Ch.02
Ron wasn't exactly conscious of what he was doing, after a while of asking the small blue flame for help and when feeling his body heat up as if the flame responded, he decided to trust it, letting it guide his actions. Opening his eyes and feeling as if it was the first time he truly saw the world around him, as if before he looked at a black and white version of everything, now colors and details he did not know existed were present.
Unbelievably, Ron found Shego to look even more beautiful than before, he also noticed her aura around her, instantly it's emerald color reminding him of her eyes, it was also flickering unstably. Following the feeling he got from his MMP, he released her right hand which shortly after wrapped around his throat, her plasma already beginning to burn his skin in the area. Ever so gently with his now free hand, he caressed the side of her face before moving it to the back of her neck and lifting her head slightly. Then, feeling her strength cutting off his air supply as he pushed against her hand to bring his head closer to hers, Ron closed his eyes and brought the two together. Shego's aura trembled slightly before turning a cyan color merging with his own blue aura.
~~~
Shego's plasma attacks proved to be effective against the sharks, her dream self watching them dive deeper into the water and not returning once hit. Shego, still moving towards the edge of the pool, soon feels her back touching it, taking a look at Ron to make sure she had enough time to get out before he reached her, she turned and quickly pulled herself free of the water. Turning around to face him and to keep him in sight, Shego was startled to see he was nowhere to be seen in the pool.
"Boo Yah! hahaha hahaha!" Ron laughs, appearing behind her already in the middle of kicking at her unprotected head. Shego reacting to his laughter, ducks and rolls to the side, narrowly avoiding the kick and spins to face him.
"Told you," Shego comments. "You have the evil laugh down." She begins to charge, already throwing a plasma ball, " But you should really give it a rest." She finishes.
To Shego's surprise, the Ron in front of her didn't need the device he used that day to deal with her powers. He moved like an experienced fighter, dodging her plasma and counter attacking. They went around each other in an exchange of offense and defense, not really landing a hit on the other. Ron was weaving, parrying and dodging her blows, as if he knew what was coming, that being exactly the case considering he was conjured by her imagination. Shego used everything around them in an attempt to create an opening, all the while moving away from the pool to avoid having to keep an eye on it and having it used to restrict her actions.
Their exchange continued and Shego found herself having trouble staying on the offensive, seeing as Ron also began using the furniture to his advantage. No longer able to cleanly dodge all his strikes, Shego began taking glancing blows. Eventually both fighters found themselves on the tennis courts, though with the various nets either melted by plasma or on fire and the ground not doing much better, it was hard to tell at first glance.
Shego was beginning to wonder where was the goofy sidekick who ran around the henchmen and at times lost his pants. She became lost in her thoughts, remembering the incident when Princess and Ron had switched bodies and how she effortlessly used Ron's body to perform her usual level of martial arts. 'So there is more to him.' She realized. Still thinking, Shego found herself punished for her lapse in concentration, when Ron fainted a kick to her abdomen, which she intended to grab ahold off but he re-directed it to her right knee, bringing her to her knees with the surprising amount of power it held.
Before she could move to recover, he was on her performing a knee strike to her exposed face. Shego barely managed to put her hands up in time to protect her face but the force of the impact forced her onto her ass, with her arms still protecting her face, the rest of her body was left open to attacks. She was aware that this was not a position she wanted to be in, so she tried to roll backwards intending to get on her feet. Sadly, Ron was not about to let her do as she wanted, grabbing her legs by the ankles just as she started to roll and pulling on them hard enough to straighten her body all at once. Before she could even think to work herself loose, Ron focused his attention on her right leg, twisting it harshly and delivering a quick succession of knee strikes, till he heard her bones break. Shego was fully expecting Ron to press the advantage but strangely enough he simply stepped back admiring his work before beginning to speak.
"Now, how am I gonna punish you?" Ron asks beginning to circle around her. "Seems like the sharks aren't going to work, huh?." He adds already contemplating the issue.
Shego stared at her broken leg, deciding that maybe fighting was not the best choice, opted for another approach. She decided to try reasoning with him, completely forgetting that she was having a nightmare and that she would be reasoning with herself about the worries she had involving Ron.
