A.N.

I found this chapter a little tough to put together. I hope I got it right!

Enjoy!

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Chapter31- As Faith Falls

"yahoo!" cheered a GJ pilot over his comlink, just before he lifted up and allowed his missile to strike a gun turret.

The entire squadron had turned back when they discovered the shield came down. Now they can cause some real damage on the palace. The new squadron of fighters had then arrived. Their job was to distract the gun turrets and allow the ground forces that had also recently arrived to make their move.

The entire courtyard of the palace was now an incinerating battleground, while it's sky became a dark cloud of smoke and fire.

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"Ron…please" Kim urged, "I know you can hear me…fight it! You can stop yourself I know you can!"

But he kept coming, a cruel smile plastered on his face, and Bonnie's.

"Face it, Kay" Bonnie and Ron's voice spoke at the same time, "You can't really do anything!"

Kim's face had a determined scowl, she hated it when people said that to her. With her back to the open door where the other group left, Kim crouched and prepared to face her opponent. She didn't want to hurt Ron, there must be a way to beat this, and the key must be with the machine, if only she could get past Ron though.

He dashed towards Kim, fists clenched and right leg swinging for her head. But Kim leapt high, flipping over Ron and about to land until Ron's left arm grabbed her by the leg and pulled her back in front of him.

"Where do you think you're going, Kimbo?" Spoke both of Bonnie's mouths, "The fun has only just started!"

Kim grunted and stood back up. The building began to shake and she knows she's losing time fast.

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GJ gunships soared in all directions around the fortress. Drakken's defenses are failing, even though they outnumber them.

Shego ran into the control room, finding Drakken still hunched over the holo-map.

"What are we going to do Doctor D.?" she panicked, "Without the shield generator this whole place is…"

"Don't say it Shego, I already know that!" he snapped turning to face her, "I'd rather hear suggestions, not complaints."

"Do you want me to prepare a shuttle?"

"And leave to allow my empire collapse?" ridiculed Drakken, "I think you're giving them too much credit, Shego."

The other officers in the room, fatigued from overwork, exchanged glances. Shego couldn't help but pity them. Drakken must be losing his mind.

"I'm sorry." She gestured past the door with her thumb, "I'll just be…overlooking…indoor security measures."

Shego sighed with dismay when she left, and grimaced when her surroundings shook to the battle again. If Drakken doesn't leave now, he may not make it after this battle. She will prepare the escape shuttle anyway.

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At the quieter side of the fortress there was little action. In fact, it was the perfect place to strike. Kyle arrived on the scene with a squad of rebel insurgents, all of them slowed to a standstill behind a large, conveniently fallen gunship and their jaws fell in awe at what they found.

The Imperial palace resembled something from a science fiction movie. It was wide and tall, black stone walls with red glass windows, the courtyard around it was a metallic gray. It had gun turrets placed all over the walls and huge guard towers in the courtyard that were manned by Drakken's finest looking men.

"This is the palace, sir." Faris commented, the muscular man in the group with the bigger machine gun, he would do anything to get adrenaline rushing through his veins.

"Now what, commander?" Purt asked. He's the skinnier member of the squad, most of the time concerned with the hazards of the situation, always preferring the peaceful route.

Kyle analyzed the situation, as that is what he does best. He noticed the immense sky battle that Captain Jolly is leading and realized he's already providing a good enough distraction up there…

Faris cocked his gun, "You want me to distract'em?"

"No, no." Kobarn gestured Faris to put his gun down, "We'll sneak past them. Let the boys in the sky have their fun."

Faris joined the squad as they followed Kyles stealthy lead, grimacing with disappointment.

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Kim and Ron traded fists and kicks. Flipping and jumping in all directions, Kim was surprised Ron had so much energy in him to be able to catch up to her. She always underestimated his abilities, although she doesn't deny he had the potential. Frowning, Kim couldn't believe that it took Bonnie to mind control Ron to get him to shape up!

"Stop moving, Kim!" growled Bonnie, "This doesn't have to be as long as you're making it!"

Kim blocked a karate chop from Ron, and held his wrist in place, as they proceeded to wrestle for dominance over posture.

"When I'm done with you, Bonnie, you're going to wish I delayed it longer!" scoffed Kim.

