A/N: I must inform the reader, what is being shared at the beginning of this chapter, I originally wrote before there was any mention of Covid, I mention the subject back in the story Legacy, and I had decided to share more about it in this chapter. And I admit, it is odd that something in the real world happened that was similar.
Chapter 10: The Fallen Shall Rise
"How are you alive, Kim?" Shego questioned, the shock slowly dissipating.
Kim giggled at the query, then removed the voice modulator encircling her neck. In her own voice, she responded, "Hard to believe, isn't it?"
"Are you a clone too?" Shego inquired, her mind exploring the realm of possibilities.
Kim shook her head, answering, "No, Shego, I'm the real deal."
"But how can you be alive and still look so young?" Shego asked, observing as Kim approached and took a seat beside her.
Kim chuckled lightly at the question, replying, "Well, if you ever stumble upon a vial labeled 'experimental,' do yourself a favor and avoid injecting it into yourself."
Her statement caused Shego to narrow her eyes at Kim, prompting Kim to add, "I know, I know, you're owed an explanation."
"Yes," Shego simply said, waiting for Kim's account of how they were sitting side by side.
Kim glanced at the 'Angels' moving around the parking lot, then began, "After you died—this is surreal—I saw you in your coffin, attended your funeral… and yet here we are, having this conversation."
"I'm not sure how I feel about all this. I know I'm not the original Shego, yet somehow, I am," Shego mused as she studied Kim's luminous blue eyes.
"Guess we'll have to embrace the weirdness. But anyway, after you died…" Kim began, trailing off into her tale.
In the comfort of her pajamas, a red-haired woman sat perched on the couch, immersed in her morning routine. The soft glow of the television played the morning news, a companion to her solitary breakfast. This daily ritual had seamlessly woven itself into her life, an early morning sanctuary where she could embrace the tranquil hush of solitude.
But the house, once echoing with the lively footsteps of her children, now echoed a different tune. They had ventured out into the world, leaving behind an emptiness that, at times, was hard to ignore. She longed for the days of bustling activity, the sweet chaos of children seeking her guidance, and the symphony of their laughter that once filled every corner of the home.
Today was one of those days, a day when nostalgia wrapped its gentle tendrils around her heart. Her gaze would wander, now and then, toward the photographs that adorned the walls. Each frame held a precious memory, frozen in time. Whether it was a young boy reveling in the triumph of an achievement or a graceful young woman radiating elegance in an exquisite gown, every image stirred a wellspring of emotions.
As her eyes lingered on these snapshots of days gone by, a wistful smile graced her lips. It was a smile tinged with the bittersweet blend of fond reminiscence and the poignant realization that the past, though cherished, could never be relived.
Amid her reverie, a news headline on the television screen commanded her attention. The words read, "Epidemic Declared in Malaysia: Hundreds Afflicted by Unknown Illness." Suspicion crept into her thoughts as she furrowed her brow, grappling with the unusualness of the situation. A devout viewer of the news, she was certain that no prior report had hinted at the existence of an uncontrollable ailment spreading like wildfire across the world. It was as though the illness had emerged out of thin air, catching everyone by surprise.
The revelation triggered a cascade of recollections from her own peculiar history, prompting her to entertain the notion of foul play. These ruminations impelled her to rise from the couch and head to her computer, determined to uncover the truth behind this unsettling occurrence. Her search led her to articles detailing the enigmatic outbreak originating in a remote locale, its unchecked progression defying the Malaysian government's attempts at containment.
As she delved deeper into the unsettling details of a potential pandemic, her eyes fell upon the names of renowned epidemiologists and pathologists dispatched to the region. A gasp escaped her lips as she recognized a couple of the names—her very own son and daughter. An urgent determination overtook her, compelling her to abandon her computer and reach for her phone to contact them.
After several attempts, a familiar voice answered her call. "Hey, Don... I just wanted to remind you to stay safe," she said, her tone a blend of concern and affection, a silent plea for their well-being in the face of the unknown.
"How did you know they were sending me?" the man asked, his voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and surprise as he sat in an airport terminal, awaiting his flight.
The woman's gaze momentarily shifted from her computer screen, "I looked into the situation when I saw it on the news. That is when I found out they were sending both Mary and you," she replied, her tone conveying a sense of purpose.
"I didn't realize she was going to be there too," the man responded.
"Well, when you arrive, make sure you find her and stay safe, okay?" the woman requested, her words laced with a delicate blend of concern and resolve.
After a brief pause, the man's voice came through the line again. "I will, Mom... but I have to go catch my flight now. And Mom?"
"Yes, Don?"
"I love you, Mom," he declared, a warmth evident in his tone.
A smile tugged at the corners of the woman's lips, her heart swelling with emotion. "I love you too, Don," she replied, the affection palpable as they exchanged their final words before ending the call.
As the woman placed her phone on the kitchen table, a man entered the room and immediately noted the distressed expression on her face. Before he could inquire, she covered her face with her hands, and he could discern that she was overcome by some deep emotion.
He approached her, taking a seat beside her, a mixture of concern and care in his eyes. After a beat of observation, he gently prompted, "What's wrong, K... P?"
At the sound of her initials and the familiar voice, the woman uncovered her tear-streaked face, revealing her raw emotions. She gazed at the man beside her without uttering a word, her expression a canvas painted with concern and grief. After a lingering silence, she wiped away her tears and let out a sigh, attempting to collect herself.
"I'm just worried about the kids, Ron," Kim confessed with a heavy heart.
Ron squinted, his brows furrowing with concern. "Why? Did something happen to them?"
"No," Kim replied, shaking her head. "It's just that both Don and Mary were asked to go to Malaysia to help with the outbreak there. And from what I've read, whatever is causing it is so potent that even protective gear doesn't offer much protection."
"But Don and Mary know how to stay safe," Ron reassured, trying to offer comfort.
Kim managed a sad smile at Ron's attempt, then said, "You're right. But there's something strange about this outbreak."
"Why do you say that?" Ron questioned skeptically.
Kim's head shook slightly, her expression pensive. "It's odd how the outbreak appeared suddenly, and the fact that protective measures are proving ineffective against it. I have a feeling this disease might be engineered, like someone planned for it."
"Could it be him?" Ron asked, his tone tinged with a mix of sadness and excitement.
Kim shook her head, dismissing the notion. "No, he wouldn't create something to make people sick or cause harm. Yes, he was hurt, but he wouldn't turn bitter to this extent."
In the days that followed, the couple closely monitored developments in Southeast Asia. They were increasingly shocked by the unrelenting nature of the epidemic. The more they saw on the news, the more convinced they became that someone or something was orchestrating the outbreak. However, aware of their limitations and age, they found themselves helpless spectators, unable to intervene directly.
As the world's nations began to shift blame onto each other for the enigmatic disease, Kim and Ron's horror deepened. A global conflict seemed imminent, escalating toward a potential world war. Despite the dire circumstances, they watched as a man suddenly emerged on the world stage, claiming to have developed a vaccine for the disease.
The revelation gripped Kim's attention as she watched the news report. The world, poised on the brink of disaster, faced an unexpected twist that could potentially change the course of events.
"Dr. Kaigan," Kim muttered aloud, her attention fixed on the news during her morning routine.
