Rated: T (Teen--language and fighting)

Notes Part 1: This is the second part of a crossover between my “Super Lana” and “Impossible Quartet” series. Part 1, “Juggling Act,” was “Super Lana” 38 which can be found at the SL Series Page.

Notes Part 2: Kim Possible, her cohorts and the series belong to Disney. Smallville belongs to DC and the CW. All other characters and sitches are fictitious and of my own creation. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com.



Chapter 1
[Althanor]

Even as people rushed out of work and toward their evening routines in the outer world, they had no idea they were being watched. True, they obsess on things—which clothes to wear, the rotisserie chicken to get for dinner, picking the kids up at day care not to mention the wear and tear on their precious vehicles.

But in realms parallel to our own, others did watch with interest. While not wanting to sully themselves in the outer world’s seemingly trivial (at least to them) concerns, the denizens of those places kept an eye on things.

Far behind a blanket of mists separating it from the outer world, Althanor’s high priestess conducted her daily vigil into the world, seeking the answers to how things went the way they did. While she wasn’t as intrusive as her former overseer, the Faerie Empress, she had taken an interest since meeting a group of those people from western Kansas two years earlier. It’s so like my reality. She thought about the alternate Earth she’d come from. I wonder how’d they react if they knew that most of them had counterparts?

“Still watching, Cybelle? I trust my great-granddaughter and her husband are fine?”

She turned to find two other women clad in green robes enter her chamber. “Heloise, Deirdre, please enter. Yes, Clark and Lana are doing fine.” She smiled at the former woman. “You have another generation to look after.”

“Tres bien!” Heloise Gregoire exclaimed in relief. “And the baby? What is it?”

“A little boy named Ryan,” Deirdre replied with a wry grin. “Sorry, Auntie, I couldn’t resist telling her.”

“You’re forgiven,” Cybelle assured her with an arch of the eyebrow. “We have other concerns though. It seems that realm has its own issue arising.” She waved her hand in front of the mist portal. “Nai Jin had alerted me through her visions to the brewing threat.

The trio glanced as the fog shut and churned for a minute. Then, as it opened, they saw a progression of images play out. First, a glowing iguana statuette sat in a display. Then the scene shifted to a museum and a mass gathering of teens.

“A class field trip?” Deirdre supposed.

“So it would seem,” Heloise agreed. “But there is more. I can feel it.”

“And there is. Watch,” Cybelle insisted.

As she said it, an army of dark robed assassins swept across the area causing a widespread panic.

In the midst of that, a quartet of teens intervened, immediately denting the invading forces. The three Americans and one Asian made (or in the case of the blonde member of the contingent tried to make) progress in that regard.

Then the intruders glowed, taking on bright green auras and revealing the identities of all sides. With three quick moves, they dealt with three of the four heroes.

The blonde freaked out for a couple of seconds before regaining his composure. He closed his eyes and seemed to levitate. He took on a cobalt glow before opening his eyes and narrowing them. “AH BOO YEAH!” He resumed the others’ activity, going toe to toe with the enemy.

However, they could match him in that regard—each attacker equaling his own power. They swept over him like a flood.

As they did, a deafening screech shattered the vision; darkness covering the pool before it ended.

“And that is how it ends,” Cybelle told the others while rubbing her chin.

“The young ones seem familiar,” Heloise surmised.

“That’s because we know them! Well, three of their counterparts at least,” Deirdre protested. “The red head is Kim Possible. The blonde guy is her partner, Ron Stoppable. The Asian girl is Yori Matsumaru. Their counterparts in our dimension are training with Papa at the university.”

“I see. And that scream could only be one being,” Heloise agreed. “The Protector will appear in that place.”

“Too bad Papa is too wrapped up with Ricky and the other stuff right now,” Deirdre sighed.

“Only as a last resort. The goddess has ordained that this is a matter for the other David and both groups of young ones to deal with. They need to gain some independence in such matters much as your father has, Deirdre. Besides there is something else which must remain between us.” She waved at the portal. “Heloise, brace yourself. Behold the face of the darkness’ leader.”

“Him?” Heloise felt her blood boil. “So the immortal coward shows himself at last!” She looked at her superior. “You will not mind then if I return and mind things.”

“It is for you to do so. We will be ready in reserve in case you have need,” Cybelle concurred. “Keep the other Dave in check. Please?”

“Good luck,” Deirdre muttered. “Especially if Miri’s involved.”

“I will do my best. Au revoir,” Heloise bade while concentrating.

