School of Life
Chapter 13
Avenged
Kim checked the mission chart on her wrist screen. They were approaching Dementor's island lair. Coming in underwater, they had already passed the under the radars and enhanced image computer cameras. There were also infrared sensors that would be looking for any type of heat signature. Next were the underwater cameras. They would be scanning the water for anything that didn't belong there. Since she and Ron were nestled up to the underside of their underwater craft, it would be impossible for anyone to see them. All they would see is two sharks.
She glanced over to where Ron was with his reconshark. Even at this distance it was hard to see where the shark ended and Ron started. These machines were incredible. They had carried the two of them several miles under the water and now as they approached the island, they slowed down and made their way leisurely toward the island lair. It was getting dark and they were approaching the island on the darkness side. That way any guards along the shore would have their eyes bothered by what little light there was and they would approach the island in the shadows.
Kim noticed the bottom slowly approaching in the dim light and the wave action was starting to be felt. She guided her shark until the top fin was above the water. There was a small video camera built into the side of the fin. A line ran from the camera to a small screen just inside her mask. Ron would be doing the same thing just behind her. She would be scanning in visible light mode while he would be scanning the area in infra-red. That way, they could be assured that the beach would be clear if they didn't see anything. A quick scan of the beach caused her to catch her breath. There were two armed guards walking on the beach. One of them poked at the other while he pulled something from his shoulder and fiddled with it. Kim caught her breath was the guard raised a large rifle to his shoulder and pointed it in her direction. A bright flash lit the beach up at the same instance that she heard Ron scream.
She instantly dove her shark toward the bottom as another flash from the beach came at the same moment as a thud in the water. A bullet sizzled its way through the water just in front of her. Putting the reconshark into a deep dive and hard turn she tried to turn back to see what was going on with Ron. A glance to her side showed Ron diving his reconshark to the point that his chest had to be scraping the bottom. After he had gone some distance, she noticed his craft slowing down and settling to the bottom. That was when she noticed a large hole in the side of his reconshark. A stream of red hydraulic fluid all so much like blood streamed behind it as it rolled on it's back and was still. Her heart was nearly in the throat until she noticed him swimming clear. He was at her side within a few strokes.
She pulled him to her and started to check him over. He stopped her hands, then pulling a thin cord from his suit, he plugged it into a port in her suit. It was a closed communication system. She grabbed him by his head and looked into his face.
"RON, are you OKAY? ARE YOU HIT?"
Ron reached up and pulled her hands down.
"I am okay KP, but my machine is toast."
A tear fell from one emerald eye.
"Better the machine is toast than you!"
He reached up and caressed her arm.
"Kim. I am okay. Let's get this done."
She nodded and pointed in a direction of an outcropping of rock they had passed as they came in. The rocks went all the way inshore, up the beach and into the trees. Hopefully they could use them to get up on the island.
The radio crackled on the belt of the guard as he shouldered his rifle.
"Unit beta, we heard gunfire. Anything to report?"
Reaching up, the guard pressed a switch on his equipment harness.
"This is Beta One. We were completing a sweep of Beach Golf. I saw a couple of sharks so I popped one. It turned back out to sea and died. I popped a shot at the other one too but I must have missed."
Both guards winced at the stream of expletives that came over the radio link. The voice was loud and recognizable. The fact that most of the curse words were in German as well as a few English ones mixed in identified the speaker. The other voice came back on.
"Uh guys. As you can probably tell the boss is not pleased with you using a couple of sharks as target practice. I think you better complete your rounds ASAP and get in here."
The first guard closed his eyes and nodded.
"Okay base, we will make a turn down beach Hotel and then come in."
There was a slight hesitation over the radio.
"Tell you what guys, make a quick check of Beach Hotel and then you make your way here fast, the sooner the better."
The guard nodded to his partner.
"Thanks man, we are on our way."
The other guard glanced back down the beach toward the outcropping of rocks that was the start of Beach Hotel.
"What do you want to do?"
The first one nodded his head toward the outcropping of rocks.