She leapt aside from Ron and took the chance to breath. Ron stood, unscathed and ready for more. He broke into a sprint and leapt higher than Kim expected. Kim crouched in alarm, but Ron's kick struck her in the face too fast for her to block. She hit the floor hard and slid through the door, where her body rested. Laying there near unconsciousness, Kim groaned.

Ron stood over her, echoing Bonnie's laughter. His hand extended around her throat and tightened as it lifted her over the ground. The toothy grin widened when Kim's struggle to breath became apparent.

Kim placed a hand on Ron's gripping wrist, tugging with all her might, but Ron brought his second hand into the struggle and pushed hers away. He then placed the second hand around her neck as well.

She lifted her eyes up spotting movement coming from the window in the ceiling. A beautiful stork came flying towards her. Its magnificent wings spread wide almost filling the view of the sky. Kim's throaty griping stopped when she saw the bird suddenly transform into a loud, metallic gunship, lifting up just as fast as it dived.

The entire ceiling collapsed as an explosion ripped a hole through it.

Ron's grip on Kim's neck was released and he dived for safety, allowing Kim to get buried under the rubble of the ceiling and the wall that collapsed with it. Behind the wall there was nothing, just a long drop to the bottom. The noise coming from the atmospheric battle echoed into Bonnie's chamber. Its hazards now exposed to everyone.

"Ooh!" Bonnie awed in amusement, "I bet that hurt!"

Ron stood and walked over to where Kim's body was buried. A few strands of auburn hair and her face was visible, covered in ash. One eye opened, looking at Ron and the dogfights above him, watching his perplexed face study her signs of life.

"Ron…" she coughed, "Are you…okay?"

Something happened to his face, his eyes to be more precise. They moved to her words. Not in the way Bonnie's did, that's for sure. They showed, sadness, most of all, they showed concern. Ron was in there, alright. And he wasn't happy.

Kim looked towards Bonnie, sat in her chamber, above her machine, clad in that green Imperial uniform. Her face was smiling. Her eyes showed savagery. She had a taste for blood.

Kim looked back at Ron, now moving to pick her up, but Kim grabbed his wrist to prevent him, and then twisted it hard.

"Aagh!" Ron cried and Bonnie flinched, "What are you doing?"

Kim didn't speak, she got kicked.

"In case you didn't know girl, I'm still holding your boyfriend hostage!" Bonnie yelled through Ron's mouth and moved near the edge of the broken wall, "If you really don't care for him then how about if I drop him?"

Kim reacted with anxiety, coughing and struggling to climb out of the rubble, "N..no!"

"No?"Ron got closer to the edge, "Why not?"

"Please…" Kim tripped and fell back on to the floor, dizzy from the explosion, struggling to reach Ron.

"If you get any closer I will drop him, and there's nothing to stop me, Kim…Nothing!"

She froze, her gaze moving from Ron to Bonnie and back. The wind blew against Ron's hair and clothes; he stood in a fighting stance, ready to jump. Bonnie sat on the edge of her seat, watching the couple closely from inside the chamber, trying to read Kim's mind, while Kim, sat on her knees just outside the door, desperately thought of a solution, hoping she can find one that does not involve Ron falling over the edge.

"Do you know what your boyfriend is thinking right now, Kimmie?"

She didn't reply, she kept thinking. She kept searching.

"He's thinking about you."

Kim's choked back her tears. She has to focus, she can't cry now. She must be strong.

"He doesn't want to fall, you know. He's very scared."

Kim sat up on her knees, and grabbed a stone off the floor. It's all she has to use. She must act quickly.

"Typical of him…a coward." Bonnie's eyes narrowed on Ron's legs as they edged closer, "Always not able to face his fears."

Kim knew it was inevitable, that no matter what she did Ron's going to fall. He's going to die.

But Ron fell before; and he didn't die. When the trash compacter released them, she grabbed her jetpack and Ron missed his…Kim couldn't grab him in time. But, he managed to do it himself. He got his, just in the nick of time, and the dust exploded when he switched it on. He survived.

Bonnie licked her lips, "Always the underachiever..."

Kim always underestimates him. She always thinks she has to carry him. She always thinks he's still the same five year old she met. Ron grew up though; she's the one holding him back.

"Oh, Kim…" Bonnie put on a moaning voice, "if only you could hear him crying."

Still staring at the rock in her hand, Kim wondered, maybe he will survive, just as he did before. She lifted herself on one knee and stood, with the rock in her hand.