~~~
The first thing Ron noticed was his new surroundings, he was on the pool area of a resort he'd never been to but strangely enough, there was no one in sight. Ron was instinctively aware that this is Shego's dream, meaning that whatever has her throwing plasma yet unresponsive is here somewhere. Taking a closer look around, trying to find a clue as to where Shego might be, he notices the plasma burns and broken furniture. Deciding to follow the obvious path of destruction, Ron comes up on a scene that momentarily stuns him.
There was Shego, on the ground, wearing a black bikini, with various injuries but the most noticeable one being her broken right leg, a bone piercing the skin and blood still flowing. Her opponent is one Ron instantly recognizes as himself but this was not the him that usually stares back in the mirror. No, it was not himself, it was the insane version that came about as a result of the Attitudedinator. This Ron's appearance was mostly accurate save the blue skin and slight difference in build, he was wearing blue swimming shorts and a black t-shirt. Even though Ron knew that this was Shego's dream and that he had not done any of the things that happened to her, he couldn't help feeling guilty just the same. Here was someone so affected by his actions that even their dreams conjured his image to hurt them again.
Ron, feeling tears come to his eyes, was not about to stand by and do nothing, specially when his ride appeared behind the dream version of himself. It was already in assault mode, the back wheels laying sideways on the ground for support and stability. The front wheel in the air, revealing the hidden plasma catapult barrels built in. Not thinking of the consequences, he was already running forward to intervene, his body feeling lighter than ever and a shout escaping his lips.
~~~
"H-hey, Ron." Shego begins trying to sound calm and lifts her arms up in a show of surrender. "Wanna talk about it?" She ventures.
"Boo Yah! hahaha hahaha!" Ron's response was preceded by laughter. "Talk? You want to talk?! Ha! I've already given you that chance remember?"
Shego's face tightens at his response, everything's been happening pretty much as she expected, not a surprise considering the circumstances. Putting her hands down, she waits for him to attack her again. What happened next left her momentarily stunned, so much so that she did not even react for the majority of it.
Behind Ron appeared the weapon he had during the wedding she interrupted and took him from. It was charging no doubt about to fire. Still, that was not what shocked her, it was a scream so desperate Shego wondered vaguely who it was from.
"Nooooooo!"
Before she had the time to look for the source, another Ron appeared before her. The first thing Shego noticed of this Ron were his eyes, they were gentle, unbelievably so. They also looked guilty, as if he done countless unspeakable things to her and had tears falling down, unmistakably for her. Next came his clothing, he had on his regular light brown cargo pants, long-sleeve navy blue mock-turtleneck shirt under a short-sleeved red jersey and white sneakers. In his hands, he had a black leather jacket that no doubt he was just wearing. This other Ron knelt before her, draped the leather jacket over her shoulders, which caused Shego's heart to quicken at what she assumed was residual warmth and the care he showed. Then, he proceeded to bring her into his arms, in what Shego first thought to be a hug but shortly realized he was using his body to protect her, then tremors ran through his body as the first's Ron's weapon began firing.
~~~
"Argh-" Ron groans briefly but cuts it off forcefully. He intends to apologize to Shego and was not about to let pain get in the way. "I am so very sorry, Shego!" He begins, making sure to say each word carefully to ensure she understands. "This whole thing is my fault and I make no excuses. When I was under the effects of the Attitudedinator, I turned into a lunatic completely out of my mind." Ron pauses, choking off another scream and beginning to feel extremely tired and light headed but continues regardless. "And, if you need to hate me, that is fine." He coughs blood and ignores it. "In fact, I encourage it. You...shouldn't...torture yourself...w-when you're...the victim!" Ron finishes barely above a whisper.
Everything started going black, the pain that was assaulting Ron, the only thing he was now aware of.
~~~
To say Shego was surprised was an understatement. The words second Ron was saying, his actions and the fact he was in pain yet refused to move, choosing to protect her with his own body, affected her greatly. She found herself enjoying the moment, being protected and cared for, it was something she hadn't felt in a long time. Though all too soon it came to an end. This Ron's voice was getting weaker and he had started coughing blood, an alarming amount of blood.
