Ch.24
It took Kim three hours to wake up, by which point Ann was feeling the exhaustion from the last few days catching up with her.
When her eyes fluttered open, Ann was instantly by Kim's side, a smile of relief on her lips. Ann saw Kim looked around before sighing in resignation.
"Kim, how are you feeling?" Ann asked quietly.
Seeing Kim tearing up yet refusing to answer, Ann grabbed her hand. "Sweetie I know it hurts and you blame yourself, but it's not your fault."
"....lie." kim whispered something so softly that Ann only heard the last word.
"I'm sorry Kim, but I couldn't hear that." Ann said glad that she at least got her talking.
"We both know that's a lie!" Kim yelled, tears falling freely. "After the mission with the dictator I promised myself to not let something like that happen to Ron again. To not let Ron get hurt again but after that not only did I ruin our friendship, I was useless as he had to save not only the world, but our school from Drakken's plans. I was in the same room mom! And. I. Couldn't. Do. A. Thing. I'm supposed to be a Possible and a Possible can do anything! Then why? Why couldn't I help him?"
"Kim, you can't be blaming yourself." Ann reasoned and before Kim could speak she continued. "First off, you didn't know about Drakken's plans. So obviously you couldn't have known Ron was going to stop him, saving the world, you and your classmates. Secondly, you were in need of rescue so how could you have helped Ron. And lastly, the Possible's moto is meant to encourage you to never give up without trying, to think of ways to succeed not to make you believe that you can do anything and everything. Also just because we tell you that you can do anything does not mean you're responsible for doing everything."
Still in tears, Kim finally admitted her feelings. "It hurts mom! It hurts so much!"
Ann settled on the bed next to Kim and brought her into a firm but gentle hug. "It's going to be okay Kim, we'll get through this."
That's when the dam finally broke and Kim started sobbing. Then she started apologizing.
"I'm sorry mom! I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry!" Kim apologized almost pleading for forgiveness.
"Kim, it's okay. Things will be okay." Ann assured, but it wasn't till she said I forgive you, that Kim seemed to calm.
~~~
Over the next two months, things started changing for Ann.
First, she had submitted for a divorce using the evidence Ron had provided. Second, Kim started seeing a therapist to help her cope with the pain. Third, the twins apologized for blaming Kim for what happened to Ron. And though they didn't say it, Ann found out from Kim they knew about the divorce and circumstances behind it.
James was asked to move out of the Stoppable home weeks prior after the kids blew up on him demanding to know why he did it, since the man showed little remorse and pretended nothing was wrong. When he explained that they wouldn't understand and that it would all be okay, Kim nearly attacked him, prompting Ann to interfere and ask him to move out.
Another thing that happened in these two months, was that Ann got a secured video message and a schedule so that she could see Ron.
"He looks thinner." After silently staring at Ron for an hour, this was the only thing Ann could say.
"Yes, he's lost some weight but we are working on a way to remedy that." Yori assured from out of sight.
"Yori, all the research I've done into Ron's condition shows that there's nothing we can do for him." Ann said.
"I... am aware that we can't do much for him Dr. Possible..." Yori began.
"Please call me, Ann, I don't want reminders of that man." Ann interjected.
"...Ann-san but Ron-san will get better. I am certain of it." Yori finished.
"I hope so." Ann says softly before adding. "I'll be asking my kids if they want to see him so that they can be a part of the next call if that's alright?"
"Not a problem, I know Ron-san would be delighted to hear from them." Yori says after a moment.
"Is Kim allowed to speak to him?" Ann wondered instantly feeling bad for the way the question sounded.
"Yes, Ron-san would be delighted to hear from her as well." Yori agreed.
"Thank you." Ann says before they cut the connection.
Over the months and eventually year that followed, Ann had gotten her divorce from James and custody of the kids, who were refusing to see him. Grew her hair to the small of her back and published ground breaking research on the brain. Throughout the world, Ann became the single most accomplished brain surgeon.
The kids eventually agreed to see their father again, but when he rescheduled with the excuse of an emergency meeting and they decided to surprise him after he got out of work, their relationship completely broke down. Turns out, his now girlfriend after the divorce had gone into labor. James was having another child. And they found out from the security guard.
With them crying at not having even been informed, Ann took them home. Home, what Ann and the kids called home now wasn't the old Possible house that was demolished and rebuilt but what used to be Ron's house. Ann had talked it over with Yori and her kids, it was decided that they would stay there for the foreseeable future.
Another thing of note was the release of the Neuro Linker and it's founding company, Cross Industries. Looking at the familiar device, Ann had asked Wade who confirmed that it was of Ron's design and that the company was founded by him under Ron's name and with the name Ron had mentioned to him, and his partners once. He even explained that part of the reason they waited so long to release was that they were mass producing the product.
Soon after the world was in an upheaval as multiple tech and medical industries were revolutionized by the Neuro Linker and none could reverse engineer the device to date. Within a month telephones were considered a thing of the past. A few weeks later, after the medical field started adjusting to the Neuro Linker's capabilities, they released it, Conquest!
The VRMMORPG that within a week of it's release, it's sales broke world records. Any and every so called gamer had bought the game. Reviews were positive and it's hype continued to increase. The greatest feature of the game wasn't it's freedom, visuals or fantastic abilities it granted the user, but the time dilation. A one to five difference. One hour outside the game equals five inside. When it was advertised people found it ridiculous yet everyone couldn't help, but talk about it. They all had the same thought, what if?
