Ch.28
Kim could say she had never been afraid of Ron and that statement would have held true, that is until she saw him pilot the subsonic jet at record breaking speed towards the atmosphere for a 'shortcut' as Bebe called it. Bebe had suggested they near exit the atmosphere and renter to use gravity as a means to increase their speed, but warned that in all likelihood, the jet would explode somewhere by the halfway point.
Ron saw the simulation with Kim by his side, as he finished overriding the safety protocols.
"This course of action, if successful, would save nearly twenty minutes of travel." Bebe concluded.
"Alright, I'll risk it." Ron declared.
"You'll what!" Kim yelled. "Ron the simulation shows the jet exploding near the halfway point. It won't make it. Let's just exert the engines like planned and trust they'll hold out those twenty minutes."
"I have a bad feeling, KP." Ron said and Kim was floored, remembering the last mission they had together and she ignored Ron's input, he nearly died.
Sighing, Kim spoke. "Okay, but how are you going to hold the plane together?"
"Just like you said, I'll 'hold' it together, KP." Ron replied.
"How..." Kim asked again not understanding, until Ron eyes glowed blue. "Will you be able to hold out?"
"I have to." Ron said then added. "Just in case something does go wrong, you're staying behind."
"Like hell I am." Kim said. "And before you waste time arguing, remember time is precious."
"Kim you need to understand that disabling the safety protocols also turns off the auto pilot and unlike the rocket you landed in the past, Shego's jet can only be piloted by people she inputed into its systems or it'll cease functioning." Ron explained. "That means I'm piloting and holding it together at the same time, when a single degree of error could mean we go up in smoke."
"I'm going." Kim repeated and strapped herself in.
Thus, Kim was in the jet as they left the atmosphere, the temperature kept dropping and everything shook like it was falling apart.
"Angle for reentry." Bebe announced.
Ron turned out to be a great pilot even as the jet groaned in protest, though his eyes had been glowing blue twenty minutes into the flight, just when the shaking had reached it's strongest.
Yeah, Kim was afraid of the lenghts Ron was taking, but she was also glad Ron would go to such lengths for those he cared for.
~~~
Akito looked over at Sae, who had a wound across her arm where Senior's blade cut her. She had her eyes closed for a moment and then opened them and nodded.
"Not poisoned." Sae's voice rang in both Akito's and Makoto's mind.
"Good, continue reducing their numbers." Akito ordered and moved to kill another wounded mercenary.
Their assault did not begin with Duff Killigan, as Senor Senior Senior and his colleagues might believe, but with Falsetto Jones. The cat burglar distanced himself from his team and Akito, Sae and Makoto cut him to pieces at the door to the house. Akito had to admit, the man was an expert at infiltration. Had they not followed him, he would have made his way into the house within moments.
After Jones was out of the picture, Akito was eyeing the rest of the enemy forces when Sae telepathically spoke. "The golfer and the elder are further away, we should target them next."
"I agree." Makoto added as he observed the situation.
"Let's start with the golfer, I have an idea what we can do with his golf balls." Akito agreed. With Akito's lead they closed in on Killigan. "I'll secure the golf balls, Makoto and Sae put a quick end to the golfer."
"Hai!" Sae/Makoto answered.
Akito saw Killigan switch golf clubs and step away from his equipment to do a practice swing and ran in, Sae and Makoto close on his heels. In a moment, he reached the bag and hoisted it onto his shoulder, it took a moment for Akito's stealth to include the bag. Turning to assess the situation, he saw Sae driving her Sai into Killigan's throat, no doubt through the arteries.
Stepping away from the body, the three regrouped a short distance away. Akito kneeled to check how many golf balls they had available to them and confirmed there were enough. What Akito's team failed to notice, was that Monkey Fist went into stealth at Killigan's death.
"Makoto, Sae take some golf balls and be ready to spread them on my signal." Akito ordered, removing his mask to use it to carry a handful of golf balls.
Then, the trio surrounded the mercenaries and Senor Senior Senior before tossing out the golf balls and retreating. As the explosions rocked their foes, the ninja don their mask once more and get ready to strike.
The moment three seconds passed without explosions, Akito gave the signal. "Attack!"
Like phantoms they struck and in moments reaped six lives. As they were taking the next three, Sae was attacked by Senor Senior Senior so the three pulled back so she could assess the wound. Once Sae confirmed it wasn't poisoned, Akito took a moment to think about the next stage of their attack. Looking around, he finally noticed that Monkey Fist and some of the monkey ninja were missing.
On alert, Akito pulled up his Neuro Linker display and messaged Wade to let him know. Then, he spoke to his team. "We need to finish this quickly and track down Monkey Fist."
"Remember Master Sensei's lessons, we must not recklessly rush ahead in pursuit of our goals and forgo what is in front of us." Sae advised.
"You're right, Sae." Akito admitted. "Let us hope Wade-san can delay Monkey Fist enough for us to finish off his companions."
With those words spoken, Akito, Makoto and Sae, finished their plans a moment later. They struck at the mercenaries who went from fifty strong to twenty-four with various wounds and crowding around a similarly wounded Senor Senior Senior. Their efforts, though bearing fruit, are not all smooth. The three of them have obtained wounds of varying degrees and their Ki reserves are neigh depleted after forty minutes of continuous use from stealth, air steps and Ki coated weapons.
Seeing their assault going into a stalemate Akito spoke. "I'll draw their attention while you terminate Senior. That might be the push needed for these mercenaries to retreat."
