the attack and saw Rufus standing in the snow grinning at him. The mole rat turned his attention to the second henchman, binding him firmly in the same manner. He then scurried back to the shelter, seeking the warmth of the fire.
While Rufus dealt with the henchmen, Kim ran the kimmunicator over Ron's inert form, sending information on his condition to Wade. Wade in turn relayed it to the medics with the rescue team. Once the medics reviewed the information, he told Kim, "Everything checks out. The medics don't think he is in any real danger so long as you can keep him warm. He appears to be in some kind of a trance. What's the situation on the ground there?"
"Ron took out Dementor's hoverjet and the four henchmen it dropped on our doorstep. Rufus wrapped two of them up in your elastic goop, and the other two look like they will be out for a while. Ron's lying on his back in the doorway. There is a small fire going. I need to get both of us over there to keep us from freezing," Kim replied. "The snow is getting heavier and the wind is picking up. How long until someone can get us out of here?"
"The rescue team is still moving, but they say it's slow. Unless the weather gets worse they should reach you in less than 30 minutes. The Global Justice team was held up by the group of Dementor's henchmen who were taking pot shots at you from the far side of the canyon. They just headed out after the rest of Dementor's force."
"I hear snowmobile engines right now," Kim replied. "I just hope GJ catches up with them before they get here. I'm afraid there's not much I can do if Dementor's goons show up first." The last thing Wade heard before the transmission ended abruptly was, "Oh Snap!"
On the far side of the stream Kim saw two snowmobiles pull up to the canyon rim. The riders wore the gray uniform of Dementor's henchmen. The canyon was several hundred feet wide at this point. With luck, the shelter was far enough back to be beyond the range of the energy weapons carried by Dementor's force. Several bolts fired across the canyon proved this to be the case. She hoped they were not carrying anything that could be used to bridge the canyon.
Dementor's men were nothing if not determined. Kim watched as one of them produced a crossbow like device and pointed it at a thick copse of pine trees on her side of the canyon. A bolt sped across the gap and into the trees. Once it landed, two of the henchmen pulled on the rope until it was firmly anchored. Then they drew the rope tight and tied it to a large tree on the far side of the canyon. Moments later one of them began a hand over hand crossing of the canyon.
Kim and Rufus looked at each other. "Why couldn't it be Drakken?" she asked. "His henchmen are so out of shape they could never pull off something like this."
Rufus nodded his head, "yup yup." Then he headed toward Ron before disappearing.
Kim thought she noticed the same blue glow that had surrounded Ron in the copse of trees where the rope bridge was anchored. No sooner had she seen it than she heard an agonized scream and watched as the rope fell back toward the far side of the canyon taking the henchman with it.
"Way to go, Rufus," she called out, realizing what must have happened.
Laser fire quickly converged on the spot where the rope had been anchored. Kim was surprised to see the beams turned back on themselves, destroying the weapons from which they came. The trees concealed the action, but she knew Rufus must be responsible.
Kim heard the sound of more snowmobile engines approaching rapidly. Dementor's men quickly lost interest in things on her side of the canyon as they turned to face a much stronger threat from their rear. The darkness and snow obscured her view, but the sounds of the battle were clear in the crisp night air. It was over in a matter of minutes. Then Kim heard a familiar voice ordering the GJ forces to collect the prisoners and prepare them for transport.
By this time Rufus had returned to the shelter, a big grin on his face. In his paw was what looked like a miniature of the sword she had seen in Ron's hand. She looked over to Ron and saw the sword wasn't there. She shot a questioning look at the smallest member of the team who squeaked back what sounded like, "me, Ron, same." Rufus held the small sword at arms length, bowed slightly as if dismissing it, and moments later the sword disappeared.
Kim didn't remember Ron being quite so heavy. With nothing to brace against it was difficult to pull him over next to the fire. She winced each time she tried to push with her injured leg. Eventually they were close enough to the fire that it warmed both of them. A quick check showed the two bound henchmen still struggling with the goop that confined them. The other two still showed no signs of waking. She was just beginning to get comfortable when the kimmunicator beeped.
"Sitch me, Wade," Kim answered.
"GJ has everything under control across the canyon. Several agents are accompanying the rescue team. They will take charge of the four henchmen at your location."