Shego struggled to look into his face, beginning to use her hands to move his body aside and out of the line of fire but to no effect. She felt like she was trying to move a mountain and no amount of her superhuman strength had any effect. Then, his body started to fade. Seeing this, Shego began calling out to him, trying to reason with him that he should just move out of the way but if he heard her, he made no move to answer.
At this point, the first Ron and his weapon were nowhere to be seen. Shego was beginning feel that something was wrong but she could not think of what. All that kept coming to mind was that Ron was disappearing around her and in moments he would be gone. Soon, the only thing left to remind her that he was there, was the warmth she felt around herself and the leather jacket on her shoulders. That's when Shego felt the world around her begin to collapse, as she started to regain consciousness.
~~~
Shego was by no means an overly emotional type of person, preferring to keep them mostly to herself. So when she opened her eyes to Ron's face, her emotions went from shock to mounting amounts of anger. She doubted she's been anywhere nearly as angry all her life. The implications of Ron's presence in her bedroom and on top of her threatened to drive her mad with fury.
Then, her surroundings started coming into focus. Firstly, the fire sprinklers, followed by the smoke. Next was the scent of burning flesh, which came faintly, mostly masked by the smoke.
Looking down, Shego became aware that her plasma coated hands were holding onto Ron's wrist and throat, as well as the fact that his body was not on top of her but at her side. Willing her power to stop and lessening the strength in her hands, Shego was preparing to question him, when as soon as the strength in her hands decreased, he collapsed next to her. Sitting up, Shego remembered how a second Ron had appeared in her dream and after apologizing and protecting her he disappeared. Shego connected the second Ron to his actual self and was beginning to think she killed him.
Just when she was about to check the truth of the matter, she felt a blade at her neck and froze. A shadow was at her left and had yet to make a sound but the threat was obvious. Two other shadows appeared on her right, moving to collect Stoppable's body. Against her better judgment she called out.
"Hey, what are you doing with Stoppable's body?" Shego yells, beginning to move her right arm to intercept them.
"You would do well to stay still." The shadow to her left warns, the blade beginning to bite into her skin. Heeding the advice, Shego nods, feeling a drop of blood flow down where the blade touches her skin.
The two shadows carefully collected Stoppable's body. One of them carrying him in a princess carry and the other at its side, keeping its eyes on her, watching for sudden movement. Then, all three shadows disappeared as if it was all her imagination. Shego hurriedly yells after them, needing to know if she crossed a line she never intended to cross. "Did I kill him?"
Her reply was a whisper that she could not place the direction of.
"He still draws breath."
Letting out the breath she did not realize she was holding, Shego reclines back taking the information in.
~~~
Yamanouchi Ninja School Japan
"Oh, this may prove troublesome." Master Sensei's eyes once again open in his meditation. "Yori, make immediate travel arrangements for us, Stoppable-san is in need of my assistance." He commands in Japanese, trusting that his instructions will be carried out and closes his eyes again. There was much to do and not enough time.
Entering his meditation again, he gathered his Ki and prepared to use a technique very similar to the one Ron used to enter Shego's dream. Once ready, Master Sensei directed his astral form to leave his body and appear in front of the three ninjas that were with Ron. None of them appeared surprised at the glowing blue form of Master Sensei, though that could've been their training.
"Take him to his home in Middleton at the fastest speed." Master Sensei commands, still speaking Japanese and already moving to Ron to begin 'first aid' if you will. Placing his hands on Ron's abdomen, he channeled his Ki into him, to replenish some of Ron's depleted reserves. Although it all sounds simple, it was extremely difficult and dangerous to do. If his Ki was not in strict control while entering Ron's body, instead of helping, it would be like passing a blade through his veins and nervous system. Master Sensei felt over half his Ki being drained and the ninjas around him saw his astral form dim but he succeeded in stabilizing the situation.
"Call for transportation, he must get to Rufus-san immediately." Master Sensei adds, sounding weary before disappearing.
Moments later, Master Sensei appears in the Stoppable home, more accurately, in Ron's bedroom. He was expecting to have to wake up Rufus but the little guy was awake and moving around in a hurry. 'Seems like he sensed the trouble with his companion.'
Master Sensei calls out to him, switching over to English, to ensure that he is understood. "Rufus-san, I am in need of your hel-"
Rufus turns at the sound of his voice, cutting him off mid sentence. "Ron! Danger!! Help!!!"