"You'll have to go out of stealth and into their line of fire." Makoto reminded, worried that the team leader might be over his head on this one.
"Are you sure?" Sae asked.
"Yes! I'm going to their left side, you act according to the situation." With those words, Akito separated from the team.
~~~
Senor Senior Senior finally started to regret coming on this mission. Yes, Ron's technology is worth trillions. Yes, it can be used for world conquest, but! The code of villainy he followed had long since become obsolete. The good guys were taking lethal measures for crying aloud. And Drakken had killed millions on his take over attempt three years ago.
So yes, Senior was reaching the limit of his tolerance. With this line of thought, Senior decided it was time for a tactical retreat. "Gentlemen, let us..."
Just as he was speaking, a man garbed in black appeared toward their left and threw a set of shuriken. Senior watched a mercenary get struck in the neck while another shouldered the one heading his way. Then, like a line of dominoes falling, things went into place.
The sound of gunfire drowned Senior's words. There was a flash of light. The defensive formation moved slightly to keep the man, a ninja, in their sights. Senior sighed, stepping backwards and felt a sting in his neck, followed by sharp pain. Soon after, everything was distant as he fell to the ground, only to notice his body fall in a different direction.
~~~
Sae and Makoto had just cut off Senor Senior Senior's head, retreating to a safe distance when a mercenary cussed.
"Shit! The old man is down." The mercenary yelled.
A moment later, the sound of gunfire stopped as the mercenaries had emptied their mags. As the mercenaries up front reloaded, some at the back by Senior checked their surroundings. It was clear, with no sign of whoever killed Senior. As those at the back started whispering among themselves and the ones at the front scanned the area for Akito, the man's voice was heard over the area.
"Desert Wolves mercenaries, this is your one and only chance to stand down! Now that your employer is dead, you should retreat before the rest of you join him." Akito's voiced echoed around them making it hard to find the source.
"So you've heard of us, eh." A bald man in his late fifties spoke up with a smile. He was famous under the moniker Stripes.
"Yes, Michael Jeffrey's, we KNOW of you." Akito replied with the information that Wade was providing.
That unsettled and wiped the smile from Stripes. "So you do." He said and asked. "Given how much you seem to know about us, how are we going to retreat safely and not expect a bullet to the back of the head down the road?"
"You're not, but I can guarantee that if retaliation for today's actions is to occur, it will stop with your deaths." Akito said, threat and promise obvious. "So, what is your choice?" Akito asked revealing himself.
Stripes and the remaining mercenary looked at Akito and couldn't help suck in a deep breath. Akito was still garbed in black, but from a distance of about five meters, they all could see the growing puddle of blood as well as areas where he seemed to be missing pieces of his body. No doubt, a result of when they bathed him in lead.
"Seeing you at deaths door now, wouldn't it be better to finish what we started?" Stripes asked what he knew his men were wondering.
"I assure you that I am but one of many and not truly who you should fear. Our whole encounter is being streamed live and not only are my associates aware of what is going on, but so is the world. If you do retreat, even in death, my promise will be kept. Of that, I assure you." Akito said.
"Not who I should fear." Stripes repeated to himself and couldn't help but ask. "Are you referring to the rest of the ninja?"
"No, though some might pay you a visit." Akito said aloud then added telepathically. "You should have heard of his work across Japan."
Stripes was too stunned by the information that he barely had time to consider that Akito spoke directly into his mind. A man various countries dubbed Demon in their languages, since all who considered themselves evil were afraid of him. A man who took the nuclear warheads offline singlehandedly. And a man who he just made an enemy out of.
"I see." Stripes said when he got his composure back. "Men, collect our fallen! We are retreating."
No one voiced a complaint, as a few of them had confirmed Akito's claim about the live stream, now and saw their faces as they confronted Akito. Another feed showed the monkey ninja under Monkey Fist trying to get into some form of secured room.
As soon as Stripes had spoken, Akito disappeared from sight and rushed after Sae and Makoto, who had left after Wade said the monkey ninja had breached the elevator to the lab.
~~~
Monkey Fist had taken the opportunity of Killigan's death to lead his monkey ninja forward. Under his lead, only three more fell to the estate's traps. Soon, he found Jones' body, head and a severed arm holding a laser cutter. Monkey Fist ordered his monkey ninja to break through the glass door with their weapons, but they couldn't so much as leave a scratch. Noticing the tool in Jones' hand, Monkey Fist quickly tried it and got inside Ron's estate by cutting a hole big enough to fit two adults. The monkey ninja quickly spread to look for the inhabitants at Monkey Fist's signal.
The ones that went upstairs came back a minute later and reported to Monkey Fist that it was clear. One by one the monkey ninja spread throughout the property came back with the same report. All but one of his ninja came back with a negative. Monkey Fist's recognized the absentee as Chippy, a gluttonous and spirited monkey ninja. Monkey Fist expected to find her in the kitchen and had a monkey ninja lead him to it, but for once was surprised to be wrong in his guess. Commanding his monkey ninja to search for her, led Monkey Fist to the elevator leading to the lab.
"Well done, Chippy! For once your train..." Monkey Fist praises died in his throat as he noticed the monkey was eating a banana. 'Results are what matter this time!' He thought to himself as Chippy finished her banana and tossed aside the peel.