Time, the one thing no one could buy, might have just been put on sale.
Three weeks after the game's release and confirmation of it's time dilation, governments were holding a hearing to force Cross Industries to hand over the technology and failed miserably. Not only had Wade anticipated their approach, he had so much dirt on each of them that they were forced to drop the subject and change their tactics.
The company was the victim of constant hacking attempts and even robberies yet they still got nothing. Ron was the only one who knew how to make the time dilation and his work was protected by Bebe and Wade, though not even Wade had seen it.
During this time, Ann had also made herself a promise. If Ron did wake up, she was going to give them a chance. To do that she needed her kids, especially Kim, to understand what she felt and not be completely adverse to the idea. It took Ann two years and seven months after making the decision to convince Kim. The twins had relented only after a few months, understanding that she developed feelings for Ron.
Kim had been so against the idea, till Ann sat down with her one night and talked her heart out.
"I dream of him, Kim." Ann whispered as she held a glass of wine and downed it. "Every night since he went to Japan, I've dreamt of him. He would never say a word, but he would hold me. Soothing me. Dreams of him are what kept me going at times."
As Ann poured herself more wine, Kim asked. "But when did you start seeing Ron as a man, he's my age mom?"
"You can blame your father for that!" Ann said beginning to explain how her marriage had been failing for the longest and the only one who knew was Ron. How they started sharing dreams though they didn't know at the time and Ron would be there to cheer her up. How eventually the dreams had taken a more honest appearance, as on a especially bad day, Ron made her feel loved, desired, beautiful again. Then, it happened, he caught me masturbating, one thing led to another and we ended up having sex.
"I regretted it and wanted to pretend it never happened, but Ron said he would be there for me. Still, I told him no and even accused him of trying to break my marriage when he brought me evidence that James had been cheating on me for years." Ann said, drinking more wine. "He was still willing to be with me after that, understanding and waiting for me to decide. Then, Drakken's plan went into effect and for all of my abilities, I couldn't help him. Yet, even now, I dream of him and rely on those dreams to believe he'll make a miracle happen and come back for me."
~~~
By that point Kim was taken aback, when Ann openly started weeping. Her mother was strong and didn't cry easily, so Kim was able to see just how painful it was for her to admit it. That she was waiting for a miracle to bring her loved one back.
Now on her knees in front of her mother, Kim hugged her.
With conviction Kim spoke. "When Ron wakes up if he has the same courage to admit his feelings for you that you just showed me, I'll give you my blessing."
Ann looked up, startled that she might have misheard. She pinched her thigh tightly, but she was wide awake. "...but?"
Her words never finished as Kim softly shushed her.
"Thank you, Kim."
~~~
These past three years were different for everyone that once knew Ron.
For Kim, things were more hectic than for most.
In the early months after Ron saved the world, she was going to therapy on a biweekly basis to deal with the guilt and pain she felt. Eventually things became easier and the appointments less frequent, but she still went once a month to have someone to talk to.
Kim knew Monique would have listened, but she didn't know how to bring up the topic with her and eventually decided not to. They still hung out and everything, but Kim feared that if she brought it up, Monique might blame her too. After all, Monique had asked for her blessing to pursue Ron, so Kim was acutely aware she had feelings for him. Another thing Kim knew was that Monique could tell she was holding back on her, but gave her the space to decide whether to share.
The missions resumed six months in, when GJ asked for assistance shortly after college started for Kim. Turned out, there was a sighting of Drakken and they needed all the help they could get to bring the man in. He was on the move and villain activity had skyrocketed in the last six months. Thus, GJ had their hands full and couldn't spare anyone to capture the man.
Kim was eager to help on this one and had to argue against both her mother and Wade telling her to leave it be. In the end she convinced them, though she still doesn't remember how. With Wade on board and a super suit, Kim went on the mission. Even then, the mission was a failure. Not only had Drakken gotten competent help, but someone unexpected was hunting him. Kim had fought her way inside just in time to see Drakken get into a scape pod a moment before a blast of green and black plasma landed where it's entrance was.
Kim didn't understand what was going on between Shego and Drakken, but proceeded to fight Shego whose abilities seemed to have evolved. And had to rely on the lair self destruct to end the fight before she lost. Shego had gotten stronger and the super suit barely allowed Kim to keep up.
The mission debrief with Dr. Director was brutal, as the head of GJ had expected results and was not happy to hear otherwise. Kim went on other missions, like stopping a wildfire, rescuing an injured hiker and stopping villains attempt at world domination. Though she stopped their plans to take over the world, she hadn't been able to capture a single one.
A thing of note for Kim, was her college grade dropping to a B in sophomore year, as the villains seemed to always have plans in motion. And her getting to know Mike Owen's who by Junior year became her boyfriend. In Conquest, they were both ranker's or in the top percent of the game, though Kim was much further ahead in the top fifty and Mike in nine hundred eighteen position.
All in all things were okay for Kim, especially once she and Ann had a heart to heart about Ann's desire to pursue a relationship with Ron.
~~~
Monique, much like Ann was having dreams of Ron. In the dreams he would hold her and listen to her day and though he never spoke she would feel closer to Ron each time.
If Tara, Bonnie, Shego and Yori had asked either of them if they dreamt of Ron, they all would have realized they all dreamt of him, but they each decided to hold onto to those precious moments and kept them a secret.