"I am aware of what's happened and have already stabilized the situation." Master Sensei says calmly, trying to assure Rufus. "He is on his way here and will arrive in minutes, but he will need your help if he is to make it pass this trial."
"What do I do?" Asks Rufus, already prepared to do anything.
Master Sensei nods at the loyalty and commitment Rufus was showing. "You must focus and gather your MMP, since it is of a common origin with Stoppable-san and when he arrives, channel your power into him but be warned the slightest mistake will cause more harm than good."
"How?" Rufus questions, seeking advice.
"I will show you." Answers Master Sensei. "Enter mediation and relax. Once you have centered your mind, let me know and I will begin channeling my power into you, so that you can experience what needs to be done."
Rufus, without question entered meditation and minutes later nods to announce he is ready.
"Then, let us begin." Master Sensei announces, before placing his index finger to Rufus' belly and channeling his Ki into him. "Feel the flow of Ki and do your best to remember it, when Stoppable-san arrives, this is what you will need to do." Seeing Rufus hesitantly nod he adds. "Do not worry, I will guide you when he arrives to make sure nothing unexpected happens. For now, let us get you accustomed to how it should feel."
~~~
Shego's Residence
It was a couple of minutes before Shego started to move into action. The first thing she did, was look around at the damage in her room. The fire sprinklers, having already finished putting out the fires her plasma had caused, stopped functioning and returned to their various hiding places in the ceiling. The damage to the room was not as bad as she first feared. Various plasma burns along the walls and floor. Shredded blanket, half destroyed bookcase and a couple of destroyed paintings.
Then, Shego noticed the damage to the walk-in closet and hurried to check on her most priced possession. Walking in, she ignored the fortune in destroyed designer clothes and shoes, moving past them, to check on the hidden compartment where the dress was hidden. Seeing the melted panel, her heartbeat skyrocketed. Shego doubted she would be able to handle gracefully being the cause of the dress destruction. With a trembling hand, Shego reaches into the opening created by her plasma and began feeling around inside dreading what she might find.
To Shego's relief, her hand came into contact with the specially made suitcase. Beginning to feel reassured, she felt for the handle and upon finding it pulled the suitcase into view. It was silver in color, rectangular shape, two wheels at the base and a handle at the top, that could extend for travel convenience. The only visible damage was at the base, where the wheels were melted. Resting her hand on the suitcase for a few moments, Shego, finally felt her heart relax.
With the suitcase safe, Shego began looking around the remains of her clothes for something to wear. Settling for some tight fitting grey jeans that were still in one piece and a v-neck green tank top with a slight burn along the hem. Although both were still wet from the sprinklers, they would have to do for now. Suitcase now in hand, Shego went back to check what else was damaged. The glass doors in her room were broken, walking over to them she noticed that the balcony also had various burn marks and there was smoke coming from beyond the rail.
When Shego made it to the rail, she saw the remains of Ron's ride, mostly melted and still on fire. Deciding it was time for answers, she went back inside, going past her bedroom door and to the room across, her study. Going over to the bookcase on the left wall, she pulled a dictionary out. Opening it revealed a secret compartment with a number pad, pressing a different number with each finger on her right hand, she closed it and returned it to its original place. Two seconds later, the book case began sliding to the right with a soft hum, revealing a safe. Quickly opening it and putting in the suitcase, Shego closed it and waited for the bookcase to move back in place, before walking over to the glass windows.
"Home, display perimeter security in the study." Shego commands, watching the glass tint and begin displaying the live videos. "Home, isolate intruder footage." Shego watched as a lot of the videos disappeared. "Home, play footage from the moment the intruder was detected."
In the recording, Shego watched as Ron rode onto her property and up her driveway. Parking his ride, Ron removed his helmet and dismounted, walking up the steps to the door. Once there, he paced around for a few minutes, before finally settling to sit on the steps. A moment later, there was a sound of something breaking and a plasma ball landed by his feet. He quickly stood up, distancing himself from the house and turned around, his head tilted up.
"H-hey, Shego!" Ron yelled. "Are you okay?" He yelled louder after getting no response.