"I was thinking of climbing up on the rocks and making our way a little ways out. That way we can get a good look in both directions. Besides, I need to take a leak."
The second guard nodded as the two of them made their way up the beach toward the rock outcropping. He wanted to get this over with as fast as his partner did. He had a craving for a cigarette so bad he could taste it.
Kim and Ron slowly made their way along the edge of the rocks as they made their way into shore. Ron kept watch on the rocks while Kim kept watch on their position in the water and along the beach. After nearing the beach, Kim signaled Ron that she had spotted a place where they could climb out of the water and onto the rocks. Ron nodded and followed her. The going was slow as the rocks were slippery but soon both of them were nestled amid the rocks out of the water. They had already ditched their tanks and masks before approaching the shore. They kept their hoods on as they were black and helped obscure their heads. Both of them pulled a tube of face paint out and quickly blackened each others face. It they didn't, their white face would be like reflectors if any light hit them. After rested for a moment, Kim whispered to him.
"See if you can slip up to the top of the rocks and see if anyone is around."
Ron nodded and gave her an ok signal. He moved slowly between the rocks as made his way up the outcropping of rocks. Just as he reached the top he heard the scrape of a boot on rock. Then he heard a scramble of noise, the thud of a body hitting some rocks, and several curses. He slipped quickly under the overhang of a large rock and froze. Just as he froze in position two figures appeared on top of the rock that he was hiding under. Kim froze and ducked behind some rocks where she was, her heart in her throat. The two guards were right above Ron. All they had to do is look down hard and they could not help but see him. Then the first one shouldered his rifle and started fumbling with his pants. She tried to figure out what he was doing. When she realized just what he was doing she ducked back down her face flaming behind her blacked face.
The second guard giggled as he watched his partner extricate himself from the pile of rocks he had fallen into after slipping on some of the rocks. They had climbed up on the rock outcropping and made their way to one very large flat rock that stuck out over the rest. It was a good spot to get a look at both beaches. The first guard joined his partner and gave him a look that told him that his fall was something that was not to be mentioned. The first shouldered his rifle and started fumbling with the fly of his fatigues. He sighed as relief came. The second joined his partner in a sigh as he pulled a cigarette from his pocket. Putting the cigarette between his lips, he pulled out a lighter and lit it. The flame of the lighter lit the area around where they were standing.
Ron tried not to even breathe as he hid under the rock. He glanced back to where he knew Kim was hiding. If the guards saw her and went after her, he would attack them from behind. He was wondering what the guards were doing when a stream of water came down from above and landed a couple of feet away from him. When he realized what was happening he had to struggle not to laugh. Then he started thinking, if these guys are that relaxed they aren't watching they were marinating. All they had to do is wait for the guard to finish what they are doing and leave. Then he saw the area lit up with what sounded like a lighter. Then the smell of smoke came to his nose. One of them had lit a cigarette. This sitch was getting better by the minute.
Kim stayed low as the man finished his 'business' and the other lit a cigarette. Kim knew then that these guys were just hired muscle and not real pros. One, no real guard would do what they were doing. They were too relaxed and slack. No true pro would light up a cigarette like that. The light produced by the lighter would destroy most of their night vision. There was no way either one of them would be able to see them now. All she and Ron had to do was wait. A slight noise behind her in the water caused her to look back. There was a swirl in the water, otherwise nothing. While her weirdar was going off like crazy she tried to put it in the back of her mind and think more of the mission. She watched as the first guard slapped the second one's arm with the back of his hand. He nodded toward the shore and the two disappeared from view. She waited several minutes before she made her way to where Ron was hiding. Just about the time she got to where he had been, he had moved and was scanning the area from behind a rock. He turned to face her as she reached him.
Ron heard the guards move off. After waiting a number of minutes, he moved out from under the rock while avoiding the puddle left by the guard. Looking over the top of the rocks he could see the guard walking off up the beach. He stood a little higher knowing that in the dark someone would have to be on top of him to see him. There was no one else on the beach and from all the information they had been given once they made it on-shore there were no more levels of security. A familiar hand came down on his shoulder. He was not startled. He know who it was the instant she touched him. He turned to see the loving, concerned and scared eyes of the person he loved more than life itself.