Monique went to college for business management and fashion design. She put so much of her time into it, that two years later she graduated early and went on a internship under Coco Banana, lead fashion designer of Club Banana.
Monique spent a year interning for Coco Banana, during which time she made a name for herself as a fashion designer. Her internship ended when Coco Banana gave her lead of the spring collection and it was a resounding success. Monique recieved multiple offers to become a fashion designer under various brands, but refused them to pursue her dream, starting her own.
Now, she was currently looking for investors on a young fashion designer.
On a side note, Monique was a top ten tailor in Conquest.
~~~~~
Like Monique and Ann, Tara too dreamt of Ron and much like their dreams he holds her and listens to her. The difference being, that Tara thought he had woke up at first.
Tara had a rough time after that and only Bonnie managed to help her keep it together. Ron's state had a toll on his ladies, but Tara's upbeat and caring attitude took a turn for a detached and reserved one as she coped. Her smiles became rare and often, she'd wake up and cry after spending yet another dream with Ron.
It got to the point that her parents were worried for her and contacted Bonnie to find out if something happened. When Bonnie showed up later that day, Tara talked with her parents and explained why she was so down lately. Her parents wept with Tara and encouraged not to loose hope.
Tara, then gave her all into her other passion, child care and psychology. As she took psychology in college, Tara got a job at the hospitals daycare and that brought a smile to her for a few hours a day.
A few times during her video calls to Ron, Tara could swear that he smiled at her as she excitedly told him funny stories about the kids under her care.
Like this, Tara's journey to a doctorate in psychology continues, she's even considering opening an orphanage, though she's having trouble securing funding.
In Conquest, Tara had opened an orphanage and those moments kept inspiring her to open one in real life.
~~~
Bonnie felt alone even though much of her time was spent with Tara or some other form of company.
Her dreams of Ron were endearing, but it was the video calls that really let her go on throughout her days. Bonnie didn't know why she started it, but she would tell Ron detailed fantasies that she hoped would stimulate him into waking up.
She had yet to see progress.
Another thing that kept Bonnie busy, was taking a position in her father's company and she was responsible for providing Cross Industries the antennas for the Neuro Linker so they could set up their own network. Both companies had made plenty of money thanks to some of her decisions and saturation for the device signal was at eighty nine percent world wide and estimated that in six months they'll reach full hundred percent signal reliability though, certain extreme locations would lack a signal, they had a design with satellite connectivity, for those who travel to those locations.
Bonnie had also been responsible for investing in Cross Industries and had secured fifty one percent of the shares that were sold to the public. That being close to six percent of the ten percent shares that were put for sale. Rumor was that the other four percent was bought by the partners, once governments took legal action against Cross Industries, but Bonnie convinced her father to hold onto the shares.
And boy did it pay. Her family's fortune had nearly tripled with just the profit that six percent generated. It was to the point that Bonnie's father gave her the vice president's position in the company.
Still, Bonnie's success was always marred by Ron's absence.
On the side, Bonnie started a business empire in Conquest and with the latest update announced, the currency exchange, would allow her to turn some gold from the game into millions in cash. She was well on her way to becoming one of the worlds richest woman.
~~~
Felix and Zita ended up in the same college out of state. They were up in New York and were in constant touch with Wade and their families.
Wade had been left in charge of Cross Industries and he later hired Amy, who Ron had met at the lake months prior. When Amy had found out that Ron had been hurt as Wade notified the people in Ron's contacts she was devastated and asked if she could see him, but again things were against her as Ron was already in Japan at the time. Still, she kept in touch with Wade, who later hired her.
It was under her business knowledge and Wade's technical expertise, that Cross Industries had shocked the world.
Back to Felix and Zita. The two were living together since sophomore year after they announced their engagement to their parents. Though both parents showed concern, they were convinced eventually by the couple. The only reason they didn't marry in these three years was because Felix wanted Ron as his best man.
Felix was also actively involved in using the government's centurion project to help people walk again and make prosthetic limbs, though he'd yet to make a breakthrough. Zita for her part was working with Bebe on quest's developments for Conquest and the main story line and though she wanted to aim for a ranking refrained since her knowledge of the game was too intimate. Felix for his part didn't share that problem and went on to become a ranker in the top ten.
~~~
Wade for his part ran Cross Industries with Amy and worked with Kim on her missions.
He was constantly making gadgets and tech that he patented. Add to that his ten percent shares of Cross Industries and he would soon be competing for one of the top five richest people in the world, though Ron was already the solid number one. Ron's parents investment portfolio was so great that he was startled when he found out Ron's net worth. The guy was a billionaire before Cross Industries came into the picture, now Wade was afraid he'd have a stroke if he looked at how much Ron was making a day. And that was ignoring the companies assets and liquid funds.
Another thing of note for Wade was that he met a girl who he started getting to know and she was quite the genius herself.
For Conquest, Wade was in the top ten with Felix.
~~~
When Shego woke up after having the mind control chip removed she was in a small tatami room in Japan which was promptly set ablaze by her plasma. Her out of control defense mechanism had her powers burn down a section of the centuries old school and the clothes she wore, before Yori came into view.
Shego felt her heart stop for a moment, as Yori approached her.
"Yori." Shego said barely above a whisper.
"Shego-san, it is good to see you awake and apologies for not being by your side when you woke up." Yori said instead of a greeting.
"Yori, where am I?" Shego asked looking around and not recognizing the place.