"Ah yes…let's see" Ron lifted a leg over the edge and balanced on one foot, "What is Kim Possible going to do?"

"You're wrong Bonnie." Kim spoke with anger in her voice, "Ron is not as helpless as you think." Her tone lowered into a whisper and she looked into Ron's eyes, "You have one shot at this, Ron. One shot!"

Kim broke into a run through the chamber door, quickly finding her target. She tossed the stone and it struck Bonnie's headpiece. Her best friend then fell off the edge.

Forgive me Ron!

Kim pounced onto Bonnie's chair and grabbed her by the collar, lifting her over the machine.

"Stupid Kim!" Bonnie snapped, "You think I care if I die? I'm already dead! Now that your boyfriend fell I've done what I've always wanted! I hope you think about that the next time you cry yourself to sleep!"

Glaring into Bonnie's eyes, Kim wondered, once again, about the choice she just made. What could Ron possibly do now that he's falling? How can he save himself?

"You know something, Bonnie?" Kim tightened her grip, "You're right!"

A punch struck Bonnie's cheek hard, the shock of the punch left her dizzy and she then found herself thrown outside the chamber doors. She lifted herself up with her shaky arms and spat blood on to the ashes. Kim marched over to her, kicked her in the stomach and placed her foot on Bonnie's throat.

"I may cry myself to sleep over Ron's death." She squeezed tighter, "But at least I can laugh myself awake when I remember that you fell behind him!"

Bonnie's eyes widened and her heart leapt when Kim clutched her by the collar and placed her over her shoulder. Kicking and screaming, Bonnie tried to escape, but Kim had a strong hold on her.

With a simple toss from Kim, Bonnie found herself plummeting through the sky battle, past several burning balconies, crying at the top of her lungs, reaching out to salvation.

Kim stood, watching the witch fall, taking a strange satisfaction in doing so. It's a rapid descent, but it's a beautiful one. Her screams echoed across the clouds; a song. One that Kim will relish when she's standing over Ron's grave.

Bonnie disappeared under the same smoke and fire that screened Ron's drop.

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She stood in the hangar, watching the maintenance crew fuel the shuttle for the trip.

"What are you doing Shego?"

She turned and found a scowling Drakken standing at the other end.

"Uh, I was…" Shego's face turned crimson with shame, "Well, I thought…"

"You're trying to escape."

"No!" she replied with dismay, "I wouldn't…"

"You lie!" Drakken snapped, marching over to her, scolding her like a child, "After all we've been through, and built, you still don't show faith!"

"Have you gone blind, doc?" Shego urged, "This place is collapsing, you can't stay here!"

"No Shego," Drakken yelled, "You're the blind one! You're the one who thinks these pesky rebels actually stand a chance at beating us!"

Shego was about to speak, but thought better of it. He stood, showing his back to her, not speaking. She had seen this side of him many times, and he would always turn back and apologize. Or at least change the subject. But, this was different. He was different.

A man came running into the hangar, dressed in the typical attire of the old guards Drakken had. He must be one of Drakkens old henchmen, but most of them have either been retired or killed, what's he still doing around here?

"We've just got a report…" he grimaced as the hangar rocked to an explosion, he looked around, grateful the place hasn't collapsed over him.

"Hurry up, fat one!"

"Oh, uh…Commander Bonnie is no longer in her chamber, we found the door was open and the ceiling above the door collapsed, we suspect she may be under…"

The man found himself choking, his neck gripped by Shego's hand.

"Please tell me you found the prisoner!" Shego snarled.

He shook his head, struggling to speak with Shego's grip tightening on his neck, "No one...was…inside!"

"Find Kim Possible!" she yelled as she tossed the man away. He apologized and walked away, rubbing his neck.

Shego turned to see Drakken, he spoke while still giving her his back, "You go. I don't need you anymore."

"What?" she gasped.

Drakken turned to face her, a scowl clear on his face, "I've lost every one of my henchmen. And I realized that I never needed them in the first place. My plans are too big for all of you anyway."

"How could you say that? I've been with you for…"

"Shego…just go!" Drakken snapped, "I don't want to see you getting hurt like the others."