Stepping up to the sealed elevator door, Monkey Fist used Jones' laser cutter to gain access for him and the monkey ninja by cutting out a space to fit two adults and pushing in the reinforced alloy. Past the doors was a hole with lights leading the way down, so once again Fist ordered his monkey ninja to head in first. A minute after the monkey ninja climbed down, Chippy came back up explaining that they ran into another set of doors.
"The pretender sure spared no effort for security, but all is futile." Monkey Fist announced as he made his way towards the lab. Landing on top of the elevator platform, Fist saw where the alloy remains had landed. Noticing it was crowded he ordered. "Five of you go and keep and eye out for reinforcements, should they be enemies intercept them." Noticing Chippy about to leave he said. "Chippy, you're to stay by my side."
After his command, Monkey Fist watched five monkey ninja disappear up the elevator shaft then turned to cut an opening into the lab, muttering. "Give up pretender! If you surrender to me, your loved ones will live long enough to see me become the Ultimate Monkey Master!"
Just as Monkey Fist was losing himself in his fantasies, the sound of battle reached him. 'Guess Senor Senior Senior couldn't distract them any longer. Too bad, they're too late!' With a push, a hole big enough for two adults opened up into the lab as the reinforced alloy fell.
Before stepping out of the elevator, Monkey Fist gleefully commanded. "Monkey Ninja's, attack!"
~~~
Akito got to the elevator in moments, but in his wounded and hurried state of mind, he neglected his training and missed the banana peel left by Chippy on the floor. Unlike he intended (to stop and survey the battle), he slid right into the shaft, falling feet first. A second into the fall, Akito reacted and used his dwindling Ki to perform Air Steps, pushing himself at the wall and adhering to it using Ki.
Looking down from his position, Akito spotted Makoto and Sae fighting five monkey ninja with a combination of Air Steps and Ki Adhesion, which he was using to walk on the wall. As he looked at the battle he saw an opening and free fell at a monkey ninja with his last kunai in hand. Once he was right above the monkey ninja, Akito swung the kunai across the back of it's neck, severing it's spine and claiming it's weapon, a wakizashi, while letting the monkey ninja fall to it's death.
Instead of staying to assist Sae and Makoto, Akito chose to go ahead of them. "Makoto, Sae I'm going ahead to delay Monkey Fist." Akito informed telepathically.
"Understood!" Sae/Makoto replied telepathically.
After hearing their reply, Akito fell while using Air Steps to slow his decent. In moments, he landed and approached the opening Monkey Fist made.
~~~
Shego stood side by side with Yori, a good ten meters away from the trap set by the twins. She looked as the laser cutter worked it's way across the reinforced alloy, hoping silently that it runs out of power.
"Everyone go to the back, Monkey Fist is almost through." Wade advised as he stepped up beside Shego. "Shego, give me the controller, I'll take it from here."
Shego was surprised by Wade's request, but shook her head in the negative. "Thanks ner-, Wade, but I'm in charge of the weapon." Shego said softly.
As Wade and Shego spoke, Ann, Bonnie, Tara, Monique and Amy came to stand beside them.
"Ladies I understand your intentions, but you should really head towards the back, things are going to get chaotic and one wrong move will lead to someone getting hurt." Wade again advised, but all he got in response was a firm stare that showed their resolve. Wade had yet to take it all in when Felix's wheelchair and Zita cane up on his other side. "Not you too!"
"Sorry chico, but you think we didn't prepare after what happened three years ago." Zita spoke up for everyone by their side.
"Remote controlled through the Neuro Linker." Felix voice was heard through the wheelchair. "Should help in restraining a few assailants."
Angela, Oliver, Olivia, Gwen and Jacob wanted to step forward, but were instantly shut down by the majority of those present. The reason simple, 'We have Ron's barrier tech!', so reluctantly they agreed though Olivia pulled Wade aside and had a word with him. No doubt to warn him to be careful most thought, but Wade knew it was to demand her own barrier tech so she wouldn't have to sit back next time.
With that settled, the noncombatants went towards the back by Felix and everyone else stood by Shego and Yori.
Soon there was a boom as the reinforced alloy fell to the ground followed shortly after by Monkey Fist command. "Monkey ninjas, attack!"
Shego waited precisely half a second before turning on the laser grid. Why did she wait that precious half a second you might wonder? Simple, it was to see if Fist would join his monkey ninja in the assault. Again you might wonder how that is enough time to tell? Yet again simple, his stance would have given Shego all the information she needed. Once Shego confirmed he didn't plan to join the initial assault, she took action.
The instant the laser grid went online, it's was highlighted for a second before it looked to have disappeared though it simply stabilized in output. Then, the chaos began.
The monkey ninja began to screech in agony, while the smell of burnt flesh and blood filled the air. Out of the eleven monkey ninja that attacked, only three made it pass the laser grid and that was thanks to Chippy, who pulled the monkeys nearest to her to safety with her. Sadly, for the monkey, Felix caught her mid air before she could land with the wheelchairs retractable arms.
As for the other two monkey ninja they weren't as fortunate as Shego and Yori kicked them back into the laser grid.
"Shego!" Yelled Monkey Fist, when he noticed her actions. "Must your vendetta against Drakken interfere in my plans? I'll make you a deal, shut down the defenses and bring me the pretender and I'll tell you where Drakken is hiding."
"How about you retreat, Monkey Fist and I'll personally not hunt you down." Shego countered.
"Pity..." Monkey Fist comments before stepping into the room, stopping just shy of the defense grid. "...that this is how you die!"