In front of her, the mists formed a column allowing her to vanish into them before dissipating once more.

“Are you sure we shouldn’t get Papa or the others involved?” Deirdre wondered.

Her aunt shook her head. “Only as a last resort. This is a test of sorts for Heloise as well. If she is to start her own order there, she needs to coordinate such efforts. We will be ready if needed. Meantime, let’s see how things are going with our young friends’ counterparts. She waved her hand in front of the view portal again.

The image shimmered and blurred before taking on the courtyard from Yamanuchi.

“As you can see, the young ones are already on their path, Deirdre. We should let them continue,” Cybelle indicated. “Now let’s watch.”

If you say so, Auntie. The younger priestess frowned. Papa would still want to help out. Let’s hope you’re up to the task, David and Heloise!




Chapter 2
[Yamanuchi Courtyard]

Late April brought warmth to the Japanese mountains. The remaining snow from what had been a brutal late winter melted, allowing the plants to bud in anticipation of summer’s coming.

As with the plants, the students at the Yamanuchi School extended their workouts in the courtyard. With the weather being what it was, they and Sensei wanted to take full advantage to shake off Winter’s rust.

The aged master shuffled around the perimeter, evaluating the younger ones’ performance with a critical eye. For years untold, he’d trained such willing ninja and sent them around the world. He’d acquired an understanding with the government for that purpose in exchange for favors when the time arose.

Such a time had come. Sensei had been in touch with his contacts with Tokyo. He knew that the Kiroshi Iguana was on loan to an American museum. As such, he’d tried to contact his closest alumna to the area. <Why does she not answer?> Several attempts had been ignored or worse been blocked.

Then at that point, he had a vision…..


****


[Sensei’s Dreamscape]

High above the Denver skyline, a mysterious ninja squatted on the glass window in the roof of the National Museum. As he glared down at two FBI agents, his eyes narrowed while hearing the words through the bug’s transmitter. <Forewarned is forearmed is it? Gaijin fools!> His hands glowed with a brilliant shade of magenta against the moonwashed nightscape.

Then as if feeling something, he turned only to be confronted by his boss’ worst nightmare: a demonic dark floating image with red eyes and the attitude from Hell.

“Yeah, Buttwipe. Beat it!” the creature growled while appearing next to the intruder. It made its own “hands” glow blood red.

The ninja scout’s eyes narrowed. While he had seen the Supreme One’s reports on Dubois and the latter’s inner demon child, he’d hoped to have the statuette in hand before facing the creature. He slowly climbed down from the window; sizing the other up as he did so. Then he feinted with a kick.

The foot passed harmlessly through the Image.

“STOOPID!” The Image uncorked a double barreled psychic blast knocking the ninja off the roof and onto the porch below.

Unfortunately, as he was cornered, the intruder marshaled the nearby statuette’s aura. <”This is the beginning, Demon!”> With that, it vanished.

“DAMMIT!” The Image bellowed in rage before seeing another white lion card on the pavement. “Big Bro’s gonna be pissed!” It made the card float off of the ground before vanishing into the moonlight and leaving the duo below none the wiser to the duel that had just happened.


****


[Yamanuchi]

Sensei’s eyes went wide as he recognized the dark signature. <”He is alive!”> But the strain weakened him and he started to fall toward the stones.

Of all the students, somehow Ron was the first to seem him waver. “Sensei!” Forgetting his exercises, he rushed toward his master in a typical panic. “Crap! Crap! Crap!” He tripped and fell straight ahead.

In a typical display of the ‘Ron factor’, he had rolled right into the path of Sensei’s fall, taking the impact for his aged master. “Ow!”

“Master Sensei! Ron San!” Yori called as she and the others rushed to their side.

“I’m cool. I’m cool,” Ron assured them. “What’s with Sensei?”

“I am…all right, Stoppable San,” Sensei assured them. “Domo arighato for your sacrifice.” <”Yori Chan, please help me up.”>

<”Of course, Master,”> she agreed. <”Perhaps we should get you to Dr. Kogimoto?”>

“Thank you but no. Please continue with your exercises. Afterwards, Stoppable San and Yori Chan, I need to see you in my office,” Sensei indicated. “Hirotaka will lead the exercise.” With that, he limped back toward the central building.

<”You heard him! Back to training!”> Hirotaka urged while trying to cover his own insecurity.

Yori and Ron exchanged curious looks. That meeting with Sensei was going to be something else.