Intrigued by the figure named Dr. Kaigan, Kim's mind raced. The outbreak's mysterious nature had left everyone stumped, yet this man possessed a solution—a vaccine—for an ailment that defied identification. Drawing from her experiences thwarting her archenemies, Kim realized that crafting a vaccine for an unknown pathogen required insider knowledge of the disease. A sense of suspicion gnawed at her as she learned that Dr. Kaigan intended to discuss vaccine distribution with world leaders at an upcoming summit.
Despite her instincts warning her that something was not right, Kim felt powerless to intervene. Her hopes were pinned on her children, Mary, and Don, who she maintained daily contact with. She prayed that they would uncover the truth behind the outbreak. However, her optimism was short-lived. The day after Dr. Kaigan's vaccine claims surfaced, a heart-wrenching call from Don shattered her hopes.
Don informed Kim that both he and Mary had contracted the disease, leaving them with a grim ultimatum: succumb to the illness or become test subjects for the untested vaccine. A mixture of emotions swirled within Kim as she absorbed the gravity of the situation. "I know, mom," Don's voice on the phone conveyed a heavy burden. "Mary and I don't like the idea either, but it's either the vaccine or letting this illness take us."
Kim sat in her living room, Ron by her side, as her son's words sunk in. "Well, that injection has bad written all over it," Kim replied, her voice tinged with concern and fear.
After a sigh from Don, his voice continued, "I haven't told May about this. If you talk to her, let Jon and her know I've been busy here…and I love them both. And I love you, Mom."
"Don—" Kim began, but the call abruptly ended, leaving her with a mix of emotions and a heavy heart.
In the days that followed, Kim and Ron watched as the disease escalated into a pandemic. The world leaders hastily convened the summit to address the crisis, where Dr. Kaigan's vaccine was put into the spotlight. As the couple observed the events unfold on the news, a sense of disgust and suspicion grew within them. Leader after leader received the vaccine, their actions, and the atmosphere unsettling.
As the summit continued, the news coverage shifted to a group of individuals who had been working to halt the outbreak. Kim and Ron recognized two of them immediately—Mary and Don. Yet, something was amiss. The expressions on their children's faces were devoid of emotion, mirroring the eerie demeanor of the others on stage. Dr. Kaigan stood among them, speaking about their efforts. Kim and Ron dismissed his words, their attention captured by the unnatural reactions exhibited by both the group and the world leaders in attendance. The same vacant expressions that Don and Mary had described to Kim were now plastered on the faces of those leaders, casting an unsettling pall over the entire spectacle.
"We should have done something," Kim's voice held a tinge of regret as she spoke, the room heavy with the weight of unspoken possibilities.
Ron's voice, somber yet pragmatic, broke the silence. "Yeah, but what could we have done... at our age."
Kim's thoughts resonated with Ron's words. Their once-vibrant selves had been replaced by the passage of time, leaving them less agile and spirited. They understood their limitations all too well—trying to intervene might have been futile and, worse yet, might have exposed them to the very illness they sought to combat. Kim's frustration gnawed at her. The concept of being powerless, even in the face of impending catastrophe, was a bitter pill to swallow.
As Kim stared at the photographs adorning their walls, a wave of frustration washed over her. She clenched her teeth, frustrated by her perceived uselessness. Yet, as the gnawing feeling of desperation settled within her, she pondered whether she should take a drastic step, even if it meant risking everything to alter the course of events.
The days that followed were filled with tense anticipation as Kim and Ron witnessed the global response to the outbreak. World leaders rushed to ensure their military personnel received the vaccine before making it mandatory for the populace. However, Kim and Ron staunchly refused the requirement, even in the face of potential enforcement.
"K... P, what do we do now?" Ron's voice was tinged with fear as he peered out the window, eyeing the occasional military vehicle passing by.
Kim, absorbed in her phone and computer, sighed as she responded, "I don't know. And I'm struggling to get through to Wade."
"What about Tech?" Ron stated, simply offering a solution.
Ron's suggestion ignited a spark of hope in Kim's eyes, prompting Kim to halt her frenetic work and focus on him.
"Tech?" Kim's curiosity was piqued, her gaze fixed on Ron.
"You know that guy, who used to help him get stuff," Ron reminded her with a fond smile.
Excitement surged through Kim as the idea took shape. However, a hurdle remained. "The problem is, I don't know how to contact him."
"After Sheila's second wedding, I found a blank card in my pants pocket with a phone number and 'Tech' written on it," Ron revealed as he turned his attention away from keeping watch. "I think it might still be in the desk."
Kim's excitement intensified, and she wasted no time searching through a drawer until she found the card. With it in hand, she retrieved her phone and dialed the number. After a few rings, a voice with a Hispanic accent answered. Her heart raced as she asked if she was speaking to Tech.
The man chuckled on the other end before responding, "Been a long time since someone called me that."
"It's the only name I know you by," Kim replied, her anticipation evident.
Amid the man's laughter, he finally revealed, "Only a few people ever called me that. Most know me as... Texican."
Shego's eyes widened in recognition as the name echoed in her mind. "Texican?" she questioned aloud.
"Yeah, that's what he said his name was. But why are you so excited about the name?" Kim asked, curiosity tinged in her voice, as she noticed the spark of recognition on Shego's face
With a mixture of excitement and nostalgia, Shego explained, "While we were in Mal's hometown one summer, he left to visit someone named Texican. Mal mentioned that the guy called himself that as a reference to being a Mexican from Texas."
Shego pondered for a moment before asking, "I wonder if they were the same person?"
"They could have been," Kim stated, recalling Texican's reputation as a black-market dealer who had a knack for procuring anything they needed, an invaluable resource in their time of need.
After the introduction and a recollection of their history, Kim described their urgent requirements and asked if Texican could help. He assured her that he could, though with some difficulty, due to her request's sensitive nature. Kim expressed her gratitude and asked about the cost.
The man's laughter reverberated through the call before he responded, "Consider this one on the house. It's not good for business when someone is out there turning people into mindless zombies. So, hopefully, you can get things back to normal. Look for your packages in the next few days."
With the call concluded, Kim was left in a state of hopeful anticipation. The future remained uncertain, but for the first time in a while, a glimmer of proactive action illuminated the path forward. As she placed her phone on the desk, she gazed out at the world and the chaos beyond, her thoughts consumed by a single question: What could they achieve with Texican's assistance?
"Well, Ron, time to plan while we wait," Kim declared as she left the desk and approached her husband.
The remainder of the day and well into the night was spent meticulously crafting their strategy. Every detail was scrutinized, and they weighed the advantages and drawbacks of each potential course of action. Their plan, while straightforward, was fraught with determination—to locate Kaigan and dismantle his operations, even if it meant resorting to lethal measures. Their resolve was unwavering; they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, prepared to risk their lives to bring about change. This was their moment, a chance to stand against the tide of chaos, even if they had to do it alone.
Having crafted their plan, Kim and Ron finally retired to bed, hoping that this would not be their last peaceful slumber. The following morning, a single knock on the front door startled them from their rest. The sound echoed in the stillness, and they both froze, straining to hear any further indication of who—or what—had made the noise. The silence that followed was profound, and cautiously, they left their room to investigate the disturbance.
Taking turns peeking through the glass pane of the door, they found nothing amiss outside. As Ron slowly opened the door, they were greeted by an enigmatic note taped to its surface. With a sense of cautious curiosity, Ron detached the note and read it aloud for Kim. The message was simple: "I rushed your request. What you asked for is in the garage."
Intrigued and bewildered, they made their way to the garage. Inside the garage, they were met with two sizeable wooden crates and a small metal case. An envelope affixed to one of the crates bore their names, prompting Kim to retrieve it. As she opened it, a letter emerged, containing Texican's message, "This is the best I could do, considering how the world is now."