With a throw so swift that his arm was a blur, Monkey Fist threw the laser cutter at the laser defense grid. The cutter was coated in a heavy layer of Ki, that protected it long enough to reach it's target and cause a series of explosions as it disabled the laser defense grid.
~~~
Everything happened too fast for anyone to react, much less stop Monkey Fist.
Then, an explosion rocked the lab just as a heavily wounded Akito launched a surprise attack on Monkey Fist. The watching Shego curled instinctively to protect her womb, much like Yori. The rest of Ron's partners dove out of the way, followed by Zita and Wade. Felix maneuvered the wheelchair backwards. Thankfully everyone was protected by Ron's barrier tech, which intuitively activated, preventing injuries.
Akito's wounds prevented him from proving a match against Monkey Fist, who was not only well rested, but stronger then when he attacked Yamanouchi. Though the wounded ninja managed to cut Monkey Fist's throat with his surprise attack the wound was too shallow. Following that, Akito lasted no more than three exchanges before Monkey Fist defeated him, his last kick to Akito's head giving off a bone breaking sound.
"Pretender! Are you still going to hide?" Monkey Fist asked with a sneer.
Seeing Akito go down and before anyone else could react, Wade played Ron's message to everyone's Neuro Linker, making sure that it was not transmitted like the rest of the attack.
"Whatever demands you have, I agree!" Ron's voice was heard, pleading. "The secrets of my technology? I'll give it. The wealth at my disposal? I'll give it. My company? I'll give it. My life? It's yours." There was a pause as Ron's message sank in. "But it's all on the conditions that no one I care for is harmed and you let them all retreat to safety."
"All of this and you're not even here?!" Monkey Fist bellowed. "What a disappointment, but I have a better idea. First, I'll take everything that makes you happy from you and then I shall crush you underneath my feet as I ascend to become the Ultimate Monkey Master!"
"If the rest of this message is played, it means you have chosen to ignore my request." Ron's voice was heard once more. "Then know this, I shall make it my mission to make your lives a living hell. I will hunt you to hell and back if I have to, but I'll make you wish you were never born!"
"He dares threaten me!" Monkey Fist roared in anger. Then, he seems to think of something and sneered. "Very well, Stoppable, let us see what you can do to me."
With those words, Monkey Fist focused on Shego, acknowledging that with her powers she was the biggest threat to him, though he still kept an eye on Yori, remembering the Yamanouchi ninja.
Seeing this, Shego spoke. "Fiske, to get everything you want all you need to do is leave and mission accomplished. Write out your demands and they'll be met." 'Though I'll be damned if I let Ron throw his life away!' Shego thought to herself while signaling Yori.
Yori gave a subtle nod and moved slowly closer to Monkey Fist.
"Just think about it Fiske, take ONE step back today and tomorrow you could finally be the Ultimate Monkey Master you've always talked about." Shego persuaded while signaling Yori to step back.
Monkey Fist remained focused, surprisingly not uttering a word, which unnerved Shego, considering she just mentioned the biggest banana the monkey man wanted.
"Have it your way then!" Shego yelled and while praying that nothing happens to the baby, coated herself full of Ki generated plasma.
Shooting a ball from her left hand, Shego placed it where Monkey Fist would have no choice but to jump in Yori's direction and would be at a great disadvantage. As she waited for Monkey Fist to react, Shego closed the distance between them. Then, to her surprise, Fist simply coated his hands in Ki and swatted aside the plasma before jumping towards her. Shego unconsciously protected her belly.
What surprised Shego wasn't that Monkey Fist swatted aside her plasma, but how effortlessly he did so. Her plasma had enough power to blast through most reinforced walls. Last time Shego sparred with Master Sensei, the man had to take two steps back when he deflected her plasma. But Monkey Fist merely swatted it aside and jumped towards her.
Seeing Monkey Fist midair, Shego did a roundhouse kick to his temple and from where she was, saw Yori preparing to assist. Monkey Fist stretched his hand and grabbed ahold of Shego's leg mid kick and with unbelievable strength, crushed the bone. Shego didn't shout at the wound, but was surprised when Fist's hand left her plasma covered leg unharmed, even though he seemed not to have used Ki.
When Yori heard the sound of bone braking, she pulled a fan she always kept on her person and used it as a blade to slash at Monkey Fist's exposed femoral artery. When the fan made contact with Fist, it bounced of as if it hit metal.
Realizing what happened, Yori called out to Shego. "He's coating himself in a thin yet robust layer of Ki."
Shego nodded and upped the power around her. She had two reasons for this, one, to keep Wade and the girls back as they tried to close in and two, to peirce through Fist's defenses. When Monkey Fist saw this he was not deterred, as he simply supplied more Ki to his defenses and the thin layer of Ki became visible as an aura of red around him. Monkey Fist then kicked at Shego's uninjured leg, intending to get the upper hand, but Shego simply jumped up and evaded. Then to counter, Shego shot plasma out of her foot for propulsion rapidly gaining speed and swinging her whole body forward to slam her heel into Monkey Fist's head.
Monkey Fist sneered and brought his arm up to block, a heavy layer of Ki coating it. At the same time he kicked out at Yori who coated her fan in Ki and was aiming to slash at his unprotected spine. Shego smirked and a burst of plasma shot from her foot to gain even more momentum and hopefully, snap Monkey Fist's arm in two.
