Ch.76
Ron had truly exhausted everything he had. As he started falling his gaze was fixed on the electro magnetic scrambler. Within a moment, the first blast from a Little Diablo hit the antenna.
To Ron's elation the robots seemed to have been preprogrammed on where to aim as the first few hits avoided the transmitter buying precious seconds. Then it was hit.
Just after confirming the hit, Ron reached out and grabbed Rufus from above him, curling into a ball.
THUD!
Ron's body, with Rufus safely tucked into his chest, slammed into the roof. There was a moment of silence before the antenna started collapsing on Ron, followed by the Little Diablo's visible in the sky joining the rain and falling to the ground as toys.
When the falling debris settled, Ron was miraculously in the only place not completly impaled by debris from the antenna, though his left leg had a steel rod going through it, pinning him in place. Another few seconds went by with no movement from Ron, then a slight tremor went through Ron's body before he groaned.
"You... okay... Rufus?" Ron asked as he tried to stretch, nearly screaming in shock when he noticed the steel rod in his leg. 'How come it doesn't hurt?' He wondered to himself.
"Bare...ly." Rufus answered, not having any strength to move but pushing himself to check on Ron. When he finally saw Ron's state and his seemingly nonchalant expression, he worried, quickly ordering. "Heal!!"
"I... I need a moment Rufus... I can hardly feel anything." Ron explained, vaguely aware that it might be due to the poison.
It took Ron nearly two minutes to be able to employ the healing technique but it was sluggish at best. That's when Xu Ming Yue spoke. "You have to focus on guiding the poison out first, I'll explain as you go."
"Teacher Xu! Thanks I was beginning to feel overwhelmed." Ron expressed his heartfelt thanks and began doing as Xu Ming Yue explained.
"No problem, now focus on the poison." Xu Ming Yue explained. "It should be like ink spots in a white background. To expel it you need to focus your will on them and guide them safely out of your body."
Ron tried to follow the instructions but it felt like trying to grab air with his bare hands.
"Nice try Ron but you are thinking was a bit restricted." Xu Ming Yue said then explained. "Try this, it will help. First, make a container out of your will. The shape doesn't matter but for simplicity we'll go with a cup. Now, seal the majority of its opening and leave just enough open to scoop up the poison. Lastly, guide it safely throughout your body to the point you wish to expel the poison. For that I recommend a finger, since it's less likely to kill you."
Ron followed Xu Ming Yue's guidance and had an epiphany as he worked. 'It's like I'm using a small vacuum!' With that thought, Ron reinforced his willpower with the image and his efficiency increased. Still, it took him nearly ten minutes to guide the poison to his right hand's index finger, turning the finger black. When he was sure he collected all the poison, Ron cut an opening on the finger and guided black, poison blood out of his body.
"You're are lucky Ron. That poison would normally kill anyone in a minute or two. If you weren't a heaven grade practitioner and your body is undergoing the constant purification of Ki you would have died by now." Xu Ming Yue commented.
Ron felt a chill go down his spine when he heard those words.
~~~~~
Drakken had just regained consciousness and looked around his command center.
The first thing he noticed were the efficiently dismantled equipment around the room. Then he saw that there was no other living soul in the room with him. Lastly, he saw the five bodies laying on the floor. This took his attention for a long time and he didn't snap out of it till someone spoke to him.
"Drakken the plan has failed, your Little Diablo's have stopped functioning worldwide." A hooded figure spoke.
Drakken looked a the hooded figure and got some of his energy back, starting to complain. "Zenith, your men failed! I contacted you as a fail safe but this is the result. I should have called Gemini..."
"For their failure I would kill them had they not already been dead!" Zenith thundered reminding Drakken just how dangerous a company he was currently with.
"You're right, let us go before GJ arrive." Drakken changed the subject like his life depended on it and looking at Zenith gripping the modified laser pistol it very well might have.
