Ch.17
Shego's plan was simplicity itself and before Yori could ask, she continued to whisper. "I have two ways to deal when things are bothering me. One, relaxing. Two, a good workout. We will try both, with some alterations, of course." She finishes. 'Usually, I'd get a massage as a way to start said relaxation.' She muses but Shego was not about to massage someone.
"Ok, what can I do?" Asks Yori, unaware of the rests of her thoughts.
"Simple, I'm going to help him stretch. I need you to spar with him till he reaches his limit." Shego states looking into Yori's eyes.
Just as she finished speaking, Shego noticed Ron begin to stretch. "Hold on a second, Ron." Shego says moving closer. "I'm going to be lending you hand."
~~~~~
Ron was momentarily confused and looked to Yori, but to his surprise she simply nodded. "I'll take you up on that." Ron accepts before asking. "What brought this on?"
Again to Ron's surprise, Shego honestly answered. "I want to help you relax." She says, grabbing his right arm with her soft hand and pushes it further up, over his head. "But I'll admit, there are some questions." Shego adds.
"Yeah, I know. Expected you to have searched the whole house while we were at school, but if I'm honest...I am certain you didn't." Ron says, trying to ignore the feeling of her breast lightly brushing onto his ribs.
"Oh, you think that do you?" Shego asked right back.
"Yeah." Ron simply answered. Looking towards Yori who was going through her stretches and hoping to stop the blood from heading down to his crotch, but in all honesty, failing. What could he say? He respected women but he wasn't blind to their charms.
Ron felt Shego pause a moment, before continuing to speak. "Sometimes I don't understand you, Ron."
~~~~~
Around ten minutes later, both Ron and Yori stood facing each other. Shego looked from one to the other before speaking. "So I will oversee the training this time around. I want both of you to give it your all. I will call a stop when one side admits defeat or can't continue. Ready?...Begin!"
Shego watched both Ron and Yori close the distance on the other, still having trouble believing that Ron was the same Ron. The Ron who acted like a goofy distraction during their encounters. Still, that didn't change the fact that here she was, observing him and Yori in a training session. It was unbelievable to her, almost like seeing a different person...'or his actual self', she thought.
As the exchange between Ron and Yori continued, Shego could tell that Yori was gifted fighter, likely on par with herself. Once she came to that conclusion, Shego again wondered about Ron, the things he's able to do just keep appearing one after the other. From both yesterday's and today's spar, it was obvious that he was in great shape. With the alterations and original designs to machines for taking over the world as Zorpox, it was obvious that his intelligence was above average. Add onto that what seems to be a protective detail and I would say he's some kind of villain or involve with a secret organization. Add again his ever increasing number talents and you end up with the puzzle that is Ron.
As she observed the spar, Shego was getting excited, but not in the jump into bed with someone kind of way. It was like watching a challenger improve and knowing that when you fought, you'd have to give it your all. To Shego, there were not many whom she acknowledged to have that potential. It reminded her of the first fight against princess. Afterwards, Shego's fights against Kim pushed both of them to improve, bringing their abilities to the peak. And here was Ron, whose improvement was bringing that same excitement again. 'I have to admit, can't wait till Ron embraces his potential, he might be the first I don't have to hold back against, but before that, I really want some answers.'
It was nearly an hour later, when Ron finally reached his limit and Shego decided to call it an end. "That's it."
At the sound of her voice, Yori and Ron separate, bowing briefly to each other. "Now, that should have helped you work some of what's bothering you out of your system, right Ron?" She asked as he panted while sitting on the ground.
~~~~~
'That explains it!' Ron thinks. It was weird for Shego to suggest helping him stretch. 'Add the accidental brushes with her body and it makes sense that she was trying to stop me from brooding. To be honest, I can't think of a better way to do that.' Ron thought, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Seems like I owe you ladies a decent meal." Ron declared and added. "I'll meditate for a while and once I am done, we can go get the ingredients. Shego, do you mind driving?"
"Fine with me but I'll need to get ready." Shego states, turning towards the house. "Oh and afterwards, I want some answers." As she entered, Shego left that statement behind.
Ron watched her figure disappear inside the house and sighed. "Looks like I won't get out of this one. Master Sensei, if I avoid mention of the school, can I answer some of her questions about me?"
"I must ask Stoppable-san, when did you notice me?" Master Sensei questions, making his astral form visible.