"I've brought you to my home in Japan so that you may heal and rest." Yori explained and added. "Welcome to Yamanouchi."
Shego would have thought it impossible, but when she learned she was at Yori's place she relaxed slightly. That was all her body needed to finally express the anguish she had been experiencing for months. Shego started crying. Slow tears at first. Then, it intensified into full, heartbreaking wails as she dropped to her knees.
Shego was incredibly hurt inside. The closest thing to a father figure after her parents died had betrayed her. Abused her and hurt her in a way where she had trouble even trusting that others wouldn't do the same. Drakken managed to do what no one else had done, he broke her.
As Shego cried, she felt Yori get closer and couldn't help but yell. "Stay away!"
"I don't believe I will, Shego-san." Yori said calmly.
"You'll get hurt." Shego said as a last form of protest.
"You wouldn't hurt me, Shego-san." Said Yori as she closed the distance between them.
To Shego's relief, her plasma allowed access to Yori, who came close and held Shego in a hug though her clothes turned to ash.
"Why did he betray me? Why did he let all that happen to me?" Shego's wails became desperate as she shouted at no one in particular. She asked knowing there would be no answers, but the questions needed voicing.
Yori listened and held Shego tighter, rubbing her back with a hand. Shego continued to cry for hours, the tears never seeming to stop, until she cried herself to sleep around sunset, holding onto Yori desperately. All the while, Yori listened and comforted her.
~~~
The next time Shego woke up, her plasma flared as her consciousness cleared but before she was aware of her surroundings she felt Yori stroking her back and looked around to see they were in a garden with flowers and a pond, though the flowers near them were ashes.
"Did you sleep well, Shego-san?" Yori asked calmly.
Shego blushed a bit at the circumstances, but nodded.
"Good." Yori said and got a troubled look as she organized her words, eventually asking. "Want to talk about what's happened?"
Shego's eyes widened and her body started trembling in answer to the question. Yori held her close till the trembling stopped.
"Sorry, Shego-san." Yori apologized realizing it was too soon.
"Thanks, Yori." Shego said before recalling her fight with Ron prompting her to ask. "How is Ron? How bad did I hurt him?"
"The injuries Ron-san recieved from you were not permanent, Shego-san, rest assured." Yori soothed.
Still, Shego noticed that Yori didn't answer her first question.
"Yori, how is Ron?" Shego asked again.
"To answer that I need to explain what happened after Ron-san stopped Drakken's plans..." Yori said and moved to explain the rescue of his classmates and the consequences from his actions. "...Ron-san was declared brain dead after the surgery and was brought to Yamanouchi, along with you, for his recovery."
Shego was stunned into silence by the news, two words replaying in her mind. 'Brain dead!' Shego's body started trembling again.
"Why him?" Shego whispered.
"He will recover, Shego-san." Yori said with conviction, snapping Shego's head up to look into her eyes.
Shego saw no uncertainty in those eyes and couldn't help but wonder how Yori was so certain.
"Can I see him?" Shego asked.
"Of course, though it might be problematic if your powers keep burning your surroundings." Yori said as she stood.
Shego saw her point and with conscious effort, managed to reign in her plasma. Shego estimated fifteen minutes, before she lost control.
"I'm ready." Shego declared.
Nodding, Yori helped Shego to her feet and led the way from the garden into the building. A few turns in, Yori stopped outside a room and slid the door open. Shego's eyes were instantly drawn to the single bed in the room.
On the bed lay Ron, but not as Shego expected. There was no respirator or heart monitor hooked to his body. He was so still Shego would have mistaken him for dead had his chest not occasionally raised to take in fresh air. Still rooted in place, Shego struggled with her emotions, reigning in her powers and questions about how a brain dead person could breath on their own.
Eventually, the questions won out.
"How come he is breathing on his own?" Shego whispered.
"That is merely an illusion." Yori said and moved to explain. "Remember Ron-san's creation, the Neuro Linker?" Shego nodded. "We'll if you take a closer look, it is around Ron-san's neck. Through it, Bebe-san is keeping his body functional and monitoring his vitals. In fact, that is how he managed to make it to the hospital."
"Oh." Shego said and looking at Ron she asked. "Can Bebe communicate while keeping Ron going?"
"Yes, I can." Bebe answered the question herself through a speaker by the bed, then greeted. "Hello, Shego."
"Hey, Bebe." Shego greeted then asked. "Can you be trusted?"
"I have no negative intentions towards Ron." Bebe explained.
Shego took a moment to let that sink in before speaking again. "Good enough for me."
Then, Shego finally entered the room and approached the bed. She tried to grab his hand, but stopped inches away from it, hand trembling and thoughts of the men that raped her. Shego knew that Ron was different, but her body refused to listen.
Shego and Yori spent ten minutes in the room with Ron, before the strain of keeping her powers restrained had Shego sweating and they went back to the garden.
A few minutes later, Yori asked. "Shego-san are you going to be able to restrain your powers again? There is someone who I would like you to meet and you would need some clothes to make a good impression."
Blushing, Shego reigned in her power and followed Yori. They stopped at a different room and got dressed in simple white gi, then Yori led the way further inside. They stopped at another sliding door and this time, Yori knocked before a wizened voice spoke.
"Enter." Master Sensei said.
Yori entered and Shego followed close behind her. After closing the door Yori turned and bowed before speaking.
"Master Sensei, I would like to introduce Shego-san. Shego-san, this is Master Sensei the head of Yamanouchi." Yori said.