Chapter 3 [Sensei’s Office—twenty minutes after the workout]

Despite what he had said earlier to the students, Sensei visited Dr. Kogimoto. In addition to a quick check up, the master had other business with the doctor.

Such as what the doctor’s son—also a Yamanuchi alum—was up to.

Kogimoto revealed that his son had made contact with an American professor whom he’d recently discovered was alive.

Sensei rubbed his forehead after returning to his office. <How could they not tell me? This could change everything!> He glanced at the globe in the far corner of his office. In particular, he looked at how Colorado and Kansas adjoined each other. <And if the vision is correct, the Creature can appear in Stoppable San’s region. How will that affect him?> He knew of course of Ron’s alternate personality—the evil genius, Zorpox. <Yori works on him but under such conditions, the change could happen!>

The symbol on the card in the vision bothered him too. The lion image meant the Ming T ‘sai had returned once more.

Before he could muse further, a hard knock came from the door. <”Hai. Enter please,”>

Yori and Ron walked into the room. From his perch on the latter’s pocket pouch, Rufus watched the elderly leader anxiously as well. Obviously, they worried about their teacher given the uncharacteristic failing of strength he’d displayed in the courtyard.

“We are here as you requested, Sensei Sama,” she informed him.

“Domo. Stoppable San, please get the door?” Sensei requested while stepping back away from the globe.

“Sure thing. Uh, Master, what’s goin’ on?” Ron wondered, trying to keep a hold of his nerves. Whatever the sitch was, even he knew something was a major hit on both the weird and badness scales. “What did we do?”

Sensei narrowed his eyes. This was another issue which had bugged him for a while—one that needed to be nipped in the bud before things got much worse. “You did nothing to, as you Americans say, beat yourself up over. You saved me from a major injury. You should have more confidence in yourself, Stoppable San. No, the problem comes from your home region.”

“Middleton? KP! Rick! Are they in trouble?” he panicked.

“Calm yourself, Ron San,” she advised while trying to deal with her own feelings on the matter. “We can contact them right after we leave here.”

“I wish you to do so,” Sensei concurred. “About three weeks ago in the television class, we looked at a statuette, the Koroshi Iguana. Do you remember it?”

The two students nodded remembering the jade/meteor art piece.

“That thing is creepy,” Ron noted while recalling the trip/date he and Yori had taken to Tokyo to see it in person.

“As I recall, your tai sheng pek kwar reacted with it,” Sensei concurred. “And for good reason. It contains a power similar to the one you have, Stoppable San. But the government does not know that. If they did, they would not have sent it overseas.”

“Overseas? Where?” she wondered.

“To the National Museum in Denver, Colorado. Such a move will not discourage our enemies from seeking it out.” He brought up an image on the computer in back of his desk. “That was from the scene. You recognize the symbol?”

“China! China!” Rufus exclaimed.

“Oh man—not those guys!” Ron whined, recalling their run in with the Ming T ‘sai in Shanghai.

“It is their symbol,” she affirmed. “But we helped to capture the leaders as well as their ninja, Master Sensei.”

Sensei shook his head. “Their supreme leader was not taken, Yori. He has rebuilt the organization with the remnants of a rival cartel, the Black Hand.” Seeing the two teens’ confusion, he added, “A hydra has many heads. Strike off one and seven more grow up in its place.” He paced the floor. “The iguana goes on display for three weeks starting tomorrow in Denver. You both will leave after class for Middleton. I wish for your Team Possible to be there watching things.” He turned toward the window. “And I need Load San to look into something for us.”

“Depends on what it is,” Ron replied tentatively. “Long as it’s not illegal or anything.”

“No, Stoppable San, it is not illegal. I have felt strange things coming from the western area of Kansas. In addition, one of our former students is there. I am not able to contact her however. Having a situation that unstable so close to the iguana is unacceptable,” Sensei assured him.

“Who is this, Master?” she insisted.

“Miri Chan,” he revealed sadly.

Her eyes went wide. <”She would never refuse you, Master!”>

“She does not take my summons, Yori.”

“Uh, sorry about the interrupting thing but who’s this Miri lady?” Ron queried, feeling really anxious at that point.

Yori bit her lip. “Her name is Miranda Arighatto. She is like a sister to me, Ron San. If that baka, Arighato, has hurt her again…..”

“No. He is in prison,” Sensei reported. “I wish you to contact her before the exhibit begins. The plane will take you directly to the town.” He picked up a piece of paper before continuing, “It is called Smallville.”

“Smallville, huh? Must be a really happening place,” Ron gibed.