"Hi KP. They are gone. We should be able to get inland without anymore problems. But I have to tell you. I thought I was a goner there for a little while."
Kim touched his cheek.
"I did too. Until he….."
Both of them tried to keep from laughing but lost. Snickering, they touched foreheads in the darkness and just enjoyed the moment of closeness. After a few minutes, they regained their composure and started for the shore. They made their way into the trees. They pulled their gear from the bags they had been carrying and started to head for the area where the main lair was supposed to be located.
Their night vision goggles allowed them to move through the jungle with relative ease. Since all the guards and sensors were on the perimeter of the island, it made it easier for the two of them to approach the lab that composed most of Dementor's lair. Kim scanned the area for any exterior guards. The area around the building was surrounded by a chain link fence with three strands of barbed wire along the top. Ron leaned over to whisper in her ear.
"It seems Dementor is getting slack with his security. That fence is nothing. I guess he is putting all his security on the outside. That fence must just be to keep animals and stuff out."
Kim nodded.
"Yeah, but one thing, Dementor has a habit of making something look easy but is really very bad. Remember when I was bonded to Bonnie?"
Ron cracked a smile.
"Bonded to Bonnie? Do you have any idea how that sounds?"
Kim pulled an evil smile back.
"About like bonded to Barkin, what do you say?"
Ron gave a small shudder.
"Point taken. Now what do we do?"
Kim glanced around.
"Let's just take it easy and make our around this clearing. Maybe we can find a way in."
Ron gestured for her to lead the way.
They stopped to rest by a large tree at the edge of a seldom used trail. They were back in the jungle around the bend of the trail away from the lair. They selected this spot to rest since they could see in just about every direction. Both of them were tired and needed to rest and drink some of the water they had brought with them. Kim took a long drink of water from her canteen and then handed it to Ron. He finished off the rest with a few gulps and handed it back to her.
"Now what?"
She rubbed her shoulder for a second.
"Well, there is that maglev train. The fence opens when a tram comes by and it's high enough that we could sneak under."
Ron thought for a moment.
"How about hitching a ride on one of them? There seems to be one running supplies from somewhere."
Kim thought for a moment.
"That's a possibility. Let's see if we can't get some rest. It'll be light in a few hours and I don't think we'll be able to find our way in before then. I'd rather be fully rested before taking one Dementor and all his goons."
Ron nodded and looked around.
"Hey KP, take a look at that bird."
Kim stared at him.
"Ron, its night, most birds are asleep."
Ron nodded.
"I know that that one isn't. It's looking at us. I've never seen on like that before."
Kim glanced in the direction Ron was looking and noticed the bird. It was perched on a branch at the bend of the trail just a few feet from them. It seemed to be some sort of parrot. It flapped its wings for a moment and then spoke.
"Identify."
Ron grinned.
"Cool, it talks. It must have escaped from somewhere."
The bird looked straight to the two of them and repeated its saying.
"Identify."
Ron grabbed Ron's arm.
"Ron? I have a REALLY bad feeling about this."
The bird glanced at Kim then opened its beak and spread its wings. An ear splitting alarm erupted from the bird's mouth. Lights sprang on around the lair and sirens started to wail. Kim grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him into the jungle.
"TOLD YOU!"
Spotlights erupted from everywhere. Then the sounds of hovercraft came to their ears as they both continued to run as fast as they could. Leaves and branches were shredded by gunfire as a fusillade of fire flew over their heads. They dodged back and forth between the trees. By keeping to a fairly dense section of trees the hovercraft could not follow them closely. But the guards that had been riding on the hovercraft had no problems making their way through the trees. Soon they found themselves on the same beach that they had left earlier. They sprinted for the water as Kim pressed the retrieval button on her sleeve. That would activate her reconshark and bring it into the surf. They ran across the beach and bullets blew sand into the air. Diving into the surf they dove deep for their dive packs. Rounds continued to slam into the water all around them.