"A pleasure to meet you Master Sensei and thank you for allowing me into your home." Shego greeted.
"It is my honor to help one so close to Stoppable-san and Yori." Master Sensei replied.
'This is Ron's mentor!' Shego realized.
After seating, Shego noticed the elderly Sensei was looking at her as if accessing her before speaking and waited quietly before interrupting. Ten minutes later, the strain of keeping her powers in check had her sweating and Shego was about to suggest she excuse herself, when Master Sensei seemed to teleport in front of her and jabbed her stomach. Shego was startled and stopped restraining her power but nothing happened. Jumping to her feet she distanced herself from Sensei, but the man was already seated again.
"What did you do to me?" Shego asked.
"I saw you struggling to control your power so I merely assisted." Master Sensei explained.
"How?" Shego asked.
"I stopped your Ki from leaving your dantian." Sensei again explained. Seemingly able to guess her next question, Sensei said. "Do not worry, it is merely temporary."
Relieved, Shego sat.
After a while, Sensei spoke. "Shego-san how would you like to receive training here at Yamanouchi?"
"Training?" Shego repeated.
"Yes." Sensei said stroking his beard. "Training. Your abilities manifest through Ki but your heart, mind and body are in chaos from what you've went through. Making your heart suffer and your mind want to protect you from harm while your body is uncertain which direction to take. With my help, you might be able to align your heart, body and mind to suit your purpose once again."
"You would help me even knowing who I am?" Shego asked incredulous.
"Why not?" Sensei replied stunning her.
Shego sank into silence once more, now realizing that Ron's mentor might not be as black and white, as good and evil defined.
"Aren't you the good guys?" Shego asked.
"We are a ninja school and as such, we do what is necessary to achieve our goals." Sensei replied.
"I see." Shego said proceeding to mull over the offer and asked. "Are there attachments in your offer to teach me?"
"None." Sensei replied.
"Okay then, I accept." Shego agreed.
~~~
Over the next month, Shego started having nightmares which stopped abruptly when she dreamt of Ron. In the dream, he simply held her and Shego relaxed into his arms.
During the day, Sensei helped Shego achieve a meditative state and try to find balance within herself. After two weeks, Shego could enter a meditative state on her own and started the next steps into staying in that state. When she could maintain the state, Sensei proceeded to guide Shego into attaining control over her mindscape.
Shego's mindscape was chaos at first. A storm was raging, lightning struck about and the ground quakes occasionally. After entering her mindscape, Shego followed Sensei's instructions and ventured deeper into the chaos. First, she looked for the source of the quakes which led her to an erupting volcano. As she got closer anger overtook Shego and she had trouble getting to the source.
It took her a couple of days, before Shego managed to climb to the edge of the volcano and realize what it represented. It was her feelings of anger at Drakken's betrayal of her trust. Of what what he put her through and what he did to their relationship. While Shego understood the source, her anger did not subside but she learned to control it, to harness and focus it where it needed to go. When it was done the volcano wasn't erupting every few moments, like it would burn all the surroundings.
Next, Shego sought the source of the lightning, which as incredible as it sounds, was a single jet black cloud. The cloud flitted about and lightning would strike in it's passage. As Shego followed the route of the cloud, which at first seemed random, but after observing it she understood it, she felt the henchmen and other men who thanks to Drakken had their way with her. She felt them touch her, beat her and treat her as an object for their lust instead of a person. She had the thought that other men would look at her the same, that Ron would treat her the same and nearly felt despair. The cloud brought out her fear that she lost her value, that Ron would treat her differently. It was nearly a week later, that she blasted the cloud apart and conquered the unreasonable fear that she lost her value.
The source of the storm was harder to find, but the easiest to understand. Shego felt weak as she stood in the eye of the storm. It's how she's felt since Drakken first put the mind control chip in her. The mighty Shego was brought to her knees despite the incredible power she wielded. Shego felt helpless in the face of the world, now that she knew she couldn't always protect herself. That was the one thing she's always been certain of and to have it taken away left her feeling exposed to the world. It was Yori that helped her back to her feet, so to speak. One day, Shego was exercising and she had pushed herself past her limits and her legs gave out nearly leading her to land on her face and Yori had simply been there to catch her, making Shego realize that she had someone's support. The next time she entered her mindscape the storms were nowhere in sight.
When Shego informed Sensei that she succeeded in bringing her mindscape into control, her training officially began. Sensei started by teaching her a technique to harness Ki from nature instead of letting it naturally replenish like Shego had been doing. The technique modeled after a Phoenix when she completed the cycle and Shego could have sworn she felt instantly stronger upon it's completion. Once Shego had the hang of sensing and absorbing Ki, Sensei moved to teach her utilization and control.
Here, Shego was struggling for a bit due to her ingrained habits, but once she got passed them her horizons broadened. Her first major breakthrough was being able to emit plasma from her feet and once she got the hang of it, she started experimenting on techniques to make use of it. The next, was emitting plasma from any given point in her body which marked a great advancement from only being able to release plasma from her hands or subconsciously coat herself in it. Her last major breakthrough was manifestations or making solid constructs made of plasma though without a constant flow of Ki they would dissipate.
On a side note, Shego had learned the levitation technique since it gave her an idea on how it could be combined with her powers.
~~~
With Shego attaining the ability to manifest plasma, she had learnt everything Sensei wanted to teach her.