That's when Shego saw a change come over him, his posture, his movements, seeming to be those of a different person. He lowered his head, looked from his feet towards the house and brought it back up. Then he started moving, Ron moved fast, faster then Shego remembered seeing him move before and in under a second he had scaled onto the balcony. Once there, he rushed to the window peering inside, a moment later he jumped in just as a plasma passed the spot he was at and landed on his ride.
From here the footage turned to infrared, Shego preferring not to use regular cameras in her home. Ron rolled onto his feet and moved in the direction of Shego's bed, where he froze for a few seconds before yelling louder than before. "Shego, wake up!" Having no effect, he moved to the left side of the bed and with his right hand reached out to her shoulder.
"Arghhhh-" Shego's left hand, wrapped in plasma, seized his wrist causing him to scream but Ron cut it off almost as as soon as it started and tried shaking her. His left hand grabbing her right hand, Ron stopped moving for a few minutes.
Ron's left hand released Shego's right, which in turn, her right seized his throat and ignited with plasma. Ron, seeming not to care, moved his left hand to the side of her face, caressed it and moved on to the back of her neck. Lifting her head and slightly and forcing his head closer to Shego's, Ron brought their foreheads together and stopped moving.
A couple of minutes later, Shego cut off the plasma to her hands and in moments he collapsed. Then, three figures appeared, one holding a sword to her neck and the others moving to collect Ron. Shego watched her interaction with them, her right hand coming to rest on the exact spot Ron had caressed her face without her realizing it.
"That's what I get for taking such a strong sedative." Shego mutters. Having had problems falling asleep and feeling exhausted, she turned to the medicine her doctor had prescribed. It was several times stronger than the average, to compensate for her strong immune system. "Nearly burned alive!" She adds, still lost in thought.
Shego replayed the footage a couple of times before finally speaking again. "I was right, there's more to Ron Stoppable than meets the eye and I'm going to find out what. As well as how he found me and what he was doing in my home!"
~~~
Stoppable Residence Middleton
For Rufus, it wasn't a question of wether he could help Ron or not. He would help him, that was all that went through his mind, so when Master Sensei told him that he was needed and what he must do, he listened with his utmost focus.
When in meditation and after nodding he was ready, Master Sensei began channeling Ki into him, Rufus mind was 120% immersed in the task. He felt the Ki flow into him slowly, it felt like a soft stream touching his skin, pleasant and comforting with no excess force. Rufus focused on the feeling, committing it to memory until the flow stopped and Master Sensei spoke again. "Rufus-san begin gathering your MMP, Stoppable-san will be here shortly."
Nodding his understanding, Rufus begins to feel for it within his mind, unlike Ron's, the flame representing Rufus' MMP was stable, with pink and blue alternating colors. Rufus focused on the flame, then taking a moment to let his senses expand outward, began searching for the energy in his surroundings. After a moment, he began to feel it, it was all around him. At this point, Rufus used the MMP flame to gather it towards himself, that is when the challenge begins.
When the energy enters his body, Rufus must guide it through different points in his body, before having it join his MMP flame, only then will it be his own. Exerting his will over the energy, he gathers and guides it towards the MMP. At first, there was no apparent change but with the continues flow of energy, the flame began to grow.
~~~
Master Sensei watched as Rufus gathered the energy in his surroundings, his innate ability earning a nod of praise from the wise teacher. Very few individuals were as gifted and Master Sensei only knew of a handful of others, Yori being one. Seeing Rufus aura start to become visible, Master Sensei speaks "Rufus-san, that should suffice, any more and it might go beyond what you can currently control." Rufus nods and begins stabilizing his MMP. "Good" he adds seeing Rufus' actions.
"Stoppable-san is here." Master Sensei announces, bringing Rufus out of his meditation.
A minute later, the sound of a helicopter becomes clear, it increases in intensity and a moment later begins to fade, no doubt having dropped off its passengers. The sound of the helicopter had not faded entirely, when the door to Ron's room opens silently, three shadows come in, bowing slightly to Master Sensei. The one carrying Ron, carefully places him onto his bed, Rufus already moving around Ron's body, inspecting his injuries and making sure he was breathing.