They both grabbed onto Kim's reconshark as it passed by. They both pulled small air bottles from a storage area in the shark's mouth. After taking a few breaths Kim motioned for Ron to hold her bottle and pointed to the bottom. He nodded and dove for the bottom as she guided the shark toward the surface.
The guards gathered on the beach while a number of them made their way out on the rocks. They knew the intruders appeared to be wearing dive gear but no tanks. Since the two had not appeared since diving into the water they waited patiently. Unless the two had air packs nearby they would have to come up for air soon. Then there was a lot of splashing and thrashing in the water just off the outcropping. Lights converged on the spot to show a large shark thrashing on the surface. The screams of a girl joined the splashing. As they watched the shark pulled the girl under the water amid fountains of reddish water. Before any of them could think to raise their weapons the shark disappeared with its prey. Then, further out there was another scream. This time it was a young man. Lights played about the area where the sound came from but only a swirl of water could be seen. One of the hovercrafts moved out over the water but could not find anything. The guard in the craft keyed his radio.
"We can't find anything, just lots of red water. Looks like our visitors became snacks. Tell the boss that he doesn't have to worry. We'll stay out here for a bit to see if there are any body parts but I don't think there will be."
He finished with his radio and continued to slowly circle the area. Shaking his head he looked out over the water.
"Not a way I would want to go."
Kim joined Ron where their tanks were. They heard the hovercraft slowly circling above them. They had just gotten their air tanks and masks on when some type of cords whirled out of the darkness and wrapped around their arms and legs. They struggled against their bonds but could not break free. A voice came over their intercoms.
"Do not be afraid. I am a friend. Relax while I take you to a place of safety."
Kim and Ron looked around but could barely see anything in the blackness that surrounded them. Their benefactor/captor started to tow them through the water very fast. Soon what like light there was seemed to disappear and they had the feeling of going through some type of tunnel. After a few minutes they seemed to surface. Their arms and legs were released from their bonds and the voice spoke again.
"We are in a cave under the island. You may take off your masks and breathe safely. You may also use a light."
Kim and Ron pulled their masks back took deep breaths of clean crisp air. Then Kim pulled a small light from her belt. Flicking it on, she shone the light around the cavern. A face appeared out of the darkness. It was the face of a man with very sharp features. His black hair formed a sharp widow's peak while his eye and eyebrows seem to be oriental in origin. But the one feature that grabbed their attention was his pointed ears. The face broke into a smile.
"Greetings Team Possible. My name is Prince Namor. I have been watching you since you entered these waters. I heard about your mission and wished to observe you. If you are wondering, I live underwater and can breathe there as easily as above water."
Kim pointed at him.
"Was that you I almost saw at the rocks?"
Namor smiled.
"Yes, you are very good and I was barely able to escape your notice."
Kim nodded.
"Are you a part of SHEILD?"
The man shrugged his shoulders.
"Yes and no. I help when it pleases me or is to my advantage. I do wish to tell you that you are heading into a trap. The grounds are set up with a new version of Dementor's laser grid systems. There would have been no way for you to get into the lair above the ground. You would have been injured or killed if you had tried."
Ron rolled his eyes.
"Dude, then just how are we to get in?"
Namor smiled.
Dementor built his lair into the side of the volcano. He wanted to use some of the underground heat to supply his equipment with power. In one section of the lair is a pool of water. He likes to use it sit in and relax because the water is warm and it is salt water. That pool is full of salt water because it is part of an old lava tube that extends out to sea. It's just big enough for someone your size to make it through. It would place you inside his lair and enable you to look around."
Kim stared at the man.
"Why are you helping us like this? I mean this is supposed to be a milk run just to let SHIELD observe us."
Namor sneered.
"Getting in here is far from a milk run. I can tell the intelligence I sent to SHEILD did not reach the proper people sent on the mission namely the two of you. You have been set up. I am not sure who, but whoever did knew that the two of you would have no chance of completing the mission without one or the other of you being seriously injured or killed. Another reason I am helping is that Dementor is dumping some of his waste chemicals into the water. It is hurting my ocean friends and I want a little payback. Do you wish to continue?"