“At first glance, one would say not,” Sensei retorted. “However, your joke is closer to the mark than you know, Stoppable San. As I said before, something is not normal there. Reports come from there of abnormal activity. In addition, the doctor’s son has encountered Miri Chan’s uncle, Yori.”

“But she said he was dead, Master!” she disagreed.

The elderly man shook his head. “He survived Arighatto’s attack. Worse, the darkness evolved within him. Kogimoto San reported that David Dubois is alive and lives in this Smallville. I would know if he is behind her silence.”

“We shall get to the bottom of the matter, Master,” she vowed as they both bowed.

“You are to leave after class. Good luck to you and your friends,” Sensei wished them before they left.




Chapter 4
[Distance Classroom—an hour later]

After the meeting with Sensei and a quick snack in the cafeteria, Ron and Yori slipped into the classroom, just managing to make their seats before their teacher called the room to order.

<”Before we get started, we have an urgent mission in front of us. Our ancient foes, the Ming T’ sai have reasserted themselves. Stoppable San and Yori head to America as our first wave. Meantime, the rest of us will hold ourselves in readiness,”> the mentor revealed.

<”Begging your pardon, Master, but how?”> Nyoki wondered.

<”I had a vision. Fortunately, Stoppable San made sure that it was not any worse than that,”> Sensei assured her and the others. <”Barkin Sama will have a surprise for his students which will provide the perfect cover for this mission. A field trip.”>

<”Field trip?”> Ayoki asked this time.

“Explain what a field trip is, Stoppable San, if you would?” Sensei requested.

Ron nodded. “It’s a chance to get out of class. The teacher gets a bus and we go somewhere so they can show us something live and in person. Sometimes it’s baddical. Other times, well….” He wanted to finish the statement but Sensei’s head shaking convinced him otherwise.

“Domo, Stoppable San. Now let us see what our friends are doing,” Sensei expressed while turning on the connection to show the students on the other side just coming into their room.

The group waited for Barkin to reveal his surprise.


****


[Middleton HS]

Kim walked into class trying to fight off the usual case of the mid-afternoon blahs. Fortunately, the bad guys had been quiet over the previous week allowing her to keep her with her studies and her prep for the Regional Cheer Off during the next week. Still, in watching Barkin, she knew he had something up his oversized sleeve for them. Now what? Since it’s been so quiet, natch he’d pull some quiz or paper on us!

“Hey, girl!” Monique greeted.

“Hey, Monique,” Kim replied, trying to stay upbeat. “Lots on the brain. Sorry.”

“You seriously need some fun, Kim. Come with me after school. New Spring Line’s just come in and you know what that means!”

The red head’s eyes went wide. “Not the Fabrige Collection!”

“On sale as of 10:00 this morning. I am giving you a makeover again!” Monique announced.

Kim pumped her fists, having saved her last four babysitting checks for the promise of some new clothes. “As Ron would say, boo yeah!”

Monique smirked. “I have to admit it hasn’t been the same without him around this year.”

“Hey, we still see him on camera.” Kim shrugged, trying to keep her feelings under wraps. “’Sides, Rick and I team up with him and Yori on missions.”

“I don’t know how but I know that girl’s got Ron on the up and up. She’s good for him,” Monique assessed.

Kim nodded. “She is. It feels weird to be saying it. And Ron’s been working so hard over in Japan to fit in. I talked with Mr. Sensei about it. He can’t say enough good things about what Ron’s been doing.”

“I know people still can’t believe how he’s been on top of things in class. Too bad that Sensei isn’t here. He could whip a few more people into shape,” Monique agreed.

“Ron’s enjoying himself,” Rick noted as he joined them. “You feeling better, Kim?”

“I’m dealing,” his GF told him while rubbing his shoulder for a brief second. (No sense engaging in a PDA moment when the enforcer could catch them.) “We’re heading for the mall after school. Wanna come with?”

“I’ll hit Platters while you two are terrorizing CB. Then we can split a float at the Creamery. How’s that?” he suggested.

“You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Trouseau, but I can definitely deal,” Kim concurred with a smile.

“Boy gets out of shopping and offers romance too. Now I know why you’re the hot shot agent, Rick,” Monique jabbed.

“Guy’s got his priorities too,” Rick countered with a smile. “I get my CD. Kim gets her fix. You get to wheel and deal. We get sweet stuff. What’s not to like?”

“Boy’s got a point there,” Monique admitted with a smirk.