With the meditation, Shego will be able to confront her fears and master her mind. With the technique to harness Ki and her achievements in it's utilization, she will be better equipped to protect herself. With those thoughts in mind Shego thanked Sensei sincerely when they got together to talk.
"I really I'm grateful for everything Master Sensei." Shego says while seated in front of Sensei.
"You're most welcome, Shego-san." Sensei says then asks. "Have you founded it within yourself to confide in someone about your experiences during captivity?"
"....I have yet to do so." Shego admits, asking. "Why?"
"It is my believe that will help ease your fears." Sensei admits with a profound look in his eyes.
Shego looks deeply at Sensei and nods.
"Shego-san, when you fine tune your fighting style I request a sparing match." Sensei says after seeing Shego at least consider his words. "It would serve as a test of your understanding."
"I look forward to it." Shego says before excusing herself.
~~~
Shego found Yori shortly after talking with Sensei and as she expected, Yori was in Ron's room.
"Hey, Yori, Bebe, Ron." Shego greeted in a way she got accustomed to in her time in Yamanouchi.
"Shego/-san." Yori/Bebe.
Shego heard the two replies like usual.
"Yori, do you have time to talk?" Shego asked and Yori, seeing the tense atmosphere around Shego knew it was serious.
"Is here fine or would you like to go somewhere more private, Shego-san?" Yori asked.
Shego thought a moment and looked at Ron before nodding. "Here is fine."
Yori waited for Shego to speak and when she did, Yori moved to Shego's side and held her. Like this, Shego told her story. How she was aware of everything that Drakken had her do. How some henchmen took advantage of the commands to have their way with her. The beatings, the outfits and eventual lack of. Worst of all, how Drakken used her body to further his own goals and satisfy his needs.
"He would rape me and use my body anyway he liked." Shego said shuddering and afraid to look at Yori. "I wasn't new to sex, but some of the things they had me do was like they were with an animal. Drakken specially liked to beat me into submission before he had his way with me. Others pissed on me or would make me do it on them. One of them went as far as feeding me his own shit. I had to lick him clean afterwards too!"
When Shego felt Yori tremble she thought Yori was struggling with her disgust against her, but Yori spoke before the idea took hold.
"They don't deserve to live. Tell me all you can about them and I'll see to it they never hurt another again." Yori hissed in such a cold whisper, Shego's trembling stopped.
She absolutely means it Shego realized, finally looking at Yori and seeing a light blue in her eyes. The blue drew Shego in for a moment before it faded. Hugging Yori and trying to convey her care, Shego spoke. "Thank you, Yori."
"Why thank me, Shego-san." Yori asked.
"Because you make me realize how lucky I am to have met you." Shego explained.
Then, Shego continued her experiences while under Drakken's control. It was well into the night when she finally finished speaking but she felt calm, unlike when she started, Shego was certain she had come to terms with what's happened to her.
"I've decided." Shego said, her voice a whisper. "I'm going to hunt them down. I'm going to make them wish they'd never thought of doing anything to me."
"I'll go with you." Yori said without hesitation.
"No, I want you to stay here with Ron. I want to be notified the instant he wakes up." Shego explained.
Silent a moment, then Yori agreed. "Okay, but you must agree to visit."
"Of course." Shego agreed.
A month and a half later, Shego's and Master Sensei's sparring match was held and Shego, satisfied with the result, left to hunt her enemies.
A month later, she had managed to track down Drakken, but he managed to get away. Then, Shego was forced into a fight with Kim, but before she could win Kim triggered the lairs self destruct. Still, Shego managed to hack Drakken's system before the lair went up in smoke and used the henchmen database to hunt the ones that hurt her.
Later when the Neuro Linker was released, Shego traded her phone for a high end model. Then she joined Conquest, as a means to pass the time and train, ending up in the top ten.
By the time three years had passed, Shego had killed everyone that hurt her except Drakken, though she burned his left arm to ashes.
~~~
Yori had gotten into a routine after Shego left to pursue her revenge. She would wake up just before dawn and check up on Ron, once satisfied she left to meditate. Training came after and by breakfast time, she would have tried to best her previous attainments. Yori ate her meals with Sensei after at first trying to eat with Bebe and by extension Ron.
As Yori and Bebe had agreed after Ron's body started deteriorating from immobility, Bebe would take control of Ron's body and see to it's needs and functions. Explanation, she would manipulate him to eat, exercise, use the bathroom and take care of his hygiene. Yori had tried to eat her meals with Ron, but it wasn't the same.
After breakfast, Yori would again visit Ron and make sure he has a video call with his ladies with the hope that maybe one of them can reach him. Then, she would spend some time in Ron's room and train her Ki in pursuit of a higher realm. After lunch, Yori would help train new disciples of Yamanouchi till evening, when she would use the bath's before dinner. After dinner, Sensei would personally guide Yori in her Ki training till nine, when she went to visit Ron again.
This routine that Yori started didn't see deviation till the release of the Neuro Linker and Conquest. Yori's personal training time was then transferred to training in Conquest and she could swear it was like stepping in another reality. Ki was all around, just like in reality, but in Conquest it was called mana and everyone was able to use it. Yori rose to the top ten in Conquest and used everyone of it's features to strengthen herself in game and real life.
By the time the three years of Ron's injury arrived, Yori began a breakthrough into the liquid stage of her cultivation.
~~~
Xu Ming Yue and Bebe spent three years maintaining Ron's body in optimal condition once they managed to start communicating among themselves.