Kim and Ron's face hardened.
"Oh yeah!"
Namor smiled and nodded.
"Okay, grab onto this rope. I will guide you through the tube to reach the pool inside his lair. It will be tight at points but I think you will be able to get through."
Kim and Ron pulled their masks down over their faces and grabbed the rope. Namor motioned for the two of them to follow and dove beneath the water.
The gleaming hovercraft came to a rest in the grassy meadow on the island where they had left earlier but it seemed to be weeks before. It actually had only been a couple of days. Ron jumped out and gently helped Kim from the craft. Her right leg buckled under her weight and before she could protest Ron slipped around and picked her up in a bridal carry. He turned to see a number of SHEILD agents jogging toward him. He yelled out.
"MEDIC! WE NEED A MEDIC HERE!"
A couple of the agents turned and grabbed a stretcher from under a tent and ran to where Ron jogged toward them. Several medics gathered around as Ron laid Kim down onto the stretcher. The medics immediately started to work on Kim as they carried her to the nearby tent. Ron started to look around for one person; Tony Stark aka Ironman. He was the one. He was the one responsible.
Ron noticed Tony in his Ironman suit walking toward the tent. Ron started toward him. When they faced each other Ron stopped for a moment.
"You got anything to say?"
Tony sneered at him.
"So what? So I held back some info. Don't you think that you might get in on a mission where you don't have all the information you need? Grow up boy! This is a man's world and not a place for children."
Ron glared up at Stark.
"So you admit it. You sent us in there when you knew he had the laser grid system. We are just lucky that we have dealt with it before. Then you failed to tell us about his new laser. Kim is lucky that she only got nicked. It's YOUR fault. You got that Tin Head. By your orders, Kim got hurt."
Tony snarled down at him.
"Listen you little…..I did that because I was under impression that you two could handle it. I guess you two amateurs need to go back to school."
Ron took a step forward toward and tapped his pointed finger on the iron breastplate of Tony's suit.
"Oh we handled it okay. We took down Dementor when that was not even in the plan. So you set up the mission to see if we can think on our feet. Fill that empty space between those floppy ears of yours. Kim and I have been thinking on our feet for years. WE don't have all your fancy armor. WE don't have all your fancy weapons and we STILL take down the bad guys. And I'll tell you something else tinhead. It you EVER talk to KP the way you did at that Charity function, I'll show you just what TEAM POSSIBLE can do."
Kim pushed the medics to the side and started to limp over to the two arguing men. She needed to cool Ron down before he did something that he shouldn't. She could also tell that Stark was slightly drunk and not quite in control of his emotions either. Take two hard headed men, get them upset at each other and make both of them are capable of tremendous destruction and you have the makings of a fine debacle that would not easily be explained away. She came up between the two of them. One look at Ron told her that there was little she could say to calm him down at this point. She turned to Tony and looked up at him while she held on to his arm.
"Mr. Stark, please let's tal….."
She never got to finish her sentence when Tony jerked his arm away and backhanded her.
"SHUT UP and get away from me little girl. I'm getting ready to teach the shrimp here a lesson."
She flew back a number of feet and rolled into a rumbled pile on the sand. Ron turned to look at her. Even from the distance he was standing he could see a trickle of blood coming from the corner of her mouth. He turned to face Stark as his face turned grim.
"You REALLY should not have done that."
Tony glanced over to where the girl lay on the sand. He didn't mean to hit her that hard but she was in the way. As he turned to face the shrimp he started to notice a bright blue glow starting to light up the area. From somewhere he seemed to hear a lot of monkeys starting to scream. When he turned back to look at the shrimp he was quite surprised. The young man's eyes were no longer brown but bright blue and he was surrounded by what seemed to be a blue electric haze. His wet hair was no longer plastered to his head, but swaying up like in a strong breeze. There was a brilliant flash of light and his automatic systems flipped his faceplate down and brought all his systems online. He felt himself flying backwards as his breath was knocked out of him. Several trees snapped as he flew through them.