The first crate revealed an imposing, fully-metallic suit—a Mark Three Orion suit. The familiar design took Kim and Ron back, making them realize that their long-time friend and ally had continued his work beyond the war, further developing Orion technology. The gravity of this revelation struck them; they wondered what other innovations Wade had crafted during the years.
Opening both crates, they marveled at the suits' intricate design, admiring the advances that Wade had made. Amid their exploration, Ron discovered a manual hidden within one of the crates. As he perused it, his excitement grew, culminating in a significant revelation—these suits enabled telekinesis. Kim met this news with skepticism, prompting Ron to show her the corresponding section in the manual.
As Kim absorbed the information, a sense of disappointment washed over her. While the suits granted them remarkable abilities, they came with risks. Overusing the telekinetic powers could lead to a short circuit of the suit—an alarming prospect when they needed these tools the most. Their advantage was tempered by the imperative to use it judiciously.
The final component, the small metal case, contained two syringes, labeled experimental, filled with a clear liquid. The note inside instructed them to inject it directly into their hearts. With uncertainty and resolve mingling within them, they weighed the risk against their dire situation. Despite the unknowns, they recognized that their options were limited.
With a shared nod, they each took a syringe and pressed it to their chest, injecting the clear liquid into their hearts. For a moment, nothing happened. An unsettling sense of anticlimax hung in the air, and they exchanged glances of uncertainty.
Suddenly, Kim's vision blurred, and dizziness washed over her. Her awareness wavered as she struggled to find Ron. The last thing she saw was him collapsing before everything went black.
Moments later, the woman found herself in the garage, lying on the floor beside a man. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she took in the man's presence, noting his rhythmic breathing with relief. However, her attention was drawn to his hair—once grey and aged, it was now a vibrant blonde. She herself felt different, a surge of energy coursing through her.
Climbing to her feet, she inspected her surroundings and locked eyes with the man lying beside her. His transformation was impossible to miss. The once-wrinkled features had been replaced by a smooth, youthful visage—a reversal of age that defied explanation.
Approaching the car in the garage, she caught her reflection in its side mirror. A gasp of surprise escaped her as she saw her teenage self-staring back. The shock of her newfound appearance gave way to a burst of laughter, mirrored by the man as he too rose to his feet. Their shared amusement spoke of the strangeness of their situation, a pair of unlikely heroes standing at the brink of a new chapter.
"Well, Ron, like my new look," the woman said after her laughter died down.
Ron only nodded to the question, before he said with amazement, "You look like a teenager again, Kim."
Kim laughed at the idea and said, "You should see yourself," while she pointed at the car's mirror.
Without wasting time, Ron went to the mirror and studied his own face with amazement. He finally glanced back at Kim, and he saw she was smiling at the expression on his face. After a moment, Ron stopped his self-admiring, and Kim checked the time to see how long they were out. To her amazement, she saw that they had been lying on the floor for over four hours, and she relayed the information to Ron. When they finally relaxed from the realization of looking and feeling younger, as well as the idea of losing four hours of time, they decided to have breakfast. Breakfast was to be a celebration of sorts; they now had the youthfulness and means to help the world.
They decided to wait until nightfall to proceed with the plans they had formulated the day before. As they exited the garage, they discovered another extraordinary capability granted by the clear liquid. Just as Ron reached for the door leading into the house, he inadvertently pulled the door off its hinges, holding it effortlessly by the doorknob. After carefully setting the door down, they exchanged intrigued glances, realizing that they now possessed a unique power. This discovery ignited a newfound hope within them; they believed they could use their abilities to make a positive impact on the world.
As they stepped into the kitchen, the couple pondered what other abilities the clear liquid might have bestowed upon them. It did not take long for them to uncover yet another remarkable power. While they engaged in conversation, Ron began preparing breakfast, and amidst the distractions, he accidentally cut himself with a knife. The wound was deep, and he had to use a washcloth to stem the bleeding. Kim, alarmed by the severity of Ron's injury, started to rush out of the room to fetch a first aid kit. However, Ron stopped her and revealed his injured hand, which astonishingly began to heal at an astonishing rate.
Kim was mesmerized by this miraculous sight and approached Ron, examining his fully healed hand. As she held the knife that had caused the injury, a peculiar thought crossed her mind. She took a deep breath, met Ron's gaze, and, without warning, thrust the knife into her own thigh.
She winced and clenched her teeth in response to the self-inflicted pain, gasping as she removed the knife from her leg. Despite the agony, Kim resisted the urge to apply pressure to the wound, even as Ron attempted to help her. Together, they observed in amazement as her blood ceased to flow and began retracting into the wound, while the injury itself started closing.
Ron's excitement turned to concern as Kim's expression shifted from awe to sadistic satisfaction. He took a step back, pleading with her to reconsider whatever she had in mind. However, before he could react, Kim swiftly plunged the knife into his chest, twisting it for added torment. Ron screamed in agony, shutting his eyes tightly due to the excruciating pain, all the while hearing Kim's disturbing giggles. In the next instant, he felt her withdraw the knife only to stab him repeatedly. After several vicious stabs, Ron collapsed onto the floor, and Kim straddled him, continuing her frenzied assault until he lost consciousness.
As if regaining her sanity, Kim abruptly halted her attack on Ron, tossing the bloodied knife across the room. She hyperventilated and stared at her blood-covered hands in horror, unable to believe the gruesome act she had just committed. Trembling with shock, she struggled to disentangle herself from Ron's body. In the process, she inadvertently smeared his blood on her face, adding to her distress as she knelt beside his lifeless form.
"What have I done?" she whispered to herself, covering her mouth with a trembling hand.
Overwhelmed by regret and shame, Kim began to cry uncontrollably, oblivious to the passage of time and the possibility of someone discovering her at the scene. In her mind, she had taken the life of the person she loved most, and the burden of guilt seemed insurmountable. She longed for the release of being freed from her own anguish, even if it meant succumbing to the same brainwashing she had sought to prevent.
However, a glimmer of hope emerged when she heard a cough emanate from Ron's body beside her. She uncovered her face and stopped crying, staring at Ron in astonishment. To her surprise, the stab wounds had miraculously healed, leaving only the torn holes in Ron's shirt as evidence of her attack. She watched as Ron stirred and sat up beside her, his expression a mix of confusion and sadness as he realized she had been crying.
After a moment of exchanging bewildered looks, Ron asked, "What just happened?"
"I have no idea, Ron. It is as if I momentarily lost control of my actions, but thankfully, whatever was in that vial saved you from my momentary insanity," Kim explained somberly.
Ron looked troubled as he replied, "Could it be that we're experiencing some side effects from the serum?" He fixed his gaze on a spot on the floor, concern etched across his face.
Kim regarded him with concern, realizing he was conversing with someone else, despite there being no one else present. "Ron, who are you talking to?"
"Yeah, he's right here," Ron said, pointing at the floor. "He was just telling me about potential side effects, like the mental problems we might develop. That might explain your attack."
Kim grew increasingly worried as she recognized that Ron was hallucinating. "Well, it seems you're experiencing some mental issues as well, Ron. You're hallucinating."
"Yes, Kim, it appears we both are slowly losing our minds," Ron admitted in a different voice, unsettling Kim even further.