At the start, it was odd. Bebe didn't have the capability to both keep Ron functional and expand her senses in his body. Eventually she adapted and 'explored' the limits of her connection to Ron leading to her discovery of Xu Ming Yue and vice versa.
Their first meeting was awkward for Bebe, as she hadn't been aware of Xu Ming Yue and attempted to get rid of her, but Xu Ming Yue quickly settled her nerves and explained her situation in regards to Ron. Once they confirmed the other wasn't a threat for Ron, they started figuring out how to maintain his body. After a couple of days they succeeded and Bebe began eating, exercising and taking care of Ron's hygiene.
Another thing of note was Xu Ming Yue beginning to struggle to maintain her form within Ron, as her soul began to fade, so she chose to prepare what Bebe considered a data transfer for Ron, in which she would give him memories pertinent to his future training once and if, he woke.
Bebe and Xu Ming Yue's interactions led the two to become close friends, though for Bebe the experience was new and often times odd. When Bebe had Ron resting she would talk to Xu Ming Yue and share some of her brief life experiences, often becoming enthralled when Xu Ming Yue shared hers.
Bebe learned of Xu Ming Yue's battles and adventures. She saw sights projected with Xu Ming Yue's story giving life to it all, but their stories became less frequent as Xu Ming Yue struggled to maintain her soul.
~~~
Rufus. The little guy took Ron's injury the hardest and besides spending time with Ron, eating and hygiene, he devoted himself to Conquest with the persona of Tunnel Lord. It was his distraction from the pain and led to the undisputed number one player in Conquest.
The day Yori was attempting to break into the liquid stage, Rufus was curious and had accompanied her into seclusion. As Rufus focused on the young woman he entered a sort of trance himself and understood how to advance past his own bottleneck.
As they meditated, their aura became visible and the weather in the area changed. Curiously Rufus pink aura and Yori's red aura were accompanied by a blue aura that was centered on Yori's heart and growing in strength.
~~~
At first there was pain.
It was like the fabric of his being was being torn apart. That brought the question of who he was? That question led to where he was? Which led to how he got there?
But he could give no answers.
In time, bits and pieces started coming back to him. A blonde child, scared in a corner as a chimp approached, loud and threatening. When the chimp started attacking he saw the child shrink in on himself yell for Rufus. Other bits where of the blonde child and a redheaded child, but looking at her brought pain to his core.
Little by little the story came together and with it the memories. The blonde child was called Ron and it was him. The redhead was Kimberley Ann Possible who once had the privilege of being his best friend, KP. Then there was his parents, who were good people, but bad parents. Most of his precious memories lacked them and recollecting their memories filled him with a sense of longing and sadness. Bit by bit, the others came into focus and with it precious moments that he shared with them. Rufus, bestfriend and partner. Ron relied on the naked mole rat more than his parents, but the little guy was a pillar for Ron. Ann, Shego, Yori, Tara, Monique, Bonnie, Wade, Felix and others that he met throughout his life.
Ron remembered the moment he had his first crush, Ann. Kim's mother was always a beacon of light for Ron and when he started becoming aware of the opposite sex, her beauty and kindness made a space for her in his heart.
The more Ron remembered, the faster the memories came, piecing together his life. His first time with Ann. Being Yori's first. Growing closer to his ladies and sharing dreams with them. Then, Shego went missing and how he found her brought pain and sadness to his being, but he manage to rescue her.
As he basked in the good he accomplished, Ron realized that he might be on his journey to the afterlife and decided to wait for what came next, accepting his fate.
After an uncertain amount of time and nothing changing, Ron became worried that there was just oblivion after life. Then he felt it. A pull to his being in different directions. It was disorienting yet peaceful, though he couldn't focus on a single point enough. He saw his ladies and they at first looked in pain making him want to be there for them so he reached out subconsciously. He held them trying to comfort and be there for them. Ron noticed they'd talk but he couldn't focus on any one of them enough to know what was said.
Like this, a sort of cycle began for Ron, in which he would be alone for great lengths of time and then accompany his ladies for a brief period.
With no idea how long this would continue for Ron started to feel like his sanity beginning to slip. He started dreading being alone. He felt like it ate at him, at who he was and he didn't know how much longer he could take it. Then, as Ron felt completely past his limit and could break at any point, it happened. A change. It was so shocking, Ron knew he finally broke. In front of him, in the darkness, stood another Ron. This Ron was confident, stood to his full height and seemed to ooze calmness.
"Hello?" Ron greeted since he had no idea what else to do. "Are you me?"
"Hey!" The other Ron greeted then answered. "You could say yes and no to that."
"Yes and no." Ron repeated. "What do you mean?"
"I'm an ideal that you created and strived to become before your injury." The other Ron explained.
"Oh." Ron said looking other Ron over again. "So, what brought you here?"
"You did." Other Ron replied calmly.
"I did? How?" Ron asked.
"That, I'm not sure, but I guess it's because you yourself don't know." Other Ron said.
"Guess you're right." Ron admitted before asking. "So, what are we supposed to do now?"
"Don't know." Other Ron said.
"Uh, want to try sparring?" Ron asked.
"Sure." Other Ron said and assumed a stance.
Ron could see it easily. This version of himself knew how to handle himself in combat. Slowly Ron got into a stance himself and observed.