Shego's smirk didn't last long, as when her foot landed, her ankle broke from the rebound, Monkey Fist was like a steel wall.
"Ahhhhh!" This time Shego couldn't hold in her pain as her foot was badly mangled.
"Shego!" Various people around the room yelled as they saw the condition of her foot.
Yori being the closest noticed Monkey Fist aiming to grab ahold of Shego's neck and attempted to sweep his legs from under him. Shego for her part used her Ki to levitate and tried to pull some distance between herself and Monkey Fist.
"Something is boosting his Ki, for his stage, it is too strong." Yori called out as her leg bounced off of Monkey Fist.
"You're right, but too late, victory is already mine!" Monkey Fist gloated, thinking of the necklace hiding under his clothes, with a monkey at it's center. The monkey's eyes glowing red.
Monkey Fist closed in on the retreating Shego in an instant, plowing right through her plasma. Then, he threw a kick to her head. Shego maneuvered herself inside Monkey Fist's kick and grabbed ahold of his leg, then used her least injured leg to support herself as she attempted to throw him over her shoulder. Monkey Fist tried to stop her, but once Shego got his other foot off the ground it was too late to do so.
When Monkey Fist's back slammed into the ground, Shego, who still held onto the front of his gi, noticed the monkey necklace. 'It's the necklace!' Shego realized and tried to rip it off of him.
"Ha!" With a yell, Monkey Fist pushed both Shego and the closing in Yori, back with a wave of Ki, though, once again, Ron's barrier tech protected them from injuries. "Good, you're good, Shego. To actually force me to the ground." Monkey Fist commented.
Shego started levitating as her foot couldnt take her weight anymore.
Monkey Fist stood up, eying Shego and Yori, who moved to stand by her, noting that Shego had a hand to her belly though he'd yet to strike her there. 'So she's already injured! No wonder she keeps favoring her stomach.' Monkey Fist assumed as he recalled how Shego kept her defenses up around the area.
"Yori, the necklace is what's boosting his Ki." Shego called out.
"Hai." Yori agreed.
As they are watching each other, there's the sound of something falling by the elevator.
As almost everyone subconsciously turned to look, all with the hopes of reinforcements, whether it be the monkey ninja or Ron, Tara was the sole exception. Tara jumped onto Monkey Fist's back swiping her right hand's nails at Monkey Fist's eyes.
Monkey Fist's reaction was faster than anyone, except Yori and Shego, could see, as the man caught Tara's hand and with a powerful twist broke her wrist.
"Aahhhh!" Tara screamed but seemed determined to fight.
Even as Yori closed in trying to intervene and Shego launched a few plasma blast at Monkey Fist's feet to distract him, Fist disregarded them and reached for Tara on his back. Upon grabbing her mane of golden hair with his left hand, Monkey Fist pulled Tara's weight, with less resistance than he expected, off his back and tossed her clear across the room. Tara landed with a thud and rolled away, as Shego's plasma reached Monkey Fist.
At this point, Shego expected her plasma to be deflected off of Monkey Fist legs, but it seared through his fur and melted half his simian foot. With that, everyone froze for a second, a second in which Monkey Fist started screaming in pain and rage, then he patted his chest finding nothing.
Then, Monkey Fist turned towards Tara yelling at the top of his lungs. "What did you do?!"
Tara, who just rolled to a stop facing them, was cradling her broken wrist with her left hand, that held the the monkey artifact. Even as tears rolled down her face, Tara had a triumphant smile on her face. Seeing this, Monkey Fist rushed in her direction, with noticeably less speed than before.
Although Yori was closer to Monkey Fist, Bonnie was closer to Tara, as she had been on her way to check on her and ended up blocking Monkey Fist path. When Monkey Fist pulled back his right fist to punch his way through Bonnie, the woman did a backflip and made sure to connect her right foot to his chin. The blow stunned Monkey Fist who had become reliant on the artifact for defense and was enough for Yori to catch up.
Yori didn't waste the opening in Monkey Fist defenses and slashed her fan across the back of his legs bringing him to his knees. Spinning with the slash, Yori prepared to cut Monkey Fist's throat when he swayed left and pulled out a kunai, swiping at her. Yori instantly noticed that Monkey Fist's attack was made in desperation and left plenty of openings to counterattack, but doing so would lead to an exchange of blows due to the speed of his attack. So to avoid unnecessary injury, Yori stepped back out of Monkey Fist's attack range, preparing to finish off her opponent.
~~~
Just as Yori avoided the exchange with Monkey Fist, the group heard the sound of two things hitting the ground hard from the elevator.
Wade looked over and finally confirmed that it was a monkey ninja that had fallen dead to the platform. As Wade looked at the elevator, Makoto hit the floor hard, leaving Wade to wonder if he was even alive. Then Sae touched down safely, grabbed Makoto's gi and yanked him with her into the room.
Then, an unbelievable sight surprised Wade. A massive gorilla wearing samurai armor and wielding an equally big katana, appeared on the elevator platform.
"Guys, I think Monkey Fist got reinforcements!" Wade yelled and turned to see the monkey man's situation.
Monkey Fist was badly wounded, but with the use of his Ki was tenaciously hanging on. The kunai had been melted in his hand, but he had refused to discard it, giving him a grotesque version of metal knuckles.
As he was surprised by the man's state, Wade heard the most unexpected of voices coming from the gorilla.
"Get away from my cuddle monkey!" Yelled DNAmy.