Her jaw dropped, resentment apparent in her eyes, "Wha-I don't…you…"

Ignoring her with his hands folded behind his back he walked away. Shego's teeth gritted and she grumbled, clenching her fist, "Drakken! I feel the same way about you, you know!"

She stood and watched Drakken leave the hangar.

Breathing heavily, angry and confused, the one friend she had, the one person she knew better than anyone else has at last left her. She always felt it would happen some day, she always knew that having someone so close was too good to be true. She just never expected that it would happen so easily.

Storming into the shuttle, she decided to put this whole chapter in her life behind her. Regardless of how painful or difficult it would be. After all, pain is what she is all about. Pain is the one thing she has grown accustomed to. She will just have to live with it.

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Commander Kobarn and his squad had been fighting across the palace courtyard and platforms, trying to find a way inside all the while avoiding a nasty surprise falling from above. They've reached one of the highest balconies but once again were disappointed to find an entrance. They put their backs against the wall and directed their guns towards their pursuers, a crowd of aggravated guards.

"This is crazy. With all the damage the birds have done to this nest you'd think there'd be a crack for us to get through by now!"

"Relax, Purt, we'll get inside somehow!" Kyle spat under his breath, "Somehow…"

Faris, who was fighting comfortably, noticed Kyle's loss of focus as he fired, he clearly needed some time to think, that's what leaders should do in times like this.

"Commander," he called and placed his free hand on his shoulder, "Give me your gun and get behind me." Kyle looked at him peculiarly, "You need to think!"

Kyle nodded, admiring the prowess of his squad mate, he handed him his rifle and crouched behind the rubble, rubbing his forehead.

We can't lose now…we can't! There's too much at stake! He thought, What am I missing?

He looked up in anxiety and sighed, desperately trying to think without wasting time. That was until he spotted something out of the ordinary.

He grabbed his binoculars and placed them against his curious eyes. He then searched the rooftops, carefully moving down, past the dogfights, and past the raging guns and even lower till he found what it was…when the focus came onto it he dropped the item in his hands.

Purt, starting to feel the stress of battle overtake him, crouched behind a broken pillar to take a breath, Faris on the other hand was too engaged in combat to rest. When Purt finally opened his eyes to check on the commander he noticed his wide open jaw and narrowed eyes looking at the sky, "Commander?"

Kobarn shook his head and looked at his comrade, "Get…get me, a grappling hook, quickly!"

Purt, confused at his officer's strange behaviour, simply pulled the tool out of his backpack and handed it to him.

"Cover me, boys!" Kyle barked and fired the grappling hook towards the top of the fortress.

"You got it, sir!" Faris replied through gritted teeth as he leapt into the open and pulled the trigger of the weapons in his arms.

"What's with the commander?" Purt wondered quietly as he watched his officer proceed to climb the edge of the fortress.

"Dunno…" Faris dodged as a rocket zoomed close to his cheek, "Just do the job!"

While all the other squad members were hiding behind the rubble awing at the performance of Faris' battle expertise, Purt curiously crouched and picked up the binoculars from the floor. He then directed it to where his commander is climbing. The binoculars blurred to a peculiar object hanging off the edge of the fortress. When he focused on it he spotted, in his horror, a young boy, struggling to hold on to an exposed metal grid that had exploded from the wall, all the while holding on to a young girl dressed in a military uniform, who was just as desperately trying to survive.

"Oh my God!" gasped Purt.

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Sitting in the tiny prison cell felt like riding a rowing boat through a raging river. The continuous explosions made the occupant feel woozy.

The door slid open and Dr. Possible stood off his bed, ready to greet his capture, fatigue and torment evident all over his body. His orange prison outfit was also ill-treated.

Drakken walked through, a wide smile crept across his face when he laid eyes on the resident.

"Hello, my old friend," he sneered, "remember me?"

"Drew!" he spat, "Why you, dirty, filth-ridden, maggot! I could gut you like a fish with my bare hands, right now!"

"Now, now, James," Drakken derided, "We don't want your precious little daughter to get hurt, now do we?"

"Kimmie?" James wheezed.

"She's in this facility right now. And I need you to be the maggot on my fishing hook!"

"I'll never let you get away with this."

"Oh, I'm afraid you'll find that you have no other choice." Drakken smiled while two men stepped in front of him, raising batons over their heads.

The pain hit him as quickly as the world went black.

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A.N.

The title came to me pretty easily.

The fighting not so much!