The couple left the kitchen floor, attempting to continue with their breakfast preparations despite their mental struggles. However, as Kim observed Ron talking to himself, even engaging in conversations with an unseen presence, she realized that their ability to help the world had been compromised, and a sense of hopelessness began to take hold.
Kim observed Ron's erratic behavior in the kitchen, struggling to resist the urge to harm him again as they both battled their deteriorating mental states. The couple attempted to ignore the unmistakable signs of their mental decline, but as Kim witnessed Ron talking to himself and engaging in bizarre behaviors, it became clear that their ability to make a positive impact on the world was slipping away.
As the day wore on, their mental states deteriorated further, to the point where they no longer recognized each other. Occasionally, one of them would regain clarity and witness the disturbing evidence of their spouse's complete mental breakdown. Ron would witness Kim's violent outbursts, either directed at him or at random objects in the room. Kim, on the other hand, would observe Ron holding conversations with himself, using different voices, or writing incomprehensible messages on the walls. These moments of insanity were deeply unsettling for the clear-minded spouse. There were times when both were temporarily themselves, trying to explain the inexplicable and admitting to having no memory of their episodes of madness.
As darkness fell outside, all hope of the couple helping the world faded due to their deteriorating mental states. Neither of them could claim to be themselves anymore, lost in the grip of their mental afflictions. They aimlessly wandered their wrecked home, with Ron occasionally engaging in conversations with himself and Kim intermittently attacking him when he spoke or moved.
A week had passed since the couple had injected themselves with the mysterious clear liquid. The interior of their home was in ruins, furniture destroyed, walls covered in chaotic writings, and floors stained with darkened blood. In their deranged state, they stood in the living room, gazing vacantly at each other when the front door swung open. Several men in black attire, bearing swords sheathed across their backs, entered the house. They drew their swords upon seeing the couple but hesitated when they realized the couple made no effort to defend themselves or flee.
The men exchanged perplexed glances and shrugged their shoulders. After a moment, one of them pointed at the red-haired woman, and all the men circled her, brandishing their swords. In an instant, they thrust their swords into her, and to their astonishment, she merely giggled at being stabbed. Baffled, some of the men exchanged bewildered glances. They withdrew their swords, and the woman collapsed lifelessly onto the floor.
Turning their attention to the man, who remained in a mindless state, one of the black-clad men indicated that he would deal with him. Upon stabbing the man, he let out a scream and pulled the blade from his body with his bare hands, a terrifying reaction that startled the attacking man. He struggled to retrieve the sword from the injured man's grip, looking to his companions for assistance. Their snickers filled the room, prompting them to step forward. However, before they could intervene, the injured man pushed his attacker away using the sword and bolted towards the front door, escaping the house. The men in black exchanged glances before giving chase to the fleeing man.
"What happened to Ron?" Shego inquired after Kim abruptly halted her narrative.
Kim sighed, a moment of silence passing before she spoke, "I regained consciousness later in the day, and I had my wits about me... I'm not sure why, maybe it was due to blood loss. But my first thought was to find Ron. However, when I stepped outside, I could not find any clovers or Ron. Before...I lost my mind again," she paused, her gaze falling to her feet, and then added, "I spent decades wandering around, with no idea of where I went or what I did. The first thing I can remember after waking up in my home, following the clover attack, was being shocked, and some men talking about a prison."
"Was it the prison where they tortured you?" Shego asked, a sadness creeping over her as she realized her potential involvement in Kim's and many other innocent people's sufferings during her rule.
"Yes, it was," Kim confirmed with a smile, turning her gaze to Shego.
Shego narrowed her eyes, sensing there was more to Kim's words. She asked, "What do you mean?"
"Well, after each of my... shock treatments, they would return me to my cell, and for a moment, I would regain my sense of self, even though I started to hear voices," Kim said cheerfully, as if being tortured was something of little consequence.
"So... electrocution suppresses whatever it was you injected into yourself?" Shego mused, her face betraying no emotion as she learned the demon's weakness.
"Yes, that's right. Although, even when I was myself, there was a voice that talked to me in my cell. It wanted to know how I ended up in the state I was in. I admit, I miss hearing that voice. I never heard it again after I teleported to Paris," Kim explained with a sense of disbelief, as if questioning the veracity of her own experience.
"What did the voice sound like?" Shego inquired, her hope buoyed by the description, even though she knew Kim would have recognized the voice if it belonged to the person she was thinking of.
Kim chuckled in response to the question before saying, "It wasn't him, Shego," indicating that she knew who Shego had in mind. Kim then elaborated, "The voice had a sweet, innocent quality, like that of a small child."
Shego felt a pang of sadness at the description, about to say something when Jes interjected, "A small child?"
"Yeah, Jes. That's the only way I can describe it," Kim replied without looking at Jes, her gaze fixed on Shego's expression.
Jes shook his head, confirming, "I heard a similar voice when we were at the prison. It spoke to the clovers and me during our misunderstanding."
Both Kim and Shego looked at Jes with disbelief, and Kim asked, "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, even the clovers could vouch for me if they were here," Jes asserted confidently, standing by his claim.
The women exchanged skeptical glances before Kim voiced her thoughts, "There's no way it could have been the same person; by now, they would have aged and sounded older."
Shego laughed at Kim's skepticism, stating, "Kim, we should both be dead right now, yet here we are, living and breathing. Don't doubt the possibilities."
"You're right. Someday we'll figure it out. But right now, I have another curiosity," Kim said with a hint of amusement, acknowledging that the family motto might apply to everything in the world.
"And what's that?" Shego inquired as she observed Kim's gaze fixed on the 'Angels.'
"Where were these soldiers during the last Lowardian attack?" Kim questioned, looking up at Captain Grey, who stood nearby.
The women heard Captain Grey giggle at Kim's question before explaining, "That's because we didn't exist back then."
"What do you mean, didn't exist?" Kim inquired.
"Well, everyone and everything you see that belongs to the 'Angels' didn't exist until after you foresaw the future attack. We began forming and preparing for this event over the past thirteen years," Grey explained with a hint of amusement in her voice.
Both Shego and Kim looked at the female soldier with wonder. The revelation that a highly advanced race of beings, apparently human, not only existed but had advanced knowledge of Earth's impending invasion piqued their curiosity. What puzzled them the most was how the 'Angels' had foreknowledge of the future Lowardian attack and had planned to stop it before it even occurred.
"How did you guys know?" Kim asked, but she noticed that Grey was preoccupied with something.
Kim heard the woman sigh amidst clicks and static coming from her, and she would occasionally glance up into the sky at various angles. This prompted Kim and Shego to follow her gaze, and they witnessed explosions lighting up the skies. It became apparent that the battle for Earth continued not only on the planet but also in space above. The reality of the ongoing battle settled in for both women as they watched Grey observing the unseen battle in the heavens.
"The fleet is having trouble with the blockade; we may have to go to... Plan C if they can't land Mickey's marines," Grey stated, glancing at Shego and Kim, who were focused on her words.
"Plan C?" Shego inquired with concern.
Grey sighed, a hint of sadness in her tone as she responded, "Plan C is the last resort to end this conflict. Let's just say that both Earth and everything Lowardian here will be destroyed simultaneously, while we transport humanity to a new planet."
The news of Plan C both frightened and intrigued everyone. The incredible capabilities of the 'Angels' left them in awe, and they couldn't help but wonder how such a plan could be executed.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Shego asked earnestly.
Grey chuckled at the notion before responding, "All we need is time to land the transports. But the fleet can't lower their shields to launch the transports because of the Lowardian fleet firing at them."