By the time he regained his senses, he was lying about 100 yards away from where he had been standing before. The boy was standing there still in the position from delivering a blow that sent him to the position he was currently in. The boy grinned wickedly and twisted the fist that he had hit him with. Opening the fist he first gave Tony the one finger salute, then gave him a gesture Tony was more than willing to agree to. The simple flipping of the fingers backward telling him to bring it on.
Tony ignited his thrusters and hurtled towards the boy. He lifted one hand and fired a blast from his palm blaster. To his complete surprise the boy raised his own hand and swatted the blast to the side like it was some annoying insect. Tony prepared himself for ramming when the boy leapt into the air the split second before he hit him. Tony flew under him and directly into the rock outcropping that had been behind Ron. Sparks and shards of rock flew in every direction.
Kim tried to clear her head and get up when two hands grabbed her under her arms and started to pull her away from the fight. She feebly tried to break out of the grip of the person holding her. Looking up she saw that is was Blackwidow that was pulling her clear of the fight. Natalie glanced down grimly at her.
"Sorry Kim, right now those two are not going to listen to reason and you would only get hurt more if you tried to stop it."
Kim tried to get her feet under her and stand up but her leg would not support her weight. She looked over to where Ron floated in the air as he faced Stark. The blue aura that surrounded him was brighter than that day he had stopped the alien attack. She also saw something else. Something she rarely ever seen, it was Ron's face. It was a face of pure anger and hatred. She never thought that she would ever see such a face on a man she knew cared for peace more than anyone. She never thought she would ever see such hatred on a face of the man she knew was capable of incredible amounts of love. For the first time in a long time Kim was afraid, afraid of what Ron might do, and what that might do to Ron.
"But I have to stop him."
Natalie shook her head.
"No one is going to stop him for now."
Tony shook his head to clear the cobwebs from his mind. Turning his head he could see Ron slowly settling to the ground as he faced him. Tony got to his feet and started to run straight at him.
"Okay boy! If that's the way you want it."
Ron scampered straight toward Tony and the two met with a sound that made a clap of thunder sound like a pin drop. Tony threw a haymaker punch at Ron's head. Ron slipped to the side letting the punch slide over his shoulder. He caught the wrist of Tony's Ironman suit and spun while pulling down. He threw Tony over his shoulder and onto the ground with enough force that Tony bounced several inches off the ground.
Tony kicked out and caught Ron under the chin lifting Ron several feet off the ground and several yards back. Tony launched himself into the air and fired several blasts toward Ron. Ron was able to dodge the first few but the last one hit him square in the chest and knocked backwards to the ground. Tony fired once more and was aghast when Ron caught the blast in his hand and hurled it back. The blast hit Tony right in his Ironman mask.
Kim slowly gained her footing and looked around. Natalie was watching the fight with all the others. Kim knew that she had to do something and fast. She turned and jogged away from the fight back to where her backpack lay with their equipment. There was a certain item of clothing in her backpack that she wanted to get. She hoped that the recent upgrades that Wade had made would live up to his expectations. She had a feeling she would need everything she had to stop Ron from hurting or killing Tony Stark. The concussion of another explosion or impact jostled her as she started to run.
Nick Fury stood watching the altercation grimly. His intelligence on Ron Stoppable was dead on. He hated playing Team Possible like this but this was the only way he thought the test would be successful. He watched as Ironman threw a punch at the glowing young man. Ron caught the speeding fist and delivered a kick that bent the armored man double.
A voice next to him spoke up.
"You know someone might have to stop this and when they do there will be hell to pay. Especially when a certain pair of young people finds out this was all a set up."
Fury turned to face Captain America.
"I had to know what he could do. This was the only way to find out. I figured the only way to get Stoppable to fully use his powers was to threaten Possible. I just figured Tony would be stupid enough to fall into what I needed him to do. Just give him the opportunity to be himself. Plus, if he did set Stoppable off he would be the only one I thought might survive long enough."