DNAmy proceeded to rush into the room just like a gorilla.
"Look out!" Wade yelled as he dove out of the way.
Everyone else scattered, even Tara, with the help of Monique and Bonnie. Shego blasted plasma at DNAmy, but she was undeterred and reached Monkey Fist in moments. When DNAmy reached for him the man did not seem to realize it was help and lashed out with the his hand coated in molten metal, catching DNAmy in the right eye damaging it. Even through a scream of pain, DNAmy grabbed ahold of Monkey Fist's torso and lifted him off the ground. Monkey Fist continued to pound away at her hand with his hand encased in molten metal, but DNAmy simply brought him to her chest and used her body to cover him from Shego's continuous plasma blast.
Even as her armor started melting onto her body DNAmy protected Monkey Fist, as she dashed back to the elevator and up the shaft.
Seconds after DNAmy was out of sight, the whole estate shook.
"Now what?!" Yelled Wade as he tried pulling up the estate's security cameras. To his shock, Wade found a crater on the front of the estate, billowing fire and smoke.
~~~
Kim was once again shocked by Ron. His crazy gamble was paying off as he literally held Shego's jet together and they were hurling at the estate at such speed that Kim wondered how they were going to land.
Then, the fight began and people started getting hurt. Kim could swear she felt a suffocating pressure emanating from Ron that paralyzed her and she only managed to breathe when she heard him speak.
"Bebe, ETA?" Ron asked with an oddly calm tone.
"An hour twenty minutes." Bebe instantly replied.
"Not fast enough." Ron said and instructed. "Bebe I need you to inject more fuel into the engine, that should help increase our speed further."
"Ron, doing such an action with the current integrity of the jet will likely lead to an explosion. Do you wish to proceed?" Bebe asked.
"Kim, I need you to jump ship." Ron commanded.
"Not gonna happen, Ron." Kim countered adding. "If you're gonna risk your life to protect our family, I'm going to be right there with you. Not to mention you look like your about to pass out."
At Kim's answer, Ron barely managed a smile and commanded. "Bebe, you can start."
"....understood." Bebe acknowledged after a few seconds of hesitation.
Shortly after, the jet went faster and started shaking to the point where it started falling apart, but it did not explode.
A paling Ron spoke after a few minutes. "Bebe pump enough fuel till the ETA is under half an hour."
"...Ron, your vitals." Bebe warned.
"I know." Ron said but didn't change his mind. "Please, Bebe."
"....I ...I ... Okay." Bebe agreed.
"Bebe what's wrong with his vitals?" Kim asked.
"At the rate he is pushing himself, his body might not hold up." Bebe announced, adding. "Just like the jet, he is literally falling apart. His heart is going so fast it can explode, his veins are tearing and his brain is reaching it's limits. The only reason he is alive, is because he is healing his body as fast as he can."
"Ron you nee..." Kim was about to advice, but Ron cuts her off.
"Not happening." Ron simply said.
"That's not all he is doing." Bebe continued to speak. "While holding the jet together and healing himself Ron is also creating an atmosphere around the two of you where you can survive. From maintaining a safe temperature and good enough oxygen levels to preventing the speed from shattering your organs. He is doing too much." Bebe concluded.
Kim bit her lip in frustration, drawing blood. Yet again there was nothing she could do. Kim focused on Ron and promised herself that she would put her all into training her Ki and becoming a cultivator, so next time she could lessen his burden.
Kim didn't know how long it had been, but when the silence started to worry her, since she didn't know how Ron was holding up, she started talking to him. At first, it was trivial things like, her everyday routine since he'd been in a coma. Her realizations from visiting a psychiatrist at her mother's insistence. Her college life and her home life. Kim was talking a mile a minute and knew her worry was obvious, but she didn't know what else to do.
Then, the temperature started rising and Kim knew Ron was losing his gamble. Kim was way pass panic and her approaching death was merely added to the list. Ron started trembling and his orifices were bleeding by the point Kim could think clearly again.
"Bebe, what's the ETA?" Kim asked, but before Bebe could answer, Ron unstrapped his seat belt. "Ron what are..."
"We're here." Ron said standing and removing her seat belt.
"Great how do we land?" Kim asked standing.
"Too fast, we're crash landing on the front lawn in a minute. We need to jump!" Ron explained as he dragged her towards the back of the jet.
"Okay, parachutes." Kim stated and tried to move towards them, but Ron held her arm.
"Not high enough to decelerate." Ron explained and added. "We're jumping and I'll make sure we don't die."
Nodding her agreement, Kim followed Ron to the bay doors but when he pushed the button to open them they were melted shut. Just as Kim started paling at her fate, Ron summoned the same blade from three years ago and faster than Kim's eyes could follow, slashed at the doors. Kim was still trying to understand what happened when Ron grabbed ahold of her and jumped at the bay doors.
Before Kim could process what Ron was thinking, they were outside the jet that looked closer to a meteor and falling at insane speeds. It also felt hot and her body was starting to hurt. Kim briefly wondered what would happen next and tried to keep her eyes open to see exactly that, but the wind made that impossible.
Suddenly, Kim felt like she'd been submerged in cool water, but with her breathing unhindered. Then, just as abruptly as it began it ended like a bubble bursting and Kim opened her eyes to smoke all around. She tried to get her bearing from Ron's arms, but the smoke forced her eyes closed. Kim started holding her breath to avoid inhaling the smoke and waited for Ron to move. After feeling Ron move, Kim opened her eyes and noted the state of her surroundings. Ron was now standing at the edge of a crater that was billowing smoke and all around the estate's lawn, were splotches of blood and unmoving monkey's.