Kim sighed, feeling the tension drain away from her. At least Rick can make a girl feel awesome!

Less than a minute later, Barkin stomped into the room under a full head of steam. He obviously had something up his sleeve from the slight smile on his face. “Class is in session, People! Pay attention!”

Kim exchanged looks with Rick. Natch. We feel great and he’s bent outta shape. Now what?

After he turned on the TV, allowing the Yamanuchi contingent to join them, he announced, “Bet you’re wondering what we’re going to be doing on Saturday. If you got plans, change them. We’re going to Denver for the day.”

“What?” Bonnie asked. “Class stuff on Saturday?”

“That’s right, Rockwaller. We’re going to the National Museum for the Haroshi Iguana exhibit. Sorry if your hair curlers are in a mess but that’s the only time when the busses were available.” And he scanned the class. “And yes, it will be part of your grade.”

Some of the teens in the room rolled their eyes thinking of the trouble it would cause with jobs, dates, parents, etc.

Barkin scanned the TV screen. “Stoppable, you’re still coming, right?”

Eyeing Sensei and getting a nod from the latter, the teen stood up and nodded. “Hey what’s a trip without a little Ronness to make it all good, right?”

“Whatever, Stoppable,” Barkin conceded. “I’ll look forward to it.” He grinned.

Despite his ninja training, Ron gulped anxiously. A full field trip and the Ming T ‘sai too? Mr. B’s nuts!

“Something wrong, Stoppable?” Barkin asked pointedly.

“With me? Nah. Just thinking about the jet lag.” He composed himself. “Be there with ya, day after tomorrow!”

“I can hardly wait,” Bonnie groused low in the back of the room before Barkin’s glare silenced her.

“If he and Matsumaru can make it from Japan, Rockwaller, you can cancel your manicure. Got it?” the principal suggested sarcastically, getting a chorus of snickers from around the room. “Now let’s get to the lesson for the day.”

Despite the change in subject, Kim and Rick noticed some anxiousness on Ron and Yori’s faces. They also saw Sensei motion toward Barkin so as not to draw attention to their friends.

Another sitch? Wonderful? Kim turned her attention to the class.

However, you could bet Team Possible would be in contact right afterwards…..




Chapter 5
[A/N: The story of Isobel and Dijon referred to below can be seen in “Timeswap” from my first Dubois series. The encounter between Therese and the Destroyer occurred earlier in “Family Ties” from the “Super Lana” series. ]

[Los Angeles—Reynald Towers]

Far above the activity in the dusk-drenched City of Angels, a lone immortal figure considered the latest reports from the field. Surrounding him, the windows to the penthouse suite had their curtains drawn to insure his privacy in addition to the doors being locked with two guards waiting outside. In contrast to the spring warmth outside, a fire blazed away in the fireplace across the room.

Bertrand du Dijon certainly knew about strategy and combat. Over the previous five hundred and fifty years, he’d fought under several set of rules on multiple battlefields all over the world, dealing with religious fanatics, determined warriors, sorcerers, and, in one case, a demon. He fingered the shortly trimmed beard while pondering the initial report from the National Museum. <“So the FBI assigns Petersen and Singleton, do they?”> he asked himself in French. He frowned, knowing that the two agents’ presence would—and already had—attracted his mortal enemy to the party. He smacked the paper against the desk. “Dubois.”

He glanced across the room toward the portrait above the fireplace. Despite their disagreements over strategies, he fell head over heels for the Countess Isobel in 1592. For twelve years, they’d built an empire in France’s Vendee region.

Then in 1604, Isobel threw all of her chips into the pot, gambling on the power of their master’s demonic Destroyer to sweep their enemies aside. She reached across time itself to kidnap Dubois’ girlfriend.

The boy followed with the aid of Isobel’s turncoat daughter, Heloise. His pain erupting in fire, brimstone and loud screeching that echoed across the French southwest and nearly swept the Burgundian along in its path.

As it was, Isobel’s own ambition ended at her enemies’ hands at the stake.

He hit a button on the computer observing a sample satellite shot from the previous Halloween. As he had for much of the previous week since it had been forwarded to him, Dijon watched as the ghost of his favorite among Isobel’s children, Therese, provoked the Destroyer’s emergence under the searing light of the Samhain full moon.