Captain America shook his head as he turned back to the fight. Ron and Tony were face to face trading blows. One thing was clear. Ron was playing with Tony. There was a sneer on his face as he blocked every attack that Tony threw at him and only made small attacks himself. But those attacks were starting to dent the Ironman armor. Steve was getting ready to say something to Fury when Tony attempted to swat Ron between both his arms. Ron grabbed both his arms and used them to lift himself and deliver a two leg straight on kick. The impact sent Tony head over heels across the opening in the trees.
Tony got to his feet and turned to face Ron. Steve could tell that Tony was having trouble standing and even from the distance he was standing watching he could hear the armor squeaking and clanking. A big shadow appeared behind him, Steve turned to see Hulk standing behind him.
"I am glad to see you. We may need you to help break up a fight."
Hulk chuckled.
"Puny human putting dents in Ironman suit, and Ironman's pride."
At that moment Tony ignited his thrusters and started firing power blasts. Ron was able to avoid or block most of the blasts, but he was not able to block all of them or the collision with Ironman. Both went tumbling across the ground trading close in blows. Ron was getting winded and Tony could barely keep going. Both of them stood up and took a few steps back. Ron was limping and a trail of blood flowed from his nose. Tony could barely stand with the armor creaking and smoke coming from some of the seams. They were just about to renew the fight when a red-heading cyclone of blue and white landed between the two of them.
"ENOUGH!"
A bluish-white force field formed between the two combatants sending them sprawling. Kim turned to face Ron.
"Ron! That is enough."
Tony regained his feet and was about to say something when Kim turned and looked at him. He remembered that same look and that last time she gave him that look he spent several hours in the dentist chair. He staggered back and sat down on the ground and flipped up his faceplate gasping for air.
Kim turned back to face Ron who was standing there glaring at Tony. Kim walked up in front of him.
"Ron, calm down! Ron LOOK AT ME!"
Kim reached up and took the sides of his face in her hands and forced him to look at her. She stared into those fiery blue eyes for a few moments. She had to use all the force in her suit to keep him focused on her.
"Ron, I am okay. Now you need to calm down before you really hurt him."
Ron blinked his eyes and gazed into her eyes. Kim saw them focus on her and begin to assume their normal brown hue. The blue light surrounding him slowly dimmed and faded out. His voice was slurred when he spoke.
"KP?"
She started to check him over as he slid to his knees. There were a couple of bruises on his face and he would have a real nice black eye when all of this was over. She wiped away the trail of blood from under his nose and reached down to check the rest of him. He didn't protest and only moaned or winced when she hit a tender spot. It appeared to her that he might have a couple of cracked ribs, but that seemed to be the limit of his injuries.
Turning around she noticed Blackwidow working with Tony to remove the shattered remains of his armor suit. It appeared that he was barely conscious. She could not tell if he was still drunk or knocked senseless. She was getting ready to stand up when Captain America appeared beside her with a medical kit. The sound of heavy footsteps caused her to glance toward Tony again. Her eyes went wide when she noticed the Hulk walk up and stand between Ron and Tony. Captain America touched her on her arm.
"Let's get Ron checked out. I don't think that he is hurt bad."
Kim shook her head.
"No, I don't think so either. But, he is going to be sore and bruised up. Just wait till I finish up with Tony and file a complaint with Fury. He…"
Captain America put his hand on her shoulder.
"Miss Possible, Kim, I am afraid that he was just an unknowing part of a test, a test for the two of you, but mostly Ron."
Kim snapped her head toward him.
"WHAT? WHO ORDERED THAT?"
Before Captain America could answer another voice joined the conversation.
"That would be me Miss Possible."
Kim spun her head around so fast Captain America thought she might hurt herself. Fury walked up to them and stopped a few feet away.
"I am sorry Miss Possible, but we had to be certain of a number of things. Setting up this mission and the aftermath allowed us to test certain factors of your teamwork and abilities."
Kim stood up, grinding her teeth, her hands moving into fists.
"You mean YOU sent us off with barely tested equipment, into a situation where you failed to give us the necessary intelligence. Then, you had someone you KNOW that we could barely work with send us into the situation knowing that it would create problems."