"I think I hear them now."
"Then enjoy the rest of your visit to the scenic Bavarian Alps," Wade responded.
"Thanks, Wade. Sure you wouldn't care to trade places so you could enjoy freezing your butt off in the scenic Alps?" Kim replied, laughing.
The rescue team and three GJ agents arrived as they finished their conversation. Kim looked up. "You missed all the fun," she said with a slight hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Sorry we couldn't get here sooner," the agent in charge replied, "but we had a little party of our own going on. Quite a little roundup. We got Dementor and most of his henchmen, so we shouldn't have to worry about them for a while. How are you two doing?"
"I won't be doing any cheerleading for a while. I wrecked my knee. I'm not sure what's going on with Ron. As soon as he put the last of the bad guys down he just collapsed. Nothing hit him so he should be OK." She said nothing either about the blade or the glow surrounding Ron while he wielded it.
The paramedic quickly checked Ron and cleared him for transport. He was placed on a stretcher and loaded into the rescue vehicle. Kim was offered a stretcher as well, but she shook her head. One of the rescue workers helped her into the vehicle where she sat next to Ron, holding his hand. The sun was rising and the storm was lifting as they set off for the comfort of the nearby town. They were met by a helicopter that took them to the hospital in Nurnberg.
Both teens received a thorough examination in the local hospital. Kim's knee was wrapped and she was given a crutch, along with strict instructions to stay off her feet as much as possible for at least a week. The doctors determined Ron was in an extremely deep sleep, no doubt brought on by the stress of his recent activities. The hospital kept him overnight for observation. Although she was offered a room in one of the town's best hotels, Kim elected to stay with Ron. She spent the night sitting with him, holding his hand.
Just before Ron awoke, Sensei came into his consciousness. "Stoppable-san, you have finally called the power within you. Each time you do, it increases and changes. There is much you must still learn about your power. The time to complete your training is at hand."
He awoke to find Kim seated in a chair next to his bed. Her disheveled appearance told him she hadn't left him for even the few minutes required to wash and comb her hair. "KP, wake up," he called. She stirred, slowly opening her eyes, shaking her head.
"Oh, hi Ron," she mumbled.
"I must have died and gone to heaven," he said, "'cause the first person I see waking up is an angel."
"Some angel. I'm a mess and I stink," she replied. "And I can hardly stand up and give you a kiss 'cause of this bum knee."
"That's OK. Just sit right there and hold my hand," he answered giving her a big smile.
Now that Ron was awake the medical staff began fussing over him, making certain he had no permanent injury from his actions or his apparent blackout. Kim took the opportunity to slip into the bathroom for a quick shower and change of clothes. The battle suit was packed away. She emerged wearing her normal mission outfit.
As soon as the medics finished, Ron also took the opportunity to clean up. Unfortunately he and his pants became separated at some point during their rescue. He came out of the bathroom wearing his mission shirt and a towel, causing Kim to giggle. "Sorry, KP, but mystical monkey power doesn't change some things. Do you suppose you could find me some pants?"
"I have an extra pair in my backpack," Kim replied.
"Thanks a lot KP, but there's no way I'm getting into your pants."
Kim could not pass up the opportunity. "Never know unless you try, sweetie," she replied in a sensual voice, fluttering her eyes at him.
Inside the Stoppable fortress of obliviousness, Kim's comment wandered around briefly before finding a part of his brain able to process it. Unfortunately that same part of his brain then caused him to blush and babble incoherently.
Failing in her attempt to hide her amusement, Kim left the room. Two Global Justice agents were seated in the waiting area in case the teens needed anything. Kim explained her partner's plight. After a brief discussion, one of the agents set out to find Ron some pants. "And maybe some suspenders?" he asked, chuckling as he left.
Around noon the doctors finally pronounced the two teens healthy enough to leave. The GJ agents took them to the airport and helped them into the terminal. A sleek corporate jet with no markings other than a tail number had just touched down and was taxiing toward the general aviation terminal where Kim and Ron waited. "That's your ride," Agent Robbins told them.
As soon as the engines stopped, a tank truck moved to the far side of the plane to begin refueling operations. The door opened, extending the ladder to the tarmac. One of the pilots emerged, followed by a familiar figure.