Of additional interest were the children fighting at the demon’s side. From his research, he’d learned that his adversary had built a fighting force around himself. <”Several meteor mutants from that accursed town.”> He also noted the duo on the flying carpet. <”Jasmine Bey and a female ninja along with her.”> He shook his head, guessing at her identity. <”So Dubois has found his niece again, has he?”>

After a few more minutes, he switched to the footage from the Ming T ‘sai’s former Shanghai operations. Once more, he endured the bile in his stomach while watching Team Possible dismantle their operations there with ease. <”Weak undisciplined ninja pretenders! To let mere teenagers defeat you like that!”> He growled and slammed his fist on the desk, cracking it. It had taken six months for him to resurrect the cartel after that setback. <”We shall see how prepared you are when we bring the fight to you!”>

He pressed a third button on the keyboard.

An image from a co-opted security camera within the National Museum let him see the gallery where the iguana statuette was being kept. <”Still waiting for us.”>

At that moment, the phone rang. “Oui?”

<”This is Falcon, Supreme One. Two targets are in sight,”> his chief observer noted.

Dijon nodded, recalling the observer’s location. <”Blonde and Asian?”>

“Hai.”

<”Let them board the plane. We have a reception committee waiting for them and the other two troublemakers in Denver,”> Dijon instructed. Although he would have preferred grabbing the two teenaged ninjas and using them as bait, he wanted to have all of Team Possible in one swoop. <After Shanghai, they will all pay!>

<”As you wish, Supreme One,”> Falcon concluded before hanging up.

Dijon set the phone firmly down. <”My enemies surround us! I am sick of bothersome children!”>

As he said that, the flames in the fireplace flared up.

<”PATIENCE!”> a low demonic voice snarled at him.

Dijon immediately bowed to the presence in the flames. <”Master, the plans come together.”>

<”Do not get overconfident, Dijon! You have underestimated Dubois before. And there is great power inside of the straw haired one,”> the demon lectured.

<”Begging your pardon but the boy does not know what he has! I will crush him with the iguana’s power!”> Dijon countered.

<”Do not overlook the boy’s promise. Or need I remind you of the last time you did so?”>

“Non, Master,” Dijon responded while rolling up his sleeves. His left forearm still bore the burned scar from his last encounter with Dubois’ Protector alter ego. <”I will not forget.”>

<”See that you do not.”> With that, the flames died back down.

<”I will deal with the young ones in one fell swoop. That I promise, Master!”> he vowed angrily.

The game, it seemed, was afoot…..


 

Chapter 6 [Tokyo—Narita International Airport]

Yori surveyed the waiting area inside of the international departures’ terminal guardedly. Since Sensei had warned Ron and her about the Ming T ‘sai, she hadn’t been able to relax. For the previous fifteen minutes, she’d also noted that a slender Japanese man would periodically watch her position for twenty seconds, disappear and return again in three minutes’ time.

She checked her watch. Sure enough, the stalker was back. Unfortunately, Ron was no where to be seen. <”Where is he?”>

Right on cue, Ron walked back into the area with a giant takeout bag full of nacos. “Hey! Now we’re ready to fly!”

“YEAH!” Rufus cheered from his left pocket.

She rolled her eyes at her BF, not believing that he could be that dense. “Ron San, we are on a mission for the school. Focus!”

“I know. I’m ready for anything,” he replied, blowing off his own anxiety. As he did so, he fell backward onto the floor but somehow managed not to spill his booty in the process. “Saved the nacos!”

“Whew!” the mole rat declared.

She wanted to remind him again of his commitment but another plan occurred to her first. “I shall be right back. I need to use the restroom.”

“Sure. Whatever. Rufus and I have everything under control!” he bragged.

She couldn’t help but giggle at him while grabbing her knapsack and heading toward the restroom. However, she passed it—and out of Falcon’s line of sight—making her way for the escalator and the upper floor. Right at the top of the apparatus, she produced her fighting fans and boomerang. <”Best to be prepared!”> She studied her watch. <”Almost time.”> She rounded the corner toward the overhang.

<”How did such a baka defeat us before?”> Falcon groused to himself while watching Ron and Rufus sitting oblivious to the threat there.

<”Ron San surprises us all. Who are you? What is your purpose?”> she demanded.

The operative wheeled around to see Yori glaring at him; her weapons already drawn. <”Figured it out, did you? Fine!”> He produced a pair of bolas and whirled them in his hands.

She flung her boomerang before he could react; the weapon knocking one of the whirling devices from his grasp before returning to her hand.

<”You are full of surprises, Matsumaru. I will give you that,”> Falcon groused before charging her with a flying kick.

She ducked underneath it. As Sensei and her sparring with Hirotaka and Ayoki had taught her, she let him tire himself out flailing at the air.