"Time," Kim said with a chuckle, "I have an idea," her gaze fixed on the metal suit before them.
"What are you thinking, Kim?" Shego asked, her curiosity piqued.
Looking back at Shego, Kim explained, "My original plan was to use the Mark Four Orion to battle the 'Great Blue One' until Jes could go Mystic Monkey and deal with him."
"Mark Four?" Shego questioned, clearly astonished.
Kim giggled at her reaction before revealing, "I found that suit hidden away at Go Tower, and the crate it was in was labeled Mark Four Orion. Somebody had plans for it because it was alongside a Wyvern. However, there's a problem with the suit."
"And what is that?" Grey inquired.
Kim turned her attention to Grey, stating, "The batteries that power the suit are old and could give out at any moment."
"I see. So, what's your idea?" Grey asked, while she scanned the skies.
"Well, if I can get Calamous to agree to a cease-fire and fight me one-on-one, maybe I can buy us enough time for you guys to land the main force, and hopefully Jes can go Mystic Monkey during that time," Kim explained as she rose to her feet.
"I'll run this by Mickey," Grey said, pausing before addressing the general through her communication device. After a brief exchange of clicks and pops, she announced, "General Mickey is on board and preparing the transports."
Kim turned to Jes after the plan was set in motion, emphasizing, "Jes, it's crucial that you go Mystic Monkey while I'm fighting Calamous. I can't fight him indefinitely; eventually, the batteries and even my powers will give out."
Hope, however, had a question. "Wait!? Why does Jes have to go Mystic Monkey? He said he saw you do it before."
Kim looked at Hope with confusion before stating, "I could never do that; only Ron and his male descendants had that ability."
"Yes, you could. You showed me back at the tower," Jes insisted with certainty.
Kim shook her head, bewildered, and said, "You must have been dreaming it because I'm telling you it wasn't me."
Shego suddenly had a thought and asked, "Could it have been Ron or Don?"
"No, I know Don is... gone. Unless Ron found a cure for his mental condition like I did, he wouldn't be able to focus his mind to go Mystic Monkey. Instead, I imagine he's wandering aimlessly, talking to himself in two voices," Kim explained, wondering if Jes had dreamt about her going Mystic Monkey.
Shego's eyes widened as realization dawned on her, and she said, "Brown eyes... talking to himself in two voices."
"Yeah, that sounds like Ron," Kim agreed, but when she saw Shego's expression, she asked, "What is it?"
"I could be wrong, but I think I know where Ron is," Shego stated, a hint of happiness in her tone.
"Really!? Where?" Kim inquired excitedly.
Shego flashed a smile and explained, "There was this soldier back at the prison, talking to himself in two voices. Later, Amber told me his name was Jacob, and he always had that problem. When we got here yesterday, I asked Amber what Jacob looked like, and she told me he had... brown eyes."
Kim's face lit up at the news, and she asked, "So, where is this Jacob?"
"Amber said he was trying to make his way to us," Shego replied, her excitement tempered by a realization. "Jacob was the one the Lowardians were tracking from the prison, and he led them to us. The Lowardians are now between us and Jacob."
Kim's expression softened as the daunting task of finding Jacob weighed on her. She sighed, saying, "I guess I'll have to wait until we're done here to find him."
"Well, until then... Captain Grey, has Rat Thirteen cleared the motel?" Shego inquired as she finally stood alongside everyone.
Grey asked about the status of Rat Thirteen before they heard clicks and pops from her. She responded, "The Commander said that we can make our way there; by the time we arrive, it should be cleared."
As the group began to move, Shego's curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't help but wonder about the 'Angels.' She had questions about their race, how they knew about the events in advance, and why they had not warned Earth.
Grey hinted that their race's name could be spelled using the English alphabet and attempted to do so. After some mumbled letters and words, Grey slowly spelled out the name, "Z...e...e...k...a... s."
After deciphering the letters, Shego inquired, "So, your race goes by the name Zeekas?"
Upon hearing Shego's words, Grey and the other female soldiers halted in their tracks and fixed their gazes on her. Grey then exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, your highness, that was nasty," her voice laced with both disgust and disbelief.
Shego, perplexed by the women's reaction. She countered, "What do you mean? All I said was, 'your race is the Zeekas.'"
"That translated just fine," Grey replied, motioning for her troops to continue.
"But can't I say, 'your race is called the Zeekas'?" Shego questioned, prompting gasps from many of the Cherubs in the group.
"Please refrain from saying that, Miss Potty Mouth; that's horrible," Grey remarked, shaking her head.
"But I'm not saying anything bad, I'm just saying..." Shego began to explain.
Before Shego could finish her sentence, Grey cut her off, saying, "I understand you didn't intend to say what was mistakenly translated, and I won't repeat it. Let's just say it's something you shouldn't say in public, or in private for that matter," she added with a hint of humor in her voice. "But, for the sake of everything sacred, don't utter those words in that combination until we fix the translator – fortunately, there are no children present."
With the matter settled, Shego and Grey resumed their walk with the rest of the group. Although tempted to shout out the mistranslated words for a comedic effect, Shego decided against it, unsure of what might be lost in translation. Her curiosity shifted back to learning about the Zeekas race.
"Okay, what's the story behind the Commander's concern for June?" Shego inquired, a mischievous smile hinting at her desire to mention the mistranslated phrase.
"That's because they're mates," Grey happily explained.
"Mates? I never thought a militaristic group had time for romance," Kim remarked in disbelief.
"Don't misunderstand. Only ten to fifteen percent of our population is dedicated to combat roles, even though we can allocate a hundred percent if needed. Most of our population consists of engineers, scientists, or researchers who advance our society – of course, they also develop military applications," Grey clarified, looking at Kim.
"I see. Are mates like being married here?" Kim asked, maintaining her gaze on Grey.
Grey nodded in response and proceeded to explain how relationships worked in their culture. She described how, once Zeekas women reached adulthood, they could choose to have a mate, typically the first available male. Men, on the other hand, could choose to remain single, and could request a new mate if their current mate passed away.
"It doesn't sound very romantic; it sounds more like arranged marriages," Kim commented after Grey outlined Zeekas relationship customs.
"Don't judge it harshly. Every couple grows to love each other, they get to know one another, and eventually, they form a bond that only death can sever. Just like Michael and June, and Mickey...and me," Grey explained, responding to Kim's remark.
"Wait, General Mickey and you are a couple?" Shego asked, her eyes widening at the revelation of Grey's mate.
Grey nodded and replied, "Yes, we are. Even though he's older, mates are usually remarkably close in age, some are even born seconds apart. But in our case, Mickey didn't want to be paired with someone initially. When I became an adult, he was the first available male, and he finally wanted to be with someone."
"Since he's in charge, what's he like?" Shego inquired out of curiosity, even though she knew she might never meet the man.
"Oh, don't let his appearance and demeanor deceive you. In private, he's a big softie and a bit of a goofball," Grey explained with a hint of amusement and admiration.
Hearing Grey's tone, Shego could tell that she was smiling while talking about Mickey, even though her helmet and visor concealed her face. She smiled at the thought, even though she felt a pang of sadness at not knowing the truth about her own love. To divert her thoughts, Shego asked Grey about the type of government the Zeekas had.
Shego listened as Grey explained that they didn't have a formal government, unless one considered the five-member council composed of the five oldest Zeekas as a government. She clarified that these positions were held for life or until a member chose to step down, at which point the next oldest Zeekas would take their place.