Seeing this, Master Sensei speaks to reassure him. "The physical injuries Stoppable-san received are not life threatening. With his above average immune system and his MMP, in time they will not even be visible." Rufus nods his understanding and turns to Master Sensei, eager to begin treatment. "Guard the house and make sure no one disturbs us." Master Sensei instructs the three ninja, who bowed and disappeared to carry out the orders.
Turning his attention back to Rufus, Master Sensei adds. "Rufus-san, sit above Stoppable-san's abdomen and begin channeling your MMP into him. I shall assist until you're used to it." Nodding, Rufus does as instructed and begins.
At first, Master Sensei had to use his own Ki to limit Rufus MMP and prevent it from harming Ron. It took an hour, before Rufus was proficient enough where Master Sensei's help was not needed, at which point he spoke. "Rufus-san, I will be gone for 2 hours. I need to board the flight which will bring me here and gather my Ki, will you be able to hold?" Seeing Rufus nod, Master Sensei smiles and disappears.
~~~
Yamanouchi Ninja School Japan
His astral form returning to his body, Master Sensei opens his eyes again and without wasting a moment, questions in Japanese. "Is our transportation ready?"
"Yes, Master Sensei." Came Yori's reply instantly. "A helicopter waits in the courtyard, ready to take us to the nearest airport, where a high speed jet will take us to America, with only a stop to transfer jets, we should arrive in Middleton with the fastest possible speed." She gives Master Sensei a detailed report.
"Excellent work Yori, let us be off." Master Sensei praises, already moving towards the courtyard with Yori following closely.
"Is Stoppable-san going to be okay?" Yori finally asks, her concern evident in her voice. She had wanted to ask since Master Sensei first mentioned Ron needing his help but waited to carry out Master Sensei's instructions.
Master Sensei thinks a moment before replying. "As long as nothing unexpected happens, Stoppable-san will recover, it is but a matter of time." Hearing Yori sigh at his reply, Master Sensei smiles.
~~~
Ron was in pain, in more pain than he ever remembered being but he held firmly onto one thought, Shego was suffering because of him. He was not about to let that keep happening, so even when his surroundings disappeared, that's what he focused on. It was by no means easy, the more time passed the weaker and in more pain he felt but he endured. After an unknown amount of time, the pain stopped increasing, Ron believing that he accomplished his goal, relaxed and finally fell unconscious.
Ron didn't know how long he was out for but eventually he started feeling the pain again, although his surroundings were still a mystery to him. Curling himself into a ball, he put his mind into enduring, hoping, this was not all he felt before dying. In time, he noticed a change, the pain started decreasing and a slight warmth began taking its place. Feeling reassured, Ron continued his efforts and in time his surroundings came into view. He was within himself, surrounded by his MMP and parts of his body were missing but the blue flames seemed to be working on restoring them. Just then, he realized that the warmth he felt was his MMP around him and that something was supplying the rapidly diminishing supply.
Ron, knowing that someone was helping, finally believed he would make it through this and decided to thank them afterwards. That being said, there was another he needed to thank. The MMP had not only helped him when Shego was in trouble but even now it was helping him. Feeling slightly foolish for what he was about to do, Ron decided that he would thank it directly.
"Um, MMP, thank you for helping when Shego wouldn't wake up and for helping me recover." Although he felt foolish, Ron knew that the MMP could understand him to an extent, otherwise it would not have been able to help him with Shego. The flames around him pulsed, becoming warmer as if to acknowledge its understanding.
So, with nothing better to do, Ron decided to keep talking to his MMP, not really expecting answers. He told it about his experience at Camp Wannaweep and his resulting fear of 'monkeys', hoping it understood why he was reluctant to even acknowledge it was within him. Ron continued telling the MMP about himself, going from some of his fears, insecurities, likes and how he wished to improve. He thought at first it was so he could help Kim on missions and help people, but more importantly he felt he needed it for himself.
When Ron finally came to that conclusion the MMP responded, glowing brighter and warming as if eager to help. Soon after his surroundings began to fade and he realized he was regaining consciousness.
And things were going to change.
~~~
Stoppable Residence Middleton
Master Sensei was aware of Rufus' exhaustion but he couldn't convince him to rest. When he noticed the sun rising Monday morning, Master Sensei decided to try a different approach and see if it bore fruit. "Yori, could you go to the kitchen and prepare some sustenance for us. Oh, I believe Rufus would like some as well, right?" Master Sensei asks, hoping that eating something will help Rufus relax enough to sleep.