Taking a deep breath, Zenith agreed. "You're right, let's us go. As agreed, I'll escort you to your next lair."
As Drakken followed Zenith out, neither man realized that Ron was at his weakest on the roof above.
~~~~~
As Monique watched Kim fall to the ground she couldn't help the spike of fear that flooded her system, screaming. "Kim!"
Just as Monique moved to help Kim, Eric pulled out a gun soon followed by the synthodrones. Monique stopped, staring at the barrel of the gun trained on her.
"Now everyone, I know it should go without saying but no heroics. The most capable among you has already been dealt with and any other attempts will be dealt with fatally." Eric instructed in a business like manner. "Now, synthodrones tie everyone up and secure the perimiter."
Everyone was tied up and then forced to sit down on the dancefloor. Their phones were taken along with their belongings and piled across the gym with a guard.
Monique feared for a bit that the jocks would cause a stir and it seemed like Eric had them same thought as he quickly singled out a few of the more hot headed and proceeded to humiliate them into submission with a gun to their heads. The jocks had nearly wet themselves but made it through okay. Monique was relieved and proceeded to endure the deafening silence that followed the next few hours as the synthodrones went around doing their tasks. Just as Monique was beginning to wonder if anyone outside knew about their situation, Kim woke up.
Like everyone else Monique noticed when Kim screamed. "Eric! Why would you..."
Her words abruptly ended as she noticed what he was wearing. "Actually, it's synthodrone nine O one."
"You're a synthodrones!!" Kim yelled shocked.
"What's a synthodrone?" Someone asked.
Eric seemed pleased to explain. "It's one of Dr. Drakken's inventions and among them I'm the latest model. Designed specifically to make sure Kimberley Ann Possible does not interfere with the great doctor's plans."
Monique could see the look on Kim's face. It was shock, shame, and anger that was borderline rage. Then, it settled on rage and Kim began to struggle in her bindings.
"Eric, I'm going to tear you apart." Kim yelled.
Those who were near the redhead moved away from Kim at her words but Monique spoke up. "Kim calm down, they are armed and have warned that there will be lethal consequences to opposing them."
Kim looked at Monique for a moment before Eric teased. "What's the matter Kim, still lamenting the lost opportunities? Don't worry, once Dr. Drakken takes over the world I'm sure we can pick up where we left off, after he's through with you that is."
Kim's face paled at those words and she renewed her efforts to free herself.
Eric calmly walked over and advised. "I wouldn't want to free myself if I were you. Besides the hostages in the room with you, your family has been taken under custody by Dr. Drakken. If you so much as give us trouble we are under orders to eliminate all of you and your family."
If Kim could have gone any paler she would have. Not trusting herself to speak she nodded her understanding and settled down.
Monique felt her heart weep for Kim, not only was everyone present's life placed on her shoulders but even her family's.
Seeing Kim so down Monique speaks. "It'll be okay Kim, Ron will take of this."
Kim looks up at Monique, then shakes her head and looks down. "He won't be able to change anything."
Monique was taken aback by the certainty with which Kim denied her statement. She was momentarily struggling with whether she should try and give Kim hope or talk some sense to the oblivious Kim.
"Ron will save the day!" Monique announced louder than she intended.
Hearing her, Eric spoke up. "It is highly unlikely that Ronald Dean Stoppable will be able to stop us. Dr. Drakken research deemed him a non-factor."
"You're like most, you underestimate him." Monique said.
"Really?" Eric asked then said. "Let's make a bet. If in fifteen minutes he doesn't show up, I win and put a bullet through your head. If he does show, I'll let you walk out of here."
"Monique don't agree to it." Said a jock that participated in breaking Ron's legs. "There's no way the loser will make it."
"Yes he will." Monique said with certainty. "You're on!"
"Hahahaha." Eric laughed. "Synthodrone 8T31 start the countdown."
"Understood." Replied synthodrone 8T31.