Other Ron struck first. Lightning fast and precise, an attack to Ron's right temple. Seeing this Ron moved into other Ron's attack, ducking under and sending a counter to other Ron's jaw.
Ron's counter went wide when other Ron swept his legs from under him and used his left hand that had been attacking his temple to throw him onto his back by pulling on his shirt, his momentum taking care of the rest. Ron didn't linger on the floor and rolled back onto his feet, his counterpart already attacking.
Ron and other Ron fought back and forth with Ron mostly on the defensive as he adjusted. Other Ron was a gifted fighter and attacked and defended as a whole. Sometimes, Ron thought he got by his defense only to realize that he allowed the hit to get the upper hand, a lesson Yori had thought him, but other Ron seemed to have mastered.
No surprise, Ron lost the bout to other Ron. After his defeat, Ron meditated, thinking of those who no doubt were waiting for him and hoping they were okay. Drawing strength from them. Then he focused on the sparring. On what he could have done better. He went over every moment and when he felt ready, he'd challenge the other Ron again.
Like that his time passed. Sparring, meditation, seeing his ladies and constantly improving upon himself. Ron noticed the stronger he became the stronger other Ron was, when on the fiftieth sparring his counterpart should have fallen for his trap, but was faster just like he himself. Not a surprise really, since both were him.
Ron didn't know how many sparring matches he had with himself, but he felt himself grow in real time as he fought. His reaction time and precision were nothing like when he started. And his confidence had soared.
Ron hadn't realized it, but he now stood to his full height and maintained a calm air around himself as he confidently attacked and defended. Ron had changed. His time alone with only himself had allowed him to face and conquer parts of him that blocked his potential. Ron had faced his fears and problems in his meditation and was confident that he moved past them.
Eventually, Ron did manage to best his counterpart, who faded shortly after.
That's when Ron felt himself warm up. Like heat was building up inside him. As he tried to understand what was happening Ron saw his form begging to glow blue as his aura manifested. Suddenly and in large quantities, Ron felt Ki rushing into his being.
~~~
Rufus was the first to make a breakthrough. His pink aura expanding and seeming to connect with everything around him. Then, he started to absorb Ki like there was a bottomless pit inside him.
Inside Rufus dantian, his Ki, that was in the form of gas, started to compress itself and getting smaller, though the quantity of Ki Rufus body contained steadily increased. It took nearly an hour, before Rufus' Ki stopped in the form of a single drop of liquid.
Then, Rufus seemed to return to himself and open his eyes. In front of him still sat Yori, now enveloped in her red aura, that he could easily perceive. Then he noticed Ron's aura emanating from Yori's heart, as the blue aura seemed to grow and overwhelm her aura.
Rufus sensed Ron's aura and recognized it as such instantly. He watched and didn't realized he was now standing, as Ron's aura separated from Yori and strengthened itself. Bit by bit, Rufus watched Ron's astral body coalesce from the aura.
When Ron's astral body fully formed, Yori made her breakthrough into the liquid stage. Her red aura blazed and harmonized with everything around her, then large quantities of Ki began to be absorb by her.
As this happened, Rufus stayed watching Ron's astral body with his utmost attention, worried he'd fade. Like this, time passed. One hour. Two. Upon the third, Yori finished her breakthrough and opened her eyes. Then, it was like time stopped for her as well. She looked at Ron's astral body as it floated in front of her, seemingly unable to believe what she was seeing. In a moment, Yori was on her feet and tentatively reached out to Ron.
When Yori's fingers touched Ron, time seem to resumed and Ron's astral body disappeared.
"Ron!" Both Yori and Rufus yelled already sprinting to Ron's room, at the fastest speed they were capable off.
~~~
There it was, pain.
That was the first thing Ron noticed upon waking up in his body. It was a headache, as if his brain had been recently stitched together. Upon opening his eyes, he saw a room of Japanese design and looked around for any sign of where he was. With no clue to answer he called out.
"Hello?" Ron called out.
"Hello, Ron." Bebe greeted.
"Bebe, hey, do you know where I am?" Ron asked and greeted.
"Yes, you are in Japan. Yamanouchi to be precise." Bebe replied.
"That would explain the decor." Ron mused then asked dreading the response. "How long have I been out?"
"Three years, two months, nine days, twelve hours, forty three minutes and twelve seconds." Bebe accurately replied.
Ron sucked in a breath of air. That was a long time.
"Bebe, do you know where Yori or Master Sensei are?" Ron asked.
"Master Sensei should be in his courtyard awaiting news of Yori breakthrough and Yori is at a nearby peak breaking through to the liquid stage of cultivation." Bebe replied.
"Okay, Bebe." Ron said and asked. "Is Rufus here at Yamanouchi or did he stay with my parents?"
There was a longer pause before Bebe replied. "Rufus is with Yori observing her breakthrough."
"Can't wait to see them." Ron said.
"Ron there's something you should kno..." Bebe began to say, but was interrupted by the sliding door opening.
"...ha... ha... Bebe did... Ron wake up?"
Asked a panting Yori, not yet looking up.
Even as Ron looked at Yori in surprise, Rufus climbed onto the bed, panting much like Yori and froze, his eyes going wide.
"Hey, Yori, Rufus. I'm up." Ron greeted.
Yori looked up sharply as Rufus started tearing up. Ron reached with his left hand to Rufus and began petting him, his right hand going towards Yori. Yori's face bloomed with a smile so delicate, Ron wished it would never fade.
'Yeah, I'm up.' Ron realized.