"Um, cheese." Came Rufus dispirited reply.
"Yes, Master Sensei." Yori replied guessing at his intentions.
It was currently Master Sensei's turn to channel Ki into Ron. Thus, he was acutely aware that as time passed, he was required to channel less and less Ki to Ron, a sign he'd been waiting for as it showed success was near.
When the food came, Master Sensei focused on Rufus, but the little guy barely nibbled his cheese. Sighing, Master Sensei figured only seeing Ron awake, would ease Rufus enough to rest. Coming to that conclusion, he was about to switch places with Rufus so that he could see Ron was doing much better, in a final attempt to get him to rest, when one of the ninjas guarding the house appeared before them.
"Kim Possible approaches." The ninja announced, bowing to Master Sensei and waiting for instructions.
"Hmmm, very well, lock the doors." Master Sensei instructs and after thinking adds. "If she insists on waiting, Rufus-san, we will need you to explain that Ron-san is feeling unwell."
"Uh huh." Rufus nods in agreement.
~~~
Rufus went downstairs on Yori's hand, figuring it would waste time to stay with Ron, when he might be needed to go convince Kim, that Ron was sick but that it was nothing serious. Once there, he heard Kim knock on the door, wait 30 seconds and do so again. When that did not work she called out to Ron.
"Ron! We'll be late to school!" Kim yelled. She started pulling out her phone, most likely to call Ron. Rufus was about to go out and talk to her, when the device rang. She looked at the screen and her expression lit up. "Hi Josh!" Kim answered, already turning around and walking away, her concern for Ron, gone, like it was never there.
That made Rufus angry, it wasn't the first time that Kim's concern for Ron was no better than a strangers. A fact made worse, when you consider the years of friendship and Rufus was nearing his limit on how much he was willing to bear. Ron is his best friend and is extremely loyal to his friends. Rufus couldn't bear seeing his sad expression, when Kim turns to him, when she is in need of a pep talk before talking to other guys and how Ron smiles, hiding his pain, before assuring her everything will workout every time.
Rufus did not realize how angry he'd gotten until Yori spoke out to calm him. "Breathe, Rufus-san." She said not entirely sure what gotten him so angry. "Her going to school is what we were hoping for." She adds, that is when Rufus notices that his claws were digging into her hand, stopping hastily he hurries to apologize.
"Sorry." Rufus says, looking down, feeling guilty with his actions.
"It is okay, Rufus-san, I know you did not mean to harm me." Yori speaks softly before adding. "Let us return upstairs to Stoppable-san." Seeing Rufus nod, Yori moves towards the stairs, Rufus rubbing gently where his claws dug into her skin.
~~~
Upon opening his eyes, Ron noticed a couple of things. One, his head hurt, it was the worst headache he'd ever had. Two, he was in his room and he had no idea how he got there. Three, Rufus was so overjoyed to see him awake, that he was in tears and looked extremely exhausted. And finally, they weren't alone, Master Sensei and Yori stood to the side.
"Uh, hey, Master Sensei, Yori, guess thanks are in order?" Ron asks sitting up and rubbing the back of his neck. He also grabs Rufus, beginning to massage the little guy, hoping to convey he was okay now and he shouldn't worry.
"It is good to see you awake, Stoppable-san." Master Sensei replies and a dazzling smile blooms on Yori's face as she nods. Ron was momentarily stunned upon seeing it, until Master Sensei spoke again. "There are a couple of questions that I hope you would answer, Stoppable-san." Says Master Sensei, a smile at Ron's reaction to Yori's smile hidden behind his facial hair.
"Yeah, no problem," Ron replies, then adds, "in fact I have a few of my own."
"Very well." Says Master Sensei, taking a moment to organize his thoughts. "How is it that you came to be injured in such a manner?"
"It's a long story." Ron began, thinking back to what started the whole thing. "Kim got her annual subscription for the Villain Expo hosted by Hench CO. and it was decided we were to go undercover..."