Kim's face froze for a moment.
"RON! You wanted to get Ron to use…."
Kim's face turned from a scowl to one of rage.
"We trusted you and it was all a science experiment wasn't it. THAT'S ALL?"
Fury looked down at Kim like he was placating a child.
"Now Miss Possible, don't get all excit…."
Fury never finished his sentence when a fist crashed into his face. The blow lifted him off his feet and onto his back. He lay there for a few moments before sitting up and trying to move his jaw. He watched as she stormed away to kneel at Ron's side. She helped him to his feet and the two of them walked away with Captain America walking beside them.
"BLAST! She can throw a punch."
A cackle of laughter came from his side. He looked over to see Tony sitting up and out of his suit.
"Don't I know it?"
Tony bent over and gave a mock salute.
"And I must say it couldn't happen to a better person."
Tony stepped back and looked over behind Fury as he sat on the ground for a few moments. Then he heard footsteps coming up behind him. He turned and groaned to see Nana approaching.
"I don't have the time or the patience to hear it now. It had to be done and this is the only way to find out."
Fury got to his feet and face Nana.
"I needed to test both of them mainly Stoppable. I had to see for myself what he was capable of."
Nana stepped up to Fury until her forehead was right at his nose.
"Listen you big lug, you put those two through something for no other reason than you wanted to play your little games. Kimberly has already let you know her displeasure."
There was a thud and Fury let out a wheeze as he slid to his knees. Nana stared down at Fury as he tried to get his breath.
"Kimberly is too much of a proper young lady for a low blow like that, but as you are so fond of saying I am not always a proper lady."
Nana spun away and started to walk off, turning she stared back over her shoulder.
"Put those two in danger like that for no reason again I'll finish this."
Nana walked off in the direction of her grand daughter. Tony struggled not to laugh as Fury tried to stand. He looked up at Tony and snarled.
"Shut up you fool and help me get up and find some ice."
Kim helped Ron sit down on the beach under the shade of some trees. Everyone within any distance gave them all the room they wanted or needed. A couple of the SHIELD agents said they could have the whole dang island if they wanted, as long as they could stay as FAR away as possible. Kim knelt down in front of Ron and pulled a cooling pad from the med kit, broke the pad inside and placed it over his eye. Ron whimpered just a bit.
"Easy there KP, remember I AM on your side."
Kim softened her touch.
"Sorry about that Ronnie. It's just I am…."
Captain America placed his hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay Miss Possible, do you mind if I call you Kim. Please call me Steve."
Kim looked up at him. He had pulled his cowl back revealing his face.
"That will be fine Steve. Thanks for your help. It's just that I have heard so much about SHIELD and thought it would be so great to work for them. But if this is the way they operate then I don't know if I want to deal with them or not."
The sound of heavy foot steps came to Kim's ears. She turned to see an amazing sight. Hulk, Spiderman, Thor, Namor, and Wolverine were all walking toward them. Namor nodded to the two of them as he stepped up beside Captain America.
"While Fury's methods were less than honorable, we have our answer. I will add that I watched these two work together on this last mission. We could learn a great deal from them as they could learn from us. I believe a nomination is in order."
Thor nodded.
"I second."
Kim and Ron looked at each other then to the group and back to Captain American. He smiled down at them.
"We the Avengers had our own reasons to watch today. When Fury showed me some intelligence on Ron capability we knew we had to act. We have discussed it and are agreed. If you would honor us by accepting, Prince Namor has nominated you, and Thor has seconded that you be offered Junior Membership in the Avengers."
Kim slipped from her kneeling position and sat down in the sand. Ron's mouth fell nearly to his knees. They joined hands to steady each other. Kim looked at the group.
"You….you want us to join the Avengers?"
Thanks for reading I hope that you enjoyed the chapter. Please leave a review.
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For some of you who don't know. My hopes and dreams came true today when I found a new job. It means less stress, better pay and benefits. Sometimes things just work out.
This is the Captain
Roger and out
Right hand salute