Silence resumed once again, with Monique not wavering in the slightest but the jocks that broke Ron's legs started sweating, specially the one that spoke up.
Like this ten minutes went by and yet Monique show no sign of worry but the ones involved in breaking Ron's legs were whispering among themselves till the one who suggested Monique not take the bet spoke up.
"Eric let Monique off the hook, she's just trying to act tough." He said, adding. "We all know Ron's not coming, no one is."
Eric looked at him smirking. "What's your name?"
The jock responded. "Brad"
"Brad" Eric said and added. "No, I won't let her off the hook, unless you want to take her place?"
That cut the wind of his sails, making him desperate but Brad didn't volunteer.
Four minutes.
Three and half minutes.
One minute twelve seconds.
"Monique he's not coming, beg Eric to let you off the hook maybe he'll agree." Brad said again.
"He will." Monique insisted.
"Brad, just let it be." The other jocks that broke Ron's legs advised.
One minute.
"Monique he's not coming even if he wanted to." Brad shouted. "He can't come, me and a couple guys broke his legs after school just ended today. If he's lucky someone called and ambulance and took him to a hospital."
There was a sharp intake a air as some realized how vicious Brad and the other guys are and other realized that in all likelihood Monique was going to die.
Monique remained silent.
Forty five seconds.
~~~~~
After Ron healed himself just enough to stop bleeding all over the place, he stood and took a moment to find his balance.
Picking up Rufus, Ron said as he made his way back to where he left Drakken. "I hope this time Drakken faces justice." Then he added. "Bebe access the wi-fi network and call Yori please."
"Okay." Bebe said and hacked the wi-fi making the call.
As soon as the called connected Yori asked. "How are you?"
"As well as can be expected, how the situation worldwide?" Ron said then asked.
It took a moment before Yori answered. "They've been shut down worldwide, you did it."
"Good." Was all Ron said on the topic before asking. "Any updates on Shego?"
"She's heavily sedated and under my watch." Yori replied.
"How are things on Akito's end?" Ron asked.
Again Yori was silent for a moment before replying. "Hostage situation, we've sent reinforcements to the site. Everything should be resolved once they get there."
"On my way to the school." Ron said, adding. "Once everyone's safety is confirmed, we'll ask Ann to remove the mind control chip from Shego, keep her safe."
"Yes." Yori agreed.
"Love you, Yori." Ron said and not waiting for a reply ended the call on the display with a touch of his hand.
After the call an unarmed Ron left BN headquarters and headed to where he parked the Hayabusa. A few minutes after getting to the bike Ron with Rufus in his pocket were racing to Middleton and the high school.
Ron got into town in just under forty five minutes as he averaged two hundred miles on the ride back. Getting to the school took him five minutes with all the damage and police that he had to drive around.
Upon arriving Ron noticed that there was no one around the school and on further inspection he saw the line of Little Diablos that should have been forming a perimeter around the school. 'I guess they don't know the threat has been neutralized.' Ron thought and he left the bike in the parking lot and got close to the school.
From the outside nothing stood out except the silence. The lights were on but no one left nor entered.
Just outside the doors, Ron extended his senses into the building and noticed the majority of the occupants were in the center of the room, sitting.
Focusing Ron detected the presence of Akito and his team, sending a question over. "Akito how many assailants?
Feeling briefly surprised Akito replied. "Fifteen but were not sure if any remain among the hostages."
"If I give them something to focus on, can you guys handle the fifteen?" Ron asked.
"Yes but you would likely come to harm." Akito said then added. "Monique made a bet with Eric that you'd show up and rescue them. Her loosing would mean her death."
"Over my dead body!" Ron yelled and felt a new level of clarity come over him. Ron wasn't going to let Monique or any of them die, though some of them he'd very much like to put in their place. "I'm going in. Act on my signal."
"Understood." Akito agreed but asked. "What's the signal?"
"Darkness!" Ron said.