Ron recounted his experience, how an accident occurred while Drakken tried the Attitudedinator, resulting in Ron absorbing Drakken's evil. After, he explained how with time, Drakken's evil drove him towards insanity and allowed him access to some of his unconsciously suppressed knowledge. How natural it felt remaking his old tricycle into an ATV with a built in weapon, the best comparison being when he was cooking and he knew exactly what he needed to do. From there, he moved on to tell how Shego showed up with Drakken at the wedding and ended up trading Drakken for Ron. Once at Drakken's lair, he modified the Annihilator, made a second machine and put to use some of Drakken's tech.
Ron took a moment to calm himself before continuing, ashamed and scared of what he had become. He told of threatening Shego, with feeding her to some sharks if she did not know her place. Of how he was tapping into the MMP while evil and his skin had taken a blue hue. Then, Ron proceeded to explain his rescue, how he destroyed the Attitudedinator and the outfit he had used while evil. Now, Ron moved on to explain the remorse he felt for his actions and his desire to apologize to Shego, leading him to hack Drakken's system to track her down. Using the ATV to travel to her location and soon after arriving, noticing something was wrong, when plasma was being launched but Shego did not respond. Climbing to her room, yelling and shaking her but still not receiving a response and how her plasma covered hands grabbed onto him. Here, Ron explains how he turned to the MMP for help and ended up inside her nightmare, protecting her with his body from the evil version of himself and apologizing until his surroundings disappeared.
"After that, I felt my energy increasing and my MMP healing me." Ron says pausing, embarrassed with what he was going to say next. "Having nothing better to do, I thanked and explained to the MMP about myself. Eventually concluding that I want to improve myself, not for others but for me. I am tired of being seen as a joke, when I know am capable of much more!" He concludes, a bit louder before adding. "And that's pretty much what happened."
Ron looked to Master Sensei and Yori, a bit worried that they would judge him for his actions but saw no such thing from their expressions. Yori had concern and Master Sensei was deep in thought, pulling at his beard.
After a while Master Sensei spoke up, guessing correctly one of Ron's questions. "So, you would like to know how you came to enter and be injured in Shego-san's dreams?" Seeing Ron nod, Master Sensei continued. "The answer to that is not hard to explain but requires incredible amounts of training to achieve. Observe for a moment before I explain."
Saying till there, Master Sensei entered the lotus position and began to meditate. A moment later his astral body separated from his physical one. Focusing on Ron, he began to explain. "As you can see, Stoppable-san, with training, one can separate what is called an astral body from the physical one. In this form, you can enter a persons mind or do other things, but with the example of the mind, there are dangers. Let me ask, what would happen if, for example, you're badly wounded in a fight and your lung was pierced?" Master Sensei asked, hoping Ron would make the connection between damage to the astral body and physical one.
Thinking about it, Ron gave his answer. "If the wounds aren't treated in time, I could drown in my own blood and eventually die. I'm guessing that would equal a physical death and eventual death of my mind. So if my astral body or in essence my mind were to take enough damage, I would die as well, but how did the actions in Shego's nightmare have such an effect?" Ron asked, not fully understanding how it happened.
"Very good, Stoppable-san." Master Sensei complimented, before returning his astral body to his physical one and continuing his explanation. "With training, one can use the mind to defend and attack a persons mind. This being coincidentally, what resulted when you used your astral body to defend Shego-san. The attacks that were created in her dream, affected your astral body like a blade would a physical one. Although I must add, had you restrained and distanced her from the house, once she woke up, her mind would not have suffered the same damage as yours, for to her, it was only a bad dream."
"Oh!" Ron replies, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was so concerned with helping her it did not cross my mind at the time."
"Do not take it to heart, Stoppable-san." Master Sensei quickly adds. "Your actions were courageous and should not be seen as a mistake. You were taking responsibility for what had previously happened and were trying to help someone in need." He assured Ron, then added. "Not many would acknowledge their mistakes let alone try and make amends."
Receiving Master Sensei's reassurance and seeing Yori nod on the side, Ron smiled at having his efforts acknowledged. "Thank you, Master Sensei, Yori, that means a lot to me." Saying this and seeing them nod in understanding, Ron moved to ask another question. "Master Sensei, I would like to formally request training in the use of my MMP and martial arts."