"When this is all over, and if we survive, we'll owe your race a great deal, Captain Grey," Shego expressed her gratitude after a period of silence during their walk.
"Praise and thanks won't be necessary. All our needs are being met, allowing us to focus entirely on our missions."
"Oh, still, thank you all," Shego commented on Grey's statement before inquiring, "and why do all the angels' helmets and visors look different?"
"It's just an expression of our personalities," Captain Grey explained as clicks and popping sounds emanated from her helmet.
"Yeah, like my look. When my enemies see me coming, they'll see my face and realize not to mess with me because I'm one crazy moe foe," one of the female soldiers chimed in, showing off her visor designed to resemble a pink smiley face.
"Really?" Shego asked, unable to contain her smile at the woman's visor.
"Nah, June just likes to make people smile," Grey explained while also glancing at June.
Her statement caused June to briefly slump before she burst into giggles. She then asked Grey, "What about you, Captain Grey? Is that a wolf head?"
"Yep, I'm a predator always in search of prey, and since I lead a cherub unit, I'm the alpha female."
"Oh, really?" June inquired skeptically.
"Okay... I just happen to like wolves," Grey replied, prompting several of the female soldiers to laugh and giggle.
The group continued down the street, passing numerous intersections without any incidents. Shego, Kim, and the couple observed the aftermath of previous battles at each intersection they crossed: bodies from both sides strewn on the streets and sidewalks, buildings damaged from firefighting. As they made their way through these intersections, they witnessed Zeekas soldiers clearing the bodies, friend, and foe alike, into piles.
Hope couldn't help but ask, "What are you going to do with the dead," as she gazed at a mound of bodies in a side street as the group crossed yet another intersection.
Grey glanced at the heap and replied, "Once the conflict is resolved, we will transport the deceased, along with everything left from this conflict on this planet, to this planet's star."
"Why the sun?" Hope questioned; her face etched with confusion.
Grey scoffed at the girl's naivety before explaining, "So everything can be cremated and receive a proper burial. It's easier and quicker."
"Will people from Earth be transported as well?" Shego inquired after a brief moment of silence during their walk.
Grey halted and replied to Shego, "We can mark anyone not to be transported; you just have to let us know."
"We'll have to wait until we get to the motel before I can let you know... I only know of one person there who's deceased," Shego said sadly as they approached the motel.
After crossing a few more intersections, the group finally arrived at the motel. Shego let out a sigh as she noticed an old couch beside the building, triggering memories of the events from the day before. The recollection of how close she and Amber had become after sitting at the woman's homemade radio brought tears to Shego's eyes.
As she fought back the urge to cry, Shego realized that she would finally be able to properly mourn Amber's death. Although Kim was with her now, offering companionship in her grief, it was different with Amber. They shared a non-romantic, deep connection. They understood each other as if they were lovers, and Amber had come to understand their relationship as well.
Shego took a deep breath as the group turned the corner of the motel and entered the parking lot. She knew that she was about to face a difficult moment in her life. She stared straight at the spot where Amber's lifeless body lay and walked directly towards it, all while Grey was giving orders to the Cherubs. Shego was oblivious to her surroundings; her focus was entirely on her best friend lying dead before her.
Once she reached Amber, Shego dropped to her knees and began to mourn while gazing at Amber's lifeless form. After a moment, she felt someone kneeling beside her, and she realized it was Hope. Shego immediately wrapped her arms around Hope, and the two women shared their grief.
Shortly afterward, Grey and Kim approached them. Kim observed the scene with curiosity, while Grey's attention was drawn to Amber, as if something about her was puzzling. Grey glanced at the women crying and then back at Amber, cocking her head to one side several times.
Finally, Grey asked, after repeating her head movements several times, "What was her name?"
Through her tears, Shego managed to answer between sniffles, "Her name was Amber Thompson... she was a dear friend."
"And like a mother to me," Hope added in a sorrowful voice.
"That's... interesting," Grey commented before motioning for a couple of Cherubs to find something to cover Amber.
While Shego watched the women go into one of the motel rooms, she asked, "What do you mean by 'interesting'?"
Grey remained silent and did not respond until she saw the Cherubs return with a bed sheet. "You Earthlings use last names," Grey said flatly.
"What? You Zeekas don't have last names?" Kim inquired, watching the Cherubs approach.
Grey did not answer the question, but instead helped the other Cherubs drape the sheet over Amber and the protruding rebar. While the sheet suspended in the air because of the rebar, Grey and the Cherubs meticulously tore holes in the sheet to allow the rebar to pass through, ensuring it covered Amber completely. Afterward, Grey signaled for the other Cherubs to proceed with covering the fallen Clovers scattered around the parking lot.
Once all the deceased were covered, Grey bowed her head for a moment, as if observing a moment of silence. She then raised her head and stated, "We use numbers, like I'm Grey Two One Eight Three. It's based on the name we choose and how many before us chose the same name."
Moments after her explanation, there were clicks and pops from Grey's helmet, and she directed her gaze to the upper balcony of the hotel. This display left Jes and Kim looking at her with curiosity, while Hope and Shego continued to focus on Amber.
However, they too turned their attention to Grey when they heard her say, "We found survivors, your highness."
The news prompted Shego and Hope to follow Grey and the others as she led them to the discovered surviving Clovers, even though they were reluctant to leave Amber's side. As they ascended the stairs and reached the second-floor balcony, they could see more Clovers who had fallen during the battle, now covered, and laid against the outer wall of the hotel rooms. Grey led them past several rooms and stopped at the open door of one of them. Before entering, they saw the exterior window was shattered, with only a few fragments of glass remaining.
Upon entering the room, they found a man lying on the nearest bed, his head partially covered in blood-soaked cloth and gauze. One of his eyes was uncovered, closed, so everyone could see he was either asleep or medically sedated by the Cherub who stood between the beds with her back to them. They watched as she moved her arms, realizing she was attending to someone, and as they moved closer into the room, they could see another man sitting on the other bed, his arm being bandaged by the Cherub. As they recognized the man, expressions of excited relief appeared on Shego, Jes, and Hope's faces
Shego could not contain her relief as she exclaimed, "Cage... you're alive."
Cage chuckled upon hearing her voice and replied, "Well, your highness, it's good to see the three of you still here as well."
"That's only thanks to our new friends," Shego said, gesturing toward Grey, who was attentively observing Cage.
Cage met her gaze briefly, and when the Cherub treating his wounds finished, she patted him on the unbandaged shoulder. He thanked her as she left the room. While everyone else in the room was watching her exit, they noticed that the Cherub Grey had referred to as June, along with another female soldier, were stationed just outside the room. They had their backs turned to the group while kneeling on one knee, with the barrels of their guns resting on the balcony handrail, peering through the scopes on top of their firearms.
After a moment, June turned to look back at the group and reported, "Ma'am, we have a blueberry and key lime out in the open."
Grey could not help but ask, "What are you two doing? Making pies?"
The woman beside June, still looking through her scope, replied, "No ma'am, we forgot the pie crust."
This remark caused Grey to let out a light laugh before she inquired, "Well then, what are you two waiting for?"
In response, the woman beside June explained, "We're letting the oven preheat first."
Grey laughed even harder and managed to say, "Shoot them already."
"Yes, ma'am," June replied before she looked through her scope and said to her companion, "Okay, Christine, you get the blueberry, I'll take the key lime."
Christine stopped looking through her scope and turned to June, stating, "I'd rather have pee-can."