Just as Kim was taking it all in, Ron put her down and though he looked like he could pass out at any moment, he stood straight and instructed. "Let's head to the lab and check on everyone."
Kim noted the worry laced in Ron's tone and followed his lead into the house. Ron was dashing straight towards the lab, but when they were nearing the elevator he suddenly stopped and pulled Kim aside. A second later, DNAmy with the body of a gorilla burst from the elevator shaft. In her hand was a now unconscious Monkey Fist and both sported various wounds. Seeing them Kim wanted to intercept their escape, but Ron held her arm and shook his head.
"Our family comes first." Ron said and Kim nodded.
'Ron's right, our family comes first.' Kim thought and after DNAmy made her way out of the area followed Ron to the elevator shaft. As Ron simply jumped into it Kim took out her rapel gun/hair dryer and used it to follow.
At the bottom of the shaft Kim saw a few dead monkey's and carefully avoided stepping on them as she entered the lab. Ron was already inside and was helping Sae with the injured.
When Kim entered she felt several eyes swivel in her direction, but they relaxed when they confirmed it was her. Her mom and the twins closed in on Kim and hugged her, as if this was the first time they saw her in years. Kim felt herself relaxing into the embrace as she hugged them back.
"Glad your okay, tweebs, mom." Kim says.
"So are we." Tim and Jim stereo.
"Yes, so are we." Ann repeats.
As Kim let's go of her family, she looks around and sees the state of Tara and Shego and wonders why Ron wasn't freaking out over their wounds, but then saw the state of Makoto and Akito. The two looked to be dead and Kim had to admit their wounds made them a priority.
With her mom and the twins in tow, Kim went over to Tara, who despite her tears was smiling like everything was right in the world. Bonnie was by her side and from her distressed look, Kim could tell that she wanted first aid for her friend, like yesterday.
"Tara let my mom take a look." Kim offers and Ann steps forward.
Bonnie looked at Kim then at Ann and gestures Tara to approach. As Ann is looking over Tara, Kim looks over Bonnie and can't help but think back to when Ron had confessed to her and how she let him down 'gently', still unaware that he heard her whisper. Sighing at the twist of fate, Kim looks around and found something that would help, the first aid kit.
Smiling Kim goes over and brings it to her mom. "Here, this should help."
"Thanks, sweetie." Ann says as she looks through the kit and brings out pain killers. "This should ease some of the pain, Tara." Ann said as she hands over two pills.
"Thanks." Tara says and swallows the pills before anyone could suggest to bring water.
Ann then turn and goes to Shego, who sits on Yori's lap and offers her some pain killers. "Here Shego, this should help."
"Thanks, Ann." Shego says and quickly swallow the pills.
Ann also noticed that both Yori and Shego, are rubbing Shego's belly and realized that they are worried about the child.
"I'm confident that the child is fine." Ann said and explained. "Your powers are a part of you and do not harm you. So with that logic the child should be immune or even protected by your powers as genetically speaking they're part of you."
Ann saw Shego visibly relax and smiled.
"Thank you!" Yori and Shego whisper.
~~~
"You're welcome!" Ann beamed and asked. "Thought of names yet?"
This unexpected question froze Yori and Shego. Names! They had yet to even consider them and being asked about them brought it into focus.
"Not yet." Shego/Yori answered their expression slightly panicked.
"Relax." Ann soothes. "You have plenty of time. Plus, you might want to wait till you know the gender to make it easier to decide or like some, to see the child for that stroke of inspiration."
As Ann chatted with Shego and Yori, Ron suddenly lost balance and alarmed those around him.
"Ron!" Various people yelled.
"I'm okay, just a little tired." Ron explains while mustering a smile.
After that everyone seemed to focus on Ron and started noticing his state. What they saw, both impressed and horrified them. Ron looked like he could pass out at any moment, he was sweating profusely and he was pale to the point of concern. Yet he kept pushing through it.
~~~
A minute or two later, Ron stabilized Akito and got the ninja's system to start making blood, but a blood transfusion would make more progress. Ron had to admit, the only reason Akito is alive was that the ninja managed to enter a deep state of meditation that slowed his heartbeat enough so he didn't bleed out. Akito's willpower is to be commended as he resisted outright passing out and it saved his life.
Now that Akito was stable, Ron went over to Makoto that was under treatment by Sae. When Sae noticed Ron she looked up sharply and seemed to think the worst.
In Japanese she whispered to Ron. "You did what you could, Ron-san."
Ron could see that Sae was struggling to keep her emotions in check as she worked on Makoto's wounds, knowing that a single mistake would cause another life.
Ron quickly put Sae's fears at ease. "Akito-san lives Sae-san, though he'll need a blood transfusion and nutrients, he's practically healed."
"How....? So fast." Sae's question was another whisper yet Ron explained. "I've mastered the healing technique thanks to the memories imparted by my teacher, so my speed when using it is like I've used it for centuries."
"Thank god!" Sae said.
"How's Makoto-san doing?" Ron asked as he knelt and began spreading his consciousness across Makoto's body. "Oh!"
"Yeah, I've almost repaired his collapsed lung but his brain is swelling. I had to prioritize keeping him breathing so I've been unable to do anything about it." Sae explained.
"Let me see what I can do." Ron stated and got to work.