"Just after the spar ended. As Shego and Yori pointed out, I was stuck in my own head but once I worked out some of the frustration and started paying attention to my surroundings, I faintly felt you were close." Ron answered rubbing the back of his head.
"Impressive, your improvement is beyond what I expected Stoppable-san." Master Sensei praises, tugging at his beard. "As for your question, I'll admit I am surprised."
"Thanks, I think that's due to the MMP. But why are you surprised, Master Sensei?" Ron asks, not following his line of thought.
"Ah, simple really. I thought you would ask a similar question, but to explain it to Possible-san instead." Explained Master Sensei.
"Oh!" Ron exclaimed. "She already knows most of it, just never really believed it. Of course, the school was never mentioned."
Master Sensei sighed. "I understand, although you do not need my permission, Stoppable-san. You can answer Shego-san's questions about yourself or are you hoping to avoid that conversation?" Asked Master Sensei.
Ron fell silent for a while as he thought over Master Sensei's question. 'Do I want to avoid the conversation? What could she ask anyway? How did I heal so quickly that plasma burns didn't leave a scratch?' Thinking through a couple of scenarios, Ron finally sighed. "Maybe a little, if I am to be completely honest." He admitted.
"Remember, Stoppable-san, you can always refuse to answer any questions you are uncomfortable with." Master Sensei advised. "I must ask though, what do you mean, it is thanks to the MMP?"
"Oh that, last night I found myself in an unfamiliar place, but I felt certain it was within me. I found a woman sitting in meditation and ended up joining her. Not sure how long we were there but it felt like a really long time. I guess you can say it was my first lesson?" Ron explained.
"To think that you have already made contact with the remnant will within your MMP." Says Master Sensei. "This is good, with her aid, the beginning of your training will be easier. Speaking of, let us begin your meditation for today."
"Yes, Master Sensei." Replied Ron, entering the lotus position.
~~~~~
Not long after Master Sensei started guiding Ron in his meditation, Yori finished updating Master Sensei on Ron's physical capabilities and asking his opinion on her plans going forward. A few minutes of conversation later and she bowed respectfully to Master Sensei. "If you'll excuse me, Master Sensei, I must prepare."
Master Sensei's smile was hidden by his facial hair. 'To see her grow, how the years passed.' He muses. 'Still, something is troubling her.' Pulling at his beard momentarily, Master Sensei answers. "I understand, but remember Yori, if you need someone to talk to, I will always listen."
Master Sensei saw Yori pause briefly before answering. "Yes, Master Sensei." With that, she headed towards the house.
Deciding to ask her about it later if she continued to be troubled, Master Sensei focused on guiding Ron. Just as he had done previously, he was using his Ki to assist Ron on meditation. Once Master Sensei was sure Ron entered the appropriate state of meditation, he stopped his supply of Ki and observed Ron's behavior for tells that he come out of said state.
After a few minutes turned to half an hour, Master Sensei was certain that Ron's assessment had been correct. 'He has improved greatly, I estimated at least a month before he reached this state. This first lesson, as Stoppable-san called it, must have taken a similar time.' Not long after he reached that conclusion, Master Sensei started noticing signs that Ron came out of his meditative state.
"You may stop, Stoppable-san." Announced Master Sensei and upon seeing Ron open his eyes, spoke again. "Your previous assessment was correct, Stoppable-san. By my estimate, you have improved in one night what I originally thought would take a month. Assuming my estimate was correct, your first lesson as you've put it, took a similar time." Saying till here, Master Sensei let his words sink in, knowing what question would follow.
Ron's next words did not betray his expectations. "How is that possible, Master Sensei? I know it felt like a long time, but how could it have been the equivalent of a month?" Asked Ron, unable to hide his astonishment.
"The concept is rather simple, Stoppable-san. As you know, when one goes to sleep, time can be, inconsistent. That is a common phenomenon in our subconscious. For example, a dream may feel like it took an hour, a day or longer but once you wake up, you realize the contrary. With the same principle, one can access our subconscious, just like when we sleep and with training, one can practice for extended periods of time for the fraction of that time in reality. This is what the remnant will in your MMP is helping you achieve and how you are receiving your lessons as you've said." Master Sensei explained, giving various examples to help with the explanation.
After thinking for a while, Ron spoke. "Although I can't picture how to go about achieving it, I can vaguely understand what's happening."
"Good, Stoppable-san. With time and training you'll be able to achieve this on your own and understanding will be yours." Said Master Sensei before adding. "This will conclude our session for today, I do believe you have other plans."