"It's pronounced pa-kawn," June snapped back, returning Christine's gaze.
"No," Christine countered, shaking her head, "It's pee-can."
"You're both right... now shoot," Grey interjected with irritation, giving the order.
Upon hearing the command, June said, as they both resumed looking through their scopes, "Yes, ma'am. On the count of three, Christine."
After the countdown, two gunshots echoed through the room, briefly illuminating its interior. After a moment, June looked back at the group and reported, "Tangos down."
Christine added, "No freaking way," in disbelief.
Grey inquired about the meaning of Christine's comment, leading Christine to respond with, "Papa Smurf got up from that," while shaking her head.
Peeking back into her scope, June asked, "Are you sure you didn't just wing him?"
Christine shook her head again, saying, "No, I hit him in the neck... should've taken his head off."
After Christine's response, Grey turned her attention to Kim and asked, "Are you sure you want to take on that guy? My ladies just put a sixty into him, and he's walking it off."
Before Kim could respond, Christine pondered, "I wonder if taking out something vital would do any good?"
Before Grey could comment on Christine's question, a single gunshot rang out, followed by a man's screams of agony in the distance. After the screams subsided, Christine remarked, "Nope... they grew back."
Grey ordered the women to abandon their futile engagement and directed them to help secure the area. Once they were out of sight of the doorway, Grey turned her gaze back to Kim, who wore an expression of deep concern rather than fear. It was as if the women's engagement had been meant to illustrate the difficulty and futility of Kim facing Calamous one-on-one.
After a moment of silence, Kim shared her thoughts with determination, saying, "I don't have a choice. I am the only one who can buy us the time we need for your forces to arrive, or at least for Jes to go mystical monkey."
"They will once the guns stop firing," Grey replied as clicks and static came from her helmet.
"Well, I guess I need to get the show on the road then," Kim said. She then turned her attention to Jes and emphasized, "And Jes, it is especially important that you do go mystic monkey. The fate of this world depends on it. So... no pressure."
Jes, visibly apprehensive, looked back at Kim. Kim's words seemed to have left him frightened. Without further hesitation, Kim disappeared into a blue mist, vanishing from the room. Grey, intrigued by the sight, approached the spot where Kim had been and reached out with her hand, futilely trying to locate her. After a brief attempt, Grey gave up, laughing a little, and shrugged her shoulders.
Cage broke the silence by inquiring, "I take it that she was Doa?"
Shego nodded in response. Grey suggested they go watch Kim's battle, but when Cage tried to leave, his legs gave way, causing him to fall back onto the bed.
Seeing Cage unable to stand, Shego advised, "Cage, just stay and protect him," while pointing at the other man in the room. Cage nodded in agreement, though he appeared disappointed.
Meanwhile, Shego and the others had left the hotel room and found themselves in a scene of intense conflict. Cherubs and various units of Rats were engaged in a fierce battle with the Lowardians, who were pouring out of the city and heading toward the distant tree line. The area had become a focal point of the conflict, with the Zeekas pushing the Lowardians out of the city.
As they walked, they observed Zeekas vehicles appearing in the parking lot. The vehicles would briefly stop, allowing the soldiers inside to disembark, before speeding away, presumably to collect more troops for the fight. Some vehicles, instead, chose to join the battle. Once they reached a pair of parked vehicles, one of the ramps lowered, and a Rat Zeekas stepped out. After giving orders to his men, he turned to Grey and engaged in a conversation.
Grey asked, "So, how are things going, Captain Randal?"
Shego could not help but notice Captain Randal's appearance – he had an entirely grey suit without any camouflage pattern and a simpler visor. To her, he preferred simplicity.
"As good as they can be, Captain Grey," Randal replied with a slight southern accent. He added,
"Commander Micah had us come to support your Cherubs here."
"That's good of him... I take it this is where it all goes down," Grey remarked as she peered past the vehicle and observed the stream of white lasers crisscrossing the field.
"Yes, General Mickey has designated this as the landing zone, and if he's able to, General Sedem will support," Randal explained before leaving the group and heading in the same direction as his men.
Meanwhile, a blue-skinned giant of a man observed from behind a hill. He had been shot twice and was avoiding more pain, though he was not afraid of death. His attention was fixed on a stream of Lowardians rushing toward his position. White lasers streaked by them, occasionally hitting one of them, causing them to collapse in the open field. He occasionally glanced at the buildings from which the lasers were coming, noticing the mass of men.
Beside him was a green-skinned man, yelling over the noise into a handheld device. After a brief conversation, the green-skinned man said, "Your highness, I managed to get in touch with the admiral."
The blue-skinned man took the device and addressed it, asking, "Admiral, what is going on up there?"
The man on the screen hesitated for a moment due to the ongoing explosions and sparks on the bridge. Finally, he said, "Your highness, a fleet of unknown origin has attacked us. We are managing, but there are too many of them. They are slowly destroying our fleet. It's only a matter of time before we can no longer provide cover support for your ground forces."
"Consolidate the remaining fleet over my ground forces, break to lower orbit, and keep them at bay," Calamous ordered just before a bullet struck the device in his hand, shattering it.
Calamous did not have time to process what had happened when a blue mist appeared before him. He recognized the phenomenon but was surprised to see the red-haired woman with glowing blue eyes, who had been hiding her face previously, looking directly at him. Her presence piqued his curiosity and fueled his anger.
Before he could react, the woman commented, "Looks like you're having a bad day."
"It will still end the way I have planned, even if I have to sacrifice everyone here... starting with you," Calamous snapped, lunging at her.
The woman simply laughed as she turned into a blue mist and reappeared just out of his reach. Calamous became enraged, chasing her as she continued to evade him. Eventually, he gave up the chase and stared at her, frustrated.
"You give up?" Kim asked with a smirk.
"What do you think? Why are you wasting my time?" Calamous retorted, attempting to grab her again, only for her to disappear and reappear once more.
While looking at Calamous's outstretched hand, Kim suggested, "We can do this all day if you want... but we can end this conflict. Just you and me."
Calamous squinted at her and asked, "What do you mean?"
"We can resolve this whole situation with a one-on-one fight in the field. The winner will dictate the outcome," Kim explained. "But we have to call a ceasefire between the warring factions first."
Before Calamous could respond, the Lowardian expressed his doubts with him, saying, "I don't think that would be wise, Your Highness."
Calamous snapped at the man, "I decide what to do. Besides, do you think this female could have a chance?"
Kim looked at Calamous and inquired, "Then you agree?"
Calamous nodded in agreement to Kim's proposal and ordered the Lowardian with him to contact the admiral and instruct his troops to stand down. As the ceasefire took effect, the sounds of war abruptly ceased. Calamous glanced briefly at the fleets in the sky, with his own fleet in a lower orbit and the enemy fleet in a higher one above.
Just as he was pondering this, the blue mist reappeared in the field before him. However, to his surprise, it was not Kim who materialized but a massive metal suit, equal in size to the Lowardians. Calamous couldn't conceal his astonishment as he drew nearer to the formidable figure, his grip firm on his battle axe.
Kim's voice echoed from within the suit as she said, "Hope you didn't expect this to be an unfair fight."
Calamous responded, "Not at all," and with a swift motion, he hurled his axe at the metal suit.