The brain is always a delicate structure to work with, as a single mistake can end or drastically change the subject's life. So with that thought in mind, Ron carefully assessed Makoto's brain and began to guide the blood out of the area as he healed and repaired the cells. He spent a few tense minutes getting the swelling down and noticed that Sae was done with her part.
"He should be okay now." Ron stated.
"Thank you for saving their lives, Ron-san." Sae said bowing.
Ron reached out and lifted her up. "I should be thanking them and you, you guys protected my family and I can't thank you enough for that." Ron explained.
"It is our honor." Sae said and turned towards Tara to help with her injuries.
"Sae-san allow me to tend to them, your wounds still bleed." Ron suggested.
"Very well, I shall accept your offer, Ron-san." Sae agreed and sat by Makoto and Akito, to treat her wounds.
Ron went over to Tara and knelt at her side. "Hey!"
"Hey, Ron." Tara said with a small smile.
Ron took Tara into his arms, gently trying not jolt her hand, as Bonnie held onto her he began to talk. "Tara, I'm glad you're okay. If anything were to ever happen to you, to any of you, I don't know what I would do. Thus, I'll promise you, I'll make sure that there is no further need to protect yourselves from my enemies."
"Wrong, they're not your enemies, they are our enemies. We are in this together." Tara said and added. "Isn't that right, Bonnie."
"You better believe it!" Bonnie confirmed.
"I'm so lucky." Ron breathed.
"Yes, you are!" Bonnie/Tara agreed.
At that, the three smiled and Ron shared a kiss with them. Unbeknownst to Tara he'd already healed her wounds.
Kissing her cheek again Ron said to Tara and Bonnie. "I'm going to check on Shego now."
"Huh? But...oh! It doesn't hurt anymore. Thank you, Ron!" Tara beamed finally realizing she was healed.
"My pleasure." Ron said and moved to stand up. His legs didn't cooperate at first, but before anyone noticed he was on his feet and walking towards Shego, Yori and Ann, who were watching him like hawks. "Ladies."
"Ron, you need to rest." Shego spoke quietly what everyone was thinking.
"Soon." Ron agreed while kneeling at her side. Then, Ron reached out to her and his hands were visibly shaking. "For a moment I... I thought... I'd loose you... all of you." Ron whispered.
Shego saw his fears in the haunted look he gave them and reached out to him, same as Yori and Ann.
"We are okay, Ron." Ann/Yori/Shego said in unison.
Ron looked deeply into each of their eyes and then looked at Amy, Monique, Bonnie and Tara before nodding.
"Yeah." Ron agreed and brought them into a hug that lingered to the satisfaction of all involved.
Then, Ron focused on Shego, bringing her onto his lap and saw to her wounds. Ron and Yori couldn't help smile when Shego visibly sighed, her tense and pained expression relaxing.
"Ron, can you check the baby?" Shego asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"My pleasure." Ron answered back and focused on the growing life within her and though he wasn't a doctor he couldn't sense any abnormalities. "My senses tell me the baby is a 100% okay."
There was visible relief on Shego's face at his words and Ron again had a smile on his tired face. As he held Shego, Ron looked around for Wade and saw him talking to Olivia and her parents. Watching for a while, he saw Wade finish speaking and waved him over.
Coming over, Wade asked. "What's up, Ron?"
"We need to move to a safe location while this place is repaired and fortified and we need to be gone like yesterday." Ron declared.
"Way ahead of you, Ron." Wade responded. "Transport to a private airfield is three minutes out and secured by Yamanouchi contacts. I have rented a villa under an allias and repairs will begin first thing tomorrow."
"You rock, Wade!" Ron said glad that his friend was on top of things.
Precisely three minutes later and after Ron, Yori, Shego, Kim and Sae got everyone out of the lab, they boarded a set of heavily armored vehicles and were on their way to the Airfield, as the sound of the authorities arrived. Ron looked back and wrote a reminder in his Neuro Linker to look into the corrupt officials with connections to Monkey Fist and his group.
On a side note, Bebe kept Ron's vitals on his sight and was threatening Ron to send them to Ann's Neuro Linker if he didn't rest soon, so he was forced to convince her that once he was in the air he would do so.
Sadly, to everyone's shock and horror, Ron's nose started bleeding and as he tried to assure everyone he was okay, he fell unconscious before saying a word.
~~~
"Ron!" Everyone in the car with him yelled.
Bebe quickly connected everyone's Neuro Linker into a conference call and began displaying Ron's vitals to all. "Ron is unconscious, but his life is not in direct risk at the moment." Bebe's voice sounded for everyone. "This is the result of extreme fatigue and exertion, but even as we wait, his Ki is healing his body and mind. Allow him rest and he will be fine."
There was a rush of questions as to what happened and others trying to question Bebe as to the specifics of Ron's health when the cars came to a sudden stop, momentarily stunning them. To everyone's surprise, especially Amy who was cradling the unconscious Ron, Kim yanked the car door open and started checking over Ron.
Bebe chose that moment of silence to remind everyone again. "As I stated previously, Ron is simply unconscious from exhaustion and exertion. Besides a high temperature, his health is not at risk." Giving that a moment to sink in, Bebe added. "Now I do believe we have a plane waiting."
A few moments later, Ann spoke. "Bebe is right, Ron's vitals are stable so let's calm down and get everyone on the plane. Ron wanted us safe and standing around is not going to achieve that."