Occasionally, they exchanged blows.

A swipe from one of her fans gashed his hand, making the remaining bola spiral downward.

“RON SAN!” she yelled.

Unfortunately, the distraction allowed Falcon to get in a swipe of his own, cutting her arm. <”You even have to baby sit the gaijin?”> He laughed sarcastically.

The insult pushed her temper to the boiling point. She moved in to finish the contest.


****


Meantime, Ron had no idea about the fight going on just out of his line of sight. For all he knew, he fed the need, engrossing on his much missed nacos. As for his GF’s bathroom trip, he attributed it to the female need to look their best.

“Too long,” Rufus noted while yanking on his sleeve.

“Girls need to do their makeup thing. It’s all good,” Ron assured him.

Then Rufus saw the fight on the overhang above them. “Fight!” He yanked on his human’s sleeve. His eyes went wide at the sight of the bola coming straight at them.

“RON SAN!” Yori’s voice yelled from above.

“What? I….” Then Ron saw the falling weapon. “Aw NUTS!” He moved to avoid it.

As he did, he tripped over the seats, falling face first on the floor.

This time, the nacos cascaded over his fallen form, creating a gooey cheesy mess.

“AW MAN!” he complained while climbing to his feet. Looking up, he saw what Rufus was trying to tell him about. “YORI!” He grabbed his small companion and ran for the escalator.

A minute later, he reached the scene on the overhang.

“About time, Gaijin!” Falcon spat sarcastically while taking another swipe and missing Yori.

“Can I have some help, Ron San?” she supposed expectantly.

“Heck, yeah!” Ron concurred while stepping in front of her and taking Falcon’s next strike in the arm. “OW!” He dropped his shoulder and stumbled right into their adversary.

In a perfect example of the ‘Ron Factor,’ Falcon fell backward and hit his head against the wooden banister, knocking him out.

“That’ll teach ya not to mess with us!” Ron lectured with an air of annoyance over his spilled treats.

“YEAH!” Rufus added, hating the whole idea of the Ming T ‘sai stalking them.

Yori collected her own weapons and slipped them back into her backpack. “It seems that Sensei was correct, Ron San. Our enemies waste no time striking at us.” She had to laugh in spite of herself.

“What’s so funny?” Ron wondered.

“I think we’d best clean up. As you Americans like to say, you wear your style well,” she jabbed with a playful smirk.

In a reflective panel, he saw himself covered in the naco mess. “Can’t a guy catch a break? Aw snap!” He sighed before considering her arm. “Wow! You’re bleedin’!”

“It is only a scratch. We will have it looked at. Come. You need to clean up as well,” she advised. “Sensei will send others to clean up the mess below.”

With that, she led him toward the waiting plane.





Chapter 7 [An hour later—somewhere over the Pacific]

True to Yori’s assessment, Sensei sent ninja specialists to do away with the evidence from the brawl and treat her arm. The reinforcements also made sure Falcon was properly detained and prepped for information debrief.

Once that was all done, the two teens hustled onto the plane for western Kansas.


****


Ron felt somewhat satisfied at the replacement naco bag that Sensei managed to procure for him and Rufus. He continued to munch away on the snack albeit not as calmly as he did earlier. Falcon’s attack had driven Yori’s point home to even him. He cast an anxious look at her as she rejoined him.

“Enjoying your treat?” she asked, giving him a smile while sitting down next to him.

“Yeah but….” He sighed while bowing his head.

“It worked out, Ron San.” She put her hand under his chin and raised his face until they were looking each other in the eye. “Hai. You need to maintain your focus. However, I used one of your American-style tactics.” She smirked mischievously.

“Great. I’m the distraction again. I thought we were passed that sitch,” he groused.

“It worked, Ron San. You might not want to keep me waiting though next time,” she added.

“Yeah. Just let me know what’s going down the next time, okay?” he requested.

She nodded. “I am sorry I did not. I was concerned that the man would have others waiting for us. I wanted to take him before he could alert potential reinforcements.” Now it was her turn to feel less than comfortable with her actions. “We need to work out a set of signals. Did you and Kim have anything like that?”

“Nah. She kicked butt. I destroyed things. That’s about it,” he noted. “We are a baddical team as is.”

“Hai. We are,” she concurred as they kissed. She glanced at Rufus who watched the developing scene. “And we could not forget you, Rufus San.”

“T’anks,” the naked mole rat expressed between bites of naco goodness.

Beep-Beep-O-BEEP-BEEP!