With lightning speed, an arm from the suit shot out, intercepting the axe in midair and holding it in place. Calamous stood in awe of the suit's strength, caught off guard. Before he could react, Kim, her grip still on his axe, advanced towards him. In an instant, she struck him in the chest with the suit's mighty fist, sending him tumbling backward through the air. He somersaulted end over end until he finally crashed onto the ground, landing on his side. The battleground witnessed an epic clash between Kim Possible and Calamous. Neither combatant was willing to yield. Kim's high-tech battle suit, devoid of weapons, left her to rely solely on her martial arts prowess, speed, and agility to defend herself.
Calamous swung his colossal battle axe with relentless determination, aiming to land a crushing blow on Kim. She deftly sidestepped his attacks, her movements a symphony of precision and grace, honed through years of rigorous training. Each of Calamous's strikes sent shockwaves through the ground, but Kim managed to evade them.
The two adversaries exchanged furious punches and kicks, their combat forming a maelstrom of blows that rocked the battlefield. Kim's battle suit might have lacked offensive capabilities, but it granted her heightened physical attributes. She matched Calamous's incredible strength and agility with precision, delivering rapid and powerful strikes.
As the battle raged on, Kim's suit began to show signs of wear and tear. Sparks flew from exposed wiring, and her visor displayed critical system failures. The suit's energy reserves were depleting rapidly, and Kim knew she had to end the fight swiftly. She stopped fighting and looked right at Jes, who, to her dismay, had not yet succeeded in going mystic monkey.
Calamous sensed an opportunity and intensified his assault, distracting Kim from her hopeful observation of Jes potentially ending the conflict. With every strike, he aimed to exploit Kim's weakening suit. Her defenses crumbled as the suit's energy depleted, leaving her increasingly vulnerable.
In a bold move, Kim attempted to disarm Calamous, hoping to send his battle axe tumbling away. However, her suit's power drained completely, and it froze in place, its once-glowing eyes now dark. Kim had no choice but to teleport out of the suit, shifting the battle into a test of pure martial prowess. She dodged and countered Calamous's strikes with remarkable agility while teleporting around him. Her movements were calculated and precise.
As the battle approached its climax, Kim's teleportation ability began to falter. Her glowing eyes flickered with uncertainty, and she cast a hopeful glance towards Jes, wondering if he had transformed into the mystic monkey. However, to her dismay, he remained in his normal form. She attempted to teleport away from Calamous's next attack, but her powers were dwindling rapidly. She materialized only a short distance away, unable to evade his strike, and her glowing eyes returned to their normal state.
Calamous capitalized on her vulnerability, delivering a powerful kick that sent Kim crashing to the ground. Battered and bruised, Kim struggled to rise, but she could only manage to collapse. Calamous, standing over her, prepared to deliver the final blow by raising his axe over his head.
Just as Calamous raised his weapon for the devastating strike, a sudden and unexpected intervention occurred. Out of nowhere, a mysterious figure cladded in a battered metal suit, with a damaged helmet revealing one of his brown eyes, appeared out of thin air.
Calamous was taken by surprise as the man delivered a swift and precise blow, striking him in the groin. He groaned in pain and dropped to one knee, his strike on Kim forgotten. The unknown opponent, whose identity remained shrouded in mystery, had thwarted Calamous's final blow, turning the tide of battle into a remarkable twist of fate.
As the dust settled on the battlefield and Kim gasped for breath, the mysterious figure who had just saved her drew closer. A damaged helmet obscured most of his face, revealing only one brown eye. Tension gripped the air as Kim anxiously watched his approach. With deliberate intent, he removed the battered helmet, revealing the astonishing truth. Before her stood her husband, Ron Stoppable, his face etched with determination.
"Ron?" Kim gasped, her voice a mix of shock and relief. "Is it really you?"
Confusion clouded Ron's expression, and he replied, "No, my name is Jacob Mcgee."
However, before Kim could fully grasp the miraculous reunion and Ron's apparent lack of recognition, she noticed something unusual behind him. A flicker of blue energy caught her peripheral vision, and in the next moment, it materialized behind Ron. He groaned in pain, his eyes rolling back as he collapsed on top of Kim's legs, pinning her down. His suit and combined weight made it impossible for her to move him. As Kim struggled to free herself, she observed Calamous, while his blue-lit hand flamed out, and he started making his way toward them.
As Calamous briefly surveyed the female soldiers and acknowledged the formidable weaponry they wielded, he recognized them as the ones who had shot him. He momentarily slowed his advance toward Kim and Ron, issuing a menacing threat, "Once I'm done with these two, I'll hunt down the one who shot me and make her suffer."
Despite the threat, he continued undeterred. However, his progress was abruptly halted by a lone female soldier who raised her hand and defiantly declared, "I'm your buttercup," while aiming her weapon at him. Calamous merely smirked, fully aware that her threat held no sway, causing the woman to lower her gun, muttering to herself.
Shego observed Calamous' approach and glanced back at Jes, who was still struggling, unable to transform into the mystic monkey. Frustration clenched her teeth as she urgently instructed Hope to assist her in rescuing Kim and Ron. The other woman nodded in agreement, and both of their hands lit up with a combination of green and light blue energy.
However, just as Shego was about to take a step toward Calamous, a voice of a small child from out of nowhere interrupted, "So, are you seriously going to stand there and watch them die?" An annoyed tone followed, "Fine, we'll take care of it."
After the voice fell silent, Shego looked at Jes, who had been glancing around as if searching for someone. Jes eventually turned his attention back to Shego and admitted, "That was the voice from the prison... I'm not the only one who hears it."
Shego could only shake her head in response when suddenly a static sound emanated from beneath her, drawing her gaze downward to her feet. The source of the sound was a broken CD player, the same one Amber had used earlier in the day. Moments later, a distorted rendition of "Rise" by John Dreamer began to play. Strangely, as the song continued, its quality improved, and it filled the air around them until it seemed as though the sky itself resonated with the music.
While the music above them seemed to come alive, its melody echoing through the battlefield, a gasp involuntarily escaped Grey as she stood beside Shego, and Shego could not help but ask, "What is it?"
However, Grey paid her no heed, her voice tinged with urgency as she muttered to herself, "To all angels, prepare for plan C. The holy angel has intervened. I repeat, the holy angel has intervened."
"Who?" was all Shego could manage to ask, but Grey remained unresponsive.
Nonetheless, her response was a mere shift of her gaze toward Shego. Then, with resolute determination, she moved forward towards Calamous, smoothly unholstering her firearm. Shego, momentarily distracted by the sudden movement of other soldiers rushing past her to join Grey, couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease and fear. Grey's mention of "plan C" only heightened her anxiety.
Before long, a multitude of rats and cherubs had gathered, organizing themselves into two distinct lines. Those in the front knelt while those in the rear stood tall. Every one of them aimed their weapons squarely at Calamous, who had halted his approach just short of Kim and Ron. His gaze, however, remained fixed on the sky, still entranced by the ethereal music that filled the air. Yet, as the music gradually faded away, his attention shifted first to the soldiers with their guns trained on him and then to Kim and Ron.
Quickly assessing the situation, he turned his attention to Kim and his voice dripped with ominous intent as he spoke, "I may not know what this is about, but the two of you won't live long enough to find out."
In the blink of an eye, he twirled the handle of his axe in his hands and swung it menacingly in the direction of Kim and Ron. Shego, her mind racing with questions about the identity of the holy angel and why they had not intervened to save Kim and Ron yet, watched the axe hurtling towards them.
Next Chapter: The revelation.
"Never let go."
"All you had to do is look with your heart and you would have seen the truth."
"I'm not saving anyone now; this is up to you"