“Can we continue this later?” she proposed.

“Ooh yeah,” he agreed while producing his Ronnunicator. “Hey, Wade.”

“Ron, are you and Yori okay? We just heard about what happened back in Tokyo,” Wade wondered.

“Dude, it’s all good. We handled it,” Ron assured him.

“Uh huh. How’s your arm, Yori?” the genius asked.

“It is a scratch. Ninja doctors looked at it before we departed. Wade San, the Ming T ‘sai already watch us.”

“We aren’t exactly a secret, Yori. Besides they’re probably still mad about Shanghai,” Wade pointed out. “So when are we meeting you in Denver?”

“Actually, Wade….” Ron winced.

Wade raised an eyebrow and typed on a few keys, accessing the FAA’s list of arriving planes into the Colorado capital. “Hey, you aren’t on here!”

“Sensei wanted our enemies to believe we were going there,” she revealed. “We have another mission first.”

“Another mission?” Wade typed some more, getting the Yamanuchi jet’s transponder code. “Smallville, Kansas? What’s going on there? It’s the middle of nowhere.”

“We seek my sister ninja and her uncle,” she explained sadly. “She does not respond to Sensei’s calls. Something is wrong.”

“Can you search for Miranda Arighatto?” Ron requested while trying to comfort her.

Wade executed the search, bringing up a list of results. “I’ve got her. She’s there all right. She’s working in some place called the Talon. Apparently she lives on a farm outside of town.” Then his eyes went wide. “Wait a minute. There’s a mistake here. The fingerprints don’t match.”

“What?”

“Sure that name isn’t just an alias Sensei gave her, Yori?” Wade proposed.

Yori sighed. “That was the name of her kidnapper. Try Miranda Dubois as well.”

Wade typed in the search. “You got it! The fingerprints match now and….wow!” He stared into the camera. “Do Kim and Rick know about this?”

“We’re going to call them next,” Ron promised.

“What is it, Wade San?” she requested.

“You mentioned her uncle. That wouldn’t happen to be David Dubois, would it?” Getting nods from both ninjas, he shook his head. “The man’s got a file longer than my arm.”

“Sensei mentioned his inner darkness. The way Miranda spoke of him, he cannot be evil,” she disagreed.

Wade sighed and pulled out the spare Kimmunicator. “I’m getting Kim. She definitely needs to be on this.” He hit the summoning button.

Barely ten seconds later, Kim’s face appeared, splitting with Wade’s on the screen. “Go, Wade.”

“Hey, Kim. The Ming T ‘sai’s back,” Wade announced.

“They are? What?” Kim asked feeling confused. She waved Rick over. “It’s Wade. The Ming T ‘sai made their first move.”

“Again? We busted those guys!” Rick protested. “Where are Ron and Yori?”

“We are all right, Rick,” Yori assured them. “We dealt with one of their spies.”

“He wrecked a bag of nacos. Man, that tanked!” Ron interjected. Getting glares from both Kim and Yori, he piped down.

“So you’re on your way here, right?” Rick supposed. “I’ll arrange a meet with Dr. Director. She’ll get us the intel and…..”

“They’re not going to Denver or Middleton, guys,” Wade announced. “That’s why I brought you into this.”

Kim looked pointedly at the screen. “Oh really? And where is Sensei sending you? Barkin thinks you two are coming right in here.”

Ron chuckled nervously, covering his own anxiety over that particular look (which he knew came right before he ended up in the doghouse for a week at least). “Heh. Heh. You’re really close, KP. It’s just a drive away.”

“Calm yourself, Ron San,” Yori assured him. “Sensei sends us to western Kansas on related business. We shall be in Denver by tomorrow morning.”

“Western Kansas? Wade, where are they going?” Kim asked.

“I’m sending you the coordinates now. Ron, Yori, I really think the whole team should go in together on this one,” Wade informed them. “I don’t want to say any more online. Kim, Rick, if you start driving now, you can be there about a half hour before they touch down.”

“Right. See you there, guys. Be careful, okay?” Kim admonished before everyone signed off.

“It will be all right. Sensei wished for them to know,” Yori assured her BF.

“Yeah. I just have a real bad feeling about this one. Ya know?” he replied while hugging her shoulders with his left arm.

“It is good to see you exercising caution, Ron San. I am glad for that,” she agreed while leaning into his embrace.

Meantime, he glanced over her shoulder toward the clouds whisking by outside of the window. Now what? Crap!

 

Onto Part 2